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Justice Lansing held up a hand. “Before I consider those pieces of evidence, I would like to remind you of the great moment of this decision you are about to make. On your verdict depends a man’s life.”

Not just Levi’s life, Caty wanted to cry out. It was hers and Elias’s too. And Elma, who had been killed.

Justice Lansing leaned forward, his face framed by tapers. “I don’t need to tell you that this matter has excited the public attention to a remarkable degree. A great many reports have been circulated, which cannot have failed to reach your ears—but you, gentlemen of the jury, by your obligation as jurors, are duty-bound to limit yourself only to the evidence you have heard at this trial.”

Caty’s nails bit into her palms through her gloves.

“The prosecution has never pretended to afford positive proof as to the commission of this murder by the prisoner. It has attempted to prove his guilt by circumstantial evidence. If it could be established, by a number of circumstances so connected as to produce a rational conviction, that Levi Weeks is the perpetrator of the crime, it would be your duty to find him guilty.”

Why didn’t he stop talking already and let them go and come to their verdict?

“The prosecution has failed to establish such a chain,” pronounced Justice Lansing.

There was a buzzing in Caty’s ears. The interplay of flame and shadow made the room spin wildly. What in goodness’ name was he saying?

“It is, as this court sees it, very doubtful whether Gulielma Sands left the house of Elias Ring in company with the prisoner.”

Caty’s mouth fell open; she could feel the protests jamming at the back of her throat. Of course he’d left with her! She’d told them he’d left with her! She might not have seen them, but she’d heard them. She’d heard the door.

The judge went on, in the same dry voice, “As for the testimony respecting the one-horse sleigh, if one is not satisfied by the testimony of Mrs. Susanna Broad, then it must be evident that the relations of the other witnesses respecting a sleigh and the cries of distress near the Manhattan Well can have no application to the prisoner.”

No application? People had heard Elma crying murder! How had that no application simply because an old woman had been confused by clever lawyers?

Justice Lansing gestured to the shadowy confines of the dock. “The prisoner appears to be a young man of fair character and mild disposition. It is difficult to discover what inducement could have actuated the prisoner in the commission of the crime with which he is charged.”

Levi Weeks stood up straighter. Caty could see his chest rise and fall as he drew in a deep breath, as if he could already scent freedom.

“The witnesses produced on his part account for the manner in which he spent his evening, excepting only a few minutes.”

Ezra Weeks sat with his arms folded across his chest. Caty wanted to slap his smug face. He’d lied for his brother; they all knew he’d lied for his brother. How could the court not see it?

Justice Lansing raised his voice to be heard over the excited murmuring from the galleries. “This court is unanimously of the opinion that the proof is insufficient to warrant a verdict against the prisoner. With that charge, gentlemen of the jury, we commit the prisoner’s case to your consideration.”

Caty turned to Elias, who looked as shocked as she felt. “Is he allowed to say that? Can he tell them what to think?”

“They’ll make up their own minds. That’s what they’re here to do,” said Elias numbly, but he fumbled for her hand, and Caty didn’t stop him.

Hope was staring at Levi with a look on her face Caty didn’t like at all. Caty clutched Elias’s hand, and felt him squeeze it in return.

“He did it; they have to know he did it,” Caty muttered. She turned to Hope, raising her voice so Hope would hear her. “Thee knows he did it.”

Hope didn’t answer; she only stared at Levi.

Caty bent her head, praying without words, praying that they’d do the right thing and come back with a verdict of guilty. If they didn’t—it wasn’t even to be thought of. He was guilty.

“Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?”

“We have, Your Honor.”

How could they be back already? They’d only just gone out. Caty clutched Elias’s hand, scarcely aware of where she was or what she was doing.

The foreman cleared his throat. “The unanimous verdict of this jury is that the prisoner is NOT GUILTY.”

“What?” Caty was on her feet without realizing she’d stood. “No! No!”

Ezra Weeks enveloped Levi in a huge hug, pounding him loudly on the back. Mr. Colden looked like he was about to faint. People were exclaiming, cheering, booing, rushing out of the room to tell the people slumped half-asleep on the floor of the corridor beyond the courtroom, waiting, waiting, waiting for the verdict.

“Not guilty!” The cry went up from mouth to mouth to the waiting crowd outside. “Weeks not guilty!”