What is the ruling if the slanderer claims to have absent witnesses to prove adultery?

Primary text

If the slanderer claims to possess absent witnesses to establish the adultery, he is granted a respite of two or three days because this time frame is considered near. If he brings the witnesses, the case proceeds; otherwise, he receives the prescribed punishment (*Hadd*), unless he is her husband and resorts to mutual cursing (*Li'an*).