He had gained
one minute of time, he might be able to gain more. In any case, no one
could save him except himself. There was Jean Jacques with his hand on
the lever--one turn and the thing was done for ever. If a rescuer was
even within one foot of Jean Jacques, the deed could still be done. It
was so much easier opening than shutting the gates of the flume!
"Why should I wait, devil and rogue?" The words came from Jean Jacques'
lips with a snarl. "I am going to kill you. It will do you no good to
whine--cochon!"
To call a man a pig is the worst insult which could be offered by one man
to another in the parish of St. Saviour's. To be called a pig as you are
going to die, is an offensive business indeed.
"I know you are going to kill me--that you can kill me, and I can do
nothing," was the master-carpenter's reply. "There it is--a turn of the
lever, and I am done. Bien sur, I know how easy! I do not want to die,
but I will not squeal even if I am a pig. One can only die once. And once
is enough. . . . No, don't--not yet! Give me a minute till I tell you
something; then you can open the gates. You will have a long time to
live--yes, yes, you are the kind that live long. Well, a minute or two is
not much to ask. If you want to murder, you will open the gates at once;
but if it is punishment, if you are an executioner, you will give me time
to pray.
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