The hush that followed was so great that those present seemed scarcely to breathe. Morgan said: “There lies a man who has blown out his brains [he pointed to Jayat]; here lies one who stabbed himself [he designated Valensolle]; a third who has been shot [he indicated Ribier]; you want to see the fourth guillotined. I understand that.”
A dreadful shudder passed through the crowd.
“Well,” continued Morgan, “I am willing to give you that satisfaction. I am ready, but I desire to go to the scaffold in my own way. No one shall touch me; if any one does come near me I shall blow out his brains—except that gentleman,” continued Morgan, pointing to the executioner. “This is his affair and mine only.”
The crowd apparently thought this request reasonable, for from all sides came the cry, “Yes, yes, yes.”
The officer saw that the quickest way to end the matter was to yield to Morgan’s demand.
“Will you promise me,” he asked, “that if your hands and feet are not bound you will not try to escape?”
“I give my word of honor,” replied Morgan.
“Then,” said the officer; “stand aside, and let us take up the bodies of your comrades.”
“That is but right,” said Morgan, and he turned aside to a wall about ten paces distant and leaned against it.
The gate opened. Three men dressed in black entered the courtyard and picked up the bodies one after the other. Ribier was not quite dead; he opened his eyes and seemed to look for Morgan.