“My God! do not punish me any more seriously. I am not deserving of this. I say to you that I am innocent.”
“We would have no use for the building if all of you fellows could prove to the world that you were innocent. If you are not guilty, why have you been brought here? Surely you had some justice done you.”
“Sir, I was convicted on circumstantial evidence. I was not proved guilty, for I am not guilty. The guilty one is at large, and the innocent one is here for ten years.”
“You are having your own way about this argument. I only know you are here for murder, and it is my duty to see that you are working for the next ten years. Come along with me.”
I was taken to “the carpet” and the look of the officer and higher official was like daggers. I trembled from head to foot.
“You here again? What is the trouble, guard?”
“I found this man standing with hands untied when I entered the rack.”
“What does this mean? Who untied you?”
I saluted the superintendent, and replied: “I do not know.”
“Well, we will see if we can find out. Take him back and double-tie his hands. Strap his feet also, and tip-toe him, and perhaps he will be willing to work by and by.”