"I have been sent," answers the awful messenger; again he stops—looks compassionately at his destined victim.
"Well!"
"By the Empress—"
"I know!"
"To have you—"
"What?"
"Stuffed!" said the Executioner mournfully.
The banker shrieked.
"Stuffed!" repeats the man, laconically, pointing to a bird in a glass case, to prevent there being any mistake in Sutherland's mind as to the nature of the operation he is to be called upon to undergo.
The Executioner now lays his hand significantly on poor Sutherland's collar, and looks into his face, as if to inquire if he had any particular or peculiar fancy as to the mode in which he would like to go through the preparatory operation of being killed.