The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-06-14
CHAPTER XIII.

j. Ohh "AAi e1eSR~N s-ANe.1Nst 49, -
knees I'm respited, amt II never
done it. sir. never did. The king
wouldn't hang an innocent man?"
"Get up and dress yourself was the
reply. You will hear the report up
stairs. all OF you together. You, too.
Erichsen. slip on your things
Tom obeyed and then lent a hand to
Creasey. who hardly knew his small
clothes from his jacket. and chung to
Tom as a child TO its nurse.
I'm innocent" he kept mumbling.
They'll be the murderers If they let
me swing. Didn't tell you was in
nocent, Erichsen? Haven't said so
all along? oh, my Gawd. II they let
me swingr"
''They won't" whispered Tom. ''But
II they did. why, we've got to die some
time. It's an easy death, and there's
an end to It."
"But ! don't want to die! I dursn't
dlel I don't deserve to die! Don't !
keep telling yer l never doneitT'
And the abject thing chung blubber-
ing to Toms arm as the turnkey who
was waiting at the door conducted the
pair upstairs.
The upper day room. or cell ward, as
It was indifferently termed. was but
poorly lighted with candles, whose Sc
pulchral rays added pallor even to the
white faces of those dragged from
their beds to hear their doom. The
number Of the latter being now COM
plete, all fourteen were ordered 70
kneel. and Tom found himself between
Creasey and Carter at one end Of the
line. Creasey still chung to his arm.
Carter knelt like a rock. with his great
fingers clutched in front Of him and
heavy drops falling on them from his
Bonded brow. This was all Tom saw
before the ordinary entered In his gown
and halted before him first.
'Mr. Erichsen," said he, with a com.
passionate trenor. the recorder has
this evening made his report to the
king. am very sorry to have to in.
form you that II Is unfayorable"
Tom inclined his head. He had cher.
ished no hopes.
The ordinary approached Carter.
Il am sorry TO tell you IL Is Ill
against you also" he continued "As
for you, Creasey.- and the latter tight.
ened his grip on Toms arm, Il am
happy to inform you that your life Il
spared, and l am very happy to IN.
form all the others that by the royal
mercy their lives are spared"
Creasey withdrew his hand from
Toms arm and edged further away on
his knees. A deep sigh rose from q
dozen breasts: then as the chaplain
was about TO offer up a prayer there
came a sudden crash at Toms side.
and the wretched Carter was founder.
ing on the floor In commissions. The
rest were hurried back to their cells,
and Creasey executed a breakdown
while Tom quietly undressed.
But that's all rightT' cried the for.
mer, stopping suddenly. "It's no more
n expected, cause, you see. I'm an
innocent,man an alIus was: that's why
you never caught me showing the
white, Erichsen, though once or twice
you thought you did. Jiggered II you
wouldn't believe anythink, a mug like
you! Why. used to blk you every
blooming night for fun! Not but what
I'm sorry It's all up with you, old
, man: though It's a nice an comfy
death, you told me so yourself. and
you know we've all got 70 die some
day! Besides, you done yOurs-ne
denying It-but I never done mine al
all, so IT'S fair an square enough, you
must admir-
The little cur was snoring In Ter
; minutes. He was removed TO TIL
Transport side next morning. And
Tom, left In solitude, would have Civ
en- some days OF the twelve remalnir.
: TO have had him back.
The execution was fixed for the Goth
He would never see another June.
Bassett came from day 10 day Will
: news Of the petition. II was beins
nlNhEly Jul hui hM lively ~ VI UEbt
Bassetts disappointment was patent I.
the condemned man. The smart youns
= fellow was In fact beginning 10 wear
, Of his uphill work and 10 think abou
the bill.
So NEXT day Tom asked Basset
: whether the noble unknown had ais,
I, abandoned hope and effort.
mot he" said Bassett In q half dis
J gusted tone. He II moving HEAVIER
) and earth; seeking private interview
with the home secretary II not wild
the king himself. He's quite cnpabl'
OF II. A wonderful man when be get
en- Idea into bis headw
But what put this idea into hi
headT
2 Heaven knowsT'
! Tom looked the attorney through an.
through and asked another question
! ibid you tell him how much I shouI'
: Ike 10 see him before I dle-to THANH
I hint"
Il did. but he IL too busy workInI
for you. lie said that would do yol
] more good"
II see" said Tom sadly; "anothe