Міжзірковий мандрівник
Chapter 18
Inalittlewhiletheywilltrytobefoolme.Theywilltakemefromthiscelltothebath,accordingtotheprisoncustomoftheweeklybath.ButIshallnotbebroughtbacktothiscell.Ishallbedressedoutrightinfreshclothesandbetakentothedeath-cell.Theretheywillplacethedeath-watchonme.Nightorday,wakingorsleeping,Ishallbewatched.IshallnotbepermittedtoputmyheadundertheblanketsforfearImayanticipatetheStatebychokingmyself.
Alwaysbrightlightwillblazeuponme.Andthen,whentheyhavewellweariedme,theywillleadmeoutonemorninginashirtwithoutacollaranddropmethroughthetrap.Oh,Iknow.Theropetheywilldoitwithiswell-stretched.FormanyamonthnowthehangmanofFolsomhasbeenstretchingitwithheavyweightssoastotakethespringoutofit.
Yes,Ishalldropfar.Theyhavecunningtablesofcalculations,likeinteresttables,thatshowthedistanceofthedropinrelationtothevictim’sweight.Iamsoemaciatedthattheywillhavetodropmefarinordertobreakmyneck.Andthentheonlookerswilltaketheirhatsoff,andasIswingthedoctorswillpresstheirearstomychesttocountmyfadingheart-beats,andatlasttheywillsaythatIamdead.
Itisgrotesque.Itistheridiculouseffronteryofmen-maggotswhothinktheycankillme.Icannotdie.Iamimmortal,astheyareimmortal;thedifferenceisthatIknowitandtheydonotknowit
