the statues, the obstacles, the flower beds, the stairs, the door,
the tables, the chairs.

"In the corner of the room was THAT INSTRUMENT, which Guillotin had
just invented and perfected. One day he was to lay his own head
under his own ax. Peace be to his name! With him I deal not!

"In a frame of mahogany, neatly worked, was a board with a half
circle in it, over which another board fitted. Above was a heavy
ax, which fell--you know how. It was held up by a rope, and when
this rope was untied, or cut, the steel fell.

"To the story which I now have to relate, you may give credence, or
not, as you will. The sleeping man went up to that instrument.

"He laid his head in it, asleep."

"Asleep?"

"He then took a little penknife out of the pocket of his white
dimity waistcoat.

"He cut the rope asleep.

"The ax descended on the head of the traitor and villain. The
notch in it was made by the steel buckle of his stock, which was
cut through.

"A strange legend has got abroad that after the deed was done, the
figure rose, took the head from the basket, walked forth through