THE HEADSMAN'S RIGHT LIII.

The headsman, until this moment, had been a silent and attentive listener to all that passed; but now he pressed himself into the circle, and looking, in his quiet manner, from one to the other, he spoke with the assurance that the certainty of having important intelligence to impart, is apt to give even to the meekest, in the presence of those whom they habitually respect.

The headsman of the canton is my father; were the fact publicly known, the heartless and obdurate laws would compel me to be his successor.