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Chapter 10
Later,Ilearnedthattherewasagirlwhohadremainedtruetohim,andwhowaseventhenwaitingforhim.Thewomanfactorexplainsmanythingsofmen.
Ifeveramandeliberatelycommittedmurder,AlHutchinsdidthatmorninginsolitaryattheWarden’sbidding.HerobbedmeofthelittlespaceIstole.And,havingrobbedmeofthat,mybodywasdefenceless,and,withhisfootinmybackwhilehedrewthelacinglight,heconstrictedmeasnomanhadeverbeforesucceededindoing.SoseverewasthisconstrictionofmyfrailframeuponmyvitalorgansthatIfelt,thereandthen,immediately,thatdeathwasuponme.Andstillthemiracleoffaithwasmine.IdidnotbelievethatIwasgoingtodie.Iknew—IsayIknew—thatIwasnotgoingtodie.Myheadwasswimming,andmyheartwaspoundingfrommytoenailstothehair-rootsinmyscalp.
“That’sprettytight,”CaptainJamieurgedreluctantly.
“Thehellitis,”saidDoctorJackson.“Itellyounothingcanhurthim.He’sawooz.Heoughttohavebeendeadlongago.”
WardenAtherton,afterahardstruggle,managedtoinserthisforefingerbetweenthelacingandmyback.Hebroughthisfoottobearuponme,withtheweightofhisbodyaddedtohisfoot,andpulled,butfailedtogetanyfractionofaninchofslack.
“Itakemyhatofftoyou,Hutchins,”hesaid
