It is to overthrow the stake.
Of course, not one dreams of doing so.
For the last time let us change our artifices.

The top of the gibbet consists of a little fork, with the prongs widely opened and measuring barely two-fifths of an inch in length.

With a thread of hemp, less easily attacked than a strip of raphia, I bind together, a little above the heels, the hind-legs of an adult Mouse; and between the legs I slip one of the prongs of the fork.

To make the body fall it is enough to slide it a little way upwards; it is like a young Rabbit hanging in the front of a poulterer's shop.
Five Necrophori come to inspect my preparations.

After a great deal of futile shaking, the tibiae are attacked.