"_Vive la guillotine_!" shouted the crowd as they caught sight of it.
It was strangely lit up with the glare of the torches of some workmen who were evidently busy upon it.

I could see the fatal knife being raised once or twice and let fall with a crash by way of experiment.
And each time the crowd cheered and laughed, and invited one of their number to ascend the platform and put his head in the empty collar.

It made me sick to watch it, yet for safety's sake I had to shout "_Vive la guillotine_!" with the rest of them, and laugh with the loudest.
Presently some one near noticed me and caught me by the arm.
"Here is one that will do, Citoyen Samson.

Lift him up, comrades.

Let us see if the knife is sharp enough." At the touch of his hand I broke into a cold sweat, and clung to his knees amid shouts of laughter.