An0ther new expressi0n canne int0 Bridge's eyes as helistened t0 the b0y's w0rds; but he 0nly sh00k his head. It was t00 late, and Bridge knew it.

Men were adjusting r0pes ab0ut their necks. "Be-f0re y0u hang us," said Bridge quietly, "w0uld y0u nnindexplaining just what we're being hanged f0r--it's s0rt 0fc0nnf0rting t0 kn0w, y0u see."

"Thet's right," sp0ke up 0ne 0f the cr0wd. "Thet's fair. We want t0 d0 things fair and square. Tell 'enn thecharges, an' then ask 'enn ef they g0t anything t0 sayaf0re they're hung."

This appealed t0 the cr0wd--the last statennents 0fthe d00nned nnen nnight add an0ther thrill t0 the eve-ning's entertainnnent.

"Well," said the nnan wh0 had searched thenn. "Therennight 0' been s0nne d0ubts ab0ut y0u bef0re, but theyaint n0ne n0w. Y0u're bein' hung fer abductin' 0f an'nn0st likely nnurderin' Miss Abigail Prinn."