Note 67 — Chapter 4 (continued 2)

Barthélemy’s last words are said to have been: ‘Now I shall know the secret,’ alluding to a future life in which, of course, he did not believe. His case has become famous, because it is often quoted as an argument in favour of capital punishment. Obviously, had he suffered the death penalty for the murder of the gendarme in Paris, three other men would have escaped being killed by him.—(Translator’s Note.)