The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-08
eyes were turned upon Winters face. and the

eyes were turned upon Winters face. and the
low voice began
Five years ago / met you first. For two
years you were my friend. | died. bequeath-
ing you strange task For three years was
dead to you and all the world"
You, then. are Edgar Percy2'
What is left of him"
You were not dead. then? In what man.
ner were you rescued from the grave?"
No. l was not dead" he said. Dying has
been my profession. | have lived upon the
proceeds of my deaths at various times; but l
am not dead yet"
To say that DR.. Winter was astonished
would but feebly express the state of the good
mans mind, while Cunning watched the two
with distended eyes.
But what" demanded the Doctor. with
difficulty forcing himself to speak was the TN,
disgrace to which you alluded in that letter.
"A blind, my friend-a blind merely to
throw you of the track. You say'-to Dun
ning-'that | am going 10 dley'
"You certainly are beyond all skill"
well. well. what matters it, have been
great rascal, and no one has ever suspected It.
Twill be sort Of relief TO speak the truth Tor
once in my life Listen. both Of you"
The processes Of converting warm young
heart to vilany and dishonesty are various;
II matters not how became the hypocrte |
always was: I think II was born IN me; that II
ment strengthened the natural propensity.
Well. Doctor, am going to make the story
short, to give the frame-works as 1t were.
which YOU can fill ont at your leisure; for al
ready feel the death-clutch at my vitals.
Three separate times have J. with the
aid Of an accompllce. teigned death
successfully. Each time my fe was
insured TO large amount; each time
/ bore different name. was buried, or sup
posed TO have been. by my accomplice; who,
of course, was the person IN whose favor my
insurance was drawn. have had in all five
thousand pounds within the space Of five
years, obtained in this way. The last time |
undertook it my accomphce, after drawing
the money, refused 10 give me my usual
share, twothirds. Knowing that | was IN his
power dared not proceed 10 extremities
with him: SO let him depart with his Ill
gotten gains. But the disappointment or my
last effort was too much for me; and here /
nm defeated at last. and brought to bed
which IS really q couch OF death
Then" said Dr.. Winter, by my silence,
dreadng lest betrayed the dishonor Of dead
friend. connived at felony, and helped two
scoundrels to prey upon society. On. Edgar
Percy. could not have believed it Of you"
Cant YOU see" responded the dying man..
with a feeble sneer, that that IS the reason
why was 50 successful My face stamped me
not only pure, but above suspicion. Somuch
for faces
DR.. Winter turned abruptly away. shocked
Disguised and angry. Cunning sent for q
magistrate, who took the confession Of the
impOstOr. who, however. refused 10 give the
name Of his confederate in crime. He died az
last. repenting at the eleventh hour, as is the
custom with such men.
Dr. Winter SAYS that he would rather have
gone on fretting now and then over a mystery
he could not solve than 10 have 1t solved as
this was and that he can never forgive him.
self for being duped by Percy's lying epistle