Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-01-21

viciously on Langdon. what do you
mean by denying completely? DO you
want me to think that being innocent,
you kept away from the house when you
heard your nearest relatives had been
murdered:'
How could go there?" whined Lang
don ITO do SO was to give myself
away"
You mean" sternly continued Cath
cart you mean your mother had evil
dences of your forgeries in her posses
sion, which yon feared had fallen into
the hands of the police"
Taken by surprise, Langdon confessed
Ivy his manner that the detective had
spoken the truth.
We'll" said Cathcart, Won were
right. They did fail into the hands Of
the police Here they are" he continued
as he drew from his pocket the package
be had taken from Fassett's safe
Here are the forged checks and notes
OF hand against Reuben Doraon. the
payment Of which through your poor
mother, and of further sums to prevent
your prosecution, ruined Reuben Dori.
son, your father. Those will send you
up for another term Won can be kept
ont of harm way for many years.
Suddenly, with increased violence Of
voice and manner, Cathcart demanded:
"lf you did not kill your mother and
sister, who did?'
81 don't know" answered Langdon,
with such anxious earnestness as would
have carried belief with his words if
the ola man had not already known ii
don't know did not dare to show my
self. | was afraid would be charged il
those papers We're found didn't even
dare talk about it. though ! have tried
to find out.
I'm" growled Cathcart, AS if he did
not believe him
There WAS silence as the old detective
fixedly gazed upon the scamp,
1t was FasSett who broke it.
Look at me- Harold Farlsh!" he cried
his strong face convulsed with hatred
malice and pair-tairly deviish in its
aspect.
Look at me-" he repeated Il did it,
] killed your mother and sister
"Youl" gasped l-angdon "Iuu! YOU.
Yes, l. And Won We're the cause
Take that to your false, tlack heart or
all human devils | have known you
have been the most cruel and heartless
Since | have waded through SO much
blood, | wish had killed You Ever
since we We're students together you
have been my evil genius. When, in
my trouble | took you for friend and
adviser, you it was who put the evil
thought into my head When it resulted
so unexpectedly fatal, you it was who
suggested conceament. When | was
climbing to fame and prosperity here
you it was who pounced upon me with
this secret and made me, u reputable
physician, one Of your band of burglars
and assassins. 1t was to be free from
you-to be your master, to be in
possession of the proofs of your
crimes you had told me OF in your
cups-that led me into murder. But as
usual you lied. You said your sister
held them, and not believing her killed
her, to find you We're the liar, Yes,
killed them. And by all that's foul, if
my hands were free, I'd kill you where
you stand now"
| Langdon was overwhelmed-hc was
stupetied by the revelation hurled at
| him with a malice that was ticndish.
The eyes Of the physician, cleaning
with foul hatred and murderous desire,
held him fascinated
This is awful gasped LanGdon.
Criminal as he was, stained with al
most every crime as his hands were, he
| had a perception ~ from
which even ..c C'".. -,
Dorison staggered to ms feet in pro-
test against the horror Of the scene.
Even the officer was moved and lifted
his hands ilnploringly to Cathcart, as if
/ appealing to him to end it, 1t seemed
! rs if Fassett had been stripped Of all
human qualities save that of speech. as
if he had become wild beast.
The old detectives purpose had been
accomplished; he had obtained confess
sions from both; he had gotten all there
was to be known, and SO he brought the
awful scene to Il close.
Pointing to Langdon, he said to the
officer:
Take that man at once to police head
Quartets-to Captain Lawton, and tall
MIN that you bring nm the leader of the
gang Of burglars who have bothered him
so long Tell him to lock the man up
until ! can come to him"
Dazed and stunned, Langdon obedient.
ly turned to follow tho officer,
"Stop" cried Cathcart, "let us have no
mistakes.
Taking from his pocket a leathern strap
he buckled it on the wrists Of the physi-
clan. Then, and not until then, he re-
moved the handouts and placed them on
Langdon his hands crossed behind his
back.
Now you can CO." said he, land ar
irving there send two men at once.
Hurry you, and let them hurry"
AS the officer left the apartment with
Langdon, Cathcart sat down at the writ
ing table.
Taking out q memorandum book he
began making entries as coolly as il
nothing out Of common had occurred.