Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-05-12

what l knew to the authorities, by
whom, it must be said, my story was
received with some incredulity. You
see, my special branch of surgery is
but little known to the public, and it
was the opinion of the police that the
murderer had left the country some
time before Mr.. Griffiths had quilted
my house.
But, few months ago, happening
to be on visit to Dresden, whittier l
had gone on brief summer holiday
and having in way largely succeeded
in dismissing from my mind the events
above related-I was startled to see,
seated at the table in the Gowerbe-
haus in that city, enjoying the strains
of the talented orchestra, my no
longer mysterious but now dreadful
acquaintance, Mr.. George Grifiths.
My duty, l decided after moments
reflection, was plain-to denounce and
deliver him to the authorities.
Quickly, therefore, lest he should
leave before could have him arrested,
l explained myself as well as l was
able to the nearest official He
looked and was unbelieving. So, too.
were the others whom he summon ed
to hear my story. That part of it
which referred to the operation was
received with smile; and the upshot
of it was so far from effeeting my ex-
patients capture, was myself lightly
ridiculed as mad Englishman.
But could not allow myself to be
baffled in what considered my clear
duty, viz, to deliver foul murderer
up to justice. l determined, there
fore, to renew my acquaintance with
him there and then, to give him no
inkling of my knowledge of the truth,
the English police, while continuing
to keep him nnder my own surveillance
in the Saxon capital.
When, with polite bow, ap-
preached and spoke to him, he rec
ognizeda me at once; l could see that,
though at first he pretended not to
know me. We had glass of beer to-
gether, and spoke Of many matters of
general interest; l fattering myself
that nothing in my conversation or
bearing gave him the slightest ground
to suspect me.
The same night wrote a long let
ter to the London police. again stat
ing my certain knowledge that this
man. changed though he was. was
the murderer of Mrs. Bates, and sug-
gesting that they should forthwith
send over to Dresden an official armed
with information as to other distin-
gushing marks on Mr.a Bates person
besides his aquiline nose and heavy
mustache.
During the next few days / became
very intimate with my ex-patient, and
in pursuance of a scheme l had
formed, invited him more than once
to battle with me from one of the
floating baths This he cheerfully
did, being an admirable swimmer.
On the fifth day from my writing TO
London an answer arrived in the per-
son of a stalwart detective from Scot
land Yard. who informed me that the
real Mr. Bates had, as | suspected, the
distinguishing marks which could be
verified; among them an anchor tat
tooed on the left forearm, which had
myself. of course. noted whilst we
were bathing together. To satisfy
himself. before acting on the warrant
he had brought with him, the detec-
tive. Mr.. Hanway. it was agreed,
should join our bathing party on the
morrow-a simple and not disagree
able preliminary to the contemplated
arrest.
But alas, for the schemes Of mice
and men. We called together at Mr.
Grifiith's-aias Bates rooms-in the
morning, and found him busy with
some correspondence. IF you will
wait for me half an hour or so on the
terrace he said, which your
friend will find very pleasant, I'll join
you for our swim in about half an
hour." Suspacting nothing, we took
our leaye-and waited for him as he
had directed.
But we waited in vain. Whether
the features OF my friend, Mr.. Han
way. were known to him, or whether
there had, IN spite Of my care, been
anything in my manner TO excite his
suspicion, cannot say Suffice it,
that we remained full hour on the
terrace and then returned to find
him-gone.
Whittier we could never trace, and
have never seen him since. From
that day t. this he has baffied the skill
Of the police Of two countries, and it
IS my belief that if he be still alive
he has again persuaded some guileless
surgeon to operate on him, and once
more alter the outline Of his features
beyond recognition.