The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-06-29
CHAPTER VI

journal. to which we are already under
such obligations.
CHAPTER VI
A CONTINUATION OF THE "REMINISCENCES OF
JOHN H WATSON, N D.
Our prisoners furious resistance did
not apparently indicate any ferocity
in his disposition toward ourselves. for
on finding himself powerless he smiled
in an affable manner, and expressed
his hopes that he had not hurt any of
US in the scuffie. Il guess you're GO
ing To take me to the police station, -
he remarked to Sherlock Holmes. My
cabs at the door. If You'll loose my
legs I'll walk down to it. I'm not so
light to lift as used to be-"
Gregson and Lestrade exchanged
glances as if they thought this propo-
sition rather a bold one: but Holmes
at once took the prisoner at his word,
and loosened the towel which he had
bound round his ankles. He rose and
stretched his legs. as though to assure
himself that they were free once more.
remember that thought to myself.
as eyed him. that had seldom seen
more powerfully built man; and his
dark, sunburned face bore an express
sion of determination and energy
which was as formidable as his person
al strength.
IF there's a vacant place for a chief
Of the police, I reckon you are the man
for it." he said. gazing with undis-
guised admiration at my fellow-lodger.
The way you kept on my trail was a
caution"
You had better come with me-"
said Holmes to the two detectives
Il can drive you,n said Lestrade-
''Good, and Gregson can come inside
with me. You too, doctor: you have
taken an interest in the case, and may
as well stick to US"
1 assented gladly, and we all de-
seconded together. Our prisoner made
no attempt at escape, but stepped
calmly into the cab which had been
his, and we followed him. Lestrade
mounted the box, whipped up the
horse, and brought Us in a very short
time to our destination. We were
ushered into small chamber, where
police inspector noted down our
prisoners name and the names of
the men with whose murder he had
been charged. The official was
white-faced, Unconditional man. who
went through his duties in a dull. me-
chanical way. The prisoner will be
put before the magistrates in the
course of the week. he said: in the
meantime, Mr.. jefferson Hope, have
you anything that you wish to say? I
must warn you that your words will be
taken down and may be used against
you
I've got good deal to say" our
prisoner said slowly. Il want to tell
you gentlemen all about it,
Hadn't you better reserve that for
your trial?" asked the inspector.
Il may never be tried" he answered
''YoR needn't look startled It isn't
suicide 1 am thinking of. Are you a
doctor?" He turned his fierce, dark eyes
upon me as he asked this last question.
Yes, am" answered.
Then put your hand here" he said.
manacled wrists toward his chest
did so, and became at once con-
scious of an extraordinary throbbing
which was going on inside. The walls
of his chest seemed to thrill and culver
as a fral building would do inside
which some powerful engine was at
work In the silence OF the room
could hear dull humming and buz-
zing noise which proceeded from the
same source
why" cried, you have an aortic
aneurism.'
That's what they call it, he said,
placidly. Il went to a doctor last
week about it, and he told me that it
was bound to burst before many days
passed 1t has been getting worse for
years 1 got it from over-exposure
and under-feeding among the Salt lake
mountains I've done my work low,
and don't care how soon go, but l
should like to leave some account of
the business behind me- don't want
to be remembered as common cut
throat
The inspector and the two detectives
had hurried discussion as TO the adj
visibility of allowing him to tell his
story
do You consider. doctor, that there
is immediate danger?" the former
asked
Most certainly there is" 1 an
swered-
In that case it is clearly our duty.
IN the interests Of justice, TO take his
statement said the inspector. You
are at liberty. sir, to give your ae-
count, which l again warn you viii be
taken down.
III sit down, with your leave the
prisoner said suiting the action to the
word This aneurisn of mine makes
me easily tired and the tussle we had
half an hour ago has not mended mat
tiers I'm on the brink of the grave.
and am not likely To lie to you
Every word say IS the absolute truth
and how you use It is a matter of no |
consequence to ne"
With these words, jefferson Hope |
leaned back in his chair and began the |
remarkable statement He |
rpoke in calm and methodieal man
ner, as though the events which he |
narrated were commonplace enough !
I can vouch for the accuracy of the |
suhjoined account, for have had &C.