The Red Cloud chief., 1894-02-16
CHAPTER vi.

Ivuh " w W,
such obligations.
CHAPTER VI.
A ~TIsu OF THE REx~INIsCENCEs OF
o y 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
MS in the scuffie. II guess you're go
ing To take me TO the police station"
he remarked To Sherlock Holmes. my
cabs at the door. II you'll loose my
legs I'll walk down to IL. I'm not SO
light TO lift as ] used TO be-"
Gregson and Lestrade exchanged
glances as IL they thought this propo-
sition rather u bold one; but Holmes
at once took the prisoner ut his word,
and loosened the towel which he had
bound round his ankles. lie rose and
stretched his legs, rs though TO assure
himself that they were free once more.
I remember that ! thought to myself,
as I eyed him, that I had seldom seen
a more powerfully built man; and his
dark, sunburncd face bore an express
sion Of determination and energy
which was rs formidable rs his person.
al strength.
'If there's a vacant place for a chief
Of the police, ! reckon you are the mar
for IT," he said. gazing with undis-
guised admiration ut my acknowledges.
THE way you kept on my trail was a
caution"
"You had better come with me-"
said Holmes to the two detectives.
~ can drive you," said Lestradc.
"Good! and Gregson can conn inside
with me. You too, doctor; you have
taken nm interest in the case, and may
rs we'll stick to u.s."
I assented gladly, and we all de-
sccndcd 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 O very short
time 10 our destination. We were
ushcrcd into n small chamber, where
q police inspector noted down our
prisoners name and the names of
the men with whose murder he had
been charged. The official was q
white-faced, Unconditional man. who
went through his duties in n dull, me.
chanical way. 1.-THE prisoner will he
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? ]
must warn you that your words will be
taken down and may be used agains,
you.
1--WE got a good deal to say" our
prisoner said slowly. ~ want to tell
you gentlemen all about IT,"
Hadn't you better reserve that fol
your trial?" asked the inspector.
~ may never be tried" he answered
"You needn't look startled. 1t ISM
suicide l am thinking of. Are you 9
doctor?" He turned his fierce, dark eye,
upon me as he asked this last question
Eyes, / am" l answered.
"Then put your hand here" he said
with a smile, m%otioning with hi
manacled wrists toward his chest.
did so, and became at once con
scious Of an extraordinary throbbinl
!, which was going on inside. The wall,
Of his chest seemed to thrill and quivc,
as a frail building would do insid,
which some powerful engine was a
y work. In the silence Of the room
could hear a dull humming and buz
!. zing noise which proceeded from the
same source.
,, why" cried, you have an aorti'
: ancurism!"
That's what they call it," he said
, placidly. IL went to a doctor las
= week about It, and he told me that II
. was bound to burst before many day
, passed. II has been getting worse TO
= years. i got it from over-exposurt
= and under-feeding among the Salt lax,
. mountains. I've done my work now
. and l don't care how soon l go, but
y should like to leave some account o
. the business behind me. don't wan
: to be remembered as a common cut
throat"
= The inspector and the two detective
. had a hurried discussion as to the adj
visibility Of allowing him to tell hi
= story.
$40 you consider, doctor, that Their
is immediate danger?" the forme
asked.
!, "Most certainly there u.s." I an
swercd.
) "ln that case IL Is clearly our duty
= in the interests of justice, TO take hi
. statement" said the inspector. "Yo'
" arc at liberty, sir, to give your nc
: count, which again warn you will b
taken down"
"I1l sit down, with your leave" Tn
prisoner said, suiting the action TO tn
word. This aneurism Of mine make
9 me easily tired, ana tho tussle we ha
: half an hour ago has not mended ma
tiers. I'm on the brink Of the grave
! and ] am not likely To lie to yor
|" Every word ] say is the absolute truth
:, and how you use IL is IA matter of n
" consequence to me-"
With these words, jefferson Hop
leaned back in his chair and began tn
: ! !cllowir~ remarkable statement. II