Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-06-07
CHAPTER VI.
VI
A OF THE REMINIsCENCES OF
John II WATSON NJ n

A OF THE "REMINISCENCES OF
JOHN H WATSON, NJ 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 be 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 l 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 1oosened 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.
l remember that l thought to myself,
as eyed him. that [ had seldom seen
a 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, l reckon you are h man
for it," he said, gazing with undis-
guised admiration at my fel~low-lodger.
1.-THE way you kept on my trail was a
caution"
"You had better come with me-"
said Holmes 80 the two detectives.
81 can drive you" 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 u.s.
1 assented gladly, and we all de-
scended 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 a small chamber, where
a police inspector noted down our
prisoners name and the names OF
the men with whose murder he had
been charged. The official was a
w~hite-faced, unconditional man, who
went through his duties in a dull, me
chanica1 way. 1.-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?
must warn you that your words will be
taken down and may be used against
you.
I've got a good deal to say" ou1
prisoner said slowly. 81 want to tel
you gentlemen all about it."
Hadn't you better reserve that fo1
your tria1?" asked the inspector.
81 may never be tried" he answered
"You needn't look startled. 1t ism
suicide / am thinking of. Are you
doctor?' He turned his fierce, dark eye
upon me as he asked this asst question
Eyes, I am" I answered.
"Then put your hand here" he said
with a smile, motioning with hi
manacled wrists toward his chest.
did so, and became at one con
scious of an extraordinary throbbine
which was going on inside. The wall
of his chest seemed to thrill and quive
as a frail building would do insid
which ONE powerful engine was a
work. In the silence of the room
could hear a dull humming and buz
zing noise which proceeded from tn,
same source.
why" I cried. ''you have an aorti
aneurismI''
That's what they call it, he said
placidly. 81 vent to a doctor las
week about it, and he told me that i
was bound to burst before many day
passed. II has been getting worse flo
years. I got it from over-exposur'
and understanding among the Salt LAX
mountains I've done my work now
and l don't care~how soon go, but
should like to leave some account c
the business behind me. I don't wan
to be remembered as a conmo Gu
throat"
The inspector and the two detective
had a hurried discussion as.to. the &C
visibility of allowing him to tell h
story.
| do you consider, doctor, that Their
is immediate danger?" the forme