The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-15

cent momentary weakness, utterly at q
loss to determine what could be the mar
velous nature Of the circumstances that
could influence such gentleman as
yourself to take the pains to enter into
not very reputable subterfuge to in
duce SO humble an individual as myself
to come to your house, when q simple
written request left at my lodgings
would have been sufficient. Men do not
take such pains-my long experience
with human nature leads me to say it
men do not take such pains without an
adequate motive"
Mr.. Dye said all this not as though
he had any real curiosity. In fact, there
was such somber, graveyard atmos-
phere about his voice ard manner that
the nearer was involuntarily impressed
with the belief that he had reached
stage of mental depression where it was
no longer possible to harbor q lively in
terest in any affair of life.
"We will not discuss that now,,n said
MaXoy. There are some matters which
you must explain to my satisfaction be-
fore l shall feel overwhelmed with u
sense of my own meanness. If you will
sit down, it will be more comfortable
for you4 as it may prove to be some
what lengthy session.
Sir, it is immaterial to me-"
Having said this with C sign that
seemed to leave no matter Of doubt that
he spoke the truth, Mr.. Dye accepted
the protfered chair. He deposited his
woebegone hat upon the confer table
with as much care as if it had been the
most valuable thing in the world, folded
his arms and fixed his faded glance upon
the rutlled fur surface before him. Max
ey seated himself opposite where he
could watch him narrowly
You understand me, | hope, sir?-
must jbe explained, if not to mellow, to
the proper authorities at some other
time. have not employed the police so
far in this matter for reasons Of my own.
The police unfortunately includes the
press. Ny family affairs have enjoyed
all the publicity care for Of late, but
if necessary have fully made up my
mind to sacrifice my own feelings in
this regard. l must inform you at once
that the police would be very glad to
know where to find you, and it remains
for you to say whether you shall let
them know it III person or go from here
free man"
Maxey had been awake nights plan
ming his procedure at this interview.
AT this point in the case he had always
pictured the trembling villain as turn
ing pale and saying, "Oh, Mr.. Maxey,
do not deliver me to the police, and /
will tell you everything" but in reality
the presumable villain opened>his un-
blmiched lips osay in an entirely steady
voice:
Sir, you sec here a man who for years
and years has been struggling in the face
OF great and insurmountable Odds and
who has made a failure of the struggle.
l do not know what you mean, but you
evidently desire to institute legal pro.
ceedings Of some nature against me.
You have my full and free permission so
do. If am accused Of anything care
not what in the category of crimes, from
petty larceny TO murder, l shall not take
the trouble to deny it. When this man
brought me to your door, l was wonder
ing if it were possible for Providence SO
far to have relented toward me as to be
opening for me means of honest and
manly employment l came here as o
last effort in that direction. With the
result Of this experiment in mind, 1
shall never try it again. No, sir. Do
what you please with me. Twill employ
no counsel Twill make no defense. The
law may take its course. The remainder
Of my life, the manner of my death, is
matter of total indifference to me. "
The voice had still its theatrical ring,
but underneath it all there was a grim
ness and q sincerity that carried with it
the conviction that he meant what he
said. When the amazed Mdxey could
speak, he exclaimed:
$50 you confess your share in the
crime without eQuivocation?"
"ST, / c:m only confess the truth, but
as l am not man Of vGracity that
would have little weight. If you have
any evidencHat all of any wrong dealing
on my part an ignorant and uncultivated
jury would undoubtedly do your work
and convict me of anything. ] look like
a villain. have all the suspicious and
uneXplainable habits Of a villain. Twelve
average men would say at once: He is
a villain. Let us punish him. ,"
"And you haven't a shadow of sus-
picion Of What you would be accused?"
'Sir, of what usd is it to question me?
If say no, you will not believe me. If
l say yes, | should only lay myself open
to further questions, which it would be
impossible for me to answer and then
you would not believe me. In any case
! should be a liar and an oQuivocator in
your eyes. The shortest way is to call
the police at once. Sir, l have used al
cohol very freely Of late years, and it
has partially succeeded in achieving the
result to secure which 1 learned to like
it-in bunting my senses and brutaliz-
ing my intellect, but l have yet remain
ing to me, I think I may say without
exaggeration, sufficient penetration and
sagacity to understand that q gentleman
like yourself does not take such pains to
become possessed Of the person of So
cial outcast like myself unless he be-
licves such a stop Of supreme impor-
tancc. Doubtless you have your theo-
ries?"
DOUBTLESS l have. You have parried
my question ycly ingeniously, Mr.. Dye.
Let me see what you will say to the
next. You SPOKE of tho truth in the
matter. What is the TRUTH"
Sir, Twill answer you unrescrvedly.
connect my presence here, not without
some degree Of naturahess, you must
admit, to the interest you take in the