Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-06-25

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 expression Of determination and
energy which was as formidable as his
personal strength.
"If there's vacant place for q chief
of the police, reckon you are the man
for it. " he said, gazing with undisguised
admiration at my fellow lodger. "The
way you kept on my trail was a eau
tion.
''You had better come with me, said
Holmes to the two detectives.
Il 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 US -
assented gladly. and we all descend
ed together Our prisoner made no at
tempt to escape, but stepped calmly into
the cab whio': had been his. and we fol.
lowed him. Lestrade mounted the box,
whipped up the horse and brought US III
q very short time 70 our destination
We were ushered into n 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 q dull, mechanical WY
''The prisoner will be put before the
magistrates in the course Of the week,
he said. In the meantime, Mr.. Jetfor-
son 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 n 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 answer
ed You needn't look startled lbisn't
suicide / am thinking Of Are you
doctor;" He turned his fierce, dark eyes
upon me as he asked this last question.
Yes. ain, answered.
Then put your hand here" he said,
with smile, motioning with his man
aclcd wrists toward his chest
| did so and became at once con-
scious Of an extraordinary throbbing
and commotion which was going on in
side. The walls Of his chest seemed to
thrill and quiver rs frail building
would do inside when some powerful
engine was at work. In the silence Of
the room could hear q dull hummiDg
and ,-;T..i,c rciSc which preceded from
the same source
Why" cried. you have au aort.c
aneurisin"
That's what they call it" he said
placidly.
Il went 10 doctor last week about
il, and he told me that it was bound TO
burst before many days passed. IL has
been getting worse for years. got IL
from overcxposure and undertaking
among the Salt Lake mountains. I've
done my work now, and | don't care
how soon / 60, but / should like 10
leave some account OF the business be-
hind me. don't want to be remember
ed rs common cutthroat
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, )" answer
ed.
in that case it is clearly our duty,
in tho interests Of justice. to take his
statement, said the inspector. You
are at liberty, sir, TO give your account,
which again warn yen will be taken
down"
"I'll sit down, with your leave" the
prisoner said. suiting tie action To the
word This aneurism Of mine makes
me easily tired, and the tusslo we had
half an hour ago has not mended mac
tiers. I'm OH tho 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 q matter Of no conse-
QueIce 10 lag.
With theSI words, jefferson Hope
lea I'd back il bis chair and began the
following remarkable statement. he
spoke in q calm and mothodical man
ner, as though the events which hc mar
rated Were commonplace enough. / can
vouch for the &c uracy OF the sub1oined
account, for | have had Access 10 Les
trade notebook. III which the prisoners
words were taken down exactly rs they
We're uttered.
ut don't much matter to you why |
hated these men, ;" he said. Its enough
that they were guilty Of the death of
two human beings-a father and a
daughter-and that they had therefore
forfeited their own lives. After the lapse
of time that has passed since their crime,
it was impossible for mo to secure con
viction against them in any court. !
knew of their guilt, though, and de
termined that / should be judge, jury
and cxccuricner all rolled into one.
You'd have done the game, II you have
any manhood in you, if you had been
in my place.
That girl that spoke Of was to have
married me 90 years ago. She was forced
into marrying that same Drebber and
broke her heart over it. took the mar.
riage ring from her dead finger, and l
hot htc IutnO shnnI1 lpSr
upon that very ring, and that his last
thoughts should he Of the crime for
which he was punished. have carried
it about with me and have followed
him and his sccomplice over two contl-
nents until caught them. They thought
to tire me out, but they could not do it.
II die tomorrow, as is likely enough,
die knowing that my work in this
world is done, and well done. They
have perished, and all by my hand.
There is nothing left for me to hope for
or to desire
''Yhcy were rich and / was poor, so
that il was 10 easy matter for me to
follow them. When | got to London
my pocket was about empty, and | found
that must turn my hand to something
for my living. Driving and riding are
az natural to me as walking, SO l ap-
piled at cab owners Office and soon
got employment. was to bring GER
tain sum week to the owner, and what
ever Was over that might keep for my
self. There was seldom much over, but |
managed to scrape along somehow. The
hardest job was to learn my way about,
- IL 4 Al...&