Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-01-24
BY CONAN DOYLE

to his death. All had to do then was
to do rs much for Stangerson, and so
pay off John Terriers debt. I knew
that he was staying at Halliday's Pri-
vate hotel, and l hung about all day,
but he never came out. I fancy he sus-
: pected something when DreDber failed
to put in an appearance. He was cum
ming, was Stangerson, and always en-
bis guard If he thought he could keep
me off by staying indoors he was very
much mistaken. l soon found Oltt
which was the window of his bedroom
and early next morning took advan-
tage of some ladders which were lying
In the lane behind the hotel, and so
made my way into his room in the gray
of the dawn. woke him UP and
told him that the hour had come when
he was to answer for the life he had
taken so long before. described Dreb-
ber's death to him, and [ gave him
the same choice Of the poisoned pills.
instead Of grasping at the chance of
safety which that offered him. he
sprang from his bed and flew at my
throat In sclf-defense I stabbed him
to the heart. 1t would have been the
same in any case, for Provid ence would
never have allowed his guilty hand to
pick cut anything but the poison,
II have Gttlc more to say, and it's
as We'll. for ! am about done up.
went on cabling it for a day Or so,
intending to keep at it until I could
save enough to take me to America.
was standing in the yard when Il rag
ged yolmgster asked if there was cab
by there called jefferson Hope, and
said that his cab was wanted by a gen
tleman at 221b Baker street. I went
round. suspectng no harm; and the
neYt thing knew this young man here
had the bracelets on my wrists and as
neatly Shackled as ever I was in my
life. That's the whole of my story,
gentlemen. You may consider me to be
murderer, but hold that am just
as much an officer of justice as you
are'
So thrilling had the mans narrative
BEEN and his manner was so impress
sive. that we had sat silent and alb
sorbed. Even the professional detect
ives, blase as they We're in every detail
Of crime. appeared to be keenly inter-
ested il the mans story. When he had
finished we sat for some minutes in
stiffness. which was only broken by
scratching of Lestrade's pencil as he
gave the finishing touches to his short
hand account.
There is only one point on which I
would like a little more information"
Sherlock Holmes said at last. ''Who
was your accomplice who came for the
ring which I advertised?"
The prisoner winked at my friend jo-
cosely. Il can tell my own secrets"
he said. but I don't get other people
into trouble. I saw your advertise
ment and I thought it might be plant
or it might be the ring wanted. My
friend volunteered to 60 and see. I
think you'll own he did it smartly."
''Not doubt of that" said Sherlock
Holmes heartily.
''Now, gentlemen" the inspector re-
marked gravely, "the forms of the law
must be complied with. On Thursday
the prisoner will be brought before the
magistrates and your attendance will
be required Until then will be re-
sponsible for him."
He rang the bell as he spoke, and JEFF
ferson Hope was led off by couple of
warders. while my friend and l made
our way out Of the station and took a
cab back to Baker street.