Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-04-18
CHAPTER VI.

not apparently Indicate any fermity in
bis disposition toward ourselves, for oil
finding himself powmltss ha smiled in
an afTahlo manner and expressed his
hopes that hc had not hurt any of us in
tho scuille. II guess you're going ia
take mo To the pulicn station" he re-
marked to Sherlock Holmes, My cabs
at tho door. If you l'r,so my legs, I'll
walk down Ia IL. I'In not so light to lift
as used to bo B."
Gregsnn and Lestrade exchanged
glances as II they thought this PROPOSE
tion rather bold one, but Holmes at
once took the prisoner at his word and
loosened tho 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. ] remember
that thought to myself as eyed him
that had seldom seen a 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 chief
of the police, reckon you are the man
for it. " he said, gazing with undisguised
admiration at my fellow lndger. ''The
way you kept IN my trail was u eau
ton.
"You had better come with me-" said
Holmes to the two detectives.
II can drive you, )" said Lestrade.
"Goodl 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."
/ assented gladly, and we all descend
ed together. Our prisoner made no at
tempt to escape, but stepped calmly into
tho cab which had been his, and we fol-
lowed him. Lestrade mounted the box,
whipped up the horse and brought us i'll
very short timo to our destination.
We were ushered into small chamber,
where police inspector noted down our
men with whose murder he had been
charged. The official was white faced,
Unconditional man, who went through
his duties in dull, mechanical way.
1.-THE prisoner will be put before the
magistrates in the course of the week, :"
he said. I'm the meantime. Mr.. Joffer-
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'va got good deal to say" our
prisoner said slowly. II want to tell
you gentlemen all about it. +"
Hadn't you better reserve that for
your trial?" asked the inspector.
II may never be tried" he answer
ed "You needn't look startled. 1t isn't
suicide I am thinking Of Are you a
doctorP" He turned his fierce, dark eyes
upon me as he asked this last question
"Yes, I am," answered.
'"Then put your hand here" he said.
With smile, motioning with his man
| acled wrists toward his chest
did SO and became at once con
| soious Of an extraordinary throbbine
| and commotioE which was going Oh in
| side. The walls of his chest seemed tc
thrill and quiver as frail building
| would do inside when some powerful
| engine was at work. In the silence of
the room could hear dull humming
and buzzing noise which proceeded from
.he same source.
why. cried. "you have an aortit
aneurisml"
That's what they call it - he saic
placidly.
II went to doctor last week about
1t. and he told mo that it was bound tt
burst before many days passed Tt ha'
been getting worse for years. I got il
from overexposure and underfeedins
among the Salt Lake mountains I've
done my work now, and don't cart
how soon l go, but I should like tt
leave some account of the business be
hind me. don't want to be remember
ed as a common cutrhroat.
The inspector and the two detectives
had hurried discussion as to the ad
visibility of allowing him to tell hi
story.
'Do you consider, doctor, that there
is immediate danger:" tho former asked
''Most certainly there is, :" answer
sd.
SIN that case it is clearly our duty
in the interests Of justice, to take hi
statement" said the inspector ''Yo,
are at liberty, sir, to give your account
which again warn you will be takel
/ down."
"I'll sit down, with your leave" tn
prisoner said, sniting the action to tn
word. '"This aneurism Of mine make
me easily tired, and the tussle we hat
half an houi ago has not nended mat
ters. Tn OH the brink of the grave. ant
am not likely to lie to you, Ever,
word / say is the absolute truth, AM
how you use it is q matter Of no conse
quence to me-"
| With these words, jefferson Hop
leaned back in his chair and began til
following remarkable statement. H
spoke in a calm and methodioal man
ner, as though the events which he mar
rated were commonplace enough. | Cal
vouch for the accuracy ct the subjoine'
account, for l have had access to LES
trade notebook, in which the prisoner
words were taken down exactly as the
We're uttered.
1T don't much matter to you why
hated these men, " he said. It's enoug
that they We're guilty of the death {
two human beings--a father and
daughter that they had therefor
forfeited their own lives. After the laps
Of time that has passed since their crime
; itwas impossible for me to secure COZ
| viction against them in any court.
knew Of their guilt, though, and | d
termined that I should be judge, jur
, and executioner all rolled into on
, You'd have done the same, il you hay
l a ii a q \ - 4.