The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-18

: y IAel( ~
another great croaUd collected to see US
1light
trived to get arrested by the police and
almost lynched by furious mob. was
suspected of murder Of the foulest kind,
and the only way Of clearing myself
was by duplicating George Fenton, the
man whom of all others in the world I
had reason to wish we'll by. The per-
spiration stood thick upon my brow.
The whole chain Of circumstances SEEM
ed too horrible to be real. I could have
thought myself the victim Of some ex-
traordinary hallucination had not the
presence of the policemen with me in
the cab been tangible evidence Of the
stern reality of my position.
was still brooding over this terrible
position when we drew up at the police
station. Another great crowd collected
to see us alight. London seemed full OF
crowds that awful night. In few min
utes was taken before the superintend-
ent on duty, who, after duly cautioning
me, asked if wished to make any
statement. I didn't see that could do
any good by withholding my lie, so I
gave him full and most minute &C
count of my doings since leaving De
We're Gardens at half past 10 that night
Keeping back only George Fenton's
name, I said that the murderer was
man whom I had met with suddenly in
Back Saville street; that he was Of dark
complexion ard of middle height; that
be was standing over the body with the
hilt of weapon in his hand; that when
l accused him he fed away, making in
to the darkness, and finally that had
not followed him and didn It know where
be had gone, except that his direction
was toward Oxford street.
'Did you know the man?' the super
intendent asked.
had my answer ready and gave it
coolly and without hesitation.
81 should know him again in an in
stant if saw him.
The superintendent made note OF
this. "And then?" ne questioned.
"When the man took to be the muir
derer ran away. l stopped to examine
the body. The woman seemed to me
stone dead, and there was nothing to be
done for her. At that moment seedy
looking individual, who gave his name
as DR.. Fitzgerald, came up and tried to
rife the body. That l prevented and
struck him, ard in revenge be denounc-
ed me to the police as the murderer.
That is all have to add to what your
own officers have told you already"
"You are sure, said the superin-
tendent there is nothing more you
wish to add:''
"No," said 1. "That is my plain
tale, and my only comment is that you
have made mistake in arresting me.
Here is my card, and if you go to any
of the service clubs you can hear about
me.
The superintendent looked at the
pasteboard ''It's a very unfortunate
position for you to be in, Captain Brett,
and in my civil capacity, as it might
easily have happened to myself, can
sympathize with you extremely, but at
the same time my duty forbids me to
let you go at present We shall push in
quiries in the morning, go through the
formality of verifying your tale, and
find out the identity Of the unlucky wo-
man who has been murdered. You have
no suggestion to make as to the reason
for this outrage?"
IT never saw the wretched woman IN
my life before.
"No, don't mean that, said the
superintendent "What was wanting
to know was, did you hear any sounds
of quarrel or scuff1e as you came
down Back Saville street?"
ssNo," answered, land if there had
been any such sounds / don't think
should have heard them. My mind was
very fully occupied with something else
Indeed if it had not been should not
have come that way at all. To be pre-
else, had lost my road. !"
Every well. Captain Brett. I think
we have nothing more to say to one an
other, but if I were you would write
to some friends to appear here tomorrow
TO give evidence both as to your move
ments this evening and to bear testl-
mony to your reputation. Your solicitor
would probably be very useful to you.
I'm afraid / shall only be able to give
con poor accommodation for the night,
but you must blame our regulations for
| it and not me-
L.