Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-07-04

CHAPTER XIV.

L
|, "Caughtv' I echoed, my voice scarcely
rising above whisper. At that moment
I felt my fate was hanging in the bal.
ance.
Not exactly caught. sir" said the de-
tectivc, in tone of vexation, as though
not the matter but the manner Of the
incident displeaced him. He has given
himself up"
How did It happenT'
IL was in the police station with the
inspector when a man came in, or rather
staggered in. We had to catch him to
prevent him from falling. His face was
like the face of ghost, and worn to
skeleton. When he could speak he said.
In voice we could hardly hear, it was
SO faint: My name is Samuel Fleet
wood. have come to give myself up for
the murder of Mr.. Wilmot, at Boscombe
Lodge With that he swooned, and
we called In the doctor, who gave i. as
his opinion thatNhe man was dyDg. We
| restored him to his senses, and he in
spcctor asked him If he knew what he
had said. Yes he answered. 4 muir
dered Mr.. Wilmot.', BE careful, said
the inspector, whatever you say may
be brough: In evidence against you L
am aware of it, said Fleetwood. and
repeated. 4 murdered him. He tried to
say more, but he hadn't the strength ;
so. acting upon the doctors advice, we
removed him to room, where he could
be attended to. There he signed his bare
statement. which the inspector had taken
down. and then we left him to the doc
| tor"
| How long ago did this occur"
asked. drawing a deep breath Of relief.
feeling that l was now safe from sus-
picion.
1.-Two hours by my watch as left the
station to come to you"
| did the unhappy man send for meT'
| mo, sir: 1t was my own idea. You
see. there's that reward you offered"
lie paused.
ut shall be paid" I said. although
the criminal gave himself up Of his own
free will instead of being apprehended."
spoken like gentleman--begging
your pardon, SIR"
"When I saw you this morning with
Mr.. Mortlock." I said--nnd then I also
paused in the middle Of speech: the
question was about to ask was injudi.
cious.
"Wcll, SIR" said the detective. taking
up the cue. II don't mind admitting
that I was then on another track"
prompted by Mr.. MortlockY"
I'm manner Of speaking. sir. He
first put the idea into my head. Yor
would never guess 1t, and | mustn't say
what It was"
But I had guessed Il. Mr.. Mortlock
hating me and mine. would have merlin
mated me; 1t WINS he whose malignan,
whis pcrings had caused me to he receiv
| ed as l had been Oh that morning. Bu
the danger was now removed. In tn,
light Of Samuel Flcctwood's admission
he was powerlcss to work out his wicket
spite against me.
How was Fleetwood" I asked, "wher
you left the station? Better?"
"Worse, sir. Sinking fast. Very lii
tic time to live. the doctor said. A cler
gyman was called In, and was with hin
when I left"
"And you thought I might like to Sc,
him?"
II thought as much. sir. though
don't know whether the inspector vii
allow It,"
II am obliged to yo,,. I should wisl
to see the unhappy man; he might con
fcss to me the motive for his crime"
TITS my opinion, sir. he's confessini
to the clergyman. Thank you. SIR"
had slipped a couple Of sOvcrcigns int,
his hand. There's something that ough
to be got at, II the man is really dying
The money, Sit, the five Thousand pound
that was taken Oh: OF the box. lie wa
asked about il, and all the answer b,
gave was a strange smile. lie coul,
hardly have spent 1t In the time"
"Was there none found on him?"
"There wasn't brass farthing fOun,
on him; and, what Is more, his clothe
were In rags, and the doctor said that h
must have been without food for NOR
than two days"
1T Is indeed strange" I remarked. I"
will go with you to the station"
saw my wife before I left the house
told her what l had learned from tn
detective of the condition of Samus
Fleetwood: and she whispered that
would be mercful If he were to die be
fore his trial, and that she hoped an,
prayed he would die repcntant.
did not share her hope that Fleet
wood would die In prison. 1t was IN,
wish that he should be brought TO tria
and found guilty; after that l shout,
be content that he should die before tn
just sentence Of the law was carried out
But at the prison my inexorable wisl
melted into thin air; 1t was destroyed b,
higher than a human judge-Samus
Fleetwood was dead!
He died quite peacefully. SIR" sal,
the inspector. with a smile upon hi
lips. He must have been in Quee
state Of mind after what he did. TO say
almost with his last breath, 1 60 to joi
my beloved wife!"
did he make no further confession !
I asked, COMPOUNDED by the news.
Il believe he did. SIR" replied the In
spector; the clergyman will produce
at the inquest, which must, Of cOurs,
be held on him. When he left the prii
on l understand he was going to you
house."
I'VE did not meet him." said, lookin
hnlpfssly around; I'VE came straigh
here"
ITS no use worrying. SIR" said tn
inspector. with FleetwOod's confesssio
and death there il an end of the affair.
Nodding. I retraced my steps, and O
the lawn In front of my house l wa
. uccosted by Mile. Rosalie.
Cro be continued.l