The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-09

what presented itself to Mr.. Moore as
difficult If not insolvable problem? No:
guessing would not answer. I must trust |
to the inspiration Of the moment which |
suggested with almost Irresistible convic- |
ton: |
The pictured! That inane and seemingly
worthless drawing over the fireplace in
The ColoneIs own whose presence in so
rich a room has always been mystery!
Why this object should have suggested
itself to- me and with such instant convic-
ton, I cannot readily say. Whether, from
my position near the bed, the sightSof this
old drawing recalled the restless
nights of all who had lain in face Of its
sickly smile, or whether some recollection
of that secret law Of the Moores which for
bade the removal of any of their pictures
from the timeworn walls, or remem-
brance Of the curiosity which this pV.-
ture excited sinseyer5sone who looked at it
Francis Jeffrey among the NUMBER
no soonerlasked myself what object in this
house might possibly yield counsel or
suggest aid when subjected to the infiu-
ence OF a n1agnifying glass, than the an
swer. which have already given. sprang
instantly into my mind: The picture. ;,
Greatly excited, I sprang upon a chair,
took down the drawing from the wall and
laid it face up on the bed. Then placed
the glass over one of the large coils sur
rounding the insipid face, and was star
tied enough. in spite Of all mental prepare
ton, to perceive the crinkly lines which
formed 1t. resolve themselves into script
and the script into words, some Of which
were perfectly legible. 80, -
The drawing, simple as it looked, was q
| communication in writing to those who
used a magnifying glass, to read it.
could hardly contain my triumph, hardly
ind the self-control necessary to a careful
study Of it's undulating and often conflict
ing lines and to the slow picking out Of
the words therein contained.
| But when I had done this and had
copied the whole of the wandering scrawl
ON page of my note book the result was
of value. - =.
Read, and judge for yourself.
! Coward that am, am willing to throw
upon posterity the shadow of a. crime
whose consequences 1 dare not incur in
| life. Confession must make To die
and leave no record Of my deed is i'm
possible. Yet how tell my story 80 that
only my own heirs may read and they
. when at the crisis Of their fate? I be-
lieve have found the way by this drawing
and the injunction have left to the hold
ers Of the flligree ball.
"No man ever wished his enemy dead
more than did, and no man ever spent
more cunning on the deed. Master In
my own house. contrived a device BY
which the man who held my fate In his
hands fell on my library hearth with no
ciate me with the act. Does this seem
!. like the assertion Of mailman? Go ia
the old chamber Familiarity called .'The
Coloners Own Enter Its closet, pull out
its two drawers, and in the opening thus
made seek for the loophole at the back
thru which, II you stoop low enough, you
can catch a glimpse of the library hearts
and its great settle. With these ir
view, slip your finger along the
I wall on your right and whel
a handle, for that Is only: used to rewind
the apparatus and must be turned from
you until it can be turned no farther; but
If it is a depression you encounter, press
and press hard on the knob concealed
| within it. But beware when anyone you
love is seated in that corner Of the settle
where the cushion invites rest, lest it be
your fate to mourn and wall as 1t Is
| mine to curse the hour when sought tc
| clear my way by murder. For the doom
| Of the man of blood is upon me. The
hindrance is gone from my life, but 8
horror has entered it beyond the concep-
ton Of any soul that has not yielded Itself
to the unimaginable influences ennana ting
, from an accomplished crime. I can not
be content with having pressed thai
spring once. A mania is upon me which
, after thirty years Of useless resistance
. and superhuman struggle, still: draws me
. from bed and sleep to rehearse In ghastlS
, fashion that deed Of my early manhood
. can not resist 1t. To tear out the deadl,
mechanism. unhinge weight and drum anc
, rid the house of every evidence Of Grim.
would but drive me to shrek my gull
: aloud and act in open pantonirne what
now go thru in fearsome silence ant
! secrecy. When. the hour comes, as como i
2 must, that can not rise and enter tina
r fatal closet, shall still enact the deed II
dreams, and shrek aloud in my sleep ant
: wish my self dead and yet fear to die1les
t my hell be to go thru all eternity, Staying
t over and over. my man, in, ever growing
t horror and repulsion. -
! Do you wish to share my fate? Try t,
t I.effect thru blood a release from the diffl
e oulties menacing YOU. 80