The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-11-07
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
"CaughtP' l echoed, my voice scarcely
rising above a whisper, At that mo-
ment felt my fate was hanging in the
balance.
mot exactly caught, SIR said the
detective, in a tone of vexation, as
though not the matter but the manner
of the incident displeased him. He
has given himself up.''
How did it happen?"
RI 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, and
we thought, of course, that he was
drunk. Not bit Of it. Nearer dead
than drunk. With a face like the face
of a ghost, and worn to a skeleton.
When he could speak he said, in a
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
Bascombe Lodge With that he
swooned, and we called IN the doctor,
who gave it as his opinion that the
man was dying. We restored him to
his senses, and the inspector asked him
if he knew what he had said. Yes he
answered. I murdered Mr.. Wilmot.'
BE careful said the Inspector; what
ever you say may be brought in evil
dence against YOU i 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 a room, where he could be at-
tended to. There he signed his bare
statement, which the inspector had
taken down, and then we left him, to
the doctor"
How long ago did this occur?' I
asked, drawing deep breath of relief,
feeling that was now safe from
suspicion.
Two hours by my watch as left
the station to come to you"
did the unhappy man send for me?"
"No, sir; it was my own idea You
see, there's that reward you Of
fered'' He paused
ut shall be paid,' said, although
the criminal gave himself up of his
own free will instead Of being appre-
hended."
Spoken like gentleman begging
your pardon, sir =
When saw you this morning with
Mr.. Mortlock," I said and then l also
paused in the middle of a speech; the
question ] was about to ask was inju-
dicious.
Well, sir" said the detective, taking
up the cue. IT don't mind admitting
that was then on another track
Prompted by Mr.. Mortl0ckw
an a manner of speaking, sir lie
first put the idea into my head You
would never guess it, and mustn't
say what it was"
But I had guessed it. Mr. Mortlock,
hating me and mine, would have in
eliminated me; it was he whose fnalig-
nant whisperings had caused me to be
received as had been on that morning.
But the danger was now removed. In
the light Of Samuel Fleetwood's admis-
sion, he was powerless to work out his
wicked spite against me.
How was Fleetwood = l asked
when you left the station2 Better?"
Worse, sir. Sinking fast. Very
little time to live. the doctor said. A
clergyman was called in and was with
him when left.''
"And you thought might like to see
himg'
II thought as much, sir, though
don't know whether the inspector viii
allow it."
| II am obliged to you. should wisl
to see the unhappy man; he might con
TESS to me the motive for his crime.
"It's my opinion, sir, he's confessina
it to the clergyman. Thank you, sir
1 had slipped couple Of sovereignE
into his hand. There's something
that ought to be got at, il the man il
really DYING
What is thatsv
1.-THE money. sir. the i've Thousand
pounds that was taken out Of the box
I He was asked about it. and all tn,
answer he gave was strange smile
He could hardly have spent it in thu
time.''
WAS there none found on him?'
4 There wasn't a brass farthing foun(
on him; and, what is more, his clothes
were in rags and the doctor said h
must have been without food for morl
than two days"
1T is indeed stranger I remarked
II will so with you to the station"
/ saw my wife before left The house
ssYou look better, Richard, she said.
II am better" replied Terrible
az the incident is. it has removed !
weight from my heart When the las
scene OF this awful tragedy IS enactel
we win seek another home. Much as
love this place. 1t has now become hate
ful to me-
This. knew, was 81 accordance Wit
the wishes of my wife, who neYe
passed tie roew ID whivh nv unel