The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-04
w iIfull
 Murder

as knives to know, I couldn't think why. and didn't care either. for I saw my chance l said I'd tell him all about you if he'd give me a private interview. He said he wouldn't. said he should, and held him by the coat; by the time l Ct him go you were out of sight. and I waited where l was till he came back in despair. J had the whip hand of him then could dictate where the interview should be, and l made him take me home with him. still swearing to tell him all about you when we'd had our talk. Well. when we got here I made him give me something to eat, put ting him off and of; and about 10 o'clock l heard the gate shut waited bit. and then asked him if he lived alone.
 Not at all says he did you not see the servant?
 T said I'd seen her, but I thought I'd heard her go; if I was mistaken no doubt she would come when she was called; and I yelled three times at the top of my voice Of course there was no servant to come. I knew that because I came to see him one night last week, and he interviewed me himself through the gate, but wouldn't open it. Well, when I had done yelling, and not soul had come near us, he was as white as that cell ing. Then l told him we could have our chat at last; and 1 picked the poker out of the fender, and told him how he'd robbed me, but by God he shouldn't rob me any more. 1 gave him three minutes to write and sign a settlement of all his iniquitous claims against me, or have his brains beaten out over his own carpet. He thought a minute, and then went to his desk for pen and paper. In two seconds he was round like lightning with a revolver and 1 went for him baldheaded. He fired two or three times and missed; you can find the holes if you like; but I hit him every time-my Godi l was like a, savage till the thing was done. And then I didn't care. I went through his desk looking for my own bills, and was coming away when you turned up. I said I didn't care nor do l; but I was going to give myself up tonight, and shall still; so you see I shan't give you fellows much troublep'
 He was done and there we stood on the landing of the lonely house, the low thick, eager voice still racing and ringing through our ears; the dead man below, and in front of us his impenitent slayer. I knew to whom the impenitence would appeal when he heard the story, and was not mistaken.
 That's all rot" said Rallies, speak ing after a pause; we shant let you give yourself up"
 You shan't stop mel What would be the good? The woman saw me; it would only be a question of time, and I can't face waiting to be taken. Think of it; waiting for them to touch you on the shoulderi No, no, no. I'll give myself up and get it over.'
 His speech was changed he fal- tered houndered. It was as though a clearer perception of his position had come with the bare idea of es- cape from it.
 But listen to me- urged Raffles we're here at our peril ourselves. We broke in like thieves to enforce redress for a grievance very like your own. But don't you see? We took out a pane-did the thing like regular burglars. Regular burglars will get the credit of all the rest!''
 You mean that I shan't be sus- pected?"
 q do.'
 "But I don't want to get off scot free" cried Rutter hysterically. "Tve killed him. I know that But it was in self-defense; it wasn't murder I must own mp and take the conse- quenees. shall go mad if I don't!'
 His hands twitched; his lips quiv- cred: the tears were in his eyes. Rallies took him roughly by the shoulder.
 Look here. you fool, If the three of us were caught here now do you know what those consequences would be? We should swing in a row at Newgate in six weeks timei You talk as though we were sitting in a club: don't you know it's 1 o'clock in the morning. and the lights on, and a dead man below? For Gods sake pull yourself together, and do what I tell you, or you're dead man your self'
 q wish I was one" Rutter sobbed. q wish I had his revolver to blow
 (ContinlIed On Next Fade1