The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-12-05
Where are you going to. thens"
ssT dn mt know -

| But hope we shall meet again. There
is singular attraction in you, Gaskell
for which ! cannot account. You
promise me honorably ?"
eyes, honorably.7
GAS a gentleman?''
made a pitiful motion with my
hands; l could not help it. There was
SO much true sincerity and feeling in
his voice that it touched my heart.
could not, / could not restrain the little
sob Of thankfulness which burst from
me. Was it possible that ], a murderer
a thief. could still win the resepct Of
men? turned from him, ashamed
| that be should witness my agitation
md partly afraid that it might betray
me.
las a gentleman? ~ he repeated.
III you viii have it So" said, "as
a gentleman
II hold you to it" he said.
Then he took his sketchbook from
his pocket, and, detaching leaf, hand.
ed it to me. I stared at the drawing
in dumb amazement.
It represented a bedroom, the bed
room he and had occupied on the pre-
ceding night On the table was a
lighted candle, and near it stood a
man, apparently just risen from his
bed. In his right hand were two ar
ticles, upon which he was gazing with
an expression of unutterable woe and
despair upon his face.
nHlo ,,no1a ~, e. ~ xzenIF nv1,n o~ksnlnr
I was gazing on were the ring and the
cord
1T is yourself, you see," said Stan
more.
II see," muttered.
"Do you remember he asked.
mo-
1T occurred last night, at o'clock
by my watch. was awake, thinking
Of my wife, amused at the surprise
had in store for her. A movement from
the part of the room in which you slept
attracted my attention. You rose from
your bed, struck a match and lit the
candle. / called, and asked You
whether you were unwell; you did not
answer. You searched your pockets,
and produced therefrom q diamond
ring and a piece of string. You APP
preached the candle, and looked down
upon them, with just that expression
upon your face have caught so faith
fully. called to you again, and again
you did not answer. Then / rose, got
my sketchbook and made the drawing.
1t struck me as good subject for a
picture. It is seldom an artist has the
chance of catching such an expression
as that. When the sketch was finished,
came quite close to you and looked at
the ring and the piece of string. 1t was
common, strong piece Of cord, but the
ring startled me, the diamond in it
being of such extraordinary brilliancy.
lit is strange thinks ], that Friend
Gaskell works as q hop picker, and
lives on bread and water'-I know that,
you see-'when he owns ring which
he could sell or pledge for good many
pounds You were fast asleep, Gas
kelI, and / was more than ever con-
WINGED that you are the hero of some
strange story. For at least quarter
Of an hour you stood in the same atti-
tude in which you are depicted; then
you put out the candle; in the dark
you repleeed the articles in your pocket
and / heard you creep into bed. That
is ALL
1t was sufficient. Was 1t fated that
I myself should be compelled by mex.
orable justice to supply evidence Of
my guilt? Not for my life did / care,
but the honor and good name of my
wife ana daughter were in my keeping
and those 1 must protect so long as II
lay in my power.
"Stanm0re," said. release me from
my promise. must go away at once
at once"
you are afraid of me-"
Il am. Better for me never to speak
to mortal man again"
Look again at the sketch, Gaskell
Examine it well"
| | obeyed him, but saw nothing in Il
that had not seen before
II am skilled in the nuances Of ex
preston" he continued. Frivolous
person as | am, claim to be subtle in
my art There is despair in the face Of
this drawing; but, Gaskell, 1t is moi
the despair of guilt; it is the despair Of
innocence. I decline to release yor
from your promise. You remain with
me at least till tomorrow night. Whai
do you want?"
| This question was addressed to Q
waiter, who had entered the room with
i out knocking.
| A gentleman wishes to see you imme
diately, sir
''Let him come i'm
The waiter. departing, returned, ush
erfng In a man, respectfully dressed
The blood rushed to my head, and my
heart beat Violently: for recognized
the detective who, with two other of
/ ficers, had come to my house upon th,
morning after the murder OF Mr.. viii
mot Tor a moment thought that (
trap had been set for me by Stanmore
and that, through him, justice hat
overtaken me. But one glance at hi
lface convinced me was in errors Evi
IDENTIFY the detective was stranger Il
i him.
i my name is Stanmore," he said
i What is your business with me?
/ II am detective oficer,p replied th
man. He had looked at me when b
entered and had turned away, appar
emily not recognizing me- my appear
ance was 50 changed.
4 do not know YOU" said Stanmore