Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-08
excuse me, however, II I speak frankly

excuse me. however. II I speak frankly
to you. YOU are only answerable to
yourself, but have TO answer to my
supcrlors. II this Abe Slnncy, living
at Elrgc's, is indeed tho murderer, and
IL he has made his escape while l am
seated here I should certainly get into
serious trouble"
"You need not be uneasy. He will
not try TO escape"
How do you know"
"ro fly would be confession Of
guilt"
Then let tis 60 to arrest him."
~ expect him here every instant"
"But why should he Gomez"
Because I have written and asked
him."
Put this Ia Incredible. Mr.. Holmes!
Why should he come because you have
asked him? Would not such request
rather rouse his suspicious and cause
him to ny?"
Il think l have known how to frame
the letter." said Sherlock Holmes. "1n
fact. If am not very much mistaken,
here is the gentleman himself coming
up the drive"
A man was striding mp the path
which led to the door. He was a tall,
handsome, swarthy fellow, clad in
suit of gray flannel. with a panama
hat. bristling black beard and a
great. aggressive hooked nose, and
flourishing cane as he walked. lie
staggered up the path as IL the place
belonged to him. and we heard his loud,
confident peal at the bell.
II think. gentlemen" said Holmes
quietly. that we had best take up our
position behind the door. Every pre-
caution Ia necessary when dealing with
such a fellow. You will need your
handouts, inspector. You can leave the
talking to me-"
We waited in silence for a minute
one Of those minutes which one can
never forget. Then the door opened
and the man stepped in. In an instant
Holmes clapped pistol to his head,
and Martin slipped the handouts over
his wrists. 1t was all done so swiftly
and deity that the fellow was help
less before he knew that he was at
tackled. He garcd from one to the
other Of us with a pair Of blazing black
eyes. Then he burst into bitter laugh.
well, gentlemen, you have the drop
OH me this time. l seem to have knock
cd up against something hard. But I
came here in answer to n letter from
Mrs. Hilton Cubitt. Don't tell me that
she is in this. Don't tell me that she
helped to set a trap for me-
Mrs. Hilton Cubltt was seriously in
jured and IS at deaths door,
The man gave a hoarse cry of grief,
which rang through the house.
You're crazy" he cried fiercely. at
was he that was hurt. not she. Who
would have hurt little Elsie? I may
have threatened her-God forgive me.
but I would not have touched hair
of her pretty head. Take 1t back-you.
Say that she Is not hurt
"She was found badly wounded by
the side Of her dead husband"
He sank with deep groan on to the
settee and buried his face in his man.
acled hands. For five minutes he was
silent. Then he raised his face once
more and spoke with the cold COM
posture of despair.
Il have nothing to hide from you.
gentlemen" said he. IF I shot the
man he had his shot Mt me, and there's
no murder In that. But II you think I
could have hurt that woman, then you
don't know either me or her. tell
you. there was never a man in this
world loved woman more than loved
her. I had right to her. She was
pledged to me years ago. Who was
this Engiishman that he should come
between us? tell you that l had the
first right to her and that ! was only