Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-07-20

used. I came round to - You on th>
chance that some other oxplsnation
had suggested itself to you. But
there could b none. I was convinced
that Mortimer Tregennis was the muir.
derer; that for the sake OF mousy,
and with the idea, perhaps. that II the
other members Of his family were al
insane he would b the sole guardian
Of their Joint property, hs had used
the devil's-foot powder upon them,
driven two Of them out Of their senses,
and killed his sister Brenda, the ono
human being whom have ever loved
or who has ever loved me. There vas
his crime; what was to be his punish
mont?
! Should I appeal to the law! Where
were my proofs! knew that the
facts were true. but could I help to
make . Jury Of countrymen believe
90 fantastic story! might or I
might not. But could not afford to
fail. My soul cried out for revenge.
I have said to you once before. Mr..
Holmes, that have spant much OF
my life outside the law. and that I
have come at last to be . law to my.
self. So 1t was now. determined
that the fate which he had given to
others should be shared by himself.
Either that. or would do justice upon
him with my own hand. In all Eng
land there can be no man who sets
less value upon his own life than I
do at the present moment.
Nov I have told you all. You have
yourself supplied the rest. I did, 40
you say, after restless night, set OF
early from my cottage. I foresaw the
difficulty Of arousing him. so I gath
cred sone gravel from the pile which
you have mentioned, and l used it
to throw up to his window. He came
down and admitted me through the
window Of the sitting-room. laid his
ohense before him. told him l had
come both as Judge and executioner.
The wretch sank into a chair para
lyzed at the sight of my revolver. I
lit the lamp, put the powder above it,
and stood outside the window, ready
to carry out my threat to shoot him
should he try to leave the room. In
i've minutes he died. My God! how
he died! But my heart was flint. for
he endured nothing which my inno-
cent darling had not felt before him.
There 10 my story, Mr.. Holmes. Per-
haps. II you loved 2 woman. you would
have done as much yourself. At any
rate. i am in your hands. You can
take what steps you like. As l have
said, there is no man living
who can fear death less than I do"
Holmes sat for some time in silence.
What were your plans?" he asked.
at last.
II had intended to bury myself in
Central Africa. Ny work there is but
half finished"
Go and do the other half" said
Holmes. Il, at least. am not prepared
to prevent you"
Dr.. sterndale raised his giant fg.
ure, bowed .eravely. and walked from
the arbor. Holmes lit his pipe and
handed me his pouch.
: "Some fumes which are not poison.
ous would be welcome change" said
he. II think you must agree, Watson.
that It Is not case in which We are
called upon to interfere. Our investi-
CATION. has been independent. and our
action shall be also. You would not
denounce the MANI
Certainly not" I answered.
II have never loved. Watson. but II
did. and If the woman loved had
net such an end. might act even 40
,ur .lawless lion-hunter has done. Who
Knows? Well. Watson. will not Of.
end your intelligence by explaining
What 10 obvious. The gravel under
he window:sill was, of course, the |
'tarting point Of my research. 1t was
mike anything in the vicarage gar
len. Only when my attention had !
,een drawn to DR.. Sterndale and his !
cottage did ind its counterpart. The |
amp shining in broad daylight and |
he remains of powder upon the |
hield were successive links in q fair |
y obvious chain. And now, my dear
Watson. think We may dismiss the
natter from our minds. and go back
nth a clear conscience to the study |
( those Chaldean roots which are
urely to be traced in the Cornish
ranch Of the great Celtic speech"