The Springfield herald., 1912-06-07


| watch the case"
Both our wishes can be gratiiied.'
returned Materick. Come with me
to the lady superintendent"
We left the ward and interviewed
the superintendent She informed us
that the patient with the sleeping sick
| ness had been found in the street a
week ago. to all appearance in state
OF iEtoxication, and been taken into the
police station: but finding that he was
seriously Ill the police brought him to
the hospital. He had scarcely opened
his lips since. When taken up he was
in evening dress. No one knew his
name: he spent his entire time sleep
ing. although for the past few days
he had been suffering from tremor and
spasms. He had arrived at the hospital
on the morning of the 22d of June.
looked at Materick. The murder
took place on the night of the 21st." l
said.
Having agreed to my request to stay
behind, Materick took his departure.
Presently l found myself practically
alone with the patient. The case was
bad one and liable to terminate fatal
ly within a few hours at the latest. AT
my desire one of the nurses brought n
screen to put round the sick mans
bed. He lay muttering to himself FL
nally he ,po ned his eyes and glared at
me. bent over him.
"Colville," said. do you know that
Lidderdale has returned. He has been
arrested for Mrs. Colthurst's murder.
You alone can explain that crime. Do
not go to your Maker with that sin un-
confessed on your soul"
Why do you call me Colville?" he
gasped.
You cannot deny your name. and
that you are guilty of murder"
Don't speak so loud; | am too III to
talk to you" he whispered He turned
over. trembled violently and the next
moment was convulsed by spasm.
The nurse came to his assistance.
When the fit passed he sank into
deeper sleep than ever. My mind was
made up in an instant. There should
be witnesses when next he woke. His
death was but matter of an hour or
two and If possible he should be made
to speak before he passed away.
left the hospital and went straight
to police headquarters. After an in
terview with the chief | returned to
the hospital accompanied by Lidder-
dale and two detectives. We sought
Colville's bed and Lidderdale stepped
inside the screen. while | remained on
the other side with the two policemen.
l heard Lidderdale utter startled ex-
clamation, s-d knew he had found his
man.
Rouse yourself; l am here" he said
in a hoarse voice. The patient started
and muttered In his sleep. open your
eyes," continued Lidderdale. DO you
remember when you were i'll last-do
you remember what you confessed?
Awake, Colville, awake!"
The wellkr own tones burst through
the terrible lethargy which was carry
ing the man to his grave-he opened
his eyes. The detectives and moved
little nearer. and one of them pro-
duced note book. prepared TO take
down any confession which might be
made.
Am ying?" asked the sick man.
You are" responded Lidderdale
gravely. Tell the truth. Why did you
take Alma's life?"
Colville's eyes, so like those of the
man who stood beside him, glittered
strangely.
81 killed her in fit of frenzy" he
said. She refused to have anything
TO do with me. Yes, | borrowed your
name. Months ago meant to do
Of ha riv1 oil
aged. while with you in Africa, to Sc
crete some of your visiting cards.
had made careful copies of your hand
writing and knew | could initiate 1t
sufficiently to deceive anyone who
was not an expert. knew Alma would
see me If che thought l was you. She
did so; but when she discovered the
trick her rage and scorn were greater
than | can describe. Then | resolved
that you, at least, should not have the
prize which | could not obtain. | had
large claspknife in my pocket;
opened 1t and stabbed her to the
heart. The instant did the deed re-
pented. ran to a decanter which con-
tained brandy and poured out glass
i was i'll at the time-I had been
queer for weeks. One of those awful
tremors .assailed me-the glass fell
from my trembling hands and cut my
self. filled up another and drained
off the contents. The stimulant gave
me strength and nerve to leave the
house as quietly as if nothing had hap
pened."
His voice faltered, but making ter
rife effort he sat up in bed The de-
tectives pushed aside the screen and
one of them handed paper to Lidder-
dale
Get him to sign this he said.
Put your name here, Colville," said
Lidderdale.
A choking laugh was the response.
THE law cannot reach me now" he
croaked, so | don't mind signing" He
scribbled his name feebly at the bot
tom of the paper.
she is lost to us both now, Lidder-
dale" he continued; that is my only
comfort" This was his final remark.
He sank back on his pillow in another
fit, in which he died
OF course Colville's confession
cleared Lidderdale, and the latter left
for abroad almost Immediately. 81 have
nothing to live for now" was his part