Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FATAL CONFESSION.

THE FATAL CONFESSION.
z INVITED. John Waye stepped
into the room. as he had done
on the day of his arrival at the
~ monastery, took an armchair,
crossed his knees, and leaning
back, settled himself comfortably. took
out his cigarette case and smiled at
the doctor.
And why this sudden change of
front, Simon? This threatened ces-
sation of hospitality? This altitude
almost of unfriendliness?"
Seen the paper?" snarled the doctor.
"Oh, yes. I always see the papers.
have them with my morning tea,
you know. Drink my tea, light a
cigarette, and settle down for 10
got ready" and John Waye smiled
round at the ring of hard, cruel faces
of the men and women who watched
him, intent, with angry eyes.
Look at here, you" continued the
doctor. Suppose you cut out the funny
stuff-before we do some thing little
against our interests. Since you've seen
the papers, you know the games up.
MY game or yours, Simon?"
DR.. Charters, once again obviously
exercising great and commendable
restraint, replied:
Yours and added with slight self
righteousness, we are not wanted
murderers."
you're not, Simon? Well, now how
apt one is to misjudge people! l should
have thought that was exactly what
you were And why do you think that?''
obviously. Surely?. We don't
suppose that even you are going to lie
up here, while an innocent man swings
for what you did. Little as we like
you, we do you that much credit"
You fiatter me, Simon"
IT hope not. hope don't nisjudge
you"
"Wen, sorry as I am to seem I'M
worthy Of your good opinion, Simon;
sad as 1 am to disappoint you-1 am
not going"
mot going to give yourself up?
You'd let an innocent man swing
for you?"
Hes not swinging yet, anyway,
Simon"
devil has got fool-proof alibi. The
dicks must have pinehed the first crook
that answered the description in the
letter you left on Spider Schlitzs body"
"A low down. dirty trick" growled
Mr.. James indignantly.
"Sickenin' swine" murmured Nurse
Jones, while the fingers of the matron's
right hand curled in the manner Of the
claws of a cat about to scratch.
"Oh, I don't know" observed DR..
MacAdoo tolerantly. quite legitimate,
1 think. so long as he owns up-as
of course he will do-now that some
one else is arrested. Quite good
trick for putting the police of the
scent :"
"Tastes differ" sneered the doctor.
Not the sort OF trick that appeals
to me- Filthy -. low -. unspeakably
foul -"
II suppose you don't deny you wrote
it?" He added, turning to John Waye.
Certainly, 1 wrote it. wrote it,
all right. And, what's more, Simon, /
gave an actual name-the real name
Of a real man, here in England. APP
parently the police have suppressed
With an oath Mr.. James sprang to
his feet-his restraint vanquished at
the bare thought Of such ineffable
| villainy, SUCH incredible violation OF
all fair and decent dealing between
| honorable crooks.
The doctor himself seized Mr.. James
wrist as, with a flash of blued steel, il
| appeared from benith his coat.
"Sit down, you simp!" he Kissed
and violently thrust Mr.. James back
in his chair. will you leave this tc
me? Who asked you to butt-in? D'you
want us all to ...?"
Have it your own way" growled Mr.
James. Bump him OH, and done
with it, say"
John Waye smiled at the doctor, and
nodded in complacent confirmation.
Eyes, the description, name, and
! probable address, of an actual man" he
said Shamelessly.
| His hearers stared in silence, genuine
| ly shocked to the depths of their souls.
The man was monster. Something
| beyond their ken and comprehension
a superhuman or subhuman villain.
And you actually propose to let him
hang. while you look on in safety?'
| asked the doctor incredulously. "A
perfectly innocent mani"
John Waye blew a long, slow cloud
! of cigarette smoke and watched 1t
mount up toward the carved-oak CELL
ing.
! Il don't think perfectly innocent men
often get hanged in this country" he
! observed conversationally.
We'll, and what sort of time do
YOU think he's having, lying there while
| they weave the moose round him?"
| 'Most uncomfortable, should think. "
"Well, then. don't you think it's up to
you? Aren't you going to do
something's"
mot thing. What would you
do in my place, doctor?"
The doctor picked u5 his heavy ebony