"I had gone town about an investment, and I met him in Regent Street with hardly coat back or boot foot

"'Here , Jack,' says he, touching me arm; 'we'll be as good as family There's two of us, me and my son, and the keeping of us don't--it's fine, law-abiding country is England, and there's always policeman within hail '

"Well, down they came west country, no shaking them off, and there lived rent free on my best land no rest , no peace, no forgetfulness; turn where , his cunning, grinning face at my elbow It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw more afraid of her knowing my past than police Whatever , and whatever him without question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked thing which give He asked for Alice

"His son, , had grown up, and so had my girl, and as known in weak health, it seemed fine stroke to him that his lad should step whole property But there firm have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I had any dislike lad, but his blood was in him, was enough I stood firm McCarthy threatened I braved him his worst We were to meet pool midway between our houses it over

"When we went down there him talking son, so smoked cigar and waited behind tree until alone But as I listened talk all that was black and bitter in me seemed uppermost urging his son to marry my daughter with as little regard for what she might think she were slut from off the streets It drove me mad that I and all that I held most dear power man Could I not snap the bond ? already dying and desperate man Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that my own fate was sealed But my memory and my girl ! Both saved if but silence that foul tongue it, Mr Holmes again Deeply as sinned, led life of martyrdom to atone But that my girl entangled same meshes which held me was more than suffer I struck him down with no more compunction than if he some foul and venomous beast His cry brought back his son; but I had gained the cover wood, though forced back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in my flight true story, gentlemen, of all that occurred "

"Well, to judge you," said Holmes old man signed the statement which drawn out "I pray that never be exposed to such temptation "

"I pray not, sir And what intend ? "

"In view of your health, nothing yourself aware that soon have to answer for your deed at higher court Assizes keep your confession, and if McCarthy is condemned forced to use it , it shall never be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or dead, shall be safe "

"Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly "Your own deathbeds, when , the easier thought peace which given to mine " Tottering and shaking in all his giant frame, he stumbled slowly room

"God ! " said Holmes after long silence "Why does fate play such tricks with poor, helpless worms ? I never hear case that of Baxter's words, and say, 'There, but grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes '"

James McCarthy was acquitted Assizes strength of number of objections which drawn out by Holmes and submitted defending counsel Old Turner lived for seven months after our interview, but now dead; and every prospect son and daughter may come to live happily together in ignorance black cloud which rests upon their past