For some months Jefferson Hope lingered mountains, leading strange wild life, and nursing heart the fierce desire for vengeance which possessed him Tales were told City weird figure seen prowling suburbs, and which haunted the lonely mountain gorges Once bullet whistled through Stangerson's window and flattened itself wall within foot of him On another occasion, as Drebber passed under cliff great boulder crashed down on him, and he only escaped terrible death by throwing himself upon his face The two young Mormons long in discovering the reason attempts upon their lives, and led repeated expeditions mountains hope of capturing or killing their enemy, but always without success Then they adopted the precaution of never going out alone or after nightfall, and of having their houses guarded After time they were able to relax these measures, for nothing was either heard or seen opponent, hoped had cooled his vindictiveness

Far from , it had, if anything, augmented it The hunter's mind was of hard, unyielding nature, predominant idea of revenge had taken such complete possession of it that no room for emotion , however, above all things practical He soon realized that even his iron constitution stand the incessant strain which putting upon it Exposure and want of wholesome food were wearing him out If he died like dog mountains, revenge then ? And yet such death was sure to overtake him if he persisted that that was to play his enemy's game, so he reluctantly returned old Nevada mines, there to recruit his health and to amass money enough to allow him to pursue his object without privation

His intention absent year most, but combination of unforeseen circumstances prevented his leaving the mines for nearly five end , however, his memory wrongs craving for revenge were quite as keen as memorable night when he had stood by John Ferrier's grave Disguised, and under an assumed name, he returned to Salt Lake City, careless what became own life, as long as he obtained what justice There evil tidings awaiting him There schism Chosen People before, younger members Church having rebelled against the authority Elders, result the secession of certain number malcontents, who had left Utah and become Gentiles Drebber and Stangerson; and no one knew whither they had gone Rumour reported that Drebber had managed to convert large part property into money, he had departed wealthy man, while his companion, Stangerson, was comparatively poor no clue at all, however, as whereabouts

Many man, however vindictive, abandoned all thought of revenge face difficulty, but Jefferson Hope never faltered for moment small competence he possessed, eked out by such employment as pick up, he travelled from town to town United States in quest enemies Year passed into year, his black hair turned grizzled, but still he wandered on, human bloodhound, mind wholly set one object he had devoted his life At last his perseverance was rewarded but glance of face in window, but that one glance told him that Cleveland in Ohio possessed the men whom in pursuit of He returned miserable lodgings plan of vengeance all arranged It chanced, however, that Drebber, looking window, had recognized the vagrant street, and had read murder eyes He hurried before justice peace, accompanied by Stangerson, who had become his private secretary, and represented to him were in danger lives jealousy and hatred of an old rival That evening Jefferson Hope was taken into custody, and not being able sureties, was detained for some weeks When at last liberated, only that Drebber's house was deserted, he secretary had departed for Europe

Again the avenger foiled, and again his concentrated hatred urged him the pursuit Funds were wanting, however, and for he had to return to work, saving every dollar approaching journey At last, having collected enough life in him, he departed for Europe, and tracked his enemies from city to city, working his way in any menial capacity, but never overtaking the fugitives When he reached St Petersburg they had departed for Paris; and when he followed them there he learned had just set off for Copenhagen Danish capital again late, for they had journeyed on to London, where he at last succeeded in running them to earth what occurred there, do better than quote the old hunter's own account, as duly recorded in Dr Watson's Journal, to already under such obligations

CHAPTER VI

CONTINUATION REMINISCENCES OF JOHN WATSON, M D

OUR prisoner's furious resistance apparently indicate any ferocity disposition towards ourselves, for on finding himself powerless, he smiled in an affable manner, and expressed his hopes that he hurt any of us scuffle "I guess you're going me police-station," he remarked to Sherlock Holmes "My cab's door 'll loose my legs I'll walk down I'm not so light to lift as I used "

Gregson and Lestrade exchanged glances as thought this proposition rather bold one; but Holmes at once took the prisoner at his word, and loosened the towel which we had bound round his ancles {23} He rose and stretched his legs, to assure himself were free once more I remember that to myself, as I eyed him, that I had seldom seen more powerfully built man; dark sunburned face bore an expression of determination and energy as formidable as his personal strength

"If there's vacant place for chief police, I reckon the man ," , gazing with undisguised admiration at my fellow-lodger "The way you kept on my trail was caution "

"You had better come with me," said Holmes two detectives

" drive you," said Lestrade

"Good ! and Gregson can come inside with me You too, Doctor, taken an interest case and may stick "

I assented gladly, and we all descended together Our prisoner made no attempt at escape, but stepped calmly cab which his, and we followed him Lestrade mounted the box, whipped up the horse, and brought us in very short time to our destination We were ushered into small chamber where police Inspector noted down our prisoner's name names men with whose murder he charged The official was white-faced unemotional man, who went through his duties in dull mechanical way "The prisoner put magistrates course week," ; " mean time, Mr Jefferson Hope, anything that you ? warn you that your words taken down, and used against you "

"I've got ," our prisoner said slowly " you gentlemen all "

"Hadn't you better reserve that for your trial ? " asked the Inspector

" never be tried," he answered "You needn't look startled It isn't suicide thinking of Doctor ? " He turned his fierce dark eyes upon me as he asked this last question

"Yes; ," I answered

"Then put your hand here," , with smile, motioning manacled wrists towards his chest

so; and became at once conscious of an extraordinary throbbing and commotion going on inside The walls chest seemed to thrill and quiver as frail building would do inside when some powerful engine was at work silence room hear dull humming and buzzing noise which proceeded same source

"Why," I cried, " an aortic aneurism ! "