The Inspector two detectives had hurried discussion advisability of allowing him his story

" consider, Doctor, immediate danger ? " the former asked, {24}

"Most certainly ," I answered

" case clearly our duty, interests of justice, his statement," said the Inspector " at liberty, sir, your account, which I again warn taken down "

"I'll sit down, with your leave," the prisoner said, suiting the action word "This aneurism makes me easily tired, tussle we had half an hour ago mended matters I'm brink grave, and not likely to lie Every word absolute truth, and how you use matter of no consequence "

words, Jefferson Hope leaned back chair and began the following remarkable statement He spoke in calm and methodical manner, the events which he narrated were commonplace enough vouch accuracy subjoined account, for access to Lestrade's note-book, prisoner's words were taken down exactly were uttered

"It don't much matter why I hated these men," ; "it's enough were guilty death of two human beings -- father and daughter -- and had, therefore, forfeited their own lives lapse that has passed since their crime, impossible to secure conviction against them in any court guilt though, and I determined that judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one You'd the same, any manhood in you, in my place

"That girl that I spoke of was married me twenty She was forced into marrying that same Drebber, and broke her heart over it the marriage ring from her dead finger, and I vowed that his dying eyes should rest upon that very ring, his last thoughts crime punished carried it about with me, followed him accomplice over two continents until I caught them They thought to tire me out, but If I die to-morrow, as is likely enough, I die knowing that my work world is done, and well done perished, and by my hand nothing left to hope for, or to desire

"They were rich and poor, so no easy matter them When I got to London my pocket was about empty, and that turn my hand to something living Driving and riding are as natural as walking, so I applied at cabowner's office, and soon got employment to bring certain sum week owner, and whatever was over that keep seldom much over, but I managed to scrape along somehow The hardest job was to learn my way about, for I reckon that of all the mazes that ever were contrived, this city most confusing I had map beside me though, and when once I had spotted the principal hotels and stations, I got on pretty well

" before out where my two gentlemen were living; but I inquired and inquired until at last I dropped across them They were at boarding-house at Camberwell, over other side river When once them out that I had them at my mercy I had grown my beard, and no chance recognizing me dog them and follow them until my opportunity determined escape me again

"They were very near doing it for all that Go where about London, always at their heels Sometimes I followed them on my cab, and sometimes on foot, but the former best, for then get away from me only early morning or late at night that earn anything, I began behind hand with my employer mind that, however, as long as lay my hand men

"They were very cunning, though thought that some chance being followed, for never go out alone, and never after nightfall During two weeks I drove behind them every day, and never once saw them separate Drebber himself was drunk half the time, but Stangerson was not caught napping I watched them late and early, but never saw the ghost of chance; but not discouraged, for something told me hour had almost come My only fear was thing in my chest might burst little too soon and leave my work undone

"At last, one evening driving up and down Torquay Terrace, street was called they boarded, when cab drive up door Presently some luggage was brought out, and after time Drebber and Stangerson followed it, and drove off I whipped up my horse and kept within sight , feeling very ill at ease, for I feared were going to shift their quarters At Euston Station they got out, and I left boy to hold my horse, and followed them on platform I heard them ask Liverpool train, guard answer that one had just gone and there another for some hours Stangerson seemed put out , but Drebber was rather pleased than otherwise I got so close bustle that hear every word that passed Drebber said that he had little business own , other would wait for him soon rejoin him His companion remonstrated , and reminded him had resolved to stick together Drebber answered matter was delicate one, go alone catch what Stangerson said , but the other burst out swearing, and reminded him that nothing more than his paid servant, not presume to dictate to him On Secretary gave it up as bad job, and simply bargained that if he missed the last train rejoin him at Halliday's Private Hotel; Drebber answered that back platform before eleven, and made his way station

"The moment I had waited had at last come I had my enemies within my power Together protect , but singly they were at my mercy act, however, with undue precipitation My plans were already formed no satisfaction in vengeance unless the offender has time to realize who it strikes him, and why retribution upon him I had my plans arranged the opportunity of making the man who had wronged me understand that his old sin had found him out It chanced that some days before gentleman who engaged in looking over some houses Brixton Road had dropped the key of in my carriage claimed that same evening, and returned; but interval I had taken moulding of it, and had duplicate constructed I had access to one spot great city where rely upon being free from interruption How Drebber house difficult problem which I had now to solve

"He walked down the road and went into liquor shops, staying for nearly half-an-hour last When out he staggered walk, and was evidently pretty well on hansom just in front of me, and he hailed it I followed it so close nose horse was within yard driver the whole way We rattled across Waterloo Bridge and through miles of streets, until, to my astonishment, ourselves back Terrace he had boarded imagine what his intention was in returning there; but I went on and pulled up my cab hundred yards or so house He entered it, hansom drove away glass of water, please My mouth gets dry talking "

I handed him the glass, and he drank it down