beginning to feel more and more interested in the case.
"We placed hiin in a private room three days ago when
his mind first wavered that he might not disturb the other
patients, so you will have him all to yourself," she added.
"So much the better," I replied. "Lead on."
We entered one of the private wards and I saw the
emaciated form that said only too plainly,—consumption.
He turned his deeply sunken eyes toward me and asked in a
low and weak, despairing voice, "Is this Mr. Devery?"
The nurse answered for me and just then Dr. Mason
came in, lie having heard our conversation in the hall below.
After a hurried "How do?" he went to the side of the bed,
took the sick man's wrist and counted his pulse ; then,
placing his ear close to the patient's chest the doctor
listened to the beating of the heart. As he arose Dr. Mason
said, "My man, lam going to be plain with you. Say what
you have to say and say it quickly. You may live many
days yet, but the beating of your heart is very erratic and I
fear your time will soon come. Do you wish me to send for
a minister or priest? If so, which one?"
"No, Doctor, I am very thankful to you for what you
have done for me and I think a detective and a jailer would
be far more appropriate to my condition of mind than a
minister, for I feel that although God is merciful, he cannot
forgive everything at the eleventh hour. I will try to tell Mr.
Devery everything and I hope I may live to tell to the world
through Mr. Devery the truth about the Wilson murder that
when my end comes I shall know that no innocent man shall
be condemned for my evil deeds although I will not meet my
punishment, in this world nor at the hands of man."
"Do as you think right," the doctor said as he withdrew
and motioned me to the bedside.
"Mr. Devery, if you want anything,,' ring," he added.
"Mr. Devery," began the sick man, "you no doubt
remember 'the horrible murder of Major Wilson, the man