H. B. Marriott Watson

“ I rose, and for a moment thought of following her, but recollecting that Shaw would presently return, and considering that I might be rudely intruding upon some intestine and private emotions, I came back to the fire. As I did so a little noise striking through the uncurtained window by the fireplace, saluted my ears, and approaching I looked out. The window, sunk in that basement half-way below the level of the ground, fronted the garden and the street. The rain was falling heavily, but across the blackness of the night streamed the thin rays of the light within the hall above. ”

“ But at the top of the stairs which descended into the basement I paused momentarily: a faint misgiving affected me; and then, dismissing the thought, I clattered down the bare steps upon the heels of my host. We came immediately upon that into a room, barely furnished with a patch of carpet, a table and some chairs, and presenting the appearance of a shabby breakfast-room. It was lighted by a blazing gas-jet in the centre of the ceiling, a small asbestos fire glowed on the hearth; and before the fire, with her eyes on the door, stood a tall, strong and handsome woman. ”

“ I cannot give you any exact idea of that abominable watch in such gruesome company—the murderer and his victim. I sat for more than an hour with my eyes open upon that darkness, listening, straining, attentive to every interruption of the quiet. The living had sunk into the silence which the dead brought, and at first I feared that he had escaped. ”

“ I remember that I walked still briskly, smoking a cigar, and entertaining very cheerful thoughts, with no suspicion that within an hour my life would be so horribly contorted and maimed. The night was quite black, and the rain had begun to fall again. As I noticed this I saw standing at a gate, a little in front of me, the figure of a tall man, partly thrown into view by the full gleam of, a gas-lamp. ”

“ I pursued, “it is necessary that we should come to some understanding. I am invited into this house—lured, apparently, by your husband; I am locked in a room; and I find this and you together. What am I to think?”
Still she returned no answer, but shifted her gaze to the dead man, shrinking with a tiny shudder into the wall.
But I was not to go unanswered, for at that moment a voice sounded behind me, and, turning quickly, I came face to face with Shaw. ”

“ I stepped out swiftly, and breathing deeply in that new sense of safety, peered above me into the darkness of the stairway. A sound as of some person moving stealthily came down to me; and, encouraged by this evidence of human life, as well as inspired with a fresh and flowing anger, I made up the steps, groping and feeling my way. ”

“ Utterly bewildered by this experience, and strung to a high note of interest, I pushed noiselessly up the stairs towards the first floor.
Directed from time to time by creaks and snatches of sound, I moved on, always forward, in pursuit of this receding creature. Once I was almost tempted to laugh at myself for a fool, and to suppose that I was stalking in this furtive and diligent spirit no more than a wandering cat. But I had some other sense upon me, a sense of the unfathomable, even a sense of alarm; and I held to my quest. ”

“ The door is open, and there is time to get away. The letter lies in Kennedy's pocket, but you will be far away by the time it is found.”
Suddenly a fury seized me; the treachery of this diabolical trick raised me to a passion of indignation. I made a rush at him.
“Stand back!” he cried, and, swiftly drawing, cocked a revolver; but like a tiger I sprang upon him, striking at him with my fist and with all my force. An explosion followed; I seemed to see the course of the bullet as it tore along the bare floor and came to a stop in the corner; but Shaw never moved from where he had fallen. ”

“ I was warm from my company, and was propelled by an abundant flow of vitality. I would not go back to the house and beg a lodging; on the contrary I would walk on and catch a train at Croydon. At Croydon, however, there was no train due for some time, and, rather than wait, I resolved to push forward. It was dry overhead, the air was fresh, and I was quite enjoying the exercise. Why not continue to the confines of the urban radius and pick up a wandering cab? ”

“ Not five minutes had elapsed since Shaw's entrance; and now he lay dead by the side of his victim. I had forgotten all but that dreadful fact, when I was recalled to my surroundings by the woman's voice. “He is dead?” she asked, and bending by my shoulder peered into the face of her husband. ”

“ But I am willing to excite any incredulity, and even to run the risk of being branded for a liar, partly out of a sense that it is necessary to my own honour to clear myself in the public mind, and in part because the record of my adventures and my sufferings may not be without use and interest to my fellows. ”

“ She turned her eyes upon the prostrate body of her husband, still without expression; but suddenly her features moved, struck with some violent emotion.
“And now,” she cried, “it is too late. You have killed him. You have murdered him. Here are your two victims. You are a double murderer.”
“What do you mean?” I returned.
She rushed to the window, calm no longer, but taken and shaken in a terrible gust of passion. “They are at the gates now. They see the open door. I will have you handed over to them, I——”
I made for the window ”