" He sighed. "If these men about us realized the
terrible ordeal that lies ahead! Misgoverned; unprepared--I
shudder at the thought of the sacrifices we must make, many of them
in vain. But I suppose that somehow, some day, we shall muddle
through."
He bade me good-by in Trafalgar Square, saying that he must at once
seek out the father and brother of the late captain, and tell them
the news--that their kinsman was really loyal to his country.
"It will come to them as a ray of light in the dark--my news," he
said. "And now, thank you once again."
We parted and I came back here to my lodgings. The mystery is
finally solved, though in such a way it is difficult to believe
that it was anything but a nightmare at any time. But solved none
the less; and I should be at peace, except for one great black fact
that haunts me, will not let me rest. I must tell you, dear lady
--And yet I fear it means the end of everything. If only I can
make you understand!
I have walked my floor, deep in thought, in puzzlement, in
indecision. Now I have made up my mind. There is no other way
--I must tell you the truth.
Despite the fact that Bray was Von der Herts; despite the fact that
he killed himself at the discovery--despite this and that, and
everything--Bray did not kill Captain Fraser-Freer!
On last Thursday evening, at a little after seven o'clock, I myself
climbed the stairs, entered the captain's rooms, picked up that
knife from his desk, and stabbed him just above the heart!
What provocation I was under, what stern necessity moved me--all
this you must wait until to-morrow to know.
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