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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 itIf only I can ht, 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- h soiveelse I could do

Do not judge, dear lady, until you know everything--until all my

evidence is in your lovely hands