A Study in Scarlet — page 160: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

152 A STUDY IN SCARLET. The inspector and the two detectives had a hurricJ discussion as to the advisability of allowing him to tell his story. “Do you consider, doctor, that there is immediate danger? ” the former asked. “Most certainly there is,” I answered. “In that case, it is clearly our duty, in the interests ef justice, to take his statement,” said the inspector. “You are at liberty, sir, to give your account, which I again warn you will be taken down.” “TIL sit down, with your leave,” the prisoner said, suiting the action tothe word. ‘“ This aneurism of mine makes me easily tired, and the tussle we had half an hour ago has not mended matters. I’m on the brink of the grave, and I am not likely to lie to you. Every word I say is the absolute truth, and how you use it is a matter of no consequence to me.” With these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back in his chair and began the following remarkable statement. He spoke in a calm and methodicai manner, as though the events which he narrated were commonplace enough. I can vouch for the accuracy of the subjoined account, for J have had access to Lestrade’s note-book, in which the prisoner’s words were taken down exactly as they were uttered. “It doesn’t matter much to you why I hated these men,” he said; “it’s enough that they were guilty of GOmicbooks.com (@' ===)