The Argosy, January 1906 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

~ to make a statement, it is now in order. I wish, however, to say that his deposi- tion may be used as evidence against him at his trial.” “No, it will not,” said Querles, and helaughed. — “You are bold about it,” observed S Cook. “JF ean afford to be.” — “YT may remark,” went on the com- missioner, Lord Hasponal, “ we have not - gathered here to listen to personal in- _ sults between prisoner and detective. It seems to me that under the extraordi- nary circumstances that have marked the course of this case, the person to - speak first is Sergeant Cook.” Querles laughed again, but his laugh : was a peculiar one. “Tt is not necessary,” he said; “ I can ~ tell my story. After that you ‘may do anything you like.” “Proceed,” said his lordship. =— = Mrs. Vernon, * Querles began, “I _ have had no reason to do you a personal injury, but there was a spirit of revenge in my heart toward your husband that I could not control.” He then repeated the same story he had told me about Mr. Vernon jilting ~ his own mother at the altar and his de- termination to do the same to the daughter of Mr. Vernon. — “Now,” he said in continuation, “let me get to my own career. I was a _ poor boy. up my life of crime, no apparent hope for me. — “JT began small. I met a woman with =o little money and married her. I bor- rowed money wherever I could, but the = ao amounts I was enabled to borrow - did not gratify my needs and wants. — “Y met Gorris and others at the clubs. I had absolutely no conscience in dealing with them as I did. I was dead broke. I posed for a time as a ~ model man. This won the regard of Mr. — Vernon and Mr. Gorris. “J had plenty of friends, and I worked them all. I lived well and - posed as a rich man. As a matter of fact, I had not a dollar to my name, and St owed thousands. “The matter of revenge was an inci- - dent in my life, and an incident only. I have lived on what I could obtain prom There was, at the time I took > ~ - moa rd + > i. — “a - eee rhs i eee Opa Os Ren, pe ee vue 5 — DS ; et = im THE ARGOSY. others ever since I have been able to think. Reason—oh, yes, I reason. But it has been the reasoning that makes me the master of the purses of my friends, and also makes me the slave of the law. “IT have been the American agent of the Order of Level Humanity for years. Through them I gained, and through me they gained also. It was the great- est scheme that was ever concocted to — get money.”’ “ Now,” interposed the commission- er, “what about the terrible affair on board the Ulria? ” Querles laughed. ‘““T knew,” he said, “ that Gorris was after me hot-foot. When I left him in London I watched his movements. I knew he would be sent back to New York. I simply bided my time, and took the same steamer in disguise. In New York I kept watch, and saw that Otter was in the case. “ When Vernon withdrew the charges against Gorris I saw that things were going wrong with me. Then they sailed tor Hurope, and [I sailed on the same ship. Here was a man sleeping in a stateroom with one he had accused of robbery. There was at that time no proof of innocence or guilt. “It was my opportunity. I knew that Mr. Vernon always carried a large amount of money with him. I went to the stateroom with no intention of kill- ing him. “ Gorris was sound asleep, ‘but Mr. Vernon woke up. I drew the coverlet down tightly over his mouth and nose and smothered him. I took the money from his pajamas. I can’t say how much it was. I’ve used some. I have been a crook all my life, but I won’t be one much longer. “When Gorris came to London first f was in the room when he was intro- duced. We kept an eye on him, and when he crept out of the window and made his way to the stable loft, I went, too. *“T waited till he awoke in the morn- ing, and pretended to be his friend, hay- — ing escaped from the same gang. Then, of course, wishing to get the money de- manded of Mr. Vernon, I paid a cabman to help kidnap him, and I took him to the house ee Ali-Baba lives in. Ss