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〃His son； you see； had grown up； and so had my girl； and as I was
known to be in weak health； it seemed a fine stroke to him that his
lad should step into the whole property。 But there I was firm。 I would
not have his cursed stock mixed with mine； not that I had any
dislike to the lad； but his blood was in him； and that was enough。 I
stood firm。 McCarthy threatened。 I braved him to do his worst。 We were
to meet at the pool midway between our houses to talk it over。
〃When I went down there I found him talking with his son； so I
smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone。
But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in me
seemed； to come uppermost。 He was urging his son to marry my
daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she were
a slut from off the streets。 It drove me mad to think that I and all
that I held most dear should be in the power of such a man as this。
Could I not snap the bond？ I was already a dying and a desperate
man。 Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb； I knew that my
own fate was sealed。 But my memory and my girl！ Both could be saved if
I could but silence that foul tongue。 I did it； Mr。 Holmes。
〃I would do it again。 Deeply as I have sinned； I have led a life
of martyrdom to atone for it。 But that my girl should be entangled
in the same meshes which held me was more than I could suffer。 I
struck him down with no more compunction than if he had been some foul
and venomous beast。 His cry brought back his son； but I had gained the
cover of the wood； though I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak
which I had dropped in my flight。 That is the true story； gentlemen；
of all that occurred。〃
Well； it is not for me to judge you；〃 said Holmes as the old man
signed the statement which had been drawn out。 〃I pray that we may
never be exposed to such a temptation。〃
〃I pray not； sir。 And what do you intend to do？〃
〃In view of your health； nothing。 You are yourself aware that you
will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the
Assizes。 I will keep your confession； and if McCarthy is condemned I
shall be forced to use it。 If not； it shall never be seen by mortal
eye； and your secret； whether you be alive or dead； shall be safe with
us。〃
〃Farewell； then；〃 said the old man solemnly。 〃Your own deathbeds；
when they come； will be the easier for the thought of the peace
which you have given to mine。〃 Tottering and shaking in all his
giant frame； he stumbled slowly from the room。
〃God help us！〃 said Holmes after a long silence。 〃Why does fate play
such tricks with poor； helpless worms？ I never hear of such a case
as this that I do not think of Baxter's words； and say； 'There； but
for the grace of God； goes Sherlock Holmes。'〃
James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a
number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and
submitted to the defending counsel。 Old Turner lived for seven
months after our interview； but he is now dead； and there is every
prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily together
in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their past。
…THE END…
。