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A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.

           Atthesight,Ileanedmybackagainstthedoorandlaughedloudandlong. Ihadalwaysknownthatvengeancewouldbesweet,butIhadneverhopedforthecontentmentofsoulwhichnowpossessedme. 

           “‘Youdog!’Isaid;‘IhavehuntedyoufromSaltLakeCitytoSt.Petersburg,andyouhavealwaysescapedme. Now,atlastyourwanderingshavecometoanend,foreitheryouorIshallneverseeto-morrow’ssunrise.’ HeshrunkstillfurtherawayasIspoke,andIcouldseeonhisfacethathethoughtIwasmad. SoIwasforthetime. Thepulsesinmytemplesbeatlikesledge-hammers,andIbelieveIwouldhavehadafitofsomesortifthebloodhadnotgushedfrommynoseandrelievedme. 

           “‘WhatdoyouthinkofLucyFerriernow?’Icried,lockingthedoor,andshakingthekeyinhisface. ‘Punishmenthasbeenslowincoming,butithasovertakenyouatlast. IsawhiscowardlipstrembleasIspoke. Hewouldhavebeggedforhislife,butheknewwellthatitwasuseless. 

           “‘Wouldyoumurderme?’hestammered. 

           “‘Thereisnomurder,’Ianswered. ‘Whotalksofmurderingamaddog? Whatmercyhadyouuponmypoordarling,whenyoudraggedherfromherslaughteredfather,andboreherawaytoyouraccursedandshamelessharem.’ 

           “‘ItwasnotIwhokilledherfather,’hecried. 

           “‘Butitwasyouwhobrokeherinnocentheart,’Ishrieked,thrustingtheboxbeforehim. ‘LetthehighGodjudgebetweenus. Chooseandeat. Thereisdeathinoneandlifeintheother. Ishalltakewhatyouleave. Letusseeifthereisjusticeupontheearth,orifweareruledbychance.’ 

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