being an honest man, he preferred to keep it to drawing the
attention of the police upon himself."

"Hum, perhaps," said I; "but where did you get it. Surely you can tell
where you procured such a weapon, if, as your wife intimates, you did
not own one."

"I bought it that selfsame night of a friend; a friend whom I will
not name, since he resides no longer in this country. I--" He paused;
intense passion was in his face; he turned towards his wife, and a low
cry escaped him, which made her look up in fear.

"I do not wish to go into any particulars," said he. "God forsook me
and I committed a horrible crime. When I am punished, perhaps peace will
return to me and happiness to her. I would not wish her to suffer too
long or too bitterly for my sin."

"Constant!" What love was in the cry! It seemed to move him and turn his
thoughts for a moment into a different channel.

"Poor child!" he murmured, stretching out his hands by an irresistible
impulse towards her. But the change was but momentary, and he was soon
again the stem and determined self-accuser. "Are you going to take me
before a magistrate?" he asked. "If so, I have a few duties to perform
which you are welcome to witness."

This was too much; I felt that the time had come for me to disabuse his
mind of the impression he had unwittingly formed of me. I therefore said
as considerately as I could:

"You mistake my position, Dr. Zabriskie. Though a detective of some
experience, I have no connection with the police and no right to intrude
myself in a matter of such tragic importance. If, however, you are as
anxious as you say to subject yourself to police examination, I will
mention the same to the proper authorities, and leave them to take such
action as they think best."

"That will be still more satisfactory to me," said he; "for though I
have many times contemplated giving myself up, I have still much to
do before I can leave my home and practice without injury to others.
Good-day; when you want me you will find me here."

He was gone, and the poor young wife was left crouching on the floor
alone. Pitying her shame and terror, I ventured to remark that it was
not an uncommon thing for a man to confess to a crime he had never
committed, and assured her that the matter would be inquired into very
carefully before any attempt was made upon his liberty.

She thanked me, and slowly rising, tried to regain her equanimity; but
the manner as well as the mat