rcumstances connected with the 'Hansom Cab Tragedy,' which took place
in Melbourne in 18--, may be known. I owe a confession, particularly to
Brian Fitzgerald, seeing that he was accused of the crime. Although I
know he was rightfully acquitted of the charge, yet I wish him to know
all about the case, though I am convinced, from his altered demeanour
towards me, that he is better acquainted with it than he chooses to
confess. In order to account for the murder of Oliver Whyte, I must go
back to the beginning of my life in this colony, and show how the
series of events began which culminated in the committal of the crime.

"Should it be necessary to make this confession public, in the
interests of justice, I can say nothing against such a course being
taken; but I would be grateful if it could be suppressed, both on
account of my good name and of my dear daughter Margaret, whose love
and affection has so soothed and brightened my life.

"If, however, she should be informed of the contents of these pages, I
ask her to deal leniently with the memory of one who was sorely tried
and tempted.

"I came to the colony of Victoria, or, rather, as it was called then,
New South Wales, in the year 18--. I had been in a merchant's office in
London, but not finding much opportunity for advancement, I looked
about to see if I could better myself I heard of this new land across
the ocean, and though it was not then the El Dorado which it afterwards
turned out, and, truth to tell, had rather a shady name, owing to the
transportation of convicts, yet I longed to go there and start a new
life. Unhappily, however, I had not the means, and saw nothing better
before me than the dreary life of a London clerk, as it was impossible
that I could save out of the small salary I got. Just at this time, an
old maiden aunt of my mother's died and left a few hundred pounds to
me. With this, I came out to Australia, determined to become a rich
man. I stayed some time in Sydney, and then came over to Port Phillip,
now so widely known as Marvellous Melbourne, where I intended to pitch
my tent. I saw that it was a young and rising colony, though, of
course, coming as I did, before the days of the gold diggings, I never
dreamt it would spring up, as it has done since, into a nation. I was
careful and saving in those days, and, indeed, I think it was the
happiest time of my life.

"I bought land whenever I could scrape the money together, and, at the
tim