he fender, and told him how he'd robbed
me, but, by God, he shouldn't rob me any more. I gave him three
minutes to write and sign a settlement of all his iniquitous claims
against me, or have his brains beaten out over his own carpet. He
thought a minute, and then went to his desk for pen and paper. In two
seconds he was round like lightning with a revolver, and I went for him
bald-headed. He fired two or three times and missed; you can find the
holes if you like; but I hit him every time--my God! I was like a
savage till the thing was done. And then I didn't care. I went through
his desk looking for my own bills, and was coming away when you turned
up. I said I didn't care, nor do I; but I was going to give myself up
to-night, and shall still; so you see I sha'n't give you fellows much
trouble!"

He was done; and there we stood on the landing of the lonely house, the
low, thick, eager voice still racing and ringing through our ears; the
dead man below, and in front of us his impenitent slayer. I knew to
whom the impenitence would appeal when he had heard the story, and I
was not mistaken.

"That's all rot," said Raffles, speaking after a pause; "we sha'n't let
you give yourself up."

"You sha'n't stop me! What would be the good? The woman saw me; it
would only be a question of time; and I can't face waiting to be taken.
Think of it: waiting for them to touch you on the shoulder! No, no,
no; I'll give myself up and get it over."

His speech was changed; he faltered, floundered. It was as though a
clearer perception of his position had come with the bare idea of
escape from it.

"But listen to me," urged Raffles; "We're here at our peril ourselves.
We broke in like thieves to enforce redress for a grievance very like
your own. But don't you see? We took out a pane--did the thing like
regular burglars. Regular burglars will get the credit of all the
rest!"

"You mean that I sha'n't be suspected?"

"I do."

"But I don't want to get off scotfree," cried Rutter hysterically.
"I've killed him. I know that. But it was in self-defence; it wasn't
murder. I must own up and take the consequences. I shall go mad if I
don't!"

His hands twitched; his lips quivered; the tears were in his eyes.
Raffles took him roughly by the shoulder.

"Look here, you fool! If the three of us were caught here now, do you
know what those consequences would be? We should swing in a row at
Newgate in six weeks' time! Y