“Ah!” ejaculated the doctor, gasping for breath, “you astonish me.”
“I thought I should. Now do you want to know in what way this story concerns you?”
“Sir—Mr. Shearman—what can you possibly mean?”
“I always like to do things in a straightforward, upright sort of way. Before coming to that part of the evidence which so seriously affects you, I have deemed it advisable to put you in possession of those facts which lead up to the main issue. This is but fair to a suspected person, and one I invariably adopt when circumstances will admit of my so doing.”
“You are still speaking in enigmas. I again ask in what way does the case concern me?”
“I don’t want to ask you any questions, Doctor Bourne,” said the American. “I should not be justified in doing so, and I may observe that I don’t want you to make any statement. It would not be advisable for you to do so, since you might criminate yourself.”
“Criminate myself, sir!” cried the doctor, rising suddenly, and regarding the speaker with an eye of flame. “Are you mad?”
“I hope not. Let me come at once to the point. We have reason to believe that Dr. Wagstaff, of Texas, and Doctor Bourne, of London, are one and the same person.”
“Gracious Heaven! what do I hear?” ejaculated the miserable man. “Me accused of a heinous crime of this nature! It is monstrous, scandalous, and most improbable.”
“Well, doctor, I hope you may be able to prove your innocence, but I have a duty to perform, and, unpleasant one as it may be, I have no other alternative than to execute it.”