“Though I told my tale, I was not for a moment believed. No gentleman answering to his description could be found. I was the scapegoat, and here I am. Not so badly off. Not worse than I should be in a hospital. I have not done a day’s penal servitude, but have had my long illness and slow passage to the grave soothed and cared for by physician and chaplain.
“I never meant to be wicked; but when I think of the fate to which I brought young Joe Wyvil I feel as if I were much better off than I deserve to be, even though dying in a prison infirmary.
“I thank the officers of this prison, and especially I thank the chaplain and the doctor for their great goodness to me; and I pray the Lord to forgive the sins of my youth.
Thomas Estel.”
Thus ended the dying man’s confession, which was duly sworn to, witnessed, signed and sealed.
A few lines at the end of the article testified, on the authority of the prison officers, to the uniformly exemplary conduct of Estel while in confinement, his patience under long and painful illness, his humility, resignation and gratitude for the least favors.
CHAPTER XVII
COMING TO A CRISIS
Look forward what’s to come, and back what’s past;
Thy life will be with praise and prudence graced;
What loss or gain may follow thou mayst guess;