The wretched criminal’s last move, the meeting with French at Waverley, was on his part a throw of the dice. On receipt of the wire to Whitman through the Edinburgh tobacconist he half-suspected a trap, and of course the plan became apparent when French’s letter to himself arrived. He saw, however, that he was either quite safe or irretrievably lost. If French had no inkling of the truth it was evident that he must keep the appointment and continue to play his game. On the other hand, if French knew, nothing could save him, and he would make an end of things for all concerned with his Mills’ bomb.
To bring this tale of the Starvel Hollow Tragedy to a close it remains only to be said that after a dramatic trial Herbert Philpot paid for his crimes with his life, while to turn to a happier side of the picture, Pierce Whymper and Ruth Averill were united in the bonds of holy matrimony where both found the happiness which at one time had seemed likely to be denied them.
Transcriber’s Notes
This transcription follows the text of the edition published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1927 (by arrangement with Harper & Brothers). However, the following alterations have been made to correct what are believed to be unambiguous errors in the text:
- “be would consult” to “he would consult” (Ch. VI);
- “the man” to “The man” (Ch. IX);
- “arroused” to “aroused” (Ch. X);
- “oxyacetlene” to “oxyacetylene” (Ch. XVI).