“‘Two weeks ago, while crossing Broadway, I was knocked down by a runaway team and taken to this hospital.
“‘I have suffered terrible agony, and the doctors have informed me that I cannot live.
“‘I intrust this confession and the stolen documents, which will clear Mr. Alfred Lawrence, to my chum, Edward Peters, with instructions to deliver them to the proper authorities.
“‘(Signed)George Blanchard.
“‘Witnessed by:
“‘Edward Peters,
“‘Leonard Thompson, M. D., House Physician, Bellevue Hospital.
“‘Dated August 17, 19—’”
For some time after Carter finished reading he and Mr. Wright sat in silence.
Mr. Wright was the first to speak.
“That confession shows that Lawrence was innocent,” he remarked.
“Yes,” the detective rejoined, “but it throws no light on the murder.”
“I wonder what became of Edward Peters and what induced him to leave the package of documents with me? If I had only known the value of those papers years ago, I would have had Lawrence out of Sing Sing in a jiffy.”