“Nothing better illustrates the magical power of Ebony Fluid than that figure,” concluded the scientist.
“All day to-morrow, and next day, the morgue will be open for the public to inspect these bodies,” said the Governor. “While these gentlemen are present, do you not think it is wise, Miss Hinckley, and friend Guillermo, to read the confession of Marriet Motuble, that creature whom we all considered so strange, so unlike other women?”
Miss Hinckley replied: “Your Honor, it would be just to them to hear the statements of Miss Motuble read, after having viewed her ebonized body, and after seeing the effect of the fluid upon Reverend Note. There is no wanting of testimony in favor of the use to which these fluids can be put; however, I am sure it would be well for these men of science to hear the statements of this señorita, which I am sure will be interesting.”
“Miss Hinckley has spoken wisely, Miguey. I will read the document without further delay. Be seated, gentlemen, and I will begin.”
When he had placed three comfortable chairs near together, on which he invited the Governor and Miss Hinckley to be seated, he seated himself upon a high stool, and began reading the confession. The densely black paper and clear white letters made a curious looking paper and was in itself exceedingly characteristic of the author.
“Reverend Father Hernandez and Don Francisco R. Cantu y Falomir! Ha! ha! I laugh even in this last stage of the game, at the thought of the title ‘Reverend’ and ‘Father’ attached to the name Hernandez, and louder and longer do I laugh at the title ‘Don’ preceding Cantu, and the ‘y’ and Falomir following the name. Say, gentlemen, there is no use in further pretensions upon your part; they have a dead cinch upon you, so you might as well walk up to the mourner’s bench and take your medicine like men. What kick have you against Uncle Sam’s government? He didn’t take you under his wing because he wanted an addition to his family. He took you because he was sorry for you, and the most intelligent people of your race wanted to be adopted.
“Now my purpose in writing this note is not to rake up a bone for contention, nor do I write this to you because I love you with all my heart and soul and strength; for there are others whom I love more. Whom I love so much that my heart is sore, and I cannot pen him a line; but knowing this will reach him through you, I rest content.
“To the point: In my present and a former existence, the ego of my life entered a habitation unwittingly of the wrong sex. In other words, I should have been born of the masculine gender. Such not being the case, is why I have not been able in this life to find my counterpart. In my first incarnation I wed a man according to the civil law. I became the mother of six children who grew up to be thorns in my side.
“In this life I did not wed, because I thought the great and noble Governor was destined for me, until I became a subject; then my eyes were opened. Then I knew I must live again in the castle of a man, before I would meet the one who would be my counterpart physically and in the realm of spirit.”
“How strange, how strange!” exclaimed one of the physicians present.