I read this through aloud, despite the fact that I knew some parts of it were intended only for my perusal.Gwen did not speak until some minutes after I had finished, and then only to express a fear that, despite his caution, harm might come to Maitland at his interview with Ragobah.She seemed to be far less disappointed at Maitland's failure to convict Ragobah than she was fearful for her friend's personal safety.She was restless and ill at ease for the next two or three days - in fact, until the arrival of Maitland's next letter.This came during my absence on aprofessional call, and when I returned home she met me with it at the door with an expression of relief upon her countenance so plain as not to be misconstrued.We went into the sitting-room, where my sister was awaiting the news, and I read as follows:
MY DEAR DOCTOR:
I kept my appointment last night with Rama Ragobah and, although nothing transpired at all likely to assist me in locating Mr.Darrow's assassin, yet the interview, though short, was interesting and worth narrating.Promptly at nine o'clock I was at my post by the little cave.I am still staying with Herr Blaschek and, as I had but a few rods to travel, I did not quit the house until within five minutes of the time appointed for our meeting.As I stepped out into the darkness I noticed a tall form glide behind a tree, about a rod away from the door.I could not be sure it was Ragobah, yet I had little doubt of it.I was a trifle taken aback at the moment, and instinctively placed my hand upon my revolver and grasped my cane more firmly.Should occasion require it, I counted upon this cane quite as much as upon my revolver, for, innocent and inoffensive as it looked, it was capable of most deadly execution.I had chosen it in preference to many other more pretentious weapons which had suggested themselves to me.It consisted of a small, flexible steel wire hardly bigger than the blade of a foil, surmounted by a good-sized lead ball, and the whole covered with a closely woven fabric.By grasping the cane by its lower end a tremendously heavy blow could be struck with the ball, and, if an attempt were made to shield the head by throwing up the arm, it was almost certain to fail of its object since the flexibility of the wire permitted it to bend about an obstruction until its loaded end was brought home.You will perhaps think that, since I did not make use of this weapon, I need not have troubled myself to describe it.Perhaps that is so, but, let me assure you, when I saw Ragobah, for it was he, glide behind that tree, and reflected how capable he was of every kind of treachery, I wouldn't have parted with that cane for its weight in gold.The Indian had pledged me to come alone and had promised to do likewise, but I felt any tree might conceal one of his minions, hired to assassinate me while he engaged my attention.All this, of course, did not in the least affect mydecision.I had promised to go alone, and Miss Darrow's interests required - that I should keep my covenant.I should have done so, even though I had known Ragobah meant to betray me.I may as well, however, tell you at once that my suspicions wronged the fellow.He had evidently taken his station behind a tree to satisfy himself, without exposure, that I meant to keep my promise and come alone.
When I reached the cave I found him awaiting me.How he was able to get there before me passes my comprehension, but there he was.He did not waste time, but addressed me at once, and, as my memory is excellent and our interview was short, I am able to give you an accurate report of what passed between us.I copy it here just as I entered it in my notebook, immediately upon my return to the house.
"You naturally wish to know," Ragobah began, "why I have sought this interview.That is easily explained.You have done me the honour, Sahib, for I feel it is such, to suspect me of the murder of John Darrow.You have come here from America to fasten the crime upon me, and, from the bottom of my heart, I regret your failure to do so.I would give everything I possess on earth, and would gladly suffer a life of torment, to be able truthfully to say: 'I, Rama Ragobah, killed John Darrow.' But despite all my efforts, I, wretch that I am, am innocent! For more than twenty years I have had but one purpose, - one thought, - and that was to track down and slay John Darrow.This desire consumed me.It led me all over India in vain search for him.For nineteen years- I laboured incessantly, without discovering so much as a trace of him.When he fled Bombay his belongings went inland, so I was told.I believed the story and felt sure I should one day find him on Indian soil.Years passed and I did not find him.It was but a few months ago that I discovered his ruse and learned his whereabouts.I could scarcely contain myself for joy.My life-work was at last to be completed.Nothing now remained but to plan his destruction.This, however, was not so easy a thing to do, since, in order to make my revenge complete, I must disclose my identity before killing him.At length I decided upon a plan.I would come upon him at night, when asleep, gag him and bind him to his bed.Then he should learn the name of his doomsman, and the horrible nature of thedeath that awaited him."
Ragobah paused here as if overcome by his disappointment, and I said, "And how did you intend to kill him?" He gave a throaty chuckle, as he replied: "It was all so very pretty! I had only to saturate the bedclothes with oil and set fire to them.I should have lighted them at his feet and watched the flames creep upward toward his head till safety compelled my retreat.It was for this purpose I went to New York.You already know the fatal delay I incurred.When I landed I made all haste to the home of Darrow Sahib, in Dorchester, only to learn that he had killed himself a few days before my arrival.The morsel for which I had striven and hungered for twenty long years was whipped from my hand, even as I raised it to my mouth.My enemy was dead, beyond the power of injury, and my hands were unstained by his blood.
