"Always Hume," he said. "Always Hume! I can not be free of him. He was
evil!" in a sort of shrill whisper. "Even when he is dead, I am mocked
by him. He was all evil! I believe he was a devil!"
"That was no reason why you should kill him," said Osborne in the
positive manner of the third degree.
"I did not kill him," protested Spatola. "There were many times when
it was in my heart to do so. But I did not do it!"
"I've heard you say all that before," stated Osborne, wearily. Then to
the turnkey: "Take him away, Curtis."
"Just a moment," interposed Ashton-Kirk. "I came here to have a few
words with this prisoner, and by your leave, I'll speak to him now."
"All right," replied Osborne. "Help yourself."
He led Bernstine and Sime out of the cell room; the turnkey, with
professional courtesy, moved away to a safe distance, and Ashton-Kirk
turned to the Italian.
"You were once first violin with Karlson," said he. "I remember you
well. I always admired your art."
An eager look came into the prisoner's face.
"I thank you," he said. "It is not many who will remember in me a man
who once did worthy things. I am young," with despair, "yet how I have
sunken."
"It is something of a drop," admitted Ashton-Kirk.
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