ARTHUR
37

"I didn't give him an answer, but led the way to my home, and to my study. Upon entering this room, I placed the lamp on the table, and, turning to my guest, prepared quietly to hear what he had to reveal. He smacked his clenched hand into the table with violence. His movements were as tempestuous as mastering the power of speech, and it was easier to vent himself in cues than words. Finally he exclaimed:

"'It's okay. Now it is time, for so long and so impatiently demanded by my vengeance, to arrive. Welbeck! Wish my first words could make you die! They will do so, if you have a title in the name of a human being.

"'My sister died; died of grief and heartbreak. Away from his friends; in the hut; a dwelling place of poverty and misery.

"'His husband is no more. He returned after a long absence, boring navigation, and changes of difficulty. He flew into the lap of his love; his wife. He left; lost to him, and out of virtue. out of desperation, he retired to his room and sent himself. This is the instrument used to do the deed.'

" Saying this, Watson took the gun out of her pocket, and pointed it at my head. I did not raise my hand to put the weapon aside. I did not shudder at the spectacle, nor shrink his approaching hand. With my fingers clenched, and my eyes fixed on the floor, I waited until his anger ran out. He continued:

"'All passed in a few hours. The marriage of his daughter, the death of his son. My father! The most beloved and most honorable man! Seeing you turn into a maniac! Steady and wild! Avoid constant anger.You and those around you with shackles and shackles! What saved me from a similar fate? Look at this terrible destruction, and think about who caused it! But not to panic like you, my father; or not to destroy myself like you, my brother! My buddy!

"'No. For now I am protected; to avenge your guilt and my guilt in the blood of this ungrateful criminal.'

"'There, ' he continued, taking out the second gun, and thrusting it at me, 'there is your defense. Take us to the opposite side of this table, and shoot at the same time.'

"'Why are you hesitating?' he continued. 'Let the opportunity between us be equal, or fire you first.'

"'No, ' I said, 'I'm ready to die in your hands. I hope so. This would hinder the necessity of doing the task for myself. I have hurt you, and deserve all your revenge. I know it is too good of your nature to believe that my death will be a perfect redemption when a puff of anger passes, remembering your deeds will only increase the amount of your misery, yet I do not love you enough to hope that you will be patient .I want to die, and die with the hands of others rather than my own.'

"'Coward!' watson exclaimed, with increasing zeal, "You know me too well to believe that I am capable of murder. Vile pretext! Insulting plea! Take your gun and your martial arts. You don't want strength or will; but, knowing that I'm resisting murder, you think your salvation will be found in passivity. Your Rejection will not help you much. Your fame, if not your life, is at my mercy. If you falter now, I'll let you live, but only until I stab you in the reputation.'

"Now I set my eyes firmly on him, and spoke: 'How foreign are you with Welbeck feelings! How unfortunate the judge of his cowardice! I'll take your gun, and agree to your terms.'

"We take the opposite side of the table. 'Are you ready?' he shouted, 'fire!'

"Both triggers are pulled at the same time. Both guns were released. My gun was taken carelessly. That is the unwelcome opportunity that leads human affairs; such was the ferocious destiny that once made my stride pursued. The bullet whistled harmlessly by me, flattened by eyes that had never failed, and with a very small distance between us. I ran away, but my blind and random shot occurred in his heart.

"There is the fruit of this disastrous encounter. Death catalogue is complete. You are sleeping, Watson! Your sister is resting, and so are you. Your vow of vengeance is over. It is not meant for you to be your avenger and your sister. The size of Welbeck's offense is now full, and his own hands must carry out the justice for which he is entitled."