I
could understand, as I saw the fury and the passion of the man,
that it was no groundless or unnatural terror which had possessed
Major Sholto when he first learned that the injured convict was
upon his track.
"You forget that we know nothing of all this," said Holmes
quietly. "We have not heard your story, and we cannot tell how
far justice may originally have been on your side."
"Well, sir, you have been very fair-spoken to me, though I can
see that I have you to thank that I have these bracelets upon my
wrists. Still, I bear no grudge for that. It is all fair and
above-board. If you want to hear my story I have no wish to hold
it back. What I say to you is God's truth, every word of it.
Thank you; you can put the glass beside me here, and I'll put my
lips to it if I am dry.
"I am a Worcestershire man myself,--born near Pershore. I dare
say you would find a heap of Smalls living there now if you were
to look. I have often thought of taking a look round there, but
the truth is that I was never much of a credit to the family, and
I doubt if they would be so very glad to see me. They were all
steady, chapel-going folk, small farmers, well known and
respected over the country-side, while I was always a bit of a
rover.
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