clean, and replaced the metal outlet. Removing the rubber tubes,
he cut them into pieces, broke the porcelain disk, and, rolling up
the platinum wire, washed it all down the sewer pipe.

The fumes had escaped through the open window; this he now closed
and set himself to putting the bathroom in order, and effectually
removing every trace of his night's work. The sailor moved around
with the very greatest degree of care. Finally, when he had
arranged everything to his complete satisfaction, he picked up the
two burners, turned out the gas, and left the bathroom, closing the
door after him. From the bathroom he went directly to the attic,
concealed the two rusty burners under a heap of rubbish, and then
walked carefully and noiselessly down the stairs and through the
lower hall. As he opened the door and stepped into the room where
he had killed the woman, two police officers sprang out and seized
him. The man screamed like a wild beast taken in a trap and sank
down.

"Oh! oh!" he cried, "it was no use! it was no use to do it!" Then
he recovered himself in a manner and was silent. The officers
handcuffed him, summoned the patrol, and took him at once to the
station house. There he said he was a Mexican sailor and that his
name was Victor Ancona; but he would say nothing further. The
following morning he sent for Randolph Mason and the two were long
together.


IV