Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter xxix. Pigott before the Special Commission.--Break-down of his Evidence.--His Interviews with Mr. Labouchere.--Makes a Confession of his guilt.--Flies to Paris.--Warrant for his Arrest.--Is Captured at Madrid.--Puts a Pistol into his Mouth and Shoots himself.--Report of the Special Commission. from the outset of the Special Commission, Pigott felt nervous and uneasy. He foresaw that in the course of the proceedings his whole fabric of falsehood would be laid in ruins. Desirous of escaping the ordeal of the witness box, he told The Times people that he would probably break down under cross-examination, and suggested that they had better arrange to do without his evidence. The fact of his being in this shaky condition of mind became known to persons acting on both sides of the case; Mr. George Lewis, solicitor for Mr. Parnell, and Mr. Parnell himself, were aware of it; so also was Mr. Henry Labouchere, who all along had taken a great interest in the affair. With these gentlemen Pigott got into communication, hoping that they might devise some way. of enabling him to escape from the terrible predicament in which he was placed, and so spare themselves a great deal of worry with the Commission. In the interviews that ensued, Mr. Parnell and his friends always spoke of Pigott's documents as forgeries, and Pigott did not object, but concerned himself with the question what was to be done under the circumstances?--what was to become of him? He had a promise from The Times that if he proved the truth of his statements they would provide for his future; now he wanted to know what would the Parnellites do for him if he should go on the witness table and confess they were all lies and forgeries? To discuss this important subject he arranged...
