The murderer tried to give the impression that Dawson had died before
finishing the incriminating note. Had he written it and died before
completing it, he could not have put the pen back in the tray where it
was found.
In his effort to incriminate Lynch, the murderer had been too cautious.
A costly oversight.
Man’s caution often into danger turns,
And his guard falling crushes him to death.
Young.