A Study in Scarlet – Question? Yes.

I recently finished reading “A Study in Scarlet”, Arthur Conan Doyles’ first introduction of Sherlock Holmes, and am a bit perplexed by it’s conclusion.
If you haven’t read it maybe you should before you read my post.

Towards the beginning of the story Jefferson Hope, the murderer, didn’t want to answer Holme’s ad to pick up the lost ring at Baker Street because he was concerned that it was a trap; so he sent his unnamed friend dressed as a woman to retrieve it.  He was correct in the respect that Holmes ended up following Hope’s friend after leaving, although he was eventually lost.  So then why is it that at the end of book Hope decides that it’s safe to answer a request for his driving services at Baker Street, the same address which has already proven to be a trap?  The only thing I can think of is because he knew he was going to die soon because of his aneurysm and just wanted to tell his story.  Although why is it that he seemed legitemately surprised and fought back when Holmes ended up hand cuffing him?

Such questions of a delicate mind such as my own.  It’s ok Arthur, I’m still a Homes fan.