Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-04

pulled him off and dubbed him. Let him
lie; we can't do him any good. but may
save her from the worst fate that can be-
fall a woman"
We ran frantically down the path. which
wound among the trees We had reached
the shrubbery which surrounded the house
when Holmes pulled up
They didn't go to the house Here are
their marks on the left-here. beside the
laurel bushes. All. said So
AS he spoke womanS shrilI Scream-a
scream which vibrated with a frenzy of
horror-burSt from the thick, green clurnp
of bushes in front of us. 1t ended sud
denly on its highest note with choke and
a gurgle.
This way. This way! They are in the
bowling alley, cried the stranger, darling
through the bushes. 'Ah, the coWardly
dogs! Follow me, gentlemen Too late.
too late! by the living Jingo!
We had broken suddenly into a lovely
glade of greensward surrounded by ancient
trees. On the farther side of it, under the
shadow of a mighty oak, there stood a sim
gular group of three people One was a
woman. our client, dropping and faint a
handkerchief round her mouth Opposite
her stood a brutal heavy faced. red mus
tached young man, his gathered legs part
ed wide, one arm akimbo, the other way
ing a riding crop his whole attitude slg-
gesuYe OF triumphant bravado. Between
them an elderly, gray-bearded man. wear
ing short surpice over light tweed suit
had evidently just completed the wedding
service. for he pocketed his prayer book
as we appeared, and slapped the sinister
bridegroom upon the back in jovial congrat
ulation.
They're marred!'' I gasped
Come on! cried our guide; come onr'
He rushed across the glade, Holmes and /
at his heels. AS we approached the lady
staggered against the trunk of the tree for
support Williamson, the eX-clergyman,
bowed to US with mock poIiteness. and the
bully. Woodley, advanced with shout of
brutal and eXuitant laughter.
You can take your beard off, Bob said
he. Il know you, right enough. Well
you and your pals have just come in time
for me to be able to introduce you to Mrs.
Woodley."
Our guides answer was a singular one
He snatched off the dark beard which had
disguised him and threw it on the ground.
disclosing a long, sallow. ciean-shaven face
below it. Then he raised his revolver and
covered the young ruffian. who was ad-
vancing upon him with his dangerous rid
ing crop swinging in his hand.
Yes" said our ally. Il am Bob Car
# have to swing for it. I told You what
I'd do if you molested her. and. by the
Lord! II be as good as my word
You're too late. She's my Wife,
mo, she's your widow
His revolver cracked and / saw the
blood squirt from the front of Woodley s
waisteoat. He spun round with a scream
and fell upon his back, his hideous red
face turning suddenly to a dreadful mot
tied pallor. The old man. still clad in his
surplice burst into such a string of foul
oaths I have never heard. and pulled
out revolver of his own. but, before he
could raise it, he was looking down the
barrel of Holmes weapon.
Enough of this said my friend coldly.
Drop that pistol! Watson. pick it up!
Hold it to his head Thank you. You.
Carruthers. give me that revolver. Well
have no more violence. Come, hand 1t
overt
s.yVho x,o,, tbano's
MY name is Sherlock Holmes"
Good Lord!'
"You have heard of me. see. I will
represent the official police unit, their ar
rival. Here. your he shouted to fright
ened groom, who had appeared at the edge
of the glade. Come here. Take this note,
as hard as you can ride, to Farnham." He
scrubbed few words upon leaf from his
note book. give it to the superintendent
at the police station. Until he comes.
must retain you all under my personal
custody
TIE strong. masterful personality .of