Morris tribune., 1905-07-08
THE SOLITARY CYCLIST-


Continued From Page q.
eoImes rnrew the rerns INTO my lap
xxaa sprang down from the cart.
! you're the man we want to see.
gRnere is Miss Violet Smith, he said
ia his quick, clear way.
That's what I'm asking you. You're
In her dogcart. You ought to know
Where she is
'TWe met the dogcart on the road.
kThere was no one in it. We drove back
FSa help the young lady"
Good Lord, good Lord! What shall
RRo?" cried the stranger in an ecstasy
of despair. They've got her-that hell
hound Woodley and the BLACKBOARD
PEARSON. Come, man, come, if you really
are her friend. Stand by me, and We'll
zRye her, if have to leave my carcass
aa Charlington wood"
he ran distractedly, his pistol in his
Aand, toward gap in the hedge.
Holmes followed him, and I, leaving
&ae horse grazing beside the road, fol-
Aswed Holmes.
"This is where they came through"
said he, pointing to the marks of sew
aEal feet upon the muddy path. "Hello!
Stop a minute! Who's this in the
aushY'
1t was young fellow about seven
teen, dressed like a hostler, with leath-
ar cords and CATERS. He lay upon his
back, his knees drawn up, terrible
cut upon his head. He was insensible,
Sat alive. A glance at his wound told
me that 1t had not penetrated the
hone.
''Thats Peter, the groomv' cried the
stranger. HE drove her. The beasts
aave pulled him off and dubbed him.
Ret him lie; we can't do him any good,
Bot we may save her from the worst
Nate that can befall woman"
We ran frantically down the path,
which wound among the trees. We had
Eeached the shrubbery which surround
sd the house when Holmes pulled up.
Ihey didn't go to the house. Here
are their marks on the left-here beside
<he laurel bushes. All, said sou
AS he spoke woman's shrill scream
y of horror-burst from the thick
green efump of bushes in front of us
1t ended suddenly on it's highest note
with choke and gurgle.
''2-nis way! This way! They are In
she bowling alley" cried the stranger,
darting through the bushes "Ah, the
cowardly dogs! Follow me, gentlemeni
400 late, too late, by the living jingor'
We had broken suddenly into love
H glade Of greensward surrounded by
ancient trees. On the farther side Of |
n, under the shadow of mighty oak, |
there stood singular group of three
people. One was woman, our client,
dropping and faint, a handkerchief !
gound her mouth. Opposite her stood
a brutal, heavy faced, red mustac hed
young man, his gathered legs parted
wide, one arm akimbo, the other wav-
ing riding crop, his whole attitude
of triumphant bravado. Be
tween them an elderly, gray bearded
man. wearing short surplice over a
light tweed suit, had evidently just
the wedding service, for he
pocketed his prayer book as we ap-
Deared and slapped the sinister bride
groom upon the back in joyial congrat-
lla ton
They're married. gasped.
''Come on!" cried our guide. "Come
M He rushed across the glade,
Holmes and at his heels. AS we ap-
sroached the lady staggered against
he trunk Of the tree for support. Will
hanson, the ex-clergyman, bowed to
Is with mock politeness, and the bully,
Woodley, advanced with shout Of
lTutai and exultant laughter.
''You can take your beard off, Bob"
aid he. II know you right enough.
Well. you and your pals have just
come in time for me to be able to in
reduce you to Mrs. Woodley."
Our guides answer was a singular
me. He snatched off the dark beard
Which had disguised him and threw it
,n the ground, disclosing a long, sal
ow, clean shaven face below it, Then
lea raised his revolver and covered the
'oung ruffian, who was advancing up
N him with his dangerous riding crop
in his hand.
Eyes" said our ally, 81 am Bob Car
utheTs, and I'll see this woman right
d if ! have to swing for i. / told YOU