The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-03-05

clunnps of Towering gorse, seemed all
the more beautiful TO eyes which were
weary of the duns and drabs and
Slate-grays of London Holmes and
walked along the broad. sandy road in
haling the fresh morning air, and re-
ioicing in the music of the birds and
the fresh breath of the spring. From
rise of the road on the shoulder OF
Crooksbury hill. we could see the grim
Hall brlstiinE out from amidst the an
cient oaks, which, old as they were,
We're stiu younger than the building
which they surrounded. Holmes point
ed down the long tract of road which
wound a reddish yellow band. between
the brown Of the health and the bud
ding green of the woods. Far away, a
black dot, we could see a vehicle NOV
ing in our direction Holmes gave an
exclamation Of impatience.
Il have given a margin of half an
hour" said he. IF that is her trap,
she must be making for the earlier
train 7 fear, Watson, that she viii be
past Charlington before we can posi-
bly, meet her.
From the instant that we passed the
rise, we could no longer see the vehicle.
but we FASTENED EDWARDS at such a
pace that my sedentary life began to
tell upon me. and / was compelled to
fall behind. Holmes. however. was al
ways in training, for he had inexhaus-
which to draw His springy step never
slowed until suddenly, when he was a
hundred yards in front of me, he halt
ed, and I saw him throw up his hand
with a gesture of grief and despair. At
the same instant an empty dOg-carL
the horse cantering, the reins trailing.
appeared round the curve of the road
and ratified swiftly towards US.
"Too late, Watson, too late,' cried
Holmes as I ran painting TO his side.
Fool that 1 was. not TO allow for that
earlier train! It's abduction, Watson
abduction Murderi Heaven knows
what, Block the road Stop the horse :
That's right Now, jump in, and let US
see If I can repair the consequences
of my OVID blunder."
We had sprung into the dog-cart.
and Holmes, after turning the horse.
gave il a sharp cut with the whip, and
We few back along the road. AS we
turned the curve, the whole stretch
of road between the Hall and the heath
was opened up L grasped Holmes
arm.
That's the mani" I gasped.
A solitary cyclist was coming toward
US. His heard was down and his shout
ders rounded. as he put every ounce
of energy that he possessed on TO the
pedals. He was flying like a racer.
Suddenly he raised his bearded face,
springing from his machine. That
coal-black beard was in singular con-
trast to the pallor of his face, and his
eyes were as bright as if he had a
fever. He stared at US and at the dog
cart. Then a lock of amazement came
over his face.
''Hallaol Stop therel" he shouted,
holding his bicycle to block our road.
Where did you get that dog-cart
Pull up. man." he yelled. drawing a
pistol from his side pocket. Pull up,
l say, or. by George, I'll put a bullet
into your horse"
Holmes threw the reins into my lap,
and sprang down from the cart.
You're the man We want TO see
Where is Miss Violet Smith?" ne said.
in his quick. clear way
That's what I'm asking you. You're
in her dOg-cart. You ought TO know
where she is
We met the dOg-cart on the road.
There was no one in it. We drove back
to help the young lady"
Good LOrdi Good Lord what shall
1 do?" cried the stranger, in an ecstasy
of despair. They've got her, that hell
hound WoodIey and the blackguard
parson. Come. man, come. if you real
~ are her friend. Stand by ne and
we'll save her, if I have to leave my
carcase in CharIington Wood
He ran distractedly, his pistol in his
hand, towards a gap in the hedge
Holmes followed him, and I. leaving
the horse grazing beside the road, fol-
lowed Holmes.
This is where they came through. 80
said he, pointing to the marks of sew