Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-08-17

wide, n arm aklmbo, n other wav-
ing q riding crop his whole attitude
suggestve,of triumphant bravafo. Be
tween them IN elderly, gray bearded
man, wearing a short surplice over a
light tweed srft, had evidently just
completed the wedding service, for he
pocketed his prayer book Us we ap-
peared md slapped the sinister bride
groom upon the back in jovial congrat-
ulation.
They're married. l gaSped.
"Conn on!" cried our guide Come
on" He rushed acrosS the glade.
Holmes and I at his heefs. AS we ap-
prolched the Lady staggered against
the trunk Of the tree for support WI
liamsnn. the e~x-clergyman- bowed to
US with mock p~ollteness, and the bully,
Woodley. advanced with a shout Of
brutal and exultant laughter.
You can take your beard off. Bob
said he. II Know YOU right enough.
Well. you and your pals have just
come In time for me to be able to in
trodrae YOU to MIS-. Woodhy."
Our guides answer was a singular
one. He snatched off the dark beard
which had disguised him and threw It
ON the ground. disclosing q long, sal
low, clean SlLaven face below IT. Then
he raised his revolver and covered the
young rutffan. Who was advancing up
on him with his dangerous riding crop
cry;rrfnr 4r hio SN0rI
Yes" said our ally, Il am Bob Car
ruthers, and I'll see this IN right
ed If I have to swing for it. l told you
what I'd do If you molested her, and,
by the Lord TIL be as good as my
word"
You're too late. She's my wife,
mo; she's your widow
His revolver cracked. and l saw
blood squirt from the front Of Wood
hy's waistcoae He spun round with q
scream and fell upon his back. his hid
eous red face turning suddenly to a
dreadful notified pallor. The old man,
still clad in his surpllce, burst into such
a string of foul oaths as I have never
heard and pulled out q revolver of his
OWL, but before be could raise 1t he
weapon.
Enough of this" said my friend
coldly. Drop that pistol! Watson, pick
1t up! Hold it to his head! Thank you.
You. Carruthers, give me that revolver.
Wen have 20 more violence, Come;
hand it over!o'
"Who are you, them
my name is Sherlock Holmes"
Good Lord"
you have heard Of me. l see. I will
represent the official police until their
arrival. Here, you" he shouted to a
frightened 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 a few
words upon a leaf from his notebook.
"Give it to the superintendent at the
police station. Until he comes l must
detain you all under my personal GUS
tody."
The strong, masterful personality Of
Holmes dominated the tragic scene,
and all were equally puppets in his
hands. Williamson and Ca%rruthers
found themselves carrying the wound
ed Woodley into the house, and 1 gave
my arm to the frightened girl. The in
5ured man was laid on his bed, and at
Holmes request l examined him. 1
carried my report to where he sat in
the old tapestry hung dining room with
his two prisoners before him.
HE will live" said l.
What" cried Carruthers, springing
out of his chair. "Ill go upstairs and
finish him first. Do you tell me that
that girl, that angel, is to be tied to
Roaring Jack Woodley for life!''
you need not concern yourself about
that said Holmes. There are two
very good reasons why she should under
no circumstances be his wife. In the
first place, we are very safe in ques-
tioning Mr.. Williamson's right to sol
emnize q marriage"
81 have been ordained" cried the old
rascal.
And also unfrocked."
Once a clergyman, always a clergy
man"
81 think not. How about the II
cense"
1--WE had a license for the marriage.
l have it here In my pocket"
"Then you got it by a trick. But in
any case Il forced marriage is no mar.
riage, but it is a very serious felony,
as YOU will discover before YOU have
finished. You'll have time to think tho
point out during the next ten Years or
SO, unless | AIN mistaken. As to YOU
Carruthors, you would hay" done bet.
ter to keep your pistol in Your pocket
81 begin to think 50, Mr.. Holmes, but
when | thought Of all the p~rcrQjtion
had taken to shield this girl
loved her, Mr.. Holmes, and il is the
only time that ever I knew what ],v.
vast fairly drove me mad TO tI;int
that she was in the power Of the great
est brute INC bully in South Africa +;
man whose namc is a holy terror from
Kimberley to Johannesburg. Why, Mr.
Holmes, you'll hardly believe il, fu1
ever since that girl has been in IN,
employment I never once let Der %
past this house, where knew the rc