The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-29

are their marks on the left-bere beside
the laurel bushes All ! said soi'
AS he spoke woman's shrili scream
"a scream which vibrated with fren-
~ Of horror-burst from the thick
green clump Of bushes in front Of U.s.
1t ended suddenly on its highest note
with choke and a gurgle.
This wayi This wayl They are in
the bowling alleyi' cried the stranger
darting through the bushes. "Ah. the
cowardly dogs Follow me gentleUeri
Toe late, too late, by The living jingor
We Lad broken suddenly into a love
Is glade Of preensward surrounded by
ancient trees ON the farther side Of
il, under the shadow Of % mighty oak,
there stood q singular group of three
people One was a woman, our client
dropping end faint, handkerchief
round her mouth. Opposite her stood
a brutal, heavy faced, red mustached
young man, his gathered legs parted
wide, one arm alSimbo, the other way
ing riding crop, his whole attitude
suggestive Of triumphant bravado Be
tween them an elderly, gray bearded
man, wearing a short surplice Or a
light tweed suit. had evidently Just
completed the wedding service, for he
pocketed his prayer book as we APP
peared and slapped the sinister bride
groom upon the back in iovial cohgrat-
ulation.
'They'r married. I gasped.
"COme onv' cried our guide. Come
onv lie rushed across the glade
Holmes and l at his heels. As we ap-
preached the lady staggerc against
the trunk Of the tree for support VIII
hanson, the eX-clergyman, bowed to
us with mock politeness, and the bully,
Woodley. advanced with a shout OF
brutal and exultant laughter.
you can take your beard OF, Bob"
said he. Il know you right enough
Wei, you and your pals have Just
come IN time for me to be able TO III
troduce you to Mrs. Woodley."
Our guides answer was a singular
one. He snatched OF the dark beard
which had disguised him and threw it
on the ground. disclosing a long, sal
low, clean shayen face below It, Then
he raised his revolver and covered the
young rufian, who was advancing up
Oh him with his dangerous riding crop
swinging In his hand.
Yes" said our ally, Il am Bob Car
ruthers, and I'll see this woman right
ed IL have to swing for It. l told you
what I'd do If you molested her, and,
by the Lord, III be as good as my
word"
You're too late. She's my wife"
"No; she's your widow"
His revolver cracked, and l saw
blood spurt from the front Of Wood
ley's waistcoat. lie spun round with
scream and fell upon his back. his hid
eous red face turning suddenly to d
dreadful notified pallor. The old man,
still clad in his surplice. burst into such
a string OF foul oaths as l have never
heard and pulled out a 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 II 10 his head Thank you.
You. Carruthers, give me that revolver
Wen have no more violence Come;
hand it overr
"Who are you, thenT
my name is Sherlock Holmes"
Good Lordr'
"You have heard OF me. see. win
represent the official police until their
arrival Here, your 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 scribbled a few
words upon a leaf from his notebook
Give It TO the superintendent at the
police station. Until he comes | must
detain you all under my personal Gus
tody."
The strong, masterful personality Of
Holmes domiEated the tragic scene.
and all were equally puppets In his
hands Williamson and Carruthers
found themselves carrying the wound
ed Woodley into the house, and / gave
my arm 10 the frightened girl The ln-
jured man was laid on his bed, and at
Holmes request / examined him. 1
carried my report TO where he sat IN
the old tapestry hung dining room with
his two prisoners before him.
"He viii live" said I.
"Whatw cried Carruthers, sprlnging
out Of his chair '1n go upstairs aud
nnish him first Do you tell me that
that girl, that angel, IS to be tied 20
Roaring Jack Woodley for lifeT
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
irst place. we are very safe in ques-
tioning Mr.. Wlillamson's right to sol
emnize a marriage"
Il have been ordained cried the old
rascal
"And also unfrOcked"
Once a clergyman, slways a clergy
man"
- think not How about the H.
eenseT'
I'VE had license Ger the marriage
have ii here ~ my pocket"
Then YOU got II by d trick But 10
any case a forced marriage Is no mar
riage. but X Is a very serious felony.
as you will discover before you have
finished You'll have time 70 think the
poiHt out during the next ten years or
80, unless / am mistaken. AS 10 YOU
Carruthers you would have done bet
ter to keep your pistol ia your pocket"
flF Eorrlu - fhfuIr - A. EToI.....s ia