Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-29

HctoWafu eb0inx.
confess that I bad not up to now
taken & very serious view or she case.
which has seemed TO ME rather gro
tesoue and bizarre than dangerous
That man should lie in wait for and
follow very handsome woman Is no
unhesrd OF thing. and IL he has 80 lit
tie sndacify that he cot only dared not
address her, but even f1ed from her APP
proach, he was not a very formidable
oesalians The rufiisn Woodley was
very different person. bnt except on one
occasion he had not molested our client.
and now be visited the house OF Car
rutbers without intrndIng upon her
presence. The mar on the bicycle was
doubtIess member OF those week end
parties at the hail of which the pub
.icnn had spoken. but who be was or
/ what he wanted was as obscr e as
ever. II was the severity OF Holmes
| manner snd the fact that be slipped a
revolver into his pocket before leaving
our rooms which impressed che wits
the feeling that tragedy might prove
TO Iurk behind this curious train or
events.
A rainy night had been followed by o
glorious morning, and the heath COW
cred countryside. with the glowing
clumps OF towering gorse, seemed all
the more beautiful TO eyes which were
weary OF the duns and drabs and slate
i grays OF London. Holmes and 1 walk
/ ed along the broad, sandy road. inhal-
/ ing the fresh morning air and rejoicing
in the music of the birds and the fresh
4 breath OF the spring. From a rise OF
the road on the shoulder Of Crooksbury
bill we could see the grim hall bristling
out from amid the ancient oaks. which.
old as they We're. were still younger
than the building which they surround
| ed. Holmes pointed down the long
tract OF road which wound, a reddish
yellow band. between the brown of the
heath and the budding green OF the
woods. Far away, a black dot. we
could see a vehicle moving I'm our direc-
ton. 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. ! fear. Watson. that she viii be
| past darlington 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 onward 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 inexhaust-
ible stores OF nervous energy upon
which 70 draw. His springy step never
slowed until suddenly. when be was n
hundred yards in front OF me. he halt
| ed. and I saw him throw up his hand
with gesture OF grief and despair
At the same instant an empty dogcart,
the horse canterlng. the reins trailing.
appeared round che curve Of the road
and ratified swiftly toward us.
| Too late. Watson: too late" cried
Holmes as / ran painting 10 his side.
J Fool that was not 10 allow for that
earlier train, It's abduction. Watson
abduction Murderl Heaven knows
what! Block the road. Stop the horse
That's right Now. jump in and let rs
see ~ l can repair the consequences OF
my own blunder."
We had sprung into the dogcart. and
Holmes. after turning the horse. gave
IL sharp cut with the whip. and We
new back along the road. As we turn
ell the curve the whole stretch OF road
between the hall and the heath was
opened Up. l Rrasped Holmes arm.
That's the mar I gasped.
A solitary cyclist was coming toward
Us. His head was down and his shout
ders rounded as he put every ounce OF
energy that he possessed on 10 the
pedals. He was dying like q racer.
Suddenly be raised his bearded face.
saw us close 10 him and pulled up.
springing from his machine. That coal
black beard was I'm singular contrast
20 the pallor OF his face. and his eyes
were as bright as II he had a fever.
He stared at Us and at the dogcart:
then Il look OF amazement came over
bis face.
Hello. Stop therew be shouted.
holding his bicycle 20 block our road.
Where did you get that dogcartf Pull
MP, man. he yelled. drawing "A pistol
from his side pocket. Pull up. l say,
or, by George, I'll put bullet into your
horse"
Il
and sprang down from the cart
You're the man we want 20 see.
Where is Miss Violet smith," he said
In his quick, clear way.
That's what I'm asking you. You're
In her dogcart. You ought 20 know
where she is"
I'VE met the. dOgcart on the road.
There was no one In H. We drove back
TO help the young lady"
Good Lord, good Lordi What shall
i doF" cried the stranger In an ecstasy
OF despair. They've got her-that hell
hound woodley and the bIackgua
parson. Come. man. come, u you really
are her friend. Stand by me. and wei
save her. IL have to leave my carcass
la Charlington wood"
He ran distractedly, his pistol in his
hand. toward gap IN the hedge.
Holmes followed him, and 1, leaving
the horse grazing beside the road, fol-
lowed Holmes.
This is where they came through, !"
said he. pointing 10 the marks of sew
| eral feet upon the muddy path .sHeIlos