Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-08-08

ever. II was the severity OF Holmes
manner and the fact that he slipped q
revolver into his pocket before leaving
our rooms which impressed me with
the feeling that tragedy might prove
TO Turk behind this curious train of
events.
A rainy night had been followed by a
glorious morning, and the heath GOV.
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
grays of London. Holmes and I walk.
ed along the broad, sandy road, inhal.
Ing the fresh morning air and rejoicing
In the music Of the birds and the fresh
breath Of the spring. From rise Of
the road OH the shoulder of Crooksbury
hill we could see the grim hall bristling
| out from amid the ancient oaks, which,
/ old as they were. were still younger
than the building which they surround
ed. Holmes pointed down the long
tract Of road which wound, n reddish
yellow band, between the brown of the
heath and the budding green Of the
woods. Far away, black dot, we
could see vehicle moving in our direc.
ton. Holmes gave an exclamation of
Impotence.
~ have given n moryi, of b,,f n,
hour" said he. az that is bor fran
she must be making for the eorlicr
train. fear, Watson, that she will be
past CharIinrton before we can nossi
bly, meet her"
From the instant that we passed the
rise we could no longer see the vehicle
but we FASTENED onward nj such n
pace that my sc,;entary life bopnn IN
tell upon me. and I was compclleJ 70
fall behind. Holmes. however, was nj.
ways in training, for he had meyhoust.
ible stores of nervous energy upon
which TO draw, His sprinry stcp never
slowed until suddenly. when be was n
hundred yards I'm front of me. he balt.
ed. and I saw him throw up his hand
with n gesture of grief and despair
At the same instant an empty dopcort
the horse cantcrlng. the relns trailing
appeared round the curve of the road
and ratified swiftly toward us,
TOO late. Watson: too late-' cried
Holmes MS I ran pantInp 70 his side.
Fool that I was not TO allow for that
earlier train, It's abduction. Watson
abduction. Murder. Heaven knows
what. Block the road! Stop the horse!
That's right. Now, jump in and let us
see IL I can repair the consequences OF
my own blunder"
We had sprung into the dogcart, and
Holmes. after turning the horse. gave
It sharp cut with the whip, ani we
flew back along the road. As we turn.
cd the curve the whole stretch of road
between the hall and tho heath was
opened rp. grasped Holmes arm.
That's the man." I gusped.
A solitary cyclist was coming toward
us. His head was down and his Shout.
ders rounded rs he put every ounce Of
energy that he possessed on to the
pedals. He was flying like racer |
Suddenly he raised his bearded face,
saw us close to him and pulled up, |
springlng from his machine. That coal
black beard was In singular contrast
to the pallor OF his face, and his eyes
were as bright us IL he had u fever.
lie stared at us and ut the dogcart;
then look Of amazement came over
his face.
Hello, Stop therew he shouted,
holding his bicycle to block our road.
Where did you get that dogcart? Pull
up man. he yelled. drawing n pIstol
from his side pocket. "Pull up. I say, J
or, by George, I'll put 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, he said
In his quick, clear way.
That's what I'm asking you. You're
In her dogcart. You ought to know
where she Is"
I'VE met the dogcart on the road.
There was no one in IL. We drove back |
to help the young lady"
Good Lord, good Lord! What shall |
dof" cried the stranger In IN ecstasy
of despair. They've got her-that hell |