The St. Louis Republic., 1905-11-12

worry. ! will arrange a scenario about that fight
that will make your hair curl. Don't waste time
running risk every moment We delay Of
course. YOU will that strolled part of the way
with YOU and said sood-by little while before YOU
heard the shots
Brading hurried OFF, and left to himself the
American proceeded to arrange the battle ground.
scoring the earth it might be scored BY the feet
of men engaged in deadly grapple. and crushing
down the softer vegetation The only thing that
troubled his imagination the state Of his hands
As far he could judge from his sensations there
did not appear to be an inch OF skin left on the
palms However, he must endeavor not to let
them come into evidence. When at length he
thought his efforts had attained sufficient degree
of realism, he flung himself down and waited
utterly exhausted. The fall from the tree had
shaken him badly, and the cut his forehead
had bled far more profusely than he had told
Brading
Once twice. when he caught sight of moving
light in the distance. he shouted, but evidently
unheard. There nothing for it but to wait
until Brading reached the Hall. when the detective
might he trusted to engineer the search parties in
his direction.
At last There was the close sound of footsteps.
and Bradshaw. in accordance with the part he had
to play cssayed feeble call for help. His appeal
was answered by quick rush through the under
growth. and the next moment Wilson the groom
kneeling on his chest and yelling triumphantly:
i've got him, I've got him!
Let go. you blithering IDIOT" gasped Bradshaw.
tearing away the fingers striving to encirclc
his throat. What in thunder do you think you
are playing at, l am Bradshaw
Wilson pcered down at him, trying to pierce the
darkness. but he did not renQuish his advantage
II want to be sure of that" his reply, uttered
with grim determination. Besides, if you
are Mr.. Bradshaw what are YOU doing here at this
hour"
The American spared explanation by
the arrival on the scene OF Brading. Harry Warren
and several servants carrying lanterns and armed
with miscellaneous weapons. As the light fell
Bradshaws palid. blood-streaked countcnancc the
detective sprang forward with well-smulatcd
expression of surprise Wilson too released his
prisoner. when he saw it was indeed the nephew of
Lord Arnclffe whom he had handled SO unccr-
enormously.
Good heavens! Mr.. Bradshaw" cried Brading
with anxious solicitude. What has happened to
you,
Il am not sure vet whether it was earthquake
a dynamite explosion. answered the American,
rubbing his head ruefully. Il heard two three
shots fired shortly after We parted. l ran back to-
ward the Hall to what the trouble Then
rapidly through the wood. Naturally enough. in
view of the shooting. tried to stop him: but
with a whimsical glance at his torn and blood
spattered clothes. IL think he must have regarded
my interference mpcrtinent. But do for good
ness sake. my dear fellow. help up your rooms
and let me have a wash and something to pull me
round! My friend appears to have given
it to me good and hard, and just at
II present feel like walking air.
IL He looked and felt really the verge
of collapse 1t was only BY leaning
heax he 11erS ffW and