Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-30


"Where Is the gentleman to whom
you are engaged?" he asked at last.
"He is in the Midland Electrical com
pany, at Coventry"
"He would not pay you a surprise
visit?"
"Oh, Mr.. Holmes! AS II l should not
know him."
"Have you had any other admirers 2?
Several before knew Cyril
"Apd since?'
"rhere was this dreadful man, Wood
ley, if you can call him an admirer."
mo one else?"
Our fair client seemed little con.
fused.
"Who was he?" asked Holmes.
ooh. it may be Q mere fancy of mine
but 1t had seemed to me sometimes
that my lployer. Mr.. Carr Tiers
He has never said anything. He is n
perfect Gentleman. But girl always
| knows"
"Ha" Holmes looked grave. What
does he do for a living?"
| "IIe is a rich man"
mo carriages or horses?"
"Well, at least he fairly we'll to do.
But be goes into the city two or three
| times week He is deeply interested
IN South African gold shares"
you will le' me know any fresh de-
velopment, Miss Smith. l am very
S,,e 1,,,+ Z will nd t,,
make some inquiries into your case.
In the meantime take no step without
letting me know. Goodby. and trust
that we shall have nothing but good
news from you.'
"It is part Of the settled order of ma
ture that such girl should have fol-
lowers said Holmes as he pulled ut
his meditative pipe. "but for choice not
on bicycles IN lonely country roads.
Some secretive lover, beyond all douSt
But there are curious and suggestive
details about the case, Watson"
THAT he should appear only at that
pointt"
"Exactly. Our first effort must be to
find who are the ten,nts Of Charling-
ton Hall. Then, again, how about the
connection between Carruthers and
Woodley, since they appear to be men
of such different type? Flow came
they both to be SO Keen upon lool'ing
III Ralph Smiths relations? One more
point. Wharf sort of menage is 1t
which pays double the market price for
a governess. but does not keep horse,
although six miaes from the station?
Odd, Watson-very odd!''
"You will 30 down2'
mo, my dear fellow; you will go
down. This may be some trifli--g in
trigue, and I cannot break ny otter
important research for tie sake of it.
On Monday you will -rrive early at
F.rnham; -ou will conceal yourself
near Charlin ton heath; you will OBJ
serve these f.cts for yourself and at
3 your own judgment advises. Then,
hahlg inquired as to the occupants Of
the hall, you will come back to me and
report"
We had ascertained from the lady
that she went down upon tee Monday,
by the train which leaves Waterloo at
$50, SO started early and caught the
9:13. At Farnham station had no diff
ficulty in being directed to Charlington
heath. 1t was impossible to mistake
the scene Of the young lady's adven-
ture, for the road runs between the
open heath on one side and an old yew
hedge upon the other, surrounding
park which is studded with magnificent
trees. There was main gateway Of
lichen studded stone. each side pillar
surmounted by moldering heraldic en-
blems, but besides this central car
rage drive observed several points
where there were gaps in the hedge
and paths leading through them. The
house was invisible from the road, but
the surroundings all spoke of gloom
and decay.
The heath was covered with golden
patches of Towering gorse cleaning
magnificently in the light Of the bright
spring sunshine. Behind one Of these
clumps took up my position SO as to
command both the gateway Of the hall
and a long stretch Of the road upon
either side. 1t had been deserted when
/ left it, but now saw cyclist riding
down it from the opposite direction to
that in which had come. He was clad
in dark suit, and saw that he had a
black beard. On reaching the end Of
the Charlington grounds he sprang
from his machine and led it through
gap in the hedge, disappearing from
my view.
A quarter Of an hour passed, and
then second cyclist appeared. This
time it was the young lady coming
from the station. / saw her look about
her as she came to the Charlingtoh
hedge An instant later the man emerg
ed from his hiding place, sprang upon
his cycle and followed her. In all the
broad landscape those were the only
moving figures, the graceful girl sit
ting very straight upon her machine
and the man behind her bending low
over his handle bar with curiously
furtive suggestion in every movement.
She looked back at him and slowed her
pace. He slowed ALSO She stopped.
He at once stopped, too, keeping 200
yards behind her Her next movement
was as unexpected as it was spirited.
She suddenly whisked her wheels
round and dashed straight at him. He
was as quick as she, however. and
darted of in desperate flight. Present