The news & observer., 1905-12-03

aHu Ills tie under his ear, WHlIe all
the tags of his harness were sticking
out OF the buckles. 1t hadn't pulled
up before she got out of the hall door
| and into it. l only caught glimpse
or her at the moment, but she was a
lovely woman, with a face that a
man might die for
The Church of St Monica, John,
she cried, and half a sovereign if you
reach 1T in twenty minutes
This was quite too good to lose,
watson. was just balancing wheth-
er L should run for it, or whether. I
should perch behind her landau when
cab came through the street. The
driver looked twice at such shabby
fare; but l jumped in before he could
object. The Church of st. Monica,
said l, and half a sovereign if you
reach 1T in twenty minutes 1t was
twenty-five minutes to twelve, and
of course it was clear enough what
was in the wind
My cabby drove fast. / don't think
l ever drove faster, but the others
We're there before us. The cab and
the landau with their steaming horses
were in front of the door when /
arrived. / paid the man and hurried
into the church. There was not Il
soul there save the two whom | had
followed and a surpliced clergyman,
who seemed to be eXpoStulating with
them. They We're all three standing
in a Knot in front of the altar I
lounged up the side aisle like any 9TH
er idler who has dropped into a
church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the
three at the altar faced around to
me, and Godfrey Norton came running
as hard as he could towards me-"
THANK Cod" he cried. you'll do.
Come! Comet"
what them" | asked
"Comc, man, come, only three min
utes, or it won't be legal.
/ was half dragged up to the altar
and before / knew where / was, |
found myself mumbling responses
which were whispered in my ear, and
vouching for things of which ! knew
nothing. and generally assisting in
the secure tying up of Irene Adler,
spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor.
1t was all done in an instant, and there
was the gentleman thanking me on the
one side and the lady on the other
while the clergyman beamed on me
in front. 1t was the most prcposterous
position in which | ever found myself
in my life, and ii was the thought
of it that started me laughing just
now. 1t seems that there had been
some informality about their license,
that the clergyman absolutely refused
to marry them without q witness of
some sort, and that my lucky appear
ance saved the bridegroom from hav-
ing to sally out into the streets in
search of a best man. The bride gave
me a sovereign and / mean to wear Il
on my watch-chain in memory of the
occasion"
This is a very unexpected turn of
affairs said l "and what them :.
"Well, l found my plans we're Sc
riously menaced. 1t looked as if the
pair might take an immediate depar-
ture, and so neceSSitate very prompt
and energetic measures on my part.
At the church door, however, they
separated, he driving back to the Tenn
pie, and she to her own house L
shall drive out in the park at five as
usual she said, as she left him. [
heard no more. They drove away in
different directions, and l went off to
make my own arrangements.
(Which are"
"Some cold beef and a glass of
beer" he answered. ringing the bell
"T have been too busy to think of
food. and / am likely to be busler
still this evening. BY the way, doc
tor. / shall want your cooperation. ;"
81 shall be delighted
"You don't mind breaking the law ~
mot i'm the least.
Nor running chance of ar
rest?"
mot in a good cause"
"Oh, the cause is excellent"
''Then l am your man."
81 was sure that | might rely on
you"
But what is it you wish ?"
''When Mrs. Turner has brought
in the tray / will make it clear to
you. Now" he said. as he turned hum
grly on the simple fare that our land
lady had provided, Il must discuss it
while / eat, for / have not much
time. 1t is nearly five now. In two
hours we must be on the scene of ac-
ton. Miss Irene. or Madame, rather,
returns from her drive at seven. We
must be at Briony Lodge to meet her"
"And what them
"You must leave that to me. / have
already arranged what is to occur.
There is only one point on which [
must insist You must not interfere,
come what may. You understand? p
II am to be neutral?"
'"To do nothing whatever. There
will probably be some small unpleas-
antness. Do not join in it. 1t will end
i'm my being conveyed into the house.
Four or five minutes afterwards the
sitting-room window will open. You
are to station yourself close to that
open window"
eyes"
"You are to watch me, for I will
be visible to YOU"
Eyes"
"And when 1 raise my hand-so--
you will throw into the room what /
give you to throw, and will, at the
same time, raise the cry of fire. You
nlite follow mp2h
Entirely
1T is nothing very formidable" he
said, taking long cigar-shaped roll
from his pocket. 1t is an ordinary
plumbers smoke rocket. fitted with
cap at either end to make it self-light-
ing. Your task it confined to that.
When you raise your cry of fire, it will
be taken up by quite number of peo-
ple You may then walk to the end of
the street. and will rejoin you in ten
minutes. / hope that L have made
myself clear?"
81 am to remain neutral, to get near
the window. to watch you, and, at
the signal. to throw in this object,
then to raise the cry of fire, and to
wait for you at the corner of the
street"
Precisely"
"Then you may entirely rely on me-