Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-15


IL have given a margin Of half an
hour" said he. "If that Is her trap
she must he making for the earlier
train. I foar, Watson, that she will be
past Charilngton 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 I was compelled to
fall behind. Holmes. however. was al
ways in training. for he had inexhaust
ible stores Of nervous energy upon
which to draw. His springy step never
slowed until suddenly. when he was a
hundred yards in front Of me. he halt
ed, and saw him throw mp his hand
with a gesture Of grief and despair
At the same instant an empty dogcart,
the horse cantering. the reins trailing
appeared round the curve of the road
and ratified swiftly toward US.
TOO late, watson; too late" cried
Holmes as I ran painting to his side.
Fool that I was not to allow for that
abduction. Murder. Heaven knows
what. Block the road Stop the horse!
That's right. Now, jump in and let us
sec II can repair the consequences Of
my own blunder."
We had sprung into the dogcart, and
Holmes, after turning tho horse, give
it sharp cut with the whip. and we
flew back along the road AS we turn
ed the curve the whole stretch Of road
between the hall and the heath was
opened tip. ! graspcd Holmes arm.
That's the man." I gasped.
a solitary cycist was coming toward
us. His head was down and his shout
dcrs rounded as be put every ounce Of
energy that be possessed on to the
pedals He was flying like racer.
Suddenly he raised his bearded face,
saw us close to him and pulled up.
sprnging from his machine. That coal
black beard was in singular contrast
to the pallor of his face. and his eyes
were as bright as if he had n fever.
re stared at us and at the dogcart;
then q look Of amazement came over
his face.
Hello. Stop there" he shouted,
holding his bicycle to block our road.
where did you get that dogcart? Pull
up. man. he yelled. drawing a pistol
from his side pocket. Pull UP. I say.
or, by George. III put bullet into your
horse"
Holmes threw the rcins into my lap
and sprang down from the cart.
You're tho 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
1--WE met the dogcart on the road
There was no one In it. We drove back
to help the young lady"
Good Lord. good Lord What shall
| do?" cried the stranger in an ecstasy
Of despair. They've got her-that hell
hound Woodley and the hlaclguard
parson. Come. man. come, II you really
are her friend. Stand by me, and We'll
save her. II have 70 leave my carcas;
in Charlington wood"
He ran distractedly. his pistol in his
hand. toward a gap in the hedge
Holmes followed him. and I. leaving
the horse grazing beside the road, fol
lowed Holmes.
This is where they came through"
said he pointing to the marks OF sew
eral feet upon the muddy path. Hello
Stop minute. Who's this in the
bush:"
It was young fellow about seven
teen. dressed like hoster with leath
er cords and CATERS. lie lay upon hi
back. bis knees drawn up. terrible
rut upon his head. He was insensible
but alive. A glance at his wound tolC
me that it bad not penetrated TN
bone.
That's Peter. the groom cried til,
stranger. He drove her. The beasts
have pulled him off and dubbed him
Let him lie: we can't do him any good
but we may save her from the wors
fate that can befall a woman"
We ran frantically down the path
which wound among the trees. We ha,
reached the shrubbery which surround
cd the house when Holmes pulled up.
They didn't go to the house. Her
are their marks on the left-here besid
the laurel bushes. All. said so"'
AS he spoke n wOman's shrill screaI
"A scream which vlbrated with a frer
~ OF horro--burst from the THO
green clunlp of bushes in front Of Il.
1t ended suddenly on its highest no.
with choke and gurgle.
This way. This way! They are
the bowling alley" cried the strange
darling through the bushes. 'Ah, Il
cowardly dogs. Follow me, gentlemen
Too late, too late. by the living jingo
We had broken suddenly into low
ly glade OF greensward surrounded /
ancient trees. On the farther side
it. under the shadow of Il mighty GA
there stood a singular group Of thr'
people. One was woman, our ellen
) dropping and faint. handkerchi
round her mouth. Opposite her stot
brutal. heavy faced, red mustachf
young man, his gathered legs partt
= ing riding crop, his whole attitul
y suggestive Of triumphant bravado. Il
tween them an elderly, gray beard,
man, wearing short surplice over
light tweed suit, had evidently ju
completed the wedding service. for
; pocketed his prayer book as we a
y peared and slapped the sinister brid