Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-05-21

The Firm Of
Cird|eStOne
EY
A. CONAN DOYLE
>S-I1lS~
CHAPTER XVI.-(Continued.

appeared. Dlmsdale had fully made up
his mind that. go where he would, Ezra
should not escape him this time. On two
consecutive Saturdays the young mer-
chant had managed to get away from him,
and had been absent each time until the
Monday morning. Tom knew, and the
thought was bitter one. that these days
were spent in some unknown retreat in
tbs company of Kate and of her guardian.
This time at least he should not get away
without revealing his destination.
The two young men remained in the
Office until two O'Clock. Then Ezra put
on his hat and oyercoat, buttoning it up
close, for the weather was bitterly cold.
Tom at once picked up his wide-awake
and followed him out into Fenchurch
street, so close to his heels that the
swinging door had not shut on the one
before the other passed through. Ezra
glanced round at him when he heard the
footsteps. There was no longer any pre-
tense of civility between the two, and
whenever their eyes met it was only to ex
change glances of hatred and defiance.
hanson was passing down the street,
and Ezra, with a few muttered words to
the driver, sprang in. Fortunately an
other had just discharged it's fare. and
was still waiting by the curb. Tom ran
up to it. Keep that red cab in sight
he said Whatever you do, don't let it
get away from you" The driver, who
was a man of few words, nodded, and
whipped up his horse.
1t CHANGED that this same horse was
nitb bor foe bot
which bore the young merchant. The red
cab ratified down Fleet street, then dou-
bled on its tracks, and coming back by
st Pauls plunged into labyrinth Of side
streets from which it eventually emerged
upon the Thames embankment. In spite
of all its efforts. however, it was unable
to shake off its pursuer. The red cab
journeyed on down the Embank ment, and
across one of the bridges, Toms able
chnrloteer still keeping only few yards
behind it. Among the narrow streets on
the Surrey side Ezra's vehicle pulled up
at a public house. Tom waited patiently
outside until he should reappear.
In very few minutes young Girdle-
stone came out again, accompanied by a
tall, burly man, with a bushy red beard.
" ho was miserably dressed. He was help
ed into the cab by Ezra, and the pair
drove off together. Tom was more bewil
dered than ever. Who was this fellow.
and what connection had he with the mat
ter on hand? Like sleuth hound the
pursuing handsom threaded it's way
through the torrent of vehicles which pour
down the London streets, never for one
losing sight of its quarry. Pres
entity they wheeled into the Waterloo
road, close to the Waterloo station. The
red cab turned sharp round and ratified
Up the incline which leads to the main
line. Tom sprang out, tossed a sovereign
to the driver, and followed on foot at the
top Of his speed.
AS he ran into the station Ezra Girde
stone and the red bearded stranger were
in front of him. There was
!, great swarm of people all around. for
IS it was Saturday there were special
rains to the country. Tom was afraid
,f losing sight of the two men in the
,rowd, so he elbowed his way through as
quickly as he could. and got Immediately
behind them--so close that he could have
;ouched them with his hand They were
approaching the booking office when Ezra
glanced round and saw his rival standing
behind him. He whispered something to
lis half-drunken companion. The latter
urned, and with an inarticulate cry, like
wild beast, rushed at the young man,
md seized him by the throat with his
srawny hands.
1t is one thing, however, to catch a
nan by the throat, and another to retain
hat grip, especially when your antagonist
happens to be an International football
player. To Tom this red-bearded rough. |
charged him so furiously, was moth |
ms more than the thousands of bull-head- |
II forwards who had come upon him like |
in the days of old With |
he ease begotten by practice be circled |
lis assaiant with his long muscular arms. |
ind gave a quick convulsive jerk in which |
very sinew Of his body participated. The |
ed bearded mans stumpy legs described a |
lalf-crcle in the air, and he came down
N the stone pavement with a sounding |
rash which shook every particle of breath |
rom his enormous body.
Toms fighting blood was all afame
low, and his grey eyes glittered with joy |
Is he made at Ezra. All the cautions of |
lis father and the exhortations of his
mother were cast to the winds as he saw
lis enemy standing before him To do
lin justice Ezra was nothing 10th, but
prang forward to meet him, hitting with
10Th hands. They were well matched,
or both were trained boxers and excep-
ionally powerful men. Ezra was per-
laps the stronger, but Tom was in better
There was a short, eager rally
blow and guard and counter so quick
md hard that the eye could hardly follow
t. Then a rush of railway servants and
y ISLANDERS tore them asunder Tom had
red flush on his forehead where a blow
lad fallen. Ezra was splitting out the
fragments of broken tooth, and bleeding
,rofusely. Each struggled furiously to
ret at the other with the result that they
we're dragged further apart. Eventually
burly policeman seized Tom by the col
ar. and held him as in a vice.
Where is he?" Tom cried. craning his
Ieck TO catch a glimpse of his enemy.
He'll get aawy after all"
Cant 'elp that" said the guardian of
ne peace phlegmatically. "A gen'elman
Ike you ought to be ashamed. Keep