Evening star., 1914-08-23


tolerance everyone showed the Abs te Ass Il
search your room, Sir, he began; but Moncref inter-
rupted him.
@Mr Dyson knows me- There was an emphasis on
the "know"
The inspector instantly resumed his respect. Il
don't suppose it's of consequence, Mr. Moncrief but
it occurred to that you might like to know
that Mr. Widen has taken the black for his usual
galop.'
Moncrief sprang up. @Grcat Scott! Did you allow
thato'
a saw reason for keeping him. said the Inspector
with considerable dignity, "as have started the
right trail. Mrs. Raymond's companion will be
under We found small bottle of chloroform in
her room
@Meanwhile Widen has gone-iewels and all! Yes,
1 mean just what 1 say. Now, lis;en-Ive got to
under cloak as usua-blast it, Order three horses
saddled instantly. Take myself and Mr.. Dyson with
you We must follow Widen as fast cam"
The inspector got between Moncrief and the door,
like an assured spaniel stopping foxhound
"For you're mistaken he said with natural
triumph @Said Mr. Widen to me, Inspector have
Mr. Raymonds permission to exercise that brute; but
before go I'll thank you to supervise my dressing
saw him stripped to the skin. handed him every gar
ment and have the surest of touch in America.
l never left him till he mounted, and he made me
examine his saddle which not padded, but bare tree
and leather
Hes had his laugh said Moncrief furiously "But he
who laughs best Are you going to follow my drec-
catching
The inspector purple with injured pride. "Ill
do as you say, he said finally but sulky.
You'd better. You lost out badly the last time you
refused"
Eli leave my colleague in full charge here"
"O the wrong person. So much for having stealthy
tread-poor companion!'
TN the wake of Moncriefs determination three were
whred after Widen following, in light that
had recently fallen the blacks obvious tracks; though
none in the house had known object.
The galopng horses hoos cut sharply into the snow,
stamping their impress in dirty white the ground,
which had not frozen
Once turned Moncrief, whose eyes flashing
and whose jaw set | more than suspected in
a wild goose chase which would result in challenge
from the enraged Widen.
aDo you think he's swallowed the gems?' l asked
ironically.
mo: too many said Moncrief curtly. @Rde
faster!'
1t now became evident that his was the best mount of
the three and presently he had disanced both by
fully fifty yards; that he sweeping round of
the road, first saw the quarry just ahead
We were only few moments later but when
rounded the bend pusuer and pursued were both thun
derng the planks of the long county bridge far
above the murmurng water. shall never forget that
sight up on them.
The bold, clean arch of the bridge spanned the river,
whose waves in the santing sunlight in ripping,
tawny gold In the center of the bridge ITSELF sharply
defined against the sky raced the two horsemen, neck
and neck now. Then saw Moncrief lean forward and
seize the stallion's rein at the bit.
To my surprise he answered instantly to the wrench.
In truth it the blacks caprice to stop with sud
denness that would have thrown a poorer rider than
Widen, and in the second the horse showed why
he had done So The proximity of the geldng had an
gered him. and they Stood sleek shoulder against
sleek shoulder the black horse turned the unoend
ing gray and without moving step sank his long
white teeth into the gedngs crest The latter, aston
ished afronted and smarng severely, struggled with