Evening star., 1914-08-23
l6

which not lOOSened until ne hau nan choked MS
quarry, while calling loudly to u.s.
@The black-catch the black, for Gods sake'
Having agreed to obey him implicitly, did So while
the inspector rushed to Moncriefs assistance.
Bv the time had tied both horses safely apart to the
bridge rail and had returned to Moncrief, found Will
den in handcus his face vid painting of murderous
rage If he could have killed all three of in that in
slant he would have done SO, his fury the irons
intense.
"Perhapsr he began in tones eloquent of deadly
anger "you gentlemen will now explain this outrage
Who set this blunderng idiot Moncref on me so that
had actually to threaten him with knife?'
@Mr. Widen said Moncref curtly, 3you and are
both born gentlemen and we have both played parts
that would ruin us society. You prey that estima
BILE body; protect it. In word, you thief am
a detective. But neither of wants it known
Widen gasped. @You?" he said. 3You?'
9Even l. Now look here-I will trade with you
Give me Dysons gems and keep my secret. In return
will take off those handouts and let you go free.
fancy that lesson of this kind will be enough for you
You belong the class of who value character not
at ALL but reputation beyond words. You have learned
today that in modern life thievery does not pay Come
will you take my offer?'
Il don't know anything of the internal gems!' re-
turned Widen fiercey. He turned to the Inspector
aTake off these handouts! will go with you wherever
you like. Surely this useless insult
aYou waste time, warned Moncrief 3Any moment
may the bridge and you in irons. Will
you give up the gems and go free!"
haven't got them
aWilden have done with this horseshoe nail makes
bad scratch mans hand and some people readlt
At this Widen went white. The inspector and ex
changed hopelessly perplexed glances
@What do you mean?' stammered Widen.
II mean that you will come with into that wood
yonder and there with smiths hammer, which I've
brought, you will unshoe the black, and do it with all
care Will you take my ofer?'
II will take it, said Widen submissively 3You
bao a5
let's move on"
Once in the shelter of the wood, we tethered the
horses and, taking the proered hammer, Widen, white
faced and humbled, to the horse, caressed him.
whispered to him, rubbed the strange scent
him. then fearlessly took OF the overgrown hoo
turning up the Moorish arch of steel protecting it.
The shoe off with astonishing ease, and with it
thick shoe pad made of three layers of black felt ev
IDENTIFY from soft hat, revealing half dozen small
white spots the pared part of the hoof. now OBJ
served how overgrown the hoof was.
@What else?' said Widen slenly, dropping the foot
Moncrief handed him a couple of small drills. "Clean
the cells of your honeycomb and give up the honey
Widen bit his lip till the blood came, but bent to his
dangerous task again. AS the drill into the waxy
paraffin understood it ALL and did the inspector,
who looked much disgruntled.
ID OYALLY indeed was the fretful stallion shod For
~ his hoofs with Indian gems the cells having
been filled with melted paran which of course had har
dened Immediately. The two pads, there being such
under each shoe had softened the heavy the striking
hoofs encountered and by the costly factors of
my fortune fell shining and unharmed from their living
hiding place, until only foot remained to clean.
The steady strain telling Widen 1t
light work. the gems being inserted the cells deeply
could be done without quicking the horse, and at
times the black maciously threw double weight his
self-appointed master.
Cool as the day was, Wilden's forehead with
1 his hands tremble and his internal fury
of wounded and of failure DESTROYED his
usual coolness that the black with horses unfaing