Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-13

we had broken suddenly into
lovely glade of greensward surrounded
by ancient trees. On the farther side
of it, under the shadow of mighty oak,
there stood a singular group Of three
people. One was a woman, our client,
dropping and faint, handkerchief
round her mouth. Opposite her stood
brutal, heavy-faced, red-moustached,
young mar, his gathered legs parted wide,
one arm akimbo, the other waving
riding crop, his whole attitude sug-
gestive Of triumphant bravado. Be-
tween them an elderly, greybearded
man, wearing a short surplicc over
light tweed suit, had evidently Just
completed the wedding service, for he
pocketed his prayer-book as we appeared
and slapped the sinister bridegroom
upon the back in jovial congratulation
They're marriedT' / gasped.
Come onw cried our guide; "come
on!' He rushed across the glade,
Holmes and | at his heels. As we
approached, the lady staggered against
the trunk of the tree for support.
Williamson, the ex-clergyman, bowed
to us with mock politeness, and the
bully, Woodley, advanced with shout
of brutal and cNultant laughter.
You can take your beard off, Bob" !"
said he. IL know YOU, right enough
Well, you and your pals have just come
in time for me to be able to introduce
you to Mrs. Woodley"
Our guides answer was singular
one. He snatched off the dark beard
which had disguised him and threw
it on the ground, disclosing a long,
sallow, clean shaven face below it.
Then he raised his revolver and covered
the young ruffian, who was advancing
upon him with his dangerous riding
crop swinging in his hand.
Yes said our ally, 81 am Bob
Carruthers, and I'll see this woman
righted, if ! have to swing for it. |
! told you what I'd do if YOU molested her,
and, by the Lord! I'll be as good as my
word"
You're too late. She's my wife"
NO, she's your widow"
His revolver cracked, and saw the
blood squirt from the front Of Woodley' S
waistcoat. He spun around with a
scream and fell upon his back, his hideous
red face turning suddenly to dreadful
notified pallor The old man, still claC
in his surplice burst into such a string
of foul oaths as have never heard, anC
pulled out a revolver Of his own, but
before he could raise it, he was lookin.
down the barrel of Holiness weapon.
Enough of this" said my friend
coldly. Drop that pistol. Watson
pick it upl Hold il to his head! Than
YOU. You, Carruthcrs, give me tina
revolver. Well have no more violence
Come, hand it overt
"Who are you, them"
"My name is Sherlock Holmes"
Good Lordr'
You have heard of me, / see.
will represent the official police until thei
arrival. Here, you!" he shouted to
frightened groom, who had appeared
at the edge of the glade. Come here
Take this note, as hard as you can ride
to Farnham" He scribbled few word
upon q leaf from his notebook Civ
it to the superintendent at the polio
station. Unil he. comes, l must detai
you all under my personal custody"
The strong, masterful personality c
Holmes dominated the tragic seen,
and all were equally puppets in HI
hands. Williamson and Carruthei
found themselves carrying the wounde
Woodley into the house, and | gave m
arm to the frightened girl The injure
man was laid on his bed, and at Holmes
request l examined him. / carried m
report TO where he sat in the old taspei
try hung dihing-room with his tw
prisoners before him.
He will live" said l.
What cried Carruthers sprin,
ing out of his chair. "I'll go upstai
and finish him first. Do you tell II
that that girl, that angel, is to be tie
to Roaring Jack Woodley for life?"
on need not concern yourself abol
that" said Holmes There are ~
very good reasons why she shoult
under no circumstances, be his VIII
In the first place, we are very safe
questioning Mr.. Williamson's right
solemnize a marriage"
Il have been ordained" cried Il
old rascal.
And also unfrocked"
"Once a clergyman, always clerg
man."
Il think not. How about the license
1--WE had license for the marriae
/ have it here in my pocket"
Then you got it by trick. Bu
in any case, forced marriage is I
marriage, but it is very serious felon
as you will discover before you ha'
finished. You'll have time to thir
the point out during the next ten yea
or so, unless / am mistaken. As to yo
Carruthers, you would have done bett
to keep your pistol in your pocket"
II begin TO think so, Mr.. Holme
but when ] thought of all the precautic
| had taken to shield this girl-for
loved her, Mr.. Holmes, and it is the on
time that ever ] knew what love was
it fairly drove me mad TO think that 81
was in the power of the greatest bru
and bully in South Africa--a man who
name is holy terror from Kimberley
Johannesburg. Why, Mr.. Holme
: you'll hardly believe it, but ever sint
that girl has been in my employmeI
/ never once let her go past this hous
where | knew the rascals were lurkinl
without following her on my bicycl,
just to see that she came to no harm
| kept my distance from her, and VOL
a beard, so that she should not recognis
: me, for she is good and high-spirite
: girl, and she wouldn't have stayed in IN
employment long if she had thougl
IL FL L A