Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-08-08
"THE EVIL SHEPHERD"
BY E. Phillips Oppenhein
IAN dCompan

way degrading or immoral spectacle.
Each man had fought In his way to
win. Young Wilmore, graceful as a
banther, with a keen, joyous desire Of
youth for supremacy written in his
face and In the dogged lines of his
mouth; the budding champion from
the East end less graceful perhaps,
but with even more strength and at
least as much determination, had GER
tainly done his best to justify his Sc
lection. There were no points to be
scored There had been no undue
feinting, no holding, few Of the tricks
Of the professional ring. 1t was a
fight to a finish, or until Harrison
gave the word. And the better man
had won. But even that Knockout
blow which Reggie Wilmore had de-
livered after a wonderful feint, had
had little that was cruel in it, There
was something beautiful almost in
the strength and grace with which it
had been delivered-the breathless
eagerness, the waiting the end.
He heard Sir Timothy's voice
few yards away, and turned to look
at him. He had just come from be-
low, and had paused opposite a man
who had been standing a little apart
from the others, one Of the few who
was wearing an overcoat, as though
he felt the cold. In the background
were the two servants who had guard
ed the gangway.
"Mr. Manuel Lotto" Sir Timothy
said-"or shall l say Mr.. Shopland?-
my invited guests are welcome. /
have only one method Of dealing with
unlimited ones.'
The two men suddenly stepped for
ward Shopland made no protest, at
tempted no struggle. They lifted him
off his feet as though he were a baby,
and moment later there was splash
In the water. They threw life-belt
after him.
Always humane. you see," Sir Tim
othy remarked, as he leaned over the
side. "Ah! l see that even in his
overcoat our friend is swimmer enough
to reach the bank. You find our meth
Ods harsh, Ledsam?" he asked turning
a challenging gaze towards the latter.
Shopland come to the surface,
shrugged his shoulders. He delayed
answering for moment while he
watched the detective, disdaining the
life-belt, swim to the opposite shore.
81 suppose that under the circum-
stances" Francis said, "he was pre-
pared to take his risk
you should know best about that"
Sir Timothy rejoined. II wonder
whether you would mind looking after
Lady Cynthia? I Shall be busy for a
few moments"
Francis stepped across the deck to-
wards where Lady Cynthia had been
sitting by her hosts side. They had
passed into the mouth of a tree-hung
strip Of the river. The engine was
suddenly shut off. A gong was sound
ed There was murmur, almost a
sob of relief, as the little sprinkling
of men and women rose hastily to
their feet and made their way towards
the companion-way. Downstairs, in
the saloon, with its white satinWoOd
panels and rows Of swing chairs, heavy
curtains were drawn across the port
holes, all outside light was shut out
from the place. At the further end
raised slightly from the floor, was a
sanded circle. Sir Timothy made his
way to one of the pillars by it's side
and turned around to face the little
company of guests. His voice, though
7 it seemed scarcely raised above a
whisper, was extraordinarily clear and
distinct. Even Francis, who, with
Lady Cynthia, had found seats only
just inside the door, could hear every
word he said
MY friends" he began, "you have
often before been my guests at such
small fights as we have been able to
arrange in as unorthodox a manner as
possible between professional boxers.
There has been some novelty about
them, but on the last occasion l think
it was generally observed that they
had become little too professional,
little ra-scientific. There was some
thlliS WAA(A lhCy idShCO. w III llIdl
something / am hoping to provide you
tonight. Thank you, Sir Edgar" he
murmured leaning down towards his
neighbor.
He held his cigarette in the flame
of a match which the other had
kindled Francis, who was watching
intently, was puzzled at the express
sion with which for a moment, as he
Strengthened himself, Sir Timothy
glanced down the room, seeking for
Lady Cynthia's eyes. In a sense it
was as though he were seeking for
something he needed - appreciation,
sympathy, understanding.
"Our hobby. as you know, has been
reality" he continued "That Is what
we have not always been able to
achieve. Tonight l offer you reality.
There are two men here, one an East
end coster, the other an Italian until
lately associated with an itinerant
vehicle Of musical production. These
two men have not outlived sensation
as | fancy so many Of us have. They