Evening star., 1926-09-05

few scattered hamletS upon
IL the lower fringe OF EXmoor
with the important town of
Market Bridgeford a man stood paint
ing an execrable watercolor. a few
yards away, drawn up in the shade
of the high hedge, was an ancient
car; seated by the side of the man, OBJ
viously bored with the whole pro-
ceedings. was a small. fat white dog.
The man had not the appearance
of an artist as indeed he was not. He
was powerfully built, somewhat ruddy
of complexion, with shrewd. blue
eyes and an indomitable jaw. A
physiognomy which might have
been on the heavy side was redeemed
by humorous mouth. He had
masses Of dark brown hair--rather
too much of 1t for careful arrange
ment-and the fingers of q sculptor
rather than of a painter. His name
was Nicholas Goade He was 80
years old. and he was enjoying his
first long holiday earned in some
what singular fashion since he
joined the force.
A month earlier he had arrested
single handed a criminal who for five
Years had defied the police of New
York and London. and had Simultane-
ously been handed Il check for $25,000
from the former and six months
leave of absence from English head
quarters. Hence this long pla nned va
cation.
Suddenly the peace of the early
Summer afternoon was curlously dis
turbed. Flip, the first TO realize the
approach of the unusual sat up with
a short. warning bark Goade turned
his head, and with his hand shading
his eyes gaZed down the road. A rider
less horse was gallopine toward
them. the thunder of its hoofS be
coming each second more distinct. In
the far distance, where the road
wound its way into the hills again
after short disappearance in the
valley, was Il little cloud OF dust
There was no other sign of life or
movement in this dreaming land
scape.
Nicholas Goade thrust his precious
canvas into the car and stood for a
moment In the middle of the road
without any very clear idea as to his
course of action. He was a humane
man, but he was also man of com
mon sense, and he had no intention
of risking his life. or even Il serious
injury, for the sake of n runaway
horse which would probably come TO
a StandStill OF its own accord as soon
as its energies We're spent As
matter of fact, action on his part be
came unnecessary. The horse, as
soon as 1t caught sight of him.
slackened speed. looked around for a
moment nervously. and then came on
at walk. 1t was still terrified. its
ears laid back, its coat bathed in
sweat. the stirrups jansling against
its heaNlnE sides. but ii seemed to
recognize III the man who confronted
II a soothing influence. Goade patted
Its streaming neck. examined the
great veal down its flank. led il onto
the turf by the side of the road and
then. mbinE into his car drove in
the direction from which the runaway
had come.
About a half mile back. on the
edge of the common which skirted
the road, he came to the spot from
which the animal had apparently
started. The figure of a man in ordi-
nary riding clothes was lying stretch
cd upon the turf. face downward and
motionless. Goade bent over him,
and. accustomed though he was TO
terrible sights. he felt Il little surge
of horror AT the nature OF the in
Juries TO the mans head and neck.
He returned to the car. fetched his
rug. ana, after another glance at the
PROSTATE figure. covered il over.
Then, With the instinct which be
lonCed To his profession. he looked
AROUND tor signs Of some struggle
between the man and the horse. He
WAS puzZiCd IL find none. TIL" turf
was nowhere cut up and. soft and
yielding though il WAS. bore only the
imprinis OF the EshteSt of noof
marks. The scene of the tragedy Was
a little inlet of turf. surrounded 10y
gorSe hushe%-an inlet to which the
horse had presumably turned from
the road for some reason. About -
yards away Was a Snlait shed ap
parentlN a shepherds SH"iter. Th"F"
was no human heins III sight, nor
sign of any vehicle t;o.td" bent
once more over the man : body and
felt il with 4 praclIced hand II WAS
still warm. Death could have taken
place only few minutes before.
lie turned round at The sound OF
horses hoofS SOW nnW and fa,tcr-
Ing. The animal had followed him
up the hilI and after standing for
moment shiyering on the edge of the
road, advanced slowly. whinnied ANA
thrust its head down as though II
recognized its prostrate master. Goat!9
examined once Htr." tir
It's side. pattcd its neck gently. and
climbed ii small hilluck. The little
cloud Of dust on the rjhhuu FL tptH
sklrtnS the hillside had vanished.
There was no sign anywhere of pc
tes,rian or vehicle.
After Il few moments reflection he
slipped off his shoes. led the horse
quietly 10 Tie other side Of the read
and commenced q closer examination
of the little Semicircle uf ruFf UDun
which the accident seemed 70 have
happened. In q quarter - an hours
time he stood upright "Galn and
looked around There was S'ili no
sign anywhere ot the aSsiaIa nee which.
was necessary before he could move
the dead man. lie put on his shoes
and made his way along tie narrow
path toward The shed.
- Z
COON after The little cloud of dust
~ upon the hillside had vanished
George rnWin turned in at the drive
of his pleasantly situated small Coun
try home. brought his car 20 stand
suii at the front door and rang the
outside bell, which would summon the
chauffeur from the garage. lie tauSed
for a momsnt. drawing off his gloves
and looking around him as though Ell
loving the prospect pleasant one
enough: a vision of trinity kept
lawn with Il paddock behind. Il profu-
sion of flowers, everywhere signs OF
well-being and comfort. liumni ne
lightly to himself. he felt one OF the