The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-30

pheasant came flying over and fell
to Matresser's first barrel.
well, 1t looks as though We
we're going to have all we can do
this morning." he remarked, as
he disposed Of another woodcock.
After that there was a few mo-
ments lull.
THE Dutchman doesn't seem to
be getting much." MatresSer NUT
tered. II haven't heard his gun
since he shot that pigeon"
II wonder where he is" Elisa
beth speculated. "You told him
to keep 20 or 80 yards ahead but
I cannot see him.
Neither can =" her companion
exclaimed with some irritation.
I'm not surprized. Humphreys
was complaining about him only
this morning.
HE Is always about 20 or 80
yards ahead of the line. I ex"
pect he is almost at the other end
Of the wood by now"
He pointed into the wood. Half
a-dozen cock pheaSantS had risen
from a holly bush which should
have been within q few yards Of
van Westrheene's beat, and mo-
ment later a Woodcock came lob.
bling UP which MatreSSer, with a
long shot, secured.
His bird, but he wasn't there"
Then, for the first time, Mat.
resSer turned his head and looked
behind him down the parallel ride.
Almost at the same instant a
little CLEAN Of sunshine broke
through the Scanty foliage of a
tall ash tree and flashed upon
something brilliant.
DANGEROUS SHOT
Matresser had no time to shout.
He caught Elisabeth by the wrist
and flung her to the ground,
sprawling down himself by her
side. They heard the buzzing Of
shot exactly where Matresser's
head had been!
Matresser sprang up as the
echoes Of the report died away.
Half way between the next ride
and his OWE, well behind him in
stead Of in front, the Dutchman
was covering behind a tree.
MY God!" Matresser exclaim-
ed. "He tried to shoot me! Stay
where you are, Elisabeth"
With his gun charged, watching
every movement of the Dutch
man, MatresSer plunged into the
underground.
Van WeStrheene seemed to hes
itate for moment but his half.
raised gun came down under his
arm. He gave a little shout Of
horror.
ZACH, but I am sorry!" he cried.
There was a low woodcock. I
would not have shot but thought
you were behind"
Matressef made no reply. He
strobe through the bushes reck.
lessly. in a few minutes he had
reached the Dutchman.
Didn't I tell you to keep 20
yards ahead of us?" he asked
fiercely.
$50 started to walk" van West
rheene explained. IT paused to
light a cigarette-so-and you,
must have passed on quicker than
I thought. I regret deeply"
Matresser leaned his gun against
tree. His eyes were watching
the Dutchman with a steely con.
centration. He strobe up to him
and laid his hand upon his gun.
What is it that you wish?" van
Westrheene demanded. II am
sorry. You would take my gun
away?"
Break it," Matreser ordered.
Van Westrheene obeyed, handing
the gun to Matresser who drew out
the second cartridge, glanced at it
and thrust into his pocket.
HEAVY SHELLS
Number threes," he exclaimed.
you would try to shoot woodcock
and pheasant. with number threes,
van Westrheene! Why not a rifle
and have done with it?"
Il fill m bag from an old box"
the other declared angrily. II did
not look at every cartridge. There
are SKIES and sevens here"
II see," Matresser observed.
THE threes were there just in
case, I supposed"
You cannot suppose" the Dutch.
man shouted. that wish to com.
NIT murder"
IF had not turned round at
that precise moment and the sun
had not flashed on the barrel of
your gun, that is precisely what
you would have done"
Am I a lunatic then that I
should try to shoot my friend IN
his oWr woods?" van WeStrheene
demanded, What have to gain
by such folly? I beg you will per.
NIT me to pass. wish to make
my apologies TO Mademoiselle."
MatresSer seized the Dutchman's
gun by the barrels and threw it
20 or 80 yards away into the under
growth. then he picked up his own
weapon.
DO you see that gate?" he
pointed out. That's the way home
the way you came. Take it and
get on yoIlr boat as quickly as you
can"
But my gum"
"You shall have it back tomor
row if It pleases me to send 10
back I may deposit it at the
police station instead. Do as tell