The Cotton Factory Times. — 1904-03-25 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER XVII. THE COURT MARTIAL. CARTVFRIGHT SHOT AT THE BRADLEY MOAT.  Bamford's opinion of Oliver had greatly changed as a result of the experiences of the night. H. had originally regarded him as a country gentleman constrained by class interest to stand in with eartwvight in his attempts to defeat the Luddite designs on hie property, and incited thereto by a feeling of resentmeat at the tratment ho had himself received at the hands of the Luddites. But what he had seen and beard gave him an insight into Oliver's character it might have taken him months to obtain under ordinary conditions. Oliver, in his somnambulistic soliloquies, had laid his soul bare, and the sight presented to Bamford was one of a loathsome description.  If Barnford's reading of Oliver were correct, the man with whom he was setting out on this April morning was a murderer in heart. If the sum of his contemplated iniquity did not reach to that capittl crime, there could be no doubt of his designs on the purity of Jemima Bracegirdle. If he did not intend to destroy the body of his wife, he certainly conspired against the soul of his wife's maid. Bamford kardlY knew how to contain himself, and but for the neceveity of holding the candle, as it were, to the devil, would have broken with Oliver at once. But there was too much at stake for that. The good offices of Oliver's friend, Mr. Cartwright, were required on behalf of his cousin James. Then there was the consideration that by being forewarned -if Oliver's designs he might be able to defeat them. In addition Bamford was curious as to the reasons why Oliver had been so hospitable to him. That it was not out of goodness of heart he had made up his mind. Oliver had some design in invitiag hint to this lonely farm on the moor. What it was it behoved Bamford to ascertain.  Therefore, Bamford spoke Oliver fair, and allowed no hint of his discoveries to escape; and Oliver, being unconscious that he had betrayed himself in the night, was entirely unsuspicious of the feelings Bamford entertained towards him. He had no reoolleotion of his midnight wanderings. But they influenced him sub-consciously to the extent that, before leaving the farm. he took Bamford *o the side of the ditob draining into the moat, to the very spot on which he had stood in his sleep. "I am thinking of having this filled up," he said to Bamford. "Don't you think it would be a improvement?"  That was all that pawed, but it was sufficient fo convince Bamford of the direction in which Oliver's brain was working. Burford made a reply to die effect that it would be a decided improvement, snd the matter dropped. When they reached Liversedge Cartwright wile waiting for them and they rode away together towards Huddersfield.  On their way they had to pass through Bradley Wood. Cartwright called Oliver's attention to this place. "So this is Bradley Wood ? " said Oliver. "You had better look out here when on your road back." Cartwright laughed. "What is the joke?" inquired Bamford. "Mr. Oliver will have it that the Luddites mean to shoot me here."  "Indeed, what reason has he far that?" Cartwright was about to reply when Oliver took up the queetion.  "Just something that I heard, Mr. Bamiard. It gave me the idea that this was a likely place to take a pot-shot at Cartwrifht as he passes." " But you don't think the Ludds are capable of old-blooded assassination ?"  (Continued on Page 74  T