"I had given margin of half an hour," said he " is her trap be making earlier train , Watson, that she past Charlington before possibly meet her "

instant that we passed the rise no longer see the vehicle, but we hastened onwards at such pace that my sedentary life began upon me, and compelled behind Holmes, however, was always in training, for he had inexhaustible stores of nervous energy to draw His springy step never slowed until suddenly, when hundred yards in front of me, he halted, and him throw up his hand with gesture of grief and despair same instant an empty dog-cart, the horse cantering, the reins trailing, appeared round the curve road and rattled swiftly towards us

"Too late, Watson; too late ! " cried Holmes, as I ran panting side "Fool that not to allow earlier train ! It's abduction, Watson -- abduction ! Murder ! Heaven knows what ! Block the road ! Stop the horse ! That's right Now, jump in, and if repair the consequences own blunder "

We had sprung dog-cart, and Holmes, after turning the horse, gave it sharp cut whip, and we flew back along the road turned the curve the whole stretch of road Hall heath was opened up I grasped Holmes's arm

"That's the man ! " I gasped

solitary cyclist was coming towards us His head was down shoulders rounded as he put every ounce of energy that he possessed on pedals flying like racer Suddenly he raised his bearded face, saw us close to him, and pulled up, springing machine That coal-black beard was in singular contrast pallor face, eyes were as bright he had fever He stared at us and dog-cart Then look of amazement came over his face

"Halloa ! Stop there ! " he shouted, holding his bicycle to block our road "Where did you get that dog-cart ? Pull up, man ! " he yelled, drawing pistol side pocket "Pull up, , or, by George, I'll put bullet into your horse "

Holmes threw the reins into my lap and sprang down cart

"You're the man we Where is Miss Violet Smith ? " , quick, clear way

"That's what asking you You're in her dog-cart You ought where "

"We met the dog-cart road no one We drove back to help the young lady "

"Good Lord ! Good Lord ! what shall ? " cried the stranger, in an ecstasy of despair "They've got her, that hellhound Woodley blackguard parson Come, man, come, really are her friend Stand by me and we'll save her, if to leave my carcass in Charlington Wood "

He ran distractedly, his pistol hand, towards gap hedge Holmes followed him, and I, leaving the horse grazing beside the road, followed Holmes

" where they came through," said he, pointing marks of several feet muddy path "Halloa ! Stop minute ! Who's this bush ? "

young fellow about seventeen, dressed like an ostler, with leather cords and gaiters He lay upon his back, his knees drawn up, terrible cut upon his head insensible, but alive glance at his wound told me penetrated the bone

"That's Peter, the groom," cried the stranger "He drove her The beasts have pulled him off and clubbed him Let him lie; 't do him any good, but save her worst fate befall woman "

We ran frantically down the path, which wound trees We had reached the shrubbery which surrounded the house when Holmes pulled up

"They didn't go house Here are their marks left -- here, beside the laurel bushes ! Ah, so ! "

As he spoke woman's shrill scream -- scream which vibrated with frenzy of horror -- burst thick green clump of bushes in front of us It ended suddenly on its highest note with choke and gurgle

" ! ! bowling alley," cried the stranger, darting bushes "Ah, the cowardly dogs ! Follow me, gentlemen ! Too late ! too late ! living Jingo ! "

We had broken suddenly into lovely glade of greensward surrounded by ancient trees farther side of it, under the shadow of mighty oak, there stood singular group of three people One was woman, our client, drooping and faint, handkerchief round her mouth Opposite her stood brutal, heavy-faced, red-moustached young man, his gaitered legs parted wide, one arm akimbo, the other waving riding-crop, his whole attitude suggestive of triumphant bravado an elderly, grey-bearded man, wearing short surplice over light tweed suit, had evidently just completed the wedding service, for he pocketed his prayer-book appeared and slapped the sinister bridegroom back in jovial congratulation

"They're married ! " I gasped

"Come on ! " cried our guide; "come on ! " He rushed across the glade, Holmes and I at his heels approached, the lady staggered against the trunk tree for support Williamson, the ex-clergyman, bowed with mock politeness, bully Woodley advanced with shout of brutal and exultant laughter

" take your beard off, Bob," said he " you right enough Well, you and your pals have just come to introduce you to Mrs Woodley "

Our guide's answer was singular one He snatched off the dark beard which had disguised him and threw it ground, disclosing long, sallow, clean-shaven face below it Then he raised his revolver and covered the young ruffian, who was advancing upon him dangerous riding-crop swinging hand

"Yes," said our ally, " Bob Carruthers, and I'll see this woman righted if to swing you what I'd do molested her, and, 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 the blood spurt front of Woodley's waistcoat He spun round with scream and fell upon his back, his hideous red face turning suddenly to dreadful mottled pallor The old man, still clad surplice, burst into such string of foul oaths as never heard, and pulled out revolver own, but before raise it looking down the barrel of Holmes's weapon

"Enough ," said my friend, coldly "Drop that pistol ! Watson, pick it up ! Hold it head ! You, Carruthers, that revolver We'll have no more violence Come, hand it over ! "

"Who , then ? "

"My name is Sherlock Holmes "

"Good Lord ! "

" heard of me, represent the official police until their arrival Here, you ! " he shouted to frightened groom who had appeared edge glade "Come here Take this note as hard ride to Farnham " He scribbled few words upon leaf note-book "Give it superintendent police-station Until he comes detain you all under my personal custody "

The strong, masterful personality of Holmes dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally puppets hands Williamson and Carruthers found themselves carrying the wounded Woodley house, and my arm frightened girl The injured man was laid bed, and at Holmes's request I examined him I carried my report to where he sat old tapestry-hung dining-room two prisoners before him

" live," said I

"What ! " cried Carruthers, springing out chair "I'll go upstairs and finish him first tell me that that girl, that angel, tied to Roaring Jack Woodley for life ? "

" not concern yourself ," said Holmes " two reasons why she should under no circumstances be his wife first place, very safe in questioning Mr Williamson's right to solemnise marriage "

" ordained," cried the old rascal

"And also unfrocked "

"Once clergyman, always clergyman "

" not How license ? "

"We had license marriage it here in my pocket "