I will represent the official
police until their arrival. Here, you!" he shouted to a
frightened groom who had appeared at the edge of the glade.
"Come here. Take this note as hard as you can ride to Farnham."
He scribbled a few words upon a leaf from his note-book. "Give
it to the superintendent at the police-station. Until he comes
I must detain you all under my personal custody."
The strong, masterful personality of Holmes dominated the tragic
scene, and all were equally puppets in his hands. Williamson
and Carruthers found themselves carrying the wounded Woodley
into the house, and I gave my arm to the frightened girl.
The injured man was laid on his bed, and at Holmes's request I
examined him. I carried my report to where he sat in the old
tapestry-hung dining-room with his two prisoners before him.
"He will live," said I.
"What!" cried Carruthers, springing out of his chair. "I'll go
upstairs and finish him first. Do you tell me that that girl,
that angel, is to be tied to Roaring Jack Woodley for life?"
"You need not concern yourself about that," said Holmes.
"There are two very good reasons why she should under no
circumstances be his wife.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179