ed
to us by the agency:--

"'A daring highway robbery was committed near Salisbury late last night.
The victims were two gentlemen who had been touring in the west country
by motor. They had intended to reach Salisbury early yesterday evening,
but were delayed by a puncture. When about eight miles from Salisbury
they were attacked by the occupant of another car, who wrecked their
vehicle, and, after robbing them of all their valuables, decamped,
leaving them badly injured by the wayside. There they were discovered
some time afterwards and removed to the nearest inn at Compton
Chamberlain, where they remain under medical attendance.--_Central
News._'

"The _Star_ special correspondent wires:--

"Compton Chamberlain, 12.30.

"There is no doubt but that the Motor Pirate has a real existence. On
arriving at Salisbury I at once proceeded to make inquiries as to what
was known of the outrage, but Salisbury generally was sceptical on the
subject. I found, however, that the affair had been reported at the
county police office; and I at once drove on here, and am now in a
position to assert that this quiet Wiltshire village has been the scene
of the most astounding robbery of modern times. It is safe to prophecy
that in a few more months Dick Turpin will be forgotten. He has a rival
in the field whose exploits will soon relegate him into comparative
obscurity.

"The first visible evidence of the outrage was afforded me about a
quarter of a mile from Compton. The road dips here slightly, and at the
end of the incline a motor-car was drawn to the side of the road, or
rather the remains of what had once been a smart Daimler of some 7 or 8
h.p. A stonebreaker was at work on an adjacent pile of flints, and when
I alighted to examine the wreck, he nailed me with, 'Hoy, mister! Ye'd
better leave thick thur car alone. The p'lice be comin' to tek un up
zhortly.'

"I gathered from him that he had been told to keep an eye upon the car,
but beyond having heard that the owners had met with an accident, he
knew nothing. There was no doubt about the accident. The car was so
broken up that it looked as if it had been in collision with an armoured
train.

"Compton Chamberlain, 2.45 p.m.

"I have just succeeded in interviewing the owner of the motor-car, a Mr.
James Bradshaw, of 379, Maida Vale. His companion was Mr. Gainsborough
Roberts, of 200, Clapham Co