The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-12

had a companion in his flight. And
the flight was q swift one, since it
took five miles before an expert cyclist
could oVertake them. Yet we survey
the ground round the scene of the
tragedy What do we find? A few
cattle-tracks, nothing more. 1 took
wide sweep round, and there is no
path within fifty yards Another cyclist
could have had nothing to do with
the actual murder, nor were there any
human footmarks."
Holmes, l cried, "this is impos-
sible'
"Admirablei" he said. "a most IL
Illuminating remark. 1t is impossible
as / state it, and therefore I must in
some respect have stated it wrong.
Yet you saw for yourself. Can you
suggest any fallacy?"
"He could not have fractured his
skull in fall?'
"In a morass, Watson %
81 am at my wits end"
"Tut, tut. we have solved some
worse problems. At least we have
plenty of material if we can only use
ed the Palmer, let us see what the
Dunlop with the patched cover has
to offer u.s."
We picked upthe track and follow
ed it EDWARDS for some distance, but
soon the moor rose into long, heath
er-tufted curve, and we left the water
course behind us. No further help
from tracks could be hoped for. At
the spot where we saw the last of the
Dunlop tyre it might equally have led
to HoIdernesse Hall, the stately tow
ers of which rose some miles to our
left, or to low, grey village which lay
in front of us, and marked the position
of the Chesterfield high road.
AS we approached the forbidding
"a L,
game-cock above the door, Holmes
gave a sudden groan, and cIutched me
by the shoulder to save himself from
falling He had had one of those
violent strains of the ankle which leave
a man helpless. With difficulty he
it, Come, then, and having exhaust
limped up to the door where a squat,
dark, elderly man was smoking d
black clay pipe.
"How are you, Mr.. Reuben Hayes 2"
said Holmes.
How are you, and how do you get
my name so patti" the countryman an
swered, with a suspicious flash of
pair of cunning eyes.
well, it's printed on the board
above your head. It's easy to see
man who is master of his own house
/ suppose you haven't such a thing as
a carriage in your stables
mo, / have not
II can hardly put my foot to the
ground"
Don't put it to the ground"
but / can't walk"
''Well, then, hop"
Mr.. Reuben Hayes manner was fan
from gracious. but Holmes took it with
admiration and good-hulaor.
Look here my man, said he. This
is really rather an awkward fix for
me. l don't mind how l get on"
Neither do /" said the morose
landlord.
THE matter is very important.
would offer you a sovereign for the
use of bicycle"
The landlord pricked up his ears.
Where do you want to go?"
''To Holdernesse HALL"
pals of the Dock, l Supposed" said
the landlord, surveying our mud-stain-
ed garments with ironical eyes.
Holmes laughed good naturally.
Hell be glad to see US, anyhow"
"Why?"
Because we bring him news of his
lost SON.
The landlord gave very visible
start.
What, you're on his track? ~
"He has been heard of in Liverpool
They expect to get him every hour"
Again a swift change passed over
the heavy, unshaven face. His man
ner was suddenly genial.
i've less reason to wish the Dock
well than most men," said he. for
was his head coachman once, and
cruel bad he treated me- 1t was him
that sacked me without a character on
the word of a lying corn-chandler.
But I'm glad to hear that the young
lord was heard of in Liverpool, and
I'll help you to take the news to the
Hail."
THANK you" said Holmes. wen
have some food first. Then you can
bring round the bicycle
Il haven't got a bicycle"
Holmes held up a sovereign
II tell you, man, that / haven't got
one. I'll let you have two horses as
far as the Hail."
well, WELL" said Holmes, wen
talk about it when we've had some
thing to eat"
When we were left alone in the
stone-fagged kitchen, it was astonish-
| ing how rapidly that sprained ankle
| recovered. It was nearly nightfall,
and we had eaten nothing since early
morning, so that we spent some time
over our meal Holmes was lost in
! thought, and once or twice
| he walked over to the window and
stared earnestly out 1t opened on a
| squalid courtyard. In the far corner
was smithy. where a grimy lad was
! at work. on the other side were the
| stables. Holmes had sat down again
after one of these excursions, when he
| suddenly sprang out of his chair with
a loud exclamation.
| ''By Heaven, Watson, j believe that
| I've got it!' he cried Yes, yes, il