Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-22
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ground"
Don't put IL to the ground" ;
"But I can't walk" 49,
"well, then, hop"
Mr. Reuben Hayes manner was far
from gracious. but Holmes took 1t with
admirable good humor.
Look here. my man." said he. ''This
Is really rather an awkward nx for me.
I don't mind how I get on"
Neither do l." said the morose land.
lord.
THE matter Is very important. I
would offer you a sovereign for the use
Of a bicycle"
The landlord pricked ZIP his ears.
where do you want to go?"
ITO Holdernesse Hail."
"Pals Of the dock, suppose?" said
the landlord, surveying OUR mud stained
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 a very visible
vtart."
"What, you're on bis track?"
HE has been heard Of in Liverpool.
They expect to get him every hour"
Again swift change passed over the
heavy, unshaven face. His manner
was suddenly genial.
1--WE 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 n character on the
word Of lying corn chandler. But
I'm glad to hear that the young lord
was heard of in Liverpool. and I'll help
you take the news TO the hall"
THANK you," said Holmes. well
have some food first. Then you can
bring round the bicycle"
II haven't got q 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 bali"
well, WE'LL" said Holmes. "we'll
talk about II when we've had some.
thing to eat.'
When we were left alone in the
stone Jagged kitchen II was astonish-
ing how rapidly that sprained ankle
recovered. 1t 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 ne walked
over to the window and stared earnest
~ out. 1t opened on to squalid
courtyard. In the far corner was a
smithy. where grimy lad was Mt
work. On the other side were the sta.
b!es. 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. I believe that
I've got it!'' he cried. "Yes. yes. it
must be so! Watson. do you remem.
Der seeing any COW tracks today"
Eyes. several"
"Wherel"
well, everywhere. They we're at
the morass and again near where poor
Heidegger met hts death"
Exactly. Well, now. Watson. how
many cows did you see on the moor?'
II don't remember seeing any"
"Strange. Watson, that we should
see tracks all along our line, but never
q COW on the whole moor. Very strange.
Watson. eh?"
''Yes. 1t 10 strange"
"Now, Watson. make an effort.
Throw your mind back. Can you see
those tracks upon the PATH"
Eyes, can"
Can you recall that the tracks were
something like that. Watson"-he ar.
ranged a number Of breadcrumbs In
this fashion -: - and some-
times like this: :.:. land
occasionally like this.
"Can you remember that?"
mo. I cannot"
But can. could swear to It.
However, we will go back at our leis.
ure and verify it. What = blind beetle
have been not to draw my conclu.
sion"
And what is your conclusion7"
D "Only that it Is remarkable COW
which walks. canters and gallops. BY
George. Watson. 1t was no brain Of a
country publican that thought out such
blind as that. The coast seems to be
clear save for that lad in the smithy.
Let US slip out and sec what we can
yee."
Ihere were two rough haired, I'm.
Iempt horses In the tumbledown sta.
ole Holmes raised the hind leg Of one
bf them and laughed aloud.
"Old shoes, but newly shod: old
shoes. but new nails. This case de.
serves to be a classic. Let US 60 across
b the smithy."
The lad continued his work without
regarding US. l saw Holmes eye dart.
Ing to right and left among the litter of
iron and wood which was scattered
about the door. Suddenly, however, we
heard step behind us, and there was
the landlord, his heavy eyebrows drawn
down over his savage eyes, his swarthy
features convulsed with passion. He
held a short. metal headed stick In his
hand, and he advanced in 30 menacing
q fashion that l was right glad to feel
the revolver in my pocket.
"You Internal spies!" the man cried.
"What are you doing there?'
"Why. Mr.. Reuben Hayes" said
Holmes coolly, lone might think that
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