Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-06-08

excellent cyclist. He would not do
this II he did not see that the boy had
some swift means Of escape"
1.-The other bicycle"
"Let us continue our reconstruction.
He meets his death five miles from the
school--not by bullet. mark you,
which even lad might conceivably
discharge. but by savage blow dealt
by vigorous arm. The lad, then, had
companion in his flight. And the
flight was a 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. 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" cried, this is impossi-
ble!'
"Admirablew he said. "A most H.
Illuminating remark. 1t is impossible as
l state 1t, and therefore must in
some respect have stated 1t wrong.
Yet you saw for yourself. Can you
suggest any fallacy?"
IKE could not have fractured his
skull in a fall?"
TN a morass, Watson?"
II am ut my wits end"
'Tut, tut! We have solved Some
worse problems. At least we have
plenty OF material, If we can only use
It.. Come. then, and, having exhausted
the Palmer, let us see what the Dun
lop with the patched cover has to offer
U.S."
We picked up the track and followed
It onward for some distance, but soon
the moor rose into long heather tuft-
ed 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 tire it
might equally have led to Holdernesse
Hall, the stately towers Of which rose
some miles to our left or to low gray
village which lay in front of us and
marked the position of the Chesterfield
higllroad.
AS we approached the forbidding and
squalid inn with the sign of a game
cock above the door Holmes gave n
sudden groan and clutched me by the
shoulder to save himself from falling.
lie had had one Of those violent strains
Of the ankle which leave man help
less. With difficulty he limped up to
the door, where a squat, dark elderly
man was smoking black clay pipe.
How are you, Mr.. Reuben HayesY
said Holmes
"Who are you, and how do you get
my name SO pat?'' the countryman an
swered, with 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 thing as q carriage
in your stables:"
mo, / have not"
II can hardly put my foot to the
ground
Don't put it to the ground"
'ISut can't walk"
"Well, then, hop"
Mr.. Reuben Hayes manner was far
from gracious, but Holmes took it with
admirab bic good humor.
Look here, my man," said he. "This
is really rather an awkward fix for me.
I don't mind how get on"
Neither do T." said the morose land
lord.
1.-THE matter is very important. l
would offer you sovereign for the use
of a bicycle"
The landlord pricked up his ears.
''Where do you want to go?"
'To Holdernesse Hall"
"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 very visible
start"
what, you're on his 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
we'll than most men," said he, "for l
was his head coachman once, and cruel
bad he treated me. 1t was him that
sacked me without 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. We'll
have some food first. Then you can
bring round the bicycle"
II haven't got bicycle"
Holmes held up sovereign.
81 tell you, man, that | haven't got
one. I'll let you have two horses as far
as the hail.
'Well, WE'LL" said Holmes, well
talk about it when we've had some
thing to eat"
When we were left alone in the
stone tagged kitchen it 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 he walked