The Washington herald., 1912-02-18


the moor rose into a long. heather.
tutted curve, and we left the water.
course behind u.s. No further help
IRON tracks could be hoped for. al
the spot where we saw the last of the
DunIoP tire It might equally have led
10 Hoidernesse Hall, the stately towers
OIL which rose some miles to our left
OF 70 low, gray village which lay in
front OF us, and marked the position OF
the Chesterfield high road.
as we approached the forbidding and
squaiid inn, with the sign Of a game
COCK above the door, Holmes gave a
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 a man helm
less. With difficulty he limped no 10
the door, where a squat, dark, elderly
man was smoking a black clay pipe.
How are you, Mr.. Reuben Hayes ~
said Holmes.
Who are you, and how do Won yet
my name so patti" the countrynian an
swered, with a suspicious fash of a
pair OF cunning eyes.
We'll, it's printed on the board
above your head. It's easy 10 see a
man who is master OF his own house
l suppose you haven't such a thing as
a carriage in your stables?"
No, have not"
4 can hardly put my foot to the
Don't put it to the ground"
But l can't walk"
wei, then, hop"
Mr. Reuben Hayes manner was far
from gracious, but Holmes took it with
admirable good humor.
Look here, my man." said he. 'This
is really rather an awkward fix for me.
don't mind how l get on"
Neither do |, ," said the morose land
"The matter is very important 1
use Of bicycle"
.l,I;, The landlord pricked up his ears.
where do you want to goY
10 Holdernesse Hall"
Pals of the dook, / suppose ~ said
the landlord, surveying our mud-stain-
ed garments with ironical ewes
Holmes laughed good naturediy
"Why?"
Because we bring him news of his
The landlord gave a very visible start
What, you're on his track?"
-, lie has been heard OF in Liverpool.
They expect to get him every hour"
Again swift change passed over the
heavy, unshayen face. His manner was
suddenly genial
I've less reason to wish the dook
well than most men," said he, "for |
was his head coachman once, and cruel
bad he treated me. II 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'm
help you to take the news TO the HallD
Thank you" said Holmes. "WeT
have some food first. Then YOU can
bring round the bicycle"
Holmes held up a sovereign.
tell you, man. that | haven't got
one. III let you have two horses as
far as the Hall"
We'll, WELL" said Holmes, well
talk about i when we've had some
thing to eat"
, When we were left alone in the stone
tagged kitchen, il was astonishing how
rapidly that sprained ankle recovered.
II was nearly nightfall. and we had
eaten nothing since early morning, so
Iat we spent some time over our meal
dolmes was lost in thought. and once
or twice he walked over to the window
md stared earnestly out 1t opened on
squalid courtyard. In the far cor
ler was a snithy, where a grimy lad
Mas at work. On the other side were
he stables. Holmes had sat down
gain after one of these excursions,
.yhen he suddenly sprang out of his
hair with loud exclamation.
!. by Heaven, Watson, | believe that
We got itl"" he cried "Yes, yes. il
must be so. Watson, do you remember
eelng any cow-tracks to-day?'
. Yes, several"
."'Where"
We'll, everywhere. They were at
he morass, and again on the path, and
gam near where poor Heidegger met
lis DEATH"
Exactly. Well, now, Watson, how
many COWS did you see on the moor"