“Thiscasegrowsuponme，Watson，“saidhe。“Therearedecidedly
　　somepointsofinterestinconnectionwithit。Inthisearlystage，
　　Iwantyoutorealizethosegeographicalfeatureswhichmayhavea
　　gooddealtodowithourinvestigation。
　　“Lookatthismap。ThisdarksquareisthePriorySchool。I”llputa
　　pininit。Now，thislineisthemainroad。Youseethatitruns
　　eastandwestpasttheschool，andyouseealsothatthereisno
　　sideroadforamileeitherway。Ifthesetwofolkpassedawayby
　　road，itwasthisroad。”Seeillustration。
　　“Exactly。”
　　“Byasingularandhappychance，weareabletosomeextenttocheck
　　whatpassedalongthisroadduringthenightinquestion。Atthis
　　point，wheremypipeisnowresting，acountyconstablewasonduty
　　fromtwelvetosix。Itis，asyouperceive，thefirstcross-roadon
　　theeastside。Thismandeclaresthathewasnotabsentfromhis
　　postforaninstant，andheispositivethatneitherboynormancould
　　havegonethatwayunseen。Ihavespokenwiththispoliceman
　　to-nightandheappearstometobeaperfectlyreliableperson。
　　Thatblocksthisend。Wehavenowtodealwiththeother。Thereis
　　aninnhere，theRedBull，thelandladyofwhichwasill。Shehadsent
　　toMackletonforadoctor，buthedidnotarriveuntilmorning，
　　beingabsentatanothercase。Thepeopleattheinnwerealertall
　　night，awaitinghiscoming，andoneorotherofthemseemstohave
　　continuallyhadaneyeupontheroad。Theydeclarethatnoonepassed。
　　Iftheirevidenceisgood，thenwearefortunateenoughtobeable
　　toblockthewest，andalsotobeabletosaythatthefugitivesdid
　　notusetheroadatall。”
　　“Butthebicycle？“Iobjected。
　　“Quiteso。Wewillcometothebicyclepresently。Tocontinueour
　　reasoning：ifthesepeopledidnotgobytheroad，theymusthave
　　traversedthecountrytothenorthofthehouseortothesouthofthe
　　house。Thatiscertain。Letusweightheoneagainsttheother。Onthe
　　southofthehouseis，asyouperceive，alargedistrictofamble
　　land，cutupintosmallfields，withstonewallsbetweenthem。
　　There，Iadmitthatabicycleisimpossible。Wecandismissthe
　　idea。Weturntothecountryonthenorth。Herethereliesagrove
　　oftrees，markedasthe”RaggedShaw”andonthefartherside
　　stretchesagreatrollingmoor，LowerGillMoor，extendingforten
　　milesandslopinggraduallyupward。Here，atonesideofthis
　　wilderness，isHoldernesseHall，tenmilesbyroad，butonlysix
　　acrossthemoor。Itisapeculiarlydesolateplain。Afewmoorfarmers
　　havesmallholdings，wheretheyrearsheepandcattle。Exceptthese，
　　theploverandthecurlewaretheonlyinhabitantsuntilyoucometo
　　theChesterfieldhighroad。Thereisachurchthere，yousee，afew
　　cottages，andaninn。Beyondthatthehillsbecomeprecipitous。Surely
　　itisheretothenorththatourquestmustlie。”
　　“Butthebicycle？“Ipersisted。
　　“Well，well！“saidHolmes，impatiently。“Agoodcyclistdoesnot
　　needahighroad。Themoorisintersectedwithpaths，andthemoonwas
　　atthefull。Halloa！whatisthis？“
　　Therewasanagitatedknockatthedoor，andaninstantafterwards
　　Dr。Huxtablewasintheroom。Inhishandheheldabluecricket-cap
　　withawhitechevrononthepeak。
　　“Atlastwehaveaclue！“hecried。“Thankheaven！atlastweareon
　　thedearboy”strack！Itishiscap。”
　　“Wherewasitfound？“
　　“Inthevanofthegipsieswhocampedonthemoor。Theylefton
　　Tuesday。To-daythepolicetracedthemdownandexaminedtheir
　　caravan。Thiswasfound。”
　　“Howdotheyaccountforit？“
　　“Theyshuffledandlied-saidthattheyfounditonthemooron
　　Tuesdaymorning。Theyknowwhereheis，therascals！Thankgoodness，
　　theyareallsafeunderlockandkey。Eitherthefearofthelawor
　　theDuke”spursewillcertainlygetoutofthemallthattheyknow。”
　　“Sofar，sogood，“saidHolmes，whenthedoctorhadatlastleftthe
　　room。“Itatleastbearsoutthetheorythatitisonthesideof
　　theLowerGillMoorthatwemusthopeforresults。Thepolicehave
　　reallydonenothinglocally，savethearrestofthesegipsies。Look
　　here，Watson！Thereisawatercourseacrossthemoor。Youseeit
　　markedhereinthemap。Insomepartsitwidensintoamorass。Thisis
　　particularlysointheregionbetweenHoldernesseHallandtheschool。
　　Itisvaintolookelsewherefortracksinthisdryweather，butat
　　thatpointthereiscertainlyachanceofsomerecordbeingleft。I
　　willcallyouearlyto-morrowmorning，andyouandIwilltryifwe
　　canthrowsomelittlelightuponthemystery。”
　　ThedaywasjustbreakingwhenIwoketofindthelong，thinformof
　　Holmesbymybedside。Hewasfullydressed，andhadapparentlyalready
　　beenout。
　　“Ihavedonethelawnandthebicycleshed，“said，he。“Ihave
　　alsohadarumblethroughtheRaggedShaw。Now，Watson，thereiscocoa
　　readyinthenextroom。Imustbegyoutohurry，forwehaveagreat
　　daybeforeus。”
　　Hiseyesshone，andhischeekwasflushedwiththeexhilarationof
　　themasterworkmanwhoseeshisworkliereadybeforehim。Avery
　　differentHolmes，thisactive，alertman，fromtheintrospectiveand
　　palliddreamerofBakerStreet。Ifelt，asIlookeduponthat
　　supple，figure，alivewithnervousenergy，thatitwasindeeda
　　strenuousdaythatawaitedus。
　　Andyetitopenedintheblackestdisappointment。Withhighhopeswe
　　struckacrossthepeaty，russetmoor，intersectedwithathousand
　　sheeppaths，untilwecametothebroad，light-greenbeltwhichmarked
　　themorassbetweenusandHoldernesse。Certainly，iftheladhad
　　gonehomeward，hemusthavepassedthis，andhecouldnotpassit
　　withoutleavinghistraces。ButnosignofhimortheGermancould
　　beseen。Withadarkeningfacemyfriendstrodealongthemargin，
　　eagerlyobservantofeverymuddystainuponthemossysurface。
　　Sheep-markstherewereinprofusion，andatoneplace，somemiles
　　down，cowshadlefttheirtracks。Nothingmore。
　　“Checknumberone，“saidHolmes，lookinggloomilyovertherolling
　　expanseofthemoor。“Thereisanothermorassdownyonder，anda
　　narrowneckbetween。Halloa！halloa！halloa！whathavewehere？“
　　Wehadcomeonasmallblackribbonofpathway。Inthemiddleofit，
　　clearlymarkedonthesoddensoil，wasthetrackofabicycle。
　　“Hurrah！“Icried。“Wehaveit。”
　　ButHolmeswasshakinghishead，andhisfacewaspuzzledand
　　expectantratherthanjoyous。
　　“Abicycle，certainly，butnotthebicycle，“saidhe。“Iamfamiliar
　　withforty-twodifferentimpressionsleftbytyres。This，asyou
　　perceive，isaDunlop，withapatchupontheoutercover。
　　Heidegger”styreswerePalmer”s，leavinglongitudinalstripes。
　　Aveling，themathematicalmaster，wassureuponthepoint。
　　Therefore，itisnotHeidegger”strack。”
　　“Theboy”s，then？“
　　“Possibly，ifwecouldproveabicycletohavebeeninhis
　　possession。Butthiswehaveutterlyfailedtodo。Thistrack，as
　　youperceive，wasmadebyariderwhowasgoingfromthedirection
　　oftheschool。”
　　“Ortowardsit？“
　　“No，no，mydearWatson。Themoredeeplysunkimpressionis，of
　　course，thehindwheel，uponwhichtheweightrests。Youperceive
　　severalplaceswhereithaspassedacrossandobliteratedthemore
　　shallowmarkofthefrontone。Itwasundoubtedlyheadingawayfrom
　　theschool。Itmayormaynotbeconnectedwithourinquiry，butwe
　　willfollowitbackwardsbeforewegoanyfarther。”
　　Wedidso，andattheendofafewhundredyardslostthetracks
　　asweemergedfromtheboggyportionofthemoor。Followingthepath
　　backwards，wepickedoutanotherspot，whereaspringtrickled
　　acrossit。Here，onceagain，wasthemarkofthebicycle，though
　　nearlyobliteratedbythehoofsofcows。Afterthattherewasnosign，
　　butthepathranrightonintoRaggedShaw，thewoodwhichbackedon
　　totheschool。Fromthiswoodthecyclemusthaveemerged。Holmes
　　satdownonaboulderandrestedhischininhishands。Ihadsmoked
　　twocigarettesbeforehemoved。
　　“Well，well，“saidhe，atlast。“Itis，ofcourse，possiblethata
　　cunningmanmightchangethetyresofhisbicycleinordertoleave
　　unfamiliartracks。Acriminalwhowascapableofsuchathoughtisa
　　manwhomIshouldbeproudtodobusinesswith。Wewillleavethis
　　questionundecidedandharkbacktoourmorassagain，forwehaveleft
　　agooddealunexplored。”
　　Wecontinuedoursystematicsurveyoftheedgeofthesoddenportion
　　ofthemoor，andsoonourperseverancewasgloriouslyrewarded。
　　Rightacrossthelowerpartoftheboglayamirypath。Holmesgave
　　acryofdelightasheapproachedit。Animpressionlikeafinebundle
　　oftelegraphwiresrandownthecentreofit。ItwasthePalmertyres。
　　“HereisHerrHeidegger，sureenough！“criedHolmes，exultantly。“My
　　reasoningseemstohavebeenprettysound，Watson。”
　　“Icongratulateyou。”
　　“Butwehavealongwaystilltogo。Kindlywalkclearofthe
　　path。Nowletusfollowthetrail。Ifearthatitwillnotleadvery
　　far。”
　　Wefound，however，asweadvancedthatthisportionofthemooris
　　intersectedwithsoftpatches，and，thoughwefrequentlylostsightof
　　thetrack，wealwayssucceededinpickingituponcemore。
　　“Doyouobserve，“saidHolmes，“thattheriderisnowundoubtedly
　　forcingthepace？Therecanbenodoubtofit。Lookatthis
　　impression，whereyougetbothtiresclear。Theoneisasdeepas
　　theother。Thatcanonlymeanthattherideristhrowinghisweighton
　　tothehandle-bar，asamandoeswhenheissprinting。ByJove！hehas
　　hadafall。”
　　Therewasabroad，irregularsmudgecoveringsomeyardsofthe
　　track。Thentherewereafewfootmarks，andthetyresreappeared
　　oncemore。
　　“Aside-slip，“Isuggested。
　　Holmesheldupacrumpledbranchoffloweringgorse。Tomyhorror
　　Iperceivedthattheyellowblossomswerealldabbledwithcrimson。On
　　thepath，too，andamongtheheatherweredarkstainsofclotted
　　blood。
　　“Bad！“saidHolmes。“Bad！Standclear，Watson！Notanunnecessary
　　footstep！WhatdoIreadhere？Hefellwounded-hestoodup-he
　　remounted-heproceeded。Butthereisnoothertrack。Cattleonthis
　　sidepath。Hewassurelynotgoredbyabull？Impossible！ButIseeno
　　tracesofanyoneelse。Wemustpushon，Watson。Surely，withstainsas
　　wellasthetracktoguideus，hecannotescapeusnow。”
　　Oursearchwasnotaverylongone。Thetracksofthetyrebegan
　　tocurvefantasticallyuponthewetandshiningpath。Suddenly，asI
　　lookedahead，thegleamofcaughtmyeyefromamidthethick
　　gorse-bushes。Outofthemwedraggedabicycle，Palmer-tyred，one
　　pedalbent，andthewholefrontofithorriblysmearedandslobbered
　　withblood。Ontheothersideofthebushesashoewasprojecting。
　　Weranround，andtherelaytheunfortunaterider。Hewasatall
　　man，full-bearded，withspectacles，oneglassofwhichhadbeen
　　knockedout。Thecauseofhisdeathwasafrightfulblowuponthe
　　head，whichhadcrushedinpartofhisskull。Thathecouldhave
　　goneonafterreceivingsuchaninjurysaidmuchforthevitality
　　andcourageoftheman。Heworeshoes，butnosocks，andhisopencoat
　　disclosedanightshirtbeneathit。ItwasundoubtedlytheGerman
　　master。
　　Holmesturnedthebodyoverreverently，andexamineditwithgreat
　　attention。Hethensatindeepthoughtforatime，andIcouldsee
　　byhisruffiedbrowthatthisgrimdiscoveryhadnot，inhis
　　opinion，advancedusmuchinourinquiry。
　　“Itisalittledifficulttoknowwhattodo，Watson，“saidhe，at
　　last。“Myowninclinationsaretopushthisinquiryon，forwehave
　　alreadylostsomuchtimethatwecannotaffordtowasteanotherhour。
　　Ontheotherhand，weareboundtoinformthepoliceofthediscovery，
　　andtoseethatthispoorfellow”sbodyislookedafter。”
　　“Icouldtakeanoteback。”
　　“ButIneedyourcompanyandassistance。Waitabit！Thereisa
　　fellowcuttingpeatupyonder。Bringhimoverhere，andhewill
　　guidethepolice。”
　　Ibroughtthepeasantacross，andHolmesdispatchedthefrightened
　　manwithanotetoDr。Huxtable。
　　“Now，Watson，“saidhe，“wehavepickeduptwocluesthismorning。
　　OneisthebicyclewiththePalmertyre，andweseewhatthathas
　　ledto。TheotheristhebicyclewiththepatchedDunlop。Beforewe
　　starttoinvestigatethat，letustrytorealizewhatwedoknow，so
　　astomakethemostofit，andtoseparatetheessentialfromthe
　　accidental。”
　　“Firstofall，Iwishtoimpressuponyouthattheboycertainly
　　leftofhisownfree-will。Hegotdownfromhiswindowandhewent
　　off，eitheraloneorwithsomeone。Thatissure。”
　　Iassented。
　　“Well，now，letusturntothisunfortunateGermanmaster。Theboy
　　wasfullydressedwhenhefled。Therefore，heforesawwhathewould
　　do。ButtheGermanwentwithouthissocks。Hecertainlyactedon
　　veryshortnotice。”
　　“Undoubtedly。”
　　“Whydidhego？Because，fromhisbedroomwindow，hesawthe
　　flightoftheboy，becausehewishedtoovertakehimandbringhim
　　back。Heseizedhisbicycle，pursuedthelad，andinpursuinghim
　　methisdeath。”
　　“Soitwouldseem。”
　　“NowIcometothecriticalpartofmyargument。Thenatural
　　actionofamaninpursuingalittleboywouldbetorunafterhim。He
　　wouldknowthathecouldovertakehim。ButtheGermandoesnotdo
　　so。Heturnstohisbicycle。Iamtoldthathewasanexcellent
　　cyclist。Hewouldnotdothis，ifhedidnotseethattheboyhadsome
　　swiftmeansofescape。”
　　“Theotherbicycle。”
　　“Letuscontinueourreconstruction。Hemeetshisdeathfivemiles
　　fromtheschool-notbyabullet，markyou，whichevenaladmight
　　conceivablydischarge，butbyasavageblowdealtbyavigorousarm。
　　Thelad，then，hadacompanionhisflight。Andtheflightwasa
　　swiftone，sinceittookfivemilesbeforeanexpertcyclistcould
　　overtakethem。Yetwesurveythegroundroundthesceneofthe
　　tragedy。Whatdowefind？Afewcattle-tracks，nothingmore。Itook
　　awidesweepround，andthereisnopathwithinfiftyyards。Another
　　cyclistcouldhavehadnothingtodowiththeactualmurder，nor
　　werethereanyhumanfootmarks。”
　　“Holmes，“Icried，“thisisimpossible。”
　　“Admirable！“hesaid。“Amostilluminatingremark。Itis
　　impossibleasIstateit，andthereforeImustinsomerespecthave
　　stateditwrong。Yetyousawforyourself。Canyousuggestany
　　fallacy？“
　　“Hecouldnothavefracturedhisskullinafall？“
　　“Inamorass，Watson？“
　　“Iamatmywit”send。”
　　“Tut，tut，wehavesolvedsomeworseproblems。Atleastwehave
　　plentyofmaterial，ifwecanonlyuseit。Come，then，and，having
　　exhaustedthePalmer，letusseewhattheDunlopwiththepatched
　　coverhastoofferus。”
　　Wepickedupthetrackandfolloweditonwardforsomedistance，but
　　soonthemoorroseintoalong，heather-tuftedcurve，andweleft
　　thewatercoursebehindus。Nofurtherhelpfromtrackscouldbe
　　bopedfor。AtthespotwherewesawthelastoftheDunloptyreit
　　mightequallyhaveledtoHoldernesseHall，thestatelytowersof
　　whichrosesomemilestoourleft，ortoalow，grayvillagewhichlay
　　infrontofusandmarkedthepositionoftheChesterfieldhighroad。
　　Asweapproachedtheforbiddingandsqualidinn，withthesignof
　　agame-cockabovethedoor，Holmesgaveasuddengroan，andclutched
　　mebytheshouldertosavehimselffromfalling。Hehadhadoneof
　　thoseviolentstrainsoftheanklewhichleaveamanhelpless。With
　　difficultyhelimpeduptothedoor，whereasquat，dark，elderly
　　manwassmokingablackclaypipe。
　　“Howareyou，Mr。ReubenHayes？“saidHolmes。
　　“Whoareyou，andhowdoyougetmynamesopat？“thecountryman
　　answered，withasuspiciousflashofapairofcunningeyes。
　　“Well，it”sprintedontheboardaboveyourhead。It”seasytoseea
　　manwhoismasterofhisownhouse。Isupposeyouhaven”tsuchathing
　　asacarriageinyourstables？“
　　“No，Ihavenot。”
　　“Icanhardlyputmyfoottotheground。”
　　“Don”tputittotheground。”
　　“ButIcan”twalk。”
　　“Well，thenhop。”
　　Mr。ReubenHayes”smannerwasfarfromgracious，butHolmestook
　　itwithadmirablegood-humour。
　　“Lookhere，myman，“saidhe。“Thisisreallyratheranawkward
　　fixforme。Idon”tmindhowIgeton。”
　　“NeitherdoI，“saidthemoroselandlord。
　　“Thematterisveryimportant。Iwouldofferyouasovereignforthe
　　useofabicycle。”
　　Thelandlordprickeduphisears。
　　“Wheredoyouwanttogo？“
　　“ToHoldernesseHall。”
　　“PalsoftheDook，Isuppose？“saidthelandlord，surveyingour
　　mud-stainedgarmentswithironicaleyes。
　　Holmeslaughedgood-naturedly。
　　“He”llbegladtoseeus，anyhow。”
　　“Why？“
　　“Becausewebringhimnewsofhislostson。”
　　Thelandlordgaveaveryvisiblestart。
　　“What，you”reonhistrack？“
　　“HehasbeenheardofinLiverpool。Theyexpecttogethimevery
　　hour。”
　　Againaswiftchangepassedovertheheavy，unshavenface。His
　　mannerwassuddenlygenial。
　　“I”velessreasontowishtheDookwellthanmostmen，“saidhe，
　　“forIwasheadcoachmanonce，andcruelbadhetreatedme。Itwashim
　　thatsackedmewithoutacharacteronthewordofalying
　　corn-chandler。ButI”mgladtohearthattheyounglordwasheardof
　　inLiverpool，andI”llhelpyoutotakethenewstotheHall。”
　　“Thankyou，“saidHolmes。“Wellhavesomefoodfirst。thenyoucan
　　bringroundthebicycle。”
　　“Ihaven”tgotabicycle。”
　　Holmesheldupasovereign。
　　“Itellyou，man，thatIhaven”tgotone。I”llletyouhavetwo
　　horsesasfarastheHall。”
　　“Well，well，“saidHolmes，“welltalkaboutitwhenwe”vehad
　　somethingtoeat。”
　　Whenwewereleftaloneinthestone-flaggedkitchen，itwas
　　astonishinghowrapidlythatsprainedanklerecovered。Itwasnearly
　　nightfall，andwehadeatennothingsinceearlymorning，sothatwe
　　spentsometimeoverourmeal。Holmeswaslostinthought，andonceor
　　twicehewalkedovertothewindowandstaredearnestlyout。Itopened
　　ontoasqualidcourtyard。Inthefarcornerwasasmithy，wherea
　　grimyladwasatwork。Ontheothersidewerethestables。Holmes
　　hadsatdownagainafteroneoftheseexcursions，whenhesuddenly
　　sprangoutofhischairwithaloudexclamation。
　　“Byheaven，Watson，IbelievethatI”vegotit！“hecried。“Yes，
　　yes，itmustbeso。Watson，doyourememberseeinganycow-tracks
　　to-day？“
　　“Yes，several。”
　　“Were？“
　　“Well，everywhere。Theywereatthemorass，andagainonthepath，
　　andagainnearwherepoorHeideggermethisdeath。”
　　“Exactly。Well，now，Watson，howmanycowsdidyouseeonthemoor？“
　　“Idon”trememberseeingany。”
　　“Strange，Watson，thatweshouldseetracksallalongourline，
　　butneveracowonthewholemoor。Verystrange，Watson，eh？“
　　“Yes，itisstrange。”
　　“Now，Watson，makeaneffort，throwyourmindback。Canyousee
　　thosetracksuponthepath？“
　　“Yes，Ican。”
　　“Canyourecallthatthetracksweresometimeslikethat，Watson“-
　　hearrangedanumberofbread-crumbsinthisfashion-：：：：-“and
　　sometimeslikethis“-：。：。：。：-“andoccasionallylikethis“……”。”。”。“Canyourememberthat？“
　　“No，Icannot。”
　　“ButIcan。Icouldsweartoit。However，wewillgobackatour
　　leisureandverifyit。WhatablindbeetleIhavebeen，nottodrawmy
　　conclusion。”
　　“Andwhatisyourconclusion？“
　　“Onlythatitisaremarkablecowwhichwalks，canters，andgallops。
　　ByGeorge！Watson，itwasnobrainofacountrypublicanthat
　　thoughtoutsuchablindasthat。Thecoastseemstobeclear，save
　　forthatladinthesmithy。Letusslipoutandseewhatwecansee。”
　　Thereweretworough-haired，unkempthorsesinthetumble-down
　　stable。Holmesraisedthehindlegofoneofthemandlaughedaloud。
　　“Oldshoes，butnewlyshod-oldshoes，butnewnails。Thiscase
　　deservestobeaclassic。Letusgoacrosstothesmithy。”
　　Theladcontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingus。IsawHolmes”s
　　eyedartingtorightandleftamongthelitterofironandwood
　　whichwasscatteredaboutthefloor。Suddenly，however，wehearda
　　stepbehindus，andtherewasthelandlord，hisheavyeyebrowsdrawn
　　overhissavageeyes，hisswarthyfeaturesconvulsedwithpassion。
　　Heheldashort，metal-headedstickinhishand，andheadvancedinso
　　menacingafashionthatIwasrightgladtofeeltherevolverinmy
　　pocket。
　　“Youinfernalspies！“themancried。“Whatareyoudoingthere？“
　　“Why，Mr。ReubenHayes，“saidHolmes，coolly，“onemightthink
　　thatyouwereafraidofourfindingsomethingout。”
　　Themanmasteredhimselfwithaviolenteffort，andhisgrimmouth
　　loosenedintoafalselaugh，whichwasmoremenacingthanhisfrown。
　　“You”rewelcometoallyoucanfindoutinmysmithy，“saidhe。“But
　　lookhere，mister，Idon”tcareforfolkpokingaboutmyplacewithout
　　myleave，sothesooneryoupayyourscoreandgetoutofthisthe
　　betterIshallbepleased。”
　　“Allright，Mr。Hayes，noharmmeant，“saidHolmes。“Wehavebeen
　　havingalookatyourhorses，butIthinkI”llwalk，afterall。It”s
　　notfar，Ibelieve。”
　　“NotmorethantwomilestotheHallgates。That”stheroadtothe
　　left。”Hewatcheduswithsulleneyesuntilwehadlefthispremises。
　　Wedidnotgoveryfaralongtheroad，forHolmesstoppedthe
　　instantthatthecurvehidusfromthelandlord”sview。
　　“Wewerewarm，asthechildrensay，atthatinn，“saidhe。“Iseem
　　togrowcoldereverystepthatItakeawayfromit。No，no，Ican”t
　　possiblyleaveit。”
　　“Iamconvinced，“saidI，“thatthisReubenHayesknowsallabout
　　it。Amoreself-evidentvillainIneversaw。”
　　“Oh！heimpressedyouinthatway，didhe？Therearethehorses，
　　thereisthesmithy。Yes，itisaninterestingplace，thisFighting
　　Cock。Ithinkweshallhaveanotherlookatitinanunobtrusiveway。”
　　Along，slopinghillside，dottedwithgraylimestoneboulders，
　　stretchedbehindus。Wehadturnedofftheroad，andweremakingour
　　wayupthehill，when，lookinginthedirectionofHoldernesseHall，I
　　sawacyclistcomingswiftlyalong。
　　“Getdown，Watson！“criedHolmes，withaheavyhanduponmy
　　shoulder。Wehadhardlysunkfromviewwhenthemanflewpastuson
　　theroad。Amidarollingcloudofdust，Icaughtaglimpseofa
　　pale，agitatedface-afacewithhorrorineverylineament，the
　　mouthopen，theeyesstaringwildlyinfront。Itwaslikesomestrange
　　caricatureofthedapperJamesWilderwhomwehadseenthenight
　　before。
　　“TheDuke”ssecretary！“criedHolmes。“Come，Watson，letusseewhat
　　hedoes。”
　　Wescrambledfromrocktorock，untilinafewmomentswehadmade
　　ourwaytoapointfromwhichwecouldseethefrontdoorofthe
　　inn。Wilder”sbicyclewasleaningagainstthewallbesideit。Noone
　　wasmovingaboutthehouse，norcouldwecatchaglimpseofany
　　facesatthewindows。Slowlythetwilightcreptdownasthesunsank
　　behindthehightowersofHoldernesseHall。Then，inthegloom，wesaw
　　thetwoside-lampsofatraplightupinthestable-yardoftheinn，
　　andshortlyafterwardsheardtherattleofhoofs，asitwheeledout
　　intotheroadandtoreoffatafuriouspaceinthedirectionof
　　Chesterfield。
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofthat，Watson？“Holmeswhispered。
　　“Itlookslikeaflight。”
　　“Asinglemaninadog-cart，sofarasIcouldsee。Well，it
　　certainlywasnotMr。JamesWilder，forthereheisatthedoor。”
　　Aredsquareoflighthadsprungoutofthedarkness。Inthe
　　middleofitwastheblackfigureofthesecretary，hisheadadvanced，
　　peeringoutintothenight。Itwasevidentthathewasexpecting
　　someone。Thenatlasttherewerestepsintheroad，asecondfigure
　　wasvisibleforaninstantagainstthelight，thedoorshut，andall
　　wasblackoncemore。Fiveminuteslateralampwaslitinaroom
　　uponthefirstfloor。
　　“Itseemstobeacuriousclassofcustomthatisdonebythe
　　FightingCock，“saidHolmes。
　　“Thebarisontheotherside。”
　　“Quiteso。Thesearewhatonemaycalltheprivateguests。Now，what
　　intheworldisMr。JamesWilderdoinginthatdenatthishourof
　　night，andwhoisthecompanionwhocomestomeethimthere？Come，
　　Watson，wemustreallytakeariskandtrytoinvestigatethisa
　　littlemoreclosely。”
　　Togetherwestoledowntotheroadandcreptacrosstothedoorof
　　theinn。Thebicyclestillleanedagainstthewall。Holmesstrucka
　　matchandheldittothebackwheel，andIheardhimchuckleasthe
　　lightfelluponapatchedDunloptyre。Upaboveuswasthelighted
　　window。
　　“Imusthaveapeepthroughthat，Watson。Ifyoubendyourback
　　andsupportyourselfuponthewall，IthinkthatIcanmanage。”
　　Aninstantlater，hisfeetwereonmyshoulders，buthewashardly
　　upbeforehewasdownagain。
　　“Come，myfriend，“saidhe，“ourday”sworkhasbeenquitelong
　　enough。Ithinkthatwehavegatheredallthatwecan。It”salong
　　walktotheschool，andthesoonerwegetstartedthebetter。”
　　Hehardlyopenedhislipsduringthatwearytrudgeacrossthe
　　moor，norwouldheentertheschoolwhenhereachedit，butwentonto
　　MackletonStation，whencehecouldsendsometelegrams。Lateat
　　nightIheardhimconsolingDr。Huxtable，prostratedbythetragedyof
　　hismaster”sdeath，andlaterstillheenteredmyroomasalertand
　　vigorousashehadbeenwhenhestartedinthemorning。“Allgoes
　　well，myfriend，“saidhe。“Ipromisethatbeforeto-morroweveningwe
　　shallhavereachedthesolutionofthemystery。”
　　Ateleveno”clocknextmorningmyfriendandIwerewalkingupthe
　　famousyewavenueofHoldernesseHall。Wewereusheredthroughthe
　　magnificentElizabethandoorwayandintohisGrace”sstudy。Therewe
　　foundMr。JamesWilder，demureandcourtly，butwithsometraceof
　　thatwildterrorofthenightbeforestilllurkinginhisfurtiveeyes
　　andinhistwitchingfeatures。
　　“YouhavecometoseehisGrace？Iamsorry，butthefactisthat
　　theDukeisfarfromwell。Hehasbeenverymuchupsetbythetragic
　　news。WereceivedatelegramfromDr。Huxtableyesterdayafternoon，
　　whichtoldusofyourdiscovery。”
　　“ImustseetheDuke，Mr。Wilder。”
　　“Butheisinhisroom。”
　　“ThenImustgotohisroom。”
　　“Ibelieveheisinhisbed。”
　　“Iwillseehimthere。”
　　Holmes”scoldandinexorablemannershowedthesecretarythatitwas
　　uselesstoarguewithhim。
　　“Verygood，Mr。Holmes，Iwilltellhimthatyouarehere。”
　　Afteranhour”sdelay，thegreatnoblemanappeared。Hisfacewas
　　morecadaverousthanever，hisshouldershadrounded，andheseemedto
　　metobeanaltogetheroldermanthanhehadbeenthemorning
　　before。Hegreeteduswithastatelycourtesyandseatedhimselfat
　　hisdesk，hisredbeardstreamingdownonthetable。
　　“Well，Mr。Holmes？“saidhe。
　　Butmyfriend”seyeswerefixeduponthesecretary，whostoodbyhis
　　master”schair。
　　“Ithink，yourGrace，thatIcouldspeakmorefreelyinMr。Wilder”s
　　absence。”
　　ThemanturnedashadepalerandcastamalignantglanceatHolmes。
　　“IfyourGracewishes-“
　　“Yes，yes，youhadbettergo。Now，Mr。Holmes，whathaveyouto
　　say？“
　　Myfriendwaiteduntilthedoorhadclosedbehindtheretreating
　　secretary。
　　“Thefactis，yourGrace，“saidhe，“thatmycolleague，Dr。
　　Watson，andmyselfhadanassurancefromDr。Huxtablethatareward
　　hadbeenofferedinthiscase。Ishouldliketohavethisconfirmed
　　fromyourownlips。”
　　“Certainly，Mr。Holmes。”
　　“Itamounted，ifIamcorrectlyinformed，tofivethousandpoundsto
　　anyonewhowilltellyouwhereyoursonis？“
　　“Exactly。”
　　“Andanotherthousandtothemanwhowillnamethepersonorpersons
　　whokeephimincustody？“
　　“Exactly。”
　　“Underthelatterheadingisincluded，nodoubt，notonlythose
　　whomayhavetakenhimaway，butalsothosewhoconspiretokeephim
　　inhispresentposition？“
　　“Yes，yes，“criedtheDuke，impatiently。“Ifyoudoyourwork
　　well，Mr。SherlockHolmes，youwillhavenoreasontocomplainof
　　niggardlytreatment。”
　　Myfriendrubbedhisthinhandstogetherwithanappearanceof
　　aviditywhichwasasurprisetome，whoknewhisfrugaltastes。
　　“IfancythatIseeyourGrace”scheck-bookuponthetable，“said
　　he。“Ishouldbegladifyouwouldmakemeoutacheckforsix
　　thousandpounds。Itwouldbeaswell，perhaps，foryoutocrossit。
　　TheCapitalandCountiesBank，OxfordStreetbrancharemyagents。”
　　HisGracesatverysternanduprightinhischairandlookedstonily
　　atmyfriend。
　　“Isthisajoke，Mr。Holmes？Itishardlyasubjectforpleasantry。”
　　“Notatall，yourGrace。Iwasnevermoreearnestinmylife。”
　　“Whatdoyoumean，then？“
　　“ImeanthatIhaveearnedthereward。Iknowwhereyoursonis，and
　　Iknowsome，atleast，ofthosewhoareholdinghim。”
　　TheDuke”sbeardhadturnedmoreaggressivelyredthanever
　　againsthisghastlywhiteface。
　　“Whereishe？“hegasped。
　　“Heis，orwaslastnight，attheFightingCockInn，abouttwomiles
　　fromyourparkgate。”
　　TheDukefellbackinhischair。
　　“Andwhomdoyouaccuse？“
　　SherlockHolmes”sanswerwasanastoundingone。Hesteppedswiftly
　　forwardandtouchedtheDukeupontheshoulder。
　　“Iaccuseyou，“saidhe。“Andnow，yourGrace，I”lltroubleyou
　　forthatcheck。”
　　NevershallIforgettheDuke”sappearanceashesprangupand
　　clawedwithhishands，likeonewhoissinkingintoanabyss。Then，
　　withanextraordinaryeffortofaristocraticself-command，hesatdown
　　andsankhisfaceinhishands。Itsomeminutesbeforehespoke。
　　“Howmuchdoyouknow？“heaskedatlast，withoutraisinghishead。
　　“Isawyoutogetherlastnight。”
　　“Doesanyoneelsebesideyourfriendknow？“
　　“Ihavespokentonoone。”
　　TheDuketookapeninhisquiveringfingersandopenedhis
　　check-book。
　　“Ishallbeasgoodasmyword，Mr。Holmes。Iamabouttowriteyour
　　check，howeverunwelcometheinformationwhichyouhavegainedmay
　　betome。Whentheofferwasfirstmade，Ilittlethoughttheturn
　　whicheventsmighttake。Butyouandyourfriendaremenof
　　discretion，Mr。Holmes？“
　　“IhardlyunderstandyourGrace。”
　　“Imustputitplainly，Mr。Holmes。Ifonlyyoutwoknowofthis
　　incident，thereisnoreasonwhyitshouldgoanyfarther。Ithink
　　twelvethousandpoundsisthesumthatIoweyou，isitnot？“
　　ButHolmessmiledandshookhishead。
　　“Ifear，yourGrace，thatmatterscanhardlybearrangedso
　　easily。Thereisthedeathofthisschoolmastertobeaccountedfor。”
　　“ButJamesknewnothingofthat。Youcannotholdhimresponsiblefor
　　that。Itwastheworkofthisbrutalruffianwhomhehadthe
　　misfortunetoemploy。”
　　“Imusttaketheview，yourGrace，thatwhenamanembarksupona
　　crime，heismorallyguiltyofanyothercrimewhichmayspringfrom
　　it。”
　　“Morally，Mr。Holmes。Nodoubtyouareright。Butsurelynotin
　　theeyesofthelaw。Amancannotbecondemnedforamurderatwhich
　　hewasnotpresent，andwhichheloathesandabhorsasmuchasyoudo。
　　Theinstantthatheheardofithemadeacompleteconfessiontome，
　　sofilledwashewithhorrorandremorse。Helostnotanhourin
　　breakingentirelywiththemurderer。Oh，Mr。Holmes，youmustsave
　　him-youmustsavehim！Itellyouthatyoumustsavehim！“TheDuke
　　haddroppedthelastattemptatself-command，andwaspacingthe
　　roomwithaconvulsedfaceandwithhisclenchedhandsravinginthe
　　air。Atlasthemasteredhimselfandsatdownoncemoreathisdesk。
　　“Iappreciateyourconductincomingherebeforeyouspoketoanyone
　　else，“saidhe。“Atleast，wemaytakecounselhowfarwecanminimize
　　thishideousscandal。”
　　“Exactly，“saidHolmes。“Ithink，yourGrace，thatthiscanonly
　　bedonebyabsolutefranknessbetweenus。Iamdisposedtohelpyour
　　Gracetothebestofmyability，but，inordertodoso，Imust
　　understandtothelastdetailhowthematterstands。Irealizethat
　　yourwordsappliedtoMr。JamesWilder，andthatheisnotthe
　　murderer。”
　　“No，themurdererhasescaped。”
　　SherlockHolmessmileddemurely。
　　“YourGracecanhardlyhaveheardofanysmallreputationwhichI
　　possess，oryouwouldnotimaginethatitissoeasytoescapeme。Mr。
　　ReubenHayeswasarrestedatChesterfield，onmyinformation，at
　　eleveno”clocklastnight。Ihadatelegramfromtheheadofthelocal
　　policebeforeIlefttheschoolthismorning。”
　　TheDukeleanedbackinhischairandstaredwithamazementatmy
　　friend。
　　“Youseemtohavepowersthatarehardlyhuman，“saidhe。“SoReuben
　　Hayesistaken？Iamrightgladtohearit，ifitwillnotreact
　　uponthefateofJames。”
　　“Yoursecretary？“
　　“No，sir，myson。”
　　ItwasHolmes”sturntolookastonished。
　　“Iconfessthatthisisentirelynewtome，yourGrace。Imustbeg
　　youtobemoreexplicit。”
　　“Iwillconcealnothingfromyou。Iagreewithyouthatcomplete
　　frankness，howeverpainfulitmaybetome，isthebestpolicyinthis
　　desperatesituationtowhichJames”sfollyandjealousyhavereduced
　　us。WhenIwasaveryyoungman，Mr。Holmes，Ilovedwithsucha
　　loveascomesonlyonceinalifetime。Iofferedtheladymarriage，
　　butsherefuseditonthegroundsthatsuchamatchmightmarmy
　　career。Hadshelived，Iwouldcertainlyneverhavemarriedanyone
　　else。Shedied，andleftthisonechild，whomforhersakeIhave
　　cherishedandcaredfor。Icouldnotacknowledgethepaternityto
　　theworld，butIgavehimthebestofeducations，andsincehecameto
　　manhoodIhavekepthimnearmyperson。Hesurprisedmysecret，and
　　haspresumedeversinceupontheclaimwhichhehasuponme，and
　　uponhispowerofprovokingascandalwhichwouldbeabhorrentto
　　me。Hispresencehadsomethingtodowiththeunhappyissueofmy
　　marriage。Aboveall，hehatedmyyounglegitimateheirfromthe
　　firstwithapersistenthatred。Youmaywellaskmewhy，underthese
　　circumstances，IstillkeptJamesundermyroof。Ianswerthatit
　　wasbecauseIcouldseehismother”sfaceinhis，andthatforher
　　dearsaketherewasnoendtomylong-suffering。Allherprettyways
　　too-therewasnotoneofthemwhichhecouldnotsuggestandbring
　　backtomymemory。Icouldnotsendhimaway。ButIfearedsomuch
　　lestheshoulddoArthur-thatis，LordSaltire-amischief，thatI
　　dispatchedhimforsafetytoDr。Huxtable”sschool。
　　“JamescameintocontactwiththisfellowHayes，becausethemanwas
　　atenantofmine，andJamesactedasagent。Thefellowwasarascal
　　fromthebeginning，but，insomeextraordinaryway，Jamesbecame
　　intimatewithhim。Hehadalwaysatasteforlowcompany。WhenJames
　　determinedtokidnapLordSaltire，itwasofthisman”sservicethat
　　heavailedhimself。YourememberthatIwrotetoArthuruponthatlast
　　day。Well，JamesopenedtheletterandinsertedanoteaskingArthur
　　tomeethiminalittlewoodcalledtheRaggedShaw，whichisnear
　　totheschool。HeusedtheDuchess”sname，andinthatwaygottheboy
　　tocome。ThateveningJamesbicycledover-Iamtellingyouwhathe
　　hashimselfconfessedtome-andhetoldArthur，whomhemetinthe
　　wood，thathismotherlongedtoseehim，thatshewasawaitinghim
　　onthemoor，andthatifhewouldcomebackintothewoodat
　　midnighthewouldfindamanwithahorse，whowouldtakehimto
　　her。PoorArthurfellintothetrap。Hecametotheappointment，and
　　foundthisfellowHayeswithaledpony。Arthurmounted，andthey
　　setofftogether。Itappears-thoughthisJamesonlyheard
　　yesterday-thattheywerepursued，thatHayesstruckthepursuer
　　withhisstick，andthatthemandiedofhisinjuries。Hayesbrought
　　Arthurtohispublic-house，theFightingCock，wherehewasconfined
　　inanupperroom，underthecareofMrs。Hayes，whoisakindlywoman，
　　butentirelyunderthecontrolofherbrutalhusband。
　　“Well，Mr。Holmes，thatwasthestateofaffairswhenIfirstsaw
　　youtwodaysago。Ihadnomoreideaofthetruththanyou。Youwill
　　askmewhatwasJames”smotiveindoingsuchadeed。Ianswerthat
　　therewasagreatdealwhichwasunreasoningandfanaticalinthe
　　hatredwhichheboremyheir。Inhisviewheshouldhimselfhave
　　beenheirofallmyestates，andhedeeplyresentedthosesocial
　　lawswhichmadeitimpossible。Atthesametime，hehadadefinite
　　motivealso。HewaseagerthatIshouldbreaktheentail，andhewas
　　ofopinionthatitlayinmypowertodoso。Heintendedtomakea
　　bargainwithme-torestoreArthurifIwouldbreaktheentail，andso
　　makeitpossiblefortheestatetobelefttohimbywill。Heknew
　　wellthatIshouldneverwillinglyinvoketheaidofthepolice
　　againsthim。Isaythathewouldhaveproposedsuchabargaintome，
　　buthedidnotactuallydoso，foreventsmovedtooquicklyfor，
　　him，andhehadnottimetoputhisplansintopractice。
　　“Whatbroughtallhiswickedschemetowreckwasyourdiscoveryof
　　thismanHeidegger”sdeadbody。Jameswasseizedwithhorroratthe
　　news。Itcametousyesterday，aswesattogetherinthisstudy。Dr。
　　Huxtablehadsentatelegram。Jameswassooverwhelmedwithgrief
　　andagitationthatmysuspicions，whichhadneverbeenentirelyabsent
　　roseinstantlytoacertainty，andItaxedhimwiththedeed。He
　　madeacompletevoluntaryconfession。Thenheimploredmetokeep
　　hissecretforthreedayslonger，soastogivehiswretched
　　accompliceachanceofsavinghisguiltylife。Iyielded-asIhave
　　alwaysyielded-tohisprayers，andinstantlyJameshurriedofftothe
　　FightingCocktowarnHayesandgivehimthemeansofflight。I
　　couldnotgotherebydaylightwithoutprovokingcomment，butas
　　soonasnightfellIhurriedofftoseemydearArthur。Ifoundhim
　　safeandwell，buthorrifiedbeyondexpressionbythedreadfuldeedhe
　　hadwitnessed。Indeferencetomypromise，andmuchagainstmywill，I
　　consentedtoleavehimthereforthreedays，underthechargeof
　　Mrs。Hayes，sinceitwasevidentthatitwasimpossibletoinform
　　thepolicewherehewaswithouttellingthemalsowhowasthe
　　murderer，andIcouldnotseehowthatmurderercouldbepunished
　　withoutruintomyunfortunateJames。Youaskedforfrankness，Mr。
　　Holmes，andIhavetakenyouatyourword，forIhavenowtoldyou
　　everythingwithoutanattemptatcircumlocutionorconcealment。Doyou
　　inturnbeasfrankwithme。”
　　“Iwill，“saidHolmes。“Inthefirstplace，yourGrace，Iambound
　　totellyouthatyouhaveplacedyourselfinamostseriousposition
　　intheeyesofthelaw。Youhavecondonedafelony，andyouhaveaided
　　theescapeofamurderer，forIcannotdoubtthatanymoneywhich
　　wastakenbyJamesWildertoaidhisaccompliceinhisflightcame
　　fromyourGrace”spurse。”
　　TheDukebowedhisassent。
　　“Thisis，indeed，amostseriousmatter。Evenmoreculpableinmy
　　opinion，yourGrace，isyourattitudetowardsyouryoungerson。You
　　leavehiminthisdenforthreedays。”
　　“Undersolemnpromises-“
　　“Whatarepromisestosuchpeopleasthese？Youhavenoguarantee
　　thathewillnotbespiritedawayagain。Tohumouryourguiltyelder
　　son，youhaveexposedyourinnocentyoungersontoimminentand
　　unnecessarydanger。Itwasamostunjustifiableaction。”
　　TheproudlordofHoldernessewasnotaccustomedtobesoratedin
　　hisownducalhall。Thebloodflushedintohishighforehead，but
　　hisconscienceheldhimdumb。
　　“Iwillhelpyou，butononeconditiononly。Itisthatyouringfor
　　thefootmanandletmegivesuchordersasIlike。”
　　Withoutaword，theDukepressedtheelectricbell。Aservant
　　entered。
　　“Youwillbegladtohear，“saidHolmes，“thatyouryoungmaster
　　isfound。ItistheDuke”sdesirethatthecarriageshallgoatonce
　　totheFightingCockInntobringLordSaltirehome。
　　“Now，“saidHolmes，whentherejoicinglackeyhaddisappeared，
　　“havingsecuredthefuture，wecanaffordtobemorelenientwith
　　thepast。Iamnotinanofficialposition，andthereisnoreason，so
　　longastheendsofjusticeareserved，whyIshoulddiscloseallthat
　　Iknow。AstoHayes，Isaynothing。Thegallowsawaitshim，andI
　　woulddonothingtosavehimfromit。WhathewilldivulgeIcannot
　　tell，butIhavenodoubtthatyourGracecouldmakehimunderstand
　　thatitistohisinteresttobesilent。Fromthepolicepointofview
　　hewillhavekidnappedtheboyforthepurposeofransom。Iftheydo
　　notthemselvesfinditout，IseenoreasonwhyIshouldpromptthem
　　totakeabroaderpointofview。IwouldwarnyourGrace，however，
　　thatthecontinuedpresenceofMr。JamesWilderinyourhousehold
　　canonlyleadtomisfortune。”
　　“Iunderstandthat，Mr。Holmes，anditisalreadysettledthathe
　　shallleavemeforever，andgotoseekhisfortuneinAustralia。”
　　“Inthatcase，yourGrace，sinceyouhaveyourselfstatedthatany
　　unhappinessinyourmarriedlifewascausedbyhispresenceIwould
　　suggestthatyoumakesuchamendsasyoucantotheDuchess，and
　　thatyoutrytoresumethoserelationswhichhavebeensounhappily
　　interrupted。”
　　“ThatalsoIhavearranged，Mr。Holmes。IwrotetotheDuchess
　　thismorning。”
　　“Inthatcase，“saidHolmes，rising，“IthinkthatmyfriendandI
　　cancongratulateourselvesuponseveralmosthappyresultsfromour
　　littlevisittotheNorth。ThereisoneothersmallpointuponwhichI
　　desiresomelight。ThisfellowHayeshadshodhishorseswithshoes
　　whichcounterfeitedthetracksofcows。WasitfromMr。Wilderthathe
　　learnedsoextraordinaryadevice？“
　　TheDukestoodinthoughtforamoment，withalookofintense
　　surpriseonhisface。Thenheopenedadoorandshowedusintoalarge
　　roomfurnishedasamuseum。Heledthewaytoaglasscaseina
　　corner，andpointedtotheinscription。
　　“Theseshoes，“itran，“weredugupinthemoatofHoldernesseHall。
　　Theyarefortheuseofhorses，buttheyareshapedbelowwitha
　　clovenfootofiron，soastothrowpursuersoffthetrack。Theyare
　　supposedtohavebelongedtosomeofthemaraudingBaronsof
　　HoldernesseintheMiddleAges。”
　　Holmesopenedthecase，andmoisteninghisfingerhepasseditalong
　　theshoe。Athinfilmofrecentmudwasleftuponhisskin。
　　“Thankyou，“saidhe，ashereplacedtheglass。“Itisthesecond
　　mostinterestingobjectthatIhaveseenintheNorth。”
　　“Andthefirst？“
　　Holmesfoldeduphischeckandplaceditcarefullyinhis
　　notebook。“Iamapoorman，“saidhe，ashepattedit
　　affectionately，andthrustitintothedepthsofhisinnerpocket-
　　THEEND。
　　1911
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHEREDCIRCLE
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　“Well，Mrs。Warren，Icannotseethatyouhaveanyparticular
　　causeforuneasiness，nordoIunderstandwhyI，whosetimeisofsome
　　value，shouldinterfereinthematter。Ireallyhaveotherthingsto
　　engageme。”SospokeSherlockHolmesandturnedbacktothegreat
　　scrapbookinwhichhewasarrangingandindexingsomeofhisrecent
　　material。
　　Butthelandladyhadthepertinacityandalsothecunningofher
　　sex。Sheheldhergroundfirmly。
　　“Youarrangedanaffairforalodgerofminelastyear，“shesaid-
　　“Mr。FairdaleHobbs。”
　　“Ah，yes-asimplematter。”
　　“Buthewouldneverceasetalkingofit-yourkindness，sir，andthe
　　wayinwhichyoubroughtlightintothedarkness。Irememberedhis
　　wordswhenIwasindoubtanddarknessmyself。Iknowyoucouldifyou
　　onlywould。”
　　Holmeswasaccessibleuponthesideofflattery，andalso，todohim
　　justice，uponthesideofkindliness。Thetwoforcesmadehimlaydown
　　hisgum-brushwithasighofresignationandpushbackhischair。
　　“Well，well，Mrs。Warren，letushearaboutitthen。Youdon”t
　　objecttotobacco，Itakeit？Thankyou，Watson-thematches！You
　　areuneasy，asIunderstand，becauseyournewlodgerremainsinhis
　　roomsandyoucannotseehim。Why，blessyou，Mrs。Warren，ifIwere
　　yourlodgeryouoftenwouldnotseemeforweeksonend。”
　　“Nodoubt，sir，butthisisdifferent。Itfrightensme，Mr。
　　Holmes。Ican”tsleepforfright。Tohearhisquickstepmovinghere
　　andmovingtherefromearlymorningtolateatnight，andyetneverto
　　catchsomuchasaglimpseofhim-it”smorethanIcanstand。My
　　husbandisasnervousoveritasIam，butheisoutathisworkall
　　day，whileIgetnorestfromit。Whatishehidingfor？Whathashe
　　done？Exceptforthegirl，Iamallaloneinthehousewithhim，and
　　it”smorethanmynervescanstand。”
　　Holmesleanedforwardandlaidhislong，thinfingersuponthe
　　woman”sshoulder。Hehadanalmosthypnoticpowerofsoothingwhen
　　hewished。Thescaredlookfadedfromhereyes，andheragitated
　　featuressmoothedintotheirusualcommonplace。Shesatdowninthe
　　chairwhichhehadindicated。
　　“IfItakeitupImustunderstandeverydetail，“saidhe。“Take
　　timetoconsider。Thesmallestpointmaybethemostessential。You
　　saythatthemancametendaysagoandpaidyouforafortnight”s
　　boardandlodging？“
　　“Heaskedmyterms，sir。Isaidfiftyshillingsaweek。Thereisa
　　smallsittingroomandbedroom，andallcomplete，atthetopofthe
　　house。”
　　“Well？“
　　“Hesaid，”I”llpayyoufivepoundsaweekifIcanhaveitonmy
　　ownterms。”I”mapoorwoman，sir，andMr。Warrenearnslittle，and
　　themoneymeantmuchtome。Hetookoutaten-poundnote，andhe
　　helditouttomethenandthere。”Youcanhavethesameevery
　　fortnightforalongtimetocomeifyoukeeptheterms”hesaid。”If
　　not，I”llhavenomoretodowithyou。”“
　　“Whatweretheterms？“
　　“Well，sir，theywerethathewastohaveakeyofthehouse。That
　　wasallright。Lodgersoftenhavethem。Also，thathewastobeleft
　　entirelytohimselfandnever，uponanyexcuse，tobedisturbed。”
　　“Nothingwonderfulinthat，surely？“
　　“Notinreason，sir。Butthisisoutofallreason。Hehasbeen
　　therefortendays，andneitherMr。Warren，norI，northegirlhas
　　onceseteyesuponhim。Wecanhearthatquickstepofhispacingup
　　anddown，upanddown，night，morning，andnoon；butexceptonthat
　　firstnighthehasneveroncegoneoutofthehouse。”
　　“Oh，hewentoutthefirstnight，didhe？“
　　“Yes，sir，andreturnedverylate-afterwewereallinbed。Hetold
　　meafterhehadtakentheroomsthathewoulddosoandaskedmenot
　　tobarthedoor。Iheardhimcomeupthestairaftermidnight。”
　　“Buthismeals？“
　　“Itwashisparticulardirectionthatweshouldalways，whenhe
　　rang，leavehismealuponachair，outsidehisdoor。Thenherings
　　againwhenhehasfinished，andwetakeitdownfromthesamechair。
　　Ifhewantsanythingelseheprintsitonaslipofpaperandleaves
　　it。”
　　“Printsit？“
　　“Yes，sir，printsitinpencil。justtheword，nothingmore。
　　Here”soneIbroughttoshowyou-SOAP。Here”sanother-MATCH。Thisis
　　oneheleftthefirstmorning-DAILYGAZETTE。Ileavethatpaper
　　withhisbreakfasteverymorning。”
　　“Dearme，Watson，“saidHolmes，staringwithgreatcuriosityat
　　theslipsoffoolscapwhichthelandladyhadhandedtohim，“thisis
　　certainlyalittleunusual。SeclusionIcanunderstand；butwhyprint？
　　Printingisaclumsyprocess。Whynotwrite？Whatwoulditsuggest
　　Watson？“
　　“Thathedesiredtoconcealhishandwriting。”
　　“Butwhy？Whatcanitmattertohimthathislandladyshouldhave
　　awordofhiswriting？Still，itmaybeasyousay。Then，again，why
　　suchlaconicmessages？“
　　“Icannotimagine。”
　　“Itopensapleasingfieldforintelligentspeculation。Thewords
　　arewrittenwithabroad-pointed，violet-tintedpencilofanot
　　unusualpattern。Youwillobservethatthepaperistornawayatthe
　　sidehereaftertheprintingwasdone，sothatthe”S”of”SOAP”is
　　partlygone。Suggestive，Watson，isitnot？“
　　“Ofcaution？“
　　“Exactly。Therewasevidentlysomemark，somethumbprint，
　　somethingwhichmightgiveacluetotheperson”sidentity。Now，
　　Mrs。Warren，yousaythatthemanwasofmiddlesize，dark，and
　　bearded。Whatagewouldhebe？“
　　“Youngish，sir-notoverthirty。”
　　“Well，canyougivemenofurtherindications？“
　　“HespokegoodEnglish，sir，andyetIthoughthewasaforeignerby
　　hisaccent。”
　　“Andhewaswelldressed？“
　　“Verysmartlydressed，sir-quitethegentleman。Darkclothes-
　　nothingyouwouldnote。”
　　“Hegavenoname？“
　　“No，sir。”
　　“Andhashadnolettersorcallers？“
　　“None。”
　　“Butsurelyyouorthegirlenterhisroomofamorning？“
　　“No，sir；helooksafterhimselfentirely。”
　　“Dearme！thatiscertainlyremarkable。Whatabouthisluggage？“
　　“Hehadonebigbrownbagwithhim-nothingelse。”
　　“Well，wedon”tseemtohavemuchmaterialtohelpus。Doyousay
　　nothinghascomeoutofthatroom-absolutelynothing？“
　　Thelandladydrewanenvelopefromherbag，fromitsheshookout
　　twoburntmatchesandacigarette-enduponthetable。
　　“Theywereonhistraythismorning。IbroughtthembecauseIhad
　　heardthatyoucanreadgreatthingsoutofsmallones。”
　　Holmesshruggedhisshoulders。
　　“Thereisnothinghere，“saidhe。“Thematcheshave，ofcourse，been
　　usedtolightcigarettes。Thatisobviousfromtheshortnessofthe
　　burntend。Halfthematchisconsumedinlightingapipeorcigar。But
　　dearme！thiscigarettestubiscertainlyremarkable。Thegentleman
　　wasbeardedandmoustached，yousay？“
　　“Yes，sir。”
　　“Idon”tunderstandthat。Ishouldsaythatonlyaclean-shaven
　　mancouldhavesmokedthis。Why，Watson，evenyourmodestmoustache
　　wouldhavebeensinged。”
　　“Aholder？“Isuggested。
　　“No，no；theendismatted。Isupposetherecouldnotbetwo
　　peopleinyourrooms，Mrs。Warren？“
　　“No，sir。HeeatssolittlethatIoftenwonderitcankeeplife
　　inone。”
　　“Well，Ithinkwemustwaitforalittlemorematerial。Afterall，
　　youhavenothingtocomplainof。Youhavereceivedyourrentandheis
　　notatroublesomelodger，thoughheiscertainlyanunusualone。He
　　paysyouwell。andifhechosestolieconcealeditisnodirect
　　businessofyours。Wehavenoexcuseforanintrusionuponhisprivacy
　　untilwehavesomereasontothinkthatthereisaguiltyreasonfor
　　it。I”vetakenupthematter，andIwon”tlosesightofit。Report
　　tomeifanythingfreshoccurs，andrelyuponmyassistanceifit
　　shouldbeneeded。
　　“Therearecertainlysomepointsofinterestinthiscase，
　　Watson，“heremarkedwhenthelandladyhadleftus。“Itmay，of
　　course，betrivial-individualeccentricity；oritmaybeverymuch
　　deeperthanappearsonthesurface。Thefirstthingthatstrikesone
　　istheobviouspossibilitythatthepersonnowintheroomsmaybe
　　entirelydifferentfromtheonewhoengagedthem。”
　　“Whyshouldyouthinkso？“
　　“Well，apartfromthiscigarette-end，wasitnotsuggestivethatthe
　　onlytimethelodgerwentoutwasimmediatelyafterhistakingthe
　　rooms？Hecameback-orsomeonecameback-whenallwitnesseswereout
　　oftheway。Wehavenoproofthatthepersonwhocamebackwasthe
　　personwhowentout。Then，again，themanwhotooktheroomsspoke
　　Englishwell。Thisother，however，prints”match”whenitshould
　　havebeen”matches。”Icanimaginethatthewordwastakenoutofa
　　dictionary，whichwouldgivethenounbutnottheplural。The
　　laconicstylemaybetoconcealtheabsenceofknowledgeofEnglish。
　　Yes，Watson，therearegoodreasonstosuspectthattherehasbeena
　　substitutionoflodgers。”
　　“Butforwhatpossibleend？“
　　“Ah！thereliesourproblem。Thereisoneratherobviouslineof
　　investigation。”Hetookdownthegreatbookinwhich，daybyday，he
　　filedtheagonycolumnsofthevariousLondonjournals。“Dearme！“
　　saidhe，turningoverthepages，“whatachorusofgroans，cries，
　　andbleatings！Whatarag-bagofsingularhappenings！Butsurelythe
　　mostvaluablehunting-groundthateverwasgiventoastudentofthe
　　unusual！Thispersonisaloneandcannotbeapproachedbyletter
　　withoutabreachofthatabsolutesecrecywhichisdesired。Howisany
　　newsoranymessagetoreachhimfromwithout？Obviouslyby
　　advertisementthroughanewspaper。Thereseemsnootherway，and
　　fortunatelyweneedconcernourselveswiththeonepaperonly。Here
　　aretheDailyGazetteextractsofthelastfortnight。”Ladywitha
　　blackboaatPrince”sSkatingClub”-thatwemaypass。”SurelyJimmy
　　willnotbreakhismother”sheart”-thatappearstobeirrelevant。”If
　　theladywhofaintedintheBrixtonbus”-shedoesnotinterestme。”Everydaymyheartlongs-”Bleat，Watson-unmitigatedbleat！Ah，this
　　isalittlemorepossible。Listentothis：”Bepatient。Willfindsome
　　suremeansofcommunication。Meanwhile，thiscolumn。G。”Thatistwo
　　daysafterMrs。Warren”slodgerarrived。Itsoundsplausible，does
　　itnot？ThemysteriousonecouldunderstandEnglish，evenifhe
　　couldnotprintit。Letusseeifwecanpickupthetraceagain。Yes，
　　hereweare-threedayslater。”Ammakingsuccessfularrangements。
　　Patienceandprudence。Thecloudswillpass。G。”Nothingforaweek
　　afterthat。Thencomessomethingmuchmoredefinite：”Thepathis
　　clearing。IfIfindchancesignalmessageremembercodeagreed-oneA，
　　twoB，andsoon。Youwillhearsoon。G。”Thatwasinyesterday”s
　　paper，andthereisnothinginto-day”s。It”sallveryappropriate
　　toMrs。Warren”slodger。Ifwewaitalittle，Watson，Idon”tdoubt
　　thattheaffairwillgrowmoreintelligible。”
　　Soitproved；forinthemorningIfoundmyfriendstandingonthe
　　hearthrugwithhisbacktothefireandasmileofcomplete
　　satisfactionuponhisface。
　　“How”sthis，Watson？“hecried，pickingupthepaperfromthetable。”Highredhousewithwhitestonefacings。Thirdfloor。Secondwindow
　　left。Afterdusk。G。”Thatisdefiniteenough。Ithinkafterbreakfast
　　wemustmakealittlereconnaissanceofMrs。Warren”sneighbourhood。
　　Ah，Mrs。Warren！whatnewsdoyoubringusthismorning？“
　　Ourclienthadsuddenlyburstintotheroomwithanexplosiveenergy
　　whichtoldofsomenewandmomentousdevelopment。
　　“It”sapolicematter，Mr。Holmes“shecried。“I”llhavenomore
　　ofit。Heshallpackoutoftherewithhisbaggage。Iwouldhave
　　gonestraightupandtoldhimso，onlyIthoughtitwasbutfairto
　　youtotakeyouropinionfirst。ButI”mattheendofmypatience，and
　　whenitcomestoknockingmyoldmanabout-“
　　“KnockingMr。Warrenabout？“
　　“Usinghimroughly，anyway。”
　　“Butwhousedhimroughly？“
　　“Ah！that”swhatwewanttoknow！Itwasthismorning，sir。Mr。
　　WarrenisatimekeeperatMortonandWaylight”s，inTottenhamCourt
　　Road。Hehastobeoutofthehousebeforeseven。Well，thismorning
　　hehadnotgonetenpacesdowntheroadwhentwomencameupbehind
　　him，threwacoatoverhishead，andbundledhimintoacabthatwas
　　besidethecurb。Theydrovehimanhour，andthenopenedthedoor
　　andshothimout。Helayintheroadwaysoshakeninhiswitsthat
　　heneversawwhatbecameofthecab。Whenhepickedhimselfuphe
　　foundhewasonHampsteadHeath；sohetookabushome，andtherehe
　　liesnowonthesofa，whileIcamestraightroundtotellyouwhathad
　　happened。”
　　“Mostinteresting，“saidHolmes。“Didheobservetheappearanceof
　　thesemen-didhehearthemtalk？“
　　“No；heiscleandazed。Hejustknowsthathewasliftedupasifby
　　magicanddroppedasifbymagic。Twoatleastwereinit，andmaybe
　　three。”
　　“Andyouconnectthisattackwithyourlodger？“
　　“Well，we”velivedtherefifteenyearsandnosuchhappeningsever
　　camebefore。I”vehadenoughofhim。Money”snoteverything。I”llhave
　　himoutofmyhousebeforethedayisdone。”
　　“Waitabit，Mrs。Warren。Donothingrash。Ibegintothinkthat
　　thisaffairmaybeverymuchmoreimportantthanappearedatfirst
　　sight。Itisclearnowthatsomedangeristhreateningyourlodger。It
　　isequallyclearthathisenemies，lyinginwaitforhimnearyour
　　door，mistookyourhusbandforhiminthefoggymorninglight。On
　　discoveringtheirmistaketheyreleasedhim。Whattheywouldhavedone
　　haditnotbeenamistake，wecanonlyconjecture。”
　　“Well，whatamItodo，Mr。Holmes？“
　　“Ihaveagreatfancytoseethislodgerofyours，Mrs。Warren。”
　　“Idon”tseehowthatistobemanaged，unlessyoubreakinthe
　　door。IalwayshearhimunlockitasIgodownthestairafterIleave
　　thetray。”
　　“Hehastotakethetrayin。Surelywecouldconcealourselvesand
　　seehimdoit。”
　　Thelandladythoughtforamoment。
　　“Well，sir，there”sthebox-roomopposite。Icouldarrangea
　　looking-glass，maybe，andifyouwerebehindthedoor-“
　　“Excellent！“saidHolmes。“Whendoeshelunch？“
　　“Aboutone，sir。”
　　“ThenDr。WatsonandIwillcomeroundintime。Forthepresent，
　　Mrs。Warren，good-bye。”
　　Athalf-pasttwelvewefoundourselvesuponthestepsofMrs。
　　Warren”shouse-ahigh，thin，yellow-brickedificeinGreatOrme
　　Street，anarrowthoroughfareatthenortheastsideoftheBritish
　　Museum。Standingasitdoesnearthecornerofthestreet，itcommands
　　aviewdownHoweStreet，withitsmorepretentioushouses。Holmes
　　pointedwithachuckletooneofthese，arowofresidentialflats，
　　whichprojectedsothattheycouldnotfailtocatchtheeye。
　　“See，Watson！“saidhe。“”Highredhousewithstonefacings。”
　　Thereisthesignalstationallright。Weknowtheplace，andwe
　　knowthecode；sosurelyourtaskshouldbesimple。There”sa”tolet”
　　cardinthatwindow。Itisevidentlyanemptyflattowhichthe
　　confederatehasaccess。Well，Mrs。Warren，whatnow？“
　　“Ihaveitallreadyforyou。Ifyouwillbothcomeupandleave
　　yourbootsbelowonthelanding，I”llputyoutherenow。”
　　Itwasanexcellenthiding-placewhichshehadarranged。The
　　mirrorwassoplacedthat，seatedinthedark，wecouldveryplainly
　　seethedooropposite。Wehadhardlysettleddowninit，andMrs。
　　Warrenleftus，whenadistanttinkleannouncedthatourmysterious
　　neighbourhadrung。Presentlythelandladyappearedwiththetray，
　　laiditdownuponachairbesidethecloseddoor，andthen，treading
　　heavily，departed。Crouchingtogetherintheangleofthedoor，we
　　keptoureyesfixeduponthemirror。Suddenly，asthelandlady”s
　　footstepsdiedaway，therewasthecreakofaturningkey，thehandle
　　revolved，andtwothinhandsdartedoutandliftedthetrayfromthe
　　chair。Aninstantlateritwashurriedlyreplaced，andIcaughta
　　glimpseofadark，beautiful，horrifiedfaceglaringatthenarrow
　　openingofthebox-room。Thenthedoorcrashedto，thekeyturnedonce
　　more，andallwassilence。Holmestwitchedmysleeve，andtogether
　　westoledownthestair。
　　“Iwillcallagainintheevening，“saidhetotheexpectant
　　landlady。“Ithink，Watson，wecandiscussthisbusinessbetterinour
　　ownquarters。”
　　“Mysurmise，asyousaw，provedtobecorrect，“saidhe，speaking
　　fromthedepthsofhiseasy-chair。“Therehasbeenasubstitutionof
　　lodgers。WhatIdidnotforeseeisthatweshouldfindawoman，andno
　　ordinarywoman，Watson。”
　　“Shesawus。”
　　“Well，shesawsomethingtoalarmher。Thatiscertain。The
　　generalsequenceofeventsisprettyclear，isitnot？Acoupleseek
　　refugeinLondonfromaveryterribleandinstantdanger。The
　　measureofthatdangeristherigouroftheirprecautions。Theman，
　　whohassomeworkwhichhemustdo，desirestoleavethewomanin
　　absolutesafetywhilehedoesit。Itisnotaneasyproblem，buthe
　　solveditinanoriginalfashion，andsoeffectivelythatherpresence
　　wasnotevenknowntotilelandladywhosuppliesherwithfood。The
　　printedmessages，asisnowevident，weretopreventhersexbeing
　　discoveredbyherwriting。Themancannotcomenearthewoman，orhe
　　willguidetheirenemiestoher。Sincehecannotcommunicatewith
　　herdirect，hehasrecoursetotheagonycolumnofapaper。Sofarall
　　isclear。”