"Itistimeforustogo。"
"CanIseeherfirst？"
"No，sheisnotconscious。Mr。SherlockHolmes，IonlyhopethatifeveragainIhaveanimportantcaseIshallhavethegoodfortunetohaveyoubymyside。"
Westoodatthewindowandwatchedthecabdriveaway。AsI
turnedbackmyeyecaughtthepelletofpaperwhichtheprisonerhadtosseduponthetable。ItwasthenotewithwhichHolmeshaddecoyedhim。
"Seeifyoucanreadit，Watson，"saidhe，withasmile。
Itcontainednoword，butthislittlelineofdancingmen：——
GRAPHIC
"IfyouusethecodewhichIhaveexplained，"saidHolmes，"youwillfindthatitsimplymeans`Comehereatonce。’Iwasconvincedthatitwasaninvitationwhichhewouldnotrefuse，sincehecouldneverimaginethatitcouldcomefromanyonebutthelady。Andso，mydearWatson，wehaveendedbyturningthedancingmentogoodwhentheyhavesooftenbeentheagentsofevil，andIthinkthatIhavefulfilledmypromiseofgivingyousomethingunusualforyournote—book。Three—fortyisourtrain，andIfancyweshouldbebackinBakerStreetfordinner。
Onlyonewordofepilogue。TheAmerican，AbeSlaney，wascondemnedtodeathatthewinterassizesatNorwich；buthispenaltywaschangedtopenalservitudeinconsiderationofmitigatingcircumstances，andthecertaintythatHiltonCubitthadfiredthefirstshot。OfMrs。HiltonCubittIonlyknowthatIhaveheardsherecoveredentirely，andthatshestillremainsawidow，devotingherwholelifetothecareofthepoorandtotheadministrationofherhusband’sestate。
IV。———TheAdventureoftheSolitaryCyclist。
FROMtheyears1894to1901inclusiveMr。SherlockHolmeswasaverybusyman。Itissafetosaythattherewasnopubliccaseofanydifficultyinwhichhewasnotconsultedduringthoseeightyears，andtherewerehundredsofprivatecases，someofthemofthemostintricateandextraordinarycharacter，inwhichheplayedaprominentpart。Manystartlingsuccessesandafewunavoidablefailuresweretheoutcomeofthislongperiodofcontinuouswork。AsIhavepreservedveryfullnotesofallthesecases，andwasmyselfpersonallyengagedinmanyofthem，itmaybeimaginedthatitisnoeasytasktoknowwhichI
shouldselecttolaybeforethepublic。Ishall，however，preservemyformerrule，andgivethepreferencetothosecaseswhichderivetheirinterestnotsomuchfromthebrutalityofthecrimeasfromtheingenuityanddramaticqualityofthesolution。ForthisreasonIwillnowlaybeforethereaderthefactsconnectedwithMissVioletSmith，thesolitarycyclistofCharlington，andthecurioussequelofourinvestigation，whichculminatedinunexpectedtragedy。Itistruethatthecircumstancesdidnotadmitofanystrikingillustrationofthosepowersforwhichmyfriendwasfamous，butthereweresomepointsaboutthecasewhichmadeitstandoutinthoselongrecordsofcrimefromwhichIgatherthematerialfortheselittlenarratives。
Onreferringtomynote—bookfortheyear1895IfindthatitwasuponSaturday，the23rdofApril，thatwefirstheardofMissVioletSmith。Hervisitwas，Iremember，extremelyunwelcometoHolmes，forhewasimmersedatthemomentinaveryabstruseandcomplicatedproblemconcerningthepeculiarpersecutiontowhichJohnVincentHarden，thewell—knowntobaccomillionaire，hadbeensubjected。Myfriend，wholovedaboveallthingsprecisionandconcentrationofthought，resentedanythingwhichdistractedhisattentionfromthematterinhand。Andyetwithoutaharshnesswhichwasforeigntohisnatureitwasimpossibletorefusetolistentothestoryoftheyoungandbeautifulwoman，tall，graceful，andqueenly，whopresentedherselfatBakerStreetlateintheeveningandimploredhisassistanceandadvice。Itwasvaintourgethathistimewasalreadyfullyoccupied，fortheyoungladyhadcomewiththedeterminationtotellherstory，anditwasevidentthatnothingshortofforcecouldgetheroutoftheroomuntilshehaddoneso。Witharesignedairandasomewhatwearysmile，Holmesbeggedthebeautifulintrudertotakeaseatandtoinformuswhatitwasthatwastroublingher。
"Atleastitcannotbeyourhealth，"saidhe，ashiskeeneyesdartedoverher；"soardentabicyclistmustbefullofenergy。"
Sheglanceddowninsurpriseatherownfeet，andIobservedtheslightrougheningofthesideofthesolecausedbythefrictionoftheedgeofthepedal。
"Yes，Ibicycleagooddeal，Mr。Holmes，andthathassomethingtodowithmyvisittoyouto—day。"
Myfriendtookthelady’sunglovedhandandexamineditwithascloseanattentionandaslittlesentimentasascientistwouldshowtoaspecimen。
"Youwillexcuseme，Iamsure。Itismybusiness，"saidhe，ashedroppedit。"Inearlyfellintotheerrorofsupposingthatyouweretypewriting。Ofcourse，itisobviousthatitismusic。Youobservethespatulatefinger—end，Watson，whichiscommontobothprofessions？Thereisaspiritualityabouttheface，however"——hegentlyturnedittowardsthelight——"whichthetypewriterdoesnotgenerate。Thisladyisamusician。"
"Yes，Mr。Holmes，Iteachmusic。"
"Inthecountry，Ipresume，fromyourcomplexion。"
"Yes，sir；nearFarnham，onthebordersofSurrey。"
"Abeautifulneighbourhoodandfullofthemostinterestingassociations。Youremember，Watson，thatitwasneartherethatwetookArchieStamford，theforger。Now，MissViolet，whathashappenedtoyounearFarnham，onthebordersofSurrey？"
Theyounglady，withgreatclearnessandcomposure，madethefollowingcuriousstatement：——
"Myfatherisdead，Mr。Holmes。HewasJamesSmith，whoconductedtheorchestraattheoldImperialTheatre。MymotherandIwereleftwithoutarelationintheworldexceptoneuncle，RalphSmith，whowenttoAfricatwenty—fiveyearsago，andwehaveneverhadawordfromhimsince。Whenfatherdiedwewereleftverypoor，butonedayweweretoldthattherewasanadvertisementintheTIMESinquiringforourwhereabouts。Youcanimaginehowexcitedwewere，forwethoughtthatsomeonehadleftusafortune。Wewentatoncetothelawyerwhosenamewasgiveninthepaper。Therewemettwogentlemen，Mr。CarruthersandMr。Woodley，whowerehomeonavisitfromSouthAfrica。
Theysaidthatmyunclewasafriendoftheirs，thathediedsomemonthsbeforeingreatpovertyinJohannesburg，andthathehadaskedthemwithhislastbreathtohuntuphisrelationsandseethattheywereinnowant。ItseemedstrangetousthatUncleRalph，whotooknonoticeofuswhenhewasalive，shouldbesocarefultolookafteruswhenhewasdead；butMr。Carruthersexplainedthatthereasonwasthatmyunclehadjustheardofthedeathofhisbrother，andsofeltresponsibleforourfate。"
"Excuseme，"saidHolmes；"whenwasthisinterview？"
"LastDecember——fourmonthsago。"
"Prayproceed。"
"Mr。Woodleyseemedtometobeamostodiousperson。
Hewasforevermakingeyesatme——acoarse，puffy—faced，red—moustachedyoungman，withhishairplastereddownoneachsideofhisforehead。Ithoughtthathewasperfectlyhateful——
andIwassurethatCyrilwouldnotwishmetoknowsuchaperson。"
"Oh，Cyrilishisname！"saidHolmes，smiling。
Theyoungladyblushedandlaughed。
"Yes，Mr。Holmes；CyrilMorton，anelectricalengineer，andwehopetobemarriedattheendofthesummer。Dearme，howDIDIgettalkingabouthim？WhatIwishedtosaywasthatMr。Woodleywasperfectlyodious，butthatMr。Carruthers，whowasamucholderman，wasmoreagreeable。Hewasadark，sallow，clean—shaven，silentperson；buthehadpolitemannersandapleasantsmile。Heinquiredhowwewereleft，andonfindingthatwewereverypoorhesuggestedthatIshouldcomeandteachmusictohisonlydaughter，agedten。IsaidthatIdidnotliketoleavemymother，onwhichhesuggestedthatIshouldgohometohereveryweek—end，andheofferedmeahundredayear，whichwascertainlysplendidpay。Soitendedbymyaccepting，andIwentdowntoChilternGrange，aboutsixmilesfromFarnham。Mr。Carrutherswasawidower，buthehadengagedalady—housekeeper，averyrespectable，elderlyperson，calledMrs。Dixon，tolookafterhisestablishment。Thechildwasadear，andeverythingpromisedwell。Mr。Carrutherswasverykindandverymusical，andwehadmostpleasanteveningstogether。Everyweek—endIwenthometomymotherintown。
"Thefirstflawinmyhappinesswasthearrivalofthered—moustachedMr。Woodley。Hecameforavisitofaweek，andoh，itseemedthreemonthstome！Hewasadreadfulperson，abullytoeveryoneelse，buttomesomethinginfinitelyworse。
Hemadeodiouslovetome，boastedofhiswealth，saidthatifImarriedhimIwouldhavethefinestdiamondsinLondon，andfinally，whenIwouldhavenothingtodowithhim，heseizedmeinhisarmsonedayafterdinner——hewashideouslystrong——
andhesworethathewouldnotletmegountilIhadkissedhim。
Mr。Carrutherscameinandtorehimofffromme，onwhichheturneduponhisownhost，knockinghimdownandcuttinghisfaceopen。Thatwastheendofhisvisit，asyoucanimagine。
Mr。Carruthersapologizedtomenextday，andassuredmethatIshouldneverbeexposedtosuchaninsultagain。IhavenotseenMr。Woodleysince。
"Andnow，Mr。Holmes，Icomeatlasttothespecialthingwhichhascausedmetoaskyouradviceto—day。YoumustknowthateverySaturdayforenoonIrideonmybicycletoFarnhamStationinordertogetthe12。22totown。TheroadfromChilternGrangeisalonelyone，andatonespotitisparticularlyso，foritliesforoveramilebetweenCharlingtonHeathupononesideandthewoodswhichlieroundCharlingtonHallupontheother。Youcouldnotfindamorelonelytractofroadanywhere，anditisquiteraretomeetsomuchasacart，orapeasant，untilyoureachthehighroadnearCrooksburyHill。TwoweeksagoIwaspassingthisplacewhenIchancedtolookbackovermyshoulder，andabouttwohundredyardsbehindmeIsawaman，alsoonabicycle。Heseemedtobeamiddle—agedman，withashort，darkbeard。IlookedbackbeforeIreachedFarnham，butthemanwasgone，soIthoughtnomoreaboutit。ButyoucanimaginehowsurprisedIwas，Mr。Holmes，whenonmyreturnontheMondayIsawthesamemanonthesamestretchofroad。
Myastonishmentwasincreasedwhentheincidentoccurredagain，exactlyasbefore，onthefollowingSaturdayandMonday。
Healwayskepthisdistanceanddidnotmolestmeinanyway，butstillitcertainlywasveryodd。ImentionedittoMr。
Carruthers，whoseemedinterestedinwhatIsaid，andtoldmethathehadorderedahorseandtrap，sothatinfutureIshouldnotpassovertheselonelyroadswithoutsomecompanion。
"Thehorseandtrapweretohavecomethisweek，butforsomereasontheywerenotdelivered，andagainIhadtocycletothestation。Thatwasthismorning。YoucanthinkthatIlookedoutwhenIcametoCharlingtonHeath，andthere，sureenough，wastheman，exactlyashehadbeenthetwoweeksbefore。
HealwayskeptsofarfrommethatIcouldnotclearlyseehisface，butitwascertainlysomeonewhomIdidnotknow。
Hewasdressedinadarksuitwithaclothcap。TheonlythingabouthisfacethatIcouldclearlyseewashisdarkbeard。
To—dayIwasnotalarmed，butIwasfilledwithcuriosity，andIdeterminedtofindoutwhohewasandwhathewanted。
Isloweddownmymachine，buthesloweddownhis。ThenIstoppedaltogether，buthestoppedalso。ThenIlaidatrapforhim。
Thereisasharpturningoftheroad，andIpedalledveryquicklyroundthis，andthenIstoppedandwaited。Iexpectedhimtoshootroundandpassmebeforehecouldstop。Butheneverappeared。ThenIwentbackandlookedroundthecorner。
Icouldseeamileofroad，buthewasnotonit。Tomakeitthemoreextraordinary，therewasnosideroadatthispointdownwhichhecouldhavegone。"
Holmeschuckledandrubbedhishands。"Thiscasecertainlypresentssomefeaturesofitsown，"saidhe。"Howmuchtimeelapsedbetweenyourturningthecornerandyourdiscoverythattheroadwasclear？"
"Twoorthreeminutes。"
"Thenhecouldnothaveretreateddowntheroad，andyousaythattherearenosideroads？"
"None。"
"Thenhecertainlytookafootpathononesideortheother。"
"ItcouldnothavebeenonthesideoftheheathorIshouldhaveseenhim。"
"SobytheprocessofexclusionwearriveatthefactthathemadehiswaytowardsCharlingtonHall，which，asIunderstand，issituatedinitsowngroundsononesideoftheroad。
Anythingelse？"
"Nothing，Mr。Holmes，savethatIwassoperplexedthatIfeltIshouldnotbehappyuntilIhadseenyouandhadyouradvice。"
Holmessatinsilenceforsomelittletime。
"Whereisthegentlemantowhomyouareengaged？"heasked，atlast。
"HeisintheMidlandElectricalCompany，atCoventry。"
"Hewouldnotpayyouasurprisevisit？"
"Oh，Mr。Holmes！AsifIshouldnotknowhim！"
"Haveyouhadanyotheradmirers？"
"SeveralbeforeIknewCyril。"
"Andsince？"
"Therewasthisdreadfulman，Woodley，ifyoucancallhimanadmirer。"
"Nooneelse？"
Ourfairclientseemedalittleconfused。
"Whowashe？"askedHolmes。
"Oh，itmaybeamerefancyofmine；butithasseemedtomesometimesthatmyemployer，Mr。Carruthers，takesagreatdealofinterestinme。Wearethrownrathertogether。Iplayhisaccompanimentsintheevening。Hehasneversaidanything。
Heisaperfectgentleman。Butagirlalwaysknows。"
"Ha！"Holmeslookedgrave。"Whatdoeshedoforaliving？"
"Heisarichman。"
"Nocarriagesorhorses？"
"Well，atleastheisfairlywell—to—do。ButhegoesintotheCitytwoorthreetimesaweek。HeisdeeplyinterestedinSouthAfricangoldshares。"
"Youwillletmeknowanyfreshdevelopment，MissSmith。Iamverybusyjustnow，butIwillfindtimetomakesomeinquiriesintoyourcase。Inthemeantimetakenostepwithoutlettingmeknow。Good—bye，andItrustthatweshallhavenothingbutgoodnewsfromyou。"
"ItispartofthesettledorderofNaturethatsuchagirlshouldhavefollowers，"saidHolmes，ashepulledathismeditativepipe，"butforchoicenotonbicyclesinlonelycountryroads。
Somesecretivelover，beyondalldoubt。Buttherearecuriousandsuggestivedetailsaboutthecase，Watson。"
"Thatheshouldappearonlyatthatpoint？"
"Exactly。OurfirsteffortmustbetofindwhoarethetenantsofCharlingtonHall。Then，again，howabouttheconnectionbetweenCarruthersandWoodley，sincetheyappeartobemenofsuchadifferenttype？HowcametheyBOTHtobesokeenuponlookingupRalphSmith’srelations？Onemorepoint。WhatsortofaMENAGEisitwhichpaysdoublethemarketpriceforagoverness，butdoesnotkeepahorsealthoughsixmilesfromthestation？Odd，Watson——veryodd！"
"Youwillgodown？"
"No，mydearfellow，YOUwillgodown。Thismaybesometriflingintrigue，andIcannotbreakmyotherimportantresearchforthesakeofit。OnMondayyouwillarriveearlyatFarnham；youwillconcealyourselfnearCharlingtonHeath；
youwillobservethesefactsforyourself，andactasyourownjudgmentadvises。Then，havinginquiredastotheoccupantsoftheHall，youwillcomebacktomeandreport。Andnow，Watson，notanotherwordofthematteruntilwehaveafewsolidstepping—stonesonwhichwemayhopetogetacrosstooursolution。"
WehadascertainedfromtheladythatshewentdownupontheMondaybythetrainwhichleavesWaterlooat9。50，soIstartedearlyandcaughtthe9。13。AtFarnhamStationIhadnodifficultyinbeingdirectedtoCharlingtonHeath。Itwasimpossibletomistakethesceneoftheyounglady’sadventure，fortheroadrunsbetweentheopenheathononesideandanoldyewhedgeupontheother，surroundingaparkwhichisstuddedwithmagnificenttrees。Therewasamaingatewayoflichen—studdedstone，eachsidepillarsurmountedbymoulderingheraldicemblems；butbesidesthiscentralcarriagedriveIobservedseveralpointswherethereweregapsinthehedgeandpathsleadingthroughthem。Thehousewasinvisiblefromtheroad，butthesurroundingsallspokeofgloomanddecay。
Theheathwascoveredwithgoldenpatchesoffloweringgorse，gleamingmagnificentlyinthelightofthebrightspringsunshine。
BehindoneoftheseclumpsItookupmyposition，soastocommandboththegatewayoftheHallandalongstretchoftheroaduponeitherside。IthadbeendesertedwhenIleftit，butnowIsawacyclistridingdownitfromtheoppositedirectiontothatinwhichIhadcome。Hewascladinadarksuit，andIsawthathehadablackbeard。OnreachingtheendoftheCharlingtongroundshesprangfromhismachineandleditthroughagapinthehedge，disappearingfrommyview。
Aquarterofanhourpassedandthenasecondcyclistappeared。
Thistimeitwastheyoungladycomingfromthestation。
IsawherlookaboutherasshecametotheCharlingtonhedge。
Aninstantlaterthemanemergedfromhishiding—place，spranguponhiscycle，andfollowedher。Inallthebroadlandscapethoseweretheonlymovingfigures，thegracefulgirlsittingverystraightuponhermachine，andthemanbehindherbendinglowoverhishandle—bar，withacuriouslyfurtivesuggestionineverymovement。Shelookedbackathimandslowedherpace。
Heslowedalso。Shestopped。Heatoncestoppedtoo，keepingtwohundredyardsbehindher。Hernextmovementwasasunexpectedasitwasspirited。Shesuddenlywhiskedherwheelsroundanddashedstraightathim！Hewasasquickasshe，however，anddartedoffindesperateflight。Presentlyshecamebackuptheroadagain，herheadhaughtilyintheair，notdeigningtotakeanyfurthernoticeofhersilentattendant。Hehadturnedalso，andstillkepthisdistanceuntilthecurveoftheroadhidthemfrommysight。
Iremainedinmyhiding—place，anditwaswellthatIdidso，forpresentlythemanreappearedcyclingslowlyback。
HeturnedinattheHallgatesanddismountedfromhismachine。
ForsomefewminutesIcouldseehimstandingamongthetrees。
Hishandswereraisedandheseemedtobesettlinghisnecktie。
ThenhemountedhiscycleandrodeawayfrommedownthedrivetowardstheHall。Iranacrosstheheathandpeeredthroughthetrees。FarawayIcouldcatchglimpsesoftheoldgreybuildingwithitsbristlingTudorchimneys，butthedriveranthroughadenseshrubbery，andIsawnomoreofmyman。
However，itseemedtomethatIhaddoneafairlygoodmorning’swork，andIwalkedbackinhighspiritstoFarnham。Thelocalhouse—agentcouldtellmenothingaboutCharlingtonHall，andreferredmetoawell—knownfirminPallMall。ThereIhaltedonmywayhome，andmetwithcourtesyfromtherepresentative。
No，IcouldnothaveCharlingtonHallforthesummer。
Iwasjusttoolate。Ithadbeenletaboutamonthago。
Mr。Williamsonwasthenameofthetenant。Hewasarespectableelderlygentleman。Thepoliteagentwasafraidhecouldsaynomore，astheaffairsofhisclientswerenotmatterswhichhecoulddiscuss。
Mr。SherlockHolmeslistenedwithattentiontothelongreportwhichIwasabletopresenttohimthatevening，butitdidnotelicitthatwordofcurtpraisewhichIhadhopedforandshouldhavevalued。Onthecontrary，hisausterefacewasevenmoreseverethanusualashecommenteduponthethingsthatIhaddoneandthethingsthatIhadnot。
"Yourhiding—place，mydearWatson，wasveryfaulty。Youshouldhavebeenbehindthehedge；thenyouwouldhavehadacloseviewofthisinterestingperson。Asitisyouweresomehundredsofyardsaway，andcantellmeevenlessthanMissSmith。
Shethinksshedoesnotknowtheman；Iamconvincedshedoes。
Why，otherwise，shouldhebesodesperatelyanxiousthatsheshouldnotgetsonearhimastoseehisfeatures？Youdescribehimasbendingoverthehandle—bar。Concealmentagain，yousee。
Youreallyhavedoneremarkablybadly。Hereturnstothehouseandyouwanttofindoutwhoheis。YoucometoaLondonhouse—agent！"
"WhatshouldIhavedone？"Icried，withsomeheat。
"Gonetothenearestpublic—house。Thatisthecentreofcountrygossip。Theywouldhavetoldyoueveryname，fromthemastertothescullery—maid。Williamson！Itconveysnothingtomymind。Ifheisanelderlymanheisnotthisactivecyclistwhosprintsawayfromthatathleticyounglady’spursuit。Whathavewegainedbyyourexpedition？Theknowledgethatthegirl’sstoryistrue。Ineverdoubtedit。ThatthereisaconnectionbetweenthecyclistandtheHall。Ineverdoubtedthateither。ThattheHallistenantedbyWilliamson。
Who’sthebetterforthat？Well，well，mydearsir，don’tlooksodepressed。WecandolittlemoreuntilnextSaturday，andinthemeantimeImaymakeoneortwoinquiriesmyself。"
NextmorningwehadanotefromMissSmith，recountingshortlyandaccuratelytheveryincidentswhichIhadseen，butthepithoftheletterlayinthepostscript：——
"Iamsurethatyouwillrespectmyconfidence，Mr。Holmes，whenItellyouthatmyplaceherehasbecomedifficultowingtothefactthatmyemployerhasproposedmarriagetome。Iamconvincedthathisfeelingsaremostdeepandmosthonourable。
Atthesametimemypromiseis，ofcourse，given。Hetookmyrefusalveryseriously，butalsoverygently。Youcanunderstand，however，thatthesituationisalittlestrained。"
"Ouryoungfriendseemstobegettingintodeepwaters，"
saidHolmes，thoughtfully，ashefinishedtheletter。
"ThecasecertainlypresentsmorefeaturesofinterestandmorepossibilityofdevelopmentthanIhadoriginallythought。
Ishouldbenonetheworseforaquiet，peacefuldayinthecountry，andIaminclinedtorundownthisafternoonandtestoneortwotheorieswhichIhaveformed。"
Holmes’squietdayinthecountryhadasingulartermination，forhearrivedatBakerStreetlateintheeveningwithacutlipandadiscolouredlumpuponhisforehead，besidesageneralairofdissipationwhichwouldhavemadehisownpersonthefittingobjectofaScotlandYardinvestigation。Hewasimmenselytickledbyhisownadventures，andlaughedheartilyasherecountedthem。
"Igetsolittleactiveexercisethatitisalwaysatreat，"
saidhe。"YouareawarethatIhavesomeproficiencyinthegoodoldBritishsportofboxing。Occasionallyitisofservice。To—day，forexample，Ishouldhavecometoveryignominiousgriefwithoutit。"
Ibeggedhimtotellmewhathadoccurred。
"IfoundthatcountrypubwhichIhadalreadyrecommendedtoyournotice，andthereImademydiscreetinquiries。Iwasinthebar，andagarrulouslandlordwasgivingmeallthatI
wanted。Williamsonisawhite—beardedman，andhelivesalonewithasmallstaffofservantsattheHall。Thereissomerumourthatheisorhasbeenaclergyman；butoneortwoincidentsofhisshortresidenceattheHallstruckmeaspeculiarlyunecclesiastical。Ihavealreadymadesomeinquiriesataclericalagency，andtheytellmethatthereWASamanofthatnameinorderswhosecareerhasbeenasingularlydarkone。
Thelandlordfurtherinformedmethatthereareusuallyweek—endvisitors——`awarmlot，sir’——attheHall，andespeciallyonegentlemanwitharedmoustache，Mr。Woodleybyname，whowasalwaysthere。Wehadgotasfarasthiswhenwhoshouldwalkinbutthegentlemanhimself，whohadbeendrinkinghisbeerinthetap—roomandhadheardthewholeconversation。WhowasI？
WhatdidIwant？WhatdidImeanbyaskingquestions？Hehadafineflowoflanguage，andhisadjectiveswereveryvigorous。
Heendedastringofabusebyaviciousback—handerwhichIfailedtoentirelyavoid。Thenextfewminutesweredelicious。Itwasastraightleftagainstasloggingruffian。Iemergedasyouseeme。Mr。Woodleywenthomeinacart。Soendedmycountrytrip，anditmustbeconfessedthat，howeverenjoyable，mydayontheSurreyborderhasnotbeenmuchmoreprofitablethanyourown。"
TheThursdaybroughtusanotherletterfromourclient。
"Youwillnotbesurprised，Mr。Holmes，"saidshe，"tohearthatIamleavingMr。Carruthers’semployment。Eventhehighpaycannotreconcilemetothediscomfortsofmysituation。
OnSaturdayIcomeuptotownandIdonotintendtoreturn。
Mr。Carruthershasgotatrap，andsothedangersofthelonelyroad，ifthereeverwereanydangers，arenowover。
"Astothespecialcauseofmyleaving，itisnotmerelythestrainedsituationwithMr。Carruthers，butitisthereappearanceofthatodiousman，Mr。Woodley。Hewasalwayshideous，buthelooksmoreawfulthanevernow，forheappearstohavehadanaccidentandheismuchdisfigured。Isawhimoutofthewindow，butIamgladtosayIdidnotmeethim。
HehadalongtalkwithMr。Carruthers，whoseemedmuchexcitedafterwards。Woodleymustbestayingintheneighbourhood，forhedidnotsleephere，andyetIcaughtaglimpseofhimagainthismorningslinkingaboutintheshrubbery。Iwouldsoonerhaveasavagewildanimallooseabouttheplace。IloatheandfearhimmorethanIcansay。HowCANMr。Carruthersenduresuchacreatureforamoment？However，allmytroubleswillbeoveronSaturday。"
"SoItrust，Watson；soItrust，"saidHolmes，gravely。