Adventure for in the return of Sherlock, Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure for the adventure of
the solitary cyclist. From the years 1894 to 1901
inclusive. Mr. Sherlock Holmes was a very
busy man. It is safe to say that there was
no public case of any difficulty in which she was not consulted,
during those eight years and there were hundreds of private
cases. Some of them at the most
intricate and extraordinary character in which he played a
prominent part, many startling successes and a few unavoidable
failures where the outcome of this long period of Newest work,
as I've preserved very full notes of all these cases and was
myself personally engaged in many of them.
It may be imagined that it is no easy task to know, which I
should select to lay before the public.
I shall however, preserve my former Rule and give the
preference to those cases which derive their interest, not So
Much from the brutality of the crime as from the Ingenuity and
dramatic quality of the solution.
For this reason, I will now lay before the reader, the facts
connected with Miss, Violet Smith, the solitary cyclist of
charlington and the Curious sequel of our investigation
which culminated in unexpected tragedy.
It is true that the circumstance did not admit of any striking
illustration of those powers for which my friend was famous, but
there were some points about the case which made it stand out in
those long, records of crime from which I, The material for
these little narratives. On referring to my notebook for
the year. 1895. I find that it was upon
Saturday. The 23rd of April.
That we first heard of Miss Violet Smith.
Her visit was I remember extremely unwelcome two homes
for he was immersed at the moment in a very abstruse and
complicated problem concerning the peculiar persecution to
which John Vincent Harden. The well-known.
Tobacco millionaire had been subjected, my friend, who loved
Above All Things, precision and concentration of thought
resented anything, which distract his attention from the
matter in hand. And yet without a harshness
which was foreign to his nature. It was impossible to refuse to
listen to the story of The Young and Beautiful Woman tall
graceful and queenly, who presented herself at Baker
Street late in the evening and implored, his assistance and
advice. It was vain to urge that his
time was already fully occupied for the young lady had come with
a determination to tell her story.
And it was evident that nothing short of force could get her out
of the room until she had done. So with a resigned air and a
somewhat weary smile, homes begged to beautiful Intruder to
take a seat and to inform us what it was that was troubling
her. At least it cannot be your
health. So he has his Keen eyes darted
over her. So, Ardent a bicyclist must be
full of energy. She glanced down in surprise at
her own feet and I observed, a slight ruffling of the side of
the sole caused by the friction of the edge of the pedal.
Yes. I bicycle, a good deal.
Mr. Holmes and that has something to do with my visit to
you today. My friend took the ladies
ungloved hand and examined it with his clothes and attention,
and has little sentiment as a scientist would show to a
specimen. You will, excuse me.
I'm sure it is. My business said he is, he
dropped it? I nearly fell into the error of
supposing that you were type rating.
Of course, it is obvious that it is music.
You observe the spatulate finger-ends Watson, which is
common to both professions. There is a spirituality about
the face. However, she gently turned it
towards the light, which the typewriter does not generate.
This lady is a musician. Yes.
Mr. Holmes. I teach music in the country.
I presume from your complexion. Yes, sir.
Near Farnham, on the borders of Surrey, a beautiful neighborhood
and full of the most interesting associations.
You remember Watson that it was near there that we took Archie
Stanford, the forger now. Miss Violet, what has happened
to you near Farnham on the borders of Surrey.
The young lady with great clearness and composure made the
following curious statement. My father is dead.
Mr. Holmes. He was James Smith who conducted
the orchestra at the old Imperial theater, my mother and
I were left without a relation in the world, except one, Uncle
Ralph Smith who went to Africa 25 years ago, and we've never
had a word from him since when father died.
We were left very poor, but one day we were told that there was
an advertisement in the times inquiring for our whereabouts.
You can imagine how excited we were for.
We saw that. Someone had left us a fortune.
We went at once to the lawyer whose name was given in the
paper. There.
We met two gentlemen, mr. Carruthers and mr.
Woodley, who were home on a visit from South Africa.
They said that, my uncle was a friend of theirs that he had
died some months before, in great, poverty in Johannesburg,
and that he had asked him with his last breath to hunt up his
relations and See that they were in, no want.
It seems strange to us, that Uncle Ralph, who took no notice
of his when he was alive. Should be.
So careful to look after us when he was dead.
But mr. Carruthers explained that the
reason was that my uncle had just heard of the death of his
brother and so felt responsible for Our Fate.
Excuse me, said, Holmes. When was this interview last
December, 4 months ago. Pray proceed?
Mr. Woodley seemed to me to be a most odious person.
He was forever. Making eyes at me.
Workhorse puffy, faced, red, mustache young man, with his
hair plastered, down on each side of his forehead.
I thought that he was perfectly hateful and I was sure that
Cyril would not wish me to know such a person.
Oh Cyril, is his name said Holmes smiling the young lady,
blushed and laughed. Yes.
Mr. Holmes. See.
Morton an electrical engineer and we hope to be married at the
end of the summer. Dear me.
How did I get talking about him? What I wish to say was that mr.
Woodley was perfectly odious, but that mr.
Carruthers, who was a much older man was more agreeable.
He was a dark sallow clean-shaven, silent person, but
he had polite manners and a pleasant smile.
He inquired how we were left and on fine.
Being that we were very poor. He suggested that I should come
and teach music to his only daughter age 10.
I said that I did not like to leave my mother on which he
suggested that I should go home to her every weekend and he
offered me a hundred a year, which was certainly Splendid
pay. So it ended by my accepting and
I went down to Chiltern. Grange about six miles from
Farnham. Mr. Carruthers was a widower but
he had engaged a lady housekeeper.
A very respectable elderly person called.
Mrs. Dixon to look after his establishment.
The child was a deer and everything promised.
Well, mr. Carruthers was very kind and
very Musical and we had most Pleasant evenings together every
weekend. I went home to my mother in
town. The first floor in my happiness,
was the arrival of the red moustached.
Mr. Woodley. He came for a visit of a week
and oh, it seems three months to me.
He was a dreadful person, a bully to everyone else.
But to me something infinitely worse.
He made odious love to me. Boasted of his wealth said that
if I married him, I could have the finest diamonds in London.
And finally, when I would have nothing to do with him.
He sees me in his arms. One day after dinner.
He was hideously strong and swore that he would not let me
go until I had kissed him. Mr. Carruthers, came in and tore
him from me on which he turned upon his own.
Host knocking him down and cutting his face open.
That was the end of his visit as you can imagine.
Mr. Carruthers. Apologize.
To me next day and assured me that I should never be exposed
to such an insult again. I have not seen mr.
Woodley since. And now mr.
Holmes, I come at last to the special thing, which has caused
me to ask her advice today. You must know that every
Saturday afternoon. I ride on my bicycle to find him
station in order to get the 1222 to Town the road from Chilton
Granger's. A lonely one.
And at one spot. It is particularly.
So for it, lies for over a mile between charlington Heath upon
one side, and the woods, which lie around charlington Hall upon
the other. You could not find a more lonely
tract of road anywhere, and it is quite rare.
To meet so much as a cart or a peasant until you reach the high
road near Crooks Berryhill two weeks ago.
I was passing this place when I chance to look over my shoulder
and about 200 yards behind me. I saw a man also on a bicycle.
He seemed to be a middle-aged man, with a short dark beard.
I looked back before I reached Farnum, but the man was gone, so
I thought no more about it. But you can imagine how
surprised I was. Mr. Holmes.
When on my return on the Monday, I saw the same man on the same
stretch of road. My astonishment was increased
when the incident occurred again exactly, as before on the
following Saturday and Monday, he always kept his distance and
he did not molest me in any way, but still it certainly was very
odd. I mentioned it to mr.
Carruthers, who seemed interested in what I said, and
told me that he had ordered a horse and trap so that in
future, I should not pass over those lonely roads without some
companion. The whole sand trap were to have
come this week, but for some reason they were not delivered.
And again, I had to cycle to the station that was this morning.
You can sink that I looked out when I came to charlington Heath
and there. Sure enough was the man exactly
as he had been the two weeks before he always kept so far
from me that I could not clearly see his face, but it was
certainly Someone whom I did not know.
He was dressed in a dark suit with a cloth cap.
The only thing about his face that I could clearly see was his
dark beard. Today I was not alarmed but I
was filled with curiosity and I determined to find out who he
was and what he wanted. I slowed down my machine, but he
slowed down his then I stopped altogether, but he stopped also,
then I laid a trap for him. There is a sharp turning of the
road. And I pedaled very quickly round
this and then I stopped and waited.
I expected him to shoot around and pass.
Before he could stop but he never appeared.
Then I went back and looked around the corner.
I could see a mile of road, but he was not on it to make it the
more extraordinary. There was no side road at this
point down, which he could have gone.
Holmes chuckled and rubbed his hands.
This case, certainly presents some features of its own said,
he how much time elapsed between you're turning the corner and
your discovery that the road was clear two or three minutes.
Then he could not have retreated down the road and you say that
there are no side roads, none. Then he certainly took a
footpath on one side or the other.
It could not have been on the side of the heath or I should
have seen him. So by the process of exclusion,
we arrived at the fact that he made his way toward charlington
Hall, which as I understand is situated in its own grounds on
one side of the road anything else.
Nothing. Mr. Holmes say that I was so
perplexed that I felt I should not be happy until I had seen
you and had your advice. Home sat in silence, for some
little time. Where is the gentleman to whom
you are engaged? He asked at last.
He is in the middle and electrical company at Coventry.
He would not pay you a surprise visit.
Oh, mr. Holmes, as if I should not know
him. Have you had any other admirers
several before? I knew Cyril and since there was
this Dreadful man would lie, if you can call him an admirer.
No one else. I'll Fair client seemed a little
confused. Who was he asked, Holmes?
Oh, it may be a mere fancy of mine, but it had seemed to me
sometimes that my employer. Mr. Carruthers takes a great
deal of interest in me. We are thrown rather together.
I play his accompaniments in the evening.
He has never said anything. He is a perfect gentleman, but a
girl always knows. Ha Holmes looked grave.
What does he do for a living? He is a rich, man, no carriages
or horses. Well, at least he is fairly
well-to-do, but he goes into the city two or three times a week.
He is deeply interested in South African gold shares.
You will let me know any fresh development Miss Smith.
I'm very busy just now, but I will find time to make some
inquiries into your case. In the meantime.
Take no step without letting me know.
Goodbye. And I trust that we shall have
nothing but good news from you. It is part of the settled order
of nature that such a girl should have followers, said,
Holmes. He pulled out his meditative
pipe, but for choice, not on bicycles in.
Only country roads, some secretive lover beyond all
doubt, but there are curious and suggestive details about the
case Watson that he should appear only at that point.
Exactly. Our first effort must be to find
who are the tenants of charlington Hall.
Then again, how about the connection between Carruthers
and Woodley since they appear to be men of such a different type?
How can they both to be so Keen upon looking up Ralph Smith?
Myths relations one more Point, what sort of a menage is it
which pays double the market price for a governess, but does
not keep a horse, although six miles from the station, Todd,
Watson, very odd, you go down. No, my dear fellow you will go
down this, maybe some trifling intrigued, and I cannot break my
other important research for the sake of it.
On Monday. You will arrive early at Farnum.
You will conceal yourself near charlington Heath, you will
observe these facts for yourself and act as your own judgment
advises. Then having inquired as to the
occupants of the hall. You'll come back to me and
report and now Watson not another word.
Of the matter until we have a few solid Stepping Stones on
which we may hope to get across to our solution.
We had ascertained from the lady as she went down upon the Monday
by the train, which leaves Waterloo at 950.
So I started early and caught the 913 at Farnum station.
I had no difficulty in being directed to charlington Heath.
It was impossible to mistake the scene of the young lady's
adventure for the road runs between the open Heath on one
side and an old yew hedge upon the other surrounding a Park,
which is studied with magnificent trees.
There was a main gateway of a lichen, studied Stone.
Each side, pillar surmounted by moldering heraldic emblems.
But besides this Central carriage-drive, I observed
several points where there were gaps in the Hedge and paths.
Leading through them. The house was invisible from the
road, but the surroundings all spoke of Gloom and decay.
The heath was covered with golden patches of flowering
gorse gleaming, magnificently in the light of the bright spring
Sunshine behind one of these clumps.
I took up my position. So as to command both, the
Gateway of the hall and a long stretch of the road upon either
side. It had been deserted when I left
it, but now I saw a cyclist riding down it from the opposite
direction to that in which I had come.
He was clad in a dark suit and I saw that.
He had a black beard on reaching the end of the charlington
grounds. He sprang from his machine and
let it through a gap in the Hedge disappearing.
From my view, a quarter of an hour passed and then a second
cyclist appeared this time. It was the young lady coming
from the station. I saw her.
Look about her as she came to the charlington Hedge, an
instant later the Emerged from his hiding place sprang upon his
cycle and followed her. In all the broad landscape.
Those were the only moving figures the graceful girl,
sitting very straight upon her machine.
And The Man Behind her bending low over his handlebar with a
curiously 30th, suggestion in every movement.
She looked back at him and slowed, her Pace.
He slowed, also, she stopped. He at one stop to keeping 200
yards behind her. The Next Movement was as
unexpected as it was Spirited. She suddenly whisked her Wheels
Round And dashed straight at him.
He was as quick as she however and darted off in Desperate
flight presently. She came back up the road again,
her head halter lie in the are not deigning to take any
further, notice of her silent attendant.
He had turned also and still kept his distance until the
curve of the road, hit them from my sight.
I remained in my Hiding Place and it was well at I did.
So for presently, the man reappeared cycling.
Slowly back. He turned in at the hall Gates
and dismounted from his machine for some minutes.
I could see him standing among the trees.
His hands were raised and he seemed to be settling his
necktie. Then he mounted his cycle and
rode away from me down the drive towards the hall.
I ran across the heath and peered through the trees far
away. I could catch glimpses of the
old gray building with its bristling chuder chimneys, but
the drive ran through a dense Shrubbery and I saw no more of
my man. However, it seemed to me that I
had done a fairly good mornings work, and I walked back in High
Spirits to Farnum the local house.
Agent could tell me nothing about charlington Hall and
referred me to a well known firm in Pall, Mall there.
I halted on my way home and met with courtesy from the
representative. No, I could not have charlington
hall for the summer. I was just too late.
It had been let about a month ago.
Mr. Williamson was the name of the tenant.
He was a respectable elderly gentleman.
The polite agent was afraid. He could say no more as the
Affairs of his clients were not matters, which he could discuss.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes listened with attention to the long
report, which I was able to present to him that evening, but
it did not elicit that word of Kurt praise, which I had hoped
for and should have valued on the contrary.
His austere face was even more severe than usual.
As he commented upon the things that I had done and the things
that I had not. You're hiding place.
My dear Watson was very faulty. You should have been behind the
Hedge, then you would have had a close view of this interesting
person. As it is.
He was some hundreds of yards away and can tell me even less
than Miss Smith. She thinks she does not know the
man. I am convinced.
She does why? Otherwise should he be so
desperately anxious, that she should not get so near him as to
see his features? You Beam is bending over the
handlebar concealment again. You see, you really have done
remarkably badly. He returns to the house, and you
want to find out who he is. You come to a London house
agent. What should I have done?
I cried with some heat gone to the nearest public house.
That is a center of country gossip.
They would have told you every name from The Master to the
scullery maid Williamson. It contains nothing to my mind.
Mind, if he is an elderly man, he is not this active cyclist
who Sprint's away from that young lady's, athletic Pursuit.
What are we gain for your Expedition?
The knowledge that the girls stories, true.
I never doubted it, but there is a connection between the cyclist
and the hall. I never doubted that.
Either that, the hall is tenanted by Williamson.
Who's the better for that? Well, well, my dear sir don't
look so depressed. We can do little more until next
Saturday. And in the meantime, I may make
one or two inquiries myself. Next morning.
We had a note from Miss Smith, recounting shortly, and
accurately, the very incidents, which I had seen, But the pith
of the letter, lay in the PostScript.
I am sure that you will respect my confidence.
Mr. Holmes. When I tell you that my place
here has become difficult, owing.
To the fact that my employer has proposed marriage to me.
I am convinced that his feelings are most deep and most
honorable, at the same time. My promise is, of course, given
he took my refusal very seriously, but also very gently.
You can understand. However, that the situation is a
little strained. Our young friends seems to be
getting into deep Waters, said, Holmes thoughtfully.
As he finished the letter, the case certainly presents more
features of interest and more possibility of development than
I had originally thought. I should be none.
The worse for a quiet peaceful day in the country.
And I'm inclined to run down this afternoon and test one or
two theories, which I have formed.
Holmes is quiet day in the country, had a singular
termination for. He arrived at Baker Street late
in the evening with a cut lip and a discolored lump upon his
forehead. Besides a general air of
dissipation which would have made his own person, the fitting
object of a Scotland Yard investigation.
He was immensely tickled by his own adventures and laughed
heartily as he recounted them. I get so little active exercise
that it is always a treat said he you are aware that I have
some Proficiency in the good old British sport of boxing
occasionally. It is of service today.
For example, I should have come to very ignominious grief
without it. I begged him to tell me what has
occurred. I found that Country Pub, which
I had already recommended to your notice.
And there, I made my discreet inquiries.
I was in the bar and the garrulous landlord was giving me
all that. I wanted.
Williamson is a white bearded, man, and he lives alone with a
small staff of servants at the hall.
There is some rumor that he is or has been a clergyman but one
or two incidents of his short Residence at the hall.
Struck me as particularly an ecclesiastical.
I've already made some inquiries at a clerical agency and they
tell me that there was a man of that name in orders whose career
has been a singularly. Dark One.
The landlord further informed me that, there are usually weekend.
Visitors a warm lot, sir, at the hall.
Especially one gentleman with a red mustache.
Mr. Woodley, by name, who was always there, we had got as far
as this when who should walk in. But the gentleman himself,
who've been drinking his beer in the tap room and had heard the
whole conversation. Who was I what did I want?
What did I mean by asking questions?
He had a fine flow of language and is adjectives were very
vigorous. He ended a string of abuse by a
vicious backhander, which I Failed to entirely avoid the
next few minutes were delicious. It was a straight left against
the slogging Ruffian. I emerged as you see me.
Mr. Woodley went home in a cart. So ended my country trip and it
must be confessed. That however, enjoyable my day
on the Surrey border has not been much more profitable than
your own. It says, they brought us another
letter from our client. You will not be surprised.
Mr. Holmes said she to hear that.
I'm leaving. Mr. Carruthers.
Employment. Even the high pay, cannot
reconcile me to the discomforts of my situation on Saturday.
I came up to town and I do not intend to return.
Mr. Carruthers has got a trap and so the dangers of the Lonely
Road, if there were any dangers are now over.
As to the special cause of my leaving, it is not merely The
Strain situation with mr. Carruthers, but it is the
reappearance of that odious, man.
Mr. Woodley. He was always hideous, but he
looks more awful than ever. Now, for he appears to have had
an accident and he is much disfigured.
I saw him out of the window, but I am glad to say that I did not
meet him. He had a long talk with mr.
Carruthers. Who seemed much excited
afterwards, Woodley must be staying in the neighborhood.
For he did not sleep here and yet I caught a glimpse of him.
Again this morning, slinking about in the Shrubbery.
I would sooner have a Savage wild animal loose about the
place. I loathe and fear him more than
I can say, how can mr. Carruthers endure such a
creature for a moment. However, all my Will be over on
Saturday. So I trust Watson.
So I trust said, Holmes Gravely. There is some deep entry going
on around that little woman and it is our duty to see that.
No one will lists her upon that last journey.
I think Watson that we must spare time to run down together
on Saturday morning and make sure that this curious and
inclusive investigation. Has no untoward ending.
I confess that I had not up to now taken a very serious view of
the case, which had seemed to me rather grotesque and bizarre
than dangerous. That a man should lie in wait
for and follow a very handsome, woman is no unheard-of thing and
if he has so little audacity that he had not only dared, not
address her but even fled from her approach.
He was not a very formidable assailant.
The Ruffian Woodley was a very different person but except on
one occasion. He had not molested our client
and now he visited the house of Caruthers without intruding upon
her presence. The man on the bicycle was
doubtless, a member of those weekend parties at the hall of
which the Publican had spoken, but who he was or what he wanted
was as obscure as ever. It was a severity of homes is
Manner. And the fact that he slipped a
revolver into his pocket before leaving our rooms, which
impressed me with the feeling that tragedy might prove to lurk
behind this. Curious train of events.
A rainy night has been followed by a glorious morning and the
heath covered Countryside with the glowing.
Clumps of flowering. Gorse seemed all the more
beautiful to eyes, which were weary of the duns and drabs and
slaked Gray's of London. Holmes and I walked along the
broad, Sandy Road, inhaling the fresh morning air and rejoicing
in the music of the birds and the fresh breath of the spring.
From a rise of the road on the shoulder of crooks Berryhill.
We could see the Grim Hall bristling out from amidst, the
ancient Oaks which old as they were was still younger than the
building, which they surrounded. Holmes pointed Down The Long
tract of road, which wound a reddish yellow band between the
brown of the heath and the budding green of the woods far
away a black dot. We could see a vehicle moving in
our Direction Holmes, gave an exclamation of impatience.
I've given a margin of half an hour, said he, if that is her
trap. She must be making for the
earlier train. I fear, what's in it, she will
be past charlington before we can possibly meet her from the
instant. We passed the rise.
We could no longer see the vehicle but we hastened onward
at such a pace that my sedentary life began to tell upon me.
And I was compelled to fall behind Holmes.
However, was always in training for he had inexhaustible stores
of His energy upon which to draw his springy step never slowed
until suddenly when he was a hundred yards in front of me.
He halted and I saw him throw up his hand.
With a gesture of grief and despair at the same instant, an
empty dog cart, the horse cantering, the reins trailing
appeared around the curve of the road and rattled swiftly towards
us. Too late Watson, too late cried
Holmes as Iran panting to his side fool at how is not to allow
for that earlier train. It's abduction, Watson
abduction, murder heaven knows what block the road stop the
horse. That's right now, jump in and
let us see if I can repair the consequence of my own blunder.
We had sprung into the dog-cart and homes after turning, the
horse, gave it, a sharp, cut with the whip, and we flew back
along the road as we turned the curve.
The whole stretch of road between the hall and the he's
was opened up. I grasped homes his arm.
That's the man. I gasped a solitary cyclist was
coming towards us. His head was down and his
shoulders rounded as he put every ounce of energy that he
possessed on to the pedals. He was flying like I'm a racer.
Suddenly. He raised his bearded face saw
as close to him and pulled up springing from his machine that
Cole Blackbeard was in singular. Contrast to eyes were as bright
as if he had a fever. He stared at us and at the
dog-cart, then look of Amazement came over his face.
Hello, stop there. He shouted holding his bicycle
to block our road. Where did you get that dog cart?
Pull up, man. He yelled drawing a pistol from
his side. Pull up.
I say Oh by George. I'll put a bullet in your horse
homes. Through the reins into my lap
and sprang down from the cart. You're the man.
We want to see where is Miss Violet Smith.
He said in his quick, clear way. That's what I'm asking.
You, you're in her dog cart, you ought to know where she is.
We met the dog cart on the road. There was no one in it.
We drove back to help the young lady.
Good Lord. Good Lord.
What shall I do? Cried The Stranger in an ecstasy
of Despair. They got her that hellhound
Woodley and the blackguard past and come and come.
If you really our friend stand by me and we'll save her.
If I Leave my caucus in charlington wood.
He ran distractedly his pistol in his hand, towards a gap in
the Hedge homes, followed him, and I leaving the horse grazing
beside the road, followed Holmes.
This is where they came through said, he pointing to the marks
of several feet upon the muddy path.
Hello. Stop a minute.
Who's this in the bush? It was a young fellow about 17
dressed like an Osler with leather cords and Gators.
He lay upon his Back his knees drawn up, a terrible cut upon
his head. He was insensible.
But alive a glance at his wound told me that it did not
penetrated the bone. That's Peter, the groom, cried
the stranger. He drove her, the beasts of
pulled him off and clubbed him. Let him lie.
We can't do any good. We may save her from that worse.
Fate that can befall a woman. He ran frantically down the path
which wound among the trees. We had reached the Shrubbery,
which surrounded the house when Holmes pulled up, They didn't go
to the house. Here are their marks on the left
here, beside the Laurel bushes. I said, so as he spoke a woman's
shrill scream, I scream which vibrated with a frenzy of horror
bursts from the thick green clump of bushes in front of us.
It ended suddenly on its highest note with a choke and a gurgle.
This way, this way. They're in the bowling alley,
cried the stranger. Darting through the bushes.
Are the Cowardly Dog's follow me.
Gentlemen, too late too late by the living Jingo.
We had broken suddenly into a lovely Glade of greensward.
Surrounded by ancient trees on the father's side of it, under
the shadow of a Mighty Oak there.
Stood, a singular group of three people.
One was a woman, our client, drooping and faint.
Handkerchief round her mouth. Opposite her stead of brutal.
Heavy faced red mustache. Too young man.
His gated legs parted wide one arm akimbo, the other waving a
riding crop. His whole attitude.
Suggestive of triumphant bravado between them and elderly
gray-bearded man. Wearing a short Surplus over a
light. Tweed suit had evidently just
completed the wedding service. For he pocketed his prayer book,
as we He appeared and slapped the Sinister bridegroom upon the
back in jovial. Congratulation.
Then married. I gassed.
Come on, cried, our guide. Come on.
He rushed across the Glade homes and I at his heels as we
approached the lady staggered against the trunk of the tree
for support Williamson, the ex clergyman bowed to us with mock
politeness and the bully Woodley Advanced with a shout of brutal
and exultant. Laughter.
You can take your beard off. Bob said he my now, Right
enough. Well, you and your pals have
just come in time for me to be able to introduce you to mrs.
Woodley. Our guides answer was a singular
one. He snatched off the dark beard
which had disguised him and threw it on the ground.
Disclosing a long sallow clean-shaven face below it then
he raised his revolver and covered the young Ruffian who
was advancing upon him with his dangerous riding crop swinging
in his hand. Yes said our Ally, I am Bob
Carothers and I'll see this woman righted if I had to swing
for it. I told you what I do.
If you Listed her. And by the Lord, I'll be as good
as my word. You're too late.
She's my wife. No, she's your Widow, his
revolver cracked and I saw the blood spurt from the front of
Woodley's waistcoat. He spun round with a scream and
fell upon his back. His hideous red face turning
suddenly to a dreadful mottled. Pallor the old man's still clad
in his surplice burst into such a string of Paolo's.
As I've never heard and pulled out a revolver of his own.
But before he could raise it, he was looking down the barrel of
Holmes's weapon. Enough of this said, my friend
coldly drop that pistol Watson, pick it up.
Hold it to his head. Thank you.
You Carruthers, give me that revolver will have no more
violence, come hand it over. Who are you?
Then? My name is Sherlock, Holmes.
Good Lord. You've heard of me.
I see I will represent the official police until their
arrival here. You, he shouted to a frightened
groom who'd appeared at the edge of the Glade.
Come here. Take this note as hard as you
can ride to Farnum. He scribbled, a few words upon a
leaf from his notebook. Give it to the superintendent at
the police station until he comes, I must detain you all.
The, my personal custody. A strong masterful, personality
of homes, dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally
puppets in his hands Williamson and Carruthers.
Found themselves carrying the wounded Woodley into the house
and I gave my arm to the frightened.
Girl. The injured man was laid on his
bed and at homes. His request.
I examined him. I carried my report to, where he
sat in the old tapestry hung dining room with his two
prisoners before him. He will.
Live said I What? Cried Carruthers.
Springing out of his chair? I'll go upstairs and finish him
at first. Do you tell me that that angel
is to be tied to Roaring Jack Woodley for life?
You need not concern yourself about that said Holmes.
There are two very good reasons why she should under no
circumstances be his wife. In the first place.
We are very safe in questioning. Mr. Williamson's right to
solemnizing. A marriage.
I have been ordained cried the old Rascal and also unfrocked
once a clergyman always a clergyman.
I think not. How about the license?
We had a license for the marriage.
I have it here in my pocket. Then you got it by Trick, but in
any case, a forced marriage is no.
Average, but it is a very serious felony, as you will
discover before you're finished. You'll have time to think the
point out during the next 10 years or so.
Unless I'm mistaken as to you Carruthers.
You would have done better to keep your pistol in your pocket.
I begin to think so, mr. Holmes, but when I thought of
all the precaution, I'd taken to Shield this girl for.
I loved her. Mr. Holmes, and it is the only
time that I've ever. I knew what love was.
It fairly drove me mad to think that she was in the power of the
greatest, brute, and bully in South Africa.
A man whose name is a holy Terror from Kimberly to
Johannesburg. Why mr.
Holmes, you will hardly believe it.
But ever since that girl has been in my employment.
I never once. Let her go past this house,
where I knew the Rascals were lurking without following her.
On my bicycle, just to see that she came to no harm.
I kept my distance from her and Wore a beard so that she should
not recognize me for. She is a good and high-spirited
girl, and she wouldn't have stayed in my employment long.
If she had thought that, I was following her about the country
roads. Why didn't you tell her of her
Danger? Because then again she would
have left me and I couldn't bear to face that even if she
couldn't love me. It was a great deal to me.
Just to see her dainty form about the house, and to hear the
sound of her voice. Well said I you call that love
mr. Carruthers, but I should call it
selfishness. Maybe the two things go
together. Anyhow, my couldn't let her go
besides with this crowd about it was well, that she should have
someone near to look after her. Then when the cable came.
I knew there were bound to make a move.
What? Cable, Carruthers took a
telegram from his pocket. That's it said he, it was short
and concise. The old man is dead.
Hmm said Holmes, I think I see how things worked and I can
understand how this message would as you say bring them to a
head. But while you wait, you might
tell me what you can the old reprobate with the Surplus burst
into a volley of bad language. By Heaven said he if you squeal
on us, Bob Carothers, I'll serve you as you serve Jack Woodley.
You can bleed about the girl to your heart's content for.
That's your own Affair. But if you round on your pals to
this plainclothes copper, it'll be the worst days work that
ever. You did.
Your reverence need not be excited, said, Holmes lighting a
cigarette. The case is clear enough against
you and all I ask is a few details for my private
curiosity. However, if there's any
difficulty in, you're telling me I'll do the talking and then you
will see how far you have a chance of holding back your
secrets. In the first place, three of you
came from South Africa on this game.
You Williamson, you Carruthers, and would lie.
Lie number one. Said the old man, I never saw
either of them until two months ago, and I've never been in
Africa in my life. So you can put that in your pipe
and smoke it. Mr. Busybody homes.
What he says is true said Carruthers.
Well, well, two of you came over.
His reverence is our own homemade article.
You had known Ralph Smith in South Africa.
You had reason to believe, he would not live long.
You found out that his niece would Eret his fortune.
How's that? A Carruthers?
Nodded and Williamson swore. She was next of kin no doubt.
And you were aware that the old fellow would make no will
couldn't read or write said Carruthers.
So you came over the two of you and hunted up the girl.
The idea was that one of you was to marry her and the other have
a share of the plunder for some reason Woodley was chosen as the
husband. Why was that We played cards for
her and on the voyage. Anyone I see you got the young
lady into your service and their Woodley was to do the courting.
She recognized the drunken brute that he was, and would have
nothing to do with him. Meanwhile.
Your Arrangement was rather upset by the fact that you had
yourself fallen in love with the lady.
You could no longer bear. The idea of this Ruffian owning
her. No by George.
I couldn't. There was a quarrel between you.
He left you in a rage and began to make his own plans
independently of you. It strikes me Williamson.
There isn't very much that we can tell this gentleman dried
Carruthers with a bitter laugh. Yes, we quarreled and he knocked
me down. I am level with him on that.
Anyhow, then I lost sight of him.
That was when he picked up with this Outcast Padre.
Here. I found that they had set up
housekeeping together at this place on the line that she had
to pass for the station. I kept my eye on her after that,
for I knew there was some devilry in the Wind.
I sold them from time to time for, I was anxious to know what
they were after two days ago. Woodley came up to my house with
this cable which showed that Ralph Smith was dead.
He asked me if I would stand by The Bargain, I said, I would
not, he asked me if I would marry the girl myself and give
him a share. I said I would willingly do so,
but that she would not have me. He said, let us get her married
first and after a week or two, she may see things of it.
Different. I said I'd have nothing to do
with violence. So he went off cursing, like the
foul-mouthed blackguard that. He was and swearing that he
would have a yet. She was leaving me this weekend
and I've got a trap to take her to the station, but I was so
uneasy in my mind that I followed her on my bicycle.
She'd got to start. However, and before I could
catch her, the Mischief was done.
The first thing I knew about it was when I saw you two,
gentlemen, driving back in her dog cart.
Holmes, Rose and toss the end of his cigarette into the great.
I've been very obtuse. Watson said, he went in your
report. You said that you had seen the
cyclist as you thought arrange, his necktie in the Shrubbery,
that alone should have told me all.
However, we may congratulate ourselves upon a curious and in
some respects, a unique case. I perceive three of the county
constabulary in the drive. And I am glad to see that the
little Osler is able to Pays for them.
So it is likely that neither. He nor the interesting
bridegroom will be permanently damaged by their morning's
Adventures. I think Watson that in your
medical capacity, you might wait upon Miss Smith and tell her
that if she is sufficiently recovered, we shall be happy to
escort her to her mother's home. If she is not quite
convalescent, you will find that a hint that we were about to
Telegraph to a young electrician in the Midlands would probably
complete the Cure as to you. Mr. Carruthers.
I think that you have done what you could do to make amends for
your share in an evil plot. There is my card sir.
And if my evidence can be of help in your trial, it shall be
at your disposal. In the world of our incessant
activity, it has often been difficult for me as the reader
has probably observed to round off my narratives and to give
those final details which the Curious might expect each case
has been the Prelude to another and the crisis once over the
actors have passed forever out of our busy lives.
I find however, a short note at the end of my manuscript
dealing, with this case, in which I have put it upon record.
That Miss Violet Smith did indeed inherit a large fortune
and that she is now, the wife of Cyril, Morton the senior partner
of Morton and Kennedy the famous Westminster electricians
Williamson and Woodley were both tried for abduction and assault,
the former getting seven years, the latter 10 of the fate of As
I have no record, but I'm sure that his assault was not viewed,
very Gravely by the court. Since Woodley had the reputation
of being a most dangerous Ruffian and I think that a few
months were sufficient to satisfy the demands of Justice.
End of the adventure of the solitary cyclist.