“Excuseme，“saidHolmes。“Whenwasthisinterview？“
“LastDecember-fourmonthsago。”
“Prayproceed。”
“Mr。Woodleyseemedtometobeamostodiousperson。Hewasfor
evermakingeyesatme-acoarse，puffy-faced，red-moustachedyoung
man，withhishairplastereddownoneachsideofhisforehead。I
thoughtthathewasperfectlyhateful-andIwassurethatCyrilwould
notwishmetoknowsuchaperson。”
“Oh，Cyrilishisname！“saidHolmes，smiling。
Theyoungladyblushedandlaughed。
“Yes，Mr。Holmes，CyrilMorton，anelectricalengineer，andwe
hopetobemarriedattheendofthesummer。Dearme，howdidIget
talkingabouthim？WhatIwishedtosaywasthatMr。Woodleywas
perfectlyodious，butthatMr。Carruthers，whowasamucholderman，
wasmoreagreeable。Hewasadark，sallow，clean-shaven，silent
person，buthehadpolitemannersandapleasantsmile。Heinquired
howwewereleft，andonfindingthatwewereverypoor，he
suggestedthatIshouldcomeandteachmusictohisonlydaughter，
agedten。IsaidthatIdidnotliketoleavemymother，onwhichhe
suggestedthatIshouldgohometohereveryweek-end，andhe
offeredmeahundredayear，whichwascertainlysplendidpay。Soit
endedbymyaccepting，andIwentdowntoChilternGrange，aboutsix
milesfromFarnham。Mr。Carrutherswasawidower，buthehadengageda
ladyhousekeeper，averyrespectable，elderlyperson，calledMrs。
Dixon，tolookafterhisestablishment。Thechildwasadear，and
everythingpromisedwell。Mr。Carrutherswasverykindandvery
musical，andwehadmostpleasanteveningstogether。Everyweek-end
Iwenthometomymotherintown。
“Thefirstflawinmyhappinesswasthearrivalofthe
red-moustachedMr。Woodley。Hecameforavisitofaweek，andoh！
itseemedthreemonthstome。Hewasadreadfulperson-abullyto
everyoneelse，buttomesomethinginfinitelyworse。Hemadeodious
lovetome，boastedofhiswealth，saidthatifImarriedhimI
couldhavethefinestdiamondsinLondon，andfinally，whenIwould
havenothingtodowithhim，heseizedmeinhisarmsonedayafter
dinner-hewashideouslystrong-andsworethathewouldnotletmego
untilIhadkissedhim。Mr。Carrutherscameinandtorehimfromme，
onwhichheturneduponhisownhost，knockinghimdownandcutting
hisfaceopen。Thatwastheendofhisvisit，asyoucanimagine。
Mr。Carruthersapologizedtomenextday，andassuredmethatIshould
neverbeexposedtosuchaninsultagain。IhavenotseenMr。
Woodleysince。
“Andnow，Mr。Holmes，Icomeatlasttothespecialthingwhich
hascausedmetoaskyouradviceto-day。Youmustknowthatevery
SaturdayforenoonIrideonmybicycletoFarnhamStation，inorderto
getthe12：22totown。TheroadfromChilternGrangeisalonely
one，andatonespotitisparticularlyso，foritliesforovera
milebetweenCharlingtonHeathupononesideandthewoodswhichlie
roundCharlingtonHallupontheother。Youcouldnotfindamore
lonelytractofroadanywhere，anditisquiteraretomeetsomuchas
acart，orapeasant，untilyoureachthehighroadnearCrooksbury
Hill。TwoweeksagoIwaspassingthisplace，whenIchancedtolook
backovermyshoulder，andabouttwohundredyardsbehindmeIsawa
man，alsoonabicycle。Heseemedtobeamiddle-agedman，witha
short，darkbeard。IlookedbackbeforeIreachedFarnham，buttheman
wasgone，soIthoughtnomoreaboutit。Butyoucanimaginehow
surprisedIwas，Mr。Holmes，when，onmyreturnontheMonday，Isaw
thesamemanonthesamestretchofroad。Myastonishmentwas
increasedwhentheincidentoccurredagain，exactlyasbefore，on
thefollowingSaturdayandMonday。Healwayskepthisdistanceanddid
notmolestmeinanyway，butstillitcertainlywasveryodd。I
mentionedittoMr。Carruthers，whoseemedinterestedinwhatI
said，andtoldmethathehadorderedahorseandtrap，sothatin
futureIshouldnotpassovertheselonelyroadswithoutsome
companion。
“Thehorseandtrapweretohavecomethisweek，butforsomereason
theywerenotdelivered，andagainIhadtocycletothestation。That
wasthismorning。YoucanthinkthatIlookedoutwhenIcameto
CharlingtonHeath，andthere，sureenough，wastheman，exactlyas
hehadbeenthetwoweeksbefore。HealwayskeptsofarfrommethatI
couldnotclearlyseehisface，butitwascertainlysomeonewhomI
didnotknow。Hewasdressedinadarksuitwithaclothcap。Theonly
thingabouthisfacethatIcouldclearlyseewashisdarkbeard。
To-dayIwasnotalarmed，butIwasfilledwithcuriosity，andI
determinedtofindoutwhohewasandwhathewanted。Isloweddownmy
machine，buthesloweddownhis。ThenIstoppedaltogether，buthe
stoppedalso。ThenIlaidatrapforhim。Thereisasharpturning
oftheroad，andIpedalledveryquicklyroundthis，andthenI
stoppedandwaited。Iexpectedhimtoshootroundandpassmebefore
hecouldstop。Butheneverappeared。ThenIwentbackandlooked
roundthecorner。Icouldseeamileofroad，buthewasnotonit。To
makeitthemoreextraordinary，therewasnosideroadatthispoint
downwhichhecouldhavegone。”
Holmeschuckledandrubbedhishands。“Thiscasecertainly
presentssomefeaturesofitsown，“saidhe。“Howmuchtimeelapsed
betweenyourturningthecornerandyourdiscoverythattheroadwas
clear？“
“Twoorthreeminutes。”
“Thenhecouldnothaveretreateddowntheroad，andyousaythat
therearenosideroads？“
“None。”
“Thenhecertainlytookafootpathononesideortheother。”
“Itcouldnothavebeenonthesideoftheheath，orIshouldhave
seenhim。”
“So，bytheprocessofexclusion，wearriveatthefactthathemade
hiswaytowardCharlingtonHall，which，asIunderstand，issituated
initsowngroundsononesideoftheroad。Anythingelse？“
“Nothing，Mr。Holmes，savethatIwassoperplexedthatIfeltI
shouldnotbehappyuntilIhadseenyouandhadyouradvice。”
Holmessatinsilenceforsomelittletime。
“Whereisthegentlemantowhomyouareengaged？“heaskedatlast。
“HeisintheMidlandElectricalCompany，atCoventry。”
“Hewouldnotpayyouasurprisevisit？“
“Oh，Mr。Holmes！AsifIshouldnotknowhim！“
“Haveyouhadanyotheradmirers？“
“SeveralbeforeIknewCyril。”
“Andsince？“
“Therewasthisdreadfulman，Woodley，ifyoucancallhiman
admirer。”
“Nooneelse？“
Ourfairclientseemedalittleconfused。
“Whowashe？“askedHolmes。
“Oh，itmaybeamerefancyofmine；butithadseemedtome
sometimesthatmyemployer，Mr。Carruthers，takesagreatdealof
interestinme。Wearethrownrathertogether。Iplayhis
accompanimentsintheevening。Hehasneversaidanything。Heisa
perfectgentleman。Butagirlalwaysknows。”
“Ha！“Holmeslookedgrave。“Whatdoeshedoforaliving？“
“Heisarichman。”
“Nocarriagesorhorses？“
“Well，atleastheisfairlywell-to-do。Buthegoesintothecity
twoorthreetimesaweek。HeisdeeplyinterestedinSouthAfrican
goldshares。”
“Youwillletmeknowanyfreshdevelopment，MissSmith。Iamvery
busyjustnow，butIwillfindtimetomakesomeinquiriesintoyour
case。Inthemeantime，takenostepwithoutlettingmeknow。Good-bye，
andItrustthatweshallhavenothingbutgoodnewsfromyou。”
“ItispartofthesettledorderofNaturethatsuchagirlshould
havefollowers，“saidHolmes，hepulledathismeditativepipe，“but
forchoicenotonbicyclesinlonelycountryroads。Somesecretive
lover，beyondalldoubt。Buttherearecuriousandsuggestive
detailsaboutthecase，Watson。”
“Thatheshouldappearonlyatthatpoint？“
“Exactly。Ourfirsteffortmustbetofindwhoarethetenantsof
CharlingtonHall。Then，again，howabouttheconnectionbetween
CarruthersandWoodley，sincetheyappeartobemenofsucha
differenttype？HowcametheybothtobesokeenuponlookingupRalph
Smith”srelations？Onemorepoint。Whatsortofamenageisitwhich
paysdoublethemarketpriceforagovernessbutdoesnotkeepa
horse，althoughsixmilesfromthestation？Odd，Watson-veryodd！“
“Youwillgodown？“
“No，mydearfellow，youwillgodown。Thismaybesometrifling
intrigue，andIcannotbreakmyotherimportantresearchforthe
sakeofit。OnMondayyouwillarriveearlyatFarnham；youwill
concealyourselfnearCharlingtonHeath；youwillobservethese
factsforyourself，andactasyourownjudgmentadvises。Then，having
inquiredastotheoccupantsoftheHall，youwillcomebacktomeand
report。Andnow，Watson，notanotherwordofthematteruntilwe
haveafewsolidsteppingstonesonwhichwemayhopetogetacross
tooursolution。”
Wehadascertainedfromtheladythatshewentdownuponthe
MondaybythetrainwhichleavesWaterlooat9：50，soIstarted
earlyandcaughtthe9：13。AtFarnhamStationIhadnodifficultyin
beingdirectedtoCharlingtonHeath。Itwasimpossibletomistake
sceneoftheyounglady”sadventure，fortheroadrunsbetweenthe
openheathononesideandanoldyewhedgeupontheother，
surroundingaparkwhichisstuddedwithmagnificenttrees。There
wasamaingatewayoflichen-studdedstone，eachsidepillar
surmountedbymoulderingheraldicemblems，butbesidesthiscentral
carriagedriveIobservedseveralpointswherethereweregapsin
thehedgeandpathsleadingthroughthem。Thehousewasinvisiblefrom
theroad，butthesurroundingsallspokeofgloomanddecay。
Theheathwascoveredwithgoldenpatchesoffloweringgorse，
gleamingmagnificentlyinthelightofthebrightspringsunshine。
BehindoftheseclumpsItookupmyposition，soastocommandboth
thegatewayoftheHallandalongstretchoftheroaduponeither
side。IthadbeendesertedwhenIleftit，butnowIsawacyclist
ridingdownitfromtheoppositedirectiontothatinwhichIhad
come。Hewascladinadarksuit，andIsawthathehadablackbeard。
OnreachingtheendoftheCharlingtongrounds，hesprangfromhis
machineandleditthroughagapinthehedge，disappearingfrommy
view。
Aquarterofanhourpassed，andthenasecondcyclistappeared。
Thistimeitwastheyoungladycomingfromthestation。Isawher
lookaboutherasshecametotheCharlingtonhedge。Aninstant
laterthemanemergedfromhishiding-place，spranguponhiscycle，
andfollowedher。Inallthebroadlandscapethoseweretheonly
movingfigures，thegracefulgirlsittingverystraightuponher
machine，andthemanbehindherbendinglowoverhishandle-barwitha
curiouslyfurtivesuggestionineverymovement。Shelookedbackathim
andslowedherpace。Heslowedalso。Shestopped。Heatonce
stopped，too，keepingtwohundredyardsbehindher。Hernext
movementwasasunexpectedasitwasspirited。Shesuddenlywhisked
herwheelsroundanddashedstraightathim。Hewasasquickasshe，
however，anddartedoffindesperateflight。Presentlyshecameback
uptheroadagain，herheadhaughtilyintheair，notdeigningtotake
anyfurthernoticeofhersilentattendant。Hehadturnedalso，and
stillkepthisdistanceuntilthecurveoftheroadhidthemfrommy
sight。
Iremainedinmyhiding-place，anditwaswellthatIdidso，for
presentlythemanreappeared，cyclingslowlyback。Heturnedinatthe
Hallgates，anddismountedfromhismachine。ForsomeminutesI
couldseehimstandingamongthetrees。Hishandswereraised，and
heseemedtobesettlinghisnecktie。Thenhemountedhiscycle，and
rodeawayfrommedownthedrivetowardstheHall。Iranacrossthe
heathandpeeredthroughthetrees。FarawayIcouldcatchglimpsesof
theoldgraybuildingwithitsbristlingTudorchimneys，butthedrive
ranthroughadenseshrubbery，andIsawnomoreofmyman。
However，itseemedtomethatIhaddoneafairlygoodmorning”s
work，andIwalkedbackinhighspiritstoFarnham。Thelocalhouse
agentcouldtellmenothingaboutCharlingtonHall，andreferredmeto
awellknownfirminPallMall。ThereIhaltedonmywayhome，andmet
withcourtesyfromtherepresentative。No，Icouldnothave
CharlingtonHallforthesummer。Iwasjusttoolate。Ithadbeen
letaboutamonthago。Mr。Williamsonwasthenameofthetenant。He
wasarespectable，elderlygentleman。Thepoliteagentwasafraidhe
couldsaynomore，astheaffairsofhisclientswerenotmatters
whichhecoulddiscuss。
Mr。SherlockHolmeslistenedwithattentiontothelongreportwhich
Iwasabletopresenttohimthatevening，butitdidnotelicit
thatwordofcurtpraisewhichIhadhopedforandshouldhavevalued。
Onthecontrary，hisausterefacewasevenmoreseverethanusualas
hecommenteduponthethingsthatIhaddoneandthethingsthatIhad
not。
“Yourhiding-place，mydearWatson，wasveryfaulty。Youshouldhave
beenbehindthehedge，thenyouwouldhavehadacloseviewofthis
interestingperson。Asitis，youweresomehundredsofyardsawayand
cantellmeevenlessthanMissSmith。Shethinksshedoesnotknow
theman；Iamconvincedshedoes。Why，otherwise，shouldhebeso
desperatelyanxiousthatsheshouldnotgetsonearhimastosee
hisfeatures？Youdescribehimasbendingoverthehandle-bar。
Concealmentagain，yousee。Youreallyhavedoneremarkablybadly。
Hereturnstothehouse，andyouwanttofindoutwhoheis。You
cometoaLondonhouseagent！“
“WhatshouldIhavedone？“Icried，withsomeheat。
“Gonetothenearestpublic-house。Thatisthecentreofcountry
gossip。Theywouldhavetoldyoueveryname，fromthemastertothe
scullery-maid。Williamson？Itconveysnothingtomymind。Ifheis
anelderlymanheisnotthisactivecyclistwhosprintsawayfrom
thatyounglady”sathleticpursuit。Whathavewegainedbyyour
expedition？Theknowledgethatthegirl”sstoryistrue。Inever
doubtedit。Thatthereisaconnectionbetweenthecyclistandthe
Hall。Ineverdoubtedthateither。ThattheHallistenantedby
Williamson。Who”sthebetterforthat？Well，well，mydearsir，
don”tlooksodepressed。WecandolittlemoreuntilnextSaturday，
andinthemeantimeImaymakeoneortwoinquiriesmyself。”
Nextmorning，wehadanotefromMissSmith，recountingshortly
andaccuratelytheveryincidentswhichIhadseen，butthepithof
theletterlayinthepostscript：
Iamsurethatyouwillrespectmyconfidence，Mr。Holmes，whenI
tellyouthatmyplaceherehasbecomedifficult，owingtothefact
thatmyemployerhasproposedmarriagetome。Iamconvincedthat
hisfeelingsaremostdeepandmosthonourable。Atthesametime，my
promiseisofcoursegiven。Hetookmyrefusalveryseriously，but
alsoverygently。Youcanunderstand，however，thatthesituationisa
littlestrained。
“Ouryoungfriendseemstobegettingintodeepwaters，“saidHolmes，
thoughtfully，ashefinishedtheletter。“Thecasecertainly
presentsmorefeaturesofinterestandmorepossibilityofdevelopment
thanIhadoriginallythought。Ishouldbenonetheworseforaquiet，
peacefuldayinthecountry，andIaminclinedtorundownthis
afternoonandtestoneortwotheorieswhichIhaveformed。”
Holmes”squietdayinthecountryhadasingulartermination，forhe
arrivedatBakerStreetlateintheevening，withacutlipanda
discolouredlumpuponhisforehead，besidesageneralairof
dissipationwhichwouldhavemadehisownpersonthefittingobjectof
aScotlandYardinvestigation。Hewasimmenselytickledbyhisown
adventuresandlaughedheartilyasberecountedthem。
“Igetsolittleactiveexercisethatitisalwaysatreat“saidhe。
“YouareawarethatIhavesomeproficiencyinthegoodoldBritish
sportofboxing。Occasionally，itisofservice，to-day，for
example，Ishouldhavecometoveryignominiousgriefwithoutit。”
Ibeggedhimtotellmewhathadoccurred。
“IfoundthatcountrypubwhichIhadalreadyrecommendedtoyour
notice，andthereImademydiscreetinquiries。Iwasinthebar，
andagarrulouslandlordwasgivingmeallthatIwanted。Williamson
isawhite-beardedman，andhelivesalonewithasmallstaffof
servantsattheHall。Thereissomerumorthatheisorhasbeena
clergyman，butoneortwoincidentsofhisshortresidenceattheHall
struckmeaspeculiarlyunecclesiastical。Ihavealreadymadesome
inquiriesataclericalagency，andtheytellmethattherewasa
manofthatnameinorders，whosecareerhasbeenasingularlydark
one。Thelandlordfurtherinformedmethatthereareusuallyweekend
visitors-`awarmlot，sir”-attheHall，andespeciallyonegentleman
witharedmoustache，Mr。Woodleybyname，whowasalwaysthere。We
hadgotasfarasthis，whenwhoshouldwalkinbutthegentleman
himself，whohadbeendrinkinghisbeerinthetap-roomandhad
heardthewholeconversation。WhowasI？WhatdidIwant？WhatdidI
meanbyaskingquestions？Hehadafineflowoflanguage，andhis
adjectiveswereveryvigorous。Heendedastringofabusebyavicious
backhander，whichIfailedtoentirelyavoid。Thenextfewminutes
weredelicious。Itwasastraightleftagainstasloggingruffian。I
emergedasyouseeme。Mr。Woodleywenthomeinacart。Soendedmy
countrytrip，anditmustbeconfessedthat，howeverenjoyable，myday
ontheSurreyborderhasnotbeenmuchmoreprofitablethanyourown。”
TheThursdaybroughtusanotherletterfromourclient。
Youwillnotbesurprised，Mr。Holmes[saidshe]tohearthatIam
leavingMr。Carruthers”semployment。Eventhehighpaycannot
reconcilemetothediscomfortsofmysituation。OnSaturdayIcomeup
totown，andIdonotintendtoreturn。Mr。Carruthershasgotatrap，
andsothedangersofthelonelyroad，ifthereeverwereanydangers，
arenowover。
Astothespecialcauseofmyleaving，itisnotmerelythestrained
situationwithMr。Carruthers，butitisthereappearanceofthat
odiousman，Mr。Woodley。Hewasalwayshideous，buthelooksmore
awfulthanevernow，forheappearstohavehadanaccidentandhe
ismuchdisfigured。Isawhimoutofthewindow，butIamgladto
sayIdidnotmeethim。HehadalongtalkwithMr。Carruthers，who
seemedmuchexcitedafterwards。Woodleymustbestayinginthe
neighbourhood，forhedidnotsleephere，andyetIcaughtaglimpse
ofhimagainthismorning，slinkingaboutintheshrubbery。Iwould
soonerhaveasavagewildanimallooseabouttheplace。Iloatheand
fearhimmorethanIcansay。HowcanMr。Carruthersenduresucha
creatureforamoment？However，allmytroubleswillbeoveron
Saturday。
“SoItrust，Watson，soItrust“saidHolmes，gravely。“Thereis
somedeepintriguegoingonroundthatlittlewoman，anditisour
dutytoseethatnoonemolestsheruponthatlastjourney。Ithink，
Watson，thatwemustsparetimetorundowntogetheronSaturday
morningandmakesurethatthiscuriousandinclusiveinvestigation
hasnountowardending。”
IconfessthatIhadnotuptonowtakenaveryseriousviewof
thecase，whichhadseemedtomerathergrotesqueandbizarrethan
dangerous。Thatamanshouldlieinwaitforandfollowavery
handsomewomanisnounheard-ofthing，andifhehassolittle
audacitythathenotonlydarednotaddressher，butevenfledfrom
herapproach，hewasnotaveryformidableassailant。Theruffian
Woodleywasaverydifferentperson，but，exceptononeoccasion，he
hadnotmolestedourclient，andnowhevisitedthehouseof
Carrutherswithoutintrudinguponherpresence。Themanonthebicycle
wasdoubtlessamemberofthoseweek-endpartiesattheHallof
whichthepublicanhadspoken，butwhohewas，orwhathewanted，
wasasobscureasever。ItwastheseverityofHolmes”smannerandthe
factthatheslippedarevolverintohispocketbeforeleavingour
roomswhichimpressedmewiththefeelingthattragedymightprove
tolurkbehindthiscurioustrainofevents。
Arainynighthadbeenfollowedbyagloriousmorning，andthe
heath-coveredcountryside，withtheglowingclumpsoffloweringgorse，
seemedallthemorebeautifultoeyeswhichwerewearyofthedunsand
drabsandslategraysofLondon。HolmesandIwalkedalongthe
broad，sandyroadinhalingthefreshmorningairandrejoicingin
themusicofthebirdsandthefreshbreathofthespring。Fromarise
oftheroadontheshoulderofCrooksburyHill，wecouldseethe
grimHallbristlingoutfromamidsttheancientoaks，which，oldas
theywere，werestillyoungerthanthebuildingwhichtheysurrounded。
Holmespointeddownthelongtractofroadwhichwound，areddish
yellowband，betweenthebrownoftheheathandthebuddinggreenof
thewoods。Faraway，ablackdot，wecouldseeavehiclemovinginour
direction。Holmesgaveanexclamationofimpatience。
“Ihavegivenamarginofhalfanhour，“saidhe。“Ifthatisher
trap，shemustbemakingfortheearliertrain。Ifear，Watson，that
shewillbepastCharlingtonbeforewecanpossiblymeether。”
Fromtheinstantthatwepassedtherise，wecouldnolongerseethe
vehicle，butwehastenedonwardatsuchapacethatmysedentary
lifebegantotelluponme，andIwascompelledtofallbehind。
Holmes，however，wasalwaysintraining，forhehadinexhaustible
storesofnervousenergyuponwhichtodraw。Hisspringystepnever
sloweduntilsuddenly，whenhewasahundredyardsinfrontofme，
hehalted，andIsawhimthrowuphishandwithagestureofgriefand
despair。Atthesameinstantanemptydog-cart，thehorsecantering，
thereinstrailing，appearedroundthecurveoftheroadandrattled
swiftlytowardsus。
“Toolate，Watson，toolate！“criedHolmes，asIranpantingto
hisside。“FoolthatIwasnottoallowforthatearliertrain！It”s
abduction，Watson-abduction！Murder！Heavenknowswhat！Blockthe
road！Stopthehorse！That”sright。Now，jumpin，andletusseeif
Icanrepairtheconsequencesofmyownblunder。”
Wehadsprungintothedog-cart，andHolmes，afterturningthe
horse，gaveitasharpcutwiththewhip，andweflewbackalongthe
road。Asweturnedthecurve，thewholestretchofroadbetweenthe
Hallandtheheathwasopenedup。IgraspedHolmes”sarm。
“That”stheman！“Igasped。
Asolitarycyclistwascomingtowardsus。Hisheadwasdownandhis
shouldersrounded，asheputeveryounceofenergythathepossessed
ontothepedals。Hewasflyinglikearacer。Suddenlyheraisedhis
beardedface，sawusclosetohim，andpulledup，springingfromhis
machine。Thatcoal-blackbeardwasinsingularcontrasttoeyeswere
asbrightasifhehadafever。Hestaredatusandatthedog-cart。
Thenalookofamazementcameoverhisface。
“Halloa！Stopthere！“heshouted，holdinghisbicycletoblockour
road。“Wheredidyougetthatdog-cart？Pullup，man！“heyelled，
drawingapistolfromhisside“Pullup，Isay，or，byGeorge，I”ll
putabulletintoyourhorse。”
Holmesthrewthereinsintomylapandsprangdownfromthecart。
“You”rethemanwewanttosee。WhereisMissVioletSmith？“he
said，inhisquick，clearway。
“That”swhatI”maskingyou。You”reinherdog-cart。Yououghtto
knowwheresheis。”
“Wemetthedog-cartontheroad。Therewasnooneinit。Wedrove
backtohelptheyounglady。”
“GoodLord！GoodLord！WhatshallIdo？“criedthestranger，inan
ecstasyofdespair。“They”vegother，thathell-houndWoodleyand
theblackguardparson。Come，man，come，ifyoureallyareher
friend。Standbymeandwe”llsaveher，ifIhavetoleavemy
carcassinCharlingtonWood。”
Herandistractedly，hispistolinhishand，towardsagapinthe
hedge。Holmesfollowedhim，andI，leavingthehorsegrazingbeside
theroad，followedHolmes。
“Thisiswheretheycamethrough，“saidhe，pointingtothemarksof
severalfeetuponthemuddypath。“Halloa！Stopaminute！Who”sthis
inthebush？“
Itwasayoungfellowaboutseventeen，dressedlikeanostler，
withleathercordsandgaiters。Helayuponhisback，hisknees
drawnup，aterriblecutuponhishead。Hewasinsensible，but
alive。Aglanceathiswoundtoldmethatithadnotpenetratedthe
bone。
“That”sPeter，thegroom，“criedthestranger。“Hedroveher。The
beastshavepulledhimoffandclubbedhim。Lethimlie；wecan”tdo
himanygood，butwemaysaveherfromtheworstfatethatcan
befallawoman。”
Weranfranticallydownthepath，whichwoundamongthetrees。We
hadreachedtheshrubberywhichsurroundedthehousewhenHolmes
pulledup。
“Theydidn”tgotothehouse。Herearetheirmarksontheleft-
here，besidethelaurelbushes。Ah！Isaidso。”
Ashespoke，awoman”sshrillscream-ascreamwhichvibratedwitha
frenzyofhorror-burstfromthethick，greenclumpofbushesinfront
ofus。Itendedsuddenlyonitshighestnotewithachokeanda
gurgle。
“Thisway！Thisway！Theyareinthebowling-alley，“criedthe
stranger，dartingthroughthebushes。“Ah，thecowardlydogs！Follow
me，gentlemen！Toolate！toolate！bythelivingJingo！“
Wehadbrokensuddenlyintoalovelygladeofgreensward
surroundedbyancienttrees。Onthefarthersideofit，underthe
shadowofamightyoak，therestoodasingulargroupofthree
people。Onewasawoman，ourclient，droopingandfaint，a
handkerchiefroundhermouth。Oppositeherstoodabrutal，
heavy-faced，redmoustachedyoungman，hisgaiteredlegspartedwide，
onearmakimbo，theotherwavingaridingcrop，hiswholeattitude
suggestiveoftriumphantbravado。Betweenthemanelderly，
gray-beardedman，wearingashortsurpliceoveralighttweedsuit，
hadevidentlyjustcompletedtheweddingservice，forhepocketed
hisprayer-bookasweappeared，andslappedthesinisterbridegroom
uponthebackinjovialcongratulation。
“They”remarried？“Igasped。
“Comeon！“criedourguide，“comeon！“Herushedacrosstheglade，
HolmesandIathisheels。Asweapproached，theladystaggered
againstthetrunkofthetreeforsupport。Williamson，the
ex-clergyman，bowedtouswithmockpoliteness，andthebully，
Woodley，advancedwithashoutofbrutalandexultantlaughter。
“Youcantakeyourbeardoff，Bob，“saidhe。“Iknowyou，right
enough。Well，youandyourpalshavejustcomeintimeformetobe
abletointroduceyoutoMrs。Woodley。”
Ourguide”sanswerwasasingularone。Hesnatchedoffthedark
beardwhichhaddisguisedhimandthrewitontheground，disclosinga
long，sallow，clean-shavenfacebelowit。Thenheraisedhis
revolverandcoveredtheyoungruffian，whowasadvancinguponhim
withhisdangerousridingcropswinginginhishand。
“Yes，“saidourally，“IamBobCarruthers，andI”llseethis
womanrighted，ifIhavetoswingforit。ItoldyouwhatI”ddoif
youmolestedher，and，bytheLord！I”llbeasgoodasmyword。”
“You”retoolate。She”smywife。”
“No，she”syourwidow。”
Hisrevolvercracked，andIsawthebloodspurtfromthefrontof
Woodley”swaistcoat。Hespunroundwithascreamandfelluponhis
back，hishideousredfaceturningsuddenlytoadreadfulmottled
pallor。Theoldman，stillcladinhissurplice，burstintosucha
stringoffouloathsasIhaveneverheard，andpulledouta
revolverofhisown，but，beforehecouldraiseit，hewaslooking
downthebarrelofHolmes”sweapon。
“Enoughofthis，“saidmyfriend，coldly。“Dropthatpistol！Watson，
pickitup！Holdittohishead。Thankyou。You，Carruthers，giveme
thatrevolver。We”llhavenomoreviolence。Come，handitover！“
“Whoareyou，then？“
“MynameisSherlockHolmes。”
“GoodLord！“
“Youhaveheardofme，Isee。Iwillrepresenttheofficialpolice
untiltheirarrival。Here，you！“heshoutedtoafrightenedgroom，who
hadappearedattheedgeoftheglade。“Comehere。Takethisnoteas
hardasyoucanridetoFarnham。”Hescribbledafewwordsuponaleaf
fromhisnotebook。“Giveittothesuperintendentatthe
police-station。Untilhecomes，Imustdetainyouallundermy
personalcustody。”
Thestrong，masterfulpersonalityofHolmesdominatedthetragic
scene，andallwereequallypuppetsinhishands。Williamsonand
CarruthersfoundthemselvescarryingthewoundedWoodleyintothe
house，andIgavemyarmtothefrightenedgirl。Theinjuredmanwas
laidonhisbed，andatHolmes”srequestIexaminedhim。Icarried
myreporttowherehesatintheoldtapestry-hungdining-roomwith
histwoprisonersbeforehim。
“Hewilllive，“saidI。
“What！“criedCarruthers，springingoutofhischair。“I”llgo
upstairsandfinishhimfirst。Doyoutellmethatthatangel，isto
betiedtoRoaringJackWoodleyforlife？“
“Youneednotconcernyourselfaboutthat，“saidHolmes。“There
aretwoverygoodreasonswhysheshould，undernocircumstances，be
hiswife。Inthefirstplace，weareverysafeinquestioningMr。
Williamson”srighttosolemnizeamarriage。”
“Ihavebeenordained，“criedtheoldrascal。
“Andalsounfrocked。”
“Onceaclergyman，alwaysaclergyman。”
“Ithinknot。Howaboutthelicense？“
“Wehadalicenseforthemarriage。Ihaveithereinmypocket。”
“Thenyougotitbytrick。But，inanycaseaforcedmarriageis
nomarriage，butitisaveryseriousfelony，asyouwilldiscover
beforeyouhavefinished。You”llhavetimetothinkthepointout
duringthenexttenyearsorso，unlessIammistaken。Astoyou，
Carruthers，youwouldhavedonebettertokeepyourpistolinyour
pocket。”
“Ibegintothinkso，Mr。Holmes，butwhenIthoughtofallthe
precautionIhadtakentoshieldthisgirl-forIlovedher，Mr。
Holmes，anditistheonlytimethateverIknewwhatlovewas-it
fairlydrovememadtothinkthatshewasinthepowerofthegreatest
bruteandbullyinSouthAfrica-amanwhosenameisaholyterror
fromKimberleytoJohannesburg。Why，Mr。Holmes，you”llhardlybelieve
it，buteversincethatgirlhasbeeninmyemploymentIneveronce
lethergopastthishouse，whereIknewrascalswerelurking，without
followingheronmybicycle，toseethatshecametonoharm。Ikept
mydistancefromher，andIworeabeard，sothatsheshouldnot
recognizeme，forsheisagoodandhigh-spiritedgirl，andshe
wouldn”thavestayedinmyemploymentlongifshehadthoughtthatI
wasfollowingheraboutthecountryroads。”
“Whydidn”tyoutellherofherdanger？“
“Becausethen，again，shewouldhaveleftme，andIcouldn”tbearto
facethat。Evenifshecouldn”tloveme，itwasagreatdealtome
justtoseeherdaintyformaboutthehouse，andtohearthesound
ofhervoice。”
“Well，“saidI，“youcallthatlove，Mr。Carruthers，butIshould
callitselfishness。”
“Maybethetwothingsgotogether。Anyhow，Icouldn”tlethergo。
Besides，withthiscrowdabout，itwaswellthatsheshouldhave
someoneneartolookafterher。Then，whenthecablecame，Iknewthey
wereboundtomakeamove。”
“Whatcable？“
Carrutherstookatelegramfromhispocket“That”sit，“saidhe。
Itwasshortandconcise：THEOLDMANISDEAD。
“Hum！“saidHolmes。“IthinkIseehowthingsworked，andIcan
understandhowthismessagewould，asyousay，bringthemtoahead。
Butwhileyouwait，youmighttellmewhatyoucan。
Theoldreprobatewiththesurpliceburstintoavolleyofbad
language。
“Byheaven！“saidhe，“ifyousquealonus，BobCarruthers，I”ll
serveyouasyouservedJackWoodley。Youcanbleataboutthegirl
toyourheart”scontent，forthat”syourownaffair，butifyou
roundonyourpalstothisplain-clothescopper，itwillbethe
worstday”sworkthateveryoudid。”
“Yourreverenceneednotbeexcited，“saidHolmes，lightinga
cigarette。“Thecaseisclearenoughagainstyou，andallIaskisa
fewdetailsformyprivatecuriosity。However，ifthere”sany
difficultyinyourtellingme，I”lldothetalking，andthenyou
willseehowfaryouhaveachanceofholdingbackyoursecrets。In
thefirstplace，threeofyoucamefromSouthAfricaonthisgame-you
Williamson，youCarruthers，andWoodley。”
“Lienumberone，“saidtheoldman；“Ineversaweitherofthem
untiltwomonthsago，andIhaveneverbeeninAfricainmylife，so
youcanputthatinyourpipeandsmokeit，Mr。BusybodyHolmes！“
“Whathesaysistrue，“saidCarruthers。
“Well，well，twoofyoucameover。Hisreverenceisourownhomemade
article。YouhadknownRalphSmithinSouthAfrica。Youhadreason
tobelievehewouldnotlivelong。Youfoundoutthathisniece
wouldinherithisfortune。How”sthat-eh？“
CarruthersnoddedandWilliamsonswore。
“Shewasnextofkin，nodoubt，andyouwereawarethattheold
fellowwouldmakenowill。”
“Couldn”treadorwrite，“saidCarruthers。
“Soyoucameover，thetwoofyou，andhuntedupthegirl。The
ideawasthatoneofyouwastomarryher，andtheotherhavea
shareoftheplunder。Forsomereason，Woodleywaschosenasthe
husband。Whywasthat？“
“Weplayedcardsforheronthevoyage。Hewon。”
“Isee。Yougottheyoungladyintoyourservice，andthere
Woodleywastodothecourting。Sherecognizedthedrunkenbrute
thathewas，andwouldhavenothingtodowithhim。Meanwhile，your
arrangementwasratherupsetbythefactthatyouhadyourself
falleninlovewiththelady。Youcouldnolongerbeartheideaof
thisruffianowningher？“
“No，byGeorge，Icouldn”t！“
“Therewasaquarrelbetweenyou。Heleftyouinarage，andbegan
tomakehisownplansindependentlyofyou。”
“Itstrikesme，Williamson，thereisn”tverymuchthatwecantell
thisgentleman，“criedCarruthers，withabitterlaugh。“Yes，we
quarreled，andheknockedmedown。Iamlevelwithhimonthat，
anyhow。ThenIlostsightofhim。Thatwaswhenhepickedupwiththis
outcastpadrehere。Ifoundthattheyhadsetuphousekeepingtogether
atthisplaceonthelinethatshehadtopassforthestation。Ikept
myeyeonherafterthat，forIknewtherewassomedevilryinthe
wind。Isawthemfromtimetotime，forIwasanxioustoknowwhat
theywereafter。TwodaysagoWoodleycameuptomyhousewiththis
cable，whichshowedthatRalphSmithwasdead。HeaskedmeifI
wouldstandbythebargain。IsaidIwouldnot。HeaskedmeifIwould
marrythegirlmyselfandgivehimashare。IsaidIwouldwillingly
doso，butthatshewouldnothaveme。Hesaid，`Letusgether
marriedfirstandafteraweekortwoshemayseethingsabit
different。”IsaidIwouldhavenothingtodowithviolence。Sohe
wentoffcursing，likethefoul-mouthedblackguardthathewas，and
swearingthathewouldhaveheryet。Shewasleavingmethisweek-end，
andIhadgotatraptotakehertothestation，butIwassouneasy
inmymindthatIfollowedheronmybicycle。Shehadgotastart，
however，andbeforeIcouldcatchher，themischiefwasdone。The
firstthingIknewaboutitwaswhenIsawyoutwogentlemendriving
backinherdog-cart“
Holmesroseandtossedtheendofhiscigaretteintothegrate。“I
havebeenveryobtuse，Watson，“saidhe。“Wheninyourreportyousaid
thatyouhadseenthecyclistasyouthoughtarrangehisnecktiein
theshrubbery，thataloneshouldhavetoldmeall。However，wemay
congratulateourselvesuponacuriousand，insomerespects，a
uniquecase。Iperceivethreeofthecountyconstabularyinthedrive，
andIamgladtoseethatthelittleostlerisabletokeeppace
withthem，soitislikelythatneitherhenortheinteresting
bridegroomwillbepermanentlydamagedbytheirmorning”s
adventures。Ithink，Watson，thatinyourmedicalcapacity，you
mightwaituponMissSmithandtellherthatifsheissufficiently
recovered，weshallbehappytoescorthertohermother”shome。If
sheisnotquiteconvalescentyouwillfindthatahintthatwewere
abouttotelegraphtoayoungelectricianintheMidlandswould
probablycompletethecure。Astoyou，Mr。Carruthers，Ithinkthat
youhavedonewhatyoucouldtomakeamendsforyourshareinan
evilplot。Thereismycard，sir，andifmyevidencecanbeofhelpin
yourtrial，itshallbeatyourdisposal。”
Inthewhirlofourincessantactivity，ithasoftenbeen
difficultforme，asthereaderhasprobablyobserved，toroundoffmy
narratives，andtogivethosefinaldetailswhichthecuriousmight
expect。Eachcasehasbeenthepreludetoanother，andthecrisisonce
over，theactorshavepassedforeveroutofourbusylives。Ifind，
however，ashortnoteattheendofmymanuscriptdealingwiththis
case，inwhichIhaveputituponrecordthatMissVioletSmithdid
indeedinheritalargefortune，andthatsheisnowthewifeof
CyrilMorton，theseniorpartnerofMorton&Kennedy，thefamous
Westminsterelectricians。WilliamsonandWoodleywerebothtriedfor
abductionandassault，theformergettingsevenyearsthelatter
ten。OfthefateofCarruthers，Ihavenorecord，butIamsurethat
hisassaultwasnotviewedverygravelybythecourt，sinceWoodley
hadthereputationofbeingamostdangerousruffian，andIthinkthat
afew，monthsweresufficienttosatisfythedemandsofjustice-
THEEND。
1892
SHERLOCKHOLMES
THEADVENTUREOFTHESPECKLEDBAND
bySirArthurConanDoyle
OnglancingovermynotesoftheseventyoddcasesinwhichIhave
duringthelasteightyearsstudiedthemethodsofmyfriend
SherlockHolmes，Ifindmanytragic，somecomic，alargenumbermerely
strange，butnonecommonplace；for，workingashedidratherforthe
loveofhisartthanfortheacquirementofwealth，herefusedto
associatehimselfwithanyinvestigationwhichdidnottendtowards
theunusual，andeventhefantastic。Ofallthesevariedcases，
however，Icannotrecallanywhichpresentedmoresingularfeatures
thanthatwhichwasassociatedwiththewell-knownSurreyfamilyof
theRoylottsofStokeMoran。Theeventsinquestionoccurredinthe
earlydaysofmyassociationwithHolmes，whenweweresharingrooms
asbachelorsinBakerStreet。ItispossiblethatImighthave
placedthemuponrecordbefore，butapromiseofsecrecywasmadeat
thetime，fromwhichIhaveonlybeenfreedduringthelastmonthby
theuntimelydeathoftheladytowhomthepledgewasgiven。Itis
perhapsaswellthatthefactsshouldnowcometolight，forIhave
reasonstoknowthattherearewidespreadrumoursastothedeathof
Dr。GrimesbyRoylottwhichtendtomakethematterevenmore
terriblethanthetruth。
ItwasearlyinAprilintheyear”83thatIwokeonemorningto
findSherlockHolmesstanding，fullydressed，bythesideofmybed。
Hewasalateriser，asarule，andastheclockonthemantelpiece
showedmethatitwasonlyaquarter-pastseven，Iblinkedupathim
insomesurprise，andperhapsjustalittleresentment，forIwas
myselfregularinmyhabits。
“Verysorrytoknockyouup，Watson，“saidhe，“butit”sthe
commonlotthismorning。Mrs。Hudsonhasbeenknockedup，sheretorted
uponme，andIonyou。”
“Whatisit，then-afire？“
“No；aclient。Itseemsthatayoungladyhasarrivedina
considerablestateofexcitement，whoinsistsuponseeingme。Sheis
waitingnowinthesitting-room。Now，whenyoungladieswanderabout
themetropolisatthishourofthemorning，andknocksleepypeopleup
outoftheirbeds，Ipresumethatitissomethingverypressing
whichtheyhavetocommunicate。Shoulditprovetobeaninteresting
case，youwould，Iamsure，wishtofollowitfromtheoutset。I
thought，atanyrate，thatIshouldcallyouandgiveyouthechance。”
“Mydearfellow，Iwouldnotmissitforanything。”
IhadnokeenerpleasurethaninfollowingHolmesinhis
professionalinvestigations，andinadmiringtherapiddeductions，
asswiftasintuitions，andyetalwaysfoundedonalogicalbasis，
withwhichheunravelledtheproblemswhichweresubmittedtohim。I
rapidlythrewonmyclothesandwasreadyinafewminutesto
accompanymyfrienddowntothesitting-room。Aladydressedin
blackandheavilyveiled，whohadbeensittinginthewindow，rose
asweentered。
“Good-morning，madam，“saidHolmescheerily。“MynameisSherlock
Holmes。Thisismyintimatefriendandassociate，Dr。Watson，before
whomyoucanspeakasfreelyasbeforemyself。Ha！Iamgladtosee
thatMrs。Hudsonhashadthegoodsensetolightthefire。Praydraw
uptoit，andIshallorderyouacupofhotcoffee，forIobserve
thatyouareshivering。”
“Itisnotcoldwhichmakesmeshiver，“saidthewomaninalow
voice，changingherseatasrequested。
“What，then？“
“Itisfear，Mr。Holmes。Itisterror。”Sheraisedherveilasshe
spoke，andwecouldseethatshewasindeedinapitiablestateof
agitation，herfacealldrawnandgray，withrestless，frightened
eyes，likethoseofsomehuntedanimal。Herfeaturesandfigurewere
thoseofawomanofthirty，butherhairwasshotwithprematuregray，
andherexpressionwaswearyandhaggard。SherlockHolmesranherover
withoneofhisquick，all-comprehensiveglances。
“Youmustnotfear，“saidhesoothingly，bendingforwardandpatting
herforearm。“Weshallsoonsetmattersright，Ihavenodoubt。You
havecomeinbytrainthismorning，Isee。”
“Youknowme，then？“
“No，butIobservethesecondhalfofareturnticketinthepalmof
yourleftglove。Youmusthavestartedearly，andyetyouhadagood
driveinadog-cart，alongheavyroads，beforeyoureachedthe
station。”
Theladygaveaviolentstartandstaredinbewildermentatmy
companion。
“Thereisnomystery，mydearmadam，“saidhe，smiling。“Theleft
armofyourjacketisspatteredwithmudinnolessthansevenplaces。
Themarksareperfectlyfresh。Thereisnovehiclesaveadog-cart
whichthrowsupmudinthatway，andthenonlywhenyousitonthe
left-handsideofthedriver。”
“Whateveryourreasonsmaybe，youareperfectlycorrect，“saidshe。
“IstartedfromhomebeforesixreachedLeatherheadattwentypast，
andcameinbythefirsttraintoWaterloo。Sir，Icanstandthis
strainnolonger；Ishallgomadifitcontinues。Ihavenooneto
turnto-none，saveonlyone，whocaresforme，andhe，poorfellow，
canbeoflittleaid。Ihaveheardofyou，Mr。Holmes；Ihaveheardof
youfromMrs。Farintosh，whomyouhelpedinthehourofhersoreneed。
ItwasfromherthatIhadyouraddress。Oh，sir，doyounotthink
thatyoucouldhelpme，too，andatleastthrowalittlelightthrough
thedensedarknesswhichsurroundsme？Atpresentitisoutofmy
powertorewardyouforyourservices，butinamonthorsixweeksI
shallbemarried，withthecontrolofmyownincome，andthenatleast
youshallnotfindmeungrateful。”
Holmesturnedtohisdeskand，unlockingit，drewoutasmall
case-book，whichheconsulted。
“Farintosh，“saidhe。“Ahyes，Irecallthecase，itwasconcerned
withanopaltiara。Ithinkitwasbeforeyourtime，Watson。Ican
onlysay，madam，thatIshallbehappytodevotethesamecaretoyour
caseasIdidtothatofyourfriend。Astoreward，myprofessionis
itsownreward；butyouareatlibertytodefraywhateverexpensesI
maybeputto，atthetimewhichsuitsyoubest。AndnowIbegthat
youwilllaybeforeuseverythingthatmayhelpusinformingan
opinionuponthematter。”
“Alas！“repliedourvisitor，“theveryhorrorofmysituationlies
inthefactthatmyfearsaresovague，andmysuspicionsdependso
entirelyuponsmallpoints，whichmightseemtrivialtoanother，
thatevenhetowhomofallothersIhavearighttolookforhelpand
advicelooksuponallthatItellhimaboutitasthefanciesofa
nervouswoman。Hedoesnotsayso，butIcanreaditfromhissoothing
answersandavertedeyes。ButIhaveheard，Mr。Holmes，thatyoucan
seedeeplyintothemanifoldwickednessofthehumanheart。Youmay
advisemehowtowalkamidthedangerswhichencompassme。”
“Iamallattention，madam。”
“MynameisHelenStoner，andIamlivingwithmystepfather，whois
thelastsurvivorofoneoftheoldestSaxonfamiliesinEngland，
theRoylottsofStokeMoran，onthewesternborderofSurrey。”
Holmesnoddedhishead。“Thenameisfamiliartome，“saidhe。
“ThefamilywasatonetimeamongtherichestinEngland，andthe
estatesextendedoverthebordersintoBerkshireinthenorth，and
Hampshireinthewest。Inthelastcentury，however，foursuccessive
heirswereofadissoluteandwastefuldisposition，andthefamily
ruinwaseventuallycompletedbyagamblerinthedaysoftheRegency。
Nothingwasleftsaveafewacresofground，andthe
two-hundred-year-oldhouse，whichisitselfcrushedunderaheavy
mortgage。Thelastsquiredraggedouthisexistencethere，living
thehorriblelifeofanaristocraticpauper，buthisonlyson，my
stepfather，seeingthathemustadapthimselftothenewconditions，
obtainedanadvancefromarelative，whichenabledhimtotakea
medicaldegreeandwentouttoCalcutta，where，byhisprofessional
skillandhisforceofcharacter，heestablishedalargepractice。
Inafitofanger，however，causedbysomerobberieswhichhadbeen
perpetratedinthehouse，hebeathisnativebutlertodeathand
narrowlyescapedacapitalsentence。Asitwas，hesufferedalong
termofimprisonmentandafterwardsreturnedtoEnglandamoroseand
disappointedman。
“WhenDr。RoylottwasinIndiahemarriedmymother，Mrs。Stoner，
theyoungwidowofMajorGeneralStoner，oftheBengalArtillery。My
sisterJuliaandIweretwins，andwewereonlytwoyearsoldatthe
timeofmymother”sre-marriage。Shehadaconsiderablesumof
money-notlessthanL1000ayear-andthisshebequeathedtoDr。
Roylottentirelywhileweresidedwithhim，withaprovisionthata
certainannualsumshouldbeallowedtoeachofusintheeventofour
marriage。ShortlyafterourreturntoEnglandmymotherdied-shewas
killedeightyearsagoinarailwayaccidentnearCrewe。Dr。Roylott
thenabandonedhisattemptstoestablishhimselfinpracticeinLondon
andtookustolivewithhimintheoldancestralhouseatStoke
Moran。Themoneywhichmymotherhadleftwasenoughforallour
wants，andthereseemedtobenoobstacletoourhappiness。
“Butaterriblechangecameoverourstepfatheraboutthistime。
Insteadofmakingfriendsandexchangingvisitswithourneighbours，
whohadatfirstbeenoverjoyedtoseeaRoylottofStokeMoranback
intheoldfamilyseat，heshuthimselfupinhishouseandseldom
cameoutsavetoindulgeinferociousquarrelswithwhoevermight
crosshispath。Violenceoftemperapproachingtomaniahasbeen
hereditaryinthemenofthefamily，andinmystepfather”scaseit
had，Ibelieve，beenintensifiedbyhislongresidenceinthetropics。
Aseriesofdisgracefulbrawlstookplace，twoofwhichendedinthe
police-court，untilatlasthebecametheterrorofthevillage，and
thefolkswouldflyathisapproach，forheisamanofimmense
strength，andabsolutelyuncontrollableinhisanger。
“Lastweekhehurledthelocalblacksmithoveraparapetintoa
stream，anditwasonlybypayingoverallthemoneywhichIcould
gathertogetherthatIwasabletoavertanotherpublicexposure。He
hadnofriendsatallsavethewanderinggypsies，andhewouldgive
thesevagabondsleavetoencampuponthefewacresof
bramble-coveredlandwhichrepresentthefamilyestate，andwould
acceptinreturnthehospitalityoftheirtents，wanderingawaywith
themsometimesforweeksonend。HehasapassionalsoforIndian
animals，whicharesentovertohimbyacorrespondent，andhehas
atthismomentacheetahandababoon，whichwanderfreelyoverhis
groundsandarefearedbythevillagersalmostasmuchastheir
master。
“YoucanimaginefromwhatIsaythatmypoorsisterJuliaandIhad
nogreatpleasureinourlives。Noservantwouldstaywithus，andfor
alongtimewedidalltheworkofthehouse。Shewasbutthirtyat
thetimeofherdeath，andyetherhairhadalreadybeguntowhiten，
evenasminehas。”
“Yoursisterisdead，then？“
“Shediedjusttwoyearsago，anditisofherdeaththatIwish
tospeaktoyou。Youcanunderstandthat，livingthelifewhichIhave
described，wewerelittlelikelytoseeanyoneofourownageand
position。Wehad，however，anaunt，mymother”smaidensister，Miss
HonoriaWestphail，wholivesnearHarrow，andwewereoccasionally
allowedtopayshortvisitsatthislady”shouse。Juliawentthere
atChristmastwoyearsago，andmetthereahalf-paymajorofmarines，
towhomshebecameengaged。Mystepfatherlearnedoftheengagement
whenmysisterreturnedandofferednoobjectiontothemarriage；
butwithinafortnightofthedaywhichhadbeenfixedforthe
wedding，theterribleeventoccurredwhichhasdeprivedmeofmy
onlycompanion。”
SherlockHolmeshadbeenleaningbackinhischairwithhiseyes
closedandhisheadsunkinacushion，buthehalfopenedhislidsnow
andglancedacrossathisvisitor。
“Praybepreciseastodetails，“saidhe。
“Itiseasyformetobeso，foreveryeventofthatdreadfultime
issearedintomymemory。Themanor-houseis，asIhavealready
said，veryold，andonlyonewingisnowinhabited。Thebedroomsin
thiswingareonthegroundfloor，thesitting-roomsbeinginthe
centralblockofthebuildings。OfthesebedroomsthefirstisDr。
Roylott”s，thesecondmysister”s，andthethirdmyown。Thereisno
communicationbetweenthem，buttheyallopenoutintothesame
corridor。DoImakemyselfplain？“
“Perfectlyso。”
“Thewindowsofthethreeroomsopenoutuponthelawn。Thatfatal
nightDr。Roylotthadgonetohisroomearly，thoughweknewthathe
hadnotretiredtorest，formysisterwastroubledbythesmellof
thestrongIndiancigarswhichitwashiscustomtosmoke。Sheleft
herroom，therefore，andcameintomine，whereshesatforsome
time，chattingaboutherapproachingwedding。Ateleveno”clockshe
rosetoleaveme，butshepausedatthedoorandlookedback。