No. 4 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 4 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2 | 3]

trees

mouldering heraldic

emblems;

points

gaps

paths leading through

the heath was covered with golden patches flowering gorse, gleaming magnificently in_the light of_the bright spring sunshine behind one_of_these clumps i_took position , as_to command both the gateway of_the hall and long stretch of_the road upon either side had_been deserted when I left , but now I_saw cyclist riding down from_the opposite direction to_that in_which I had come he_was clad dark suit , and I_saw that had black beard reaching the end of_the Charlington grounds sprang from_his machine and led through gap in_the hedge , disappearing from view

quarter hour passed and then second cyclist appeared this_time was_the young lady coming from_the station I_saw her look about her she came to_the Charlington hedge instant later the man emerged from_his hiding- place , sprang upon his cycle , and followed her 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 handle - bar , with curiously furtive suggestion every movement she looked back him and slowed her pace slowed also she stopped once stopped too , keeping two hundred yards behind her her next was unexpected it_was spirited she suddenly whisked her wheels round and dashed straight him ! he_was quick she , however , and darted off desperate flight presently she came back the road again , her head haughtily in_the air , not deigning to_take any further notice her silent attendant had turned also , and still kept his distance until the curve of_the road hid them from sight

I remained hiding- place , and it_was well that I_did , for presently the man reappeared cycling slowly back turned at_the hall gates and dismounted from_his machine for some few_minutes I could_see him standing among_the trees his hands were raised and he_seemed to_be settling his necktie then mounted his cycle and rode away from 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 grey building with its bristling Tudor chimneys, but the drive ran through dense shrubbery , and I_saw more of_my man

however , seemed to_me that I had done fairly good morning 's work , and I walked back high spirits Farnham the local house - agent could tell nothing about Charlington hall , and referred well - known firm pall mall there I halted way home , and met with courtesy from_the representative , I_could_not have Charlington hall for_the summer i_was just too late had_been let about month ago Mr Williamson was_the name of_the tenant he_was respectable elderly gentleman the polite agent was afraid could_say 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 him that evening , but did_not elicit that word curt praise which I had hoped for and should_have valued on_the contrary , his austere face was even more severe than usual commented upon_the things that I had done and_the things that I had_not

" your hiding- place , dear Watson, was very faulty you should_have_been behind the hedge ; then you_would_have had view of_this interesting person as_it_is you were some hundreds yards away , and can tell even less_than miss smith she thinks she does_not know the man ; I_am convinced she does why , otherwise , should desperately anxious that she should_not get near him to_see his features ? you describe him bending over the handle - bar concealment again , you_see you really have_done remarkably badly returns to_the house and you_want to_find out who he_is you come London house - agent ! "

" what should I_have_done ? " I cried , with some heat

" gone to_the nearest public - house that_is_the centre country gossip they_would_have told you every name , from_the master to_the scullery - maid Williamson ! conveys nothing mind he_is elderly man he_is_not this active cyclist who sprints away from_that athletic young lady 's pursuit what have gained your expedition ? the knowledge that_the girl 's story true I never doubted that_there_is connection between_the cyclist and_the hall I never doubted that either hall tenanted Williamson who 's the better for_that ? well , well , dear_Sir , don't look depressed we_can little more until next Saturday , and in_the meantime I_may make one_or_two inquiries myself "

next morning had 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 confidence , Mr Holmes, when I tell you that place here has become difficult owing to_the fact that employer has proposed marriage to_me I_am convinced that his feelings are most deep and most honourable at_the same time promise , of_course , given he_took refusal very seriously , but also very gently you_can understand , however , that_the situation little strained "

" our young friend seems_to_be getting into deep waters," said Holmes, thoughtfully , finished the letter " the case certainly presents more features interest and more possibility development than I had originally thought i_should_be none the worse for quiet , peaceful day in_the country , and I_am inclined run down this afternoon and test one_or_two theories which I_have formed "

Holmes's quiet day in_the country had singular termination , for arrived baker street late in_the evening with cut lip and discoloured lump upon his forehead , besides general air dissipation which would_have made his own person the fitting object Scotland yard investigation he_was immensely tickled his own adventures, and laughed heartily recounted them

"I get little active exercise that_it_is always treat ," said " you_are aware that I_have some proficiency in_the good old British sport boxing occasionally it_is service - day , for example , i_should_have come very ignominious grief without "

I begged him to_tell what had occurred

" I_found that country pub which I had already recommended your notice , and there I_made discreet inquiries i_was in_the bar , and garrulous landlord was giving all that i_wanted Williamson white - bearded man , and lives alone with small staff servants at_the hall there_is some rumour that he_is has_been clergyman ; but one_or_two incidents of_his short residence at_the hall struck peculiarly unecclesiastical I_have already made some inquiries clerical agency , and_they tell that there_was man of_that name orders whose career singularly dark one the landlord further informed that_there_are usually week - end visitors -- `a warm lot, sir ' -- at_the hall , and especially one gentleman with red moustache, Mr Woodley name , who was always there had got far as_this when who_should walk but the himself , who had_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 asking questions ? had fine flow language , and_his adjectives were very vigorous ended string abuse vicious back -hander which I failed entirely avoid the next few_minutes were delicious it_was straight left against slogging ruffian I emerged you_see Mr Woodley went home cart ended country trip , and must_be confessed that , however enjoyable , day on_the surrey border has_not_been much more profitable than your own "

the Thursday brought another letter from_our client

" you_will_not_be surprised , Mr Holmes," said she , " hear that I_am leaving Mr Carruthers's employment even the high pay cannot reconcile to_the discomforts of_my situation Saturday I come up_to town and I_do_not intend return Mr Carruthers has got trap , and the dangers of_the lonely road , there ever were any dangers, are now over

" as_to_the special cause of_my leaving , it_is_not merely the strained situation with Mr Carruthers, but it_is_the reappearance of_that odious man , Mr Woodley he_was always hideous , but looks more awful than ever now , for appears have_had accident and he_is much disfigured I_saw him out_of_the window , but I_am glad_to_say I_did_not meet him had long talk with Mr Carruthers, who seemed much excited afterwards Woodley must_be staying in_the neighbourhood, for he_did_not sleep here , and yet I caught glimpse him again this_morning slinking about in_the shrubbery i_would sooner have savage wild animal loose about_the place I loathe and fear him more than I_can_say how can Mr Carruthers endure such creature for moment ? however , all troubles will_be over Saturday "

" I trust , Watson; I trust ," said Holmes, gravely " there_is some deep intrigue going round that little woman , and it_is our duty to_see that one molests her upon that last journey i_think , Watson, that we_must spare time run down together Saturday morning , and make sure that_this curious and inconclusive investigation has untoward ending "

I confess that I had_not up_to now taken very serious view of_the case , which had seemed to_me rather grotesque and bizarre than dangerous that man should lie wait for and follow very handsome woman unheard - thing , and had little audacity that not_only dared not address her , but even fled from her approach , he_was not very formidable assailant the ruffian Woodley was very different person , but , except one occasion , had_not molested our client , and now visited the house Carruthers without intruding upon her presence the man on_the bicycle was doubtless member of_those week - end parties at_the hall of_which the publican had spoken ; but who he_was what he_wanted was obscure ever was_the severity Holmes's manner and_the fact that slipped revolver into his pocket before leaving our rooms which impressed with_the feeling that tragedy might prove lurk behind this curious train events

rainy night had_been followed glorious morning , and_the heath - covered country - side with_the glowing clumps flowering gorse seemed all the more beautiful eyes which were weary of_the duns and drabs and slate -greys 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 rise of_the road on_the shoulder Crooksbury hill could_see the grim hall bristling out from amidst the ancient oaks, which , old as_they were , were still younger than_the building which they surrounded Holmes pointed down the long tract road which wound , reddish yellow band , between_the brown of_the heath and_the budding green of_the woods far away , black dot , could_see vehicle moving in_our direction Holmes gave exclamation impatience

"I had given margin half hour ," said " that_is her trap she_must making for_the earlier train I_fear , Watson, that she will_be past Charlington before we_can possibly meet her "

from_the instant that passed the rise we_could longer see the vehicle , but hastened onwards such pace that sedentary life began to_tell upon , and i_was compelled to_fall behind Holmes, however , was always training, for had inexhaustible stores nervous energy upon_which draw his springy step never slowed until suddenly , when he_was hundred yards front , halted , and I_saw him throw his hand with gesture grief and despair at_the same instant empty dog - cart , the horse cantering, the reins trailing, appeared round the curve of_the road and rattled swiftly towards

" too late , Watson; too late ! " cried Holmes, I ran panting to_his side " fool that i_was not allow for_that earlier train ! 's abduction , Watson -- ! murder ! heaven knows what ! block the road ! stop the horse ! that 's right now , jump , and let_us_see I_can repair the consequences of_my own blunder "

had sprung into_the dog - cart , and Holmes, after turning the horse , gave sharp cut with_the whip , and flew back along the road as_we turned the curve the whole stretch road between_the hall and_the heath was opened I grasped Holmes's arm

" that 's the man ! " I gasped

solitary cyclist was coming towards his head was down and_his shoulders rounded put every ounce energy that possessed to_the pedals he_was flying like racer suddenly raised his bearded face , saw him , and pulled , springing from_his machine that coal - black beard was singular contrast to_the pallor of_his face , and_his eyes were bright as_if had fever stared and at_the dog - cart then look amazement came over his face

"Halloa ! stop there ! " shouted , holding his bicycle block our road " where did you get that dog - cart ? pull , man ! " yelled , drawing pistol from_his side pocket " pull , I_say , , George , I'll put into your horse "