" ," said the landlord in conclusion, " the only friend of Lady Frances Carfax inquiring after her just now Only week or so ago we had man where same errand "

"Did he give name ? " I asked

"None; but an Englishman, though of an unusual type "

"A savage ? " said I, linking my facts fashion illustrious friend

"Exactly That describes him bulky, bearded, sunburned fellow, who looks more at home in farmers inn than in fashionable hotel hard, fierce man, think, and one whom sorry to offend "

Already the mystery began to define itself, as figures grow clearer lifting of fog Here good and pious lady pursued from place by sinister and unrelenting figure She feared him, or not have fled from Lausanne He had still followed Sooner or later overtake her Had he already overtaken her ? the secret of her continued silence ? Could the good people who were her companions not screen her violence or his blackmail ? What horrible purpose, what deep design, lay behind this long pursuit ? the problem which I had to solve

To Holmes showing how rapidly and surely I had got down roots matter In reply I had telegram asking for description of Dr Shlessinger's left ear Holmes's ideas of humour are strange and occasionally, offensive, so no notice ill-timed jest- indeed, I had already reached Montpellier in my pursuit maid, Marie, before his message came

I had no difficulty in finding the ex-servant and in learning all that tell me She was devoted creature, who had only left her mistress because she was sure that she was in good hands, and because her own approaching marriage made separation inevitable in any case Her mistress had, as she confessed with distress, shown some irritability of temper towards her during their stay in Baden, and had even questioned her once she had suspicions of her honesty, and this had made the parting easier than it would otherwise Lady Frances had given her fifty pounds as wedding-present Like me, Marie viewed with deep distrust the stranger who had driven her mistress from Lausanne With her own eyes she had seen him seize the lady's wrist with great violence public promenade lake, fierce and terrible man She believed out of dread of him that Lady Frances had accepted the escort Shlessingers to London She had never spoken to Marie , but many little signs had convinced the maid that her mistress lived in state of continual nervous apprehension she had got in her narrative, when suddenly she sprang from her chair and her face was convulsed with surprise and fear "See ! " she cried "The miscreant follows still ! the very man of whom I speak "

open sitting-room window huge, swarthy man with bristling black beard walking slowly down the centre street and staring eagerly numbers houses clear that, like myself, track maid Acting impulse moment, I rushed out and accosted him

" an Englishman,"

"What if ? " he asked with most villainous scowl

"May I ask what is ? "

"No, not," said he with decision

The situation was awkward, but the most direct way is often the best

"Where Lady Frances Carfax ? " I asked

He stared at me in amazement

"What done with her ? Why pursued her ? I insist upon an answer ! " said I

The fellow gave bellow of anger and sprang upon me like tiger held my own in many struggle, but the man had grip of iron fury of fiend His hand was on my throat and my senses were nearly gone before an unshaven French ouvrier in blue blouse darted out from cabaret opposite, with cudgel hand, and struck my assailant sharp crack over the forearm, which made him leave go his hold He stood for an instant fuming with rage and uncertain whether renew his attack Then, with snarl of anger, he left me and entered the cottage I had just come I turned to thank my preserver, who stood beside me roadway

"Well, Watson," said he, "a very pretty hash you of it ! I rather think you had better come back with me to London night express "

An hour afterwards, Sherlock Holmes, usual garb and style, was seated in my private room hotel His explanation sudden and opportune appearance was simplicity itself, for, finding that get away from London, he determined to head me off next obvious point travels disguise of workingman he had sat cabaret waiting appearance

"And singularly consistent investigation you , my dear Watson," said he " moment recall any possible blunder which omitted The total effect of your proceeding the alarm everywhere and yet to discover nothing "

"Perhaps done no better," I answered bitterly

" no 'perhaps' better Hon Philip Green, fellow-lodger hotel, and find him the starting-point for more successful investigation "

card had come up on salver, and followed same bearded ruffian who had attacked me street He started when me

"What , Mr Holmes ? " he asked "I had your note and come But what man matter ? "

my old friend and associate, Dr Watson, helping us affair "

The stranger held out huge, sunburned hand, with few words of apology

" I didn't harm you accused me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself Indeed, I'm not responsible days My nerves are like live wires But this situation is beyond me What , first place, Mr Holmes, is, how you came to hear existence at all "

" in touch with Miss Dobney, Lady Frances's governess "

"Old Susan Dobney mob cap ! I remember her well "

"And she remembers you days before- found it better to South Africa "