"No, "

"But swear However, go back at our leisure and verify it What blind beetle not to draw my conclusion ! "

"And your conclusion ? "

"Only remarkable cow which walks, canters, and gallops By George, Watson, no brain of country publican that thought out such blind ! The coast clear, save lad smithy slip out what "

There were two rough-haired, unkempt horses tumble-down stable Holmes raised the hind leg of and laughed aloud

"Old shoes, but newly shod -- old shoes, but new nails deserves classic go across smithy "

The lad continued his work without regarding us Holmes's eye darting to right and left litter of iron and wood scattered floor Suddenly, however, we heard step behind us, and the landlord, his heavy eyebrows drawn over his savage eyes, his swarthy features convulsed with passion He held short, metal-headed stick hand, and he advanced in so menacing fashion that right glad the revolver in my pocket

"You infernal spies ! " the man cried " you doing there ? "

"Why, Mr Reuben Hayes," said Holmes, coolly, "one might think that you were afraid finding something out "

The man mastered himself with violent effort, grim mouth loosened into false laugh, more menacing than his frown

"You're welcome to all find out in my smithy," said he "But look here, mister, I don't care for folk poking place without my leave, so the sooner you pay your score and get out the better pleased "

"All right, Mr Hayes -- no harm meant," said Holmes " having look at your horses, but I'll walk after all It's not far, I believe "

"Not more than two miles Hall gates That's the road left " He watched us with sullen eyes until we had left his premises

go very far along the road, for Holmes stopped the instant curve hid us landlord's view

"We were warm, children say, inn," said he "I seem to grow colder every step that I take away No, no; 't possibly leave it "

" convinced," said I, " Reuben Hayes knows all more self-evident villain I never saw "

"Oh ! he impressed you way, did he ? the horses, the smithy Yes, an interesting place, this Fighting Cock another look at it in an unobtrusive way "

long, sloping hillside, dotted with grey limestone boulders, stretched behind us We had turned off the road, and were making our way up the hill, when, looking direction of Holdernesse Hall, cyclist coming swiftly along

"Get down, Watson ! " cried Holmes, with heavy hand upon my shoulder We had hardly sunk from view man flew past us road Amid rolling cloud of dust I caught glimpse of pale, agitated face -- face with horror in every lineament, the mouth open, the eyes staring wildly in front like some strange caricature dapper James Wilder whom we had seen the night before

"The Duke's secretary ! " cried Holmes "Come, Watson, what "

We scrambled from rock to rock until in we had made our way to point we the front door inn Wilder's bicycle was leaning against the wall beside it No one was moving house, nor could we catch glimpse of any faces windows Slowly the twilight crept down sun sank behind the high towers of Holdernesse Hall Then gloom we saw the two side-lamps of trap light up stable yard inn, and shortly afterwards heard the rattle of hoofs, as it wheeled out road and tore off at furious pace direction of Chesterfield

"What make , Watson ? " Holmes whispered

"It looks like flight "

"A single man in dog-cart, as I Well, it certainly was not Mr James Wilder, for there door "

red square of light had sprung darkness middle of it black figure secretary, his head advanced, peering out night evident that expecting someone Then at last there were steps road, second figure was visible for an instant against the light, the door shut, and all was black once more Five minutes later lamp was lit in room first floor

"It curious class of custom done Fighting Cock," said Holmes

"The bar is other side "

"Quite so These are what one may call the private guests Now, what is Mr James Wilder doing den hour of night, and the companion who comes to meet him there ? Come, Watson, really take risk and try to investigate this little more closely "

Together we stole down road and crept across door inn The bicycle still leaned against the wall Holmes struck match and held it back wheel, and I heard him chuckle light fell upon patched Dunlop tyre Up above us lighted window

" peep , Watson bend your back and support yourself wall, that manage "

An instant later his feet were on my shoulders But hardly up before down again

"Come, my friend," said he, "our day's work quite long enough that gathered all that It's long walk school, sooner we get started the better "

He hardly opened his lips during that weary trudge across the moor, nor would he enter the school when he reached it, but went on to Mackleton Station, whence send some telegrams Late at night I heard him consoling Dr Huxtable, prostrated tragedy master's death, and later still he entered my room as alert and vigorous as he when he started morning "All goes well, my friend," said he "I promise that before to-morrow evening reached the solution mystery "

At eleven o'clock next morning my friend and I were walking up the famous yew avenue of Holdernesse Hall We were ushered magnificent Elizabethan doorway and into his Grace's study There Mr James Wilder, demure and courtly, but with some trace wild terror night before still lurking furtive eyes and twitching features

" come his Grace ? sorry; but the fact is Duke is far from well He upset tragic news We received telegram from Dr Huxtable yesterday afternoon, which told us of your discovery "

" see the Duke, Mr Wilder "

"But room "

"Then go room "

"I believe bed "

" him there "

Holmes's cold and inexorable manner showed the secretary useless to argue

" , Mr Holmes; tell him that here "