Mr Sherlock Holmes listened with attention long report which able to him that evening, but it elicit that word of curt praise which I had hoped for and valued contrary, his austere face was even more severe than usual as he commented things that I had done things that I

"Your hiding-place, my dear Watson, was very faulty You behind the hedge; then had close view interesting person you were some hundreds of yards away, and can tell me even Miss Smith She thinks she know the man; convinced she does Why, otherwise, should he be so desperately anxious that she get so near him as his features ? You describe him as bending over the handle-bar Concealment again, You really remarkably badly He returns house and out who You come to London house-agent ! "

"What should ? " I cried, with some heat

"Gone nearest public-house centre of country gossip told you every name, master scullery-maid Williamson ! It conveys nothing to my mind If an elderly man this active cyclist who sprints away athletic young lady's pursuit What have we gained by your expedition ? The knowledge girl's story is true I never doubted it connection cyclist Hall I never doubted that either Hall is tenanted by Williamson Who's the better ? Well, well, my , don't look so depressed do little more until next Saturday, and meantime make inquiries myself "

Next morning we had note from Miss Smith, recounting shortly and accurately the very incidents which I had seen, but the pith letter lay postscript:--

" that respect my confidence, Mr Holmes, when I tell you that my place here has become difficult owing fact that my employer has proposed marriage convinced that his feelings are most deep and most honourable same time my promise is, , given my refusal very seriously, but also very gently understand, however, situation is little strained "

"Our young friend 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 none the worse for quiet, peaceful day country, and inclined to run down this afternoon and test theories which formed "

Holmes's quiet day country had singular termination, for he arrived at Baker Street late evening with cut lip and discoloured lump upon his forehead, besides general air of dissipation which made his own person the fitting object of Scotland Yard investigation immensely tickled by his own adventures, and laughed heartily as he recounted them

"I get so little active exercise always treat," said he " aware that some proficiency good old British sport of boxing Occasionally of service To-day, for example, come to very ignominious grief without it "

I begged him me what had occurred

" that country pub which I had already recommended to your notice, and there my discreet inquiries bar, and garrulous landlord was giving me all that Williamson is white-bearded man, and he lives alone with small staff of servants Hall some rumour that or clergyman; but incidents short residence Hall struck me as peculiarly unecclesiastical already made some inquiries at clerical agency, tell me that man name in orders whose career singularly dark one The landlord further informed me usually week-end visitors -- `a warm lot, sir' -- Hall, and especially one gentleman with red moustache, Mr Woodley by name, who was always there We had got as far when walk in but the gentleman himself, who drinking his beer tap-room and had heard the whole conversation Who was I ? What did ? What did I mean by asking questions ? He had fine flow of language, adjectives were very vigorous He ended string of abuse by vicious back-hander which I failed to entirely avoid The next were delicious straight left against slogging ruffian I emerged as me Mr Woodley went home in cart So ended my country trip, and it confessed that, however enjoyable, my day Surrey border much more profitable than your own "

The Thursday brought us another letter client

" surprised, Mr Holmes," said she, "to hear that leaving Mr Carruthers's employment Even the high pay cannot reconcile me discomforts situation On Saturday I come town and intend to return Mr Carruthers has got trap, and so the dangers lonely road, if there ever were any dangers, are now over

" special cause leaving, merely the strained situation with Mr Carruthers, but reappearance odious man, Mr Woodley always hideous, but he looks more awful than ever now, for he appears to an accident and much disfigured him window, but meet him He had long talk with Mr Carruthers, who seemed much excited afterwards Woodley staying neighbourhood, for sleep here, and yet I caught glimpse of him again slinking about shrubbery sooner have savage wild animal loose place I loathe and fear him more than How CAN Mr Carruthers endure such creature for moment ? However, all my troubles over on Saturday "

"So I trust, Watson; so I trust," said Holmes, gravely " some deep intrigue going on round that little woman, and our duty that no one molests her upon that last journey , Watson, that spare time to run down together on Saturday morning, and make sure curious and inconclusive investigation has no untoward ending "

I confess that I now taken very serious view case, which had seemed rather grotesque and bizarre than dangerous That man should lie in wait for and follow very handsome woman is no unheard-of thing, and if he had so little audacity that he dared not address her, but even fled from her approach, not very formidable assailant The ruffian Woodley was very different person, but, except on one occasion, he molested our client, and now he visited the house of Carruthers without intruding upon her presence The man bicycle was doubtless member week-end parties Hall the publican had spoken; but who or what was as obscure as ever It severity of Holmes's manner fact that he slipped revolver into his pocket before leaving our rooms which impressed me feeling that tragedy might prove to lurk behind this curious train of events