"I begin so, Mr Holmes; but when of all the precaution I had taken to shield this girl -- for I loved her, Mr Holmes, and only time that ever what love was -- it fairly drove me mad that she was power greatest brute and bully in South Africa, man whose name is holy terror from Kimberley to Johannesburg Why, Mr Holmes, you'll hardly believe it, but that girl in my employment I never once let her go past this house, where these rascals were lurking, without following her on my bicycle just that she came to no harm I kept my distance from her, and I wore beard she recognise me, for good and high-spirited girl, and she wouldn't have stayed in my employment long if she had thought that following her country roads "

"Why didn't you tell her of her danger ? "

"Because then, again, she left me, and I couldn't bear that Even if she couldn't love me great deal just her dainty form house, and to hear the sound of her voice "

"Well," said I, "you call that love, Mr Carruthers, but call it selfishness "

"Maybe the two things go together Anyhow, I couldn't let her go Besides, crowd about, well that she someone near to look after her Then cable came they were bound move "

"What cable ? "

Carruthers took telegram pocket

"That's it," said he

short and concise:--

"The old man is dead "

"Hum ! " said Holmes " how things worked, and understand how this message would, say, bring them to head But while we wait tell me what "

The old reprobate surplice burst into volley of bad language

"By Heaven," said he, " squeal on us, Bob Carruthers, I'll serve you served Jack Woodley bleat girl to your heart's content, 's your own affair, but round pals plain-clothes copper the worst day's work that ever "

"Your reverence excited," said Holmes, lighting cigarette "The case is clear enough against you, and all I ask is few details private curiosity However, if there's any difficulty in your telling me I'll talking, and then how far chance of holding back your secrets first place, three of you came from South Africa game -- you Williamson, you Carruthers, and Woodley "

"Lie number one," said the old man; "I never saw either until , and never been in Africa in my life, so put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr Busybody Holmes ! "

"What is true," said Carruthers

"Well, well, two of you came over His reverence is our own home-made article You had known Ralph Smith in South Africa You had reason live long You found out that his niece would inherit his fortune How's that -- eh ? "

Carruthers nodded and Williamson swore

"She was next-of-kin, , and you were aware old fellow would make no will "

"Couldn't read or write," said Carruthers

"So you came over, the two of you, and hunted up the girl The idea one of you was to marry her other have share plunder For some reason Woodley was chosen husband Why ? "

"We played cards for her voyage He won "

" You got the young lady into your service, and there Woodley was courting She recognised the drunken brute that , and nothing Meanwhile, your arrangement was rather upset fact that you had yourself fallen in love lady no longer bear the idea ruffian owning her "

"No, by George, I couldn't ! "

" quarrel between you He left you in rage, and began his own plans independently of you "

"It strikes me, Williamson, there isn't that tell this gentleman," cried Carruthers, with bitter laugh "Yes, we quarreled, and he knocked me down level , anyhow Then I lost sight of him That was when he picked up cast padre here had set up house-keeping together place line that she had station I kept my eye on her , for some devilry wind them , for anxious what they were after Two Woodley came my house cable, which showed that Ralph Smith was dead He asked me if stand bargain He asked me if marry the girl myself and give him share willingly , but that not have me , ` get her married first, and after she may see things bit different ' nothing with violence So he went off cursing, like the foul-mouthed blackguard that , and swearing that her yet She was leaving me this week-end, and I had got trap her station, but so uneasy in my mind that I followed her on my bicycle She had got start, however, and before catch her the mischief The first thing was when you two gentlemen driving back in her dog-cart "

Holmes rose and tossed the end cigarette grate " very obtuse, Watson," said he "When in your report you said that you had seen the cyclist thought arrange his necktie shrubbery, that alone told me all However, congratulate ourselves upon curious and in some respects unique case I perceive three county constabulary drive, and little ostler is able pace ; so likely that neither he nor the interesting bridegroom permanently damaged by their morning's adventures , Watson, that in your medical capacity wait upon Miss Smith and tell her that if sufficiently recovered happy to escort her to her mother's home If quite convalescent that hint that we were about to telegraph to young electrician Midlands would probably complete the cure As , Mr Carruthers, that you what amends for your share in an evil plot my card, sir, and evidence of help in your trial it shall be at your disposal "

whirl incessant activity it has often been difficult , reader has probably observed, to round off my narratives, and those final details which the curious might expect the prelude to another, crisis once over the actors have passed for ever out busy lives , however, short note end manuscripts dealing with , put it upon record that Miss Violet Smith did indeed inherit large fortune, now the wife of Cyril Morton, the senior partner of Morton & Kennedy, the famous Westminster electricians Williamson and Woodley were both tried for abduction and assault, the former getting seven years latter ten fate of Carruthers no record, but that his assault was not viewed very gravely Court, since Woodley had the reputation of being most dangerous ruffian, and that were sufficient to satisfy the demands of justice