by Arthur Conan Doyle

years 1894 to 1901 inclusive Mr Sherlock Holmes was very busy man safe that no public case of any difficulty not consulted during those eight years, and there were hundreds of private cases, most intricate and extraordinary character, he played prominent part Many startling successes and few unavoidable failures were the outcome long period of continuous work As preserved very full notes of all these cases, and was myself personally engaged in , it imagined no easy task which select to lay public , however, preserve my former rule, and give the preference cases which derive their interest not brutality crime as ingenuity and dramatic quality solution reason now lay reader the facts connected with Miss Violet Smith, the solitary cyclist of Charlington, curious sequel investigation, which culminated in unexpected tragedy true circumstances admit of any striking illustration powers my friend was famous, but there were some points case which made it stand out in those long records of crime I gather the material little narratives

On referring to my note-book year 1895 upon Saturday, the 23rd of April, that we first heard of Miss Violet Smith Her visit was, I remember, extremely unwelcome to Holmes, for immersed moment in very abstruse and complicated problem concerning the peculiar persecution John Vincent Harden, the well-known tobacco millionaire, subjected My friend, who loved above all things precision and concentration of thought, resented anything which distracted his attention matter in hand And yet without harshness foreign nature impossible to refuse to listen story young and beautiful woman, tall, graceful, and queenly, who presented herself at Baker Street late evening and implored his assistance and advice vain to urge that his time was already fully occupied, young lady had come determination her story, and evident that nothing short of force could get her room until she had done so With resigned air and somewhat weary smile, Holmes begged the beautiful intruder seat and to inform us what it was troubling her

" it your health," said he, as his keen eyes darted over her; "so ardent bicyclist full of energy "

She glanced down in surprise at her own feet, and I observed the slight roughening side sole caused friction edge pedal

"Yes, I bicycle , Mr Holmes, has something with my visit to-day "

My friend took the lady's ungloved hand and examined it with as close an attention and as little sentiment as scientist would show to specimen

" excuse me, my business," said he, as he dropped it "I nearly fell error of supposing that you were typewriting , obvious music You observe the spatulate finger-end, Watson, common to both professions ? spirituality face, however" -- he gently turned it towards the light -- "which the typewriter generate This lady is musician "

"Yes, Mr Holmes, I teach music "

" country, I presume, from your complexion "

"Yes, sir; near Farnham, borders of Surrey "

"A beautiful neighbourhood and full most interesting associations You remember, Watson, near there that we took Archie Stamford, the forger Now, Miss Violet, what has happened near Farnham, borders of Surrey ? "

The young lady, with great clearness and composure, made the following curious statement:--

"My father is dead, Mr Holmes James Smith, who conducted the orchestra old Imperial Theatre My mother and I were left without relation except one uncle, Ralph Smith, who went to Africa twenty-five , and never had word since When father died we were left very poor, but one day we were told that an advertisement Times inquiring whereabouts imagine how excited we were, for we thought that someone had left us fortune We went at once lawyer whose name was given paper There we met two gentlemen, Mr Carruthers and Mr Woodley, who were home on visit from South Africa They said that my uncle was friend of theirs, that he died some months before in great poverty in Johannesburg, he had asked them last breath to hunt up his relations were in no want It seemed strange that Uncle Ralph, who took no notice of us when alive, so careful to look after us when dead; but Mr Carruthers explained reason my uncle had just heard death brother, and so felt responsible fate "

"Excuse me," said Holmes; "when interview ? "

"Last December -- four "

"Pray proceed "

" Mr Woodley seemed most odious person for ever making eyes at me -- coarse, puffy-faced, red-moustached young man, hair plastered down on each side forehead that perfectly hateful -- and sure that Cyril wish me such person "

"Oh, Cyril is his name ! " said Holmes, smiling

The young lady blushed and laughed

"Yes, Mr Holmes; Cyril Morton, an electrical engineer, and married end summer Dear me, how DID I get talking about him ? What I wished Mr Woodley was perfectly odious, but that Mr Carruthers, who was much older man, was more agreeable dark, sallow, clean-shaven, silent person; but he had polite manners and pleasant smile He inquired how we were left, and on finding that we were very poor he suggested that come and teach music only daughter, aged ten that like to leave my mother, he suggested that go home to her every week-end, and he offered me hundred year, certainly splendid pay So it ended by my accepting, and I went down to Chiltern Grange, about six miles from Farnham Mr Carruthers was widower, but he had engaged lady-housekeeper, very respectable, elderly person, called Mrs Dixon, to look after his establishment The child was dear, and everything promised well Mr Carruthers was very kind and very musical, and we had most pleasant evenings together Every week-end I went home to my mother in town

"The first flaw in my happiness arrival red-moustached Mr Woodley for visit of week, and oh, it seemed three months ! dreadful person, bully to everyone else, but something infinitely worse odious love , boasted wealth, said that if I married him the finest diamonds in London, and finally, when nothing , he seized me arms one day after dinner -- hideously strong -- and he swore that let me go until I had kissed him Mr Carruthers came in and tore him off from me, he turned upon his own host, knocking him down and cutting his face open That end visit, imagine Mr Carruthers apologised , and assured me that never be exposed to such an insult again seen Mr Woodley since