cable； which showed that Ralph Smith was dead。 He asked me if I
would stand by the bargain。 I said I would not。 He asked me if I would
marry the girl myself and give him a share。 I said I would willingly
do so； but that she would not have me。 He said； ‘Let us get her
married first and after a week or two she may see things a bit
different。' I said I would have nothing to do with violence。 So he
went off cursing； like the foul…mouthed blackguard that he was； and
swearing that he would have her yet。 She was leaving me this week…end；
and I had got a trap to take her to the station； but I was so uneasy
in my mind that I followed her on my bicycle。 She had got a start；
however； and before I could catch her； the mischief was done。 The
first thing I knew about it was when I saw you two gentlemen driving
back in her dog…cart〃
Holmes rose and tossed the end of his cigarette into the grate。 〃I
have been very obtuse； Watson；〃 said he。 〃When in your report you said
that you had seen the cyclist as you thought arrange his necktie in
the shrubbery； that alone should have told me all。 However； we may
congratulate ourselves upon a curious and； in some respects； a
unique case。 I perceive three of the county constabulary in the drive；
and I am glad to see that the little ostler is able to keep pace
with them； so it is likely that neither he nor the interesting
bridegroom will be permanently damaged by their morning's
adventures。 I think； Watson； that in your medical capacity； you
might wait upon Miss Smith and tell her that if she is sufficiently
recovered； we shall be happy to escort her to her mother's home。 If
she is not quite convalescent you will find that a hint that we were
about to telegraph to a young electrician in the Midlands would
probably complete the cure。 As to you； Mr。 Carruthers； I think that
you have done what you could to make amends for your share in an
evil plot。 There is my card； sir； and if my evidence can be of help in
your trial； it shall be at your disposal。〃
In the whirl of our incessant activity； it has often been
difficult for me； as the reader has probably observed； to round off my
narratives； and to give those final details which the curious might
expect。 Each case has been the prelude to another； and the crisis once
over； the actors have passed for ever out of our busy lives。 I find；
however； a short note at the end of my manuscript dealing with this
case； in which I have put it upon record that Miss Violet Smith did
indeed inherit a large fortune； and that she is 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 the latter
ten。 Of the fate of Carruthers； I have no record； but I am sure that
his assault was not viewed very gravely by the court； since Woodley
had the reputation of being a most dangerous ruffian； and I think that
a few； months were sufficient to satisfy the demands of justice。
…THE END…
。