The landlord pricked up his ears.
"Where do you want to go?"
"To Holdernesse Hall."
"Pals of the Dook, I suppose?" said the landlord, surveying ourmud-stained garments with ironical eyes.
Holmes laughed good-naturedly.
"He'll be glad to see us, anyhow."
"Why?"
"Because we bring him news of his lost son."
The landlord gave a very visible start.
"What, you're on his track?"
"He has been heard of in Liverpool. They expect to get him every hour."
Again a swift change passed over the heavy, unshaven face. His mannerwas suddenly genial.
"I've less reason to wish the Dook well than most men," said he, "for Iwas his head coachman once, and cruel bad he treated me. It was him thatsacked me without a character on the word of a lying corn-chandler. ButI'm glad to hear that the young lord was heard of in Liverpool, and I'llhelp you to take the news to the Hall."
"Thank you," said Holmes. "We'll have some food first. Then you canbring round the bicycle."
"I haven't got a bicycle."
Holmes held up a sovereign.
"I tell you, man, that I haven't got one. I'll let you have two horsesas far as the Hall."
"Well, well," said Holmes, "we'll talk about it when we've had somethingto eat."
When we were left alone in the stone-flagged kitchen it was astonishinghow rapidly that sprained ankle recovered. It was nearly nightfall, andwe had eaten nothing since early morning, so that we spent some timeover our meal. Holmes was lost in thought, and once or twice he walkedover to the window and stared earnestly out. It opened on to a squalidcourtyard. In the far corner was a smithy, where a grimy lad was atwork. On the other side were the stables. Holmes had sat down againafter one of these excursions, when he suddenly sprang out of his chairwith a loud exclamation.
"By Heaven, Watson, I believe that I've got it!" he cried. "Yes, yes, itmust be so. Watson, do you remember seeing any cow-tracks to-day?"
"Yes, several."
"Where?"
"Well, everywhere. They were at the morass, and again on the path, andagain near where poor Heidegger met his death."
"Exactly. Well, now, Watson, how many cows did you see on the moor?"
"I don't remember seeing any."
"Strange, Watson, that we should see tracks all along our line, butnever a cow on the whole moor; very strange, Watson, eh?"
"Yes, it is strange."
"Now, Watson, make an effort; throw your mind back! Can you see thosetracks upon the path?"
"Yes, I can."
"Can you recall that the tracks were sometimes like that, Watson"--hearranged a number of bread-crumbs in this fashion--:::::--"and sometimeslike this"--:.:.:.:. --"and occasionally like this"--. '. '. '. "Can youremember that?"