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That he could have gone on after receiving such an injury said much for the vitality and courage of the man.

He wore shoes, but no socks, and his open coat disclosed a night-shirt beneath it.

It was undoubtedly the German master.

Holmes turned the body over reverently, and examined it with great attention. He then sat in deep thought for a time, and I could see by his ruffled brow that this grim discovery had not, in his opinion, advanced us much in our inquiry.

"It is a little difficult to know what to do, Watson," said he, at last.

"My own inclinations are to push this inquiry on, for we have already lost so much time that we cannot afford to waste another hour.

On the other hand, we are bound to inform the police of the discovery, and to see that this poor fellow's body is looked after."

"I could take a note back."

"But I need your company and assistance. Wait a bit! There is a fellow cutting peat up yonder. Bring him over here, and he will guide the police."

I brought the peasant across, and Holmes dispatched the frightened man with a note to Dr. Huxtable.

"Now, Watson," said he, "we have picked up two clues this morning.

One is the bicycle with the Palmer tyre, and we see what that has led to.

The other is the bicycle with the patched Dunlop.

Before we start to investigate that, let us try to realise what we do know so as to make the most of it, and to separate the essential from the accidental."

"First of all I wish to impress upon you that the boy certainly left of his own free will. He got down from his window and he went off, either alone or with someone. That is sure."

I assented.

"Well, now, let us turn to this unfortunate German master. The boy was fully dressed when he fled. Therefore, he foresaw what he would do. But the German went without his socks. He certainly acted on very short notice."

"Undoubtedly."

"Why did he go? Because, from his bedroom window, he saw the flight of the boy. Because he wished to overtake him and bring him back. He seized his bicycle, pursued the lad, and in pursuing him met his death."

"So it would seem."

"Now I come to the critical part of my argument.

The natural action of a man in pursuing a little boy would be to run after him.

He would know that he could overtake him.

But the German does not do so.

He turns to his bicycle.

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