Sherlock Holmes Short Stories: "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: Part One"

Podcast: Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
Host/Narrator: Hugh Bonneville
Episode Release: January 1, 2026
Source Text: Arthur Conan Doyle
Episode Summary By: Noiser

Episode Overview

In this episode, Hugh Bonneville narrates the first part of "The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist." Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are approached by Miss Violet Smith, a young music teacher haunted on her bicycle rides through the Surrey countryside by a mysterious bearded stranger. What begins as an unsettling but apparently minor nuisance rapidly deepens into a menacing mystery, prompting an investigation that soon entangles Holmes and Watson in a web of personal peril, ambiguous motives, and sinister intrigue.

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Insights

1. Introduction and Miss Violet Smith’s Dilemma (00:28 – 07:55)

• Miss Violet Smith’s Visit: Violet Smith, described as tall, graceful, and queenly, arrives at Baker Street late in the evening to seek Holmes's help despite his being occupied with another complicated case.
• Holmes’s Immediate Observations:
  • “At least it cannot be your health ... so ardent a bicyclist must be full of energy.” — Sherlock Holmes (03:11)
  • He discerns from Violet's hands that she is a musician and not a typist.

2. Violet Smith’s Backstory and the Suspicious Benefactors (07:56 – 13:15)

• Family Circumstances: After her father’s death, Violet and her mother are left destitute. An advertisement in The Times for their whereabouts seems to promise a fortune but instead leads to a meeting with Mr. Carruthers and the odious Mr. Woodley.
• Carruthers & Woodley:
  • Mr. Carruthers: Older, polite, dark, reserved; offers Violet a lucrative music teaching job for his daughter.
  • Mr. Woodley: Young, puffy-faced, red-moustached, decidedly uncouth and aggressive.
  • “He made odious love to me, boasted of his wealth, said that if I married him I could have the finest diamonds in London...” — Miss Violet Smith (11:49)
  • Unasked-for marriage proposals and Woodley’s forceful advances prompt a physical altercation, after which Woodley departs.

3. The Mystery of the Bearded Cyclist (13:16 – 15:50)

• Bizarre Pursuit:
  • Violet describes being followed on her weekly cycling trips by a mysterious, dark-bearded man. Despite attempts to confront or outmaneuver him, he always evades direct encounter.
  • “He always kept his distance and did not molest me in any way, but still it certainly was very odd.” — Violet Smith (15:28)
  • Holmes deduces, based on her account, that the man is entering the grounds of Charlington Hall via footpaths.

4. Holmes Assigns Dr. Watson to Investigate (17:00 – 19:55)

• Holmes's Analysis:
  • Holmes outlines the oddities: Why pay Violet double the market rate? Why no horses if Mr. Carruthers is wealthy and six miles from the station? What links Carruthers and Woodley?
  • “Odd, Watson, very odd. You will go down. ... You will observe these facts for yourself and act as your own judgment advises.” — Sherlock Holmes (18:52)
• Watson’s Fieldwork:
  • Stakes out Charlington Heath, observes Violet and her pursuer’s curious interactions.
  • The bearded man waits for Violet, follows at a distance, and avoids direct contact.

5. Investigation—Setbacks and Discoveries (20:00 – 23:45)

• Tenant of Charlington Hall Identified:
  • Watson learns from a London firm that the Hall is let to an elderly Mr. Williamson, purportedly the only resident.
  • Holmes critiques Watson’s methods, noting he should have sought information at the local pub, the true nexus of gossip.

6. Holmes’s Solo Inquiry and Holmes vs. Woodley (25:23 – 29:40)

• Holmes’s Country Adventure:
  • At the country pub, Holmes learns from the landlord:
    • Williamson is a white-bearded, potentially disreputable clergyman.
    • Mr. Woodley (the red-moustached man) is frequently visiting the Hall.
  • Holmes’s confrontation with Woodley results in a physical tussle:
    • “He ended a string of abuse by a vicious backhander which I failed to entirely avoid. The next few minutes were delicious. It was a straight left against a slogging ruffian. I emerged as you see me, Mr. Woodley went home in a cartoon.” — Sherlock Holmes (28:43)
  • Holmes returns to Baker Street battered but cheerful, despite making little further progress.

7. Escalation: New Dangers and Departure (29:41 – 31:55)

• Violet’s Letter:
  • Violet resigns her post due to Mr. Carruthers’s marriage proposal (which she gently refuses) and the distressing reappearance of Woodley—now scarred and lurking nearby.
  • “I would sooner have a savage wild animal loose about the place. I loathe and fear him more than I can say.” — Miss Violet Smith (31:01)
• Holmes’s Resolve:
  • Holmes expresses grave concern and decides that he and Watson must personally ensure Violet’s safety on her final journey home.

8. Cliffhanger and Next Episode Tease (31:56 – 32:30)

• Preview for Part Two:
  • “Ms. Smith's Strange Case takes a drastically darker turn. A violent confrontation on a lonely country road leads to a desperate race against time, and a sinister plot is laid bare as Holmes unmasks the young woman's shadowy pursuer.” — Narrator (31:58)
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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes’s Dry Wit:
  • “Your hiding place, my dear Watson, was very faulty. ... You really have done remarkably badly.” — Sherlock Holmes, critiquing Watson’s fieldwork (23:28)
• Violet’s Vulnerability:
  • “I saw him out of the window, but I am glad to say I did not meet him. He had a long talk with Mr. Carruthers, who seemed much excited afterwards.” — Violet Smith, on Woodley’s return (31:01)
• Holmes on Boxing:
  • “You are aware that I have some proficiency in the good old British sport of boxing. Occasionally it is of service.” — Sherlock Holmes (28:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:28 – 07:55: Introduction of Holmes, Watson, and Miss Violet Smith
• 07:56 – 13:15: Background with Carruthers & Woodley
• 13:16 – 15:50: The cyclist’s mysterious appearances
• 17:00 – 19:55: Holmes’s deductions and assignment to Watson
• 20:00 – 23:45: Watson’s stakeout and findings
• 25:23 – 29:40: Holmes’s country pub encounter and scuffle with Woodley
• 29:41 – 31:55: Violet’s final letter, looming menace
• 31:56 – 32:30: Teaser for Part Two

Tone & Narration Style

Hugh Bonneville narrates in a classic, precise, warmly ironic style which channels both Holmes’s analytical sharpness and the Edwardian atmosphere. Dialogue is brisk and lightly humorous when Holmes is needling Watson, but grows earnest and suspenseful as Violet’s peril rises.

Conclusion

This episode masterfully sets up the increasingly sinister case of the Solitary Cyclist, blending character-driven drama with crisp detective intrigue. Holmes’s methodical reasoning, Watson’s diligent if imperfect legwork, and Violet’s escalating sense of threat lay the groundwork for the dramatic showdown hinted at in the cliffhanger. Listeners are left eager for the promised confrontation and revelations of Part Two.