Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-02

upper room, unuer me care VT nlIS. Hayes, who is kindly woman, but entirely under the control of her brutal husband.
 Well, MT. Holmes, that was the state of affairs when I first saw you two days ago. I had no more idea of the truth than you. You will ask me what was James motive in doing such a decd. answer that there was a great deal which was unreasoning and fanatical in the hatred which he bore my heir. In his view he should him. self have been heir of all my estates, and he deeply resented these social laws which made it impossible. At the same time he had definite motive al so. He was eager that should break the entail, and he was of opinion that it lay in my power to do so. He intend ed to make bargain with me-to re store Arthur if I would break the en- tail and so make it possible for the es- tate to be left to him by will. He knew we'll that I should never willingly in- yoke the aid of the police against him. say that he would have proposed such a bargain to me, but did not actually do so, for events moved too quickly for him, and he had not time to put his plans into practice.
 What brought all his wicked scheme to wreck was your discovery of this man Heideggers dead body. James was seized with horror at the news. It came to us yesterday as we sat to- gether in this study. Dr. Huxtable had sent telegram. James was so over whelmed with grief and agitation that my suspicious, which had never been entirely absent, rose instantly to cer- tainty, and taxed him with the deed. He made complete voluntary confes- sion. Then he implored me to keep his secret for three days longer so as to give his wretched accomplice chance of saving his guilty life. I yielded-as have always yielded-to his prayers, and instantly James hurried off to the Fighting Cock to warn Hayes and give him the means of flight. could not go there by daylight without provoking comment, but as soon as night fell hurried off to see my dear Arthur found him safe and well, but mortified beyond expression by the dreadful deed he had witnessed. In deference to my promise and much against my will I consented to leave him there for three days under the charge of Mrs. Hayes, since it was evident that 1t was impos- sible to inform the police where he was without telling them also who was the murderer, and could not see how that murderer could be punished without ruin to my unfortunate James. You asked for frankness. MT. Holmes, and I have taken you at your word, for have now told you everything without an attempt at circumlocution or con- cealment Do you in your turn be as frank with me"
 T will,' said Holmes. "In the first | place, your grace, am bound to tell you that you have placed yourself in a most serious position in the eyes of the law. You have condoned a felony, and you have aided the escape of mur- derer, for I cannot doubt that any money which was taken by James Will. der to aid his accomplice in his flight came from your grace's purse."
 The duke bowed his assent. tNl-
 'This is indeed a most serious mat. ter Even more culpable in my opinion, your grace, is your attitude toward your younger son. You leave him in this den for three days"
 Under solemn promises"-
 What are promises to such people as these? You have no guarantee that he will not be spirited away again. To humor your guilty elder son you have exposed your innocent younger son to imminent and unnecessary danger. Il was most unjustifiable action."
 The proud lord of Holdernesse was not accustomed to be so rated in his own ducal hall The blood flushed into his high forehead, but his conscience held him dumb.
 "I will help you, but on one condition only. It is that you ring for the foot man and let me give such orders as like"
 Without a word the duke pressed thu electric bell. A servant entered.
 You will be glad to hear," said Holmes, "that your young master 1, found It is the dukes desire that tn, carriage shall go at once to the Fight inc cock inn fo hrin0 Tnrd Salttr, home.
 Now" said Holmes when the re jolcing lsckey had disappeared. 'hav ing secured the future. we can affor, 10 be more lenient with the past. an not in an official position. and there i no reason so long as the ends of justic are served why I should disclose al that I know As to Hayes, I say noth Ing The gallows awaits him. and
 would do nothing to save him from il What he will divulge I cannot tell. bu have no doubt that your grace coul, make him understand that 1t is to hi interest to be silent. From the polio point of view he will have Kidnapped the boy for the purpose of ransom. If they do not themselves find it out see nc reason why I should prompt them te take q broader point of view. I would warn your grace. however, that the continued presence of Mir. James Vii der in your household can only lead tC misfortune"
 "I understand that. Mir. Holmes. and |,