Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11

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 Hei-
degger's dead body James was seized with
horror at the news 1t came to US yester-
day, as We sat together in this study Dr.
Huxtable had sent telegram James was
so overwhelmed with grief and agitation
that my suspicious, which had never been
entirely absent, rose instantly to a GER
tainty, and 1 taxed him With the deco
He made a complete voluntary coHIeSsioi.
Then he inplored me to KEEP his secret LOT
three DAYS longer so as to give his wretched
accomplice a chance of saving his Sunty
life. l yielded-as / have always yieldeo-
to his prayers and instantly James hurried
off to the Fighting Cock to warn hayes
and give him the means of flight. l could
not go there by daylight without proVok-
ing comment, but as soon as night zen 4
hurried off to my dear Arthur. I una
him safe and well, but horrifled Deyonu eA-
preston by the dreadful deed he had VIII
messed. In Difference to my promise anu
much against my will, consented TO ieaNe
him there for three days. under the charge
of Mrs Hayes since 1t was evident mat !.
was impossible to inform the police where
he was without telling them also who was
the murderer, and I could not see how that
murderer could be punished without rum
to my unfortunate James. You asked Tor
frankness, Mr.. Holmes, and | have taken
you at your word for l have now told
you everything without an attempt at CIR
cumlOCutiOn cOncedlfnent., ~ Sou ~
your turn be as frank with me.
Il will" said Holmes. In the first pace
your grace l am bound to tell you that
you have placed yourself In most serious
position in the eyes of the law. you ne
condoned a felony, and you have aided the
escape of a murderer, for / cannot doupt
that any money which was taken by James
Wilder to aid his accomplish in his flght
came from your Graces purse.
The duke bowed his assent
'''That is indeed. most serious matter
Even more culpable in my opinion, your
grace is your attitude toward your younger
son. You leave him in this den 1or III ee
days.. .
Under solemn promises
What are promises to such people
as these? You have no guarantee lila.
he would not be spirited away again. ~
humor YOUR guilty elder son, you nave eA-
posed your innocent younger son 10 l1llil-
nent and unnecessary danger. 1t was
most unjustifiabe action.
The proud lord of Holdernesse was nj aoi
accustomed to be so rated in his own ducai
hall. The blood flushed into his hlgh lore
head. but his conscience held him dumb.
II will help you, but on one condltlon
only. 1t is that you ring for the 80 too!iiiah
and let me give such orders as L IKE.
Without a word the duke pressed the elec-
trio bell. A servant entered.
You will be glad to hear SAID homes,
chat your young master Is 1o1ho. II Is
the dukes desire that the carriage shall
go at once to the Fighting Cock Inn TO
bring Lord Satire home.
Now" said Holmes, when the rejoicing
lackey had disappeared, "haVnS Secureo
the future we can afford TO be more lenlent
with the past l am not in an official po-
sition and there is no reason, so long as
the ends of justice are served, why shoulu
disclose all that L know. AS to hayes l
saw nothing The gallows awaits him, ana
I would do nothing to save him from H.
What he will dvulge l cannot ten, pul l
have no doubt that your grace could make
him understand that it is to his interest," u
be silent From the police point of view
he will have kidnapped the boy for the pur-
pose of ransom. If they do not themselves
find it out, | see no reason why shoulu
prompt them to take broader point Oh
view / would warn your grace. however,
that the continued presence of MIR. James
Wilder in your household can only lead 10
misfortune"
Il understand that. Mr.. Holmes, and it is
already settled that he shall leave me for
ever and go to seek his fortune IN AUS
tralia."
In that case your grace, since you nave
yourself stated that any unhappiness IN
your married life was caused by his pres
ence, | would suggest that you make Sucn
amends as you can to the duchess, and that
YOU try to resume those relations which
have been so unhappily interrupted"
That also 1 have arranged, Mr.. Holmes.
1 wrote to the duchess this morning.
I'm that case" said Holmes, rising, Il
think that my friend and I can congratu-
late ourselves upon several most happy re-
suits from our little visit to the north.
There is one other small point upon which
desire some light. This fellow Hayes had
shod his horses with shoes which counter
feited the tracks of COWS. Was it from
Mr. Wilder that he learned SO extraordinary
a device?'
The duke stood in thought for a moment,
with a look of intense surprise on his face.
Then he opened a door and showed us into
a large room furnished as q museum, He
led the way to a glass case in corner, and
pointed to the inscription.
These Shoes" it ran were dug up in
the moat of Holdernesse Hall. They are
for the use of horses, but they are shaped
below with cloven foot of iron, so as to
throw pursuers off the track. They are
supposed to have belonged to some of the
marauding barons of Holdernesse in the
middle ages
Holmes opened the case, and mostening
his finger he passed it along the shoe. A
thin film of recent mud was left upon his
skin.
THANK you," said he as he replaced the
glass. 1T is the second most Interesting
object that l have seen in the NORTH
And the first?'
Holmes folded up his check and placed
1t carefully in his note book. 81 am a
poor man. said he, as he patted it affec-
tionately and thrust itt into the depths OF
his inner pocket