Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-22
"Then I must 20 TO his ROOM"
II believe he Is In his bed"
N4 ~,tN 80 Ats~~ AL~.~ ~

II VIII see MIN there"
Holiness cold and inexorable manner
showed the secretary that 1t was USE
less to argue with him.
"very good. Mr.. Holmes. will tell
him that you are here"
After an hours delay the great noble
man appeared. His face was more ca.
daverous than ever, his shoulders had
rounded, and he seemed to me to be an
altogether older man than he Lad been
the morning before. He greeted US
with stately courtesy and seated him.
self at his desk, his red beard stream.
ing down on the table.
well, Mr.. Holmes?" said he.
But my friends eyes were fixed upon
the secretary, who stood by his mas
ter's chair.
II think, your grace. that I could
speak more freely In Mr.. Wilder's alb
sence."
The man turned shade paler and
cast a malignant glance Mt Holmes.
IF your grace wlshes"-
Eyes, yes; you had better go. Now,
Mr. Holmes, what have you to sayY"
My friend waited until the door had
closed behind the retreating secretary.
1.-THE fact Ia. your grace" said he,
that my colleague, DR.. Watson, and
myself had an assurance from DIR.
Huxtable that n reward had been Of
fcred in this case. I should like to
have this confirmed from your own
lips"
certainly, Mr.. Holmes"
ut amounted. If am correctly in
formed, to $4,000 to any one who will
tell you where your son isT'
Exactly"
And another thousand to the man
who will name the person or persons
who keep him in custody?"
Exactly"
"tndcr the latter heading is included
no doubt not only those who may have
taken him away. but also those who
conspire to keep him in his present po-
sition!''
"Yes, ycs," cried the duke impatient
~. "If you do your work we'll, Mr..
Sherlock Holmes. you will have no rea-
son to complain Of niggardly treat
mcnt."
My friend rubbed his thin hands to.
gcther with an appearance Of avidlty,
which was a surprise to me. who knew
his frugal tastes.
II fancy that I see your grace's
check book upon the table," said he. IL
should be glad II you would make me
ont check for $4,000. 1t would be as
well perhaps for you to cross 1t. The
Capital and Counties bank, Oxford
street branch. are my agents"
His grace sat very stern and upright
in his chair and looked stonily at my
friend.
as this a Joke, Mr.. Holmes7 1t is
hardly subject for pleasantly"
"Not at all. your grace. was never
more earnest in my life"
"What do YOU mean, them"
~ mean that have earned the re-
ward. know where your son is. and
know some at least Of those who are
holding him."
The dukes beard had turned more
aggressively red than ever against his
CHASTITY white face.
where is hep he gasped.
"He is. or was last night. at the
Fighting Cock inn. about two miles
from your park gate"
The duke fell back in his chair.
And whom do you accuse?"
Sherlock Holmes answer was an as
founding one. He stepped swiftly for
ward and touched the duke upon tho
shoulder.
II accuse you." said he "And now,
your grace. I'll trouble you for that
check"
Never shall forget the dukes ap-
pearance as he sprang mp and clawed
with his hands. like one who is sinking
into an abyss. Then, with an extraor-
binary effort OF aristocratic self COM
mand. he sat down and sank his face
in his hands. 1t was some minutes be-
fore he spoke.
How much do you know" he asked
at last without rnising his head.
II saw you together last night"
docs any one else beside your friend
know
II have spoken to no one"
The duke took pen In his quivering
fingers and opened his check book.
II shall lie as good rs my word. MIR.
Holmes. am about TO write your
check. however unwelcome the infor.
1>ation which you have gained may be
to me. When the offer was first made
! little thought the turn which events
might take. But you and your friend
are men Of discretion, Mr.. Holmes?"
Il hardly understand your grace"
II must put it plainly. Mr.. Holmes.
II only you two know OF this incident
there Is no reason why 1t should go
any further. l think $4,000 Is the sum
that owe you, ia 1t not!"
But Holmes smiled and shook his
head.
Il fear, your grace. that matters can
hardly be arranged so easily. There Is
the death of this schoolmaster to be &C.
counted for"
But James knew nothing Of that.
You cannot hold him responsible for
that. 1t was the work Of this brutal
ruffian whom he had the misfortune to
employ"
II must take the view. your grace,
that when a man embarks upon n
crime he Is morally guilty OF any other
crime which may spring from It,"
Morally, Mr.. Holmes; no doubt you