Morris tribune., 1905-07-15

'You see the point of my questions,
Of course. Either the boy was carried
off by force or he went of his own free
will. In the latter case you would ex-
pect that some prompting from outside
would be needed to make SO young a
lad do such a thing If he has had
no visitors, that prompting must have
come in letters; hence l try to find
out who were his correspondents"
81 fear cannot help you much. His
only correspondent, SO far as l know,
was his own father"
'sWho wrote to him on the very day
of his disappearance. Were the rela-
tions between father and son very
friendly?"
"His grace is never very friendly
with any one. He is completely i'm
mersed in large public questions and is
rather inaccessible to all ordinary emo
tions. But he was always kind to the
boy in his own way
"But the sympathies of the latter
were with the mother?"
"Yes.'
Ibid he say SOP"
"NO."
''The duke, then?"
"GO0d heavens, nov
'"rhen how could you knowT
"I have had some confidential talks
with M. James Wilder, his grace's
secretary. 1t was he who gave me the
information about Lord Saltire's feel
ings.'
Il see. By the way, that last letter
Of the dukes-Was it found in the boys
room after he was gone"
mo; he had taken it with him.
think, Mr.. Holmes. it is time that we
were leaving for Euston.'
II viii order a four wheeler. In a
service. If you are telegraphing home,
DR. HuXtable it would be we'll to al
low the people in your neighborhood to
imagine that the inquiry is still going
on in Liverpool Or wherever else that
red herring led your pack. In the mean
time l will do little quiet work at
your own doors, and perhaps the scent
is not so cold but that two old hounds
like Watson and myself may get sniff
Of it,"
That evening found us in the cold,
bracing atmosphere Of the Peak coun-
try, in which DIR. HuXtables famous
school is situated. 1t was already dark
when we reached 1t. A card was lying
On the hall table, and the butler whis-
pered something to his master, who
turned to us with agitation in every
heavy feature.
''The duke is here,' said he. "The
luke and Mr.. Wilder are in the study.
Come, gentlemen, and I will introduce
7ou."
I was, Of course, familiar with the
pictures of the famous statesman, but
he man himself was very different
rom his representation. He was
all and stately person, scrupulously
lressed, with drawn, thin face and
lose which was grotesquely curved
md long. His complexion was Of a
lead pallor, which was more startling
~ contrast with q long, dwindling |
'eard Of vivid red which flowed down |
'vers his white waistcoat, with his
watch chain cleaning through its
rfnge. Such was the stately presence
Who looked stonily at us from the cen
er Of DR.. Huxtable's hearth rug. Be
fde him stood very young man,
whom 1 understood to be Wilder, the
rivate secretary. He was small, nerv-
us, alert, with intelligent light blue
yes and mobile features. It was he
Vho at once, in an incisive and positive
one, opened the conversation
Il called this morning, DR.. Huxtable,
90 late to prevent you from starting
Or London. I learned that your object
7as to invite Mr. Sherlock Holmes to
ndertake the conduct Of this case. His
race is surprised, DR.. Huxtable, that
ou should have taken such step
'ithout consulting him.
when I learned that the police had
ailed''-
"His grace is by no means convinced
hat the police have failed"
"But surely, Mr.. Wilder
You are Well aware, DIR. HuXtaDle,
lat his grace is particularly anxious
avoid all public scandal. He prefers
take as few people as possible into
Is confidence"
'The matter can be easily remedied,"
aid the browbeaten doctor. "Mr. Sher-
'ck Holmes can return to London by
le morning train.'
Hardly that, doctor; hardly that"
lid Holmes in his blandest voice.
This northern air is invigorating and
easant, so propose to spend few
ays upon your moors and to occupy
y mind as best I may. Whether I
ave the shelter of your roof or of the
llage inn is, of course, for you to de
de"
i could see that the unfortunate doc