Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-22
1.-THE duke, them"
GOOD heavens. mol"

II have had some confidential talks
with Mr.. James wilder, his grace's
secretary. 1t was he who gave me the
information about Lord Saltire's feel.
inss."
II see. BY the way, that last letter
Of the dukes-was It found In the boy
room after he was gomez"
| mo; he had taken it with him. I
think, Mr.. Holmes, It Ia time that we
were leaving for Euston."
| II will order four wheeler In q
quarter Of an hour we shall be at your
service. II you are telegrnphing home,
DR.. Huxtable. 1t would he we'll to al
low the people in your nelghborhood 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 q little quiet work Mt
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 DR.. Huxtable's famous
school Is situated. 1t was already dark
when we reached It, 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.
"rhe duke Is here" said he. 1.-THE
duke and Mr.. Wilder are in the study
Come, gentlemen, and will introduce
you"
! was. Of course. familiar with the
pictures OF the famous statesman, but
the man himself was very different
from his representation. He was
tall and stately person. scrupulously
dressed. with drawn. thin face and
nose which was Grotesquely curved
and long. His complexion was Of
dead pallor, which was more startling
by contrast with long, dwindlng
beard OF vivid red which flowed down
over his white waistcOat. with his
watch chain cleaning through its
fringe. Such was the stately presence
who looked stonily at us from the CEN
ter Of DR.. Huxtable's hearth rug. Re
side him stood very young man,
whom I understood to be Wilder. the
private secretary. He was small. nerv-
Gus. alert, with intelligent light blue
eyes and mobile features. 1t was he
who at once in an ncisive and positive
tone. opened the conversation.
Il called this morning, DR.. Huxtable.
too late to prevent you from starting
for London. learned that your object
was to invite Mr.. Sherlock Holmes to
undertake the conduct Of this case. His
grace ia surprised. Dr. Huxtable, that
you should have taken such step
without consulting him"
when l learned that the police had
failed
His grace is by no means convinced
that the police have failed"
But surely. Mr.. Wilder
you are we'll aware. DR.. Huxtable,
that bis grace ia particularly anxious
to avoid all public scandal. He prefers
to take as few people as possible into
his confidence"
THE matter can he easily remedied."
said the browbcaten doctor. mfr. Sher-
lock Holmes can return to London by
the morning train"
Hardly that. doctor: hardly that"
said Holmes in his blandest voice.
This northern air is invigorating and
pleasant, SO propose to spend Il few
days upon your moors and to occupy
my mind as hest I may. Whether I
have the shelter Of your roof or of the
village inn is Of course. for you to de-
eide"
l could see that the unfortunate doc
tor was in the last stage Of indpcision.
from which he was rescued by the
deep, sonorouS voice of the red beard
ed duke, which doomed out like a din.
ner gong.
Il agree with Mr. Wilder. Or. Hulk.
table, that you would have done wise
~ to consult me But since MFR.
Holmes has already been taken into
your confidence 1t would indeed be
absurd that we should not avail our
selves Of his services Far from 20.
Ing to the inn, Mr.. Holmes. l should
be pleased II you would come and stay
with me at Holdernesse Hail."
Il thank your grace. For the pur.
Po"Vo W A'v iuVVStlEutiou tuluh tuht
1t would be wiser for me to remain at
the scene OF the mystery"
Just as you like. Mr.. Holmes Any
Information which Mr.. Wilder or can
give you Is, Of course, at your dispos.
al"
1T will probably be necessary for
me to see you at the hail." said
Holmes. II would only ask you now.
sir. whether you have formed any ex-
PLANTATION in your own mind as to the
mysterious disappearance Of your
SON.
mo, sir. l have not"
Excuse me II allude to that which
10 painful to you. but have no alter
native. DO you think that the duchess
had anything to do with the natter
The great minister showed perceptl-
BILE hesitation.
II do not think So" he said Mt last.
"The other most obvious explanation
is that the child has been kidnapped
for the purpose Of levying ransom.
You have not had any demand Of the
sort?"
"No. sir"
Zone more question, your grace. I
understand that you wrote to your son
upon the day when this incident oc-
cured"
mo; l wrote upon the day before"