Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-08-05
ms. But be was always kIad to the

But the sympathies OF the latter
were with the motherr'
"Yes.'
did he say so?"
"No.' W
",rhe duke. thenr'
"Good heavens, nor
Then how could you knowr'
Il have had some confidential talks
with Mr.. James Wilder. his grace's
secretary. 1t was he who gave me the
information about Lord Saltires feel
ings'
II see. BY the way. that last letter
OF the duke's-was it found in the boys
room after he was gomez
NO; he had taken it with him.
think. Mr.. Holmes, il is time that we
We're leaving for Euston."
II will order four wheeler. In
| quarter or an hour we shall be at your
service. II you are telegraphing home.
DIR. Huxtable, IL would be we'll TO al
low the people in your neighborhood to
imagine that the inquiry Is still going
4 on in Liverpool or wherever else that
red herring led your pack In the mean
time l will do a 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 gst a 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 II was already dark
when we reached it. A card was lying
on the hail table. and the butler whis-
pered something to his master. who
turned 10 us with agitation in every
heavy feature.
The duke is here" said he. 'sThe
duke and Mr.. Wilder are in the study.
Come. gentlemen. and will Introduce
you."
l was. or course. familiar with the
/ pictures OF the famous statesman.-but
the man himself was very different
from his representation. He was a
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
I by contrast with n long. dwindllng
/ 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. Be
side him stood n very young man.
whom l understood 10 be Wilder. the
private secretary. He was small. merry
Gus. alert. with intelligent light blue
1 eyes and mobile features. 1t was he
l " ~ f., l.. n.
tone. opened the conversation.
Il called this morning. Or. HuxtabIe.
too late TO prevent you from starting
for London. learned that your object
was TO invite Mr. Sherlock Holmes 20
undertake the conduct or this case His
grace is surprised. DR. Huxtable. that
you should have taken such step
without consulting him"
when / 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. Or. Huxtable.
that his grace is particularly anxious
TO avoid all public scandal He prefers
TO take as few people as possible !nto
his confidence"
The matter can be easily remedied."
said the browbcaten doctor. "AIr. Sher-
lock Holmes can return 20 London by
the morning train"
Hardly that. doctor: hardly that"
said Holmes in his blandest voice
This northern air Is invigoratlng and
pleasant. SOL propose 20 spend a few
days upon your moors and 70 occupy
my mind as best / may. Whether |
have the shelter OF your roof or OF the
village inn Is. OF course. for you TO de-
eide"
could see that the unfortunate doc.
tor was in the last stage OF indecisIon.
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. Hux-
table, that you would have done wise
ly TO consult me- But since NJ.
Holmes has already been taken irto
your confidence Il would indeed oe
absurd that we should not avail our
selves or his services. Far from go
ing TO the inn. Mr.. Holmes, / should
be pleased II you would come and stay
with me at Holdernesse Hail"
Il thank your grace. For the pur-
poses of my investigation l think that
1t would be wiser for me to remain at
the scene OF the mystery"
Just as you like, Mr.. Holmes. Any
Information which MIR. Wilder or / can
give you is, OF course. at your dispos-
al"
1T will probably be necessary for
me ts 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
SOM"
"No. sir, have not"
Excuse me If I allude to that which
Is painful 10 you, but l have no alter
native. Do you think that the duchess
had anything to do with the matterT"
The great minister showed percepti-
BILE hesitation.
Il do not think so" he said at last
The other most obvious explanation
is that the child has been kidnapped
for the DurDoSe of Lowing ransom