The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-12
The Return Of Sherlock
Holmes.
CONTINUED from Page Three.)

Information about Lord Saltire's 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
mo, he had taken it with him. /
think, Mr.. Holmes, it is time that we
were leaving for Euston."
Il will order a four-wheeler. In
a quarter of an hour, we shall be at
your service. If you are. teIegraphing
home. Mr.. Huxtable, it would be we'll
to allow the people in your neigh
bourhood to imagine that the inquiry
is still going on in Liverpool, or
wherever else that red herring led
your pack. In the meantime | 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 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 ly-
ing on the hall table, and the butler
whispered something to his master.
who turned to US with agitation in
every heavy feature.
'''The Duke is here" said he. "The
Duke and Mr.. Wilder are in the study.
Come, gentlemen, and l will Introduce
you
1 was of course, familiar with the
pictures of the famous statesmen, but
the man himself was very different
from his representation. He was a
tall and stately person scrupulously
dressed, with a drawn, thin face, and
a nose which was grotesquely curved
and long. His complexion was of a
dead pallor, which was more starting
by contrast with a long, dwindling
beard of vivid red, which flowed down
over his white waistcoat, with his
watch-chain cleaning through its
fringe. Such was the stately lA'esence
who looked stonily at us from the
centre of DR.. Huxtable's hearthrug.
Beside him stood a very young man,
whom / understood to be Wilder, the
private secretary. He was small. nerv-
GUS alert, with intelligent, light-blue
eyes and mobile features 1t was he
VINO at once, in an incisive and posi-
tive tone, opened the conversation.
II called this morning, DR.. Huxta-
BILE, too late to prevent you from start
ing for London. l learned that your
object was to invite Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes to undertake the conduct of
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 con-
WINGED that the police have failed"
But surely, Mr.. Wilder
You are we'll aware DR.. Huxtable,
that his Grace is particularly anxious
to avoid all public scandal. He pre-
fers to take as few people as possible
into his confidence"
1.-The matter can be easily RENE
died. said the brow-beaten doctor;
Mr.. 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 a few
days upon your moors. and to occupy
my mind as best l may. Whether I
have the shelter of your roof or of
the village inn is, of course. for you
to decide"
l could see that the unfortunate
doctor was in the last stage of indie
cision, from which he was rescued by
the deep, sonorous voice of the red
bearded Duke, which doomed out like
a dinner-gOng.
II agree with Mr.. Wilder. Dr. Hulk
table, that you would have done wisely
to consult me. But since Mr.. Holmes
has already been taken into your con-
fidence it would indeed be absurd that
we should not avail ourselves of his
services. Far from going to the inn
Mr.. Holmes, / should be pleased if
you would come and stay with me at
HoIdernesse Hail."
81 thank your Grace. For the pur-
poses of my investigation, think that
it would be wiser for me to remain
at the scene of the mystery"
Just as you like, Mr.. Holmes. Ans
information which Mr.. Wilder or
can give you is. of course, st your dis
posal.'
ct viii probably be necessary for
me to see you at the Hall, said
Holmes. II would only ask you now,
sir. whether you have formed any ex-
planat:on in your own mind as to the
mysterious disappearance of your son !!
mo, sir, / have not"
Excuse me if 1 allude to that which
is painful to you, but have no alter
native. Do you think that the Duchess
had anything to do with the matter?
The great Minister showed percepti-
BILE hesitation.
81 do not think So" he said, at last
1.-THE other most obvious explana-
ton is that the child has been kid
mapped for the purpose of levying ran
SON. You have not had any demand
of the sort?''
mo, SIR
Zone more question, your Grace.
understand that you wrote to your son
upon the day when this incident &C.
Cured"
mo, I wrote upon the day before. .
Exactly. But he received it on
that day?'
WAS there anything in your letter
which might have unbalanced him or
induced him to take such step?"
"No. sir; certainly not"
ya.u