Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11
"YoU INTERNAL sP1EsY' THE MAN cR1ED

terror of the night before still lurking in
his furtive eyes and in his twitching fea-
lures
You have come to see his grace? 1 am
sorry, but the fact is that the duke is far
from well. He has been very much upset
by the tragic news. We received a telegram
from DIR. Huxtable yesterday afternoon,
which told us of your discovery
Il must see the duke. Mr.. Wilder.
But he is in his room"
Then l must go to his ROOM
Il believe he is in his bed
Twill him there
Holmes cold and memorable manner
showed the secretary that it was useless
10 argue with him.
Very good, Mr.. Holmes, l will tell him
that you are here"
After an hours delay the great nobleman
appeared. His face was more cadaverouS
than ever, his shoulders had rounded and he
seemed to me TO be an altogether older
than he had been the morning before. He
greeted US with a stately courtesy and seat
ed himself at his desk, his red beard
streaming down on the table.
We'll. Mr.. Holiness? said he
But my friends eyes were fixed upon the
secretary, who stood by his masters chair.
Il think, your grace. that 1 could speak
more freely in Mr.. Wilder's absence
The man turned shade paler and cast
malignant glance at Holmes.
IF your grace wishes"
Yes, yes, you had better GO Now, Mr..
Holmes what have you to say?'
My friend waited until the door had closed
behind the retreating secretary.
The fact is, your grace said he, that
my colleague, DIR. Watson, and myself had
an assurance from DR. Huxtable that a re-
ward had been offered in this case. 1 should
like TO nave this confirmed from your own
lips"
Certainly. Mr.. Holmes"
1t amounted, If | am correctly Informed,
TO e5Oo0 to any one who will tell you where
your son is?'
Exactly"
And another thousand to the man who
Will name the person or persons who keep
him in CUSTODY"
Exactly"
Under 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 position?"
Yes. yes" cried the duke, impatiently.
If you do your WORK well. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes, you will have no reason to COM
plain of niggardly treatment"
My friend rubbed his thin hands together
with appearance of avidity which was
surprise to me, who knew his frugal
tastes.
Il fancy that l see your graces check
book upon the table said he. Il should be
glad if you would make me out a check
FOR $4,000. 1t would be as well, perhaps,
for you to cross it. The Capital and Coun-
ties Bank oxford street branch, are my
agents"
His grace sat very stern and upright in
his chair and looked stonily at my friend.
a subject for pleasantly"
Not at all. your grace. l was never more
earnest IN my life"
What do you mean, them
Il mean that / have earned the reward.
! know where your son Is. and know some,
at least, of those who are holding him.
The dukes beard had turned more aggres-
sively red than ever against his CHASTITY
white face.
Where is he?" 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 astound-
ing one He stepped swiftly forward and
touched the duke upon the shoulder.
Il accuse you" said he. And now, your
grace III trouble you for that cheque."
Never shall / forget the dukes appear
ance as he sprang up and clawed with his
hands, like one who is sinking into an
abyss. Then, with an extraordinary effort
OF aristocratic self-command. he sat down
and sank his face in his hands. 1t was
some minutes before he spoke.
How much do you know" he asked at
last. without raising his head.
Il saw you together last night
Does any one else beside your friend
know
Il have spoken TO no one"
The duke took pen in his quivering
fingers and opened his cheque book.
Il shall be as good as my word, Mr-
Holmes. l am about TO write your cheque,
however unwelcome the information which
you have gained may be to me. When the
offer was first made l little thought the
turn which events might take. But you
and your friend are men of discretion, Mr..
Holiness"
II hardly understand your grace
Il must put 1t plainly, Mr. Holmes. If
only you two know of this incident there