Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-08-24

"AA
quarter Of an hour we shall be Mt your
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 Il little quiet work ut
Your w doors, and perhaps the scent
is not so cold but that two old hounds
like Watson and myself may get a sniff
Of it."
That evening found us in the cold,
bracing atmosphere Of the Peak coun-
try, in which DIR. Huxtahle's 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. 1.-THE
duke and Mr.. Wilder are in the study.
Come, gentlemen, and l 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 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 q
dead pallor, which was more startling
By contrast with q 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 presence
who looked stonily at us from the cen
ter Of DR.. Huxtable's hearth rug. Be
side him stood a very young man,
whom l 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 incisive and positive
tone, opened the conversation.
II 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 is surprised, DR.. Huxtable, that
you should have taken such a step
without consulting him"
when l learned that the police had
failed
His grace is by nc means convinced
that the police have failed"
But surely. Mr.. Wider
you are we'll aware, DR.. Huxtable,
that his grace is particularly anxious
to avoid all public scandal. He prefers
to take as few people as possible into
his confidence"
THE matter can be easily %remedied,"
said the browbeaten doctor. "Mr. Sher-
lock Holmes can return to London by
the morning train"
Hardly that doctor; hardly that"
said Holmes in bis blandest voice.
This northern air Is invigorating and
pleasant, 80 l propose to spend a few
days upon your moors and to OCCUPY
my mind as best 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 tndecision.
from which he was rescued by the
deep, sonorous voice Of the red beard
ed duke, which doomed out like a din
ner gong.
II agree with Mr.. Wilder, DR.. Hux-
table, that you would have done wise
~ to consult me. But since Mr..
Holmes has already been taken into
your confidence it would indeed be
absurd that we should not avail our
selves of his services. Far from 60
ing to the inn, Mr.. Holmes, l should
be pleased if you would come and stay
with me at Holdernesse Hail."
Il thank your grace. For the pur-
poses of my Investigation | think that
1t would be wiser for Inc to remain at
the scene of the mystery"
Just as you like, Mr.. Holmes. ANY
information which Mr.. Wilder or l 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. Il 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.
NO, sir. 1 have not"
Excuse me if l allude to that which
Is painful to you, but I have no alter
native. Do you think that the duchess
had anything to do with the matter"
The great minister showed percepti-
bic hesitation.
81 do not think So" he said at last.
"The other most obvious explanation
is that the child has been kiGnupcl
for the purpose Of levying ransom.
You have not had any demand of the
sort|'
mo. sir"
zone more question, you grace. |
understand that you wrote to your SOD
upon the day when this incident &C.
Cured"
NO; l wrote upon the day before"
Exactly. But he received it on that
day."
"Yes."
"Was there anything in your letter
which might have unbalanced him or