Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-08-31
peak more freely in Mr.. Wilder's alb

speak more freely in Mr.. Wilder's alb
sence."
The man turned a shade paler and
cast a malignant glance at Holmes.
IF your grace wishes
Eyes, 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, DR.. Watson. and
myself had an assurance from DR..
HuXtable that a reward had been Of
fered in this case. l should like to
have this confirmed from your own
lips"
Certainly. Mr.. Holmes"
1T amounted, if l am correctly in
formed, to $1,000 to any one who will
tell you where your son il 50"
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 po-
sition?"
Yes. yes" cried the duke Impatient
ly. IF you do your work we'll. lir.
Sherlock Holmes, you will have no rea-
son to complain of niggardly treat
ment."
My friend rubbed his thin hands To-
gether with an appearance of avidit.v.
which was q surprise to me, who knew
his frugal tastes.
Il fancy that 1 see your grace's
check book upon the table," said he. 81
should be glad if you would make me
out a check for $4,000. It would be as
well perhaps for you to cross 1t. The
Capital and Counties bank. Oxford
street branch. are my agents"
His grace sat very stern and upright
in his chair and looked stonilv at nv
friend.
as this a joke, Mr.. Holmes? 1t is
hardly a subject for pleasantly"
mot at all, your grace. l was never
iuOre earnest IN my lire"
what do you mean, then"
~ mean that I have earned the re-
ward. I know where your son is. and
l know some at least Of those who are
holding him."
The dukes beard had turned more
aggressively red than ever against his
CHASTITY white face.
where is heY" he gasped.
II 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 40.
founding one He stepped swiftly for
ward and touched the duke upon tho
shoulder.
II accuse you," said he. And now
your grace, I'll trouble you for that
check
Never shall forget the dukes an
pearance as he sprang up and clawed
with his hands, like one who is sinking
into an abyss. Then, with an cxtrao1-
binary effort Of aristocfatic self ON.
nland, he sat down and sank his face
in his hands. 1t was some minutes ha.
fore he spoke.
How much do you know he asked
at last without raising his head.
81 saw you together last night"
DOCS amy II else beside your friend
know
II llav" spoken to no one"
The lux" took a pen in his uuiveriny
myers and opened lis check book
Il shall he rs good rs luy word MFR
Holmes. | am about t. write y,,,r
check, however unWc..DnAr the iufor.
nation which you have gained NAV l,o
to me. When the offer was first ma,e
little thought the turn which events
might take. But YOU auh your friend
are men Of discretion. Mr.. u~olr.cs>,,
Il hardly understand your grace"
i must put it plainly, Mr.. Holmes
II only you two know of this incident
tlicr" IS 10 reason ,vhy il should %,
any further. | think 1850 is the SIM
That yoa, is IL nOtI'
But Holmes smiled ANA shook nIs
head.
Il fear, your grace, that mu,,or, o..
hardly be arranged so CASH, Thor, T.