Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-26

should be glad If You would make me
out n check for fG.0O0. 1t would be as
well perhaps for you to cross It, The
Capital and Counties bank. Oxford
street branch, are my agents"
His grace sat very stern and upright
in his chair and looked stonily at nv
friend.
us this joke. Mr.. Holmes? Il Is
hardly subject for pleasantly"
Not AT all your grace. was never
more earnest in my life"
What do You mean. them"
II mean that / have earned the re-
ward. know where your son is. and
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 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 hisichair.
And whom do you accuse?"
Sherlock Holmes answer was an as.
founding one. He stepped swiftly for.
ward and touched the duke upon the
shoulder
Il accuse YOU" said he. And now.
your grace, I'll trouble you for that
check"
Never shall forget the dukes ap-
pearance as he sprang up and clawed
with his hands, like one who is sinking
into an abyss. Then, with an extraor-
binary effort OF aristocratic self COM
mHnd, he sat down anu sank his face
in his hands. IL was some minutes be-
fore 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 a pen in his quivering
fingers and opened his check book.
Il shall lie as good as my word. Mr..
Holmes. l am about 10 write your
check. however unwelcome the infOr-
nation which you have gained may be
TO me- When the offer was first made
I little thought the turn which events
might take. But you and your friend
are men of discretion, Mr. HolmeS?"
Il hardly understand your grace"
II must put it plainly, Mr.. Holmes.
If only you two know of this incident
there is no reason why it should go
any further. / think $4,000 is the sum
that owe you, is it notf'
But Holmes smiled and shook his
head.
Il fear, your grace, that matters can
hardly be arranged so easily. There is
the death of this schoolmaster to be ac-
counted for
But James knew nothing of that.
You cannot hold him responsible for
that. 1t was the work OF this brutal
rufiian whom he had the misfortune to
employ"
Il must take the view. your grace,
that when man embarks upon Il
crime he is morally guilty OF any other
crime which may spring from it,"
Morally, Mr.. Holmes; no doubt you
are right; but surely not In the eyes of
the law. A man cannot be condemned
for murder at which he was not
present and which he Ioathes and alb
hors as much as you do. The instant
that he heard Of it he made a complete
confession TO me. so filed was he with
horror and remorse. He lost not an
hour in breaking entirely with the muir
derer. Oh. Mr.. Holmes, you must save
him-you must save him, / tell you
that you must save him. The duke
had dropped the last attempt at self
command and was pacing the room
with convulsed face and with his
clinched hands waving In the air. At
last he mastered himself and sat down
once more at his desk. II appreciate
your conduct in coming here before you
spoke TO any one else" said he. AT
least we may take counsel how far we
can minimize this hidedfs scandal"
Exactly" said Holmes. II think,
your grace, that this can only be done
by absolute frankness between us. I
am disposed to help your grace 10 the
best OF my ability, but in order to do
so I must understand TO the last detail
how the matter stands. I realize that
your words applied to Mr.. James vii.
der and that he is not the murderer"
NO, the murderer has escaped"
Sherlock Holmes smiled demurely.
Your grace can hardly have heard
Of any small reputation which pos
sess or you would not imagine that ii is
so easy TO escape me. Mfr Reuben |
Hayes was arrested ar Chesterfield on |
my information at II O'clock last night |
| had telegram from the head OF the |
local police before l left the school this |
The duke leaned back In his chair |
and stared with amazement At my |
friend.
You seem to have powers that are
hardly human" said he. SO Reuben /
Hayes is taken? | am right glad to
hear it If il will not react upon the fate
Of James"
Your secretary
No. sir; my SON.
1t was Holmes turn to look aston
shed
Il confess that this is entirely new to
ne, your grace. I must beg you to be
more explicit"
Il will conceal nothing from you.
gree with YOU that complete frank