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

of trap light up in the stable-yard
of the inn, and shortly afterwards
heard the rattle of hoofs, as it wheel
ed out into the road and tore off at a
furious pace in the direction of
Chesterfield.
What do you make of that, Wat
son 2" Holmes whispered.
cit looks like a flight"
"a single man in a dog-cart, so far
as / could see. Well, it certainly was
not Mr.. James Wilder, for there he is
at the door,"
A red square of light had sprung
out of the darkness, In the middle of
it was the black figure of the secreta-
ry, his head advanced, peering out into
the night 1t was evident that he was
expecting some one. Then at last
there were steps in the road, a second
figure was visible for an instant against
the light, the door shut, and all was
black once more. Five minutes later
lamp was lit in a. room upon the
first floor.
1T seems to be a curious class of
custom that is done by the Fighting
Cock said Holmes.
''The bar is on the other side"
"Quite so. These are what one may
call the private guests. Now, what in
the world is Mr.. James Wilder doing
in that den at this hour of night. and
meet him there? Come, Watson, we
must really take a risk, and try to i'm
vestigate this a little more closely"
Together we stole down to the road
and crept across to the door of the inn.
The bicycle still leaned against the
wall. Holmes struck a match and
held it to the back wheel, and I heard
him chuckle as the light fell upon a
patched Dunlop tyre. Up above us
was the lighted Window
I must have a peep through that,
Watson. If you bend your back and
support yourself upon the wall, l
think that / can manage"
An instant later, his feet were on
my shoulders, but he was hardly up
before he was down again.
Come, my friend" said he, "our
days work has been quite long
enough. 1 think that we have gather
ed all that we can. It's a long walk
to the school, and the sooner we get
started the BETTER
He hardly opened his lips during
that weary trudge across the moor,
nor would he enter the school when
he reached it, but went on to Mackle-
ton Station, whence he could send
some kilograms. Late at night l heard
him consoling DR.. Huxtable, pros
trated by the tragedy of his masters
DEATH and later still he entered my
room as alert and vigorous as he had
been when he started in the morning
'All goes well, my friend said he. ST
promise that before tomorrow evening
we shall have reached the solution of
the mystery"
At eleven o'clock next morning my
friend and ] were walking up the fa-
nous yew avenue of Holdernesse Hall.
We were ushered through the magpi-
hcent Elizabethan doorway and into
his Grace's study. There we found
Mr.. James Wilder, demure and court
ly, but with some trace of that wild
terror Of the night before still lurking
IN his furtive eyes and in his twitching
features
You have come to see his Grace
] 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 Dr. Hux-
table yesterday afternoon, which told
of your discovery
Il must see the Duke, Mr.. Wilder"
But he is in his room.'
Then | must go to his room''
Il believe he is in his bed"
Il will see him there"
Holmes cold and inexorable manner
showed the secretary that it was use
less to argue with him.
Very good, Mr.. Holmes, 1 will tell
4lIlIl If1dL you are mere.
After an hours delay, the great
nobleman appeared. His face was
more cadaverous than ever, his shout
ders had rounded. and he seemed to
me to be an altogether older man
than he had been the morning before.
lie greeted us with a stately courtesy
and seated himself at his desk, his
beard streaming down on the table,
We'll, Mr.. Holiness" said he.
But my friends eyes were fixed on
the secretary, who stood by his mast
er's chair.
II think, your Grace, that could
speak more freely in Mr.. Wilders alb
seneca
The man turned shade paler and
cast a 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, DR.. Watson, and
myself had an assurance from Dr.
Huxtable that a reward had been
offered. in this case. / should like to
have this confirmed from your own
lips"
Certainly, Mr.. Holiness
1T amounted, If ! am correctly in
anyone who will tell 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 in
cluded, 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, i'm
patiently. IF you do your work well,
Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, you will have
no reason to complain of niggardIy
treatment"
My friend rubbed his thin hands
together with an appearance of avidity
which was a surprise to me, who knew
his frugal tastes.
II fancy that / sec your Grace's
cheque-book upon the table," said he.
II should be glad if you would make
me out cheCue for six thousand
pounds. 1t would be as well, perhaps,
for you to cross it. The Capital and
Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch,
are my agents"
HiS Grace saf very cfara apd ,,r