Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-06-08

MY friend rubbed his thin hands to-
gether with an appearance Of avidity,
which was a surprise to me. who knew
his frugal tastes.
81 fancy that l see your grace's
check book upon the table," said he. ~
should be glad II you would make me
out check for 10000. 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 my
friend
is this joke, Mr.. Holmes? 1t is
hardly subject for pleasantly"
"Not at all. your grace. was never
more earnest III my life"
what do you mean. then?"
~ 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
aggressivcly red than ever against his
CHASTITY white face.
"Wherc Is he?" he gasped.
'IIe is. or was last night, Mt 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 as
founding one. He stepped swiftly for
| ward and touched the duke upon the
| shoulder.
II accuse YOU said he. "And now,
your grace, I'll trouble you for that
| check
Never shall forget the dukes APP
pearance as he sprang UP and clawed
with his hands, like one who is sinking
| into nn abyss. Then. With an eHtraor-
binary effort of nristocratic self COM
mand. he sat down and Sank his face
in his hands. 1t was some minutes be-
fore he spoke.
GLOW much do you know" he asked
ut last without raising bis head.
II saw you together last night"
"Does any one else beside your friend
know
II have spoken to no one
The duke tool, pen in his quivering
fingers and opened his check book.
Il shall he as good as my word, Mr.
Holmes. l am about to write your
check, however unwclcome the infor-
nation which you have gained may be
to me. When the offer was first made
! little thought the turn which events
might take. But you and your friend
are men of discretion Mr.. HolmesT
II hardly understand your grace"
~ 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 not"
But Holmes smiled and shook his
head.
II 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
4 that. 1t was the work of this brutal
ruffian whom he had the misfortune to
employ"
II must take the view, your grace.
crime he is morally guilty Of any other
crime which may spring from it."
"Morally, MIR. Holmes; no doubt you
are right; but surely not in the eyes of
the law man cannot be condemned
| for murder at which he was not
present and which he loathes and alb
hors as much as you do. The instant
that he heard of it he made complete
confession to me, so filled 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! I tell you
| that you must save him. The duke
had dropped the last attempt at self
command and was pacing the room
with a convnlsed 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. Eat
least we may take counsel how far we
can minimize this hideous scandal"
Exactly" said Holmes. 81 think,
your grace, that this can only be done
! by absolute frankness between us. I
am disposed to help your grace to the
best of my ability, but in order to do
SO must understand to the last detail
how the matter stands. I realize that
your words applied to Mr.. James Will
der and that he is not the murderer"
mo, 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 it is
SO easy to escape me- Mr.. Reuben
Hayes was arrested at Chesterfield on
my information at II o'clock last night.
had telegram from the head Of the
local police before left the school this
morning"
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. $50 Reuben
Hayes is taken? l am right glad to
hear it If it will not react upon the fate
Of James,"
"Your secretary?"
"No sir; my SON.
| It was Holmes turn to look aston