The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-05-18
BY A. CONAN Y
v.-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
aPRlORY SCHOOL.-Continued.

PRloRY ScHooL.-continued.
ST seems to be a curious class of custom
that is done by the Fighting Cock sal,
Holmes.
The bar is on the other side
quite so. These are what one may cal
the private guests. Now, what in tn
world is Mr.. James Wilder doing in tina
den at this hour of night, and who is Thu
companion who comes to meet him there
Come, Watson, we must really take a risk
and try to investigate this a little NOR,
closely"
Together we stole down the road ant
crept across to the door of the inn. Thu
bicycle still leaned against the wall
Holmes struck a match and held 1t to the
back wheel, and l heard him chuclle as
the light fell pon a patched Dunlop tire
Up above US was the lighted window.
Il must have a peep through that. Wat
son. If you bend your back and support
yourself upon the wall, l think that l car
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 gathered 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 Mackleton station, whence
he could send some kilograms. Late at
nisht I heard him consoling DR.. Huxtable,
Frustrated by the tragedy of his masters
DEATH, and. later still he entered my room
as alert and vigorous as he had been when
ne started in the morning. "All goes well,
my friend" said he. II promise that be-
fore tomorrow evening We shall have
no0Hn Al k1@ I,kxo 80 Al-
AT IL O'Clock next morning my friend
and I were walking up the famous yew
avenue Of H~oldernesse hall. We were
ushered through the magnificent Eliza
bethan doorway and into his grace's
study. There we found Mr.. James Wild
er. demure and courtly, but with some
trace of that wild terror of the night be-
fore still lurking in his furtlve 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 we'll. He has been very much upset
by the tragic news. We received a tele-
gram from DR.. Huxtable yesterday after
noon. which told us of your discovery"
II must see the duke, Mr.. Wilder"
But he is in his room"
Then I 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 vas useless
to g with him.
Very good. Mr.. Holmes, I will tell him
that you are here"
After an hours delay. the great noble
man appeared. His face was more
rounded. and he seemed to me to be an
altogether older man that he had been
n morning before. He greeted US with
q stately courtesy n seated himself at
his desk. his red beard streaming down
on the table.
We'll. Mr.. Holmes?" SAID he.
But my friends eyes were liked upon the
secretary, who stood by his masters
chair.
II think, your grace. that I could speak
more freely in Mr.. Wilder's absence"
The man turned a shade paler and cast
a malignant glance at Holmes.
"1f your grace Wishes"
Yes. yes. you had better go. Now, Mr..
Holmes. what a 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 oeen offered in this case. I
should like to have This confirmed from
you own lips"
Certainly, Mr.. Holmes"
.sIt amounted. II I am correctly in
formed, to Ave thousand pounds to anyone
who will tell you where your son is?"
Exactly"
"And another thousand. to the man who
will name the person or persons who keep
him In custody?"
Exactly"
'sUnder the latter heading is included. no
doubt. not only those who may have taken
him away. but also those who consplre to
keep him In his present position?"
'fes. yes" cried the duke, tmpatiently.
-1f you do your work well, Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes. you will have no reason to COM
plain OF niggardly treatment"
My friend rubbed his thin hands togeth-
err with an appearance OF avidity which
tastes. s
II fancy that I see your grace's check
t,ooxs upon the table" said he. II should
he glad r you would make mesout a.check
for six thousand pounds. 1t would be as
welis. 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.
rs this a joke, Mr.. Holmes? 1t is hard
IL n subject for pleasantly"
"Not at all. your grace. 1 was never
moro earnest in my life"
"W'hat do you mean them"
4 mean tndt i nave earned the reward,
I now where your son Is, and I know
some, at least. of those who are holding
him"
The dukes beard had turned more az
excessively red than ever against his
gi,astly white face.
Where is he?" he gasped.
.Ile Is. or was last night, at the Fight.
ing Cock inn. about two mics from your
park gate"
The duke fell back in his chair.
And whom do you accuse?s
Sherlock Holmes answer was an as
founding one. He stepped swiftly for
ward and touched the luke upon the
shoulders. =
II accuse you," said he. And now, your
grace. III trouble you for that check"
Never shall | forget the dukes appear
he sprang UP and clawed with his
hands, like one who is sinking into an
abyss. Then, with an extraordinary ef-
tort of aristocratic self-command. lie sat
down and sank his face in his hands. IL
was some minutes before he spoke.
How much do you know" he asked at
last. without raising his head.
~ saw you together last night"
Does anyone else beside your friend
know.
II have spoken to no one"
~n