The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-05-24
"well, Mr.. Holmesy said he.


II think, your grace, that l could
speak more freely in Mr.. Wilder's alb
sence."
The man turned shade paler and
cast 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 Or.
HuXtable that Il reward had been of
fered in this case. should like to
have this confirmed from your own
lips"
Certainly, Mr.. Holmes"
"It amounted, if l am correctly in
formed, to $4,000 to any one 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"
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 inpatient
~. IF you do Your work we'll, Mr..
Sherlock Holmes. you will have no rea-
son to complain of niggardly treat
mcnt."
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 1 see your grace's
check book upon the table," said he ST
should be glad if you would make me
out check for 10000 1t would be as
we'll 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 Q joke, Mr.. Holmes? 1t is
hardly subject for pleasantly"
mot at all, your grace. was never
more earnest in my life"
what do you mean then?"
~ mean that l 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 his chair.
"And whom do you accuseY'
Sherlock Holmes answer was an as
bunding 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
mand, he sat down and sank his face
in his hands. 1t 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
docs any one else beside your friend
know"
IL have spoken to no one"
The duke took pen in his quivering
fingers and opened his check book.
II shall lie as good as my word, Mr.
Holmes. I am about to write YOU
check, however unwelcome the infor
nation which you have gained may b.
to me. When the offer was first mad,
! little thought the turn which event
might take. But you and your frien,
are men of discretion, Mr.. Holmes?"
II hardly understand your grace"
II must put it plainly, Mr.. Holmes
If only you two know of this inciden
there is no reason why 1t should 6,
any further. think $4,000 is the sun
that owe you, is it not?"
But Holmes smiled and shook hi
head.
II fear, your grace, that matters cal
hardly be arranged so easily. There i
the death of this schoolmaster to be &C
counted for
But James knew nothing of that
You cannot hold him responsible TO
that. 1t was the work of this bruta
ruffian whom he had the misfortune t
employ"
II must take the view, your grace
that when man embarks upon
crime he is morally guilty of any othe
crime which may spring from it,
Morally, Mr.. Holmes; no doubt yo1
are right; but surely not in the eyes o
the law. A man cannot be condemnet
for murder at which he was no
present and which he loathes and alb
hors as much as you do The instan
that he heard of it he made complet
confession to me, SO filed was he wit
horror and remorse. He lost not a,
hour in breaking entirely with the mur
derer. Oh, Mr.. Holmes, you must saw