Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-05-17

he bar is on the other side.
"Qute so. These are what one may call
the private guests. Now. what III the
world is MIR James Wilder doing in that
den at this hour OF night and who is the
companion who comes to meet him there:
Come, Watson we must really take risk,
and try to investigate this a little more
CLOSELY"
Together we stole down the road and
crept across TO the door OF the inn. The
bicycle still leaned against the wall
Holmes struck match and held 1t TO the
back wheel, and i heard him chuckle as
the light fell upon a patched Dunlop tire
Up above us was the lighted window.
II must have a peep through that, Wat
son. III 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. l 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.
lie hardly opened his lips during that
weary trudge across the moor, nor would
he enter the school when he reached IL,
but went on to Mackleton station, whence
he could send some kilograms. Late at
l.
Frustrated by the tragedy of his master $
death and later still he entered my room
as alert and vigorous as he had been when
he started in the morning. IAN goes well,
my friend" said he ~ promise that be-
fore tomorrow evening we shall have
reached the solution of the mystery
At IL O'Clock next morning my friend
and l were walking up the famous New
avenue of fiodernesse hall We We're
Iva A.
bethan doorway and into his srace's
study There We found Mr. James Wild
7, demure and courtiN, but with some
trace of that wild terror of the night be-
fore 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 iai
from we'll lie has been very much upset
by the tragic news. We received a tele-
noon, which told us of your discovery.
II must see the duke, MIR. Wilder
''But he is in his room"
''Then l must go to his room.
81 believe he is in his bed"
81 will see him there
Holmes cold and memorable manner
showed the secretary that 1t was useless
to argue with him.
Every good. Mr.. Holmes. 1 viii ten MN
that You are here"
After an hours delay. the great noble
man appeared His face was more
cadaverous than ever. his shoulders had
rounded and he seemed to me to be an
altogether older man that he had been
the morning before He greeted us with
a stately courtesy and seated himself a.
his desk his red beard streaming down
on the table.
We'll MIR. Holiness" sad he.
pat fya sod tho
secretary. who stood by his masters
chair.
Il thirk, your grace. that I could speak
more freely in Mr.. Wilder's absence"
The man turned shade paler and cast
malignant glance at Holmes.
'.lf your grace wishes"
Yes, yes, you had better 60. Now, Mr.
Holmes. what have you to say?"
| My friend waited until the door mad
closed behind the retreating secretary.
1.-THE fact. is your grace" said he. that
my collea quo, DR.. Watson, and myself had
an assurance from DIR. Huxtable that a
reward had pcen offered in this case.
should like to have this confirmed from
| your own lips"
"Certainly. MIR. Holmes"
| sit amounted. if | am correctly in
/ formed. TO five thousand pounds 10 anyone
who will tell you whore your son is"
| Exactly"
"And another thousand to the man who
will name the person or persons who keel
him in custody"
Exactly"
"rnder the latter heading is included. no
doubt, not only those who may have taker
! him away. but also those who coIspire To
keep him in his present position?"
eyes. yes" cried the duke mpatiently
eff YOU do your work we'll Mr.. Sherlock
| Holmes. you will have no reason to com
plain of niggardlH treatment
My friend rubbed his thin hands togetl.
or with an appearance of avidity which
was a surprise to me. who knew his fruga
tastes.
II fancy that see your grace's CHECK
book upon the table, said he. II SHOULD
be glad if you would make me out a cliccl
for six thousand pounds 1t would be a:
well, perhaps. for you TO cross ii. Tn
4 Capital and Counties bank, oxford stree
branch, arc my agents"
HIS grace sat very stern and upright i,
his chair, and looked stonly at my friend
rs this a joke, Mr.. Holmes? 1t is hard
/. subject for pleasantly"
\ Not at all. your grace I WAS neve
moro earnest in my life"
what do you mean, them"
81 mean that have earned the reward
know whore your son is. and | know
some, at least, of those who are holdin;
| him"
The dukes beard had turned more az
gressvel% red than ever against hi
| ghastly white face.
"Where is he" he gaspeti
"FIc is, or was last night, at the Fight
ing Cock inn, about two miles from YOU
| park gate.
The duke fell back in his chair.
"And whom do you accuse"'
Sherlock Holmes answer was an as