The Washington herald., 1912-02-18


ward | know where your son is, and
Il know some, at least, OF those who
are holding him."
The dukes beard had turned more
aggresively red than ever against his
CHASTITY white face.
Where is her" he gasped.
lie is, or was last night, al 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.
Il accuse you," said he. "And now,
check"
Never shall forget the dukes ap-
pearance as he sprang up and clawed
with his hands, like one who is sink
ing into an abyss. Then, with an ex-
traordinary effort Of aristocratic self
command, he sat down and sank his
lace in his hands II was some min
utes before he spoke.
saw you together last night"
How much do you know" he asked
at last, without raising his head.
Does any. one else beside your
friend knowP
Il have spoken to no one
The duke took a pen In his quiver-
ing fingers and opened his check book.
Il shall be as good as my word, Mr..
Holmes. / am about 10 write your
check, however unwelcome 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..
HolmesY
4 hardly understand your grace"
Il must put il plainly, Mr. Holmes.
II only you two know of this incident,
there is no reason why it should 20
any farther. | think twelve thousand
pounds is the sum that owe you, is it
But Holmes smiled and shook his
head.
II fear, your grace, that matter can
hardly be arranged so easily. There
is the death of this schoolmaster to be
accounted for"
But James knew nothing of that.
You cannot hold him responsible for
that II was the work of this brutal
ruffian-- whom he had the misfortune to
employ"
Il must take the view, your grace,
that when man embarks upon crime,
he is morally guilty of any other crime
which may spring from IT,"
Morally, Mr. Holmes. No doubt
you are right But surely not in the
eyes of the law. A man cannot be con-
demned for a murder at which he was
not present, and which he loathes and
abhors as much as you do. The in
slant that he heard Of il he made a
complete confession to me, so filed was
he with horror and remorse. He lost
not an hour in breaking entirely with
the murderer. Oh, Mr.. Holmes, you
must save him-you must save him l
tell you that you must save himp The
duke had dropped the last attempt at
selt-command, and was pacing the room
with convulsed face and with his
clenched hands waving in the air. At
last he mastered himself, and sat down
once more at his desk Il appreciate
your conduct in coming here before you
spoke to any one else" said he. "At
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.
am disposed 70 help your grace TO the
best of my ability, but, in order to do
so, | must understand to the last de-
tail how the matter stands. | realize
that your words applied to Mr. James
Wilder, and that he is not the MUIR
dereT."
mo, the murderer has escaped"
Sherlock Holmes smiled demurely.
Your grace can hardly have heard
OF any small reputation which possess,
or you would not imagine that II is so
easy to escape me. Mr.. Reuben Hayes
was arrested at Chesterfield on my in
formation, at eleven 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. so Reuben
Hayes is takenI | am right glad to