The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-14

by contrast with a long dwind1tng
beard of vivid red, which flowed down
over his white waistcoat with his
watch-chain cleaning through its
fringe. Such was the stately pres ence
who looked stonily at us from the .cen-
ire of DR.. Huxtable's heartrug. Beside
him stood a very young man, whom
understood to be Wilder, the private
secretary. He was small. nervous,
alert, with intelligent, light-blue eyes
and mobile features. 1t was he who
at once, in an incisive and positive
tone, opened the conversation.
Il called this morning Dr. Hulk
table, too late to prevent you from
starting for London. | learned that
your object was 10 invite Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes TO undertake the conduct of
this case. His Grace is sNrprized, DR..
Huxtable. that you should have taken
such a step without consulting him"
When / learned that the police had
failed"
His Grace is by no means con-
WINGED that the police have failed"
But surely, Mr. Wilder"
You are well aware, DR.. Huxtable,
that his Grace is particularly anxious
to avoid all public scandal. He pre-
fers to take as few people as possible
into his confidence"
THE matter can be easily rene
died said the brow-beaten doctor;
| Mr.. Sherlock Holmes can return to
London by the morning train
Hardly that doctor, hardly that"
said Holmes, in his blandest voice
This northern air is invigorating and
pleasant, SO | propose to spend a few
days upon your moors, and to occupy
my mind as best l may. Whether
have the shelter of your roof or of
the village inn is, of course, for you
| to decide e-=-
| could see that the unfortunate
doctor was in the last stage of in
decision, from which he was rescued
| by the deep sonorous voice of the
red-bearded Duke, which doomed out
like dinner-gong
| II agree with Mr. Wilder, DR.. Hux-
table. that you would have done wise
ly to consult me. But since MI.
Holmes has already been taken into
your confidence, it would indeed be
absurd that we should not avail our
selves of his services Far from going
/ to the inn, Mr. Holmes, should be
Z; with me at Holdernesse Hall"
Il thank your Grace. For the pur-
poses of my investigation, | think that
1t would be wiser for me TO remain at
the scene of the mystery"
Just as you like, Mr.. Holmes. ANY
information which Mr.. Wilder or |
can give you is, of course, at your
disposal"
will 1H,I l,
me TO see you at the Hail." said Nj
Holmes. Il would only ask you now
sir, whether you have formed any
explanation in your own mind as to
the mysterious disappearance of your
SON."
NO, sir, have not
Excuse me if l allude to that which
is painful to you, but have no alter
native. Do you think that the
Duchess had anything to do with the
matter"
The great Minister showed percep
tible hesitation.
Il do not think So" he said, al
last.
The other most obvious explana
ton is that the child has been kid
> mapped for the purpose of levying
ransom. You have not had any de
mand of the sort?"
NO, sir
One more question, your Grace
understand that you wrote to your
son upon the day when this incident
occurred"
No, l wrote upon the day before
Exactly. But he received it OF
that day."
| Yes
. Was there anything in your lettei
: which might have unbalanced him O,
induced him to take such a step
I No, sir, certainly not"
Did you post that letter your
l self"
i The nobleman's reply was inter
rupted by his secretary, who broke il
- with some heat.
His Grace is not in the habit o
e posting letters himself" said he
This letter was laid with others upol
the study table and l myself put then
d in the post-bag.'
II You are sure this one was anon;
S them?"
I Yes, I observed it."
/ How many letters did your Grac
: write that day.
n Twenty or thirty. I have Iarg
u correspondence. But surely this i
5 somewhat irrelevant"
Not entirely" said Holmes.
u For my own part" the Duke cor
:, tlnued. Il have advised the police t
T. turn their attention to the South q
y France. | have already said that
n do not believe that the Duchess woul
, encourage so monstrous an action, bu
: the lad had the most wrong-heade
- opinions, and it is possible that h
: may have fed to her. aided and abe,
!. ted by this German. | think. DR.. Hu,
II table. that we will now return to tn
Hall"
= | could see that there were othe
e questions which Holmes would hav
e wished to put, but the nobieman's al
\ rupt manner showed that the inte
II view was at an end. It was evider
that TO his intensely aristocratic n;
Il ture this discussion of his intimat
II family affairs with a stranger wa
a most abhorrent. and that he feare
a. lest every fresh question would tbro
il fercer light into the discreet
i. Swallowed corners of his ducal histor,
70 When the nobleman and his seer
II tary had left, my friend flung himse
d at once with characteristic eagernes
6. into the investigation.
n The boys chamber was CAREFUL