The Return of Sherlock Holmes Part 9 (2/2)
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 so Dr Huxtable, prostrated by the tragedy of his master's death, and later still he entered orous as he had been when he started in the oes well,we shall have reached the solution of theup the fah the nificent Elizabethan doorway and into his Grace's study There we found Mr James Wilder, demure and courtly, but with so in his furtive eyes and in his twitching features
”You have come to see his Grace? I am sorry, but the fact is that the Duke is far froic news We received a telegram from Dr Huxtable yesterday afternoon, which told us of your discovery”
”I must see the Duke, Mr Wilder”
”But he is in his rooo to his room”
”I believe he is in his bed”
”I will see him there”
Holmes's cold and inexorable ue with hiood, Mr Holmes, I will tell hireat nobleman appeared His face was more cadaverous than ever, his shoulders had rounded, and he seeether older reeted us with a stately courtesy and seated hi down on the table
”Well, Mr Holmes?” said he
But my friend's eyes were fixed upon the secretary, who stood by his master's chair
”I think, your Grace, that I could speak more freely in Mr Wilder's absence”
The lance at Holmes
”If your Grace wishes----”
”Yes, 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 ue, Dr Watson, and myself had an assurance from Dr Huxtable that a reward had been offered in this case I should like to have this confirmed from your own lips”
”Certainly, Mr Holmes”
”It amounted, if I am correctly informed, to five thousand pounds to anyone ill tell you where your son is?”
”Exactly”
”And another thousand to the man ill 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 position?”
”Yes, yes,” cried the Duke, impatiently ”If you do your ell, Mr Sherlock Holardly treatether with an appearance of avidity which was a surprise to al tastes
”I fancy that I see your Grace's check-book upon the table,” said he ”I should be glad if you would make me out a check for six thousand pounds It would be as well, perhaps, for you to cross it The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch are ht in his chair and looked stonily at my friend
”Is this a joke, Mr Holmes? It is hardly a subject for pleasantry”
”Not at all, your Grace I was never more earnest in my life”
”What do you mean, then?”
”I mean that I have earned the reward I knohere your son is, and I know so hiressively red than ever against his ghastly white face
”Where is he?” he gasped
”He is, or was last night, at the Fighting cock Inn, about two ate”
The Duke fell back in his chair
”And whom do you accuse?”
Sherlock Hol one He stepped swiftly forward and touched the Duke upon the shoulder
”I accuse YOU,” said he ”And now, your Grace, I'll trouble you for that check”
Never shall I forget the Duke's appearance as he sprang up and claith his hands, like one who is sinking into an abyss Then, with an extraordinary effort of aristocratic self-command, he sat down and sank his face in his hands It was some minutes before he spoke
”Howhis head
”I saw you together last night”
”Does anyone else beside your friend know?”
”I have spoken to no one”
The Duke took a pen in his quivering fingers and opened his check-book
”I shall be as good as my word, Mr Holmes I am about to write your check, however unwelcoained ht the turn which events ht take But you and your friend are men of discretion, Mr Holmes?”
”I hardly understand your Grace”
”I must put it plainly, Mr Holmes If only you two know of this incident, there is no reason why it should go any farther I think twelve thousand pounds is the sum that I owe you, is it not?”