" probably be necessary you Hall," said Holmes " only now, sir, whether formed any explanation in your own mind mysterious disappearance of your son ? "

"No, sir, "

"Excuse me if I allude painful , but no alternative Duchess had anything matter ? "

The great Minister showed perceptible hesitation

" so," , at last

"The other most obvious explanation is child kidnapped of levying ransom had any demand sort ? "

"No, sir "

"One more question, your Grace I understand that you wrote to your son day incident occurred "

"No; day before "

"Exactly But he received it ? "

"Yes "

"Was there anything in your letter which unbalanced him or induced him such step ? "

"No, sir, certainly not "

"Did you post that letter yourself ? "

The nobleman's reply was interrupted by his secretary, who broke in with some heat

"His Grace habit of posting letters himself," said he "This letter was laid with others study table, and I myself put them post-bag "

" was among them ? "

"Yes; I observed it "

" letters did your Grace write that day ? "

"Twenty or thirty large correspondence But surely somewhat irrelevant ? "

"Not entirely," said Holmes

" own part," the Duke continued, " advised the police their attention South of France already said that believe Duchess would encourage so monstrous an action, but the lad had the most wrong-headed opinions, and possible that fled to her, aided and abetted German , Dr Huxtable, that now return Hall "

I that there were other questions which Holmes wished ; but the nobleman's abrupt manner showed interview was at an end evident that intensely aristocratic nature this discussion intimate family affairs with stranger was most abhorrent, he feared lest every fresh question would throw fiercer light discreetly shadowed corners ducal history

nobleman secretary had left, my friend flung himself at once with characteristic eagerness investigation

The boy's chamber was carefully examined, and yielded nothing save the absolute conviction only window that he escaped The German master's room and effects gave no further clue case trailer of ivy had given way under his weight, and we saw light of lantern the mark lawn where his heels had come down That one dint short green grass only material witness left inexplicable nocturnal flight

Sherlock Holmes left the house alone, and only returned after eleven He had obtained large ordnance map neighbourhood, and this he brought into my room, where he laid it out bed, and, having balanced the lamp middle of it, he began to smoke over it, and occasionally to point out objects of interest reeking amber pipe

" grows upon me, Watson," said he " decidedly some points of interest in connection with it early stage you to realise those geographical features have investigation

"Look map This dark square Priory School I'll put pin Now, this line main road runs east and west past the school, and also no side road for mile either way If these two folk passed away by road it road "

"Exactly "

"By singular and happy chance able to some extent what passed road during the night point, where my pipe is now resting, country constable was on duty from twelve to six , perceive, the first cross road east side This man declares that not absent post for an instant, and positive that neither boy nor man gone that way unseen spoken policeman to-night, and he appears perfectly reliable person That blocks this end now to deal other an inn here, the Red Bull, the landlady of ill She had sent to Mackleton for doctor, but arrive until morning, being absent at another case The people inn were alert all night, awaiting his coming, and one or other seems continually had an eye road They declare that no one passed If their evidence is good, then fortunate enough to block the west, and also fugitives use the road at all "

"But the bicycle ? " I objected

"Quite so come bicycle presently our reasoning: if these people go road, traversed the country north house or south house certain weigh the one against the other south house is, perceive, large district of arable land, cut up into small fields, with stone walls There, I admit that bicycle is impossible dismiss the idea We turn country north Here there lies grove of trees, marked `Ragged Shaw,' and farther side stretches great rolling moor, Lower Gill Moor, extending for ten miles and sloping gradually upwards Here, at one side wilderness, is Holdernesse Hall, ten miles by road, but only six across the moor peculiarly desolate plain few moor farmers have small holdings, where they rear sheep and cattle Except these, the plover curlew are the only inhabitants until you come Chesterfield high road church there, , few cottages, and an inn Beyond hills become precipitous Surely here north quest must lie "

"But the bicycle ? " I persisted

"Well, well ! " said Holmes, impatiently "A good cyclist need high road The moor is intersected with paths moon was full Halloa ! what ? "

an agitated knock door, and an instant afterwards Dr Huxtable was room hand he held blue cricket-cap, with white chevron peak

"At last clue ! " he cried "Thank Heaven ! at last dear boy's track ! his cap "

"Where found ? "

" van gypsies who camped moor They left on Tuesday To-day the police traced them down and examined their caravan found "

"How do they account ? "

"They shuffled and lied -- said found it moor on Tuesday morning They know where , the rascals ! Thank goodness, all safe under lock and key Either the fear law or the Duke's purse will certainly get all know "