"Well, Mr Holmes ? " said he

But my friend's eyes were fixed secretary, who stood by his master's chair

" , your Grace, that speak more freely in Mr Wilder's absence "

The man turned shade paler and cast malignant glance at Holmes

"If your Grace wishes ----"

"Yes, yes; you had better go Now, Mr Holmes, what ? "

My friend waited until the door had closed behind the retreating secretary

"The fact is, your Grace," said he, "that my colleague, Dr Watson, and myself had an assurance from Dr Huxtable that reward offered in like this confirmed from your own lips "

"Certainly, Mr Holmes "

"It amounted, if correctly informed, to five thousand pounds to anyone tell you where your son is ? "

"Exactly "

"And another thousand man name the person or persons who keep him in custody ? "

"Exactly "

"Under the latter heading is included, , those who taken him away, but also those who conspire him present position ? "

"Yes, yes," cried the Duke, impatiently " your work well, Mr Sherlock Holmes, no reason to complain of niggardly treatment "

My friend rubbed his thin hands together with an appearance of avidity surprise , who knew his frugal tastes

"I fancy that your Grace's Cheque-book table," said he " glad make me out Cheque for six thousand pounds It , perhaps, to cross it The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch, are my agents "

His Grace sat very stern and upright chair, and looked stonily at my friend

" joke, Mr Holmes ? hardly subject for pleasantry "

"Not at all, your Grace never more earnest in my life "

"What , then ? "

"I mean that earned the reward where your son is, and some, , holding him "

The Duke's beard had turned more aggressively red than ever against his ghastly white face

"Where is he ? " he gasped

" , or was last night, Fighting Cock Inn, about two miles from your park gate "

The Duke fell back chair

"And whom accuse ? "

Sherlock Holmes's answer was an astounding one He stepped swiftly forward and touched the Duke shoulder

"I accuse YOU," said he "And now, your Grace, I'll trouble you Cheque "

Never shall I forget the Duke's appearance as he sprang up and clawed hands like one sinking into an abyss Then, with an extraordinary effort of aristocratic self-command, he sat down and sank his face hands some minutes before he spoke

" ? " he asked at last, without raising his head

" you together last night "

"Does anyone else besides your friend know ? "

" spoken to no one "

The Duke took pen quivering fingers and opened his Cheque-book

" as good as my word, Mr Holmes about to write your Cheque, however unwelcome the information which gained offer was first made I little thought the turn which events might take But you and your friend are men of discretion, Mr Holmes ? "

"I hardly understand your Grace "

" put it plainly, Mr Holmes If only you two know incident, no reason why it should go any farther twelve thousand pounds sum that I owe you, not ? "

But Holmes smiled and shook his head

" , your Grace, that matters can hardly be arranged so easily the death schoolmaster accounted for "

"But James knew nothing hold him responsible It work brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortune to employ "

" view, your Grace, that when man embarks upon crime morally guilty of crime spring "

"Morally, Mr Holmes right But surely not eyes law man condemned for murder at which not present, and which he loathes and abhors The instant that he heard of it complete confession , so filled was he with horror and remorse not an hour in breaking entirely murderer Oh, Mr Holmes, save him -- save him ! I tell you that save him ! " The Duke had dropped the last attempt at self-command, and was pacing the room with convulsed face and clenched hands raving air At last he mastered himself and sat down once more at his desk "I appreciate your conduct in coming here spoke to anyone else," said he " , take counsel how far minimise this hideous scandal "

"Exactly," said Holmes " , your Grace, can only by absolute and complete frankness disposed to help your Grace best ability; but understand last detail how the matter stands I realise that your words applied to Mr James Wilder, the murderer "

"No; the murderer has escaped "

Sherlock Holmes smiled demurely

"Your Grace can hardly have heard of any small reputation which I possess, or imagine so easy to escape me Mr Reuben Hayes was arrested at Chesterfield on my information at eleven o'clock last night I had telegram head local police before I left the school "

The Duke leaned back chair and stared with amazement at my friend

"You seem powers hardly human," said he "So Reuben Hayes is taken ? right it, if react fate of James "

"Your secretary ? "

"No, sir; my son "

Holmes's turn to look astonished

"I confess entirely new , your Grace beg you more explicit "

" conceal nothing I agree that complete frankness, however painful it , best policy desperate situation James's folly and jealousy have reduced us When very young man, Mr Holmes, I loved love as comes only once in lifetime I offered the lady marriage, but she refused it grounds that such match might mar my career Had she lived certainly never have married anyone else She died, and left child, whom for her sake cherished and cared for acknowledge the paternity world; but him the best of educations, and since to manhood kept him near my person He surprised my secret, and has presumed claim which he has upon me and upon his power of provoking scandal, which abhorrent His presence had something unhappy issue marriage Above all, he hated my young legitimate heir first with persistent hatred well ask me why, under these circumstances, I still kept James under my roof I answer because I his mother's face , for her dear sake no end to my long-suffering All her pretty ways, too -- not which suggest and bring back to my memory away But I feared lest do Arthur -- , Lord Saltire -- mischief that I dispatched him for safety to Dr Huxtable's school