That evening found us in the cold, bracing atmosphere of the Peakcountry, in which Dr. Huxtable's famous school is situated. It wasalready dark when we reached it. A card was lying on the hall table,and the butler whispered something to his master, who turned to us withagitation in every heavy feature.
"The Duke is here," said he. "The Duke and Mr. Wilder are in the study.Come, gentlemen, and I will introduce you."
I was, of course, familiar with the pictures of the famous statesman,but the man himself was very different from his representation. He was atall and stately person, scrupulously dressed, with a drawn, thin face,and a nose which was grotesquely curved and long. His complexion wasof a dead pallor, which was more startling by contrast with a long,dwindling beard of vivid red, which flowed down over his whitewaistcoat, with his watch-chain gleaming through its fringe. Such wasthe stately presence who looked stonily at us from the centre ofDr. Huxtable's hearthrug. Beside him stood a very young man, whom Iunderstood to be Wilder, the private secretary. He was small, nervous,alert, with intelligent, light-blue eyes and mobile features. It was hewho at once, in an incisive and positive tone, opened the conversation.
"I called this morning, Dr. Huxtable, too late to prevent you fromstarting for London. I learned that your object was to invite Mr.Sherlock Holmes to undertake the conduct of this case. His Grace issurprised, Dr. Huxtable, that you should have taken such a step withoutconsulting him."
"When I learned that the police had failed----"
"His Grace is by no means convinced that the police have failed."
"But surely, Mr. Wilder----"
"You are well aware, Dr. Huxtable, that his Grace is particularlyanxious to avoid all public scandal. He prefers to take as few people aspossible into his confidence."
"The matter can be easily remedied," 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 I propose to spend afew days upon your moors, and to occupy my mind as best I may. WhetherI have the shelter of your roof or of the village inn is, of course, foryou to decide."
I could see that the unfortunate doctor was in the last stage ofindecision, from which he was rescued by the deep, sonorous voice of thered-bearded Duke, which boomed out like a dinner-gong.
"I agree with Mr. Wilder, Dr. Huxtable, that you would have done wiselyto consult me. But since Mr. Holmes has already been taken into yourconfidence, it would indeed be absurd that we should not avail o
urselvesof his services. Far from going to the inn, Mr. Holmes, I should bepleased if you would come and stay with me at Holdernesse Hall."
"I thank your Grace. For the purposes of my investigation I think thatit 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 I cangive you is, of course, at your disposal."
"It will probably be necessary for me to see you at the Hall," saidHolmes. "I would only ask you now, sir, whether you have formed anyexplanation in your own mind as to the mysterious disappearance of yourson?"
"No, sir, I have not."
"Excuse me if I allude to that which is painful to you, but I have noalternative. Do you think that the Duchess had anything to do with thematter?"
The great Minister showed perceptible hesitation.
"I do not think so," he said, at last.
"The other most obvious explanation is that the child has been kidnappedfor the purpose of levying ransom. You have not had any demand of thesort?"
"No, sir."
"One more question, your Grace. I understand that you wrote to your sonupon the day when this incident occurred."
"No; I wrote upon the day before."
"Exactly. But he received it on that day?"
"Yes."
"Was there anything in your letter which might have unbalanced him orinduced him to take such a step?"
"No, sir, certainly not."
"Did you post that letter yourself?"
The nobleman's reply was interrupted by his secretary, who broke in withsome heat.