"I fancy that I see your Grace's cheque-book upon the table," said he."I should be glad if you would make me out a cheque for six thousandpounds. It would be as well, perhaps, for you to cross it. The Capitaland Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch, are my agents."
His Grace sat very stern and upright in his chair, and looked stonily atmy 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 know where your son is, and Iknow some, at least, of those who are holding him."
The Duke's beard had turned more aggressively red than ever against hisghastly white face.
"Where is he?" he gasped.
"He is, or was last night, at the Fighting Cock Inn, about two milesfrom your park gate."
The Duke fell back in his chair.
"And whom do you accuse?"
Sherlock Holmes's answer was an astounding one. He stepped swiftlyforward and touched the Duke upon the shoulder.
"I accuse YOU," said he. "And now, your Grace, I'll trouble you for thatcheque."
&
nbsp; Never shall I forget the Duke's appearance as he sprang up and clawedwith his hands like one who is sinking into an abyss. Then, with anextraordinary effort of aristocratic self-command, he sat down and sankhis face in his hands. It was some minutes before he spoke.
"How much do you know?" he asked at last, without raising his head.
"I saw you together last night."
"Does anyone else besides your friend know?"
"I have spoken to no one."
The Duke took a pen in his quivering fingers and opened his cheque-book.
"I shall be as good as my word, Mr. Holmes. I am about to write yourcheque, however unwelcome the information which you have gained may beto me. When the offer was first made I little thought the turn whichevents might 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 thisincident, there is no reason why it should go any farther. I thinktwelve thousand pounds is the sum that I owe you, is it not?"
But Holmes smiled and shook his head.
"I fear, your Grace, that matters can hardly be arranged so easily.There is the death of this schoolmaster to be accounted for."
"But James knew nothing of that. You cannot hold him responsible forthat. It was the work of this brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortuneto employ."
"I must take the view, your Grace, that when a man embarks upon a crimehe is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it."
"Morally, Mr. Holmes. No doubt you are right. But surely not in the eyesof the law. A man cannot be condemned for a murder at which he was notpresent, and which he loathes and abhors as much as you do. The instantthat he heard of it he made a complete confession to me, so filled washe with horror and remorse. He lost not an hour in breaking entirelywith the murderer. Oh, Mr. Holmes, you must save him--you must savehim! I tell you that you must save him!" The Duke had dropped the lastattempt at self-command, and was pacing the room with a convulsed faceand with his clenched hands raving in the air. At last he masteredhimself and sat down once more at his desk. "I appreciate your conductin coming here before you spoke to anyone else," said he. "At least, wemay take counsel how far we can minimize this hideous scandal."
"Exactly," said Holmes. "I think, your Grace, that this can only be doneby absolute and complete frankness between us. I am disposed to helpyour Grace to the best of my ability; but in order to do so I mustunderstand to the last detail how the matter stands. I realize that yourwords applied to Mr. James Wilder, and that he is not the murderer."
"No; the murderer has escaped."