“Yes, yes,” cried the Duke, impatiently.  “If you do your work well, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you will have no reason to complain of niggardly treatment.”

My friend rubbed his thin hands together with an appearance of avidity which was a surprise to me, who knew his frugal 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 my agents.”

His Grace sat very stern and upright 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 know where your son is, and I know some, at least, of those who are holding him.”

The Duke’s beard had turned more aggressively 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 miles from 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 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 clawed with 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.

“How much do you know?” he asked at last, without raising his 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 unwelcome the information which you have gained may be to me.  When the 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.”

“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?”

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 for that.  It was the work of this brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortune to employ.”