"I will," said Holmes. "In the first place, your Grace, I am boundto tell you that you have placed yourself in a most serious positionin the eyes of the law. You have condoned a felony, and you have aidedthe escape of a murderer, for I cannot doubt that any money whichwas taken by James Wilder to aid his accomplice in his flight camefrom your Grace's purse."

　　The Duke bowed his assent.

　　"This is, indeed, a most serious matter. Even more culpable in myopinion, your Grace, is your attitude towards your younger son. Youleave him in this den for three days."

　　"Under solemn promises-"

　　"What are promises to such people as these? You have no guaranteethat he will not be spirited away again. To humour your guilty elderson, you have exposed your innocent younger son to imminent andunnecessary danger. It was a most unjustifiable action."The proud lord of Holdernesse was not accustomed to be so rated inhis own ducal hall. The blood flushed into his high forehead, buthis conscience held him dumb.

　　"I will help you, but on one condition only. It is that you ring forthe footman and let me give such orders as I like."

　　Without a word, the Duke pressed the electric bell. A servantentered.

　　"You will be glad to hear," said Holmes, "that your young masteris found. It is the Duke's desire that the carriage shall go at onceto the Fighting Cock Inn to bring Lord Saltire home.

　　"Now," said Holmes, when the rejoicing lackey had disappeared,"having secured the future, we can afford to be more lenient withthe past. I am not in an official position, and there is no reason, solong as the ends of justice are served, why I should disclose all thatI know. As to Hayes, I say nothing. The gallows awaits him, and Iwould do nothing to save him from it. What he will divulge I cannottell, but I have no doubt that your Grace could make him understandthat it is to his interest to be silent. From the police point of viewhe will have kidnapped the boy for the purpose of ransom. If they donot themselves find it out, I see no reason why I should prompt themto take a broader point of view. I would warn your Grace, however,that the continued presence of Mr. James Wilder in your householdcan only lead to misfortune."