"James came into contact with this fellow Hayes, because the man wasa tenant of mine, and James acted as agent. The fellow was a rascalfrom the beginning, but, in some extraordinary way, James becameintimate with him. He had always a taste for low company. When Jamesdetermined to kidnap Lord Saltire, it was of this man's service thathe availed himself. You remember that I wrote to Arthur upon that lastday. Well, James opened the letter and inserted a note asking Arthurto meet him in a little wood called the Ragged Shaw, which is nearto the school. He used the Duchess's name, and in that way got the boyto come. That evening James bicycled over- I am telling you what hehas himself confessed to me- and he told Arthur, whom he met in thewood, that his mother longed to see him, that she was awaiting himon the moor, and that if he would come back into the wood atmidnight he would find a man with a horse, who would take him toher. Poor Arthur fell into the trap. He came to the appointment, andfound this fellow Hayes with a led pony. Arthur mounted, and theyset off together. It appears- though this James only heardyesterday- that they were pursued, that Hayes struck the pursuerwith his stick, and that the man died of his injuries. Hayes broughtArthur to his public-house, the Fighting Cock, where he was confinedin an upper room, under the care of Mrs. Hayes, who is a kindly woman,but entirely under the control of her brutal husband.

　　"Well, Mr. Holmes, that was the state of affairs when I first sawyou two days ago. I had no more idea of the truth than you. You willask me what was James's motive in doing such a deed. I answer thatthere was a great deal which was unreasoning and fanatical in thehatred which he bore my heir. In his view he should himself havebeen heir of all my estates, and he deeply resented those sociallaws which made it impossible. At the same time, he had a definitemotive also. He was eager that I should break the entail, and he wasof opinion that it lay in my power to do so. He intended to make abargain with me- to restore Arthur if I would break the entail, and somake it possible for the estate to be left to him by will. He knewwell that I should never willingly invoke the aid of the policeagainst him. I say that he would have proposed such a bargain to me,but he did not actually do so, for events moved too quickly for,him, and he had not time to put his plans into practice."What brought all his wicked scheme to wreck was your discovery ofthis man Heidegger's dead body. James was seized with horror at thenews. It came to us yesterday, as we sat together in this study. Dr.Huxtable had sent a telegram. James was so overwhelmed with griefand agitation that my suspicions, which had never been entirely absentrose instantly to a certainty, and I taxed him with the deed. Hemade a complete voluntary confession. Then he implored me to keephis secret for three days longer, so as to give his wretchedaccomplice a chance of saving his guilty life. I yielded- as I havealways yielded- to his prayers, and instantly James hurried off to theFighting Cock to warn Hayes and give him the means of flight. Icould not go there by daylight without provoking comment, but assoon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear Arthur. I found himsafe and well, but horrified beyond expression by the dreadful deed hehad witnessed. In deference to my promise, and much against my will, Iconsented to leave him there for three days, under the charge ofMrs. Hayes, since it was evident that it was impossible to informthe police where he was without telling them also who was themurderer, and I could not see how that murderer could be punishedwithout ruin to my unfortunate James. You asked for frankness, Mr.Holmes, and I have taken you at your word, for I have now told youeverything without an attempt at circumlocution or concealment. Do youin turn be as frank with me."