"I will help you, but on one condition only.It is that you ring for the footman and let me give such orders as I like."Without a word the Duke pressed the electric bell.
A servant entered.
"You will be glad to hear," said Holmes, "that your young master is found.It is the Duke's desire that the carriage shall go at once to 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 with the past.I am not in an official position, and there is no reason, so long as the ends of justice are served, why Ishould disclose all that I know.As to Hayes I say nothing.
The gallows awaits him, and I would do nothing to save him from it.What he will divulge I cannot tell, but I have no doubt that your Grace could make him understand that it is to his interest to be silent.From the police point of view he will have kidnapped the boy for the purpose of ransom.If they do not themselves find it out I see no reason why I should prompt them to take a broader point of view.I would warn your Grace, however, that the continued presence of Mr.James Wilder in your household can only lead to misfortune.""I understand that, Mr.Holmes, and it is already settled that he shall leave me for ever and go to seek his fortune in Australia.""In that case, your Grace, since you have yourself stated that any unhappiness in your married life was caused by his presence, I would suggest that you make such amends as you can to the Duchess, and that you try to resume those relations which have been so unhappily interrupted.""That also I have arranged, Mr.Holmes.I wrote to the Duchess this morning.""In that case," said Holmes, rising, "I think that my friend and I can congratulate ourselves upon several most happy results from our little visit to the North.There is one other small point upon which I desire some light.This fellow Hayes had shod his horses with shoes which counterfeited the tracks of cows.