“The Adventure of the Priory School” is one of the stories featured in “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was first published in 1904.
In this tale, Holmes is approached by a distressed headmaster, Dr. Thorneycroft Huxtable of the Priory School, who seeks Holmes’ help in locating a missing student, Lord Saltire, the Duke of Holdernesse’s son. Lord Saltire disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and the case has garnered significant attention.
Holmes, with Dr. Watson as his faithful companion, takes on the challenge. Through his astute observations and logical deductions, Holmes uncovers a series of clues that lead to a surprising and complex resolution. The case takes them through a web of deception, ultimately revealing the truth about the disappearance.
“The Adventure of the Priory School” is known for its intricate plot, cleverly woven clues, and the brilliant deductions of Sherlock Holmes. It’s a classic example of Doyle’s ability to create compelling and suspenseful detective stories.
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5. #HuxtableHeadmaster
6. #SherlockianDeductions
7. #MysteriousDisappearance
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The adventure of The Priory School we’ve had some dramatic entrances and exits Upon Our small stage at Baker Street but I cannot recollect anything more sudden and startling and the first appearance of thornycroft Huxtable M.A PhD Etc his card which seemed too small to carry the
Weight of his academic distinctions preceded him by a few seconds and then he entered himself so large so pompous and so dignified that he was a very embodiment of self-possession and solidity and yet his first action when the door had closed behind him was to stagger against the table when
She slipped down upon the floor and there was that Majestic figure prostrate and insensible Upon Our bare skin Hearth rug we’d sprung to our feet and for a few moments we stared in silent amazement at this ponderous piece of wreckage which told us some sudden and fatal storm far out on the
Ocean of life then Holmes hurried with a cushion for his head and I with Brandy for his lips the heavy white face was seamed with lines of trouble the hanging pouches under the closed eyes were leadden in color the loose mouth drooped dollarsly at the corners the rolling chins were unshaven
Collar and shirt bore the grime of a long journey and the hair bristled unkempt from the well-shaped head it was a sorely stricken man who lay before us what is it Watson asked Holmes absolute exhaustion possibly mere hunger and fatigue said I with my
Finger on the thready pulse where the stream of Life trickled thin and small return ticket from mackleton in the north of England said Holmes drawing it from the watch pocket it is not 12 o’clock yet he has certainly been an early starter
The puckered eyelids had begun to quiver and now a pair of vacant gray eyes looked up at us an instant later the man had scrambled onto his feet his face Crimson with shame forgive this weakness Mr Holmes I have been a little overwrought thank you if I might have a
Glass of milk and a biscuit I have no doubt that I should be better I came personally Mr Holmes in order to ensure that she would return with me I feared that no telegram would convince you of the
Absolute urgency of the case when you are quite restored I am quite well again I cannot imagine how I came to be so weak I wish you Mr Holmes to come to mackelton with me by the next train
My friend shook his head my colleague Dr Watson could tell you that we are very busy at present I am retained in this case of the pharaoh’s documents and the abergavenny murder is coming up for trial only a very important issue could call me from London at present important our visitor
Threw up his hands have you heard nothing of the Abduction of the only son of the Duke of holdeness what the late cabinet minister exactly we had tried to keep it out of the papers but there was some rumor in the Globe last night I thought it might have reached your ears
Holmes shot out his long thin arm and picked out volume H in his Encyclopedia of reference Holden Ness six Duke kg PC half the alphabet Baron Beverly Earl of carsten dear me what a list Lord Lieutenant of hallamshire since 1900 married Edith daughter of Sir Charles appledore 1888
Heir and only child Lord saltire owns about 250 000 Acres minerals in Lancashire and Wales address Carlton house Terrace holderness Hall hallamshire cost and Castle Banger Wales lord of the admiralty 1872 Chief Secretary of State for well this man is certainly one of the greatest
Subjects of the crown the greatest and perhaps the wealthiest I am aware Mr Holmes that you take a very high line in professional matters and that you are prepared to work for the work’s sake I may tell you however that his grace has already intimated but a check for five thousand pounds
Will be handed over to the person who can tell him where his son is and another thousand to him who can name the man or men who have taken him it is a princely offer said Holmes Watson I think we shall
Accompany Dr Huxtable back to the north of England and now Dr Huxtable when you have consumed that milk you will kindly tell me what has happened when it happened how it happened and finally what Dr thornycroft Huxtable of The Priory school near mackelton has to do with the matter and why he
Comes three days after an event the state of your chin gives the date to ask for my humble services our visitor had consumed his milk and biscuits the light had come back to his eyes and the color to his cheeks as he set himself with great Vigor and lucidity to explain the situation
I must inform you gentlemen that the priors of Preparatory School of which I am the founder and principal huxtables side lights on Horus may possibly recall my name to your memories The Priory is without exception the best and most select Preparatory School in England
Lord lever stoke the Earl of Blackwater sirmes they all have entrusted their sons to me but I felt that my school had reached its Zenith when weeks ago the Duke of Holden s sent Mr James Wilder his secretary with intonation that young Lord saltire 10 years old his only
Son and Heir was about to be committed to my charge little did I think that this would be the Prelude to the most crushing Misfortune Of My Life on May 1st the boy arrived that being
From the beginning of the summer term he was a Charming Youth and he soon fell into our ways I may tell you I trust that I am not Indiscreet but half-confidence are absurd in such case
That he was not entirely happy at home it is an Open Secret that the Duke’s married life had not been a peaceful one and the matter had ended in a Separation by Mutual consent The Duchess taking up her residence in the south of France this had occurred very shortly before and the
Boy’s sympathies are known to have been strongly with his mother he moped after her departure from Holden S Hall and it was for this reason that the Duke desired to send him to my establishment in a fortnight the boy was quite at home with us and was apparently absolutely happy
He was last seen on the night of May 13th that is the night of last Monday his room was on the second floor and was approached through another large room in which two boys were sleeping these
Boys saw and heard nothing so that it is certain that young saltier did not pass out that way his window was open and there is a stout ivy plant leading to the ground we could trace no foot marks below but it is sure that this is the only possible exit
His absence was discovered at seven o’clock on Tuesday morning his bed had been slept in he had dressed himself fully before going off in his Mutual School suit of black Eaton jacket and dark gray trousers there were no signs of that anyone had entered the room and it
Is quite certain that anything in the nature of cries or a struggle would have been heard since Corner the Elder boy in the Inner Room is a very light sleeper when Lord saltier’s disappearance was discovered I had once called a role of the whole establishment boys Masters and servants
It was then that we ascertained that Lord saltier had not been alone in his flight Heidegger the German master was missing his room was on the second floor at the farther end of the building facing the same way as Lord saltiers his bed had also been slept in but he
Had apparently gone away partly dressed since his shirt and socks were lying on the floor he had undoubtedly let himself down by the ivy for we could see the marks of his feet where he
Had landed on the lawn his bicycle was kept in a small shed beside his lawn and it also was gone he had been with me for two years and came with the best references but he was a silent morose
Man not very popular either with Masters or boys no Trace could be found of the fugitives and now on Thursday morning we are as ignorant as we were on Tuesday inquiry was of course made at
Once at holderness Hall which is only a few miles away and we imagine that in some sudden attack of homesickness he had gone back to his father but nothing had been heard of him the Duke is greatly
Agitated and as to me you have seen yourselves a state of nervous prostration to which to suspense and the responsibility have reduced me Mr Holmes if ever you put forward your full Powers I implore
You to do so now for never in your life could you have a case which is more worthy of them Sherlock Holmes had listened with the utmost intentness to the statement of the unhappy Schoolmaster his drawn brows and the Deep thorough between them showed that he needed
No exhortation to concentrate all his attention upon a problem which apart from the tremendous interests involved must appeal so directly to his love of the complex and the unusual he now Drew out his notebook and jotted down one or two memoranda you have been very remiss in not
Coming to me sooner said he severely you start me on my investigation with a very serious handicap it is conceivable for example at this IV and this lawn would have yielded nothing to an expert Observer I am not to blame Mr Holmes his grace was extremely desirous to avoid all public scandal
He was afraid of his family unhappiness being dragged before the world he has a deep horror of anything of the kind but there has been some official investigation yes sir and it has proved most disappointing an apparent clue was at once obtained since a boy
And a young man were reported to have been seen leaving a neighboring station by an early train only last night we had news that the couple had been hunted down in Liverpool and they proved to have no connection whatever with the matter in hand then it was but in my
Despair and disappointment after a sleepless night I came straight to you by the early train I suppose the local investigation was relaxed while this false clue was being followed up it was entirely dropped so that three days have been wasted the affair has been most deplorably handled
I feel it and admit it and yet the problem should be capable of ultimate solution I shall be very happy to look into it have you been able to trace any connection between the missing boy and his German master not at all was he in the master’s class no he never exchanged a
Word with him so far as I know that is certainly very singular had the boy a bicycle no was any other bicycle missing no is that certain quite well now you do not mean to seriously suggest
That this German rode off upon a bicycle in the dead of the night bearing the boy in his arms certainly not then what is the theory in your mind the bicycle may have been a blind it may have been
Hidden somewhere and the pair gone off on foot quite so but it seems rather an absurd blind does it not were there other bicycles in this shed several would he not have hidden a couple had he
Desired to give the idea that they had gone off upon them I suppose he would of course he would the blind Theory won’t do but the incident is an admirable starting point for an investigation after all a bicycle is not an easy thing to conceal or to destroy
One other question did anyone call to see the boy on the day before he disappeared no did he get any letters yes a one letter from whom from his father do you open the boy’s letters no how do you know it was from the father
The coat of arms was on the envelope and it was addressed in the Duke’s peculiarly stiff hand besides the Duke remembers having written when had he a letter before that not for several days had he ever won from France though never you see the point of my questions of course
Either the boy was carried off by force or he went of his own free will in the latter case you would expect that some prompting from outside would be needed to make so younger lad do such a thing
If he has had no visitors that prompting must have come in letters hence I tried to find out who were his correspondents I fear I cannot help you much his only correspondence so far as I know was his own father who wrote to him on the very day of his disappearance
Were the relations between Father and Son very friendly his grace is never very friendly with anyone he is completely immersed in large public questions and is rather inaccessible to all ordinary emotions but he was always kind to the boy in his own way
But the sympathies of the latter were with the mother yes did he say so no the Duke then good heaven know then how could you know I have had some confidential talks with Mr James Wilder his Grace’s secretary it was he who gave me the information about Lord saltire’s feelings
I see by the way that last letter of the Dukes or was it found in the boy’s room after he was gone no he had taken it with him I think Mr Holmes it is time that we were leaving for Houston
I will order a four-wheeler in a quarter of an hour we shall be at your service if you are telegraphing home Mr Huxtable it would be well to allow the people in your neighborhood to imagine that the inquiry is still going on in Liverpool or wherever else that red herring LED your pack
In the meantime I will do a little quiet work at your own doors and perhaps the scent is not so cold but the two old hounds like Watson and myself may get a sniff of it that evening found us in the
Cold bracing atmosphere of the Peak Country in which Dr huxtable’s famous school is situated it was already dark when we reached it Picard was lying on the hall table and the butler whispered something to his master who turned to us with agitation in every heavy feature the Duke is
Here said he the Duke and Mr Wilder are in the study come gentlemen and I will introduce you I was of course familiar with the pictures of the famous Statesman but the man himself was very different from his representation he was a tall and stately person scrupulously dressed
With a drawn thin face and a nose which was grotesquely curved and long his complexion was of a dead pallor which was more startling by contrast with a long dwindling beard of vivid red which flowed down over his white waistcoat with his watch chain gleaming through its Fringe
Such was the stately presence who looked stonely at us from the center of Dr huxtable’s Hearth rug beside him stood a very young man whom I understood to be wilder the private secretary he was small nervous alert with intelligence liked blue eyes and mobile features
It was he who at once in an incisive and positive tone opened the conversation I called this morning Dr Huxtable too late to prevent you from starting to London I learned that your object was to invite Mr Sherlock Holmes to undertake the conduct of this case
His grace is surprised Dr Huxtable that you should have taken such a step without consulting him when I learned that the police had failed his grace is by no means convinced that the police have failed but surely Mr Wilder you are well aware Dr Huxtable that his grace is particularly
Anxious to avoid all public scandal he prefers to take as few people as possible into his confidence the matter can be easily remedied said the browbeaten doctor Mr Sherlock Holmes can return to London by the morning train hardly that doctor hardly that said Holmes in his blandest voice this Northern Air is invigorating
And pleasant so I propose to spend a few days upon your Moors and to occupy my mind as best I may whether I have the shelter of your roof or the Village Inn is of course for you to decide
I could see that the unfortunate doctor was in the last stage of indecision from which he was rescued by the Deep sonorous voice of the red bearded Duke which boomed out like a dinagong I agree with Mr Wilder Dr Huxtable that you have done wisely to consult me but since Mr
Holmes has already been taken into your confidence it would indeed be absurd that we should not Avail ourselves of his services far from going to the Inn Mr Holmes I should be pleased if you would
Come and stay with me at holderness Hall I thank your grace for the purposes of my investigation I think that it would be wiser for me to remain at the scene of the mystery just as you like
Mr Holmes any information which Mr Wilder or I can give you is of course at your disposal it will probably be necessary for me to see you at the hall said Holmes I would only ask you now sir whether you have formed any explanation in your own mind as to the mysterious disappearance
Of your son no sir I have not excuse me if I allude to that which is painful to you but I have no alternative do you think that the duchess had anything to do with the matter
The great Minister showed perceptible hesitation I do not think so he said at last the other most obvious explanation is that the child has been kidnapped for the purpose of levying Ransom you have not had any demand of the sort no sir one more question your grace I understand
That you wrote your son upon the day when this incident occurred no I wrote upon the day before exactly but he received it on that day yes was there anything in your letter which might have unbalanced him or induced him to take such a step no sir certainly not
Did you post that letter yourself the nobleman’s reply was interrupted by his secretary who broke in with some heat his grace is not in the habit of posting letters himself said he this letter was
Laid with others upon the study table and I myself put them in the post bag you are sure this one was among them yes I observed it how many letters did your grace write that day 20 or 30 I have a
Large correspondence but surely this is somewhat irrelevant not entirely said Holmes for my own part the Duke continued I have advised the police to turn their attention to the south of France I have already said that I do not believe that the duchess would encourage so monstrous in action
But the lad had the most wrong-headed opinions and it is possible that he may have fled to her a dude and abetted by this German I think Dr Huxtable that we will now return to the hall I could see that there were other questions which Holmes would have wished to put
The nobleman’s abrupt Manor showed that the interview was at an end it was evident that to his intensely aristocratic nature this discussion of his intimate family affairs with a stranger was most abhorrent and that he feared lest every fresh
Question would throw a fierce of light into the discreetly shadowed corners of his dual history when the nobleman and his secretary left my friend flung himself at once with characteristic eagerness into the investigation the boy’s chamber was carefully examined and yielded nothing save
The absolute conviction that it was only through the window that he could have escaped the German Masters room and effects gave no further clue in his case a trailer of Ivy had given way under his
Weight and we saw by the light of a lantern the mark on the lawn where his heels had come down that one didn’t in the short green grass was the only material witness left of this inexplicable nocturnal flight Sherlock Holmes left the house alone and only returned after 11. he had obtained
A large Ordnance map of the neighborhood and this he brought into my room where he laid it out on the bed and having balanced the lamp in the middle of it he began to smoke over it and occasionally to point out objects of Interest with the wreaking Amber of his pipe
Holmes map of the neighborhood of the school this case grows upon me Watson said he there are decidedly some points of interest in connection with it in this early stage I want you to realize those geographical features which may have a good deal to do with our investigation
Look at this map this dark square is The Priory school I’ll put a pin in it now this line is the main road you see that it runs East and West past the school and you see also that there
Is no Side Road for a mile either way if these two folk passed away by Road it was this road exactly by a singular and happy chance we are able to some extent to check what passed along
This road during the night in question at this point where my pipe is now resting a County Constable was on duty from 12 to 6. it is as you perceive the first Crossroad on the east side this man declares that he was not absent from his post for an instant and he is
Positive that neither boy nor man could have gone that way unseen I have spoken with this policeman tonight and he appears to me to be a perfectly reliable person that blocks this end we have now to deal with the other there is an in here the Red
Bull the landlady of which was ill she had sent to mackelton for a doctor but he did not arrive until morning being absent at another case the people at the Inn were alert all night awaiting
His coming and one or other of them seems to have continually had an eye up on the road they declare that no one passed if their evidence is good then we are fortunate enough to be able
To block the west and also to be able to say that the fugitives did not use the road at all but the bicycle I objected quite so we will come to the bicycle presently to continue our reasoning if these people did not go by the road they
Must have traversed the country to the north of the house or to the south of the house that is certain let us weigh the one against the other on the south of the house is as you perceive a large District of arable land cut up into small Fields with stone walls between them
There I admit that a bicycle is impossible we can dismiss the idea we turn to the country on the North here there lies a Grove of trees marked as the Ragged Shore and on the farther side stretches a great rolling Moor lower Gilmore extending for 10 miles and sloping gradually upward
Here at one side of this Wilderness is holderness Hall 10 miles by road but only six across the Moor it is a peculiarly desolate plane a few more farmers of small Holdings where they rear sheep and cattle except these the Plover and the curl you are the only inhabitants until you
Come to the Chesterfield High Road there is a church there you see a few cottages and an inn beyond that the hills become precipitous surely it is here to the north that our Quest must lie but the bicycle I persisted well well said Holmes impatiently a good cyclist does not need a high
Road the Moor is intersected with paths and the moon was at the full hello what’s this there was an agitated knock at the door and an instant afterwards Dr Huxtable was in the room in his hand he held a blue Cricket cap with a white Chevron on the peak
At last we have a clue he cried thank heaven at last we are on the dear boys track it is his cap where was it found in the van of the gypsies who camped on the Moor they left on Tuesday today the police traced them down and examined their Caravan this was found
How do they account for it they shuffled and lied said that they found it on the Moor on Tuesday morning they know where he is the Rascals thank goodness they’re all safe and the lock and key
Either the fear of the law or the Duke’s purse will certainly get out of them all that they know so far so good said Holmes when the doctor had last left the room it at least Bears
Out the theory that it is on the side of the lower Gilmore that we must hope for results the police have really done nothing locally save the arrest of those gypsies look here Watson there’s a Watercourse across the Moor you see it marked here in the map in some parts it
Widens into a morass this is particularly so in the region between holderness Hall and the school it is vain to look elsewhere for tracks in this dry weather but at that point there is certainly a chance of some record being left I will call you early tomorrow
Morning and you and I will try if we can throw some light upon the mystery the day was just breaking when I woke to find the long thin form of homes by my bedside he was fully dressed and had apparently already been out I have done the lawn and
The bicycle shed said he I have also had a rumble through the Ragged Shore now Watson there is Coco ready in the Next Room I must beg you to hurry for we have a great day before us
His eyes Sean and his cheek was flushed with the exhilaration of the master Workman who sees his work lie ready before him a very different homes this active alert man from the introspective and pallid dreamer of Baker Street I felt as I looked upon that Supple figure alive with nervous energy
That it was indeed a strenuous day that awaited us and yet it opened in the blackest disappointment with high hopes we struck across the PT russet Moore intersected with a thousand sheep paths until we came to the broad light green belt which marked the morass between us and holderness
Certainly if the lad had gone Homeward he must have passed this and he could not pass it without leaving his traces but no sign of him or the German could be seen with a darkening face my friend Strode along the margin eagerly observant of every muddy stain upon the mossy surface
Sheet marks there were in profusion and at one place some miles down cows had left their tracks nothing more check number one said Holmes looking gloomily over the rolling expanse of the Moor there is another morass Down Yonder and a narrow neck between hello hello what have we here
We had come on a small black ribbon of pathway in the middle of it clearly marked on the sudden soil was the track of a bicycle hurray I cried we have it but Holmes was shaking his head and his face was puzzled and expectant rather than joyous
A bicycle certainly but not the bicycle said he I am familiar with 42 different Impressions left by tires this as you perceive is a Dunlop with a patch upon the outer cover Heidegger’s tires were Palmers leaving longitudinal Stripes traveling the mathematical master was sure upon the point
Therefore it is not Heidegger’s track the boys then possibly if we could prove a bicycle to have been in his possession but this we have utterly failed to do this track as you perceive was made
By a rider who was going from the direction of the school or towards it no no my dear Watson the more deeply sunk impression is of course the hind wheel upon which the weight rests you perceive several places where it has passed across and obliterated the more shallow Mark of the front one
It was undoubtedly heading away from the school it may or may not be connected with our inquiry and but we all follow it backwards before we get any further we did so and at the end of a few hundred yards lost the tracks as we emerge from the boggy portion of the Moor
Following the path backwards we picked out another spot where a spring trickled across it here once again was the mark of the bicycle though nearly obliterated by the Hooves of cows after that there was no sign but the path ran right on into ragged Shore the wood which backed onto the school
From this wood the cycle must have emerged Holmes sat down on a boulder and rested his chin in his hands I had smoked two cigarettes before he moved well well said he at last it is of course possible
That a cunning man might change the tires of his bicycle in order to leave the unfamiliar tracks a criminal who was capable of such a thought is a man whom I should be proud to do business with
We will leave this question undecided and hark back to our morass again for we have left a good deal unexplored we continued our systematic survey of the edge of the sudden portion of the Moor and soon our perseverance was gloriously rewarded
Right across the lower part of the bog lay a Mirey path Holmes gave a cry of delight as he approached it an impression like a fine bundle of telegraph wires ran down the center of it it was the Palmer
Tires here is here Heidegger sure enough great homes exultantly my reasoning seems to have been pretty sound Watson I congratulate you but we have a long way still to go kindly walk clear of the path now let us follow the trail I fear that it will not lead very far
We found however as we Advanced that this portion of the more is intersected with soft patches and though we frequently lost sight of the track we always succeeded in picking it up once more Do You observe said Holmes that the rider is now undoubtedly forcing the pace
There can be no doubt of it look at this impression where you get both tires clear the one is as deep as the other that can only mean that the rider is throwing his weight onto the handlebar as a man does when he is sprinting by jove he’s had a fall
There was a broad irregular smudge covering some yards of the track then there were a few foot marks and the tire reappeared once more a side slip I suggested Holmes held up a crumpled branch of flowering Gauss to my horror I perceived that the yellow blossoms were all dabbed with crimson
On the path too and among the Heather were dark stains of clotted blood the bad said Holmes bad stand clear Watson not an unnecessary footstep what do I read here he fell wounded he stood up he remounted he proceeded but there is no other track cattle on this side path
He was surely not gored by a bull impossible but I see no traces of anyone else we must push on Watson surely with stains as well as the track to guide us he cannot Escape us now
Our search was not a very long one the tracks of the tire began to curve fantastically upon the wet and Shining path suddenly as I looked ahead The Gleam of metal caught my eye from amid the thick
Gorse bushes out of them we dragged a bicycle Palmer tired one pedal bent and the whole front of it horribly smeared and slobbered with blood on the other side of the bushes a shoe was projecting we ran round and there lay the unfortunate Rider
He was a tall man full bearded with spectacles one glass of which had been knocked out the cause of his death was a frightful blow upon the head which had crushed in part of his skull but he could have gone on after receiving such an injury said much for the vitality and courage
Of the man he wore shoes but no socks and his open coat disclosed a night shirt beneath it it was undoubtedly the German master Holmes turned the body over reverently and examined it with great attention he then sat in deep thought for a time and I could see by his
Ruffled brow that this Grim Discovery had not in his opinion Advanced as much in our inquiry it is a little difficult to know what to do Watson said he at last my own inclinations are to push
This inquiry on for we have already lost so much time that we cannot afford to waste another hour on the other hand we are bound to inform the police of the discovery and to see that this poor
Fellow’s body is looked after I could take a note back but I need your company and assistance wait a bit there is a fellow cutting Pete up yonder bring him over here and he will guide the police
I brought the peasant across and Holmes dispatched a frightened man with a note to Dr Huxtable now Watson said he we have picked up two Clues this morning one is the bicycle with the Palmer tire and we see what that has led to the other is the bicycle with the patched Dunlop
Before we start to investigate that let us try to realize what we do know so as to make the most of it and to separate the essential from The Accidental first of all I wish to impress upon you
That the boy certainly left of his own free will he got down from his window and he went off either alone or with someone that is sure I ascended well now let us turn to this unfortunate German master
The boy was fully dressed when he fled therefore he foresaw what he would do but the German went without his socks he certainly acted on very short notice undoubtedly why did he go because from his bedroom window he saw the Flight of the boy because he wished to overtake him and
Bring him back he seized his bicycle pursued the lad and in pursuing him met his death so it would seem now I come to the critical part of my argument the natural action of a man in pursuing a little boy would be to run after him
He would know that he could overtake him but the German does not do so he turns to his bicycle I am told that he was an excellent cyclist he would not do this if he did not see that the boy
Had some Swift means of Escape the other bicycle let us continue our reconstruction he meets his death five miles from the school not by a bullet Mark you which even allowed might conceivably discharge but by a Savage blow dealt by a vigorous arm the lad then had a companion in his flight
And the flight was a Swift one since it took five miles before an expert cyclist could overtake them yet we survey The Ground Round the scene of the tragedy what do we find a few cattle tracks nothing more I took a wide Sweet Brown and there is no pass within 50 yards
Another cyclist could have had nothing to do with the actual murder nor were there any human foot marks Holmes I cried this is impossible admirable he said a most Illuminating remark it is impossible as I stated and therefore I must
In some respect have stated it wrong yet you saw for yourself can you suggest any fallacy [Music] he could not have fractured his skull in a fall in amarass Watson I’m at my wit’s end we have solved some worse problems at least we have plenty of material if we can only use it
Come then and having exhausted the Palmer let us see what the Dunlop with the patched cover has to offer us we picked up the track and followed it onward for some distance but soon the more Rose into a long Heather tufted curve and we left the Watercourse behind us no further help from
Tracks could be hoped for at the spot where we saw the last of the Dunlop Tire it might equally have led to holdenus Hall the stately towers of which rose some miles to our left or to a
Low gray Village which lay in front of us and mark the position of the Chesterfield High Road as we approach the forbidding and squalid in with the sign of a game [ __ ] above the door Holmes gave a sudden groan and clutched Me by the shoulder to save himself from falling
He had had one of those violent strains of the ankle which leave a man helpless with difficulty he limped up to the door where a squat dark elderly man was smoking a Black clay pipe
How are you Mr Reuben Hayes said Holmes who are you but now do you get my name so Pat the Countryman answered with a suspicious flash of a pair of cunning eyes well it’s printed on the
Board above your head it’s easy to see a man who is master of his own house I suppose you haven’t such a thing as a carriage in your Stables now I have not I can hardly put my foot to the ground
Don’t Put It to the Ground but I can’t walk well then op Mr Ruben Hayes manner was far from gracious but Holmes took it with an admirable good humor look here my man said he this is really
Rather an awkward fix for me I don’t mind how I get on neither do I said the morose landlord the matter is very important I would offer you a sovereign for the use of a bicycle
The landlord pricked up his ears where do you want to go to holderness Hall s of the Duke I suppose said the landlord surveying our mud-stained garments with ironical eyes Holmes laughed good-naturedly he’ll be glad to see us anyhow why because we bring him news of his lost son
The landlord gave a very visible start or you’re on his track he has been heard of in Liverpool they expect to get him every hour again a swift change passed over the heavy unshaven face his manner was suddenly genial of Less Reason to wish the Duke well than most men said he for
Always Ed Coachman once and cruel Baddie treated me it was him that sacked me without character on the word of a lying corn Chandler I’m glad to hear that the young ladders heard of in Liverpool and
I’ll help you to take the news to the hall thank you said Holmes we’ll have some food first then you can bring around the bicycle oh I haven’t got a bicycle Holmes held up a sovereign
I’ll tell you man though I haven’t got one I’ll let you have two horses as far as the all well well said Holmes we’ll talk about it when we’ve had something to eat when we were left alone in the stone flagged kitchen
It was astonishing how rapidly that sprained ankle recovered it was nearly Nightfall and we had eaten nothing since early morning so that we spent some time over our meal Holmes was lost in thought and once or twice he walked over to the window and stared earnestly out
It opened onto a squalid Courtyard in the far Corner was a Smithy where a grimy lad was at work on the other side were the Stables Holmes had sat down again after one of those excursions when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with a loud exclamation by Heaven Watson I believe
That I’ve got it he cried yes yes it must be so Watson do you remember seeing any cow tracks today yes several where well everywhere they were at the morass and again on the path and again near
Where poor Heidegger met his death exactly well now Watson how many cows did you see on the Moor I don’t remember seeing any strange Watson that we should see tracks all along our line but never a cow on the whole Moor very strange Watson eh yes it is strange now Watson make an
Effort throw your mind back can you see those tracks upon the path yes I can can you recall that the tracks were sometimes like that Watson he arranged a number of breadcrumbs in this fashion and sometimes like this and occasionally like this can you remember that
No I cannot but I can I could swear to it however we will go back at our Leisure and verify it what a blind Beetle I have been not to draw my conclusion and what is your conclusion only that it is a remarkable cow which walks canters and gallops
By George Watson he was no brain of a country Publican that thought out such a blind as that the coast seems to be clear say for that lad in the Smithy Let Us slip out and see what we can see there were two rough-haired unkempt horses in the tumbledown stable Holmes raised a
Hind leg of one of them and laughed aloud old shoes but newly shod old shoes but new nails this case deserves to be a classic let us go across to the Smithy the lad continued his work without regarding us I saw Holmes’s eyes darting to right and left among
The litter of iron and wood which was scattered above the floor suddenly however we heard a step behind us and there was the landlord his heavy eyebrows drawn over his Savage eyes his swarthy features convulsed with passion he held a short metal-headed stick in his hand and he advanced
In so menacing a fashion that I was right glad to feel the revolver in my pocket you infernal spies the man cried what are you doing here why Mr Reuben Hayes said Holmes Cooley one might think that you were afraid of our finding something out the man mastered himself with a
Violent effort and his Grim mouth loosened into a false laugh which was more menacing than his frown you’re welcome to all you can find out in my Smitty said he but look here mister I don’t care for folk poking about my place without my leave so the sooner you pay your score and
Get out of this the better I shall be pleased all right Mr Hayes no harm meant said Holmes we have been having a look at your horses but I think I’ll walk after all it’s not far I believe no more than two miles to the all Gates as they’re out to the left
He watched us with Sullen eyes until we had left his premises we did not go very far along the road for home stopped the incident that the curve hit us from the landlord’s View we were warm as the children say at that Inn said he I seem to grow colder every step that
I take away from it no no I can’t possibly leave it I’m convinced said I that this Reuben Hayes knows all about it a more self-evident villain I never saw oh he impressed you in that way did he
There are the horses there is the Smithy yes it is an interesting place this fighting [ __ ] I think we shall have another look at it in an unobtrusive way a long sloping Hillside dotted with gray Limestone Boulders stretched behind us we had turned off the
Road and we’re making our way up the hill when looking in the direction of holdiness Hall I saw a cyclist coming swiftly along get down Watson ride homes with a heavy hand upon my shoulder
We had hardly sunk from view when the man flew past us on the road amid a rolling cloud of dust I caught a glimpse of a pale agitated face a face with horror in every lineament the mouth opened
The eyes staring wildly in front it was like some strange caricature of the Dapper James Wilder whom we had seen the night before the Duke secretary cried Holmes come Watson let us see what he does
We scrambled from rock to rock until in a few moments we had made our way to a point from which we could see the front door of the Inn Wilder’s bicycle was leaning against the wall beside it
No one was moving about the house nor could we catch a glimpse of any faces at the windows slowly the Twilight crept down as the sun sank behind the high towers of holderness Hall
Then in the Gloom we saw the two side lamps of a trap light up in the stable yard of the Inn and shortly afterwards heard the rattle of hooves as it wheeled out into the road and tore off at a furious Pace in the direction of Chesterfield
What you make of that Watson Holmes whispered it looks like a flight a single man in a dog cart so far as I could see well it certainly was not Mr James Wilder for there he is at the door
A red square of light had sprung out of the darkness in the middle of it was the black figure of the secretary his head Advanced peering out into the night it was evident that he was expecting someone then at last there were steps in the road a second
Figure was visible for an instant against the light the door shut and all was black once more five minutes later a lamp was lit in a room upon the first floor it seems to be a curious class of
Custom that is done by the fighting [ __ ] said Holmes the bar is on the other side quite so these are what one may call the private guests now what in the world is Mr James Wilder doing
In that Den at this hour of night and who is the companion who comes to meet him there come Watson we must really take a risk and try to investigate this a little more closely together we stole down to the road and crept across to the door of the Inn
The bicycle still leaned against the wall home struck a match and held it to the back wheel and I heard him chuckle as the light fell Upon A patched Dunlop Tire up above us was the lighted window I must have a peep through that Watson
If you bend your back and support yourself upon the wall I think that I can manage an instant later his feet were on my shoulders but he was hardly up before he was down again come my friend said he our day’s work has been quite long enough I think that we have
Gathered all that we can it’s a long walk to the school and the sooner we get started the better he hardly opened his lips during that weary trudge across the Moor nor would he enter the school when
He reached it but went on to mackelton station when she could send some telegrams late at night I heard him consoling Dr Huxtable prostrated by the tragedy of his master’s death and later still he entered my room as alert and vigorous as he had been when he started in the morning
All goes well my friend said he I promise that before tomorrow evening we shall have reached the solution of the mystery at 11 o’clock next morning my friend and I were walking up the famous U Avenue of Holden S Hall we were ushered through the Magnificent Elizabethan doorway and
Into his Grace’s study where we found Mr James Wilder demure and courtly but with some trace of that wild Terror of the night before still lurking in his furtive eyes and in his twitching features
You have come to see his grace I am sorry but the fact is that the Duke is far from well he’s been very much upset by the tragic news we received a telegram from Dr Huxtable yesterday afternoon
Which told us of your discovery I must see the Duke Mr Wilder but he’s in his room then I must go to his room I believe he’s in his bed I will see him there Holmes is called an inexorable manner showed the secretary that it was useless to argue with him
Very good Mr Holmes I will tell him that you’re here after an hour’s delay the great nobleman appeared his face was more cadaverous than ever his shoulders had rounded and he seemed to me to be an altogether older man than he had been the morning before he greeted us with
A stately courtesy and seated himself at his desk his Red Beard streaming down on the table well Mr Holmes said he but my friend’s eyes were fixed upon the secretary who stood by his master’s chair I think your grace that I could speak more freely in Mr Wilder’s absence
The man turned a shade paler and cast a malignant glance at homes if your grace wishes yes yes you’d better go now Mr Holmes what have you to say my friend waited until the door had closed behind the retreating secretary
The fact is your Grace said he that my colleague Dr Watson and myself had an assurance from Dr Huxtable that her reward had been offered in this case I should like to have this confirmed from your own lips certainly Mr Holmes it amounted if I
Am correctly informed to five thousand pounds to anyone who will tell you where your son is exactly and another thousand to the man who will name the person or persons who keep him in custody exactly
Under the latter heading is included no doubt not only those who may have taken him away but also those who conspire to keep him in his present position 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 checkbook 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 stonly 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 is or was last night at the fighting [ __ ] 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 checkbook I shall be as good as my word Mr Holmes I’m 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 a son 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 I must take the view your grace
That when a man embarks Upon a Crime he 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 eyes of the law
A man cannot be condemned for a murder at which he was not present and which he loathes and devours as much as you do the instant that he heard of it he made a complete confession to me so filled
Was he with horror and remorse he lost not an hour in Breaking entirely with the murderer oh Mr Holmes you must save him you must save him I tell you that you must save him the Duke had dropped the last attempt at self-command and was pacing the room
With a convulsed face and with his clenched hands raving in the air at last he mastered himself and sat down once more at his desk I appreciate your conduct in coming here before you spoke to anyone else said he
At least we have to take counsel how far we can minimize this hideous scandal exactly said Holmes I think your grace that this can only be done by absolute frankness between us I am disposed to help your grace to the best of my ability
But in order to do so I must understand to The Last Detail how the matter stands I realize that your words applied to Mr James Wilder and that he is not the murderer no the murderer has escaped Sherlock Holmes smiled demeuly Your Grace can hardly have heard of any
Small reputation which I possess or you would not imagine that it is so easy to escape me Mr Reuben Hayes was arrested at Chesterfield on my information at 11 o’clock last night I had a telegram from the head of the local police before I left the school this morning
The Duke leaned back in his chair and stared with amazement of my friend you seem to have powers that are hardly human said he so Reuben Hayes is taken I’m right glad to hear it if it will
Not react upon the fate of James your secretary no sir my son it was Holmes’s turn to look astonished I confess that this is entirely new to me your grace I must beg you to be more explicit I will
Conceal nothing from you I agree with you that complete frankness however painful it may be to me is the best policy in this desperate situation to which James is folly and jealousy have reduced us
When I was a very young man Mr Holmes I loved with such a love as comes only once in a lifetime I offered the lady marriage but she refused it on the grounds that such a match might Mar my career
Had she lived I would certainly never have married anyone else she died and left this one child whom for her sake I have cherished and cared for I could not acknowledge the paternity to the world
But I gave him the best of educations and since he came to manhood I have kept him near my person he surmised my secret and was presumed ever since upon the claim which he has upon me and upon his power of provoking a scandal which would be abhorrent to me
His presence had something to do with the unhappy issue of my marriage above all he hated my young legitimate Heir from the First with a persistent hatred you may well ask me why under these circumstances I still kept James under my roof I answer that it
Was because I could see his mother’s face in his and that for her dear sake there was no end to my long-suffering all her pretty ways too there was not one of them which he could not suggest
And bring back to my memory I could not send him away but I feared so much lest he should do Arthur that is Lord saltire a Mischief that I dispatched him for safety to Dr huxtable’s School James came into contact with this fellow Haze because the man was a tenant of mine
And James acted as agent the fellow was a rascal from the beginning but in some extraordinary way James became intimate with him he had always a taste for low company when James determined to kidnap Lord Saltair it was of this man’s service that he availed himself you remember that I wrote
To Arthur upon that last day well James opened the letter and inserted a note asking Arthur to meet him in a little wood called the Ragged Shore which is near to the school he used the duchess’s name and in that way he got the boy to come that evening James bicycled over
I’m telling you what he has himself confessed to me and he told Arthur we met in the wood at his mother longed to see him that she was awaiting him on the Moor and that if he would come back
Into the wood at midnight he would find a man with a horse who would take him to her poor Arthur fell into the Trap he came to the appointment and found this fellow Haze with a lead Pony Arthur mounted
And they set off together it appears though this James only heard yesterday that they were pursued that Hayes struck the pursuer with his stick and that the man died of his injuries Hayes brought Arthur to his Public House the fighting [ __ ] where he was confined in 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 saw you two days ago I had no
More idea of the truth than you you will ask me what was James’s motive in doing such a deed I answer that there was a great deal which was unreasoning and fanatical in the hatred which
He bore my heir in his view he should himself have been heir of all my Estates and he deeply resented those social laws which made it impossible at the same time he had a definite motive also
He was eager that I should break the entail and he was of opinion that it lay in my power to do so he intended to make a bargain with me to restore Arthur if I would break the entail and so make it possible for the estate to be left to him by Will
He knew well that I should never willingly invoke the aid of the police against 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 no time to put his plans into practice
What brought all this wicked scheme to wreck was your discovery of this man Heidegger’s dead body James was seized with horror at the news it came to us yesterday as we sat together in this study Dr Huxtable had sent a telegram James was so overwhelmed with grief and agitation
At my suspicions which had never been entirely absent Rose instantly to a certainty and I taxed him with the deed who made a complete voluntary confession then he implored me to keep his secret for three days longer so as to give his wretched accomplice a chance of saving his guilty life
I yielded as I’ve always yielded to his prayers and instantly James hurried off to the fighting [ __ ] to warn Hayes and give him the means of flight I could not go there by daylight without provoking comment but as soon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear Arthur
I found him safe and well but horrified Beyond expression by the Dreadful deed he had witnessed in deference to my promise and much against my will I consented to leave him there for three days under the charge of Mrs Hayes since it was evident that it was impossible to
Inform the police where he was without telling them also who was the murderer and I could not see how that murderer could be punished without ruin to my unfortunate James you asked for frankness Mr Holmes and I have taken you at your word for I have now told you
Everything without an attempt at circumlocution or concealment do you in turn be as Frank with me I will said Holmes in the first place your grace I am bound to tell you that you have placed yourself in a most serious position in the eyes of the law you have condoned a felony
And you have aided the Escape of a murderer for I cannot doubt that any money which was taken by James Wilder to Aid his accomplice in his flight came from your Grace’s purse the Duke bowed his ascent this is indeed a most serious matter even more culpable in my opinion
Your grace is your attitude towards your younger son you leave him in this Den for three days under solemn promises what a promises to such people as these you have no guarantee that he will not be Spirited Away again to humor your guilty Elder son you have exposed your innocent
Younger son to imminent and unnecessary danger it was a most unjustifiable action the proud lord of Holiness was not accustomed to be so rated in his own ducal Hall the blood flushed into his high forehead but his conscience held him dumb 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’ll be glad to hear
Said Holmes that your young Master is found it is a Duke’s desire that the carriage shall Go at once to the fighting [ __ ] 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 I should disclose all that I know as to Haze 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 forever 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 shot his horses with shoes which counterfeited the tracks of cows was it from Mr Wilder that he learned so extraordinary a device
The Duke stood in thought for a moment with a look of intense surprise on his face then he opened the door and showed us into a large room furnished as a museum he led the way to a glass case in a corner and pointed to the inscription
These shoes Iran were dug up in the motive holderness hole they offer the use of horses but they are shaped below with a clove and foot of iron so as to throw pursuers off the track they are supposed to have belonged to some of the marauding Barons of holdiness in the Middle Ages
Holmes opened the case and moistening his finger he passed it along the shoe the thin film of recent mud was left upon his skin thank you said he as he replaced the glass it is the second most interesting object that I have seen in the North
And the first Holmes folded up his check and placed it carefully in his notebook I am a poor man said he as a patted it affectionately and thrust it into the depths of his inner pocket end of the adventure of The Priory School