The Strand Magazine, Vol. 27, February 1904, No. 159.

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[Illustration: "I HEARD HIM CHUCKLE AS THE LIGHT FELL UPON A PATCHED
DUNLOP TYRE."

(_See page 135._)]





     THE STRAND MAGAZINE.

     Vol. xxvii.       FEBRUARY, 1904.         No. 159.




THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.

By A. CONAN DOYLE.


_V.--The Adventure of the Priory School._

We have had some dramatic entrances and exits upon our small stage
at Baker Street, but I cannot recollect anything more sudden and
startling than the first appearance of Dr. Thorneycroft Huxtable, M.A.,
Ph.D., 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
the 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, whence he slipped down upon the floor, and there was that
majestic figure prostrate and insensible upon our bearskin hearthrug.

We had sprung to our feet, and for a few moments we stared in silent
amazement at this ponderous piece of wreckage, which told of 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 leaden in colour, the loose mouth drooped
dolorously 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 twelve o'clock yet. He has
certainly been an early starter."

The puckered eyelids had begun to quiver, and now a pair of vacant,
grey eyes looked up at us. An instant later the man had scrambled on to
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 you 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 Mackleton 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 Ferrers 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 Holdernesse?"

"What! the late Cabinet Minister?"

"Exactly. We had tried to keep it out of the papers, but there was some
rumour 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
encyclopædia of reference.

"'Holdernesse, 6th Duke, K.G., P.C.'--half the alphabet! 'Baron
Beverley, Earl of Carston'--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 two
hundred and fifty thousand acres. Minerals in Lancashire and Wales.
Address: Carlton House Terrace; Holdernesse Hall, Hallamshire; Carston
Castle, Bangor, Wales. Lord of the Admiralty, 1872; Chief Secretary of
State for----' Well, well, this man is certainly one of the greatest
subjects of the Crown!"

[Illustration: "THE HEAVY WHITE FACE WAS SEAMED WITH LINES OF TROUBLE."]

"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 that a cheque 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 that 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.
Thorneycroft Huxtable, of the Priory School, near Mackleton, 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.