Adventure, five of The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure 5, the adventure of
The Priory School part 1. 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., 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
when she slipped down upon the floor.
And there was that Majestic figure prostrate and insensible
Upon Our bare skin. 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 homes hurried with a cushion for his head and I with
Brandy for his lips. The heavy white face was seemed
with lines of trouble, hanging pouches under the closed eyes
were LED in in color, the loose mouth drooped, dolorous lie at
the corners. The rolling chins were unshaven.
Color and shirt for 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 near 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 pocket 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, for give 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. It's me.
I feared that no telegram would have convinced you of the
absolute urgency of the case. When you are quite restored, I
am quite well again, I cannot imagine how it 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 ferrars documents and the, a
bag of any 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? We 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 shut out his
long thin arm and picked out volume H in his Encyclopedia of
reference. Holden S6.
Duke. Kgp see half the alphabet, Baron
Beverly. Earl of Karsten.
Dear me what a list. Lord.
Lieutenant of Hallam. Shh.
Since 1900 married Edith daughter of Sir.
Charles appledore 1888 are and only child.
Lord saltire owns about 250,000 Acres minerals in Lancashire and
Wales address Carlton house Terrace.
Holding asshole Hallam Chaya, Karsten Castle Bangor.
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 and professional
matters and that you're prepared to work for the work sake.
I may tell you, however, That is Grace has already intimated but
a check for 5,000 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 do 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. Soni Croft 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.
The date to ask for my humble services.
Our visitor had consumed is 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 Priory is a preparatory school of which I am the founder
and principal huxtables sidelights on Horace.
May possibly recall. My name to your memories, The
Priory is without exception, the best and most select.
Parachute School in England. Lord, leave a stoke, the Earl of
Blackwater, circus card, soames. They all have entrusted, their
sons to me, but I felt that my school had reached its Zenith
when weeks ago, the Duke of holdernesse sent.
Mr. James Wilder, his secretary with intimation 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'm 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
Dukes married life had not been a peaceful one, and the matter
had ended in a Separation by Mutual consent.
Duchess taking up her residence in the south of France.
This had occurred very shortly before and boys sympathies are
known to have been strongly with his mother.
He moktar after her departure from holdernesse Hall, and it
was for this reason that the Juke desire to send him to my
establishment. In a fortnight.
The boy was quite at home with us 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 it 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 footmarks
below but it is sure that this is the Only possible exit.
His absence was discovered at 7:00 on Tuesday Morning.
His bed had been slept in. He had dressed himself fully
before going off in his usual School suit of black eaten
jacket and dark grey trousers. There were no signs of that any
would have entered the room and it is quite certain that
anything in the nature of cries or a struggle.
Would have been heard since quarter.
The Elder boy in the Inner Room is a very light sleeper.
When Lord salty, his disappearance was discovered.
I had once called a roll of the whole establishment, boys,
Masters and servants. It was then that we are
sustained 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 Soul tears.
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 IV 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 a best references, but he 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 holdernesse
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 great.
Really agitated. And as to me, you have seen
yourselves a state of nervous prostration to which the
suspense, and the responsibilities 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 Furrow 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, 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 and 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 and Liverpool,
and they proved to have no connection, whatever, with the
matter in hand. Then it was that 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
know? Is that certain quite well?
Now you do not mean to seriously suggest that this German rode
off on 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 in 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 boys letters?
Know how do you know is from the Father?
The coat of arms was on the envelope and it was addressed in
the Dukes 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 off, his own free will
in the latter case. You would expect that some
prompting from outside would be needed to make.
So young girl. Add do such a thing.
If he has had no visitors that prompting must have come in
letters. Hence.
I try to find out who were his correspondence.
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 with the mother.
Yes, did he say so? No, the Juke then.
Good heaven. Know then, how could, you know?
I have had some confidential talks with?
Mr. James Wilder, his grace, his secretary.
It was, he who gave me the information about Lord saltire
as feelings. I see, by the way that last
letter of the Dukes or was it found in the boys 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 is
to Huxtable. It would be well, to allow the
people in your neighborhood to imagine that the inquiry is
still going on in Liverpool. Or whatever 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 that to 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. Huxtables famous school is
situated. It was already dark when we
reached it. The card was lying on the hall
table and the but low whispered something, to his master who
turned to us with agitation, in every heavy feature.
The Juke is here said he the Juke 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 longed, his complexion was of a dead Pala
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.
Fringe such was the stately presence who looked stonily at
us from the center of dr. Huxtables hearthrug beside him,
stood. A very young man.
Whom I understood to be wilder, the private secretary.
He was small nervous alert with intelligent 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 doctor 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 mores and to occupy my mind, as best.
I met, whether I have the shelter of your roof, or the
village in 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 dinner
gong. I agree with mr.
Wilder doctor Huxtable that you would 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. Has far from going to the in mr.
Holmes. I should be pleased if you would
come and stay with me at holdernesse 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.
So 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 to
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 was 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 right?
That day? Twenty or Thirty.
I have a large correspondence, but surely this is somewhat.
Irrelevant not entirely said Holmes for my own part that you
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 and action, but the
lad had the most wrongheaded opinions and it is possible that
May have fled to her aided 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 homes would have wished to put but the
nobleman's abrupt manner 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 fiercer light into the discreetly shadowed corners
of his do call history. When the nobleman and his
secretary left, my friend, flung himself, at once with
characteristic, eagerness into the investigation.
The boys 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 IV 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. 8 Sherlock, Holmes, left the house
alone and only returned after 11:00.
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 a lamp in the middle of it.
He began to smoke over it and occasionally to point out
objects of Interest with the reeking 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 Receive 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 his 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 ball, the landlady of which was ill.
She had sent to mackleton for a doctor, but he did not arrive
until morning being absent at another case.
The people at the end were alert all night, awaiting his coming
and one or other of them seems to have continually had an eye
upon 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 Too tall.
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 Shaw, and on the farther side stretches a
great rolling, more lower Gilmore, extending the ten
miles, and sloping gradually upward here at one side of this
Wilderness is holdernesse, Hall, 10 miles by road, but only six
across the more. It is a peculiarly desolate
plain. A few more Farmers have small
Holdings where they reassured. When cattle accept these the
plumber and the curl, you are the only inhabitants until you
come to the Chesterfield High Road.
There is a church there. You see if you cottages and an
in 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 more they left on Tuesday?
Today, the police Trace 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 more on
Tuesday morning. They know where he is.
The Rascals. Thank goodness.
They're all safe under lock and key.
Neither the fear of the law or the Dukes 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 saved, the
arrest of those gypsies. Look here.
Watson. There's a Watercourse across the
more. You see it, marked here in the
map in some parts. It widens into a morass.
This is particularly. So in the region between
holdernesse Hall in 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 Shaw.
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 Shone, and his cheek was flushed with the
exhilaration of the master Workman.
Who sees his work, Li 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, more intersected with a thousand
sheep paths. Until we came to the broad light
green belt, which marked a morass between us and
holdernesse. Certainly if the lad had gone
home would 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 friends Strode along the margin, eagerly, observant of
every muddy stain, upon the mossy surface sheep 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?
Hello. What have we here?
We had come on a small black ribbon of pathway in the middle
of it. Clearly marked on the sodden
soil was the track of a bicycle. Hoorah.
I cried we have it but Holmes was shaking his head and his
face was puzzled and expectant rather than joyous.
A bicycles 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 Palmer's leaving longitudinal
Stripes traveling. The mathematical master was sure
upon the point. Therefore it is not hiding as
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 is 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 do nearly obliterated by the Hooves of cows.
After that. There was no sign, but the path
ran right down into ragged Shaw, 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 him. 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 age of the
Southern portion of the Moor and soon.
Our perseverance was gloriously rewarded right across the lower
part of the bog. Layer.
Miry 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 hair Heidegger. Sure enough cried Holmes
exultantly my 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 advance that this portion of the Moor 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 footmarks
and the tire reappeared once more.
A sideslip, I suggested Holmes held up a crumpled branch of
flowering. Gorse to my horror.
I perceived that the yellow blossoms were all dad with
Crimson on the past two and among the Heather were dark
stains of clotted. Blood 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 around and there lay the unfortunate Rider.
He was a tall man. Full bearded with spectacles one
glass of which have been knocked out.
The cause of his death was a frightful blow upon the head
which had crushed in part of his skull.
And 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 is open coat disclosed a
nightshirt 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 and vans does much in our
inquiry. It is a little difficult to know
what to do. What sun' 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. Peat up yonder.
Bring him over here and he will guide the police.
End of part, 1 of The Adventure of The Priory School.