No. 5 The Adventure of the Priory School by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 5 The Adventure of the Priory School by Arthur Conan Doyle
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? "

" ; had taken with_him i_think , Mr Holmes, it_is time that were leaving for Euston "

" i_will order four-wheeler quarter hour we_shall_be your service if_you_are telegraphing home , Mr Huxtable, would_be well allow the people your neighbourhood imagine that_the inquiry still going Liverpool , wherever else that red herring led your pack in_the meantime i_will little quiet work your own doors, and perhaps the scent is_not cold but that two old hounds like Watson and myself may get sniff "

that evening found in_the cold , bracing atmosphere of_the peak country , in_which Dr Huxtable's famous school situated it_was already dark when reached card was lying on_the hall table , and_the butler whispered something to_his master , who turned to_us with agitation every heavy feature

" the duke here ," said " 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 tall and stately person , scrupulously dressed , with drawn , thin face , and nose which_was grotesquely curved and long his complexion was dead pallor , more startling contrast with long , dwindling beard vivid red , which flowed down over his white waistcoat , with_his watch - chain gleaming through_its fringe such was_the stately presence who looked stonily from_the centre Dr Huxtable's hearthrug beside him stood very young man , whom I understood to_be wilder , the private secretary he_was small , nervous , alert , with intelligent , light - blue eyes and Mobile features it_was who once , incisive and positive tone , opened the conversation

"I called this_morning , Dr Huxtable, too late to_prevent you from starting for London I learned that your object was invite Mr Sherlock Holmes undertake the conduct this_case his grace surprised , Dr Huxtable, that you_should_have taken such step without consulting him "

" when I learned that_the police had failed ----"

" his grace means convinced that_the police have failed "

" but surely , Mr wilder ----"

" you_are well aware , Dr Huxtable, that his grace particularly anxious avoid all public scandal prefers to_take few people possible into his confidence "

" the matter can_be easily remedied ," said the brow - beaten doctor ; " Mr Sherlock Holmes can return London by_the morning train "

" hardly that , doctor , hardly that ," said Holmes, in_his blandest voice " this northern air invigorating and pleasant , I propose to_spend few_days upon your moors, and occupy mind best I_may whether I_have the shelter your roof of_the village inn , of_course , for_you decide "

I could_see that_the unfortunate doctor was in_the last stage indecision , from_which he_was rescued by_the deep , sonorous voice of_the red - bearded duke , which boomed out like dinner - gong

"I agree with Mr wilder , Dr Huxtable, that you_would_have done wisely consult but since Mr Holmes has already been taken into your confidence , would indeed absurd that 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 Holdernesse hall "

"I thank your grace for_the purposes of_my investigation i_think that_it would_be wiser for_me remain at_the scene of_the mystery "

" just as_you like , Mr Holmes any information which Mr wilder I_can give_you , of_course , your disposal "

" it_will probably necessary for_me to_see you at_the hall ," said Holmes " i_would only ask_you now , sir , whether you_have formed any explanation your own mind as_to_the mysterious disappearance your son ? "

" , sir , I_have_not "

" excuse I allude to_that which_is painful to_you , but I_have alternative do_you_think that_the duchess had anything to_do with_the matter ? "

the great minister showed perceptible hesitation

" I_do_not_think ," he_said , last

" the other most obvious explanation that_the child has_been kidnapped for_the_purpose levying ransom you_have_not had any demand of_the sort ? "

" , sir "

" one more question , your grace I understand that you wrote your son upon_the day when_this incident occurred "

" ; i_wrote upon_the day before "

" exactly but received on_that_day ? "

" yes "

" was there anything your letter which might_have unbalanced him induced him to_take such step ? "

" , sir , certainly not "

" did you post that letter yourself ? "

the nobleman 's reply was interrupted his secretary , who broke with some heat

" his grace is_not in_the habit posting letters himself ," said " 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 "

" how_many letters did your grace write that day ? "

"Twenty thirty I_have 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 France I_have already said that I_do_not believe that_the duchess would encourage monstrous action , but the lad had the most wrong - headed opinions, and it_is possible that he_may_have fled 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 Holmes would_have wished to_put ; but the nobleman 's abrupt manner showed that_the interview was end it_was evident that to_his intensely aristocratic nature this discussion of_his intimate family affairs with stranger was most abhorrent , and_that feared lest every fresh question would throw fiercer light into_the discreetly shadowed corners of_his ducal history

when_the nobleman and_his secretary had left , friend flung himself 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 could_have escaped the German master 's room and effects gave further clue in_his case trailer ivy had given way under his weight , and saw by_the light lantern the mark on_the lawn where his heels had come down that one dint 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 eleven had obtained large ordnance map of_the neighbourhood, and this brought into room , where laid out on_the bed , and , having balanced the lamp in_the middle , began smoke over , and occasionally point out objects interest with_the reeking amber of_his pipe

" this_case grows upon , Watson," said " there_are decidedly some points interest connection with in_this early stage i_want you realise those geographical features which_may have good_deal to_do with_our investigation

" look at_this map this dark square is_the priory school I'll put 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 side road for mile either way these two folk passed away road was_this road "

" exactly "

" singular and happy chance we_are able some extent to_check what passed along_this road during the night in_question at_this point , where pipe now resting, country constable was duty from twelve six it_is , as_you perceive , the first cross road on_the east side this man declares that he_was not absent from_his post for instant , and he_is positive that neither boy nor man could_have gone that way unseen I_have spoken with_this policeman - night , and appears to_me to_be perfectly reliable person that blocks this end we_have now deal with_the other there_is inn here , the red bull , the landlady which_was ill she had sent Mackleton for doctor , but he_did_not arrive until morning , being absent another case the people at_the inn were alert all night , awaiting his coming, and one other of_them seems to_have continually had eye upon_the road they declare that one passed their evidence good , then we_are fortunate enough to_be_able block the west , and also to_be able_to_say that_the fugitives did_not use the road all "

" but the bicycle ? " I objected

" quite we_will come to_the bicycle presently to_continue our reasoning: these people did_not by_the road , they_must_have traversed the country to_the north of_the house to_the south of_the house that_is certain let_us weigh the one against the other on_the south of_the house , as_you perceive , large district arable land , cut into small fields, with stone walls between_them there , I admit that bicycle impossible we_can dismiss the idea turn to_the country on_the north here there lies grove trees, marked as_the ` ragged shaw ,' and on_the farther side stretches great rolling moor , lower gill moor , extending for ten miles and sloping gradually upwards here , one side of_this wilderness , Holdernesse hall , ten miles road , but only six across the moor it_is peculiarly desolate plain few moor farmers have small holdings , where they rear sheep and cattle except these , the plover and_the curlew are the only inhabitants until you come to_the chesterfield high road there_is church there , you_see , few cottages, and 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 high road the moor intersected with paths and_the moon was at_the full Halloa ! what_is this ? "

there_was agitated knock at_the door , and instant afterwards Dr Huxtable was in_the room in_his hand held blue cricket -cap, with white chevron on_the peak

" last we_have clue ! " cried " thank heaven ! last we_are on_the dear boy 's track ! it_is his cap "

" where was_it found ? "

" in_the van of_the gypsies who camped on_the moor they left Tuesday - day the police traced them down and examined their caravan this_was found "

" how they account for_it ? "

" they shuffled and lied -- said that_they found on_the moor Tuesday morning they know where he_is , the rascals ! thank goodness , they_are all safe under lock and key either the fear of_the law the duke 's purse will certainly get out_of_them all know "

" so_far , good ," said Holmes, when_the doctor had last left the room " at_least bears out the theory that_it_is on_the side of_the lower gill moor that we_must hope for results the police have really done nothing locally , save the arrest of_these gypsies look here , Watson ! there_is watercourse across the moor you_see marked here in_the map some parts widens into morass this_is particularly in_the region between Holdernesse hall and_the school it_is vain look elsewhere for tracks in_this dry weather ; but at_that point there_is certainly chance some record being left i_will call you early - morrow morning , and you and_I_will try if_we_can throw some little light upon_the mystery "

the day was just breaking when I woke to_find the long , thin form Holmes bedside he_was fully dressed , and had apparently already been out

" I_have_done the lawn and_the bicycle shed ," said " I_have also had ramble through_the ragged shaw now , Watson, there_is cocoa ready in_the next room I_must beg you hurry , for we_have great day before_us "

his eyes shone, and_his cheek was flushed with_the exhilaration of_the master workman who sees his work lie ready before him very different Holmes, this active , alert man , from_the introspective and pallid dreamer baker street I_felt , I looked upon that supple , alive with nervous energy, that_it_was indeed strenuous day that awaited

and yet opened in_the blackest disappointment with high hopes struck across the peaty, russet moor , intersected with thousand sheep paths, until came to_the broad , light - green belt which marked the morass between_us and Holdernesse certainly , if_the lad had gone homewards, he_must_have passed this , and he_could_not pass without leaving his traces but sign him the German could_be seen with darkening face friend strode along the margin , eagerly observant every muddy stain upon_the mossy surface sheep -marks there were profusion , and 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

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