Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-26

kSTSEXE lect anything more sud
kEG<s6lsH den and startling than the
FIRST appearance OF DR..
Thorneycroft Huxtable, 81. A, Phi. D.,
etc. His card, which seemed too small to
carry the weight of his academic dis
tinctions, preceded him by a few sec
onds, 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 fig
ure PROSTATE and insenslble upon our
bearskin hearth rug
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 with brandy
for his lips. The heavy, white face WAS
scanned with lines OF trouble; the hang
Ing pouches under the closed eyes were
leaden in color; the loose mouth droOp-
ed dolorously at the corners: the roll
ing chins were unshaven. Collar and
shirt bore the CRIME Of long journey,
and the hair bristled unkempt from the
well shaped head. 1t was a sorely
stricken man who lay before us.
What is II. Watson?' asked Holmes
Absolute exhaustion. possibly mere
hunger and fatigue said |, with my
finger on the thready pulse, where the
stream OF life trickIed thin and small
Return ticket from Mackleton. In
the north of England" said Holmes
drawing ii from the watch pocket. 1T
is not II o'clock yet. He has certainly
been an early starter"
The puckered eyelids had begun to
culver, and now a pair OF vacant gray
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
have been little overweight
Thank YOU, if might have a glass Of
milk and biscuit have no doubt that
! should be better. / came personally.
Mr. Holmes, in order TO Insure that you
would return with me | feared that
no telegram would convince you of the
absolute urgency Of the case
When YOU are quite restored
II am quite well again. l cannot
in CINE how I came TO be so weak.
wish yOu. Mr.. Holmes. to come to Mac
kleton with NE by the next train"
My friend shook his head.
MY colleague, DR. Watson, could tell
you that we are very busy at present.
am retained in this case of the Fer
rers documents. and the Abergavenny
murder is coming up for trial Only a
very important issue could call me from
London ut 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 IL
out OF the papers. but there was some
rumor in the Globe last night. | thought
Il might have reached your ears"
Holmes shot out hrs long. thin arm
and picked out volume II in his en-
Cyclopacdia 81 reference.
'HoIdcrnesse. sixth duke. X. C.
r. C.'-haf the alphabet, Baron Rev
erley. earl OF Carston'-dear me. what a
list, Lord lieutenant Of HallamShire
since 1900. Married Edith. daughter Of
Sir Charles Appledorc, 1855. Heir and
only child. Lord Satire. Owns about
25o.OOu acres Minerals In Lancashire
and Wales Address Carlton House
Terrace. HoldernesSe Hall. Hallam-
shire: Carstou castle. Bangor Wales.
Lord Of the admiralty. 1872; chief sec
rotary OF state for Well well. this
man is certainly one Of the greatest
subjects Of the crown,
The greatest and perhaps the wealth
lest I am aware Mr.. Holmes. that
you take Il very high line i'm profess
sional matters and that you are pre-
pared 10 work for the works sake. I
may tell you. however. that his grace
has already intimsted that check for
t5Uo will be handed over TO the per.
son who can tell him where his son is
and another thousand to him who can
name the man or men who have taken
him
1T is princely offer" said Holmes
Watson. think that we shall accom-
pany Or Huxtable back TO the north
OF England And now, Or. HuXtsble,
when YOU have consumed that milk
YOU will kindly tell me what has hap
pened. when il happened. how IL hap
pened and. finally. what DIR. Thorney-
croft Huxtable OF the Priory school
near Msckleton. 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 10 his cheeks
as he set himself with great vigor and
lucidity To explain the situation
Il must inform you. gentlemen. that
The Priory is a preparat tory school oi