The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-12

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 dignsfed that ne
was the very Embodiment Of self
possession and solidity. And yet his
first action, when tie door had closed
behind him, was to staGger against
the table, whence he slipped down
upon the floor and there was that
majestic figure PROSTATE and insen-
sible upon our belrskin l-car+ lrug.
We had sprung to our feet, and
for few moments we started 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
for a cushion for his head, and with
brandy for his lips. The heavy white
face was scanned with lines of trouble
the hanging pouches under the closed
eyes were leaden in color the loose
mouth dropped dolorously 1t the cor
ners, the rolling chins unshayen. Col
lar and shirt bore the CRIME of long
Journey, and the hair bristled unkempt
from the well-shaped hes d. 1t was a
soreIy stricken man which lay be-
fore us.
what is 1t, Watson? asked Holmes.
absolute exhaustion-possibly mere
hunger and fatigue" said |, with my
finger on the thready pulse, where the
stream of life trickled thin and small.
Return ticket from Mackieton, 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
CULVER, and now pair of vacant, grey
eyes looked up at us. An instant later
the man had scrambled on his feet
his face crimson with shame.
"Forgive this weakness, Mr.. Holmes,
l have been lit a overweight.
Thank you, If might have a glass
of milk and a biscuit. I have no doubt
that / should be better. 1 came per-
sonally, r. Holmes, In order to insure
that you would return with me. / fear
ed that no telegram would convince
you of the absolute urgency of the
case"
when you are quite restored-a
IT am quite well again. I cannot
imagine how came to be so weak.
I wish you, Mr. Holmes. to come to
Mackleton with me by the next trim"
My friend shook his head.
MY colleague, DIR. 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 very i'm. ortant issue
could call me away from London at
present"
"Importantr' 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 1t
out of the papers, but there was some
rumour In the Globe last night. l
thought 1t might have reached your
ears"
Holmes shot out his long. thin arm
and picked out Volume H. in his en-
cyclopaedla Of reFerence.s
'IIoldernesse, 9Th Duke. x. G., P.
C,'-half the alphabet! Baron Bever-
ley, Earl of Cargton'-dear me, what
a listl Lord Lieutenant of Hollam-
shire since 1900 Married Edith, daugh-
ter of Sir Charles Appledore. 1888. Heir
am only child, Lord Satire. Owns
ABOUT two hundred and fifty thous-
and acres. Minerals in Lancashire and
Wales. Address: Carleton House Ter
race; Holdernesse Hall, Hallamshire;
Carston Castle, Bangor, Wales. Lord
of the Admiralty, 1872; Chief Secre-
tary of State for Wei, yell, this
man is certainly one of the greatest
subjects of the Crowni"
1.-THE greatest and perhaps the
wealthiest 1 am aware Mr.. Holmes,
that you take very high line in
professional matters, and that you are
prepared to work for the works sake.
may tell YOU, however, that his
= A
five thousand pounds will be handed
over to the person who can tell him
where his son is. and another thous-
and to him who can name the man or
men who have taken him."
ut is a princely OFFER said Holmes.
"Watson. I think that we shall ac-
company DR.. Hrxtable back to the
North of England. And now, DR. Hulk
table, when you have consumed that
milk. you will kindly tell me what has
happened, when it happened how 1t
happened, and, finally. what DIR. Thor
neycroft 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. The light had come back
to his eyes and the color to his
cheeks. as he set himself with great
vigour and lucidity to explain the
situation.
ST must inform you, gentlemen, that
the Priory is preparatory school,
of which I am the founder and prin-
cipal. Huxtable's SideliChts on Hor-
ace may possibly recall my name
to your memories. The Priory is with
out exception. the best and most Sc
lect preparatory school in England.
Lord Leverstoke, the Earl of Black
water. Sir Cathcart Soames-they all
have intrusted their sons to me. But
/ felt my school had reached its
zenith wnen. three weeks ago. the
Duke of Holdernesse sent Mr.. James
Wilder, his secretary. with The intima-
ton that young Lord Satire, ten years
old. his only son and heir. was about
to be committed to my charge. Little
did I think that this would be the pre-
.lude TO the most crushing misfortune
of my life.
'.On May 1st the boy arrived. that
being the beginning of the summer
term He was a charming youth, and
he soon fell into our ways. l may
tell you, | trust that I am not in
discreet but half-confldences are abb
surd in such case-that he was not
entirely happy at home. 1t is an open
kecret that the Dukes married life
had not been peaceful one. and the
matter had ended in a separation by
mutual consent. the Duchess taking
mo her residence in the South Of
France This lad occurred very short
" before. and the boys sympathies
are known to have been very strongly
with his mother. He moped after her