WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.600 --> 00:00:07.799 The adventure of the Priory School. We have had some 2 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:12.199 dramatic entrances and exits upon our small stage at Baker Street, 3 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.280 but I cannot recollect anything more sudden and startling than 4 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:21.559 the first appearance of Thornycroft Huxtable M A pH d 5 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:26.239 et Ce. His card, which seemed too small to carry 6 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:29.800 the weight of his academic distinctions, preceded him by a 7 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:34.840 few seconds. And then he entered himself, so large, so pompous, 8 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:38.240 and so dignified, that he was the very embodiment of 9 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:42.560 self possession and solidity. And yet his first action, when 10 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:46.039 the door had closed behind him, was to stagger against 11 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:49.799 the table. Whence he slipped down upon the floor. And 12 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:53.759 there was that majestic figure, prostrate and insensible, upon our 13 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:58.159 bare skin hearth rug we had sprung to our feet, 14 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:01.719 And for a few moments we stared in silent amazement 15 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:05.400 at this ponderous piece of wreckage, which told of some 16 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.840 sudden and fatal storm far out on the ocean of life. 17 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:13.120 Then Holmes hurried with a cushion for his head, and 18 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:16.760 I with brandy for his lips. The heavy white face 19 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:20.519 was seamed with lines of trouble. The hanging pouches under 20 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:23.680 the closed eyes were leaden in color. The loose mouth 21 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:27.920 drooped dolorously at the corners. The rolling chins were unshaven. 22 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:31.519 Collar and shirt bore the grime of a long journey, 23 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:35.120 and the hair bristled unkempt from the well shaped head. 24 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:39.200 It was a sorely stricken man who lay before us. 25 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:45.799 What is it, Watson asked Holmes. Absolute exhaustion, possibly mere 26 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:49.519 hunger and fatigue, said I, with my finger on the 27 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:53.400 thready pulse, where the stream of life trickled thin and small. 28 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:58.400 Return ticket from Mackleton in the north of England, said Holmes, 29 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:02.000 drawing it from the watch pocket. It is not twelve 30 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:07.239 o'clock yet he has certainly been an early starter. The 31 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:10.759 packard eyelids had begun to quiver, and now a pair 32 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.439 of vacant gray eyes looked up at it. An instant 33 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:17.199 later the man had scrambled on to his feet, his 34 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:21.639 face crimson with shame. Forgive this weakness, mister Holmes, I 35 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:25.360 have been a little overwrought. Thank you. If I might 36 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:27.479 have a glass of milk and a biscuit, I have 37 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:30.479 no doubt that I should be better. I came personally, 38 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:33.560 mister Holmes, in order to ensure that you would return 39 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:37.000 with me. I feared that no telegram would convince you 40 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:40.039 of the absolute urgency of the case. When you are 41 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:44.240 quite restored. I am quite well again. I cannot imagine 42 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:47.080 how I came to be so weak. I wish you, 43 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:49.639 mister Holmes, to come to Mackleton with me by the 44 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:55.319 next train. My friend shook his head. My colleague, doctor Watson, 45 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:57.479 could tell you that we are very busy at present. 46 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:01.159 I am retained in this case of the Ferrerh's documents, 47 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:05.759 and the Abergavenny murder is coming up for trial. Only 48 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:08.840 a very important issue could call me from London at 49 00:03:08.840 --> 00:03:13.960 present important. Our visitor threw up his hands. Have you 50 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:16.120 heard nothing of the abduction of the only son of 51 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:22.120 the Duke of Holderness? What the late cabinet minister exactly? 52 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:25.039 We had tried to keep it out of the papers, 53 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:27.800 but there was some rumor in the globe last night. 54 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:32.280 I thought it might have reached your ears. Holmes shot 55 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:35.280 out his long thin arm and picked out volume H 56 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:41.560 in his Encyclopedia of Reference Holderness, sixth Duke k G 57 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:46.879 P C. Half the alphabet Baron Beverley, Earl of Carston. 58 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:51.439 Dear me, what a list, Lord Lieutenant of Hallamshar since 59 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:56.280 nineteen hundred, married Edith, daughter of Sir Charles Appledore eighteen 60 00:03:56.360 --> 00:04:01.400 eighty eight, heir and only child. Lord salt owns about 61 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:05.960 two hundred and fifty thousand acres minerals in Lancashire and Wales. 62 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:13.960 Address Carlton House, Terrace, Holderness Hall, Hallamshire, Carston Castle, Bangor, Wales, 63 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:18.720 Lord of the Admiralty eighteen seventy two, Chief Secretary of 64 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:22.240 State for well Well. This man is certainly one of 65 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:26.800 the greatest subjects of the Crown, the greatest and perhaps 66 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:30.000 the wealthiest. I am aware, mister Holmes, that you take 67 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:32.839 a very high line in professional matters, and that you 68 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.680 are prepared to work for the work's sake. I may 69 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:38.560 tell you, however, that His Grace has already intimated that 70 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:41.240 a check for five thousand pounds will be handed over 71 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.800 to the person who could tell him where his son is, 72 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:47.240 and another thousand to him who can name the man 73 00:04:47.399 --> 00:04:50.920 or men who have taken him. It is a princely offer, 74 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:55.240 said Holmes. Watson. I think that we shall accompany doctor 75 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:59.639 Huxtable back to the north of England and now, doctor Huxtable, 76 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:03.600 when you have consumed that milk, you will kindly tell 77 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:07.399 me what has happened, when it happened, how it happened, 78 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:11.879 and finally, what doctor Thornycroft Huxtable of the Priory School 79 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:15.480 near Mackleton has to do with the matter, and why 80 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:19.000 he comes three days after an event. The state of 81 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:23.439 your chin gives the date to ask for my humble services. 82 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:27.959 Our visitor had consumed his milk and biscuits. The light 83 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.199 had come back to his eyes and the color to 84 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:34.279 his cheeks, as he set himself with great vigor and lucidity. 85 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:38.360 To explain the situation, I must inform you, gentlemen, that 86 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.439 the Priory is a preparatory school of which I am 87 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:45.480 the founder and principal. Huxtables side lights on Horace may 88 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:49.120 possibly recall my name to your memories. The Priory is, 89 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:53.079 without exception, the best and most select preparatory school in England. 90 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:57.639 Lord Leverstoke, the Earl of Blackwater, Sir Cathcart's Solmes, they 91 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.800 all have entrusted their sons to me. But I felt 92 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.879 that my school had reached its zenith when weeks ago 93 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:07.800 the Duke of Holderness sent mister James Wylder, his secretary, 94 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:12.199 with intimation that young Lord Saltire, ten years old, his 95 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:14.959 only son and heir, was about to be committed to 96 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:18.319 my charge. Little did I think that this would be 97 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:22.360 the prelude to the most crushing misfortune of my life. 98 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:25.319 On May the first, the boy arrived, that being the 99 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.480 beginning of the summer term. It was a charming youth, 100 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:31.600 and he soon fell into our ways. I may tell 101 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:34.319 you I trust that I am not indiscreet, but half 102 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:37.680 confidences are absurd in such a case that he was 103 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:41.319 not entirely happy at home. It is an open secret 104 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:44.000 that the Duke's married life had not been a peaceful one, 105 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:47.639 and the matter had ended in a separation by mutual consent, 106 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:51.360 the Duchess taking up her residence in the south of France. 107 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:56.120 This had occurred very shortly before, and the boy's sympathies 108 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:59.519 are known to have been strongly with his mother hemoped 109 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:02.720 after her departure from Holderness Hall, and it was for 110 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:04.959 this reason that the Duke desired to send him to 111 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:08.560 my establishment in a fortnight. The boy was quite at 112 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:13.399 home with us and was apparently absolutely happy. He was 113 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:16.439 last seen on the night of May the thirteenth, that 114 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:19.680 is the night of last Monday. His room was on 115 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:23.279 the second floor and was approached through another larger room 116 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.480 in which two boys were sleeping. These boys saw and 117 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:31.360 heard nothing, so that it is certain that Young Saltyre 118 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:34.800 did not pass out that way. His window was open, 119 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:38.399 and there is a stout ivy plant leading to the ground. 120 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:42.959 We could trace no footmarks below, but it is sure 121 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:47.399 that this is the only possible exit. His absence was 122 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:51.160 discovered at seven o'clock on Tuesday morning. His bed had 123 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.519 been slept in. He addressed himself fully before going off, 124 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:57.360 in his usual school suit of black eaton jacket and 125 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:00.720 dark gray trousers. There were no signs that anyone had 126 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.680 entered the room, and it is quite certain that anything 127 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:06.800 in the nature of cries or struggle would have been heard, 128 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:10.160 since Cornter, the elder boy in the inner room, is 129 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:15.279 a very light sleeper. When Lord Saltire's disappearance was discovered, 130 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.600 I at once called a roll of the whole establishment, boys, 131 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:22.079 masters and servants. It was then that we ascertained that 132 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:26.120 Lord Saltire had not been alone in his flight. Heidiger, 133 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:29.639 the German master, was missing. His room was on the 134 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:33.440 second floor at the farther end of the building, facing 135 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:37.159 the same way as Lord Saltire's. His bed had also 136 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:40.639 been slept in, but he had apparently gone away partly dressed, 137 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.720 since his shirt and socks were lying on the floor. 138 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:48.240 He had undoubtedly let himself down by the ivy, for 139 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:50.279 we could see the marks of his feet where he 140 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:53.879 had landed on the lawn. His bicycle was kept in 141 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:57.440 a small shed beside this lawn, and it also was gone. 142 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.639 It had been with me for two years and came 143 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:04.720 with the best references. But he was a silent, morose man, 144 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:09.720 not very popular either with masters or boys. No trace 145 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:13.159 could be found of the fugitives, and now on Thursday 146 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:16.360 morning we are as ignorant as we were on Tuesday. 147 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:20.720 Inquiry was of course made at once at Holderness Hall, 148 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:23.960 it is only a few miles away, and we imagined 149 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:27.080 that in some sudden attack of homesickness, he had gone 150 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:30.480 back to his father, but nothing had been heard of him. 151 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:35.639 The Duke is greatly agitated, and as to me, you 152 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:39.039 have seen yourselves the state of nervous prostration to which 153 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:43.799 these suspense and the responsibility have reduced me. Mister Holmes, 154 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:46.879 If ever you put forward your full powers. I implore 155 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.200 you to do so now, for never in your life 156 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:54.519 could you have a case which is more worthy of them. 157 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:58.720 Sherlock Holmes had listened with the utmost intentness to the 158 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:03.200 statement of the unhappy schoolmaster. His drawn brows and the 159 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:06.840 deep furrow between them showed that he needed no exhortation 160 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:10.600 to concentrate all his attention upon a problem which, apart 161 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:15.000 from the tremendous interests involved, must appeal so directly to 162 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:19.279 his love of the complex and the unusual. He now 163 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.679 drew out his note book and drotted down one or 164 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:25.879 two memoranda. You have been very remiss in not coming 165 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:30.200 to me sooner, said he severely. You start me on 166 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:34.519 my investigation with a very serious handicap. It is inconceivable, 167 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:37.399 for example, that this ivy and this lawn would have 168 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:41.360 yielded nothing to an expert observer. I am not to 169 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:45.519 blame mister Holmes. His grace was extremely desirous to avoid 170 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:48.840 all public scandal. He was afraid of his family on 171 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:52.559 happiness being dragged before the world. He has a deep 172 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:56.399 horror of anything of the kind. But there has been 173 00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:01.600 some official investigation, yes, sir, and it has proved most disappointing. 174 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:05.759 An apparent clue was at once obtained, since a boy 175 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:08.320 and a young man were reported to have been seen 176 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:12.799 leaving a neighboring station by an early train. Only last 177 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.960 night we had news that the couple had been hunted 178 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:18.360 down in Liverpool, and they proved to have no connection 179 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:22.240 whatever with the matter in hand. Then it was that, 180 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:26.360 in my despair and disappointment, after a sleepless night, I 181 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:30.759 came straight to you by the early train. I suppose 182 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:34.679 the local investigation was relaxed while this false clue was 183 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:39.080 being followed up. It was entirely dropped, so that three 184 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:43.480 days have been wasted. The affair has been most deplorably handled. 185 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:47.639 I feel it and admit it. And yet the problem 186 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:51.279 should be capable of ultimate solution. I shall be very 187 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:54.360 happy to look into it. Have you been able to 188 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:58.200 trace any connection between the missing boy and this German master? 189 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:03.240 None at all? Was he in the master's class? No, 190 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:05.919 he never exchanged a word with him, so far as 191 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:10.320 I know. That is certainly very singular. Had the boy 192 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:16.840 a bicycle? No? Was any other bicycle missing? No? Is 193 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:21.440 that certain? Quite well? Now, you do not mean to 194 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:24.759 seriously suggest that this German rode off upon a bicycle 195 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:27.840 in the dead of night, bearing the boy in his arms. 196 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:32.440 Certainly not? Then what is the theory in your mind? 197 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:36.480 The bicycle may have been a blind, It may have 198 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:40.039 been hidden somewhere, and the pair gone off on foot. 199 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:45.240 Quite so, But it seems rather an absurd blind, does 200 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:49.759 it not? Were there other bicycles in this shed several 201 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:53.480 would he not have hidden a couple had he desired 202 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:56.120 to give the idea that they had gone off upon them? 203 00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:59.639 I suppose he would. Of course he would. The blind 204 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:03.679 theory won't do. But the incident is an admirable starting 205 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:07.600 point for an investigation. After all, a bicycle is not 206 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:11.919 an easy thing to conceal or to destroy. One other question, 207 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:15.360 did anyone call to see the boy on the day 208 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:19.960 before he disappeared? No? Did he get any letters? Yes? 209 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:25.399 One letter from whom from his father? Do you open 210 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:28.919 the boy's letters? No? How do you know it was 211 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:32.320 from the father? The coat of arms was on the envelope, 212 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:36.960 and it was addressed in the Duke's peculiar stiff hand. Besides, 213 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:40.159 the Duke remembers having written when had he a letter 214 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:44.320 before that? Not? For several days? Had he ever won 215 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:49.440 from France. No, never, you see the point of my questions. 216 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:53.080 Of course, either the boy was carried off by force 217 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:56.519 or he went of his own free will. In the 218 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:59.639 latter case, you would expect that some prompting from outside 219 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:02.360 would be needed to make so young a lad do 220 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:05.679 such a thing. If he has had no visitors, that 221 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.360 prompting must have come in letters. Hence, I try to 222 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:13.840 find out who were his correspondents. I fear I cannot 223 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:17.399 help you much. His only correspondence, so far as I know, 224 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:20.759 was his own father, who wrote to him on the 225 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:24.960 very day of his disappearance. Were the relations between father 226 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:28.840 and son very friendly? His Grace is never very friendly 227 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:32.799 with anyone. He is completely immersed in large public questions 228 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:38.080 and is rather inaccessible to all ordinary emotions. He was 229 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:41.279 always kind to the boy in his own way, But 230 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:44.519 the sympathies of the latter were with the mother. Yes, 231 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:50.720 did he say so? No? The Duke then, good Evan? No? 232 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:55.480 Then how could you know? I have had some confidential 233 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:59.799 talks with mister James Wilder, is Grace's secretary. It was 234 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:03.639 he you gave me the information about Lord Saltire's feelings. 235 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:07.759 I see by the way that last letter of the Duke's. 236 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:12.559 Was it found in the boy's room after he was gone? No, 237 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:16.240 he had taken it with him. I think, mister Holmes, 238 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:20.000 it is time that we were leaving for Euston. I 239 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:23.039 will order a four wheeler. In a quarter of an hour, 240 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:26.600 we shall be at your service. If you are telegraphing home, 241 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:29.000 mister Huxtable, it would be well to allow the people 242 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:32.440 in your neighborhood to imagine that the inquiry is still 243 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:36.320 going on in Liverpool or wherever else. That red herring 244 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:39.480 led your pack. In the meantime, I will do a 245 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:43.120 little quiet work at your own doors. And perhaps the 246 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:46.200 scent is not so cold, but the two old hounds 247 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:49.080 like Watson and myself may get a sniff at it. 248 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:53.679 That evening found us in the cold, bracing atmosphere of 249 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:58.360 the peak country in which doctor Huxtable's famous school is situated. 250 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:02.799 It was all already dark when we reached it. A 251 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:06.159 card was lying on the hall table, and the butler 252 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:10.279 whispered something to his master, who turned to us with agitation. 253 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:14.159 In every heavy feature, the Duke is here, said he. 254 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:19.080 The Duke and mister Wylder are in the study. Come, gentlemen, 255 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:23.279 and I will introduce you. I was, of course familiar 256 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:26.519 with the pictures of the famous statesman, but the man 257 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:30.679 himself was very different from his representation. He was a 258 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:34.879 tall and stately person, scrupulously dressed, with a drawn, thin 259 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:38.960 face and a nose which was grotesquely curved and long. 260 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:43.279 His complexion was of a dead pallor, which was more 261 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:47.000 startling by contrast with a long, dwindling beard of vivid 262 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:51.039 red which flowed down over his white waistcoat, with his 263 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:56.080 watch chain gleaming through its fringe. Such was the stately 264 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:59.120 presents who looked stonily at us from the center of 265 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:03.440 Doctor huxtable hearth rug. Beside him stood a very young 266 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:07.640 man whom I understood to be Wilder, the Private Secretary. 267 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:12.640 He was small, nervous, alert, with intelligent, light blue eyes 268 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:16.559 and mobile features. It was he who, at once, in 269 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:21.640 an incisive and positive tone, opened the conversation. I called 270 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:24.480 this morning, Doctor Huxtable, too late to prevent you from 271 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:27.400 starting for London. I learned that your object was to 272 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:30.799 invite mister Sherlock Holmes to undertake the conduct of this case. 273 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:34.319 His grace is surprised, Doctor Huxtable, that you should have 274 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:37.759 taken such a step without consulting him when I learned 275 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.920 that the police had failed. His Grace is by no 276 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:43.759 means convinced that the police have failed. But surely, mister Wilder, 277 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:46.960 you are well aware, doctor Huxtable, that his Grace is 278 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:51.079 particularly anxious to avoid all public scandal. He prefers to 279 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:54.559 take as few people as possible into his confidence. The 280 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:59.000 matter can be easily remedied, said the browbeaten doctor, mister 281 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.920 Sherlock Holmes, and returned to London by the morning train. 282 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:07.200 Hardly that, doctor, hardly that, said Holmes in his blandest voice. 283 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:11.480 This northern air is invigorating and pleasant. So I propose 284 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.000 to spend a few days upon your moors, and to 285 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:17.680 occupy my mind as best I may. Whether I have 286 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:20.279 the shelter of your roof or of the village inn, 287 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:24.079 is of course for you to decide. I could see 288 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:27.400 that the unfortunate doctor was in the last stage of indecision, 289 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:31.000 from which he was rescued by the deep, sonorous voice 290 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:34.240 of the red bearded Duke, which boomed out like a 291 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:38.680 dinner gone. I agree with mister Wilder, doctor Huxtable, that 292 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:41.240 you would have done wisely to consult me. But since 293 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:45.000 mister Holmes has already been taken into your confidence. It 294 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:48.039 would indeed be absurd that we should not avail ourselves 295 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:51.480 of his services. Far from going to the inn, mister Holmes, 296 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.519 I should be pleased if you would come and stay 297 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:57.400 with me at Holderness Hall. I thank your grace for 298 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:00.359 the purposes of my investigation. I think that it would 299 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:02.279 be wiser for me to remain at the scene of 300 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:06.759 the mystery, just as you like, mister Holmes. Any information 301 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:09.279 which mister Wylder or I can give you is, of 302 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:13.160 course at your disposal. It will probably be necessary for 303 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:15.880 me to see you at the hall, said Holmes. I 304 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:18.720 would only ask you, now, sir, whether you have formed 305 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:22.480 any explanation in your own mind as to the mysterious 306 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:27.920 disappearance of your son. No, sir, I have not excuse 307 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.119 me if I allude to that which is painful to you, 308 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:33.599 But I have no alternative. Do you think that the 309 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:37.079 Duchess had anything to do with the matter? The Great 310 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:42.240 Minister showed perceptible hesitation. I do not think so, he said. 311 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:46.680 At last. The other most obvious explanation is that the 312 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:49.640 child has been kidnapped for the purpose of levying ransom. 313 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:53.559 You have not had any demand of the sort. No, sir, 314 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:58.319 one more question, your grace. I understand that you wrote 315 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:01.799 to your son upon the day when this occurred. No, 316 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:05.960 I wrote upon the day before exactly, but he received 317 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:09.960 it on that day. Yes. Was there anything in your 318 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:13.119 letter which might have unbalanced him or induced him to 319 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:17.279 take such a step, No, sir, certainly not. Did you 320 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:21.960 post that letter yourself? The nobleman's reply was interrupted by 321 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.440 his secretary, who broke in with some heat. His Grace 322 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:28.359 is not in the habit of posting letters himself, said he. 323 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:31.400 This letter was laid with others upon the study table, 324 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:34.720 and I myself put them in the postbag. You are 325 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:37.880 sure this one was among them? Yes, I observed it. 326 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:42.279 How many letters did your grace write that day? Twenty 327 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:45.400 or thirty? I have a large correspondence, But surely this 328 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:51.680 is somewhat irrelevant, Not entirely, said Holmes. For my own part, 329 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:55.160 said the Duke. I have advised the police to turn 330 00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:58.640 their attention to the south of France. I have already 331 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:01.240 said that I do not believe that the Duchess would 332 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:04.960 encourage so monstrous an action. That the lad had the 333 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:08.920 most wrong headed opinions and it is possible that he 334 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:12.839 may have fled to her aided and abetted by this German. 335 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:17.519 I think, doctor Huxtable, that we will now return to 336 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:21.720 the hall. I could see that there were other questions 337 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.680 which Holmes would have wished to put, but the nobleman's 338 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:27.559 abrupt manner showed that the interview was at an end. 339 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:33.160 It was evident that to his intensely aristocratic nature, this 340 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:37.200 discussion of his intimate family affairs with a stranger was 341 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:41.079 most abhorrent, and that he feared lest every fresh question 342 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:44.920 would throw a fiercer light into the discreetly shadowed corners 343 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:49.720 of his ducal history. When the nobleman and his secretary 344 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:53.880 had left, my friend flung himself at once, with characteristic eagerness, 345 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:58.920 into the investigation. The boy's chamber was carefully examined and 346 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:01.920 yielded nothing, so gave the absolute conviction that it was 347 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:05.240 only through the window that he could have escaped. The 348 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:09.640 German master's room, and effects gave no further clue. In 349 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:12.519 his case, a trailer of ivy had given way under 350 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:14.920 his weight, and we saw, by the light of a 351 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:17.920 lantern the mark on the lawn where his heels had 352 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.119 come down, that one dint in the short green grass 353 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:27.319 was the only material witness left of this inexplicable nocturnal flight. 354 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:33.559 Sherlock Holmes left the house alone and only returned after eleven. 355 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:37.680 He had obtained a large ordnance map of the neighborhood, 356 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:41.039 and this he brought into my room, where he laid 357 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:44.240 it out on the bed, and having balanced the lamp 358 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.640 in the middle of it, he began to smoke over it, 359 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:50.480 and occasionally to point out objects of interest with the 360 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:54.680 reeking amber of his pipe. This case grows upon me, 361 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:58.880 Watson said he There are decidedly some points of interest 362 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:02.519 in connection with it. In this early stage. I want 363 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:06.039 you to realize those geographical features which may have a 364 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:10.519 good deal to do with our investigation. Look at this map. 365 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:15.319 This dark square is the priory school. I'll put a 366 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:18.240 pin in it now. This line is the main road. 367 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:21.799 You see that it runs east and west past the school. 368 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:25.359 And you see also that there is no side road 369 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:29.440 for a mile either way. If these two folk passed 370 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:34.880 away by road, it was this road exactly by a 371 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:38.519 singular and happy chance. We are able to some extent 372 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:41.920 to check what passed along this road during the night 373 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:45.559 in question. At this point where my pipe is now resting. 374 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:49.000 A county constable was on duty from twelve to six. 375 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:52.680 It is as you perceive the first cross road on 376 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:56.359 the east side. This man declares that he was not 377 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:59.559 absent from his post for an instant, and he is 378 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:02.359 positive that neither boy nor man could have gone that 379 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:06.119 way unseen. I have spoken with this policeman to night, 380 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:09.640 and he appears to me to be a perfectly reliable person. 381 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:14.079 That blocks this end we have now to deal with 382 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:18.079 the other. There is an inn here, the Red Bull, 383 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:22.480 the landlady of which was ill. She had sent to 384 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:25.960 Mackleton for a doctor, but he did not arrive until morning, 385 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:30.160 being absent. At another case, the people at the inn 386 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:33.599 were alert all night awaiting his coming, and one or 387 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:36.319 other of them seems to have continually had an eye 388 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:40.720 upon the road. They declare that no one passed. If 389 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:43.880 their evidence is good, then we are fortunate enough to 390 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:46.960 be able to block the west, and also to be 391 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:49.799 able to say that the fugitives did not use the 392 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:54.559 road at all. But the bicycle I objected quite so 393 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:59.119 we will come to the bicycle presently to continue our reasoning. 394 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:02.799 If these people did not go by the road, they 395 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:05.119 must have traversed the country to the north of the 396 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:08.599 house or to the south of the house. That is certain. 397 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:12.519 Let us weigh the one against the other. On the 398 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:15.240 south of the house is as you perceive, a large 399 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:19.200 district of arable land cut up into small fields, with 400 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:23.440 stone walls between them. There I admit that a bicycle 401 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:27.880