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You're built to win it. Welcome to Snewscast. The podcast is signed. They'll be you fall asleep. Find a set Snewscast.com, and if you enjoy our show, please share it with a friend. This episode is brought to you by the demands of justice. Tonight, we'll read the first half to the adventure of the priori school, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as part of 1903's The Return of Sherlock Holmes. The second half will air next week. Doyle ranked this story 10th in his list of his twelve favorite home stories. In this story, Holmes is approached by Dr. Thornichroft Huxdebel, the headmaster of the prestigious Priory School. Huxdebel seeks Holmes' help in locating the missing Lord Saltire, the young heir to the Duke of Holderness. Lord Saltire disappeared under mysterious circumstances from the school. If you can stay awake, you will find a plot that is filled with twists and turns, showcasing

Holmes's keen observational skills and his ability to connect seemingly unrelated clues. Let's get cozy.

Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. We have had some dramatic entrances and exits upon our small stage at Baker Street, But I cannot recollect anything more sudden and startling than the first appearance of Thornicraft Hustleball, MA, PhD, etc. His card, which seemed too small to carry the weight of his academic distinctions, proceeded 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. Yet his first action, when the door had closed behind him,

was to stagger against the table, when he slipped down upon the floor. And there was that majestic figure, Prostrate and insensible upon our bare skin, 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 eye with brandy for his lips. The heavy white face was seemed with lines of trouble. The hanging pouches under the closed eyes were leaden in color. The loose mouth drooped at the corners. The rolling chins were unshaven. Color and shirt bore 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? Ashtomes. exhaustion, possibly mere hunger and fatigue, said I, with my finger on the thready pulse, where the stream of life trickled thin and small. Returned ticket from Mackelton in the north of England, said Holmes, drawing it from the watch pocket. It is not 12 o'clock yet. It has certainly been an early starter. The puckered eyelids had begun to quiver. now a pair of vacant grey eyes looked up at us. An instant later, the man had scrambled onto his feet, his face crimson with shame. Forgive 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 with me. I feared that that no telegram would convince you of the absolute urgency of the case. When you are quite restored, I am quite well again. I cannot imagine how I came to be so weak. I wish you, Mr. Holmes, to come to to Maclton 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 Ferrer's documents.

And the Abergabani case is coming up for trial.

Only a very important issue could call me from London at present. Important are visitor through his hands. Have you heard nothing of the abduction of the only son of the Duke of a Holdess? What? The late cabinet minister? Exactly. We had 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. Home shot out as long thin arm and picked out volume H, it is an encyclopedia of reference. Holderness, Sixth Duke, KG, PC, half the alphabet, Baron Beverly Earl of Carsten? Dear dear me what a list. 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 in professional matters, and that you are prepared to work for the work's sake. I may tell you, however, that his grace has already intimated that a check for five thousand 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 that we should accompany Dr. Huxble back to the north of England. Then now Dr. Huxble, when you have consumed that milk, you will kindly tell me what has happened. When it happened, how it happened, and finally, what Dr. Thornichroft Huxdable of the priori school near Maclton 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 vigor and lucidity to explain the situation. I must inform you gentlemen that the priori is a preparatory school of which I am the founder and principal. Huxedibles' sidelights on Horus may possibly recall my name to your memories. The priori is without exception, the best and most select preparatory school in England. But I felt that my school had reached its zenith when, weeks ago, the Duke of Holderness sent Mr. James Wilder is secretary. With intimation that young Lord Saltire, 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 prelude 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. I may tell you, and I trust that I am not indiscreet, but have confidences are absurd in such a 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. The Dutch is taking up her residence in the south of France. This had occurred very shortly before, and the boy's sympathies are known to have been strongly with his mother. He moped after her departure from Holderness Hall, and it was for this reason that the Duke desired to send him to my establishment. In a fortnight, the boy was quite at home with us, and 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 was approached through another larger room in which two boys were sleeping. These boys saw and heard nothing, so that it is certain that young saltire 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 seven o'clock 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 that anyone had interred the room, and it is quite certain that anything in the nature of cries or a struggle would have been heard. When the Lord's disappearance was discovered, I at once called the role of the whole establishment. Boys, masters, and servants. It was then that we ascertained that the Lord had not been alone in his flight. Heidegger, the German master, was missing. room was on the second floor at the farther end of the building, facing the same way as the lords. 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 ivy, for we could see the marks of his feet, where he landed on the lawn. His bicycle was kept in a small shed beside this lawn, and it was also gone. He had been with me for two years and came with the best references. But he was a 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. The Duke is greatly agitated. 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 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. He who have been very remiss and not coming to me sooner said he, severely, you start me on my investigation with a very serious handicap. It is inconceivable, for example, that this ivy and this lawn would have yielded nothing to an expert observer. I am not to blame Mr. Holmes. grace was extremely desirous to avoid all public scandal. He was afraid of his family unhappiness being dragged before the world. But there has been some official investigation. Yes, sir. And it has proved most disappointing. An 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 in Liverpool, and they proved to have no connection whatever with the matter in hand. 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 in this German master? None at all. Was he in his 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? No. Is that certain? Quite. Well, now, you do not mean to seriously suggest that this German rode off upon a bicycle in the dead of the night, bearing the boy in his arms, certainly not. Then what is the theory you had in mind? The bicycle may have been blind, may have been hidden somewhere, and the pair gone off on foot. 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, one letter. From whom? From his father. Do you open the boy's letters? No. How do you know it was from his father? The coat of arms was on the envelope, and it was addressed in the Duke's peculiar 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? No, never. You see the point of my questions, of course. the boy was carried off by force, or he went of his own free will. In the latter case, you would expect that some prompting from outside would be needed to make so young a lad do such a thing. If he has had no visitors, that prompting must have come in letters. Hence, I try to find out who or his correspondence. My fear I cannot help 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 graces 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 were with the mother. Yes. Did he say so? No. The Duke then? Good heavens, no. Then how could you know?

I have had some confidential talks with Mr. James Wilder, his grace is secretary. It was he who gave me the information about Lord Saltier's feelings. They see, by the way, that last letter of the dukes, was it found in the boy's room after he was gone? No, he had taken it with him. I think Mr. Holmes, it is time that we were leaving. I will order a four-wheeler.

In a quarter of an hour, we shall be at your service. If you are telegraphing home Mr. Huxable, it would be well to allow the people in your neighborhood to imagine that the inquiry is still going on in Liverpool. Or wherever else that red herring led your pack. That evening found us in the cold, bracing atmosphere of the peak country in which Dr. Huxdebel's famous school is situated. It was already dark when we reached it. The card was lying on the hall table, and the Butler whispered something to his master, who turned to us with agitation in every heavy feature. The Duke is here, said he, 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 at all and stately person. nicely dressed dressed with a drawn thin face and a nose which was grotesquely curved and long. His complexion was of power 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 its fringe. Such was the stately presence who looked stone-ly at us from the center of doxter-hustables'th rug. Besides him stood a 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 he who had once, in an incisive and positive tone, opened the conversation. I called this morning Doxter Huxtable too late to prevent you from starting for London. I learned that your object was to invite Mr. Sherlock Holmes to undertake the conduct of this case. This grace is surprised, Dr. Huxdable, 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, Dr. Huxdapull, 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 brow peat in 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 moors and to occupy my mind as best as I may. Whether I have the shelter of your roof, or of 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, Dr. Huxable, 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.

Far from going to the inn, Mr. Holmes, I should be pleased if you would come and stay with me at Holderness Hall. I thank your grace for the purpose of my investigation, and I think that it would be 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, sir, 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, 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 loving 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 no-women's reply was interrupted by his secretary, who broke in with 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 write that day? 20 or 30? I have a large correspondence, but surely this is somewhat irrelevant. Not entirely, set homes. For my own part, the Duke 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 such an action, but the lad had the most wrong-headed opinions, and it is possible that he may have fled to her, aided and abetted by this German. I think Dr. Huxdebel, 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 novelman's abrupt manner showed that the interview was at an end. It was evident that, too, his intensely aristocratic nature, this discussion of his intimate family affairs with the stranger was most abhorrent, and that he feared less every fresh question would throw a fiercer light into the discreetly shadowed corners of his dukele history. When the noblemen and his secretary had left, my friend flung himself at once with characteristic eagerness into the investigation. The boys chamber was was carefully examined, and yielded nothing, save the absolute conviction that it was only through the window that he could have escaped. The German master's room and effects gave no further clue. In his case, a trailer of ivy had given way under his weight, and we saw him by the light of a 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. He had obtained a large ordinance map of the neighborhood, and this he brought into my room, where he laid it out on the

bed. And having balanced the lamp in the middle of it, he began to smoke over it, and occasionally to point out objects of interest with the wreaking amber of his pipe. 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 school.

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