The Adventure of the Priory School

           WehavehadsomedramaticentrancesandexitsuponoursmallstageatBakerStreet,butIcannotrecollectanythingmoresuddenandstartlingthanthefirstappearanceofThorneycroftHuxtable,M.A.,Ph.D.,etc.Hiscard,whichseemedtoosmalltocarrytheweightofhisacademicdistinctions,precededhimbyafewseconds,andthenheenteredhimself—solarge,sopompous,andsodignifiedthathewastheveryembodimentofself-possessionandsolidity.Andyethisfirstaction,whenthedoorhadclosedbehindhim,wastostaggeragainstthetable,whenceheslippeddownuponthefloor,andtherewasthatmajesticfigureprostrateandinsensibleuponourbearskinhearth-rug.

           Wehadsprungtoourfeet,andforafewmomentswestaredinsilentamazementatthisponderouspieceofwreckage,whichtoldofsomesuddenandfatalstormfaroutontheoceanoflife.ThenHolmeshurriedwithacushionforhishead,andIwithbrandyforhislips.Theheavy,whitefacewasseamedwithlinesoftrouble,thehangingpouchesundertheclosedeyeswereleadenincolour,theloosemouthdroopeddolorouslyatthecorners,therollingchinswereunshaven.Collarandshirtborethegrimeofalongjourney,andthehairbristledunkemptfromthewell-shapedhead.Itwasasorelystrickenmanwholaybeforeus.

           “Whatisit,Watson?”askedHolmes.

           “Absoluteexhaustion—possiblymerehungerandfatigue,”saidI,withmyfingeronthethreadypulse,wherethestreamoflifetrickledthinandsmall.

           “ReturnticketfromMackleton,inthenorthofEngland,”saidHolmes,drawingitfromthewatch-pocket.