And now, Dr.Huxtable, when you have consumed that milk you will kindly tell me what has happened, when it happened, how it happened, and, finally, what Dr.Thorneycroft 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 colour to his cheeks as he set himself with great vigour and lucidity to explain the situation.
"I must inform you, gentlemen, that the Priory is a preparatory school, of which I am the founder and principal.`Huxtable's Sidelights on Horace' may possibly recall my name to your memories.The Priory is, without exception, the best and most select preparatory school in England.Lord Leverstoke, the Earl of Blackwater, Sir Cathcart Soames -- they all have entrusted their sons to me.But I felt that my school had reached its zenith when, three weeks ago, the Duke of Holdernesse sent Mr.James Wilder, his secretary, with the 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.