Arthur Conan DoyleSherlock Holmes and the Duke’s Son
by Arthur Conan Doyle
(Adapted book. Beginner level)
Chapter 1. Sherlock Holmes has a visitor
When visitors came to see Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street, they often did surprising things. Sometimes they put their heads in their hands and cried. Sometimes they talked and talked, and couldn’t stop. And sometimes they just sat there and didn’t say a word. But nobody was more surprising than Dr Thorneycroft Huxtable.
He was a large man, tall, well-dressed, and important- looking. He came into the room, walked to one of the big chairs, and suddenly fell into it. He sat there, with his eyes closed, looking white and ill.
I ran to get some water for him. Then I got my doctor’s bag, and looked at him carefully.
‘What is it, Watson?’ said Holmes.
‘He’s all right, I think,’ I said. ‘He’s just very, very tired - and probably hungry too.’
Holmes looked in the man’s pockets - and found a train ticket from Mackleton, in the north of England.
‘Mackleton - that’s a long way,’ said Holmes. ‘It’s not twelve o’clock yet, so he probably left home before five o’clock this morning.’
After a minute or two the man began to move, and his eyes opened. A second later he got quickly to his feet. His face was now red and unhappy.
‘Mr Holmes, I am so sorry! I forgot to eat or drink anything this morning - that’s why I felt ill.’
‘When you feel better -’ I began.
‘I’m better now, thank you,’ said our visitor. ‘And I want very much to talk to Mr Holmes - to ask him something. Please, Mr Holmes, come back to Mackleton with me by the next train.’