Though only 1506 words in length, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story "How It Happened" packs a major punch.
"How It Happened" begins with the narrator of the story, an unnamed man, meeting his chauffeur, Perkins, at a tiny station in the countryside so that the two could drive back to London together. Prior to going out to the countryside, the man ordered a brand-new car. This new car was unlike any he had seen before. As a result, he eagerly awaited the arrival of Perkins so that he could try his new car. But Perkins warns his boss that his new car will take some time to get used to. Its gears are different than anything the man had seen before, and Perkins instructed the man to be careful.
The two eventually set off, with Perkins' boss driving. As they approached the man's house in London, the man lost control of his car on Claystall Hill, which is widely recognized as one of the "worst" and most dangerous hills in England. With input from Perkins, the man tried to regain control of his new car, but he was unable to. He lost control of the car's speed and steering wheel.
Ultimately, the man can get home in his new car, but not before crashing into his gate. Prior to the crash, Perkins asked the man if he could jump into the driver's seat and take the brunt of the impact. The man, however, declined and crashed into the gate himself, causing an injury to Perkins. Perkins loves his employer and was willing to do anything for him because of his compassion and loyalty. However, the man also loved Perkins and accepted the consequences that were due to him—consequences which were elucidated by the man's dead friend, Stanley, in one of the man's visions.
