1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:05,639 The Moabite Cipher by R. Austin Freeman. A large and motley crowd lined 2 00:00:05,679 --> 00:00:09,679 the pavements of Oxford Street as Thorndyke and I made our way leisurely eastward. 3 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:15,240 Floral decorations and drooping bunting announced one of those functions inaugurated from time to time 4 00:00:15,439 --> 00:00:20,760 by a benevolent government for the entertainment of fashionable loungers and the relief of distressed 5 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:26,079 pickpockets. For a Russian grand Duke, who had torn himself away amidst valedictory 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:30,800 explosions from a loving if two demonstrative people, was to pass Anon on his 7 00:00:30,839 --> 00:00:35,600 way to the Guildhall, and a British prince, heroically indiscreet was expected to 8 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:40,880 occupy a seat in the ducal carriage near Raftbone Place. Thorndyke halted and drew 9 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:45,000 my attention to a smart looking man who was lounging in a doorway, cigarette 10 00:00:45,039 --> 00:00:49,200 in hand. Our old friend, Inspector Badger, said Thorndyke. He seems 11 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:53,320 mightily interested in that gentleman in the light overcoat. How d'ye do Badger? 12 00:00:53,759 --> 00:00:57,679 For at this moment the detective caught his eye and bowed who is your friend. 13 00:00:58,079 --> 00:01:00,079 That's what I'd like to know, Sir, replied the Inspector. I've 14 00:01:00,079 --> 00:01:03,400 been shadowing him for the last half hour, but I can make him out, 15 00:01:03,519 --> 00:01:07,840 though I believe I've seen him somewhere. He don't look like a foreigner, 16 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,959 but he has something bulky in his pocket, so I must keep him 17 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:15,120 in sight until the Duke is safely passed. I wish, he added gloomily, 18 00:01:15,359 --> 00:01:18,719 these beastly Russians would stop at home. They give us no end of 19 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:23,159 trouble. Are you expecting any occurrences? Then asked Thorndyke. Bless you, 20 00:01:23,239 --> 00:01:26,280 Sir, exclaimed Badger. The whole root is lined with a plainclothesman. You 21 00:01:26,359 --> 00:01:30,680 see, it is known that several desperate characters followed the Duke to England, 22 00:01:30,879 --> 00:01:33,680 and there are a good many exiles living here who would like to have a 23 00:01:33,719 --> 00:01:37,159 wrap at him. Hallo, what's he up to now? The man in 24 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:42,079 the light overcoat had suddenly caught the Inspector's too inquiring eye, and forthwith dived 25 00:01:42,079 --> 00:01:45,000 into the crowd at the edge of the pavement. In his haste, he 26 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,319 trod heavily on the foot of a big, rough looking man by whom he 27 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:52,000 was in a moment hustled out into the road with such violence that he fell, 28 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,920 sprawling face downwards. It was an unlucky moment. A mounted constable was 29 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,480 just then backing in upon the crowd, and before he could gather the meaning 30 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,879 of the shout that arose from the bystanders, his horse had set down one 31 00:02:02,959 --> 00:02:08,159 hind hoofed firmly on the prostrate man's back. The inspector signaled to a constable, 32 00:02:08,319 --> 00:02:12,560 who forthwith made a way for us through the crowd. But even as 33 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,360 we approached the injured man, he rose stiffly and looked round with a pale, 34 00:02:15,439 --> 00:02:20,400 vacant face. Are you hurt, Thorndyke asked gently, with an earnest 35 00:02:20,439 --> 00:02:23,199 look into the frightened, wondering eyes. No, sir, was the reply. 36 00:02:23,439 --> 00:02:29,800 Only I feel queer sinking just here. He laid a trembling hand on 37 00:02:29,879 --> 00:02:32,800 his chest, and Thorndyke, still eyeing him anxiously, said, in a 38 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:38,680 low voice to the inspector cab or ambulance as quickly as you can. A 39 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,199 cab was led round from Newman Street, and the injured man put into it. 40 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:46,800 Thorndyke, Badger and I entered, and we drove off up Rathbone Place. 41 00:02:46,199 --> 00:02:50,840 As we proceeded, our patient's face grew more and more ashen, drawn 42 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,759 and anxious. His breathing was shallow and uneven, and his teeth chattered slightly. 43 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:59,800 The cab swung round into Good Street, and then suddenly, in the 44 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,960 tinkling of an eye, there came a change. The eyelids and jaw relaxed, 45 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:07,319 the eyes became filmy, and the whole form subsided into the corner in 46 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:12,280 a shrunken heap, with the strange, gelatinous limpness of a body that is 47 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,759 dead as a whole while its tissues are still alive. God save us the 48 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:21,080 man, instead, exclaimed the inspector in a shocked voice, For even policemen 49 00:03:21,199 --> 00:03:24,319 have their feelings. He sat staring at the corpse as it nodded gently with 50 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:29,199 the jolting of the cab until we drew up inside the courtyard of the Middlesex 51 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,639 Hospital, when he got out briskly with suddenly renewed cheerfulness, to help the 52 00:03:32,719 --> 00:03:37,680 porter to place the body on the wheeled couch. Well we shall know who 53 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:39,599 he is now, at any rate, said he, as we followed the 54 00:03:39,599 --> 00:03:45,719 couch to the casualty room. Thorndyke nodded unsympathetically. The medical instinct in him 55 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,520 was, for the moment, stronger than the legal. The house surgeon leaned 56 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,080 over the couch and made a rapid examination as he listened to our account of 57 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:57,840 the incident. Then he straightened himself up and looked at Thorndyke. Internal hemorrhage, 58 00:03:57,879 --> 00:04:00,680 I expect, said he. At any rate, he's dead, poor 59 00:04:00,719 --> 00:04:03,680 beggar, as dead as nebukanezer Ah. Here comes the bobby. It's his 60 00:04:03,759 --> 00:04:09,280 affair now. A sergeant came into the room, breathing quickly, and looked 61 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:13,520 in surprise from the corpse to the inspector. But the latter, without loss 62 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:16,319 of time, proceeded to turn out the dead man's pockets, commencing with the 63 00:04:16,319 --> 00:04:20,199 bulky object which had first attracted his attention, which proved to be a brown 64 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:26,079 paper parcel tied up with red tape. Poor pie begad, he exclaimed with 65 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,600 a crestfallen air, as he cut the tape and opened the package. You 66 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,279 had better go through his other pocket, sergeant. The small heap of odds 67 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:36,519 and ends that resulted from this process tended with a single exception to throw a 68 00:04:36,519 --> 00:04:41,680 little light on the man's identity, the exception being a letter sealed but not 69 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:46,439 stamped, addressed in an exceedingly illiterate hand to mister Adolph Schoenberg, two thirteen 70 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:50,399 Greek Street. Soho he was going to leave it by hand, I expect, 71 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:55,319 observed the inspector with a wistful glance at the sealed envelope. I think 72 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,160 I'll take it round myself, and you had better come with me, sergeant. 73 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,480 He slipped the letter into his poe, and, leaving the sergeant to 74 00:05:00,519 --> 00:05:03,759 take possession of the other effects, made his way out of the building. 75 00:05:04,519 --> 00:05:09,199 I suppose, doctor, said he as we crossed into Berner Street. You 76 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:14,120 are not coming our way. Don't want to see mister Schoenburg. Thornburgh reflected 77 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,279 for a moment, Well, it isn't very far and we may as well 78 00:05:16,319 --> 00:05:20,360 see the end of the incident. Yes, let's go together. Number two 79 00:05:20,399 --> 00:05:26,240 one three Greek Street was one of those houses that irresistibly suggested the observer the 80 00:05:26,319 --> 00:05:30,279 idea of a church organ, either jamb of the doorway being adorned with a 81 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,079 row of brass bell handles corresponding to stop knobs. These, the sergeant examined 82 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:38,480 with the air of an expert musician, and having as it were, gaged 83 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:42,160 the capacity of the instrument, selected the middle knob on the right side and 84 00:05:42,199 --> 00:05:46,199 pulled it briskly, whereupon a first floor window was thrown up and a head 85 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,439 protruded, but it afforded us a momentary glimpse only for having caught the sergeant's 86 00:05:50,519 --> 00:05:56,160 upturned eye. It retired with surprising precipitancy, and before we had time to 87 00:05:56,199 --> 00:05:59,879 speculate on the apparition, the street door was opened and a man emerged. 88 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:02,680 He was about to close the door after him, when the inspector interposed, 89 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:08,800 does mister Adolf Schoenburg live here? The newcomer, a very typical jew of 90 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:13,040 the red haired type, surveyed us thoughtfully through his gold rimmed spectacles as he 91 00:06:13,079 --> 00:06:16,639 repeated the name Schoenburg. Schoenburg. Ah, yes, I know, he 92 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,800 lives on the third floor. I saw him go up a short time ago, 93 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:24,680 third floor back, and indicating the open door with a wave of the 94 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:28,519 hand, he raised his hat and passed into the street. I suppose we 95 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:30,959 had better go up, said the inspector, with a dubious glance at the 96 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:35,040 row of bell poles. He accordingly started up the stairs, and we all 97 00:06:35,079 --> 00:06:39,800 followed in his wake. There were two doors at the back of the third 98 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,879 floor, but as the one was open, displaying an unoccupied bedroom, the 99 00:06:43,879 --> 00:06:46,959 inspector rapped smartly on the other. It flew open almost immediately, and a 100 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:51,439 fierce looking little man confronted us with a hostile stare. Well said he, 101 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:57,720 mister Adolf Schoenburg, inquired the inspector, vell flat about him, snapped our 102 00:06:57,759 --> 00:07:00,439 new acquaintance. I wish to have a few words with him, said badger. 103 00:07:00,759 --> 00:07:03,959 Then vacta, do still come bangin at my door? For demanded the 104 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:09,800 other. Why doesn't he live here? No first floor front, replied our 105 00:07:09,839 --> 00:07:14,040 friend, preparing to close the door. Pardon me, said Thorndyke. But 106 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,920 what is mister Schoenburg like? I mean like, interrupted the resident. He's 107 00:07:17,959 --> 00:07:21,480 like a blooming signeye with a carroty beard and gold gig lamps. And having 108 00:07:21,519 --> 00:07:27,120 presented this impressionist sketch, he brought the interview to a definite close by slamming 109 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:30,720 the door and turning the key with a wrathful exclamation. The inspector turned towards 110 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:34,519 the stairs, down which the sergeant was already clattering in hot haste, and 111 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:39,560 made his way back to the ground floor, followed as before by Thorndyke and 112 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:44,319 me. On the doorstep, we found the sergeant breathlessly interrogating a smartly dressed 113 00:07:44,319 --> 00:07:46,639 youth whom I had seen a light from a hansom as we entered the house, 114 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,120 and who now stood with a note book tucked under his arm, sharpening 115 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:55,120 a pencil with deliberate care. Mister James saw him come out, sir, 116 00:07:55,439 --> 00:07:58,680 said the sergeant. He turned up towards the square. Did he seem to 117 00:07:58,759 --> 00:08:03,399 hurry, asked the inspector, Rather, replied the reporter. As soon as 118 00:08:03,439 --> 00:08:05,160 you were inside, he went off like a lamp lighter. You won't catch 119 00:08:05,199 --> 00:08:09,959 him. Now, we don't want to catch him, the detective rejoined, 120 00:08:09,959 --> 00:08:13,759 gruffly. Then, backing out of earshot of the eager pressman, he said, 121 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:16,920 in a lower tone, that was mister Schoenberg, beyond a doubt, 122 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:20,199 and it is clear that he has some reason for making himself scarce. So 123 00:08:20,319 --> 00:08:24,480 I shall consider myself justified. In opening that note, he suited the action 124 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:26,759 to the word, and, having cut the envelope open with official neatness, 125 00:08:26,839 --> 00:08:31,800 drew out the enclosure. My hat, he exclaimed, as his eye fell 126 00:08:31,879 --> 00:08:35,759 upon the contents. What in creation is this? It isn't shorthand, but 127 00:08:35,799 --> 00:08:39,440 what the deuce is it? He handed the document to Thorndyke, who, 128 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,720 having held it up to the light and felt the paper critically, proceeded to 129 00:08:41,759 --> 00:08:46,720 examine it with keen interest. It consisted of a single half sheet of thin 130 00:08:46,759 --> 00:08:50,159 note paper, both sides of which were covered with strange crabbed characters written with 131 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:54,879 a brownish black ink in continuous lines, without any spaces to indicate the divisions 132 00:08:54,919 --> 00:08:58,840 into words. And but for the modern material which bore the writing, it 133 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,360 i'd have been a portion of some ancient manuscript or forgotten codex. What do 134 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:07,000 you make of it? Doctor, inquired the inspector anxiously, after a pause 135 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:13,320 during which Thorndyke had scrutinized the strange writing with knitted brows. Not a great 136 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:18,159 deal, replied Thorndyke. The character is the Moabide or Phoenician, primitive Semitic 137 00:09:18,399 --> 00:09:20,840 in fact, and reads from right to left. The language I take to 138 00:09:20,879 --> 00:09:24,360 be Hebrew at any rate I can find no Greek words, and I see 139 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,039 here a group of letters which may form one of the few Hebrew words that 140 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:33,440 I know. The word badim lies. But you had better get it deciphered 141 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,639 by an expert. If it is Hebrew, said Badger. We can manage 142 00:09:37,639 --> 00:09:39,759 it all right. There are plenty of Jews at our disposal. You had 143 00:09:39,799 --> 00:09:43,720 better take that paper to the British Museum, said Thorndyke, and submitted to 144 00:09:43,759 --> 00:09:48,919 the Keeper of the Phoenician Antiquities for decipherment. Inspector Badger smiled a foxy smile 145 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,480 as he deposited the paper in his pocket book. We'll see what we can 146 00:09:52,519 --> 00:09:56,919 make of it ourselves first, he said. But many thanks for your advice. 147 00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:58,600 All the same doctor, No, mister James, I can't give you 148 00:09:58,639 --> 00:10:03,759 any information just at present. You had better apply at the hospital. I 149 00:10:03,799 --> 00:10:07,879 suspect, said Thorndyke as we took our way homewards, that mister James has 150 00:10:07,919 --> 00:10:11,320 collected enough material for his purpose already. He must have followed us from the 151 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:16,120 hospital, and I have no doubt that he has his report with full details 152 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,960 mentally arranged at this moment, and I am not sure that he didn't get 153 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:24,200 a peep at the mysterious paper in spite of the Inspector's precautions. By the 154 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:26,639 way, I said, what do you make of the document? A cipher, 155 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:31,840 most probably, he replied. It is written in the primitive Semitic alphabet, 156 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:35,840 which, as you know, is practically identical with primitive Greek. It 157 00:10:35,879 --> 00:10:39,519 is written from right to left, like the Phoenician Hebrew and Moabite, as 158 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:43,279 well as the earliest Greek inscriptions. The paper is common cream laid note paper, 159 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,799 and the ink is ordinary indelible Chinese ink, such as is used by 160 00:10:46,879 --> 00:10:52,159 draftsmen. Those are the facts, and without further study of the document itself, 161 00:10:52,279 --> 00:10:54,320 they don't carry us very far. Why do you think it is a 162 00:10:54,360 --> 00:11:00,000 cipher rather than a document and straightforward Hebrew? Because it is obviously a secret 163 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,080 message of some kind. Now, every educated Jew knows more or less Hebrew, 164 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:07,360 and although he is able to read and write only the modern square Hebrew 165 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:11,600 character, it is so easy to transpose one alphabet into another that the mere 166 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:16,679 language would afford no security. Therefore, I expect that when the experts translate 167 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:22,200 this document, the translation or transliteration will be a mere farrago of unintelligible nonsense. 168 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:24,960 But we shall see. And meanwhile, the facts that we have offer 169 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:31,639 several interesting suggestions which are well worth consideration. As for instance, now, 170 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:35,679 my dear Jervis, said Thorndyke, shaking in a monitory forefinger at me. 171 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:39,759 Don't I pray you give way to mental indolence. You have these few facts 172 00:11:39,759 --> 00:11:43,960 that I have mentioned, consider them separately and collectively and in their relation to 173 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,639 the circumstances. Don't attempt to suck my brain when you have an excellent brain 174 00:11:46,639 --> 00:11:50,600 of your own to suck. On the following morning, the papers fully justified 175 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,480 my colleague's opinion of mister James. All the events which had occurred, as 176 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:58,639 well as a number that had not, were given in the fullest and most 177 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,440 vivid detail, a length the reference being made to the paper found on the 178 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:07,320 person of the dead anarchist and written in a private shorthand or cryptogram. The 179 00:12:07,399 --> 00:12:11,320 report concluded with the gratifying, though untrue statement that, in this intricate and 180 00:12:11,399 --> 00:12:16,480 important case, the police have wisely secured the assistance of doctor John Thorndyke, 181 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:20,639 to whose acute intellect and vast experience, the portentous cryptogram will doubtless soon deliver 182 00:12:20,759 --> 00:12:24,840 up its secret. Very flattering, laughed Thorndyke, to whom I read the 183 00:12:24,879 --> 00:12:28,279 extract on his return from the hospital. But a little awkward of it should 184 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:33,440 induce our friends to deposit a few trifling mementoes in the form of nitro compounds 185 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:37,000 on our main staircase or in the cellars. By the way, I met 186 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,200 Superintendent Miller on London Bridge. The cryptogram, as mister James calls it, 187 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:45,440 has set Scotland Yard in a mighty ferment. Naturally, what have they done 188 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,399 in the matter? They adopted my suggestion, after all, finding that they 189 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:52,720 could make nothing of it themselves, and took it to the British Museum. 190 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:56,559 The museum people referred them to Professor Poppelbaum, the great paleographer, to whom 191 00:12:56,559 --> 00:13:01,200 they accordingly submitted it. Does he express any opinion about it? Yes? 192 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:07,039 Provisionally after a brief examination he found it to consist of a number of Hebrew 193 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:11,799 words sandwich between apparently meaningless groups of letters. He furnished the Superintendent off hand 194 00:13:11,799 --> 00:13:16,559 with a translation of the words, and Miller forthwith struck off a number of 195 00:13:16,639 --> 00:13:20,279 hectograph copies of it, which he has distributed among the senior officials of his 196 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:24,799 department, So that at present here Thorndyke gave event to a soft chuckle. 197 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:28,240 Scotland Yard is engaged in a sort of missing word, or rather missing sense 198 00:13:28,279 --> 00:13:33,159 competition. Miller invited me to join in the sport, and to that end 199 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,080 presented me with one of the hectograph copies on which to exercise my wits, 200 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:41,279 together with a photograph of the document. And shall you, I asked, 201 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,600 Not I, he replied, laughing. In the first place, I have 202 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:48,440 not been formally consulted, and consequently am a passive, though interested spectator. 203 00:13:48,799 --> 00:13:52,600 In the second place, I have a theory of my own, which I 204 00:13:52,639 --> 00:13:54,960 shall test if the occasion arises. But if you would like to take part 205 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,399 in the competition, I am authorized to show you the photograph and the translation 206 00:14:00,039 --> 00:14:01,360 will pass them on to you, and I wish you joy of them. 207 00:14:01,879 --> 00:14:05,919 He handed me the photograph in a sheet of paper that he had just taken 208 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,600 from his pocket book, and watched me with grim amusement as I read out 209 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:13,000 the first few lines. Woe, city, lies, robbery, prey, 210 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:18,639 noise, whip, rattling wheel horse, chariot, day, darkness, gloominess, 211 00:14:18,759 --> 00:14:24,440 clouds, darkness, morning, mountain people strong, fire them flame. 212 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,080 It doesn't look very promising at first sight, I remarked, what is the 213 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:33,000 professor's theory? His theory, provisionally, of course, is that the words 214 00:14:33,039 --> 00:14:35,960 form the message and the groups of letters represent mere filled up spaces between the 215 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:41,799 words. But surely, I protested, that would be a very transparent device. 216 00:14:41,399 --> 00:14:46,279 Thorndyke laughed. There is a childlike simplicity about it, said he. 217 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:50,480 That is highly attractive, but discouraging. It is much more probable that the 218 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:54,240 words are dummies and that the letters contain the message. Or again, the 219 00:14:54,279 --> 00:14:56,720 solution may lie in an entirely different direction. But listen, is that a 220 00:14:56,759 --> 00:15:01,559 cap coming here? It was it? I drew up opposite our chambers, 221 00:15:01,639 --> 00:15:05,679 and a few moments later a brisk step ascending the stairs heralded a smart rat 222 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:09,559 tat at our door. Flinging open the ladder, I found myself confronted by 223 00:15:09,559 --> 00:15:13,000 a well dressed stranger, who, after a quick glance at me, peered 224 00:15:13,039 --> 00:15:18,600 inquisitively over my shoulder into the room. I am relieved. Doctor Jervis said 225 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:22,080 he to find you and doctor Thorndyke at home, as I have come on 226 00:15:22,159 --> 00:15:26,960 somewhat urgent professional business. My name, he continued entering in response to my 227 00:15:26,039 --> 00:15:30,600 invitation, is Barton. But you don't know me, though I know you 228 00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:33,720 both by sight. I have come to ask you if one of you, 229 00:15:33,039 --> 00:15:37,720 or better still, both could come to night and see my brother. That 230 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:41,240 said Thorndyke, depends on the circumstances and on the whereabouts of your brother. 231 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:46,360 The circumstances, said mister Barton, are in my opinion, highly suspicious, 232 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:50,919 and I will place them before you, of course, in strict confidence. 233 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:56,159 Thorndyke nodded and indicated a chair. My brother, continued, mister Barton, 234 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:00,559 taking the proffered seat, has recently married for the second time. His age 235 00:16:00,559 --> 00:16:03,480 is fifty five and that of his wife twenty six, and I may say 236 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:07,759 that the marriage has been well, by no means a success. Now, 237 00:16:07,799 --> 00:16:11,480 within the last fortnight, my brother has been attacked by a mysterious and extremely 238 00:16:11,519 --> 00:16:15,200 painful affection of the stomach, to which his doctor seems unable to give a 239 00:16:15,279 --> 00:16:19,399 name. It has resisted all treatment hitherto. Day by day the pain and 240 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:23,919 distress increase, and I feel that unless something decisive is done, the end 241 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:29,799 cannot be far off. Is the pain worse after taking food, inquired Thorndyke. 242 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:33,440 That's just it, exclaimed our visitor. I see what is in your 243 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,440 mind, and it has been in mine too, so much though that I 244 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:40,039 have tried repeatedly to obtain samples of the food that he is taking, and 245 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:44,600 this morning I succeeded. Here he took from his pocket a wide mouthed bottle, 246 00:16:44,879 --> 00:16:48,559 which, disengaging from its paper wrappings, he laid on the table when 247 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:52,080 I called. He was taking his breakfast of arrowroot, which he complained had 248 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:55,360 a gritty taste, supposed by his wife to be due to the sugar. 249 00:16:55,879 --> 00:16:59,320 Now I had provided myself with this bottle, and during the absence of his 250 00:16:59,399 --> 00:17:03,120 wife, I'm banished unobserved to convey a portion of the arrowroot that he had 251 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,920 left into it. And I should be greatly obliged if you would examine it 252 00:17:07,079 --> 00:17:10,960 and tell me if this arrow rout contains anything that it should not. He 253 00:17:11,039 --> 00:17:14,519 pushed the bottle across to Thorndyke, who carried it to the window, and, 254 00:17:14,599 --> 00:17:18,400 extracting a small quantity of the contents with a glass rod, examined the 255 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,440 pasty mass with the aid of a lens. Then, lifting the bell glass 256 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:26,400 cover from the microscope which stood on its table by the window, he smeared 257 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:30,240 a small quantity of the suspected matter onto a glass slip and placed it on 258 00:17:30,279 --> 00:17:33,160 the stage of the instrument. I observe a number of crystalline particles in this, 259 00:17:33,319 --> 00:17:37,079 he said, after a brief inspection, which have the appearance of arcinious 260 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:41,920 acid. Ah, ejaculated mister Barton, just as I feared. But are 261 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:47,359 you certain? No, replied Thorndyke. But the matter is easily tested. 262 00:17:47,839 --> 00:17:51,599 He pressed the button of the bell that communicated with the laboratory, a summons 263 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:56,440 that brought the laboratory assistance from his lair with characteristic promptitude. Will you please 264 00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:00,640 prepare a marsious apparatus, Polton, said Thorndyke. I have a couple ready, 265 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,039 Sir, replied Pulton, then poured the acid into one and bring it 266 00:18:03,039 --> 00:18:07,240 to me with a tile. As his familiar vanished silently, Thorndyke turned to 267 00:18:07,319 --> 00:18:11,799 mister Barton, Supposing we find arsenic in this arrowroot, as we probably shall, 268 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,799 what do you want us to do? I want you to come and 269 00:18:15,839 --> 00:18:18,279 see my brother, replied our client. Why not take a note from me 270 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:22,559 to his doctor? No, no, I want you to come. I 271 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,640 should like you both to come and put a stop at once to this dreadful 272 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:29,480 business. Consider it is a matter of life and death. You won't refuse 273 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,480 I beg you not to refuse me your help in these terrible circumstances, well 274 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:37,680 said Thorndyke, as his assistant reappeared. Let us first see what the test 275 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,759 has to tell us. Poulton advanced to the table, on which he deposited 276 00:18:41,799 --> 00:18:45,880 a small flask, the contents of which were in a state of brisk effervescence, 277 00:18:47,279 --> 00:18:52,240 a bottle labeled calcium hypochlorite, and a white porcelain tile. The flask 278 00:18:52,319 --> 00:18:55,640 was fitted with a safety funnel and a glass tube drawn out to a fine 279 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:59,960 jet, to which Polton cautiously applied a lighted match. Instantly there sprang from 280 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:03,279 the jet a tiny, pale violet flame. Thorndyke now took the tile and 281 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:07,839 held it in the flame for several seconds, when the appearance of the surface 282 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,920 remained unchanged save for the small circle of condensed moisture. His next proceeding was 283 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,599 to thin the arrowroot with distilled water until it was quite fluid, and then 284 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:19,720 pour a small quantity into the funnel. It ran slowly down the tube into 285 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:25,759 the flask with the bubbling contents of which it became speedily mixed. Almost immediately 286 00:19:25,799 --> 00:19:29,160 a change began to appear in the character of the flame, which from a 287 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:33,559 pale violet turned gradually to a sickly blue, while above it hung a faint 288 00:19:33,559 --> 00:19:37,480 cloud of white smoke. Once more, Thorndyke held the tile above the jet, 289 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,359 but this time no sooner had the pallid flame touched the cold surface of 290 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:45,240 the porcelain than there appeared on the latter a glistening black stain. That is 291 00:19:45,279 --> 00:19:49,440 pretty conclusive, observed Thorndyke, lifting the stopper out of the reagent bottle. 292 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:53,039 But we will apply the final test. He dropped a few drops of the 293 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:57,960 hypochlorite solution onto the tile, and immediately the black stain faded away and vanished. 294 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,519 I now answer your question, mister Barton, said he replacing the stopper 295 00:20:03,559 --> 00:20:07,359 as he turned to our client. The specimen that you brought us certainly contains 296 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:11,640 arsenic and in very considerable quantities, then exclaimed mister Barton, starting from his 297 00:20:11,759 --> 00:20:15,680 chair, You will come and help me to rescue my brother from this dreadful 298 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,519 pearl. Don't refuse me, doctor Thorndyke, for mercy's sake, don't refuse. 299 00:20:19,079 --> 00:20:23,279 Thorndyke reflected for a moment before we decide, said he we must see 300 00:20:23,279 --> 00:20:27,240 what engagements we have. With a quick, significant glance at me, he 301 00:20:27,279 --> 00:20:32,519 walked into the office, whither I followed in some bewilderment, for I knew 302 00:20:32,519 --> 00:20:36,319 that we had no engagements for the evening now, Jervis, said Thorndyke, 303 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:38,599 as he closed the office door. What are we to do? We must 304 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,680 go, I suppose, I replied. It seems a pretty urgent case. 305 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:45,079 It does. He agreed. Of course, the man may be telling the 306 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,319 truth. After all, you don't think he is. Then, no, 307 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,960 it is a plausible tale, but there is too much arsenic in that arrow 308 00:20:52,039 --> 00:20:56,720 root. Still I think I ought to go. It is an ordinary professional 309 00:20:56,799 --> 00:20:59,559 risk, but there is no reason why you should put your head into the 310 00:20:59,599 --> 00:21:03,680 noose. Thank you, I said, somewhat huffily. I don't see what 311 00:21:03,839 --> 00:21:06,599 risk there is, but if any exists, I claim the right to share 312 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,400 it. Very well, he answered, with a smile. We will both 313 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,839 go. I think we can take care of ourselves. He re entered the 314 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:15,960 sitting room and announced his decision to mister Barton, whose relief and gratitude were 315 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,240 quite pathetic. But said Thorndyke, you have not yet told us where your 316 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:26,119 brother lives. Rexford, was the reply. Rexford in Essex. It isn't 317 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,400 out of the way place, but if we catch the seven fifteen from Liverpool 318 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,839 Street, we shall be there in an hour and a half. And as 319 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:36,240 to the return, you know the trains, I suppose, Oh yes, 320 00:21:36,559 --> 00:21:38,720 replied our client. I will see that you don't miss your train back. 321 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,440 Then I will be with you in a minute, said Thorndyke, and taking 322 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:47,240 the still bubbling flask, he retired to the laboratory. Whence he returned in 323 00:21:47,319 --> 00:21:51,559 a few minutes carrying his hat and overcoat. The cab which had brought our 324 00:21:51,599 --> 00:21:55,000 client was still waiting, and we were soon rattling through the streets toward the 325 00:21:55,039 --> 00:21:59,160 station, where we arrived in time to furnish ourselves with dinner baskets and select 326 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:03,119 our compartment at leisure. During the early part of the journey, our companion 327 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,319 was in excellent spirits. He despatched the cold fowl from the basket and quaffed 328 00:22:07,319 --> 00:22:10,720 the rather indifferent claret with as much relish as if he had not had a 329 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:14,680 single relation in the world, And after dinner he became genial to the verge 330 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:18,240 of hilarity. But as the time went on, there crept into his manner 331 00:22:18,279 --> 00:22:22,839 a certain anxious restlessness. He became silent and preoccupied, and several times furtively 332 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:27,759 consulted his watch. The train is confoundedly late, he exclaimed, irritably, 333 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:33,160 seven minutes behind time. Already a few minutes more or less are not of 334 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:36,880 much consequence, said Thorndyke. No, of course not. But still, 335 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:40,559 ah, thank Heaven, here we are. He thrust his head out of 336 00:22:40,599 --> 00:22:44,559 the off side window and gazed eagerly down the line. Then, leaping to 337 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:48,000 his feet, he bustled out onto the platform while the train was still moving. 338 00:22:48,039 --> 00:22:52,880 Even as we alighted, a warning bell rang furiously on the up platform, 339 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:56,559 and as mister Barton hurried us through the empty booking office to the outside 340 00:22:56,559 --> 00:22:59,920 of the station, the rumble of the approaching train could be heard above the 341 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,400 noise made by our own trade moving off. My courage does not seem to 342 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:07,559 have arrived yet, exclaimed mister Barton, looking anxiously up the station approach. 343 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,640 If you will wait here a moment, I will go and make inquiries. 344 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:15,119 He darted back into the booking office and threw it onto the platform, just 345 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:19,079 as the up train roared into the station. Thorndyke followed him with quick but 346 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:22,839 stealthy steps, and, peering out of the booking office door, watched his 347 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:27,240 proceedings. Then he turned and beckoned to me. There he goes, said 348 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,880 he, pointing to an iron footbridge that spanned the line, And as I 349 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:36,160 looked, I saw clearly defined against the dim night sky, a flying figure 350 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:40,799 racing toward the upside. It was hardly two thirds across when the guard's whistle 351 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:44,880 sang out its shrill warning. Quick Jervis exclaimed Thorndyke, She's off. He 352 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,000 leaped down onto the line, whither I followed instantly, and crossing the rails, 353 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:52,039 we clambered up together onto the footboard opposite an empty first class compartment. 354 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:56,720 Thorndyke's magazine knife, containing among other implements, a railway key, was already 355 00:23:56,759 --> 00:24:00,240 in his hand. The door was speedily un locked, and as we entered, 356 00:24:00,279 --> 00:24:04,079 Thorndyke ran through and looked out onto the platform. Just in time, 357 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:07,799 he exclaimed, he is in one of the forward compartments. He relocked the 358 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:11,880 door, and, seating himself, proceeded to fill his pipe. And now 359 00:24:12,079 --> 00:24:15,079 said I, as the train moved out of the station, perhaps you will 360 00:24:15,079 --> 00:24:19,839 explain this little comedy with pleasure, he replied, if it needs any explanation. 361 00:24:21,279 --> 00:24:25,039 But you can hardly have forgotten mister James's flattering remarks in his report of 362 00:24:25,039 --> 00:24:29,319 the Greek Street incident, clearly giving the impression that the mysterious document was in 363 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:32,400 my possession. When I read that, I knew I must look out for 364 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:36,519 some attempt to recover it, though I hardly expected such promptness. Still, 365 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:41,000 when mister Barton called without credentials or appointment, I viewed him with some suspicion. 366 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:44,920 That suspicion deepened when he wanted us both to come. It deepened further 367 00:24:45,079 --> 00:24:48,559 when I found an impossible quantity of arsenic in his sample, and it gave 368 00:24:48,599 --> 00:24:52,519 place to certainty when having allowed him to select the trains by which we were 369 00:24:52,519 --> 00:24:56,519 to travel, I went up to the laboratory and examined the timetable for I 370 00:24:56,599 --> 00:25:00,960 then found that the last train for London left Rexford ten minutes after we were 371 00:25:00,039 --> 00:25:03,400 due to arrive. Obviously, this was a plan to get us both safely 372 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:07,480 out of the way while he and some of his friends ransacked our chambers for 373 00:25:07,559 --> 00:25:12,319 the missing document. I see, and that accounts for his extraordinary anxiety at 374 00:25:12,319 --> 00:25:15,240 the lateness of the train. But why did you come if you knew it 375 00:25:15,279 --> 00:25:19,079 was a plant, my dear fellow, said Thorndyke. I never miss an 376 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:22,920 interesting experience if I can help it. There are possibilities in this too, 377 00:25:23,039 --> 00:25:27,519 don't you see? But supposing his friends have broken into our chambers already that 378 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:32,559 contingency has been provided for. But I think they will wait for mister Barton 379 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:36,799 and us. Our train, being the last one up, stopped at every 380 00:25:36,799 --> 00:25:41,559 station and crawled slussfully in the intervals, so that it was past eleven o'clock 381 00:25:41,599 --> 00:25:45,920 when we reached Liverpool Street. Here we got out cautiously, and mingling with 382 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,799 the crowd, followed the unconscious Barton up the platform, through the barrier, 383 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:52,519 and out into the street. He seemed in no special hurry, for after 384 00:25:52,559 --> 00:25:56,799 pausing to light a cigar, he set off at an easy pace up New 385 00:25:56,799 --> 00:26:00,519 Broad Street. Thorndyke hailed a hansom, and, motioning me to enter, 386 00:26:00,759 --> 00:26:03,720 directed the cabman to drive to Clifford's Inn. Passage. Sit well back, 387 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:07,839 said he. As we rattled away up New Broad Street. We shall be 388 00:26:07,839 --> 00:26:11,920 passing our gay deceiver presently. In fact, there he is a living walking 389 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:17,640 illustration of the folly of underrating the intelligence of one's adversary. At Clifford's in 390 00:26:17,759 --> 00:26:21,000 passage, we dismissed the cab, and, retiring into the shadow of the 391 00:26:21,079 --> 00:26:23,519 dark narrow alley, kept an eye on the gate of Inner Temple Lane. 392 00:26:23,799 --> 00:26:27,480 In about twenty minutes we observed our friend approaching on the south side of Fleet 393 00:26:27,559 --> 00:26:32,200 Street. He halted at the gate, plied the knocker, and after a 394 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:36,160 brief parley with the night porter, vanished through the wicket. We waited yet 395 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:38,160 five minutes more, and then, having given him time to get clear of 396 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,519 the entrance, we crossed the road. The porter looked at us with some 397 00:26:41,559 --> 00:26:45,440 surprise. There's a gentleman just gone down to your chambers, sir, said 398 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:49,759 he. He told me you were expecting him. Quite right, said Thorndyke, 399 00:26:49,799 --> 00:26:53,559 with a dry smile. I was good night. We slunk down the 400 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:57,480 lane, past the church and through the gloomy cloisters, giving a wide berth 401 00:26:57,559 --> 00:27:03,119 to all lamps and lighted entry, until emerging into paper buildings. We crossed 402 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,680 at the darkest part to King's Bench Walk, where Thorndyke made straight for the 403 00:27:06,759 --> 00:27:10,279 chambers of our friend. Anstey, which were two doors above our own. 404 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:14,160 Why are we coming here, I asked as we ascended the stairs, But 405 00:27:14,319 --> 00:27:18,079 the question needed no answer when we reached the landing, for through the open 406 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:21,680 door of our friend's chambers, I could see in the darkened room ants Tea 407 00:27:21,799 --> 00:27:26,240 himself with two uniformed constables and a couple of plains clothes men. There has 408 00:27:26,279 --> 00:27:29,279 been no signal yet, sir, said one of the latter, whom I 409 00:27:29,359 --> 00:27:33,480 recognized as a detective sergeant of our division. No, said Thorndyke, but 410 00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:37,200 the m C has arrived. He came in five minutes before us, then 411 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:41,200 exclaimed Anstey. The ball will open shortly, Ladies and gents. The boards 412 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:45,119 are wax the fiddlers are tuning up and not quite so loud. If you 413 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:48,160 please, sir, said the sergeant, I think there is somebody coming up 414 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:52,839 Crown Office Row. The ball had in fact opened. As we peered cautiously 415 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:56,160 out of the open window, keeping well back in the darkened room, a 416 00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:00,000 stealthy figure crept out of the shadow, crossed the road, and stole noiselessly 417 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,400 into the entry of Thorndyke's chambers. It was quickly followed by a second figure, 418 00:28:03,599 --> 00:28:07,920 and then by a third, in which I recognized our elusive client. 419 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:11,519 Now listen for the signal, said Thorndyke. They won't waste time. Confound 420 00:28:11,519 --> 00:28:15,680 that clock. The soft voiced bell of the Inner Temple clock, mingling with 421 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:19,519 the harsher tones of Saint Dunstan's and the law courts, slowly told out the 422 00:28:19,559 --> 00:28:25,200 hour of midnight. And as the last reverberations were dying away, some metallic 423 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:27,920 object, apparently a coin, dropped, with a sharp clink onto the pavement 424 00:28:29,039 --> 00:28:33,440 under our window. At the sound, the watchers simultaneously sprang to their feet. 425 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:37,519 You two go first, said the sergeant, addressing the uniformed men, 426 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:41,640 who thereupon stole noiselessly in their rubber soled boots down the stone stairs and along 427 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:45,680 the pavement. The rest of us followed with less attention to silence, and 428 00:28:45,759 --> 00:28:49,279 as we ran up to Thorndyke's chambers, we were aware of quick but stealthy 429 00:28:49,279 --> 00:28:53,079 footsteps on the stairs above. They've been at work, you see, whispered 430 00:28:53,079 --> 00:28:56,920 one of the constables, flashing his lantern onto the iron bound outer door of 431 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:00,400 our sitting room, on which the marks of a large jemmy were plainly visible. 432 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,079 The sergeant nodded grimly, and, bidding the constables to remain on the 433 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:08,960 landing, led the way upwards. As we ascended, faint rustlings continued to 434 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:12,279 be audible from above, and on the second floor landing we met a man 435 00:29:12,319 --> 00:29:17,680 descending briskly but without hurry from the third It was mister Barton, and I 436 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:21,839 could not but admire the composure with which he passed the two detectives. But 437 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:26,400 suddenly his glance fell on Thorndyke, and his composure vanished. With a wild 438 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:30,559 stare of incredulous horror, he halted as if petrified. Then he broke away 439 00:29:30,599 --> 00:29:33,400 and raced furiously down the stairs, and after a moment, a muffled shout 440 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:37,440 and the sound of a scuffle told us that he had received a check. 441 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:41,240 On the next flight, we met two more men, who, more hurried 442 00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:45,119 and less self possessed, endeavored to push past, but the sergeant barred the 443 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,359 way. Why bless me, exclaimed the latter. It's Moky and isn't that 444 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:52,960 Tom Harris. It's all right, sergeant, said Mokey, plaintively, striving 445 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:56,240 to escape from the officer's grip. We've come to the wrong house. That's 446 00:29:56,279 --> 00:30:00,200 all, the sergeant smiled indulgently. A I know, he replied, but 447 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:03,359 you're always coming to the wrong house, smoky, and now you're just coming 448 00:30:03,359 --> 00:30:07,640 along with me to the right house. He slipped his hand inside his captive's 449 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:14,039 coat and adroitly fished out a large folding gemmy, whereupon the discomfited burglar abandoned 450 00:30:14,039 --> 00:30:18,359 all further protest. On our return to the first floor, we found mister 451 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:22,079 Barton sulkily awaiting us, handcuffed to one of the constables and watched by Polton 452 00:30:22,279 --> 00:30:26,759 with pensive disapproval. I needn't trouble you tonight, doctor, said the sergeant, 453 00:30:26,839 --> 00:30:30,200 as he marshaled his little troop of captors and captives. You'll hear from 454 00:30:30,279 --> 00:30:34,279 us in the morning. Good night, sir. The melancholy procession moved off 455 00:30:34,279 --> 00:30:37,920 down the stairs, and we retired to our chambers with anstey to smoke a 456 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:44,519 last pipe. A capable man that Barton observed, Thorndyke ready plausible and ingenious, 457 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:48,480 but spoilt by prolonged contact with fools. I wonder if the police will 458 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:52,599 perceive the significance of this little affair. They'll be more acute than I am. 459 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:56,799 If they do, said I naturally, interposed Anstey, who loved to 460 00:30:56,880 --> 00:31:00,480 cheek his revered senior, Because there isn't any It's all Thorndyke's bounce. He 461 00:31:00,559 --> 00:31:04,480 is really in deduce of a fog himself. However this may have been. 462 00:31:04,680 --> 00:31:08,039 The police were a good deal puzzled by the incident, for on the following 463 00:31:08,079 --> 00:31:12,920 morning we received a visit from no less a person than Superintendent Miller of Scotland 464 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:17,559 Yard. This is a queer business, said he, coming to the point 465 00:31:17,559 --> 00:31:19,759 at once, this burglary. I mean, why should they want to crack 466 00:31:19,799 --> 00:31:23,319 your place right here in the temple too? You've got nothing of value here? 467 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:26,200 Have you? No hard stuff as they call it? For instance, 468 00:31:26,759 --> 00:31:30,640 not so much as a silver teaspoon, replied Thorndyke, who had a conscientious 469 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:36,400 objection to plate of all kinds. It's odd, said the Superintendent, deuced 470 00:31:36,440 --> 00:31:40,119 odd. When we got your note, we thought that anarchist idiots had mixed 471 00:31:40,119 --> 00:31:42,000 you up with the case. You saw the papers, I suppose, and 472 00:31:42,119 --> 00:31:45,240 wanted to go through your rooms for some reason. We thought we had our 473 00:31:45,240 --> 00:31:48,519 hands on the gang, instead of which we find a party of common crooks 474 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:52,960 that we're sick of the sight of I tell you, sir, it's annoying 475 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:56,920 when you think you've hooked a salmon to bring up a blooming eel. It 476 00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:00,720 must be a great disappointment. Thorndyke agreed, suppressing smile, it is, 477 00:32:01,079 --> 00:32:05,359 said the detective. Not but what. We're glad enough to get these beggars, 478 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:08,400 especially Halkett or Barton, as he calls himself, a mighty slippery customer. 479 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:13,440 Is Halkett and mischievous too, But we're not wanting any disappointments. Just 480 00:32:13,559 --> 00:32:16,480 now, there was that big jewel job in Piccadilly Taplin and Horns. I 481 00:32:16,519 --> 00:32:20,960 don't mind telling you that we've not got a ghost of the clue. Then 482 00:32:21,039 --> 00:32:24,119 there's this anarchist affair. We're all in the dark there too. But what 483 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:29,200 about the cipher, asked Thorndyke. Oh hang the cipher, exclaimed the detective 484 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:32,519 irritably. This Professor Popelbaum may be a very learned man, but he doesn't 485 00:32:32,519 --> 00:32:36,839 help us much. He says. The document is in Hebrew and he has 486 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:40,039 translated into double Dutch. Just listen to this. He dragged out of his 487 00:32:40,079 --> 00:32:44,720 pocket a bundle of papers, and, dabbing down a photograph of the document 488 00:32:44,759 --> 00:32:49,160 before Thorndyke commenced to read the professor's report. The document is written in the 489 00:32:49,240 --> 00:32:52,599 characters of the well known inscription of Mesha, king of Moab, who the 490 00:32:52,640 --> 00:32:57,119 devil's he never heard of him well known. Indeed, the language is Hebrew, 491 00:32:57,319 --> 00:33:00,480 and the words are separated by groups of letters, which are meanings and 492 00:33:00,559 --> 00:33:05,079 obviously introduced to mislead and confused the reader. The words themselves are not strictly 493 00:33:05,119 --> 00:33:08,480 consecutive, but by the interpolation of certain other words, a series of intelligible 494 00:33:08,559 --> 00:33:13,000 sentences as obtained, the meaning of which is not very clear, but is 495 00:33:13,079 --> 00:33:16,720 no doubt allegorical. The method of decipherment is shown in the accompanying tables and 496 00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:21,640 the full rendering suggested on the enclosed sheet. It is to be noted that 497 00:33:21,680 --> 00:33:24,559 the writer of this document was apparently quite unacquainted with the Hebrew language, as 498 00:33:24,559 --> 00:33:30,519 appears from the absence of any grammatical construction. That's the professor's purport, doctor, 499 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:32,319 And here are the tables showing how he worked it out. It makes 500 00:33:32,319 --> 00:33:36,880 my head spin to look at him. He handed to Thorndyke a bundle of 501 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:40,279 ruled sheets, which my colleague examined attentively for a while, and then passed 502 00:33:40,279 --> 00:33:45,119 on to me. This is very systematic and thorough, said he. But 503 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:47,640 now let us see the final result at which he arrives. It may be 504 00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:52,880 all very systematic, growled the Superintendent, sorting at his papers. But I 505 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:55,319 tell you, sir, it's all bosh the latter word, he jerked out 506 00:33:55,400 --> 00:34:00,640 viciously as he slapped down on the table the final product of the professor labors 507 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:04,519 there, he continued, that's what he calls the fool rendering, And I 508 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:07,519 reckon, it'll make your hair curl. It might be a message from Bedlam. 509 00:34:07,679 --> 00:34:12,440 Thorndyke took up the first sheet, and as he compared the constructed renderings 510 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:16,320 with the literal translation, the ghost of a smile stole across his usually immovable 511 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:21,800 countenance. The meaning is certainly a little obscure, he observed, though the 512 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:25,400 reconstruction is highly ingenious. And moreover, I think the professor is probably right, 513 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:30,000 that is to say, the words which he has supplied are probably the 514 00:34:30,039 --> 00:34:32,800 omitted parts of the passages from which the words of the cryptogram were taken. 515 00:34:34,199 --> 00:34:37,599 What do you think, jervis? He handed me the two papers, of 516 00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:40,280 which one gave the actual words of the cryptogram, and the other a suggested 517 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:46,360 reconstruction with omitted words supplied. The first read whip, noise, prey, 518 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:52,199 robbery, lies, city, woe, horse, wheel rattling, darkness, 519 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:59,079 day, chariot, mountain, mourning, darkness, cloud, gloominess, flame 520 00:34:59,559 --> 00:35:04,119 them, fire, strong people. Turning to the second paper, I read 521 00:35:04,119 --> 00:35:07,239 out the suggested rendering, woe to the bloody city. It is full of 522 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:12,639 lies and robbery. The prey departeth not the noise of a whip, and 523 00:35:12,679 --> 00:35:15,880 the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses, 524 00:35:15,159 --> 00:35:20,320 and of the jumping chariots. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a 525 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:23,519 day of clouds and of thick darkness. As the mornings spread upon the mountains, 526 00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:29,599 a great people and a strong A fire devoueth before them, and behind 527 00:35:29,639 --> 00:35:32,719 them a flame burneth. Here the first sheet ended, and as I laid 528 00:35:32,719 --> 00:35:37,920 it down, Thorndyke looked at me inquiringly. There is a good deal of 529 00:35:37,960 --> 00:35:42,519 reconstruction in proportion to the original matter, I objected. The professor has supplied 530 00:35:42,760 --> 00:35:46,960 more than three quarters of the final rendering exactly burst in the superintendent. It's 531 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:51,800 all, Professor, and no cryptogram. Still, I think the reading is 532 00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:54,360 correct, said Thorndyke. As far as it goes, that is good, 533 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:59,079 Lord, exclaimed the dismayed detective. Do you mean to tell me, sir, 534 00:35:59,199 --> 00:36:00,599 that all that ball our dash is the real meaning of the thing. 535 00:36:01,519 --> 00:36:05,960 I don't say that, replied Thorndyke. I say it is correct as far 536 00:36:05,960 --> 00:36:08,239 as it goes, but I doubt it's being the solution of the cryptogram. 537 00:36:08,840 --> 00:36:13,519 Have you been studying that photograph that I gave you, demanded Miller with sudden 538 00:36:13,519 --> 00:36:16,440 eagerness. I have looked at it, said Thorndyke evasively, but I should 539 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:20,320 like to examine the original if you have it with you, I have, 540 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:23,639 said the detective. Professor Popelbaum sent it back with a solution. You can 541 00:36:23,639 --> 00:36:27,079 have a look at it, though I can't leave it with you without special 542 00:36:27,119 --> 00:36:30,239 authority. He drew the document from his pocket book and handed it to Thorndyke, 543 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:35,079 who took it over to the window and scrutinized it closely. From the 544 00:36:35,079 --> 00:36:37,840 window, he drifted into the adjacent office, closing the door after him, 545 00:36:38,079 --> 00:36:42,760 and presently the sound of a faint explosion told me that he had lighted the 546 00:36:42,800 --> 00:36:47,199 gas fire of course, said Miller, taking up the translation again, disgibricious, 547 00:36:47,199 --> 00:36:51,599 the sort of stuff you might expect from a parcel of crack brained anarchist. 548 00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:54,320 But it doesn't seem to mean anything, not to us, I agreed. 549 00:36:54,519 --> 00:36:59,000 But their phrases may have some prearranged significance. And then there are the 550 00:36:59,079 --> 00:37:02,000 letters between the words. It is possible that they may really form a cipher. 551 00:37:02,679 --> 00:37:06,679 I suggested that to the professor, said Miller, But he wouldn't hear 552 00:37:06,719 --> 00:37:09,519 of it. He is sure they are only dummies. I think he is 553 00:37:09,559 --> 00:37:14,400 probably mistaken, and so I fancy does my colleague. But we shall hear 554 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:16,360 what he has to say presently. Oh I know what he will say, 555 00:37:16,599 --> 00:37:20,519 growled Miller. He will put the thing under the microscope and tell us who 556 00:37:20,559 --> 00:37:22,639 made the paper and what the ink is composed of, and then we shall 557 00:37:22,679 --> 00:37:28,559 be just where we are. The superintendent was evidently deeply depressed. We sat 558 00:37:28,599 --> 00:37:31,679 for some time pondering in silence on the vague sentences of the professor's translation, 559 00:37:32,159 --> 00:37:37,639 until at length thorndyke reappeared, holding the document in his hand. He laid 560 00:37:37,679 --> 00:37:40,320 it quietly on the table by the officer, and then inquired, is this 561 00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:45,440 an official consultation, certainly, replied Miller. I was authorized to consult your 562 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:50,519 respecting the translation, but nothing was said about the original. Still, if 563 00:37:50,559 --> 00:37:52,599 you want it for further study, I will get it for you. No, 564 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:55,679 thank you, said Thorndyke. I have finished with it. My theory 565 00:37:55,760 --> 00:38:00,960 turned out to be correct. Your theory, exclaimed the asuperre intended eagerly. 566 00:38:00,159 --> 00:38:04,920 Do you mean to say? And as you are consulting me officially, I 567 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:07,840 may as well give you this. He held out a sheet of paper, 568 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:10,400 which the detective took from him and began to read. What is this, 569 00:38:10,760 --> 00:38:14,800 he asked, looking up at Thorndyke with a puzzled frown. Where did it 570 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:19,239 come from? It is the solution of the cryptogram, replied Thorndyke. The 571 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,360 detective re read the contents of the paper, and, with the frown of 572 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:25,280 perplexity deepening, once more, gazed at my colleague. This is a joke, 573 00:38:25,320 --> 00:38:29,679 sir, You are fooling me, he said, sulkily. Nothing of 574 00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:32,800 the kind, answered Thorndyke. That is the genuine solution. But it is 575 00:38:32,840 --> 00:38:37,000 impossible, exclaimed Miller. Just look at it, doctor Jervis. I took 576 00:38:37,039 --> 00:38:39,840 the paper from his hand, and as I glanced at it, I had 577 00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:45,519 no difficulty in understanding his surprise. It bore a short inscription in printed Roman 578 00:38:45,559 --> 00:38:50,760 capitals. Thus the pickerdilly stuff is up to Chimbley for sixteen Warder Street, 579 00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:54,239 second floor back. It was hid because of old Moki's Jewde Moki is a 580 00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:59,599 blighter, then that fellow wasn't an anarchist at all, I exclaimed, No, 581 00:39:00,119 --> 00:39:02,280 Miller, he was one of Moki's gang. We suspected Mochi of being 582 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:06,079 mixed up with that job, but we couldn't fix it on him. By 583 00:39:06,280 --> 00:39:08,719 jove, he added, slapping his thigh. If this is right, and 584 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:12,400 I can lay my hands on the loop, can you lend me a bag? 585 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:15,119 Doctor, I'm off to Warder Street this very moment. We furnished him 586 00:39:15,159 --> 00:39:19,599 with an empty suit case, and from the window watched him making for Miter 587 00:39:19,760 --> 00:39:22,960 Court at a smart double. I wonder if he will find the booty, 588 00:39:22,039 --> 00:39:25,760 said Thorndyke. It just depends on whether the hiding place was known to more 589 00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:29,800 than one of the gang. Well, it has been a quaint case and 590 00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:34,400 instructive too. I suspect our friend Barton and the evasive Schoenberg were the collaborators 591 00:39:34,440 --> 00:39:37,639 who produced that curiosity of literature. May I ask how you deciphered the thing? 592 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:42,119 I said, it didn't appear to take long. It didn't. It 593 00:39:42,199 --> 00:39:45,760 was merely a matter of testing a hypothesis. And you ought not to have 594 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:49,400 to ask that question, he added, with marked severity, seeing that you 595 00:39:49,519 --> 00:39:52,800 had what turned out to have been all the necessary facts two days ago. 596 00:39:52,039 --> 00:39:58,199 But I will prepare a document and demonstrate to you tomorrow morning. So Miller 597 00:39:58,239 --> 00:40:00,719 was successful at his quest, said Thorndyke. As we smoked our morning pipes 598 00:40:00,760 --> 00:40:05,079 after breakfast, the entire swag, as he calls it, was up the 599 00:40:05,159 --> 00:40:08,320 chimbly undisturbed. He handed me a note which had been left with the empty 600 00:40:08,320 --> 00:40:13,159 suit case by a messenger shortly before, and I was about to read it 601 00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:15,920 when an agitated knock was heard at our door. The visitor, whom I 602 00:40:15,960 --> 00:40:21,039 admitted, was a rather haggard and disheveled, elderly gentleman, who, as 603 00:40:21,039 --> 00:40:24,519 he entered, peered inquisitively through his concave spectacles from one of us to the 604 00:40:24,519 --> 00:40:29,079 other. Allow me to introduce myself, gentlemen, he said, I am 605 00:40:29,119 --> 00:40:34,960 Professor Poppelbaum. Thorndyke bowed and offered a chair. I called. Yesterday afternoon, 606 00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:38,559 our visitor continued at Scotland Yard, where I heard of your remarkable decipherment 607 00:40:38,639 --> 00:40:44,199 and of the convincing proof of its correctness. Thereupon I borrowed the cryptogram and 608 00:40:44,239 --> 00:40:46,760 have spent the entire night in studying it. But I cannot connect your solution 609 00:40:46,960 --> 00:40:51,199 with any of the characters. I wonder if you would do me the great 610 00:40:51,239 --> 00:40:54,159 favor of enlightening me as to your method of decipherment, and so save me 611 00:40:54,199 --> 00:40:59,760 further sleepless nights. You may rely on my discretion. Have you the document 612 00:40:59,760 --> 00:41:02,840 with which you asked Thorndyke? The professor produced it from his pocket book and 613 00:41:02,920 --> 00:41:07,679 passed it to my colleague, You, observe, professor, said the latter, 614 00:41:07,960 --> 00:41:10,239 that this is a laid paper and has no water mark. Yes, 615 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:15,360 I noticed that, and that the writing is an indelible Chinese ink. Yes, 616 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:19,280 yes, said the savant impatiently. But it is the inscription that interests 617 00:41:19,320 --> 00:41:22,440 me, not the paper in ink, precisely, said Thorndyke. Now it 618 00:41:22,519 --> 00:41:25,679 was the ink that interested me when I caught a glimpse of the document three 619 00:41:25,760 --> 00:41:30,199 days ago. Why, I asked myself, should anyone use this troublesome medium. 620 00:41:30,559 --> 00:41:34,679 For this appears to be stick ink when good writing ink is to be 621 00:41:34,719 --> 00:41:38,599 had. What advantages has Chinese ink over writing ink? It has several advantages 622 00:41:38,599 --> 00:41:43,280 as a drawing ink, but for writing purposes it has only one. It 623 00:41:43,320 --> 00:41:46,599 is quite unaffected by wet. The obvious inference, then, was that this 624 00:41:46,679 --> 00:41:52,119 document was for some reason likely to be exposed to wet. But this inference 625 00:41:52,159 --> 00:41:57,400 instantly suggested another, which I was yesterday able to test. Thus he filled 626 00:41:57,400 --> 00:42:00,639 a tumbler with water, and, rolling up the document, dropped it in. 627 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:04,400 Immediately there began to appear on it a new set of characters of a 628 00:42:04,440 --> 00:42:07,519 curious gray color. In a few seconds, Thorndyke lifted out the wet paper 629 00:42:07,880 --> 00:42:12,320 and held it up to the light. Now there was plainly visible an inscription 630 00:42:12,440 --> 00:42:15,679 in transparent lettering, like a very distinct water mark. It was printed in 631 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:21,400 Roman capitals, written across the other writing, and read the pickerdilly stuff is 632 00:42:21,480 --> 00:42:24,599 up the chimbly four one sixth Warder Street, second floor back. It was 633 00:42:24,679 --> 00:42:30,639 hid because of old Moki's Jewde Moky is a blighter. The professor regarded the 634 00:42:30,639 --> 00:42:35,639 inscription with profound disfavor. How do you suppose this was done, he asked 635 00:42:35,639 --> 00:42:38,320 gloomily. I will show you, said Thorndyke. I have prepared a piece 636 00:42:38,320 --> 00:42:43,119 of paper to demonstrate the process to doctor Jervis. It is exceedingly simple. 637 00:42:44,079 --> 00:42:46,719 He fetched from the office a small plate of glass and a photographic dish, 638 00:42:46,880 --> 00:42:52,039 in which a piece of thin note paper was soaking in water. This paper, 639 00:42:52,199 --> 00:42:54,119 said Thorndyke, lifting it out and laying it on the glass, has 640 00:42:54,119 --> 00:42:58,840 been soaking all night and is now quite pulpy. He spread a dry sheet 641 00:42:58,880 --> 00:43:01,000 of paper over the wet one, and on the former wrote heavily with a 642 00:43:01,039 --> 00:43:05,920 hard pencil, Moky is a blighter. On lifting the upper sheet, the 643 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:08,159 writing was seen to be transferred in a deep gray to the wet paper, 644 00:43:08,519 --> 00:43:12,679 and when the latter was held up to the light, the inscription stood out 645 00:43:12,679 --> 00:43:15,719 clear and transparent, as if written with oil. When this dries, said 646 00:43:15,719 --> 00:43:21,039 Thorndyke, the writing will completely disappear, but it will reappear whenever the paper 647 00:43:21,119 --> 00:43:25,599 is again wetted. The professor nodded. Very ingenious, said he A sort 648 00:43:25,599 --> 00:43:30,639 of artificial palump set in fact. But I do not understand how that illiterate 649 00:43:30,679 --> 00:43:34,800 man could have written in the difficult Moabite script. He did not, said 650 00:43:34,840 --> 00:43:37,760 Thorndyke. The cryptogram was probably written by one of the leaders of the gang, 651 00:43:37,920 --> 00:43:43,159 who no doubt supplied copies to the other members to use instead of blank 652 00:43:43,159 --> 00:43:47,320 paper for secret communications. The object of the Moabite writing was evidently to divert 653 00:43:47,320 --> 00:43:52,880 attention from the paper itself in case the communication fell into the wrong hands. 654 00:43:52,119 --> 00:43:55,559 And I must say it seems to have answered its purpose very well. The 655 00:43:55,559 --> 00:44:00,400 professor started, stung by the sudden recollection of his labors. Yes, he 656 00:44:00,480 --> 00:44:04,880 snorted, but I am a scholar, sir, not a policeman. Every 657 00:44:04,920 --> 00:44:07,639 man to his trade. He snatched up his hat and with a curt good 658 00:44:07,679 --> 00:44:13,480 morning, flung out of the room in dudgeon. Thorndyke laughed softly, Poor 659 00:44:13,559 --> 00:44:16,360 professor, he murmured, our playful friend Barton has much to answer for. 660 00:44:17,079 --> 00:44:21,320 And of the Moabite cipher by R. Austin Freeman