1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:06,080 The Adventure of the Second Stain by Sir Arthur Kernan Doyle. I had intended 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,880 the Adventure of the Abbey Grange to be the last of those exploits of my 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:15,560 friend mister Shollock Holmes which I should ever communicate to the public. This resolution 4 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:19,120 of mine was not due to any lack of material, since I have notes 5 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:23,000 of many hundreds of cases to which I have never alluded, nor was it 6 00:00:23,039 --> 00:00:27,239 caused by any waning interest on the part of my readers in the singular personality 7 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:32,560 and unique methods of this remarkable man. The real reason lay in the reluctance 8 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:37,920 which mister Holmes has shown to the continued publication of his experiences. So long 9 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:41,840 as he was in actual professional practice, the records of his successes were of 10 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:47,000 some practical value to him. But since he has definitely retired from London and 11 00:00:47,039 --> 00:00:52,399 betaken himself to study and bee farming on the Sussex Downs, notoriety has become 12 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:56,880 hateful to him, and he has peremptorily requested that his wishes in this matter 13 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:00,840 should be strictly observed. It was only upon my representing to him that I 14 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:06,040 had given a promise that the adventure of the second stain should be published when 15 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,079 the times were ripe, and pointing out to him that it is only appropriate 16 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:15,400 that this long series of episodes should culminate in the most important international case which 17 00:01:15,439 --> 00:01:19,560 he has ever been called upon to handle, that I at last succeeded in 18 00:01:19,599 --> 00:01:23,519 obtaining his consent that a carefully guarded account of the incident should at last be 19 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:29,280 laid before the public. If in telling the story I seem to be somewhat 20 00:01:29,359 --> 00:01:34,159 vague in certain details, the public will readily understand that there is an excellent 21 00:01:34,239 --> 00:01:38,760 reason for my reticence. It was then, in a year, and even 22 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:44,120 in a decade that shall be nameless, that upon one Tuesday morning in autumn, 23 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:48,280 we found two visitors of European fame within the walls of our humble room 24 00:01:48,359 --> 00:01:53,560 in Baker Street. The one, austere, high nosed, eagle eyed and 25 00:01:53,599 --> 00:01:59,719 dominant, was none other than the illustrious Lord Bedinger, twice Premier of Britain. 26 00:02:00,879 --> 00:02:05,079 The other, dark, clear cut and elegant, hardly yet of middle 27 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,039 age, and endowed with every beauty of body and of mind, was the 28 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:14,800 right Honorable Trelawny Hope, Secretary for European Affairs, and the most rising statesman 29 00:02:14,879 --> 00:02:20,439 in the country. They sat side by side upon our paper littered settee, 30 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,360 and it was easy to see from their worn and anxious faces that it was 31 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:29,479 business of the most pressing importance which had brought them. The Premiere's thin, 32 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:34,199 blue veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head of his umbrella, and 33 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:38,400 his gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily from homes to me. The European of 34 00:02:38,439 --> 00:02:44,120 Secretary pulled nervously at his mustache and fidgeted with the seals of his watch chain. 35 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:47,520 When I discovered my lost, mister Holmes, which was at eight o'clock 36 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:51,960 this morning, I at once informed of the Primer Minister. It was at 37 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:57,080 his suggestion that we have both come to you. Have you informed the police? 38 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,000 No, sir, said the Prime Minister, with a quick, decisive 39 00:03:00,159 --> 00:03:02,120 manner for which he was famous. We have not done so, nor is 40 00:03:02,159 --> 00:03:06,719 it possible that we should do so. To inform the police must, in 41 00:03:06,759 --> 00:03:10,080 the long run mean to inform the public. This is what we particularly desire 42 00:03:10,159 --> 00:03:16,199 to avoid, And why, sir, Because the documenting question of such immense 43 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:22,360 importance that its publication might very easily, I might almost say, probably lead 44 00:03:22,479 --> 00:03:27,039 to European complications of the utmost moment. It is not too much to say 45 00:03:27,039 --> 00:03:30,400 that peace or war may hang upon the issue. Unless its recovery can be 46 00:03:30,439 --> 00:03:35,240 attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be recovered at 47 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,960 all. For all that is aimed at by those who have taken it is 48 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:44,639 that its contents should be generally known. I understand now, mister Trelawney, 49 00:03:44,639 --> 00:03:47,280 hope, I shall be most obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances 50 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:52,800 under which this document disappeared. That commit done in a very few words, 51 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,879 mister Holmes. The letter for it was a letter from a foreign potentate was 52 00:03:55,919 --> 00:04:00,120 received six days ago. It was of such important that I have never left 53 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,919 it in my safe, but have taken it across each evening to my house 54 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:08,360 in Whitehall Terrace and kept it in my bedroom in a locked despatch box. 55 00:04:09,199 --> 00:04:14,080 It was there last night of that I am certain. I actually opened the 56 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,600 box while I was dressing for dinner and saw the document inside. This morning 57 00:04:18,199 --> 00:04:23,800 it was gone. The despatch box had stood upside the glass upon my dressing 58 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,560 table all night. I am a light sleeper, and so is my wife. 59 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,680 We are both prepared to swear that no one could have entered the room 60 00:04:30,759 --> 00:04:35,319 during the night. Yet I repeat, the paper is gone, and what 61 00:04:35,439 --> 00:04:40,639 time did you dine? Half past seven? How long was it before you 62 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:44,360 went to bed? My wife had gone to the theater. I waited up 63 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:46,120 for her. It was half past eleven before we went to our room. 64 00:04:47,439 --> 00:04:54,079 Then for four hours the despatch box had lain unguarded. No one is ever 65 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:58,040 permitted to enter that room save the housemaid in the morning, and my valet 66 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,000 or my wife's maid during the rest of the day. They are both trusty 67 00:05:01,079 --> 00:05:04,839 servants who have been with us for some time. Besides, neither of them 68 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:10,040 could possibly have known that there was anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental papers 69 00:05:10,079 --> 00:05:14,120 in my despatch box. Who did know of the existence of that letter? 70 00:05:15,199 --> 00:05:18,120 No one in the house. Surely your wife knew. No, Sir, 71 00:05:18,639 --> 00:05:21,279 I had said nothing to my wife until I missed the paper this morning. 72 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:28,519 The Premier nodded approvingly. I have long known, sir. How high is 73 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,480 your sense of public duty? Said he. I am convinced that in the 74 00:05:31,519 --> 00:05:35,319 case of a secret of this importance it it would arise superior to the most 75 00:05:35,319 --> 00:05:42,759 intimate domestic ties. The European secretary bowed. You do me no more than 76 00:05:42,879 --> 00:05:46,560 justice, Sir. Until this morning, I have never breathed one word to 77 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:50,639 my wife upon this matter. Could she have guessed? No, mister Homes 78 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:55,040 She could not have guessed, nor could any one have guessed. Have you 79 00:05:55,199 --> 00:06:00,199 lost any documents before? No, sir, Who is there in England who 80 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,199 did know the existence of this letter? Each member of the Cabinet was informed 81 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:09,079 of it yesterday, But the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting was 82 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:13,600 increased by the solemn warning which was given by the Prime Minister. Could heavens 83 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:18,079 to think that within a few hours I should myself have lost it? His 84 00:06:18,199 --> 00:06:23,199 handsome face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his hands tore at 85 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:26,879 his hair. For a moment we caught a glimpse of the natural man, 86 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:32,879 impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive. The next the aristocratic mask was replaced and 87 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:38,240 the gentle voice had returned. Besides the member of the cabinet, there are 88 00:06:38,319 --> 00:06:43,120 two or possibly three departmental officials who knew of the letter. No one else 89 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:47,399 in England, mister Holmes, I assure you, But abroad I believe that 90 00:06:47,439 --> 00:06:50,879 no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am 91 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:56,839 well convinced that his ministers that the usual official channels have not been employed. 92 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:02,839 Holmes considered for some little time. Now, Sir, I must ask you 93 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:08,639 more particularly what this document is and why its disappearance such of some such momentous 94 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:15,680 consequences. The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance, and the premiere's shaggy eyebrows 95 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:19,040 gathered in a frown. Mister Holmes that the envelope is a long, thin 96 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:23,879 one of pale blue color. There is a seal of red wax stamped with 97 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:27,920 a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to it. 98 00:07:28,279 --> 00:07:30,839 I fear, sir, said Holmes, that interesting, in indeed essential, 99 00:07:30,879 --> 00:07:35,000 as these details are, my inquiries must go more to the root of things. 100 00:07:35,439 --> 00:07:42,199 What was the latter? That is a state secret of the utmost importance, 101 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,800 And I fear that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that 102 00:07:44,839 --> 00:07:47,360 it is necessary. If by the aid of the pas which you are said 103 00:07:47,439 --> 00:07:50,199 to possess, you can find such an envelope as I describe, with its 104 00:07:50,279 --> 00:07:55,160 enclosure, you will have deserved well of your country and earned any reward which 105 00:07:55,160 --> 00:08:01,160 it lies in our power to bestow Sharlock holmbs rose the smile. You are 106 00:08:01,199 --> 00:08:03,800 two of the most busy men in the country, said he, And in 107 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:07,120 my own small way, I have also a good many calls upon me. 108 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,000 I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any continuation 109 00:08:13,079 --> 00:08:18,000 of this interview would be a waste of time. The Premier sprang to his 110 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,439 feet with that quick, fierce gleam of his deep set eyes before which a 111 00:08:20,519 --> 00:08:26,560 cabinet has cowered. I am not accustomed, sir, he began, but 112 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,920 mastered his anger and resumed his seat. For a minute or more, we 113 00:08:30,959 --> 00:08:37,080 all sat in silence. Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders. We must 114 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,320 accept your terms, mister Holmes. No doubt you are right, and it 115 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:43,799 is unreasonable for us to expect you to act unless we give you our entire 116 00:08:43,879 --> 00:08:50,159 confidence. I agree with you, said the younger statesman. Then I will 117 00:08:50,159 --> 00:08:52,679 tell you retire, lying entirely upon your honor and that of your colleague, 118 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:56,039 doctor Watson. I may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not 119 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,559 imagine a greater misfortune for the country than that this affair should come out. 120 00:09:01,799 --> 00:09:07,639 You may safely trust us The letter, then, is from a certain foreign 121 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:11,759 POTENTATORO has been ruffled by some recent colonial developments of this country. It has 122 00:09:11,799 --> 00:09:16,759 been written hurriedly, and upon his own responsibility entirely. Inquires have shown that 123 00:09:16,759 --> 00:09:20,799 his ministers know nothing of the matter. At the same time, it is 124 00:09:20,879 --> 00:09:26,200 couched in so unfortunate a manner, and certain phrases in it are of so 125 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:31,399 provocative a character, that its publication would undoubtedly lead to a most dangerous state 126 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:35,480 of feeling in this country. There would be such a firment, sir, 127 00:09:35,799 --> 00:09:37,679 that I do not hesitate to say that within a week of the publication of 128 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:46,399 that letter, this country would be involved in a great war. Holmes wrote 129 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:50,279 a name upon a slip of paper and handed it to the premiere. Exactly 130 00:09:50,399 --> 00:09:54,159 it was he, And it is this letter, this letter, which may 131 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:58,639 well mean the expenditure of a thousand millions and the lives of a hundred thousand 132 00:09:58,639 --> 00:10:05,399 men, which has become lost in this unaccountable fashion. Have you informed of 133 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:11,240 the sender? Yes, sir, cipher telegram has been dispatched. Perhaps he 134 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:15,799 desires the publication of the letter. No, sir, we have strong reason 135 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:18,759 to believe that he already understands that he is acted in an indiscreet and hot 136 00:10:18,799 --> 00:10:22,600 headed manner. It would be a greater blow to him and to his country 137 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,919 than to us if this letter were to come out. If this is so, 138 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:31,320 whose interest is it that the letter should come out? Why should any 139 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,559 one desire to steal it or to publish it? There, mister Holmes, 140 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:41,840 you take me into regions of high international politics. But if you consider the 141 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:46,279 European situation, you will have no difficulty in perceiving the motive. The whole 142 00:10:46,279 --> 00:10:50,639 of Europe is an armed camp. There is a double league which makes a 143 00:10:50,639 --> 00:10:56,120 fair balance of military power. Great Britain holds the scales. If Britain were 144 00:10:56,159 --> 00:11:01,000 driven into war with one confederacy, it was sure the supremacy the other confederacy, 145 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:05,559 whether they john in the war or not. Do you follow very clearly? 146 00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:09,000 It is then the interest of the enemies of this potentate to secure and 147 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:13,679 publish this letter, so as to make a breach between his country and ours, 148 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,759 Yes, sir, And to whom would this document be sent if it 149 00:11:18,799 --> 00:11:22,320 fell into the hands of an enemy, to any of the great chancellories of 150 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:26,080 Europe. It is probably speeding on its way thither. At the present instant, 151 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:31,679 as fast as steam can take it. Mister Trelawney. Hope dropped his 152 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:37,000 head on his chest and groaned aloud. The premiere placed his hand kindly upon 153 00:11:37,039 --> 00:11:41,639 his shoulder. It is your misfortune, my dear Fedo. No one can 154 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:46,399 blain you. There is no precaution which you have neglected. Now, mister 155 00:11:46,399 --> 00:11:48,559 Holmes, you are in full possession of the facts. What course do you 156 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:56,279 recommend? Holmes shook his head mournfully. You think, sir, that unless 157 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,919 this document is recovered, there will be war? I think it is very 158 00:12:00,919 --> 00:12:07,320 probable, then, sir, prepare for war. That is a hard saying, 159 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:11,039 mister Holmes. Consider the fact, sir. It is inconceivable that it 160 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,679 was taken after eleven thirty at night, since I understand that mister Hope and 161 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,600 his wife were both in the room from that hour until the loss was found 162 00:12:18,600 --> 00:12:24,320 out. It was taken then yesterday evening between seven thirty and eleven thirty, 163 00:12:24,919 --> 00:12:28,639 probably near the earlier hour. Since whoever took it evidently knew that it was 164 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,799 there, it would naturally secure it as early as possible. Now, sir, 165 00:12:33,279 --> 00:12:35,600 if a document of this importance were taken at that hour, where can 166 00:12:35,639 --> 00:12:39,799 it be now? No one has any reason to retain it. It has 167 00:12:39,799 --> 00:12:43,879 been passed rapidly on to those who need it. What chance have we now 168 00:12:43,919 --> 00:12:48,639 to overtake it, or even to trace it? It is beyond our reach. 169 00:12:50,039 --> 00:12:54,879 The Prime Minister rose from the city. What you say is perfectly logical, 170 00:12:54,919 --> 00:12:58,200 mister Holmes, I feel that the matter is indeed out of our hands. 171 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:03,600 Let us presume, for argument's sake, that the document was taken by 172 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,159 the maid or by the valet. They are both old and tried servants. 173 00:13:09,039 --> 00:13:11,200 I understand you to say that your room is on the second floor, that 174 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:16,039 there is no entrance from without, and that from within no one could go 175 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:20,799 up unobserved. It must then be somebody in the house who has taken it. 176 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:24,720 To whom would the thief take it to? One of several international spies 177 00:13:24,759 --> 00:13:30,720 and secret agents whose names are tolerably familiar to me. There are three who 178 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,080 may be said to be the heads of their profession. I will begin my 179 00:13:33,159 --> 00:13:37,639 research by going round and finding if each of them is at his post. 180 00:13:37,039 --> 00:13:41,000 If one is missing, especially if he has disappeared since last night, we 181 00:13:41,039 --> 00:13:46,320 will have some indication as to where the document has gone. Why should he 182 00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:50,320 be missing? Asked the European Secretary. He would take the letter to an 183 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:56,000 embassy in London as likely as not. I fancy not. These agents work 184 00:13:56,039 --> 00:14:01,679 independently and their relations with the embassies are often strained. The Prime Minister nodded 185 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:07,480 his acquiescence. I believe you are right, mister Holmes. He would take 186 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:11,919 so valuable a prize to headquarters with his own hands. I think that your 187 00:14:11,919 --> 00:14:16,559 course of action is an excellent one. Meanwhile, hope we cannot neglect all 188 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:20,720 our other duties on account of this one misfortune. Should there be any fresh 189 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:22,360 developments during the day, we shall communicate with you, and you will know. 190 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:28,039 Nowt let us know the results of your own inquiries. The two statesmen 191 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:35,440 bowed and walked gravely from the room. When our illustrious visitors had departed, 192 00:14:35,519 --> 00:14:37,919 Holmes lit his pipe in silence and sat for some time, lost in the 193 00:14:37,919 --> 00:14:43,960 deepest thought. I had opened the morning paper and was immersed in a sensational 194 00:14:43,039 --> 00:14:48,679 crime which occurred in London the night before. When my friend gave an exclamation, 195 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,720 sprang to his feet and laid his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Yes, 196 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,639 said he, there is no better way of approaching it. The situation 197 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,960 is desperate, but not hopeless. Even now, if we could be sh 198 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,000 which of them has taken it? It is just possible that is not yet 199 00:15:03,039 --> 00:15:07,440 passed out of his hands. After all, it is a question of money 200 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,080 with these fellows, and I have the British Treasury behind me. If it's 201 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:15,320 on the market, I'll buy it. If he means another penny on the 202 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:18,879 income tax, it is conceivable that fellow might hold it back to see what 203 00:15:20,039 --> 00:15:24,879 bids come from this side before he tries his luck on the other. There 204 00:15:24,879 --> 00:15:28,440 are only those three capable of playing so bold a game. There are oberlstein 205 00:15:28,799 --> 00:15:35,279 are off Their and Eduardo Lucas. I was see each of them. I 206 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:41,200 glanced at my morning paper. Is that uh, Eduardo Lucas of Goudofin Street. 207 00:15:41,919 --> 00:15:46,759 Yes, now you will not see him. Why not? He was 208 00:15:46,879 --> 00:15:52,519 murdered in his house last night. My friend has so often astonished me in 209 00:15:52,559 --> 00:15:56,720 the course of our adventures that it was a sense of exultation that I realized 210 00:15:56,720 --> 00:16:00,759 how completely I had astonished him, He said, stared in amazement, and 211 00:16:00,799 --> 00:16:06,360 then snatched the paper from my hands. This was the paragraph which I been 212 00:16:06,399 --> 00:16:12,000 engaged in reading when he rose from his chair. Murder in Westminster a crime 213 00:16:12,039 --> 00:16:15,759 of mysterious character was committed last night at sixteen Godolphin Street, one of the 214 00:16:15,799 --> 00:16:21,480 old fashioned and secluded rows of eighteenth century houses which lie between the river and 215 00:16:21,519 --> 00:16:25,200 the abbey, almost in the shadow of the Great Tower of the Houses of 216 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:30,399 Parliament. This small but select mansion has been inhabited for some years by mister 217 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:34,159 Eduardo Lucas, well known in society's circles, both on account of his charming 218 00:16:34,159 --> 00:16:38,120 personality and because he has the well deserved reputation of being one of the best 219 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:45,000 amateur tenors in the country. Mister Lucas is an unmarried man thirty four years 220 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,559 of age, and his establishment consists of missus Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, 221 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:53,360 and of Mitton, his valet. The former retires early and sleeps at the 222 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,759 top of the house. The valet was out for the evening, visiting a 223 00:16:56,799 --> 00:17:02,679 friend at Hammersmith ten o'clock onward, mister Lucas had the house to himself. 224 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:07,279 What occurred during that time has not yet transpired, but at a quarter to 225 00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:11,440 twelve police Constable Barret, passing along Godolphin Street observed that the door of number 226 00:17:11,519 --> 00:17:18,200 sixteen was ajar. He knocked, but received no answer. Perceiving a light 227 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,359 in the front room, he advanced into the passage and again knocked, but 228 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:26,119 without reply. He then pushed open the door and entered. The room was 229 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,640 in a state of wild disorder, the furniture being all swept to one side, 230 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:33,759 and one chair lying on its back in the center. Beside this chair, 231 00:17:33,839 --> 00:17:37,440 and still grasping one of its legs, lay the unfortunate tenant of the 232 00:17:37,519 --> 00:17:42,079 house. He had been stabbed to the heart and must have died instantly. 233 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:48,680 The knife with which the crime being committed was a curved Indian dagger, plucked 234 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:52,960 down from a trophy of oriental arms which adorned one of the walls. Robbery 235 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,279 does not appear to have been the motive of the crime, for there had 236 00:17:56,279 --> 00:18:00,640 been no attempt to remove the valuable contents of the room. Mister Eduardo Lucas 237 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,960 was so well known and popular that his violent and mysterious fate will arouse painful 238 00:18:06,039 --> 00:18:11,279 interest and intense sympathy in a widespread circle of friends. Well, Watson, 239 00:18:11,319 --> 00:18:15,559 what do you make of this? Asked Holmes, after a long pause. 240 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:21,960 It is an amazing coincidence. Her coincidence here is one of the three men 241 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,640 whom we have named as possible actors in this drama, and he meets a 242 00:18:25,759 --> 00:18:29,839 violent death during the very hours when we know that this drama was being enacted. 243 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,039 The odds are enormous against its being coincidence. No figures could express them. 244 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,640 No, my dear Watson, the two events are connected, must be 245 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:44,200 connected. It is for us to find the connection. But now the official 246 00:18:44,279 --> 00:18:48,119 police must know all, No, not at all, They know all they 247 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:52,720 see at Godolphin Street, they know and shall know nothing of Whitehalled Heras only 248 00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:57,200 we know of both events and contrace the relation between them. There is one 249 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:02,960 obvious point which would in any case of term my suspicions against Lucas. Godolphin 250 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:07,319 Street, Westminster, is only a few minutes walk from Whitehall Terrace. The 251 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:10,759 other secret agents whom I have named, live in the extreme west end. 252 00:19:11,759 --> 00:19:15,000 It was easier therefore, for Lucas than for the others to establish a connection 253 00:19:15,559 --> 00:19:19,359 or receive a message from the European Secretary's household. A small thing, and 254 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:22,640 yet where events are compressed into a few hours, it may prove essential. 255 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:29,839 Helloa, what have we here? Missus Hudson had appeared with a lady's card 256 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:33,960 upon her Salver Holmes glanced at it raised his eyebrows and handed it over to 257 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:38,960 me. Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney, hope if she will be kind enough to 258 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:45,960 step up, said he A moment later. Our modest apartment, already so 259 00:19:45,039 --> 00:19:49,960 distinguished that morning, was further honored by the entrance of the most lovely woman 260 00:19:51,079 --> 00:19:55,680 in London. I had often heard of the beauty of the youngest daughter of 261 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:00,319 the Duke of Bellminster, but no description of it, and no contum plation 262 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:06,400 of colorless photographs had prepared me for the subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful 263 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:11,000 coloring of that exquisite head. And yet as we saw it that autumn morning, 264 00:20:11,039 --> 00:20:14,720 it was not its beauty which would be the first thing to impress the 265 00:20:14,759 --> 00:20:19,160 observer. The cheek was lovely, but it was paled with emotion. The 266 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:23,960 eyes were bright, but it was the brightness of fever. The sensitive mouth 267 00:20:25,079 --> 00:20:30,519 was tight and drawn in an effort after self command. Terror, not beauty, 268 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:36,079 was what sprang first to the eye as our fair visitor stood frame for 269 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:41,480 an instant in the open door. Has my husband been here, mister Holmes, 270 00:20:41,319 --> 00:20:45,599 Yes, madam, he has been here. Mister Holmes. I implore 271 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:51,960 you not to tell him that I came here. Holmes bowed coldly and motioned 272 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:56,079 the lady to a chair. Your ladyship places me in a very delicate position. 273 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:59,920 I beg that you will sit down and tell me what you desire, 274 00:21:00,599 --> 00:21:06,119 but I fear that I cannot make any unconditional promise. She swept across the 275 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:10,559 room and seated herself with her back to the window. It was a queenly 276 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:18,200 presence, tall, graceful, and intensely womanly. Mister Holmes, she said, 277 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:22,599 and her white glove's hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke. I must 278 00:21:22,599 --> 00:21:26,519 speak frankly to you in the hope that it may induce you to speak frankly 279 00:21:26,559 --> 00:21:30,440 to me in return. There is complete confidence between my husband and me, 280 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:36,640 and all matters save one that one is politics. On this his lips are 281 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:41,599 sealed. He tells me nothing. Now. I am aware that there was 282 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:45,319 a most deplorable occurrence in our house last night. I know that a paper 283 00:21:45,319 --> 00:21:49,799 has disappeared, But because the matter is political, my husband refuses to take 284 00:21:49,839 --> 00:21:55,880 me into his complete confidence. Now it is essential, essential, I say 285 00:21:55,920 --> 00:22:00,319 that I should thoroughly understand it. You are the only other person, save 286 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,680 only these politicians who knows the true facts. I beg you, then, 287 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:07,720 mister Holmes, to tell me exactly what has happened and what it will lead 288 00:22:07,759 --> 00:22:11,359 to tell me all, mister Holmes, let no regard for your client's interests 289 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:15,160 keep you silence, for I assure you that his interests, if you would 290 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:19,000 only see it, well be best served by taking me into his complete confidence. 291 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:26,000 What was this paper which was stolen? Madam? What you asked me 292 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:32,920 is really impossible. She groaned and sank her face in her hands. You 293 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,200 must see that this is so, madam. If your husband thinks fit to 294 00:22:36,279 --> 00:22:38,359 keep you in the dark over this matter, is it for me, who 295 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:41,920 has only learned the true facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, to tell 296 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:47,200 what he is withheld? It is not fair to ask it. It is 297 00:22:47,319 --> 00:22:52,240 him whom you must ask. I have asked him. I come to you 298 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:56,640 as a last resource, but without your telling me anything definite. Mister Holmes, 299 00:22:56,079 --> 00:23:00,640 you may do a great service if you would inlighten me on one point. 300 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:07,000 What is it, madam? Is my husband's political career likely to suffer 301 00:23:07,079 --> 00:23:11,279 through this incident? Well, madam. Unless it is set right, it 302 00:23:11,319 --> 00:23:18,559 may certainly have a very unfortunate effect. Ah she drew in her breath sharply, 303 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,799 as one whose doubts are resolved. One more question, mister Holmes, 304 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:27,359 from an expression which my husband dropped in the first shock of this disaster, 305 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:33,039 I understand that terrible public consequences might arise from the loss of this document. 306 00:23:36,319 --> 00:23:40,920 If he said so, I certainly cannot deny it. Of what nature are 307 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,240 they? Nay, Madam, there again you ask me more than I can 308 00:23:44,279 --> 00:23:48,119 possibly answer. Then I will take up no more of your time. I 309 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,440 cannot blame you, mister Holmes, for having refused to speak more freely, 310 00:23:52,319 --> 00:23:55,440 and you, on your side, will not, I am sure think the 311 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:59,279 worst of me, because I desire, even against his will, to share 312 00:23:59,279 --> 00:24:03,319 my husband's answer. Once more, I beg that you will say nothing of 313 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:08,599 my visit. She looked back at us from the door, and I had 314 00:24:08,599 --> 00:24:14,440 a last impression of that beautiful, haunted face, the startled eyes, then 315 00:24:14,519 --> 00:24:19,359 the draw mouth. Then she was gone. Now, Watson, the fair 316 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:23,920 Sex is your department, said Holmes with a smile, when the dwindling throofrew 317 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:27,880 of skirts had ended in the slam at the front door. What was the 318 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:33,440 fair lady's game? What did she really want? Surely her own statement is 319 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:37,039 clear, and her anxiety very natural. Humph. Think of her appearance, 320 00:24:37,079 --> 00:24:41,079 Watson, and her manner, her suppressed excitement, he now restlessness, her 321 00:24:41,079 --> 00:24:45,200 tenacity in asking questions. Remember that she comes of a caste who do not 322 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:52,400 likely show emotion. She was certainly much moved. Remember was the curious earnestness 323 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,079 with which she assured us that it was best for her husband that she should 324 00:24:56,119 --> 00:25:00,119 know all. What did she mean by that? And you must to have 325 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:03,599 observed, Watson, how she maneuvered to have the light at her back. 326 00:25:03,079 --> 00:25:07,640 She did not wish us to read her expression. Yes, she she chose 327 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:12,599 the only chair in the room and getting the maatives of women are so inscrutable. 328 00:25:14,559 --> 00:25:17,960 You remember the woman at Margate whom I suspected for the same reason no 329 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:22,319 powder on her nose. That proved to be the correct solution. How can 330 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:26,200 you build on such a quicksand their most trivial action may mean volumes, or 331 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:32,839 their most extraordinary conduct made upon a hairpin or curling tongs. Good morning, 332 00:25:32,839 --> 00:25:37,279 Watson, you're off? Yes, I will a while away the morning at 333 00:25:37,279 --> 00:25:41,319 Goudopin Street with our friends of the regular Establishment, with Eduardo Lucas. Lies 334 00:25:41,319 --> 00:25:45,640 the solution of our problem, though I must admit that I have not an 335 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:48,799 inkling as to what form it may take. It is a capital mistake to 336 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:52,519 theorize in advance of the facts. Do you stay on guard, my good 337 00:25:52,519 --> 00:25:56,920 Watson, and receive any fresh visitors. I'll join you at lunch if I 338 00:25:56,920 --> 00:26:03,480 am able. All that day and the next and the next Holmes was in 339 00:26:03,519 --> 00:26:08,440 a mood which his friends would call taciturn and others morose. He ran out 340 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:14,240 and ran in, smoked, incessantly played snatches on his violins, sank into 341 00:26:14,279 --> 00:26:18,960 reveries, devarred sandwidges at irregular hours, and hardly answered the casual questions which 342 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:23,000 I put to him. It was evident to me that things were not going 343 00:26:23,039 --> 00:26:26,759 well with him or his quest. He would say nothing of the case, 344 00:26:26,799 --> 00:26:30,039 and it was from the papers that I learned the particulars of the inquest and 345 00:26:30,079 --> 00:26:34,000 the arrests. With the subsequent release of John Mitton, the valet of the 346 00:26:34,039 --> 00:26:41,559 deceased, the coroner's jury brought in the obvious wilful murder, but the parties 347 00:26:41,599 --> 00:26:45,960 remained as unknown. As ever, no motive was suggested. The room was 348 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:49,640 full of articles of value, but none had been taken. The dead man's 349 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:53,160 papers had not been tampered with. They were carefully examined and showed that he 350 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:59,880 was a keen student of international politics, an interfatigable gossip, a remarkable linguist, 351 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:04,039 and an entiring letter writer. He had been on intimate terms with the 352 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:10,519 leading politicians of several countries, but nothing sensational was discovered among the documents which 353 00:27:10,519 --> 00:27:15,400 filled his drawers. As to his relations with women, they appeared to have 354 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:21,119 been promiscuous but superficial. He had many acquaintances among them, but few friends, 355 00:27:21,599 --> 00:27:25,920 and no one whom he loved. His habits were regular, his conduct 356 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:33,279 inoffensive. His death was an absolute mystery and likely to remain so. As 357 00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:37,960 to the arrest of John mitton the valet, it was a council of despair 358 00:27:37,079 --> 00:27:41,839 as an alternative to absolute inaction, but no case could be sustained against him. 359 00:27:42,599 --> 00:27:47,599 He had visited friends in Hammersmith that night. The alibi was complete. 360 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:51,359 It is true that he started home at an hour which should have brought him 361 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:55,559 to Westminster before the time when the crime was discovered, but his own explanation 362 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:57,839 that he had walked part of the way seemed probable enough in view of the 363 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:03,200 fineness of the night. He had actually arrived at twelve o'clock and appeared to 364 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:08,039 be overwhelmed by the unexpected tragedy. He had always been on good terms with 365 00:28:08,079 --> 00:28:14,400 his master. Several of the dead man's possessions, notably a small case of 366 00:28:14,519 --> 00:28:18,799 razors, had been found in the valet's boxes, but he explained that they 367 00:28:18,839 --> 00:28:22,799 had been presents from the deceased, and the housekeeper was able to corroborate the 368 00:28:22,839 --> 00:28:27,440 story. Mitten had been in Lucas's employment for three years. It was noticeable 369 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:32,559 that Lucas did not take Mitton on the content with him. Sometimes he visited 370 00:28:32,559 --> 00:28:36,000 Paris for three months on end, but Mitton was left in charge of the 371 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:41,559 Godolphin Street house. As to the housekeeper, she had heard nothing on the 372 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:45,759 night of the crime. If her master had a visitor, he had himself 373 00:28:45,759 --> 00:28:52,359 admitted him. So for three mornings the mystery remained so far as I could 374 00:28:52,359 --> 00:28:56,440 follow it in the papers. If Holmes knew more, he kept his own 375 00:28:56,480 --> 00:29:00,400 counsel. But since he told me that Inspector Lestrade take him into his confidence 376 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:04,519 in the case, I knew that he was in close touch with every development. 377 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:11,039 Upon the fourth day there appeared a long telegram from Paris which seemed to 378 00:29:11,079 --> 00:29:17,440 solve the whole question. A discovery had just been made by the Parisian police, 379 00:29:18,119 --> 00:29:22,119 said the Daily Telegraph, which raises the veil which hung round the tragic 380 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:26,079 fate of mister Eduardo Lucas, who met his death by violence last Monday night 381 00:29:26,079 --> 00:29:30,880 at Godolphin Street, Westminster. Our readers will remember that the deceased gentleman was 382 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:33,200 found stabbed in his room, and that some suspicion attached to his valet, 383 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:38,640 but that the case broke down on an alibi. Yesterday, a lady who 384 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:42,960 has been known as Madame Auri Fourney, occupying a small villa in the Rue 385 00:29:44,039 --> 00:29:48,920 Austerlitz, was reported to the authorities by her servants as being insane. An 386 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:53,920 examination showed she had indeed developed mania of a dangerous and per permanent form. 387 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:59,440 On inquiry, the Piece of discovered that Madame Auurri fournee only returned from a 388 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:03,720 journey to life London on Tuesday last and there is evidence to connect her with 389 00:30:03,759 --> 00:30:10,839 the crime at Westminster. A comparison of photographs has proved conclusively that Monsieur Ornifornee 390 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:15,559 and Edeodo Luccas were really one and the same person, and that the deceased 391 00:30:15,559 --> 00:30:22,200 had for some reason lived a double life in London and Paris. Madame Fournee, 392 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:26,400 who is of Creole origin, is of an extremely excitable nature, and 393 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:30,759 has suffered in the past from attacks of jealousy which have amounted to frenzy. 394 00:30:30,079 --> 00:30:33,559 It is conjectured that it was in one of these that she committed the terrible 395 00:30:33,599 --> 00:30:38,200 crime which has caused such a sensation in London. Her movements upon the Monday 396 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:42,240 night have not yet been traced, but it is undoubted that a woman answering 397 00:30:42,319 --> 00:30:48,680 to her description attracted much attention at Charing Cross station on Tuesday morning by the 398 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:52,640 wildness of her appearance and the violence of her gestures. It is probable, 399 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:56,519 therefore, that the crime was either committed when insane, or that its immediate 400 00:30:56,559 --> 00:31:02,279 effect was to drive the unhappy woman out of her mind. At present, 401 00:31:02,319 --> 00:31:04,279 she is unable to give any care here on account of the past, and 402 00:31:04,319 --> 00:31:10,000 the doctors hold out no hopes of the re establishment of her reason. There 403 00:31:10,079 --> 00:31:12,440 is it, ever, evidence that a woman who might have been Madame Fourney 404 00:31:14,119 --> 00:31:19,599 was seen for some hours upon Monday night watching the house in Goernolphin Street. 405 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,440 What do you think of that? Holmes? I read the account aloud to 406 00:31:23,519 --> 00:31:29,240 him, when he finished his breakfast. My dear Watson, said he as 407 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:32,319 he rose from the table and paced up and down the room. You are 408 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:34,200 most long suffering. But if I have told you nothing in the last three 409 00:31:34,279 --> 00:31:37,559 days, it is because there is nothing to tell. Even now. This 410 00:31:37,599 --> 00:31:42,519 report from Paris does not help us much. Surely it is final as regards 411 00:31:42,519 --> 00:31:48,720 the man's death. The man's death is a mere incident of a trivial episode 412 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:52,519 in comparison with our real task, which is to trace this document and saving 413 00:31:52,559 --> 00:31:56,359 European catastrophe. Only one important thing has happened in the last three days, 414 00:31:56,920 --> 00:32:00,759 and that is that nothing has happened. I get reports al miss ardy from 415 00:32:00,759 --> 00:32:04,880 the government, and it is certain that nowhere in Europe is there any sign 416 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:07,440 of trouble. Now, if this letter were loose, no it can't be 417 00:32:07,519 --> 00:32:12,279 loose. But if it isn't loose, where can it be? Who has 418 00:32:12,319 --> 00:32:15,920 it? Why is it held back? That's the question that beats in my 419 00:32:15,960 --> 00:32:21,480 brain like a hammer. Was it indeed a coincident that Lucas should meet his 420 00:32:21,559 --> 00:32:24,359 death on the night when the letter disappeared? Did the letter ever reach him? 421 00:32:25,279 --> 00:32:30,559 If so, why is it not among his papers? Did this mad 422 00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:34,480 wife of his carry it off with her. If so is it in her 423 00:32:34,519 --> 00:32:37,640 house in Paris, how could I search for it without the French police having 424 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:42,920 their suspicions arouse. It is a case, my dear Watson, where the 425 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:46,279 law is as dangerous to us as the criminals are. Every man's hand is 426 00:32:46,319 --> 00:32:51,400 against us, and yet the interests at stake are colossal. Should I bring 427 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:54,400 it to a successful conclusion, it will certainly represent the crowning lorry of my 428 00:32:54,480 --> 00:33:00,839 career. Ah here is my latest from the front. Held danced hurriedly at 429 00:33:00,839 --> 00:33:05,160 the note which had been handed in Helloa, Lestrade seemed to have observed something 430 00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:07,039 of interest. Put on your hat, Watson, and we will stroll down 431 00:33:07,079 --> 00:33:13,359 together to Westminster. It was my first visit to the scene of the crime. 432 00:33:13,799 --> 00:33:17,559 A high, dingy, narrow chested house, prim formal and solid, 433 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:23,039 like the sentry which gave it birth. Lestrade's bulldog features gazed out at us 434 00:33:23,039 --> 00:33:27,960 from the front window, and he greeted us warmly when a big constable had 435 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:31,240 opened the door and let us in. The room into which we were shown 436 00:33:31,359 --> 00:33:35,920 was that in which the crime had been committed, but no trace of it 437 00:33:36,039 --> 00:33:42,000 now remained, save an ugly irregular stain upon the carpet. This carpet was 438 00:33:42,039 --> 00:33:45,480 a small square druget in the center of the room, surrounded by a broad 439 00:33:45,519 --> 00:33:51,599 expanse of beautiful old fashioned wood flooring in square blocks, highly polished. Over 440 00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:54,680 the fireplace was a magnificent trophy of weapons, one of which had been used 441 00:33:54,680 --> 00:34:00,519 on that tragic night. In the window was a sumptuous writing desk, and 442 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:04,359 every detail of the apartment, the pitchers, the rugs, and the hangings 443 00:34:04,839 --> 00:34:10,079 all pointed to a taste which was luxurious to the verge of effeminacy seen. 444 00:34:10,119 --> 00:34:15,599 The Paris News asked the Strarde, Holmes nodded. Our French friends seemed to 445 00:34:15,639 --> 00:34:19,760 have touched the spot this time, no doubt, it's just as they say. 446 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,159 She knocked at the door, surprised visit, I guess, for he 447 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:27,559 kept his life in watertight compartments. He let her in, couldn't keep her 448 00:34:27,559 --> 00:34:30,079 in the street. She told him how she had traced him, reproached him. 449 00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:34,840 One thing led to another, and then with that dagger so hand in 450 00:34:34,920 --> 00:34:37,679 the end soon came. It wasn't all done in an instant, though, 451 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:42,199 for these chairs were all swept over yonder, and he had one in his 452 00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:45,400 hand, as if he had tried to hold her off with it. We 453 00:34:45,519 --> 00:34:50,440 got it all clear as if we had seen it. Holmes raised his eyebrows. 454 00:34:51,079 --> 00:34:53,280 And yet you have sent for me. Ah, yes, that's another 455 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:57,360 matter, a mere trifle, but the sort of thing you'd take an interest 456 00:34:57,400 --> 00:35:00,360 in queer, you know, and what you might call for freakish. It's 457 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:04,280 nothing to do with the main fact. Can't have on the face of it. 458 00:35:05,599 --> 00:35:07,480 What is it? Then? Well, you know, after a crime 459 00:35:07,519 --> 00:35:10,199 of this sort, we are very careful to keep things in their possession. 460 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:15,760 Nothing has been moved Officer in charge here day and night, this morning as 461 00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:20,360 the man was buried. In the investigation over so far as this room is 462 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:24,039 concerned, we thought we could tidy up a bit. This carpet, you 463 00:35:24,119 --> 00:35:28,920 see, it's not fastened down, and it just laid there. We had 464 00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:34,280 occasion to raise it. We found, yes, you found. Hemes's face 465 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:38,079 grew tense with anxiety. I'm sure you would never guess in a hundred years 466 00:35:38,119 --> 00:35:43,280 what we did find. You see that stain on the carpet. What a 467 00:35:43,280 --> 00:35:46,360 great deal must have soaked through, must it not? Undoubtedly it must. 468 00:35:47,119 --> 00:35:51,719 Well, he was surprised to hear that there is no stain on the white 469 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:57,039 woodwork to correspond. No stain, But there must n yes, so you 470 00:35:57,079 --> 00:36:01,079 would say. But the fact remained that there isn't. He took the corner 471 00:36:01,079 --> 00:36:05,239 of the carpet in his hand, and turning it over, he showed us 472 00:36:05,320 --> 00:36:09,039 that it was indeed as he said. But the underside is as stained as 473 00:36:09,039 --> 00:36:14,559 the upper. It must have left a mark. Lestrade chuckled with delight at 474 00:36:14,559 --> 00:36:19,719 having puzzled the famous expert. Now I'll show you the explanation. There is 475 00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:22,239 a second stain, but it does not correspond with the other. See for 476 00:36:22,280 --> 00:36:27,760 yourself. As he spoke, he turned over another portion of the carpet, 477 00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:31,519 and there, sure enough was a great crimson spill upon the square white facing 478 00:36:31,599 --> 00:36:36,480 of the old fashioned floor. What do you make of that, mister Olmes? 479 00:36:37,599 --> 00:36:39,559 Oh? Why, it is simple enough that two stains did correspond. 480 00:36:39,599 --> 00:36:44,440 But the carpet has been turned round. As it was square and unfastened, 481 00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:47,960 it was easily done. The official police don't need you, mister Holmes, 482 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:52,800 to tell them that the carpet must have been turned round. That's clear enough, 483 00:36:52,079 --> 00:36:55,679 for the stains lie above each other if you lay it over this way. 484 00:36:57,880 --> 00:37:02,920 What I want to know is who shift the carpet, and why I 485 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:08,519 could see from Holmes's rigid face that he was vibrating with inward excitement. Look 486 00:37:08,519 --> 00:37:13,039 here, Lestrade said, he has that confortable in the passage, been in 487 00:37:13,119 --> 00:37:16,360 charge of the place all the time. Yes, he has. Well take 488 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:21,480 my advice. Examine him carefully. Don't do before us. We'll wait here. 489 00:37:22,079 --> 00:37:23,320 You take him into the back room. You'll be more likely to get 490 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:28,519 a confession out of him alone. Ask him how he dared to admit people 491 00:37:28,519 --> 00:37:30,599 and leave them alone in this room. Don't ask him if he has done 492 00:37:30,639 --> 00:37:34,559 it, take it for granted. Tell him you know some one has been 493 00:37:34,599 --> 00:37:37,079 here. Press him, Tell him that a full confession is his only chance 494 00:37:37,079 --> 00:37:42,199 of forgiveness. To exactly what I tell you, by George. If he 495 00:37:42,239 --> 00:37:45,960 knows, I'll have it out of him, cried Lestrade. He darted into 496 00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:47,960 the hall, and a few moments later, his bullying voice sounded from the 497 00:37:47,960 --> 00:37:53,719 back room. Now Watson now cried Holmes, with frenzied eagerness. All the 498 00:37:53,719 --> 00:37:59,840 demoniacal force of the man masked behind that listless manner burst out in a paroxysm 499 00:38:00,199 --> 00:38:02,400 energy. He tore the drugget from the floor, and in an instant was 500 00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:06,039 down on his hands and knees, throwing at each of the squares of wood 501 00:38:06,079 --> 00:38:08,679 beneath it. One turned sideways. As he dug his nails into the edge 502 00:38:08,679 --> 00:38:12,800 of it, it hinged back like the lid of a box. A small 503 00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:16,239 black cavity opened beneath it. Holmes plunged his eager hand into it and drew 504 00:38:16,239 --> 00:38:21,559 it out with a bitter snarl of anger and disappointment. It was empty. 505 00:38:22,119 --> 00:38:24,400 Quick, Watson, quick, get it back again. The wooden lid was 506 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:29,239 replaced, and the drug it had only just been drawn straight when Estrade's voice 507 00:38:29,280 --> 00:38:32,719 was heard in the passage. He found Holmes leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, 508 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:39,320 resigned and patient, endeavoring to conceal his irrepressible yawns. Sorry to keep you 509 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:43,039 waiting, mister Holmes, I can see that you're bored to death with the 510 00:38:43,039 --> 00:38:45,480 whole affair. Well, he has conversed. All right, come in here, 511 00:38:45,519 --> 00:38:52,400 Macpherson. Let these gentlemen hear of your most inexcusable conduct. The big 512 00:38:52,440 --> 00:38:57,119 Constable, very hot and penitent, sidled into the room. I met no 513 00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:00,760 arm, sir. I'm sure the young woman came into the door last evening 514 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:04,800 mistook the house. She did, and then we got talking. It's lonesome 515 00:39:04,840 --> 00:39:08,440 when you're on duty here all day. Well what happened? Then? She 516 00:39:08,599 --> 00:39:12,519 wanted to see where the crime was done and read about it in the papers, 517 00:39:12,519 --> 00:39:15,519 she said. She was a very respectable, well spoken young woman, 518 00:39:15,599 --> 00:39:20,880 sir, and I saw no army letting ever peep. When she saw that 519 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:22,920 mark on the carpet down, she dropped on the floor and lay as if 520 00:39:22,920 --> 00:39:27,000 she were dead. I ran to the back and got some water. I 521 00:39:27,039 --> 00:39:30,360 couldn't bring her too. Then I went round the corner to the ivy plant 522 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:32,320 for some brandy. But the time I brought it back, the young woman 523 00:39:32,360 --> 00:39:36,559 who covered and was off shamed of herself. I dare say, and dare 524 00:39:36,639 --> 00:39:40,400 not face me? How about moving that drug? It? Well, sir, 525 00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:44,840 it was a bit rumpled certainly when I came back. You see, 526 00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:46,719 she fell on it and it lies on a polished floor with nothing to keep 527 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:52,760 it in place. I straightened it out afterwards. It's a lesson to you 528 00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:55,800 that you can't deceive me, Counsel Macpherson said, Lestrade, with dignity, 529 00:39:57,440 --> 00:40:00,519 no doubt, you thought that your breach of duty could never we discovered yet 530 00:40:00,559 --> 00:40:04,679 a mere glance at that drug. It was enough to convince me that someone 531 00:40:04,679 --> 00:40:07,119 had been admitted to the room. It's lucky for you, my man, 532 00:40:07,159 --> 00:40:12,679 that nothing is missing, or you would find yourself in Queer Street. I'm 533 00:40:12,679 --> 00:40:15,719 sorry to have to call you down over such a petty business, mister Olmes, 534 00:40:15,800 --> 00:40:17,400 but I thought the point of the second stain, not corresponding with the 535 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:22,639 first, would interest you, certainly. It was most interesting. Has this 536 00:40:22,679 --> 00:40:27,000 woman only been here once? Constable? Oh, yes, sir, any 537 00:40:27,039 --> 00:40:30,920 once? Who was she? I don't know the name, Sir. Was 538 00:40:30,039 --> 00:40:35,679 answering an adrasisment about typewriting and came to the wrong number. Very pleasant, 539 00:40:35,679 --> 00:40:39,880 genteel young woman, sir. Tall handsome, Yes, sir, she was 540 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:44,400 a well grown young woman. I suppose you might say she was handsome. 541 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:47,440 Perhaps some would say she was very handsome. How, officer, do let 542 00:40:47,440 --> 00:40:52,000 me have a peep? Says she. She had pretty coaxing ways, as 543 00:40:52,039 --> 00:40:53,239 you might say, And I thought there was no arm in letting her just 544 00:40:53,280 --> 00:40:59,840 put her head through the door. How was she dressed? Quiet, sir? 545 00:41:00,159 --> 00:41:04,559 A long mantled down to her feet. What time was it? He 546 00:41:04,599 --> 00:41:07,079 was just growing dusk at the time. They were lighting the lamps as I 547 00:41:07,119 --> 00:41:10,559 came back with the brandy, HM many good, said Holmes. Come, 548 00:41:10,559 --> 00:41:15,480 Onson, I think that we have more important work elsewhere. As we left 549 00:41:15,519 --> 00:41:20,280 the house, Lestrade remained in the front room while the repentant Constable opened the 550 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:23,280 door to let us out. Holmes turned on the step and held up something 551 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:30,280 in his hand. The Constable stared intently. Good Lord, sir, he 552 00:41:30,400 --> 00:41:34,400 cried, with amazement on his face. Holmes put his finger on his lips, 553 00:41:34,519 --> 00:41:37,599 replaced his hand in his breast pocket, and burst out laughing. As 554 00:41:37,599 --> 00:41:42,280 we turned down the street, excellent, said he. Come, friend Watson, 555 00:41:42,320 --> 00:41:45,840 the curtain rings up for the last act. You will be relieved to 556 00:41:45,920 --> 00:41:49,440 hear that there will be no war, that the right Honorable Trattorney Hope will 557 00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:52,360 suffer no set back in his brillined career, that the indiscreet Sovereign will receive 558 00:41:52,440 --> 00:41:57,679 no punishment for his indiscretion, That the Prime Minister will have no European complication 559 00:41:57,719 --> 00:42:00,280 to you'll do with and that with a little tact and management upon our part, 560 00:42:00,760 --> 00:42:04,960 nobody will be a penny the worse for what might have been a very 561 00:42:05,079 --> 00:42:13,039 ugly incident. My mind filled with admiration for this extraordinary man you have solved 562 00:42:13,039 --> 00:42:16,199 it. I cried hardly that Watson, there are some points which are as 563 00:42:16,280 --> 00:42:19,760 dark as ever. But we have so much that it will be our own 564 00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,880 fault. We cannot get the rest. We will go straight to Whitehall Terrace 565 00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:29,239 and bring the matter to a head. When we arrived at the residence of 566 00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:34,000 the European Secretary, it was for lady Hilda Trelawny Hope that Sherlock Holmes inquired. 567 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:38,280 We were shown into the morning room, mister Holmes said the lady, 568 00:42:38,320 --> 00:42:44,400 and her face was pink with her indignation. This is surely most unfair and 569 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:47,239 ungenerous upon your part. I desired, as I have explained, to keep 570 00:42:47,239 --> 00:42:51,239 my visit to you a secret, lest my husband should think that I was 571 00:42:51,280 --> 00:42:55,280 intruding into his affairs. And yet you compromise me by coming here and so 572 00:42:55,440 --> 00:43:00,920 showing that there are business relations between us. Rutunately, Madam, I had 573 00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:05,400 no possible alternative. I have been commissioned to recover this immensely important paper. 574 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:07,960 I must therefore ask you, Madam, to be kind enough to place it 575 00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:13,960 in my hands. The lady sprang to her feet, with the color all 576 00:43:14,039 --> 00:43:17,719 dashed in an instant from her beautiful face. Her eyes glazed, she tottered. 577 00:43:19,079 --> 00:43:22,480 I thought that she would faint. Then with a grand effort, she 578 00:43:22,599 --> 00:43:27,320 rad it from the shock, and as whose supreme astonishment and indignation chased every 579 00:43:27,320 --> 00:43:32,480 other expression from her features. You you insult me, mister Holmes. Come 580 00:43:32,480 --> 00:43:37,440 come, madam. It is useless. Give up the letter. She darted 581 00:43:37,519 --> 00:43:40,599 to the bell. The butler shall show you out. Do not ring, 582 00:43:40,679 --> 00:43:44,800 Lady Hilda. If you do, then all my earnest efforts to avoid a 583 00:43:44,840 --> 00:43:47,239 scandal will be frustrated. Give up the letter and all will be set right. 584 00:43:49,079 --> 00:43:52,239 If you will work with me, I can arrange everything. If you 585 00:43:52,280 --> 00:43:58,119 work against me, I must expose you. She stood grandly defiant, a 586 00:43:58,159 --> 00:44:00,559 queenly figure, her eyes fixed up upon his, as if she she would 587 00:44:00,559 --> 00:44:05,440 read his very soul. Her hand was on the bell, but she had 588 00:44:05,480 --> 00:44:08,559 forborne to ring it. You are trying to frighten me. It is not 589 00:44:08,639 --> 00:44:12,639 a very manly thing, mister Holmes, to come here and browbeat a woman. 590 00:44:13,440 --> 00:44:15,920 You say that you know something. What is it that you know? 591 00:44:16,400 --> 00:44:20,119 Praise it down, madam. You will hurt yourself there if you fall. 592 00:44:20,760 --> 00:44:24,400 I will not speak until you sit down. Thank you. I give you 593 00:44:24,440 --> 00:44:30,440 five minutes mister Holmes, one is enough. Lady Hilda. I know of 594 00:44:30,480 --> 00:44:32,760 your visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him this document, of your 595 00:44:32,920 --> 00:44:37,320 ingenious return to the room last night, and of the manner in which you 596 00:44:37,360 --> 00:44:42,039 took the letter from the hiding place under the carpet. She stared at him 597 00:44:42,159 --> 00:44:46,639 with an ashen face and gulped twice before she could speak. You are mad, 598 00:44:46,679 --> 00:44:52,360 mister Holmes, You are mad, she cried. At last, he 599 00:44:52,480 --> 00:44:54,599 drew a small piece of cardboard from his pocket. It was the face of 600 00:44:54,639 --> 00:44:59,920 a woman cut out of a portrait. I have carried this because I thought 601 00:45:00,119 --> 00:45:05,039 might be useful, said he. The policeman has recognized it. She gave 602 00:45:05,079 --> 00:45:08,639 a gasp and her head dropped back in the chair. Come, lady Hilda, 603 00:45:08,679 --> 00:45:12,559 you have the letter. The matter may still be adjusted. I have 604 00:45:12,639 --> 00:45:15,039 no desire to bring trouble to you. My duty ends when I have returned 605 00:45:15,119 --> 00:45:19,719 the lost letter to your husband. Take my advice and be frank with me. 606 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:24,119 It is your only chance. Her courage was admirable. Even now. 607 00:45:24,199 --> 00:45:29,239 She would not own defeat. I tell you, again, mister Holmes, 608 00:45:29,239 --> 00:45:36,360 that you are under some absurd illusion. Holmes rose from his chair. I 609 00:45:36,360 --> 00:45:37,199 am sorry. I for you, Lady Hilda, I have done my best 610 00:45:37,199 --> 00:45:42,440 for you. I can see that it is all in vain. He rang 611 00:45:42,480 --> 00:45:47,199 the bell. The butler entered, Is mister Trelawney hope at home? You 612 00:45:47,320 --> 00:45:52,280 be home, sir? At a quarter to one. Holmes glanced at his 613 00:45:52,320 --> 00:45:54,679 watch, still a quarter of an hour, said he very good, I 614 00:45:54,679 --> 00:46:00,760 shall wait. The butler had hardly closed the door behind me when Lady Hilt 615 00:46:00,880 --> 00:46:04,480 was down on her knees at Holmes's feet, her hands outstretched, her beautiful 616 00:46:04,480 --> 00:46:08,280 face upturned and wet with her tears. Oh spare me, is mister Holmes, 617 00:46:08,559 --> 00:46:14,360 spare me, she pleaded, in a frenzy of supplication. For Heaven's 618 00:46:14,360 --> 00:46:17,000 sake, don't tell him I love him so I would not bring one shadow 619 00:46:17,039 --> 00:46:22,320 on his life, and this I know would break his noble heart. Holmes 620 00:46:22,440 --> 00:46:27,199 raised the lady. I'm thankful, madam, that you've come to your senses. 621 00:46:27,199 --> 00:46:30,480 Even at this last moment. There's not an instant to lose. Where 622 00:46:30,559 --> 00:46:35,400 is the letter? She darted across to a writing desk, unlocked it, 623 00:46:35,760 --> 00:46:39,639 and drew out a long blue envelope. Here it is, mister Holmes, 624 00:46:40,079 --> 00:46:45,320 would heaven, I'd never seen it? How can we return it, Holmes 625 00:46:45,360 --> 00:46:46,960 buttered, quick quickly, we must think of some way. Where is the 626 00:46:47,000 --> 00:46:52,440 despatch box still in his bedroom? What a stroke of luck? Quick, 627 00:46:52,440 --> 00:46:55,440 madam, bring it here. A moment later, she had appeared with a 628 00:46:55,480 --> 00:47:00,719 red flat box in her hand. How did you open it before? You 629 00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:04,760 have a duplicate key? Yes, of course you have open it. From 630 00:47:04,800 --> 00:47:07,079 out of her bosom, Lady Hilda had drawn a small key. The box 631 00:47:07,119 --> 00:47:12,159 flew open. It was stuffed with papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep 632 00:47:12,280 --> 00:47:15,199 down into the heart of them, between the leaves of some other document. 633 00:47:15,800 --> 00:47:20,639 The box was shut, locked and returned to the bedroom. Now we are 634 00:47:20,639 --> 00:47:23,239 ready for him, said Holmes. We have still ten minutes. I am 635 00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:27,599 going far to screen you, Lady Hilda. In return, you will spend 636 00:47:27,599 --> 00:47:30,000 the time in telling me, frankly, the real meaning of this extraordinary affair. 637 00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:35,400 Mister Holmes, I will tell you everything, cried the lady. Oh, 638 00:47:35,400 --> 00:47:37,119 mister Holmes, I would cut off my right hand before I gave him 639 00:47:37,159 --> 00:47:40,679 a moment of sorrow. There is no woman in all London who loves my 640 00:47:40,760 --> 00:47:45,119 husband, and eyes do. And yet if he knew how I had acted, 641 00:47:45,679 --> 00:47:49,800 how I have been compelled to act he would never forgive me, for 642 00:47:49,880 --> 00:47:52,199 his own honor stands so high that he could not forget or pardoner lapse in 643 00:47:52,280 --> 00:47:57,159 another. Help me, mister Holmes, my happiness, his happiness, Our 644 00:47:57,239 --> 00:48:01,960 very lives are at stake quick matter, and the time grows shot. It 645 00:48:02,119 --> 00:48:06,480 was a letter of mine, mister Holmes, an indiscreet letter written before my 646 00:48:06,519 --> 00:48:10,039 marriage, A foolish letter, a letter of an impulsive loving Ghala. I 647 00:48:10,119 --> 00:48:15,159 meant no harm, and yet he would have thought it criminal. Had he 648 00:48:15,199 --> 00:48:19,320 read that letter, his confidence would have been forever destroyed. It is years 649 00:48:19,360 --> 00:48:22,159 since I wrote it. I had thought that the whole matter was forgotten. 650 00:48:22,400 --> 00:48:27,480 Then at last I heard from this man Lucas, that it had passed into 651 00:48:27,519 --> 00:48:31,079 his hands, and that he would lay before my husband. I implored his 652 00:48:31,199 --> 00:48:36,480 mercy. He said that he would return my letter if I would bring him 653 00:48:36,480 --> 00:48:40,159 a certain document, which he described in my husband's dispatch box. He had 654 00:48:40,159 --> 00:48:44,480 some spy in the office who had told him of his existence. He assured 655 00:48:44,519 --> 00:48:47,360 me that no harm could come to my husband. Put yourself in my position, 656 00:48:47,440 --> 00:48:52,679 mister Holmes. What was I to do? Take your husband into your 657 00:48:52,679 --> 00:48:57,119 confidence? I could not, mister Holmes, I could not. On the 658 00:48:57,119 --> 00:49:00,880 one side seemed certain ruin on the other terrible, as it seemed to take 659 00:49:00,880 --> 00:49:02,760 my husband's paper. Still, in a matter of politics, I could not 660 00:49:02,880 --> 00:49:07,719 understand the consequences, while on a matter of love and trust they were only 661 00:49:07,760 --> 00:49:13,360 too clear to me. I did it, mister Holmes. I took an 662 00:49:13,400 --> 00:49:19,360 impression of his key. This man Lucas furnished a duplicate, opened his dispatch 663 00:49:19,400 --> 00:49:23,480 box, took the paper and conveyed it to Gondolphin Street. What happened there, 664 00:49:23,480 --> 00:49:28,320 Madam? I tapped at the doors. Agreed, Lucas opened it. 665 00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:30,239 I followed him into his room, leaving the hall door a jar behind me, 666 00:49:30,280 --> 00:49:35,159 for I feared to be alone with the man. I remember that there 667 00:49:35,199 --> 00:49:38,159 was a woman outside as I entered. Our business was soon done. He 668 00:49:38,239 --> 00:49:43,039 had my letter on his desk. I handed him the document. He gave 669 00:49:43,039 --> 00:49:45,440 me the letter. At this instant there was a sound of the door. 670 00:49:45,519 --> 00:49:49,840 There were steps in the passage. Lucas quickly turned back the druge. It 671 00:49:49,960 --> 00:49:54,480 thrust the document into some hiding place there and covered it over. What happened 672 00:49:54,480 --> 00:50:00,280 after that is like some fearful dream. I have a vision of a dark, 673 00:50:00,440 --> 00:50:02,960 frantic face, of a woman's voice, which screamed in French. My 674 00:50:04,079 --> 00:50:06,679 waiting is not in vain. At last, at last, I have found 675 00:50:06,719 --> 00:50:10,840 you with her. There was a savage struggler. I saw him with a 676 00:50:10,960 --> 00:50:15,199 chair in his hand. A knife gleamed in hers. I rushed from the 677 00:50:15,199 --> 00:50:19,599 horrible scene, ran from the house, and only next morning in the paper 678 00:50:19,599 --> 00:50:23,360 did I learn the dreadful result. That night, I was happy, for 679 00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:28,239 I had my letter, and I had not seen yet what the future would 680 00:50:28,280 --> 00:50:32,360 bring. It was the next morning that I realized that I'd only exchanged one 681 00:50:32,400 --> 00:50:37,639 trouble for another. My husband's anguish at the loss of his paper went to 682 00:50:37,719 --> 00:50:43,159 my heart. I could hardly prevent myself from there and then kneeling down at 683 00:50:43,159 --> 00:50:46,519 his feet and telling him what I had done. But that again would mean 684 00:50:46,519 --> 00:50:52,000 a confession of the past. I came to you that morning in order to 685 00:50:52,079 --> 00:50:55,039 understand the full enormity of my fence. From the instant that I grasped it, 686 00:50:55,159 --> 00:50:59,800 my whole mind was turned to the one thought of getting back my husband's 687 00:50:59,800 --> 00:51:02,519 pace. It must still be where Lucas had placed it, for it was 688 00:51:02,559 --> 00:51:07,679 concealed before this dreadful woman entered the room. If it had not been for 689 00:51:07,760 --> 00:51:12,840 her coming, I should not have known where his hiding place was. How 690 00:51:12,920 --> 00:51:15,679 was I to get into the room. For two days I watched the place, 691 00:51:15,960 --> 00:51:21,760 but the door was never left open. Last night I made a last 692 00:51:21,800 --> 00:51:25,119 attempt. What I did and how I succeeded, you have already learned. 693 00:51:27,400 --> 00:51:30,320 I brought the paper back from me and thought of destroying it, since I 694 00:51:30,360 --> 00:51:32,880 could see no way of returning it without confessing my guilt to my husband. 695 00:51:34,679 --> 00:51:39,960 And I hear his step upon the stair. The Eupian secretary burst excitedly into 696 00:51:39,960 --> 00:51:44,679 the room. Any news, mister Holmes, Any news, he cried, 697 00:51:45,320 --> 00:51:51,000 I have some hopes, I think heaven. His face became radiant. The 698 00:51:51,000 --> 00:51:53,719 Prime Minister is lunching with me. May he share your hopes? He has 699 00:51:53,760 --> 00:51:57,599 nerves of steel, and yet I know that he has hardly slept since this 700 00:51:57,760 --> 00:52:00,159 terrible event. Jacobs, what do you ask the Prime Minister to come up? 701 00:52:01,000 --> 00:52:04,039 As to you? Dear? I fear that this is a matter of 702 00:52:04,079 --> 00:52:07,000 politics. We'll join you in a few minutes. In the dining room, 703 00:52:07,800 --> 00:52:10,880 the Prime Minister's manner was subdued, but I could see, by the gleam 704 00:52:10,920 --> 00:52:15,159 of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands that he shared the excitement 705 00:52:15,159 --> 00:52:20,519 of his young colleague. I understand that you have something to report, mister 706 00:52:20,519 --> 00:52:24,760 Holmes, A purely negative as yet, my friend answered. I have inquired 707 00:52:24,800 --> 00:52:28,440 at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is 708 00:52:28,440 --> 00:52:31,599 no danger to be apprehended. But that is not enough, mister Holmes. 709 00:52:31,679 --> 00:52:36,800 We cannot live forever on such a volcano. We must have something definite. 710 00:52:37,960 --> 00:52:39,360 I am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am here. 711 00:52:40,280 --> 00:52:44,480 The more I think of the matter, the more convinced I am that the 712 00:52:44,559 --> 00:52:51,440 letter has never left this house, mister Holmes. If it had, it 713 00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:55,039 would certainly have been public by now. But why should anyone take it in 714 00:52:55,159 --> 00:53:00,599 order to keep it in this house? I am not convinced that anybody did 715 00:53:00,599 --> 00:53:05,440 take it. Then how could it leave the dispatch box? I am not 716 00:53:05,559 --> 00:53:08,840 convinced that it ever did leave the despatch box. Mister Holmes. Is joking 717 00:53:09,039 --> 00:53:12,400 is very old timed. You have my assurance that it left the box. 718 00:53:13,719 --> 00:53:19,360 Have you examined the box since Tuesday morning? No, it was not necessary. 719 00:53:19,880 --> 00:53:24,960 You may conceivably have overlooked it. Impossible, I say, but I 720 00:53:25,000 --> 00:53:29,440 am not convinced of it. I have known such things to happen. I 721 00:53:29,559 --> 00:53:31,639 presume there are other papers there when it pay have got mixed with them. 722 00:53:34,119 --> 00:53:37,519 It was on the top. Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it. 723 00:53:38,440 --> 00:53:43,119 No, no, I had everything out. Oh surely it is easily 724 00:53:43,119 --> 00:53:45,480 decided, Hope, said the Premiere. Let us have the despatch box brought 725 00:53:45,480 --> 00:53:52,119 in. The secretary round the bell, Jacobs, bring down my dispatch box. 726 00:53:52,880 --> 00:53:54,840 This is a fascical waste of time. But still, if nothing else 727 00:53:54,840 --> 00:53:59,320 will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Jacobs. Put 728 00:53:59,320 --> 00:54:02,239 it here. I've always had the key on my watch chain. Here are 729 00:54:02,239 --> 00:54:07,960 the papers you see. Letters from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy, 730 00:54:07,400 --> 00:54:13,159 memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo German grain taxes, letter from 731 00:54:13,199 --> 00:54:17,000 Madrid, note from Lord good Heaven. What is this, Lord Blacher, 732 00:54:17,079 --> 00:54:23,719 Lord Bleacher. The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand. Yes, 733 00:54:23,840 --> 00:54:29,280 it is it, and the letter is intact. Hope. I congratulate you, 734 00:54:30,360 --> 00:54:32,000 oh, thank you, thank you. What I wait from my heart? 735 00:54:32,000 --> 00:54:38,679 But this is inconceivable, impossible. Mister Holmes, you are a wizard, 736 00:54:38,880 --> 00:54:45,199 a sorcerer. How did you know it was there? Because I knew 737 00:54:45,199 --> 00:54:50,719 it was nowhere else. I cannot believe my eyes. He ran wildly to 738 00:54:50,760 --> 00:54:52,119 the door. Where's my wife? I must tell her that all is well. 739 00:54:52,239 --> 00:54:58,519 Hilda, Hilda. We heard his voice on the stairs. The Premier 740 00:54:58,559 --> 00:55:01,920 looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes. It come, sir, said he. 741 00:55:02,079 --> 00:55:07,199 There is more in this than meets the eye. How came the letter back 742 00:55:07,199 --> 00:55:12,960 in the box? Holmes turned away, smiling from the keen scrutiny of those 743 00:55:12,960 --> 00:55:19,599 wonderful eyes. We also have our diplomatic secrets, said he, and picking 744 00:55:19,639 --> 00:55:25,920 up his hat, he turned to the door. End of the Adventure of 745 00:55:25,960 --> 00:55:27,719 the Second Stain