1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:07,320 The game played in the dark by Ernest Brammer. It's a funny thing, 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:12,919 Sir, said Inspector Beadle, regarding mister Carrados, with the pensive respect that 3 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:18,960 he always extended towards the blind amateur. It's a funny thing, but nothing 4 00:00:19,039 --> 00:00:22,519 seems to go on abroad. Are but what you'll find some trace of it 5 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:28,120 here in London if you take trouble to look in the right quarter, contributed 6 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:34,320 Carrados. Why yes, agreed the inspector. But nothing comes of it nine 7 00:00:34,359 --> 00:00:38,240 times out of ten, cause it thou wants particular business to look here. 8 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,759 All the thing's been taken up and finished from the other end. I don't 9 00:00:42,799 --> 00:00:48,280 mean ordinary murders or single handed burglaries, of course, but a modest ring 10 00:00:48,359 --> 00:00:56,240 of professional pride betrayed the quiet enthusiast. We'll first class crimes the state Antonio 11 00:00:56,359 --> 00:01:03,640 five percent bond coupons, suggested Cardos. Oh you're right, mister Carandors Beadle 12 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:08,239 shook his head sadly, as though perhaps on that occasion someone ought to have 13 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:14,319 looked. A man has a fit in the Inquiry Office of the Agent General 14 00:01:14,359 --> 00:01:19,239 for British Equatoria and two hundred and fifty thousand pounds worth of fake securities is 15 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:25,840 the result in Mexico. Then look at that jade phil Fox charm pawn for 16 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:29,599 one and three down the basin, and the use that could have been made 17 00:01:29,599 --> 00:01:34,599 of it at the Carkoff whichual murder trial the West Hampstead had lost memory puzzle, 18 00:01:34,879 --> 00:01:40,000 and the barry Per bomb conspiracy that might have been smothered if one had 19 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:47,439 known quite true, sir, and the three children of that Chicago millionaire Cyrus 20 00:01:47,599 --> 00:01:53,120 V. Bunting, wasn't it kidnapped him broad daylight outside the New York Lyric 21 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,319 And here, three weeks later the dumb girl who chalked the ball at Charing 22 00:01:57,359 --> 00:02:04,640 Cross. The reading on in a financial article that every piece of foreign gold 23 00:02:04,719 --> 00:02:08,639 had a string from it leading to thread Needle Street A vigorous speech, so, 24 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:15,439 of course, but apt enough, I don't doubt well. It seems 25 00:02:15,479 --> 00:02:20,439 to me that every big crime done abroad leaves a finger print here in London, 26 00:02:21,199 --> 00:02:25,400 if only, as you say, we look in the right quarter and 27 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:30,520 at the right moment, added Carrados, the time is often the present, 28 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:36,039 the place, the spot between our very noses. We take a step, 29 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:43,199 and the chance has gone forever the inspector nodded and contributed a weighty monosterable of 30 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:49,159 sympathetic agreement, the most prosaic of men, in the pursuit of his ordinary 31 00:02:49,199 --> 00:02:54,360 duties. It nevertheless subtly appealed to some half dormant streak of vanity to have 32 00:02:54,479 --> 00:03:00,520 his profession taken romantically when there was no serious work on hand. No, 33 00:03:00,439 --> 00:03:07,360 perhaps not for ever in one case in a thousand, after all, amended 34 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:12,599 the blind man thoughtfully. This perpetual duel between the law and the criminal has 35 00:03:12,599 --> 00:03:15,240 sometimes appeared to me in the terms of a game of cricket. Inspector, 36 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:21,800 Law is in the field, the criminal at the wicked. If Law makes 37 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:25,599 a mistake, sends down a loose ball or drops a catch, the criminal 38 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,120 scores a little or has another lease of life. But if he makes a 39 00:03:30,159 --> 00:03:35,919 mistake, if he lets a straight ball pass or spoons towards a steady man, 40 00:03:36,719 --> 00:03:40,319 he's done. For his mistakes are fatal. Those of the law are 41 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:46,199 only temporary and retrievable. Very good, Sir, said mister Beadle rising. 42 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:52,280 The conversation had taken place in the study at the Turrets, where Beadle had 43 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:58,919 found occasion to present himself very apt. Indeed, I must remember that well, 44 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:04,080 Sir, I hope that this Guido the Razor Lot will send a catch 45 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:12,879 in our direction, that this delicately marked Inspector Beadle's instinctive contempt for Guido. 46 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,240 As a craftsman, he was compelled on his reputation to respect him, and 47 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:24,360 he had accordingly availed himself of Carrados's friendship for a confabulation. As a man, 48 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,240 he was a foreigner, worse an Italian, and if left to his 49 00:04:29,319 --> 00:04:33,319 own resources, the Inspector would have proposed, to his sinuous flexibility, those 50 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:40,279 rigid, essentially Britannia metal methods of the force that strike the impartial observers so 51 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:46,279 ponderous, so amateurish and conventional, and it must be admitted, often so 52 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:54,839 curiously and inexplicably successful. The offense that had circuitously brought il Rasojo and his 53 00:04:55,079 --> 00:05:00,040 Lot within the cognizance of Scotland Yard outlines the kind of story that is discreetly 54 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:05,759 hinted at by the society paragraphist of the day, politely disbelieved by the astute 55 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:12,040 reader, and then at last laid indiscreetly bare in all its details by the 56 00:05:12,079 --> 00:05:18,639 inevitable princessly recollections of a generation later. It centered round an impending royal marriage 57 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:25,319 in Vienna, a certain jealous countess X. There you have the discretion of 58 00:05:25,399 --> 00:05:30,759 a paragrapher and a document or two that might be relied upon the aristocratic biographer 59 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:36,000 will impartially sum up the contingencies to play the deuce with the approaching nuptials. 60 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:42,759 To procure the evidence of these papers, the countess enlisted the services of Guido, 61 00:05:43,199 --> 00:05:47,079 as reliable as scoundrel as she could probably have selected for the commission to 62 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,879 a certain point to the abstraction of the papers. In fact, he succeeded, 63 00:05:53,199 --> 00:05:58,800 but it was with pursuit close upon his heels. There was that disadvantage 64 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:03,199 of employing a rogue to do the work that implicated roguery. For whatever moral 65 00:06:03,319 --> 00:06:08,839 right the countess had to the property, her accomplice had no legal right whatever 66 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,879 to his liberty. On half a dozen charges, at least he could be 67 00:06:12,959 --> 00:06:17,000 arrested on site in as many capitals of Europe. He slipped out of Vienna 68 00:06:17,079 --> 00:06:24,000 by the Nord Barn, with his destination known, resourcefully stopped the express outside 69 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:29,680 Sasslau and got away across to Khrudin. By this time the game and the 70 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:35,000 moves were pretty well understood in more than one keenly interested quarter. Diplomacy supplemented 71 00:06:35,199 --> 00:06:40,879 justice, and the immediate history of Guido became that of a fox hunted from 72 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:46,040 covert to covert, with all the familiar earths stopped against him. From partu 73 00:06:46,079 --> 00:06:48,839 Bits, he passed on to Glatz, reached Breslau, and went down the 74 00:06:48,879 --> 00:06:55,120 Odor to Schetin, out of the liberality who his employer's advances, he had 75 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:59,800 ample funds to keep going, and he dropped and rejoined his accomplices as the 76 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,360 occasion ruled. A week's harrying found him in Copenhagen, still with no time 77 00:07:04,399 --> 00:07:09,319 to spare, and he missed his purpose. There. He crossed to Malmo 78 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:14,079 by ferry, took the connecting night train to Stockholm, and the same morning 79 00:07:14,319 --> 00:07:18,160 sailed down the SATs Yon, ostensibly bound for Obo, intending to cross the 80 00:07:18,279 --> 00:07:24,399 Ravow and so get back to Central Europe by the less frequented routes. But 81 00:07:24,519 --> 00:07:29,519 in this move again luck was against him, and receiving warning just in time, 82 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,560 and by the mysterious agency that had so far protected him, he contrived 83 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:38,879 to be dropped from the steamer by boat among the islands of the crowded archipelago, 84 00:07:39,519 --> 00:07:43,560 made his way to Helsingfor, and within forty eight hours was back again 85 00:07:43,639 --> 00:07:46,800 on the Friehaven, with pursuit for the moment blinked and a breathing time to 86 00:07:46,839 --> 00:07:53,879 the good. To appreciate the exact significance of these wanderings, it is necessary 87 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:59,199 to recall the conditions. Guido was not zigzagging a course across Europe in an 88 00:07:59,199 --> 00:08:03,519 aimless search for the picturesque, still less inspired by any love of the melodramatic. 89 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:09,639 To him, every step was vital, each tangent or rebound, the 90 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:15,199 necessary outcome of his much badgered plans. In his pocket reposed the papers for 91 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,439 which he had run grave risks. The price agreed upon for the service was 92 00:08:18,439 --> 00:08:24,000 sufficiently lavished to make the risks worth taking time after time. But in order 93 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:28,399 to consummate the transaction, it was necessary that the booty should be put into 94 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:35,960 his employer's hand. Halfway across Europe. That employer was waiting with such patience 95 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:41,200 as she could maintain, herself, watched and shadowed at every step. The 96 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:46,519 Countess X was sufficiently exalted to be personally immune from the high handed methods of 97 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:52,000 her country's secret service, but every approach to her was tapped. The problem 98 00:08:52,039 --> 00:08:56,559 for Guido was to earn a long enough respite to enable him to communicate his 99 00:08:56,639 --> 00:09:01,039 position to the Countess, and for her to go to reach him by her 100 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:05,639 trusty hand. Then the whole fabric of intrigue could fall to pieces. But 101 00:09:05,799 --> 00:09:11,600 so far Guido had been kept successfully on the run, and in the meanwhile 102 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:18,200 time was pressing. They lost him after the utoler Bedell reported in explaining the 103 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:24,200 circumstances to Max Carrados. Three days later they found that he had been back 104 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:28,960 again in Copenhagen, but by that time he'd flown. Now they're without a 105 00:09:28,039 --> 00:09:35,120 trace except the inference of these orange peach blossom agonies in the times. But 106 00:09:35,159 --> 00:09:39,799 the Countess has gone hurriedly to Paris, and Lava Yard thinks it all points 107 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:46,559 to London. I suppose the Foreign Office is anxious to oblige just now. 108 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:50,720 I expect so, sir, agreed Bidell. But of course my instructions don't 109 00:09:50,799 --> 00:09:54,720 come from that quarter. What a be used to us is that it would 110 00:09:54,759 --> 00:09:58,279 be a feather in our caps. They are still a little sore up at 111 00:09:58,279 --> 00:10:05,480 the Yard about hands the piper naturally assented Carrados, Well, I'll see what 112 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,200 I can do. If there's any real occasion, let me know anything, 113 00:10:09,759 --> 00:10:13,240 And if you see your chance yourself, come round for a talk if you 114 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:18,480 like, on today's Wednesday. I shall be in at any rate on Friday 115 00:10:18,519 --> 00:10:24,480 evening. Without being a precision, the blind man was usually exact in such 116 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,799 matters. There are those who hold that an engagement must be kept at all 117 00:10:28,919 --> 00:10:33,200 hazard, men who would miss a deathbed message in order to keep literal faith 118 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:39,080 with a beggar. Cardos took lower, if more substantial ground. My word, 119 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:45,320 he sometimes had occasion to remark, is subject to contingencies, like everything 120 00:10:45,399 --> 00:10:50,039 else about me. If I make a promise, it is conditional on nothing 121 00:10:50,039 --> 00:10:54,840 which seems more important to rising to counteract it. And that among men of 122 00:10:54,879 --> 00:11:00,279 sense is understood. And as it happened, something did occur. On this 123 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:05,679 occasion. He was summoned to the telephone just before dinner on Friday evening to 124 00:11:05,759 --> 00:11:11,120 receive a message personally greater X. His secretary had taken the call, but 125 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,320 came in to say that the caller would give him nothing beyond his name, 126 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:20,200 Bredna. The name was unknown to Carrados, but such incidents were not uncommon, 127 00:11:20,639 --> 00:11:26,080 and he proceeded to comply. Yes, he responded, I am Max 128 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:31,399 Cardoff speaking what is it? Oh, it's you Sorr is it er? 129 00:11:31,639 --> 00:11:35,799 Mister Brickwill told me to get to you direct. Well are you all right, 130 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:41,440 Brickwill? Are you the British Museum? Yes, yes, I am 131 00:11:41,519 --> 00:11:46,159 Brebner in the Chaldean art department, the agreed stew here. We just found 132 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:50,919 out that some one has managed to get access to the second inner Greek room 133 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:54,960 and looted some of the cabinets there. It's all a mystery as yet. 134 00:11:56,039 --> 00:12:01,039 What is missing? Asked Cardos. It's so far we we can only definitely 135 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:05,240 speak of about the six trays of Greek coins one hundred tow one hundred and 136 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:11,600 twenty roughly important. The line conveyed a caustic bark of tragic amusement. Why 137 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:16,360 yes, I should say so. The beggar seems to have known his business, 138 00:12:16,759 --> 00:12:22,960 all fine specimens for the best period Syracuse Misana croton amphipholis Eanese, the 139 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:30,080 Vientos kimmons. The chief quite wept. Carados groaned. There was not a 140 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:33,360 peace among them that he had not handled lovingly. What are you doing, 141 00:12:33,919 --> 00:12:39,200 he demanded. Mister Brickwell has been to Scotland Yard and our advice. We 142 00:12:39,279 --> 00:12:43,879 are not making it public as yet. We don't want a hint of it 143 00:12:43,919 --> 00:12:46,600 to be dropped anywhere. If you don't mind, sir, that will be 144 00:12:46,639 --> 00:12:50,879 all right. It was for that reason that I was to speak with you 145 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:56,200 personally. We're notifying the chief dealers and likely collectors to whom the coins or 146 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:58,279 some of them may be offered at once if it is thought. We haven't 147 00:12:58,279 --> 00:13:03,320 found out yet. Judging from the expertness displayed in the selection, we don't 148 00:13:03,320 --> 00:13:07,480 think there's any danger of the lot being sold to a pawnbroker or metal dealer, 149 00:13:07,879 --> 00:13:11,879 so that we're running very little real risk in not advertising the loss. 150 00:13:13,919 --> 00:13:18,039 Yes, probably it is as well, replied Kardos. Is there anything that 151 00:13:18,159 --> 00:13:22,639 mister Brickwell wishes me to do? Only this, sir. If you are 152 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,639 offered a suspicious lot of Greek coins, or hear of them, would you 153 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:31,120 have a look, I mean ascertain whether they are likely to be ours, 154 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:35,960 and if you think they are, communicate with us in Scotland Yard at once. 155 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:41,600 Certainly, replied the blind man. Tell mister Brickwall that he can rely 156 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:46,000 on me. If any indication comes my way, convey my regrets to him 157 00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:50,240 and tell him that I feel the loss quite as a personal one. I 158 00:13:50,279 --> 00:13:54,200 don't think that you and I have met as yet, mister Brebner, No, 159 00:13:54,399 --> 00:13:58,440 sir, said the voice diffidently, But I have looked forward to the 160 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:03,679 pleasure. Perhaps it's unfor at business will bring me an introduction. Your very 161 00:14:03,759 --> 00:14:09,399 kind was Carrados's acknowledgment of the compliment. Any time, I was going to 162 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:13,840 say that, perhaps you don't know my weakness, but I have spent many 163 00:14:13,879 --> 00:14:20,840 pleasant hours over your wonderful collection that ensures the personal element. Good Bye. 164 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:26,039 Carrados was really disturbed by the loss, although his concern was tempered by the 165 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,840 reflection that the coins would inevitably, in the end find their way back to 166 00:14:28,879 --> 00:14:35,639 the museum. That their restitution might involve ransom to the extent of several thousand 167 00:14:35,679 --> 00:14:41,559 pounds was the least poignant detail of the situation. The one harrowing thought was 168 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,120 that the booty might, through stress or ignorance, find its way into the 169 00:14:45,159 --> 00:14:50,840 melting pot. That dreadful contingency, remote but insistent, was enough to affect 170 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:56,679 the appetite of the blind enthusiast. He was expecting Inspector Beadle, who would 171 00:14:56,679 --> 00:15:00,759 be full of his own case. But he could not altogether dismiss the aspects 172 00:15:00,759 --> 00:15:07,159 of possibility that Brebner's communication opened before his mind. He was still concerned with 173 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:11,279 the chances of destruction, and a very indifferent companion for Greater ex who alone 174 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:16,840 sat with him. When Parkinson presented himself. Dinner was over, but Carrados 175 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:22,279 had remained rather longer than his custom, smoking his mild Turkish cigarette in silence. 176 00:15:24,759 --> 00:15:28,039 A lady wishes to see you, sir. She said, you would 177 00:15:28,039 --> 00:15:31,759 not know her name, but that her business would interest you. The form 178 00:15:31,799 --> 00:15:37,279 of message was sufficiently unusual to take the attention of both men. You don't 179 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:43,519 know her, of course, Parkinson inquired his master. For just a second, 180 00:15:43,639 --> 00:15:48,519 the immaculate Parkinson seemed tongue tied. Then he delivered himself in his most 181 00:15:48,559 --> 00:15:54,200 ceremonial strain. I regret to say that I cannot claim the advantage, sir, 182 00:15:54,679 --> 00:15:58,879 he replied. Better let me tackle her, Sir, suggested Greater X 183 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:03,240 with easy confidence. It's probably a sub The sportive offer was declined by a 184 00:16:03,279 --> 00:16:08,120 smile and a shake of the head. Carrados turned to his attendant I shall 185 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:11,960 be in the study. Parkinson, show her there. In three minutes you 186 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:17,039 stay and have another cigarette greater X. By that time she'll either have gone 187 00:16:17,039 --> 00:16:22,200 nor have interested me. In three minutes time, Parkinson threw open the studied 188 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:27,960 door. The lady sir, he announced, Could he have seen Karados would 189 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:33,480 have received the impression of a plainly, almost dowdily dressed young woman of buxom 190 00:16:33,559 --> 00:16:37,759 figure. She wore a light veil, but it was ineffective in concealing the 191 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:41,720 unattraction of the face beneath. The features were fought, and the upper lip 192 00:16:41,919 --> 00:16:48,600 darkened with the more than incipient mustache of the southern brunette. The worse remained 193 00:16:48,759 --> 00:16:52,960 for a disfiguring rash had assailed patches of her skin. As she entered. 194 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:59,679 She swept the room and its occupant with a quiet but comprehensive survey. Please 195 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:03,919 take a chair, madam, you wish to see me. The ghost of 196 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,759 a demure smile flickered about her mouth as she complied, and in that moment 197 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:12,759 her face seemed less uncomely. Her eye lingered for a moment on a cabinet 198 00:17:12,799 --> 00:17:17,759 above the desk, and one might have noticed that her eye was very bright. 199 00:17:18,839 --> 00:17:26,240 Then she replied, you are Signor Carrados in the person. Carrados made 200 00:17:26,279 --> 00:17:30,880 his smiling admission and changed his position of fraction, possibly to catch her curiously 201 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:37,240 pitched voice. The better. They are great collector of the antiquities. I 202 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:42,160 do collect a little, he admitted guardedly. Though you will forgive me, 203 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:48,200 Signora, if my language is not altogether good. And when I live at 204 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:52,640 the Naples with my mother, we let boardings her chiefly to English and American. 205 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:56,039 Sir, I pick up the words a bit, since I many and 206 00:17:56,119 --> 00:18:00,079 gotti living Callaria. My English has gone nor read them. No, you 207 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:06,000 say an ARSTI yes, that is it, quite a rusty. It is 208 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:10,759 excellent, said Carrados. I am sure we shall understand one another perfectly. 209 00:18:11,799 --> 00:18:15,799 The lady shot a penetrating glance, but the blind man's expression was merely suave 210 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:22,000 and courteous. Then she continued, my husband is of the name of Raga, 211 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:27,839 Michhael Fraga. We have a vignyard and a little proverty near Foranzanna. 212 00:18:29,799 --> 00:18:33,680 She paused to examine the tips of her gloves for quite an appreciable moment. 213 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:38,559 Signor, she burst out, with some vehemence, the laws of my country 214 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:44,720 are not good at all from what I hear on all sides, said Carrados, 215 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:48,759 I am afraid that your country is not alone, that is in Forranzana, 216 00:18:49,079 --> 00:18:56,200 poor laborer jia Verde of name, continued the visitor, dashing volubly into 217 00:18:56,200 --> 00:19:00,319 her narrative. He is a one day a digging in the vignyard, the 218 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:07,119 vineyard of my husband, when his spade strikes itself upon an abstraction. AHAs 219 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:11,319 is Yan, what have we here? And he goes down upon his knees 220 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:18,160 to see it is an oil jar of rederta signor such as once anciently used, 221 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:22,720 and in it is filled with the silver money. Yan is poor, 222 00:19:22,799 --> 00:19:26,319 but he is the wiser. Does he call upon the authorities? And no, 223 00:19:26,319 --> 00:19:32,480 no, he understands that they are all corrupt. He carries what he 224 00:19:32,559 --> 00:19:36,200 has found to my usband, for he knows him to be a man of 225 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:41,440 great honor. My husband also is of brief decision. His mind is made 226 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:45,720 up, Yan, He says, keep your mouth shut, this will be 227 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:52,519 your ultimate profit. Yan understands, for he can't trust my husband. He 228 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:56,920 makes a sign of a mutual implication. Then he goes back to the spade 229 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:03,039 digging my osband, and he understands a little of these things, but are 230 00:20:03,079 --> 00:20:07,200 not enough. We go to the collections of messina and apples and ifanoroma, 231 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:12,920 and there we see other pieces of silver manny similar and learn that they are 232 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:18,920 of great value. They are of different sizes, but most will covering clearer 233 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,920 and of the thickness of two And on one side, imagine the great head 234 00:20:23,039 --> 00:20:29,440 of a peg and a deity, none the other, nor so many things 235 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:37,359 I cannot remember what a gesture of circumferential despair indicated, the hopeless variety of 236 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:45,279 design A bigger or quadriga of mules suggested karadas, an eagle carrying off a 237 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:48,400 hair, a figure flying with a wreath, a trophy of arms. Some 238 00:20:48,519 --> 00:20:55,960 of those perhaps see is he man cried Madame farraja A. You understand that 239 00:20:56,039 --> 00:21:00,720 I perceive a signor and we are very cautious, for on a reside is 240 00:21:00,799 --> 00:21:07,039 extocon and an unjust law. See it is even forbidden to take these things 241 00:21:07,079 --> 00:21:10,640 out of the country. Yet if we try to dispose of them at home, 242 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:15,759 they will be seized and we punished. A rare trestora robato, what 243 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:22,599 you call tresure troven and belonging to the state. These coins, which are 244 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:27,079 the industry of Yan discovered and which had learned for so long in the ground 245 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:33,079 of my husbands a vignyard. So you brought them to England as he is 246 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:37,720 in your It is a spoken of us, a land of justice, and 247 00:21:37,759 --> 00:21:42,640 a rich and nobility who buy these things at highest prices. Also, my 248 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:48,839 speaking a dittle of the language would serve us here. I suppose you have 249 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:55,160 the coins for disposal, then you can show them to me. My husband 250 00:21:55,279 --> 00:21:59,960 retains them. I will take you, but you must first give up para 251 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:03,920 pola do noorre of an English signor not to betray us, sir, or 252 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:11,279 to speak of the circumstances to another. Carrados had already foreseen this eventuality and 253 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:17,200 decided to accept it. Whether a promise exacted on the plea of treasure Trove 254 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:21,599 would bind him to respect the despoilers of the British Museum was a point for 255 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:27,200 subsequent consideration. Prudence demanded that he should investigate the offer at once, and 256 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:33,480 to cavil over. Madame Ferraja's conditions would be fatal to that object. If 257 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,759 the coins were as there seemed little reason to doubt the proceeds of the robbery. 258 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:42,240 A modest ransom might be the safest way of preserving irreplaceable treasures, and 259 00:22:42,319 --> 00:22:49,079 in that case Carrados could offer his services as the necessary intermediary. I give 260 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:56,880 you the promise you require, Madame, he accordingly declared. It is soficiente 261 00:22:56,039 --> 00:23:00,000 assented, Madame. I will now take you to the spot. It is 262 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:07,160 necessary that you alone should accompany me, For my husband is so distraught in 263 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:11,640 the country where he understands not a word of what is spoken, that his 264 00:23:11,759 --> 00:23:17,200 poor spirit would cry, we are surrounded if he thought tool strangers approached the 265 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:22,400 house. Oh, he is become most dreadful in his anxiety. My husband, 266 00:23:22,039 --> 00:23:26,880 imagine only he keeps under fire a chuldron of molten lead, and he 267 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:32,680 would not hesitate to plunge into it at this treasure and obliterate it existence, 268 00:23:32,839 --> 00:23:40,559 Sir, if he imagined himself endangered, so speculated Karrados inwardly, a likely 269 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:47,359 precaution for a simple vine grower of Calabria. Very well, he assented aloud, 270 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:52,000 I will go with you alone. Where is the place? Madame Vraja 271 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:57,160 searched in the ancient purse that she discovered in her rusty hand bag and produced 272 00:23:57,160 --> 00:24:03,839 a scrap of paper. People do not understand sometimes my ear my way of 273 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:10,480 saying it. She explained, Sit dear Ingbourne, May, I said Karados. 274 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:14,880 Stretching out his hand. He took the paper and touched the writing with 275 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,720 his fingertiss. Oh, yes, seven Heronsbourne Place. That is on the 276 00:24:18,799 --> 00:24:23,319 edge of Heronsbourne Park, is it not? He transferred the paper casually to 277 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:27,599 his desk as he spoke and stood up. How did you come, Madame 278 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:33,440 Ferrajes. Madame Farage followed the curl of action with a discreet smile that did 279 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:38,319 not touch her voice. By a motor bus, sir first to one and 280 00:24:38,559 --> 00:24:45,279 then another, inquiring at every turning, Oh but it trous in Termindaubler sighed 281 00:24:45,319 --> 00:24:49,920 the lady. My driver is off for the evening. I did not expect 282 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:53,319 to be going out, but I will phone up a taxi and it will 283 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:56,839 be at the gate as soon as we are. He despatched the message, 284 00:24:57,279 --> 00:25:03,160 and then turning to the house teller, switched on to Greater Ex. I 285 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,839 am just going round to Heronsbourne Park, he explained, don't stay Greater X. 286 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:11,440 But if anyone calls expecting to see me, they can say that I 287 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:17,680 don't anticipate being away more than an hour. Parkinson was hovering about the hall 288 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,000 with quite novel officiousness. He pressed upon his master a succession of articles that 289 00:25:22,039 --> 00:25:29,000 were not required. Over this usually complacent attendant, the unattractive features of Madame 290 00:25:29,079 --> 00:25:34,359 Varraga appeared to exercise a stealthy fascination. For a dozen times the lady detected 291 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:40,559 his eyes questioning her face, and a dozen times he looked guiltily away again. 292 00:25:41,519 --> 00:25:45,359 But his incongruities could not delay for more than a few minutes the opening 293 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:49,400 of the door. I do not accompany you, sir, he inquired, 294 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:53,799 with the suggestion plainly tendered in his voice. But it would be much better 295 00:25:53,880 --> 00:26:00,079 if he did not this time. Parkinson very well, sir. Is there 296 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:04,279 any particular address which we can telephone in case you are required? Sir? 297 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:12,680 Mister greater X has instructions. Parkinson stood aside, his resources exhausted. Madame 298 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:18,160 Farage laughed a little mockingly as they walked down the drive. Yon a man, 299 00:26:18,279 --> 00:26:22,519 sir, venteth I may eat your signor Carrados, sir, she declared 300 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:29,920 vivaciously. Carrados, who held the key of his usually exact attendants perturbation, 301 00:26:30,599 --> 00:26:37,160 for he himself had recognized in Madame Farrage the angelic Nina Brun of the Sicilian 302 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:41,960 Tetradram incident from the moment she opened her mouth admitted to himself the humor of 303 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:48,400 her audacity. But it was not until half an hour later that enlightenment rewarded 304 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:53,319 Parkinson. Inspector Beadle had just arrived and was speaking with greater x when the 305 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:59,599 conscientious valet, who had been winnowing his memory in solitude, broke in upon 306 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,519 them, more distressed than either had ever seen him in his life before, 307 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:07,799 and with the breathless introduction it was the ears, Sir, I have her 308 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:14,480 ears at last poured out his tale of suspicion, recognition and his present fears. 309 00:27:15,599 --> 00:27:18,640 In the meantime, the two objects of his concern had reached the gate. 310 00:27:18,759 --> 00:27:26,160 As the summoned taxicab drew up. Seven heronsbourn Place called carrados to the 311 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:30,440 driver, and no No interposed the lady with decision and let him stop out 312 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:33,839 the beginning of the street. Her it is not far to walk, and 313 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:38,599 my husband would be on the verge of distraction if he thought in the dark 314 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:44,720 that it was the arrival of the police, who knows Black Edge Road, 315 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:49,759 opposite the end of Heron's Bourn Place amended Carrados. Heron's Born Place had the 316 00:27:49,839 --> 00:27:55,519 reputation, among those who were curious in such matters of being the most reclusive 317 00:27:55,680 --> 00:28:00,559 residential spot inside the four mile circle. To earn that distant action, it 318 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:04,400 was needless to say a cul de sac. It bounded one side of Heronsbourne 319 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:08,000 Park, but did not, at any point of its length give access to 320 00:28:08,039 --> 00:28:14,960 that pleasence. It was entirely devoted to unostentatious little houses, something between the 321 00:28:15,039 --> 00:28:19,000 villa and the cottage, some detached and some in pairs, but all possessing 322 00:28:19,039 --> 00:28:25,000 the endowment of larger, more umbrageous gardens than can generally be secured within the 323 00:28:25,079 --> 00:28:32,839 radius. The local house agent described them as delightfully old world or completely modernized, 324 00:28:33,039 --> 00:28:37,920 according to the requirement of the applicant. The cab was dismissed at the 325 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:42,039 corner, and Madame Farrage guided her companion along the silent and deserted way. 326 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:48,000 She had begun to talk with renewed animation, but her ceaseless chatter only served 327 00:28:48,039 --> 00:28:52,480 to emphasize the Carrados. The one fact that it was contrived to disguise. 328 00:28:53,359 --> 00:28:57,319 I am not causing you to miss the house with looking after me. Number 329 00:28:57,319 --> 00:29:04,039 seven, Madame Farage, he interposed, No, certainly, she replied readily. 330 00:29:04,279 --> 00:29:08,000 It is a little further. The numbers are from the upper winder, 331 00:29:08,119 --> 00:29:12,839 but we are there. Cho She stopped at the gate and opened it, 332 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:18,160 still guiding him. They passed into a garden moist and sweet, scented with 333 00:29:18,319 --> 00:29:23,519 distillate odors of a dewy evening. As she turned to relatch the gate, 334 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:29,720 the blind man endeavored politely to anticipate her. Between them, his hat fell 335 00:29:29,759 --> 00:29:34,160 to the ground. My clumsiness, he apologized, recovering it from the step. 336 00:29:34,839 --> 00:29:42,039 My old impulses and my present helplessness, alas Madame Perraja wonder Len's appuldance 337 00:29:42,079 --> 00:29:48,240 by experience, Sir, said Madame sagely. She was scarcely to know, 338 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:52,319 poor lady. But even as she uttered this triteaphorism under cover of darkness and 339 00:29:52,359 --> 00:29:59,160 his hat, mister Karados had just ruined his signaturing by blazoning a golden seven 340 00:29:59,519 --> 00:30:03,480 upon her garden step, to establish its identity if need be. A cul 341 00:30:03,519 --> 00:30:10,960 de sac that numbered from the closed end seemed to demand some investigation. Seldom 342 00:30:11,599 --> 00:30:15,440 he replied to her remark, but one goes on taking risks, So we 343 00:30:15,519 --> 00:30:21,079 are there. Madame Farraga had opened the front door with the natch key. 344 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:26,599 She dropped the latch and led Carados forward along the narrow hall. The room 345 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:30,119 they entered was at the back of the house, and from the position of 346 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:33,839 the road, it therefore overlook the park. Again, the door was knocked 347 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:41,680 behind them, they celebrated. Mister Ricard does sir, announced Madame Farraga, 348 00:30:42,039 --> 00:30:47,319 with a sparkle of triumph in her voice. She waved her hand towards a 349 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:51,319 lean dark man who had stood beside the door as they entered. And my 350 00:30:51,759 --> 00:30:59,720 asbander beneath our poor Ruth in the most fraternal manner, commented the dark man 351 00:30:59,799 --> 00:31:04,920 in the same derisive spirit. But it is wonderful, the even more celebrated 352 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:11,640 Monsieur Danpierre. Unless I am mistaken, retorted Carrados, blandly, I bow 353 00:31:11,759 --> 00:31:18,240 on our first real meeting, you knew, exclaimed the Danpierre of the earlier 354 00:31:18,279 --> 00:31:22,079 incident. Incredulously, Stoker, you were right, and I owe you a 355 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:29,079 hundred lira. Who recognized unina ma? How should I know? Demanded the 356 00:31:29,119 --> 00:31:34,160 real Madame Danpierre. Crossly this blind man himself. By chance, you pay 357 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:38,839 a poor compliment to your charming wife's personality to imagine that one could forget her 358 00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:45,240 so soon. Put in Carrados, and you are Frenchman Danpierre. You knew 359 00:31:45,319 --> 00:31:49,839 Monsieur Carrados, and yet you ventured here. You are either a fool or 360 00:31:49,839 --> 00:31:56,880 a hero an enthusiast. It is the same as both interposed. The lady, 361 00:31:56,119 --> 00:32:00,559 what did I tell you? What does it matter? If he ignized 362 00:32:00,839 --> 00:32:07,880 you see, surely you exaggerate, Monsieur Danpierre contributed Carrados. I may yet 363 00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:12,640 pay tribute to your industry. Perhaps I regret the circumstance and the necessity, 364 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:15,400 but I am here to make the best of it. Let me see the 365 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:20,680 things Madame has spoken of, and then we can consider the detail of their 366 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:25,000 price, either for myself or on behalf of others. There was no immediate 367 00:32:25,079 --> 00:32:30,279 reply. From Don Pierre. Came a saturnine chuckle, and from Madame Danpierre 368 00:32:30,359 --> 00:32:35,359 a titter that accompanied a grimace. For one of the rare occasions in his 369 00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:39,359 life, Cardos found himself wholly out of touch with the atmosphere of the situation. 370 00:32:40,599 --> 00:32:45,319 Instinctively, he turned his face towards the other occupant of the room, 371 00:32:45,759 --> 00:32:50,079 the man addressed as Stoker, whom he knew to be standing near the window. 372 00:32:50,559 --> 00:32:55,440 This unfortunate business has brought me an introduction, said a familiar voice. 373 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,799 For one dreadful moment, the universe stood still round Carrados. Then, with 374 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:07,359 the crash and grind of overwhelming mental tumult, the whole stratagy revealed itself, 375 00:33:07,720 --> 00:33:12,839 like the sections of a gigantic puzzle, falling into place before his eyes. 376 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:19,000 There had been no robbery at the British Museum. That plausible concoction was as 377 00:33:19,039 --> 00:33:25,359 fictitious as the intentionally transparent tale of treasure Trove. Carrados recognized now how ineffective 378 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:30,839 the one device would have been without the other in drawing him, how convincing 379 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:35,480 the two together, and whilst smarting at the humiliation of his plight, he 380 00:33:35,519 --> 00:33:40,200 could not restrain a dash of admiration at the ingenuity, the accurately conjectured line 381 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:45,599 of inference of the plot. It was again the familiar artifice of the cunning 382 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:51,680 pitfall, masked by the clumsily contrived trap just beyond it and straightway into it. 383 00:33:51,839 --> 00:33:58,400 He had blundered, And this continued the same voice is Carrados, Max 384 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:05,119 Carrados, on whose perspicuity a government only the present government, emmy injustice say, 385 00:34:05,559 --> 00:34:10,559 depends to outwit the undesirable alien. My country, oh my country? 386 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:17,679 Is it really, Monsieur Carrados, inquired Dompierre in polite sarcasm. Are you 387 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:22,840 sure, Nina that you have not brought a man from Scotland yard instead? 388 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:27,800 Maaster, he is here. What more do you want? Do not mark 389 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:34,519 the poor, sightless and gentlemen? Answered Madame Dompierre in doubtful sympathy. That's 390 00:34:34,599 --> 00:34:38,519 exactly what I was wondering, ventured Carrados mildly. I am here. What 391 00:34:38,679 --> 00:34:45,760 more do you want? Perhaps you, mister Stoker, excuse me. Stoker 392 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:50,960 is a mere colloquial appellation based on a trifling incident of my career in connection 393 00:34:51,079 --> 00:34:55,719 with the disabled Liner. The title illustrates the childish weakness of the criminal classes 394 00:34:55,760 --> 00:35:01,199 for nicknames, together with their pitiable baldness invention. My real name is A 395 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:08,480 Montmorency, mister Carrados, Eustace Montmorency. Thank you, mister Montmorency, said 396 00:35:08,519 --> 00:35:13,639 Carrados gravely. We are on opposite sides of the table here to night. 397 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:15,800 But I should be proud to have been with you in the stokehold of the 398 00:35:15,840 --> 00:35:23,719 Benvenuto. That was pleasure, muttered the Englishman. This is business, oh 399 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:30,360 quite so, agreed Carrados. So far I am not exactly complaining, but 400 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:34,320 I think it is high time to be told. And I addressed myself to 401 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:39,239 you why I have been decoyed here? And what your purpose is? Mister 402 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:45,679 Montmorency turned to his accomplice Dampierre. He remarked, with great clearness, why 403 00:35:45,719 --> 00:35:52,519 the devil is mister Carrados kept standing? Oh oh heaven, exclaimed Madame Danpierre 404 00:35:52,599 --> 00:35:59,360 with tragic resignation, and flung herself down on a couch. A scoozy grinned 405 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:02,519 the lean man, and with burlesque grace, he placed a chair for their 406 00:36:02,559 --> 00:36:09,440 guest's acceptance. Your curiosity is natural, continued mister Montmorency, with a cold 407 00:36:09,480 --> 00:36:15,719 eye towards Dompierre's antics. Although I rarely think that by this time you ought 408 00:36:15,719 --> 00:36:17,840 to have guessed the truth. In fact, I don't doubt that you have 409 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:22,719 guessed, mister Carrados, and that you are only endeavoring to gain time for 410 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:28,079 that reason, because it will perhaps convince you that we have nothing to fear. 411 00:36:28,840 --> 00:36:36,519 I don't mind obliging you better, Ason, murmured Dompierre uneasily. Thank 412 00:36:36,599 --> 00:36:40,000 you, Bill, said the Englishman, with genial effrontery. I won't fail 413 00:36:40,039 --> 00:36:45,559 to report your intelligence to the rassujour. Yes, mister Carrados, as you 414 00:36:45,679 --> 00:36:51,440 have already conjectured, it is the affair of the Countess X to which you 415 00:36:51,519 --> 00:36:57,400 owe this inconvenience. You will appreciate the compliment that underlies your temporary seclusion. 416 00:36:57,480 --> 00:37:01,800 I'm sure. When circumstance, chance has favored our plans and London became the 417 00:37:01,840 --> 00:37:07,760 inevitable place of meeting you and you alone stood in the way. We guessed 418 00:37:07,760 --> 00:37:13,400 that you would be consulted, and we frankly feared your intervention. You were 419 00:37:13,519 --> 00:37:17,599 consulted. We know that Inspector Beadle visited you two days ago, and he 420 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:22,280 has no other case in hand. Your quiescence for just three days had to 421 00:37:22,280 --> 00:37:28,800 be obtained at any cost. So here you are, I see, assented 422 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:32,559 Carrados. And having got me here, how do you propose to keep me? 423 00:37:35,079 --> 00:37:38,480 Of course, that detail has received consideration. In fact, we secured 424 00:37:38,519 --> 00:37:44,719 this furnished house solely with that in view. There are three courses before us. 425 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:50,800 The first quite pleasant hangs on your acquiescence. The second, more drastic, 426 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:57,039 comes into operation if you decline the third. But really, mister Cardoss, 427 00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:00,199 I hope you wonn't obliged me even to discuss the third. You will 428 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:06,400 understand that it is rather objectionable for me to contemplate the necessity of two able 429 00:38:06,480 --> 00:38:10,360 bodied men having to use even the smallest amount of physical compulsion to one who 430 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:15,440 is blind and helpless. I hope you will be reasonable and accept the inevitable. 431 00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:22,320 The inevitable is the one thing that I invariably accept, replied Carradoss. 432 00:38:22,199 --> 00:38:28,639 What does it involve? You will write a note to your secretary explaining that 433 00:38:28,679 --> 00:38:32,199 what you have learned at seven Heron's born Place makes it necessary for you to 434 00:38:32,239 --> 00:38:37,159 go immediately abroad for a few days. And, by the way, mister 435 00:38:37,239 --> 00:38:40,960 Carradoss, although this is Heron's born place, it is not number seven. 436 00:38:42,760 --> 00:38:46,360 Dear dear me, sighed the prisoner you seem to have had me at every 437 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:52,480 turn, Mister Montmorency an obvious precaution, the wider course of giving you a 438 00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:57,840 different street. Altogether, we reject it as being too risky in getting you 439 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:04,079 here to continue to give conviction to the message. You will direct your man 440 00:39:04,119 --> 00:39:08,079 Parkinson to follow by the first boat train tomorrow with all the requirements for a 441 00:39:08,119 --> 00:39:13,760 short stay, and to put up at Mascots as usual, waiting your arrival 442 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:19,679 there and very convincing, agreed, Karados, Where shall I be in reality 443 00:39:20,639 --> 00:39:24,599 in a charming though rather isolated bungalow on the south coast. Your wants will 444 00:39:24,639 --> 00:39:29,719 be attended to. There's a boat you can row or fish. You will 445 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:32,559 be run down by motor car and brought back to your own gate. It's 446 00:39:32,679 --> 00:39:37,360 really very pleasant for a few days. I've often stayed there myself. Your 447 00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:44,039 recommendation carries way to suppose, for the sake of curiosity, that I decline. 448 00:39:44,599 --> 00:39:47,000 You will still go there, but your treatment will be commensurate with your 449 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:52,559 behavior. The car to take you is at this moment waiting in a convenient 450 00:39:52,679 --> 00:39:55,360 spot on the other side of the park. We shall go down the garden 451 00:39:55,360 --> 00:40:00,440 at the back, cross the park and put you in the car. Anyway, 452 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:06,639 And if I resist, the man whose pleasantry it had been to call 453 00:40:06,719 --> 00:40:12,599 himself Eustace Montmorency shrugged his shoulders. Don't be a fool, he said, 454 00:40:12,679 --> 00:40:15,960 tolerantly. You know who you are. Dealing with, and the kind of 455 00:40:15,079 --> 00:40:20,320 risks we run. If you call out or endanger us at a critical point, 456 00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:25,480 we shall not hesitate to silence you effectively. The blind man knew that 457 00:40:25,559 --> 00:40:30,559 it was no idle threat. In spite of a cloak of humor and fantasy 458 00:40:30,599 --> 00:40:34,760 thrown over the proceedings. He was in the power of coolly desperate men. 459 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:39,760 The window was curtained and shuttered against sight and sound. The door behind him 460 00:40:39,840 --> 00:40:45,000 locked. Possibly at that moment a revolver threatened him. Certainly, weapons lay 461 00:40:45,079 --> 00:40:52,119 within reach of both his keepers. Tell me what to write, he asked, 462 00:40:52,199 --> 00:40:58,000 with capitulation in his voice. Don Pierre twirled his mustachios in relieved approval. 463 00:40:58,239 --> 00:41:00,480 Madame laughed from her place on the couch and picked up a book, 464 00:41:00,920 --> 00:41:07,119 watching Montmorency over the cover of its pages. As for that gentleman, he 465 00:41:07,159 --> 00:41:10,760 masked his satisfaction by the practical business of placing on the table before Carrados. 466 00:41:12,280 --> 00:41:17,039 The accessories of the letter put into your own words the message that I outline 467 00:41:17,239 --> 00:41:23,360 just now, perhaps are to make it altogether natural. I had better write 468 00:41:23,360 --> 00:41:29,880 on a page of the notebook that I always use, suggested Carrados. Do 469 00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:35,239 you wish to make it natural, demanded Montmorency, with latent suspicion. If 470 00:41:35,239 --> 00:41:37,960 the miscarriage of your plan is to result in my head being not, yes, 471 00:41:38,079 --> 00:41:45,119 I do, was the reply. Good chuckled Dompierre, and sought to 472 00:41:45,159 --> 00:41:50,599 avoid mister Montmorenc's cold glance by turning on the electric table lamp for the blind 473 00:41:50,639 --> 00:41:57,800 man's benefit. Madame Dompierre laughed shrilly. Thank you, monsieur, said Cardos, 474 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,360 you have done quite right. What is like you is warmth to me, 475 00:42:01,079 --> 00:42:07,719 heat, energy, inspiration. Now to business. He took out the 476 00:42:07,719 --> 00:42:12,039 pocket book he had spoken of and leisurely proceeded to flatten it down upon the 477 00:42:12,039 --> 00:42:15,719 table before him, as his tranquil, pleasant eyes ranged the room. Meanwhile, 478 00:42:16,159 --> 00:42:21,320 it was hard to believe that the shutters of an impenetrable darkness lay between 479 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:25,000 them and the world. They rested for a moment on The two accomplices who 480 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:30,679 stood beyond the table picked out Madame Danpierre, lolling on the sofa to his 481 00:42:30,840 --> 00:42:36,079 right, and measured the proportions of the long, narrow room. They seemed 482 00:42:36,079 --> 00:42:39,000 to note the positions of the window at the one end and the door almost 483 00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:44,559 at the other, and even to take into account the single pendent electric light, 484 00:42:44,760 --> 00:42:49,639 which up till then had been the sole illuminant. You prefer pencil, 485 00:42:50,360 --> 00:42:55,239 asked Montmorency. I generally use it for casual purposes, but not, he 486 00:42:55,320 --> 00:43:01,199 added, touching the point critically like this, alert for any sign of retaliation. 487 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:07,119 They watched him take an insignificant penknife from his pocket and begin to trim 488 00:43:07,159 --> 00:43:12,039 the pencil. Was there in his mind any mad impulse to force conclusions with 489 00:43:12,119 --> 00:43:16,760 that puny weapon. Don Pierre worked his face into a fiercer expression and touched 490 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:22,239 reassuringly the handle of his knife. Montmorency looked on for a moment, and 491 00:43:22,360 --> 00:43:27,639 then, whistling softly to himself, turned his back on the table and strolled 492 00:43:27,679 --> 00:43:35,119 towards the window, avoiding Madame Nina's pursuant eye. Then, with overwhelming suddenness, 493 00:43:35,159 --> 00:43:39,159 it came, and its form altogether unexpected. Carrados had been putting the 494 00:43:39,239 --> 00:43:44,400 last strokes to the pencil, whittling it down upon the table. There had 495 00:43:44,400 --> 00:43:49,000 been no hasty movement, no violent act to give them warning. Only the 496 00:43:49,079 --> 00:43:53,000 little blade had pushed itself nearer and nearer to the electric light cord lying there, 497 00:43:53,920 --> 00:44:00,519 and suddenly and instantly the room was plunged into absolute darkness to the door. 498 00:44:00,599 --> 00:44:05,199 Tom shouted Montmorency in a flash. I'm at the window. Don't let 499 00:44:05,280 --> 00:44:08,840 him pass, and we are all right. I am here, replied Don 500 00:44:08,880 --> 00:44:14,719 Pierre from the door. He will not attempt to pass. Came the quiet 501 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:19,320 voice of Carrodors from across the room. You are now all exactly where I 502 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:22,480 want you. You are both covered. If either moves an inch, I 503 00:44:22,639 --> 00:44:28,119 fire, and remember that I shoot by sound, not sight. But but 504 00:44:28,239 --> 00:44:32,119 what does it mean, stammered Montmorency, above the despairing wail of Madame Don 505 00:44:32,159 --> 00:44:37,199 Pierre. It means that we are now on equal terms, three blind men 506 00:44:37,320 --> 00:44:43,360 in a dark room. The numerical advantage that you possess is counterbalance by the 507 00:44:43,360 --> 00:44:49,360 fact that you are out of your element. I am in mine, dom, 508 00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:53,679 whispered Montmorency across the dark space. Strike a match I have none. 509 00:44:54,320 --> 00:44:58,599 I would not, Don Pierre, if I were, you, advised Carrados 510 00:44:58,639 --> 00:45:02,960 with a short laugh. It might be dangerous. At once, his voice 511 00:45:02,960 --> 00:45:07,760 seemed to leap into a passion. Drop that match box, he cried. 512 00:45:07,079 --> 00:45:09,800 You are standing on the brink of your grave, you fool. Drop it, 513 00:45:09,880 --> 00:45:14,800 I say, let me hear it. Fall, a breath of thought, 514 00:45:14,960 --> 00:45:17,800 almost too short to call a pause. Then a little thud of surrender 515 00:45:17,920 --> 00:45:22,679 sounded from the carpet by the door. The two conspirators seemed to hold their 516 00:45:22,679 --> 00:45:30,199 breath. That's right, the clacid voice once more resumed its sway. Why 517 00:45:30,239 --> 00:45:32,960 cannot things be agreeable? I hate to have to shout, but you seem 518 00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:37,320 far from grasping the situation. Yet, remember that I do not take the 519 00:45:37,360 --> 00:45:43,320 slightest risk. Also, please remember, mister Montmorency, that the action, 520 00:45:43,840 --> 00:45:47,360 even of a hair trigger automatic, scrapes slightly as it comes up. And 521 00:45:47,480 --> 00:45:52,480 remind you of that for your own good, Because if you are so ill 522 00:45:52,519 --> 00:45:55,960 advised to think of trying to pot me in the dark, that noise gives 523 00:45:57,000 --> 00:46:00,719 me a fifth of a second's start. Of you were any chance know Zinghi's 524 00:46:00,840 --> 00:46:08,199 in Mercer Street the shooting gallery, asked mister Montmorency, a little sulkany the 525 00:46:08,239 --> 00:46:14,079 same, If you happen to come through this alive and are interested, you 526 00:46:14,199 --> 00:46:17,920 might ask Zinghi to show you a target of mine that he keeps seven shots 527 00:46:17,920 --> 00:46:22,679 at twenty yards, the target indicated by four watches, none of them so 528 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:27,559 loud as the one you are wearing. He keeps it as a curiosity. 529 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:34,880 I wear no watch, muttered Dompierre, expressing his thought aloud. No, 530 00:46:35,199 --> 00:46:37,800 Monsieur Danpierre, but you wear a heart, and that's not on your sleeve, 531 00:46:38,360 --> 00:46:44,400 said Carrados. Just now it is quite as loud as mister Montmorence's watch. 532 00:46:44,880 --> 00:46:47,519 It is more central too. I shall not have to allow any margin. 533 00:46:47,880 --> 00:46:53,119 That's right. Breathe naturally for the unhappy Danpierre had given a gasp of 534 00:46:53,159 --> 00:46:58,719 apprehension. It does not make any difference to me. And after a time 535 00:46:58,840 --> 00:47:04,840 holding one's breath, because I am really painful, monsieur, declared Dampierre earnestly. 536 00:47:05,239 --> 00:47:09,400 There was no intention of submitting you injury. I swear this englishman did 537 00:47:09,440 --> 00:47:14,440 but speak within his act, and the most extreme you would have been but 538 00:47:14,519 --> 00:47:20,039 bound and gagged. Take care. Killing is a dangerous game for you, 539 00:47:20,400 --> 00:47:22,840 not for me, was the bland rejoinder. If you kill me, you 540 00:47:22,880 --> 00:47:27,760 will be hanged for it. If I kill you, I shall be honorably 541 00:47:27,760 --> 00:47:32,239 acquitted. You can imagine seeing the sympathetic court, the recital of your villainies, 542 00:47:32,360 --> 00:47:37,199 the story of my indignities. Then, with stumbling feet and groping hands, 543 00:47:37,199 --> 00:47:43,960 the helpless blind man is led forward to give evidence sensation. No, 544 00:47:43,960 --> 00:47:46,719 no, it isn't really fair, but I can kill you both with absolute 545 00:47:46,840 --> 00:47:52,320 certainty, and Providence will be saddled with all the responsibility. Please don't fidget 546 00:47:52,400 --> 00:47:55,599 with your feet, Monsieur Danpierre. I know that you aren't moving, but 547 00:47:55,639 --> 00:48:02,119 one is liable to make mistakes before or I die, said Montmorency, and 548 00:48:02,199 --> 00:48:07,599 for some reason laughed unconvincingly in the dark before I die, mister Carrados, 549 00:48:07,599 --> 00:48:12,639 I should really like to know what has happened to the light that surely isn't 550 00:48:12,679 --> 00:48:16,079 Providence. Would it be ungenerous to suggest that you are trying to gain time? 551 00:48:16,760 --> 00:48:21,360 You ought to know what has happened. But as it may satisfy you 552 00:48:21,480 --> 00:48:24,159 that I have nothing to fear from delay, I don't mind telling you. 553 00:48:24,920 --> 00:48:30,639 In my hand was a sharp knife, contemptible. You were satisfied as a 554 00:48:30,679 --> 00:48:35,599 weapon. Beneath my nose the flex of the electric lamp. It was only 555 00:48:35,679 --> 00:48:38,480 necessary for me to draw the one across the other, and the system was 556 00:48:38,519 --> 00:48:43,559 short circuited. Every lamp on that fuse is cut off, and in the 557 00:48:43,599 --> 00:48:47,639 distributing box in the hall you will find a burned out wire. You perhaps, 558 00:48:49,360 --> 00:48:52,800 but Monsieur Dantierre's experience in plaiting ought to have put him up to simple 559 00:48:52,840 --> 00:48:59,239 electricity. How did you know that there is a distributing box? In all? 560 00:48:59,400 --> 00:49:04,320 Asked dom? With dull resentment, My dear Dampierre, why beat the 561 00:49:04,400 --> 00:49:07,760 air with futile questions, replied Max Carrados. What does it matter? Have 562 00:49:07,880 --> 00:49:14,679 it in the cellar if you like? True, interposed Montmorency. The only 563 00:49:14,760 --> 00:49:19,960 thing that need concern us now, but it is in the all nine feet 564 00:49:20,039 --> 00:49:24,719 high, muttered Dompierre in bitterness. Yet he this blind man, the only 565 00:49:24,800 --> 00:49:30,039 thing that need concern us, repeated the Englishman, severely ignoring the interruption. 566 00:49:31,000 --> 00:49:37,320 Is what you intend doing in the end, mister Carrados. The end is 567 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:40,800 a little difficult to foresee, was the admission. So far? I am 568 00:49:40,840 --> 00:49:45,880 all for maintaining the status quo. Will the first gray light of morning find 569 00:49:45,960 --> 00:49:51,559 us still in this impasse? No, For between us we have condemned the 570 00:49:51,639 --> 00:49:55,920 room to eternal darkness. Probably about daybreak Dompierre will drop off to sleep and 571 00:49:57,000 --> 00:50:01,679 roll against the door. Aye, unfortunate mistaking his attention will send a bullet 572 00:50:01,760 --> 00:50:06,679 through. Pardon, madame, I should have remembered, But pray don't mouse 573 00:50:07,760 --> 00:50:13,079 a protest, monsieur, don't protest, just sit still. Very likely it 574 00:50:13,119 --> 00:50:16,039 will be mister Montmorency who will fall off to sleep the first. After all, 575 00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:22,880 then we will anticipate that difficulty, said the one in question, speaking 576 00:50:22,920 --> 00:50:27,320 with renewed decision. We will play the last hand with our cards upon the 577 00:50:27,400 --> 00:50:31,079 table. If you like Nina, mister Carrados will not injure you. Whatever 578 00:50:31,119 --> 00:50:37,119 happens. Be sure of that when the moment comes, you will rise one 579 00:50:37,159 --> 00:50:42,559 word put in cardos with determination. My position is precarious, and I take 580 00:50:42,679 --> 00:50:46,679 no risks. As you say, I cannot injure Madam Danpierre and you two 581 00:50:46,800 --> 00:50:52,400 men are therefore my hostages for her good behavior. If she rises from the 582 00:50:52,480 --> 00:50:59,320 couch, you Dompierre fall. If she advances another step, mister Montmorency follows, 583 00:50:59,360 --> 00:51:06,400 you do nothing, rash Curissima urged her husband with passionate solicitude. You 584 00:51:06,559 --> 00:51:08,760 might get hit in place of me. We will yet find a better way. 585 00:51:10,320 --> 00:51:15,440 You dare not, mister Karados flung out Montmorency for the first time, 586 00:51:15,519 --> 00:51:19,519 beginning to show signs of wear in this duel of the temper, He dare 587 00:51:19,599 --> 00:51:22,599 not. Don Pierre in cold blood and unprovoked. No jury would acquit you 588 00:51:23,800 --> 00:51:28,719 another who fails to do you justice. Madam Nina, said the blind man, 589 00:51:28,800 --> 00:51:31,599 with ironic gallantry. The action might be a little high handed, one 590 00:51:31,599 --> 00:51:37,920 admits, But when you appropriately clothed and in your right complexion, stepped into 591 00:51:37,960 --> 00:51:40,639 the witness box, and I said, gentlemen of the jury, what is 592 00:51:40,679 --> 00:51:46,159 my crime that I made Madame Danpierre a widow? Can you doubt their gratitude 593 00:51:46,199 --> 00:51:51,320 and my acquittal? Truly, my countrymen are not all bats or monks. 594 00:51:51,320 --> 00:51:57,119 Madame Dompierre was breathing with perfect freedom now, while from the couch came the 595 00:51:57,199 --> 00:52:01,159 sounds of stifled emotion. But whether the lady was involved in a paroxysm of 596 00:52:01,239 --> 00:52:07,199 sobs or of laughter, it might be difficult to swear. It was perhaps 597 00:52:07,239 --> 00:52:12,599 an hour after the flourish of the introduction with which Madame dan Pierre had closed 598 00:52:12,639 --> 00:52:16,199 the door of the trap upon the blind man's entrance. The minutes had passed, 599 00:52:16,599 --> 00:52:22,519 but the situation remained unchanged, though the ingenuity of certainly two of the 600 00:52:22,559 --> 00:52:25,920 occupants of the room had been tormented into shreds to discover a means of turning 601 00:52:27,000 --> 00:52:30,800 it to their advantage. So far the terrible omniscience of the blind man in 602 00:52:30,840 --> 00:52:36,840 the dark, and the respect for his marksmanship with which his coolness had inspired 603 00:52:36,840 --> 00:52:40,599 them dominated the group. But one strong card yet remained to be played, 604 00:52:42,000 --> 00:52:46,079 and at last the moment came upon which the conspirators had pinned their despairing hopes. 605 00:52:46,760 --> 00:52:51,400 There was the sound of movement in the hall outside, not the first 606 00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:57,039 about the house, but was the new complication. Carrados had been strangely unobservant. 607 00:52:57,719 --> 00:53:01,039 True. Montmorency had talked rather loudly to carry over the dangerous moments. 608 00:53:01,519 --> 00:53:06,880 But now there came an unmistakable step, and to the accomplices it could only 609 00:53:06,920 --> 00:53:12,000 mean one thing. Montmorency was ready on the instant. Down Tom. He 610 00:53:12,079 --> 00:53:15,159 cried, throw yourself down, Break in, Guido, break in the door. 611 00:53:15,199 --> 00:53:19,760 We are held up. There was an immediate response. The door, 612 00:53:19,880 --> 00:53:23,079 under the pressure of a human battering ram, burst open with a crash on 613 00:53:23,199 --> 00:53:28,280 the threshold. The intruders, four or five in number, stopped starkly for 614 00:53:28,320 --> 00:53:31,559 a moment, held in astonishment by the extraordinary scene that the light from the 615 00:53:31,599 --> 00:53:37,840 hall and their own bull's eyes revealed flat on their faces to present the least 616 00:53:37,880 --> 00:53:43,679 possible surface to Carradoss's aim. Dompierre and Montmorency lay extended beside the window and 617 00:53:43,760 --> 00:53:47,239 behind the door on the couch, with her head buried beneath the cushions. 618 00:53:47,280 --> 00:53:53,639 Madame Danpierre sought to shut out the sight and sound of violence Carados Carrados had 619 00:53:53,679 --> 00:53:59,760 not moved, but with arms resting on the table and fingers placidly locked together, 620 00:54:00,239 --> 00:54:05,280 he smiled benignly on the new arrivals. His attitude, compared with the 621 00:54:05,360 --> 00:54:10,079 extravagance of those around him, gave the impression of a complaisant modern deity presiding 622 00:54:10,119 --> 00:54:16,360 over some grotesque ceremonial of pagan worship. So, Inspector, you could not 623 00:54:16,440 --> 00:54:22,880 wait for me, after all, was his greeting. End of the game 624 00:54:23,000 --> 00:54:23,840 played in the dark.