WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:04.719 The Reigate puzzle. It was some time before the health 2 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:07.639 of my friend mister Sherlock Holmes recovered from the strain 3 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:11.000 caused by his immense exertions in the spring of eighty seven. 4 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:15.560 The whole question of the Netherlands Sumatra Company and of 5 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:19.440 the colossal schemes of Baron Maupetaus are too recent in 6 00:00:19.480 --> 00:00:22.600 the minds of the public, and are too intimately concerned 7 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:25.719 with politics and finance to be fitting subjects for this 8 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:30.559 series of sketches. They led, however, in an indirect fashion, 9 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:33.600 to a singular and complex problem, which gave my friend 10 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:37.280 an opportunity of demonstrating the value of a fresh weapon 11 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:40.719 among the many with which he waged his lifelong battle 12 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:45.119 against crime. On referring to my notes, I see that 13 00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:47.439 it was upon the fourteenth of April that I received 14 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:52.000 a telegram from Lyons which informed me that Holmes was 15 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:56.280 lying ill in the Hotel Dulon. Within twenty four hours 16 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:58.560 I was in his sick room and was relieved to 17 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:02.640 find that there was nothing formidable in his symptoms. Even 18 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:06.799 his iron constitution, however, had broken down under the strain 19 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:10.560 of an investigation which had extended over two months, during 20 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:13.719 which period he had never worked less than fifteen hours 21 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:16.840 a day and had more than once, as he assured me, 22 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:19.920 kept to his task for five days at a stretch. 23 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:24.680 Even the triumphant issue of his labors could not save 24 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:28.760 him from reaction. After so terrible an exertion, and at 25 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:31.359 a time when Europe was ringing with his name, and 26 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:35.840 when his room was literally ankled deep with congratulatory telegrams, 27 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:40.280 I found him a prey to the blackest depression. Even 28 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:43.159 the knowledge that he had succeeded where the police of 29 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:46.599 three countries had failed, and that he had outmaneuvered at 30 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:51.000 every point the most accomplished swindler in Europe was insufficient 31 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:55.760 to rouse him from his nervous prostration. Three days later 32 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:58.439 we were back in Baker Street together, but it was 33 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:00.680 evident that my friend would be more much the better 34 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:03.040 for a change, and the thought of a week of 35 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:06.159 springtime in the country was full of attractions to me. Also, 36 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:10.039 my old friend, Colonel Hayter, who had come under my 37 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:13.680 professional care in Afghanistan, had now taken a house near 38 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.039 Reigate in Surrey, and had frequently asked me to come 39 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:20.360 down to him upon a visit. On the last occasion 40 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.840 he had remarked that if my friend would only come 41 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:25.840 with me, he would be glad to extend his hospitality 42 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:30.199 to him. Also, a little diplomacy was needed, but when 43 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:33.879 Holmes understood that the establishment was a bachelor one, and 44 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.719 that he would be allowed the fullest freedom, he fell 45 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:39.240 in with my plans, and a week after our return 46 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:43.400 from Lyon, we were under the colonel's roof. Hater was 47 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.159 a fine old soldier who had seen much of the world, 48 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.599 and he soon found, as I had expected, that Holmes 49 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.759 and he had much in common. On the evening of 50 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:56.120 our arrival, we were sitting in the colonel's gun room 51 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:00.439 after dinner, homes stretched upon the sofa while and I 52 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:04.879 looked over his little armory of Eastern weapons. By the way, 53 00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:08.000 said he suddenly, I think I'll take one of these 54 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.560 pistols upstairs with me in case we have an alarm. 55 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:15.159 An alarm, said I. Yes, we have had a scare 56 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:18.120 in this part lately. Old Acton, who is one of 57 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:21.919 our county magnates, had his house broken into last Monday. 58 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:26.479 No great damage done, but the fellows are still at large. 59 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:30.280 No clue, asked Holmes, cocking his eye at the colonel. 60 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:34.319 None as yet, but the affair is a petty one, 61 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.840 one of our little country crimes, which must seem too 62 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:42.120 small for your attention, mister Holmes, after this great international affair. 63 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:46.759 Holmes waved away the compliment, though his smile showed that 64 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:50.520 it had pleased him. Was there any feature of interest? 65 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:55.039 I fancy not. The thieves ransacked the library and got 66 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.400 very little for their pains. The whole place was turned 67 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:02.960 upside down, draws burst open, and presses ransacked, with the 68 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:07.680 result that an odd volume of Pope's homer, two plaited candlesticks, 69 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:11.759 an ivory letter weight, a small oak barometer, and a 70 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:15.280 ball of twine are all that have vanished. What an 71 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:20.279 extraordinary assortment, I exclaimed. Oh, the fellows evidently grabbed hold 72 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:24.959 of everything they could get. Holmes grunted from the sofa. 73 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:28.600 The county police ought to make something of that, said he. 74 00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:32.399 Why it is surely obvious that, but I held up 75 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:35.439 a warning finger. You are here for a rest, my 76 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.120 dear fellow. For Heaven's sake, don't get started on a 77 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:41.920 new problem when your nerves are all in shreds. Holmes 78 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:45.079 shrugged his shoulders with a glance of comic resignation. Towards 79 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:49.040 the Colonel, and the talk drifted away into less dangerous channels. 80 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:54.240 It was destined, however, that all my professional caution should 81 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:58.000 be wasted, for next morning. The problem obtruded itself upon 82 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:00.480 us in such a way that it was in possible 83 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:03.759 to ignore it, and our country visit took a turn 84 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:07.240 which neither of us could have anticipated. We were at 85 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:10.040 breakfast when the colonel's butler rushed in with all his 86 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:14.079 propriety shaken out of him. Have you heard the news, sir? 87 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:19.279 He gasped at the Cunningham, Sir, Burglary, cried the Colonel 88 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:23.480 with his coffee cup in mid air murder. The Colonel, 89 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:28.480 whistled by jove, said he who's killed? Then? The j 90 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:32.839 P or his son, nor either, Sir? It was William, 91 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:36.759 the coachman shot through the art, Sir, and never spoke again. 92 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:38.759 Who shot him? 93 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:38.959 Then? 94 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:40.600 The burglar? 95 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:40.839 Sir? 96 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:43.839 He was off like a shot and got clean away. 97 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:46.920 He just broke in at the pantry window when William 98 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:49.040 came on him and met his end in saving his 99 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:54.279 master's property. What time it was late last night, sir? 100 00:05:54.839 --> 00:06:00.480 Somewhere about twelve ah. Then we'll step over afterwards, said 101 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:04.600 the Colonel coolly, settling down to his breakfast again. It's 102 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:08.000 a barish business, he added, when the butler had gone. 103 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:12.040 He's our leading man about here is old Cunningham, a 104 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:15.680 very decent fellow too. He'll be cut up over this, 105 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:18.560 for the man has been in his service for years 106 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:22.240 and was a good servant. It's evidently the same villains 107 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:26.720 who broke into Acton's and stole that very singular collection, 108 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:33.480 said Holmes, thoughtfully, precisely hum. It may prove the simplest 109 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:36.680 matter in the world, but all the same, at first glance, 110 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:40.319 this is just a little curious, is it not. A 111 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:43.600 gang of burglars acting in the country might be expected 112 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:46.680 to vary the scene of their operations, and not to 113 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:49.959 crack two cribs in the same district within a few days. 114 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:54.480 When you spoke last night of taking precautions, I remember 115 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:56.839 that it passed through my mind that this was probably 116 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:59.639 the last parish in England to which the thief or 117 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:03.279 thiefs would be likely to turn their attention, which shows 118 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:07.040 that I have still much to learn. I fancy it's 119 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:11.160 some local practitioner, said the Colonel. In that case, of course, 120 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.000 Acton's and Cunningham's are just the places he would go for, 121 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:19.079 since they are far the largest about here and richest. 122 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.439 Well they ought to be, but they've had a lawsuit 123 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:26.079 for some years which has sucked the blood out of 124 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:29.759 both of them. I fancy old Acton has some claim 125 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:33.279 on half of Cunningham's estate, and the lawyers have been 126 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:36.920 at it with both hands. If it's a local villain, 127 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.079 there should not be much difficulty in running him down, 128 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.480 said Holmes with a yawn. All right, Watson, I don't 129 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:49.759 intend to meddle, Inspector, Forester, Sir, said the butler, throwing 130 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:54.680 open the door. The official, a smart, keen faced young fellow, 131 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:59.199 stepped into the room. Good morning, Colonel, said he. I 132 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:01.759 hope I don't intry rude, but we hear that mister 133 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:05.160 Holmes of Baker Street is here. The colonel waved his 134 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:09.399 hand towards my friend, and the inspector bowed. We thought 135 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:11.759 that perhaps you would care to step across, mister Holmes. 136 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:16.839 The fates are against you, Watson said, he laughing. We 137 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:19.399 were chatting about the matter when you came in, Inspector. 138 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:23.279 Perhaps you can let us have a few details. As 139 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.800 he leaned back in his chair in the familiar attitude. 140 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:29.040 I knew that the case was hopeless. We had no 141 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:31.959 clue in the acton affair, but here we have plenty 142 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:33.879 to go on, and there's no doubt it is the 143 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:39.440 same party. In each case. The man was seen, Ah, yes, sir, 144 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.759 but he was off like a deer. After the shot 145 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:45.200 that killed Poul William Kerwin was fired. Mister Cunningham saw 146 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:48.279 him from the bedroom window, and mister Alec Cunningham saw 147 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.279 him from the back passage. It was quarter to twelve 148 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:55.080 when the alarm broke out. Mister Cunningham had just got 149 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:58.080 into bed and mister Alec was smoking a pipe in 150 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:02.120 his dressing gown. They heard William the coachman, calling for help, 151 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:04.799 and mister Alec ran down to see what was the matter. 152 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:07.919 The back door was open, and as he came to 153 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:10.440 the foot of the stairs he saw two men wrestling 154 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:15.159 together outside. One of them fired a shot, the other dropped, 155 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:19.000 and the murderer rushed across the garden and over the hedge. 156 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:22.799 Mister Cunningham, looking out of his bedroom, saw the fellow 157 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.960 as he gained the road, but lost sight of him 158 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:28.320 at once. Mister Alick stopped to see if he could 159 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.399 help the dying man, and so the villain got clean away. 160 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.200 Beyond the fact that he was a middle sized man 161 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:38.240 and dressed in some dark stuff. We have no personal clue, 162 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.240 but we're making energetic inquiries, and if he is a stranger, 163 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:46.240 we shall soon find him out. What was this William 164 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:50.080 doing there? Did he say anything before he died? Not 165 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:52.840 a word. He lives at the lodge with his mother, 166 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:56.159 and as he was a very faithful fellow, we imagined 167 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.080 that he walked up to the house with the intention 168 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:01.279 of seeing that all was right there. Of course, this 169 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:04.840 acton business has put every one on their guard. The 170 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:07.799 robber must have just burst open the door. The lock 171 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:12.279 has been forced when William came upon him. Did William 172 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:15.960 say anything to his mother before going out? She is 173 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:18.679 very old and deaf, and we can get no information 174 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:22.159 from her. The shock has made her half witted, but 175 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:25.039 I understand that she was never very bright. There is 176 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:30.240 one very important circumstance, however. Look at this. He took 177 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:32.600 a small piece of torn paper from a note book 178 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:36.240 and spread it out upon his knee. This was found 179 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:39.399 between the finger and thumb of the dead man. It 180 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:42.279 appears to be a fragment torn from a larger sheet. 181 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:45.799 You will observe that they, how are mentioned upon it 182 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.879 is the very time at which the poor fellow met 183 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:52.200 his fate. You see that his murderer might have torn 184 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.960 the rest of the sheet from him, or he might 185 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:57.720 have taken this fragment from the murderer. It reads almost 186 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:01.159 as though it were an appointment. Holmes took up the 187 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:05.120 scrap of paper and facsimile of which is here produced 188 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:12.279 d at quarter to twelve. Learn what may be presuming 189 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:15.759 that is an appointment, continued the inspector. It is of 190 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:19.759 course a conceivable theory that this William Kerwin, though he 191 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.480 had the reputation of being an honest man, may have 192 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.080 been in league with the thief. He may have met 193 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:27.120 him there, may even have helped him to break in 194 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:31.399 the door, and then they may have fallen out between themselves. 195 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:35.679 This writing is of extraordinary interest, said Holmes, who had 196 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:40.360 been examining it with intense concentration. These are much deeper 197 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:43.879 waters than I had thought. He sank his head upon 198 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:47.080 his hands, while the inspector smiled at the effect which 199 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:51.639 his case had had upon the famous London specialist. Your 200 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:55.919 last remark, said Holmes, presently, as to the possibility of 201 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:59.159 there being an understanding between the burglar and the servant, 202 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:02.159 and this being a note of appointment from one to 203 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:06.200 the other is an ingenious and not entirely impossible supposition. 204 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:10.759 But this writing opens up. He sank his head into 205 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:13.440 his hands again and remained for some minutes in the 206 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:17.360 deepest thought. When he raised his face again, I was 207 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:20.080 surprised to see that his cheek was tinged with color, 208 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:24.200 and his eyes as bright as before his illness. He 209 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:27.840 sprang to his feet with all his old energy. I'll 210 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:30.600 tell you what, said he I should like to have 211 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:33.399 a quiet little glance into the details of this case. 212 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:38.759 There is something in it which fascinates me extremely. If 213 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:41.480 you will permit me, Colonel, I will leave my friend 214 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.200 Watson and you and I will step around with the 215 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:46.919 inspector to test the truth of one or two little 216 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:49.639 fancies of mine. I will be with you again in 217 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:53.399 half an hour. An hour and a half had elapsed 218 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:57.679 before the inspector returned alone. Mister Holmes is walking up 219 00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:01.080 and down in the field outside, said he. He wants 220 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:03.200 us all four to go up to the house together 221 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:10.039 to mister Cunningham's Yes, sir, what for the inspector shrugged 222 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:15.399 his shoulders. I don't quite know, sir, between ourselves, but 223 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:17.559 I think mister Olmes had not quite got over his 224 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:21.559 illness yet. He's been behaving very queerly, and he's very 225 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:26.519 much excited. I don't think you need alarm yourself, said I. 226 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:29.039 I have usually found that there was method in his madness. 227 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.799 Some folks might say there was madness in his method, 228 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:36.679 muttered the inspector. But he's all on fire, the start, Colonel, 229 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.600 So we'd best go out, if you're ready. We found 230 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:43.399 Holmes pacing up and down in the field, his chin 231 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:46.200 sunk upon his breast and his hands thrust into his 232 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:51.879 trousers pockets. The matter grows in interest, said he Watson. 233 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:55.639 Your country trip has been a distinct success. I've had 234 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:59.039 a charming morning. You've been up to the scene of 235 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:03.399 the crime, I unders stand, said the colonel. Yes, the 236 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:06.320 inspector and I have made quite a little reconnaissance together. 237 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.159 Any success. 238 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:12.759 Well, we've seen some very interesting things. I'll tell you 239 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:15.799 what we did as we walk. First of all, we 240 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:19.360 saw the body of this unfortunate man. He certainly died 241 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:24.559 from a revolver wound, as reported. Had you doubted it. Then, oh, 242 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.720 it is as well to test everything. Our inspection was 243 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:31.000 not wasted. We then had an interview with mister Cunningham 244 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:33.639 and his son, who were able to point out the 245 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:36.320 exact spot where the murderer had broken through the garden 246 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:41.399 hedge in his flight. That was of great interest. Naturally, 247 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:44.360 then we had a look at this poor fellow's mother. 248 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:47.799 We could get no information from her, however, as she 249 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:51.440 is very old and feeble. And what is the result 250 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:55.480 of your investigations the conviction that the crime is a 251 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:59.200 very peculiar one. Perhaps our visit now may do something 252 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:02.159 to make it less obs I think that we are 253 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:04.799 both agreed, Inspector, that the fragment of paper in the 254 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.879 dead man's hand, bearing as it does in the very 255 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:11.600 hour of his death written upon it, is of extreme importance. 256 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:16.200 It should give a clue, mister Olmes. It does give 257 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:19.720 a clue whoever wrote that note was the man who 258 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:22.279 brought William Kerwin out of his bed at that hour? 259 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.240 But where is the rest of that sheet of paper? 260 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:29.279 I examined the ground carefully in the hope of finding it, 261 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.840 said the inspector. It was torn out of the dead 262 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:36.679 man's hand. Why was some one so anxious to get 263 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:41.240 possession of it because it incriminated him, and what would 264 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:44.840 he do with it? Thrust it into his pocket, most 265 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:47.639 likely never noticing that a corner of it had been 266 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:50.519 left in the grip of the corpse. If we could 267 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:52.840 get the rest of that sheet, it is obvious that 268 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:57.320 we should have gone a long way towards solving the mystery. Yes, 269 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:00.240 but how can we get at the criminal's pocket before 270 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:04.679 we catched a criminal? Well, well, it was worth thinking over. 271 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:08.559 Then there is another obvious point. The note was sent 272 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:11.279 to William. The man who wrote it could not have 273 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:14.240 taken it otherwise, of course he might have delivered his 274 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:18.120 own message by word of mouth. Who brought the note then? 275 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:23.000 Or did it come through the post? I have my inquiries, 276 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:26.480 said the inspector. William received a letter by the afternoon 277 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:32.679 post yesterday. The envelope was destroyed by him. Excellent, cried Holmes, 278 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:35.879 clapping the inspector on the back. You've seen the postman. 279 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:39.000 It is a pleasure to work with you. Well, here 280 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:41.200 is a lodge, and if you will come up, colonel, 281 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:45.480 I will show you the scene of the crime. We 282 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:48.080 passed the pretty cottage where the murdered man had lived, 283 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.600 and walked up an oak lined avenue to the fine 284 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:54.200 old Queen Anne house, which bears the date of Malplaquet 285 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:57.879 upon the lintel of the door. Holmes and the inspector 286 00:16:57.960 --> 00:17:00.519 led us round it until we came to the gate, 287 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:03.519 which is separated by a stretch of garden from the 288 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:07.039 hedge which lines the road. A constable was standing at 289 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:11.359 the kitchen door. Throw the door open, officer, said Holmes. 290 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.400 Now it was on these stairs that young mister Cunningham 291 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:18.880 stood and saw the two men struggling just where we are. 292 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:23.079 Old mister Cunningham was at that window, the second on 293 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:25.960 the left, and he saw the fellow get away just 294 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.480 to the left of that bush. Then mister Alec ran 295 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:33.039 out and knelt beside the wounded man. The ground is 296 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:35.079 very hard, you see, and there are no marks to 297 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:39.119 guide us. As he spoke, two men came down to 298 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:42.079 the garden path from round the angle of the house. 299 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:46.200 The one was an elderly man with a strong, deep lined, 300 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:50.599 heavy eyed face, the other a dashing young fellow, whose bright, 301 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:54.519 smiling expression and showy dress were in strange contrast with 302 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:58.359 the business which had brought us there. Still at it, 303 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:01.759 then said he to Holmes. I thought you Londoners were 304 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.400 never at fault. You don't seem to disove very quick 305 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:07.880 after all. Ah, you must give us a little time, 306 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:12.559 said Holmes. Good humoredly, you'll want it, said young Alec Cunningham. 307 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:16.279 Why I don't see that we have any clue at all? 308 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:21.400 There's only one, answered the inspector. We thought that if 309 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:24.640 we could only find good heavens, mister Holmes, what is 310 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:28.759 the matter. My poor friend's face had suddenly assumed the 311 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:33.960 most dreadful expression, His eyes rolled upwards, his features writhed 312 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:37.319 in agony, and with a suppressed groan, he dropped on 313 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:41.200 his face upon the ground. Horrified at the suddenness and 314 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.160 severity of the attack. We carried him into the kitchen, 315 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:47.240 where he lay back in a large chair and breathed 316 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:51.839 heavily for some minutes. Finally, with a shame faced apology 317 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:56.240 for his weakness, he rose once more. Watson would tell 318 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.960 you that I have only just recovered from a severe illness, 319 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:03.799 he explained, I am liable to these sudden nervous attacks. 320 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:09.960 Shall I send you home in my trap? Asked old Cunningham. Well, 321 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:12.480 since I am here, there is one point on which 322 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:15.480 I should like to feel sure we can very easily 323 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:20.039 verify it. What was it? Well, it seems to me 324 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.759 that it is just possible that the arrival of this 325 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:27.119 poor fellow William was not before, but after the entrance 326 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:30.240 of the burglar into the house. You appear to take 327 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.880 it for granted that although the door was forced, the 328 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:37.440 robber never got in. I fancy that is quite obvious, 329 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:42.200 said mister Cunningham gravely. Why my son, Alec had not 330 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:45.039 yet gone to bed, and you would certainly have heard 331 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:50.119 any one moving about. Where was he sitting? I was 332 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:54.440 smoking in my dressing room. Which window is that? The 333 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:58.000 last on the left, next to my father's? Both of 334 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:02.920 your lamps were lit. Of course, undoubtedly there are some 335 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.839 very singular points here, said Holmes, smiling. Is it not 336 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:10.400 extraordinary that a burglar, and a burglar who had had 337 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:14.440 some previous experience, should deliberately break into a house at 338 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.720 a time when he could see from the lights that 339 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:20.039 two of the family were still afoot He must have 340 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:24.440 been a cool hand. Well. Of course, if the case 341 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.519 were not an odd one, we should not have been 342 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:29.960 driven to ask you for an explanation, said young mister Alec. 343 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:33.039 But as to your ideas that the man has robbed 344 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:36.240 the house before William tackled him. I think it a 345 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:40.200 most absurd notion, wouldn't we have found the place disarranged 346 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:44.200 and missed the things which he had taken. It depends 347 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:47.920 on what the things were, said Holmes. You must remember 348 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.799 that we are dealing with a burglar who is a 349 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:53.359 very peculiar fellow, and who appears to work on lines 350 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:56.559 of his own. Look, for example at the queer lot 351 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:59.480 of things which he took from Acton's What was it? 352 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:02.920 A ball of string, a letter? Wait, and I don't 353 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:06.920 know what other osen ends. Well, we are quite in 354 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:11.519 your hands, mister Holmes, said old Cunningham. Anything which you 355 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:16.039 or the inspector may suggest will most certainly be done. 356 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:19.799 In the first place, said Holmes, I should like you 357 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:23.960 to offer a reward coming from yourself, for the officials 358 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:26.039 may take a little time before they would agree upon 359 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:29.720 the sum, and these things cannot be done too promptly. 360 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:33.720 I have jotted down the form here, if you would 361 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:36.359 not mind signing it. Fifty pounds is quite enough. I 362 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:40.759 thought I would willingly give you five hundred. 363 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.400 Said the j P. 364 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.480 Taking the slip of paper and the pencil which Holmes 365 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:49.400 handed to him. This is not quite correct, however, he added, 366 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:53.160 glancing over the document. I wrote it rather hurriedly. 367 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:57.640 You see, you begin where a is at about a 368 00:21:57.720 --> 00:22:01.039 quarter to one on Tuesday morning, and attempt was made, 369 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:04.240 and so on it was at a quarter to twelve. 370 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:07.960 As a matter of fact. I was pained at the mistake, 371 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:11.000 for I knew how keenly Homes would feel any slip 372 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:14.359 of the kind. It was his speciality to be accurate 373 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:17.880 as to fact. But his recent illness had shaken him, 374 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:20.720 and this one little incident was enough to show me 375 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:24.640 that he was still far from being himself. He was 376 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:28.000 obviously embarrassed for an instant while the inspector raised his 377 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:33.160 eyebrows and Alec Cunningham burst into a laugh. The old 378 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:37.039 gentleman corrected the mistake, however, and handed the paper back 379 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:42.000 to Holmes. Get it printed as soon as possible. He said, 380 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:46.720 I think your idea is an excellent one. Holmes put 381 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:49.160 the slip of paper carefully away into his pocket book, 382 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:53.400 and now said he it really would be a good 383 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.680 thing that we should all go over the house together 384 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.440 and make certain that this rather erratic burglar did not, 385 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:04.759 after all carry anything away with him. Before entering, Holmes 386 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:07.200 made an examination of the door which had been forced. 387 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:10.519 It was evident that a chisel or strong knife had 388 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:13.319 been thrust in and the lock forced back with it. 389 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.880 We could see the marks in the wood where it 390 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:20.839 had been pushed in. You don't use bars, then, he asked. 391 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.000 We have never found it necessary. 392 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:27.240 You don't keep a dog, yes, but he is chained 393 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:30.079 on the other side of the house. When do your 394 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:35.200 servants go to bed about ten? I understand that William 395 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:39.640 was usually in bed also at that hour. Yes, it 396 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:42.480 is singular that on this particular night he should have 397 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:45.119 been up. Now I should be very glad if you 398 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:47.079 had have the kindness to show us over the house, 399 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:52.039 mister Cunningham. A stone flagged passage with the kitchens branching 400 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:55.279 away from it, led by a wooden staircase directly to 401 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:58.440