WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:05.919 The Stranger's latch Key by R. Austin Freeman. The contrarity 2 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:08.599 of human nature is a subject that has given a 3 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.039 surprising amount of occupation to makers of proverbs and to 4 00:00:12.119 --> 00:00:15.640 those moral philosophers who make it their province to discover 5 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:20.000 and expound the glaringly obvious. And especially have they been 6 00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:24.000 concerned to enlarge upon that form of perverseness which engenders 7 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:28.760 dislike of things offered under compulsion, and arouses desire of 8 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:32.679 them as soon as their attainment becomes difficult or impossible. 9 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:35.280 They assure us that a man who has had a 10 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:38.679 given thing within his reach and put it by will, 11 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:41.399 as soon as it is beyond his reach, find it 12 00:00:41.479 --> 00:00:45.520 the one thing necessary and desirable, Even as the domestic cat, 13 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.479 which has turned disdainfully from the preferred saucer, may presently 14 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:52.520 be seen with her head jammed hard in the milk jug, 15 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:57.359 or secretly and with horrible relish, slaking her thirst at 16 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:01.159 the scullery sink. To this peculiarity of the human mind 17 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:03.880 was due, no doubt the fact that no sooner had 18 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:07.400 I abandoned the clinical side of my profession in favor 19 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:09.680 of the legal, and taken up my abode in the 20 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:13.280 chambers of my friend Thorndike, the famous medico legal expert, 21 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:16.840 to act as his assistant or junior than my former 22 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:20.719 mode of life, that of the locum tenens, or minder 23 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:24.159 of other men's practices, which had, when I was following 24 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:29.280 it seemed intolerably irksome, now appeared to possess many desirable features, 25 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:32.959 and I found myself occasionally hankering to sit once more 26 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:36.879 by the bedside, to puzzle out the perplexing train of symptoms, 27 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:40.640 and to wield that power, the greatest after all possessed 28 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:44.519 by man, the power to banish suffering and ward off 29 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:48.760 the approach of death itself. Hence it was that, on 30 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:52.079 a certain morning of the long vacation, I found myself 31 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:55.680 installed at the larches Burling, in full charge of the 32 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.280 practice of my old friend, doctor Hanshaw, who was taking 33 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:03.439 a fishing holiday in Norway. I was not left desolate, however, 34 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:06.840 for Missus Hanshaw remained at her post, and the roomy, 35 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:11.639 old fashioned house accommodated three visitors. In addition. One of 36 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:16.000 these was doctor Hanshaw's sister, a Missus Haldean, the widow 37 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:19.879 of a wealthy Manchester cotton factor, the second was her 38 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:24.039 niece by marriage, Miss Lucy Haldean, a very handsome and 39 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:27.159 charming girl of twenty three, while the third was no 40 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:30.319 less a person than Master Fred, the only child of 41 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:35.159 missus Haldean and a strapping boy of six. It is 42 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:38.000 quite like old times, and very pleasant old times too, 43 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:40.840 to see you sitting at our breakfast table, doctor Jervis, 44 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.560 with these gracious words and a friendly smile. Missus Hanshaw 45 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:48.840 handed me my tea cup. I bowed. The highest pleasure 46 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:52.039 of the altruist, I replied, is in contemplating the good 47 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:56.240 fortune of others. Missus Haldean laughed, thank you, She said, 48 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:59.719 you are quite unchanged. I perceive still as suave as 49 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:04.400 shall I say oleaginous? No? Please don't, I exclaimed, in 50 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:07.840 a tone of alarm. Then I won't. But what does 51 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:11.560 doctor Thorndike say to this backsliding on your part? How 52 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:15.159 does he regard this relapse from medical jurisprudence to common 53 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:20.560 general practice? Thorndike said, I is unmoved by any catastrophe, 54 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.479 and he not only regards the decline and fall off 55 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:27.520 of the medical jurist with philosophic charm, but he even 56 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:30.599 favors the relapse, as you call it. He thinks it 57 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:33.120 may be useful to me to study the application of 58 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:38.840 medico legal methods to general practice. That sounds rather unpleasant 59 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:44.800 for the patience, I mean, remarked Miss Haldein very agreed 60 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.199 her aunt most cold blooded. What sort of man is 61 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:51.639 doctor Thorndike? I feel quite curious about him? Is he 62 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:56.520 all human? For instance? He is entirely human, I replied, 63 00:03:57.080 --> 00:04:00.039 the accepted tests of humanity being as I understand the 64 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.800 habitual adoption of the erect posture in locomotion and the 65 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:07.080 relative position of the end of the thumb. I don't 66 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:10.840 mean that, interrupted missus Haldean. I mean human in things 67 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:15.439 that matter. I think those things matter. I rejoined. Consider 68 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.279 Missus Haldean, what would happen if my learned colleague were 69 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:21.040 to be seen in wig and gown walking towards the 70 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:24.600 law courts in any posture other than the erect. It 71 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.480 would be a public scandal. Don't talk to him, Mabel, 72 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:31.600 said missus Henshaw. He is incorrigible. What are you doing 73 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:35.600 with yourself this morning? Lucy, miss Haldean, who had hastily 74 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:38.040 set down her cup to laugh at my imaginary picture 75 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:41.560 of doctor Thorndyke, in the character of a quadruped considered 76 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:43.920 a moment. I think I shall sketch that group of 77 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:47.439 birches at the edge of Bradham Wood, she said. Then 78 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:49.800 in that case, said I, I can carry your traps 79 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:52.279 for you, for I have to see a patient in Bradham. 80 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.480 He is making the most of his time, remarked missus 81 00:04:56.519 --> 00:05:00.360 Haldean maliciously to my hostess. He knows that when mister 82 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:06.000 Winter arrives, he will retire into the extreme background. Douglas Winter, 83 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:08.639 whose arrival was expected in the course of the week, 84 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:13.279 was miss Haldean's fiancee. Their engagement had been somewhat protracted, 85 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:16.079 and was likely to be more so unless one of 86 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:19.879 them received some unexpected accession of means. For Douglas was 87 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:23.839 a subaltern in the Royal Engineers, living with great difficulty 88 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:27.519 on his pay, while Lucy Haldein subsisted on an almost 89 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:32.279 invisible allowance left her by an uncle. I was about 90 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:35.319 to reply to missus Haldean when a patient was announced, 91 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:37.519 and as I had finished my breakfast, I made my 92 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.759 excuses and left the table. Half an hour later, when 93 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.040 I started along the road to the village of Bradham. 94 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:46.560 I had two companions. Master Freddy had joined the party, 95 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:49.600 and he disputed with me the privilege of carrying the traps, 96 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:53.160 with the result that a compromise was effected by which 97 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:55.800 he carried the camp stool, leaving me in possession of 98 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:59.120 the easel, the bag, and a large bound sketching block. 99 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:02.680 Where are you going to work this morning? I asked, 100 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:06.279 when we had trudged on some distance, just off the 101 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:08.560 road to the left, there at the edge of the wood, 102 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:12.439 not very far from the house of the mysterious stranger. 103 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:16.040 She glanced at me mischievously as she made this reply, 104 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:18.480 and chuckled with delight. When I rose at the bait, 105 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:23.199 What house do you mean, I inquired, Ha, she exclaimed, 106 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.120 The investigator of mysteries is aroused. He saith ha ha 107 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:32.959 amidst the trumpets, he smelleth the battle afar off. Explain instantly, 108 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:35.639 I commanded, or I drop your sketch block into the 109 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:39.920 very next puddle. You terrify me, she said, But I 110 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:42.759 will explain only there isn't any mystery except to the 111 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:47.040 bucolic mind. The house is called Lavender Cottage, and it 112 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.360 stands alone in the fields behind the wood. A fortnight 113 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:53.560 ago it was let furnish to a stranger named Whitelocke, 114 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:56.079 who has taken it for the purpose of studying the 115 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:59.399 botany of the district. And the only really mysterious thing 116 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.040 about him is that no one has seen him. All 117 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:04.879 arrangements with the house agent were made by letter, and 118 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:06.720 as far as I can make out, none of the 119 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:09.519 local trades people supply him, so he must get his 120 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:12.800 things from a distance, even it is bread, which really 121 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.199 is rather odd. Now, say I am an inquisitive, gossiping 122 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:20.079 country bumpkin I was going to, I answered, but it 123 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:23.639 is no use now. She relieved me of her sketching appliance, 124 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:27.480 as with pretended indignation, and crossed into the meadow, leaving 125 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:30.120 me to pursue my way alone. And when I presently 126 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.720 looked back, she was setting up her easel and stool, 127 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.600 gravely assisted by Freddy. My round, though not a long one, 128 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:40.279 took up more time than I had anticipated, and it 129 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.439 was already past the luncheon hour when I passed the 130 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.560 place where I had left Miss Haldean. She was gone, 131 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:48.639 as I had expected, and I hurried homewards, anxious to 132 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:51.680 be as nearly punctual as possible. When I entered the 133 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.800 dining room, I found missus Haldean and our hostess seated 134 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:57.319 at the table, and both looked up at me expectantly. 135 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:02.839 Have you seen Lucy, the form inquired, No, I answered, 136 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.439 hasn't she come back? I expected to find her here? 137 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.319 She had left the wood when I passed just now. 138 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:14.519 Missus Haldean knitted her brows anxiously. It is very strange, 139 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:18.680 she said, and very thoughtless of her. Freddy will be famished. 140 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:23.480 I hurried over my lunch, for two fresh messages had 141 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:27.839 come in from outlying hamlets, effectually dispelling my visions of 142 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:31.480 a quiet afternoon. And as the minutes passed without bringing 143 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.919 any signs of the absentees, Missus Haldean became more and 144 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:39.399 more restless and anxious. At length, her suspense became unbearable. 145 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:43.200 She rose suddenly, announcing her intention of cycling up the 146 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.840 road to look for the defaulters. But as she was 147 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:49.440 moving towards the door, it burst open, and Lucy Haldean 148 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:53.720 staggered into the room. Her appearance filled us with alarm. 149 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:59.600 She was deadly, pale, breathless, and wild eyed. Her dress 150 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:04.600 was and torn, and she trembled from head to foot. 151 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:10.559 Good God, Lucy gasped missus Haldean. What has happened? And 152 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.360 where is Freddy? She added in a sterner tone. He 153 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.200 is lost, replied Miss Haldeen in a faint voice, and 154 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:21.279 with a catch in her breath. He strayed away while 155 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:24.120 I was painting. I have searched the wood through and 156 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:27.360 called to him, and looked in all the meadows. Oh 157 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:31.159 where could he have gone? Her sketching kit with which 158 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.559 she was loaded slipped from her grasp and rattled on 159 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:35.879 to the floor. And she buried her face in her 160 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:40.120 hands and sobbed hysterically. And you have dared to come 161 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:44.799 back without him, exclaimed missus Haldean. I was getting exhausted. 162 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:48.320 I came back for help, was the faint reply. Of 163 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:52.159 course she was exhausted, said missus Henshaw. Come, Lucy, Come, Mabel, 164 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:54.600 don't make mountains out of mole hills. The little man 165 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.960 is safe enough. We shall find him presently, or he 166 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:00.120 will come home by himself. Come and have some food, Lucy. 167 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:04.039 Miss Haldean shook her head. I can't, missus Fanshaw, really 168 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.320 I can't, she said, and, seeing that she was in 169 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.919 a state of utter exhaustion. I poured out a glass 170 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:13.000 of wine and made her drink it. Missus Haldean darted 171 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:16.240 from the room and returned immediately, putting on her hat. 172 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:18.320 You have got to come with me and show me 173 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:21.159 where you lost him, she said. She can't do that, 174 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:23.960 you know, I said, rather brusquely. She will have to 175 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.960 lie down for the present. But I know the place 176 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:29.639 and will cycle up with you very well, replied missus Haldeen. 177 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:33.559 That will do. What time was it, she asked, turning 178 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:36.639 to her niece, when you lost the child? And which way? 179 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.720 She paused abruptly, and I looked at her in surprise. 180 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:44.399 She had suddenly turned ashen and ghastly. Her face had 181 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:47.279 set like a mask of stone, with parted lips and 182 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:50.360 staring eyes that were fixed in horror on her knees. 183 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:54.840 There was a deathly silence for a few seconds, then 184 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:58.879 in a terrible voice, she demanded, what is that on 185 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:03.000 your dress? Lucy? And after a pause, her voice rose 186 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:07.360 into a shriek. What have you done to my boy? 187 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:12.440 I glanced in astonishment at the dazed and terrified girl, 188 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:15.559 and then I saw what her aunt had seen, A 189 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:19.120 good sized blood stain half way down the front of 190 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:22.679 her skirt, and another smaller one on her right sleeve. 191 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.080 The girl herself looked down at the sinister patch of red, 192 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:32.519 and then up at her aunt. It looks like like blood, 193 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:37.799 she stammered, Yes, it is, I I think, of course 194 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:43.799 it is. He struck his nose and it bled. Come interrupted. 195 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:47.080 Missus Haldean let us go, and she rushed from the room, 196 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:50.960 leaving me to follow. I lifted miss Haldean, who was 197 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:54.120 half fainting with fatigue and agitation, on to the sofa, 198 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.879 and whispering a few words of encouragement in her ear, 199 00:11:57.240 --> 00:12:01.000 turned to missus Hanshaw. I can't stay with missus Haldean, 200 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:04.360 I said, there are two visits to me made at Rebworth. 201 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.639 Will you send the dog cart up the road with 202 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.840 somebody to take my place? Yes, she answered, I will 203 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:13.519 send Giles or come myself if Lucy is fit to 204 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:17.000 be left. I ran to the stables for my bicycle, 205 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.840 and as I pedaled out into the road, I could 206 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.440 see missus Haldean already far ahead, driving her machine at 207 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:25.559 frantic speed. I followed at a rapid pace, but it 208 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:27.759 was not until we approached the commencement of the wood 209 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:31.600 when she slowed down somewhat that I overtook her. This 210 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:33.960 is the place, I said. As we reached the spot 211 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:37.159 where I had parted from Miss Haldean, we dismounted and 212 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:40.200 wheeled our bicycles through the gate, and laying them down 213 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:43.240 beside the hedge, crossed the meadow, and entered the wood. 214 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:47.720 It was a terrible experience, and one that I shall 215 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:51.879 never forget. The white faced, distracted woman tramping in her 216 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:55.879 flimsy house shoes over the rough ground, bursting through the bushes, 217 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:59.120 regardless of the thorny branches that dragged its skin and 218 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:01.919 hair and dainty clothing, and sending forth from time to 219 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:05.879 time a tremulous cry, so dreadfully pathetic in its mingling 220 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:09.399 of terror and coaxing softness, that a lump rose in 221 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:12.240 my throat, and I could barely keep my self control. 222 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:19.120 Freddy FREDI, boy, Mommy's here, darling. The wailing cry sounded 223 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:22.600 through the leafy solitude, but no answer came, save the 224 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.159 whir of wings or the chatter of startled birds. But 225 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:29.480 even more shocking than that terrible cry, more disturbing and 226 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:32.720 eloquent with dreadful suggestion, was the way in which she 227 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:38.159 peered furtively, but with fearful expectation, among the roots of 228 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:42.000 the bushes, or halted to gaze upon every mole, hill 229 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:47.840 and hummock, every depression or disturbance of the ground. So 230 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:50.639 we stumbled on for a while, with never a word spoken, 231 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:53.480 until we came to a beaten track or footpath leading 232 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:56.759 across the wood. Here I paused to examine the footprints, 233 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:59.559 of which several were visible in the soft earth, though 234 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:02.799 none seemed very recent. But proceeding a little way down 235 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:06.960 the track, I perceived crossing it a set of fresh imprints, 236 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:10.840 which I recognized at once as miss Haldean's. She was wearing, 237 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:14.120 as I knew, a pair of brown golf boots with 238 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.159 rubber pads in the leather soles, and the prince made 239 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:20.919 by them were unmistakable. Miss Holdean crossed the path here, 240 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:24.039 I said, pointing to the footprints. Don't speak of her 241 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:28.120 before me, exclaimed Missus Haldean. But she gazed eagerly at 242 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:31.320 the footprints nevertheless, and immediately plunged into the wood to 243 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.960 follow the tracks. You are very unjust to your niece, 244 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:38.399 Missus Haldean, I ventured to protest. She halted and faced 245 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:42.519 me with an angry frown. You don't understand, she exclaimed. 246 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:45.000 You don't know, perhaps that if my poor child is 247 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:48.600 really dead, Lucy Haldean will be a rich woman and 248 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:52.000 may marry tomorrow if she chooses. I did not know that, 249 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:55.399 i answered, But if I had, I should have said 250 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:59.519 the same. Of course you would, she retorted bitterly. A 251 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:03.799 pretty face can muddle any man's judgment. She turned away 252 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:07.080 abruptly to resume her pursuit, and I followed in silence. 253 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:10.440 The trail which we were following zigzag through the thickest 254 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:13.519 part of the wood, but its devious windings eventually brought 255 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:17.080 us out on to an open space on the farther side. 256 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:20.480 Here we at once perceived traces of another kind. A 257 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:24.679 litter of dirty rags, pieces of paper, scraps of stale bread, 258 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:28.080 bones and feathers with hoof marks, wheel ruts, and the 259 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:31.320 ashes of a large wood fire pointed clearly to a 260 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.879 gipsy encampment recently broken up. I laid my hand on 261 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.759 the heap of ashes and found it still warm, and 262 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.559 on scattering it with my foot, a layer of glowing 263 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:45.080 cinders appeared at the bottom. These people have only been 264 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:48.080 gone an hour or two, I said it would be 265 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:51.639 well to have them followed without delay. A gleam of 266 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.919 hope shone on the drawn white face as the bereaved 267 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:59.679 mother caught eagerly at my suggestion. Yes, she exclaimed breathlessly, 268 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:03.120 she may have bribed them to take him away. Let 269 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:07.240 us see which way they went. We followed the wheel 270 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:09.799 tracks down to the road and found that they turned 271 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:12.639 towards London. At the same time I perceived the dog 272 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:15.559 cart and the distance, with Missus Hanshaw standing beside it. 273 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:18.559 And as the coachman observed me, he whipped up his 274 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:21.519 horse and approached. I shall have to go, I said, 275 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.919 but Missus Hanshaw will help you to continue the search, 276 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:27.200 and you will make inquiries about the gypsies, won't you, 277 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:31.399 she said? I promised to do so, and as the 278 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:33.960 dog cart came up, I climbed to the seat and 279 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:38.919 drove off briskly up the London road. The extent of 280 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:42.919 a country doctor's round is always an unknown quantity. On 281 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:45.919 the present occasion I picked up three additional patients, and 282 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.399 as one of them was a case of incipient pleuracy 283 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:52.120 which required to have the chest strapped, and another was 284 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:55.440 the neglected dislocation of the shoulder. A great deal of 285 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:59.120 time was taken up. Moreover, the gypsies, whom I ran 286 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:02.759 to earth on red Worth Common, delayed me considerably, though 287 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:04.880 I had to leave the rural constable to carry out 288 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:07.759 the actual search, and as a result, the clock of 289 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:11.079 Burling Church was striking six as I drove through the 290 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:14.000 village on my way home. I got down at the 291 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:17.039 front gate, leaving the coachman to take the dog cart round, 292 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:20.759 and walked up the drive, and my astonishment may be imagined, 293 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:24.200 when on turning the corner I came suddenly upon the 294 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:27.279 inspector of the local police in earnest conversation with no 295 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:32.039 less a person than John Thorndyke. What on earth has 296 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:35.279 brought you here? I exclaimed, my surprise, getting the better 297 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:39.680 of my manners. The ultimate motive force, he replied, was 298 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:43.720 an impulsive lady named missus Haldean. She telegraphed for me 299 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:47.240 in your name. She oughtn't to have done that, I said, 300 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:50.559 perhaps not, but the ethics of an agitated woman are 301 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.440 not worth discussing, and she has done something much worse. 302 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:56.720 She has applied to the local j P, a retired 303 00:17:56.799 --> 00:18:00.759 major general, and our gallant and unlearned friend has issued 304 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:03.559 a warrant for the arrest of Lucy Holdeen on the 305 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:08.559 charge of murder. But there has been no murder. I exclaimed, that, 306 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:12.440 said Thorndyke, is a legal subtlety that he does not appreciate. 307 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:15.759 He has learned his law in the orderly room, where 308 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:18.759 the qualifications to practice are an irritable temper and a 309 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:22.920 loud voice. However, the practical point is inspector that the 310 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:26.519 warrant is irregular. You can't arrest people for hypothetical crimes. 311 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:30.480 The officer drew a deep breath of relief. He knew 312 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:33.599 all about the irregularity, and now joyfully took refuge behind 313 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:37.599 Thorndyke's great reputation. When he had departed with a brief 314 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:40.640 note from my colleague to the General, Thorndyke slipped his 315 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:44.720 arm through mine and we strolled toward the house. This 316 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:48.359 is a grim business, Jervis said. He that boy has 317 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:51.200 got to be found for everybody's sake. Can you come 318 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:54.160 with me when you have had some food? Of course 319 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:57.000 I can. I have been saving myself all afternoon with 320 00:18:57.039 --> 00:19:00.640 a view to continuing the search. Good, said Thorke. Then 321 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:04.359 come in and feed a nondescript meal. Half tea and 322 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:08.079 half dinner was already prepared, and missus Hanshaw, grave but 323 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.240 self possessed, presided at the table. Mabel is still out 324 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:16.079 with Giles searching for the boy. She said, you have 325 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:19.559 heard what she has done. I nodded. It was dreadful 326 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:22.400 of her, continued Missus Henshaw, But she is half mad, 327 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.240 poor thing. You might run up and say a few 328 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.200 kind words to poor Lucy while I make the tea. 329 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:31.240 I went up at once and knocked at miss Haldane's door, and, 330 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:34.680 being bidden to enter, found her lying on the sofa, 331 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:37.200 red eyed and pale, the very ghost of the merry, 332 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.960 laughing girl who had gone out with me in the morning. 333 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:43.200 I drew up a chair and sat down by her side, 334 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:45.319 and as I took the hand she held out to me, 335 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:48.359 she said, it is good of you to come and 336 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:51.920 see a miserable wretch like me, and Jane has been 337 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:54.759 so sweet to me, Doctor Jervis. But at Mabel thinks 338 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:58.240 I have killed Freddy. You know she does, and it 339 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:01.160 was really my fault that he was long. I shall 340 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:05.000 never forgive myself. She burst into a passion of sobbing, 341 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:08.519 and I proceeded to chide her gently. You are a 342 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:11.680 silly little woman, I said. To take this nonsense to heart. 343 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:14.680 As you are doing. Your aunt is not responsible just now, 344 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:17.640 as you must know. But when we bring the boy home, 345 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:20.759 she shall make you a handsome apology. I will see 346 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:24.400 to that. She pressed my hand gratefully, and as the 347 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:27.039 bell now rang for Tea, I bade her have courage 348 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:30.599 and went downstairs. You need not trouble about the practice, 349 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:33.880 said missus Hanshaw. As I concluded my lightning repast and 350 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:37.000 Thorndyke went off to get our bicycles. Doctor Simons has 351 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:39.039 heard of our trouble and has called to say that 352 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:41.519 he will take anything that turns up, so we shall 353 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:44.720 expect you when we see you. How do you like Thorndyke, 354 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:49.000 I asked, He's quite charming, she replied, enthusiastically, so tactful 355 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:51.559 and kind, and so handsome too. You didn't tell us that, 356 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:55.000 but here he is. Good Bye and good luck. She 357 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:57.039 pressed my hand, and I went out into the drive 358 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.319 where Thorndyke and the coachman were standing with three bicycles. 359 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:03.039 I see you have brought your outfit, I said, as 360 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:05.799 we turned into the road for Thorndyke's machine bore a 361 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:10.799 large canvas covered case strapped on to a strong bracket. Yes, 362 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.440 there are many things that we may want on a 363 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.400 quest of this kind. How did you find miss Haldean 364 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:19.640 very miserable? Poor girl? By the way, have you heard 365 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:24.519 anything about her pecuniary interest in the child's death? Yes, 366 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:28.200 said Thorndyke. It appears that the late mister Haldean used 367 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:31.119 up all his brains on his business and had none 368 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:34.920 left for the making of his will. As often happens, 369 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:38.240 he left almost the whole of his property, about eighty 370 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:41.319 thousand pounds, to his son, the widow, to have a 371 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:44.039 life interest in it. He also left to his late 372 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:47.359 brother's daughter Lucy fifty pounds a year, and to his 373 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:50.119 surviving brother, Percy, who seems to have been a good 374 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:53.960 for nothing, a hundred a year for life. But and 375 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:56.359 here is the utter folly of the thing. If the 376 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:59.960 sun should die, the property was to be equally divided 377 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:02.960 between the brother and the niece, with the exception of 378 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:05.799 five hundred a year for life to the widow. It 379 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:09.920 was an insane arrangement, quite I agreed, and a very 380 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:12.720 dangerous one for Lucy Holdeen, as things are at present 381 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:16.960 very especially if anything should have happened to the child. 382 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:20.200 What are you going to do now? I inquired, seeing 383 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:22.680 that Thorndyke rode on as if with a definite purpose. 384 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:26.119 There is a footpath through the wood, he replied, I 385 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:28.880 want to examine that, And there is a house behind 386 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:31.480 the wood which I should like to see, the house 387 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:36.359 of the mysterious stranger, I suggested, precisely, mysterious and solitary 388 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:41.039 strangers invite inquiry. We drew up at the entrance of 389 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:43.880 the footpath, leaving Willett, the coachman in charge of the 390 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:47.960 three machines, and proceeded up the narrow track. As we went, 391 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:50.240 Thorndyke looked back at the prints of our feet and 392 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:56.079 nodded approvingly. This soft loam, he remarked, yields beautifully clear impressions, 393 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:59.920 and yesterday's reign has made it perfect. We had not 394 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:02.480 gone far when we perceived a set of footprints, which 395 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:05.480 I recognized, as did Thorndyke also, for he remarked, Miss 396 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:10.279 Haldean running and alone. Presently we met them again, crossing 397 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:12.680 in the opposite direction, together with the prince of small 398 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:16.400 shoes with very high heels. Missus Haldean on the track 399 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:19.799 of her niece, was Thorndyke's comment, and a minute later 400 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.920 we encountered them both again, accompanied by my own footprints. 401 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:25.359