WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.400 The adventure of the three Garydebs. It may have been 2 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:10.640 a comedy, or it may have been a tragedy. It 3 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:15.119 costs one man his reason, it cost me a blood letting, 4 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:19.120 and it cost yet another man the penalties of the law. 5 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:27.440 Yet there was certainly an element of comedy. Well, you 6 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:31.839 shall judge for yourselves. I remember the date very well, 7 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:35.359 for it was in the same month that Holmes refused 8 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:39.359 a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described. 9 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:43.520 I only refer to the matter in passing, for in 10 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:47.719 my position of partner and confidante, I am obliged to 11 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:53.119 be particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion. I repeat, however, 12 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:57.079 that this enables me to fix the date, which was 13 00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:01.399 the latter end of June nineteen o two, shortly after 14 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:05.840 the conclusion of the South African War. Holmes had spent 15 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:09.400 several days in bed, as was his habit from time 16 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:13.000 to time, but he emerged that morning with a long 17 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:16.480 fool's cap document in his hand and a twinkle of 18 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:21.120 amusement in his austere gray eyes. There is a chance 19 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:23.879 for you to make some money, friend, Watson, said he, 20 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:28.640 have you ever heard the name of garydeb I admitted 21 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:31.920 that I had not. Well, if you can lay your 22 00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:36.840 hand upon a garydeb there's money in it. Why ah, 23 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:41.400 that's a long story, rather a whimsical one too. I 24 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:45.760 don't think in all our explorations of human complexities, we 25 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:49.599 have ever come upon anything more singular. The fellow will 26 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:53.640 be here presently for cross examination, so I won't open 27 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:58.519 the matter up till he comes. But meanwhile, that's the 28 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:02.680 name we want. The telephone directory lay on the table 29 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:05.840 beside me, and I turned over the pages in a 30 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:12.039 rather hopeless quest. But my amazement there was this strange 31 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:16.199 name in its due place. I gave a cry of triumph. 32 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:20.240 Here you are Holmes. Here it is Holmes. Took the 33 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:25.759 book from my hand, garydeb n. He read one hundred 34 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:30.560 and thirty six little writer Street West. Sorry to disappoint you, 35 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:34.520 my dear Watson, but this is the man himself. That 36 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:38.360 is the address upon his letter. We want another to 37 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:41.919 match him. Missus Hudson had come in with a card 38 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.199 upon a tray. I took it up and glanced at it. 39 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:49.280 Why here it is, I cried, in amazement. This is 40 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:55.639 a different initial. John garrydeb counselor at law, Morville, Kansas, 41 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:59.800 U S. A. Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. 42 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.240 I am afraid you must make yet another effort, Watson 43 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:06.879 said he But this gentleman is also in the plot already, 44 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:11.319 though I certainly did not expect to see him this morning. However, 45 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.199 he is in a position to tell us a good deal, 46 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.759 which I want to know. A moment later he was 47 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:23.560 in the room. Mister John garrideb, Counselor at law, was 48 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.159 a short, powerful man with the round, fresh, clean shaven 49 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:33.439 face characteristic of so many American men of affairs. The 50 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:37.800 general effect was chubby and rather childlike, so that one 51 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.759 received the impression of quite a young man with a 52 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:45.840 broad set smile upon his face. His eyes, however, were arresting. 53 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:50.000 Seldom in any human head of I seen a pair 54 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:54.360 which bespoke a more intense inward life. So bright were 55 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:57.680 they so alert, so responsive to every change of thought. 56 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:02.199 His accent was American, but was not accompanied by any 57 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:08.280 eccentricity of speech. Mister Holmes, he asked, glancing from one 58 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:12.319 to the other. Ah, yes, your pictures are not unlike you, sir, 59 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:15.280 If I may say so, I believe you have had 60 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:19.360 a letter from my namesake, mister Nathan Garydeb, Have you 61 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:24.160 not praise it down? Said Sherlock Holmes. We shall, I 62 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:27.519 fancy have a good deal to discuss. He took up 63 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:31.319 his sheets of fool's cap. You are, of course thee 64 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:36.319 mister John Garydeb, mentioned in this document. But surely you 65 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:39.560 have been in England some time? Why do you say that, 66 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:43.240 mister Holmes. I seem to read sudden suspicion in those 67 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:48.600 expressive eyes. Your whole outfit is English, mister garadeb forced 68 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:51.680 to laugh. I have read of your tricks, mister Holmes, 69 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:54.360 but I never thought I would be subject of them. 70 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:57.720 Where do you read that the shoulder cut of your coat, 71 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:02.160 the toes of your boots could any one undoubted? Well? Well, 72 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.040 I had no idea. I was so obvious a Britisher. 73 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:08.040 But business brought me over here some time ago. And 74 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:12.759 so as you say, my outfit is nearly all London. However, 75 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.920 I guess your time is of value. And we did 76 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:17.040 not meet to talk about the cut of my socks? 77 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.759 What about getting down to that paper you hold in 78 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:23.639 your hand. Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor, 79 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:30.000 whose chubby face had assumed a far less amiable expression. Patience. Patience, 80 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:34.759 mister Garydeb, said my friend in a soothing voice. Dr 81 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:37.839 Watson would tell you that these little digressions of mine 82 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:40.319 sometimes prove in the end to have some bearing on 83 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:45.199 the matter. But why did mister Nathan Garydeb not come 84 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.279 with you? Why did he ever drag you into it 85 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:52.079 at all? Asked our visitor, with a sudden outflame of anger, 86 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.759 What in thunder had you to do with it? Here 87 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:57.680 was a bit of professional business between two gentlemen, and 88 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:00.720 one of them, as needs call in a detective. I 89 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:03.279 saw him this morning and he told me this full 90 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:05.800 trick he had played me, and that's why I'm here. 91 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.639 But I feel bad about it all the same. There 92 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:12.759 was no reflection upon you, mister Garydem. It was simply 93 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:16.319 zeal upon his part to gain your end, an end 94 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.839 which is I understand, equally vital for both of you. 95 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:23.160 He knew that I had means of getting information, and 96 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:26.360 therefore it was very natural that he should apply to me. 97 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:32.439 Our visitor's angry face gradually cleared. Well, that puts it different, 98 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:35.120 said he. When I went to see him this morning 99 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:37.519 and he told me he had sent to a detective. 100 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:40.680 I just asked for your address and came right away. 101 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:44.560 I don't want police budding into a private matter. But 102 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:47.000 if you are contentious to help us find the man, 103 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:50.959 there can be no harm in that. Well, that is 104 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:55.079 just how it stands, said Holmes. And now, sir, since 105 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:58.240 you are here, we had best have a clear account 106 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:01.839 from your own lips. My friend here knows nothing of 107 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:06.639 the details, mister Garydeb surveyed me, with not too friendly 108 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:12.720 a gaze. Need he know, he asked, We usually worked together. Well, 109 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:16.040 there's no reason it should be kept a secret. I'll 110 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.680 give you the facts as short as I can make them. 111 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:21.560 If you came from Kansas, I would not need to 112 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:26.000 explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garydeb was. He made 113 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.839 his money in real estate and afterwards in the wheat 114 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:32.639 pit at Chicago. But he spent it buying up as 115 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:35.600 much land as would make one of your counties. Lying 116 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:39.560 along the Arkansas River west of Fort Dodge, It's grazing 117 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:43.240 land and lumber land, and arable land and mineralized land, 118 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:46.120 and just every sort of land that brings dollars to 119 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.959 the man that owns it. He had no kith nor kin, 120 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:52.279 or if he had, I never heard of it. But 121 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:54.839 he took a kind of pride in the queerness of 122 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:58.800 his name. That's what brought us together. I was in 123 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.959 the law at Tepeak, and one day I had a 124 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:04.480 visit from the old man, and he was tickled to 125 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:07.720 death to meet another man with his own name. It 126 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:10.439 was his pet fad, and he was dead set to 127 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:13.160 find out if there were any more Garydbs in the world. 128 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:16.600 Find me another, said he. I told him I was 129 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.120 a busy man and could not spend my life hiking 130 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:22.000 round the world in search of Garydebs. None the less, 131 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:24.639 said he, that is just what you will do if 132 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:27.560 things pan out as I planned them. I thought he 133 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:30.720 was joking, but there was a powerful lot of meaning 134 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.799 in the words, as I was soon to discover, for 135 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:36.879 he died within a year of saying them, and he 136 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:40.480 left a will behind him. It was the queerest will 137 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:43.320 that has ever been filed in the state of Kansas. 138 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.159 His property was divided into three parts, and I was 139 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:50.960 to have one on condition that I found two Garrydebs 140 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:54.600 who would share the remainder. It's five million dollars for 141 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.960 each if it is a cent, but we can't lay 142 00:08:57.960 --> 00:09:01.080 a finger on it until we all all three stand 143 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:04.240 in a row. It was so big a chance that 144 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:07.639 I'd just let my legal practice slide. And I set 145 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:11.240 forth looking for Garydebs. There is not one in the 146 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:13.840 United States. I went through it, sir, with a fine 147 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:17.960 toothed comb, and never a garydeb could I catch. Then 148 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.519 I tried the old country. Sure enough, there was the 149 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:23.960 name in the London telephone directory. I went after him 150 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:26.799 two days ago and explained the whole matter to him. 151 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:30.360 But he is a lone man, like myself, with some 152 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:34.480 women relations, but no men. It says three adult men 153 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:37.600 in the will. So you see, we still have a vacancy, 154 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.519 and if you can help to fill it, we will 155 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:44.799 be very ready to pay your charges. Well, Watson, said 156 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:48.240 Holmes with a smile. I said it was rather whimsical, 157 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:51.840 did I not? I should have thought, sir, that your 158 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:55.639 obvious way was to advertise in the agony columns of 159 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:59.120 the papers. I have done that, mister Holmes, no, replies 160 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:03.039 dear me, Well, it is certainly a most curious little problem. 161 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.039 I may take a glance at it in my leisure. 162 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:09.679 By the way, it is curious that you should have 163 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:14.039 come from Topeka. I used to have a correspondent. He 164 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:19.240 is dead now, old doctor Lysander Starr, who was mayor 165 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:23.360 in eighteen ninety. Good old doctor Starr said, our visitor, 166 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:27.480 his name is still honored. Well, mister Holmes, I suppose 167 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:29.720 all we can do is to report to you and 168 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.320 let you know how we progress. I reckon you will 169 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:35.960 hear within a day or two. With this assurance, our 170 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:40.639 American bowed and departed. Holmes had lit his pipe, and 171 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:43.360 he sat for some time with a curious smile upon 172 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:48.720 his face. Well, I asked at last, I am wondering, Watson, 173 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:53.679 just wondering, but what Holmes took his pipe from his lips. 174 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.360 I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could be the 175 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:01.320 object of this man in telling us such a rigmarole 176 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:05.480 of lies. I nearly asked him so, for there are 177 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:08.799 times when a brutal, frontal attack is the best policy. 178 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:11.519 But I judged it better to let him think he 179 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:14.879 had fooled us. Here is a man with an English 180 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:19.519 coat frayed at the elbow, and trousers bagged at the 181 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:23.559 knee with a year's wear, And yet by this document 182 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:26.600 and by his own account, he is a provincial American, 183 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:31.440 lately landed in London. There have been no advertisements in 184 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:36.000 the agony columns. You know I miss nothing there. They 185 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:41.080 are my favorite covet for putting up a bird, and 186 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.879 I would never have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. 187 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:50.399 I never knew a doctor Lysander Star of Topeka. Touch 188 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.559 him where you would? He was false. I think the 189 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.080 fellow is really an American, but he has worn his 190 00:11:57.159 --> 00:12:01.879 accent smooth with years of London. What is his game, then, 191 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:08.879 and what motive lies behind this preposterous search for Garydeb's 192 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:13.080 It's worth our attention for granting that the man is 193 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:16.759 a rascal. He is certainly a complex and ingenious one. 194 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.440 We must now find out if our other correspondent is 195 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:24.919 a fraud also just ring him up, Watson. I did 196 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:28.360 so and heard a thin, quavering voice at the other 197 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:32.720 end of the line. Yes, yes, I am mister Nathan 198 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:37.639 garydeb is mister Holmes there. I should very much like 199 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:41.080 to have a word with mister Holmes. My friend took 200 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:45.360 the instrument, and I heard the usual syncopated dialogue. Yes, 201 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:49.120 he has been here. I understand that you don't know him. 202 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:54.159 How long? Only two days? Yes, yes, of course it 203 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:57.440 is a most captivating prospect. Will you be at home 204 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:00.720 this evening? I suppose your namesake will not be there. 205 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:04.480 Very good, We will come then, for I would rather 206 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:07.879 have a chat without him. Dr Watson will come with me. 207 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:11.240 I understand from your note that you did not go 208 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.240 out often. Well, we shall be round about six. You 209 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:21.519 need not mention it to the American lawyer. Very good, goodbye. 210 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:25.879 It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and even 211 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:29.720 Little Ryder Street, one of the smaller offshoots from the 212 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:34.360 Edgeware Road, within a stonecast of old Tyburn Tree of 213 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:39.200 Evil Memory, looked golden and wonderful in the slanting rays 214 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.799 of the setting sun. The particular house to which we 215 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:47.840 were directed was a large, old fashioned Early Georgian edifice 216 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:51.360 with a flat brick face broken only by two deep 217 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:55.200 bay windows on the ground floor. It was on this 218 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:59.440 ground floor that our client lived, and indeed the low 219 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:02.399 window proved to be the front of the huge room 220 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:07.279 in which he spent his waking hours. Holmes pointed as 221 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:10.919 we passed to the small brass plate which bore the 222 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:16.480 curious name up some years Watson, he remarked, indicating its 223 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:21.720 discolored surface. It's his real name, anyhow, and that is 224 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:26.399 something to note. The house had a common stare and 225 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:28.799 there were a number of names painted in the hall, 226 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:34.559 some indicating offices and some private chambers. It was not 227 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:38.360 a collection of residential flats, but rather the abode of 228 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:43.559 bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the door for us himself 229 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:47.919 and apologized by saying that the woman in charge left 230 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:52.279 at four o'clock. Mister Nathan garydeb proved to be a 231 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:58.159 very tall, loose jointed, round backed person, gaunt and baled 232 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.960 some sixty odd year years of age. He had a 233 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:05.399 cadaverous face with the dull, dead skin of a man 234 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:10.279 to whom exercise was unknown. Large round spectacles and a 235 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:15.360 small projecting goat's beard combined with his stooping attitude to 236 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:20.960 give him an expression of peering curiosity. The general effect, however, 237 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:25.960 was amiable, though eccentric. The room was as curious as 238 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:30.519 its occupant. It looked like a small museum. It was 239 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:35.360 both broad and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round, 240 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:42.360 crowded with specimens. Geological and anatomical cases of butterflies and 241 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:47.080 moths flanked each side of the entrance. A large table 242 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:50.120 in the center was littered with all sorts of debris, 243 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:54.279 while the tall brass tube of a powerful microscope bristled 244 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:58.039 up among them. As I glanced round, I was surprised 245 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.879 at the universality of the man's entrists. Here was a 246 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:06.840 case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of flint instruments. 247 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:12.120 Behind his central table was a large cupboard of fossil bones. 248 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:16.799 Above was a line of plaster skulls with such names 249 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:23.720 as Neanderthal, Heidelberg, chro Magnon printed beneath them. It was 250 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:26.879 clear that he was a student of many subjects as 251 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:29.080 he stood in front of us. Now he held a 252 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:32.879 piece of chamois leather in his right hand, with which 253 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.960 he was polishing a coin syracusan of the best period, 254 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:43.679 he explained, holding it up. They degenerated greatly towards the end. 255 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:48.960 At their best, I hold them supreme, though some prefer 256 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:54.039 the Alexandrian school. You will find a chair here, mister Holmes. 257 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:59.039 Pray allow me to clear these bones, and you, sir ah, yes, 258 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:02.240 doctor Watson, if you would have the goodness to put 259 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:06.440 the Japanese vase to one side. You see round me 260 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:10.880 my little interests in life. My doctor lectures me about 261 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:14.279 never going out, But why should I go out when 262 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:17.440 I have so much to hold me here. I can 263 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:21.279 assure you that the adequate catalogging of one of those 264 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:26.119 cabinets would take me three good months. Holmes looked round 265 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:30.039 him with curiosity. But do you tell me that you 266 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:35.039 never go out, he said, now and again, I drive 267 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:39.960 down to Southerbis or Christie's. Otherwise I very seldom leave 268 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:44.200 my room. I am not too strong, and my researches 269 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:48.839 very absorbing. But you can imagine, mister Holmes, what a 270 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:54.400 terrific shock, pleasant but terrific it was for me when 271 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:59.359 I heard of this unparalleled good fortune. It only needs 272 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.599 one more grideb to complete the matter, and surely we 273 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:08.240 can find one. I had a brother, but he is dead, 274 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:13.160 and female relatives are disqualified. But there must surely be 275 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:16.640 others in the world. I had heard that you handled 276 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:20.440 strange cases, and that was why I sent to you. 277 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:24.480 Of course, this American gentleman is quite right, and I 278 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:28.000 should have taken his advice first, But I acted for 279 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:32.279 the best. I think you acted very wisely, indeed, said Holmes, 280 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:36.440 But are you really anxious to acquire an estate in America? 281 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:40.440 Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me to leave my collection. 282 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:44.319 But this gentleman has assured me that he will buy 283 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:47.000 me out as soon as we have established our claim. 284 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:50.799 Five million dollars was the sum named. There are a 285 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:53.559 dozen specimens in the market at the present moment which 286 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:56.359 fill gaps in my collection, and which I am unable 287 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:59.759 to purchase for want of a few hundred pounds. Just 288 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.759 think what I could do with five million dollars. Why 289 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:07.480 I have the nucleus of a national collection. I should 290 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:11.400 be the hands sloan of my age. His eyes gleamed 291 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:15.160 behind his great spectacles. It was very clear that no 292 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:19.240 pains would be spared by mister Nathan garydeb in finding 293 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:23.079 a namesake. I merely called to make your acquaintance, and 294 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:25.640 there is no reason why I should interrupt your studies, 295 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:29.519 said Holmes. I prefer to establish personal touch with those 296 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:32.559 with whom I do business. There are few questions I 297 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:35.240 need to ask for. I have your very clear narrative 298 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.000 in my pocket, and I filled up the blanks when 299 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.960 this American gentleman called, I understand that up to this 300 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:45.880 week you were unaware of his existence. That is so 301 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:49.599 he called last Tuesday. Did he tell you of our 302 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:53.440 interview to day? Yes, he came straight back to me. 303 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:57.000 He had been very angry. Why should he be angry? 304 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:59.960 He seemed to think it was some reflection on Hi 305 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:03.440 his honor, But he was quite cheerful again when he returned. 306 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:07.240 Did he suggest any course of action, No, sir, he 307 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:11.119 did not. Has he had or asked for any money 308 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:15.559 from you? No, sir, never you see no possible object 309 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:20.279 he has in view, none except what he states. Did 310 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:24.319 you tell him of our telephone appointment? Yes, sir, I did. 311 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:27.799 Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he 312 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:31.880 was puzzled. Have you any articles of great value in 313 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:35.599 your collection? No, sir, I am not a rich man. 314 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:38.720 It is a good collection, but not a very valuable one. 315 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:43.599 You have no fear of burglars, not the least. How 316 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:47.319 long have you been in these rooms? Nearly five years? 317 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:52.480 Holmes's cross examination was interrupted by an imperative knocking at 318 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:56.759 the door. No sooner had our client unlatched it than 319 00:20:56.839 --> 00:21:00.759 the American lawyer burst excitedly into the room. Here you are, 320 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:04.400 he cried, waving a paper over his head. I thought 321 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:07.599 I should be in time to get you, mister Nathan garadeb. 322 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:11.759 My congratulations. You are a rich man, sir. Our business 323 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:14.680 is happily finished and all is well. As to you, 324 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:17.519 mister Holmes, we can only say we are sorry if 325 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:20.640 we have given you any useless trouble. He handed over 326 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:23.440 the paper to our client, who stood staring at a 327 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:27.759 marked advertisement. Holmes and I leaned forward and read it 328 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:32.480 over his shoulder. This is how it ran, Howard garrydeb 329 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:39.720 constructor of agricultural machinery, binders, reapers, steam at hand, plows, drills, harrows, 330 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:44.359 farmer's carts, buck boards, and all other appliances. Estimates for 331 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:50.799 Arteesian wells apply, Grosvenor Building's aston glorious, gasped our host. 332 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:55.400 That makes our third man. I had opened up inquiries 333 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:59.240 in Birmingham, said the American, and my agent there has 334 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:02.480 sent me this vertisement from a local paper. We must 335 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:05.599 hustle and put the thing through. I have written to 336 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.680 this man and told him that you will see him 337 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:11.359 in his office tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock. You want 338 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.319 me to see him? What do you say, mister Holmes? 339 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:17.400 Don't you think it would be wiser? Here? Am I 340 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:21.559 a wandering American with a wonderful tale. Why should he 341 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:24.720 believe what I tell him? But you are a Britisher 342 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:28.039 with solid references and he is bound to take notice 343 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:30.880 of what you say. I would go with you if 344 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:34.039 you wished, but I have a very busy day tomorrow, 345 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:36.279 and I could always follow you if you are in 346 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:39.920 any trouble. Well, I have not made such a journey 347 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:44.440 for years. It is nothing, mister Garrydab I have figured 348 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:47.279 out our connections. You leave at twelve and should be 349 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:50.119 there soon after two. Then you can be back the 350 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:53.279 same night. All you have to do is to see 351 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:56.839 this man, explain the matter, and get an affidavid of 352 00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:01.880 his existence by the Lord. He added, considering I've come 353 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:04.200 all the way from the center of America. It is 354 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.119 surely little enough if you go one hundred miles in 355 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:10.720 order to put this matter through. Quite so, said Holmes. 356 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:15.440 I think what this gentleman says is very true. Mister 357 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:20.359 Nathan garydeb shrugged his shoulders with a disconsolate air. Well, 358 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:24.319 if you insist, I shall go, said he. It is 359 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:28.599 certainly hard for me to refuse you anything, considering the 360 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:31.640 glory of hope that you have brought into my life. 361 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:35.400 Then that is agreed, said Holmes, And no doubt you 362 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:37.920 will let me have a report as soon as you can. 363 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:42.119 I'll see to that said the American. Well, he added, 364 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:45.200 looking at his watch, I'll have to get on. I'll 365 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:49.039 call tomorrow, mister Nathan and see you after Birmingham coming 366 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:53.480 my way, mister Holmes, Well then goodbye, and we may 367 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:56.960 have good news for you tomorrow night. I noticed that 368 00:23:57.039 --> 00:24:00.240 my friend's face cleared when the American left the room, 369 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:05.119 and the look of thoughtful perplexity had vanished. I wish 370 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:08.519 I could look over your collection, mister Garry Dabb, said he. 371 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:13.079 In my profession, all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, 372 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:16.279 and this room of yours is a storehouse of it. 373 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:21.079 Our client shone with pleasure, and his eyes gleamed from 374 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:24.400 behind his big glasses. I had always heard, sir, that 375 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:28.599 you were a very intelligent man, said he. I could 376 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:32.559 take you round now, if you have the time. Unfortunately 377 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:36.880 I have not. But these specimens are so well labeled 378 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:41.880 and classified that they hardly need your personal explanation. If 379 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:44.720 I should be able to look in to morrow, I 380 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:47.319 presume that there would be no objection to my glancing 381 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:50.079 over them. Not at all. You are most welcome. The 382 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:53.440 place will of course be shut up, But missus Saunders 383 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:56.319 is in the basement up to four o'clock and would 384 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:59.960 let you in with her key. Well, I happen to 385 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:02.960 be clear to morrow afternoon. If you would say a 386 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:05.920 word to missus Saunders, it would be quite in order. 387 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:10.799 By the way, who is your house agent? Our client 388 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:14.640 was amazed at the sudden question. Holloway and steel in 389 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:18.400 the Edgeware Road. But why, I am a bit of 390 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:22.400 an archeologist myself when it comes to houses, said Holmes, laughing. 391 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:25.519 I was wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgean 392 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:30.200 Georgean beyond doubt. Really I should have thought a little earlier. 393 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:35.000 However it is easily ascertained. Well, good bye, mister Garrydebb, 394 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:39.000 and may you have every success in your Birmingham journey. 395 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:43.400 The house agents was close by, but we found that 396 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.960 it was closed for the day, so we made our 397 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:49.400 way back to Baker Street. It was not till after 398 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:53.319 dinner that Holmes reverted to the subject. Our little problem 399 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:56.799 draws to a close, said he. No doubt you have 400 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:01.079 outlined the solution, and your own mind, I can make 401 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:04.240