WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:08.119 The Last Duchess, edited by Julian Hawthorne. Chapter one, has 2 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:13.240 the Duchess returned? No, your grace. Knowles came farther into 3 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.039 the room. He had a letter on a salver. When 4 00:00:16.079 --> 00:00:19.359 the Duke had taken it, Knowles still lingered. The Duke 5 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:23.920 glanced at him. Is an answer required? No, your grace 6 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:29.280 still knows lingered. Something a little singular has happened. The 7 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:32.439 carriage has returned without the Duchess, and the men say 8 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:35.359 that they thought her grace was in it. What do 9 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:39.880 you mean? I hardly understand myself, your Grace. Perhaps you 10 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:44.039 would like to see Barnes. Barnes was the coachman. Send 11 00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:47.880 him up. When Knowles had gone and he was alone, 12 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:51.880 his Grace showed signs of being slightly annoyed. He looked 13 00:00:51.880 --> 00:00:54.799 at his watch. I told her she'd better be in 14 00:00:54.920 --> 00:00:58.200 by four. She says that she's not feeling well, and 15 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.560 yet one would think that she was not aware of 16 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:03.960 the fatigue entailed and having the Prince come to dinner 17 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:08.079 and the mob of people to follow. I particularly wished 18 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:11.680 her to lie down for a couple of hours. Knowles 19 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.879 ushered in not only Barnes, the coachman, but Moisey the 20 00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:18.319 footman too. Both these persons seemed to be ill at ease. 21 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:21.799 The Duke glanced at them sharply. In his voice there 22 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:26.840 was a suggestion of impatience. What is the matter, Barnes 23 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:30.359 explained as best he could, if you please, your grace, 24 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:33.840 we waited for the duchess outside Cain and Wilson's the drapers. 25 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:36.799 The duchess came out, got into the carriage, and Moisey 26 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:39.560 shut the door, and her grace said home. And if 27 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:44.040 yet when we got home, she wasn't there. She wasn't ware, 28 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:48.439 her grace wasn't in the carriage, or grace, what on 29 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:51.319 earth do you mean her grace did get into the carriage? 30 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:55.040 You shut the door, didn't you. Barnes turned to Moisey. 31 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:57.840 Moysey brought his hand up to his brow in a 32 00:01:57.879 --> 00:02:01.000 sort of military salute. He had been a soldier in 33 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.920 the regiment in which, once upon a time the Duke 34 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.480 had been a subaltern. She did. The duchess came out 35 00:02:07.480 --> 00:02:09.479 of the shop. She seemed rather in a hurry. I 36 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.560 thought she got into the carriage, and she said home, noisy. 37 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:15.479 I shut the door and bends drove straight home. We 38 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:18.120 never stopped anywhere, and we never noticed nothing happened on 39 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:20.560 the way, And yet when we got home the carriage 40 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.719 was empty. The Duke started, do you mean to tell 41 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:26.759 me that the duchess got out of the carriage while 42 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:29.879 you were driving full pelt through the streets without saying 43 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:34.719 anything to you, and without you noticing it? The carriage 44 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:37.919 was empty when we got home. Your grace was either 45 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:42.680 of the doors open. No, your grace, you fellows have 46 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.479 been up to some infernal mischief. You've made a mess 47 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.960 of it. You never picked up the duchess, and your 48 00:02:48.039 --> 00:02:51.240 trying to palm this tail off on me to save yourselves. 49 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:56.280 Barnes was moved to adjuration. I'll take my bible oath 50 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:58.719 your grace that the duchess caught into the carriage outside 51 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:03.000 cane and Wilson's Moisey seconded his colleague, I will swear 52 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:05.280 to that, your grace, she got into that carriage and 53 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:08.360 I shut the door, and she said home, Moisey. The 54 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:10.400 Duke looked as if he did not know what to 55 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:13.759 make of the story and its tellers. What carriage did 56 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:19.800 you have? Her grace's browam your grace, Knowles interposed. The 57 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:22.960 browham was ordered because I understood the Duchess was not 58 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:27.080 feeling very well, and there's rather a high wind, your grace, 59 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.599 the Duke snapped at him, What has that to do 60 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:33.800 with it? Why are suggesting that the Duchess was more 61 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:35.960 likely to jump out of a browm while it was 62 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.560 dashing through the streets than that of any other kind 63 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:42.960 of vehicle. The Duke's glance fell on the letter which 64 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.479 Knowles had brought him. When he first had entered. He 65 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:48.479 had placed it on his writing table. Now he took 66 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:52.039 it up. It was addressed to his Grace, the Duke 67 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:57.439 of Datchet Private, very pressing. The name was written in 68 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:01.120 a fine, clear, almost feminine hand. The words in the 69 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:03.240 left hand corner of the envelope were written in a 70 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.960 different hand. They were large and bold, almost as though 71 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:08.840 they had been painted with the end of the pen 72 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:12.560 holder instead of being written with the pen. The envelope 73 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.000 itself was of an unusual size and bowldsed out, as 74 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.199 though it contained something else besides a letter. The Duke 75 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:23.360 tore the envelope open. As he did so, something fell 76 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:25.800 out of it on to the writing table. It looked 77 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:27.639 as though it was a lock of a woman's hair. 78 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:30.160 As he glanced at it, The Duke seemed to be 79 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:35.360 a trifle startled. The Duke read the letter. Your grace 80 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:37.839 will be so good as to bring five hundred pounds 81 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.680 in gold to the Piccadilly end of the Burlington Arcade 82 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:44.079 within an hour of the receipt of this. The Duchess 83 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:47.839 of Dachet has been kidnapped an imitation. Duchess got into 84 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:50.800 the carriage which was waiting outside Caine and Wilson's, and 85 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.959 she alighted on the road. Unless your Grace does as 86 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.160 you are requested, the Duchess of Dachet's left hand little 87 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:59.680 finger will be at once cut off and sent home 88 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:03.199 in time to receive the Prince to dinner. Other portions 89 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.079 of her grace will follow. A lock of her Grace's 90 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:09.120 hair is enclosed with this as an earnest of our 91 00:05:09.160 --> 00:05:13.839 good intentions. Before five thirty p m. Your Grace is 92 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:16.639 requested to be at the Piccadilly end of the Burlington 93 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:20.439 Arcade with five hundred pounds in gold. You will there 94 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:23.079 be accosted by an individual in a white top hat 95 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:26.199 and with a gardenia in his button hole. You will 96 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:29.279 be entirely at liberty to give him into custody, or 97 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:32.040 to have him followed by the police, in which case 98 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:35.720 the Duchess's left arm, cut off at the shoulder, will 99 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:39.040 be sent home for dinner. Not to mention other extremely 100 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:44.360 possible contingencies, but you are advised to give the individual 101 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:47.399 in question the five hundred pounds in gold, because in 102 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:50.199 that case the Duchess herself will be home in time 103 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.519 to receive the Prince to dinner, and with one of 104 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:55.759 the best stories with which to entertain your distinguished guests 105 00:05:55.920 --> 00:06:01.839 they ever heard. Remember, not later than five thirty, unless 106 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:07.279 you wished to receive her Grace's little finger. The Duke 107 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:09.800 stared at this amazing epistle when he had read it, 108 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:12.279 as though he found it difficult to believe the evidence 109 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.439 of his eyes. He was not a demonstrative person as 110 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:19.279 a rule, but this little communication astonished even him. He 111 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:22.439 read it again. Then his hands dropped to his sides, 112 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:26.319 and he swore he took up the lock of hair 113 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:29.839 which had fallen out of the envelope. Was it possible 114 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:32.920 that it could be his wife's the duchess? Was it 115 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:36.120 possible that a Duchess of Datchet could be kidnapped in 116 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:39.519 broad daylight, in the heart of London and be sent home, 117 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:44.120 as it were in pieces. Had sacrilegeous hands already been 118 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:48.199 playing pranks with that great lady's hair? Certainly that hair 119 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:51.800 was so like her hair that the mere resemblance made 120 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:56.240 his Grace's blood run cold. He turned on Mescher's bonds 121 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:59.040 and Noisy, as though he would have liked to rend 122 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:03.879 them your scoundals. He moved forward as though the intention 123 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.879 had entered his ducal heart to knock his servants down. 124 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:10.519 But if that were so, he did not act quite 125 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:13.959 up to his intention. Instead, he stretched out his arm, 126 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.720 pointing at them, as if he were an accusing spirit. 127 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.759 Will you swear that it was the duchess who got 128 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:24.759 into the carriage outside Caine and Wilson's Barnes began to stammer, 129 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:28.720 I swear, your grace that are thought. The Duke stormed 130 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:32.560 in interruption. I don't ask what your thought. I ask you, 131 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:36.360 Will you swear it was the Duke's anger was more 132 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:40.319 than Barnes could face. He was silent, Noisy showed a 133 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.240 larger courage. I could have sworn that it was at 134 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:45.560 the time, your Grace, But now it seems to me 135 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:50.839 that it's a rummy go a rummy go. The peculiarity 136 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:52.720 of the phrase did not seem to strike the Duke 137 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:55.079 just then, At least he echoed it as if it 138 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:58.480 didn't you call it a rummy go? Do you know 139 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:00.399 that I am told in this letter that the woman 140 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.920 who entered the carriage was not the duchess. What you 141 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:05.120 are thinking about, or what case you will be able 142 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:07.680 to make out for yourselves? You no better than I. 143 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:10.560 But I can tell you this that in an hour 144 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:14.040 you will leave my service, and you may esteem yourselves fortunate. 145 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:16.680 If to night you are not both of you sleeping 146 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:19.959 in jail. One might almost have suspected that the words 147 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:23.279 were spoken in irony. But before they could answer, another 148 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:26.040 servant entered, who also brought a letter for the Duke. 149 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:29.040 When his grace's glance fell on it, he uttered an exclamation. 150 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:32.279 The writing on the envelope was the same writing that 151 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:34.759 had been on the envelope which had contained the very 152 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:38.879 singular communication, like it in all respects, down to the 153 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:42.679 broomstick and thickness of the private and very pressing in 154 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:47.360 the corner. Who brought this stormed the Duke. The servant 155 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.480 appeared to be a little startled by the violence of 156 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:53.159 his grace's manner. A lady, or at least your grace. 157 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:57.000 She seemed to be a lady. Where is she? She came, 158 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.320 and a handsome, your grace. She gave me that letter 159 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.480 and said give to the Duke of Datchet at once, 160 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:03.840 without a moment's to lie. Then she got into the 161 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:07.120 hansom again and drove away. Why didn't you stop her, 162 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:12.279 your grace? The man seemed surprised, as though the idea 163 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:15.559 of stopping Chan's visitors to the ducal mansion Viet Armis 164 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:19.559 had not until that moment entered into his philosophy. The 165 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.679 Duke continued to regard the man as if he could 166 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:24.799 say a good deal if he chose. Then he pointed 167 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:28.039 to the door. His lips said nothing, but his gesture 168 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:33.519 much the servant vanished. Another hoax, the Duke said grimly, 169 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:36.960 as he tore the envelope open. This time the envelope 170 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:39.519 contained a sheet of paper, and in the sheet of 171 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:43.200 paper another envelope. The Duke unfolded the sheet of paper. 172 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:48.440 On it, some words were written. These, the duchess appears 173 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:51.360 so particularly anxious to drop you a line, that one 174 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:55.159 really hasn't the heart to refuse her her grace's communication, 175 00:09:55.440 --> 00:10:00.759 written amidst blinding tears, you will find enclosed with this, Knowles, 176 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:04.600 said the Duke, in a voice which actually trembled. Knowles, 177 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:07.039 oaks or no Wolkes. I will be even with a 178 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:10.799 gentleman who wrote that. Handing the sheet of paper to 179 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:13.519 mister Knowles, his grace turned his attention to the envelope 180 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:16.759 which had been enclosed. It was a small square envelope 181 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.399 of the finest quality, and it reeked with perfume. The 182 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:24.279 Duke's countenance assumed an added frown. He had no fondness 183 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:27.679 for envelopes which were scented In the center of the envelope, 184 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:30.519 with the words to the Duke of Datchet written in 185 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:33.600 the big, bold, sprawling hand which he knew so well 186 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:39.360 Mabel's writing, he said half to himself, as with shaking fingers, 187 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:42.840 he tore the envelope open. The sheet of paper which 188 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:46.120 he took out was almost as stiff as cardboard. It too, 189 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.879 emitted what his grace deemed the nauseous odor of the 190 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:53.480 perfumer's shop. On it was written this letter, my. 191 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:56.919 Dear Herward, for Heaven's sake, do what these people require. 192 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:59.320 I don't know what has happened where I am. But 193 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:02.879 I am nearly distracted. They have already cut off some 194 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:05.360 of my hair, and they tell me that if you 195 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:08.080 don't let them have five hundred pounds in gold by 196 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:11.720 half past five, they will cut off my little finger too. 197 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:15.240 I would sooner die than lose my little finger. And 198 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:18.799 I don't know what else besides by the token which 199 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:22.080 I send you, and which has never until now been 200 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:25.120 off my breast. I conjure you to help me. How 201 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.399 would help me? 202 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:31.080 When he read that letter, the Duke turned white, very white, 203 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:33.720 as white as the paper on which it was written. 204 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:38.480 He passed the epistle on to Knowles. I suppose that 205 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:43.480 also is a hoax. Mister Knowles was silent. He still 206 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:47.960 yielded to his constitutional disrelish to commit himself. At last, 207 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:51.480 he asked, what is it that your grace proposes to do. 208 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.879 The Duke spoke with a bitterness which almost suggested a 209 00:11:55.919 --> 00:12:01.679 personal animosity toward the inoffensive mister Knowles. I propose, with 210 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.600 your permission, to release the Duchess from the custody of 211 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:10.600 my estimable correspondent. I propose, always with your permission, to 212 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:14.320 comply with his modest request and to take him his 213 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:18.399 five hundred pounds in gold. He paused, then continued in 214 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:23.879 a tone which coming from him meant volumes. Afterwards, I 215 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:26.559 proposed to cry quits with the cococtor of this petty 216 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:29.360 little hoax, even if it cost me every penny I 217 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:32.960 possess he shall pay more for that five hundred pounds 218 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:42.519 than he supposes. End of Chapter one, Chapter two. The 219 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:45.559 Duke of Dajet, coming out of the bank, lingered for 220 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:48.480 a moment on the steps. In one hand he carried 221 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:52.399 a canvas bag, which seemed well weighted. On his countenance 222 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.639 there was an expression which, to a casual observer might 223 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:58.639 have suggested that his grace was not completely at his ease. 224 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:03.039 That casual observer happened to come strolling by. It took 225 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:06.519 the form of Ivor Dacre. Mister Dacre looked at the 226 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.960 Duke of Datchet up and down in that languid way 227 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.000 he has he perceived the canvas bag. Then he remarked, 228 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:17.279 possibly intending to be facetious, been robbing the bank? Shall 229 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:22.480 I call a cart? Nobody minds what Ivor Dacre says. Besides, 230 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:25.399 he is the Duke's own cousin, perhaps a little removed. 231 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:29.039 Still there it is so. The Duke smiled a sickly smile, 232 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:32.000 as if mister Dacre's delicate wit had given him a 233 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:36.039 passing touch of indigestion. Mister Daker noticed that the Duke 234 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:38.879 looked sallow, so he gave his pretty sense of humor 235 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:43.240 another airing kitchen boiler burst. When I saw the duchess 236 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:47.480 just now, I wondered if it had his grace distinctly started. 237 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:51.519 He almost dropped the canvas bag. You saw the duchess 238 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:56.879 just now? Ivor whin? The Duke was evidently moved, Mister 239 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:01.039 Dacre was stirred to languid curiosity. I can't say I 240 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:04.120 clocked it, perhaps half an hour ago, maybe a little 241 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:07.879 more half an hour ago. Are you sure? Where did 242 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:12.759 you see her? Mister Dacre wondered, the Duchess of Datchet 243 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:16.639 could scarcely have been eloping in broad daylight. Moreover, she 244 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:19.480 had not yet been married a year. Everyone knew that 245 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:21.480 she and the Duke were still as fond of each 246 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.600 other as if they were not man and wife. So 247 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:27.360 although the Duke, for some cause or other, was evidently 248 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:30.360 in an odd state of agitation, mister Dacre saw no 249 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:32.399 reason why he should not make a clean breast of 250 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:35.759 all he knew she was going like blazes in a 251 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:41.200 handsome cab, In a handsome cab. Where down Waterloo place? 252 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:46.159 Was she alone? Mister Dacre reflected. He glanced at the 253 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:49.720 Duke out of the corners of his eyes. His languid 254 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:54.639 utterance became a positive drawl. I rather fancy that she 255 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:59.440 wasn't Who was with her, my dear fellow. If you 256 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.879 were to for me the bank, I couldn't tell you. 257 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:07.679 Was it a man? Mister Dacre's droll became still more pronounced. 258 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:14.120 I rather fancy that it was. Mister Dacre expected something. 259 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:17.200 The Duke was so excited, but he by no means 260 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:22.600 expected what actually came. Iv or she's been kidnapped. Mister 261 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:25.399 Dacre did what had never been known to do before 262 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:29.480 within the memory of man. He dropped his eyeglasses, dash 263 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:33.879 it she has some scoundrel has decoyed her away and 264 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:37.240 trapped her. He's already sent me a lock of her hair, 265 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:39.240 and he tells me that if I don't let him 266 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:42.200 have five hundred pounds in gold by half past five, 267 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:46.080 he'll let me have her little finger. Mister Dacre did 268 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.799 not know what to make of his grace at all. 269 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:51.799 He was a sober man. It couldn't be that mister 270 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.279 Dacre felt really concerned. 271 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.240 I'll call a. 272 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.799 Cab old man, and you'd better let me see you home. 273 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:01.639 Mister Dacre half raised his stick to hail a passing hansom. 274 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:05.279 The Duke caught him by the arm. You ass, what 275 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.200 do you mean? I'm telling you the simple truth. My 276 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:12.600 wife's been kidnapped. Mister Dacre's countenance was a thing to 277 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:17.039 be seen and remembered. Oh, I hadn't heard that there 278 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.240 was much of that sort of thing about. Just now 279 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:23.080 they talk of poodles being kidnapped. But as for duchesses, 280 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:27.200 you'd really better let me call that cab I for 281 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.320 do you want me to kick you? Don't you see that? 282 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.799 To me, it's a question of life and death. I've 283 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:35.559 been in there to get the money. His grace motioned 284 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:37.679 toward the bank. I'm going to take it to the 285 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:40.799 scamandrel who has my darling and his mercy. Let me 286 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:43.440 but have her hand in mine again, and he shall 287 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:46.799 continue to pay for every sovereign with tears of blood 288 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:50.799 until he dies. Look here, dadgitt, I don't know if 289 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:53.399 you're having a joke with me? Or if you're not well? 290 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:56.879 The Duke stepped impatiently into the roadway. I'm or you 291 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:59.759 are a fool. Can't you tell Jess from ernest health 292 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:03.559 from disease? I'm off? Are you coming with me? It 293 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:05.759 would be as well that I should have a witness. 294 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.200 Where are you off too? To the other end of 295 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:13.079 the arcade. Who is the gentleman you expect to have 296 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:16.759 the pleasure of meeting there? How should I know? The 297 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.960 Duke took a letter from his pocket. It was the 298 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:22.119 letter which had just arrived. The fellow is to wear 299 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:24.880 a white top hat and a guardena in his button hole. 300 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:29.200 What is it you have there? It's the letter which 301 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:31.519 brought the news. Look for yourself and see. But for 302 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:35.400 God's sake, make haste his grace glanced at his watch. 303 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:38.519 It's already twenty after five. And do you mean to 304 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:40.440 say that, on the strength of a letter such as 305 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:43.400 this you are going to hand over five hundred pounds 306 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:46.680 to the Duke? Cut mister Dacre short, What are five 307 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:50.079 hundred pounds to me? Besides, you don't know all There 308 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:53.200 is another letter, and I have heard from Mabel, but 309 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:55.400 I will tell you all about that later, if you 310 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:59.319 are coming, come pulling up the letter. Mister Dacre returned 311 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:02.079 it to the Duke. As you say, what are five 312 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:04.720 hundred pounds to you? And as well they are not 313 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.799 as much to you as they are to me. I 314 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:10.720 am afraid hang it, I've all due prose. Afterwards, the 315 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:14.400 Duke hurried across the road. Mister Daker hastened after him. 316 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:17.960 As they entered the arcade, they passed a constable. Mister 317 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:21.319 Dacre touched his companion's arm. Didn't you think we'd butter 318 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:24.000 ask our friend in blue to walk behind us. His 319 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:28.720 neighborhood might be handy. Nonsense? The Duke's doctorate aboor. This 320 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:31.039 is my affair, not yours. If you are not content 321 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:33.519 to play the part of silent witness, be so good 322 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:37.640 as to leave me, My dear datchet. I'm entirely at 323 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:40.440 your service. I can be every whit as insane as you, 324 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:44.519 I do assure you. Side by side, they moved rapidly 325 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:47.799 down the Burlington arcade. The Duke was obviously in a 326 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:51.559 state of the extremest nervous tension. Mister Daker was equally 327 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:55.160 obviously in a state of the most supreme enjoyment. People 328 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:58.519 stared as they rushed past. The Duke saw nothing. Mister 329 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:03.039 Dacre saw everything and smiled. When they reached the Piccadilly 330 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:06.119 end of the arcade, the Duke pulled up. He looked 331 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:10.160 about him. Mister Dacre also looked about him. I see 332 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:13.119 nothing of your white hat had and gardenia button, old friend, 333 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:17.079 said Ivor. The Duke referred to his watch. It's not 334 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:21.559 yet half past five. I'm up to time. Mister Daker 335 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.400 held his stick in front of him and leaned on it. 336 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:28.920 He indulged himself with a beautific smile. It strikes me, 337 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:31.079 my dear old Dadgitt, that you've been the victim of 338 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:33.799 one of the finest things in hoaxes. I hope I 339 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:38.640 haven't kept you waiting. The voice which interrupted mister Dacre 340 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.359 came from the rear. While they were looking in front 341 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:44.319 of them, some one approached them from behind, apparently coming 342 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:47.079 out of the shop which was at their backs. The 343 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:51.960 speaker looked a gentleman. He sounded like one too. Costume appearance, 344 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:55.680 manner were beyond reproach, even beyond the criticism of two 345 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:59.599 such keen critics, as were these the glorious attire of 346 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:02.759 a London, and dandy was surmounted with a beautiful white 347 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:07.400 top hat. In his button hole was a magnificent guardinia 348 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:11.319 in age. The stranger was scarcely more than a boy, 349 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:14.799 and a sunny faced, handsome boy at that. His cheeks 350 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:18.039 were hairless, his eyes were blue. His smile was not 351 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:21.519 only innocent, it was bland. Never was there a more 352 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:25.759 conspicuous illustration of that repose which stamps the case of 353 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:29.480 Vere de Vere. The Duke looked at him and glowered. 354 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:33.240 Mister Dacre looked at him and smiled. Who are you, 355 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.720 asked the Duke. 356 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:37.799 Ah, that is the question. 357 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:42.279 The newcomers refined and musical voice breathed the very soul 358 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:46.759 of appability. I am an individual who is so unfortunate 359 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.519 as to be in want of five hundred pounds. I 360 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:54.519 you the scoundrel who sent me that infamous letter. The 361 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:58.759 charming stranger never turned a hair. I am the scoundrel 362 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:01.720 mentioned in that infamous letter who wants to accost you 363 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:04.960 at the Piccadilly end of the Burlington Arcade before half 364 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:09.400 past five, as witness my white hat and my guardina. 365 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:14.680 Where's my wife? The stranger gently swung his stick in 366 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:17.279 front of him with his two hands. He regarded the 367 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:20.039 Duke as a merry hearted son might regard his father. 368 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:24.440 The thing was beautiful. Her Grace will be home almost 369 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:26.880 as soon as you are, when you have given me 370 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:29.319 the money which I perceive you have all ready for 371 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:33.519 me in that scarcely elegant looking canvas bag. He shrugged 372 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:38.000 his shoulders quite gracefully. Unfortunately, in these matters one has 373 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:43.359 no choice. One is forced to ask for gold. And suppose, 374 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:46.160 instead of giving you what is in this canvas bag, 375 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:48.759 I take you by the throat and choke the life 376 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:53.119 right out of you. Or suppose, admitted mister Daker, that 377 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:55.559 you do better and commend this gentleman to the tender 378 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.640 mercies of the first policeman we encounter. The stranger turned 379 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:04.319 to missus Dacre. He condescended to become conscious of his presence. 380 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:10.279 Is this gentleman your Grace's friend, ah, mister taker, I 381 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:14.319 perceive I have the honor of knowing mister Dacre, though 382 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:19.160 possibly I am unknown to him you were until this moment. 383 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:23.279 With an airy little laugh, the stranger returned to the Duke. 384 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:26.440 He brush an invisible speck of dust off the sleeve 385 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:30.759 of his coat, as has been intimated in this infamous letter, 386 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:34.119 his grace is at perfect liberty to give me into custody. 387 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:37.680 Why not only, he said it with his boyish smile. 388 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:41.200 If a particular communication is not received from me in 389 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:45.519 certain quarters within a certain time, the Duchess of Datchet's 390 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:48.480 beautiful white arm will be hacked off at the shoulder 391 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:53.119 you owned. The Duke would have taken the stranger by 392 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:55.240 the throat and have done his best to choke the 393 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.519 life right out of him then and there, if mister 394 00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:01.799 Dacre had not intervened. Still, you man, mister Dacre turned 395 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:04.440 to the stranger. You appear to be a pretty sort 396 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:10.880 of scoundrel. The stranger gave his shoulders that almost imperceptible shrug. Oh, 397 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:13.640 my dear Dacre, I am in want of money. I 398 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:16.039 believe that you sometimes are in want of money too. 399 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:20.240 Everybody knows that nobody knows where Ivor Dacre gets his 400 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:23.640 money from, so the illusion must have tickled him immensely. 401 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:28.359