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Speaker 1: The Adventure of the Second Stain by Sir Arthur Kernan Doyle.

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I had intended the Adventure of the Abbey Grange to

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be the last of those exploits of my friend mister

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Shollock Holmes which I should ever communicate to the public.

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This resolution of mine was not due to any lack

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of material, since I have notes of many hundreds of

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cases to which I have never alluded, nor was it

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caused by any waning interest on the part of my

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readers in the singular personality and unique methods of this

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remarkable man. The real reason lay in the reluctance which

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mister Holmes has shown to the continued publication of his experiences.

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So long as he was in actual professional practice, the

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records of his successes were of some practical value to him.

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But since he has definitely retired from London and betaken

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himself to study and bee farming on the Sussex Downs,

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notoriety has become hateful to him, and he has peremptorily

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requested that his wishes in this matter should be strictly observed.

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It was only upon my representing to him that I

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had given a promise that the adventure of the second

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stain should be published when the times were ripe, and

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pointing out to him that it is only appropriate that

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this long series of episodes should culminate in the most

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important international case which he has ever been called upon

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to handle, that I at last succeeded in obtaining his

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consent that a carefully guarded account of the incident should

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at last be laid before the public. If in telling

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the story I seem to be somewhat vague in certain details,

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the public will readily understand that there is an excellent

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reason for my reticence. It was then, in a year,

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and even in a decade that shall be nameless, that

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upon one Tuesday morning in autumn, we found two visitors

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of European fame within the walls of our humble room

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in Baker Street. The one, austere, high nosed, eagle eyed

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and dominant, was none other than the illustrious Lord Bedinger,

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twice Premier of Britain. The other, dark, clear cut and elegant,

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hardly yet of middle age, and endowed with every beauty

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of body and of mind, was the right Honorable Trelawny Hope,

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Secretary for European Affairs, and the most rising statesman in

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the country. They sat side by side upon our paper

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littered settee, and it was easy to see from their

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worn and anxious faces that it was business of the

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most pressing importance which had brought them. The Premiere's thin,

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blue veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head

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of his umbrella, and his gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily

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from homes to me. The European of Secretary pulled nervously

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at his mustache and fidgeted with the seals of his

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watch chain. When I discovered my lost, mister Holmes, which

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was at eight o'clock this morning, I at once informed

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of the Primer Minister. It was at his suggestion that

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we have both come to you. Have you informed the police? No, sir,

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said the Prime Minister, with a quick, decisive manner for

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which he was famous. We have not done so, nor

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is it possible that we should do so. To inform

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the police must, in the long run mean to inform

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the public. This is what we particularly desire to avoid,

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and why, sir, Because the documenting question is of such

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immense importance that its publication might very easily, I might

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almost say, probably lead to European complications of the utmost moment.

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It is not too much to say that peace or

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war may hang upon the issue. Unless its recovery can

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be attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as

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well not be recovered at all. For all that is

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aimed at by those who have taken it is that

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its contents should be generally known. I understand now, mister Trelawney,

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hope I shall be most obliged if you would tell

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me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared. That

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commit done in a very few words, mister Holmes. The

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letter for it was a letter from a foreign potentate

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was received six days ago. It was of such important

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that I have never left it in my safe, but

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have taken it across each evening to my house in

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Whitehall Terrace and kept it in my bedroom in a

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locked despatch box. It was there last night, of that

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I am certain. I actually opened the box while I

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was dressing for dinner and saw the document inside. This

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morning it was gone. The despatch box had stood upside

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the glass upon my dressing table all night. I am

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a light sleeper, and so is my wife. We are

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both prepared to swear that no one could have entered

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the room during the night. Yet I repeat, the paper

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is gone, and what time did you dine? Half past seven?

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How long was it before you went to bed? My

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wife had gone to the theater. I waited up for her.

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It was half past eleven before we went to our room.

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Then for four hours the despatch box had lain unguarded.

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No one is ever permitted to enter that room save

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the housemaid in the morning, and my valet or my

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wife's maid during the rest of the day. They are

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both trusty servants who have been with us for some time. Besides,

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neither of them could possibly have known that there was

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anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental papers in my

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despatch box. Who did know of the existence of that letter?

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No one in the house. Surely your wife knew. No, Sir,

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I had said nothing to my wife until I missed

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the paper this morning. The Premier nodded approvingly. I have

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long known, sir. How high is your sense of public duty?

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Said he. I am convinced that in the case of

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a secret of this importance it would arise superior to

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the most intimate domestic ties. The European secretary bowed. You

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do me no more than justice, Sir. Until this morning,

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I have never breathed one word to my wife upon

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this matter. Could she have guessed? No, mister Homes She

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could not have guessed, nor could any one have guessed.

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Have you lost any documents before? No, sir, Who is

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there in England who did know the existence of this letter?

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Each member of the Cabinet was informed of it yesterday,

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But the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting

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was increased by the solemn warning which was given by

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the Prime Minister. Could heavens to think that within a

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few hours I should myself have lost it? His handsome

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face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his

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hands tore at his hair. For a moment we caught

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a glimpse of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive.

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The next the aristocratic mask was replaced and the gentle

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voice had returned. Besides the member of the cabinet, there

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are two or possibly three departmental officials who knew of

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the letter. No one else in England, mister Holmes, I

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assure you, But abroad I believe that no one abroad

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has seen it save the man who wrote it. I

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am well convinced that his ministers that the usual official

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channels have not been employed. Holmes considered for some little time. Now, Sir,

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I must ask you more particularly what this document is

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and why its disappearance such of some such momentous consequences.

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The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance, and the premiere's

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shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown. Mister Holmes that the

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envelope is a long, thin one of pale blue color.

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There is a seal of red wax stamped with a

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crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting to it.

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I fear, sir, said Holmes, that interesting, in indeed essential,

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as these details are, my inquiries must go more to

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the root of things. What was the latter? That is

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a state secret of the utmost importance, And I fear

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that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that

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it is necessary. If by the aid of the pas

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which you are said to possess, you can find such

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an envelope as I describe, with its enclosure, you will

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have deserved well of your country and earned any reward

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which it lies in our power to bestow Sharlock holmbs

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rose the smile. You are two of the most busy

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men in the country, said he, And in my own

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small way, I have also a good many calls upon me.

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I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter,

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and any continuation of this interview would be a waste

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of time. The Premier sprang to his feet with that quick,

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fierce gleam of his deep set eyes before which a

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cabinet has cowered. I am not accustomed, sir, he began,

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but mastered his anger and resumed his seat. For a

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minute or more, we all sat in silence. Then the

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old statesman shrugged his shoulders. We must accept your terms,

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mister Holmes. No doubt you are right, and it is

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unreasonable for us to expect you to act unless we

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give you our entire confidence. I agree with you, said

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the younger statesman. Then I will tell you retire, lying

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entirely upon your honor and that of your colleague, doctor Watson.

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I may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could

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not imagine a greater misfortune for the country than that

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this affair should come out. You may safely trust us

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The letter, then, is from a certain foreign POTENTATORO has

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been ruffled by some recent colonial developments of this country.

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It has been written hurriedly, and upon his own responsibility entirely.

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Inquires have shown that his ministers know nothing of the matter.

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At the same time, it is couched in so unfortunate

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a manner, and certain phrases in it are of so

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provocative a character, that its publication would undoubtedly lead to

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a most dangerous state of feeling in this country. There

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would be such a firment, sir, that I do not

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hesitate to say that within a week of the publication

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of that letter, this country would be involved in a

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great war. Holmes wrote a name upon a slip of

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paper and handed it to the premiere. Exactly it was he,

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And it is this letter, this letter, which may well

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mean the expenditure of a thousand millions and the lives

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of a hundred thousand men, which has become lost in

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this unaccountable fashion. Have you informed of the sender? Yes, sir,

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cipher telegram has been dispatched. Perhaps he desires the publication

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of the letter. No, sir, we have strong reason to

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believe that he already understands that he is acted in

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an indiscreet and hot headed manner. It would be a

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greater blow to him and to his country than to

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us if this letter were to come out. If this

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is so, whose interest is it that the letter should

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come out? Why should any one desire to steal it

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or to publish it? There, mister Holmes, you take me

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into regions of high international politics. But if you consider

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the European situation, you will have no difficulty in perceiving

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the motive. The whole of Europe is an armed camp.

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There is a double league which makes a fair balance

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of military power. Great Britain holds the scales. If Britain

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were driven into war with one confederacy, it was sure

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the supremacy the other confederacy, whether they john in the

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war or not. Do you follow very clearly? It is

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then the interest of the enemies of this potentate to

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secure and publish this letter, so as to make a

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breach between his country and ours, Yes, sir, And to

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whom would this document be sent if it fell into

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the hands of an enemy, to any of the great

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chancellories of Europe. It is probably speeding on its way thither.

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At the present instant, as fast as steam can take it.

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Mister Trelawney. Hope dropped his head on his chest and

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groaned aloud. The premiere placed his hand kindly upon his shoulder.

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It is your misfortune, my dear Fedo. No one can

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blain you. There is no precaution which you have neglected. Now,

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mister Holmes, you are in full possession of the facts.

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What course do you recommend? Holmes shook his head mournfully.

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You think, sir, that unless this document is recovered, there

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will be war? I think it is very probable, then, sir,

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prepare for war. That is a hard saying, mister Holmes.

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Consider the fact, sir. It is inconceivable that it was

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taken after eleven thirty at night, since I understand that

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mister Hope and his wife were both in the room

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from that hour until the loss was found out. It

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was taken then yesterday evening between seven thirty and eleven thirty,

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probably near the earlier hour. Since whoever took it evidently

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knew that it was there, it would naturally secure it

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as early as possible. Now, sir, if a document of

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this importance were taken at that hour, where can it

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be now? No one has any reason to retain it.

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It has been passed rapidly on to those who need it.

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What chance have we now to overtake it, or even

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to trace it? It is beyond our reach. The Prime

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Minister rose from the city. What you say is perfectly logical,

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mister Holmes, I feel that the matter is indeed out

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of our hands. Let us presume, for argument's sake, that

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the document was taken by the maid or by the valet.

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They are both old and tried servants. I understand you

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to say that your room is on the second floor,

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that there is no entrance from without, and that from

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within no one could go up unobserved. It must then

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be somebody in the house who has taken it. To

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whom would the thief take it to? One of several

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international spies and secret agents whose names are tolerably familiar

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to me. There are three who may be said to

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be the heads of their profession. I will begin my

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research by going round and finding if each of them

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is at his post. If one is missing, especially if

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he has disappeared since last night, we will have some

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indication as to where the document has gone. Why should

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he be missing? Asked the European Secretary. He would take

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the letter to an embassy in London as likely as not.

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I fancy not. These agents work independently and their relations

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with the embassies are often strained. The Prime Minister nodded

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00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:06,960
his acquiescence. I believe you are right, mister Holmes. He

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00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,519
would take so valuable a prize to headquarters with his

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own hands. I think that your course of action is

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an excellent one. Meanwhile, hope we cannot neglect all our

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other duties on account of this one misfortune. Should there

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be any fresh developments during the day, we shall communicate

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with you, and you will know. Nowt let us know

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the results of your own inquiries. The two statesmen bowed

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and walked gravely from the room. When our illustrious visitors

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had departed, Holmes lit his pipe in silence and sat

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for some time, lost in the deepest thought. I had

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00:14:41,399 --> 00:14:43,960
opened the morning paper and was immersed in a sensational

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00:14:44,039 --> 00:14:47,519
crime which occurred in London the night before. When my

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00:14:47,559 --> 00:14:49,840
friend gave an exclamation, sprang to his feet and laid

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00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:53,519
his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Yes, said he, there

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00:14:53,559 --> 00:14:56,200
is no better way of approaching it. The situation is desperate,

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but not hopeless. Even now, if we could be sh

259
00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,279
which of them has taken it? It is just possible

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that is not yet passed out of his hands. After all,

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00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,840
it is a question of money with these fellows, and

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I have the British Treasury behind me. If it's on

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00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,159
the market, I'll buy it. If he means another penny

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00:15:15,159 --> 00:15:18,759
on the income tax, it is conceivable that fellow might

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hold it back to see what bids come from this

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00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,879
side before he tries his luck on the other. There

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are only those three capable of playing so bold a game.

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00:15:28,279 --> 00:15:32,399
There are oberlstein are off Their and Eduardo Lucas. I

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was see each of them. I glanced at my morning paper.

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Is that uh, Eduardo Lucas of Goudofin Street. Yes, now

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you will not see him. Why not? He was murdered

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in his house last night. My friend has so often

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astonished me in the course of our adventures that it

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was a sense of exultation that I realized how completely

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I had astonished him, He said, stared in amazement, and

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then snatched the paper from my hands. This was the

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paragraph which I been engaged in reading when he rose

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from his chair. Murder in Westminster a crime of mysterious

279
00:16:13,759 --> 00:16:16,600
character was committed last night at sixteen Godolphin Street, one

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00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,440
of the old fashioned and secluded rows of eighteenth century

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houses which lie between the river and the abbey, almost

282
00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,080
in the shadow of the Great Tower of the Houses

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00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:29,320
of Parliament. This small but select mansion has been inhabited

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for some years by mister Eduardo Lucas, well known in

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society's circles, both on account of his charming personality and

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00:16:36,399 --> 00:16:38,759
because he has the well deserved reputation of being one

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00:16:38,759 --> 00:16:42,840
of the best amateur tenors in the country. Mister Lucas

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00:16:43,159 --> 00:16:46,000
is an unmarried man thirty four years of age, and

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00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:50,039
his establishment consists of missus Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, and

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00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:54,120
of Mitton, his valet. The former retires early and sleeps

291
00:16:54,159 --> 00:16:56,600
at the top of the house. The valet was out

292
00:16:56,639 --> 00:17:00,960
for the evening, visiting a friend at Hammersmith ten o'clock onward,

293
00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:04,119
mister Lucas had the house to himself. What occurred during

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00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,119
that time has not yet transpired, but at a quarter

295
00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:11,519
to twelve police Constable Barret, passing along Godolphin Street observed

296
00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:14,920
that the door of number sixteen was ajar. He knocked,

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00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:18,880
but received no answer. Perceiving a light in the front room,

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00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,160
he advanced into the passage and again knocked, but without reply.

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00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,799
He then pushed open the door and entered. The room

300
00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:28,400
was in a state of wild disorder, the furniture being

301
00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:30,640
all swept to one side, and one chair lying on

302
00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:34,440
its back in the center. Beside this chair, and still

303
00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:38,319
grasping one of its legs, lay the unfortunate tenant of

304
00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:41,680
the house. He had been stabbed to the heart and

305
00:17:41,759 --> 00:17:45,640
must have died instantly. The knife with which the crime

306
00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:49,119
being committed was a curved Indian dagger, plucked down from

307
00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:52,599
a trophy of oriental arms which adorned one of the walls.

308
00:17:53,559 --> 00:17:55,440
Robbery does not appear to have been the motive of

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00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,559
the crime, for there had been no attempt to remove

310
00:17:57,599 --> 00:18:01,759
the valuable contents of the room. Mister Eduardo Lucas was

311
00:18:01,799 --> 00:18:04,319
so well known and popular that his violent and mysterious

312
00:18:04,319 --> 00:18:08,400
fate will arouse painful interest and intense sympathy in a

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00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,720
widespread circle of friends. Well, Watson, what do you make

314
00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:16,960
of this? Asked Holmes, after a long pause. It is

315
00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,359
an amazing coincidence. Her coincidence here is one of the

316
00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:23,960
three men whom we have named as possible actors in

317
00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,920
this drama, and he meets a violent death during the

318
00:18:27,039 --> 00:18:29,839
very hours when we know that this drama was being enacted.

319
00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,200
The odds are enormous against its being coincidence. No figures

320
00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:37,240
could express them. No, my dear Watson, the two events

321
00:18:37,319 --> 00:18:40,839
are connected, must be connected. It is for us to

322
00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:45,960
find the connection. But now the official police must know all, No,

323
00:18:46,079 --> 00:18:49,440
not at all, They know all they see at Godolphin Street,

324
00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:53,720
they know and shall know nothing of Whitehalled Heras only

325
00:18:53,799 --> 00:18:56,599
we know of both events and contrace the relation between them.

326
00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,839
There is one obvious point which would in any case

327
00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:04,000
of term my suspicions against Lucas. Godolphin Street, Westminster, is

328
00:19:04,039 --> 00:19:07,559
only a few minutes walk from Whitehall Terrace. The other

329
00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:10,039
secret agents whom I have named, live in the extreme

330
00:19:10,079 --> 00:19:13,519
west end. It was easier therefore, for Lucas than for

331
00:19:13,559 --> 00:19:16,400
the others to establish a connection or receive a message

332
00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:20,640
from the European Secretary's household. A small thing, and yet

333
00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:22,880
where events are compressed into a few hours, it may

334
00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:28,480
prove essential. Helloa, what have we here? Missus Hudson had

335
00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:32,440
appeared with a lady's card upon her Salver Holmes glanced

336
00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,079
at it raised his eyebrows and handed it over to me.

337
00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:39,680
Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney, hope if she will be kind

338
00:19:39,759 --> 00:19:44,480
enough to step up, said he A moment later. Our

339
00:19:44,519 --> 00:19:48,799
modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honored

340
00:19:48,839 --> 00:19:51,680
by the entrance of the most lovely woman in London.

341
00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,160
I had often heard of the beauty of the youngest

342
00:19:55,279 --> 00:19:58,880
daughter of the Duke of Bellminster, but no description of it,

343
00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:03,079
and no contum plation of colorless photographs had prepared me

344
00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,000
for the subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful coloring of

345
00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:11,319
that exquisite head. And yet as we saw it that

346
00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:13,519
autumn morning, it was not its beauty which would be

347
00:20:13,559 --> 00:20:17,519
the first thing to impress the observer. The cheek was lovely,

348
00:20:17,559 --> 00:20:21,000
but it was paled with emotion. The eyes were bright,

349
00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:24,960
but it was the brightness of fever. The sensitive mouth

350
00:20:25,079 --> 00:20:30,200
was tight and drawn in an effort after self command. Terror,

351
00:20:30,799 --> 00:20:34,480
not beauty, was what sprang first to the eye as

352
00:20:34,519 --> 00:20:36,799
our fair visitor stood frame for an instant in the

353
00:20:36,839 --> 00:20:42,839
open door. Has my husband been here, mister Holmes, Yes, madam,

354
00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:46,880
he has been here. Mister Holmes. I implore you not

355
00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,319
to tell him that I came here. Holmes bowed coldly

356
00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:55,640
and motioned the lady to a chair. Your ladyship places

357
00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,039
me in a very delicate position. I beg that you

358
00:20:58,039 --> 00:21:00,680
will sit down and tell me what you desire, but

359
00:21:00,759 --> 00:21:05,240
I fear that I cannot make any unconditional promise. She

360
00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,200
swept across the room and seated herself with her back

361
00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:12,839
to the window. It was a queenly presence, tall, graceful,

362
00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:19,240
and intensely womanly. Mister Holmes, she said, and her white

363
00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:23,599
glove's hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke. I must

364
00:21:23,599 --> 00:21:25,240
speak frankly to you in the hope that it may

365
00:21:25,279 --> 00:21:28,839
induce you to speak frankly to me in return. There

366
00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,839
is complete confidence between my husband and me, and all

367
00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:36,160
matters save one that one is politics. On this his

368
00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:40,839
lips are sealed. He tells me nothing. Now. I am

369
00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:43,599
aware that there was a most deplorable occurrence in our

370
00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:47,119
house last night. I know that a paper has disappeared,

371
00:21:48,079 --> 00:21:50,599
But because the matter is political, my husband refuses to

372
00:21:50,599 --> 00:21:55,480
take me into his complete confidence. Now it is essential, essential,

373
00:21:55,519 --> 00:21:59,119
I say that I should thoroughly understand it. You are

374
00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,079
the only other person, save only these politicians who knows

375
00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:05,279
the true facts. I beg you, then, mister Holmes, to

376
00:22:05,279 --> 00:22:07,440
tell me exactly what has happened and what it will

377
00:22:07,519 --> 00:22:11,319
lead to tell me all, mister Holmes, let no regard

378
00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,319
for your client's interests keep you silence, for I assure

379
00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:16,759
you that his interests, if you would only see it,

380
00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:20,000
well be best served by taking me into his complete confidence.

381
00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:25,599
What was this paper which was stolen? Madam? What you

382
00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:30,839
asked me is really impossible. She groaned and sank her

383
00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:34,440
face in her hands. You must see that this is so, madam.

384
00:22:34,759 --> 00:22:36,720
If your husband thinks fit to keep you in the

385
00:22:36,799 --> 00:22:39,440
dark over this matter, is it for me, who has

386
00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:42,119
only learned the true facts under the pledge of professional secrecy,

387
00:22:42,519 --> 00:22:45,720
to tell what he is withheld? It is not fair

388
00:22:45,799 --> 00:22:48,440
to ask it. It is him whom you must ask.

389
00:22:50,319 --> 00:22:52,440
I have asked him. I come to you as a

390
00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:56,640
last resource, but without your telling me anything definite. Mister Holmes,

391
00:22:57,079 --> 00:22:59,759
you may do a great service if you would inlighten

392
00:22:59,759 --> 00:23:04,880
me on one point. What is it, madam? Is my

393
00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:10,160
husband's political career likely to suffer through this incident? Well, madam.

394
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:12,480
Unless it is set right, it may certainly have a

395
00:23:12,599 --> 00:23:18,559
very unfortunate effect. Ah she drew in her breath sharply,

396
00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:23,799
as one whose doubts are resolved. One more question, mister Holmes,

397
00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:27,200
from an expression which my husband dropped in the first

398
00:23:27,319 --> 00:23:32,319
shock of this disaster, I understand that terrible public consequences

399
00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:36,599
might arise from the loss of this document. If he

400
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:40,720
said so, I certainly cannot deny it. Of what nature

401
00:23:40,759 --> 00:23:43,839
are they? Nay, Madam, there again you ask me more

402
00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,759
than I can possibly answer. Then I will take up

403
00:23:47,799 --> 00:23:50,440
no more of your time. I cannot blame you, mister Holmes,

404
00:23:50,519 --> 00:23:53,839
for having refused to speak more freely, and you, on

405
00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:55,759
your side, will not, I am sure think the worst

406
00:23:55,759 --> 00:23:58,960
of me, because I desire, even against his will, to

407
00:23:59,039 --> 00:24:03,559
share my husband's answer. Once more, I beg that you

408
00:24:03,559 --> 00:24:07,960
will say nothing of my visit. She looked back at

409
00:24:08,039 --> 00:24:10,519
us from the door, and I had a last impression

410
00:24:10,559 --> 00:24:14,559
of that beautiful, haunted face, the startled eyes, then the

411
00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:20,359
draw mouth. Then she was gone. Now, Watson, the fair

412
00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,759
Sex is your department, said Holmes with a smile, when

413
00:24:23,759 --> 00:24:26,519
the dwindling throofrew of skirts had ended in the slam

414
00:24:26,599 --> 00:24:29,680
at the front door. What was the fair lady's game?

415
00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:33,720
What did she really want? Surely her own statement is clear,

416
00:24:33,799 --> 00:24:38,400
and her anxiety very natural. Humph. Think of her appearance, Watson,

417
00:24:38,519 --> 00:24:42,079
and her manner, her suppressed excitement, he now restlessness, her

418
00:24:42,079 --> 00:24:45,480
tenacity in asking questions. Remember that she comes of a

419
00:24:45,519 --> 00:24:49,400
caste who do not likely show emotion. She was certainly

420
00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:53,799
much moved. Remember was the curious earnestness with which she

421
00:24:53,839 --> 00:24:55,640
assured us that it was best for her husband that

422
00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,480
she should know all. What did she mean by that?

423
00:24:59,559 --> 00:25:02,359
And you must to have observed, Watson, how she maneuvered to

424
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:04,720
have the light at her back. She did not wish

425
00:25:04,799 --> 00:25:08,720
us to read her expression. Yes, she she chose the

426
00:25:08,759 --> 00:25:12,039
only chair in the room and getting the maatives of

427
00:25:12,079 --> 00:25:15,720
women are so inscrutable. You remember the woman at Margate

428
00:25:15,799 --> 00:25:18,599
whom I suspected for the same reason no powder on

429
00:25:18,599 --> 00:25:22,160
her nose. That proved to be the correct solution. How

430
00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:25,599
can you build on such a quicksand their most trivial

431
00:25:25,599 --> 00:25:28,960
action may mean volumes, or their most extraordinary conduct made

432
00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:35,720
upon a hairpin or curling tongs. Good morning, Watson, you're off? Yes,

433
00:25:36,079 --> 00:25:38,160
I will a while away the morning at Goudopin Street

434
00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:41,920
with our friends of the regular Establishment, with Eduardo Lucas.

435
00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:44,839
Lies the solution of our problem, though I must admit

436
00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:46,759
that I have not an inkling as to what form

437
00:25:46,799 --> 00:25:50,359
it may take. It is a capital mistake to theorize

438
00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:53,200
in advance of the facts. Do you stay on guard,

439
00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:56,240
my good Watson, and receive any fresh visitors. I'll join

440
00:25:56,279 --> 00:26:00,720
you at lunch if I am able. All that day

441
00:26:00,839 --> 00:26:03,599
and the next and the next Holmes was in a

442
00:26:03,599 --> 00:26:07,680
mood which his friends would call taciturn and others morose.

443
00:26:08,799 --> 00:26:12,839
He ran out and ran in, smoked, incessantly played snatches

444
00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:17,200
on his violins, sank into reveries, devarred sandwidges at irregular hours,

445
00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:21,079
and hardly answered the casual questions which I put to him.

446
00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:24,000
It was evident to me that things were not going

447
00:26:24,039 --> 00:26:27,359
well with him or his quest. He would say nothing

448
00:26:27,359 --> 00:26:28,880
of the case, and it was from the papers that

449
00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:31,640
I learned the particulars of the inquest and the arrests.

450
00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:34,880
With the subsequent release of John Mitton, the valet of

451
00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:40,319
the deceased, the coroner's jury brought in the obvious wilful murder,

452
00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:44,920
but the parties remained as unknown. As ever, no motive

453
00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,079
was suggested. The room was full of articles of value,

454
00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:51,160
but none had been taken. The dead man's papers had

455
00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:54,000
not been tampered with. They were carefully examined and showed

456
00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:57,039
that he was a keen student of international politics, an

457
00:26:57,079 --> 00:27:01,920
interfatigable gossip, a remarkable linguist, and an entiring letter writer.

458
00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,079
He had been on intimate terms with the leading politicians

459
00:27:06,079 --> 00:27:09,880
of several countries, but nothing sensational was discovered among the

460
00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:14,039
documents which filled his drawers. As to his relations with women,

461
00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:18,759
they appeared to have been promiscuous but superficial. He had

462
00:27:18,759 --> 00:27:22,240
many acquaintances among them, but few friends, and no one

463
00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:26,839
whom he loved. His habits were regular, his conduct inoffensive.

464
00:27:27,799 --> 00:27:31,920
His death was an absolute mystery and likely to remain so.

465
00:27:34,079 --> 00:27:36,759
As to the arrest of John mitton the valet, it

466
00:27:36,839 --> 00:27:39,920
was a council of despair as an alternative to absolute inaction,

467
00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:43,799
but no case could be sustained against him. He had

468
00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:47,599
visited friends in Hammersmith that night. The alibi was complete.

469
00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:50,480
It is true that he started home at an hour

470
00:27:50,519 --> 00:27:52,599
which should have brought him to Westminster before the time

471
00:27:52,599 --> 00:27:55,720
when the crime was discovered, but his own explanation that

472
00:27:55,759 --> 00:27:58,279
he had walked part of the way seemed probable enough

473
00:27:58,319 --> 00:28:01,240
in view of the fineness of the night. He had

474
00:28:01,279 --> 00:28:05,160
actually arrived at twelve o'clock and appeared to be overwhelmed

475
00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:08,640
by the unexpected tragedy. He had always been on good

476
00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:12,319
terms with his master. Several of the dead man's possessions,

477
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,240
notably a small case of razors, had been found in

478
00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:19,039
the valet's boxes, but he explained that they had been

479
00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:22,160
presents from the deceased, and the housekeeper was able to

480
00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:26,240
corroborate the story. Mitten had been in Lucas's employment for

481
00:28:26,279 --> 00:28:29,519
three years. It was noticeable that Lucas did not take

482
00:28:29,559 --> 00:28:32,880
Mitton on the content with him. Sometimes he visited Paris

483
00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:35,400
for three months on end, but Mitton was left in

484
00:28:35,519 --> 00:28:39,880
charge of the Godolphin Street house. As to the housekeeper,

485
00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:42,359
she had heard nothing on the night of the crime.

486
00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:46,480
If her master had a visitor, he had himself admitted him.

487
00:28:48,359 --> 00:28:52,079
So for three mornings the mystery remained so far as

488
00:28:52,079 --> 00:28:55,480
I could follow it in the papers. If Holmes knew more,

489
00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:58,799
he kept his own counsel. But since he told me

490
00:28:58,839 --> 00:29:01,960
that Inspector Lestrade take him into his confidence in the case,

491
00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,519
I knew that he was in close touch with every development.

492
00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:10,759
Upon the fourth day there appeared a long telegram from

493
00:29:10,799 --> 00:29:15,759
Paris which seemed to solve the whole question. A discovery

494
00:29:15,759 --> 00:29:18,400
had just been made by the Parisian police, said the

495
00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:21,720
Daily Telegraph, which raises the veil which hung round the

496
00:29:21,759 --> 00:29:24,920
tragic fate of mister Eduardo Lucas, who met his death

497
00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:28,920
by violence last Monday night at Godolphin Street, Westminster. Our

498
00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:31,640
readers will remember that the deceased gentleman was found stabbed

499
00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,200
in his room, and that some suspicion attached to his valet,

500
00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:38,400
but that the case broke down on an alibi. Yesterday,

501
00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:41,759
a lady who has been known as Madame Auri Fourney,

502
00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,880
occupying a small villa in the Rue Austerlitz, was reported

503
00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:49,920
to the authorities by her servants as being insane. An

504
00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:53,319
examination showed she had indeed developed mania of a dangerous

505
00:29:53,319 --> 00:29:56,960
and per permanent form. On inquiry, the Piece of discovered

506
00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:59,839
that Madame Auurri fournee only returned from a journey to

507
00:29:59,839 --> 00:30:03,079
life London on Tuesday last and there is evidence to

508
00:30:03,079 --> 00:30:06,920
connect her with the crime at Westminster. A comparison of

509
00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:12,440
photographs has proved conclusively that Monsieur Ornifornee and Edeodo Luccas

510
00:30:12,599 --> 00:30:16,079
were really one and the same person, and that the

511
00:30:16,119 --> 00:30:19,000
deceased had for some reason lived a double life in

512
00:30:19,079 --> 00:30:23,680
London and Paris. Madame Fournee, who is of Creole origin,

513
00:30:23,839 --> 00:30:26,960
is of an extremely excitable nature, and has suffered in

514
00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:30,759
the past from attacks of jealousy which have amounted to frenzy.

515
00:30:31,079 --> 00:30:33,279
It is conjectured that it was in one of these

516
00:30:33,319 --> 00:30:35,759
that she committed the terrible crime which has caused such

517
00:30:35,759 --> 00:30:39,400
a sensation in London. Her movements upon the Monday night

518
00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,400
have not yet been traced, but it is undoubted that

519
00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:45,759
a woman answering to her description attracted much attention at

520
00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:49,319
Charing Cross station on Tuesday morning by the wildness of

521
00:30:49,359 --> 00:30:54,039
her appearance and the violence of her gestures. It is probable, therefore,

522
00:30:54,039 --> 00:30:56,880
that the crime was either committed when insane, or that

523
00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:59,680
its immediate effect was to drive the unhappy woman out

524
00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:03,079
of her mind. At present, she is unable to give

525
00:31:03,119 --> 00:31:05,400
any care here on account of the past, and the

526
00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:08,039
doctors hold out no hopes of the re establishment of

527
00:31:08,079 --> 00:31:11,480
her reason. There is it, ever, evidence that a woman

528
00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:14,920
who might have been Madame Fourney was seen for some

529
00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:20,599
hours upon Monday night watching the house in Goernolphin Street.

530
00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,640
What do you think of that? Holmes? I read the

531
00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:27,160
account aloud to him, when he finished his breakfast. My

532
00:31:27,319 --> 00:31:30,119
dear Watson, said he as he rose from the table

533
00:31:30,119 --> 00:31:32,640
and paced up and down the room. You are most

534
00:31:32,799 --> 00:31:34,720
long suffering. But if I have told you nothing in

535
00:31:34,759 --> 00:31:36,519
the last three days, it is because there is nothing

536
00:31:36,559 --> 00:31:39,680
to tell. Even now. This report from Paris does not

537
00:31:39,759 --> 00:31:43,559
help us much. Surely it is final as regards the

538
00:31:43,599 --> 00:31:47,440
man's death. The man's death is a mere incident of

539
00:31:47,599 --> 00:31:50,759
a trivial episode in comparison with our real task, which

540
00:31:50,799 --> 00:31:54,960
is to trace this document and saving European catastrophe. Only

541
00:31:55,039 --> 00:31:57,359
one important thing has happened in the last three days,

542
00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:00,920
and that is that nothing has happened. I get reports

543
00:32:00,960 --> 00:32:02,920
al miss ardy from the government, and it is certain

544
00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:05,880
that nowhere in Europe is there any sign of trouble. Now,

545
00:32:06,079 --> 00:32:08,799
if this letter were loose, no it can't be loose.

546
00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:12,000
But if it isn't loose, where can it be? Who

547
00:32:12,079 --> 00:32:16,200
has it? Why is it held back? That's the question

548
00:32:16,279 --> 00:32:19,559
that beats in my brain like a hammer. Was it

549
00:32:19,559 --> 00:32:21,839
indeed a coincident that Lucas should meet his death on

550
00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:24,880
the night when the letter disappeared? Did the letter ever

551
00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:28,759
reach him? If so, why is it not among his papers?

552
00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,279
Did this mad wife of his carry it off with her.

553
00:32:33,119 --> 00:32:36,640
If so is it in her house in Paris, how

554
00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:38,640
could I search for it without the French police having

555
00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:42,480
their suspicions arouse. It is a case, my dear Watson,

556
00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:44,759
where the law is as dangerous to us as the

557
00:32:44,759 --> 00:32:48,599
criminals are. Every man's hand is against us, and yet

558
00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:51,559
the interests at stake are colossal. Should I bring it

559
00:32:51,599 --> 00:32:54,839
to a successful conclusion, it will certainly represent the crowning

560
00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:58,240
lorry of my career. Ah here is my latest from

561
00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:01,440
the front. Held danced hurriedly at the note which had

562
00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:05,160
been handed in Helloa, Lestrade seemed to have observed something

563
00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:07,440
of interest. Put on your hat, Watson, and we will

564
00:33:07,480 --> 00:33:12,200
stroll down together to Westminster. It was my first visit

565
00:33:12,319 --> 00:33:15,400
to the scene of the crime. A high, dingy, narrow

566
00:33:15,519 --> 00:33:19,839
chested house, prim formal and solid, like the sentry which

567
00:33:19,839 --> 00:33:24,039
gave it birth. Lestrade's bulldog features gazed out at us

568
00:33:24,039 --> 00:33:26,920
from the front window, and he greeted us warmly when

569
00:33:26,920 --> 00:33:29,319
a big constable had opened the door and let us in.

570
00:33:30,839 --> 00:33:32,720
The room into which we were shown was that in

571
00:33:32,759 --> 00:33:35,839
which the crime had been committed, but no trace of

572
00:33:35,839 --> 00:33:40,119
it now remained, save an ugly irregular stain upon the carpet.

573
00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:44,000
This carpet was a small square druget in the center

574
00:33:44,039 --> 00:33:46,559
of the room, surrounded by a broad expanse of beautiful

575
00:33:46,799 --> 00:33:51,599
old fashioned wood flooring in square blocks, highly polished. Over

576
00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:54,799
the fireplace was a magnificent trophy of weapons, one of

577
00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:57,920
which had been used on that tragic night. In the

578
00:33:57,960 --> 00:34:01,559
window was a sumptuous writing desk, and every detail of

579
00:34:01,559 --> 00:34:05,000
the apartment, the pitchers, the rugs, and the hangings all

580
00:34:05,039 --> 00:34:08,119
pointed to a taste which was luxurious to the verge

581
00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:14,800
of effeminacy seen. The Paris News asked the Strarde, Holmes nodded.

582
00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:17,960
Our French friends seemed to have touched the spot this time,

583
00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:21,079
no doubt, it's just as they say. She knocked at

584
00:34:21,119 --> 00:34:23,559
the door, surprised visit, I guess, for he kept his

585
00:34:23,599 --> 00:34:27,440
life in watertight compartments. He let her in, couldn't keep

586
00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:29,760
her in the street. She told him how she had

587
00:34:29,760 --> 00:34:33,360
traced him, reproached him. One thing led to another, and

588
00:34:33,400 --> 00:34:35,920
then with that dagger so hand in the end soon came.

589
00:34:37,119 --> 00:34:39,239
It wasn't all done in an instant, though, for these

590
00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:42,000
chairs were all swept over yonder, and he had one

591
00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:43,840
in his hand, as if he had tried to hold

592
00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:46,360
her off with it. We got it all clear as

593
00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:51,159
if we had seen it. Holmes raised his eyebrows. And

594
00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:54,599
yet you have sent for me. Ah, yes, that's another matter,

595
00:34:54,960 --> 00:34:56,840
a mere trifle, but the sort of thing you'd take

596
00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:59,639
an interest in queer, you know, and what you might

597
00:34:59,679 --> 00:35:02,679
call for freakish. It's nothing to do with the main fact.

598
00:35:03,039 --> 00:35:07,440
Can't have on the face of it. What is it? Then? Well,

599
00:35:07,519 --> 00:35:09,280
you know, after a crime of this sort, we are

600
00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:12,440
very careful to keep things in their possession. Nothing has

601
00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:16,079
been moved Officer in charge here day and night, this

602
00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:18,960
morning as the man was buried. In the investigation over

603
00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:21,920
so far as this room is concerned, we thought we

604
00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:25,920
could tidy up a bit. This carpet, you see, it's

605
00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:28,920
not fastened down, and it just laid there. We had

606
00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:34,039
occasion to raise it. We found, yes, you found. Hemes's

607
00:35:34,039 --> 00:35:37,880
face grew tense with anxiety. I'm sure you would never

608
00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:40,760
guess in a hundred years what we did find. You

609
00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:43,800
see that stain on the carpet. What a great deal

610
00:35:43,880 --> 00:35:48,360
must have soaked through, must it not? Undoubtedly it must. Well,

611
00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:51,119
he was surprised to hear that there is no stain

612
00:35:51,199 --> 00:35:55,480
on the white woodwork to correspond. No stain, But there

613
00:35:55,559 --> 00:35:58,400
must n yes, so you would say. But the fact

614
00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:02,199
remained that there isn't. He took the corner of the

615
00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:05,000
carpet in his hand, and turning it over, he showed

616
00:36:05,079 --> 00:36:08,519
us that it was indeed as he said. But the

617
00:36:08,639 --> 00:36:10,960
underside is as stained as the upper. It must have

618
00:36:11,039 --> 00:36:15,320
left a mark. Lestrade chuckled with delight at having puzzled

619
00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:19,559
the famous expert. Now I'll show you the explanation. There

620
00:36:19,639 --> 00:36:22,199
is a second stain, but it does not correspond with

621
00:36:22,239 --> 00:36:26,159
the other. See for yourself. As he spoke, he turned

622
00:36:26,159 --> 00:36:28,840
over another portion of the carpet, and there, sure enough

623
00:36:29,039 --> 00:36:32,519
was a great crimson spill upon the square white facing

624
00:36:32,599 --> 00:36:35,679
of the old fashioned floor. What do you make of that,

625
00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:39,400
mister Olmes? Oh? Why, it is simple enough that two

626
00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:42,199
stains did correspond. But the carpet has been turned round.

627
00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:45,360
As it was square and unfastened, it was easily done.

628
00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:49,280
The official police don't need you, mister Holmes, to tell

629
00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:52,159
them that the carpet must have been turned round. That's

630
00:36:52,199 --> 00:36:55,559
clear enough, for the stains lie above each other if

631
00:36:55,559 --> 00:36:58,559
you lay it over this way. What I want to

632
00:36:58,559 --> 00:37:04,119
know is who shift the carpet, and why I could

633
00:37:04,119 --> 00:37:07,239
see from Holmes's rigid face that he was vibrating with

634
00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:12,280
inward excitement. Look here, Lestrade said, he has that confortable

635
00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:14,000
in the passage, been in charge of the place all

636
00:37:14,039 --> 00:37:18,519
the time. Yes, he has. Well take my advice. Examine

637
00:37:18,559 --> 00:37:22,119
him carefully. Don't do before us. We'll wait here. You

638
00:37:22,239 --> 00:37:24,079
take him into the back room. You'll be more likely

639
00:37:24,119 --> 00:37:26,880
to get a confession out of him alone. Ask him

640
00:37:26,920 --> 00:37:29,199
how he dared to admit people and leave them alone

641
00:37:29,199 --> 00:37:31,719
in this room. Don't ask him if he has done it,

642
00:37:32,079 --> 00:37:34,199
take it for granted. Tell him you know some one

643
00:37:34,199 --> 00:37:36,679
has been here. Press him, Tell him that a full

644
00:37:36,719 --> 00:37:39,559
confession is his only chance of forgiveness. To exactly what

645
00:37:39,599 --> 00:37:42,719
I tell you, by George. If he knows, I'll have

646
00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:46,320
it out of him, cried Lestrade. He darted into the hall,

647
00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:48,880
and a few moments later, his bullying voice sounded from

648
00:37:48,920 --> 00:37:53,599
the back room. Now Watson now cried Holmes, with frenzied eagerness.

649
00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:57,239
All the demoniacal force of the man masked behind that

650
00:37:57,320 --> 00:38:01,320
listless manner burst out in a paroxysm energy. He tore

651
00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:03,400
the drugget from the floor, and in an instant was

652
00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:05,280
down on his hands and knees, throwing at each of

653
00:38:05,280 --> 00:38:08,480
the squares of wood beneath it. One turned sideways. As

654
00:38:08,519 --> 00:38:10,360
he dug his nails into the edge of it, it

655
00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:12,800
hinged back like the lid of a box. A small

656
00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:16,320
black cavity opened beneath it. Holmes plunged his eager hand

657
00:38:16,360 --> 00:38:18,760
into it and drew it out with a bitter snarl

658
00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:22,920
of anger and disappointment. It was empty. Quick, Watson, quick,

659
00:38:22,960 --> 00:38:25,880
get it back again. The wooden lid was replaced, and

660
00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:28,360
the drug it had only just been drawn straight when

661
00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:31,679
Estrade's voice was heard in the passage. He found Holmes

662
00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:36,559
leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, resigned and patient, endeavoring to

663
00:38:36,599 --> 00:38:41,119
conceal his irrepressible yawns. Sorry to keep you waiting, mister Holmes,

664
00:38:41,199 --> 00:38:43,039
I can see that you're bored to death with the

665
00:38:43,039 --> 00:38:47,079
whole affair. Well, he has conversed. All right, come in here, Macpherson.

666
00:38:47,639 --> 00:38:52,159
Let these gentlemen hear of your most inexcusable conduct. The

667
00:38:52,159 --> 00:38:56,119
big Constable, very hot and penitent, sidled into the room.

668
00:38:56,719 --> 00:38:59,199
I met no arm, sir. I'm sure the young woman

669
00:38:59,239 --> 00:39:02,039
came into the door last evening mistook the house. She did,

670
00:39:02,079 --> 00:39:05,239
and then we got talking. It's lonesome when you're on

671
00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:09,880
duty here all day. Well what happened? Then? She wanted

672
00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:11,840
to see where the crime was done and read about

673
00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:15,239
it in the papers, she said. She was a very respectable,

674
00:39:15,320 --> 00:39:18,199
well spoken young woman, sir, and I saw no army

675
00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:21,400
letting ever peep. When she saw that mark on the

676
00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:23,760
carpet down, she dropped on the floor and lay as

677
00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:26,079
if she were dead. I ran to the back and

678
00:39:26,119 --> 00:39:28,760
got some water. I couldn't bring her too. Then I

679
00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:31,039
went round the corner to the ivy plant for some brandy.

680
00:39:31,559 --> 00:39:33,320
But the time I brought it back, the young woman

681
00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:36,119
who covered and was off shamed of herself. I dare say,

682
00:39:36,119 --> 00:39:41,400
and dare not face me? How about moving that drug? It? Well, sir,

683
00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:43,920
it was a bit rumpled certainly when I came back.

684
00:39:44,360 --> 00:39:46,440
You see, she fell on it and it lies on

685
00:39:46,480 --> 00:39:48,280
a polished floor with nothing to keep it in place.

686
00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:52,760
I straightened it out afterwards. It's a lesson to you

687
00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:56,800
that you can't deceive me, Counsel Macpherson said, Lestrade, with dignity,

688
00:39:57,440 --> 00:39:59,719
no doubt, you thought that your breach of duty could

689
00:39:59,719 --> 00:40:03,000
never we discovered yet a mere glance at that drug.

690
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:04,920
It was enough to convince me that someone had been

691
00:40:04,920 --> 00:40:08,119
admitted to the room. It's lucky for you, my man,

692
00:40:08,159 --> 00:40:10,760
that nothing is missing, or you would find yourself in

693
00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:13,920
Queer Street. I'm sorry to have to call you down

694
00:40:13,960 --> 00:40:16,239
over such a petty business, mister Olmes, but I thought

695
00:40:16,239 --> 00:40:18,679
the point of the second stain, not corresponding with the first,

696
00:40:18,679 --> 00:40:23,639
would interest you, certainly. It was most interesting. Has this

697
00:40:23,679 --> 00:40:27,320
woman only been here once? Constable? Oh, yes, sir, any once?

698
00:40:28,159 --> 00:40:30,920
Who was she? I don't know the name, Sir. Was

699
00:40:31,039 --> 00:40:34,360
answering an adrasisment about typewriting and came to the wrong number.

700
00:40:35,079 --> 00:40:40,440
Very pleasant, genteel young woman, sir. Tall handsome, Yes, sir,

701
00:40:40,519 --> 00:40:43,239
she was a well grown young woman. I suppose you

702
00:40:43,320 --> 00:40:45,880
might say she was handsome. Perhaps some would say she

703
00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:49,039
was very handsome. How, officer, do let me have a peep?

704
00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:52,519
Says she. She had pretty coaxing ways, as you might say,

705
00:40:52,559 --> 00:40:54,079
And I thought there was no arm in letting her

706
00:40:54,159 --> 00:40:59,840
just put her head through the door. How was she dressed? Quiet, sir?

707
00:41:00,159 --> 00:41:03,320
A long mantled down to her feet. What time was it?

708
00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:06,199
He was just growing dusk at the time. They were

709
00:41:06,280 --> 00:41:08,079
lighting the lamps as I came back with the brandy,

710
00:41:08,960 --> 00:41:12,199
HM many good, said Holmes. Come, Onson, I think that

711
00:41:12,239 --> 00:41:16,800
we have more important work elsewhere. As we left the house,

712
00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:19,760
Lestrade remained in the front room while the repentant Constable

713
00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:23,159
opened the door to let us out. Holmes turned on

714
00:41:23,199 --> 00:41:25,920
the step and held up something in his hand. The

715
00:41:25,960 --> 00:41:31,280
Constable stared intently. Good Lord, sir, he cried, with amazement

716
00:41:31,320 --> 00:41:34,400
on his face. Holmes put his finger on his lips,

717
00:41:34,519 --> 00:41:37,440
replaced his hand in his breast pocket, and burst out laughing.

718
00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:41,480
As we turned down the street, excellent, said he. Come,

719
00:41:41,559 --> 00:41:43,960
friend Watson, the curtain rings up for the last act.

720
00:41:44,760 --> 00:41:46,760
You will be relieved to hear that there will be

721
00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:49,760
no war, that the right Honorable Trattorney Hope will suffer

722
00:41:49,800 --> 00:41:52,519
no set back in his brillined career, that the indiscreet

723
00:41:52,559 --> 00:41:55,679
Sovereign will receive no punishment for his indiscretion, That the

724
00:41:55,679 --> 00:41:58,079
Prime Minister will have no European complication to you'll do

725
00:41:58,239 --> 00:42:00,800
with and that with a little tact and management upon

726
00:42:00,840 --> 00:42:03,679
our part, nobody will be a penny the worse for

727
00:42:03,719 --> 00:42:08,320
what might have been a very ugly incident. My mind

728
00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:13,239
filled with admiration for this extraordinary man you have solved it.

729
00:42:13,519 --> 00:42:16,960
I cried hardly that Watson, there are some points which

730
00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:18,880
are as dark as ever. But we have so much

731
00:42:18,920 --> 00:42:20,760
that it will be our own fault. We cannot get

732
00:42:20,760 --> 00:42:23,960
the rest. We will go straight to Whitehall Terrace and

733
00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:28,320
bring the matter to a head. When we arrived at

734
00:42:28,360 --> 00:42:31,400
the residence of the European Secretary, it was for lady

735
00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:35,360
Hilda Trelawny Hope that Sherlock Holmes inquired. We were shown

736
00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:39,400
into the morning room, mister Holmes said the lady, and

737
00:42:39,519 --> 00:42:42,840
her face was pink with her indignation. This is surely

738
00:42:42,920 --> 00:42:47,159
most unfair and ungenerous upon your part. I desired, as

739
00:42:47,199 --> 00:42:49,639
I have explained, to keep my visit to you a secret,

740
00:42:49,920 --> 00:42:51,920
lest my husband should think that I was intruding into

741
00:42:51,960 --> 00:42:55,800
his affairs. And yet you compromise me by coming here

742
00:42:56,000 --> 00:43:00,639
and so showing that there are business relations between us. Rutunately, Madam,

743
00:43:00,679 --> 00:43:03,199
I had no possible alternative. I have been commissioned to

744
00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:07,840
recover this immensely important paper. I must therefore ask you, Madam,

745
00:43:07,880 --> 00:43:10,679
to be kind enough to place it in my hands.

746
00:43:11,719 --> 00:43:13,960
The lady sprang to her feet, with the color all

747
00:43:14,039 --> 00:43:17,960
dashed in an instant from her beautiful face. Her eyes glazed,

748
00:43:18,159 --> 00:43:21,440
she tottered. I thought that she would faint. Then with

749
00:43:21,519 --> 00:43:24,159
a grand effort, she rad it from the shock, and

750
00:43:24,199 --> 00:43:28,039
as whose supreme astonishment and indignation chased every other expression

751
00:43:28,039 --> 00:43:33,960
from her features. You you insult me, mister Holmes. Come come, madam.

752
00:43:33,960 --> 00:43:37,639
It is useless. Give up the letter. She darted to

753
00:43:37,679 --> 00:43:41,599
the bell. The butler shall show you out. Do not ring,

754
00:43:41,679 --> 00:43:44,280
Lady Hilda. If you do, then all my earnest efforts

755
00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:47,039
to avoid a scandal will be frustrated. Give up the

756
00:43:47,119 --> 00:43:49,480
letter and all will be set right. If you will

757
00:43:49,519 --> 00:43:52,480
work with me, I can arrange everything. If you work

758
00:43:52,480 --> 00:43:57,960
against me, I must expose you. She stood grandly defiant,

759
00:43:58,000 --> 00:44:00,880
a queenly figure, her eyes fixed up upon his, as

760
00:44:00,920 --> 00:44:04,480
if she she would read his very soul. Her hand

761
00:44:04,519 --> 00:44:06,400
was on the bell, but she had forborne to ring it.

762
00:44:08,119 --> 00:44:09,719
You are trying to frighten me. It is not a

763
00:44:09,800 --> 00:44:12,320
very manly thing, mister Holmes, to come here and browbeat

764
00:44:12,320 --> 00:44:15,320
a woman. You say that you know something. What is

765
00:44:15,360 --> 00:44:18,719
it that you know? Praise it down, madam. You will

766
00:44:18,760 --> 00:44:21,400
hurt yourself there if you fall. I will not speak

767
00:44:21,480 --> 00:44:25,679
until you sit down. Thank you. I give you five

768
00:44:25,679 --> 00:44:30,280
minutes mister Holmes, one is enough. Lady Hilda. I know

769
00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:32,800
of your visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him

770
00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:35,719
this document, of your ingenious return to the room last night,

771
00:44:36,159 --> 00:44:37,880
and of the manner in which you took the letter

772
00:44:37,880 --> 00:44:41,760
from the hiding place under the carpet. She stared at

773
00:44:41,840 --> 00:44:45,320
him with an ashen face and gulped twice before she

774
00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:49,039
could speak. You are mad, mister Holmes, You are mad,

775
00:44:49,760 --> 00:44:53,679
she cried. At last, he drew a small piece of

776
00:44:53,719 --> 00:44:55,719
cardboard from his pocket. It was the face of a

777
00:44:55,760 --> 00:44:59,400
woman cut out of a portrait. I have carried this

778
00:44:59,440 --> 00:45:02,320
because I thought might be useful, said he. The policeman

779
00:45:02,320 --> 00:45:06,440
has recognized it. She gave a gasp and her head

780
00:45:06,519 --> 00:45:09,880
dropped back in the chair. Come, lady Hilda, you have

781
00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:12,559
the letter. The matter may still be adjusted. I have

782
00:45:12,639 --> 00:45:15,320
no desire to bring trouble to you. My duty ends

783
00:45:15,320 --> 00:45:17,760
when I have returned the lost letter to your husband.

784
00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:19,960
Take my advice and be frank with me. It is

785
00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:25,280
your only chance. Her courage was admirable. Even now. She

786
00:45:25,320 --> 00:45:29,239
would not own defeat. I tell you, again, mister Holmes,

787
00:45:29,239 --> 00:45:34,280
that you are under some absurd illusion. Holmes rose from

788
00:45:34,280 --> 00:45:37,400
his chair. I am sorry. I for you, Lady Hilda,

789
00:45:37,440 --> 00:45:39,440
I have done my best for you. I can see

790
00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:42,840
that it is all in vain. He rang the bell.

791
00:45:43,320 --> 00:45:48,199
The butler entered, Is mister Trelawney hope at home? You

792
00:45:48,320 --> 00:45:52,000
be home, sir? At a quarter to one. Holmes glanced

793
00:45:52,039 --> 00:45:54,639
at his watch, still a quarter of an hour, said

794
00:45:54,639 --> 00:45:59,079
he very good, I shall wait. The butler had hardly

795
00:45:59,119 --> 00:46:01,119
closed the door behind me when Lady Hilt was down

796
00:46:01,159 --> 00:46:03,960
on her knees at Holmes's feet, her hands outstretched, her

797
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:08,400
beautiful face upturned and wet with her tears. Oh spare me,

798
00:46:08,440 --> 00:46:12,400
is mister Holmes, spare me, she pleaded, in a frenzy

799
00:46:12,480 --> 00:46:15,800
of supplication. For Heaven's sake, don't tell him I love

800
00:46:15,880 --> 00:46:18,559
him so I would not bring one shadow on his life,

801
00:46:18,960 --> 00:46:23,320
and this I know would break his noble heart. Holmes

802
00:46:23,440 --> 00:46:26,679
raised the lady. I'm thankful, madam, that you've come to

803
00:46:26,679 --> 00:46:29,440
your senses. Even at this last moment. There's not an

804
00:46:29,440 --> 00:46:33,599
instant to lose. Where is the letter? She darted across

805
00:46:33,679 --> 00:46:36,519
to a writing desk, unlocked it, and drew out a

806
00:46:36,599 --> 00:46:41,760
long blue envelope. Here it is, mister Holmes, would heaven,

807
00:46:41,800 --> 00:46:45,639
I'd never seen it? How can we return it, Holmes buttered,

808
00:46:45,679 --> 00:46:47,880
quick quickly, we must think of some way. Where is

809
00:46:47,880 --> 00:46:51,800
the despatch box still in his bedroom? What a stroke

810
00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:55,360
of luck? Quick, madam, bring it here. A moment later,

811
00:46:55,480 --> 00:46:58,360
she had appeared with a red flat box in her hand.

812
00:46:59,280 --> 00:47:02,159
How did you open it before? You have a duplicate key? Yes,

813
00:47:02,239 --> 00:47:05,480
of course you have open it. From out of her bosom,

814
00:47:05,559 --> 00:47:08,639
Lady Hilda had drawn a small key. The box flew open.

815
00:47:08,760 --> 00:47:11,960
It was stuffed with papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope

816
00:47:12,000 --> 00:47:14,239
deep down into the heart of them, between the leaves

817
00:47:14,280 --> 00:47:17,519
of some other document. The box was shut, locked and

818
00:47:17,599 --> 00:47:21,280
returned to the bedroom. Now we are ready for him,

819
00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:24,519
said Holmes. We have still ten minutes. I am going

820
00:47:24,639 --> 00:47:27,320
far to screen you, Lady Hilda. In return, you will

821
00:47:27,360 --> 00:47:29,559
spend the time in telling me, frankly, the real meaning

822
00:47:29,559 --> 00:47:33,920
of this extraordinary affair. Mister Holmes, I will tell you everything,

823
00:47:34,000 --> 00:47:36,559
cried the lady. Oh, mister Holmes, I would cut off

824
00:47:36,599 --> 00:47:39,079
my right hand before I gave him a moment of sorrow.

825
00:47:39,920 --> 00:47:42,039
There is no woman in all London who loves my husband,

826
00:47:42,079 --> 00:47:44,599
and eyes do. And yet if he knew how I

827
00:47:44,639 --> 00:47:48,000
had acted, how I have been compelled to act he

828
00:47:48,039 --> 00:47:50,920
would never forgive me, for his own honor stands so

829
00:47:51,000 --> 00:47:53,599
high that he could not forget or pardoner lapse in another.

830
00:47:53,840 --> 00:47:57,400
Help me, mister Holmes, my happiness, his happiness, Our very

831
00:47:57,440 --> 00:48:01,079
lives are at stake quick matter, and the time grows shot.

832
00:48:02,920 --> 00:48:05,440
It was a letter of mine, mister Holmes, an indiscreet

833
00:48:05,559 --> 00:48:08,840
letter written before my marriage, A foolish letter, a letter

834
00:48:08,880 --> 00:48:12,440
of an impulsive loving Ghala. I meant no harm, and

835
00:48:12,519 --> 00:48:15,440
yet he would have thought it criminal. Had he read

836
00:48:15,440 --> 00:48:18,679
that letter, his confidence would have been forever destroyed. It

837
00:48:18,800 --> 00:48:20,840
is years since I wrote it. I had thought that

838
00:48:20,880 --> 00:48:24,480
the whole matter was forgotten. Then at last I heard

839
00:48:24,519 --> 00:48:28,119
from this man Lucas, that it had passed into his hands,

840
00:48:28,519 --> 00:48:31,960
and that he would lay before my husband. I implored

841
00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:35,199
his mercy. He said that he would return my letter

842
00:48:35,559 --> 00:48:37,719
if I would bring him a certain document, which he

843
00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:41,800
described in my husband's dispatch box. He had some spy

844
00:48:41,920 --> 00:48:43,760
in the office who had told him of his existence.

845
00:48:44,039 --> 00:48:46,239
He assured me that no harm could come to my husband.

846
00:48:47,239 --> 00:48:49,840
Put yourself in my position, mister Holmes. What was I

847
00:48:49,920 --> 00:48:54,960
to do? Take your husband into your confidence? I could not,

848
00:48:55,000 --> 00:48:58,119
mister Holmes, I could not. On the one side seemed

849
00:48:58,159 --> 00:49:00,679
certain ruin on the other terrible, as it seemed to

850
00:49:00,679 --> 00:49:03,360
take my husband's paper. Still, in a matter of politics,

851
00:49:03,400 --> 00:49:06,559
I could not understand the consequences, while on a matter

852
00:49:06,599 --> 00:49:09,440
of love and trust they were only too clear to me.

853
00:49:11,159 --> 00:49:13,880
I did it, mister Holmes. I took an impression of

854
00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:18,840
his key. This man Lucas furnished a duplicate, opened his

855
00:49:18,920 --> 00:49:22,360
dispatch box, took the paper and conveyed it to Gondolphin Street.

856
00:49:23,840 --> 00:49:27,519
What happened there, Madam? I tapped at the doors. Agreed,

857
00:49:27,599 --> 00:49:29,960
Lucas opened it. I followed him into his room, leaving

858
00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:31,880
the hall door a jar behind me, for I feared

859
00:49:31,920 --> 00:49:35,159
to be alone with the man. I remember that there

860
00:49:35,199 --> 00:49:38,519
was a woman outside as I entered. Our business was

861
00:49:38,559 --> 00:49:40,960
soon done. He had my letter on his desk. I

862
00:49:41,039 --> 00:49:44,760
handed him the document. He gave me the letter. At

863
00:49:44,760 --> 00:49:46,639
this instant there was a sound of the door. There

864
00:49:46,679 --> 00:49:49,800
were steps in the passage. Lucas quickly turned back the druge.

865
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:52,360
It thrust the document into some hiding place there and

866
00:49:52,440 --> 00:49:56,719
covered it over. What happened after that is like some

867
00:49:57,000 --> 00:50:01,239
fearful dream. I have a vision of a dark, frantic face,

868
00:50:01,280 --> 00:50:04,400
of a woman's voice, which screamed in French. My waiting

869
00:50:04,440 --> 00:50:06,239
is not in vain. At last, at last, I have

870
00:50:06,360 --> 00:50:10,840
found you with her. There was a savage struggler. I

871
00:50:10,880 --> 00:50:13,559
saw him with a chair in his hand. A knife

872
00:50:13,679 --> 00:50:17,119
gleamed in hers. I rushed from the horrible scene, ran

873
00:50:17,159 --> 00:50:19,599
from the house, and only next morning in the paper

874
00:50:19,599 --> 00:50:24,280
did I learn the dreadful result. That night, I was happy,

875
00:50:24,280 --> 00:50:27,000
for I had my letter, and I had not seen

876
00:50:27,079 --> 00:50:31,280
yet what the future would bring. It was the next

877
00:50:31,280 --> 00:50:33,760
morning that I realized that I'd only exchanged one trouble

878
00:50:33,760 --> 00:50:37,239
for another. My husband's anguish at the loss of his

879
00:50:37,320 --> 00:50:41,679
paper went to my heart. I could hardly prevent myself

880
00:50:41,719 --> 00:50:43,760
from there and then kneeling down at his feet and

881
00:50:43,840 --> 00:50:47,360
telling him what I had done. But that again would

882
00:50:47,400 --> 00:50:50,960
mean a confession of the past. I came to you

883
00:50:51,039 --> 00:50:53,400
that morning in order to understand the full enormity of

884
00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:56,239
my fence. From the instant that I grasped it, my

885
00:50:56,360 --> 00:50:59,000
whole mind was turned to the one thought of getting

886
00:50:59,079 --> 00:51:02,679
back my husband's pace. It must still be where Lucas

887
00:51:02,719 --> 00:51:05,079
had placed it, for it was concealed before this dreadful

888
00:51:05,079 --> 00:51:07,679
woman entered the room. If it had not been for

889
00:51:07,760 --> 00:51:10,440
her coming, I should not have known where his hiding

890
00:51:10,440 --> 00:51:14,000
place was. How was I to get into the room.

891
00:51:15,159 --> 00:51:17,559
For two days I watched the place, but the door

892
00:51:17,639 --> 00:51:22,599
was never left open. Last night I made a last attempt.

893
00:51:23,199 --> 00:51:26,119
What I did and how I succeeded, you have already learned.

894
00:51:27,400 --> 00:51:29,320
I brought the paper back from me and thought of

895
00:51:29,360 --> 00:51:31,719
destroying it, since I could see no way of returning

896
00:51:31,719 --> 00:51:35,239
it without confessing my guilt to my husband. And I

897
00:51:35,320 --> 00:51:40,119
hear his step upon the stair. The Eupian secretary burst

898
00:51:40,159 --> 00:51:43,559
excitedly into the room. Any news, mister Holmes, Any news,

899
00:51:44,119 --> 00:51:49,039
he cried, I have some hopes, I think heaven. His

900
00:51:49,159 --> 00:51:52,280
face became radiant. The Prime Minister is lunching with me.

901
00:51:52,800 --> 00:51:55,440
May he share your hopes? He has nerves of steel,

902
00:51:55,440 --> 00:51:57,519
and yet I know that he has hardly slept since

903
00:51:57,519 --> 00:52:00,360
this terrible event. Jacobs, what do you ask the Prime

904
00:52:00,400 --> 00:52:03,199
Minister to come up? As to you? Dear? I fear

905
00:52:03,239 --> 00:52:05,559
that this is a matter of politics. We'll join you

906
00:52:05,599 --> 00:52:09,159
in a few minutes. In the dining room, the Prime

907
00:52:09,159 --> 00:52:11,559
Minister's manner was subdued, but I could see, by the

908
00:52:11,559 --> 00:52:14,039
gleam of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony

909
00:52:14,079 --> 00:52:17,119
hands that he shared the excitement of his young colleague.

910
00:52:18,639 --> 00:52:20,880
I understand that you have something to report, mister Holmes,

911
00:52:22,079 --> 00:52:25,199
A purely negative as yet, my friend answered. I have

912
00:52:25,320 --> 00:52:27,599
inquired at every point where it might be, and I

913
00:52:27,679 --> 00:52:29,679
am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended.

914
00:52:31,280 --> 00:52:33,280
But that is not enough, mister Holmes. We cannot live

915
00:52:33,320 --> 00:52:36,800
forever on such a volcano. We must have something definite.

916
00:52:37,960 --> 00:52:39,920
I am in hopes of getting it. That is why

917
00:52:39,960 --> 00:52:42,679
I am here. The more I think of the matter,

918
00:52:42,719 --> 00:52:45,519
the more convinced I am that the letter has never

919
00:52:45,880 --> 00:52:51,719
left this house, mister Holmes. If it had, it would

920
00:52:51,719 --> 00:52:55,639
certainly have been public by now. But why should anyone

921
00:52:55,679 --> 00:52:57,480
take it in order to keep it in this house?

922
00:52:59,079 --> 00:53:01,960
I am not convinced that anybody did take it. Then

923
00:53:02,320 --> 00:53:05,440
how could it leave the dispatch box? I am not

924
00:53:05,559 --> 00:53:09,360
convinced that it ever did leave the despatch box. Mister Holmes.

925
00:53:09,400 --> 00:53:11,559
Is joking is very old timed. You have my assurance

926
00:53:11,599 --> 00:53:15,039
that it left the box. Have you examined the box

927
00:53:15,079 --> 00:53:20,280
since Tuesday morning? No, it was not necessary. You may

928
00:53:20,679 --> 00:53:26,159
conceivably have overlooked it. Impossible, I say, but I am

929
00:53:26,199 --> 00:53:28,719
not convinced of it. I have known such things to happen.

930
00:53:29,400 --> 00:53:31,760
I presume there are other papers there when it pay

931
00:53:31,800 --> 00:53:35,000
have got mixed with them. It was on the top.

932
00:53:36,360 --> 00:53:39,840
Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it. No, no,

933
00:53:39,960 --> 00:53:43,840
I had everything out. Oh surely it is easily decided, Hope,

934
00:53:43,880 --> 00:53:46,599
said the Premiere. Let us have the despatch box brought in.

935
00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:52,119
The secretary round the bell, Jacobs, bring down my dispatch box.

936
00:53:52,880 --> 00:53:55,400
This is a fascical waste of time. But still, if

937
00:53:55,480 --> 00:53:59,119
nothing else will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Jacobs.

938
00:53:59,119 --> 00:54:01,840
Put it here. I've always had the key on my

939
00:54:01,840 --> 00:54:05,159
watch chain. Here are the papers you see. Letters from

940
00:54:05,159 --> 00:54:09,719
Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy, memorandum from Belgrade,

941
00:54:09,960 --> 00:54:13,599
note on the Russo German grain taxes, letter from Madrid,

942
00:54:14,039 --> 00:54:18,000
note from Lord good Heaven. What is this, Lord Blacher,

943
00:54:18,079 --> 00:54:24,719
Lord Bleacher. The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand. Yes,

944
00:54:24,840 --> 00:54:28,320
it is it, and the letter is intact. Hope. I

945
00:54:28,400 --> 00:54:32,400
congratulate you, oh, thank you, thank you. What I wait

946
00:54:32,440 --> 00:54:38,239
from my heart? But this is inconceivable, impossible. Mister Holmes,

947
00:54:38,480 --> 00:54:42,159
you are a wizard, a sorcerer. How did you know

948
00:54:42,199 --> 00:54:46,079
it was there? Because I knew it was nowhere else.

949
00:54:47,719 --> 00:54:51,119
I cannot believe my eyes. He ran wildly to the door.

950
00:54:51,199 --> 00:54:54,320
Where's my wife? I must tell her that all is well. Hilda, Hilda.

951
00:54:55,039 --> 00:54:58,760
We heard his voice on the stairs. The Premier looked

952
00:54:58,760 --> 00:55:02,920
at Holmes with twinkling eyes. It come, sir, said he.

953
00:55:03,079 --> 00:55:06,320
There is more in this than meets the eye. How

954
00:55:06,400 --> 00:55:10,599
came the letter back in the box? Holmes turned away,

955
00:55:10,599 --> 00:55:15,519
smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes. We

956
00:55:15,559 --> 00:55:19,760
also have our diplomatic secrets, said he, and picking up

957
00:55:19,760 --> 00:55:25,960
his hat, he turned to the door. End of the

958
00:55:26,280 --> 00:55:27,719
Adventure of the Second Stain