WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.480 --> 00:00:06.040 The Engineer's Thumb. Of all the problems which have been 2 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:09.320 submitted to my friend mister Sherlock Holmes for solution during 3 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:12.119 the years of our intimacy, there were only two which 4 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:15.199 I was the means of introducing to his notice, that 5 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:19.719 of mister Hatherley's Thumb and that of Colonel Warburton's Madness. 6 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:22.320 Of these, the latter may have afforded a finer field 7 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:25.719 for an acute and original observer, but the other was 8 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.760 so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details, 9 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:32.200 that it may be the more worthy of being placed 10 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:35.719 upon record, even if it gave my friend fewer openings 11 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:38.759 for those deductive methods of reasoning by which he achieved 12 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:42.719 such remarkable results. The story has, I believe, been told 13 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:46.399 more than once in the newspapers, but like all such narratives, 14 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:49.200 its effect is much less striking when set forth on 15 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:52.399 block in a single half column of print, than when 16 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:55.640 the fact slowly evolved before your own eyes, and the 17 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:59.039 mystery clear as gradually away as each new discovery furnishes 18 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:03.359 a step which leads on to the complete truth. At 19 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:06.120 the time, the circumstances made a deep impression upon me, 20 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:09.599 and the lapse of two years has hardly served to 21 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:14.159 weaken the effect. It was in the summer of eighty nine, 22 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:17.439 not long after my marriage, that the events occurred which 23 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:20.640 I am now about to summarize. I had returned to 24 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:24.640 civil practice and had finally abandoned homes in his Baker 25 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:29.959 Street rooms, although I continually visited him, and occasionally even 26 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.640 persuaded him to forego his bohemian habits so far as 27 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:37.519 to come and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, 28 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:39.879 and as I happened to live at no very great 29 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:43.280 distance from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from 30 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.439 among the officials. One of these whom I had cured 31 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:50.319 of a painful lingering disease. Was never weary of advertising 32 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:53.079 my virtues and of endeavoring to send me on every 33 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:57.159 sufferer over whom he might have any influence. One morning, 34 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:00.400 a little before seven o'clock, I was awake and by 35 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:03.239 the maid tapping at the door to announce that two 36 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:05.959 men had come from Paddington and were waiting in the 37 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:09.919 consulting room. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience 38 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:14.759 that railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As 39 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:17.240 I descended my old ally, the guard came out of 40 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:20.800 the room and closed the door tightly behind him. I've 41 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:23.840 got him here, he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. 42 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.039 He's all right. What is it? Then? I asked for 43 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:30.080 his manner suggested that it was some strange creature which 44 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:33.000 he had caged up in my room. He's a new patient, 45 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:36.000 he whispered. I thought i'd bring him round myself. Then 46 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:39.000 he couldn't slip away. There is all safe and sound. 47 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:41.639 I must go now, doctor, I have my duties just 48 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:45.280 the same as you. And off he went, this trusty tout, 49 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:49.520 without even giving me time to thank him. I entered 50 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:52.400 my consulting room and found a gentleman seated by the table. 51 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.759 He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed 52 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:58.919 with soft cloth cap, which he had laid down upon 53 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.360 my books. Round one of his hands. He had a 54 00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:06.240 handkerchief wrapped which was mottled all over with blood stains. 55 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:09.159 He was young, not more than five and twenty, I 56 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:13.120 should say, with a strong masculine face, but he was 57 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:16.240 exceedingly pale, and gave me the impression of a man 58 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:20.080 who was suffering from some strong agitation which it took 59 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:23.719 all his strength of mind to control. I am sorry 60 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:26.719 to knock you up so early, doctor, said he. But 61 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:29.080 I have had a very serious accident during the night. 62 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:32.759 I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring 63 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:35.039 at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, 64 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:38.680 a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave 65 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:41.159 the maid a card, but I see that she has 66 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:44.159 left it upon the side table. I took it up 67 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:49.599 and glanced at it. Mister Victor Haviy, hydraulic engineer, sixteen 68 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:54.639 a Victoria Street, third floor. That was the name, style 69 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:58.319 and abode of my morning visitor. I regret that I 70 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.520 have kept you waiting, said I, sitting down in my 71 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:04.879 library chair. You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, 72 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.159 which is in itself a monotonous occupation. Or my night 73 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:13.919 could not be called monotonous, said he, and laughed. He laughed, 74 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:17.399 very heartily, with a high ringing note, leaning back in 75 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:21.680 his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical instincts 76 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.800 rose up against that laugh. Stop it, I cried, pull 77 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:28.000 yourself together, and I poured out some water from a 78 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:32.279 caraf It was useless, however, he was off in one 79 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:35.600 of those hysterical outbursts which come upon a strong nature 80 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:39.839 when some great crisis is over and gone. Presently, he 81 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:43.680 came to himself once more, very weary and blushing hotly. 82 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:47.399 I have been making a fool of myself, he gasped, 83 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:51.399 Not at all, drink this. I dashed some brandy into 84 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:53.720 the water, and the color began to come back to 85 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:58.040 his bloodless cheeks. That's better, said he, And no, doctor, 86 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:00.920 perhaps you would kindly attend to my thumb, or rather 87 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.360 to the place where my thumb used to be. He 88 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:08.560 unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave 89 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:11.199 even my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. 90 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:15.959 There were four protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy 91 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:19.680 surface where the thumb should have been. It had been 92 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:24.000 hacked or torn right out from the roots. Good Heavens, 93 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:27.040 I cried, this is a terrible injury. It must have 94 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:31.839 bled considerably. Yes dead. I fainted when it was done, 95 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:33.920 and I think that I must have been senseless for 96 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:36.800 a long time. When I came to, I found that 97 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:39.160 it was still bleeding. So I tied one end of 98 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.399 my handkerchief very tightly round the wrist and braced it 99 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:46.120 up with a twig. Excellent, you should have been a surgeon. 100 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:49.639 That's a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within 101 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:53.480 my own province. This has been done, said I, examining 102 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:57.439 the wound by a very heavy and sharp instrument, a 103 00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:01.439 thing like a cleaver, said he, an accident, I presume 104 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:05.800 by no means what a murderous attack. Very murderous. Indeed, 105 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:10.279 you horrify me. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, 106 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:14.279 and finally covered it with cotton wadding and carbalized bandages. 107 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:18.279 He lay back without wincing, though he bit his lip 108 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:21.879 from time to time. How is that? I asked? When 109 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:25.920 I had finished capital between your brandy and your bandage, 110 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:29.160 I feel a new man. I was very weak, but 111 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.160 I have had a good deal to go through. Perhaps 112 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:34.800 you would not better speak of the matter. It is 113 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:39.120 evidently trying to your nerves. Oh no, not now. I 114 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.040 shall have to tell my tale to the police, but 115 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.720 between ourselves. If it were not for the convincing evidence 116 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:47.360 of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if 117 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:51.040 they believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one. 118 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.319 And I have not much in the way of proof 119 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:55.920 with which to back it up. And even if they 120 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:58.399 believe me, the clues which I can give them are 121 00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:01.560 so vague that it is a question whether justice will 122 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:04.839 be done. Ha cried I. If it is anything in 123 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.240 the nature of a problem which you desire to see solved, 124 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:10.439 I should strongly recommend you come to my friend, mister 125 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:14.319 Sherlock Holmes before you go to the official police. Oh, 126 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:17.879 I have heard of that fellow, answered my visitor, and 127 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:19.480 I should be very glad if he would take the 128 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:22.600 matter up, though of course I must use the official 129 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:25.959 police as well. Would you give me an introduction to him? 130 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:29.040 I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself. 131 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.759 I should be immensely obliged to you. We'll call a 132 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:35.439 cab and go together. We shall just be in time 133 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:37.759 to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel 134 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:41.120 equal to it? Yes? I shall not feel easy until 135 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.360 I have told my story. Then my servant will call 136 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:46.319 a cab and I shall be with you. In an instant, 137 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:50.199 I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wife, 138 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.199 and in five minutes was inside a hansom driving with 139 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:57.519 my new acquaintance to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was as 140 00:07:57.560 --> 00:08:01.199 I expected, lounging about his sitting room in his dressing gown, 141 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:05.000 reading the agony column of the Times, and smoking his 142 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:09.000 before breakfast pipe, which was composed of all the plugs 143 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:11.439 and dottles left from his smokes of the day before, 144 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:15.120 all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the mantelpiece. 145 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:19.879 He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh 146 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:22.879 rashes and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. 147 00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:26.879 When it was concluded, he settled our new acquaintance upon 148 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:30.360 the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid 149 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:33.960 a glass of brandy and water within his reach. It 150 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:36.320 is easy to see that your experience has been no 151 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:40.279 common one, mister Haley, said. He pray, lie down there 152 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:43.799 and make yourself absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, 153 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.960 but stop when you are tired, and keep up your 154 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:51.360 strength with a little stimulant. Thank you, said my patient. 155 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:55.000 But I have felt another man since the doctor bandaged me, 156 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.080 and I think that your breakfast has completed the cure. 157 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:01.360 I shall take up as little of your valuable time 158 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:04.200 as possible, so I shall start at once upon my 159 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:09.440 peculiar experiences. Holmes sat in his big arm chair with 160 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:13.279 the weary, heavy lidded expression which veiled his keen and 161 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:17.000 eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and we 162 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:20.120 listened in silence to the strange story which our visitor 163 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:24.440 detailed to us. You must know, said he that I 164 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:28.639 am an orphan and a bachelor, residing alone in lodgings 165 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:33.120 in London. By profession, I am a hydraulic engineer and 166 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:36.679 have had considerable experience of my work during the seven 167 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:39.639 years that I was apprenticed to Venna and Matheson, the 168 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:43.799 well known firm of Greenwich. Two years ago, having served 169 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:46.240 my time, and having also come into a fair sum 170 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:49.559 of money through my poor father's death, I determined to 171 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:53.320 start in business for myself and took professional chambers in 172 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:58.080 Victoria Street. I suppose that everyone finds his first independent 173 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:01.679 start in business a dreary expl experience. To me, it 174 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:05.840 had been exceptionally so. During two years, I've had three 175 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:10.480 consultations and one small job, and that is absolutely all 176 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:14.440 that my profession has brought me. My gross takings amount 177 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:18.360 to twenty seven pounds ten every day from nine in 178 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:21.080 the morning until four in the afternoon. I waited in 179 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:24.519 my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, 180 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.879 and I came to believe that I should never have 181 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:31.840 any practice at all. Yesterday, however, just as I was 182 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:35.039 thinking of leaving the office, my clerk entered to say, 183 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.200 there was a gentleman waiting who wished to see me 184 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:40.799 upon business. He brought up a card too, with the 185 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:45.519 name of Colonel Lysander Stark engraved upon it. Close at 186 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:49.399 his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over 187 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:53.159 the middle size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do 188 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.279 not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. 189 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:59.120 His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and 190 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:01.720 the skin of his cheek was drawn quite tense over 191 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:05.919 his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his 192 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.559 natural habit, and you to no disease, for his eye 193 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:13.399 was bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He 194 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:16.600 was plainly but neatly dressed. And his age, I should judge, 195 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:21.600 would be nearer forty than thirty, mister Hatheley, said he, 196 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:25.600 with something of a German accent. You have been recommended 197 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.200 to me, mister Hatheley, as being a man who is 198 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:31.320 not only proficient in his profession, but is also discreet 199 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:36.360 and capable of preserving a secret. I bowed, feeling as 200 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.200 flattered as any young man would at such an address. 201 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.039 May I ask who it was who gave me so 202 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:46.320 good a character, I asked, Well, perhaps it is better 203 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.399 that I should not tell you just at this moment. 204 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:50.759 I have it from the same source that you are 205 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:54.399 both an orphan and a bachelor, and are residing alone 206 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:57.799 in London. That is quite correct, I answered, But you 207 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:59.639 will excuse me if I say that I cannot see 208 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:03.840 how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. I understand 209 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:06.080 that it was on a professional matter that you wish 210 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:09.840 to speak to me, undoubtedly so, but you will find 211 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:12.440 that all I say is really to the point. I 212 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:16.360 have a professional commission for you. But absolute secrecy is 213 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:20.879 quite essential. Absolute secrecy, understand, and of course we may 214 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.919 expect that more from a man who is alone than 215 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:26.200 from one who lives in the bosom of his family. 216 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.559 If I promise to keep a secret, said I, you 217 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.559 may absolutely depend upon my doing so. He looked very 218 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:36.120 hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to 219 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:39.399 me that I had never seen so suspicious and questioning 220 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:43.559 an eye. You do promise, then, said he at last, yes, 221 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:47.720 I promise absolute and complete silence, before, during, and after 222 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:50.720 no reference to the matter at all, either in word 223 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:55.840 or writing. I have already given you my word. Very good. 224 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:59.600 He suddenly sprang up, and, darting like lightning across the room. 225 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:03.440 He fled opened the door. The passage outside was empty. 226 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:07.279 That's all right, said he, coming back. I know that 227 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:11.360 clarks are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now 228 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:15.039 we can talk in safety. He drew up his chair 229 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.039 very close to mine and began to stare at me 230 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:21.159 again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. A feeling 231 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:24.039 of repulsion and something akin to fear had begun to 232 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:27.519 rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. 233 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:31.240 Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain 234 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:34.279 me from showing my impatience. I beg that you will 235 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:36.919 stay your business, sir, said I. My time is of value. 236 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:41.200 Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, But the words 237 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:44.559 came to my lips. How would fifty guineas for a 238 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:49.799 night's work suit you, he asked, most admirably. I say 239 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:52.360 a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. 240 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:56.519 I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine 241 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:59.600 which has got out of gear. If you show us 242 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:03.000 what is wrong, we shall soon set it right ourselves. 243 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:05.360 What do you think of such a commission as that? 244 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:09.120 The work appears to be light and the pay munificent. 245 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:12.279 Precisely so, we shall want you to come tonight by 246 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:17.840 the last train where two to Iford and Berkshire. It's 247 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:21.039 a little place near the borders of Oxfordshire and within 248 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:24.720 seven miles of reading. There is a train from Parrington 249 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:27.360 which would bring you in there at about eleven fifteen. 250 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.360 Very good. I shall come down in a carriage to 251 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:35.200 meet you. There is a drive then, Yes, our little 252 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:37.960 place is quite out in the country. That's a good 253 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:42.279 seven miles from Iiford station. Then we can hardly get 254 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:44.759 there before midnight. I suppose there would be no chance 255 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:47.679 of a train back. I should be compelled to stop 256 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:50.919 the night. Yes, we could easily give you a shakedown. 257 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:54.480 That is very awkward. Could I not come at some 258 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:57.919 more convenient hour? We have judged it best that you 259 00:14:57.960 --> 00:15:01.200 should come late. It is to compense you for any 260 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:04.480 inconvenience that we are paying you. A young and unknown man, 261 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.840 a fee which would buy an opinion from the very 262 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:10.320 heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you'd like 263 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.639 to draw out of the business, there's plenty of time 264 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:16.039 to do so. I thought of the fifty guineas, and 265 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:18.679 of how very useful they would be to me. Not 266 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.840 at all, said I, I should be very happy to 267 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:23.759 accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to 268 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:26.559 understand a little more clearly what as you wish me 269 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:30.039 to do. Quite so, it is very natural that the 270 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:33.000 pledge of secrecy which we have exacted from you should 271 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:36.559 have aroused your curiosity. I have no wish to commit 272 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.000 you to anything without having it all laid before you. 273 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:44.799 I suppose that we are absolutely safe from evesdroppers entirely, 274 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:49.320 then the matter stands. Thus you are probably aware that 275 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:53.080 Fuller's Earth is a valuable product, and that it is 276 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:56.399 only found in one or two places in England. I 277 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:59.559 have heard so. Some little time ago I bought a 278 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:03.480 small place, a very small place within ten miles of reading. 279 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:07.080 I was fortunate enough to discover that there was a 280 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:10.559 deposit of Fuller's Earth in one of my fields. On 281 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:13.799 examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a 282 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:17.480 comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between 283 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:20.320 two very much larger ones upon the right and left 284 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:24.480 both of them. However, in the grounds of my neighbors, 285 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:28.759 these good people were absolutely ignorant that their land contained 286 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:33.000 that which was quite as valuable as a gold mine. Naturally, 287 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:35.120 it was my interest to buy their land before they 288 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:39.039 discovered its true value, but unfortunately I had no capital 289 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:41.720 by which I could do this. I took a few 290 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:45.080 of my friends into the secret, however, and they suggested 291 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:48.639 that we should quietly and secretly work our own little deposit, 292 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.360 and that in this way we should earn the money 293 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:55.240 which would enable us to buy the neighboring fields. Thus 294 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:58.360 we have now been doing for some time, and in 295 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:01.120 order to help us in our operations, we erected a 296 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:06.359 hydraulic press. This press, as I've already explained, has got 297 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:09.319 out of order, and we wish your advice upon the subject. 298 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:13.799 We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 299 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:17.440 once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to 300 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:21.079 our little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then 301 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:24.039 if the facts came out, it would be goodbye to 302 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:28.359 any chance of getting these fields and carrying utar plans. 303 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:32.240 That is why I've made you promise that you will 304 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:35.240 not tell a human being that you're going to Aiford tonight. 305 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:39.200 I hope that I make it all plain. I quite 306 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.440 follow you, said I. The only point which I could 307 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.640 not quite understand was what use you could make of 308 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:49.359 a hydraulic press in excavating full as earth, which, as 309 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:52.279 I understand, is dug out like gravel from a pit. 310 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:55.960 Ah said he carelessly. We have our own process. We 311 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:58.960 can press the earth into bricks so as to remove 312 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:03.200 them without feeling what they are. But that's a mere detail. 313 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:06.279 I've taken you fully into my confidence now, mister Hatherley, 314 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:09.599 and I have shown you how I trust you. He 315 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.880 rose as he spoke. I shall expect you then at 316 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:15.480 Ifored at eleven fifteen. I shall certainly be there, and 317 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:18.680 not a word to a soul. He looked at me 318 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:21.880 with the last long, questioning gaze, and then pressing my 319 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:27.440 hand in a cold, dank grasp, he hurried from the room. Well, 320 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.880 when I came to think it all over in cool blood, 321 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:33.119 I was very much astonished, as you may both think, 322 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:35.720 at this sudden commission which had been entrusted to me. 323 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.400 On the one hand, of course, I was glad that 324 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.519 the fee was at least tenfold what I should have 325 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.839 asked had I set a price upon my own services, 326 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.880 and it was possible that this order might lead to 327 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:49.359 other ones. On the other hand, the face and manner 328 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:52.680 of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me, 329 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:56.160 and I could not think that his explanation of the 330 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:59.599 Fuller's earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my 331 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:03.480 coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should 332 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:07.079 tell any one of my Errand however, I threw all 333 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:10.160 my fears to the winds ate a hearty supper, drove 334 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:14.039 to Paddington and started off, having obeyed to the letter 335 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:18.359 the injunction as to holding my tongue reading, I had 336 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:22.440 to change not only my carriage but my station. However, 337 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:24.759 I was in time for the last train to Iiford 338 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:29.160 and reached the little dim lit station after eleven o'clock. 339 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:33.359 I was the only passenger who got out there, and 340 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:36.000 there was no one upon the platform save a single 341 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:40.079 sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out through 342 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:43.000 the wicket gates, however, I found my acquaintance of the morning, 343 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:46.799 waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a word, 344 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:49.519 he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, 345 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:52.799 the door of which was standing open. He drew up 346 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:56.039 the windows on either side, tapped on the woodwork, and 347 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.920 away we went, as hard as the horse could go. 348 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:03.279 One horse interjected, homes, yes, only one. Did you observe 349 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.799 the color? Yes, I saw it by the side lights 350 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.119 when I was stepping into the carriage. There was a 351 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:13.960 chestnut tired looking or fresh? Oh, fresh and glossy. Thank you, 352 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:17.200 I'm sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most 353 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:20.920 interesting statement. Away we went, then, and we drove for 354 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:24.880 at least an hour. Colonel Lysander Stark had said that 355 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:28.200 it was only seven miles, but I should think from 356 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.200 the rate that we seemed to go and the time 357 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.920 that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. 358 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:36.960 He sat at my side in silence all the time, 359 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.880 and I was aware, more than once when I glanced 360 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:42.240 in his direction, that he was looking at me with 361 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:46.400 great intensity. The country road seemed to be not very 362 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.440 good in that part of the world, for we lurched 363 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:51.680 and jolted terribly. I tried to look out of the 364 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:54.519 window to see something of where we were, but they 365 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:57.240 were made of frosted glass, and I could make out 366 00:20:57.240 --> 00:21:01.480 nothing save an occasional blur of a passing light. Now 367 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:04.240 and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony 368 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:07.920 of the journey, but the Colonel answered only in monosyllables, 369 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:12.319 and the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping 370 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:14.680 of the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of 371 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:17.359 a gravel drive, and the carriage came to a stand. 372 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:22.079 Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and as I followed after him, 373 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:24.799 pulled me swiftly into a porch which gaped in front 374 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.279 of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of 375 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:30.440 the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed 376 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:32.680 to catch the most fleeting glance of the front of 377 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:36.319 the house. The instant that I had crossed the threshold. 378 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:39.680 The door slammed heavily behind us, and I heard faintly 379 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:42.480 the rattle of the wheels as the carriage drove away. 380 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:46.000 That was pitch dark inside the house, and the Colonel 381 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:49.599 fumbled about, looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 382 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:53.400 Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, 383 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:57.359 and along golden bar of light shot out in our direction. 384 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:01.480 It grew broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp 385 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:05.160 in her hand, which she held above her head, pushing 386 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:08.519 her face forward and peering at us. I could see 387 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:11.200 that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which 388 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:13.440 the light shone upon her dark dress, and knew that 389 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:17.279 it was a rich material. She spoke a few words 390 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.559 in a foreign tongue, in a tone as though asking 391 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:24.240 a question, and when my companion answered in a gruff monosyllable, 392 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:27.200 she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fell 393 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:31.839 from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered 394 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:35.000 something in her ear, and then pushing her back into 395 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:37.480 the room from whence she had come, he walked towards 396 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:41.200 me again, with the lamp in his hand. Perhaps you 397 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.039 will have the kindness to wait in this room for 398 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:47.240 a few minutes, said he, throwing open another door. It 399 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:50.440 was a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round 400 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:54.200 table in the center, on which several German books were scattered. 401 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:57.240