1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: The Sussex vampire. Holmes had read carefully a note which 2 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,160 the last post had brought him. Then, with the dry 3 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,640 chuckle which was his nearest approach to a laugh, he 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,920 tossed it over to me. For a mixture of the 5 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:21,280 modern and medieval, of the practical, and of the wildly fanciful. 6 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:25,039 I think this is surely the limit, said he. What 7 00:00:25,199 --> 00:00:28,800 do you make of it? Watson? I read as follows 8 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:38,039 forty six old jewelry November nineteenth regarding vampires. Sir, our client, 9 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:43,200 mister Robert Ferguson of Ferguson and mirrhead Tea Brokers of 10 00:00:43,359 --> 00:00:47,320 mincing Lane, has made some inquiry from us in a 11 00:00:47,359 --> 00:00:53,240 communication of even date concerning vampires. As our firm specializes 12 00:00:53,439 --> 00:00:57,960 entirely upon the assessment of machinery, the matter hardly comes 13 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:02,799 within our purview, and we have therefore recommended mister Ferguson 14 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,239 to call upon you and lay the matter before you. 15 00:01:05,879 --> 00:01:09,040 We have not forgotten your successful action in the case 16 00:01:09,159 --> 00:01:15,120 of Matilda Briggs. We are, sir, faithfully yours Morrison, Morrison 17 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,920 and DoD per E JC. Matilda Briggs was not the 18 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,840 name of a young woman, Watson, said Holmes in a 19 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,480 reminiscent voice. It was a ship which is associated with 20 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,120 the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the 21 00:01:30,159 --> 00:01:33,680 world is not yet prepared. But what do we know 22 00:01:33,799 --> 00:01:38,920 about vampires? Does it come within our purview? Either anything 23 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:42,519 is better advanced degnation. But really we seem to have 24 00:01:42,599 --> 00:01:47,519 been switched onto a grim's fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, 25 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:51,879 and see what thee has to say. I leaned down 26 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,959 and took down the great index volume to which he 27 00:01:55,079 --> 00:01:59,560 referred Holmes, balanced it on his knee, and his eyes 28 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:03,439 moved slowly and lovingly over the record of old cases 29 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:09,639 mixed with the accumulated information of a lifetime voyage of 30 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:14,280 the Gloria Scott. He read, that was a bad business. 31 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,800 I have some recollection that you made a record of it, Watson, 32 00:02:19,159 --> 00:02:22,599 though I was unable to congratulate you upon the result. 33 00:02:23,159 --> 00:02:28,520 Victor Lynch, the forger, venomous lizard, Orgelia, remarkable case of that, 34 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:34,560 the Torah, the circus bell Vanderbilt, and the Yeggman vipers 35 00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:41,199 figure the Hammersmith wonder. Hello, Hello, good old Index. You 36 00:02:41,319 --> 00:02:46,039 can't beat it. Listen to this, Watson. Vampirism and hungry 37 00:02:46,439 --> 00:02:51,159 and again vampires in Transylvania. He turned over the pages 38 00:02:51,199 --> 00:02:55,199 with eagerness, but after a short intent perusal, he threw 39 00:02:55,280 --> 00:03:00,000 down the great book with a snarl of disappointment. Rubbish, Watson, 40 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,599 and rubbish. What have we to do with walking corpses 41 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,439 who can only be held in their grave by stakes 42 00:03:07,599 --> 00:03:12,840 driven through their hearts? It's pure lunacy. But surely, said I, 43 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,800 the vampire was not necessarily a dead man. A living 44 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,919 person might have the habit I have read, for example, 45 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,919 of the old sucking the blood of the young in 46 00:03:24,039 --> 00:03:28,319 order to retain their youth. You are right, Watson, it 47 00:03:28,439 --> 00:03:31,800 mentions a legend in one of these references. But are 48 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,879 we to give serious attention to such things? This agency 49 00:03:36,039 --> 00:03:39,599 stands flat footed upon the ground, and there it must remain. 50 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:44,080 This world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply. 51 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:48,759 I fear that we cannot take mister Robert Ferguson very seriously. 52 00:03:49,439 --> 00:03:53,039 Possibly this note may be from him, and may throw 53 00:03:53,199 --> 00:03:57,319 some light upon what is worrying him. He took up 54 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,159 a second letter, which had lain unnoticed upon the table 55 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:05,520 whilst he had been absorbed with the first. This he 56 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:09,120 began to read, with a smile of amusement upon his face. 57 00:04:09,439 --> 00:04:14,120 Which gradually faded away into an expression of intense interest 58 00:04:14,319 --> 00:04:18,160 and concentration. When he had finished, he sat for some 59 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:22,839 little time, lost in thought, with the letter dangling from 60 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:27,560 his fingers. Finally, with a start, he aroused himself from 61 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:33,600 his reverie. Cheeseman's Lamberley. Where is Lamberley, Watson? It is 62 00:04:33,639 --> 00:04:39,959 in Sussex, south of Horsham, not very far, eh and achievements. 63 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,360 I know that country, Holmes. It is full of old 64 00:04:44,439 --> 00:04:47,759 houses which are named after the men who built them 65 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:53,480 centuries ago. You get Oddley's and Harvey's and Carraton's. The 66 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:58,480 folks are forgotten, but their names live in their houses, precisely, 67 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:03,399 said Holmes. Cold It was one of the peculiarities of 68 00:05:03,439 --> 00:05:07,519 his proud, self contained nature, that, though he docketed any 69 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:12,399 fresh information very quickly and accurately in his brain, he 70 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:17,160 seldom made any acknowledgment to the giver. I rather fancy 71 00:05:17,199 --> 00:05:20,439 we shall know a good deal more about Cheeseman's Lamberley 72 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,439 before we are through. The letter is as I had 73 00:05:24,439 --> 00:05:29,959 hoped from Robert Ferguson. By the way he claims acquaintance 74 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:34,360 with you with me, you had better read it. He 75 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,879 handed the letter across. It was headed with the address quoted, 76 00:05:39,399 --> 00:05:44,519 Dear mister Holmes. It said, I have been recommended to 77 00:05:44,639 --> 00:05:49,040 you by my lawyers, But indeed the matter is so 78 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:54,240 extraordinarily delicate that it is most difficult to discuss. It 79 00:05:54,319 --> 00:05:58,639 concerns a friend for whom I am acting. This gentleman 80 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:02,959 married some five years ago a Peruvian lady, the daughter 81 00:06:03,079 --> 00:06:06,560 of a Peruvian merchant, whom he had met in connection 82 00:06:06,759 --> 00:06:11,480 with the importation of nitrates. The lady was very beautiful, 83 00:06:11,959 --> 00:06:14,319 but the fact of her foreign birth and of her 84 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:18,959 alien religion always caused a separation of interests and of 85 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:23,480 failings between husband and wife, so that after a time 86 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,680 his love may have cooled toward her, and he may 87 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:30,560 have come to regard their union as a mistake. He 88 00:06:30,759 --> 00:06:33,040 felt that there were sides of her character which he 89 00:06:33,079 --> 00:06:37,560 could never explore or understand. This was the more painful, 90 00:06:37,639 --> 00:06:40,040 as she was as loving a wife as a man 91 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:44,920 could have, to all appearance, absolutely devoted now from the 92 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,839 point which I will make more plain when we meet. Indeed, 93 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,600 this note is merely to give you a general idea 94 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,759 of the situation, and to ascertain whether you would care 95 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:59,439 to interest yourself in the matter. The lady began to 96 00:06:59,519 --> 00:07:03,399 show carevarious traits quite alien to her ordinary sweet and 97 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,519 gentle disposition. The gentleman had been married twice, and he 98 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:11,120 had one son by the first wife. This boy was 99 00:07:11,199 --> 00:07:16,519 now fifteen, a very charming and affectionate youth, though unhappily 100 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:20,399 injured through an accident in childhood. Twice the wife was 101 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,720 caught in the act of assaulting this poor lad in 102 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,240 the most unprovoked way. Once she struck him with a 103 00:07:27,279 --> 00:07:30,600 stick and left a great wheel on his arm. This 104 00:07:30,879 --> 00:07:34,040 was a small matter, however, compared with her conduct to 105 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,879 her own child, a dear boy just under one year 106 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:42,040 of age. On one occasion, about a month ago, this 107 00:07:42,279 --> 00:07:45,319 child had been left by its nurse for a few minutes. 108 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,879 A loud cry from the baby as of paying called 109 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,600 the nurse back. As she ran into the room, she 110 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,480 saw her employer, the lady, leaning over the baby and 111 00:07:56,519 --> 00:08:00,720 apparently sucking his neck. There was a small wound in 112 00:08:00,879 --> 00:08:03,720 the neck from which a stream of blood had escaped. 113 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:07,120 The nurse was so horrified that she wished to call 114 00:08:07,199 --> 00:08:10,199 the husband, but the lady implored her not to do so, 115 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,480 and actually gave her five pounds as a price for 116 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:18,000 her silence. No explanation was ever given, and for the 117 00:08:18,079 --> 00:08:22,639 moment the matter was passed over. It left, however, a 118 00:08:22,759 --> 00:08:26,360 terrible impression upon the nurse's mind, and from that time 119 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,800 she began to watch her mistress closely, and to keep 120 00:08:29,839 --> 00:08:33,120 a closer guard upon the baby, whom she tenderly loved. 121 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,519 It seemed to her that even as she watched the mother, 122 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,240 still the mother watched her, and that every time she 123 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:43,480 was compelled to leave the baby alone, the mother was 124 00:08:43,519 --> 00:08:46,639 waiting to get at it. Day and night the nurse 125 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,919 covered the child, and day and night the silent, watchful 126 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:52,639 mother seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf 127 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:56,679 waits for a lamb. It must read most incredible to you, 128 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,440 And yet I beg you to take it seriously, for 129 00:08:59,519 --> 00:09:02,960 a child life and a man sandy may depend upon it. 130 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:06,679 At last, there came one dreadful day when the facts 131 00:09:06,759 --> 00:09:10,600 could no longer be concealed from the husband. The nurse's 132 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:14,679 nerve had given way. She could stand the strain no longer, 133 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:17,639 and she made a clean breast of it all to 134 00:09:17,919 --> 00:09:21,080 the man. To him, it seemed as wild a tale 135 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:24,200 as it may now seem to you, he knew his 136 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:26,799 wife to be a loving wife, and save for an 137 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:30,919 assault upon her stepson, a loving mother, Why then should 138 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,120 she wound her own dear little baby. He told the 139 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,360 nurse that she was dreaming, that her suspicions were those 140 00:09:37,399 --> 00:09:40,799 of a lunatic, and that such libels upon her mistress 141 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:44,360 were not to be tolerated. Whilst they were talking, a 142 00:09:44,399 --> 00:09:48,679 sudden cry of pain was heard. Nurse and master rushed 143 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:53,759 together to the nursery. Imagine his feelings, mister Holmes, as 144 00:09:53,759 --> 00:09:56,960 he saw his wife rise from a kneeling position beside 145 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:00,919 the cot, and saw blood upon the child's exposed neck 146 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,080 and upon the sheet. With a cry of horror, he 147 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,399 turned his wife's face to the light and saw blood 148 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:11,720 all round her lips. It was she, beyond all question, 149 00:10:12,279 --> 00:10:16,639 who had drunk the poor baby's blood. So the matter stands. 150 00:10:17,159 --> 00:10:20,960 She is now confined in her room. There has been 151 00:10:21,159 --> 00:10:26,200 no explanation. The husband is half demented. He knows, and 152 00:10:26,399 --> 00:10:30,519 I know little of vampirism. Beyond the name. We had 153 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:34,399 thought it was some wild tale of foreign parts. And 154 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:38,559 yet here in the very heart of the English Sussex. Well, 155 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:42,039 all this can be discussed with you in the morning. 156 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,919 Will you see me, Will you use your great powers 157 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:50,399 in aiding a distracted man. If so kindly wired to 158 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:55,080 Ferguson Cheeseman's Lamberley, and I will be at your rooms 159 00:10:55,159 --> 00:11:02,080 by ten o'clock. Yours faithfully, Robert Ferguson. PS. I believe 160 00:11:02,159 --> 00:11:05,639 your friend Watson played rugby for Blackheath when I was 161 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:09,679 free quartered for Richmond. It is the only personal introduction 162 00:11:09,799 --> 00:11:13,840 which I can give. Of course, I remember him, said 163 00:11:13,879 --> 00:11:17,320 I as I laid down the letter. Big Bob Ferguson 164 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:21,799 the finest free quarter Richmond ever had. He was always 165 00:11:21,799 --> 00:11:24,440 a good natured chap. It is like him to be 166 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,159 so concerned over a friend's case. Holmes looked at me 167 00:11:28,279 --> 00:11:32,159 thoughtfully and shook his head. I never get your limits, 168 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:37,679 Watson said he. There are unexplored possibilities about you. Take 169 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:41,320 a wire down, like a good fellow. We'll examine your 170 00:11:41,399 --> 00:11:46,559 case with pleasure. Your case. We must not let him 171 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,519 think that this agency is a home for the weak minded. 172 00:11:50,039 --> 00:11:53,519 Of course it is his case. Send him that wire 173 00:11:53,759 --> 00:11:58,120 and let the matter rest till morning. Promptly, at ten 174 00:11:58,159 --> 00:12:02,440 o'clock the next morning, sins strode into our room. I 175 00:12:02,519 --> 00:12:06,440 had remembered him as a long slabsided man. With loose 176 00:12:06,519 --> 00:12:09,360 limbs and a fine turn of speed, which had carried 177 00:12:09,399 --> 00:12:13,679 him round many and opposing back. There is surely nothing 178 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:16,600 in life more painful than to meet the reck of 179 00:12:16,639 --> 00:12:20,240 a fine athlete whom one has known in his prime. 180 00:12:21,039 --> 00:12:25,600 His great frame had fallen in, his flaxen hair was scanty, 181 00:12:25,879 --> 00:12:28,879 and his shoulders were a bowed. I fear that I 182 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:34,559 roused corresponding emotions in him, Hello, Watson, said he, and 183 00:12:34,639 --> 00:12:37,799 his voice was still deep and hearty. You don't look 184 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:39,919 quite the man you did when I fee you over 185 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,679 the ropes into the crowd at the Old Deer Park. 186 00:12:43,279 --> 00:12:46,440 I expect I have changed a bit also, but it's 187 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,480 this last day or two that has aged me. I 188 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:52,759 see by your telegram, mister Holmes, that it is no 189 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:57,000 use my pretending to be anyone's deputy. It is simpler 190 00:12:57,039 --> 00:13:01,600 to deal direct, said Holmes. Of course, but you can 191 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:05,279 imagine how difficult it is when you are speaking of 192 00:13:05,279 --> 00:13:08,720 the one woman whom you are bound to protect and help. 193 00:13:09,399 --> 00:13:12,399 What can I do? How am I to go to 194 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:15,559 the police with such a story, and yet the kitties 195 00:13:15,639 --> 00:13:19,159 have got to be protected? Is it madness, mister Holmes? 196 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,559 Is it something in the blood have you any similar 197 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:26,440 case in your experience? For God's sake, give me some advice, 198 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:30,960 for I am at my wits end very naturally, mister Ferguson. 199 00:13:31,639 --> 00:13:34,919 Now sit here and pull yourself together and give me 200 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,320 a few clear answers. I can assure you that I 201 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,240 am very far from being at my wits end, and 202 00:13:41,279 --> 00:13:45,559 that I'm confident we shall find some solution. First of all, 203 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:49,159 tell me what steps you have taken. Is your wife 204 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:53,919 still near the children? We had a dreadful scene. She 205 00:13:54,159 --> 00:13:57,440 is a most loving woman, mister Holmes. If ever a 206 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,840 woman loved a man with all her heart and soul, 207 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,720 she loves me. She was cut to the heart that 208 00:14:02,799 --> 00:14:07,360 I should have discovered this horrible, this incredible secret. She 209 00:14:07,399 --> 00:14:11,720 would not even speak. She gave no answer to my reproaches, 210 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,279 save to gaze at me with a sort of wild, 211 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,759 despairing look in her eyes. Then she rushed to her 212 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:22,200 room and locked herself in. Since then she has refused 213 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,080 to see me. She has a maid who was with 214 00:14:25,159 --> 00:14:29,679 her before her marriage, Dolores by name, a friend rather 215 00:14:29,759 --> 00:14:33,399 than a servant. She takes her food to her. Then 216 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:37,480 the child is in no immediate danger. Missus Mason, the 217 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,759 nurse has sworn that she will not leave it night 218 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:45,399 or day. I can absolutely trust her. I am more 219 00:14:45,519 --> 00:14:49,320 uneasy about poor little Jack, for, as I told you 220 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:52,559 in my note, he has twice been assaulted by her, 221 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:58,039 but never wounded. No, she struck him savagely. It is 222 00:14:58,159 --> 00:15:02,240 the more terrible as he is a poor, little, inoffensive cripple. 223 00:15:02,799 --> 00:15:06,320 Ferguson's gaunt features softened as he spoke of his boy. 224 00:15:06,919 --> 00:15:09,799 You would think that the dear lad's condition would soften 225 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:14,399 anyone's heart. A fall in childhood and a twisted spine, 226 00:15:14,519 --> 00:15:19,759 mister Holmes, but the dearest, most loving heart within Holmes 227 00:15:19,799 --> 00:15:23,080 had picked up the letter of yesterday and was reading 228 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:27,759 it over. Whatever inmates are there in your house, mister Ferguson. 229 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:32,080 Two servants who have not been long with us, One 230 00:15:32,159 --> 00:15:37,759 stable hand Michael, who sleeps in the house, my wife, myself, 231 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:42,919 my boy Jack, baby Dolores, and missus Mason. That is 232 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:46,000 all I gather. That you did not know your wife 233 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,919 well at the time of your marriage. I had only 234 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,440 known her a few weeks. How long had this made 235 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:58,039 Dolores been with her some years? Then your wife's character 236 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:02,279 would really be better known by thes than by you. Yes, 237 00:16:02,679 --> 00:16:07,919 you may say so. Holmes made a note I fancy said, 238 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,200 he that I may be of more use at Lamberley 239 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:16,440 than here. It is evidently a case for personal investigation. 240 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:20,360 If the lady remains in a room, our presence could 241 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:25,000 not annoy or inconvenience her. Of course we would stay 242 00:16:25,039 --> 00:16:29,200 at the inn. Ferguson gave a gesture of relief. It 243 00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:32,879 is what I hoped, mister Holmes. There is an excellent 244 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:36,960 train at two from Victoria if you could come. Of 245 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:40,720 course we could come. There is a law at present. 246 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:45,879 I can give you my undivided energies. Watson of course 247 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,399 comes with us. But there are one or two points 248 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,840 upon which I wish to be very sure before I start. 249 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:57,679 This unhappy lady, as I understand, it has appeared to 250 00:16:57,759 --> 00:17:02,240 assault both the children, her own baby and your little son. 251 00:17:02,919 --> 00:17:07,359 That is so, But the assaults take different forms, do 252 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:11,200 they not. She has beaten your son once with a 253 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,680 stick and once very savagely with her hands. Did she 254 00:17:15,839 --> 00:17:20,599 give no explanation why she struck him, none, save that 255 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:24,799 she hated him again and again? She said, so well, 256 00:17:25,279 --> 00:17:30,359 that is not unknown among stepmothers. A posthumous jealousy. We 257 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:35,359 will say, is the lady jealous by nature? Yes, she 258 00:17:35,559 --> 00:17:39,480 is very jealous, jealous with all the strength of her fiery, 259 00:17:39,599 --> 00:17:44,359 tropical love. But the boy, he is fifteen, I understand, 260 00:17:44,799 --> 00:17:48,400 and probably very developed in mind, since his body has 261 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,640 been circumscribed in action. Did he give you no explanation 262 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:57,480 of these assaults? No, he declared there was no reason. 263 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:02,079 Were they good friends of her times? No, there was 264 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,880 never any love between them. Yet you say he is affectionate. 265 00:18:07,599 --> 00:18:10,680 Never in the world could there be so devoted a son. 266 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:15,119 My life is his life. He is absorbed in what 267 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:20,319 I say or do. Once again, Holmes made a note. 268 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:24,920 For some time he sat lost in thought. No doubt 269 00:18:25,039 --> 00:18:29,319 you and the boy were great comrades before this second marriage. 270 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:34,119 You were from very close together, where you're not very 271 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:38,559 much so. And the boy, having so affectionate a nature, 272 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:41,559 was devoted, no doubt to the memory of his mother 273 00:18:42,279 --> 00:18:46,039 most devoted. He would certainly seem to be a most 274 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:50,880 interesting lad. There is one other point about these assaults. 275 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,880 Were the strange attacks upon the baby and the assaults 276 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,720 upon your son at the same period. In the first case, 277 00:18:58,839 --> 00:19:02,559 it was so it was as if some frenzy had 278 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:07,000 seized her and she invented her rage upon both. In 279 00:19:07,079 --> 00:19:11,160 the second case, it was only Jack who suffered. Missus 280 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:15,279 Mason had no complaint to make about the baby. That 281 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:20,759 certainly complicates matters. I don't quite follow you, mister Holmes. 282 00:19:20,799 --> 00:19:25,759 Possibly not one forms provisional theories and waits for time 283 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,480 or fuller knowledge to explode of them. A bad habit, 284 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:34,200 mister Ferguson. But human nature is weak. I fear that 285 00:19:34,279 --> 00:19:38,480 your old friend here has given an exaggerated view of 286 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,359 my scientific methods. However, I will only say at the 287 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,599 present stage that your problem does not appear to me 288 00:19:46,799 --> 00:19:50,160 to be insoluble, and that you may expect to find 289 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:54,000 us at Victoria at two o'clock. It was evening of 290 00:19:54,079 --> 00:19:58,880 a dull, foggy November day, when having left our bags 291 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:03,640 at the Chaqui Lamberley, we drove through the Sussex clay 292 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,920 of a long winding lane and finally reached the isolated 293 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:12,920 and ancient farmhouse in which Ferguson dwelt. It was a large, 294 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:17,759 straggling building, very old in the center, very new at 295 00:20:17,839 --> 00:20:22,960 the wings, with towering Tudor chimneys and a lichen spotted, 296 00:20:23,279 --> 00:20:28,200 high pitched roof of Horsham slabs. The doorsteps were worn 297 00:20:28,319 --> 00:20:32,279 into curves, and the ancient titles which lined the porch 298 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,960 were marked with the rebus of a cheese and a 299 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:41,279 man after the original builder. Within, the ceilings were corrugated 300 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:45,799 with heavy oaken beams, and the uneaten floors sagged into 301 00:20:45,799 --> 00:20:50,440 sharp curves. An odor of age and decay pervaded the 302 00:20:50,519 --> 00:20:55,119 whole crumbling building. There was one very large central room 303 00:20:55,319 --> 00:20:59,359 into which Ferguson led us. Here in a huge old 304 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:04,480 fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind it, dated sixteen seventy, 305 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:09,599 There blazed and spluttered a splendid log fire. The room, 306 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:14,000 as I gazed around, was the most singular mixture of 307 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:18,279 dates and of places. The half paneled walls may well 308 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:23,559 have belonged to the original Yeoman farmer of the seventeenth century. 309 00:21:24,079 --> 00:21:27,799 They were ornamented, however, on the lower part by a 310 00:21:27,839 --> 00:21:32,839 line of well chosen modern watercolors, while above, where yellow 311 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,759 plaster took the place of oak, there was hung a 312 00:21:35,799 --> 00:21:40,640 fine collection of South American utensils and weapons, which had 313 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:45,200 been brought no doubt by the Peruvian lady upstairs. Holmes 314 00:21:45,279 --> 00:21:49,720 rose with that quick curiosity which sprang from his eager mind, 315 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,880 and examined them with some care. He returned with his 316 00:21:54,039 --> 00:21:59,839 eyes full of thought. Hello, he cried. Hello. A spaniel 317 00:22:00,039 --> 00:22:03,279 had lain in a basket in the corner. It came 318 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:08,880 slowly forward toward its master, walking with difficulty. Its hind 319 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:13,200 legs moved irregularly, and its tail was on the ground. 320 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:20,079 It licked Ferguson's hand. What is wrong, mister Holmes? The dog? 321 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:24,319 What's the matter with it? That's what puzzled the vet. 322 00:22:24,799 --> 00:22:29,920 A sort of paralysis, spinal meningitis, he thought. But it 323 00:22:30,039 --> 00:22:33,480 is passing. He'll be all right soon, won't you, Carlo. 324 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:37,240 A shiver of a scent passed through the drooping tail. 325 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,279 The dog's mournful eyes passed from one of us to 326 00:22:41,319 --> 00:22:44,839 the other. He knew that we were discussing his case. 327 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,640 Did it come on suddenly in a single night? How 328 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:54,799 long ago? It may have been four months ago? Very remarkable, 329 00:22:55,279 --> 00:22:58,880 very suggestive. What do you see in it, mister Holmes? 330 00:22:59,559 --> 00:23:03,200 A comfort information of what I had already thought? For 331 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,839 God's sake? What do you think, mister Holmes? It may 332 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:10,079 be a mere intellectual puzzle to you, but it is 333 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:14,000 life and death to me. My wife, A would be murderer, 334 00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:18,759 my child, in constant danger. Don't play with me, mister Holmes, 335 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:23,640 it is too terribly serious. The big rugby three quarters 336 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:28,519 was trembling all over. Holmes put his hand soothingly upon 337 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:32,119 his arm. I fear that there is pain for you, 338 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:37,079 mister Ferguson. Whatever the solution may be, said he. I 339 00:23:37,079 --> 00:23:41,000 would spare you all I can. I cannot say more 340 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:44,640 for the instant, But before I leave this house, I 341 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:48,640 hope I may have something definite. Please God, you may. 342 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:52,559 If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will go up 343 00:23:52,599 --> 00:23:54,960 to my wife's room and see if there has been 344 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:59,680 any change. He was away some minutes, during which Holmes 345 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:04,559 resume his examination of the curiosities upon the wall. When 346 00:24:04,599 --> 00:24:07,759 our host returned, it was clear from his downcast face 347 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:11,200 that he had made no progress. He brought with him 348 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:16,400 a tall, slim, brown faced girl. The tea's ready, Dolores, 349 00:24:16,559 --> 00:24:21,119 said Ferguson. See that your mistress has everything she can wish. 350 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:26,759 She vera ill, cried the girl, looking with indignant eyes 351 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:31,079 at her master. She no ask for food, She vera ill. 352 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:35,119 She need doctor. I fightened to stay alone with her 353 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:38,920 without doctor. Ferguson looked at me with a question in 354 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:42,039 his eyes. I should be so glad if I could 355 00:24:42,079 --> 00:24:46,559 be of use. Would your mistress see doctor Watson? I 356 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:50,960 take him, I ask no leave, she needs doctor, then 357 00:24:51,039 --> 00:24:54,559 I'll come with you. At once. I followed the girl, 358 00:24:54,799 --> 00:24:59,200 who was quivering with strong emotion, up the staircase and 359 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,559 down an ancient corridor. At the end was an iron 360 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:06,480 clamped and massive door. It struck me as I looked 361 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:09,079 at it that if Ferguson tried to force his way 362 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:12,079 to his wife, he would find it no easy matter. 363 00:25:12,839 --> 00:25:15,839 The girl drew a key from her pocket, and the 364 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:22,119 heavy oaken planks creaked upon their old hinges. I passed in, 365 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:26,680 and she swiftly followed, fastening the door behind her. On 366 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:29,279 the bed, a woman was lying who was clearly in 367 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:34,000 a high fever. She was only half conscious, but as 368 00:25:34,039 --> 00:25:37,359 I entered, she raised a pair of frightened but beautiful 369 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:41,880 eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing a stranger, 370 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,160 she appeared to be relieved and sank back with a 371 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:48,240 sigh upon the pillow. I stepped up to her with 372 00:25:48,319 --> 00:25:51,680 a few reassuring words, and she lay still while I 373 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:56,039 took her. Pulse and temperature both were high, and yet 374 00:25:56,079 --> 00:25:59,119 my impression was that the condition was rather that of 375 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:04,279 mental and nervous excitement than of any actual seizure. She 376 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:08,640 lie like that one day to day. I fraid she die, 377 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:12,480 said the girl. The woman turned her flushed and handsome 378 00:26:12,519 --> 00:26:16,359 face toward me. Where is my husband? He is below 379 00:26:16,599 --> 00:26:19,720 and would wish to see you. I will not see him. 380 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:23,240 I will not see him. Then she seemed to wander 381 00:26:23,319 --> 00:26:27,440 off into delirium. A fiend, A fiend. Oh well, what 382 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,200 shall I do with this devil? Can I help in 383 00:26:31,279 --> 00:26:35,079 any way? No, no one can help. It is finished, 384 00:26:35,319 --> 00:26:39,000 all is destroyed. Do what I will. All is destroyed. 385 00:26:39,759 --> 00:26:43,559 The woman must have some strange delusion. I could not 386 00:26:43,759 --> 00:26:49,119 see honest Bob Ferguson in the character of fiend or devil. Madam, 387 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:53,039 I said, your husband loves you dearly. He is deeply 388 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:57,759 grieving at this happening. Again, she turned on me those 389 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:02,920 glorious eyes. He loves me, yes, But do I not 390 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,720 love him? Do I not love him? Even to sacrifice 391 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:10,519 myself rather than break his dear heart? That is how 392 00:27:10,559 --> 00:27:13,359 I love him. And yet he could think of me, 393 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:17,359 he could speak of me. So he is full of grief. 394 00:27:17,480 --> 00:27:22,400 But he cannot understand. No, he cannot understand, but he 395 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:27,519 should trust. Will you not see him? I suggested, No, No, 396 00:27:28,079 --> 00:27:31,160 I cannot forget those terrible words, nor of the look 397 00:27:31,279 --> 00:27:35,000 upon his face. I will not see him. Go now, 398 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:38,839 you can do nothing for me. Tell him only one thing. 399 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:42,319 I want my child. I have a right to my child. 400 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:45,960 That is the only message I can send for him. 401 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,279 She turned her face to the wall and would say 402 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:53,720 no more. I returned to the room downstairs, where Ferguson 403 00:27:53,759 --> 00:27:58,039 and Holmes still sat by the fire. Ferguson listened moodily 404 00:27:58,079 --> 00:28:01,400 to my account of the interview. How can I send 405 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,759 her the child? He said? How do I know what 406 00:28:04,799 --> 00:28:08,680 strange impulse might come upon her? How can I ever 407 00:28:08,759 --> 00:28:11,960 forget how she rose from beside it with its blood 408 00:28:12,079 --> 00:28:16,440 upon her lips. He shuddered at the recollection. The child 409 00:28:16,559 --> 00:28:19,839 is safe with missus Mason, and there he must remain 410 00:28:20,799 --> 00:28:24,160 a smart maid. The only modern thing which we had 411 00:28:24,279 --> 00:28:28,640 seen in the house had brought in some tea. As 412 00:28:28,799 --> 00:28:31,400 she was serving it, the door opened and a youth 413 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:35,720 entered the room. He was a remarkable lad, pale faced 414 00:28:35,759 --> 00:28:39,880 and fair haired, with excitable, light blue eyes which blazed 415 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,799 into a sudden flame of emotion and joy as they 416 00:28:42,839 --> 00:28:46,920 rested upon his father. He rushed forward and threw his 417 00:28:47,079 --> 00:28:51,599 arms around his neck with the abandon of a loving girl. Oh, Daddy, 418 00:28:51,759 --> 00:28:54,640 he cried, I did not know that you were due yet. 419 00:28:55,079 --> 00:28:57,720 I should have been here to meet you. Oh, I 420 00:28:57,759 --> 00:29:02,200 am so glad to see you. Ferguson gently disengaged himself 421 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,960 from the embrace with some little show of embarrassment. Dear 422 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:09,359 old Chap said, he patting the flaxen head with a 423 00:29:09,519 --> 00:29:13,319 very tender hand. I came here early because my friends 424 00:29:13,359 --> 00:29:17,000 mister Holmes and doctor Watson have been persuaded to come 425 00:29:17,039 --> 00:29:20,279 down here and spend an evening with us. Is that 426 00:29:20,319 --> 00:29:24,599 mister Holmes, the detective. Yes. The youth looked at us 427 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,039 with a very penetrating and as it seemed to me, 428 00:29:28,519 --> 00:29:34,079 unfriendly gaze. What about your other child, mister Ferguson asked Holmes. 429 00:29:34,599 --> 00:29:37,960 Might we make the acquaintance of the baby? Ask missus 430 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:41,720 Mason to bring the baby down, said Ferguson. The boy 431 00:29:41,759 --> 00:29:45,640 went off with a curious shambling guit, which told my 432 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:49,160 sturgical eyes that he was suffering from a weak spine. 433 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:53,359 Presently he returned, and behind him came a tall, gaunt 434 00:29:53,359 --> 00:29:57,799 woman bearing in her arms a very beautiful child, dark eyed, 435 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:01,599 golden haired, a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and the 436 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:06,759 Latin Ferguson. Was evidently devoted to it, for he took 437 00:30:06,799 --> 00:30:11,240 it into his arms and fondled it most tenderly. Fancy 438 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:14,759 anyone having the heart to hurt him, he muttered, as 439 00:30:14,799 --> 00:30:19,359 he glanced down at the small, angry red pucker upon 440 00:30:19,519 --> 00:30:23,279 the cherub throat. It was at this moment that I 441 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:26,720 chanced to glance at Holmes and saw a most singular 442 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:31,680 intentness in his expression. His face was as set as 443 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:34,599 if it had been carved out of old ivory, and 444 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:38,240 his eyes, which had glanced for a moment at father 445 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:43,440 and child, were now fixed with eager curiosity upon something 446 00:30:43,559 --> 00:30:47,640 at the other side of the room. Following his gaze, 447 00:30:47,839 --> 00:30:50,680 I could only guess that he was looking out through 448 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:54,799 the window at the melancholy, dripping garden. It is true 449 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:59,599 that a shutter had half closed outside and obstructed the view, 450 00:31:00,079 --> 00:31:03,640 but nonetheless it was certainly at the window that Holmes 451 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:07,920 was fixing his concentrated attention. Then he smiled, and his 452 00:31:08,039 --> 00:31:11,440 eyes came back to the baby. On its chubby neck. 453 00:31:11,599 --> 00:31:16,400 There was this small puckard mark without speaking, Holmes examined 454 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:20,680 it with care. Finally, he shook one of the dimpled fists, 455 00:31:20,680 --> 00:31:24,480 which waved in front of him. Goodbye, little man, you 456 00:31:24,599 --> 00:31:28,000 have made a strange start in life. Nurse, I should 457 00:31:28,039 --> 00:31:30,440 wish to have a word with you in private. He 458 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:33,640 took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few minutes. 459 00:31:34,359 --> 00:31:37,599 I only heard the last few words, which were your 460 00:31:37,640 --> 00:31:41,920 anxiety will soon, I hope be set at rest. The woman, 461 00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:45,119 who seemed to be a sour, silent kind of creature, 462 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:50,559 withdrew with the child. What is missus Mason like, asked Holmes. 463 00:31:51,319 --> 00:31:55,799 Not very prepossessing externally as you can see, but a 464 00:31:55,839 --> 00:31:59,359 heart of gold and devoted to the child. Do you 465 00:31:59,559 --> 00:32:03,759 like her? Jack Holmes turned suddenly upon the boy. His 466 00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:08,359 expressive mobile face shadowed over, and he shook his head. 467 00:32:09,119 --> 00:32:13,759 Jackie has very strong likes and dislikes, said Ferguson, patting 468 00:32:13,839 --> 00:32:17,400 his arm round the boy. Luckily, I am one of 469 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:21,160 his likes. The boy cooed and nestled his head upon 470 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:27,160 his father's breast. Ferguson gently disengaged him went away, Little Jackie, 471 00:32:27,519 --> 00:32:31,079 said he and he watched his son with loving eyes 472 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:35,559 until he disappeared. Now, mister Holmes, he continued, when the 473 00:32:35,599 --> 00:32:38,400 boy was gone. I really feel that I have brought 474 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:42,119 you on a fool's errand for what can you possibly 475 00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:46,119 do save give me your sympathy. It must be an 476 00:32:46,119 --> 00:32:50,160 exceedingly delicate and complex affair. From your point of view. 477 00:32:50,799 --> 00:32:54,680 It is certainly delicate, said my friend, with an amused smile. 478 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:57,559 But I have not been struck up to now with 479 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:01,559 its complexity. It has been a case for intellectual deduction. 480 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:07,200 But when this original intellectual deduction is confirmed point by point, 481 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:11,960 by quite a number of independent incidents, then the subjective 482 00:33:12,079 --> 00:33:16,599 becomes objective, and we can say confidently that we have 483 00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:20,599 reached our goal. I had, in fact reached it before 484 00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:23,920 we left Baker Street, and the rest has merely been 485 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:28,799 observation and confirmation. Ferguson put his big hand on his 486 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:34,599 furrowed forehead. For heaven's sake, Holmes, he said, hoarsely, if 487 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,079 you can see the truth in this matter, do not 488 00:33:37,319 --> 00:33:41,079 keep me in suspense. How do I stand? What shall 489 00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:44,119 I do? I care nothing as to how you have 490 00:33:44,200 --> 00:33:48,000 found your facts, so long as you have really got them, 491 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:52,000 Certainly I owe you an explanation, and you shall have it, 492 00:33:52,519 --> 00:33:54,759 but you will permit me to handle the matter in 493 00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:58,720 my own way. Is the lady capable of seeing us, Watson? 494 00:33:59,359 --> 00:34:03,160 She is ill? Oh, but she is quite rational, very good. 495 00:34:03,640 --> 00:34:06,319 It is only in her presence that we can clear 496 00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:09,800 the matter up. Let us go up to her. She 497 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:13,440 will not see me, cried Ferguson. Oh yes she will, 498 00:34:13,679 --> 00:34:16,920 said Holmes. He scribbled a few lines upon a sheet 499 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:21,440 of paper. You at least have the entray, Watson, Will 500 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:24,960 you have the goodness to give the lady this note? 501 00:34:25,079 --> 00:34:28,920 I ascended again and handed the note to Dolores, who 502 00:34:29,039 --> 00:34:32,840 cautiously opened the door. A minute later I heard a 503 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:37,320 cry from within, a cry in which joy and surprise 504 00:34:37,599 --> 00:34:43,559 seemed to be blended. Dolores looked out. She will see them, 505 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:48,280 she will, Leston said she at my summons. Ferguson and 506 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:52,239 Holmes came up. As we entered the room. Ferguson took 507 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:55,239 a step or two toward his wife, who had raised 508 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:58,320 herself in the bed, but she held out her hand 509 00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:01,880 to a pulse him. He sank into an armchair, while 510 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:06,360 Holmes seated himself beside him. After bowing to the lady, 511 00:35:06,559 --> 00:35:09,880 who looked at him with wide eyed amazement, I think 512 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:14,639 we can dispense with Dolores, said Holmes. Oh very well, madam, 513 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:17,679 if you would rather she stayed, I can see no 514 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:21,960 objection now, mister Ferguson. I am a busy man with 515 00:35:22,079 --> 00:35:25,639 many calls, and my methods have to be short and direct. 516 00:35:26,000 --> 00:35:30,519 The swiftest surgery is the least painful. Let me first 517 00:35:30,559 --> 00:35:33,440 say what will ease your mind. Your wife is a 518 00:35:33,559 --> 00:35:37,960 very good, very loving, and very ill used woman. Ferguson 519 00:35:38,079 --> 00:35:41,639 sat up with a cry of joy. Prove that, mister Holmes, 520 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:44,920 and I am your debtor forever. I will do so, 521 00:35:45,360 --> 00:35:48,119 but in doing so I must wound you deeply in 522 00:35:48,199 --> 00:35:52,199 another direction. I care nothing so long as you clear 523 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:56,079 my wife. Everything on earth is insignificant compared to that. 524 00:35:57,199 --> 00:35:59,639 Let me tell you then, the train of reasoning which 525 00:35:59,679 --> 00:36:03,719 passed through my mind in Baker Street. The idea of 526 00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:07,719 a vampire was to me absurd. Such things do not 527 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:12,039 happen in criminal practice in England. And yet your observation 528 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:16,719 was precise. You had seen the lady rise from beside 529 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:20,519 the child's caught, with the blood upon her lips. I 530 00:36:20,679 --> 00:36:23,639 did did it not occur to you that a bleeding 531 00:36:23,719 --> 00:36:26,920 wound may be sucked for some other purpose than to 532 00:36:27,000 --> 00:36:29,800 draw the blood from it? Was there not a queen 533 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:32,360 in English history who sucked such a wound to draw 534 00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:38,119 poison from it? Poison a South American household. My instinct 535 00:36:38,239 --> 00:36:41,679 felt the presence of those weapons upon the wall before 536 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:45,840 my eyes ever saw them. It might have been over poisoned, 537 00:36:45,840 --> 00:36:48,840 but that was what occurred to me when I saw 538 00:36:48,920 --> 00:36:52,840 that little empty quiver beside the small bird bough. It 539 00:36:53,039 --> 00:36:56,599 was just what I expected to see. If the child 540 00:36:56,639 --> 00:37:00,599 were pricked with one of those arrows dipped in or 541 00:37:00,599 --> 00:37:04,039 some other devilous drug, it would mean death if the 542 00:37:04,119 --> 00:37:07,920 venom were not sucked out, and the dog. If one 543 00:37:08,000 --> 00:37:11,119 were to use such a poison, would one not try 544 00:37:11,239 --> 00:37:13,719 first in order to see that it had not lost 545 00:37:13,719 --> 00:37:17,599 its power? I did not foresee the dog, but I 546 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:22,719 at least understood him, and he fitted into my reconstruction. 547 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:27,400 Now do you understand your wife feared such an attack. 548 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:31,239 She saw it and saved the child's life, And yet 549 00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:34,519 she shrank from telling you all the truth, for she 550 00:37:34,679 --> 00:37:37,599 knew how you loved the boy, and feared lest it 551 00:37:37,639 --> 00:37:42,039 break your heart. Jackie. I watched him as he fondled 552 00:37:42,079 --> 00:37:46,159 the child. Just now. His face was clearly reflected in 553 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:49,599 the glass of the window, where the shutter formed a background. 554 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:55,199 I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I have 555 00:37:55,400 --> 00:38:00,199 seldom seen in a human face. My Jackie. You have 556 00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:03,760 to face it, mister Ferguson. It is the more painful 557 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:07,679 because it is a distorted love. A maniac will exaggerated 558 00:38:07,719 --> 00:38:11,840 love for you and possibly for his dead mother, which 559 00:38:11,840 --> 00:38:16,679 has prompted his action. His very soul is consumed with 560 00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:21,679 hatred for this splendid child, whose health and beauty are 561 00:38:21,679 --> 00:38:27,199 a contrast to his own weakness. Good God, it is incredible. 562 00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:32,159 Have I spoken the truth? Madam? The lady was sobbing, 563 00:38:32,199 --> 00:38:35,679 with her face buried in the pillows. Now she turned 564 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:39,320 to her husband. How could I tell you, Bob, I 565 00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:41,960 felt the blow it would be to you. It was 566 00:38:42,039 --> 00:38:44,280 better that I should wait, and that it should come 567 00:38:44,320 --> 00:38:48,159 from some other lips than mine. When this gentleman, who 568 00:38:48,199 --> 00:38:51,960 seems to have powers of magic wrote that he knew all, 569 00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:55,760 I was glad. I think a year at sea would 570 00:38:55,840 --> 00:38:59,840 be my prescription for Master Jackie, said Holmes, rising from 571 00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:04,280 his chair. Only one thing is still clouded, madam. We 572 00:39:04,440 --> 00:39:08,440 can quite understand your attacks upon Master Jackie. There is 573 00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:11,519 a limit to a mother's patience. But how to be 574 00:39:11,639 --> 00:39:15,519 dare to leave the child these last two days? I 575 00:39:15,639 --> 00:39:20,760 had told missus Mason. She knew exactly so I imagined 576 00:39:21,199 --> 00:39:25,920 Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking, his hands outstretched 577 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:31,400 and quivering this. I fancy is the time for our exit, Watson, 578 00:39:31,679 --> 00:39:34,639 said Holmes in a whisper. If you will take one 579 00:39:34,719 --> 00:39:38,119 elbow of the two faithful dolores, I will take the other. 580 00:39:38,920 --> 00:39:42,519 There now, he added, as he closed the door behind him, 581 00:39:43,079 --> 00:39:45,320 I think we may leave them to settle the rest 582 00:39:45,400 --> 00:39:50,400 among themselves. I have only one further note of this case. 583 00:39:50,920 --> 00:39:54,400 It is the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer 584 00:39:54,559 --> 00:39:59,079 to that with which the narrative began. It ran Thus 585 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:06,000 Guarding Vampires, Baker Street, November twenty first, Sir, referring to 586 00:40:06,039 --> 00:40:08,880 your letter of the nineteenth, I beg to state that 587 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:12,440 I have looked into the inquiry of your client, mister 588 00:40:12,599 --> 00:40:17,440 Robert Ferguson of Ferguson and Muirhead Tee Brokers of Mincing Lane, 589 00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:21,400 and that the matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. 590 00:40:22,039 --> 00:40:27,199 With thanks for your recommendation, I am, sir, faithfully yours 591 00:40:27,599 --> 00:40:33,760 Sherlock Holmes, and of the Sussex Vampire by Sir Arthur 592 00:40:33,920 --> 00:40:34,920 Conan Doyle