WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:08.960 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire. Holmes had read carefully 2 00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:12.759 a note which the last post had brought him. Then, 3 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:15.839 with the dry chuckle which was his nearest approach to 4 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:19.160 a laugh, he tossed it over to me. For a 5 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:22.760 mixture of the modern and medieval, of the practical and 6 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:27.239 of the wildly fanciful. I think this is surely the limit, 7 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:31.039 said he. What do you make of it? Watson? I 8 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:39.880 read as follows forty six Old Jury, November nineteenth re Vampires. Sir, 9 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:44.719 our client, mister Robert Ferguson, our Ferguson and meure head 10 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:48.840 Tea brokers of Mincing Lane, has made some inquiry from 11 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:53.560 us in a communication of even date concerning vampires. As 12 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:58.359 our firm specializes entirely upon the assessment of machinery, the 13 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:02.119 matter hardly comes within our purview, and we have therefore 14 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:05.519 recommended mister Ferguson to call upon you and lay the 15 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.319 matter before you. We have not forgotten your successful action 16 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:13.439 in the case of Matilda Briggs. We are, sir, faithfully 17 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:20.359 yours Morrison, Morrison and Dodd per E j c. Matilda 18 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:22.719 Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson, 19 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:27.079 said Holmes, in a reminiscent voice. It was a ship 20 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:31.359 which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a 21 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:35.239 story for which the world is not yet prepared. But 22 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.719 what do we know about vampires? Does it come within 23 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:44.319 our purview? Either anything is better than stagnation. But really 24 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:46.879 we seem to have been switched on to a grim's 25 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:50.799 fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and see what 26 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:54.599 v has to say. I leaned back and took down 27 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:59.079 the great index volume to which he referred Holmes, balanced 28 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:02.120 it on his knee, and his eyes moved slowly and 29 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:06.480 lovingly over the record of old cases mixed with the 30 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:12.199 accumulated information of a lifetime voyage of the glorious Scott. 31 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:16.479 He read that was a bad business. I have some 32 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:20.159 recollection that you made a record of it, Watson, though 33 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:24.919 I was unable to congratulate you upon the result. Victor Lynch, 34 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:33.240 the Forger, venomous lizard or Gila, remarkable case that Victoria, 35 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:40.240 the circus Bell, Vanderbilt and the Yeggman, Vipers, Vigor the 36 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:45.120 Hammersmith wonder. Hello, Hello, good old Index. You can't beat it. 37 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:51.319 Listen to this, Watson. Vamporism in Hungary and again vampires 38 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:56.800 in Transylvania. He turned over the pages with eagerness, but 39 00:02:56.919 --> 00:03:00.479 after a short intent perusal, he threw down the great 40 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:04.680 book with a snarl of disappointment. Rubbish, Watson, rubbish. What 41 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:08.039 have we to do with walking corpses who can only 42 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:11.520 be held in their grave by stakes driven through their hearts? 43 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:16.520 It's pure lunacy. But surely, said I, the vampire was 44 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:20.639 not necessarily a dead man. A living person might have 45 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:24.080 the habit I have read, for example, of the old 46 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.199 sucking the blood of the young in order to retain 47 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:30.960 their youth. You are right, Watson, it mentions the legend 48 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:33.680 in one of these references. But are we to give 49 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:38.439 serious attention to such things? This agency stands flat footed 50 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:42.400 upon the ground, and there it must remain. The world 51 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:46.840 is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply. I 52 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.919 fear that we cannot take mister Robert Ferguson very seriously. 53 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:53.719 Possibly this note may be from him and may throw 54 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:57.039 some light upon what is worrying him. He took up 55 00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:00.439 a second letter, which had lain unnoticed upon the table 56 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:04.159 while he had been absorbed with the first. This he 57 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:07.080 began to read, with a smile of amusement upon his face, 58 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:12.080 which gradually faded away into an expression of intense interest 59 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:16.120 and concentration. When he had finished, he sat for some 60 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:20.720 little time, lost in thought, with the letter dangling from 61 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:25.680 his fingers. Finally, with a start, he aroused himself from 62 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:31.879 his reverie. Cheeseman's Lamberley. Where is Lamberley, Watson? It is 63 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:36.600 in Sussex, south of Horsham, not very far eh and Cheeseman's. 64 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:40.240 I know that country homes. It is full of old 65 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:42.839 houses which are named after the men who built them 66 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:47.399 centuries ago. You get odd li's and harves and carratons. 67 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:52.199 The folk are forgotten that their names live in their houses. Precisely, 68 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:56.879 said Holmes coldly. It was one of the peculiarities of 69 00:04:56.920 --> 00:05:01.600 his proud, self contained nature. Though he docketed any fresh 70 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:06.240 information very quietly and accurately in his brain, he seldom 71 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:09.920 made any acknowledgment to the giver. I rather fancy we 72 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:14.360 shall know a good deal more about Cheeseman's Lamberley before 73 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:17.759 we are through. The letter is as I had hoped 74 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.639 from Robert Ferguson. By the way he claims acquaintance with 75 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:26.240 you with me, you had better read it. He handed 76 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:30.040 the letter across it was headed with the address quoted, 77 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:34.839 Dear mister Holmes. It said, I have been recommended to 78 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.079 you by my lawyers, But indeed the matter is so 79 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:43.279 extraordinarily delicate that it is most difficult to discuss. It 80 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:47.319 concerns a friend for whom I am acting. This gentleman 81 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:52.120 married some five years ago a Peruvian lady, the daughter 82 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:55.600 of a Peruvian merchant, whom he had met in connection 83 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.639 with the importation of nitrates. This lady was very beautiful, 84 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:03.279 but the fact of her foreign birth and of her 85 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:07.519 alien religion always caused a separation of interests and a 86 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:11.639 feelings between husband and wife, so that after a time 87 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:15.319 his love may have cooled towards her, and he may 88 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:19.759 have come to regard their union as a mistake. He 89 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:22.439 felt there were sides of her character which he could 90 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:26.720 never explore or understand. This was the more painful, as 91 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:28.959 she was as loving a wife as a man could have, 92 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:34.519 to all appearance, absolutely devoted. Now for the point which 93 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:38.240 I will make more plain when we meet. Indeed, this 94 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.680 note is merely to give you a general idea of 95 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:44.000 the situation, and to ascertain whether you would care to 96 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:47.720 interest yourself in the matter. The lady began to show 97 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:52.759 some curious traits quite alien to her ordinarily sweet and 98 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:58.079 gentle disposition. The gentleman had been married twice, and he 99 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:02.079 had one son by the first wife. This boy was 100 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:07.480 now fifteen, a very charming and affectionate youth, though unhappily 101 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:12.199 injured through an accident in childhood. Twice the wife was 102 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.879 caught in the act of assaulting this poor lad in 103 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:18.399 the most unprovoked way. Once she struck him with a 104 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:22.600 stick and left a great wheel on his arm. This 105 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:25.920 was a small matter, however, compared with her conduct to 106 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:30.040 her own child, a dear boy just under one year 107 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:33.399 of age. On one occasion, about a month ago, this 108 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:36.279 child had been left by its nurse for a few minutes. 109 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:40.480 A loud cry from the baby as of pain, called 110 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:43.720 the nurse back. As she ran into the room, she 111 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:47.560 saw her employer, the lady, leaning over the baby and 112 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:52.199 apparently biting his neck. There was a small wound in 113 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:55.079 the neck from which a stream of blood had escaped. 114 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.879 The nurse was so horrified that she wished to call 115 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:01.879 the husband, but the lady implored her not to do so, 116 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.720 and actually gave her five pounds as a price for 117 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:09.519 her silence. No explanation was given, and for the moment 118 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:13.399 the matter was passed over. It left, however, a terrible 119 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:16.839 impression upon the nurse's mind, and from that time she 120 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.519 began to watch her mysteries closely, and to keep a 121 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:23.519 closer guard upon the baby, whom she tenderly loved. It 122 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.639 seemed to her that even as she watched the mother, 123 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:29.639 so the mother watched her, and that every time she 124 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:32.799 was compelled to leave the baby alone, the mother was 125 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:36.759 waiting to get at it. Day and night the nurse 126 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:40.759 covered the child, and day and night the silent, watchful 127 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:43.840 mother seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf 128 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:48.360 waits for a lamb. It must read most incredible to you, 129 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:52.039 And yet I beg you to take it seriously, for 130 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:55.840 a child's life and a man's sanity may depend upon it. 131 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:59.600 At last, there came one dreadful day when the facts 132 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:02.759 could know longer be concealed from the husband. The nurse's 133 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:06.080 nerve had given way. She could stand the strain no longer, 134 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:08.399 and she made a clean breast of it all to 135 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:12.000 the man. To him, it seemed as wild a tale 136 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.799 as it may now seem to you, he knew his 137 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:17.480 wife to be a loving wife, and save for the 138 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.279 assaults upon her step son, a loving mother, Why then 139 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:25.279 should she wound her own dear little baby. He told 140 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:28.039 the nurse that she was dreaming, that her suspicions were 141 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:30.879 those of a lunatic, and that such libels upon her 142 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:34.519 mistress were not to be tolerated. While they were talking, 143 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:37.600 a sudden cry of pain was heard. Nurse and master 144 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:41.559 rushed together to the nursery. Imagine his feelings, mister Holmes, 145 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:44.639 as he saw his wife rise from a kneeling position 146 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:48.679 beside the cot, and saw blood upon the child's exposed 147 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:52.000 neck and upon the sheet. With a cry of horror, 148 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:55.039 he turned his wife's face to the light and saw 149 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:59.519 blood all round her lips. It was she, she, beyond 150 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:04.120 all quests, who were drunk the poor baby's blood. So 151 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:07.360 the matter stands. She is now confined to her room. 152 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:11.840 There has been no explanation. The husband is half demented, 153 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.200 he knows, and I know little of vamporism. Beyond the name. 154 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:20.600 We had thought it was some wild tale of foreign parts. 155 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:26.759 And yet here in the very heart of the English Sussex. Well, 156 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:29.159 all this can be discussed with you in the morning. 157 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:33.120 Will you see me. Will you use your great powers 158 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:37.919 in aiding a distracted man? If so kindly, wire to 159 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:43.159 Ferguson Cheeseman's Lamberley, and I will be at your rooms 160 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:48.200 by ten o'clock yours faithfully, Robert Ferguson. PS. I believe 161 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:51.039 your friend Watson played rugby for black Heath when I 162 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:54.639 was three quarters a Richmond. It is the only personal 163 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:58.519 introduction which I can give. Of course, I remembered him, 164 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:02.600 said I as I laid down the letter, Big Bob Ferguson, 165 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:06.519 the finest three quarter Richmond ever had. It was always 166 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:09.440 a good natured chap. It's like him to be so 167 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:13.960 concerned over a friend's case. Holmes looked at me thoughtfully 168 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:17.759 and shook his head. I never get your limits, Watson 169 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:23.279 said he there are unexplored possibilities about you. Take a 170 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:26.440 wire down like a good fellow. We'll examine your case 171 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:30.480 with pleasure. Your case. We must not let him think 172 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:32.840 that this agency is a home for the weak minded. 173 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:36.879 Of course it is his case. Send him that wire 174 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:40.519 and let the matter rest till morning. Promptly, at ten 175 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:45.000 o'clock next morning, Ferguson strode into our room. I had 176 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:48.440 remembered him as a long, slab sided man with loose 177 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:52.000 limbs and a fine turn of speed, which had carried 178 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:56.120 him round many an opposing back. There is surely nothing 179 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:59.200 in life more painful than to meet the wreck of 180 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.120 a fine athlete whom one has known in his prime. 181 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:07.320 His great frame had fallen in, his flaxen hair were scanty, 182 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:11.919 and his shoulders were bowed. I fear that I roused 183 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:16.879 corresponding emotions in him, Hello, Watson, said he, and his 184 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:20.399 voice was still deep and hearty. You don't look quite 185 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.279 the man you did when I threw you over the 186 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:25.759 ropes into the crowd at the Old Deer Park. I 187 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:29.519 expect I've changed a bit also, but it's this last 188 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:32.639 day or two that has aged me. I see by 189 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.000 your telegram, mister Holmes, that it is no use my 190 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:39.240 pretending to be anyone's deputy. It is simpler to deal direct, 191 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:42.720 said Holmes. Of course it is. But you can imagine 192 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:45.080 how difficult it is when you were speaking of the 193 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:48.440 woman whom you were bound to protect and help. What 194 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.679 can I do? How am I to go to the 195 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:53.679 police with such a story, and yet the kiddies have 196 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:58.039 got to be protected? Is it madness? Mister Holmes, Is 197 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:01.480 it something in the blood? Have you any similar case 198 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:04.679 in your experience? For God's sake, give me some advice, 199 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:08.879 for I am at my wits end very naturally, mister Ferguson. 200 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:12.200 Now sit here and pull yourself together and give me 201 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:15.519 a few clear answers. I can assure you that I 202 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:18.919 am very far from being at my wits end, and 203 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:22.080 that I am confident we shall find some solution. First 204 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:25.480 of all, tell me what steps you have taken. Is 205 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.240 your wife still near the children? We had a dreadful scene. 206 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:32.039 She is a most loving woman, mister Holmes. If ever 207 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.399 a woman loved a man with all her heart and soul, 208 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.679 she loves me. She was cut to the heart that 209 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:41.799 I should have discovered this horrible, this incredible secret. She 210 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:45.440 would not even speak. She gave no answer to my reproaches, 211 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:48.159 save to gaze at me with a sort of wild, 212 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:52.039 despairing look in her eyes. Then she rushed to her 213 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:55.480 room and locked herself in. Since then she has refused 214 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:58.039 to see me. She has a maid who was with 215 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:02.360 her before her marriage, Dolory by name, a friend rather 216 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:06.000 than a servant. She takes her food to her. Then 217 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:09.440 the child is in no immediate danger. Missus Mason. The 218 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.840 nurse has sworn that she will not leave it night 219 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:15.159 or day. I can absolutely trust her. I am more 220 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:18.600 uneasy about poor little Jack, for, as I told you 221 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:21.480 in my note, he has twice been assaulted by her, 222 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.799 but never wounded. No, she struck him savagely. It is 223 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:29.360 the more terrible as he is a poor, little, inoffensive cripple. 224 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:33.919 Ferguson's gaunt features softened as he spoke of his boy. 225 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:37.399 You would think that the dear lad's condition would soften 226 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:41.480 any one's heart. A fall in childhood and a twisted spine, 227 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:46.720 mister Holmes, but the dearest, most loving heart within. Holmes 228 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:49.480 had picked up the letter of yesterday and was reading 229 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:52.480 it over. What other inmates are there in your house, 230 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:56.360 mister Ferguson. Two servants who have not been long with us, 231 00:14:56.600 --> 00:15:00.559 One stable hand Michael, who sleeps in the house, my wife, myself, 232 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:05.519 my boy Jack, baby Delores, and missus Mason. That is 233 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:08.720 all I gather. That you did not know your wife 234 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:11.639 well at the time of your marriage. I had only 235 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:14.240 known her a few weeks. How long had this made 236 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:18.720 Dolores been with her some years? Then your wife's character 237 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:22.679 would really be better known by dolorries than by you. Yes, 238 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:27.279 you may say so. Holmes made a note I fancy said, 239 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:29.960 he that I may be of more use at Lamberley 240 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:33.919 than here. It is eminently a case for personal investigation. 241 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:37.879 If the lady remains in her room, our presence could 242 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:41.480 not annoy or inconvenience her. Of course we would stay 243 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:45.639 at the inn. Ferguson gave a gesture of relief. It 244 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:48.919 is what I hoped, mister Holmes. There is an excellent 245 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:52.120 train at two from Victoria if you could come. Of 246 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:55.240 course we could come. There is a lull at present. 247 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:59.039 I can give you my undivided energies. Watson of course 248 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:01.879 comes with us. But there are one or two points 249 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:05.320 upon which I wish to be very sure before I start. 250 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:09.639 This unhappy lady, as I understand, it, has appeared to 251 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:13.759 assault both the children, her own baby and your little son. 252 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:18.200 That is so, But the assaults take different forms, do 253 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:22.120 they not. She has beaten your son once with a 254 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:25.720 stick and once very savagely with her hands. Did she 255 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:29.360 give no explanation why she struck him, none, save that 256 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:32.919 she hated him again and again? She said, so well, 257 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:37.440 that is not unknown among stepmothers a posthumous jealousy. We 258 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:41.559 will say, is the lady jealous by nature? Yes, she 259 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:45.240 is very jealous, jealous with all the strength of her fiery, 260 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:50.559 tropical love. But the boy, he is fifteen, I understand, 261 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:55.080 and probably very developed in mind, since his body has 262 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:59.399 been circumscribed in action. Did he give you no explanation 263 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:02.639 of these assaults? No, he declared there was no reason. 264 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:06.799 Were they good friends at other times? No? There was 265 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:10.680 never any love between them. Yet you say he is affectionate. 266 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:14.119 Never in the world could there be so devoted a son. 267 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:17.960 My life is his life. He is absorbed in what 268 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:22.240 I say or do. Once again, Holmes made a note. 269 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:25.599 For some time he sat lost in thought. No doubt 270 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:29.759 you and the boy were great comrades before this second marriage. 271 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.920 You were thrown very close together, were you not very 272 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:37.799 much so? And the boy, having so affectionate a nature, 273 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:41.000 was devoted, no doubt to the memory of his mother 274 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:44.519 most devoted. He would certainly seem to be a most 275 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:48.960 interesting lad. There is one other point about these assaults. 276 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:52.599 Were the strange attacks upon the baby and the assaults 277 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:56.640 upon your son at the same period. In the first case, 278 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:59.079 it was so. It was as if some frenzy had 279 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:02.759 seized her and she invented her rage upon both. In 280 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:06.640 the second case, it was only Jack who suffered. Missus 281 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:10.079 Mason had no complaint to make about the baby. That 282 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:13.880 certainly complicates matters. I don't quite follow you, mister Holmes. 283 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:19.400 Possibly not. One forms provisional theories and waits for time 284 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:23.839 or fuller knowledge to explode them. A bad habit, mister Ferguson. 285 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:28.240 But human nature is weak. I fear that your old 286 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:34.480 friend here has given an exaggerated view of my scientific methods. However, 287 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:36.960 I will only say at the present stage that your 288 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:40.799 problem does not appear to me to be insoluble, and 289 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.680 that you may expect to find us at Victoria At 290 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:49.559 two o'clock. It was evening of a dull, foggy November day, when, 291 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:53.880 having left our bags at the Chequers Lamberley, we drove 292 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:57.960 through the Sussex clay of a long winding lane and 293 00:18:58.039 --> 00:19:02.480 finally reached the isolated and Aniel farmhouse in which Ferguson dwelt. 294 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:07.359 It was a large, straggling building, very old in the center, 295 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:11.880 very new at the wings, with towering Tudor chimneys and 296 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:17.240 a lichen spotted, high pitched roof of horseham slabs. The 297 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:22.000 doorsteps were worn into curves, and the ancient tiles which 298 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:25.000 lined the porch were marked with the rebus of a 299 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:30.680 cheese and a man after the original builder. Within, the 300 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:35.319 ceilings were corrugated with heavy oaken beams, and the uneven 301 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:40.640 floors sagged into sharp curves. An odor of age and 302 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:45.359 decay pervaded the whole crumbling building. There was one very 303 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:50.160 large central room into which Ferguson led us. Here in 304 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:54.160 a huge old fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind 305 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:59.680 it dated sixteen seventy, There blazed and spluttered a splendid 306 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:03.440 log fire. The room, as I gazed round, was a 307 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:07.559 most singular mixture of dates and of places. The half 308 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:10.920 paneled walls may well have belonged to the original Yeoman 309 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:15.920 farmer of the seventeenth century. They were ornamented, however, on 310 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:19.480 the lower part by a line of well chosen modern 311 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:24.240 water colors, while above, where yellow plaster took the place 312 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:27.359 of oak, there was hung a fine collection of South 313 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:31.880 American utensils and weapons, which had been brought no doubt 314 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:37.119 by the Peruvian lady upstairs. Holmes rose with that quick 315 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.559 curiosity which sprang from his eager mind and examined them 316 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:46.799 with some care. He returned with his eyes full of thought. Hello, 317 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:51.599 he cried. Hello. A spaniel had lain in a basket 318 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:55.880 in the corner. It came slowly forward towards its master, 319 00:20:56.680 --> 00:21:01.640 walking with difficulty. Its hind legs moved irregularly, and its 320 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:05.799 tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson's hand. What 321 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:09.559 is it, mister Holmes? The dog? What's the matter with it? 322 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:15.119 That's what puzzled the vet. A sort of paralysis, spinal meningitis, 323 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:19.200 he thought, But it is passing. He'll be all right soon, 324 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:23.920 won't you, Carlo. A shiver of assent passed through the 325 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:28.079 drooping tale. The dog's mournful eyes passed from one of 326 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:31.400 us to the other. He knew that we were discussing 327 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:36.079 his case. Did it come on suddenly in a single night? 328 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:39.920 How long ago? It may have been four months ago? 329 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:44.960 Very remarkable, very suggestive. What do you see in it, 330 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:48.359 mister Holmes? A confirmation of what I had already thought? 331 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.799 For God's sake, What do you think, mister Holmes? It 332 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:54.559 may be a mere intellectual puzzle to you, but it 333 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:57.400 is life and death to me. My wife, and would 334 00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:01.160 be murderer my child in constant day. Don't play with me, 335 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:05.519 mister Holmes, it is too terribly serious. The big rugby 336 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:09.599 three quarter was trembling all over. Holmes put his hand 337 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:13.400 soothingly upon his arm. I fear that there is pain 338 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:18.319 for you, mister Ferguson. Whatever the solution may be, said he, 339 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:23.079 I would spare you all I can. I cannot say 340 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:26.920 more for the instant, But before I leave this house, 341 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:31.559 I hope I may have something definite. Please God, you 342 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:34.519 may if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will go 343 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.799 up to my wife's room and see if there has 344 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:41.200 been any change. He was away some minutes, during which 345 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:45.240 Holmes resumed his examination of the curiosities upon the wall. 346 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:49.880 When our host returned, it was clear from his downcast 347 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:54.079 face that he had made no progress. He brought with 348 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:59.559 him a tall, slim, brown faced girl. The tea is ready, Dolores, 349 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:03.920 said Ferguson. See that jimistress has everything she can wish. 350 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:08.400 She vera ill, cried the girl, looking with indignant eyes 351 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:12.200 at her master. She now ask for food. She vera ill. 352 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:15.359 She need the doctor. I fright and stay alone with 353 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:18.880 her without the doctor Ferguson looked at me with a 354 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:21.880 question in his eyes. I should be so glad if 355 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:25.519 I could be of use. Would your mistress see doctor Watson? 356 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:29.480 I take him. I now ask leave she needs doctor, 357 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:33.119 then I'll come with you. At once, I followed the girl, 358 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:36.799 who was quivering with strong emotion, up the staircase and 359 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:40.839 down an ancient corridor. At the end was an iron 360 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:44.839 clamped and massive door. It struck me as I looked 361 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:47.559 at it that if Ferguson tried to force his way 362 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:50.680 to his wife, he would find it no easy matter. 363 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:54.640 The girl drew a key from her pocket, and the 364 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:59.799 heavy oaken planks creaked upon their old hinges. I passed in, 365 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:04.559 and she swiftly followed, fastening the door behind her. On 366 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:08.160 the bed, a woman was lying who was clearly in 367 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:12.359 a high fever. She was only half conscious, but as 368 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:15.880 I entered, she raised a pair of frightened but beautiful 369 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:20.799 eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing a stranger, 370 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:25.000 she appeared to be relieved and sank back with a 371 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:28.599 sigh upon the pillow. I stepped up to her with 372 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:33.279 a few reassuring words, and she lay still while I 373 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:37.880 took her pulse and temperature both were high. And yet 374 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:40.759 my impression was that the condition was rather that of 375 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:46.079 mental and nervous excitement than of any actual seizure. She 376 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:50.119 lie like that one day to day. I fraid she'd die, 377 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:54.359 said the girl. The woman turned her flushed and handsome 378 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:58.440 face towards me. Where is my husband? He is below 379 00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:01.400 and would wish to see you. I will not see him. 380 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:04.759 I will not see him. Then she seemed to wander 381 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:10.039 off into delirium. A fiend, A fiend? Or What shall 382 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:13.039 I do with this devil? Can I help you in 383 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:16.480 any way? No, no one can help. It is finished, 384 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:20.799 All is destroyed. Do what I will? All is destroyed. 385 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:26.079 The woman must have some strange delusion. I could not 386 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:31.160 see honest Bob Ferguson in the character a fiend or devil. Madam, 387 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:35.720 I said, your husband loves you, dearly. He is deeply 388 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:40.119 grieved at this happening. Again, she turned on me those 389 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:44.640 glorious eyes. He loves me, yes, But do I not 390 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:48.160 love him? Do I not love him? Even to sacrifice 391 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:51.799 myself rather than break his dear heart? That is how 392 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:54.160 I love him? And yet he could think of me, 393 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.920 he could speak of me. So he is full of grief. 394 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:02.119 But he cannot understand. No, he cannot understand, but he 395 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:06.319 should trust. Will you not see him, I suggested, No, No, 396 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:10.440 I cannot forget those terrible words, nor they look upon 397 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:14.319 his face. I will not see him. Go now, you 398 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:17.480 can do nothing for me. Tell him only one thing. 399 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:22.359 I want my child. I have a right to my child. 400 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:26.079 That is the only message I can send him. She 401 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:29.039