WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.720 --> 00:00:08.439 The Beryl Coronet, Holmes said, I, as I stood one 2 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:11.720 morning in our bow window looking down the street, here 3 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:14.839 is a madman coming along. It seems rather sad that 4 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:18.679 his relatives should allow him to come out alone. My 5 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:22.199 friend rose lazily from his arm chair and stood with 6 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.839 his hands in the pockets of his dressing gown, looking 7 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:29.079 over my shoulder. It was a bright, crisp February morning, 8 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:32.159 and the snow of the day before still lay deep 9 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:36.920 upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the winter sun. Down 10 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:39.520 the center of Baker Street, it had been plowed into 11 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:43.679 a brown, crumbly band by the traffic, but at either 12 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:46.560 side and on the heaped up edges of the footpaths, 13 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:50.359 it still lay as white as when it fell. The 14 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:53.439 gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was still 15 00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:59.640 dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer passengers than usual. Indeed, 16 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:03.479 from the direction of the Metropolitan station, no one was coming. 17 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:07.400 Who saved the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn 18 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:11.519 my attention. He was a man of about fifty tall, 19 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:15.840 portly and imposing, with a massive, strongly marked face and 20 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.920 a commanding figure. He was dressed in a somber yet 21 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:24.599 rich style in black frockcoat, shining hat, neat brown gaiters, 22 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:28.799 and well cut pearl gray trousers. Yet his actions were 23 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:32.359 in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and features, 24 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:36.959 for he was running hard with occasional little springs, such 25 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:39.599 as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 26 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:43.200 set any tax upon his legs. As he ran, he 27 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.280 jerked his hands up and down, waggled his head, and 28 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:51.079 writhed his face into the most extraordinary contortions. What on 29 00:01:51.120 --> 00:01:53.680 earth can be the matter with him? I asked? He 30 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:56.799 is looking up at the numbers of the houses. I 31 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:59.959 believe that he is coming here, said Holmes, rubbing his hand. 32 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.840 And here, yes, I rather think he is coming to 33 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:09.319 consult me professionally. I think that I recognize his symptoms. Ha, 34 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.960 Did I not tell you? As he spoke, the man, 35 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.120 puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled at 36 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:19.719 our bell until the whole house resounded with the clanging. 37 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:24.159 A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, 38 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:27.599 still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief 39 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:30.759 and despair in his eyes that our smiles were turned 40 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:34.400 in an instant to horror. And pity. For a while 41 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:37.199 he could not get his words out, but swayed his 42 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:40.039 body and plucked at his hair, like one who has 43 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:44.000 been driven to the extreme limits of his reason. Then, 44 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:47.280 suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his head against 45 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:50.199 the wall with such force that we both rushed upon 46 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:52.680 him and tore him away to the center of the room. 47 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.080 Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy chair, and, 48 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:01.199 sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him 49 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:04.039 in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well. 50 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:07.319 How to employ You have come to me to tell 51 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:10.960 your story, have you not, said he? You are fatigued 52 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:14.120 with your haste. Pray, wait until you have recovered yourself, 53 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:16.800 and then I shall be most happy to look into 54 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:20.439 any little problem which you may submit to me. The 55 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:23.080 man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, 56 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:27.680 fighting against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over 57 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:30.919 his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face 58 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:35.560 towards us. No doubt you will think me mad, said he. 59 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:40.639 I see that you have had some great trouble, responded Holmes. 60 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:44.360 God knows I have a trouble which is enough to 61 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:47.560 unsee my reason. So sudden and so terrible is it 62 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.759 public disgrace I might have faced, although I am a 63 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:55.280 man whose character has not yet borne a stain. Private 64 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:58.199 affliction also is the lot of every man. But the 65 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:01.240 two coming together and in so rightful a form, have 66 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:05.199 been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is 67 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:08.800 not I alone. The very noblest in the land may 68 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.520 suffer unless some way be found out of this horrible affair. 69 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:17.839 Pray compose yourself, sir, said Holmes, and let me have 70 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:20.560 a clear account of who you are and what it 71 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:24.920 is that has befallen you. My name, answered our visitor, 72 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:29.120 is probably familiar to your ears. I am Alexander Holder 73 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:32.720 of the banking firm of Holder, and Stephenson of thread 74 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:36.600 Needle Street. The name was indeed well known to us 75 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:40.160 as belonging to the senior partner in the second largest 76 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:44.519 private banking concern in the city of London. What could 77 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:47.519 have happened then, to bring one of the foremost citizens 78 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:51.399 of London to this most pitiable pass. We waited all 79 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:55.199 curiosity until with another effort, he braced himself to tell 80 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:59.920 his story. I feel that time is of value, said he. 81 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:03.680 That is why I hastened here when the police inspectors 82 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:07.480 suggested that I should secure your co operation, I came 83 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:10.360 to Baker Street by the underground and hurried from there 84 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:13.800 on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snow. 85 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:17.360 That is why I was so out of breath, for 86 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:20.600 I am a man who takes very little exercise. I 87 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:23.319 feel better now, and I will put the facts before 88 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.600 you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 89 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:29.399 It is of course well known to you that in 90 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:32.879 a successful banking business, as much depends upon our being 91 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:37.120 able to find remunerative investments for our funds, as upon 92 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:40.720 our increasing our connection and the number of our depositors. 93 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:44.240 One of our most lucrative means of laying out money 94 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:48.079 is in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable. 95 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:51.160 We have done a good deal in this direction during 96 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:54.160 the last few years, and there are many noble families 97 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:57.199 to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security 98 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:02.000 of their pictures, libraries or plate. Yesterday morning, I was 99 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:04.639 seated in my office at the bank when a card 100 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:07.079 was brought in to me by one of the clerks. 101 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:10.399 I started when I saw the name, for it was 102 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:13.639 that of none other than well perhaps even to you, 103 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.560 I had better say no more than that it was 104 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:18.680 a name which is a household word all over the earth, 105 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:22.680 one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England. 106 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.720 I was overwhelmed by the honor, and attempted, when he 107 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:30.199 entered to say so, But he plunged at once into 108 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:32.279 business with the air of a man who wishes to 109 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:37.079 hurry quickly through a disagreeable task. Mister Holders said he, 110 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:39.360 I have been informed that you are in the habit 111 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:43.480 of advancing money the firm. Do so when the security 112 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:47.360 is good. I answered, it is absolutely essential to me, 113 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.759 said he, that I should have fifty thousand pounds at once. 114 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.120 I could, of course borrow so trifling a sum ten 115 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:57.360 times over from my friends, but I much prefer to 116 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:59.759 make it a matter of business, and to carry out 117 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:04.079 that business myself. In my position, you can readily understand 118 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:08.399 that it is unwise to place oneself under obligations. For 119 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:10.519 How long? May I ask? Do you want this sum? 120 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:14.319 I asked, next Monday. I have a large sum due 121 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:17.319 to me, and I shall then most certainly repay what 122 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:21.199 you advance, with whatever interest you think it right to charge. 123 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:24.560 But it is very essential to me that the money 124 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:28.240 should be paid at once. I should be happy to 125 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:31.240 advance it without further parley from my own private purse, 126 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:34.839 said I, were it not that the strain would be 127 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:38.560 rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, 128 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.319 I am to do it in the name of the firm, 129 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:43.480 then in justice to my partner, I must insist that, 130 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:47.800 even in your case, every business like precaution should be taken. 131 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:51.319 I should much prefer to have it, so, said he, 132 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.439 raising up a square black Morocco case which he had 133 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:58.759 laid beside his chair. You have doubtless heard of the 134 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:03.560 Beryl coronet, one of the most precious public possessions of 135 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:08.399 the Empire, said I precisely. He opened the case, and there, 136 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:13.199 embedded in soft flesh colored velvet lay the magnificent piece 137 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.079 of jewelry which he had named. There are thirty nine 138 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:21.120 enormous beryls, said he, and the price of the gold 139 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:25.800 chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worth 140 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:29.120 of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. 141 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:32.639 I am prepared to leave it with you as my security. 142 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:37.440 I took the precious case into my hands and looked 143 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:42.000 in some perplexity from it. To my illustrious client. You 144 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.919 doubt its value, he asked, not at all. I only 145 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:49.200 doubt the propriety of my leaving it. You may set 146 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:52.399 your mind at rest about that. I should not dream 147 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:55.559 of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I 148 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:59.240 should be able in four days to reclaim it. It 149 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:03.480 is a pure matter to reform. Is the security sufficient, 150 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:09.440 am Paul? You understand, mister Holder, that I am giving 151 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:11.960 you a strong proof of the confidence which I have 152 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:15.240 in you, founded upon all that I have heard of you. 153 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:18.759 I rely upon you not only to be discreet and 154 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:21.279 to refrain from all gossip upon the matter, but above 155 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:26.320 all to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution, because 156 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:28.679 I need not say that a great public scandal will 157 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:31.240 be caused if any harm were to befall it. Any 158 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.879 injury to it would be almost as serious as its 159 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:36.639 complete loss, for there are no Beryls in the world 160 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:40.799 to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 161 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:44.720 I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and 162 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:47.279 I shall call for it in person on Monday morning. 163 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:51.360 Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said 164 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:55.559 no more, but calling for my cashier, I ordered him 165 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:59.440 to pay over fifty thousand pound notes when I was 166 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:02.519 alone one more. However, with the precious case lying upon 167 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.919 the table in front of me, I could not but 168 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:08.360 think with some misgivings, of the immense responsibility which it 169 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:12.440 entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as 170 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:16.000 it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue 171 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.120 if any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted 172 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:24.039 having ever consented to take charge of it. However, it 173 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.320 was too late to alter the matter now, so I 174 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.320 locked it up in my private safe and turned once 175 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:33.320 more to my work. When evening came, I felt that 176 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:36.240 it would be an imprudence to leave so precious a 177 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:40.159 thing in the office behind me. Banker's safes have been 178 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:44.919 forced before now, and why should not mind be? If so, 179 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.960 how terrible would be the position in which I should 180 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:51.639 find myself. I determined therefore that for the next few 181 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:54.440 days I would carry the case backwards and forwards with me, 182 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.279 so that it might never be really out of my breach. 183 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.320 With this intention, I called a cab and drove out 184 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:04.679 to my house at Stretham, carrying the duel with me. 185 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:09.120 I did not breathe freely until I had taken it 186 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:12.039 upstairs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing room. 187 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.559 And now a word as to my household, mister Holmes, 188 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:21.440 for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation. My 189 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:24.039 groom and my page sleep out of the house and 190 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:27.320 may be set aside. Altogether. I have three maid servants 191 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.559 who have been with me a number of years, and 192 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:35.120 whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr, 193 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:38.639 the second waiting maid, has only been in my service 194 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:43.639 a few months. She came with an excellent character, however, 195 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:47.360 and has always given me satisfaction. She's a very pretty 196 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:51.080 girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about 197 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:54.360 the place. That is the only drawback which we have 198 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.720 found to her. But we believe her to be a 199 00:11:56.759 --> 00:12:01.519 thoroughly good girl in every way. So much for the servants. 200 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:04.639 My family itself is so small that it will not 201 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:08.159 take me long to describe it. I am a widower 202 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:11.600 and have an only son, Arthur. He has been a 203 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:16.720 disappointment to me, mister Holmes, a grievous disappointment. I have 204 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.600 no doubt that I am myself to blame. People tell 205 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:22.080 me that I have spoiled him. Very likely I have. 206 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:25.519 When my dear wife died, I felt that he was 207 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:28.240 all I had to love. I could not bear to 208 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:31.279 see the smile fade, even for a moment, from his face. 209 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:35.240 I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it would 210 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.360 have been better for both of us had I been sterner, 211 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:41.919 but I meant it for the best. It was naturally 212 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:45.200 my intention that he should succeed me in my business. 213 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:49.879 But he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wayward, 214 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:53.000 and to speak the truth, I could not trust him 215 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:56.000 in the handling of large sums of money. When he 216 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:59.000 was young, he became a member of an aristocratic club, 217 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:03.080 and there, having charming manners, he was soon the intimate 218 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:06.240 of a number of men with long purses and expensive habits. 219 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.399 He learned to play heavily at cards, and to squander 220 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:12.519 money on the turf, until he had again and again 221 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.759 to come to me and implore me to give him 222 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:17.679 an advance upon his allowance, that he might settle his 223 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:21.000 debts of honor. He tried more than once to break 224 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:24.120 away from the dangerous company which he was keeping, but 225 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:27.440 each time the influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell 226 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:31.240 was enough to draw him back again. And indeed I 227 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:34.360 could not wonder that such a manner, Sir George Burnwell 228 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:37.960 should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently 229 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:41.120 brought him to my house, and I have found myself 230 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:43.799 that I could hardly resist the fascination of his manner. 231 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:47.159 He is older than Arthur, a man of the world 232 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:51.039 to his finger tips, one who has been everywhere, seen everything, 233 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:55.080 a brilliant talker, and a man of great personal beauty. 234 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:58.679 Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far 235 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:02.360 away from the glamor of his present, I'm convinced, from 236 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.799 his cynical speech and the look which I have caught 237 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:07.759 in his eyes, that he is one who should be 238 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:12.279 deeply distrusted. So I think, and so too thinks my 239 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:16.320 little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into character. 240 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.200 And now there is only she to be described. She 241 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.480 is my niece. But when my brother died five years 242 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.799 ago and left her alone in the world, I adopted 243 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:29.519 her and have looked upon her ever since as my daughter. 244 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:34.399 She is a sunbeam in my house, sweet, loving, beautiful, 245 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:39.000 and wonderful manager and housekeeper. Yet as tender and quiet 246 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:41.799 and gentle as a woman could be. She is my 247 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:44.879 right hand. I do not know what I could do 248 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:48.639 without her. In only one matter has she ever gone 249 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:51.919 against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to 250 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:56.440 marry him, for he loves her devotedly, but each time 251 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:59.879 she has refused him. I think that if anyone could 252 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.720 have drawn him into the right path, it would have 253 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:04.799 been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 254 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:09.279 whole life. But now, alas it is too late for 255 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:13.720 ever too late. Now, mister Holmes, you know the people 256 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:16.720 who live under my roof, and I shall continue with 257 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:21.080 my miserable story. When we were taking coffee in the 258 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:24.240 drawing room that night after dinner, I told Arthur and 259 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:27.840 Mary my experience and of the precious treasure which we 260 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:31.720 had under our roof, suppressing only the name of my client, 261 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.840 Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee. Had, I 262 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:39.120 am sure, left the room, but I cannot swear that 263 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:42.759 the door was closed. Mary and Arthur were much interested 264 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:46.759 and wished to see the famous coronet, but I thought 265 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:50.279 it better not to disturb it. Where have you put it? 266 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:54.120 Asked Arthur in my own bureau. Well, I hope to 267 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:57.039 goodness the house won't be burgled during the night. Said he. 268 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.679 It is locked up. I answered, oh, any old key 269 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.320 will fit that burero. When I was a youngster, I 270 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:06.320 have opened it myself with the key of the box 271 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:09.600 from cupboard. He often had a wild way of talking, 272 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.399 so that I thought little of what he had said. 273 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.919 He followed me to my room. However, that night with 274 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.879 a very grave face. Look here, Dad said he with 275 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:20.519 his eyes cast down. Can you let me have two 276 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:25.039 hundred pounds? No I cannot, I answered sharply. I have 277 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:28.679 been far too generous with you in money matters. You 278 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.919 have been very kind, said he. But I must have 279 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:33.840 this money or else I can never show my face 280 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:37.000 inside the club again. And a very good thing too, 281 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:40.759 I cried, yes, But you would not have me leave it. 282 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:44.080 A dishonored man said he. I could not bear the disgrace. 283 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:48.039 I must raise the money in some way, and if 284 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.960 you will not let me have it, then I must 285 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:53.720 try other means. I was very angry, for this was 286 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:57.320 the third demand during the month. You shall not have 287 00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:00.440 a farthing from me, I cried, on which he bowed 288 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:04.200 and left the room without another word. When he was gone, 289 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.480 I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was safe, 290 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:11.039 and locked it again. Then I started to go round 291 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:14.200 the house to see that all was secure, a duty 292 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.440 which I usually leave to Mary, but which I thought 293 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:20.119 it well to perform myself that night. As I came 294 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.680 down the stairs, I saw Mary herself at the side 295 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:25.880 window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as 296 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:30.000 I approached. Tell me, Dad said she looking, I thought 297 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:33.440 a little disturbed. Did you give Lucy the maid leave 298 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:37.240 to go out tonight? Certainly not. She came in just 299 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:40.039 now by the back door. I have no doubt that 300 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:42.640 she has only been to the side gate to see someone, 301 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:46.000 but think that it is hardly safe and should be stopped. 302 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:49.279 You must speak to her in the morning, or I 303 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:52.039 will if you prefer it. Are you sure that everything 304 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:57.279 is fastened? Quite sure, Dad? Then good night. I kissed 305 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.640 her and went to my bedroom, where I was soon 306 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:03.839 a sleep. I am endeavoring to tell you everything, mister Holmes, 307 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:07.200 which may have any bearing upon the case. But I 308 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:09.680 beg that you will question me upon any point which 309 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:13.480 I do not make clear. On the contrary, your statement 310 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:16.799 is singularly lucid. I come to a part of my 311 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:19.880 story now in which I should wish to be particularly so. 312 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:24.000 I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety 313 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:26.359 in my mind tended, no doubt to make me even 314 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:29.880 less so than usual. About two in the morning, then 315 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.640 I was awakened by some sound in the house. It 316 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:36.960 is ceased ere. I was wide awake, but it had 317 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:39.920 left an impression behind it, as though a window had 318 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:44.839 gently closed somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, 319 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:48.000 to my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps 320 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:51.319 moving softly in the next room. I slipped out of bed, 321 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:54.720 all palpitating with fear, and peeped round the corner of 322 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:59.599 my dressing room door. Arthur. I screamed, you villain, you thief, 323 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:04.119 how dare you touch that coronet? The gas was half 324 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:06.559 up as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, 325 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:09.680 dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside 326 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:13.720 the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared 327 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.039 to be wrenching at it or bending it with all 328 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:18.960 his strength. At my cry, he dropped it from his 329 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:22.359 grasp and turned as pale as death. I snatched it 330 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.960 up and examined it. One of the gold corners with 331 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:29.440 three of the beryls in it was missing, you blackguard. 332 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:32.599 I shouted beside myself with rage. You have destroyed it, 333 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:36.039 You have dishonored me forever. Where are the jewels you 334 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:40.799 have stolen? Stolen? He cried, Yes, you thief, I roared, 335 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:44.160 shaking him by the shoulder. There are none missing. There 336 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.839 cannot be any missing, said he. There are three missing, 337 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:50.359 and you know where they are. Must I call you 338 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:53.039 a liar as well as a thief. Did I not 339 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:56.920 see you trying to tear off another piece? You have 340 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:59.279 called me names enough, said he. I will not stand 341 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:02.400 it any longer. I shall not say another word about 342 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:05.359 this business. Since you have chosen to insult me. I 343 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:08.079 will leave your house in the morning and make my 344 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:12.559 own way in the world. You shall leave it in 345 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:15.680 the name of the police, I cried, half mad with 346 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:18.839 grief and rage. I shall have this matter probe to 347 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:23.119 the bottom. You shall learn nothing from me, said he, 348 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:26.400 with a passion such as I should not have thought 349 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:30.039 was in his nature. If you choose to call the police, 350 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:33.839 let them find what they can. By this time the 351 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:37.559 whole house was astir, for I had raised my voice 352 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:41.160 in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into 353 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.599 my room, and at the sight of the coronet and 354 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:47.279 of Arthur's face. She read the whole story, and with 355 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:51.759 a scream, fell down senseless on the ground. I sent 356 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:55.400 the housemaid for the police and put the investigation into 357 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:59.240 their hands at once. When the inspector and a constable 358 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:02.279 entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his 359 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:05.400 arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to 360 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:09.359 charge him with theft. I answered that it had ceased 361 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:12.359 to be a private matter, but had become a public one, 362 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:17.559 since the ruined coronet was national property. I was determined 363 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:20.920 that the law should have its way in everything at least, 364 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:23.319 said he. You will not have me arrested at once. 365 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.440 It would be to your advantage as well as mine 366 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:30.519 if I might leave the house for five minutes, that 367 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:34.200 you might get away, or perhaps that you may conceal 368 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:38.599 what you have stolen, said I, and then, realizing the 369 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:42.279 dreadful position in which I was placed, I implored him 370 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:45.559 to remember that not only my honor, but that of 371 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:47.839 one who was far greater than I, was at stake, 372 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:51.200 and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would 373 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:54.839 convulse the nation. He might averted all if he would 374 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.640 but tell me what he had done with the three 375 00:21:56.680 --> 00:22:00.559 missing stones. You may as well fail. This's the matter, 376 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:03.279 said I. You have been caught in the act, and 377 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:07.000 no confession could make your guilt more. Heenus. If you 378 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:10.079 but make such reparation as is in your power by 379 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:13.119 telling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven 380 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:16.880 and forgotten. Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it, 381 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:20.839 he answered, turning away from me with a sneer. I 382 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:23.079 saw that he was too hardened for any words of 383 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:26.480 mine to influence him. There was but one way for it. 384 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:31.079 I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. 385 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:34.559 The search was made at once, not only of his person, 386 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:37.079 but of his room and of every portion of the 387 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:40.119 house where he could possibly have concealed the gems. But 388 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:43.119 no trace of them could be found, Nor would the 389 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:46.200 wretched boy open his mouth. For all our persuasions and 390 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:49.960 our threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, 391 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:53.960 and I, after going through all the police formalities, have 392 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:57.240 hurried round to you to implore you to use your 393 00:22:57.279 --> 00:23:01.960 skill in unraveling the matter. The police have openly confessed 394 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:05.240 that they can at present make nothing of it. You 395 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:08.799 may go to any expense which you think necessary. I 396 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:12.960 have already offered a reward of a thousand pounds. My god, 397 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:16.839 what shall I do? I've lost my honor, my gems, 398 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:20.400 and my son in one night. Oh what shall I do? 399 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.559 He put a hand on either side of his head 400 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:28.759 and rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like 401 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:33.480