1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: The adventure of the noble bachelor the Lord Saint Simon. 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,919 Marriage and its curious termination have long ceased to be 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,199 a subject of interest in those exalted circles in which 4 00:00:13,199 --> 00:00:18,320 the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have eclipsed it, and 5 00:00:18,399 --> 00:00:21,440 their more piquant details have drawn the gossips away from 6 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,359 this four year old drama. As I have reason to believe, however, 7 00:00:25,719 --> 00:00:28,079 that the full facts have never been revealed to the 8 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,559 general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a 9 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,119 considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that 10 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,960 no memoir of him would be complete without some little 11 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,039 sketch of this remarkable episode. It was a few weeks 12 00:00:42,039 --> 00:00:44,679 before my own marriage, during the days when I was 13 00:00:44,719 --> 00:00:47,880 still sharing rooms with homes in Baker Street, that he 14 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,439 came home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter 15 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:54,640 on the table waiting for him. I had remained indoors 16 00:00:54,679 --> 00:00:56,880 all day, for the weather had taken a sudden turn 17 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:01,159 to rain with high autumnal winds, and the Jazail bullet, 18 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,200 which I had brought back in one of my limbs 19 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,280 as a relic of my Afghan campaign, throbbed with dull persistence. 20 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,439 With my body in one easy chair and my legs 21 00:01:10,519 --> 00:01:14,159 upon another, I had surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers, 22 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,159 until at last, saturated with the news of the day, 23 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,799 I tossed them all aside and lay listless, watching the 24 00:01:20,879 --> 00:01:24,400 huge crest and monogram upon the envelope upon the table, 25 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,879 and wondering lazily whom my friend's noble correspondent could be. 26 00:01:30,079 --> 00:01:33,719 Here is a very fashionable epistle, I remarked, as he entered. 27 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,680 Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a 28 00:01:36,719 --> 00:01:41,319 fishmonger and a tide waiter. Yes, my correspondence has certainly 29 00:01:41,359 --> 00:01:45,319 the charm of variety, he answered, smiling, and the humbler 30 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:48,400 are usually more interesting. This looks like one of those 31 00:01:48,519 --> 00:01:52,040 unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to 32 00:01:52,079 --> 00:01:55,799 be bored or to lie. He broke the seal and 33 00:01:55,879 --> 00:02:00,799 glanced over the contents. Oh, come, it may prove to 34 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:04,959 be something of interest after all. Not social, then, no, 35 00:02:05,359 --> 00:02:09,560 distinctly professional, and from a noble client, one of the 36 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,800 highest in England. My dear fellow, I congratulate you. I 37 00:02:13,879 --> 00:02:17,360 assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my 38 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,199 client is a matter of less moment to me than 39 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,879 the interest of his case. It is just possible, however, 40 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,039 that that also may not be wanting in this new investigation. 41 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,240 You have been reading the papers diligently of late, have 42 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:34,680 you not? It looks like it, said I ruefully, pointing 43 00:02:34,719 --> 00:02:37,319 to a huge bundle in the corner. I have had 44 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,840 nothing else to do. It is fortunate for you will 45 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,960 perhaps be able to post me up. I read nothing 46 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:47,199 except the criminal news and the Agony column. The latter 47 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,479 is always instructive. But if you have followed recent events 48 00:02:50,479 --> 00:02:53,759 so closely, you must have read about Lord Saint Simon 49 00:02:53,879 --> 00:02:58,039 and his wedding. Oh, yes, with the deepest interest. That 50 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,240 is well. The letter would which I hold in my hand, 51 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,199 is from Lord Saint Simon. I will read it to you, 52 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,199 and in return you must turn over these papers and 53 00:03:07,319 --> 00:03:10,439 let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This is 54 00:03:10,479 --> 00:03:15,520 what he says, my dear mister Sherlock Holmes. Lord Backwater 55 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,400 tells me that I may place implicit reliance upon your 56 00:03:18,479 --> 00:03:23,039 judgment and discretion. I have determined therefore to call upon 57 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,240 you and to consult you in reference to the very 58 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,599 painful event which has occurred in connection with my wedding 59 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,000 mister Lestrade of Scotland Yard is acting already in the matter. 60 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:35,719 But he assures me that he sees no objection to 61 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,840 your co operation, and that he even thinks that it 62 00:03:38,919 --> 00:03:41,479 might be of some assistance. I will call at four 63 00:03:41,479 --> 00:03:44,039 o'clock in the afternoon, and should you have any other 64 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,039 engagement at that time, I hope that you will postpone it, 65 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:51,479 as this is a matter of paramount importance, yours faithfully, 66 00:03:51,759 --> 00:03:55,919 Saint Simon. It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with 67 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,400 a quill pen, and the noble lord has had the 68 00:03:58,479 --> 00:04:01,280 misfortune to get a smear upon the outer side of 69 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,680 his right little finger, remarked Holmes, as he folded up 70 00:04:04,719 --> 00:04:08,719 the epistle. He says four o'clock. It is three now. 71 00:04:08,919 --> 00:04:11,400 He will be here in an hour. Then I have 72 00:04:11,719 --> 00:04:14,800 just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the subject. 73 00:04:15,199 --> 00:04:18,160 Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in their 74 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:20,680 order of time, while I take a glance as to 75 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,160 who our client is. He picked a red covered volume 76 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,800 from a line of books of reference beside the mantelpiece. 77 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,600 Here he is, said, he sitting down and flattening it 78 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:35,600 out upon his knee. Lord Robert Bolsingham. The vere Saint Simon, 79 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:41,240 second son of the Duke of Balmoral, come arms Azure 80 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:45,199 three cowtrops in chief over a fest Sable. Born in 81 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,959 eighteen forty six, he's forty one years of age, which 82 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,519 is mature for marriage. Was under Secretary for the Colonies 83 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:56,079 in a late administration the Duke. His father was at 84 00:04:56,079 --> 00:05:00,319 one time Secretary for foreign affairs. They inherit Plantagenet blood 85 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:04,839 by direct descent and tutor on the distaff side. Ha. Well, 86 00:05:05,079 --> 00:05:07,759 there is nothing very instructive in all this. I think 87 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,519 that I must turn to you, Watson, for something more solid. 88 00:05:11,399 --> 00:05:13,839 I have very little difficulty in finding what I want, 89 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,720 said I, for the facts are quite recent, and the 90 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,959 matter struck me as remarkable. I feared to refer them 91 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:21,959 to you, however, as I knew that you had an 92 00:05:21,959 --> 00:05:25,199 inquiry on hand, and that you disliked the intrusion of 93 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:28,560 other matters. Oh, you mean the little problem of the 94 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,120 Grosvenor Square furniture van. That is quite cleared up now, 95 00:05:32,319 --> 00:05:35,759 though indeed it was obvious from the first Pray, give 96 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:39,519 me the results of your newspaper selections. Here is the 97 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,000 first notice which I can find. It is in the 98 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,879 personal column of the Morning Post and dates. As you 99 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:49,319 see some weeks back. A marriage has been arranged, it says, 100 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,720 and will, if rumor is correct, very shortly take place 101 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:56,319 between Lord Robert Saint Simon, second son of the Duke 102 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,879 of Balmoral, and Miss Hattie Duran, the only daughter of 103 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,240 Aloysius Duran, Esquire of San Francisco, California. U s A. 104 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:09,160 That is all terse and to the point, remarked Holmes, 105 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:13,959 stretching his long thin legs towards the fire. There was 106 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,160 a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society papers 107 00:06:17,199 --> 00:06:20,160 of the same week. Ah here it is. There will 108 00:06:20,199 --> 00:06:22,879 soon be a call for protection in the marriage market, 109 00:06:23,199 --> 00:06:26,160 for the present free trade principle appears to tell heavily 110 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:29,560 against our home product. One by one, the management of 111 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,439 the noble houses of Great Britain is passing into the 112 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,879 hands of our fair cousins from across the Atlantic. An 113 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,360 important addition has been made during the last week to 114 00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:41,000 the list of the prizes which have been borne away 115 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,920 by these charming invaders. Lord Saint Simon, who has shown 116 00:06:44,959 --> 00:06:48,720 himself for over twenty years proof against the little God's arrows, 117 00:06:49,079 --> 00:06:53,120 has now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hattie Duran, 118 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,879 the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Duran, whose 119 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,480 graceful figure and striking face attracted much attention at the 120 00:07:01,519 --> 00:07:05,480 Westbury House festivities, is an only child and it is 121 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,439 currently reported that her dowry will run to considerably over 122 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,720 the six figures, with expectancies for the future. As it 123 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,240 is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has 124 00:07:15,279 --> 00:07:18,519 been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, 125 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,360 and as Lord Saint Simon has no property of his 126 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:25,720 own save the small estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious 127 00:07:25,759 --> 00:07:28,720 that the Californian heiress is not the only gainer by 128 00:07:28,759 --> 00:07:31,319 an alliance which will enable her to make the easy 129 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:35,519 and common transition from a Republican lady to a British peeress. 130 00:07:36,759 --> 00:07:41,920 Anything else, asked Holmes, yawning, Oh, yes, plenty. Then there 131 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,360 is another note in the Morning Post to say that 132 00:07:44,439 --> 00:07:47,439 the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it 133 00:07:47,439 --> 00:07:50,800 would be at Saint George's Hanover Square, that only a 134 00:07:50,839 --> 00:07:53,879 half a dozen intimate friends would be invited, and that 135 00:07:53,959 --> 00:07:57,000 the party would return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate, 136 00:07:57,279 --> 00:08:01,240 which has been taken by mister Aloysius Duran. Two days later, 137 00:08:01,439 --> 00:08:04,600 that is, on Wednesday last, there is a curt announcement 138 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,680 that the wedding had taken place and that the honeymoon 139 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,759 would be passed at Lord Backwater's place near Petersfield. Those 140 00:08:11,759 --> 00:08:14,480 are all the notices which appeared before the disappearance of 141 00:08:14,519 --> 00:08:18,120 the bride, before the What asked Holmes with a start, 142 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:21,600 the vanishing of the lady? When did she vanish? Then 143 00:08:22,199 --> 00:08:26,399 at the wedding breakfast? Indeed, this is more interesting than 144 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:30,279 it promised to be, quite dramatic. In fact, yes, it 145 00:08:30,319 --> 00:08:32,480 struck me as being a little out of the common. 146 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,639 They often vanish before the ceremony and occasionally during the honeymoon. 147 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,639 But I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt 148 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:44,559 as this pray. Let me have the details. I warn 149 00:08:44,639 --> 00:08:47,879 you that they are very incomplete. Perhaps we may make 150 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:51,159 them less. So such as they are, they are set 151 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,240 forth in a single article of a morning paper of yesterday, 152 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,960 which I will read to you. It is headed singular 153 00:08:58,039 --> 00:09:02,440 occurrence at a fashionable wedding. The family of Lord Robert 154 00:09:02,519 --> 00:09:05,879 Saint Simon has been thrown into the greatest consternation by 155 00:09:05,919 --> 00:09:08,799 the strange and painful episodes which have taken place in 156 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,519 connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as shortly announced in 157 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,480 the papers of yesterday, occurred on the previous morning. But 158 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,799 it is only now that it has been possible to 159 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:22,960 confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently floating about. 160 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:25,759 In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush 161 00:09:25,799 --> 00:09:28,559 the matter up. So much public attention has now been 162 00:09:28,639 --> 00:09:31,240 drawn to it that no good purpose can be served 163 00:09:31,279 --> 00:09:35,000 by affecting to disregard what is a common subject for conversation. 164 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:39,879 The ceremony, which was performed at Saint George's Hanover Square, 165 00:09:40,279 --> 00:09:43,000 was a very quiet one, no one being present save 166 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,480 the father of the bride, Mister Aloysius Duran, the Duchess 167 00:09:46,519 --> 00:09:51,039 of Balmoral, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace, and Lady Clara, Saint Simon, 168 00:09:51,519 --> 00:09:55,080 the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom, and Lady 169 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:59,039 Alicia Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house 170 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:03,039 of mister Allowish's Duran at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had 171 00:10:03,039 --> 00:10:07,200 been prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused 172 00:10:07,279 --> 00:10:10,600 by a woman whose name has not been ascertained, who 173 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:12,960 endeavored to force her way into the house after the 174 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,320 bridal party, alleging that she had some claim upon Lord 175 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,919 Saint Simon. It was only after a painful and prolonged 176 00:10:19,919 --> 00:10:22,519 scene that she was ejected by the butler and the footman. 177 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,960 The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before this 178 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:29,519 unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with the rest, 179 00:10:29,919 --> 00:10:33,000 when she complained of a sudden indisposition and retired to 180 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:37,039 her room, her prolonged absence having caused some comment. Her 181 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,759 father followed her, but learned from her maid that she 182 00:10:39,799 --> 00:10:42,039 had only come up to her chamber for an instant 183 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:44,960 caught up an ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to 184 00:10:45,039 --> 00:10:47,919 the passage. One of the footmen declared that he had 185 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,120 seen a lady leave the house thus apparelled, but had 186 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:54,120 refused to credit that it was his mistress, believing her 187 00:10:54,159 --> 00:10:57,279 to be with the company. On ascertaining that his daughter 188 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,840 had disappeared, mister Alowisius Duran, in conjunction with the bridegroom, 189 00:11:02,159 --> 00:11:05,720 instantly put themselves in communication with the police, and very 190 00:11:05,879 --> 00:11:09,399 energetic inquiries are being made which will probably result in 191 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,440 a speedy clearing up of this very singular business. Up 192 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:16,639 to a late hour last night, however, nothing had transpired 193 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,879 as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There are 194 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,399 rumors of foul play in the matter, and it is 195 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:24,480 said that the police have caused the arrests of the 196 00:11:24,519 --> 00:11:27,840 woman who had caused the original disturbance, in the belief 197 00:11:27,879 --> 00:11:31,000 that from jealousy or some other motive, she may have 198 00:11:31,039 --> 00:11:34,480 been concerned in the strange disappearance of the bride. And 199 00:11:34,639 --> 00:11:37,840 is that all only one little item in another of 200 00:11:37,879 --> 00:11:41,039 the morning papers, But it is a suggestive one, and 201 00:11:41,159 --> 00:11:44,840 it is that Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had 202 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:49,159 caused the disturbance, has actually been arrested. It appears that 203 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,600 she was formerly a danseuse at the Allegro, and that 204 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,799 she has known the bridegroom for some years. There are 205 00:11:55,799 --> 00:11:58,240 no further particulars, and the whole case is in your 206 00:11:58,279 --> 00:12:00,840 hands now so far as it has been set forth 207 00:12:00,879 --> 00:12:04,279 in the public press. And an exceedingly interesting case it 208 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,360 appears to be. I would not have missed it for worlds. 209 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,600 But there is a ring at the bell, Watson, and 210 00:12:09,639 --> 00:12:11,840 as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, 211 00:12:12,279 --> 00:12:13,919 I have no doubt that this will prove to be 212 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:17,080 our noble client. Do not dream of going Watson, for 213 00:12:17,159 --> 00:12:20,000 I very much prefer having a witness, if only as 214 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:23,480 a check to my own memory. Lord Robert Saint Simon 215 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:28,240 announced our page boy, throwing open the door. A gentleman entered, 216 00:12:28,279 --> 00:12:31,600 with a pleasant cultured face, high nosed and pale, with 217 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,200 something perhaps of petulance about the mouth, and with the steady, 218 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:37,840 well opened eye of a man whose pleasant lot it 219 00:12:37,879 --> 00:12:40,639 had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His 220 00:12:40,759 --> 00:12:43,519 manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an 221 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,799 undue impression of age, for he had a slight forward 222 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,399 stoop and a little bend of the knees as he walked. 223 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:52,600 His hair, too, as he swept off his very curly 224 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:55,840 brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin upon 225 00:12:55,879 --> 00:12:59,120 the top. As to his dress, it was careful to 226 00:12:59,159 --> 00:13:02,720 the verge of popping fishness, with high collar, black frock coat, 227 00:13:02,919 --> 00:13:07,720 white waistcoat, yellow gloves, patent leather shoes, and light colored gaiters. 228 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:11,360 He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from 229 00:13:11,399 --> 00:13:13,919 left to right, and swinging in his right hand the 230 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:18,200 cord which held his golden eyeglasses. Good day, Lord Saint Simon, 231 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,279 said Holmes, rising and bowing. Pray, take the basket chair. 232 00:13:22,639 --> 00:13:25,879 This is my friend and colleague, doctor Watson. Draw up 233 00:13:25,879 --> 00:13:27,639 a little to the fire, and we will talk this 234 00:13:27,759 --> 00:13:31,200 matter over, A most painful matter to me, as you 235 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,519 can most readily imagine, mister Holmes, I have been cut 236 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,679 to the quick. I understand that you have already managed 237 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:41,080 several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume 238 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,879 that they were hardly from the same class of society. 239 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:48,919 No I am descending. I beg pardon. My last client 240 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,159 of the sort was a king. Oh really, I had 241 00:13:52,159 --> 00:13:55,879 no idea, and which king? But the King of Scandinavia. 242 00:13:56,320 --> 00:14:01,480 What had he lost his wife? You can understand, said Holmes, suavely, 243 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,360 that I extend to the affairs of my other clients 244 00:14:04,399 --> 00:14:08,919 the same secrecy which I promised you in yours. Of course, 245 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,799 Very right, very right, I am sure, I beg pardon. 246 00:14:12,279 --> 00:14:14,240 As to my own case, I am ready to give 247 00:14:14,279 --> 00:14:17,480 you any information which may assist you in forming an opinion. 248 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:20,679 Thank you. I have already learned all that is in 249 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,759 the public prints. Nothing more. I presume that I may 250 00:14:23,799 --> 00:14:27,080 take it as correct. This article, for example, as to 251 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,840 the disappearance of the Bride. Lord Saint Simon glanced over it. Yes, 252 00:14:31,879 --> 00:14:34,960 it is correct as far as it goes, but it 253 00:14:35,039 --> 00:14:37,440 needs a great deal of supplementing before any one could 254 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,279 offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at 255 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:44,159 my facts most directly by questioning you, pray do so? 256 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,000 When did you first meet miss Hattie Durant in San 257 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:53,200 Francisco a year ago? You were traveling in the States. Yes, 258 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:57,759 did you become engaged then? No, but you were on 259 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:01,360 a friendly footing. I was amu used by her society, 260 00:15:01,559 --> 00:15:05,000 and she could see that I was amused. Her father 261 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:07,799 is very rich. He is said to be the richest 262 00:15:07,799 --> 00:15:10,840 man on the Pacific Slope. And how did he make 263 00:15:10,879 --> 00:15:14,480 his money in mining? He had nothing a few years 264 00:15:14,519 --> 00:15:17,519 ago that he struck gold, invested it and came up 265 00:15:17,519 --> 00:15:21,960 by leaps and bounds. Now, what is your own impression 266 00:15:22,039 --> 00:15:26,279 as to the young ladies your wife's character. The nobleman 267 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,159 swung his glasses a little faster and stared down into 268 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:33,840 the fire. You see, mister Holmes said he. My wife 269 00:15:33,919 --> 00:15:37,080 was twenty before her father became a rich man. During 270 00:15:37,159 --> 00:15:39,759 that time she ran free in a mining camp and 271 00:15:39,879 --> 00:15:43,360 wandered through woods or mountains, so that her education has 272 00:15:43,399 --> 00:15:47,000 come from nature rather than from the schoolmaster. She is 273 00:15:47,039 --> 00:15:50,519 what we call in England a tomboy with a strong nature, 274 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:54,720 wild and free, unfettered by any sort of traditions. She 275 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:58,639 is impetuous, volcanic. I was about to say, she is 276 00:15:58,679 --> 00:16:01,399 swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying 277 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,679 out her resolutions. On the other hand, I would not 278 00:16:04,759 --> 00:16:06,600 have given her the name which I have the honor 279 00:16:06,639 --> 00:16:10,759 to bear. He gave a little stately cough, had I 280 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,320 not thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. 281 00:16:13,879 --> 00:16:17,200 I believe that she is capable of heroic self sacrifice, 282 00:16:17,519 --> 00:16:21,519 and that anything dishonorable would be repugnant to her. Have 283 00:16:21,679 --> 00:16:25,879 you her photograph? I brought this with me. He opened 284 00:16:25,879 --> 00:16:27,960 a locket and showed us the full face of a 285 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,159 very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an 286 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,120 ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full 287 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:37,639 effect of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, 288 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:42,039 and the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. 289 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,480 Then he closed the locket and handed it back to 290 00:16:44,559 --> 00:16:48,000 Lord Saint Simon. The young lady came to London then, 291 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:51,919 and you renewed your acquaintance. Yes, her father brought her 292 00:16:51,919 --> 00:16:55,679 over for this last London season. I met her several times, 293 00:16:55,799 --> 00:16:59,919 became engaged to her, and have now married her. She 294 00:17:00,159 --> 00:17:04,680 brought I understand a considerable dowry, a fair dowry, not 295 00:17:04,799 --> 00:17:08,359 more than as usual in my family. And this, of 296 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,799 course remains to you, since the marriage is a fee accomplie. 297 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:16,799 I really have made no inquiries on the subject. Very 298 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,720 naturally not. Did you see mister rand on the day 299 00:17:19,759 --> 00:17:24,599 before the wedding? Yes, was she in good spirits, never better. 300 00:17:25,039 --> 00:17:27,000 She kept talking of what we should do in our 301 00:17:27,079 --> 00:17:31,400 future lives. Indeed, that is very interesting. And on the 302 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,559 morning of the wedding she was as bright as possible, 303 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:38,079 at least until after the ceremony. And did you observe 304 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:41,240 any change in her then? Well, to tell the truth, 305 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,599 I saw then the first signs that I had ever 306 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:47,799 seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident, however, 307 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:50,319 was too trivial to relate, and can have no possible 308 00:17:50,319 --> 00:17:53,640 bearing upon the case. Pray let us have it for 309 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:57,720 all that, Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet 310 00:17:57,759 --> 00:18:00,440 as we went towards the vestry. She was asking the 311 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,720 front pew at the time, and it fell over into 312 00:18:02,759 --> 00:18:06,000 the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the gentleman 313 00:18:06,039 --> 00:18:08,119 in the pew handed it up to her again, and 314 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,039 it did not appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet, 315 00:18:11,039 --> 00:18:13,559 when I spoke to her of the matter, she answered 316 00:18:13,599 --> 00:18:16,440 me abruptly, and in the carriage on our way home, 317 00:18:16,559 --> 00:18:22,200 she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause. Indeed, you 318 00:18:22,279 --> 00:18:24,759 say that there was a gentleman in the pew, some 319 00:18:24,839 --> 00:18:28,440 of the general public were present, then, oh, yes, it 320 00:18:28,519 --> 00:18:31,119 is impossible to exclude them when the church is open. 321 00:18:32,039 --> 00:18:35,519 This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends. No, no, 322 00:18:35,839 --> 00:18:38,440 I call him a gentleman by courtesy. But he was 323 00:18:38,559 --> 00:18:42,079 quite a common looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. 324 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,759 But really, I think that we are wandering rather far 325 00:18:44,839 --> 00:18:48,079 from the point. Lady Saint Simon then returned from the 326 00:18:48,079 --> 00:18:50,279 wedding in a less cheerful frame of mind than she 327 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,680 had gone to it. What did she do on re 328 00:18:52,839 --> 00:18:56,599 entering her father's house? I saw her in conversation with 329 00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:00,960 her maid. And who is her maid? Is her name? 330 00:19:01,319 --> 00:19:03,920 She is an American and came from California with her 331 00:19:04,599 --> 00:19:08,519 a confidential servant, a little too much. So it seemed 332 00:19:08,519 --> 00:19:11,759 to me that her mistress allowed her to take great liberties. Still, 333 00:19:11,839 --> 00:19:14,599 of course, in America they look upon these things in 334 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,359 a different way. How long did she speak to this, Alice? Oh, 335 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:21,720 a few minutes. I had something else to think of. 336 00:19:22,519 --> 00:19:26,240 You did not overhear what they said. Lady Saint Simon 337 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:30,559 said something about jumping a claim. She was accustomed to 338 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,519 use slang of that kind. I have no idea what 339 00:19:33,599 --> 00:19:38,359 she meant. American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what 340 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,039 did your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid? 341 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:46,400 She walked into the breakfast room on your arm. No alone. 342 00:19:46,599 --> 00:19:49,680 She was very independent in little matters like that. Then 343 00:19:49,799 --> 00:19:52,079 after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, 344 00:19:52,519 --> 00:19:55,680 she rose, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left 345 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,519 the room. She never came back. But this made Alice, 346 00:19:59,559 --> 00:20:02,799 as I understand the poses, that she went to her room, 347 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,240 covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on 348 00:20:06,319 --> 00:20:09,599 a bonnet, and went out quite so. And she was 349 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:13,359 afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in company with Flora Millar, 350 00:20:13,799 --> 00:20:16,160 a woman who is now in custody, and who had 351 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:20,480 already made a disturbance at mister Durand's house that morning. Ah, yes, 352 00:20:21,039 --> 00:20:23,319 I should like a few particulars as to this young 353 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,599 lady and your relations to her. Lord Saint Simon shrugged 354 00:20:27,599 --> 00:20:31,319 his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. We have been on 355 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,559 her friendly footing for some years, I may say, on 356 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:38,039 a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. 357 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,160 I have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no 358 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,039 just cause of complaint against me, But you know what 359 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:47,279 women are, mister Holmes. Flora was a dear little thing, 360 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:51,279 but exceedingly hot headed and devotedly attached to me. She 361 00:20:51,319 --> 00:20:53,279 wrote me dreadful letters when she heard that I was 362 00:20:53,319 --> 00:20:56,440 about to be married, and to tell the truth, the 363 00:20:56,519 --> 00:20:59,599 reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was 364 00:20:59,599 --> 00:21:01,799 that I feared lest there might be a scandal in 365 00:21:01,839 --> 00:21:05,000 the church. She came to mister Durand's door just after 366 00:21:05,079 --> 00:21:07,839 we returned, and she endeavored to push her way in, 367 00:21:08,279 --> 00:21:12,319 uttering very abusive expressions towards my wife and even threatening her. 368 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,480 But I had foreseen the possibility of something of the sort, 369 00:21:15,759 --> 00:21:18,359 and I had two police fellows there in private clothes, 370 00:21:18,559 --> 00:21:22,400 who soon pushed her out again. She was quiet when 371 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,279 she saw that there was no good in making a row? 372 00:21:25,599 --> 00:21:28,559 Did your wife hear all this? No, thank goodness, she 373 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:31,799 did not, and she was seen walking with this very 374 00:21:31,799 --> 00:21:36,039 woman afterwards. Yes, that is what mister Lestrade of Scotland 375 00:21:36,079 --> 00:21:39,079 Yard looks upon as so serious. It is thought that 376 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,960 Flora decoyed my wife out and laid some terrible trap 377 00:21:42,039 --> 00:21:46,240 for her. Well, it is a possible supposition. You think 378 00:21:46,279 --> 00:21:49,799 so too, I did not say a probable one. But 379 00:21:49,839 --> 00:21:53,200 you do not yourself look upon this as likely. I 380 00:21:53,279 --> 00:21:57,359 do not think Flora would her to fly. Still, jealousy 381 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:00,880 is a strange transformer of characters. Ray, what is your 382 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,240 own theory as to what took place? Well? Really, I 383 00:22:04,279 --> 00:22:07,319 came to seek a theory, not a propound one. I 384 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:10,319 have given you all the facts since you ask me. However, 385 00:22:10,759 --> 00:22:12,680 I may say that it has occurred to me as 386 00:22:12,839 --> 00:22:16,279 possible that the excitement of this affair, the consciousness that 387 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,039 she had made so immense a social stride, had the 388 00:22:19,039 --> 00:22:23,160 effect of causing some little nervous disturbance in my wife, 389 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:27,319 In short, that she had become suddenly deranged. Well, really, 390 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,960 when I consider that she has turned her back, I 391 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:33,400 will not say upon me, but upon so much that 392 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,920 many have aspired you without success. I can hardly explain 393 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,079 it in any other fashion. Well, certainly that is also 394 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:45,319 a conceivable hypothesis, said Holmes, smiling. And now, Lord Saint Simon, 395 00:22:45,599 --> 00:22:48,400 I think that I have nearly all my data. May 396 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:50,640 I ask whether you were seated at the breakfast table 397 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,640 so that you could see out of the window. We 398 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:55,920 could see the other side of the road and the park. 399 00:22:56,519 --> 00:22:58,960 Quite so, then, I do not think that I need 400 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,240 to detain you longer. I shall communicate with you should 401 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:07,119 you be fortunate enough to solve this problem, said our client, rising, 402 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,519 I have solved it. Eh, What was that? I say 403 00:23:11,559 --> 00:23:14,640 that I have solved it? Where then is my wife? 404 00:23:15,079 --> 00:23:18,839 That is a detail that I shall speedily supply. Lord 405 00:23:18,839 --> 00:23:22,079 Saint Simon shook his head. I am afraid that it 406 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:25,640 will take wiser heads than yours or mine, he remarked, 407 00:23:25,839 --> 00:23:28,839 and bowing in a stately old fashioned manner, he departed. 408 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:32,160 It is very good of Lord Saint Simon to honor 409 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:34,440 my head by putting it on a level with his own, 410 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,039 said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. I think that I shall have 411 00:23:38,079 --> 00:23:40,559 a whisky and soda and a cigar after all this 412 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:44,119 cross questioning. I had formed my conclusion as to the 413 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,920 case before our client came into the room. My dear Holmes, 414 00:23:48,559 --> 00:23:52,160 I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as 415 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:55,440 I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole 416 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:59,759 examination served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial 417 00:23:59,799 --> 00:24:03,119 evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a 418 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:06,559 trout in the milk, to quote Sir Rose example. But 419 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,759 I have heard all that you have heard, without, however, 420 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,240 the knowledge of pre existing cases, which serves me so well. 421 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,039 There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back, 422 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:20,039 and something on very much the same lines at Munich 423 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:22,960 the year after the Franco Prussian War. It is one 424 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:27,680 of these cases. But hullo, here is lestrade, Good afternoon, Lestrade. 425 00:24:27,799 --> 00:24:30,319 You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and 426 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,920 there are cigars in the box. The official detective was 427 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:36,759 attired in a pea jacket in cravat, which gave him 428 00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:40,440 a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a black canvas 429 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:43,359 bag in his hand. With a short greeting, he seated 430 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:46,480 himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. 431 00:24:46,799 --> 00:24:49,680 What's up? Then asked Holmes, with a twinkle in his eye. 432 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:53,799 You look dissatisfied, and I feel dissatisfied. It is this 433 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:57,319 infernal Saint Simon marriage case. I can make neither head 434 00:24:57,359 --> 00:25:01,839 nor tail of the business. Really, you surprise me. Who 435 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,759 ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems 436 00:25:04,759 --> 00:25:07,400 to slip through my fingers. I've been at work upon 437 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:10,039 it all day, and very wet. It seems to have 438 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:13,039 made you, said Holmes, laying his hand upon the arm 439 00:25:13,079 --> 00:25:16,559 of the pea jacket. Yes, I've been dragging the serpentine 440 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:20,079 in Heaven's name, what for in search of the body 441 00:25:20,079 --> 00:25:23,519 of lady Saint Simon Sherlock Holmbs leaned back in his 442 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:26,680 chair and laughed heartily. Have you dragged the basin of 443 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:30,319 Trafago's square fountain? He asked? Why? What do you mean? 444 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,079 Because you have just as good a chance of finding 445 00:25:33,079 --> 00:25:36,720 this lady in the one as in the other. Lestrade 446 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:40,160 shot an angry glance at my companion. I suppose you 447 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:43,559 know all about it, he snarled, Well, I have only 448 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:46,319 just heard the facts, but my mind is made up. 449 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:50,000 Oh indeed, then you think that the serpentine plays no 450 00:25:50,079 --> 00:25:54,240 part in the matter. I think it very unlikely. Then 451 00:25:54,279 --> 00:25:56,960 perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we 452 00:25:57,039 --> 00:26:00,519 found this in it. He opened his bag as he spoke, 453 00:26:00,599 --> 00:26:03,599 and tumbled onto the floor a wedding dress of watered silk, 454 00:26:04,079 --> 00:26:06,640 a pair of white satin shoes, and a bride's wreath 455 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:10,880 and veil, all discolored and soaked in water. There, said he, 456 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:13,720 putting a new wedding ring upon the top of the pile. 457 00:26:14,079 --> 00:26:18,279 There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes. Oh, indeed, 458 00:26:18,519 --> 00:26:21,440 said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. You 459 00:26:21,559 --> 00:26:24,839 dragged them from the serpentine. No, they were found floating 460 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,279 near the margin by a park keeper. They have been 461 00:26:27,319 --> 00:26:29,880 identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that 462 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:32,119 if the clothes were there, the body would not be 463 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:36,440 far off. By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body 464 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:38,680 is to be found in the neighborhood of his wardrobe. 465 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:41,079 And pray, what did you hope to arrive at through this? 466 00:26:42,279 --> 00:26:46,480 At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance. I 467 00:26:46,519 --> 00:26:50,480 am afraid that you will find it difficult, are you? Indeed? Now, 468 00:26:50,839 --> 00:26:54,279 cried Lestrade with some bitterness. I am afraid, Holmes, that 469 00:26:54,319 --> 00:26:57,519 you are not very practical with your deductions and your inferences. 470 00:26:57,839 --> 00:27:00,319 You have made two blunders in as many minutes. This 471 00:27:00,519 --> 00:27:05,200 dress does implicate miss Flora Millar. And how in the 472 00:27:05,279 --> 00:27:07,799 dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card case. 473 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:10,599 In the card case is a note. And here is 474 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,359 the very note. He slapped it down upon the table 475 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,680 in front of him. Listen to this. You will see 476 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:20,440 me when all is ready, come at once. F h M. Now, 477 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:23,039 my theory all along has been that Lady Saint Simon 478 00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:26,920 was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she, with confederates, 479 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:30,680 no doubt, was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with 480 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:32,960 her initials, is the very note which was no doubt 481 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,680 quietly slipped into her hand at the door, and which 482 00:27:35,759 --> 00:27:40,759 lured her within their reach. Very good, Lestrade, said Holmes, laughing, 483 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:43,839 you really are very fine. Indeed, let me see it. 484 00:27:44,559 --> 00:27:46,720 He took up the paper in a listless way, but 485 00:27:46,799 --> 00:27:49,920 his attention instantly became riveted, and he gave a little 486 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:53,920 cry of satisfaction. This is indeed important, said he. Ha, 487 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:58,400 you find it so extremely so I congratulate you warmly. 488 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:01,680 Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to 489 00:28:01,759 --> 00:28:05,359 look why he shrieked, you're looking at the wrong side. 490 00:28:05,839 --> 00:28:09,599 On the contrary, this is the right side, the right side. 491 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:12,759 You're mad. Here is the note written in pencil. Over here, 492 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:15,960 and over here is what appears to be the fragment 493 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:19,680 of a hotel bill, which interests me deeply. There's nothing 494 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:23,799 in it. I looked at it before, said Lestrade. October fourth, 495 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:29,200 Rooms eight shillings, breakfast two shillings sixpence, cocktail one shilling, 496 00:28:29,599 --> 00:28:35,119 Lunch two shillings sixpence, glass sherry eightpence. I see nothing 497 00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:39,519 in that. Very likely not. It is most important all 498 00:28:39,559 --> 00:28:42,359 the same as to the note. It is important also, 499 00:28:42,599 --> 00:28:46,039 or at least the initials are so. I congratulate you again. 500 00:28:47,039 --> 00:28:50,680 I've wasted time enough, said Lestrade rising. I believe in 501 00:28:50,759 --> 00:28:52,880 hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning 502 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,759 fine theories. Good day, mister Holmes, and we shall see 503 00:28:55,799 --> 00:28:58,480 which gets to the bottom of the matter. First he 504 00:28:58,559 --> 00:29:00,920 gathered up the garments, thrust them into the bag, and 505 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:03,960 made for the door. Just one hint to you, Lestrade, 506 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:08,000 drawled Holmes, before his rival vanished. I will tell you 507 00:29:08,079 --> 00:29:10,799 the true solution of the matter, Lady Saint Simon is 508 00:29:10,839 --> 00:29:13,480 a myth. There is not, and there never has been 509 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:18,359 any such person. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then 510 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:21,599 he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times, shook 511 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:25,319 his head solemnly, and hurried away. He had hardly shut 512 00:29:25,319 --> 00:29:27,440 the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on 513 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:30,559 his overcoat. There is something in what the fellow says 514 00:29:30,599 --> 00:29:33,880 about outdoor work, he remarked, So I think, Watson, that 515 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,160 I must leave you to your papers for a little. 516 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,920 It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, 517 00:29:40,319 --> 00:29:42,440 but I had no time to be lonely, for within 518 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,279 an hour there arrived a confectioner's man with a very 519 00:29:45,359 --> 00:29:48,400 large flat box. This he unpacked with the help of 520 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:51,400 a youth whom he had brought with him, and presently, 521 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:54,920 to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little cold 522 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:57,559 supper began to be laid out upon our humble lodging 523 00:29:57,599 --> 00:30:01,599 house Mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock, 524 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:04,759 a pheasant, a pte defago, a pie, with a group 525 00:30:04,799 --> 00:30:09,039 of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, 526 00:30:09,599 --> 00:30:12,240 my two visitors vanished away, like the genie of the 527 00:30:12,279 --> 00:30:15,920 Arabian nights, with no explanation save that the things had 528 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:19,559 been paid for and were ordered to this address. Just 529 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:23,440 before nine o'clock, Sherlockombe stepped briskly into the room. His 530 00:30:23,559 --> 00:30:26,240 features were gravely set, but there was a light in 531 00:30:26,279 --> 00:30:28,119 his eye which made me think that he had not 532 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:33,039 been disappointed in his conclusions. They have laid the supper, then, 533 00:30:33,559 --> 00:30:37,119 he said, rubbing his hands, You seem to expect company. 534 00:30:37,319 --> 00:30:40,319 They have laid for five Yes, I fancy we may 535 00:30:40,359 --> 00:30:43,799 have some company dropping in, said he. I am surprised 536 00:30:43,799 --> 00:30:47,200 that Lord Saint Simon has not already arrived. Ha I 537 00:30:47,279 --> 00:30:49,799 fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs. 538 00:30:51,079 --> 00:30:53,680 It was indeed, our visitor of the afternoon who came 539 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:58,039 bustling in, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and 540 00:30:58,079 --> 00:31:01,759 with a very perturbed expression upon him aristocratic features. My 541 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:05,640 messenger reached you, then asked Holmes. Yes, and I confess 542 00:31:05,640 --> 00:31:08,440 that the content startled me beyond measure. Have you good 543 00:31:08,440 --> 00:31:13,240 authority for what you say? The best possible? Lord Saint 544 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:15,759 Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over 545 00:31:15,839 --> 00:31:19,519 his forehead. What will the Duke say? He murmured, When 546 00:31:19,519 --> 00:31:21,759 he hears that one of the family has been subjected 547 00:31:21,839 --> 00:31:26,759 to such humiliation. It is the purest accident. I cannot 548 00:31:26,799 --> 00:31:31,200 allow that there is any humiliation. Ah, you look on 549 00:31:31,279 --> 00:31:34,559 these things from another standpoint. I fail to see that 550 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:37,279 any one is to blame. I can hardly see how 551 00:31:37,279 --> 00:31:40,559 the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method 552 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:44,119 of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, 553 00:31:44,319 --> 00:31:46,559 she had no one to advise her at such a crisis. 554 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:50,799 It was a slight, Sir, a public slight, said Lord 555 00:31:50,799 --> 00:31:54,640 Saint Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table. You must 556 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:57,880 make allowance for this poor girl placed in so unpresented 557 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:01,079 that a position. I will make no allowance. I am 558 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:05,039 very angry, indeed, and I have been shamefully used. I 559 00:32:05,079 --> 00:32:07,599 think that I heard a ring, said Holmes. Yes, there 560 00:32:07,599 --> 00:32:10,319 are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade you 561 00:32:10,359 --> 00:32:13,000 to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord Saint Simon, 562 00:32:13,359 --> 00:32:16,039 I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful. 563 00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:19,440 He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman. 564 00:32:20,039 --> 00:32:23,319 Lord Saint Simon said, he allow me to introduce you 565 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:26,759 to mister and missus Francis Hay Moulton, the lady, I 566 00:32:26,799 --> 00:32:31,240 think you have already met at the sight of these newcomers. 567 00:32:31,279 --> 00:32:33,880 Our client sprung from his seat and stood very erect, 568 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:36,839 with his eyes cast down and his hand thrust into 569 00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:40,319 the breast of his frock coat, a picture of offended dignity. 570 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:43,400 The lady had taken a quick step forward and held 571 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:45,759 out her hand to him, but he still refused to 572 00:32:45,839 --> 00:32:49,359 raise his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, 573 00:32:49,759 --> 00:32:52,079 for her pleading face was one which it was hard 574 00:32:52,119 --> 00:32:56,359 to resist. You are angry, Robert said she. Well, I 575 00:32:56,400 --> 00:32:59,720 guess you have every cause to be Pray. Make no 576 00:32:59,759 --> 00:33:04,400 apology to me, said Lord Saint Simon bitterly. Oh yes, 577 00:33:04,519 --> 00:33:07,000 I know that I have treated you real bad, and 578 00:33:07,039 --> 00:33:09,200 that I should have spoken to you before I went. 579 00:33:09,680 --> 00:33:12,000 But I was kind of rattled, and from the time 580 00:33:12,039 --> 00:33:14,400 when I saw Frank here again, I just didn't know 581 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,200 what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I 582 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,359 didn't fall down and do a faint right there before 583 00:33:19,359 --> 00:33:23,160 the altar. Perhaps, missus Moulton, you would like my friend 584 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,599 and me to leave the room while you explained this matter, 585 00:33:27,119 --> 00:33:30,119 if I may give an opinion, remarked the strange gentleman, 586 00:33:30,519 --> 00:33:32,759 we've had just a little too much secrecy over this 587 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:36,000 business already. For my part, I should like all Europe 588 00:33:36,039 --> 00:33:38,720 and America to hear the rights of it. He was 589 00:33:38,799 --> 00:33:42,480 a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean shaven, with a sharp 590 00:33:42,519 --> 00:33:46,279 face and alert manner. Then I'll tell our story right away, 591 00:33:46,640 --> 00:33:49,400 said the lady. Frank Here and I met in eighty 592 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:52,559 four in mc guire's camp near the Rockies, where Pile 593 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:55,240 was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, 594 00:33:55,279 --> 00:33:58,000 Frank and I. But then one day Father struck a 595 00:33:58,079 --> 00:34:00,720 rich pocket and made a pile while or Frank there 596 00:34:00,759 --> 00:34:02,960 had a claim that petered out and came to nothing. 597 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:06,400 The richer Pa grew, the poorer was Frank. So at 598 00:34:06,480 --> 00:34:09,440 last Paw wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, 599 00:34:09,679 --> 00:34:12,679 and he took me away to Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw 600 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:15,280 up his hand, though, so he followed me there and 601 00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:18,679 he saw me without Pa knowing anything about it. It 602 00:34:18,719 --> 00:34:21,079 would have only made him mad to know, so we 603 00:34:21,199 --> 00:34:24,119 just fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that 604 00:34:24,159 --> 00:34:26,400 he would go and make his pile too, and never 605 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:28,519 come back to claim me until he had as much 606 00:34:28,519 --> 00:34:31,440 as Paw so then I promised to wait for him 607 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:33,920 to the end of time, and pledged myself not to 608 00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:37,400 marry any one else while he lived. Why shouldn't we 609 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:39,719 be married right away, then said he, And then I 610 00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:41,679 will feel sure of you, and I won't claim to 611 00:34:41,719 --> 00:34:44,360 be your husband till I come back. Well, we talked 612 00:34:44,400 --> 00:34:47,199 it over, and he had fixed it all up so nicely, 613 00:34:47,559 --> 00:34:50,519 with a clergyman already in waiting, that we just did 614 00:34:50,559 --> 00:34:52,519 it right there. And then Frank went off to seek 615 00:34:52,559 --> 00:34:55,519 his fortune, and I went back to PA. The next 616 00:34:55,599 --> 00:34:57,639 I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, 617 00:34:58,119 --> 00:35:01,159 and then he went prospecting in Ours, and then I 618 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:04,199 heard of him from New Mexico. After that came a 619 00:35:04,239 --> 00:35:07,440 long newspaper story about how a miner's camp had been 620 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:10,599 attacked by Apache Indians, and there was my Frank's name 621 00:35:10,639 --> 00:35:13,559 among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was 622 00:35:13,679 --> 00:35:16,519 very sick for months. After PA thought I had a 623 00:35:16,559 --> 00:35:19,239 decline and took me to have the doctors in Frisco. 624 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:21,599 Not a word of news came for a year, and 625 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:24,960 more so that I never doubted that Frank was really dead. 626 00:35:25,639 --> 00:35:28,400 Then Lord Saint Simon came to Frisco and we came 627 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:31,280 to London and a marriage was arranged, and PA was 628 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:34,639 very pleased. But I felt all the time that no 629 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:37,119 man on this earth would ever take the place in 630 00:35:37,199 --> 00:35:41,280 my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Still, 631 00:35:41,639 --> 00:35:44,360 if I had married Lord Saint Simon, of course i'd 632 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:47,320 have done my duty by him. We can't command our love, 633 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:50,039 but we can our actions. I went to the altar 634 00:35:50,079 --> 00:35:52,039 with him with the intention to make him just as 635 00:35:52,039 --> 00:35:54,039 good a wife as it was in me to be. 636 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:57,320 But you may imagine what I felt when just as 637 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:00,119 I came to the altar rails, I glanced back and 638 00:36:00,159 --> 00:36:02,320 saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the 639 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:05,199 first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first, 640 00:36:05,719 --> 00:36:08,039 but when I looked again, there he was still, with 641 00:36:08,079 --> 00:36:10,480 a kind of question in his eyes, as if to 642 00:36:10,519 --> 00:36:13,199 ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. 643 00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:16,639 I wonder. I didn't drop. I know that everything was 644 00:36:16,679 --> 00:36:18,960 turning round, and the words of the clergyman were just 645 00:36:19,039 --> 00:36:21,199 like the buzz of a bee in my ear. I 646 00:36:21,239 --> 00:36:23,679 didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service 647 00:36:23,719 --> 00:36:26,239 and make a scene in the church. I glanced at 648 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:28,519 him again, and he seemed to know what I was thinking. 649 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:31,199 For he raised his finger to his lips to tell 650 00:36:31,239 --> 00:36:33,960 me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on 651 00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:36,000 a piece of paper, and I knew that he was 652 00:36:36,039 --> 00:36:38,719 writing me a note. As I passed his pew on 653 00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:41,159 the way out, I dropped my bouquet over to him, 654 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:43,400 and he slipped a note into my hand. When he 655 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:46,599 returned me the flowers, it was only a line asking 656 00:36:46,639 --> 00:36:48,239 me to join him. When he made the sign to 657 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:50,880 me to do so. Of course, I never doubted for 658 00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:53,480 a moment that my first duty was now to him, 659 00:36:53,800 --> 00:36:56,320 and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 660 00:36:57,199 --> 00:36:59,440 When I got back, I told my maid, who had 661 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:01,880 known him in California and had always been his friend. 662 00:37:02,280 --> 00:37:04,440 I ordered her to say nothing, but to get a 663 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:07,519 few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I 664 00:37:07,519 --> 00:37:09,920 ought to have spoken to Lord Saint Simon, but it 665 00:37:09,960 --> 00:37:12,719 was dreadful, hard before his mother and all those great people. 666 00:37:13,199 --> 00:37:14,920 I just made up my mind to run away and 667 00:37:15,000 --> 00:37:18,280 explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten minutes 668 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:20,119 before I saw Frank out of the window at the 669 00:37:20,119 --> 00:37:22,599 other side of the road. He beckoned to me and 670 00:37:22,679 --> 00:37:25,880 then began walking into the park. I slipped out, put 671 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:28,920 on my things and followed him. Some woman came talking 672 00:37:28,960 --> 00:37:31,800 something or other about Lord Saint Simon to me, seemed 673 00:37:31,840 --> 00:37:33,599 to me from the little I heard, as if he 674 00:37:33,639 --> 00:37:36,480 had a little secret of his own before marriage also. 675 00:37:37,119 --> 00:37:39,119 But I managed to get away from her and soon 676 00:37:39,199 --> 00:37:42,199 overtook Frank. We got into a cab together and away 677 00:37:42,239 --> 00:37:44,880 we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square. 678 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:47,679 And that was my true wedding. After all those years 679 00:37:47,679 --> 00:37:51,039 of waiting. Frank had been a prisoner among the Apaches, 680 00:37:51,320 --> 00:37:54,360 had escaped, come to Fisco, found that I had given 681 00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:56,960 him up for dead, and had gone to England, followed 682 00:37:56,960 --> 00:37:59,239 me there and had come upon me at last on 683 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:02,599 the very morning of my second wedding. I saw it 684 00:38:02,639 --> 00:38:05,599 in a paper, explained the American. It gave the name 685 00:38:05,599 --> 00:38:08,519 and the church, but not where the lady lived. Then 686 00:38:08,519 --> 00:38:10,400 we had a talk as to what we should do, 687 00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:13,119 and Frank was all for openness, but I was so 688 00:38:13,239 --> 00:38:15,000 ashamed of it all that I felt as if I 689 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:17,519 should like to vanish away and never see any of 690 00:38:17,599 --> 00:38:20,400 them again, just sending a line to Pa, perhaps to 691 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:23,159 show him that I was alive. It was awful to 692 00:38:23,239 --> 00:38:25,440 me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting 693 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:28,239 round that breakfast table and waiting for me to come back. 694 00:38:28,800 --> 00:38:31,480 So Frank took my wedding clothes and things and made 695 00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:33,800 a bundle of them so that I should not be traced, 696 00:38:34,119 --> 00:38:36,880 and dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them. 697 00:38:37,119 --> 00:38:38,840 It is likely that we should have gone on to 698 00:38:38,920 --> 00:38:42,679 Paris tomorrow, only that this good gentleman, mister Holmes came 699 00:38:42,760 --> 00:38:45,320 round to us this evening, though how he found us 700 00:38:45,360 --> 00:38:47,559 is more than I can think. And he showed us 701 00:38:47,639 --> 00:38:50,239 very clearly and kindly that I was wrong, and that 702 00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:52,519 Frank was right, and that we should be put in 703 00:38:52,519 --> 00:38:55,920 ourselves in the wrong if we were so secret. Then 704 00:38:55,960 --> 00:38:57,679 he offered to give us a chance of talking to 705 00:38:57,719 --> 00:39:00,639 Lord Saint Simon alone, and so we came right away 706 00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:03,519 around to his rooms at once. Now, Robert, you have 707 00:39:03,599 --> 00:39:05,719 heard it all, and I am very sorry if I 708 00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:07,840 have given you pain, and I hope that you do 709 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:11,760 not think very meanly of me. Lord Saint Simon had 710 00:39:11,760 --> 00:39:15,079 by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had listened 711 00:39:15,079 --> 00:39:17,280 with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this 712 00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:21,920 long narrative. Excuse me, he said, but it is not 713 00:39:22,119 --> 00:39:25,159 my custom to discuss my most intimate personal affairs in 714 00:39:25,199 --> 00:39:29,360 this public manner. Then you won't forgive me. You won't 715 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:33,039 shake hands before I go. Oh, certainly, if it would 716 00:39:33,039 --> 00:39:35,519 give you any pleasure. He put out his hand and 717 00:39:35,599 --> 00:39:39,559 coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I had hoped, 718 00:39:39,800 --> 00:39:42,280 suggested Holmes, that you would have joined us in a 719 00:39:42,320 --> 00:39:45,360 friendly supper. I think that there you ask a little 720 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,679 too much, responded his lordship. I may be forced to 721 00:39:48,719 --> 00:39:52,119 acquiesce in these recent developments, but I can hardly be 722 00:39:52,199 --> 00:39:55,159 expected to make mary over them. I think that, with 723 00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:57,199 your permission, I will now wish you all a very 724 00:39:57,239 --> 00:40:00,440 good night. He included us all in a sweet bow 725 00:40:00,719 --> 00:40:03,840 and stalked out of the room. Then I trust that 726 00:40:03,880 --> 00:40:06,280 you at least will honor me with your company, said 727 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:09,280 Sherlock Holmes. It is always a joy to meet an American, 728 00:40:09,360 --> 00:40:11,800 mister Moulton, for I am one of those who believe 729 00:40:11,880 --> 00:40:14,039 that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of 730 00:40:14,079 --> 00:40:17,320 a minister in far gone years will not prevent our 731 00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:20,440 children from being some day citizens of the same world 732 00:40:20,440 --> 00:40:23,320 wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering 733 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:27,920 of the Union. Jack with the stars and stripes. The 734 00:40:28,039 --> 00:40:31,079 case has been an interesting one, remarked Holmes when our 735 00:40:31,159 --> 00:40:34,360 visitors had left us, because it serves to show very 736 00:40:34,360 --> 00:40:37,760 clearly how simple the explanation may be of an affair which, 737 00:40:37,800 --> 00:40:41,639 at first sight seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could 738 00:40:41,679 --> 00:40:44,679 be more natural than the sequence of events as narrated 739 00:40:44,679 --> 00:40:48,000 by this lady, and nothing stranger than the result, when viewed, 740 00:40:48,119 --> 00:40:52,039 for instance, by mister Lestrade of Scotland Yard. You were 741 00:40:52,079 --> 00:40:55,679 not yourself at fault at all. Then, From the first 742 00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:58,760 two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 743 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:01,840 the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, 744 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:04,679 the other that she had repented of it within a 745 00:41:04,679 --> 00:41:08,599 few minutes of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during 746 00:41:08,639 --> 00:41:11,280 the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. 747 00:41:11,719 --> 00:41:14,559 What could that something be. She could not have spoken 748 00:41:14,599 --> 00:41:16,800 to any one when she was out, for she had 749 00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:19,440 been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she seen 750 00:41:19,519 --> 00:41:22,440 some one, then, if she had, it must be someone 751 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:24,920 from America, because she had spent so short a time 752 00:41:25,000 --> 00:41:27,679 in this country that she could hardly have allowed any 753 00:41:27,679 --> 00:41:30,800 one to acquire so deep an influence over her that 754 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:32,880 the mere sight of him would induce her to change 755 00:41:32,880 --> 00:41:37,039 her plans so completely. You see, we have already arrived 756 00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:40,280 by a process of exclusion. Had the idea that she 757 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:43,679 might have seen an American, then who could this American 758 00:41:43,760 --> 00:41:47,039 be and why should he possess so much influence over her? 759 00:41:47,440 --> 00:41:49,840 It might be a lover, It might be a husband. 760 00:41:50,320 --> 00:41:53,280 Her young womanhood had I knew been spent in rough 761 00:41:53,320 --> 00:41:57,960 scenes and under strange conditions, so far I had got 762 00:41:58,239 --> 00:42:01,559 before I ever heard Lord Saint's Waymond's narrative when he 763 00:42:01,639 --> 00:42:03,719 told us of a man in a pew, of the 764 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:07,079 change in the bride's manner, of so transparent a device 765 00:42:07,159 --> 00:42:09,840 for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bouquet, 766 00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:13,119 of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her 767 00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:17,320 very significant allusion to claim jumping, which in miners parlance 768 00:42:17,360 --> 00:42:20,360 means taking possession of that which another person has a 769 00:42:20,360 --> 00:42:24,480 prior claim too. The whole situation became absolutely clear. She 770 00:42:24,559 --> 00:42:26,719 had gone off with a man, and the man was 771 00:42:26,760 --> 00:42:29,920 either a lover or was a previous husband, the chances 772 00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:33,079 being in favor of the latter. And how in the 773 00:42:33,119 --> 00:42:35,840 world did you find them? It might have been difficult, 774 00:42:36,159 --> 00:42:39,280 but friend Lestrade held information in his hands, the value 775 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,280 of which he did not himself know. The initials were, 776 00:42:42,320 --> 00:42:46,079 of course of the highest importance. But more valuable still 777 00:42:46,559 --> 00:42:48,239 was it to know that within a week he had 778 00:42:48,239 --> 00:42:51,599 settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels. 779 00:42:52,679 --> 00:42:56,039 How did you deduce the select by the select prices? 780 00:42:56,440 --> 00:42:58,880 Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence for a glass 781 00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:02,000 of sherry point to one of the most expensive hotels. 782 00:43:02,559 --> 00:43:05,239 There are not many in London which charge at that rate. 783 00:43:06,039 --> 00:43:09,360 In the second one, which I visited, in Northumberton Avenue, 784 00:43:09,519 --> 00:43:13,360 I learned by an inspection of the book, that Francis h. Multon, 785 00:43:13,559 --> 00:43:17,079 an American gentleman, had left only the day before, And 786 00:43:17,079 --> 00:43:19,559 on looking over the entries against him, I came upon 787 00:43:19,599 --> 00:43:22,199 the very items which I had seen in the duplicate bill. 788 00:43:22,840 --> 00:43:25,159 His letters were to be forwarded to two twenty six 789 00:43:25,239 --> 00:43:29,280 Gordon Square. So thither I traveled, and being fortunate enough 790 00:43:29,280 --> 00:43:31,840 to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to 791 00:43:31,880 --> 00:43:34,480 give them some parental advice, and to point out to 792 00:43:34,559 --> 00:43:36,559 them that it would be better in every way that 793 00:43:36,599 --> 00:43:39,599 they should make their position a little clearer, both to 794 00:43:39,679 --> 00:43:42,400 the general public and to Lord Saint Simon. In particular, 795 00:43:42,880 --> 00:43:45,519 I invited them to meet him here, and as you see, 796 00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:48,960 I made him keep the appointment, but with no very 797 00:43:48,960 --> 00:43:52,840 good result. I remarked, his conduct was certainly not very gracious. 798 00:43:53,519 --> 00:43:57,239 Ah Watson, said Holmes, smiling. Perhaps you would not be 799 00:43:57,320 --> 00:44:00,559 very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing 800 00:44:00,599 --> 00:44:03,719 and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of 801 00:44:03,719 --> 00:44:06,760 a wife and of fortune. I think that we may 802 00:44:06,840 --> 00:44:10,800 judge Lord Saint Simon very mercifully, and thank our stars 803 00:44:10,840 --> 00:44:13,159 that we are never likely to find ourselves in the 804 00:44:13,199 --> 00:44:17,000 same position. Draw up your chair and hand me my violin. 805 00:44:17,559 --> 00:44:19,960 For the only problem we have still to solve is 806 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:24,920 how to while away these bleak, automal evenings. End of 807 00:44:25,039 --> 00:44:27,920 Chapter ten, The Adventures of the Noble Bachelor.