WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:04.360 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 2 00:00:04.440 --> 00:00:08.359 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please 3 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:15.599 visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Gazino. The Adventures of 4 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:21.160 Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of 5 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:25.440 the Beryl Coronet. Holmes said, I, as I stood one 6 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:29.640 morning in our bow window looking down the street, here 7 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:33.280 is a madman coming along. It seems rather sad that 8 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:37.479 his relatives should allow him to come out alone. My 9 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:40.799 friend rose lazily from his arm chair and stood with 10 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.759 his hands in the pockets of his dressing gown, looking 11 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:48.119 over my shoulder. It was a bright, crisp February morning, 12 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:51.759 and the snow of the day before still lay deep 13 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:56.920 upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wintry sun. Down 14 00:00:56.960 --> 00:00:59.439 the center of Baker Street, it had been plowed into 15 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:04.120 a brown crumbly banned by the traffic, but at either 16 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:07.000 side and on the heaped up edges of the footpaths, 17 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.319 it still lay as white as when it fell. The 18 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:13.879 gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was still 19 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:19.439 dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer passengers than usual indeed, 20 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:23.200 from the direction of Metropolitan station. No one was coming 21 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:27.560 save the single gentleman whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. 22 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:32.680 He was a man of about fifty tall, portly and imposing, 23 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:36.879 with a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. 24 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:40.799 He was dressed in a somber yet rich style, in 25 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:45.439 black frock coat, shining hat, neat brown gaiters, and well 26 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.640 cut pearl gray trousers. Yet his actions were in absurd 27 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.120 contrast to the dignity of his dress and features, for 28 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:57.439 he was running hard with occasional little springs, such as 29 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:00.359 a weary man gives who is little accustomed to set 30 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:04.719 any tax upon his legs. As he ran, he jacked 31 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:08.360 his hands up and down, waggled his head, and writhed 32 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:13.080 his face into the most extraordinary contortions. What on earth 33 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:16.120 can be the matter with him? I asked? He is 34 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:19.879 looking up at the numbers of the houses. I believe 35 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:26.560 that he is coming here, said Holmes, rubbing his hands here. Yes, 36 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:29.759 I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. 37 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:33.960 I think that I recognized the symptoms. Ha, did I 38 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.639 not tell you? As he spoke, the man, puffing and 39 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:40.840 blowing rushed at our door and pulled at our bell 40 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:44.879 until the whole house resounded with the clanging. A few 41 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:48.919 moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gesticulating, 42 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:51.960 but with so fixed a look of grief and despair 43 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:54.599 in his eye that our smiles were turned in an 44 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:58.240 instant to horror and pity. For a while he could 45 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:00.960 not get his words out, but weighed his body and 46 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:03.759 plucked at his hair, like one who has been driven 47 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:08.400 to the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing 48 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.080 to his feet, he beat his head against the wall 49 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:14.319 with such force that we both rushed upon him and 50 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:18.159 tore him away to the center of the room. Sharlock 51 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:21.759 Holmes pushed him down into the easy chair, and, sitting 52 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:25.719 beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in 53 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:28.719 the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well how 54 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:32.759 to employ. You have come to tell me your story, 55 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:37.319 have you not, said? He? You are fatigued with your haste. Pray, 56 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:40.080 wait until you have recovered yourself, and then I shall 57 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:42.639 be most happy to look into any little problem which 58 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:46.080 you may submit to me. The man sat for a 59 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:49.919 minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting against his emotion. 60 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:53.800 Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his 61 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:58.360 lips tight, and turned his face towards us. No doubt, 62 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:02.080 ye think me mad, said he. I see that you 63 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:06.520 have had some great trouble, responded Holmes, God knows I 64 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:10.000 have a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason. 65 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.800 So sudden and so terrible is it public disgrace I 66 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:16.800 might have faced. Although I am a man whose character 67 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:20.560 has never yet borne a stain. Private affliction also is 68 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:23.639 the lot of every man. But the two, coming together 69 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.199 and in so frightful a form, have been enough to 70 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:31.519 shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. 71 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:35.920 The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some 72 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:41.279 way be found out of this horrible affair. Pray, compose yourself, sir, 73 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:44.959 said Holmes, and let me have a clear account of 74 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:47.720 who you are and what it is that has befallen you. 75 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:53.759 My name, answered our visitor, is probably familiar to your ears. 76 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:58.000 I am Alexander Holder of the bank firm of Holder 77 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:02.519 and Stephenson of threadn Needle Street. The name was indeed 78 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:05.160 well known to us, as belonging to the senior partner 79 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:08.839 in the second largest private banking concern in the city 80 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:12.759 of London. What could have happened then, to bring one 81 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:17.399 of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass. 82 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:22.319 We waited all curiosity, until with another effort, he braced 83 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.279 himself to tell his story. I feel the time is 84 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.639 of value, said he. That is why I hastened here 85 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:33.680 when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your corporation. 86 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.079 I came to Baker Street by the underground and hurried 87 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:40.920 from here on foot, for the cabs go slowly through 88 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:44.160 this snow. That is why I was so out of breath, 89 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:47.079 for I am a man who takes very little exercise. 90 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:50.759 I feel better now and will put the facts before 91 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:53.279 you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 92 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:56.360 It is of course well known to you that in 93 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:00.160 a successful banking business, as much depends upon our being 94 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:04.680 able to find remunerative investments for our funds, as upon 95 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:08.199 our increasing our connection and the number of our depositors. 96 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:12.160 One of our most lucrative means of laying out money 97 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:16.480 is in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable. 98 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.360 We have done a good deal in this direction during 99 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:22.600 the last few years, and there are many noble families 100 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:25.920 to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security 101 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:30.920 of their pictures, libraries or plate. Yesterday morning, I was 102 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.480 seated in my office at the bank when a card 103 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:37.519 was brought to me by one of the clerks. I 104 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:40.000 started when I saw the name, for it was that 105 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.879 of none other than well, perhaps even to you. I 106 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:45.560 had better say no more than that. It was a 107 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:48.920 name which is a household word all over the earth, 108 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:53.600 one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England. 109 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:57.480 I was overwhelmed by the honor, and attempted when he 110 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:01.720 entered to say so, But he plunged at once into business, 111 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.959 with the air of a man who wishes to hurry 112 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:09.560 quickly through a disagreeable task. Mister Holder said he, I 113 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:11.600 have been informed that you are in the habit of 114 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:16.360 advancing money. The firm does so when the security is good. 115 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:21.399 I answered, it is absolutely essential to me, said he, 116 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:25.879 that I should have fifty thousand pounds at once. I could, 117 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.759 of course borrow so trifling a sum ten times over 118 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:31.399 from my friends, but I much prefer to make it 119 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:34.759 a matter of business, and so carry out that business myself. 120 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.600 In my position, you can readily understand that it is 121 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:43.759 unwise to place one's self under obligations for how long 122 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:46.920 may I ask? Do you want this sum? I asked 123 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:50.439 next Monday. I have a large sum due to me, 124 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:53.879 and I shall then most certainly repay what you advance, 125 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:57.759 with whatever interest you think is right to charge. But 126 00:07:57.879 --> 00:08:01.120 it is very essential to me that the money should 127 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:05.040 be paid at once. I should be happy to advance 128 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:08.519 it without further parley from my own private purse, said I, 129 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:12.199 were it not that the strain would be rather more 130 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:15.600 than I could bear. If, on the other hand, I 131 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.199 am to do it in the name of the firm, 132 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:20.959 then in justice to my partner, I must insist that, 133 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:24.879 even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken. 134 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:28.759 I should much prefer to have it, so said he, 135 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.960 raising up a square black Morocco case which he had 136 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:36.799 laid beside his chair. You have doubtless heard of the 137 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:41.600 beryl coronet, one of the most precious public possessions of 138 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:48.080 the Empire, said I precisely. He opened the case, and there, 139 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:52.559 embedded in soft flesh colored velvet lay the magnificent piece 140 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:56.600 of jewelry which he had named. There are thirty nine 141 00:08:56.759 --> 00:09:00.000 enormous beryls, said he, and the price of the gold 142 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:04.720 chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worse 143 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:07.759 of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. 144 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:11.720 I am prepared to leave it with you as my security. 145 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:15.799 I took the precious case into my hands and looked 146 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:20.759 in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Ye 147 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:25.639 doubt its value, he asked, Not at all. I only 148 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:29.360 doubt the propriety of my leaving it. You may set 149 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:32.080 your mind at rest about that. I should not dream 150 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:35.519 of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I 151 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:38.559 should be able in four days to reclaim it. It 152 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:43.440 is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient ample? 153 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.279 You understand, mister holder, that I am giving you a 154 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:49.879 strong proof of the confidence which I have in you, 155 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:54.039 founded upon all that I have heard of you. I 156 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.480 rely upon you not only to be discreet and to 157 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:01.039 refrain from all gossip upon the matter, but above all, 158 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:05.639 to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution, because I 159 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:08.679 need not say that a great public scandal would be 160 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:12.480 caused if any harm were to befall it. Any injury 161 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:16.000 to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss, 162 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:19.120 For there are no beryls in the world to match these, 163 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:23.320 and it would be impossible to replace them. I leave 164 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:26.720 it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 165 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:30.879 call for it in person on Monday morning. Seeing that 166 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:33.480 my client was anxious to leave, I said no more, 167 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:36.600 but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay 168 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:40.960 over fifty one thousand pound notes. When I was alone 169 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:44.240 once more, however, with a precious case lying upon the 170 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:47.000 table in front of me, I could not but think 171 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:51.360 with some misgivings, of the immense responsibility which it entailed 172 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:54.720 upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 173 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:59.120 was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if 174 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:03.399 any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted, having 175 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:07.480 ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was 176 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:10.320 too late to alter the matter now, so I locked 177 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:13.399 it up in my private safe and turned once more 178 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:17.240 to my work. When evening came, I felt that it 179 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.879 would be an imprudence to leave so precious a thing 180 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:23.799 in the office behind me. Banker's safes had been forced 181 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:27.240 before now, and why should not mine be. If so, 182 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:29.759 how terrible would be the position in which I should 183 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:34.519 find myself. I determined therefore that for the next few 184 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:38.000 days I would always carry the case backward and forward 185 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.559 with me, so that it might never be really out 186 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:44.240 of my reach. With this intention, I called a cab 187 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:47.679 and drove out to my house at Stretham, carrying the 188 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:51.120 jewel with me. I did not breathe freely until I 189 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:54.080 had taken it upstairs and locked it in the bureau 190 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:57.840 of my dressing room. And now a word as to 191 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.679 my household, mister Holmes, for I wish you to soroughly 192 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:05.120 understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep out 193 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:08.840 of the house and may be set aside. Altogether. I 194 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:11.720 have three maid servants who have been with me a 195 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:18.080 number of years, and whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, 196 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:22.200 Lucy Parr, the second waiting maid, has only been in 197 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:26.360 my service a few months. She came with an excellent character, however, 198 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:29.919 and has always given me satisfaction. She is a very 199 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:33.559 pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung 200 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:37.480 about the place. That is the only drawback which we 201 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:39.840 have found to her. But we believe her to be 202 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:43.519 a sorrowly good girl in every way. So much for 203 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:47.639 the servants. My family itself is so small that it 204 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:50.320 will not take me long to describe it. I am 205 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:54.399 a widower and I have an only son, Arthur. He 206 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:58.519 has been a disappointment to me, mister Holmes, a grievous disappointment. 207 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:02.039 I have no doubt that I am myself to blame. 208 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:06.159 People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very likely 209 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:10.519 I have. When my dear wife died, I felt that 210 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:13.440 he was all I had to love. I could not 211 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:16.039 bear to see the smile fade, even for a moment, 212 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:19.320 from his face. I have never denied him a wish. 213 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.879 Perhaps it would have been better for both of us 214 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:25.440 had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best. 215 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:29.360 It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me 216 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:32.600 in my business. But he was not of a business turn. 217 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:37.320 He was wild, wayward, and to speak the truth, I 218 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.759 could not trust him in the handling of large sums 219 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:43.159 of money. When he was young, he became a member 220 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:47.279 of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manners, he 221 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:49.559 was soon the intimate of a number of men with 222 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:54.639 long purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily 223 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:58.399 at cards and to squander money on the turf, until 224 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:01.080 he had again and again to come to me and 225 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.960 implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance, 226 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:07.720 that he might settle his debts of honor. He tried 227 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:10.399 more than once to break away from the dangerous company 228 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:13.440 which he was keeping, but each time the influence of 229 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:16.960 his friend, Sir George Burnwell was enough to draw him 230 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.320 back again. And indeed I could not wonder that such 231 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:24.639 a man as Sir George Banwell should gain an influence 232 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:27.759 over him, for he has frequently brought him to my house, 233 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:30.799 and I have found myself that I could hardly resist 234 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:34.559 the fascination of his manner. He is older than Arthur, 235 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:38.000 a man of the world to his finger tips, one 236 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:41.960 who had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and 237 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:45.679 a man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think 238 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:48.360 of him in cold Blood, far away from the glamor 239 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:52.240 of his presence, I am convinced, from his cynical speech 240 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.879 and the look which I may have caught in his eyes, 241 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:58.440 that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So 242 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:01.919 I think, and so too thinks my little Mary, who 243 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:05.840 has a woman's quick insight into character. And now there 244 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.840 is only she to be described. She is my niece. 245 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:12.240 But when my brother died five years ago and left 246 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.200 her alone in the world. I adopted her and have 247 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:18.879 looked upon her ever since as my daughter. She is 248 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:23.279 a sunbeam in my house, sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful 249 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:27.200 manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gentle 250 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.840 as a woman could be. She is my right hand 251 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.440 I do not know what I could do without her. 252 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:37.399 In only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes. 253 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.759 Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for 254 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.720 he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. 255 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:47.919 I think that if any one could have drawn him 256 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:51.279 into the right path, it would have been she, and 257 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:55.519 that his marriage might have changed his whole life. But now, 258 00:15:55.559 --> 00:16:01.159 alas it is too late, forever too late. Now, mister Holmes, 259 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:03.639 ye know the people who live under my roof, and 260 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:07.639 I shall continue with my miserable story. When we were 261 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:10.559 taking coffee in the drawing room that night after dinner, 262 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:14.519 I told Arthur and Mary my experience and of the 263 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:18.519 precious treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only 264 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:22.679 the name of my client, Lucy Parr, who had brought 265 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:25.440 in the coffee. Had I am sure left the room, 266 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:29.720 but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary 267 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:32.840 and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the 268 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:36.240 famous coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. 269 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:42.639 Where have you put it, asked Arthur in my own bureau. Well, 270 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:45.120 I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during 271 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:50.000 the night, said he. It is locked up. I answered, oh, 272 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:52.960 any old key will fit that bureau. When I was 273 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:55.080 a youngster, I have opened it myself with the key 274 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:58.840 of the box room cupboard. He often had a wild 275 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:01.279 way of talking, so that I thought little of what 276 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:05.000 he said. He followed me to my room. However, that 277 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:09.599 night with a very grave face. Look here, Dad said he, 278 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:12.240 with his eyes cast down. Can you let me have 279 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:17.960 two hundred pounds? No? I cannot, I answered sharply. I 280 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:21.200 have been far too generous with you in money matters. 281 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:25.440 You have been very kind, said he. But I must 282 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.799 have this money or else I can never show my 283 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:32.160 face inside the club again. And a very good thing too, 284 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:36.599 I cried, yes, But you would not have me leave it. 285 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:41.000 A dishonored man said he. I could not bear the disgrace. 286 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.440 I must raise the money in some way, and if 287 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.680 you will not let me have it, then I must 288 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:50.920 try other means. I was very angry, for this was 289 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:54.640 the third demand during the month. You shall not have 290 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:58.000 a farthing from me, I cried, on which he bowed 291 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:02.160 and left the room without another word. When he was gone, 292 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:05.720 I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was safe, 293 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:09.279 and locked it again. Then I started to go round 294 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.920 the house to see that all was secure, a duty 295 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:14.799 which I normally leave to marry, but which I thought 296 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:18.400 it well to perform myself. That night, as I came 297 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:21.119 down the stairs, I saw Mary herself at the side 298 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:24.720 window of the hall, which she closed and fastened. As 299 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:28.920 I approached, Tell me, Dad, she said, Looking I thought 300 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:32.880 a little disturbed. Did you give Lucy the maid leave 301 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:37.359 to go out to night? Certainly not. She came in 302 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:40.599 just now by the back door. I have no doubt 303 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.599 that she has only been to the side gate to 304 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:45.319 see some one. But I think that tis hardly safe 305 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:48.759 and should be stopped. You must speak to her in 306 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:52.119 the morning, or I will if you prefer it. Are 307 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:56.279 you sure that everything is fastened? Quite sure? Dad? Then 308 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:59.599 good night. I kissed her and went up to my 309 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:04.279 bedroom again, where I was soon asleep. I am endeavoring 310 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:07.079 to tell you everything mister Holmes, which may have any 311 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:09.680 bearing upon the case. But I beg that you will 312 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:12.720 question me upon any point which I do not make clear. 313 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:18.440 On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid. I come 314 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.440 to a part of my story now which I should 315 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.960 wish to be particularly so. I am not a very 316 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:27.640 heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind tendered no 317 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:31.640 doubt to make me even less so than usual. About 318 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:34.480 two in the morning, then I was awakened by some 319 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:38.319 sound in the house. It had ceased. Ere was wide awake, 320 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:42.319 but it had left an impression behind, as though a 321 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:46.799 window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening with all 322 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:51.000 my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct 323 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:54.839 sound of footsteps moving softly in the next room. I 324 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:58.599 slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and peeped 325 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:03.119 round the corner of my dress, singram door Arthur, I screamed, 326 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:07.160 you villain, you thief, How dare you touch that coronet? 327 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:11.039 The gas was half up as I had left it, 328 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:15.319 and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, 329 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.720 was standing beside the light, holding the coronet in his hands. 330 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:23.440 He appeared to be wrenching at it or bending it 331 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:27.079 with all his strength. At my cry, he dropped it 332 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:31.400 from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I 333 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:35.160 snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold 334 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:40.640 corners with three of the beryls in it was missing, you, blackguard, 335 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:45.640 I shouted beside me with rage. You have destroyed it. 336 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:49.720 You have dishonored me forever. Where are the jewels which 337 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:57.119 you have stolen? Stolen? He cried, Yes, thief, I roared, 338 00:20:57.240 --> 00:21:01.920 shaking him by the shoulder. There none missing. There cannot 339 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:06.279 be any missing, said he. There are three missing, and 340 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:08.960 you know where they are. Must I call you a 341 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:12.000 liar as well as a thief. Did I not see 342 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:15.920 you trying to tear off another piece? You have called 343 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.279 me names? Enough, said he. I will not stand it 344 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:22.680 any longer. I shall not say another word about this business. 345 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:25.839 Since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave 346 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:28.160 your house in the morning and make my own way 347 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:31.240 in the world. You shall leave it in the hands 348 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:35.079 of the police, I cried, half mad with grief and rage. 349 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:39.319 I shall have this matter probed to the bottom. You 350 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:42.839 shall learn nothing from me, said he, with a passion 351 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:45.440 such as I should not have thought was in his nature. 352 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:49.200 If you choose to call the police, let the police 353 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:53.119 find what they can. By this time the whole house 354 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:56.359 was astir for I had raised my voice in my anger. 355 00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:00.319 Mary was the first to rush into my room, and 356 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:02.960 at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, 357 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:06.559 she read the whole story, and with a scream, fell 358 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:10.240 down senseless on the ground. I sent the housemaid for 359 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:14.200 the police and put the investigation into their hands at once. 360 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:19.039 When the inspector and a constable entered the house, Arthur, 361 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:22.279 who had stood sullenly with his arms folded, asked me 362 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:25.000 whether it was my intention to charge him with theft. 363 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:28.759 I answered that it had ceased to be a private matter, 364 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:33.000 but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet 365 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:37.400 was national property. I was determined that the law should 366 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:41.640 have its way in everything. At least, he said, you 367 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:44.920 will not have me arrested at once. It would be 368 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:47.480 to your advantage as well as mine if I might 369 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:51.559 leave the house for five minutes, that you may get away, 370 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:54.400 or perhaps that you may conceal what you have stolen, 371 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:59.039 said I, and then, realizing the dreadful position in which 372 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:02.720 I was placed, I implored him to remember that not 373 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:05.599 only my honor, but that of one who was far 374 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:08.799 greater than I was at stake, and that he threatened 375 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:13.279 to raise his scandal, which would convulse the nation. He 376 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:15.720 might avert it all if ye would but tell me 377 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:20.000 what he had done with the three missing stones. You 378 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:22.599 may as well face the matter, said I. You have 379 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:25.519 been caught in the act, and no confession could make 380 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:29.359 you guilt more heinous. If you but make such reparation 381 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:32.119 as is in your power by telling us where the 382 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:36.960 beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten. Keep your 383 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:40.799 forgiveness for those who ask for it, he answered, turning 384 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:44.200 away from me with a sneer. I saw that he 385 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:47.200 was too hardened for any words of mine to influence him. 386 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:50.440 There was but one way for it. I called in 387 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:54.440 the inspector and gave him into custody. As such was 388 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:57.440 made at once, not only of his person, but of 389 00:23:57.480 --> 00:24:00.480 his room, and of every portion of the house where 390 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:03.839 he could possibly have concealed the gems. But no trace 391 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:06.839 of them could be found, nor would the wretched boy 392 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:10.319 open his mouth. For all our persuasions and our threats. 393 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:14.279 This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, 394 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:17.960 after going through all the police formalities have hurried round 395 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:20.319 to you to implore you to use your skill in 396 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:24.880 unraveling the matter. The police have openly confessed that they 397 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:28.319 can at present make nothing of it. You may go 398 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:31.480 to any expense which you think necessary. I have already 399 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:34.880 offered a reward of one thousand pounds. My god, what 400 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:38.079 shall I do? I have lost my honor, my gems, 401 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:42.640