WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:06.960 The adventure of the Creeping Man. Mister Sherlock Holmes was 2 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:10.400 always of opinion that I should publish the singular facts 3 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:14.960 connected with Professor Presbury, if only to dispel once for 4 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:19.000 all the ugly rumors which some twenty years ago agitated 5 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:23.079 the University and were echoed in the learned societies of London. 6 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:28.399 There were, however, certain obstacles in the way, and the 7 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:32.079 true history of this curious case remained entombed in the 8 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:37.079 tin box which contains so many records of my friend's adventures. 9 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:41.039 Now we have at last obtained permission to ventilate the 10 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:44.560 facts which formed one of the very last cases handled 11 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:49.399 by Holmes before his retirement from practice. Even now a 12 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:53.600 certain reticence and discretion have to be observed in laying 13 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.640 the matter before the public. It was one Sunday evening, 14 00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:01.719 early in September of the year ninenineteen oh three, that 15 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:06.159 I received one of Holmes's laconic messages, come at once, 16 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:12.680 if convenient, if inconvenient, come all the same sh The 17 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:17.040 relations between us in those latter days were peculiar. He 18 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:21.439 was a man of habits, narrow and concentrated habits, and 19 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:25.239 I had become one of them. As an institution. I 20 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:29.519 was like the violin, the shag, tobacco, the old black pipe, 21 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:35.480 the index books, and others. Perhaps less excusable. When it 22 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:38.680 was a case of active work and a comrade was 23 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:42.000 needed upon whose nerve he could play some reliance, my 24 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:45.719 role was obvious. But apart from this I had uses. 25 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:51.239 I was a whetstone for his mind. I stimulated him. 26 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:55.280 He liked to think aloud in my presence. His remarks 27 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:58.519 could hardly be said to be made to me. Many 28 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:01.439 of them would have been as a appropriately addressed to 29 00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:06.040 his bedstead. But nonetheless, having formed the habit, it had 30 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:09.159 become in some way helpful that I should register and 31 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:14.639 interject if I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness 32 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:18.439 in my mentality. That irritation served only to make his 33 00:02:18.520 --> 00:02:23.000 own flamelike intuitions and impressions flash up the more vividly 34 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:27.680 and swiftly. Such was my humble role in our alliance. 35 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:31.719 When I arrived at Baker Street, I found him huddled 36 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:35.439 up in his armchair with updrawn knees, his pipe in 37 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:39.520 his mouth, and his brow furrowed with thought. It was 38 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:43.280 clear that he was in the throes of some vexatious problem. 39 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:46.560 With a wave of his hand he indicated my old armchair. 40 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:50.360 But otherwise for half an hour he gave no sign 41 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:53.639 that he was aware of my presence. Then, with a 42 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:56.719 start he seemed to come from his reverie, and with 43 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:59.919 his usual whimsical smile, he greeted me back to war 44 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.360 had once been my home. You will excuse a certain 45 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:09.120 abstraction of mind, my dear Watson, said he. Some curious 46 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.080 facts have been submitted to me within the last twenty 47 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:14.919 four hours, and they, in turn have given rise to 48 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.719 some speculations of a more general character. I have serious 49 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:23.479 thoughts of writing a small monograph upon the uses of 50 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:27.520 dogs in the work of the detective. But Shirley Holmes, 51 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:32.360 this has been explored, said I. Bloodhounds, sleuth hounds. No, no, Watson, 52 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:37.280 that side of the matter is, of course obvious. There 53 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:41.080 is another which is far more subtle. You may recollect 54 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.759 that in the case which you, in your sensational way, 55 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:48.800 coupled with the copper beeches, I was able, by watching 56 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:52.319 the mind of the child to form a deduction as 57 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:57.599 to the criminal habits of the very smug and respectable father. Yes, 58 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:00.840 I remember it well, My line of thought about dogs 59 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:04.520 is analogous. A dog reflects the family life. Who ever 60 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:07.439 saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family or a 61 00:04:07.479 --> 00:04:12.400 sad dog in a happy one. Snarling people have snarling dogs. 62 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:17.560 Dangerous people have dangerous ones, and their passing moods may 63 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:22.480 reflect the passing moods of others. I shook my head. Surely, Holmes, 64 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:25.759 this is a little far fetched, said I. He had 65 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:29.920 refilled his pipe and resumed his seat, taking no notice 66 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:33.360 of my comment. The practical application of what I have 67 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:36.399 said is very close to the problem which I am investigating. 68 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:41.040 It is a tangled skein, you understand, and I am 69 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:46.399 looking for the loose end. One possible loose end lies 70 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:53.600 in the question why does Professor Presbury's wolfhound Roy endeavor 71 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:57.839 to bite him? I sank back in my chair in 72 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:01.639 some disappointment. WHI is it for so trivial a question 73 00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:04.399 as this that I had been summoned from my work. 74 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:08.920 Holmes glanced across at me. The same old Watson said 75 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:12.839 he you'll never learn that the gravest issues may depend 76 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.959 upon the smallest things. But is it not, on the 77 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:19.079 face of it strange that a staid, elderly philosopher. You've 78 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:22.399 heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Camphord physiologist. That 79 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:26.439 such a man whose friend has been his devoted wolfhound, 80 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:30.160 should now have been twice attacked by his own dog. 81 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:35.160 What do you make of it? The dog is ill, well, 82 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:39.079 that has to be considered. But he attacks no one else, 83 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:43.120 nor does he apparently molest his master, save on very 84 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:50.079 special occasions. Curious, Watson, very curious. But young mister Bennett 85 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.439 is before his time, if that is his ring. I 86 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.480 had hoped to have a longer chat with you before 87 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:58.759 he came. There was a quick step on the stairs, 88 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.279 a sharp tap the door, and a moment later the 89 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:06.800 new client presented himself. He was a tall, handsome youth 90 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:11.199 about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with something in 91 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:15.480 his bearing which suggested the shyness of the student rather 92 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.120 than the self possession of the man of the world. 93 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.800 He shook hands with Holmes and then looked with some 94 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:26.040 surprise at me. This matter is very delicate, mister Holmes, 95 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:29.720 he said, consider the relation in which I stand to 96 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:33.480 Professor Presbury, both privately and publicly. I really can hardly 97 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:37.199 justify myself if I speak before any third person. Have 98 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.680 no fear, mister Bennett. Doctor Watson is the very soul 99 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:43.480 of discretion, and I can assure you that this is 100 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:45.839 a matter in which I am very likely to need 101 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:49.959 an assistant as you like, mister Holmes, you will, I 102 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:53.560 am sure understand my having some reserves in the matter. 103 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:56.399 You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you that 104 00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:00.519 this gentleman, mister Trevor Bennett, is professional assistance and to 105 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.439 the great scientist who lives under his roof and is 106 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:08.759 engaged to his only daughter. Certainly we must agree that 107 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:11.959 the Professor has every claim upon his loyalty and devotion. 108 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:15.279 But it may best be shown by taking the necessary 109 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:18.399 steps to clear up this strange mystery. I hope so, 110 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:22.079 mister Holmes, that is my one object. Does doctor Watson 111 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:25.399 know the situation? I have not had time to explain it. 112 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.839 Then perhaps I had better go over the ground again 113 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:33.040 before explaining some fresh developments. I will do so myself, 114 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:35.680 said Holmes, in order to show that I have the 115 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:39.680 events in their due order. The Professor Watson is a 116 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:43.879 man of European reputation. His life has been academic. There 117 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:47.000 has never been a breath of scandal. He is a 118 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:51.199 widower with one daughter, Edith. He is I gather a 119 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:54.480 man of very virile and positive, one might almost say 120 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.399 combative character. So the matter stood until a very few 121 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:02.480 months ago. Then the current of his life was broken. 122 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:06.480 He is sixty one years of age, but he became 123 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:10.199 engaged to the daughter of Professor Morphy, his colleague in 124 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:13.160 the chair of comparative anatomy. It was not, as I understand, 125 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:16.759 the reasoned courting of an elderly man, but rather the 126 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:20.439 passionate frenzy of youth. For no one could have shown 127 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:24.879 himself a more devoted lover. The lady Alice Morphy was 128 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:28.639 a very perfect girl, both in mind and body, so 129 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:33.000 that there was every excuse for the Professor's infatuation. Nonetheless, 130 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:35.639 it did not meet with full approval in his own family. 131 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:41.240 We thought it rather excessive, said our visitor. Exactly excessive, 132 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:46.559 and a little violent and unnatural. Professor Presbury was rich, however, 133 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:49.720 and there was no objection upon the part of the father. 134 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.840 The daughter, however, had other views, and there were already 135 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.000 several candidates for her hand, who, if they were less 136 00:08:57.039 --> 00:09:00.159 eligible from a worldly point of view, were at least 137 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:03.440 more of an age. The girl seemed to like the 138 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:07.480 Professor in spite of his eccentricities. It was only age 139 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:11.360 which stood in the way. About this time, a little 140 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:15.600 mystery suddenly clouded the normal routine of the Professor's life. 141 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:19.159 He did what he had never done before. He left 142 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:22.279 home and gave no indication where he was going. He 143 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:25.799 was away a fortnight and returned looking rather travel worn. 144 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:29.399 He made no allusion to where he had been. Although 145 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:33.080 he was usually the frankest of men. It chanced, however, 146 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:37.360 that our client here, mister Bennett, received a letter from 147 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:41.600 a fellow student in Prague, who said that he was 148 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:45.000 glad to have seen Professor Presbury there, although he had 149 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:48.000 not been able to talk to him. Only in this 150 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.799 way did his own household learn where he had been. 151 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:54.919 Now comes the point. From that time onward, a curious 152 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:59.480 change came over the Professor. He became furtive and sly. 153 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.799 Those around him had always the feeling that he was 154 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:05.360 not the man that they had known, but that he 155 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:09.799 was under some shadow which had darkened his higher qualities. 156 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:13.240 His intellect was not affected, his lectures were as brilliant 157 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.360 as ever, but always there was something new, something sinister, 158 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:22.440 and unexpected. His daughter, who was devoted to him, tried 159 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:25.039 again and again to resume the old relations and to 160 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:28.000 penetrate this mask which her father seemed to have put 161 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:32.399 on you, Sir, as I understand, did the same. But 162 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:36.120 all was in vain. And now, mister Bennett, tell in 163 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:40.200 your own words the incident of the letters. You must understand, 164 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.960 Doctor Watson, that the Professor had no secrets from me. 165 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.159 If I were his son or his younger brother, I 166 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:49.279 could not have more completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secretary, 167 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:52.600 I handled every paper which came to him, and I 168 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:57.320 opened and subdivided his letters. Shortly after his return, all 169 00:10:57.360 --> 00:11:00.639 this was changed. He told me that certain letters might 170 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:03.399 come to him from London, which would be marked by 171 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:06.480 a cross and the stamp. These were to be set 172 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:09.799 aside for his eyes only. I may say that several 173 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.519 of these did pass through my hands, that they had 174 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:16.399 the E C mark and were in an illiterate handwriting. 175 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:19.879 If he answered them at all. The answers did not 176 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:23.600 pass through my hands, nor into the letter basket in 177 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:28.879 which our correspondence was collected. And the box, said Holmes, Ah, Yes, 178 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:32.480 the box. The Professor brought back a little wooden box 179 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:35.519 from his travels. It was the one thing that suggested 180 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:38.360 a continental tour, for it was one of those quaint 181 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:42.360 carved things which one associates with Germany. This he placed 182 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:46.440 in his instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a canula, 183 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:49.320 I took up the box. To my surprise, he was 184 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:52.279 very angry and reproved me in words which were quite 185 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:55.840 savage for my curiosity. It was the first time such 186 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:58.480 a thing had happened, and I was deeply hurt. I 187 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:01.039 endeavored to explain that it was a accident that I 188 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:03.720 had touched the box, But all the evening I was 189 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:06.159 conscious that he looked at me harshly, and that the 190 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:09.960 incident was rankling in his mind. Mister Bennett drew a 191 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:13.120 little diary book from his pocket that was on July 192 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:17.159 the second, said he. You are certainly an admirable witness, 193 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:20.039 said Holmes, I may need some of these dates which 194 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:23.519 you have noted. I learned method, among other things, from 195 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:27.399 my great teacher. From the time that I observed abnormality 196 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:29.919 in his behavior, I felt it was my duty to 197 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:33.159 study his case. Thus I have it here that it 198 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:35.799 was on that very day, July the second, that Roy 199 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:39.159 attacked the professor as he came from his study into 200 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:42.320 the hall again. On July the eleventh there was a 201 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:44.679 scene of the same sort. And then I have a 202 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:48.480 note of yet another upon July the twentieth. After that 203 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:51.200 we had to banish roy to the stables. He was 204 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:54.519 a dear, affectionate animal. But I fear I weary you, 205 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:58.200 mister Bennett, spoke in a tone of reproach, for it 206 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:01.279 was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His face 207 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:04.879 was rigid, and his eyes gazed abstractedly at the ceiling. 208 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:10.519 With an effort he recovered himself a singular, most singular. 209 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:14.399 He murmured, these details were new to me, mister Bennett. 210 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.799 I think we have now fairly gone over the old ground, 211 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:22.159 have we not? But you spoke of some fresh developments. 212 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:27.879 The pleasant open face of our visitor clouded over shadowed 213 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:32.159 by some grim remembrance. What I speaker of occurred the 214 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:36.519 night before last, said he. I was lying awake about 215 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:39.600 two in the morning when I was aware of a dull, 216 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:43.919 muffled sound coming from the passage. I opened my door 217 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:47.320 and peeped out. I should explain that the professor sleeps 218 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:51.000 at the end of the passage. The date being asked Holmes, 219 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:55.200 our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant an interruption. 220 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.759 I have said, sir, that it was the night before last, 221 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:03.759 that is Sept the fourth. Holmes knotted and smiled recontinue 222 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:07.559 said he he sleeps at the end of the passage 223 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.320 and would have to pass my door in order to 224 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:15.200 reach the staircase. It was a really terrifying experience, mister Holmes. 225 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:19.559 I think that I am a strong nerved as my neighbors, 226 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:24.039 but I was shaken by what I saw. The passage 227 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:27.200 was dark save that one window halfway along it. Through 228 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:30.080 a patch of light, I could see that something was 229 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:34.679 coming along the passage, something dark and crouching. Then suddenly 230 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:37.080 it emerged into the light, and I saw that it 231 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:43.279 was he. He was crawling, mister Holmes. Crawling. He was 232 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:45.960 not quite on his hands and knees, I should rather say, 233 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.159 on his hands and feet, with his face sunk between 234 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:53.919 his hands. Yet he seemed to move with ease. I 235 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:57.240 was so paralyzed by the sight that it was not 236 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:00.399 until he had reached my door that I was able 237 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:03.919 to step forward and ask if I could assist him. 238 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:07.639 His answer was extraordinary. He sprang up, spat out some 239 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:10.679 atrocious word at me and hurried on past me and 240 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:14.799 down the staircase. I waited about for an hour, but 241 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:18.120 he did not come back. There must have been daylight 242 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:22.440 before he regained his room. Well, Watson, what make you 243 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:26.320 of that? Asked Holmes, with the air of the pathologist 244 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.799 who presents a rare specimen. Lumbago? Possibly, I have known 245 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.559 a severe attack make a man walk in just such 246 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:36.360 a way, and nothing would be more trying to the temper. 247 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:40.279 Good Watson, you always keep us flat footed on the ground, 248 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:44.399 but we can hardly accept lumbago. Since he was able 249 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:47.360 to stand erect in a moment. He was never in 250 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:51.279 better health, said Bennett. In fact, he is stronger than 251 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:54.279 I have known him for years. But there are the facts, 252 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:56.519 mister Holmes. It is not a case in which we 253 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:00.200 can consult the police. And yet we are utterly at 254 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:02.919 our wits end as to what to do, and we 255 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:06.720 feel in some strange way that we are drifting towards disaster. 256 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:11.639 Edith and Miss Presbury feels as I do, that we 257 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:15.799 cannot wait passively any longer. It is certainly a very 258 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:21.440 curious and suggestive case. What do you think, Watson, speaking 259 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:24.320 as a medical man, said I it appears to be 260 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:29.080 a case for an alienist. The old gentleman's cerebral processes 261 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:32.480 were disturbed by the love affair. He made a journey 262 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.559 abroad in the hope of breaking himself of the passion. 263 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:39.159 His letters and the box may be connected with some 264 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:44.559 other private transaction alone, perhaps, or share certificates which are 265 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:49.039 in the box. And the Wolfhound no doubt disapproved of 266 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:53.879 the financial bargain. No, no, Watson, there is more in 267 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:58.159 it than this. Now I can only suggest what Sherlock 268 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:01.879 Holmes was about to suggest never be known, for at 269 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:04.480 this moment the door opened and a young lady was 270 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:08.480 shown into the room. As she appeared, mister Bennett sprang 271 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:11.279 up with a cry and ran forward with his hands 272 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:15.640 out to meet those which she had herself outstretched. Edith, 273 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:18.720 dear nothing the matter, I hope, I felt. I must 274 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:21.680 follow you, Oh Jack, I have been so dreadfully frightened. 275 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:25.279 It is awful to be there alone. Mister Holmes, this 276 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:28.759 is the young lady I spoke of. This is my fiancee. 277 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:32.759 We were gradually coming to that conclusion, were we not, 278 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:37.279 Watson Holmes answered with a smile. I take it, miss Presbury, 279 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:41.039 that there is some fresh development in the case, and 280 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:44.839 that you thought we should know our new visitor. A bright, 281 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:48.960 handsome girl of a conventional English type smiled back at 282 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:53.000 Holmes as she seated herself beside mister Bennett. When I 283 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:56.440 found mister Bennett had left his hotel, I thought I 284 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:59.359 should probably find him here. Of course he had told 285 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:02.119 me that he would consult you. But oh, mister Holmes, 286 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:05.319 can you do nothing for my poor father? I have hopes, 287 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:09.559 Miss Presbury, but the case is still obscure. Perhaps what 288 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:12.960 you have to say may throw some fresh light upon it. 289 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:15.440 It was last night, mister Holmes. He had been very 290 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:18.559 strange all day. I am sure that there are times 291 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:21.880 when he has no recollection of what he does. He 292 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:26.279 lives as in a strange dream. Yesterday was such a day. 293 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:29.519 It was not my father with whom I lived. His 294 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:33.119 outward shell was there that it was not? Really? He 295 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:37.400 tell me what happened. I was awakened in the night 296 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:41.720 by the dog barking most furiously. Poor Roy. He is 297 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:44.640 chained now near the stable. I may say that I 298 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:49.039 always sleep with my door locked, for as jack as 299 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:52.319 mister Bennett will tell you, we all have a feeling 300 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:55.759 of impending danger. My room is on the second floor. 301 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:59.039 It happened that the blind was up in my window. 302 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:03.720 There was bright moonlight outside. As I lay with my 303 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:07.039 eyes fixed upon the square of light, listening to the 304 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:12.119 frenzied barkings of the dog, I was amazed to see 305 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:16.119 my father's face looking in at me. Mister Holmes, I 306 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:20.440 nearly died of surprise and horror. There it was pressed 307 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:24.119 against the windowpane, and one hand seemed to be raised 308 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:27.920 as if to push up the window. If that window 309 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:31.720 had opened, I think I should have gone mad. It 310 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:34.960 was no delusion, mister Holmes. Don't deceive yourself by thinking so. 311 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:38.319 I dare say. It was twenty seconds or so that 312 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:43.000 I lay paralyzed and watched the face. Then it vanished, 313 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:47.119 but I could not. I could not spring out of 314 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:50.359 bed and look out after it. I lay cold and 315 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:54.599 shivering till morning. At breakfast. He was sharp and fierce 316 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:58.680 in manner, and made no allusion to the adventure of 317 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:03.119 the night. Neither did I. But I gave an excuse 318 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:07.880 for coming to town, and here I am. Holmes looked 319 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:13.319 thoroughly surprised at Miss Presbury's narrative. My dear young lady, 320 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:16.160 you say that your room is on the second floor. 321 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:21.359 Is there a long ladder in the garden, Oh, mister Holmes, 322 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:23.279 that is the amazing part of it. There is no 323 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:27.079 possible way of reaching the window, and yet he was there, 324 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:32.119 the date being September the fifth, said Holmes. That certainly 325 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:36.160 complicates matters. It was the young lady's turn to look surprised. 326 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.839 This is the second time that you have alluded to 327 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:42.640 the date, mister Holmes, said Bennett. Is it possible that 328 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:45.839 it has any bearing upon the case. It is possible, 329 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:49.960 very possible, And yet I have not my full material 330 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:54.480 at present. Possibly your thinking of the connections between insanity 331 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:57.880 and the phases of the moon, No, I assure you 332 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:01.319 it was quite a different line of thought. Possibly, you 333 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.440 can leave your note book with me and I will 334 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:06.839 check the dates. Now, I think, Watson, that our line 335 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:10.960 of action is perfectly clear. This young lady has informed us, 336 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:14.079 and I have the greatest confidence in her intuition, that 337 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:17.720 her father remembers little or nothing which occurs upon certain dates. 338 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:20.559 We will therefore call upon him as if he had 339 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:23.759 given us an appointment upon such a date. He will 340 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:26.400 put it down to his own lack of memory. Thus 341 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:29.400 we will open our campaign by having a good close 342 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:33.160 view of him. That is excellent, said mister Bennett. I 343 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:37.480 warn you, however, that the Professor is irascible and violent 344 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:41.720 at times homes smiled. There are reasons why we should 345 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:45.720 come at once, very cogent reasons. If my theories hold 346 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:50.119 good to morrow, mister Bennett will certainly see us in Camphord. 347 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:54.480 There is, if I remember right, an inn called the Checkers, 348 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:57.880 where the port used to be above mediocrity and the 349 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:01.960 linen was above reproach. I think, Watson, that our lot 350 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:05.279 for the next few days might lie in less pleasant places. 351 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:09.000 Monday morning found us on our way to the famous 352 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:12.440 university town, an easy effort on the part of Holmes, 353 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:15.920 who had no routes to pull up, but one which 354 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:19.680 involved frantic planning and hurrying on my part, as my 355 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:23.920 practice was by this time not inconsiderable. Holmes made no 356 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.799 allusion to the case until after we had deposited our 357 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:30.079 suit cases at the ancient hostel of which he had spoken. 358 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:33.160 I think, Watson, that we can catch the professor just 359 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:36.759 before lunch. He lectures at eleven, and should have an 360 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:40.599 interval at home. What possible excuse have we for calling 361 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.839 Holmes glanced at his note book. There was a period 362 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:47.559 of excitement upon August the twenty sixth. We will assume 363 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:50.039 that he is a little hazy as to what he 364 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:53.319 does at such times. If we insist that we are 365 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.440 there by appointment, I think he will hardly venture to 366 00:22:56.480 --> 00:23:00.880 contradict us. Have you the effrontery necessary to put it through? 367 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:06.319 We can but try, excellent Watson, compound of the busy 368 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:10.599 bee and excelsior. We can but try the motto of 369 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:15.920 the firm. A friendly native will surely guide us. Such 370 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:18.880 a one. On the back of a smart hansom, swept 371 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:22.519 us past a row of ancient colleges, and, finally turning 372 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:25.400 into a tree lined drive, pulled up at the door 373 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:29.599 of a charming house, girt round with lawns and covered 374 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:34.599 with purple wisteria. Professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every 375 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:38.599 sign not only of comfort, but of luxury. Even as 376 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:42.319 we pulled up, a grizzled head appeared at the front window, 377 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:45.279 and we were aware of a pair of keen eyes 378 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:50.279 from under shaggy brows, which surveyed us through large horn glasses. 379 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:54.720 A moment later we were actually in his sanctum, and 380 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:58.920 the mysterious scientist whose vagaries had brought us from London, 381 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:04.119 was standing before us. There was certainly no sign of eccentricity, 382 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:07.880 either in his manner or appearance, for he was a portly, 383 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:13.119 large featured man, grave, tall and frock coated with the 384 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:17.480 dignity of bearing which a lecturer needs. His eyes were 385 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:21.720 his most remarkable feature. Keen, observant, and clever to the 386 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:26.480 verge of cunning. He looked at our cards. Pray, sit down, gentlemen. 387 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:30.319 What can I do for you? Mister Holmes smiled amiably. 388 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:33.319 It was the question which I was about to put 389 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:37.519 to you, Professor. To me, sir, possibly there is some mistake. 390 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:40.839 I heard through a second person that Professor Presbury of 391 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:45.519 Camphord had need of my services. Oh indeed, it seemed 392 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:48.000 to me that there was a malicious sparkle in the 393 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:51.720 intense gray eyes. You heard that? Did you? May I 394 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:55.319 ask the name of your informant? I am sorry, Professor, 395 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:58.480 but the matter was rather confidential. If I have made 396 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:01.279 a mistake, there is no harm done. I can only 397 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:05.400 express my regret. Not at all. I should wish to 398 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:08.039 go further into this matter. It interests me have you 399 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:10.880 any scrap of writing any letter or telegram to bear 400 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:14.640 out your assertion. No, I have not. I presume that 401 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:16.680