WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:04.559 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 2 00:00:04.599 --> 00:00:08.560 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please 3 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:13.439 visit LibriVox dot org. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by 4 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:18.079 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Chapter nine, The Adventure of the 5 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:23.399 Engineer's Thumb. Of all the problems which have been submitted 6 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:26.760 to my friend mister Sherlock Holmes for solution during the 7 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:29.719 years of our intimacy, there were only two which I 8 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:32.799 was the means of introducing to his notice, that of 9 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:37.880 mister Hatherley's Thumb and that of Colonel Warburton's Madness. Of these, 10 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:40.159 the latter may have afforded a finer view for an 11 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:43.880 acute and original observer, but the other was so strange 12 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:47.280 in its inception and so dramatic in its details, that 13 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:50.039 it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, 14 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:52.960 even if it gave my friend fewer openings for those 15 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.159 deductive methods of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. 16 00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:00.560 The story has, I believe, been told more than once 17 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:04.439 in the newspapers, but like all such narratives, its effect 18 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.319 is much less striking when set forth on block in 19 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.120 a single half column of print, than when the facts 20 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:13.640 slowly evolved before your own eyes, and the mystery clears 21 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:17.200 gradually away, as each new discovery furnishes a step which 22 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:20.840 leads on to the complete truth. At the time, the 23 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:24.120 circumstances made a deep impression upon me, and the lapse 24 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:27.599 of two years has hardly served to weaken the effect. 25 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:30.519 It was in the summer of eighty nine, not long 26 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:33.120 after my marriage, that the events occurred which I am 27 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:36.680 now about to summarize. I had returned to civil practice 28 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:39.959 and had finally abandoned homes in his baker's street rooms. 29 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:43.840 Although I continually visited him, and occasionally even persuaded him 30 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:46.560 to forego his bohemian habits so far as to come 31 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.239 and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as 32 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:52.480 I happened to live at no very great distance from 33 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:56.040 Paddington's station, I got a few patients from among the officials. 34 00:01:57.079 --> 00:01:59.400 One of these, whom I had cured of a painful 35 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:02.480 and lingering deay disease. Was never weary of advertising my 36 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:05.760 virtues and of endeavoring to send me on every sufferer 37 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:09.479 over whom he might have any influence. One morning, at 38 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:12.280 a little before seven o'clock. I was awakened by the 39 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.919 maid tapping at the door to announce that two men 40 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:18.360 had come from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting room. 41 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:21.680 I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway 42 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:26.599 cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended 43 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:29.280 my old ally, the guard came out of the room 44 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.199 and closed the door tightly behind him. I've got him 45 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.400 in here, he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. 46 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.639 He's all right. What is it? Then, I asked, for 47 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:41.400 his manner suggested that it was some strange creature which 48 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:44.159 he had caged up in my room. It's a new patient, 49 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:47.120 he whispered. I thought i'd bring him round myself then 50 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.439 he couldn't slip away. There he is all safe and sound. 51 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:53.000 I must go now, doctor, I have my duties just 52 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:56.439 the same as you. And off he went, this trusty tout, 53 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:00.319 without even giving me time to thank him. I entered 54 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:03.159 my consulting room and found a gentleman seated by the table. 55 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:06.080 He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed 56 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:08.719 with a soft cloth cap, which he had laid down 57 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:11.560 upon my books round one of his hands. He had 58 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:14.919 a handkerchief wrapped which was mottled all over with blood stains. 59 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:17.599 He was young, not more than five and twenty, I 60 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:21.080 should say, with a strong masculine face, but he was 61 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.439 exceedingly pale, and gave me the impression of a man 62 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:26.400 who was suffering from some strong agitation which it took 63 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:29.439 all his strength of mind to control. I am sorry 64 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:31.479 to knock you up so early, doctor, he said, but 65 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:33.680 I have had a very serious accident during the night. 66 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:36.840 I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring 67 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:38.960 at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, 68 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:42.800 a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave 69 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:44.439 the maid a card, but I see that she has 70 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:47.319 left it upon the side table. I took it up 71 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:51.800 and glanced at it. Mister Victor Heatherley, hydraulic Engineer, sixteen 72 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:56.120 a Victoria's Street, third floor. That was the name, style 73 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:59.159 and abode of my morning visitor. I regret that I 74 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:01.280 have kept you waiting, said I, sitting down in my 75 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:04.439 library chair. You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, 76 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:08.240 which is in itself a monotonous occupation. Oh my night 77 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:12.080 could not be called monotonous, said he, and laughed. He laughed, 78 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:15.280 very heartily, with a high ringing note, leaning back in 79 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:18.439 his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical instincts 80 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:21.360 rose up against that laugh. Stop it, I cried, pull 81 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:24.240 yourself together, and I poured out some water from a caraffe. 82 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.120 It was useless, however, he was off in one of 83 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:30.399 those hysterical outbursts which come upon a strong nature when 84 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:33.759 some great crisis is over and gone. Presently, he came 85 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:37.879 to himself once more, very weary and pale looking. I 86 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.560 have been making a fool of myself, he gasped, Not 87 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:43.639 at all, drink this. I dashed some brandy into the water, 88 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:46.519 and the color began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. 89 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:50.399 That's better, said he. And now, doctor, perhaps you would 90 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:53.279 kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place 91 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:57.120 where my thumb used to be. He unwound the handkerchief 92 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.680 and held out his hand. It gave even my hardened 93 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:02.199 nerve a shudder to look at it. There were four 94 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:06.240 protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the 95 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:09.040 thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn 96 00:05:09.160 --> 00:05:12.439 right out from the roots. Good heavens, I cried, this 97 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.480 is a terrible injury. It must have bled considerably. Yes, 98 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:18.720 it did. I fainted when it was done, and I 99 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:21.120 think that I must have been senseless for a long time. 100 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:23.800 When I came to, I found that it was still bleeding. 101 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:26.079 So I tied one end of my handkerchief very tightly 102 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:29.439 round the wrist and braced it up with a twig. Excellent. 103 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.560 You should have been a surgeon. It is a question 104 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:34.279 of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own province. 105 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:38.079 This has been done, said I, examining the wound by 106 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:41.519 a very heavy and sharp instrument, a thing like a cleaver. 107 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:45.879 Said he, an accident, I presume by no means. What 108 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:51.519 a murderous attack. Very murderous. Indeed, you horrify me. I 109 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:54.399 sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered 110 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:58.040 it over with cotton wadding and carbalized bandages. He lay 111 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:00.600 back without wincing, though he bit his lip from time 112 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.279 to time. How is that? I asked? When I had 113 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:07.199 finished capital between your brand and your bandage, I feel 114 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.759 a new man. I was very weak, but I've had 115 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.720 a good deal to go through. Perhaps you had better 116 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:15.160 not speak of the matter. It is evidently trying to 117 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:18.199 your nerves. Oh no, not now, I shall have to 118 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:21.439 tell my tale to the police, but between ourselves. If 119 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.759 it were not for the convincing evidence of this wound 120 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.839 of mine, I should be surprised if they believed my statement, 121 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:29.720 for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have 122 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.959 not much in the way of proof with which to 123 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.319 back it up. And even if they believe me, the 124 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:36.839 clues which I can give them are so vague that 125 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:39.639 it is a question whether justice will be done, ha 126 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.560 cried I. If it is anything in the nature of 127 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:45.240 a problem which you desired to see solved, I should 128 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.439 strongly recommend you come to my friend, mister Sherlock Holmes 129 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:51.519 before you go to the official police. Oh. I have 130 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:54.000 heard of that fellow, answered my visitor, and I should 131 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:55.839 be very glad if he would take the matter up, 132 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:58.519 though of course I must use the official police as well. 133 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:01.600 Would you give me an introduction to him? I'll do better. 134 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.360 I'll take you round to him myself. I should be 135 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:07.560 immensely obliged to you. We'll call a cab and go together. 136 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.439 We shall just be in time to have a little 137 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:12.279 breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it. Yes, 138 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.879 I shall not feel easy until I have told my story. 139 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.519 Then my servant will call a cab and I shall 140 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:20.759 be with you. In an instant, I rushed upstairs, explained 141 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.240 the matter shortly to my wife, and in five minutes 142 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:26.199 was inside a hansom, driving with my new acquaintance to 143 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:31.199 Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was as I expected, lounging about 144 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.000 his sitting room in his dressing gown, reading the agony 145 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:37.600 column of the Times, and smoking his before breakfast pipe, 146 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:40.360 which was composed of all the plugs and dottles left 147 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.319 from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried 148 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.079 and collected in the corner of the mantel piece. He 149 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:50.000 received us in his quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers 150 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:53.040 and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. When 151 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:56.000 it was concluded, he settled our new acquaintance upon the sofa, 152 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.839 placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass 153 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:02.120 of brandy and water within his reach. It is easy 154 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:04.439 to see that your experience has been no common one, 155 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:07.759 mister Hatherley, said. He pray, lie down there and make 156 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.279 yourself absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but 157 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:13.720 stop when you are tired, and keep up your strength 158 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:17.160 with a little stimulant Thank you, said my patient. But 159 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.639 I have felt another man since the doctor bandage me, 160 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.040 and I think that your breakfast has completed the cure. 161 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.560 I shall take up as little of your valuable time 162 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:27.040 as possible, so I shall start at once upon my 163 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:31.879 peculiar experiences. Holmes sat in his big arm chair with 164 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:34.759 the weary, heavy lidded expression which failed his keen and 165 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:37.879 eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and we 166 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.519 listened in silence to the strange story which our visitor 167 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:43.720 detailed to us. You must know, said he, that I 168 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:46.759 am an orphan and a bachelor, residing alone in lodgings 169 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:50.519 in London. By profession, I am a hydraulic engineer, and 170 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:52.919 I have had considerable experience of my work during the 171 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.720 seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner and Matheson, 172 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.240 the well known firm of Greenwich. Two years ago, having 173 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.720 served my time, and having also come into a fair 174 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:05.000 sum of money through my poor father's death, I determined 175 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:08.120 to start in business for myself and took professional chambers 176 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:11.879 in Victorious Street. I suppose that everyone finds his first 177 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.440 independent start in business a dreary experience to me, it 178 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:18.559 has been exceptionally so. During two years I have had 179 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:22.120 three consultations in one small job, and that is absolutely 180 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:25.440 all that my profession has brought me. My gross takings 181 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:29.120 amount to twenty seven pounds ten shillings. Every day. From 182 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.600 nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I 183 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:34.320 waited in my little den, until at last my heart 184 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:36.679 began to sink, and I came to believe that I 185 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:40.759 should never have any practice at all. Yesterday, however, just 186 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:43.320 as I was thinking of leaving the office, my clerk 187 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:45.679 entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who wished 188 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:48.559 to see me upon business. He brought up a card too, 189 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:52.080 with the name of Colonel Lysander Stark engraved upon it. 190 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:55.679 Close at his heels came the Colonel himself, a man 191 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:58.799 rather over the middle size, but of an exceeding thinness. 192 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.799 I do not think that that I have ever seen 193 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:04.000 so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into 194 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:06.720 nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was 195 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:10.919 drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation 196 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:13.720 seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no 197 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.960 disease for his eye was bright, his step brisk, and 198 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:20.399 his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dressed. And 199 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:23.639 his age, I should judge would be nearer forty than thirty, 200 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:27.679 mister Hatherley, said he with something of a German accent. 201 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:30.919 You've been recommended to me, mister Hatherley, as being a 202 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:33.480 man who is not only proficient in his profession, but 203 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:37.679 is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret. I bowed, 204 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:40.039 feeling as flattered as any young man would at such 205 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:42.879 an address. My ask who it was who gave me 206 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:46.080 so good a character. Well, perhaps it is better that 207 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:48.120 I should not tell you that just at this moment 208 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.279 I have it from the same source that you are 209 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:53.399 both an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone 210 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:56.759 in London. That is quite correct, I answered, But you 211 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:58.840 will excuse me if I say that I cannot see 212 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:02.840 how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. I understand 213 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.559 that it was on a professional matter that you wish 214 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:08.159 to speak to me, undoubtedly so, but you will find 215 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:10.759 that all I say is really to the point. I 216 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:14.000 have a professional commission for you. But absolute secrecy is 217 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:18.360 quite essential. Absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we 218 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:20.679 may expect that more from a man who is alone 219 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.960 than from one who lives in the bosom of his family. 220 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:26.240 If I promise to keep a secret, said I, you 221 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:30.440 may absolutely depend upon my doing so. He looked very 222 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:32.559 hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to 223 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:35.600 me that I had never seen so suspicious and questioning 224 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:39.480 an eye. Do you promise, then, he said, at last, Yes, 225 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:44.120 I promise absolute and complete silence, before, during, and after 226 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.879 no reference to the matter at all, either in word 227 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:51.600 or writing. I have already given you my word. Very good. 228 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:55.320 He suddenly sprang up, and, darting like lightning across the room, 229 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.480 he flung open the door. The passage outside was empty. 230 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:01.519 That's all right, sir, he coming back. I know that 231 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:05.039 clerks are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now 232 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:07.799 we can talk in safety. He drew up his chair 233 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:10.000 very close to mine and began to stare at me 234 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:14.120 again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. A feeling 235 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:16.759 of repulsion and of something akin to fear had begun 236 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.120 to rise within me at the strange antics of this 237 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:22.639 fleshless man. Even my dread of losing a client could 238 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:26.159 not restrain me from showing my impatience. I beg that 239 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:28.879 you will state your business, sir said I My time 240 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:32.039 is of value. Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, 241 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:35.000 But the words came to my lips. How would fifty 242 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:38.320 guineas for a knight's work suit you, he asked, most admirably. 243 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.039 I say a night's work, but an hour's would be 244 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.480 nearer the mark. I simply want your opinion about a 245 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:46.559 hydraulic stamping machine which has got out of gear. If 246 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.360 you show us what is wrong, we shall soon set 247 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:50.679 it right ourselves. What do you think of such a 248 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:53.759 commission as that the work appears to be light and 249 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:57.519 the pay munificent? Precisely so, we shall want you to 250 00:12:57.559 --> 00:13:01.159 come to night by the last train where two to 251 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:04.159 Ayford in Berkshire. It is a little place near the 252 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:07.960 borders of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of reading. There 253 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.519 is a train from Paddington which would bring you there 254 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:14.279 at about eleven fifteen. Very good. I shall come down 255 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:17.799 in a carriage to meet you. There is a drive then, Yes, 256 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.159 our little place is quite out in the country. It 257 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.320 is a good seven miles from Ayford station. Then we 258 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.120 can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there be 259 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.720 no chance of a train back. I should be compelled 260 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:31.360 to stop the night. Yes, we could easily give you 261 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:34.320 a shakedown. That is very awkward. Could I not come 262 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:37.320 at some more convenient hour. We have judged it best 263 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.840 that you should come late. It is to recompense you 264 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.480 for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a 265 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:45.159 young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an 266 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:48.519 opinion from the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, 267 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.320 if you would like to draw out of the business, 268 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:53.080 there is plenty of time to do so. I thought 269 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:55.639 of the fifty guineas of how very useful they would 270 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:58.320 be to me. Not at all said I, I shall 271 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:01.240 be very happy to accommodate myself to your wishes. I 272 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:03.799 should like, however, to understand a little more clearly what 273 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:06.320 it is that you wish me to do. Quite so, 274 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.960 it is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 275 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.840 we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. 276 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:14.360 I have no wish to commit you to anything without 277 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:17.399 your having it all laid before you. I suppose that 278 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:22.600 we are absolutely safe from eavesdroppers entirely, then the matter stands. Thus, 279 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:26.279 you are probably aware that Fuller's Earth is a valuable product, 280 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.279 and that it is only found in one or two 281 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:32.519 places in England. I have heard so. Some little time 282 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.279 ago I bought a small place, a very small place, 283 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.559 within ten miles of reading. I was fortunate enough to 284 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:41.080 discover that there was a deposit of Fuller's earth in 285 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:44.840 one of my fields. On examining it, however, I found 286 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:47.879 that this deposit was a comparatively small one, and that 287 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:50.919 it formed a link between two very much larger ones 288 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.759 upon the right and left both of them. However, in 289 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:57.159 the grounds of my neighbors. These good people were absolutely 290 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.559 ignorant that their land contained that which was quite as 291 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:02.559 valuable as a gold mine. Naturally, it was to my 292 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:05.679 interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, 293 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:08.759 but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could 294 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.240 do this. I took a few of my friends into 295 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:14.320 the secret, however, and they suggested that we should quietly 296 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:17.279 and secretly work our own little deposit, and that in 297 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:19.600 this way we should earn the money which would enable 298 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:22.759 us to buy the neighboring fields. This we have now 299 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.080 been doing for some time, and in order to help 300 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:28.840 us in the operations, we erected a hydraulic press This press, 301 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.320 as I have already explained, has got out of order, 302 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:34.519 and we wish your advice upon the subject. We guard 303 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:37.679 our secret very jealously, however, and if it once became 304 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:40.799 known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little house, 305 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:44.159 it would soon rouse inquiry, and then if the facts 306 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.360 came out, it would be good bye to any chance 307 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.360 of getting these fields and carrying out our plans. That 308 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.360 is why I have made you promise me that you 309 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.639 will not tell a human being that you are going 310 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:56.320 to Aford tonight. I hope that I make it all plain. 311 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.159 I quite follow you, said I. The only point which 312 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:02.799 I could not quite understand was what use you could 313 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:06.159 make of a hydraulic press in excavating full as earth, which, 314 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:08.919 as I understand, is dug out like gravel from a pit. 315 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:13.279 Ah said he carelessly. We have our own process. We 316 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:16.240 compressed the earth into bricks so as to remove them 317 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.360 without revealing what they are. But that is a mere detail. 318 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:22.279 I have taken you fully into my confidence now, mister Hatherley, 319 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.080 and I have shown you how I trust you. He 320 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:28.000 rose as he spoke. I shall expect you then at 321 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:32.679 Aeford at eleven fifteen. I shall certainly be there, and 322 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.080 not a word to a soul. He looked at me 323 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:38.759 with the last long, questioning gaze, and then pressing my 324 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:43.360 hand in a cold, dank grasp, he hurried from the room. Well. 325 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.600 When I came to think it all over in cool blood, 326 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:48.240 I was very much astonished, as you may both think, 327 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:50.879 at this sudden commission which had been entrusted to me. 328 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:53.759 On the one hand, of course, I was glad, for 329 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.960 the fee was at least tenfold what I should have 330 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.519 asked had I set a price upon my own services, 331 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:01.480 and was possible that this order might lead to other ones. 332 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:04.160 On the other hand, the face and manner of my 333 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.599 patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me, and I 334 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:10.240 could not think that his explanation of the Fuller's Earth 335 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:13.480 was sufficient to explain the necessity for my coming at midnight, 336 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.519 and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell any one 337 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:19.440 of my Errand however, I threw all fears to the 338 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:23.359 winds ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington and started off, 339 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:26.119 Having obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding 340 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:29.240 my tongue at reading, I had to change not only 341 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:32.079 my carriage but my station However, I was in time 342 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:34.799 for the last trained afort, and I reached the little 343 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:38.720 dim lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the only 344 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:41.119 passenger who got out there, and there was no one 345 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:44.759 upon the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. 346 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:48.000 As I passed out through the wicket gate, however, I 347 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:50.680 found my acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow 348 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:53.799 upon the other side. Without a word, he grasped my 349 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:56.480 arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of 350 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:59.079 which was standing open. He drew up the windows on 351 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:01.920 either side, tapped on the woodwork, and away we went, 352 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:06.680 as fast as the horse could go. One horse, interjected Holmes, Yes, 353 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:10.160 only one. Did you observe the color? Yes, I saw 354 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:12.039 it by the side lights when I was stepping into 355 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:16.440 the carriage. It was a chestnut, tired looking or fresh, oh, 356 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:19.839 fresh and glossy. Thank you. I'm sorry to have interrupted you. 357 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:24.400 Pray continue your most interesting statement. Away we went, then, 358 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:27.400 and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Lysander 359 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.960 Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but 360 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:32.039 I should think from the rate that we seemed to go, 361 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.400 and from the time that we took, that it must 362 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:37.240 have been nearer twelve. He sat at my side in 363 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:40.119 silence all the time, and I was aware more than 364 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:42.519 once when I glanced in his direction, that he was 365 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:46.000 looking at me with great intensity. The country road seemed 366 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:48.079 to not be very good in that part of the world, 367 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:51.240 for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tried to look 368 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.440 out of the windows to see something of where we were, 369 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:56.279 but they were made of frosted glass, and I could 370 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:58.839 make out nothing save the occasional bright blur of a 371 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:02.279 passing light. Now and then I hazarded some remark to 372 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:05.079 break the monotony of the journey, but the Colonel answered 373 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:10.200 only in monosyllables, and the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, 374 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.799 the bumping of the road was exchanged for the crisp 375 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:15.759 smoothness of a gravel drive, and the carriage came to 376 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:19.440 a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and as I 377 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:22.759 followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which 378 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:25.319 gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, 379 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.680 right out of the carriage and into the hall, so 380 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:30.119 that I failed to catch the most fleeting glance of 381 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:32.839 the front of the house. The instant that I had 382 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:35.960 crossed the threshold. The door slammed heavily behind us, and 383 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:38.160 I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the 384 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:42.279 carriage drove away. It was pitch dark inside the house, 385 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:45.400 and the colonel fumbled about, looking for matches and muttering 386 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:48.559 under his breath. Suddenly a door opened at the other 387 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:51.319 end of the passage, and a long golden bar of 388 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:54.960 light shot out in our direction. It grew broader, and 389 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:57.519 a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which 390 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:00.200 she held above her head, pushing her face forward ward 391 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:03.440 and peering at us. I could see that she was pretty, 392 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:06.200 and from the gloss with which the light shone upon 393 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.960 her dark dress, I knew that it was a rich material. 394 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:11.720 She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue, in 395 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.480 a tone as though asking a question, and when my 396 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:17.799 companion answered in a gruff monosyllable, she gave such a 397 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:21.200 start that the lamp nearly fell from her hand. Colonel 398 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:23.680 Stark went up to her, whispered something in her ear, 399 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:26.400 and then pushing her back into the room from whence 400 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.960 she had come, he walked towards me again with the 401 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:32.200