WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.800 --> 00:00:08.560 Chapter nine, The Light upon the More second report of 2 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:19.359 Dr Watson, Baskerville Hall, October fifteenth, My dear Holmes, if 3 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:22.160 I was compelled to leave you without much news during 4 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:25.440 the early days of my mission, you must acknowledge that 5 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:27.960 I am making up for lost time, and that events 6 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:31.399 are now crowding thick and fast upon us. In my 7 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:34.520 last report I ended upon my top note with Barry 8 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:38.399 Moore at the window. And now I have quite a 9 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:43.000 budget already which will, unless I am much mistaken, considerably 10 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:46.799 surprise you. Things have taken a turn which I could 11 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:50.479 not have anticipated. In some ways they have, within the 12 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:54.719 last forty eight hours become much clearer, and in some 13 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:58.359 ways they have become more complicated. But I will tell 14 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:02.759 you all and you shall judge for your Before breakfast 15 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:05.079 on the morning following my adventure, I went down the 16 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:08.319 corridor and examined the room in which Barrymore had been 17 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:12.079 on the night before. The western window through which he 18 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:16.200 had stared so intently. Has I noticed one peculiarity above 19 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:20.200 all other windows in the house. It commands the nearest 20 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:24.159 outlook on to the moor. There is an opening between 21 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:27.760 two trees which enables one from this point of view 22 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:30.719 to look right down upon it, while from all the 23 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:33.920 other windows it is only a distant glimpse which can 24 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:38.280 be obtained. It follows therefore that Barrymore, since only this 25 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:41.760 window would serve the purpose, must have been looking out 26 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:46.079 for something or somebody upon the moor. The night was 27 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:48.599 very dark, so that I can hardly imagine how he 28 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:51.719 could have hoped to see anyone. It had struck me 29 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:55.319 that it was possible that some love in Treeue was 30 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:59.280 on foot. That would have accounted for his stealthy movements, 31 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.439 and also for the uneasiness of his wife. The man 32 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:07.200 is a striking looking fellow, very well equipped to steal 33 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.719 the heart of a country girl, so that this theory 34 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:14.800 seemed to have something to support it. That opening of 35 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:17.319 the door, which I had heard after I had returned 36 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:20.319 to my room, might mean that he had gone out 37 00:02:20.360 --> 00:02:25.319 to keep some clandestine appointment. So I reasoned with myself 38 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.560 in the morning, and I tell you the direction of 39 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.639 my suspicions. However much the result may have shown that 40 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:38.000 they were unfounded. But whatever the true explanation of Barrymore's 41 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:42.159 movements might be, I felt that the responsibility of keeping 42 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:45.439 them to myself until I could explain them was more 43 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.599 than I could bear. I had an interview with the 44 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:52.039 Baronet in his study after breakfast, and I told him 45 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:55.759 all that I had seen. He was less surprised than 46 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:59.919 I had expected. I knew that Barrymore walked about nights, 47 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.280 and I had a mind to speak to him about it. 48 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:05.400 Said he, two or three times I have heard his 49 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:09.000 steps in the passage, coming and going just about the 50 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.639 hour you name. Perhaps then he pays a visit every 51 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:17.000 night to that particular window. I suggested, perhaps he does. 52 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:19.319 If so, we should be able to shadow him and 53 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:22.199 see what it is that he is after. I wonder 54 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:24.240 what your friend Holmes would do if he were here. 55 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.719 I believe that he would do exactly what you now suggest, 56 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:31.199 said I. He would follow Barrymore and see what he did. 57 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.479 Then we shall do it together. But surely he would 58 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:38.319 hear us. The man is rather deaf, and in any 59 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:41.080 case we must take our chance of that. We'll sit 60 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.319 up in my room tonight and wait until he passes. 61 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:46.919 Sir Henry rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was 62 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:50.039 evident that he hailed the adventure as a relief to 63 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:54.319 his somewhat quiet life upon the moor. The Baronet has 64 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.319 been in communication with the architect who prepared the plans 65 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:00.360 for Sir Charles, and with a contractor from Life, London, 66 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:04.280 so that we may expect great changes to begin here soon. 67 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:09.240 There have been decorators and furnishers up from Plymouth, and 68 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:12.759 it is evident that our friend has large ideas and 69 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:15.680 means to spare no pains or expense to restore the 70 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:20.480 grandeur of his family. When the house is renovated and refurnished, 71 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.720 all that he will need will be a wife to 72 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:27.199 make it complete. Between ourselves there are pretty clear signs 73 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:29.720 that this will not be wanting if the lady is willing, 74 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.000 For I have seldom seen a man more infatuated with 75 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:36.920 a woman than he is with our beautiful neighbor, Miss Stapleton. 76 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:40.319 And yet the course of true love does not run 77 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:45.759 quite as smoothly as one would under the circumstances expect today. 78 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:49.800 For example, its surface was broken by a very unexpected ripple, 79 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:55.040 which has caused our friend considerable perplexity and annoyance. After 80 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:59.360 the conversation which I have quoted about Barrymore, Sir Henry 81 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:02.600 put on his head and prepared to go out. As 82 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:05.199 a matter of course, I did the same. What are 83 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:08.000 you coming, Watson, he asked, looking at me in a 84 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:11.160 curious way. That depends on whether you are going on 85 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:15.399 the More said I, yes, I am well, you know 86 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:18.399 what my instructions are. I am sorry to intrude, but 87 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:21.279 you heard how earnestly Holmes insisted that I should not 88 00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:24.720 leave you, and especially that you should not go alone 89 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:28.319 upon the moor. Sir Henry put his hand upon my 90 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:33.920 shoulder with a pleasant smile. My dear fellow, said he Holmes, 91 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:37.439 with all his wisdom, did not foresee some things which 92 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:40.519 have happened since I have been on the More you 93 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:43.680 understand me. I'm sure that you are the last man 94 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:46.279 in the world who would wish to be a spoil sport. 95 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.199 I must go out alone. It put me in a 96 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:54.600 most awkward position. I was at a loss what to 97 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:57.600 say or what to do. And before I had made 98 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:02.120 up my mind, he picked up his cane and was gone. 99 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.199 But when I came to think the matter over, my 100 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:08.160 conscience reproached me bitterly for having, on any pretext allowed 101 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:11.600 him to go out of my sight. I imagined what my 102 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:14.399 feelings would be if I had to return to you 103 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:17.759 and to confess that some misfortune had occurred through my 104 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:22.920 disregard for your instructions. I assure you my cheeks flushed 105 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:26.040 at the very thought it might not even now be 106 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:29.279 too late to overtake him. So I set off at 107 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:33.199 once in the direction of Mary pitt House. I hurried 108 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:35.800 along the road at the top of my speed, without 109 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:38.600 seeing anything of Sir Henry, until I came to the 110 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:43.000 point where the moor path branches off. There, fearing that 111 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:45.639 perhaps I had come in the wrong direction after all, 112 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:48.639 I mounted a hill from which I could command a 113 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:52.839 view the same hill which is cut into the dark quarry. 114 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:57.199 Thence I saw him at once. He was on the 115 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:00.480 moor path, about a quarter of a mile off, and 116 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:02.800 a lady was by his side, who could only be 117 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:05.879 Miss Stapleton. It was clear that there was already an 118 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:09.399 understanding between them, and that they had met by appointment. 119 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.800 They were walking slowly along in deep conversation, and I 120 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:18.040 saw her making quick little movements of her hands, as 121 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.480 if she were very earnest in what she was saying, 122 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:24.600 while he listened intently, and once or twice shook his 123 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:28.680 head in strong descent. I stood among the rocks, watching 124 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.480 them very much puzzled as to what I should do next. 125 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.759 To follow them and break into their intimate conversation seemed 126 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:38.920 to be an outrage, and yet my clear duty was 127 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:41.240 never for an instant to let him out of my sight. 128 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:46.920 To act the spy upon a friend was a hateful task. Still, 129 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.399 I could see no better course than to observe him 130 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:53.279 from the hill, and to clear my conscience by confessing 131 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:56.000 to him afterwards what I had done. It is true 132 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.519 that if any sudden danger had threatened him, I was 133 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.439 too far away to be of view. And yet I 134 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:03.319 am sure that you will agree with me that the 135 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.800 position was very difficult, and that there was nothing more 136 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:10.399 which I could do. Our friend, Sir Henry, and the 137 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:13.720 lady had halted on the path and were standing deeply 138 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:17.720 absorbed in their conversation. When I was suddenly aware that 139 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:21.759 I was not the only witness of their interview. A 140 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:24.800 wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, 141 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:28.199 and another glance showed me that it was carried on 142 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:30.920 a stick by a man who was moving among the 143 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:37.159 broken ground. It was Stapleton with his butterfly net. He 144 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:39.279 was very much closer to the pair than I was, 145 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:43.840 and he appeared to be moving in their direction. At 146 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:48.159 this instant, Sir Henry suddenly drew Miss Stapleton to his side. 147 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.720 His arm was round her, but it seemed to me 148 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:53.879 that she was straining away from him, with her face averted. 149 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:58.360 He stooped his head to hers, and she raised one 150 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:02.240 hand as if in protest. Next moment I saw them 151 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:07.639 spring apart and turn hurriedly round. Stapleton was the cause 152 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:11.960 of the interruption. He was running wildly towards them, his 153 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:17.879 absurd net dangling behind him. He gesticulated and almost danced 154 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:21.480 with excitement in front of the lovers. What the scene 155 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:24.039 meant I could not imagine, but it seemed to me 156 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:28.679 that Stapleton was abusing Sir Henry, who offered explanations, which 157 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:32.399 became more angry as the other refused to accept them. 158 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:37.600 The lady stood by in haughty silence. Finally, Stapleton turned 159 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:40.440 upon his heel and beckoned in a peremptory way to 160 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:44.399 his sister, who, after an irresolute glance at Sir Henry, 161 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:48.840 walked off by the side of her brother. The naturalist's 162 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:52.840 angry gestures showed that the lady was included in his displeasure. 163 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:57.480 The baronet stood for a minute looking after them, and 164 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:00.000 then he walked slowly back the way that he had come, 165 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:05.440 his head hanging the very picture of dejection. What all 166 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:07.960 this meant I could not imagine, but I was deeply 167 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:11.080 ashamed to have witnessed so intimate a scene without my 168 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:15.200 friend's knowledge. I ran down the hill therefore, and met 169 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:19.039 the baronet at the bottom. His face was flushed with anger, 170 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:21.960 and his brows were wrinkled, like one who is at 171 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:26.240 his wits ends. What to do? Hullo, Watson, where have 172 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.519 you dropped from? Said he. You don't mean to say 173 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:32.799 that you came after me? In spite of all, I 174 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:36.159 explained everything to him, how I had found it impossible 175 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:39.840 to remain behind, how I had followed him, and how 176 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:43.960 I had witnessed all that had occurred. For an instant 177 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.960 his eyes blazed at me, but my frankness disarmed his anger, 178 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:51.200 and he broke at last into a rather rueful laugh. 179 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:53.960 He would have thought the middle of that prairie a 180 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:57.120 fairly safe place for a man to be private, said he. 181 00:10:57.879 --> 00:11:00.519 But by thunder the whole countryside see to have been 182 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:03.519 out to see me do my wooing, And a mighty 183 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:07.320 poor wooing at that Where had you engaged a seat? 184 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:12.039 I was on that hill quite in the back row, eh, 185 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:15.559 but her brother was well up to the front. Did 186 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:18.080 you see him come out on us? Yes? I did. 187 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:22.279 Did he ever strike you as being crazy? This brother 188 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:25.799 of hers? I can't say that he ever did. I 189 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:29.960 dare say not. I always thought him sane enough until today. 190 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.080 But you can take it from me that either he 191 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:36.440 or I ought to be in a strait jacket. What's 192 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:39.559 the matter with me? Anyhow? You've lived near me for 193 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.480 some weeks, Watson, tell me straight now? Is there anything 194 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.879 that would prevent me from making a good husband to 195 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:48.440 a woman that I loved? I should say not. He 196 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:52.080 can't object to my worldly positions, so it must be 197 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:55.799 myself that he has this down on. What has he 198 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.960 against me? I never hurt man or woman in my 199 00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:00.399 life that I know of, and yet he would not 200 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:02.759 so much as let me touch the tips of her fingers? 201 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:06.639 Did he say? So? That? And a deal more? I 202 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.960 tell you, Watson, I've only known her these few weeks, 203 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.279 but from the first I just felt that she was 204 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:15.000 made for me, and she too. She was happy when 205 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:17.879 she was with me, and that I'll swear there's a 206 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:21.080 light in a woman's eyes that speaks louder than words. 207 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:24.720 But he has never let us get together. And it 208 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.639 was only to day, for the first time, that I 209 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:29.960 saw a chance of having a few words with her alone. 210 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:32.919 She was glad to meet me, but when she did, 211 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:36.840 it was not love that she would talk about, and 212 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:39.039 she wouldn't have let me talk about it either, if 213 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:43.120 she could have stopped it. She kept coming back to it, 214 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:45.440 that this was a place of danger, and that she 215 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.679 would never be happy until I had left it. I 216 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:51.799 told her that since I had seen her, I was 217 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.879 in no hurry to leave it, and that if she 218 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:57.080 really wanted me to go, the only way to work 219 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.320 it was for her to arrange to go with me. 220 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:02.919 With that, I offered, in as many words, to marry her. 221 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:07.120 But before she could answer, down came this brother of 222 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.480 hers running at us with a face on him like 223 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.399 a madman. He was just white with rage, and those 224 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:15.840 light eyes of his were blazing with fury. What was 225 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:18.519 I doing with the lady? How dared I offer her 226 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:22.559 attentions which were distasteful to her? Did I think that 227 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:25.279 because I was a baronet I could do what I liked? 228 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.039 If he had not been her brother, I should have 229 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:31.279 known better how to answer him. As it was, I 230 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.879 told him that my feelings towards his sister were such 231 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:36.879 as I was not ashamed of, and that I hoped 232 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:40.360 that she might honor me by becoming my wife. That 233 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:43.320 seemed to make the matter no better. So then I 234 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:46.279 lost my temper too, and I answered him rather more 235 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:50.159 hotly than I should, perhaps considering that she was standing by. 236 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:53.600 So it ended by his going off with her, as 237 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:56.960 you saw, And here I am as badly puzzled a 238 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:00.120 man as any in this county. Just tell me what 239 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:03.639 it all means, Watson, and I'll owe you more than 240 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:06.919 ever I can hope to pay. I tried one or 241 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:12.480 two explanations, but indeed I was completely puzzled myself. Our 242 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:15.639 friend's title, his fortune, his age, his character, and his 243 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:19.120 appearance are all in his favor, and I know nothing 244 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:22.879 against him, unless it be this dark fate which runs 245 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:27.159 in his family. That his advances should be rejected so 246 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:31.200 brusquely without any reference to the lady's own wishes, and 247 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:34.480 that the lady should accept the situation without protest is 248 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:40.080 very amazing. However, our conjectures were set at rest by 249 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:44.919 a visit from Stapleton himself. That very afternoon. He had 250 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:48.120 come to offer apologies for his rudeness of the morning, 251 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.759 and after a long private interview with Sir Henry in 252 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:55.600 his study, the upshot of their conversation was that the 253 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:58.679 breach is quite healed, and that we are to dine 254 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.799 at Mary pitt House next Friday. There's a sign of it. 255 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.000 I don't say now that he isn't a crazy man, 256 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:08.039 said Sir Henry. I can't forget the look in his 257 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:11.159 eyes when he ran at me this morning. But I 258 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.720 must allow that no man could make a more handsome 259 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:17.360 apology than he has done. Did he give any explanation 260 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:21.279 of his conduct. His sister is everything in his life, 261 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:25.519 he says. That is natural enough, and I'm glad that 262 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:29.480 he should understand her value. They've always been together, and 263 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:31.960 according to his account, he has been a very lonely 264 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:35.279 man with only her as a companion, so that the 265 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:38.639 thought of losing her was really terrible to him. He 266 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:41.320 had not understood, He said that I was becoming attached 267 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.080 to her, but when he saw with his own eyes 268 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:46.840 that it was really so, and that she might be 269 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:50.039 taken away from him, It gave him such a shock 270 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:53.200 that for a time he was not responsible for what 271 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:57.600 he said or did. He was very sorry for all 272 00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:00.799 that had passed, and he recognized how foolish and how 273 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:03.120 selfish it was that he should imagine that he could 274 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:06.120 hold a beautiful woman like his sister to himself for 275 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:09.840 her whole life. If she had to leave him. He 276 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:12.600 had rather it was to enable like myself than to 277 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:16.279 anyone else. But in any case it was a blow 278 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:19.200 to him, and it would take him some time before 279 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:22.559 he could prepare himself to meet it. He would withdraw 280 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:25.879 all opposition upon his part if I would promise for 281 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.799 three months to let the matter rest, and to be 282 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:33.360 content with cultivating the lady's friendship during that time without 283 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:37.799 claiming her love. This I promised, and sell the matter rests. 284 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:42.480 So there is one of our small mysteries cleared up. 285 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:45.639 It is something to have touched bottom anywhere in this 286 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:49.120 bog in which we are floundering. We know now why 287 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:53.799 Stapleton looked with disfavor upon his sister's suitor, even when 288 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:57.039 that suitor was so eligible a one as Sir Henry. 289 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:00.759 And now I pass on to another which I have 290 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:05.200 extricated out of the tangled skein the Mystery of the sobs, 291 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:08.480 in the night of the tear stained face of Missus 292 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:12.079 barrymore of the secret journey of the Butler to the 293 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:16.559 western lattice window. Congratulate me, my dear Holmes, and tell 294 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:19.119 me that I have not disappointed you as an agent, 295 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:22.759 that you do not regret the confidence which you showed 296 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:26.039 in me when you sent me down. All these things 297 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:30.759 have by one night's work been thoroughly cleared. I have 298 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:34.039 said by one night's work, but in truth it was 299 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:36.480 by two nights work. For on the first we drew 300 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:40.200 entirely blank. I sat up with Sir Henry in his 301 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:43.480 rooms until nearly three o'clock in the morning, but no 302 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:46.720 sound of any sort did we hear, except the chiming 303 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:51.039 clock upon the stairs. It was a most melancholy vigil 304 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.920 and ended by each of us falling asleep in our chairs. 305 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:59.319 Fortunately we were not discouraged, and we determined to try again. 306 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:03.440 The next night. We lowered the lamp and sat smoking 307 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:07.920 cigarettes without making the least sound. It was incredible how 308 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:11.960 slowly the hours crawled by, and yet we were helped 309 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.799 through it by the same sort of patient interest which 310 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:17.599 the hunter must feel as he watches the trap into 311 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:22.160 which he hopes the game may wander. One struck and two, 312 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:25.319 And we had almost for the second time given it 313 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:29.039 up in despair, when in an instant we both sat 314 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:32.200 bolt upright in our chairs, with all our weary senses 315 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:35.759 keenly on the alert. Once more, we had heard the 316 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:40.240 creak of a step in the passage. Very stealthily, we 317 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.400 heard it pass along until it died away in the distance. 318 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:48.599 Then the baronet gently opened his door and we set 319 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:52.759 out in pursuit. Already our man had gone round the gallery, 320 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:56.839 and the corridor was all in darkness. Softly, we stole 321 00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:01.000 along until we had come into the other wing. We 322 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.480 were just in time to catch a glimpse of the tall, 323 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:07.960 black bearded figure, his shoulders rounded as he tiptoed down 324 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:11.799 the passage. Then he passed through the same door as before, 325 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:14.759 and the light of the candle framed it in the darkness, 326 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.000 and shot one single yellow beam across the gloom of 327 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:23.519 the corridor. We shuffled cautiously towards it, trying every plank. 328 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.119 Before we dared to put our whole weight upon it. 329 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:29.839 We had taken the precaution of leaving our boots behind us. 330 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:33.440 But even so the old board snapped and creaked beneath 331 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:37.839 our tread. Sometimes it seemed impossible that he should fail 332 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:42.799 to hear our approach. However, the man is fortunately rather deaf, 333 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:46.680 and he was entirely preoccupied in that which he was doing. 334 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:50.359 When at last we reached the door and peeped through, 335 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:54.200 we found him crouching at the window, candle in hand, 336 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:59.440 his white, intent face pressed against the pane, exactly as 337 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:03.880 I had seen him two nights before. We had arranged 338 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:08.000 no plan of campaign. But the Baronet is a man 339 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:11.039 to whom the most direct way is always the most natural. 340 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:14.720 He walked into the room, and as he did so, 341 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:18.000 Barrymore sprang up from the window with a sharp hiss 342 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:22.079 of his breath, and stood livid and trembling before us. 343 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.319 His dark eyes glaring out of the white mask of 344 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:28.400 his face, were full of horror and astonishment as he 345 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:33.640 gazed from Sir Henry to me, What are you doing here, Barrymore? Nothing, Sir. 346 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:37.759 His agitation was so great that he could hardly speak, 347 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:41.240 and the shadows sprang up and down from the shaking 348 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:44.880 of his candle that was the window. Sir, I go 349 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:48.079 round at night to see that they are fastened on 350 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:52.839 the second floor. Yes, sir, all the windows. Look here, barrymore, 351 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:56.680 said sir Henry sternly. We have made up our minds 352 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.759 to have the truth out of you, so it will 353 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:01.480 save you trouble to tell it sooner rather than later. 354 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:05.000 Come now, no lies, What were you doing at that window? 355 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:09.319 The fellow looked at us in a helpless way, and 356 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:11.400 he wrung his hands together, like one who was in 357 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:15.279 the last extremity of doubt and misery. I was doing 358 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:18.079 no harm, sir. I was holding a candle to the window. 359 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:21.440 And why were you holding a candle to the window? 360 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:25.799 Don't ask me, Sir Henry, don't ask me. I give 361 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.680 you my word, sir, that it is not my secret. 362 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:32.960 And though I cannot tell it, if it concerned no 363 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.279 one but myself, I would not try to keep it 364 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:38.759 from you. A sudden idea occurred to me, and I 365 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:41.759 took the candle from the trembling hand of the butler. 366 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:45.079 He must have been holding it as a signal, said 367 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:49.759 I let us see if there is any answer. I 368 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:52.480 held it as he had done, and stared out into 369 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:56.440 the darkness of the night, vaguely I could discern the 370 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:59.720 black bank of the trees and the lighter expanse of 371 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:04.240 the moor, for the moon was behind the clouds. And 372 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:08.119 then I gave a cry of exultation, for a tiny 373 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:12.200 pinpoint of yellow light had suddenly transfixed the dark veil 374 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:15.680 and glowed steadily in the center of the black square 375 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:20.039 framed by the window. There it is, I cried, No, no, sir, 376 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:23.400 it is nothing, nothing at all. The butler broke in. 377 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:27.559 I assure you, sir, Move your light across the window. Watson, cried, 378 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:32.319 the baronet. See the other moves also, Now, you rascal, 379 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:35.200 do you deny that it is a signal? Come speak up? 380 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:38.480 Who is your confederate out yonder? And what is this 381 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:43.400 conspiracy that is going on? The man's face became openly defiant. 382 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:46.519 It is my business and not yours. I will not tell. 383 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:51.160 Then you will leave my employment right away, Very good, sir. 384 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:54.319 If I must, I must, And you go and disgrace 385 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:58.640 by thunder. You may well be ashamed of yourself. Your 386 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:01.039 family has lived with mine for over a hundred years 387 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.200 under this roof, and here I find you deep in 388 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:07.960 some dark plot against me. No, no, sir, no, not 389 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:12.599 against you. It was a woman's voice, and missus Barrymore 390 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:16.279 paler and more horror struck than her husband, was standing 391 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:20.319 at the door. Her bulky figure in a shawl and 392 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:24.400 skirt might have been comic were it not for the 393 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:28.599 intensity of feeling upon her face. Where you have to go, Eliza, 394 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:31.680 That is the end of it. You can pack our things, 395 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:35.480 said the butler. Oh, John, John, have I brought you 396 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:39.400 to this? It is my doing, Sir Henry Homemine. He 397 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:42.400 has done nothing except for my sake, because I asked 398 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:47.599 him speak out. Then what does it mean? My unhappy 399 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:50.960 brother is starving on the moor. We cannot let him 400 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.960 perish at our very gates. The light is a signal 401 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:56.599