1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,300 Chapter 8 of The Sign of the four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,000 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 3 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:12,200 Chapter 8, the Baker Street Irregulars. 4 00:00:13,900 --> 00:00:18,600 What now I asked Toby has lost his character for infallibility, 5 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,600 he acted according to his lights said Holmes lifting him down 6 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,500 from the barrel and walking him out of the Timber yard. 7 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:30,700 If you consider how much creosote is carted about London. 8 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:34,000 In one day, it is no great wonder that our Trail should 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,700 have been crossed. It is much used now, especially 10 00:00:37,700 --> 00:00:41,400 for the seasoning of wood. Poor Toby is not to blame. 11 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,200 We must get on the main scent again I suppose. 12 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:50,200 Yes and fortunately we have no distance to go. 13 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:55,400 Evidently what puzzled a dog at the corner of nights place. 14 00:00:55,900 --> 00:00:57,900 Was that? They were two different Trails 15 00:00:58,100 --> 00:01:01,900 running in opposite directions. We took the wrong one. 16 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:04,400 It only remains to follow the other. 17 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:08,900 It was no difficulty about this on leading, Toby to the place 18 00:01:08,900 --> 00:01:10,300 where he had committed his fault. 19 00:01:10,700 --> 00:01:14,600 He cast about in a Wide Circle and finally dashed off in a 20 00:01:14,607 --> 00:01:18,300 fresh direction, we must take care that he doesn't. 21 00:01:18,300 --> 00:01:21,600 Now bring us to the place where the creosote Barrel came from. 22 00:01:21,700 --> 00:01:26,400 I observed, I had sort of that, but you notice that he keeps on 23 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,800 the pavement, whereas the barrel passed down the roadway. 24 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,900 No, we are on the true sent now, it tended down towards The 25 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:37,800 Riverside running through Belmont Place and princes 26 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,000 street. At the end of Broad Street, it 27 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,300 ran right down to the water's edge where there was a small, 28 00:01:43,300 --> 00:01:46,300 wooden Wharf. Toby led us to the very edge of 29 00:01:46,308 --> 00:01:50,500 this and there stood whining, looking out on the dark current 30 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:56,200 Beyond, We are out of luck said Holmes, they have taken to a 31 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,400 boat here. Several small punts and Skiffs 32 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,400 were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. 33 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,400 We took, Toby round to each in turn, but though he sniffed 34 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:11,300 earnestly, he made no sign close to the rude. 35 00:02:11,300 --> 00:02:15,500 Landing stage was a small brick house with a wooden placard 36 00:02:15,500 --> 00:02:17,300 slung out through the second window. 37 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:22,500 Mordecai Smith was printed across it in large letters and 38 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:26,000 underneath boats to hire by the hour or day. 39 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:30,100 A second inscription above the Or informed us that a steam 40 00:02:30,100 --> 00:02:33,500 launch was kept a statement, which was confirmed by a great 41 00:02:33,500 --> 00:02:34,500 pile of coke. Pain. 42 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:39,000 The Jetty Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round and his face 43 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:45,200 assumed an ominous expression. This looks bad said he, these 44 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,300 fellows are sharper than I expected. 45 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:49,800 They seem to have covered their tracks. 46 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:54,000 There has I fear been preconcerted management here? 47 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,300 He was approaching the door of the house when it opened and the 48 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:03,100 little curly-headed lad of six came running out, followed by a 49 00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:07,200 stoutish red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. 50 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:10,000 You come back and be washed Jack. 51 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,300 She shouted come back here young imp for if your father comes 52 00:03:14,300 --> 00:03:16,900 home and finds you like that. He let us hear of it. 53 00:03:17,700 --> 00:03:21,400 Dear little chap said Holmes strategically what a 54 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:26,400 rosy-cheeked young Rascal now Jack is there anything you would 55 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,800 like The youth pondered for a moment. 56 00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:33,500 I'd like a Schilling said, he nothing. 57 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:38,000 You would like better. I'd like to Schilling bear The 58 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:39,800 Prodigy answered after some thought. 59 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,700 Here you are, then catch a fine child mrs. 60 00:03:44,700 --> 00:03:49,300 Smith Lor, bless you, sir. He is that and forward. 61 00:03:49,700 --> 00:03:51,800 He gets a mouse. Too much for me to manage, 62 00:03:52,100 --> 00:03:56,500 especially when my mind is away days at a time away. 63 00:03:56,500 --> 00:03:59,200 Is he said, Holmes in a disappointed voice. 64 00:03:59,900 --> 00:04:01,500 I am. Sorry for that. 65 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,100 For I wanted to speak to mr. Smith. 66 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:08,700 He's been away since yesterday morning, sir and Truth to tell. 67 00:04:08,700 --> 00:04:11,700 I'm beginning to feel frightened about him but if it was about 68 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:14,500 about Sir, maybe I could serve as well. 69 00:04:15,900 --> 00:04:17,700 I wanted to hire the steam launch. 70 00:04:18,500 --> 00:04:21,500 Why bless you sir? It is in the steam launch, that 71 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:25,200 he's gone. That's what puzzles me, find out 72 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,400 there ain't more coals in her than would take it about 73 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,200 woollett chin back. If he'd been away in the barge 74 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,300 out of thought, nothing for many a time, a job is taken as far as 75 00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:37,000 Gravesend and then if there was much doing there in my estate 76 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,500 over but what good is a steam launch without curls? 77 00:04:41,900 --> 00:04:44,400 He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. 78 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:49,300 He might sir, but it weren't his way many a time. 79 00:04:49,300 --> 00:04:50,800 I've heard him call out the prices. 80 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:55,100 They charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don't like that 81 00:04:55,100 --> 00:04:58,700 wooden-legged man with his ugly face and outlandish, talk what 82 00:04:58,700 --> 00:05:02,300 did he want? Always knocking about here for I 83 00:05:02,300 --> 00:05:05,800 wouldn't like it man. Said Holmes with Bland surprise? 84 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,600 Yes sir. A brown monkey face chap. 85 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:11,700 It's called more than once for my old, man. 86 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:14,000 It was in that roused him up. Yes. 87 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:15,600 Tonight. And what's more? 88 00:05:15,700 --> 00:05:18,600 My man knew he was coming for, he had steamed up in a launch. 89 00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:22,800 I tell you, straight sir, I don't feel easy in my mind about 90 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,600 it. But my dear mrs. 91 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,200 Smith said Holmes shrugging his shoulders. 92 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,000 You are frightening yourself about nothing. 93 00:05:31,700 --> 00:05:33,500 How could you possibly tell that it was? 94 00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:35,900 The wooden-legged man who came in the night. 95 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:41,500 I don't quite understand how you can be so sure he's voice sir. 96 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,000 I know his voice which is kind of thick and foggy. 97 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,500 He tapped at the winder about three. 98 00:05:47,500 --> 00:05:51,900 It would be shower leg. My e says, 'I time to turn out 99 00:05:51,900 --> 00:05:56,900 God Well man, woke up. Jim that's my oldest and away. 100 00:05:56,900 --> 00:05:58,800 They went without so much as a word to me. 101 00:05:59,300 --> 00:06:04,200 I could hear the wooden leg clacking on the stones and was 102 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:09,600 this wooden-legged man. Alone couldn't say, I'm not sure 103 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,000 sir. I didn't hear no one else. 104 00:06:13,300 --> 00:06:14,200 I am. Sorry. 105 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,000 Mrs. Farris for I wanted to steam launch and I have heard 106 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:23,900 good reports of the let me see what is her name the Aurora sir? 107 00:06:25,100 --> 00:06:28,600 Ah she's not that old green launched with a yellow line. 108 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:33,900 Very Broad in the beam now. Indeed Jesus trim a little thing 109 00:06:33,900 --> 00:06:37,000 as any on the river. She's been freshly painted black 110 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:41,500 with two red streaks. Thanks, I hope you will hear 111 00:06:41,500 --> 00:06:44,600 soon from mr. Smith, I'm going down the river 112 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,100 and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know 113 00:06:48,100 --> 00:06:50,800 that you're uneasy a black funnel. 114 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:55,000 You say? Now, sir, black with a white 115 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:59,900 band, of course it was a sides which were black. 116 00:07:00,700 --> 00:07:02,000 Good morning, mrs. Smith. 117 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,100 There is a Boatman here with a weary Watson. 118 00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:08,500 We shall take it and cross the river. 119 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,200 The main thing with people of that sort said, Holmes, as we 120 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:17,000 sat in the sheets of the weary is never to let them think that 121 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,300 their information can be of the slightest importance to you. 122 00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:23,900 If you do, they will instantly shut up like an oyster. 123 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,800 If you listen to them under protest as it were, you are very 124 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,900 likely to get what you want. Our course now seems pretty 125 00:07:31,900 --> 00:07:37,300 clear that I what would you do? Then I would Engage The launch 126 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:39,200 and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. 127 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:44,100 My dear fellow, it would be a colossal task. 128 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:47,100 She may have touched it. Any Wharf on either side of the 129 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:50,600 stream between here and Greenwich below the bridge, 130 00:07:50,900 --> 00:07:54,400 there is a perfect Labyrinth of Landing places for miles. 131 00:07:54,900 --> 00:07:57,600 It would take you days and days to exhaust them. 132 00:07:58,100 --> 00:08:04,600 If you set about it alone, Employ the police then, no, I 133 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:07,800 shall probably call athelney Jones in at the last moment. 134 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:11,500 He's not a bad fellow and I should not like to do anything, 135 00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:14,300 which would injure him professionally, but I have a 136 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:17,700 fancy for working it out myself. Now that we have gone so far 137 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:21,100 Could we advertise then asking for information? 138 00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:24,300 From war fingers, worse and worse? 139 00:08:24,900 --> 00:08:28,300 Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels and 140 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:30,100 they will be off out of the country. 141 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:32,799 As it is. They are likely enough to leave 142 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,200 but as long as they think they are perfectly safe, they will be 143 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,799 in no hurry Jones is energy will be of use to us there. 144 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:43,799 For his view of the case is sure to push itself into the Daily 145 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:47,300 Press and The Runaways will think that everyone is off on 146 00:08:47,300 --> 00:08:50,200 the wrong scent. What are we to do? 147 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:55,400 Then I asked as we landed near Millburn, Penitentiary take this 148 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:59,800 handsome drive home have some breakfast and get an hours 149 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:02,400 sleep. It is quite on the cards. 150 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:05,500 We maybe a foot tonight. Again, stop at a telegraph 151 00:09:05,500 --> 00:09:07,900 office. Cabbie we will keep Toby for, he 152 00:09:07,908 --> 00:09:11,700 may be of use to us yet. We pulled up at the great Peter 153 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:16,000 Street, post office, and homes despatched, his wire whom. 154 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:19,300 Do you think that is too? He asked as we resumed our 155 00:09:19,300 --> 00:09:24,500 journey I'm sure, I don't know. You remember, the Baker Street 156 00:09:24,500 --> 00:09:27,800 division of the detective police force, who my employed in the 157 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:33,500 Jefferson hope case. Well said I laughing, this is 158 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:38,100 just the case where they might be invaluable, if they fail, I 159 00:09:38,100 --> 00:09:40,500 have other resources. But I shall try them first. 160 00:09:41,100 --> 00:09:44,500 That why I was to my dirty little Lieutenant Wiggins and I 161 00:09:44,508 --> 00:09:47,800 expect that he and his gang will be with us before we finished 162 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,200 our breakfast. It was between eight and nine 163 00:09:51,500 --> 00:09:54,500 now, and I was conscious of a strong reaction. 164 00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:57,900 After the successive excitement's of the night, I was 165 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:01,500 limp and weary befogged in mind and fatigued in body. 166 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,600 I had not the professional enthusiasm, which carried my 167 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:08,600 companion on, nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract 168 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:13,700 intellectual problem, as far as the death of Bartholomew sholto 169 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:18,000 went, I had heard little good of him and could feel no intense 170 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:21,700 antipathy to his Murderers. The treasure, however, was a 171 00:10:21,700 --> 00:10:26,400 different matter that or part of it, belonged rightfully to miss 172 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,200 morstan. While there was a chance of 173 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,700 recovering it. I was ready to devote my life to 174 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:34,600 the one object true. If I found it, who would 175 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,100 probably put her forever beyond my reach yet, it would be a 176 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:41,100 petty and selfish love, which would be influenced by such a 177 00:10:41,100 --> 00:10:45,800 thought as that if homes could work to find the criminals, I 178 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:50,000 had a 10-fold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. 179 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:54,200 A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshen me up 180 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,500 wonderfully. When I came down to our room, I 181 00:10:57,500 --> 00:11:00,100 found the breakfast laid and homes pouring out the coffee, 182 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:04,900 here it is, said he laughing and pointing to an open newspaper, 183 00:11:05,500 --> 00:11:08,900 the energetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter have fixed 184 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:13,200 it up between them, but you've had enough of a case better. 185 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:18,800 Have your ham and eggs first. I took the paper from him and 186 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,900 read the short notice, which was headed mysterious business at 187 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:26,600 upper Norwood. About 12 o'clock last night. 188 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,700 So the standard mr. Bartholomew sholto of 189 00:11:29,700 --> 00:11:33,200 pondicherry Lodge Upper Norwood, was found dead in his room under 190 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,300 circumstances, which point to foul play. 191 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,900 As far as we can learn. No, actual traces of violence, 192 00:11:38,900 --> 00:11:42,000 were found upon mr. Sholto's person, but a valuable 193 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,200 collection of Indian gems, which the deceased gentleman had 194 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,500 inherited. From his father has been carried 195 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:50,000 off. The discovery was first made by 196 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,600 mr. Sherlock Holmes, and dr. 197 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,200 Watson who had called at the house with mr. 198 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:55,000 Thaddeus. Zsolt. 199 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,700 Oh, brother of the deceased by a singular piece of Good. 200 00:11:58,700 --> 00:12:01,800 Fortune, mr. Athelney Jones, the well-known 201 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,100 member of the detective police force happened to be at the 202 00:12:05,108 --> 00:12:08,500 Norwood Police Station and was on the ground within half an 203 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:12,100 hour of the first alarm, his trained and experienced 204 00:12:12,100 --> 00:12:15,300 faculties were at once. Directed towards the detection 205 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:17,900 of the criminals. With the gratifying result. 206 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,500 That the brother Thaddeus sholto has already been arrested 207 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:23,600 together with the housekeeper mrs. 208 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:27,800 Bernstone. Indian butler named Lal Rao and 209 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,700 a porter or gatekeeper named McMurdo. 210 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:34,900 It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well 211 00:12:34,900 --> 00:12:36,900 acquainted with the house for mr. 212 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:39,000 Jones's. Well-known technical knowledge. 213 00:12:39,100 --> 00:12:42,700 And his powers of minut. Observation have a nailed him to 214 00:12:42,700 --> 00:12:45,700 prove conclusively that the miscreants could not have 215 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:49,100 entered by the door, or by the window, but must have made their 216 00:12:49,100 --> 00:12:50,800 way across the roof of the building. 217 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:55,000 And so through a trapdoor into a room, which communicated With 218 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,100 that in which the body was found. 219 00:12:58,300 --> 00:13:01,500 This fact which has been very clearly made out proves 220 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:05,600 conclusively, that it was no mere haphazard burglary, The 221 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,800 Prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law shows. 222 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:11,400 The great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a 223 00:13:11,408 --> 00:13:14,500 single. Vigorous, and masterful mind we 224 00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:17,300 cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those 225 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:20,200 who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. 226 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,500 And so brought into closer and more effective touch with the 227 00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:26,200 cases which it is their duty to investigate. 228 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:30,600 Isn't it? Gorgeous said, Holmes grinning 229 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,400 over his coffee cup. What do you think of it? 230 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:37,000 I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being 231 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:42,700 arrested for the crime. so do I, I wouldn't answer for our safety 232 00:13:42,700 --> 00:13:46,000 now, if you should happen to have another of his attacks of 233 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:50,800 energy, At this moment, there was a loud ring at the bell and 234 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,400 I could hear mrs. Hudson our landlady raising her 235 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,600 voice in a way love expostulation and dismay by 236 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:01,200 Heavens Holmes. I said half Rising I believe 237 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:05,300 that they are really after us. Now, it's not quite so bad as 238 00:14:05,300 --> 00:14:08,400 that. It is The Unofficial Force the 239 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:12,000 Baker Street Irregulars as he spoke. 240 00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:15,900 There came, a swift patterning of naked feet upon the stairs, a 241 00:14:15,900 --> 00:14:19,900 clatter of High voices and in rushed a dozen, dirty, and 242 00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:23,100 ragged little Street Arabs, there was some show of 243 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:27,200 discipline among them despite their tumultuous entry, for the 244 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,500 instantly Drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant 245 00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:34,900 faces. One of their number taller and 246 00:14:34,900 --> 00:14:38,500 older than the others, stood forward with an air of lounging 247 00:14:38,500 --> 00:14:42,300 superiority, which was very funny in such a disreputable 248 00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:46,200 little scarecrow. Got your message. 249 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,700 Sir said he and brought them on Sharp three. 250 00:14:49,700 --> 00:14:53,900 Bob, and a tenner for tickets here, you are said Holmes 251 00:14:53,900 --> 00:14:58,200 producing some silver in future. They can report to you Wiggins 252 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,400 and you to me, I cannot have the house invaded in this way. 253 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,000 However, it is just as well, that you should all hear the 254 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,600 instructions. I want to find the whereabouts 255 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:13,100 of a steam launch called the Aurora owner, Mordecai Smith 256 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:17,200 black with to read, Streaks, funnel black with a white band. 257 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:21,500 She is down the river somewhere. I want one boy to be at Mordecai 258 00:15:21,500 --> 00:15:25,000 Smith landing-stage opposite Milbank to say it's a boat comes 259 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,400 back. You must divide it out among 260 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:31,100 yourselves and do both Banks thoroughly, let me know. 261 00:15:31,100 --> 00:15:33,800 The moment you have news, is that all clear? 262 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:40,700 Yes, Governor said, Wiggins the old scale of pay and a guinea to 263 00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:44,400 the boy who finds the boat. Here's a day in advance. 264 00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:48,100 Now off you go, he handed him, a shilling each. 265 00:15:48,100 --> 00:15:51,100 And a way they Buzz down the stairs and I saw them a moment 266 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:55,800 later streaming down the street. If the launch is above water, 267 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:59,300 they will find her said, Holmes as he rose from the table and 268 00:15:59,300 --> 00:16:02,400 lit his pipe, they can go everywhere. 269 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:05,600 See everything over here, everyone. 270 00:16:06,300 --> 00:16:08,800 I expect to hear before evening, that they have spotted her. 271 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,900 In the meanwhile, we can do nothing but await results. 272 00:16:15,500 --> 00:16:18,600 We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the 273 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:23,700 Aurora or mr. Mordecai Smith, Toby could eat 274 00:16:23,700 --> 00:16:25,200 these scraps. I daresay. 275 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:30,300 Are you going to bed homes? No, I am not tired. 276 00:16:30,900 --> 00:16:35,300 I have a curious Constitution. I never remember feeling tired 277 00:16:35,300 --> 00:16:38,100 by work though. Idleness exhaust. 278 00:16:38,100 --> 00:16:41,200 Me completely. I'm going to smoke and to think 279 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,000 over this queer business to which my fair client has 280 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:48,300 introduced us. If ever man had an easy task 281 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,600 this of ours ought to be wooden-legged. 282 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:55,700 Men are not so common, but the other man must I shouldn't think 283 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:59,000 be absolutely unique. That other man. 284 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:04,500 Again I have no wish to make a mystery of him to you anyway, 285 00:17:05,099 --> 00:17:07,099 but you must have formed your own opinion. 286 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,000 Now, do consider the data diminutive footmarks toes. 287 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,599 Never fettered by boots naked feet stone-headed. 288 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:20,000 Wooden mace great agility, small poisoned darts. 289 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:24,800 What do you make of all this a Savage exclaimed? 290 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:27,800 Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan 291 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:34,300 small Hardly that said he when first I saw signs of strange 292 00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:38,800 weapons, I was inclined to think so but the remarkable character 293 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:43,100 of the foot marks caused me to reconsider My Views some of the 294 00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:47,600 inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men but none 295 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,700 could have left such marks as that the Hindu proper has long 296 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:54,400 and thin feet. The sandal-wearing mohammedan 297 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,800 has the great toe well separated from the others because the 298 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:02,300 thong Thing is, commonly passed between these little darts to 299 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:06,800 could only be shot in one way. They are from a blowpipe. 300 00:18:07,700 --> 00:18:11,100 Now, then where are we to find our Savage? 301 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,800 South American, I hazarded. He stretched his hand up and 302 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,000 took down a bulky volume from the Shelf. 303 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:23,500 This is the first volume of a gazetteer, which is now being 304 00:18:23,500 --> 00:18:26,200 published. It may be looked upon as the 305 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,900 very latest Authority. What have we here, Andaman 306 00:18:30,900 --> 00:18:34,200 Islands? Situated, 340 miles to the north 307 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:41,400 of Sumatra in the Bay of Bengal hum hum, what's all this moist 308 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:47,500 climate Coral reefs sharks Port. Blair convict Barracks? 309 00:18:47,500 --> 00:18:50,800 Rutland Island? Cotton Woods are. 310 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:54,600 Here we are the Aborigines of the Andaman Islands. 311 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,900 May perhaps claim the distinction of being the 312 00:18:56,900 --> 00:18:59,800 smallest race. Upon this Earth, though some 313 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:03,100 Anthropologist prefer the Bushmen of Africa, the Digger, 314 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:05,700 Indians of America, and the Terra del Fuego. 315 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:09,100 Means the average height is rather below 4 feet. 316 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:12,700 Although many full-grown adults may be found who are Very much 317 00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:16,200 smaller than this. They are a fierce morose and 318 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,900 intractable people though capable of forming most devoted 319 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:22,900 friendships when their confidence has once been gained 320 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:28,800 marked at Watson now then listen to this, they are naturally 321 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:33,400 hideous, having large misshapen heads, small Fierce eyes and 322 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,300 distorted features their feet and hands. 323 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:40,300 However, are remarkably small. So intractable and fierce are 324 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:42,000 they that all the efforts of the British? 325 00:19:42,300 --> 00:19:46,400 Vishal have failed to win them. Over in any degree, they have 326 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,300 always been a terror to Shipwrecked Cruise braining the 327 00:19:49,300 --> 00:19:52,800 survivors with their stone-headed clubs or shooting 328 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:57,100 them with their poisoned arrows. These massacres are invariably 329 00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:03,600 concluded by a cannibal feast. Nice amiable people Watson if 330 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:07,200 this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices, this affair 331 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:12,000 might have taken an even more ghastly turn, I fancy that, even 332 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:15,700 as it is Jonathan, small would give a good deal not to have 333 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:20,200 employed him, but how came it have such singular companion? 334 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:25,800 That is more than I can tell. Since however, we had already 335 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:30,700 determined that small had come from the andamans He's not so 336 00:20:30,700 --> 00:20:33,400 very wonderful that this island should be with him. 337 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:37,300 No doubt, we shall know all about it in time. 338 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,900 Look here. Watson you look regularly done 339 00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:45,400 lie down there on the sofa and see if I can put you to sleep. 340 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:50,200 He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretch myself 341 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,600 out he began to play some low dreamy melodious. 342 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:57,800 Are his own, no doubt. For he had a remarkable gift for 343 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:01,600 improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of 344 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:06,000 his gaunt, limbs, his Earnest face and the rise and fall of 345 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,300 his bow. Then I seem to be floated 346 00:21:09,300 --> 00:21:14,000 peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound until I found myself in 347 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:19,100 Dreamland with the sweet Ace of Mary morstan looking down upon 348 00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:22,400 me. End of chapter 8. 349 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,400 End of chapter 8.