1
00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:04,360
Section 1 of the Rivals of 
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1. 

2
00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:07,720
This is a Librivox recording. 
All Librivox recordings are in 

3
00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,280
the public domain. 
For more information or to 

4
00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:12,880
volunteer, please visit 
librivox.org. 

5
00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,800
Recording by Beth Thomas. 
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 

6
00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,520
Volume 1. 
Message from the Deep Sea by 

7
00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:24,720
Doctor John Jones Pitkin and R 
Austin Freeman, Part 1 The White

8
00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:26,800
Chapel Rd. 
Though redeemed by scattered 

9
00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:30,080
relics of a more picturesque 
past from the utter desolation 

10
00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,640
of its neighbor, the Commercial 
Road is hardly a gay 

11
00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,920
thoroughfare, especially at its 
east and end, where its sordid 

12
00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:38,360
modernity seems to reflect the 
colourless lives of its 

13
00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:40,840
inhabitants. 
Does the grey and dreary length 

14
00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:42,520
depress the spirits of the 
wayfarer? 

15
00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,800
But the longest and dullest Rd. 
can be made delightful by 

16
00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,320
sprightly discourse, seasoned 
with wit and wisdom. 

17
00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,280
And so it was that as I walked 
westward by the side of my 

18
00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,680
friend John Thorndyke, a long 
monotonous Rd. seemed all too 

19
00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:56,120
short. 
We had been to the London 

20
00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:59,280
Hospital to see a remarkable 
case of acromegaly, and as we 

21
00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,240
returned we discussed this 
curious affliction and the 

22
00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:05,239
allied condition of gigantism in
all their bearings, from the 

23
00:01:05,239 --> 00:01:09,360
origin of the Gibson chin to the
physique of OG, King of Bashan. 

24
00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,640
It would have been interesting, 
Thorndyke remarked, as we passed

25
00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,320
up Aldgate High Street, to put 
one's finger into His Majesty's 

26
00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:18,800
pituitary fossa after his 
deceased course. 

27
00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:21,120
By the way, here is Harrow 
Alley. 

28
00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:23,880
You remember Defoe's description
of the dead cart waiting at 

29
00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,320
here, and the ghastly procession
coming down the alley? 

30
00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,360
He took my arm and LED me up the
narrow thoroughfare as far as 

31
00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,120
the sharp turn by the Star and 
still Public House, where we 

32
00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,080
turned to look back. 
I never passed this place, he 

33
00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,280
said musingly. 
But I seemed to hear the clang 

34
00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:39,440
of the bell and the dismal cry 
of the Carter. 

35
00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:43,120
He broke off abruptly. 2 figures
had suddenly appeared framed in 

36
00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,560
the archway and now advanced at 
headlong speed. 

37
00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,640
One who led was a stout and 
middle-aged Jewess, very 

38
00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:50,960
breathless and dishevelled. 
The other was a well dressed 

39
00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,560
young man, hardly less agitated 
than his companion. 

40
00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,400
As they approached, the young 
man suddenly recognized my 

41
00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:58,760
colleague and accosted him in 
agitated tones. 

42
00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,920
I've just been sent forward to a
case of murder or suicide. 

43
00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,520
Would you mind looking at it for
me, Sir? 

44
00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:05,800
It's my first case and I feel 
rather nervous. 

45
00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,479
Here the woman darted back and 
plucked the young doctor by the 

46
00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:10,759
arm. 
Hurry, hurry, she exclaimed. 

47
00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:14,000
Don't stop to talk. 
Her face was as white as lard 

48
00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,680
and shiny with sweat. 
Her lips twitched, her hands 

49
00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,320
shook and she stared with the 
eyes of a frightened child. 

50
00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,800
Of course I will come, Hart, 
said Thorndyke, and turning 

51
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,280
back, we followed the woman as 
she elbowed her way frantically 

52
00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,080
among the foot passengers. 
Have you started in practice 

53
00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:29,800
here? 
Thorndyke asked as we hurried 

54
00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,600
along. 
No, Sir, replied Dr. Hart. 

55
00:02:32,640 --> 00:02:34,840
I am an assistant. 
My principal is the police 

56
00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:36,200
Sergeant, but he is out just 
now. 

57
00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:37,920
It's very good of you to come 
with me, Sir. 

58
00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:40,080
Tut. 
Tut rejoined Thorndyke. 

59
00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,680
I am just coming to see that you
do credit to my teaching. 

60
00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,760
That looks like the house. 
We had followed our guide into a

61
00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,280
side street, halfway down which 
we could see a knot of people 

62
00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,920
clustered around a doorway. 
They watched us as we approached

63
00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,200
and drew a side to let us enter.
The woman whom we were following

64
00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,960
rushed into the passage with the
same headlong haste with which 

65
00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,280
she had traversed the streets 
and so up the stairs. 

66
00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,920
But as she neared the top of the
flight she slowed down suddenly 

67
00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,960
and began to creep up on tiptoe 
with noiseless and hesitating 

68
00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:06,840
steps. 
On the landing she turned to 

69
00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,880
face us, and, pointing shaking 
forefinger at the door at the 

70
00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,160
back of the room, whispered 
almost inaudibly, She's in 

71
00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,400
there, and then sank half 
fainting on the bottom stair of 

72
00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,000
the next flight. 
I laid my hand on the knob of 

73
00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,880
the door and looked back at 
Thorndyke. 

74
00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,000
He was coming slowly up the 
stairs, closely scrutinizing 

75
00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,880
floor, walls, and handrail as he
came. 

76
00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,440
When he reached the landing I 
turned the handle and we entered

77
00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,360
the room together, closing the 
door after us. 

78
00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,840
The blind was still down, and in
the dim, uncertain light nothing

79
00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:35,880
out of the common was at first 
to be seen. 

80
00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,960
The shabby little room looked 
trim and orderly enough, save 

81
00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,760
for a heap of cast off feminine 
clothing piled on the chair. 

82
00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:44,960
The bed appeared undisturbed 
except by the half seen shape of

83
00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:47,800
its occupant, and the quiet 
face, dimly visible in the 

84
00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,360
shadowy corner might have been 
that of a sleeper, but for its 

85
00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,560
utter stillness and the dark 
stain on the pillow by its side.

86
00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,720
Dr. Hart stole on tiptoe to the 
bedside while Thorndyke drew up 

87
00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:00,400
the blind, and as the garish 
daylight poured into the room 

88
00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,600
the young surgeon fell back with
a gasp of horror. 

89
00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:06,880
Good God, he exclaimed, poor 
creature, but this is a 

90
00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,920
frightful thing, Sir. 
The light streamed down upon the

91
00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,120
white face of a handsome girl of
25, a face peaceful, Placid and 

92
00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,959
beautiful, with the austere and 
almost unearthly beauty of the 

93
00:04:16,959 --> 00:04:19,320
youthful dead. 
The lips were slightly parted, 

94
00:04:19,519 --> 00:04:22,920
the eyes half closed and drowsy,
shaded with sweeping lashes, and

95
00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,880
a wealth of dark hair and 
massive plaits served as a foil 

96
00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,560
to the translucent skin. 
Our friend had drawn back the 

97
00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,240
bedclothes a few inches, and now
there was revealed beneath the 

98
00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,480
comely face, so serene and 
inscrutable, and yet so dreadful

99
00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:38,280
in its fixity and wax and 
pallor, a horrible yawning wound

100
00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:40,320
that almost divided the shapely 
neck. 

101
00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,040
Thornduck looked down with stern
pity at the plump white face. 

102
00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:48,320
It was savagely done, said he, 
and yet, mercifully, by reason 

103
00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,960
of its very savagery, she must 
have died without waking the 

104
00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,880
brute, exclaimed Hart, clenching
his fists and turning Crimson 

105
00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:59,080
with wrath. 
The infernal cowardly beast he 

106
00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,040
shall hang. 
By God, he shall hang in his 

107
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:03,960
fury. 
The young fellow shook his fists

108
00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:06,960
in the air, even as the moisture
welled up in his eyes. 

109
00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:08,960
Thorndyke touched him on the 
shoulder. 

110
00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,640
That is what we are here for, 
Hart, said he. 

111
00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,640
Get out your notebook. 
And with this he bent down over 

112
00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:17,080
the dead girl. 
At the friendly reproof the 

113
00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,000
young surgeon pulled himself 
together, and with open notebook

114
00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,200
commenced this investigation, 
while I, at Thorndike's request,

115
00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,200
occupied myself in making a plan
of the room with a description 

116
00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:27,920
of its contents and their 
arrangements. 

117
00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,640
But this occupation did not 
prevent me from keeping an eye 

118
00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,800
on Thorndike's movements, and 
presently I suspended my labours

119
00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,520
to watch him, as with his pocket
knife he scraped together some 

120
00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,080
objects that he had found on the
pillow. 

121
00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,800
What do you make of this? 
He asked, as I stepped over to 

122
00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:42,880
his side. 
He pointed with the blade to a 

123
00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,160
tiny heap of what looked like 
silver sand. 

124
00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:47,760
And as I looked closely, I saw 
that similar particles were 

125
00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:49,480
sprinkled on the other parts of 
the pillow. 

126
00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,880
Silver sand? 
I exclaimed. 

127
00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,240
I don't understand at all how it
can have got there, do you? 

128
00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,240
Thornduck shook his head. 
We will consider the explanation

129
00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,640
later, was his reply. 
He had produced from his pocket 

130
00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:03,960
a small metal box which he 
always carried, and which 

131
00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,880
contained such requisites as 
cover slips, capillary tubes, 

132
00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,120
moulding, wax, and other 
diagnostic materials. 

133
00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,160
He now took from it a seed 
envelope, into which he neatly 

134
00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,120
shovelled a little pinch of sand
with his knife. 

135
00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,640
He had closed the envelope and 
was writing a pencil description

136
00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,520
on the outside when we were 
startled by a cry from heart. 

137
00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:24,080
Good God, Sir, look at this. 
It was done by a woman. 

138
00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,320
He had drawn back the bedclothes
and was staring aghast at the 

139
00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,960
dead girl's left hand. 
It held a thin tress of long red

140
00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,720
hair. 
Thorndyke hastily pocketed his 

141
00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,600
specimen and, stepping around 
the little bedside table, bent 

142
00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:38,160
over the hand with knitted 
brows. 

143
00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,080
It was closed, though not 
tightly clenched, and when an 

144
00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,920
attempt was made to gently 
separate the fingers, they were 

145
00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,480
found to be as rigid as the 
fingers of a wooden hand. 

146
00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:49,720
Thorndyke stooped yet more 
closely, and, taking out his 

147
00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,600
lens, scrutinized the wisp of 
hair throughout its entire 

148
00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,440
length. 
There is more here than meets 

149
00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,400
the eye at first glance, he 
remarked. 

150
00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,360
What say you, Heart? 
He held out his lens to his 

151
00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,840
quandum pupil, who was about to 
take it from him, when the door 

152
00:07:01,840 --> 00:07:05,600
opened and three men entered. 1 
was a police inspector, the 

153
00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,240
second appeared to be a plain 
clothes officer, while the third

154
00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:09,960
was evidently the divisional 
surgeon. 

155
00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,200
Friends of yours heart inquired 
the latter regarding us with 

156
00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,400
some disfavor. 
Thorndike gave a brief 

157
00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:17,800
explanation of our presence, to 
which the newcomer rejoined. 

158
00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,840
Well, Sir, your locust stand eye
here is a matter for the 

159
00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:23,120
inspector. 
My assistant was not authorized 

160
00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,440
to call in outsiders. 
You needn't wait, Hart. 

161
00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,120
With this he proceeded to his 
inspection, while Thorndike 

162
00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,360
withdrew the pocket thermometer 
that he had slipped under the 

163
00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,840
body and took the reading. 
The inspector, however, was not 

164
00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:35,240
disposed to exercise the 
prerogative at which the surgeon

165
00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,240
had hinted, for an expert has 
his uses. 

166
00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,080
How long should you say she'd 
been dead, Sir? 

167
00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,920
He asked affably. 
About 10 hours, replied 

168
00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:44,320
Thorndyke. 
The inspector and the detective 

169
00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:45,920
simultaneously looked at their 
watches. 

170
00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,680
That fixes it at 2:00 this 
morning, said the former. 

171
00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,000
What's that, Sir? 
The surgeon was pointing to the 

172
00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,760
wisp of hair in the dead girl's 
hand. 

173
00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:55,240
My word, Exclaimed the 
inspector. 

174
00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:57,600
Oh, woman, eh? 
She must be a tough customer. 

175
00:07:57,600 --> 00:07:59,480
This looks like a soft job for 
you, Sergeant. 

176
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,400
Yes, so the detective that 
accounts for that box with the 

177
00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:04,680
hassock on it at the head of the
bed. 

178
00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:06,840
She had to stand on them to 
reach over, but she couldn't 

179
00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,280
have been very tall. 
She must have been mighty 

180
00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:10,800
strong, though, said the 
inspector. 

181
00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,200
Why, she has nearly cut the poor
wencher's head off. 

182
00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,920
He moved around to the head of 
the bed and stooping over, 

183
00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,240
peered down at the gaping wound.
Suddenly he began to draw his 

184
00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:21,360
hand over the pillow, and then 
to rub his fingers together. 

185
00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:23,160
Why? 
He exclaimed. 

186
00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:25,680
There's sand on the pillow, 
silver sand. 

187
00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:28,440
Now how can that have come here?
The surgeon and the detective 

188
00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,240
both came around to verify this 
discovery, and an earnest 

189
00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,280
consultation took place as to 
its meaning. 

190
00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:36,280
Did you notice it, Sir? 
The inspector asked Thorndyke. 

191
00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:40,120
Yes, replied the latter. 
It's an unaccountable thing, 

192
00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,000
isn't it? 
I don't know that it is either, 

193
00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,440
said the detective. 
He ran over to the washstand and

194
00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:45,760
then uttered a grunt of 
satisfaction. 

195
00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:47,840
It's quite a simple matter, 
after all. 

196
00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,360
You see, he said, glancing 
complacently at my colleague. 

197
00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,160
There's a ball of sand soap on 
the washstand, and the basement 

198
00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:54,840
is full of blood stained water, 
you see. 

199
00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,240
She must have washed the blood 
off her hands and off the knife 

200
00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,160
too. 
A pretty cool customer she must 

201
00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:00,840
be. 
And then she used the sand soap.

202
00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,240
Then, while she was drying her 
hands, she must have stood over 

203
00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,120
the head of the bed and let the 
sand fall on the pillow. 

204
00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,680
I think that's clear enough. 
Admirably clear, said Thornduck.

205
00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:10,960
And what do you suppose was the 
sequence of events? 

206
00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:13,240
The gratified detective glanced 
around the room. 

207
00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,840
I take it, said he, that the 
deceased read herself to sleep. 

208
00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,440
There is a book on the table by 
the bed, and a Candlestick with 

209
00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:21,520
nothing in it but a bit of burnt
Wick at the bottom of the 

210
00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:23,600
socket. 
I imagine that the woman came in

211
00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:26,840
quietly, lit the gas, put the 
box and the hassock at the bed 

212
00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:29,720
head, stood on them, and cut her
victim's throat. 

213
00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,040
Deceased must have waked up and 
clutched the murderess's hair, 

214
00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:34,840
though there doesn't seem to 
have been much of A struggle, 

215
00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:36,480
but no doubt she died almost at 
once. 

216
00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:39,480
Then the murderess washed her 
hands, cleaned the knife, tied 

217
00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:41,920
up the bed a bit, and went away.
That's about how things 

218
00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:43,800
happened, I think. 
But how she got in without 

219
00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,560
anyone hearing, and how she got 
out and where she went to are 

220
00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,320
the things that we've got to 
find out. 

221
00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,400
Perhaps, said the surgeon, 
drawing the bedclothes over the 

222
00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,800
corpse, we had better have the 
landlady in and make a few 

223
00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,840
inquiries. 
He glanced significantly at 

224
00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,040
Thorndyke, and the inspector 
coughed behind his hand. 

225
00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,960
My colleague, however, chose to 
be obtused to these hints. 

226
00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,640
Opening the door, he turned the 
key backwards and forwards 

227
00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,600
several times, drew it out, 
examined it narrowly, and 

228
00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:08,840
replaced it. 
The landlady is outside on the 

229
00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:10,720
landing, he remarked, holding 
the door open. 

230
00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:13,480
Thereupon the inspector went out
and we all followed to hear the 

231
00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,640
results of his inquiries. 
Now Missus Goldstein, said the 

232
00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,720
officer, opening his notebook, I
want you to tell us all that you

233
00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:21,880
know about this affair and about
the girl herself. 

234
00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,360
What was her name? 
The landlady, who had been 

235
00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:27,120
joined by a white faced, 
tremulous man, wiped her eyes 

236
00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:30,640
and replied in a shaky voice. 
Her name, poor child, was Minna 

237
00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,240
Adler. 
She was a German. 

238
00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:34,480
She came from Bremen about two 
years ago. 

239
00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:36,800
She had no friends in England, 
no relatives. 

240
00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,720
I mean she was a waitress at a 
restaurant in Fenchurch St. and 

241
00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,520
a good, quiet, hard working 
girl. 

242
00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,480
When did you discover what had 
happened? 

243
00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,120
About 11:00. 
I thought she had gone to work 

244
00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:49,040
as usual, but my husband noticed
from the backyard that her blind

245
00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,400
was still down. 
So I went up and knocked, and 

246
00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,720
when I got no answer I opened 
the door and went in. 

247
00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,000
And then I saw here. 
The poor soul, overcome by the 

248
00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,840
dreadful recollection, burst 
into hysterical sobs. 

249
00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,560
Her door was unlocked then? 
Did she usually lock it? 

250
00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,320
I think so, sobbed Missus 
Goldstein. 

251
00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,680
The key was always inside. 
And the street door? 

252
00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:10,640
Was that secure when you came 
down this morning? 

253
00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,480
It was shut. 
We don't bolt it because some of

254
00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:15,080
the lodgers come home rather 
late. 

255
00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:17,320
And now tell us, had she any 
enemies? 

256
00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:19,440
Was there anyone who had a 
grudge against her? 

257
00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,760
No, no, poor child, why should 
anyone have a grudge against 

258
00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:25,200
her? 
No, she had no quarrel, no real 

259
00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,080
quarrel with anyone, not even 
Miriam. 

260
00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:30,120
Miriam inquired the inspector. 
Who was she? 

261
00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,360
Oh, that was nothing, interposed
the man hastily. 

262
00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:36,320
That was not a quarrel, just a 
little unpleasantness, I 

263
00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:38,960
suppose, Mr. Goldstein suggested
the inspector. 

264
00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,600
Just a little foolishness about 
a young man, said Mr. Goldstein.

265
00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,080
That was all. 
Miriam was a little jealous, but

266
00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,400
it was nothing. 
No, no, of course we all know 

267
00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,400
that young women are apartment 
to a soft footstep had been for 

268
00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,240
some time audible, slowly 
descending the stair above, and 

269
00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,680
at this moment a turn of the 
staircase brought the newcomer 

270
00:11:55,680 --> 00:11:58,040
into view. 
And at that vision the inspector

271
00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:01,640
stopped short, as if petrified, 
and a tense, startled silence 

272
00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:04,360
fell upon us all. 
Down the remaining stairs there 

273
00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,320
advanced towards us a young 
woman, powerful but short, wild 

274
00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:10,920
eyed, dishevelled, horror 
stricken and of a ghastly 

275
00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:15,200
pallor, and her hair was a fiery
red, stock still and speechless.

276
00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,320
We all stood as this apparition 
came slowly towards us, but 

277
00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,760
suddenly the detective slipped 
back into the room, closing the 

278
00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:24,000
door after him to reappear a few
moments later holding a small 

279
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,640
paper packet which, after a 
quick glance at the inspector, 

280
00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,600
he placed in his breast pocket. 
This is my daughter Miriam that 

281
00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,800
we spoke about, gentlemen, said 
Mr. Goldstein. 

282
00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,000
Miriam, those are the doctors 
and the police. 

283
00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,240
The girl looked at us from one 
to the other. 

284
00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,320
You have seen her then she said 
in a strange muffled voice and 

285
00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,120
added, She isn't dead. 
Is she not really dead? 

286
00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:46,560
The question was asked in a tone
at once, coaxing and despairing,

287
00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:49,000
such as a distracted mother 
might use over the corpse of her

288
00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,720
child. 
It filled me with vague 

289
00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,360
discomfort, and unconsciously I 
looked around towards Thorndyke.

290
00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:57,840
To my surprise he had vanished 
noiselessly, backing towards the

291
00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,680
head of the stairs where I could
command a view of the hall or 

292
00:13:00,680 --> 00:13:03,080
passage. 
I looked down and saw him in the

293
00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,440
act of reaching up to a shelf 
behind the street door. 

294
00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:08,280
He caught my eye and beckoned, 
whereupon I crept away, 

295
00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:10,080
unnoticed by the party on the 
landing. 

296
00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,320
When I reached the hall he was 
wrapping up three small objects,

297
00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,440
each in a separate cigarette 
paper, and I noticed that he 

298
00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:18,560
handled them with more than 
ordinary tenderness. 

299
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,600
We didn't want to see that poor 
devil of a girl arrested, said 

300
00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,720
he, as he deposited the three 
packets gingerly in his pocket 

301
00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:26,040
box. 
Let us be off. 

302
00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,960
He opened the door noiselessly 
and stood for a moment, turning 

303
00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:31,680
the latch backwards and forwards
and closely examining its bolt. 

304
00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,800
I glanced up at the shelf behind
the door. 

305
00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,000
On it were two flat China 
candlesticks, in one of which I 

306
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,720
had happened to notice as we 
came in a short end of candle 

307
00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:42,200
lying on a tray, and I now look 
to see if that was what 

308
00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,080
Thorndyke had annexed. 
But it was still there. 

309
00:13:44,680 --> 00:13:47,360
I followed my colleague out into
the street, and for some time we

310
00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:50,040
walked on without speaking. 
You guessed what the Sergeant 

311
00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:52,320
had in that paper? 
Of course, Said Thorndyke at 

312
00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,400
length. 
Yes, it was the hair from the 

313
00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,760
dead woman's hand, and I thought
he had much better have left it 

314
00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:59,160
there. 
Undoubtedly, but that is the way

315
00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:01,680
in which, well, many policemen 
destroy valuable evidence. 

316
00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,080
Not that it matters much in this
particular instance, but it 

317
00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,240
might have been a fatal mistake.
Do you intend to take any active

318
00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:08,720
part in this case? 
I asked. 

319
00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:10,680
That depends on the 
circumstances. 

320
00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,000
I have collected some evidence, 
but what it is worth I don't yet

321
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,680
know. 
Neither do I know whether the 

322
00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:17,600
police have observed the same 
set of facts. 

323
00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,520
But I need not say that I shall 
do anything that seems necessary

324
00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:23,080
to assist the authorities. 
That is a matter of common 

325
00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,800
citizenship. 
The inroads made upon our time 

326
00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,560
by the morning's adventures made
it necessary that we should go 

327
00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:30,760
each about his respective 
business without delay. 

328
00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,160
So, after a perfunctory lunch at
a tea shop, we separated, and I 

329
00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,400
did not see my colleague again 
until the day's work was 

330
00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:39,160
finished and I turned into our 
chambers just before dinner 

331
00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:41,440
time. 
Here I found Thorndyke seated at

332
00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,680
the table and evidently full of 
business. 

333
00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,320
A microscope stood close by with
a condenser throwing a spot of 

334
00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,280
light onto a pinch of powder 
that had been sprinkled onto the

335
00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:52,360
slide. 
His collecting box lay open 

336
00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:56,080
before him and he was engaged 
rather mysteriously in squeezing

337
00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:59,680
a thick white cement from a tube
onto 3 little pieces of moulding

338
00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,360
wax. 
Useful stuff this Fortifix, he 

339
00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:04,640
remarked. 
It makes excellent casts and 

340
00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:07,080
saves the trouble and mess of 
mixing plaster, which is a 

341
00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,040
consideration for small work 
like this. 

342
00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,880
By the way, if you want to know 
what was on that poor girl's 

343
00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:13,960
pillow, just take a peek through
the microscope. 

344
00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:17,160
It is a rather pretty specimen. 
I stepped across and applied my 

345
00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,000
eye to the instrument. 
The specimen was indeed pretty 

346
00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:23,160
in more than a technical sense. 
Mingled with crystalline grains 

347
00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,920
of quartz, glassy spicules and 
water worn fragments of coral 

348
00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:29,880
were a number of lovely little 
shells, some of the texture of 

349
00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:32,560
fine porcelain, others like 
blown Venetian glass. 

350
00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,960
These are peraminifera. 
I exclaimed. 

351
00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:37,560
Yes. 
Then it is not silver sand after

352
00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,320
all? 
Certainly not. 

353
00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,120
But what is it then? 
Thorndyke smiled. 

354
00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,720
It is a message to us from the 
deep sea, Jervis, from the floor

355
00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:48,440
of the eastern Mediterranean. 
And can you read the message? 

356
00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:52,000
I think I can, he replied. 
But I shall know soon, I hope. 

357
00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,040
I looked down at the microscope 
again and wondered what message 

358
00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:57,200
these tiny shells had conveyed 
to my friend. 

359
00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:59,640
Deep sea sand on a dead woman's 
pillow? 

360
00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:03,120
What could be more incongruous? 
What possible connection could 

361
00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:06,200
there be between this sordid 
crime in the east of London and 

362
00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:07,680
the deep bed of the tideless 
sea? 

363
00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,800
Meanwhile Thorndyke squeezed out
more cement on to the three 

364
00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,560
little pieces of moulding wax 
which I suspected to be the 

365
00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,800
objects that I had seen him 
wrapping up with such care in 

366
00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:17,160
the hall of the Goldstein's 
house. 

367
00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,600
Then, laying one of them down on
a glass slide with its cemented 

368
00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:23,560
side uppermost, he stood the 
other two upright on either side

369
00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:25,440
of it. 
Finally he squeezed out a fresh 

370
00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:27,880
load of the thick cement, 
apparently to bind the three 

371
00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:30,440
objects together, and carried 
the slide very carefully to a 

372
00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,160
cupboard, where he deposited it 
together with the envelope 

373
00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,640
containing the sand and the 
slide from the stage of the 

374
00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,080
microscope. 
He was just locking the cupboard

375
00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,840
when a sharp rat tat on our 
knocker sent him hurriedly to 

376
00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:42,880
the door. 
A messenger boy standing on the 

377
00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:44,560
threshold held out a dirty 
envelope. 

378
00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,040
Mr. Goldstein kept me an awful 
long time, Sir, said he. 

379
00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:51,120
I haven't been a loitering. 
Thorndyke took the envelope over

380
00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,560
to the gas light, and opening 
it, drew forth a sheet of paper 

381
00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,240
which he scanned quickly and 
almost eagerly, and though his 

382
00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,960
face remained inscrutable as a 
mask of stone, I felt a 

383
00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:02,120
conviction that the paper had 
told him something that he 

384
00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:04,400
wished to know, the boy having 
been sent on his way. 

385
00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,119
Rejoicing, Thorndyke turned to 
the bookshelves, along which he 

386
00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,920
ran his eye thoughtfully until 
it alighted on a shabbily bound 

387
00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:12,599
of volume near 1 end. 
This he reached down, and as he 

388
00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:15,200
laid it open on the table I 
glanced at it and was surprised 

389
00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,720
to observe that it was a 
bilingual work, the opposite 

390
00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:20,280
pages being apparently in 
Russian and Hebrew, the Old 

391
00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:21,720
Testament in Russian and 
Yiddish. 

392
00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:24,760
He remarked, noting my surprise.
I am going to get Poulton to 

393
00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:26,599
photograph a couple of specimen 
pages. 

394
00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:28,160
Is that the postman or a 
visitor? 

395
00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,320
It turned out to be the postman,
and as Thorndyke extracted from 

396
00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:33,760
the letterbox an official blue 
envelope, he glanced 

397
00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:36,240
significantly at me. 
This answers your question, I 

398
00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,600
think, Jervis said he Yes. 
Coroner subpoena and a very 

399
00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,160
civil letter. 
Sorry to trouble you, but I had 

400
00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:43,680
no choice under the 
circumstances. 

401
00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:45,920
Of course he hadn't. 
Doctor Davidson has arranged to 

402
00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,560
make the autopsy tomorrow at 
4:00 PM, and I should be glad if

403
00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,720
you could be present. 
The Mortuary is in Barker St. 

404
00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,240
next to the school. 
Well, we must go. 

405
00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,040
I suppose so. 
Davidson will probably resent 

406
00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:55,680
it. 
He took up the testament and 

407
00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:56,960
went off with it to the 
laboratory. 

408
00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,680
We launched our chambers on the 
following day, and after the 

409
00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,480
meal drew up our chairs to the 
fire and lit our pipes. 

410
00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,120
Thorndyke was evidently 
preoccupied, for he laid his 

411
00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:08,200
open notebook on his knee, and, 
gazing meditatively into the 

412
00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,160
fire, made occasional entries 
with his pencil, as though here 

413
00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:12,640
arranging the points of an 
argument. 

414
00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,240
Assuming that the Aldgate murder
was the subject of his 

415
00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,920
cogitations, I ventured to ask, 
Have you any material evidence 

416
00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,520
to offer the coroner? 
He closed his notebook and put 

417
00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:23,480
it away. 
The evidence that I have, he 

418
00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,960
said, is material and important,
but it is disjointed and rather 

419
00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,440
inconclusive. 
If I can join it up into a 

420
00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,480
coherent whole, which I hope to 
do before we reach the Court, it

421
00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:35,400
will be very important indeed. 
But here is my invaluable 

422
00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:37,160
familiar with the instruments of
research. 

423
00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:39,920
He turned with a smile towards 
Poulton, who had just entered 

424
00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,720
the room, and master and man 
exchanged a friendly glance of 

425
00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,240
mutual appreciation. 
The relations of Thornduck and 

426
00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:47,080
his assistant were a constant 
delight to me. 

427
00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,440
On the one side service loyal 
and wholehearted, on the other 

428
00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:53,560
Frank in full recognition. 
I should think those will do so,

429
00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:56,640
said Polton, handing his 
principal a small cardboard box 

430
00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:58,200
such as playing cards are 
carried in. 

431
00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,200
Thorndyke pulled off the lid and
I then saw that the box was 

432
00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,040
fitted internally with grooves 
for plates and contained 2 

433
00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,280
mounted photographs. 
The latter were very singular 

434
00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,880
productions indeed. 
There were copies each of a page

435
00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:11,680
of the testament, one in 
Russian, the other Yiddish, but 

436
00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,320
the lettering appeared white on 
a black ground, of which it 

437
00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:17,120
occupied only quite a small 
space in the middle, leaving a 

438
00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:19,720
broad black margin. 
Each photograph was mounted on a

439
00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:22,920
stiff card, and each card had a 
duplicate photograph pasted on 

440
00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,040
the back. 
Thorndyke exhibited them to me 

441
00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,720
with a provoking smile, holding 
them daintily by their edges 

442
00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:30,240
before he slid them back into 
the grooves of their box. 

443
00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,800
We are making a little 
digression into philology, you 

444
00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:34,520
see. 
He remarked as he pocketed the 

445
00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:36,120
box. 
But we must be off now. 

446
00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:38,240
We shall keep Davidson waiting, 
thank you, Poulton. 

447
00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,480
The district railway carried us 
swiftly eastward, and we emerged

448
00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:44,160
from Algate station a full half 
hour before we were due. 

449
00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,480
Nevertheless, Thorndike stepped 
out briskly, but instead of 

450
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:49,680
making directly for the 
Mortuary, he strayed off 

451
00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:52,440
unaccountably into Mansell St. 
scanning the numbers of houses 

452
00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,240
as he went. 
A row of old houses, picturesque

453
00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,200
but grimy on our right, seemed 
especially to attract him, and 

454
00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:59,560
he slowed down as we approached 
them. 

455
00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,080
There is a quaint survival, 
Jervis, he remarked, pointing to

456
00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,880
a crudely painted wooden effigy 
of an Indian standing on a 

457
00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:08,520
bracket at the door of a small 
old fashioned tobacconist shop. 

458
00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:11,440
We halted to look at the little 
image, and at that moment a side

459
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,400
door opened and a woman came out
on to the doorstep, where she 

460
00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:15,960
stood gazing up and down at the 
street. 

461
00:20:16,360 --> 00:20:18,520
Bondak immediately crossed the 
pavement and addressed her, 

462
00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:20,960
apparently with some question, 
for I heard her answer 

463
00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:24,240
presently. 6:15 is his time, 
Sir, and he is generally 

464
00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:26,680
punctual to the minute. 
Thank you, said Thorndyke. 

465
00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:29,600
I'll bear that in mind. 
And lifting his hat he walked on

466
00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,400
briskly, turning presently up a 
side street which brought us out

467
00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,000
into Aldgate. 
It was now at 5 minutes to 4:00,

468
00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:37,560
so we strode off quickly to keep
our tryst at the Mortuary. 

469
00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:40,120
But although we arrived at the 
gate as the hour was striking, 

470
00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,880
when we entered the building we 
found Doctor Davidson hanging up

471
00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:44,480
his apron and preparing to 
depart. 

472
00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:47,040
Sorry I couldn't wait for you, 
he said, with no great show of 

473
00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,080
sincerity. 
But a post mortem is a mere 

474
00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,440
farce in a case like this. 
You have seen all that there was

475
00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:53,480
to see. 
However, there is the body heart

476
00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:55,640
hasn't closed up yet. 
With this and a curt good 

477
00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,720
afternoon he departed. 
I must apologise for Doctor 

478
00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,360
Davidson, Sir, said Hart, 
looking up with a vexed face 

479
00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:03,160
from the desk at which he was 
writing out his notes. 

480
00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,880
You needn't, said Thorndyke. 
You didn't supply him with 

481
00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:07,360
manners. 
And don't let me disturb you. 

482
00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:09,160
I only want to verify one or two
points. 

483
00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,600
Accepting the hint, Hart and I 
remained at the desk, while 

484
00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:15,880
Thorndyke, removing his hat, 
advanced to the long slate table

485
00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:18,200
and bent over its burden of 
pitiful tragedy. 

486
00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,080
For some time he remained 
motionless, running his eye 

487
00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:24,000
gravely over the corpse in 
search, no doubt, of bruises and

488
00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,920
indications of the struggle. 
Then he stooped and narrowly 

489
00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,600
examined the wound, especially 
at its commencement and end. 

490
00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,720
Suddenly he drew nearer, peering
intently as if something had 

491
00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,720
attracted his attention, and 
having taken out a lens, fetched

492
00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,840
a small sponge with which he 
dried an exposed process of the 

493
00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:40,880
spine. 
Holding his lens before the 

494
00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:44,320
dried spot, he again scrutinized
it closely, and then with the 

495
00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:47,720
scalpel and forceps detached 
some object, which he carefully 

496
00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:50,560
washed and then once more 
examined through his lens as it 

497
00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,960
lay in the palm of his hand. 
Finally, as I expected, he 

498
00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:56,600
brought forth his collecting 
box, took from it a seed 

499
00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:59,080
envelope, into which he dropped 
the object, Evidently something 

500
00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,880
quite small closed up the 
envelope, wrote on the outside 

501
00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:03,440
of it, and replaced it in the 
box. 

502
00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:06,360
I think I have seen all that I 
wanted to see, he said, as he 

503
00:22:06,360 --> 00:22:07,920
pocketed the box and took up his
hat. 

504
00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:10,280
We shall meet tomorrow morning 
at the inquest. 

505
00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:13,400
He shook hands with heart, and 
we went out into the relatively 

506
00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:15,760
pure air. 
On one pretext or another. 

507
00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:18,440
Thorndyke lingered about the 
neighborhood of Aldgate until a 

508
00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:21,480
church bell struck 6 when he 
bent his steps towards Harrow 

509
00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:23,280
Alley. 
Through the narrow winding 

510
00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:26,200
passage he walked slowly and 
with a thoughtful mean, along 

511
00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:29,400
Little Somerset St. and out into
Mansell St., until, just on the 

512
00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:31,920
stroke of a quarter past, we 
found ourselves opposite the 

513
00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:34,800
little tobacconist shop. 
Thorndyke glanced at his watch 

514
00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,480
and halted, looking keenly up 
the street. 

515
00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:39,520
A moment later he hastily took 
from his pocket the cardboard 

516
00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,480
box from which he extracted the 
two mounted photographs which 

517
00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:44,880
had puzzled me so much. 
They now seemed to puzzle 

518
00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:47,880
Thorndyke equally, to judge by 
his expression, for he held them

519
00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:51,240
close to his eyes, scrutinizing 
them with an anxious frown, and 

520
00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,440
backing by degrees into the 
doorway at the side of the 

521
00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,880
tobacconists. 
At this moment I became aware of

522
00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:58,720
a man who, as he approached, 
seemed to eye my friend with 

523
00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,680
some curiosity and more 
disfavour. 

524
00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:04,440
A very short, burly young man, 
apparently a foreign Jew, whose 

525
00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:07,320
face, naturally sinister and 
unprepossessing, was further 

526
00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:09,120
disfigured by the marks of 
smallpox. 

527
00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:12,600
Excuse me, he said brusquely, 
pushing past Thorndyke. 

528
00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,240
I live here, I'm sorry, 
responded Thorndyke. 

529
00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:16,880
He moved aside and then suddenly
asked. 

530
00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:20,040
By the way, I suppose you do not
by any chance understand 

531
00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:21,920
Yiddish. 
Why do you ask? 

532
00:23:22,160 --> 00:23:25,200
The newcomer demanded roughly. 
Because I have just had these 

533
00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,200
two photographs of lettering 
given to me. 

534
00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,480
One is in Greek, I think, and 
one in Yiddish, but I've 

535
00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:33,440
forgotten which is which. 
He held out the two cards of the

536
00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:35,720
stranger who took them from him 
and looked at them with scowling

537
00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:38,120
curiosity. 
This one is Yiddish, said he, 

538
00:23:38,120 --> 00:23:40,320
raising his right hand. 
And this other is Russian, not 

539
00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:42,360
Greek. 
He held out the two cards to 

540
00:23:42,360 --> 00:23:44,640
Thorndyke, who took them from 
him, holding them carefully by 

541
00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:47,640
the edges as before. 
I am greatly obliged to you for 

542
00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,360
your kind assistance, said 
Thorndyke. 

543
00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,280
But before he had time to finish
his thanks, the man had entered 

544
00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:54,480
by means of his latch key and 
slammed the door. 

545
00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:56,960
Thorndyke carefully slid the 
photographs back into their 

546
00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,840
grooves, replaced the box in his
pocket and made an entry in his 

547
00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:02,520
notebook. 
That said, he finishes my 

548
00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:04,840
labours, with the exception of a
small experiment which I can 

549
00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:07,440
perform at home. 
By the way, I picked up a morsel

550
00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,040
of evidence that Davidson had 
overlooked. 

551
00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,680
He will be annoyed, and I am not
very fond of scoring off a 

552
00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:14,280
colleague, but he is too uncivil
for me to communicate with. 

553
00:24:15,440 --> 00:24:18,080
The coroner's subpoena had named
10:00 as the hour at which 

554
00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,960
Thorndike was to attend to give 
evidence, but a consultation 

555
00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,600
with the well known solicitor so
far interfered with his plans 

556
00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:25,920
that we were 1/4 of an hour late
in starting from the temple. 

557
00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:28,800
My friend was evidently in 
excellent spirits, though silent

558
00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:31,680
and preoccupied, from which I 
inferred that he was satisfied 

559
00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,640
with the results of his labours.
But as I sat by his side in the 

560
00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:37,160
hansom, I forbore to question 
him, not from mere 

561
00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,800
unselfishness, but rather from 
the desire to hear his evidence 

562
00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:41,920
for the first time, in 
conjunction with that of the 

563
00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:44,520
other witnesses. 
The room in which the inquest 

564
00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,080
was held formed part of a school
adjoining the Mortuary. 

565
00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:50,120
Its vacant bareness was on this 
occasion enlivened by a long 

566
00:24:50,120 --> 00:24:53,040
baize covered table, at the head
of which sat the coroner, while 

567
00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:54,640
one side was occupied by the 
jury. 

568
00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:56,960
And I was glad to observe that 
the latter consisted for the 

569
00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:00,240
most part of genuine working 
men, instead of the solid faced,

570
00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,760
truculent, professional jurymen 
who so often graced these 

571
00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:05,480
tribunals. 
A row of chairs accommodated the

572
00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:07,240
witnesses. 
A corner of the table was 

573
00:25:07,240 --> 00:25:10,040
allotted to the accused woman's 
solicitor, a smart, dapper 

574
00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:13,040
gentleman in a gold pinsness. 
A portion of one side to the 

575
00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,680
reporters, and several ranks of 
benches were occupied by 

576
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:17,800
miscellaneous assembly 
representing the public. 

577
00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:20,440
There were one or two persons 
present whom I was somewhat 

578
00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:22,600
surprised to see. 
There was, for instance, our 

579
00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,840
pockmark acquaintance of Mansell
St. who greeted us with a stare 

580
00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:28,480
of hostile surprise. 
And there was Superintendent 

581
00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,240
Miller, of Scotland Yard, in 
whose manner I seemed to detect 

582
00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,440
some kind of private 
understanding with Thorndike. 

583
00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:36,120
But I had little time to look 
about me, for when we arrived 

584
00:25:36,120 --> 00:25:37,560
the proceedings had already 
commenced. 

585
00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:40,240
Missus Goldstein, the first 
witness, was finishing her 

586
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,480
recital of the circumstances 
under which the crime was 

587
00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:45,680
discovered, and as she retired, 
weeping hysterically, she was 

588
00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,400
followed by looks of 
commiseration from the 

589
00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:51,000
sympathetic jurymen. 
End of Message from the Deep Sea

590
00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,760
by Doctor John Jones. 
Pit, Ken and R Austin Freeman, 

591
00:25:55,120 --> 00:26:02,880
Part 1. 
Section 2 of the Rivals of 

592
00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:06,080
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1. 
This is a Librivox recording. 

593
00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:08,360
All Librivox recordings are in 
the public domain. 

594
00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,560
For more information or to 
volunteer, please visit 

595
00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:15,040
librivox.org. 
Recording by Beth Thomas, The 

596
00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:16,880
Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 
Volume 1. 

597
00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:21,160
Message from the Deep Sea by 
Doctor John Jones Pitkin and R 

598
00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:25,400
Austin Freeman, Part 2 The next 
witness was a young woman named 

599
00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:27,720
Kate Silva. 
As she stepped forward to be 

600
00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:30,800
sworn, she flung a glance of 
hatred and defiance at Miriam 

601
00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:34,080
Goldstein, who, white faced and 
wild of aspect, with her red 

602
00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:36,680
hair streaming in dishevelled 
masses onto her shoulders, stood

603
00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,400
apart in custody of two 
policemen staring about her as 

604
00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:41,920
if in a dream. 
You were intimately acquainted 

605
00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:45,240
with the deceased, I believe, 
said the coroner, I was. 

606
00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:47,880
We worked at the same place for 
a long time, the Empire 

607
00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:50,680
Restaurant in Fernchurch St. and
we lived in the same house. 

608
00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:54,600
She was my most intimate friend.
Had she, as far as you know, any

609
00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,320
friends or relations in England?
No, she came to England from 

610
00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:01,000
Bremen about 3 years ago. 
It was then that I made her 

611
00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:02,920
acquaintance. 
All her relations were in 

612
00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,160
Germany, but she had many 
friends here because she was a 

613
00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:09,320
very lively, amiable girl. 
Had she, as far as you know, any

614
00:27:09,320 --> 00:27:12,480
enemies, any persons I mean, who
bore any grudge against her and 

615
00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:16,080
were likely to do her an injury?
Yes, Miriam Goldstein was her 

616
00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:17,480
enemy. 
She hated her. 

617
00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:20,680
You say Miriam Goldstein hated 
the deceased. 

618
00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:23,680
How do you know that? 
She made no secret of it. 

619
00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:26,440
They had had a violent quarrel 
about a young man named Moses 

620
00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:28,040
Cohen. 
He was formerly Miriam's 

621
00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:30,640
sweetheart, and I think they are
very fond of one another, until 

622
00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:33,200
Mina Adler came to lodge at the 
Goldstein's house about three 

623
00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,600
months ago. 
Then Moses took her fancy to 

624
00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:38,120
Mina and she encouraged him, 
although she had a sweetheart of

625
00:27:38,120 --> 00:27:41,240
her own, a young man named Paul 
Petrovsky, who also lodged in 

626
00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:43,880
the Goldstein's house. 
At last Moses broke off with 

627
00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:45,600
Miriam and engaged himself to 
Mina. 

628
00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:48,840
Then Miriam was furious and 
complained to Mina about what 

629
00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:51,760
she called her perfidious 
conduct, but Mira only laughed 

630
00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:53,640
and told her she could have 
Petrovsky instead. 

631
00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:56,040
And what did Minna say to that? 
Asked the coroner. 

632
00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,800
She was still more angry because
Moses Cohen is a smart, good 

633
00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,040
looking young man, while 
Petrovsky is not much to look 

634
00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:03,960
at. 
Besides, Miriam did not like 

635
00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:06,160
Petrovsky. 
He had been rude to her and she 

636
00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:08,560
had made her father send him 
away from the house, so they 

637
00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:10,520
were not friends. 
And it was just after that that 

638
00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:13,840
the trouble came. 
The trouble I mean about Moses 

639
00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:15,840
Cohen. 
Miriam is a very passionate girl

640
00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:18,120
and she was furiously jealous of
Minna. 

641
00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,520
So when Petrovsky annoyed her by
taunting her about Moses Cohen 

642
00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,880
and Minna, she lost her temper 
and said dreadful things about 

643
00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:29,160
both of them, as, for instance, 
she said she would kill them 

644
00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:31,840
both and that she would like to 
cut Minna's throat. 

645
00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:34,720
When was this? 
It was the day before the 

646
00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:36,920
murder. 
Who heard her say these things? 

647
00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:40,000
Besides you, Another lodger 
named Edith Bryant and 

648
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,000
Petrovsky. 
We were all standing in the hall

649
00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:45,080
at the time, but I thought you 
said Petrovsky had been turned 

650
00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,040
away from the house. 
So he had a week before. 

651
00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:50,760
But he had left a box in his 
room, and on this day he had 

652
00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:52,400
come to fetch it. 
That was what started the 

653
00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:54,440
trouble. 
Miriam had taken his room for 

654
00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:56,800
her bedroom and turned her old 
one into a workroom. 

655
00:28:56,880 --> 00:28:59,520
She said he could not go into 
her room to fetch his box. 

656
00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:01,920
And did he? 
I think so. 

657
00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:04,360
Miriam and Edith and I went out,
leaving him in the hall. 

658
00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,480
When we came back the box was 
gone, and as Missus Goldstein 

659
00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:09,600
was in the kitchen and there was
nobody else in the house, he 

660
00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:12,200
must have taken it. 
You spoke of Miriam's workroom? 

661
00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:15,120
What work did she do? 
She cut stencils for a firm of 

662
00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,640
decorators. 
Here the coroner took a peculiar

663
00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:20,040
shaped knife from the table 
before him and handed it to the 

664
00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:21,960
witness. 
Have you ever seen that knife 

665
00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:23,040
before? 
He asked. 

666
00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:25,520
Yes, it belongs to Miriam 
Goldstein. 

667
00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:27,840
It is a stencil knife that she 
used in her work. 

668
00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:31,480
This concluded the evidence of 
Kate Silva, and when the name of

669
00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:33,720
the next witness, Paul 
Petrovsky, was called, our 

670
00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:35,880
Mansell St. friend came forward 
to be sworn. 

671
00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,920
His evidence was quite brief and
merely corroborative of that of 

672
00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:41,880
Kate Silva, as was that of the 
next witness, Edith Bryant. 

673
00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:44,760
When these had been disposed of,
the Coroner announced before 

674
00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,200
taking the medical evidence, 
gentlemen, I propose to hear 

675
00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:49,680
that of the police officers, and
1st, we will call Detective 

676
00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:52,320
Sergeant Alfred Bates. 
The Sergeant stepped forward 

677
00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,600
briskly and proceeded to give 
his evidence with official 

678
00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:57,680
readiness and precision. 
I was called by Constable 

679
00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:01,200
Simmons at 11:49, and reached 
the house 2 minutes to 12, in 

680
00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:04,080
company with Inspector Harris 
and Divisional Surgeon Davidson.

681
00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:07,760
When I arrived Doctor Hart, Dr. 
Thorndike and Doctor Jervis were

682
00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:09,960
already in the room. 
I found the deceased woman, 

683
00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:12,080
Minna Adler, lying in bed with 
her throat cut. 

684
00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:14,640
She was dead and cold. 
There were no signs of a 

685
00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,000
struggle, and the bed did not 
appear to have been disturbed. 

686
00:30:17,360 --> 00:30:20,120
There was a table by the bedside
on which was the book, and an 

687
00:30:20,120 --> 00:30:22,800
empty Candlestick. 
The candle had apparently burnt 

688
00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,000
out, for there was only a piece 
of charred Wick at the bottom of

689
00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:26,880
the socket. 
A box had been placed on the 

690
00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:29,040
floor at the head of the bed, 
and a hassock stood on it. 

691
00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:31,720
Apparently the murderer had 
stood on the hassock and leaned 

692
00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:33,280
over the head of the bed to 
commit the murder. 

693
00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:36,160
This was rendered necessary by 
the position of the table, which

694
00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:38,240
could not have been moved 
without making some noise and 

695
00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:41,240
perhaps disturbing the deceased.
I infer from the presence of the

696
00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:44,160
box and the hassock that the 
murderer is a short person. 

697
00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:47,040
Was there anything else that 
seemed to fix the identity of 

698
00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:50,280
the murderer? 
Yes, a tress of woman's red hair

699
00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:52,200
was grasped in the left hand of 
the deceased. 

700
00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:56,240
As a detective uttered this 
statement, a simultaneous shriek

701
00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:58,840
of horror burst from the accused
woman and her mother. 

702
00:30:59,080 --> 00:31:02,120
Missus Goldstein sank, half 
fainting, onto a bench, while 

703
00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:06,040
Miriam, pale as death, stood as 
one, petrified, fixing the 

704
00:31:06,040 --> 00:31:09,200
detective with a stare of terror
as he drew from his pocket to 

705
00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:12,000
small paper packets which he 
opened and handed to the 

706
00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:14,960
coroner. 
The hair in the packet marked A,

707
00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:17,880
he said, is that which was found
in the hand of the deceased. 

708
00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:21,640
That in the packet marked B is 
the heir of Miriam Goldstein. 

709
00:31:22,440 --> 00:31:24,320
Here the accused woman's 
solicitor rose. 

710
00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:27,120
Where did you obtain the hair in
the packet marked B? 

711
00:31:27,280 --> 00:31:29,960
He demanded. 
I took it from a bag of combings

712
00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:32,040
that hung on the wall of Miriam 
Goldstein's bedroom. 

713
00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:35,000
Asked the detective. 
I object to this, said the 

714
00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:37,000
solicitor. 
There is no evidence that the 

715
00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,600
hair from that bag was the hair 
of Miriam Goldstein at all. 

716
00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:43,280
Thorndyke chuckled softly. 
The lawyer is as dense as the 

717
00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:45,440
policeman, he remarked to me in 
an undertone. 

718
00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:48,280
Neither of them seems to see the
significance of that bag in the 

719
00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:50,520
least. 
Did you know about the bag then?

720
00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:52,960
I asked in surprise. 
No, I thought it was the hair 

721
00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:55,160
brush. 
I gazed at my colleague in 

722
00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:57,840
amazement and was about to ask 
for some elucidation of this 

723
00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:00,400
cryptic reply when he held up 
his finger and turned again to 

724
00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:02,720
listen. 
Very well, Mr. Horowitz, the 

725
00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:04,400
coroner was saying. 
I will make a note of your 

726
00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:06,800
objection, but I shall allow the
Sergeant to continue his 

727
00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:09,160
evidence. 
The solicitor sat down and the 

728
00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:12,280
detective resumed his statement.
I have examined and compared the

729
00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:15,000
two samples of hair, and it is 
my opinion that they are from 

730
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:17,880
the head of the same person. 
The only other observation that 

731
00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:20,320
I made in the room was that 
there was a small quantity of 

732
00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:22,720
silver sand sprinkled on the 
pillow around the deceased 

733
00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:24,680
woman's head. 
Silver sand? 

734
00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:27,360
Exclaimed the coroner. 
Surely that is a very singular 

735
00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:29,080
material to find on a woman's 
pillow. 

736
00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:32,120
I think it is easily explained, 
replied the Sergeant. 

737
00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:35,120
The wash hand basin was full of 
blood stained water showing that

738
00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:37,960
the murderer had washed his or 
her hands and probably the knife

739
00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:40,160
too. 
After the crime on the washstand

740
00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:42,800
was a ball of sand soap and I 
imagine that the murderer used 

741
00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:45,720
this to cleanse his or her hands
and while drying them must have 

742
00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:48,240
stood over the head of the bed 
and let the sand sprinkle down 

743
00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,800
onto the pillow. 
A simple but highly ingenious 

744
00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:53,400
explanation, commented the 
coroner approvingly, and the 

745
00:32:53,400 --> 00:32:55,640
juryman exchanged admiring nods 
and nudges. 

746
00:32:56,600 --> 00:32:59,120
I searched the rooms occupied by
the accused woman, Miriam 

747
00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:01,800
Goldstein, and found there a 
knife of the kind used by 

748
00:33:01,800 --> 00:33:03,880
stencil cutters, but larger than
usual. 

749
00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:06,480
There were stains of blood on 
it, which the accused explained 

750
00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:08,480
by saying that she cut her 
fingers some days ago. 

751
00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:10,360
She admitted that the knife was 
hers. 

752
00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:13,280
This concluded the sergeant's 
evidence, and he was about to 

753
00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:14,840
sit down when the solicitor 
rose. 

754
00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:17,800
I should like to ask this 
witness one or two questions, 

755
00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:20,360
said he and the coroner. 
Having nodded assent, he 

756
00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:22,560
proceeded. 
Has the finger of the accused 

757
00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,760
been examined since her arrest? 
I believe not, replied the 

758
00:33:25,760 --> 00:33:27,360
Sergeant. 
Not to my knowledge, at any 

759
00:33:27,360 --> 00:33:29,720
rate. 
The solicitor noted the reply 

760
00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:32,400
and then asked with reference to
the silver sand. 

761
00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:34,960
Did you find any at the bottom 
of the wash hand basin? 

762
00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:39,000
The sergeant's face reddened. 
I did not examine the wash hand 

763
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,480
basin, he answered. 
Did anybody examine it? 

764
00:33:42,160 --> 00:33:43,880
I think not. 
Thank you. 

765
00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:47,320
Mr. Horowitz sat down, and the 
triumphant squeak of his quill 

766
00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:49,880
pen was heard above the muttered
disapproval of the jury. 

767
00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:53,120
We shall now take the evidence 
of the doctors, gentlemen, said 

768
00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:55,520
the coroner, and we will begin 
with that of the divisional 

769
00:33:55,520 --> 00:33:57,640
surgeon. 
You saw the deceased, I believe,

770
00:33:57,640 --> 00:34:00,200
doctor, he continued, when 
Doctor Davidson had been sworn 

771
00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:02,200
soon after the discovery of the 
murder. 

772
00:34:02,320 --> 00:34:04,720
And you have since then made an 
examination of the body? 

773
00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:07,920
Yes, I found the body of the 
deceased lying in her bed, which

774
00:34:07,920 --> 00:34:09,400
had apparently not been 
disturbed. 

775
00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:12,520
She had been dead about 10 
hours, and rigidity was complete

776
00:34:12,520 --> 00:34:14,000
in the limbs, but not in the 
trunk. 

777
00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:16,840
The cause of death was a deep 
wound extending right across the

778
00:34:16,840 --> 00:34:19,480
throat and dividing all the 
structures down to the spine. 

779
00:34:19,639 --> 00:34:22,000
It had been inflicted with the 
single sweep of a knife while 

780
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,760
the deceased was lying down and 
was evidently homicidal. 

781
00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:27,360
It was not possible for the 
deceased to have inflicted the 

782
00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:29,480
wound herself. 
It was made with a single edged 

783
00:34:29,480 --> 00:34:32,320
knife drawn from left to right. 
The assailant stood on the 

784
00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:34,960
hassock placed on a box at the 
head of the bed and leaned over 

785
00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:37,280
to strike the blow. 
The murderer is probably quite a

786
00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:39,679
short person, very muscular and 
right-handed. 

787
00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:42,320
There was no sign of a struggle,
and judging by the nature of the

788
00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:45,080
injuries, I should say that 
death was almost instantaneous. 

789
00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:48,040
In the left hand of the deceased
was a small tress of a woman's 

790
00:34:48,040 --> 00:34:49,920
red hair. 
I have compared that hair with 

791
00:34:49,920 --> 00:34:52,719
that of the accused, and am of 
the opinion that it is her hair.

792
00:34:53,159 --> 00:34:55,159
You were shown a knife belonging
to the accused? 

793
00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:58,280
Yes, a stencil knife. 
There were stains of dried blood

794
00:34:58,280 --> 00:35:01,040
on it, which I have examined and
find to be mammalian blood. 

795
00:35:01,240 --> 00:35:03,760
It is probably human blood, but 
I cannot say with any certainty 

796
00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:05,600
that it is. 
Could the wound have been 

797
00:35:05,600 --> 00:35:08,800
inflicted with this knife? 
Yes, though it is a small knife 

798
00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:11,280
to produce so deep a wound. 
Still it is quite possible. 

799
00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:13,520
The coroner glanced at Mr. 
Horowitz. 

800
00:35:13,720 --> 00:35:15,560
Do you wish to ask this witness 
any questions? 

801
00:35:15,560 --> 00:35:17,760
He inquired. 
If you please, Sir, was the 

802
00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:19,840
reply. 
The solicitor rose, and having 

803
00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:21,320
glanced through his notes, 
commenced. 

804
00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:24,640
You have described certain blood
stains on this knife, but we 

805
00:35:24,640 --> 00:35:27,200
have heard that there was blood 
stained water in the wash basin,

806
00:35:27,240 --> 00:35:29,720
and it is suggested most 
reasonably that the murderer 

807
00:35:29,720 --> 00:35:32,840
washed his hands and the knife. 
But if the knife was washed, how

808
00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:34,320
do you account for the blood 
stains on it? 

809
00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:37,120
Apparently the knife was not 
washed, only the hands. 

810
00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:39,120
But is that not highly 
improbable? 

811
00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:42,000
No, I think not. 
You say that there was no 

812
00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:44,480
struggle, and that death was 
practically instantaneous, but 

813
00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:47,240
yet the deceased had torn out a 
lock of the murderous's hair. 

814
00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:49,760
Are not those two statements 
inconsistent with one another? 

815
00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:53,320
No, the hair was probably 
grasped convulsively at the 

816
00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:55,160
moment of death. 
At any rate, the hair was 

817
00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:56,680
undoubtedly in the dead woman's 
hand. 

818
00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,680
Is it possible to identify 
positively the hair of any 

819
00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:02,880
individual? 
No, not with certainty, but this

820
00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:06,240
is very peculiar Hair. 
The solicitor sat down, and 

821
00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,800
Doctor Hart having been called, 
and having briefly confirmed the

822
00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:11,560
evidence of his principle, the 
coroner announced the next 

823
00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:13,240
witness. 
Gentleman is Doctor Thorndike, 

824
00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:15,440
who was present almost 
accidentally, but was actually 

825
00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:16,800
the first on the scene of the 
murder. 

826
00:36:16,960 --> 00:36:19,560
He has since made an examination
of the body, and will no doubt 

827
00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:22,000
be able to throw some further 
light on this horrible crime. 

828
00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:25,520
Thorndike stood up, and having 
been sworn, laid on the table a 

829
00:36:25,520 --> 00:36:28,760
small box with a leather handle.
Then, in answer to the coroner's

830
00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:31,320
questions, he described himself 
as a lecturer on medical 

831
00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:33,720
jurisprudence at Saint 
Margaret's Hospital, and briefly

832
00:36:33,720 --> 00:36:35,360
explained his connection with 
the case. 

833
00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:38,400
At this point the foreman of the
jury interrupted to ask that his

834
00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:40,760
opinion might be taken on the 
hair and the knife, as these 

835
00:36:40,760 --> 00:36:43,360
were matters of contention, and 
the objects in question were 

836
00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,400
accordingly handed to him. 
Is the hair in the packet marked

837
00:36:46,720 --> 00:36:49,520
A, and your opinion from the 
same person as that in the 

838
00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:51,640
packet marked B? 
The coroner asked. 

839
00:36:52,120 --> 00:36:54,960
I have no doubt they are from 
the same person, was the reply. 

840
00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:57,600
Will you examine this knife, and
tell us if the wound on the 

841
00:36:57,600 --> 00:36:59,240
deceased might have been 
inflicted with it? 

842
00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:02,120
Thorndyke examined the blade 
attentively, and then handed the

843
00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:05,080
knife back to the coroner. 
The wound might have been 

844
00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:08,000
inflicted with this knife, said 
he, but I am quite sure that it 

845
00:37:08,000 --> 00:37:10,640
was not. 
Can you give us your reasons for

846
00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:14,320
that very definite opinion? 
I think, said Thorndyke, that it

847
00:37:14,320 --> 00:37:16,880
will save time if I give you the
facts in a connected order. 

848
00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:19,240
The Coroner bowed assent, and he
proceeded. 

849
00:37:19,720 --> 00:37:22,160
I will not waste your time by 
reiterating facts already 

850
00:37:22,160 --> 00:37:23,880
stated. 
Sergeant Bates has fully 

851
00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:26,200
described the state of the room,
and I have nothing to add on 

852
00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:28,280
that subject. 
Doctor Davidson's description of

853
00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:31,240
the body covers all the facts. 
The woman had been dead about 10

854
00:37:31,240 --> 00:37:33,040
hours. 
The wound was unquestionably 

855
00:37:33,040 --> 00:37:35,800
homicidal and was inflicted in 
the manner he has described. 

856
00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:38,520
Death was apparently 
instantaneous, and I should say 

857
00:37:38,520 --> 00:37:40,440
that the deceased never awakened
from her sleep. 

858
00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:43,520
But object to the coroner. 
The deceased held a lock of hair

859
00:37:43,520 --> 00:37:46,120
in her hand. 
That hair, replied Thorndyke, 

860
00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:47,600
was not the hair of the 
murderer. 

861
00:37:47,840 --> 00:37:50,800
It was placed in the hand of the
corpse for an obvious purpose, 

862
00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:53,320
and the fact that the murderer 
had brought it with him shows 

863
00:37:53,320 --> 00:37:55,920
that the crime was premeditated 
and that it was committed by 

864
00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:58,400
someone who had access to the 
house and was acquainted with 

865
00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:00,800
its inmates. 
As Thorndyke made this 

866
00:38:00,800 --> 00:38:04,200
statement, coroner, jurymen and 
spectators alike gazed at him in

867
00:38:04,200 --> 00:38:07,360
open mouthed amazement. 
There was an interval of intense

868
00:38:07,360 --> 00:38:10,400
silence, broken by a wild, 
hysterical laugh from Missus 

869
00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:12,920
Goldstein. 
And then the coroner asked, How 

870
00:38:12,920 --> 00:38:15,240
did you know that the hair in 
the hand of the corpse was not 

871
00:38:15,240 --> 00:38:17,920
that of the murderer? 
The inference was very obvious 

872
00:38:18,120 --> 00:38:20,480
at the first glance. 
The peculiar and conspicuous 

873
00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:22,480
colour of the hair struck me as 
suspicious. 

874
00:38:22,680 --> 00:38:24,920
But there were three facts, each
of which was in itself 

875
00:38:24,920 --> 00:38:27,200
sufficient to prove that the 
hair was probably not that of 

876
00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:29,800
the murderer. 
In the 1st place, there was the 

877
00:38:29,800 --> 00:38:32,360
condition of the hand. 
When a person at the moment of 

878
00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:35,640
death grasps any object firmly, 
there is set up a condition 

879
00:38:35,640 --> 00:38:38,800
known as cadaveric spasm. 
The muscular contraction passes 

880
00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:41,920
immediately into rigor mortis or
death stiffening, and the object

881
00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:44,800
remains grasped by the dead hand
until the rigidity passes off. 

882
00:38:45,320 --> 00:38:47,800
In this case the hand was 
perfectly rigid, but it did not 

883
00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:50,200
grasp the hair at all. 
The little tress lay in the palm

884
00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:52,680
quite loosely, and the hand was 
only partially closed. 

885
00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,480
Obviously the hair had been 
placed in it after death. 

886
00:38:56,240 --> 00:38:58,160
The other two facts had 
reference to the condition of 

887
00:38:58,160 --> 00:39:00,760
the hair itself. 
Now, when a lock of hair is torn

888
00:39:00,760 --> 00:39:03,360
from the head, it is evident 
that all the roots will be found

889
00:39:03,360 --> 00:39:06,160
at the same end of the lock. 
But in the present instance this

890
00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:08,720
was not the case. 
The lock of hair which lay in 

891
00:39:08,720 --> 00:39:11,800
the dead woman's hand had roots 
at both ends, and so could not 

892
00:39:11,800 --> 00:39:13,240
have been torn from the head of 
the murderer. 

893
00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:15,800
But the third fact that I 
observed was still more 

894
00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,840
conclusive. 
The hairs of which that little 

895
00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:19,960
tress was composed had not been 
pulled out at all. 

896
00:39:20,120 --> 00:39:21,560
They had fallen out 
spontaneously. 

897
00:39:21,720 --> 00:39:24,080
They were, in fact, shed hairs, 
probably combings. 

898
00:39:24,280 --> 00:39:27,200
Let me explain the difference. 
When a hair is shed naturally, 

899
00:39:27,280 --> 00:39:30,040
it drops out of the little tube 
in the skin called the root 

900
00:39:30,040 --> 00:39:32,600
sheath, having been pushed out 
by the young hair growing up 

901
00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:34,920
underneath. 
The root end of such a shed hair

902
00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:37,440
shows nothing but a small 
bulbous enlargement, the root 

903
00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:39,280
bulb. 
But when a hair is forcibly 

904
00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:41,960
pulled out, its root drags out 
the root sheath with it, and 

905
00:39:41,960 --> 00:39:44,400
this can plainly be seen as a 
glistening mass on the end of 

906
00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:46,520
the hair. 
If Miriam Goldstein will pull 

907
00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:48,520
out a hair and pass it to me, I 
will show you the great 

908
00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:51,120
difference between hair which is
pulled out and hair which is 

909
00:39:51,120 --> 00:39:53,440
shed. 
The unfortunate Miriam needed no

910
00:39:53,440 --> 00:39:55,400
pressing. 
In a twinkling she had tweaked 

911
00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:58,080
out a dozen hairs which a 
constable handed across to 

912
00:39:58,080 --> 00:40:01,520
Thorndike, by whom they were at 
once fixed in a paper clip, a 

913
00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:03,280
second clip being produced from 
the box. 

914
00:40:03,360 --> 00:40:05,800
Half a dozen hairs taken from 
the tress which had been found 

915
00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:07,400
in the dead woman's hand, were 
fixed in it. 

916
00:40:07,520 --> 00:40:10,080
Then Thorndike handed the two 
clips together with a lens, to 

917
00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:12,160
the coroner. 
Remarkable, exclaimed the 

918
00:40:12,160 --> 00:40:15,440
latter, and most conclusive. 
He passed the objects onto the 

919
00:40:15,440 --> 00:40:17,480
foreman and there was an 
interval of silence while the 

920
00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:19,800
jury examined them with 
breathless interest and much 

921
00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:22,920
facial contortion. 
The next question resumed 

922
00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:25,640
Thornduck, was whence did the 
murderer obtain these hairs? 

923
00:40:25,720 --> 00:40:28,240
I assumed that they had been 
taken from Miriam Goldstein's 

924
00:40:28,240 --> 00:40:30,840
hair brush, but the sergeant's 
evidence makes it pretty clear 

925
00:40:30,840 --> 00:40:33,200
that they were obtained from the
very bag of combings from which 

926
00:40:33,200 --> 00:40:36,200
he took a sample for comparison.
I think doctor, remarked the 

927
00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:39,200
coroner, You have disposed of 
the hair clue pretty completely.

928
00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:41,520
May I ask if you've found 
anything that may throw any 

929
00:40:41,520 --> 00:40:43,040
light on the identity of the 
murderer? 

930
00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:47,000
Yes, replied Thornduck. 
I observed certain things which 

931
00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:49,640
determine the identity of the 
murderer quite conclusively. 

932
00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:52,640
He turned a significant glance 
on Superintendent Miller, who 

933
00:40:52,640 --> 00:40:55,240
immediately rose, stepped 
quietly to the door, and then 

934
00:40:55,240 --> 00:40:57,120
returned, putting something into
his jacket. 

935
00:40:57,520 --> 00:41:00,320
When I entered the hall, 
Thorndyke continued, I noted the

936
00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:02,760
following facts. 
Behind the door was a shelf on 

937
00:41:02,760 --> 00:41:04,360
which were two China 
candlesticks. 

938
00:41:04,760 --> 00:41:07,560
Each was fitted with a candle, 
and in one was a short candle 

939
00:41:07,560 --> 00:41:10,720
end about an inch long. 
Lying in a tray on the floor 

940
00:41:10,720 --> 00:41:13,560
close to the mat was a spot of 
candle wax and some faint marks 

941
00:41:13,560 --> 00:41:16,160
of muddy feet. 
The oilcloth on the stairs also 

942
00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:18,680
bore faint footmarks made by wet
galoshes. 

943
00:41:18,920 --> 00:41:21,280
They were ascending the stairs 
and grew fainted toward the top.

944
00:41:22,040 --> 00:41:24,520
There were two more spots of 
candle wax on the stairs, and 

945
00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:27,520
one on the handrail, a burnt end
of a wax match halfway up the 

946
00:41:27,520 --> 00:41:29,240
stairs, and another on the 
landing. 

947
00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:32,320
There were no descending 
footmarks, but one of the spots 

948
00:41:32,320 --> 00:41:34,960
of wax close to the balusters 
had been trodden on while warm 

949
00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:37,240
and soft, and bore the mark of 
the front of the heel of a 

950
00:41:37,240 --> 00:41:39,000
galosh. 
Descending the stairs, the lock 

951
00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:41,640
of the street door had recently 
been oiled, as had also that of 

952
00:41:41,640 --> 00:41:44,480
the bedroom door, and the latter
had been unlocked from outside 

953
00:41:44,480 --> 00:41:46,800
with a bent wire which had made 
a mark on the key. 

954
00:41:47,120 --> 00:41:49,480
Inside the room I made two 
further observations. 

955
00:41:49,640 --> 00:41:51,960
One was that the dead woman's 
pillow was lightly sprinkled 

956
00:41:52,040 --> 00:41:54,880
with sand, somewhat like silver 
sand, but greyer and less 

957
00:41:54,880 --> 00:41:56,480
gritty. 
I shall return to this 

958
00:41:56,480 --> 00:41:58,200
presently. 
The other was that the 

959
00:41:58,200 --> 00:42:00,280
Candlestick on the bedside table
was empty. 

960
00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:03,400
It was a peculiar Candlestick, 
having a skeleton socket formed 

961
00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:06,480
of eight flat strips of metal. 
The charred Wick of a burnt out 

962
00:42:06,480 --> 00:42:09,000
candle was at the bottom of the 
socket, but a little fragment of

963
00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:11,880
wax on the top edge showed that 
another candle had been stuck in

964
00:42:11,880 --> 00:42:14,440
it and had been taken out, for 
otherwise that fragment would 

965
00:42:14,440 --> 00:42:16,880
have been melted. 
I at once thought of the candle 

966
00:42:16,880 --> 00:42:19,440
end in the hall, and when I went
down again I took that end from 

967
00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:22,880
the tray and examined it. 
On it I found 8 distinct marks 

968
00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:25,440
corresponding to the 8 bars of 
the Candlestick in the bedroom. 

969
00:42:25,800 --> 00:42:28,000
It had been carried in the right
hand of some person, for the 

970
00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:30,560
warm soft wax had taken 
beautifully clear impressions of

971
00:42:30,560 --> 00:42:33,280
a right thumb and forefinger. 
I took three moulds of the 

972
00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:35,920
candle end in moulding wax, and 
from these moulds have made this

973
00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:38,880
cement cast which shows both the
fingerprints and the marks of 

974
00:42:38,880 --> 00:42:41,280
the Candlestick. 
He took from his box a small 

975
00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:43,040
white object, which he handed to
the Coroner. 

976
00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:45,040
And what do you gather from 
these facts? 

977
00:42:45,040 --> 00:42:48,320
Asked the coroner. 
I gather that at about 1:45 on 

978
00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:51,400
the morning of the crime a man 
who had on the previous day 

979
00:42:51,400 --> 00:42:53,440
visited the house to obtain the 
tress of hair and oil. 

980
00:42:53,440 --> 00:42:55,960
The locks entered the house by 
means of a latch key. 

981
00:42:56,200 --> 00:42:58,800
We can fix the time by the fact 
that it rained on that morning 

982
00:42:58,800 --> 00:43:02,360
from 1:30 to 1:45, this being 
the only rain that has fallen 

983
00:43:02,360 --> 00:43:04,280
for a fortnight, and the murder 
was committed. 

984
00:43:04,280 --> 00:43:07,680
About 2:00, the man lit a wax 
match in the hall and another 

985
00:43:07,680 --> 00:43:10,560
halfway up the stairs. 
He found the bedroom door locked

986
00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:12,880
and turned the key from outside 
with the bent wire. 

987
00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,400
He entered, lit the candle, 
placed the box and Hassock, 

988
00:43:16,600 --> 00:43:19,920
murdered his victim, washed his 
hands and knife, took the candle

989
00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,240
in from the socket and went 
downstairs, where he blew out 

990
00:43:22,240 --> 00:43:23,880
the candle and dropped it into 
the tray. 

991
00:43:24,320 --> 00:43:26,320
The next clue is furnished by 
the sand on the pillow. 

992
00:43:26,520 --> 00:43:28,440
I took a little of it and 
examined it under the 

993
00:43:28,440 --> 00:43:31,360
microscope, where it turned out 
to be deep sea sand from the 

994
00:43:31,360 --> 00:43:34,240
eastern Mediterranean. 
It was full of the minute shells

995
00:43:34,240 --> 00:43:37,160
called Foraminifera, as one of 
those happened to belong to a 

996
00:43:37,160 --> 00:43:39,160
species which is found only in 
the Levant. 

997
00:43:39,360 --> 00:43:43,160
I was able to fix the locality, 
but this is very remarkable, 

998
00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:46,080
said the coroner. 
How on earth could deep sea sand

999
00:43:46,080 --> 00:43:47,360
have got onto this woman's 
pillow? 

1000
00:43:48,160 --> 00:43:51,240
The explanation, replied Bondak,
is really quite simple. 

1001
00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:54,760
Sand of this kind is contained 
in considerable quantities in 

1002
00:43:54,760 --> 00:43:57,160
Turkey sponges. 
The warehouses in which the 

1003
00:43:57,160 --> 00:43:59,880
sponges are unpacked are often 
strewn with it ankle deep. 

1004
00:44:00,200 --> 00:44:02,880
The men who unpack the cases 
become dusted with it, their 

1005
00:44:02,880 --> 00:44:04,880
clothes saturated and their 
pockets filled with it. 

1006
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:07,880
If such a person, with his 
clothes and pockets full of 

1007
00:44:07,880 --> 00:44:10,520
sand, had committed this murder,
it is pretty certain that in 

1008
00:44:10,520 --> 00:44:13,400
leaning over the head of the bed
in a partly inverted position, 

1009
00:44:13,560 --> 00:44:16,200
he would have let fall a certain
quantity of the sand from his 

1010
00:44:16,200 --> 00:44:18,080
pockets and the interstices of 
his clothing. 

1011
00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:20,880
Now, as soon as I had examined 
the sand and ascertained its 

1012
00:44:20,880 --> 00:44:24,520
nature, I sent a message to Mr. 
Goldstein, asking him for a list

1013
00:44:24,520 --> 00:44:26,680
of the persons who were 
acquainted with the deceased, 

1014
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:28,600
with their addresses and 
occupations. 

1015
00:44:28,880 --> 00:44:31,760
He sent me the list by return, 
and among the persons mentioned 

1016
00:44:31,760 --> 00:44:34,680
was a man who was engaged as a 
Packer in a wholesale sponge 

1017
00:44:34,680 --> 00:44:37,920
warehouse in the minorities. 
I further ascertained that the 

1018
00:44:37,920 --> 00:44:40,840
new season's crop of Turkey 
sponges had arrived a few days 

1019
00:44:40,840 --> 00:44:43,640
before the murder. 
The question that now arose was 

1020
00:44:43,640 --> 00:44:46,200
whether this sponge Packer was 
the person whose fingerprints I 

1021
00:44:46,200 --> 00:44:49,640
had found on the candle end. 
To settle this point I prepared 

1022
00:44:49,640 --> 00:44:52,760
2 mounted photographs, and 
having contrived to meet the man

1023
00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:55,640
at his door on his return from 
work, I induced him to look at 

1024
00:44:55,640 --> 00:44:58,320
them and compare them. 
He took them from me, holding 

1025
00:44:58,320 --> 00:45:00,120
each one between a forefinger 
and thumb. 

1026
00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:02,920
When he returned them to me, I 
took them home and carefully 

1027
00:45:02,920 --> 00:45:06,400
dusted each on both sides with 
certain surgical dusting powder.

1028
00:45:06,680 --> 00:45:09,360
The powder adhered to the places
where his fingers and thumbs had

1029
00:45:09,360 --> 00:45:11,920
pressed against the photographs 
showing the fingerprints very 

1030
00:45:11,920 --> 00:45:14,680
distinctly those of the right 
hand, were identical with the 

1031
00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:16,960
prints on the candle, as you 
will see if you compare them 

1032
00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:19,160
with the cast. 
He produced from the box the 

1033
00:45:19,160 --> 00:45:21,640
photograph of the Yiddish 
lettering, on the black margin, 

1034
00:45:21,640 --> 00:45:24,000
of which there now stood out 
with startling distinctness, a 

1035
00:45:24,040 --> 00:45:25,680
yellowish white print of a 
thumb. 

1036
00:45:26,080 --> 00:45:28,760
Thorndyke had just handed the 
card to the coroner when a very 

1037
00:45:28,760 --> 00:45:31,840
singular disturbance arose. 
While my friend had been giving 

1038
00:45:31,840 --> 00:45:34,800
the latter part of his evidence,
I had observed the man Petrovsky

1039
00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:37,800
rise from his seat and walked 
stealthily across to the door. 

1040
00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:41,480
He turned the handle softly and 
pulled, at first gently and then

1041
00:45:41,480 --> 00:45:43,560
with more force, but the door 
was locked. 

1042
00:45:44,280 --> 00:45:47,200
As he realised this, Petrovsky 
seized the handle with both 

1043
00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:50,120
hands and tore it furiously, 
shaking it to and fro with the 

1044
00:45:50,120 --> 00:45:53,520
violence of a madman And his 
shaking limbs, his starting eyes

1045
00:45:53,560 --> 00:45:56,360
glaring insanely at the 
astonished spectators, his ugly 

1046
00:45:56,360 --> 00:45:59,480
face, dead white, running with 
sweat and hideous with terror, 

1047
00:45:59,640 --> 00:46:01,320
made a picture that was truly 
shocking. 

1048
00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:05,040
Suddenly he let go the handle 
and with a horrible cry thrust 

1049
00:46:05,040 --> 00:46:07,880
his hand under the skirt of his 
coat and rushed at Thorndike. 

1050
00:46:08,120 --> 00:46:09,800
But the Superintendent was ready
for this. 

1051
00:46:10,240 --> 00:46:13,080
There was a shout and a scuffle,
and then Petrovsky was borne 

1052
00:46:13,080 --> 00:46:16,040
down, kicking and biting like a 
maniac, while Miller hung onto 

1053
00:46:16,040 --> 00:46:18,280
his right hand and the 
formidable knife that it 

1054
00:46:18,280 --> 00:46:20,360
grasped. 
I will ask you to hand that 

1055
00:46:20,360 --> 00:46:22,640
knife to the coroner, said 
Thorndyke, when Petrovsky had 

1056
00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:25,000
been secured and handcuffed and 
the Superintendent had 

1057
00:46:25,000 --> 00:46:27,720
readjusted his collar. 
Will you kindly examine it, Sir?

1058
00:46:27,720 --> 00:46:29,760
He continued. 
And tell me if there is a notch 

1059
00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:32,920
in the edge near to the point, a
triangular notch about an eighth

1060
00:46:32,920 --> 00:46:35,280
of an inch long. 
The coroner looked at the knife 

1061
00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:37,800
and said in a tone of surprise. 
Yes, there is. 

1062
00:46:37,800 --> 00:46:39,280
You have seen this knife before,
then? 

1063
00:46:40,040 --> 00:46:42,520
No, I have not, replied 
Thorndyke, but perhaps I had 

1064
00:46:42,520 --> 00:46:45,040
better continue my statement. 
There is no need for me to tell 

1065
00:46:45,040 --> 00:46:47,560
you that the fingerprints on the
card and on the candle are those

1066
00:46:47,560 --> 00:46:49,960
of Paul Petrowski. 
I will proceed to the evidence 

1067
00:46:49,960 --> 00:46:52,440
furnished by the body in 
accordance with your order. 

1068
00:46:52,640 --> 00:46:54,720
I went to the Mortuary and 
examined the corpse of the 

1069
00:46:54,720 --> 00:46:56,680
deceased. 
The wound has been fully and 

1070
00:46:56,680 --> 00:46:59,720
accurately described by Doctor 
Davidson, but I observed 1 fact 

1071
00:46:59,720 --> 00:47:01,160
which I presume he had 
overlooked. 

1072
00:47:01,360 --> 00:47:02,920
Embedded in the bone of the 
spine. 

1073
00:47:03,040 --> 00:47:05,480
In the left transverse process 
of the 4th vertebrae I 

1074
00:47:05,480 --> 00:47:08,080
discovered a small particle of 
steel which I carefully 

1075
00:47:08,080 --> 00:47:10,800
extracted. 
He drew his collecting box from 

1076
00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:13,800
his pocket and, taking from it a
seat envelope, handed the latter

1077
00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:15,920
to the coroner. 
That fragment of steel is in 

1078
00:47:15,920 --> 00:47:18,360
this envelope, he said, and it 
is possible that it may 

1079
00:47:18,360 --> 00:47:20,280
correspond to the notch in the 
knife blade. 

1080
00:47:20,720 --> 00:47:23,280
Amidst an intense silence, the 
coroner opened the little 

1081
00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:25,960
envelope and let the fragment of
steel drop onto a sheet of 

1082
00:47:25,960 --> 00:47:27,920
paper. 
Laying the knife on the paper, 

1083
00:47:27,920 --> 00:47:30,120
he gently pushed the fragment 
towards the notch. 

1084
00:47:30,440 --> 00:47:33,880
Then he looked up at Thorndike. 
It fits exactly, said he. 

1085
00:47:34,280 --> 00:47:37,320
There was a heavy thud at the 
other end of the room and we all

1086
00:47:37,320 --> 00:47:40,040
looked around. 
Petrovsky had fallen on to the 

1087
00:47:40,040 --> 00:47:44,000
floor, insensible. 
An instructive case, Jervis, 

1088
00:47:44,160 --> 00:47:45,960
remarked Thorndyke as we walked 
homewards. 

1089
00:47:46,120 --> 00:47:48,520
A case that reiterates the 
lesson that the authorities 

1090
00:47:48,520 --> 00:47:50,640
still refuse to learn. 
What is that? 

1091
00:47:50,640 --> 00:47:53,280
I asked. 
It is this when it is discovered

1092
00:47:53,280 --> 00:47:55,320
that a murderer has been 
committed, the scene of that 

1093
00:47:55,320 --> 00:47:57,760
murder should instantly become 
the palace of the Sleeping 

1094
00:47:57,760 --> 00:47:59,520
Beauty. 
Not a grain of dust should be 

1095
00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:01,840
moved, not a soul should be 
allowed to approach it until the

1096
00:48:01,840 --> 00:48:04,760
scientific observer has seen 
everything inside you and 

1097
00:48:04,760 --> 00:48:07,440
absolutely undisturbed. 
No tramplings of excited 

1098
00:48:07,440 --> 00:48:10,480
constables, no rummaging by 
detectives, no scrambling to and

1099
00:48:10,480 --> 00:48:12,400
fro bloodhounds. 
Consider what would have 

1100
00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:14,960
happened in this case if we had 
arrived a few hours later. 

1101
00:48:15,280 --> 00:48:17,520
The corpse would have been in 
the Mortuary, the hare in the 

1102
00:48:17,520 --> 00:48:20,320
sergeant's pocket, the bed 
rummaged and the sand scattered 

1103
00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:22,960
abroad, the candle probably 
removed, and in the stairs 

1104
00:48:22,960 --> 00:48:25,000
covered with fresh tracks. 
There would not have been the 

1105
00:48:25,000 --> 00:48:29,000
vestige of a clue, and, I added,
the deep sea would have uttered 

1106
00:48:29,000 --> 00:48:33,280
its message in vain. 
End of Message from the Deep Sea

1107
00:48:33,600 --> 00:48:36,960
by Doctor John Jones Pitkin and 
R Austin Freeman. 

1108
00:48:37,240 --> 00:48:48,750
Part 2 recording by Beth Thomas.
Section 3 of the Rivals of 

1109
00:48:48,750 --> 00:48:53,520
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1. 
This is a Librivox recording. 

1110
00:48:53,960 --> 00:48:56,720
All Librivox recordings are in 
the public domain. 

1111
00:48:57,120 --> 00:49:00,280
For more information or to 
volunteer, please visit 

1112
00:49:00,480 --> 00:49:05,800
librivox.org. 
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 

1113
00:49:05,920 --> 00:49:09,640
Volume 1. 
The Affair of the Avalanche 

1114
00:49:09,640 --> 00:49:15,040
Bicycle and Tire Company, 
Limited by Arthur Morrison, Part

1115
00:49:15,040 --> 00:49:20,440
1 Cycle companies were in the 
market everywhere. 

1116
00:49:20,960 --> 00:49:24,400
Immense fortunes were being made
in a few days, and sometimes 

1117
00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:26,720
little fortunes were being lost 
to build them up. 

1118
00:49:27,280 --> 00:49:30,960
Mining shares were dull for a 
season, and any company with the

1119
00:49:30,960 --> 00:49:34,880
word cycle or tire in its title 
was certain to attract capital, 

1120
00:49:35,360 --> 00:49:38,040
no matter what its prospects 
were like in the eyes of the 

1121
00:49:38,040 --> 00:49:41,120
expert. 
All the old private cycle 

1122
00:49:41,120 --> 00:49:44,200
companies suddenly were offered 
to the public and their 

1123
00:49:44,200 --> 00:49:47,720
proprietors. 
Already rich men, built 

1124
00:49:47,720 --> 00:49:51,520
themselves houses on the 
Riviera, bought yachts, ran race

1125
00:49:51,520 --> 00:49:53,960
horses, and left business 
forever. 

1126
00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:58,320
Sometimes the shareholders got 
their money's worth, sometimes 

1127
00:49:58,320 --> 00:50:01,680
more, sometimes less. 
Sometimes they got nothing but 

1128
00:50:01,680 --> 00:50:04,480
total loss. 
But still the game went on. 

1129
00:50:05,120 --> 00:50:08,480
One could never open a newspaper
without finding displayed at 

1130
00:50:08,480 --> 00:50:12,480
large the prospectus of yet 
another cycle company, with 

1131
00:50:12,480 --> 00:50:16,200
capital expressed in six 
figures, at least often in seven

1132
00:50:17,120 --> 00:50:21,040
solemn old dailies, into whose 
editorial heads no new thing 

1133
00:50:21,040 --> 00:50:24,360
ever found its way till years 
after it had been forgotten. 

1134
00:50:24,360 --> 00:50:29,360
Elsewhere suddenly exhibited the
scandalous phenomenon of broken 

1135
00:50:29,360 --> 00:50:33,440
columns in their advertising 
sections, and the universal 

1136
00:50:33,440 --> 00:50:37,200
prospectuses stretched 
outrageously across half or even

1137
00:50:37,240 --> 00:50:40,680
all the page. 
A thing to cause apoplexy in the

1138
00:50:40,680 --> 00:50:42,800
bodily system of any self 
respect. 

1139
00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:48,080
Manager of the old school. 
In the midst of this excitement 

1140
00:50:48,080 --> 00:50:51,200
it chanced that the firm of 
Dorrington and Hicks were 

1141
00:50:51,360 --> 00:50:54,880
engaged upon an investigation 
for the famous and long 

1142
00:50:54,880 --> 00:50:58,720
established Indestructible 
Bicycle and Tricycle 

1143
00:50:58,720 --> 00:51:02,200
Manufacturing Company of London 
and Coventry. 

1144
00:51:03,480 --> 00:51:06,160
The matter was not one of 
sufficient intricacy or 

1145
00:51:06,160 --> 00:51:09,480
difficulty to engage 
Dorrington's personal attention,

1146
00:51:09,960 --> 00:51:11,720
and it was given to an 
assistant. 

1147
00:51:12,640 --> 00:51:15,920
There was some doubt as to the 
validity of a certain patent 

1148
00:51:15,920 --> 00:51:19,880
having reference to a particular
method of tightening the spokes 

1149
00:51:19,880 --> 00:51:22,160
and truing the wheels of a 
tricycle. 

1150
00:51:22,840 --> 00:51:26,480
And Dorrington's assistant had 
to make inquiries without 

1151
00:51:26,480 --> 00:51:29,680
attracting attention to the 
matter as to whether or not 

1152
00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:32,960
there existed any evidence, 
either documentary or in the 

1153
00:51:32,960 --> 00:51:37,080
memory of veterans, of the use 
of this method or anything like 

1154
00:51:37,080 --> 00:51:42,760
it before the year 1885. 
The assistant completed his 

1155
00:51:42,760 --> 00:51:45,120
inquiries and made his report to
Dorrington. 

1156
00:51:46,160 --> 00:51:49,680
Now I think I have said that 
from every evidence I have seen,

1157
00:51:49,920 --> 00:51:54,000
the chief matter of Dorrington's
solicitude was his own interest,

1158
00:51:54,360 --> 00:51:58,280
and just at this time he had 
heard, as had others, much of 

1159
00:51:58,280 --> 00:52:00,840
the money being made in cycle 
companies. 

1160
00:52:01,440 --> 00:52:04,720
Also, like others, he had 
conceived a great desire to get 

1161
00:52:04,720 --> 00:52:09,160
the confidential advice of 
someone in the know, advice 

1162
00:52:09,160 --> 00:52:12,520
which might lead him into the 
good thing desired by all the 

1163
00:52:12,520 --> 00:52:16,120
greedy who flutter about at the 
outside edge of the stock and 

1164
00:52:16,120 --> 00:52:19,000
share market. 
For this reason Dorrington 

1165
00:52:19,000 --> 00:52:22,520
determined to make this small 
matter of the wheel patent an 

1166
00:52:22,520 --> 00:52:26,240
affair of personal report. 
He was a man of infinite 

1167
00:52:26,240 --> 00:52:30,480
resource plausibility and good 
companionship, and there was 

1168
00:52:30,480 --> 00:52:34,480
money going in the cycle trade. 
Why, then, should he lose an 

1169
00:52:34,480 --> 00:52:37,960
opportunity of making himself 
pleasant in the inner Groves of 

1170
00:52:37,960 --> 00:52:41,120
that trade and catch whatever 
might come his way? 

1171
00:52:41,560 --> 00:52:47,440
Information Syndicate shares, 
directorships, anything, so that

1172
00:52:47,440 --> 00:52:50,720
Dorrington made himself master 
of his assistant's information 

1173
00:52:50,960 --> 00:52:54,440
and proceeded to the head office
of the Indestructible Company on

1174
00:52:54,440 --> 00:52:58,120
Holborn Viaduct, resolved to 
become the entertaining 

1175
00:52:58,120 --> 00:53:00,440
acquaintance of the managing 
director. 

1176
00:53:02,280 --> 00:53:05,800
On his way his attention was 
attracted by a very elaborately 

1177
00:53:05,800 --> 00:53:09,800
fitted cycle shop which his 
recollection told him was new. 

1178
00:53:10,480 --> 00:53:15,400
The Avalanche Bicycle and Tire 
Company was the legend. 

1179
00:53:15,400 --> 00:53:17,600
Guilt. 
Above the great plate glass 

1180
00:53:17,600 --> 00:53:21,000
window, and in the window 
itself, stood many brilliantly 

1181
00:53:21,000 --> 00:53:25,080
enameled and plated bicycles, 
each labeled on the frame with 

1182
00:53:25,080 --> 00:53:28,200
the flaming red and gold 
transfer of the firm. 

1183
00:53:28,640 --> 00:53:32,160
And in the midst of all was 
another bicycle covered with 

1184
00:53:32,160 --> 00:53:35,720
dried mud, of which, however 
sufficient, had been carefully 

1185
00:53:35,720 --> 00:53:40,200
cleared away to expose a similar
glaring transfer to those that 

1186
00:53:40,200 --> 00:53:43,920
decorated the rest, with a 
placard announcing that on this 

1187
00:53:43,920 --> 00:53:48,600
particular machine somebody had 
ridden some incredible distance 

1188
00:53:48,600 --> 00:53:51,280
on bad roads. 
In a very little more than no 

1189
00:53:51,280 --> 00:53:55,080
time at all, crowd stood before 
the window and gaped 

1190
00:53:55,080 --> 00:53:59,000
respectfully at the placard, the
bicycles, the transfers, and the

1191
00:53:59,000 --> 00:54:02,600
mud, though they paid little 
attention to certain piles of 

1192
00:54:02,600 --> 00:54:06,480
folded white papers, endorsed in
bold letters, with the name of 

1193
00:54:06,480 --> 00:54:11,280
the company with the suffix 
limited and the word prospectus 

1194
00:54:11,680 --> 00:54:16,480
in bloated black letters below. 
These, however, Dorrington 

1195
00:54:16,480 --> 00:54:19,720
observed at once, for he had 
himself that morning, in common 

1196
00:54:19,720 --> 00:54:23,480
with several thousand other 
people, received one by post. 

1197
00:54:23,960 --> 00:54:27,200
Also, half a page of his morning
paper had been filled with a 

1198
00:54:27,200 --> 00:54:31,160
copy of that same prospectus, 
and the afternoon had brought 

1199
00:54:31,160 --> 00:54:33,080
another copy in the evening 
paper. 

1200
00:54:34,320 --> 00:54:37,640
In the list of directors there 
was a titled name or two, 

1201
00:54:37,920 --> 00:54:41,600
together with a few unknown 
names, doubtless the practical 

1202
00:54:41,600 --> 00:54:44,320
men. 
And below this list there were 

1203
00:54:44,320 --> 00:54:48,600
such positive promises of 
tremendous dividends, backed up 

1204
00:54:48,600 --> 00:54:52,600
and proved beyond dispute by 
such ingenious piles of business

1205
00:54:52,600 --> 00:54:56,080
like figures. 
Every line of figures referring 

1206
00:54:56,080 --> 00:54:59,280
to some other line for 
testimonials to its perfect 

1207
00:54:59,280 --> 00:55:03,480
genuineness and accuracy that 
any reasonable man would see, 

1208
00:55:03,480 --> 00:55:07,200
must instantly sell the hat off 
his head and the boots off his 

1209
00:55:07,200 --> 00:55:12,120
feet, to buy one share at least,
and so make his fortune forever.

1210
00:55:13,200 --> 00:55:16,840
True, the business was but 
lately established, but that was

1211
00:55:16,840 --> 00:55:19,440
just it. 
It had rushed ahead with such an

1212
00:55:19,440 --> 00:55:24,480
amazing rapidity as was natural 
with an avalanche, that it had 

1213
00:55:24,480 --> 00:55:28,360
got altogether out of hand, and 
orders couldn't be executed at 

1214
00:55:28,360 --> 00:55:30,560
all. 
Wherefore the proprietors were 

1215
00:55:30,560 --> 00:55:34,160
reluctantly compelled to let the
public have some of the luck. 

1216
00:55:34,880 --> 00:55:39,280
This was Thursday Share list was
to be opened on Monday morning 

1217
00:55:39,280 --> 00:55:43,480
and closed inexorably at 4:00 on
Tuesday afternoon, with a 

1218
00:55:43,480 --> 00:55:47,160
merciful extension to Wednesday 
morning for the candidates for 

1219
00:55:47,160 --> 00:55:51,920
wealth who were so unfortunate 
as to live in the country, so 

1220
00:55:51,920 --> 00:55:55,280
that it behooved everybody to 
waste no time lest he be 

1221
00:55:55,280 --> 00:55:58,800
numbered among the unlucky whose
subscription money should be 

1222
00:55:58,800 --> 00:56:01,440
returned in full, failing 
allotment. 

1223
00:56:01,920 --> 00:56:04,720
The prospectus did not 
absolutely say it in so many 

1224
00:56:04,720 --> 00:56:08,800
words, but no rational person 
could fail to feel that the 

1225
00:56:08,800 --> 00:56:13,080
directors were fervently hoping 
that nobody would get injured in

1226
00:56:13,080 --> 00:56:17,960
the rush. 
Dorrington passed on and reached

1227
00:56:17,960 --> 00:56:21,400
the well known establishment of 
the Indestructible Bicycle 

1228
00:56:21,400 --> 00:56:24,280
Company. 
This was already a limited 

1229
00:56:24,280 --> 00:56:28,040
company of a private sort, and 
had been so for 10 years or 

1230
00:56:28,040 --> 00:56:32,000
more, and before that the 
concern had had eight or nine 

1231
00:56:32,000 --> 00:56:36,400
years of prosperous experience. 
The founder of the firm, Sir 

1232
00:56:36,400 --> 00:56:40,640
Paul Mallows, was now the 
managing director and a great 

1233
00:56:40,640 --> 00:56:44,600
pillar of the cycling industry. 
Dorrington gave his clerk his 

1234
00:56:44,600 --> 00:56:46,840
card and asked to see Mr. 
Mallows. 

1235
00:56:48,000 --> 00:56:52,680
Mr. Mallows was out, it seemed, 
but Mr. Steadman, the secretary,

1236
00:56:52,680 --> 00:56:57,440
was in, and him, Dorrington saw.
Mr. Steadman was a pleasant 

1237
00:56:57,440 --> 00:57:01,120
youngish man who had been a 
famous amateur bicyclist in his 

1238
00:57:01,120 --> 00:57:03,360
time and was still an 
enthusiast. 

1239
00:57:04,200 --> 00:57:07,200
In 10 minutes business was 
settled and dismissed, and 

1240
00:57:07,200 --> 00:57:10,640
Dorrington's tact had brought 
the sectarian to a pleasant 

1241
00:57:10,640 --> 00:57:13,680
discursive chat with much 
exchange of anecdote. 

1242
00:57:14,440 --> 00:57:17,560
Dorrington expressed much 
interest in the subject of 

1243
00:57:17,560 --> 00:57:21,200
bicycling and saying that 
Steadman had been a racing man, 

1244
00:57:21,280 --> 00:57:24,000
particularly as to bicycling 
races. 

1245
00:57:25,680 --> 00:57:28,960
There'll be a rare good race on 
Saturday, I expect. 

1246
00:57:28,960 --> 00:57:31,800
Steadman said. 
Or rather, he went on. 

1247
00:57:31,800 --> 00:57:34,520
I expect the 50 miles record 
will go. 

1248
00:57:35,000 --> 00:57:39,000
I fancy our man Gillette is 
pretty safe to win, but he'll 

1249
00:57:39,000 --> 00:57:42,320
have to move, and I quite expect
to see a good set of new records

1250
00:57:42,320 --> 00:57:46,840
on our advertisements next week.
The next best man is Lant, the 

1251
00:57:46,840 --> 00:57:48,760
new fellow. 
You know, who rides for the 

1252
00:57:48,840 --> 00:57:53,320
Avalanche people? 
Let's see, they're going to the 

1253
00:57:53,320 --> 00:57:56,000
public as a limited company, 
aren't they? 

1254
00:57:56,400 --> 00:58:00,200
Dorrington asked casually. 
Stedman nodded with a little 

1255
00:58:00,200 --> 00:58:03,280
grimace. 
You don't think it's a good 

1256
00:58:03,280 --> 00:58:05,880
thing? 
Perhaps, Dorrington said, noting

1257
00:58:05,880 --> 00:58:08,000
the grimace. 
Is that so? 

1258
00:58:09,280 --> 00:58:14,200
Well, Steadman answered. 
Of course, I can't say I don't 

1259
00:58:14,200 --> 00:58:17,400
know much about the firm. 
Nobody does, as far as I can 

1260
00:58:17,400 --> 00:58:19,640
tell. 
But they seem to have got a 

1261
00:58:19,640 --> 00:58:22,000
business together in almost no 
time. 

1262
00:58:22,680 --> 00:58:25,600
That is, if the business is as 
genuine as it looks at first 

1263
00:58:25,600 --> 00:58:28,080
sight. 
But they want a rare lot of 

1264
00:58:28,080 --> 00:58:30,680
capital. 
And then the prospectus will. 

1265
00:58:31,440 --> 00:58:34,120
I've seen more satisfactory 
ones, you know. 

1266
00:58:35,000 --> 00:58:38,920
I don't say it isn't all right, 
of course, but still, I shan't 

1267
00:58:38,920 --> 00:58:42,080
go out of my way to recommend 
any friends of mine to plunge on

1268
00:58:42,080 --> 00:58:46,600
it, or you won't. 
No, no, I won't, though no doubt

1269
00:58:46,600 --> 00:58:48,560
they'll get their capital, or 
most of it. 

1270
00:58:48,960 --> 00:58:53,280
Almost any cycle or tire company
can get subscribed just now, and

1271
00:58:53,280 --> 00:58:57,640
this Avalanche affair is both, 
and it is so well advertised. 

1272
00:58:57,640 --> 00:59:02,080
You know, Lant has been winning 
on their mounts just lately, and

1273
00:59:02,240 --> 00:59:04,720
they've been booming it for all 
they're worth. 

1274
00:59:05,360 --> 00:59:08,720
By Jove, if they could only 
screw him up to win the 50 miles

1275
00:59:08,720 --> 00:59:12,720
on Saturday and beat our man 
Gillette, that would give them a

1276
00:59:12,720 --> 00:59:15,840
push just at the correct moment,
too. 

1277
00:59:16,360 --> 00:59:19,360
Gillette's never been beaten yet
at the distance, you know. 

1278
00:59:20,080 --> 00:59:24,320
But Lant can't do it, though. 
As I've said, he'll make some 

1279
00:59:24,320 --> 00:59:27,560
fast riding. 
It'll be a race, I tell you. 

1280
00:59:28,200 --> 00:59:30,360
I should like to see it. 
Well, why not? 

1281
00:59:30,360 --> 00:59:34,320
Come see about it, will you? 
And perhaps you'd like to run 

1282
00:59:34,320 --> 00:59:36,800
down to the track after dinner 
this evening and see you, our 

1283
00:59:36,800 --> 00:59:39,560
man training. 
Awfully interesting, I can tell 

1284
00:59:39,560 --> 00:59:42,200
you, with all the pacing 
machinery and all that. 

1285
00:59:42,640 --> 00:59:46,520
Will you come? 
Dorrington expressed himself 

1286
00:59:46,520 --> 00:59:49,960
delighted and suggested that 
Stedman should dine with him 

1287
00:59:49,960 --> 00:59:53,680
before going to the track. 
Stedman, for his part, charmed 

1288
00:59:53,680 --> 00:59:56,760
with his new acquaintance as 
everybody was at first meeting 

1289
00:59:56,760 --> 00:59:58,880
with Dorrington, assented 
gladly. 

1290
01:00:00,160 --> 01:00:03,120
At that moment the door of 
Stedman's room was pushed open 

1291
01:00:03,120 --> 01:00:06,800
and a well dressed middle-aged 
man with a shaved flabby face 

1292
01:00:06,800 --> 01:00:09,920
appeared. 
I beg your pardon, he said. 

1293
01:00:10,280 --> 01:00:13,960
I thought you were alone. 
I just ripped my finger against 

1294
01:00:13,960 --> 01:00:16,480
the handle on my broom door as I
came in here. 

1295
01:00:16,520 --> 01:00:19,960
The screw sticks out here. 
View a piece of sticking 

1296
01:00:19,960 --> 01:00:23,600
plaster. 
Extended a bleeding finger as he

1297
01:00:23,600 --> 01:00:27,040
spoke, Stedman looked doubtfully
at his desk. 

1298
01:00:28,040 --> 01:00:31,200
Here is some court plaster, 
Dorrington exclaimed, producing 

1299
01:00:31,200 --> 01:00:33,840
his pocket book. 
I always carry it. 

1300
01:00:33,840 --> 01:00:36,440
It's had dear than ordinary 
sticking plaster. 

1301
01:00:36,440 --> 01:00:38,640
How much do you want? 
Oh, thanks. 

1302
01:00:39,080 --> 01:00:42,800
Any chisel? 
This is Mr. Dorrington and Mrs. 

1303
01:00:42,800 --> 01:00:45,600
Dorrington and Hicks, Mr. 
Mallows, Stedman said. 

1304
01:00:45,920 --> 01:00:48,400
Our managing director, Mr. Paul 
Mallows. 

1305
01:00:48,400 --> 01:00:53,240
Mr. Dorrington Dorrington was 
delighted to make Mr. Mallow's 

1306
01:00:53,240 --> 01:00:56,600
acquaintance, and he busied 
himself with a careful strapping

1307
01:00:56,600 --> 01:01:00,440
of the damaged finger. 
Mr. Mallows had the large frame 

1308
01:01:00,440 --> 01:01:04,520
of a man of strong build, who 
had had much hard bodily work, 

1309
01:01:04,880 --> 01:01:08,240
but there hung about it the 
heavier, softer flesh that told 

1310
01:01:08,240 --> 01:01:10,600
of a later period of ease and 
sloth. 

1311
01:01:12,080 --> 01:01:17,520
Mr. Mallows, Stedman said the 
bicycle's the safest thing after

1312
01:01:17,520 --> 01:01:23,160
all dangerous things, these 
brooms, you younger men, Mr. 

1313
01:01:23,160 --> 01:01:26,800
Mallows replied with a slow and 
rounded enunciation. 

1314
01:01:27,200 --> 01:01:30,520
You younger men can afford to be
active. 

1315
01:01:31,040 --> 01:01:35,640
We elders can afford a broom, 
Dorrington added, before the 

1316
01:01:35,640 --> 01:01:37,640
managing director began the next
word. 

1317
01:01:38,360 --> 01:01:41,200
Just so, and the bicycle does it
all. 

1318
01:01:41,520 --> 01:01:46,880
Wonderful thing, The bicycle. 
Dorrington had not misjudged his

1319
01:01:46,880 --> 01:01:49,160
man. 
And your blight reference to his

1320
01:01:49,160 --> 01:01:52,600
wealth flattered Mr. Mallows. 
Dorrington went once more 

1321
01:01:52,600 --> 01:01:55,920
through his report as to the 
spoke patent, and then Mr. 

1322
01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:00,880
Mallows bade him goodbye. 
Good day, Mr. Dorrington, good 

1323
01:02:01,000 --> 01:02:04,800
day, he said. 
I am extremely obliged by your 

1324
01:02:04,800 --> 01:02:07,680
careful personal attention to 
this matter of the patent. 

1325
01:02:08,360 --> 01:02:11,480
We may leave it with Mr. Stedman
now, I think. 

1326
01:02:12,120 --> 01:02:14,800
Good day. 
I hope soon to have the pleasure

1327
01:02:14,800 --> 01:02:19,720
of meeting you again. 
And with clumsy stateliness Mr. 

1328
01:02:19,720 --> 01:02:25,720
Mallows vanished. 
So you don't think the Avalanche

1329
01:02:25,720 --> 01:02:30,160
could business as an investment?
Dorrington said once more, as he

1330
01:02:30,160 --> 01:02:33,000
and Stedman, after an excellent 
dinner, were cabbing it to the 

1331
01:02:33,000 --> 01:02:36,280
track. 
No, no, Steadman answered. 

1332
01:02:36,680 --> 01:02:39,560
Don't touch it. 
There's better things than that 

1333
01:02:39,560 --> 01:02:42,600
coming along presently. 
Perhaps I shall be able to put 

1334
01:02:42,600 --> 01:02:44,760
you in for something you know, a
bit later. 

1335
01:02:45,440 --> 01:02:49,360
But don't be in a hurry. 
As to the other lunch, even if 

1336
01:02:49,360 --> 01:02:51,960
everything else was 
satisfactory, there's too much 

1337
01:02:51,960 --> 01:02:54,840
booming being done just now to 
please me. 

1338
01:02:55,600 --> 01:02:59,360
All sorts of rumors, you know, 
of their having something up 

1339
01:02:59,360 --> 01:03:03,280
their sleeve and so on. 
Mysterious hints in the papers 

1340
01:03:03,640 --> 01:03:06,840
and all that. 
As to something revolutionary 

1341
01:03:06,840 --> 01:03:11,480
being in hand with the Avalanche
people, perhaps there is, but 

1342
01:03:11,480 --> 01:03:14,400
why they don't fetch it out in 
view of the public subscription 

1343
01:03:14,400 --> 01:03:17,880
for shares is more than I can 
understand, unless they don't 

1344
01:03:17,880 --> 01:03:22,240
want too much of A rush. 
And as to that, well, they don't

1345
01:03:22,400 --> 01:03:26,040
look like modestly shrinking 
from anything of that sort up to

1346
01:03:26,040 --> 01:03:29,960
the present. 
They were at the track suit 

1347
01:03:29,960 --> 01:03:32,960
after 7, but Gillette was not 
yet riding. 

1348
01:03:33,240 --> 01:03:36,440
Dorrington remarked that 
Gillette appeared to begin late.

1349
01:03:37,200 --> 01:03:40,800
Well, Steadman explained, he's 
one of those fellows that's 

1350
01:03:40,880 --> 01:03:44,000
afternoon training doesn't seem 
to suit unless he's a bit of 

1351
01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:47,440
walking exercise. 
He does just a few miles in the 

1352
01:03:47,440 --> 01:03:51,160
morning and a spurt or two, and 
then he comes on just before 

1353
01:03:51,160 --> 01:03:54,120
sunset for a fast 10 or 15 
miles. 

1354
01:03:54,560 --> 01:03:58,080
That is when he's getting fit 
for such a race as Saturdays. 

1355
01:03:58,560 --> 01:04:01,920
Tonight will be his last spin of
that length before Saturday, 

1356
01:04:01,920 --> 01:04:04,680
because tomorrow will be the day
before the race. 

1357
01:04:05,080 --> 01:04:09,280
Tomorrow he'll only go a spurt 
or two and rest most of the day.

1358
01:04:10,560 --> 01:04:14,000
They strolled about inside the 
track, the two highly banked 

1359
01:04:14,000 --> 01:04:17,120
ends whereof seemed to a near 
sighted person in the centre to 

1360
01:04:17,120 --> 01:04:20,840
be solid erect walls, along the 
face of which the training 

1361
01:04:20,840 --> 01:04:24,680
riders skimmed fly fashion. 
Only three or four persons 

1362
01:04:24,680 --> 01:04:27,520
beside themselves were in the 
enclosure when they first came, 

1363
01:04:27,880 --> 01:04:32,000
but in 10 minutes time Mr. Paul 
Mallows came across the track. 

1364
01:04:34,040 --> 01:04:38,040
Why, said Steadman to 
Dorrington, Here's the governor.

1365
01:04:38,480 --> 01:04:41,960
It isn't often he comes down 
here, but I expect he's anxious 

1366
01:04:41,960 --> 01:04:44,800
to see how gel it's going in 
view of Saturday. 

1367
01:04:46,480 --> 01:04:49,080
Good evening, Mr. Mallows, said 
Dorrington. 

1368
01:04:49,720 --> 01:04:52,960
I hope the finger's all right. 
You want any more plaster? 

1369
01:04:53,960 --> 01:04:56,600
Good evening. 
Good evening, responded Mr. 

1370
01:04:56,600 --> 01:04:58,320
Mallows heavily. 
Thank you. 

1371
01:04:58,360 --> 01:05:00,160
The finger's not troubling me a 
bit. 

1372
01:05:01,160 --> 01:05:04,440
He held it up, still decorated 
by the black plaster. 

1373
01:05:05,080 --> 01:05:09,120
Your plaster remains, you see. 
I was a little careful not to 

1374
01:05:09,120 --> 01:05:12,920
fray it too much in washing. 
That was horrible, and Mr. 

1375
01:05:12,920 --> 01:05:16,480
Mallows sat down on a light iron
garden chair, of which several 

1376
01:05:16,480 --> 01:05:19,880
stood here and there in the 
enclosure, and began to watch 

1377
01:05:19,880 --> 01:05:22,200
the riding. 
The track was clear. 

1378
01:05:22,200 --> 01:05:25,600
The dusk was approaching when at
last the great Jealot made his 

1379
01:05:25,600 --> 01:05:29,040
appearance on the track. 
He answered a friendly question 

1380
01:05:29,040 --> 01:05:32,840
or two put to him by Mallows and
Steadman, and then, giving his 

1381
01:05:32,840 --> 01:05:36,200
coat to his trainer, swung off 
along the track on his bicycle, 

1382
01:05:36,720 --> 01:05:41,200
LED in front by a tandem and 
closely attended by a triplet in

1383
01:05:41,200 --> 01:05:43,360
50 yards. 
His pace quickened and he 

1384
01:05:43,360 --> 01:05:47,280
settled down into a swift, even 
pace, regular as clockwork. 

1385
01:05:47,520 --> 01:05:50,760
Sometimes a tandem and sometimes
a triplet went to the front, but

1386
01:05:50,760 --> 01:05:52,640
Gillette neither checked nor 
heeded. 

1387
01:05:52,880 --> 01:05:56,360
As nursed by his Pacers, who 
were directed by the trainer 

1388
01:05:56,360 --> 01:06:01,120
from the centre, he swept along 
mile after mile, each mile, in 

1389
01:06:01,120 --> 01:06:03,240
but a few seconds over the two 
minutes. 

1390
01:06:04,440 --> 01:06:07,920
Look at the action, exclaimed 
Stedman with enthusiasm. 

1391
01:06:08,240 --> 01:06:10,880
Just watch him. 
Not an ounce of power wasted 

1392
01:06:10,880 --> 01:06:12,920
there. 
Did you ever see more regular 

1393
01:06:13,000 --> 01:06:15,640
ankle work? 
And did anybody ever sit a 

1394
01:06:15,640 --> 01:06:19,480
machine quite so well as that? 
She'll be a movement anywhere 

1395
01:06:19,480 --> 01:06:23,200
above the hips. 
Ah, said Mr. Mallows. 

1396
01:06:23,720 --> 01:06:25,720
Yeah, that has a wonderful 
style. 

1397
01:06:25,960 --> 01:06:30,000
A wonderful style, really. 
The men in the enclosure 

1398
01:06:30,000 --> 01:06:33,440
wandered about here and there on
the grass, watching Gellot's 

1399
01:06:33,440 --> 01:06:36,280
riding as one watches the 
performance of a great piece of 

1400
01:06:36,280 --> 01:06:39,240
art. 
Which indeed, was what Gellot's 

1401
01:06:39,240 --> 01:06:42,640
riding was. 
There were, besides Mallows, 

1402
01:06:42,640 --> 01:06:45,960
Steadman, Dorrington and the 
trainer, 2 officials of the 

1403
01:06:45,960 --> 01:06:50,160
cyclist's junior, an amateur 
racing man named Sparks, the 

1404
01:06:50,160 --> 01:06:52,560
track Superintendent and another
man. 

1405
01:06:53,440 --> 01:06:56,560
The sky grew darker and gloom 
fell about the track. 

1406
01:06:57,120 --> 01:06:59,960
The machines became invisible 
and little could be seen of the 

1407
01:06:59,960 --> 01:07:05,200
riders across the ground but the
row of rhythmically working legs

1408
01:07:05,200 --> 01:07:07,400
and the white cap that Gillette 
wore. 

1409
01:07:08,000 --> 01:07:11,000
The trainer had just told 
Steadman that there would be 3 

1410
01:07:11,000 --> 01:07:14,000
fast laps and then his man would
come off the track. 

1411
01:07:15,520 --> 01:07:20,240
Well, Mr. Stedman said. 
Mr. Mallows, I think we shall be

1412
01:07:20,280 --> 01:07:24,600
all right for Saturday. 
Rather, answered Stedman 

1413
01:07:24,600 --> 01:07:26,520
confidently. 
Jed, it's going. 

1414
01:07:26,520 --> 01:07:28,560
Great guns and steady as a 
watch. 

1415
01:07:29,200 --> 01:07:33,080
The pace now suddenly increased.
The tandem shot once more to the

1416
01:07:33,080 --> 01:07:36,280
front, the triplet hung on the 
rider's flank and the group of 

1417
01:07:36,280 --> 01:07:39,640
swishing wheels flew around the 
Tracker to 150 gate. 

1418
01:07:40,240 --> 01:07:43,120
The spectators turned about, 
following the riders round the 

1419
01:07:43,120 --> 01:07:46,840
track with their eyes and then 
swinging into the straight from 

1420
01:07:46,840 --> 01:07:49,320
the top bend. 
The tandem checked suddenly and 

1421
01:07:49,320 --> 01:07:52,320
gave a little jump. 
Gellet crashed into it from 

1422
01:07:52,320 --> 01:07:55,600
behind and the triplet, failing 
to clear, wavered and swung and 

1423
01:07:55,600 --> 01:07:57,720
crashed over and along the track
too. 

1424
01:07:58,400 --> 01:08:01,960
All three machines and six men 
were involved in one complicated

1425
01:08:01,960 --> 01:08:05,160
smash. 
Everybody rushed across the 

1426
01:08:05,160 --> 01:08:08,760
grass, the trainer first, then 
the cause of the disaster, was 

1427
01:08:08,760 --> 01:08:13,320
seen lying on its side on the 
track with men and bicycles 

1428
01:08:13,320 --> 01:08:16,640
piled over and against. 
It was one of the green painted 

1429
01:08:16,640 --> 01:08:19,720
light iron garden chairs that 
had been standing in the 

1430
01:08:19,720 --> 01:08:22,920
enclosure. 
The triplet men were struggling 

1431
01:08:22,920 --> 01:08:26,399
to their feet and though much 
cut and shaken, seemed the least

1432
01:08:26,399 --> 01:08:30,120
hurt of the lot. 1 of the men of
the tandem was insensible. 

1433
01:08:30,479 --> 01:08:34,279
Angelet, who from his position 
had got all the worst of it, lay

1434
01:08:34,279 --> 01:08:38,640
senseless, too badly cut and 
bruised, and his left arm was 

1435
01:08:38,640 --> 01:08:42,080
broken. 
The trainer was cursing and 

1436
01:08:42,080 --> 01:08:44,880
tearing his hair. 
If I knew who'd done this, 

1437
01:08:44,880 --> 01:08:47,640
Stedman cried, I'd pull him with
that chair. 

1438
01:08:47,960 --> 01:08:52,160
Oh, that betting, that betting, 
wailed Mr. Mallows, hopping 

1439
01:08:52,160 --> 01:08:55,840
about distractedly. 
See what it leads people into 

1440
01:08:55,840 --> 01:08:58,279
doing. 
It can't have been an accident, 

1441
01:08:58,279 --> 01:09:01,240
can it? 
Accident, Skittles? 

1442
01:09:01,560 --> 01:09:04,200
A man doesn't put a chair on a 
track in the dark and leave it 

1443
01:09:04,200 --> 01:09:06,920
there by accident. 
Is anybody getting away there 

1444
01:09:06,920 --> 01:09:10,880
from the outside of the track? 
No, no, there's nobody. 

1445
01:09:11,600 --> 01:09:14,600
He wouldn't wait till this. 
He's clear off in a minute to go

1446
01:09:14,600 --> 01:09:18,319
and more here. 
Fielders shut the outer gate, 

1447
01:09:18,319 --> 01:09:23,000
and we'll see who's about. 
But there seemed to be no 

1448
01:09:23,000 --> 01:09:26,279
suspicious character. 
Indeed, except for the ground 

1449
01:09:26,279 --> 01:09:29,319
man, whose boy Jillett's 
trainer, and a racing man who 

1450
01:09:29,319 --> 01:09:32,600
had just finished dressing in 
the pavilion, there seemed to be

1451
01:09:32,600 --> 01:09:36,359
nobody about beyond those whom 
everybody had seen standing in 

1452
01:09:36,359 --> 01:09:39,439
the enclosure. 
But there had been ample time 

1453
01:09:39,439 --> 01:09:42,880
for anybody standing unnoticed 
at the outer rails to get across

1454
01:09:42,880 --> 01:09:46,359
the track in the dark, just 
after the riders had passed, 

1455
01:09:46,600 --> 01:09:50,080
placed the obstruction, and 
escaped before the completion of

1456
01:09:50,080 --> 01:09:53,600
the lap. 
The damaged men were helped or 

1457
01:09:53,600 --> 01:09:56,960
carried into the pavilion and 
the damaged machines were 

1458
01:09:56,960 --> 01:10:01,320
dragged after them. 
I, I will give 50 lbs gladly 

1459
01:10:01,320 --> 01:10:05,120
more 100, said Mr. Mallows 
excitedly. 

1460
01:10:05,560 --> 01:10:09,120
To anybody who will find out who
put that chair on the track. 

1461
01:10:09,760 --> 01:10:14,440
It might have ended in murder. 
Some wretched bookmaker, I 

1462
01:10:14,440 --> 01:10:17,560
suppose, who has taken too many 
bets on Gillette. 

1463
01:10:18,640 --> 01:10:23,240
As I've said 1000 times, betting
is the curse of all sport 

1464
01:10:23,240 --> 01:10:27,040
nowadays. 
The governor excites himself a 

1465
01:10:27,040 --> 01:10:30,240
great deal about betting and 
bookmakers, Stedman said to 

1466
01:10:30,240 --> 01:10:32,520
Dorrington as they walked toward
the pavilion. 

1467
01:10:33,040 --> 01:10:36,400
But between you and me, I 
believe some of the Avalanche 

1468
01:10:36,400 --> 01:10:39,400
people are in this. 
The betting bee is always in 

1469
01:10:39,400 --> 01:10:41,880
Mallow's bonnet. 
But as a matter of fact, there's

1470
01:10:41,880 --> 01:10:45,560
very little betting at all on 
cycle races, and what there is 

1471
01:10:45,560 --> 01:10:48,560
is little more than a matter of 
half crowns or at most half 

1472
01:10:48,560 --> 01:10:50,400
sovereigns on the day of the 
race. 

1473
01:10:50,960 --> 01:10:53,640
No bookmaker ever makes a heavy 
book first. 

1474
01:10:54,680 --> 01:10:57,560
Still, there may be something in
it this time, of course. 

1475
01:10:58,160 --> 01:11:00,200
But look at the avalanche 
people. 

1476
01:11:00,680 --> 01:11:03,880
With Gillette away, their man 
can certainly win on Saturday, 

1477
01:11:04,240 --> 01:11:07,120
and if only the weather keeps 
fair, he can almost as certainly

1478
01:11:07,120 --> 01:11:11,800
beat the record just at present.
The 50 miles is fairly easy, and

1479
01:11:11,800 --> 01:11:15,200
it's bound to go soon. 
Indeed, our intention was that 

1480
01:11:15,200 --> 01:11:17,200
Gillette should pull it down on 
Saturday. 

1481
01:11:18,000 --> 01:11:21,920
He was a safe winner bar 
accidents and it was good odds 

1482
01:11:21,920 --> 01:11:26,240
on his altering the record if 
the weather were good and all. 

1483
01:11:27,960 --> 01:11:30,880
With Gillette out of it, Lant is
just about as certain the 

1484
01:11:30,880 --> 01:11:34,440
winners our man would be if all 
were well and there would be a 

1485
01:11:34,440 --> 01:11:37,920
boon for the avalanche company 
on the very eve of the share 

1486
01:11:37,920 --> 01:11:41,360
subscription. 
Lant, you must know, was very 

1487
01:11:41,360 --> 01:11:45,440
second rate till this season, 
but he has improved wonderfully 

1488
01:11:45,440 --> 01:11:48,840
in the last month or two since 
he has been with the avalanche. 

1489
01:11:48,840 --> 01:11:53,040
People let him win and they can 
point to the machine as 

1490
01:11:53,040 --> 01:11:56,640
responsible for at all. 
Here, they will say in effect, 

1491
01:11:56,640 --> 01:12:00,680
is a man who could rarely get in
front, even in second class 

1492
01:12:00,680 --> 01:12:03,240
company till he rode an 
avalanche. 

1493
01:12:04,000 --> 01:12:07,120
Now he beats the world's record 
for 50 miles on it and makes 

1494
01:12:07,120 --> 01:12:09,240
rings around the top most 
professionals. 

1495
01:12:10,120 --> 01:12:13,000
Why, it will be worth thousands 
of capital to them. 

1496
01:12:13,560 --> 01:12:17,000
Of course, the subscription of 
capital won't hurt us, but the 

1497
01:12:17,000 --> 01:12:20,200
loss of the record may. 
And have Gillette knocked out 

1498
01:12:20,200 --> 01:12:22,760
like this in the middle of the 
season is serious. 

1499
01:12:23,840 --> 01:12:27,520
Yes, I suppose with you it is 
more than a matter of this one 

1500
01:12:27,520 --> 01:12:30,600
race, of course. 
And so it will be with the 

1501
01:12:30,600 --> 01:12:32,880
Avalanche company, don't you 
see? 

1502
01:12:32,880 --> 01:12:36,240
With Gillette probably useless 
for the rest of the season, 

1503
01:12:36,520 --> 01:12:39,600
Lance will have it all his own 
way and at anything over 10 

1504
01:12:39,600 --> 01:12:43,520
miles that'll help to boom up 
the shares and there'll be big 

1505
01:12:43,520 --> 01:12:47,600
profit made on trading in them. 
Oh, I tell you, this thing seems

1506
01:12:47,600 --> 01:12:52,080
pretty suspicious to me. 
Oh, look here, said Dorrington. 

1507
01:12:52,520 --> 01:12:56,040
Can you borrow a light for me 
and let me run over with it to 

1508
01:12:56,040 --> 01:12:57,840
the spot where the smash took 
place? 

1509
01:12:57,840 --> 01:13:01,240
The people have cleared into the
pavilion and I could go alone. 

1510
01:13:01,880 --> 01:13:04,400
Well, certainly. 
Will you have a try for the 

1511
01:13:04,400 --> 01:13:08,320
Governor's hundred? 
Well, perhaps, but anyway, 

1512
01:13:08,320 --> 01:13:11,160
there's no harm in doing you a 
good turn if I can, while I'm 

1513
01:13:11,160 --> 01:13:14,240
here someday, perhaps you'll do 
me one. 

1514
01:13:14,520 --> 01:13:15,680
Right. 
You are. 

1515
01:13:16,080 --> 01:13:17,840
I'll ask Fielders the ground 
man. 

1516
01:13:19,120 --> 01:13:22,040
A Lantern was brought, and 
Dorrington betook himself to the

1517
01:13:22,040 --> 01:13:25,760
spot where the iron chair still 
lay, while Steadman joined the 

1518
01:13:25,760 --> 01:13:27,360
rest of the crowd in the 
pavilion. 

1519
01:13:28,920 --> 01:13:32,120
Dorrington minutely examined the
grass within two yards of the 

1520
01:13:32,120 --> 01:13:35,440
place where the chair lay, and 
then, crossing the track and 

1521
01:13:35,440 --> 01:13:38,160
getting over the rails, did the 
same with the damp gravel that 

1522
01:13:38,160 --> 01:13:41,720
paved the outer ring. 
The track itself was of cement 

1523
01:13:41,800 --> 01:13:44,880
and unimpressionable by 
footmarks, but nevertheless he 

1524
01:13:44,880 --> 01:13:48,200
scrutinised that with equal care
as well as the rails. 

1525
01:13:48,920 --> 01:13:50,920
Then he turned his attention to 
the chair. 

1526
01:13:51,640 --> 01:13:55,080
It was, as I have said, a light 
chair made of flat iron strip, 

1527
01:13:55,080 --> 01:13:59,000
bent to shape and riveted. 
It had seen good service, and 

1528
01:13:59,000 --> 01:14:02,680
its present coat of green paint 
was evidently far from being its

1529
01:14:02,680 --> 01:14:06,880
original 1 Also it was rusty in 
places, and parts had been 

1530
01:14:06,880 --> 01:14:10,360
repaired and straightened with 
cross pieces secured by bolts 

1531
01:14:10,360 --> 01:14:13,320
and square nuts, some rusty and 
loose. 

1532
01:14:14,000 --> 01:14:17,280
It was from one of these square 
nuts, holding a cross piece that

1533
01:14:17,280 --> 01:14:21,480
stayed the back at the top, that
Dorrington secured some object. 

1534
01:14:21,920 --> 01:14:25,880
It might have been a hair, which
he carefully transferred to his 

1535
01:14:25,880 --> 01:14:28,920
pocket book. 
This done, with one more glance 

1536
01:14:28,920 --> 01:14:31,240
round, he betook himself to the 
pavilion. 

1537
01:14:33,040 --> 01:14:36,440
A surgeon had arrived, and he 
reported well of the chief 

1538
01:14:36,440 --> 01:14:38,960
patient. 
It was a simple fracture, and a 

1539
01:14:38,960 --> 01:14:41,560
healthy patient. 
When Dorrington entered, 

1540
01:14:41,560 --> 01:14:44,440
preparations were beginning for 
setting the limb. 

1541
01:14:45,040 --> 01:14:47,840
There was a sofa in the 
pavilion, and the surgeon saw no

1542
01:14:47,840 --> 01:14:50,960
reason for removing the patient 
till all was made secure. 

1543
01:14:52,280 --> 01:14:55,080
Found anything? 
Asked Edman, in a low tone of 

1544
01:14:55,080 --> 01:14:57,800
Dorrington. 
Dorrington shook his head. 

1545
01:14:58,280 --> 01:15:00,720
Not much, He answered at a 
whisper. 

1546
01:15:01,280 --> 01:15:07,120
I'll think it over later. 
Dorrington asked one of the 

1547
01:15:07,120 --> 01:15:10,600
cyclists union officials for the
loan of a pencil, and having 

1548
01:15:10,600 --> 01:15:13,200
made a note with it immediately 
in another part of the room, 

1549
01:15:13,200 --> 01:15:15,560
asked Sparks, the amateur, to 
lend him another. 

1550
01:15:16,480 --> 01:15:19,680
Stedman had told Mr. Mallows of 
Dorrington's late employment 

1551
01:15:19,680 --> 01:15:22,480
with the Lantern, and the 
managing director now said 

1552
01:15:22,480 --> 01:15:25,360
quietly. 
You'll remember what I said 

1553
01:15:25,360 --> 01:15:28,920
about rewarding anybody who 
discovered the perpetrator of 

1554
01:15:28,920 --> 01:15:33,800
this outrage, Mr. Dorrington. 
Well, I I was excited at the 

1555
01:15:33,800 --> 01:15:38,720
time, but I quite hold to it. 
It is a shameful thing. 

1556
01:15:39,480 --> 01:15:41,960
You'll have been looking about 
the grounds, I hear. 

1557
01:15:42,440 --> 01:15:44,800
I hope you have come across 
something that will enable you 

1558
01:15:44,800 --> 01:15:48,160
to find something out. 
Nothing will please me more than

1559
01:15:48,160 --> 01:15:53,200
to have to pay you, I'm sure. 
Well, Dorrington confessed. 

1560
01:15:53,600 --> 01:15:56,640
I'm afraid I haven't seen 
anything very big in the way of 

1561
01:15:56,640 --> 01:16:00,040
a clue, Mr. Mallows, but I'll 
think a bit. 

1562
01:16:00,800 --> 01:16:03,760
The worst of it is, you never 
know who these betting men are, 

1563
01:16:03,760 --> 01:16:05,400
do you? 
Once they get away. 

1564
01:16:05,600 --> 01:16:07,760
There are so many, and it may be
anybody. 

1565
01:16:08,280 --> 01:16:10,880
Not only that, but they may 
bribe anybody. 

1566
01:16:11,600 --> 01:16:15,760
Yes, of course, there's no end 
to their wickedness, I'm afraid.

1567
01:16:16,480 --> 01:16:20,120
Steadman suggests the trade 
rivalry may have had something 

1568
01:16:20,120 --> 01:16:23,840
to do with it. 
But that seems an uncharitable 

1569
01:16:23,840 --> 01:16:28,720
view, don't you think? 
Of course we stand very high and

1570
01:16:28,720 --> 01:16:32,440
there are jealousies and all 
that, but this is a thing I'm 

1571
01:16:32,440 --> 01:16:35,760
sure no firm would think of. 
Stooping to for a moment now. 

1572
01:16:37,480 --> 01:16:39,680
It's betting that it's at the 
bottom of this. 

1573
01:16:39,680 --> 01:16:43,320
I fear, and I hope, Mr. 
Dorrington, that you will make 

1574
01:16:43,320 --> 01:16:45,800
some attempt to find the guilty 
parties. 

1575
01:16:47,280 --> 01:16:49,360
Presently. 
Stedman spoke to Dorrington 

1576
01:16:49,360 --> 01:16:51,560
again. 
Here's something that may help 

1577
01:16:51,560 --> 01:16:54,640
you, he said. 
To begin with, it must have been

1578
01:16:54,640 --> 01:16:56,960
done by someone from outside of 
the track. 

1579
01:16:57,600 --> 01:17:00,120
Why? 
Well, at least every 

1580
01:17:00,120 --> 01:17:03,560
probability's that way. 
Everybody inside was directly 

1581
01:17:03,560 --> 01:17:07,000
interested in Gillett's success,
excepting the union officials 

1582
01:17:07,000 --> 01:17:10,960
and Sparks, who's a gentleman 
and quite above suspicion, and 

1583
01:17:10,960 --> 01:17:13,680
as much so indeed as the union 
officials. 

1584
01:17:14,440 --> 01:17:17,120
Of course there was the ground 
man, but he's all right, I'm 

1585
01:17:17,120 --> 01:17:19,680
sure. 
And the trainer. 

1586
01:17:20,240 --> 01:17:22,880
Oh, that's altogether 
improbable. 

1587
01:17:22,880 --> 01:17:25,320
Altogether. 
I was going to say. 

1588
01:17:25,600 --> 01:17:28,600
And there's that other man who 
was standing about. 

1589
01:17:28,600 --> 01:17:31,680
I haven't heard who he was. 
Right you are. 

1590
01:17:31,680 --> 01:17:33,680
I don't know him either. 
Where is he now? 

1591
01:17:34,400 --> 01:17:38,800
But the man had gone. 
Look here, I'll make some quiet 

1592
01:17:38,800 --> 01:17:41,440
inquiries about that man. 
Stedman pursued. 

1593
01:17:42,080 --> 01:17:44,400
I forgot all about him in the 
excitement of the moment. 

1594
01:17:44,760 --> 01:17:47,400
I was going to say that although
whoever did it could easily have

1595
01:17:47,400 --> 01:17:50,760
got away by the gate before the 
smash came, he might not have 

1596
01:17:50,760 --> 01:17:53,840
liked to go that way in case of 
observation and passing the 

1597
01:17:53,840 --> 01:17:57,840
pavilion. 
In that case he could have got 

1598
01:17:57,840 --> 01:18:00,760
away, and indeed he could have 
got into the grounds to begin 

1599
01:18:00,760 --> 01:18:03,880
with by way of one of those 
garden walls that bound the 

1600
01:18:03,880 --> 01:18:06,000
ground just by where the smash 
occurred. 

1601
01:18:06,800 --> 01:18:10,280
If that was so, he must either 
live in one of the houses or he 

1602
01:18:10,280 --> 01:18:13,920
must know somebody that does. 
Perhaps you might put a man to 

1603
01:18:13,920 --> 01:18:17,680
smell about along the road. 
It's only a short 1 Chisnol 

1604
01:18:17,680 --> 01:18:20,920
Road's the name. 
Yes, Sir, yes. 

1605
01:18:21,240 --> 01:18:25,400
Dorrington responded patiently. 
There might be something in 

1606
01:18:25,400 --> 01:18:29,920
that. 
By this time Gellet's arm was in

1607
01:18:29,920 --> 01:18:34,240
a starched bandage and secured 
by splints, and a cab was ready 

1608
01:18:34,240 --> 01:18:37,440
to take him home. 
Mr. Mallows took Steadman away 

1609
01:18:37,440 --> 01:18:41,040
with him, expressing a desire to
talk business, and Dorrington 

1610
01:18:41,040 --> 01:18:44,480
went home by himself. 
He did not turn down Chisnall 

1611
01:18:44,480 --> 01:18:48,360
Rd. but he walked jauntily along
toward the nearest cab stand, 

1612
01:18:48,360 --> 01:18:51,280
and once or twice he chuckled, 
for he saw his way to a 

1613
01:18:51,280 --> 01:18:55,600
delightfully lucrative financial
operation in cycle companies 

1614
01:18:55,600 --> 01:18:59,240
without risk of capital. 
The cab gained. 

1615
01:18:59,240 --> 01:19:02,320
He'd called at the lodgings of 
two of his men assistants and 

1616
01:19:02,320 --> 01:19:06,400
gave them instant instructions. 
Then he packed a small bag at 

1617
01:19:06,400 --> 01:19:10,480
his rooms in Conduit St. and at 
midnight was in the late fast 

1618
01:19:10,480 --> 01:19:17,120
train for Birmingham. 
End of the Affair of the 

1619
01:19:17,120 --> 01:19:21,280
Avalanche Bicycle and Tire 
Company, Limited by Arthur 

1620
01:19:21,280 --> 01:19:36,600
Morrison, Part 1. 
Section 4 of the Rivals of 

1621
01:19:36,600 --> 01:19:41,240
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1. 
This is a Librivox recording. 

1622
01:19:41,520 --> 01:19:44,400
All Librivox recordings are in 
the public domain. 

1623
01:19:45,040 --> 01:19:48,240
For more information or to 
volunteer, please visit 

1624
01:19:48,320 --> 01:19:53,800
librivox.org. 
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 

1625
01:19:53,840 --> 01:19:57,400
Volume 1. 
The Affair of the Avalanche 

1626
01:19:57,480 --> 01:20:01,880
Bicycle and Tire Company Limited
by Arthur Morrison. 

1627
01:20:02,560 --> 01:20:07,920
Part 2. 
The prospectus of the Avalanche 

1628
01:20:08,120 --> 01:20:11,400
Bicycle and Tire Company stated 
that the works were at Exeter 

1629
01:20:11,400 --> 01:20:14,400
and Birmingham. 
Exeter is a delightful Old Town,

1630
01:20:14,400 --> 01:20:17,360
but it can scarcely be regarded 
as the centre of the cycle 

1631
01:20:17,360 --> 01:20:20,200
trade. 
Neither is it in especially easy

1632
01:20:20,200 --> 01:20:22,160
and short communication with 
Birmingham. 

1633
01:20:22,840 --> 01:20:26,240
It was the sort of thing that 
any critic anxious to pick holes

1634
01:20:26,240 --> 01:20:28,120
in the prospectus might wonder 
at. 

1635
01:20:28,600 --> 01:20:31,520
And so one of Dorrington's 
assistants had gone by the night

1636
01:20:31,520 --> 01:20:34,880
mail to inspect the works. 
It was from this man that 

1637
01:20:34,880 --> 01:20:38,040
Dorrington in Birmingham, about 
noon on the day after Gillett's 

1638
01:20:38,040 --> 01:20:40,640
disaster, received this 
telegram. 

1639
01:20:42,160 --> 01:20:47,640
Works here old disused cloth 
mills just out of town, closed 

1640
01:20:47,640 --> 01:20:52,440
and empty but with big new sign 
board and noticed that works now

1641
01:20:52,440 --> 01:20:57,600
running are at Birmingham. 
Agent says only deposit paid. 

1642
01:20:57,960 --> 01:21:01,280
Tenancy agreement not signed 
Farish. 

1643
01:21:03,400 --> 01:21:06,360
The telegram increased 
Dorrington's satisfaction, for 

1644
01:21:06,360 --> 01:21:08,640
he had just taken a look at the 
Birmingham works. 

1645
01:21:09,280 --> 01:21:12,760
They were not empty, though 
nearly so, nor were they large, 

1646
01:21:13,080 --> 01:21:15,880
and a man there had told him 
that the chief premises where 

1647
01:21:15,880 --> 01:21:20,720
most of the work was done were 
at Exeter and the hollower, the 

1648
01:21:20,720 --> 01:21:24,360
business, the better prize he 
saw in store for himself. 

1649
01:21:24,880 --> 01:21:27,840
He had already, early in the 
morning, indulged in a telegram 

1650
01:21:27,840 --> 01:21:30,600
on his own account, though he 
had not signed it. 

1651
01:21:31,360 --> 01:21:37,360
This was how it ran. 
Mallows, 58 Upper Sandown Place,

1652
01:21:37,800 --> 01:21:44,160
London W Fear all not safe here.
Rundown by 10:10. 

1653
01:21:44,160 --> 01:21:49,000
Train without fail. 
Thus it happened that at a 

1654
01:21:49,000 --> 01:21:52,240
little later than 8:30, 
Dorrington's other assistant, 

1655
01:21:52,240 --> 01:21:56,800
watching the door of #58 Upper 
Sandown Place, saw a telegram 

1656
01:21:56,800 --> 01:22:00,960
delivered, and immediately 
afterward Mr. Paul Mallows, in 

1657
01:22:00,960 --> 01:22:04,560
much haste, dashed away in a cab
which was called from the end of

1658
01:22:04,560 --> 01:22:06,840
the street. 
The assistant followed in 

1659
01:22:06,840 --> 01:22:09,720
another. 
Mr. Mallows dismissed his cab as

1660
01:22:09,800 --> 01:22:13,880
theatrical wig makers in Bow 
Street and entered when he 

1661
01:22:13,880 --> 01:22:16,400
emerged in little more than 40 
minutes time. 

1662
01:22:16,680 --> 01:22:19,840
None but a practised watcher who
had guessed the reason of his 

1663
01:22:19,880 --> 01:22:24,040
visit would have recognised him.
He had not assumed the clumsy 

1664
01:22:24,040 --> 01:22:29,120
disguise of a false beard. 
He was made-up deftly, his 

1665
01:22:29,120 --> 01:22:31,720
colour was heightened and his 
face seemed thinner. 

1666
01:22:32,400 --> 01:22:36,080
There was no heavy accession of 
false hair, but a slight crape 

1667
01:22:36,080 --> 01:22:39,200
hair whisker at each side made a
better and less pronounced 

1668
01:22:39,200 --> 01:22:42,000
disguise. 
He seemed a younger, healthier 

1669
01:22:42,000 --> 01:22:44,880
man. 
The Watcher saw him safely off 

1670
01:22:44,880 --> 01:22:48,880
to Birmingham by the 10 minutes 
past 10 train, and then gave 

1671
01:22:48,880 --> 01:22:53,000
Dorrington note by Telegraph of 
the guise in which Mr. Mallows 

1672
01:22:53,000 --> 01:22:56,960
was travelling. 
Now this train was timed to 

1673
01:22:56,960 --> 01:23:00,200
arrive at Birmingham at one, 
which was the reason that 

1674
01:23:00,200 --> 01:23:02,600
Dorrington had named it in the 
anonymous telegram. 

1675
01:23:03,680 --> 01:23:07,760
The entrance to the avalanche 
works was by a large gate which 

1676
01:23:07,760 --> 01:23:11,480
was closed, but which was 
provided with a small door to 

1677
01:23:11,480 --> 01:23:14,800
pass a man. 
Within was a yard, and at a 

1678
01:23:14,800 --> 01:23:18,080
little before 1:00 Dorrington 
pushed open the small door, 

1679
01:23:18,080 --> 01:23:21,520
peeped, and entered. 
Nobody was about in the yard, 

1680
01:23:21,520 --> 01:23:24,320
and what little noise could be 
heard came from a particular 

1681
01:23:24,320 --> 01:23:26,000
part of the building on the 
right. 

1682
01:23:26,760 --> 01:23:31,080
A pile of solid export crates 
stood to the left, and these 

1683
01:23:31,080 --> 01:23:34,840
Dorrington had notice at his 
previous cast that morning as 

1684
01:23:34,840 --> 01:23:37,720
making a suitable hiding place 
for temporary use. 

1685
01:23:38,560 --> 01:23:42,280
Now he slipped behind them and 
awaited the stroke of one prompt

1686
01:23:42,280 --> 01:23:44,400
at the hour. 
A door on the opposite side of 

1687
01:23:44,400 --> 01:23:48,320
the yard swung open, and two 
more and a boy emerged and 

1688
01:23:48,320 --> 01:23:50,760
climbed one after another 
through the little door in the 

1689
01:23:50,760 --> 01:23:54,000
big gate. 
Then presently another man, not 

1690
01:23:54,000 --> 01:23:57,680
a Workman but apparently a sort 
of overseer, came from the 

1691
01:23:57,680 --> 01:24:01,080
opposite door, which he 
carelessly left fall to behind 

1692
01:24:01,080 --> 01:24:05,120
him, and he also disappeared 
through the little door which he

1693
01:24:05,120 --> 01:24:08,440
then locked. 
Dorrington was now alone in the 

1694
01:24:08,440 --> 01:24:12,000
sole active works of the 
Avalanche Bicycle and Tire 

1695
01:24:12,000 --> 01:24:16,320
Company, Limited. 
He tried the door opposite, and 

1696
01:24:16,320 --> 01:24:20,240
found it was free to open. 
Within he saw in a dark corner a

1697
01:24:20,240 --> 01:24:23,320
candle which had been left 
burning, and opposite him were a

1698
01:24:23,320 --> 01:24:28,920
large iron enameling oven, like 
an immense safe, and round about

1699
01:24:28,960 --> 01:24:32,320
on benches were strewn heaps of 
the glaring red and gold 

1700
01:24:32,320 --> 01:24:35,680
transfer which Dorrington had 
observed the day before on the 

1701
01:24:35,680 --> 01:24:38,800
machines exhibited in the 
Holborn Viaduct window. 

1702
01:24:39,480 --> 01:24:43,280
Some of the frames had the label
newly applied, and others were 

1703
01:24:43,280 --> 01:24:45,840
still plain. 
It would seem that the chief 

1704
01:24:45,880 --> 01:24:49,200
business of the Avalanche 
Bicycle and Tire Company Limited

1705
01:24:49,560 --> 01:24:54,000
was the attaching of labels to 
previously nondescript machines.

1706
01:24:54,640 --> 01:24:57,680
But there was little time to 
examine further, and indeed 

1707
01:24:57,680 --> 01:25:00,880
Dorrington presently heard the 
noise of a key and the outer 

1708
01:25:00,880 --> 01:25:03,760
gate. 
So he stood and waited by the 

1709
01:25:03,760 --> 01:25:06,360
enameling oven to welcome Mr. 
Mallows. 

1710
01:25:07,000 --> 01:25:10,160
As the door was pushed open, 
Dorrington advanced and bowed 

1711
01:25:10,160 --> 01:25:13,120
politely. 
Mallows started guiltily, but 

1712
01:25:13,120 --> 01:25:16,760
remembering his disguise, 
steadied himself and asked 

1713
01:25:16,760 --> 01:25:18,480
gruffly. 
Mouelja. 

1714
01:25:18,480 --> 01:25:23,200
And who are you? 
I answered Dorrington with 

1715
01:25:23,200 --> 01:25:27,400
perfect composure. 
I am Mr. Paul Mallows. 

1716
01:25:27,600 --> 01:25:30,000
You may have heard of me in 
connection with the 

1717
01:25:30,000 --> 01:25:35,080
Indestructible Bicycle Company. 
Hallows was altogether taken 

1718
01:25:35,080 --> 01:25:37,040
aback. 
But then it struck him that 

1719
01:25:37,040 --> 01:25:40,320
perhaps the detective, anxious 
to win the reward he had offered

1720
01:25:40,320 --> 01:25:43,360
in the matter of the Gillette 
outrage, was here making 

1721
01:25:43,360 --> 01:25:46,200
inquiries in the assumed 
character of the man who stood 

1722
01:25:46,200 --> 01:25:48,520
impenetrably disguised before 
him. 

1723
01:25:49,080 --> 01:25:52,760
So, after a pause, he asked 
again, a little less gruffly. 

1724
01:25:53,600 --> 01:25:59,600
And what may be your business? 
Well, said Dorrington, I did 

1725
01:25:59,600 --> 01:26:01,800
think of taking shares in this 
company. 

1726
01:26:01,800 --> 01:26:04,720
I suppose there would be no 
objection to the managing 

1727
01:26:04,720 --> 01:26:07,400
director of another company 
taking shares in this. 

1728
01:26:08,320 --> 01:26:12,720
No, answered Mallows, wondering 
what all this was to lead to. 

1729
01:26:13,600 --> 01:26:15,880
Of course not. 
I'm sure you don't think so, eh?

1730
01:26:16,920 --> 01:26:20,080
Dorrington, as he spoke, looked 
in the other's face with a sly 

1731
01:26:20,080 --> 01:26:24,080
leer, and Mallows began to feel 
altogether uncomfortable. 

1732
01:26:25,120 --> 01:26:28,920
But there's one other thing. 
Dorrington pursued taking out 

1733
01:26:28,920 --> 01:26:32,560
his pocketbook, though still 
maintaining his leer in Mallow's

1734
01:26:32,560 --> 01:26:34,680
face. 
One other thing. 

1735
01:26:35,800 --> 01:26:38,680
And by the way, will you have 
another piece of quart plaster 

1736
01:26:38,680 --> 01:26:40,720
now I've got it out? 
Don't say no. 

1737
01:26:41,240 --> 01:26:43,200
It's a pleasure to oblige you, 
really. 

1738
01:26:44,080 --> 01:26:48,280
And Dorrington, his leer growing
positively fiendish, tapped the 

1739
01:26:48,280 --> 01:26:51,440
side of his nose with the case 
of quart plaster. 

1740
01:26:53,480 --> 01:26:56,840
Mallows paled under the paint, 
gasped and felt for support. 

1741
01:26:57,320 --> 01:27:01,080
Dorrington laughed pleasantly. 
Oh, come calm, he said 

1742
01:27:01,400 --> 01:27:03,960
encouragingly. 
Don't be frightened. 

1743
01:27:04,360 --> 01:27:07,640
I admire your cleverness, Mr. 
Mallows, and I shall arrange 

1744
01:27:07,640 --> 01:27:09,840
everything pleasantly, as you 
will see. 

1745
01:27:10,360 --> 01:27:13,800
And as to the court plaster, if 
you'd rather not have it, you 

1746
01:27:13,800 --> 01:27:16,960
needn't. 
You have another piece on now, I

1747
01:27:16,960 --> 01:27:19,320
see. 
Why didn't you get them to paint

1748
01:27:19,320 --> 01:27:22,840
it over at Clarkson's? 
They really did the face very 

1749
01:27:22,840 --> 01:27:25,880
well, though. 
And there again, you were quite 

1750
01:27:25,880 --> 01:27:27,960
right. 
Such a man as yourself was 

1751
01:27:27,960 --> 01:27:32,000
likely to be recognized in such 
a place as Birmingham, and that 

1752
01:27:32,000 --> 01:27:34,400
would have been unfortunate for 
both of us. 

1753
01:27:34,480 --> 01:27:38,320
For both of us, I assure you. 
A man alive. 

1754
01:27:38,320 --> 01:27:40,800
Don't look as though I was going
to cut your throat. 

1755
01:27:41,520 --> 01:27:45,320
I'm not. 
I assure you, you're a smart man

1756
01:27:45,320 --> 01:27:48,680
of business, and I happen to 
have spotted a little operation 

1757
01:27:48,680 --> 01:27:52,280
of yours, that's all. 
I shall arrange easy terms for 

1758
01:27:52,280 --> 01:27:56,480
you, pull yourself together and 
talk business before the men 

1759
01:27:56,480 --> 01:27:58,800
come back here. 
Here, sit on this bench. 

1760
01:27:59,760 --> 01:28:02,880
Mallows, staring amazedly in 
Dorrington's face, suffered 

1761
01:28:02,880 --> 01:28:05,480
himself to be led to a bench and
sat on it. 

1762
01:28:06,520 --> 01:28:11,280
Now, said Dorrington, the first 
thing is a little matter of 

1763
01:28:11,280 --> 01:28:14,000
£100. 
That was the reward you 

1764
01:28:14,000 --> 01:28:16,160
promised. 
If I should discover who broke 

1765
01:28:16,160 --> 01:28:18,480
Jillet's arm last night, Well, I
have. 

1766
01:28:19,000 --> 01:28:20,520
Do you happen to have any notes 
with you? 

1767
01:28:20,520 --> 01:28:24,560
If none, may make it a check. 
But, but, but how? 

1768
01:28:24,600 --> 01:28:25,880
I mean, who? 
Who? 

1769
01:28:26,400 --> 01:28:30,520
Don't waste time, Mr. Mallows. 
Who? 

1770
01:28:31,680 --> 01:28:35,400
Why, yourself, of course. 
I knew all about it before I 

1771
01:28:35,400 --> 01:28:38,640
left you last night, though it 
wasn't quite convenient to claim

1772
01:28:38,640 --> 01:28:43,520
the reward then, for reasons 
you'll understand presently come

1773
01:28:43,520 --> 01:28:47,640
that little 100. 
But what? 

1774
01:28:47,960 --> 01:28:51,160
What proof have you I'm not to 
be bounced like this? 

1775
01:28:51,160 --> 01:28:54,240
You'll know. 
Mr. Mallows was gathering his 

1776
01:28:54,240 --> 01:28:59,240
faculties again. 
Proof why I met alive. 

1777
01:28:59,240 --> 01:29:02,400
Be reasonable. 
Suppose I have none, none at 

1778
01:29:02,400 --> 01:29:04,360
all. 
What difference does that make? 

1779
01:29:05,000 --> 01:29:08,040
Am I to walk out and tell your 
fellow directors where I have 

1780
01:29:08,040 --> 01:29:13,360
met you here? 
Or am I to have that 100 more? 

1781
01:29:13,360 --> 01:29:17,200
Am I to publish abroad? 
That, Mister Paul Mallows, is 

1782
01:29:17,200 --> 01:29:21,080
the moving spirit in the Rotten 
Avalanche Bicycle Company. 

1783
01:29:22,360 --> 01:29:28,720
Well, Mellows answered 
reluctantly, If you put it like 

1784
01:29:28,720 --> 01:29:32,120
that. 
But I I only put it like that to

1785
01:29:32,120 --> 01:29:35,600
make you see things reasonably. 
As a matter of fact, your 

1786
01:29:35,600 --> 01:29:38,680
connection with this new company
is enough to bring you a little 

1787
01:29:38,720 --> 01:29:44,040
performance with the iron chair.
Pretty near proof, but I got at 

1788
01:29:44,040 --> 01:29:46,840
it from the other side. 
See here. 

1789
01:29:47,360 --> 01:29:50,480
You're much too clumsy with your
fingers, Mr. Mallows. 

1790
01:29:50,960 --> 01:29:53,960
First you go and tear the tip of
your middle finger, opening your

1791
01:29:53,960 --> 01:29:57,520
broom door, and have to get 
quart plaster from me. 

1792
01:29:57,760 --> 01:30:01,240
Then you let that quart plaster 
get frayed at the edge and just 

1793
01:30:01,240 --> 01:30:05,400
still keep it on. 
After that you execute your very

1794
01:30:05,400 --> 01:30:09,560
successful chair operation. 
When the eyes of the others are 

1795
01:30:09,560 --> 01:30:12,640
following the bicycles. 
You take the chair and the hand 

1796
01:30:12,640 --> 01:30:16,480
with the plaster on it, catching
hold of it at the place where a 

1797
01:30:16,480 --> 01:30:20,600
rough, loose square nut 
protrudes, and you pitch it on 

1798
01:30:20,600 --> 01:30:24,960
the track so clumsily and 
nervously that the nut carries 

1799
01:30:24,960 --> 01:30:27,880
away the frayed thread of the 
court plaster with it. 

1800
01:30:28,720 --> 01:30:32,960
Here it is, you see, still in my
pocket book where I put it last 

1801
01:30:32,960 --> 01:30:34,600
night by the light of the 
Lantern. 

1802
01:30:35,280 --> 01:30:38,280
Just a sticky black silk thread,
that's all. 

1803
01:30:39,080 --> 01:30:42,080
I've only brought it to show you
I'm playing a fair game with 

1804
01:30:42,080 --> 01:30:43,280
you. 
Of course. 

1805
01:30:43,280 --> 01:30:46,040
I might easily have got a 
witness before I took the thread

1806
01:30:46,040 --> 01:30:49,760
off the nut if I had thought you
were likely to fight the matter.

1807
01:30:50,600 --> 01:30:54,880
But I knew you were not. 
You can't fight, you know, with 

1808
01:30:54,880 --> 01:30:59,280
this bogus company business 
known to me, so that I am only 

1809
01:30:59,280 --> 01:31:03,360
showing you this thread is an 
act of grease to prove that I 

1810
01:31:03,360 --> 01:31:05,560
have stomped you with perfect 
fairness. 

1811
01:31:06,440 --> 01:31:09,520
And now the 100. 
Here's a fountain pen if you 

1812
01:31:09,520 --> 01:31:13,760
want one. 
Well said, Mallows glumly. 

1813
01:31:14,480 --> 01:31:19,040
I suppose I must. 
Then he took the pen and wrote 

1814
01:31:19,040 --> 01:31:21,360
the cheque. 
Dorrington plotted it on the pad

1815
01:31:21,360 --> 01:31:23,440
of his pocket book and folded it
away. 

1816
01:31:24,080 --> 01:31:28,440
So much for that, he said. 
That's just a little 

1817
01:31:28,480 --> 01:31:32,120
preliminary, you understand. 
We've done these things just as 

1818
01:31:32,120 --> 01:31:36,120
a guarantee of good faith, not 
necessarily for publication. 

1819
01:31:36,520 --> 01:31:39,680
And though you must remember 
that as yet, there's nothing to 

1820
01:31:39,800 --> 01:31:43,160
prevent it. 
I've done you a turn by finding 

1821
01:31:43,160 --> 01:31:47,120
out who upset those bicycles, as
you so ardently wished me to do 

1822
01:31:47,120 --> 01:31:50,520
last night, and you've loyally 
fulfilled your part of the 

1823
01:31:50,520 --> 01:31:53,320
contract by paying me the 
promised reward. 

1824
01:31:53,960 --> 01:31:58,240
Though I must say that you you 
haven't paid with all the 

1825
01:31:58,520 --> 01:32:01,640
delight and pleasure you spoke 
of at the time. 

1826
01:32:02,640 --> 01:32:05,360
But I'll forgive you that. 
And now that the little hors 

1827
01:32:05,360 --> 01:32:09,560
d'oeuvre is disposed of, we'll 
proceed to serious business. 

1828
01:32:10,840 --> 01:32:13,480
Mallow looked uncomfortably 
glum. 

1829
01:32:14,400 --> 01:32:17,600
But you mustn't look so ashamed 
of yourself, you know. 

1830
01:32:18,120 --> 01:32:21,560
Dorrington said, purposely 
misinterpreting his glumness. 

1831
01:32:22,160 --> 01:32:25,240
It's all business. 
You were disposed for a little 

1832
01:32:25,240 --> 01:32:29,680
side flutter, so to speak. 
A little speculation outside 

1833
01:32:29,680 --> 01:32:33,880
your regular business where you 
mustn't be ashamed of that. 

1834
01:32:35,000 --> 01:32:39,320
No, Mallows observed, assuming 
something of his ordinarily 

1835
01:32:39,320 --> 01:32:42,800
ponderous manner. 
No, of course not. 

1836
01:32:43,240 --> 01:32:47,120
It's a little speculative deal. 
Everybody does it, and there's a

1837
01:32:47,120 --> 01:32:49,960
deal of money going. 
Precisely. 

1838
01:32:50,360 --> 01:32:54,160
And since everybody does it, and
there is so much money going, 

1839
01:32:55,000 --> 01:32:58,400
you are only making your share, 
Of course. 

1840
01:32:58,720 --> 01:33:01,160
Mr. Mallows was almost pompous 
by now. 

1841
01:33:02,400 --> 01:33:05,600
Of course. 
Dorrington coughed slightly. 

1842
01:33:06,400 --> 01:33:10,240
Well, now, do you know I'm 
exactly the same sort of man as 

1843
01:33:10,240 --> 01:33:13,120
yourself, if you don't mind the 
comparison. 

1844
01:33:13,880 --> 01:33:17,880
I am disposed for a little side 
business, so to speak, a little 

1845
01:33:17,880 --> 01:33:20,800
speculation outside my regular 
business. 

1846
01:33:21,200 --> 01:33:25,520
I also am not ashamed of it, and
since everybody does it, and 

1847
01:33:25,520 --> 01:33:30,360
there is so much money going, 
why I am thinking of making my 

1848
01:33:30,360 --> 01:33:35,280
share so that we are evidently a
pair and naturally intended for 

1849
01:33:35,280 --> 01:33:38,400
each other. 
Mr. Paul Mallows here looked a 

1850
01:33:38,400 --> 01:33:41,160
little doubtful. 
See here now. 

1851
01:33:41,400 --> 01:33:45,120
Dorrington proceeded. 
I have lately taken it into my 

1852
01:33:45,120 --> 01:33:48,520
head to operate a little on the 
cycle share market. 

1853
01:33:49,080 --> 01:33:52,640
That was why I came round myself
about that little spoke affair 

1854
01:33:52,640 --> 01:33:56,680
instead of sending an assistant.
I wanted to know somebody who 

1855
01:33:56,680 --> 01:34:00,320
understood the cycle trade, from
whom I might get tips. 

1856
01:34:01,280 --> 01:34:03,120
You see, I'm perfectly frank 
with you. 

1857
01:34:03,560 --> 01:34:07,480
Well, I have succeeded on 
commonly well, and I want you to

1858
01:34:07,480 --> 01:34:10,920
understand that I have gone 
every step of the way by Fair 

1859
01:34:10,920 --> 01:34:13,880
Work. 
I took nothing for granted, and 

1860
01:34:13,880 --> 01:34:18,720
I played the game fairly. 
When you asked me, as you had 

1861
01:34:18,840 --> 01:34:24,040
anxious reason to ask if I had 
found anything, I told you there

1862
01:34:24,040 --> 01:34:29,200
was nothing very big, and see 
what a little thing the thread 

1863
01:34:29,200 --> 01:34:32,520
was. 
Before I came away from the 

1864
01:34:32,520 --> 01:34:36,120
pavilion I made sure that you 
were really the only man there 

1865
01:34:36,120 --> 01:34:38,320
with Blackcourt plaster on his 
fingers. 

1866
01:34:38,840 --> 01:34:42,680
I had noticed the hands of every
man but two, and I made all 

1867
01:34:42,680 --> 01:34:45,960
excuse of borrowing something to
see those. 

1868
01:34:46,960 --> 01:34:51,680
I saw your thin presence of 
suspecting the betting men and I

1869
01:34:51,680 --> 01:34:55,320
played up on it. 
I have had a telegraphic report 

1870
01:34:55,320 --> 01:34:57,440
on your Exeter works this 
morning. 

1871
01:34:57,920 --> 01:35:01,360
A deserted cloth mills with 
nothing on it of yours but a 

1872
01:35:01,360 --> 01:35:07,520
sign board and only a deposit of
rent paid there. 

1873
01:35:07,520 --> 01:35:11,880
They referred to the works here,
here they referred to the works 

1874
01:35:11,880 --> 01:35:14,720
there. 
It was a very clever really. 

1875
01:35:14,720 --> 01:35:18,800
Also I have had a telegraphic 
report of your make up adventure

1876
01:35:18,800 --> 01:35:21,560
this morning. 
Clarkson doesn't marvellously, 

1877
01:35:21,560 --> 01:35:25,280
don't he? 
And by the way, that telegram 

1878
01:35:25,280 --> 01:35:28,520
bringing you down to Birmingham 
was not from your confederate 

1879
01:35:28,520 --> 01:35:32,280
here, as perhaps you fancied. 
It was from me. 

1880
01:35:33,040 --> 01:35:36,560
Thanks for coming so promptly. 
I managed to get a quiet look 

1881
01:35:36,560 --> 01:35:39,480
round here just before you 
arrived, and on the whole, the 

1882
01:35:39,480 --> 01:35:43,840
conclusion I come to as to the 
Avalanche Bicycle and Tyre 

1883
01:35:43,840 --> 01:35:49,240
Company Limited is this. 
A clever man, whom it gives me 

1884
01:35:49,240 --> 01:35:54,400
great pleasure to know with a 
bow to Mallows, conceives the 

1885
01:35:54,400 --> 01:35:58,280
notion of offering the public 
the very rottenest cycle Company

1886
01:35:58,280 --> 01:36:01,760
ever planned, and all without 
appearing in it himself. 

1887
01:36:02,360 --> 01:36:04,880
He finds what little capital is 
required. 

1888
01:36:05,120 --> 01:36:08,120
His two or three Confederates 
help to make up a board of 

1889
01:36:08,120 --> 01:36:12,680
directors with one or two titled
Guinea pigs who know nothing of 

1890
01:36:12,680 --> 01:36:16,200
the company and care nothing, 
and the rests easy. 

1891
01:36:16,840 --> 01:36:20,280
A professional racing man is 
employed to win races and make 

1892
01:36:20,280 --> 01:36:24,160
records on machines which have 
been specially made by another 

1893
01:36:24,160 --> 01:36:27,200
firm. 
Perhaps it was the 

1894
01:36:27,200 --> 01:36:32,080
indestructible who knows to a 
private order and afterwards 

1895
01:36:32,080 --> 01:36:34,880
decorated with the name and 
style of the bogus company. 

1896
01:36:34,880 --> 01:36:39,640
On a transfer for ordinary sale,
bicycles of the trade 

1897
01:36:39,640 --> 01:36:44,320
description are bought so much 
100 from the factors and put 

1898
01:36:44,320 --> 01:36:47,520
your own name on them. 
They come cheap and they sell at

1899
01:36:47,520 --> 01:36:50,880
a good price. 
The profit pays all expenses and

1900
01:36:50,880 --> 01:36:54,720
perhaps a bit over, and by the 
time they all break down, the 

1901
01:36:54,720 --> 01:36:58,880
company will be successfully 
floated the money, the capital 

1902
01:36:58,960 --> 01:37:03,240
will be divided, the moving 
spirit and his Confederates will

1903
01:37:03,240 --> 01:37:07,200
have disappeared, and the Guinea
pigs will be left to span the 

1904
01:37:07,200 --> 01:37:10,520
racket. 
If there is a racket, and the 

1905
01:37:10,520 --> 01:37:13,240
moving spirit will remain 
unsuspected. 

1906
01:37:13,720 --> 01:37:17,800
A man of account in the trade 
all the time admirable. 

1907
01:37:18,440 --> 01:37:21,520
All the work to be done at the 
works is the sticking on of 

1908
01:37:21,520 --> 01:37:24,880
labels and a bit of enameling. 
Excellent all round. 

1909
01:37:25,760 --> 01:37:28,080
Isn't that about the size of 
your operations? 

1910
01:37:29,200 --> 01:37:32,880
Well, yes. 
Mallows answered, a little 

1911
01:37:32,880 --> 01:37:36,280
reluctantly, but with something 
of modest pride in his manner. 

1912
01:37:37,200 --> 01:37:42,680
That was the notion that you 
speak so plainly, and it shall 

1913
01:37:42,680 --> 01:37:47,160
be the notion all, everything 
shall be as you have planned it,

1914
01:37:47,440 --> 01:37:50,120
with one exception, which is 
this. 

1915
01:37:50,720 --> 01:37:54,920
The moving spirit shall divide 
his plunder with me. 

1916
01:37:55,720 --> 01:38:00,200
You. 
Why, I gave you 100 just now. 

1917
01:38:00,200 --> 01:38:04,840
Oh, dear, dear, why will you 
harp so much on that vulgar 

1918
01:38:04,840 --> 01:38:07,840
little 100 that's settled and 
tongue with? 

1919
01:38:08,840 --> 01:38:10,600
That's our little personal 
bargain. 

1920
01:38:10,600 --> 01:38:15,120
In the manner of the lamentable 
accident with the chair, we are 

1921
01:38:15,120 --> 01:38:20,160
now talking our bigger business,
Not hundreds, but thousands, and

1922
01:38:20,160 --> 01:38:24,920
not one of them but a lot. 
Come now, a mind like yours 

1923
01:38:24,920 --> 01:38:28,280
should be wide enough to admit 
of a broad and large view of 

1924
01:38:28,280 --> 01:38:31,400
things. 
If I refrain from exposing this 

1925
01:38:31,400 --> 01:38:34,800
charming scheme of yours, I 
shall be promoting a piece of 

1926
01:38:34,800 --> 01:38:39,520
scandalous robbery. 
Very well, then, I want my 

1927
01:38:39,520 --> 01:38:42,040
promotion money in the regular 
way. 

1928
01:38:42,760 --> 01:38:46,240
Can I shut my eyes and allow a 
piece of iniquity like this to 

1929
01:38:46,240 --> 01:38:50,040
go on unchecked without getting 
anything by way of damages for 

1930
01:38:50,040 --> 01:38:52,760
myself? 
Perish the thought. 

1931
01:38:53,480 --> 01:38:56,640
When all expenses are paid, and 
the Confederates are sent off 

1932
01:38:56,640 --> 01:39:00,560
with as little as they will 
take, you and I will divide 

1933
01:39:00,680 --> 01:39:04,200
fairly. 
Mr. Mallows's respectable 

1934
01:39:04,200 --> 01:39:09,520
brothers in rascality mind. 
I might say we'd divide to begin

1935
01:39:09,520 --> 01:39:13,880
with, and leave you to pay 
expenses, but I am always fair 

1936
01:39:14,120 --> 01:39:16,240
to a partner in anything of this
sort. 

1937
01:39:16,880 --> 01:39:18,960
I shall just want a little 
guarantee. 

1938
01:39:18,960 --> 01:39:22,160
You know it's safest in such 
matters as these. 

1939
01:39:22,760 --> 01:39:27,840
I'll say a bill. 
It's six months for £10,000, 

1940
01:39:28,080 --> 01:39:31,880
which is very low. 
When a satisfactory division is 

1941
01:39:31,880 --> 01:39:33,560
made, you shall have the bill 
back. 

1942
01:39:34,240 --> 01:39:36,600
Come. 
I have a bill stamp ready, being

1943
01:39:36,600 --> 01:39:40,320
so much convinced of your 
reasonableness as to buy it this

1944
01:39:40,320 --> 01:39:46,200
morning, though it cost 5 lbs. 
But as well as nonsense you're 

1945
01:39:46,200 --> 01:39:50,000
trying to impose, I'll give you 
anything reasonable. 

1946
01:39:50,200 --> 01:39:54,440
Half is lout of the question. 
What, after all the trouble and 

1947
01:39:54,440 --> 01:39:58,520
worry and risk that I've had, 
which would suffice for no more 

1948
01:39:58,520 --> 01:40:01,320
than to put you in jail if I 
held up my finger? 

1949
01:40:02,080 --> 01:40:06,000
But hang it, be reasonable. 
You're a mighty clever man and 

1950
01:40:06,320 --> 01:40:08,320
you've got me on the hip, is 
what I admit. 

1951
01:40:08,800 --> 01:40:14,200
Say 10%. 
You're wasting your time and 

1952
01:40:14,200 --> 01:40:18,120
presently the men will be back. 
Your choices between making half

1953
01:40:18,120 --> 01:40:20,800
or making none and going to jail
into the bargain. 

1954
01:40:20,800 --> 01:40:23,880
Choose, but just consider. 
Choose. 

1955
01:40:24,760 --> 01:40:26,920
Malos looked despairingly about 
him. 

1956
01:40:27,480 --> 01:40:32,120
But really, he said, I want the 
money more than you think. 

1957
01:40:32,120 --> 01:40:37,760
I, for the last time, choose. 
Mallow's despairing gaze stopped

1958
01:40:37,760 --> 01:40:45,000
at the enameling of it. 
Well, well, he said, If I must. 

1959
01:40:45,000 --> 01:40:49,840
I must, I suppose. 
But I warn you, you may regret 

1960
01:40:49,840 --> 01:40:52,400
it. 
Oh, Oh dear, no, I'm not so 

1961
01:40:52,400 --> 01:40:55,440
pessimistic. 
Come, you wrote a cheque now. 

1962
01:40:55,440 --> 01:40:58,360
I'll write the bill six months 
after date. 

1963
01:40:58,360 --> 01:41:03,760
Pay to me or my order the sum of
£10,000 for value received. 

1964
01:41:04,320 --> 01:41:07,920
Excellent value too, I think. 
There you are. 

1965
01:41:09,320 --> 01:41:12,040
When the bill was written and 
signed, Mallow scribbled his 

1966
01:41:12,040 --> 01:41:14,920
acceptance with more readiness 
than might have been expected. 

1967
01:41:15,320 --> 01:41:17,760
Then he rose and said with 
something of a brisk 

1968
01:41:17,760 --> 01:41:22,840
cheerfulness in his tone. 
Well, that's done, and the least

1969
01:41:22,840 --> 01:41:25,800
said the soonest mended. 
You'll want it, but I won't 

1970
01:41:25,800 --> 01:41:28,760
grumble any more. 
I think I've done this thing 

1971
01:41:28,760 --> 01:41:31,960
pretty neatly, eh? 
Come and see the works. 

1972
01:41:33,320 --> 01:41:36,040
Every other part of the place 
was empty of machinery. 

1973
01:41:36,680 --> 01:41:39,880
There were a good many finished 
frames and wheels bought 

1974
01:41:39,880 --> 01:41:43,240
separately and now in course of 
being fitted together for sale. 

1975
01:41:43,600 --> 01:41:46,600
And there were many more 
complete bicycles of cheap but 

1976
01:41:46,600 --> 01:41:50,080
showy make, to which nothing 
needed to be done but to fix the

1977
01:41:50,080 --> 01:41:52,880
red and gold transfer of the 
Avalanche company. 

1978
01:41:53,360 --> 01:41:57,480
Then Mallows opened the tall 
iron door of the enameling oven.

1979
01:41:58,240 --> 01:42:01,720
Say this, he said. 
This is the enameling oven. 

1980
01:42:02,240 --> 01:42:07,120
Get in and look round the frames
and other differed parts hang on

1981
01:42:07,120 --> 01:42:11,760
the racks after the enamel is 
laid on and all those gas jets 

1982
01:42:11,760 --> 01:42:13,680
are lighted to harden it by 
heat. 

1983
01:42:14,560 --> 01:42:16,600
Do you see? 
Do you see that deeper part 

1984
01:42:16,600 --> 01:42:19,480
there by the back? 
Go closer. 

1985
01:42:20,880 --> 01:42:23,920
Dorrington fell to push at his 
back and the door was swung to 

1986
01:42:23,920 --> 01:42:25,800
with a bang and the latch 
dropped. 

1987
01:42:26,160 --> 01:42:30,320
He was in the dark, trapped in a
great iron chamber, and 

1988
01:42:30,320 --> 01:42:33,120
instantly Dorrington's nostrils 
were filled with the smell of 

1989
01:42:33,120 --> 01:42:36,480
escaping gas. 
He realised his peril on the 

1990
01:42:36,480 --> 01:42:39,560
instant Mallows had given him 
the bill with the idea of 

1991
01:42:39,560 --> 01:42:43,560
silence in him by murder, and 
recovering it, he had pushed him

1992
01:42:43,560 --> 01:42:46,160
into the oven and had turned on 
the gas. 

1993
01:42:46,720 --> 01:42:49,880
It was dark, but to light a 
match would mean death 

1994
01:42:49,880 --> 01:42:53,920
instantly, and without the match
it must be death by suffocation 

1995
01:42:53,920 --> 01:42:56,720
and poison of gas in a very few 
minutes. 

1996
01:42:56,720 --> 01:43:00,880
To appeal to Mallow was useless.
Dorrington knew too much. 

1997
01:43:01,680 --> 01:43:05,480
It would seem that at last a 
horribly fitting retribution had

1998
01:43:05,480 --> 01:43:10,000
overtaken Dorrington in death by
a mode parallel to that which he

1999
01:43:10,000 --> 01:43:12,800
and his creatures had prepared 
for others. 

2000
01:43:13,640 --> 01:43:17,960
Dorrington's victims had drowned
in water, or at least Crofton's 

2001
01:43:17,960 --> 01:43:21,160
head, for I never ascertained 
definitely whether anybody had 

2002
01:43:21,160 --> 01:43:24,640
met his death by the tank after 
the Croftons had taken service 

2003
01:43:24,640 --> 01:43:28,120
with Dorrington. 
And now Dorrington himself was 

2004
01:43:28,120 --> 01:43:32,080
to drown in gas. 
The oven was of sheet iron, 

2005
01:43:32,080 --> 01:43:33,960
fastened by a latch in the 
centre. 

2006
01:43:35,280 --> 01:43:38,760
Dorrington flung himself 
desperately against the door, 

2007
01:43:39,040 --> 01:43:41,760
and it gave outwardly. 
At the extreme bottom he 

2008
01:43:41,760 --> 01:43:44,680
snatched a loose angle iron, 
with which his hand came in 

2009
01:43:44,680 --> 01:43:48,400
contact, dashed against the door
once more, and thrust the iron 

2010
01:43:48,400 --> 01:43:52,040
through where it strained open. 
Then with another tremendous 

2011
01:43:52,040 --> 01:43:55,480
plunge he drove the door a 
little more outward and raised 

2012
01:43:55,480 --> 01:43:59,480
the angle iron in the crack, 
then once more, and raised it 

2013
01:43:59,480 --> 01:44:02,280
again. 
He was near to losing his senses

2014
01:44:02,280 --> 01:44:06,280
when, with one more plunge, the 
catch of the latch, not designed

2015
01:44:06,280 --> 01:44:08,640
for such treatment, suddenly 
gave way. 

2016
01:44:08,760 --> 01:44:12,040
The door flew open, and 
Dorrington blew in the face. 

2017
01:44:12,120 --> 01:44:16,560
Staring, stumbling, and gasping,
came staggering out into the 

2018
01:44:16,560 --> 01:44:19,920
fresh air, followed by a gush of
gas. 

2019
01:44:21,360 --> 01:44:24,200
Mallows had retreated to the 
rooms behind, and thither 

2020
01:44:24,200 --> 01:44:28,040
Dorrington followed him, gaining
vigor and fury at every step. 

2021
01:44:28,520 --> 01:44:31,120
At sight of him the wretched 
Mallows sank in a corner, 

2022
01:44:31,120 --> 01:44:33,040
sighing and shivering with 
terror. 

2023
01:44:33,200 --> 01:44:36,320
Dorrington hauled the struggling
Wretch across the room, tearing 

2024
01:44:36,320 --> 01:44:39,840
off the crape whiskers as he 
came, while Mallows supplicated 

2025
01:44:39,840 --> 01:44:43,000
and whined, fearing that it 
might be the others designed to 

2026
01:44:43,000 --> 01:44:44,800
imprison him in the enameling 
oven. 

2027
01:44:45,200 --> 01:44:47,640
But at the door of the room 
against that containing the 

2028
01:44:47,640 --> 01:44:51,400
oven, their progress came to an 
end, for the escaped gas had 

2029
01:44:51,400 --> 01:44:55,040
reached the lighted candle, and 
with one loud report, the 

2030
01:44:55,040 --> 01:44:58,680
partition wall fairly and half 
burying mallows where he lay, 

2031
01:44:58,880 --> 01:45:03,440
and knocking Dorrington over. 
Windows fell out of the building

2032
01:45:03,640 --> 01:45:06,880
and men broke through the front 
gate, climbed into the ruined 

2033
01:45:06,880 --> 01:45:09,560
rooms and stopped the still 
escaping gas. 

2034
01:45:10,080 --> 01:45:12,920
When the two men and the boy 
returned with the conspirator 

2035
01:45:12,920 --> 01:45:16,000
who had been in charge of the 
works, they found a crowd from 

2036
01:45:16,000 --> 01:45:19,840
the hardware and cycle factories
thereabout surveying with great 

2037
01:45:19,840 --> 01:45:24,040
interest a spectacle of the 
extrication of Mr. Paul Mallows,

2038
01:45:24,240 --> 01:45:28,000
managing director of the 
Indestructible Bicycle Company, 

2039
01:45:28,360 --> 01:45:32,600
from the broken bricks, mortar, 
bicycles and transfers of the 

2040
01:45:32,600 --> 01:45:35,440
Avalanche Bicycle and Tire 
Company Limited. 

2041
01:45:35,880 --> 01:45:39,440
And the preparations for 
carrying him to a surgeon's were

2042
01:45:39,440 --> 01:45:44,440
his broken leg might be set. 
And in a couple of hours it was 

2043
01:45:44,480 --> 01:45:47,640
all over Birmingham and 
spreading to other places that 

2044
01:45:47,640 --> 01:45:51,920
the business of the Avalanche 
Bicycle entire company consisted

2045
01:45:51,920 --> 01:45:56,040
of sticking brilliant labels on 
factors bicycles bought in 

2046
01:45:56,040 --> 01:46:00,160
patches. 
So that when next day Lant won 

2047
01:46:00,160 --> 01:46:04,120
the 50 miles race in London he 
was greeted with ironical shouts

2048
01:46:04,120 --> 01:46:10,960
of Come on you traps fir I mind 
your label, Where'd you steal 

2049
01:46:10,960 --> 01:46:15,520
the bicycle Soldier shares and 
so forth. 

2050
01:46:17,320 --> 01:46:20,640
Somehow the Avalanche Bicycle 
and Tire Company Limited never 

2051
01:46:20,640 --> 01:46:24,000
went to allotment. 
It was found politic also that 

2052
01:46:24,000 --> 01:46:27,200
Mister Paul Mallows should 
retire from the directorate of 

2053
01:46:27,200 --> 01:46:29,240
the Indestructible Bicycle 
Company. 

2054
01:46:30,520 --> 01:46:35,840
As for Dorrington, he had his 
£100 reward, but the bill for 

2055
01:46:35,840 --> 01:46:41,520
£10,000 he never presented. 
Why, I do not altogether know, 

2056
01:46:42,160 --> 01:46:45,960
unless he found that Mister 
Mallow's financial position, as 

2057
01:46:45,960 --> 01:46:49,720
he had hinted, was not 
altogether so good as was 

2058
01:46:49,720 --> 01:46:54,320
supposed. 
End of the Affair of the 

2059
01:46:54,320 --> 01:46:58,240
Avalanche Bicycle and Tire 
Company, Limited by Arthur 

2060
01:46:58,240 --> 01:47:08,240
Morrison, Part 2. 
Section 5 of the Rivals of 

2061
01:47:08,240 --> 01:47:13,280
Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1. 
This is a Librivox recording. 

2062
01:47:13,800 --> 01:47:16,640
All Librivox recordings are in 
the public domain. 

2063
01:47:17,400 --> 01:47:20,840
For more information or to 
volunteer please visit 

2064
01:47:20,880 --> 01:47:25,520
librivox.org. 
Recorded by Nigel Carrington in 

2065
01:47:25,520 --> 01:47:30,440
London, April 2011. 
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 

2066
01:47:30,440 --> 01:47:33,400
Volume 1. 
The Duchess of Wiltshire's 

2067
01:47:33,400 --> 01:47:37,040
Diamonds, by Guy Boothby, Part 
1. 

2068
01:47:38,560 --> 01:47:41,640
To the reflective mind, the 
rapidity with which the 

2069
01:47:41,640 --> 01:47:44,880
inhabitants of the world's 
greatest city seize upon a new 

2070
01:47:44,880 --> 01:47:48,720
name or idea and familiarize 
themselves with it, can scarcely

2071
01:47:48,720 --> 01:47:50,960
prove otherwise than 
astonishing. 

2072
01:47:51,240 --> 01:47:54,120
As an illustration of my 
meaning, let me take the case of

2073
01:47:54,120 --> 01:47:57,920
Clemo, the now famous private 
detective, who was one for 

2074
01:47:57,920 --> 01:48:01,080
himself the right to be 
considered as great as Lecoq, or

2075
01:48:01,080 --> 01:48:04,040
even the late lamented Sherlock 
Holmes. 

2076
01:48:05,640 --> 01:48:09,520
Up to a certain morning, London 
had never even heard his name, 

2077
01:48:10,240 --> 01:48:13,840
nor had it the remotest notion 
as to who or what he might be. 

2078
01:48:14,760 --> 01:48:18,440
It was a sublimely ignorant and 
careless on the subject as the 

2079
01:48:18,440 --> 01:48:21,080
inhabitants of Camchaika or 
Peru. 

2080
01:48:22,320 --> 01:48:25,680
Within 24 hours, however, the 
whole aspect of the case was 

2081
01:48:25,680 --> 01:48:28,840
changed. 
The man, woman or child who had 

2082
01:48:28,840 --> 01:48:32,360
not seen his posters or heard 
his name was counted an 

2083
01:48:32,360 --> 01:48:35,360
ignoramus unworthy of 
intercourse with human beings. 

2084
01:48:36,320 --> 01:48:39,440
Princess became familiar with it
as their trains tore them to 

2085
01:48:39,440 --> 01:48:41,200
Windsor to luncheon with the 
Queen. 

2086
01:48:42,440 --> 01:48:45,400
The nobility noticed and 
commented upon it as they drove 

2087
01:48:45,400 --> 01:48:47,800
about the town. 
Merchants and businessmen 

2088
01:48:47,800 --> 01:48:50,800
generally read it as they made 
their ways by omnibus or 

2089
01:48:50,800 --> 01:48:53,680
underground to their various 
shops and counting houses. 

2090
01:48:54,160 --> 01:48:56,720
Street boys called each other by
it as a nickname. 

2091
01:48:57,320 --> 01:49:00,880
Music Hall artists introduced it
into their patter, while it was 

2092
01:49:00,880 --> 01:49:04,040
even rumoured that the Stock 
Exchange itself had paused in 

2093
01:49:04,040 --> 01:49:07,840
the full flood tide of business 
to manufacture a Riddle on the 

2094
01:49:07,840 --> 01:49:10,560
subject. 
That Klima made his profession 

2095
01:49:10,560 --> 01:49:13,880
pay him well was certain, First,
from the fact that his 

2096
01:49:13,880 --> 01:49:17,040
advertisements must have cost a 
good round sum, and second, 

2097
01:49:17,200 --> 01:49:19,760
because he had taken a mansion 
in Belveton St. 

2098
01:49:19,760 --> 01:49:23,840
Park Lane, next door to 
Porchester House, where, to the 

2099
01:49:23,840 --> 01:49:26,920
dismay of that aristocratic 
neighborhood, he advertised that

2100
01:49:26,920 --> 01:49:30,720
he was prepared to receive and 
be consulted by his clients. 

2101
01:49:31,080 --> 01:49:35,080
The invitation was responded to 
with alacrity, and from that day

2102
01:49:35,080 --> 01:49:38,720
forward, between the hours of 12
and 2, the pavement upon the 

2103
01:49:38,720 --> 01:49:41,960
north side of the street was 
lined with carriages, everyone 

2104
01:49:41,960 --> 01:49:45,120
containing some person desirous 
of testing the great man's 

2105
01:49:45,120 --> 01:49:48,840
skill. 
I must here explain that I've 

2106
01:49:48,840 --> 01:49:51,640
narrated all this in order to 
show the state of affairs 

2107
01:49:51,640 --> 01:49:55,400
existing in Belverton St. and 
Park Lane, when Simon Cahn 

2108
01:49:55,400 --> 01:49:58,120
arrived, or was supposed to 
arrive, in England. 

2109
01:49:58,960 --> 01:50:01,480
If my memory serves me 
correctly, it was on Wednesday, 

2110
01:50:01,480 --> 01:50:05,320
the 3rd of May, that the Earl of
Amberley drove to Victoria to 

2111
01:50:05,320 --> 01:50:08,040
meet and welcome the man whose 
acquaintance he had made in 

2112
01:50:08,040 --> 01:50:11,720
India under such peculiar 
circumstances, and under the 

2113
01:50:11,800 --> 01:50:16,040
spell of whose fascination he 
and his family had fallen so 

2114
01:50:16,040 --> 01:50:19,320
completely. 
Reaching the station, his 

2115
01:50:19,320 --> 01:50:22,080
Lordship descended from his 
carriage and made his way to the

2116
01:50:22,080 --> 01:50:25,320
platform set apart for the 
reception of the Continental 

2117
01:50:25,320 --> 01:50:29,160
Express. 
He walked with a jaunty air, and

2118
01:50:29,160 --> 01:50:31,960
seemed to be on the best of 
terms with himself and the world

2119
01:50:31,960 --> 01:50:34,560
in general. 
How little he suspected the 

2120
01:50:34,560 --> 01:50:38,160
existence of the noose into 
which he was so innocently 

2121
01:50:38,160 --> 01:50:42,800
running his head. 
As if out of compliment to his 

2122
01:50:42,800 --> 01:50:46,280
arrival, the train put in an 
appearance within a few moments 

2123
01:50:46,280 --> 01:50:49,840
of his reaching the platform. 
He immediately placed himself in

2124
01:50:49,840 --> 01:50:52,880
such a position that he could 
make sure of seeing the man he 

2125
01:50:52,880 --> 01:50:56,040
wanted, and waited patiently 
until he should come. 

2126
01:50:56,040 --> 01:51:00,040
Insight Khan, however, was not 
among the first batch. 

2127
01:51:00,440 --> 01:51:03,280
Indeed, the majority of 
passengers had passed before his

2128
01:51:03,280 --> 01:51:07,080
lordship caught sight of him. 
One thing was very certain. 

2129
01:51:07,120 --> 01:51:09,960
However great the crush might 
have been, it would have been 

2130
01:51:09,960 --> 01:51:12,360
difficult to mistake Khan's 
figure. 

2131
01:51:13,800 --> 01:51:17,160
The man's infirmity and the 
peculiar beauty of his face 

2132
01:51:17,400 --> 01:51:22,160
rented him easily recognisable, 
possibly after his long surgeon 

2133
01:51:22,160 --> 01:51:24,400
in India. 
He found the morning cold, for 

2134
01:51:24,400 --> 01:51:27,840
he wore a long fur coat, the 
collar of which he turned up 

2135
01:51:27,840 --> 01:51:31,400
round his ears, thus making a 
fitting frame for his delicate 

2136
01:51:31,400 --> 01:51:34,120
face. 
On seeing Lord Amberley, he 

2137
01:51:34,120 --> 01:51:37,920
hastened forward to greet him. 
This is most kind and friendly 

2138
01:51:37,920 --> 01:51:40,280
of you, he said, as he shook the
other by the hand. 

2139
01:51:40,960 --> 01:51:43,520
A fine day, and Lord Amberley to
meet me. 

2140
01:51:43,720 --> 01:51:45,760
One could scarcely imagine a 
better welcome. 

2141
01:51:46,880 --> 01:51:50,040
As he spoke, one of his Indian 
servants approached, and Salaam 

2142
01:51:50,040 --> 01:51:53,760
before him, he gave him an order
and received an answer in 

2143
01:51:53,760 --> 01:51:56,920
Hindustani, whereupon he turned 
again to Lord Amberley. 

2144
01:51:57,760 --> 01:52:01,320
You may imagine how anxious I am
to see my new dwelling, he said.

2145
01:52:01,480 --> 01:52:04,680
My servant tells me that my 
carriage is here, so may I hope 

2146
01:52:04,680 --> 01:52:07,800
that you will drive back with me
and see for yourself how I'm 

2147
01:52:07,800 --> 01:52:11,520
likely to be lodged? 
I shall be delighted, said Lord 

2148
01:52:11,520 --> 01:52:14,520
Amberley, who was longing for 
the opportunity, and they 

2149
01:52:14,520 --> 01:52:17,120
accordingly went out into the 
station yard together to 

2150
01:52:17,120 --> 01:52:21,320
discover a broom drawn by two 
magnificent horses, And with 

2151
01:52:21,320 --> 01:52:24,840
Noor Ali in all the glory of 
white raiment and crested turban

2152
01:52:24,840 --> 01:52:28,840
on the box waiting to receive 
them, His Lordship dismissed his

2153
01:52:28,840 --> 01:52:31,600
Victoria. 
And when Joao Singh had taken 

2154
01:52:31,600 --> 01:52:34,280
his place beside his fellow 
servant upon the box, the 

2155
01:52:34,280 --> 01:52:37,400
carriage rolled out of the 
station yard in the direction of

2156
01:52:37,400 --> 01:52:41,600
Hyde Park. 
I trust her ladyship is quite 

2157
01:52:41,600 --> 01:52:44,840
well, said Simon Cahn politely, 
as they turned into Gloucester 

2158
01:52:44,840 --> 01:52:47,240
Place. 
Excellently well, thank you, 

2159
01:52:47,240 --> 01:52:49,920
replied his Lordship. 
She bade me welcome you to 

2160
01:52:49,920 --> 01:52:52,920
England in her name as well as 
my own, and I was to say that 

2161
01:52:52,920 --> 01:52:54,360
she's looking forward to seeing 
you. 

2162
01:52:55,240 --> 01:52:58,520
She's most kind, and I shall do 
myself the honour of calling 

2163
01:52:58,520 --> 01:53:00,600
upon her as soon as 
circumstances will permit, 

2164
01:53:01,000 --> 01:53:03,480
answered Kahn. 
I beg you will convey my best 

2165
01:53:03,480 --> 01:53:04,960
thanks to her for her thought of
me. 

2166
01:53:06,280 --> 01:53:09,240
While these polite speeches were
passing between them, they were 

2167
01:53:09,240 --> 01:53:12,400
rapidly approaching a large 
hoarding, on which was displayed

2168
01:53:12,400 --> 01:53:15,520
a poster setting forth the name 
of the now famous detective 

2169
01:53:15,520 --> 01:53:18,560
Clemo. 
Simon Cahn, leaning forward, 

2170
01:53:18,560 --> 01:53:21,800
studied it, and when they had 
passed, turned to his friend 

2171
01:53:21,800 --> 01:53:24,760
again. 
At Victoria, and on all the 

2172
01:53:24,760 --> 01:53:27,560
hoardings we meet, I see an 
enormous placard bearing the 

2173
01:53:27,560 --> 01:53:29,960
word Clemo. 
Pray, what does it mean? 

2174
01:53:30,560 --> 01:53:34,520
His Lordship laughed. 
You're asking a question which a

2175
01:53:34,520 --> 01:53:37,440
month ago was on the lips of 
nine out of every 10 Londoners. 

2176
01:53:38,120 --> 01:53:40,600
It is only within the last 
fortnight that we have learned 

2177
01:53:40,600 --> 01:53:44,160
who and what Clemo is. 
And pray, what is he? 

2178
01:53:44,960 --> 01:53:46,680
Well, the explanation is very 
simple. 

2179
01:53:47,240 --> 01:53:50,920
He's neither more nor less than 
a remarkably astute private 

2180
01:53:50,920 --> 01:53:54,640
detective, who has succeeded in 
attracting notice in such a way 

2181
01:53:54,640 --> 01:53:57,640
that half London has been 
induced to patronize him. 

2182
01:53:58,520 --> 01:54:00,840
I have had no dealings with the 
man myself, but a friend of 

2183
01:54:00,840 --> 01:54:04,160
mine, Lord Orpington, has been 
the victim of the most audacious

2184
01:54:04,160 --> 01:54:07,600
burglary, and the police having 
failed to solve the mystery, he 

2185
01:54:07,600 --> 01:54:10,800
has called Clemo in. 
We shall therefore see what he 

2186
01:54:10,800 --> 01:54:12,480
can do before many days have 
passed. 

2187
01:54:13,600 --> 01:54:16,640
But there I expect you will soon
know more about him than any of 

2188
01:54:16,640 --> 01:54:18,880
us. 
Indeed, and why? 

2189
01:54:19,520 --> 01:54:23,320
For the simple reason that he 
has taken #1 Belverton Terrace, 

2190
01:54:23,880 --> 01:54:26,800
the house adjoining your own, 
and sees his clients there. 

2191
01:54:27,520 --> 01:54:30,400
Simon Khan pursed up his lips 
and appeared to be considering 

2192
01:54:30,400 --> 01:54:32,680
something. 
No, I trust you will not prove a

2193
01:54:32,680 --> 01:54:34,240
nuisance. 
He said at last. 

2194
01:54:35,200 --> 01:54:37,280
The agents who found me the 
house should have acquainted me 

2195
01:54:37,280 --> 01:54:40,440
with the fact. 
Private detectives, on however 

2196
01:54:40,440 --> 01:54:43,640
larger scale, scarcely strike 
one as the most desirable of 

2197
01:54:43,640 --> 01:54:46,840
neighbors, particularly for a 
man who is so fond of quiet as 

2198
01:54:46,840 --> 01:54:48,800
myself. 
At this moment they were 

2199
01:54:48,800 --> 01:54:52,440
approaching their destination. 
As the carriage past Belveton 

2200
01:54:52,440 --> 01:54:55,160
St. and pulled up. 
Lord Amberley pointed to a long 

2201
01:54:55,160 --> 01:54:58,000
line of vehicles standing before
the detective's door. 

2202
01:54:58,320 --> 01:55:01,240
You consider yourself something 
of the business he does, he 

2203
01:55:01,240 --> 01:55:03,160
said. 
Those are the carriages of his 

2204
01:55:03,160 --> 01:55:06,480
clients, and it is probable that
twice as many have arrived on 

2205
01:55:06,480 --> 01:55:08,920
foot. 
I shall certainly speak to the 

2206
01:55:08,920 --> 01:55:12,120
agent on the subject, said Khan 
with a shadow of annoyance upon 

2207
01:55:12,120 --> 01:55:16,160
his face. 
I consider the fact of this 

2208
01:55:16,160 --> 01:55:19,120
man's being so close to me a 
serious drawback to the house. 

2209
01:55:20,400 --> 01:55:23,640
Joa Singh here descended from 
the box and opened the door in 

2210
01:55:23,640 --> 01:55:26,960
order that his master and his 
guest might alight, while portly

2211
01:55:26,960 --> 01:55:30,880
Ramgufour, the Butler, came down
the steps and Salam before them 

2212
01:55:30,880 --> 01:55:35,240
with Oriental obsequiousness. 
Khan greeted his domestics with 

2213
01:55:35,240 --> 01:55:39,080
kindly condescension, and then, 
accompanied by the ex viceroy, 

2214
01:55:39,280 --> 01:55:42,560
entered his new abode. 
I think you may congratulate 

2215
01:55:42,560 --> 01:55:45,400
yourself upon having secured one
of the most desirable residents 

2216
01:55:45,400 --> 01:55:48,640
in London, said his Lordship 10 
minutes or so later when they 

2217
01:55:48,640 --> 01:55:50,240
had explored the principal 
rooms. 

2218
01:55:50,920 --> 01:55:53,160
I'm very glad to hear you say 
so, said Khan. 

2219
01:55:53,520 --> 01:55:56,200
I trust your lordship will 
remember that you will always be

2220
01:55:56,200 --> 01:55:58,840
welcome in the house as long as 
I am its owner. 

2221
01:55:59,440 --> 01:56:02,040
That's very kind of you to say 
so, returned Lord Amberly 

2222
01:56:02,040 --> 01:56:04,400
warmly. 
I shall look forward to some 

2223
01:56:04,400 --> 01:56:08,200
months of pleasant intercourse. 
And now I must be going 

2224
01:56:09,040 --> 01:56:12,200
tomorrow, perhaps, if you have 
nothing better to do, you will 

2225
01:56:12,200 --> 01:56:14,080
give us the pleasure of your 
company at dinner. 

2226
01:56:14,720 --> 01:56:17,960
Your fame has already gone 
abroad, and we shall ask one or 

2227
01:56:17,960 --> 01:56:20,480
two nice people to meet you, 
including my brother and 

2228
01:56:20,480 --> 01:56:23,720
sister-in-law, Lord and Lady 
Gulpington, Lord and Lady 

2229
01:56:23,720 --> 01:56:27,320
Orpington, and my cousin, the 
Duchess of Wiltshire, whose 

2230
01:56:27,320 --> 01:56:30,160
interest in China and Indian 
art, as perhaps you know, is 

2231
01:56:30,200 --> 01:56:33,640
only second to your own. 
I shall be most glad to come. 

2232
01:56:33,920 --> 01:56:37,320
We may count on seeing you in 
Eaton Square, then at 8:00. 

2233
01:56:38,320 --> 01:56:40,720
If I'm alive, you may be sure I 
shall be there. 

2234
01:56:41,160 --> 01:56:44,600
Must you really go, then? 
Goodbye, and Many thanks for 

2235
01:56:44,600 --> 01:56:49,520
meeting me, His Lordship. 
Having left the house, Simon 

2236
01:56:49,520 --> 01:56:52,320
Cahn went upstairs to his 
dressing room, which, it was to 

2237
01:56:52,320 --> 01:56:55,680
be noticed, he found without 
enquiry, and rang the electric 

2238
01:56:55,680 --> 01:56:57,680
bell beside the fireplace three 
times. 

2239
01:56:58,640 --> 01:57:00,840
While he was waiting for it to 
be answered, he stood looking 

2240
01:57:00,840 --> 01:57:03,560
out of the window at the long 
line of carriages in the street 

2241
01:57:03,560 --> 01:57:06,720
below. 
Everything is progressing 

2242
01:57:06,720 --> 01:57:10,920
admirably, he said to himself. 
Amberly does not suspect any 

2243
01:57:10,920 --> 01:57:14,280
more than the world in general. 
There's a proof. 

2244
01:57:14,280 --> 01:57:17,120
He asks me to dinner tomorrow 
evening to meet his brother and 

2245
01:57:17,120 --> 01:57:20,280
sister-in-law, two of his 
particular friends, and above 

2246
01:57:20,280 --> 01:57:24,520
all, her Grace of Wiltshire. 
Of course I shall go, and when I

2247
01:57:24,520 --> 01:57:27,720
bid her grace goodbye, it will 
be strange if I'm not one step 

2248
01:57:27,720 --> 01:57:30,040
nearer the interest on Lizzie's 
money. 

2249
01:57:31,080 --> 01:57:34,480
At this moment the door opened, 
and his valet, the grave and 

2250
01:57:34,480 --> 01:57:36,240
respectable Belton, entered the 
room. 

2251
01:57:37,080 --> 01:57:38,840
Khan turned to greet him 
impatiently. 

2252
01:57:39,160 --> 01:57:40,960
Come, come, Belton, he said, We 
must be quick. 

2253
01:57:41,000 --> 01:57:43,920
It is 20 minutes to 12, and if 
we don't hurry the folk next 

2254
01:57:43,920 --> 01:57:46,840
door will become impatient. 
Have you succeeded in doing what

2255
01:57:46,840 --> 01:57:50,360
I spoke to you about last night?
I have done everything, Sir. 

2256
01:57:50,800 --> 01:57:53,560
I'm glad to hear it. 
Now lock that door and let us 

2257
01:57:53,560 --> 01:57:56,040
get to work. 
You can let me have your news 

2258
01:57:56,040 --> 01:57:59,800
while I'm dressing. 
Opening one side of a massive 

2259
01:57:59,800 --> 01:58:03,400
wardrobe that completely filled 
one end of the room belt and 

2260
01:58:03,400 --> 01:58:05,000
took from it a number of 
garments. 

2261
01:58:05,480 --> 01:58:09,960
They included a well worn velvet
coat, a baggy pair of trousers 

2262
01:58:09,960 --> 01:58:13,480
so old that only a notorious 
pauper or a millionaire could 

2263
01:58:13,480 --> 01:58:17,200
have afforded to wear them, a 
flannel waist skirt, a Gladstone

2264
01:58:17,200 --> 01:58:21,040
collar, a soft silk tie, and a 
pair of embroidered carpet 

2265
01:58:21,040 --> 01:58:23,840
slippers, upon which no old 
clothes man in the most reckless

2266
01:58:23,840 --> 01:58:26,240
way of business in Petticoat 
Lane, would have advanced a 

2267
01:58:26,240 --> 01:58:29,560
single Hackney. 
Into these he assisted his 

2268
01:58:29,560 --> 01:58:32,760
master to change. 
Now give me the wig and unfasten

2269
01:58:32,760 --> 01:58:35,560
the straps of this hump, said 
Khan, as the other place the 

2270
01:58:35,560 --> 01:58:38,040
garments just referred to upon a
neighboring chair. 

2271
01:58:38,760 --> 01:58:42,040
Belton did as he was ordered, 
and then there happened to think

2272
01:58:42,040 --> 01:58:44,040
the like of which no one would 
have believed. 

2273
01:58:44,840 --> 01:58:48,000
Having unbuckled a strap on 
either shoulder and slipped his 

2274
01:58:48,000 --> 01:58:51,760
hand beneath the waist skirt, he
withdrew a large papier mache 

2275
01:58:51,760 --> 01:58:55,400
hump, which he carried away and 
carefully placed in a drawer of 

2276
01:58:55,400 --> 01:58:59,040
the Bureau. 
Relieved of his burden, Simon 

2277
01:58:59,040 --> 01:59:03,000
Cahn stood up as straight and 
well made a man as any in Her 

2278
01:59:03,000 --> 01:59:07,680
Majesty's dominions. 
The malformation for which so 

2279
01:59:07,680 --> 01:59:10,360
many, including the Earl 
encounters of Amberley, had 

2280
01:59:10,360 --> 01:59:14,040
often pitied him, was nothing 
but a hoax intended to produce 

2281
01:59:14,040 --> 01:59:17,240
an effect which would permit him
additional facilities of 

2282
01:59:17,240 --> 01:59:21,080
disguise. 
The hump discarded, and the grey

2283
01:59:21,080 --> 01:59:24,520
wig fitted carefully to his head
in such a manner that not even a

2284
01:59:24,520 --> 01:59:27,320
pinch of his own curly locks 
could be seen beneath it. 

2285
01:59:27,600 --> 01:59:31,160
He adorned his cheeks with a 
pair of crepe you hair whiskers,

2286
01:59:31,600 --> 01:59:34,960
donned the flannel vest and the 
velvet coat previously 

2287
01:59:34,960 --> 01:59:38,680
mentioned, slipped his feet into
the carpet slippers, placed a 

2288
01:59:38,680 --> 01:59:42,480
pair of smoked glasses upon his 
nose and declared himself ready 

2289
01:59:42,480 --> 01:59:46,760
to proceed about his business. 
The man who would have known him

2290
01:59:46,760 --> 01:59:50,680
for Simon Cahn would have been 
as astute as, shall we say, as 

2291
01:59:50,680 --> 01:59:52,920
the private Detective Clemo 
himself. 

2292
01:59:53,920 --> 01:59:57,000
It's on the stroke of 12, he 
said as he gave a final glance 

2293
01:59:57,000 --> 01:59:59,760
at himself in the peer glass 
above the dressing table and 

2294
01:59:59,800 --> 02:00:01,840
arranged his tie to his 
satisfaction. 

2295
02:00:02,520 --> 02:00:05,360
Should anyone call, instruct 
Ramgufur to tell them that I've 

2296
02:00:05,360 --> 02:00:07,880
gone out on business and should 
not be back until 3:00. 

2297
02:00:08,520 --> 02:00:11,680
Very good, Sir. 
Now undo the door and let me go 

2298
02:00:11,680 --> 02:00:15,000
in. 
Thus commanded, Belton went 

2299
02:00:15,000 --> 02:00:17,640
across to the large wardrobe, 
which, as I've already said, 

2300
02:00:17,640 --> 02:00:20,560
covered the whole of one side of
the room, and opened the middle 

2301
02:00:20,560 --> 02:00:23,000
door. 
Two or three garments were seen 

2302
02:00:23,000 --> 02:00:26,720
inside, suspended on pegs, and 
these he removed at the same 

2303
02:00:26,720 --> 02:00:29,760
time pushing towards the right 
panel at the rear. 

2304
02:00:30,680 --> 02:00:33,920
When this was done, a large 
aperture in the wall between the

2305
02:00:33,920 --> 02:00:38,320
two houses was disclosed. 
Through this door Khan passed, 

2306
02:00:38,320 --> 02:00:43,160
drawing it behind him in #1 
Belverton Terrace, the house 

2307
02:00:43,160 --> 02:00:46,280
occupied by the detective, whose
presence in the street Khan 

2308
02:00:46,280 --> 02:00:50,240
seemed to find so objectionable.
The entrance thus constructed 

2309
02:00:50,320 --> 02:00:53,960
was covered by the peculiar kind
of confessional box in which 

2310
02:00:53,960 --> 02:00:57,760
Clemo invariably sat to receive 
his clients, the rear most 

2311
02:00:57,760 --> 02:01:01,040
panels of which opened in the 
same fashion as those in the 

2312
02:01:01,040 --> 02:01:05,320
wardrobe in the dressing room. 
These being pulled aside, he had

2313
02:01:05,320 --> 02:01:09,080
but to draw them to again after 
him, take his seat, ring the 

2314
02:01:09,080 --> 02:01:11,960
electric bell to inform his 
housekeeper that he was ready, 

2315
02:01:12,280 --> 02:01:15,720
and then welcome his clients as 
quickly as they cared to come. 

2316
02:01:16,760 --> 02:01:20,520
Punctually at 2:00, the 
interviews ceased and Clemo, 

2317
02:01:20,520 --> 02:01:23,560
having reaped an excellent 
harvest of fees, returned to 

2318
02:01:23,560 --> 02:01:27,240
Porchester House to become Simon
Cahn once more. 

2319
02:01:28,440 --> 02:01:31,160
Possibly it was due to the fact 
that the Earl and Countess of 

2320
02:01:31,160 --> 02:01:33,880
Amberley were brimming over with
his praise. 

2321
02:01:34,480 --> 02:01:38,240
It may have been the rumour that
he was worth as many millions as

2322
02:01:38,240 --> 02:01:40,560
you have fingers upon your hand 
that did it. 

2323
02:01:41,320 --> 02:01:43,280
One thing however, was 
self-evident. 

2324
02:01:43,640 --> 02:01:47,560
Within 24 hours of the noble 
Earls meeting him at Victoria 

2325
02:01:47,560 --> 02:01:52,480
station, Simon Cahn was the talk
not only of fashionable but also

2326
02:01:52,480 --> 02:01:56,320
of unfashionable London. 
That his household were, with 

2327
02:01:56,320 --> 02:02:00,200
one exception, natives of India.
That he paid a rental for 

2328
02:02:00,200 --> 02:02:02,840
Porchester House, which ran into
five figures. 

2329
02:02:03,040 --> 02:02:06,440
That he was the greatest living 
authority upon China and Indian 

2330
02:02:06,440 --> 02:02:09,800
art generally, and that he had 
come over to England in search 

2331
02:02:09,800 --> 02:02:13,160
of a wife, where among the 
smallest of the canards set 

2332
02:02:13,160 --> 02:02:17,720
afloat concerning him. 
During dinner next evening Khan 

2333
02:02:17,720 --> 02:02:19,840
put forth every effort to 
please. 

2334
02:02:20,360 --> 02:02:23,400
He was placed on the right hand 
of his Hostess and next to the 

2335
02:02:23,400 --> 02:02:27,320
Duchess of Wiltshire. 
To the latter he paid particular

2336
02:02:27,320 --> 02:02:30,720
attention, and to such good 
purpose that when the ladies 

2337
02:02:30,720 --> 02:02:33,760
returned to the drawing room 
afterwards, Her Grace was full 

2338
02:02:33,760 --> 02:02:36,960
of his praises. 
They had discussed China of all 

2339
02:02:36,960 --> 02:02:40,280
sorts. 
Khan had promised her a specimen

2340
02:02:40,280 --> 02:02:43,560
which she had longed for all her
life, but had never been able to

2341
02:02:43,560 --> 02:02:47,400
obtain, and in return she had 
promised to show him the 

2342
02:02:47,400 --> 02:02:51,440
quaintly carved Indian casket in
which the famous necklace of 

2343
02:02:51,440 --> 02:02:55,040
which he had, of course, heard 
spent most of its time. 

2344
02:02:56,520 --> 02:02:59,360
She would be wearing the jewels 
in question at her own ball in a

2345
02:02:59,360 --> 02:03:02,280
week's time, she informed him, 
and if he would care to see the 

2346
02:03:02,280 --> 02:03:05,080
case when it came from her 
bankers on that day, she would 

2347
02:03:05,080 --> 02:03:07,280
be only too pleased to show it 
to him. 

2348
02:03:08,560 --> 02:03:12,280
As Simon Cahn drove home in his 
luxurious broom afterwards, he 

2349
02:03:12,280 --> 02:03:15,160
smiled to himself as he thought 
of the success which was 

2350
02:03:15,160 --> 02:03:19,640
attending his first endeavour. 
Two of the guests who were 

2351
02:03:19,640 --> 02:03:23,160
stewards of the Jockey Club had 
heard with delight his idea of 

2352
02:03:23,160 --> 02:03:26,440
purchasing a horse in order to 
have an interest in the Derby, 

2353
02:03:27,360 --> 02:03:30,040
while another, on hearing that 
he desired to become the 

2354
02:03:30,040 --> 02:03:32,920
possessor of a yacht, had 
offered to propose him for the 

2355
02:03:32,920 --> 02:03:36,400
RCYC. 
To crown it all, however, and 

2356
02:03:36,400 --> 02:03:39,240
much better than all, the 
Duchess of Wiltshire had 

2357
02:03:39,240 --> 02:03:41,880
promised to show him her famous 
diamonds. 

2358
02:03:42,040 --> 02:03:45,200
By this time next week, he said 
to himself, Lizzie's interest 

2359
02:03:45,200 --> 02:03:50,280
should be considerably closer. 
But satisfactory as my progress 

2360
02:03:50,280 --> 02:03:52,840
has been hitherto, it is 
difficult to see how I am to get

2361
02:03:52,840 --> 02:03:55,440
possession of the stones. 
From what I've been able to 

2362
02:03:55,440 --> 02:03:57,880
discover, they're only brought 
from the bank on the day the 

2363
02:03:57,880 --> 02:04:00,960
Duchess intends to wear them, 
and they're taken back by His 

2364
02:04:00,960 --> 02:04:04,760
Grace the following morning. 
While she's got them on her 

2365
02:04:04,760 --> 02:04:07,440
person, it would be manifestly 
impossible to get them from her,

2366
02:04:07,880 --> 02:04:11,080
And as when she takes them off, 
they are returned to their box 

2367
02:04:11,080 --> 02:04:14,040
and placed in a safe constructed
in the wall of the bedroom 

2368
02:04:14,040 --> 02:04:17,000
adjoining, and which for the 
occasion is occupied by the 

2369
02:04:17,000 --> 02:04:20,160
Butler and one of the under 
footmen, the only key being in 

2370
02:04:20,160 --> 02:04:22,960
possession of the Duke himself, 
it would be equally foolish to 

2371
02:04:22,960 --> 02:04:26,960
hope to appropriate them. 
In what manner, therefore, I am 

2372
02:04:26,960 --> 02:04:29,560
to become their possessor passes
my comprehension. 

2373
02:04:30,720 --> 02:04:34,880
However, one thing is certain, 
obtained they must be, and the 

2374
02:04:34,880 --> 02:04:37,680
attempt must be made on the 
night of the ball, if possible. 

2375
02:04:38,480 --> 02:04:41,160
In the meantime I'll set my wits
to work upon a plan. 

2376
02:04:42,480 --> 02:04:45,480
Next day Simon Cahn was the 
recipient of an invitation to 

2377
02:04:45,480 --> 02:04:48,520
the ball in question, and two 
days later he called upon the 

2378
02:04:48,520 --> 02:04:51,480
Duchess of Wiltshire at her 
residence in Belgrave Square 

2379
02:04:51,480 --> 02:04:55,400
with a plan prepared. 
He also took with him the small 

2380
02:04:55,400 --> 02:04:58,040
vase he had promised her four 
nights before. 

2381
02:04:58,680 --> 02:05:01,600
She received him most 
graciously, and their talk fell 

2382
02:05:01,600 --> 02:05:05,680
at once into the usual channel. 
Having examined her collection 

2383
02:05:05,680 --> 02:05:09,360
and charmed her by means of one 
or two judicious criticisms, he 

2384
02:05:09,360 --> 02:05:12,200
asked permission to include 
photographs of certain of her 

2385
02:05:12,200 --> 02:05:14,560
treasures in his forthcoming 
book. 

2386
02:05:15,320 --> 02:05:17,240
Then, little by little, he 
skilfully guided the 

2387
02:05:17,240 --> 02:05:19,760
conversation onto the subject of
jewels. 

2388
02:05:21,320 --> 02:05:25,000
Since we are discussing gems, 
Mr. Khan, she said, perhaps it 

2389
02:05:25,000 --> 02:05:27,200
would interest you to see my 
famous necklace. 

2390
02:05:27,840 --> 02:05:31,120
By good fortune I have it in the
house now, for the reason that 

2391
02:05:31,120 --> 02:05:33,560
an alteration is being made to 
one of the casps by my 

2392
02:05:33,560 --> 02:05:35,720
jewellers. 
I should like to see it 

2393
02:05:35,720 --> 02:05:39,320
immensely, answered Khan. 
At one time and another I have 

2394
02:05:39,320 --> 02:05:42,480
had the good fortune to examine 
the jewels of the leading Indian

2395
02:05:42,480 --> 02:05:45,920
Princess, and I should like to 
be able to say that I had seen 

2396
02:05:45,920 --> 02:05:49,680
the famous Wiltshire necklace. 
Then you shall certainly have 

2397
02:05:49,680 --> 02:05:51,680
that honour, she answered with a
smile. 

2398
02:05:52,280 --> 02:05:54,360
If you will ring that bell, I 
will send for it. 

2399
02:05:55,280 --> 02:05:58,600
Khan rang the bell as requested,
and when the Butler entered he 

2400
02:05:58,600 --> 02:06:01,520
was given the key of the safe 
and ordered to bring the case to

2401
02:06:01,520 --> 02:06:04,160
the drawing room. 
Though we must not keep it very 

2402
02:06:04,160 --> 02:06:07,600
long, she observed while the man
was absent, it is to be returned

2403
02:06:07,600 --> 02:06:11,280
to the bank in an hour's time. 
I am indeed fortunate, Khan 

2404
02:06:11,280 --> 02:06:14,280
replied, and turned to the 
description of some curious 

2405
02:06:14,280 --> 02:06:17,440
Indian wood carving on which he 
was making a special feature in 

2406
02:06:17,440 --> 02:06:20,160
his book. 
As he explained, he had 

2407
02:06:20,160 --> 02:06:23,440
collected his illustrations from
the doors of Indian temples, 

2408
02:06:23,600 --> 02:06:27,120
from the gateways of palaces, 
from old brass work, and even 

2409
02:06:27,120 --> 02:06:30,240
from carved chairs and boxes he 
had picked up in all sorts of 

2410
02:06:30,240 --> 02:06:33,000
odd corners. 
Her Grace was most interested. 

2411
02:06:33,720 --> 02:06:36,000
How strange that you should have
mentioned it, she said. 

2412
02:06:36,200 --> 02:06:40,080
If carved boxes have any 
interest for you, it is possible

2413
02:06:40,080 --> 02:06:42,320
my dual case itself may be of 
use to you. 

2414
02:06:42,520 --> 02:06:45,400
As I think I told you during 
Lady Amber's dinner, it came 

2415
02:06:45,400 --> 02:06:49,160
from Benares and has carved upon
it the portraits of nearly every

2416
02:06:49,160 --> 02:06:53,640
God in the Hindu pantheon. 
You raise my curiosity to fever 

2417
02:06:53,640 --> 02:06:57,360
heat, said Khan. 
A few moments later the servant 

2418
02:06:57,360 --> 02:07:01,360
returned, bringing with him a 
wooden box about 16 inches long 

2419
02:07:01,360 --> 02:07:05,960
by 12 wide and 8 deep, which he 
placed upon a table beside his 

2420
02:07:05,960 --> 02:07:08,280
mistress, after which he 
retired. 

2421
02:07:09,200 --> 02:07:11,840
This is the case to which I've 
just been referring, said the 

2422
02:07:11,840 --> 02:07:14,520
Duchess, placing her hand on the
article in question. 

2423
02:07:15,280 --> 02:07:17,600
If you glance at it, you will 
see how exquisitely it is 

2424
02:07:17,600 --> 02:07:20,880
carved. 
Concealing his eagerness with an

2425
02:07:20,880 --> 02:07:24,200
effort, Simon Cairn drew his 
chair up to the table and 

2426
02:07:24,200 --> 02:07:27,600
examined the box. 
It was with just as she had 

2427
02:07:27,600 --> 02:07:31,400
described it, as a work of art. 
What the wood was of which it 

2428
02:07:31,400 --> 02:07:34,000
was constructed Kahn was unable 
to tell. 

2429
02:07:34,680 --> 02:07:38,000
It was dark and heavy, and 
though it was not teak, closely 

2430
02:07:38,000 --> 02:07:41,160
resembled it. 
It was literally covered with 

2431
02:07:41,160 --> 02:07:45,160
quaint carving, and of its kind 
was a unique work of art. 

2432
02:07:46,000 --> 02:07:48,840
It is most curious and 
beautiful, said Kahn, when he 

2433
02:07:48,840 --> 02:07:52,320
had finished his examination. 
In all my experience, I can 

2434
02:07:52,320 --> 02:07:54,160
safely say I've never seen it's 
equal. 

2435
02:07:55,520 --> 02:07:58,120
If you will permit me, I should 
very much like to include a 

2436
02:07:58,120 --> 02:08:01,000
description and an illustration 
of it in my book. 

2437
02:08:01,760 --> 02:08:04,400
Of course you may do so. 
I should be only too delighted, 

2438
02:08:04,520 --> 02:08:07,000
answered her Grace. 
If it will help you in your 

2439
02:08:07,000 --> 02:08:10,240
work, I shall be glad to lend it
to you for a few hours, in order

2440
02:08:10,240 --> 02:08:12,200
that you may have the 
illustration made. 

2441
02:08:13,360 --> 02:08:16,280
This was exactly what Khan had 
been waiting for, and he 

2442
02:08:16,280 --> 02:08:17,920
accepted the offer with 
alacrity. 

2443
02:08:18,760 --> 02:08:22,120
Very well then, she said, on the
day of my ball, when it will be 

2444
02:08:22,120 --> 02:08:24,920
brought from the bank again, I 
will take the necklace out and 

2445
02:08:24,920 --> 02:08:28,120
send the case to you. 
I must make one proviso, 

2446
02:08:28,120 --> 02:08:30,720
however, and that is that you 
let me have it back the same 

2447
02:08:30,720 --> 02:08:33,720
day. 
I will certainly promise to do 

2448
02:08:33,720 --> 02:08:38,120
that, replied Khan. 
And now let us look inside, said

2449
02:08:38,120 --> 02:08:41,520
his Hostess. 
Choosing a key from a bunch she 

2450
02:08:41,520 --> 02:08:44,680
carried in her pocket. 
She unlocked the casket and 

2451
02:08:44,680 --> 02:08:48,880
lifted the lid. 
Accustomed, as Khan had all his 

2452
02:08:48,880 --> 02:08:53,320
life been to the sight of gems, 
what he saw before him then 

2453
02:08:53,320 --> 02:08:57,280
almost took his breath away. 
The inside of the box, both 

2454
02:08:57,280 --> 02:09:01,400
sides and bottom, was quilted 
with the softest Russia leather,

2455
02:09:01,640 --> 02:09:05,880
and on this luxurious couch 
reposed the famous necklace. 

2456
02:09:06,480 --> 02:09:09,680
The fire of the stones, when the
light caught them was sufficient

2457
02:09:09,680 --> 02:09:13,920
to dazzle the eyes, so fierce 
was it as Khan could see. 

2458
02:09:13,920 --> 02:09:17,760
Every gem was perfect of its 
kind, and there were no fewer 

2459
02:09:17,760 --> 02:09:21,760
than 300 of them. 
The setting was a fine example 

2460
02:09:21,760 --> 02:09:25,880
of the jeweller's art, and, last
but not least, the value of the 

2461
02:09:25,880 --> 02:09:30,560
whole affair was £50,000, a mere
flea bite to the man who had 

2462
02:09:30,560 --> 02:09:34,240
given it to his wife, but a 
fortune to any humbler person. 

2463
02:09:35,720 --> 02:09:37,840
And now that you have seen my 
property, what do you think of 

2464
02:09:37,840 --> 02:09:39,920
it? 
Asked the Duchess as she watched

2465
02:09:39,920 --> 02:09:43,960
her visitor's face. 
It is very beautiful, he 

2466
02:09:43,960 --> 02:09:45,880
answered. 
And I do not wonder that you are

2467
02:09:45,880 --> 02:09:49,560
proud of it. 
Yes, the diamonds are very fine,

2468
02:09:50,440 --> 02:09:54,320
but I think it is their abiding 
place that fascinates me more. 

2469
02:09:55,360 --> 02:09:57,400
Have you any objection to my 
measuring it? 

2470
02:09:58,200 --> 02:10:01,360
Pray do so if it is likely to be
of any assistance to you, 

2471
02:10:01,360 --> 02:10:05,160
replied Her Grace. 
Khan thereupon produced a small 

2472
02:10:05,160 --> 02:10:09,800
ivory rule, ran it over the box,
and the figures he thus obtained

2473
02:10:09,880 --> 02:10:13,520
he jotted down in his 
pocketbook. 10 minutes later, 

2474
02:10:13,800 --> 02:10:16,600
when the case had been returned 
to the safe, he thanked the 

2475
02:10:16,600 --> 02:10:20,000
Duchess for her kindness and 
took his departure, promising to

2476
02:10:20,000 --> 02:10:22,960
call in person for the empty 
case on the morning of the ball.

2477
02:10:23,600 --> 02:10:27,160
Reaching home, he passed into 
his study and seating himself at

2478
02:10:27,160 --> 02:10:29,960
his writing table, pulled a 
sheet of note paper towards him 

2479
02:10:29,960 --> 02:10:33,120
and began to sketch as well as 
he could remember it, the box he

2480
02:10:33,120 --> 02:10:35,960
had seen. 
Then he leant back in his chair 

2481
02:10:35,960 --> 02:10:39,960
and closed his eyes. 
I've cracked a good many hard 

2482
02:10:39,960 --> 02:10:42,360
nuts in my time, he said 
reflectively. 

2483
02:10:42,840 --> 02:10:44,920
But never one that seems so 
difficult at first sight. 

2484
02:10:44,920 --> 02:10:48,000
Is this, as far as I see it 
present? 

2485
02:10:48,000 --> 02:10:51,640
The case stands as follows. 
The box will be brought from the

2486
02:10:51,640 --> 02:10:56,040
bank where it usually reposes to
Wiltshire House on the morning 

2487
02:10:56,040 --> 02:10:58,360
of the dance. 
I should be allowed to have 

2488
02:10:58,360 --> 02:11:01,400
possession of it without the 
stones, of course, for a period 

2489
02:11:01,480 --> 02:11:05,720
possibly extending from 11:00 in
the morning to four or five, at 

2490
02:11:05,720 --> 02:11:08,200
any rate not later than 7 in the
evening. 

2491
02:11:09,040 --> 02:11:12,240
After the ball, the necklace 
will be returned to it, when it 

2492
02:11:12,240 --> 02:11:15,480
will be locked up in the safe 
over which the Butler and a 

2493
02:11:15,480 --> 02:11:19,320
footman will mount guard. 
To get into the room during the 

2494
02:11:19,320 --> 02:11:22,440
night is not only too risky, but
physically out of the question, 

2495
02:11:23,560 --> 02:11:26,400
while to rob her Grace of her 
treasure during the progress of 

2496
02:11:26,400 --> 02:11:28,320
the dance would be equally 
impossible. 

2497
02:11:29,360 --> 02:11:32,280
The Duke fetches the casket and 
takes it back to the bank 

2498
02:11:32,280 --> 02:11:35,000
himself. 
So to all intents and purposes, 

2499
02:11:35,000 --> 02:11:37,200
I'm almost as far off the 
solution as ever. 

2500
02:11:37,960 --> 02:11:40,880
Half an hour went by and found 
him still seated at his desk, 

2501
02:11:40,880 --> 02:11:42,560
staring at the drawing on the 
paper. 

2502
02:11:42,640 --> 02:11:45,160
Then an hour. 
The traffic of the streets 

2503
02:11:45,160 --> 02:11:49,360
rolled past the house unheeded. 
Finally Joao Singh announced his

2504
02:11:49,360 --> 02:11:52,000
carriage and feelings. 
An idea might come to him. 

2505
02:11:52,000 --> 02:11:55,120
With a change of scene, he set 
off for a drive in the park. 

2506
02:11:56,160 --> 02:11:59,520
By this time his elegant male 
phaeton, with its magnificent 

2507
02:11:59,520 --> 02:12:03,040
horses and Indian servant on the
seat behind, was as well known 

2508
02:12:03,040 --> 02:12:06,800
as Her Majesty's State equipage 
and attracted almost as much 

2509
02:12:06,800 --> 02:12:10,200
attention. 
Today, however, the fashionable 

2510
02:12:10,200 --> 02:12:13,600
world noticed that Simon Cahn 
looked preoccupied. 

2511
02:12:14,120 --> 02:12:17,040
He was still working out his 
problem, but so far without much

2512
02:12:17,040 --> 02:12:20,520
success. 
Suddenly something no one will 

2513
02:12:20,520 --> 02:12:23,560
ever be able to say what put an 
idea into his head. 

2514
02:12:24,000 --> 02:12:27,000
The notion was no sooner born in
his brain than he left the park 

2515
02:12:27,000 --> 02:12:30,480
and drove home quickly. 10 
minutes had scarcely elapsed 

2516
02:12:30,480 --> 02:12:33,160
before he was back in his study 
again, and had ordered that 

2517
02:12:33,160 --> 02:12:37,040
Wajibak should be sent to him. 
When the man he wanted put in an

2518
02:12:37,040 --> 02:12:40,160
appearance, Khan handed him the 
paper upon which he had made the

2519
02:12:40,160 --> 02:12:44,680
drawing of the jewel case. 
Look at this, he said, and tell 

2520
02:12:44,680 --> 02:12:49,120
me what thou seest. 
There I see a box, answered the 

2521
02:12:49,120 --> 02:12:52,120
man, who by this time was well 
accustomed to his master's ways.

2522
02:12:52,800 --> 02:12:55,680
As thou sayest, it is a box, 
said Khan. 

2523
02:12:56,280 --> 02:13:00,080
The wood is heavy and thick, 
though what wood it is I do not 

2524
02:13:00,080 --> 02:13:02,560
know. 
The measurements are upon the 

2525
02:13:02,560 --> 02:13:06,360
paper below. 
Within both the sides and bottom

2526
02:13:06,360 --> 02:13:09,440
are quilted with soft leather, 
as I have also shown. 

2527
02:13:09,480 --> 02:13:13,200
I think now why Jeep backs? 
For in this case thou wilt need 

2528
02:13:13,200 --> 02:13:17,520
to have all thy wits about thee.
Tell me, is it in thy power, O 

2529
02:13:17,520 --> 02:13:21,520
most cunning of all Craftsman, 
to insert such extra sides 

2530
02:13:21,520 --> 02:13:26,040
within this box that they, being
held by a spring, shall lie so 

2531
02:13:26,040 --> 02:13:28,760
snug as not to be noticeable to 
the ordinary eye? 

2532
02:13:29,760 --> 02:13:32,440
Can it be so arranged that when 
the box is locked, they shall 

2533
02:13:32,440 --> 02:13:36,240
fall flat upon the bottom, thus 
covering and holding fast what 

2534
02:13:36,240 --> 02:13:39,240
lies beneath them, and yet 
making the box appear to the eye

2535
02:13:39,400 --> 02:13:42,120
as if it were empty? 
Is it possible for thee to do 

2536
02:13:42,120 --> 02:13:46,320
such a thing? 
Marjee Baksh did not reply for a

2537
02:13:46,320 --> 02:13:49,080
few moments. 
His instinct told him what his 

2538
02:13:49,080 --> 02:13:52,600
master wanted, and he was not 
disposed to answer hastily, for 

2539
02:13:52,600 --> 02:13:56,000
he also saw that his reputation 
as the most cunning Craftsman in

2540
02:13:56,040 --> 02:14:00,600
India was at stake. 
If the heaven born will permit 

2541
02:14:00,600 --> 02:14:05,080
me the night for thought, he 
said, at last I will come to him

2542
02:14:05,120 --> 02:14:09,160
when he rises from his bed and 
tell him what I can do, and he 

2543
02:14:09,160 --> 02:14:11,000
can then give his orders as it 
pleases him. 

2544
02:14:12,080 --> 02:14:15,240
Very good, said Khan. 
Then tomorrow morning I shall 

2545
02:14:15,240 --> 02:14:18,560
expect thy report. 
Let the work be good, and there 

2546
02:14:18,560 --> 02:14:20,960
will be many rupees for thee to 
touch in return. 

2547
02:14:22,040 --> 02:14:24,840
As to the lock and the way it 
shall act, let that be the 

2548
02:14:24,840 --> 02:14:29,760
concern of Hiram Singh. 
Waji Baksh Salaam and withdrew, 

2549
02:14:30,520 --> 02:14:33,280
and Simon Cahn for the time 
being, dismissed the matter from

2550
02:14:33,280 --> 02:14:36,080
his mind. 
Next morning, while he was 

2551
02:14:36,080 --> 02:14:39,280
dressing, Belton reported that 
the two artifices desired an 

2552
02:14:39,280 --> 02:14:42,760
interview with him. 
He ordered them to be admitted, 

2553
02:14:42,800 --> 02:14:44,840
and forthwith they entered the 
room. 

2554
02:14:45,720 --> 02:14:48,880
It was noticeable that Waji 
Baksh carried in his hand a 

2555
02:14:48,880 --> 02:14:52,640
heavy box which, upon Khan's 
motioning him to do so, he 

2556
02:14:52,640 --> 02:14:55,840
placed upon the table. 
Have you thought over the 

2557
02:14:55,840 --> 02:14:58,120
matter? 
He asked, seeing that the men 

2558
02:14:58,120 --> 02:15:02,320
waited for him to speak. 
We have thought of it, replied 

2559
02:15:02,320 --> 02:15:05,160
Hiram Singh, who always acted as
spokesman for the pair. 

2560
02:15:05,720 --> 02:15:09,760
If the presence will design to 
look, he will see that we have 

2561
02:15:09,760 --> 02:15:13,480
made a box of the size and shape
such as he drew upon the paper. 

2562
02:15:14,320 --> 02:15:18,600
Yes, it is certainly a good 
copy, said Khan condescendingly 

2563
02:15:18,960 --> 02:15:23,040
after he'd examined it. 
Waji back showed his white teeth

2564
02:15:23,040 --> 02:15:25,960
in appreciation of the 
compliment and Hiram Singh drew 

2565
02:15:25,960 --> 02:15:30,120
closer to the table. 
And now if the side will open 

2566
02:15:30,120 --> 02:15:33,480
it, he will in his wisdom be 
able to tell if it resembles the

2567
02:15:33,520 --> 02:15:38,280
other that he has in his mind. 
Khan opened the boxes requested 

2568
02:15:38,720 --> 02:15:42,440
and discovered that the interior
was an exact counterfeit of the 

2569
02:15:42,440 --> 02:15:45,800
Duchess of Wiltshire jewel case,
even to the extent of the 

2570
02:15:45,800 --> 02:15:48,520
quilted leather lining which had
been the others principal 

2571
02:15:48,520 --> 02:15:50,960
feature. 
He admitted that the likeness 

2572
02:15:50,960 --> 02:15:55,640
was all that could be desired. 
As he is satisfied, said Hiram 

2573
02:15:55,640 --> 02:15:59,320
Singh, it may be that the 
protector of the poor will aim 

2574
02:15:59,320 --> 02:16:04,280
to try and experiment with it. 
See here is a comb, let it be 

2575
02:16:04,280 --> 02:16:08,920
placed in the box. 
So now he will see what he will 

2576
02:16:08,920 --> 02:16:12,080
see. 
The broad silver backed comb 

2577
02:16:12,080 --> 02:16:15,040
lying upon his dressing table 
was placed on the bottom of the 

2578
02:16:15,040 --> 02:16:17,640
box. 
The lid was closed and the key 

2579
02:16:17,640 --> 02:16:20,480
turned in the box. 
The case being securely 

2580
02:16:20,480 --> 02:16:23,200
fastened, Hiram Singh laid it 
before his master. 

2581
02:16:23,760 --> 02:16:27,440
I am to open it, I suppose, said
Khan, taking the key and 

2582
02:16:27,440 --> 02:16:30,840
replacing it in the lock. 
If my master pleases, replied 

2583
02:16:30,840 --> 02:16:33,639
the other. 
Khan accordingly turned it in 

2584
02:16:33,639 --> 02:16:36,440
the lock, and having done so, 
raised the lid and looked 

2585
02:16:36,440 --> 02:16:39,440
inside. 
His astonishment was complete. 

2586
02:16:40,440 --> 02:16:43,200
To all intents and purposes the 
box was empty. 

2587
02:16:43,920 --> 02:16:48,080
The comb was not to be seen, and
yet the quilted sides and bottom

2588
02:16:48,080 --> 02:16:51,559
were to all appearances just the
same as when he had first looked

2589
02:16:51,559 --> 02:16:55,080
inside. 
This is most wonderful, he said,

2590
02:16:55,719 --> 02:16:58,799
and indeed it was as clever a 
conjuring trick as any he had 

2591
02:16:58,799 --> 02:17:02,000
ever seen. 
Nay, it is very simple, Wajib 

2592
02:17:02,000 --> 02:17:05,080
Bax replied. 
The Heaven born told me that 

2593
02:17:05,080 --> 02:17:06,959
there must be no risk of 
detection. 

2594
02:17:07,639 --> 02:17:10,480
He took the box in his own hands
and running his nails down the 

2595
02:17:10,480 --> 02:17:13,840
centre of the quilting, dividing
the false bottom into two 

2596
02:17:13,840 --> 02:17:17,120
pieces. 
These he lifted out, revealing 

2597
02:17:17,120 --> 02:17:20,959
the comb lying on the real 
bottom beneath the sides. 

2598
02:17:20,959 --> 02:17:24,120
As my Lord will see, said Hiram 
Singh, taking a step forward, 

2599
02:17:24,400 --> 02:17:27,440
are held in their appointed 
places by these two springs. 

2600
02:17:28,080 --> 02:17:31,600
Thus when the key is turned, the
springs relax and the sides are 

2601
02:17:31,600 --> 02:17:34,719
driven by others into their 
places on the bottom, where the 

2602
02:17:34,719 --> 02:17:37,600
seams in the quilting mask the 
join. 

2603
02:17:38,360 --> 02:17:43,160
But there is one disadvantage. 
It is as follows when the pieces

2604
02:17:43,160 --> 02:17:46,440
which form the bottom are lifted
out in order that my Lord may 

2605
02:17:46,440 --> 02:17:49,760
get it to whatever lies 
concealed beneath the springs 

2606
02:17:49,760 --> 02:17:52,120
must of necessity stand 
revealed. 

2607
02:17:53,040 --> 02:17:55,799
However, to anyone who knows 
sufficient of the working of the

2608
02:17:55,799 --> 02:17:58,639
box to lift out the false 
bottom, it will be an easy 

2609
02:17:58,639 --> 02:18:01,559
matter to withdraw the springs 
and conceal them about his 

2610
02:18:01,559 --> 02:18:04,600
person. 
As you say, that is an easy 

2611
02:18:04,600 --> 02:18:07,480
matter, said Khan. 
And I shall not be likely to 

2612
02:18:07,480 --> 02:18:09,959
forget. 
Now one other question. 

2613
02:18:10,600 --> 02:18:13,639
Presuming I'm in a position to 
put the real box into your hands

2614
02:18:13,639 --> 02:18:17,559
for, say, 8 hours, do you think 
that in that time you can fit it

2615
02:18:17,559 --> 02:18:19,719
up so that detection will be 
impossible? 

2616
02:18:20,320 --> 02:18:23,600
Assuredly, my Lord, replied 
Hiram Singh with conviction. 

2617
02:18:24,240 --> 02:18:26,719
There is but the lock and the 
fitting of the springs to be 

2618
02:18:26,719 --> 02:18:29,639
done. 3 hours at most would 
suffice for that. 

2619
02:18:30,840 --> 02:18:34,360
I'm pleased with you, said Khan,
as a proof of my satisfaction. 

2620
02:18:34,360 --> 02:18:37,719
When the work is finished, you 
will each receive ₹500. 

2621
02:18:37,920 --> 02:18:42,280
Now you can go according to his 
promise. 10:00 on the Friday 

2622
02:18:42,280 --> 02:18:45,520
following found him in his 
hansom driving towards Belgrave 

2623
02:18:45,520 --> 02:18:49,160
Square. 
He was a little anxious, though 

2624
02:18:49,160 --> 02:18:51,639
the casual observer would 
scarcely have been able to tell 

2625
02:18:51,639 --> 02:18:54,120
it. 
The magnitude of the stake for 

2626
02:18:54,120 --> 02:18:56,799
which he was playing was enough 
to try the nerve of even such a 

2627
02:18:56,799 --> 02:18:59,639
past master in his profession as
Simon Cahn. 

2628
02:19:01,000 --> 02:19:03,520
Arriving at the house he 
discovered some workmen erecting

2629
02:19:03,520 --> 02:19:06,200
an awning across the footway in 
preparation for the ball that 

2630
02:19:06,200 --> 02:19:09,760
was to take place at night. 
It was not long however before 

2631
02:19:09,760 --> 02:19:12,680
he found himself in the boudoir,
reminding Her Grace of her 

2632
02:19:12,680 --> 02:19:15,400
promise to permit him an 
opportunity of making a drawing 

2633
02:19:15,400 --> 02:19:19,200
of the famous jewel case. 
The Duchess was naturally busy 

2634
02:19:19,200 --> 02:19:22,480
and within 1/4 of an hour he was
on his way home with the box 

2635
02:19:22,480 --> 02:19:24,559
placed on the seat of the 
carriage beside him. 

2636
02:19:25,200 --> 02:19:27,080
Now. 
He said as he patted it good 

2637
02:19:27,080 --> 02:19:29,920
humidly. 
If only the notion worked out by

2638
02:19:29,920 --> 02:19:31,879
hire. 
I'm seeing and Waji Baksh holds 

2639
02:19:31,879 --> 02:19:33,920
good. 
The famous Wiltshire diamonds 

2640
02:19:33,920 --> 02:19:36,879
will become my property before 
very many hours are past. 

2641
02:19:37,280 --> 02:19:40,120
By this time tomorrow, I suppose
London will be all agog 

2642
02:19:40,120 --> 02:19:44,719
concerning the burglary. 
On reaching his house he left 

2643
02:19:44,719 --> 02:19:48,000
his carriage and himself carried
the box into his study. 

2644
02:19:48,559 --> 02:19:51,840
Once there he rang his bell and 
ordered Hiram Singh and Waji 

2645
02:19:51,840 --> 02:19:55,120
Baksh to be sent to him. 
When they arrived he showed them

2646
02:19:55,120 --> 02:19:58,600
the box upon which they were to 
exercise their ingenuity. 

2647
02:19:59,640 --> 02:20:02,480
Bring your tools in here, he 
said, and do the work under my 

2648
02:20:02,480 --> 02:20:05,320
own eyes. 
You have but 9 hours before you,

2649
02:20:05,320 --> 02:20:06,640
so you must make the most of 
them. 

2650
02:20:07,720 --> 02:20:10,680
The men went for their 
implements and as soon as they 

2651
02:20:10,680 --> 02:20:13,840
were ready, set to work. 
All through the day they were 

2652
02:20:13,840 --> 02:20:18,160
kept hard at it, with the result
that by 5:00 the alterations had

2653
02:20:18,160 --> 02:20:20,400
been affected and the case stood
ready. 

2654
02:20:21,480 --> 02:20:24,640
By the time Khan returned from 
his afternoon drive in the park 

2655
02:20:24,680 --> 02:20:27,440
it was quite prepared for the 
part it was to play in his 

2656
02:20:27,440 --> 02:20:30,600
scheme. 
Having praised the men, he 

2657
02:20:30,600 --> 02:20:33,800
turned them out and locked the 
door, then went across the room 

2658
02:20:33,800 --> 02:20:35,840
and unlocked a draw in his 
writing table. 

2659
02:20:36,560 --> 02:20:39,520
From it he took a flat leather 
jewel case, which he opened. 

2660
02:20:39,880 --> 02:20:43,160
It contained a necklace of 
counterfeit diamonds, if 

2661
02:20:43,160 --> 02:20:45,880
anything a little larger than 
the 1 he intended to try to 

2662
02:20:45,880 --> 02:20:48,800
obtain. 
He had purchased it that morning

2663
02:20:48,800 --> 02:20:52,120
in the Burlington Arcade for the
purpose of testing the apparatus

2664
02:20:52,120 --> 02:20:55,680
his servants had made, and this 
he now proceeded to do. 

2665
02:20:56,880 --> 02:21:00,040
Laying it carefully upon the 
bottom, he closed the lid and 

2666
02:21:00,040 --> 02:21:03,040
turned the key. 
When he opened it again the 

2667
02:21:03,040 --> 02:21:06,240
necklace was gone, and even 
though he knew the secret, he 

2668
02:21:06,240 --> 02:21:09,400
could not for the life of him 
see where the false bottom began

2669
02:21:09,440 --> 02:21:13,680
and ended. 
After that he reset the trap and

2670
02:21:13,680 --> 02:21:15,400
tossed the necklace carelessly 
in. 

2671
02:21:16,680 --> 02:21:20,880
To his delight it acted as well 
as on the previous occasion He 

2672
02:21:20,880 --> 02:21:22,960
could scarcely contain his 
satisfaction. 

2673
02:21:24,240 --> 02:21:27,560
His conscience was sufficiently 
elastic to give him no trouble. 

2674
02:21:28,440 --> 02:21:32,440
To him it was scarcely A robbery
he was planning, but an artistic

2675
02:21:32,440 --> 02:21:35,680
trial of skill in which he 
pitted his wits and cunning 

2676
02:21:35,680 --> 02:21:38,520
against the forces of society in
general. 

2677
02:21:41,360 --> 02:21:44,560
That is the end of The Duchess 
of Wiltshire's Diamonds by Guy 

2678
02:21:44,560 --> 02:21:49,000
Boothby, Part 1, recording by 
Nigel Carrington in London, 

2679
02:21:49,000 --> 02:22:08,120
England, April 2011. 
Section 6 of the Rivals of 

2680
02:22:08,120 --> 02:22:12,800
Sherlock Holmes Volume 1. 
This is a Librivox recording. 

2681
02:22:13,280 --> 02:22:15,880
All Librivox recordings are in 
the public domain. 

2682
02:22:16,600 --> 02:22:20,400
For more information or to 
volunteer, please visit 

2683
02:22:20,400 --> 02:22:24,640
librivox.org. 
Recorded by Nigel Carrington in 

2684
02:22:24,640 --> 02:22:28,920
London, April 2011. 
The rivals of Sherlock Holmes, 

2685
02:22:28,920 --> 02:22:32,000
volume 1. 
The Duchess of Wiltshire's 

2686
02:22:32,000 --> 02:22:40,440
Diamonds by Guy Boothby, Part 2 
At 7:30 he dined and afterwards 

2687
02:22:40,440 --> 02:22:43,640
smoked a meditative cigar over 
the evening paper in the 

2688
02:22:43,640 --> 02:22:46,880
billiard room. 
The invitations to the ball were

2689
02:22:46,880 --> 02:22:50,400
for 10:00, and at 9:30 he went 
to his dressing room. 

2690
02:22:51,200 --> 02:22:54,440
Make me tidy as quickly as you 
can, he said to Belton when the 

2691
02:22:54,440 --> 02:22:56,320
latter appeared. 
And while you're doing so, 

2692
02:22:56,320 --> 02:22:59,840
listen to my final instructions.
Tonight, as you know, I am 

2693
02:22:59,840 --> 02:23:02,760
endeavouring to secure the 
Duchess of Wiltshire's necklace.

2694
02:23:03,480 --> 02:23:06,520
Tomorrow morning all London will
resign with the hubbub, and I've

2695
02:23:06,520 --> 02:23:09,760
been making my plans in such a 
way as to arrange that Clemo 

2696
02:23:09,760 --> 02:23:13,480
shall be the first person 
consulted when the messenger 

2697
02:23:13,480 --> 02:23:15,840
calls. 
If call, he does see that the 

2698
02:23:15,840 --> 02:23:19,040
old woman next door bids him 
tell the Duke to come personally

2699
02:23:19,040 --> 02:23:20,720
at 12:00. 
Do you understand? 

2700
02:23:21,120 --> 02:23:23,080
Perfectly, Sir. 
Very good. 

2701
02:23:23,280 --> 02:23:25,320
Now give me the dual case and 
let me be on. 

2702
02:23:25,800 --> 02:23:30,920
You need not sit up for me. 
Precisely as the clocks in the 

2703
02:23:30,920 --> 02:23:34,040
neighborhood were striking 10 
Simon Cahn reached Belgrave 

2704
02:23:34,040 --> 02:23:37,720
Square and, as he hoped, found 
himself the 1st guest. 

2705
02:23:38,680 --> 02:23:41,160
His Hostess and her husband 
received him in the anteroom of 

2706
02:23:41,160 --> 02:23:44,280
the drawing room. 
I come laden with 1000 

2707
02:23:44,280 --> 02:23:47,600
apologies, he said as he took 
Her Grace's hand and bent over 

2708
02:23:47,600 --> 02:23:50,040
it with that ceremonious 
politeness which was one of the 

2709
02:23:50,040 --> 02:23:55,240
man's chief characteristics. 
I am most unconscionably early, 

2710
02:23:55,240 --> 02:23:58,640
I know, but I hastened here in 
order that I might personally 

2711
02:23:58,640 --> 02:24:01,160
return the duel case you so 
kindly lent me. 

2712
02:24:02,080 --> 02:24:04,200
I must trust your generosity to 
forgive me. 

2713
02:24:04,520 --> 02:24:06,760
The drawings took longer than I 
expected. 

2714
02:24:07,400 --> 02:24:09,760
Please do not apologize, 
answered Her Grace. 

2715
02:24:10,280 --> 02:24:12,600
It is very kind of you to have 
brought the case yourself. 

2716
02:24:13,320 --> 02:24:15,720
I hope the illustrations have 
proved successful. 

2717
02:24:16,200 --> 02:24:18,440
I shall look forward to seeing 
them as soon as they are ready. 

2718
02:24:19,240 --> 02:24:21,040
But I'm keeping you holding the 
box. 

2719
02:24:21,640 --> 02:24:23,400
One of my servants will take it 
to my room. 

2720
02:24:24,080 --> 02:24:26,960
She called a footman to her and 
bade him take the box and place 

2721
02:24:26,960 --> 02:24:30,840
it upon her dressing table. 
Before it goes, I must let you 

2722
02:24:30,840 --> 02:24:34,080
see that I've not damaged it 
either externally or internally,

2723
02:24:34,400 --> 02:24:37,720
said Khan with a laugh. 
It is such a valuable case that 

2724
02:24:37,720 --> 02:24:40,600
I should never forgive myself if
it had even received a scratch 

2725
02:24:40,600 --> 02:24:42,520
during the time it has been in 
my possession. 

2726
02:24:43,600 --> 02:24:47,160
So saying, he lifted the lid and
allowed her to look inside. 

2727
02:24:48,400 --> 02:24:50,920
To all appearance, it was 
exactly the same as when she had

2728
02:24:50,920 --> 02:24:52,640
lent it to him earlier in the 
day. 

2729
02:24:53,360 --> 02:24:56,800
You have been most careful, she 
said, and then, with an air of 

2730
02:24:56,800 --> 02:25:00,600
banter, she continued. 
If you desire it, I shall be 

2731
02:25:00,600 --> 02:25:02,680
pleased to give you a 
certificate to that effect. 

2732
02:25:03,760 --> 02:25:06,320
They jested in this fashion for 
a few moments after the 

2733
02:25:06,320 --> 02:25:09,560
servant's departure, during 
which time Khan promised to call

2734
02:25:09,560 --> 02:25:12,720
upon her the following morning 
at 11:00, and to bring with him 

2735
02:25:12,720 --> 02:25:15,720
the illustrations he had made 
and a queer little piece of 

2736
02:25:15,720 --> 02:25:18,320
China he had had the good 
fortune to pick up in a dealer's

2737
02:25:18,320 --> 02:25:22,880
shop the previous afternoon. 
By this time fashionable London 

2738
02:25:22,880 --> 02:25:26,040
was making its way up the grand 
staircase, and with its 

2739
02:25:26,040 --> 02:25:28,640
appearance further conversation 
became impossible. 

2740
02:25:29,040 --> 02:25:31,960
Shortly after midnight Khan bade
his Hostess goodnight and 

2741
02:25:31,960 --> 02:25:34,880
slipped away. 
He was perfectly satisfied with 

2742
02:25:34,880 --> 02:25:38,360
his evening's entertainment, and
if the key of the jewel case 

2743
02:25:38,360 --> 02:25:41,320
were not turned before the 
jewels were placed in it, he was

2744
02:25:41,320 --> 02:25:44,240
convinced they would become his 
property. 

2745
02:25:45,040 --> 02:25:48,400
It speaks well for his strength 
of nerve when I record the fact 

2746
02:25:48,400 --> 02:25:51,440
that on going to bed his 
slumbers were as peaceful and 

2747
02:25:51,440 --> 02:25:53,560
untroubled as those of a little 
child. 

2748
02:25:54,560 --> 02:25:57,800
Breakfast was scarcely over next
morning before a hansom drew up 

2749
02:25:57,800 --> 02:26:00,240
to his front door, and Lord 
Amberley alighted. 

2750
02:26:00,880 --> 02:26:03,240
He was ushered into Khan's 
presence forthwith, and, on 

2751
02:26:03,240 --> 02:26:06,200
seeing that the latter was 
surprised at his early visit, 

2752
02:26:06,240 --> 02:26:10,320
hastened to explain. 
My dear fellow, he said, as he 

2753
02:26:10,320 --> 02:26:12,280
took possession of the chair the
other offered him. 

2754
02:26:12,560 --> 02:26:15,840
I've come round to see you on 
most important business, as I 

2755
02:26:15,840 --> 02:26:18,040
told you last night at the 
dance, when you so kindly asked 

2756
02:26:18,040 --> 02:26:19,960
me to come and see the steam 
yacht you had purchased. 

2757
02:26:20,160 --> 02:26:23,160
I had an appointment with 
Wiltshire at 9:30 this morning. 

2758
02:26:24,120 --> 02:26:27,120
On reaching Belgrave Square I 
found the whole house in 

2759
02:26:27,120 --> 02:26:29,200
confusion. 
Servants were running, hit her 

2760
02:26:29,200 --> 02:26:32,480
and thither with scared faces. 
The Butler was on the borders of

2761
02:26:32,480 --> 02:26:34,880
lunacy. 
The Duchess was well now 

2762
02:26:34,880 --> 02:26:38,080
hysterical in her boudoir, while
her husband was in his study, 

2763
02:26:38,080 --> 02:26:40,400
vowing vengeance against all the
world. 

2764
02:26:41,680 --> 02:26:45,440
You alarm me, said Khan, 
lighting a cigarette with a hand

2765
02:26:45,440 --> 02:26:48,840
that was as steady as a rock. 
What on earth has happened? 

2766
02:26:50,240 --> 02:26:53,720
I think I might safely allow you
50 guesses and then weighs your 

2767
02:26:53,720 --> 02:26:55,760
£100. 
You'd not hit the mark and yet 

2768
02:26:55,760 --> 02:26:58,680
in a certain measure it concerns
you, concerns me. 

2769
02:26:58,680 --> 02:27:01,720
Good gracious, what have I done 
to bring all this about trade? 

2770
02:27:01,720 --> 02:27:05,160
Do not look so alarmed, said 
Amberley personally. 

2771
02:27:05,160 --> 02:27:07,360
You've done nothing. 
Indeed. 

2772
02:27:07,360 --> 02:27:09,720
On second thoughts, I don't know
that I'm right in saying that it

2773
02:27:09,720 --> 02:27:12,880
concerns you at all. 
The fact of the matter is, Khan,

2774
02:27:13,040 --> 02:27:16,440
a burglary took place last night
at Wiltshire House and the 

2775
02:27:16,440 --> 02:27:21,120
famous necklace has disappeared.
Good heavens, you don't say so, 

2776
02:27:21,400 --> 02:27:23,760
but I do. 
The circumstances of the case 

2777
02:27:23,760 --> 02:27:26,840
are as follows. 
When my cousin retired to her 

2778
02:27:26,840 --> 02:27:30,640
room last night after the ball, 
she unclasped the necklace and 

2779
02:27:30,640 --> 02:27:33,760
in her husband's presence placed
it carefully in her duel case, 

2780
02:27:33,760 --> 02:27:36,440
which she locked. 
That having been done, 

2781
02:27:36,640 --> 02:27:39,560
Wheelchair took the box to the 
room which contained the safe 

2782
02:27:39,800 --> 02:27:43,000
and himself placed it there, 
locking the iron door with his 

2783
02:27:43,000 --> 02:27:45,720
own key. 
The room was occupied that 

2784
02:27:45,720 --> 02:27:48,280
night, according to custom, by 
the Butler and one of the 

2785
02:27:48,280 --> 02:27:51,280
footmen, both of whom have been 
in the family since they were 

2786
02:27:51,280 --> 02:27:54,080
boys. 
Next morning, after breakfast, 

2787
02:27:54,120 --> 02:27:57,240
the Duke unlocked the safe and 
took out the box, intending to 

2788
02:27:57,240 --> 02:28:00,840
convey it to the bank as usual. 
Before leaving, however, he 

2789
02:28:00,840 --> 02:28:03,640
placed it on his study table and
went upstairs to speak to his 

2790
02:28:03,640 --> 02:28:06,360
wife. 
He cannot remember exactly how 

2791
02:28:06,360 --> 02:28:09,720
long he was absent, but he feels
convinced that he was not gone 

2792
02:28:09,720 --> 02:28:12,080
more than 1/4 of an hour at the 
very utmost. 

2793
02:28:13,400 --> 02:28:16,760
Their conversation finished, she
accompanied him downstairs where

2794
02:28:16,760 --> 02:28:19,520
she saw him take up the case to 
carry it to his carriage. 

2795
02:28:20,720 --> 02:28:24,160
Before he left the house, 
however, she said, I suppose you

2796
02:28:24,160 --> 02:28:26,160
have looked to see that the 
necklace is all right. 

2797
02:28:27,160 --> 02:28:28,920
How could I do so? 
Was his reply. 

2798
02:28:29,120 --> 02:28:32,080
You know you possess the only 
key that will fit it, she felt 

2799
02:28:32,080 --> 02:28:36,040
in her pockets, but to her 
surprise, the key was not there.

2800
02:28:37,080 --> 02:28:39,960
If I were a detective, I should 
say that is a point to be 

2801
02:28:39,960 --> 02:28:42,240
remembered, said Khan with a 
smile. 

2802
02:28:43,440 --> 02:28:44,920
Pray, where did she find her 
keys? 

2803
02:28:45,400 --> 02:28:48,080
Upon her dressing table, said 
Amberley, though she has not the

2804
02:28:48,080 --> 02:28:50,040
slightest recollection of 
leaving them there. 

2805
02:28:50,680 --> 02:28:52,560
Well, when she'd procured the 
keys, what happened? 

2806
02:28:52,680 --> 02:28:56,680
Why, they opened the box and to 
their astonishment and dismay, 

2807
02:28:56,680 --> 02:28:59,160
found it empty. 
The jaws were gone. 

2808
02:29:00,240 --> 02:29:03,160
Good. 
Gracious, what a terrible loss. 

2809
02:29:04,480 --> 02:29:06,440
It seems almost impossible that 
it can be true. 

2810
02:29:07,600 --> 02:29:12,440
And pray, what did they do? 
At first they stood staring into

2811
02:29:12,440 --> 02:29:15,240
the empty box, hardly believing 
the evidence of their own eyes. 

2812
02:29:16,120 --> 02:29:17,480
Stare. 
How they would, however, they 

2813
02:29:17,480 --> 02:29:20,840
could not bring them back. 
The jewels had, without doubt, 

2814
02:29:20,840 --> 02:29:24,000
disappeared, but when and where 
the robbery had taken place it 

2815
02:29:24,000 --> 02:29:27,520
was impossible to say. 
After that they had up all the 

2816
02:29:27,520 --> 02:29:30,520
servants and questioned them. 
But the result was as they might

2817
02:29:30,520 --> 02:29:32,640
have foreseen. 
No one, from the Butler to the 

2818
02:29:32,640 --> 02:29:35,440
kitchen maid, could throw any 
light upon the subject. 

2819
02:29:35,720 --> 02:29:38,480
To this minute it remains as 
great a mystery as when they 

2820
02:29:38,480 --> 02:29:42,200
first discovered it. 
I am more concerned than I can 

2821
02:29:42,200 --> 02:29:44,920
tell you, said Khan. 
How thankful I ought to be that 

2822
02:29:44,920 --> 02:29:47,080
I returned the case to Her Grace
last night. 

2823
02:29:47,080 --> 02:29:49,480
But in thinking of myself I'm 
forgetting to ask what has 

2824
02:29:49,480 --> 02:29:52,160
brought you to me. 
If I can be of any assistance, I

2825
02:29:52,160 --> 02:29:55,440
hope you will come on me. 
Well, I'll tell you why I've 

2826
02:29:55,440 --> 02:29:59,080
come, replied Lord Amberley. 
Naturally they are most anxious 

2827
02:29:59,080 --> 02:30:01,520
to have the mystery solved and 
the duels recovered as soon as 

2828
02:30:01,520 --> 02:30:03,960
possible. 
Now Wilshire wanted to send to 

2829
02:30:03,960 --> 02:30:07,080
Scotland Yard there and then, 
but his wife and I eventually 

2830
02:30:07,080 --> 02:30:10,160
persuaded him to consult 
Kleemer, as you know, if the 

2831
02:30:10,160 --> 02:30:12,920
police authorities are called in
first, he refuses the business 

2832
02:30:12,920 --> 02:30:16,320
altogether. 
Now we thought you are his next 

2833
02:30:16,320 --> 02:30:18,480
door neighbor. 
You might possibly be able to 

2834
02:30:18,480 --> 02:30:21,440
assist us. 
You may be very sure, my Lord. 

2835
02:30:21,440 --> 02:30:23,440
I will do everything that lies 
in my power. 

2836
02:30:24,080 --> 02:30:25,680
Let us go in and see him at 
once. 

2837
02:30:26,880 --> 02:30:29,640
As he spoke he rose and threw 
what remained of his cigarette 

2838
02:30:29,640 --> 02:30:33,000
into the fireplace. 
His visitor having imitated his 

2839
02:30:33,000 --> 02:30:36,000
example, they procured their 
hats, and walked round from Park

2840
02:30:36,000 --> 02:30:40,680
Lane into Belveton St. to bring 
up at #1 After they had rung the

2841
02:30:40,680 --> 02:30:42,960
bell, the door was opened to 
them by the old woman, who 

2842
02:30:42,960 --> 02:30:45,360
invariably received the 
detective's clients. 

2843
02:30:46,080 --> 02:30:49,840
Is Mr. Clemo at home? 
Asked Khan, and if so, can we 

2844
02:30:49,840 --> 02:30:52,360
see him? 
The old lady was a little deaf, 

2845
02:30:52,600 --> 02:30:54,920
and the question had to be 
repeated before she could be 

2846
02:30:54,920 --> 02:30:56,560
made to understand what was 
wanted. 

2847
02:30:57,320 --> 02:31:00,080
As soon, however, as she 
realised their desire, she 

2848
02:31:00,080 --> 02:31:02,880
informed them that her Master 
was absent from town, but would 

2849
02:31:02,880 --> 02:31:05,600
be back as usual at 12:00 to 
meet his clients. 

2850
02:31:06,080 --> 02:31:08,720
What on earth's to be done? 
Said the Earl, looking at his 

2851
02:31:08,720 --> 02:31:11,440
companion in dismay. 
I'm afraid I can't come back 

2852
02:31:11,440 --> 02:31:14,160
again, as I have a most 
important appointment at that 

2853
02:31:14,160 --> 02:31:16,360
hour. 
Do you think you could entrust 

2854
02:31:16,360 --> 02:31:18,240
the business to me? 
Asked Khan. 

2855
02:31:18,440 --> 02:31:21,680
If so, I will make a point of 
seeing him at 12:00, and could 

2856
02:31:21,680 --> 02:31:23,760
call at Wiltshire House 
afterwards and tell the Duke 

2857
02:31:23,760 --> 02:31:27,200
what I have done. 
That's very good of you, replied

2858
02:31:27,200 --> 02:31:29,560
Amberley. 
If you were sure it would not 

2859
02:31:29,560 --> 02:31:32,040
put you to too much trouble, 
that would be quite the best 

2860
02:31:32,040 --> 02:31:34,960
thing to be done. 
I will do it with pleasure, Khan

2861
02:31:34,960 --> 02:31:37,360
replied. 
I feel it my duty to help in 

2862
02:31:37,360 --> 02:31:40,520
whatever way I can. 
Oh, you're very kind, said the 

2863
02:31:40,520 --> 02:31:42,680
other. 
Then, as I understand it, you 

2864
02:31:42,680 --> 02:31:46,560
are to call upon Clemo at 12:00 
and afterwards to let my cousins

2865
02:31:46,560 --> 02:31:48,240
know what you have succeeded in 
doing. 

2866
02:31:49,080 --> 02:31:51,320
I only hope he will help us to 
secure the thief. 

2867
02:31:52,440 --> 02:31:54,360
We're having too many of these 
burglaries just now. 

2868
02:31:55,360 --> 02:31:56,920
I must catch this handsome and 
be off. 

2869
02:31:57,520 --> 02:32:01,320
Goodbye and Many thanks. 
Goodbye, said Khan and shook him

2870
02:32:01,320 --> 02:32:05,680
by the hand. 
The handsome having rolled away,

2871
02:32:05,680 --> 02:32:08,160
Khan retraced his steps to his 
own abode. 

2872
02:32:09,400 --> 02:32:12,360
It is really very strange, he 
muttered as he walked along. 

2873
02:32:12,760 --> 02:32:16,640
How often Chance condescends to 
lend her assistance to my little

2874
02:32:16,640 --> 02:32:19,480
schemes. 
The mere fact that His Grace 

2875
02:32:19,480 --> 02:32:22,720
left the box unwatched in his 
study for 1/4 of an hour may 

2876
02:32:22,720 --> 02:32:25,480
serve to throw the police offer 
on quite another scent. 

2877
02:32:26,480 --> 02:32:29,760
I'm also glad that they decided 
to open the case in the house, 

2878
02:32:29,960 --> 02:32:32,480
for if it had gone to the 
bankers and had been placed in 

2879
02:32:32,480 --> 02:32:35,160
the strong room and examined, I 
should never have been able to 

2880
02:32:35,160 --> 02:32:36,800
get possession of the jaws at 
all. 

2881
02:32:37,960 --> 02:32:40,840
Three hours later he drove to 
Wiltshire House and saw the 

2882
02:32:40,840 --> 02:32:43,400
Duke. 
The Duchess was far too much 

2883
02:32:43,400 --> 02:32:45,520
upset by the catastrophe to see 
anyone. 

2884
02:32:46,480 --> 02:32:50,120
This is really most kind of you,
Mr. Khan said His Grace, when 

2885
02:32:50,120 --> 02:32:52,400
the other had supplied an 
elaborate account of his 

2886
02:32:52,400 --> 02:32:55,960
interview with Clemo. 
We are extremely indebted to 

2887
02:32:55,960 --> 02:32:58,640
you. 
I am sorry he cannot come before

2888
02:32:58,640 --> 02:33:02,120
10:00 tonight, and that makes 
this stipulation of my seeing 

2889
02:33:02,120 --> 02:33:05,960
him alone, for I must confess I 
would like to have had someone 

2890
02:33:05,960 --> 02:33:08,440
else present to ask any 
questions that might escape me. 

2891
02:33:08,640 --> 02:33:11,760
But if that's his usual hour in 
custom, well, we must abide by 

2892
02:33:11,760 --> 02:33:14,600
it, that's all. 
I hope he will do some good, for

2893
02:33:14,600 --> 02:33:17,520
this is the greatest calamity 
that has ever befallen me. 

2894
02:33:18,400 --> 02:33:21,040
As I told you just now, it's 
made my wife quite I'll She's 

2895
02:33:21,040 --> 02:33:23,240
confined to her bedroom and 
quite hysterical. 

2896
02:33:24,560 --> 02:33:26,680
You do not suspect anyone, I 
suppose? 

2897
02:33:26,680 --> 02:33:29,240
Inquired Khan. 
No, not a soul. 

2898
02:33:29,280 --> 02:33:31,760
The other answered. 
The thing is such a mystery that

2899
02:33:31,760 --> 02:33:34,400
we do not know what to think. 
I I feel convinced, however, 

2900
02:33:34,400 --> 02:33:36,760
that my servants are as innocent
as I am. 

2901
02:33:37,760 --> 02:33:39,520
Nothing will ever make me think 
them otherwise. 

2902
02:33:40,440 --> 02:33:42,000
I wish I could catch the fellow,
that's all. 

2903
02:33:42,640 --> 02:33:45,080
I'd make him suffer for the 
trick he's played me. 

2904
02:33:45,880 --> 02:33:48,840
Khan offered an appropriate 
reply, and after a little 

2905
02:33:48,840 --> 02:33:51,840
further conversation upon the 
subject bad the irate nobleman 

2906
02:33:51,840 --> 02:33:56,160
goodbye and left the house. 
From Belgrave Square he drove to

2907
02:33:56,160 --> 02:33:59,040
one of the clubs of which he had
been elected a member in search 

2908
02:33:59,040 --> 02:34:02,160
of Lord Orpington, with whom he 
had promised a lunch, and 

2909
02:34:02,160 --> 02:34:05,040
afterwards took him to a 
shipbuilders yard near Greenwich

2910
02:34:05,040 --> 02:34:08,000
in order to show him the steam 
yacht he had lately purchased. 

2911
02:34:09,280 --> 02:34:12,360
It was close upon dinner time 
before he returned to his own 

2912
02:34:12,360 --> 02:34:15,160
residence. 
He brought Lord Orpington with 

2913
02:34:15,160 --> 02:34:17,440
him and and they dined in state 
together. 

2914
02:34:18,400 --> 02:34:22,400
At 9 the latter bade him goodbye
and at 10 Khan retired to his 

2915
02:34:22,400 --> 02:34:24,000
dressing room and rang for 
Belton. 

2916
02:34:25,080 --> 02:34:26,640
What have you to report? 
He asked. 

2917
02:34:26,640 --> 02:34:30,440
With regard to what I bad you'd 
do in Belgrade Square, I 

2918
02:34:30,440 --> 02:34:32,560
followed your instructions to 
the letter. 

2919
02:34:32,760 --> 02:34:35,920
Belton replied. 
Yesterday morning I wrote to 

2920
02:34:35,920 --> 02:34:39,400
Messrs Horny Blow and Jimson, 
the house agents in Piccadilly, 

2921
02:34:39,400 --> 02:34:42,720
in the name of Colonel 
Braithwaite and asked for an 

2922
02:34:42,720 --> 02:34:46,440
order to view the residents to 
the right of Wiltshire House. 

2923
02:34:46,760 --> 02:34:49,400
I asked that the order might be 
sent direct to the house where 

2924
02:34:49,400 --> 02:34:51,840
the Colonel would get it upon 
his arrival. 

2925
02:34:52,120 --> 02:34:55,440
This letter I posted myself in 
Basingstoke, as you desired me 

2926
02:34:55,440 --> 02:34:58,240
to do. 
At 9:00 yesterday morning. 

2927
02:34:58,240 --> 02:35:01,320
I dressed myself as much like an
elderly Army officer as 

2928
02:35:01,320 --> 02:35:04,160
possible, and took a cab to 
Belgrave Square. 

2929
02:35:04,800 --> 02:35:08,440
The caretaker, an old fellow of 
close up on 70 years of age, 

2930
02:35:08,880 --> 02:35:12,800
admitted me immediately upon 
hearing my name, and proposed 

2931
02:35:12,800 --> 02:35:15,000
that he should show me over the 
house. 

2932
02:35:15,720 --> 02:35:19,000
This, however, I told him, was 
quite unnecessary, backing my 

2933
02:35:19,000 --> 02:35:23,080
speech for the present of half a
crown, whereupon he returned to 

2934
02:35:23,080 --> 02:35:26,000
his breakfast perfectly 
satisfied, while I wandered 

2935
02:35:26,000 --> 02:35:31,040
about the house at my own 
leisure, reaching the same floor

2936
02:35:31,040 --> 02:35:33,640
as that upon which is situated 
the room in which the Duke's 

2937
02:35:33,640 --> 02:35:37,040
safe is kept, I discovered that 
your supposition was quite 

2938
02:35:37,040 --> 02:35:40,960
correct that it would be 
possible for a man, by opening 

2939
02:35:40,960 --> 02:35:44,280
the window, to make his way 
along the coping from one house 

2940
02:35:44,280 --> 02:35:48,280
to the other without being seen.
I made certain that there was no

2941
02:35:48,280 --> 02:35:51,480
one in the bedroom in which the 
Butler slept, and then arranged 

2942
02:35:51,480 --> 02:35:55,000
the long telescope walking stick
you gave me, and fixed one of my

2943
02:35:55,000 --> 02:35:57,560
boots to it by means of the 
screw in the end. 

2944
02:35:58,320 --> 02:36:01,440
With this I was able to make a 
regular succession of footsteps 

2945
02:36:01,440 --> 02:36:04,800
in the dust along the ledge 
between one window and the 

2946
02:36:04,800 --> 02:36:07,280
other. 
That done, I went downstairs 

2947
02:36:07,280 --> 02:36:10,360
again, had the caretaker good 
morning and got into my cab. 

2948
02:36:11,280 --> 02:36:14,720
From Belgrave Square I drove to 
the shop of the pawnbroker whom 

2949
02:36:14,720 --> 02:36:17,120
you told me you had discovered 
was out of town. 

2950
02:36:17,840 --> 02:36:20,880
His assistant enquired my 
business and was anxious to do 

2951
02:36:20,880 --> 02:36:23,960
what he could for me. 
I told him, however, that I must

2952
02:36:23,960 --> 02:36:26,920
see his master personally, as it
was about the sale of some 

2953
02:36:26,920 --> 02:36:31,520
diamonds I'd had left me. 
I pretended to be annoyed that 

2954
02:36:31,520 --> 02:36:34,360
he was not at home and muttered 
to myself so that the man could 

2955
02:36:34,360 --> 02:36:38,000
hear something about it's 
meaning a journey to Amsterdam 

2956
02:36:38,760 --> 02:36:42,320
and then I limped out of the 
shop, paid off my cab and 

2957
02:36:42,320 --> 02:36:45,680
walking down the by St. removed 
my moustache and altered my 

2958
02:36:45,680 --> 02:36:48,600
appearance by taking off my 
great coat and muffler. 

2959
02:36:49,800 --> 02:36:52,400
A few streets further on I 
purchased a bowler hat in place 

2960
02:36:52,400 --> 02:36:55,600
of the old fashioned Topper I'd 
hitherto been wearing, and then 

2961
02:36:55,600 --> 02:36:58,000
took a cab from Piccadilly and 
came home. 

2962
02:36:58,720 --> 02:37:01,440
You have fulfilled my 
instructions admirably, said 

2963
02:37:01,440 --> 02:37:04,920
Khan, and if the business comes 
off as I expected will, you 

2964
02:37:04,960 --> 02:37:06,880
shall receive your usual 
percentage. 

2965
02:37:07,040 --> 02:37:10,720
Now I must be turned into Clemo,
and be off to Belgrave Square to

2966
02:37:10,720 --> 02:37:13,720
put his Grace of Wiltshire up on
the track of this burglar. 

2967
02:37:14,600 --> 02:37:18,400
Before he retired to rest that 
night, Simon Cahn took something

2968
02:37:18,400 --> 02:37:20,880
wrapped in a red silk 
handkerchief from the capacious 

2969
02:37:20,880 --> 02:37:23,600
pocket of the coat Clemo had 
been wearing a few moments 

2970
02:37:23,600 --> 02:37:27,160
before. 
Having unrolled the covering, he

2971
02:37:27,160 --> 02:37:30,240
held up to the light the 
magnificent necklace which for 

2972
02:37:30,240 --> 02:37:33,760
so many years had been the joy 
and pride of the Ducal House of 

2973
02:37:33,760 --> 02:37:36,360
Wiltshire. 
The electric light played upon 

2974
02:37:36,360 --> 02:37:39,480
it and touched it with 1000 
different hues. 

2975
02:37:40,480 --> 02:37:43,560
Where so many have failed, he 
said to himself as he wrapped it

2976
02:37:43,560 --> 02:37:45,680
in the handkerchief again and 
locked it in his safe. 

2977
02:37:45,840 --> 02:37:48,680
It is pleasant to be able to 
congratulate oneself on having 

2978
02:37:48,680 --> 02:37:50,960
succeeded. 
It is without its equal, and I 

2979
02:37:50,960 --> 02:37:53,200
don't think I should be 
overstepping the mark if I say 

2980
02:37:53,200 --> 02:37:56,720
that I think when she receives 
it Liz will be glad she lent me 

2981
02:37:56,720 --> 02:38:00,720
the money. 
Next morning all London was 

2982
02:38:00,720 --> 02:38:03,640
astonished by the news that the 
famous Wiltshire diamonds had 

2983
02:38:03,640 --> 02:38:07,160
been stolen, and a few hours 
later Khan learnt from an 

2984
02:38:07,160 --> 02:38:09,800
evening paper that the 
detectives who had taken up the 

2985
02:38:09,800 --> 02:38:13,120
case upon the supposed 
retirement from it of Clemo were

2986
02:38:13,120 --> 02:38:18,040
still completely at fault. 
That evening he was to entertain

2987
02:38:18,040 --> 02:38:21,280
several friends to dinner. 
They included Lord Amberley, 

2988
02:38:21,280 --> 02:38:24,400
Lord Orpington and a prominent 
member of the Privy Council. 

2989
02:38:25,280 --> 02:38:28,560
Lord Amberley arrived late, but 
filled to overflowing with 

2990
02:38:28,560 --> 02:38:31,480
importance. 
His friends noticed his state 

2991
02:38:31,480 --> 02:38:34,800
and questioned him. 
Well, gentlemen, He answered as 

2992
02:38:34,800 --> 02:38:37,000
he took up a commanding position
upon the drawing room. 

2993
02:38:37,000 --> 02:38:41,000
Hathrag, I am in a position to 
inform you that Clemo has 

2994
02:38:41,000 --> 02:38:44,920
reported upon the case and The 
upshot of it is that the 

2995
02:38:44,920 --> 02:38:47,320
Wiltshire Diamond Mystery is a 
mystery no longer. 

2996
02:38:48,520 --> 02:38:50,840
What do you mean? 
Asked the others in a chorus. 

2997
02:38:51,640 --> 02:38:54,080
I mean that he sent in his 
report to Wiltshire this 

2998
02:38:54,080 --> 02:38:58,280
afternoon as arranged from what 
he said the other night, after 

2999
02:38:58,280 --> 02:39:01,440
being alone in the room with the
empty dual case and a magnifying

3000
02:39:01,440 --> 02:39:04,640
glass for two minutes or so, he 
was in a position to describe 

3001
02:39:04,640 --> 02:39:07,920
the modus operandi and what is 
more, to put the police on the 

3002
02:39:07,920 --> 02:39:11,920
scent of the burglar. 
And how has it worked? 

3003
02:39:12,200 --> 02:39:16,640
Asked Khan from the empty house 
next door. 

3004
02:39:16,840 --> 02:39:19,880
Replied the other. 
On the morning of the burglary, 

3005
02:39:19,880 --> 02:39:23,520
a man purporting to be a retired
army officer, called with an 

3006
02:39:23,520 --> 02:39:27,920
order to view, got the caretaker
out of the way, clambered along 

3007
02:39:27,920 --> 02:39:31,640
to Wiltshire House by means of 
the parapet outside, reached the

3008
02:39:31,640 --> 02:39:33,960
room during the time the 
servants were at breakfast, 

3009
02:39:34,280 --> 02:39:37,280
opened the safe and abstracted 
the jewels. 

3010
02:39:38,600 --> 02:39:41,080
But, Sir, how did Clemo find all
this out? 

3011
02:39:41,360 --> 02:39:44,280
Asked Lord Orpington. 
By his own inimitable 

3012
02:39:44,280 --> 02:39:47,440
cleverness, replied Lord 
Amberley, At any rate, it has 

3013
02:39:47,440 --> 02:39:51,000
been proved that he was correct.
The man did make his way from 

3014
02:39:51,000 --> 02:39:53,440
next door, and the police have 
since discovered that an 

3015
02:39:53,440 --> 02:39:56,720
individual, answering to the 
description given, visited A 

3016
02:39:56,720 --> 02:40:00,000
pawnbroker's shop in the city 
about an hour later and stated 

3017
02:40:00,000 --> 02:40:03,920
that he had diamonds to sell. 
If that is so, it turns out to 

3018
02:40:03,920 --> 02:40:07,720
be a very simple mystery after 
all, said Lord Orpington as they

3019
02:40:07,720 --> 02:40:11,040
began their meal. 
Thanks to the ingenuity of the 

3020
02:40:11,040 --> 02:40:13,880
cleverest detective in the 
world, remarked Amberley. 

3021
02:40:15,120 --> 02:40:18,560
In that case, here's a good 
health to Climo, said the Privy 

3022
02:40:18,560 --> 02:40:22,960
Councillor, raising his glass. 
I will join you in that, said 

3023
02:40:22,960 --> 02:40:25,880
Simon Cahn. 
Here's a very good health to 

3024
02:40:25,880 --> 02:40:28,960
Climo and his connection with 
the Duchess of Wiltshire's 

3025
02:40:28,960 --> 02:40:31,760
Diamonds. 
May he always be equally 

3026
02:40:31,760 --> 02:40:36,440
successful here here To that 
replied his guests. 

3027
02:40:38,400 --> 02:40:41,280
End of The Duchess of 
Wiltshire's Diamonds by Guy 

3028
02:40:41,280 --> 02:40:46,360
Boothby, Part 2 recording by 
Nigel Carrington in London, 

3029
02:40:46,360 --> 02:40:48,440
England, April 2011.