1
00:00:00,900 --> 00:00:05,000
Chapter 4 of The Sign of the 
four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

2
00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:07,600
This LibriVox recording is in 
the public domain. 

3
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:12,900
Chapter 4, the story of the 
bald-headed, man. 

4
00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:18,400
We followed the Indian down a 
sordid and common passage 

5
00:00:18,700 --> 00:00:22,600
ill-lit and worse furnished. 
And he came to a door upon the 

6
00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,900
right, which he threw open. 
A blaze of yellow light streamed

7
00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:30,300
out upon us and in the center of
the glare there, stood a small 

8
00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:34,200
man with a very high head. 
A bristle of red hair, All 

9
00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:38,300
Around The Fringe of it and a 
bald shining scalp, which shot 

10
00:00:38,300 --> 00:00:41,300
out from among it, like a 
mountain peak from fir-trees. 

11
00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:44,000
He rides his hands together as 
he stood. 

12
00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,100
And his features were in a 
Perpetual jerk. 

13
00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:52,000
Now smiling now scowling, but 
never for an instant in Repose 

14
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:56,100
nature, had given him a 
pendulous lip and a, to visible 

15
00:00:56,100 --> 00:00:59,900
line of yellow and irregular 
teeth, which he strove feebly to

16
00:00:59,900 --> 00:01:03,700
conceal by constantly passing 
his hand, over the lower part of

17
00:01:03,708 --> 00:01:06,400
his face. 
In spite of his obtrusive 

18
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,100
baldness, he gave the impression
of Youth. 

19
00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:13,000
In point of fact, he had just 
turned his 30th year. 

20
00:01:14,300 --> 00:01:18,600
Your servant Miss morstan. 
He kept repeating in a thin high

21
00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:22,000
voice. 
Your servant gentlemen, pray 

22
00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,100
step into my little sanctum a 
small place. 

23
00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:27,500
Miss would furnish to my own 
liking. 

24
00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:31,300
I know aces of Art in the 
howling desert of South London. 

25
00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:35,500
We were all astonished by the 
appearance of the apartment into

26
00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:38,500
which he invited us in that. 
Sorry house. 

27
00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:42,000
It looked as out of place as a 
diamond of the first water in a 

28
00:01:42,008 --> 00:01:46,000
setting of brass. 
The richest and glossiest of 

29
00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:50,500
curtains and tapestries draped. 
The walls looped back here and 

30
00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:54,100
there to expose some richly 
mounted painting or Oriental. 

31
00:01:54,100 --> 00:01:59,400
Vars, the carpet was of Amber 
and black, so soft and so thick 

32
00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,300
that the foot sank, pleasantly 
into it. 

33
00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:06,800
As into a bed of moss to Great 
Tiger skins thrown a thwart, it 

34
00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,600
increased the suggestion of 
Eastern luxury as did a huge 

35
00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:13,100
hookah, which stood upon a mat 
in the corner. 

36
00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:15,700
A lamp in the fashion of a 
silver. 

37
00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:18,900
Dove was hung from an almost 
invisible golden wire in the 

38
00:02:18,900 --> 00:02:23,400
center of the room as it burned.
It filled the air with a subtle 

39
00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:28,800
and aromatic odor Mr. Thaddeus 
sholto said, the little man 

40
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,800
still jerking and smiling. 
That is my name. 

41
00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:35,200
You are Miss morstan. 
Of course, and these gentlemen. 

42
00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,800
This is mr. 
Sherlock Holmes, and this is dr.

43
00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:44,600
Watson ha dr. 
Hey, cried, he much excited. 

44
00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,500
Have you your stethoscope? 
Might I ask you, would you have 

45
00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:50,800
the kindness? 
I have grave doubts as to my 

46
00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:55,400
mitral valve, if you would be. 
So, very good, the aortic. 

47
00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:57,300
I may rely upon but I should 
value. 

48
00:02:57,300 --> 00:03:01,400
Your opinion upon the mitral. 
I listened to his heart as 

49
00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:05,400
requested but was unable to find
anything amiss save indeed that 

50
00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,800
he was in an ecstasy. 
Fear for, he shivered from head 

51
00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,600
to foot it. 
Appears to be normal. 

52
00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,700
I said, you have no cause for 
uneasiness. 

53
00:03:16,100 --> 00:03:19,900
You will excuse my anxiety, Miss
morstan, he remarked are early. 

54
00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:24,300
I'm a great, sufferer, and I 
have long had suspicions as to 

55
00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:26,800
that valve, I am delighted to 
hear that. 

56
00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,200
They are unwarranted. 
How'd your father Miss morstan 

57
00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,600
refrain from throwing a strain 
upon his heart? 

58
00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:37,000
He might have been alive now. 
I could have struck the man 

59
00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,600
across the face. 
So hot was I at this callous and

60
00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:45,500
offhand reference to so delicate
a matter Miss morstan sat down 

61
00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,100
and her face grew white to the 
lips. 

62
00:03:49,500 --> 00:03:54,500
I knew in my heart that he was 
dead said she I can give you 

63
00:03:54,500 --> 00:03:59,100
every information said, he and 
what is more, I can do you 

64
00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:01,600
justice? 
And I will too, whatever. 

65
00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:05,700
Brother Bartholomew may say. 
I'm so glad to have your friends

66
00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:09,600
here, not only as an escort to 
you, but also as witnesses to 

67
00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,800
what I'm about to do and say the
three of us can show a bold 

68
00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:18,500
front to brother Bartholomew, 
but let us have no Outsiders no 

69
00:04:18,500 --> 00:04:22,700
police or Tools, we can settle 
everything satisfactorily among 

70
00:04:22,700 --> 00:04:25,500
ourselves without any 
interference. 

71
00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,900
Nothing would annoy brother, 
Bartholomew, more than any 

72
00:04:28,900 --> 00:04:33,400
publicity. 
He sat down upon a low City and 

73
00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:38,400
blinked at us inquiringly with 
his weak, watery blue eyes, for 

74
00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:42,900
my part, I said Holmes whatever 
you may choose to say will go no

75
00:04:42,900 --> 00:04:46,100
further. 
I nodded to show my agreement. 

76
00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:51,900
That is well that is well said 
he may I offer you a glass of 

77
00:04:51,900 --> 00:04:55,200
Chianti. 
Miss morstan or of took a? 

78
00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:56,400
I keep. 
No. 

79
00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,900
Other wines shall I open a 
flask. 

80
00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:01,600
No. 
Well then I To have no objection

81
00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,300
to tobacco smoke to the mild 
balsamic odor of the Eastern 

82
00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:07,900
tobacco. 
I'm a little nervous and I find 

83
00:05:07,900 --> 00:05:13,000
my hookah an invaluable sedative
He applied a taper to the great 

84
00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,300
bowl and the smoke bubbled 
merrily through the rosewater. 

85
00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,500
We sat all three in a 
semi-circle with our heads 

86
00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:21,900
Advanced and our Chin's Upon Our
Hands. 

87
00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:26,400
While the strange jerky little 
fellow with his high shining 

88
00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:28,900
head. 
Puffed uneasily in the center. 

89
00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:33,500
When I first determined to make 
this communication to you said 

90
00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:37,500
he I might have given you my 
address but I feared that you 

91
00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:41,000
might disregard my request and 
bring unpleasant to people with 

92
00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,000
you. 
I took the liberty therefore of 

93
00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,500
making an appointment in such a 
way that my man Williams might 

94
00:05:47,500 --> 00:05:51,100
be able to see you first. 
I have complete confidence in 

95
00:05:51,100 --> 00:05:53,600
his discretion and he had 
orders. 

96
00:05:54,300 --> 00:05:57,100
If he were dissatisfied to 
proceed, no further in the 

97
00:05:57,100 --> 00:06:00,200
matter, you will excuse these 
precautions. 

98
00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:04,300
But I am a man of somewhat 
retiring and I might even say 

99
00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:08,400
refined tastes and there is 
nothing more anesthetic than a 

100
00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,500
policeman. 
I have a natural shrinking. 

101
00:06:11,700 --> 00:06:16,000
All forms of rough materialism. 
I seldom come in contact with 

102
00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,200
the rough crowd. 
I live as you see with some 

103
00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,200
little atmosphere of Elegance 
around me. 

104
00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,100
I may call myself a patron of 
the Arts. 

105
00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:27,800
It is my weakness. 
The landscape is a genuine 

106
00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,400
coral. 
And though, a connoisseur might 

107
00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,900
perhaps throw a doubt upon that 
salvator Rosa. 

108
00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:36,500
There cannot be the least 
question about the bouguereau. 

109
00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:39,400
I am partial to the modern 
French School. 

110
00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:45,100
You will, excuse me, mr. 
Sholto said Miss morstan, but I 

111
00:06:45,108 --> 00:06:48,300
am here at your request to learn
something, which you desire to 

112
00:06:48,300 --> 00:06:52,500
tell me, it is very late and I 
should desire the interview to 

113
00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:56,400
be as short as possible. 
At the best, it must take some 

114
00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,900
time. 
He answered for we shall 

115
00:06:58,900 --> 00:07:02,100
certainly have to go to Norwood 
and see brother Bartholomew. 

116
00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:06,500
We shall all go and try. 
If we can get the better of 

117
00:07:06,500 --> 00:07:10,200
brother Bartholomew, he is very 
angry with me for taking the 

118
00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,000
course which has seemed right to
me. 

119
00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:14,800
I had quite High words with him 
last night. 

120
00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:17,500
You cannot imagine what a 
terrible fellow. 

121
00:07:17,500 --> 00:07:22,100
He is when he's angry, If we're 
to go to Norwood, it would 

122
00:07:22,100 --> 00:07:24,100
perhaps be as well to start at 
once. 

123
00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,600
I ventured to remark, he laughed
until his ears were quite read. 

124
00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:34,300
That would hardly do he cried? 
I don't know what he would say, 

125
00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:38,200
if I brought you in that sudden 
way, no, I must prepare You by 

126
00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:40,900
showing you how we all stand to 
each other. 

127
00:07:41,500 --> 00:07:44,700
In the first place, I must tell 
you that there are several 

128
00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:48,800
points in the story of which I 
am myself ignorant, I can only 

129
00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,800
lay the facts before. 
You as far as I know them 

130
00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:58,500
myself. my father was as you may
have guessed major Jon schull 

131
00:07:58,500 --> 00:08:03,700
toe once of the Indian army, he 
retired some 11 years ago and 

132
00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:08,400
came to live at pondicherry 
lodge in Upper Norwood He had 

133
00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,900
prospered in India and brought 
back with him. 

134
00:08:10,900 --> 00:08:14,400
A considerable sum of money, a 
large collection of valuable 

135
00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:17,600
Curiosities and a staff of 
native servants. 

136
00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:22,000
With these advantages, he bought
himself a house and lived in 

137
00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,700
great luxury. 
My twin brother Bartholomew and 

138
00:08:25,700 --> 00:08:29,300
I were the only children I very 
well. 

139
00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:32,900
Remember the sensation which was
caused by The Disappearance of 

140
00:08:32,900 --> 00:08:38,400
Captain morstan, we read the 
details in the papers and 

141
00:08:38,799 --> 00:08:41,600
knowing that he had been a 
friend of our fathers, we 

142
00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,700
discussed the case freely in his
presence, he used to join in our

143
00:08:45,700 --> 00:08:47,900
speculations, as to what could 
have happened. 

144
00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,800
Never for an instant. 
Did we suspect that he had the 

145
00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:56,000
whole secret hidden in his own 
breast that of all men? 

146
00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,500
He alone. 
You the fate of Arthur morstan. 

147
00:09:00,700 --> 00:09:05,100
We didn't know, however, that 
some mystery, some positive 

148
00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:08,600
danger. 
Overhang our father, he was very

149
00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:12,200
fearful of going out alone and 
he always employed to 

150
00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:17,000
prizefighters to act as Porter's
at pondicherry lodge Williams. 

151
00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,000
Who drove you. 
Tonight was one of them. 

152
00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:22,300
He was once lightweight champion
of England. 

153
00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,300
Our father would never tell us 
what it was, he feared, but he 

154
00:09:26,300 --> 00:09:31,200
had a most marked a version two 
men with wooden legs On one 

155
00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,800
occasion. 
He actually fired his revolver 

156
00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,000
to wooden-legged man. 
Who proved, to be a harmless 

157
00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:41,200
Tradesmen canvassing for orders.
We had to pay a large sum to 

158
00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,900
hush the matter up my brother 
and I used to think this is a 

159
00:09:44,908 --> 00:09:48,500
mere whim of my father's but 
events have since led us to 

160
00:09:48,500 --> 00:09:54,200
change our opinion, early in 
1882, my father received a 

161
00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,300
letter from India which was a 
great shock to him. 

162
00:09:57,300 --> 00:10:00,900
He nearly fainted at The 
Breakfast Table when he And it, 

163
00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:03,800
and from that day, he sickened 
to his death. 

164
00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,800
What was in the letter? 
We could never discover, but I 

165
00:10:07,808 --> 00:10:10,900
could see as he held it. 
That it was short and written in

166
00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:14,500
a scrolling hand. 
He had suffered for years from 

167
00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:18,600
an enlarged spleen, but he now 
became rapidly worse. 

168
00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,400
And towards the end of April. 
We were informed that he was 

169
00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,500
beyond all hope and that he 
wished to make a last 

170
00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:29,900
communication to us when we 
entered his room, he was 

171
00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:31,800
propped. 
Up with pillows and breathing 

172
00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:36,100
heavily, he besought us to lock 
the door and to come upon either

173
00:10:36,100 --> 00:10:40,900
side of the bed, then grasping 
our hands, he made a remarkable 

174
00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:45,100
statement to us in a voice which
was broken as much by emotion as

175
00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:47,600
by pain. 
I shall try and give it to you 

176
00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:52,800
in his own very words. 
I have only one thing he said, 

177
00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,300
which weighs upon my mind at 
this supreme moment. 

178
00:10:56,900 --> 00:10:59,700
It is my treatment of poor 
morstan's orphan. 

179
00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:03,500
The curse it greed, which has 
been my besetting sin through 

180
00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:08,000
life has withheld, from her the 
treasure half, at least of which

181
00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,400
should have been hers and yet, I
have made no use of it myself. 

182
00:11:13,100 --> 00:11:17,100
So blind and foolish. 
A thing is avarice The mere 

183
00:11:17,100 --> 00:11:20,500
feeling of possession, has been 
so dear to me that I could not 

184
00:11:20,500 --> 00:11:24,800
bear to share it with another. 
See that chocolate dipped with 

185
00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:26,600
pearls beside the quinine 
bottle. 

186
00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:31,600
Even that I could not bear to 
part with, although I had got it

187
00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,600
out with the design of sending 
it to her. 

188
00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:39,200
You, my sons will give her a 
fair share of the Agra treasure,

189
00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:44,000
but send her nothing. 
Not even the Chaplet until I am 

190
00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:47,200
gone. 
After all men have been as bad 

191
00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:51,800
as this and have recovered. 
I will tell you how most and 

192
00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,700
died. 
He continued, he had suffered 

193
00:11:55,700 --> 00:12:00,500
for years from a weak heart, but
he concealed it from everyone, I

194
00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:05,300
alone knew it. 
When in India he and I threw a 

195
00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:08,200
remarkable chain of 
circumstances came into 

196
00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:10,100
possession of a considerable 
treasure. 

197
00:12:10,900 --> 00:12:14,300
I brought it over to England and
on the night of morstan's 

198
00:12:14,300 --> 00:12:16,700
arrival. 
He came straight over here to 

199
00:12:16,700 --> 00:12:20,300
claim his share. 
He walked over from the station 

200
00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:23,400
and was admitted by my faithful.
Lauda. 

201
00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:27,700
Who is now dead more Stan and I 
had a difference of opinion as 

202
00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:31,100
to the division of the treasure.
And we came to heated words 

203
00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:35,400
morstan had sprung out of his 
chair in a paroxysm of anger 

204
00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:38,900
when he suddenly pressed his 
hand to his side, his face 

205
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:43,000
turned a Dusky Hue and he fell 
backwards cutting his head 

206
00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,800
against the corner of the 
treasure chest. 

207
00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:48,100
When I stooped over him I found 
him. 

208
00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:52,800
My horror that he was dead. 
For a long time, I sat half 

209
00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,200
distracted wondering what I 
should do. 

210
00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:59,900
My first impulse was of course 
to call for assistance, but I 

211
00:12:59,900 --> 00:13:03,300
could not but recognize that 
there was every chance that I 

212
00:13:03,300 --> 00:13:07,200
would be accused of his murder. 
His death at the moment of a 

213
00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:11,600
quarrel and the gash in his head
would be black against me. 

214
00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,800
Again, an official inquiry could
not be made without bringing out

215
00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:19,600
some facts about the treasure 
which I was particularly anxious

216
00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:23,300
to keep secret. 
He had told me that no soul upon

217
00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:27,200
Earth knew where he had gone. 
There seemed to be no necessity,

218
00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,600
why any so lever? 
Should know. 

219
00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:35,200
I was still pondering over the 
matter when looking up, I saw my

220
00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,600
servant now child are in the 
doorway he stolen and bolted the

221
00:13:39,608 --> 00:13:42,600
door behind him. 
Do not fear. 

222
00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:47,200
Sahib he said, no one need know 
that you have killed him. 

223
00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:50,700
Let us hide him for way and who 
is the wiser? 

224
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:56,100
I did not kill him. 
Said I love chowder shook his 

225
00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:59,500
head and smiled. 
I heard it all side. 

226
00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:04,300
Said, he, I heard you quarrel 
and I heard the blow, but my 

227
00:14:04,300 --> 00:14:07,300
lips are sealed. 
All are asleep in the house. 

228
00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:13,100
Let us put him away together. 
That was enough to decide me if 

229
00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:15,400
my own servant, could not 
believe my innocence. 

230
00:14:15,900 --> 00:14:18,900
How could, I hope to make it 
good before 12:00? 

231
00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:25,200
Foolish Tradesman in a jury box,
Now, chowder and I disposed of 

232
00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:29,600
the body that night and within a
few days, the London papers were

233
00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,600
full of mysterious disappearance
of Captain morstan. 

234
00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,200
You will see from what I say 
that I can hardly be blamed in 

235
00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,800
the matter. 
My fault lies in the fact that 

236
00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:45,900
we concealed not only the body, 
but also the treasurer and that 

237
00:14:45,900 --> 00:14:48,500
I have clung to mauston's share 
as well as to my own. 

238
00:14:49,500 --> 00:14:53,600
I wish you therefore to make 
restitution, put your ears down 

239
00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:58,300
to my mouth. 
The treasure is hidden in at 

240
00:14:58,300 --> 00:15:01,200
this, instant, a horrible, 
change came over his expression,

241
00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:05,200
his eyes stared wildly his jaw 
dropped, and he yelled in a 

242
00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:09,000
voice, which I can never forget.
Keep him out, for, Christ's 

243
00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,200
sake. 
Keep him out. 

244
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,400
We both stared around at the 
window behind us upon which his 

245
00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:18,200
gaze was fixed. 
Her face was looking in, at us 

246
00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,600
out of the darkness. 
We could see the whitening of 

247
00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,100
the nose where it was pressed 
against the glass. 

248
00:15:24,900 --> 00:15:30,000
It was a bearded hairy face with
wild cruel eyes and an 

249
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:34,100
expression of concentrated 
malevolence, my brother, and I 

250
00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,600
rushed towards the window. 
But the man was gone when we 

251
00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:42,700
return to my father, his head 
had dropped, and his pulse had 

252
00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:47,800
ceased to beat, we searched the 
Garden that night but found no 

253
00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:52,900
sign of the intruder say that 
just under the window, a single 

254
00:15:52,900 --> 00:15:55,200
foot Mark was visible in the 
flower bed. 

255
00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,300
But for that one Trace, we might
have thought that our 

256
00:15:59,300 --> 00:16:03,900
imaginations had conjured up 
that wild Fierce face we soon. 

257
00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:07,100
However had another and the most
striking proof that there were 

258
00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:09,400
secret agencies at work all 
around us. 

259
00:16:10,100 --> 00:16:14,300
The window of my father's room 
was found open in the morning 

260
00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:19,500
his cupboards and boxes had been
rifled and upon his chest was 

261
00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:21,300
fixed. 
A torn piece of paper. 

262
00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:27,500
With the words, the sign of the 
four scroll Across it, what the 

263
00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:32,100
phrase meant, or who our secret 
visitor may have been we never 

264
00:16:32,100 --> 00:16:36,500
knew as far as we can judge. 
None of my father's property. 

265
00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,500
Had been actually stolen though.
Everything had been turned out, 

266
00:16:41,500 --> 00:16:44,400
my brother, and I naturally 
Associated this peculiar 

267
00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,900
incident with the fear, which 
haunted my father during his 

268
00:16:47,900 --> 00:16:51,700
life, But it is still a complete
mystery to us. 

269
00:16:53,900 --> 00:16:57,300
The little man stopped to 
realize his hookah and puffed 

270
00:16:57,300 --> 00:17:01,500
thoughtfully for a few moments, 
we had all sat absorbed 

271
00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:03,700
listening to his extraordinary 
narrative. 

272
00:17:04,500 --> 00:17:07,599
At the short account of her 
father's death, Miss morstan 

273
00:17:07,599 --> 00:17:11,500
had, turned deadly white, and 
for a moment, I feared that she 

274
00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:15,900
was about to faint, she rallied,
however, on drinking a glass of 

275
00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:18,599
water, which I quietly poured 
out for her from a Venetian, 

276
00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:23,500
carafe upon the side-table 
Sherlock Holmes, leaned back in 

277
00:17:23,508 --> 00:17:27,200
his chair with an abstracted 
expression and the lids drawn 

278
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:31,800
low over his glittering eyes. 
As I glanced at him, I could 

279
00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,100
not, but think how on that very 
day. 

280
00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:37,500
He had complained bitterly of 
the commonplace nurse of life. 

281
00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:42,300
Here at least was a problem 
which would tax his segesta t to

282
00:17:42,300 --> 00:17:46,500
the utmost. 
Mr. Thaddeus sholto looked from 

283
00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:49,600
one to the other of us with an 
obvious Pride at the effect, 

284
00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,400
which his story had produced, 
and then continued between the 

285
00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:59,600
puffs of his overgrown pipe. 
My brother and I said, he, well,

286
00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,900
as you may imagine much excited 
as to the treasure which my 

287
00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:07,700
father had spoken of for weeks 
and four months, we dug and 

288
00:18:07,700 --> 00:18:11,400
delved in every part of the 
garden without discovering its 

289
00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,700
whereabouts. 
It was maddening to think that 

290
00:18:14,700 --> 00:18:18,500
the hiding place was on his very
lips at the moment that he died.

291
00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:22,500
We could judge the Splendor of 
his missing riches by the 

292
00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:27,400
Chaplet, which he had taken out.
Over this, Chaplet my brother 

293
00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,400
Bartholomew and I had some 
little discussion, the pearls 

294
00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:35,200
were evidently of Great Value 
and he was averse to part with 

295
00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:39,100
them for between friends. 
My brother was himself a little 

296
00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:43,300
inclined to my father's fault. 
He thought too that, if we 

297
00:18:43,300 --> 00:18:46,700
parted with a Chaplet, it might 
give rise to gossip. 

298
00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,700
And finally, bring us into 
trouble. 

299
00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:51,700
It was all that I could do to 
persuade him. 

300
00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:55,200
To let me find out Miss 
morstan's, address and send her.

301
00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,900
A detached Pearl at fixed 
intervals. 

302
00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:00,900
So that, at least she might 
never feel destitute. 

303
00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:06,100
It was a kindly thought, said, 
our companion earnestly. 

304
00:19:06,700 --> 00:19:11,600
It was extremely good of you. 
The little man waved his hand, 

305
00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,600
deprecatingly. 
We will trustees. 

306
00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:19,000
He said that was a view which I 
took of it, though. 

307
00:19:19,100 --> 00:19:20,600
Brother. 
Bartholomew could not 

308
00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:21,500
altogether. 
See it. 

309
00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:24,100
In that light. 
We had plenty of money 

310
00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:28,000
ourselves. 
I desired no more besides. 

311
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,600
It would have been such bad 
taste to have treated a young 

312
00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:36,400
lady and so scurvy, a fashion Le
mauvais, goo meno cream, the 

313
00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:39,900
French have a very neat way of 
putting these things are Prince 

314
00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:43,900
of opinion on this subject went 
so far that I thought it best to

315
00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:47,900
set up rooms for myself. 
So I left pondicherry Lodge, 

316
00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:52,100
taking the old kicked Maga and 
Williams with me yesterday. 

317
00:19:52,100 --> 00:19:55,200
However, I learn that an event 
of extreme importance has 

318
00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:58,100
occurred. 
The treasure has been 

319
00:19:58,100 --> 00:20:02,200
discovered, I instantly 
communicated with Miss morstan 

320
00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:06,600
and it only remains for us to 
drive out to Norwood and demand 

321
00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:10,100
our share. 
I explained My Views last night 

322
00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:13,200
to brother Bartholomew. 
So we shall be expected. 

323
00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:19,900
If not welcome, visitors. 
Mr. Satya Schult oh ceased and 

324
00:20:19,900 --> 00:20:22,100
sat twitching on his luxurious 
City. 

325
00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,600
We all remain silent with our 
thoughts upon the new 

326
00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:30,800
development which the mysterious
business had taken Holmes was 

327
00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,900
the first to Spring to his feet.
You have done. 

328
00:20:33,900 --> 00:20:39,100
Well sir From First to Last said
he it is possible that we may be

329
00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:41,900
able to make you some small 
return by throwing some light 

330
00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:44,000
upon that which is still dark to
you. 

331
00:20:44,700 --> 00:20:48,800
But as Miss morstan remarked 
just now it is late and we had 

332
00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:50,600
best put the matter through 
without delay. 

333
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,700
Our new acquaintance, very 
deliberately coiled up the tube 

334
00:20:54,700 --> 00:20:59,000
of his hookah and produced from 
behind a curtain, a very long 

335
00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:04,300
before a good top coat with us 
truck and collar and cuffs this.

336
00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:07,400
He buttoned tightly up in spite 
of the extreme closeness of the 

337
00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:11,100
night and finished his attire by
putting on a rabbit skin cap 

338
00:21:11,300 --> 00:21:13,500
with hanging lappets which cover
the ears. 

339
00:21:14,100 --> 00:21:17,500
So that no part of him was 
visible save his mobile and piki

340
00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:20,800
face. 
My health is somewhat fragile. 

341
00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:23,600
He remarked as he led the way 
down the passage. 

342
00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:26,700
I am compelled to be a 
valetudinarian. 

343
00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,200
I'll cap was awaiting us outside
in our program was evidently 

344
00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:34,700
prearranged for the driver 
started off at once at a rapid 

345
00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:37,800
Pace. 
Thaddeus, sholto talked 

346
00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:41,300
incessantly in a voice, which 
rose high above the rattle of 

347
00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:45,700
the wheels Bartholomew's. 
A clever fellow said he how do 

348
00:21:45,700 --> 00:21:49,200
you think he found out where the
treasure was he had come to the 

349
00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:51,600
conclusion that it was somewhere
indoors. 

350
00:21:52,100 --> 00:21:55,300
So he worked out all the cubic 
space of the house and made 

351
00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:58,600
measurements everywhere. 
So that Not one inch should be 

352
00:21:58,608 --> 00:22:01,500
unaccounted for among other 
things. 

353
00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:05,700
He found that the height of the 
building was 74 feet but on 

354
00:22:05,700 --> 00:22:08,500
adding together the heights of 
all the separate rooms and 

355
00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:11,400
making every allowance for the 
space between which he 

356
00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:15,100
ascertained by borings, he could
not bring the total to more than

357
00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:18,600
seventy feet. 
There were four feet unaccounted

358
00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:23,700
for these could only be at the 
top of the building He knocked a

359
00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:27,100
whole therefore in the late and 
plaster ceiling of the highest 

360
00:22:27,100 --> 00:22:28,800
room. 
And there. 

361
00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,500
Sure enough. 
He came upon another little 

362
00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:35,300
Garrett above it, which had been
sealed up and was known to no 

363
00:22:35,300 --> 00:22:38,900
one in the center. 
Stood, the treasure chest 

364
00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,900
resting upon two Rafters he 
loaded through the hole and 

365
00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:45,700
there it lies. 
He computes the value of the 

366
00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:49,100
jewels at not less than a half a
million Sterling. 

367
00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,900
At The Mention Of This gigantic.
Some, we all stared at one 

368
00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:59,000
another open I'd miss morstan. 
Could we secure her rights would

369
00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,400
change from a needy governess to
the richest heiress in England? 

370
00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:06,800
Surely it was the place of a 
loyal friend to Rejoice at such 

371
00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,500
news. 
It I'm ashamed to say that 

372
00:23:09,500 --> 00:23:12,800
selfishness took me by the soul 
and that my heart turned as 

373
00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:17,300
heavy as lead within me, I 
stammered out, some few halting 

374
00:23:17,300 --> 00:23:20,300
words of congratulation and then
sat down. 

375
00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,400
Just with my head drooped death 
to the babble of our new 

376
00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,200
acquaintance. 
He was clearly a confirmed 

377
00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:30,300
hypochondriac and I was dreamily
conscious that he was pouring 

378
00:23:30,300 --> 00:23:33,600
forth, interminable trains of 
symptoms and imploring 

379
00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:37,000
information as to the 
composition and action of 

380
00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:41,100
innumerable quack, nostrums 
summer, which he bore about in a

381
00:23:41,108 --> 00:23:45,200
leather case in his pocket. 
I trust that he may not remember

382
00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:48,900
any of the answers which I gave 
him that night, Holmes declares 

383
00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:52,500
that he overheard me caution him
against a great danger of taking

384
00:23:52,500 --> 00:23:55,800
more than two drops of castor 
oil while I recommended 

385
00:23:55,800 --> 00:24:01,400
strychnine in large doses, as a 
sedative However, that may be, I

386
00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:05,100
was certainly relieved when our 
cab pulled up with a jerk and 

387
00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:07,400
The Coachman sprang down to open
the door. 

388
00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:12,600
This Miss morstan is pondicherry
Lodge said mr. 

389
00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:18,700
Thaddeus sholto as he handed her
out, end of chapter 4.

