1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:03,700 Chapter 6 of the valley of fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,300 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,800 Chapter 6, a Dawning light. The three detectives had many 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,100 matters of detail into which to inquire. 5 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:19,300 So I return the loan to our modest Quarters at the Village 6 00:00:19,300 --> 00:00:21,600 Inn. But before doing so I took a 7 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,500 stroll in the Curious old world Garden which flanked the house 8 00:00:26,300 --> 00:00:30,500 Rose are very ancient you trees cut into strange designs, girded 9 00:00:30,500 --> 00:00:34,700 it around inside was a beautiful stretch of lawn with an old 10 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:37,100 sundial in the middle, the whole effect. 11 00:00:37,100 --> 00:00:40,800 So soothing and restful that it was welcome to my somewhat 12 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,100 jangled nerves. In that deeply peaceful 13 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:47,200 atmosphere. One could forget, or remember, 14 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:51,400 only as some fantastic nightmare that darkens study with the 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,500 sprawling blood-stained figure on the floor and yet as I 16 00:00:55,508 --> 00:00:59,100 strolled round it and try to steep my soul in its gentle bomb 17 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:02,500 a strange incident occurred, which brought me back to the 18 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,000 tragedy and left a Sinister impression. 19 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:09,100 In my mind I've said that a decoration of yew trees. 20 00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:12,000 Circle The Garden at the end farthest from the house. 21 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:14,800 They thicken into a continuous hedge. 22 00:01:15,700 --> 00:01:18,900 On the other side of this hedge concealed from the eyes of 23 00:01:18,900 --> 00:01:22,000 anyone approaching from the direction of the house, there 24 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:25,200 was a stone seat as I approached the spot. 25 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,600 I was aware of voices, some remark in the Deep tones of a 26 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:33,200 man and said, by a little Ripple of feminine laughter An instant 27 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,500 later, I had come round, the end of the Hedge and my eyes lit 28 00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:39,100 upon. Mrs. Douglas and the man Barker 29 00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:40,900 before they were aware of my presence. 30 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,700 Her appearance gave me a shock in the dining room. 31 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:46,700 She had been demure and discreet. 32 00:01:47,300 --> 00:01:51,600 Now, all pretense of grief had passed away from her her eyes 33 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:55,200 Shone with the joy of living and her face still quivered with 34 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,500 amusement, at some remark of her companion. 35 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:02,000 He sat forward his hands, clasped and his forearms on his 36 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:06,800 knees with an answering smile upon his bold handsome face in 37 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,600 an instant, but it was just one instant too late. 38 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:15,600 They resumed their solemn masks. As my figure came into view, I 39 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,600 hurried word or two passed between them and then Barker, 40 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,300 Rose and came towards me. Excuse me. 41 00:02:22,300 --> 00:02:28,000 Sir said he but I addressing dr. Watson, I bowed with a coldness 42 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,400 which showed I daresay very plainly. 43 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,900 The impression which had been produced upon my mind. 44 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,900 We thought that it was probably you as your friendship with mr. 45 00:02:36,900 --> 00:02:39,500 Sherlock Holmes is so well-known, would you mind 46 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:42,100 coming over and speaking to mrs. Douglas for one instant. 47 00:02:43,300 --> 00:02:46,800 I followed him with a dour face. Very clearly I could see in my 48 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:48,500 mind's eye, that's that shattered. 49 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:52,300 Figure on the floor here within a few hours of the tragedy were 50 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:56,300 his wife and his nearest friend laughing together behind a bush 51 00:02:56,300 --> 00:02:58,300 in the garden which had been his. 52 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:03,200 I greeted the lady with Reserve, I had grieved with her grief and 53 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,400 a dining room. Now, I met her appealing gaze 54 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:10,400 with an unresponsive. I I fear that you think me 55 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:16,000 callous and hard-hearted said she, I Shrugged my shoulders, it 56 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:20,900 is no business of mine said, I perhaps someday you will do me 57 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:26,300 Justice if you only realized, there's no need why, dr. 58 00:03:26,300 --> 00:03:29,100 Watson should realize said, Barker quickly. 59 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:34,900 As he himself said, it is no possible business of his Exactly 60 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:38,500 said I and so I will beg leave to resume my walk. 61 00:03:39,500 --> 00:03:43,100 One moment talk to Watson cried, the woman in a pleading voice, 62 00:03:43,700 --> 00:03:46,700 there is one question which you can answer with more Authority 63 00:03:46,700 --> 00:03:50,200 than anyone else in the world and it's me make a very great 64 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:54,300 difference to me, you know mr. Holmes and his relations with 65 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:56,100 the police better than anyone else. 66 00:03:56,100 --> 00:04:00,500 Can supposing that a matter were brought confidentially to his 67 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:04,100 knowledge? Is it absolutely necessary that 68 00:04:04,100 --> 00:04:06,100 he should pass it on to the detectives? 69 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:09,200 Yes, that's it. Said, Barker. 70 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,100 Eagerly is he on his own or is he entirely in with them? 71 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,600 I really don't know that I should be justified in 72 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:22,000 discussing that point I beg, I implore that you will dr. 73 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:26,500 Watson, I assure you that you will be helping us helping me 74 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:28,700 greatly if you will guide us on that point. 75 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,200 It was such a ring of sincerity in the woman's voice for the 76 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,200 instant. I forgot all about her levity. 77 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:39,400 In was moved. Only to do her will Mr. Holmes 78 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:44,500 is an independent investigator. I said he is his own master and 79 00:04:44,500 --> 00:04:47,700 would act as his own judgment directed at the same time. 80 00:04:47,700 --> 00:04:50,500 He would naturally feel loyalty towards the officials who were 81 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:53,600 working on the same case and he would not conceal from them 82 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:55,800 anything which would help them in bringing a criminal to 83 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:59,600 Justice Beyond this. I can say nothing, and I would 84 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,800 refer you to mr. Holmes himself, if you wanted 85 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:06,700 Fuller information, So saying, I raise my hat and went upon my 86 00:05:06,700 --> 00:05:10,600 way, leaving them still seated behind that to concealing hedge. 87 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,600 I looked back as I rounded the far end of it and saw that they 88 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,800 were still talking very earnestly together and as they 89 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,100 were gazing after me was clear, that it was our interview that 90 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:26,100 was the subject of their debate. I wish none of their confidence 91 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:28,800 has said Holmes. When I reported to him what had 92 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:32,600 occurred he had spent the whole afternoon at the Manor House in 93 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,100 consultation with his two colleagues and returned about 94 00:05:36,100 --> 00:05:39,500 five with a ravenous appetite for a high tea which I had 95 00:05:39,500 --> 00:05:44,200 ordered for him. No confidence is Watson for they 96 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,600 are Mighty awkward if it comes to an arrest for conspiracy and 97 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:52,300 murder You think it'll come to that, he was in his most 98 00:05:52,300 --> 00:05:55,900 cheerful and debonair humor my dear Watson. 99 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:59,600 When I have exterminated that fourth egg, I shall be ready to 100 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:02,100 put you in touch with the whole situation. 101 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,100 I don't say that. We have fathomed it far from it, 102 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:11,100 but when we have traced, the missing dumbbell The dumbbell 103 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,900 tme Watson is it possible that you have not penetrated? 104 00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:19,200 The fact that the case hangs upon the missing dumbbell? 105 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:24,200 Well, well, you need not be downcast for between ourselves. 106 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,600 I don't think that either inspect a Mac or the excellent 107 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:31,500 local practitioner has grasped, the overwhelming importance of 108 00:06:31,500 --> 00:06:36,200 this incident, one dumbbell Watson, consider an athlete. 109 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:40,600 With one dumbbell picture to yourself the you Unilateral 110 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,500 development, the imminent. Danger of a spinal curvature. 111 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:50,400 Shocking Watson, shocking. He sat with his mouth full of 112 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,900 toast, and his eyes sparkling with Mischief, watching my 113 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:57,600 intellectual entanglement, the mere sight of his excellent 114 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,200 appetite was an assurance of success. 115 00:07:00,700 --> 00:07:03,600 For, I had very clear Recollections of days and nights 116 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,100 without a thought of food when his baffled mind had chased 117 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:09,800 before some problem, while his thin eager. 118 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:14,200 Teachers became more attenuated with the asceticism of complete. 119 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:19,100 Mental concentration. Finally, he lit his pipe and 120 00:07:19,100 --> 00:07:22,300 sitting in the inglenook of the Old Village in, he talked 121 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:24,800 slowly. And at random about his case 122 00:07:25,500 --> 00:07:27,300 rather as one who thinks allowed. 123 00:07:27,300 --> 00:07:31,500 And as one who makes a considered statement Ally 124 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:37,800 Watson, a great big thumping. Obtrusive uncompromising lie. 125 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,200 That's what meets us on the Threshold there is our starting 126 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,600 point. The whole story told by Barker 127 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:50,000 is a lie but Barker's story is corroborated by mrs. 128 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:56,500 Douglas therefore she is lying also they are both lying and in 129 00:07:56,500 --> 00:07:59,200 a conspiracy. So now we have the clear 130 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:04,300 problem, why are they lying and what is the truth which they are 131 00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:10,100 trying so hard to conceal, let us try Watson you and I if we 132 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:15,000 can get behind the lie and reconstruct the truth, How do I 133 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:19,100 know that they are lying? Because it is a clumsy 134 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:21,900 fabrication which simply could not be true. 135 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:26,600 Consider, according to the story, given to us, the 136 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,300 Assassin, had less than a minute. 137 00:08:28,300 --> 00:08:31,100 After the murder had been committed to take that ring, 138 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:35,000 which was under another ring from the dead man's finger to 139 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,400 replace the other ring a thing, which he would surely never have 140 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,200 done. And to put that singular card 141 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,799 beside his victim. I say that. 142 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,900 This was obviously impossible, you may argue but I have too 143 00:08:48,900 --> 00:08:52,100 much respect for your judgment Watson to think that you will 144 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:54,400 do. So that the ring may have been 145 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,600 taken before, the man was killed. 146 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,400 The fact that the candle had been lit. 147 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,200 Only a short time shows that there had been no lengthy 148 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:06,200 interview was Douglas from what we hear of his Fearless 149 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,600 character. A man who would be likely to 150 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:12,100 give up his wedding ring at such short notice, or could we 151 00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:13,900 conceive of his giving it up at all? 152 00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:18,100 No, no Watson. The Assassin was alone with the 153 00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:20,700 dead man. For some time, with a lamp lit 154 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:26,400 of that, I have no doubt at all. But the gunshot was apparently 155 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,400 the cause of death. Therefore, the shot must have 156 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:34,800 been fired sometime earlier than we are told, but there could be 157 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,400 no mistake about such a matter as that we are in the presence 158 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,800 there for of a deliberate conspiracy upon the part of the 159 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:46,700 two people who heard the gunshot of The man Barker and of the 160 00:09:46,700 --> 00:09:51,000 woman, Douglas when on the top of this I'm able to show that 161 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,600 the blood mark on the windowsill was deliberately placed there by 162 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,000 Barker in order to give a false clue to the police. 163 00:09:58,900 --> 00:10:01,800 You will admit that the case grows dark against him. 164 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:07,200 Now we have to ask ourselves at what hour, the murder actually 165 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:11,700 did occur up to 10:30 the servants, were moving about the 166 00:10:11,700 --> 00:10:14,600 house so it was certainly not before that time. 167 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,900 At 10:45 they're all gone to their rooms with the exception 168 00:10:18,900 --> 00:10:23,300 of Ames, who is in the pantry. I've been trying some 169 00:10:23,300 --> 00:10:27,100 experiments after you left us this afternoon and I find that 170 00:10:27,100 --> 00:10:30,500 no noise which McDonald can make in the study, can penetrate to 171 00:10:30,500 --> 00:10:32,900 me in the pantry, when the doors are all shut. 172 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,600 It is otherwise. However, from the housekeeper's 173 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:41,400 room, it is not so far down the corridor and from it I could 174 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,500 vaguely hear a voice when it was very loudly raised. 175 00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:47,200 The sound from a shotgun is to some extent. 176 00:10:47,208 --> 00:10:51,100 Muffled, when the discharge is at very close range, as it 177 00:10:51,108 --> 00:10:54,100 undoubtedly was. In this instance, it would not 178 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:56,600 be very loud. And yet in the Silence of the 179 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,600 night, it should have easily penetrated to mrs. 180 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,700 Allen's room. She is, as she has told us 181 00:11:02,700 --> 00:11:07,100 somewhat death, but nonetheless, she mentioned in her evidence 182 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:10,800 that she did hear something like a door slamming, half an hour, 183 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,700 before the alarm was given half an hour before the alarm. 184 00:11:14,900 --> 00:11:20,600 Has given would be 10:45, I have no doubt that what she heard was 185 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:25,300 the report of the gun and that this was the real instant of the 186 00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:30,100 murder. If this is so we have now to 187 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:33,700 determine what Barker and mrs. Douglas presuming that they are 188 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:38,700 not the actual murderers could have been doing from 10:45 when 189 00:11:38,700 --> 00:11:42,500 the sound of the shot. Brought them down until 11:15 190 00:11:42,500 --> 00:11:45,000 when they rang the bell and summoned the servants. 191 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:49,100 What were they doing? And why did they not instantly? 192 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:53,000 Give the alarm. That is the question which faces 193 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,100 us. And when it has been answered, 194 00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:58,300 we shall surely have gone. Some way to solve our problem. 195 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:03,500 I'm convinced myself said I that there's an understanding between 196 00:12:03,500 --> 00:12:06,300 those two people. She must be a heartless creature 197 00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:09,200 to sit laughing at some jest within a few hours of her 198 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,500 husband's murder. Exactly. 199 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:16,800 She does not shine as a wife, even in her own account of, what 200 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:20,200 occurred. I am not a whole sold admirer of 201 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:24,100 womankind as you are aware Watson, but my experience of 202 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:27,400 life has taught me that there are few wives having any regard 203 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:31,000 for their husbands, who would let any man spoken words, stand 204 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:36,000 between them and that husband's dead body, should I ever Mary 205 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:39,000 Watson? I should hope to inspire my wife 206 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,800 with some feeling, which would prevent her from Being walked 207 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:45,700 off by a housekeeper when my corpse was lying within a few 208 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:49,000 yards of her, it was badly stage-managed for. 209 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:52,300 Even the rawest investigators must be struck by the absence of 210 00:12:52,300 --> 00:12:56,800 the usual feminine ululation. If they've been nothing else. 211 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,600 This incident alone would have suggested a pre-arranged 212 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:03,700 conspiracy to my mind. You think then definitely that 213 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:05,900 Barker mrs. Douglas are guilty of the murder 214 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,800 There is an appalling directness about your questions. 215 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:14,500 Watson said Holmes shaking his pipe at me, they come at me like 216 00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:18,400 bullets if you put it that mrs. Douglas and Barker know the 217 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:23,400 truth about the murder and are conspiring to conceal it, then I 218 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,400 can give you a whole soul dancer. 219 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:29,000 I am sure they do but you're more deadly. 220 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:32,900 Proposition is not so clear. Let us for a moment to consider 221 00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:34,700 the difficulties which stand in the way. 222 00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:39,600 We will suppose This couple are united by the bonds of a guilty 223 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,800 love and that they have determined to get rid of the man 224 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:46,800 who stands between them. It is a large supposition for 225 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,400 discreet inquiry among servants and others has failed to 226 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:55,300 corroborate it in any way. On the contrary, there is a good 227 00:13:55,300 --> 00:13:58,300 deal of evidence that the douglases were very attached to 228 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:02,000 each other. That I'm sure cannot be true. 229 00:14:02,100 --> 00:14:05,100 So that I thinking of the beautiful smiling face in the 230 00:14:05,100 --> 00:14:08,000 garden. Well, at least, they gave that 231 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,300 impression. However, we will suppose that 232 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:15,300 they are an extraordinary astute couple who deceive everyone upon 233 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:19,500 this point and conspire to murder the husband, he happens 234 00:14:19,500 --> 00:14:23,800 to be a man over whose head. Some danger hangs, we have only 235 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:28,600 their word for that. Holmes looked thoughtful, I see 236 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:31,400 Watson. You are sketching out a theory 237 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:34,300 by which everything they say from the beginning is false. 238 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,900 According to your idea, there was never any hidden Menace or 239 00:14:38,900 --> 00:14:43,000 secret society or Valley of fear or boss Max, somebody or 240 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:46,100 anything else. Well, that is a good sweeping 241 00:14:46,100 --> 00:14:49,300 generalization. Let us see what that brings to 242 00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:51,800 us. They invent this Theory to 243 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:55,400 account for the crime, they then play up to the idea by leaving 244 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,700 this bicycle in the park as proof of the existence of some 245 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:02,800 Outsider, the stain on the windowsill conveys, the same 246 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:05,200 idea. So does the card on the body 247 00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:09,400 which might have been prepared in the house that all fits into 248 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:14,200 your hypothesis Watson but now we come on the nasty angular 249 00:15:14,300 --> 00:15:17,800 uncompromising B which won't slip into their places. 250 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:22,800 Why I cut off shotgun of all weapons, and an American one at 251 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:24,600 that? How could they be? 252 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,400 So sure that the sound of it would not bring someone onto 253 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,000 them. It's a mere chance as it that 254 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:31,900 mrs. Allen did not start out to 255 00:15:31,900 --> 00:15:36,300 inquire for the slamming door. Why did your guilty couple do 256 00:15:36,300 --> 00:15:40,400 all this Watson? I confess I can't explain it. 257 00:15:41,500 --> 00:15:45,600 Then again if a woman and her lover conspire to murder her 258 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:49,300 husband, are they going to advertise their guilt by 259 00:15:49,300 --> 00:15:52,700 ostentatiously, removing his wedding ring after his death? 260 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:57,400 Does that strike you as very probable Watson know, it 261 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:01,200 doesn't. And once again, if the thought 262 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:04,400 of leaving a bicycle concealed outside had occurred to you, 263 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:07,500 would it really have seemed worth doing when the dullest 264 00:16:07,500 --> 00:16:09,700 detective. You would naturally say this is 265 00:16:09,700 --> 00:16:13,300 an obvious blind as the bicycle is the first thing which The 266 00:16:13,300 --> 00:16:17,900 Fugitive needed in order to make his Escape, I can conceive a no 267 00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:21,700 explanation. And yet, there should be no 268 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:25,500 combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive. 269 00:16:25,500 --> 00:16:30,400 An explanation simply as a mental exercise without any 270 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:34,500 assertion that it is true. Let me indicate a possible line 271 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:38,200 of thought it is. I admit mere imagination. 272 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:42,300 But how often is Imagination? The mother of Truth. 273 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:46,400 We will suppose that there was a guilty secret. 274 00:16:46,700 --> 00:16:49,500 I really shameful secret in the life of this man. 275 00:16:49,500 --> 00:16:53,700 Douglas this leads to his murder by someone who is we will 276 00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:58,700 suppose an Avenger someone from outside this Avenger. 277 00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:01,200 For some reason, which I confess I'm still at a loss. 278 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,099 To explain took the Dead Man's wedding ring. 279 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:06,700 The Vendetta might conceivably date. 280 00:17:06,700 --> 00:17:10,599 Back to the Man's first marriage and the ring be taken for some 281 00:17:10,599 --> 00:17:15,900 such reason Before this Avenger Got Away Barker and the wife had 282 00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:19,800 reached a room, the Assassin, convince them that any attempt 283 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,300 to arrest him would lead to the publication of some hideous 284 00:17:23,300 --> 00:17:26,099 Scandal. They were converted to this idea 285 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:30,000 and prefer to let him go for this purpose. 286 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,600 They probably lowered the bridge which can be done quite 287 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,200 noiselessly and then raised it again. 288 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:38,900 He made his escape and for some reason thought that he could do 289 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:43,300 so more safely on foot and on the bicycle, He therefore left 290 00:17:43,300 --> 00:17:46,400 his machine where it would not be discovered until he had got 291 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:49,800 safely away. So far, we are within the bounds 292 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:53,500 of possibility. Are we not Well, it's possible. 293 00:17:53,500 --> 00:17:55,900 No doubt said I was some Reserve. 294 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,200 We have to remember what's in that. 295 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,700 Whatever occurred is certainly something very extraordinary. 296 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:07,900 Well, now to continue our suppositions case, the couple, 297 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:12,300 not necessarily a guilty, couple realize after the murder is 298 00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:15,400 gone, that they have placed themselves in a position in 299 00:18:15,408 --> 00:18:18,500 which it may be difficult for them to prove that they did not 300 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:21,900 themselves either. Do the deed or connive at it, 301 00:18:22,700 --> 00:18:25,400 they rapidly, and rather clumsily met the situation. 302 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:29,200 The Mark was put by Barker's bloodstains slipper upon the 303 00:18:29,208 --> 00:18:32,200 windowsill to suggest how The Fugitive got away. 304 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,500 They obviously were the two who must have heard the sound of the 305 00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:38,600 gun. So they gave the alarm exactly 306 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:41,600 as they would have done. But a good half hour or after 307 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:44,600 the event. And how do you propose to prove 308 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,900 all this? Well, if there was an outsider, 309 00:18:48,100 --> 00:18:52,000 he may be traced and taken. That would be the most effective 310 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,600 of all proofs. But if not well, the resources 311 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,000 of science are far from being exhausted. 312 00:18:58,900 --> 00:19:04,400 I think that an evening alone in that study would help me much an 313 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,500 evening alone. I proposed to go up there. 314 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:11,800 Presently I have arranged it with the estimable Ames, who is 315 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,000 by no means wholehearted about Barker. 316 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:17,500 I shall sit in that room. See, if its atmosphere brings me 317 00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:20,600 inspiration. I'm a Believer in the genius 318 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:23,600 loci. You smile friend Watson. 319 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,900 Well, we shall see, by the way, you have that big umbrella of 320 00:19:27,900 --> 00:19:28,900 yours. Have you not? 321 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,900 It is here. Well, I'll borrow that if I may 322 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:37,700 certainly, but what a wretched weapon, if there's a danger, 323 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:42,300 nothing serious, my dear Watson or I should certainly ask for 324 00:19:42,300 --> 00:19:45,000 your assistance, but I'll take the umbrella. 325 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,700 Present. I'm only waiting the return of 326 00:19:47,700 --> 00:19:50,800 our colleagues from Tunbridge Wells, where they are at present 327 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:53,600 engaged in trying for a likely owner of the bicycle. 328 00:19:54,900 --> 00:19:57,300 It was night for before inspector MacDonald and white 329 00:19:57,300 --> 00:20:00,500 Mason came back from their expedition and they arrived 330 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,300 exultant reporting a great advance in our investigation. 331 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,800 My on, I'll admit that I had my doubts if there was ever an 332 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:12,500 outsider said McDonald, well that's all past know, we've had 333 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:15,900 the bicycle identified and we have a description of our man. 334 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,400 So that's a long step on our journey. 335 00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:22,400 It sounds to me like the beginning of the end said, 336 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,800 Holmes, I'm sure. I congratulate you both with all 337 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:29,500 my heart. Well, I started from the fact 338 00:20:29,500 --> 00:20:31,800 that mr. Douglas had seen Disturbed since 339 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:35,500 the day before, when he'd been at Tunbridge Wells, it was a 340 00:20:35,500 --> 00:20:38,400 Tunbridge Wells. Then that he'd become conscious 341 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:41,600 of some danger was clear. Therefore that if a man had come 342 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:44,800 over with a bicycle, it was from Tunbridge Wells that he might be 343 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,200 expected to have. Come we took the bicycle over 344 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:50,400 with us and showed it at the hotel's. 345 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:54,100 It was identified At Once by the manager of the eagle commercial 346 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:58,000 as belonging to a man named Hargrave who take in a room 347 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:02,200 there, two days before his bicycle and a small valleys 348 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:05,300 where his old belongings. He had registered his name was 349 00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:08,000 coming from London but had given no address. 350 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:12,100 The valise was London, made and the contents were British. 351 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:16,900 But the man himself was undoubtedly an American Well, 352 00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:21,200 well said, Holmes gleefully. You have indeed done some solid 353 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:24,000 work while I've been sitting spinning theories with my 354 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:27,300 friend. It's a lesson in being practical 355 00:21:27,300 --> 00:21:30,300 mr. Mack is just that mr. 356 00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:34,900 Holmes said the inspector with satisfaction, but this may all 357 00:21:34,900 --> 00:21:37,500 fit in with your theories are remarked. 358 00:21:38,700 --> 00:21:42,700 That may or may not be but let us hear the end. 359 00:21:42,700 --> 00:21:45,800 Mr. Mack was there. Nothing to identify this, man. 360 00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:50,200 So little that it was evident that he had, carefully guarded 361 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:54,500 himself against identification. There were no papers or letters 362 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:58,400 are no mocking upon the clothes, a cycle map of the county. 363 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,600 Lay on his bedroom floor. He left the hotel after 364 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:05,000 breakfast yesterday, morning on his bicycle, and no more was 365 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:09,400 heard of him until our inquiries That's what puzzles me. 366 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:13,500 Mr. Holmes said white Mason if the fellow did not want the Hue 367 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:16,500 and cry raised over him. One would imagine that he would 368 00:22:16,500 --> 00:22:18,600 have returned and remained at the hotel. 369 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:21,700 Isn't it enough pensive tourist as it is? 370 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,700 He must know that he'll be reported to the police by the 371 00:22:24,700 --> 00:22:27,500 hotel manager. And this is disappearance will 372 00:22:27,500 --> 00:22:32,800 be connected with the murder. So one would imagine still, he 373 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:36,700 has been Justified of his wisdom up-to-date at any rate. 374 00:22:36,900 --> 00:22:41,200 Since he has not been taken but his description, what of that 375 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,200 McDonald referred to his notebook. 376 00:22:44,900 --> 00:22:48,400 Here, we have it so far as I could give it will seem to have 377 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:52,200 taken every particular stock of him, but still the Potter. 378 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,500 The clerk and the chambermaid are all agreed that this about 379 00:22:55,500 --> 00:22:59,000 covers the points. He was a man about 5 ft 9 in 380 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,700 height. 50 or so, years of age, his hair, slightly grizzled a 381 00:23:03,708 --> 00:23:07,300 grayish mustache, a curved nose, and a face, which all of them 382 00:23:07,300 --> 00:23:09,500 described as Fierce and forbidding. 383 00:23:10,700 --> 00:23:14,800 Well, Bar, the expression that might almost be a description of 384 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:19,500 Douglass himself said Holmes. He's just over 50 with grizzled 385 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:21,800 hair and mustache and about the same height. 386 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,000 Did you get anything else? He was dressed in a heavy grey 387 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:30,000 suit with a reefer jacket and he wore a short, yellow overcoat 388 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:34,400 and a soft cap. What about the shotgun it is? 389 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,400 Less than two feet long, it could very well have fitted into 390 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:39,900 his valise. He could have carried it inside 391 00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:41,700 his over Court without difficulty. 392 00:23:42,900 --> 00:23:46,100 And how do you consider that all this Bears upon the general 393 00:23:46,100 --> 00:23:48,400 case? Well, mr. 394 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:52,800 Holmes said McDonald, when we've got our man and you may be sure 395 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,600 that I had his description on the wires within five minutes of 396 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:57,700 hearing it. We should be better able to 397 00:23:57,700 --> 00:24:01,800 judge it, but even as it stands, we have surely gone a long way. 398 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:05,400 We know that an American calling himself Hargrave came to Tom 399 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:09,800 Bridge Wells, two days ago with bicycle and valise in the latter 400 00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:13,200 was a sawed-off shotgun. So he came with a What purpose 401 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:17,100 of crime yesterday morning? He set off for this place, on 402 00:24:17,100 --> 00:24:20,200 his bicycle, with his gun, concealed in his Overcoat. 403 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:24,700 No one saw him arrive so far as we can learn, but he need not 404 00:24:24,700 --> 00:24:27,500 pass through the village to reach the park Gates, and there 405 00:24:27,500 --> 00:24:31,400 are many cyclists upon the road. Presumably at once concealed, 406 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:34,500 his cycle among the Laurels where it was found and possibly 407 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:37,600 look, there himself, with his eye, on the house, waiting for 408 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:39,200 mr. Douglas to come out. 409 00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:43,600 Shotgun is a strange weapon to use inside a house but it 410 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:47,000 intended to use it outside. And there it is, very obvious 411 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,500 advantages as it would be impossible to miss with it, and 412 00:24:50,500 --> 00:24:54,100 the sound of shots is so common in English spotting neighborhood 413 00:24:54,500 --> 00:24:56,700 that no particular notice would be taken. 414 00:24:57,900 --> 00:25:00,400 That is all very clear said Holmes. 415 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:04,000 Well, mr. Douglas did not appear. 416 00:25:04,500 --> 00:25:05,900 What was he to do? Next? 417 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,800 He left his bicycle and approached the house in the 418 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,500 Twilight. He found a bridge down and no 419 00:25:11,500 --> 00:25:13,900 one about he took, his chance intending. 420 00:25:13,900 --> 00:25:17,800 No doubt to make some excuse. If he met someone, he met. 421 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:20,300 No one. He slipped into the first room 422 00:25:20,300 --> 00:25:24,500 that he saw and concealed himself behind a curtain then 423 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:26,700 see. Could see that drawbridge go up 424 00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:31,000 and he knew that His only Escape was through the moat, a waited 425 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:35,000 until 11:15 when mr. Douglas upon his usual nightly 426 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:39,700 around came into the room, he shot him and escaped as 427 00:25:39,700 --> 00:25:42,500 arranged. He was aware that the bicycle 428 00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:45,700 would be described by the hotel people and be a clue against 429 00:25:45,700 --> 00:25:48,000 him. So I left it there and made his 430 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:51,400 way by some other means to London or to some safe hiding 431 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,300 place, which had already arranged. 432 00:25:53,700 --> 00:25:56,900 How is that mr. Holmes Well, mr. 433 00:25:56,900 --> 00:26:02,100 Mac it is very good and very clear so far as it goes, that is 434 00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:06,200 your end of the story. My end is that the crime was 435 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:09,600 committed half an hour earlier than reported that. 436 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,800 Mrs. Douglas and Barker on both in a conspiracy to conceal 437 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:18,400 something that they aided the murderers Escape or at least 438 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:22,100 they reached the room before he escaped and that they fabricated 439 00:26:22,100 --> 00:26:25,400 evidence of his Escape through the window whereas in all 440 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:27,200 probability. He they had themselves. 441 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,300 Let him go by lowering the bridge. 442 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,100 That's my reading of the first half. 443 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:35,400 The two detectives shook their heads. 444 00:26:37,100 --> 00:26:40,900 Well, mr. Holmes, if this is true, we only 445 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:44,200 tumble out of one mystery into another said, the London 446 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:47,700 inspector. And in some ways, a worse. 447 00:26:47,700 --> 00:26:51,000 One added white Mason. The lady has never been in 448 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,600 America and all her life. What possible connection could 449 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:56,600 she have with an American Assassin? 450 00:26:56,800 --> 00:26:58,600 Which would cause her to shelter him. 451 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:04,400 I freely admit the difficulties said Holmes, I proposed to make 452 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:08,300 a little investigation of my own tonight and it is just possible 453 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:12,800 that it may contribute something to the common cause can we help 454 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:13,700 you mr. Holmes. 455 00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:18,100 No no darkness and dr. Watson's umbrella. 456 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:22,400 My wants a simple and Ames the faithful Eames. 457 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:24,700 No doubt he will stretch a point for me. 458 00:27:25,300 --> 00:27:28,500 All my lines of thought, leave me back invariably to the one 459 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:32,000 basic question. Why should an athletic, man, 460 00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:35,600 develop his frame upon so unnatural and instrument. 461 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:40,600 As a single dumbbell, it was late that night when Holmes 462 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,600 returned from his solitary Excursion, we slept in a 463 00:27:43,608 --> 00:27:46,200 double-bedded room, which was the best at the Little Country. 464 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:49,400 Inn could do for us. I was already asleep when I was 465 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:53,400 partly awakened by his entrance. Well, homes. 466 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:56,100 I molded have you found anything out? 467 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:00,400 He Stood Beside Me in silence his candle in his hand. 468 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,700 Then the tall lean figure inclined towards me. 469 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:09,000 I say Watson, he whispered, would you be afraid to sleep in 470 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:12,100 the same room with a lunatic? A man with softening of the 471 00:28:12,100 --> 00:28:14,700 brain. An idiot whose mind has lost its 472 00:28:14,700 --> 00:28:17,400 grip. Not in the least. 473 00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:21,500 I answered in astonishment. Ah, that's lucky. 474 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:25,600 He said I'm not another word. Would he utter that night? 475 00:28:26,900 --> 00:28:28,200 End of chapter 6.