1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:04,800 Book 2 chapter 6 of a study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan 2 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:07,000 Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:13,300 the public domain. Book 2 chapter 6, a continuation 4 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:19,600 of the reminiscences of John Watson MD, Our prisoners. 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,600 Furious resistance, did not apparently. 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,000 Indicate any ferocity in his disposition towards ourselves 7 00:00:25,700 --> 00:00:27,200 for on finding himself powerless. 8 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,700 He smiled in an affable Manner and expressed his hopes that he 9 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:32,800 had not heard any of us in the scuffle. 10 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,000 I guess you're going to take me to the police station. 11 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:39,600 He remarked to Sherlock Holmes, my cabs at the door. 12 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,100 If you lose my legs, I'll walk down to it. 13 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:44,600 I'm not so like to lift as I used to be. 14 00:00:45,900 --> 00:00:49,200 Gregson and lestrade exchanged glances as if they thought this 15 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,400 proposition rather a bold one. But Homes at once, took the 16 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,400 prisoner at his word and loosened the towel, which we had 17 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,500 bound, round his ankles. He rose and stretched. 18 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:02,900 His legs as though to assure himself that they were free once 19 00:01:02,900 --> 00:01:04,700 more. I remember that. 20 00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:08,400 I thought to myself as I eyed him that had seldom seen a more 21 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:12,600 powerfully built man and his dark sunburned, face wore an 22 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:14,800 expression of determination and energy. 23 00:01:14,900 --> 00:01:18,300 She, which was as formidable as his personal strengths. 24 00:01:20,100 --> 00:01:23,800 If there's a vacant place for a chief of the police, I reckon 25 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:27,200 you're the man for it. He said gazing with undisguised 26 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:31,400 admiration at my fellow lodger, the way you kept on, my trail 27 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,500 was a caution. You had better come with me, 28 00:01:35,700 --> 00:01:37,400 said Holmes to the two detectives. 29 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:44,400 I can drive you said lestrade good and Gregson can come inside 30 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:45,900 with me. You too. 31 00:01:45,900 --> 00:01:49,300 Doctor, you have taken an interest in the case and may as 32 00:01:49,300 --> 00:01:53,200 well stick to us. I assented gladly and we all 33 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:56,600 descended together. Our prisoner made no attempt at 34 00:01:56,600 --> 00:02:00,200 Escape but stepped calmly, into the cab which had been his. 35 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:04,900 And we followed him lestrade mounted the Box, whipped up the 36 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:09,900 horse and brought us in a very short time to our We were 37 00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:13,500 ushered into a small chamber where a Police Inspector noted 38 00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:16,800 down our prisoners name and the names of the men with whose 39 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:18,500 murder. He had been charged. 40 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:23,400 The official was a White Faced. An emotional man who went 41 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,200 through his duties in a dull mechanical way. 42 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:30,700 The Prisoner will be put before the magistrates in the course of 43 00:02:30,700 --> 00:02:34,200 the week. He said, in the meantime, mr. 44 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:35,500 Jefferson. Hope. 45 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,600 Have you anything that you wish to say. 46 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:41,900 I must warn you that your words will be taken down and may be 47 00:02:41,900 --> 00:02:46,900 used against you. I've got a good deal to say 48 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:51,500 prisoner said slowly. I want to tell you gentlemen and 49 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:55,300 all about it. And you better reserve that for 50 00:02:55,300 --> 00:03:00,200 your trial asked, the inspector. I may never be tried. 51 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:01,900 He answered. You. 52 00:03:01,900 --> 00:03:04,800 Needn't look, startled. It isn't suicide. 53 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,300 I'm thinking of are you a doctor? 54 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,400 He turned his Fierce dark eyes upon me as he ask this last 55 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,300 question. Yes. 56 00:03:13,300 --> 00:03:16,600 I am. I answered then put your hand 57 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,400 here. He said with a smile motioning 58 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,900 with his manacled wrist towards his chest. 59 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,300 I did so, and it became at once conscious of an extraordinary 60 00:03:27,300 --> 00:03:31,900 throbbing and commotion, which was going on inside the walls of 61 00:03:31,900 --> 00:03:34,500 his chest. Seem to Thrill and quiver. 62 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:38,300 As a frail building would do inside when some powerful engine 63 00:03:38,300 --> 00:03:41,100 was at work in the Silence of the room. 64 00:03:41,100 --> 00:03:44,700 I could hear a dull humming and buzzing noise, which proceeded 65 00:03:44,700 --> 00:03:50,000 from the same source. Why I cried you have an aortic 66 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,900 aneurysm. That's what they call it. 67 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:57,400 He said placidly, I went to a doctor last week about it and he 68 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,600 told me that it is bound to burst before many days past. 69 00:04:01,100 --> 00:04:02,800 It's been getting worse for years. 70 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:06,500 I got it from overexposure and underfeeding among the Salt Lake 71 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:10,000 mountains. I've done my work now, and I 72 00:04:10,008 --> 00:04:13,500 don't care how soon I go, but I should like to leave some 73 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:15,200 account of the business behind me. 74 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:18,399 I don't want to be remembered. It is a common Cut Throat. 75 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,900 Inspector and the two detectives Had A hurried discussion as to 76 00:04:22,900 --> 00:04:25,800 the advisability of allowing him to tell his story. 77 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,200 Do you consider doctor that there is immediate danger? 78 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:36,600 The former asked, most certainly there is, I answered in that 79 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:38,800 case. It is clearly our duty in the 80 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:41,500 interest of Justice to take his statement. 81 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,600 So the inspector you are Liberty, sir to give your 82 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,500 account which I again, warned you will be taken down. 83 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:52,700 I'll sit down with your leave. The prisoner said, suiting the 84 00:04:52,700 --> 00:04:56,400 action to the word. This aneurysm of mine makes me 85 00:04:56,400 --> 00:05:00,100 easily tired, and the tussle we had half an hour ago, has not 86 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:03,100 mended matters. I'm on the brink of the grave 87 00:05:03,500 --> 00:05:05,300 and I'm not likely to lie to you. 88 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,700 Every word I say is the absolute truth and how you use? 89 00:05:09,700 --> 00:05:11,800 It is a matter of no consequence to me. 90 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,400 With these words Jefferson. Hope, leaned back in his chair 91 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:19,400 and began the following remarkable statement. 92 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,300 He spoke in a calm and methodical manner. 93 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,300 As though the events, which he narrated were commonplace 94 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:28,500 enough. I can vouch for the accuracy of 95 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:31,500 the subjoined accounts. For I have had access to 96 00:05:31,500 --> 00:05:35,400 lestrade notebook in which the prisoners words were taken down 97 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:40,700 exactly as they were uttered. It don't much matter to you why 98 00:05:40,700 --> 00:05:44,100 I hated these men. He said it's enough that they 99 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:46,500 were guilty of the death of two human beings. 100 00:05:46,900 --> 00:05:52,400 A father and a daughter and that they had therefore forfeited 101 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:56,500 their lives after the lapse of time that has passed since their 102 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:59,000 crime. It was impossible for me to 103 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,600 secure a conviction against them in any Court. 104 00:06:02,500 --> 00:06:05,600 I knew of their guilt though, and I determined that I should 105 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:10,300 be judge jury and executioner. All rolled into one. 106 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:14,100 You'd have done the same. If you have any manhood in you 107 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:19,700 if you had been in my place that girl that I spoke of was to have 108 00:06:19,700 --> 00:06:23,300 married me. 20 years ago. She was forced into marrying 109 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:26,600 that same drebber and broke her heart over it. 110 00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:32,000 I took the marriage ring from her dead finger and I vowed that 111 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,000 his dying eyes should rest upon that very ring. 112 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,700 And that is last thought should be of the crime for which he was 113 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:41,700 punished. I have carried about with me, 114 00:06:41,700 --> 00:06:44,700 and I've followed him and his, accomplice over two continents 115 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,300 until I caught them. They thought to time me out, but 116 00:06:49,300 --> 00:06:53,000 they could not do it. If I die tomorrow, as is likely 117 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,500 enough. I die knowing that my work in 118 00:06:55,500 --> 00:06:59,300 this world is done and Well done, they have perished. 119 00:06:59,300 --> 00:07:03,600 And by my hand, there is nothing left for me to hope for order 120 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,000 desire. They were rich and I was poor. 121 00:07:07,900 --> 00:07:11,400 So there was no easy matter for me to follow them when I got to 122 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,600 London. My pocket was about empty and I 123 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,600 found that I must turn my hand to something for my living 124 00:07:18,900 --> 00:07:22,400 driving and riding are as natural to me is walking. 125 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:26,500 So I applied at a cabin as office and soon got employment. 126 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,200 I was to bring a certain summer week to the owner and whatever 127 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:32,400 was over that I might keep for myself. 128 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:36,000 There was seldom much over, but I managed to scrape along 129 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,000 somehow. The hardest job was to learn my 130 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,800 way about for. I reckon that have all the mazes 131 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:46,200 that ever were contrived. This city is the most confusing. 132 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:50,200 I had a map beside me though. And when once I had spotted, the 133 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,700 principal hotels and stations I got on pretty well. 134 00:07:54,700 --> 00:07:57,600 It was some time before I found out where my two gentlemen will 135 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:02,500 live in, but I enquired and inquired until at last I had 136 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:05,300 dropped across them. They were a boarding house at 137 00:08:05,300 --> 00:08:07,300 camberwell over on the other side. 138 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,600 The river. When once I found out, I knew 139 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,300 that I had them at my Mercy. I had grown my beard. 140 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:16,800 And there was no chance of they're recognizing me. 141 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:19,700 I would dog them and follow them. 142 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:23,400 Until I saw my opportunity. I was determined that they 143 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:27,800 should not Escape me again. They were very near doing it for 144 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,800 all that go, where they would about London. 145 00:08:31,100 --> 00:08:34,900 I was always at their heels. Sometimes I followed them on my 146 00:08:34,900 --> 00:08:39,900 cab and sometimes on foot. But the former was the best for 147 00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:41,500 then they could not get away from me. 148 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:45,000 He was only early in the morning or late at night that I could 149 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,000 earn anything so that I began to get behind hand with my 150 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,400 employer. I did not mind that. 151 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:54,500 However, as long as I could lay my hand upon the man I wanted, 152 00:08:55,300 --> 00:08:58,100 they were canning though. They must have thought that 153 00:08:58,100 --> 00:09:01,000 there was some chance of there being followed for. 154 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,500 They would never go out alone and never after Nightfall. 155 00:09:05,500 --> 00:09:08,300 During two weeks. I drove behind them every day 156 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,500 and never, once saw them separate drebber and self was 157 00:09:12,500 --> 00:09:15,500 drunk half the time. But stangerson was not to be 158 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:19,800 caught napping. Watch them late and early, but 159 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:24,900 never saw the ghost of a chance, but I was not discouraged for 160 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:27,500 something told me that the hour had almost come. 161 00:09:28,700 --> 00:09:31,700 My only fear was that this thing in my chest, might burst a 162 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:34,500 little too soon and leave my work undone. 163 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,500 At last one, evening hours, driving up and down. 164 00:09:39,500 --> 00:09:42,800 Torquay Terrace as a street was called in which they bought it. 165 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:47,000 When I saw a cab drive up to their door, presently. 166 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,200 Some luggage was brought out and after a time drebber and 167 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,400 stangerson followed it and drove off. 168 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:57,200 I whipped up my horse and kept with inside of them feeling very 169 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,600 ill at ease. For I feared that they were 170 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:03,200 going to be shift in their quarters are used in station. 171 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,900 They got out, and I've left a boy to hold my Horse and follow 172 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:09,900 them onto the platform. I heard the mask for the 173 00:10:09,900 --> 00:10:13,600 Liverpool train and the God answer that, that one had just 174 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:18,400 gone and not be another for some hours stangerson seem to be put 175 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:22,900 out at that but drebber was rather pleased and otherwise I 176 00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:26,600 got so close to them in the bustle, but I could hear every 177 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:30,700 word that passed between them driver said that he had a little 178 00:10:30,700 --> 00:10:33,700 business of his own to do and that if the other would wait for 179 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:38,100 him, he would soon rejoin him. In His companion remonstrated 180 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:41,300 with him and reminded him that they had resolved to stick 181 00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:44,200 together. Draba answered. 182 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,900 The matter was a delicate one and he must go alone. 183 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,300 I couldn't catch what's tanks and said to that but the other 184 00:10:52,300 --> 00:10:55,200 burst out swearing and reminded him that he was nothing more 185 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:58,800 than his paid servant and he must not presume to dictate to 186 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,800 him. On that, the secretary gave it 187 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,900 up as a bad job and simply bargain with him. 188 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,900 That if he missed the last train, he should rejoin him at 189 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:12,000 halliday's private hotel to which drebber answered that, he 190 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,100 would be back on the platform before 11:00 and made his way 191 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:18,400 out of the station. The moment for, which had 192 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:21,000 waited. So long had a last come. 193 00:11:21,700 --> 00:11:24,900 I had my enemies within my power together. 194 00:11:24,900 --> 00:11:28,600 They could protect each other, but singly they were at my 195 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,100 Mercy. I did not act. 196 00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:33,200 However, with undue precipitation. 197 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:37,900 My plans were already formed. There is no satisfaction in 198 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:40,500 Vengeance. Unless the offender has time to 199 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:45,000 realize who it is that strikes him and why retribution has come 200 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,700 upon him. My plans arranged by which I 201 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:52,000 should have the opportunity of making the man who had wronged 202 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,500 me, understand that his old sin, and found him out. 203 00:11:56,300 --> 00:11:59,200 It chanced, that some days before, a gentleman who had been 204 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:03,000 engaged in, looking over some houses in the Brixton Road had 205 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,500 dropped, the key of one of them, in my Carriage. 206 00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:10,400 It was claimed that same evening and returned, but in the 207 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:14,200 interval, I had taken a molding of it and had a duplicate 208 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:18,500 constructed by means of this. I had access to at least one 209 00:12:18,500 --> 00:12:22,100 spot in this great City where I could rely upon being free from 210 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:25,900 Interruption how to get drebber to that house. 211 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:29,200 Was the difficult problem, which I now had to solve. 212 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,900 He walked down the road and went into one or two, liquor shops 213 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:37,300 staying for nearly half an hour. And the last of them, when he 214 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:41,000 came out, he staggered in his walk and was evidently pretty 215 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,900 well on. There was a handsome just in 216 00:12:43,900 --> 00:12:47,000 front of me and he hailed it. I followed it. 217 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,400 So close that, the nose of my horse was within a yard of his 218 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:51,700 driver. The whole way. 219 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:55,800 We rattled across Waterloo Bridge and through miles of 220 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,400 streets, until to my astonishment. 221 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:02,500 Ain't we found ourselves back in the Terrace in which he had 222 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:05,400 bought it? I could not imagine what his 223 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:09,200 intention was in returning there, but I went on and pulled 224 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:11,700 up my cab a hundred yards or so from the house. 225 00:13:12,700 --> 00:13:15,600 He entered it and his handsome drove away. 226 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:18,800 Give me a glass of water if you please. 227 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,400 My mouth gets dry with the talking. 228 00:13:22,700 --> 00:13:25,400 I handed him the glass and he drank it down. 229 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,300 That's better. He said. 230 00:13:29,500 --> 00:13:32,900 Well, I waited for a quarter of an hour or more, when suddenly 231 00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:35,900 there came a noise like people struggling, inside the house. 232 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,900 Next moment. The door was flung open and two 233 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:43,600 men appeared. One of them was drebber and the 234 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,500 other was a young chap whom I had never seen before this 235 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:51,800 fellow had drebber by the collar and when they came to the head 236 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:55,100 of the steps, he gave him a shove and a kick, which sent him 237 00:13:55,100 --> 00:13:59,900 half across the road. You hound, he cried shaking his 238 00:13:59,900 --> 00:14:02,700 stick at him. I'll teach you to insult an 239 00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:06,100 honest girl. He was so hot that I think he 240 00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:09,700 should have thrashed driver with his cudgel only that the curse 241 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:12,700 staggered away down the road as fast as his legs could carry 242 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:15,800 him. He ran as far as the corner and 243 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:19,500 then seeing my cab. He hailed me and jumped in. 244 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:25,700 Drive me to holidays private Hotel said he when I had him 245 00:14:25,700 --> 00:14:28,700 fairly inside my cab, my heart jumps. 246 00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:31,600 So with joy, that I feared less at this last moment. 247 00:14:31,700 --> 00:14:36,700 My aneurysm might go wrong. I drove along slowly weighing in 248 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:39,000 my own mind, what it was best to do. 249 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,700 I might take him right out into the country and they're in some 250 00:14:43,700 --> 00:14:46,500 deserted Lane, have my last interview with him. 251 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:51,200 I had almost decided upon this when he solved the problem for 252 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,700 me, the craze for drink at seized him again. 253 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:58,100 And he ordered me to pull up outside a gin Palace. 254 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:02,700 He went in leaving word that I should wait for him there. 255 00:15:02,700 --> 00:15:06,900 He remained until closing time and when he came out, he was so 256 00:15:06,900 --> 00:15:09,500 far gone that I knew the game was in my own hands. 257 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:13,900 Don't imagine that I intended to kill him in Cold Blood. 258 00:15:14,700 --> 00:15:18,400 It would only have been rigid Justice if I had done so, but I 259 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:23,000 could not bring myself to do it. I had long determined that he 260 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,400 should have a show of his life if he chose to take advantage of 261 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:30,300 it, among the many bullets, which I have filled in America 262 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:34,300 during my wandering life. I was once janitor and sweeper 263 00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:38,600 out of the laboratory York College, one day, the professor 264 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:42,000 was lecturing on poisons. Showed his students some 265 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,700 alkaloid as he called it which had extracted from some South 266 00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:50,200 American arrow poison and which was so powerful that the least 267 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:54,200 grain meant instant death. I spotted the bottle in which 268 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:58,200 this preparation was kept and when they were all gone, I 269 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:02,600 helped myself to a little of it. I was a fairly good dispenser. 270 00:16:03,100 --> 00:16:05,900 So I worked this alkaloid into small soluble. 271 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:09,800 Pills at each pill I put in a box with a similar pill made 272 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,200 without the poison. And I determined at the time 273 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:17,200 that when I had my chance, my gentleman should each have a 274 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:20,800 draw out of one of these boxes while I ate the pill that 275 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,500 remained. It will be quite as deadly and a 276 00:16:24,508 --> 00:16:29,900 good deal less noisy than firing across a handkerchief from that 277 00:16:29,900 --> 00:16:30,700 day at. Always. 278 00:16:30,700 --> 00:16:34,100 My pillbox is about with me, and the time had now come, when I 279 00:16:34,100 --> 00:16:38,600 was to use them. It was near a one than 12 and a 280 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:42,900 wild Bleak night. Hard and raining and Torrance 281 00:16:43,700 --> 00:16:49,100 dismal, as it was outside. I was glad within so glad that I 282 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:51,600 could have shouted out from Pure exultation. 283 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:56,000 If any of you gentlemen have ever pined for thing a long for 284 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:59,500 it during 20 long years and then suddenly found it within your 285 00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:01,700 reach. You would understand my 286 00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:05,400 feelings. I lit a cigar, and puffed at it 287 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:09,700 to steady my nerves. But my hands were trembling and 288 00:17:09,700 --> 00:17:13,800 my temples throbbing with excitement as I drove. 289 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:18,000 I could see old John Ferrier and Sweet Lucy looking at me out of 290 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,300 the darkness and smiling at me. Just as plain as I see you all 291 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:25,300 in this room. All the way there were ahead of 292 00:17:25,300 --> 00:17:29,700 me one on each side of the horse, until I pulled up at the 293 00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:34,000 house in the Brixton Road. There was not a soul to be seen 294 00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:38,000 Nora sound to be heard accepted. Bring on the rain. 295 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:42,100 When I looked in at the window, I found Rebel all huddle 296 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:45,700 together in a drunken sleep. I shook him by the arm. 297 00:17:46,700 --> 00:17:51,300 It's time to get out. I said, all right, cabbie said, 298 00:17:51,300 --> 00:17:54,900 he, I suppose, he thought would come to the hotel that he had 299 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:58,000 mentioned before. He got out without another word, 300 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,100 and followed me down the garden. I had to walk beside him to keep 301 00:18:02,100 --> 00:18:05,100 him steady, for he was still a little top-heavy. 302 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,500 When we came to the door, I opened it. 303 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:12,900 And let him into the front room. I give you my word that all the 304 00:18:12,900 --> 00:18:17,000 way the father and the daughter were walking in front of us. 305 00:18:17,900 --> 00:18:21,400 It's infernally. Dark said, he stamping about 306 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,400 will soon have a light. I said, striking a match and 307 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:30,000 putting it to a wax candle, which I brought with me now, 308 00:18:30,500 --> 00:18:33,900 Enoch drebber. I continued turning to him and 309 00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:35,600 holding the light to my own face. 310 00:18:36,500 --> 00:18:41,300 Who am I? He gazed at me, was bleared, 311 00:18:41,300 --> 00:18:45,400 drunken eyes for a moment. And then I saw a horror 312 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:48,900 springing up in them and convulse his whole features, 313 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:53,700 which show me that he knew me. He staggered back with a livid 314 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:57,800 face and I saw the perspiration breakout upon his brow. 315 00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:03,900 While his teeth chattered in his head at the side lean, my back 316 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:06,900 against the door and laughed loud and long. 317 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:10,800 I had always known that Vengeance will be sweet, but I 318 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:14,000 never hope for the contentment of Soul, which now possess me. 319 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:19,400 You dog. I said, I have hunted, you from 320 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,200 Salt Lake City to st. Petersburg. 321 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:27,000 And you've always Escape me now last year wonderings of come to 322 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:31,500 an end for either you or I shall never see tomorrow's sunrise. 323 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:36,500 He shrunk still further away as I spoke and I could see on his 324 00:19:36,500 --> 00:19:42,400 face that he thought I was mad. So I was for the time the pulses 325 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:46,000 in my temples beat like sledgehammers, and I believe I 326 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,500 would have had a fit of some sort, if the blood had not gush 327 00:19:48,500 --> 00:19:53,000 from my nose and relieve me. What do you think of Lucy? 328 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,200 Ferrier. Now? 329 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:57,300 I cried locking the door and shaking the key. 330 00:19:57,300 --> 00:20:02,600 In his face punishment has been slow in coming but it has 331 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:07,100 overtaken you at last. I saw his coward lips, tremble, 332 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:09,600 as I spoke. He would have begged for his 333 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,900 life, but he knew well that it was useless. 334 00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:17,200 Well, would you murder me? He stammered? 335 00:20:18,100 --> 00:20:21,700 There is no murder. I answered who talks of 336 00:20:21,700 --> 00:20:25,900 murdering a Mad Dog. What Mercy had you upon my poor 337 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:27,600 darling? When you dragged her from her 338 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:31,500 slaughtered father and bore her away to your accursed and 339 00:20:31,500 --> 00:20:35,900 Shameless harem. It was not I who killed her 340 00:20:35,900 --> 00:20:41,100 father, he cried, but it was you who broke her innocent heart. 341 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,900 I shrieked thrusting, the door before him. 342 00:20:44,700 --> 00:20:49,000 Let the high God judge between us choose and eat. 343 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,300 There is death in one and life in the other. 344 00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:56,700 I shall take what you leave. Let us see if there is Justice 345 00:20:56,700 --> 00:21:00,700 upon the Earth, or if we are ruled by chance. 346 00:21:01,900 --> 00:21:06,400 He cowered away with wild cries and prayers for Mercy, but I 347 00:21:06,408 --> 00:21:10,100 drew my knife and held it to his throat until he had obeyed me. 348 00:21:10,900 --> 00:21:13,300 Then. I swallowed the other and we 349 00:21:13,300 --> 00:21:17,100 stood facing one another in silence for a minute or more 350 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:21,400 waiting to see which was to live and which was to die. 351 00:21:22,700 --> 00:21:25,900 Shall I ever forget the look which came over his face? 352 00:21:26,300 --> 00:21:30,400 When the first warning pangs told him that the poison was in 353 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:35,200 his system. I laughed as I saw it and held 354 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,500 Lucy's marriage ring in front of his eyes. 355 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:40,900 It was. But for a moment for the action 356 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:45,900 of the alkaloid is rapid a spasm of pain contorted his features. 357 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:49,800 He threw his hands out in front of him staggered and then with a 358 00:21:49,808 --> 00:21:52,300 hoarse cry fell heavily upon the floor. 359 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:57,200 I turned them over with my foot and placed my hand upon his 360 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:00,100 heart. There was no movement. 361 00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:04,900 He was dead. The blood have been streaming 362 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:08,000 for my nose, but had taken. No, notice of it. 363 00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:11,300 I don't know what it was that put it into my head to ride upon 364 00:22:11,300 --> 00:22:14,500 the wall with it. Perhaps it was some mischievous 365 00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:18,500 idea of setting, the police upon a wrong track for. 366 00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:20,500 I felt light hearted and cheerful. 367 00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:24,800 I remembered a German being found in New York with Rocca 368 00:22:25,100 --> 00:22:28,600 written up above him and it was argued at the time in the 369 00:22:28,608 --> 00:22:32,100 newspapers that the secret societies must have done it. 370 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,800 I guessed the what puzzled and New Yorkers would puzzle the 371 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:42,000 London's so I dip my finger in my own blood and printed it on a 372 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,600 convenient place on the wall. Then I walk down to my cabin, 373 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,600 found that there was nobody about and that the night was 374 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:53,300 still very wild. I driven some distance when I 375 00:22:53,308 --> 00:22:56,600 put my hand into the pocket in which I usually kept Lucy's ring 376 00:22:57,300 --> 00:23:02,400 and found that it was not there. I was Thunderstruck at this for 377 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:05,800 it was the only Memento that I had of her thinking that I might 378 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:07,600 have dropped it. When I stooped, over drivers 379 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,600 body. I drove back and leaving my cab 380 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:13,700 in a side street. I went boldly up to the house 381 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,000 for hours, ready to DARE anything, rather than lose the 382 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,700 ring. When I arrived there. 383 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:24,000 I walked right into the arms of a police officer who was coming 384 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:28,000 out and only managed to disarm his suspicions by pretending to 385 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:33,200 be hopelessly drunk. That was how Enoch drebber came 386 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:37,100 to his end. All I had to do then was to do 387 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:39,800 as much for stangerson. And so pay off. 388 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:43,500 John Ferry is dead. I knew that he was staying at 389 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:48,500 halliday's private hotel, and I hung about all day, but he never 390 00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:51,400 came out. I fancy that he suspected 391 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:53,300 something. When Trevor failed to put in an 392 00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:56,500 appearance. He was cunning with stangerson 393 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:00,700 and always on his guard if he thought he could keep me off by 394 00:24:00,700 --> 00:24:05,600 staying indoors. He was very much mistaken as 395 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:08,900 soon found out which was the window is bedroom and early. 396 00:24:08,900 --> 00:24:11,900 Next morning. I took advantage of some ladders 397 00:24:11,900 --> 00:24:16,100 which were lying in the lane behind the hotel and so made my 398 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:18,600 way into his room in the gray of the Dawn. 399 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:23,300 I woke him up and told him that the hour had come when he was to 400 00:24:23,300 --> 00:24:26,200 answer for the life, he had. Taking so long before. 401 00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:31,200 A describe Trevor's Death to him and I gave him the same choice 402 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:35,700 of the poison pills. Instead of grasping at the 403 00:24:35,700 --> 00:24:38,100 chance of safety, which that offered him. 404 00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:43,300 He sprang from his bed and flew at my throat in self-defense. 405 00:24:43,300 --> 00:24:46,600 I stabbed into the hard. It would have been the same in 406 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:50,200 any case for Providence would never have allowed his guilty 407 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:55,700 hand to pick out anything. But the poison I have little 408 00:24:55,700 --> 00:24:59,400 more to say and it's as well for I'm about done up. 409 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:03,700 I went on cabinet for a day or so intending to keep at it until 410 00:25:03,700 --> 00:25:06,200 I could Enough to take me back to America. 411 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,700 I was standing in the yard when a ragged youngster asked, if 412 00:25:10,700 --> 00:25:12,700 there was a cabbie, they're called Jefferson. 413 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:17,500 Hope and said that his cab was wanted by gentleman at 221B 414 00:25:17,500 --> 00:25:21,700 Baker Street. I went round suspecting no harm 415 00:25:21,700 --> 00:25:25,500 and the next thing I knew this young man, he had the bracelets 416 00:25:25,500 --> 00:25:30,400 on my wrists and as neatly snack old as ever, I saw in my life. 417 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:33,600 That's the whole of my story gentlemen. 418 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:37,500 You may consider me to be a murderer, but I hold that. 419 00:25:37,500 --> 00:25:40,500 I'm just as much an officer of justice as you are. 420 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:44,900 So thrilling at the man's narrative bin. 421 00:25:46,100 --> 00:25:49,500 And his manner was so impressive, that we had sat 422 00:25:49,500 --> 00:25:54,900 silent and absorbed even the professional detectives blase as 423 00:25:54,900 --> 00:25:58,400 they were in every detail of crime appeared to be keenly 424 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:03,800 interested in the man's story. When he finished, we sat for 425 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:06,600 some minutes in a Stillness, which was only broken by the 426 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:10,700 scratching of list rods pencil as he gave the finishing touches 427 00:26:10,700 --> 00:26:16,200 to his shorthand account. There is only one point on which 428 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,900 I should like a little more information Sherlock Holmes said 429 00:26:19,900 --> 00:26:24,000 it last, who was your, accomplice who came for the 430 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:28,700 ring, which I advertised, The Prisoner winked at my friend Joe 431 00:26:28,700 --> 00:26:33,000 Cosley. I can tell my own Secrets he 432 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:36,200 said, but I don't get other people into trouble. 433 00:26:36,900 --> 00:26:40,200 I saw your advertisement and I thought it might be a plant or 434 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:43,500 it might be the ring, which I wanted my friend volunteered to 435 00:26:43,500 --> 00:26:46,100 go and see. I think you'll only did it 436 00:26:46,100 --> 00:26:50,600 smartly. Not a doubt of that said, Holmes 437 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:56,100 heartily now gentlemen, the inspector remarked Gravely, the 438 00:26:56,100 --> 00:26:59,800 forms of the law, must be complied with on Thursday. 439 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:03,400 The prisoner will be brought before the magistrates and your 440 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:06,800 attendance will be required. Until then. 441 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:11,700 I'll be responsible for him. He rang the bell as he spoke and 442 00:27:11,700 --> 00:27:14,400 Jefferson Hope was led off by a couple of waters. 443 00:27:15,300 --> 00:27:18,900 While my friend, and I made our way out of the station and took 444 00:27:18,900 --> 00:27:23,100 a cab back to Baker Street. End of part. 445 00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:24,300 Two chapter six.