1 00:00:01,100 --> 00:00:04,100 Adventure number 3, in the Memoirs of Sherlock, Holmes by 2 00:00:04,100 --> 00:00:07,400 Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,700 the public domain. Adventure number three. 4 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:16,500 The stockbrokers Clark. Shortly after my marriage, I had 5 00:00:16,500 --> 00:00:19,400 bought a connection in the Paddington District old. 6 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:22,900 Mr. Farquhar from whom I purchased it had at one time, an 7 00:00:22,900 --> 00:00:26,800 excellent general practice, but his age and an Affliction of the 8 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:30,400 nature of sin, vitus's dance from which he suffered and very 9 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:33,800 much thinned. It the public not unnaturally 10 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,000 goes on the principle that he, who would heal others must 11 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,900 himself. Be whole and looks askance at 12 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:43,600 the Curative powers of the man whose own case is beyond the 13 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:44,900 reach. Of his drugs. 14 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:50,000 Thus says my predecessor weakened his practice declined 15 00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:52,400 until when I purchased it from him. 16 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,500 It had sunk from 12:00 to little more than 300 a year. 17 00:00:57,700 --> 00:00:59,700 I had confidence. However, in my own Youth and 18 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:02,800 energy and was convinced that in a very few years. 19 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,099 The concern would be as flourishing as ever. 20 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,500 For three months after taking over the practice. 21 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,300 I was kept very closely at work and saw little of my friend, 22 00:01:12,300 --> 00:01:15,100 Sherlock Holmes for. I was too busy to visit Baker 23 00:01:15,100 --> 00:01:18,600 Street and he seldom went anywhere himself save upon 24 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,300 professional business. I was surprised. 25 00:01:21,300 --> 00:01:24,400 Therefore, when one morning in June, as I sat reading the 26 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,500 British medical journal after breakfast. 27 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:30,200 I heard a ring at the Bell, followed by the high somewhat 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,500 strident, tones of my old companions voice. 29 00:01:34,700 --> 00:01:38,100 Oh, my dear Watson said, he striding into the room. 30 00:01:38,700 --> 00:01:41,700 I'm very delighted to see you. I trust that. 31 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:44,300 Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered from all the little 32 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:47,400 excitements connected with our adventure of the sign of the 33 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:49,600 four. Thank you. 34 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,400 We're both doing very well said. I shaking him warmly by the 35 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,900 hand, and I hope also he continued sitting down in the 36 00:01:56,900 --> 00:02:00,600 rocking chair at the cares of Medical Practice have not 37 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,800 entirely obliterated the interest to which you used to 38 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:05,400 take. No little deductive. 39 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,900 Problems on the contrary. I answered. 40 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,100 It was only last night that I was looking over my old notes 41 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,600 and classifying some of our past results. 42 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,600 I trusted you don't consider your collection closed. 43 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:21,900 Not at all. I should wish nothing better 44 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:25,500 than to have some more of such experiences today. 45 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,600 For example. Yes. 46 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:33,300 Today if you like and as far off as Birmingham, certainly if you 47 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:39,000 wish it, And the practice, I do my neighbors when he goes he's 48 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:40,500 always ready to work off the debt. 49 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:43,400 Huh? Nothing could be better. 50 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,100 Said, Holmes leaning back in his chair and looking keenly at me 51 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:51,100 from under his half-closed Lids. I perceive that you have been 52 00:02:51,100 --> 00:02:54,100 unwell lately, summer. Colds are always a little 53 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:57,500 trying. I was confined to the house by a 54 00:02:57,500 --> 00:02:59,600 severe, chill for three days last week. 55 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:02,700 I thought, however, that I'd cast off every trace of it. 56 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,900 So you have you look remarkably robust. 57 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,500 How then did you know it? My dear fellow, you know, my 58 00:03:12,500 --> 00:03:17,000 methods. You deduced it then certainly 59 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,200 and from what from your slippers. 60 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:25,500 I glanced down at the new patent Leathers, which I was wearing 61 00:03:26,300 --> 00:03:31,100 how on Earth I began, but Holmes answered my question before it 62 00:03:31,100 --> 00:03:36,200 was asked your slippers a new. He said, you could not have had 63 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:40,400 them more than a few weeks. The Souls, which you are at this 64 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:45,000 moment to presenting to me, are slightly scorched for a moment. 65 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,200 I thought they might have got wet and been burned in the 66 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:51,200 drying but near the InStep. There is a small circular wafer 67 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,400 of paper with the shamans hieroglyphics upon it. 68 00:03:55,100 --> 00:03:57,000 Damp would have caused of remove this. 69 00:03:57,700 --> 00:04:00,600 You had then been sitting with your feet outstretched to the 70 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:04,800 fire. Which a man would hardly do even 71 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,500 in Soweto June as this if he were in his full. 72 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:11,400 Oh, health. Michael Holmes is reasoning. 73 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:14,100 The thing seemed Simplicity itself when it was once 74 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:16,700 explained. He read the thought, upon my 75 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:19,800 features and his smile had a tinge of bitterness. 76 00:04:21,399 --> 00:04:24,000 I am afraid that I rather give myself away. 77 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:28,900 When I explain said he results without causes are much more 78 00:04:28,900 --> 00:04:31,500 impressive. You are ready to come to 79 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:35,300 Birmingham. Then certainly, what is the case 80 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,200 you shall hear it all in the train. 81 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:40,900 My client is outside in a four wheeler. 82 00:04:41,500 --> 00:04:44,600 Can you come at once in an instant? 83 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,100 I scribbled a note to my neighbor rushed upstairs to 84 00:04:48,108 --> 00:04:51,400 explain the matter to my wife and And homes up on the 85 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,900 doorstep. Your neighbor is a doctor said 86 00:04:54,900 --> 00:04:57,800 he nodding at the brass plate. Yes. 87 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,700 He bought a practice as I did an old established one. 88 00:05:02,900 --> 00:05:05,400 Just the same as mine. Both have been ever since the 89 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:09,600 houses were built. Then you got hold of the best of 90 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,100 the two. I think I did. 91 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,500 But how do you know by the steps? 92 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:19,800 My boy, yours are 13 inches deeper than his, but this 93 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:21,500 gentleman in the cab is my client. 94 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:24,200 Mr. Hall pycroft. Allow me to introduce you to 95 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,700 him. Whip, your horse up, cabbie for 96 00:05:26,700 --> 00:05:28,500 we've only just time to catch our train. 97 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,900 The man whom I found myself facing was a well-built fresh 98 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:36,800 complexion. Young fellow with a Frank honest 99 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,100 face and a slight crisp. Yellow mustache. 100 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,800 He wore a very shiny top-hat and a neat suit of sober black which 101 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,200 made him. Look what he was a smart young 102 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:51,700 City, man of the class who have been labeled cockneys, but who 103 00:05:51,700 --> 00:05:56,300 give us our crack volunteer regiments and who turn out more 104 00:05:56,300 --> 00:06:00,800 fine athletes and Sportsmen than Anybody of men in these islands, 105 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,700 his round ready, face was naturally full of cheeriness, 106 00:06:05,300 --> 00:06:08,100 but the corners of his mouth seemed to me to be pulled down 107 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:12,600 in a half comical distress. It was not, however, until we 108 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:16,100 were all in our first class carriage and well started Upon 109 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:19,200 Our Journey To Birmingham, but I was able to learn what the 110 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,000 trouble was which had driven him to Sherlock Holmes. 111 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:26,700 We have a clear run here of 70 minutes, Holmes remarked. 112 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:28,700 I want you, mr. Hall pycroft. 113 00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:32,400 Oft to tell my friend, you're very interesting experience, 114 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,300 exactly. As you have told it to me, or 115 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:39,000 with more detail, if possible. It will be of use to me to hear 116 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:43,200 the succession of events. Again, it is a case Watson which 117 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,900 may prove to have something in it or may prove to have nothing, 118 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,300 but which at least presents those unusual and outre 119 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:54,400 features, which are as dear to you as they are to me. 120 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:56,400 Now, mr. Pycroft. 121 00:06:56,900 --> 00:07:01,100 I shall not interrupt you again. Our young companion looked at me 122 00:07:01,100 --> 00:07:06,000 with a twinkle in his eye. The worst of the story is said 123 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:10,100 he that I should show myself up as such a confounded fool. 124 00:07:10,900 --> 00:07:12,300 Of course. It may work out. 125 00:07:12,300 --> 00:07:16,000 All right, and I don't see that. I could have done otherwise, but 126 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,800 if I've lost my crib and got nothing in exchange. 127 00:07:19,100 --> 00:07:20,500 I shall feel. What a soft Johnny. 128 00:07:20,500 --> 00:07:23,200 I've been I'm not very good at telling a story. 129 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,900 Dr. Watson, but it is like this with me. 130 00:07:27,100 --> 00:07:31,600 I used to have a Billet at coxon wood, as is of Draper's Gardens. 131 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:35,200 But they were let in early in the spring through the 132 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:39,400 Venezuelan loan as no doubt. You remember and came a nasty 133 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,000 Cropper. I've been with him five years 134 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:46,300 and old coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when the smash 135 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:48,800 came. By course, week Clark's were all 136 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:52,800 turned adrift. The 27 of us are tried here and 137 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,500 tried there, but there are lots of other chaps on the same 138 00:07:55,500 --> 00:07:59,100 layers myself, and it was a perfect Frost for a long time. 139 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,100 I've been taking three pounds a week at coxswains. 140 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:06,400 Not saved about 70 of them, but I assume work my way through 141 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,900 that and out the other end. I was fairly at the end of my 142 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:12,700 tether at last. Could hardly find the stamps to 143 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:15,600 answer the advertisements, all the envelopes to stick them to. 144 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,600 I'd worn up my boots paddling up off his stairs and our scene 145 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,700 just as far from getting a Billet as ever. 146 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,600 At last. I saw a vacancy more Cinema 147 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,400 Williams, the great stock broking firm in Lombard, Street. 148 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:34,500 I daresay EC is not much in your line, but I can tell you that 149 00:08:34,500 --> 00:08:36,600 this is about the richest house in London. 150 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:41,299 The advertisement was be answered by letter only I sent 151 00:08:41,299 --> 00:08:44,500 in my testimonial, an application, but without the 152 00:08:44,500 --> 00:08:48,200 least hope of getting in. That came in answer by return 153 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:51,800 saying, if I would appear next Monday, I might take over my new 154 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:55,700 duties at once provided that my appearance was satisfactory. 155 00:08:56,700 --> 00:08:58,600 Now, a knows how these things are worked. 156 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,700 Some people say that the manager just plunges and into the Heap 157 00:09:02,700 --> 00:09:07,200 and takes the first it comes anyhow, it was mine exact time 158 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:09,700 and I don't have a wish to feel better pleased. 159 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,300 The screw was a pound a week rise, and the do is just about 160 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:17,200 the same as it coxswains. And now I come to the queer part 161 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,400 of the business. I was in diggings a damn stirred 162 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:25,300 way 17 Potter's Terrace. Well, I'll sit and doing a 163 00:09:25,308 --> 00:09:28,300 smoked that very evening after I've been promised the 164 00:09:28,300 --> 00:09:33,200 appointment when up came my landlady with a card which had 165 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,900 Arthur Pinner Financial agent printed upon it. 166 00:09:37,700 --> 00:09:40,800 I never heard the name before, we could not imagine what he 167 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,600 wanted with me. But of course I asked her to 168 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:47,300 show him up. Any walked a middle-sized 169 00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:51,200 dark-haired dark-eyed black-bearded man, the touch of 170 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,400 the sheeny about his nose. Get a Brisk, kind of way with 171 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,100 him and he spoke sharply like a man who knew the value of time. 172 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:03,400 Mr. All by Craft, I believe said he yes, sir. 173 00:10:03,700 --> 00:10:07,700 I answered pushing a chair towards him lightly engaged at 174 00:10:07,700 --> 00:10:10,200 coxon and would Erza's. Yes, sir. 175 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:16,300 And now on the staff of Morrison's quite so we'll said 176 00:10:16,300 --> 00:10:20,200 he the fact is that I have heard some really extraordinary 177 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:22,300 stories about your financial ability. 178 00:10:23,700 --> 00:10:26,700 You remember Parker have used to be coxswains manager. 179 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:28,800 He can never say enough about it. 180 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:31,500 Of course. I was pleased to hear this. 181 00:10:31,900 --> 00:10:33,800 I'd always been pretty sharp in the office. 182 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:36,400 But I never dreamed. I was talked about in the city. 183 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:40,500 In this fashion. You have a good memory said he 184 00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:43,400 pretty fair. I answered modestly. 185 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,800 Have you kept in touch with the market while you've been out of 186 00:10:46,808 --> 00:10:48,200 work? He asked. 187 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,400 Yes, I'll read the stock exchange list every morning. 188 00:10:53,300 --> 00:10:56,400 Now that shows real application. He cried. 189 00:10:56,900 --> 00:11:00,400 This is the way to prosper. You want, Mommy testing, you, 190 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,100 will you? Let me see? 191 00:11:02,500 --> 00:11:08,100 Our are shoes, 106. And a core 205 and 780. 192 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:15,300 New Zealand Consolidated, 104, and British broken Hills 727, 193 00:11:15,300 --> 00:11:19,000 and six, wonderful. He cried with his hands up. 194 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,900 This quite fits in with all the I did. 195 00:11:22,300 --> 00:11:24,800 My boy, my boy. You're very much too. 196 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:29,200 Good to be a clerk at Morrisons. This Outburst rather astonished 197 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:34,200 me as you can think well said, I other people don't think quite 198 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:35,800 so much amazed you seem to do mr. 199 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,400 Pinner. I died in a fight to get this 200 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,500 birth and I'm very glad to have it. 201 00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:44,100 Whoo, man. You should soar above it. 202 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,800 You're not on your true sphere. Now. 203 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:48,600 I'll tell you how it stands with me. 204 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:52,500 Well, I have to offer is little enough when measured by your 205 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:54,700 ability. But when compared with 206 00:11:54,700 --> 00:11:58,200 Morrison's it's light to dark. Let me see. 207 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,400 When do you go to Morrison's on Monday? 208 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,900 Ha, I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you 209 00:12:05,900 --> 00:12:08,900 don't go there at all. Not go to Morrison's. 210 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:11,500 No sir. My that day. 211 00:12:11,500 --> 00:12:14,400 You'll be the business manager of the Franco Midland, Hardware 212 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,900 Company, Limited with 134 branches in the towns and 213 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:21,100 Villages of France. Counting one in Brussels, and 214 00:12:21,100 --> 00:12:24,600 one in San Remo. This took my breath away. 215 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,100 I never heard of it said, I very likely not. 216 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,100 It has been kept. Very quiet for the capital was 217 00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:35,000 all privately subscribed and it's too good. 218 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:39,400 A thing to let the public into my brother, Harry Pinner, his 219 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:42,900 promoter and joins the board after allotments as managing 220 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:45,900 director. He knew I was in the swim down 221 00:12:45,900 --> 00:12:47,900 here and asked me to pick up a good man. 222 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:51,700 Cheap young pushing man with a plenty of snap about him. 223 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:55,700 Parker spoke of you and that brought me here tonight. 224 00:12:56,100 --> 00:12:59,000 We can only offer you a beggarly 500 to start with. 225 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:04,800 Five hundred a year, I showered only that at the beginning, but 226 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:07,200 you also have an overriding Commission of one percent on all 227 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:11,000 business done by your agents and you may take my word for it. 228 00:13:11,300 --> 00:13:13,200 This will come to more than your salary. 229 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:18,600 But I know nothing about Hardware tuck my boy, you know 230 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:23,400 about figures my head buzzed and I could hardly sit still in my 231 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,300 chair. But suddenly a little chill of 232 00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:30,000 Doubt, Came Upon me. I must be frank with you. 233 00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:34,800 So die, Mawson only gives me two hundred but Morrison is safe. 234 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:40,900 Now, really I know so little about your company that Smart 235 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,000 smart, he cried in a kind of ecstasy of delight. 236 00:13:45,700 --> 00:13:49,500 You are the very man for us. You're not to be talked over and 237 00:13:49,500 --> 00:13:51,600 quite right too. Now. 238 00:13:51,900 --> 00:13:56,300 Here's a note, 400 pounds. And if you think that we can do 239 00:13:56,300 --> 00:13:59,600 business, you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance 240 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:03,200 on your salary. This is very handsome, said I. 241 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:05,600 When should I take over my new duties? 242 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:10,900 Be in Birmingham tomorrow. One said, he Ivan out in my 243 00:14:10,900 --> 00:14:12,800 pocket here, which you'll take to my brother. 244 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:17,300 You'll find him at 126 B corporations street where the 245 00:14:17,300 --> 00:14:20,000 temporary offices of the company are situated. 246 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,800 Of course, he must confirm your engagement but between 247 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:27,100 ourselves, it will be all right. Really? 248 00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:29,200 I hardly know how to express my gratitude. 249 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,600 Mr. Pinner said, I not at all my boy. 250 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,000 You've only got your desserts. There are one or two small 251 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,500 things mere formalities, which I must arrange with you. 252 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,000 You have a bit of paper beside you there. 253 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:46,200 Kindly write upon it. I am perfectly willing to act as 254 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,300 business manager to the Franco Midland Hardware Company, 255 00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:53,300 Limited at a minimum salary of 500 pounds. 256 00:14:54,500 --> 00:14:57,500 I did as he asked and he put the paper in his pocket. 257 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:03,700 There is one other detail said he what do you intend to do 258 00:15:03,700 --> 00:15:06,800 about Morrison's? I'd forgotten all about 259 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,600 Morrison's in my joy. Alright, and resign said, I 260 00:15:11,500 --> 00:15:13,900 precisely what I don't want you to do. 261 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:18,500 Either our you with Morrison's manager are gone up to ask him 262 00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:21,100 about you and he was very offensive. 263 00:15:21,300 --> 00:15:24,100 Accuse me of coaxing you away from the service of the firm. 264 00:15:24,500 --> 00:15:28,300 I'm not saw thing at last. I fairly lost my temper. 265 00:15:29,100 --> 00:15:30,800 If you want good men. You should pay them a good 266 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,700 price. Said, I he would rather have our 267 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:41,100 small price and your big one said he I'll lay you a fiver 268 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:44,400 said I that when he has my offer, you'll never so much as 269 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:49,800 hear from him. Again, done said, he, we picked 270 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,800 him out of the gutter and he won't leave us so easily. 271 00:15:53,700 --> 00:15:57,600 Those were his very words. The impudent scoundrel are 272 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,800 cried. I've never so much as seen him 273 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,400 in my life. Why should I consider him in any 274 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:04,700 way? I shall. 275 00:16:04,700 --> 00:16:08,200 Certainly not right if you would rather I didn't good. 276 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,700 That's a promise said he rising from his chair. 277 00:16:12,700 --> 00:16:15,900 Well, I'm delighted to have got so good, a man from our brother. 278 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:18,500 Here's your advance of hundred pounds. 279 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:23,100 And here is a layer, make a note with the address 126 be 280 00:16:23,100 --> 00:16:26,500 Corporation Street. And remember that 1:00 tomorrow 281 00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:28,800 is your appointment. Good night. 282 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:30,900 And may you have all the fortune that you deserve. 283 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,100 Irv. That's just about all that 284 00:16:34,100 --> 00:16:36,400 passed between us as near as I can. 285 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,700 Remember, you can imagine. Dr. Watson, our pleased, I was 286 00:16:40,700 --> 00:16:43,100 at such an extraordinary, be a good fortune. 287 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:46,600 I sat up after night. I give myself over it. 288 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:48,800 And next day. I was off to Birmingham in a 289 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,000 train that would take me in plenty time for my appointment. 290 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,200 I took my things to Hotel in New Street. 291 00:16:55,500 --> 00:16:58,100 And then I'll make my way to the address which had given me. 292 00:16:59,100 --> 00:17:01,100 It was a quarter of an hour before my time. 293 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:02,700 I thought that would make no difference. 294 00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:07,800 Friends. 126 be was a passage between two large shops, which 295 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,900 led to a Winding Stone stair from which there are many flats. 296 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,599 Let us offices to companies or professional men. 297 00:17:16,300 --> 00:17:18,599 The names of the occupants were painted at the bottom on the 298 00:17:18,608 --> 00:17:20,900 wall. There was no such name as the 299 00:17:20,900 --> 00:17:25,000 Franco Midland hardware company. I stood for a few minutes with 300 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:28,200 my art, my boots wondering whether the whole thing was an 301 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:32,400 elaborate hoax or not. When up came a man and address 302 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,600 me. He was very, like, the chap. 303 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:38,400 I've seen the night before. Same figure and voice, but he 304 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,900 was clean-shaven and his hair was lighter. 305 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,600 Are you? Mr. Hall, pycroft? 306 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:48,800 He asked? Yes said, I oh, I was expecting 307 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,300 you, but you're a trifle before your time. 308 00:17:51,900 --> 00:17:53,400 I don't know. From my brother this morning. 309 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:56,300 In which she sang your Praises very loudly. 310 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,800 I was just looking for the offices when you came. 311 00:18:00,700 --> 00:18:03,500 We have not got our name up yet for we only secured. 312 00:18:03,500 --> 00:18:05,600 He's temporary premises last week. 313 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:08,200 Come up with me and we'll talk the matter over. 314 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,700 I followed him to the top of a very lofty stare and they're 315 00:18:13,100 --> 00:18:16,400 right under the slates were a couple of empty Dusty little 316 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:20,600 rooms uncarpeted a nun curtained into which, he led me. 317 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:24,500 I thought of a great office was shining tables and rows of 318 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:28,800 Clark's such as I was used to. And I dare say, I stayed rather 319 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:32,900 straight at the to deal chairs and one little table which with 320 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:36,300 a ledger and a wastepaper basket made up the whole furniture. 321 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,300 Don't be disheartened. Mr. Pycroft said my new 322 00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:44,700 acquaintance, seeing the length of my face Rome was not built in 323 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:49,000 a day and we have lots of money at our backs though. 324 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,400 We don't cut much dash yet in offices. 325 00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:54,400 Pray, sit down. And let me have your letter, 326 00:18:55,500 --> 00:18:58,600 I'll gave it to him and he read it over very carefully. 327 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,200 You seem to have made a vast impression upon my brother. 328 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,500 Arthur said he. And I know that he's a pretty 329 00:19:05,500 --> 00:19:09,900 shrewd judge. A swears by London, you know, 330 00:19:10,300 --> 00:19:13,500 and I by Birmingham. But this time I shall follow his 331 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:15,900 advice. Pray consider yourself. 332 00:19:15,900 --> 00:19:19,300 Definitely engaged. What am I duties? 333 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:23,000 I asked. You will eventually managed, a 334 00:19:23,008 --> 00:19:26,700 great Depot in Paris, which will pour a flood of English Crockery 335 00:19:26,700 --> 00:19:29,900 into the shops of 134 agents in France. 336 00:19:30,500 --> 00:19:34,000 The purchase will be complete in a week and Meanwhile, your 337 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,500 remaining Birmingham make yourself useful. 338 00:19:37,300 --> 00:19:41,300 How? For answer, he took a big red 339 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:45,000 book out of a draw. This is a directory of Paris 340 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:48,400 city with the trades after the names of the people. 341 00:19:48,900 --> 00:19:51,700 I want you to take it on with you and to mark off all the 342 00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:53,600 hardware sellers with their addresses. 343 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:56,200 It will be of the greatest used to me to have them. 344 00:19:57,300 --> 00:19:59,100 Surely. They're classified lists. 345 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:04,200 I suggested not reliable ones. Their system is different from 346 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,400 ours, stick at it and let me have the list by Monday at 12. 347 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,500 Die, mr. Pycroft, if you continue to show 348 00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:15,200 Zeal and intelligence, you'll find the company a good master. 349 00:20:16,700 --> 00:20:19,400 I went back to the hotel with a big book under my arm. 350 00:20:19,900 --> 00:20:23,900 We very conflicting feelings in my breast, on the one hand. 351 00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:28,000 I was definitely engaged and I'd under a pound in my pocket on 352 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,600 the other, the look at the offices, the absence of name on 353 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,500 the wall. And other of the points, which 354 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:37,900 would strike a businessman, had left a bad impression as to the 355 00:20:37,900 --> 00:20:42,700 position of my employers. However, come what might add my 356 00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:44,900 money. So, I settled down to my task 357 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,700 all Sunday. I was kept out at work and yet 358 00:20:48,700 --> 00:20:50,900 by Monday, I'd only got As far as H. 359 00:20:51,700 --> 00:20:54,800 I went round to my employer, found him in the same dismantle 360 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,600 kind of room and was told to keep at it until Wednesday and 361 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:02,300 then come again on, Wednesday was still unfinished. 362 00:21:02,700 --> 00:21:06,100 So, I'm a delay until Friday night is yesterday. 363 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:08,600 Then I brought around to mr. Harry Pinner. 364 00:21:09,700 --> 00:21:13,400 Thank you very much said he our fear that I underrated the 365 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,400 difficulty of the task. This list will be a very 366 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:17,900 material assistance. To me. 367 00:21:18,700 --> 00:21:24,700 It took some time said, I. And now seddie, I want you to 368 00:21:24,700 --> 00:21:28,300 make a list of the furniture shops for the all sell Crockery, 369 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,600 very good. And you can come up tomorrow 370 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,400 evening at seven, and let me know how you're getting on. 371 00:21:35,100 --> 00:21:38,800 Don't overwork yourself a couple of hours at days music, all in 372 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:40,500 the evening. Do you know arm after your 373 00:21:40,500 --> 00:21:44,100 labors? He laughed as he spoke and I saw 374 00:21:44,100 --> 00:21:47,600 the thrill that is second to to pain a left-hand side, had been 375 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:52,100 very badly stuffed with gold. Sherlock Holmes, rubbed his 376 00:21:52,100 --> 00:21:56,100 hands with delight and I stared with astonishment at our client. 377 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:01,900 You may well look surprised. Dr. Watson, but it is this way 378 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,000 said he, when I was speaking to the other chap in London and the 379 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,200 time that he laughed at my not going to Morrison's, I am to 380 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:12,200 notice that his tooth was stuffed in this very identical 381 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:15,300 fashion. The Glen of the gold, in each 382 00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:18,200 case, caught my eye. You see, when I put that with 383 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:21,300 the voice and figure being the same and only those things 384 00:22:21,300 --> 00:22:24,200 altered, which might be changed by a razor or a wig. 385 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,300 I could not doubt that it was the same man. 386 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:31,400 Of course, you expect two brothers to be alike, but not 387 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:32,900 that. They should have the same to 388 00:22:32,900 --> 00:22:36,300 stuffed in the same way. He bailed me out. 389 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,500 And I find myself in the street hardly knowing whether I was on 390 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:44,000 my head or my emails. Back, I went to my hotel, put my 391 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,500 head in a basin of cold water, and try to think it out. 392 00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:50,700 Why did he sent me from London to Birmingham? 393 00:22:51,500 --> 00:22:55,200 Why do you got there before me? And why had he written a letter 394 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:59,300 from himself to himself. It was altogether too much for 395 00:22:59,300 --> 00:23:01,700 me, and I could make no sense of it. 396 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:07,300 And then suddenly it struck me that what was dark to me, might 397 00:23:07,300 --> 00:23:09,500 be very like to mr. Sherlock Holmes. 398 00:23:10,300 --> 00:23:13,200 I just time to get up to town by the Night, Train to see him this 399 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:16,300 morning and to bring you both back with me to Birmingham. 400 00:23:18,100 --> 00:23:20,400 There was a pause after the stockbrokers Clark, had 401 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,600 concluded, his surprising experience. 402 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:27,700 Then Sherlock Holmes cocked. His eye at me, leaning back on 403 00:23:27,700 --> 00:23:31,400 the cushions with a pleased and yet critical face like a 404 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:33,900 connoisseur who has just taken his first. 405 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:37,800 Sip of a comet vintage rather. Fine. 406 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,900 Watson is it not said he, there are points in it, which pleased 407 00:23:41,900 --> 00:23:44,200 me. I think that you will agree with 408 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,200 me that an interview with mr. Arthur Harry Pinner. 409 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:50,100 In the temporary offices of the Franco Midland. 410 00:23:50,100 --> 00:23:53,600 Hardware Company Limited would be a rather interesting. 411 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,500 Earrings for both of us. But how can we do it? 412 00:23:57,700 --> 00:24:01,800 I asked. Out easily enough said Hall 413 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:05,200 pycroft cheerily you are two friends of mine who are in one 414 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:07,800 of a Billet and what could be more natural than that? 415 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,300 I should bring you both round to the managing director. 416 00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:15,600 Quite so of course said Holmes. I should like to have a look at 417 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,400 the gentleman and see if I can make anything of his little 418 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,600 game. What qualities? 419 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,000 Have you, my friend, which would make your services so valuable, 420 00:24:24,700 --> 00:24:28,600 or is it possible that he began biting his nails and staring 421 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:31,100 blankly out. Of the window and we hardly Drew 422 00:24:31,100 --> 00:24:34,000 another word from him until we were in New Street. 423 00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:38,100 At 7:00 that evening. We were walking, the three of us 424 00:24:38,300 --> 00:24:41,100 down Corporation Street to the company's offices. 425 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:44,500 It is now used, are being at all before. 426 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:48,500 Our time said, our client. He only comes there to see me 427 00:24:48,500 --> 00:24:51,300 apparently for the place is deserted up to the very hour. 428 00:24:51,300 --> 00:24:55,100 He names. That is suggestive remarked 429 00:24:55,100 --> 00:24:58,600 Holmes by jove. I Told You So cried. 430 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,800 The Clark. That's a walking ahead of us 431 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:05,500 there. He pointed to a smallish dark 432 00:25:05,500 --> 00:25:08,600 well-dressed man who was bustling along the other side of 433 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:12,100 the road? As we watched him. 434 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,400 He looked across at a boy who was balling out the latest 435 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:20,200 edition of the evening paper. And running over among the cabs 436 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:23,500 and buses. He bought one from him, then 437 00:25:23,500 --> 00:25:26,600 clutching it in his hand. He vanished through a doorway, 438 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:29,800 there. He goes, cried Hall pycroft. 439 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:32,500 These are the company's offices into which he has gone. 440 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,900 Come with me, and I'll fix it up as easily as possible. 441 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:40,600 Following his lead. We ascended five stories until 442 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:43,900 we found ourselves outside a half-open door, at which our 443 00:25:43,900 --> 00:25:47,600 client tapped, a voice within beta Center. 444 00:25:48,100 --> 00:25:51,200 And we entered a bear unfurnished room, such as Hall. 445 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:55,400 Pycroft had described at the single table set, the man, whom 446 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:59,000 we had seen in the street with his evening paper spread out in 447 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,600 front of him. And as he looked up at us, it 448 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,600 seemed to me that I had never looked upon a face which bore 449 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:09,700 such marks of grief and of Think Beyond grief of a horror such as 450 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:11,800 comes to a few men in a lifetime. 451 00:26:12,900 --> 00:26:15,100 His brow glistened with perspiration. 452 00:26:15,500 --> 00:26:19,400 His cheeks were of the dull, dead white of a fish's belly and 453 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:23,700 his eyes were wild and staring. He looked at his Clark as though 454 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:27,400 he failed to recognize him and I could see by the astonishment 455 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:30,900 depicted Upon Our conductors face, but this was, by no means 456 00:26:30,900 --> 00:26:33,000 the usual appearance of his employer. 457 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:35,700 You look ill, mr. Pinner. 458 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:38,300 He Named? Yes. 459 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,700 I'm not very well answered. The other making obvious efforts 460 00:26:42,700 --> 00:26:46,000 to pull himself together and licking his dry lips before he 461 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:49,100 spoke. Who are these gentlemen whom 462 00:26:49,100 --> 00:26:52,100 you've brought with you? One is mr. 463 00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:54,500 Harris of Berman C. And the other is mr. 464 00:26:54,500 --> 00:26:59,400 Price of this town. Said our Clark glibly, they're 465 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,900 friends of mine and gentlemen of experience, but they've been out 466 00:27:02,900 --> 00:27:05,900 of a place for some little time and they hope that perhaps you 467 00:27:05,900 --> 00:27:08,700 might find an opening for them in the company's employment. 468 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,500 Very possibly. Very possibly cried. 469 00:27:12,500 --> 00:27:15,300 Mr. Pinner with a ghastly smile. Yes. 470 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:18,300 I have no doubt that we shall be able to do something for you. 471 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:20,900 What is your particular line? Mr. Harris? 472 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:26,700 I am an accountant said Holmes. Oh, yes, we shall want something 473 00:27:26,700 --> 00:27:32,200 of the sort and you mr. Price, a Clark said, I, I have 474 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,300 every hope that the company May accommodate you. 475 00:27:34,900 --> 00:27:37,100 I'll let you know about it as soon as we come to any 476 00:27:37,100 --> 00:27:41,000 conclusion, and now I beg that you will go for God's sake. 477 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,700 Leave me to myself. These last words were shut out 478 00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:47,200 of him as though the constraint, which he was evidently setting 479 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:52,200 upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst asunder homes, and 480 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,600 I glanced at each other. And Hall pycroft took a step 481 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,100 towards the table. You forget. 482 00:27:58,100 --> 00:28:01,100 Mr. Pinner, the Army, and by appointment to receive some 483 00:28:01,100 --> 00:28:05,000 directions from you said, he certainly, mr. 484 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,700 Pycroft. Certainly the other resumed in a 485 00:28:07,700 --> 00:28:11,200 calmer tone. You may wait, here a moment and 486 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,800 there is no reason why your friends Not wait with you. 487 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,200 I will be entirely At Your Service in 3 minutes. 488 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,000 If I'm a trespass, upon your patients so far. 489 00:28:21,100 --> 00:28:25,100 Heroes with a very courteous are and bowing to us. 490 00:28:25,300 --> 00:28:28,300 He passed through a door at the farther end of the room, which 491 00:28:28,300 --> 00:28:33,700 he closed behind him. What now whispered Holmes is he 492 00:28:33,700 --> 00:28:37,700 giving us a slip impossible answered pycroft? 493 00:28:38,300 --> 00:28:41,400 Why? So that door leads into an inner 494 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:43,700 room? There is no exit. 495 00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:46,400 None. Is it furnished? 496 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,900 It was empty yesterday. Then what on Earth? 497 00:28:49,900 --> 00:28:53,200 Can he be doing? There is something which I don't 498 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:56,400 understand in this manner. If ever a man was three parts. 499 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,400 Mad with Terror. That's man's name is Pinner. 500 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:04,300 What can Put the Shivers on him. He suspects that we're 501 00:29:04,300 --> 00:29:09,500 detectives. I suggested see Mycroft Holmes 502 00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:12,700 shook his head. He did not turn pale. 503 00:29:13,300 --> 00:29:17,200 He was pale when we entered the room said he, it is just 504 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:21,300 possible that his words were interrupted by a sharp rap tap 505 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:22,800 from the direction of the inner door. 506 00:29:24,500 --> 00:29:26,900 What the juice? Is he knocking his own door for 507 00:29:27,100 --> 00:29:31,200 cried, the Clark again and much louder came. 508 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:34,800 The rat-tat-tat. We all gazed expectantly at the 509 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:37,500 closed-door. Glancing at homes. 510 00:29:37,700 --> 00:29:41,200 I saw his face turn rigid and he leaned forward in intense 511 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:44,300 excitement. Then suddenly came a low 512 00:29:44,300 --> 00:29:48,500 gargling gargling sound and a Brisk drumming upon would work. 513 00:29:50,100 --> 00:29:53,700 Holmes sprang frantically across the room and pushed at the door. 514 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:57,900 It was fastened on the inner side, following his example, we 515 00:29:57,900 --> 00:30:01,800 threw ourselves upon it, with all our weight, one hinge 516 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:05,400 snapped, then the other and down, came the door with a crash 517 00:30:06,100 --> 00:30:07,900 rushing. Over it, we found ourselves in 518 00:30:07,900 --> 00:30:11,900 the Inner Room. It was empty, but it was only 519 00:30:11,900 --> 00:30:16,200 for a moment that we were at fault at one corner, the corner 520 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:18,100 nearest, the room, which we had left. 521 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,900 There was a Second or Holmes sprang to it and pull it. 522 00:30:21,900 --> 00:30:25,500 Open a coat and waistcoat were lying on the floor. 523 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:28,600 And from a hook behind the door with his own braces. 524 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:32,900 Around his neck was hanging the managing director of the Franco 525 00:30:32,900 --> 00:30:37,700 Midland hardware company, his knees were drawn up his head 526 00:30:37,700 --> 00:30:41,000 hung at a dreadful angle to his body and the clatter of his 527 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:44,400 heels against the door made the noise which had broken in upon 528 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:48,300 our conversation. In an instant, I had caught him 529 00:30:48,300 --> 00:30:51,900 around the waist and held him up while Holmes and pycroft untied 530 00:30:51,900 --> 00:30:54,700 the elastic bands which had disappeared between the livid 531 00:30:54,700 --> 00:30:57,700 creases of skin. And we carried him into the 532 00:30:57,700 --> 00:31:01,700 other room where he lay with a clay-colored face puffing, his 533 00:31:01,700 --> 00:31:05,700 purple lips in and out with every breath, a dreadful wreck 534 00:31:05,700 --> 00:31:08,100 of all that he had been, but five minutes before. 535 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:11,900 What do you think of him? Watson asked Holmes? 536 00:31:12,900 --> 00:31:15,000 I stooped over him and examined him. 537 00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:19,200 His pulse was feeble and intermittent, but his breathing 538 00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:22,500 grew longer and it was a little shivering of his eyelids, which 539 00:31:22,500 --> 00:31:24,800 showed a thin white slit of ball beneath. 540 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:29,300 It has been touch-and-go with him said, I but he live now. 541 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:32,400 Just open that window and hand me the water carafe. 542 00:31:33,500 --> 00:31:35,100 I undid. His collar poured. 543 00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:38,700 The cold water over his face and raised and sank his arms. 544 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:44,000 Lee drew a long, natural breath. It's only a question of time. 545 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:49,300 Now said I, as I turned away from him home stood by the table 546 00:31:49,300 --> 00:31:52,800 with his hands deep in his trousers pockets and his chin 547 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:56,300 upon his breast. I suppose we ought to call the 548 00:31:56,300 --> 00:32:00,700 police in now said he and yet, I confess that I'd like to give 549 00:32:00,700 --> 00:32:02,700 them a complete case when they come. 550 00:32:03,900 --> 00:32:07,400 It's a blessed mystery to me cried, pycroft, scratching his 551 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:10,500 head, whatever they wanted to bring me all the way up here for 552 00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:15,200 and then poo, all that is clear enough said Holmes, impatiently. 553 00:32:16,500 --> 00:32:21,100 It is this last sudden move. You can understand the rest in, 554 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:23,900 I think that it is fairly obvious. 555 00:32:24,300 --> 00:32:27,700 What do you say, Watson? I shrug my shoulders. 556 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:33,200 I must confess. I'm out of my depth, said I, oh, 557 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:36,200 surely if you consider the events at first, I can only 558 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:40,000 point to one conclusion. What do you make of them? 559 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,500 Well, the whole thing hinges upon two points. 560 00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:46,200 The first is the making of pycroft. 561 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:49,000 Write a declaration by which he entered the service of this 562 00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:52,100 Preposterous company. Do you not see how very 563 00:32:52,100 --> 00:32:55,900 suggestive that is? I'm afraid I missed the point. 564 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:58,700 Well, why did they want him to do it? 565 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:02,100 Not as a business matter. For these arrangements are 566 00:33:02,100 --> 00:33:05,300 usually verbal and there was no earthly business reason, why 567 00:33:05,300 --> 00:33:08,900 this should be an exception. Don't you see my young friend 568 00:33:09,300 --> 00:33:11,800 that they were very anxious to obtain a specimen of your 569 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:14,800 handwriting and had no other way of doing it. 570 00:33:15,700 --> 00:33:21,500 And why quite, so why? When we answer that we have made 571 00:33:21,500 --> 00:33:23,400 some progress with our little problem. 572 00:33:24,400 --> 00:33:28,000 Why there can be only one adequate reason? 573 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:33,000 Someone wanted to learn to imitate your writing and had to 574 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:37,000 procure a specimen or it first. And now if we pass on to the 575 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:41,600 second point, we find that each throws light upon the other that 576 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:45,200 point is the request made by Pinner that you should not 577 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:48,000 resign your place, but should leave the manager of his 578 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:51,300 important business in the full expectation that a mr. 579 00:33:51,300 --> 00:33:55,600 Hall pycroft, whom he had never seen was about to enter the 580 00:33:55,600 --> 00:34:00,400 office upon the Monday morning. My God, cried our client. 581 00:34:00,700 --> 00:34:03,800 What a blind beat life being. Now. 582 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:08,000 You see the point about the handwriting suppose that someone 583 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:10,800 turned up in your place who wrote a completely different 584 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:13,900 hand from that in which you had applied for the vacancy. 585 00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:17,500 Of course, the game would have been up but in the interval the 586 00:34:17,500 --> 00:34:21,100 Rogue had learned to imitate you and his position was there for 587 00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:25,699 secure as I presume that nobody in the office had ever set eyes 588 00:34:25,699 --> 00:34:28,500 upon you. Not a soul. 589 00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:32,000 Groaned Hall pycroft. Very good. 590 00:34:32,500 --> 00:34:35,500 Of course, it was of the utmost importance to prevent you from 591 00:34:35,500 --> 00:34:38,900 thinking better of it and also to keep you from coming into 592 00:34:38,900 --> 00:34:42,500 contact with anyone who might tell you that your double was at 593 00:34:42,500 --> 00:34:46,800 work in Morrison's office. Therefore they gave you a 594 00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:50,699 handsome Advance on your salary and ran you off to the Midlands, 595 00:34:51,100 --> 00:34:53,600 where they gave you enough work to do to, prevent you going to 596 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:56,800 London where you might have burst their little game up. 597 00:34:57,500 --> 00:35:02,200 That is all plain enough. But why should this man pretend 598 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:05,700 to be his own brother? Well, that is pretty clear. 599 00:35:05,700 --> 00:35:08,900 Also, there are evidently only two of them in it. 600 00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:13,400 The other is impersonating you at the office, this one, acted 601 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:16,700 as your engager and then found that he could not find you an 602 00:35:16,700 --> 00:35:21,300 employer without admitting a third person into his plot that 603 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:25,300 he was most unwilling to do. He changed his appearance as far 604 00:35:25,300 --> 00:35:28,100 as he could. And trusted that the lightness, 605 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:31,400 which you could not fail to observe, would be put down to a 606 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:35,900 family resemblance, but for the Chance of the gold stuffing. 607 00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:38,900 Your suspicions would probably never have been aroused. 608 00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:42,500 Hall pycroft shook. His clinched hands in the air. 609 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:46,200 Good, Lord. He cried while I've been fooled 610 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:48,500 in this way. What does this other Hall 611 00:35:48,500 --> 00:35:50,400 pycroft, been doing it Morrison's. 612 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:51,600 What? Should we do? 613 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:53,900 Mr. Holmes? Tell me what to do. 614 00:35:55,100 --> 00:35:59,400 We must wire to Morrison's, they shout at 12 on Saturdays. 615 00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:03,200 Never mind. There may be some doorkeeper or 616 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,800 attendant. Oh, yes, they keep a permanent 617 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,000 guard there on account of the value of the Securities that 618 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:11,400 they old. I remember hearing it talked of 619 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:16,400 in the city very good. We shall wire to him and see if 620 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:20,300 all is well and if a clerk of your name is working, there that 621 00:36:20,300 --> 00:36:24,300 is clear enough, but what is not so clear as why at the sight of 622 00:36:24,300 --> 00:36:27,400 us, one of the Rogue should instantly walk out of the room 623 00:36:27,600 --> 00:36:32,700 and hang himself. The paper croaky voice behind 624 00:36:32,700 --> 00:36:37,500 us, the man was sitting up blanched and ghastly with 625 00:36:37,500 --> 00:36:41,500 returning reason in his eyes and hands which rubbed nervously at 626 00:36:41,500 --> 00:36:44,600 the broad Red Band which still encircled his throat. 627 00:36:46,100 --> 00:36:50,600 The paper, of course, yelled homes, in a paroxysm of 628 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:55,500 excitement idiot that I was I thought so much of our visit 629 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:59,500 that the paper never entered my head for an instant to be sure. 630 00:37:00,100 --> 00:37:04,700 The secret must be there. He flattened it upon the table 631 00:37:05,100 --> 00:37:07,600 and the Cry of Triumph burst from his lips. 632 00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:10,600 Look at this Watson. He cried. 633 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:15,100 It is a London paper an early edition of the evening standard 634 00:37:15,700 --> 00:37:19,500 here is what we want. Look at the headlines crime in 635 00:37:19,500 --> 00:37:24,100 the City, murder at Mawson and Williams, gigantic attempted 636 00:37:24,100 --> 00:37:27,500 robbery capture of the criminal here, Watson. 637 00:37:27,900 --> 00:37:29,500 We are all equally anxious to hear it. 638 00:37:29,500 --> 00:37:34,200 So kindly read it aloud to us. It appeared from its position in 639 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:37,000 the paper to have been the one event of importance in town. 640 00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:41,700 And the account of it ran in this way, a desperate attempt at 641 00:37:41,700 --> 00:37:45,100 robbery culminating in the death of one man and the capture of 642 00:37:45,100 --> 00:37:48,300 the criminal record this afternoon in the city for some 643 00:37:48,300 --> 00:37:52,200 time back Morrison and Williams, the famous Financial house have 644 00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:54,600 been the Guardians of Securities, which amount in the 645 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:57,300 aggregate to a sum of considerably over a million 646 00:37:57,300 --> 00:38:00,100 Sterling. So conscious was the manager of 647 00:38:00,100 --> 00:38:03,000 the responsibilities, which devolved Upon him in consequence 648 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:06,500 of the great interest at stake. That safes of the very latest 649 00:38:06,500 --> 00:38:10,200 construction have been employed and an armed Watchman has been 650 00:38:10,200 --> 00:38:11,900 left day and night in the building. 651 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:17,100 It appears that last week. I knew clerk named Hall pycroft 652 00:38:17,200 --> 00:38:20,700 was engaged by The Firm. This person appears to have been 653 00:38:20,700 --> 00:38:25,100 none other than Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who 654 00:38:25,100 --> 00:38:28,200 with his brother had only recently emerged from a five 655 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:32,900 years spell of penal servitude. By some means which are not yet 656 00:38:32,900 --> 00:38:35,500 clear. He succeeded in winning under a 657 00:38:35,500 --> 00:38:37,800 false name. This official position in the 658 00:38:37,800 --> 00:38:41,400 office, which he utilized in order to obtain moldings of 659 00:38:41,400 --> 00:38:44,700 various locks and a thorough knowledge of the position of the 660 00:38:44,700 --> 00:38:46,500 strongroom. And the safes. 661 00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:50,400 It is customary at Morrisons for the Clarks to leave at midday on 662 00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:52,400 Saturday. Sergeant. 663 00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:55,900 Tuson of the city police was somewhat surprised therefore to 664 00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:57,800 see a gentleman with a carpet-bag. 665 00:38:57,800 --> 00:39:00,400 Come down. The steps at 1:20. 666 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:04,600 His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant followed the man. 667 00:39:04,600 --> 00:39:08,000 And with the aid of constable Pollock, succeeded after a most 668 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,100 desperate resistance in arresting him. 669 00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:13,800 It was at once clear? That a daring and gigantic 670 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:17,200 robbery had been committed, nearly 100,000 pounds worth of 671 00:39:17,200 --> 00:39:20,900 American Railway bonds with a large amount of script in mines, 672 00:39:21,100 --> 00:39:23,800 and other companies was discovered in the bag. 673 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:27,600 On examining the premises, the body of the unfortunate, 674 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:31,200 Watchmen, was found doubled up and thrust into the largest of 675 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:33,900 the safes where it would not have been discovered until 676 00:39:33,900 --> 00:39:36,000 Monday morning. Had it not been for the prompt 677 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:40,000 action of Sergeant Tucson. The man's skull had been 678 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:42,800 Shattered by a blow from a poker delivered from behind. 679 00:39:43,300 --> 00:39:46,200 There could be no doubt that Beddington had obtained entrance 680 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:49,500 by pretending that he had left something behind him and having 681 00:39:49,500 --> 00:39:53,200 murdered The Watchman rapidly rifled, a large safe and then 682 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:57,400 made off with his booty. His brother who usually works 683 00:39:57,400 --> 00:40:00,100 with him, has not appeared in this job as far as can at 684 00:40:00,100 --> 00:40:03,100 present be ascertained. Although, the police are making 685 00:40:03,100 --> 00:40:05,800 energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts. 686 00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:10,300 Well, we may save the police some little trouble in that 687 00:40:10,300 --> 00:40:14,000 direction, said Holmes, glancing at the Haggard figure huddled 688 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:17,200 up, by the window. Human nature is a strange 689 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:20,500 mixture Watson. You see that even a villain and 690 00:40:20,500 --> 00:40:24,100 murderer can Inspire such affection that his brother turns 691 00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:26,900 to suicide. When he learns that his neck is 692 00:40:26,900 --> 00:40:30,500 forfeited. However, we have no choice as to 693 00:40:30,500 --> 00:40:33,800 our action, the doctor, and I will remain on guard. 694 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:37,700 Mr. Pycroft, if you will have the kindness to step out for the 695 00:40:37,700 --> 00:40:42,600 police. End of the adventure of the 696 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:44,100 stockbrokers Clark.