1
00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:03,900
Chapter 3 of the valley of fear 
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

2
00:00:04,300 --> 00:00:06,700
This LibriVox recording is in 
the public domain. 

3
00:00:08,100 --> 00:00:11,600
Chapter 3, The Tragedy of Bill 
Stone. 

4
00:00:13,500 --> 00:00:16,400
Now, for a moment, I will ask 
leave to remove my own 

5
00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,400
insignificant personality and to
describe events which occurred 

6
00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,400
before we arrived upon the scene
by the light of knowledge which 

7
00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,300
came to us afterwards only in 
this way. 

8
00:00:26,300 --> 00:00:29,900
Can I make the reader appreciate
the people concerned and the 

9
00:00:29,900 --> 00:00:32,600
strange setting in which their 
fate was cast? 

10
00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:36,900
The verge of birlstone is a 
small and very ancient cluster 

11
00:00:36,900 --> 00:00:40,500
of half-timbered cottages on the
northern border of the county of

12
00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:44,900
Sussex for centuries. 
It had remained unchanged, but 

13
00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:47,700
within the last few years, it's 
picturesque appearance and 

14
00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:51,600
situation have attracted a 
number of well-to-do residents 

15
00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:54,300
whose Villas peep out from the 
woods around. 

16
00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:58,600
These Woods are locally supposed
to be the extreme Fringe Of The 

17
00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,300
Great wield Forest which thins 
away until it reaches the 

18
00:01:02,300 --> 00:01:05,900
northern chalk down. 
A number of small shops have 

19
00:01:05,900 --> 00:01:08,000
come into being to meet the 
wants of the increased 

20
00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,900
population so the seems some 
prospect that birlstone may soon

21
00:01:11,900 --> 00:01:14,900
grow from an ancient Village 
into a modern Town. 

22
00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:18,300
It is the center for a 
considerable area of country 

23
00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,500
since Tunbridge Wells the 
nearest place of importance is 

24
00:01:22,500 --> 00:01:27,000
10 or 12 miles to the Eastward. 
Over the borders of Kent about 

25
00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:30,300
half a mile from the town 
standing in an old park famous 

26
00:01:30,300 --> 00:01:34,200
for its huge Beech. 
Trees is the ancient Manor House

27
00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,600
of birlstone, part of this 
venerable building dates back to

28
00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:42,700
the time of the First Crusade. 
When Hugo de couples built, a 

29
00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:46,100
fort Elise in the center of the 
estate, which had been granted 

30
00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:51,900
to him by the Red King, this was
destroyed by fire in 1543 and 

31
00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:55,200
some of its smoke blackened 
Corner Stones were used when in 

32
00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,500
Jacobi and times a brick Country
House Rose upon the ruins of the

33
00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:02,800
feudal Castle. 
The manor house with its many 

34
00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,900
Gables. 
It's small, diamond paned. 

35
00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:08,600
Windows was still much as the 
Builder had left it in the early

36
00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,600
17th century of the double moats
which had guarded, its more 

37
00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,700
warlike predecessor. 
The outer had been allowed to 

38
00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:19,200
dry up and serve the humble 
function of a kitchen Garden. 

39
00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:23,400
The inner one was still there 
and lay 40 feet in breadth 

40
00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,200
though. 
Now only a few feet in depth 

41
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,500
around the whole house, a small 
stream fed it and continued 

42
00:02:30,500 --> 00:02:32,900
Beyond it. 
So that the sheet of water 

43
00:02:32,900 --> 00:02:35,200
though. 
Turbot was never ditch like or 

44
00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,900
unhealthy, the ground-floor 
windows were within a foot of 

45
00:02:38,900 --> 00:02:42,900
the surface of the water. 
The only approach to the house 

46
00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:46,000
was over a drawbridge, the 
chains and windlass of, which, 

47
00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,600
had long been rusted and broken,
the latest tenants of the manor 

48
00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:53,300
house, had however, with 
characteristic energy set this, 

49
00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:55,700
right? 
And the drawbridge was not only 

50
00:02:55,700 --> 00:02:58,800
capable of being raised, but 
actually was raised every 

51
00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,100
evening and lowered Every 
Morning by thus renewing, the 

52
00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:05,800
custom of the old feudal days. 
The manor house was converted 

53
00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,400
into an island during the night,
a fact, which had very direct 

54
00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:13,400
bearing upon the mystery which 
Soon to engage the attention of 

55
00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:17,200
all England. 
The house have been untenanted 

56
00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:20,100
for some years and was 
threatening to mold her into a 

57
00:03:20,100 --> 00:03:23,000
picture SDK. 
When the douglases took 

58
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,800
possession of it, this family 
consisted of only two 

59
00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,300
individuals, John Douglas and 
his wife. 

60
00:03:31,100 --> 00:03:34,000
Douglas was a remarkable man, 
both in character. 

61
00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,900
And in person in age, you may 
have been about 50 with a 

62
00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:42,500
strong-jawed rugged face, a 
grizzling mustache A peculiarly 

63
00:03:42,500 --> 00:03:46,800
keen gray eyes, and a wiry 
vigorous figure which had lost 

64
00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,400
nothing of the strength and 
activity of Youth. 

65
00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:54,000
He was cheery and genial to all,
but somewhat off hand in his 

66
00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,200
manners. 
Giving the impression that he 

67
00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:00,300
had seen life in Social strata 
on some Far, lower Horizon than 

68
00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:04,000
the county Society of Sussex yet
though. 

69
00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,500
Looked at with some curiosity 
and reserved by his more, 

70
00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:10,900
cultivated neighbors. 
He soon, acquired a great 

71
00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:13,700
popularity Rarity among the 
villagers subscribing. 

72
00:04:13,700 --> 00:04:17,800
Handsomely to all local objects 
and attending their smoking 

73
00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,700
concerts and other functions. 
We're having a remarkably Rich 

74
00:04:21,700 --> 00:04:24,700
tenor voice. 
He was always ready to oblige 

75
00:04:24,700 --> 00:04:28,700
with an excellent song. 
He appeared to have plenty of 

76
00:04:28,700 --> 00:04:31,600
money which was said to have 
been gained in the California 

77
00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,600
Gold fields and it was clear 
from his own torque and that of 

78
00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,000
his wife that he had spent a 
part of his life in America. 

79
00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:43,100
The good impression, which have 
been produced by his generosity,

80
00:04:43,100 --> 00:04:47,300
and by his Democratic manners, 
was increased by a reputation 

81
00:04:47,300 --> 00:04:51,400
gained for utter, indifference 
to Danger though our wretched 

82
00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:55,300
Rider, he turned out at every 
meet and took the most amazing 

83
00:04:55,300 --> 00:04:59,200
Falls in his determination to 
hold his own with the best when 

84
00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,100
the vicarage caught fire. 
He distinguished himself. 

85
00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:05,700
Also, by the fearlessness with 
which he re-entered the building

86
00:05:05,700 --> 00:05:09,400
to save property, after the 
local fire brigade, had given it

87
00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:10,500
up as him. 
Possible. 

88
00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,100
Thus it came about that John, 
Douglas of the manor house had 

89
00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:18,300
within five years. 
One himself quite a reputation. 

90
00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:23,000
In birlstone, his wife to was 
popular with those who had made 

91
00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,900
her acquaintance though. 
After the English fashion. 

92
00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:29,200
The caller's Upon A Stranger who
settled in the county without 

93
00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,400
introductions were few and far 
between this mattered. 

94
00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,600
The Lester her. 
She was retiring by disposition 

95
00:05:37,100 --> 00:05:41,000
and very much absorbed to all 
appearance in her husband and 

96
00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,700
her Domestic duties. 
It was known that she was an 

97
00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:48,500
English lady who had met mr. 
Douglas in London he being at 

98
00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:53,200
the time a widower she was a 
beautiful woman tall dark and 

99
00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:58,000
slender some 20 years younger 
than her husband a disparity 

100
00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,600
which seemed in no wise to Mar 
the contentment of their family 

101
00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,000
life. 
It was remarked sometimes, 

102
00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:08,900
however, by those who knew them,
best that the confidence between

103
00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:13,100
the two did not appear to be 
complete since the wife was 

104
00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:18,100
either very reticent about her 
husband's past life or else as 

105
00:06:18,100 --> 00:06:19,900
seemed more likely was 
imperfect. 

106
00:06:19,900 --> 00:06:24,100
The informed about it. 
It had also been noted and 

107
00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:26,600
commented upon by a few 
observant people. 

108
00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:31,200
There were signs sometimes of 
some nerve strain upon the part 

109
00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,700
of mrs. 
Douglas And that she would 

110
00:06:33,700 --> 00:06:37,400
display a cute uneasiness. 
If her absent husband should 

111
00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:39,900
ever be particularly late in his
return. 

112
00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:44,200
On a quiet Countryside. 
Where all gossip is, welcome. 

113
00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,900
This weakness of the, lady of 
the manor house did not pass 

114
00:06:47,900 --> 00:06:52,100
without remark, and it bulked 
large du pain people's memory 

115
00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:54,900
when the events arose, which 
gave it a very special 

116
00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:59,200
significance. 
There was yet another individual

117
00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,800
whose residents under that roof 
was, it is true only an 

118
00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,900
intermittent one, but whose 
Presence at the time of the 

119
00:07:05,900 --> 00:07:09,600
strange happenings, which will 
now be narrated brought his name

120
00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:14,100
prominently before the Flick. 
This was Cecil James. 

121
00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:20,200
Barker of Hales Lodge Hampstead.
Cecil Barker has told, 

122
00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,800
loose-jointed figure was a 
familiar one in the main street 

123
00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,900
of birlstone village for he was 
a frequent and welcome visitor 

124
00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:30,100
at the manor house. 
He was the more noticed as being

125
00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:32,600
the only friend of the past 
unknown life of mr. 

126
00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:37,500
Douglas who has ever seen in his
new English surroundings, Barker

127
00:07:37,500 --> 00:07:39,500
was himself an undoubted 
Englishmen. 

128
00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,200
But by his remarks, it was clear
that he had first known, Douglas

129
00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:46,700
in America and had their lived 
on, intimate terms with him. 

130
00:07:47,700 --> 00:07:51,200
He appeared to be a man of 
considerable wealth and was 

131
00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,000
reputed to be a bachelor in age.
He was rather younger than 

132
00:07:55,000 --> 00:08:01,100
Douglas. 45 at the most a tall 
straight broad-chested fellow 

133
00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:07,400
with a clean shaved Prizefighter
face thick strong black eyebrows

134
00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,500
and a pair of masterful black 
eyes, which might even without 

135
00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:13,600
the aid of his very capable 
hands. 

136
00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:16,900
Clear away for him through a 
hostile crowd. 

137
00:08:17,900 --> 00:08:21,100
He neither Road nor shot but 
spent his days in wandering 

138
00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:24,400
around the old village with his 
pipe, in his mouth, or in 

139
00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:29,100
driving with his host or in his 
Absence with his Hostess over 

140
00:08:29,100 --> 00:08:33,600
the beautiful countryside, an 
easygoing free-handed gentleman 

141
00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:37,700
said aims the butler, but my 
word I had rather not be the man

142
00:08:37,700 --> 00:08:41,299
that crossed him. 
He was cordial and intimate with

143
00:08:41,299 --> 00:08:44,400
Douglas and he was no less 
friendly with his wife, a 

144
00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:48,200
friendship, which more than once
seemed to cause some irritation 

145
00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:52,000
to the husband so that even the 
servants were able to perceive 

146
00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,700
his annoyance. 
Such was the third person who is

147
00:08:55,700 --> 00:08:58,300
one of the family, when the 
catastrophe occurred. 

148
00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:03,300
As to the other denizens of the 
old building, it will suffice 

149
00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:07,300
out of a large household to 
mention the prim respectable, 

150
00:09:07,300 --> 00:09:11,800
and capable aims and mrs. 
Allan a buxom and cheerful 

151
00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,600
person who relieved, the lady of
some of her household cares. 

152
00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,200
The other six servants in the 
house bear. 

153
00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:19,600
No. 
Relation to the events of the 

154
00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:25,700
night of January 6. 
It was at 11:45 that the first 

155
00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:29,300
alarm reached the small local 
police station in charge. 

156
00:09:29,500 --> 00:09:34,200
Sergeant Wilson of the Sussex. 
Constabulary Cecil Barker much 

157
00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,000
excited. 
Had rushed up to the door and 

158
00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:41,800
peeled furiously upon the Bell. 
A terrible tragedy had occurred 

159
00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,400
at the manor house and John 
Douglas had been murdered. 

160
00:09:46,500 --> 00:09:49,400
That was the breathless burden 
of his message. 

161
00:09:50,300 --> 00:09:53,700
He had hurried back to the house
followed within a few minutes by

162
00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:56,700
the police, Sergeant who arrived
at the scene of the crime, a 

163
00:09:56,708 --> 00:10:01,600
little after 12:00, after taking
Prompt steps to warn the county 

164
00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,800
authorities that something 
serious was a foot on reaching 

165
00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,400
the manor-house. 
The sergeant had found a 

166
00:10:09,408 --> 00:10:13,600
drawbridge down the windows 
lighted up and the whole 

167
00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:18,300
household in a state of wild 
confusion and alarm the 

168
00:10:18,300 --> 00:10:21,700
white-faced servants were 
huddling together in the hall 

169
00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:24,500
with the frightened Butler. 
Wringing his hands in the 

170
00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:27,700
doorway. 
Only Cecil Barker seemed to be 

171
00:10:27,700 --> 00:10:31,900
master of himself and his 
emotions he had opened the door,

172
00:10:31,900 --> 00:10:34,900
which was nearest to the 
entrance and he had beckoned to 

173
00:10:34,908 --> 00:10:39,000
the sergeant to follow him at 
that moment there. 

174
00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,800
Arrived doctor would a Brisk and
capable general practitioner 

175
00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:46,200
from the village. 
The three men entered the Fatal 

176
00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:49,000
room together. 
While the horror-stricken butler

177
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,800
followed at their heels closing,
the door behind him to shut out 

178
00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:55,200
the terrible scene from the maid
servants. 

179
00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:00,000
The dead man lay on his back 
sprawling with outstretched, 

180
00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:04,200
limbs in the center of the room,
he was clad only in a pink 

181
00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:06,500
dressing-gown, which covered his
nightclothes. 

182
00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:09,300
There were carpet slippers on 
his bare feet. 

183
00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:13,600
The doctor knelt beside him and 
held down the hand lamp, which 

184
00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:17,600
had stood on the table. 
One glance at the victim, was 

185
00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,000
enough to show the Healer that 
his presence could be dispensed 

186
00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:26,400
with The man had been horribly 
injured lying across his chest, 

187
00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:30,800
was a curious weapon, a shotgun 
with the barrel sawed off a foot

188
00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:35,000
in front of the triggers, it was
clear that this had been fired 

189
00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:39,200
at close range and that he had 
received the whole charge in the

190
00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:42,000
face. 
Blowing his head almost two 

191
00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,800
pieces. 
The triggers have been wired 

192
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:46,900
together. 
So as to make the simultaneous 

193
00:11:46,900 --> 00:11:51,600
discharge more destructive, The 
country policemen were unnerved 

194
00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,500
and troubled by the tremendous 
responsibility, which had come 

195
00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:58,600
so suddenly upon them. 
We will touch nothing until my 

196
00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,400
superiors arrived. 
He said, in a hushed, voice 

197
00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:03,900
staring in horror at the 
Dreadful head. 

198
00:12:04,900 --> 00:12:08,900
Nothing has been touched up to 
now, said Cecil Barker, I'll 

199
00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:11,600
answer for that. 
You see it all exactly as I 

200
00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:15,000
found it. 
When was that the sergeant had 

201
00:12:15,008 --> 00:12:18,600
drawn out his notebook? 
It was just 11:30. 

202
00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:22,500
I had not begun to undress and I
was sitting by the fire in my 

203
00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:26,100
bedroom when I heard the report,
it was not very loud. 

204
00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,200
It I'm to be muffled. 
I Rush down. 

205
00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,000
I don't suppose it was 30 
seconds before I was in the 

206
00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,600
room. 
Was the door open? 

207
00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:39,000
Yes, it was open, poor. 
Douglas was lying. 

208
00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:43,000
As you see him, his bedroom 
candle was burning on the table.

209
00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,900
It was, I Who lit the lamp? 
Some minutes, afterward, did you

210
00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:51,200
see no one? 
No, I heard mrs. 

211
00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:54,800
Douglas coming down the stairs 
behind me and I rushed out to 

212
00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:56,700
prevent her from seeing this 
Dreadful. 

213
00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,400
All site, mrs. 
Allen, the housekeeper came and 

214
00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,700
took her away. 
Ames had arrived and we ran back

215
00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:07,600
into the room once more. 
But surely a Harvard. 

216
00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:09,500
The drawbridge has kept up all 
night. 

217
00:13:10,300 --> 00:13:12,600
Yes, it was up until I lowered 
it. 

218
00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,700
Then how could any murderer of 
got away? 

219
00:13:15,900 --> 00:13:18,600
It is out of the question. 
Mr. Douglas must have shot 

220
00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:23,200
himself. 
That was our first idea but see 

221
00:13:24,100 --> 00:13:27,400
Barker Drew aside the curtain 
and showed that the long Diamond

222
00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:29,900
pained window was open to its 
full extent. 

223
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,800
And look at this, he held the 
lamp down and illuminated a 

224
00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:38,600
smudge of blood like the mark of
a boot sole upon the windowsill 

225
00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,700
Someone has stood there and 
getting out. 

226
00:13:43,700 --> 00:13:46,400
You may know someone waded 
across the moat. 

227
00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,500
Exactly. 
Then if you were in the room 

228
00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:53,300
with in half, minute of the 
crime, he must have been in the 

229
00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:57,700
water at that very moment. 
I have not a doubt of it. 

230
00:13:58,100 --> 00:14:01,300
I wish to Heaven that I had 
rushed to the window, but the 

231
00:14:01,308 --> 00:14:03,400
curtain screened it as you can 
see. 

232
00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:07,800
And so it never occurred to me, 
then I heard the step of mrs. 

233
00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,100
Douglas. 
And I could not let her enter 

234
00:14:10,100 --> 00:14:12,600
the room. 
It would have been too horrible.

235
00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:17,400
Horrible enough said the doctor 
looking at the shattered head 

236
00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,600
and a terrible marks, which 
surrounded it. 

237
00:14:20,100 --> 00:14:23,200
I've never seen such injuries 
since the bull Stone Railway. 

238
00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:28,600
Smash But I say remark the 
police Sergeant, who slow 

239
00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:31,100
bucolic? 
Common Sense was still pondering

240
00:14:31,100 --> 00:14:34,200
the open window. 
It's all very well. 

241
00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:38,800
You saying that a man escaped by
wading this moat but why ask you

242
00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,900
is, how did he ever get into the
house at all? 

243
00:14:41,900 --> 00:14:46,200
If the bridge was up. 
That's the question. 

244
00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,900
Said, Barker water clock. 
Was it raised? 

245
00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,800
It was nearly 6:00 said aims to 
Butler. 

246
00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,000
I've ever heard said the 
sergeant, but it was usually 

247
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,900
raised at Sunset that will be 
near our past for than six at 

248
00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:06,100
this time of year. 
Mrs. Douglas had visitors to T 

249
00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:10,200
said Ames, I couldn't raise it 
until they went, then I wound it

250
00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:14,000
up myself. 
Then it comes to this said, the 

251
00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000
sergeant if anyone came from 
outside. 

252
00:15:17,300 --> 00:15:21,000
If they did, they must have 
gotten across the bridge before 

253
00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,300
6:00 and been in the are doing 
ever since until mr. 

254
00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:26,400
Douglas came into the room after
11:00. 

255
00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:31,000
That is so, mr. 
Douglas, went around the house 

256
00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,300
every night. 
The last thing before he turned 

257
00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:34,900
into, see that the lights were 
right. 

258
00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,600
That brought him in here, the 
man was waiting and shot him. 

259
00:15:38,700 --> 00:15:41,200
Then he got away through the 
window and left his gun behind 

260
00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:44,000
him. 
That's how I read it for nothing

261
00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:48,200
else, will fit the facts. 
The sergeant picked up a card, 

262
00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,500
which lay beside the dead man on
the floor. 

263
00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:57,700
The initials v v and under them.
The number 341 were rudely 

264
00:15:57,700 --> 00:16:01,700
scrawled in ink upon it, What's 
this? 

265
00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:06,100
He asked holding it up bark. 
I looked at it with curiosity. 

266
00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:10,700
I never noticed it before. 
He said the murderer must have 

267
00:16:10,700 --> 00:16:17,300
left it behind him. 
V v 341 Long, make no sense of 

268
00:16:17,300 --> 00:16:20,600
that. 
Sergeant kept turning it over in

269
00:16:20,608 --> 00:16:23,400
his big fingers. 
What's VV? 

270
00:16:23,900 --> 00:16:27,200
Somebody's initials, maybe what 
have you got there, dr. 

271
00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:31,600
Wood, it was a good-sized hammer
which had been lying on the rug 

272
00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,600
in front of the fireplace. 
A substantial. 

273
00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:38,800
Workman like Hammer, Cecil 
Barker pointed to a box of brass

274
00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:42,200
headed Nails upon the 
mantelpiece mr. 

275
00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:44,900
Douglas was altering the 
pictures yesterday. 

276
00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:48,600
He said, I saw him myself 
standing upon that. 

277
00:16:48,700 --> 00:16:52,500
Chair and fixing the big picture
above it, that accounts for the 

278
00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:55,800
hammer. 
We'd best put it back on the rug

279
00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:58,400
where we found. 
It said the sergeant scratching 

280
00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:00,300
his puzzled head in his 
perplexity. 

281
00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:04,200
You will want the best brains in
the force to get to the bottom 

282
00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:07,000
of this thing. 
You'll be London job before it's

283
00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,599
finished. 
You raise the hand lamp and 

284
00:17:10,599 --> 00:17:13,599
walked slowly round, the room. 
Hello! 

285
00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:16,800
He cried excitedly. 
Drawing the window-curtain to 

286
00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,200
one side. 
What a clock were these curtains

287
00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:23,700
drawn? 
When the lamps were lit, said 

288
00:17:23,700 --> 00:17:28,500
the butler, you will be shortly 
after for someone have been 

289
00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:30,200
hiding here. 
Sure enough. 

290
00:17:31,100 --> 00:17:34,100
He held down the light and the 
marks of muddy boots were, very 

291
00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:38,300
visible in the corner. 
I'm bound to say this Bears out.

292
00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,200
Your theory mr. 
Barker, it looks as if the man 

293
00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,300
got into the house after for 
when the curtains were drawn. 

294
00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:48,500
And before 6:00, when the bridge
was raised, he slipped into his 

295
00:17:48,500 --> 00:17:50,900
room because it was the first 
that he saw. 

296
00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,300
It was no other place where he 
could hide. 

297
00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:56,200
So he popped in behind this 
curtain bad. 

298
00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:59,900
All seems clear enough. 
It is likely that his main idea 

299
00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:03,800
was to burghley house, but mr. 
Douglas chance to come upon him,

300
00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:08,200
so he murdered him and escaped. 
That's how I read. 

301
00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,900
It said, Barker, but I say, 
aren't we? 

302
00:18:11,900 --> 00:18:15,900
Wasting precious time. 
Couldn't we start out and Scout 

303
00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:17,800
the country before the fellow 
gets away? 

304
00:18:19,300 --> 00:18:21,200
Sergeant considered for a 
moment. 

305
00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:25,400
There are now trains before 6:00
in the morning, so he can't get 

306
00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,000
away by rail. 
If he goes by road with his 

307
00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:31,200
legs, all dripping, it's odds 
that someone will notice him 

308
00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,400
anyhow. 
I can't leave here myself until 

309
00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,700
I'm relieved, but I think none 
of you should go and till we see

310
00:18:37,700 --> 00:18:42,300
more, clearly how we all stand 
The doctor had taken the lamp 

311
00:18:42,300 --> 00:18:44,400
and was narrowly scrutinizing, 
the body. 

312
00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:48,000
What's this Mark? 
He asked, could this have any 

313
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,500
connection with the crime? 
The Dead Man's, right? 

314
00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:55,100
Arm was thrust out from his 
dressing gown and exposed as 

315
00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:58,100
high. 
As the elbow about halfway up. 

316
00:18:58,100 --> 00:19:01,300
The forearm was a curious Brown 
design. 

317
00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,700
A triangle inside a circle 
standing out in Vivid relief 

318
00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:10,000
upon the large colored skin. 
It's not tattooed said the 

319
00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:11,700
doctor peering through his 
glasses. 

320
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,300
I never saw anything like it. 
The man has been branded at some

321
00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:18,700
time, as they brand cattle. 
What is the meaning of this? 

322
00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:23,000
I don't profess to know the 
meaning of it said, Cecil Barker

323
00:19:23,500 --> 00:19:26,600
but I have seen the mark on 
Douglas, many times this last 10

324
00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:31,200
years and so have I said the 
butler many a time when the 

325
00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,900
master has rolled up his 
sleeves, I have noticed that 

326
00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:36,100
very mock. 
I've often wondered what it 

327
00:19:36,100 --> 00:19:39,100
could be. 
Then it has nothing to do with 

328
00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:42,300
the crime. 
Anyhow said to Sergeant, but 

329
00:19:42,300 --> 00:19:45,000
it's a rum thing. 
All the same, everything about 

330
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,900
this case is rum. 
Well, what is it? 

331
00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:52,300
Now, the Butler had given an 
exclamation of astonishment and 

332
00:19:52,300 --> 00:19:55,200
was pointing at the Dead Man's 
outstretched hand. 

333
00:19:56,500 --> 00:20:00,300
They've taken his wedding ring. 
He gasped what? 

334
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,800
Yes indeed Master always wore 
his playing gold wedding ring on

335
00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:08,100
the little finger of his left 
hand that ring with the saw 

336
00:20:08,100 --> 00:20:11,500
nugget on, it was above it and a
twisted snake ring on the third 

337
00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:15,100
finger, there's the Nugget and 
there's a snake that the wedding

338
00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:20,000
ring is gone. 
He's right, said, Barker do you 

339
00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:24,700
tell me said the sergeant at the
wedding ring was below the other

340
00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:29,900
always Then the murderer or 
whoever it was. 

341
00:20:29,900 --> 00:20:33,500
First took off this ring, you 
call the Nugget ring then the 

342
00:20:33,500 --> 00:20:37,200
wedding ring and afterwards put 
the Nugget ring back again. 

343
00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:42,900
That is so the worthy country 
policeman shook his head. 

344
00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:47,500
Seems to me the sooner we get 
London on to this case. 

345
00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:51,400
The bear said he white Mason is 
a smart man. 

346
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,800
No. 
Local job has ever been too much

347
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,600
for white Mason. 
It won't be long now before he's

348
00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,200
here too. 
Help us, but I expect we'll have

349
00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,500
to look to London before. 
We're through anyhow. 

350
00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:05,800
I'm not ashamed to say that is a
deal too. 

351
00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:11,400
Thick for the likes of me. 
End of chapter 3. 

352
00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:11,400
End of chapter 3.