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Sherlock Holmes the rediscovered railway

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mysteries and other stories by John
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Taylor read by Benedict Cumberbatch
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[Music]
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an inscrutable masquerade in a draw in
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the Bureau of an upstairs room of my
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current home there is a locked cedar
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wood box which I inherited as a youth
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from my grandfather this is one might
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say my box of secrets when I was young
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it contained the treasures of boyhood a
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catapult a lump of beeswax the carapace
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of a crab for many years since it has
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been the repository of an archive
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admittedly a ragged and disordered
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archive a collection of notes and
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scribblings concerning some of the many
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cases of my lifelong friend the
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consulting detective Sherlock Holmes
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which for one reason or another I never
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took the trouble to write into proper
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reports having had recently a little
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time on my hands I reopened this box of
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yellowing notebooks and it seemed to me
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that several of the cases given the
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ocean of time between those events and
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the present day would now bear telling
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and I begin by chronicling an adventure
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which I may have dismissed for several
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reasons not because it lacked baffling
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and intriguing elements on the contrary
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but mostly I think because it was for me
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personally such a dizzying and
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distressing experience it was a
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Wednesday evening in July at the end of
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a day of street jacketing heat and I sat
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next to the open window of our parlour
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at Baker Street drinking in the air and
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hoping for the liberating ripple of a
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breeze the newspaper on my lap reported
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the release from police custody of a
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known criminal
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Tobias organ arrested some days
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previously for the murder of max
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Zimmerman a moneylender shot through the
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head in his small apartment in Wardour
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Street in the end there'd been
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insufficient evidence to charge organ
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with murder even though the police
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clearly thought him capable
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strangely enough I had once met orgone
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myself he had come to me as a patient
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suffering as I recall from a severe
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lesion to the lower back which he
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maintained had been caused by a fall
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against a metal stanchion but which I
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had little doubt was in fact a stab
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wound my diagnosis was supported I
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believe by his barely veiled threat that
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I should under no circumstances make
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known his injury to anyone else
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he had an unforgettable menacing way
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with him and I had felt immense relief
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when he left my surgery I'd be looking
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forward to discussing the organ case
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with Holmes who would certainly have
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some views on the subject but when he
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finally appeared for dinner he was
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irritable and uncommunicative and from
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these symptoms
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I guessed him to be in the process of
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some taxing mental work all the same I
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had no wish to sit out the meal in
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silence stifling weather to be out in
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about Holmes
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I said peppering a slice of beef indeed
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Watson and equally stifling to be in he
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busied himself with cutting into a
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potato after a while I said I've not
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seen you today I presume you were
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somewhere on business yes Watson I was
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another pause the chink of cutlery
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somewhere local somewhere very local
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Watson I'd expect you'd like to know
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where but I have no wish to be intrusive
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in the basement I've been all day in the
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basement of our house and since your
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desire not to be intrusive is clearly
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struggling against your overwhelming
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curiosity to know I will tell you why I
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was there and he paused and smiled in
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the full confidence that you will not
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breathe a word to a soul about it
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bye Holmes of course not and on the
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understanding that if I do tell you you
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will not be able to leave this house
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until my work is complete what
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I put down almost dropped my knife and
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fork
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we don't mean not leave at all that's
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precisely what I mean so it may be that
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you would prefer to forgo my secret
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rather than consent to becoming a
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prisoner here for what might be several
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days hopelessly intrigued
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I gave no thought to the discomfort of
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being shut indoors in this sultry heat
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no thought to the boredom not even any
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thought to the fact that I had
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appointments in my diary I am prepared
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to abide by your request Holmes
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he stood up from the table his meal
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unfinished and went across to the hearth
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to retrieve his pipe in tobacco pouch as
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he filled his pipe and lit it he sank
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into his armchair I believe you have
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been preoccupied with the case of Tobias
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organ Watson yes it has been on my mind
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how do twice left the newspaper open at
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that page the moneylender Zimmerman a
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legitimate businessman with a wife and
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young children was murdered with an army
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rifle the police have many reasons for
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believing Tobias organ to be guilty of
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the crime of one of these is that he
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owns an army rifle organ have cost a
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nice that his firearm is the murder
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weapon
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well yes I said one would expect he
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would but suppose said Holmes suppose
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there was a science which could with
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certainty tie a bullet to the gun which
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fired now that would be marvelous I said
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but there isn't is there well Watson let
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us say that such a science is seminal it
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is exactly this problem which I am
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wrestling with at present in the
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basement of the house I've set up a
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laboratory of sorts down there where I
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can conduct some experiments progress is
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promising and if the results are as I
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expect they will certainly send Tobias
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organ to the gallows but organ is an
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utterly ruthless villain undoubtedly
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guilty of a number of murders but
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devious enough always to pawn them off
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on others if he were to gain even an
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inkling of my work we would be in the
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utmost danger but I can see that you
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would be in danger Holmes but how might
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I be as I say what's an organ is
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ruthless to get at any enemy his
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favorite trick is to abduct someone
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close to his adversary often with I'm
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afraid horrific consequences
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you know too much now and since I'm not
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prepared to put you at risk in that way
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I feel you must sit it out in these
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apartments
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you must not answer the door you must
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stay away from the windows no visitors
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you must lead the life of a prisoner
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until such time as this matter is
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settled well I said it might be good for
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me I have a medical paper to write in
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the period of confinement might induce
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me to keep my nose to my studies
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excellent Watson I'm sure your sacrifice
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will not be in vain I really did not see
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myself sacrificing very much at all
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I spent the evening canceling all
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appointments of the following week and
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went to bed rather looking forward to a
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few days of fruitful incarceration the
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morning found me in a hopeful mood in
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what appeared to be an empty house
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Holmes I presumed had already descended
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to his basement laboratory our landlady
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in mrs. Hudson had left me a pleasant
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cold breakfast an indication that she
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herself had had to leave the house early
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the day while already warm and bright
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had not yet begun to turn oppressive the
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clock over the half ticked slowly as I
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settled down to my books experiencing
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for the first time since my student is
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some of the quiet ecstasy of study by
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midday the room had become hot my
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concentration meandered and thirst
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plagued me I wandered downstairs to mrs.
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Hudson's apartment and found her still
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absent so I proceeded down to the
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basement to ask Holmes whether he knew
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what arrangements had been made for
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lunch the door to the basement was shut
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and when I tried the handle I found it
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to be locked from within I could hear
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the occasional crack of what sounded
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like a gun being fired and the grind of
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metal on metal like ball bearings
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rolling round an iron ball Holmes are
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you there Watson what are you doing here
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I'm in the process of an investigation
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indeed yes I'm trying to find out what's
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happening about luncheon we'd have to
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prepare something for yourself he called
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back
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I'm afraid I've sent mrs. Hudson away I
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cannot risk the lives of innocent people
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and Watson be so good as to keep away
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from the basement confine yourself to
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our own rooms and to the kitchen there's
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a good
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very well Holmes but yes I really would
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very much like a newspaper I'm afraid he
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was too without neither of us can take
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the chance of leaving here until this
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business is complete now please let me
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get on I trundled to the kitchen I
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managed to find myself some bread and
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cheese which I took back upstairs our
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rooms were now very hot and since I was
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forbidden to sit near the window I ate
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my luncheon over my books dropping
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crumbs into the creases of Grey's
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Anatomy and beginning to feel Restless
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after lunch I managed to force myself to
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a little more work but by 3 o'clock had
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fallen asleep in the armchair I woke to
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hear the sounds of evening traffic
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moving along Baker Street I listened
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with something like envy to the busy
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hubbub of those who were free to come
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and go who had families to return to and
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simple feasts awaiting them at convivial
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tables my lot seemed bleak
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by comparison Holmes did not emerge from
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his infernal basement and mrs. Hudson
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did not appear with an evening meal I
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cannot recall how the rest of the
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evening passed the heat absorbed during
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the day by London's pavements now
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radiated back to thicken the evening air
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the world outside of which I had no news
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became gradually silent and I hungry and
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disconsolate went finally to bed
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the next morning after a makeshift
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breakfast I got down to some work and
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was well into the argument of the paper
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I was writing when I began to realize
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that the room was again beginning to
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become airless and oven-like determined
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not to succumb to lethargy as I had the
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previous afternoon I decided that
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despite Holmes's strict embargo on going
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near the window I simply must have some
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air as I raised the sash I saw a cab
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approaching along Baker Street and
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stopping directly beneath the window the
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passenger who stepped out was Nikolas
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Cartwright an old University friend now
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writing for The Times I hadn't seen him
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for a couple of months and he seemed
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about to pay a surprise visit desperate
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as I was for company I could not forget
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the promise I had made to Holmes to
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admit no visitors the doorbell rang my
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first idea was to wait for Cartwright to
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give up and go away but there quickly
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came a second ring and with it a call
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from the street through the now open
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window Watson a note of anxiety in his
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voice suggesting that all was not well
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Cartwright was a good friend I did not
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see how I could linger there pretending
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to be deaf when he might be in need of
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my help
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I dashed down the stairs and opened the
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front door Watson so pleased to have
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found you
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the statements immediately struck me as
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odd as did Cartwright's whole demeanor
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but mindful of the proximity of Holmes
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in his makeshift laboratory I whispered
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Nicole chap or things are going on come
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up as quietly as you can I'll explain
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there a sudden sharp crack issued from
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the depths of the house and I hoped that
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preoccupied as he was Holmes would have
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no inkling of the presence of my visitor
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as we entered the parlor and shut the
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door Cartwright said Watson I've been
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worried about you I didn't even know if
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I'd find you here
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worried yes the story in The Gazette
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regarding yourself and mr. Holmes did
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you know it was in the papers Cartwright
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I haven't the least idea what you're
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talking about and as for newspapers I
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haven't seen one in day
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yeah he tossed me the paper open at
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about the third or fourth page and I
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read the following headline an
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accompanying article Sherlock Holmes and
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dr. Watson part company after several
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years of celebrated collaboration the
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eminent consulting detective mr.
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Sherlock Holmes and his medical
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companion dr. John Watson have
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terminated their professional
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partnership and it seems similar tennis
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Lee ended their personal friendship mr.
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Holmes said that while he continued to
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hold dr. Watson in high esteem and to
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regard him as a man of exceptional honor
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and professional competence
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circumstances upon which he could not
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and would not elaborate had made it
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expedient for them to go their separate
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ways there was no comment from dr.
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Watson I stood for a moment holding the
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newspaper and averting my gaze from
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Cartwright who had written this it
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Holmes know about it was there some
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truth in it was Holmes his exile to the
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basement a way of keeping me at bay
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while he found alternative lodgings
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this is today's Gazette yes Watson I see
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you knew nothing about this am i
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speaking to you as a friend Cartwright
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or as a journalist
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well I suppose unfortunately as a friend
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John I say unfortunately because this is
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clearly a damn good story but if you
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wish to talk to me off the record so be
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it off the record then I know nothing of
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this and I don't know whether Holmes has
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had a hand in it he's conducting some
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very secret business at present and
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possibly it's connected to that that's
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all I can tell you I'm afraid one thing
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does baffle me Cartwright said how did
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the Gazette get the story without us
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getting it - anyway I won't make
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anything of this John until you give me
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the go-ahead but I hope if there does
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turn out to be an exclusive you'll be
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the one to get it I said thank you
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Nicholas I saw him down the stairs and
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closed the front door behind him finding
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myself relieved that he had gone I had
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no idea that I would be seeing him again
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soon under even more peculiar
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circumstances but determined that now I
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must confront
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with this business I knocked on the door
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of the basement Holmes a long silence
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Holmes we must speak not now Watson
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Holmes there's something I must discuss
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with you urgently something in the
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newspaper there was a scuffling in the
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basement door opened newspaper how did
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you get a newspaper
14:56
Cartwright called he'd seen an article
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yes Holmes interrupted yes the article I
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daresay you would appreciate an
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explanation give me half an hour a
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little later we sat opposite one another
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in our sitting-room
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the evening was still closed and
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oppressive the newspaper article said
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Holmes was an unfortunate necessity I
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hope it is not caused you too much
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embarrassment Watson and when this
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business is finished all will be
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rectified why I said report us as having
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quarrel bear with me Watson I beg of you
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as you know I have tried to keep my work
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here secret but how certain can one be
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of that the police are involved in these
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matters and are aware of my experiments
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and who knows whether some junior or
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even senior member of the force is not
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in league with that utterly ruthless
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villain now having been alerted to that
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newspaper report might it not be the
15:57
case that Tobias organ would assume that
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you were no longer in London at any rate
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he would certainly be likely to assume
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you were no longer sharing these
16:05
premises with me
16:06
you gave the story to the Gazette to
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protect me yes Watson that was my
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purpose I just wish that you consulted
16:16
me first you were not supposed even to
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know about it Watson and if you had not
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had a visit from Cartwright you would
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never have seen the article it was
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unfortunate that he came when he did it
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was the article that brought him yes a
16:32
miscalculation on my part now it is late
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work to do tomorrow and I must insist on
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extracting from you another guarantee
16:39
what's that Holmes that you will not
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under any circumstances interrupt my
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work again so very delicate in a
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disturbance at an inopportune moment
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could ruin everything is that clear not
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under any circumstance that night I lay
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awake in the muggy heat the bedclothes
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pulled back and grieved for what I
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calculated to be the death of my
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reputation at least I imagined that's
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how the world would see it or at least
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that portion of the world that reads the
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London Gazette Holmes and Watson have
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parted company but there is no comment
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from Watson only a nobly worded
17:18
valediction from the great detective
17:21
such bitter thoughts polluted my
17:24
Restless waking and tormented my
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subsequent dreams and added to all this
17:30
their lair since that things were still
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not clear that something crucial
17:36
remained unspoken I woke early but
17:40
exhausted without going near the window
17:44
I took in what I could of the wakening
17:46
day the street was quiet I dressed
17:51
slowly and descended to the kitchen to
17:53
find something to eat the rattles and
17:56
sharp cracks of Holmes's experiments had
17:58
already come to life below in the
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basement I wondered whether he had even
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bothered to go to bed
18:04
I was making a pot of tea when the
18:06
doorbell sounded the noises from the
18:10
cellar did not pause so I assumed that
18:12
Holmes had not heard the bell I could
18:15
see nothing off the front of the house
18:16
from the kitchen but after I had taken a
18:18
few steps up into the lobby it became
18:21
clear by means of a side window that the
18:23
visitor was once again
18:25
Nicholas Cartwright I went to the door
18:27
and admitted him Cartwright what's going
18:32
on Watson what do you mean I mean what
18:35
game is being played here Cartwright
18:38
I've no idea what you're referring to
18:40
you better come up he was I could tell
18:43
steaming with anger though I had no idea
18:45
what I could have done to arouse it he
18:47
would not sit he stood with his arms
18:49
behind his back a man preparing to
18:52
deliver an accusation you told me you
18:56
were inescapably confined to this house
18:58
yes Cartwright and so I have been this
19:01
is the third day excluding yesterday
19:03
night you mean no I was here yesterday
19:07
night two tossing and turning and my
19:09
better than thought of my ruined
19:11
reputation
19:12
Watson see here yesterday you prevailed
19:15
upon my friendship by confiding in me
19:16
matters which as a journalist I
19:18
considered more than worthy of
19:19
publication had I known that you were
19:22
deceiving me Cartwright you have my word
19:24
I was not deceiving you I've not left
19:27
this house since Monday afternoon so you
19:30
have a twin brother no I do not then
19:34
please explain to me who was the man
19:36
outside the restaurant at Marylebone
19:38
station at five past midnight I take it
19:41
he resembled me more than resembled I do
19:45
hope you're being truthful with me
19:47
Watson
19:49
I can see that his suspicions were not a
19:51
made I even began to wonder whether my
19:54
Restless period of waking the previous
19:55
night had itself been a dream and
19:57
whether I had been sleepwalking such
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things are possible I know and the heat
20:02
my fatigue in the events of the last
20:04
days had left me so baffled that in that
20:06
moment of confusion I could not entirely
20:09
rule it out what happened he said was
20:13
that I was walking through the station
20:15
concourse when I spotted you by the wall
20:16
of the restaurant which by then was
20:18
closed talking to a man in a brown felt
20:20
hat I would have approved you but when I
20:24
caught your eye you cut me as dead as if
20:27
you didn't know me and I assumed your
20:29
conversation was of some importance the
20:32
more I thought about it the more I
20:34
thought it was a poor way to treat a
20:36
good friend suddenly the fog in my brain
20:40
gave way to Anna rific clarity I knew
20:44
that I must rid myself of Cartwright at
20:46
once thank you for telling me this I
20:49
said it is of the utmost importance but
20:53
Nikolas and I pray you won't take this
20:56
amiss I must ask you to leave to leave
21:00
please this is a fearfully serious
21:04
business
21:04
there is real danger you're not just
21:08
trying to get me out of the way Watson
21:09
that's exactly what I'm trying to do
21:11
Cartwright but for a very good reason
21:14
believe me you will have your story very
21:19
well John very well
21:22
at the front door he patted me amiably
21:24
on the shoulder I shut the door on him
21:27
and leaned against the wall
21:29
trying to get my thoughts in order
21:31
Holmes had instructed me not under any
21:34
circumstances to trouble him again yet
21:37
this situation was possibly critical if
21:40
Tobias organ had hired some impersonated
21:42
look and sound so like me that even
21:45
can't write who had known me for years
21:47
could be convinced then Holmes might
21:50
also be deceived and then what power
21:54
they would have in their hands if I
21:57
could not speak to Holmes I could at
21:59
least alert him by other means I ran up
22:02
the stairs with the idea of writing a
22:04
note which I could slip under the
22:05
basement door but as I reached our rooms
22:09
I heard a cry from the street without
22:12
thinking I ran to the parlor window a
22:14
hundred yards southwards along Baker
22:16
Street
22:17
three men were struggling two of them
22:19
were bundling the third man into a cab
22:21
against his will it was caught right I
22:25
dashed down the stairs and ran into the
22:27
street the driver of the cab had already
22:29
whipped up the horse and moved off at a
22:31
lick but I gave chase fury and outrage
22:33
fueling my progress I pursued them for a
22:36
good half a mile until eventually they
22:37
are paced me and I stood gasping for
22:40
breath outside st. Vincent's church i
22:43
sat on the pavement I needed Holmes's
22:47
help the transgression of a broken
22:50
promise was a trivial things surely in
22:53
the context of this appalling incident I
22:56
would go to him immediately aware that
23:00
in the haste of my pursuit I'd left the
23:03
front door of the house open a new
23:06
anxiety overcame me clearly this kidnap
23:09
was the work of organs ruffians and who
23:11
was to say that they would not take
23:12
advantage of an open door I trotted as
23:15
briskly as I could back to Baker Street
23:17
but the door was no longer open and on
23:22
such a close and windless day I thought
23:24
it unlikely it had been closed by a
23:26
draught the horrible thought occurred to
23:29
me that someone may have already got in
23:32
and then everything seemed to tumble
23:36
into place
23:37
Cartwright subduction had been intended
23:40
to draw me out of the house so that the
23:41
man masquerading as myself could gain
23:43
entry homes would be unaware of this he
23:47
would eventually open the door of the
23:49
basement to his assailant and believing
23:51
it was myself he was admitting would
23:53
offer the easiest of targets I had left
23:56
the house without a key but I knew there
23:58
was a possibility of access via the rear
24:00
of the terrace this entailed my knocking
24:03
of the door of our neighbor mrs. Harbin
24:06
an elderly amiable woman who seemed
24:09
happy to allow me access to the rear of
24:11
the building
24:12
here I was obliged to scale a wall to
24:15
the yard outside the back of our own
24:17
dingy basement the front room being that
24:20
which Holmes had taken for his makeshift
24:21
laboratory there was no light within I
24:25
opened the door with infinite slowness
24:28
the noise of Holmes's experiments
24:31
seemed to have stopped the door that
24:34
connected this room to the front half of
24:36
the basement was six or seven short
24:38
paces away but it was too dark to see
24:41
whether the bare floorboards were liable
24:43
to move and groan when I trod upon them
24:45
I tested each step before lowering my
24:49
weight and moved with the floating
24:51
motion of a rather overweight pantomime
24:54
artist one two three then there was
24:59
movement behind me a hand was clamped
25:01
across my mouth and an arm locked around
25:03
my throat the grip was expert I could
25:05
not breathe or move the hot breath of my
25:08
assailant in my ear whispered naka de no
25:12
quiet I'm gonna release you and you turn
25:15
around slowly and face me you must not
25:17
make a sound
25:19
cap and if you understand I reached up
25:23
to the hand around my throat
25:25
and obediently I tapped it the arm
25:27
released me and as quietly as I could I
25:29
took a deep draught of air turning as I
25:31
did so the straight Shh yes doctor
25:34
wasn't expecting you here or rather in a
25:38
sense I was but since you are just about
25:40
to arrive I wasn't expecting you to come
25:42
in the back way as well the policeman
25:44
smirk that is a little conundrum when
25:47
you explained to me I began what an
25:49
earth you mean doctor he said glad yuria
25:53
though sir an additional pair of ears up
25:56
close to the door now and listen it
25:58
won't be long it was indeed less than a
26:01
minute before we heard the door from the
26:03
front of the house opening into the
26:04
laboratory and the arrival of what
26:06
sounded like two men the door was closed
26:09
with a thump and a gruff voice said so
26:13
this is he yes this is where he's
26:16
working there was something familiar
26:18
about that second voice and he won't be
26:21
back for a while no half an hour I
26:23
should think at that moment with a shock
26:26
I recognized the other voice it was my
26:28
own I turned to Lestrade again but he
26:32
just put his finger to his lips and
26:33
indicated that I should continue to
26:35
listen so what's the plan then asked the
26:39
gruff voice within to match the bullet
26:41
that killed maximum moon with the ones
26:43
from your gun said my voice the police
26:47
no you killed him but they need homes to
26:49
provide them with evidence that will
26:51
convince a jury evidently I thought the
26:55
gruff character is Tobias organ
26:58
I heard him pace about then spit noisily
27:01
Zimmerman's not the first one I've
27:03
topped and I've never got me yet they
27:06
say you only got four pounds ten
27:09
shillings from him never you mind why I
27:11
go anyway I never killed him just for
27:14
the money I killed him because he gave
27:16
me a bad look he gave me a bad look now
27:20
gave him
27:21
headache a bullet right between the eyes
27:25
now I still with this little problem
27:29
suddenly there was a tumultuous crash as
27:32
if one of the walls had fallen in and we
27:34
go doctor said lestrade he pushed the
27:37
door hard and we rushed into the
27:38
laboratory where organ had kicked
27:40
Holmes's equipment flying in all
27:41
directions aware to my amazement I saw
27:44
that he was now being attacked by myself
27:46
a perfect duplicate of me cracked him a
27:50
right hook then a left hook and then
27:51
filled him with a blow to the side of
27:53
the head organ hit the floor like a sack
27:56
of cabbages Lestrade was on him in a
27:58
flash cuffing organs arms behind his
28:01
back the strayed blew his whistle and
28:02
then proceeded to arrest him as I stood
28:06
back to get a better look at my other
28:08
self the duplicate doctor put a hand to
28:11
his own face wrenched at his upper brow
28:14
and pulled and stretched until he had
28:16
removed his entire face revealing
28:20
beneath the peeling mask the flaming
28:23
eyes of Sherlock Holmes the next moment
28:27
Lestrade's officers came bursting
28:29
through the basement door and Tobias
28:32
organ was dragged away
28:36
the heat of the day had given way at
28:39
last to a pleasant evening mrs. Hudson
28:43
had returned to the house and provided
28:44
homes and myself with an excellent
28:46
evening meal
28:47
now we sat with our Bradley's and Holmes
28:51
with his pipe at the open window where a
28:53
gentle breeze lifted the curtains and
28:56
refreshed the parlour as you will have
29:00
deduced Holmes was saying by way of
29:02
explaining it all to me the object of
29:04
the masquerade was to lure organs
29:06
somewhere where we could extract a
29:08
confession from him by subterfuge but
29:10
your ballistics experiments I said would
29:14
they not have been enough to convicted
29:16
me it is a science only in the
29:18
imagination Holmes said and there one
29:21
day I'm certain it will be more than
29:23
that
29:23
that is much more work to do than I
29:26
could accomplish in a fortnight but
29:28
Lestrade and I agree that if orgone
29:30
believed himself to be at risk from my
29:32
experiments he would wish to destroy
29:34
them what on earth were you doing in
29:36
their homes if the thing was a complete
29:37
hoax I'm afraid I did deceive you a
29:40
little I was not in there all the time
29:42
the mechanism of an old railway clock
29:45
and a device employing elastic and a
29:47
drum skin were intended to give the ear
29:49
the impression of ongoing industry well
29:52
it certainly deceived me I said but was
29:56
it really necessary for me to be
29:58
incarcerated for the duration
30:00
I'm afraid so my friend if organ through
30:03
one of his spies had got wind that there
30:05
were two Watson's the trick would not
30:07
have worked what's more it was necessary
30:10
for him to believe that you and I had
30:12
quarreled and therefore that the good
30:14
dr. Watson might be in the market for a
30:16
bit of betrayal unfortunately your
30:19
friend Cartwright saw me meeting organs
30:22
accomplice at malliband station and
30:23
almost at the cat out of the bag it was
30:26
necessary for us to put him somewhere
30:28
safe Lestrade's men kindly subjected him
30:31
to a temporary and very comfortable
30:33
period of kidnap it was you who had him
30:36
dragged away yes I had not calculated
30:39
that you would follow him of course or
30:41
that you would be locked out and find
30:42
yourself clambering in through the back
30:43
but it turned out well you will make an
30:47
additional witness for the prosecution
30:49
do you think they'll convict him oh yes
30:52
Watson his confession today was as clear
30:55
as a bell
30:55
Tobias organ will hang as for you my
31:00
friend I have given you a terrible time
31:02
and as a reward I'm going to take you to
31:05
the Opera tonight yes tonight Gilbert
31:09
and Sullivan The Mikado
31:11
but Holmes my memory is you don't much
31:14
like Gilbert and Sullivan no Watson but
31:17
you do and besides I have to confess to
31:21
having a soft spot for the Lord High
31:24
executioner
31:35
the conundrum of coach 30 on an October
31:43
morning when rains streamed from the
31:46
black clouds that swept above our Baker
31:48
Street lodgings I found my friend
31:51
Sherlock Holmes in a similarly overcast
31:53
mood he had not had a case in weeks not
31:57
at least what he called a decent case
31:59
and he had been huffing and puffing
32:02
about the house for two days it was with
32:05
some relief to both of us
32:07
therefore that we heard the slurring
32:09
approach of a cab in the street outside
32:11
and both moved eagerly to the window the
32:14
hansom did indeed stop directly beside
32:16
our door and after a moment a large and
32:19
finely dressed middle-aged gentleman
32:21
emerged into the downpour paid his fare
32:24
and rang our doorbell Holmes was smiling
32:28
now what could make a rich American so
32:31
distressed Watson that he would compel
32:34
mell here to us from Paddington an
32:37
American I said drawn irresistibly as
32:40
usual into Holmes's tantalizing games
32:42
certainly and I think a formidable
32:45
character and you wish to tell me how
32:48
you deduce all that Holmes I deduce his
32:52
distress and his nationality from the
32:54
fact that he just tried to pay the
32:55
cabbie in American dollars before
32:56
recalling which pocket held his pounds
32:59
sterling as for his coming from
33:01
Paddington that was the easiest of all
33:03
but the driver of the hansom is Henry
33:05
brown and surprised you do not recognize
33:07
him who always works from the Paddington
33:10
rank as ever Watson I apologize for the
33:12
banality of these observations but you
33:14
did ask by now there were footsteps on
33:18
the stairs as mrs. Hudson escorted the
33:20
visitor to our apartment while I
33:22
inwardly delighted to note that my
33:24
friend had returned to his amiable best
33:26
in anticipation of a new challenge I
33:29
find myself praying that it would be a
33:31
challenge worthy of his powers and his
33:33
pent-up energies no sooner had the door
33:36
opened than the huge Rotonda figure of
33:39
our visitor bright in a cream suit burst
33:43
into the room like an actor onto a stage
33:45
determined to establish his character
33:47
instantly mr. hounds boomed the American
33:51
voices both his arms swept forward to
33:53
grasp my right hand
33:55
Benedict Masterson what a great
33:58
privilege to meet you delighted but I am
34:02
dr. John Watson I replied
34:05
this is mr. Sherlock Holmes with equally
34:09
booming apologies he bowed charmingly to
34:12
me and turned to my friend ah yes now I
34:16
see unmistakable unmistakable the
34:21
impression given was that he had found
34:23
the first Sherlock Holmes of his
34:25
acquaintance a little short of his
34:26
expectations mr. Holmes I wish to ask
34:30
you to act for me in a business both
34:32
mysterious and distressing you had
34:36
better sit down mr. Masterson said
34:38
Holmes and tell us everything and having
34:42
settled his cream covered bulk into an
34:45
armchair and accepted a cigar which he
34:47
continued to puff anxiously as he spoke
34:49
the American told us his story I am a
34:53
dealer in gold
34:56
gentlemen gold has been my life my
35:00
father owned small mines in Nevada which
35:03
gave us a comfortable living in my turn
35:05
through judicious trading I've made
35:08
these assets yield a fortune I came to
35:11
London last week because your own Bank
35:13
of England had made an order for a
35:15
substantial quantity of gold bars to
35:18
boost its reserves the bullion was
35:21
shipped in a Bristol Harbor and
35:23
transferred yesterday onto a chartered
35:26
London train for transfer to the bank I
35:28
have been in London doing the paperwork
35:31
of which there is let me assure you no
35:35
small amount
35:36
and I went to Paddington this morning to
35:39
meet the consignment the train was there
35:42
the gold was not I see said Holmes
35:47
stolen undoubtedly how much were talking
35:52
four or five Millions
35:55
mr. Holmes that's a large loss is the
35:58
gold in short indeed it is but you know
36:01
insurance companies mr. Holmes they are
36:04
ever suspicious and the circumstances of
36:07
the Gold's disappearance are to say the
36:09
least rather strange the details mr.
36:12
Masterson said my friend if you please
36:15
well continued Masterson tapping a thick
36:19
cylinder of ash into the ash tray I had
36:22
asked a commissioner special an
36:24
overnight train and also insisted that
36:27
it be discreet not armored or escorted
36:31
or in any way having the appearance of
36:34
especially secured conveyance I was
36:37
offered the charter of a passenger train
36:39
which returns empty from Bristol to
36:41
London once a week and which railway man
36:44
jokingly call the bad luck special not
36:47
because anything has ever happened to it
36:49
but because it normally consists of 13
36:52
empty passenger coaches as indeed it did
36:56
on this occasion I insisted that the
36:59
gold be packed in steel containers each
37:02
locked with a unique key you will
37:05
appreciate the gold itself gentlemen is
37:08
a weighty metal so each box contained
37:11
only as many bars as would enable the
37:13
containers to be carried in order to
37:16
prevent the possibility of them being
37:18
removed from the moving train I ensured
37:21
that while it was small enough to go
37:23
through the open carriage door they were
37:25
too large to pass through the windows
37:28
even with the windows slit down to their
37:30
largest aperture
37:32
I then arrange for the doors of the
37:34
bullion carriage to be locked from the
37:36
outside so they could not be open until
37:38
the train reached London the train was
37:41
empty then apart from the driver and
37:43
fahman of the locomotive no mr. Holmes
37:46
it is railway practice for all trains to
37:49
have a guard a practice I was very happy
37:52
to comply with since it meant my
37:53
consignment would have an overseer
37:55
throughout its journey and to this end
37:57
all the steel cases were loaded into the
38:00
last coach of the Train coach 13 where
38:04
the guard could keep a constant watch on
38:06
them the man employed for the job was a
38:09
mr. Lyons mr. John Lyons amateur and
38:14
trusted employee of the Railway Company
38:16
here's strangely mr. Matheson stopped
38:19
and smiled I
38:21
I enquired whether he had ever worked on
38:25
the French railways guard Lyons dizzy
38:29
guard de Leon Holmes smiled politely and
38:34
nodded forgive me gentlemen I could
38:37
never resist a pun to continue the train
38:41
left Bristol at 3:00 this morning as
38:43
scheduled
38:44
but when it arrived at Paddington at
38:46
6:00 the steel boxes of gold were gone
38:49
mr. Holmes this was an impossible
38:53
robbery the train stopped only once for
38:56
a minute or so to take on water hardly
38:59
time to unload a single box of bullying
39:01
let alone a hundred of the darn things
39:03
weighing in at a hundred and fifty
39:06
pounds of peace and the God asked Holmes
39:09
Lyons claim that he fell asleep some way
39:12
to the journey awoke to find the
39:14
bullying disappeared he's being held at
39:16
Paddington along with the driver and
39:18
engineer but all ardently protests their
39:21
innocence and with regard to other
39:23
suspects can you think of anyone in your
39:25
organization who might feel inclined to
39:27
take advantage of you Masterson pinched
39:29
his lips and looked embarrassed well if
39:32
I may confide something to you in the
39:34
strictest confidence
39:36
my estranged wife Laura still has shares
39:41
in the company she believes that she
39:43
should have more
39:44
there is some bitterness in this regard
39:49
however I know Laura well enough to
39:51
doubt that she is a thief
39:53
my friend simply said Thank You mr.
39:56
Masterson I will certainly take the case
39:58
on would you be so good as to wire
40:00
Bristol and inform them that dr. Watson
40:02
and I are on our way I will sir you mean
40:06
to go there today indeed yes as soon as
40:09
I have made a checkol - at Paddington
40:11
Station
40:11
well I surely thank you I can think of
40:15
no better hands in which to leave the
40:16
case of the bad luck special than those
40:19
of mr. sheerluck holmes holmes did not
40:25
smile i never leave anything to chance
40:28
mr. Masterson perspicacity and reason
40:31
are the tools I employ forgive me mr.
40:34
Holmes as I say I am fairly attracted to
40:38
puns we will keep you in touch Holmes
40:41
said with all developments within half
40:46
an hour we were at Paddington but before
40:48
boarding the Bristol train Holmes wish
40:50
to make certain that the so called bad
40:51
luck special was secured the train had
40:55
been shunted into a siding and we were
40:57
relieved to find the police
40:58
responsibility for the case had fallen
41:00
to inspector Stanley Hopkins a young but
41:03
ambitious detective with whom Holmes and
41:05
myself had had numerous dealings in the
41:07
past hearing that we were being engaged
41:10
by mr. Benedict Masterson the inspector
41:12
agreed to watch over the Train and make
41:14
sure it remained undisturbed until our
41:16
return to London it was still raining
41:19
when we arrived at Bristol where we met
41:22
the station foreman George Willits an
41:25
amiable man in his 50s who gave the
41:27
comforting impression of having been in
41:29
his job for a lifetime and knowing the
41:31
whole business inside out
41:33
Willets had been on duty the previous
41:35
night and took us directly to the goods
41:38
platform from which the bullion train
41:39
had left though he did his best to be of
41:42
assistance
41:43
he looked painfully weary I apologize
41:47
you gents for my appearance he said but
41:51
I was on night shift last night seeing
41:52
out the special was just about to go off
41:55
when the message came from London about
41:57
the theft
41:58
I've not yet been owned Abed we won't
42:02
keep you long will its home said I
42:04
understand you were here when the
42:06
bullion boxes were being loaded
42:08
I was sir supervise them myself watched
42:12
him being lifted in the guards carriage
42:14
at this very spot before I sent the
42:16
signal to bring in the rest of the Train
42:18
the guards copse was not connected to
42:20
the train while it was loaded that's
42:22
right sir the rest of the train was
42:24
shunted out of the siding and then
42:26
coupled up just before she would you to
42:27
leave and who brought her in Tommy
42:30
Marriott the engineer and his farm and
42:32
Pat McGlinchey old hands not quite so
42:36
much of fixtures myself mr. ohms but
42:38
they've been around the best part of 10
42:40
years they're sound men good now if
42:44
you'll bear with me a little longer
42:45
Willits I'd like to ask you a little
42:47
more about the gold itself how many men
42:49
were involved in loading the carriage
42:51
well sir 20-some operation took 4 men
42:56
load each box to inside the carriage to
42:58
outside damn heavy things if you'll
43:01
excuse me sir
43:02
over a hundred weight apiece and Dan
43:04
awkward squeezing him through their
43:05
narrow doors it was a hell of a job and
43:07
how long would you say the whole
43:09
business took was about half past
43:11
midnight when they started at about a
43:13
quarter before 2 by the time they
43:14
finished so almost 80 minutes and after
43:19
it was loaded was there any delay before
43:21
departure no sir the rest of the train
43:23
as I say was reversed in from the
43:25
Soylent John Lyons the guard got aboard
43:28
and the door of the guards coach was
43:30
locked from without sir as per our
43:31
instructions one final question will its
43:34
if I may I'm informed the train stopped
43:37
on route yes sir she was scheduled to
43:39
hold up for a minute or so at Swindon to
43:41
take on war it stopped for no longer
43:43
than that and at no other time no sir
43:47
the signalman would know for sure she
43:48
been held over for more than a minute
43:50
and that's already being checked Holmes
43:52
seemed to pause for a moment while he
43:55
considered all this information and then
43:58
he said well it's I'm most grateful for
44:00
your detailed and I have no doubt
44:02
accurate recollections now if you will
44:04
excuse us dr. Watson and I will take the
44:07
next train back to London
44:08
and leave you to go home and get some
44:10
sleep inspector Hopkins was at
44:15
Paddington when we arrived and Holmes
44:17
immediately requested that he arranged
44:19
for us to speak to the rail women who
44:21
had commandeered the bad luck special on
44:23
the previous night Marriott and
44:25
McGlinchey the engineer and farmen and
44:27
the guard Lyons in a dark office of the
44:32
rail women's quarters on one of the
44:34
grimmer outer platforms of Paddington
44:36
Station
44:37
the three men sat disconsolately on
44:40
rickety wooden chairs it occurred to me
44:43
that they had by now being detained in
44:45
this dismal place for several hours and
44:48
when Holmes and I were introduced to
44:50
Lyons he barely had the energy to not to
44:53
us but he did speak his words almost
44:56
drowned in the muffler which half
44:58
covered his mouth I dare say you think
45:02
me a thief mr. Holmes from what you have
45:05
heard
45:05
I'm not sir but why I have done is
45:09
derelict my duty so maybe our deserve
45:12
what's coming I want to assure you mr.
45:15
Lyons Holmes said that my intention here
45:17
is to uncover the truth and uncover it I
45:20
will if you are as you say innocent of
45:23
any crime you'll have nothing to fear
45:25
from the law but tell me how you think
45:27
you failed in your duty but I will meant
45:29
to keep me on the shipment sir weren't
45:31
on but I fell asleep it's not something
45:34
I make a habit of but this time I did
45:35
and woke to find the bullion gone a
45:38
nightmare sir I suppose I should have
45:41
stopped the Train with a pull cord but I
45:43
was in a bit of a daze how long do you
45:46
think you slept I thought about that sir
45:48
I remember us passing through the
45:50
Whitehorse Valley just before Swindon
45:53
and when I woke up we were about ten
45:56
miles out of it and passed the lamzy
45:58
water tower Holmes looked towards the
46:00
farm in McGlinchey a plump man with rich
46:04
black curls when you stopped to fill the
46:06
tank did you notice anything odd no sir
46:09
it was a dark night and there were no
46:12
lights they received the fire from the
46:13
boiler he couldn't see 20 feet beyond
46:15
the Train
46:17
Holmes turn back to lions I would like
46:20
you to describe to me the events of
46:21
yesterday evening well sir oh I wasn't
46:24
you to start my shift until 1:00 in the
46:26
morning so around about twelve I had a
46:28
brown ale in the railway man's canteen
46:30
and collected some sandwiches and a can
46:32
of tea for the journey just tea and
46:34
sandwiches
46:35
yes sir and a piece of seed cake if
46:38
that's not too much detail there is no
46:42
such thing as too much detail please
46:45
continue with your story well at about
46:48
half-past one I made my way over to the
46:49
goods platform they just finished
46:52
loading the bullion in of the end
46:53
carriage and the other part the Train
46:55
had been brought in and coupled up a
46:57
gentleman in his suit gave us final
46:59
instructions to the engineering farm and
47:01
Tommy and Pat here he said the train was
47:03
cleared to London with just the one
47:05
brief water stop which was under no
47:07
circumstances to take more than three
47:09
minutes and if there should be an
47:11
emergency they won't leave the cab at
47:14
that point they locked me in with the
47:15
gold in at exactly 2:00 a.m. we were on
47:18
our way about a half hour after I had me
47:22
sandwiches and a few sweets of tea they
47:24
were a clear night and I sat by one of
47:26
the windows and watched the stars
47:27
contented with everything so that's when
47:30
I must have dozed and well what happened
47:34
after that you know Thank You lines
47:37
said Holmes then he turned to young
47:40
inspector Hopkins with a new fierce
47:42
gleam in his eye if we may Hopkins I
47:45
should now like to inspect the Train
47:48
we made our way along the track to the
47:51
engine sheds and after checking the
47:52
locomotive searched through each of the
47:54
13 coaches whose number I carefully
47:57
counted myself until we arrived at the
48:00
last the guards coach in which the gold
48:02
had been transported now I have been
48:06
assured Holmes said to Hawkins that the
48:09
doors of this coach were locked from the
48:10
outside for the duration of the journey
48:13
yes mr. Holmes yet it was possible to
48:17
move along the train through the coaches
48:18
via the connecting doors yes and what
48:21
are the other coaches I checked them
48:24
that outer doors were all locked too but
48:26
it would have been impossible any way
48:28
for the thieves to have moved the
48:29
containers along the train to jettison
48:30
them from another carriage the boxes of
48:32
gold were too big to pass through the
48:34
connecting doors all that had been
48:36
carefully calculated but is it quite
48:39
certain I ventured that the boxes could
48:41
not have been opened and the gold
48:43
removed baha by bar quite certain said
48:46
Hopkins not without the original keys
48:49
they were unique to each box
48:52
besides Watson said Holmes if the boxes
48:55
had been open here then with or without
48:57
the gold they would still surely be here
48:59
now speaking of which Hopkins the
49:02
carriage is just as it was found when
49:04
the doors were first opened this morning
49:06
as I said mr. Holmes
49:07
nothing's been touched Holmes took an
49:10
initial sweeping glance around the
49:12
carriage interior then stooped to pick
49:14
something up from the floor this brown
49:17
paper I presumed the wrapping for the
49:20
guard Lyons's sandwiches yes this is can
49:23
of tea yes curious that he had a can of
49:29
tea no no curious that a man under
49:33
stress should be so painstakingly tidy I
49:36
don't understand sir never mind
49:39
what do you make of this Hopkins Holmes
49:42
had picked up from the corner a loop of
49:45
scarlet fabric silken and ruffled
49:49
I don't know mr. domes I was completely
49:52
baffled by it it seems to be a small
49:55
decorative item of some sort from a
49:57
lady's wardrobe a hair tie I should
50:00
think I said how might it have got here
50:04
I don't know doctor I'm sure but I
50:07
suppose it's theoretically possible that
50:09
someone might have concealed herself in
50:11
another carriage Holmes had put the
50:14
object to his nose there is a perfume to
50:17
it he said but thinked as though it had
50:20
not been worn for some time could it
50:24
belong to the thief
50:26
I asked tentatively possibly said Holmes
50:30
though I think that might have been a
50:32
thief too many he stooped to replace the
50:35
scarlet fabric on the floor of the
50:37
carriage I think we are close to a
50:39
conclusion
50:40
Watson Hopkins I should like to talk to
50:44
the guard lions again and to the driver
50:46
and his farmen please make sure that
50:48
there is at least one other police
50:49
officer present and we must be sure to
50:52
invite mr. Benedict Masterson to our
50:54
little de Namur since she's been kind
50:57
enough to pay the fee for this
50:58
investigation by the time Masterson
51:02
arrived the clock was approaching 9:00
51:03
and we sat in the old mess room bathed
51:06
in dingy yellow Gaslight the rain
51:09
rattled ceaselessly on the roof and
51:11
windows and when we were all assembled
51:14
the three weary rail women along with
51:17
Benedict Masterson inspector Hopkins a
51:19
junior officer and Holmes and myself the
51:23
gathering became hushed and expectant
51:27
Masterson said well this has certainly
51:31
been a baffling business mr. Holmes but
51:34
I assume we're here because you've
51:35
picked up some clues along the way you
51:38
are certainly a man equal to his
51:40
reputation sir
51:41
the inspector mentioned a red silk
51:44
trinket of some sort yes Holmes said he
51:48
produced the item from his pocket this
51:51
piece of perfumed fabric the clear
51:54
message is that someone was concealed in
51:56
the carriage with the bullion
51:58
I see and moreover i could' that the
52:02
concealed person was probably female
52:05
Masterson appeared a little seekin
52:08
female you say if I may said Holmes we
52:15
will return to that later mr. Lyons let
52:19
us revert for the present to the subject
52:21
of your sandwiches my sandwiches again
52:24
sir indeed the sandwiches you took on
52:29
board the train last night together with
52:30
the seed cake in the can of cold tea you
52:33
say you at them just before you fell
52:35
asleep yes sir
52:37
you ate the sandwiches and the cake you
52:39
dozed off you woke up again and the gold
52:42
was gone yes sir that's how it happened
52:46
and when you came around and realized
52:48
the gold had gone you say it was like a
52:50
nightmare yes mr. Rance you were very
52:54
agitated certainly was too agitated I
52:58
expect to sweep the floor of the
53:00
carriage tomorrow sir
53:02
I presume you did not sweep the floor of
53:05
the carriage at that point in that
53:06
disturbed state no sir I didn't with
53:10
respect sir that's not my job quite I
53:13
wouldn't expect you to which makes it
53:15
very difficult to explain why when I
53:17
examined the guards coach this afternoon
53:19
I found out a single crumb on the floor
53:21
now can anyone here tell me how it's
53:24
possible to eat several sandwiches and a
53:26
slice of seed cake without dropping a
53:28
single crumb or come to that a single
53:32
seed I promise you sir what I said about
53:35
my supper was true I'll remember exactly
53:37
what I brought and exactly what I ate I
53:39
have no doubt of that mr. Lyons then
53:43
what sir
53:44
my point is merely that you are
53:46
obviously not in coach 13 when you ate
53:49
the sandwiches
53:51
on my honor mr. Holmes I swear I was oh
53:54
you were in a canid certainly but you
53:57
were not in the carriage in which your
53:59
savage rapper was found the coach where
54:01
you ate your supper the coach with the
54:04
bullion never made it to London mr.
54:09
Holmes
54:09
this is confusing began masterson Holmes
54:15
interrupted on the contrary mr.
54:17
Masterson it's very clear the coach
54:19
containing the gold was uncoupled from
54:21
the train when it stopped for water run
54:24
into a siding by those awaiting it and
54:26
unloaded of its cargo at their leisure
54:28
during the night it was a perfectly dark
54:30
night there was no moon so the rail
54:33
women as mr. McLintock ear has recently
54:36
confirmed could from the water pump see
54:38
nothing of what was going on at the back
54:40
of the train but mr. Holmes said
54:43
inspector Hopkins the bad luck special
54:46
has 13 coaches everyone knows that and
54:49
you will no doubt yourself a noted that
54:51
we passed there exactly 13 coaches in
54:54
our inspection of the train this
54:55
afternoon oh it has 13 coaches now of
54:58
course inspector Holmes said and it only
55:02
struck me after we had left Bristol and
55:04
its pleasant stationmaster Willits that
55:07
he had described to us in detail his
55:08
whole engagement with the loading of the
55:10
gold and the departure of the train
55:12
without once mentioning that he counted
55:14
the coaches before the train left the
55:16
fact is he didn't count them he didn't
55:20
think he needed to the bad luck special
55:23
had always consisted of 13 coaches he
55:26
wasn't to know that your accomplices at
55:28
Bristol had added an additional coach to
55:31
the train before it was attached to the
55:33
coach carrying the boxes a coach with
55:36
its seats stripped out to make it
55:38
practically identical to the bullion car
55:40
on that one night the bad luck special
55:44
had not 13 but 14 carriages when the
55:48
train stopped to acquire water it
55:50
simultaneously shed a coach and it very
55:53
nearly he continued turning back to
55:56
Lyons shared a guard - you're a very
56:00
fortunate man
56:02
I don't feel fortunate sir your good
56:06
fortune is that you are still alive and
56:08
that in turn is because you are
56:10
fortunate enough to fall asleep imagine
56:13
if you had not the train stops the
56:16
thieves uncouple the rear coach with
56:18
yourself inside it as soon as you see
56:20
them you become a risk to them there's
56:22
no telling what they might have done
56:23
what I believe actually happened was
56:26
that as they were releasing the carriage
56:27
from the Train someone noticed that you
56:29
were asleep inside they took the
56:31
opportunity to move you into the next
56:33
coach along with your tea can and
56:35
sandwich wrappings you may be thankful
56:38
you did not wake at that moment
56:41
Masterson wore an expression of
56:44
amazement I am full of admiration mr.
56:51
Holmes but at the same time I feel
56:55
somewhat desolated this clearly means
56:58
that someone in my organization has
57:01
betrayed me which brings me back to the
57:04
ring of scarlet silk discovered in the
57:06
carriage certainly an intriguing
57:08
adornment to the problem said Holmes it
57:12
could indeed signify the presence of a
57:14
woman but there is the mystery I said of
57:17
how she got there or what she might have
57:19
done I think however said Holmes that is
57:24
a mystery with a simple solution at this
57:27
point Masterson appeared rather
57:29
tragically stricken you're thinking yes
57:33
said Holmes you're thinking that my
57:37
estranged wife flora dear God that
57:42
foolish woman oh come along mr.
57:45
Masterson you know full well your wife
57:47
had nothing to do with it there was no
57:49
one aboard the train saved the three men
57:50
here driver engineer and guard and none
57:53
of them had anything to do with the
57:54
robbery the three rail women looked at
57:56
one another as though they had suddenly
57:58
had revealed to them their entitlement
58:00
to a joint fortune as for the thieves
58:02
said Holmes they are to be located
58:06
somewhere nursing a hoard of bullion a
58:08
part of course from their pay master who
58:10
is sitting here with us
58:13
is that not so mr. Masterson
58:16
Masterson baluster and steamed he was
58:20
outraged this was absurd how dare you
58:24
sir what evidence have you for such an
58:27
outrageous suggestion I had misgivings
58:29
from the beginning I could not
58:31
understand why you came to me so quickly
58:33
after the theft had been discovered when
58:35
you had so much else to deal with I see
58:38
now that you were pains to demonstrate
58:40
to the insurance company that you were
58:42
doing all in your power to recover the
58:44
bullion because of course if you could
58:46
have both the gold and the insurance
58:48
money you would have considerably
58:51
augmented your fortune but worse still
58:54
what your partners in crime would have
58:56
done to mr. Lyons had he not had the
58:59
good sense to fall asleep on the job
59:01
hardly bears thinking about you were
59:04
prepared not just to steal but to be an
59:08
accessory to murder this is speculation
59:11
mr. Holmes this would not stand up in
59:13
court you should be looking for another
59:15
felon what about that red silk ring oh
59:19
yes you've been very subtle about that
59:21
mr. Masterson suggesting your wife's
59:24
name one moment and the next assuring me
59:26
that she could not possibly be
59:28
implicated I doubt whether you thought
59:30
she would be but you certainly sought to
59:32
throw me off the scent
59:34
what was that item if not a red herring
59:37
and is that not for those who like to
59:39
play games with words another way to say
59:42
a red heading what fun you no doubt plan
59:47
to have with that joke mr. Masterson and
59:49
you got away with this business now it
59:52
seems the joke is on you that was one
59:56
pun mr. Masterson which you would indeed
59:59
have done better to have resisted
60:03
but whether justice was fully done is a
60:06
moot point in expectation of reducing
60:09
his own sentence masters and eventually
60:11
it divulged the names of his accomplices
60:13
and led police to the embezzle to
60:16
bullion and although he was committed to
60:18
prison for several years it was clear
60:21
that once his sentence was served he
60:23
would continue the life of a wealthy man
60:26
I can't understand I said to Holmes a
60:29
couple of evenings later why you seem so
60:32
damnably happy a man is never more
60:36
content Watson he said then when doing
60:39
well what his nature has fitted him to
60:41
do and which thought will you pass me
60:44
the tobacco pouch I think we should
60:47
indulge ourselves in a brace of good
60:49
pipe
61:05
[Music]
61:10
the Trinity vicarage larceny one fine
61:20
spring morning Sherlock Holmes and I
61:23
received into our rooms a portly
61:25
gentleman in a purple dress that at
61:28
least is how it momentarily appeared to
61:30
me as I glanced up from the Daily
61:32
Chronicle at the open door the purple
61:35
gentlemen it transpired was the right
61:38
reverend the Lord Bishop of Kent an old
61:41
acquaintance of Holmes and he had
61:44
brought with him as so many of our
61:45
visitors due a problem that was clearly
61:48
causing him some agitation mollified a
61:52
little by coffee and a cigar bishop
61:55
sprigs needed no prompting to divulge
61:57
his story the number of my problem
62:00
gentleman is an unfortunate young priest
62:03
a young man of promise and talent very
62:07
popular with his parishioners who has
62:09
inadvertently got himself into deep
62:11
Porter intriguing said Holmes you may
62:16
recall the clergyman continued the
62:18
Trinity Church in the Kent village of
62:20
hatching ham was last year in the news
62:22
because of an exceptional discovery of
62:26
course I said a silver chalice of
62:29
considerable worth was discovered in the
62:31
crypt yes dr. Watson a magnificent
62:35
medieval relic the so called
62:38
hatching comb Grail weighing some twenty
62:40
two pounds with my approval it was sold
62:43
to the British Museum with the idea that
62:45
a good portion of the proceeds would go
62:47
towards restoring hatch income church
62:50
the Reverend Kingsley pending the
62:52
beginning of the building work had
62:53
locked the money up in the church crypt
62:55
it was stolen yesterday Holmes you can
63:01
imagine what an outcry they'd be if this
63:03
found its way into the papers it would
63:05
be bad for Kingsley and the hatching
63:08
from parish and goodness of Lemnos water
63:10
would do for the reputation of the
63:11
church at any cost the money must be
63:14
recovered and the thief put away
63:17
and I mean any cost homes
63:21
let us not concern ourselves with fees
63:23
just yet home said are there any clues
63:27
at all as to who might be responsible
63:29
for this theft I'm not sure about clues
63:32
replied the clergyman Kingsley did make
63:35
some sort of an attempted to discover
63:36
the identity of the villain by chasing
63:38
him over the fields after the theft but
63:40
I'm afraid he didn't get very far
63:41
I think we had better meet the young
63:44
Reverend said Holmes as soon as is
63:47
practical Watson would you be at liberty
63:49
to accompany me to hatching him for a
63:50
few days I'm utterly indebted to you
63:54
both said the bishop
63:55
I dare say while you're in hatching him
63:58
we could put you up at the trinity
63:59
church rectory
64:00
oh there's the jolly bulldog if you'd
64:03
prefer and AH said Holmes that jolly
64:07
bulldog now that sounds like just my
64:10
kind of animal we journeyed to hatching
64:14
him the next morning and established
64:16
ourselves at the cosy but crumbling
64:18
hostility that was the jolly Bulldog our
64:22
landlord was a bluff man called stocky
64:24
taller by inches than Holmes and
64:26
compelled to stoop to avoid the beams
64:29
resumed ceiling as he lumbered about in
64:31
heavy boots serving his customers he
64:34
grudgingly provided us with a late snack
64:36
of bread and some rather tough cold
64:39
meats complaining that if everyone chose
64:41
to be fed at half past 2:00 in the
64:42
afternoon they would have to invent a
64:44
new word for the mule taken between
64:45
luncheon and dinner
64:47
leftovers said Holmes to me in push Lee
64:50
and at a level which I am sure Starkey
64:52
was meant to overhear might be that word
64:55
the publican growled ominously
64:58
as he left us and I leaned over to
65:01
Holmes and whispered there is surely an
65:03
example of how a little power may go to
65:05
the head of a man and make him too big
65:07
for his boots
65:08
I was thinking rather said Holmes from
65:12
the way he comes about this place that
65:14
his boots are rather too big for him
65:17
I saw the two gentlemen on a nearby
65:19
tables smile at this remark I sunday
65:23
galatta notice of Starkey said one of
65:25
them amiably he's just as tiresome with
65:28
all the customers
65:29
the gentleman introduced himself as John
65:31
captain and his companion as Matthew
65:34
Winslow although neither Holmes nor
65:36
myself disclosed the details of our
65:39
mission to hatching him
65:40
it seems they knew we were expected and
65:42
it turned out that both gentlemen were
65:44
members of the parish committee and were
65:46
fully apprised of the theft though they
65:49
were quick to assert that it was not yet
65:51
public knowledge I hope you will be
65:53
successful
65:54
said hapten in bringing this thief to
65:57
book we are fond of our vigor and he has
66:01
been a deeply troubled young man since
66:03
it happened the Reverend Kingsley's
66:07
house was accessed from hatching him
66:09
Lane by a short stone path a few steps
66:13
beyond the vicarage stood the church
66:15
with on the west side a moderate sized
66:18
graveyard on the other side with its own
66:21
access to the lane and shaded by a
66:23
handful of fruit trees stood cherry
66:25
cottage which were later discovered to
66:28
be the residence of the Virgin and his
66:30
wife
66:31
the Reverend Kingsley was a man in his
66:34
early thirties small in stature but of
66:37
good looks his clerical dress the
66:39
quintessence of meekness while clearly
66:43
stricken by his predicament he remained
66:45
calm and articulate and did his best to
66:48
make us welcome in a pleasantly
66:49
appointed parlour whose deep colored
66:51
thick pile carpet and embroidered
66:53
cushions evidenced a delicate sense of
66:56
taste it's a relief to see you gentlemen
66:59
he said the bishop told me all about you
67:02
about your many successes in solving
67:05
complex cases the problem as you know is
67:09
that while we saw the thief escape we
67:11
were unable to establish his identity
67:13
however there are one or two factors
67:15
which though they seemed a Paik to my
67:17
own consideration might prove
67:19
illuminating under your own if I might
67:23
show you I would be most grateful mr.
67:25
Kingsley Holmes said first though I see
67:29
that you have recently held a meeting in
67:30
this
67:31
I presumed that apart from the three
67:33
other gentlemen present the fourth was
67:35
yourself you keep the side chairs in
67:37
another room I take it Lord how did you
67:41
know all that oh it's a simple matter
67:43
the carpet beside the window has
67:45
indentations of four chairs and
67:47
therefore I presume for four people but
67:50
there are no chairs in the room whose
67:51
feet would match well yes you are of
67:55
course quite correct said Kingsley with
67:57
a broad smile the parish committee
67:59
convened here just yesterday as as we do
68:01
each week yesterday was the day I broke
68:04
the news that the Grail money had been
68:06
stolen and I hope that that news will
68:08
remain privy to the committee members
68:10
until such time as the thief is caught
68:11
but the vicar paused and Holmes said
68:15
please go on mr. Kingsley but continued
68:19
the young clergyman the gentleman on the
68:22
parish committee are the same three who
68:23
sat here two weeks ago when I revealed
68:27
that the money for the Grail was in the
68:29
crypt of the church only they and I knew
68:33
of the fact you see so I can no longer
68:36
be as confident as before that they are
68:37
all honest men which is the most
68:40
unfortunate thing it was all in cash I
68:43
presume home said yes mr. Holmes I kept
68:47
cash so that I could employ local men to
68:49
restore the church and pay them by the
68:51
day I have little time to run to the
68:53
bank and make a withdrawal every time a
68:54
man finishes plastering the wall the
68:56
money was under lock and key yes there
69:00
is a safe in the crypt where the church
69:01
is small treasures have always been
69:03
subpoenaed and the Crypt itself is
69:06
locked yes it can be entered either from
69:09
within the church or by a door leading
69:10
from the churchyard and both those doors
69:13
are locked at night mr. Holmes I do hope
69:17
you can help me with this I don't know
69:20
how my flock will ever forgive me if
69:21
that money is not returned
69:23
then perhaps if you can bear to go over
69:26
it all again you would be so kind as to
69:28
tell dr. Watson and myself the
69:30
circumstances of the robbery yes of
69:33
course two weeks ago looking out of this
69:36
window on a Monday morning at about
69:38
11:00
69:39
I saw a man I'm fairly certain it was a
69:43
man standing at the lychgate and looking
69:45
over into the church and I would not
69:47
have given this a moment's thought
69:48
except that he wore a hat with an
69:50
unusually wide brim and had it pulled so
69:53
low over his eyes and his conner so high
69:56
that one could not distinguish his
69:58
features as I say I cannot even be
70:01
certain it was not a woman except for
70:04
his way of moving I watched him for a
70:07
good ten minutes before he turned and
70:08
strode back along the lane towards the
70:10
village that same afternoon this time
70:13
from an upstairs window I saw him again
70:15
but now further along the lane standing
70:18
under a tree and once again seeming to
70:21
study the church and its grounds his
70:24
contrived anonymity naturally put me on
70:27
my guard in the evening after those
70:30
first two sightings I was sitting in
70:33
that very chair dr. Watson which you are
70:35
currently occupying when a thought hit
70:37
me like a bolt of lightning I thought
70:40
which you no doubt will be surprised had
70:42
not occurred to me earlier that this
70:44
stranger might have designs on the money
70:46
in the crypt
70:47
after this alarming epiphany I spoke to
70:52
my verges Sam manners and his wife may
70:54
who keep house for me they live in
70:56
cherry cottage which as you will have
70:58
seen stands on the lane beside the
70:59
church's lychgate there's a short cut
71:02
from their back door to this house which
71:04
they employ when they wished to see me I
71:06
mentioned that because as I think he
71:08
will agree it bears upon the matter I
71:11
asked them to report to me if this
71:14
sinister figure or anyone else unknown
71:16
to them appeared in the vicinity of the
71:18
church and indeed it seems as if the man
71:22
in that hat had begun to watch my
71:24
whereabouts because first may manners
71:26
then her husband reported to me that
71:28
they had indeed seen the man in the
71:31
I began to feel that an attempt on the
71:34
money was imminent I resolved then to
71:37
remain in the vicarage all the church
71:39
grounds until I was certain that the
71:40
threat had passed I instructed mr. and
71:43
mrs. manners that if they saw the
71:45
stranger again they were to take the
71:46
shortcut to my house and inform me
71:48
immediately
71:49
but they were under no circumstances to
71:51
approach him and now we come to the day
71:54
of the theft
71:55
Sam manners was whitewashing the walls
71:57
of the church at this point Holmes stood
72:01
up I think it would be as well mr.
72:03
Kingsley to acquaint ourselves with the
72:05
geography of the church and its grounds
72:07
might be continued outside a rapturous
72:12
afternoon of sunshine and birdsong
72:15
greeted us as we left the vicarage and
72:17
walked out into the churchyard where the
72:19
Reverend Kingsley commenced our guided
72:21
tour I immediately began to loquacious
72:25
on a mental map of hatching and village
72:27
and its surrounding areas a practice I
72:29
learned in my military days and which
72:31
has served me well in civilian life I
72:33
could see in my mind the large oblong of
72:35
farmland about two miles across with
72:39
hatching and village and the church
72:40
almost at opposite corners this
72:43
substantial area of land was surrounded
72:46
on all four sides by public roads mr.
72:50
Kingsley took us through the grounds on
72:51
a grassy path which ran along the side
72:53
of the church up against the gravestones
72:55
of the churchyard this is the wall of
72:58
the church
72:59
Sam manners was painting that morning
73:00
said the vicar he worked for a couple of
73:03
hours and at twelve o'clock I sent him
73:04
off to his cottage for his regular
73:06
midday meal I went back into the
73:08
vicarage and took up a book after about
73:11
twenty minutes there was a knock at the
73:13
back door mrs. manners was in a frantic
73:15
state she and Sam just seemed the man in
73:18
the white brimmed hat going into the
73:20
church hat I told her to return
73:22
immediately and to tell Sam to meet me
73:24
here at the crypt door and I came here
73:26
directly to find myself staring at a
73:28
spectacular mess he pointed to a flight
73:32
of four steps just off the path leading
73:34
to a door low down in the half painted
73:37
church wall
73:38
the door to the Crypt he said from which
73:41
the thief must have made his exit and
73:43
not expecting to encounter a paint
73:45
bucket presumably kicked it flying in
73:47
his haste to escape a residual expanse
73:51
of powdery white still damp in places
73:53
stained the flagstones at the bottom of
73:56
the steps
73:57
Sam was with me within seconds continued
74:00
the vicar we could see nobody but we
74:03
soon guessed which way he'd gone if
74:05
you'll follow me gentlemen the vicar led
74:08
us a little further along the grassy
74:10
path to where the churchyard ended in a
74:12
wooden fence said in the fence was a
74:15
style leading onto a footpath that said
74:19
the vicar was his escape route beyond
74:22
the style the ragged footpath traversed
74:24
the meadow through weeds and rough
74:26
grasses stretching away into the
74:29
distance along this narrow track could
74:32
be seen intermittent blobs of white and
74:35
I suppose the presumption would be said
74:38
Holmes that the trail of white paint
74:40
marks are the fleeing man's footsteps
74:43
yes exactly
74:44
obviously our man escaped across the
74:46
field to Harding Lane mr. Holmes my
74:49
companion nodded he stopped at the style
74:51
there are two white hand prints here he
74:54
said a right hand and a left hand the
74:58
fella was in some haste as indeed one
75:00
would expect Holmes crossed the style
75:03
athletically and walked a little way
75:05
into the field bending down he examined
75:08
one of the white marks then plucked up a
75:10
handful of grass and returned to us
75:12
Thank You mr. Kingsley I think I've seen
75:15
all I need to hear is there anything
75:16
else you think might help us yes said
75:19
the vicar enthusiastically back at the
75:22
house Holmes requested that Sam manners
75:26
and his wife join us in the vicarage and
75:28
a little afterwards in mr. Kingsley's
75:30
kitchen mrs. manners set herself to the
75:33
task of making us all tea while Holmes
75:35
paced the stone floor slowly
75:38
i sat at the kitchen table with the
75:41
vicar and Sam manners
75:42
a ruddy man in his early 40s whom Holmes
75:46
was now addressing so mr. manners you
75:48
were the only person to have caught a
75:50
glimpse of the man in the Hat on the day
75:52
of the robbery I believe so sir I was at
75:55
the window taking my lunch I saw this
75:57
fellow and the bigger looking up and
75:59
down the line a few times as if to check
76:01
all was clear then entered the
76:03
churchyard straight away are set to miss
76:06
his manners to go by the back door and
76:08
tell the vicar and you yourself waited
76:11
in the cottage until mrs. manners
76:13
returned I did sir for how long
76:16
not more than two minutes she told me
76:18
the vicar wanted me to meet him out by
76:20
the church I dashed right out and found
76:23
the Reverend Kingsley waiting for you
76:25
yes sir and the door to the Crypt wide
76:28
open whitewash everywhere hmm the Crypt
76:31
door had been locked before he went to
76:33
lunch though yes mr. Holmes always was
76:36
and that was when you noticed the trail
76:38
of pink exactly sir and set off to
76:40
follow it
76:41
you must have only been a short way
76:43
behind the thief must have been sir but
76:46
he moved like the wind
76:47
we was across that meadow in less than
76:49
five minutes it's good for furlongs and
76:53
never caught up to him but what we found
76:55
at the opposite side clinched it here
76:58
mr. Kingsley interrupted Sam means this
77:01
he said and produced from a draw a
77:04
wide-brimmed black velvet hat
77:06
inexpensively made and in shape rather
77:09
resembling the sort of thing one sees
77:10
worn by picadors in pictures of
77:12
bullfights Holmes took the hat and
77:15
turned it around in his hands it was me
77:18
found it sir said manners I was running
77:21
a bit ahead of the Reverend open to
77:23
catch up with our faith and as soon as I
77:25
was over the stile I saw it in the grass
77:27
by the road just where I suppose it had
77:29
fallen from his head well said Holmes
77:33
well I cannot see yet how that will help
77:35
us with your permission I shall take it
77:37
away with me of course said the vicar
77:40
we'll leave you then but by way of that
77:43
path across the fields I'd rather like
77:45
to follow the route taken by our
77:47
escaping felon
77:48
and so it was that we made our farewells
77:51
and set out from the church out across
77:52
the wide meadow towards Harding Lane
77:55
although it had been a week since the
77:58
church thief had fled there remained a
78:01
clear trail of white footprints across
78:04
the entire width of the field
78:06
the path ended at another style which
78:10
gave onto the shaded narrowness of
78:12
harding lane we calculated that to
78:15
return to hatching a village we could go
78:17
in either direction around the perimeter
78:19
of the meadow
78:20
we took the route west along the pinch
78:22
home road rather than going east and
78:24
back via the church as we walked my
78:27
companion looked repeatedly this way and
78:29
that into the fields at the roadside the
78:32
patches of scrubland and the bushes and
78:34
trees if you note anything you must let
78:37
me know Watson and I agreed that I would
78:40
but the fields lay bright and innocent
78:42
in the late afternoon air and the trees
78:45
were populated only by birds jubilantly
78:48
enjoying the sunshine then as we crossed
78:52
a bridge over a gurgling stream Holmes
78:54
stopped halfway there's something there
78:57
do you see he pointed to the bank of the
79:00
stream above which a Hawthorn overhung
79:03
the rushing water something that bush a
79:06
pair of some things unless I'm mistaken
79:08
we clambered over the balustrade of the
79:12
little bridge and dropped onto the bank
79:14
side the Hawthorn was thick and even at
79:17
close quarters my eyes were at pains to
79:18
penetrate into its depths Holmes using a
79:22
fallen branch the thickness of his arm
79:24
smashed his way into the bush his soft
79:27
cry of triumph told me he had found
79:30
something and he reached in and
79:31
retrieved in one hand a large pair of
79:35
leather boots what do you think Watson
79:38
is this or is this not the footwear of
79:41
our thief they're certainly large those
79:44
of a very big man I should say and that
79:47
a white marks on the soles should we see
79:50
how they fit those prints on the church
79:52
meadow I think we can assume that much
79:55
Watson but what would induce the villain
79:57
to jettison his boots here perhaps I
80:00
said he thought he was still being
80:02
chased and knew that if he were caught
80:04
wearing them he would be recognized
80:05
straight away equally suspicious if he'd
80:08
been found with no boots at all said
80:10
Holmes though I suppose he may have
80:12
carried a spare pair of shoes with him
80:14
Watson it is fairly clear to me the
80:16
thief is a local man
80:18
why and less he feared to be recognized
80:21
would he indulge in such an elaborate
80:22
disguise let us go back to the Jolly
80:26
bulldog that after all is where the
80:30
locals like to congregate in fact on our
80:34
return to the inn we found John Hampton
80:36
and Matthew Winslow the parish committee
80:38
men we had met earlier having returned
80:40
to or perhaps never having left the same
80:43
table as we sat down Holmes place beside
80:47
him on the floorboards the pair of boots
80:49
we had found in the hedgerow causing the
80:51
two gentlemen to look at them
80:53
inquisitively when Starkey the landlord
80:56
arrived to service the first thing he
80:58
said was your boats gentlemen not ours
81:02
said Holmes we found them in a bush in
81:04
Harding Lane strange what some folks
81:07
will throw away said the publican they
81:11
looks in prime order to me hardly been
81:14
worn
81:14
Holmes replied and then he asked with
81:17
these boots fit you mr. Starkey and
81:19
seeing our companions on the nearby
81:21
table watching he added or either of you
81:24
gentlemen not me sir Starkey replied
81:27
rather more amiably than I had expected
81:30
I never boots look whitey but my feet
81:33
and sebade because you might think it's
81:36
just I'm subject to blisters would you
81:38
find big boots help your blisters I
81:41
asked my experience of patients
81:44
suffering with that condition telling me
81:45
the opposite no sir to start blisters I
81:49
need to put on three pairs of thick hose
81:51
so always gets my boots well over my
81:54
proper foot size then rather
81:56
sardonically he said thank you though
81:59
for asking sir mr. Hampton on the next
82:03
table asked you might be asked evil
82:05
stuff what's your interest in boots
82:08
Holmes said it's an investigation we are
82:12
conducting in which boots have well some
82:15
scientific significance
82:18
then to me he whispered as our neighbor
82:20
turned away with a disbelieving grimace
82:23
it's as I thought Watson we have our
82:26
culprit
82:28
Stocki no not stocky one of these and I
82:34
indicated with my thumb the two men from
82:36
the bearish committee now Watson who
82:39
then these boots Watson do you observe
82:41
nothing untoward about them no not at
82:44
all
82:44
the prattle he knew there of a large
82:46
size apart from that they are
82:48
undistinguished on the contrary my
82:51
friend I would say they were
82:53
distinguished by a lack of pink I beg
82:56
your pardon
82:56
I mean Watson that there are white marks
82:59
on the soles to be sure but tell me prey
83:01
how a man with his hands covered in
83:02
whitewash could have unlaced and removed
83:04
his boots without leaving marks on the
83:06
laces I don't know I said but it would
83:09
be a singular coincidence if someone
83:11
completely innocent had jettisoned a
83:13
pair of boots with paint on the soles
83:15
there is no coincidence home said these
83:19
boots were undoubtedly left here by the
83:21
thief but not in the way we were
83:23
intended to believe are you suggesting
83:25
that you know who the thief is the thief
83:28
Watson is the Reverend Kingsley himself
83:32
how could it be hoped there was no time
83:35
for him to escape across that meadow and
83:37
return to the vicarage in time to meet
83:39
Sam manners outside the church how could
83:42
a man chase himself across a meadow as
83:44
you know Watson we are due to meet the
83:46
bishop this evening at Trinity vicarage
83:48
so let us finish our meal I will explain
83:52
everything there
83:55
we had promised the bishop an intra
83:57
meeting at the vicarage to advise him of
83:59
our progress in the case which no doubt
84:02
to the clergyman expected to be only
84:04
moderate this soon after our previous
84:06
meeting but we had hardly settled to our
84:09
Shetty and mr. Kingsley's comfortable
84:10
parlour then Holmes declared
84:12
dramatically you will no doubt be
84:14
delighted to know gentlemen that dr.
84:16
Watson and I have solved the case I did
84:19
not think it my business to confess that
84:21
after my previous conversation with
84:22
Holmes I was as much in the dark as
84:24
anyone but I sat quietly sipping my
84:27
Shelly while I watched my friend open
84:29
the bag we had brought from the inn and
84:31
removed the two large white stained
84:33
boots we had found beside the stream the
84:36
Bishop's eyes widened I have to say he
84:40
looked incredulous mr. Kingsley too wore
84:43
a skeptical smirk and raised his
84:46
eyebrows please tell us mr. Holmes what
84:49
you think you have found dr. Watson and
84:53
I found these Holmes explained in a
84:55
bramble bush in Harding Lane big boots
84:58
suggested we were seeking a big man yet
85:01
the footprints told us his stride was
85:04
short it was our landlord at the jolly
85:06
Bulldog who enabled me to understand the
85:08
dichotomy he is a man who buys bigger
85:11
boots than his foot size in order to
85:12
accommodate extra socks our villain
85:15
however bought his bigger boots in order
85:17
to accommodate another pair of shoes
85:18
leaving the footprints of a bigger man
85:21
than he is himself is that not so mr.
85:25
Kingsley
85:27
the young vicar I thought at the time if
85:30
he was guilty of anything was heroically
85:33
cool about it he betrayed nothing but
85:37
genteel surprised are you suggesting
85:40
that I was the thief mr. Holmes Holmes
85:44
said the bishop gravely from what I
85:48
understand mr. Kingsley and his Verger
85:51
practically managed to catch up with the
85:53
thief on that fateful day what an earth
85:56
do you think is the evidence for this
85:58
assertion my lord Holmes said
86:01
confidently mr. Kingsley wished to
86:04
embezzle the money raised by the sale of
86:05
the hatching him Grail and decided to
86:07
construct a piece of theatre which would
86:09
deceive investigators he not only
86:11
invented the spectral man in the large
86:13
brimmed hat he also on several occasions
86:16
paraded in the Hat in the high-collared
86:18
coat and ensured that mr. and mrs.
86:21
manners caught a glimpse of him on the
86:23
day of the theft having sent Sam manners
86:25
to lunch he came back here to the
86:27
vicarage assumed the disguise showed
86:30
himself at the cottage window where
86:31
manners was eating and proceeded into
86:34
the churchyard dashing back to the
86:36
vicarage again he slipped out of his
86:38
cloak and hat and waited for mrs.
86:40
manners knock on the door he told mrs.
86:42
manners to summon her husband and
86:44
rendezvous with him outside the crypt
86:47
door and then what said mr. Kingsley
86:50
insolent with fury I put on these boots
86:53
unlock the church went down to the Crypt
86:56
took the money escaped the church jumped
86:59
the style and ran across a mile of the
87:01
field then dashed a mile back took off
87:02
the boots and waited calmly for Sam to
87:04
arrive where upon I went chasing off
87:06
across the field again that would indeed
87:10
have been ingenious to do in two minutes
87:13
what an athlete could not do in 20 yes
87:17
indeed
87:17
the question as my friend dr. Watson has
87:20
clarified is precisely how may a man
87:23
chase himself across a meadow
87:25
and the answer asked the bishop no one
87:30
will ever know at what points you took
87:31
the money mr. Kingsley as the key holder
87:34
you are free to do it at your leisure
87:36
and for all one knows it may never have
87:39
been in the crypt safe in the first
87:40
place certainly there was no need for
87:42
you to waste time on it on the day we
87:45
are discussing you wished to ensure
87:47
there was just enough time with mr.
87:49
manners at lunch for you to get to the
87:51
crypt door and kick over the white wash
87:52
bucket and of course you had given mr.
87:55
manners the task of whitewashing that
87:57
particular part of the church wall
87:58
simply to ensure that there would be a
88:00
bucket there to be upturned that was all
88:04
you needed to do because and here is the
88:07
thing you had made the footprints across
88:10
the field on the night before you had
88:14
also I have no doubt planted the boots
88:16
in the hedgerow on the same occasion
88:18
making sure they had plenty of white
88:19
paint on the soles foolishly you forgot
88:23
the dauber little on the shoelaces at
88:27
this point The Vicar dropped into a
88:29
chair as though all resistance had
88:32
suddenly fled him and I believe that his
88:35
Holmes proceeded we all realized that he
88:38
was now approaching a devastating
88:40
conclusion at some hour of that night
88:43
mr. Kingsley having splashed so much
88:45
whitewash on the underside of the boots
88:47
that your hands were gloved with pinked
88:48
you planted your white printed trail
88:51
along the footpath across the meadow to
88:53
harding Lane afterwards who dropped the
88:56
wide-brimmed hat by the stile and
88:58
jettisoned the boots in a bush further
89:00
along Harding Lane the trail of prints
89:03
was therefore neatly in place for the
89:05
deception next morning and I dare say
89:06
you were solicitous to keep mr. manners
89:09
away from the style where he might
89:10
prematurely stumble upon your if I may
89:13
so miss nimit handiwork
89:16
but one moment said the bishop if mr.
89:20
Kingsley had dropped the Hat the night
89:22
before how could he have been wearing it
89:25
that morning well of course that's
89:27
simple said Holmes there were two hats
89:31
and finally there was the question of
89:35
the keys what question was that Holmes I
89:37
asked I don't recollect any mention of
89:40
keys precisely there was a distinct
89:43
absence of any such mention why because
89:47
a key would have been needed to enter
89:49
the Crypt and mr. Kingsley thought it
89:50
better not to raise the tricky matter of
89:53
how such an intruder might have got hold
89:55
of one the pale-faced and slumped figure
89:59
of mr. Kingsley indicated his utter
90:02
defeat the bishop clearly needed no
90:06
further convincing the money Kingsley he
90:10
said have you spent it The Vicar looked
90:14
bitter I'm a gambler bishop and the
90:18
truth is that over the years I have
90:20
burdened myself with appalling debt I
90:22
started to use the church money bit by
90:25
bit I meant to return it one day when I
90:27
had a big win but money runs through my
90:31
hands like water there's little of it
90:34
left then it's a matter for the police
90:37
the bishop said and we must find a new
90:40
vicar for hatching them I feel that you
90:44
mr. Kingsley will for many years be the
90:47
incumbent for much India parish
91:00
[Music]
91:04
the 10:59 assassin it is now well known
91:15
that the investigations of my friend and
91:17
companion Sherlock Holmes which I have
91:19
had the privilege to document over the
91:21
years represent only a small portion of
91:25
his life's work many other cases have
91:28
fallen into the obscure well of history
91:31
but nothing departs this world without
91:34
leaving some trace or memory and now and
91:37
then an old story rears its head so it
91:41
was with the events of the stove II
91:43
murder a letter came to Holmes one
91:47
morning at our Baker Street apartment
91:48
from Samuel carpenter an elderly
91:51
publican at the horse in colours ha
91:53
story in the Kent village of Stowe V
91:56
several years previously Samuel
91:58
carpenter had been a witness at the
92:00
trial of Arthur weeks a local villain
92:03
accused of intimidation abduction
92:06
blackmail and grievous bodily harm
92:08
Holmes had been involved in helping
92:10
police on the case with footprint
92:12
evidence and us had come to meet the
92:14
amiable publican I suppose we never
92:18
expected to visit the quiet settlement
92:20
of Stowe V ever again but the letter
92:22
contained a clear and urgent summons
92:26
dear mr. Hobbs you did say when we made
92:29
off how Wells four years ago that if
92:32
ever there should be a day when I had
92:33
need of your assistance I was to write
92:36
to you immediately I'm afraid sir that
92:40
day has come
92:41
a terrible set of events has clouded my
92:43
life and I am quite at a loss
92:46
Arthur weeks that ruthless villain you
92:49
helped put away died in jail a few
92:52
months ago
92:53
ever since then his son Henry has been
92:56
making our lives a misery I found my dog
93:00
catcher shot dead in the field and twice
93:04
a dead Fox in our water tank started
93:08
getting letters threatening to burn down
93:10
the in telling me I should one day wait
93:12
in vain for my wife to come home
93:14
terrible things but all written
93:17
anonymous then they brazenly come and
93:20
drink Utley in as innocent as you like
93:22
well last week our son Jack code weeks
93:26
straight there in front of all my
93:28
customers that he'd gone too far and
93:31
he'd better prepare himself for some
93:33
serious consequences which he had not
93:36
done it two days afterwards weeks was
93:39
found shot through the head and my jack
93:42
has now been arrested as a murderer
93:45
there's anything you may be able to do
93:47
mr. Holmes please come immediately I
93:51
knew that Holmes had taken strongly to
93:54
the publican so it was hardly a surprise
93:57
to me when he asked as his his way
93:58
whether I had any pressing engagements
94:01
over the next few days and when I said
94:03
no instructed me to pack immediately an
94:06
overnight bag within an hour we were
94:08
aboard a Kent bound train in Stowe V
94:13
village we took rooms at the horse in
94:15
colors and as soon as we were settled in
94:17
sat with our landlord at a table in the
94:20
bar where a large fire battled the chill
94:23
in the air Holmes said now mr. carpenter
94:28
the first thing you must do if I'm to
94:30
help you is to answer my questions
94:32
honestly and accurately that I will do
94:35
mr. Holmes your Jack made a threat to
94:38
Henry weeks here in this bar yes sir and
94:41
two days later weeks was found dead dead
94:45
with a shot through his head just
94:47
outside the village where Nightingale
94:48
Lane crosses the London railway line and
94:50
his horse tied up nearby and they came
94:53
to arrest Jack when that very night but
94:57
Jack wasn't here of course wasn't here
95:00
Jack can have killed him mr. Holmes
95:03
Jack was already aboard the London train
95:05
when weeks was killed it was off to buy
95:08
himself a suit for his wedding I took
95:11
him to stow the station myself that a
95:13
evening to catch the 10:59 there weren't
95:16
a moment when Jack left my sight I
95:18
watched him get on that train and waved
95:20
him off as it left but the police didn't
95:23
seem to think that counts for anything
95:25
soon as he got back here next day they
95:27
carted him off and he's now under lock
95:29
and key inmates in jail
95:31
well mr. carpenter said Holmes I accept
95:34
unequivocally that what you are telling
95:36
me is the truth but my sense is that
95:38
this is going to be a very convoluted
95:40
business and I must impress on you the
95:42
need to be patient when carpenter had
95:45
returned to serving his customers I said
95:47
quietly to Holmes surely if what the old
95:50
chap says is true the police have no
95:52
case we must have had a hundred enemies
95:55
hungry for his blood with far weaker
95:58
alibis than Jack carpenter perhaps so
96:01
said Holmes but I fear the word of a
96:04
father in defense of a son is unlikely
96:05
to be regarded in court as compelling
96:07
evidence especially when the police have
96:09
their minds made up in advance Watson
96:12
I've a suspicion that things may get a
96:14
lot more obscure before they become
96:16
clearer let's make good use of the
96:19
afternoon by acquainting ourselves with
96:20
the details of Henry weeks unfortunate
96:23
end
96:25
our escort to the scene of the crime was
96:28
a local policeman sergeant Barry a man
96:31
of stubborn practicality whose uniform
96:34
one suspected must have been artfully
96:35
augmented to accommodate the spectacular
96:38
rotonda T of his belly he clearly felt
96:42
he had better things to do than to
96:44
accompany a consulting detective to the
96:46
scene of a crime when the culprit was
96:48
already halfway to the gallows walking
96:52
from Stowe V village we arrived at a
96:54
spot about 30 yards from a level
96:55
crossing where the main London railway
96:58
line traversed Nightingale Lane dark
97:01
Hill crossing coops found air
97:04
sergeant Barry said bluntly six feet
97:07
from the fence victims are still tied to
97:09
the fence caused a death single bullet
97:11
entering just--are he put a plump finger
97:14
in the centre of his brow weapon a gun
97:18
said the policeman insolently I am aware
97:22
said Holmes clearly irritated that if a
97:25
man is killed with a bullet then the
97:26
probable source of the missile is a
97:28
firearm what I want to know is whether
97:29
the weapon has been found or if not
97:31
whether anyone has deduced the type of
97:34
gun from the type of bullet no gun found
97:37
said Betty as for the bullet far as I
97:41
know it's still at the end of a short
97:43
tunnel into his skull and the horse and
97:46
I think we can pin it on the horse there
97:49
the policeman said with a smirk sergeant
97:53
Barry Holmes was a threatening Lee
97:55
patient are you able to assist me in
97:57
this investigation or would it be more
97:59
convenient to you if I were to apply to
98:01
my acquaintances at the yard to find me
98:04
an alternative guide the policeman
98:07
looked suddenly chastened just my joke
98:10
miss drowns yes I can take you to the
98:14
horse sir
98:15
and to the body we saw the horse first
98:19
it had been stapled with the police
98:21
horses in a yard in the village at all
98:23
brown's stallion with rather frightened
98:26
eyes when young it must have been a
98:28
formidable creature now it looked ragged
98:31
from a lifetime of hard riding Holmes
98:34
looked it over carefully the animal was
98:37
skittish seemingly distressed and tried
98:39
to pull away when Holmes held its bridle
98:41
to examine its head
98:43
I watched rather nervously as my friend
98:45
entered the stable bay and walked round
98:47
the animal which threatened to jostle
98:49
him against the walls then when he
98:52
reached the front of the creature again
98:53
Holmes said there's a mark here a sharp
98:57
wound can you see on the right fore leg
99:00
just above the fetlock joint was a
99:03
slender but quite noticeable asian
99:05
apparently caused fairly recently Holmes
99:09
turned to belly again this mark here
99:12
when the horse was found I believe so
99:15
good well since we seem to be in the
99:18
business of investigating wounds today
99:20
you'd better show us the way to the
99:21
morgue incidentally sergeant how well do
99:24
you know the accused man fairly well
99:27
replied the policeman do you know
99:29
whether he has friends acquaintances
99:31
perhaps of some intimacy well not really
99:34
that I know of sir it was always at his
99:37
father's public house and they were ever
99:40
a close lock I meani sergeant belli
99:42
stopped he became instantly animated and
99:45
businesslike a gleam came into his eyes
99:48
and he said look there's the Moultrie
99:51
mr. Holmes just after the church led to
99:54
it if I may just thought of something
99:55
rather urgent I've got to do and very
99:58
briskly almost running he disappeared
100:01
back towards the village
100:03
strange I said to Holmes what do you
100:07
think that was about I think said Holmes
100:10
that I've put an idea into his head I
100:13
only hope it doesn't complicate matters
100:16
it transpired that a post-mortem on the
100:19
dead man had been commissioned but that
100:21
the police pathologist had only arrived
100:23
from London that morning possibly on the
100:26
same train as Holmes and myself I knew
100:29
professor Yardley a little through my
100:31
connection with st. Mary's Hospital in
100:33
Paddington and he was quite amenable to
100:35
my assisting him with the matter in hand
100:37
he was a conscientious practitioner and
100:40
while the cause of death seemed evident
100:42
he thoroughly inspected the
100:44
externalities of the corpse before
100:45
opening it
100:46
the head wound was a clean almost
100:49
star-shaped hole glutted with dried
100:51
blood
100:52
there was no wound on the back of the
100:54
head and it was apparent that the bullet
100:56
had not exited the body notwithstanding
101:00
that there was no weapon at the scene
101:02
Holmes said suicide seems out of the
101:04
question wouldn't you say that a no
101:06
powder burns to the skin and besides the
101:08
wound is probably too small for a close
101:10
shot I'd say the missile came from some
101:13
distance the bullet had it turned out
101:16
penetrated the brow and lodged deep in
101:17
the parietal lobe of the brain but as
101:20
Holmes had suggested the hole in the
101:22
skull was small and there was not the
101:24
dramatic shattering of bone one might
101:26
have expected from a close shot suicide
101:29
professor Yardley concurred was not a
101:31
possibility we are certainly looking for
101:34
a murderer then I commented to Holmes as
101:36
we wandered back towards Dovie well
101:39
somebody killed Henry weeks for certain
101:41
Watson but I have to confess that at
101:44
this moment I have no idea who it was
101:47
you don't think we might be wrong about
101:49
Jack carpenter after all
101:51
I do hope not Watson it would be an
101:54
appalling tragedy but then I suppose for
101:57
one poor soul or another murder always
101:59
is
102:00
I had hoped that our next port of call
102:04
would be the horse in colors for an icy
102:06
wind had blown up and I was ready for a
102:08
glass of beer and the comfort of the
102:11
Inns blazing logs but Holmes walked her
102:14
straight to Stowe V station where he
102:16
said we must make an important call i
102:18
steeled myself against the increasing
102:20
cold as the last light faded from the
102:23
sky the stationmaster at Stowe V was
102:27
Milton Fraser a man dressed to give the
102:29
impression of order and precision his
102:32
cap fitting perfectly the balding sphere
102:34
of a small meat head and a fine silver
102:37
pocket watch peeping from his waistcoat
102:39
pocket Holmes whose own knowledge of the
102:42
country's railways is second to none one
102:45
his confidence easily I wish to ask you
102:48
mr. Fraser
102:49
he said about yesterday evening there is
102:52
a late train to London I believe the
102:55
10:59 sir it was on time it was as it
103:00
generally is not much traffic of the
103:01
tracks said that hour and do recall
103:04
whether any passengers boarded the train
103:06
at Stowe v of course I do sir young jet
103:08
carpenter just him yes sir
103:12
his father saw him aboard I watched the
103:14
train pull away myself and that is
103:16
nowhere anyone could have left the train
103:17
after that well not here in the station
103:19
no not without my seeing him not in the
103:22
station no I suppose it might be
103:25
possible for someone to alight at the
103:26
crossing the level crossing yes sir the
103:30
10:59 always stops a dark hill crossing
103:32
for a few minutes safety precaution sir
103:34
thorny bridge over the Stowers
103:35
considered unsafe for two trains until
103:37
they finish the repairs
103:38
so the 10:59 up train must wait until
103:40
the 11:04 down has come through and this
103:43
happens every night can't recollect when
103:46
it last didn't sir lastly mr. Fraser can
103:49
you recall which part of the train mr.
103:51
carpenter boarded second compartment of
103:53
the third carriage sir I'm quite sure of
103:54
that Thank You mr. Fraser
103:56
you've been more helpful than you know
104:00
I suppose we now have to consider I said
104:04
to my companion back of the horse in
104:05
colors as I stared into the flames of
104:08
the fire that Jack carpenters shot Henry
104:11
weeks from the stationary train he must
104:14
consider it certainly yet I think it
104:16
rather unlikely
104:18
how would Carpenter have known his
104:20
intended target was going to be waiting
104:21
there at the crossing then what is the
104:24
significance of the stopping train has
104:26
it any and beginning to think it has but
104:29
I must confess to being currently unsure
104:31
in what way well let's eat and then
104:36
sleep on it I said but at that moment
104:38
our cozy evening was horribly
104:41
interrupted a young woman hair
104:43
disheveled came screaming into the bar
104:45
mr. carpenter mr. carpenter the elderly
104:49
landlord came rushing him from the
104:51
kitchen what is it Sarah
104:53
it's Beth Miller they've taken her in
104:56
who's taken her the police that sergeant
104:59
Berry's arrested her says he found a gun
105:02
what's this cried Holmes who is Beth
105:04
Miller Beth is my son Jack's betrothed
105:08
carpenter said their wedding is fixed
105:11
for next month Beth's a good and honest
105:14
young woman and gentle as a lamb
105:16
I'll see that blasted policeman Holmes
105:19
barred his way and put a hand on his
105:21
shoulder if I'm to help you mr.
105:23
carpenter he said staring hard into the
105:25
man's wild eyes believe me when I say
105:27
that it will not serve our purposes to
105:29
be too precipitous dr. Watson and I will
105:31
go straight to the police station and
105:33
find out what's happening I beg of you
105:35
to do nothing before you hear from us
105:38
having received carpenters assurances we
105:41
made our way out of stove II to the
105:42
police station a thick-walled stone
105:45
building halfway along to the next
105:47
village once a brewery it now had the
105:50
grim air of a medieval law it would not
105:53
be exaggerating to say that my friend
105:55
and I received a cool welcome from
105:57
sergeant belli
105:58
whose domain this appeared to be yes sir
106:02
I do have a young woman in custody here
106:05
and I can confirm that she has been
106:07
charged on suspicion of murder and can
106:10
you tell me said Holmes
106:12
how she is supposed to have committed
106:14
this crime well obviously sir we don't
106:17
know all the details yet but with a bit
106:19
of imagination an intelligent person
106:21
might construe that she had lured mr.
106:23
weeks the nightingale Lane on some shall
106:26
we say enticing pretext lain in wait for
106:30
him and dispatched him with the bullets
106:32
as he tethered his horse and said Holmes
106:35
would this same intelligent person
106:38
construe that Jack carpenter had a part
106:41
in this well yes sir that person
106:44
assuming he was using his faculties
106:47
would conclude that quite obviously Jack
106:50
carpenter was an accessory before the
106:52
fact
106:52
and therefore equally culpable Thank You
106:56
sergeant Holmes said for simplifying
106:59
what I in my sluggishness of mind had
107:02
considered a mystifying problem might it
107:05
be possible for us to see the prisoner
107:07
now I'm sorry sir I couldn't permit that
107:11
should it wait until I have received
107:14
authority from my good friend
107:15
superintendent Wales at the yard
107:18
the policeman licked his lips pretended
107:21
to consult a piece of paper on his desk
107:23
and said well as you say you are a
107:27
friend of the superintendent sir I'm
107:30
sure
107:30
five minutes wouldn't hurt
107:33
we were shown to a cavernous room where
107:35
rusted iron remnants of the brew house
107:37
remained bolted to the walls and ceiling
107:40
the large skylight had been set with
107:43
bars and there were no other windows a
107:45
pretty dark haired girl of no more than
107:48
20 years sat at a wooden table she
107:52
reacted to us with suspicion as we were
107:54
admitted but no sooner had the constable
107:56
left us alone with her and no doubt
107:58
largely in desperation she confided in
108:01
us readily miss Miller we have a limited
108:04
amount of time Holmes said to her and
108:07
you must tell us everything you can
108:08
about this business yes sir I'll try I
108:12
think I may have done something foolish
108:14
sir foolish I think I were the first to
108:18
find the body sir you see
108:19
well now said Holmes I had certainly not
108:23
guessed that I plan to see my jack on to
108:26
the London train she continued but we
108:28
was out back at a farm delivering a calf
108:30
and a new I was likely to miss him the
108:32
Train usually stops by dark Hill
108:34
crossing so I thought if I cut a long
108:36
night and golang I might be able to wave
108:39
him off but when I got there the train
108:41
was already disappearing across the
108:43
bridge then stone's throw from the track
108:47
I saw a horse tired up to the fence and
108:51
something on the road beside it when I
108:54
got up close I saw who it was Henry
108:57
weeks covered in blood and next to him
109:00
the gun and you picked up the gun I
109:04
asked yes sir
109:06
why why did he not go directly to the
109:09
police well so because I recognized the
109:11
gun I meant to hide it somewhere it were
109:15
Jack's gun you see I failed to conceal
109:19
my shot Jack's gun
109:22
so you took the gun home said because
109:25
you thought chat carpenter might have
109:27
killed weeks yes sir that was my fear
109:31
even though Jack was on the train I
109:33
didn't know how long weeks had lain
109:36
there certs it's a lonely place and he
109:39
might have been there for hours so that
109:41
didn't look good for Jack departing as
109:43
he did with the very same evening I
109:45
weren't sure of nothing mr. Owens except
109:48
that Jack was likely to get the blame
109:50
everyone knowing about the venom between
109:52
him and the week's family and what home
109:55
said did you do with Jack's gun wrapped
109:58
it in Marshall Sunnat on the shoulder
110:01
and took it home to hide it I was
110:04
unlucky on the way I pass sergeant
110:06
barrier I think he must afterwards have
110:09
puzzled over my strange burden for he
110:12
cain't day to search the cottage and
110:14
that's when I was arrested but Holmes I
110:17
said if the murder weapon was beside the
110:19
body doesn't that at least establish
110:22
Jack's
110:23
innocence unfortunately not Watson the
110:26
assumption we had made was that the
110:28
murder occurred while Jack was on the
110:30
train if it happened well before that I
110:32
fear that either he or miss Miller here
110:34
remained the primer facie suspects but I
110:37
didn't kill Henry weeks sir I swear to
110:40
God I don't believe you did miss Miller
110:43
but we have to convince the police of
110:45
that be hopeful but as we walked back
110:49
along the lane that evening towards
110:51
Stowe V and the horse in colours Holmes
110:54
seemed somewhat less certain I have
110:57
little to go on at this moment except
110:58
instinct Watson I do not feel that Jack
111:01
carpenter killed Henry weeks and I feel
111:04
even more strongly that that young woman
111:06
did not do it either but feelings I'm
111:09
afraid are not evidence let's hurry back
111:11
to the inn and hope the bar is still
111:12
available to us then we could make an
111:14
assessment of these matters in comfort
111:17
the inn was closed customers when we
111:19
arrived but mr. carpenter hastily
111:22
provided us with a bottle of whiskey and
111:23
some bread and cheese the fire was still
111:27
glowing bright and I sat there for a
111:29
good hour while my friend went away to
111:31
ask some questions of
111:33
oops eventually he returned and
111:36
reclaimed his seat beside the fire can
111:40
we number the suspects in this case
111:41
Watson well apart from Jack carpenter
111:45
and the girl Beth Miller
111:46
I said dropping my voice I suppose
111:49
Jack's father our landlord is another
111:52
possibility yes and since we know he saw
111:56
jack off onto the train either he or his
111:58
son would have needed to commit the
111:59
murder sometime earlier but how early
112:02
I've just spoken to him at length he
112:05
assures me and I believe him that there
112:07
are plenty of people prepared to swear
112:09
that both he and Jack were here all
112:11
afternoon and Beth spent the day at farm
112:13
work even so if the police go ahead and
112:17
prosecute a case against one or all of
112:19
them there's a strong chance a jury
112:21
might find them guilty based purely on
112:24
the assumption that they would at some
112:25
time have had the opportunity we are not
112:28
out of the woods yet Watson I see what
112:31
you mean our inquiries seemed to have
112:33
stalled rather I refilled our glasses
112:37
from the whiskey bottle and Holmes
112:38
puffed as his pipe and suddenly he said
112:42
the secret is on that train Watson I'm
112:45
sure that's where it is what time is it
112:47
20 minutes to 11 come along we might
112:50
just get there before it leaves it was
112:54
an old cart that transported us
112:56
posthaste along the Holden muddy lanes
112:58
of Stowe V so that we arrived at the
113:00
station splattered and not a little
113:02
shaken we were however in good time to
113:05
meet the 10:59 and fortunately for us
113:08
the stationmaster mr. Milton Fraser was
113:10
again on duty despite his obvious
113:13
respect for my friend however he became
113:15
instantly resistant on hearing Holmes's
113:18
request no sir I'm afraid I most
113:21
definitely cannot hold up the 10:59
113:23
London train mr. Fraser
113:26
this is no flippant request an innocent
113:29
young woman will spend tonight locked in
113:31
a dungeon as will her fiance unless I am
113:33
able to complete certain essential
113:35
inquiries I ask only for 10 minutes
113:38
mr. ohms my reputation may be a small
113:42
thing by the world's standards but it is
113:45
very important to me 10 minutes is a
113:47
long time to delay a train but if I can
113:50
guarantee you that this will not affect
113:53
your reputation can you really do that
113:55
sir mr. Fraser you have my word on it a
113:59
long thoughtful pause then very well mr.
114:04
Holmes I'll do as you ask when two
114:09
minutes later the great black locomotive
114:12
hauled its clanking carriages into the
114:14
station mr. Milton Fraser went straight
114:17
to the footplate and had words with the
114:19
engineer a wave to Holmes and myself who
114:23
were some way along the platform told us
114:25
all was clear and we boarded the train
114:28
Holmes went directly to the second
114:31
compartment of the third carriage which
114:34
contained just one late passenger an
114:36
elderly gentleman sitting beside what I
114:38
saw immediately to be the medical bag of
114:40
a general practitioner if I may
114:43
interrupt your peace and quiet sir whom
114:45
said and having outlined his reasons
114:47
asked were you aboard this train last
114:50
night I was said the older man I take
114:54
this train pretty well every night I am
114:56
a medical man with a practice in Newbury
114:58
and a home in London were you in this
115:01
same compartment last night the elderly
115:04
physician daft creature of habit sir
115:08
same compartment every night and do you
115:11
recollect the young man who I believe
115:13
got onto the train at this station
115:15
yesterday do is a matter of fact he sat
115:19
there right opposite me by the window
115:21
present young man good now sir the train
115:25
stopped at dark Hill crossing a little
115:27
way up the line do you recall anything
115:28
unusual about that stops there pretty
115:32
well every night but
115:33
well do remember something as a matter
115:37
of fact the train whistled as it usually
115:40
does to see if the down train is close
115:43
enough to respond at just that moment I
115:46
remarked a small flash of light outside
115:49
the Train like the Sun reflecting off
115:51
brass and the young man said Holmes what
115:56
was his response he seemed as puzzled as
115:59
I was he said he knew the area and
116:01
couldn't imagine what it would be thank
116:04
you doctor said Holmes he led me briskly
116:07
from the Train
116:08
we have just three of our 10 minutes
116:11
left before the train leaves Watson but
116:13
I think it might just be enough mr.
116:16
Fraser was waiting for us on the
116:18
platform all done sir at one final
116:22
request mr. Fraser are these the same
116:25
carriages and in the same order as made
116:28
up the train last night yes sir that
116:31
doesn't change much then I'll need to
116:34
get onto the line to check the other
116:35
side of the train I don't know mr. owns
116:37
the down train is due you'll be at too
116:39
much risk I shall be quick without
116:42
further discussion he re-entered the
116:44
Train crossed the compartment opened the
116:46
further door and dropped onto the down
116:47
line beyond at almost precisely that
116:50
moment we heard a whistle and Fraser
116:52
said by golly dr. Watson that's the down
116:55
train crossing the bridge I waited for a
116:57
half minute but when I heard the rumble
116:59
of the approaching train I could
117:00
restrain myself no longer Holmes
117:03
I called get a move on for God's sake
117:05
but the last words of my sentence were
117:08
drowned by the roar of a locomotive
117:09
thundering into the station and hissing
117:12
to a halt next to the 10:59 I saw what I
117:16
thought it happened I could see that
117:19
Holmes had not regained the empty
117:21
compartment for a terrible moment I
117:23
hovered in a cloud of anxiety then his
117:27
head appeared between the bottom of the
117:29
train and the platform edge he had
117:33
ducked under the stationary train to
117:35
avoid the incoming Express Holmes are
117:38
you all right more than all right Watson
117:41
he said as he clambered back onto the
117:44
platform especially as I believe I can
117:47
now name our murderer he turned to the
117:50
rather shaken stationmaster the Train
117:53
may leave mr Fraser but there are
117:55
conditions I see there are no facilities
117:58
for uncoupling a carriage here in Stowe
118:00
V correct sir there are no sidings here
118:03
then I must ask you to travel to London
118:06
with the Train and to ensure on arrival
118:08
that the carriage in which the physician
118:10
gentleman is travelling is impounded at
118:12
Paddington
118:13
good lord mr. Holmes is the doctor a
118:17
suspect
118:18
no mr. Fraser but one might say the
118:22
carriage is
118:24
despite his misgivings the stationmaster
118:27
was heroically compliant and directly he
118:30
had arranged for a message to be sent to
118:32
his own family he boarded the 10:59
118:34
which had now for one night only become
118:37
the 1125 and the train pulled out of the
118:41
station on its way to London well Holmes
118:45
I probably don't need to tell you I said
118:48
that I am completely baffled you can be
118:53
forgiven for that Watson it has been a
118:55
puzzling business but you do intend to
118:58
explain to me how a train carriage could
119:00
be a suspect in a murder case I will
119:02
explain everything when we get back to
119:04
the horse in colours but first I must
119:06
ensure that Beth Miller is released from
119:08
that appalling prison and spends tonight
119:10
in her own bed
119:12
it was long past midnight when we sat
119:15
again in the comfort of the inn though I
119:19
had not been present when Holmes had put
119:21
his theory before sergeant berry at the
119:23
makeshift jail he had clearly made a
119:26
convincing argument because Beth Miller
119:28
had been immediately released and sat
119:30
with us now at the rough-hewn table
119:33
where Samuel carpenter bubbling with the
119:35
turn-in fortune was proving very liberal
119:38
with his best ale so who was it mr. ohms
119:43
who was the murderer well that's not a
119:47
simpler question to answer as you might
119:49
think said Holmes the simple answer is
119:52
that Henry weeks was the murderer
119:55
do you mean it was suicide I said well
119:59
Watson whatever we call it there is no
120:02
doubt that when Henry weeks fired the
120:04
gun it was to murder Jack Cavender
120:08
around the table mr. carpenter
120:10
death Miller and I all wearing similar
120:13
baffled expressions sat staring at
120:16
Holmes waiting for him to elucidate
120:19
Henry weeks Holmes said went to the spot
120:23
with the intention of killing young jack
120:25
he knew the train would stop there and
120:28
he meant to get a shot at his victim
120:29
through the carriage window things
120:31
seemed to be going well for him Jack
120:34
Carpenter was sitting on the stove a
120:36
side of the Train so weeks would have
120:38
had a good view of him from the lane
120:39
here is what I believe happened weeks
120:43
took aim but at the very moment he was
120:45
about to squeeze the trigger the train
120:47
blew its whistle my guess is that the
120:51
horse reared up and kicked the butt of
120:54
the gun hence that wound on the beasts
120:57
fore leg the gun went off AHA said I
121:02
that flash of light the physician on the
121:04
train mentioned precisely the sound of
121:07
the shot was probably drowned by the
121:08
noise of the Train the gun barrel now
121:11
tilted down its aim sent low the bullet
121:14
hit the wheel bogie of the carriage the
121:16
mark on the metalwork is what I was so
121:18
keen to check this evening and ricochet
121:21
back to strike Henry weeks so the train
121:25
wheel was the killer I said as I say one
121:29
could impute the train or the bullet or
121:31
even the horse as accessories for all
121:33
were material in the death but the fact
121:36
of the matter is that Henry weeks in a
121:38
rather elegant example of poetic justice
121:42
inadvertently murdered himself whose and
121:47
I took the first train back to London
121:48
the following morning passing on our way
121:51
out of stove e station the sight of
121:53
weeks is lonely death
121:56
put you onto it homes I asked I suppose
122:00
you could say Watson that human goodness
122:02
put me onto it not deduction then Samuel
122:07
carpenter his son Jack Beth Miller good
122:10
people Watson
122:12
we were if my instinct about them was
122:14
correct distinctly short of homicidal
122:16
candidates then you'll recollect the
122:19
nature of weeks's head wound clearly not
122:22
suicide as you noted yourself because of
122:24
the shallow nature of the wound but was
122:27
it a deep enough lesion to have been
122:28
caused by a direct hit at close range
122:30
that said we wondering about whether the
122:33
bullet might have rebounded my
122:36
examination of the Train confirmed it
122:38
though quite right about the wound I
122:41
daresay it didn't kill him outright a
122:43
poor man probably lay there for some
122:46
wild bleeding to death in the cold well
122:50
said Holmes
122:51
perhaps that bleak hour may have given
122:54
him time to reconsider the error of his
122:56
ways
122:57
[Music]
123:01
Sherlock Holmes the rediscovered railway
123:04
mysteries and other stories was written
123:07
by John Taylor and read by Benedict
123:09
Cumberbatch it was produced by fiction
123:12
Factory and is published by BBC
123:14
audiobooks
123:24
[Music]
123:26
when I was young it contained the
123:28
treasures of boyhood a catapult a lump
123:30
of beeswax the carapace of a crab for
123:34
many years since it has been the
123:35
repository of an archive admittedly a
123:38
ragged and distant was quiet I dressed
123:43
slowly and descended to the kitchen to
123:45
find something to eat the rattles and
123:48
sharp cracks of Holmes's experiments had
123:50
already come to life below in the
123:52
basement and I wondered whether he had
123:54
even bothered to go to bed I was making
123:57
a pot of tea when the doorbell sounded
124:00
the noises from the cellar did not pause
124:03
so I assumed that Holmes had not heard
124:05
the Bell I could see nothing off the
124:08
front of the house from the kitchen but
124:10
after I had taken a few steps up into
124:12
the lobby it became clear by means of a
124:14
side window that the visitor was once
124:16
again Nicholas Cartwright I went to the
124:19
door and admitted him Cartwright what's
124:23
going on Watson what do you mean I mean
124:27
what game is being played here
124:29
Cartwright
124:30
I've no idea what you're referring to
124:32
you better come up he was I could tell
124:35
steaming with anger though I had no idea
124:38
what I could have done to arouse it he
124:40
would not sit he stood with his arms
124:42
behind his back a man preparing to
124:44
deliver an accusation you told me you
124:48
were inescapably confined to this house
124:50
yes Cartwright and so I have been this
124:53
is the third day excluding yesterday
124:56
night you mean no I was here yesterday
124:59
night to tossing and turning and my
125:01
better than thought of my ruined
125:03
reputation
125:04
Watson see here yesterday you prevailed
125:07
upon my friendship by confiding in me
125:09
matters which as a journalist I
125:10
considered more than worthy of
125:11
publication had I known that you were
125:14
deceiving me Cartwright you have my word
125:16
I was not deceiving you I've not left
125:19
this house since Monday afternoon so you
125:23
have a twin brother no I do not then
125:27
please explain to me who was the man
125:28
outside the restaurant at Marylebone
125:30
station at five past midnight I take it
125:33
here is
125:34
me more than resembled I do hope you're
125:38
being truthful with me Watson
125:41
I can see that his suspicions were not
125:43
and they'd I even began to wonder
125:45
whether my Restless period of waking the
125:47
previous night had itself been a dream
125:49
and whether I had been sleepwalking such
125:52
things are possible I know and the heat
125:54
my fatigue in the events of the last
125:56
days had left me so baffled that in that
125:59
moment of confusion I could not entirely
126:01
rule it out what happened he said was
126:05
that I was walking through the station
126:07
concourse when I spotted you by the wall
126:09
of the restaurant which by then was
126:10
closed talking to a man in a brown felt
126:13
hat I would have approved you but when I
126:16
caught your eye you cut me as dead as if
126:19
you didn't know me and I assumed your
126:21
conversation was of some importance the
126:24
more I thought about it the more I
126:26
thought it was a poor way to treat a
126:28
good friend suddenly the fog in my brain
126:33
gave way to Anna rific clarity I knew
126:36
that I must rid myself of Cartwright at
126:38
once thank you for telling me this I
126:42
said it is of the utmost importance but
126:45
Nikolas and I pray you won't take this
126:48
amiss
126:48
I must ask you to leave to leave please
126:53
this is a fearfully serious business
126:56
there is real danger you're not just
127:00
trying to get me out of the way Watson
127:01
that's exactly what I'm trying to do
127:04
Cartwright but for a very good reason
127:06
believe me you will have your story very
127:11
well John very well
127:14
at the front door he patted me amiably
127:17
on the shoulder I shut the door on him
127:19
and leaned against the wall
127:21
trying to get my thoughts in order
127:23
Holmes had instructed me not under any
127:26
circumstances to trouble him again yet
127:29
this situation was possibly critical if
127:32
Tobias organ had hired some impersonated
127:35
look and sound so like me that even
127:37
Cartwright who had known me for years
127:39
could be convinced then Holmes might
127:42
also be deceived and then what power
127:46
they would have in their hands if I
127:49
could not speak to Holmes I could at
127:51
least alert him by other means I ran up
127:54
the stairs with the idea of writing a
127:56
note which I could sit under the
127:58
basement door but as I reached our rooms
128:01
I heard a cry from the street without
128:04
thinking I ran to the parlor window a
128:06
hundred yards southwards along Baker
128:08
Street
128:09
three men were struggling two of them
128:11
were bundling the third man into a cab
128:13
against his will
128:15
it was Cartwright I dashed down the
128:18
stairs and ran into the street the
128:20
driver of the cab had already whipped up
128:22
the horse and moved off at a lick but I
128:23
gave chase fury and outrage fueling my
128:26
progress I pursued them for a good half
128:28
a mile until eventually they are paced
128:30
me and I stood gasping for breath
128:32
outside st. Vincent's church i sat on
128:37
the pavement I needed Holmes's help the
128:41
transgression of a broken promise was a
128:43
trivial things surely in the context of
128:46
this appalling incident I would go to
128:49
him immediately aware that in the haste
128:54
of my pursuit I'd left the front door of
128:56
the house open a new anxiety over kingly
129:00
clearly this kidnap was the work of
129:02
organs ruffians and who was to say that
129:04
they would not take advantage of an open
129:06
door I trotted as briskly as I could
129:08
back to Baker Street but the door was no
129:12
longer open and on such a close and
129:15
windless day I thought it unlikely it
129:17
had been closed by a draught the
129:20
horrible thought occurred to me that
129:21
someone may have already got in
129:25
and then everything seemed to tumble
129:28
into place
129:29
Cartwright subduction had been intended
129:32
to draw me out of the house so that the
129:33
man masquerading as myself could gain
129:36
entry homes would be unaware of this he
129:40
would eventually open the door of the
129:41
basement to his assailant and believing
129:43
it was myself he was admitting would
129:45
offer the easiest of targets I had left
129:48
the house without a key but I knew there
129:50
was a possibility of access via the rear
129:52
of the terrace this entailed my knocking
129:56
of the door of our neighbor mrs. Harbin
129:58
an elderly amiable woman who seemed
130:01
happy to allow me access to the rear of
130:03
the building
130:04
here I was obliged to scale a wall to
130:07
the yard outside the back of our own
130:09
dingy basement the front room being that
130:12
which Holmes had taken for his makeshift
130:14
laboratory there was no light within I
130:17
opened the door with infinite slowness
130:20
the noise of Holmes's experiments seemed
130:23
to have stopped the door that connected
130:27
this room to the front half of the
130:28
basement was six or seven short paces
130:31
away but it was too dark to see whether
130:33
the bare floorboards were liable to move
130:36
and groan when I trod upon them
130:38
I tested each step before lowering my
130:41
weight and moved with the floating
130:43
motion of a rather overweight pantomime
130:46
artist one two three then there was
130:52
movement behind me a hand was clamped
130:54
across my mouth and an arm locked around
130:55
my throat the grip was expert I could
130:57
not breathe or move the hot breath of my
131:00
assailant in my ear whispered doctor
131:04
then a prior I'm gonna release you and
131:06
you will turn around slowly and face me
131:08
you must not make a sound tap and if you
131:13
understand I reached up to the hand
131:16
around my throat and obediently I tapped
131:18
it the arm released me and as quietly as
131:21
I could I took a deep draught of air
131:23
turning as I did so the strait Shh yes
131:26
doctor wasn't expecting you here or
131:29
rather in a sense I was but since you
131:31
are just about to arrive I wasn't
131:33
expecting you to come in the back way as
131:35
well the policeman smirk that is a
131:38
little conundrum when you explained to
131:40
me I began what an earth you mean he
131:44
said glad you're here though sir an
131:47
additional pair of ears up close to the
131:49
door now and listen it won't be long it
131:52
was indeed less than a minute before we
131:54
heard the door from the front of the
131:55
house opening into the laboratory and
131:57
the arrival of what sounded like two men
132:00
the door was closed with a thump and a
132:03
gruff voice said so this is he yes this
132:07
is where he's working there was
132:09
something familiar about that second
132:11
voice and he won't be back for a while
132:14
no half an hour I should think at that
132:18
moment with a shock I recognized the
132:19
other voice it was my own I turned to
132:22
Lestrade again but he just put his
132:24
finger to his lips and indicated that I
132:27
should continue to listen so what's the
132:29
plan then asked the gruff voice with him
132:32
to match the bullet that killed maximum
132:35
with the ones from your gun said my
132:37
voice the police no you killed him but
132:40
they need homes to provide them with
132:42
evidence that will convince a jury
132:44
evidently I thought the gruff character
132:48
is Tobias organ I heard him pace about
132:51
then spit noisily Zimmerman's not the
132:55
first while I've topped and I've never
132:57
got me yet they say you only got four
133:00
pounds ten shillings from him
133:03
you mine Wacha anyway I never killed him
133:06
just for the money
133:07
I killed him because he gave me a bad
133:09
look he gave me a bad look I gave him a
133:13
bad headache a bullet right between the
133:17
eyes now I still with this little
133:20
problem suddenly there was a tumultuous
133:23
crash as if one of the walls had fallen
133:26
in and we go doctor said lestrade he
133:29
pushed the door harder we rushed into
133:30
the laboratory where organ had kicked
133:32
Holmes's equipment flying in all
133:33
directions aware to my amazement I saw
133:36
that he was now being attacked by myself
133:39
a perfect duplicate of me cracked him a
133:42
right hook then a left hook and then
133:44
felled him with a blow to the side of
133:46
the head organ hit the floor like a sack
133:48
of cabbages Lestrade was on him in a
133:51
flash cuffing organs arms behind his
133:53
back the strayed blew his whistle and
133:55
then proceeded to arrest him as I stood
133:58
back to get a better look at my other
134:00
self the duplicate doctor put a hand to
134:03
his own face wrenched at his upper brow
134:06
and pulled and stretched until he had
134:08
removed his entire face revealing
134:12
beneath the peeling mask the flaming
134:15
eyes of Sherlock Holmes the next moment
134:19
Lestrade's officers came bursting
134:22
through the basement door and Tobias
134:24
organ was dragged away
134:28
the heat of the day had given way at
134:31
last to a pleasant evening mrs. Hudson
134:35
had returned to the house and provided
134:36
homes and myself with an excellent
134:38
evening meal
134:39
now we sat with our brandies and Holmes
134:43
with his pipe at the open window where a
134:46
gentle breeze lifted the curtains and
134:48
refreshed the parlour as you will have
134:52
deduced Holmes were saying by way of
134:54
explaining it all to me the object of
134:56
the masquerade was to lure organs
134:58
somewhere where we could extract a
135:00
confession from him by subterfuge but
135:02
your ballistics experiments I said would
135:06
they not have been enough to convict him
135:08
it is a science only in the imagination
135:11
Holmes said and then one day I'm certain
135:14
it will be more than that that is much
135:17
more work to do than I could accomplish
135:19
in a fortnight but Lestrade and I agree
135:21
that if orgone believed himself to be at
135:23
risk from my experiments he would wish
135:25
to destroy them what on earth were you
135:28
doing in their homes if the thing was a
135:29
complete hoax I'm afraid I did deceive
135:32
you a little I was not in there all the
135:34
time the mechanism of an old railway
135:37
clock and a device employing elastic and
135:39
a drum skin were intended to give the
135:41
ear the impression of ongoing industry
135:44
well it certainly deceived me I said but
135:48
was it really necessary for me to be
135:50
incarcerated for the duration
135:52
I'm afraid so my friend if organ through
135:55
one of his spies had got wind that there
135:57
were two Watson's the trick would not
135:59
have worked what's more it was necessary
136:02
for him to believe that you and I had
136:04
quarreled and therefore that the good
136:06
dr. Watson might be in the market for a
136:09
bit of betrayal unfortunately your
136:12
friend Cartwright saw me meeting organs
136:14
accomplice at malliband station and
136:15
almost at the cat out of the bag it was
136:18
necessary for us to put him somewhere
136:20
safe
136:21
Lestrade's men kindly subjected him to a
136:24
temporary and very comfortable period of
136:26
kidnap it was you who hadn't dragged
136:28
away yes I had not calculated that you
136:31
would follow him of course or that you
136:33
would be locked out and find yourself
136:34
clambering in through the back but it
136:37
turned out well you will make an
136:39
additional witness for the prosecution
136:42
do you think they'll convict him oh yes
136:44
Watson his confession today was as clear
136:47
as a bell
136:47
Tobias organ will hang as for you my
136:52
friend I have given you a terrible time
136:54
it as a reward I'm going to take you to
136:57
the Opera tonight yes tonight Gilbert
137:01
and Sullivan The Mikado but Holmes my
137:04
memory is you don't much like Gilbert
137:07
and Sullivan no Watson but you do and
137:10
besides I have to confess to having a
137:14
soft spot for the Lord High executioner
137:27
the conundrum of coach 30 on an October
137:35
morning when rains streamed from the
137:38
black clouds that swept above our Baker
137:40
Street lodgings I found my friend
137:43
Sherlock Holmes in a similarly overcast
137:45
mood he had not had a case in weeks not
137:49
at least what he called a decent case
137:51
and he had been huffing and puffing
137:54
about the house for two days it was with
137:57
some relief to both of us
137:59
therefore that we heard the slowing
138:01
approach of a cab in the street outside
138:03
and both moved eagerly to the window the
138:06
hansom did indeed stop directly beside
138:08
our door and after a moment a large and
138:11
finely dressed middle-aged gentleman
138:13
emerged into the downpour paid his fare
138:16
and rang our doorbell Holmes was smiling
138:20
now what could make a rich American so
138:23
distressed Watson that he would compel
138:26
Mel here to us from Paddington an
138:29
American I said drawn irresistibly as
138:32
usual into Holmes's tantalizing games
138:35
certainly and I think a formidable
138:37
character and you wish to tell me how
138:41
you deduce all that Holmes I deduce his
138:44
distress and his nationality from the
138:46
fact that he just tried to pay the
138:47
cabbie in American dollars before
138:49
recalling which pocket held his pounds
138:51
sterling as for his coming from
138:53
Paddington that was the easiest of all
138:55
but the driver of the hansom is Henry
138:57
Brown I'm surprised you do not recognize
139:00
him who always works from the Paddington
139:02
rank as ever Watson I apologize for the
139:04
banality of these observations but you
139:06
did ask by now there were footsteps on
139:10
the stairs as mrs. Hudson escorted the
139:12
visitor to our apartment while I
139:15
inwardly delighted to note that my
139:17
friend had returned to his amiable best
139:19
in anticipation of a new challenge I
139:21
find myself praying that it would be a
139:23
challenge worthy of his powers and his
139:26
pent up energies no sooner had the door
139:29
opened than the huge rat under of our
139:32
visitor bright in a cream suit burst
139:35
into the room like an actor onto a stage
139:37
determined to establish his character
139:39
instantly mr. Holmes boomed the American
139:44
voices both his arms swept forward to
139:46
grasp my right hand
139:47
Benedict Masterson what a great
139:50
privilege to meet you delighted but I am
139:54
dr. John Watson I replied
139:57
this is mr. Sherlock Holmes with equally
140:01
booming apologies he bowed charmingly to
140:04
me and turned to my friend ah yes now I
140:08
see unmistakable unmistakable the
140:14
impression given was that he had found
140:15
the first Sherlock Holmes of his
140:17
acquaintance a little short of his
140:19
expectations mr. Holmes I wish to ask
140:23
you to act for me in a business both
140:24
mysterious and distressing you had
140:28
better sit down mr. Masterson said
140:30
Holmes and tell us everything and having
140:34
settled his cream covered bulk into an
140:37
armchair and accepted a cigar which he
140:39
continued to puff anxiously as he spoke
140:41
the American told us his story I am a
140:45
dealer in gold
140:48
gentlemen gold has been my life my
140:52
father owned small mines in Nevada which
140:55
gave us a comfortable living in my turn
140:57
through judicious trading I've made
141:00
these assets yield a fortune I came to
141:03
London last week because your own Bank
141:05
of England had made an order for a
141:07
substantial quantity of gold bars to
141:10
boost its reserves the bullion was
141:13
shipped in a Bristol Harbor and
141:15
transferred yesterday onto a chartered
141:18
London train for
141:19
transfer to the bank I have been in
141:22
London doing the paperwork of which
141:25
there is let me assure you no small how
141:28
it's possible to eat several sandwiches
141:30
and a slice of seed cake without
141:32
dropping a single crumb or come to that
141:35
a single seed our promise you've said
141:38
what I said about my supper was true
141:40
I'll remember exactly what I brought and
141:42
exactly what I ate I have no doubt of
141:45
that mr. Lyons then what sir
141:48
my point is merely that you are
141:50
obviously not in coach 13 when you ate
141:54
the sandwiches on my honor mr. Holmes I
141:57
swear I was oh you were in a carriage
142:00
certainly but you were not in the
142:02
carriage in which your sandwich wrapper
142:03
was found the coach where you ate your
142:06
supper the coach with the bullion never
142:10
made it to London mr. Holmes this is
142:16
confusing
142:17
began masterson Holmes interrupted on
142:20
the contrary mr. Masterson it's very
142:22
clear the coach containing the gold was
142:25
uncoupled from the train when it stopped
142:27
for water run into a siding by those
142:29
awaiting it and unloaded of its cargo at
142:31
their leisure during the night it was a
142:34
perfectly dark night there was no moon
142:36
so the railwayman as mr. McLintock ear
142:39
has recently confirmed could from the
142:42
water pump see nothing of what was going
142:44
on at the back of the train but mr.
142:47
Holmes said inspector Hopkins the bad
142:50
luck special has 13 coaches everyone
142:53
knows that and you will no doubt
142:54
yourself and noted that we passed there
142:56
exactly 13 coaches in our inspection of
142:59
the train this afternoon oh it has 13
143:02
coaches now of course inspector Holmes
143:04
said and it only struck me after we had
143:07
left Bristol and its pleasant
143:09
stationmaster Willits that he had
143:11
described to us in detail his whole
143:13
engagement with the loading of the gold
143:14
and the departure of the train without
143:16
once mentioning that he counted the
143:18
coaches before the train left
143:21
the fact is he didn't count them he
143:24
didn't think he needed to the bad luck
143:27
special had always consisted of 13
143:29
coaches he wasn't to know that your
143:31
accomplices at Bristol had added an
143:34
additional coach to the train before it
143:36
was attached to the coach carrying the
143:38
boxes a coach with its seats stripped
143:41
out to make it practically identical to
143:44
the bullion car on that one night the
143:47
bad luck special had not 13 but 14
143:50
carriages when the train stopped to
143:53
acquire water it simultaneously shed a
143:56
coach and it very nearly he continued
143:59
turning back to Lyons shared a guard -
144:03
you're a very fortunate man Lyons
144:06
I don't feel fortunate sir your good
144:10
fortune is that you are still alive and
144:12
that in turn is because you were
144:14
fortunate enough to fall asleep imagine
144:17
if you had not the train stops the
144:20
thieves uncouple the rear coach with
144:22
yourself inside it as soon as you see
144:24
them you become a risk to them there's
144:26
no telling what they might have done
144:27
what I believe actually happened was
144:30
that as they were releasing the carriage
144:31
from the Train someone noticed that you
144:33
were asleep inside they took the
144:36
opportunity to move you into the next
144:37
coach along with your tea can and
144:39
sandwich wrappings you may be thankful
144:42
you did not wake at that moment
144:45
masterson war an expression of amazement
144:49
I am full of admiration mr. Holmes but
144:57
at the same time I feel somewhat
145:00
desolated this clearly means that
145:03
someone in my organization has betrayed
145:06
me
145:06
which brings me back to the ring of
145:09
scarlet silk discovered in the carriage
145:11
certainly an intriguing adornment to the
145:13
problem said Holmes it could indeed
145:16
signify the presence of a woman but
145:20
there is the mystery I said of how she
145:22
got there or what she might have done I
145:24
think however said Holmes that is a
145:28
mystery with a simple solution at this
145:31
point Masterson appeared rather
145:33
tragically stricken you're thinking yes
145:37
said Holmes you're thinking that my
145:41
estranged wife Laura dear God that
145:46
foolish woman oh come along mr.
145:49
Masterson you know full well your wife
145:51
had nothing to do with it there was no
145:53
one aboard the train save the three men
145:55
here driver engineer and guard and none
145:57
of them had anything to do with the
145:58
robbery the three rail women looked at
146:01
one another as that they had suddenly
146:02
had revealed to them their entitlement
146:04
to a joint fortune as for the thieves
146:07
said Holmes they are to be located
146:10
somewhere nursing a hoard of bullion a
146:12
part of course from their pay master who
146:14
is sitting here with us is that not so
146:18
mr. Masterson Masterson blasted and
146:22
steamed he was outraged this was absurd
146:26
how dare you sir what evidence have you
146:30
for such an outrageous suggestion I had
146:33
misgivings from the beginning I could
146:35
not understand why you came to me so
146:37
quickly after the theft had been
146:39
discovered when you had so much else to
146:41
deal with I see now that you were pains
146:43
to demonstrate to the insurance company
146:45
that you were doing all in your power to
146:47
recover the bullion because of course if
146:49
you could have both the gold and the
146:52
insurance money you would have
146:54
considerably augmented your
146:57
but were still what your partners in
147:00
crime would have done to mr. Lyons had
147:03
he not had the good sense to fall asleep
147:04
on the job
147:05
hardly bears thinking about you were
147:08
prepared not just to steal but to be an
147:12
accessory to murder this is speculation
147:15
mr. Holmes this would not stand up in
147:17
court you should be looking for another
147:19
felon what about that red silk ring oh
147:23
yes you've been very subtle about that
147:25
mr. Masterson suggesting your wife's
147:28
name one moment and the next assuring me
147:31
that she could not possibly be
147:32
implicated I doubt whether you thought
147:34
she would be but you certainly sought to
147:36
throw me off the scent
147:38
what was that item if not a red herring
147:41
and is that not for those who like to
147:44
play games with words another way to say
147:46
a red heading what fun you no doubt plan
147:51
to have with that joke mr. Masterson and
147:53
you got away with this business now it
147:56
seems the joke is on you that was one
148:00
pun mr. Masterson which you would indeed
148:04
have done better to have resisted
148:07
but whether justice was fully done is a
148:10
moot point in expectation of reducing
148:13
his own sentence masters and eventually
148:15
divulged the names of his accomplices
148:17
and led police to the embezzled bullion
148:20
and although he was committed to prison
148:23
for several years it was clear that once
148:26
his sentence was served he would
148:27
continue the life of a wealthy man I
148:31
can't understand I said to Holmes a
148:34
couple of evenings later why you seem so
148:36
damnably happy a man is never more
148:40
content Watson he said then when doing
148:43
well what his nature has fitted him to
148:46
do and which thought will you pass me
148:49
the tobacco pouch I think we should
148:51
indulge ourselves in a brace of good
148:53
pipes
149:10
[Music]
149:14
the Trinity vicarage larceny one fine
149:24
spring morning Sherlock Holmes and I
149:27
received into our rooms of portly
149:29
gentleman in a purple dress that at
149:32
least is how it momentarily appeared to
149:34
me as I glanced up from the Daily
149:36
Chronicle at the open door the purple
149:39
gentlemen it transpired was the right
149:42
reverend the Lord Bishop of Kent an old
149:45
acquaintance of Holmes and he had
149:48
brought with him as so many of our
149:50
visitors do a problem that was clearly
149:52
causing him some agitation mollified a
149:56
little by coffee and a cigar bishop
149:59
sprigs needed no prompting to divulge
150:01
his story the nub of my problem
150:04
gentlemen is an unfortunate young priest
150:08
a young man of promise and talent very
150:11
popular with his parishioners who has
150:13
inadvertently got himself into deep
150:15
Porter intriguing said Holmes you may
150:20
recall the clergyman continued the
150:22
Trinity Church in the Kent village of
150:24
hatching ham was last year in the news
150:27
because of an exceptional discovery of
150:30
course I said a silver chalice of
150:33
considerable worth was discovered in the
150:36
crypt yes dr. Watson a magnificent
150:39
medieval relic the so-called hatching
150:42
comb Grail weighing some twenty two
150:45
pounds with my approval it was sold to
150:47
the British Museum with the idea that a
150:50
good portion of the proceeds would go
150:51
towards restoring Hetch income church
150:54
the Reverend Kingsley pending the
150:56
beginning of the building work had
150:58
locked the money up in the church crypt
151:00
it was stolen yesterday Holmes you can
151:05
imagine what an outcry they'd be if this
151:07
found its way into the papers it would
151:09
be bad for Kingsley and the hatching
151:12
from parish and goodness at limnos water
151:14
would do for the reputation of the
151:15
church at any cost the money must be
151:19
able to covered and the thief put away
151:21
and I mean any cost homes
151:25
let us not concern ourselves with fees
151:27
just yet Holmes said are there any clues
151:31
at all as to who might be responsible
151:33
for this theft I'm not sure about Clues
151:36
replied the clergyman Kingsley did make
151:39
some sort of an attempted to discover
151:40
the identity of the villain by chasing
151:42
him over the fields after the theft but
151:44
I'm afraid he didn't get very far I
151:46
think we had better meet the young
151:48
Reverend said Holmes as soon as is
151:51
practical Watson would you be at liberty
151:53
to accompany me to hatching him for a
151:55
few days I'm utterly indebted to you
151:58
both said the bishop
152:00
I dare say while your will in hatching
152:02
ham we could put you up at the Trinity
152:03
church rectory oh there's the jolly
152:06
Bulldog if you'd prefer an inn ah said
152:10
Holmes
152:10
the Jolly bulldog now that sounds like
152:13
just my kind of animal we journeyed to
152:18
hatching him the next morning and
152:19
established ourselves at the cozy but
152:21
crumbling hostility that was the jolly
152:24
Bulldog our landlord was a bluff man
152:27
called stocky taller by inches than
152:30
Holmes and compelled to stoop to avoid
152:32
the beams resume ceiling as he lumbered
152:35
about in heavy boots serving his
152:37
customers he grudgingly provided us with
152:40
a late snack of bread and some rather
152:42
tough cold meats
152:44
complaining that if everyone chose to be
152:45
fed at half past 2:00 in the afternoon
152:47
they would have to invent a new word for
152:48
the meal taken between luncheon and
152:50
dinner
152:51
leftovers said Holmes to me initially
152:54
and at a level which I am sure Starkey
152:56
was meant to overhear might be that word
153:00
the publican growled ominously
153:02
as he left us and I leaned over to
153:05
Holmes and whispered there is surely an
153:08
example of how a little power may go to
153:10
the head of a man and make him too big
153:12
for his boots
153:13
I was thinking rather said Holmes from
153:16
the way he clumps about this place that
153:18
his boots are rather too big for him
153:21
I saw the two gentlemen on a nearby
153:23
tables smile at this remark I sunday
153:27
galatta notice of Starkey said one of
153:29
them may merely he's just as tiresome
153:32
with all the customers the gentlemen
153:34
introduced himself as John captain and
153:36
his companion as Matthew Winslow
153:39
although neither Holmes nor myself
153:41
disclosed the details of our mission to
153:43
hatching him it seems they knew we were
153:45
expected and it turned out that both
153:47
gentlemen were members of the parish
153:49
committee and were fully apprised of the
153:52
theft though they were quick to assert
153:54
that it was not yet public knowledge I
153:56
hope you will be successful
153:59
said Hampton in bringing this thief to
154:01
book we are fond of our vigor and he has
154:05
been a deeply troubled young man since
154:07
it happened the Reverend Kingsley's
154:11
house was accessed from hatching him
154:13
Lane by a short stone path a few steps
154:17
beyond the vicarage stood the church
154:20
with on the west side a moderate-sized
154:22
graveyard on the other side with its own
154:25
access to the lane and shaded by a
154:27
handful of fruit trees stood cherry
154:30
cottage which were later discovered to
154:32
be the residence of the Verger and his
154:34
wife
154:35
the Reverend Kingsley was a man in his
154:38
early thirties small in stature but of
154:41
good looks his clerical dress the
154:44
quintessence of neatness while clearly
154:47
stricken by his predicament he remained
154:49
calm and articulate and did his best to
154:52
make us welcome in a pleasantly
154:53
appointed parlour whose deep colored
154:55
thick pile carpet and embroidered
154:57
cushions evidenced a delicate sense of
155:00
taste it's a relief to see you gentlemen
155:03
he said the bishop
155:05
told me all about you about your many
155:08
successes in solving complex cases the
155:11
problem as you know is that while we saw
155:14
the thief escape we were unable to
155:16
establish his identity however there are
155:18
one or two factors which though they
155:20
seemed a peck to my own consideration
155:22
might prove illuminating under your own
155:25
if I might show you I would be most
155:29
grateful mr. Kingsley
155:30
Holmes said first though I see that you
155:33
have recently held a meeting and
155:34
charming room I presume that apart from
155:37
the three other gentlemen present the
155:38
fourth was yourself you keep the side
155:41
chairs in another room I take it Lord
155:44
how did you know all that oh it's a
155:47
simple matter the carpet beside the
155:49
window has indentations of four chairs
155:50
and therefore I presume for four people
155:53
but there are no chairs in the room
155:55
whose feet would match well yes you are
155:58
of course quite correct said Kingsley
156:01
with a broad smile the parish committee
156:03
convened here just yesterday as as we do
156:05
each week yesterday was the day I broke
156:08
the news that the Grail money had been
156:10
stolen and I hope that that news will
156:12
remain privy to the committee members
156:14
until such time as the thief is caught
156:16
but the vicar paused and home said
156:19
please go on mr. Kingsley but continued
156:24
the young clergyman the gentleman on the
156:26
parish committee are the same three who
156:28
sat here two weeks ago when I revealed
156:31
that the money for the Grail was in the
156:33
crypt of the church only they and I knew
156:37
of the fact you see so I can no longer
156:40
be as confident as before that they are
156:42
all honest men which is the most
156:44
unfortunate thing it was all in cash I
156:47
presume
156:48
home said yes mr. Holmes I kept cash so
156:52
that I could employ local men to restore
156:54
the church and pay them by the day I
156:55
have little time to run to the bank and
156:57
make a withdrawal every time a man
156:58
finishes plastering the wall the money
157:01
was under lock and key yes there is a
157:04
safe in the crypt where the church is
157:06
small treasures have always been
157:07
secreted and the Crypt itself is locked
157:10
yes it can be entered either from within
157:13
the church or by a door leading from the
157:15
churchyard and both those doors are
157:17
locked at night mr. Holmes I do hope you
157:22
can help me with this I don't know how
157:24
my flock will ever forgive me if that
157:26
money is not returned
157:28
then perhaps if you can bear to go over
157:30
it all again you would be so kind as to
157:32
tell dr. Watson and myself the
157:34
circumstances of the robbery yes of
157:37
course two weeks ago looking out of this
157:40
window on a Monday morning at about
157:42
11:00
157:43
I saw a man I'm fairly certain it was a
157:47
man standing at the lychgate and looking
157:49
over into the church and I would not
157:51
have given this a moment's thought
157:53
except that he wore a hat with an
157:55
unusually wide brim and had it pulled so
157:57
low over his eyes and his conner so high
158:00
that one could not distinguish his
158:02
features as I say I cannot even be
158:05
certain it was not a woman except for
158:08
his way of moving I watched him for a
158:11
good ten minutes before he turned and
158:13
strode back along the lane towards the
158:14
village that same afternoon
158:17
this time from an upstairs window I saw
158:19
him again but now further along the lane
158:22
standing under a tree and once again
158:24
seeming to study the church and its
158:27
grounds his contrived anonymity
158:30
naturally put me on my guard in the
158:33
evening after those first two sightings
158:35
I was sitting in that very chair dr.
158:38
Watson which you are currently occupying
158:40
when a thought hit me like a bolt of
158:42
lightning I thought which you no doubt
158:45
will be surprised had not occurred to me
158:46
earlier that this stranger might have
158:49
designs on the money in the crypt
158:52
after this alarming epiphany I spoke to
158:56
my verges Sam manners and his wife may
158:58
who keep house for me they live in
159:00
cherry cottage which as you will have
159:02
seen stands on the lane beside the
159:04
churches litigate there's a shortcut
159:06
from there back door to this house which
159:08
they employ when they wished to see me I
159:10
mentioned that because as I think he
159:12
would agree it bears upon the matter
159:14
I asked Sherlock Holmes the rediscovered
159:19
railway mysteries and other stories by
159:21
John Taylor read by Benedict Cumberbatch
159:28
[Music]
159:32
an inscrutable masquerade in a draw in
159:41
the Bureau of an upstairs room of my
159:44
current home there is a locked cedar
159:46
wood box which I inherited as a youth
159:49
from my grandfather this is one might
159:53
say my box of secrets when I was young
159:56
it contained the treasures of boyhood a
159:58
catapult a lump of beeswax the carapace
160:01
of a crab for many years since it has
160:04
been the repository of an archive
160:06
admittedly a ragged and disordered
160:09
archive a collection of notes and
160:12
scribblings concerning some of the many
160:13
cases of my lifelong friend the
160:16
consulting detective Sherlock Holmes
160:19
which for one reason or another I never
160:22
took the trouble to write into proper
160:24
reports having had recently a little
160:27
time on my hands I reopened this box of
160:29
yellowing notebooks and it seemed to me
160:31
that several of the cases given the
160:33
ocean of time between those events and
160:35
the present day would now bear telling
160:38
and I begin by chronicling an adventure
160:41
which I may have dismissed for several
160:43
reasons not because it lacked baffling
160:45
and intriguing elements on the contrary
160:47
but mostly I think because it was for me
160:50
personally such a dizzying and
160:52
distressing experience it was a
160:56
Wednesday evening in July at the end of
160:58
a day of street jacketing heat and I sat
161:02
next to the open window of our parlour
161:04
at Baker Street drinking in the air and
161:06
hoping for the liberating ripple of a
161:08
breeze the newspaper on my lap reported
161:12
the release from police custody of a
161:14
known criminal
161:15
Tobias organ arrested some days
161:18
previously for the murder of max
161:20
Zimmerman a moneylender shot through the
161:23
head in his small apartment in Wardour
161:25
Street in the end there'd been
161:27
insufficient evidence to charge organ
161:29
with murder even though the police
161:31
clearly thought him culpable strangely
161:35
enough I had once met organ myself he
161:38
had come to me as a patient suffering as
161:40
I recall from a severe lesion to the
161:42
lower back which he maintained had been
161:44
caused by a fall against a metal
161:46
stanchion but which I had little doubt
161:49
was in fact a stab wound my diagnosis
161:52
was supported I believe by his barely
161:54
veiled threat that I should under no
161:56
circumstances make known his injury to
161:58
anyone else
161:59
he had an unforgettable menacing way
162:03
with him
162:04
and I had felt immense relief when he
162:06
left my surgery I'd been looking forward
162:09
to discussing the organ case with Holmes
162:11
who would certainly have some views on
162:14
the subject but when he finally appeared
162:16
for dinner he was irritable and
162:17
uncommunicative and from these symptoms
162:20
I guessed him to be in the process of
162:22
some taxing mental work all the same I
162:25
had no wish to sit out the meal in
162:27
silence
162:28
stifling weather to be out in about
162:30
Holmes
162:31
I said peppering a slice of beef indeed
162:34
Watson and equally stifling to be in he
162:37
busied himself with cutting into a
162:39
potato after a while I said I've not
162:42
seen you today I presume you were
162:43
somewhere on business yes Watson I was
162:47
another pause the chink of cutlery
162:51
somewhere local somewhere very local
162:54
Watson I'd expect you'd like to know
162:56
where but I have no wish to be intrusive
162:59
in the basement
163:00
I've been all day in the basement of our
163:02
house and since your desire not to be
163:04
intrusive is clearly struggling against
163:06
your overwhelming curiosity to know I
163:08
will tell you why I was there and he
163:11
paused and smiled in the full confidence
163:14
that you will not be the word to a soul
163:17
about it my Holmes of course not and on
163:20
the understanding that if I do tell you
163:22
you will not be able to leave this house
163:24
until my work is complete what I put
163:27
down
163:27
almost dropped my knife and fork we
163:30
don't mean not leave at all that's
163:33
precisely what I mean
163:34
so it may be that you would prefer to
163:37
forgo my secret rather than consent to
163:39
becoming a prisoner here for what might
163:41
be several days hopelessly intrigued
163:45
I gave no thought to the discomfort of
163:47
being shut indoors in this sultry heat
163:49
no thought to the boredom not even any
163:51
thought to the fact that I had
163:52
appointments in my diary
163:54
I'm prepared to abide by your request
163:57
Holmes
163:58
he stood up from the table his meal
164:00
unfinished and went across to the hearth
164:02
to retrieve his pipe in tobacco pouch as
164:04
he filled his pipe and lit it he sank
164:07
into his armchair I believe you have
164:10
been preoccupied with the case of Tobias
164:11
organ Watson yes it has been on my mind
164:15
how you twice left the newspaper open at
164:17
that page the moneylender Zimmerman a
164:20
legitimate businessman with a wife and
164:22
young children was murdered with an army
164:24
rifle the police have many reasons for
164:27
believing Tobias organ to be guilty of
164:28
the crime of one of these is that he
164:30
owns an army rifle organ have cost a
164:33
nice that his firearm is the murder
164:35
weapon
164:35
well yes I said one would expect he
164:38
would but suppose said Holmes suppose
164:41
there was a science which could with
164:44
certainty tie a bullet to the gun which
164:46
fired now that would be marvelous I said
164:50
but there isn't is there well Watson let
164:52
us say that such a science is seminal it
164:55
is exactly this problem which I am
164:57
wrestling with at present in the
164:58
basement of the house I've set up a
165:00
laboratory sorts down there where I can
165:02
conduct some experiments progress is
165:05
promising and if the results are as I
165:06
expect they will certainly send Tobias
165:09
organ to the gallows but organ is an
165:11
utterly ruthless villain undoubtedly
165:14
guilty of a number of murders but
165:15
devious enough always to pawn them off
165:17
on others if he would again even an
165:19
inkling of my work we would be in the
165:22
utmost danger but I can see that you
165:25
would be in danger Holmes but how might
165:28
I be as I say what's an organ is
165:30
ruthless to get at any enemy his
165:33
favorite trick is to abduct someone
165:35
close to his adversary often with I'm
165:38
afraid horrific consequences you know
165:41
too much now and since I'm not prepared
165:43
to put you at risk in that way I fear
165:45
you must sit it out in these apartments
165:47
you must not answer the door you must
165:49
stay away from the windows no visitors
165:50
you must lead the life of a prisoner
165:53
until such time as this matter is
165:55
settled well I said it might be good for
165:59
me I have a medical paper to write in
166:01
the period of confinement might induce
166:02
me to keep my nose to my studies
166:05
excellent Watson I'm sure your sacrifice
166:08
will not be in vain I really did not see
166:10
myself sacrificing very much at a wall I
166:13
spent the evening canceling all
166:15
appointments for the following week and
166:16
went to bed rather looking forward to a
166:18
few days of fruitful incarceration the
166:23
morning found me in a hopeful mood in
166:26
what appeared to be an empty house
166:27
Holmes I presumed had already descended
166:30
to his basement laboratory our landlady
166:32
in mrs. Hudson had left me a pleasant
166:34
cold breakfast an indication that she
166:37
herself had had to leave the house early
166:39
the day while already warm and bright
166:42
had not yet begun to turn oppressive the
166:44
clock over the half ticked slowly as I
166:47
settled down to my books experiencing
166:50
for the first time since my student
166:51
years some of the quiet ecstasy of study
166:55
by midday the room had become hot my
166:59
concentration meandered and thirst
167:01
plagued me I wandered downstairs to mrs.
167:05
Hudson's apartment and found her still
167:06
absent so I proceeded down to the
167:08
basement to ask Holmes whether he knew
167:10
what arrangements had been made for
167:12
lunch the door to the basement was shut
167:14
and when I tried the handle I found it
167:16
to be locked from within I could hear
167:19
the occasional crack of what sounded
167:20
like a gun being fired and the grind of
167:23
metal on metal like ball bearings
167:25
rolling round an iron ball Holmes you
167:29
there Watson what are you doing here I'm
167:32
in the process of an investigation
167:34
indeed yes I'm trying to find out what's
167:37
happening about luncheon but have to
167:40
prepare something for yourself he called
167:42
back I'm afraid I've sent mrs. Hudson
167:44
away I cannot risk the lives of innocent
167:46
people and Watson be so good as to keep
167:48
away from the basement confine yourself
167:51
to our own rooms and to the kitchen
167:53
there's a good fellow
167:54
very well Holmes but yes I really would
167:58
very much like a newspaper I'm afraid
168:01
you must do without neither of us can
168:03
take the chance of leaving here until
168:04
this business is complete now please let
168:06
me get on I trundled to the kitchen
168:10
and managed to find myself some bread
168:12
and cheese which I took back upstairs
168:14
our rooms were now very hot and since I
168:17
was forbidden to sit near the window I
168:19
ate my luncheon over my books dropping
168:21
crumbs into the creases of Grey's
168:23
Anatomy and beginning to feel Restless
168:26
after lunch I managed to force myself to
168:29
a little more work but by three o'clock
168:31
had fallen asleep in the armchair I woke
168:35
to hear the sounds of evening traffic
168:38
moving along Baker Street I listened
168:41
with something like envy to the busy
168:43
hubbub of those who were free to come
168:45
and go who had families to return to and
168:48
simple feasts awaiting them at convivial
168:51
tables my lot seemed bleak
168:55
by comparison Holmes did not emerge from
168:57
his infernal basement and mrs. Hudson
169:00
did not appear with an evening meal I
169:02
cannot recall how the rest of the
169:05
evening passed the heat absorbed during
169:07
the day by London's pavements now
169:09
radiated back to thicken the evening air
169:11
the world outside of which I had no news
169:15
became gradually silent and I hungry and
169:19
disconsolate went finally to bed the
169:23
next morning after a makeshift breakfast
169:25
I got down to some work and was well
169:28
into the argument of the paper I was
169:29
writing when I began to realize that the
169:32
room was again beginning to become
169:33
airless and oven-like
169:35
determined not to succumb to lethargy as
169:38
I had the previous afternoon I decided
169:40
that despite Holmes's strict embargo on
169:43
going near the window I simply must have
169:46
some air as I raised the sash I saw a
169:50
cab approaching along Baker Street and
169:52
stopping directly beneath the window the
169:55
passenger who stepped out was Nikolas
169:57
Cartwright an old University friend now
170:00
writing for The Times I hadn't seen him
170:03
for a couple of months and he seemed
170:05
about to pay a surprise visit desperate
170:07
as I was for company I could not forget
170:10
the promise I had made to Holmes to
170:11
admit no visitors the doorbell rang
170:15
my first idea was to wait for Cartwright
170:18
to give up and go away
170:19
but there quickly came a second ring and
170:22
with it a call from the street through
170:23
the now open window Watson a note of
170:28
anxiety in his voice suggesting that all
170:30
was not well Cartwright was a good
170:34
friend but it doesn't see how I could
170:37
linger there pretending to be deaf when
170:38
he might be in need of my help I dashed
170:41
down the stairs and opened the front
170:43
door Watson so pleased to have found you
170:47
the statement immediately struck me as
170:50
odd as did cut Wright's whole demeanor
170:52
but mindful of the proximity of Holmes
170:54
in his makeshift laboratory I whispered
170:57
Nicole chap what things are going on
171:00
come up as quietly as you can I'll
171:01
explain there a sudden sharp crack
171:04
issued from the depths of the house and
171:06
I hoped that preoccupied as he was
171:08
Holmes would have no inkling of the
171:10
presence of my visitor as we entered the
171:13
parlor and shut the door Cartwright said
171:16
Watson I've been worried about you I
171:18
didn't even know if I'd find you here
171:20
worried yes the story in The Gazette
171:24
regarding yourself and mr. Holmes did
171:26
you know it was in the papers Cartwright
171:29
I haven't the least idea what you're
171:32
talking about and as for newspapers I
171:33
haven't seen one in days here he tossed
171:36
me the paper open at about the third or
171:38
fourth page and I read the following
171:39
headline an accompanying article
171:41
Sherlock Holmes and dr. Watson part
171:44
company after several years of
171:48
celebrated collaboration the eminent
171:49
consulting detective mr. Sherlock Holmes
171:52
and his medical companion dr. John
171:53
Watson have terminated their
171:56
professional partnership and it seems
171:58
similar tennis Lee ended their personal
172:00
friendship
172:02
mr. Holmes said that while he continued
172:04
to hold dr. Watson in high esteem and to
172:06
regard him as a man of exceptional honor
172:08
and professional competence
172:09
circumstances upon which he could not
172:11
and would not elaborate had made it
172:13
expedient for them to give their
172:14
separate ways there was no comment from
172:18
dr. Watson I stood for a moment holding
172:22
the newspaper and averting my gaze from
172:24
Cartwright who had written this did
172:27
Holmes know about it was there some
172:30
truth in it was Holmes's exile to the
172:33
basement a way of keeping me at bay
172:34
while he found alternative lodgings
172:36
this is today's Gazette yes Watson I see
172:41
you knew nothing about this am i
172:43
speaking to you as a friend Cartwright
172:45
or as a journalist well I suppose
172:48
unfortunately as a friend John I say
172:51
unfortunately because this is clearly a
172:52
damn good story but if you wish to talk
172:55
to me off the record so be it off the
172:58
record then I know nothing of this and I
173:02
don't know whether Holmes has had a hand
173:03
in it he's conducting some very secret
173:05
business at present and possibly it's
173:07
connected to that that's all I can tell
173:09
you I'm afraid one thing does baffle me
173:13
Cartwright said how did the Gazette get
173:15
the story without us getting it - anyway
173:18
I won't make anything of this John until
173:19
you give me the go-ahead but I hope if
173:22
there does turn out to be an exclusive
173:25
you'll be the one to get it I said thank
173:28
you Nicholas I saw him down the stairs
173:31
and closed the front door behind him
173:32
finding myself relieved that he had gone
173:35
I had no idea that I would be singing
173:38
him again soon under even more peculiar
173:40
circumstances but determined that now I
173:44
must confront Holmes with this business
173:46
I knocked on the door of the basement
173:49
Holmes
173:52
a long silence ohms we must speak not
173:58
now Watson Holmes there's something I
174:01
must discuss with you urgently something
174:04
in the newspaper there was a scuffling
174:06
in the basement door opened newspaper
174:09
how did you get a newspaper
174:12
Cartwright called he'd seen an article
174:15
yes Holmes interrupted yes the article I
174:19
daresay you would appreciate an
174:21
explanation give me half an hour a
174:26
little later we sat opposite one another
174:28
in our sitting-room the evening was
174:31
still closed and oppressive the
174:33
newspaper article said Holmes was an
174:36
unfortunate necessity I hope it has not
174:40
caused you too much embarrassment Watson
174:42
and when this business is finished all
174:44
will be rectified why I said report us
174:47
as having quarreled bear with me Watson
174:50
I beg of you as you know I have tried to
174:53
keep my work here secret but how certain
174:56
can one be of that the police are
174:58
involved in these matters and are aware
175:00
of my experiments and who knows whether
175:02
some junior or even senior member of the
175:05
force is not in league with that utterly
175:07
ruthless villain now having been alerted
175:10
to that newspaper report might it not be
175:13
the case that Tobias organ would assume
175:15
that you were no longer in London at any
175:17
rate he would certainly be likely to
175:19
assume you were no longer sharing these
175:21
premises with me
175:23
you gave the story to the Gazette to
175:25
protect me yes Watson that was my
175:28
purpose I just wish that you'd consulted
175:32
me first you were not supposed even to
175:35
know about it Watson and if you had not
175:38
had a visit from Cartwright you would
175:40
never have seen the article it was
175:42
unfortunate that he came when he did it
175:45
was the article that brought him yes a
175:48
miscalculation on my part now it is late
175:51
work to do tomorrow and I must insist on
175:54
extracting from you another guarantee
175:56
what's that Holmes that you will not
175:59
under any circumstances interrupt my
176:01
work again so very delicate in a
176:04
disturbance at an inopportune moment
176:05
could ruin everything is that clear not
176:07
under any circumstance
176:11
that night I lay awake in the muggy heat
176:14
the bedclothes pulled back and grieved
176:16
for what I calculated to be the death of
176:19
my reputation at least I imagined that's
176:22
how the world would see it or at least
176:24
that portion of the world that reads the
176:26
London Gazette Holmes and Watson have
176:29
parted company but there is no comment
176:32
from Watson only a nobly worded
176:35
valediction from the great detective
176:37
such bitter thoughts polluted my
176:41
Restless waking and tormented my
176:43
subsequent dreams and added to all this
176:47
their lair since that things were still
176:49
not clear that something crucial
176:52
remained unspoken I woke early but
176:57
exhausted without going near the window
177:00
I took in what I could of the wakening
177:02
day the street to them to report to me
177:05
if this sinister figure or anyone else
177:08
unknown to them appeared in the vicinity
177:10
of the church and indeed it seems as if
177:14
the man in that hat had begun to watch
177:16
my whereabouts because first may manners
177:18
then her husband reported to me that
177:20
they had indeed seen the man in the Hat
177:23
I began to feel that an attempt on the
177:26
money was imminent I resolved then to
177:29
remain in the vicarage all the church
177:31
grounds until I was certain that the
177:32
threat had passed I instructed mr. and
177:35
mrs. manners that if they saw the
177:37
stranger again they were to take the
177:38
shortcut to my house and inform me
177:40
immediately but they were under no
177:42
circumstances to approach him and now we
177:45
come to the day of the theft
177:47
Sam manners was whitewashing the walls
177:50
of the church at this point Holmes stood
177:53
up I think it would be as well mr.
177:55
Kingsley to acquaint ourselves with the
177:57
geography of the church and its grounds
177:59
might be continued outside a rapturous
178:05
afternoon of sunshine and birdsong
178:07
greeted us as we left the vicarage and
178:09
walked out into the churchyard where the
178:11
Reverend Kingsley commenced our guided
178:14
tour I immediately began to loquacious
178:17
on a mental map of hatching and village
178:19
and its surrounding areas a practice I
178:21
learned in my military days and which
178:23
has served me
178:23
well in civilian life I could see in my
178:26
mind the large oblong of farmland about
178:29
two miles across with hatching and
178:31
village and the church almost at
178:33
opposite corners this substantial area
178:36
of land was surrounded on all four sides
178:39
by public roads mr. Kingsley took us
178:43
through the grounds on a grassy path
178:44
which ran along the side of the church
178:46
up against the gravestones of the
178:48
churchyard this is the wall of the
178:50
church
178:51
Sam manners was painting that morning
178:52
said the vicar he worked for a couple of
178:55
hours and a 12 o'clock I sent him off to
178:57
his cottage for his regular midday meal
178:59
I went back into the vicarage and took
179:01
up a book after about 20 minutes there
179:04
was a knock at the back door mrs.
179:07
manners was in a frantic State she and
179:09
Sam just seemed the man in the white
179:10
brimmed hat going into the church at I
179:13
told her to return immediately and to
179:15
tell Sam to meet me here at the crypto
179:17
and I came here directly to find myself
179:19
staring at a spectacular mess he pointed
179:24
to a flight of four steps just off the
179:26
path leading to a door low down in the
179:28
half painted church wall the door to the
179:32
Crypt he said from which the thief must
179:34
have made his exit and not expecting to
179:36
encounter a paint bucket presumably
179:38
kicked it flying in his haste to escape
179:40
a residual expanse of powdery white
179:44
still damp in places stained the
179:46
flagstones at the bottom of the steps
179:49
Sam was with me within seconds continued
179:52
the vicar
179:53
we could see nobody but we soon guessed
179:56
which way he'd gone if you'll follow me
179:58
gentlemen
179:59
the vicar led us a little further along
180:01
the grassy path to where the churchyard
180:03
ended in a wooden fence sit in the fence
180:06
was a style leading onto a footpath that
180:10
said the vicar was his escape route
180:13
beyond the style the ragged footpath
180:16
traversed the meadow through weeds and
180:18
rough grasses stretching away into the
180:21
distance along this narrow track could
180:24
be seen intermittent blobs of white
180:27
and I suppose the presumption would be
180:29
said Holmes that the trail of white
180:32
paint marks are the fleeing man's
180:34
footsteps yes exactly
180:36
obviously our man escaped across the
180:38
field to Harding Lane mr. Holmes my
180:41
companion nodded he stopped at the style
180:44
there are two white hand prints here he
180:47
said a right hand and a left hand the
180:50
fella was in some haste is indeed one
180:52
would expect Holmes crossed the style
180:55
athletically and walked a little way
180:57
into the field bending down he examined
181:00
one of the white marks then plucked up a
181:02
handful of grass and returned to us
181:04
Thank You mr. Kingsley I think I've seen
181:07
all I need to hear is there anything
181:08
else you think might help us yes said
181:12
the vicar enthusiastically back at the
181:14
house
181:15
Holmes requested that Sam manners and
181:18
his wife join us in the vicarage and a
181:21
little afterwards in mr. Kingsley's
181:23
kitchen mrs. manners set herself to the
181:26
task of making us all tea while Holmes
181:28
paced the stone floor slowly i sat at
181:32
the kitchen table with the vicar and Sam
181:34
manners a ruddy man in his early 40s
181:37
whom Holmes was in our dressing
181:39
so mr. manners you were the only person
181:41
to have caught a glimpse of the man in
181:43
the Hat on the day of the robbery I
181:45
believe so sir I was at the window
181:47
taking my lunch I saw this fellow in the
181:50
big air looking up and down the line a
181:52
few times as if to check all was clear
181:54
then entered the churchyard straight
181:57
away I said to miss his manners to go by
181:59
the back door and tell the vicar and you
182:02
yourself waited in the cottage until
182:04
mrs. manners returned I did sir
182:07
for how long not more than two minutes
182:10
she told me the vicar wanted me to meet
182:12
him out by the church I dashed right out
182:14
and found the Reverend Kingsley waiting
182:17
for you yes sir and the door to the
182:20
Crypt wide open whitewash everywhere hmm
182:23
the Crypt door had been locked before he
182:25
went to lunch though yes mr. Holmes
182:27
always was and that was when you noticed
182:30
the trail of pink exactly sir and set
182:32
off to follow it you must have only been
182:34
a short way behind the thief
182:37
mr. bean sir but he moved like the wind
182:39
we was across that meadow in less than
182:41
five minutes it's good for furlongs and
182:45
never caught up to him but what we found
182:47
at the opposite side clinched it here
182:50
mr. Kingsley interrupted Sam means this
182:53
he said and produced from a draw a
182:56
wide-brimmed black velvet hat
182:58
inexpensively made and in shape rather
183:01
resembling the sort of thing one sees
183:03
worn by picadors in pictures of
183:05
bullfights Holmes took the Hat and
183:07
turned it around in his hands it was me
183:10
found it sir said manners I was running
183:13
a bit ahead of the Reverend open to
183:15
catch up with our thief and as soon as I
183:17
was over the stile I saw it in the grass
183:19
by the road just where I suppose it had
183:22
fallen from his head well said Holmes
183:25
while I cannot see yet how that will
183:27
help us with your permission I shall
183:29
take it away with me of course said the
183:32
vicar we'll leave you then but by way of
183:35
that path across the fields I'd rather
183:37
like to follow the route taken by our
183:39
escaping felon and so it was that we
183:42
made our farewells and set out from the
183:44
churchyard across the wide meadow
183:46
towards Harding Lane although it had
183:49
been a week since the church thief had
183:51
fled there remained a clear trail of
183:54
white footprints across the entire width
183:57
of the field
183:59
the path ended at another style which
184:02
gave onto the shaded narrowness of
184:04
harding lane we calculated that to
184:07
return to hatching a village we could go
184:09
in either direction around the perimeter
184:11
of the meadow
184:12
we took the route west along the pinch
184:14
home road rather than going east and
184:16
back via the church as we walked my
184:20
companion looked repeatedly this way and
184:22
that into the fields at the roadside the
184:24
patches of scrubland and the bushes and
184:26
trees if you note anything you must let
184:29
me know Watson and I agreed that I would
184:32
but the fields lay bright and innocent
184:35
in the late afternoon air and the trees
184:37
were populated only by birds jubilantly
184:40
enjoying the sunshine then as we cross
184:44
the bridge over a gurgling stream Holmes
184:46
stopped halfway there's something there
184:49
do you see he pointed to the bank of the
184:52
stream above which a Hawthorn overhung
184:55
the rushing water something that bush a
184:58
pair of somethings unless I'm mistaken
185:01
we clambered over the balustrade of the
185:04
little bridge and dropped onto the bank
185:06
side the Hawthorn was thick and even at
185:09
close quarters my eyes were at pains to
185:11
penetrate into its depths Holmes using a
185:14
fallen branch the thickness of his arm
185:16
smashed his way into the bush his soft
185:19
cry of triumph told me he had found
185:22
something and he reached in and
185:24
retrieved in one hand a large pair of
185:27
leather boots what do you think Watson
185:31
is this or is this not the footwear of
185:33
our thief they're certainly large those
185:36
of a very big man I should say and there
185:39
are white marks on the soles should we
185:42
see how they fit those prints on the
185:44
church meadow I think we can assume that
185:46
Matt Watson but what would induce the
185:49
villain to jettison his boots here
185:51
perhaps I said he thought he was still
185:54
being chased and knew that if he were
185:56
caught wearing them he would be
185:57
recognized straight away equally
185:59
suspicious if he'd been found with no
186:01
boots at all said
186:03
though I suppose he may have carried a
186:05
spare pair of shoes with him Watson it
186:06
is fairly clear to me the thief is a
186:09
local man why unless he feared to be
186:12
recognized
186:13
would he indulge in such an elaborate
186:15
disguise let us go back to the jolly
186:18
bulldog that after all is where the
186:22
locals like to congregate in fact on our
186:26
return to the inn we found John Hampton
186:29
and Matthew Winslow the parish committee
186:31
men we had met earlier having returned
186:33
to or perhaps never having left the same
186:36
table as we sat down Holmes place beside
186:39
him on the floorboards the pair of boots
186:41
we had found in the hedgerow causing the
186:43
two gentlemen to look at them
186:45
inquisitively when Starkey the landlord
186:48
arrived to service the first thing he
186:50
said was your boats gentlemen not ours
186:54
said Holmes we found them in a bush in
186:56
Harding Lane strange what some folks who
187:00
throw away said the publican they looks
187:03
in prime order to me hardly been worn
187:06
Holmes replied and then he asked with
187:09
these boots fit you mr. Starkey and
187:11
seeing our companions on the nearby
187:13
table watching he added or either of you
187:16
gentlemen not me sir
187:19
Starkey replied rather more amiably than
187:21
I had expected I know my boots look
187:24
quite Ebert my feet and sabenpe as you
187:26
might think it's just I'm sorry at the
187:29
blisters could you find big boots help
187:33
your blisters I asked my experience of
187:36
patients suffering with that condition
187:37
telling me the opposite no sir to start
187:41
blisters I need to put on three pairs of
187:43
thick hose so always gets my boots well
187:45
over my proper foot size then rather
187:49
sardonically he said thank you though
187:51
for asking sir mr. Hampton on the next
187:55
table asked you might be asked evil
187:58
stuff what's your interest in boots
188:00
Holmes said it's an investigation we are
188:04
conducting in which boots have well some
188:07
scientific significance
188:10
then to me he whispered as our neighbor
188:12
turned away with a disbelieving grimace
188:15
it's as I thought Watson we have our
188:19
culprit
188:20
stocky no.not stocky one of these and I
188:26
indicated with my thumb the two men from
188:28
the parish committee Oh Watson who then
188:31
these boots Watson do you observe
188:33
nothing untoward about them no not at
188:36
all
188:36
the patting he knew there are a large
188:39
size apart from that they are
188:40
undistinguished on the contrary my
188:43
friend I would say they were
188:45
distinguished by a lack of pink I beg
188:48
your pardon
188:48
I mean Watson that there are white marks
188:51
on the soles to be sure but tell me pray
188:53
hammer man with his hands covered in
188:55
whitewash could have unlaced and removed
188:56
his boots without leaving marks on the
188:58
laces I don't know I said but it would
189:01
be a singular coincidence if someone
189:03
completely innocent had jettisoned a
189:06
pair of boots with paint on the soles
189:08
there is no coincidence home said these
189:11
boots were undoubtedly left here by the
189:13
thief but not in the way we were
189:15
intended to believe are you suggesting
189:17
that you know who the thief is the thief
189:21
Watson is the Reverend Kingsley himself
189:24
how could it be hoped there was no time
189:28
for him to escape across that meadow and
189:30
return to the vicarage in time to meet
189:31
Sam manners outside the church
189:33
how can a man chase himself across a
189:35
meadow as you know Watson we are due to
189:38
meet the bishop this evening at Trinity
189:40
vicarage so let us finish our meal I
189:43
will explain everything there
189:47
we had promised the bishop an intra
189:49
meeting at the vicarage to advise him of
189:51
our progress in the case which no doubt
189:54
to the clergyman expected to be only
189:56
moderate this soon after our previous
189:58
meeting but we had hardly settled to our
190:01
Shetty and mr. Kingsley's comfortable
190:03
parlour then Holmes declared
190:04
dramatically you will no doubt be
190:06
delighted to know gentlemen that dr.
190:08
Watson and I have solved the case I did
190:11
not think it my business to confess that
190:13
after my previous conversation with
190:15
Holmes I was as much in the dark as
190:17
anyone but I sat quietly sipping my
190:19
Shelly while I watched my friend open
190:21
the bag we had brought from the inn and
190:23
removed the two large white stained
190:26
boots we had found beside the stream the
190:29
Bishop's eyes widened I have to say he
190:32
looked incredulous mr. Kingsley too wore
190:36
a skeptical smirk and raised his
190:38
eyebrows please tell us mr. Holmes what
190:42
you think you have found dr. Watson and
190:45
I found these Holmes explained in a
190:47
bramble bush in Harding laying big boots
190:50
suggested we were seeking a big man yet
190:53
the footprints told us his stride was
190:56
short it was our landlord at the jolly
190:59
Bulldog who enabled me to understand the
191:00
dichotomy he is a man who buys bigger
191:03
boots than his foot size in order to
191:04
accommodate extra socks our villain
191:07
however bought his bigger boots in order
191:09
to accommodate another pair of shoes
191:11
leaving the footprints of a bigger man
191:13
than he is himself is that not so mr.
191:18
Kingsley
191:19
the young vicar I thought at the time if
191:22
he was guilty of anything was heroically
191:26
cool about it he betrayed nothing but
191:29
genteel surprised are you suggesting
191:33
that I was the thief mr. Holmes Holmes
191:37
said the bishop gravely from what I
191:40
understand mr. Kingsley and his Verger
191:43
practically managed to catch up with the
191:45
thief on that fateful day what an earth
191:48
do you think is the evidence for this
191:50
assertion my lord Holmes said
191:53
confidently mr. Kingsley wished to
191:56
embezzle the money raised by the sale of
191:58
the hatching ham Grail and decided to
192:00
construct a piece of theatre which would
192:01
deceive investigators he not only
192:03
invented the spectral man in the large
192:05
brimmed hat he also on several occasions
192:08
paraded in the Hat in the high-collared
192:11
coat and ensured that mr. and mrs.
192:13
manners caught a glimpse of him on the
192:15
day of the theft having sent Sam manners
192:17
to lunch he came back here to the
192:19
vicarage assumed the disguise showed
192:22
himself at the cottage window where
192:23
manners was eating and proceeded into
192:26
the churchyard dashing back to the
192:29
vicarage again he slipped out of his
192:30
cloak and hat and waited for mrs.
192:32
manners knock on the door he told mrs.
192:35
manners to summon her husband and
192:36
rendezvous with him outside the crypt
192:39
door and then what said mr. Kingsley
192:42
insolent with fury I put on these boots
192:45
unlocked the church went down to the
192:48
Crypt took the money escaped the church
192:50
jumped the style and ran across a mile
192:52
of the field then dashed a mile back
192:54
took off the boots and waited calmly for
192:56
Sam to arrive where upon I went chasing
192:58
off across the field again that would
193:02
indeed have been ingenious to do in two
193:05
minutes what an athlete could not do in
193:07
20 yes indeed
193:10
the question as my friend dr. Watson has
193:12
clarified is precisely how may a man
193:15
chase himself across a meadow
193:18
and the answer asked the bishop no one
193:22
will ever know what points you took the
193:24
money mr. Kingsley as the key holder you
193:27
are free to do it at your leisure and
193:28
for all one knows it may never have been
193:31
in the crypt safe in the first place
193:33
certainly there was no need for you to
193:35
waste time on it on the day we are
193:37
discussing you wished to ensure there
193:40
was just enough time with mr. manners at
193:42
lunch for you to get to the crypt door
193:43
and kick over the white wash bucket and
193:45
of course you had given mr. manners the
193:48
task of whitewashing that particular
193:49
part of the church wall simply to ensure
193:52
that there would be a bucket there to be
193:53
upturned
193:54
that was all you needed to do because
193:57
and here is the thing you had made the
194:01
footprints across the field on the night
194:04
before you had also I have no doubt
194:08
planted the boots in the hedgerow on the
194:09
same occasion making sure they had
194:11
plenty of white paint on the soles
194:12
foolishly you forgot the dauber little
194:16
on the shoelaces at this point The Vicar
194:20
dropped into a chair as though all
194:23
resistance had suddenly fled him and I
194:26
believe that his Holmes proceeded we all
194:30
realized that he was now approaching a
194:32
devastating conclusion at some out of
194:34
that night mr. Kingsley having splashed
194:37
so much whitewash on the underside of
194:39
the boots that your hands were gloved
194:40
with pink you planted your white printed
194:43
trail along the footpath across the
194:45
meadow to harding Lane afterwards who
194:48
dropped the wide-brimmed hat by the
194:49
stile and jettisoned the boots in a
194:51
bushel amount and I went to Paddington
194:54
this morning to meet the consignment the
194:57
train was there the gold was not I see
195:02
said Holmes stolen undoubtedly how much
195:07
were talking four or five Millions mr.
195:12
Holmes that's a large loss is the gold
195:14
insured indeed it is but you know
195:17
insurance companies mr. Holmes they are
195:20
ever suspicious and the circumstances of
195:23
the Gold's disappearance are to say the
195:25
least rather strange
195:27
the details mr. Masterson said my friend
195:30
if you please
195:31
well continued Masterson tapping a thick
195:35
cylinder of ash into the ashtray
195:38
I had asked a commissioners special an
195:40
overnight train and also insisted that
195:43
it be discrete not armored or escorted
195:47
or in any way having the appearance of a
195:50
specially secured conveyance I was
195:54
offered the charter of a passenger train
195:56
which returns empty from Bristol to
195:57
London once a week and which railway man
196:00
jokingly call the bad luck special not
196:03
because anything has ever happened to it
196:06
but because it normally consists of 13
196:08
empty passenger coaches as a deed it did
196:12
on this occasion I insisted that the
196:15
gold be packed in steel containers each
196:18
locked with a unique key you will
196:21
appreciate the goal itself gentlemen is
196:24
a weighty metal so each box contained
196:27
only as many bars as would enable the
196:29
containers to be carried in order to
196:32
prevent the possibility of them being
196:34
removed from the moving train I ensured
196:37
that while it was small enough to go
196:39
through the open carriage door they were
196:41
too large to pass through the windows
196:44
even with the windows slit down to their
196:46
largest aperture I then arranged for the
196:50
doors of the bullion carriage to be
196:51
locked from the outside so they could
196:53
not be open until the train reached
196:55
London the train was empty then apart
196:58
from the driver and fahman of the
197:00
locomotive no mr. Holmes
197:02
it is railway practice for all trains to
197:05
have a guard a practice I was very happy
197:08
to comply with since it meant my
197:09
consignment would have an overseer
197:11
throughout its journey and to this end
197:13
all the steel cases were loaded into the
197:16
last coach of the Train
197:18
coach 13 where the guard could keep a
197:21
constant watch on them the man employed
197:24
for the job was a mr. Lyons mr. John
197:28
Lyons
197:29
amateur and trusted employee of the
197:31
Railway Company
197:33
here's strangely mr. Matheson stopped
197:36
and smiled I I inquired whether he had
197:41
ever worked on the French Railways guard
197:43
Lyons dizzy guard DeLeon Holmes smiled
197:50
politely and noted forgive me gentlemen
197:53
I could never resist a pun to continue
197:56
the train left Bristol at 3:00 this
197:58
morning as scheduled but when it arrived
198:01
at Paddington at 6:00 the steel boxes of
198:04
gold were gone mr. Holmes this was an
198:08
impossible robbery the train stopped
198:11
only once for a minute or so to take on
198:14
water hardly time to unload a single box
198:17
of bullion let alone a hundred of the
198:19
darn things weighing in at a hundred and
198:21
fifty pounds of peace and the god asked
198:25
Holmes Lyons claimed that he fell asleep
198:28
some way into the journey awoke to find
198:30
the bullying disappeared he's being held
198:32
at Paddington along with the driver and
198:34
engineer but all ardently protests their
198:37
innocence and with regard to other
198:39
suspects can you think of anyone in your
198:41
organization who might feel inclined to
198:43
take advantage of you Masterson pinched
198:45
his lips and looked embarrassed well if
198:49
I may confide something to you in the
198:50
strictest confidence my estranged wife
198:55
Laura still has shares in the company
198:58
she believes that she should have more
199:00
there is some bitterness in this regard
199:05
however I know Laura well enough to
199:07
doubt that she is a thief
199:09
my friend simply said Thank You mr.
199:12
Masterson I will certainly take the case
199:14
on would you be so good as to wire
199:16
Bristol and inform them that dr. Watson
199:19
and I are on our way I will sir
199:21
you mean to go there today indeed yes as
199:25
soon as I have made a check or two at
199:26
Paddington Station
199:27
well I surely thank you I can think of
199:31
no better hands in which to leave the
199:33
case of the bad lock special than those
199:35
of mr. sheerluck holmes
199:39
Holmes did not smile I never leave
199:43
anything to chance
199:44
mr. Masterson perspicacity and reason
199:47
are the tools I employ forgive me mr.
199:50
Holmes as I say I am fairly attracted to
199:54
puns we will keep you in touch Holmes
199:57
said with all developments within half
200:02
an hour we were at Paddington but before
200:04
boarding the Bristol train Holmes wished
200:06
to make certain that the so called bad
200:08
luck special was secured the train had
200:11
been shunted into a siding and we were
200:13
relieved to find the police
200:14
responsibility for the case had fallen
200:16
to inspector Stanley Hopkins a young but
200:19
ambitious detective with whom Holmes and
200:22
myself had had numerous dealings in the
200:23
past hearing that we were being engaged
200:26
by mr. Benedict Masterson the inspector
200:29
agreed to watch over the train and make
200:30
sure it remained undisturbed until our
200:32
return to London it was still raining
200:35
when we arrived at Bristol where we met
200:38
the station foreman George Willits
200:41
an amiable man in his fifties who gave
200:43
the comforting impression of having been
200:45
in his job for a lifetime and knowing
200:47
the whole business inside out Willets
200:50
had been on duty the previous night and
200:52
took us directly to the goods platform
200:54
from which the bullion train had left
200:56
though he did his best to be of
200:58
assistance
200:59
he looked painfully weary I apologize
201:03
you gents for my appearance he said but
201:07
I was on night shift last night seen out
201:09
the special was just about to go off
201:11
when the message came from London about
201:13
the theft so I've not yet been on the
201:16
bed we won't keep you long
201:18
will its Holmes said I understand you
201:22
were here when the bullion boxes were
201:23
being loaded
201:24
I was sir supervise them myself watch
201:28
them being lifted in the guards carriage
201:30
at this very spot before I sent the
201:32
signal to bring in the rest of the train
201:34
the guards copse was not connected to
201:36
the train while it was loaded that's
201:38
right sir rest of the train was shunted
201:41
out of the siding and coupled up just
201:43
before she would you to leave and who
201:45
brought her in Tommy Marriott the
201:47
engineer and his farm and Pat McGlinchey
201:49
old hands not quite so much of
201:53
myself mr. ohms but they've been around
201:55
the best part of 10 years they're sound
201:58
men good
201:59
now if you'll bear with me a little
202:01
longer will it's I'd like to ask you a
202:03
little more about the gold itself how
202:05
many men were involved in loading the
202:07
carriage well sir 20-some operation took
202:11
four men load each box to inside the
202:14
carriage to outside damn heavy things if
202:17
you'll excuse me sir
202:18
over a hundred weight apiece and damn
202:20
awkward squeezing him through them
202:22
narrow doors it was a hell of a job and
202:24
how long would you say the whole
202:25
business took but about half past
202:27
midnight when they started and about a
202:29
quarter before 2:00 by the time they
202:31
finished so almost eighty minutes and
202:34
after it was loaded was there any delay
202:37
before departure no sir the rest of the
202:39
train as I say was reversed in from the
202:41
Soylent John Lyons the guard got aboard
202:44
and the door the guards coach was locked
202:46
from without sir as per our instructions
202:48
one final question will its if I may I'm
202:52
informed the train stopped enroute yes
202:54
sir she was scheduled to hold up for a
202:56
minute or so at Swindon to take on water
202:58
it stopped for no longer than that and
203:00
at no other time no sir the signalman
203:04
would know for sure she been held over
203:05
for more than a minute and that's
203:06
already been checked Holmes seemed to
203:10
pause for a moment while he considered
203:12
all this information and that he said
203:14
well it's I'm most grateful for your
203:16
detailed and I have no doubt accurate
203:19
recollections now if you will excuse us
203:21
dr. Watson and I will take the next
203:23
train back to London and leave you to go
203:26
home and get some sleep
203:29
inspector Hopkins was at Paddington when
203:32
we arrived and Holmes immediately
203:34
requested that he arranged for us to
203:36
speak to the rail women who had
203:38
commandeered the bad luck special on the
203:40
previous night Marriott and McGlinchey
203:42
the engineer and farmen and the guard
203:44
Lyons in a dark office of the rail
203:48
women's quarters on one of the grimmer
203:51
outer platforms of Paddington Station
203:53
the three men sat disconsolately on
203:56
rickety wooden chairs it occurred to me
203:59
that they had by now being detained in
204:01
this dismal place for several hours and
204:04
when Holmes and I were introduced to
204:06
Lyons he barely had the energy to not to
204:09
us but he did speak his words almost
204:13
drowned in the muffler which half
204:15
covered his mouth I daresay you think me
204:18
a thief mr. Rome's
204:20
from what you're a bird I'm not sir but
204:23
why I have done is derelict majubi so
204:27
maybe our deserve what's coming I want
204:30
to assure you mr. Lyons Holmes said that
204:33
my intention here is to uncover the
204:35
truth and uncover it I will if you are
204:38
as you say innocent of any crime you
204:40
will have nothing to fear from the law
204:41
but tell me how you think you failed in
204:44
your duty but I were meant to keep me on
204:46
the shipment sir weren't I but I fell
204:48
asleep it's not something I make a habit
204:50
of but this time I did and woke to find
204:53
the bullying gone a nightmare sir I
204:56
suppose I should have stopped the train
204:58
with a pull cord but I was in a bit of a
205:00
daze how long do you think you slept I
205:03
thought about that sir I remember us
205:06
passing through the White Horse Valley
205:08
just before Swindon and when I woke up
205:11
we were about ten miles out of it and
205:13
passed the lamzy water tower Holmes
205:15
looked towards the farm again she a
205:18
plump man with rich black curls when you
205:22
stopped to fill the tank did you notice
205:23
anything odd no sir it was a dark night
205:27
and there are no lights they received
205:29
the fire from the boiler he couldn't see
205:31
20 feet beyond the Train
205:33
Holmes turn back two lines I would like
205:36
you to describe to me the events of
205:37
yesterday evening well sir I wasn't you
205:41
to start my shift until 1:00 in the
205:42
morning so around about 12:00 I had a
205:44
brown ale in the row wayman's canteen
205:46
and collected some sandwiches and a can
205:48
of tea for the journey just tea and
205:50
sandwiches
205:51
yes sir and a piece of seed cake if
205:55
that's not too much detail there is no
205:58
such thing as too much detail please
206:01
continue with your story well at about
206:04
half-past one I made my way over to the
206:06
goods platform they just finished
206:08
loading the bullion entity Anchorage and
206:10
the other part the train had been
206:11
brought in and coupled up a gentleman in
206:14
his suit gave us final instructions to
206:16
the engineering farm and Tommy and Pat
206:18
here he said the train was cleared to
206:20
London with just the one brief water
206:22
stop which was under no circumstances to
206:25
take more than three minutes and if
206:27
there should be an emergency they won't
206:28
leave the cab at that point they locked
206:31
me in with the gold in at exactly 2:00
206:33
a.m. we were on our way about a half
206:36
hour after I had me sandwiches and a few
206:39
sweets of tea they were a clear night
206:41
and I was sat by one of the windows and
206:42
watched the stars
206:44
contented with everything so that's when
206:46
I must have dozed and well what happened
206:50
after that you know Thank You lions said
206:54
Holmes then he turned to young inspector
206:57
Hopkins with a new fierce gleam in his
206:59
eye if we may Hopkins I should now like
207:02
to inspect the train we made our way
207:06
along the track to the engine sheds and
207:08
after checking the locomotive searched
207:10
through each of the 13 coaches whose
207:12
number I carefully counted myself until
207:15
we arrived at the last the guards coach
207:17
in which the gold had been transported
207:20
now I have been assured Holmes said to
207:24
Hopkins that the doors of this coach
207:26
were locked from the outside for the
207:27
duration of the journey yes mr. Holmes
207:31
yet it was possible to move along the
207:33
train through the coaches via the
207:35
connecting doors yes and what are the
207:38
other coaches I checked them that outer
207:41
doors were all locked too but it would
207:43
have been impossible any way for the
207:44
thieves to have moved the containers
207:45
along the train to
207:46
from another carriage the boxes of gold
207:49
were too big to pass through the
207:50
connecting doors all that had been
207:52
carefully calculated but is it quite
207:55
certain I ventured that the boxes could
207:57
not have been opened and the gold
207:59
removed bar by bar quite certain said
208:02
Hopkins not without the original keys
208:05
they were unique to each box
208:08
besides Watson said Holmes if the boxes
208:11
had been open here then with or without
208:13
the gold they would still surely be here
208:15
now speaking of which Hopkins the
208:18
carriage is just as it was found when
208:21
the doors were first opened this morning
208:22
as I said mr. Holmes
208:24
nothing's been touched Holmes took an
208:27
initial sweeping glance around the
208:28
carriage interior then stooped to pick
208:31
something up from the floor this brown
208:33
paper I presumed the wrapping for the
208:36
guard Lyons's savages yes this is County
208:40
yes curious that he had a can of tea no
208:46
no curious that a man under stress
208:50
should be so painstakingly tidy I don't
208:53
understand sir never mind what do you
208:56
make of this
208:57
Hopkins Holmes had picked up from the
209:00
corner a loop of scarlet fabric silken
209:03
and ruffled I don't know mr. Holmes I
209:07
was completely baffled by it it seems to
209:11
be a small decorative item of some sort
209:13
from a lady's wardrobe a hair tie I
209:16
should think I said how might it have
209:19
got here I don't know doctor I'm sure
209:22
but I suppose it's theoretically
209:24
possible that someone might have
209:26
concealed herself in another carriage
209:28
Holmes had put the object to his nose
209:31
there is a perfume to it he said but
209:35
faint as though it had not been warm for
209:37
some time
209:39
could it belong to the thief I asked
209:43
tentatively possibly said Holmes though
209:46
I think that might have been a thief too
209:49
many he stooped to replace the scarlet
209:52
fabric on the floor of the carriage I
209:54
think we are close to a conclusion
209:56
Watson Hopkins I should like to talk to
210:00
the guard lions again and to the driver
210:02
and his farmen please make sure that
210:04
there is at least one other police
210:06
officer present and we must be sure to
210:08
invite mr. Benedict Masterson to our
210:10
little de Namur since she's been kind
210:13
enough to pay the fee for this
210:14
investigation by the time Masterson
210:18
arrived the clock was approaching 9:00
210:20
and we sat in the old mess room bathed
210:22
in dingy yellow Gaslight the rain
210:25
rattled ceaselessly on the roof and
210:28
windows and when we were all assembled
210:30
the three weary rail women along with
210:33
Benedict Masterson inspector Hopkins a
210:36
junior officer and Holmes and myself the
210:39
gathering became hushed and expectant
210:43
Masterson said well this has certainly
210:47
been a baffling business mr. Holmes but
210:50
I assume we're here because you've
210:51
picked up some clues along the way you
210:54
are certainly a man equal to his
210:56
reputation sir
210:57
the inspector mentioned a red silk
211:00
trinket of some sort
211:02
yes Holmes said he produced the item
211:06
from his pocket
211:06
this piece of perfumed fabric the clear
211:10
message is that someone was concealed in
211:12
the carriage with the bullion I see and
211:15
moreover i could' that the concealed
211:18
person was probably female Masterson
211:22
appeared a little shaken female you say
211:26
[Music]
211:28
if I'm a said Holmes we will return to
211:32
that later mr. Lyons
211:35
let us revert for the present to the
211:37
subject of your sandwiches my sandwiches
211:40
again sir indeed the sandwiches you took
211:45
on board the train last night together
211:46
with the seed cake in the can of cold
211:48
tea you say you at them just before you
211:51
fell asleep
211:52
yes sir you ate the sandwiches and the
211:55
cake you dozed off you woke up again and
211:58
the gold was gone yes sir that's how it
212:02
happened and when you came around and
212:04
realized the gold had gone you say it
212:06
was like a nightmare
212:08
yes mr. Holmes you were very agitated
212:11
certainly was too agitated I expect to
212:15
sweep the floor of the carriage tomorrow
212:17
sir
212:18
I presume you did not sweep the floor of
212:21
the carriage at that point in that
212:22
disturbed state no sir I didn't
212:26
with respect sir that's not my job quite
212:29
I wouldn't expect you to which makes it
212:31
very difficult to explain why when I
212:33
examined the guards coach this afternoon
212:35
I found not a single crumb on the floor
212:38
now can anyone here tell me