October 23, 2025 • 59 mins
Solve crimes with the great detective in "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories." Featuring classic tales by Arthur Conan Doyle, this podcast brings you the brilliant deductions and thrilling adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of Holmes, these timeless mysteries will keep you captivated.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet. Holmes said, I, as
I stood one morning in our bow window looking down
the street, here is a madman coming along. It seems
rather sad that his relatives should allow him to come
out alone. My friend rose lazily from his arm chair
and stood with his hands in the pockets of his
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dressing gown, looking over my shoulder. It was a bright,
crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before
still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the
wintry sun. Down the center of Baker Street, it had
been plowed into a brown, crumbly band by the traffic,
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but at either side, and on the heaped up edges
of the foot paths, it still lay as white as
when it fell. The gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped,
but was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer
passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of Metropolitan Station,
no one was coming save the single gentleman whose eccentric
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conduct had drawn my attention. He was a man of
about fifty tall, portly and imposing, with a massive, strongly
marked face and commanding figure. He was dressed in a
somber yet rich style, in black frock coat, shining hat,
neat brown gaiters, and well cut pearl gray trousers. Yet
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his actions were an absurd contrast to the dignity of
his dress and features, for he was running hard with
occasional little springs, such as a weary man gives who
is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs.
As he ran, he jacked his hands up and down,
waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most
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extraordinary contortions. What on earth can be the matter with him?
I asked? He is looking up at the numbers of
the houses. I believe that he is coming here, said Holmes,
rubbing his hands here. Yes, I rather think he is
coming to consult me professionally. I think that I recognized
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the symptoms. Ha, did I not tell you? As he spoke,
the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and
pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with
the clanging. A few moments later he was in our room,
still puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look
of grief and despair in his eye that our smiles
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were turned in an instant to horror and pity. For
a while he could not get his words out, but
swayed his body and plucked at his hair, like one
who has been driven to the extreme limits of his reason. Then,
suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his head against
the wall with such force that we both rushed upon
him and tore him away to the center of the room.
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Sharlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy chair, and,
sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him
in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well.
How to employ You have come to tell me your story,
have you not, said he? You are fatigued with your haste. Pray,
wait until you have recovered yourself, and then I shall
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be most happy to look into any little problem which
you may submit to me. The man sat for a
minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting against his emotion.
Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his
lips tight, and turned his face towards us. No doubt,
ye think me mad, said he. I see that you
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have had some great trouble, responded Holmes. God knows I
have a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason.
So sudden and so terrible is it public disgrace I
might have faced, although I am a man whose character
has never yet borne a stain private affliction. All so
is the lot of every man. But the two coming
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together and in so frightful a form, have been enough
to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone.
The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some
way be found out of this horrible affair. Pray compose yourself, sir,
said Holmes, and let me have a clear account of
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who you are and what it is that has befallen you.
My name, answered our visitor, is probably familiar to your ears.
I am Alexander Holder of the bank firm of Holder,
and Stephenson of Threadneedle Street. The name was indeed well
known to us as belonging to the senior partner in
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the second largest private banking concern in the city of London.
What could have happened then, to bring one of the
foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass. We
waited all curiosity until with another effort, he braced himself
to tell his story. I feel the time is of value,
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said he. That is why I hastened here when the
police inspector suggested that it should secure your corporation. I
came to Baker Street by the underground and hurried from
here on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snow.
That is why I was so out of breath, for
I am a man who takes very little exercise. I
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feel better now and will put the facts before you
as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. It
is of course well known to you that in a
successful banking business, as much depends upon our being able
to find remunerative investments for our funds, as upon our
increasing our connection and the number of our depositors. One
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of our most lucrative means of laying out money is
in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable.
We have done a good deal in this direction during
the last few years, and there are many noble families
to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security
of their pictures, libraries or plate. Yesterday morning, I was
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seated in my office at the bank when a card
was brought to me by one of the clerks. I
started when I saw the name, for it was that
of none other than well perhaps even to you, I
had better say no more than that it was a
name which is a household word all over the earth,
one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England.
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I was overwhelmed by the honor, and attempted when he
entered to say so, But he plunged at once into business,
with the air of a man who wishes to hurry
quickly through a disagreeable task. Mister Holder said he, I
have been informed that you are in the habit of
advancing money. The firm does so when the security is good.
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I answered, it is absolutely essential to me, said he,
that I should have fifty thousand pounds at once. I could,
of course borrow so trifling a sum ten times over
from my friends, but I much prefer to make it
a matter of business, and so carry out that business myself.
In my position, you can readily understand that it is
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unwise to place one's self under obligations. For How long?
May I ask? Do you want this sum? I asked,
next Monday. I have a large sum due to me,
and I shall then most certainly repay what you advance,
with whatever interest you think is right to charge. But
it is very essential to me that the money should
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be paid at once. I should be happy to advance
it without further parley from my own private purse, said I,
were it not that the strain would be rather more
than I could bear. If, on the other hand, I
am to do it in the name of the firm,
then in justice to my partner, I must insist that,
even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken.
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I should much prefer to have it, so, said he,
raising up a square black Morocco case which he had
laid beside his chair. You have doubtless heard of the
Beryl coronet, one of the most precious public possessions of
the Empire, said I precisely. He opened the case, and there,
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embedded in soft flesh colored velvet lay the magnificent piece
of jewelry which he had named. There are thirty nine
enormous beryls, said he. And the price of the gold
chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worse
of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked.
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I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.
I took the precious case into my hands and looked
in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Ye
doubt its value, he asked, not at all. I only
doubt the propriety of my leaving it. You may set
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your mind at rest about that. I should not dream
of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I
should be able in four days to reclaim it. It
is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient ample?
You understand, mister holder, that I am giving you a
strong proof of the confidence which I have in you,
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founded upon all that I have heard of you. I
rely upon you not only to be discreet and to
refrain from all gossip upon the matter, but above all,
to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution, because I
need not say that a great public scandal would be
caused if any harm were to befall it. Any injury
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to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss,
for there are no beryls in the world to match these,
and it would be impossible to replace them. I leave
it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall
call for it in person on Monday morning. Seeing that
my client was anxious to leave, I said no more,
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but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay
over fifty one thousand pound notes. When I was alone
once more. However, with a precious case lying upon the
table in front of me, I could not but think
with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which it entailed
upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it
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was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if
any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted, having
ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was
too late to alter the matter now, so I locked
it up in my private safe and turned once more
to my work. When evening came, I felt that it
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would be an imprudence to leave so precious a thing
in the behind me. Banker's safes had been forced before now,
and why should not mine be. If so, how terrible
would be the position in which I should find myself.
I determined therefore, that for the next few days I
would always carry the case backward and forward with me,
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so that it might never be really out of my reach.
With this intention, I called a cab and drove out
to my house at Stretham, carrying the jewel with me.
I did not breathe freely until I had taken it
upstairs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing room.
And now a word as to my household, mister Holmes,
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for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation. My
groom and my page sleep out of the house and
may be set aside. Altogether. I have three maid servants
who have been with me a number of years, and
whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr,
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the second waiting maid, has only been in my service
a few months. She came with an excellent character, however,
and has always given me satisfaction. She is a very
pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung
about the place. That is the only drawback which we
have found to her. But we believe her to be
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a sorrowly good girl in every way. So much for
the servants. My family itself is so small that it
will not take me long to describe it. I am
a widower and I have an only son, Arthur. He
has been a disappointment to me, mister Holmes, a grievous disappointment.
I have no doubt that I am myself to blame.
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People tell me that I have spoiled him very likely
I have. When my dear wife died, I felt that
he was all I had to love. I could not
bear to see the smile fade, even for a moment
from his face. I have never denied him a wish.
Perhaps that would have been better for both of us
had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best.
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It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me
in my business. But he was not of a business turn.
He was wild, wayward, and to speak the truth, I
could not trust him in the handling of large sums
of money. When he was young, he became a member
of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manners, he
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was soon the intimate of a number of men with
long purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily
at cards, and to squander money on the turf, until
he had again and again to come to me and
implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance,
that he might settle his debts of honor. He tried
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more than once to break away from the dangerous company
which he was keeping, but each time the influence of
his friend, Sir George Burnwell was enough to draw him back. Again,
And indeed I could not wonder that such a man
as Sir George Banwell should gain an influence over him,
for he has frequently brought him to my house, and
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I have found myself that I could hardly resist the
fascination of his manner. He is older than Arthur, a
man of the world to his finger tips, one who
had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a
man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of
him in cold blood, far away from the glamor of
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his presence, I am convinced, from his cynical speech and
the look which I may have caught in his eyes,
that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So
I think, and so too thinks my little Mary, who
has a woman's quick insight into character. And now there
is only she to be described. She is my niece.
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But when my brother died five years ago and left
her alone in the world, I adopted her and have
looked upon her ever since as my daughter. She is
a sunbeam in my house, sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful
manager and housekeeper. Yet as tender and quiet and gentle
as a woman could be. She is my right hand.
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I do not know what I could do without her.
In only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes.
Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for
he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him.
I think that if any one could have drawn him
into the right path, it would have been she, and
that his marriage might have changed his whole life. But now,
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alas it is too late, forever too late. Now, mister Holmes,
ye know the people he live under my roof, and
I shall continue with my miserable story. When we were
taking coffee in the drawing room that night after dinner,
I told Arthur and Mary my experience and of the
precious treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only
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the name of my client, Lucy Parr, who had brought
in the coffee. Had I am sure left the room,
but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary
and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the
famous coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it.
Where have you put it? Asked Arthur in my own bureau. Well,
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I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during
the night, said he. It is locked up, I answered, Oh,
any old key will fit that bureau. When I was
a youngster, I have opened it myself with the key
of the box room cupboard. He often had a wild
way of talking, so that I thought little of what
he said. He followed me to my room. However, that
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night with a very grave face. Look here, Dad said
he with his eyes cast down. Can you let me
have two hundred pounds? No I cannot, I answered sharply.
I have been far too generous with you in money matter.
You have been very kind, said he. But I must
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have this money or else I can never show my
face inside the club again. And a very good thing too,
I cried, yes, But YE would not have me leave it.
A dishonored man said he. I could not bear the disgrace.
I must raise the money in some way, and if
you will not let me have it, then I must
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try other means. I was very angry, for this was
the third demand during the month. You shall not have
a farthing from me, I cried, on which he bowed
and left the room without another word. When he was gone,
I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was safe,
and locked it again. Then I started to go round
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the house to see that all was secure, a duty
which I normally leave to marry, but which I sought
it well to perform myself. That night. As I came
down the stairs, I saw Mary herself at the side
window of the hall, which she closed and fastened. As
I approached, Tell me, Dad, she said, looking, I thought
a little disturbed. Did you give Lucy the maid leave
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to go out to night? Certainly not. She came in
just now by the back door. I have no doubt
that she has only been to the side gate to
see some one. But I think that it is hardly
safe and should be stopped. You must speak to her
in the morning, or I will if you prefer it.
Are you sure that everything is fastened? Quite sure, Dad?
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Then good night. I kissed her and went up to
my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep. I am
endeavoring to tell you everything, mister Holmes, which may have
any bearing upon the case, But I beg that you
will question me upon any point which I do not
make clear. On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid.
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I come to a part of my story now which
I could wish to be particularly so. I am not
a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind
tendered no doubt to make me even less so than usual.
About two in the morning, then I was awakened by
some sound in the house. It had ceased ere was
wide awake, but it had left an impression behind, as
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though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening
with all my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was
a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the next room.
I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and
peeped round the corner of my dressing room door. Arthur,
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I screamed, you villain, you thief, how dare you touch
that coronet? The gas was half up as I had
left it, and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his
shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light, holding the
coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at
it or bending it with all his strength. At my cry,
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he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale
as death. I snatched it up and examined it. One
of the gold corners with three of the beryls in
it was missing, you, blackguard, I shouted, beside me with rage.
You have destroyed it. You have dishonored me forever. Where
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are the jewels which you have stolen? Stolen? He cried, Yes, thief,
I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. There are none missing.
There cannot be any missing, said he. There are three missing,
and you know where they are. Must I call you
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a liar as well as a thief. Did I not
see you trying to tear off another piece? You have
called me names? Enough, said he. I will not stand
it any longer. I shall not say another word about
this business. Since you have chosen to insult me. I
will leave your house in the morning and make my
own way in the world. You shall leave it in
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the hands of the police, I cried, half mad with
grief and rage. I shall have this matter probed to
the bottom. You shall learn nothing from me, said he,
with a passion such as I should not have thought
was in his nature. If you choose to call the police,
let the police find what they can. By this time
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the whole house was astir, for I had raised my
voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush
into my room, and at the sight of the coronet
and of Arthur's face. She read the whole story, and
with a scream, fell down senseless on the ground. I
sent the housemaid for the police and put the investigation
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into their hands at once. When the inspector and a
constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with
his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention
to charge him with theft. I answered that it had
ceased to be a private matter, but had become a
public one, since the ruined coronet was national property. I
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was determined that the law should have its way in everything.
At least, he said, you will not have me arrested
at once. It would be to your advantage as well
as mine if I might leave the house for five minutes,
that you may get away, or perhaps that you may
conceal what you have stolen, said I, and then, realizing
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the dreadful position in which I was placed, I implored
him to remember that not only my honor, but that
of one who was far greater than I, was at stake,
and that he threatened to raise the scandal which would
convulse the nation. He might avert it all if you
would but tell me what he had done with the
three missing stones. You may as well face the matter,
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said I. You have been caught in the act, and
no confession could make you guilt more heinous. If you
but make such reparation as is in your power by
telling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven
and forgotten. Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,
he answered, turning away from me with a sneer. I
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saw that he was too hardened for any words of
mind to influence him. There was but one way for it.
I called in the inspector and gave him into custody.
As such was made at once, not only of his person,
but of his room, and of every portion of the
house where he could possibly have concealed the gems. But
no trace of them could be found, Nor would the
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wretched boy open his mouth. For all our persuasions and
our threats. This morning he was removed to a cell,
and I, after going through all the police formalities, have
hurried round to you to implore you to use your
skill in unraveling the matter. The police have openly confessed
that they can at present make nothing of it. You
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may go to any expense which you think necessary. I
have already offered a reward of one thousand pounds. My god,
what shall I do? I have lost my honor, my gems,
and my son in one night. Oh what shall I do?
He put a hand on either side of his head
and rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like
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a child whose grief has got beyond words. Sharlock Holmes
sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knitted
and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Do you receive
much company? He asked, None save my partner with his family,
and an occasional friend of Arthur's, Sir George Bernwill, has
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been several times lately. No one else, I think. Do
you go out much in society? Arthur? Does Mary? And
I stay at home? We neither of us care for it.
That is unusual in a young girl. She is of
a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young.
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She is four and twenty. This matter, from what you say,
seems to have been a shock to her. Also terrible.
She is even more affected than I. You have neither
of you any doubt as to your son's guilt. How
can we have? When I saw him with my own eyes,
with the coronet in his hands, I hardly consider that
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a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the coronet at
all injured? Yes, it was twisted. Do you not think
then that you might have been trying to straighten it?
God bless you. You are doing what you can for
him and for me, But it is too heavy a task.
What was he doing there at all? If his purpose
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were innocent, why did he not say so precisely? And
if he were guilty, why did he not invent a lie?
His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There
are several singular points about the case. What did the
police think of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?
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They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing
his bedroom door, a likely story, as if a man
bent on felony would slam his door so as to
wake a household. What did they say, then, of the
disappearance of these gems. They are still sounding the planking
and probing the furniture in the hope of finding them.
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Have they sort of looking outside the house? Yes, they
have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has already been
minutely examined. Now, my dear sir, said Holmes. It is
not obvious to you now that this matter really strikes
very much deeper than either you or the police were
at first inclined to think. It appeared to you to
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be a simple case. To me, it seems exceedingly complex.
Consider what is involved by your theory. You suppose that
your son came down from his bed, went at great
risk to your dressing room, opened your bureau, took out
your coronet, broke off by main force a small portion
of it, went off to some other place, concealed three
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gems out of the thirty nine with such skill that
nobody can find them, and then returned with the other
thirty six into the room in which he exposed himself
to the greatest danger of being discovered. I ask you, now,
is such a theory tenable? But what other is there?
Cried the banker, with a gesture of despair. If his
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motives were innocent, why does he not explain them? It
is our task to find that out, replied Holmes. So now,
if you please, mister Holder, we will set off for
Stresthen together and devote an hour to glancing a little
more closely into details. My friend insisted upon my accompanying
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them in their expedition, which I was eager enough to do,
for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply stirred by the
story to which we had listened. I confess that the
guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be
as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but
still had such faith in Holmes's judgment that I felt
that there must be some grounds for hope as long
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as he was dissatisfied with the accepted explanation. He hardly
spoke a word the whole way out to the southern suburb,
but sat with his chin upon his breast and his
heart drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought.
Our client appeared to have taken fresh heart at the
little glimpse of hope which had been presented to him,
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and he even broke into a desultory chat with me
over his business affairs. A short railway journey and a
shorter walk brought us to Fairbank. The modest residence of
the great financier Fairbank was a good sized square house
of white stone, standing back a little from the road.
A double carriage sweep with a snow clad lawn stretched
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down in front of two large iron gates which closed
the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden
thicket which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges,
stretching from the road to the kitchen door and forming
the trademan's entrance. On the left ran a lane which
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led to the stables, and was not itself within the
grounds at all, being a public so little used soroughfare.
Holmes left us standing at the door and walked slowly
all round the house, across the front, down the tradesman's path,
and so round by the garden behind into the stable.
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So long was he that mister Holder and I went
into the dining room and waited by the fire until
he should return. We were sitting there in silence when
the door opened and the young lady came in. She
was rather above the middle height, slim, with dark hair
and eyes which seemed the darker against the absolute pallor
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of her skin. I do not think that I have
ever seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too,
were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As
she swept silently into the room. She impressed me with
a greater sense of grief than the banker had done
in the morning, and it was the more striking in
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her as she was evidently a woman of strong character
with immense capacity for self restraint. Disregarding my presence, she
went straight to her uncle and passed her hand over
his head with a sweet womanly caress. You have given
orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you not dared?
She asked? No, No, my girl, The matter must be
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probed to the bottom. But I am so sure that
he is innocent. You know what woman's instincts are. I
know that he has done no harm and that you
will be sorry for having acted so harshly. Why is
he silent then, if he is innocent? Who knows? Perhaps
because he was so angry that you should suspect him.
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How could I help suspecting him when I actually saw
him with a coronet in his hand. Oh, but he
had only picked it up to look at it. Oh,
do do take my word for it that he is innocent.
Let the matter drop and say no more. It is
so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prison.
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I shall never let it drop until the gems are found.
Never marry. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to
the awful consequences to me. Far from hushing the thing up,
I have brought gentlemen down from London to inquire more
deeply into it. This gentleman, she asked, facing round to me. No,
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his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He
is round in the stable lane. Now the stable lane,
she raised her dark eyebrows. What can he hope to
find there? Ah, this I suppose is he. I trust, sir,
that you will succeed in proving what I feel sure
is the truth that my cousin Arthur is innocent of
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his crime. I fully share your opinion, and I trust
with you that we may prove it, returned Holmes, going
back to the match to knock the snow from his shoes.
I believe I have the honor of addressing Miss Mary Holder.
May I ask you a question or two? Pray do, sir,
if it may help you, if it may help to
(32:56):
clear this horrible affair up. You heard nothing yourself last night,
nothing until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I
heard that, and I came down. You shut up the
windows and doors the night before? Did you fasten all
the windows? Yes? Were they all fastened this morning. Yes,
(33:19):
you have a maid who has a sweetheart. I think
that you remarked to your uncle last night that you
had been out to see him. Yes, and she was
the girl who waited in the drawing room, and who
may have heard Uncle's remarks about the coronet. I see
you infer that she may have gone out to tell
her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery.
(33:42):
But what is the good of all these vague theories,
cried the banker impatiently, when I have told you that
I saw Arthur with a coronet in his hands. Wait
a little, mister Holder, We must come back to that.
About this girl, Miss Holder, you saw her return by
the king door, I presume yes. When I went to
(34:03):
see if the door was fastened for the night, I
met her slipping in. I saw the man too, in
the gloom. Do you know him? Oh? Yes, he is
the greengrocer who brings our vegetable friend. His name is
Francis Prosper. He stood, said Holmes, to the left of
(34:23):
the door, that is to say, farther up the path
than is necessary to reach the door. Yes he did,
And he is a man with a wooden leg something
like fear sprang up in the lady's expressive black eyes.
Why you are like a magician, said she. How do
you know that? She smiled, but there was no answering
(34:46):
smile in Holmes's thin, eager face. I should be very
glad now to go upstairs, said he. I shall probably
wish to go over to the outside of the house again.
Perhaps I had better take a look at the lower
window before I go up. He walked swiftly round from
one to the other, pausing only at a large one
(35:06):
which looked from the hall into the stable lane. This
he opened and made a very careful examination of the
sill with his powerful magnifying lens. Now we shall go upstairs,
said he. At last. The banker's dressing room was a
plainly furnished little chamber with a gray carpet, a large bureau,
(35:27):
and a long mirror. Holmes went to the bureau first
and looked hard at the lock which key was used
to open it. He asked, that which my son himself
indicated that of the cupboard of the lumber room. Have
you it here? That is it on the dressing table,
(35:49):
Sharlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. It
is a noiseless lock, said he. It is no wonder
that it did not wake you. This case, I presume
can hains the coronet. We must have a look at it.
He opened the case, and taking out the diadem, he
laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen
(36:11):
of the jeweler's art, and the thirty six stones were
the finest that I have ever seen. At one side
of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner
holding three gems had been torn away. Now, mister Holder,
said Holmes, here is the corner which corresponds to that
which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that
(36:34):
you will break it off? The banker recoiled in horror.
I should not dream of trying it, said he. Then
I will. Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but
without result. I feel it give a little, said he.
But though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it
(36:55):
would take me all my time to break it. An
ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you
think would happen if I did break it, mister Holder?
There would be a noise like a pistol shot. Do
you tell me that all this happened within a few
yards of your bed, and that you had nothing of it.
I do not know what to think. It is all
(37:16):
dark to me, but perhaps it may grow lighter as
we go. What do you think, miss Holder? I confess
that I still share my uncle's perplexity. Your son had
no shoes or slippers on when you saw him. He
had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt. Thank you.
(37:37):
We have certainly been favored with extraordinary luck during this inquiry,
and it will be entirely our own fault if we
do not succeed in clearing this matter up. With your permission,
mister Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outside. He
went alone, at his own request, for he explained that
any unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For
(38:01):
an hour or more he was at work, returning at
last with his feet heavy with snow and his features
as inscrutable as ever. I think that I have seen
now all there is to see, mister Holder said he.
I can serve you best by returning to my rooms.
But the gems, mister Holmes, where are they? I cannot tell?
(38:24):
The banker wrung his hands. I shall never see them again,
he cried, And my son you give me hopes my
opinion is in no way altered. Then, for God's sake,
what was this dark business which was acted in my
house last night? If you can call upon me at
my Baker Street rooms to morrow morning between nine and ten,
(38:47):
I shall be happy to do what I can to
make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte
blanche to act for you, provided only that I get
back the gems, and that you place no limit on
the summer draw. I would give my fortune to have
them back. Very good. I shall look into the matter
between this and then good bye. It is just possible
(39:11):
that I may have to come over here again before evening.
It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was
now made up about the case, although what his conclusions
were was no more than I could even dimly imagine.
Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound
him upon the point, but he always glided away to
(39:32):
some other topic, until at last I gave it over
in despair. It was not yet three when we found
ourselves in our rooms once more. He hurried to his
chamber and was down again in a few minutes, dressed
as a common loafer, with his collar turned up, his shiny,
seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots. He
(39:53):
was a perfect sample of the class. I think that
this should do, said he, glancing into the glow above
the fireplace. I only wish that you could come with me, Watson,
but a fear that it won't do. I may be
on my trail in this matter, or I may be
following a will o the wisp, but I shall soon
know which it is. I hope that I may be
(40:16):
back in a few hours. He cut a slice of
beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between
two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into
his pocket, he started off upon his expedition. I had
just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits.
Swinging an old elastic sided boot in his hand, he
(40:40):
chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to
a cup of tea. I only looked in as I passed,
said he. I am going right on where too, Oh,
to the other side of the west end. It may
be some time before I get back. Don't wait up
for me in case I should be late. How are
(41:01):
you getting on? Oh so, so nothing to complain of.
I have been out to Strestham since I saw you last,
but I did not call at the house. It is
a very sweet little problem, and I would not have
missed it for a good deal. However, I must not
sit gossiping here, but must get these disreputable clothes off
(41:21):
and return to my highly respectable self. I could see
by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction
than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled and
there was even a touch of color upon his sallow cheeks.
He hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard
the slam of the hall door, which told me that
(41:42):
he was off once more upon his congenial hunt. I
waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return,
so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon
thing for him to be away for days and nights
on end when he was hot upon ascent, so that
his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know
at what hour he came in, but when I came
(42:05):
down to breakfast in the morning, there he was, with
a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper
in the other as fresh and trim as possible. You
will excuse my beginning without you, Watson said he. But
you remember that our client has rather an early appointment
this morning. Why it is after nine now, I answered,
(42:26):
I should not be surprised if that were he. I
thought I heard a ring. It was indeed, our friend,
the financier. I was shocked by the change which had
come over him, for his face, which was naturally of
a broad and massive mold, was now pinched and fallen in,
while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter.
(42:47):
He entered with a weariness and lethargy which was even
more painful than his violence of the morning before, and
he dropped heavily into the arm chair, which I pushed
forward for him. I do not know what I have
done to be so severely tried, said he. Only two
days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without
(43:07):
a care in the world. Now I am left to
a lonely and dishonored age. One sorrow comes close upon
the heels of another. My niece Mary has deserted me,
deserted you. Yes, her bed this morning had not been
slept in her room was empty, and a note for
me lay upon the hall table. I had said to
(43:30):
her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that
if she had married my boy, all might have been
well with him. Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to
say so. It is to that remark that she refers
in this note. My dearest uncle, I feel that I
have brought trouble upon you, and that if I had
acted differently, this terrible misfortune might never have occurred. I cannot,
(43:55):
with this thought in my mind ever again be happy
under your roof, and I feel that I must leave
you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that
is provided for. And above all, do not search for me,
for it will be fruitless labor and an ill service
to me in life or in death. I am, ever,
(44:15):
your loving Mary. What could she mean by that note,
mister Holmes? Do you think it points to suicide? No? No,
nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible solution.
I trust, mister Holder, that you are nearing the end
of your troubles. Ha you say so, you have heard something,
(44:38):
mister Holmes, You have learned something. Where are the gems?
You would not think one thousand pounds apiece an excessive
sum for them. I would pay ten, that would be unnecessary.
Three thousand will cover the matter, and there is a
little reward. I fancy have you your check book? There
(45:00):
is a pen. Better make it out for four thousand pounds.
With a dazed face, the banker made out the required check.
Holmes walked over to his desk, took out a little
triangular piece of gold with three gems in it, and
threw it down upon the table with a shriek of joy.
(45:20):
Our client clutched it up. You have it, he gasped.
I am saved, I am saved. The reaction of joy
was as passionate as his grief had been, and he
hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. There is one
other thing you owe, mister holder, said Sherlock Holmes, rather sternly.
(45:43):
Oh he caught up a pen. Name the sum, and
I will pay it. No, the debt is not to me.
You owe a very humble apology to that noble lad,
your son, who has carried himself in this matter, as
I should be proud to see my own son do,
should I ever chance to have one. Then it was
(46:04):
not Arthur who took them. I told you yesterday, and
I repeat to day that it was not. You are
sure of it. Then let us hurry to him at
once to let him know that the truth is known.
He knows it already. When I had cleared it up,
I had an interview with him, and, finding that he
(46:24):
would not tell me the story, I told it to him,
on which he had to confess that I was right,
and to add the very few details which were not
yet quite clear to me. Your news of this morning, however,
may open his lips. For Heaven's sake, Tell me then,
what is this extraordinary mystery? I will do so, and
(46:48):
I will show you the steps by which I reached it.
And let me say to you first that which it
is hardest for me to say and for you to hear.
There has been an understanding between Sir George and euniece Mary.
They have now fled together, My Mary. Impossible, It is
(47:10):
unfortunately more than possible. It is certain neither you nor
your son knew the true character of this man when
you admitted him into your family circle. He is one
of the most dangerous men in England, a ruined gambler,
an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience.
(47:32):
Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he breathed
his vows to her, as he had done to a
hundred before her, she flattered herself that she alone had
touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said,
but at least she became his tool, and was in
the habit of seeing him nearly every evening. I cannot
(47:53):
and I will not believe it, cried the banker with
an ashen face. I will tell you then, what occurred
in your house last night, Your niece, when you had,
as she thought, gone to your room, slipped down and
talked to her lover through the window which leads into
the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the snow,
(48:17):
so long had he stood there. She told him of
the coronet. His wicket lust for gold kindled at the news,
and he bent her to his will. I have no
doubt that she loved you. But there are women in
whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves,
and I think that she must have been one. She
(48:37):
had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you
coming downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and
told you about one of the servants escapade with her
wooden legged lover, which was all perfectly true. Your boy
Arthur went to bed after his interview with you, but
he slept badly on account of his uneasiness his club debts.
(49:02):
In the middle of the night, he heard a soft
tread pass his door, so he rose, and, looking out,
was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along
the passage, until she disappeared into your dressing room. Petrified
with astonishment, the lad slipped on some clothes and waited
(49:23):
there in the dark to see what would come of
this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room again,
and in the light of the passage lamp, your son
saw that she carried the precious coronet in her hands.
She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror,
ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door,
(49:45):
whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath.
He saw her stealthily open the window, hand out the
coronet to someone in the gloom, and then closing it
once more, hurry back to her room, passing quite close
to way he stood. Hid behind the curtain as long
as she was on the scene. He could not take
(50:06):
any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom
he loved. But the instant that she was gone, he
realized how crushing a misfortune this would be for you,
and how all important it was to set it right.
He rushed down, just as he was in his bare feet,
opened the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran
(50:29):
down the lane, where he could see a dark figure
in the moonlight. Sir George Banwell. Tried to get away,
but Arthur caught him, and there was a struggle between them,
your lad tugging at one side of the coronet and
his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son
struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then
(50:50):
something suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had
the coronet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window,
ascended to your room, and had just observed that the
coronet had been twisted in the struggle, and was endeavoring
to straighten it when you appeared upon the scene. Is
it possible, gasped the banker. You then roused his anger
(51:15):
by calling him names at a moment when he felt
that he had deserved your warmest thanks, he could not
explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who
certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He took
the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret. And
(51:36):
that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw
the coronet. Cried mister holder, O, my god, what a
blind fool I have been, and his asking to be
allowed to go out for five minutes. The dear fellow
wanted to see if the missing peace were at the
scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him.
(51:58):
When I arrived at the house, continued homes. I at
once went very carefully round it to observe if there
were any traces in the snow which might help me.
I knew that none had fallen since the evening before,
and also that there had been a strong frost. To
preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesman's path, but found
(52:20):
it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond, however, at
the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had
stood and talked with a man whose round impressions on
one side showed that he had a wooden leg. I
could even tell that he had been disturbed, for the
woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was
(52:41):
shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while
wooden leg had waited a little and then had gone away.
I thought at the time that this might be the
maid and her sweetheart, of whom he had already spoken
to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed
round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks,
(53:03):
which I took to be the police. But when I
got into the stable lane, a very long and complex
story was written in the snow. In front of me.
There was a double line of tracks of a booted man,
and a second double line, which I saw with delight,
belonged to a man with naked feet. I was at
(53:24):
once convinced from what he had told me that the
latter was your son. The first had walked both ways,
but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread
was marked in places over the depression of the boot,
it was obvious that he had passed after the other.
I followed them up and found they led to the
hall window, where boots had worn all the snow away
(53:46):
while waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which
was a hundred yards or more down the lane, I
saw where boots had faced round, where the snow was
cut up as though there had been a struggle, and
finally where a few drops of blood had fallen, to
show me that I was not mistaken. Boots had then
(54:08):
run down the lane, and another little smudge of blood
showed that it was he who had been hurt. When
he came to the high road. At the other end,
I found that the pavement had been cleared, so there
was an end to that clue. On entering the house, however,
I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of
(54:30):
the hall window with my lents, and I could at
once see that some one had passed out. I could
distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot
had been placed in coming in. I was then beginning
to be able to form an opinion as to what
had occurred. A man had waited outside the window. Some
(54:51):
one had brought the gems. The deed had been overseen
by your son. He had pursued the thief, had struggled
with him. They had each tugged at the coronet, their
united strength, causing injuries which neither alone could have effected.
He had returned with a prize, but had left a
fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So far I
(55:14):
was clear. The question now was who was the man
and who was it brought him the coronet? It is
an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded
the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Now I knew that it was not you who had
(55:35):
brought it down, So there only remained your niece and
the maids. And if it were the maids, why should
your son allow himself to be accused in their place?
There could be no possible reason, as he loved his cousin. However,
there was an excellent explanation why he should retain her secret,
(55:55):
the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one.
Whenever remembered that you had seen her at that window,
and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again,
my conjecture became a certainty. And who could it be?
Who was her confederate? A lover? Evidently? For who else
could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must feel
(56:18):
for you. I knew that you went out little, and
that your circle of friends was a very limited one,
But among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard
of him before as a man of evil reputation among women.
It must have been he who wore those boots and
retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur
(56:40):
had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he
was safe, For the lad could not say a word
without compromising his own family. Well, your own good sense
will suggest what measures I took. Next. I went in
the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, managed
to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that
(57:03):
his master had cut his head the night before, and finally,
at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by
buying a pair of his cast off shoes. With these
I journeyed down to Stretham and saw that they exactly
fitted the tracks. I saw an ill dressed vagabund on
the lane yesterday evening, said mister Holder. Precisely it was I.
(57:29):
I found that I had my man, so I came
home and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part
which I had to play then, for I saw that
prosecution must be avoided to avat scandal, and I knew
that so astute a villain would see that our hands
were tied in the matter. I went and saw him.
At first, of course he denied everything, but when I
(57:51):
gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to
bluster and took down a life preserver from the wall.
I knew my man, however, and I clapped a pistol
to his head before he could strike. Then he became
a little more reasonable. I told him that we would
give him a price for the stones. He held one
(58:11):
thousand pounds apiece. That brought out the first signs of
grief that he had shown. Why dash it all? Said
he I have let them go at six hundred for
the three. I soon managed to get the address of
the receiver who had them on, promising him that there
would be no prosecution. Off, I said to him, and
(58:33):
after much chaffering, I got our stones at one thousand
pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told
him that all was right, and eventually got to my
bed at about two o'clock, after what I may call
a really hard day's work, a day which has saved
England from a great public scandal. Said the banker, rising, Sir,
(58:58):
I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall
not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your
skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of,
And now I must fly to my dear boy to
apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him.
As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it
goes to my very heart not even your skill can
(59:21):
inform me where she is now. I think that we
may safely say, returned Holmes, that she is wherever Sir
George Burnwell is. It is equally certain too, that whatever
her sins are, they will soon receive a more than
sufficient punishment. And of the Beryl coronet,
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet. Holmes said, I, as
I stood one morning in our bow window looking down
the street, here is a madman coming along. It seems
rather sad that his relatives should allow him to come
out alone. My friend rose lazily from his arm chair
and stood with his hands in the pockets of his
(00:22):
dressing gown, looking over my shoulder. It was a bright,
crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before
still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the
wintry sun. Down the center of Baker Street, it had
been plowed into a brown, crumbly band by the traffic,
(00:43):
but at either side, and on the heaped up edges
of the foot paths, it still lay as white as
when it fell. The gray pavement had been cleaned and scraped,
but was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer
passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of Metropolitan Station,
no one was coming save the single gentleman whose eccentric
(01:05):
conduct had drawn my attention. He was a man of
about fifty tall, portly and imposing, with a massive, strongly
marked face and commanding figure. He was dressed in a
somber yet rich style, in black frock coat, shining hat,
neat brown gaiters, and well cut pearl gray trousers. Yet
(01:27):
his actions were an absurd contrast to the dignity of
his dress and features, for he was running hard with
occasional little springs, such as a weary man gives who
is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs.
As he ran, he jacked his hands up and down,
waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most
(01:49):
extraordinary contortions. What on earth can be the matter with him?
I asked? He is looking up at the numbers of
the houses. I believe that he is coming here, said Holmes,
rubbing his hands here. Yes, I rather think he is
coming to consult me professionally. I think that I recognized
(02:11):
the symptoms. Ha, did I not tell you? As he spoke,
the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and
pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with
the clanging. A few moments later he was in our room,
still puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look
of grief and despair in his eye that our smiles
(02:33):
were turned in an instant to horror and pity. For
a while he could not get his words out, but
swayed his body and plucked at his hair, like one
who has been driven to the extreme limits of his reason. Then,
suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his head against
the wall with such force that we both rushed upon
him and tore him away to the center of the room.
(02:57):
Sharlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy chair, and,
sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him
in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well.
How to employ You have come to tell me your story,
have you not, said he? You are fatigued with your haste. Pray,
wait until you have recovered yourself, and then I shall
(03:19):
be most happy to look into any little problem which
you may submit to me. The man sat for a
minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting against his emotion.
Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his
lips tight, and turned his face towards us. No doubt,
ye think me mad, said he. I see that you
(03:41):
have had some great trouble, responded Holmes. God knows I
have a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason.
So sudden and so terrible is it public disgrace I
might have faced, although I am a man whose character
has never yet borne a stain private affliction. All so
is the lot of every man. But the two coming
(04:03):
together and in so frightful a form, have been enough
to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone.
The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some
way be found out of this horrible affair. Pray compose yourself, sir,
said Holmes, and let me have a clear account of
(04:24):
who you are and what it is that has befallen you.
My name, answered our visitor, is probably familiar to your ears.
I am Alexander Holder of the bank firm of Holder,
and Stephenson of Threadneedle Street. The name was indeed well
known to us as belonging to the senior partner in
(04:45):
the second largest private banking concern in the city of London.
What could have happened then, to bring one of the
foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass. We
waited all curiosity until with another effort, he braced himself
to tell his story. I feel the time is of value,
(05:06):
said he. That is why I hastened here when the
police inspector suggested that it should secure your corporation. I
came to Baker Street by the underground and hurried from
here on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snow.
That is why I was so out of breath, for
I am a man who takes very little exercise. I
(05:27):
feel better now and will put the facts before you
as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. It
is of course well known to you that in a
successful banking business, as much depends upon our being able
to find remunerative investments for our funds, as upon our
increasing our connection and the number of our depositors. One
(05:49):
of our most lucrative means of laying out money is
in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable.
We have done a good deal in this direction during
the last few years, and there are many noble families
to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security
of their pictures, libraries or plate. Yesterday morning, I was
(06:10):
seated in my office at the bank when a card
was brought to me by one of the clerks. I
started when I saw the name, for it was that
of none other than well perhaps even to you, I
had better say no more than that it was a
name which is a household word all over the earth,
one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England.
(06:34):
I was overwhelmed by the honor, and attempted when he
entered to say so, But he plunged at once into business,
with the air of a man who wishes to hurry
quickly through a disagreeable task. Mister Holder said he, I
have been informed that you are in the habit of
advancing money. The firm does so when the security is good.
(06:56):
I answered, it is absolutely essential to me, said he,
that I should have fifty thousand pounds at once. I could,
of course borrow so trifling a sum ten times over
from my friends, but I much prefer to make it
a matter of business, and so carry out that business myself.
In my position, you can readily understand that it is
(07:18):
unwise to place one's self under obligations. For How long?
May I ask? Do you want this sum? I asked,
next Monday. I have a large sum due to me,
and I shall then most certainly repay what you advance,
with whatever interest you think is right to charge. But
it is very essential to me that the money should
(07:40):
be paid at once. I should be happy to advance
it without further parley from my own private purse, said I,
were it not that the strain would be rather more
than I could bear. If, on the other hand, I
am to do it in the name of the firm,
then in justice to my partner, I must insist that,
even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken.
(08:06):
I should much prefer to have it, so, said he,
raising up a square black Morocco case which he had
laid beside his chair. You have doubtless heard of the
Beryl coronet, one of the most precious public possessions of
the Empire, said I precisely. He opened the case, and there,
(08:27):
embedded in soft flesh colored velvet lay the magnificent piece
of jewelry which he had named. There are thirty nine
enormous beryls, said he. And the price of the gold
chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worse
of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked.
(08:48):
I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.
I took the precious case into my hands and looked
in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Ye
doubt its value, he asked, not at all. I only
doubt the propriety of my leaving it. You may set
(09:09):
your mind at rest about that. I should not dream
of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I
should be able in four days to reclaim it. It
is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient ample?
You understand, mister holder, that I am giving you a
strong proof of the confidence which I have in you,
(09:30):
founded upon all that I have heard of you. I
rely upon you not only to be discreet and to
refrain from all gossip upon the matter, but above all,
to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution, because I
need not say that a great public scandal would be
caused if any harm were to befall it. Any injury
(09:52):
to it would be almost as serious as its complete loss,
for there are no beryls in the world to match these,
and it would be impossible to replace them. I leave
it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall
call for it in person on Monday morning. Seeing that
my client was anxious to leave, I said no more,
(10:13):
but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay
over fifty one thousand pound notes. When I was alone
once more. However, with a precious case lying upon the
table in front of me, I could not but think
with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which it entailed
upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it
(10:34):
was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if
any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted, having
ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was
too late to alter the matter now, so I locked
it up in my private safe and turned once more
to my work. When evening came, I felt that it
(10:57):
would be an imprudence to leave so precious a thing
in the behind me. Banker's safes had been forced before now,
and why should not mine be. If so, how terrible
would be the position in which I should find myself.
I determined therefore, that for the next few days I
would always carry the case backward and forward with me,
(11:18):
so that it might never be really out of my reach.
With this intention, I called a cab and drove out
to my house at Stretham, carrying the jewel with me.
I did not breathe freely until I had taken it
upstairs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing room.
And now a word as to my household, mister Holmes,
(11:39):
for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation. My
groom and my page sleep out of the house and
may be set aside. Altogether. I have three maid servants
who have been with me a number of years, and
whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr,
(11:59):
the second waiting maid, has only been in my service
a few months. She came with an excellent character, however,
and has always given me satisfaction. She is a very
pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung
about the place. That is the only drawback which we
have found to her. But we believe her to be
(12:19):
a sorrowly good girl in every way. So much for
the servants. My family itself is so small that it
will not take me long to describe it. I am
a widower and I have an only son, Arthur. He
has been a disappointment to me, mister Holmes, a grievous disappointment.
I have no doubt that I am myself to blame.
(12:42):
People tell me that I have spoiled him very likely
I have. When my dear wife died, I felt that
he was all I had to love. I could not
bear to see the smile fade, even for a moment
from his face. I have never denied him a wish.
Perhaps that would have been better for both of us
had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best.
(13:06):
It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me
in my business. But he was not of a business turn.
He was wild, wayward, and to speak the truth, I
could not trust him in the handling of large sums
of money. When he was young, he became a member
of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manners, he
(13:27):
was soon the intimate of a number of men with
long purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily
at cards, and to squander money on the turf, until
he had again and again to come to me and
implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance,
that he might settle his debts of honor. He tried
(13:47):
more than once to break away from the dangerous company
which he was keeping, but each time the influence of
his friend, Sir George Burnwell was enough to draw him back. Again,
And indeed I could not wonder that such a man
as Sir George Banwell should gain an influence over him,
for he has frequently brought him to my house, and
(14:08):
I have found myself that I could hardly resist the
fascination of his manner. He is older than Arthur, a
man of the world to his finger tips, one who
had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a
man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of
him in cold blood, far away from the glamor of
(14:28):
his presence, I am convinced, from his cynical speech and
the look which I may have caught in his eyes,
that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So
I think, and so too thinks my little Mary, who
has a woman's quick insight into character. And now there
is only she to be described. She is my niece.
(14:49):
But when my brother died five years ago and left
her alone in the world, I adopted her and have
looked upon her ever since as my daughter. She is
a sunbeam in my house, sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful
manager and housekeeper. Yet as tender and quiet and gentle
as a woman could be. She is my right hand.
(15:11):
I do not know what I could do without her.
In only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes.
Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for
he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him.
I think that if any one could have drawn him
into the right path, it would have been she, and
that his marriage might have changed his whole life. But now,
(15:35):
alas it is too late, forever too late. Now, mister Holmes,
ye know the people he live under my roof, and
I shall continue with my miserable story. When we were
taking coffee in the drawing room that night after dinner,
I told Arthur and Mary my experience and of the
precious treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only
(15:58):
the name of my client, Lucy Parr, who had brought
in the coffee. Had I am sure left the room,
but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary
and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the
famous coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it.
Where have you put it? Asked Arthur in my own bureau. Well,
(16:22):
I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during
the night, said he. It is locked up, I answered, Oh,
any old key will fit that bureau. When I was
a youngster, I have opened it myself with the key
of the box room cupboard. He often had a wild
way of talking, so that I thought little of what
he said. He followed me to my room. However, that
(16:44):
night with a very grave face. Look here, Dad said
he with his eyes cast down. Can you let me
have two hundred pounds? No I cannot, I answered sharply.
I have been far too generous with you in money matter.
You have been very kind, said he. But I must
(17:05):
have this money or else I can never show my
face inside the club again. And a very good thing too,
I cried, yes, But YE would not have me leave it.
A dishonored man said he. I could not bear the disgrace.
I must raise the money in some way, and if
you will not let me have it, then I must
(17:26):
try other means. I was very angry, for this was
the third demand during the month. You shall not have
a farthing from me, I cried, on which he bowed
and left the room without another word. When he was gone,
I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was safe,
and locked it again. Then I started to go round
(17:49):
the house to see that all was secure, a duty
which I normally leave to marry, but which I sought
it well to perform myself. That night. As I came
down the stairs, I saw Mary herself at the side
window of the hall, which she closed and fastened. As
I approached, Tell me, Dad, she said, looking, I thought
a little disturbed. Did you give Lucy the maid leave
(18:12):
to go out to night? Certainly not. She came in
just now by the back door. I have no doubt
that she has only been to the side gate to
see some one. But I think that it is hardly
safe and should be stopped. You must speak to her
in the morning, or I will if you prefer it.
Are you sure that everything is fastened? Quite sure, Dad?
(18:35):
Then good night. I kissed her and went up to
my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep. I am
endeavoring to tell you everything, mister Holmes, which may have
any bearing upon the case, But I beg that you
will question me upon any point which I do not
make clear. On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid.
(18:57):
I come to a part of my story now which
I could wish to be particularly so. I am not
a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind
tendered no doubt to make me even less so than usual.
About two in the morning, then I was awakened by
some sound in the house. It had ceased ere was
wide awake, but it had left an impression behind, as
(19:21):
though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening
with all my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was
a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the next room.
I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and
peeped round the corner of my dressing room door. Arthur,
(19:42):
I screamed, you villain, you thief, how dare you touch
that coronet? The gas was half up as I had
left it, and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his
shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light, holding the
coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at
it or bending it with all his strength. At my cry,
(20:06):
he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale
as death. I snatched it up and examined it. One
of the gold corners with three of the beryls in
it was missing, you, blackguard, I shouted, beside me with rage.
You have destroyed it. You have dishonored me forever. Where
(20:28):
are the jewels which you have stolen? Stolen? He cried, Yes, thief,
I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. There are none missing.
There cannot be any missing, said he. There are three missing,
and you know where they are. Must I call you
(20:48):
a liar as well as a thief. Did I not
see you trying to tear off another piece? You have
called me names? Enough, said he. I will not stand
it any longer. I shall not say another word about
this business. Since you have chosen to insult me. I
will leave your house in the morning and make my
own way in the world. You shall leave it in
(21:10):
the hands of the police, I cried, half mad with
grief and rage. I shall have this matter probed to
the bottom. You shall learn nothing from me, said he,
with a passion such as I should not have thought
was in his nature. If you choose to call the police,
let the police find what they can. By this time
(21:32):
the whole house was astir, for I had raised my
voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush
into my room, and at the sight of the coronet
and of Arthur's face. She read the whole story, and
with a scream, fell down senseless on the ground. I
sent the housemaid for the police and put the investigation
(21:52):
into their hands at once. When the inspector and a
constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with
his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention
to charge him with theft. I answered that it had
ceased to be a private matter, but had become a
public one, since the ruined coronet was national property. I
(22:15):
was determined that the law should have its way in everything.
At least, he said, you will not have me arrested
at once. It would be to your advantage as well
as mine if I might leave the house for five minutes,
that you may get away, or perhaps that you may
conceal what you have stolen, said I, and then, realizing
(22:37):
the dreadful position in which I was placed, I implored
him to remember that not only my honor, but that
of one who was far greater than I, was at stake,
and that he threatened to raise the scandal which would
convulse the nation. He might avert it all if you
would but tell me what he had done with the
three missing stones. You may as well face the matter,
(23:01):
said I. You have been caught in the act, and
no confession could make you guilt more heinous. If you
but make such reparation as is in your power by
telling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven
and forgotten. Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,
he answered, turning away from me with a sneer. I
(23:23):
saw that he was too hardened for any words of
mind to influence him. There was but one way for it.
I called in the inspector and gave him into custody.
As such was made at once, not only of his person,
but of his room, and of every portion of the
house where he could possibly have concealed the gems. But
no trace of them could be found, Nor would the
(23:45):
wretched boy open his mouth. For all our persuasions and
our threats. This morning he was removed to a cell,
and I, after going through all the police formalities, have
hurried round to you to implore you to use your
skill in unraveling the matter. The police have openly confessed
that they can at present make nothing of it. You
(24:07):
may go to any expense which you think necessary. I
have already offered a reward of one thousand pounds. My god,
what shall I do? I have lost my honor, my gems,
and my son in one night. Oh what shall I do?
He put a hand on either side of his head
and rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like
(24:29):
a child whose grief has got beyond words. Sharlock Holmes
sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knitted
and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Do you receive
much company? He asked, None save my partner with his family,
and an occasional friend of Arthur's, Sir George Bernwill, has
(24:51):
been several times lately. No one else, I think. Do
you go out much in society? Arthur? Does Mary? And
I stay at home? We neither of us care for it.
That is unusual in a young girl. She is of
a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young.
(25:12):
She is four and twenty. This matter, from what you say,
seems to have been a shock to her. Also terrible.
She is even more affected than I. You have neither
of you any doubt as to your son's guilt. How
can we have? When I saw him with my own eyes,
with the coronet in his hands, I hardly consider that
(25:34):
a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the coronet at
all injured? Yes, it was twisted. Do you not think
then that you might have been trying to straighten it?
God bless you. You are doing what you can for
him and for me, But it is too heavy a task.
What was he doing there at all? If his purpose
(25:56):
were innocent, why did he not say so precisely? And
if he were guilty, why did he not invent a lie?
His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There
are several singular points about the case. What did the
police think of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?
(26:17):
They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing
his bedroom door, a likely story, as if a man
bent on felony would slam his door so as to
wake a household. What did they say, then, of the
disappearance of these gems. They are still sounding the planking
and probing the furniture in the hope of finding them.
(26:40):
Have they sort of looking outside the house? Yes, they
have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has already been
minutely examined. Now, my dear sir, said Holmes. It is
not obvious to you now that this matter really strikes
very much deeper than either you or the police were
at first inclined to think. It appeared to you to
(27:03):
be a simple case. To me, it seems exceedingly complex.
Consider what is involved by your theory. You suppose that
your son came down from his bed, went at great
risk to your dressing room, opened your bureau, took out
your coronet, broke off by main force a small portion
of it, went off to some other place, concealed three
(27:26):
gems out of the thirty nine with such skill that
nobody can find them, and then returned with the other
thirty six into the room in which he exposed himself
to the greatest danger of being discovered. I ask you, now,
is such a theory tenable? But what other is there?
Cried the banker, with a gesture of despair. If his
(27:49):
motives were innocent, why does he not explain them? It
is our task to find that out, replied Holmes. So now,
if you please, mister Holder, we will set off for
Stresthen together and devote an hour to glancing a little
more closely into details. My friend insisted upon my accompanying
(28:10):
them in their expedition, which I was eager enough to do,
for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply stirred by the
story to which we had listened. I confess that the
guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be
as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but
still had such faith in Holmes's judgment that I felt
that there must be some grounds for hope as long
(28:32):
as he was dissatisfied with the accepted explanation. He hardly
spoke a word the whole way out to the southern suburb,
but sat with his chin upon his breast and his
heart drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought.
Our client appeared to have taken fresh heart at the
little glimpse of hope which had been presented to him,
(28:54):
and he even broke into a desultory chat with me
over his business affairs. A short railway journey and a
shorter walk brought us to Fairbank. The modest residence of
the great financier Fairbank was a good sized square house
of white stone, standing back a little from the road.
A double carriage sweep with a snow clad lawn stretched
(29:18):
down in front of two large iron gates which closed
the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden
thicket which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges,
stretching from the road to the kitchen door and forming
the trademan's entrance. On the left ran a lane which
(29:39):
led to the stables, and was not itself within the
grounds at all, being a public so little used soroughfare.
Holmes left us standing at the door and walked slowly
all round the house, across the front, down the tradesman's path,
and so round by the garden behind into the stable.
(30:01):
So long was he that mister Holder and I went
into the dining room and waited by the fire until
he should return. We were sitting there in silence when
the door opened and the young lady came in. She
was rather above the middle height, slim, with dark hair
and eyes which seemed the darker against the absolute pallor
(30:21):
of her skin. I do not think that I have
ever seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too,
were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As
she swept silently into the room. She impressed me with
a greater sense of grief than the banker had done
in the morning, and it was the more striking in
(30:43):
her as she was evidently a woman of strong character
with immense capacity for self restraint. Disregarding my presence, she
went straight to her uncle and passed her hand over
his head with a sweet womanly caress. You have given
orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you not dared?
She asked? No, No, my girl, The matter must be
(31:07):
probed to the bottom. But I am so sure that
he is innocent. You know what woman's instincts are. I
know that he has done no harm and that you
will be sorry for having acted so harshly. Why is
he silent then, if he is innocent? Who knows? Perhaps
because he was so angry that you should suspect him.
(31:30):
How could I help suspecting him when I actually saw
him with a coronet in his hand. Oh, but he
had only picked it up to look at it. Oh,
do do take my word for it that he is innocent.
Let the matter drop and say no more. It is
so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prison.
(31:50):
I shall never let it drop until the gems are found.
Never marry. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to
the awful consequences to me. Far from hushing the thing up,
I have brought gentlemen down from London to inquire more
deeply into it. This gentleman, she asked, facing round to me. No,
(32:12):
his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He
is round in the stable lane. Now the stable lane,
she raised her dark eyebrows. What can he hope to
find there? Ah, this I suppose is he. I trust, sir,
that you will succeed in proving what I feel sure
is the truth that my cousin Arthur is innocent of
(32:34):
his crime. I fully share your opinion, and I trust
with you that we may prove it, returned Holmes, going
back to the match to knock the snow from his shoes.
I believe I have the honor of addressing Miss Mary Holder.
May I ask you a question or two? Pray do, sir,
if it may help you, if it may help to
(32:56):
clear this horrible affair up. You heard nothing yourself last night,
nothing until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I
heard that, and I came down. You shut up the
windows and doors the night before? Did you fasten all
the windows? Yes? Were they all fastened this morning. Yes,
(33:19):
you have a maid who has a sweetheart. I think
that you remarked to your uncle last night that you
had been out to see him. Yes, and she was
the girl who waited in the drawing room, and who
may have heard Uncle's remarks about the coronet. I see
you infer that she may have gone out to tell
her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery.
(33:42):
But what is the good of all these vague theories,
cried the banker impatiently, when I have told you that
I saw Arthur with a coronet in his hands. Wait
a little, mister Holder, We must come back to that.
About this girl, Miss Holder, you saw her return by
the king door, I presume yes. When I went to
(34:03):
see if the door was fastened for the night, I
met her slipping in. I saw the man too, in
the gloom. Do you know him? Oh? Yes, he is
the greengrocer who brings our vegetable friend. His name is
Francis Prosper. He stood, said Holmes, to the left of
(34:23):
the door, that is to say, farther up the path
than is necessary to reach the door. Yes he did,
And he is a man with a wooden leg something
like fear sprang up in the lady's expressive black eyes.
Why you are like a magician, said she. How do
you know that? She smiled, but there was no answering
(34:46):
smile in Holmes's thin, eager face. I should be very
glad now to go upstairs, said he. I shall probably
wish to go over to the outside of the house again.
Perhaps I had better take a look at the lower
window before I go up. He walked swiftly round from
one to the other, pausing only at a large one
(35:06):
which looked from the hall into the stable lane. This
he opened and made a very careful examination of the
sill with his powerful magnifying lens. Now we shall go upstairs,
said he. At last. The banker's dressing room was a
plainly furnished little chamber with a gray carpet, a large bureau,
(35:27):
and a long mirror. Holmes went to the bureau first
and looked hard at the lock which key was used
to open it. He asked, that which my son himself
indicated that of the cupboard of the lumber room. Have
you it here? That is it on the dressing table,
(35:49):
Sharlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. It
is a noiseless lock, said he. It is no wonder
that it did not wake you. This case, I presume
can hains the coronet. We must have a look at it.
He opened the case, and taking out the diadem, he
laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen
(36:11):
of the jeweler's art, and the thirty six stones were
the finest that I have ever seen. At one side
of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner
holding three gems had been torn away. Now, mister Holder,
said Holmes, here is the corner which corresponds to that
which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that
(36:34):
you will break it off? The banker recoiled in horror.
I should not dream of trying it, said he. Then
I will. Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but
without result. I feel it give a little, said he.
But though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it
(36:55):
would take me all my time to break it. An
ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you
think would happen if I did break it, mister Holder?
There would be a noise like a pistol shot. Do
you tell me that all this happened within a few
yards of your bed, and that you had nothing of it.
I do not know what to think. It is all
(37:16):
dark to me, but perhaps it may grow lighter as
we go. What do you think, miss Holder? I confess
that I still share my uncle's perplexity. Your son had
no shoes or slippers on when you saw him. He
had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt. Thank you.
(37:37):
We have certainly been favored with extraordinary luck during this inquiry,
and it will be entirely our own fault if we
do not succeed in clearing this matter up. With your permission,
mister Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outside. He
went alone, at his own request, for he explained that
any unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For
(38:01):
an hour or more he was at work, returning at
last with his feet heavy with snow and his features
as inscrutable as ever. I think that I have seen
now all there is to see, mister Holder said he.
I can serve you best by returning to my rooms.
But the gems, mister Holmes, where are they? I cannot tell?
(38:24):
The banker wrung his hands. I shall never see them again,
he cried, And my son you give me hopes my
opinion is in no way altered. Then, for God's sake,
what was this dark business which was acted in my
house last night? If you can call upon me at
my Baker Street rooms to morrow morning between nine and ten,
(38:47):
I shall be happy to do what I can to
make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte
blanche to act for you, provided only that I get
back the gems, and that you place no limit on
the summer draw. I would give my fortune to have
them back. Very good. I shall look into the matter
between this and then good bye. It is just possible
(39:11):
that I may have to come over here again before evening.
It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was
now made up about the case, although what his conclusions
were was no more than I could even dimly imagine.
Several times during our homeward journey I endeavored to sound
him upon the point, but he always glided away to
(39:32):
some other topic, until at last I gave it over
in despair. It was not yet three when we found
ourselves in our rooms once more. He hurried to his
chamber and was down again in a few minutes, dressed
as a common loafer, with his collar turned up, his shiny,
seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots. He
(39:53):
was a perfect sample of the class. I think that
this should do, said he, glancing into the glow above
the fireplace. I only wish that you could come with me, Watson,
but a fear that it won't do. I may be
on my trail in this matter, or I may be
following a will o the wisp, but I shall soon
know which it is. I hope that I may be
(40:16):
back in a few hours. He cut a slice of
beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between
two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into
his pocket, he started off upon his expedition. I had
just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits.
Swinging an old elastic sided boot in his hand, he
(40:40):
chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to
a cup of tea. I only looked in as I passed,
said he. I am going right on where too, Oh,
to the other side of the west end. It may
be some time before I get back. Don't wait up
for me in case I should be late. How are
(41:01):
you getting on? Oh so, so nothing to complain of.
I have been out to Strestham since I saw you last,
but I did not call at the house. It is
a very sweet little problem, and I would not have
missed it for a good deal. However, I must not
sit gossiping here, but must get these disreputable clothes off
(41:21):
and return to my highly respectable self. I could see
by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction
than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled and
there was even a touch of color upon his sallow cheeks.
He hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard
the slam of the hall door, which told me that
(41:42):
he was off once more upon his congenial hunt. I
waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return,
so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon
thing for him to be away for days and nights
on end when he was hot upon ascent, so that
his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know
at what hour he came in, but when I came
(42:05):
down to breakfast in the morning, there he was, with
a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper
in the other as fresh and trim as possible. You
will excuse my beginning without you, Watson said he. But
you remember that our client has rather an early appointment
this morning. Why it is after nine now, I answered,
(42:26):
I should not be surprised if that were he. I
thought I heard a ring. It was indeed, our friend,
the financier. I was shocked by the change which had
come over him, for his face, which was naturally of
a broad and massive mold, was now pinched and fallen in,
while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter.
(42:47):
He entered with a weariness and lethargy which was even
more painful than his violence of the morning before, and
he dropped heavily into the arm chair, which I pushed
forward for him. I do not know what I have
done to be so severely tried, said he. Only two
days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without
(43:07):
a care in the world. Now I am left to
a lonely and dishonored age. One sorrow comes close upon
the heels of another. My niece Mary has deserted me,
deserted you. Yes, her bed this morning had not been
slept in her room was empty, and a note for
me lay upon the hall table. I had said to
(43:30):
her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that
if she had married my boy, all might have been
well with him. Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to
say so. It is to that remark that she refers
in this note. My dearest uncle, I feel that I
have brought trouble upon you, and that if I had
acted differently, this terrible misfortune might never have occurred. I cannot,
(43:55):
with this thought in my mind ever again be happy
under your roof, and I feel that I must leave
you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that
is provided for. And above all, do not search for me,
for it will be fruitless labor and an ill service
to me in life or in death. I am, ever,
(44:15):
your loving Mary. What could she mean by that note,
mister Holmes? Do you think it points to suicide? No? No,
nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible solution.
I trust, mister Holder, that you are nearing the end
of your troubles. Ha you say so, you have heard something,
(44:38):
mister Holmes, You have learned something. Where are the gems?
You would not think one thousand pounds apiece an excessive
sum for them. I would pay ten, that would be unnecessary.
Three thousand will cover the matter, and there is a
little reward. I fancy have you your check book? There
(45:00):
is a pen. Better make it out for four thousand pounds.
With a dazed face, the banker made out the required check.
Holmes walked over to his desk, took out a little
triangular piece of gold with three gems in it, and
threw it down upon the table with a shriek of joy.
(45:20):
Our client clutched it up. You have it, he gasped.
I am saved, I am saved. The reaction of joy
was as passionate as his grief had been, and he
hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. There is one
other thing you owe, mister holder, said Sherlock Holmes, rather sternly.
(45:43):
Oh he caught up a pen. Name the sum, and
I will pay it. No, the debt is not to me.
You owe a very humble apology to that noble lad,
your son, who has carried himself in this matter, as
I should be proud to see my own son do,
should I ever chance to have one. Then it was
(46:04):
not Arthur who took them. I told you yesterday, and
I repeat to day that it was not. You are
sure of it. Then let us hurry to him at
once to let him know that the truth is known.
He knows it already. When I had cleared it up,
I had an interview with him, and, finding that he
(46:24):
would not tell me the story, I told it to him,
on which he had to confess that I was right,
and to add the very few details which were not
yet quite clear to me. Your news of this morning, however,
may open his lips. For Heaven's sake, Tell me then,
what is this extraordinary mystery? I will do so, and
(46:48):
I will show you the steps by which I reached it.
And let me say to you first that which it
is hardest for me to say and for you to hear.
There has been an understanding between Sir George and euniece Mary.
They have now fled together, My Mary. Impossible, It is
(47:10):
unfortunately more than possible. It is certain neither you nor
your son knew the true character of this man when
you admitted him into your family circle. He is one
of the most dangerous men in England, a ruined gambler,
an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience.
(47:32):
Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he breathed
his vows to her, as he had done to a
hundred before her, she flattered herself that she alone had
touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said,
but at least she became his tool, and was in
the habit of seeing him nearly every evening. I cannot
(47:53):
and I will not believe it, cried the banker with
an ashen face. I will tell you then, what occurred
in your house last night, Your niece, when you had,
as she thought, gone to your room, slipped down and
talked to her lover through the window which leads into
the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the snow,
(48:17):
so long had he stood there. She told him of
the coronet. His wicket lust for gold kindled at the news,
and he bent her to his will. I have no
doubt that she loved you. But there are women in
whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other loves,
and I think that she must have been one. She
(48:37):
had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you
coming downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and
told you about one of the servants escapade with her
wooden legged lover, which was all perfectly true. Your boy
Arthur went to bed after his interview with you, but
he slept badly on account of his uneasiness his club debts.
(49:02):
In the middle of the night, he heard a soft
tread pass his door, so he rose, and, looking out,
was surprised to see his cousin walking very stealthily along
the passage, until she disappeared into your dressing room. Petrified
with astonishment, the lad slipped on some clothes and waited
(49:23):
there in the dark to see what would come of
this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room again,
and in the light of the passage lamp, your son
saw that she carried the precious coronet in her hands.
She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror,
ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door,
(49:45):
whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath.
He saw her stealthily open the window, hand out the
coronet to someone in the gloom, and then closing it
once more, hurry back to her room, passing quite close
to way he stood. Hid behind the curtain as long
as she was on the scene. He could not take
(50:06):
any action without a horrible exposure of the woman whom
he loved. But the instant that she was gone, he
realized how crushing a misfortune this would be for you,
and how all important it was to set it right.
He rushed down, just as he was in his bare feet,
opened the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran
(50:29):
down the lane, where he could see a dark figure
in the moonlight. Sir George Banwell. Tried to get away,
but Arthur caught him, and there was a struggle between them,
your lad tugging at one side of the coronet and
his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son
struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then
(50:50):
something suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had
the coronet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window,
ascended to your room, and had just observed that the
coronet had been twisted in the struggle, and was endeavoring
to straighten it when you appeared upon the scene. Is
it possible, gasped the banker. You then roused his anger
(51:15):
by calling him names at a moment when he felt
that he had deserved your warmest thanks, he could not
explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who
certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He took
the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret. And
(51:36):
that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw
the coronet. Cried mister holder, O, my god, what a
blind fool I have been, and his asking to be
allowed to go out for five minutes. The dear fellow
wanted to see if the missing peace were at the
scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him.
(51:58):
When I arrived at the house, continued homes. I at
once went very carefully round it to observe if there
were any traces in the snow which might help me.
I knew that none had fallen since the evening before,
and also that there had been a strong frost. To
preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesman's path, but found
(52:20):
it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond, however, at
the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had
stood and talked with a man whose round impressions on
one side showed that he had a wooden leg. I
could even tell that he had been disturbed, for the
woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was
(52:41):
shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while
wooden leg had waited a little and then had gone away.
I thought at the time that this might be the
maid and her sweetheart, of whom he had already spoken
to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed
round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks,
(53:03):
which I took to be the police. But when I
got into the stable lane, a very long and complex
story was written in the snow. In front of me.
There was a double line of tracks of a booted man,
and a second double line, which I saw with delight,
belonged to a man with naked feet. I was at
(53:24):
once convinced from what he had told me that the
latter was your son. The first had walked both ways,
but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread
was marked in places over the depression of the boot,
it was obvious that he had passed after the other.
I followed them up and found they led to the
hall window, where boots had worn all the snow away
(53:46):
while waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which
was a hundred yards or more down the lane, I
saw where boots had faced round, where the snow was
cut up as though there had been a struggle, and
finally where a few drops of blood had fallen, to
show me that I was not mistaken. Boots had then
(54:08):
run down the lane, and another little smudge of blood
showed that it was he who had been hurt. When
he came to the high road. At the other end,
I found that the pavement had been cleared, so there
was an end to that clue. On entering the house, however,
I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of
(54:30):
the hall window with my lents, and I could at
once see that some one had passed out. I could
distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot
had been placed in coming in. I was then beginning
to be able to form an opinion as to what
had occurred. A man had waited outside the window. Some
(54:51):
one had brought the gems. The deed had been overseen
by your son. He had pursued the thief, had struggled
with him. They had each tugged at the coronet, their
united strength, causing injuries which neither alone could have effected.
He had returned with a prize, but had left a
fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So far I
(55:14):
was clear. The question now was who was the man
and who was it brought him the coronet? It is
an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded
the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Now I knew that it was not you who had
(55:35):
brought it down, So there only remained your niece and
the maids. And if it were the maids, why should
your son allow himself to be accused in their place?
There could be no possible reason, as he loved his cousin. However,
there was an excellent explanation why he should retain her secret,
(55:55):
the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one.
Whenever remembered that you had seen her at that window,
and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again,
my conjecture became a certainty. And who could it be?
Who was her confederate? A lover? Evidently? For who else
could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must feel
(56:18):
for you. I knew that you went out little, and
that your circle of friends was a very limited one,
But among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard
of him before as a man of evil reputation among women.
It must have been he who wore those boots and
retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur
(56:40):
had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he
was safe, For the lad could not say a word
without compromising his own family. Well, your own good sense
will suggest what measures I took. Next. I went in
the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, managed
to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that
(57:03):
his master had cut his head the night before, and finally,
at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by
buying a pair of his cast off shoes. With these
I journeyed down to Stretham and saw that they exactly
fitted the tracks. I saw an ill dressed vagabund on
the lane yesterday evening, said mister Holder. Precisely it was I.
(57:29):
I found that I had my man, so I came
home and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part
which I had to play then, for I saw that
prosecution must be avoided to avat scandal, and I knew
that so astute a villain would see that our hands
were tied in the matter. I went and saw him.
At first, of course he denied everything, but when I
(57:51):
gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to
bluster and took down a life preserver from the wall.
I knew my man, however, and I clapped a pistol
to his head before he could strike. Then he became
a little more reasonable. I told him that we would
give him a price for the stones. He held one
(58:11):
thousand pounds apiece. That brought out the first signs of
grief that he had shown. Why dash it all? Said
he I have let them go at six hundred for
the three. I soon managed to get the address of
the receiver who had them on, promising him that there
would be no prosecution. Off, I said to him, and
(58:33):
after much chaffering, I got our stones at one thousand
pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told
him that all was right, and eventually got to my
bed at about two o'clock, after what I may call
a really hard day's work, a day which has saved
England from a great public scandal. Said the banker, rising, Sir,
(58:58):
I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall
not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your
skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of,
And now I must fly to my dear boy to
apologize to him for the wrong which I have done him.
As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it
goes to my very heart not even your skill can
(59:21):
inform me where she is now. I think that we
may safely say, returned Holmes, that she is wherever Sir
George Burnwell is. It is equally certain too, that whatever
her sins are, they will soon receive a more than
sufficient punishment. And of the Beryl coronet,
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