[00:00.06]Chapter four.
[00:02.13]A rat.
[00:04.84]After lunch, Holmes sat with his tapering fingers together, staring into space.
[00:11.87]Then he turned to me.
[00:14.46]I don't know quite what to do, Watson.
[00:18.69]I should value your advice.
[00:21.58]Let me explain.
[00:25.92]Pray do so.
[00:29.52]Let us presume that what young James said was true.
[00:34.94]In what respect?
[00:39.70]About two things in particular.
[00:44.41]One, I mentioned earlier, that his father called "Cooe" before seeing him.
[00:53.70]The other was McCarthy's dying words about a rat.
[01:00.87]What of this "Cooe" then?
[01:04.44]It could not have been meant for his son.
[01:08.71]As far as McCarthy knew, his son was in Bristol.
[01:14.71]The Cooe was meant to call the person he was meeting.
[01:20.76]But Cooe is an Australian greeting.
[01:26.75]Hence, he was expecting to meet someone from Australia.
[01:35.05]I nodded.
[01:37.34]And the rat?
[01:41.56]Holmes took out a folded paper from his pocket.
[01:46.76]This is a map of the colony of Victoria in Australia.
[01:54.13]I had it sent over this morning.
[01:58.89]He put his hand over part of the map.
[02:03.12]What do you read?
[02:06.25]Arat, I said.
[02:11.40]And now?
[02:13.93]He raised his hand.
[02:16.87]I could see the whole word.
[02:22.39]Ballarat.
[02:26.51]Quite so.
[02:29.85]That was the word that McCarthy spoke.
[02:35.32]His son heard the last part only.
[02:39.35]He was trying to say the name of his murderer.
[02:46.76]So and so of Ballarat.
[02:55.86]That's wonderful.
[02:59.09]It's obvious.
[03:01.72]Now, you see, I have narrowed down the field.
[03:08.32]A tall Australian who is at home in the district.
[03:15.74]At home enough to find his way through the back of the estate.
[03:23.99]His height you deduced from the length of his stride and his boots.
[03:31.60]But what about his lameness?
[03:36.92]The mark of his right foot was always less clear than his left.
[03:45.54]He put less weight on it.
[03:48.77]Why?
[03:50.84]Because he limped.
[03:57.80]But his left-handedness?
[04:02.94]You notice the injury as reported at the inquest.
[04:09.72]A blow struck from behind, yet from the left side.
[04:18.47]Surely a left-handed man?
[04:23.33]He stood behind the tree during the argument between James and his father.
[04:31.27]He even smoked there.
[04:35.26]I found the ash of a cigar.
[04:41.35]As you know, I am an expert on tobacco ash.
[04:48.82]I then discovered the cigar stump in the moss where he had thrown it.
[04:57.09]And the cigar holder?
[05:01.83]The cigar had not been in his mouth.
[05:06.33]Therefore, he had used a holder.
[05:12.92]The tip had been cut off, not bitten.
[05:21.39]It was not a clean cut.
[05:25.39]So, I deduced a blunt pen knife.
[05:33.27]I see where this all points.
[05:37.15]The murderer must be Mr.
[05:41.44]John Turner!" cried a voice.
[05:45.95]It was the hotel waiter opening the door.
[05:50.74]He showed a visitor into the room.
[05:57.58]The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure.
[06:04.81]He had a slow, limping step, but his craggy face and huge arms and legs gave an impression of strength of body and character.
[06:19.06]His face was white and his lips tinged with blue.
[06:24.60]As a doctor, I could see that he was a very ill man.
[06:33.87]Pray, take a seat," said Holmes.
[06:38.56]You got my note?"
[06:43.29]The lodgekeeper brought it.
[06:46.00]You said you wished to see me here to avoid scandal.
[06:52.68]I thought people would talk if I came to the hall.
[06:59.63]And why did you wish to see me?" the man asked wearily.
[07:07.09]I know all about McCarthy," said Holmes.
[07:14.62]The old man sunk his face in his hands.
[07:20.46]God help me," he cried.
[07:26.45]But I would have spoken out.
[07:29.76]I would not have let that young man come to harm.
[07:36.12]I am glad to hear it," said Holmes gravely.
[07:45.60]I would have spoken of it already, but my dear daughter, it will break her heart when she sees me arrested.
[07:58.30]It may not come to that," said Holmes.
[08:03.62]What?
[08:06.32]I am no police officer.
[08:11.90]Your daughter invited me here, and I am acting in her interests.
[08:20.13]Young McCarthy must be got off, however.
[08:28.65]I am a dying man," said Turner.
[08:34.83]The doctor says I have but a month, yet I would sooner die under my own roof than in jail.
[08:46.59]Just tell us the truth while I jot down the facts.
[08:52.64]You will sign it with Watson as witness.
[08:57.22]If the case goes against young McCarthy, I shall use your confession.
[09:04.66]You may be assured I shall not use it unless it is absolutely needed.
[09:14.58]It's as well," said the old man.
[09:19.74]I doubt I shall live until the trial, but I would still like to spare Alice the shock.
[09:29.62]I will tell you all.
[09:32.89]It will not take long.