Audiobook Script - Sherlock Holmes Excerpt
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
British (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
he flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the endless succession of Sombra and deserted streets, which widened gradually until we were flying across a broad balustrade bridge with the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us, Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and mortar. It's silence, broken only by the heavy regular footfall of the policeman or the songs and shelter, some belated party of revellers. A dull rack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there. Throughout the riffs of the clouds, Holmes drove in silence with his head sunk upon his breast and the air of a man who has lost in thought while I sat beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be, which seemed to tax his powers so sorely and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and we're beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban villas when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders and lit up his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best you have a grand gift of silence, Watson said. He it makes you quite invaluable as a companion upon my word, which is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to for. My own thoughts are not over pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman tonight, when she meets me at the door, you forget that I know nothing about it. I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet somehow I can get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you, Watson. And maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me. Proceed then, some years ago, to be definite. In May 18 84 there came to Lee, a gentleman, Neville ST Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely and lived generally in good style, bad degrees. He made friends in the neighbourhood and In 18 87 he married the daughter of a local brewer by whom he now has two Children. He had no occupation but was interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5 14 from Cannon Street every night. Mr. ST Clair is now 37 years of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very affectionate father and a man who is popular with all who know him. I may add that his whole debt at the present moment, as far as we have been able to ascertain, amount to £88 tens while he has £220 standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Last Monday, Mr Neville ST Clair went into town rather earlier than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important commissions to perform and that he would bring his little boy home a box of bricks now by the merest chance. His wife received the telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his departure to the effect of the small parcel of considerable value, which he had been expecting was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you're well up in your London, you will note that the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swat Um Lane, where you found me tonight. Mrs. Sinclair had her lunch started for the city, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, got her packet and found herself at exactly 4 35 walking through Swanson Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me so far? It is very clear if you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs ST Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself while she was walking in this way down Swanton Lane, she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry and was struck cold to see her husband looking down at her, and as it seemed to her beckoning to her from a second floor window, the window was open and she distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her and then vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind One singular point, which struck her quick feminine. I was that although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in, he had on neither colour nor necktie.