The Tractate Middoth

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0:00:24 > 0:00:25John?

0:00:30 > 0:00:31DOOR CLOSES

0:00:33 > 0:00:34You came quick.

0:00:34 > 0:00:37- They said it would only be a matter of hours.- Aye.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39His elevens are up.

0:00:39 > 0:00:42- I beg your pardon? - His elevens.

0:00:42 > 0:00:46Flesh on the back of his neck standing out like the number eleven.

0:00:46 > 0:00:50That's the mark of death - I know it well.

0:00:53 > 0:00:55He won't last the night...

0:00:55 > 0:00:57That's my opinion.

0:00:58 > 0:01:03I imagine you has expectations, eh, missus?

0:01:03 > 0:01:06Of moving in here, when the master's gone?

0:01:06 > 0:01:09Well. We have...an understanding.

0:01:10 > 0:01:13My uncle has always led me to believe that the estate

0:01:13 > 0:01:17will be divided equally between my cousin John and myself.

0:01:17 > 0:01:18Oh, aye?

0:01:18 > 0:01:20SHE LAUGHS

0:01:21 > 0:01:24Though it's in very poor taste to discuss such things.

0:01:24 > 0:01:26At a time like this.

0:01:26 > 0:01:29He won't mind. The old devil!

0:01:29 > 0:01:30Mrs Goundry!

0:01:30 > 0:01:33Oh, I know he's a parson, but he's the very devil!

0:01:33 > 0:01:38I should know. Slaving and doing for him all these years.

0:01:38 > 0:01:43Still. He's got a reckoning coming soon, in't he?

0:01:43 > 0:01:45With the Almighty.

0:01:47 > 0:01:50Or someone else.

0:01:50 > 0:01:52SHE CHUCKLES

0:02:00 > 0:02:01Mary?

0:02:05 > 0:02:07Mary, is that you?

0:02:07 > 0:02:10Yes, Uncle. It's me.

0:02:10 > 0:02:12Is there anything that you need?

0:02:12 > 0:02:14I'm dying, Mary.

0:02:19 > 0:02:21Come closer, Mary.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31There's something you must know...

0:02:55 > 0:02:56HE SNIFFS

0:02:56 > 0:02:58Long time since your last visit, sir.

0:02:58 > 0:03:00Yes, indeed.

0:03:00 > 0:03:03I have here the title of a book.

0:03:03 > 0:03:05A book I...

0:03:05 > 0:03:07want.

0:03:07 > 0:03:09The light is very bad, you see,

0:03:09 > 0:03:13and to go traipsing up and down stairs at my time of life,

0:03:13 > 0:03:18- I wonder...- I quite understand, sir. I find it a daily trial myself.

0:03:18 > 0:03:21Oooh, you should hear my knees when I bend down.

0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Yes, yes...- Like pistol shots.

0:03:23 > 0:03:24HE SNIFFS

0:03:24 > 0:03:27I wonder, is there anyone who could go and find the book for me?

0:03:27 > 0:03:30Eh? Um...

0:03:34 > 0:03:37Ah, just the fellow. One of our students, sir.

0:03:37 > 0:03:39Paying his way through the university.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Mr Garrett!- Yes.

0:03:42 > 0:03:44Have you a minute to help this gentleman?

0:03:44 > 0:03:46- With pleasure, Sniffer.- Eh?

0:03:46 > 0:03:48Um...Mr Hodgson.

0:03:48 > 0:03:50Gentleman here's after a book.

0:03:50 > 0:03:53Well, he's come to the right place.

0:03:53 > 0:03:56Right, "Talmud: Tractate Middoth.

0:03:56 > 0:04:01"The commentaries of Nachmanides, Amsterdam, 1707."

0:04:01 > 0:04:03And what's that when it's at home?

0:04:03 > 0:04:06It's a collection of Hebrew writings, Mr Hodgson.

0:04:06 > 0:04:10Oh. Very exotic.

0:04:10 > 0:04:12I think I can find this easily enough.

0:04:12 > 0:04:14Oh, I suppose it's that edition you want?

0:04:14 > 0:04:16That and no other.

0:04:16 > 0:04:17If it's no trouble.

0:04:17 > 0:04:19None at all.

0:04:19 > 0:04:20Much obliged, I'm sure.

0:04:20 > 0:04:22Won't be a moment.

0:04:25 > 0:04:27HE SNIFFS

0:04:39 > 0:04:40FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

0:04:46 > 0:04:47Well?

0:04:47 > 0:04:50- I'm so sorry. The book's out. - Out? Are you sure?

0:04:50 > 0:04:52Well, I saw a gentleman take the book off the shelf.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55A gentleman? What...

0:04:57 > 0:04:58..what was he like?

0:04:58 > 0:05:03Oh, shortish. In a sort of cloak.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06Old-fashioned. Like a priest.

0:05:06 > 0:05:09If you don't mind waiting, he'll be down in a minute.

0:05:16 > 0:05:20I'm sure he'll be here in a bit and maybe he'll let you have the book.

0:05:20 > 0:05:21No, no. I won't...

0:05:23 > 0:05:25I...I can't wait now, thank you.

0:05:25 > 0:05:29No. Train, you see. I must catch...

0:05:29 > 0:05:32I'll be back. Tomorrow.

0:05:32 > 0:05:33Yes, tomorrow.

0:05:33 > 0:05:35All right. I'll have it ready if...

0:05:38 > 0:05:39MR HODGSON SNIFFS

0:05:39 > 0:05:42Shouldn't have left it so late, should he?

0:05:55 > 0:05:57HE SIGHS

0:06:13 > 0:06:15Something the matter, chum?

0:06:15 > 0:06:16Oh, no. Not really, George.

0:06:16 > 0:06:18Just that I feel such a bloody fool.

0:06:18 > 0:06:20Oh?

0:06:20 > 0:06:22A gentleman was after this book.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24I told him it was out and here it is.

0:06:24 > 0:06:26Large as life!

0:06:29 > 0:06:30My mistake.

0:06:33 > 0:06:34- Funny, though.- Hmm?

0:06:34 > 0:06:36I've not seem him come down.

0:06:37 > 0:06:38Did you see him?

0:06:38 > 0:06:41Old man in a cloak, bald, had the look of a vicar?

0:06:41 > 0:06:43I fear I was too immersed

0:06:43 > 0:06:46in the Apocrypha of the Book of Daniel, chum.

0:06:46 > 0:06:48Well. You've found it now.

0:06:48 > 0:06:51I'm sure our customer will be back for it in his own good time.

0:06:53 > 0:06:54HE SNIFFS

0:06:54 > 0:06:55- What's that?- Yes.

0:06:55 > 0:06:59I've noticed that too. Last couple of days.

0:06:59 > 0:07:00I assumed it was your...

0:07:00 > 0:07:02Not guilty. Ready rub.

0:07:04 > 0:07:06Doesn't smell too healthy, does it?

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Hmmm...

0:07:08 > 0:07:09Dust?

0:07:09 > 0:07:11Hmm, rum sort of dust.

0:07:51 > 0:07:54Ah! Early start today, sir?

0:07:54 > 0:07:55You have it? You have the book?

0:07:55 > 0:07:58You're going to think me a bit dim, Mr...?

0:07:58 > 0:08:00Eldred. Why? What's happened?

0:08:00 > 0:08:02What's...wrong?

0:08:02 > 0:08:04Well, it hadn't been taken out at all!

0:08:04 > 0:08:07If you don't mind waiting, I'll go and fetch it now.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12TOILET FLUSHES

0:08:18 > 0:08:20MR HODGSON SNIFFS

0:08:34 > 0:08:36HE SNIFFS

0:08:43 > 0:08:44Oh, sorry.

0:08:46 > 0:08:48Excuse me.

0:08:48 > 0:08:49Are you...

0:08:51 > 0:08:54Will you be taking out that book?

0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's just that there's a gentleman downstairs

0:08:59 > 0:09:01who's very keen to borrow...that..

0:09:06 > 0:09:08HE SCREAMS

0:09:15 > 0:09:18RATTLING

0:09:23 > 0:09:24METALLIC TAP

0:09:34 > 0:09:35This is intolerable!

0:09:35 > 0:09:37Sir?

0:09:37 > 0:09:39Is it a long way to that part of the library?

0:09:39 > 0:09:41- Hm?- Where our friend is?

0:09:41 > 0:09:48Oh. Well, well...I was thinking myself it was a bit funny.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51That young fella's very swift as a rule.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54I'll just see if I can conjure him up.

0:09:54 > 0:09:56- I beg your pardon? - On the telephone, sir!

0:10:03 > 0:10:05Ah, is Mr Garrett up there with you?

0:10:07 > 0:10:09You what...?

0:10:09 > 0:10:11And...

0:10:11 > 0:10:13Oh, dear... Right.

0:10:14 > 0:10:15Well, thank you.

0:10:18 > 0:10:22Well, I'm sorry to tell you, sir,

0:10:22 > 0:10:25but something seems to have happened that's a bit awkward.

0:10:25 > 0:10:28Mr Garrett's had an attack.

0:10:28 > 0:10:30You mean something...

0:10:30 > 0:10:33someone has injured him?

0:10:33 > 0:10:35Oh, no, no, nothing like that.

0:10:35 > 0:10:39No, it seems he was taken poorly,

0:10:39 > 0:10:40and sent home out the back.

0:10:40 > 0:10:42I see.

0:10:42 > 0:10:43MR HODGSON SNIFFS

0:10:43 > 0:10:47Not a strong constitution, that young lad, I'd say.

0:10:47 > 0:10:49HE SNIFFS

0:10:49 > 0:10:51Now, sir, as to your book,

0:10:51 > 0:10:54perhaps you might be able to find it yourself?

0:10:54 > 0:10:58We don't want you disappointed twice now, do we?

0:11:00 > 0:11:03No, I think I'd rather wait.

0:11:04 > 0:11:06These old legs of mine, as I say.

0:11:11 > 0:11:16I'll...I'll make other arrangements.

0:11:23 > 0:11:25'You thought you saw something?'

0:11:25 > 0:11:26I did see something.

0:11:26 > 0:11:28Go on.

0:11:29 > 0:11:32That smell of dust, the one you mentioned?

0:11:32 > 0:11:33Yes?

0:11:33 > 0:11:35It was very strong...

0:11:36 > 0:11:39Perhaps you got a lungful and it caused you to take a tumble?

0:11:39 > 0:11:42No, no. It was something I saw.

0:11:44 > 0:11:45You don't mind this?

0:11:45 > 0:11:48- Oh, no.- Mother says it's pretentious of me, but I don't know.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51Gives one a certain distinction, don't you think?

0:11:51 > 0:11:53Like Stewart Granger or someone.

0:11:54 > 0:11:57Sorry. Go on, something you saw.

0:12:07 > 0:12:09Oh, sorry.

0:12:10 > 0:12:12Will you be taking out that book?

0:12:15 > 0:12:17It's just that there's a gentleman downstairs who's very keen

0:12:17 > 0:12:20to borrow...that...

0:12:42 > 0:12:44- 'Trick of the light.- No.'

0:12:44 > 0:12:47The dust, as I say, got on your chest and gave you a funny turn.

0:12:47 > 0:12:52No, George, I know what I say and it nearly did for me.

0:12:52 > 0:12:55So, what are you saying it was?

0:12:55 > 0:12:56A ghost?

0:13:00 > 0:13:03Never heard old Sniffer say the place was haunted.

0:13:03 > 0:13:05Nor me.

0:13:06 > 0:13:09I don't mean to seem uncharitable, chum...

0:13:09 > 0:13:10But you don't believe me.

0:13:10 > 0:13:13Well. Things like that just don't happen any more, do they?

0:13:13 > 0:13:15Which suggests you believe that once, they did?

0:13:15 > 0:13:17We used to think the sun moved around the Earth.

0:13:17 > 0:13:21And that the moon was made of green cheese.

0:13:21 > 0:13:23Maybe it is.

0:13:23 > 0:13:27If I were you, I'd take the chance to get away for a while, old son.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29Change of air always works wonders.

0:13:29 > 0:13:31What about the seaside?

0:13:31 > 0:13:33Or somewhere in the country?

0:13:33 > 0:13:38Read a few books, eh? Rather than just cataloguing them.

0:13:38 > 0:13:40I've a couple I could lend you.

0:13:40 > 0:13:42Fully illustrated.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44No, thanks.

0:13:44 > 0:13:47Think about it - fresh air,

0:13:47 > 0:13:50nice pubs, pretty girls.

0:13:52 > 0:13:53Toodle-oo.

0:13:55 > 0:13:56HE SIGHS

0:13:56 > 0:13:58DOOR CLOSES

0:14:01 > 0:14:05STEAM TRAIN PASSES

0:14:07 > 0:14:11- WOMAN'S VOICE:- Course it's all go, go, go these days. I can recall

0:14:11 > 0:14:14the charmingly, leisurely charabanc excursion to Formby beach

0:14:14 > 0:14:16when I was a slip of a thing

0:14:16 > 0:14:18and quite a spread was laid on.

0:14:18 > 0:14:21But one was content with fish paste then, wasn't one, Mr Tallyround?

0:14:23 > 0:14:24SHE GIGGLES

0:14:24 > 0:14:29These young people and their ideas, traipsing all over the Continent.

0:14:29 > 0:14:30I don't see the point.

0:14:30 > 0:14:34I mean to say they could go to Morecombe, or Lytham,

0:14:34 > 0:14:35for prices such as that.

0:14:35 > 0:14:40Or I dare say, at a push, Llandudno,

0:14:40 > 0:14:43but that wouldn't do for us, would it, Mr Tallyrond?

0:14:43 > 0:14:49But Burnham, now, charming and lovely scenery

0:14:49 > 0:14:53and very, very reasonably priced.

0:14:53 > 0:14:55Do you have anywhere to stay?

0:14:55 > 0:14:57Yes, I'm being met.

0:14:57 > 0:14:58Oooh.

0:14:58 > 0:14:59'Burnham, Burnham!'

0:14:59 > 0:15:02Oooh, here we are. Cases, Mr Tallyrond.

0:15:09 > 0:15:10Tickets, please.

0:15:10 > 0:15:11What is it?

0:15:11 > 0:15:16Ohhh, of course, oh, silly me! Oh, where have I put the dratted thing?

0:15:16 > 0:15:18Of course, in more refined days, one concealed

0:15:18 > 0:15:20the unused portion in one's glove.

0:15:20 > 0:15:21I haven't, have I?

0:15:23 > 0:15:24Mr Tallyrond...

0:15:24 > 0:15:26Hurry, please, would you?

0:15:26 > 0:15:27Do you have my ticket remnant?

0:15:27 > 0:15:30Sorry, it's just that I'm not feeling very well.

0:15:30 > 0:15:32- I'm very sorry, I'm sure. - It's just that I'm not quite myself.

0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Well, there's no need to be impertinent.- I wasn't.

0:15:35 > 0:15:37Good manners cost nothing, do they, Mr Tallyrond?

0:15:37 > 0:15:39I didn't mean to offend you.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42It's just as I was saying - everyone's in a hurry, hurry, hurry.

0:15:42 > 0:15:45No refinement, no grace.

0:15:45 > 0:15:47Only the other day, I was forced to open a hotel door

0:15:47 > 0:15:48on my own volition...

0:15:57 > 0:15:58TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

0:16:37 > 0:16:38I can't thank you enough.

0:16:38 > 0:16:41You've been so kind to me.

0:16:41 > 0:16:43What did the doctor say, Mr Garrett?

0:16:43 > 0:16:46Oh, just overwork, that's all.

0:16:46 > 0:16:52Nervous strain, my...my memory's a bit foggy too.

0:16:53 > 0:16:55Lots of rest, that's what I need.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58Well, we're quite empty at this time of the season.

0:16:58 > 0:17:00So it's very nice for us to have some company.

0:17:00 > 0:17:01It's a lovely room, Mrs Simpson.

0:17:01 > 0:17:04I feel I'm in very good hands.

0:17:04 > 0:17:05What do you do for a living?

0:17:05 > 0:17:07- I work in a library.- Oh.

0:17:09 > 0:17:12Cataloguing, research... That sort of thing.

0:17:12 > 0:17:13Helps pay my way through university.

0:17:13 > 0:17:15We're not so keen on books, are we, Mum?

0:17:15 > 0:17:18Oh, no, no, no. They're fine places, libraries.

0:17:18 > 0:17:20Fine.

0:17:20 > 0:17:21- But?- Well...

0:17:21 > 0:17:24Perhaps he could solve our puzzle. You see, there's a book...

0:17:24 > 0:17:27We don't want to bother Mr Garrett with our silly problems, Anne.

0:17:27 > 0:17:30No, no, I'd love to help, if I can. Really, I would.

0:17:30 > 0:17:34And if it's to do with a book, well...

0:17:34 > 0:17:35I'm in a pretty good position, aren't I?

0:17:35 > 0:17:37Yes, I suppose so.

0:17:37 > 0:17:40But we don't even know the name of the wretched thing.

0:17:40 > 0:17:41Well. What's it about?

0:17:41 > 0:17:43We don't know that, either.

0:17:43 > 0:17:47Except that we don't think it's in English, do we, Mum?

0:17:47 > 0:17:49Don't suppose that's much of a clue.

0:17:51 > 0:17:53I'll tell you the story.

0:17:53 > 0:17:55That's the best way.

0:17:55 > 0:17:57You seem a kind soul.

0:17:57 > 0:17:59I'm all ears!

0:18:00 > 0:18:03This is going back some 20 years or more, mind.

0:18:03 > 0:18:05Back in the '30s.

0:18:06 > 0:18:08I had an old uncle.

0:18:09 > 0:18:11A Dr Rant.

0:18:11 > 0:18:12RATTLING

0:18:15 > 0:18:17'He wasn't a distinguished man.

0:18:19 > 0:18:20'And not a nice one, either.

0:18:24 > 0:18:26'He was a priest.'

0:18:26 > 0:18:29Though I'm sure I don't know how he got to be one.

0:18:29 > 0:18:31He never did any duty, as far as I could tell,

0:18:31 > 0:18:33in the late part of his life.

0:18:33 > 0:18:36And he wasn't what you'd call Christian in his ways.

0:18:36 > 0:18:40He hadn't any wife or family,

0:18:40 > 0:18:43only one niece, that's me,

0:18:43 > 0:18:47and one nephew, my cousin John.

0:18:49 > 0:18:51Though he didn't really like either of us.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54Uncommonly warm, Uncle, for this time of year.

0:18:55 > 0:19:00You can feel the chill setting in, though, John. Autumn's coming.

0:19:01 > 0:19:04A pair of prize beauties, aren't you, eh?

0:19:04 > 0:19:05Eh?

0:19:05 > 0:19:09Sitting there like crows waiting to peck my eyes out!

0:19:09 > 0:19:11Really!

0:19:11 > 0:19:13And stick your fat fingers into my pockets.

0:19:13 > 0:19:14We shall see.

0:19:15 > 0:19:16HE GIGGLES

0:19:16 > 0:19:18We shall see.

0:19:18 > 0:19:20HE CACKLES

0:19:20 > 0:19:24'And there he was, all alone in the world and rich...'

0:19:24 > 0:19:26as Croesus.

0:19:29 > 0:19:31Well, now.

0:19:31 > 0:19:33One autumn, Dr Rant became ill.

0:19:33 > 0:19:35And they sent for me to nurse him.

0:19:38 > 0:19:41'Come closer, Mary.

0:19:41 > 0:19:43'There's something you must know...'

0:19:44 > 0:19:48I've made my will in John's favour.

0:19:50 > 0:19:54Well, it's your money, Uncle Thomas.

0:19:54 > 0:19:55You can do what you like with it.

0:19:55 > 0:19:59No, but listen, Mary... I'm not very fond of John

0:19:59 > 0:20:03and I've made another will in your favour.

0:20:04 > 0:20:07What do you think to that?

0:20:07 > 0:20:08Oh.

0:20:08 > 0:20:11You can have everything, Mary.

0:20:11 > 0:20:13Everything.

0:20:13 > 0:20:17If you can find the will, that is.

0:20:20 > 0:20:24Only...I don't mean to tell you where it is.

0:20:24 > 0:20:26HE GIGGLES

0:20:29 > 0:20:32I wrote the will in a book, Mary.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34A printed book!

0:20:34 > 0:20:41It's not in the house, it's in safekeeping, elsewhere.

0:20:42 > 0:20:44Now...

0:20:45 > 0:20:49I want to start you both off on the same terms.

0:20:51 > 0:20:55John has a bit of purchase, as he can go where the book is.

0:20:56 > 0:21:00But I'll tell you two things he doesn't know.

0:21:00 > 0:21:04First, the will's in English...

0:21:05 > 0:21:07..though you won't know that if you ever see it.

0:21:09 > 0:21:10And the other thing...

0:21:13 > 0:21:14This...

0:21:15 > 0:21:17..Will help you find it...

0:21:21 > 0:21:24..if you have the wits to use it, that is.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46Not to be trusted, missus. That's what I say.

0:21:46 > 0:21:48Whatever he said.

0:21:48 > 0:21:50Whatever he promised you.

0:21:50 > 0:21:54Twisted, he was. Twisted.

0:21:54 > 0:21:58Where others had a soul, he had a corkscrew!

0:22:00 > 0:22:01Don't trust him.

0:22:01 > 0:22:03In life...

0:22:03 > 0:22:05or death.

0:22:27 > 0:22:31Of course, I tried to speak with John Eldred,

0:22:31 > 0:22:33tried to appeal to him,

0:22:33 > 0:22:35- but he didn't want anything... - What is it?

0:22:35 > 0:22:38It's...the..erm...the name rings a bell, erm...

0:22:38 > 0:22:41Anyway...

0:22:41 > 0:22:42HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

0:22:42 > 0:22:44You were saying, Mrs Simpson, you wrote to him?

0:22:44 > 0:22:48Yes. But he didn't pay any attention at all.

0:22:50 > 0:22:53Since then, he has enjoyed his inheritance

0:22:53 > 0:22:57while Anne and I have had to take in ruddy lodgers.

0:22:57 > 0:22:58Although I must say,

0:22:58 > 0:23:01that hasn't been nearly as unpleasant as I'd thought.

0:23:04 > 0:23:06Do you think your cousin's got any more of a clue

0:23:06 > 0:23:07about the name of the book?

0:23:07 > 0:23:09I often thought he must do.

0:23:11 > 0:23:13People tell me he's always being seen

0:23:13 > 0:23:16around booksellers and libraries.

0:23:17 > 0:23:20I suppose he must have discovered which books are missing

0:23:20 > 0:23:23from my uncle's library, but were entered in his catalogue.

0:23:24 > 0:23:26And he's hunting them down.

0:23:28 > 0:23:29Hmm?

0:23:37 > 0:23:39MAN ON TRAIN SNORES

0:23:55 > 0:23:57(Oh, come on, think.)

0:24:01 > 0:24:02Which is it?

0:24:04 > 0:24:05Which is it?

0:24:17 > 0:24:19TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

0:24:44 > 0:24:46TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

0:25:03 > 0:25:04HE SCREAMS

0:25:07 > 0:25:10HE GASPS

0:25:55 > 0:25:57HE SNIFFS

0:26:10 > 0:26:12The Talmud.

0:26:12 > 0:26:14Of course. That was it.

0:26:15 > 0:26:17The Talmud!

0:26:17 > 0:26:19The Tractate Middoth!

0:26:19 > 0:26:22Countryside not to your liking, son?

0:26:22 > 0:26:23No, no, no, it's not that.

0:26:23 > 0:26:25Ah, I'm not surprised.

0:26:25 > 0:26:27I'm a martyr to pollen myself.

0:26:27 > 0:26:31Listen. 11.3.34. Is it out? Has it gone out?

0:26:31 > 0:26:3311.3.34?

0:26:33 > 0:26:34Do you remember that number?

0:26:34 > 0:26:36I see a lot of numbers, Mr Garrett!

0:26:36 > 0:26:38- Yes, I know...- An awful lot.

0:26:38 > 0:26:42All right, then, has a Mr Eldred called again?

0:26:42 > 0:26:47- Uh?- The gentleman who called the day I was...taken ill.

0:26:47 > 0:26:50- Eldred...- Yes! Come on. You must remember him.

0:26:50 > 0:26:53Er...no, no, he's not been in again.

0:26:53 > 0:26:55Not since you went off on your hols.

0:26:55 > 0:26:56Right.

0:26:56 > 0:26:59But no need to. He wrote, you see. Requesting his book.

0:26:59 > 0:27:00He wrote?

0:27:00 > 0:27:02Sent a money order to cover it.

0:27:03 > 0:27:06A bob over the price of a parcel, as a matter of fact.

0:27:06 > 0:27:08He's sent for the book?

0:27:08 > 0:27:11Yes. It'll be going down by train this morning.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14No time. There's very little time.

0:27:14 > 0:27:16Eh?

0:27:16 > 0:27:20Mr Hodgson, could you show me the ticket and his address, please?

0:27:20 > 0:27:21Happy to.

0:27:21 > 0:27:23MR HODGSON SNIFFS

0:27:27 > 0:27:32- Ah, yes, there's the ticket on the file. J Eldred.- Uh-huh.

0:27:32 > 0:27:35BOTH: 11.3.34.

0:27:35 > 0:27:38Title of work... T-A-L...

0:27:38 > 0:27:41Talmud, yes! Tractate Middoth!

0:27:41 > 0:27:45Not a novel, I should hazard a guess.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48No. He refers to it as a "Trac..."

0:27:48 > 0:27:51Yes, the address, Mr Hodgson. Hurry, please!

0:27:51 > 0:27:53Ah. Now.

0:27:54 > 0:27:57If I made a mistake in this whole transaction,

0:27:57 > 0:28:01it's that I failed to take down the gentleman's address

0:28:01 > 0:28:02in my little book.

0:28:02 > 0:28:06And no, no, I don't keep all the addresses in my head,

0:28:06 > 0:28:08otherwise what would be the point of my little book?

0:28:08 > 0:28:10Damn.

0:28:10 > 0:28:12When did the parcel go off from here?

0:28:12 > 0:28:14MR HODGSON SNIFFS

0:28:14 > 0:28:16Half past ten.

0:28:16 > 0:28:17It's just one now.

0:28:17 > 0:28:19- Oh!- What?

0:28:19 > 0:28:23The donations list! The Talmud was given to the library, wasn't it?

0:28:23 > 0:28:25There might still be a record!

0:28:27 > 0:28:28Right...

0:28:28 > 0:28:32Ah, there it is, Bretfield.

0:28:32 > 0:28:34You want me to come with?

0:28:34 > 0:28:37No. No, no... Don't want to spoil your evening.

0:28:37 > 0:28:40Cynthia, is it?

0:28:40 > 0:28:42Cynthia, yes.

0:28:42 > 0:28:43Good luck.

0:28:43 > 0:28:45And you, chum.

0:31:55 > 0:31:56GARRETT SHOUTS: Help!

0:31:56 > 0:31:57Help!

0:31:58 > 0:32:00Help! Hurry, please!

0:32:06 > 0:32:08Did you see what happened?

0:32:08 > 0:32:10I saw it. Mr Eldred was reading his book.

0:32:10 > 0:32:13Then his face come over all...black.

0:32:13 > 0:32:15He must have had a fit or something.

0:32:15 > 0:32:16Yes.

0:32:16 > 0:32:19Yes, that must have been it.

0:32:21 > 0:32:23Yes.

0:32:26 > 0:32:28That must have been it.

0:32:31 > 0:32:36Hmmm. This isn't like any Hebrew I've ever learned.

0:32:36 > 0:32:38Are you sure it is Hebrew?

0:32:38 > 0:32:40What? Yes.

0:32:41 > 0:32:43Yes, I suppose...

0:32:45 > 0:32:46No.

0:32:47 > 0:32:48Hang on...

0:32:51 > 0:32:52Hang on.

0:32:53 > 0:32:55Where is it?

0:32:55 > 0:32:57Ah! Here it is.

0:33:02 > 0:33:06Look, clever old bugger.

0:33:11 > 0:33:14There's some names here, and a date.

0:33:15 > 0:33:1820th of July, 1933.

0:33:18 > 0:33:20Dr Rant and the witnesses!

0:33:20 > 0:33:22You are perfectly right, chum -

0:33:22 > 0:33:25this isn't Hebrew at all, it's English.

0:33:25 > 0:33:27And it's a will!

0:33:27 > 0:33:28Shhh!

0:33:29 > 0:33:30HE SNIFFS

0:33:33 > 0:33:35"Mr Justice Passmore concluded,

0:33:35 > 0:33:38"I declare that this is indeed a will of Dr Thomas Rant,

0:33:38 > 0:33:41"bequeathing the whole of the property lately held

0:33:41 > 0:33:45"by Mr John Eldred to Mrs Mary Simpson of Burnstow.

0:33:45 > 0:33:49"Clearly, the discovery of this document would more than

0:33:49 > 0:33:54"justify Mr Eldred's agitation and, I have no doubt, hastened his end.

0:33:55 > 0:33:59"As to the partial tearing of the book, well...

0:33:59 > 0:34:01"Let us be charitable."

0:34:06 > 0:34:08So, that's that.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12Right, I must be getting back.

0:34:12 > 0:34:13But you will come again soon?

0:34:13 > 0:34:15Certainly. If I may?

0:34:15 > 0:34:17Whenever you want.

0:34:18 > 0:34:20I'll walk you to the station.

0:34:31 > 0:34:34- MRS GOUNDRY'S VOICE:- 'Twisted, he was. Twisted.'

0:34:34 > 0:34:37Where others had a soul,

0:34:37 > 0:34:39he had a corkscrew!

0:34:40 > 0:34:42'Don't trust him.

0:34:42 > 0:34:44'In life...

0:34:44 > 0:34:45'or death.'

0:35:13 > 0:35:16CLOCK TICKS