Original subtitles

- You stole your own mother's jewels.

A private investigator is on the way.

- [Holmes] This detective hired by the insurance company.

- Birtwistle, sir.

- You can go where you can.

- [Holmes] His interrogation will provide

a theory of the crime.

- A will of the truth,

but you will be paid nothing for your claim.

- You weren't kidnapped, but willingly left with Charlie,

who is now in prison and liable to hang.

- [Holmes] To destroy the Red Thread

would be to the advantage of us both, Moriarty.

- I must call you to beg for my assistance.

- [Holmes] Exercise great caution.

You must learn to hunt while looking like prey.

- Let me up, or I'll blow you head off.

(lively music)

I could legally shoot you in self-defense,

but I'd rather talk.

Should I call for a constable?

Or would you prefer explaining why you bushwhacked me?

- Should I call for a constable,

or will you explain why you've been following me

all afternoon?

- Promise not to attack me again?

(lively music)

- They looked a bit better before you mashed them up.

Sorry, I meant no insult.

- Why would you give me flowers?

- To ease an awkward introduction.

Shall I try again?

(soft music)

- They're very nice, thank you.

- You're most welcome.

- You could've introduced yourself earlier.

- I was anxious about how I might be received.

Not entirely without reason.

- Maybe I jumped the gun.

I'm Amelia Rojas.

- I'm Michael Wylie.

And I'm very much in need of your help.

- What could a maid like me do for a gentleman like you?

- No servant girl has ever put me on my back before.

You're far from ordinary.

And neither is your employer.

- Oh, so the flowers are something to do with Mr. Holmes?

- You have that American way of getting right to the point.

- [Amelia] And you have a way

of not answering direct questions.

Why do you need my help?

How does it involve my employer, huh?

- A few years ago,

Mr. Holmes helped put a famous criminal,

Professor James Moriarty, behind bars.

You ever heard of him?

- No, but I've only started working for Mr. Holmes recently.

- Oh?

And what's he like?

- I'm no spy, Mr. Wylie.

- I think spying is an ugly word.

And I'm not interested in his personal habits.

- What are you interested in then?

- Your employer's relationship to Professor Moriarty.

- But I don't wanna talk about him behind his back.

- Who doesn't talk about their boss behind his back?

I only wonder if Mr. Holmes intends to accuse.

Professor Moriarty of more crimes.

If you could find out, I'd be very grateful.

I would pay you a full pound for your trouble.

- That's a lot of money.

How do I get in contact with you?

- I'll wait for you tomorrow, and every day after that,

at Mrs. Bailey's Teahouse on Park Road at 4:00 p.m.

just in case you learn something.

Five shillings extra for meeting me tomorrow.

And to put some butter on the bacon,

I'll even plunk down for tea.

- I'll think about your offer, Mr. Wylie.

Thank you for the flowers,

and for not shooting me in the head.

- Maybe I shouldn't say so, Miss Rojas,

but it is such a lovely head.

I'm glad my gun wasn't loaded.

Until tomorrow then.

(lively music)

- [Holmes] Amelia, where are you?

Amelia, I need you.

- I beg your pardon, sir,

but Miss Rojas has not returned from fetching your horse.

Done in your orders, she says,

but those orders should have come through me.

- If it hasn't occurred to you by now,

Amelia is not only my maid, she is also my assistant,

and helping with a task

that involves the return of your sister.

What the devil's wrong with her?

- You know, my wife is a woman of virtue,

and the thought of a young girl

involved in the grisly horrors of this kidnapping

upset her past the point of feminine endurance.

- Well, I do apologize, Mrs. - Halligan,

if I've challenged your notion of propriety,

but in the name of, oh, there you are.

What kept you?

Never mind, I'm in a frightful hurry.

I'll ask for your report

while I remove these verminous rags.

- He's taking off his clothes.

- Clara is terrified for her reputation,

but she accepts that only we can keep her safe.

Mrs. Anderson even asked me to accept a post

as Clara's chaperone.

Mr. Birtwistle, the insurance investigator,

he offered me a job as his apprentice.

- Bertie Birtwistle, ha-ha.

What a pompous ass.

Imagine working for him.

Listening to him pontificate all day.

What an insufferable bore.

Still, he has sometimes applied for me for advice.

So he's not a complete fool.

This other offer, however,

chaperone to the American ambassador's daughter,

that's a job worth considering,

not just for your safety, but for Clara.

She is after all, our last living link to the Red Thread.

- I can't believe how quickly they got to poor Charlie.

- As fast as a telegraph signal.

However, before his untimely demise,

I did manage to wring from him the names of his accomplices,

Mr. Weams and Magott, if you can believe it.

Aliases, no doubt, as well as their possible destination,

but with this information, I hope soon to have their faces.

Yes?

- [Amelia] You already do.

- Ah.

- [Amelia] I saw them leaving the coffin factory,

right before Charlie.

- Yes, well, Charlie suggested

they'd been warned to escape by a police officer.

Someone of rank, no doubt.

- How did you manage to reach Charlie unseen?

- Oh, with the help of an old prisoner,

in exchange for finding his prodigal son.

A task that will take me to Scotland Yard

without crossing the Thread.

- And is he this prisoner?

- He's completely unconnected to our present business,

which for you means tracking down Weams and Magott.

It's our most dangerous mission yet,

and you may not go unarmed.

So, allow me to demonstrate the basics of this, uh, uh.

- It's kind of old, isn't it?

(gun clicking)

Some other issues, but you've kept it in decent shape.

I'll need more bullets.

- Six is quite enough.

How did you become so proficient in firearms?

- My mother taught me with a machine she built.

(quirky music)

- [Lucia] Remember, watch for the recoil.

- And aim ahead of the target.

Pull.

(gunshots)

- Time for something harder.

- [Amelia] Pull.

(gunshots)

- You've improved.

That's the first time you've even hit one pigeon

when two were flying.

- But why learn this?

And don't say it's the wilderness

because I already know how to hunt wild animals.

And protect myself from them, too.

- You're right, Amelia.

Wolves and bears are not your enemies.

- Well, then who is?

- I am the daughter of an Apache mother,

and a ranchero father.

And my grandfather was a soldier of Spain.

You are part of all them and also, half English.

This frightens people.

- But why?

If we're part of everyone.

- Part of everyone, all of nothing.

We're a tribe of two.

- Well, maybe one day we can be a tribe of three.

I could marry someone strong and handsome.

He could help us.

- Shall we wait, then?

Depend on someone we haven't met yet?

Or shall we be ready to protect ourselves?

- [Amelia] Pull.

(gunshot)

- So, your mother taught you all this,

but she did not teach you

how to keep your balance in a fight?

- Excuse me?

- Your assailant had you on the ground,

where he rolled you at least once.

I say he, because this mark on your shoulder

comes from the hand of a man,

though clearly not a gentleman.

The general distress of your clothes,

and this trail of debris

strewn across Mrs. Halligan's newly cleaned floor,

indicate a close relationship with grass and mud

than one would normally encounter

in the course of returning a horse, and this.

This, look at this.

Primula vulgaris.

Yes, common primrose.

So, pray explain this struggle, which I urged you to avoid.

- Well, it wasn't my fault.

There was a man, an older man, near your age,

he tried to steal Chance while I watered him.

I slipped and rolled out of Chance's way,

but I jumped up and I struggled with the man,

who ran away when he saw that I'd fight back.

- Why did you not give chase?

- Because I didn't want to leave your horse behind,

in case the thief had an accomplice.

- Uh, well, we'll take that as answered,

though you did not account for the primrose.

Now, in what remains of the afternoon

you will have Mr. Halligan drive you to the coffin factory

to ascertain if there is a telephone on the premises.

A telephone is a rather new-

- I know what a telephone is.

- Oh, well, just making certain.

Afterwards, you will press on to Richmond,

in search of Weams and Magott.

You'll station yourself at the best local chophouse,

and offer to sketch portraits at sixpence apiece.

Now you can use these pictures of Charlie's accomplices

as examples of your work.

- Oh, and then, if anyone

has seen either of these men, then-

- Yes, they're likely to comment

on the quality of the likeness.

It's amazing how quickly you apprehend my solutions.

Very interesting.

Now, here are two sovereigns, for expenses.

Now if you manage to locate the kidnappers,

or some place they have confined Watson and Mrs. Hudson,

you must send me a telegram forthwith.

- And where are you off to?

- Oh, Scotland Yard.

I'm there to play the fool.

I've no time to lose.

Where's my coat?

Oh, I left it on the stairs.

(lively music)

Don't forget the gun.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

(horse trotting)

(carriage door closes)

- Thank you for such a pleasant ride.

- You're welcome, Amelia, though it seems improper

that you should put yourself in danger

for the wages of a scullery maid.

- Oh, I have good reason to help Mr. Holmes.

As do you and Mrs. Halligan.

I wish I didn't upset her so much.

- Oh no, it's not like that, no.

From before we were married,

during our days in service to the Earl of Compton,

the missus has been keenly aware of social decorum.

Mr. Holmes and his ways are sometimes a bit unorthodox.

- I respect Mrs. - Halligan's opinions.

(Mr. Halligan chuckling)

- I would not mention the word opinion to her.

In my wife's mind, she has no opinions, only the facts.

Contradicting her is like trying to float upstream.

That coach over there bears Lord Withersea's coat of arms.

How odd.

- [Amelia] Not at all, Mr. - Halligan.

It's a bit of luck, finally.

Excuse me, this won't take long.

- [Inspector] But Lord Withersea, we can't just leave.

- [Lord Withersea] Crack on, will you.

Your investigation hasn't stopped people from dying.

- [Inspector] Our inquiries are not yet complete.

We were closed for minor refurbishments.

- No one was aware the kidnappers were hiding here.

- We must finish our own work before you can resume yours.

- If you refuse to leave,

I will file a complaint with your superiors.

- [Inspector] As you wish, Lord Withersea.

(telephone ringing)

- [Lord Withersea] Get me Scotland Yard on the double.

Chief Inspector Whitlock's office.

- Madam, the factory is closed.

- Sorry, sir, my brother is a joiner here,

but he's fallen very ill.

- I'm sorry to hear it.

Unfortunately, these coffins are not for sale.

- Oh no, sir, I wanted only to know when work was to resume.

- [Inspector] Oh, don't worry, Miss.

If your brother is well by Sunday.

- [Lord Withersea] When you are done,

call me on your telephone in Richmond.

- Oh, my family will be so relieved.

Thank you so much.

I must go tell them right away.

Thank you.

Excuse me, sir.

(lively music)

- [O'Leary] Where to, my lord?

- [Lord Withersea] Richmond, and be quick about it.

- [Mr. Halligan] Now where, Miss Rojas?

- To Richmond, follow that carriage.

(lively music) (horse trotting)

- Of course, I can show you a telephone, Mr. Holmes.

And while you're here this visit, as always,

I can introduce you to some of the Yard's

newest crime fighting innovations

from our Advance Scientific Division.

Oh, for example, though they're not exactly new,

and there are already quite a few on the streets, but.

(machine clicking)

One day, sir, electric lights will replace gas lamps

with a brilliance you can only imagine.

Banishing the darkness of night,

and keeping the criminals at bay.

- Or making it easier for them to see their victims,

Detective Swann.

- And, look at this.

Samples from the pen of every known blackmailer,

and swindler in the land.

We're almost at a point where we can put

a name to a criminal by his penmanship alone.

- Well, let's hope these criminals

remain ignorant of the typewriter.

- And, thanks to the work of Mr. E.R. Henry,

and several foreigners,

the Science Division is in the midst of developing an index

that can create, capture, and enlarge fingermarks,

since no two are alike.

- Well, you must remind me to invest in glove making.

Now, Detective Swann, fascinating as this tour has been,

it is telephony that I wish to study.

- Right, and you are in luck, Mr. Holmes.

For it has proven such a boon to policing

that we have not one,

but four telephones in our headquarters.

Here's one of them.

- I had hoped to see a working model.

- Certainly.

I'll take you to Chief Inspector Whitlock's office.

And may I say, sir,

how admirable it is that a gentleman of your years

still seeks to remain au courant with innovation.

It is difficult to find people

with such a lively curiosity in their late middle-age.

- Detective, this sort of praise

is usually reserved for one's eulogy.

- Oh, heartfelt, sir, you can be sure.

Oh, this way, the telephones are upstairs.

You could try our new elevator.

This way, Mr. Holmes.

- I hate that blasted contraption.

Telephones serve no useful purpose in detection.

Take my rescue of the American ambassador's daughter.

- Oh, that was you?

Well, your public modesty is remarkable.

- We have yet to release the news,

but the coachman who kidnapped the girl

has done the decent thing and hanged himself in his cell.

- Case closed, all without the use of a telephone.

- Case closed.

So you also recovered the ambassador's stolen jewels?

- Not yet, no,

but the culprit had very little time to dispose of them.

I am personally taking over this investigation,

so I'm confident the jewels will be found.

Can I tell you anything else about telephones, Mr. Holmes?

- Aside from Bullivant's complaints,

do you find them useful?

- I do.

If a suspect flees London by rail, for example,

I can just call ahead (dialing telephone)

And have officers present on the platform

before the wretch steps off the train.

- [Telephone Operator] Operator.

- No, no, we're fine, thank you.

(telephone thunks)

All without moving from my desk.

- How convenient.

Perhaps I should have one installed for myself.

- They are still quite expensive

for use in a private residence.

- In the pursuit of justice,

I allow myself to be extravagant.

I've just come from wasting half the day

visiting that old reprobate, Moriarty.

Had I been able to conduct the interview by telephone,

then I might have saved myself both the journey,

and several hours in his loathsome company.

- Moriarty.

What did the villain have to say for himself?

- Oh, he was reciting some pathetic story about his son,

Daniel, sent to Australia

as a juvenile offender in the '80s.

And now the young man has returned to London,

but has avoided visiting his father.

- Yes, I saw a brief mention of him two months ago.

Every day, the home office send me a list

of potential revolutionaries, misfits, and former felons.

How I'm supposed to keep on top of it all, I'll never know.

- And is Daniel Moriarty on that list?

- Yes, changed his name to Michael Wylie

whilst in Australia, and who could blame him for that?

Works as a clerk for some broker on the stock exchange.

- Would you like him brought in for questioning?

This young Moriarty?

- No, no, I think it might be best

to deal with the matter unofficially.

- And should you suddenly have an idea

as to the whereabouts of the ambassador's missing jewels?

- I suppose I could just ring you.

I wonder, chief inspector,

does one buy the telephone,

and all that comes with it outright?

Or do they continue to charge you by the call?

- Both, of course.

- Would you happen to have a statement I could examine,

just so I could estimate my monthly costs?

- I do have a copy, yes.

The bill doesn't have names on it, of course.

Just the numbers one dialed, and the duration of each call.

Peruse it at your leisure.

- Thank you, chief inspector.

- Happy to help, Mr. Holmes.

You've proven useful in the past,

and may yet do so in the future.

- That's very thoughtful of you to say.

I shall take my leave and allow you two gentlemen

to resume your more important duties.

Au revoir.

(quirky music)

- [Swann] Uh, Mr. Holmes, going down?

- Yes.

- [Swann] Always a pleasure to see you, sir.

(elevator door closes)

(elevator whirring)

- I could use your help regarding all the newest advances

in our mutual field of endeavor,

but only if I can depend on your discretion.

I wouldn't want your superiors to know

that we were in communication.

They might think I'd lost my touch.

- I'm sure you've got some good years still left, sir.

And it would be my honor to assist you.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

- Mr. Halligan, drive to the nearest telegraph office

and send a message to Mr. Holmes.

Tell him that Lord Withersea

doesn't just own the coffin factory,

but he also has a mansion in Richmond.

- Amelia, I am Mr. Holmes' gentleman, and not an errand boy.

- Here, take these two sovereigns, send the message,

and after that, enjoy the finest chophouse you can find,

but hold onto the change.

- My word.

Where did you come by two whole sovereigns?

Nevermind, I will ponder that question over a pork roast,

and all the trimmings,

but if you have not come to town in three hours,

I will return and wait outside the gate.

(dog barking)

There was a bad experience with a hound many years back.

I think it would be safer if you came with me.

- Don't worry, Mr. Halligan.

If it finds me, I know how to handle a dog.

I think Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson are being held here,

and Mr. Holmes needs to know, urgently.

Now go get the message out and enjoy dinner.

(lively music)

(dog barking)

- Quiet.

Sit, sit.

Stay, stay.

Stay, stay.

(calming music)

- It's been a while since I've had to assign you boys

such a complicated task.

I'm afraid it requires a bit of legwork.

Shaw, I want you to gather

what's left of the Baker Street irregulars.

And search through the usual haunts

of the clerks on the exchange for a young Australian,

newly arrived, aged 25, goes by the name of Michael Wylie.

If you find him, you can have two shillings apiece.

- But Mr. Holmes, that will take us all night and day.

We're not 11 anymore.

- Another half a crown,

but I need results by sundown tomorrow.

- Is everything satisfactory, sir?

- I hope so, Mrs. Halligan.

I'll be out for dinner.

Cab.

Right, another half-a-crown each

if you make sure I'm not followed from this place.

Richmond, Lord Withersea's Estate.

- That's some distance, guv'nor.

I was on my way home.

- [Holmes] Well, I'll double the fare,

and then you can wait for me and bring me back.

For God's sake, man, drive.

This is an emergency.

- [Shaw] Come on, boys.

- [Hackney Driver] Time to go.

- [Shaw] Excuse me, sir, hold on a second there.

If you'll just allow me two minutes, not even two minutes.

Honest to God, two minutes.

(suspenseful music)

(horse trotting)

(suspenseful music)

(paper rustling)

(suspenseful music)

(horse whinnying)

(horse trotting)

(tarp flapping)

- Please don't make any noise.

Sherlock Holmes sent me, I'm here to help.

Just,

just give me a second.

(tool clinking)

(wood scraping)

Don't make a sound.

(Amelia gasping)

(dramatic music) (horse whinnying)

(dramatic music)

(wood scraping)

- Show me where they are.

(tarp flapping)

(door opens)

We must find an eternal resting place

for our guests by tonight.

My wife and the other servants

will be back late tomorrow morning.

- I'll dig a hole for them,

and add a deal of quicklime to hasten their journey.

A shame to waste the coffins, though.

- They're worth less than they will be a week or two hence.

(suspenseful music)

O'Leary, did you open these caskets?

- No, sir, I did not.

- The lids have been forced.

(O'Leary whistling)

(dog growling)

- Stand up.

Stand up, slowly.

Show me your hands.

One twitch and I'll make room for you

in one of them coffins you opened.

All right then, my lady.

Who are you when you're at home?

- My name doesn't matter.

Just the name of my mother,

Lucia Rojas.

- Sorry, never heard of her.

- She was another victim of the Red Thread.

Murdered by men like you.

- Men like him, you mean.

How came you to be here?

How did you know where we were?

(tense music)

- Too late for explanations, my lord.

She's already seen them.

(gun clicking)

And seen us.

- Hold your fire.

First, I must call for instruction.

And you would do well to remember your place.

- Yeah.

Lords, always giving orders, from Ireland to India.

Go, now, before I lose my patience.

Take the dog with you,

and put him in the kitchen and close the door.

I don't want him running in here again.

(ominous music) (door closes)

Now that our lordship has gone, my lady,

perhaps we can think of a better way to get acquainted.

(eerie music)

(dramatic music)

- [Holmes] This is it, stop.

Stop, stop.

(gate clanking)

- [Hackney Driver] Are you expected, sir?

- I certainly hope not.

- Stop, sir, at your age?

- I've heard quite enough about my age for one day.

Thank you very much.

For your information I've just turned, 40.

- I have to say, sir, youdon't look it.

- Thank you.

(gunshot)

- [Hackney Driver] Walk on, walk on.

(horse trotting) (dramatic music)

(door opens)

(tense music)

(tense music continues)

- I say, dear girl,

you all right?

- He tried.

(tense music)

- There's no need to speak of it.

I understand.

(Holmes breathing heavily)

Are you safe here?

Are we alone?

- No, no.

The servants and the family are away,

but Withersea is in the house.

In fact, the carriage, the coffins.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music continues)

(tarp flapping)

(dramatic music)

- A pity we can't question.

Still, they won't bother us no more.

I always carry a little flask of brandy

for medicinal purposes.

It's a remarkable restorative.

Would you care to?

Ah, now I understand these stables may seem oppressive,

but might you wait for me here

with your weapon at the ready?

- Yes, but if you're going to confront Withersea,

be careful, he's one of them.

- Well, judging by Weams and Magott,

I think it's Withersea who ought to be careful.

Where's Mr. Halligan?

- He's finishing his dinner.

He'll be back in less than an hour.

- Right.

Well.

Good work, very good work.

Sorry to have put you in such grave danger.

Very sorry indeed.

Wait there.

(door opens and closes)

(tense music)

(door opens)

(door closes)

- [Telephone Operator] Please hold,

and I will try to connect you.

(knocking)

(door opens)

(tense music)

- Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Pleasure to see you again.

- Very good of you to say so, my lord.

I admit to a certain ignorance

regarding the proper etiquette in this situation,

but perhaps you could talk to me instead of your telephone.

- Allow me to put the receiver down.

(telephone receiver clinks)

Please, (gun clicks) don't move.

- I am standing perfectly still.

- I should've expected you, I suppose.

And the girl in the stables is one your spies?

- Yes, she is, and alive and well.

The same cannot be said of your confederate.

- The world will little grieve his absence.

You, on the other hand.

- Killing me would be a very bad idea, my lord.

Even for one who has made as many poor choices

as you have of late.

The police are en route.

- No, they're not, but what would they find, Mr. Holmes?

When they finally appear?

That remains to be seen.

- If Watson and Mrs. Hudson are present and alive,

and in good health,

the authorities will find their kidnappers

dead in the stables.

And, perhaps, they could recover the jewels

stolen from the home of the American ambassador.

I could convince them

that you are ignorant of the entire scheme.

And your station and former wealth might give them pause.

- Former wealth, Mr. Holmes?

- I do note, without pleasure,

the faded spaces on your walls

where valued paintings used to hang.

And your coat, which was fashionable four years ago,

has had its colors refreshed in places with ink.

And your tie is jagged along the edges from overuse.

And this rug on which I'm standing, is pocked with scars.

Now I know of only two vices

that can create such circumstances,

and since your face is unblemished,

your challenges would seem to do less with drink,

and more to bad luck at cards.

- Just so, Mr. Holmes, just so.

Gambling lured me into wagering my happiness, and I lost.

- Well, I beg you, my lord,

roll the dice once more, bet on me.

Help rescue my friends and all may yet be well.

- Your friends are long gone from here, Mr. Holmes.

The Red Thread has them, and I cannot help you save them.

- Strike back against the Thread, sir.

(dramatic music)

Help me bring these criminals to justice.

- My, but you entertain a high opinion of yourself,

Mr. Holmes.

Bring them to justice?

You might as well try and sweep the sand from the Sahara,

or clear the oceans of salt.

You honestly have no idea what you're up against, do you?

This is no gang of pickpockets, sir.

The Red Thread represents

the very industrialization of crime,

and they are preparing to commit the greatest offense

ever conceived by the human mind,

or at least, beyond your poor imagination.

No, I have a much better idea.

- Killing me would be pointless.

- Helping you would be worse.

Not only would it lead to my own execution,

but that of my wife and children.

Oh, yes, they would not scruple even at that.

- Believe me when I say, it is impossible for you to escape.

- No, Mr. Holmes.

It is you who cannot escape, but I can, and I will.

Farewell.

(gunshot)

(morbid music)

(morbid music continues)

(paper rustling)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

(footsteps approaching)

- Oh, you look very well, considering.

- Are you sure you won'tneed me this afternoon?

- Uh, no.

Further investigation of the Thread

awaits installation of my telephone.

In the meantime, I've started a new search

for a young rascal called Dan Moriarty,

also known as Michael Wylie.

- Michael Wylie?

- Yes, it's an alias adopted by the son

of a very dangerous criminal

whose father sometimes tries to kill me.

It's nothing to worry about.

The older Moriarty is presently in prison,

and mostly harmless.

- I'm Amelia Rojas.

- I'm Michael Wylie.

And I'm in very much need of your help.

I'll wait for you tomorrow and every day after that

at Mrs. Bailey's Teahouse on Park Road at 4:00 p.m.

- We shall call this your monthly day off.

I want you to keep the money Halligan returned to you.

And find something completely unsuitable

for which to spend it.

Be free, do whatever you want.

A nice long walk would do you good,

preferably along the park.

Stick to the most public area as possible.

In fact, don't go too far outside the neighborhood.

- I'm glad I can do whatever I want.

- Just stay safe, please.

It's very odd how concerns for your safety

suddenly affect my concentration.

Especially with people suggesting

we might be facing offenses beyond my imagination.

(doorbell ringing)

- Ah, there's someone at the door.

- I see my lessons in deduction

have not been entirely wasted.

Uh, out of deference to Mrs. Halligan's sensibilities,

if you could please leave by the servants' entrance.

I, uh.

- Yeah.

Uh, thank you for your kindness, Mr. Holmes.

I appreciate it very much.

(doorbell ringing)

- [Mrs. Halligan] Good morning, may I help you?

- [Lady Violet] Hello, Mrs. - Hudson.

I'm here on business with Sherlock Holmes.

- [Mrs. Halligan] Do you have an appointment?

- Lady Violet.

- My dear Mrs. Hudson, people make appointments with me.

Ah, there you are, Sherlock.

How delightful to see you again.

(quirky music)

How little your rooms have changed in the last 20 years.

And so lovely that your dear, old landlady

still guards the door.

And where is the loyal Dr. Watson?

- On a walking tour of Italy.

And that was not Mrs. Hudson.

She's visiting her husband's family

in the Scottish Highlands.

That was her twin sister, Mrs. Halligan.

- An uncanny likeness.

I half expected you might be helping the police

with this grizzly affair in Richmond.

- [Holmes] Oh?

- You haven't heard?

Lord Withersea killed his coachman and then himself.

And they found two more criminals in Withersea coffins

shot through the head in his stables.

- [Holmes] The case solves itself.

- I certainly hope not.

Sensational murders could liven up the season,

which has been even duller than usual.

I came here

straight from the American ambassador's residence.

I believe you know him?

- We have been introduced.

- His wife is most insistent on hiring away

one of your servants, a Miss Amelia Rojas,

as chaperone for their daughter, Clara.

- Oh, what have the ambassador's domestic arrangements

to do with you?

- Since I was once presented at court,

I am sometimes enlisted to help young ladies

follow in my footsteps.

Clara Anderson is one of my protégées.

The Andersons paid my expenses to and from the United States

in order to prepare their immature daughter, Clara,

for her introduction to society.

I can't say exactly when that will be

since the appropriate dates for balls are all spoken for,

but I will work something out.

- For a fee, I suppose?

- In terms of income, I am dependent on my younger brother,

whose generosity is even less pronounced

that his intelligence,

but back to your maid.

- Should not Amelia have some say in this matter?

- I don't see why.

I am much opposed to this movement

of treating one's servants as part of the household.

No.

The only question is would she be aware of her place?

She is after all-

- She is, after all, what?

- An American.

They are famed for over familiarity and coarse manners.

I've known some to be a little short of passionate,

which I always find very vulgar in a woman.

- Well, if you deem Amelia

too unpolished for polite society,

perhaps she should remain in my employ.

- Why, Sherlock.

Where on earth did you come by this photograph?

Oh, just look at them.

Cowboys, cutthroats, Indians, and sharpshooters.

And in the back row, us.

Oh, dear, we were so young.

Oh, and there's that woman with whom you became so enamored.

She was a designer, no?

I'll never forget you comparing her to da Vinci.

All her improbable inventions.

What was her name?

Little Pigeon.

- Little Dove.

She was, in fact, an accomplished engineer.

- Oh, yes, I remember now.

You wanted me to submit her designs

for some terrifying weapon, was it not?

To my father when he was running the Ministry of War.

You were quite keen on getting a working model constructed.

- It's a souvenir, nothing more.

- But it has bearing on my business,

as you must surely know.

Indeed, I suspect that's why you hired the girl

in the first place.

Is the picture out for her benefit?

How sentimental you have become.

The telegram I just handed you

contains the details of Amelia's birth.

Her mother, according to the Pinkertons,

is none other than the same Little Dove

of whom we were speaking,

though she changed her name to Lucia Rojas and, I note,

Amelia's unnamed father

is described as an explorer, deceased.

- Yes, Amelia said something like that to me.

- Perhaps the girl was the offspring of one of those

whirlwind romances for which theatrical types are so famous.

Born a mere 18 months after her mother departed from London.

- 18 months?

That's rather, uh.

Uh (paper rustling) here.

- No, keep it.

It's only the background information

collected by the Pinkertons.

There are no official documents,

and I've copied all the relevant details.

Now, don't make a fuss over losing the girl's services

just because you were fond of her mother.

This new arrangement will improve her station in life,

and is most definitely for the good of the country.

My regards to Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson.

(door opens and closes)

(paper rustling)

- If my mother said so, then I am your daughter.

- 18 months.

(curious music)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

(dramatic music ends)

(bright music)