All language subtitles for The.Triumph.of.Sherlock.Holmes.1935.1080p.BluRay.REMUX.AVC.DD.2.0-EPSiLON

Ah, that's good.

Hello, Mrs. Hudson.

What are you looking for?

Haven't you finished
packing yet?

Not yet, sir. But
I'm getting around.

Well, be as quick
as you can, won't you?

Indeed, I will.

His things do take
a bit of collecting.

Well, how about his
chemical aberrations?

He's very particular
about that, you know?

He would have packed
that himself by now.

Really, Holmes,
this is too bad.

Do you realize that my wife
and the rest of the furniture

will be here at any moment?

I told you, the van
that's bringing my stuff

is taking all of your
things into the country.

I'm so sorry, my dear Watson.

I was somewhat engrossed
in my correspondence.

I had no idea that my retirement
would cause such a stir.

You know, all sorts of
people have written to me.

Here's an interesting
communication, for instance.

Well, what's that?

It's a telegram of good
wishes from our old friend,

Abernathy, the forger.

Oh, yes. We got him
10 years, didn't we?

Uh, yes. Yes.

Uh, uh, we did, yes.

And when he came out,

I was able to render him
some slight assistance.

You know, I'm not
sure, my dear Watson,

that of all the kindly
messages I have received,

even from the most
exalted persons,

that this is not
the most gratifying.

Well, I don't suppose
they're all regrets

at your retirement.

No.

I imagine there are
quite a number of people

who will be immensely relieved.

Undoubtedly, my dear Watson.

Chief among them, another old
friend, Professor Moriarty.

Oh, ho, Moriarty.

Do you know, Holmes,
he's the one subject

on which I believe
you're utterly mistaken.

Mm, make no mistake,
my dear Watson.

That harmless old
professor of mathematics?

That harmless old
professor of mathematics,

as you call him, is the brains

behind the biggest criminal
organization in Europe.

You know, my one
regret in retiring

is that the police
neglected to take advantage

of the opportunity I gave
them of arresting him.

I failed to run him to earth.

Well, we won't argue
about it, Holmes.

Oh, I'd better run along

and see if the van's
left my place yet.

Excuse me, Mr. Holmes.

There's a gentleman outside.

Wants to see you
very particular.

Oh?

What's the gentleman like?

He an old gentleman.

And very tall.

Ask him to come up.

Yes, sir.

Huh, another well wisher.

Come in, my dear Professor.

May I point out, Mr. Holmes,

that it is a very
dangerous habit

to finger a loaded
revolver in the pocket

of one's dressing gown?

Just a slight
precaution, Professor.

As a matter of fact, I half
expected a visit from you

to satisfy yourself, personally,
that I really was going.

Your perception, as usual,
does you credit, Mr. Holmes.

I must confess that,
personally speaking,

I cannot regret your
intention to retire.

I can well believe
you, Professor.

I also feel that from
your own point of view,

it is a very wise course.

In fact, it is the
only course possible.

I'm afraid I
don't quite follow.

Do you not, Mr. Holmes?

Allow me to refresh your memory.

Listen, Mr. Holmes.

On the 4th of January
last, you crossed my path.

On the 23rd you incommoded me.

By the middle of February,

I was very much
inconvenienced by you.

And at the end of March,

I was seriously
hampered in my plans.

The situation, in fact, had
become an impossible one.

Mm-hm. That was my intention.

Mr. Holmes, it has been
an intellectual treat

to cross swords with you.

And I say, unaffectedly,

it would have been
a great treat to me

to have been forced to
take any extreme measures.

Danger happens to be part
of my trade, Professor.

Danger!

It isn't a question of danger,

but of inevitable destruction!

Therefore, I say again,
you are wise to retire.

And when you once
get to the country,

take my advise and stay there!

And suppose I should
reconsider my decision?

You have my warning.

I wish you a pleasant
and permanent retirement.

Now see here, Colonel Moran.

How much longer
have I gotta wait?

Where is this Mr. Moriarty?

He's received your message.

And he'll see you as soon
as it's convenient for him.

Dammit, I've been waiting here

for three quarters of an hour.

Who the devil does
he think he is?

If I may give you a word
of advice, Mr. Balding.

I should moderate
your tone a little

when you meet the Professor.

Is that so?

Hey, you! Wait a minute!

What devil's trick's this?

No, devil's trick.

I only wanted to
prevent your going

before I have spoken to you.

And who gave you the right
to turn a key on me? Huh?

We needn't
discuss that matter.

I understand you have a
proposition to make to me.

Maybe I have.

But maybe I've changed my
mind while ya kept me waiting.

I'll speak to people
when I choose, Mr. Balding.

Not to me, ya don't!

Unlock that door!

Sit down.

I said, open that door.

Sit down.

You're merely wasting time.

You traveled here
on a false passport.

And the American police
would be interested

to know your whereabouts.

So you will do as you're told.

Okay, Mr. Moriarty.

I understand you represent
an American society,

which is anxious to remove
one of its ex-members

who is now living in this
country under an assumed name.

That is so.

And you wish the aid
of my organization.

What do you propose to pay?

$50,000.

Reasonable.

And now you will tell me
all you know about this man.

How you traced him to England,

when he arrived here,

and in what part of the
country he was last heard of.

Colonel Moran speaking.

Yes, he's interviewing
the professor now.

Yes, we're quite satisfied
with his credentials.

It's simply a question of
whether the professor decides

to take up the case or not.

I will take up the case,
Mr. Balding, on one condition.

Yes?

That you place yourself
entirely in my hands.

Carry out my
instructions implicitly

and obey my slightest
order without question.

Very well.

Good.

You will now return
to your hotel.

You will make no move whatever
until you hear from me.

When's that likely to be?

It may be a week.

It may be a month.

Rest assured you
will hear from me.

When I am ready, your orders
will be delivered by hand.

Do you understand?

Yeah, I get ya.

Very well.

You will now find
the door opened.

Good day.

Okay. I'm relying
on ya, Professor.

Oh, by the way, don't forget-

Going
downstairs again, darling?

Yeah, I left my
glasses in the study.

You gonna read then?

Yeah, for a little.

I don't feel I'm gonna sleep.

You've been dreadfully
nervy all day, dear.

Is anything wrong?

No, dear. Nothing.

I just don't feel I'm
gonna sleep, that's all.

I see.

- Hello, Jack.
- Is anything wrong?

No. I laid down my glasses
downstairs, that's all.

- Goodnight, Roy.
- Goodnight, sir.

Excuse me, oh!

Oh, dear. I'm so
sorry, Mrs. Hudson.

Is Mrs. Watson
coming down with the doctor?

Uh, no. No, she isn't.

I, I gather that she's
too busy in Baker Street.

Oh. So it's only
you and the doctor?

Yes. It's just
order of the doctor.

Oh!

Oh, here he is.

Good morning, Holmes.

Oh, my dear Watson.

I'm delighted to see you.

Good morning, Mrs. Hudson.

Good morning, Doctor.

Well, how are you?

Oh, I'm much better,
thank you, Watson.

You're looking better.

I hope Mrs. Hudson's seeing
that you have proper meals.

Oh, I believe
like.

Uh, we had a delicious
chicken casserole yesterday,

didn't we?

Yes, and you let
it all get cold

while you were deducing
the age of the chicken.

As matter of fact, Watson,
it was a tough proposition.

I've bit off more
than I could chew.

Well, go along inside,
Watson, have a drink.

I know you must need one
after your long journey.

Yes, I could
do with one, thanks.

Oh, this is very nice, Holmes.

Here, help yourself, Watson.

Thanks.

Sulfuric acid?

You're developing a curious
sense of humor, Watson.

There you are. It's over there.

Well, are you settled in
comfortably in Baker Street?

As far as I can see, we are.

But Mrs. Watson doesn't
seem to think so.

Oh.

Uh, you've been, uh, you've
been moving things about a bit.

Yes.

You've moved your shaving
mirror over to the fireplace.

Yes, that's right.

My wife has her dressing
table where we used to have...

How did you know?

My dear Watson, you're
a man of precise habits

and considerable regard for
your personal appearance.

And I observed at once the
right-hand side of your face

is closely shaved.

And the further we
get to the neck,

then the more careless
your shaving appears.

Til we come to the
angle of the jaw,

well, it is positively slovenly.

See I, I deduced, therefore,

that you had placed
your shaving mirror

where the light strikes on
the right side of the face.

The bed must obviously be
across the end of the room.

Therefore, the fireplace
is the only place left

which could produce that result.

Amazing, Holmes.

Elementary, my dear
Watson. Elementary.

Oh, by the way, I've
got a letter for you.

Oh, thanks very much. Hm.

Hello. This is interesting.

Oh?

It's a letter from Porlock.

Well, who's Porlock?

Well, it's rather
difficult to say.

He's a gentleman
of many aliases.

He wouldn't be of
any importance,

except for the fact
that ,

a link in the chain.

He's a good way down the chain
and not a very good link.

Now, look here, Holmes.

Please remember
that you've retired.

Twice he's sent me
advanced information

that has enabled me
to prevent a crime.

Whether it was his conscience
that made him do it,

or a 10 pound note sent
to him by devious methods,

I have never discovered.

What do you make
of that, Watson?

I won't make anything of it.

Put it in the wastepaper basket.

There's a good fella.

My dear Watson, I'm willing

to put anything in
the wastepaper basket

if I can do so with
a clear conscience.

I might never forgive myself
if I did so in this case.

What do you mean?

I mean, that something
sinister is afoot, Watson.

Just cast your eye over that.

Obviously in cipher.

Ah, how true,
Watson. How true.

I'm glad you spotted it.

Yes, there's only
one word, Birlstone.

And then there's a
series of numbers

that obviously
represent other words.

They're probably
taken from some book.

Now the point is, what book?

Well, why doesn't
the fool tell you?

Oh, my dear Watson.

Send the key of the cipher
in the same envelope

as the cipher itself?

- Oh.
- Oh, no, my dear fellow.

The key will probably
follow in another envelope.

And meanwhile, it
might be instructive

if we try to decipher
this ourselves.

Now the cipher message
begins with the number 534.

Uh, huh.

Well, that's
probably page 534.

That means we've
got a large book.

The next line is C2.

What do you make
of that, Watson?

Chapter Two, of course.

Well, hardly that, Mr. Watson.

What size book would it be if
Chapter Two were on page 534?

Oh. Well, a column then.

Brilliant, Watson. Brilliant.

Really, you're
scintillating this morning.

Now we've got a large book,
printed in double columns.

Any other suggestions?

The Bible?

My dear Watson, you,
you excel yourself.

Didn't I remark just now,
Porlock is one of Moriarty's men?

And I can hardly imagine
any less likely book

in his possession
than the Bible.

Hm.

No, the Bible has
too many editions.

No. No, this must be
a standardized book.

And page 534 would be
the same in all copies.

Uh, try again, Watson.

Well, how about Bradshaw?

Or the ABC's.

Well, that's a
good idea, Watson.

But, uh, if I may say so,
it's not quite good enough.

I know. Whitaker's Almanack.

Mm, mm. Now come along.

And let's see what page
534 has in store for us.

Just write this down.

Danger.

Good, Watson, good.

You got that down?

- Yes.
- Capital.

Owner Birlstone Castle.

Well, what's it mean?

It means, Watson, that
some devilry is brewing

against the owner
of Birlstone Castle.

Excuse me, Mr. Holmes.

Here's Inspector Lestrade.

- Oh, hello.
- Good morning, gentlemen.

Good
morning, Lestrade.

I told him he wasn't to
come right in, Mr. Holmes.

But he said he'd arrest
me if I didn't let him in.

- That's all right, Mrs.
- Hudson. That's all right.

You understand, Inspector,
that Mr. Holmes has retired?

You're not going to
drag him up to London.

Oh, no, sir. I wasn't
thinking of doing that.

I called in to ask Mr. Holmes
if he'd be good enough...

Birlstone? Well, what's
this, Mr. Holmes?

This is magic.

That's a cipher that
Watson has just solved.

Well, what's the
matter, Inspector?

Matter?

Only that Mr. Douglas
of Birlstone Castle

was horribly
murdered last night.

- What?
- Shot.

Face completely blown away.

So Porlock's
message came too late.

Porlock? Who's Porlock?

And how can he prophesy murders?

Camberwell post marked.

Well, that doesn't tell us much.

It tells you as much as
you'll ever know, Inspector.

I used to send him money to
the Camberwell Post Office.

Well, didn't you
find out who called for it?

No. No, I promised not
to try and chase him.

I, I gather he was
of rather a shy,

no, not to say
retiring disposition.

Well, we can't
waste anymore time.

Will you come over to
Birlstone with me, Mr. Holmes?

On the way, I'll
tell you all I know.

Oh, we're not going far then?

About, uh, 20 miles.

You'll be back for lunch.

I forbid it! I'd sooner
go myself than let you go.

Excitement's bad for you.

I appeal to you, Inspector,
he really ought not to go.

My dear Watson, I appreciate
your thought in this.

I wouldn't dream of going
if I were not convinced

that Moriarty is
behind all this.

Not your Professor Moriarty?

- Yes, Lestrade.
- Professor Moriarty.

My dear Mr. Holmes,
you're beginning

to see his hand in everything.

Porlock is one
of Moriarty's men.

Now look here, Lestrade.

I'll bet you my new bee
hive to your old bowler hat,

that you'll find that
Moriarty is behind

this Birlston affair.

- All right, I'll take you.
- Good.

Hm. This is an estate well
back into the past, Watson.

I suggest these are the remains

of the old, uh,
outer fortification.

Yes, obviously.

Well, I suggest, Mr. Holmes,
that we should do better

to go inside and view
the scene of the tragedy.

My dear Lestrade,
I always think

it wise to get one's
bearings before proceeding

into, uh, deeper waters.

Lestrade, I observe
that this moat

has only recently been
filled with water.

Oh?

How on earth do you
know that, Holmes?

Really, Watson what
kind of a tree is it

that comes to maturity
and blossoms in water?

No, no, no, no.

This water is a recent addition.

Makes it much more difficult
to get out of the window.

- Yes.
- Yes, Watson.

Or to get in.

Possibly Mr. Douglas
anticipated this crime.

Ah, Inspector Griffith,
this is Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?

Ahem.

Oh, this is my
friend, Dr. Watson.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Well, shall we get in?

By all means, Inspector.

This is what it was
done with, Mr. Holmes.

I found it lying just there.

There was no signs of a struggle

except the peculiar
position of that chair.

I see.

Now, tell me, who else
besides Mr. Douglas

was in the house at the
time of the tragedy?

Uh, Mrs. Douglas
and Mr. Cecil Barker,

a friend of the family.

Here you are, Mr. Holmes.

Dear me, these are
dreadfully dirty.

Must have been at
point blank range.

Whoever did this,
didn't intend to miss.

Well, one could hardly
miss with a sawn off shotgun.

American. Pennsylvania
Small Arms Company.

You'll observe that the
triggers are wired together.

So he got both barrels at once.

And what do you make
of this card, Mr. Holmes?

V.V. 341.

It was found pinned to the body.

Rough cardboard.

It was not written in this room.

See this was down
with a broad nib.

These are fine.

Well, what does
it mean, Holmes?

You say the draw bridge
is raised every evening?

Yes, about sunset.

And the tragedy occurred
about half past 11:00?

Yes.

Obviously suicide.

We thought that at first, sir.

Until someone pointed out this.

- What is it?
- A foot mark?

Yes. Someone must have
gone out of that window.

Who pointed this out?

- Did Mr. Barker, sir.
- Oh.

- Blood!
- Yes, his shoes

must have been covered in blood

from the state of the room.

He undoubtedly swam the moat.

Hardly. It's not more
than three feet deep anyway.

Oh.

And you've
observed, of course,

that someone has
been hiding here.

Hm?

There are distinct
marks of muddy boots.

Uh, when were these
curtain drawn?

At dusk.

Oh.

So the man must have got in
after the curtains were drawn

and before the
bridge was raised.

Yes, but I observed
when I arrived

that the moat doesn't extend
right around the castle.

There's a ruined tower at
the end of the building

that's accessible without
crossing the draw bridge.

Yes, but the only
way from the tower

to this part of the house

is through this solid oak door,
which is always kept locked.

Is it?

By Jove, Holmes.

It doesn't seemed to
be locked now, does it?

- Well, that's funny.
- I always understood-

- Yes, we'll return
to that later.

But meanwhile, I
must ask you to make

no reference whatever to it.

Now I think we'll have
another look at the body.

Oh, and I should
like to have a word

with that Mr. Cecil Barker.

Very good, sir.

What do make of
this curious mark

on Douglas' forearms, then?

Do you think it's a sign
of some secret society?

How would you say
this was done, Watson?

It isn't tattooing.

No, it's a brand.

It's been done with a red
hot iron. Very painful.

Mr. Barker, this is
Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

How do you do?

I'm very glad you were
able to come, Mr. Holmes.

Ahem.

Oh, uh, this is my
friend, Dr. Watson.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Now, Mr. Barker, I understand
you discovered the body.

Yes. I heard the shot
and came straight down.

Poor Douglas was lying
where you see him now.

A lighted candle
was on the table.

Oh, this candle?

Yes.

And you gave the
alarm immediately?

Yes. I rang the bell for Ames.

That's the butler.

And a minute later he came in.

So that within two minutes

of the murder Ames
was in this room?

Yes.

What is the
first thing he did?

He put that lamp he
was carrying on the table

and, uh, blew out the candle.

As a matter of fact, I
was here so quickly myself

after the shot, that I must
actually have been in the room

while the murderer was
escaping through window.

Why do you say,
through the window?

Because there's
no other way out.

That door to the tower
is always locked.

But we've just discover-

- Now, tell me Mr. Barker,

did Mrs. Douglas come in
here after the tragedy?

No. I was able to
stop her just in time.

How long have you known
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas?

About a year.

I met them when they first came
to Switzerland from America.

And how long have
they been here?

About, uh, nine months.

Hm.

You don't know anything
about, uh, Douglas' past life?

Only that he used
to live in Chicago.

You never heard him speak
of any secret society?

Funny you should mention that.

He never told me
about it himself,

but I always got the impression

that he, he was a member
of one, or an ex-member.

You don't know what
that mark on his arm was?

No. I've seen it
often, of course.

But he never told me what it was

and I never liked to ask him.

It was one of the things

that rather made me wonder
about that secret society.

Anything odd about his
behavior at any time.

Well, he hated meeting people.

In Switzerland, he hardly
ever moved from his chalet

in the mountains.

Kind of made me wonder if
somebody was after him.

When he suddenly packed
up and bolted to England,

it made me wonder all the more.

Come in.

Excuse me, sir.

But Mrs. Douglas would
like to see Mr. Holmes

when he's finished his
investigation in this room.

Most certainly.

Uh, Mr. Barker would
you be good enough

to tell Mrs. Douglas that
I'll be with her in a minute?

- Oh, Ames?
- Yes, sir.

As you're here, you may as
well answer a few questions.

Very good, sir.

Uh, regarding the tragedy,

did you hear the
report of the gun?

No, sir. You know what
these old houses are.

Walls are a mile thick.

- Now, Ames.
- Yes, sir.

When you entered the room,

this candle was
alight, I understand.

Yes, sir.

- Where would Mr.
- Douglas have got it from?

His bedroom, sir.

I had orders to see
that one was always

on his bedside table.

And you put this
one there yourself?

Yes, sir.

I remember he told me his old
one had burned right down,

so I put in a new one.

Oh, it was a new one”?

Yes, sir.

It hasn't been re-lit
since the tragedy?

No, sir.

I'll vouch for that, sir.

Ah.

Did these candles come
out of the same box

as that one on the table?

Yes, sir.

Yes. Yes, thank you.

Uh, have there been any
strangers about the place lately?

No, sir. Oh, wait a minute!

An old gentleman did
call a little while back

to look over the ruined parts.

But we often have
people come to see that.

It dates from the
Norman conquest.

Quite. Quite.

So there's nothing more
that you can tell me, eh?

No, sir. I can't make head
nor tail of the whole thing.

- Hm.
- Fairly beats me.

And the wedding ring
being missing, too.

Wedding ring?

Didn't Mr. Barker tell you?

Not a word.

What about the wedding ring?

The master always wore
a plain gold wedding ring

under the one with the
rough gold nugget on it.

Under?

Yes, sir. I never
saw him without it.

And for the murderer
to take that

and leave the other seems
so strange, doesn't it?

Yes. Yes.

Oh, there's just one
more question then.

Did your master ever do
exercises in the morning?

Yes, sir. Every morning.

Hm.

As regularly as clockwork.

Oh, very good. Thank you.

Will that be all, sir?

Yes, thank you.

Well, Mr. Holmes, the
most important point

so far is that obviously
this has something to do

with a secret society.

On the contrary,
my dear Lestrade.

I suggest that the most
important point so far

is that Mr. Douglas did
exercises every morning.

You can't be
serious, Mr. Holmes.

Mark you, I don't mind you
asking all these questions

about exercises and candles.

But I can't see how they help

to clear up what
we're investigating.

I suppose, Lestrade, you're
quite clear in your mind

what you are investigating.

- The murder of Mr.
- Douglas, of course.

Ah. Capitol, capitol.

I've told Mrs. Douglas
that Mr. Holmes will see her.

Thank you.

Now I would like to ask
you one or two questions

if you don't mind.

Inspector?

Did you know Mrs. Douglas
before her marriage?

No.

But you've seen a
good deal of her since?

What are you suggesting?

I've seen a good deal of him.

I'm not suggesting anything.

I'm here to get facts.

Did Mr. Douglas entirely approve

of your friendship
with his wife?

I refuse to answer!

I
suppose you realize

that your refusal indicates

that you've something to hide?

I've got nothing to hide!

I can't help what
it indicates to you.

Now, look here, sir.

It won't do any good
to adopt that attitude.

All right. I'm sorry.

I know you're only
doing your duty.

As a matter of fact, I
may as well tell you.

Poor Douglas didn't have one
fault, and that was jealousy.

He liked my being here, but
if Ettie, that's Mrs. Douglas,

and I had too much
to say to each other,

he used to go off the deep end
and say the wildest things.

But I assure you that no man
ever had a more faithful wife

than Ettie, or a more
loyal friend than I.

No doubt.

Still, the fact that his
wedding ring is missing

rather suggests
that the marriage

and the tragedy were,
in some way, connected.

I have no idea
what it suggests.

And if you're insinuating
there was anything between me

and Mrs. Douglas, you're on
the wrong track, that's all.

I don't think I have
anything more to say to you.

Any more questions, Mr. Holmes?

Uh, not at the
moment, Lestrade. No.

It dimensionally adds to
the zest of an investigation

when one is in
conscious sympathy

with the historical atmosphere
of one's surroundings.

May I commend this little
book for your attention?

"History of Birlston"? Ha!

I've got something better to do

than to read that sort of stuff.

Ah. Well, that,
that's a pity, Lestrade.

That's a pity,
because you'd see here

that this castle was
erected in the fifth year

of the reign of James I.

And there are
various associations

of interest connected with
this ancient building.

I don't doubt it, but that's
got nothing to do with us.

Breadth of view,
my dear Lestrade,

is one of the essentials
of our profession.

Yes, well, as you don't
seem to agree with me,

perhaps we had better
go and see Mrs. Douglas.

Ah, that's better.

I'll show you the way.

You
can remove the body.

Very good, sir.

Ettie.

You've met Inspector Lestrade.

This is Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

How do you do, Mr. Holmes?

How do you do?

Ahem.

Oh, may I present
my friend, Dr. Watson?

How do you do?

It was good of you
to come, Mr. Holmes.

Not at all.

I hope I may be
of service to you.

Won't you make
yourselves comfortable?

Well, I think I
shall leave you now.

If you want me, I
shall be in the garden.

Now, Mrs. Douglas, I wonder
if you can give us any help?

I wish I could, but I
didn't see the tragedy.

Yes, so I understand.

But you heard the shot.

Now how long after
that were you stopped

on the stairs by Mr. Barker?

A couple of minutes.

I just had to put on a
wrap and some slippers.

Hm.

How long had your
husband been downstairs

before you heard the shot?

Two or three minutes,
not more than five.

Where were you
married, Mrs. Douglas?

In New York.

Ah, in America.

Have you ever suspected

there was some danger
threatening your husband,

and that he knew it?

Yes, I have.

In fact, I'm sure of it.

But he wouldn't talk about it.

Not that there
wasn't complete love

and understanding between us.

But, well, it's just that he
didn't want me to be worried.

You know nothing of
his life in America

that could have caused
that threatening danger?

Nothing at all.

That mark on his arm,
do you know what that is?

No.

You never asked him?

Yes, I did once.

But he refused to discuss
it, so I never asked again.

You've no idea what it is?

None whatsoever.

Can't you suggest anything?

Mrs. Douglas, I suggest
that you tell me the truth.

Mr. Holmes!

You know perfectly
well what that mark is.

You couldn't possibly have lived
in America without knowing.

That mark is the
brand of the Scourers.

The Scourers?

Yes, an American
secret society

which terrorized the coal
district of the Vermissa,

and which was broken
up some years ago.

Well, I'm bound
to admit, Holmes,

I've never heard of them.

No, I can well
believe that, Watson.

But I can't believe that
Mrs. Douglas has never heard

of the Scourers, because
her husband was one.

All right, Mr. Holmes.

I'll tell you the truth.

I think that would
be the wisest course.

I'll tell you a story
of Vermissa Valley,

the Valley of Fear.

Two years ago, I lived at
Vermissa with my father.

We used to take in
boarders, occasionally.

Then one evening I
went down to the depot

to collect a package

and I met a young man who
had just come off the train.

His name was Murdock and
he was looking for lodging.

The minute I set eyes on him,

I knew he was the one
man in the world for me.

I told him about our place.

And he said he'd call later.

That evening, while I
was clearing away supper,

I heard a knock at the door.

So you've turned up Mr. Murdock.

I sure have.

I Try to make it a
habit to keep my word.

Who is that, Ettie?

Someone to see you
about a room, Dad.

Ettie. So that's
your name, is it?

Mine's Jack.

This is Mr. Murdock.

He wants to board with us.

Yeah, it would suit me fine.

Well, take your things off.

Thanks.

I dare say we can fit you.

$20 a month are the terms.

Well, that's
all right with me.

I better give you
my first month.

Okay.

Will you come into
the sitting room?

Yeah, surely.

Well, this looks
pretty good to me.

Won't you sit down?

You know, I don't think
I'm gonna feel homesick.

Oh, we'll try to
make you comfortable.

Don't you worry, Ettie.

This is gonna to
be more like home

than any place I've been in
since I've come to the States.

Oh, you're not American then?

No. As a matter of fact,
I was born in England.

But, uh, I've been here
the best part of my life.

Oh.

Why, hello, Ted.

I didn't expect you so early.

Yeah. So it seems.

Who's the boyfriend?

Our new boarder, Mr. Murdock.

This is Ted Balding.

Well, Mr. Boarder,
I suppose you figure

you got things fixed up
pretty good here, eh?

Yeah, that's the
idea. Any objection?

No. Come here.

Come on, get a move on.

But I've been a boarder
myself, so I'll put you wise.

Ettie belongs to me.

She's sweet on me.

Get me?

Well, there's no
accounting for taste.

So you're one of
these fresh guys, eh?

Well, don't get fresh
with me, that's all.

Ted, please. Jack
didn't mean anything.

So it's Jack, is it?

It's come to that already, eh?

I think if you were
to leave us alone,

Ettie, we might get this
thing straightened out.

Listen! I know how to get
this thing straightened up.

You know what that means?

No. And I don't care.

Well, you can take
it from me, ya will.

I'll be here tomorrow night,

and I'll expect to find ya gone.

I wouldn't bet on
that, if I were you.

You'll be sorry
you ever came here,

before I'm through with ya.

Get out.

Why, you're not going, Ted?

Say, Ettie, what's
the matter with Ted?

- Oh, he's sore at Mr.
- Murdock being our new boarder.

Sorry you should have a scare

on your first
night, Mr. Murdock.

Scare? You don't think
I'm scared of that, do ya?

Most people are.

Well, I'm not. Who
the devil is he, anyway?

He's one of the
bosses of the Scourers.

The what?

The Scourers, a society of
murderers and blackmailers.

The Ancient Order of Freeman,
they call themselves.

Ah, baloney.

The Freeman have been found
in every town in this state.

It's a society of a charity
and good fellowship.

Not here, it ain't.

It's just a murder gang.

Well then, why don't
they bring them to justice?

Tell me that.

Because no one dares
give evidence against them.

Juries don't dare to convict.

The judge has to
do as he's told,

and the police are all square.

Say, you're just
trying to kid me.

I don't believe a word of it.

Aren't there 50
murders to prove it?

Is there a man or
woman in the valley

who doesn't believe it?

Well, you don't scare me.

You see, you don't know me.

And you don't know
McGinty and his gang!

McGinty, eh? Huh!

That's queer. I've got a date
with that guy this evening.

McGinty? What have you
got to do with McGinty?

Well, I've got
to report to him.

You see, I happen to
be a Freeman, myself.

What?

What? You a Freeman?

Then you don't stay
here another minute.

Here. Here's your $20 back.

I wouldn't have ya
for $100 a week.

But you can't
turn him out now.

Oh, can't I?

I'm telling you, I got
no use for these Freemen.

It's bad enough to have
one hanging around Ettie.

I'm not going to have
another for a boarder.

You get outta here tonight.

Well, tomorrow morning.

I'm sorry.

That's all right.

But don't make any mistake,
I'll be seeing a lot of you.

- It's no good.
- With Ted Balding-

- Tell me, Ettie, you're not
in love with Balding are you?

You're only afraid of him.

If you'd have met me first,
would I have had a chance?

I wish you had been the first.

That's all I wanted to know.

Oh, Jack, I'd never
believe anything bad of you,

not whatever happens.

Well, I wouldn't be
too sure of that, Ettie.

Still, even a guy like me can
be on the level with a woman.

Well, I'll be getting
down to McGinty's.

Whiskey.

Well, stranger.

I don't seem to call
your face to mind.

No, I'm new here, McGinty.

Counselor McGinty to you.

Well, I'm sorry, Counselor.

I was told to come here

by Brother Scanlin,
Assembly 341 Vermissa.

I drink to your health and
our better acquittance.

Oh, it's like
that, is it, Mr. Uh-

- Murdock.

I shall have to look a bit
closer into this, Mr. Murdock.

We don't take people on
trust in these parts.

Let's have a little
talk in private.

Yeah.

Do you mind, uh, stepping
through that door there?

Look here, my joker,

if I thought you were
playing any games on us,

it would be a short
script for ya.

Huh! A strange kind of
welcome for a brother.

Where were you initiated?

Assembly 29, Chicago.

What are you dong here?

Looking for work.

Why did you leave Chicago?

I can't tell you that.

Why not?

Because the rules say

that one member can't
tell another a lie.

Oh, you mean, the truth's
too bad to tell, eh?

You can put it that
way if you want to.

Now listen here, mister,
you can't expect me, as boss,

to let into this
assembly any man

for whose past I can't answer.

Say, you wouldn't squeal

if I showed you
something, would you?

I oughta wipe manners
across your face

you talk to me like that!

I'm sorry. I didn't
mean it that way.

Oh.

Here.

Take a look at that.

Oh.

Your work?

Sure.

Why'd you shoot
this guy, Pinto?

Well, he threatened
to squeal on me.

So I croaked him and
beat it out here.

You thought a murderer
would be welcome out here, eh?

Yeah, you've said it.

You ought to go far.

You look like being a
pretty useful bullet to us.

Didn't flinch when I put
the gun on you, either.

You were the
one in danger, boss.

I got you covered
from the first.

And I guess my shot had
been as quick as yours.

So you got here first, did ya?

I want to have a word
with you about this man.

Yeah, you say it right
now while I'm here.

I'll say it how
and when I please.

I'm content to leave it to you

to judge between us, Counselor.

Well, what is it?

Well, a young lady.

I think she's free to
choose for herself.

Is she?

As a free member of the
assembly, I should say she was.

Well, that's
your ruling, is it?

Yes, it is.

Were you thinking
of disputing it?

You'd back a newcomer
against me, would ya?

Well, you're not boss
for life, Jack McGinty.

And let me tell you this.

When it comes to the
voting.

You've been asking for
it a long time, Balding.

Now you've got it!

I got nothing
against you, boss.

All right.

Now, we cant' have bad
blood between brothers.

Go along in the bar, and
I'll buy ya both a drink.

We've not met before.

You're the new captain?

You've guessed it.

I'm Captain Marvin.

Well, we could do without ya.

Police enough of our own
without importing any.

Hello, here's an
old acquaintance.

Well, I'm no friend of
yours or any other cop.

You're Jack Murdock
of Chicago, all right.

And don't deny it.

Well, I'm not denying it.

Why should I be
ashamed of my name?

Well, you ought to be.

What the devil do you mean?

Ah, you can't pull
that stuff with me.

I'm Marvin of Chicago Central.

We haven't forgot the
shooting of Jonas Pinto.

I never shot Pinto.

Nice impartial evidence.

As it happened, we couldn't
get it in any case against you.

So you're okay with me, just
as long as you're on the level.

Get me? Good night.

Well, boys. Here's a
new brother from Chicago.

We'll just have
drinks all around

and then we'll swear him one
and truly into the assembly.

We got a special initiation
here in Vermissa Valley.

And you can't be one of us
till you've been through it.

That's okay with me.

Okay.

Bother Murdock,
can you bear pain?

As much as anyone, I guess.

Well done, Brother.

Now one last word.

You'll obey my
rulings at all times.

And the penalty for breach
of faith is inevitable-

- I understand.

Well, boys, we must get to
the business of the evening.

There's a man in this
town who needs trimming.

And it's up to you to
see that he gets it.

I'm speaking of James Stanger,
editor of the "Herald."

You've seen how he's been
panning us again in his dirty rag.

Yeah!

Why don't
we bump him off?

That might cause more
trouble than we need ask for.

But I guess you can give
him a pretty severe warning.

Will you take care
of that, Balding?

Sure thing. I'll take
Van Shultz along with me.

And you, Mansel,

and, uh, you, Goller.

Okay.

And, yeah!

You'd better come
along with us, Murdock.

We'll see the kind of
stuff you're made of.

That's okay with
me. Come on, let's go.

- Come on!
- What you-

- Come on, won't ya.

Hey, lay off. He just
needed to be warned.

Hey, who the hell are you-

- Stand back or I'll
blow your face off.

The boss said he wasn't
to be killed, didn't he?

- Yeah, that's so.
- Lay off, Balding.

Come on!

Oh. I'm
sorry, Counselor.

I'm not much of
a visitor, Murdock.

But I thought I'd stretch
the point in your case.

I'm honored, but how
did ya know I was here?

I only came this morning.

It should be enough
for you that I do know.

It may be enough for
most men, but not for me.

Say, you're a queer guy.

Scanlon told me,
if you must know.

He lives here, too, Thursdays.

Yeah.

Have a drink.

Sure.

I thought you'd be
getting into trouble,

Mr. crooked Murdock of Chicago.

Look, he's a friend of mine.

And I'll answer for his conduct.

Well, what am I
being accused of?

Beating up old Stanger
of the "Herald" last night.

Not your fault it
isn't a murder charge.

Say, I can bring
a dozen men to prove

he was playing poker with me.

You'll not be able to
hold him, Captain Marvin.

I wouldn't bet on that.

Take him away, boys.

Any funny business, shoot him.

Order in the court!

Do you find the
prisoner, John Murdock,

guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

Court adjourned.

You see?

I told you you needn't worry.

You see, Mr. Holmes.

I had fallen desperately in
love with Murdock by this time.

Broke my heart to find him
going from bad to worse,

but he was always
straight with me.

I see.

And was Murdock taken
completely into the confidence

of the Scourers?

Yes.

In six months, his name was
a by-word in the valley.

People were as scared of
him as they were of McGinty.

Pray proceed, Mrs. Douglas.

One night, he and another
man were sent to shoot one

of the most respected pit
managers in the valley.

I felt something awful
was going to happen.

I didn't know just what.

Tell
the boys to scram.

Okay, boss.

Now then, Balding.

As soon as we get this going,
you come back to these bushes

and cover the door.

Uh, huh.

He's got to come out when
he finds the place alight.

And where are you going?

Don't be a sap.

I've got to cover
the back, haven't I?

- Come on, let's go.
- Okay.

Come on, they're
shooting at us.

Must be the police.

- I know, they got me.
- Well, come on, then.

Oh!

I'm sorry, Ettie.

I, I didn't hear you come in.

What's the matter, Jack?

Why you so scared of me?

I'm not scared, honey.

I was just thinking of
other things, that's all.

Oh, no. It's more than that.

Let me see the letter
you were writing.

A letter?

Yeah, the one you're
trying to hide from me.

No, I can't do that.

It's secret, you see.

Business of the society.

You know, when you come in,

I thought you might
have been a detective.

Oh, Jack, can't
you give it up?

That's what I've
come to ask you.

I heard about last night.

Can't we get away from
this terrible place?

This Valley of Fear?

No. I can't do that right now.

They'd never let me get away,

knowing as much
about them as I do.

Still, maybe in six months
time I could find a way.

Six months? Is that a promise?

Perhaps, eight months.

Anyway, within the year.

Oh, darling.

You see, I felt happier
after his promise.

And did he keep his promise?

Did you leave in six months?

It wasn't a matter of
months, Mr. Holmes, but hours.

That same afternoon, I
was just going upstairs

when I heard someone
come to the door.

What's the matter, Jack?

Trouble afoot.

The police?

Yeah. A Pinkerton detective.

Now that don't mean
anything to you, I know.

But I'm too deep in this thing.

I've got to get out, tonight.

And you want me
to come with you?

Yeah.

I'm a strange sort of
Romeo for a kid like you,

but I'm on the level
with you, Ettie.

And we quit tonight?

Sure.

Is there any danger?

Maybe we can stall
the danger off.

Maybe we can't.

Anyway, you be ready
in case I come for you.

I will, Jack.

Boss, I got some bad news.

What sort of bad news?

Well, I can't
tell ya in public.

Let me collect a few of the boys

and go into your
room and discuss it.

Okay. Carry on.

Odie, Carmichael, you go.

Garth, Mantel, come into
the bosses room, will ya?

Yeah, and you too, Willoughby.

Okay.

Boys, I've
discovered something.

Well, what is it?

There's a fella called
Birdy Edwards among us.

Well, he's a
Pinkerton detective,

and he's collecting
evidence against us

that will send us
all to the gallows.

You sure of this?

Yeah, you can take it from me,

but I'll give you
the details later.

Anyone
know this guy by sight?

Sure, I do. But if we act
quick, we've nothing to fear.

We got nothing
to fear, anyway.

What can this man know
about our affairs?

Well, I hope you're right.

But he's got the code on
there's millions at his bank.

Don't you suppose there
may be some weak member

among us who can be bought?

Maybe he's got our
secrets already.

No, there's only one cure.

That he never leaves
the valley alive!

For the first time,
Balding, you and I agree.

Well, do you want me
to handle this, boss?

Sure, but you better
tell us some more about it.

Well, the other
day, I met a fellow

who said he was a press man.

And he offered me good money

for inside stories
of the Scourers.

Although his face was
familiar, somehow or other,

I couldn't place him.

I know now that that
was Birdy Edwards.

I made a few inquiries
and found out

he was living at a place
called Hobson's Patch

under the name of Steve Wilson.

Well, we'll just
bump him off, quick.

No, I've got a
better plan than that.

Well, what is it?

I'll go over to Hobson's
Patch this afternoon

and locate him.

I'll tell him I'm a Scourer.

And I'll offer him
the secret papers

of the society for a price.

Only, as I can't hand
them to him in the street,

he's got to come to my
place to collect them.

That'll fetch him.

Well?

Well, surely you can
handle the rest yourself.

Only, once Mr. Birdy
Edwards comes to my place,

I don't think he'll leave
it again alive, somehow.

Oh. Well?

- He's coming.
- Good.

Come on in. Make
yourself at home, boys.

Do you think he knows much?

Well, he's been
here six weeks.

He may have passed
on quite a bit.

But we'll make him
tell us all about it.

We'll have the truth
out of Mr. Birdy Edwards

if we have to cut
his heart to get it.

Did he seem to tend a trap?

No, I got him on a weak point.

Told him I'd show him all
the papers of the Scourers.

Well, if we handle it right,

they'll never be able
to prove a killing.

Nobody will see him come
up to the house after dark.

And I'll lay odds, nobody
will ever see him leave.

Now here's the plan.

You boys all stay here, see?

Birdy Edwards will be
pretty heavily armed,

so we got to take
him by surprise.

He's gonna knock three times.

I'll go out, open the
door, let him come in.

I'll leave him in the outer
hall while I come in here

and get some papers or something
and, and give you the tip.

I'll go back.

And while he's
reading the papers,

I'll get the gun off him.

Then I'll give a shout.

And the sooner you
come in, the better.

You're the one to handle him.

Not one word of
warning does he get

till the murderer has
his hand on his throat.

Okay, man.

Pity you haven't got
shutters on your windows.

- Don't you worry.
- We won't be spied on.

Perhaps he won't come.

He's as eager to come
as you are to see him.

He may be here any minute.

Now keep quiet.

Not a movement till
I give you the sign.

Now, you make yourself at home,

I'll get them right away.

Well, is he here?

Is Birdy Edwards here?

Oh, he's here, all right.

I am Birdy Edwards.

I'll get you for
this, you rotten coward!

Get 'em up!

There are 40 armed
men around this place,

so you can figure out
what chance you've got.

You dirty, stinking,
double-crosser.

There's something I'd
like to say to you fellas

before we part.

Next time we meet, you'll
all be in the dark.

Well, I can put my cards
on the table, at last.

I am Birdy Edwards of Pinkerton.

I played a pretty dangerous
game in breaking up your gang.

And no one knew
I was playing it,

except Captain Marvin,
here, and my employer.

You think the game is all
over, don't you, Mr. Clever Guy?

Well, let me tell you this.

You'll be hunted down
wherever you go to.

The Scourers will get you,
even if you go to China.

Yeah? Well, I'll
take a chance on that.

You all fell for my
supposed criminal record,

just as I thought you would.

I've stopped as many
crimes as possible.

How many times have you
fellas been to get your man

and found he's gone
to some place else?

Well, that was my doing.

Your arm, that
was my doing, too.

Only I was just too late
to save a man's life.

But when I found the
secret was coming out,

well, I got to act quick.

And so I'm able to hand
over to Captain Marvin

the worse gang of murderers
this country has ever known.

Hand picked by me.

I told you when you joined us,

the penalty for breach of
trust is inevitable death,

and you'll find that's true.

Take 'em away, boys.

Well, Birdy, the
boss will be pleased.

You sure got results.

Yeah, but I wouldn't
go through all this again

for all the money in the States.

That's the whole
story, Mr. Holmes.

McGinty and a dozen others
went to the gallows.

And Ted Balding, one
of the very worst,

got off with life imprisonment.

Well, do you think
this is Balding's work?

Obviously.

Obviously.

I'm certain of it, too.

We wandered around and finally
settled in Switzerland.

And then one day, my
husband got a cable

saying that Balding
had broken jail

and he was believed
to be in Europe.

My husband must have
got wind of something,

because we packed
up in a few hours.

And now-
I see.

McGinty proved
himself to be right.

Yes.

Oh, Mr. Holmes, if
you'll pardon me,

I'll go and get some fresh air.

This has all been
terribly upsetting.

Naturally, Mrs. Douglas.

Well, that's all as clear
as crystal, Mr. Holmes.

All we've got to do
is to find Balding,

and that shouldn't be difficult.

Ah!

They may even
have got him by now.

Well, I'm going to slip over

to the station
for a few minutes.

I suppose you won't be
leaving just yet, a while.

Uh, no. Uh, with your
permission, no, not yet.

That's all right.

I'm afraid you've lost
your bee hives, Mr. Holmes.

Nevertheless, you'll
oblige me by taking care

of that bowler hat
of yours, Lestrade.

Well, didn't take
us long to solve that.

And I, I'm sorry
for Mrs. Douglas.

A strikingly pretty
woman, don't you think?

No, you
see, I, I didn't notice.

Really, Holmes.

There's something positively
inhuman about you at times.

My dear Watson,
I never allow my judgment

to be biased by
personal qualities.

I can assure you that the
most winning woman I ever knew

was hanged for poisoning
three little children

for their insurance money.

Oh, I see.

Oh, Ames?

Yes, sir.

Is there anything
I can do for you?

Now, you said your master
used to do exercises.

Uh, did he use dumb bells?

Yes, sir.

One or two?

Two, of course.

And you said he used
them every morning.

Uh, what about yesterday?

Yes, sir. I remember
him doing them.

Uh, where? Down here?

Yes, sir.

He used to say he liked
plenty of elbow room.

Yes. Yes, thank you, Ames.

Thank you.

Will there be
anything more, sir?

No, no. No, nothing more.

Seriously, Holmes, this
is all very simple.

What's to prevent our
going home to lunch?

Well, I'm rather concerned

about the missing
dumb bell, Watson.

Dumb bell?

Yes.

Yes, I'm not referring
to the good Lestrade.

Whom I'm aware he's
gone to the station.

But an equally solid article
used for developing the muscle.

One usually looks for them
in pairs, my dear Watson.

I can only account for one.

No, this is by no
means a simple case.

And what complicates
it still more

is where does Moriarty come in?

He doesn't. Balding
murdered Douglas.

And it's Lestrade's
job to find him.

My dear Watson, you
appear to have forgotten

that only this morning we
decoded a message from one

of Moriarty's men
foretelling this tragedy.

Oh, yes, of course. So we did.

Well, what's the
next step, Holmes?

You can lend me your umbrella.

Umbrella?

Yes.

But it's not raining.

How true, Watson. How true.

Nevertheless, I should like it.

You brought the one with the
crooked handle, didn't you?

Yes, I left it in the hall.

But that's a wretched
weapon, Holmes.

Take my revolver.

Oh, no, no, no,
my dear fellow.

There's no danger.

If there were, I'd
ask for your help.

No, no, I'm not, uh, thinking
of doing any shooting, Watson.

Just a, just a little fishing.

- Fishing?
- Yes.

Yes, I, I want to see what
the moat has to offer us.

Oh, I see. Fishing!

I'll go fetch it.

- Ah, thank you, Watson.
- There you are.

Thank you.

Oh, by the way, where did Mrs.
Douglas go when she left us?

To the, I saw her
from the window.

She was heading straight
for the pergola.

Ah, as I thought, Watson.

She's probably talking
things over with Barker.

Now look here, Watson.

I want to be sure
they don't come back

to the house for a few minutes.

Will you, like a good
fellow, keep an eye on them,

and let me know if they
make any sign of moving?

Yes, certainly.

I wanted to offer her
a word of sympathy.

I don't know how I
kept my face straight

during my examination.

Poor Holmes.

He's bitten off more than
he can chew, this time.

Oh, you should have seen
me as a broken-hearted widow.

Do pardon me, Mr. Holmes.

I think I'll take
some fresh air.

This has been so
terribly upsetting.

Look out!

Dr. Watson, would
you mind coming

and speaking to Mrs. Douglas?

I was about to offer my
condolences to Mrs. Douglas.

But they appear
to be superfluous.

As a matter of fact, she
wants to ask you something.

Yes.

I feel the gravity
of the situation

calls for some explanation.

I'm afraid you
must have thought

my behavior very
callous, Dr. Watson.

Your behavior is not my
business, Mrs. Douglas.

But I must admit, I find
it a little difficult

to reconcile with
the circumstances.

Uh, what did you want to ask me?

If I was to tell Mr. Holmes
something in confidence,

would he tell the police?

I can't answer that.

- In other words, is Mr.
- Holmes working with the police

or on his own?

That, I can't answer.

Well, could he get
rid of the police?

Tell him he was satisfied
and send them away?

Certainly not.

Mr. Holmes is an
independent investigator.

But I feel certain that
he would withhold nothing

from the officials
that might help

to bring the
criminals to justice.

If you require any
further information,

I refer you to Mr. Holmes.

Ah.

Holmes!

I'm bound to admit,
Holmes, I agree with you.

This case isn't so
simple, after all.

Oh, no. On the
contrary, my dear Watson.

To me, it becomes
clearer every minute.

Well, don't worry.

I Think I can put you
on the right track.

Uh, I should,
indeed, be grateful.

Now the murderers-

- Oh, there's more than one?

My dear Holmes, if you'll
stop interrupting me,

I'll explain my theory.

Sorry, yes, Watson.

I'm so sorry. I apologize.

Oh, please don't mention it.

So you have a theory?

Well, it's more of a
certainty than a theory.

Ah, good. I'm all attention.

From the first, Barker's
account of the tragedy

didn't satisfy me.

No. No, no, I, I noticed that.

I came to the conclusion
he was telling lies.

Half truths, Watson.

Much more dangerous.

He admitted that
Douglas was jealous.

And I suggest he had
good cause to be.

Oh, you think this
is a crime of passion?

Exactly.

Oh, oh.

Or as the prince

so aptly put it,.

The guilty lovers wanted
to get rid of the husband,

so they killed him.

And used the story
of the Scourers

to put everybody off the scent.

I see. Everybody except
the astute Dr. Watson.

Well, it hadn't
occurred to you, had it?

Uh, no. No, I'm bound to
say that that isn't my theory.

Well, I'm going
to prove it to you.

When I went into
the garden just now,

the pathetic widow was
consoling herself with Barker.

They were laughing.
Positively laughing.

That confirms it, doesn't it?

Oh, yes. Yeah,
that confirms it.

And what's more,

she wanted to ask you
something in confidence.

No, no, no, Watson.

No, no, no. I want none
of their confidences.

That's always awkward
when it come to an arrest.

Then you agree with me?

You think they're the murderers?

My dear Watson, there's
an appalling directness

about your questions at times.

Oh! Of course they did it!

Why, she didn't even
come into the room

when she heard her
husband was dead.

If I'd had
my head blown off,

I should think it very odd

if my wife didn't
come and look at me.

It's not so hard as
you may think, Watson.

You remember that I was
puzzled about Douglas

only using one dumb bell?

- Yes.
- Yes.

I've found the missing one.

Then everything's all right?

And it's led to a discovery

which has solved
the whole problem.

Solved?

Yes, we've been listening
to a tissue of lies, Watson.

The whole story of the tragedy
as told by Barker is a lie.

And as Mrs. Douglas supports
it, she must be lying, too.

Now Barker swears that
when he entered the room,

he found Douglas lying dead

with this candle
burning on the table.

He also says that immediately,
now mark this, Watson,

immediately he rang for Ames
who entered the room carrying

that lamp and at once
blew out this candle.

All within the space
of two minutes.

Ames corroborates this.

But he also says that the candle
which Douglas brought down

from his bedroom, this
candle, was a new one,

out of the same
package as these.

Now what sort of a
candle is it, Watson,

that burns that amount
in a few minutes?

By Jove, Holmes! I
believe you've got it!

And moreover, if
Barker's story were true,

the assassin had
less than a minute

in which to remove two
rings and replace one.

Remember, the wedding ring
was under the other one.

Pin that card for the
body, cross the room,

and made good his escape.

No, no, no, no, no, Watson.

It's false, every word.

Oh, that's a kindly
thought, Ames.

Oh, Ames, uh, can you remember

what kind of shoes
Mr. Barker was wearing

when you found him in
here after the tragedy?

Yes, sir.

Bedroom slippers, and a
nice mess they were in.

Could you conveniently
lay your hands

on one of those slippers?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Barker changed them
in here for his shoes,

before he went for the police.

Oh, uh, would you bring
them over here, Ames?

Yes, yes.

- Now-
- Here they are, sir.

Thank you, Ames. Thank you.

You needn't wait.

Ah, as I thought!

It fits, exactly.

You mean, Barker
made that mark himself?

It's part of this
deliberate conspiracy, Watson,

to hide the truth.

Then why don't you arrest
him? And Mrs. Douglas.

My dear Watson, if you
asked the good Lestrade,

I think he would.

No, no, no, Watson.

These are only small
figures in the drama.

The principal players,
you will meet tonight.

Where? Here?

And through that door,

in the ruined tower
of Birlstone Castle.

Oh, I see.

It's 46 miles to
Birlstone, Moran.

We are due there at midnight.

Is the car ready?

Yes, we shall
do it comfortably.

Good, now we leave the
car in the Birlstone Lane,

about 200 yards from the castle.

You will remain with it.

I will go over to the tower

and fetch Balding out
of his hiding place.

I suppose there's no
question of your finding it.

He won't dare use
a light you know.

No question at all.

I took my bearings exactly

when I examined the
place a week ago,

made our plan and
sent it to Balding.

It was a stroke of
genius on your part, Chief.

Not at all, my dear Colonel.

The one place the police
would never think of looking

for Balding is on the premises
where Douglas was killed.

Had he tried to escape,
they would have caught him.

As it is, we can quietly
spirit him out of the way.

Come, Colonel, it's
time we made a start.

Well, Mr. Holmes,
you haven't yet told me

why you brought me here.

Ah, Lestrade, I
wanted you to be present

at the final act of
this little drama.

- What do you mean?
- You found Balding?

Can I make an arrest?

No, no, no, you're
too impulsive, Lestrade.

Before we talk about arrests,

I think we might spend
a profitable 10 minutes

exploring the ruined tower.

You're not trying to make
a fool of me, Mr. Holmes.

Oh, no, no, no,
certainly not, Lestrade.

As my good friend Dr.
Watson will tell you,

there are times

when I cannot resist a
touch of the dramatic.

So what's
the idea, Mr. Holmes?

Come out Mr. Douglas.

Mr. Douglas? Well, what
are earth are you talk...

- Mr. Holmes, I believe.
- Yeah.

Let me introduce Mr.
Douglas of Birlstone Castle.

Otherwise known
as Birdy Edwards.

But Douglas is dead?

Oh, on the contrary,
my dear Lestrade.

As you see, he's
very much alive.

But I don't
understand, Mr. Holmes.

Who is dead, then?

Will you explain to the
inspector, or shall I?

Well, you've done very
well, so far, Mr. Holmes.

You go ahead.

Well, Lestrade, uh, this
is quite a simple case.

It may be quite simple
to you, Mr. Holmes,

but how did you arrive
at this solution?

By means of the
partially burnt out candle

and the missing dumb bell.

Now the candle proved that
Barker had been in the room

with the dead man for
at least 40 minutes

before he gave the alarm.

And I had to ask myself,

what was happening
during that time?

What was Barker doing?

Yes, I'm afraid that's a
point I missed, Mr. Holmes.

Ah, well, it's
not the only point

you've missed, my dear Lestrade.

Now Mr. Douglas
was being hounded

by the Scourers who
had sworn to kill him.

So he retreated to this castle,

where he took every
precaution against intruders.

But Balding succeeded in
entering during the day, unseen.

That night, he attacked
Mr. Douglas with a knife.

It was knocked out of his hand,

so he had to use the
noisier weapon, the shotgun,

which in the struggle
went off, killing Balding,

and mutilating him
beyond recognition.

Oh, I see.

Well, that answers your
question, Lestrade.

But what about Barker?

Barker, my dear Watson,
on hearing the shot,

came down at once.

And in order to put the
Scourers off the scent,

they dressed Balding
in Douglas' clothes.

The Scourers mark on the arm
completing the deception.

Balding's own clothes, Barker
weighted with a dumb bell

and threw into the moat.

Douglas then got
dressed, took some food,

and went into hiding.

And that's what
happened, Watson,

while the candle
was burning down.

You see, Lestrade?

Am I right, Mr. Douglas?

I can certainly
hand it to ya, Mr. Holmes.

Yes.

Yet, you came across one
little difficulty, however.

When you placed that gold
nugget ring on Balding's finger,

you intended to place your
wedding ring there also, huh?

But you, uh, you couldn't
get it off, could you?

No.

No, I had been in a country

where wedding rings slip off
pretty easily, mine wouldn't.

But how did you guess that
Mr. Douglas was concealed here?

Oh, it isn't a question of
guessing, my dear Lestrade.

The clue was supplied by
that interesting little book

on Birlstone Castle, which,
uh, I, I once offered you.

A clue which will amply confirm
an equally interesting plan.

I found in the pocket
of Balding's coat.

Amazing, Holmes.

No, no. Simplicity
itself, my dear Watson.

Well, now that the
case is complete,

I suggest we go
over to the house

and discuss Mr.
Douglas' position.

Oh, no. You're
too hasty, Lestrade.

I haven't yet introduced you

to the principle
figure in this drama.

The brains behind it all.

Not your Professor
Moriarty, surely.

- Moriarty?
- Well, who's he?

My friend, Dr. Watson
will tell you later.

Come, gentlemen, we
must lose no time.

Keep her running, Moran.

I'll bring Balding
back in five minutes.

- Look here, Mr.
- Holmes, you can't expect me

to believe in this
Moriarty theory of yours.

Moriarty
is no theory, Lestrade.

That's a very great thanks.

Oh, well,
we owe you a good deal.

I suppose I must humor you.

The catching of Moriarty

will be the triumph
of Sherlock Holmes.

Quite apart from you
losing your hat, Lestrade.

Balding?

Balding!

Balding failed to carry out
your instructions, Professor.

Oh, you're in this
are you, Holmes?

Well, I warned you!

You're under arrest, Moriarty.

On what charge?

The attempted murder
of Mr. Douglas, here.

Our paths have crossed
for the last time, Moriarty.

Put the handcuffs
on him, Lestrade.

Look out!

Curse you, Holmes!

- Good heaven's, Holmes.
- It's a long drop.

Yes.

Yes, it's rather more
than that required by law,

I fancy, my dear Watson.

But, uh, equally effective.