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>> Bilver illa Bramble

Bilgers Bay

Bimming Mary Magna, Binstead Binge,

Great Binge and Lesser Binge.

Amazing.

>> What's amazing?

>> The names of our English villages,

Watson.

What foreigner reading these could ever

think of us as stiff and sober-minded

people?

Lidbury Cross Billericay, Bird Cherry

Brook, and Birding Piece Place.

Burleston Junction.

>> When do we go?

>> Go where?

>> To Burleston Manor.

>> Burleston

Sussex.

Whatever led you to believe that I'm

interested in Sussex, Burleston, or

Burleston Manor?

>> Well, don't you saw account

of the rather gruesome murder of Squire

John Douglas?

>> Quite so. The case has interesting

features. But, at the moment I am more

interested in the fly fishing

possibilities in the neighborhood of

Birlstone.

>> Ah, that would be the Arun.

>> Runs within two or three miles of the

manor house.

>> Hm?

Oh,

what manor house?

>> Birlstone, the home of the late Squire

Douglas.

>> Oh, yes. Yes, I

>> remember. I I believe he was quite a

fisherman.

>> The moat is 40 ft wide.

>> 40 ft wide? Well, well.

Good lord, he could probably fish from

his bedroom window.

>> And when the drawbridge is raised, the

place becomes an island. 4 hours after

the bridge is raised, the body of Squire

Douglas is found in his study with half

his head blown off. That should appeal

to you.

>> Hm, fishing seems a safe business by

comparison.

>> Do you row boat?

>> A boat?

>> For fly fishing.

>> Have you ever fished before?

>> Does this look like the equipment of an

amateur?

>> [laughter]

>> Odd word.

>> Which?

>> Equipment.

>> All the fishermen I've ever known talk

about their tackle.

>> What do you deduce from that, Holmes?

>> Obvious. Your fishing friends either

lack experience or vocabulary.

>> We deep sea fishermen are in the

equipment class.

None of your nasty little bundles.

>> Yes, that gaff is far more suitable for

a shark than a trout.

>> Do you really think so?

>> No good for trout.

>> Well, depends what trout you're after.

>> Oh.

Oh, yes.

Yeah.

Well, we must carry a tape measure.

>> A tape measure? What in the world for?

>> To measure our catch, of course.

>> To measure our catch and throw back the

little ones. A good rule in life,

Watson. Always remember to throw back

the little ones.

Do you think our

prey will count as a big one or a little

one? Well, hardly as big as Squire

Douglas lying dead in his castle

surrounded by his moat. Holmes

you've been analyzing this case. Well,

you know, I haven't got enough data yet

for analysis really. Do you think it

could be an accident? What with the

sawn-off shotgun

and the triggers of both barrels wired

together?

Murder, eh?

Yes, possibly. What do you mean by

possibly?

Don't sit there, man. That may be

opportunity knocking.

Come in.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Mr. Sherlock

Um

>> The fisherman.

>> [music]

>> Hold on.

I'll tell him I'm

following you. Oh,

>> In there, boy.

We've done you a little one. Do you like

it, Watson?

>> [music]

[music]

>> Would appreciate your view. Intriguing

affair.

Balmoral Manor. Signed

Inspector MacLeod. Huh, please English

for I'm utterly baffled. Help.

Yeah, where is it? Where's what? Well,

the tape measure, of course.

Where is that tape measure?

I've got them in the fiddle case

together, sir.

Fiddle? Violin case, boy.

>> Oh, tell me, Watson, how are we off for

trains?

>> Trains? Ah, yes. Now, let me see.

Balston.

Yes, now that would be the West Sussex

Littlehampton-Bognor line. Now, there's

a 10:15.

Now, that doesn't stop. Of course, it's

a 12:03.

That begins in at 4:02 or 4:07.

I say, I've forgotten actually.

>> You can't save time like that with this

4:02 or 4:07. Come, Watson, you're

slipping.

>> Blimey.

Does he keep all the train times, is it?

>> Where else, of course. We are a [snorts]

nation of railway pioneers, my boy. Like

a great many Englishmen before him, Dr.

Watson restricts his reading to the

Bible, to Times, and Bradshaw's Railway

Guide to the British Isles.

Here, boy.

>> [music]

>> Mad as a March hare, that's what you two

are.

>> [music]

[laughter]

>> I say, Watson, have you seen my weekend

bag anywhere?

>> I suspect it's under the stairs. Mrs.

Hudson got tired of seeing it lying

about.

>> Oh, good. Well, that means it hasn't

been unpacked anyway.

>> I assume not.

>> Excellent. Then everything is ready. Oh,

be a good fellow, would you and dig out

that bag and put it in the cab along

with that

tackle.

>> Why? Aren't you going to be here?

>> I have a reading to do. Pick me up at

the British Museum Library. Say half an

hour before the train leaves.

>> Now, look here, Holmes, this is no time

to go reading. You'll miss the train.

>> I cannot vouch for the punctuality of

Dr. Watson or the reliability of the

company's steam engines, but I for one

propose to be at Balston Halt at 4:02

p.m. precisely.

>> [music]

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>> Or is it for certain?

It was a nice piece of work if I say so

myself. The entire story hung on a

spider's thread.

>> Spider's thread?

>> Exactly.

>> Huh, that sounds interesting, Inspector.

Now, perhaps you'll start at the

beginning.

>> Simply stated,

the castle, as you'll see,

has a moat.

And when it's up,

as it was at the time of the murder,

it's a sealed fortress.

>> Who was in the castle at [music] the

time of the crime?

>> The murdered man's wife, Mrs. Douglas,

and a foreign friend, John Morrell.

>> Just those two?

>> [music]

>> And the servants, but we've been able to

rule them out completely.

>> Hmm, and from your description of the

house, it would have to be one of them,

either Mrs. Douglas or this friend of

hers, Morrell, or both of them.

>> They tried to make it appear as though

someone had broken into the house and

then dived through the windows to swim

the moat.

>> But you disproved that.

>> Completely.

>> How?

>> I'll tell you when we get there.

>> This uh murder weapon,

a sawn-off shotgun, I believe.

>> An odd weapon that.

>> And a foreign gun, too.

Three letters on the barrel, P E N.

>> Aha, a larger P

with a flourish over it, followed by a

smaller E and N.

>> That's right.

>> Ah, the Pennsylvania Small Arms Company,

the famous American firm.

>> That's perfect. That's all I need.

>> You mean you need additional evidence?

>> Well, Mr. Holmes, every little helps,

you know.

>> Then your case against Morrell is not

complete.

>> It's complete as far as

How did you know Morelli is the

murderer?

>> How did you know?

>> He has to be.

>> Why?

>> He's the only one who could be.

>> Suppose I were to tell you that Morelli

is not your murderer.

>> How do you know?

>> Yes, Holmes. How do you know?

>> Why didn't you arrest him?

>> Well, I

He doesn't act like a murderer.

>> Ah.

He's too self-confident

>> to pay.

>> That's right.

>> Seems to be daring you to arrest him.

>> Yes.

>> How do you know all this?

Holmes, do you know this man, Morelli?

>> Fascinating.

Fascinating. The case has suddenly

assumed the most astounding proportions.

>> And the most astonishing challenge,

Watson.

>> [bell]

>> Best one of the period.

>> Yes, it is lovely, isn't it?

>> What did you mean, Mr. Holmes?

>> Nothing. I just think it's a lovely

building.

>> No, I mean when you said that Morelli

didn't murder Mr. Douglas.

>> Oh, that.

>> Yes, what did you mean? How do you know

he didn't do it?

>> Well, if he didn't do it, she did.

>> You're jumping again, McCloud. You're

jumping.

>> But it has [music] to be one or the

other.

>> Does it really?

>> What's he talking about?

>> Well, don't you know?

>> No, I don't know. If two people are in a

sealed house with a murdered man, one of

them has to be a murderer.

That's common sense.

>> Ah, but is it logical?

>> What do you mean, is it logical?

>> I don't know, but Holmes says that all

the time. I was hoping you might be able

to tell me.

>> [music]

[music]

>> He hasn't been moved.

>> That's the way we found him last night.

>> Watson?

>> Of course death was instantaneous. I

should say so.

The charge was not fired directly into

the face as the newspapers would have

[music] it.

>> Uh-huh.

>> I'd say the blast came from below and

that the gun was almost vertical.

>> Excellent, Watson. Excellent. May I see

the shotgun, Mr. Clark?

>> Holmes, look at this. Good lord.

Why, it's it's a brand like cattle.

>> Well, how old would you say it was?

>> Have you got your glass, eh?

>> Yes.

Thank you.

It's very difficult to estimate marking

like this, Holmes, but I'd say it's

Well, it's over 15 years.

>> 20?

>> Mr. Morel?

>> At your service, Mr. Holmes.

Dr. Watson.

>> News travels quickly.

>> This is a small village.

>> You said 20 years?

>> Yes.

The same age as

this.

It stands for the Mesa Valley,

Arizona.

Gold claim number 341.

That is where John and I met 20 years

ago.

There were three of us.

We registered the claim,

worked it,

and then sold it.

We divided the money in thirds

and went our different ways.

Two years ago I looked John up here and

stayed on.

I liked it.

>> And the third partner?

>> He lost his money and I believe his

mind.

He came to believe that we had cheated

him.

And he swore to kill us 10 years ago.

>> Why didn't he?

>> He couldn't find us.

No, we didn't have the same names at the

time.

>> Do you think your old partner could have

done

that?

>> I don't know, Mr. Holmes. I am not the

detective.

>> True.

True.

Well, we must bear that in mind.

You tried to make it appear as though

another man had been here and went out

through the window.

>> Did I?

>> He tried to build an elaborate story. A

man of his size was seen passing through

the village wearing a loud tweed top

coat and a wide-brimmed hat. He was

heading this way.

On the window ledge, there is a

footprint in blood.

Indicating, of course, that the murderer

dived through the window and swam the

moat.

But he didn't.

>> How do you know?

>> Because, Mr. Morrell, outside that

window, and just a few feet down, is a

very large, and at least a month-old,

spider's web.

Anyone jumping or diving through the

window would have to pass through the

web.

And no one did.

Well done, McLeod.

Well done.

A spider's web.

>> English police have the most amazing

allies, I must say.

Now that you have made your deductions,

Mr. McLeod,

exactly what do they mean to me?

>> For the moment, nothing.

But I suggest you do not leave the

castle grounds.

>> And if I try to leave?

Well done, McLeod. You certainly got

your man.

>> But I'm not rushing in to make any

arrest.

I'm going to make sure the case is

ironclad.

>> Don't be wise.

And what's the motive? Revenge for the

the Miss Vellia affair?

>> I've got to go a bit careful there,

doctor.

If you ask me, it's a case of uh

cherchez la femme.

>> Ooh. Was he?

>> Ooh.

>> Is she, Douglas?

>> Well, you know how these things are,

doctor. Between us, men of the world, we

know how a situation like this can

>> Of course.

>> Course.

Course.

>> Delicate situation, then.

>> Delicate.

>> Yes, delicate.

>> Might

almost be called a

case of the other man.

>> [laughter]

[laughter]

>> The other dumbbell.

>> Who?

>> Not who, what.

>> What?

>> That's right, what.

>> What are you talking about?

>> That.

There's only one dumbbell.

>> One dumbbell.

>> That's right.

>> Well?

>> There's only one dumbbell, Watson.

>> I know. That's it, over there.

>> Yes, where's the other one?

>> Well, I don't know. I've only just come

here. Do you know where the other one

is?

>> What difference does it make?

>> Well, that's right. Yes, what difference

does it make? Maybe there is only one

dumb

bell

dumbbell.

>> One dumbbell.

But they come in two. Perhaps he only

had one.

Watson, do you mean to tell me that you

can stand there, surrounded by all these

athletic trophies, and suggest to me

that such a man would only use one

dumbbell?

>> Well,

what difference DOES IT MAKE?

>> YES, WHAT difference does it make?

>> Yes.

>> Well, if you two are convinced that you

can solve the case with the aid of a

convenient spider,

I'm going fishing.

>> You're what?

>> Oh, he's going fishing. He's brought his

tackle.

>> Why?

>> To catch fish.

>> Then I take it you're satisfied with my

analysis of the crime.

>> Find the dumbbell.

>> Hang the dumbbell.

>> You can't hang him until you find him.

>> Who?

>> The man who took the dumbbell.

>> [music]

>> Gone too far now, Holmes.

I think you've made him very angry.

>> Then he should [music] fish. It soothes

the nerve.

>> Are you really going to fish?

>> I am.

>> Where?

>> Out of that window. It looks [music]

very comfortable.

>> Well, what do you expect to catch?

>> A herring.

A red herring.

May I have the tape measure, Watson?

>> To measure a red herring?

>> To measure the big red herrings. The

little ones I plan to throw back.

>> Holmes, you're up to something.

>> I am.

>> What?

>> Would you like to help? [music]

>> Of course.

>> Well, look. Take the good inspector down

to the local pub and keep him there for

at least an hour.

>> While you fish for red herring?

>> At the moment, I'm fishing for [music]

bait.

>> I don't know what you're talking about,

but I'll do it.

>> Good.

Remember,

1 hour.

>> And may I join yourself in the local and

stay, too?

>> [music]

>> He's a strange one, that Holmes. What do

you think he's been doing?

>> There's no guessing with What do you

think he's been doing?

>> There's no guessing with him.

For all we know, he may really have been

fishing.

>> Perhaps we should have given him more

time.

>> He's been an hour. That's all he asked

for.

>> Yes, that's right now.

Inspector McCloud.

>> [music]

>> Hello sergeant. Have you seen Mr.

Holmes?

>> I certainly have, sir.

>> What's wrong?

>> You know the staircase in that room?

>> Huh?

>> Mr. Holmes was sliding [music] down them

banisters.

>> He was what?

>> That's right, sir.

Sliding down the banisters he was.

>> Well, well, he was probably in

investigating something.

>> Probably.

>> Well, let's ask him. There must be some

reason behind it.

>> Good afternoon, gentlemen.

>> [music]

>> Go on.

Ask him.

>> Ask me what?

>> Well?

>> What have you been doing while we were

away?

>> Well, first I fished.

>> No.

>> And then I slid down the banisters.

>> I told you.

Why?

>> Why not?

>> Well.

>> And you, Inspector McCloud, are going to

drain the moat.

>> I'm going to what?

>> Drain the moat. Empty it right down to

the bottom.

>> I can't do that. That's a major

engineering job. They'll realize it's a

real river that runs round the house.

>> Well.

>> [music]

>> In that case, don't drain the moat, but

tell everyone you're going to.

>> And then what?

>> Then we'll all meet back here in an

hour's time.

>> And see if we can find somebody pulling

something out of the moat.

>> Exactly.

>> What?

>> Red herrings.

As mad as a March hare.

>> [music]

>> How much longer?

>> Not much. You're certain everyone

believes you're going to drain the moat?

>> I don't know who believes it, but

everyone knows I said it.

>> Do you think someone will come to the

murder room?

>> Someone has been in it for some time.

>> How do you know?

>> The lights are out.

>> Because I left them on.

>> Mhm.

>> Look.

>> What?

>> That's it. Let's go.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Uh excuse me. What are you using for

bait?

I wouldn't mind holding this.

Thank you.

>> What clothes did you say the stranger

was wearing, McCloud?

>> A loud tweed topcoat and a wide-brimmed

hat.

>> Like these?

>> The dumbbell.

>> Holmes, how did you know?

>> When you're working near water, Watson,

and a heavy object has disappeared, you

may conclude, until you can prove

otherwise, that it has been used to

prevent some object from rising to the

surface.

>> All right, Morel.

You're under arrest for the murder of

John Douglas.

>> It is my duty to warn you that anything

you may say may be taken down and used

in evidence

>> No, no, no, McCloud. You haven't got it

at all.

>> What?

>> This gentleman didn't kill John Douglas

because John Douglas isn't dead.

>> He isn't what?

>> Dead. The man whose body you discovered

in here is the very man who came back to

Uh, you are not with me, are you,

McCloud?

Uh, would you tell him, please?

>> These clothes belong to our third

partner.

The man who's been searching for you for

10 years. Yes.

He found us and arrived here with a

shotgun.

He and John struggled and the shot went

off.

>> That explains the vertical angle of the

blast. In the ensuing struggle, the gun

went off.

>> I heard the report and ran down

immediately.

>> I timed it from your room. 15 seconds if

you run and 10 seconds if you slide down

the banisters.

>> I ran.

>> I thought you would.

>> John was panic-stricken when he saw what

he had done.

I got the idea to change their

identities.

But then, where is Douglas?

>> With the aid of my tape measure, I was

able to ascertain that there is a hollow

space behind that wall.

I imagine it conceals a passage under

the moat.

>> Yes, Mr. Holmes, it does.

And John has had a 36-hour head start.

>> We'll stop him.

>> I told him you would.

>> I'll issue orders for the apprehension

of Mr. Douglas and we'll talk about your

part in this, sir, in the morning.

You have conspired to conceal evidence.

>> I'll still be here in the morning,

Inspector.

A very brilliant piece of deductions,

Mr. Holmes.

An excellent application of applied

psychology.

I haven't been tricked many times in my

life.

>> You must remember that the next time you

become involved with murder.

>> [music]

>> And you can now continue your fishing in

a more normal manner.

>> Fishing? No, I I don't care for it

really.

>> [cough]

>> Unless it's deep sea, of course.

>> Uh

yes.

>> [music]

>> Yes, yes.

But in the absence of an ocean in the

immediate vicinity, I think we [music]

better start back

>> Take us back immediately.

>> Well, now there's a 9:13 or a 10:23.

>> The 10:23 will hold us up at Tunbridge

for a while, wouldn't

>> Thank you, Mr. Holmes.

>> Ah, not at all, not at all.

>> [bell]

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