🔍 The Pearl of Death (1944) is a gripping entry in the beloved Sherlock Holmes film series starring Basil Rathbone as the legendary detective and Nigel Bruce as his faithful companion, Dr. Watson. Released in the heart of World War II, this atmospheric mystery combines classic sleuthing, suspense, and crime drama into a 1-hour 24-minute cinematic experience based loosely on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons.”
🎞️ Plot Summary:
Holmes returns from retirement only to find himself embroiled in a new case involving the Borgia Pearl, a priceless gem with a bloody history. After publicly humiliating Scotland Yard in an attempt to test museum security, Holmes unknowingly helps criminal mastermind Giles Conover steal the pearl.
Now, bodies are piling up, and each victim is found near the shattered remains of a porcelain bust of Napoleon. Holmes and Watson must unravel the mystery behind these broken sculptures, track down Conover, and recover the pearl before more lives are lost.
As the investigation deepens, Holmes uncovers a disturbing pattern linking each murder. But the final twist comes when the horrifying Creeper, a silent giant with lethal strength, is revealed to be Conover’s enforcer. The battle between Holmes’ intellect and the Creeper’s brute force culminates in a tense and unforgettable climax.
🎞️ Plot Summary:
Holmes returns from retirement only to find himself embroiled in a new case involving the Borgia Pearl, a priceless gem with a bloody history. After publicly humiliating Scotland Yard in an attempt to test museum security, Holmes unknowingly helps criminal mastermind Giles Conover steal the pearl.
Now, bodies are piling up, and each victim is found near the shattered remains of a porcelain bust of Napoleon. Holmes and Watson must unravel the mystery behind these broken sculptures, track down Conover, and recover the pearl before more lives are lost.
As the investigation deepens, Holmes uncovers a disturbing pattern linking each murder. But the final twist comes when the horrifying Creeper, a silent giant with lethal strength, is revealed to be Conover’s enforcer. The battle between Holmes’ intellect and the Creeper’s brute force culminates in a tense and unforgettable climax.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:30© BF-WATCH TV 2021
00:01:00© BF-WATCH TV 2021
00:01:31© BF-WATCH TV 2021
00:01:43Who's there?
00:01:45Stewart, sir.
00:01:46We're not at Dover yet, are we?
00:01:49No, sir. There's a message for you in the wireless room.
00:01:52I'll be right there.
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00:02:58Over in 15 minutes.
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00:03:04Over in 15 minutes.
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00:03:15Over in 15 minutes.
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00:03:45Oh, bless my soul.
00:03:47I must have dropped off right in the midst of our most interesting conversation.
00:03:52My dear young lady, what must you think of me?
00:03:55Oh, please. I knew you were tired, so I kept very quiet.
00:03:58I wouldn't have awakened you for the world.
00:04:01You're very kind.
00:04:03Oh, you were telling me about your roses.
00:04:05Ah, yes, yes. Me roses, me beautiful roses.
00:04:09I'm proud of me roses, sinfully proud.
00:04:13Oh, oh, yes, yes.
00:04:15We, uh...
00:04:18We must be getting into Dover.
00:04:23Well, bless my soul.
00:04:26Yes, indeed.
00:04:27Oh, I beg your pardon.
00:04:28I beg your pardon.
00:04:30Yes.
00:04:32Yes, there are the White Cliffs.
00:04:43You know, I've been dreading this moment.
00:04:45Why now?
00:04:46Well, you see, I have some exposed film in my camera,
00:04:49and they might make me open it.
00:04:51The customs, I mean.
00:04:53I should so hate to lose my little pictures.
00:04:55Oh, dear, that's too bad.
00:04:57I wonder, it would be a great favor.
00:04:59Would you mind taking care of it for me till we get to the customs, I mean?
00:05:03Well, I don't quite know.
00:05:05If you'll just say it's yours.
00:05:07Being a clergyman, you're not subject to such rigid inspection.
00:05:10All right.
00:05:11Just a harmless little deception, eh?
00:05:13All right, my dear, all right.
00:05:20Oh, dear, it nearly fell overboard.
00:05:23Yes.
00:05:24Oh, dear.
00:05:26Taxi! Taxi!
00:05:38Are you courier for the Royal Museum?
00:05:40Right.
00:05:41Bringing in the Borgia Pole?
00:05:43That's it.
00:05:44I'll have it out for you in a jiffy.
00:05:49I say, that's a clever dodge.
00:05:51Needs to be for this, believe me.
00:05:53There you are.
00:06:04That message.
00:06:06Sent to me on the boat.
00:06:08It was a hoax to get me out of my state room.
00:06:19Oh, there you are.
00:06:21I was afraid that...
00:06:22My dear, they didn't even question me.
00:06:24Oh, how could I ever think...
00:06:25Don't try.
00:06:26Just send me one of your photographs, will you?
00:06:28I'll be happy to.
00:06:29Goodbye.
00:06:30Goodbye.
00:06:41Why, Giles!
00:06:44Come on, get in.
00:06:48How many times must I caution you, my sweet, not to speak until the doors are shut?
00:06:52I'm sorry.
00:06:53I didn't expect you to meet me.
00:06:55Oh, I couldn't deny myself that pleasure.
00:06:58Now, I mean, you're more beautiful than ever.
00:07:01I'm glad to be back.
00:07:03Yes, and we're glad to have you back.
00:07:06We?
00:07:07Oh, an old friend of yours turned up quite unexpectedly.
00:07:10He's been asking for you.
00:07:12Who's that?
00:07:13I found him prowling around your room, making wistful little noises like a dog.
00:07:19No, it...
00:07:20It can't be.
00:07:22Yes, my dear, the creeper.
00:07:26I'm not going to the flat.
00:07:27Oh, you'll be quite safe.
00:07:29I have him under lock and key.
00:07:32Now to business.
00:07:33What luck.
00:07:34See for yourself.
00:07:36I stuffed it with paper to stop it from rattling.
00:07:40It's absolutely the biggest pearl I've ever seen.
00:07:52I don't understand.
00:07:54You've been had, my dear, properly had.
00:08:00My dear Conover, forgive me if I take the liberty of returning the Borgia Pearl to its lawful owners.
00:08:05Devotedly, S.H.
00:08:07Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street.
00:08:19Well, you won't tell me what you've been doing.
00:08:21One thing at a time, old boy. Let me get off this make-up.
00:08:24Oh, I'm as stiff as a varnished eel.
00:08:26It still doesn't answer my question.
00:08:28What have you been up to?
00:08:30A little bit of hijacking, old boy.
00:08:32Reach into the inside pocket of that coat that you're about to throw aside.
00:08:37What do you find there?
00:08:38Pocket book.
00:08:40Open it.
00:08:43Take out what you see.
00:08:45Your fingers have now closed on a matter of 50,000 pounds.
00:08:48What?
00:08:51Can't be real.
00:08:52Real as death, old fellow.
00:08:54The blood of 20 men upon it, down through the centuries.
00:08:57Where did you get it?
00:08:59From a charming young lady named Drake.
00:09:01Elias Yvette de Joux. Elias Lisa Vanini.
00:09:04Never heard of her.
00:09:05No.
00:09:06Nor of Giles Conover either, I fancy.
00:09:08Well, I can't say that I have.
00:09:10That's the incredible thing about it, Watson.
00:09:12This man pervades Europe like a plague.
00:09:15Yet no one has heard of him.
00:09:16That's what puts him on the pinnacle in the records of crime.
00:09:19What's he do?
00:09:21Everything and nothing.
00:09:24In his whole diabolical career,
00:09:27the police have never been able to pin anything on him.
00:09:30And yet, show me crime without motive,
00:09:33robbery without a clue,
00:09:35murder without a trace,
00:09:37and I'll show you
00:09:39Giles Conover.
00:09:40That's amazing.
00:09:41Two years ago, he disappeared from his usual haunts.
00:09:44I've every reason to believe that he...
00:09:46Oh, here it is.
00:09:48I've every reason to believe that he's back in England again.
00:09:52It's like a free society of this sinister creature.
00:09:56I should feel that my own career has reached its summit.
00:09:58Where is that stuff?
00:10:00You think Conover is behind the theft of this post?
00:10:02I was never more sure of anything in my life.
00:10:04Excuse me.
00:10:12Shh.
00:10:13Listen.
00:10:22Oh, quick, hide it.
00:10:35Turn out that light.
00:10:52Why, Mr. Holmes.
00:10:54My apologies, Lestrade.
00:10:55I was expecting Mr. Giles Conover.
00:10:56Come in, won't you?
00:11:01Evening, Dr. Watson.
00:11:04I take it Scotland Yard has been notified of the theft of the Borgia Pearl?
00:11:07Yes, but...
00:11:09Give it to him, Watson.
00:11:13What?
00:11:14Why, never.
00:11:15There's a fine way to treat a Borgia Pearl.
00:11:17I assure you, Lestrade,
00:11:18I shall not feel safe until this Pearl is in the deepest vault of the Royal Regent Museum.
00:11:49What am I telling you, Digby?
00:11:50I shall be glad to see the last of your precious Pearl.
00:11:52Precious is a feeble word, Holmes.
00:11:55Look at its flawless skin.
00:11:57Its matchless symmetry.
00:12:00It's a miracle of beauty.
00:12:02A miracle of horror?
00:12:03Steady on now. Isn't that a bit strong?
00:12:05Is it?
00:12:06Think of its blood-stained history.
00:12:08Think of all the misery it's brought to the poor wretches who laid greedy hands on it.
00:12:12Alexander Borgia died twisted and blacked with poison.
00:12:15Carlos of Spain became a dribbling madman.
00:12:17Disastrous jewel, Digby.
00:12:18The world would be much better off if it were sunk in the ocean from which it came.
00:12:21Oh, really, Mr. Holmes.
00:12:23We'd hardly treat a national treasure in such a cavalier fashion.
00:12:27If you'd kindly open the case, Inspector.
00:12:29Certainly, sir.
00:12:30Here, sir.
00:12:46Ah, there. All snug and safe.
00:12:48You call that safe?
00:12:50I've told you Giles Conniff was after that pearl.
00:12:52Under the circumstances, wouldn't it be better to place a guard over it?
00:12:55It has a hundred guards over it.
00:12:57At this very moment.
00:12:58Well, my eyes must be failing me. I don't understand.
00:13:01What's to prevent anyone smashing the glass and pinching it?
00:13:04Would you like to try it, Dr. Watson?
00:13:06I certainly would.
00:13:07Don't bother smashing the glass. I'll open it for you.
00:13:11Ah, there. Help yourself.
00:13:29Mr. Dinklage!
00:13:30Don't be alarmed, Bates. Merely a demonstration.
00:13:33May I have the pearl, Doctor?
00:13:38What, again?
00:13:40That allays your fears, I trust, Dr. Watson.
00:13:58If you'll step into my office, gentlemen, I'll explain to you what happened.
00:14:02How does the thing work?
00:14:05Electricity. The high priest of false security.
00:14:11As you have noticed, gentlemen, we are well protected.
00:14:14Every article in this museum is so placed that its removal creates a contact.
00:14:19Very ingenious.
00:14:24Tell me, Digby, just where in the building is the control of this ingenious electrical safety device?
00:14:29The wires are in this room. Naturally, they're not exposed.
00:14:33Oh. Naturally. Well, Watson, I think our usefulness here has ended.
00:14:37Goodbye, Digby.
00:14:38Goodbye, Mr. Holmes.
00:14:39That's been most interesting. Thank you very much. Goodbye, Mr. Dinklage.
00:14:42Goodbye, Doctor.
00:14:44Oh, good day, Inspector.
00:14:45Good day, sir.
00:14:48Oh, I'm so sorry.
00:14:49Oh, accidents will happen, Richard.
00:15:02Hello.
00:15:05Oh, you're going...
00:15:06Oh, I knew it!
00:15:10My apologies, Digby.
00:15:11Oh, no harm done, I assure you.
00:15:13On the contrary, I'm afraid the greatest harm has been done.
00:15:15I beg your pardon?
00:15:16Are all the objects of art in this room connected with your protective system?
00:15:20Oh, most of them. But why?
00:15:22This, uh...
00:15:24Hogarth etching, for instance.
00:15:27Is it connected?
00:15:28Most certainly. It's a priceless original.
00:15:31Take it down, will you, Watson?
00:15:32Not me. Once bitten, twice shy.
00:15:34Oh, Tosh, I'm not afraid of guards and gongs.
00:15:43But... But...
00:15:45I don't understand.
00:15:47What's happened?
00:15:48Why don't the gongs ring?
00:15:50I'll tell you why.
00:15:51Because your whole elaborate system here isn't worth a brass farting.
00:15:53But...
00:15:54It all depends on three wires.
00:15:56Behind that strip of Chinese embroidery.
00:15:58Who told you?
00:15:59You told me yourself.
00:16:00I don't believe you.
00:16:01Behind that strip of Chinese embroidery.
00:16:03Who told you?
00:16:04You told me yourself.
00:16:05You said the wires weren't exposed.
00:16:07The only unexposed wall space in this room...
00:16:13Is behind this embroidery.
00:16:15While you were picking up those ornaments, I disconnected these wires.
00:16:19Just to show you how absurdly easy it would be for anyone...
00:16:23Far less ingenious and far less resourceful than Giles Conover to do the same thing.
00:16:26Now will you listen to me when I tell you to lock that pearl in the deepest, darkest vaults in all England?
00:16:43Stop, thief!
00:16:45Stop, thief!
00:16:48Open the door!
00:16:57Open the door!
00:17:00Gone!
00:17:01It's gone!
00:17:02Workman took it, sir.
00:17:03Bates is after him.
00:17:04I don't understand.
00:17:05The gongs never rang and the shutters never closed.
00:17:07No.
00:17:08The wires were disconnected.
00:17:10Thanks to Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
00:17:14A grateful nation owes you a memorial, Mr. Holmes.
00:17:17You demonstrated your cleverness.
00:17:20Oh, most brilliantly.
00:17:22You did put your foot in it and no mistake, Mr. Holmes.
00:17:25Nonsense.
00:17:26How was he to know that anyone...
00:17:27How?
00:17:28Well, elementary, my dear Watson.
00:17:30By his deductive reasoning, of course.
00:17:32Oh, shut up, Mr. Holmes.
00:17:33Deductive reasoning.
00:17:35Giving away the Borgia pearl like a pound of tea.
00:17:39Fifty thousand pounds.
00:17:41Not tea.
00:17:45What's this?
00:17:47The man who wanted to be caught.
00:17:49Mr. Giles Conover.
00:17:50How are you, Mr. Holmes?
00:17:52But I don't understand.
00:17:53This is one of our workmen.
00:17:54He's been employed here for weeks.
00:17:56He came highly recommended.
00:17:57Yes, I have no doubt of it.
00:17:58Every employee of this museum is scrupulously investigated.
00:18:01My dear Digby, Mr. Conover is a man of infinite resource and precaution.
00:18:04Oh, thank you, Mr. Holmes.
00:18:06It's just a bare chance that his accomplice, Miss Naomi Drake,
00:18:09might not get away with that pearl on the boat from Ostend to Dover.
00:18:12Pearl?
00:18:13What pearl?
00:18:14Who are you getting at?
00:18:15Did you search him, Bates?
00:18:16Yes, Inspector, but there's not a thing on him.
00:18:18He might have swallowed it.
00:18:20No, he hasn't got it.
00:18:21Or he would never have allowed Bates to catch him.
00:18:23While he was running away, did he stop?
00:18:25Did he meet anybody?
00:18:26Why, yes, sir.
00:18:27As he went around the corner, he bumped into a woman.
00:18:29Did you get a good look at her?
00:18:30No, sir.
00:18:31Not good enough.
00:18:32Ah, that's where you lost your pearl.
00:18:34That woman was an accomplice.
00:18:35Same girl that was on the boat, eh?
00:18:37Possibly.
00:18:38In any event, may I suggest, Lestrade, that you hold Mr. Conover?
00:18:40Oh, come now, Mr. Holmes.
00:18:42Haven't you made enough mistakes for one day?
00:18:44There's no crime, you know, in taking a job in a museum.
00:18:47There's no crime in running when you're being chased.
00:18:50Just what am I being held for?
00:18:52Uh...
00:18:54Window breaking?
00:18:56Thank you, Mr. Conover.
00:18:57Take him away, officer.
00:19:02How long can you hold him?
00:19:03Well, you heard what he said.
00:19:04Strictly speaking, we can't.
00:19:05One day?
00:19:06Two?
00:19:07Well, make it two.
00:19:09Good.
00:19:10Good? What's good about it?
00:19:11We don't want him.
00:19:12We want the pearl.
00:19:13That's just what I'm getting at, Watson.
00:19:14One of two things has happened.
00:19:16Either the woman he bumped into was an accomplice,
00:19:18in which case she has the pearl,
00:19:19or he managed somehow to conceal it in his flight.
00:19:22If he had to stick that pearl in some makeshift hiding place,
00:19:25he'll never rest until his confederates have it safely in their hands.
00:19:29We'll try to send them a message.
00:19:31We ought to give him every opportunity.
00:19:33But how?
00:19:35Uh, may I suggest, Mr. Stroud,
00:19:37that he's permitted to have his food sent in from the outside?
00:19:42Huh?
00:19:44Oh.
00:19:45Oh.
00:19:57Here we are, Inspector.
00:19:58It was destroyed just the way Mr. Conover left it.
00:20:01Oh?
00:20:02Ten to one, there's a message in there somewhere.
00:20:04Yes? What makes you so blinking sure there's a message in it?
00:20:07Because he asked me for a lend of me pencil, that's why,
00:20:09and he promised me a quid if I'd keep me maths shut.
00:20:12Oh, he did, did he?
00:20:13Cunning, ain't he?
00:20:15Well, there's some that's cunning.
00:20:17He's got the wrong pig by the ears, as Mr. Giles Conover.
00:20:22Yes, he hasn't got Mr. Sherlock Holmes to deal with.
00:20:29Nothing there.
00:20:32There might be a note stuck on underneath.
00:20:35Oh.
00:20:37Seeing eye, that's what you've got to have.
00:20:39Nothing much gets by you, Inspector.
00:20:41Oh, we all slip up once in a while.
00:20:43No one's infallible, you know.
00:20:49That's funny.
00:21:01Gotcha, Mr. Giles Conover.
00:21:03Here, hang on to this.
00:21:04What is it?
00:21:05Your soon see.
00:21:06A note to his accomplice, or I'm a Dutchman.
00:21:09Yes.
00:21:10Fancy me pulling Mr. Sherlock Holmes' chestnuts out of the fire.
00:21:14Here she comes.
00:21:15Thought he'd fool me, didn't he?
00:21:17Bless the little man.
00:21:18This'll tell us where the Borgia Pearl is.
00:21:20It means promotion for me, sure as you're alive.
00:21:28What did it say?
00:21:29What do you care what it says?
00:21:31It didn't say where the Borgia Pearl was, Inspector.
00:21:33Just you clear up this trap, that's all you've got to do,
00:21:35and see it gets back to the restaurant.
00:21:37Very good, Inspector.
00:21:38Holmes and his theories.
00:22:09Now then, my girl, get a move on, will you?
00:22:12What are you staring at that plate for?
00:22:14I ain't a staring at it, I'm washing it, see?
00:22:16Well, I ain't paying you to go to sleep on your feet, you know.
00:22:19Go on, you old bag of grease.
00:22:22Wash your own dirty dishes.
00:22:24See?
00:22:25Here, you can't do that there, here.
00:22:28Lovely weather, ain't it?
00:22:39Holmes, you drive me raving mad.
00:22:41Standing there scraping on that filthy fiddle
00:22:43as if you haven't got a care in the world.
00:22:45All the time your reputation's been dragged in the mud.
00:22:47My dear Watson, I really must caution you
00:22:49against hitting newspaper reporters in the teeth.
00:22:52It, uh, isn't dignified.
00:22:55It's a disgrace.
00:22:56It's a disgrace.
00:22:57It's a disgrace.
00:22:58It's a disgrace.
00:22:59It's a disgrace.
00:23:00It's a disgrace.
00:23:01It's a disgrace.
00:23:02It's a disgrace.
00:23:03It's a disgrace.
00:23:04It's a disgrace.
00:23:05It's a disgrace.
00:23:06It's a disgrace.
00:23:07It isn't dignified.
00:23:08Well, he deserved it, the idiot.
00:23:10But how did you know I struck a reporter?
00:23:12Observation, my dear fellow.
00:23:13You come in here with two copies of the morning paper,
00:23:16a thing you never do unless there's an article
00:23:18you wish to keep for your files.
00:23:20You talk about my reputation being dragged in the mud.
00:23:22Obviously, I've been the subject of a scurrilous attack
00:23:25in connection with the theft of the Borgia Pearl.
00:23:27You certainly have.
00:23:28This article practically suggests
00:23:29that you stood to profit by the deal.
00:23:31It implies that you were working with Conover.
00:23:33Yes, I'm afraid I'm for it, Watson.
00:23:35Indeed you are.
00:23:36But how did you know I struck the fellow?
00:23:38Oh, that.
00:23:39Well, you come in here jumping off the handle at me,
00:23:42berating me like a mother who boxes her child's ears
00:23:45after snatching it from under a tram.
00:23:47A very human impulse, Watson,
00:23:48and one that suggests that you've been
00:23:51taking up the cudgels on my behalf.
00:23:53What a remarkable deduction.
00:23:54Not when you consider that the skin is missing
00:23:56from the first and second knuckles of your right hand.
00:23:59Didn't hurt.
00:24:00Good old Watson.
00:24:03It's like you to stand by a man who's been discredited.
00:24:06Oh, rubbish.
00:24:07We've been in tighter spots than this.
00:24:09Not many, I'm afraid.
00:24:10Well, come along, old fellow.
00:24:13What have we here?
00:24:15Kippers.
00:24:16Kippers, splendid.
00:24:17I'm as hungry as a bee on a flower.
00:24:20Come in.
00:24:23Don't get up.
00:24:26I haven't got a minute.
00:24:27I've just popped in to tell you...
00:24:29I know.
00:24:30To tell me that you can't hold Conover any longer.
00:24:32In fact, you've already let him go.
00:24:34Never?
00:24:35How did you know?
00:24:37Elementary, my dear Lestrade,
00:24:38you know as well as I do that you can't hold a man
00:24:40for more than 48 hours without bringing a charge against him.
00:24:42That's right.
00:24:45Have one, won't you?
00:24:46Thanks.
00:24:47I've got to be off.
00:24:48Off to solve another baffling crime, I suppose?
00:24:51You might call it that, Doctor,
00:24:53but to me it's just another routine murder.
00:24:55Oh? Who is it?
00:24:57A bloke named Harker.
00:24:58A military man.
00:24:59Harker.
00:25:00Horace Harker?
00:25:01That's right, you know.
00:25:03I've heard of him.
00:25:04Horace Harker.
00:25:05Yes, I remember him.
00:25:06He's a major in India.
00:25:08He's retired.
00:25:09Uh-huh.
00:25:10So he's been murdered, has he?
00:25:11What?
00:25:12Eddie's back broke.
00:25:15Well, I've got to be off.
00:25:18Wait a minute.
00:25:19What did you say?
00:25:20Eddie's back broke.
00:25:21You know.
00:25:22Spine snapped.
00:25:26That's it.
00:25:27That's what?
00:25:28It's come at last, Watson.
00:25:29The thing we've been waiting for.
00:25:31Hold on, hold on.
00:25:32Keep your shirt on.
00:25:33There's no mystery about it.
00:25:35He must have fallen down in the struggle.
00:25:37That's all.
00:25:38Nonsense.
00:25:39Here's your coat, Watson.
00:25:40Oh, what is all this?
00:25:41We're giving Lestrade a hand.
00:25:42Oh, the Borgia Pearl.
00:25:43We can't afford...
00:25:44The Borgia Pearl we're after.
00:25:45Come on, Lestrade.
00:25:46I don't want an answer.
00:25:47Borgia Pearl we're after.
00:25:48Giving Lestrade a hand.
00:25:49Watson!
00:25:50I'm coming.
00:25:51Lestrade, all this morning, noon and night...
00:25:58And this is exactly how you found him?
00:26:00Yes, sir.
00:26:01Nobody's touched him but the police surgeon.
00:26:02Back broken, eh?
00:26:03Snapped clean, sir.
00:26:04Died in St. Tana's, the doctor said.
00:26:06Lestrade, would you mind if Dr. Watson has a look at him?
00:26:08Not at all.
00:26:10Watson, I'd like to know whether the break is cervical, thoracic or lumbar.
00:26:13And I'll wager it's lumbar.
00:26:15Oh, Tosh.
00:26:16Who found the body, Murdoch?
00:26:18She did, sir.
00:26:19His housekeeper.
00:26:20Oh.
00:26:21Said she came in to clear away his supper things and found him lying there.
00:26:24And that's the first and last word we've been able to get out of her.
00:26:26Oh, it is, is it?
00:26:27Well, I'll soon get a word out of her.
00:26:28Here, you.
00:26:29I shouldn't do that if I were you, Lestrade.
00:26:30Why not?
00:26:31The woman's suffering from shock.
00:26:34Close to catalepsy, if you ask me.
00:26:36Well, I ain't asking you, Mr. Owens.
00:26:37Naturally.
00:26:38Get her out of here, Murdoch.
00:26:41Get her to an hospital.
00:26:42Can't you see she's suffering from catal...
00:26:43From shock?
00:26:45Come on, now.
00:26:46Nobody's going to hurt you.
00:26:57Hmm.
00:26:58Major Harker seems to have thought very highly of Napoleon.
00:27:01He's rather overdone it.
00:27:07Hmm.
00:27:08I don't think much of that one.
00:27:10Where was the break, Watson?
00:27:12One of the lumbar vertebrae, as you thought.
00:27:15The third vertebrae.
00:27:17I can't for the life of me imagine how it happened.
00:27:19I can.
00:27:20Oh, really?
00:27:21Well, it happened just as I thought.
00:27:23The housebreaker comes in through this window over here.
00:27:26So you see, Mr. Sherlock Owens, I shan't be needing you after all.
00:27:30Simple as ABC, isn't it?
00:27:31Yeah.
00:27:32The murderer comes in through that open window.
00:27:34Major Harker's having supper over there with his back to him.
00:27:37Carry on.
00:27:39Well, he tiptoes over behind his victim here.
00:27:44Harker rises, they come to grips.
00:27:46They barge all round the room, bang into this table.
00:27:48Dishes go every which way.
00:27:50Harker falls and breaks his back.
00:27:51Simple, ain't it?
00:27:53So simple, my dear Lestrade, as to be almost childish.
00:27:56For instance, will you kindly explain
00:27:59how the dishes that were on this table
00:28:02could have been knocked off in the struggle
00:28:04and this silver milk jug left standing
00:28:06and all these knives and forks and spoons in perfect arrangement?
00:28:08Well, Mr. Owens, if it's the psychology
00:28:10of knives and forks and milk jugs you're talking about,
00:28:12I beg to be excused.
00:28:14I'm trying to account for this broken china, Lestrade.
00:28:16That's the outstanding feature of this case,
00:28:18whether you know it or not.
00:28:19All these broken plates.
00:28:21Plaster ornaments, bric-a-brac.
00:28:23Why was all this china smashed?
00:28:25Nothing else disturbed, why?
00:28:27Yes, and how about his back being broken?
00:28:29A man can't just fall down
00:28:31and break his back in that casual way, you know?
00:28:33Right you are, Watson.
00:28:35External forces indicated, there's no doubt about it.
00:28:37Major Harker's back was broken deliberately.
00:28:39I suppose you're going to tell us just who did it.
00:28:41Yes, I think I can.
00:28:43I've never known but one killer who used that technique.
00:28:46What?
00:28:47Oh, come on, he's dead and done for.
00:28:50You remember him?
00:28:52Am I likely to forget the Oxton Creeper?
00:28:54Oxton Creeper?
00:28:56Oxton Horror, I called him.
00:28:58A monster, Watson.
00:29:00With the chest of a buffalo and the arms of a gorilla.
00:29:02His particular method of murder is back-breaking.
00:29:04And it's always the same.
00:29:06A third lumbar vertebra.
00:29:08How horrible.
00:29:10Do you mean to stand there and tell me
00:29:12you think he's still alive?
00:29:14Why, they got him two years ago,
00:29:15on Devil's Island.
00:29:17Did they?
00:29:19I wonder.
00:29:21I'll lay you odds he's in London at this very moment.
00:29:23All right, Mr. Holmes, you stick to your theories,
00:29:25I'll stick to my facts.
00:29:27That's fair enough.
00:29:29Do me a favor, will you?
00:29:31Anything your little heart desires.
00:29:33This broken china, have it all swept up carefully
00:29:35and sent to me at Baker Street, will you?
00:29:37All right, but what do you want it for, anyway?
00:29:39Oh, just a souvenir.
00:29:41Come along, Watson.
00:29:43I think our usefulness here has ended.
00:29:45As a matter of fact, Watson,
00:29:47what I did not tell the Stroud, since I can't prove it,
00:29:49is that the Hoxton Creeper
00:29:51has always been Giles Conover's right arm
00:29:53when it comes to killing.
00:29:55And when you heard that Major Harker's back was broken,
00:29:57you suspected the Creeper, eh?
00:29:59Naturally, it can't be mere coincidence
00:30:01that the Creeper comes back into the scene
00:30:03just as Giles Conover reappears in London.
00:30:05I see, but how does Harker tie up with that gang?
00:30:07In the foggiest notion.
00:30:09Buy a box of matches, gentlemen?
00:30:12But there is a connection.
00:30:13Harker wouldn't be lying there now with his back broken.
00:30:15My surmise is that Giles Conover
00:30:17has lost the Borgia Pearl
00:30:19and is trying desperately to get it back,
00:30:21just as we are.
00:30:23You really think so?
00:30:25I'm just as sure of it as I am
00:30:27that we're being shadowed at this very moment.
00:30:29I'll find Watson.
00:30:31Come on.
00:30:33Listen.
00:30:35Have you got your revolver?
00:30:37Yes.
00:30:39Then get it ready.
00:30:41What?
00:30:43Here, sir.
00:30:45No, thank you.
00:30:47Come on, Watson.
00:30:53Come on.
00:30:55Come on.
00:30:57Come on.
00:30:59Come on.
00:31:00Come on.
00:31:09Conover's gang.
00:31:11We're on the right track, Watson.
00:31:14Due primarily to the brilliant work of Inspector Lestrade.
00:31:18Brilliant work of Inspector Lestrade.
00:31:21Rubbish.
00:31:24Lestrade couldn't even see the stripes on a zebra.
00:31:30Hello, housekeeper held.
00:31:32Arrested the housekeeper.
00:31:34Well, how could a little woman of that size
00:31:36break a man's back?
00:31:38Scard's an idiot.
00:31:40But the dear public don't know it.
00:31:42The dear public won't worry about it.
00:31:51Funny.
00:31:53Had it here a moment ago.
00:31:56Ordinary thing.
00:32:01What do you think?
00:32:03What do you think?
00:32:05Lestrade, er...
00:32:07Oh, er...
00:32:09What would Holmes do?
00:32:11I know.
00:32:13Reconstruct.
00:32:15Reconstruct it, that's it.
00:32:17I'll sit in here.
00:32:19Cutting.
00:32:21Paste.
00:32:23Reach for the pipe.
00:32:25Matches.
00:32:27Lime.
00:32:28Oh, er...
00:32:30It ought to be...
00:32:33So it is.
00:32:36Eureka!
00:32:38Well done.
00:32:40Pure deductive reasoning.
00:32:42I must tell Holmes about that.
00:32:44He could have done better himself.
00:32:47The first door on the right, sir.
00:32:49Oh, thank you.
00:32:51Thank you, madam.
00:33:29Come in.
00:33:34Dr. Watson, I believe.
00:33:36Is Mr. Holmes in?
00:33:38But he's out, sir.
00:33:40He'll be back any minute.
00:33:42Won't you come in and wait?
00:33:44Thank you very much.
00:34:04Sit down, sir.
00:34:08Have a cigarette?
00:34:10No, thank you, no.
00:34:12The doctor won't allow me to smoke cigarettes.
00:34:14But, er...
00:34:16May I?
00:34:18Yes, yes, sir, you'll find matches on the table.
00:34:20Oh, thank you very much.
00:34:22You know, my health has never been the same
00:34:25since that dreadful affair at Farnsworth Castle.
00:34:28Farnsworth's Gate?
00:34:30I thought I recognised you.
00:34:32Just a minute.
00:34:34I'll tell you who you are.
00:34:36Really?
00:34:38Yes, simple deduction.
00:34:40The bowed shoulders of the scholar,
00:34:42the open countenance of the churchman.
00:34:44You must be Lord Farnsworth's brother,
00:34:46Archdeacon Farnsworth.
00:34:48No, sir.
00:34:50I'm no Archdeacon.
00:34:52Oh, then you're the man who found the body in the bathtub.
00:34:55Oh, it was the butler who found the body
00:34:58the day it was in the cupboard.
00:35:00Strangled, wasn't he?
00:35:02No, no shot.
00:35:04Oh, shot, yes, of course, shot, yes.
00:35:06Lord Farnsworth's uncle, wasn't it?
00:35:09I am Lord Farnsworth's uncle.
00:35:12Oh, of course, my mistake, you're Lord Farnsworth's uncle.
00:35:15Oh, er...
00:35:17And your...
00:35:19Your name is, um...
00:35:21Theophilus Kirby.
00:35:23Lord Farnsworth's uncle and biographer.
00:35:25Of course, I remember you well.
00:35:26Holmes will be very glad to see you.
00:35:29He may be a bit late.
00:35:31By the way, as he isn't here,
00:35:33if there's anything that I can do,
00:35:36same training as Holmes,
00:35:39pure deductive reasoning.
00:35:41For example,
00:35:43I can see that you're in trouble.
00:35:47On the contrary, sir, I've never been happier.
00:35:50Oh, I'm safe.
00:35:52I've never been happier.
00:35:53I've been looking for some little token of gratitude
00:35:57which I could give to Mr. Holmes.
00:36:00And at last, I think I've found something
00:36:03that he'll appreciate.
00:36:05It's Dr. Johnson's great dictionary.
00:36:09An early folio.
00:36:11Early folio?
00:36:13Dr. Johnson's dictionary?
00:36:15He'd be very excited about that.
00:36:17He's very kind of you.
00:36:19I'm a bit of a book collector myself.
00:36:21Oh, no, please, please.
00:36:23I just grabbed a little dedication.
00:36:25It may be a little flowery, perhaps,
00:36:27but, well, it's straight from my heart
00:36:30to his, I hope.
00:36:32And it's just a little private.
00:36:34Oh, yes, of course, a little private.
00:36:36And you want him to be the first to read it.
00:36:38That is so.
00:36:40You're very understanding, sir.
00:36:42Thank you very much.
00:36:44Now, I'm afraid I must go.
00:36:46Don't you worry about the book, sir.
00:36:48I give you my word that Sherlock Holmes
00:36:50will be the first person to open it.
00:36:51Oh, that makes me very happy, sir.
00:36:53Very happy.
00:36:55Goodbye, sir.
00:36:57I'm sorry you can't stay.
00:37:111757.
00:37:14Early folio.
00:37:16Must be worth a lot of money.
00:37:17Worth a lot of money, eh?
00:37:19Don't bother.
00:37:24Eh?
00:37:26Who?
00:37:28Mrs. Pennyweather?
00:37:30No, no, Mrs. Pennyweather here.
00:37:32This is Dr. Watson, Mrs. Pennyweather.
00:37:34Wrong number, I'm afraid.
00:37:42I don't think Holmes would mind if I just...
00:37:48Come in, come in.
00:37:54Oh, hello, Mrs. Hudson.
00:37:56I brought your tea.
00:37:58And when Mr. Holmes comes in,
00:38:00see that he eats a bite like a good soul.
00:38:02Certainly, my dear, I'll be glad to.
00:38:04Have a hard time getting him to eat.
00:38:07Good afternoon, Mrs. Hudson.
00:38:09Oh, I just brought your tea.
00:38:13And be sure you drink it.
00:38:15I will.
00:38:17I'm glad you're late.
00:38:19An old chap was here to see you.
00:38:21Sorry to have missed you.
00:38:23What old chap?
00:38:25Theophilus Kirby, Lord Farnsworth's uncle.
00:38:27You remember the Farnsworth case?
00:38:29Yes, indeed I do.
00:38:31And I remember Theophilus Kirby, too.
00:38:33Quite a scholar.
00:38:35And like most scholars,
00:38:37poor as Church Mouse, once he won.
00:38:39He brought you a present.
00:38:41First folio of Dr. Johnson's dictionary.
00:38:43Must be worth a lot of money.
00:38:45He's written an inscription in it,
00:38:47out of gratitude.
00:38:49That's very nice of him.
00:38:51Have a cup of tea?
00:38:53Oh, thanks, old boy, put it down there.
00:38:55Gratitude is a rare quality in these days.
00:38:57Let's see what he wrote.
00:39:00Watson, have you been smoking a cigar?
00:39:02No, the old boy smoked one.
00:39:04Kirby wasn't a smoking man as I remember him.
00:39:14And even if he were,
00:39:15he wouldn't be smoking a boll of a cabinet size
00:39:18imported from Havana, especially for commissars.
00:39:21Well, if you're not sure of him,
00:39:23there are plenty of samples of his writing
00:39:25on the shelves over there.
00:39:27Why don't you compare them with...
00:39:29Don't touch that book.
00:39:31Give it to me.
00:39:33I'm sorry, Watson,
00:39:35but unless I'm greatly mistaken,
00:39:37you've been entertaining Mr. Giles Conover.
00:39:39What?
00:39:41Step back from that book.
00:39:46Great Scott!
00:39:48He meant that for you.
00:39:50Well, that's very gratifying.
00:39:53Gratifying?
00:39:55Certainly. Conover wouldn't go to all this trouble
00:39:57to eliminate me if I weren't in his way,
00:39:59and obviously I am in his way
00:40:01because he hasn't yet found the Borgia pearl,
00:40:03and as long as he hasn't...
00:40:05All right, let me have it.
00:40:07Yes, yes, hold a strand.
00:40:09Yes. What?
00:40:11Say that again.
00:40:13Don't touch a thing.
00:40:15Right, we'll be with you.
00:40:17What is it, Holmes?
00:40:19Another murder, little old lady,
00:40:21with her back broken.
00:40:23No.
00:40:25Yes, and in a litter of smashed china.
00:40:27That was exactly how I found my sister.
00:40:29There, there, there.
00:40:31Steady, my dear, steady.
00:40:33You live here, Miss Carey?
00:40:35No, Mr. Holmes.
00:40:37I teach history at a school in Cardiff.
00:40:39I came home today
00:40:41for the holidays.
00:40:43This card, Mr. Holmes,
00:40:45the very last thing she did.
00:40:48For my dear Ellen,
00:40:50to inspire her and her pupils with love.
00:40:53A gift for you?
00:40:55What was it, Miss Carey?
00:40:57I don't know.
00:40:59I'll never know now.
00:41:01I found it on the desk over there.
00:41:03She was writing it when...
00:41:05Oh, why do you stand there?
00:41:08Why don't you find the beast
00:41:10who committed this dreadful crime?
00:41:12Look here, Miss Carey,
00:41:13there's just one question...
00:41:15There'll be quite enough questions.
00:41:17You come along with me, my dear.
00:41:19What you need is a sedative.
00:41:21I'll telephone for a nurse.
00:41:23There, there, my dear.
00:41:25You'll be quite all right.
00:41:27Pitiable.
00:41:29Poor little woman.
00:41:34Back broken, eh?
00:41:36Snap clean, sir.
00:41:38Same as Major Harker's?
00:41:40Yes.
00:41:42Once more we find the body
00:41:44in a litter of smashed china.
00:41:47What do you make of that?
00:41:49Coincidence, I'd call it.
00:41:51Would you?
00:41:53Yeah.
00:41:55Curious, isn't it?
00:41:57Two murders at the opposite ends of London.
00:41:59People who couldn't conceivably
00:42:01have had anything in common,
00:42:03their backs broken,
00:42:05and smashed china round their bodies.
00:42:07Well, things do get smashed in the struggle, you know.
00:42:09Including the plague in London.
00:42:11And the plates that are
00:42:13hung in these wire racks on the walls.
00:42:15When a lady gets hysterical...
00:42:17She may do many desperate things,
00:42:19but my dear Lestrade,
00:42:21she does not run around the walls like a mouse.
00:42:23Those plates were taken down and smashed deliberately.
00:42:25And it was done after she was killed and not before.
00:42:27Is that another one of your little theories, Mr. Holmes?
00:42:30No, it's a fact.
00:42:32And easily demonstrable.
00:42:34If you lift up that body,
00:42:36I think you'll find there's not a vestige
00:42:38of broken china underneath.
00:42:39Come on, put your hand here, Bleeker.
00:42:51What did I tell you?
00:42:53Look at that, Lestrade.
00:42:56That china was broken
00:42:59after her dead body was flung there on the floor.
00:43:01But why? Why was it done?
00:43:03Well, as I see it,
00:43:05we're dealing with a moany maniac.
00:43:07And after each and every one of these murders,
00:43:09he comes to a bestial fury and smashes things.
00:43:11But why Brickerbrack and nothing but Brickerbrack?
00:43:13Why should a murderer
00:43:15who's strong enough to break Major Harker's back
00:43:17vent his bestial fury
00:43:19by breaking up dinky little cups and saucers
00:43:21when he could just as easily break up a large chair
00:43:23or smash a big table?
00:43:25There's no accounting for the workings of the criminal mind.
00:43:27Nonsense.
00:43:29He follows a pattern and there's purpose in it.
00:43:33Would you have those broken fragments collected
00:43:35and sent to me at Baker Street, please?
00:43:37Oh, what's the use?
00:43:39Would you find them?
00:43:41Perhaps not.
00:43:44But broken china
00:43:46is the one thing these murders have in common.
00:43:49We've got to get to the heart of this mystery and quickly, too.
00:43:52Don't you realize there's a monster at large in the city
00:43:54bent on destruction?
00:43:56We don't know why, we don't know where.
00:43:58But somewhere,
00:44:01at any moment...
00:44:09Help!
00:44:34Loss that cat, I...
00:44:36I swear I put her out.
00:44:39That's funny. I'm sure I drew those library curtains.
00:45:09I'm afraid I must disagree with the newspapers, Watson.
00:45:18The Hoxton Creeper, to the best of my knowledge, is not a madman.
00:45:22Or if he is, then there's method in his madness.
00:45:26And that method, I'm convinced, is supplied by Giles Conover.
00:45:30You think all this broken china is just a blind to make it look like the work of a madman?
00:45:34On the contrary, my dear fellow.
00:45:36The smashed china shows purpose. It shows motive.
00:45:39Purpose and motive are the last things a sane man would wish to imply if he were posing as a madman.
00:45:45Why smash the china?
00:45:47The killer didn't choose to smash the china. He had to smash it.
00:45:51Had to? What for?
00:45:53Possibly to cover up something else that was smashed.
00:45:56Some object.
00:45:58Identical in all three cases.
00:46:00The clue that we're looking for.
00:46:02Why mess about with the plaster?
00:46:04You have far more chance of finding the clue you're looking for in the china because there is much more china.
00:46:09Too much china, Watson, and too little plaster.
00:46:12Which leads me to suspect that the greater conceals the less.
00:46:17And the china was smashed to cover up the plaster.
00:46:20Curious notion.
00:46:22Oh, look. A bird.
00:46:24Matter of fact, I had thought of it myself.
00:46:26Oh, did you really?
00:46:28It was very tactful of you not to mention it.
00:46:30Here, what do you make of this?
00:46:32Cocked head?
00:46:34Soldier, eh?
00:46:35No doubt of it. Part of a bust. Military hat.
00:46:38Late 18th century, I should think.
00:46:40That's funny.
00:46:41Here we are in the second house.
00:46:43Here's a shoulder with a bit of a chest and a medal on it.
00:46:46Looks as if it might have come from the same bust.
00:46:49Identical.
00:46:50Same plaster, same proportion, same military subject.
00:46:53And this piece comes from the house of the second murder while these pieces came from the house of the first.
00:46:57We're getting warmer, Watson.
00:46:58Wait a minute, wait a minute. I've got something over here.
00:47:00Here we are.
00:47:01There's a mouth and a bit of a chin from the third house.
00:47:03Put them under this hat.
00:47:05The little corporal himself.
00:47:07Right, Watson. Napoleon.
00:47:08A single statue made up of fragments from three different houses.
00:47:11Identical busts in each house, eh?
00:47:13Yes. Put the pieces down here.
00:47:15I told you this chai never smashed to cover up something else.
00:47:18Well, why smash Napoleon?
00:47:19Think, Watson, think.
00:47:21Something was hidden in one of those busts.
00:47:23Something that Conover is looking for.
00:47:24You don't mean that...
00:47:25Precisely. The Borgia pearl.
00:47:27But how did it get in the bust in the first place?
00:47:29That's what we're going to find out.
00:47:30We're going to get hold of that guard.
00:47:32The one that chased Conover down the street the day he stole the Borgia pearl.
00:47:35Get your hat.
00:47:36I'll get a taxi.
00:47:39Borgia pearl.
00:47:40The Borgia bust.
00:47:41I was driving about London looking at broken...
00:47:44Borgia pearl.
00:47:47Here we are, sir. This is where I nabbed him.
00:47:49He's baiting it along here like a frightened rabbit when I come up from behind and make the pinch.
00:47:53That isn't true.
00:47:55Well, strike me dead if it ain't, sir.
00:47:57Isn't it true that he went in there?
00:47:59Well, he was trying... he was at...
00:48:01Oh, up with it, man. Did he or didn't he?
00:48:03Well, as a matter of fact, he did duck in there.
00:48:05But I made the pinch right on this very spot like I said.
00:48:08Can you tell us exactly what happened?
00:48:09Why, yes, sir.
00:48:10He runs in here fully and up to this door.
00:48:13Does the door open?
00:48:15Just like it is, sir.
00:48:16But when I got here from the head of the stairs, the door is bolted.
00:48:19So I start to climb in this here window.
00:48:21Was the window open too?
00:48:22No, sir. I had to force it.
00:48:24When the door opens, out he nips, and I made the pinch right on that very spot like I told you.
00:48:29How long was Conover out of your sight?
00:48:31I should say less than a minute, Mr. Holmes.
00:48:33That's why I didn't want to mention it before. I didn't think it was important.
00:48:36Important? Great heavens, man. Come on.
00:48:40Oh, I beg your pardon.
00:48:42Gentlemen, this is not my sales room. This is my workshop.
00:48:46What can I...
00:48:47Oh, it is you, is it?
00:48:48Catching more thieves today?
00:48:50Ah, no. I was explaining here to Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson...
00:48:53Thank you, Bates. That will be all.
00:48:54Thank you, sir.
00:48:55Good day, Bates.
00:48:56Good day, sir.
00:48:57Mr. Gelder, our time is short, and believe me when I tell you that lives are at stake.
00:49:00Lives?
00:49:01Please answer my questions as briefly as possible.
00:49:03Last Tuesday, at ten minutes past twelve, where were the workmen who were usually employed in this room?
00:49:07It was dinner hour. They were out.
00:49:09On this table over here?
00:49:13You had some busts of Napoleon standing to dry, did you not?
00:49:16Yes, I did. But how did you know?
00:49:18Tell me that now. How many were there?
00:49:19Six. Just like these busts of Beethoven.
00:49:22Six busts of Napoleon Bonaparte.
00:49:24Six. Are you sure? No more, no less?
00:49:26Yes, I'm positive.
00:49:28Watson, look sharp, will you? Go to that door to the alley and do exactly as I tell you.
00:49:31Huh?
00:49:32No, not huh. Just do it. Leave your stick.
00:49:37I think I have an allergy.
00:49:40Go outside and close the door.
00:49:46Stand over there, will you?
00:49:47Me?
00:49:48Yes, please.
00:49:49Ready, Watson?
00:49:50Ready, Holmes.
00:49:52All right. Come in quickly.
00:49:56Close the door. Hold it.
00:49:59Turn around.
00:50:00Take two steps forward.
00:50:02Stop!
00:50:03Wait a moment.
00:50:04Look around you.
00:50:07Now look over here.
00:50:09Wait a minute. Now run over here.
00:50:14Pause a moment.
00:50:16Pause a moment.
00:50:18Look at these wet plaster busts.
00:50:21Look back to the door.
00:50:23Take a coin out of your pocket.
00:50:25Come on. Hurry, man. Hurry.
00:50:29Now stick your finger in one of these wet plaster busts.
00:50:32Go on. Go on. Do it. Do it.
00:50:38Put the coin in.
00:50:40Put it in. Put it in.
00:50:42Now smooth over the plaster. Cover up the hole.
00:50:45Mad.
00:50:46Both of them.
00:50:48Fifty-four seconds.
00:50:50That's close enough.
00:50:51Conover could have done it faster.
00:50:53But he acted on his own while you had to wait for instructions.
00:50:55You mean to say that...
00:50:56Precisely.
00:50:58Conover stuck that Vorgia pearl in one of those six wet plaster busts at Napoleon.
00:51:02What?
00:51:03Gilda.
00:51:06Gilda, what happened to those six busts?
00:51:08You are not the first one asking me that.
00:51:10No? Who was the other?
00:51:11A woman.
00:51:12When? Was it Wednesday?
00:51:13The day after the thief was taken?
00:51:15Yes, it was.
00:51:16Amy Drake, Watson.
00:51:17Amy Drake?
00:51:18What did you tell her?
00:51:19The same as I'm telling you.
00:51:20They were delivered, all six of them.
00:51:22Yes, yes. But to whom?
00:51:23To Amos Hodder's art shop on Kensington Road.
00:51:26Amos Hodder.
00:51:44Watson.
00:51:45Huh?
00:51:46What an amusing statue.
00:51:48Most amusing.
00:51:50Is it? Why?
00:51:51Because I say it is. Pretend to be interested.
00:51:54What? Oh, fine bit of modelling, Holmes.
00:51:57Very amusing statue.
00:51:58Most amusing.
00:51:59Sit down in that chair.
00:52:00Huh?
00:52:01Sit down in that chair.
00:52:03Let no one else in or out of that door.
00:52:13Attend to the gentleman, Miss Bittinger.
00:52:15Yes, Mr. Hodder.
00:52:25Oh, mercy me.
00:52:27Hear, hear. What have you broken now?
00:52:31I never saw such a one for breakage.
00:52:33You are at even worth half wages, you are.
00:52:35Well, it's my poor eyesight, Mr. Hodder.
00:52:37I can't help my eyes now, can I?
00:52:39What have you broken this time?
00:52:41One of the Copenhagen vases, eh?
00:52:43Well, that makes four.
00:52:44There was the flying mercury yesterday
00:52:46and the two Napoleons the very day you came.
00:52:48I never broke the Napoleons, I tell you.
00:52:50I found them that way.
00:52:51Mr. Hodder, may I trouble you?
00:52:52I beg your pardon, I'm sure.
00:52:53But this sort of thing is most trying.
00:52:55What can I do for you, sir?
00:52:57My name is Holmes.
00:52:58Sherlock Holmes.
00:52:59I'm doing a little private investigating
00:53:01in connection with some busts at Napoleon
00:53:03that you purchased from George Gelder's plaster shop.
00:53:06I understand there were six busts at Napoleon
00:53:08here on Wednesday morning last.
00:53:09That's correct, Mr. Holmes.
00:53:10Now, let me see.
00:53:11I think I heard you say that two of the busts at Napoleon
00:53:13were broken by accident.
00:53:14Accident?
00:53:15That clumsy girl.
00:53:16Oh, Bittinger, put the vases up on the shelf
00:53:18before you break the rest of them.
00:53:20And sweep up this litter, will you?
00:53:22Yes, Mr. Hodder.
00:53:24Oh, don't be too hard on the poor girl, Mr. Hodder.
00:53:27Accidents will happen, you know.
00:53:29Now, tell me.
00:53:30You say that two of the busts were broken here in the shop.
00:53:33A third went to Major Harker,
00:53:34a fourth to Miss Carey,
00:53:35and a fifth to Mr. Thomas Sandiford.
00:53:37Yes, sir.
00:53:38And by the strangest coincidence,
00:53:39all three of those persons...
00:53:40It was not a coincidence, Mr. Hodder.
00:53:42Bless my soul.
00:53:44Tell me, what happened to the sixth bust?
00:53:46I...
00:53:47I sold it the same as the others.
00:53:49To whom?
00:53:50Do you remember?
00:53:51Some doctor or other.
00:53:53I have his name in my account book.
00:53:55My memory for names is rather poor.
00:53:59Now, where is the wretched thing?
00:54:01Ah, yes, yes, here we are.
00:54:02Let's see.
00:54:03It would be Wednesday or Thursday.
00:54:06Any luck?
00:54:07Best of luck, I think.
00:54:08Best of luck, I think, Watson.
00:54:10Fortunately for us,
00:54:11we arrived here before near mid-break.
00:54:13Ah, here we are.
00:54:14Sold to Dr. Joseph Caldicott.
00:54:1613 Laburnum Road, Streatham.
00:54:18Good, that's just what I wanted.
00:54:20Uh, take down the address, will you, Watson?
00:54:22You got a pencil?
00:54:25Dr. Joseph Caldicott.
00:54:27Yes.
00:54:28Caldicott.
00:54:29C-A-L-D-E-C-O-T.
00:54:3213 Laburnum Road.
00:54:35Good.
00:54:37Dreidel.
00:54:39This name and address, Hodder.
00:54:41Is that your handwriting?
00:54:42Look carefully.
00:54:44Why, why, no.
00:54:46The doctor is mine,
00:54:47but the rest is changed.
00:54:48Quiet.
00:54:49Oh, bless my soul, it's a forgery.
00:54:51Ink eradicator has been used.
00:54:52And another name written in.
00:54:54Think carefully.
00:54:55Can you remember the name of the doctor that you wrote here?
00:54:57Oh, dear me, I'm poor at names, you know.
00:55:00This is very much like it.
00:55:01Very much.
00:55:02Clever devil.
00:55:04He's made the names I'd like to throw you off.
00:55:07His telephone.
00:55:09Is there, uh...
00:55:10Is there an extension in there?
00:55:12Why, yes.
00:55:13What are you gonna do, Holmes?
00:55:14Shh, quiet.
00:55:21You were right, Giles.
00:55:23It worked.
00:55:24Like a charm.
00:55:26He'll be off to the wrong end of town presently.
00:55:28Yes, I'm leaving at once.
00:55:30Thanks, my dear.
00:55:31That's what I wanted to know.
00:55:32I shall start at once.
00:55:33Meet me in two hours.
00:55:35Same place, eh?
00:55:39Why, of course he's here.
00:55:41He's sitting right behind me.
00:55:47Then I shan't meet you.
00:55:48Not till you've got rid of him.
00:55:50Oh, nonsense, my dear.
00:55:51His devotion to you is most touching.
00:55:54But I tell you, I...
00:55:55I just can't stand having him near me.
00:56:01Giles.
00:56:02Giles.
00:56:04Yes, my dear.
00:56:05What is it?
00:56:06I thought you'd hung up.
00:56:07Oh, hardly near me.
00:56:09I understand there's another doctor.
00:56:12Same name.
00:56:14Not listed in the directory.
00:56:16Are you sure you'll give me the right man?
00:56:19Positive.
00:56:20Dr. Julian Boncourt.
00:56:22B-O-N-C-O-U-R-T.
00:56:2418 Chelsea Place.
00:56:26Thank you, my dear.
00:56:28Don't worry about the creeper.
00:56:30I'll take care of him.
00:56:35Watson.
00:56:36Telephone Dr. Julian Boncourt.
00:56:38B-O-N-C-O-U-R-T.
00:56:40Tell him to take the busted Napoleon that he bought here
00:56:42and go to the nearest police station.
00:57:01Just let go, Naomi.
00:57:03I'm here to catch you.
00:57:04Think you're clever, don't you?
00:57:06You can't hold me.
00:57:07Come on, come on down.
00:57:12What charges are against me?
00:57:14Piddling matches without a license.
00:57:16Constable, put the cuffs on her.
00:57:18She's an accomplice in three murders, possibly four.
00:57:21Leave me alone.
00:57:22You can't do this to me.
00:57:24No, you can't do this to me.
00:57:27Leave me alone.
00:57:28You can't do this to me.
00:57:30No one there.
00:57:32I can hear it ringing.
00:57:57Walk slowly.
00:57:58I wouldn't like to get picked up with our passenger in the back.
00:58:02It's pretty quiet back there.
00:58:04What's he up to?
00:58:14He's got Naomi's vanity case.
00:58:27Let's go.
00:58:57Let's go.
00:59:27Let's go.
00:59:57Stay here till I call you.
01:00:27Stay here.
01:00:52Dr. Boncourt.
01:00:54Yes, yes, what you want?
01:00:56Don't you see I'm busy?
01:00:57I shan't keep you very long.
01:00:59I've only come to ask...
01:01:01How did you get in here? Who are you?
01:01:03I'm also a very busy man.
01:01:06Doctor, I understand you bought a bust of Napoleon a few days ago.
01:01:11I should like to look at it.
01:01:13What are you talking about?
01:01:15Will you get out of here, please?
01:01:16Or must I call the police?
01:01:18Stay away from that telephone, you old fool.
01:01:20Where's that bust?
01:01:23Unfortunately, it is broken.
01:01:26Broken?
01:01:27Yes, you will find the pieces over there.
01:01:33In the container.
01:01:42But you won't find the Borgia pearl there, my dear connoisseur.
01:01:44Drop that gun.
01:01:49The bust is still unbroken and quite safe.
01:01:54You're still full of your little surprises, Mr. Holmes.
01:01:58Back up against that wall.
01:02:01I don't like your work, Conor.
01:02:04I've seen quite a bit of it, both here in London and elsewhere on the continent.
01:02:08I don't like the smell of you either.
01:02:10That underground smell, the sick sweetness of decay.
01:02:13You haven't robbed and killed merely for gain, like any ordinary, halfway decent thug.
01:02:17No, you're in love with cruelty.
01:02:20The world will be much better off without you.
01:02:22It will give me great pleasure to...
01:02:28Don't move.
01:02:30Hold your hands up.
01:02:32That's it.
01:02:34You know, I'd never have thought of disconnecting those wires...
01:02:37...if it hadn't been for your excellent example at the Royal Region Museum.
01:02:41It has been said...
01:02:43...that you are a man of your word.
01:02:48It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
01:02:52Oh, yes, I'm willing to learn from an old master hand.
01:02:56Come now, where's that bust?
01:02:58Dr. Bancor took it with him to the police station.
01:03:01That's a very feeble lie.
01:03:03You'd hardly have let it out of your hands.
01:03:05You'd have been afraid Dr. Bancor would have met us coming in.
01:03:10Us?
01:03:12Yes, you know whom I mean.
01:03:15Creeper.
01:03:18Stay where you are.
01:03:20Now, listen.
01:03:22Go to the room at the head of the stairs...
01:03:24...the one with the two glass panels on the door.
01:03:27You know what to look for.
01:03:31And if you should meet Dr. Bancor on the way...
01:03:33...pay him your respects.
01:03:40I'm afraid I can't.
01:03:42I'm afraid I can't.
01:03:44I'm afraid I can't.
01:03:46You'll hang for this, Conover.
01:03:49Just as Naomi Drake will hang.
01:03:51We caught Naomi Drake, you know.
01:03:53It's too bad. I'd sorrow count.
01:03:55No, it's your fault, Conover.
01:03:57It's all your fault.
01:04:00Poor Naomi.
01:04:02Now, stay where you are.
01:04:07I shouldn't let the Creeper know if I were you.
01:04:10He wouldn't like it if he knew you'd let her down.
01:04:14He's crazy about Naomi.
01:04:16She's a very pretty girl.
01:04:18Now you're trying to scare me, Mr. Holmes, but it won't work.
01:04:21You've got nothing on Naomi. She'll get off.
01:04:23No, no, she won't.
01:04:25She lost her head, you see, when she found she was cornered.
01:04:28Grabbed up a large pair of shears and stabbed Dr. Watson to death.
01:04:32She'll hang for that, you know.
01:04:34And it's all your fault.
01:04:36You got her into this.
01:04:39And you won't raise a hand to help her, will you?
01:04:42She'll hang by her soft, white neck.
01:04:47The trustees will put their hands on that pretty body of hers
01:04:51and throw it in a quick line.
01:05:12Stay back.
01:05:20Do you hear me?
01:05:24Stay back!
01:05:27Put your shoulders to it. That's it.
01:05:29Give it some more.
01:05:32Go on, put your shoulders to it.
01:05:34Give it some more.
01:05:36That's it. It'll go.
01:05:39Holmes! Thank heavens!
01:05:41Come in, gentlemen.
01:05:45But, uh, where's Boncourt?
01:05:47He's quite safe.
01:05:49Lestrade, send one of your men upstairs, will you?
01:05:51Don't talk to Boncourt at all, as well.
01:05:54Gently, though. He's old and his heart is weak.
01:05:56I see.
01:05:58That's why I didn't dare send him out of the house.
01:06:00He's up there.
01:06:02Well, right up you go.
01:06:04You see, if he'd run into Conover and the Creeper,
01:06:07Conover and who?
01:06:09The Creeper, my dear Lestrade,
01:06:11that you said didn't exist anymore.
01:06:13Where is he?
01:06:15You'll find him in the laboratory.
01:06:17Conover, too.
01:06:19You won't need your revolver.
01:06:21No handcuffs.
01:06:23Oh.
01:06:31You got them?
01:06:33Yes.
01:06:35Did you find the bust?
01:06:37No.
01:06:39Well, what did you do with it?
01:06:41My time was very short, Watson,
01:06:43so I put the bust in the last place I thought
01:06:45the Conover would look for it.
01:06:47He literally brushed by it as he came in.
01:06:49Amazing!
01:06:51And the Borgia pearls inside that?
01:06:53If it isn't, I shall return to Sussex
01:06:55and keep bees.
01:07:05Look!
01:07:07There it is!
01:07:09By Jove!
01:07:11The Borgia pearl.
01:07:13With the blood of five more victims on it.
01:07:15Well, anyhow, Conover was one of them.
01:07:17What's Conover?
01:07:19No more than a symbol of the greed and cruelty
01:07:21and lust for power that have set men at each other's
01:07:23throats down through the centuries.
01:07:25And the stockings,
01:07:27they're a symbol of that.
01:07:29And what's Conover?
01:07:31It's a symbol of a man's desire
01:07:34and a struggle will go on, Watson,
01:07:36for a pearl,
01:07:38a kingdom,
01:07:40perhaps even world dominion,
01:07:44till the greed and cruelty are burned out
01:07:46of every last one of us.
01:07:50And when that time comes,
01:07:52perhaps even the pearl
01:07:56will be washed clean again.
01:08:03© BF-WATCH TV 2021
01:08:33© BF-WATCH TV 2021