Lord, love a duck.
Hey, Jenny, you have a hand.
I can't open it.
Move back, dear.
Oh, blimey.
Call his head.
Mr. Partridge.
Hey, Mr. Partridge.
Now what's the trouble?
Can't open the blinking door.
Come out.
Do you hear me?
This is Victoria Station.
It's funny.
Some drunk sleeping it off.
Some gent's traveling first class.
Hey, Jim, let's have the old ladder.
Yes, sir.
Open that window.
I can't budge it, Mr. Partridge.
Budge is the word.
You'll have to smash it then.
Right.
Mr. Partridge, there's...
Hold it!
There, there...
Run for help!
Fetch the police!
Don't stand there gaping!
This must be the place.
Yes.
You'll have to wait here.
But I'm not gonna let you go in a place like this alone.
You must, really.
I'll be all right.
This meeting is now called to order.
The unfortunate death in a train
of one of our members, Mr. James Murphy,
who departed this life by his own act
while of unsound mind,
has necessitated this meeting.
That's what you say, Mr. Merrydew,
but how do you know?
A verdict of death by suicide was returned tonight.
This is the second occasion
that we have been brought together
by the mishaps to our members.
The first being the passing away by natural causes
of the late Colonel Forrester,
whose charming daughter so gracefully honors us
with her presence here tonight.
It is agreed in the pact drawn up
and formally attested to by its founders,
that should the grim reaper overtake one or more,
the interest of the deceaseds in the society
will be divided equally among the surviving members.
It is also provided for in the pact
that Miss Forrester becomes a participating member.
Consequently the interests of the late James Murphy
will be divided equally among the seven of us.
I move that my fee for the necessary legal representation,
funeral expenses, and a modest urn for the ashes,
be defrayed by our organization.
I understand from the widow that
he expressed a preference for cremation.
I second that.
All those in favor will please signify
by raising their hands.
Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Baker.
Mr. Dearing.
Mr. Pyke.
Ah Yet?
Good.
Has any provision been made for the widow?
- None. - I presume
that we can stretch a point in her favor.
Emphatically no!
Things are complicated enough as they are!
Why did he want to kill himself?
Have you ever met his wife?
No.
No?
Well, I have.
A pest if there ever was one.
We can attribute his death solely
to the general deficiencies
of one Annabelle Mary Murphy.
What would you deduce from this?
Obviously, an attempt to convey secret information.
Could you decipher it?
I could not.
Nor could you.
Would you like to bet?
Certainly.
How much?
A shilling.
My time is too valuable.
The answer will be found in a large book,
because the numbers are large.
I'd suggest the Bible.
A client, Watson.
- Where? - The widow
standing under the streetlamp.
A widow?
Would you like to bet on that?
Of course.
Well, I'm not going down on the street to ask her.
Ah, won't be necessary.
She's made up her mind.
So you deduce at a distance, eh?
Not in this case.
I recognized her features.
She's a Mrs. Murphy.
Her husband was murdered three days ago.
You mean the man that was found dead in a train?
Exactly.
Come in.
A Mrs. Murphy to see you, sir.
Mr. Holmes, I'm in such a mess, such a mess.
My husband up and died without leaving me
as much as flip and a bit.
It's a crying shame, Mr. Holmes, that's what it is.
Sit down and try to compose yourself.
Cut off without a farthing
by an ungrateful good for nothing.
Me, at my time of life.
No dirty dog had a better wife.
I waited on him hand to mouth.
Stood by his side morning, noon, and night,
and what does the stinker do?
He ups and Kills his self,
and leaves his money to a trust.
And Mr. Merrydew.
Yes, and there's another stinker if I never saw another.
Won't even let me have a sixpence.
He won't even let me have a ha'penny, Mr. Holmes.
Thaddeus Merrydew, the lawyer?
Yes, the thieving hound.
The dirty rat!
One moment.
You were married how long?
Five blessed long years.
Previous to your marriage,
your husband served in the Army?
- You knew him? - Of him.
He got his discharge in China?
Yes, that's right.
Then you married?
Yes, and I gave up everything, Mr. Holmes.
You ask the proprietor of the Black Sow he'll tell you.
It was me that made that pub what it was.
And your husband had money?
Barrels of it,
and when he wanted more,
he used to come up to London and get it.
It was that, that took him to London when killed himself.
How do you know?
Well, Jim comes into my room.
I was in bed with a piece of cucumber rind around me head
trying to cure an headache.
He had a letter in his hand.
"See you, Peg," he said.
That was his pet name for me when he was drunk.
"I'm going up to London."
Did you read the contents of the letter?
Oh, it wasn't no letter.
It was just a piece of doggerel.
Watson, make a note of Mrs. Murphy's address.
232 King's Cross Road.
Then you'll undertake me, Mr. Holmes?
I'll take up your case.
Mind you, it'll have to be for love.
Love?
For nix.
I've noticed how you like working for nothing.
My interest is to bring the criminal to justice.
Oh, nevermind about justice.
Nevermind about the crime.
All I want is my husband's lawful money,
and I want you to slap that thieving lawyer's face
right across between his greasy fat chops.
Goodnight, Mr. Holmes.
I'll be seeing you,
and thank you kindly.
Goodnight, Mrs. Murphy.
Deep water, Watson.
She needs some shady lawyer, not you.
- Think so? - I'm amazed
that you're wasting your energies
on such a morbid trifle.
Who is this Merrydew?
London's most dangerous crook.
The king of blackmailers.
A gliding, slimy, venomous snake.
Once in his power,
he'll squeeze and squeeze
until he's drained his victims dry.
More than once I've had my net around him,
but so far he's managed to wriggle his way out.
But the time has come, Watson.
The time has come for Mr. Thaddeus Merrydew.
And now, Miss Forrester and gentlemen,
this concludes the meeting.
I would like to have a word with you alone.
I sincerely trust no further accidents
will happen to occasion another meeting.
You never can tell.
Are you going my way?
Which way do you go?
I go the other.
That leads to a dead end.
That's the way I go.
Goodnight, then.
Goodnight.
You must never mention anything
that transpired at this meeting tonight,
or even that this meeting was held.
I saw a young man standing on the corner as I came in.
Yes, my fiance.
He brought me here, and he's waiting for me.
Then you're thinking of being married.
Yes.
I wouldn't, if I were you.
That is, at least until you've consulted me.
- But why? - I can't explain.
In a short time this society will no longer exist.
Until its affairs are winded up,
it would be most unwise for you to marry.
Your father would not have wished it.
What had my father to do with these people?
Didn't he ever tell you?
No.
Then I must respect his silence.
Remember,
not a word to a living soul.
He's after me.
He's after me!
Captain Pyke!
Dead, shot through the heart.
You wait here.
What is it?
What's happened?
Are you hurt?
Someone...
Look it disappeared!
What does it mean?
The murderer must've had an accomplice
and removed the body!
We must call the police.
No, no, the police will be here soon enough.
We mustn't become involved.
But it's murder.
As you respect your father's memory,
you must preserve a strict silence.
Not a word.
Come.
The body was pulled out of the Thames
at 5:00 a.m. in the Limehouse district.
The autopsy shows that death was caused
by a bullet through the heart.
The features that you see are unrecognizable,
caused possibly by the battering of the head
against the wharf where the body was found.
The widow identified the body by means of that ring.
A very rare, and very beautiful ring, Lestrade.
There isn't the slightest doubt
the deceased is Captain Pyke.
The clothes were identified,
initials on the collar and on the shirt.
Further identifications are contained in these letters
that were found in the clothing.
Where is the widow?
We asked her to wait.
She's in the adjoining room.
Mrs. Pyke?
Yes.
You are?
My name is Sherlock Holmes.
When did you last see your husband alive?
We dined together last night at the Savoy Grill.
He left me shortly after nine o'clock.
I never saw him again.
You are staying?
At the Savoy.
You've been in London how long?
About a week.
And you live where?
At the Grange Schuberness.
When your husband left you,
did he inform you where he was going?
No, but I fancied it was on a matter of business.
He was man very precise in his habits.
When midnight came,
and there was no sign of him,
I became rather alarmed.
Midnight would be a late hour for him?
Very.
As the time went on,
I became more and more worried.
At last I informed the police.
An hour ago, I received a message to come here,
where I identified the body of my poor husband.
By the ring?
Yes.
Did he always wear a ring?
That one, yes.
I gave it to him when we were married.
That would be?
About six years ago in China.
It is an heirloom belonging to my family,
and it has been handed down for generations.
I see.
Permit me to express my sympathy for your great loss.
Thank you.
Is that all?
By the way, should it become necessary,
shall I communicate with you at the Grange or the Savoy?
Through my lawyer.
His name?
Mr. Thaddeus Merrydew.
Good morning, Mr. Holmes.
Well, what do you make of it?
Murder, unquestionably.
- Is that all? - That's all I have to say.
What do you think?
I think that the lady is a liar.
You.
It's not possible!
What do you want with me?
The papers are full of the Pyke murder mystery.
It seemed to me particularly senseless and futile.
There was no motive.
No motive?
Peer deep down in the black heart of Thaddeus Merrydew,
and you'll find a motive.
You don't mean to suggest
that he had anything to do with it, do you?
I suggest nothing.
Come in.
Inspector Lestrade to see you, sir.
Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson.
What's the matter you look worried.
Worried, I'm up to my neck.
- Again? - Before I can begin
to finish one case, I'm plunged into another.
That's the penalty of being smart.
You came to see me professionally.
Well, unofficially.
I see, heads you win, tails I lose.
There's been a bad business during the night.
An old gentleman.
You'll find it a bit of a puzzler.
You mean you found it a bit of a puzzler.
We've left everything in status quo,
hoping you'll favor us with an opinion.
Dead?
Murder?
Suicide.
Come, Watson, the game is afoot.
He was well known as a stamp collector.
Very interesting.
What is it, Holmes?
That leads out to the garden.
Seldom used to judge by the rusty hinges.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
You can see that I have left everything untouched.
If a heard of buffaloes passed along,
it couldn't be a greater mess.
You can take a smoke.
Thank you, sir.
What do you think?
There's been murder done,
and the murderer was a man.
He was in the prime of life,
six feet in height, has small feet,
wears square toed boots,
limps slightly on the left foot,
and smokes Trichinopoli cigars.
Well, if it was murder,
how was it committed?
The assassin was in the house before his victim arrived.
He hid in the recess behind the window.
While there, he smoked a cigar.
He fired a shot,
which hit the victim on the back of the head,
and then dragged the body to where you found it.
He left, and returned some while later
to fire a second shot.
This time through the mouth.
You'll find the mark of a boot
clearly imprinted on the congealed blood.
What was his object?
To obliterate the effect of the first shot.
Hoping, by so doing,
to transfer the crime from that of murder,
to one of suicide.
Bullet number one you will find
in the wall on the farther side of the room.
The other will be found embedded in the body
of the murdered man.
Come, Watson.
We mustn't keep Mr. Merrydew waiting.
Mr. Holmes is still waiting, sir.
How long has it been, now?
Fully two hours, sir.
That's as it should be.
You may show him in now.
Very good, sir.
Mr. Holmes, this is indeed a pleasure.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting,
but I had to digest my lunch.
This is my friend and partner, Dr. Watson.
How do you do?
A glass port, gentlemen?
Thank you, no.
Cigar?
Thank you.
Be seated, gentlemen.
I represent Annabelle Mary Murphy.
Charming lady.
I'm empowered to act on her behalf.
Congratulations.
As you are doubtless aware,
her husband came to a premature and sudden end.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, dear, dear.
My client is under an impression
that certain monies belonging to the deceased
are being unlawfully withheld from her.
By who?
By you.
And you believe this delightful lady?
I'm paid to find out.
An angry woman is hard to pacify.
So I thought that an amicable discussion
with you would put me in possession of certain facts,
with which I could prove to my client
the absurdity of her claim.
I see.
Is that all?
That is all.
Dear, dear, you're not smoking my cigar.
You refuse to assist me.
My dear, Mr. Holmes,
I have neither the information
nor the authority.
You see, until a few days ago,
I was not aware that your distinguished client existed.
In my profession, I deal with many cases,
impartially and legally, without coming
into personal contact with my client.
It won't do, Mr. Merrydew.
Anything else?
May I trouble you for a pencil and paper?
Help yourself.
Mr. Busybody Holmes.
By the way, I think you should know
that another client of yours met his death last night.
Mr. Malcolm Dearing found murdered.
Good day, Mr. Merrydew.
Come, Watson.
Cold blooded monster.
Well, I've given him something to think about.
Did you see what I saw?
- His feet. - What about them?
Well, they were small feet.
And the boots.
Well, well?
Were square toed!
Squared toed!
- Really? - Yes.
And did you remark the brand of cigar?
Cigar?
Trichinopoli.
It was stenciled in big letters on the top of the box.
Was that all you observed?
Was there anything else?
A hundred things.
Among them the cipher to the code.
A large book, Watson.
I saw no Bible.
Would you call Whitaker's Almanac a large one?
Yes, indeed.
In that book will be found the message of the numbers.
Mr. Holmes.
Mrs. Pyke.
Holmes, what did you write on that sheet of paper?
A long shot in the dark, Watson,
but it hit a bullseye.
Miss Forrester lives here, I believe.
Tell her that Mr. Merrydew wishes to see her.
Mr. Thaddeus Merrydew and hurry!
Mr. Merrydew calling to see you, Miss.
Miss Forrester.
You're looking charming as ever.
I see you received my flowers.
Thank you.
I sent them to soften the unexpectedness of my visit.
You've come about the murder of Captain Pyke?
No.
Have the police been pestering you?
- No. - I was fortunate enough
to keep your name out of it.
Have you seen today's papers?
Shocking, shocking.
Poor old gentleman.
This is a very wicked world we're living in, Miss Forrester.
This will necessitate another meeting.
That's why I came myself to tell you.
Safer.
Too many eavesdroppers.
Busy bodies concerning themselves
with other people's business.
The same time, the same place, tomorrow night.
Oh, please don't ask me to go
to that dreadful place again.
Well, unfortunately, in this case I'm a servant
carrying out instructions.
You've nothing to worry about.
Not a thing.
Not a thing in the world.
Oh, mm, this is my...
Mr. Stanford, Mr. Merrydew.
Remember.
I seem to see you everyplace.
Who is that man?
He's my lawyer.
Well, I remember seeing him the other night.
What's he doing here?
Oh, please don't begin that all over again.
But, Eileen, surely I have a right to know.
Oh, John, I'm so miserable.
It's something that concerned father.
Just before he died, he sent for me.
I remember his words.
"On my death you'll find yourself well provided for.
"You'll be rich.
"Remember this name."
He repeated it twice.
"Merrydew.
"Should he communicate with you follow his instructions.
"For through him will come this inheritance."
And the meeting three days ago?
Began the fulfillment of father's words.
I think I'm beginning to understand.
I thought I saw...
John!
He was a black bearded man, ill dressed.
Looked like a tramp.
How tall?
Quite tall.
Could you keep Miss Forrester under observation
without her knowing it?
I don't understand.
Is Eileen in danger?
In great danger.
You were wise in coming to see me.
Should anything unforeseen occur, get in touch with me.
Go to her.
Remember, get in touch with me.
We are getting on, Watson.
I'm glad to see you in a more cheerful mood.
We've done remarkably well.
I'm pleased.
I Admit I could do with a little explanation.
I too feel a little curious.
I considered the claims of Whitaker's Almanac.
As I suspected,
the large number represented the page,
the second, the small number, the column,
and the other figure is the message.
You'll find it decoded on the table.
"Meeting of Scarlet Ring,
"Tuesday, Limehouse M."
Merrydew?
Possibly.
Tomorrow will appear in the personal column
of the "Daily Telegraph” a second message.
A request for information.
- Your message? - My message.
And the next step?
The need of fresh air
will take me in the country tomorrow.
In the meantime, relaxation, music.
I hope I won't bore you.
Not if you make it soft.
Bah, things are getting worser and worser.
I hear tell as though they'll get more worser
before they gets less worser.
Same as I, say.
That were a worry bad business about Captain Pyke.
A worry bad business.
Same as I say.
I hear tell as how the Old Grange
is going under the hammer.
Lock, stock, and barrel.
Same as I say.
And I almost broke this old back of mine,
a weeding that old garden.
And to look at it now,
you'd think I'd spent all me time in here.
- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.
Morning, morning.
How far is the Grange from here?
Some will tell you four miles,
and some will tell you five.
But I say it's more than four and less than five.
Is there any means of getting there beside walking?
Bless your heart, yes, sir, I've an old trap.
I'll harness up Old Caesar,
and Old Willy here will drive you over.
Yeah.
Will you take anything to drink?
Wouldn't come amiss.
Scotch.
Scotch and splash.
Put a bottle on the table with some glasses
and a siphon of soda.
Coming, sir, coming.
Lord, love it, it feels good to be busy again.
You're a godsend to him, sir.
He hasn't had a paying customer for a long time.
I'll have the trap on in a jiffy, sir.
Before you can say Jack Robinson.
Help yourself.
Thank you, sir.
Just a little drop, sir.
Say when.
When.
Well, here's to your very good health, sir.
Ah, I feel like a new man, sir.
Well, and now give the new man a drink.
Righto, sir.
When.
Here's to your very good health again, sir.
Good health.
Were you born in these parts?
Ah, I've never seen none other.
Worked for the Pyke family all me life,
till I got tired of working.
Got this old back ache
from weeding their plaguey old garden.
Then you would remember the late Captain.
And his father,
and the old gentleman afore his father.
See that dent?
That belongs to Captain Pyke.
A mark caused possibly by the imprint of a stone.
And right you are, sir.
Many a good licking young master Robin got
for chucking stones at me, sir.
Sounds as though the young man was somewhat wild!
Wild?
He was a holy terror.
Ready and waiting, sir.
I've harnessed up Old Caesar and he's raring to go.
You must tell me some more on the way over.
Better bring the bottle.
Righto, sir.
Scotch is sure good for the backache.
Keep the change.
Oh, thank you, sir.
And call again, sir.
Steady, Caesar, steady.
He's hard to handle when he's raring to go, sir.
You were saying?
You can't make English gentry
out of the heathen Chinee, no how.
Not in these parts.
Very difficult, I imagine.
When the Captain was alive,
did he stay here often?
Until last Tuesday,
we ain't seen nothing on him
till close nigh onto two years.
Shall we have one, sir?
You take two.
Righto, sir.
The old back feels better already, sir.
Magic.
There's the Grange now, sir.
Looks a trifle the worse for wear.
Any servants there now?
Well, naught in what you might call real servants, sir.
There's Daft Dolly.
Daft!
And, well, you might have to be to keep that place.
I kept it for 30 years.
Stop a moment.
Whoa, Caesar.
I'll walk the rest of the way.
I'm in a hurry.
Wait here for me.
I won't budge an inch.
I beg your pardon.
Is your mistress in?
No, sir.
Where is she?
London town.
I understand that this house is for sale.
I may wish to buy it.
I'll look it over!
That's mistress.
Such a good looker.
Such eyes.
She walks like a cat.
Such a figure.
Such a fine bit of goods.
An English lady make her look like nothing.
Buzz.
Mistress sleeps here.
Aren't you feeling good?
It's my heart.
Water, quick!
Just a minute! Just a minute!
Drink this.
I'm dying.
Telephone for a doctor.
Oh, no, we haven't got any phones in the house!
Then go for one.
Doctor is a good five miles away.
Fetch him hurry, hurry!
Run!
All right!
I'll run, I'll run!
It's so kind of you to have come.
Knowing my late husband as intimately as you did,
I felt I could turn to no better person
to help me through this trying time.
Well, you know, anything I can do.
You are very nervous today.
Well, I can't help it.
Look at my hands.
You know, I'm trembling all over.
There.
That'll stop the rattling, at any rate.
My late husband always spoke of you in the warmest terms,
and you know the high regard,
in which, I have always held you.
Oh, have you?
Can you doubt it?
You are the only one who knows my husband's affairs.
Everything has been left in the most terrible disorder.
My house in the country will be sold.
I wonder, if you could spare the time?
Yes?
You could be my guest over the weekend,
and we could go through his papers together.
Really, now, with pleasure.
I could do with a bit of a change.
We could drive down.
Would tonight be possible?
Tonight? No.
You see, I got an important meeting tonight.
Then tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
May may I make a little confession?
You know, Mrs. Pyke,
I've always admired you tremendously.
Who's that?
Baker.
Oh, it's you, is it?
Who did you think it was?
Where are the others?
I'm the first one here.
There's a rat among us.
Yes, and he's facing me seated on a chair.
It's a lie!
Someone has given away the code.
"Anyone supplying information
"concerning the Scarlet Ring
"will be rewarded.
"Apply, Sherlock Holmes,
"221A Baker Street."
It's one of us that's certain.
We can leave the girl out of it.
It can't be that dumb Chinaman.
There remains you, myself, and Merrydew.
Well, it's not me, on my oath!
Or me, I swear it!
Then it's...
If I thought that snake was double crossing me, I'd...
Well, it's getting on my nerves!
It's like living a nightmare.
First Murphy, then Pyke, then Dearing.
Who'll be next?
Psst.
Suppose someone was to supply
information to Sherlock Holmes?
Then it would all come out.
No, no, Holmes is different from the police.
He protects clients.
Holmes works with the police.
What's in the back of your mind?
I want a fighting chance!
I want to live!
This suspense is getting on my nerves!
It's killing me!
What suspense?
Well, pray be seated, gentlemen.
I overheard your conversation.
It's most illuminating.
Yeah, we are not going on.
No?
And why not, pray?
I don't want to die like Murphy.
Nor be found dead like Pyke.
No, perhaps you'd like to spend
the rest of your lives in prison, hmm?
No, my friends, crime brought together,
and by crime you will stick together.
Gentlemen, in a few more days
the Scarlet Ring will cease to exist.
We'll cease to exist, you mean.
I have just received work from the agent in Antwerp
that the plunder has finally been disposed of.
This time next week,
the principal will be in my hands.
A small unimportant matter of some one million pounds
to be divided equally among us, 200,000 pounds apiece.
200,000 pounds.
And meanwhile?
You waited for five years what's a matter of a few days?
Yeah, what guarantee is there
we'll be alive to receive it?
None.
Of course, if it were requested
of your life without the money,
it might be arranged.
How?
Letter in the form of a deed of gift
relinquishing your right to any benefits
accruing to the Society.
And give up 200,000 pounds?
It might ensure your life.
I'd see you burn first!
Shh, not a word.
Well, Miss Forrester, this is a pleasure.
Come in.
Won't you sit down?
And now to business.
Miss Forrester and gentlemen,
again I have the pleasure of presiding at this meeting.
Hello?
One moment.
A Mr. Stanford.
Yes?
Where?
Oh, thank heavens you've come.
I followed her here and phoned you immediately.
She went through the side door.
There were four others.
The lawyer, two white men,
strangers, and a Chinaman.
When it comes, it won't come from the sky.
Oh, shut up!
Cold?
I'm on fire.
Life's worth more to me than money!
Yours may be, mine isn't.
Shall we walk to the station together?
No, no, you go ahead.
She's inside!
They've left her inside!
Gas!
Quick, the door!
Eileen!
- Darling. - Get her in the fresh air!
Darling.
You came in the nick of time.
Get her home.
Don't let her out of your sight.
Guard her.
Hey!
I must see him!
Save me! Save me!
Speaking as a medical man,
it is extremely dangerous to run
at your age and with your weight.
Could I have a glass of water, please?
Sit down.
Oh, thank you.
I must apologize
for bursting in like this, Mr. Holmes.
I'm Dr. Watson.
I don't know when Mr. Holmes will be back.
Please wait.
Thank you.
Come in.
Sit down.
Cigarette?
Any luck?
Too bad.
I have here the securities.
Easily negotiable for a million pounds.
The Chinaman Ah Yet is devoted to his mistress.
Doubtless a generous present will satisfy him.
On account of Holmes, I cannot impress upon you
too sufficiently the necessity for speed.
Everything must be finished tomorrow night at the Grange.
I will make all the arrangements.
You've got to help me, Mr. Holmes!
If you don't, I'm a doomed man!
Not 10 minutes ago,
an attempt was made on my life!
You see, I live on Ebury Street.
I was on me way there.
I was about to cross the road,
and some instinct made me leap back.
And as I did, a car,
driven with terrific speed,
and coming on the wrong side of the road, whizzed by me.
How I escaped was a miracle.
Did you by any chance see the occupant of the car?
Yes, as it flashed by me,
I caught a glimpse of the driver.
A black bearded man.
Is there anyone who would benefit by your death?
Yes, four persons.
You see, Mr. Holmes,
there's an estate to be settled up,
and if I should go out,
well, they get my share.
Is any one of them capable of committing a crime?
Yes, three of them!
How much is your share of this estate?
200,000 pounds.
Naturally, you would wish to live to enjoy it.
When were you in China last?
I was never in China.
Come, come, sir.
In the tattooing above the right wrist.
Oh, that, that was done in England.
You must be mistaken.
That particular yellow is to be found only in China.
What made you come to me?
Well, you see, Mr. Holmes, I've...
Well, I'd heard of your reputation.
How did you know my address?
Aren't you here in answer to my advertisement?
Were you not returning from Limehouse?
Are you not a member of the Scarlet Ring?
Is it not a fact that three of your members
have met with very sudden ends,
and you're terrified lest their fate befall you?
Why, you must be the devil himself!
Answer me!
Yes, Mr. Holmes.
But I'm helpless.
I'm up against some power
that no precaution can guard against!
Go straight home and lock yourself in your house.
But it's very old and easily broken into.
Have you a cellar?
Bomb proof.
Hide there.
On second thought,
we'll see you to Ebury Street.
Take a revolver, Watson.
Mr. Holmes, do you think there's any hope?
Obey my instructions implicitly,
and I can promise you almost a chance.
Tomorrow, leave town.
You see, Mr. Holmes, I had intended that.
You see, I know a little place in the country,
very secluded, miles away from anyplace.
It belongs to the widow of an acquaintance of mine.
The lady is an Oriental.
An Asiatic.
As a matter of fact, she's Chinese.
Mrs. Pyke.
When you arrive at the Grange near Schuberness,
you'll probably be given the room next to the lady's.
You'll find a door connecting the two rooms.
Keep it locked.
Arrive there neither before nor later than nine o'clock.
On your arrival, pretend a headache.
Pretend one?
Oh, Mr. Holmes.
Go straight to your room,
and if you value your life,
don't open the door.
Baker!
They got him too.
Poisoned.
Wait here, says he, for me,
and that's the last I seed of him.
A regular queer one,
free with his money.
Same as I say.
He must've been a pickle when he was a lad.
Dolly ran all the way to fetch Dr. Smallwood,
and she and Smallwood nigh burst a blood vessel
trying to get to him.
And when they found him, he wasn't there,
and nary a one of them ever set eyes on him again.
Same as I say.
Company.
Evening, gentlemen, evening.
Up you get, Willy, make way for the gents.
Good evening, gentlemen.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
Good evening.
Would you take anything to drink?
Wouldn't come amiss.
Scotch and splash?
How did you know, sir?
Thank you, sir.
Give your orders, gentlemen.
Put a bottle on the table, and some glasses,
and a siphon of soda.
Righto sir.
Bottle of whiskey, four glasses, siphon.
Gentlemen.
- There you go. - Righto.
Hurry up, hurry up, it's for the tall gentleman here!
Four glasses.
There you are.
Here you are, sir.
There you are, sir.
What brings you gentlemen around these here parts?
This friend of mine belongs to the medical profession.
A patient of his has escaped.
An old gentlemen,
a very dangerous character.
That's the reason for all these wardens.
An old gentlemen, wearing a cape,
stoops a bit, big in the belly?
- You've seen him? - Have I seed him?
Yes, sir, and Dolly at the Grange seed him,
and Dr. Smallwood oughta seed him,
but he never set eyes on him!
As sure as I'm standing here, sir,
he sat right there!
It was the day before yesterday.
Doctor, we're on the right set.
- Say when. - When!
Well, here's to your very good health, sir.
Another beer?
Thank you very kindly, sir.
Pay the bill, Watson,
and take care of this gentleman.
Come along, what'll you have?
Well, here's hoping that we get him.
Who?
Dash my buttons if I know.
My mind has never been in such fog.
It's time to leave.
Gregson should be there by now.
We'll have the Grange so well surrounded
a cat couldn't get through without being seen.
Come along, men.
Mr. Holmes, something terrible has happened.
Miss Forrester has disappeared.
Disappeared, but I told you to guard her.
But I couldn't understand your telegram.
Telegram, what telegram?
Instructing me to meet you at Dover.
- Are you mad? - I don't know.
I'm almost insane with worry.
Goon.
Well, I arrived at Dover and suspected it was a hoax.
I returned to London immediately.
Fortunately, I have a racing car.
Arriving there, I went straight to Eileen's house.
She'd gone.
A maid told me that she'd left in the early afternoon
with a strange woman.
A Chinese woman?
Yes.
I called you, but you'd left.
When I gave my name to your housekeeper,
she told me where I could locate you.
Oh, Mr. Holmes, what could have happened to her?
Where could she be?
Come, Lestrade, there's not a moment to lose.
Mr. Holmes is late.
Are you sure you're not mistaken?
I had written instructions to bring you here.
You saw them.
Perhaps the fog.
Well, he's certain to be here.
If not tonight,
then tomorrow morning.
Who's that?
Strange.
Stop!
You open that door,
and I'll choke the life out of you!
Mr. Wilson, have you lost your reason?
Tell him if he opens that door,
he'll never live to open another!
Who is it?
Telegraph wire.
Telegraph for Miss Forester.
I'll give it to her.
Thank you.
Good news”?
- Excuse me. - What is it?
What is it?
What does it mean?
I'm going to bed.
Miss Forrester,
when you go to your room,
lock your door.
And keep it locked.
What's the matter?
I'm rather chilly.
Who's that?
It's me, sir.
Did you deliver the telegram?
- Yes, sir. - To Miss Forrester herself?
I gave it to one lady to give to the other, sir.
Thank you, goodnight.
Goodnight, sir.
Let me go to her.
Wait.
I'll never do it again.
What?
Stand about all night without a flask.
Look, Holmes, over there.
Drop your gun.
Well, Inspector?
I've checked up on all points.
No one could have slipped through.
Goodnight, my dear.
My bedroom is just across the corridor.
If you should want me for anything,
don't hesitate to call me.
Thank you.
Goodnight.
Mr. Wilson, are you in bed?
Yes, yes.
Sorry.
Goodnight.
Who's that?
Gregson.
He's here, came by boat.
- When? - 15 minutes ago.
Why didn't you let me know sooner?
It's this fog.
Our men lost their bearings.
Watch the front of the house.
Come, come!
All right, you stay here.
Very good, then.
I thought you would never come.
It's this cursed fog.
Where's the girl?
At the end of the corridor.
Good.
Wilson?
He's locked his door.
Well, get him out.
Offer him any inducement.
He's in the house.
It's Eileen!
That's Eileen!
Mr. Wilson, quick, Miss Forrester,
something terrible has happened!
Eileen.
My dear.
Eileen, my darling, are you all right?
Help.
Murder!
Help!
Break it down.
Help! Help!
Holmes!
Holmes, are you all right?
Quite all right.
Thank you, Watson.
Take them downstairs.
As I suspected.
Captain Pyke.
You are charged with the murders
of James Murphy, Malcolm Dearing, and William Baker.
And this woman?
As an accomplice.
Take them away.
I saw him Killed.
You saw him pretend to be killed.
It was he who attacked you.
He was shot.
No shot broke that window.
He broke it himself.
But the blood.
Animal blood, on a sponge.
Merrydew, of course, was in on it.
Mr. Holmes, there's a second man outside.
Came by car.
I thought it my duty to detain him.
Bring him in.
Well, well, well, Mr. Holmes.
This is indeed a surprise.
What are you doing here?
Well, surely a man has a right to visit his own house.
I own the mortgage on this place.
I've invited some friends down for the weekend
to discuss some business.
It won't do, Merrydew.
Arrest him.
Well, this is rather a high handed procedure.
What are the charges, Holmes?
The gravest possible.
That of being accessory to the murders
of James Murphy, Malcolm Dearing, and William Baker,
and with the attempted murder of Jabez Wilson
and Miss Eileen Forrester.
Hm, rather a tall indictment.
I think you'd better have the bracelets.
May I help you?
I've more than enough evidence to hang you.
I think not.
But then, who can tell?
I say, who can tell?
This will mean promotion, Lestrade.
I'm very grateful to you, Mr. Holmes.
But how you did it beats me.
Simple enough.
Simple.
Simple?
By the examination of the footsteps
in the garden of Mr. Dearing's house,
I was tolerably certain of the murderer's description.
He'd answered in every particular to that of Pyke,
furnished me later by the war office.
I was equally certain that the body in the morgue
was not that of Pyke.
You will remember the ring.
There was no mark to indicate that it had remained
on that finger for a period of six years,
as stated by his mistress.
His wife, you mean.
Mistress, Watson.
Mistress.
Well, you ought to know.
And the Scarlet Ring?
Perhaps you will remember the disappearance
of the Mandarin's gems in China some years ago.
Perfectly.
To realize on gems of international repute
would be a ticklish matter?
Very, they'd have to be broken up piece by piece,
and then disposed of carefully and slowly.
Exactly.
The Scarlet Ring was formed by the instigators
of the original crime to protect the receiving end.
And what was Pyke's motive?
Greed.
The last survivor would become the recipient
of the entire booty.
I think it will be found that Pyke
was the original ring leader.
But Mr. Wilson could furnish us with an answer to that.
Not one word.
We shall never forget you, Mr. Holmes.
Rather not, sir.
You must invite me to the wedding.
Perhaps you'll give me away.
I appreciate the compliment,
but I never give a lady away.
Except sometimes professionally.
Come, Doctor.
They'll send you when they need you.