Sherlock Holmes - E12: The Case of the Shoeless Engineer
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are spending a restful day in the country, when they encounter a badly injured man who is carrying an unconscious young woman. They take the pair back to their flat in London, and after Dr. Watson has treated them, the man explains what has happened to them. He is Haterley, a hydraulic engineer with a business of his own. He had been hired by Colonel Stark and an associate, who wanted him to fix a large hydraulic press for them. He was taken to the colonel's country home, where their housekeeper tried frantically to warn him about Stark....
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are spending a restful day in the country, when they encounter a badly injured man who is carrying an unconscious young woman. They take the pair back to their flat in London, and after Dr. Watson has treated them, the man explains what has happened to them. He is Haterley, a hydraulic engineer with a business of his own. He had been hired by Colonel Stark and an associate, who wanted him to fix a large hydraulic press for them. He was taken to the colonel's country home, where their housekeeper tried frantically to warn him about Stark....
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:30♪ And the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the home of the brave, and the
01:00home of the brave."
01:03In the several months that I had shared the Baker street lodgings with Sherlock Holmes,
01:06I was consistently amazed by the indefatigable energy he poured into his never-ending war
01:11on crime.
01:13But my physician's eye could see the strain that perhaps another wouldn't have noticed.
01:17Thus it was one morning that I prevailed upon him to join me for a day in the country.
01:21All seemed tranquil at first, but I was to learn, as I did in later years, that when
01:27When Sherlock Holmes did not seek trouble, it often sought him.
01:45Help her. They may be coming.
01:47Steady now. We'll have you all right in a minute.
01:50What's happened to the young lady?
01:52Who are you running from?
01:54Sherlock. Carol. They tried to kill me.
01:58Not now, Holmes.
02:00Perhaps we'd better get them to London, eh?
02:02I've had a thought. The young lady is uninjured, but she's suffering from a deep state of shock.
02:07Come along.
02:25Just drink this, will you?
02:31Better now?
02:32Much. Thank you, sir.
02:37Will she be all right, Doctor?
02:38Oh, yes, honey, sir.
02:40Twice last night, she saved my life.
02:43Who is she?
02:44I don't know. We only know that she's a doctor.
02:47Oh, I see.
02:49Twice last night, she saved my life.
02:52Who is she?
02:53I don't know. We only met last night.
02:56I'm afraid she's mute.
02:58What? Deaf-mute?
03:00No, she hears and understands perfectly.
03:04How did you meet her?
03:06Well, it all started yesterday afternoon.
03:09It seems an eternity since then.
03:12I was in my office, facing the realities of my professional situation.
03:18I suppose that everyone finds his first venture into independent business to be a dreary experience.
03:24After a year of it, I'd about decided to admit failure...
03:28...and seek employment with some recognized firm.
03:31It was at that point that I received a client.
03:35Mr. Haddily?
03:41His name was Colonel Lysander Stark.
03:44Had I known then what horror he was bringing into my life...
03:47...I would have strangled him right then and there.
03:51Frankly, Mr. Haddily...
03:53...the commission I have come here to offer you...
03:55...deals with a matter of extreme secrecy.
03:59I have gone to some lengths...
04:01...to acquaint myself with both your professional...
04:03...and your personal qualifications.
04:06Personal qualifications, sir?
04:08Yes.
04:09I know you to be an efficient hydraulic engineer...
04:12...but also that you are a bachelor, an orphan...
04:15...and that you reside here alone in London.
04:18Why, that's very true, but...
04:20...I'm afraid I don't understand.
04:23You shall when I explain the assignment.
04:27Do I have your word that our conversation will go no further than this room?
04:31Of course, sir. I shall respect your confidence.
04:34Excellent.
04:37Well, then.
04:40Does 50 pounds for a night's work appeal to you?
04:4550 pounds?
04:49I note by your expression that you suspect some illegality.
04:53Let me set your mind at rest on that score.
04:56Exactly what you want me to do.
04:59To repair a hydraulic press, Mr. Haddily.
05:02A rather large hydraulic press.
05:05Well, that hardly seems unusual.
05:09Well...
05:14For some years, I have owned a small place in the country just outside London.
05:19Recently, it has come to my attention...
05:21...that the land contains a vein of something commonly called Fuller's Earth.
05:26I trust you are familiar with the term.
05:28But ore is dug out of the earth.
05:30Why should you need an hydraulic press?
05:34I'm a businessman, Mr. Haddily.
05:37Undoubtedly, the land surrounding mine contains more of such wealth.
05:41I hope to use the income from my own discovery...
05:44...to purchase my neighbor's land cheaply...
05:46...before he discovers its hidden wealth.
05:49I see.
05:51If my neighbor were to suspect what wealth he treads on daily...
05:56...he would never sell at any price.
05:59It's quite clear now.
06:01You use the press to mold the dug earth into some innocent form...
06:05...so that you can dispose of it without suspicion.
06:08Precisely.
06:09Very ingenious.
06:11There's a fortune down there. A fort...
06:19Is anything wrong?
06:20What is it, Colonel Stark?
06:22Can I get you something?
06:25It's all right.
06:27My heart.
06:29I oughtn't to get too excited.
06:38I've put my trust in you, Mr. Haddily.
06:42Do you accept the commission?
06:44Yes, sir.
06:49I've put my trust in you, Mr. Haddily.
06:52Do you accept the commission?
06:55When do I begin, sir?
06:57I promised to meet him that night...
07:00...last night, at Aford Station.
07:03The time he suggested was quite late, 11.30.
07:06But he insisted that it would be less conspicuous.
07:10I freely admit that the money kept me from exercising...
07:14...a more natural curiosity at such bizarre proceedings.
07:17One point, sir.
07:18When we encountered you, you were in a nervous state...
07:21...but you kept repeating that they were after you.
07:24Did this man Stark have a confederate?
07:26Yes, a foreigner, a man named Carroll.
07:29I was to meet him later that night.
07:31Go on.
07:33Last night I boarded the train to Aford...
07:36...and arrived there a little past 11 as ordered.
07:39And Colonel Stark was waiting?
07:41He was.
07:42We drove for almost an hour.
07:45And then we stopped suddenly...
07:47...and he almost pulled me into a darkened house.
07:50Stark muttered under his breath as he fumbled to strike a match.
07:54But suddenly a light appeared at the top of the stairs.
08:04It was the first time I saw this young woman, gentlemen.
08:07Even in the poor light, beauty and fear were sharp in her face.
08:16Come.
08:40This young woman is our housekeeper.
08:43How do you do, miss?
08:45She cannot answer you, I'm afraid.
08:47She is quite mute.
08:50I forgot to tell you that I have a colleague, Mr. Carroll...
08:53...brilliant mineralogist.
08:54I'll fetch him for you, if you'll excuse me for a moment.
08:57By all means.
09:36Is there anything wrong?
09:39You want me to leave?
09:42Why?
09:47Are you trying to warn me against Colonel Stark?
09:59But why should I fear Colonel Stark?
10:02I only met him this afternoon.
10:09Come.
10:21Mr. Hadley, I'd like you to meet my friend and associate, Mr. Carroll.
10:25A pleasure, sir.
10:27Colonel Stark will show you our place and explain the difficulties we have.
10:31I'll join you in a moment...
10:33...after I have arranged with our housekeeper...
10:37...for you to stay tonight.
10:39Yes, yes, that's a good idea.
10:41Will you come this way, Mr. Hadley?
11:07I thought you have learned better, my dear.
11:10Perhaps I have to send you back to school.
11:32Yes, in principle, this is the standard hydraulic press.
11:36I must say, I've seen fewer as large.
11:38Indeed?
11:39And so it does the work of four ordinary presses.
11:42I think I told you that time is my greatest foe.
11:52Would you bring more light, please?
12:04Wood.
12:05Concrete would have given you more support.
12:08Are these walls reinforced from the outside?
12:10Ah, Bruno.
12:11I was just about to explain to Mr. Hadley...
12:13...that all the walls, except the one he is examining, are reinforced.
12:16However, there is no trouble with the walls.
12:19It's in the machinery. You'll hear it.
12:22Good. I just want to check up first.
12:35Now listen.
12:42Do you know what it is?
12:44One of the cylinders is leaking fluid...
12:46...cutting down your power.
12:48Turn it off and we'll have a look at the driving rods.
12:51Do you know what it is?
12:53One of the cylinders is leaking fluid...
12:55...cutting down your power.
12:57Turn it off and we'll have a look at the driving rods.
13:07I knew what I was after...
13:09...and the rest proved to be no problem.
13:12Of course. You knew by then the true purpose of the press.
13:15Not quite.
13:16Although I was sure it was not for making dirt-brick moulds.
13:20They were too large for that.
13:22But they had lied to me so blatantly...
13:24...I thought it best not to call them on it right off.
13:27What were they using the press for?
13:29Fairly obvious. They are counterfeiters.
13:31They use the press to form the amalgam that takes the place of silver.
13:36So I learned during the night.
13:39It was naive of me to assume that everyone but myself was asleep.
13:43But I did.
14:20Hello?
14:51It's amalgam, Mr. Hathaway.
15:04Carol! Open up!
15:09Let me out of here, Carol!
15:20Let me out of here, Carol!
15:32No one knew better than myself what that sound meant.
15:45Carol had started the press.
15:47The whole ceiling would be down with a force capable of grinding me to a shapeless pulp.
15:53And there was no way in the world I could stop it.
16:47Carol!
17:11Let's get away from here.
17:13You will come with me.
17:17Come on.
17:47Come on.
17:59Go quickly!
18:00The police! Hurry!
18:02This time they will be...
18:06No mistake!
18:18No mistake!
18:26What is this?
18:39What's happened here?
18:43Bruno!
18:45Bruno!
18:48Bruno!
18:51No!
18:52No!
18:56No!
18:58No!
19:00No!
19:12And that's almost the last lucid recollection I have.
19:15I remember carrying her outside and plunging her head into the darkness.
19:19Then you have no memory of going through the woods?
19:22Almost none.
19:23The next thing I remember, you and Dr. Watson were bending over me.
19:30Are you all right?
19:31She screamed, did you hear her?
19:33Yes, quite clearly.
19:37Please, don't let them send me back.
19:42I can't bear it.
19:44I can't bear it.
19:46There, there now.
19:47Brandy Helms, will you?
19:52That's right.
19:54You'll be all right.
19:55Here, drink this, will you?
20:02Now tell me, do you know this gentleman?
20:05Yes, Mr. Hathaway.
20:07Oh, you can speak!
20:09Oh, why last night did you pretend?
20:11I wasn't pretending.
20:13I've been unable to speak for a year.
20:16Excuse me, Miss...
20:18Connors, Ruth Connors.
20:20Miss Connors, I gather that the events of last night gave you a shock,
20:24rather like a shock you received a year ago.
20:27Yes, when I saw the gun in Colonel Stark's hand,
20:30and it was pointed directly at me.
20:33A year ago, another young man visited us to fix the hydraulic press.
20:38I see.
20:39What do you know about this other young man?
20:41I was standing there, watching,
20:43when all of a sudden Colonel Stark fired his gun,
20:46straight into the other young man's face.
20:49Why didn't you go to the police?
20:51I did.
20:52But first I must tell you that Mr. Carew is my uncle and guardian.
20:55He's my only living relation.
20:57When I witnessed the murder, he fell upon me,
21:00repeating over and over,
21:02you must never say a word, you must never say a word.
21:05But the first opportunity I had, I ran to the police.
21:08What did they do?
21:09Nothing.
21:10Because from that moment to this,
21:12I've been unable to utter a sound, or speak a word.
21:15It was as though my throat was frozen up.
21:19Incredible.
21:20I have heard of this before.
21:22The worst of it was, my uncle learnt of my attempt to inform on him,
21:26and had me committed to bedlam.
21:28The insane asylum?
21:30I spent six long months there,
21:32six horrible, unforgettable months,
21:34before they released me in his custody.
21:36After that, he forced me to do his bidding,
21:39by threatening to send me back.
21:41Send me back to school, was the expression he used.
21:44Why, that's horrible.
21:46Very.
21:47And I think it's time we called in our old friend, Inspector Lestrade.
21:52If only to deal with this man, Carew.
21:54You're not forgetting Stark, are you?
21:56Oh, I expect we'll find his remains, Watson.
21:59The loss of his medicine undoubtedly saved England the cost of executing him.
22:03Well, come along.
22:05Now, that young Mr. Hatherley tells us about neglecting the candle
22:09while he made his escape, I can place the blame for the fire.
22:14You're sure it was Colonel Lysander Stark whose remains you found here?
22:18No doubt.
22:19Several articles of authentic identification.
22:22No doubt.
22:23Anything else?
22:24No, Inspector. Sorry.
22:26Well, let's go.
22:27Let's go.
22:28Several articles of authentic identification.
22:31No doubt.
22:32Anything else?
22:33No, Inspector. Sorry.
22:36All right. Thank you, Consul.
22:39Now where's Holmes got himself to?
22:42He just went down to the station. He said he'd be back any minute.
22:45Look here. If Holmes thinks he can do...
22:47I'm sorry to keep you all waiting.
22:49Well, everything settled, Lestrade?
22:51About as settled as it's likely to be.
22:54Stark's dead. Carew's escaped.
22:56The only thing now is to go back to London and put out an alarm for him.
22:59Oh, dear, dear, dear.
23:00Now, tell me, what about the money?
23:02What money?
23:03Well, you know, the money they were making, the counterfeit. Have you found any?
23:06Well, no.
23:07Oh, I suppose Carew took it with him.
23:09Well, a man would have to be pretty desperate indeed
23:11to even bother with real money, let alone counterfeit.
23:15What are you suggesting, Holmes?
23:17Miss Connors.
23:18The only carriage used here is the carriage that Mr. Hatherley rode in. Is that right?
23:21Why, yes, I think so.
23:23I see. And that carriage has been in the livery's table since last night.
23:27Thanks to an obliging constable, I found one of Mr. Carew's footprints.
23:31But there was no trail of similar prints leading away from the house.
23:35Mark you, I didn't imagine that he would try and make his escape on foot.
23:39How did he get away, then?
23:42He didn't, my dear fellow.
23:44He's still in this house, hiding somewhere.
23:46What?
23:50Mr. Holmes, there's a cellar where...
23:52I examined that cellar myself.
23:55No, I mean the special cave they dug under the house to hide the money.
23:59Then there must be an entrance from the house itself.
24:01Well, I wasn't permitted to know exactly where,
24:04but I'm sure it was in this room somewhere.
24:07Well, let's try and see, shall we?
24:11I beg your pardon.
24:17Mm-hmm.
24:18What have we got here?
24:22Oh!
24:33Ah, very neat, Watson.
24:35Oh, there wasn't any to it.
24:37Now then, what have we got here?
24:39Oh, just nick me, Doctor. Nothing serious.
24:41Well, we'll have a look at it anyway.
24:43Go on.
24:45Some of you may lend a hand in here.
24:47That's that.
24:48I don't believe you'll have any more trouble with Mr. Carew.
24:51This has been a nasty business all round.
24:53I've lost my 50-pound fee, been roughed up.
24:56But it could have been worse, I suppose.
24:59A good deal worse, my friend.
25:01For example, I believe this is yours.
25:04Mine?
25:05Yes.
25:06What is it?
25:07Your shoe, I believe. I recovered it from the press.
25:10Yes, it makes one think, doesn't it?
25:14Oh, Watson, you were quite right.
25:17A day in the country can be quite relaxing.
25:21THE END
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