Sherlock Holmes. The Sign of Four.

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First broadcast 29th December 1987.  Mary Morstan has received a pearl in the post every year since her father's disappearance; this leads Holmes and Watson to the truth about a secret pact between four convicts during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.  Jeremy Brett ... Sherlock Holmes Edward Hardwicke ... Dr. John Watson Robin Hunter ... Major Sholto Alf Joint ... McMurdo John Thaw ... Jonathan Small Kiran Shah ... Tonga Jenny Seagrove ... Miss Mary Morstan Rosalie Williams ... Mrs. Hudson Derek Deadman ... Williams Ronald Lacey ... Thaddeus Sholto / Bartholomew Sholto Ishaq Bux ... Lal Chowder Terence Skelton ... Captain Morstan Marjorie Sudell ... Mrs. Bernstone Emrys James ... Inspector Athelney Jones Gordon Gostelow ... Sherman Lila Kaye ... Mrs. Mordecai Smith William Ash ... Jack Smith Courtney Roper-Knight ... Wiggins (as Courtenay Roper-Knight) Tommy Wright ... Boatyard Workman Dave Atkins ... Mordecai Smith Badi Uzzaman ... Kartar Singh Renu Setna ... Achmet Ravinder Singh Reyett ... Jagodish Singh

Transcript

00:01:30I

00:02:00I

00:02:30There's a very pretty young woman crossing the street and I think she may be coming here

00:02:45Incidentally, I have glanced over your latest account of my work. Oh, yes

00:02:51Honestly, I cannot congratulate you upon

00:02:53Detection is there ought to be an exact science

00:03:01Observation

00:03:03Deduction a cold and emotional subject you have attempted to change it with a romanticism

00:03:08Which has much the same effect as if you've worked a love story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid

00:03:17There's a young lady to see you mr. Holmes

00:03:23Mary Moulton I have no recollection of the man

00:03:30Don't go doctor. I may need you I was right

00:03:39Miss Moulton good afternoon

00:03:48I've come to you. Mr. Holmes because you once enabled my employer mrs. Cecil Forrester to

00:03:54Unravel a minor domestic complication. She was much impressed with your kindness and skill

00:04:01Thank you

00:04:14I can hardly imagine anything more strange more

00:04:18Utterly inexplicable than the situation in which I find myself state your case

00:04:24You will I'm sure excuse me if your friend would be good enough to remain

00:04:30He might be of inestimable service to me, of course

00:04:45Briefly the facts of these

00:04:48My father was an officer in an Indian regiment

00:04:52My mother died when I was so

00:04:55Quite a child and and he was forced to send me home

00:04:59Despite the fact that I had no relatives here. I

00:05:03Was placed in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh and I remained there until I was 17 years of age

00:05:10In that same year my father who was the senior captain of his regiment

00:05:18Obtained 12 months leave and returned home

00:05:24He telegraphed to me from London to say that it arrived all safe and

00:05:28Directed me to come down at once giving the Langham Hotel as his address

00:05:33His message as I remember was full of love and kindness

00:05:40Unreaching London I drove straight to the Langham Hotel and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there, but

00:05:48He'd gone out the night before and had not returned

00:05:51So I waited

00:05:55Whole day without news of him

00:06:02And

00:06:05That night on the advice of the manager of the hotel

00:06:12Communicated with the police

00:06:15The next day we advertised in all the newspapers

00:06:20Our inquiries led to no result

00:06:24From that day to this

00:06:26No word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father

00:06:39He came home with his heart so full of hope

00:06:41To find some peace some comfort and instead

00:06:54The date

00:06:58The third of December exactly ten years ago

00:07:04His luggage

00:07:06Remained at the hotel

00:07:09Remained at the hotel

00:07:12Oh

00:07:13There was nothing in it to suggest a clue some clothes and books and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands

00:07:24My father had been one of the officers in charge of the conflict guard

00:07:28What's in this place is a mess had any friends in time only one that we know of

00:07:34made a shelter of his own regiment

00:07:37The 34th Bombay infantry

00:07:40We communicated with the major of course, but

00:07:43He did not seem to know that his brother officer was in England. It's a singular case

00:07:56I have not yet communicated to you the most singular part

00:08:01Four years later an advertisement appeared in The Times

00:08:05Asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan and stating that it would be to her advantage to come forward

00:08:11There was no name appended

00:08:14I had at the time just entered the family of mrs. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess and

00:08:20On her advice. I published my address in the advertisement column

00:08:25That same day there appeared through the post

00:08:28A small cardboard box addressed to me

00:08:32Which I found to contain a very large lustrous pearl

00:08:38No word of writing was enclosed and since then every year upon the same date

00:08:44There's always appeared a similar box containing a similar pearl with no clue as to the sender

00:08:50They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value

00:08:55You can see for yourself that they are very handsome

00:09:06Your case is most interesting

00:09:11Something else has occurred to you

00:09:14Yes, and no later than today

00:09:17That is why I have come to you

00:09:19This letter arrived through the post this morning, which you will perhaps read for yourself

00:09:26Envelope, please

00:09:30London postmark October 7 man's thumb mark on corner probably postman

00:09:39Best quality paper sixpence a packet

00:09:42Probably postman

00:09:46Best quality paper sixpence a packet particular man in his stationery

00:09:54Be at the

00:09:56third pillar from the left

00:09:58Outside the lyceum theater tonight at seven o'clock

00:10:01If you're distrustful bring two friends

00:10:03You are a wrong woman and she'll have justice

00:10:07Do not bring the police if you do all will be in vain your unknown friend

00:10:11Well, really this is a very pretty little problem, what do you intend to do miss moston?

00:10:15Well, that is exactly what I want to ask you why then you and I shall go together

00:10:20What dr watson is the very man your correspondent says two friends

00:10:26But would he come I should be proud and happy if I can be of any service

00:10:32Oh, you're both very kind i've led a retired life and have no friends whom I could appeal to

00:10:38If i'm here at six it will do I suppose

00:10:40Yes, but you must not delay her. Goodbye

00:10:44Goodbye, mr. Holmes

00:11:02Barf now dearly barf now

00:11:11She's a very attractive woman

00:11:16It is of the first importance not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities

00:11:21A client to me is a mere unit a factor of the problem

00:11:24Holmes, you're an automaton a calculating machine. There's something

00:11:29Positively inhuman in you child. I assure you the most winning woman. I ever knew was hanged for poisoning

00:11:35Three little children for their insurance money

00:11:38And the most repellent man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the london poor

00:11:44however in this case

00:11:47I never make exceptions an exception disproves the rule. I'm going out. I'll see you in an hour

00:12:07Had any friends in time only one that we know of major sholto of his own regiment

00:12:23There's no great mystery in this matter the facts appear to admit only one explanation are you solved it already

00:12:29I found on consulting the back files of the times that major sholto of upper norwood

00:12:34Later the 34th bombay infantry died just six years ago

00:12:39Mrs. Hudson, you're dreadfully underfoot

00:12:42I may be very obtuse holmes, but I fail to see what this suggests really

00:12:46You surprised me then look at it this way then captain morstan disappears

00:12:52The only person in london whom he could have visited is major sholto major sholto denies having heard that he was even in london

00:12:58Four years later sholto dies within a week of his death

00:13:03Captain morstan's daughter receives a valuable present which is repeated from year to year and now

00:13:09Culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman

00:13:12And what wrong can it possibly refer to except this?

00:13:16deprivation of her father

00:13:23Why should these presents begin immediately after sholto's death unless it is

00:13:27But sholto's air knows something of the mystery and has asked to make compensation

00:13:34Are you ready watson and waiting?

00:13:39Have you any alternative theory that will meet the facts what strange compensation how strange you make what time is it?

00:13:47It'll pass the hour

00:13:58You

00:14:00Evening robert

00:14:05Why should somebody write her a letter now rather than six years ago

00:14:09again

00:14:10The letter speaks of giving her justice what justice can she have it is too much to suppose that her father is still alive

00:14:15And there's no other injustice in her case that you know

00:14:19There are difficulties

00:14:21But there are always difficulties

00:14:28Good evening, mr. Holmes. I do hope i'm good evening

00:14:39By the way a curious paper was found in papa's desk, which nobody could understand

00:14:45I don't suppose it is of the slightest importance, but I thought you might like to see it. So I brought it with me

00:14:50Me

00:14:52The paper appears to be of indian manufacture at some point it has been pinned to a board

00:15:00The diagram upon it appears to be the plan part of a large building with numerous halls corridors and passages

00:15:09There's a cross in red ink and beside it is written 3.37 from left

00:15:17There is a curious

00:15:20Sign of four

00:15:23Carter sing indigent sing jagadish sing jonathan small

00:15:28The paper has been

00:15:30Kept carefully in a pocketbook where one side is as clean as the other

00:15:34It was in his pocketbook that we found it preserve it carefully miss monster

00:15:40I begin to suspect that this case may be much deeper and more subtle than I had at first supposed

00:15:50So

00:16:20Hey, are you the party who come with miss morstan?

00:16:35I'm miss morstan these two gentlemen my companions. I must ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions

00:16:42Is a police officer?

00:16:43I give you my word

00:16:50So

00:17:17Yeah

00:17:21Oh

00:17:28Show them straight into me

00:17:34Your servant miss most

00:17:39Your servant

00:17:41gentlemen

00:17:43Come in come in come in come into to my uh, my little sanctum

00:17:48I I trust you have no objection to uh, uh tobacco smoke

00:17:54the balsamic odor

00:17:56of eastern tobacco

00:17:59I am

00:18:01a little nervous

00:18:02And I I find my hookah to be an invaluable

00:18:17Um

00:18:21Sedative

00:18:25You will excuse me, mr. Sholto

00:18:28But I am here at your request to learn something

00:18:32Which you desire to tell me

00:18:35It is getting very late and I should wish the interview to be as short as possible

00:18:41But it must take some time

00:18:44For we

00:18:46Have to go to norwood

00:18:49To see brother bartholomew

00:18:54We must all see

00:19:00If we can get the better

00:19:05Brother bartholomew

00:19:07He is angry with me for

00:19:11Taking the course that has seemed right to me

00:19:17You cannot imagine what a terrible fellow he is

00:19:23When he is angry

00:19:28If we are to go to norwood it would perhaps be as well if we were to start at once no

00:19:34No, that would hardly do

00:19:36I don't know what he would say if we came upon him in that sudden way. No, I

00:19:41I must prepare you by

00:19:44Showing you where we all stand

00:19:47To each other

00:19:50I must

00:19:52Lay the facts

00:19:54before you

00:19:57As I know them myself

00:20:05My father the late major john shorto

00:20:10Who came to live at ponticelli lodge

00:20:14in norwood

00:20:17Some 11 years ago

00:20:21He had prospered in india and brought back with him

00:20:27a considerable sum of money

00:20:29a collection of valuable curiosities

00:20:33and a staff of native servants

00:20:36With these advantages

00:20:38He lived in great luxury

00:20:41My brother and I were at university at the time

00:20:45We did know however that that some mystery some positive danger

00:20:52Overhung our father

00:20:56He was very fearful

00:20:59Of going out alone

00:21:01And he employed two prize fighters to guard him

00:21:06Williams who drove you here tonight

00:21:09Was one of them

00:21:11for some reason

00:21:12He never told anyone

00:21:15My father had a marked aversion to men with wooden legs

00:21:20On one occasion he actually fired his revolver at a one-legged man

00:21:26A harmless tradesman as it turned out

00:21:32So

00:21:36Oh, yes, I remember we had to pay a considerable sum to hush it up

00:21:44Then suddenly

00:21:49My father received a letter

00:21:54It was obviously

00:21:56A great shock to him

00:22:01So

00:22:09Out out of the room out of the room

00:22:15So

00:22:29What was in the letter

00:22:34We could never discover

00:22:38For years my father had suffered with an enlarged spleen

00:22:44And from that moment on he became rapidly worse

00:22:49But one night the

00:22:51Doctor informed us there was no hope

00:22:54And that he wished to make a last communication to us

00:23:01My dear son

00:23:07When we were in india

00:23:10My friend

00:23:12Boston and I

00:23:15Came into possession of

00:23:17a considerable treasure

00:23:21I brought it home with me to this house where it still lies

00:23:33On the day that boston arrived home from the east

00:23:40He came

00:23:42straight to this house

00:23:45To claim

00:23:47his share

00:23:49We gave our word shelter a promise

00:23:52We gave our word and our oath

00:23:55A baffling hand

00:23:56For life another world a solemn promise

00:24:00If you try to betray me boston

00:24:03If you dare to cross me

00:24:09My god

00:24:12The man is dead now you have nothing to fear sir, I will arrange everything

00:24:18And so it was done miss boston

00:24:22in secrecy, of course

00:24:24but with respect

00:24:27This is disgraceful, mr. Schulte your father's behavior was quite unforgivable, please doctor

00:24:37I knew in my heart that he was dead

00:24:42But my father was not a well man

00:24:49I'm only glad he did not suffer. You're very brave miss boston

00:24:55What concerns me now is the reason for this quarrel

00:24:58I cannot imagine how my father came to be involved with that treasure

00:25:03I'm afraid

00:25:05That is not clear to me miss boston. I can only tell you

00:25:08I feel

00:25:10My father's instructions concerning it

00:25:14I my

00:25:17Poor morson's

00:25:25The greed

00:25:28Accursed greed that has been my besetting sin throughout my life has has robbed her of the treasure

00:25:36Half of which at least should be hers

00:25:43You see that

00:25:46Jacket there

00:25:49On the queen in boston

00:25:51I

00:25:54Had the design of of sending it to her

00:25:59but

00:26:01I could not bear to part with it

00:26:06You

00:26:08My son

00:26:11I see that miss boston gets

00:26:13her share

00:26:15of the treasure

00:26:21The treasure

00:26:30Get him away

00:26:35Get him

00:26:37We ran to the window and out into the garden, but the intruder was gone

00:26:44My father was dead

00:26:48We soon had more

00:26:49Striking proof that there were secret agencies at work all around us the next day my

00:26:57father's bedroom was broken into and

00:27:00this was

00:27:02Fixed to his chest

00:27:06Remarkable it is the sick symbol for the numero four

00:27:18What the paper means and who our secret visitor all visitors were we we never found out

00:27:25Uh

00:27:30My brother and I were much excited as you can imagine of the treasure my father had spoken but try as we might

00:27:37We couldn't find it. It was maddening to think that the hiding place was on his very lips when he

00:27:42when he died

00:27:43we could

00:27:44judge the splendor of the riches by the chaplet that he had taken out the pearls were evidently of great value and

00:27:52My brother was averse to part with them for

00:27:57Between friends. He was a little inclined to my father's fault

00:28:02And it was all I could do was to persuade him to allow me to send a miss morstan

00:28:07A detached pearl at regular intervals so that she would not feel destitute

00:28:13It was a kindly thought

00:28:16It was very good of you

00:28:19Well

00:28:21We were your trustees

00:28:23That was the way I looked at it. Although

00:28:26My brother did not altogether see it in that light. We had plenty of money ourselves

00:28:32It would have been in such

00:28:35bad taste to have

00:28:38Treated a young lady in so scurvier fashion

00:28:44Yesterday

00:28:45An event of extreme importance occurred

00:28:54We

00:28:55found the treasure

00:28:58Hence my instant communication to you miss morstan now. All we have to do is to drive to norwood

00:29:06And claim our share

00:29:12We should be

00:29:14expected if not

00:29:15entirely

00:29:17welcome

00:29:18Visitors you have done well from first to last mr. Schulte

00:29:26My health is somewhat fragile

00:29:30I am compelled to be a valid judenarian

00:29:36Please

00:29:50We dug up every inch of the garden without discovering anything

00:29:58Brother bartholomew is such a clever fellow

00:30:01Do you know how he found out where the treasure was?

00:30:04Tell me

00:30:06He made measurements everywhere all along the top along the side inside and he found out he was four foot out

00:30:14at the top

00:30:16we found our father had made a false room and

00:30:20so he smashed through the the lath and the plaster and

00:30:24and there was the

00:30:26The treasure chest lying across the the rafts

00:30:30He has computed

00:30:31the value of the treasure

00:30:33To be more than one half million sterling

00:30:40Mrs. Burnstone, mrs. Burnstone's the only lady in the house. Um, wait here

00:30:59I'm so glad you've come

00:31:02I'm so glad you've come, sir

00:31:08What a strange place

00:31:13Looks as if all the moles in england have been let loose in it

00:31:19It's something I miss with bartholomew

00:31:22In to the house!

00:31:23I'm frightened my nurse won't stay

00:31:31Oh

00:31:36Oh

00:31:40Oh, but i've been sorely tried this day

00:31:44Hi, mrs. Burnstone

00:31:46Mr. Bartholomew shut himself in his room and I can't get a word out of him

00:31:51His bed hasn't been slept in and he hasn't been down for any food

00:31:56I dare not disturb him at his work. You know what he's like when messages work

00:32:01Look after him, Mrs. Burnstone

00:32:09There now do try to calm down look i'm sure everything will be all right

00:32:12I do hope you're all right, miss

00:32:25Come

00:32:30So

00:32:37Which is the doll

00:33:01So

00:33:13There's something devilish in this one

00:33:31So

00:33:53The sign of four again what in god's name does it mean it means murder

00:34:00Okay

00:34:03We brought the treasure down there last night

00:34:10What time is that?

00:34:13I don't know six or seven

00:34:20I had him lock the door after after I left it

00:34:25It must have been the last person to see him alive

00:34:30And now he's dead

00:34:36Nothing

00:34:46I suggest that you go down to the police station and tell them everything that you know, we shall wait here until you return

00:34:52Holmes

00:34:54Look at this careful

00:34:56Forgive me. It's poisoned

00:34:58What?

00:34:59Well, what's done we have a little time let's make the most of it

00:35:03How this is an insoluble mystery to me, it grows darker instead of clearer. No, no, no

00:35:08It clears every incident. I only required a few missing links to have an entirely connected case

00:35:13Simple as the case seems now, there may be something deeper underlying it

00:35:18Now, how did these people come and how did they go?

00:35:21People well, it takes more than one perhaps more than two to remove a heavy treasure chest from a place like this

00:35:26The door has not been opened since last night, so how about these windows?

00:35:38Snipped on the inside, hinges, the roof quite out of reach, no drainpipe near, and yet someone

00:35:48has entered this way.

00:35:49Look, Watson.

00:35:50See that scuff on the ceiling?

00:35:51Look at this, Watson, and this, and this.

00:36:04This is a very pretty demonstration.

00:36:06But that's not a footmark.

00:36:09Something much more valuable to us.

00:36:10This is the mark of a boot, and this, and this, the mark of the timber towel.

00:36:16This is a wooden-legged man.

00:36:20And someone else, a very abled and efficient ally.

00:36:26Could you scale that wall, Watson?

00:36:37Absolutely impossible.

00:36:38Unable to do so, but suppose you had a friend who lowered you this good stout rope, securing

00:36:46it first to this ring.

00:36:47I think, if you were an active man, you'd be able to swarm up, wooden-legged and all.

00:36:53You would depart, of course, in the same fashion, and then your friend would pull up the rope,

00:37:02close the window, snip it on the inside, and depart in the manner he originally came.

00:37:07Well, the thing grows more unintelligible than ever.

00:37:13How about this mysterious ally?

00:37:16How did he get into the room?

00:37:18Yes, this ally.

00:37:20He lifts this case from the regions of the commonplace.

00:37:23But the door is locked, the window inaccessible.

00:37:28The grate's too small.

00:37:29How, then?

00:37:30You will not follow my precept.

00:37:31How often have I said to you, once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains.

00:37:37What is very improbable must be the truth.

00:37:44He must have come in through the roof.

00:37:46Excellent, Watson.

00:37:47Hold this lamp.

00:37:48Let us carry our research to the room above, the secret room in which the treasure was

00:37:53found.

00:37:54What's going on?

00:37:55Oh, a child has done this horrid thing.

00:38:17My memory failed me.

00:38:18Or I should have been able to foretold it.

00:38:19We have learned all we can from here.

00:38:20Let us go down.

00:38:34What is your theory about those footmarks?

00:38:37My dear Watson, try a little analysis yourself.

00:38:39You know my methods.

00:38:40Apply them.

00:38:41I cannot conceive of anything that will cover the facts.

00:38:44You will soon.

00:38:45Well, in luck, our little ally has trodden the creosote.

00:39:12Oh, you're fond of animals, I see.

00:39:13Yes, very good.

00:39:14Lovely puppy.

00:39:15Well, well, well.

00:39:16Quite a nice little place you've got here.

00:39:17Indeed.

00:39:18That is the accredited representatives of the Lord, unless I'm very, very much mistaken.

00:39:31Now, Watson, before they come, what do you make of this poor fellow?

00:39:36The muscles are as stiff as a board.

00:39:39A state of extreme contraction.

00:39:41Far exceeding the usual rigor mortis.

00:39:44Quite so.

00:39:45Coupled with this distortion of the face, the Hippocratic smile.

00:39:49Greaseless sardonicus, as the old writers called it.

00:39:52What would that suggest to your mind?

00:39:55Death from a powerful vegetable alkaloid, some stricting-like substance that produces

00:40:00tetanus.

00:40:01Well, uh, good.

00:40:02To the right.

00:40:03Come along, gentlemen.

00:40:04To the right.

00:40:06To the right.

00:40:07Come along, gentlemen.

00:40:08To the right.

00:40:09Puppies, dead.

00:40:10Men, dead.

00:40:11Miss Thorne.

00:40:12Not an English Thorne.

00:40:13I think it is not right that Miss Morstan remain in this stricken house.

00:40:29I suggest you slip away and take her home, Watson, and then go on to Three Pinching Lane.

00:40:34Lambeth, I'm asked for Toby.

00:40:35Three Pinching Lane.

00:40:36I'd rather have Toby's health than that of the whole protective force of London.

00:40:43Well, here's a pretty business.

00:40:50Place is as full as a rabid warren.

00:40:54I think you may recollect me.

00:40:57Mr. Felney Jones.

00:41:00Why, of course.

00:41:03Of course I do.

00:41:06Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the theorist.

00:41:10I'll never forget the way you lectured us all about the Bishopgate jewel case.

00:41:15True, you set us on the right track then, but I think you'll own now.

00:41:21It was more by good luck than good guidance.

00:41:23It was a piece of very simple reasoning.

00:41:25Oh, come now, come.

00:41:28Never be ashamed to own up.

00:41:31But what is all this?

00:41:36Is it bad business?

00:41:38Bad business.

00:41:42Stern facts here.

00:41:45No room for theories.

00:41:47It's like I happened to be up in Norwood on another case when I got the message.

00:41:53How do you think this man died?

00:41:55Well, this is not a case for me to theorise over.

00:41:57No, no.

00:41:59Still, we can't deny you hit the nail on the head sometimes.

00:42:07Door locked, I understand.

00:42:11Jewels worth a fortune missing.

00:42:14How were the windows?

00:42:15Fastened, but there was a footstep on the ceiling.

00:42:17Windows fastened.

00:42:19Nothing to do with its common sense.

00:42:26Man could have died in a fit, I suppose.

00:42:30Ah, I have a theory.

00:42:34These flashes come to me sometimes.

00:42:37Sergeant, outside, will you please?

00:42:39And you too, Mr. Sholto.

00:42:45What do you think of this, Holmes?

00:42:48Sholto has confessed.

00:42:50He was with his brother last night.

00:42:52Brother dies in a fit.

00:42:54Sholto walks off for the treasure. How about that?

00:42:56Whereupon the dead man very considerably gets up and locks the door from the inside.

00:43:02Aye.

00:43:07There's a flaw there somewhere.

00:43:11Let us apply common sense to the matter.

00:43:15They were brothers.

00:43:17There was a quarrel.

00:43:19Brother Bartholomew, dead.

00:43:22Jewels, gone.

00:43:24And Master Thaddeus, evidently in a disturbed state of mind.

00:43:29His appearance, well, not attractive.

00:43:33You see, I'm weaving a web around Thaddeus.

00:43:39The net begins to close upon him.

00:43:43Jones, that splinter...

00:43:49which I firmly believe to be poisoned.

00:43:52That card and that curiously shaped instrument were lying there on the table.

00:44:00Confirms my theory in every respect.

00:44:06The house is full of Indian curiosities. All points to Thaddeus.

00:44:14But how did he escape?

00:44:21There is a trapdoor in the roof, Sergeant.

00:44:26Pray ask Mr. Sholto to step this way.

00:44:30You see, facts are better than theories, after all.

00:44:35My view of the case is confirmed.

00:44:37There is a trapdoor communicating with the roof.

00:44:40And it is partly open.

00:44:43It was I who opened it.

00:44:46Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, it is my duty to inform you...

00:44:49that anything you say will be taken down...

00:44:51and may be used in evidence against you.

00:44:53I arrest you in the Queen's name...

00:44:55as being concerned in the death of your brother.

00:44:59Didn't I tell you that?

00:45:01Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Sholto.

00:45:03I think I can engage to clear you of this charge.

00:45:05Don't promise too much, Mr. Theorist.

00:45:09You may find it a harder matter than you think.

00:45:12Not only will I clear Mr. Sholto...

00:45:14but I will give you a description of the two men...

00:45:17who were in this room last night.

00:45:19One was a poorly educated man, strong, active...

00:45:22with his right leg off, wearing a stump worn away on the inside.

00:45:26His left boot has a coarse, square-toed sole.

00:45:30He has an iron band around the heel.

00:45:33He is much sunburned, middle-aged...

00:45:35and has a certain amount of skin missing from the pile of one hand.

00:45:39And the other one?

00:45:42He is rather a curious person.

00:45:47I hope before long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them.

00:45:58Watson, go to 3 Pynchon Lane, Lambeth, and ask for Toby.

00:46:03I'd rather have Toby's help...

00:46:05than that of the whole detective force in London.

00:46:33Mr. Toby!

00:46:45Mr. Toby!

00:46:50Mr. Toby!

00:46:52Mr. Toby!

00:46:53Get out of it, you drunken hooligan!

00:46:55Go on, get out of it!

00:46:57Or turn my dogs on, you all 43 of them!

00:46:59I'm looking for Mr. Toby.

00:47:02I've got a wiper in this bag...

00:47:04and I'll tip it out over your head if you don't hook it.

00:47:06It's urgent that I find him.

00:47:08I won't be arguing with...

00:47:10one, two, three, and down comes the wiper!

00:47:12Mr. Sherlock Holmes!

00:47:14I've come for Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

00:47:23Mr. Sherlock Holmes!

00:47:26Well, who'd have thought it?

00:47:29There you are, Toby.

00:47:34Mr. Sherlock Holmes, why didn't you say so?

00:47:37Come in!

00:47:39Now, mind there, mind there...

00:47:41because he bites something vicious.

00:47:43Oh, yes, he does, now, naughty.

00:47:45Naughty. Don't you bite the gentleman...

00:47:47because this gentleman is a friend of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

00:47:50And any friend of Mr. Sherlock Holmes...

00:47:52is a friend of mine.

00:47:54Don't mind him. He'll just give you a nice, friendly squeeze.

00:47:57I'll give him the run of the room...

00:47:59because he keeps down the Beatles something beautiful.

00:48:02Now, what did you say Mr. Sherlock wanted?

00:48:05Toby.

00:48:07Toby?

00:48:09Yes, Toby.

00:48:11Oh, well, Toby's number seven there, along on the left.

00:48:13Here, you give him these...

00:48:15and Toby will go along with you as quiet as a lamb.

00:48:17Hey, Toby, wake up, come on.

00:48:19There's work for you to do.

00:48:21The gentleman will come here to see you.

00:48:23Toby, come on.

00:48:25I'm sometimes just Toby.

00:48:45Come on, Toby, come on.

00:48:47Come on now.

00:48:50Watson!

00:48:54It's all right, officers, it's Mr. Holmes.

00:48:56Coachman.

00:48:58Come on, Toby.

00:49:16Watson!

00:49:19Well done, you've got Toby.

00:49:25Here comes Blondin.

00:49:27I'm coming down.

00:49:49Holmes.

00:50:09Look at these, Watson.

00:50:11I found them in the gutter.

00:50:13Oh, thank you, Mrs. Bedstern.

00:50:16Do you smell the creosote?

00:50:18I found the Germans arrested not only Thaddeus,

00:50:21but also the gatekeeper, the gamekeeper,

00:50:24and two Indian servants.

00:50:26I was lucky to escape myself.

00:50:28Watson, are you on for a bit of a trudge?

00:50:30Of course.

00:50:37You and Toby, came as they come,

00:50:39and as a good, holding sentiment,

00:50:41You and Toby, came as they come,

00:50:43and as a good, holding sentiment.

00:50:45Now, find him.

00:50:47Go, Toby.

00:50:49Splendid.

00:50:51Seek, Toby, seek.

00:50:53Go seek him.

00:51:05Splendid, Watson, splendid.

00:51:11Splendid, Watson, splendid.

00:51:19Lucky the rain has stopped.

00:51:21The scent will lie on the road.

00:51:23It's quite a best start.

00:51:29Ah.

00:51:31How sweet the morning air is.

00:51:36Have you brought your pistol, Watson?

00:51:38No, I have my stick.

00:51:40You may need it if we get to the lair.

00:51:42Now, listen, Peg, I'll leave to you.

00:51:44Be the ally to me. Come.

00:51:57Now, what the deuce is the matter with the dog?

00:52:11They took a boat.

00:52:13They certainly didn't take a cab or a balloon.

00:52:16They must have been met at the water's edge.

00:52:23Toby!

00:52:25Toby!

00:52:27Toby!

00:52:41Toby!

00:52:45Toby!

00:52:54He's lost his character for infallibility.

00:52:57No, no, no, no, Toby's not to blame.

00:53:02Those barrels are filled with clear soap.

00:53:05The scent is divided.

00:53:07So like good huntsman, Watson,

00:53:09we must cast the dog again and find the true one.

00:53:12Toby!

00:53:15Toby!

00:53:31We're out of luck.

00:53:33They've taken a boat from here.

00:53:36These people are clever, aren't they?

00:53:39Now, Watson,

00:53:41these people show pre-concerted management here.

00:53:48Mordecai Smith.

00:53:52You come back here and have your face washed.

00:53:54Jack! Oh, you young imp.

00:53:56I'll get your dad to give you a proper idea when he gets back.

00:54:01Aye, well, a really cheap young rascal.

00:54:04Is there anything you'd like, Jack?

00:54:06I'd like a shelly.

00:54:14Fine young lad you've got there, Mrs Smith.

00:54:16Lord bless you, sir, he is that, and forward.

00:54:19It gets almost too much for me to manage,

00:54:21especially when my man is away days at a time.

00:54:24Ah, it's a pity about that.

00:54:26I was hoping to hire a boat from him, a steam launch.

00:54:28Well, bless you, sir, it is in the steam launch that he has gone.

00:54:31Ah, didn't like the bloke who did the hire.

00:54:33Not at all. Very rough.

00:54:35With a wooden leg.

00:54:37Come tapping at our window in the middle of the night,

00:54:39and away they went without a word to me.

00:54:42Now, this man, with a wooden leg, was he alone?

00:54:47Seemed he might have had an animal with him.

00:54:50A dog?

00:54:52Didn't look like no dog to me, sir.

00:54:54More like something you find in the zoo.

00:54:58It's a pity about the launch.

00:55:00It's the old green boat with the yellow line.

00:55:02Oh, no, no, sir, no. The Aurora's just been fresh painted.

00:55:04Black with gold trim.

00:55:06Ah, yes, of course. With a white funnel.

00:55:08No, sir, black funnel.

00:55:10Ah, yes, of course.

00:55:12Well, thank you, Mrs Smith. Goodbye, Jack.

00:55:14Bye.

00:55:23The main thing with people of that sort

00:55:25is never to let them think their information is of the slightest importance to you.

00:55:28If you do, they will instantly shut up like an oyster.

00:55:32Well, our course seems pretty clear now.

00:55:35What would you do, then?

00:55:37Well, get on the track of the Aurora.

00:55:39It would take days, if not months,

00:55:41to search every wharf and landing place and yard between here and Greenwich.

00:55:44What do you propose?

00:55:46As our quarry has no reason to fear that he's being hunted,

00:55:49I propose first of all a bath,

00:55:51and shave, and then a good meal,

00:55:53and then some hours of sleep.

00:55:55At the same time,

00:55:57mobilising the Baker Street division of the detective police force.

00:56:03In other words, the Irregulars.

00:56:08Five, six, seven, eight.

00:56:11Five, six, seven, eight.

00:56:14Five, six, seven, eight.

00:56:17Ah!

00:56:19Ah, the energetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter

00:56:21have fixed up the case between them.

00:56:23Watson, look at this.

00:56:28Here, look at this.

00:56:34Mr Jones' trained and experienced faculties

00:56:36were once directed towards the detection of the criminals.

00:56:41His well-known technical knowledge

00:56:43and powers of minute observation.

00:56:46Well, he gets better still.

00:56:48The prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law

00:56:51shows the great advantage of a single,

00:56:53vigorous and masterful mind.

00:56:56Isn't it gorgeous?

00:56:58He had it crocheted. We could be arrested ourselves.

00:57:00I wouldn't answer for our safety now

00:57:02if he has another of his attacks of energy.

00:57:04Good heavens, Holmes.

00:57:06Stay there!

00:57:08No! Sorry, I said that.

00:57:12No, Mr Holmes, nothing of this.

00:57:17Stop it!

00:57:19Stop it!

00:57:25It's all right, Mrs Hudson.

00:57:27They are my guests.

00:57:32Look, that's all.

00:57:34I've got your message.

00:57:36I bought them at the shop.

00:57:38Free Bob and Natana.

00:57:40For the tickets.

00:57:45Now, Wiggins,

00:57:47in the future they can report to you and you to me.

00:57:49I cannot have the house invaded in this way.

00:57:51Oi! Stop that!

00:57:55Sorry.

00:57:57Now, I want you to find

00:57:59the steamboat Aurora.

00:58:01Aurora?

00:58:03Owner, Mordecai Smith.

00:58:07Black with gold trim.

00:58:09Richmond to Gravesend, both sides of the river.

00:58:11Right, sir.

00:58:13How much?

00:58:15OK.

00:58:17A guinea to the boy who finds the boat.

00:58:19Here is a day in advance.

00:58:37If the launch is above water,

00:58:39the irregulars will find her.

00:58:41They can go everywhere, see everything.

00:58:46If our man had an easy task,

00:58:48this of ours ought to be.

00:58:50Wooden leg men are not so common,

00:58:52and this other man must be unique.

00:58:56The Aborigines of the Andaman Islands

00:58:59may perhaps claim the distinction

00:59:01of being the smallest race upon this earth.

00:59:05They are a fierce, morose and intractable people.

00:59:08They're capable of forming the most devoted friendships

00:59:11when their confidence has once been gained.

00:59:15They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews,

00:59:20draining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs

00:59:23or shooting them with...

00:59:28with poisoned arrows.

00:59:31These massacres are usually concluded

00:59:36by a cannibal feast.

00:59:39Nice.

00:59:41Amiable people.

01:00:00And what time would you like your dinner, Mr Holt?

01:00:02Half-past eight, the day after tomorrow.

01:00:05You'll wear yourself out, old man.

01:00:07I heard you marching about all night.

01:00:09You must get some rest.

01:00:11I can't sleep.

01:00:13This infernal problem is consuming me.

01:00:15No news?

01:00:17None. None whatsoever.

01:00:19The whole river's been searched from both sides.

01:00:21I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:23I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:25I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:27I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:29I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:31I'm afraid I can't sleep.

01:00:33The search from both sides, Mrs Smith's not heard from her husband.

01:00:36It's too much

01:00:38to be balked by so petty an obstacle

01:00:40when all else has been overcome.

01:01:03Say anything?

01:01:05No, nothing.

01:01:33Wait!

01:01:35Serval!

01:01:37Fill up back of my head!

01:02:03I won't kill you again, boy!

01:02:07Boy!

01:02:33We're a nice little craft.

01:02:35Aye.

01:02:37This is a good boat, this.

01:02:39We've got the rear in this yard.

01:02:41Fastest boat on the river.

01:02:43What's she in for?

01:02:45Repairs to a rudder.

01:02:47That's the order.

01:02:49I can't find anything amiss with it.

01:02:51I want her in the water

01:02:53by six o'clock tonight.

01:02:55Fully cold

01:02:57and steam up.

01:02:59Aye.

01:03:01Aye, Mr Smith, she'll be ready.

01:03:03Six o'clock sharp, mind.

01:03:05For I've two gentlemen

01:03:07that'll not be kept waiting.

01:03:09Right!

01:03:15It's this Norwood case, Doctor.

01:03:17I've had a great deal to worry and try me.

01:03:19And this case is a very dark one, too.

01:03:21Thank you.

01:03:23I shall be most grateful for Mr Holmes' help.

01:03:25Your friend is a wonderful man

01:03:27and not to be beaten.

01:03:29Well, you may be in for a long wait.

01:03:31No, I don't think so.

01:03:35Go to Baker Street at once.

01:03:37If I've not returned, wait for me.

01:03:39I am close on the track of the Chateau Gang.

01:03:41Come with us tonight

01:03:43if you want to be in at the kill.

01:03:45Good, so he's on the scent again.

01:03:49He's been at fault, too, has he?

01:03:51Even the best of us

01:03:53are thrown off sometimes.

01:03:55Even the best of us

01:03:57are thrown off sometimes.

01:04:03Yes?

01:04:05Sherlock Holmes?

01:04:07What is it?

01:04:09Are you Mr Sherlock Holmes?

01:04:11No, but I'm acting for him.

01:04:13I've come about this airport.

01:04:15Well, if you have any information,

01:04:17you may give it to me.

01:04:19There's a reward.

01:04:21Is it about the steam launch Aurora?

01:04:23I don't know one but Mr Sherlock Holmes.

01:04:25No, no, no, come inside.

01:04:29I'm a police officer.

01:04:33You look like one.

01:04:35No, you will be recompensed for your loss of time.

01:04:37You will not have long to wait. Sit down.

01:04:39Cigar, Mr Jones?

01:04:41Oh, thank you very much.

01:04:49And I was saying, Doctor,

01:04:51I consider your friend,

01:04:53Mr Sherlock Holmes, is a man not to be beat.

01:04:55He would have made

01:04:57the most promising police officer,

01:04:59I don't care who knows it,

01:05:01with a little more discipline

01:05:03and a lot less theory.

01:05:05Thank you.

01:05:07You might offer me one.

01:05:13You're wrong!

01:05:15You would have made

01:05:17an actor and a rare one.

01:05:19You had the proper

01:05:21workhouse cough.

01:05:23Those weak legs of yours,

01:05:25they're worth ten pounds each.

01:05:27A police officer? I'm flattered.

01:05:29Jones, I shall need a police launch

01:05:31at the Westminster steps,

01:05:33the fastest you have.

01:05:35Two stout men, yourself, myself, Watson,

01:05:37all of us armed.

01:05:39That is easily arranged.

01:05:41I will telephone the local station.

01:05:49We go to the tower,

01:05:51stop opposite Jacobson's yard.

01:06:05How did you find the Aurora then?

01:06:07Well, I reasoned that the launch couldn't be fired off

01:06:09in spite of its invisibility.

01:06:11So, gentlemen, where could it be?

01:06:13Well out of the water,

01:06:15I suppose.

01:06:17There, on Boatbuilder's Yard.

01:06:19Exactly.

01:06:41One of my boys is waiting by the yard

01:06:43to give us the signal.

01:06:45Very neatly, Mr. Holmes,

01:06:47but if the affair were in my hands,

01:06:49I should have a body of police in the yard

01:06:51and arrested them when they came down.

01:06:53Which would have been never.

01:06:55This man Small is a British crude fellow.

01:06:57Anything suspicious

01:06:59and he would lie snug for another week.

01:07:03Sir,

01:07:05we're opposite Jacobson's yard now.

01:07:07Shall we move downstream a little?

01:07:09No. This mist may be of advantage to us.

01:07:11We must lie low and wait.

01:07:15Aye.

01:07:41Your boy's signalling.

01:07:43I see it plainly.

01:08:01There's the Aurora.

01:08:03Going like the devil.

01:08:05She's very fast.

01:08:07I doubt if we shall catch her.

01:08:09We must catch her.

01:08:11I'll never forgive myself

01:08:13if she proves to have the heels.

01:08:21Faster! Faster!

01:08:23This is the fastest boat that goes.

01:08:41Fly along the coast, Stoker.

01:08:43We must have her.

01:08:45Even if we burn the boat.

01:09:11Keep the light steady.

01:09:31I can almost make out his companion.

01:09:41I can almost make out his companion.

01:10:11We're gaining.

01:10:13We're gaining.

01:10:15We're gaining.

01:10:21We're gaining.

01:10:39Pile it on, Stoker.

01:10:41Give it all the steam you've got.

01:10:43I think we gained a little.

01:10:47I'm sure we should be up there in a minute.

01:11:01Move the light more to the left.

01:11:03To the left.

01:11:13Keep it steady.

01:11:33Keep it steady.

01:11:51What's happening on that boat?

01:11:57They're fighting amongst themselves.

01:12:03Take left.

01:12:21What's that?

01:12:23Look.

01:12:33Ah!

01:12:39What a face.

01:13:03Come on.

01:13:17Come on.

01:13:33Come on.

01:14:03Come on.

01:14:33Come on.

01:14:49Wait.

01:14:51Wait.

01:14:53Let him wet himself off.

01:15:03Let him wet himself off.

01:15:33Ah!

01:15:35So.

01:15:37Jonathan Small.

01:15:41I'm sorry it has come to this.

01:15:43And so am I, sir.

01:15:47But I give you my word, gentlemen.

01:15:49I never laid hands on young Mr. Sholto.

01:15:51I never laid hands on young Mr. Sholto.

01:15:53Of course you didn't.

01:15:55Your little friend's dart killed him while you were still climbing the rope.

01:16:03You speak as if you were there, sir.

01:16:17Well.

01:16:19If it had been old Major Sholto,

01:16:21I would have swung for him with a light heart.

01:16:25But to be lagged over this young Sholto.

01:16:33This curse is hard.

01:16:35You must make a clean breast of it.

01:16:37If you do.

01:16:39I may be of use to you.

01:16:41Ah!

01:16:43Quite a family party.

01:16:45I'm going to pull that flask myself.

01:16:51Now.

01:16:53How are you going, Small?

01:16:55Here's Moralder at Gravesend.

01:16:59Outward bound for the Brazils.

01:17:01Another man at the entrance,

01:17:03and you'd never applaud us.

01:17:07Where's the key, my man?

01:17:11At the bottom of the river.

01:17:15Now look here.

01:17:17We've had enough of you tonight, Small.

01:17:19Bring the cuffs in, man. I'm warning you.

01:17:21It's all right, Constable.

01:17:23We're nearly at the steps.

01:17:25I suggest that we go back to Baker Street.

01:17:27I think Miss Morsel should be there.

01:17:29That's not the regulation way, Mr. Holmes.

01:17:31Well, I can at least promise you

01:17:33a nice, warming drink.

01:17:39Very well, gentlemen.

01:17:47Well, Miss Morsel.

01:17:49I am pleased and proud

01:17:51to have been able to bring

01:17:53the thief to justice.

01:17:55Justice!

01:17:57A pretty justice.

01:17:59Whose loot is this

01:18:01if it is not ours?

01:18:03Where is the justice

01:18:05that I should give it up to those

01:18:07that have never earned it?

01:18:09You forget, Small, we know nothing of this matter.

01:18:11We cannot tell

01:18:13how far justice may have

01:18:15originally been on your side.

01:18:21Well, sir.

01:18:23Well, sir.

01:18:25You have been very

01:18:27fair-spoken to me.

01:18:29Though I can see that it's you

01:18:31that I have to thank for these...

01:18:33these bracelets

01:18:35on my wrist.

01:18:39Still, I bear no grudge for that.

01:18:43If you want to hear my story,

01:18:45I have no wish to hold it back.

01:18:47And what I say to you

01:18:49is God's truth.

01:18:51Every word of it.

01:19:11When I was a lad,

01:19:13I took the Queen's shilling

01:19:15and was posted out to India

01:19:17with the third buffs.

01:19:21A crocodile

01:19:23snuck this off

01:19:25when I was bathing in the Ganges.

01:19:27Well...

01:19:31The sore bones had my stump

01:19:33in the tar barrel nice and quick.

01:19:35I was young and strong.

01:19:39I got my discharge

01:19:41in this fellow.

01:19:43It's been a good

01:19:45support to me.

01:19:49So there I was,

01:19:51a cripple at 20.

01:19:53But I liked it out there.

01:19:55So I found myself

01:19:57a job as an overseer

01:19:59on an indigo farm.

01:20:01I was on horseback all day,

01:20:03so that was fine.

01:20:05But I was never

01:20:07in luck for long.

01:20:10But I was never

01:20:12in luck for long.

01:20:14Without a note of warning,

01:20:16the great mutiny was on us.

01:20:18I came back to the farm

01:20:20one evening to find my master

01:20:22and all his family had been murdered.

01:20:24I didn't wait.

01:20:26By that same evening,

01:20:28I was in the fort of Agra,

01:20:30the nearest city still held

01:20:32by the British.

01:20:34Yeah, the old fort of Agra.

01:20:36It was a queer place.

01:20:38Huge.

01:20:40Full of passages and rooms.

01:20:44More entrances

01:20:46than you can count.

01:20:48There were many gates

01:20:50and because I was an ex-soldier

01:20:52and British, they put me in charge

01:20:54of one of them and gave me a couple of Sikhs

01:20:56who'd stayed loyal to us.

01:20:58It was a lonely place.

01:21:00My two Punjabis

01:21:02were experienced fighting men.

01:21:04Kata Singh

01:21:06and Inderjit Singh.

01:21:18Rebel?

01:21:20No, Sahib.

01:21:22The fort is safe.

01:21:24There are no rebels

01:21:26this side of the river.

01:21:28You must be with us

01:21:30or you must be silenced forever.

01:21:32With you?

01:21:34How?

01:21:36We want you to be rich.

01:21:38Which is why you British came to this land.

01:21:42I have no objection to being rich.

01:21:44Then swear

01:21:46by the bones of your father

01:21:48to raise no hand

01:21:50and speak no word against us

01:21:52now or ever afterwards.

01:21:54Then you will have

01:21:56quarter of the treasure.

01:21:58But there are only

01:22:00three of us.

01:22:02My foster brother,

01:22:04he must have his share.

01:22:06There is no time,

01:22:08Sahib.

01:22:10Decide.

01:22:12Well,

01:22:14provided the fort is in no kind of danger,

01:22:16I swear.

01:22:20What would you have done,

01:22:22Mr. Holmes?

01:22:24I strongly suspect I would have done

01:22:26exactly as you did.

01:22:28Yes,

01:22:30but I know the Sikh

01:22:32is not a man to be trifled with.

01:22:38One of their local Rajahs,

01:22:40richest creases, of course,

01:22:42he'd gone in with the rebels.

01:22:44But he wanted to hedge his bet

01:22:48just in case the British came out on top.

01:22:50So he made a plot

01:22:52to get half his treasure hidden

01:22:54in the fort of Agra,

01:22:56sending one of his men with it

01:22:58in the guise of a merchant.

01:23:00And Jagdish Singh,

01:23:02Kata's brother,

01:23:04to be the guide.

01:23:06They come and challenge him, Sahib,

01:23:08in the usual way, giving no cause for the fear.

01:23:10What then?

01:23:12We will do what has to be done.

01:23:14Who goes there?

01:23:16A friend, Sahib.

01:23:20Advance and be recognised.

01:23:26What have you with you?

01:23:30A box, Sahib.

01:23:32Orange box.

01:23:34Having something to eat.

01:23:36What's in it?

01:23:38I don't know, Sahib.

01:23:40A box, Sahib.

01:23:42Old box.

01:23:44Having some family papers.

01:23:46No good to nobody, Sahib.

01:23:48Only for myself.

01:23:58Sahib,

01:24:00I am no ordinary beggar.

01:24:04You will have money, Sahib.

01:24:06And Governor Sahib also.

01:24:10Take him to the main guard room.

01:24:36Never was a man more

01:24:38Never was a man more

01:24:40compassed round with death.

01:25:08Ah!

01:25:10Ah!

01:25:12Ah!

01:25:14If Ahmed had escaped,

01:25:16the whole affair would have come out.

01:25:18I should have been shot, most likely.

01:25:22Which of you would have held

01:25:24back his musket?

01:25:30Kata was for burning him.

01:25:32That's their religion.

01:25:34But such a fire was impossible.

01:25:36Jagadish was for throwing him down

01:25:38into the great ditch below the fort

01:25:40for the jackals to clean up.

01:25:42No doubt he was right.

01:25:44I was for showing some

01:25:46respect for the dead.

01:25:48Then we turned to the box.

01:25:52This box.

01:25:58Inside were more gems

01:26:00than I could ever even have dreamed of.

01:26:06Ah!

01:26:10A hundred and forty-three diamonds

01:26:12of the first quarter,

01:26:14including a great mogul,

01:26:16the second largest stone in existence,

01:26:18ninety-seven emeralds,

01:26:22one hundred and seventy rubies,

01:26:24forty carbuncles,

01:26:26sixty-one agates.

01:26:32Jagadish was right.

01:26:34It was a great mistake you made,

01:26:36burying the body as you did.

01:26:40Would you not say so, Watson?

01:26:42Yes, indeed.

01:26:44A body not burned in India

01:26:46is soon discovered.

01:26:48So you and your three companions

01:26:50were found guilty and sent away for life

01:26:52to the penal colony

01:26:54on the Andaman Islands.

01:26:56Blair Island was a

01:26:58hope town.

01:27:00Never was a place

01:27:02worse named.

01:27:16It was a place

01:27:18to sweat,

01:27:20a place to rot,

01:27:22a place to die.

01:27:24And I sweated there

01:27:26year after year

01:27:28until your father arrived,

01:27:30of course.

01:27:32Corporal!

01:27:34You will not maltreat

01:27:36the white prisoner.

01:27:38If it happens again, you'll be court-martialed.

01:27:44He was our administrative officer

01:27:46and he gave me a nice, cushy billet

01:27:48in the dispensary.

01:27:50He was as good and kind

01:27:52a Christian gentleman as I ever come across.

01:27:56And I hold no grudge against him.

01:28:00Nor you, miss.

01:28:12Thank you, Mr. Small.

01:28:24Well, as I sat

01:28:26thinking about the treasure,

01:28:28I could see all the officers

01:28:30and the prison officials

01:28:32that they're drinking and they're gambling.

01:28:36Major Sholto never had much luck.

01:28:38Night after night,

01:28:40he was the loser.

01:28:44Some people are born like that.

01:28:46It's all up with me, Mawson.

01:28:48I'm ruined.

01:28:50I shall have to send in my paper.

01:28:54I don't suppose you could manage

01:28:56another hundred, eh?

01:28:58I've had a pretty nasty face of myself.

01:29:00And I've a daughter back home

01:29:02to support.

01:29:04And I've got two

01:29:06wretched sons.

01:29:08Ruined, eh?

01:29:10Damn pity!

01:29:12So,

01:29:14you decided to approach your benefactor,

01:29:16Captain Mawson.

01:29:18He was often in the dispensary.

01:29:20The tropical climate didn't agree with him.

01:29:22His heart was weak

01:29:24and his soul was all poisoned.

01:29:26Knowing that he would wish to share

01:29:28any arrangement with his friend,

01:29:30the officer in command, Major Sholto.

01:29:32Yes, sir, it seemed the safest way.

01:29:34It is your own private concern

01:29:36over which, of course, you have

01:29:38the power of disposing as you think best.

01:29:42Thank you for that advice, sir.

01:29:44Thank you indeed.

01:29:46But the fact is,

01:29:48being in the position I am,

01:29:50I need help.

01:29:52What sort of help?

01:29:54I need a partner.

01:29:58Well, I'm sure Major Sholto and myself

01:30:00would like to help you.

01:30:02If we could.

01:30:04We could at least talk about it.

01:30:06That is, of course, if we can agree

01:30:08as to terms.

01:30:10There's only one bargain

01:30:12a man in my position can make.

01:30:14In exchange

01:30:16for my freedom and that of my three companions,

01:30:18we shall give you

01:30:20a fifth share to divide between you.

01:30:22A fifth?

01:30:24That isn't very much.

01:30:26Fifty thousand at the least.

01:30:28Anyway,

01:30:30how can we possibly give you your freedom?

01:30:32You know, it's impossible.

01:30:34All we need is a boat and provisions.

01:30:36There are plenty of little yachts and yachts

01:30:38in Calcutta or Madras.

01:30:40Well enough

01:30:42to serve our purpose.

01:30:44If only they were just the one of you.

01:30:46None!

01:30:48Or all!

01:30:50We have sworn it!

01:30:52The four of us must always act together!

01:30:54Now!

01:30:56Calm yourself, Sholto.

01:30:58Calm yourself.

01:31:00Think about it, man. Think about it.

01:31:02Small is a man

01:31:04of his word.

01:31:06He will not abandon his friends.

01:31:08I think...

01:31:10I think we may very well trust him.

01:31:12We met the next morning

01:31:14in the small hours.

01:31:16I had our written agreement

01:31:18in every detail.

01:31:20We, being officers

01:31:22in the army of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,

01:31:24We, being officers

01:31:26in the army of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,

01:31:28do swear on the Holy Bible

01:31:30that this agreement

01:31:32will always remain sacred

01:31:34and binding to us.

01:31:36Do swear on the Holy Bible

01:31:38that this agreement

01:31:40will always remain sacred

01:31:42and binding to us.

01:31:44I gave each of them a plan

01:31:46showing the position of the treasure.

01:31:50Oh, look at that.

01:31:54Oh, that brings back

01:31:56memories.

01:31:58Sholto took the next boat

01:32:00to India, found the treasure

01:32:02and took it back with him to England.

01:32:04Yes.

01:32:06When we had the news,

01:32:08Captain Morstan was as angry as I was.

01:32:10He swore to me

01:32:12he would go home and settle the matter with Sholto.

01:32:24And so he would

01:32:26if he'd lived.

01:32:28But that was not to be.

01:32:38From that day

01:32:40I lived only

01:32:42for vengeance.

01:32:46I thought of it by day.

01:32:50I nursed it by night

01:32:52to get to Sholto.

01:32:54To have my hands

01:32:56on his throat.

01:32:58That was my one thought.

01:33:00As luck would have it,

01:33:02one of the islanders had been brought

01:33:04into my dispensary,

01:33:06more than half dead from a snakebite.

01:33:08In common humanity,

01:33:10I did my best for him.

01:33:12Somehow he pulled through and became

01:33:14very devoted to me.

01:33:18A funny little fella.

01:33:22Well, you gentlemen

01:33:24caught a glimpse of him yourselves,

01:33:26no doubt, last night.

01:33:28He was staunch and true,

01:33:30his little Tonga.

01:33:32No man ever had a more faithful mate.

01:33:36Being by trade

01:33:38a fisherman, he had a goodish

01:33:40size native boat,

01:33:42and he agreed to try to escape with me.

01:34:36Ah!

01:34:54After ten days, we were picked up

01:34:56by a trader with a cargo of pilgrims

01:34:58from Malay, bound for Jeddah.

01:35:00After many months,

01:35:02we worked our way across the world

01:35:04to London.

01:35:10A remarkable account.

01:35:14And now I think

01:35:16Miss Morstan might like

01:35:18to see the great Agra treasure,

01:35:20which will surely make her

01:35:22one of the richest young ladies in England.

01:35:24Watson? There's no key.

01:35:26I'm sure our old poker will oblige.

01:35:34Ah!

01:35:44Ah!

01:35:54Ha, ha, ha!

01:35:56Ha, ha, ha!

01:35:58Ha, ha, ha!

01:36:02This is your doing,

01:36:04Small? Yes.

01:36:06Yes, I put the treasure away

01:36:08where you shall never lay hand on it.

01:36:10No living

01:36:12man or woman has any right to it

01:36:14unless it is the three men in the Andaman convict

01:36:16barracks and myself.

01:36:18I know now

01:36:20that I cannot have the use of it.

01:36:22No more can they.

01:36:24But I have acted all along

01:36:26for them as much as for myself.

01:36:28It's been the sign of four

01:36:30with us always.

01:36:32Where is it?

01:36:34It's where the key is

01:36:36and where

01:36:38little Tonga is.

01:36:40I saw your launch

01:36:42miscatches and I saw little Tonga

01:36:44go over the side.

01:36:48I put the loot in a safe place.

01:36:50You are deceiving

01:36:52us, Small. If you had

01:36:54wished to throw the treasure into the Thames

01:36:56it would have been easier to have thrown

01:36:58box at all. Easier for me

01:37:00to throw and easier for you to recover.

01:37:02A man

01:37:04who is clever enough to hunt me down

01:37:06is clever enough to pick up a box

01:37:08from the bottom of the river.

01:37:14I am sorry. No, I'm glad the treasure

01:37:16is lost.

01:37:18It's been nothing but

01:37:20a curse to every man who has owned it.

01:37:24An early death to my poor father.

01:37:26And slavery

01:37:28for life to me and my companions.

01:37:30I've spent

01:37:32the first half of my life digging a breakwater

01:37:34in the Andamans.

01:37:36And I'm likely to

01:37:38spend the other half digging ditches

01:37:40on Dartmoor.

01:37:44Well, Holmes, duty

01:37:46is duty and I've gone rather far

01:37:48in bringing him here.

01:37:50I shall feel more at ease

01:37:52when I have our storyteller here

01:37:54under lock and key.

01:37:56I am obliged to you

01:37:58for your assistance.

01:38:00Good day to you, Doctor Watson.

01:38:02Miss Mawson.

01:38:08Ah!

01:38:10After you, Small.

01:38:12You seem a bit handy with that wooden leg

01:38:14of yours.

01:38:18Thank you.

01:38:48I feel most ashamed

01:38:50that you, Mr. Holmes,

01:38:52and you, dear Doctor Watson,

01:38:54have had to put yourselves into

01:38:56such peril on my behalf.

01:38:58Oh, that's all over and forgotten.

01:39:00Mrs. Forrester has sent her carriage

01:39:02for Miss Mawson.

01:39:04I'll impose on you no longer, gentlemen.

01:39:06You must be exhausted.

01:39:08Miss Mawson.

01:39:10Miss Watson.

01:39:12Miss Watson.

01:39:14Miss Watson.

01:39:16Oh, gentlemen, you must be exhausted.

01:39:18Yes, I confess the reaction is already upon me.

01:39:20I shall be as limp as a rag for a week.

01:39:22I'm so very grateful to you

01:39:24for clearing my father's name.

01:39:28I'm so very grateful to you both.

01:39:46Ah!

01:39:52Seems so unfair.

01:39:56You've done all the work in this business,

01:39:58and Othelny Jones gets all the credit.

01:40:04What remains for you?

01:40:06For me,

01:40:08the pleasure of having solved an interesting case,

01:40:10almost single-handed.

01:40:12And for you, no doubt,

01:40:14the pleasure

01:40:16of writing it up

01:40:18in your usual

01:40:20flurried and romantic style.

01:40:44Ah!

01:41:00What a very attractive woman.

01:41:04Was she?

01:41:06I hadn't noticed.

01:41:14Ah!

01:41:44Ah!

01:42:14Ah!

01:42:44Ah!

01:42:46Ah!

01:42:48Ah!

01:43:14Ah!

01:43:16Ah!

01:43:18Ah!

01:43:20Ah!

01:43:22Ah!

01:43:24Ah!

01:43:28Ah!

01:43:30Ah!

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