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
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
Category
📺
TVTranscript
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!