Life may be stranger than fiction
but often more disturbing.
Before I wrote my stories
of the great detective,
I had access to a terrifying world
of mystery and murder.
My companion and teacher on this journey
was Dr. Joseph Bell.
Here in this extraordinary man
was my inspiration,
but it is only now that I have chosen to reveal
the dark beginnings of Sherlock Holmes.
Doyle.
Turnavine.
Wonderful to see you. Laddie.
Yeah.
Boy. it seems an age since university.
Come on. give me that.
now, tell me.
what's this magnet won'th?
A pound.
A million pounds more like.
And dirt cheap to the nation that buys it.
I tell you I could. I could go to Switzerland tomorrow
and say you may not ever sea board.
and you may not have a port.
but find me a ship and hoist your flag on it.
and I'll give you every ocean under heaven.
you may well smile.
but this is the basis of my magnetic ship protector.
I'm taking it up with the First Lord of the Admiralty
in a week or two.
That's fine. but you're a doctor. not an engineer.
I am anything I want to be.
We're going to clean this town out. Doyle.
Mark my words. there isn't a doctor in it.
It's all they could do now to put butter on their bread
when we get to work together
they'll eat it dry.
your plaque will be right here along side mine.
Dr. Turnavine.
Oh. it's my local (Unintelligible).
He spends far to much time at that gaming tables.
This is Dr. Doyle. he's come and join us.
Pleased to meet you.
Waiting rom is full?
Oh. I'll lay odds it's 140 sir
and the stable is full to.
there's just some rom in the coach house.
Well. I'm sorry. I havert got a crowded day for you Doyle.
Do ever I get free consultation doctor.
Now then. now then.
make a gangway won't you.
Oh. what an atmosphere.
Can you opened the windows.
you never knew such folk.
Not one with the sense to open the window
to save himself from suffocation.
Well. there's a screw through the sash. sir.
Now Laddie. you'll never get on the world
if you can't open a window
without raising a sash.
Lok.
Gangway.
Sorry, to give you smaller Laddie.
And I have used it for some of my sporting equipment.
But it'll do you for now.
you are surgery which is the lost leader.
and we cannot expect many cases.
I've prescribe my patients medicine.
especially my blod tonic.
which is where our fortune is made. huh.
two rules on patients.
Break 'em in early and keep them to heal.
Stop this confounded jabbering down there.
Might as well be living in a poultry house.
Form an orderly line
and I will start my consultations shortly.
Now. let's have some breakfast.
Oh. and I must show you how my ship protector works.
Lok. we have time.
Hey. Hettie
I placed this magnet. over her bonnet.
fire six rounds of steel
straight into her face.
The magnet will take the bullet.
you will help Hettie. hey.
Yes. sir. of course.
No. no. no.
the patient's are waiting.
Very well.
but it's perfectly safe.
Oh.
It's all right.
He's been in the campaign. sir.
Had a baynet in his neck from the lok of it.
The Boer campaign.
All right.
When did you last eat.
I had nothing today. or yesterday. sir.
I'm saving.
for the doctor's prescription.
for the tonic.
...you suffer from tea poisoning.
Here are two prescriptions
for my own patents.
Use your money to buy soup.
bread and a bit of meat.
you need that more than any tonic.
If your war pension leaves anything to spare
at the end of the week then return.
But never put it ahead of fod.
Thank you. doctor.
Dr. Doyle.
What in heavens name are you doing?
If you have nothing better to do than turn away my patients.
we part company now.
Turnavine...
I've told you how we make our money here.
See my help Hettie there.
The prescriptions are the bedrock of the practice.
What is the virtue of a free consultation
if you always prescribe the same exorbitant medicine.
Well. surely. that is up to them. is it not.
I do hope you are not one of those
morally superior doctors. Doyle.
While working with me.
you must throw etiquette to the devil.
Hi. Mrs. Blythe.
Miss Grace.
Dr. Turnavine.
Miss Grace.
you missed your last appointment.
I'm sorry doctor.
I will be in shortly.
Excellent. I advise it.
God day.
Where are all the patients.
One afternon a week is paying consultation only,
so we have few people.
Oh, I nearly forgot,
you have a patient at three.
she especially asked me for you.
Oh.
Again. at night it is that the strange anomalies
of London life. are best is seen.
And then the right.
As the hum of life ceases and the shops' darken.
Thank you.
It's all very god.
I can certainly see nothing organically wrong.
Could try with the retina scope.
you say it recurs.
Yes.
A sudden blurring of vision.
How often?
Oh. it goes away.
but it always comes back.
especially at this time of year.
I did not wish to bother Dr. Turnavine further.
It's just.
I am a little troubled by it.
you live with your family.
With my aunt and uncle.
My parents died.
I'm sorry.
Some years ago.
I'm aware that years make little difference.
Yes.
So. is there something else troubling you now.
It's stupid.
A road.
It has given me bad dreams.
A road.
But I have to cycle it for it leads to the rectory
where it live with my aunt and uncle.
you've seen something on this road.
At first I put it down to imagination.
But the truth is
I see a figure.
a cyclist.
It follows me doctor.
you see the figure close.
Never.
Though from a distance. I know this will sound folish.
it's as if there is no face.
If I stop. it does not appear.
When I'm accompanied.
it never comes.
I see.
I know how it sounds.
No. no.
I'm glad you told me.
I'm a doctor. but
I would consider it a privilege if you would
let me at least lok into this small puzzle.
I would be so grateful.
All I want is someone with a little common sense
to shed some light.
All I want is the loan of a bicycle.
Did you see him.
I fear I saw nobody.
So what do you think now doctor.
that either I am a liar or I am going mad.
I'm not saying that.
I only know I did not see him.
Did you.
What if I say he was beside me the whole time.
The truth is I did not lok back.
Then we cannot be sure of anything yet.
Not even if it has to do with your eyes.
Maybe simply that he saw me.
Yes.
I thought of that to.
And I'm grateful to you for saying it.
I want nothing but to be believed.
Heather.
I must go.
Dr. Doyle. thank you for your help.
even if it came to nothing.
I will not forget it.
My dear Bell.
After three slightly difficult weeks here,
I was delighted to have your letter.
I feel my life holds few of the puzzles and oddities
that I know would please you.
But I will record what there is
for your amusement
and a trivial and I suspect an entirely explicable mystery
arrived yesterday
via a Miss Heather Grace.
Not only do I regard it as a breach of etiquette.
it is a breach of hospitality
and worse.
of friendship
What breach?
I bring you in Doyle.
I entrust you with my practice.
with my household.
and even show you my magnetic ship protector.
and in return you whine on about my ethics.
you run your work like a charity
and now you steal my patients.
Steal?
What is this about you helping Miss Grace
with her mad problems.
I suppose this is more of the detective babble
you spoke of at university.
I merely helped her with a matter which you refused to...
And now she says she wishes you
to have exclusive claim as her practitioner.
She was with a liar and a trawl.
Why she was once in an asylum.
Turnavine.
I know this practice is run on exploitation and greed.
I did not realize
it also attacked and dishonored its patients.
And now you question my honor.
Huh.
I will fight three rounds with you here and now.
No. no.
This is Tom Folery.
Go on.
No. you refuse.
you will not fight.
Well. so be it.
But I will not stand by
while you let this practice go to the devil.
We part company here and now Laddie
and let us find out
who does best as a doctor.
We will discover how you fare
with your milk and water tactics son enough Laddie.
I chased after him, then he seemed to vanish.
But I can tell you
he is not in your imagination.
nor is he a symptom of your eye condition.
He was there just as you described.
hard to make out
but perfectly real.
It's such a relief to know I'm not mad.
Believe me doctor.
I consider myself to be a modern woman.
Son I will come into my ineritance
and have independence
and it is awful to doubt yourself.
Who could he be.
I do not know.
At least he makes no attempt to approach you.
you're sure you do not recognize him.
No.
But it's true he reminds me of someone.
Someone you know.
Someone dead.
I'm sorry. I don't wish to talk of it.
We all have things we do not care to remember.
And can't forget.
Yes.
I still have the bad dreams which...
Is there no one you can confide in.
I suppose I should talk to Mr. Greenwell.
Mr. Greenwell?
He's a local schol teacher.
He's asked me to marry him.
Have you accepted.
No.
I said I wish to consider.
I was engaged before to someone
who asked to be released from his obligation.
So I'm cautious.
Dr. Doyle.
when we first met.
we discussed my loss
and you seemed to be talking. forgive me if this is forward.
as if from experience.
are your parents living.
Yes they are.
But someone...
Like you. I never speak of it.
Someone I cared for a great deal. she died.
I was so sure.
That's why I can talk to you.
even about what is in my nightmares.
(Gunshot)
Not the most auspicious way
to welcome a guest to your house. Doyle.
Doctor.
I apologize for depriving you of oxygen.
but that's a dangerous weapon you have there.
Sheffield 81. is it not?
I'm glad to see you.
When I arrived from Edinburgh.
I called at the address you gave on your letter.
only to discover that you'd been evicted.
but that was another of my old students.
Turnavine.
He asked me to test his apparatus
for a magnetic ship protector.
It doesn't work of course.
Even with steel bullets.
the power of the gun
overwhelms the magnet at every shot.
Man. you've lost nine and half pounds
since I saw you last.
It feels as if I've not eaten a proper meal in weeks.
I'm grateful to you.
I take it your patient list is not progressing
as fast as you'd hoped.
It scarcely exists.
Unless I have any interests within a month.
it will not exist at all.
Oh. I'd say you've even less time than that.
Less?
Turnavine tells me that you are a wanted felon.
guilty of robbery.
deception and criminal damage.
What?
What have I done.
Robbed him of a vast sum. I believe.
Well. we will see son enough.
Oh. this pie is very god.
Why Bell.
how god to see you again.
Did you test my apparatus?
Yes.
It was most satisfactory.
Excellent.
Once I recall you told me
I had come on further
than anyne in your class.
In one respect.
certainly your development was remarkable.
Now perhaps you'll show us again
the scene of the robbery.
Very well.
There was fifty silver in that box
which as you can see is now unusable.
Fortunately the rest of the money
was on its way to the bank.
It was close to the very hour
Doyle came back for some of this things.
I know he needs money.
for he has no patients.
Well. not surprising if you've spread word that I'm a thief.
And you were where when he came back.
In my study. working on my invention.
God. that is conclusive I think.
It is generally true
that the more flamboyant crimes
afford the easiest solutions.
Then you can prove who it was.
Certainly.
Observe.
(Gunshot)
This pistol was the means of entry.
Of course. you removed the bullet.
But once again as I observed before.
here are unmistakable steel fragments in the wod.
Now.
only you had access to this weapon
before lending it to me.
And steel bullets are unique to you
and your preposterous invention.
So. if you wish to avoid an action for slander.
I suggest you take from the box
the money owing to Doyle
and pay your assistant Baynes.
The nerve of that man
to think I liked and trusted him.
Is it true you said he was remarkable.
I'd have said only to the development
of his massive self esteem.
If his medical skills had kept pace.
he could have become a legend.
My old colleague. Dr. Frasier said
he put word around about your practice.
your luck could be changing Doyle.
God afternon. madam. - God day.
Dr. Doyle.
Please step this way.
Three patients. doctor.
I can now afford to buy you dinner.
Before you go back?
Oh. I thought you would not mind
if I commandeered a wee corner up here.
Uh. huh.
you're writing notes of the Turnavine business.
Oh. and I'm hardly troubled to write notes
on Turnavine's little joke.
No. another matter brought me south.
It was in your letter.
What matter.
Miss Heather Grace
and the solitary cyclist.
I am grateful for your intervention. doctor.
and even more grateful for my patients.
I scarcely want to see you disappointed.
but this cyclist is probably some timid suitor.
Besides I made my own investigation.
No doubt you did.
But every conclusion you drew was wrong.
The mystery is as strange and disturbing
as the Turnavine matter was trivial.
We must call a cab.
young Baynes has offered to assist us.
It is high time to explore the grounds.
Had a god citing though
and I followed your precepts to the letter,
investigation. observation. conclusion.
So what could be wrong with that.
Almost everything.
you're hiding place was useless for a start.
Had you been behind that tree.
you could had a clear view of the cyclist.
As it is. you can tell even less about him
than your witness.
Yet I saw him.
you saw a vague outline.
Indeed the sum total of the knowledge you gained
is that her story is true.
Well. what of that.
I never doubted it for a minute.
There's tracks here.
Yes.
Tire marks.
Well done. Baynes.
We'll make a detective of you yet.
Well. I have the time before I return to Bart's.
It will keep me away from my creditors
and thanks to you sir.
Turnavine has paid up.
God.
Well. you know my suspicions.
I have caught him spying on Miss Grace.
She was main cause of our quarrel.
The tracks lead nowhere.
There's something grim about this place. is there not.
Is it because highwaymen were hanged on a jibbed back there
or something else.
I can at least tell you who the young lady believed
was following her.
His name was lan Coatley.
Is he dead.
Oh yes.
He was hanged for the murder
of Miss Grace's parents at Abby Mill.
One of the ugliest crimes of the 1870's.
your patient was lucky to escape with her life.
The man had killed at least four times.
I am there in the corridor.
My feet are cut
because the flor has stones
that are sharp like knives.
I lok back
and I see him following.
Always the figure coming after you in your own home.
Yes,
saying he will come back for me.
It's been like that since you lost your family.
I can understand what a torment it has been.
you were the first I ever told.
What I have related does not shock you.
No.
doctors should be unshockable.
Why. is there more.
A little.
you say your friend. Dr. Bell
wants lok into the matter of the cyclist.
Yes.
And he says to tell you.
your ghost is flesh and blod.
He is not lan Coatley.
It's so strange to hear someone say his name.
Of course. no one does now.
I can understand that.
but he's dead.
Yes.
If you knew how many times I said that to myself.
he is dead.
They saw him hanged.
I swear to you. it is not him.
He's in his grave.
Please God. he's at peace there.
So. this is where her family once lived
and the murders tok place.
Abby Mill.
A scene of crime I've long wanted to visit.
It is now I understand a schol
and no doubt closed for the holidays.
Not one I would chose to attend.
Now. come Doyle.
Did not Stoney House have a similar bleakness.
What happened to the family.
Oh. it followed the pattern of lan Coatley's
other murders to the letter.
He had killed her mother and daughter
in cold blod in Middlesex
and taken their money.
He was renting a rom near here
and heard gossiped about the wealthy Grace family.
They were perfect prey.
They had money. they were isolated
and they to had an attractive daughter.
My God.
He always made a point of insinuating himself
into the lives of his victims
and cultivating their friendship and trust.
He was a handsome devil.
and not without charm.
Here. I dug this out of the police records.
(Singing voices)
Oh. it seems I was wrong about the holidays.
God forbid.
So this man Coatley became a friend.
Uh. huh.
And then?
It seems likely that he was increasingly frustrated
in his attempts to discover
where the father kept his money.
And when he turned.
his temper was fowl.
One night.
a laborer outside heard the screams.
He had killed the mother on these stairs.
Ms. Grace was injured
but managed to get away into the trees.
She was in a terrible state quite distraught.
her feet all cut.
He was arrested at an inn some miles away
and he confessed almost at once.
To make matters worse.
he even wrote gloating letters
from the condemned cell
proud of what he'd done.
And the father?
Ah.
if I remember the details correctly.
he was found here
in this corridor.
his skull was crushed.
He had been stamped to death.
(Knock on dor)
Gentlemen.
We did not mean to interrupt.
I understod the schol was on holiday.
Oh. it is.
Sit down boys.
These chaps have furthest to travel.
They set off at dawn tomorrow.
you'll find the whole place quite deserted by then.
And it is a beautiful place. is it not Dr. Doyle.
Yes. I know who you are.
The fact is I stod outside your house debating
whether to come and see you.
I am Dr. Bell.
Guy Greenwell.
Very son hoping to become Miss Grace's fiancée.
I see you've heard of me.
Come and I'll show you around.
Thank you.
It is a wonderful place despite the tragedy.
you would surely not expect Miss Grace
to come back and live here.
Oh. her family still own the freehold.
but no. I would never ask that of her.
I teach for pleasure.
not for a living.
Even in the holidays. I like to tutor.
My estate is up the valley here.
Close by her uncle.
Why yes.
Though her uncle is very keen on the matter.
to be honest.
I do not want to press her for an answer.
I'm aware how greatly she suffered
at the time of her parent's death.
And that you perhaps know she was engaged before.
A military man I believe.
he left her for another.
it was shameful.
As for me. I am only to aware
the imminence of her ineritance
might seem a motive.
Is it?
I would very much like to give Dr. Doyle the answer to that.
Miss Grace's feelings for me have coled a little
since she met you sir.
you would of course expect me to dislike you for that.
but you'd be wrong.
I judge her taste to be extraordinary.
therefore I think well of you.
I strongly feel that any woman must have the right
to make up her own mind
and have every hope she'll come to a decision
in my favor very son.
I hope that answers your question.
Admirably.
The sentiments are handsome.
but from better experience.
I know how a man can say one thing and do another.
Then I can only ask you to judge me by experience.
I'm delighted you're helping to ensure Miss. Grace's safety.
I've heard these stories she's being followed.
Awful in view of what happened.
Almost like some visitation if you believe in such things.
My property border's that part of the wod.
but I have seen nothing.
This is our cab.
you have no idea
who might be interested in her movements.
Why no.
But I cannot bear to think of her being hurt.
God.
For. we are determined to ensure that she's not.
God day sir.
God day.
I do not trust him.
He certainly seems concerned by our activities.
So. let us expedite them.
Tomorrow Doyle.
you must return to your observation post.
This time, I hope
with better results.
Thank you.
Dr. Doyle has told me you're an investigator.
I am a doctor and a surgeon.
but since a surgeon uses a method
of observation and deduction
to make his diagnosis.
you could describe me as an investigator.
Now. you can be perfectly frank.
Dr. Doyle and I
are considering your problem together.
I understand it is a matter of weeks until your birthday
when you will come into your ineritance.
That is true.
And how do you feel about the intentions of Mr. Greenwell.
He and my uncle are great friends.
So my uncle is very keen on the match.
He's very careful of my welfare Dr. Bell.
Of course.
you were engaged before I understand.
Yes.
To a naval captain.
He told me he had no wish to see me again.
He is in Natal.
Natal. East South Africa
and you have heard no more from this captain.
Captain Horler.
Horler.
No.
And nor do I expect to.
Is there anyne you can think of
who may be harboring resentful feelings towards you.
No.
Well. it is true. Dr. Turnavine
tok an interest that was not welcome.
I see.
But you have never recognized this figure.
Were there no occasions at all when it came close.
Never.
well there was.
Yes.
Something I've not said because it led nowhere.
I would be grateful to hear everything and anything
because I take this very seriously.
Well. once.
at night on that road.
it was very windy.
I told myself I would not be scared.
But I started to get very frightened.
I was so sure he was almost upon me.
It's like my nightmare where I am running.
Always running.
my feet cut and bleeding.
and sometimes I fall.
And did you fall on this occasion.
Yes. I lost my foting
and tumbled by the side of the road.
I was so sure he was on me.
I closed my eyes and waited.
But I could feel his hand
touching
and hear something. a whispering.
I opened my eyes
and there was no one.
It must have been in my mind.
That is what I tell myself
it must have been.
Hello.
Aaaah!
We can only thank providence for those bushes
or he would have broken your neck.
Can we now agree that this case is serious.
Nothing at all.
Whoever was here has fled.
Inspector. let me introduce Dr. Doyle and Mr. Baynes.
Gentlemen. this is Inspector Warner.
I'm sorry for what happened to you sir.
But I feel sure Dr. Bell here
will get to the bottom of this business.
I telegraphed for references when he first arrived.
Most impressive.
I will be grateful for any help you can give us.
Thank you.
you know my help must remain confidential.
Of course.
gentlemen.
Inspector. can I have a word?
Now. Doyle. before we go.
can I ask you to brave this house one more time.
With two stout policemen. with lamps.
What tok you to the window.
A black piece of cloth.
maybe a scarf.
What?
It fluttered there
making a noise like a bat in the wind.
I heard it
and it was at the very window
when I saw the figure from below.
They found no black cloth.
Then he must have taken it.
It was here.
I came forward to lok and he was on me.
Ah. yes.
Here are some strands of material.
Open that for me.
I'm sure it was Turnavine.
He has a cloak and has been out all day.
Tomorrow Doyle.
we will call on the young lady's guardians.
Sorry. but if I could keep watching the road. sir.
I would love to have a chance to prove my theory.
Very well. Baynes.
I would be glad of it.
But you know what happened to Doyle there.
So on no account. and I mean that.
on no account go into the wod.
I am Heather's aunt. gentlemen.
her por late mother's sister.
It is my hope
that she will marry Guy Greenwell
as son as possible
and this stupidity will end.
Stupidity.
Well. the por girl has such dreams
and my husband has little patience with them.
She was engaged before you know.
to Captain Horler
who treated her shamefully.
If you would wait in here.
Interesting companions.
For some.
A tarantula.
Some time since I've seen you my friend.
Which one of you is Doyle.
I am.
My niece is not here.
I'm glad you've come because I wanted to talk to you.
I believe sir you have designs upon her.
you must stop all dealings with her at once.
I'm sure she can make her own decisions.
you seem unaware I'm her doctor.
Which makes the impropriety all the grosser.
I can vouch for my young colleague Mr. Blythe.
We are here on a matter of some importance.
Who are you sir?
I am Dr. Joseph Bell
of Edinburgh University.
The Dr. Bell?
Head of operative surgery?
Who wrote the monograph on the adaptation
of the eye of distance?
The same.
Why did you not say so Dr. Bell.
I studied botany
and zology in London
until I withdrew here
to supervise my own collection.
Did you see it.
I did.
I'm most intrigued by the tarantula.
Ah. yes.
a deadly little man.
But venomless.
I extract their venom.
It's one of my hobbies.
Oh I'm a dabbler. a mere
picker up of shells on the shores of the ocears science.
you of all people would understand.
Dr. Bell. your orbital development is so pronounced
that a cast of your skull
would be an ornament to any museum such as this.
Thank you. I'm not quite ready to donate it.
Mr. Blythe. we are convinced that your niece is in danger.
There is a figure that follows her.
My niece has two great defects. Dr. Bell.
She is wildly over-imaginative
and may very son be rich.
The latter causes men to follow her
and to fight over her.
While the former conjures even greater threats.
you should think twice about any account she gives.
I am attempting for her own sake
to retain supervision of her ineritance
and I'm advancing my legal claim to do so.
She has a nervous affliction.
Which makes her ill-suited for the money.
And I should imagine the interest on it
is of considerable help
in financing your collection.
I shall not take that as an insult.
My wife has means of her own.
In any case. as son as my niece marries Mr. Greenwell.
I shall settle them both with the money
where she will be out of harm's way
and in proper hands.
So. I fear your errand here is pointless.
Oh. I see you prefer a cloak out of dors. Mr. Blythe.
you must find the hod useful.
I collect specimens at all times
and in all weathers Dr. Bell.
There is a fine nest of Vipera Berus
in the wod below the house.
I like to take the outer skins
while their alive
and milk their venom.
It's something I'm god at.
Perhaps you care to join me.
What a man.
you saw the cloaks.
Certainly he has a motive for frightening her.
But in themselves.
the cloaks prove nothing.
Dr. Doyle. I...
Have you been walking.
And thinking.
I've thought so much of what we said last time.
Brings it all back.
Perhaps it is better to try not to forget.
but to face it.
Bad things may not happen.
I believe that.
And I trust you Dr. Doyle.
Yes.
There are areas of shadows
strike me as unusual.
And pols of darker color.
but I believe they're slightly smaller.
And yours.
I think I see conscience
faith in them.
Sometimes I feel little enough of either.
I was brought up a Catholic.
I believe in something.
I cannot always find the clarity you know.
Yes.
I want so much to be clear in myself to.
you see when my parents died.
I was young.
I often wondered if I would ever move beynd it.
find love.
there was a love.
one love.
Captain Horler.
And when it ended
and he left me.
I thought that nothing would ever make me whole again.
ever.
I could not find someone again.
I know that feeling.
Do you.
Do you think it is possible to move on.
Leave the past.
I hope wounds can heal.
I wish so much I could tell you what it was like.
I would just...
Will you tell me what happened to you.
It was a long time ago.
It makes no difference
as you said yourself.
There's little to say.
I was engaged to be married.
She died.
Bell failed.
A vicious. pointless crime
murder for the sake of it.
Even now one day we hope to see justice.
And you keep thinking that over and over
is there something I could have done.
some action I should have taken or resisted.
Was I a coward.
I know that.
I was sure you did.
I knew from the moment of our first interview
that we shared it.
It was as if I could read your thoughts.
(Dorbell ringing)
I arrived late.
This is my last patient.
If you would wait.
I'd prefer to see you safely home.
So you did not want to be a doctor.
No. a soldier.
I was weaned on tales of my great uncle
who led the Scottish Brigade at Waterlo.
I think your mother was right to guide you then.
It is not always so.
Sometimes you can feel stifled
if decisions are made for you.
I will be honest.
There are times when the marriage my people propose
feels to me like a prison.
Then why proceed.
Because at others I think they may be right.
you know my fears.
I have counseled you against them.
I'm so glad we've met.
Sometimes I like to walk by the sea
on evenings like this.
Perhaps one day.
I would like nothing better in the world
than to accompany you.
But if...
No. I was going to say that
if we were to become close friends.
then I think it would be best for me
to stop as your doctor.
Yes.
And if it is not forward.
I honestly believe now it is so.
Miss Grace.
I was waiting for you.
I think we must have a word
as I'm sure you will understand.
Mr. Greenwell.
Dr. Doyle.
take my carriage if you wish.
it is around the other side.
No. I do not want it.
I was invited to take tea with Miss Grace.
I think you said she'd be making up her own mind.
But of course she must decide.
Miss Grace. your uncle is aware I'm here.
I'm sorry Dr. Doyle.
I'm coming back for you.
(Scream)
Doctor.
Why it's still early.
No. it is not early.
It is not early at all.
It is late.
Are you ready.
Ready?
I have already sent word to Inspector Warner.
Baynes did not return to his lodging last night.
It's not so far to that house.
Perhaps he sought shelter there.
Doyle.
Oh my God.
What has been done to him.
He's been dead for some time.
But he's standing.
Only because the earth supports him.
The police are down by the road.
Go and fetch them. will you.
His feet are weighted.
His hands are tied.
What sort of killer would bury his victim
alive and standing Dr. Bell.
(Dorbell ringing)
Dr. Bell and Dr. Doyle.
Turnavine.
I aim at your heart Dr. Bell.
That magnet over there
will draw the bullet well up to your left.
If it does not. you will be arrested for my murder
and possibly Baynes' as well.
Yes. I heard about that.
The man had gambling debts as you know.
No. that's no god. you're almost on the magnet.
It will hit you.
Exactly.
And then you'd be killing me for no purpose.
Baynes said you spied on Miss Grace.
you take an interest in her. do you not.
Perhaps.
I never knew a woman could be quite so forward.
Of course I am aware that they find me attractive.
It's been a curse Laddie.
Though at times. a pleasant enough one.
I hear it was you who made advances to her.
Oh. like any woman.
she wanted my attention.
I had to resist her charms.
you have not the slightest notion of decency.
And now you use her to cover your own lechery.
you know how furious you were
when she asked to be my patient.
Oh well.
you're welcome to her.
We know what she is.
Although it is Greenwell who set his heart on her money
and will surely get it.
And what makes you say that.
Oh. I have heard gossip
that the death of Miss Grace's parents
suited him down to the ground.
For they had no time for him.
you know.
I should arrange another of my dramas
around Miss Grace.
The last time was a small enough affair I grant you.
But still a minor triumph.
Did you not think Bell.
Only be warned.
next time I shall not make it so easy for you.
Now. you just listen to me Laddie.
These are serious matters
and they involve people. not toys.
Any further dramas around Miss Grace
and I will personally ensure
that you are disbarred
from practicing medicine anywhere in these islands.
I cannot breathe.
Do we have an understanding Laddie.
Very well.
But I think you are in deep waters gentlemen.
I wonder if you have grasped how deep.
This is my rom Dr. Bell.
I feel folish enough.
I had been better. but last night again.
the same nightmare.
He pursues me.
cloaked. cyclist thing.
I cried out. fortunately my aunt heard.
It felt far better to have her here.
I just want to be certain everything is secure.
But. nothing has happened has it.
We had...
We are following various avenues.
Oh. where is your locket.
Oh yes. it is odd.
She woke up today and it was gone.
She carried it everywhere.
it belonged to her mother.
It was removed from here.
I cannot think.
I kept it in my jewelry box.
It was there on the bedside table
and yet this morning. it was gone.
(Music playing)
Oh. that's the song we had the schol boys singing.
Mrs. Blythe. would you have any objection
to moving a servant in here to keep Miss Grace company.
Why. I will sleep in here myself tonight
and I will lock the dors and the windows.
we shall be snug.
I would feel better.
God.
Is your husband about.
Well I am not sure.
He. was on one of his long specimen hunts.
I havert seen him since last night.
Well. should we try and find him.
Yes.
you're sure nothing's happened.
With your permission. ma'am.
I wish to have a talk with Miss Grace
about her symptoms.
I will be along presently.
Dr. Bell seems so concerned.
Hmm.
I would hope after our last conversation
you might be able to take me into your confidence.
That is if something has happened.
Dr. Bell.
I was out very late.
I don't wish to disturb the house so I slept down here.
While you were out.
did you see anyne.
Oh yes.
These pretty friends
nobody else. sir.
A man was murdered in your wod last night.
Is that so.
We live in a barbaric age. do we not.
I noticed your other cloak was missing.
What?
Oh. it's not mine.
it belongs to Mr. Greenwell.
Oh. does it.
Mr. Blythe.
of course you recall the night
of the Abby Mill murders.
It's not something one forgets.
The case has so many inconsistencies.
What I hadrt realized was that on that night
you and Guy Greenwell were here together
so you shared an alibi.
We hardly needed one.
Yet you both benefited.
you have enjoyed eight years of the interest
and now with your encouragement.
Greenwell stands to gain the principle.
That is quite outrageous sir.
you suggest a false alibi.
And you must know Coatley confessed.
Oh. I know it very well.
Will you tell me.
Yes.
A man who I think you do not know
was murdered in the wod.
Oh my God.
It is for me.
you don't know that.
I am cursed.
It will always return.
It will not.
I swear it.
I thought I could leave the past behind.
If I marry Mr. Greenwell.
this horror will stop.
He's told me as much.
Do not listen.
I can assure you my niece is not of sound mind.
She was confined once before for her own god
and we may do it again.
Yes. rather than see our money disappear.
I'm sure you would.
But a young man has been murdered
and I intend to find out who killed him.
(Knock on dor)
I think we must go Doyle.
I tell you it utter folly.
she is not merely a patient.
She is a key witness in our investigation.
I am quite aware of that.
There is nothing to alter my feelings.
Yes. and that is precisely what concerns me.
Come on.
Do you not understand
she is terrified of Greenwell
and what he will do.
He's making her think Coatley has come back from the dead.
How can we leave her here.
the whole place reeks of fear.
If you bring her into the town.
you only put her in greater danger.
He will be on the front she said.
He takes a class there.
I accept that Greenwell is involved.
It is the nature of his involvement
we have to determine.
If he and Blythe collude.
they may even kill her.
There he is.
Gentlemen.
Mr. Greenwell.
there are matters we wish to discuss with you.
Evidently.
I see you've torn your cloak.
how did that happen.
It was ripped on some briars while I was...
what are you accusing me of?
It is our belief
you are guilty of intimidating Miss Grace.
I utterly deny that.
I am in love with her.
It's a strange kind of love
that causes such fear.
I do not like your tone Dr. Doyle.
It is you who have caused so much misery of her.
Raising hopes that cannot possibly be fulfilled.
Can you not understand her birthday is son now
and her uncle will challenge the settlement
unless she accepts me.
She may even be sent back to an asylum.
Even if she cares for you.
it is only a passing infatuation.
There is no question she will marry me in the end.
Sir.
Just a moment. Hanson.
We cannot have this out here.
Perhaps you disbelieve in the supernatural.
Well. I can show you how much evil has returned.
Come to the mill this evening.
you will see why she needs my protection.
My God.
Bell. the guilt of the man.
His talk about the supernatural is pure evasion.
I never believed all that painful honesty for a moment
and now we see the truth.
I'm going to her.
I have begged you not to become involved.
It is my decision.
The servants said I might find you here.
Is your uncle at home.
No.
He's out.
No don't.
I don't want to be near you.
I'm sorry.
I had time to reflect.
I understand.
But. surely you must know I come only to help you.
Then do so.
Get away from here now.
I am a coward.
you probably heard I ended in asylum for a short time.
It's obviously where I should be.
No.
There is no surprise or shame in it
after what happened to you.
Do not let anyne say you are mad.
you are not.
No?
I want to believe it so much.
Heather. oh there you are.
I was worried about you.
Doctor.
He's leaving.
For their sakes.
do not try to help me.
So. was your visit to Miss Grace a fruitful one?
Hmm?
She must be removed from that house.
Hmm.
Warner said he'd meet us here.
There will be no singing on this...
Why should I give it to you?
I told you to,
you have no right.
(Scream)
Aah!
Hello.
I went to get you some water.
you are concussed.
What has happened.
Greenwell did not survive.
His notebok told me nothing.
just some odd letters.
They would have you in hospital.
but I wanted to lok after you myself.
Meanwhile of course.
they're stampeding all over the scene of the crime
like a herd of elephants.
Heather?
Have no fear.
I had word two hours ago.
She and her aunt are perfectly all right.
Indeed one of Warner's men
was with them all evening.
But again. note.
her uncle was out.
Thank you.
Tomorrow.
Yes. yes.
We will make new arrangements for her.
What was it Greenwell wanted to show us.
If only we knew that.
So. here is a list of boarding establishments near your house
which should be quite safe
and dull in the extreme.
I hope she can stand the tedium.
Dr. Bell.
Warner.
Doyle. glad to see you better. sir.
It's a terrible business.
Yes.
Doyle thinks that it might be wiser to move Miss Grace
into the town.
Where he feels she would be safer.
But I don't understand.
I sent a sergeant round to you with the news.
He would have missed us.
What news.
She was on her way to see you.
you can do nothing by staying here sir.
We can find nothing.
We shall try again at first light.
Her uncle.
We've questioned him
and he seems upset.
Upset. what do you expect.
He's an actor.
Give me time with him alone.
We cannot do that sir.
Well. I'm not leaving.
So. doctor. have we lost.
I do not know.
I wanted to bring her back
you recall. if we had done so.
If her uncle is responsible.
he could have abducted her
from any boarding house.
We have failed again doctor.
It is as before.
We have not failed yet.
Perhaps mistakes have been made
in the more serious cases. there often are.
But we have not yet lost.
That is your opinion.
No. it is fact.
About por Baynes.
there is something I need to research.
you'll have heard of Majuba Hill.
The Boer Massacre.
Yes.
I have of necessity
had to content myself with telegrams
in order to stay by you.
but now that you're physically whole.
I must get on with the investigation.
with you or without you.
Very well.
if you think it will do any god.
Believe me.
in the darkest hours. sometimes.
It is just so sad.
If only Horler had not treated her so badly.
She talked to me of her one great love.
She was hoping to move on from it.
What did you say.
That she talked of one love. why.
Yes. of course.
you know how lovers sometimes
carve their initials on a tree.
a pledge of their love.
Yes.
Lok.
But these initials are ancient.
They can't have nothing to do with that.
I agree.
but if you follow two chains of thought.
you will at last find some point of interception
that should lead you approximately to the truth
and it is here
on this tree.
I'm very grateful to you.
you have helped me to understand something.
Thank God you're here. I must speak with you.
you have to help me sir.
The police have been questioning me for hours.
And it's you who press them.
I keep telling them I have no idea
what has happened to my niece.
I'm no longer challenging the ineritance.
A simple wonder.
In a matter of days she would have inerited her estate
and if she is dead.
you of course would still stand to gain sir.
you think I want her dead.
First por Guy.
and now her.
It's awful.
Why Mr. Blythe.
I'm glad to find you here because
I wanted to talk to you.
Majuba Hill.
Does that name mean anything to you.
How did...
that's supposed to be private.
He's a por devil.
But he went back overseas.
No sir.
I believe that por devil is part of this.
Tell me.
how did they first meet.
He was stationed near the house.
The royal marines. they were engaged in exercises.
And what was his field.
He was ammunitions officer.
Of course.
And why are we wasting time.
We may already be to late.
I do not understand.
There is no time for explanations.
We need the help of Inspector Warner
and the tols of the geologist.
an axe. and above all. an auger.
Tell them to keep quiet at all costs.
We may already have lost her.
Keep it quiet Warner.
Quiet down.
Yes sir.
What is this now.
I've followed him faithfully.
but I hope he hasn't taken leave of his senses.
No.
It will happen to us first.
Here. Doyle.
Nothing.
nothing.
but I'm certain.
Yes. I knew it.
Now. we have to find the line of it.
There.
that mound will be the entrance.
Yes.
If there is a handle. it would be on the other side.
We'll need tols to get it opened.
Yes. you see. it's wod.
But how could he get a bicycle down there.
He wouldn't need to.
According to my information.
this whole area
is a warren of old ammunition tunnels
which he would have helped excavate.
There will be other entrances of course.
but this one. we can pries open.
you'll have to send some of our men down there with lamps.
I suspect it leads to the Derelict house
and there should be an entrance at that end.
probably under the stairs.
Doyle and I will try to find it.
Williams. Tolan.
Heather?
Oh my God. I fear we're to late.
Doctor.
I'm here.
No.
Doyle.
Aaaah!
Come on. quickly.
Come on.
Hold him Warner. hold him.
Get him down on the ground.
Tie his hands.
She's fainted.
We must get her up and out of here.
Get him down now. come on.
Observe the knots Doyle.
And the tied twine.
That was what first told me
he'd been in the navy.
That and the fragments of his marine scarf.
It was only then I saw the full significance of Natal.
But if he had abandoned her.
why did he come back.
The initials on that tree gave me the answer.
I cannot see why.
What is it.
Is she all right.
We are very fortunate.
She is quite unarmed.
But who is he.
His name is Horler.
a former captain of the marines
who tok part in the battle Majuba Hill
and the east African Province of the Natal.
He lost half his face
and most of his mind it would seem.
But his skill and excavation
have not deserted him
and he became fanatically jealous
of the woman he left here.
Get him up.
I'm extremely grateful Dr. Bell.
I met Horler in London after the Majuba Massacre.
I kept it to myself.
I genuinely thought of going back.
Thank you again.
Well. if I only had your brains.
I'd have made the connection to South Africa.
The Boer Massacre's caused enough sensation around here
and we can see the results on every street corner.
The burial with weighted feet
has meted out to traitors in the same campaign.
My congratulations Bell.
Thank you. I do not deserve them.
Come. come. it's wrapped up very nicely.
There can be no doubt
he killed Baynes and Greenwell.
No doubt at all he killed them
and brutally.
Bell.
it's all god news.
She's...
Bell.
what are you doing in the dark?
This is insufferable Bell.
I know you prefer work to everything.
but the case is over.
It's four days now and still you sit here.
I want to ask you a favor.
Of course.
If you wish to stay for another month.
I will be delighted.
No. I've trespassed on your hospitality long enough.
I shall be returning to Edinburgh in a few days.
Then what?
Oh. sometimes the aftermath of a case bores me.
but there are always the odd lose ends.
I had a chat with Miss Grace's uncle
who appears to be a sane enough man
in spite of all his eccentricities.
He is concerned about all she's been through.
Now that she's inerited.
she intends to get away from here for a time.
I hope very much to visit her.
What is the favor.
Well.
I only wish you to return with me
to the scene of Greenwell's murder before I go.
But you have solved it.
Yes. yes. I'm quite satisfied that Horler is responsible.
There are just one or two points
I need to clarify.
Very well.
But not that it's a place I wish to revisit.
What did you study.
Oh. just the file on Coatley.
God night Doyle.
God night.
It's still the holidays.
I'm surprised it is opened.
Oh. I contacted the owner.
The new owner that is.
Where is she.
(Woman singing)
Even so. you should not have asked her.
She comes back rarely enough.
Think of the memories it has.
Dr. Bell.
I wanted to come for I've had no occasion
to thank you personally for all you did.
I did my best.
but I seemed to have failed in every respect.
I do not see how you could have done more.
Though I suppose the mark of success
is someone who accepts failure.
Like the knight in your song.
It is very sad. is it not.
He bleeds.
He bleeds for others
and I have a feeling
that it is here in this rom.
in this very spot
that the song means something special to you.
Yes.
I associate it with this rom.
Bell.
I wanted to help you.
but why drag Miss Grace back to this house.
I would prefer to see her safely home now.
No. I would like to stay.
I want to hear whatever the doctor says.
I owe him that.
Thank you.
I have been thinking about Captain Horler
and why he came back.
you were engaged to him. were you not
and he broke off the engagement.
I was a fol.
Because of course everything would make far more sense
if you had broken off the engagement...
What?
...and broken his heart
just as later the Boers
broke his mind and his body.
If he had spurned you.
why was he here.
It was only when I realized that Horler
was not the knight in your song.
and that you had spurned him
that I concluded he must be your cyclist.
What are you saying.
Do you think I arranged for him to pursue me.
No. at first you were very frightened.
you genuinely didn't know who the figure was
and feared it was only in your mind.
but when you discovered it was Horler.
you realized he could be used.
you're mad.
I truly believe you've taken your detection to far
and it's gone to your head.
But I know where you're leading
and I want you to give it up.
How could she have had anything to do
with Baynes death or Greenwells
for the first she was in bed
having a nightmare.
The second she and her aunt
were with one of Warner's men.
All that is true.
She was not physically present.
but still she was involved.
No.
Yes.
Baynes died because he had seen her and Horler together.
She regretted that but still she did nothing
because she had found the means to escape Greenwell
who was blackmailing her into marriage
and in the end I very much fear
she played on the jealousy of Captain Horler
as skillfully as she plays on that piano.
This is unfair. this is cruel.
What possible motive could she have.
There is none.
Oh yes.
The motive.
With some regret.
I will show you.
There.
What happened in that corridor.
That is your motive.
Damn you.
Bell! - It was you.
you broke your father's skull
and stabbed your mother.
not lan Coatley.
How can you say that.
He confessed Bell.
Yes. because the man knew he was domed anyway.
They had him for the earlier murders.
He hanged for her.
This is blind assumption and lies.
Then will you do something for me.
Will you open your locket.
It's personal.
I know.
I have seen it.
That symbol is a lover's pledge.
I and H.
lan/Heather intertwined.
one love.
He cared for her very deeply.
as so many others have done.
And having realized that.
I gradually began to unearth
all the discrepancies at the trial.
every account speaks of her barefot bleeding.
Again and again I ask myself why.
Where were her shoes.
The grounds were searched for days
and no shoes were ever found.
They must have been buried
or destroyed
and Coatley's shoes
were free of blod.
Even his letters from prison did not gloat.
If you read them aright.
they are veiled love letters.
They refer only to his pride
in the sacrifice
he was making for her.
But even if this were true.
the case is closed.
Why would she pursue the matter now.
Because her uncle had his suspicions as did Greenwell.
And neither of them wish to reopen the case
and besides there was no evidence.
But the question of her ineritance was another matter.
Greenwell snatched the locket and wanted us to see it.
To him it proved she was possessed.
They had put her in an asylum before.
and if she'd refuse to marry him.
they would do so again.
The cyclist therefore.
when he came.
he came as a godsend.
Horler was a way out for her.
A path to freedom
as you were Doyle.
as you were.
you are to late.
I know that.
No court would follow me.
I have no way of bringing you to justice.
But I'll tell you this.
If you do not plead with the jury for clemency for Horler.
I will risk my own career
to expose you.
I have no wish to hurt him.
I never did.
I was horrified by what he'd endured in Africa.
But.
I realized I had power over him.
And so when I became desperate.
I did provoke his attack on Mr. Greenwell.
But I never desired the death of your friend.
I could not always control Horler.
you saw that when you rescued me.
I will be happy to see
he receives clemency.
Then we are agreed.
We need say it no more.
Say no more.
Well what happened here.
What happened in this house.
Were they cruel.
No. but there was little love.
It felt like a prison.
But I did love.
They would never allow it. never.
I wanted so much to tell you.
I tried.
It happened in this rom.
you and Coatley.
Yes.
They found us that night.
There.
It was the happiest night of my life.
I've never known so much happiness.
never.
What was I to do. what?
That's why the song means so much.
It was he who sang it.
He was my bleeding knight.
And he did bleed.
He died for me.
And when it was over.
I made up my mind what I wanted.
I had waited for it so long
and they were going to stop me.
take my independence. my freedom.
all the things you know as a right.
Have you any idea
what it is like to lose them.
And your eyes?
It was real. I swear.
My eyes. are always the same
around this time of year
when they died.
Lok at the crowd. gentlemen.
she is greatly loved.
We are very grateful Dr. Bell.
Oh. and she is leaving a present for Dr. Doyle.
Something she says she no longer wants.
I have spoken to Inspector Warner.
He thinks the captain will be deemed mad
and spared the gallows.
Yes. he told me.
I will not thank you
but you may conclude our agreement stands.
Remember I said I saw something in you.
It was all true.
It was a lie.
No it was not.
Most of what I told you was the truth.
I knew we shared something.
And you ought to realize
I was seventeen.
and what I did. however awful.
I did for love.
Will you say nothing.
Only that I believed in you once.
Then you must face something.
Part of you always will.
My own.
As to what your thinking,
there must be a way.
A way?
To apply my method
as rigorously to human character
as to forensic detail.
Let me think about it.
I would be glad if you did.
To our next case.
To my further education.
And to mine.
What?
And to mine.
(Music playing)