Oh, my God. no.
(Scream)
Life may be stranger than fiction.
It is 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.
I shart be long.
Can I see him?
Perhaps. if he's well.
Did I say there were plums.
among the fruit. and peaches?
All. very good for you. Father.
I don't want any fruit. Arthur.
I want to go home.
Father. please.
yu know you can't.
Why can't I. Arthur?
That's what I never understand.
yu're here. because you're ill. Father.
I'm not ill. Arthur.
Do I look ill?
Do I sound ill?
I'm as well as you are. Arthur.
Father. please.
Come on.
Now. we've been through all of this.
I'm sorry. Arthur.
I'm making you feel bad.
After you've come all the way up from the Southsea to visit me.
I treat you like this.
Oh. forgive me.
There's nothing to forgive. Father.
Did I say I'm to see Dr. Bell?
No. no. you didn't.
Yes. sir.
So. you didn't really come to see me at all.
yu came to see Bell.
Father. please.
Is that why you came to Edinburgh?
I... - Is it?
I'm to be second fiddle to Joseph Bell.
Father. please.
That's the truth of it. isn't it. Arthur?
Father... - Ssssh.
Really I think I'm second fiddle now.
Father. please. stop it.
yur fruit. I don't want it.
Father.
I don't want it.
I want to go home.
Calm yourself. calm yourself.
No. you will not hurt him.
yu will not hurt him.
you will not.
I want to go home.
yur father's having to be pacified. Mr. Doyle.
for his own good and for everyone else's.
Now. if you have any objections to that
perhaps you'd like to take the old gentleman home
and look after him yourself.
He didn't seem to want your fruit. Mr. Doyle.
Arthur. Arthur.
God.
I told you not to come.
The mistake we make in our dealings with children. Doyle.
is to underestimate them.
In my work with the young.
I never cease to be astonished of their resilience.
Are you saying it was right
that Innes should have seen his father like that?
No. no.
I am saying that he will recover from the experience.
He will.
And when he does.
he may see the sense
of listening to his big brother. for a change.
Hmm. we shall see.
So. your telegram.
said there'd been a murder?
Yes.
Go on.
The victim's name is Henry Starr.
son of Sir John Starr.
The financier?
Yes.
How...
Did it happen?
Henry Starr was walking home
from a business meeting.
He was viciously attacked and killed.
The murderer then robbed Starr of his valuables,
and disappeared unseen into the night.
When was Starr murdered?
A month ago.
And Sir John Starr is getting impatient?
He's been badgering
the Deputy Chief Constable Samuel Fergusson.
Sam's response has been to ask me to lend a hand.
And. and me?
The officer investigating Starr's murder is one
Lieutenant Daniel Blaney.
He's not likely to welcome my involvement.
Why?
I worked with him some time ago.
I had been assured that he was a first rate policeman
who could smell out a felors guilt from a mile away.
Unfortunately. he could also smell
a bottle of whiskey from a mile away.
and. through his ineptitude.
the murderer we were pursuing
managed to escape justice.
Reluctantly. I was obliged to recommend his dismissal.
But I still don't quite see...
He bears me a grudge.
so I need a go between.
He's still there.
Lieutenant Blaney I presume.
Yes.
yu really think he's going to listen to me?
That is my hope.
(Making toast)
Sergeant Clarke has been recently asked
to assist Lieutenant Blaney.
So. Joe. have you made up your mind
about helping us poor bobbies?
I will give whatever assistance I can.
Will Dr. Doyle be assisting also?
Dr. Doyle is a student of my method.
And I hope to learn more by.
seeing it in practice.
Oh I see.
Hope that is acceptable?
yu'll get no objection from me.
Joe. your early thoughts on the killing of Mr. Starr if you please.
I have none.
At the moment. I know no more
than the rest of the newspaper reading public.
yu'll have to let me have
all the facts in your possession.
and. any physical evidence that exists.
We are looking for a robber.
Starr's money was taken along with some jewelry.
When the thief tries to sell his swag. as he shall.
I shall be informed
and I shall have my man.
And until I am informed.
there shall be no rest for the wicked of this city.
No. gentlemen. you have my word on that.
Sergeant Clarke?
Yes. sir?
Be so kind as to appraise Doctors Doyle and Bell
with the facts of the case.
and see they are given our physical evidence.
Sir.
And now. gentlemen.
if I may be excused.
I have to get home.
Doctors. sir.
Well. I thought that went splendidly.
Good morning.
Ah. Doyle. good morning.
Henry Starr's clothes. I take it?
Yes.
Smell that glove.
the right glove.
And now. smell the jacket.
yu see?
All is not as the police first thought.
They have failed to smell
what is under their noses.
Indeed.
Those clothes.
should have been returned to Sir John Starr.
After his mother died,
Jenny raised my son.
She's just come to terms with his death
and now look at her.
Couldrt my sors clothes.
have been returned sooner?
We should leave her to grieve.
So.
yourself and Dr. Bell. what exactly...
We're the.
the response to the pressure.
you've been putting on the authorities.
Why two medical men?
Well. Dr. Bell has developed
an investigative method into criminal acts.
Will this method catch my sors killer. Dr. Doyle?
No effort will be spared
in the hunt for this man. Sir John.
May I.
ask what he was like. your son?
yu can ask.
but I cannot answer.
I'm a very wealthy man. Doctor.
But during the time I took.
to acquire my wealth.
I allowed my son
to become a stranger to me.
Oh. we shared this house.
We even dined together nightly.
I never really knew my dining companion.
He seemed to be making a success of business.
not that. that was ever discussed in any real detail.
yu find that deplorable. Doctor?
I mean. your father
would be able to tell you what you were like. I'm sure.
No my.
my father's been ill for a long time. Sir John.
I'm sorry.
at least he has an excuse.
Well. I may not have known my son. Doctor.
but I do know that no one had the right to take his life.
and I do know that I want his killer brought to justice.
There'll be a handsome reward.
for whoever achieves that.
Bringing your sors killer to justice will be reward enough.
One last thing. Sir John.
yu would know if your son smoked or not?
What?
Cigars?
No. no. he didn't smoke.
Is that important?
Possibly.
The supposition is that
the killer lies in wait in this alley.
Starr arrives.
his assailant strikes him down and robs him.
But. gentlemen.
in robbing his victim,
the killer drops his gloves.
The killer's gloves?
I thought they were Starr's gloves.
Smell.
Tobacco.
Yet Starr's clothing is free of tobacco odors.
And as Sir John Starr has confirmed.
his son did not smoke.
But. even if they are the killer's gloves.
what does it change?
Nothing.
On the contrary. it changes everything.
In all my encounters with the Edinburgh underworld.
I never met a footpad yet.
wearing fine chamois gloves.
Stolen from some other rich victim.
Surely no footpad would keep the gloves
in case they could be identified by their owner
and used to incriminate the thief.
But Henry Starr was robbed.
What about that. Joe?
Or are you saying it was set up to look like a robbery?
Exactly that.
This was not the work of a professional robber.
but of someone who had the money.
the good gloves. good cigars.
Starr's social equal.
and unless we're dealing with a madman.
someone who had a motive other than robbery.
Do we really have to listen to all of this. Sam?
All because of a pair of damned gloves.
Lieutenant. in the medical profession
it's not uncommon to call for a second opinion.
There's no shame seen in this.
I'll wager Dr. Bell's never accepted
a second opinion in his life.
at least not with good grace.
Lieutenant...
As a matter of fact.
I think I can assure you that Dr. Bell
is perfectly amenable to second opinions.
yu see. in looking for tobacco trace.
Dr. Bell examined the right glove first
because. most of us are right handed
whereas. I examined the left. glove also and.
again found a strong odor of tobacco.
He's ambidextrous.
Doyle. he's ambidextrous.
So I took a closer look.
and microscopic examination revealed something more.
There were faint singe marks on the leather.
Singe marks?
I would light a cigar thus.
with the flame in my dominant hand. the right.
whilst I use the left hand
to protect the flame against the wind.
So any singeing. therefore.
would normally appear here on the left glove.
However. in this case
as with the tobacco odor.
there are singe marks on both gloves.
indicating that their owner
could light his cigar with either hand.
Well done. Doyle. well done. - Thank you.
And. may we not. push our analysis even further.
May we not ask ourselves about the smoking habits
of a man whose gloves so reek of cigars.
May we not surmise that this is because
he does most of his smoking out of doors.
which in turn. is because whoever he shares his home with.
objects. to tobacco smoke.
Joe?
It's a reasonable supposition.
So where does it leave us. Joe?
I think we should inquire of the observant Dr. Doyle.
Well. I think we could usefully start by speaking
to the last person to see Henry Starr alive.
Excellent idea.
That would be a Mr. Jeremy Orde.
He's a lawyer.
They had some kind of business meeting.
I'm not sure I can tell you anything
I didn't tell Sergeant Clarke. gentlemen.
And what did you tell the Sergeant. Mr. Orde?
Ah. what time Mr. Starr arrived here.
what time he left.
Mr. Orde. I know it seems likely but robbery.
is not the motive for Mr. Starr's murder.
To find the real motive.
we have to begin.
Iooking more closely into his
personal and business affairs. you understand.
So perhaps you can begin by telling us
what business it was you had with Mr. Starr
on the night of his death.
Bad business. gentlemen.
For years.
I've looked after the affairs of a family called West.
They own the mill in the Borders
and had offices here in Edinburgh.
The mill was latterly run by Alicia West,
the last surviving member of the family and,
she ran it as well as it had ever been run.
And then Alicia found herself a husband.
and the man that she found.
was a monster.
He beat her mercilessly,
drank her money and,
spent it on other women.
And Jack Craine,
also insisted on running the business.
Craine.
Alicia Craine.
yu know her?
I made her acquaintance postmortem.
Alicia Craine killed herself six months ago.
Then you'll also know
that her blackguard of a husband was murdered, Doctor.
Oh, yes, indeed.
I assisted the police in that investigation.
Jack Craine was not only a monster.
he also had no head for business.
He almost ruined Alicia.
Then one day after his death.
she came to me and she said
she intended borrowing money.
to try and keep the mill going.
The business was to be the collateral for the loan.
that. and Alicia's house.
everything she owned.
Well. I advised her not to accept it.
but she was adamant.
She secured two large orders.
that would bring in all the money she needed
providing her creditors would give her some.
extra time to repay them.
But they would not give her the time. gentlemen.
And so they took the West Family Mill,
and they took Alicia's house,
and Alicia Craine,
threw herself down to her death.
The moneylender. gentlemen.
was Mr. Henry Starr.
Mr. Henry Starr and his associate.
Mr. George Milburn.
And what of the night of Starr's murder?
Starr had come to my office
to discuss taking possession of the house.
Alicia's housekeeper.
Mrs. Booth had always refused to move.
I had managed to persuade Starr and Milburn to.
give me some time
to get Mrs. Booth to leave the house.
Starr had called to say that.
my time was up.
yu say that Alicia Craine killed herself. Doctor.
but I say. that she was as good as killed
by Mr. Starr and Milburn.
Henry Starr drives Alicia Craine to suicide.
Then Starr himself is killed.
Revenge. do you think?
It's a time honored motive.
But revenge by whom?
Mrs. Booth. the housekeeper.
The lawyer said she's stubborn.
maybe she's angry. too.
But the gloves. Doyle. were mers gloves.
Deliberately left.
to make it look as if Starr had been killed by a man?
Another thing.
if the killer was avenging the death of Alicia Craine.
would there not have been two murders?
I am referring to George Milburn.
Henry Starr's business partner
and co-persecutor of Mrs. Craine.
But we should at least speak to the housekeeper.
Indeed. yes. by all means.
Even innocent.
she may be able to tell us much
that we do not yet know.
yu said you assisted the police on the Craine murder.
Did you find the killer?
Yes and no. Doyle.
yes and no.
Alicia Craine's husband. Jack.
was murdered by one Ned Ball.
This is a fair likeness of him.
Unfortunately. he was never apprehended
thanks to Blaney's incompetence.
yu see. it was the Craine case
that brought the lieutenant and myself together.
some weeks after the murder I might add.
What happened?
Jack Craine left his office
at 7:00 p.m. one evening,
and an hour later,
he was found dead in a pen
on the other side of the city.
Now, the autopsy showed,
that he'd been stabbed once,
and had died from loss of blood.
But the pen was almost free of blood.
So Craine was murdered elsewhere.
and brought to the pen?
Precisely.
But according to the report.
Lieutenant Blaney failed to note that.
Craine was struck down in the vicinity of his office.
and then transported across the city.
But in what?
And why had he been moved at all?
Might there not be something.
about the scene of the murder.
that could lead to the identity of the perpetrator.
I decided to explore the area surrounding Craine's office
and I found the answer almost immediately.
Indeed, it almost ran me down.
Craine was moved in a can't.
Well, I thought the possibility won'th looking into.
I re-interrogated every employee
of McCulloch and Sons.
and one of them remembered.
seeing a colleague scrubbing blood from his can't.
It seems that when this man was questioned.
he claimed to have been transporting animal carcasses.
But I was very far from being satisfied.
and I examined the records.
No animal carcasses
were transported on that particular day.
I asked the foreman to name the can'ter in question.
Ned Ball.
When I identified him as the murderer.
he had disappeared.
Now. you tell me. Doyle.
am I being harsh.
or should any competent policeman
have been able to follow
the trail that I followed?
I suppose.
yu suppose?
All right. he was incompetent. I agree.
But he's still there.
and you still have to keep him informed of developments.
Aye.
Would you mind if I left the informing to you?
Mrs. Blaney?
Well. no. I'm her nurse. Mrs. Troy.
I'm Dr. Doyle. I was wondering
if I might see Lieutenant Blaney?
Of course.
Please come in. Doctor.
Thank you.
That's it.
Come on. come on.
That's it.
That's my girl.
What's the meaning of this?
I thought you...
yu know she's not to be seen like this.
yu know.
I'm sorry. sir.
but I thought you'd put her to bed.
Lieutenant... - Get out.
get him out.
Get him out of here now.
Now!
Please. Doctor.
I'll show you to the study. please.
I'm sorry.
sorry. sorry. sorry.
I'm so sorry. sorry.
Lieutenant. I am sorry...
I don't like anyone seeing Isadora like that.
That said. I apologize for my outburst.
Isadora Blaney. your wife writes books on chess.
Not anymore.
Before the seizure struck.
she managed to write these three volumes.
Play the game. Doctor?
No. I'm a better student than I am a player.
May I borrow this?
I'm sorry. no.
These are the only copies we have.
That's what brought us together. chess.
We met at a tournament.
Oh.
An odd place to find a woman I thought.
But later when we began to play each other.
it didn't seem so odd.
Isadora always won.
For some strange reason
I found it impossible to concentrate
whenever she was my opponent.
Please take a seat. Doctor.
Thank you.
Would you like a drink?
No. too late I'm afraid.
It would keep me awake.
Keep you awake?
Do you know why that is. Doctor?
Because you don't drink enough of the stuff.
So where's Dr. Bell this good night?
At home.
I had an idea they'd send for Bell. you know.
with Starr's killer's still free.
with Starr being the son of an important man.
and Sam Fergusson having to be promoted to Chief Constable.
I had an idea they'd send for Bell.
He told me about the Craine case.
Did he?
Hmm.
And did he tell you he recommended my dismissal?
Yes. reluctantly he said.
Oh. yes.
What happened to. to Mrs. Blaney?
One day I went to work and she was fine.
and when I came back she was like that.
Mrs. Troy says she'd be better off in an institution.
but I could never do that.
No?
No.
I loved Isadora and she loved me.
so now it's my duty to look after her.
yu say loved.
Not love?
Well. there's nothing left of her to love now. is there. Doctor?
Did...
Did the seizure happen
before or after the Craine case?
Before.
And I will not let anyone blame
Isadora's sickness for my shortcomings.
It was my mistake. not hers.
What brings you here this late hour. Doctor?
The gloves.
What about them?
What if.
they had been left deliberately.
by a woman?
yu got a particular woman in mind?
Mrs. Margaret Booth.
Alicia Craine's housekeeper.
Is it a good book?
Hmm?
Mrs. Blaney's book.
It's a very good book.
I'm reading her analysis of Steinitz versus Labatt.
They were a series of chess matches
that took place in New Orleans.
And what do you think of her analysis?
Well it's. nothing short of remarkable.
And Mrs. Blaney herself. what's she like?
More dead than alive.
Stroke. quite massive.
He looks after her. you know.
Wort let her be. put into an institution.
I see.
She was struck down some months before the Craine murder.
And you think Blaney's failings in the Craine case
were a direct consequence of his wife's illness.
He says her illness is no excuse.
But you're not so sure.
And if you're not so sure.
it follows you think I may have judged him too harshly.
I didn't say that.
Gentlemen. I loathed Henry Starr.
for what he did to my mistress.
just as I loathed her wicked husband.
Jack Craine.
And. I'm ashamed to say.
that I rejoiced at the death of both of them.
But I have not killed anyone.
because as a Christian woman.
I believe that only the Lord
has the right to take away life.
But you can see why we would come here. Mrs. Booth?
I can imagine anyone who loved Alicia as I did.
might take revenge on Starr
and his crony. Milburn.
And you can see that before God
it is your duty to tell us of such a person?
Well I. suppose.
but only. because it is my duty before God.
Aside from that.
I'm not sure I wouldn't go down on my knees.
and thank whoever killed Craine and Starr.
Mrs. Booth. before God.
can you think of anyone.
who might want to avenge your mistress?
There was someone. I'm sure of it.
Who?
I think she found someone to love
after her husband was murdered.
Who. Mrs. Booth?
I knew Alicia Craine all her life.
One day when I came back from my sister's.
I find a gentlemars cufflink in her bedroom.
She said she'd found it in a drawer
and had put it out to be disposed of.
She said it was one of his. Jack Craine's.
But when I looked at her.
I knew that wasrt the way of it.
She couldn't lie to me.
And who's to blame her.
after what she endured with Jack Craine.
Mrs. Booth.
are we to understand
that you have no actual proof
that Alicia Craine found someone?
Not proof. no.
I have a feeling about this. Sam.
I know I'm right.
Starr ruined Alicia Craine
and was murdered for his troubles.
Murdered by whom?
yu heard Mrs. Booth.
Alicia Craine's secret love.
She found a cufflink. man.
Oh. you heard what she said.
She knew Alicia Craine all her life.
She knew her.
She knew Mrs. Craine was concealing something from her.
It is still not proof.
No. it's a bloody starting point!
Lieutenant Blaney!
Dr. Doyle. what do you have to say?
Mrs. Booth was clearly more than just a housekeeper.
to Alicia Craine.
She was a friend of many years.
so yes. it is possible.
that she would know if Alicia was being evasive with her.
Thank you.
On the other hand.
there is. Dr. Bell's point about.
Starr's business partner. George Milburn.
Now. to Alicia Craine's supposed vengeful lover.
Milburn would be every bit as culpable as Starr.
So why hasn't Milburn been killed?
Quite.
I want Milburn questioned.
I want to know if anyone
has as much as spat in his direction.
And if not. I want to know if he knows of anyone else.
who might have borne a grudge against Starr.
Thank you. Martha.
And. please. send my husband straight through
when he comes home.
I'm sure he won't be too long. gentlemen.
It's not as if our wait
will be an unpleasant one. ma'am.
These are really delicious biscuits.
Did you make them yourself?
Well. actually. Martha does that sort of thing.
Oh. of course.
My. my. what was I thinking of?
Can't anyone say why you want to see George?
Ahem. it's nothing for you to worry about. ma'am.
I expect it's about poor Henry's demise.
Have you found the killer?
George will be so pleased if you have.
They were such good friends.
Starr's killer is still on the loose. ma'am.
Oh. dear.
George will be so disappointed.
Is something wrong. Doctor?
Michelangelo. Leonardo DaVinci. Benjamin Franklin.
President Garfield. Sir Edwin Landseer.
Well?
Wort you tell them.
what these gentlemen have in common. Mrs. Milburn?
Well. it's all quite silly really.
But. like my husband.
these. gentlemen were all what's called.
ambidextrous. which means...
Yes. we know what it means. Mrs. Milburn.
My husband is forever showing off his little.
gift as he likes to call it.
Personally. I find it all so juvenile.
Have I said something?
Does your husband smoke cigars. Mrs. Milburn?
Yes. but not in the house.
Never in the house.
I won't allow it.
George. I say.
kindly smoke those disgusting things outside.
Is that so?
George Milburn.
Martha tells me.
you gentlemen are from the police.
How long had you known Henry Starr. Mr. Milburn?
Oh. four. five years though we only
became business associates three years ago.
Business. you call money lending a business?
Now. I'm not sure I.
approve of your tone. sir.
I agreed to come here to help with your inquiries.
I did not come to be. insulted.
Henry and I. provided financial assistance
for people whom the banks would never entertain.
People like Alicia Craine.
There's some say.
that you and Starr drove that woman to suicide.
She understood the terms of our loan.
Nobody was holding a pistol to her head
forcing her to take our money.
Have you received any threats against your life. Mr. Milburn?
Threats no. why?
Why should anyone threaten?
yu think Henry's death was.
related to our business.
our business with the Craine woman?
Is that what you think?
Why don't you show Mr. Milburn the gloves. Dr. Doyle?
yu recognize these gloves. Mr. Milburn?
Mr. Milburn?
No no. they um. they just.
seem like gloves to me.
They were found by Starr's body.
We know they're not his
because he did not smoke cigars.
and he was not ambidextrous.
yu smoke cigars. Mr. Milburn.
and I understand you're quite proud to be two-handed.
Oh this is. this is. this is just some sort of um.
bizarre coincidence really. that's all.
See. these aren't my gloves because I.
I. I don't wear gloves. I. I hate gloves.
May I. ask where you were.
on the night of Henry Starr's murder. Mr. Milburn?
Where. at home asleep I should think.
I retire early at 9:00 every evening.
yur wife can verify that?
Lyla.
Well. no. you see.
Lyla and I sleep in separate. apartments.
Look. gentlemen. I really must be going.
but if there is anything further I can do.
then I insist that you call on me.
because I considered Henry Starr
to be a first rate chap.
first rate.
And I want his killer caught as much as anyone.
Thank you. Mr. Milburn.
you can go.
and we note your offer of further help with gratitude.
Thank you.
And good evening. gentlemen.
Shouldrt we have pressed him further?
We cannot hold a man in custody without a charge.
He said the gloves were not his.
and that he and Starr were close friends.
Are we just to accept that?
The man is not a killer.
He's not. Sam.
He's a conceited buffoon.
who thinks being two-handed makes him a genius.
Cold blooded murder is a long way beyond him.
How can you be so certain. Lieutenant?
Because I can read people. Doctor.
I've built my career on that.
a career as a full time professional policeman.
not some dabbling dilettante.
May I remind you. sir.
that it was this dabbling dilettante
who identified Jack Craine's killer
and your incompetence that let him get away?
May I also remind you that if it had been left to you.
we would still be seeking Henry Starr's murderer
among the criminal fraternity of this city?
What was it you said?
We are looking or should be looking for a footpad.
Now. Iook here. I have...
Gentleman please!
Dr. Doyle?
I think perhaps it is too early to rule Milburn out.
I think we should be looking for more evidence against him.
For which task. Sam. I would like to borrow Sergeant Clarke.
What for?
yu have Doyle.
I wish to question people.
As you've just pointed out.
I am not a professional policeman.
I need the law's authority.
yu can have Clarke.
Sam. if you have personnel to spare.
you should set them to guarding George Milburn
for I have great fears for his life.
Sergeant Clarke will go with
Dr. Bell and Dr. Doyle. Lieutenant.
Since you are to have Clarke.
do you suppose I might be spared tomorrow?
Why. we have a definite line of inquiry to follow.
Well. I thought I might visit my father.
Oh. yes. of course.
Well. I don't suppose
there are more than four gentlemers outfitters
in Edinburgh that a man like Milburn would patronize
so Sergeant Clarke and I will be able to manage.
Be brave.
No. I've uh. uh.
I've just remembered something I.
have to be elsewhere.
Walk on.
Alexander Cameron.
See that gentleman over there.
Alexander Cameron?
That's me.
Alexander McDonald Cameron.
if you'd like my full title. Mister...
Doyle. Dr... Arthur Conan Doyle.
I've come about his book by. Isadora Blaney.
yu wrote the forward to it.
I had that great honor.
Well. I've been trying to.
get hold of Mrs. Blaney's other works
without much success.
Lieutenant Blaney was understandably reluctant
to lend me his copies as they're all his has.
yu know Daniel Blaney?
Yes. I'm currently helping him with an investigation.
Let's hope it's a case of first time lucky. Dr. Bell.
Yes.
Can I help. sir?
If you have a customer named George Milburn.
you most certainly can help me.
I'm sure sir will appreciate that who is.
and who is not a customer here.
is a matter of the strictest confidence.
Indeed. which is why I've brought my very own policeman.
We do have an account customer called George Milburn.
An account customer?
Better and better.
May we see his account.
Mrs. Blaney. her book contains
many insights into the Steinitz-Labatt matches.
But. I just don't see how...
How Isadora could write so lucidly about chess matches
that were played after she was stricken by her illness?
Yes.
I can see you are keen student of the game. sir.
Well. the plain truth is.
Isadora did not finish the book.
Her husband did.
but he generously refused joint authorship.
It was Isadora's book he said.
She had started it.
so it was hers and hers alone.
I tell you. Doctor.
the good Lord threw away the mold.
when he was done making Daniel Blaney.
Would sir care to purchase the deer stalker?
I cannot imagine
in what circumstances I would where it.
On the other hand.
I think I know someone who might like it.
Doctor?
Hmm?
yu were right.
yu lied to us. Mr. Milburn.
yu told us you never wore gloves
yet we find you purchased a pair from Cross Brothers.
a pair moreover identical to these.
And that's all you can say.
I bought gloves similar to those.
yu cannot prove
that those gloves are the ones I purchased.
Oh. please. Mr. Milburn. calm down.
Where are your gloves. Mr. Milburn?
Where?
Lost. months ago.
Lost. how?
In the. in the park near my home.
I often go there I.
I enjoy it there.
As I recall.
I put the gloves in my coat pocket.
and as the day was mild. I carried my coat.
the gloves.
must have fallen from the pocket.
but when I retraced my steps I couldn't find them.
I swear I'm telling you the truth.
I. I. I. told a stupid lie.
I knew it was stupid the moment I told it.
Did you mention losing the gloves to anyone?
I don't know.
Lyla possibly. possibly not.
What's a pair of gloves?
yu lose a pair. you buy another pair.
Sergeant Clarke? - Yes. sir.
Take Mr. Milburn downstairs
and get him a cup of tea.
He looks as though he could do with it.
This way. Mr. Milburn.
Thank you.
Now. gentlemen.
before we ponder this latest development.
may I ask that we keep a civil tongue in our heads?
Lieutenant?
I do not believe that man is a killer.
He lied to us.
He panicked.
which rather backs up my point.
People like that don't go around killing people.
That is an opinion.
but it takes no account of the proven facts.
The man is ambidextrous.
He purchased the self same gloves from Cross Brothers.
and he smokes cigars.
Are we to ignore all that?
I didn't say they werert his gloves.
I said that I didn't believe he was the killer.
What if they were left deliberately.
to cast suspicion on Milburn?
Ach. by whom?
Alicia Craine's secret gentleman friend.
Why not?
It's been. what. six months since Mrs. Craine's death.
Six months. for him to. stalk his victims.
six months to get to know their habits.
perhaps even to get to know the fact
that Milburn is two-handed.
So he steals the gloves. and drops them.
besides Starr's body after he kills him.
At best. the law will hang Milburn for him.
At worst. he has us chasing an innocent man.
Meanwhile. he quietly
contemplates his next move.
yu talk as if you know this man exists.
Dr. Doyle. your turn.
Well. Dr. Bell has a suspect but no motive.
as Lieutenant Blaney has a motive but no suspect.
Exactly. he has a phantom.
However...
However.
the more I see of Milburn.
the more inclined I am to agree with.
Lieutenant Blaney.
that the man is not a killer.
And if that is the case.
then Lieutenant Blaney's phantom
becomes. somewhat more substantial.
Well said. Dr. Doyle.
Right.
I'll send Milburn home again.
We have to set a guard to him. Sam.
No.
No because unlike Dr. Doyle.
I am inclined to agree with Joe.
Milburn remains far and away our strongest suspect.
But without a motive.
we cannot convict him.
Then. we will find one.
Doyle.
Have you taken leave of your senses?
yu asked me here to give an honest opinion.
and my opinion is that Milburn is an unlikely killer.
Oh. and what brings you to this conclusion?
What. beyond the famous instincts
of Lieutenant Blaney that is?
I appreciate you may find that difficult to accept.
but. I truly believe he's a remarkable man.
I see.
Well. I will tell you what I believe.
I believe that you stand in awe
of Blaney's compassion for his unfortunate wife.
I believe that. that compassion must seem quite monumental
to a man who's been obliged
to confine his father in an asylum.
I believe that erroneously
you are letting Blaney's compassion
inflame your own sense of guilt.
and I say erroneously because the truth.
the truth that you have to be brave enough to confront.
the truth is that your poor father.
is in the only place he can ever be.
Only clear and concrete evidence
will lead us to this murderer.
and you have none
to support your belief...
She's down for the night.
Can I get you a drink. Doctor?
Or is it too late?
I'll have one.
Do you still play?
No. that board is the way Isadora and I left it
when we last played.
That was when I last played.
Isadora was white and as you can see.
she was about to beat me soundly.
I imagine he's not best pleased with you. is he?
Bell.
No. he's not.
Well. you're certainly your own man. I can see that.
What I can't see is how you can stand the fellow.
Cause he's a good man.
but like many good men.
he feels the need to mask his virtues.
I spoke again to Mrs. Booth.
was there anyone that knew anything about Alicia's man friend.
She suggested I see some people at the family mill.
people Mrs. Craine might have confided in.
people she'd known and worked with all her life.
She gave you names?
She did.
Right.
Let's bring them in. Sergeant.
Sir.
The first one has worked for the family. man and boy.
Mr. Strong.
Good day. I'm Dr. Bell.
Sir John is expecting me.
May I ask what you hope to find. Doctor?
If your son died at the hands of someone he knew.
which is a possibility.
there may be something here
which points to that person.
My sors bedroom.
I'm afraid that neither Jenny.
nor I have been able to enter Henry's apartment since his death.
Hence the unfortunate appearance of neglect.
Sir John. if you would rather leave me here on my own.
I. I would prefer to.
That door leads to Henry's study.
As you will see.
it too. oh is a.
well...
Of course.
Mr. Jeffries.
Mrs. Kitson. sir.
Mrs. Craine's secretary.
Please. sit down. Mrs. Kitson.
Mrs. Kitson. we appreciate that as Mrs. Craine's secretary.
she was able to. rely on your discretion in all things.
Indeed.
Well I'm. no gossip in my private life.
so discretion came easy at work.
Of course.
But we desperately need information.
Mrs. Kitson...
Did Mrs. Craine have a man in her life. is that it?
What?
The others said that's what you wanted to know.
Oh.
Well. Mrs. Craine's gone now.
thanks to Henry Starr.
so I suppose I'm free to speak.
So. yes. I think there was a man.
And if he killed Starr.
I cannot in all honesty
hope for your success. sir.
And I hope to God she was happy with him.
after what her husband put her through.
Mrs. Kitson. please.
All I know.
is she had her picture taken.
and was sending it to him.
as a postcard.
On the back she wrote.
to my precious love.
from Alicia.
I saw it lying on her desk.
She caught me looking over it.
but we both pretended.
nothing had happened.
Mrs. Kitson. was there a name.
an address?
I've told you all I know.
Well. at least we know now he does exist.
It's so bloody frustrating.
Even if you had a description. anything.
Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Kitson
were both Alicia's close friends.
fiercely loyal and with no sympathy for Starr.
I just worry they're not telling us everything they know.
I know what you mean.
Dr. Bell?
I am he.
Frank D'arcy. Frank.
I am the manager of the Queers Lodge.
yu asked to see me?
Indeed I did. Mr. D'arcy.
I have here a letter
which you sent to Mr. Henry Starr.
Ah. yes.
yu say in your communication
that he is no longer welcome.
because of the recent unpleasantness.
May one ask what the recent unpleasantness was?
yu may ask. but I can't answer.
yu are aware that Henry Starr was murdered?
Yes. a common thief the press said.
Oh. you must never put your trust.
in the veracity of the newspapers. Mr. D'arcy.
Now. as I am assisting this investigation.
I have the authority
to summon the police here in full force
and leave them to interrogate you.
But that might be rather intrusive. don't you agree?
Yes. yes. of course.
Well. what happened was.
Mr. Starr was a regular guest at the Queers Lodge.
and. he invariably came with a lady.
a married lady as it turned out.
yu see. I know that. Dr. Bell.
because her husband turned up at the hotel
and caught them in.
flagrante delicto as they say in. wherever.
And the name of this lady and gentleman.
Well. you must understand. Dr. Bell.
at the time there was great shouting and tumult.
And consequently. all that was caught
were their Christian names.
Mr. Orde. we need you to think very hard.
We know Alicia Craine was seeing a man.
but we need to know something.
anything to help us establish his identity.
I'm sorry. Alicia and I never discussed that kind of thing.
Please. Mr. Orde.
you're our last hope.
There was. one incident that made me wonder.
It occurred one morning.
when Alicia had been to see me.
When she left. I watched her walk back to her carriage.
and I remember that as she left.
she stopped and waved back to me.
When she reached the carriage.
there was someone waiting for her.
a man. very definitely a man.
He. helped her inside.
and the carriage moved off.
But is there anything.
that you saw. that could help us identify this man?
No. I'm sorry.
Ah. Doyle. what excellent timing.
It was George Milburn. Daniel.
Henry Starr was having an affair. with Lyla Milburn.
George Milburn found out.
and tracked them to a dubious country hotel.
And I think. that.
is a motive for murder. don't you. Lieutenant?
That can't be. you're wrong.
Let's go and get him. Daniel.
Let's go get our man.
Gentlemen. what is going on?
They've come for Mr. Milburn. ma'am.
George is taking his evening walk.
Which way?
Towards the park.
Come on.
Oh. don't. no. agh.
Oh. God.
Come on.
Are you all right?
Tripped. bloody tripped.
Damn you.
Excuse me now.
Are you all right?
All right?
After what I have done here?
yu've done nothing.
A bloody murderer all that was done. not you.
But could that bloody murderer have struck.
if Milburn had been protected?
They've taken him away. sir.
Lieutenant. you were right.
Yes.
Lieutenant.
it's maybe of no consequence. sir. but uh.
Mrs. Milburn remembers something.
It was. some months ago now.
George and I were walking in the park.
He stopped to join a game of cricket with some boys.
He wanted to show off. you see?
Show how he could bowl with both hands.
As I was watching.
I noticed a man.
standing on the verandah
of the changing pavilion.
I can't be sure.
but I think he was watching us.
I don't know.
Could you identify this man?
No.
He was standing in the shadows.
Didrt you say anything to your husband?
No.
It seemed so silly.
But even after Henry Starr's death.
why didn't you say something then?
I thought I knew.
who Henry's killer was.
I thought it was my husband.
for what Henry and I did to him.
I thought it was my husband.
not some man watching from the shadows.
We're never going to get him. are we. sir?
I'll get him.
yu say he crossed here on the diagonal and turned right?
Yes.
But why?
If he stayed on this side and turned left.
he'd have been out of sight a lot quicker. wouldn't he?
I suppose so.
No. no. no. no.
He crossed here for a reason.
Come on.
St. Johrs Club for Gentlemen.
And always with carriages waiting outside.
That's why he came this way.
There must be dozens of carriages.
How are we ever going to find the right one. sir?
We'll advertise.
We'll pay for information.
Come on.
That's it.
The rairs easing up now.
According to Dr. Doyle.
Dr. Bell's been quite devastated by recent events.
so I don't think he's going to be quite so quick
to condemn others in the future.
Or call for their dismissal.
Summer's coming.
Are you ill or something?
No. I'm not ill.
As a matter of fact. I've been.
waiting here for some boys
who play cricket in the park.
As you can see.
we play cricket.
Indeed.
Once. these boys were joined.
by a man who could bowl. with either hand.
And bat and catch.
It was you? - Yes.
This mars wife said she saw someone here on the. verandah.
Did any of you see that man?
We leave our clothes here.
At first. I thought he was a pickpocket.
but he wasrt.
He was just watching the game.
Did you speak to the man?
Yes.
Could you...
Could you describe the man?
Of course.
I could even tell you his name and his occupation.
Excuse me. sir.
Lieutenant Blaney. this is Mr. Runsonman.
He's a cabby.
Now. he remembers picking up a man
outside the St. Johrs Club for Gentlemen
on the night in question.
Mr. Runsonman says the man was quite breathless. sir.
as if he'd been running hard.
Hmm.
Pity we didn't get an address.
Well. if he lives around here.
we'll spot him sooner or later.
Michael. go home. get some rest.
yu come back and relieve me about 10:00. go on.
Sir.
Doyle. what brings you here?
I need your help.
to make sense of something.
And you've come to me for advice?
Are you sure you're asking the right person?
Yes. I am.
What is it. Doyle?
When. I took Henry Starr's clothes.
back to his father he asked me.
why the police had kept them for so long.
I could give him no good reason
although I told myself
it was probably another manifestation of Blaney's incompetence.
That's what I would have told myself.
Because Blaney was the drunken fool.
who'd let Jack Craine's killer get away.
Yes.
Do you remember asking me about Mrs. Blaney's book on chess?
I do.
About the Steinitz versus Labatt match in New Orleans.
Yes. you said her analysis of the match was remarkable.
Remarkable in its insight into the game and.
remarkable.
because she would have to have written it after her seizure.
Which would have been patently impossible.
yu mean?
Blaney wrote about the chess match.
The drunken fool
who'd missed such obvious clues in the Craine case.
He afterwards sat down and wrote incisively
about the greatest chess player in the world.
Drunken fools simply cannot do that sort of thing.
Doyle... - Wait. wait.
I felt that something wasrt right and.
that if I got close to Blaney.
if I won his confidence.
I could find out what that something was.
And that's why you sided with him?
Yes.
I've been a fool
in more ways than one.
How stupid of me not to see.
Forgive me. Doyle.
No it's. I who should apologize.
But I took the view that if you and I colluded in any way.
Blaney. with his famous instinct.
would have been alive to it
so I. kept my intentions to myself.
And uh. has gaining his confidence
enabled you to establish what it is that is wrong?
No.
But more than ever I'm convinced that something.
something is amiss.
When. Mrs. Milburn told us about seeing someone watching
her and her husband in the park.
it occurred to me that the cricketers
might have seen the watcher also.
Now. given that I no longer saw Blaney
as a bumbling dipsomaniac.
it struck me as odd.
that he. too. did not consider that possibility.
So I went to the park myself.
And you found the cricketers? - Yes.
And had they seen the watcher?
One boy had spoken to the man.
The murderer.
yu have a description of the murderer.
Not only did the boy remember the man.
he'd recently seen a picture of him in the newspaper.
It was Blaney.
Blaney.
What on earth was he doing watching Milburn?
Consider the facts. Doyle.
In which direction are they pushing you?
In a direction that is too. too incredible.
I just want to hear this incredible thesis.
We know now that Blaney's not a fool.
In fact. he's quite the opposite.
He believed that if he failed to catch Starr's killer.
you would be sent for.
He anticipated that.
He told me so himself.
So. he deliberately doesn't catch the killer.
and you are sent for.
which is what he wants because now he can humiliate you.
Which is precisely what he has done. and then?
He watched Starr and Milburn and he laid his plans.
Starr was to be killed first
and the gloves left to point us in the direction of Milburn.
That's why he kept Starr's clothes for so long.
Yes. because he knew I would examine them.
He knew I would find out about those gloves.
He ostentatiously refuses. to accept the facts.
refuses to believe that Milburn is a killer.
He even demands protection for Milburn
but knows that Sam Fergusson will listen to you
and refuse that protection
because the facts are on your side.
But then Milburn is killed.
and Blaney's vindicated.
and you. you're discredited.
Worse.
It appears you've indirectly contributed to Milburrs death.
He's not only vindicated.
He's provided with a watertight alibi
because he was with us.
So where does it all fall down. Doyle?
I simply cannot accept that Blaney.
would have some accomplice kill two men.
just to discredit you.
I agree.
So. let us consider the facts.
May they not yield
a better motive for murder?
We know.
that Henry Starr and George Milburn
drove Alicia Craine to her death.
We know that both men were subsequently murdered.
And we now know.
that Alicia Craine
did have a secret lover.
But it was Blaney who was watching Milburn.
not Alicia's lover.
Was it not. Doyle?
Was it not her lover?
My God.
No. but why would Blaney work tirelessly
to prove there was a lover
if he was the man in question?
Why don't you and I ask him?
Where's Blaney?
We've found the killer.
Lieutenant Blaney's there now.
Get in.
But I've got to... - Take us to him.
We've got a good description of the killer.
and we know the area he lives in.
We seem to be wrong.
Do we. Doyle?
yu asked why Blaney strove to prove there was a lover.
Perhaps it was because he wanted to present him to us.
and complete his triumph over me.
But how can he do that?
What are you talking about?
He should be here.
Well. he's not.
So let's try and find him.
Hello. Mr. Blaney.
Come with my money. have you?
What's this?
Lieutenant.
Its just a cut.
Perhaps I should take a look at that.
No. my friend.
what you should look at is that.
There's your killer. Doctor. Mr. Ned Ball.
Ned Ball?
That's right.
He murdered Jack Craine so he could get Alicia.
and then did for Starr and Milburn when they took Alicia from him.
Ned Ball was Alicia Craine's secret love?
If you want proof.
I found this on the mantle.
It's Alicia.
Probably the picture that Mrs. Kitson told us about.
It is indeed.
May I. Doyle?
Would you care to show us
where the picture frame stood. Lieutenant?
There should be a mark.
Mark?
Like these other ornaments.
There should be a clear mark in the dust.
I cannot find it.
What are you saying?
These gentlemen.
have made some serious allegations against you. sir.
What allegations?
That you had Ned Ball
murder Henry Starr and George Milburn.
And why would I do that?
Because you blamed them for the death of Alicia Craine.
And because you were Alicia's lover.
I spoke to the cricketers. Lieutenant.
yu were identified.
yu know. it occurs to me.
the lady would have sent you other tokens of her love.
letters perhaps.
letters that we could find.
if we searched your house for them.
yu should go and organize that search. Sergeant Clarke.
Now?
Now. Sergeant.
I'll uh...
I'll go and speak to Fergusson.
Get back here. Sergeant.
God's sake. man. you can't kill us all.
It would seem you have me. Doctor.
It would seem so. Lieutenant.
Yet there is still so much.
I would like to understand.
Alicia Craine.
I met Alicia.
when I investigated her husband's murder.
I quickly discovered the life of torment he'd given her.
and I also found myself attracted to her.
I blazed the trail to Ned Ball
long before you did. Doctor.
But old Ned also had a tale to tell.
about how Alicia had paid him.
to rid her of her husband.
We all know what that meant. don't we?
If I put a rope around Ned's neck.
I put one around Alicia's also.
So I let Ned go.
I see.
Alicia loved me in return.
and for a while we gave each other the happiness
that had gone out of both our lives.
I must apologize for impugning your reputation.
I'm sorry. Lieutenant. I was mistaken.
yu amongst others. Doctor.
But I accept your apology.
I was still officially a married man.
so Alicia insisted on secrecy.
But there were times when your secret was glimpsed by others.
Mrs. Kitson.
with the photograph.
Mrs. Booth and my damned cufflink.
And Jeremy Orde.
We used to laugh at our narrow escapes.
as Alicia used to call them.
But in the end. I was able to put them to good use.
I was able to create my phantom lover.
Old Ned would turn up dead.
and holding Alicia's photograph.
Alicia would be revenged.
and Dr. Bell would finally be checkmated.
As for Starr and Milburn.
those two were dead from the minute Alicia fell to her death.
I trailed them both for months.
I even found out about Starr and Mrs. Milburn
and tipped Milburn off with an anonymous note.
Good Lord. I was even at the hotel.
when they had their to do.
What wonderful stuff. gentlemen.
Wonderful stuff.
Sir.
Wait Sergeant. not yet.
As for old Ned there.
he's filled many a grave himself
and so can have no complaints.
But I have injured my darling Isadora.
not by loving Alicia
because Isadora could never know about that.
No.
I've hurt Isadora by getting caught.
because without me to look after her.
they'll put her away
in some cruel bedlam.
some cruel bedlam.
For doing that to Isadora.
I don't deserve a minute more of life.
No.
No!
(Screaming)
Sergeant.
(Screaming)
Sergeant.
(Screaming)
I'm glad you came today.
Why should I not have come?
What is at the core of our faith.
if not the injunction to forgive?
Yes.
But for you. Doyle.
I might have gone to my grave
believing that I.
could have prevented George Milburrs death.
So thank you.
Well. for the best I think.
He's had a proper funeral.
The line of duty after all.
It would be necessary to monitor the institution
to which she is committed.
and ensure that she is properly cared for.
Well. there's no need.
She won't be going to an institution.
What?
Sir John Starr mentioned a generous reward
for whoever found his sors killer.
I suggested the money might be better spent on.
taking care of Isadora.
He agreed.
money having lost much of its allure.
for Sir John recently.
That's grand.
And now. two poor souls are in your debt.
Yes.
Now. back to your room.
Arert I the great hero?
Ah. the brothers Doyle.
Welcome. Innes. it's grand to see you again.
We're off to the railway station in a handsome cab.
So you're here to say good-bye to your old friend.
As a matter of fact.
I'm very glad you came for I have a wee present for you.
It's over there on the desk.
My final observations
on the murder of Jack Craine.
Better late than never. eh?
Yes.
Bon voyage. Doyle.
Thank you.
Perhaps when we meet again
it will be under more auspicious circumstances.
That would be most welcome.
for we two. to be drawn together.
by simple friendship and cordiality.
And now. you must return home.
and you must.
drive all memory of these events from your mind.
Drive them from your mind.
and return to the humdrum
just as soon as you can.
Is that what you do.
drive them from your mind?
Aye. well. I try to.
yu know. it had occurred to me
that I might. write about it.
in some altered form. of course.
Well. if it helps to exorcise the ghosts.
But. Doyle.
you mustrt let this scribbling.
displace your medical career.
That would never do.
No.
No. that would never do.
Till we meet again. my friend.
Till we meet again.
Arthur. Iook.
Suits you.
Drive all memory of these events from yur mind,
drive them from yur mind.
How hard I tried to obey that injunction.
How hard I tried to live a normal life.
Yet those thoughts would always return.
I thought of all the strange adventures
the doctor and I had been through,
of the worlds they had revealed,
worlds of murder that lay below the surface
of our supposedly calm and ordered society.
Could I ever capture them,
perhaps in a series of tales
never to be recognized
as the cases on which they were based?
For the moment, I failed.
But, my recollections of the doctor remained so vivid.
I would see again that steely gaze,
imagine him calling my name,
summoning me back
to his rooms of murder.
What I could not yet know,
was that some of the most horrifying rooms,
were still to be revealed.