[ Cheering, marching music playing]
[Horse whinnies]
I'm sorry, sir. I couldn't help it.
He ran straight under the horse.
The horse went up, come down right on top of him.
I couldn't help myself.
Why were you running away?
Get up.
Give us a hand here.
All right, now, come on.
What the hell?
God save us, I think he's dead.
All right, all right, all right.
Here, son. You, yeah.
- Know Middlesex Hospital? -Yeah.
Run around there, fetch me a doctor, and tell him to hurry.
It's urgent. Now, go on.
[ Spectators murmuring ]
Can I help? Good morning, Badger.
Good morning, sir. Dr. Jarvis, isn't it?
That's right. What's the problem?
Oh, thank God, Doctor.
Would you examine this person, sir?
I think he's dead.
Can I be of any help?
I don't wish to be rude, sir,
but I would rather Dr. Jarvis examine him.
It is rather important.
My dear Inspector, I taught Dr. Jarvis everything he knows.
My name is John Thorn dyke. lam a doctor of medicine.
I'm also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons,
a professor at the London Hospital,
emeritus professor at St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
member of the council
and sometime examiner at the Royal College of Surgeons.
Now, if you'd kindly keep back
and allow me to conclude my examination.
Please try to keep the crowd away.
Sir. Constable?
Sir.
Shut those doors, will you?
Right, and back you go now, please.
[ Spectators murmuring ]
Come along. Let's go.
Heart attack?
More likely internal hemorrhage, I expect.
He's as dead as Nebuchadnezzar.
I think you can safely take my word for that.
- Who is he? -I don't know, sir.
I saw him in the crowd, thought he looked suspicious.
Well, perhaps you might look through his pockets, hmm?
- Hello. What's that? -No, don't touch that, sir.
THORN DYKE: Why not? Don't worry. I shall be extremely careful
if you think it might be used as evidence.
BADGER: Oh, no, sir, it's not that. Stand away.
THORN DYKE: Stand away?
I have every reason to believe
that that parcel contains a bomb.
In Edwardian times there lived many detectives --
the rivals of Sherlock Homes.
- That it's a bomb, sir? -THORN DYKE: Yes.
BADGER: Well, I'm not absolutely certain, sir.
Here, Constable, get some help.
Get this chap taken to Marylebone Mortuary.
There's an ambulance up the street.
Well, you see, sir, with today being a special day,
the visit of the Russian Grand Duke --
Look, be careful with that, sir.
Inspector, I assure you I am being extremely careful.
What made you suspect that this poor fellow was up to something?
Well, I was explaining, if you will allow me, sir?
We've had special instructions today
to watch out for anarchists because of the visit.
Well, I saw this fellow in the crowd carrying that thing there.
I made towards him, but, well, he made off.
You thought he might be going to throw it at the carriage, eh?
That's right, sir.
Anyway, I gave chase, and all the time,
he kept looking over his shoulder at me,
obviously terrified.
Which confirmed your view that he might be up to something.
Correct, sir.
Well, suddenly, he burst through the crowd
on the other side of the road and ran across.
But on the way, he went straight in front of the constable here
on his horse.
Well, the horse shied, went up in the air,
kicked this lad, and, well, he's dead.
Hmm.
Well, let us examine this thing more carefully, shall we?
From my observation so far,
I see it is a loosely wrapped parcel.
Now, if it does contain a bomb, it does not explode on impact.
Otherwise, it would have exploded when it fell.
Nor is there a cord or a pull of any sort
which might activate a fuse.
It is, however, rather fragile.
There is a -- a dent here in the side, where it fell.
There's always a -- [ Sniffs ] --
gooey liquid which smells of oil or fat.
Now, let us remove the outer layer.
I really do think you should let the inspector do that.
Oh, very well.
If you both insist on treating me like a child, catch.
By God, sir, I don't think much of your friend's sense of humor.
We might all have been killed.
Jarvis, doctors do not cavort upon the ground.
And you, sir, please treat me as if I had some intelligence.
Do you mind, Inspector?
When I removed the outer layer, the smell became evident,
and I realized, gentlemen --
a pork pie.
Inspector, would you be kind enough?
Thank you.
Now, Jarvis, would you please hand me a scalpel from your bag?
We shall examine this more closely
and see whether this pie contains anything more lethal
than sausage meat.
Well, if this is really just a pie, sir,
then what on earth was he running away for?
That, Inspector, is a very good question.
I'm quite certain that he had something to hide.
But the question is "What?"
[ sniffs 1
Mmm, this pie does smell delicious.
What a pity it's been all over the floor.
And don't you think, Inspector,
that whilst the gourmet in Dr. Thorn dyke is preeminent,
you might perhaps search the body
for some clue to his identity?
Yes, sir, I quite agree.
Perhaps, gentlemen, you would be kind enough to accompany me.
Hmm.
Thank you, Jarvis.
Do be methodical, man.
Lay the contents from each pocket into separate piles,
then afterwards, if you want to,
you'll know which pocket they came from.
Well, there's nothing here
that immediately tells us who he is, sir.
Let's see what he's got in his inside pockets.
I must say he doesn't look like a foreigner.
Foreigner?
Anarchists, sir, foreigners.
London's full of them these days.
There's nothing here.
Now, what's this?
Here's a letter. This might be him.
Adolph Schonberg, 213 Greek Street, Soho.
Ah, so, he was a foreigner, after all.
- May I see that, Inspector? -BADGER: Yes, sir.
Hmm. Sealed, but not stamped.
If it's his, why hasn't he opened it?
Hmm, perhaps he left home in a hurry,
just after it arrived, sir.
But in that case, it would have a stamp on it or a postage due.
I sometimes have hopes for you, Jarvis.
[ Chuckles ]
Also, as the inspector says, he doesn't look foreign.
No, I think it's more likely
he was about to deliver this to Mr. Schonberg.
Is there nothing else there to identify him?
BADGER: No, nothing, sir.
Shall we open it?
Oh, I'm afraid we don't have that right, sir,
at least not at the moment.
No, I'm afraid the inspector's right.
This may well legally belong to someone else.
Yes, I suppose I could send somebody around to Soho.
Why don't you deliver it yourself?
It's not very far, and the procession's over.
In fact, we may go with you. What do you say, Jarvis?
Yes, Inspector, we shall assist you.
Does Adolph Schonberg live here?
Schonberg?
No Schonberg, no.
Ah, Schonberg! Yes, I know.
He lives on the third floor.
I see him a short while ago go upstairs.
The third floor, back.
Thank you. Let us go up.
Thank you.
Well?
Mr. Adolph Schonberg?
Well? What about him?
I wish to have a few words with him.
Then what in the deuce you come banging on my door for?
- Doesn't he live here? -No. First floor, front.
Pardon me, but what does this Mr. Schonberg look like?
Look like?
He's a blooming Polish sheeny
with a carroty beard and gold gig-lamps.
Damn.
- Yeah, that's the fellow -- -Precisely.
Inspector.
Mr. James, what are you doing here?
Here, look, have you seen a bloke with a red beard
round about?
Yes. Yes, a couple of minutes ago.
Seemed in a hell of a hurry, damn nearly knocked me down.
Went off like a lamp lighter.
- You won't catch him now. -Blast it.
Oh, Dr. Thorn dyke, this is Mr. James of the Chronicle.
Don't say a word to him unless you want it printed.
He's no respecter of persons.
[ Chuckles ]
I heard you were mixed up in some death
up in Oxford Street, Inspector.
The mortuary attendant told me you were here.
What's it all about?
Well, nothing I would tell you.
Now, that was Schonberg beyond a doubt,
in which case, I consider myself justified in opening the letter.
What in creation is this?
It isn't shorthand. Well, what the deuce is it?
What do you make of it, Doctor?
Ah.
Not very much, I'm afraid.
I take it to be a form of Hebrew.
Yes, well, Hebrew isn't like that, sir.
That's just a jumble.
But this is a very old form
known, if my memory serves me, as Moabite.
Moabite?
Yes, an ancient language.
You had much better take it to the British Museum
and submit it to the keeper of the Phoenician antiquities
for translation.
We will see what we can make of it ourselves first, sir.
But thanks for your advice all the same, Doctor.
Now, Mr. James, I can't give you any information for the present.
You'd best apply to the morgue.
Will you excuse me?
Thank you for your help, gentlemen.
- Good day to you. -Good day.
- After you. -Okay.
Dr. Thorn dyke?
Yeah?
Might I have your views?
Well, I'm afraid I have very little to add.
But the letter.
You seem to know more about that than the inspector.
Did I not understand you to say that the writing was strange?
No, not so much the writing.
It was more a cipher, really.
The paper itself was common cream-laid notepaper,
such as is normally used,
and the ink itself was ordinary Chinese writing ink,
such as is used by draftsmen.
Those are the facts.
And until I have further sight of the letter,
I'm afraid they don't get us very far.
Now, if you'll excuse me, Jarvis,
I do feel that if you're quite ready,
we should return to the laboratory.
Mr. Jarvis... have you anything to add?
"Dr. Jarvis."
No, I'm not even sure I understand what the facts are.
Good afternoon, John.
Oh, hello, there, Jarvis.
You've finished your lecture, then?
Yes.
I say, when does cook return from visiting her brothers?
I'm getting very bored with our eating out every day.
I'm afraid Mrs. Hobbs won't be back until Saturday.
That's another three days.
One of my pupils tells me
that we're in the papers this morning.
Hmm?
Oh, yes, yes, yes, in the Chronicle.
It's over there on the table.
The column is marked "Death of Anarchist."
It's a little low down there. I've marked it.
It's by that reporter chappie.
Oh, yes.
"During yesterday's procession
in honor of the Russian Grand Duke...
dead anarchist...
found on his person, written in a private shorthand or --"
- I say. Listen to this. -Hmm?
"In this intricate and important case, the police have wisely --"
Mark that -- "wisely secured the assistance
of Dr. John Thorn dyke,
to whose acute intellect and vast experience
the portentous cryptogram
will doubtless soon deliver up its secret."
Hmm. Well, that's very gratifying,
if a little exaggerated.
[ Doorbell rings]
You're not expecting anyone, are you?
No.
Well, whoever it is, I hope he doesn't require tea.
- JARVIS: Good afternoon. -MILLER: Good afternoon.
May I have a word with Professor Thorn dyke?
JARVIS: Yes, do come this way. Superintendent Miller, isn't it?
MILLER: That's right.
Good afternoon, sir.
Superintendent Miller, Scotland Yard.
You'll forgive the intrusion,
but it's about this business of the cipher.
I wonder if I might ask your advice.
Superintendent, how nice to see you.
I once gave evidence in a case you handled very expertly.
Vanderbilt, remember?
Sit down, please.
Wasn't sure you'd remember, sir.
Well, it's about a certain death yesterday
and a letter that seems to be relevant.
The thought is that the anarchists
are in some way involved.
And in view of the present political situation,
plus the visit of the Grand Duke,
we are taking the case most seriously.
Oh, I'm in charge of a special section
dealing with political matters.
Oh. And how can I be of help?
Well, I'd like you to have another look at the letter, sir.
I understand the cipher was familiar to you.
Only very vaguely, but I may be able to throw some light on it.
Do you have it?
No, sir. That is a photograph of it.
We couldn't make head nor tail of it at the Yard,
so Inspector Badger took it along to the British Museum.
Oh.
You see, sir, we are capable
of taking other people's suggestions.
[ Chuckles ]
Well, they referred us to a Professor Popplebaum,
and he still has the original.
Oh, he's a great man.
He's the world's greatest living paleographer.
I should have thought of him myself.
Did he express any opinion?
[ Sighs ] Well, provisionally, yes.
After a brief examination --
It was, after all, quite late last evening
when we went to him --
he found it translates into a number of Hebrew words,
and this is a hectograph copy of his finding.
- JARVIS: May I see that? -Yes, certainly.
No, better still, why not put this under the epidiascope,
draw the blinds, and then we can have a look at them together
and discuss them?
MILLER: Oh, I see, sir,
that James has made quite a lot of this
in the Chronicle this morning.
Reporters are a nuisance.
THORN DYKE: Oh, I don't Know, Superintendent.
He seemed to think
that you'd be round to consult me,
and that wasn't far from the mark.
About that, sir -- I would be grateful
if you'd treat this conversation as unofficial.
I'm not yet in a position to come to you, formally.
THORN DYKE: Pity.
If whoever is behind this is an anarchist,
it would be awkward if it should induce him
to leave a few trifling mementos in the form of nitro compounds
on our staircase or in the cellars.
Beg pardon, sir?
A bomb, Superintendent, a real one.
Oh.
Well, I can tell you,
this business has got the Yard in a mighty ferment.
This country's whole relationship with Russia
could be in jeopardy.
Mm.
Well, let's see the letter first.
MILLER: Do you think it's some sort of code?
THORN DYKE: Oh, probably.
There'd be no need otherwise to use the form known as Moabite.
From the few words that I know,
I expect that when we see
Professor Popplebaum's translation,
it'll prove to be a mere farrago of unintelligible nonsense.
But we shall see.
Change, please, Jarvis.
JARVIS "Lies, city, woe."
Well, this isn't very promising.
THORN DYKE: Hmm. What's the professor's theory?
Well, his theory, provisionally, of course,
is that the words need to be rearranged
before they make sense.
Surely that would be a very transparent device.
Oh, there's a certain childlike simplicity about it
that is very, very attractive, but unlikely.
No, whoever did this would, I'm sure, have made it more complex.
Is that all you're able to tell me, sir?
For the moment, yes,
perhaps until you're able to come to me officially.
In the meantime, I have a theory of my own
which I shall test if the occasion arises.
- May I keep these copies? -Oh, certainly.
And please, sir,
give this matter your most urgent attention.
If, as I believe, the anarchists are at the back of this,
it is imperative that we decipher this code
as quickly as possible.
You can reach me at all times.
- Goodbye, Professor. -Goodbye, Superintendent.
Dr. Jarvis.
I'll see you to the door, Superintendent.
Oh, thank you, sir.
[Knock on door]
Oh, I am most sorry.
MILLER: No, not at all. I was just going.
May I come in?
I beg your pardon? Have you an appointment?
BARTON: No, I'm afraid not,
but I would be most grateful if you could receive me,
as I have very urgent business, which I would like --
Dr. Thorn dyke.
Yes?
My name is Barton, Alfred Barton.
- You must be Dr. Jarvis. -Yes.
I'm so glad to find you both together here at home,
as I have somewhat urgent professional business.
You won't know me, though I know you both by sight, of course.
I've come to ask if one of you -- or better still, both --
could come with me tonight to see my brother.
Well, not without an appointment.
Sir, what I have to impart is too urgent for an appointment.
I've come on a matter of life and death.
The circumstances are, in my opinion, highly suspicious,
and I shall lay them before you --
in strictest confidence, of course.
Oh, of course, yes.
My brother has recently married for the second time.
His age is 55 and that of his wife, 26,
and the marriage has been, well, I must say, not a success.
Thank you.
Do please go on.
During the last fortnight,
my brother has been attacked
by a mysterious and extremely painful
infection of the stomach,
to which his doctors seemed unable to give a name.
And it has so far resisted all attempts at treatment.
Day by day, the pain and distress increases,
and I feel that, unless something decisive is done,
the end cannot be far off.
Is the pain worse after food?
That's just it.
I see what is in your mind, and it has been on mine, too,
so much so that I've tried repeatedly
to obtain samples of the food that he is taking.
And this morning, I succeeded.
When I called, he was taking his breakfast of arrowroot,
which he complained had a gritty taste.
It was said by his wife to be due to the sugar.
I managed to convey a portion of the arrowroot
which he had left into this.
I should be greatly obliged if you could examine it
and tell me if it contains anything that it shouldn't.
THORN DYKE: Hmm.
But why have you brought this to me?
Surely, this is a matter for his own doctor
or for the local police.
Oh, I have been to them both,
and in fact, they both said that
were I able to obtain a sample of the food he is taking,
they would put the matter into the hands of the public analyst,
but time is most important.
My fear, sir, is that my brother will be dead
before the results are known.
And so, knowing the reputation of both yourself and Dr. Jarvis,
I have come straight to you.
May I add that money is no object?
I see.
Very well, let's go into the laboratory
and conduct some tests.
Thank you.
Jarvis, would you pass me a slide, please?
Yes.
Do you want a cover, as well?
No, that will do, thank you.
But you could set me up a Marsh's apparatus, please.
Yes.
Hmm. Rather as I expected.
BARTON: Is it arsenic?
Too soon to tell, but let me...see.
Hmm.
BARTON: Well, Doctor, what do you think?
I observe a number of crystalline particles in this
that have the appearance of arsenious acid.
BARTON: Are you certain?
No, but the matter is easily tested.
Is the Marsh's apparatus ready yet, Jarvis?
JARVIS Yes.
If I do find arsenic in this sample,
what do you want me to do about it?
I want you to come with me to see my brother.
Surely, I could give you a note to give to his own doctor.
No, no, I want you to come
to put a stop at once to this dreadful business.
You must remember that it is a matter of life and death.
I beg you not to refuse.
Mm. Well, first, let us see what the test proves.
[Liquid bubbling]
BARTON: What will this tell us, Doctor?
THORN DYKE: This? Nothing.
This is merely the preparation.
Tile, please, Jarvis.
Now, if you're right, this tile will change color.
Well, that's pretty conclusive.
Arsenic?
It would appear so, but let's conduct the final test.
Thank you, Jarvis.
Well, what do you say?
Rather dramatic, what?
I fear that I was right.
The sample you have brought us certainly contains arsenic.
Then you must come with me at once
to help my brother in his dreadful peril.
I beg you, Dr. Thorn dyke, for mercy's sake, don't refuse.
Well, before we decide, I must confer with my colleague
to see what arrangements we have for this evening.
Would you be kind enough to wait in the study
for a moment or two, please?
Oh, yes, of course.
For mercy's sake, Doctor.
What do you think?
Well, we must go, I suppose.
It certainly seems as though his poor brother is in some danger.
Well, perhaps we should go.
All right, it's decided, then?
I'm surprised that you wanted to confer.
You know as well as I
that we've kept this evening free in order to dine together.
My dear Jarvis, you know how highly I value your opinion.
Also, I must say our Mr. Barton does somewhat intrigue me.
Let us go, as he says, for mercy's sake.
Well, Mr. Barton, we have decided to accompany you.
Oh, thank you.
By the way, you haven't yet told us where your brother lives.
Rexford, Rexford in Essex.
It's an out-of-the-way little place,
but if we catch the 7:15 from Liverpool Street,
we should be there in an hour and a half.
Ah. And as to the return journey,
you know the times of the trains, I suppose.
I'll make sure you don't miss your train back.
Good. Well, if we leave now and call a cab,
we should just miss the London evening theater rush.
There's no need.
I felt so sure that out of your kindness you would accompany me
that I ordered my cab to remain.
It's waiting downstairs now.
THORN DYKE: My goodness, Mr. Barton,
you really have thought of everything.
Jarvis, if you'd be kind enough to collect our coats.
I shall see you in a moment.
Yes, of course.
By the way, I do feel I should warn you --
from the amount of arsenic I detected in that sample,
there may be some danger.
I shall see you downstairs.
This should be an interesting experience.
If he doesn't hurry, he'll miss the train.
You realize, of course,
that we don't have a precise address for his brother.
Tell me, what do you think of this fellow, Barton?
Oh. Well, it's very difficult to say.
Poor fellow's in such a state about his brother
that I doubt if we have seen the man himself.
He does seem very agitated.
Oh, there you are.
Oh, what a struggle. Terrible scrum for baskets.
You wouldn't think there were so many people traveling.
Of course, there are very few on this train.
We were getting most anxious in case you should miss it.
We don't have an address for your brother.
Oh, there's no need.
I've ordered the cab to meet us at Rexford
and take us straight there.
[Train whistle blows]
Well, what could be better?
Food for the journey and a carriage to ourselves.
I don't suppose you managed to get any wine, did you?
I did. I did.
Splendid.
And I have no doubt that,
but for poor Mr. Barton's brother's misfortune,
we should find him the most excellent of company.
I shall do my best.
Now, how about a bite?
We are slowing down yet again.
Seven minutes behind time as it is.
It really is too bad.
This train's going to be confoundedly late.
A few minutes more or less are not of much consequence.
Well, no, of course not, but still.
The aggravating thing is we're only just outside Rexford.
We should have thought to bring a few journals to pass the time.
Oh, my dear fellow, have mine.
I've finished with it.
Perhaps we could get out now and walk to the station.
I don't think so.
I haven't got the right kind of boots on
for marching up and down railway lines.
Oh, thank heavens, I think we're moving.
BARTON: Shall we get ready?
I think we should be ready to leave as soon as possible.
There's no time to be lost.
Rexford! This is Rexford!
No, no, Doctor, leave the baskets.
So little time. I fear for my brother.
Now, watch the step down, Doctor.
There we are. That's it.
Now, if you'll follow me, gentlemen.
MAN: All stations to Newmarket!
This is Rexford!
[ Sighs ] Blast!
The damn fellow has pushed off.
Well, he may not have arrived yet.
[Whistle blows]
[Train chugging]
Look, I think I'll go and check in the station.
They may have seen the cab hereabouts.
I do apologize. I won't be long.
[Train whistle blows]
Well, this is a pretty penny.
The meal wasn't all that good,
and we should get frozen stiff if we stay here long.
Mm. The wine was terrible, too.
I sometimes think if the railways can't do it properly,
they shouldn't do it at all.
[ Metal screeching]
But I think we have more urgent things to attend to.
Follow me, Jarvis.
Where to, sir? You'll have to hurry.
The train's in, and she'll leave in just a moment.
Have you seen a man coming past here just now?
He probably was asking about a cab.
There ain't been nobody asking me anything, sir.
Oh, you must be the gentleman who just come off the down line.
Yes.
I'm sorry, sir. I can't help you.
Perhaps your friend's gone to have a look over the other side.
He just went over the bridge.
Thank you.
Our Mr. Barton is about to give us the slip.
What do you mean?
There may be another exit over there.
There may be, but he won't be using it.
There he goes.
Something tells me
this is the last train out of here this evening
and somebody means to leave us stranded here.
Run.
[Train whistle blows]
Really, Jarvis.
I do think you would have chosen a first-class compartment.
I thought we were lucky to get on,
let alone worry about protocol.
Shan't even get a refund on our tickets.
We haven't got any tickets.
It was a joke.
Well, in that case,
perhaps you would like to explain this little comedy.
With pleasure.
That is, if you think it needs any explanation.
I mean, you can hardly have forgotten
Mr. James' flattering account
of the Greek Street incident in this morning's Chronicle.
You mean that it has some connection with this affair?
Oh, unless I'm very much mistaken, yes, it has.
Mr. James very clearly gave the impression
that the mysterious document was in my possession,
and when I read that, I realized I must be on the lookout
for some attempt to be made for its recovery,
although I must say I hadn't expected such promptness,
so that when Mr. Barton
turned up without credentials or appointment,
I viewed him with some suspicion.
And that suspicion deepened when he --
when he asked us to go and see his brother --
both to go and see his brother,
who, by the way, almost certainly does not exist.
And the suspicion deepened still further
when I saw how much arsenic there was
in that sample he showed us.
Well, you saw it yourself.
There was enough arsenic there to have killed all three of us.
Now, if Mr. Barton's brother had really eaten that,
he'd have been dead before Barton ever came to us.
By Jove, you're right. I hadn't thought of it that way.
You worry me sometimes, Jarvis,
the way you give way to mental indolence.
You have had all the facts that I've just described.
Now, you must examine these facts separately
and then collectively
and then in relation to their circumstances.
Don't attempt to suck my brain.
You've an excellent brain of your own to suck.
I always assume that you know more than I do.
Well, in this case, yes, I did.
You see, when you were downstairs getting the coats,
I stayed behind long enough to look up Bradshaw,
and I discovered that the last train left Rexford for London
10 minutes after we were due to arrive.
And that was why he was getting so agitated
when it looked like being late.
Mm, mm, it was all a ruse to keep us stranded in Rexford.
- And leave our chambers vacant? -Mm.
Mr. Barton thought that he would be able to ransack them
at his leisure.
Why did you come if you knew it was a device?
Oh, Jarvis, you know me.
I just can't miss an interesting experience.
I must say, one thing I find most amusing
is the fact that I'm certain Mr. Barton has no idea
that we're on this train with him.
You don't think he spotted us?
No, no.
No, he'll note that nobody got on the train from the platform.
And in any case, the fact that our train was late in arriving
and that he had such a rush to catch this one
will mean that he will think
that we couldn't possibly have made it.
[ Papers rustling]
Well, Mr. Barton, this won't cure your brother.
What are you doing here?
You should be in Rexford.
THORN DYKE: Oh, yes, the last train.
Your methods were rather obvious,
but thank you for the free dinner.
My God, what a mess.
What are you after?
Oh, that'll soon clear up,
and I think it's pretty obvious now what Mr. Barton's after.
Right, Jarvis, call the police, please.
I think not, Dr. Jarvis.
And you, sir -- away from that door, if you please.
THORN DYKE: My dear fellow,
you surely can't mean to add violence to lies and theft.
I warn you. I am very determined.
I want the letter which is in your possession.
Letter?
I think he means the one that was taken from the dead man.
Really, I don't have it. I'm sorry.
I don't believe you. I read about it in the Chronicle.
Now give it to me.
Now, why don't you put that thing away
and let's sit down and discuss your problem?
- Be intelligent. -Thorn dyke, he means it.
Rubbish, he wouldn't dare shoot me in my own house.
Come on.
Aah!
My God, you've done for him.
How is he?
JARVIS Not too bad.
The bullet passed through the fleshy part of the upper arm.
[ Groaning ]
JARVIS He's coming round.
Whoa, steady, John.
What happened?
You were shot.
Oh, yes, I remember.
Did you get his gun?
No, this is Superintendent Miller.
I sent for him.
Oh.
You really should see a doctor.
It's years since I did rudimentary medicine.
By Jove, Jarvis.
That fellow shot me.
- Did he get away? -I'm afraid so.
Having had a go at you, I really didn't think to argue with him.
[ Scoffs ] Blast the fellow.
Ohh. I have a devil of a headache.
And when I rang the police,
I was lucky enough to get Superintendent Miller.
He was in his office waiting for Professor Popplebaum.
It appears that the professor
has had second thoughts about the letter.
Really?
I wonder if his ideas agree with mine.
What is your idea, sir?
Superintendent, not yet.
Mustn't steal the professor's thunder.
After all, he is the expert.
I've left word for him to come on here.
So, I hope that's all right.
Oh, certainly, yes.
- Here. -Oh, thank you. Ouch!
Oh, it could be painful for a day or two.
Yes. Thank you, Jarvis.
Ahh.
I wonder if that fellow got away with anything.
Well, I haven't really looked, but as far as I can tell, no.
- Have a look around, Badger. -[ Doorbell rings]
Oh, Jarvis, answer that, please, would you?
You haven't touched anything, sir?
Well, I'm sorting things round a bit.
Pit'!-
I don't think he'll have taken anything.
I understand the villain
was the man I bumped into earlier this morning.
What was he after, sir?
Yes, well, he lead us a dance with a cock-and-bull story
about a brother whom he said was dying.
Unfortunately for him,
his message was so obvious as to be unbelievable.
It was all a ruse to get us away from our apartment
so that he could burgle it.
MILLER: And you surprised him?
Yes, yes, he told me it was the letter that he was after.
[Austrian accent] You must be Thorn dyke!
Ah, but here's the expert.
Excellent, most thorough! Very impressed by all I've read.
No, I'm afraid you have the wrong man, sir.
Had expected you to look older.
You see, so much experience shines through all you write.
No, sir, this is the man you want.
[ Chuckling ] Oh, good gracious.
Do forgive me. Stupid mistake.
Always like that. Rush in, get it wrong.
No offense.
[ Chuckles ] Not at all.
This is Superintendent Miller of Scotland Yard.
- No, here. -Professor.
Hello.
And Inspector Badger.
Yes.
I've seen you before.
I never forget a face.
We met just a few hours ago, sir.
Professor, your findings?
Hmm? Oh, yes.
[ Chuckles ]
Yes.
May -- May I read it to you?
Please.
I have only the one copy.
[Clears throat]
"The document -- that is, the letter --
is in a form of...Hebrew --"
Of course, yes, yes --
"and is written
in the well-known inscription of Mesha, king of Moab."
Who the devil's he?
It's where the word "Moabite" comes from.
The words themselves mean nothing.
But by interpolating certain other words,
I have obtained a series of sentences,
though I'm afraid the meaning is nowhere clear.
Oh.
Well, Professor, if you'd like to read them to us,
perhaps we can help.
Oh.
"Here -- Here is my analysis and full rendering."
Oh.
[Clears throat]
"Woe to the bloody city. It is full of Ii--"
- Excuse me one moment. -What?
Jarvis, would you be kind enough to look in the bureau over there
and see if you can find
the professor's original translation of words,
if you can find it among the mess?
I have another copy here, sir.
THORN DYKE: Oh, good.
Thank you.
Now, Jarvis, would you just read off the first few words, please?
Yes, of course. "Woe, city, lies, robbery."
THORN DYKE: Thank you.
Now, Professor, would you begin to read your translation?
And, Jarvis, perhaps you would read the words as they occur.
Oh, yes, of course.
First-rate. [ Chuckles ]
Ready.
-"Woe to the bloody city." -"Woe."
-"it is full --" -"City."
-"it is full of lies and..." -"Lies."
-"And robbery." -"Robbery."
-"The prey departeth not." -"Prey."
-"The noise of the whip... -"Noise, whip."
"...and the noise of the rattling of the wheels
-and the prancing horses..." -JARVIS: "Wheel, horse."
"...and the jumping chariots, a day of darkness..."
JARVIS "Chariots, darkness."
-"...and of gloominess..." -JARVIS: "Gloominess."
-"...a day of clouds..." -JARVIS: "Clouds."
-"...and of thick darkness..." -JARVIS: "Darkness."
"...as the morning spreads upon the mountains..."
JARVIS "Mountains."
"...a great people, and a strong..."
JARVIS "Strong."
"...a fire devours before them..."
JARVIS "Fire, them."
"...and behind them, a flame burneth."
"Flame." [ Chuckles ]
Oh, Professor, congratulations!
Excellent!
That really is superb scholarship.
Now, if I recall, that's from the writings
of one of the Moabite prophets.
Perfectly true! I'm most thrilled by it!
Forgive my saying so,
but it is more than three-quarters supplied
by the professor.
Exactly, it's all professor and no cryptogram.
No, no, no. The reading is correct --
as far as it goes, that is.
You mean to say, sir,
that that balderdash is the real meaning of the thing?
Oh, no, I didn't say that.
But the professor here has accurately translated the words.
But unfortunately,
that is nothing to do with what Barton was after.
But he wanted the letter.
Yes.
- But this isn't it? -No.
BADGER: Well, I'm dashed if it isn't all beyond me.
I agree. I'm completely foxed.
Superintendent, I think this is most important.
Do you have the original letter? I should like to see it.
I think the professor has it.
Yes.
No, no, that is another photograph copy,
similar to the one that you, Miller, showed to me.
I must see the original.
Sorry. [ Chuckles ]
This is it.
Thank you.
Gentlemen, we've been foolishly wasting our time.
If you'll excuse me, I'll conduct a small experiment.
And, Superintendent, I promise to try not to harm this letter.
Jarvis, would you be kind enough to give everyone a drink?
Do you mind, Inspector?
Superintendent?
Sherry, sir.
Inspector?
BADGER: Sherry for me, too, sir.
Professor?
Sherry? No. No, thank you.
Also, I must say your friend has gone too far.
I worked very hard on this affair.
If he thinks he can do better,
at least he should try to be a little more polite, hmm?
Good night.
No, I can find my own way out!
I'm used to solving riddles!
[ Door slams ]
Oh, dear. Huh.
Oh, well, we must forgive Thorn dyke.
He has suffered today.
What do you think, sir? Is this man Barton an anarchist?
Yes, I'm fairly certain of it.
And I can't help fearing that the professor's answer
is not the right one, whatever it means.
Well, it is possible that his solution may form the cipher,
that the phrases do have some pre-arranged significance.
But would it not be best to wait and hear
what my colleague has to say?
Well, let's hope he doesn't put the whole thing
under the microscope
and then tell us who made the paper
and what the ink is composed of.
Otherwise, we should just be back where we started.
Superintendent, are you prepared to make this
an official consultation?
Well, I was originally briefed
only to consult you about the professor's translation, but --
Oh.
Yes, sir, certainly, we may consider this to be official.
My theory turned out to be correct.
This is a joke, sir. You are fooling me.
Not at all. That is the genuine solution.
But it's impossible.
Here, Badger, listen to this.
"The Piccadilly stuff is up the chimney, 416 Water Street,
second floor, back.
It was hid because old Barton's greedy.
Barton is a traitor"?
Well, why not put it to the test and look up the chimney?
Excuse me, sir.
Forgive me, Superintendent, but you look like a man
who has lost a sovereign and found Sixpence.
Well, that's just it, sir. Rather, the other way around.
You know about the Piccadilly job, sir.
Sometime last month?
Yes, sir, about a quarter-million pounds'
worth of jewelry stolen.
And you think this is it?
Well, it sounds like it, sir.
But you realize it rules out Barton being an anarchist?
Sadly, yes.
Oh, come, now, Superintendent.
If you manage to recover a quarter of a million pounds,
it must be some consolation.
What's that about Barton being a traitor?
Oh, it probably means some of the gang
thought they were going to be cheated, sir.
Well, it seems fairly certain
that the fellow who was killed by the horse
was trying to warn the others.
How did you solve that?
"How," at the moment, is irrelevant.
Inspector.
Jarvis, would you be kind enough to call a cab?
Oh, no need, sir.
I have a police hansom round the corner.
Hello.
Schonberg, what are you doing here?
The police came looking for me, so I had to scarper.
You've got to give me some money, Barton.
I'm gonna make a run for it.
I've come here 'cause it's the only place I could think of,
and you've got the money.
You're a fool.
The police had no idea about us
until that idiot friend of yours made a run for it
and got himself killed.
Charlie?
The police did for Charlie?
You hadn't heard?
No. Why? Should I?
I'd heard that Charlie wasn't pleased
with the way that things were going
and was trying to stir up trouble.
I'd also heard that you were in it with him.
You know me, Barton. I'm loyal.
I shouldn't want to be part of a bust-up.
Just give me my share. I'll get out.
I can't give you your share.
- There isn't any money yet. -Why not?
Because we can't sell the jewels until it's safe.
We'll get a better price then.
I've got to have some money.
I haven't got any.
You're hanging on to it! Charlie said as much!
Now, you listen to me carefully.
You'll get your money when I am ready.
[ Footsteps approaching]
Into the bedroom, quickly! Quick!
Right, Barton, you're under arrest. Constable.
See who's through there, Badger.
Dr. Jarvis, would you be so kind as to guard the door?
Be delighted.
It's that old Schonberg, sir,
the one that letter was addressed to.
And we have caught the elusive Mr. Barton.
Well, Superintendent,
perhaps we should read Mr. Schonberg his letter.
After all, it was addressed to him.
Right, sir.
"The Piccadilly stuff is up the chimney.
It was hid because old Barton's greedy.
Barton is a traitor."
Have a look, Badger.
Well, Professor, I really am most grateful.
It's not quite what I had in mind,
but a quarter of a million pounds is something.
So, Barton, shooting Professor Thorn dyke
and all that rubbish about your brother
was simply in order to get back a secret letter
saying you were trying to cheat the rest of the gang.
You're a fool.
And wrap those up again, please.
Stay there.
I suppose you know what this is.
Do as he says, Superintendent.
BARTON: Ah, you understand, Dr. Thorn dyke.
It's a hand grenade. Am I right?
Yes, sir, it is.
Read that.
Thank you.
"The road to freedom -- throw off your shackles.
Don't be ground under the heels of the ruling classes.
The only way to happiness is to...
overthrow the government.
Words have failed. Now is the time for action.
Kill the aggressors. Learn to live.
Become an anarchist."
I guessed as much.
I thought you might.
I was confident the Moabite cipher
was enough to fool most people,
but when I heard that you were involved,
I wasn't quite so sure.
That's why I had to get that paper away from you.
This lot were nothing.
They were just tools to enable me to get money
for the funds to buy guns and bombs and these.
Of course, this is only a sample.
Just think how many I could buy
for a quarter of a million pounds.
And I robbed the rich to do it.
He was onto you.
You, you're a real traitor against the king!
That's right.
Now...
[Metal clinks]
The jewels, Inspector, if you please.
Thank you.
And, Dr. Jarvis, the door, if you will.
Gentlemen.
You want to kill the king!
JARVIS Chuck it, sir!
Handcuffs, Inspector.
I am sorry, sir.
If I'd known it was going to be like this,
I'd never have asked you to join us.
Dr. Jarvis, please tell your friend
to give up his hobby of handling bombs
as though they were cricket balls.
Oh, really, Superintendent, what a lot of fuss over nothing.
The only excitement was the intellectual one of the cipher.
Perhaps you'd like to know how it was done.
I have been up all night,
but I cannot connect your solution
with any of the characters.
Would you do me the great favor of enlightening me
as to your methods and save me further sleepless nights?
You may rely on my discretion.
You were working from one of the photograph copies?
Of course.
One tries never to tamper with the real thing.
It's a question of training.
Then your night's work can only have been quite fruitless.
The photograph copy was quite useless for the purpose.
As Barton knew, only the original
could reveal the secret of the Moabite cipher.
Let me show you, gentlemen.
You'll observe this letter is written
on common cream-laid notepaper
which, as you know, has no watermark.
- Yes, yes, I noticed that. -Mm-hmm.
And that the ink used is indelible Chinese ink,
commonly known as stick ink.
Yes, yes, but its inscriptions interest us,
not the paper and the ink.
Precisely, and that is where you are wrong.
It is the ink that first interested me
when I observed this letter three days ago.
Why should anyone go to this troublesome method of writing
when good, ordinary writing ink was available?
What advantage has this kind of ink over ordinary ink?
It is quite unaffected by being made wet.
Good. For some reason,
this letter was likely to be subjected to the wet.
So, I was able to put it to the test.
I rolled up the letter, just so.
- Is that the original, sir? -THORN DYKE: Oh, yes.
And then I put it into this tumbler of water.
Jarvis, light, please.
And, Inspector, would you be kind enough to draw the blinds?
Thank you, Jarvis.
And there, gentlemen, is the message.
The message was scratched onto the surface
of the cream-laid paper when it was wet.
When the paper dries, the message disappears,
only to become visible again by the addition of water.
A sort of artificial palimpsest, in fact.
JARVIS: It's even better than the invisible ink.
[ Chuckles ]
You will no doubt find
that the cryptogram was supplied by Barton.
He no doubt supplied members of the gang copies of this
instead of blank paper to use for secret communications.
So, the object of the Moabite writing was, as Barton said,
solely to draw attention from the paper itself.
THORN DYKE: Precisely.
It's so simple.
It was almost elementary.