Original subtitles

Oh, my dear.

My dearest.

I warned you. I said, do not go too near the edge.

Why did you push me, Baron?

So, you were dreaming.

Dying.

Oh my darling.

Anything stirring, Hobbs?

I know no more than this.

It may be some fussy self -important fool. It may be a matter of life or

Do you grant this interview?

I've already confirmed it.

Do you know anything of the man?

Only that the name Colonel Sir James Damery is a household word in society.

I can tell you a little bit more than that.

There's rather a reputation for arranging delicate matters which are to

out of the papers.

He's a man of the world with a natural tone for diplomacy.

I'm bound, therefore, to hope that it is not a false sense that he has some real

need of our assistance.

Our?

If you will be so good, Watson, I shall be honoured.

Then until 4 .30 o 'clock we can put the matter out of our heads.

Mr. Holmes, we are dealing on this occasion with the most dangerous man in

Europe. I have had several opponents to whom that flattering term has been

applied. A man to whom violence is familiar and who will literally stick at

nothing. Thank you, Smoke. Excuse my pipe.

But if your man is more dangerous than the late Professor Moriarty, he is

worth meeting.

May I ask his name?

Have you ever heard of Baron Gruner?

The Austrian murderer.

So you've already sized him up as a murderer.

It is our business to follow the details of continental crime.

I'm as sure that he killed his wife when that so -called accident happened at

the Splurgan Pass as if I'd seen him do it.

Just as I am certain that he disposed of the only witness, that innocent

shepherd boy.

Baron Gruner is now in England.

He's riding near Kingston, I'm informed.

That is so.

Might I also suppose you will have heard of General Merville?

Kyber passed me.

Indeed.

General Merville has a daughter, Violet.

Young, rich, accomplished.

A wonder woman in every way.

It is she, an innocent, we are endeavouring to save from the clutches

fiend. He has some hold over her?

The strongest of all where women are concerned, Mr Holmes.

Ah.

Love.

Exactly.

In marrying you, my darling, all my past sins shall be absolved.

These aren't sins you told me of.

These are slanders.

My angel.

You were reduced, as are all great men.

Yet I am determined you shall know my history, every part of it.

Thus shall I come to the altar purified in soul and spirit and worthy at last of

your love.

Just six weeks.

I cannot pretend my past is without stain.

No man born in poverty who hath created his own fortune can say that and speak

the truth or not.

I have been forth to many a ruthless act, my dear.

Where shall I begin?

With young Henry of Saxbar. To observe, Mr. Holmes, an atrocious event preparing

itself before your very eyes and yet be powerless to avert it.

Could anyone, any human being, be placed in a more trying position?

Perhaps not.

Well, then you will sympathise with the client in whose interest I am acting.

I do not understand that you are merely an intermediary.

Who is the principal?

I beg of you not to press that question.

His name cannot be dragged into this matter.

His motives are, to the last degree, honourable, but he prefers to remain

unknown.

I need not say that your fees will be assured, Mr Holmes.

And you will be allowed a free hand.

Surely the actual name of your client is immaterial.

I must decline to answer, James. I'm sorry.

I'm accustomed to having mystery of one end of my cases, but to have it of both

ends is too confusing. No.

You've placed me in the most serious dilemma.

Dare I say, Mr. Holmes, you hardly realize the effect of your own action.

I have given my word not to reveal the identity of my client.

May I at the least lay all I can before you?

It is understood.

I commit myself to nothing.

Of course.

Yes, yes.

A perfect likeness.

Who painted it?

Hans of Innsbruck, a defendant of Klaus, the sculptor famous for his bronzes,

such as this.

I shall commission Hans to attempt your likeness, my precious.

I love this room.

It breathes of you.

Your diary?

No, no, no. It is... It is my commonplace book. In it I record things

seen, read, admired.

Occasionally, perhaps, a thought or two of my own.

But it's locked.

It is a little part of me. Besides, a servant might pry.

One day, perhaps, we shall look at it together.

No. I respect your privacy, my darling.

We must all keep something of our own, however much else we share.

You are perfect.

You must teach me about porcelain, Adelbert.

I shall.

Collecting is such a pleasure, such a delight.

It is a passion with me, just as you are my precious.

The villain has attached himself to the lady with such effect that he has

completely and absolutely won her heart.

She will not hear one word against him.

To sum up, she proposes to marry him next month.

As she is of age and has a will of iron, it's hard to know how to prevent her.

Does the infatuated young woman know of the quick episode?

The cunning devil has told her every unsavoury scandal of his past life, but

always in such a way as to make himself out to be the innocent martyr.

She accepts his version and will listen to no other.

Not even her father's.

Dear Mr.

James, have you not inadvertently let out the name of your client?

The general?

Oh, no, Dr. Watson.

That strong soldier's been utterly demoralized by this incident.

Mrs. Hudson!

You rang, sir? Will you deliver this to the butcher's boy round the corner?

That young rascal with the funny eye? The other is invaluable.

So is his bicycle.

Sir.

How may I keep in touch with you, Sir James?

You accept my commission?

That is to say that your problem interests me.

The Carton Club will find me.

And the Baron's exact address in Kingston?

Vernon Lodge.

A large house.

He's a rich man.

Well, speculators went successful.

Frequently asked, Sir James.

What further information can you give us about the man?

He has expensive tests.

Collects books, pictures.

Oh, and Chinese pottery.

He's a recognized authority.

Written a book upon the subject.

Well, Sir James, you may tell your client that I'm turning my attention

Baron Bruno.

I have no doubt, Mr. Holmes, you can easily trace my client.

But I must ask you as a point of honor to refrain from doing so.

Do not, I beg you, break in upon his incognito.

I think I can safely promise that. Thank you.

Dr. Watson.

You're wasting your time, Watson.

The career of General Merville might well give us a pointer as to our client.

He's clearly illustrious. But did you not hear, Sir James?

His request was to you, Holmes. That is shameful, Watson.

Shameful. Besides, our minds should be more gainfully employed.

Defeat.

Any views?

Have you none?

Not yet.

Beyond the one I've already acted upon.

The butcher's boy.

More discreet than any telegraph.

Well, I think you'd better see the young lady herself.

Start with her.

If a poor brigandon father cannot move, how can I, the complete stranger,

prevail? Well, it fails.

Perhaps.

But first, the underworld.

For it is among the dark roots of crime that we must hunt the groom of secrets.

You sent for Shinwell Johnson.

I have but one insight.

That Miss Myrtle might well condone murder.

Yet some smaller events might welcome her.

They have engaged the very best.

Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sir.

I rather thought I should see you sooner or later, Mr. Holmes.

You've been retained, no doubt, by General Merville to prevent my marriage

his daughter, Violet.

That is so, is it not?

Let me advise you very strongly, Mr. Holmes, to draw off at once, sir.

Draw off?

My dear man, you'll only ruin your well -deserved reputation. This is not the

case in which you can possibly hope to succeed. Draw off, sir.

It is curious, but that is the very advice that I've come to give you.

Let me put it to you, man to man.

If you persist in this marriage, you'll raise such a swarm of powerful enemies,

England will be too hot to hold you.

Surely you'll be wiser to draw off.

Excuse my amusement, Mr Holmes, but it really is very funny seeing you trying

play a hand with no card in it. Not a colour card there, sir, nothing but the

smallest of the small.

So you think.

So I know, sir, so I know. Let me make the thing clear to you. Do you consider

your handful strong that you could afford to show it? Certainly, since it

becomes plain that in this instance you are clearly out of your depth, Mr.

Holmes. Could it be that your capabilities have been subject to

Your hand will show it.

Won't you sit down?

I think I shan't.

Peace yourself.

Well...

It happens I have been fortunate enough to win the entire affection of Miss

Mervyn. This in spite of the fact that I have informed her clearly of all the

unhappy incidents in my past.

I have warned her that certain designing persons would come to her.

I hope you recognize yourself in this.

And would tell her of these things.

I have instructed her how to treat them.

She is well prepared for you.

She will no doubt give you an appointment.

And she will listen.

It will be to no avail, however.

If you wish to speak, now is your moment.

No.

This is not the moment.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Holmes, did you know the French agent Lebrun?

Of course.

So you know what befell him?

He was beaten in the Marquardt district of Paris and crippled for life.

Quite so.

By an odd coincidence, he had been inquiring into my affairs. Don't do it,

Holmes. It's not a lucky thing.

My last word to you is you go your way.

Let me go mine.

Remind to you, Gruner, that if you aspire to accept a new English

you'll do well to remove the ban from your Havana before lighting it.

Otherwise, you'll be put down for a bounder.

Mrs. Hudson.

Has Holmes returned?

Not yet, sir, but there are two visitors waiting.

Thank you, Mrs Hudson.

Why, Jonathan... Evening, Doctor.

Mr Holmes sent word to me. I know, Jonathan, I know. And I've brought key

because... I said I was delayed at the museum, and then the press of traffic.

An omnibus overturned in Great Russell Street.

Two dead, a horse had to be put down. Gentlemen, forgive me.

I was absorbed by the mysteries of Ming. I quite forgot they are, madam.

This is Miss Winter, Mr. Holmes.

Kitty, we call her. And what she don't know about Gruner. Of course, please.

Well, Kitty can speak for herself.

Anyway, I'll put my hand right on her within an hour of your message, sir.

I'm easy to find.

Hell, London gets me every time.

Same address goes for Porky.

Porky?

Is that your name again, Johnson?

You never revealed that.

Porky? Oh, well.

We're old mates, Porky and me.

But there's someone who ought to be down in a lower hell than us.

And that's the man you're after, Mr. Holmes.

I gather we have your good wishes, Miss Winter.

If I can help put him where he belongs, I'm yours to the rattle, sir.

Do you know what he intends?

How the matter stands?

Porky tells me he's after some other poor fool.

Only this time he wants to marry her.

And you want to stop it?

Yes.

Surely you know enough about this devil to prevent any decent girl in her senses

wanting to have anything to do with him.

She's not in her senses, Miss Winter.

She's madly in love.

And she has been told all about him. She cares for nothing.

Told about the murder of his wife?

Yes.

My Lord.

She must have a nerve.

She has.

Can't you lay proofs before her?

Can you help us do so?

I am proof.

Living proof.

If I was to stand before her and tell her how he used me... Would you do this?

Would I?

Would I not?

It might be worth the trying.

Our lay didn't tell her all, sir.

All?

He collected me.

He collected women.

I was an artist model.

A respectable artist model. Of course, you sat with that painting in his study.

You've been to Kingston.

Then you'll have seen all his crops.

Women and China.

There is twin passion.

Gruner commissioned that painting.

And afterwards... And after...

Well, let's just say I

can never work again.

I am exceedingly obliged to you, Miss Winter.

We shall indeed interview Miss Myrtle together.

My client will compensate you most liberally. Oh, none of that, Mr.

I'm not out for money.

Just let me see this man in the mud.

In the mud with my foot in his face.

From Kingston.

Thank you, Mrs. Hudson, for the reply.

Shall we dine?

This is a death threat, Holmes.

Do you expect anything less than the pattern to arrive?

Holmes, have a care.

Watson, come along.

We must eat.

Come on, go!

They ain't following no more.

Don't you believe it?

Yeah, what did I say?

Now, you stand over there, Kitty. There's a good girl.

Right.

Who's first?

You? Or you?

Ain't done no time.

Don't know nothing. Come on, girl.

I wish to see you, sir.

I couldn't in honesty term them gentlemen, sir.

I come.

But beyond?

Go through to the kitchens.

Clean your cuts up.

I have agreed to this visit out of respect for my father, Mr. Holmes,

than for you.

My fiancé assures me you are no longer what you were.

A spent force.

And you, Miss Winter, surely you must also be superfluous.

Our intentions are the best.

We are here to aid you.

Really?

When you called him a lion, my fiancé?

I am not renowned, Miss Merville, for the warmth of my affections.

But I can appreciate them in others.

Had I a daughter, I should, I hope, feel for you as the general does.

Nor is this concern without foundation.

There.

The slander begins.

I do not readily call upon anyone to beg or to plead.

But in Bad and Brunner, please, I never speak idly, you have chosen not merely

unwisely, but dangerously.

Marry him, Miss Melville, and I assure you, with all the knowledge I have of

criminal mentality, you will be in mortal danger.

Just as the former Baroness was. She, too, is infatuated and paid the fatal

price. Her life for a fortune.

That's a lie.

You are, of course, aware that the Splurgenpar...

where your predecessor died, runs between Italy and Switzerland.

What does the geography matter?

A great deal.

When you plan to hurl a helpless woman off a cliff in one country to break her

neck in another.

But it was an accident.

Then why did the shepherd boy, who saw the badness fall, die of arsenical

poison?

His murderess, whom Gruner had seduced...

confessed at a trial that he'd obliged her to administer the fatal substance or

risked its figment for life by oil of vitriol.

Those are the facts, Miss Merville.

I beg you.

Picture the awful situation you will find yourself in if you only wake to

fiancée's true character after you have married her.

I have listened to you with patience, Mr Holmes.

I am aware my fiancé has had a stormy life, in which he has incurred most

aspersions.

Possibly you mean well, though I learn you are a paid agent.

But in any case, I love Baron Gruner.

And he loves me.

You have told me this young lady's name and that there is a reason for her

presence. I'll say there is.

And what exactly are you, Miss Winter?

Me?

I'll tell you.

I'll tell you what I am.

I was his mistress, that's who.

One of a hundred. More.

He's tempted, used, ruined and thrown aside as he will you two.

Please. You marry this man, he'll be the death of you.

Maybe a broken heart or a broken neck, but he'll have you.

Oh, really?

You may think yourself different. Thank you, Kitty. You've made yourself

admirably clear.

I am aware of three occasions in my fiancé's life when he has become

with designing women.

And I am assured by him of his hearty repentance.

Him?

Repent? And only three?

Oh, you fool.

You stupid fool.

You don't.

I have obeyed my father's wish in seeing you, but I am not compelled to listen

to the slanderous raving...

Raven.

Raven.

My God.

I love you.

Look.

Look.

Look at that.

And here.

Oil of vitriol.

He did it.

Oh, yes.

He did it.

Your fiancé.

That's a lie.

It's a lie.

Thank you.

You can tell the Baron that I shall not rest until I bring him to justice.

Why, Kitty, why?

No, please. Why did Gruner treat you so?

Because... No, I can't tell you, Mr... You must this instant.

You said that he collects women. What do you mean by that?

It's a book he has.

A book?

Bran left with a lock and his coat of arms in gold on it.

No, I can't speak of it.

He keeps a record of his women?

photographs, names, details, everything about us.

He tried to make me read it while he... Oh, no, I can't.

When he refused?

It went berserk. He ran out of the room.

I was trying to dress.

He come back in with his bottle.

I was half naked.

He threw it straight at me.

Where is this book?

I don't know. Think.

No, no.

In the study in the bedroom? It's more than a year since I was there. Then you

can remember, Kitty. Think. In the study.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Miss Winters' scars could not move, Miss Mervyn. She was shocked, but recovered

instantly. Good heavens.

Seems inhuman.

I confess that part of me could wish her joy with Gruner.

Abandon her to her fate?

After all this?

When I compare Miss Merville with Kitty, whose spirit is as fine as the body's

blemished, yes.

He wouldn't withdraw from the case.

Have no fear, Watson.

My disgust with Miss Merville counts as nothing against my determination to foil

Gruner. But one thing irks me.

That I did not pay more regard to Kitty's deportment when we first met.

manner in which she dressed her hair.

It's late.

We must be gone.

I've got a mountain of work to do at the surgery home, so I'll see you in the

morning. Until tomorrow, then.

All right, Sherlock Holmes, let's be having you. Ah, and I can guess to whom

owe this pleasure.

Let us detect them, Sherlock Holmes.

Let us detect them, Sherlock Holmes.

Read all about it.

Let us detect them, Sherlock Holmes.

Read all about it.

Read all about it.

Let us detect them, Sherlock Holmes.

It's all right, Watson.

Don't look so scared.

It's a joke.

Nonsense.

Need to.

What can I do for it?

Because it was that damned awesome man.

Give me the word and I'll go and thrash the hideout.

Was it the same pair that attacked Johnson and Miss Winter?

One may have been.

The other, I doubt it.

But your thought alerts me.

You must send out to Johnson.

Time to find some quiet suburb for Kitty. She should stay there until the

has passed.

And then... Then we must exaggerate my injuries.

There's no need for that.

Even so, we must lay it on safe for the press.

You may not live the week out.

Concussion, delirium, coma, what you like.

Bring us you to the greatest bulletin.

Anything more?

Yes.

Put my pipe on the table from the tobacco flipper.

You must rest, not smoke.

Oh, my dearest.

Every day you become more precious to me.

What is it?

It's just that... Must you really go to America?

Oh, my darling.

It's only a short trip.

I have important financial business, certain interests to regulate in

But I shall be back so soon.

In the twinkle of an eye.

The late editions, sir.

Thank you.

Have you seen the papers?

That poor man Holmes.

He thinks daily.

I'm afraid you cannot expect me to have very much sympathy with Mr. Holmes and

his misfortune.

Hmm.

Aristopoulos has set in.

Have you seen the news?

No. The South for America on the Royal Retainer on Friday.

What? News has been fired.

Friday. And we'll be first in Liverpool, not in Southampton.

I believe the rascal means to get away from us.

But he won't.

And the Lord Harry won't.

Watson, I need you to do something for me. I'm here to be used.

Then spend the next 24 hours in the intensive study of Chinese pottery.

Whoa. That's insane.

He's sleeping now, sir.

How did the morphine?

You won't let the lamp smoke, will you?

No, no, no.

He locked up below.

Oh, I did that a while back, as murderous folk about.

True.

True.

Don't drive yourself too hard, sir. You'll be good for nothing in the

No, I shall be long.

Dr. Hill Barton, 369 Half Moon Street, Mayfair West. Who's this?

You.

Me? That is your name this evening, Dr. Hill Barton.

It is?

Yes. When you call upon Baron Gruner at Harper's date, you'll be disengaged.

We've sent a note telling him that you'll call.

Also that you're bringing this.

This is the real egg throw.

Of the Ming dynasty.

The complete hat would be worth a king's ransom.

You are a collector.

The hat has come your way.

We've had a battle of interest.

We ought to vote the failing at a price.

What price?

You're not exaggerating. It could hardly be matched in the world.

Sir James got it for me. It comes from the collector and his client.

I could say that it should be valued by an expert.

Oh, welcome.

You've been too late today.

It's just Sotheby's, Christy.

You're certain he'll see me?

Yes. It's a collection mainly in its most acute form.

One last question, Holmes.

Why have you made me a broker in antiques?

To gain time.

The opportunity to acquire a set such as this may persuade the Baron to postpone

his visit to the United States.

Now I understand.

Elementary psychology, Watson.

Kingston piece, driver.

Hello.

Someone.

Very fine.

Very fine, indeed.

And you say you have a set to correspond?

I know of only one in England.

To match it.

Would it be indiscreet of me if I were to ask how you obtained this?

Does it really matter?

Of course it matters with precious objects such as these provenances.

Well, you can see the piece is genuine.

At the value I'm...

Perfectly content to take an expert to the head of it.

I had supposed you were an expert, Dr. Hill -Barton.

I meant an independent to the head of it.

Of course.

I have some recently acquired pieces of Celadon you might care to view.

By all means.

Please.

Typical 12th century throng, I'd say.

Wouldn't you?

You're right.

Andrew?

That's an excellent example.

I should say circa 265 A .D.

Precisely.

And these?

Typical of Celadon, would you say?

Give me time, give me time.

I am giving you time, sir.

Quite so.

I should also be interested in your views on the marks of the Hangu.

The mark of the hung Wu.

That's a vexed question.

A vexed question indeed, sir.

There are no marks on the genuine hung Wu.

This is intolerable, sir.

I came here to do you a favor, not to be examined as if I were a schoolboy.

You came here to spy.

Not so.

You may have found it easy to inveigle your way in here upon false pretenses,

but by God, sir, you shall find it harder.

To get out, raise your hands above your head, Dr. Watson.

What's that?

Holmes!

You!

Donov!

I shall shoot you through the head, rather than the heart, and then

inform the police.

That is a role that I've played before, with some success.

Without any doubt, sir, this will be your last time.

Baron! Hit him!

Ben, be dumb by his will, don't you?

What a, what a doctor!

That will help me!

Get more!

On the phone, the Baron!

Ah, James, forgive me for summoning you at this late hour, but there's no time

to be lost. You must have this before Scotland Yard bumbles in.

Scotland Yard?

Baron Gruner is bound to have laid a complaint against us. Watson is an

imposter, myself is a burglar. We were both.

I diverted Gruner's attention while Holmes procured that.

You must show it to Miss Merville. She will find it for one among a hundred.

The account of what sport Baron Gruner enjoyed with his female victims.

May have had his laugh opened Miss Merville's eyes.

You've done wonders, Holmes.

Wonders.

Except for Kitty Winter.

Watson, explain.

Answer us.

Miss Winter is a former mistress of Grimmer's. She followed me to Kingston

concealed about her was a flask of vitriol. Which she unleashed upon

Severely damaging his right hand and parts of his face.

He will be disfigured for life.

But surely, if these injurers...

are as terrible as you describe them, then our purpose is sufficiently

You'd love him the more.

Does anything matter?

No.

It is his moral pride, not his physical, which we have to destroy.

That book will bring her down to earth, and I know nothing else but could.

It's in his own handwriting.

She cannot get past it.

Neither my client nor myself can thank you enough, Holmes.

Should either Miss Winter or even you yourself be incommoded by the police, do

not hesitate to telephone me.

Thank you, Sir James, but to tell the truth, I rarely have ever found myself

inconvenienced by Scotland Yard.

Good night.

Good night.

I would like to thank you, too, Watson.

Oh, by the way.

Ming dish.

By Joe.

Worth a king's ransom, I understand.

Holmes! Holmes!

I've discovered the identity of our client. It's none other than... A loyal

friend and a chivalrous gentleman. Let that now and forever be enough.

Thank you.