Original subtitles

You may inform the Secretary of the Royal Society that I have entitled my

Michaelmas lecture Darwin's Fundamental Error.

That'll raise a few hackles, sir.

Will it not?

I must be off.

You can acknowledge all of these.

This is a good job.

Thanks.

Father? My dear.

Did you hear how Roy barked last night?

It was dreadful.

No, no, I didn't.

Did you hear him, Bennett?

I can't say I did, sir.

He kept on and on.

He howled, too.

I'm sure someone got into the garden.

An intruder?

Yes, because... Oh, Father.

Someone looked in at me.

At my window.

Impossible.

You must have been dreaming.

Oh.

Edith. Nobody could reach your window. It's far too far off the ground.

I am sure. I wasn't dreaming.

Bennett, you take charge.

I shall be late for the faculty meeting.

I leave you in your fiancé's care, my dear.

If he proves as good a husband to you as he has a man who answers to me, you'll

be an fortunate woman.

Elaine appears, Bennett. I know you can.

Can you believe me?

Not easily, no.

But as your father said... Come and look.

I'm awfully busy.

I've got these notes on to say Mr Tyreth the type, and then the proof of your

father's... Jack.

I know I wasn't dreaming.

And you know Roy doesn't bark at nothing.

I want you to see for yourself.

You must.

Please.

And then, after the barking woke me, I heard another sound.

From just below here.

From below?

There. And there.

Do you see? The ivy's pulled away.

I must have fainted.

The next thing I knew, it was dawn.

You're quite, quite certain you didn't dream this, Edith?

Quite.

Jack, I insist you believe me.

Very well.

And that you inform Sherlock Holmes of the facts. Oh, darling.

Well, I shall reconsider our engagement.

But why?

I could not give my hand to a man who doubts my word.

Watson, come at once if convenient.

If inconvenient, come all the same.

Holmes, I got your note.

And it is inconvenient.

Damned inconvenient.

Your old wound is troubling you.

No. I prefer to differ. Your step was uneven on the stairs.

I have a full surgery, Holmes. I must excuse a certain abstraction of mind,

Watson. I see.

It's a tangled scheme.

I've been looking for the loose end which might unravel it.

One such might reside in the question, does Professor Presbury's daughter wake

or dream?

I'm summoned here for no more than this.

You've heard of Presbury?

Of course it hasn't.

It's our most distinguished natural scientist. She's a widower with one

daughter. She insists someone appear at her window that night.

Miss Presbury's bedroom is on the second floor and is completely inaccessible to

even the most agile cat burglar. Who's this?

It's arrived by the one o 'clock post.

The author already arrives ahead of his time. The most precipitate young man.

Mr. Bennet, my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson.

How do you do? Mr. Bennet. Please sit down.

No, forgive me.

Mr. Holmes, I fear I've made a grave error of judgment.

I should not have been in touch with you at all.

I've wasted your time entirely.

You've discovered a rational reason for Miss Presbyter's fears.

No, no, I can't say that.

Well, it's a delicate matter, but I... I must beg you to proceed no further.

I can, of course, recompense you.

Mr. Bennet, your letter was less than frank, was it not?

I set out the fact.

Not all, I suspect.

Probably out of loyalty to your fiancée, Miss Presbury.

You're aware of that?

As I am of your employer's engagement to Miss Alice Morphy, the daughter of the

famous comparative anatomist.

She was right next door to the Presburys, was she not?

How do you know of the engagement?

The Times.

July the 1st, September the 5th, respectively.

Mr. Holmes' memories of a photographical order.

Quite so.

Oh, dear.

Mr. Bennett, I do appreciate your predicament.

As a scientist and a rationalist yourself, I dare say you're reluctant to

the evidence insisted upon by Miss Presbury. Further, as a father's trusted

assistant, to have recourse to me must smack to you of disloyalty. Exactly.

I'm part of the family, except that Edith and Miss Presbury, she was so

that she... Mr. Bennet, who would you prefer to alienate?

Your prospective wife or her celebrated father?

You give me a choice of evils.

Neither. Then furnish me with the facts, and I will see how I can help you.

You may rely on the discretion of both of us.

Well?

Would you, for example, describe Miss Presbury as an impressionable, fanciful

girl?

No, quite the reverse.

Miss Alice Morphy.

Perhaps Professor Presbyter's engagement to her came to you as something of a

surprise.

She is, after all, three times her age.

And this pillow?

I prefer that one.

With the osprey feathers.

What do you ask him, do you think?

Father's extremely proud of his orchid.

I hate them.

That's so...

Oh, I don't know, so impure somehow.

Do please ask them not to send them any more. They're the sweet friend, Edith,

please. Can you not ask him? I couldn't.

I daren't. I'm such a coward.

Well... Oh, please.

You've got so much more character than me.

You're as strong as he.

But, Alice, if you dare not ask this of my father...

How will you ever manage those deeper conflicts that occur even in the

of marriages?

Oh, I don't know.

I'm so frightened.

Of marrying my father?

I wish.

No, please don't ask.

Let's not speak of it.

What do you think of this one?

Neither Miss Presbury nor I consider her father's infatuation with Miss Morphy

to be.

Entirely appropriate.

Rather excessive.

And her parents have no objections to the marriage?

The professor is a respectable widower.

And a wealthy man.

When may I call?

Call?

To view Miss Presbury's window.

To determine to myself its accessibility or otherwise to an intruder. Shall we

say 11 o 'clock tomorrow morning?

Professor Presbury will be at his college.

That's of no matter. At present, my inquiries are purely logistical.

I have never had any secrets from the Professor.

Mr. Bennet, let me refer you to your first question, which you have, in fact,

answered.

You're more inclined to Miss Presley's party than you are to your employers.

Yes, yes, I dare say.

Thank you.

Good day.

Good day.

Holmes, you're prying into the affairs of a perfectly respectable family.

Why is Bennet so reluctant to tell the truth?

Loyalty. It's as plain as a pipe jar.

Let us hope so.

Yet he wrote to me on the duress.

You noticed his handwriting?

The crossing of the T's with such deep indentation?

And then upon his arrival, his endeavours to call the whole thing off.

there's more to this than meets the eye.

I do not agree. This case is unworthy of you.

I must return to my surgery.

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.

Father? My dear.

That must have slept better.

Oh, yes.

Last night I removed to the guest bedroom.

Oh, no need, surely.

It was but an ugly dream.

Father, Alice has asked me... Yes?

The truth is she does not care for all kids.

She doesn't?

Well, why did she not say so?

She was afraid to.

You forget how formidable you are, Father.

The silly girl.

Well, then she shall have roses.

Yes, two dozen red roses.

The boy was quiet enough last night.

Not to rose him, sir.

Docility itself.

Mark changed but failed.

Aye. You could all accustom to his shackles.

Shall

we

go up?

If Miss Presbury has no objection.

I understand the necessity.

Let us lead the way, my dear.

I'm glad you're more yourself today, Watson.

You were a veritable bear yesterday.

A touch liverish, perhaps.

This is where the figure appeared?

Yes. There's no ladder on the premises that could reach this height?

No.

Was the window ajar?

Yes. I keep the door locked.

Did the hand touch the window pane?

I don't know.

I fainted.

Of course you did.

No, it's a formidable elevation.

Yet the ivy is strong.

Torn away just here.

Ah.

I suppose that your father has returned prematurely.

No. He mustn't know you're here, Mr. Holmes.

That can scarcely be avoided.

However, let us go down.

The back stairs?

Certainly not.

Good devil, are you, sir?

Father, I'm sorry.

It's the Sherlock Holmes.

Who?

The detective.

Professor Presley.

My card.

221B.

Hardly an address to inspire confidence.

I never sought to inspire confidence in others. I have quite enough of my own.

May I introduce my colleague, Dr. Watson?

Certainly not. You may leave at once the pair of you. Father, they are here at

our request.

But not mine, Edith.

And you, Bennet.

You should have consulted me before resorting to such methods.

A common detective and his accomplice.

Really.

Now, sir, allow me to escort you from the premises.

My assistant had no authority to engage you in this matter. Kindly inquire into

it no further.

Should you persist, I shall have no hesitation in calling the police.

The Strait of the Yard is well known to me, so beware.

I would not hesitate in calling the Strait, Professor, if you wish to have

mystery solved.

There is no mystery, sir.

None.

I'll be gone with you. Or would you have me released, my dog?

Believe me, you'll not distinguish between a hired snoop and a known

Or would you be gone, sir, with you?

We shall, sir, we shall. But you are over the mark. Kindly watch your words.

As a breed, despite their ferocious appearance, dogs are seldom vicious.

I'm surprised that Roy needs chaining at all.

Unless it is for your safety as much as I am.

A dog reflects family life, Watson.

Does it indeed.

We've heard of a frisky dog in a gloomy home.

Or a sad dog in a happy one.

Snarling people have snarling dogs.

You observed the presence of an Irish wolfhound as well as I?

He growled quite as much as his master as he does us, two complete strangers.

That animal did not reserve its animosity solely for the professor.

Well, we'll seek verification from young Bennet when he arrives.

I said word by way of Jock McPhail, after our meeting at the Goat and

Another of your agents, Holmes? The President's coachman.

His shard of Roy.

I joined him last night for what he calls a wee goldie. Here's Bennett,

precipitate as ever. Come in!

Good morning.

Mr Holmes, Dr Watson.

I must apologise for your unfortunate encounter yesterday.

But also... There's no need.

In fact, it has provided the very first clue to this odd affair.

Do sit down.

Thank you.

Mr. Holmes, I cannot pretend I'm happy to have answered your summons.

Of course.

And I continue to appreciate the division of your loyalties. It's no

wonder that you have withheld so much.

Roy first attacked his master on the evening of September 2nd, did he not?

How can you know that? As the professor came from his study into the hall, you

restrained the dog.

On this occasion, he was merely shut up in the scullery.

Next morning, he was as right as rain, or so Macphail informs me.

Macphail? Who better than the family coachman to advise me how matters might

truly stand?

Forgive me, Mr. Holmes, I should have told you myself, but... But you didn't.

The second attack occurred 13 days later.

Again, the professor was in the hall.

Fortunately, this time he was able to put the study door between himself and

altered animal, was he not?

He just wanted Roy chained from that moment.

But her father overruled her.

He insisted that he was still a dear, affectionate dog, that he wasn't

congenitally vicious.

But not after the third attack.

No, he did agree then that he had to be restrained.

And Roy was banished to the chain in the stable yard?

Yes. McPhail believes that the change in Roy's behaviour stems from about two

months ago.

I think it may have. I didn't keep a strict note of it.

Consult your fiancée, Bennet, and Macphail.

The tight log of these events may yet prove pertinent.

I observed that the professor lectures at the university at two o 'clock this

afternoon. I shall call then.

No! I couldn't possibly agree! No!

Bennet, Miss Presbyter did not dream.

Someone or something looked in upon her.

It is my conviction that your fiancée is in grave danger.

From whom?

No, sir.

From whom.

Or from what.

Secretary, you handled the professor's correspondence.

Oh, yes, it's my responsibility to open every letter.

Has it always been Miss Presbyter's habit to lock her bedroom door at night?

Um... No, well, it...

Well, she told me that... Yes?

It was after Roy began to behave so strangely.

That she too became afraid of the dog?

You mustn't touch his death!

Get it!

Thank you.

Inform me of the correspondence the professor had with someone called...

Inhabiting... Cornmead.

Oh, no, no, no.

Commercial road, of course, you see.

It would appear that the professor answers such correspondence himself.

Well, again, um... Again, you've been reluctant to speak.

Yes. Some eight weeks ago, he told me that certain missives might arrive from

East Central marked by a cross under the stamp.

The code?

And did they?

Regularly?

Irregularly. I always leave them unopened and speak of them to no one.

missive. They were not letters.

Some were. Others were small packets.

And did you observe Professor Pesby's replies?

No. They didn't pass through my hands.

Yet the evidence would suggest that he did respond.

To the Hindu, the dog is a traditional enemy of the monkey.

What was that, Watson?

What?

Nothing. Jack!

Oh, I... I wasn't aware.

No, I couldn't tell you. You'd already gone out.

I see.

I've invited Alice to take tea with us.

Do not be too severe upon your fiancé, Miss Presbury.

He has acted for the best.

And please, will you continue to lock your door at night?

The prowler who looked in upon you is no ordinary creature.

Good day.

You wouldn't have brought him in here.

I didn't want him. He insisted.

This is with grave danger.

Was that Sherlock Holmes?

The Sherlock Holmes?

Your observation goes to the very heart of this business, Watson.

Observation? Considering the monkey and the dog, the very heart of it. You think

so? If you'll be so kind as to accompany me to the university, you can drive on

to the commercial road, inquire after Doddack.

That's not an address, Holmes. The commercial road's a mile long from

East to Limehouse. Then ask a costumonger where Doddack's shop.

Shop? Come on, Watson, I'm going to be late.

The equatorial...

rainforests of Africa, Asia, and Southern America are filled with the

movement of a multitude of species from the private family.

To conclude, therefore, this physical activity, the swinging amongst branches,

the flying leaps from treetop to treetop, and loud, raucous calling, not

defines territorial rights in the forest, for example, for food gathering,

They're the tender shoots of tree and shrub, particularly prized, but also is

frequently, among the males, a ritual display, either to warn

off unwelcome intruders or to impress a particular female with the sexual

potential of the former.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Looking for something, are you? I believe there's some livery stables here

nearby. No.

No, we've got a knacker's yard next door, that's all. Oh, right.

Right you are.

With a dead end cock.

I can see a way through.

Yes. Are you a knack or what? Not at all.

Out.

I'm sorry. I said out.

You just can't take an in, can you? I beg your pardon? I said art, and I meant

art. No one needs to make them.

These are commercial penalties.

What do you mean by that?

I mean it's a shop.

Well, it must be early closing day.

This is ridiculous.

Is it?

My dear Lestrade, I am astonished that you, a man of your standing...

Should call upon Professor Petty and Aaron.

Professor Petty objects most strenuously to your investigations, Mr. Holmes.

His complaint is that of unjustified harassment.

The justification has yet to be proved.

Has Professor Petty informed you of the facts?

Of course.

And your conclusions?

A girl half asleep mistook a cat or a bird or both for an intruder.

That's all trifle.

Such a simple explanation.

However, it begs the question of the family dog, does it not?

Does it?

What dog?

Please, we did not mention Roy's part in this affair. Strange.

Clearly a partial witness.

I suggest you ask him.

They're not in full possession of the facts of this complex case.

Trust you to say there's more to it than meets the eye, Mr Holmes.

I never concern myself in anything without that stimulus.

If you persist, you may find yourself at the wrong end of a private prosecution,

you know.

Professor Presbury is a determined man.

Then we're fairly matched, are we not?

I knew it.

Well, I've said my say.

Mr. Holmes.

Mr. Strange.

Right you can do it. Yeah easier than Maidstone poor old fella

144.

Hmm?

Commercial Road.

Oh, you're located, don't I? Good.

He appears to run a general store, as far as I can tell.

Sells everything from flat irons to fishhooks.

Can you be more specific?

Well, it can't be a very prosperous business.

Why not?

Because the general public are not allowed in.

Did you discover anything else?

Apart from being threatened by an unhelpful brute in an alley at the side,

little.

He obviously worked there, but he followed me back to the shop and

again. Well, there was another fellow, sharply dressed, without a waistcoat,

with a moustache.

Sherwood?

Yes. Yes, he did.

Sounds like Harry Wilcox.

More usually of Serra Square than the East End.

Anything further?

No, not really.

Except the smell.

There was a very odd smell about the place.

With what?

It's not easy to say.

Blown to the animal kingdom.

Straw or stables?

All I could do.

You're still up.

Yes, sir. I thought I might finish these proofs.

Very conscientious of you, but no, no, you get to bed.

I'd rather not, sir.

I should like... Get to bed.

Go on with you.

Yes, sir.

Very well.

Right, sir.

Wake up! It's me!

Edith!

It's me! Open the door!

What is it?

It's for... I can't describe it.

The intruder?

We met around your father.

Dr. Presby.

What is it?

Jack thought he saw... I found it. I... I heard an intruder.

You did?

Yes. Roy, too, was exorcised, but when I looked out just now, there was nothing,

and he'd been squinted out. Listen.

But you thought you saw... Yes, I thought I saw... Yes?

An animal.

Animal?

No. Must have been a trick of the night, sir.

Must have been.

Yes, sir.

I was mistaken.

My apologies.

Dennis?

Yes, sir?

Get some sleep.

That's a good chap.

Yes, sir.

Manifestly, a gang is at work.

Other zoological gardens have reported similar thefts. Oh, yes.

My colleagues in Bristol are investigating the theft of two

and a baboon.

Removed only last week.

A travelling menagerie in Oxfordshire have lost a cry chimpanzee. And

their finest gorilla.

Big Charlie.

Delightful chap, isn't he? Well.

They've all disappeared without a trace. And Mr Holmes, what's his interest?

He insisted to me that this may have relevance to another case he has in

We like to indulge him when we can.

Find anything to the purpose, Mr. Holmes? Nothing much.

I warned you. My men have been through it with the tooth comb.

The lock was released by Swell Jenkins of Stepney Green.

The primate was quietened with a pad of coliform administered by someone who

lavishes their hair with Mr. Brewster of German Streets Pomade.

This would suggest that he also sports a waxed moustache.

Mr Brewster being celebrated for his cosmetic wax of a gentleman.

If this were sold, Lestrade, you could do worse than have a word with Harry the

Tash Wilcox of Soho.

Good Lord, Holmes.

Nothing much would be anyone else's a great deal.

Yes, well, I'm sure my men will arrive at the same conclusion once their

are handed.

You will also naturally have noticed, Lestrade, that this is the sixth

theft of a mature male primate in as many weeks.

Is it?

Six?

No, exceptional.

The gender of the animals removed is, as I suggest, of the Athens.

Good -bye.

Come in.

Dearest Alice.

I'm not interrupting your work. No, no.

I wasn't seriously engaged.

Just some notes of future inquiry, nothing more.

Shall we go through to the drawing room?

This is hardly the place to entertain a young lady. No.

Oh, dear.

My dear child, what is the matter?

I ought to have said before.

Won't you?

What?

There.

You must take it back.

Oh, Alice.

I can't marry you.

I shouldn't have said I would, but I was afraid they'd know.

Please take it back.

Nonsense. This is simply a... No.

You must take it. There.

I'm sorry.

Alice! No.

You're old.

You're too old.

So Bennett actually saw the intruder's shadow inside the house.

But upon investigation, you could find no further trace. You must get this to

him by way of the butcher's boy. Are you coming?

Where to?

Dorat Camporium.

The specialist partwell Jenkins took the pains to guard against you.

Are you game?

Delighted.

You go on.

Always carry a firearm, East of Allgate, Watson.

It's out like this.

Where was Reckon in all of this, Mr.

Holmes? Wilcox!

Jenkins.

My heavens, Holmes, this is what I smelt.

These are Dorak's patients, poor, abused creatures.

Have you observed the experiments that Dorak performs on them? Oh, no, that's

none of our business, he says.

We can't get no fortunate that the process has been kept from you.

Now, gentlemen, in you go.

In there? With him? Why?

To await the police.

In, gentlemen.

Surprise!

Inspector Lestrade at once.

You can't leave us in here.

Remember, the gorilla is a social animal.

And if you both mind your manners, you will do well enough, my dear sir.

Ah,

Mr. Bennet and Miss Presley.

Yes. You decided I had to accompany Jack, Mr Holmes. I'm delighted. Have you

brought the list of missing dates?

Yes.

Roy also barked on these nights.

Please, never mind that, Mr Holmes.

We have far more urgent matters to impart.

Is that so?

Miss Morphy has renounced my father.

Has he returned his reign?

Today, since when he has remained locked in his study. Every time I've knocked,

you shout an abuse at me. We fear... The logic of it, Watson.

For this progression, do you see it?

Please. The first three occasions of self -evidence.

We know of those. What happened on the 5th of October?

Roy barked all night.

And on the 12th, too.

There are also days upon which the professor would thief packages from

East Central. This is the date on which the face appeared at the window four

nights ago?

Yes. And this is where the shadow appeared last night?

Of course!

The common factor is two.

Always the gap decreases by two days.

And today is the 21st of October.

Did... Yes.

Package arrived this morning.

The crisis of the world.

Last night was but the precursor.

Come with me, let's go at once!

What? I thought it was... Can you hear me, sir? Too well, Mr. Disney.

Too well.

Up there. Look!

He said he'd go to this Morpheus house. Let him stay here and protect Miss

Presley.

Close thing.

Just missed the carotid artery.

Is he all right?

He'll live.

A reformed man, I have no doubt, after his experience.

My dear Lestrade, I quite intended you to have the credits, but to complete the

case against Dorak, Wilcox and Jenkins, you'll need this.

Here is the incontrovertible proof that those animals you've rescued from

degradation were stolen for the sake of their glands.

The animal extract to be sold at enormous profit to those foolish or

enough to imagine that a course of theorem could restore their lost

without any other effects.

I am grateful to you, Mr. Holmes.

Thanks to you, we've traced the evil to its source.

Perhaps, before Presby.

When one tries to rise above nature, one is liable to fall blurred.

The high type of man may revert to the animal.

when he leaves the straight road of death.

Yes, well, I'll leave the philosophy to you, Mr Holmes. Quite the best,

Lestrade, I always do.

Is the wolfhound to be destroyed?

Oh, no.

No, it was the monkey that Roy attacked, not the man.

But the dog will be himself again quite as much as his master.

Well, thank you both.

Good day, gentlemen.

Good day, Lestrade.

If I may say so, Holmes, I think you went a little too far in allowing the

straight all the credit.

Not all, Watson.

You can find it away in our archives.

One day the entire truth can be told.

you