Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943)

[bunniefuu]

Your name please?

William Easter.

Mr. William Easter?

Right.

Your passport please.

Do I have to go through
this rigmarole every time?

Regulations sir.

Beastly nuisance
I call it.

You'll receive your American
Visa in Lisabon.

Will there be time?

Definitely.

We've seemed
to cut our time

pretty close Sir Henry.

Have you a word Sir Henry?

Do you wish to
make any comments?

Sir Henry, what
is your destination

New York or Washington?

I'm sorry, I have
nothing to say.

Sir Henry Marchmont
official business.

Oh Sir Henry Marchmont.

Sir Henry.

Thank You.

Good luck Sir Henry.

Thanks, I may need it.

Shall I take
your case sir?

Definitely not.

I say, you think
the old boy carried

the fate of the empire
in that little black case.

Perhaps he does.

Heads up boys.

Roll it away.

Lively now.

Hey just a moment,

you are shy one passenger.

Hold on.

Wait a bit.

Wait I say.

I've got passage.

Yes.

Your name sir?

Grayson's the
name, John Grayson,

senior clerk Farlow
Nash and Farlow,

solicitor of
Chancery Lane.

You've got it all there.

Everything quite regular.

Sorry to delay you,

missed the bus
had to take a taxi,

dreadful nuisance.

Yes.

Hop aboard will you,
we're late now.

Thanks.

Thanks awfully.

Sorry to delay.

I'm awfully sorry.

It's quite all right.

I've no sense of
balance, none whatever.

Thanks.

clumsy of me.

No sense of balance.

That's what it is.

The effects of the
inner ear I fancy.

And when I read

that you were in route to
Washington, Sir Henry,

I just couldn't rest
until I found you.

Now dear, when can
you dine with us?

Very kind Mrs. Jellison
I'll put you first

on my unofficial list.

Oh I have a much
better idea.

You must let me put you
up during your stay.

Thanks very much but...

Washington is so crowded.

I'll put you in
the blue room.

Come in.

Thank you sir.

But if Sir Henry
isn't the one who is?

I don't know.

But Sir Henry received
a cable from London

tipping him off.

It's up to us to find
the real British agent

before this train
reaches Washington.

Yeah.

Whoever's got the document

will be protected there.

If Sir Henry isn't
carrying it...

I've got it.

Besides Sir Henry
and myself

only one man's come all
the way from London.

A chap called Grayson,

John Grayson.

Well then
Grayson's are man.

Grayson's carrying
the document

while Sir Henry's
being used as a decoy.

It's so old it's new.

When Grayson leaves
the club car

and goes to get
his luggage

that's our cue.

We know what to do.

Good.

That's Grayson
standing at the bar,

the little fellow.

Excuse me sir.

Don't give it
thought brother.

I'm in politics, I'm
used to hard knocks.

I'm Henry Babcock,
Senator Babcock.

How do you do?

John Grayson.

Sit down Grayson.

Have a glass
of grape juice

from my home state.

Used to know a
man named Grayson,

mighty fine man.

He was m*rder*d.

Two grapes George.

This book has got
me all confused.

I do wish you'd
set me straight

on the
international situation.

Rather large
order I'm afraid.

Oh you're so
right, Sir Henry.

One must take the broader
view I always say.

Another grape
juice Grayson,

you can't have too many
vitamins I always say.

Thank you Senator

but if you don't mind

I'll have a
whiskey and soda.

Why sure.

George bring them
over will you?

Let's get a chair.

I was built for comfort.

Solid little beggars.

Kept some myself
for the lad

till mother got a cat.

Shhhh.

Don't say C-A-T.

Oh sorry.

Permit me.

Oh thank you, you're
very kind I'm sure.

Beg your pardon sir.

Here we are.

Porter?

Yes sir.

Are we on time?

Yes sir.

We'll be in Washington
in twenty-minutes.

By the way Grayson
what's your line?

Line?

Yeah, what
business you in?

What's your racket?

Oh I represent a
London legal firm.

Farlow, Nash and Farlow.

Farlow?

I used to know a
man named Farlow.

No, no it was Marlow.

Couldn't have been
the same fellow.

Well I suppose not.

I've been making
a tour of my state

getting the opinions
of the home folks.

Taking a lot of their
ideas back to Washington.

I'd like to hear more of
your activities Senator.

Give me your address Sir

and I'll have all my
speeches mailed to you.

You're quite to kind sir.

Sorry I have no card.

Oh Porter?

Yes Miss?

Permit me.

Thank you very much.

Not at all.

I'll be at this address

for the next week or so,

I hope.

Thank you.

I'll get my
papers together.

Pleasant meeting
you my friend.

Better look me
up in Washington.

I'll just get my bag.

Thank you, thank you.

Oh I forgot to pay George.

Excuse me sir.

This is a blackout.

Keep your seats.

This is a blackout.

Keep your seats.

Mice!

Oh dear, all gone.

Peter!

Peter.

Nancy darling.

I didn't dream you'd
be able to meet me.

I got leave.

Oh darling,
that's wonderful.

Just three days.

Oh that's awful?

We haven't a
second to lose.

First thing I did...

Was get this.

This finger?

Well I haven't had
much experience.

Look, day after tomorrow

your aunt's giving
us a reception

until then you and I

are going to be a
couple of busy people.

Oh I beg your pardon.

Goodbye.

Who's your boyfriend?

You needn't worry.

He just lit a
cigarette for me.

This is the
BBC News Bureau

broadcasting from London.

At this time we present

our regular morning
summary of the news.

A British subject
has disappeared

under curious
circumstances.

John Grayson,

senior clerk in the firm

of Farlow Nash and Farlow,

solicitors,

Chancery Lane,

has not arrived
at his firm's

representatives
in Washington.

Foul play is suspected.

Deplorable,

simply deplorable.

It's the sort of thing

that shakes your
faith by George.

I say, Holmes, shake
your faith in everything.

You alarm me Watson.

I've never seen you
affected by the news

however startling.

Startling, my dear
fellow, it's devastating.

Seen the scores?

The Navy got four
hundred and twenty-eight

for six wickets.

Against the Army at Lords.

May I draw your
attention to the fact

that really
momentous things

are happening in
the world today?

I know all about that.

I'll get to them later on.

Excuse me.

Mind my egg old boy.

Oh I'm sorry.

With your consuming
interest in the game

I'm surprised that you've
changed your mind

about running up to Lord's
cricket grounds this afternoon.

Well it can't be helped.

I had to put it off...

how did you know
I'd changed my mind?

Elementary my dear Watson.

Invariably when you
go to a cricket match

you fill your flask
with my best whiskey.

Just now I
noted in passing

that the flask was empty.

A single whiff informed me

that it had been
recently filled,

obviously
after filling it,

you would
pour the contents

back into the bottle,

therefore you would
have changed your mind

about a cricket match.

You amaze me Holmes.

You're positively amazing.

Come in Mrs. Hudson.

Oh excuse me, Mr. Holmes,

there's a gentleman

and he's very insistent.

Well I do declare

he followed me
right up the stairs.

Didn't I ask you to wait?

My good woman you
may ask me to wait

but not the
British Empire.

Mr. Holmes, I must talk
to you immediately.

How are you Mr. Ahren?

That will be all now
thank you Mrs. Hudson.

My good woman indeed.

Ahren?

I seem to know that name.

Don't tell me,
my dear Watson,

that you don't recognize

Mr. Ahren of
the home office.

Why yes of course.

I knew you the
moment you came in.

How are you Ahren?

Did you see what the
Navy did to the Army

at Lords yesterday?

All right Watson, go
on with your breakfast.

Mr. Holmes, I am
here on a matter

of the utmost secrecy.

I assure you Mr. Ahren

that Doctor Watson is the
very sole of discretion.

Won't you sit down?

By the by Watson

please be so
good as to keep

tapping on the table
with your Kn*fe.

Tapping on the
table with a Kn*fe?

It will break
the wavelength

if by any chance there's a
dictograph in the walls.

All really.

Cigarette?

No thank you.

You can stop now Watson.

Well Mr. Ahren

I take it you
have called on me

in connection
with the kidnapping

of John Grayson in
America last night.

Why yes.

Yes exactly.

Grayson was
carrying a document

of a very
confidential nature.

Indeed.

It's contents
were of such

great international
importance

that I am not at
liberty to reveal them

but if that document

falls into the
hands of the enemy,

I can only say

it will be
absolutely disastrous

for this government
and our allies.

For that reason

we did not wish
to transport it

to Washington in
the usual way.

So a regular
King's messenger,

Sir Henry Marchmont,
was dispatched.

Not carrying the
document of course?

That's right.

Sir Henry was
the sort of...

A decoy shall we say?

Precisely.

The document was
actually entrusted

to a reliable but
insignificant man

in our secret service.

On his arrival
in Washington

he was to make himself
known to Sir Henry

and deliver the document.

Now not even
Sir Henry knew

that this man, Pettibone,

who traveled under
the name of John Grayson,

was the real messenger.

Pettibone?

Yes.

Alfred Pettibone?

Yes.

Good man.

None better.

I've worked
with him often.

I hope you may be able
to work with him again.

But he's completely
disappeared,

he's vanished, gone
without leaving a trace.

I can see the possibility

of serious ramifications
in his disappearance.

Exactly.

So far we've
been able to keep

the knowledge of our loss

from both the American
and British public.

Holmes you must
retrieve that document

before it can be
used against us.

Of course the Washington
Police have been notified

of Grayson's
disappearance

but even they don't know

that he was carrying
the document.

Now that's about
all the detail

I'm at liberty
to give you.

Well if they've
got Grayson,

that is Pettibone, they
must got the papers.

Not necessarily Watson.

It doesn't follow
because they got man,

they got the document.

What form is
this document in?

It was typed on two
sheets of legal paper.

Two sheets?

That's too bulky
to swallow.

And dry Watson,
cheerfully dry.

Especially legal papers.

Well whatever shape
the document was in

I trust Pettibone
to get rid of it

before anyone could
lay hands on him.

The document
must be found

before it falls into the
hands of our enemies.

I'm here on behalf of His
Majesty's government

who urges you to find it.

That means going to
Washington, of course.

With all possible speed.

A bomber is waiting
for you at Creighton.

Goodbye Doctor Watson.

Goodbye Sir.

Goodbye Ahren.

Goodbye Holmes, good luck.

Thanks very much.

We're relying on you.

Well Watson

we're off to
Washington at once.

America, I say
that's exciting.

I've never seen a
game of baseball.

Let's go and start
packing at once.

First I'd like to take
a look at the home

of Alfred Pettibone.

Come along Watson.

Why Doctor Watson,

what a surprise.

And Mr. Holmes,

won't you come in?

Thank you.

I'm frightfully sorry

but you've won't
find my son in

he's gone to Washington.

Some business or other.

Poor fellow I'm afraid
that he'll never...

never get used to the
climate over there.

Would you mind if we

looked over
your son's room?

Why of course,
it's upstairs.

Thank you.

Some friends tell
me very, very muggy,

very sticky.

You'll find his room

in a dreadful
pickle Mr. Holmes.

Quite a mess he is.

And I'm not allowed
to put my nose inside,

as if I cared
anything about

his silly old collection.

This fellow, Pettibone,

seems a curious
sort of a fellow.

Sort of a collector
of collections.

Postage stamps,

m*llitary buttons,

butterfly,

oh, bugs,

snapshots,

all sorts of rubbish.

Yes, I shall write a
monograph some day

on the noxious habit

of accumulating
useless trivia.

Please be so good as
to stop pacing Watson,

you distract me.

All right, all right.

Unless I'm
greatly mistaken,

our friend Pettibone,

did not carry two
pages of legal paper

when he left this room.

I wouldn't be
too sure Holmes.

Ashes are
deceptive you know?

On the contrary
my dear Watson.

The rag used on
artificial documents

leads an ash that
is unmistakable.

Oh do stop pacing!

I'm not pacing.

I haven't moved an inch.

I'm sorry old
fellow, my error.

Must be Mrs. Pettibone,

heavy woman light
on her feet.

Doesn't follow.

Our friend seems to be
quite a camera enthusiast.

What's this?

Cook F , that's a
very fast lens

F ,

and a (unintelligible).

Copying set up.

American match folders.

That's right, U. S. A.

Now why would Pettibone

want American match
folders in his work?

And a microscope,

most interesting.

What's this?

Watson this microscope

was last used for
examining microfilm.

I'm beginning to
see the pattern.

It stopped now.

Did you know
that the letters

of our soldiers overseas

are being
photographed on microfilm

so that one carrier pigeon

can carry the equivalent
of , letters?

Oh really?

We had a carrier
pigeon in the last w*r.

Back in belonging to
the Brigade Signal Corp.

Did you?

Yeah, the poor bird kept
flying round and round

in circles all day long.

Found out later on
that it was cross-eyed.

Tragic thing.

Where are you going, huh?

Oh dark room huh?

This is what I
was looking for.

This projector magnifies
tremendously

anything placed
on the slide

like this piece
of microfilm.

Understand?

Can't say I do
exactly, no.

Wait a minute.

I'll show you one
of his photographs.

Well it's that
match folder.

Why did he want to
photograph that for?

Probably to line
up his equipment

before he photographed
the document.

We got him Watson.

Oh have we?

Yes.

Come along.

All is clear as mud to me.

Just as I thought,

this document has been
reduced to microfilm

to make its
concealment possible.

Alfred Pettibone is a
most ingenious fellow.

A bulky document

is obviously
difficult to conceal

but two pages
of a state paper,

photographed
on microfilm,

would be reduced to a size

no larger than a stamp.

Slitting a match
folder with this...

with this razor blade...

Pettibone placed the now
minute document inside,

stuck it together again

and there he had it.

An American match folder,
rare in London

but completely inconspicuous
in the United States.

Do you mean to say
were off to America

just to look for
a match folder?

It's a big country.

A big country Watson

and a small match folder.

Come along.

Did you find what you were
looking for Mr. Holmes?

Yes thank you
Mrs. Pettibone.

By the by you haven't
been up on the roof

in the last twenty
minutes have you?

Why no.

What made you think that...

Well we distinctly
heard footsteps...

Nonsense Watson,

it was the house settling.

Gracious yes.

Such popping
and groaning,

we're quite used to it.

Thank you.

Goodbye Mr. Holmes.

Goodbye Mrs. Pettibone.

Goodbye Doctor Watson.

Goodbye.

So sorry you
missed Alfred.

I'll tell him the
minute he gets back.

Gets back?

Oh yes, yes,
yes of course.

Goodbye again
Mrs. Pettibone.

Just a minute Watson.

That was no accident
I assure you Watson.

Well aren't you going
to find out who did it?

Time's too precious now.

At least I know
they've learned

of my entry into the case.

They, who are they?

The same group that took
Alfred Pettibone

off the train on
his way to Washington.

A group that will
stop at nothing

to get their hands on
the document he carried.

Their leader is a clever,

resourceful criminal

who seems to have sources

of information
from everywhere.

That means a worldwide
organization

who'll stop at
nothing you say.

Quite.

That's why we must get
our bags and ourselves

aboard that bomber
without delay.

We're opposed
by an adversary

worthy of our best efforts

At present he has
all the advantages.

Even that of being
only a merciless,

nameless shadow.

Think of it Watson,
in a few hours

we'll be flying out
over the Atlantic.

We're flying over
New York sir.

New York hey?

Yes sir.

We've been cleared by
radio, nonstop Washington.

What is that book

that so engrosses
your attention Watson?

A book on the
quaint customs

and manners of America.

We must be half way across

and I've only got
to page thirty-seven.

For your information,
my dear fellow,

we are now flying
over New York.

Flying over New York?

Good gracious me.

Extraordinary.

This is the embassy
car Mr. Holmes.

You're being very
helpful Mr. Lang.

Detective
Lieutenant Grogan

of the Washington Police.

How do you do?

Welcome to Washington.

Thank you.

This is my associate
Doctor Watson.

How do you do sir?

How are you?

I suppose I should
say, how are you buddy?

What's... what's cooking?

Oh come along Watson.

Oh it says it
here in the book.

Oh what's cooking?

Grogan's in charge
of investigating

the Grayson case for the
Washington Police.

Any new
developments Grogan?

None Mr. Holmes.

I'd be glad let you
have our complete file

and of course we'll
cooperate in every way.

Thank you.

I shall
appreciate your help,

especially as I'm
unfamiliar with your country.

Oh yes, of course, this
is your first visit.

Oh there's the
Lincoln Memorial.

Most impressive.

Oh by the by Mr. Lang,

thank you for
your cablegram.

I received it just
before I left London.

Cable?

I sent no cable.

About our reservations at
the Hotel Metropolitan.

Why no we thought you'd

stay at the
Embassy of course.

Look at that.

Well since some
strange person

has taken such an

extraordinary interest
in my welfare

I think I shall stay at
the Hotel Metropolitan.

Oh Mr. Holmes, there's
the Washington Monument.

There's the
Capitol, Mr. Holmes.

Magnificent.

We're expecting
you Mr. Holmes.

Thank you.

I've questioned everybody

known to have been
in that club car,

as a matter of course.

Sir Henry Marchmont
confirms that Grayson had

contact only with the
people on this list.

Now he had a drink
with Senator Babcock

and he chatted
with a Miss Pringle

about some mice
she had in a cage

and then he
picked up a book

dropped by a
Mrs. Jellison.

Not very much to go on.

How many of these people

have been
att*cked already?

I've heard about your
deductions Mr. Holmes.

Well Senator Babcock
was held up

on his way
from the station

but nothing taken.

Mrs. Jellison's home was
ransacked that night.

And she found the book

that she carried
from the train

literally torn to bits.

That's right.

Miss Pringle?

Miss Pringle said

someone released the
mice from the cage

that during the
night sometime

and she found the
cage torn apart.

What happened to
the mice I wonder?

An intriguing line
of thought, Watson,

but not essential
to the case.

Apparently, Grogan,

they're still looking
for the document.

I'd very much like

to have a look at
that club car.

Well that will be easy,

I had the car
held on the side

in the railroad yards.

Good.

But we searched the car
thoroughly Mr. Holmes.

We couldn't find a thing.

What are you doing?

What's this?

Mr. Holmes your trunk.

Trunk?

I have no trunk.

It says right there.

Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
Hotel Metropolitan.

How was this
trunk delivered?

An express man
brought it sir.

What's the name
of the company?

Do you remember
the license number?

Well naturally I
didn't notice that,

I just signed for it.

All right, thank
you, that'll do.

Well this trunk's
not locked.

Great Scott!

Poor chap.

You recognize
him Mr. Holmes?

Yes.

Who was he?

The man were looking
for, John Grayson.

His real name is
Alfred Pettibone,

British Secret Service.

Why should they
send the body here?

Obviously to frighten us.

Or to tell us
they know that

Sherlock Holmes
is on the case.

Gentlemen they knew
we are on the case

as early as their attempt

on our lives in London.

They're much too
intelligent to believe

that a corpse
would frighten

a trained detective.

No, I rather think they
intended this as a message

and they wanted to be sure

that I'd be here

at the Hotel Metropolitan
to receive it.

Message?

What do you mean?

They want us to believe

that they found
the document

and therefore have no
further use for Grayson.

Well if that's true
then we're done for.

I'm not so sure that
it is true Watson.

If they have the document

why they wasting
time sending me this?

No.

It's an attempt to
throw me off the track.

Grogan, you have a police
laboratory of course?

Certainly.

I'll see what I can
find out about the body.

Yes, whatever marks it
reveals and the trunk.

A microscopic
examination,

everything about
it, the lining,

the blanket in which the
body is wrapped, everything.

Let nothing escape.

We have the best
police laboratories

in the world, Mr. Holmes.

I beg your pardon,
Lieutenant Grogan,

you see I'm so accustomed
to working quite alone

at my lodgings
on Baker Street

that I sometimes forget

the more modern
scientific methods

so particularly effective
here in America.

Well if there's anything there
they'll find it Mr. Holmes.

While you're doing that I'll
take a look at the club car.

Coming Watson?

Here we are Mr. Holmes.

I have the porter
as you asked

and the railroad company's
sent Mr. Moore to unlock cars.

Delighted, how do you do?

Very good let's go in.

This way gentlemen.

Well.

It looks as if the police

have made a
thorough search.

Whoever did it,

it wasn't the police.

There have been
visitors here

since our friend Grogan.

My goodness
look at our car.

Talk about a blitz.

I say Holmes, if Grayson
hid anything in this car

it certainly
isn't here now.

Not necessarily Watson.

If you will help me

put this place in
some kind of order.

Yes sir, boss.

This would go about
here I imagine.

Yeah.

That's it boss.

And, wait a minute.

Yes that's certainly
more like it, yes sir.

Thank you that
will be all.

Watson will you be Mr.
Grayson for a moment?

Grayson?

If you want me to old man.

What do you want me to do?

You're having a
drink at the bar.

Oh drink, not a bad idea.

Drink at the bar.

Bring me a whiskey and
soda will you Stewart?

Stewart?

Sorry Doctor Watson
but the bar's closed.

He says the bar's closed.

According to Grogan's

reconstruction
of the scene,

let me see,

yes,

Grayson pauses at the bar

while Senator Babcock
moves across

and sits down here.

Do you mind being
Senator Babcock

for the moment Watson?

Going up in the world.

Sit down please.

Now Miss Pringle
is seated there.

Over here Watson.

Huh?

Now I'm Miss Pringle?

That's right,
the mouse woman.

Oh the mouse woman.

Watson over here please.

No not there, not there,

that's Senator Babcock.

Oh pardon me Senator.

Sit down please.

Now you're Mrs. Jellison.

Oh excuse me Mr. Holmes,

he ain't Mrs. Jellison.

He's the young lady.

What?

Sir Henry Marchmont
was sitting right here

and Mrs. Jellison
was right here.

She is sort of
a big, fat lady.

What did Grayson
do with her

that attracted
your attention

so particularly
to Mrs. Jellison?

The little man he
retrieved her book.

And the young
lady sitting here?

Didn't she converse
with the little man?

No sir.

That young lady didn't have
no converse with no one.

When the little
man lit her cigarette

she sat back and said,

"Thank you very much."

But you have matches
here for your customers.

Oh yes, she called me
and I saw her cigarette

and I knew she
wanted a match.

And Grayson used one
of his own matches?

Well uh...

oh yes, he took a folder
from his coat pocket.

Did he put the match
folder back in his pocket

or did he give it
to the young lady?

Why I don't remember,
I was fairly busy.

Try to remember!

Oh if I should
try till doomsday

I couldn't remember

just what happened
to that match folder.

Oh yes, I remember just
one important thing.

What?

When the little
man lit her cigarette

he said something
very peculiar.

What was it?

He said, "Permit me."

Oh.

Well...

well gentlemen

I'm extremely
grateful to all of you.

It's all we can do for
the present I think.

Since the place
was torn to bits,

after the m*rder
of Grayson,

the att*cks on Senator
Babcock, Mrs. Jellison,

Miss Pringle,

I'm convinced that the
document left the club car

long before these events

but how?

By whom?

And who was the
mysterious young lady

whose cigarette
Grayson lighted?

Did anyone meet
the young lady?

He sure did.

He, who's he?

Tall, handsome
and in uniform.

I see.

I suppose you
wouldn't remember

what kind of uniform?

I certainly would.

Lieutenant, Navy flyer.

My boy's in the Army,

he's going to
be a flyer too.

Splendid.

Did you happen to hear
them say anything.

Oh I didn't happen I just
couldn't help hearing it.

Well what did they say?

Oh yes, they said they
had three day leave,

they had to move fast

before the big party her
Aunt was given them.

And then too he put a
ring on her finger

and they both looked
mighty happy.

Just the way you're
looking right now.

And the way I'm
looking myself.

Come on Watson.

That's the girl.

I could swear to it.

Is the address there?

All there, right
in our laps.

Also right into the
lap of Sherlock Holmes.

That's the least
of our worries.

The head could handle
ten like Holmes.

I hope so.

But don't underrate
that Englishman.

I have several
friends who did.

They now grace

some of the best
prisons in England.

Yes sir?

I talked to the
catering company

it's quite all right.

They could
hardly refuse me.

It's the Acton Company.

The Acton
Catering Company.

Yes sir,

I know what to do.

Pop over there.

You're going to work for
the catering company?

Right.

When you get in the house
find out all you can.

Cady?

Yes.

You're to go as a guest.

Will it be safe?

It will have to be.

I'll try and get
in the girl's room.

Unless you hear from me
carry on as we planned.

Oh.

Flash Gordon.

Seems a very
capable fellow.

Sports pages.

These Brooklyn fellows

seem to be arguing
with the Umpire.

Sorted thing.

What are you
eating Watson?

Gum.

Oh put it away.

Never seen you
take an interest

in the society
columns before.

It's a concern
I'll drop at once

I assure you Watson.

Huh?

You find what
you're looking for?

Well how'd you know
this is the girl?

It would be an extraordinary
coincidence wouldn't it

if more than one Naval
lieutenant in Washington

were to become engaged
in the last few days

to a girl from New York

who's aunt was giving
them the reception?

By Jove, you
must be right.

She's a pretty girl.

Yes.

She's walking around with
dynamite in her handbag.

Waldorf Place.

Who is it?

It's me Pete.

You can't come up here.

I did though.

One gets you two.

Awe that party's
going to be

awfully dull after this.

Let's not go.

Let's go away
and get married.

You've only got
one more day.

That's an idea.

Nah, we can't
do that to Anne.

I'll tell you,

let's sneak a look
at the new apartment.

It was awful sweet
of Anne to give us

the whole floor of this
house for our apartment.

The least we can do

is let her have the fun
of showing it to us.

Okay.

Let's face the party.

I'll get my bag.

Thank you.

Oh no you don't.

That's the way I got them.

Oh how do you do?

So glad you come.

This is Mrs... oh dear
what is your name?

Muxton.

Of course I know it
as well as my own.

And this is Mrs. Vail.

How do you do?

Isn't it?

Quite.

Any luck?

Not yet.

That must be
Lieutenant Merriam

and Miss Pattridge
over there.

Certainly glad to
hear the news Pete,

congratulations.

Well thank you
Major, thank you.

You're a lucky guy Pete.

I'll see you later.

Third floor, first door.

Right.

I'll wait there
you bring him up.

Thank you sir.

A toast to the
happy couple.

A toast.

Here.

Here.

Very good.

Happy landings.

Thank you.

Lieutenant Merriam?

Telephone sir.

Navy department calling.

Oh yes, be right back.

Lead on McDuff.

This way sir.

Matches, match me darling.

Pick them up.

Thank you.

Oh Pete hold it.

You can keep them Major.

Oh thank you.

Thank you.

Not for me thank you.

No thank you.

Why up here?

They said it was private.

There's a phone
in here sir.

Hey it's my new apartment.

Miss Pattridge didn't
want me to see it

till after
it was finished.

Here you are sir.

Quite a smell
of paint sir.

In here sir.

Thank you.

Okay now.

We should get some
action, Sir Henry,

with Sherlock Holmes
in Washington.

Yes.

I don't mind telling you

I'd give anything

to get my hands
on that document.

Yes I know.

Or at least know that
it's in safe hands.

Thank you.

Engaged today and
married tomorrow.

No thanks.

Have you a match?

Miss Pattridge?

Yes?

Lieutenant Merriam
asked if you would come

to the new apartment.

But he's not supposed
to see it yet.

The new apartment?

He must think you're
already married.

Yes.

I don't dare let that
man out of my sight.

Excuse me will you please?

Surely.

Oh I'm so sorry.

May I?

Thank you.

This way please.

Oh I know the
way thank you.

Peter!

Where are you?

Well here we are Grogan.

Awe, good connections.

We'd better go
into the party.

Well I think you'd better
go in first Mr. Holmes,

I'm not very good at
this sort of thing.

I think you do all right.

It's the only
possible explanation.

Mrs. Pattridge,
forgive my intruding,

but is your niece
the kind of girl

who would just
disappear in this manner

of her own free will?

Ordinarily, of course not.

But the girl's in love.

In love?

Well of course if
they're in love that's...

Even so,

they'd naturally tell
you of their destination.

Really, I've no idea.

Oh but they'll be back
here again tomorrow.

You see I prepared
an apartment for them

an entire floor
in this house.

By the by Mrs. Pattridge,

I gather the rug you
ordered for the apartment

was not entirely
satisfactory?

Oh those tiresome workmen.

I told them not to come
in here this afternoon

but they did.

And walked out
with the rug,

which they no
doubt informed you

had been sent by mistake

and would be
replaced tomorrow.

Yes but however
did you know that?

Quick, show me
the apartment!

Yes there were
two rugs there.

One for the living room

and one for
the dining room.

Well you're workman wear

rubber sole shoes
do they not?

Oh yes, always, the
company requires them to.

Nevertheless,

there have been leather
heels on this floor

and a woman's heels,

very recently
I should say.

They're not yours
Mrs. Pattridge

but recently enough

so that no dust
has had time

to settle on the imprints.

Stay over there please.

There seems to have been
a struggle over there.

A woman's
footprints disappear

and a man's leather
heels come round,

and stop there.

Either she was carried
out in the carpet or else...

where's that
door lead to?

Why it's a dressing room.

Perhaps an ordinary
skeleton key.

Try it.

Watson this is a matter
for you I'm afraid.

Excuse me.

Who is it?

Is it Merriam?

Peter.

Take it easy
Mrs. Partridge.

Let the doctor
examine him.

How is he Watson?

Nasty cr*ck on the head.

Nothing serious,
thank heavens.

Is there somewhere
where he can lie down?

Of course.

Poor Peter.

Take him to my room.

Here, put your arm
around my neck.

That's it old chap.

Mr. Holmes you
must find Nancy.

Quite.

Poor Peter.

That girl disappeared

right from
under our noses.

It's unbelievable.

I better try to
trace that truck.

That won't lead
us anywhere.

Our antagonist is too
clever for that

but the girl must be
found immediately.

You're sure the
police chemist

found nothing definite

in their examination
of the trunk?

Not one thing
pertinent to the case.

What about Grayson's body

and the blanket
it was wrapped in?

Nothing.

Every object connected
with this case

has some kind
of story to tell.

Do you think
they'd mind if...

The laboratory is

completely at your
disposal Mr. Holmes.

Thank you.

Doctor Watson and I
will go there at once.

The usual findings on
the trunk Mr. Holmes.

Bought in Washington,

been banged about
a good deal,

all labels removed.

And the body?

No marks of any kind.

Very well.

If you need me call.

Thank you.

Watson please.

Just tidying up a bit.

This blanket is beginning
to tell me many things.

Oh really, you
don't say so.

It only remains to
translate them properly.

Yes, just as I thought.

This blanket has had
a most varied history.

It's been on a
many a sea voyage.

The latest not
six months ago.

Since then
it has been used

to wrap a
multiplicity of objects.

Carvings of teak wood,

candle snuffs
made of pewter...

and furniture.

Furniture?

Yes.

Teak wood leaves an
unmistakable stain.

Pewter rubs off easily

and there is evidence
of wax drippings

but what particularly
concerns us Watson

is the furniture.

Most likely a chair.

Louis the XV,

in yellow
and maroon satin.

What do all these things
suggest to you Watson?

Well I would say an
aunt of mine, Matilda,

who lives in Brighton.

Very old fashioned.

Very aged.

Exactly.

Antiques.

We've a lot of
ground to cover

before nightfall.

Ground?

What ground?

If necessary

every antique
shop in Washington.

A-A-N-T-I, here
we are antiques.

Antiques?

Well what
connection is there,

Louis the XV's chair with
this Pattridge girl?

This sliver of wood

came from a
Louis the XV chair

that had once been
wrapped in that blanket.

From other evidences
the blanket supplies

I deduced that it's been
used in an antique shop

and whoever controls
those antiques

m*rder*d Grayson and
kidnapped the girl.

What?

That's it Watson.

Come along

before the
girl's kidnapper

becomes her m*rder*r.

Holmes I'm fed up with

all this shopping
for antiques.

We must keep
searching Watson,

the girl's in
grave danger.

Hello.

Hello.

Oh sorry, what
is it Holmes?

This isn't the place
it seems to be.

Look Watson.

Those cabinets,
obviously imitation

and yet there priced as
if they were authentic.

Buyer be aware
and all that aye Holmes.

Watson I feel
certain this is it.

This is my purse.

May I?

Thank you.

What kind of a
joke is this?

Oh don't bother to answer

you can tell the
police all about it.

And you shall
I promise you.

There are no police here

haven't you noticed

we are quite alone.

I sent for you to ask
you a few questions.

You always send a
rug for your guests?

That's a very nice
rug, Miss Pattridge.

It's not my idea

of a method of
transportation.

Oh I'm sorry about that

but I'm afraid it
was unavoidable.

But why?

You've no right to
bring me here like this.

I've always found it wise

to take what
rights I can get.

Miss Pattridge you
have a document,

which I must have.

Document?

I have no document.

It won't do you any
good to deny it.

But I do deny it.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

You'll remain a prisoner
until you produce it.

How can I produce it
when I haven't got it?

But you have.

You'll observe
that on the train

you had contact with

a little British
agent named Grayson.

He gave you something,
where is it?

But I hardly even
noticed the man.

I wouldn't even had
remembered him

if I hadn't seen his
picture in the paper.

He disappeared
or something.

He's dead Miss Pattridge.

Now will you tell me
what I want to know?

But I can't.

You won't.

I can't I tell you.

Let me out of here.

He gave me nothing.

That's strange because

I know he spoke to you.

There's something
very curious

about that door up there.

To open it you'll have
to know the combination.

But I tell you I spoke
to no one on that train.

Well didn't
that little man

try to be
attentive to you?

Oh he,

he may have offered
the usual courtesies

I don't even remember.

I see.

I'm sorry.

Wont you smoke
one of these?

Thank you.

And you're quite sure

he said nothing
at all to you?

Of course I'm sure.

Permit me.

And your certain

that nothing
passed between you?

I'm certain.

Mr. Howell please.

I must ask you to
trust me with your bag

a little longer.

I have an
eccentric interest

in the linings of purses,

it's (unintelligible).

Awe, you know
Mr. Howe I believe.

Mr. Howe is a gentleman

of unusual
accomplishments.

Under his influence

I've known people
to talk fluently

who never talked before.

But I don't know anything
I tell you, nothing!

Nothing I swear it!

I don't know anything!

You stay out here.

I'll go inside.

I'll assume the character

of an eccentric
art collector.

As soon as I'm convinced

that this is the
place were looking for

I'll signal to you

and you get Grogan

and bring him
here on the run

but don't take any time,

an extra second
may cost a life.

No madam, I don't
know who she is

but notice the modeling.

It has good symmetry,
good lines.

Oh I'll be right
with you sir.

Thank you, I'll just
take a look around.

What an extraordinary
cabinet.

Spanish.

Moorish influence.

Imitation of course.

It is not an imitation,
it's authentic.

Oh come now my dear man.

Awe, may I see some
of these ceramics?

Those aren't for sale.

They're Ming vases mostly

and they haven't
been marked yet.

Well naturally that's of
very little consequence,

you see,
if they're genuine

I can tell it with
it's initialing

what the international
price might be.

If you please sir, there
are other customers.

Oh yes, yes of course.

Well I'll just
look around.

Awe,

what a very interesting
collection of pewter.

That will be five
hundred dollars.

Now would you just
give me the address

where you want it sent?

Mrs.
J. Wellington, Junior,

Duponte Circle.

Good night.

Good night.

I'll have it sent
out in the morning.

Oh dear, oh dear.

I'm most terribly sorry.

You've broken one of
our best pieces sir.

Ming Dynasty.

Tang dynasty not Ming.

Definitely not Ming.

It is my business
to know sir,

the pottery is Ming

and worth twenty-three
hundred dollars.

As were closing
for the evening

I must ask you to
settle at once.

Nonsense my good man.

Tang pottery is worth

six hundred
dollars at best.

Just a moment please.

Yes of course.

Hello.

What's going on out there?

A customer dropped a
valuable piece of pottery.

I'll finish with
him immediately.

How could you say
that it's Ming?

Twenty-three hundred
fiddlesticks.

You ask twenty-three
hundred dollars

for something that's worth

no more than
six hundred

I demand to see
the proprietor.

Now wait a minute.

There are bureaus for the

protection of
innocent customers.

Show me to the owner
of this establishment

or I'll turn
the entire matter

to my legal
representative.

Ming indeed.

Just a minute.

What skullduggery.

I mean to put an end
to it this very night.

Ming for Tang indeed
and I won't be put off.

Call the proprietor
immediately!

Very well, just a minute.

Yes?

This man's mad.

An eccentric collector.

I can't get rid of him.

Insists on seeing
you in person.

All right.

Stall him for a
half-minute

then send him
into my office.

I'll get rid of
him and quickly.

No screams till the
customer's gone.

You get downstairs.

Yes sir.

I'm most
frightfully sorry...

I'm most frightfully
sorry about the vase but,

but really sir you're
clerk is guilty

of attempting the
most obvious fraud.

You see he tried to
convince me

that I'd broken
a Ming pottery.

And anyone could see

that it belonged
to Tang era.

Its value is no more than
six hundred dollars.

All right, you pay
him the six hundred

we'll call the
matter settled.

Oh.

Oh thank you
very much sir.

Thank you.

I'll send you my
check in the morning.

I... I see you know

the London value
of these pieces.

It's my business.

Exactly.

Yes.

Exactly.

You know I think
you're just the man

to help me find
some furniture

I'm anxious to get.

I'm most frightfully bored

with the usual
conglomeration of pieces

that we can pick up
on the other side.

What do you really want
Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

You're Henry Kinkle

or as you now
call yourself

Mr. Richard Stanley.

In , secret agent
of the German Kaiser.

Since then,

head of the most insidious
international spy ring

that ever existed.

You're wrong.

A case of
mistaken identity.

I've been a respected
member of this community

for a great many years.

I deal in antiques

because of their
rarity and beauty.

Merely a device to cover
up your real business

of transporting
secret information

to the enemies
of this country.

Very interesting

but just a figment
of your imagination.

I am a very busy man
Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Where is Nancy Pattridge?

You're not
looking for that girl

you're looking for
a certain document.

Dear me no.

The document's
perfectly safe.

You see the man who has it

doesn't know he has it.

That's a very pretty
tale but quite untrue.

The only man who had
any contact with Grayson

on the train was
Senator Babcock.

The Senator doesn't
have the document

we took the
trouble to find out.

Permit me.

Thank you.

Perhaps you've
been mislead

by the common
notion regarding

the shape and bulk
of state papers.

They might easily
been reduced to a,

to a convenient
size you know?

Say a document
no larger than a,

than a postage stamp.

A postage stamp huh?

That's a very
interesting theory

but not supported
by the facts

and quite
beside the point.

Where's the girl?

She's not here of course

but you're quite at
liberty to look around

if you care too.

Thank you.

I shall do so.

Interesting piece.

Spanish isn't it?

Moorish.

Oh, my error.

It's an amazing specimen

but I assure
you won't find

what you're
looking for there.

You stimulate
my curiosity.

This might
be interesting.

The Moors were
an incredibly

inventive people
weren't they?

Yes it was in
shocking condition

when I got hold of it

but I had it restored.

Very lively now

but old fashioned.

If that's the best you
can do, Mr. Stanley,

I think I may
safely examine

the rest of the room.

Help yourself.

Thank you.

Take your hand away
from that drawer.

Why Mr. Holmes,
you didn't think

I was going to
draw a w*apon.

I never touch the things.

How odd to find
you squeamish.

That connects only
with the shop.

You're very
quick to say so

and yet a short while ago

I saw two other
men in this room

and they didn't go
back into the shop

so there must
be another exit

and perhaps another room.

Yes Mr. Stanley
what is it?

Bring Miss Pattridge
here at once.

Excellent Holmes.

I see your voice hasn't
lost its flexibility.

And my hand hasn't lost
it's cunning either.

When they come here

tell them to leave
the girl with you

and to clear out.

You think I'll do that?

Yes you will.

You're playing with
lives now Stanley.

Not just the girl's
but thousands,

millions perhaps

and we don't intend
to let one man

have that much power.

Not now, not at any
time in the future.

I'd prefer you alive to
face the retribution

that's coming to you

but if I have to do it.

All right, Mr. Holmes,

I suppose we all
must meet our match

sooner or later.

That's enough boys,

take your hands off him.

Well Mr. Holmes?

Tell the clerk to go home

and see that the
front door is locked.

Well Mr. Stanley?

It's the last strike
that counts hey Holmes?

I'll remind you
of that later.

Miss Pattridge

allow me to present
Mr. Sherlock Holmes,

the world
famous detective.

He's come to rescue you.

I don't believe you.

Oddly enough he's
telling you the truth.

My name is
Sherlock Holmes

and I did come
here to help you

but I've seemed rather
to have missed it.

I'm sorry.

I'm afraid you've
had a bad time.

Well that doesn't
matter its Peter,

they say they'll do
something to him

if I don't tell them.

They say they've got him.

Cheer up, he's quite safe.

A tough
customer like Peter

isn't disabled very long

by a clunk on the head.

He's all right.

All okay Mr. Stanley.

Look here Stanley

this girl knows nothing.

I promise she won't
even identify you.

Well unfortunately she
knows enough to hang us,

so do you.

I'm surprised
that you're walking

into a trap like this

but you see the
position I'm in

and what has to be done.

Cady, Howe?

It will give me
great pleasure

to attend to
Mr. Holmes personally.

Easter the girl's yours.

It's the police.

Open up, this
is the police.

Holmes where are you?

You all right?

Holmes!

Where are you?

Darling.

Thank heavens your safe.

Quick, Stanley's escaped.

All right boys
bring'em along.

Come on Lieutenant.

The Senate office
building double quick.

Come in.

I'm glad your
safe Senator.

Safe?

No man is safe.

Look at the way my
constituents snipe at me.

I don't recall seeing
your face before stranger.

I don't think we've met.

Well that explains it.

My name is
Sherlock Holmes.

Glad to know you Holmes.

What's on your mind?

Senator Babcock,
I'm here to inform you

of great peril
to your life.

Richard Stanley,
a dangerous criminal,

is now on his way here.

Richard Stanley?

Why he's the most

respectable
citizen in Washington

has been for years.

What could Stanley
possibly want from me?

A document and under the
stamps of a letter

given to you by chap
named Grayson.

Grayson?

Grayson?

Used to know a
man name... Grayson!

Well that's the fellow
that disappeared.

Say I got that envelope
right here in my wallet.

Now what does
Stanley think

could be under
these stamps?

A secret document
of grave importance.

Reduced to microfilm

and concealed under
these very stamps.

Thank you very
much, Mr. Holmes.

That's just what
I wanted to know.

I might have
missed this microfilm

if you hadn't
lead me to it.

I've seemed to have

underestimated your
capabilities, Mr. Stanley.

Yes, Mr. Holmes,

you're famous powers of
deduction and observation

made of very well
in Limehouse or Soho

but here in America

I believe you're
out of your depth.

If so, the
verdict of history

will be severe indeed.

You nervous,
Sherlock Holmes.

I must confess to
a mark irritation.

Do you mind if I smoke?

Thank you.

The whole course of the
world might be changed

by your acquisition
of the microfilm.

It will be and
for the better.

Have you a match?

You can keep those.

Thank you.

And now if you'll
pardon me, Mr. Holmes.

Why don't you do
something Holmes

if that thing
so important?

The English senator.

Cricket old boy,
always cool in the crisis.

The last trick hey Holmes?

Yes, the last trick.

Say you're a smart
fellow Holmes.

Here's the
microfilm Holmes.

Thank you Senator.

I say Holmes.

This is the microfilm

with the document on it.

It'll be in the proper
hands within the hour.

As I told you
Mr. Stanley,

the man who had it

didn't know he had it.

Well come on let's go.

Well it'll be nice to get
home to Baker Street,

hey Holmes?

Yes but this is a
great country Watson.

It certainly is
my dear fellow.

Look up there ahead,

the Capitol,

the very heart of
this democracy.

Democracy, the only
hope for the future,

hey Holmes?

It's not given
to us to peer

into the mysteries
of the future

but in the
days to come

the British and
American people

will, for
their own safety

and for the good of all,

walk together in majesty,

and justice, and in peace.

That's magnificent.

I quite agree with you.

Not with me,

but Mr. Winston Churchill.

I was quoting from
the speech he made

not so long ago

in that very building.