Sherlock Holmes and the House of Fear (1945)

[bunniefuu]

The events I'm
about to relate

began a fortnight ago.

In a grim old house

perched high on a cliff

on the west coast
of Scotland.

This singular
structure is known as

Driercliff House.

Gathered there for dinner

were the seven members

of a most
extraordinary club

called the Good Comrades.

Into this unique gathering

came their melancholy
housekeeper,

Mrs. Monteith

bearing a message

for Ralph King,

a retired barrister.

King received it casually.

When they saw
the contents,

the Good Comrades took
the whole thing as a joke

but their
housekeeper was right,

it was no laughing matter.

For on the
following night...

Ralph King d*ed horribly

but this was only
the beginning.

A few nights later

as the Good
Comrades gathered

to drink a final toast

to their departed member...

Mrs. Monteith entered

with a second envelope.

This time addressed
to Stanley Raeburn.

In his day

a distinguished actor.

This time you may be sure

there was no laughter.

These men were afraid

and their fear
was justified.

For once again the
message proved to be

a portent of death.

It was ten days

before Raeburn's battered
body was recovered.

Hum, tell Mr. Chalmers

what do these
envelopes contain?

In the first case,

seven orange
pips, or seeds.

In the second case six.

And the number
of orange pips

refer to the
surviving members,

a grim warning,
hey Holmes?

Looks like m*rder.

Not necessarily, Watson.

A moment ago

you referred to this club
as extraordinary, why?

All of the members
are past middle age,

retired and
without near kin.

Six months ago

they formed this
club here in London

and promptly left
for Driercliff,

the ancestral home of
a Mr. Bruce Alastair,

their eldest member.

Nothing there
remarkable about that,

sounds rather friendly
as a matter of fact.

The remarkable fact is

that all seven
of these men

appear to have but
one thing in common.

Huh, well what's that?

Elementary, my
dear Watson,

each is worth a great
deal more dead than alive.

That's right Mr. Holmes.

How did you guess?

My dear Mr. Chalmers,
you represent

the Association of
Insurance Underwriters,

you're worried about
the untimely deaths

of these two
Good Comrades.

Ergo these men must carry

rather large
insurance policies.

Yes, but that's not all.

Shortly after
forming this club

all these seven men
changed their policies

making the other members
their beneficiaries.

The policy's total

are over a hundred
thousand pounds.

Oh, it's very
enlightening.

You've paid the five
surviving members

on the policies of
King and Raeburn?

Oh yes, we always
pay promptly

but what worries
me, Mr. Holmes, is...

Whether these two deaths

were accidental or not.

Exactly.

Of course I may be wrong,

I have no proof

but it seems to me
to be just possible

that one of these men

plans to m*rder the
others one by one.

And collect on
all the policies.

I see the whole
thing, Holmes.

Bravo Watson but
why the orange pips?

Oh yes, the orange pips.

Pips Watson?

Bit of a puzzler,
hey Holmes?

Quite.

Most intriguing feature.

Any tobacco
around this place.

After all Mr. Holmes,

several lives
may be at stake.

The temptation of
sudden wealth could...

Could,

could possibly
turn one of these

seemingly harmless men

into a ruthless k*ller.

Exactly.

Are those the
Good Comrades?

Yes.

Let me see them will you?

Hello.

Who's this fellow
on the end?

That's Doctor Merrivale.

Doctor Simon Merrivale?

I believe his
Christian name is Simon.

Yes, definitely
Doctor Simon Merrivale.

I'll accept your
case, Mr. Chalmers.

Watson pack your things

were off to
Scotland tonight.

Scotland, home
of my ancestors.

A lonely land but
a peaceful one.

It's wonderful after
stuffy London, hey Holmes?

I say who is this
Doctor Merrivale?

Oh well, if you want
to behave like a clam,

you have not uttered a
word since we left London.

Sorry old fellow,
I was thinking.

Twenty years ago
Doctor Merrivale

was a famous surgeon
on Harley Street.

Can't be so very famous,
I never heard of him.

Oh but he was.

His main claim to
distinction, of course,

was the unnecessarily
brutal m*rder

of a young bride.

Really?

However, he testified

so brilliantly
on the witness box

that he was acquitted

after which he dropped
completely out of sight.

And you think that

he was most probably
responsible

for the death of these
two Good Comrades?

Well I don't
say that he was

but I do say that
he could have been.

m*rder is an
insidious thing, Watson.

Once a man has dipped
his fingers in blood

sooner or later he'll feel
the urge to k*ll again.

Oh gracious me
very unpleasant.

Funeral home.

You suppose were too late?

Oh I think your

unnecessarily
suspicious, Watson.

One of the villagers hey?

Aye sir.

Mr. MacTavis
the blacksmith.

Now daughter, don't be
talking to strangers.

Wasn't her fault.

I asked your daughter
whose funeral it was.

Andy MacTavis,

cut down in the
flower of his manhood.

What a pity.

A young fellow huh?

Just seventy-two.

Seventy-two?

Flower of his manhood,
trying to be funny?

Come on, Watson.

Oh seventy-two,
flower of his manhood.

I've seen about
forty men...

Can I help you gentlemen?

I telegraphed for
reservations from London.

Name sir?

Sherlock Holmes
and Doctor Watson.

We have your
rooms ready then.

Thank you.

Sign there gentlemen.

Yes indeed.

Are you staying
long gentlemen?

No, not long.

We just came up here
to look into the...

we just came up here
for the sh**ting.

sh**ting?

Yes grouse of course.

No grouse here sir

for the last forty years.

No grouse?

Cheer up Watson.

You'll find some other
query to occupy our time.

This way gentlemen.

Take the g*n will you?

Take the big bag.

So you're back

earlier than usual
Doctor Merrivale.

Gentlemen

I've just made a rather
intriguing discovery.

The village of Inverness

has a
distinguished visitor.

Huh?

Really?

Who?

Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Who?

I didn't quite
catch the name.

Sherlock Holmes.

Oh.

Sherlock Holmes,

the famous detective.

One wonders what he could
be doing in Inverness.

Have you forgotten
Alastair

that two of our members

have already met
with violent deaths?

Yes, yes, yes
of course yes.

Cosgrave, must you
pace up and down

like a monkey in
a ruddy cage?

I fail to see how what
I do can concern you.

Simpson, Cosgrave,

cannot we behave
like Good Comrades.

Doesn't anything ever get
on your nerves Alastair?

Oh dear me, no.

I have no nerves.

Now tell me MacGregor,

the present head
of the house

is Mr. Bruce
Alastair is it not?

Aye.

Grandson of
Donald Alastair.

He was the lullish one.

Gunned Driercliff House
in a smugglers day.

Got himself blown
to bits by a g*n.

Gracious me.

And Angus Alastair
was his son.

He was eaten by cannibals
in the South Seas.

Very unfortunate
family, hey Holmes?

They found Angus' bones.

Sent them back
to Driercliff

where no man ever goes

whole to his grave.

The place is haunted.

Haunted?

You mean ghosts?

Only a fool
believes in ghosts.

Spirits never
haunted Driercliff.

Five minutes to
closing time gentlemen.

Only the memory of evil.

You're wanted at
Driercliff House Sergeant.

What is it woman?

m*rder.

Alastair himself is it?

I don't know.

Doctor Merrivale
didn't say.

Mr. Holmes would you
care to come along?

Yes I would, thank you.

Watson.

You mark my words,

Alastair has met
the brutal death

of these fathers.

Awe, good
evening Sergeant.

Oh Mr. Alastair,

this is Mr.
Sherlock Holmes

and Doctor Watson.

I took the liberty of...

Mr. Holmes, Doctor Watson.

How do you do sir?

Oh this excellent,
most excellent.

Please come in gentlemen.

Please come in.

And welcome to
Driercliff House.

Now where is the corpse?

Follow me.

It's by the furnace.

The furnace?

Yes poor Davis

he was burnt to a crisp.

Burnt to a crisp.

I say Holmes

this m*rder seems a
bit of a fiend hey?

At least he's consistent.

Consistent?

Yes the deaths all follow

the legend of Driercliff.

Well as MacGregor puts it

no man ever goes
whole to his grave.

Now you will come in here
gentlemen, won't you?

Oh thank you.

That's right.

That's right.

Yes.

Yes.

These gentlemen have
come about the body.

Why didn't you take
them to the cellar?

Oh no, Doctor Merrivale,

you discovered it,

after all it's your body.

That's right.

I say,

you're Sherlock Holmes aren't you?

I am

and this is my friend and
colleague, Doctor Watson.

How do you do?

How do you do sir?

Yes I thought I
recognized you.

You know I followed
your exploits for years.

The detection of crime
is one of my hobbies.

This is a surprise
and a pleasure.

A pleasure I hope

but hardly a surprise.

You saw me at the
inn this afternoon.

Touche'.

This is Allen Cosgrave

and Captain Simpson.

How do you do?

This stressing
business, Mr. Homes,

we were all fond
of Guy Davis.

Davis?

Oh the fellow
in the furnace.

But if he was
burnt to a crisp

how'd you know
that it was Davis?

Well he's the
only one missing.

Besides we identified
him by his cuff links.

Why don't you see
for yourselves?

Come along gentlemen.

Thank you.

May I ask Doctor Merrivale

whether Mr. Davis
also received

the warning of the
orange pips after dinner.

Oh so you know
about the others?

You seem to be
very well informed

about our affairs,
Mr. Holmes.

As a matter of fact

Davis didn't have
dinner with us tonight.

Had he indicated his
intended absence?

No, no he hadn't.

Mrs. Monteith was
quite put out about it.

Pardon me, will
you gentlemen?

Doctor Watson,

what's Mr. Holmes up to?

I haven't the foggiest.

Go on.

You'll find out,
my dear sir,

in good time.

Isn't there something

you wish to tell
me Mrs. Monteith?

Me sir?

Yes.

Please give it to me.

The envelope addressed
to Mr. Guy Davis.

Thank you.

Five pips this time.

How did you know
that she had them?

It's obvious
my dear Watson,

since Mr. Davis
was not at dinner,

Mrs. Monteith
had no opportunity

to deliver the envelope.

Yes of course,
quite obvious.

Where'd you find it?

It was pushed under
the door like the others.

Thank you Mrs. Monteith,
that will be all.

Where are they coming
from, Mr. Holmes?

Who's sending
these things to us?

Is there anyone who might
have a grudge against you?

Have orange pips
any significance

for any of you?

Well?

I seem to remember
reading somewhere

that among some
obscure tribe of savages

orange pips
were looked upon...

as a symbol of death.

Oh really?

Sergeant?

Aye sir.

I think you'd better
telephone Scotland Yard.

We've never
had a telephone

at Driercliff House no.

They're so noisy.

I can make the call
from the village sir.

All right.

It's not often we
have the opportunity

at meeting such
charming people.

You go ahead
I'll follow you.

I'm afraid, Mr. Holmes,

if you don't go
with the sergeant

there's no way
to get back

to the village tonight.

Oh but Mr. Holmes,

there's no need for you
to stay at the inn.

It's such a dreary place.

We've plenty
of room here

and it's much
more cheerful.

I thought we came
here for privacy.

We wouldn't dream
of putting you out.

Oh but I thought
it would be

so nice to have such,

such exciting people
as our guests.

Yes your right.

I'm sure Mr. Holmes'
business in the village

is much more
important, Alastair.

Please Mr.
Holmes we insist.

I think Alastair's idea
is an excellent one,

don't you gentlemen?

You speak for
yourself, Cosgrave.

Come, come, come,

We are all friends.

Aren't we,

or are we?

Guy Davis was
a friend too.

So were King and Raeburn.

You've got to
stay Mr. Holmes.

You and Doctor Watson,

we can put you up.

Any objections
Doctor Merrivale?

This is a tempest
in a teapot Mr. Holmes

but you're
welcome of course.

Now if you'll all excuse
me I'm rather tired.

Good night.

What do you say Simpson?

Glad to have you
gentlemen of course.

Then you will
stay both of you?

Thank you Mr. Alastair

we should be very glad to.

Sergeant will you
have our things

sent up from the inn?

Right away sir.

This is excellent.

I'll tell Mrs. Monteith
to get your rooms ready.

Mr. Holmes,

I must say I
feel a lot safer

now that you
and Doctor Watson

are in the house.

Oh a delight to be of
any use, Mr. Cosgrave.

And well if you would
care to keep me informed

if you should
discover anything

I would be only too
glad to help you.

I'd do anything

to get to the bottom
of this awful mystery.

I'll bear that in
mind Mr. Cosgrave.

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Well what do you
make of it Watson?

Well my theory is
its Doctor Merrivale.

Did you take a
look at his eyes?

Rather frightening huh?

Yes but that might
be accounted for

by advanced myopia,

complicated with
a stigmatism.

Well who do you
think it is?

At the moment

I suspect no one

and everyone.

So it's your theory

that Doctor Merrivale
is the m*rder*r?

Yes, yes Merrivale.

Hum.

What about...

what about
Captain Simpson?

Simpson?

I see what you mean?

Do you?

Yes.

There's a surly looking
chap if I ever saw one.

He didn't much relish

our being asked to
stay here either.

Right you are Watson.

Do you suspect
anyone else?

Well of course,
there's old Alastair.

And what might cause
you to suspect Alastair?

He's too good to be true.

What are you looking
for now Holmes?

I wish I knew Watson.

Someone's got a morbid
taste in literature.

Or a thirst for knowledge.

Now Holmes there's
one of them

that's got nothing
to do with it?

Who?

Cosgrave.

Why Cosgrave?

Well he's definitely
got the wind up.

Fairly begged us
to stay just now.

Yes I'd vouch for
Cosgrave all right.

Mrs. Monteith will
be down directly

to show you to your rooms.

I just popped in
to say good night.

Oh thank you.

I trust you'll sleep well.

Oh by the way
Mr. Alastair,

I wonder if you
could tell us

which one of you suggested

changing your
insurance policies

making the other
members of your club

the beneficiaries?

Awe let me see now.

Oh yes of course,

it was dear old Allen.

Allen?

Allen Cosgrave.

Good night.

Good night.

Cosgrave!

I suspected him
from the start.

Yes you did didn't you?

How about a pint
before we go to sleep?

Sleep?

I won't be able
to close my eyes

in this sinister house.

Your rooms are
ready gentlemen.

Where's our good
friend Doctor Watson?

Oh he was rather
tired last night,

he's still sleeping.

Yes, our beds are
very comfortable here.

Why don't you stop
that ruddy pacing?

Your bodyguard's here now.

Simpson, you mustn't
tease Cosgrave.

Remember how
sensitive he is.

You should
ignore things,

like Alastair.

Thank you.

Oh, Singapore?

Huh?

Oh the Cobra.

No,

you'll never
know that one

but this one.

Oh yes, yes very good

and definitely Singapore.

Right you are Mr. Holmes.

You know you're
tattoos all right.

I'm interested
in many things.

Good morning gentlemen.

I'm sorry I'm late

I didn't sleep very well.

You didn't
sleep very well?

You snored like a pig.

Rubbish!

Got a match Doctor Watson?

Yes.

It's a very good idea.

I think I'll join you.

Nothing like the first
pipe of the morning.

Can, can I try
of some of yours?

Sorry about that,

I think I'll stay clear.

What is that seaweed?

Havana isn't it?

Flavored with Jamaica Rum.

I don't imagine your
very much troubled

with tobacco borrowers
hey Simpson?

Nobody else in the place
touches the filthy stuff.

I don't blame them.

Good heavens!

One moment please.

What is it?

Just a needle.

Who put that in my chair?

Hum.

This is no
ordinary needle.

The stain on my
handkerchief

suggest a certain
sinister possibility.

Give me that
beaker will you?

Yes of course.

We shall see.

Thank you.

As I thought,

insoluble in alcohol.

Whatever is it?

Well judging by the
stain on my handkerchief

and the milky
precipitation in alcohol

I should say it
was a derivative

of the tropizine family.

Paratropizine possibly?

That's right Doctor
Merrivale, a deadly poison.

Close shaved
Captain Simpson.

One drop in the
bloodstream

brings agonizing
almost instant death.

It's our custom
at this hour

to honor our
departed friends.

I hope you gentlemen
will pardon us?

We quite understand
Doctor Merrivale,

please proceed.

Thank you.

Good Comrades,

our dear friend Guy Davis

has gone to his reward.

Let those of us who remain

drink to our dead

and to that
bright tomorrow

when we shall join them

in a better,
happier world.

Wait a minute,

there's something
wrong here.

If you please
Captain Simpson.

The odor of
bitter almonds.

Bitter almonds, acid huh?

Acid?

There must be
some mistake.

Mistake hey?

Lucky I didn't make it
by drinking that stuff.

Well what have
you got to say?

Whichever one of you
it was tried to k*ll me

had better look out.

I'm a dangerous
man to fool with.

Hadn't we better
adjourned?

I mean to say that...

We've not yet finished

the toast to our dead.

But you think
it's quite safe?

Don't be absurd Alastair.

Take my glass.

I assure you it
hasn't been poisoned.

Thank you.

Thank you
Doctor Merrivale.

To our departed Comrades.

For me?

Aye Mr. Cosgrave,

it says so on
the envelope.

It's come.

Did you find this envelope

as you did the others?

Aye.

When?

It was pushed
under the door

when everyone was
in here at dinner.

Thank you.

Well there's one thing
we can be sure of,

none of us could
have brought it.

How do we know that she's
not responsible for them?

Mrs. Monteith?

It's absurd Cosgrave,
utterly absurd.

She has been with my
family all of her life.

A dubious a
recommendation

if you ask me.

Mr. Holmes when
do you expect

the man from
Scotland Yard?

Inspector Lestrade?

He should be here
early in the morning.

Unless he got on
the wrong train.

I trust your
right Mr. Holmes.

I trust your right.

Oh dear, he's
terribly upset.

Doctor Merrivale can't
you do something for him?

I can stay with him
in his room tonight.

Why that's an
excellent idea

and I shall just be
across the hall from him.

I think that's the
wisest possible cause

with you gentlemen
protecting each other

what harm can fall you?

Well then we must
hope for the best.

Come Merrivale.

Good night gentlemen.

Good night.

Good night.

I say Holmes, have you
gone out of your mind?

Cosgrave just got
the orange pips

and your letting Merrivale

sleep in the same
room with him.

He'll be all right.

All right?

But what's
preventing Merrivale

from k*lling him
in his sleep?

I hardly think he'll
stick his own neck

squarely in the noose.

Well, I see what you mean.

Well the field's
narrowing down, Holmes.

Captain Simpson
certainly cleared.

How?

Yes he's definitely
been eliminated.

The k*ller had two
tries at him today.

Nonsense my dear Watson.

No one's tried to m*rder
captain Simpson's.

Well how about the poison
needle we both saw?

Captain Simpson spotted
it, if you'll recall,

from about where you are.

Oh what's so
extraordinary about that?

Can you see the
needle there now?

No.

Well there is one.

Gracious.

How'd it get there?

I placed it there myself

just before we
went into supper.

You couldn't see it yet

you have
exceptional eyesight.

Well you'd have to
have telescopic eyes

to see it from over there.

Exactly.

You mean that Simpson...

well how about the
acid in his drink?

There wasn't any
acid in his drink.

Well it
definitely smelled

like bitter almonds.

It should.

That's exactly what it
was, bitter almonds.

How do you know?

Cause I put it in
his drink myself.

You did?

Great Scott why?

To observe his reaction.

It was quite different
from that of the morning.

The first was acting,

the second genuine terror.

Hence, I knew that
he undoubtedly

planted the
needle himself.

Well why should he?

Well there are several
possible explanations,

the most obvious,
of course,

to advert suspicion.

And you think Simpson's
behind all this?

I don't know Watson.

This is a most
unique case.

Instead of too few

we have too many clues

and too many suspects.

The main pattern
on the puzzle

seems to be forming

but the pieces
don't fit in.

Well it seems
perfectly clear to me.

One of these men

is picking off the
others one by one

to get all their insurance
money for himself.

Why it's obvious.

How do you account
the orange pips?

Well this man
has an accomplice

who brings them.

What for?

To warn his victim he's
going to be m*rder*d?

No Watson, it won't
do, it won't do at all.

I don't like the
look of it Holmes,

muddy waters huh?

Too muddy

as if someone
were constantly

stirring them up.

Why should they
stir them up?

Confuse me.

There's intelligence

behind this
business Watson.

Cold, calculating,

ruthless intelligence.

Must you smoke
that filthy stuff?

Smells like an old sock.

Strong tobacco
keeps one awake.

You better have
a pipe full.

We have a long vigil
ahead of us tonight.

No thank you.

I don't need any
of that stinkweed

to keep me awake
in this chamber of...

This chamber of horrors.

He's still asleep
Mr. Holmes.

Thanks for your
watchfulness.

Holmes!

Holmes! Holmes!

Holmes! Holmes! Holmes!

Watson!

Watson are you all right?

I think so.

It was a close call.

What happened?

I didn't see a
thing I was asleep.

Someone came at me
from, from behind.

If you'll come this
way Inspector Lestrade.

Thank you very
much my good woman.

Well, well Mr. Holmes.

Doctor Watson.

How are you Lestrade?

Here, here, what's
going on here?

Someone just tried to
k*ll Doctor Watson.

Blimey who?

When we find that
out, Lestrade,

we can all go home.

All right, Mr. Holmes,

Scotland Yard will
take charge of this.

Have a look around the
grounds briefly will ya?

Yes Inspector.

Mr. Holmes I'm afraid
something's happened

to Cosgrave and Merrivale.

What?

The door to their
rooms are locked.

I can't get any answer.

What is going on here?

Well I do hope
they're all right.

Got your skeleton
key, Lestrade?

Yes I have.

One minute.

Here we are.

Watson!

Lestrade, give me a hand.

Yes Mr. Holmes.

Get him on the bed.

Yes.

What a dreadful
thing to happen.

Oh poor Merrivale.

Is he badly hurt?

Yes he's had a nasty
cr*ck on the head.

What?

Take it easy Doctor.

Don't try to talk.

Mrs. Monteith get
him some cotton wool

and some hot water

as quickly as you can.

Tell me what happened?

He's in no state to be
questioned now Lestrade.

Who do you suspect
Mr. Holmes?

I don't know Lestrade

but it's connected

with the att*ck
on Doctor Watson.

It was obviously intended
to draw me downstairs.

Where's Cosgrave?

Here I'm taking over here.

It looks to me
that this Cosgrave,

or whoever he is,
is are m*rder*r.

Well he didn't m*rder
Doctor Merrivale.

He's still alive.

Yes.

Yes he is isn't he?

Well just the same

I'd like to ask
this Cosgrave

a few questions.

I don't think you're going
to find Mr. Cosgrave,

at least not alive.

What's going on here?

I'm afraid Holmes
is right Inspector.

Poor Cosgrave,

by now he's probably
m*rder*d like the others.

m*rder*d?

Oh dear.

What's your interest about
that rope, Mr. Holmes?

I was looking at
this knot Lestrade

it's a Bowline,

much favored by
sea faring men.

Oh sailor hey?

Simpson.

Simpson?

Captain Simpson.

But, but now, now,
now it couldn't be.

How do you know
it couldn't be?

Mr. Alastair where
is Captain Simpson?

He's not in his
room either.

I looked when I
tried to arouse

Cosgrave and Merrivale.

Has anybody seen this
Simpson this morning?

I saw him walking across
the garden, Inspector,

about fifteen minutes ago.

Now we're getting
somewhere.

Which is the way down?

How did I get up here?

Suffering cats what
is going on here?

Do you have any
expl*sives on the place?

Yes we have some dynamite

stored in the shed

behind the stone room.

What do you need
dynamite for?

Just to blow up some
cumbersome rocks.

Pretty badly
m*nled Holmes?

Can't tell who it is.

It's Cosgrave all right.

Poor Allen.

Cosgrave's I presume?

Certainly looks like
the ring he wore.

Yes, yes for that
I am positive.

Look here.

What was he doing
with dynamite

at this time in
the morning?

That we shall never know.

Oh dear and it
was all my fault.

I never should have
let them keep it here.

Don't blame yourself
Mr. Alastair,

his body was
carried here, look.

Observe those
heavy footprints.

Yes I see the whole thing.

Cosgrave was
knocked unconscious,

Thrown into the shed

and deliberately blown up.

Yes.

This chap was carrying a
heavy burden all right.

Hello, who are you?

My name is Simpson,

Captain Simpson.

I'm Inspector Lestrade
from Scotland Yard.

What do you know
about this m*rder?

Well I was walking
on the East terrace

when I saw Cosgrave

enter the shed where
the dynamite's stored.

Do you mind
comparing your shoe

with one of these prints?

Are you accusing
me, Inspector?

I'll tell you in a minute.

Put your foot in
one of these prints.

Nonsense, Lestrade.

If only to look at the
shoes of everyone present

to know that
these footprints

are much too big
to have been made

by anybody here.

With the possible
exception of you Lestrade.

Look here Doctor Watson,
that ain't funny.

Captain Simpson,

how did you happen to be

walking on the terrace

at the time of expl*si*n?

I couldn't sleep

and I was taking a
stroll before breakfast.

I see.

What do you know about
this knot Captain?

It's a bowline of course.

I don't suppose you
ever seen it before.

What the devil are
you driving at?

This knot is evidence
that will hang a m*rder*r,

and he might not be
standing so far away

from the arm of the law

at this very moment.

Oh come now, Lestrade.

This knot proves
absolutely nothing.

Practically
anybody can tie one.

Can you?

Yes I think I
can, Lestrade.

There you are.

Well quite a
knotty problem huh?

With your
permission gentlemen,

Captain Simpson and I

will go and
make arrangements

for the funeral
of our friend.

Come Simpson.

I wonder which one

of three remaining
Good Comrades

will be the next to
receive the orange pips.

Orange pips?

Will someone
please tell me

what's going on here?

Where is that confounded
woman with the brandy?

Mrs. Monteith?

Well there you are,

it's about time too.

Let's get on with
the ceremony.

What are you going to
do about this Inspector?

What are you going to do?

Orange pips hey?

The police will
handle this.

We'll protect you.

Holmes tried to protect
Cosgrave, he's dead.

Scotland Yard's
in charge now

just you come
along with me.

Just a moment Simpson.

We've not yet drunk our
usual toast to the dead.

To the dickens
with the dead.

From now on I'm
thinking of myself.

Just you come along
with me Captain.

Say Holmes do you think?

Shh.

Oh it's you Inspector.

My nerves are all on edge.

Just wanted to make sure
you were all set Captain.

You're sure I'm safe here?

Safe as a bank of England.

You're protected
from every angle.

On the terrace is
Sergeant Bleeker,

out of sight but on
the job every second.

While in the shrubbery

is the local
sergeant of police

ready to pounce

if the bugger should
come that way.

While I myself

guard the lower hall,

hoping and praying the
k*ller should come my way.

Come on.

Sounds very thorough but
I don't like it very well.

Oh go on tuck
yourself in and relax.

Scotland Yard will
look after the rest.

Good night.

Good night Inspector.

All right put
up your hands.

Oh well Mr. Holmes.

Ready for your
vigil Lestrade?

What do you know
about my vigil?

My dear fellow

you hold a very
secret conference

with Captain Simpson

and then packed
him off to bed.

It follows like the day

you must be
baiting a trap.

Where'd you find
those boots?

In the cupboard.

I've been looking
for them all day.

Oddly enough they weren't
there an hour ago.

Weren't they?

Those shoes are big enough

for those footprints
we saw this morning.

Right you are Inspector

and observe the clay.

A very particular
variety of clay.

Ready Holmes?

Yes Watson.

Like to join us

in a little
stroll on the beach?

Awe no thank you.

You and Doctor Watson

go play in the sand

as much as you like

but I'm going to
stay right here

to catch the m*rder*r.

Good luck.

Well if you get nervous
you know where we are.

Look Watson footprints!

And they're
fairly fresh too.

Very fresh.

Big foot all right.

Got your revolver?

Yes.

We haven't much
time to lose,

the tide's coming in fast.

See it goes along here.

Wait a minute.

Now he stops to
light his pipe.

Observe the spilled
tobacco and burnt match,

now he goes on again.

Wait a minute here we are.

Hello.

What is it Holmes?

Another set of footprints.

Bigfoots been
joined by somebody.

This one's a smaller man.

Now they go
along together,

side by side.

Now but slowly
I should say

judging by the spacing
of the footprints.

Now little foot
goes up the cliff

and big foot
goes on alone.

Hello.

Something funny there.

Footprints disappear
all together.

Look out Watson!

Great scott Holmes
that was meant for us.

Precisely.

Well there's nothing
more to be done here.

I have a strong feeling

we are needed back at
the Driercliff House.

With the
possible exception

of your own Lestrade.

Blimey they're bigger.

Here!

Here!

Who's fooling around
with this lock?

Sergeant Bleeker!

Bleeker!

Sergeant Bleeker!

Sergeant Bleeker!

...well Mr. Holmes.

Where's Simpson?

He's in the...

he's gone.

I left him here on
this here couch.

What happened?

Someone bashed my head in.

Did you see his face?

Who?

The m*rder*r you
blithering idiot,

the m*rder*r and his
victim, Captain Simpson.

All I saw was stars.

It's your
theory, Lestrade,

that someone broke
through this window

and abducted
Captain Simpson?

It's no theory,
it's obvious.

Then how do you
account for the fact

that there's no sign
of broken glass

on this side
of the window?

Blimey, no there isn't.

Therefore, the window was
broken from the inside.

Stick by us old man,

we'll make a detective
out of you yet.

I say what happened?

Captain Simpson seems
to of disappeared.

Disappeared my foot.

He's run away.

He really was
frightened you know?

That's just what he
wanted us to think.

No harm would have
come to him here

if he'd stayed
and he knew it.

I was right in the
first instance,

he's our blasted
m*rder himself.

Dear me,

Captain Simpson
a m*rder*r?

Don't you worry
Mr. Alastair,

we'll soon have
him in jail

before he can
k*ll anyone else.

Aye.

You'll find him
like the others,

a corpse.

Don't you
worry gentlemen

it's only just a
question of time

before we catch
Captain Simpson.

He couldn't have got far.

My men will soon
apprehend him.

You know this
rather reminds me

of a very similar account

when I brought
about the undoing

of the notorious
Professor Moriarty.

You brought it about?

If it hadn't been
for Mr. Holmes.

Oh well of course
with the assistance

of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

We found him Inspector.

There you are what
did I tell you?

Where is he?

At the beach sir.

Dead?

Oh yes sir, quite.

Dead?

How did you know he
was dead Mr. Holmes?

Elementary my
dear, Lestrade.

The pieces of the puzzle

are beginning to
fall into place.

In what way was
the body mutilated?

No arms, no legs
and no head sir.

Observe the occurrence
of the pattern Watson?

I see.

No man goes whole
to his grave huh?

Exactly.

Oh dear.

Poor Simpson.

Well, if it was nothing
but a blooming torso

how did you know you
got the right man?

Quite simple Lestrade.

Sergeant Bleeker
identified the body

by the full rig ship
tattooed on the chest.

That's right Mr. Holmes.

Tattooed?

Where did you
know that he had

a blinking boat
on his epidermis?

Oh uh, I mentioned it
to Sergeant Bleeker

when he asked me to
describe a fugitive.

That is we thought
at the time

he was a fugitive.

Oh.

All right Bleeker

you better be getting
back to the beach.

Yes sir.

One thing more Sergeant,

you will say

that the body had no arms,

no head and no legs,

was it a messy job?

Oh no sir, very
neat I should say,

clean as a whistle.

Just as if it
was done by a...

Of a skilled hands
of a surgeon?

Yes.

Yes.

For Inspector Lestrade
of Scotland Yard.

What?

But...

Excuse me Inspector.

Please Watson.

Thank you.

So sorry old fellow.

No orange pips.

Here just a minute

that might be
police business.

Inspector Lestrade,

I must see you at once

about the
Driercliff mystery.

Please come to my
shop in the village

as soon as possible.

Alex MacGregor.

MacGregor, the
tobacconist.

Where is his shop?

Next to the inn.

Well I better be off.

Mind if I come
along with you?

All right Mr. Holmes,

if you think you
can be any help.

I think I'll come
along too Holmes.

No Watson you stay here.

These are the
last two members

of the Good Comrades,

their safety
depends on you.

You can rely on me Holmes.

Pass the wine
along would you.

Excuse me please.

Excuse me.

I was afraid of this.

Were too late.

Dead?

Aye sir.

sh*t through the temple.

How did you know we'd
be too late Mr. Holmes?

Because we were
not the first

to read MacGregor's
message.

What?

Look here Lestrade.

This envelope has been
steamed open and resealed.

Blimey so it is.

Poor chap, he must
have known too much.

Has the coroner
been here Sergeant?

He's on his way sir.

All right.

You won't find them.

What do you mean?

Orange pips.

Why not?

Ain't this the work of
the Driercliff m*rder*r?

Obviously but this isn't
part of the same pattern

as the others.

They followed a
preordained plan,

where as this m*rder

was actuated by
some necessity

and could not have
been anticipated.

Come again Mr.
Holmes in English.

I mean that I'm beginning
to see daylight.

Well frankly I ain't.

I like good, solid clues

and people I can question.

Did anybody hear
the sh*t Sergeant?

I did.

Do you know anything

about the note
your father sent

to Inspector Lestrade?

Why no sir.

Did he leave the
house at all tonight?

Aye sir.

He went to change
his lobster ports

down in the caldron
at Driercliff.

He didn't return
until after dark.

Here let me question her.

Did anyone call on your
father this evening

after he got home?

No one that I saw sir.

Well tell me just
what happened.

I was in the kitchen

when I heard the sh*t.

I ran in

and found my father...

I'm sorry my dear.

We won't bother
you any further.

Thank you sir.

This case gets more
confusing every minute.

We don't know a
thing more now

than we did before.

On the contrary,
my dear Lestrade.

MacGregor saw something
at Driercliff tonight

and that something
caused his death.

That's right.

We'd better get back to
that house as fast as we can.

I'll be glad to get
back to Baker Street.

Someone's going
to get m*rder*d

if were not careful.

Merrivale?

You there?

Empty.

That's very funny.

Can't have gone out
on a night like this.

Alastair?

Mr. Alastair?

Gone.

Mr. Alastair?

Mr. Alastair?

Open.

Funny.

Both missing.

Very fishy.

Broken mirror.

That's done it.

Seven years bad luck.

What's that?

Mrs. Monteith!

Mrs. Monteith!

Where is that woman?

Nothing like
being prepared...

who is it out there?

Locked!

Mrs. Monteith!

Mrs. Monteith!

They left the door open.

The door I closed.

Someone moved that chair.

Sand still or I'll sh**t!

You're moving,
I warned you.

Done for you all right.

Stand still.

Sorry.

All in the line of duty.

Who's that?

Watson what on
earth are you up to?

Holmes, thank
heavens you arrived,

you're just in time.

They're all
around the house.

They've got me
completely surrounded.

They?

There they are.

Great Scott!

I'm so ashamed.

Got the wind up
over nothing.

Oh yes, I forgot,
there was something.

Alastair and Merrivale
are both missing.

What?

Oh no not dead.

Well they're not
in there rooms.

You come along with
me and I'll show you.

Anything wrong gentlemen?

Have you left this here
room since you retired?

Certainly not.

I've been reading.

What?

What's the trouble?

There's no trouble at all.

Please forgive us.

Well now we'll try
Alastair's room.

Right you are.

Better try knocking
this time, Watson.

Come in.

What is it?

Have you been out of
room Mr. Alastair?

Yes for just a few minutes

I went down to the kitchen

and I had such a
nice glass of milk.

Milk?

Yes, it was
most refreshing.

Glass of milk.

Don't disturb him.

Glass of milk?

He's lying Holmes.

Probably just one of
your emanations Doctor...

Rubbish and the word is
called hallucinations.

Whatever they are

they had you
surrounded downstairs.

It's all right
Mrs. Monteith.

I heard noises upstairs.

I thought the m*rder*r
must be a prowl again.

What are doing
with that cleaver?

You have nothing
to fear now.

Well I'll be
getting back to bed.

Not a bad idea.

I've had enough of
this for one day.

Oh uh, Mrs.
Monteith, please.

The note you gave
Inspector Lestrade,

was it pushed under
the door like the rest?

Aye.

Was there anything

different about
it this time?

Think Mrs. Monteith.

Well...

Yes?

Just before I found
the note under the door

I happened to look

through the
kitchen window

and I saw a man running
away from the house,

as if Satan himself
were after him.

Did you recognize him?

No.

He was too far away

but he was dressed
like a fisherman.

Hadn't we better
go down the village

and find him
at once Holmes?

You'd only be
wasting your time.

Why?

Because all the fisherman

have gone off
with the fleet

and they won't be back

until tomorrow night.

It's after nine now.

Are you quite sure

that the fisherman
are coming here?

Aye sir, they always do.

A long stretch
on the water

gives them an
awful thirst.

Why the boats must be in.

Here they come now sir.

Gentlemen!

Gentlemen!

I'm Sherlock Holmes.

Last night MacGregor
sent one of you

with a note to
Driercliff House.

Who was it?

Speak up please,

it's vitally important.

If I did take a note
for old Alex what of it?

Perhaps you can help me
to find his m*rder*r.

Where did he
give you this?

Down at the cove.

He was waiting there when
we came in from the net.

What did he say when
he gave it to you?

Well he just asked me

if I'd take it
to Driercliff

for a half a pound

and I wouldn't have
done it for a penny less.

Cause of the sinister
legend of the place, hey?

What else did
MacGregor say to you?

Well he asked me if
I believed in ghosts

and I said certainly not.

And he said no more do I

and he gave me the note

and the half pound.

Thank you my friend,

you've been very helpful.

A round of drinks
for these gentlemen

with my compliments.

Thank you.

Watson.

Helpful?

I can't see
anything very helpful

about that conversation.

All he did was
talk about ghosts.

And what do ghosts
suggest to you Watson?

I don't know, graveyards?

Exactly.

Alec MacGregor
was buried today.

I say old fellow

what about
giving me a hand?

You're doing
splendidly Watson.

I say Holmes,

I never did trust

any of those people
from the start.

Who

Who?

The so-called Good
Comrades and that woman.

Who

Mrs. Monteith naturally

who do you think I meant?

Old fellow where are you?

Who

You Holmes of course.

Who

Oh.

Having a nice
little chat Watson?

Oh there you are.

Stupid bird up there.

Silly bird

hanging about a
graveyard all night.

Nothing else to do.

Interrupting a
fellow's conversation.

Got it Holmes.

Help me now.

I don't like this Holmes.

Amazing Holmes.

As I thought, empty.

Some body snatchers
got here a head of us.

MacGregor's corpse
has been removed.

What?

Hurry Watson.

Come along fellow,

we haven't a
moment to lose.

What's up Holmes?

Unless I'm
greatly mistaken

there's about to
be another m*rder.

Who

You, you wall-eyed idiot

if you don't shut up.

Who, Who

You know what to do?

Yes sir.

Get going and hurry.

I'm afraid were
too late Watson.

Where's the body Lestrade?

Which one is it?

Doctor Merrivale.

I found him at the
bottom of the cliff.

Crushed to a jelly
by a huge rock.

Good heavens.

I identified by the suit
of clothes he was wearing

and his watch.

So Alastair must
be the m*rder*r?

You're right to the
stop of the class,

Doctor Watson.

He k*lled them all
one after another

for the insurance money.

I thought so.

Obvious from the start.

What have you done with
your prisoner Inspector?

Oh he's safe enough.

Safe enough?

Yes he's in the library.

Perhaps I better go
and keep an eye on him.

Oh you'll be all
right Doctor.

He's handcuffed.

All pacing up and down.

Just doing a bit of
measuring Lestrade.

Why don't upset
yourself Mr. Holmes,

you can't expect to
solve every case.

Awe, there you are.

I suspected you
from the start.

Said to Holmes

that old front is
too good to be true.

But I didn't k*ll anybody.

Really I didn't.

It's quite natural for
you to deny your guilt.

Criminal instinct.

What?

Nothing.

Got any tobacco on you?

No.

I don't smoke but
there's Simpson's there.

He won't need it anymore.

Poor Simpson.

Well if Holmes can
smoke the beastly stuff

I suppose I can.

That's funny.

This may be important.

I must tell
Holmes at once.

Dear me.

Twenty-eight feet,

it checks exactly.

Whatever that may mean.

It means that the final
piece of the puzzle

is falling into place.

Oh you can have
your puzzle

I've got the m*rder*r.

Holmes?

Come on Lestrade.

Where's Doctor Watson?

Oh he went through
that very door

only a few moments
ago looking for you.

We heard a scream did you?

Oh dear me no.

That's strange.

We didn't see him

as we came through
the dining room.

Did he say anything
before he left?

Yes.

He wasn't very
kind to me at first.

He was standing just
where your standing

Mr. Holmes.

He asked me if
had any tobacco

but as you know
I don't smoke.

And I suggested
that he might take

some of Captain Simpson's.

Well he pulled
out his pipe

and he was just
about to fill it

when he said,

Oh this may be important.

I must see Holmes at once.

Thank you, Mr. Alastair.

And don't you move.

This wall measures
twenty-eight feet outside

and inside it's obviously
several feet less.

Oh what are you
looking for?

Entrance to a passage.

What passage?

It could only be in
that outside wall.

Oh we could knock the wall
down for you Mr. Holmes.

What you don't
realize, Lestrade,

is they're desperate.

They'd stop at nothing

and they've got
Doctor Watson.

They, who's they?

Get those
candles will you?

All right.

What are you doing here?

I don't like to be alone.

Got it.

Good gracious.

That was for the
entrance to the stairs

leading to the old
smuggler's cave

down below.

I forgot it was there.

Give me the light.

Oh dear.

Blimey!

Quiet they'll hear us.

Who's they?

See for yourself Lestrade.

Lord [unintelligible]

Well strike me down.

All right
everybody, hands up,

you're under arrest.

But who's in there?

The Good Comrades.

Oh no, no.

They're dead.

Are they?

Come on now into
the line all of you.

I thought you
were all dead.

That's what they
wanted us to think.

Watson!

Raeburn,

King,

Davies,

Cosgrave,

Merrivale,

Simpson,

how dreadful of you.

Thank heaven
your safe Watson.

Well thank heavens
you came Holmes.

In another minute

they would have
thrown me in the sea

and got away on a boat

chartered by Simpson.

It's out there
now off shore.

Congratulations Lestrade.

You bagged the lot.

That's all right
Mr. Holmes.

And may I congratulate
you gentlemen

on a very ingenious plan.

I must confess

if you wouldn't have
over embellished

into the business
of the orange pips

this sinister
significance

of the happenings
of Driercliff House

might have escaped my
attention all together.

Your quite eloquent
Mr. Holmes.

And if Captain Simpson

hadn't removed his
tobacco from the library

you might still have
perfected your escape.

Incidentally, Lestrade,

I think you'll find

that each of
these gentlemen

has his share of
the insurance money

probably in a
well-stuffed money belt.

You fool Simpson.

I told you somebody would
notice that tobacco jar.

A fool am I?

Who asked this detective
to come stay at the house?

He did.

I had to the way you and
Merrivale were acting.

Shut up Cosgrave.

Don't tell me to shut up.

You and your orange pips.

You said they would
divert suspicion

but did they?

No.

You and your orange
pips fixed us.

All right, all right,

get back into
line all of you.

Now come on.

You get back into
line all of you.

Now then, hand
over that money.

Here, here, here

no more tricks like that.

If it hadn't been

for the sharp eyes
of Mr. Holmes here

you might of...

you might of sh*t someone.

And I thought you
were my friends.

Such good friends.

How could you?

Never mind my good men,

you'll soon be
in the dump

with the rest of them.

No, Lestrade,

Mr. Alastair's
completely innocent.

They selected him
as their dupe.

Oh.

It's all clear to me,
Holmes, except one thing,

why did they
k*ll MacGregor?

Because MacGregor didn't
believe in ghosts.

One night on the beach

he saw a man he
thought was dead,

probably our friend
big foot there

and was rash enough

to write Lestrade
a note about it.

That note was his
death warrant.

Very pretty
theorizing Mr. Holmes

but you can't
prove a thing.

That remains to be seen.

Lestrade will
you pick up

Captain Simpson's
revolver

and have a look at it?

One b*llet fired?

That's right Mr. Holmes.

I have no doubt that the
ballistics will prove

that the missing b*llet
k*lled Alex MacGregor.

It's good enough for me.

If what you say is
true Mr. Holmes

there ain't a jury in the
country that won't convict them.

And so just retribution
has been visited

upon the six members

of the Good Comrades,

whose nefarious plan

was unmasked in
the nick of time.

By the brilliant
detective work

of Inspector Lestrade

of Scotland Yard.

Of all the balderdash,

Lestrade hasn't got
the faintest idea

what it was all about.

I don't know Watson.

After all we know
who is responsible

for solving the mystery

of the Good Comrades.

That's right.

If it hadn't been
for Mr. Holmes

that headline might
have been about me.

Mr. Holmes one
thing puzzles me.

What?

How did they manage
those fake murders?

Oh elementary my dear
Charles, elementary.

I can explain all that.

Whenever there
was a funeral

of some old chap in
the neighborhood

they dug up the body

and dressed it
in the clothes

of all their members,

then they staged
a fake death

and mutilated the body

beyond all
recognition.

In the meantime,

the so-called corpse

disappeared quietly
into the smuggler's room

underneath
Driercliff House.

I think...

I think that about
sums the whole thing.

Tell me Doctor Watson,

in the simulated death
of Captain Simpson

how do you account

for the tattooing
on the torso?

Tattooing on the torso...

well I...

Go on Watson, tell him.

Well the tattoo...

well the tattooing
on the torso...

sorry Holmes.

Captain Simpson
was an expert

with a tattoo needle.

He merely duplicated
the poor rigged ship

on the chest
of the corpse.

I also observed that
the design on the torso

had been done
within the previous

twenty-four hours.

Dear me.

What a gruesome idea.

Out of gratitude of
what you've done

the companies
that I represent

wish you to accept
this check.

No Mr. Chalmers,

I think Mr.
Alastair here

is much more deserving

of a reward than I am.

Dear me they took
me in completely.

I didn't help you
solve the case.

No but you did
much more than that.

It was your timely warning

when you drew
our attention

to the empty tobacco jar

and saved the life

of my dear friend
and colleague,

Doctor John H. Watson.

That's very nice
of you old man.

And by enabling us
to continue our long

and happy
association together.