05x06 - The Creeping Man

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You may inform the secretary of the Royal Society that I have entitled my Michaelmas lecture "Darwin's Fundamental Error".

That'll raise a few hackles, sir.

Will it not.

I must be off.

You can, er, acknowledge all of these.

There's a good chap.

Thanks.

- Father.

- My dear.

Did you hear how Roy barked last night?

It was dreadful.

No.

No, I didn't.

- Did you hear him, Bennett?

- No, sir.

He kept on and on.

He howled, too.

I'm sure someone got into the garden.

An intruder?

Well, yes, because...

Oh, Father...

someone looked in at me.

At my window.

Impossible.

You must have been dreaming.

Oh, Edith.

Nobody could reach your window, it's far too far off the ground.

I am sure I wasn't dreaming.

Bennett, you take charge.

Or I shall be late for the faculty meeting.

I leave it in your fiancé's care.

If he proves a good a husband to you as he has amanuensis to me, you'll be a fortunate woman.

Allay her fears, Bennett.

I know you can.

Can you believe me?

Not easily, no.

As your father said...

- Come and look.

- I'm awfully busy.

I've got these notes on simia satyrus to type and then...

Jack.

I know I wasn't dreaming.

And you know Roy doesn't bark at nothing.

I want you to see for yourself.

You must.

Please.

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

- From just below here.

- From below?

There.

And there.

Do you see?

The ivy's pulled away.

I must have fainted.

The next thing I knew it was dawn.

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

Quite.

Jack, I insist you believe me.

Very well.

And that you inform Sherlock Holmes of the facts.

- Oh, darling!

- Or I shall reconsider our engagement.

But why?

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

""Watson, come at once if convenient.

""If inconvenient, come all the same.""

Holmes?

I got your note.

And it is inconvenient.

Damned inconvenient.

Your wound is troubling you.

- No.

- I prefer to differ.

Your step was uneven on the stairs.

I have a full surgery, Holmes.

You must excuse a certain abstraction of mind.

- I see.

- It's a tangled scheme.

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

One such might reside in the question...

"Does Professor Presbury's daughter wake or dream?"

I'm summoned here for no more than this?

You've heard of Presbury?

Of course.

Who hasn't?

He's our most distinguished natural scientist.

He's a widower with one daughter.

She insists someone appeared at her window last night.

Miss Presbury's bedroom is on the second floor and is completely inaccessible to even the most agile cat burglar.

Read this.

Arrived by the one o'clock post.

Ah!

The author already arrives.

Ahead of his time.

A most precipitate young man.

Mr Bennett, my friend and colleague Dr Watson.

- How do you do?

- Please sit down.

No, forgive me, er...

Mr Holmes, I fear I made a grave error of judgement.

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

I've wasted your time entirely.

You have a rational reason for Miss Presbury's fears?

No, I can't say that.

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

I can, of course, recompense you.

Mr Bennett, your letter was less than frank, was it not?

I set out the facts.

Not all, I suspect.

Probably out of loyalty to your fiancée, Miss Presbury.

You're aware of that?

As I am of your employer's engagement to Alice Morphy.

The daughter of the famous anatomist.

She resides next door to the Presburys.

- How do you know of the engagement?

- The Times.

July st, September th.

Mr Holmes' memory is of a photographical order.

Quite so.

Oh, dear.

Mr Bennett, I do appreciate your predicament.

As a scientist and a rationalist, you're reluctant to accept the evidence insisted upon by Miss Presbury.

And as her father's trusted assistant, to use me must smack of disloyalty.

Exactly.

I'm part of the family, except that Edith...

Miss Presbury, she was so upset she...

Who would you prefer to alienate?

Your prospective wife or her celebrated father?

You give me a choice of evils.

Neither.

Then furnish me with the facts and I will see how I can help you.

You may rely on the discretion of both of us.

Well...

Would you, for example, describe Miss Presbury...

as an impressionable, fanciful girl?

- No, quite the reverse.

- Miss Alice Morphy?

Perhaps their engagement was somewhat of a surprise to you?

'He is, after all, three times her age.' And this velour?

I prefer that one, with the osprey feathers.

Could you ask him, do you think?

Father's extremely proud of his orchids.

I hate them.

They're so...

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

Do please ask him not to send them any more, there's a sweet friend.

- Can you not ask him?

- I couldn't.

I daren't.

I'm such a coward.

- Well...

- Oh, please.

You've got so much more character than me.

You're as strong as he.

But Alice, if you dare not ask this of my father, how will you manage those deeper conflicts that occur even in the happiest of marriages?

Oh, I don't know.

- I'm so frightened.

- Of marrying my father?

I wish...

No, please don't ask.

Let's not speak of it.

Ah!

What do you think of this one?

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

- Rather excessive.

- And her parents have no objections?

The Professor is a respectable widower.

And a wealthy man.

- When may I call?

- Call!

To view Miss Presbury's window.

To determine for myself its accessibility.

Shall we say tomorrow morning?

The professor will be at college.

At present, my enquiries are purely logistical.

I have never had any secrets from the professor.

Mr Bennett, let me refer you to your first question, which you have, in fact, answered, you're more inclined to Miss Presbury's party than to your employer's.

Yes, I dare say.

Thank you.

Good day.

Good day.

You're prying into the affairs of a respectable family.

Why is Bennett so reluctant to tell the truth?

- Loyalty.

It's as plain as a pikestaff.

- Let us hope so.

Yet he wrote to me under duress.

Did you notice his handwriting?

Crossing the t's with such deep indentation?

And then his endeavours to call it off?

There's more to this than meets the eye.

I do not agree.

This "case" is unworthy of you.

I must return to my surgery.

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.

- Father.

- My dear.

- I trust you slept better?

- Oh, yes.

Last night I removed to the guest bedroom.

No need, surely.

It was but an ugly dream.

Father, Alice has asked me...

Yes?

The truth is, she does not care for orchids.

She doesn't?

Why did she not say so?

She was afraid to.

You forget how formidable you are, Father.

The silly girl!

Well, then she shall have roses.

Yes, two dozen red roses.

Roy was quiet enough last night.

Nowt to rouse him, sir.

Docility itself.

A marked change, MacPhail.

Aye.

He's grown accustomed to his shackles.

Poor beast.

- Shall we go up?

- If Miss Presbury has no objection.

I understand the necessity.

Let us lead the way, my dear.

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

You were a veritable bear yesterday.

A touch liverish, perhaps.

- This is where the figure appeared?

- Yes.

No ladder here that could reach this height?

No.

- Was the window ajar?

- Yes.

I keep the door locked.

Did the hand touch the window pane?

I don't know.

I fainted.

Of course you did, of course.

Well, it's a formidable elevation.

Yet the ivy's strong.

Hedera algeriensis.

Torn away just here.

Ah.

Your father has returned prematurely.

No!

He mustn't know you're here.

That can scarcely be avoided.

However, let us go down.

- The back stairs.

- Certainly not.

Bennett!

What did you do with my lecture?

Who the devil are you, sir?

Father, I'm sorry.

Mr Sherlock Holmes, sir.

Who?

- The detective.

- Professor Presbury.

My card.

" ...b" Hardly an address to inspire confidence.

I never seek to inspire confidence in others, I have enough of my own.

- May I introduce Dr Watson?

- Certainly not.

You may leave at once.

- They are here at our request.

- But not mine, Edith.

And you, Bennett, you should have consulted me first.

A common detective and his accomplice!

Really.

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

My assistant had no authority to engage you.

Kindly enquire into it no further.

Should you persist, I shall call the police.

Lestrade of the Yard is well known to me.

I would hesitate in calling Lestrade if you wish the mystery solved.

- There is no mystery.

None.

Now, begone with you or would you have me release my dog?

And he'll not distinguish between a hired snoop and a low intruder.

Will you begone, sir?

Will you?

We shall, sir, but you are over the mark.

Kindly watch your words.

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

I'm surprised that Roy needs chaining at all.

Unless it is for your safety as much as ours.

A dog reflects family life, Watson.

Does it, indeed?

Who ever heard of a frisky dog in a gloomy home?

Or a sad dog in a happy one?

Snarling people have snarling dogs.

You observed Presbury's Irish wolfhound as well as I.

He growled quite as much at his master as he did us.

That animal did not reserve its animosity for the professor.

We'll seek verification from Bennett when he arrives.

I sent word via Jock MacPhail after a meeting at the Goat and Compasses.

Another of your agents, Holmes?

The Presbury's coachman.

He has charge of Roy.

I joined him last night for what he calls a "wee goldie".

Here's Bennett.

Precipitate as ever.

Come in!

Good morning.

Mr Holmes, Dr Watson.

I must apologise for your unfortunate encounter yesterday...

There's no need.

It has provided the first clue to this odd affair.

- Do sit down.

- Thank you.

I cannot say I am happy to have answered your summons.

Of course.

I appreciate the division of your loyalties.

It's no wonder that you have withheld so much.

Roy first att*cked his master on the evening of September nd, did he not?

- How can you know that?

- As the Professor came into the hall, you restrained the dog.

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

Next morning he was fine, or so MacPhail thought.

- MacPhail?

- Who better to advise me how matters might truly stand?

Forgive me, I should have told you myself.

But you didn't.

The second att*ck occurred days later.

Again, the Professor was in the hall.

This time he was able to put the study door between himself and the animal, was he not?

Edith wanted Roy chained from that moment.

But her father overruled her?

He insisted that he was still a dear, affectionate dog.

But not after the third att*ck?

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

And Roy was banished to the stable yard?

Yes.

MacPhail believes the change in Roy stems from about two months ago.

Perhaps.

I didn't keep a note of it.

Consult your fiancée and MacPhail.

A precise log may yet prove pertinent.

I observed that the Professor lectures at the university at two.

I shall call then.

No!

I couldn't possibly agree.

No.

Bennett, Miss Presbury did not dream.

Someone or something looked in upon her.

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

- From whom?

- No, sir.

From whom...

or from what.

As secretary, you handle the Professor's correspondence?

It's my responsibility to open every letter.

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

Erm...

No, well...

She told me that...

- Yes?

- It was after Roy began to behave oddly.

That she too became afraid of the dog?

- You mustn't touch his desk!

- Bennett!

Thank you.

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

"Dorak".

Inhabiting "Cornmead".

No, no, no.

Commercial Road, of course.

EC.

It would appear the Professor answers such correspondence himself.

- Well, again...

- Again, you've been reluctant to speak.

Yes.

Some eight weeks ago he told that certain missives might arrive from East Central marked by a cross under the stamp.

A code?

And did they?

Regularly?

Irregularly.

I was to leave them unopened.

You said missive.

Not letters?

Some were, others were small packets.

Did you observe the professor's replies?

No.

They didn't pass through my hands.

Yet the evidence suggests that he did respond.

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

- What was that?

- What?

Nothing.

Jack.

Oh, I wasn't aware...

I couldn't tell you.

You'd already gone out.

I see.

I've invited Alice to take tea with us.

Do not be too severe upon your fiancé.

He has acted for the best.

Please, will you continue to lock your door at night?

The prowler who looked in up on you is no ordinary creature.

Good day.

Jack, you shouldn't have brought him in here.

I didn't want to but he insisted.

He says there's grave danger.

Was that Sherlock Holmes?

The Sherlock Holmes?

Your observation goes to the heart of this.

- Observation?

- Concerning the monkey and the dog.

You think so?

If you'd be so kind as to accompany me to the university you can drive on to the Commercial Road, enquire after Dorak.

That's not an address!

The Commercial Road's a mile long.

Then ask a costermonger for Dorak's shop.

- Shop?

- Come on, Watson, I'm late.

The equatorial rainforests of Africa, Asia and Southern America are filled with the sound and movement of a multitude of species of the primate family.

To conclude therefore, this physical activity, the swinging amongst branches, the flying leaps from treetop to treetop and loud, raucous calling not only defines territorial rights in the forest, for example, for food gathering -

the tender sh**t of tree and shrub are particularly prized - but also is frequently among the males a ritual display...

either to warn off unwelcome intruders or to impress a particular female with the sexual potential of the performer.

Thank you, gentlemen.

- All right.

- Good afternoon.

Looking for something?

I believe there's some livery stables nearby.

No.

We got a knacker's yard next door.

Oh, right.

Right you are.

- It's dead end, cock.

- I can see a way through.

Yes.

- Are you a nark or what?

- Not at all.

Out.

- I'm sorry?

- I said out.

You just can't take a hint, can you?

- I beg your pardon?

- I said out and I meant out.

- No admittance, mate.

- These are commercial premises.

- What's that mean?

- I mean it's a shop.

Well, it must be early closing day.

This is ridiculous.

Is it?

My dear Lestrade, I'm astonished that a man of your standing should call upon so petty an errand.

Professor Presbury objects most strenuously to your investigations.

His complaint is that of unjustified harassment.

The justification has yet to be proved.

Has Presbury informed you of the facts?

- Of course.

- And your conclusions?

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

That's all.

A trifle.

Such a simple explanation.

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

What dog?

Presbury did not mention Roy's part in this?

Strange.

Clearly a partial witness.

I suggest you ask him.

You're not in full possession of the facts.

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

I never concern myself in anything without that stimulus.

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

Professor Presbury is a determined man.

Then we're fairly matched, are we not?

I knew it.

Well, I've said my say.

- Mr Holmes.

- Lestrade.

- All right?

You can do it?

- Yeah.

Easier than Maidstone.

Poor old fella.

- .

- Hm?

- Commercial Road.

- You located Dorak?

Good.

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

Sells everything from flatirons to fish-hooks.

- Can you be more specific?

- Well...

can't be a very prosperous business.

- Why not?

- The general public are not allowed in.

Did you discover anything else?

Apart from being threatened by an unhelpful brute, very little.

He obviously works there as he threatened me again.

There was another fellow, sharply dressed, loud waistcoat, moustache.

Cheroot?

Yes!

Yes, he did.

Sounds like Harry Wilcox.

More usually of Soho Square.

Anything further?

No, not really.

Except the smell.

There was a very odd smell about the place.

- Of what?

- It's not easy to say.

Belonged to the animal kingdom.

Straw or stables?

More like a zoo.

Oh.

- You're still up.

- I thought I might finish these proofs.

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

- I'd rather not, sir.

I...

- Get to bed.

Go on with you.

Yes, sir.

Very well.

- Night, sir.

- Good night.

Darling!

Wake up, it's me!

Edith!

- Who is it?

- It's me!

Open the door.

- What is it?

- I saw...

I can't describe.

- The intruder?

- We must rouse your father.

- Professor Presbury.

- Father.

Sir!

Sir!

Both of you?

What is it?

- Jack thought he saw...

- I fancied I...

I heard an intruder, sir.

You did?

Yes, Roy too was exercised but when I looked out there was nothing and he's since quietened down -listen.

- But you thought you saw...

- I thought I saw...

Yes?

An animal.

Animal?

No, must have been a trick of the light, sir.

Must have been, Edith.

Yes, sir, I was mistaken.

My apologies.

Good night.

- Bennett.

- Yes, sir?

Get some sleep, there's a good chap.

Yes, sir.

Of course.

Watson!

Watson!

Watson!

Manifestly a g*ng is at work.

Other zoos have reported thefts?

Yes.

My colleagues in Bristol are investigating the theft of two rhesus monkeys and a baboon, removed only last week.

A travelling menagerie in Oxfordshire have lost a prized chimpanzee and Maidstone their finest gorilla.

- Big Charlie?

- Yeah.

Delightful chap.

I knew him well.

They've all disappeared without a trace.

And Mr Holmes?

What's his interest?

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

We like to indulge him when we can.

- Find anything to the purpose?

- Nothing much.

My men have been through it with a tooth-comb.

The lock was released by Swell Jenkins of Stepney Green.

The primate was quietened with chloroform administered by someone who lavishes their hair with Mr Brewster of Jermyn Street's pomade.

This would suggest that he also sports a waxed moustache, Mr Brewster being celebrated for his cosmetic wax.

If this were so, you could worse than have a word with Harry "The Tache" Wilcox.

Good Lord, your nothing much would be anyone else's a great deal.

I'm sure my men will arrive at the same conclusion once their reports are done.

You will also have noticed that this is the sixth theft of a mature, male primate in as many weeks.

Is it?

Six?

Good Lord, exceptional.

The gender of the animals removed is, I suggest, of the essence.

Good day.

Come in.

My dearest Alice.

- I'm not interrupting your work?

- No, no.

I wasn't seriously engaged.

Just some notes for future enquiry, nothing more.

Shall we go through to the drawing room?

- This is hardly the place to entertain.

- No!

Oh, dear.

My dear child, what is the matter?

I ought to have said before.

Ought you?

What?

There.

You must take it back.

Oh, but, Alice.

I can't marry you.

I shouldn't have said I would but I was afraid to say no.

Please take it back.

Nonsense.

This is simply...

No!

You must take it.

There.

I'm sorry.

- Alice!

- No.

You're old.

You're too old.

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

But upon investigation, could find no trace.

You must get this to him.

- Are you coming?

- Where to?

Dorak's Emporium.

Especially those parts Jenkins took such pains to guard against you.

- You game?

- Delighted.

You go armed?

Always carry a firearm east of Aldgate, Watson.

It's as I feared.

- We was reckonin' on a visit.

- Wilcox!

And Jenkins.

By heavens, Holmes, this is what I smelt.

These are Dorak's patients.

Poor, abused creatures.

Have you observed the experiments that Dorak performs?

That's none of our business.

Count yourself fortunate that the process has been kept from you.

Now, gentlemen, in you go.

In there with him?

Why?

To await the police.

In, gentlemen.

We shall advise Inspector Lestrade at once.

You can't leave us in here!

Remember the gorilla is a social animal.

If you mind your manners, you will do well enough.

Mr Bennett and Miss Presbury!

- Yes.

- I had to come, Mr Holmes.

I'm delighted.

You have the list of missing dates?

Yes.

Roy also barked on these nights.

Never mind that, Mr Holmes, we have far more urgent matters to impart.

- Is that so?

- Miss Morphy has renounced my father.

- She's returned his ring?

- Today.

He has remained locked in his study.

Every time I've knocked, he's shouted abuse at me...

The logic of it, Watson, of this progression, do you see it?

- Please.

- The first three are self-evident.

We know of those.

What happened on the th of October?

Roy barked all night.

On the th, too.

Also days upon which the professor received packages from EC.

This is the date the face appeared at the window, four nights ago.

Yes.

And this is where the shadow appeared last night.

Of course!

The common factor is two.

Always the gap decreases by two days.

Numbskull, Holmes.

And today...

is the st of October.

Did...

Yes.

A package arrived this morning.

The crisis is upon us.

Last night was but the precursor.

Come!

We must go at once.

Come along!

I'll explain on the way.

The front door is open!

Bennett, examine upstairs.

Watson.

- I thought as much.

- Did you hear, Mr Holmes?

- Too well.

Up there.

Look.

By heavens, Holmes, you were right.

He's setting course to Miss Morphy's house.

Bennett, stay here and protect Miss Presbury.

He's aiming for that balcony.

- It's locked.

- Then we must housebreak.

The dog, Watson!

The dog!

Stay away...please.

Keep away.

It was a close thing.

Just missed the carotid artery.

- Is he all right?

- He'll live.

A reformed man, no doubt, after his experience.

Lestrade, I quite intended you to have the credit but to complete the case against Dorak, Wilcox and Jenkins, you'll need this.

The incontrovertible proof that those animals you rescued were stolen for the sake of their glands.

The extract to be sold at enormous profit to those desperate enough to imagine that a course of serum would restore their lost vitality, without any other effects.

I am grateful, Mr Holmes.

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

Perhaps.

Poor Presbury.

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

The highest type of man may revert to the animal when he leaves the straight road of destiny.

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

Quite the best, Lestrade.

I always do.

- Is the wolfhound to be destroyed?

- No.

No, it was the monkey that Roy att*cked, not the man.

The dog will be himself again quite as much as his master.

Well, thank you both.

- Good day, gentlemen.

- Good day, Lestrade.

If I may say so, you went too far in allowing Lestrade all the credit.

Not all, Watson.

You can file it away in our archives.

One day, the entire truth can be told.