07x04 - The Red Circle

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Emilia.

The strange case
of the Red Circle

started in New York

and ended in
the Antipodes.

But first I should explain

how two men with
the initial G

came to be in London.

Gennaro was the hero,

Black Gorgiano,
the villain

and both men loved Emilia.

(Knock on door)

Oh.

Yes, what can I...

You have a room to let?

Well you see I don't...

Who is it, Albert?

The wife, she usually
sees to this, you see.

A visitor my dear,

wanting a room.

All right, Albert,

you go into
your boat building.

Now, sir, what
do you require?

Is it a room for the night,

or for a longer stay?

Well, Mrs. Warren,

I cannot think you have

any particular
reason for uneasiness

and you note I have
other things to engage me.

Holmes, the
matter of a lodger

remaining unseen in his
room for more than a week

is surely of some
passing interest.

If I were a lodger

she wouldn't see
me for weeks on end.

That doesn't trouble
you, does it Mrs. Hudson?

Nothing troubles me

where you're
concerned, Mr. Holmes.

But if you remember

you arranged
an affair for a lodger

of Mrs. Warren's a year ago.

Yes, you did, sir,

an Italian gentleman,

Mr. Firmani.

Enrico Firmani.

Mr. Firmani never stopped

talking of your
kindness, sir.

How you brought light
into the darkness.

It was a Wagner
night I think.

Let us hear
about this lodger.

It frightens me, Mr. Holmes.

I can't sleep for fright

hearing his footsteps
moving here and moving there

from early morning
to late at night

and I never,
never catch so much

as a glimpse of him.

Mr. Warren is as
nervous as I am.

What's the fellow
hiding from, Mr. Holmes?

What has he done?

You see except for the maid

she's all alone in
the house with him.

No, I can't stand it.

My, nerves can't stand it.

Watson, cope.

Smelling salts,
Mrs. Hudson,

if you have them.

Take time to
consider, Mrs. Warren,

the smallest point may
be the most essential.

He came days ago

and he asked me my terms

so I told him
shillings a week.

There's a small sitting
room and a bedroom

all complete all at
the top of the house

and he said he'd pay me
three pounds a week for it.

Three pounds?

Yes, sir, three
pounds a week

as long as I kept his terms.

What terms?

Well, he wanted
a key to the house.

That's all right most of
my lodgers have them

but he was to be left
entirely to himself

and never on any
account to be disturbed.

Well, there's nothing
very wonderful about that.

Well, not in reason

but this is
out of all reason.

He's been in there days

morning, noon and night

and neither she
nor Mr. Warren

nor the maid has
once set eyes on him.

And apart from
the first night,

he's never once gone out.

Oh, he did go out
on the first night?

Oh, yes, he did,

he returned very late,

I'd gone to bed

but Mr. Warren saw him.

It was after midnight
he'd come back.

These meals,

I mean surely he eats.

Well he rings
when he wants them.

We put them on a chair
outside his door.

If he wants anything else

he writes it
on a bit of paper,

this just in pencil,

just the one
word nothing more.

Here.

The maid leaves the
Daily Chronicle with him

every morning at breakfast.

Why is it printed?

Well, to conceal
his handwriting.

Watson, deduce.

Me?

Well, the pencil is broad
tipped and violet tinted.

And it's used with,

well it's used with
considerable pressure

and the paper's been
torn off at the side

before the
printing was done.

You can see the S of
soap is partly gone.

Suggesting?

Haste.

Or caution.

The man's age
and appearance?

Oh, he's under , sir,

he's very dark,

middle height,

clean-shaven.

Oh, has an accent
like Mr. Firmani.

Of course no name?

No, sir.

No letters or callers.

None, sir.

His luggage?

Labels?

Stickers?

White Star.

Ten days ago.

New York.

I think that we must wait

until we have a
little more material.

Please vanish both of you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Holmes.

Oh, thank you, Doctor.

Leave it to me, Mrs. Hudson.

You must admit, Holmes,

there are some
points of interest.

Only that the
man in the rooms

may not be the one
who engaged them.

Yes, of course,

I hadn't thought of that.

And he went out immediately
after taking the rooms

and returned at midnight.

Why a substitution?

Well, opens up a
pleasurable feel

for intelligent speculation

and there is one
line of investigation.

Mrs. Warren's former lodger.

Enrico Firmani of Naples.

He works backstage at
the Royal Opera House.

I helped him find a
close relative once.

A simple matter.

Catchpole Street.

You added something?

A friend to his fellow
countrymen in need.

Do you suppose

he could've recommended
his former lodgings

to a fellow
countryman in need?

Possibly.

Well, it doesn't explain
the lodge's behavior.

Behavior?

What behavior?

How do you know
this address?

Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Mr. Holmes?

He always keeps a
record of his past clients.

But if Holmes has
something to ask

why does he
not come himself,

why send you, Dr. Watson?

Well, I do on
occasion act for myself.

Well, I cannot
help you I'm afraid.

I know nothing of this
lodger of Mrs. Warren's.

Is he perhaps a fellow
countryman of yours

recently arrived from
America in need of help?

Then tell him I'm
here if he needs me.

That is all I can say.

Excuse me,

I must go to work now.

It may be that
Mrs. Warren needs help.

The man is
disturbing her household.

Why, what does
he do to them?

Well, it's more a case
of what he doesn't do.

He doesn't appear
from dawn till dusk.

He has his meals on a tray
left outside the door.

If he's a
fugitive from justice

we should turn him
over to the police.

Police?

No, no.

Caio Mama.

(Speaking Italian)

If there is a problem,

Holmes knows
where to find me

at the theatre not here,

never here Doctor,

do you understand?

You have enemies
in your line of work.

Everyone has enemies

whatever they do,

is that not true of life.

But some are more
at risk than others

with their beliefs

and their courage.

I do what I do, Doctor,

don't make me
out to be a saint.

Now please excuse me.

Signor Zamba,
senior partner

in the firm of
Castallote and Zamba,

chief fruit
importers of New York

was stabbed repeatedly
on the steps of his mansion.

Now this is dated
eight weeks ago.

Detective Rimmer
of the Pinkerton Agency,

Abe Rimmer.

Said at the
scene of the slaying

we believe this is the work
of a Neapolitan society

allied to the old Carbonari
known as the Red Circle.

Famous throughout Europe

a branch is now being
planted in Brooklyn.

Detectives are anxious

to question a
Giuseppe Gorgiano.

Now, Firmani was
hiding something else.

I can't describe
the feeling

but there was an old woman
who I took to be his mother.

His mother?

You went to his home?

Yes.

A face full of
sorrow and secrets.

Is this the person
that you helped, Holmes?

If you're holding
something back

I should like
you to tell me.

By going to his home

you may have put
Firmani's life in danger.

What?

He's a point of refuge

for the Italian
community in London,

a beacon of
light if you will

in a dark web of devilry.

The Red Circle.

God.

And this Gorgiano?

Black Gorgiano,

he's earned
the name of death,

La Morte in Southern
Italy and far beyond.

He's red up to
the elbows in m*rder.

Is it possible that
this Black Gorgiano

is the man at Mr. Warren's?

No, but there may
be some connection.

Watson, we have work to do.

The opera house.

And then Charing Cross

to send a telegram to
my friend Abe Rimmer.

(Singing)

Wonderful, Miss. Laven,

just once more, please.

Enrico Firmani.

(Speaking Italian).

You have been troublesome
to me for a long time.

But now you help me

in return for your life,

Gennaro Lucca,

where are you hiding him?

Will you tell
me, Enrico?

(speaking Italian).

(Scream)

Nobody's allowed in here.

Oh, it's you, Mr. Holmes.

Mr. Holmes.

Hawkins, what
brings you here?

Same thing that
brings you I expect.

How you got onto it
so fast I can't imagine.

Different threads

leading up to
the same tangle.

We've come to
see Enrico Firmani.

But Firmani's dead.

He was found
with his throat cut

less than two
hours ago up here.

m*rder*r got clean
away I'm afraid.

Watson.

You're right, Holmes,

I should not have
gone this morning.

Might have saved a life.

I don't think you can
blame yourself for that.

Golden boys and
girls all must

as chimneysweeps
come to dust.

A person arrives
alone in London.

He seeks help from Firmani,

his fellow countryman

who places him for safety
in Mrs. Warren's lodgings.

And then
Firmani is m*rder*d

rather than give
away the hiding place.

No, no.

Of that we can't be sure.

But who k*lled him?

Gorgiano?

Is Gorgiano in England?

What does he want
with this lodger?

The person in that room

is entirely
alone and at risk,

I mean even a letter
might be intercepted.

How does a message reach
him from the outside?

Except by that most
valuable hunting ground

ever given to the
student of the unusual.

Agony columns.

We need only
concern ourselves

with the Daily Chronicle.

For the past two weeks,

which our lodger
collects every morning

after his breakfast.

Oh, dear me,

what a chorus
of cries and groans.

What a ragbag of
singular happenings.

Lady with a feather boa

at Prince's Skating Club.

Holmes, listen to this,

Be patient,

will find some means
of communications,

meanwhile this column G.

Can you pick up
a trace again?

Ah, here we are.

I'm making successful
arrangements,

patience and prudence,

the clouds will pass G.

No, nothing.

Here, here,
the path is clearing.

If I find chance
to signal message

remember code as agreed,

that's two days ago.

Mrs. Hudson?

What is it, Mr. Holmes?

I'm washing curtains.

The Daily Chronicle
yesterday and today,

if you'd be so kind.

Patience and prudence.

Now the affair begins
to grow more intelligible.

(speaking Italian).

I've found it.

House with porch and
black door, first floor,

window right, after dusk, G.

There you are.

G, Black Gorgiano.

Could it be a trap,

to draw the person out?

Unlikely.

Well should we
not tell the police

what we know about
the Red Circle?

Tell the police,

they find it
difficult enough to
deal with the facts

without confusing them
with our suppositions.

Oh, listen to this,

motiveless m*rder.

According to Inspector
Hawkins, really.

Mr. Holmes, Doctor,

you must come quickly,

there's been a kidnapping.

This is a police
matter, Mr. Holmes.

I'm throwing
that lodger out.

I'd have gone straight
up and told him so...

But she thought
it only right

to ask your opinion
first, Mr. Holmes.

A large pot of tea
please, Mrs. Hudson.

I'm at the
end of my patience

when it comes to
knocking my old man about.

Who knocked him about?

I wish I knew that.

It happened this
morning, sir.

Mr. Warren

he's a timekeeper at
Norton & Waylight's

on Tottenham Court Road.

He has to leave the house

before seven in the morning.

It would greatly help me

if I could speak
to him myself.

All right.

Take care,
Holmes, his heart.

Can you speak, Mr. Warren?

Well, I hadn't
gone ten paces

before two men
crept up behind me.

And threw a coat
over his head,

bundled him into cab

and drove off and sh*t him
out on Hampstead Heath.

Hampstead Heath.

Dreadful, what
did you observe?

I took a bus home.

Before the bus,

these men,

did you observe
their appearance?

No, sir, I was picked
up as if by magic

and dropped as if by magic.

Three of them at
least was in on it,

maybe four.

Did you hear them talk?

One of them swore
some oaths in Italian.

Money is not everything.

I'll have him out of here

before the day is done.

I should like to meet
this lodger of yours.

What time does
he take his lunch?

One o'clock sharp.

Is there anywhere where we
might conceal ourselves?

Yes, there's a
box room upstairs.

Is there a looking glass?

Yes, there's one on
the chest of drawers

outside on the landing.

Excellent, come, Watson.

What about me, then?

We've got forty minutes.

It's clear now that his
enemies mistook their man.

What they would've
done if they'd got him

bears no thinking.

But they didn't.

Do you see what I see?

A house with a
porch and black door.

With a room to let

to which G could
have access.

Holmes, I feel
very strongly

that we should
inform Scotland Yard.

Not yet.

We are on watch,

and may be being watched.

Let's see what lies
behind these lodgings.

How's he feeling?

Oh, he's all right.

He just likes a
fuss made of him.

Mr. Holmes.

Bolt your door.

And let no one in
until we return.

Did you see him?

Mrs. Warren, trust me.

I don't know when
he's coming back.

He gave me some money

and I haven't
seen him since.

A foreign
gentlemen, you say.

Definitely and I don't
care for foreigners.

Oh really.

So if you want
it gentlemen,

I'm sure we can come
to an arrangement.

I'll be in the hall sir,
when you've finished.

Thank you.

Nothing in here.

Perfect.

Look, Watson,

the first floor
window of the lodgings,

our agitated lady.

Only a few more
hours to wait

before the signal.

After dusk, G.

It has all the makings
of some love escapade.

Love?

Love may be
at the root of it

but her face,

oh, Watson her face

She fears for her life,

I consider a couple,

seek refuge in London

from some instant
and terrible fear.

The man desires

her utmost safety

and arranges to communicate

in such original fashion

for not even the landlady

knows of the substitution.

And there's
printed messages

to prevent the fact
that she's a woman

being revealed
by her handwriting.

Look.

A candle and matches,

Their signal.

But there's no need
for this now surely,

can't we just simply
bring them together?

And guarantee that
we'd protect them forever

from the Red Circle?

No.

We must let them
play this thing out.

I must return briefly
to Baker Street.

Do you have reason enough

to stay in the lodgings?

Mr. Warren's health

gives me every excuse.

It might be advisable

for me to bring
back your revolver.

No need to man, I have it.

Good, splendid.

I'll see you
within the hour.

Hawkins, journey's end
with lover's meeting.

I'll do you this
justice, Mr. Holmes.

I was never in a case yet

I didn't feel stronger

for having you on my side.

Fugitives may be Gennaro
and Emilia Lucca

if so in grave danger,

expect agent imminently.

Regards, Abe Rimmer.

The agent's here,

he arrived from
New York this morning.

His name is Leverton.

Leverton I know of him.

The man he's after
is Black Gorgiano,

leader of the Red Circle.

Do we score over you
for once, Mr. Holmes?

You must give us
best some of the time.

I think that we should
pool our resources.

There's someone up there.

Mrs Warren.

Holmes.

Keep the peace downstairs.

I must have a word
with Senora Lucca.

(Knock on door)

Senora Lucca,

its Sherlock Holmes.

I must speak to you.

Oh no.

Your husband Gennaro, will
be safe, and so will you

if you will place
yourself in our hands.

Scotland Yard is
watching the house

and Mr. Leverton is on
his way from New York.

Mr. Leverton?

We shall not let
any harm come to you.

Please let me in.

Please.

I'm not going
up there again.

Never.

Oh don't be silly dear,

don't be silly.

You know what
the doctor said,

it was just a
cat scratching.

No, it wasn't, it lifted.

Mrs. Hudson, would you make
Vera a cup of tea, please?

What is going
on in this house?

Noises, lights going off,

it'll be the death of me.

Oh my god.

I was born in
Posillipo near Naples.

My father was chief lawyer.

Gennaro had no money

and no position,

nothing but his beauty,

his strength and energy.

My father forbade the match

and we run away.

We were married in Bari.

I sold my jewels to
bring us to America.

Fortune smiled at first,

Gennaro saved
a rich Italian

from some ruffians
in the Bowery.

He was Signor Castallote

of Castallote and Zamba
the fruit importers.

Gennaro became
like a son to him.

Tell me about this visitor,

this friend of your
husbands from Posillipo?

Oh, is no friend.

Gennaro brought
him home one day.

They had met in the street.

He came again and again.

He talked and raved

about politics
and social questions

and what he meant to do,
whirling his great arm.

His voice was like thunder
in our little house.

And your husband?

He sat pale and listless.

At first I thought
it was dislike

but then I understood

it was a deep secret fear.

I implored him
out of love for me,

by all we held dear

to tell me why this man
overshadowed him.

In his wild, young days

when all the world
seemed against him

he had joined
a brotherhood,

El Chicaroso

the Red Circle.

He thought its purpose

was to put right
the injustice of life.

Once you've taken
its dreadful oath.

Tell me about you,

and Gorgiano.

I had noticed for some time

when he came to us

his eyes were
always turned upon me

his terrible glaring eyes.

And one evening,

I had awakened what
he called love in him.

Emilia, mio solo grande.

It was the love of a brut,

a savage.

(Speaking Italian).

A few days later,

there was a
Red Circle meeting.

Signor Castallote had
been approached for money

and had refused them.

Now they
planned to k*ll him,

they drew lots.

It was fixed.

It was Gorgiano's revenge
for my rejecting him.

(Speaking Italian)

My dearest friend,

in all the world.

And then you both
went to the police?

I went alone.

That was brave.

Yes, but what has it done?

They got us away
but friends still die.

We shall never be
rid of that beast, never

and now you must go.

I've said too much,

I've broken my
promise to my husband,

go please, go.

(Speaking Italian)

Enrico would have wished it.

Go sail to a new life.

Gracias.

He can't stay
here all night.

Well if he has to
won't you, Doctor?

Well, in that case

I wouldn't mind
a game of whist.

Do you play whist, Doctor?

Mr. Holmes?

Emilia.

Emilia, mi amore.

(Speaking Italian)

Hawkins.

I've set my men on
watch, Mr. Holmes.

What are you
expecting to happen?

Well, there are times

when the art of
detection is of little use.

We must wait upon
the unpredictable.

I've had some experience
of that in my time.

I can say only that

we are expecting
Signora Lucca's husband.

You must let him pass.

Your men must
not distract him.

They know that.
Fine.

And our m*rder*r?

Oh, he is about.

Somewhere,

waiting his chance.

I have a good description
from the American Leverton,

we'll be ready.

Look.

Watson.

Signora Lucca,

you must give
me the signal.

Go away, I don't trust you.

I trust no one
but my husband.

I'm obliged to you, Doctor.

The main thing is just to
keep this still as possible.

Fine.

Mr. Holmes.

Holmes.

This is Mr. Leverton
of the Pinkerton Agency.

Leverton, of the
Long Island Cave mystery

I'm honored to meet you.

The honor is mine, sir.

Well, well, well.

I'm sorry we had
to meet like this.

You're a brave man,

I saw you on the roof.

When you're on the trail
of a lifetime, Mr. Holmes,

you put all thoughts
of personal safety

out of your mind.

The brute got
away I suppose?

Yes, but he'll be back soon.

There's something
in this house

that he wants badly.

Oh, yes, I know.

Thank you, Doctor,
I'm fine, just fine.

Is the lady upstairs, safe?

Yes, but trusting no one.

And so we must wait

for her husband's signal.

What signal, Mr. Holmes?

Leverton, the lamp.

So Gennaro Lucca
is over there now?

Not yet but he
will be I hope.

I couldn't find Lucca
when I got to London.

My contact was
Enrico Firmani

but the brute
reached him first

and he must have made him
talk before k*lling him.

Shall we not go upstairs
to reassure Mrs. Lucca?

She won't admit us, Watson.

She'll only answer
to her husband.

Oh, look, Hawkins

not too conspicuous.

Yes, Inspector Hawkins,

he seems an able fellow.

One of Scotland
Yard's finest.

He knows his business.

Gentlemen,

Gennaro Lucca
has just gone in.

So far so good.

Mrs. Lucca came to us

the night the Red Circle
planned to k*ll Castallote.

They'd already m*rder*d
his partner Zamba.

We managed to round
up most of the g*ng

but Black Gorgiano
slipped the net.

When we heard
he'd left for England,

I followed after
him fast as I could.

I got in touch
with Scotland Yard

but he'd gone to ground.

There's a single light,

what does it mean?

Two lights.

Gone.

No, no, there it is again.

Three lights measured slow.

What's he saying,

what does it mean?

Nothing,

nothing.

But his next actions
must confirm it.

He must come
here to collect her.

It's gone.

The message received.

But what message?

Gennaro.

My dearest friend
in all the world,

and betrayer of
the brotherhood.

There's no message
there's somebody with him.

Watson?

Did you hear that, Holmes?

Yeah, danger.

My God, look she's out
there on the street.

Watson.

Hawkins Your
m*rder*r is up there.

Impossible, there's
only one entrance.

Just a minute
he's mine, Hawkins,

I'll take responsibility.

No you won't sir,

London dangers are
up to the London force.

Gennaro.

Emilia.

(speaking Italian).

Watson, take them
away from this horror.

(Speaking Italian).

(Speaking Italian).

I'll take those
tickets, sir.

Please, our ship
sales at dawn.

What are you going to
do with him, Inspector?

He'll be arrested and tried

for the m*rder of Gorgiano,

that is the law.

Well, I don't know what
your British law may be

but I guess
that in New York,

this lady's
husband will receive

a pretty general
vote of thanks.

There's not a
judge on earth

that will condemn this man.

I don't think
Mr. And Mrs. Lucca

have too much to fear

but we have to go
through the procedures.

Take them downstairs.

No doubt if you'd been here
on your own, Mr. Holmes,

you'd have found a
different solution.

The law is what we
live with, Inspector.

Justice is sometimes
harder to achieve.

What I still
don't understand

is how you came
to be mixed up

in all this in
the first place.

Good night, Inspector.

Good night, Mr. Holmes.

English justice looked
kindly on the young couple

and soon afterwards

they left for Australia.

There they found a
new and happier life

free from the thr*at
of the Red Circle.