02x09 - The Moabite Cypher

[bunniefuu]

[ Cheering,
marching music playing]

[Horse whinnies]

I'm sorry, sir.
I couldn't help it.

He ran straight under the horse.

The horse went up,
come down right on top of him.

I couldn't help myself.

Why were you running away?

Get up.

Give us a hand here.

All right, now, come on.

What the hell?

God save us, I think he's dead.

All right, all right, all right.

Here, son.
You, yeah.

- Know Middlesex Hospital?
-Yeah.

Run around there, fetch me a
doctor, and tell him to hurry.

It's urgent.
Now, go on.

[ Spectators murmuring ]

Can I help?
Good morning, Badger.

Good morning, sir.
Dr. Jarvis, isn't it?

That's right.
What's the problem?

Oh, thank God, Doctor.

Would you examine this person,
sir?

I think he's dead.

Can I be of any help?

I don't wish to be rude, sir,

but I would rather
Dr. Jarvis examine him.

It is rather important.

My dear Inspector, I taught
Dr. Jarvis everything he knows.

My name is John Thorn d*ke.
lam a doctor of medicine.

I'm also a fellow of
the Royal College of Surgeons,

a professor
at the London Hospital,

emeritus professor
at St. Bartholomew's Hospital,

member of the council

and sometime examiner at
the Royal College of Surgeons.

Now, if you'd kindly keep back

and allow me to conclude
my examination.

Please try to keep
the crowd away.

Sir. Constable?

Sir.

Shut those doors, will you?

Right,
and back you go now, please.

[ Spectators murmuring ]

Come along.
Let's go.

Heart att*ck?

More likely internal hemorrhage,
I expect.

He's as dead as Nebuchadnezzar.

I think you can safely take
my word for that.

- Who is he?
-I don't know, sir.

I saw him in the crowd,
thought he looked suspicious.

Well, perhaps you might look
through his pockets, hmm?

- Hello. What's that?
-No, don't touch that, sir.

THORN d*ke: Why not? Don't worry.
I shall be extremely careful

if you think it might be used
as evidence.

BADGER: Oh, no, sir,
it's not that. Stand away.

THORN d*ke:
Stand away?

I have every reason to believe

that that parcel contains
a b*mb.

In Edwardian times
there lived many detectives --

the rivals
of Sherlock Homes.

- That it's a b*mb, sir?
-THORN d*ke: Yes.

BADGER: Well, I'm not
absolutely certain, sir.

Here, Constable, get some help.

Get this chap taken to
Marylebone Mortuary.

There's an ambulance
up the street.

Well, you see, sir,
with today being a special day,

the visit
of the Russian Grand Duke --

Look, be careful with that, sir.

Inspector, I assure you
I am being extremely careful.

What made you suspect that this
poor fellow was up to something?

Well, I was explaining,
if you will allow me, sir?

We've had special instructions
today

to watch out for anarchists
because of the visit.

Well, I saw this fellow in the
crowd carrying that thing there.

I made towards him,
but, well, he made off.

You thought he might be going to
throw it at the carriage, eh?

That's right, sir.

Anyway, I gave chase,
and all the time,

he kept looking over
his shoulder at me,

obviously terrified.

Which confirmed your view that
he might be up to something.

Correct, sir.

Well, suddenly,
he burst through the crowd

on the other side of the road
and ran across.

But on the way, he went straight
in front of the constable here

on his horse.

Well, the horse shied,
went up in the air,

kicked this lad,
and, well, he's dead.

Hmm.

Well, let us examine this thing
more carefully, shall we?

From my observation so far,

I see it is
a loosely wrapped parcel.

Now, if it does contain a b*mb,
it does not explode on impact.

Otherwise, it would have
exploded when it fell.

Nor is there a cord
or a pull of any sort

which might activate a fuse.

It is, however, rather fragile.

There is a -- a dent here
in the side, where it fell.

There's always a --
[ Sniffs ] --

gooey liquid
which smells of oil or fat.

Now, let us remove
the outer layer.

I really do think you should let
the inspector do that.

Oh, very well.

If you both insist on treating
me like a child, catch.

By God, sir, I don't think much
of your friend's sense of humor.

We might all have been k*lled.

Jarvis, doctors do not cavort
upon the ground.

And you, sir, please treat me
as if I had some intelligence.

Do you mind, Inspector?

When I removed the outer layer,
the smell became evident,

and I realized, gentlemen --

a pork pie.

Inspector,
would you be kind enough?

Thank you.

Now, Jarvis, would you please
hand me a scalpel from your bag?

We shall examine this
more closely

and see whether this pie
contains anything more lethal

than sausage meat.

Well, if this is really
just a pie, sir,

then what on earth
was he running away for?

That, Inspector,
is a very good question.

I'm quite certain
that he had something to hide.

But the question is "What?"

[ sniffs

Mmm, this pie
does smell delicious.

What a pity it's been all over
the floor.

And don't you think, Inspector,

that whilst the gourmet
in Dr. Thorn d*ke is preeminent,

you might perhaps search
the body

for some clue to his identity?

Yes, sir, I quite agree.

Perhaps, gentlemen, you would be
kind enough to accompany me.

Hmm.

Thank you, Jarvis.

Do be methodical, man.

Lay the contents from each
pocket into separate piles,

then afterwards, if you want to,

you'll know which pocket
they came from.

Well, there's nothing here

that immediately tells us
who he is, sir.

Let's see what he's got
in his inside pockets.

I must say he doesn't look like
a foreigner.

Foreigner?

Anarchists, sir, foreigners.

London's full of them
these days.

There's nothing here.

Now, what's this?

Here's a letter.
This might be him.

Adolph Schonberg,
Greek Street, Soho.

Ah, so, he was a foreigner,
after all.

- May I see that, Inspector?
-BADGER: Yes, sir.

Hmm.
Sealed, but not stamped.

If it's his,
why hasn't he opened it?

Hmm, perhaps he left home
in a hurry,

just after it arrived, sir.

But in that case, it would have
a stamp on it or a postage due.

I sometimes have hopes for you,
Jarvis.

[ Chuckles ]

Also, as the inspector says,
he doesn't look foreign.

No, I think it's more likely

he was about to deliver this
to Mr. Schonberg.

Is there nothing else there
to identify him?

BADGER:
No, nothing, sir.

Shall we open it?

Oh, I'm afraid we don't have
that right, sir,

at least not at the moment.

No, I'm afraid
the inspector's right.

This may well legally
belong to someone else.

Yes, I suppose I could send
somebody around to Soho.

Why don't you deliver it
yourself?

It's not very far,
and the procession's over.

In fact, we may go with you.
What do you say, Jarvis?

Yes, Inspector,
we shall assist you.

Does Adolph Schonberg live here?

Schonberg?

No Schonberg, no.

Ah, Schonberg!
Yes, I know.

He lives on the third floor.

I see him a short while ago
go upstairs.

The third floor, back.

Thank you.
Let us go up.

Thank you.

Well?

Mr. Adolph Schonberg?

Well?
What about him?

I wish to have a few words
with him.

Then what in the deuce
you come banging on my door for?

- Doesn't he live here?
-No. First floor, front.

Pardon me, but what does
this Mr. Schonberg look like?

Look like?

He's a blooming Polish sheeny

with a carroty beard
and gold gig-lamps.

Damn.

- Yeah, that's the fellow --
-Precisely.

Inspector.

Mr. James,
what are you doing here?

Here, look, have you seen
a bloke with a red beard

round about?

Yes.
Yes, a couple of minutes ago.

Seemed in a hell of a hurry,
damn nearly knocked me down.

Went off like a lamp lighter.

- You won't catch him now.
-Blast it.

Oh, Dr. Thorn d*ke, this is
Mr. James of the Chronicle.

Don't say a word to him
unless you want it printed.

He's no respecter of persons.

[ Chuckles ]

I heard you were mixed up
in some death

up in Oxford Street, Inspector.

The mortuary attendant
told me you were here.

What's it all about?

Well, nothing I would tell you.

Now, that was Schonberg
beyond a doubt,

in which case, I consider myself
justified in opening the letter.

What in creation is this?

It isn't shorthand.
Well, what the deuce is it?

What do you make of it, Doctor?

Ah.

Not very much, I'm afraid.

I take it to be
a form of Hebrew.

Yes, well,
Hebrew isn't like that, sir.

That's just a jumble.

But this is a very old form

known, if my memory serves me,
as Moabite.

Moabite?

Yes, an ancient language.

You had much better take it
to the British Museum

and submit it to the keeper
of the Phoenician antiquities

for translation.

We will see what we can make
of it ourselves first, sir.

But thanks for your advice
all the same, Doctor.

Now, Mr. James, I can't give you
any information for the present.

You'd best apply to the morgue.

Will you excuse me?

Thank you for your help,
gentlemen.

- Good day to you.
-Good day.

- After you.
-Okay.

Dr. Thorn d*ke?

Yeah?

Might I have your views?

Well, I'm afraid
I have very little to add.

But the letter.

You seem to know more about that
than the inspector.

Did I not understand you to say
that the writing was strange?

No, not so much the writing.

It was more a cipher, really.

The paper itself was common
cream-laid notepaper,

such as is normally used,

and the ink itself was
ordinary Chinese writing ink,

such as is used by draftsmen.

Those are the facts.

And until I have further sight
of the letter,

I'm afraid they don't get us
very far.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
Jarvis,

I do feel
that if you're quite ready,

we should return
to the laboratory.

Mr. Jarvis...
have you anything to add?

"Dr. Jarvis."

No, I'm not even sure
I understand what the facts are.

Good afternoon, John.

Oh, hello, there, Jarvis.

You've finished your lecture,
then?

Yes.

I say, when does cook return
from visiting her brothers?

I'm getting very bored
with our eating out every day.

I'm afraid Mrs. Hobbs
won't be back until Saturday.

That's another three days.

One of my pupils tells me

that we're in the papers
this morning.

Hmm?

Oh, yes, yes, yes,
in the Chronicle.
: : , --] : : ,
It's over there on the table.

The column is marked
"Death of Anarchist."

It's a little low down there.
I've marked it.

It's by that reporter chappie.

Oh, yes.

"During yesterday's procession

in honor
of the Russian Grand Duke...

dead anarchist...

found on his person, written
in a private shorthand or --"

- I say. Listen to this.
-Hmm?

"In this intricate and important
case, the police have wisely --"

Mark that --
"wisely secured the assistance

of Dr. John Thorn d*ke,

to whose acute intellect
and vast experience

the portentous cryptogram

will doubtless
soon deliver up its secret."

Hmm.
Well, that's very gratifying,

if a little exaggerated.

[ Doorbell rings]

You're not expecting anyone,
are you?

No.

Well, whoever it is,
I hope he doesn't require tea.

- JARVIS: Good afternoon.
-MILLER: Good afternoon.

May I have a word
with Professor Thorn d*ke?

JARVIS: Yes, do come this way.
Superintendent Miller, isn't it?

MILLER:
That's right.

Good afternoon, sir.

Superintendent Miller,
Scotland Yard.

You'll forgive the intrusion,

but it's about
this business of the cipher.

I wonder
if I might ask your advice.

Superintendent,
how nice to see you.

I once gave evidence in a case
you handled very expertly.

Vanderbilt, remember?

Sit down, please.

Wasn't sure you'd remember, sir.

Well, it's about a certain death
yesterday

and a letter
that seems to be relevant.

The thought is
that the anarchists

are in some way involved.

And in view of the present
political situation,

plus the visit
of the Grand Duke,

we are taking the case
most seriously.

Oh, I'm in charge
of a special section

dealing with political matters.

Oh.
And how can I be of help?

Well, I'd like you to have
another look at the letter, sir.

I understand the cipher
was familiar to you.

Only very vaguely, but I may be
able to throw some light on it.

Do you have it?

No, sir.
That is a photograph of it.

We couldn't make head nor tail
of it at the Yard,

so Inspector Badger took it
along to the British Museum.

Oh.

You see, sir, we are capable

of taking
other people's suggestions.

[ Chuckles ]

Well, they referred us
to a Professor Popplebaum,

and he still has the original.

Oh, he's a great man.

He's the world's greatest
living paleographer.

I should have thought of him
myself.

Did he express any opinion?

[ Sighs ]
Well, provisionally, yes.

After a brief examination --

It was, after all,
quite late last evening

when we went to him --

he found it translates
into a number of Hebrew words,

and this is a hectograph copy
of his finding.

- JARVIS: May I see that?
-Yes, certainly.

No, better still, why not put
this under the epidiascope,

draw the blinds, and then we can
have a look at them together

and discuss them?

MILLER:
Oh, I see, sir,

that James has made
quite a lot of this

in the Chronicle this morning.

Reporters are a nuisance.

THORN d*ke: Oh, I don't Know,
Superintendent.

He seemed to think

that you'd be round
to consult me,

and that wasn't far
from the mark.

About that, sir --
I would be grateful

if you'd treat this conversation
as unofficial.

I'm not yet in a position
to come to you, formally.

THORN d*ke:
Pity.

If whoever is behind this
is an anarchist,

it would be awkward
if it should induce him

to leave a few trifling mementos
in the form of nitro compounds

on our staircase
or in the cellars.

Beg pardon, sir?

A b*mb, Superintendent,
a real one.

Oh.

Well, I can tell you,

this business has got the Yard
in a mighty ferment.

This country's whole
relationship with Russia

could be in jeopardy.

Mm.

Well, let's see the letter
first.

MILLER: Do you think
it's some sort of code?

THORN d*ke:
Oh, probably.

There'd be no need otherwise to
use the form known as Moabite.

From the few words that I know,

I expect that when we see

Professor Popplebaum's
translation,

it'll prove to be a mere farrago
of unintelligible nonsense.

But we shall see.

Change, please, Jarvis.

JARVIS
"Lies, city, woe."

Well, this isn't very promising.

THORN d*ke: Hmm.
What's the professor's theory?

Well, his theory,
provisionally, of course,

is that the words
need to be rearranged

before they make sense.

Surely that would be
a very transparent device.

Oh, there's a certain
childlike simplicity about it

that is very, very attractive,
but unlikely.

No, whoever did this would, I'm
sure, have made it more complex.

Is that all you're able
to tell me, sir?

For the moment, yes,

perhaps until you're able to
come to me officially.

In the meantime,
I have a theory of my own

which I shall test
if the occasion arises.

- May I keep these copies?
-Oh, certainly.

And please, sir,

give this matter
your most urgent attention.

If, as I believe, the anarchists
are at the back of this,

it is imperative
that we decipher this code

as quickly as possible.

You can reach me at all times.

- Goodbye, Professor.
-Goodbye, Superintendent.

Dr. Jarvis.

I'll see you to the door,
Superintendent.

Oh, thank you, sir.

[Knock on door]

Oh, I am most sorry.

MILLER: No, not at all.
I was just going.

May I come in?

I beg your pardon?
Have you an appointment?

BARTON:
No, I'm afraid not,

but I would be most grateful
if you could receive me,

as I have very urgent business,
which I would like --

Dr. Thorn d*ke.

Yes?

My name is Barton,
Alfred Barton.

- You must be Dr. Jarvis.
-Yes.

I'm so glad to find you both
together here at home,

as I have somewhat urgent
professional business.

You won't know me, though I know
you both by sight, of course.

I've come to ask if one of
you -- or better still, both --

could come with me tonight
to see my brother.

Well, not without
an appointment.

Sir, what I have to impart is
too urgent for an appointment.

I've come on a matter
of life and death.

The circumstances are, in
my opinion, highly suspicious,

and I shall lay them
before you --

in strictest confidence,
of course.

Oh, of course, yes.

My brother has recently married
for the second time.

His age is
and that of his wife, ,

and the marriage has been,
well, I must say, not a success.

Thank you.

Do please go on.

During the last fortnight,

my brother has been att*cked

by a mysterious
and extremely painful

infection of the stomach,

to which his doctors
seemed unable to give a name.

And it has so far resisted
all attempts at treatment.

Day by day,
the pain and distress increases,

and I feel that, unless
something decisive is done,

the end cannot be far off.

Is the pain worse after food?

That's just it.

I see what is in your mind,
and it has been on mine, too,

so much so
that I've tried repeatedly

to obtain samples of the food
that he is taking.

And this morning, I succeeded.

When I called, he was taking
his breakfast of arrowroot,

which he complained
had a gritty taste.

It was said by his wife
to be due to the sugar.

I managed to convey a portion
of the arrowroot

which he had left into this.

I should be greatly obliged
if you could examine it

and tell me if it contains
anything that it shouldn't.

THORN d*ke:
Hmm.

But why have you
brought this to me?

Surely, this is a matter
for his own doctor

or for the local police.

Oh, I have been to them both,

and in fact,
they both said that

were I able to obtain a sample
of the food he is taking,

they would put the matter into
the hands of the public analyst,

but time is most important.

My fear, sir,
is that my brother will be dead

before the results are known.

And so, knowing the reputation
of both yourself and Dr. Jarvis,

I have come straight to you.

May I add
that money is no object?

I see.

Very well, let's go
into the laboratory

and conduct some tests.

Thank you.

Jarvis, would you pass me
a slide, please?

Yes.

Do you want a cover, as well?

No, that will do, thank you.

But you could set me up
a Marsh's apparatus, please.

Yes.

Hmm.
Rather as I expected.

BARTON:
Is it arsenic?

Too soon to tell,
but let me...see.

Hmm.

BARTON:
Well, Doctor, what do you think?

I observe a number of
crystalline particles in this

that have the appearance
of arsenious acid.

BARTON:
Are you certain?

No, but the matter
is easily tested.

Is the Marsh's apparatus
ready yet, Jarvis?

JARVIS
Yes.

If I do find arsenic
in this sample,

what do you want me to do
about it?

I want you to come with me
to see my brother.

Surely, I could give you a note
to give to his own doctor.

No, no, I want you to come

to put a stop at once
to this dreadful business.

You must remember that it is
a matter of life and death.

I beg you not to refuse.

Mm. Well, first, let us see
what the test proves.

[Liquid bubbling]

BARTON:
What will this tell us, Doctor?

THORN d*ke:
This? Nothing.

This is merely the preparation.

Tile, please, Jarvis.

Now, if you're right,
this tile will change color.

Well, that's pretty conclusive.

Arsenic?

It would appear so, but
let's conduct the final test.

Thank you, Jarvis.

Well, what do you say?

Rather dramatic, what?

I fear that I was right.

The sample you have brought us
certainly contains arsenic.

Then you must come with me
at once

to help my brother
in his dreadful peril.

I beg you, Dr. Thorn d*ke,
for mercy's sake, don't refuse.

Well, before we decide,
I must confer with my colleague

to see what arrangements
we have for this evening.

Would you be kind enough
to wait in the study

for a moment or two, please?

Oh, yes, of course.

For mercy's sake, Doctor.

What do you think?

Well, we must go, I suppose.

It certainly seems as though his
poor brother is in some danger.

Well, perhaps we should go.

All right, it's decided, then?

I'm surprised
that you wanted to confer.

You know as well as I

that we've kept this evening
free in order to dine together.

My dear Jarvis, you know how
highly I value your opinion.

Also, I must say our Mr. Barton
does somewhat intrigue me.

Let us go, as he says,
for mercy's sake.

Well, Mr. Barton, we have
decided to accompany you.

Oh, thank you.

By the way, you haven't yet told
us where your brother lives.

Rexford, Rexford in Essex.

It's an out-of-the-way
little place,

but if we catch the :
from Liverpool Street,

we should be there
in an hour and a half.

Ah. And as to
the return journey,

you know the times
of the trains, I suppose.

I'll make sure
you don't miss your train back.

Good. Well, if we leave now
and call a cab,

we should just miss
the London evening theater rush.

There's no need.

I felt so sure that out of your
kindness you would accompany me

that I ordered my cab to remain.

It's waiting downstairs now.

THORN d*ke:
My goodness, Mr. Barton,

you really have thought
of everything.

Jarvis, if you'd be kind enough
to collect our coats.

I shall see you in a moment.

Yes, of course.

By the way, I do feel
I should warn you --

from the amount of arsenic
I detected in that sample,

there may be some danger.

I shall see you downstairs.

This should be
an interesting experience.

If he doesn't hurry,
he'll miss the train.

You realize, of course,

that we don't have a precise
address for his brother.

Tell me, what do you think
of this fellow, Barton?

Oh. Well,
it's very difficult to say.

Poor fellow's in such a state
about his brother

that I doubt if we have seen
the man himself.

He does seem very agitated.

Oh, there you are.

Oh, what a struggle.
Terrible scrum for baskets.

You wouldn't think there were
so many people traveling.

Of course, there are very few
on this train.

We were getting most anxious
in case you should miss it.

We don't have an address
for your brother.

Oh, there's no need.

I've ordered the cab to meet us
at Rexford

and take us straight there.

[Train whistle blows]

Well, what could be better?

Food for the journey
and a carriage to ourselves.

I don't suppose you managed
to get any wine, did you?

I did. I did.

Splendid.

And I have no doubt that,

but for poor Mr. Barton's
brother's misfortune,

we should find him
the most excellent of company.

I shall do my best.

Now, how about a bite?

We are slowing down yet again.

Seven minutes behind time
as it is.

It really is too bad.

This train's going to be
confoundedly late.

A few minutes more or less
are not of much consequence.

Well, no, of course not,
but still.

The aggravating thing is
we're only just outside Rexford.

We should have thought to bring
a few journals to pass the time.

Oh, my dear fellow, have mine.

I've finished with it.

Perhaps we could get out now
and walk to the station.

I don't think so.

I haven't got the right
kind of boots on

for marching up and down
railway lines.

Oh, thank heavens,
I think we're moving.

BARTON:
Shall we get ready?

I think we should be ready
to leave as soon as possible.

There's no time to be lost.

Rexford!
This is Rexford!

No, no, Doctor,
leave the baskets.

So little time.
I fear for my brother.

Now, watch the step down,
Doctor.

There we are.
That's it.

Now, if you'll follow me,
gentlemen.

MAN:
All stations to Newmarket!

This is Rexford!

[ Sighs ]
Blast!

The damn fellow has pushed off.

Well,
he may not have arrived yet.

[Whistle blows]

[Train chugging]

Look, I think I'll go and check
in the station.

They may have seen the cab
hereabouts.

I do apologize.
I won't be long.

[Train whistle blows]

Well, this is a pretty penny.

The meal wasn't all that good,

and we should get frozen stiff
if we stay here long.

Mm.
The wine was terrible, too.

I sometimes think if the
railways can't do it properly,

they shouldn't do it at all.

[ Metal screeching]

But I think we have more urgent
things to attend to.

Follow me, Jarvis.

Where to, sir?
You'll have to hurry.

The train's in, and she'll leave
in just a moment.

Have you seen a man
coming past here just now?

He probably was asking
about a cab.

There ain't been nobody
asking me anything, sir.

Oh, you must be the gentleman
who just come off the down line.

Yes.

I'm sorry, sir.
I can't help you.

Perhaps your friend's gone to
have a look over the other side.

He just went over the bridge.

Thank you.

Our Mr. Barton
is about to give us the slip.

What do you mean?

There may be another exit
over there.

There may be,
but he won't be using it.

There he goes.

Something tells me

this is the last train
out of here this evening

and somebody means to leave us
stranded here.

Run.

[Train whistle blows]

Really, Jarvis.

I do think you would have chosen
a first-class compartment.

I thought
we were lucky to get on,

let alone worry about protocol.

Shan't even get a refund
on our tickets.

We haven't got any tickets.

It was a joke.

Well, in that case,

perhaps you would like to
explain this little comedy.

With pleasure.

That is, if you think
it needs any explanation.

I mean,
you can hardly have forgotten

Mr. James' flattering account

of the Greek Street incident
in this morning's Chronicle.

You mean that it has some
connection with this affair?

Oh, unless I'm very much
mistaken, yes, it has.

Mr. James very clearly
gave the impression

that the mysterious document
was in my possession,

and when I read that, I realized
I must be on the lookout

for some attempt to be made
for its recovery,

although I must say I hadn't
expected such promptness,

so that when Mr. Barton

turned up without credentials
or appointment,

I viewed him
with some suspicion.

And that suspicion deepened
when he --

when he asked us to go and see
his brother --

both to go and see his brother,

who, by the way,
almost certainly does not exist.

And the suspicion deepened
still further

when I saw how much arsenic
there was

in that sample he showed us.

Well, you saw it yourself.

There was enough arsenic there
to have k*lled all three of us.

Now, if Mr. Barton's brother
had really eaten that,

he'd have been dead
before Barton ever came to us.

By Jove, you're right.
I hadn't thought of it that way.

You worry me sometimes, Jarvis,

the way you give way
to mental indolence.

You have had all the facts
that I've just described.

Now, you must examine
these facts separately

and then collectively

and then in relation
to their circumstances.

Don't attempt to suck my brain.

You've an excellent brain
of your own to suck.

I always assume
that you know more than I do.

Well, in this case, yes, I did.

You see, when you were
downstairs getting the coats,

I stayed behind long enough
to look up Bradshaw,

and I discovered that the last
train left Rexford for London

minutes after we were due
to arrive.

And that was why
he was getting so agitated

when it looked like being late.

Mm, mm, it was all a ruse
to keep us stranded in Rexford.

- And leave our chambers vacant?
-Mm.

Mr. Barton thought that
he would be able to ransack them

at his leisure.

Why did you come
if you knew it was a device?

Oh, Jarvis, you know me.

I just can't miss
an interesting experience.

I must say, one thing
I find most amusing

is the fact that I'm certain
Mr. Barton has no idea

that we're on this train
with him.

You don't think he spotted us?

No, no.

No, he'll note that nobody got
on the train from the platform.

And in any case, the fact that
our train was late in arriving

and that he had such a rush
to catch this one

will mean that he will think

that we couldn't possibly
have made it.

[ Papers rustling]

Well, Mr. Barton,
this won't cure your brother.

What are you doing here?

You should be in Rexford.

THORN d*ke:
Oh, yes, the last train.

Your methods
were rather obvious,

but thank you
for the free dinner.

My God, what a mess.

What are you after?

Oh, that'll soon clear up,

and I think it's pretty obvious
now what Mr. Barton's after.

Right, Jarvis,
call the police, please.

I think not, Dr. Jarvis.

And you, sir -- away from
that door, if you please.

THORN d*ke:
My dear fellow,

you surely can't mean to add
v*olence to lies and theft.

I warn you.
I am very determined.

I want the letter
which is in your possession.

Letter?

I think he means the one that
was taken from the dead man.

Really, I don't have it.
I'm sorry.

I don't believe you. I read
about it in the Chronicle.

Now give it to me.

Now, why don't you put
that thing away

and let's sit down
and discuss your problem?

- Be intelligent.
-Thorn d*ke, he means it.

Rubbish, he wouldn't dare
sh**t me in my own house.

Come on.

Aah!

My God, you've done for him.

How is he?

JARVIS
Not too bad.

The b*llet passed through the
fleshy part of the upper arm.

[ Groaning ]

JARVIS
He's coming round.

Whoa, steady, John.

What happened?

You were sh*t.

Oh, yes, I remember.

Did you get his g*n?

No, this is
Superintendent Miller.

I sent for him.

Oh.

You really should see a doctor.

It's years since I did
rudimentary medicine.

By Jove, Jarvis.

That fellow sh*t me.

- Did he get away?
-I'm afraid so.

Having had a go at you, I really
didn't think to argue with him.

[ Scoffs ]
Blast the fellow.

Ohh.
I have a devil of a headache.

And when I rang the police,

I was lucky enough to get
Superintendent Miller.

He was in his office waiting
for Professor Popplebaum.

It appears that the professor

has had second thoughts
about the letter.

Really?

I wonder if his ideas agree
with mine.

What is your idea, sir?

Superintendent, not yet.

Mustn't steal
the professor's thunder.

After all, he is the expert.

I've left word for him
to come on here.

So, I hope that's all right.

Oh, certainly, yes.

- Here.
-Oh, thank you. Ouch!

Oh, it could be painful
for a day or two.

Yes. Thank you, Jarvis.

Ahh.

I wonder if that fellow got away
with anything.

Well, I haven't really looked,
but as far as I can tell, no.

- Have a look around, Badger.
-[ Doorbell rings]

Oh, Jarvis, answer that, please,
would you?

You haven't touched anything,
sir?

Well, I'm sorting things
round a bit.

Pit'!-

I don't think
he'll have taken anything.

I understand the villain

was the man I bumped into
earlier this morning.

What was he after, sir?

Yes, well, he lead us a dance
with a cock-and-bull story

about a brother
whom he said was dying.

Unfortunately for him,

his message was so obvious
as to be unbelievable.

It was all a ruse to get us away
from our apartment

so that he could burgle it.

MILLER:
And you surprised him?

Yes, yes, he told me it was
the letter that he was after.

[Austrian accent]
You must be Thorn d*ke!

Ah, but here's the expert.

Excellent, most thorough!
Very impressed by all I've read.

No, I'm afraid
you have the wrong man, sir.

Had expected you to look older.

You see, so much experience
shines through all you write.

No, sir,
this is the man you want.

[ Chuckling ]
Oh, good gracious.

Do forgive me.
Stupid mistake.

Always like that.
Rush in, get it wrong.

No offense.

[ Chuckles ]
Not at all.

This is Superintendent Miller
of Scotland Yard.

- No, here.
-Professor.

Hello.

And Inspector Badger.

Yes.

I've seen you before.

I never forget a face.

We met just a few hours ago,
sir.

Professor, your findings?

Hmm?
Oh, yes.

[ Chuckles ]

Yes.

May -- May I read it to you?

Please.

I have only the one copy.

[Clears throat]

"The document --
that is, the letter --

is in a form of...Hebrew --"

Of course, yes, yes --

"and is written

in the well-known inscription
of Mesha, king of Moab."

Who the devil's he?

It's where the word "Moabite"
comes from.

The words themselves
mean nothing.

But by interpolating
certain other words,

I have obtained
a series of sentences,

though I'm afraid
the meaning is nowhere clear.

Oh.

Well, Professor, if you'd
like to read them to us,

perhaps we can help.

Oh.

"Here -- Here is my analysis
and full rendering."

Oh.

[Clears throat]

"Woe to the bloody city.
It is full of Ii--"

- Excuse me one moment.
-What?

Jarvis, would you be kind enough
to look in the bureau over there

and see if you can find

the professor's
original translation of words,

if you can find it
among the mess?

I have another copy here, sir.

THORN d*ke:
Oh, good.

Thank you.

Now, Jarvis, would you just read
off the first few words, please?

Yes, of course.
"Woe, city, lies, robbery."

THORN d*ke:
Thank you.

Now, Professor, would you begin
to read your translation?

And, Jarvis, perhaps you would
read the words as they occur.

Oh, yes, of course.

First-rate.
[ Chuckles ]

Ready.

-"Woe to the bloody city."
-"Woe."

-"it is full --"
-"City."

-"it is full of lies and..."
-"Lies."

-"And robbery."
-"Robbery."

-"The prey departeth not."
-"Prey."

-"The noise of the whip...
-"Noise, whip."

"...and the noise of
the rattling of the wheels

-and the prancing horses..."
-JARVIS: "Wheel, horse."

"...and the jumping chariots,
a day of darkness..."

JARVIS
"Chariots, darkness."

-"...and of gloominess..."
-JARVIS: "Gloominess."

-"...a day of clouds..."
-JARVIS: "Clouds."

-"...and of thick darkness..."
-JARVIS: "Darkness."

"...as the morning spreads
upon the mountains..."

JARVIS
"Mountains."

"...a great people,
and a strong..."

JARVIS
"Strong."

"...a fire devours
before them..."

JARVIS
"Fire, them."

"...and behind them,
a flame burneth."

"Flame."
[ Chuckles ]

Oh, Professor, congratulations!

Excellent!

That really
is superb scholarship.

Now, if I recall,
that's from the writings

of one of the Moabite prophets.

Perfectly true!
I'm most thrilled by it!

Forgive my saying so,

but it is more than
three-quarters supplied

by the professor.

Exactly, it's all professor
and no cryptogram.

No, no, no.
The reading is correct --

as far as it goes, that is.

You mean to say, sir,

that that balderdash is the real
meaning of the thing?

Oh, no, I didn't say that.

But the professor here has
accurately translated the words.

But unfortunately,

that is nothing to do
with what Barton was after.

But he wanted the letter.

Yes.

- But this isn't it?
-No.

BADGER: Well, I'm dashed
if it isn't all beyond me.

I agree.
I'm completely foxed.

Superintendent,
I think this is most important.

Do you have the original letter?
I should like to see it.

I think the professor has it.

Yes.

No, no, that is
another photograph copy,

similar to the one that you,
Miller, showed to me.

I must see the original.

Sorry.
[ Chuckles ]

This is it.

Thank you.

Gentlemen, we've been
foolishly wasting our time.

If you'll excuse me,
I'll conduct a small experiment.

And, Superintendent, I promise
to try not to harm this letter.

Jarvis, would you be kind enough
to give everyone a drink?

Do you mind, Inspector?

Superintendent?

Sherry, sir.

Inspector?

BADGER:
Sherry for me, too, sir.

Professor?

Sherry? No.
No, thank you.

Also, I must say your friend
has gone too far.

I worked very hard
on this affair.

If he thinks he can do better,

at least he should try to be
a little more polite, hmm?

Good night.

No, I can find my own way out!

I'm used to solving riddles!

[ Door slams ]

Oh, dear. Huh.

Oh, well,
we must forgive Thorn d*ke.

He has suffered today.

What do you think, sir?
Is this man Barton an anarchist?

Yes, I'm fairly certain of it.

And I can't help fearing
that the professor's answer

is not the right one,
whatever it means.

Well, it is possible that his
solution may form the cipher,

that the phrases do have
some pre-arranged significance.

But would it not be best
to wait and hear

what my colleague has to say?

Well, let's hope
he doesn't put the whole thing

under the microscope

and then tell us
who made the paper

and what the ink is composed of.

Otherwise, we should just be
back where we started.

Superintendent,
are you prepared to make this

an official consultation?

Well, I was originally briefed

only to consult you about the
professor's translation, but --

Oh.

Yes, sir, certainly, we may
consider this to be official.

My theory turned out
to be correct.

This is a joke, sir.
You are fooling me.

Not at all.
That is the genuine solution.

But it's impossible.

Here, Badger, listen to this.

"The Piccadilly stuff is up
the chimney, Water Street,

second floor, back.

It was hid
because old Barton's greedy.

Barton is a traitor"?

Well, why not put it to the test
and look up the chimney?

Excuse me, sir.

Forgive me, Superintendent,
but you look like a man

who has lost a sovereign
and found Sixpence.

Well, that's just it, sir.
Rather, the other way around.

You know about
the Piccadilly job, sir.

Sometime last month?

Yes, sir, about
a quarter-million pounds'

worth of jewelry stolen.

And you think this is it?

Well, it sounds like it, sir.

But you realize it rules out
Barton being an anarchist?

Sadly, yes.

Oh, come, now, Superintendent.

If you manage to recover
a quarter of a million pounds,

it must be some consolation.

What's that
about Barton being a traitor?

Oh, it probably means
some of the g*ng

thought they were going to be
cheated, sir.

Well, it seems fairly certain

that the fellow who was k*lled
by the horse

was trying to warn the others.

How did you solve that?

"How," at the moment,
is irrelevant.

Inspector.

Jarvis, would you be kind enough
to call a cab?

Oh, no need, sir.

I have a police hansom
round the corner.

Hello.

Schonberg,
what are you doing here?

The police came looking for me,
so I had to scarper.

You've got to give me
some money, Barton.

I'm gonna make a run for it.

I've come here 'cause it's
the only place I could think of,

and you've got the money.

You're a fool.

The police had no idea about us

until that idiot friend of yours
made a run for it

and got himself k*lled.

Charlie?

The police did for Charlie?

You hadn't heard?

No. Why? Should I?

I'd heard that Charlie
wasn't pleased

with the way
that things were going

and was trying to
stir up trouble.

I'd also heard
that you were in it with him.

You know me, Barton.
I'm loyal.

I shouldn't want to be part
of a bust-up.

Just give me my share.
I'll get out.

I can't give you your share.

- There isn't any money yet.
-Why not?

Because we can't sell the jewels
until it's safe.

We'll get a better price then.

I've got to have some money.

I haven't got any.

You're hanging on to it!
Charlie said as much!

Now, you listen to me carefully.

You'll get your money
when I am ready.

[ Footsteps approaching]

Into the bedroom, quickly!
Quick!

Right, Barton, you're
under arrest. Constable.

See who's through there, Badger.

Dr. Jarvis, would you be so kind
as to guard the door?

Be delighted.

It's that old Schonberg, sir,

the one that letter
was addressed to.

And we have caught
the elusive Mr. Barton.

Well, Superintendent,

perhaps we should read
Mr. Schonberg his letter.

After all,
it was addressed to him.

Right, sir.

"The Piccadilly stuff
is up the chimney.

It was hid
because old Barton's greedy.

Barton is a traitor."

Have a look, Badger.

Well, Professor,
I really am most grateful.

It's not quite
what I had in mind,

but a quarter of a million
pounds is something.

So, Barton,
sh**ting Professor Thorn d*ke

and all that rubbish
about your brother

was simply in order to get back
a secret letter

saying you were trying to cheat
the rest of the g*ng.

You're a fool.

And wrap those up again, please.

Stay there.

I suppose you know what this is.

Do as he says, Superintendent.

BARTON: Ah, you understand,
Dr. Thorn d*ke.

It's a hand grenade.
Am I right?

Yes, sir, it is.

Read that.

Thank you.

"The road to freedom --
throw off your shackles.

Don't be ground under the heels
of the ruling classes.

The only way to happiness
is to...

overthrow the government.

Words have failed.
Now is the time for action.

k*ll the aggressors.
Learn to live.

Become an anarchist."

I guessed as much.

I thought you might.

I was confident
the Moabite cipher

was enough to fool most people,

but when I heard
that you were involved,

I wasn't quite so sure.

That's why I had to get
that paper away from you.

This lot were nothing.

They were just tools
to enable me to get money

for the funds to buy g*ns
and bombs and these.

Of course,
this is only a sample.

Just think how many I could buy

for a quarter of a million
pounds.

And I robbed the rich to do it.

He was onto you.

You, you're a real traitor
against the king!

That's right.

Now...

[Metal clinks]

The jewels, Inspector,
if you please.

Thank you.

And, Dr. Jarvis, the door,
if you will.

Gentlemen.

You want to k*ll the king!

JARVIS
Chuck it, sir!

Handcuffs, Inspector.

I am sorry, sir.

If I'd known it was going to be
like this,

I'd never have asked you
to join us.

Dr. Jarvis,
please tell your friend

to give up his hobby
of handling bombs

as though
they were cricket balls.

Oh, really, Superintendent,
what a lot of fuss over nothing.

The only excitement was the
intellectual one of the cipher.

Perhaps you'd like to know
how it was done.

I have been up all night,

but I cannot connect
your solution

with any of the characters.

Would you do me the great favor
of enlightening me

as to your methods and save me
further sleepless nights?

You may rely on my discretion.

You were working from one of
the photograph copies?

Of course.

One tries never to tamper
with the real thing.

It's a question of training.

Then your night's work can only
have been quite fruitless.

The photograph copy was quite
useless for the purpose.

As Barton knew,
only the original

could reveal the secret
of the Moabite cipher.

Let me show you, gentlemen.

You'll observe this letter
is written

on common cream-laid notepaper

which, as you know,
has no watermark.

- Yes, yes, I noticed that.
-Mm-hmm.

And that the ink used
is indelible Chinese ink,

commonly known as stick ink.

Yes, yes, but its inscriptions
interest us,

not the paper and the ink.

Precisely,
and that is where you are wrong.

It is the ink
that first interested me

when I observed this letter
three days ago.

Why should anyone go to this
troublesome method of writing

when good, ordinary writing ink
was available?

What advantage has this kind of
ink over ordinary ink?

It is quite unaffected
by being made wet.

Good.
For some reason,

this letter was likely to be
subjected to the wet.

So, I was able to put it
to the test.

I rolled up the letter, just so.

- Is that the original, sir?
-THORN d*ke: Oh, yes.

And then I put it
into this tumbler of water.

Jarvis, light, please.

And, Inspector, would you be
kind enough to draw the blinds?

Thank you, Jarvis.

And there, gentlemen,
is the message.

The message was scratched
onto the surface

of the cream-laid paper
when it was wet.

When the paper dries,
the message disappears,

only to become visible again
by the addition of water.

A sort of artificial palimpsest,
in fact.

JARVIS: It's even better
than the invisible ink.

[ Chuckles ]

You will no doubt find

that the cryptogram
was supplied by Barton.

He no doubt supplied members
of the g*ng copies of this

instead of blank paper to use
for secret communications.

So, the object of the Moabite
writing was, as Barton said,

solely to draw attention
from the paper itself.

THORN d*ke:
Precisely.

It's so simple.

It was almost elementary.