Terror by Night (1946)

[bunniefuu]

The Star of Rhodesia

is one of the most famous
of the Earth's treasures.

First touched by the fingers
of the humble Catherine.

It would have been better
had it never been found.

For all those
who possessed it

came to sudden
and violent death.

Our story opens in London

within the sound of
bow bells.

In the shadow of
Tower Bridge

is the carpenter's shop
of Mock and Son,

coffin makers.

A beautiful job
if I may so.

You'll be sure to have it
at the undertakers in time?

Of course.

The Scotch Express leaves
Euston Station at 7:30 tonight.

That leaves very little time for
the arrangement of the body.

- Your mother, is it not?
- Yes.

You are taking
her to Scotland?

Yes, Edinburgh,
her home. Oh.

Thank you.

Rather a nuisance

traveling by train,

ain't it?

Off with you.

Go on, get on about
your business.

Oh.
I'm terribly sorry.

Mr. Holmes?

Hello.

I was afraid you wouldn't
get here in time.

I was studying the faces
of our fellow passengers.

Fascinating hobby

and sometimes most
enlightening.

Lady Margaret is aboard
the train I presume?

Oh yes, mother's
expecting you.

I reserved a compartment for you
and your friend Doctor Watson.

As a matter of fact,
it's in this coach here,

- just ahead of the luggage van.
- Day coach?

Yes, the sleepers
are all taken.

Mother wasn't
interested in a bed

so much as she was
getting to Edinburgh.

So naturally,
it wasn't very difficult

- to persuade her to travel in a day coach.
- Exactly.

- It had been open to take on additional passengers.
- So I observed.

I say, it was awfully
decent of you to come

considering the fact that I
was so secretive about it all.

Mr. dear Mr. Carstairs,

there was no need for
secrecy I already knew.

You knew that mother
insisted on bringing

the Star of Rhodesia
with her to London?

And that while here an attempted
would be made to steal it.

Did Scotland Yard
tell you that?

Oh no, my dear,
Mr. Carstairs.

The fact that your mother owns the
famous diamond is common knowledge.

She came down to London to attend
the reception at Buckingham Palace,

and quite naturally,
wore the Star of Rhodesia.

You want me to accompany you
back to your home in Edinburgh.

Therefore, an attempt
must have been made

to steal the Star of Rhodesia
while you were here in London.

- It seems simple the way you explain it, Mr. Holmes.
- Thank you.

If you don't mind, I'll wait here
for my friend Doctor Watson.

I can't think
what's keeping him.

Mother and I
will be expecting you.

Oh, could I take
this for you?

Oh, I'd be much obliged.
Thank you.

- We'll be in compartment 'E.'
- Yes.

Ticket please.

Here's your carriage, sir.

Well, well, well
look who's here,

Inspector Lestrade.

Why, Mr. Holmes.

Taking you a trip, Inspector?
Fishing, eh.

Bit of a holiday.

Oh, it's very nice.

- Trout?
- Huh?

Oh yes, yes.

Rather large rods for trout
aren't they? Salmon perhaps.

Well, as a matter of fact,
I'm going mostly for the rest.

As a matter of fact you're on a
job for Scotland Yard aren't you?

I trust this is
the right carriage?

- This is where we take care of the overflow, sir.
- I see.

The porter will
take your bags.

I'll carry this myself
if you don't mind.

Ready to go, sir.

Half past seven, eh?

We always leave on time.

Mind your head, sir.

Watson!

Coming Holmes!

Watson!

Sorry, Holmes,
I'm coming.

I beg your pardon.

I beg yours.

Incoming.

Thank you for your
timely assistance.

Really Watson, aren't you a little
stout for this sort of thing?

Rubbish, ideal weight
for a man of my age.

Ran into an old friend
of mine, Duncan Bleek.

Major of the fourth
Indian Lancers.

- Major Duncan Bleek this is Sherlock Holmes.
- How do you do, sir?

Likewise, I've heard
quite a lot about you.

- India, eh?
- Retired fifteen years ago.

As a matter of fact, we were
reminiscing about India.

Didn't realize
how late it was.

Stays light so long these days
we almost missed the train.

Yes, so I've observed.

- In here, sir.
- Oh, thank you.

Doctor would you care to join
me in a glass of whiskey

and a dash of soda
before dinner?

Old man,
that's a good idea.

What's this all about,
Holmes?

Did you ever hear of
Lady Margaret Carstairs

famous diamond of the
Star of Rhodesia?

I read something last week about
the old girl being in London

- with a bauble wasn't it, Holmes?
- Yes, it was.

She's on this train.
That's while we're here

to see that this
bauble as you call it

gets safely back to
its vault at Edinburgh.

Sounds to me...

Pardon me.

Sounds to me like
a police routine job.

That's where you're
wrong, old fellow.

In an attempt to make away with
it from London was unsuccessful.

A second attempt will, in all
probability, be made on this train.

Huh?
What makes you say that?

Well, it seems
more than likely

that the people who
planned the first attempt

were not discouraged
by one failure

and will stop and nothing to
insure success the second time.

Sounds like Lestrade's
cup of tea to me.

Lestrade?
He's on this train.

Oh, is he?

Giving an excellent
imitation of Isaac Walton.

- Here we are.
- Beg your pardon, gents.

Do come in, Mr. Holmes.

My friend and colleague
Doctor Watson.

How do you do?

I thought it better
to engage Mr. Holmes

after what happened
in London.

No doubt you're
an efficient person

but I don't think there's
any need for a policeman.

Policeman?

How long have you
been in possession

of the Star of Rhodesia,
Lady Margaret?

Twenty-five years.

You know it may seem
strange to you but

I've never actually seen it.

I suppose there's no harm since
we're paying you to guard it.

- Mother.
- Yes?

May I?

- Do, by all means.
- Thank you.

Great Scott!

What a remarkable stone.

My husband gave
it to me

on our fifth
wedding anniversary.

Four hundred and
twenty-three carats, isn't it?

- The original diamond was over seven hundred carats.
- Really?

Your father had it cut.
Less ostentatious.

Ostentatious, it's as big
as a duck's egg.

- Watson, please.
- Oh, sorry.

Thank you, Lady Margaret.

We will be as
unobtrusive as possible.

That will be a novelty
from a policeman.

Now if you wouldn't mind telling us
where are compartment is.

Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Holmes.

Oh, thank you.
Lady Margaret.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Good night, sir.

Impertinents.

She called us policemen.

What's wrong with
being a policeman?

Oh, hello, Lestrade.
Where are you going?

The inspector's going to
Scotland to fish for salmon.

Oh, really?

The season doesn't
start for another month

but you wouldn't
know that would you?

Who says I'm going
to fish for salmon?

Who? Him.

Excuse me, please.

Police.

Police?

Here?

On the train?

Scotland Yard, I heard.

I warned you.

- Oh, Mr. Holmes?
- Yes.

This way please.

Oh, there you are, Holmes.

Try some of this curry,
it's excellent

Steak and kidney pudding,
please.

Of course the Bengal curry
doesn't compare to that of Madras

It's the quality of the mutton that
makes the difference, don't you think?

The meats unimportant.

It's the spices that
make the difference,

don't you agree with me,
Holmes?

What?

I say, we were
discussing curry.

Oh yes, curry,
horrible stuff.

Oh really?

One man's meat is
another man's poison.

There will be two of us,
steward.

My son will be here directly.

My dear fellow, I still insist
the unpolished wild rice

does make a considerable
difference to a good curry.

Well, I still can't
agree with you.

Take care of this for me,
will you, Watson?

Right you are, old fellow.

That was one of them.

Was young Carstairs in
the dining club with you?

No, Lady Margaret
came in alone.

Well, I was in my compartment
just now having a bite to eat

- and heard a crash in here.
- Crash?

It's locked.

I knocked and there
was no answer.

So you just stood here twiddling
your thumbs? Brilliant.

Attendant, will you
please unlock this door?

- I'm sorry sir, it's...
- This is Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard.

- That's all right, you can open it.
- Very good, sir.

Well.

Dead.

m*rder*d.

That's a bit quick, isn't it,
even for you?

Is this the a...

Yes.

The Star of Rhodesia was in this
box not forty-five minutes ago.

How do you know?

I saw it.

Well, it might be
here somewhere.

No, good looking for it,
Lestrade.

The k*ller's got it.

Ah, there you are, Holmes.

- How about joining us in the...
- Take a look at this body, will you Watson?

Body?

Great Scott.

How do you know its m*rder,
Mr. Holmes?

m*rder?
Oh, I say.

Who are you?

- Major Duncan Bleek, a friend of Doctor Watson's.
- Oh.

What makes you so sure it's m*rder,
Mr. Holmes, the door was locked?

Every attendant has a key.

Did you open this door for
anyone during the last hour?

No, sir.

Was the key ever out
of your possession?

It never is, sir.
It's on a chain.

- Looks to me like heart failure.
- Ah-huh.

Any marks of v*olence
on the body?

None that I can see.

Seemed to of missed this
time, didn't you, Mr. Holmes?

Possibly.

Still if it was
a natural death

it came at a very
convenient time didn't it?

What does this mean?

Star of Rhodesia,

it's gone.

You were supposed
to guard it.

My son employed you.

That's why
I left it with him.

Where is he?

I'm sorry, Lady Margaret.

It's thoughtless of us to let
you come in like this.

- Do you have an empty compartment?
- Yes, sir.

Then I think we'd better...

If you don't mind
Lady Margaret, please.

The poor chaps mother,
I presume.

Yeah.

Well, let's get to
the bottom of this.

Well, excuse me, Doctor.

Poor chap, he was so young.
It's such a pity.

I have sent for the conductor,
Lestrade. You'll want to talk him

and I've asked that no one be
allowed to leave this coach.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Holmes.

- Shall we use my compartment?
- Thanks.

- Attendant?
- Yes, sir.

Lock that door and let no one
go in without my permission,

- you understand?
- Very good, sir.

Sorry, old man,
official police business.

Well, that's all right I'll
catch up with you later.

Are you looking for the
Scotland Yard, Inspector, sir?

- Oh, why yes.
- Right in there.

Thank you.

Come in.

Sorry sir,

no one's allowed to
leave the carriage.

Can't leave the carriage,

whose ridiculous
idea was that?

Scotland Yard.

Scotland...

You say we don't stop
until we reach Rugby?

- That's right, sir.
- Good.

We'll have a thorough search of
the train made before that time.

Find the m*rder*r, Inspector,
and you'll find the diamond.

But we don't know
it was m*rder.

Consider the facts,
Lestrade.

Young Carstairs was dead
when the jewel was taken,

otherwise he'd of
put up a struggle

and there were no marks
of v*olence on the body.

If, however, he d*ed
a natural death

we must assume
that the thief

happened to be on hand
just at the right moment,

which is outside the
realm of probability.

No Lestrade, in this case,
nothing was left to chance.

That's why I say find the m*rder*r
and you'll find the diamond.

How do we know the thief
didn't leave the carriage

before we discovered
the body?

The attendant was in the
corridor the entire time

and he's certain that no one
passed into the dining car.

The door at the other end
leads into the luggage van.

- Which is always locked.
- Oh.

You found no marks of any
kind on the body, Watson?

No, none of any
significance.

Not even a scratch?

Well, there was a small
spot of blood on his neck,

just a mere speck.

That's what I was
referring to.

You mean,
that scratch k*lled him?

It's possible the poison that
went into the wound did.

Poison?

We can't tell that
without an autopsy.

Have you got a list of
passengers in this carriage?

Yes, sir.

There you are, sir.

Thank you.

Major Duncan Bleek

that would be your friend,
Doctor.

The next compartment's empty.

Where we took Lady
Margaret after the m*rder.

You remember, Lestrade.

Go on.

Vivian Vedder,
Inspector Les...that's this one.

Lady Margaret Carstairs

and the honorable
Roland Carstairs,

Professor William Kilbane,

Mr. & Mrs.
Alfred Shawcross,

Mr. Holmes and
Doctor Watson.

That would be you two.

I think I shall ask
a few questions.

Vivian Vedder, we'll start
with her, whoever she is.

Vedder,
Compartment 'C.'

Oh, here we are.

Empty.

Say, Holmes are you
going to let Lestrade

handle this thing
by himself?

Well after all, he does represent
the official police you know.

With him doing
the questioning,

looking under the seat
cushions for diamonds,

what very more
must we do now?

I could do it
better myself.

- Why don't you, old fellow?
- Huh?

By Jove, I think I will.

Probably find out just as much
as Lestrade would anyway.

I'll do it at once.

Oh, that's where we
just came from.

Locked, huh.

Well, I'll start with this one.

Yes?

My name's Watson,
Doctor Watson.

Oh, to what am I indebted
to this intrusion?

I'm afraid I've got to ask
you one or two questions

what are you doing
on the train?

Where you are going?
Things like that you know?

- Why?
- Customary.

There's been a
m*rder committed.

Scotland Yard,
Sherlock Holmes,

Sherlock Holmes and I...

What about
Sherlock Holmes?

We're cross-examining suspects.

Suspects?

Of what am I suspected?

Oh, a fellows dead.
m*rder*d you know?

Now let me get
this straight.

You say a m*rder has been
committed on this train?

Yeah, next compartment.

And because a perfect stranger
to me got himself m*rder*d

you come to question me?

Well, we got to
question everybody.

Are you a policeman?

No.

Then by what right do you force
your way into my compartment?

- Well I...
- What are you doing on this train?

Where are you going?

I'm not going anywhere.

- Holmes and I are on the train to watch the...
- I know.

It's a diamond or a pearl or
something of fabulous value.

This fellows Holmes is always
chasing after missing jewels

or mysterious females.

What is the
meaning of this?

I'm sorry, Ms. Vedder

- but it was necessary for us to search your compartment.
- Indeed.

May I ask what you
expected to find?

A valuable jewel
has been stolen.

And a man has
been m*rder*d.

We're making a routine search
of the entire carriage

and asking
a few questions.

Go right ahead.

I understand your journey
is rather a sad one.

Your mother...

Yes.

Perhaps we better not question
Ms. Vedder just now, Lestrade.

Huh?

Excuse us will you?

What's the idea,
Mr. Holmes?

It's a matter of taste,
Lestrade.

The young lady's taking her
mother to Scotland for burial.

In a coffin?

That is the customary
method I believe.

Lestrade, I think we'll
take a look at that coffin.

Might prove interesting.

I was about to suggest that
very thing myself, Mr. Holmes.

- Conductor, I'll have a look in the luggage van.
- This way sir.

But I am Doctor Watson,

Doctor John H. Watson of
221 B Baker Street, retired,

my friend Sherlock Holmes
will vouch for it.

Your alibi isn't
worth a Scotch.

You just told me that this fellw
Holmes is a crony of yours,

naturally he'd lie.

I resent that, sir.

Sherlock Holmes is
very full of integrity.

Might even be
an accomplice.

Oh, why if I were
a policeman

I'd take you and charge
this very moment.

I didn't do it, sir.
I swear I didn't do it.

- I can prove it.
- Prove what, old chap?

- There you are, Holmes.
- Now get out of here and join your silly friend!

- Did you discover anything, Watson?
- Yes.

He's a very
suspicious character.

He tried to put
me off the scent.

From the little I heard he
seemed reasonably successful.

Look here, you're not going
to let an old fellow like

Professor Kilbane discourage
you, are you?

Why don't you
try this one?

- You think I'd better?
- Yes of course.

All right.

Do you mind if I come in?

- You may.
- Thank you.

I'm sorry to bother you but
I represent the police.

I knew it.

Alfred, I told you.

Told him what?

Well?

It's quite all right,
Inspector.

I confess.

Confess?

You mean, you stole it?

You got it in there?

- Yes.
- No no no, Leave it where it is.

I've got to fetch Inspector
Lestrade of Scotland Yard.

And don't either of you
attempt to run away.

Oh no, Inspector.

Is this door always
kept locked Conductor?

Yes, sir. Only the guard
and myself have keys.

- Got him, Holmes.
- Who?

- The thieves.
- Thieves?

Where?
Come on, speak up.

That married couple
down there.

- Mr. & Mrs. Shawcross?
- Yes, they confessed.

Confessed?

Broke them down.
Gave them the third degree.

And you left
them unguarded?

I told them not
to run away.

We'd better have
a talk with them.

Oh, it's you again.

It might interest you to know tt
I've just caught the thieves.

Excuse me, madam.

You are the police,
I know.

I warned him
but no he had to take it.

I must warn you that anything
you say may be used against you.

Anything they say?

They've already
admitted everything.

- Everything?
- Yes. They've got it in there.

I'd be glad to pay
double what it's worth

if only they
won't prosecute.

It's my first offense.

You chaps always
say the same thing.

Come on hand it over.
Where is it?

I stole it.

I took it from a hotel
in London.

Come on, come on.

In my small way
I'm a collector of teapots.

Teapots!

Doctor Watson, does this
look like a diamond?

Not very much
now that you mention it.

What's that all
about a confession?

When I came in here before
they said that they took it.

Well you'll please oblige us, doctor
to stop meddling in police business.

His time wasn't entirely
wasted, Lestrade,

at least you've
recovered the teapot.

Thank you, Holmes.

Teapot.

Fellow tries his best
and what's he get?

Humiliation and abuse
from Lestrade of all people.

I have a good mind to
chuck up the whole case.

Might be a good idea to let
the police do their own work.

You mind your
own business.

Oh, there you are, Watson.

How about a spot
in my compartment?

Thanks, old man.

Serve them right if
I got a bit tiddly.

I suppose you realize you'll
be turned over to the police

as soon as we
reach Edinburgh.

Doctor Watson, teapots!

Oh, I beg your pardon
Professor Kilbane;

- you're in the next compartment aren't you?
- I am.

I'm afraid we'll have to
ask you a few questions.

Now, don't tell me that
you're going to start.

- Do you mind?
- Why of course mind.

Come on, in you go.

A brilliant mind but
there's been times when...

When your scientist mind
has shown him the way?

Exactly.

You take the death of young
Carstairs, for instance.

I knew from the first
it was poison.

The scientific approach
of course.

The m*rder*r used
a hypodermic.

Some rare poison from,

from South America probably.

Or India.

Yes, or India.

I've been to India.

So have you.

Yes of...

Yes of course.

You've been to India.

I don't like your attitude, Professor
Kilbane, I don't like it at all.

Perhaps not,

but I'm on this train
for legitimate reasons

and I've neither the time nor the
inclination to assist you with your work.

You're perfectly within
in your right, sir

and I'm sure that Inspector
Lestrade appreciates that.

Thank you, sir.

Now, if you have
no objection

I have some work to do,
which requires concentration.

Mathematics?

Yes.

Interesting study.

If you don't mind.

Looking for something,
Lady Margaret?

Oh.

I came to get my bag.
The door's locked.

Naturally.
Perhaps I can help you.

Thank you.

Mr. Holmes,

I must talk to you
about the diamond.

Oh, don't you worry about
that, Lady Margaret.

Fifty thousand pounds and
you tell me not to worry.

My son employed
this man to guard it

and it was stolen right
under his very nose.

I warn you,

I intend to take this matter
up with your superiors.

I'm a private agent,
Lady Margaret.

Good.

I shall report you both
to Scotland Yard.

But I am Scotland Yard.

Lady Carstairs entered
the dining car alone.

You and I
were already there.

Holmes came in later

and I understand that
Inspector Lestrade

remained in his compartment
with the curtains open

so that if anyone had gone in
or out he would have seen them?

Say, you've got
something there.

Well, let's look at
this thing objectively.

Lady Carstairs seemed
more concerned,

was more concerned,
at the loss of the diamond

than at the death
of her son.

By George, you're right.
So she was.

Come in.

Oh, here you are, Watson.

Sit down.
Have a drink?

No thanks.
Do you mind if I...

Not at all.

I've been thinking
about this case Holmes,

that is Duncan Bleek
and I have.

Yes, so I see.

The way we figure it out, the old trout
is the only one without an alibi.

Yes, we feel that you're approaching
the whole thing from the wrong angle.

Really, Watson?

- What's your theory?
- Insurance.

A lot of people insure jewelry
and then try and collect on it.

Interesting suggestion.

I suppose you go and
ask Lady Margaret

just how much insurance she
carries on the Star of Rhodesia.

No thank you.
I've already had two tries.

Why don't you
ask her yourself?

For a very simple reason,
I already know.

You're quite a doodler, sir.

If you know
why did you ask me?

Trying to make a fool of me?

Mr. & Mrs. Shawcross.

Teapots.

Well, we can
eliminate them.

Professor William Kilbane.

I'll send a telegram to
the Edinburgh Police

to check up on that
mathematics professor.

Interesting.

Now what?

- Well, just a coincidence.
- What's a coincidence?

The fact that this
fellow Kilbane,

happens to be a professor
of mathematics.

Oh.

Come again, Mr. Holmes.

Lestrade did you ever hear
of Colonel Sebastian Moran?

Well, of course I did.
What about him?

Well then, as you know, Colonel
Sebastian Moran was the most sinister,

ruthless and diabolic,
clever henchmen

of our late but
unlamented friend,

Professor Moriarity.

I've never seen him

but I've been conscious of
his presence more than once.

As a matter of fact,
he was directly responsible

for what very nearly turned
out to be my premature death

on three separate occasions.

Very pretty, Mr. Holmes,

what's all that
got to do with all this?

Possibly nothing.

However, his specialty

was spectacular
jewel robberies

and for relaxation he was addicted
to the study of mathematics.

Are you referring that
this Professor Kilbane

is Colonel Sebastian Moran?

That he m*rder*d young Carstairs
and stole the diamond?

Well what about this woman,

this Vivian Vedder,
what about her?

No one's above suspicion.

And Lady Margaret,

she might have a motive for wanting
the Star of Rhodesia stolen.

She wasn't very concerned
over the death of her son.

And this friend of
Doctor Watson's,

this Major Duncan Bleek,

might suggest it's
sensible to suspect him.

No.
As far as we know

only four persons knew the Star
of Rhodesia was on this train,

yourself,
Doctor Watson,

the m*rder*d...
The dead lad and myself.

- And Lady Margaret.
- And Lady Margaret.

I'll have another talk
with her ladyship.

Lady Margaret do you
mind if I come in?

Well, Holmes?

You can leave it open,
will you?

Lucky beggar.

Who's a lucky beggar?

Duncan Bleek.

Been playing cards
with him.

He won all the way across,
however the expression is.

Have you been with
him all this time?

Yeah, just left him.

He introduced me to
a new fangled game.

Gin Rummy he called it.

It's American I believe.

Sort of bookkeeping
connected with it.

You ever hear of it?

Still looking for the
m*rder*r, Inspector?

Impossible fellow.

Vanished into thin air.

There you are.

Where on Earth
have you been?

I asked you
where'd you been.

Well, what's happened?

I've been observing
the landscape

from the dark end
of the corridor.

I just been along there,
I didn't see you.

The door was shut.

Naturally,
I was on the outside.

The outside?

Yes.

You must try it sometime.

Lets go take a look
at that coffin.

Do you remember

- I was interrupted the last time?
- Oh, sorry.

I'm Sherlock Holmes.

Do you mind if I inspect the
coffin you're taking to Scotland?

No one is allowed
in here, Mr. Holmes.

I'll take the responsibility,
excuse me.

Did it ever occur to you,
Watson

that this is a very
unusual coffin?

I don't know,
a trifle ornate perhaps.

I wasn't thinking of
the fittings as the...

- Do you mind if we open it?
- It's forbidden, sir.

Sorry.
Come on, Watson.

- But you can't do that, sir.
- We'll have to.

Excuse me please.

The old lady.

As I thought.

Swallow. The body only
comes down to about here.

Well, you think there's a
secret compartment underneath?

There has to be.

Empty.

Yes, but it's been
recently occupied.

Lets ask Lestrade to come in
here he's with Lady Margaret.

Right you are, Holmes.

- Have you let anyone else in here?
- No.

Mathematics, eh?

Gives me something to do.

Come quick.

What is it?

It's the coffin.

Holmes found a
false bottom in it.

- There's enough room for the m*rder*r to hide in.
- What?

What is all this, Mr. Holmes?

There's where your m*rder*r's
been hiding, Lestrade.

Then it's just a question
of finding him

isn't it, Mr. Holmes?

Not him, them.

Huh?

This affair's obviously
the work of two men.

The one who planned and the
other who hid in the coffin

and at prearranged time
emerged to commit the m*rder

and affect the robbery.

What are you talking about?

- Colonel Sebastian Moran.
- You got that man on the brain, Mr. Holmes.

My dear Lestrade,

I accepted this case because I was virtually
certain that Colonel Sebastian Moran

could not resist such a tempting
morsel as the Star of Rhodesia.

I'm convinced that he's the
brains behind this case

and that he's on this train.

Oh, and how would you
go about finding out,

which one of the passenger's is
this Colonel Sebastian Moran?

If he is one of
the passengers.

Well, I suggest you start
by questioning, Ms. Vedder.

- It might prove interesting.
- Huh?

Oh.

Who's there?

Ms. Vedder, I want to
ask you a few questions

and I must warn you,

anything you say may
be used against you.

Oh?

Now, about your mother.

It isn't your mother
after all, is it?

Perhaps if you explain.

That coffin,
we've examined it.

And found the
secret compartment.

- Oh come on, let's have it.
- Have what?

The whole story.

If you insist.

A man approached me and ask me
to take a coffin to Scotland.

He offered me a
hundred pounds.

Were you aware that the coffin
had a secret compartment?

I was.

What story did this
person tell you

to account for a man being
concealed in the coffin?

That someone had
to leave London.

- Foreign agents were watching the trains.
- Foreign agents.

All right.

Maybe I didn't believe
that foreign agent story.

You realize, of course,

this makes you
an accomplice?

What was the name of the
man who approached you?

I don't remember.

Ms. Vedder,

the man who engaged you
to take this coffin to Scotland

was it by any chance

this man here?

I say old man, aren't
you making a mistake?

My dear Watson,

just what do you know
about Major Duncan Bleek?

I've known him for years.
He's a member of my club.

I say, is this a joke?

Does the name, Colonel Moran,
mean anything to you, sir?

- Colonel Moran?
- Yes, Colonel Sebastian Moran.

Why, I'm afraid it doesn't.

- Good heavens you don't think that I...
- No no no of course not,

you have the perfect alibi,
Doctor Watson.

Yes, yes, yes of course.

Good heavens gentlemen,
you are at perfect liberty

to search my compartment
or to search me.

And if you find
the diamond I...

No, that won't be necessary.

The Star of Rhodesia
has not been stolen.

What's that, Mr. Holmes?

An imitation was stolen.
I have the real one.

You've got it?

My dear Lestrade,

surely you didn't think
I would allow Lady Margaret

to retain the genuine diamond.

When I felt
reasonably certain

that an attempt would
be made to steal it

I have had it in
my possession

almost from the moment
I boarded the train.

Confound it, Mr. Holmes,
you had no right to do that.

This is a police matter
come on let me have it.

My job was to see that
it wasn't stolen, it wasn't.

Look, I don't know
what this is all about

but I do know that I never seen
this gentleman before in my life.

I shall have to ask you to remain in your
compartment until we reach Edinburgh.

- Inspector Lestrade?
- Huh? Oh.

Telegram for you, sir.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, old man,

I'm afraid my friend
owes you an apology.

Oh, that's all right, Watson.

In a case like this naturally
everyone is suspected.

Oh, we all make mistakes,
even Holmes is not infallible

and after all the k*ller is
still at large you know?

Yes, he is, isn't he?

Well, good night.

Good night, old boy.
Don't worry.

I think I'll have another little
chat with that professor fellow.

Something important,
Lestrade?

You have your secrets,
Mr. Holmes, I have mine.

This is Inspector Lestrade.

Look here, is this racket
going to continue all night?

Professor Kilbane you told me you were on
the staf of the University of Edinburgh.

- I said nothing of the kind.
- You most certainly did, I heard you.

Mr. Holmes here heard you...

- Oh.
- I merely said that I was a professor of mathematics

and that I was returning
to my home in Edinburgh.

Well, it might be necessary
to talk to you again, later.

You come pounding
on this door again

and I'll have
the law on you.

I am the law.

Then stop barging in and out
of my room like a chambermaid.

Where is everybody?

Surly, chap.

Doesn't want to open
the door probably.

This should help us.

Hello?

Who shut that door?

Great Scott, the guard.

The m*rder*r came back
to the scene.

- Hypodermic.
- Look again, old fellow.

Scratch, just a scratch.

Like the one on
Ronald Carstairs.

A small dart

apparently made with
some soluble substance.

Probably a gelatin preparation
that melts in the wound.

That's why you couldn't
see anything on Carstairs.

The m*rder*r was about
to get rid of the body

and heard the knock
and became frightened.

Here, let me have that,
will you?

Come away from that door.

Were you seen
coming in here?

No.

Sherlock Holmes
and the fat bloke

are in the luggage van now.

How about the guard
in the corridor?

He didn't see me.

I fixed him temporarily.

The guard in the van did.

I had to k*ll him.

Here you'd better take this.

This isn't the
Star of Rhodesia.

You wouldn't be trying to
double cross me would you?

Sherlock Holmes
got the diamond

and replaced it
with this imitation.

Now that Scotland Yard Inspector
has the real Star of Rhodesia.

- Was he with Holmes and Watson in the luggage van?
- No.

Good then he's probably
in his compartment.

But you'll have to hurry.

- I don't like it.
- Neither do I.

All you have to do is to
relieve him of the diamond.

Scotland Yard Inspector
why that...

That's something different.

Naturally, it will be
more money for you,

you'd like that wouldn't you?

Come on.

He's in there.

He's got the diamond.

You use this.

Ah.

No!
No, don't sh**t!

Don't!

No, don't sh**t!

Hello.

That fellow you put
on guard isn't there.

So I've observed.

- That's strange.
- What is?

- Lestrade!
- Here.

Help me to get him up
on to this seat.

He's coming to.

Hand me that water,
will you?

Oh, it's nothing
very serious.

I'll attend to him
properly later on.

Poisoned like the others.

It's gone.

The diamond's gone.

- Gone?
- Yeah.

- Hadn't we better search the m*rder*r at once?
- It's no use, old fellow,

the man who k*lled him
has the Star of Rhodesia.

What's that?

It's an air p*stol, Lestrade
that fires a poison dart.

It's quite an unusual design.

You were att*cked because
you had the diamond.

Fortunately, this wasn't
used on you.

Hello, we're coming to a stop.

Police.

Scottish police.

Oh.

I don't feel up to it,
Mr. Holmes,

would you be good
enough to talk to them?

Certainly.

- Thank you.
- You keep quiet, old boy.

Be back in a minute.

Mr. Holmes, this is Inspector
MacDonald with the Edinburgh police.

How do you do?

I happen to be in this
district on another case

and I received this telegram
from headquarters.

You will want to talk to
Inspector Lestrade?

In due time but
I'm in charge here.

This is Scotland
you've crossed the border.

We've had a spot of
trouble here, Inspector.

That's why I'm here.

And who are you,
might I ask?

Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

The private inquiry
agent, eh?

- I've heard of you.
- Heard of him?

- Mr. Holmes has practically solved this case already.
- Watson

Will you clear the dining car
I want to ask a few questions?

Yes, sir.

And see that no one
leaves this compartment

- until I need him for questioning.
- Very good, sir.

Inspector Lestrade asked
me to sit in with you.

It's a bit unusual but...

Scotland Yard thinks a great
deal of Sherlock Holmes.

They frequently
ask his advice.

Scotland Yard, eh?

Where is this
Inspector Lestrade?

Now Watson, will you see
if Inspector Lestrade

has sufficiently recovered
to come into the dining car?

Right you are.

Ms. Vedder,
I know all about you

and frankly you're in for it.

All I did was buy a coffin
and bring it on the train.

In my opinion this is a
matter for Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard's
jurisdiction ended

when you crossed
the border, Inspector.

So you say.

That's a matter of opinion.

Ms. Vedder's unquestionably
in the plot.

But you may not know
Colonel Moran, however.

I don't.

Colonel Sebastian Moran?
Is he in this?

You know him?

Unfortunately, I do.

You may return to
your compartment.

You said "unfortunately."

Aye, I once had an encounter
with Colonel Moran.

The only time in my entire
career I've been bested.

The cleverest criminal since
the late Professor Moriarity.

And that I can concur.

Where is this
Sebastian Moran?

He's traveling on this train

under the name of
Major Duncan Bleek.

What on Earth are
you talking about?

Are you serious,
Mr. Holmes?

Constable,
bring in Duncan Bleek.

Aye, sir.

Duncan Bleek?

But he paid for the
Gentleman at Lords.

Come in.

- Duncan Bleek?
- Yes.

- Inspector MacDonald would like to see you.
- All right.

Colonel Sebastian Moran, eh?

It will give me great
pleasure, Mr. Holmes,

to meet up with that
scoundrel again.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, Colonel Moran,

you're under arrest.

So, you've managed
to convince them

that I'm the mythical
Colonel Moran?

Not mythical, Colonel.

Have you forgotten that affair
at Inverness three years ago?

I've never been to
Inverness in my life.

- Do you mind if I search you?
- Go ahead.

For an innocent man, you carry
strange things in your pockets.

A retired Army officer,
India.

But you're in Scotland now

and there's a law against
carrying firearms.

- Well, you satisfied?
- Not quite, Colonel.

Now I'm satisfied.

This clears things
up pretty well.

You'll be coming into
Topham in a few minutes.

The train doesn't stop
at Topham I'm afraid.

I'm afraid you're
wrong this time, Holmes.

This train will stop
at Topham.

You're only delaying the
inevitable, Colonel Moran.

You can't get away.

Out of the way, Inspector.

All right, Inspector MacDonald,
here's your man.

- Who pulled that cord?
- It's all right Conductor,

we get off here
with our prisoner.

Constables take him off.

That was quite a struggle,
Inspector MacDonald.

Good work, Mr. Holmes.

Perhaps I
underestimated you.

Was it you who hit me?

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

You must accept
my apologies.

Well, that's it.

Where's Lestrade?

Look under that table
over there.

That's not Lestrade.

Great Scott,
its Duncan Bleek.

You mean, Colonel
Sebastian Moran.

Come on, old fellow,
give me a hand.

What's all this about?

Where's Inspector
MacDonald?

He's just got off the train.

He couldn't have.
He couldn't.

Oh, but he has.

A very clever plot,
Colonel Moran.

You're henchmen masquerading as
policemen come aboard the train,

arrest you, stop the
train and take you off.

- But this is fantastic.
- Yes, it is, isn't it?

And it's a scheme worthy
of Colonel Sebastian Moran.

He planned the whole thing including
the coffin with the secret compartment

in case anything went wrong. The
pseudo policeman to come aboard

and take him off the train
before it reached Edinburgh.

Then where is Lestrade?

Well I imagine at the moment
he's pretty well occupied.

Just a minute, MacDonald.

Get over there all of
you you're under arrest.

Now put up your hands.

Driver, take us to the
nearest police station.

Come on, get over here.

Then the poke in the eye I
received from Sherlock Holmes

wasn't an accident after all?

That is a matter of opinion.
Come on get in.

- Send it over as soon as possible will you?
- Very good, sir.

It's a telegram to the
real Edinburgh police

asking to meet us
when we arrive.

But how did you know this fellow
wasn't the real Inspector MacDonald?

Elementary, my dear Watson.

In the first place,

he didn't put handcuffs on Colonel
Moran so I had to do it myself

and in the second place,

Inspector MacDonald,
during the fight,

was more hindrance
than help,

which is not characteristic
of a real policeman.

Amazing, Holmes.

Uncovering such a fiendish plot
with so little evidence.

Yes, I forgot to mention
that I also happen to know

the real Inspector MacDonald
of the Edinburgh Police.

Oh, was Lestrade
in all of this?

Yes and surprisingly enough he
grasped the situation immediately.

That's very unusual.

Let's hope he
hasn't overdone it.

Very clever, Holmes.

You've got me but you haven't
got the Star of Rhodesia.

Oh, but I have.

If in the dark I could
substitute a big hulk

like Lestrade for
you Colonel Moran.

It's no very great feat to

switch a little thing
like a diamond.