Sherlock Holmes - E21: The Case of The Reluctant Carpenter
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Sherlock Holmes races against time in order to find the location of a bomb that was planted somewhere in London by an extortionist.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Sherlock Holmes races against time in order to find the location of a bomb that was planted somewhere in London by an extortionist.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
Category
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Short filmTranscript
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01:41It started with a series of isolated events.
01:44There was a warehouse fire in Stepney.
01:47Two workmen were severely injured and one fireman was killed.
01:51There was an explosion followed by fire.
01:55When it was over, there was only enough left to determine that it was no accident.
02:00Nor was what had happened to the man whose body was found in a nearby street.
02:05He had been stabbed four times.
02:08A link connected him with the fire.
02:09A pedestrian told the police he thought he'd seen the man running desperately as though for his life.
02:15He couldn't be sure that the fire swept the building so furiously in the confusion that followed.
02:20So many people were running.
02:21He wouldn't have noticed the man at all if it hadn't been for one thing.
02:27He was running away from the fire.
02:31The case was turned over to Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard.
02:35And from that point, it was to involve Sherlock Holmes and myself
02:39in one of the most frightening situations of our lives.
02:43Nothing at all?
02:45Nothing, sir.
02:46No laundry marks? No papers of any kind?
02:49There had been laundry marks, but they'd been cut out, sir.
02:52And there was nothing at all in his pockets.
02:54What about this mud in his boots?
02:56Oh, the laboratory's been working on that since last night, sir, but they can't break it down.
03:01What do you mean they can't break it down?
03:04Laboratory.
03:05What's the use of having a new laboratory if they can't do a simple analysis?
03:10That's just what I say, sir.
03:13It's ridiculous!
03:15How do they expect me to solve a murder if I can't get any cooperation in my own department?
03:19That's just what I say, sir.
03:21No cooperation. I've got to do everything myself around here.
03:25Sir, suppose we get back a sample from the laboratory and go over with it?
03:31Oh, I suppose we'll have to.
03:33It might be faster that way, sir, if I might say so.
03:38I expect you're right.
03:40Look, pick up a sample from the laboratory and meet me downstairs.
03:43I'll have my carriage waiting there.
03:45Yes, very good, sir.
03:47Wilkins.
03:48Yes, sir.
03:50You said something about going over.
03:53Going over where?
03:55Going over to Sherlock Holmes and asking him to analyze that mud forest, sir.
04:00How did you know what I was thinking? I didn't mention his name.
04:03Didn't you, sir?
04:04Well, did I?
04:06I don't remember, sir.
04:09Maybe I did.
04:10I suppose you must have done.
04:12Well, I suppose I must.
04:14All right, I'll see you downstairs.
04:15Very good, sir.
04:20Fingerprints.
04:22Laboratories.
04:24Gun prints.
04:26The way things are going around here, we'll need to start a Sherlock Holmes department.
04:38Holmes, what are you doing?
04:58That's invasion of privacy.
05:00Peeping Tom.
05:01Disgraceful.
05:02Invasion of whose privacy?
05:03Well, I don't know.
05:04Whoever you're spying on.
05:05Well, I'm spying on my own privacy.
05:07Now, what does that mean?
05:08I was looking into a room across the street.
05:09Well, I know. I saw you.
05:10Well, it so happens that I've rented that room this morning for a week.
05:13Well, you think you're moving out?
05:15Well, I plan taking my telescope over there and spying on this room here.
05:18Now, now, pull yourself together, Holmes.
05:19Oh, no, no, no. There's a reason.
05:21Well, what is the reason?
05:22I'm expecting a thief.
05:24Oh, really? Have you given him an appointment?
05:27You may not believe what I'm saying, Watson, but I'm being perfectly serious.
05:31When do you expect this thief and why?
05:33I'll explain the entire situation to you across the street.
05:37Oh, while we're spying on ourselves over here, over there?
05:41Yes, or something like that.
05:42Yeah, well, I'm glad because I thought for a moment I was getting confused.
05:51Ah, good. Good.
05:53We can see perfectly from here.
05:55I hesitate to bring this up, Holmes,
05:57but I can't see how we can see ourselves from here over there, even with the aid of a telescope.
06:03Well, that's not an unreasonable deduction, Watson.
06:06My methods would not appear so obscure to you
06:08if I told you that I've received a communication threatening my life
06:11if I accepted a certain case or used evidence that's been given to me.
06:15Well, what case? What evidence?
06:17Well, that's just the curious part of it, Watson.
06:19I've neither been presented with a case nor have I got any evidence.
06:21But somebody thinks you have.
06:23Obviously.
06:24This thief you expect, what's he going to steal?
06:26The evidence, of course.
06:28The evidence you haven't got?
06:29Now you have it.
06:31Well, now, look, really, Holmes,
06:34since this thief you expect can't steal the evidence you haven't got,
06:38that's right, isn't it?
06:39Yes, yes, that's right.
06:40Well, then why do you want to watch him?
06:42Well, so we can follow him when he leaves
06:43and find out why the man who was going to get in touch with me didn't get in touch with me.
06:47Ah! Couldn't be simpler.
06:49Ah!
06:51The thief?
06:52No, no, no.
06:53Our old friend, the good inspector.
06:55I wonder what he wants to see us about.
06:57Perhaps he'll leave us a note.
06:59I could run across and tell him we're here.
07:01No, no, no, don't do that.
07:02He'd want to arrest our thief and we wouldn't be able to follow him.
07:26They don't answer.
07:28Yes, sir.
07:32Perhaps they...
07:35Open.
07:37Yes, sir.
07:46Mr. Holmes!
07:49Dr. Watson!
07:57Mr. Holmes!
07:58Dr. Watson!
07:59Mr. Holmes!
08:00Dr. Watson!
08:04He's not here.
08:05Yes, sir.
08:10Mr. Holmes!
08:18Dr. Watson!
08:20What do you think they'll do now?
08:22Hmm, I didn't expect this.
08:24I hope they'll leave soon.
08:25It doesn't look as if they're in any hurry.
08:27No, it doesn't.
08:28No, it doesn't.
08:31They can't be very far away or they wouldn't have left the door unlocked.
08:35We'll wait for them.
08:36Yes, sir.
08:58Do you know anything about chemistry, sir?
09:01Uh-huh.
09:03Chemistry, sir. Do you know anything about it?
09:06Oh, don't be ridiculous.
09:09Well, I was just thinking, sir.
09:11Here's Mr. Holmes' equipment and you have that sample of mud.
09:28Oh, don't be silly.
09:29I don't know anything about chemistry.
09:32And here's Mr. Holmes' books, too.
09:36Suppose we were to do it ourselves, sir, and show them the resourcefulness of Scotland Yard, as it were.
09:42You know, Wilkins, that might be a very good idea.
09:58Oof.
10:00Now, now, it wouldn't work.
10:02You can't do a thing like analysis just reading a book, you know.
10:07I suppose you're right, sir.
10:10I thought perhaps it might be like following a cookery book.
10:14You remember, I helped Mr. Holmes when you were dealing with that Lady Beryl case.
10:18And it didn't seem too difficult.
10:20Just so.
10:21Just like following a cookery book.
10:23You know, I can do a bit of cooking.
10:26Once made a Yorkshire pudding.
10:32Those two idiots will blow up the flat if we don't get over there.
10:35Well, you know, strangely enough, Watson, they're not doing too badly.
10:37They're actually analysing something and following the procedure from the book.
10:42Holmes, look.
10:43What?
10:44Hey.
10:46What's that?
10:47It's a book.
10:48A book?
10:49Yes.
10:50Holmes, look.
10:51What?
10:52Hey.
10:55That may be your thief.
10:56We'll know in a minute, Watson.
10:59He's going to walk right into Lestrade.
11:01That's all right.
11:02All we have to do now is wait until he comes out and follow him.
11:08Now, what do we do?
11:11Now, add three drops of KCL in H3OH solution.
11:20Here we are, sir.
11:24Three drops, you said?
11:26That's right, sir.
11:28Careful, sir.
11:30I am being careful.
11:32I'm being very careful.
11:34Don't make me nervous.
11:38Well, sir, if you slip up now, you're going to start all over again.
11:41Quiet.
11:44Careful, sir.
11:45Quiet!
11:47Quiet!
11:49It was the door that time, sir.
11:51Well, say, come in there something.
11:53Can't you see I'm busy?
11:54Very well, sir.
11:55Come in.
11:57Come in!
12:08Mr. Holmes?
12:11I'd like to speak to you.
12:12I believe you were expecting me.
12:15Huh?
12:16I won't waste your time or mine, Mr. Holmes.
12:19I'm only here because I know you're well-acquainted with Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard.
12:24That's true, isn't it?
12:27Why, yes.
12:30I know him as well as I know my own brother.
12:33Charming fellow, Lestrade.
12:35Intelligent, too.
12:37Yes.
12:38Charming fellow, Lestrade.
12:40Intelligent, too.
12:42Then you can tell him for me that the fire that destroyed a warehouse last night
12:46and caused the death of one fireman was not an accident.
12:50Really?
12:52At this very moment, another fire is raging in a block of old houses in Covent Garden.
12:57What?
12:58And unless the Crown is willing to pay 50,000 pounds into a foreign bank,
13:03which I shall designate,
13:05those fires will go on occurring.
13:08No one is going to stop me.
13:10I don't think that's quite right.
13:14Don't, Mr. Holmes.
13:16You have the reputation for being a clever man.
13:20I'll contact you again tomorrow.
13:22Not here.
13:23I'll contact you again tomorrow.
13:25Not here, of course.
13:27A message will let you know where to join me.
13:29And when you come,
13:31come alone.
13:35Don't try and follow me.
13:37I'm a very good shot.
13:39And just to show you that I'm very serious,
13:42there'll be another fire this evening at six.
13:45A beautiful one.
13:50Here, this isn't what I expected.
13:51Here, this isn't what I expected at all.
13:53You'd better follow that man.
13:55I've got to have a word with Lestrade.
13:57And Watson, be careful.
13:59He may use that gun.
14:02And that's what he said, as far as you can remember.
14:05Yes.
14:07That's exactly it, isn't it, Wilkins?
14:09That's it, sir. That's every word of it.
14:11That's a fantastic scheme.
14:13Actually blackmailing the city.
14:15And he wasn't bluffing either.
14:17That fire at Covent Garden still isn't under control.
14:19No, Lestrade.
14:21He wasn't bluffing.
14:23He proved that with the fire last night
14:25and the murder of this man who was undoubtedly his accomplice.
14:28Why doesn't Dr. Watson come back?
14:30Don't worry. Watson won't lose his man.
14:32That man said there'd be another fire at six o'clock.
14:35Well, that leaves us three hours to wait, then.
14:37Yes.
14:39And the whole city to work out where he's going to happen.
14:41Hmm.
14:44See what that is, wouldn't you, Wilkins?
14:51Inspector Lestrade?
14:53Yes.
14:55I have a message for you from a Dr. John Watson.
14:57Yes, what is it?
14:59He said to tell you that he followed the man
15:01to 43 Chester Street in Bayswater.
15:03And?
15:05He said to tell you that when the man walked
15:07in the entrance of the house, he was shot and killed.
15:09The killer got away and the man died without speaking.
15:15Somewhere in London,
15:17he's planted a bomb that'll go off in three hours.
15:19It was a small caliber revolver.
15:21Fired with deadly accuracy.
15:23It was killed instantly.
15:25You have no idea what the killer looked like, doctor?
15:27No, none.
15:29I kept well back from him,
15:31in case he should notice I was following him.
15:33Now, the killer ran through the house and out the back.
15:35It was exactly two and a half hours
15:37to find out the secret he died with.
15:39Where'd he put his gun?
15:41In his pocket.
15:43Where'd he put his gun?
15:45In his pocket.
15:47Where'd he put his gun?
15:49He planted the next bomb.
15:51Yes.
15:53Oh, Lestrade, did you happen to notice this this morning
15:55when you searched his room?
15:57Yes, of course I did.
15:59It's a new suitcase.
16:01You'll never be able to trace him through there.
16:03They sold in over a thousand shops in London alone.
16:05They'd never remember him.
16:07Oh, but they'd certainly remember a man
16:09who bought four of them.
16:11Four of them?
16:13Yes, we're certain now that these fires
16:15have been started in London by means of incendiary bombs.
16:17He'd have had something to carry them in, wouldn't he?
16:19He was supposed to arrive this afternoon
16:21and one scheduled for tonight at six o'clock.
16:23That could be the fourth.
16:25Well, obviously your job is to find out
16:27where this chap bought these suitcases.
16:29You're quite right.
16:31I'll get on to that immediately.
16:33Oh, just one more thing, Lestrade.
16:35Yes?
16:37What were you trying to analyze in my flat this morning?
16:39Some mud from the boots of the man
16:41who was murdered yesterday.
16:43Perhaps he's got mud in his boots, too.
16:45He has.
16:47I've already taken a sample
16:48I'll get in touch with you at Scotland Yard
16:50if I learn anything.
16:53I'll be there from now on.
16:55With any luck at all,
16:57we ought to be able to find a man
16:59who bought four suitcases.
17:01Well, let's hope he only bought four of them.
17:07We returned immediately to Baker Street
17:09and together worked feverishly
17:11to break down and analyze the traces of mud
17:13that had been found on the shoes of both murdered men.
17:15We were able to ascertain quickly
17:16that both samples were from the same source.
17:18We knew at least
17:20that we were on the right track,
17:22but where this track would lead
17:24we had no idea.
17:27Time seemed to fly
17:29as the six o'clock deadline approached.
17:31We could only hope to conclude our experiment in time
17:33and then hope
17:35that it would lead us
17:37to that one point in London
17:39where death lay resting in a case.
17:42Inspector Lestrade
17:43at his end
17:45had placed the entire resources of Scotland Yard
17:47on this one assignment.
17:49The city was divided into sections
17:51according to a standing emergency plan.
17:53A large map on his office wall
17:55was divided into individual zones
17:57with a squad of men assigned to each zone.
17:59The men in these squads
18:01were detailed to inspect every shop in their area
18:03and report their findings.
18:05As quickly as the reports came in
18:07the sections were marked off
18:09and the men shifted and reassigned.
18:11Every square foot of London
18:13was being covered.
18:15If only there was time.
18:30Give this to Inspector Lestrade and hurry.
18:41What is it?
19:03Explosive nitrate.
19:07What does it mean?
19:09I believe it's a basic ingredient
19:11Mr. Holmes give you this?
19:12Yes, sir.
19:16Hello, laboratory.
19:19Where would a man get nitrate in his boots?
19:23That's the problem, isn't it, sir?
19:25Sure.
19:26Hello, laboratory.
19:28This is Inspector Lestrade.
19:30Where is a man likely to pick up
19:32explosive nitrate on his boots?
19:34In London?
19:35Yes, of course in London.
19:37And the only place I can think of at the moment
19:38is the Army Warehouse, Knightsbridge.
19:40Is that the only place?
19:42The only place I can think of at the moment.
19:44However, give me a little time
19:46and I may be able to think of a few more places.
19:48Give me a little time.
19:51I wish I could.
19:54Army Barracks in Knightsbridge.
19:57Go back to Baker Street
19:59and tell Mr. Sherlock Holmes I've gone on ahead.
20:01You bring him with you.
20:03Quickly now, quick as you can.
20:05No, we won't.
20:06No, no, no, we won't.
20:08I've time to be right.
20:31I've been picked in the street at Stockard Yard.
20:33I've got to get...
20:36The inspector wants you to come
20:38to the Army Barracks at Knightsbridge.
20:40Army Barracks?
20:42Holmes, that's it!
20:44It could be.
20:46We have no time to explore any further possibilities.
20:48Come on.
20:50I have a carriage waiting downstairs.
20:52Have you noticed anything suspicious around here?
20:54No, Inspector, I haven't.
20:56Does everyone coming into this area
20:58have to pass a guard like yourself?
21:00Yes, sir, that's orders.
21:02What about deliveries?
21:04They're all examined, sir.
21:06Oh, excuse me, sir.
21:08We've carpenters working here
21:10and they bring in their tool chests.
21:12That's about the size of a suitcase, isn't it?
21:14Where are they?
21:16In that shed they ought to be just finishing up.
21:18Come on.
21:27I'd like your attention, please.
21:30I'm Inspector Lestrade from Scotland Yard.
21:33First of all, I'd like to know
21:34if all the men detailed to work here
21:36are present now.
21:38I'm afraid I have to ask you
21:40to remain an additional hour.
21:42It may be necessary to ask you
21:44to build a protective shield
21:46around the store of nitrates.
21:48Why, our day ends at a quarter to six.
21:53Don't worry.
21:55You'll receive additional wages for your work.
21:57What if we don't want to stay?
21:59Why not?
22:01I could use the extra money.
22:02It might explode in case of fire.
22:04They were there yesterday and today.
22:06They'll wait till tomorrow.
22:08Why take chances?
22:10It's only another hour's work.
22:12Well, when do we know?
22:17We'll be able to tell you at six o'clock.
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23:49Well, I'm not going to wait around here anymore.
23:54You stay where you are.
23:56If they want my job, they can have it.
23:58Why should you be in such a hurry?
24:00There's only a minute to go.
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24:09If you have something to say, I suggest you say it now.
24:12I have nothing to say.
24:14Oh, good. Then you have nothing to worry about, have you?
24:16What have I got to worry about?
24:18I don't know. Can't you think of something?
24:21Think hard.
24:24Yes, and when you thought
24:26we're going to have to have time to stop it...
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24:38Outside that wall, behind the pile of wood.
24:40Quick!
24:51No! Don't open it! It'll blow up!
24:56Oh, stop!
25:00Get down!
25:02Get down!
25:21Well, Watson?
25:23What?
25:25Don't let me ever do that again.
25:27Come on.
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