00:00:04 thud! 00:00:06 >> Psst! 00:00:12 >> Got you. 00:00:28 >> Now, look here. 00:00:36 >> But ma'am‐‐ >> close the window, John. >> To Sherlock Holmes, she was always "the woman," the beautiful Irene Adler, of dubious 00:00:57 and questionable memory. At the time of our involvement in the Irene Adler case, Holmes and I had been sharing 00:01:25 rooms in baker street for some years. 00:01:34 My practice had caused me to be absent in the country for several days. As usual, after leaving Holmes for any length of time, I returned filled with apprehension 00:01:39 as to his mood. 00:01:51 [door slamming] [grunting] Oh, hello, Mrs. Hudson. 00:01:56 Watson, just look at you, half soaked to the skin. 00:02:00 >> Yes, well, I am not surprised. 00:02:01 I have just spent 20 minutes standing in the pouring rain waiting for a cab. 00:02:05 >> Won't do that old wound of yours any good, getting so wet, doctor. 00:02:09 >> I know. 00:02:09 >> Just take this coat and your hat, and see that they're properly dry. 00:02:13 Mrs. Hudson, I haven't eaten all day. 00:02:16 I do hope supper will be up very soon. 00:02:18 >> That's very doubtful. 00:02:20 I don't know what's come over Mr. Holmes. 00:02:22 He seems to be all on edge. 00:02:23 I'm not to bring up supper until I'm called. 00:02:26 Those are his orders. 00:02:29 >> Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. 00:02:47 [hooves clacking] .. 00:03:20 What is it tonight? 00:03:21 Morphine or cocaine? 00:03:24 >> Well, I can strongly recommend a 7% solution of cocaine. 00:03:34 Would you care to try it? 00:03:36 >> No, indeed. 00:03:39 I speak not only as your friend but as a medical man. 00:03:42 How can you risk such damage to the great powers with which you have been endowed? 00:03:48 >> I cannot tell you how it clarifies and stimulates the mind. 00:03:51 >> Yes, and destroys it in time. 00:03:57 >> My mind rebels at stagnation. 00:04:01 Give me problems. 00:04:04 Give me work. Give me the most abstruse cryptogram, the most intricate analysis, and I'm in my proper 00:04:06 atmosphere. 00:04:13 Then I can dispense with artificial stimulants. 00:04:17 But I abhor the dull routine of existence. 00:04:21 I crave mental exaltation. 00:04:26 That is why I have chosen my own profession. 00:04:28 Rather, created it. 00:04:31 For I am the only one in the world. 00:04:34 >> The only unofficial detective? 00:04:37 >> The only unofficial consulting detective. 00:04:40 I take no credit in my cases. The work itself, the pleasure of finding a field for my particular powers, is my highest 00:04:42 reward. 00:04:48 [laughter] You can close that drawer. 00:04:56 You have made the wrong diagnosis, doctor. 00:04:59 I have my stimulant here. 00:05:04 [drawer slams] I hope you enjoyed your week in the country. 00:05:11 >> It was good for the appetite. 00:05:13 Incidentally, I do wish you would ring for supper. 00:05:20 What is this? 00:05:22 >> Yes, I must get ready for my visitor. 00:05:25 It came by the morning post. 00:05:31 Give me your observations. 00:05:34 >> Well, it's undated and without either signature or address. 00:05:39 >> Good, read it aloud. Dear Mr. Holmes, there will call upon you 45, a gentleman who‐‐ good heavens, we've only 00:05:43 a few minutes, Holmes. 00:05:52 >> Go on. >> "A gentleman who desires to consult with you upon a matter of the very deepest 00:05:54 moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one 00:05:59 who may be safely trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated. 00:06:08 This account of you we have from all quarters received, be in your chamber then. 00:06:12 " good‐‐good heavens, this is a mystery indeed. 00:06:18 What do you imagine it means? 00:06:19 >> Well, I have no data yet. 00:06:20 It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. 00:06:23 >> Mm‐hmm. 00:06:24 >> But the note itself. 00:06:25 What do you deduce from it? 00:06:28 >> It's a man's writing. 00:06:29 >> Good. 00:06:30 >> Presumably well‐to‐do. 00:06:33 It's expensive paper, this. 00:06:34 It's peculiarly strong and stiff. 00:06:35 >> Peculiar, that is the very word. 00:06:37 It is not English paper at all. 00:06:39 Hold it up to the light. 00:06:41 >> Aaah. 00:06:43 Large "e", small "g", large "p", .. 00:06:48 A small "t" woven into the texture. 00:06:49 >> And that is? 00:06:52 >> Maker's monogram. 00:06:54 >> Excellent, Watson. 00:06:56 Come along. 00:06:58 Let us consult our continental gazetteer. 00:07:03 Your cigars. 00:07:03 You see I was not unmindful of your return. 00:07:05 >> Oh, Holmes. 00:07:06 >> Would you care for some whiskey? 00:07:08 >> Later, perhaps. 00:07:09 When we've eaten. >> The monogram is an abbreviation for papier gesellschaft,which is the German for 00:07:10 paper company. 00:07:16 And the "eg", eglow, eglonitz, egria. A German‐speaking district of Bohemia noted for its numerous glass factories and paper 00:07:22 mills. 00:07:27 There. 00:07:28 >> Bohemia. 00:07:30 The kingdom of Bohemia. 00:07:31 >> And the note is written by a German. You see, "this account of you we have from all quarters received," only a German is so 00:07:33 uncourteous to his verbs. 00:07:39 >> So we are to expect a German from Bohemia. 00:07:42 [hooves clattering] >> Here he is. 00:07:47 Drawn by a pair. 00:07:49 A nice little brougham. 00:07:52 There's money in this case, Watson, if there's nothing else. 00:07:55 >> Holmes, I think your visitor will want me out of the way. 00:07:57 >> Not a bit, doctor. 00:07:58 Stay where you are. 00:08:00 I am lost without my boswell. 00:08:03 >> But he sounded so secretive. 00:08:06 >> I may need your help, and so may he. 00:08:08 Now, stay in that armchair and give me your full attention. 00:08:11 Here he comes. 00:08:21 >> I'm sorry, sir, but you cannot come in here unannounced like this. 00:08:24 Mr. Holmes does not see anybody without appointment. 00:08:38 Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Holmes. 00:08:39 There was nothing I could do. 00:08:41 >> It's perfectly all right, Mrs. Hudson. 00:08:44 If you would kindly leave us and close the door. 00:08:46 >> [whispering] YES, OF COURSE. 00:08:47 >> Thank you. 00:09:01 >> You had my note? 00:09:02 >> Yes, pray take a seat. Ah, this is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help 00:09:07 me in my cases. 00:09:11 >> How do you do, sir? 00:09:19 >> Whom do I have the honour to address? 00:09:22 >> You may address me as the count Von Kramm, a bohemian nobleman. 00:09:27 I should much prefer to communicate with you alone. 00:09:30 >> No, it is both or none. 00:09:33 You may say before this gentleman anything which you may wish to say to me. 00:09:37 >> Very well. 00:09:37 I take your word that he is a man of honour and discretion. 00:09:41 But I must begin by binding you both to absolute secrecy for a period of two years. 00:09:46 >> Indeed. 00:09:48 >> At the end of that time, the matter will be of no importance. 00:09:50 At present, it is of such weight that it may have an influence upon European history. 00:09:59 >> I promise. 00:10:02 >> And I. 00:10:07 >> You will excuse this mask. 00:10:10 The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you. 00:10:14 In fact, I may confess that the title I've given you is not exactly my own. 00:10:20 >> I was aware of that. 00:10:27 >> The circumstances are of great delicacy. Every precaution must be taken to prevent an immense scandal, which would seriously 00:10:30 compromise one of the royal houses of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter concerns the great house of Ormstein, hereditary kings of 00:10:38 Bohemia. 00:10:46 >> I was aware of that too, your majesty. 00:10:59 >> You are right. 00:11:10 I am the king.