The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1985): Season 2, Episode 5 - The Red Headed League - full transcript

Sherlock Holmes in investigates the strange case of Jabez Wilson. The man was recently offered employment by an organization known as the Red Headed League. For the grand sum of 4 pounds per week, he was to sit in an office and copy out entries fro an encyclopedia, starting with the letter A. He had responded to an advertisement and while there were many applicants, he has no idea why he was selected as the League's beneficiary. When after several weeks his employment is suddenly terminated, Mr. Wilson doesn't know what think. Holmes quickly deduces however that it was the location of his office as much as his red hair that resulted in him getting the employment in the first place.

Oh,
sorry Holmes.

No, no,

you couldn't have come
at a better time.

I was afraid
you were engaged.

I am,
very much so.

Dr. Watson shares my love
of all that is bizarre,

but outside the routine
of everyday existence.

It is at present
and impossible to say

that this case is an
instance of crime or no.

But suffice it to say
that I know as little

about Mr. Jay Beards Wilson
as you do yourself,



beyond the
obvious facts.

That he has done manual
labor at sometime.

But it takes staff
that he has been to China.

And that
he has done

a considerable amount
of writing lately.

How in the name
of good fortune

did you know all that
Mr. Holmes?

As true as gospel
I once did manual labor.

I started off
as a ship's carpenter.

Your hands
my good servant.

The muscles
of your right hand

are more developed
than the left.

And the writing?

What else
could be indicated.



By the right cuffs are
very shiny for five inches.

And the left sleeve with
smooth pattern over the elbow

where you lean it on
the desk... but China?

The fish tattooed immediately
above his right wrist.

I have made a small study
of tattoo marks,

Mr. Wilson, and have
even contributed

to the literature
of the subject.

That trick of staining
the fish scales,

a delicate pink
is quite peculiar to China.

Wherein addition I see
a Chinese coin hanging

from his
watch chain.

The matter becomes
even more simple.

Well I never ...

I thought at first it
was something clever,

but now I see there's
nothing in it after all.

You know I begin to think
that my reputation

such as it is will suffer
shipwreck if I'm so candid

...pro magnifico.

Everything becomes
commonplace by explanation.

Watson that is
a very loose translation.

Oh, please show the doctor
that advertisement.

Oh, there, you can read it
for yourself sir.

To the Red Headed
League.

On account
of the request

of the late
Iscar Hopkins of Lebanon,

Pennsylvania USA
there is a vacancy open

which entitles a member
of the league to a salary

of four pounds a week
for purely nominal services.

All red headed men sound
in body and mind

and above the age
of 21 are eligible.

Apply in person on Monday
at 11:00 to Mr. Duncan Ross

at the offices
of the League,

7 Copes Court
Fleet Street.

Is this serious?

It is a little off the
beaten track, hey Watson.

Oh, would you make a note
of the paper and the date?

Evening standard of Saturday
the 27th of April,

two months ago.

Do try this
sitting.

Now, Mr. Wilson,
off you go

at scratch and tell us
all about yourself.

Oh, well gentlemen
I have a small

pawn broking business
in Sax Coburg Street,

near the city.

It's not a very
large affair.

It just gives me
a living.

I used to keep two assistants
but now I just keep the one.

And to tell you the truth
I'd have a job to make you pay

but the deeds willing
to come at half wages

so as to learn
the business.

About
two months ago ...

What is the name
of the obliging youth?

Vincent,
Vincent Spalding.

Oh, but he's not such a youth
either Mr. Holmes.

It's difficult
to say his age

but I couldn't wish for
a smarter assistant.

You seem most
remarkably fortunate.

In having an employee who
comes under the market price,

I don't know
that your assistant

is not as remarkable
as your advertisement.

Oh, but he does
have his faults.

However, he was such a
fellow for photography.

Always snapping away
with his camera

when he should be improving
his mind and then diving down

into the cellar to develop
the wretched things.

Still on the whole
he's a good worker.

No vice in him.

It was he who first showed
me the advertisement.

I wish to the lord I was
a red headed man Mr. Wilson.

Why is that?

Well there's
another vacancy

in the League
of Red Headed Men.

I've never
heard of it.

Well, I'd wonder at that
you being so eligible yourself.

Nice money too.

A couple hundred a year
and the work's light ...

Oh, there'll be thousands
of red headed men apply.

Oh, well
I doubt that sir.

Well nobody with such
a fine fiery color

as you're blessed
with Mr. Wilson.

But then I suppose
it's only worth your while

to put yourself
out of the way

for sake of
a few hundred pounds.

Yes, sir.

Well I'm very much of a
stay at home sort of person.

Sometimes weeks on end before
I put my foot over the doormat

but this
it looked interesting.

I was intrigued
and young Vincent

said he'd
come with me.

So, on Monday morning
we shut up the shop

and off we went.

Now, Vincent
let's go back

I can't get by
the crowd.

Courage Mr. Wilson.

We're so near
and so much at stake.

Now you put
your coat on

and come along
with me.

Ohy, Ohy, Ohy,
a little less noise

please gentlemen.

Here, here
what's your game?

Hey get out
of here.

Hey, hey ...

Off you go,
you next, get in.

Hey, where are
you going?

Straight this way,
Come on.

This
is Mr. Wilson.

Right in you go
Mr. Wilson.

Admirably suited.

Every requirement.

Very quiet.

Congratulations
Mr. Wilson.

It would be injustice
to hesitate.

You will I'm sure excuse me
if I take an obvious precaution.

Tears
in your eyes.

I perceive all is
as it should be.

We have to
be careful.

Twice deceived by wigs,
once by paint.

I could tell you tales
of cobblers wags

that would disgust you
with human nature.

My name
is Duncan Ross.

I am myself a pension
upon a fund left by

a noble
benefactor.

I see you're about to question
me about Mr. Ethic Guya Hopkins.

He was himself
red headed.

In his youth he left London
for America where he made

many millions
of dollars.

On his death it was found
that he had instructed

a trustee in his will
to make life a little easier

for the red headed men
in the town of his birth.

Wonderful color.

Now what's your full name
Mr. Wilson?

Jay Beards Wilson.

Jay Beards Wilson
and are you a married man,

Mr. Wilson?

Do you have
a family?

No,
I'm a widower.

No, I never
had any family.

Oh dear,
sad to hear you say that.

The fund of course
is for the propagation

and spread
of red headed men

as well as with
their maintenance.

In another case the objection
might be fatal.

However, I've think we've
got to stretch a point

in favor of a man with
such a head of hair as yours.

The vacancy
has been filled.

The vacancy
is filled.

Now,
off you go.

Sorry about that.

Off you go.

Now, when would you be free
to start upon your new duties?

Oh, well it is rather awkward
as I do have a business already.

What would be
the hours?

10:00 to 2:00.

Well the mornings
are quiet.

I do have
an assistant.

Yes, that would suit me
very well.

And the money mentioned,
four pounds a week.

Correct.

And the work?

Purely nominal.

Yes, but what do you call
purely nominal?

Well, you have to stay
in the office

or at least in the building
the whole time.

If you leave you forfeit
your whole position forever.

The will is quite clear
on that point.

Oh, I shouldn't
dream of leaving.

No, excuse
will avail.

Not a sickness,
business, anything else.

Here you will remain
or else lose your ability.

Oh, I am quite clear
on that point.

But what exactly
is the work?

It is to copy out
the encyclopedia Britannica.

There is
the first volume.

You will supply the ink,
paper and pen.

We will supply
this desk and chair.

Now would you be free to start
next Monday morning?

Oh, yes,
certainly.

Then once again
my congratulations

Mr. Jay Beards Wilson
on the most important position

you've been fortunate
enough to gain.

Wonderful
head of hair.

Good bye
Mr. Wilson.

Well done
Mr. Wilson.

Well done
indeed.

This is the quickest
way out sir.

Oh.

This way.

When I got home
the whole thing seemed

on reflection
to be quite ridiculous.

Why?

Who would make such
an extraordinary will?

Not a very generous
millionaire to make you

buy your own pen,
ink, and paper.

Exactly
Mr. Holmes.

I soon persuaded myself
it was some great hoax or fraud.

And then when Monday morning
came along it seemed stupid

to turn down
a good job

so, off I went and bought
a penny bottle of ink

and a pen and seven sheets
of fools kept paper.

And I set off
for Popes Core.

Good morning,
Mr. Wilson and welcome.

Good morning.

Well to my
surprise and delight

everything was as right
as possible.

The table was set up
ready for me

and Mr. Duncan Ross was there
to see I got fairly to work.

My employment
had truly begun.

The schedule
never varied.

My work started at 10:00
and ended at 2:00

with a small break for my lunch
at half past 12:00.

Every Saturday at 2:00
Mr. Ross would come in

and give me
my money.

Compliment me upon
the amount that I'd written

and then
we'd both leave.

Mr. Ross locking
the door afterwards.

The artichokes I found
were positively fascinating.

They have a kind of a bloom
on them but...

I thought that was
very interesting...

Good Morning.

Oh, the work was
very interesting.

Abacus,

abbey,

architecture,

acts of the Apostles,

adulteration,

anatomy,

apes,

aquaducts.

After eight weeks
I'd fairly dealt with

the letter "A" and was
hoping the diligence

to get onto "B" when suddenly
this morning

the whole business
came to end.

I went to my work as usual
but the door was shut

and locked with a little
square of cardboard

hammered onto
the middle panel.

Oh, excuse me.

Have you seen Mr. Duncan Ross
this morning?

Ross, Ross?

Never heard of a gentleman
with that name, sir

and my memory
is good.

It's very good,
it's infallible to me.

No, the gentleman
in number seven.

Ah, the gentleman
who is red headed?

Yes, yes.

Uh, yes, yes, yes,
gone.

Gone?

Mr. William Morris,
solicitor using my room as

a temporary convenience
until his new premises were ready.

Moved out yesterday, paid in full,
doesn't owe a penny.

Mr. Morris,
where can I find him?

At his new
offices.

William Morris...

17 King Edwards Street,

near St. Paul's.

Oh, thank you.

I don't see that there's anything
very funny about it.

If all you can do is laugh at me
well I can go elsewhere.

No, Mr. Wilson please,
please sit down.

I wouldn't miss this case
for the world.

It is most
refreshingly unusual.

I was so incensed
with the forgery of deceit

that I came straight
to you sir.

Having heard of your
great reputation

for helping poor people
in distress.

Mr. Wilson.

You know Mr. Wilson
I really don't think that you've got

any great grievance against
this extraordinary league.

On the contrary you've been
very well paid to say nothing

of the detailed knowledge
which you've acquired

on every subject
under the letter A.

Yes, but what's the object of them
playing this prank on me?

That is what
I want to know.

This assistant of yours,
how long has he been with you?

Well about
three months.

How did
he come?

With the answer
to an advertisement.

Was he
the only applicant?

No, I had 12
others.

Why did you
pick him?

Well he was handy
and would come cheap.

At half
wages in fact.

Yes.

What's he like,
this Vincent Spalding?

Oh, well he's tall,
slightly built

and he's very quick
in his ways.

He's got no hair
on his face.

He's got a white splash of acid
on his forehead.

Uh, have you ever
observed whether his ears

have been
pierced for earrings?

Yes, yes,
he told me a gypsy

had done it for him
when he was a lad.

He is still
with you?

Yes,
I just left him.

Mr. Wilson,
You will be at your shop

if I should
need you?

Well I had thought
of shutting up shop

at dinner time today
because Vincent had suggested

I spend the rest
of the weekend

with my sister
in Barking.

This whole business
has upset my nerves very much.

Well you enjoy
a restful weekend in Barking.

Today's Saturday.

By Monday we should have
a conclusion for you.

In the matter
of your fee ...

Don't worry
about that.

I believe it will be
paid for by another.

Good day to you
Mr. Wilson.

What do you
make of it all Watson?

I make
nothing of it.

Most mysterious
business.

Yet there
are graver issues

hanging from this affair
then that first had appeared.

What are you
going to do?

To smoke.

It is quite a
three pipe problem

and I beg that you won't
speak to me for 50 minutes.

The business
of the Red Headed League

is concluded sir.

Satisfactorily
I trust.

Most satisfactorily professor
I am pleased to report.

Good.

Come Watson.

Huh?

Excuse me.

Can you tell me the way
to the Strand from here?

Uh, third right,
fourth left sir.

Thank you.

Holmes?

Holmes,
I could have told you that.

No doubt, Watson.

What is it?

And why did you beat
the pavement with your stick?

Watson we are spies in
an enemy's territory.

It's a hobby
of mine

to have an exact knowledge
of London.

Now there's Mortimore's,
the tobacconist.

The little
newspaper shop.

Coburg Branch,
the City and Suburban Bank.

McFarland's Carriage
Building Depot

and the vegetarian
restaurant around the corner.

Watson commit to memory,
it's just possible

that we're
being observed.

A considerable crime's
in contemplation.

Today being Saturday
somewhat complicates matters.

But now doctor...
our work is done.

It is time
we had some play.

Sarasate's playing at
Sir James Hall this afternoon.

A sandwich
and a cup of coffee?

And then off to
violin land with all

its sweetness, delicacy
and harmony.

And no red headed clients
to vex us with their conundrums.

All the afternoon
he sat in the stalls

wrapped in the most
perfect happiness

while his gently smiling face,
and his languid dreamy eyes

were as unlike those
of Holmes the sleuth hound

as it was possible
to conceive.

When I saw him
so enwrapped in music

I felt that an evil time
might be coming upon those

he had set himself
to hunt down.

Excellent Watson.

You have a future
as a cartographer.

That will be
Athelney Jones.

I thought it was well enough
to have someone

from Scotland Yard
with us.

He's an absolute imbecile
at his profession

but he does the tenacity
of a lobster when he gets

his claws
into someone.

Good evening Jones.

So we're working
in couples again

Mr. Holmes.

Our friend is a wonderful man
for starting a chase.

All he needs is an old dog
to help him do the running down.

Mr. Merryweather, my friend
and college Dr. Watson.

How do you
do sir?

I only hope a wild goose
may not prove

to be the end
of our chase.

I'm not personally
in favor

of amateur criminal investigation.

You might place considerable
confidence in Mr. Holmes.

Oh, if you say so
Mr. Jones.

He has his own little methods,
which if he won't

mind me saying so
a little theoretical

and fantastic,
but he has the makings

of a detective
in him.

But I do say
as I've said before

the Colburg Branch of the Bank
is as well secured

as any building
in London.

There isn't a possibility
that it could be broken into.

Even insurance assessors
agree on that point.

And you sir
should know

being not only the resident
manager but also the director.

I should know
and I do know.

And what is more,
this is the first time

for seven and twenty years
that I've missed my

Saturday night of whiskey
at my club.

And I find myself
extremely inconvenienced.

I think that you will find
the game tonight

much more exciting
and the stake will be

for many,
many thousands of pounds.

And what will be
my reward be Mr. Homes?

A young man,
called Clay.

John Clay?

Oh, how I'd like to get
my hands on that devil.

You shall.

This young fellow's
a gentleman as Mr. Holmes says

but he's
turned against his class.

He's as cunning
as the devil.

Slippery as an eel
and he's turned crib cracking

and forgery
into a fine art.

His grandfather
was a royal duke

and he himself was educated
at Eaton and Oxford.

So Watson,
bring the gun.

Come gentlemen
our cab is below.

There are only two keys
to the vault.

I have one,
the chairman holds the other

in his
personal safe.

Well you are certainly not
vulnerable from above.

Nor from below.

Just a minute.

I'm going to ask you to be
a little more quiet please.

Might I get you to sit on
one of those boxes

and not
to interfere?

There is no way
in which a thief

could break
into this bank.

Is there a special reason
why a thief

should want
to break into this bank?

Nothing particularly...

Something in
the past few months?

Something that you
had concealed from us?

The information I have
is confidential

known only to the
directors of the bank.

It is not to be divulged
to members of the public,

not even amateur
detectives.

Private consulting detective,
Mr. Merryweather.

Unique in the annuls of crime
I believe,

isn't that so
inspector?

Yes, doctor.

I advise you to
cooperate with Mr. Holmes.

Especially as at this moment
I am trying to save your skin

and that of your
fellow directors.

So what
is it?

Our French gold.

We had occasion some months ago
to strengthen our resources

and borrowed for that purpose
60,000 Napoleons

from the bank
of France.

Therefore our reserve of bullion
is much larger than is usual

in such
a branch of the bank.

Where is
this gold?

The crates upon which
Dr. Watson sits

contain
30,000 Napoleons

wrapped between
layers of lead foil.

May we see it?

This is much bolder
and larger in conception

than I had first thought,
wouldn't you say Jones?

I would indeed.

This Clay's more of an
amateur adventurer

or spur
of the moment criminal,

Long planning is not Clay's type
at all sir, not at all.

Unless he's a pawn
in a much larger game.

Mr. Merryweather someone
has had access to

information of the most
confidential sort.

Careful plans
have been made.

A mastermind has
been at work.

Are you
suggesting that ...

I am suggesting that it
bears the hallmarks

of Professor Moriarity's work.

Moriarity?

And who is
this Moriarity?

We don't
really know sir.

That is neither
the police nor I think

Mr. Sherlock Holmes
here has ever set eyes on him.

His name echoes and re-echoes
throughout the underworld.

It appears that he's
a man of good birth,

an excellent education
but he has hereditary

tendencies of the most
diabolical kind.

A criminal strain runs
in his blood

which has increased and rendered
infinitely more dangerous

by his extraordinary
mental powers.

He's the organizer of half that
is evil and nearly all that

is undetected in
this great city.

He is
never caught.

His agent is caught
but the central power

is never caught
certainly even suspected.

We shall not see
the professor tonight.

The only way for tonight's
enemy to escape is through

the pawn brokers.

There's already
an inspector at the doors.

Exactly.

We have only a few moments...
positions...

Would you be so kind as
to put out this lamp.

And sit
in the dark?

I'm afraid so.

We cannot risk the presence
of light.

When I shine
the light, act swiftly...

If they fire have no compassion

about shooting them down.

Shhh.

Great Scott.

Jump at it,
jump.

It's no good
John Clay.

You have
no chance at all.

So I see...

though I fancy my pal's
all right.

At this moment
he is running into

the welcoming arms
of the police.

You seem to have done
the thing very completely.

I must
compliment you.

And I you.

I'm Sherlock Holmes,
a private investigator.

I didn't for a moment
suspect your being

a policeman Mr. Holmes.

Come on, hold that one
off for the Darby's.

I beg you to take your
filthy hands off me.

You may not be aware
that I have royal blood

in my veins and be so kind
as to say "sir" and "please"

when you
address me.

All right.

Would you please sir,
mind marching upstairs

while we get a cab to
transport your highness

to the police
station?

That's better.

Gentlemen.

Oh, one question
Mr. Clay.

Am I right in thinking
that professor Moriarity

was somewhere behind the idea
of the Red Headed League?

I suggest you keep that name
off your lips Mr. Holmes

if you value your future
well-being.

Really gentlemen,
I don't know what to say.

Please forgive me
Mr. Holmes for ever doubting

your outstanding,
your brilliant qualities.

There is no doubt
you've detected and defeated

in the most complete manner
one of the boldest attempts

at bank robbery that has ever
come within my experience.

Mr. Merryweather I have then some
small expense over this matter

I shall expect the bank
to refund.

Of course,
of course.

It won't do you know...

it won't do.

No Professor.

I'm sorry
we failed you.

Sherlock Holmes ...

Holmes is a mere amateur
in the field of detection.

Still he seems a clever man
or a lucky one

and he has a positive talent
for getting in my way.

Should he
be removed?

It may
be necessary.

It would be
disappointing.

I find him
interesting.

I believe this
is the third time

he has
incommoded me.

If this continues
then certainly something

will have to be done
to encourage Mr. Holmes

either to withdraw
or stand clear.

Thank you.

Morning Constable.

Beg your pardon
Dr. Watson

but this has all been
too much for me.

My clients respect me
as a man of confidence

but where's the confidence
left here.

I'm utterly ruined...

Oh, cheer up
Mr. Wilson.

You'll feel better when you've
cleared up the mess.

Well that's
all very well ...

And Mr. Holmes
asked me to give you this,

50 sovereigns with
the compliments

of the City
and Suburban Bank.

Well that's
fair enough.

Oh, Dr. Watson, this
is more than acceptable,

and my compliments
to Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

And he sends the same
to you Mr. Wilson

and a word
of advice...

Next time you
engage an assistant

pay him
the proper wage.

Good day to you.

Oh, Holmes,
I trust I am not more dense

than my neighbors and yet
here I have seen

what you have seen,
heard what you have heard

and yet you have seen clearly
not only what had happened,

but what was about to happen
while to me the whole business

was still confused
and grotesque.

Dr. Watson recollect,

when I heard that the assistant
had come for half wages,

it was obvious that
he had some motive

for securing
the situation.

Yes, but how did
you know what his motive was?

Had there been a woman in
the house I would have

suspected immediately if
some vulgar intrigue,

but when I heard
from Mr. Wilson

about the acid stain
and the pierced ears

I knew that Vincent Spalding
and John Clay

were the same person.

But why
was Clay there?

The photography
gave you the clue.

Exactly.

The cellar, he was working
on something in the cellar.

Something which took
many hours a day

for two months on end. He was
tunneling but where to?

When I tapped my stick
on the pavement

in the street that day
I was ascertaining

whether the tunnel stretched
in front or behind the building.

It was in front,
towards the back.

Could you tell me the way
to the strand from here?

I recognized Clay
immediately and delayed him

to have time to
examine his knees.

There he spoke clearly
of many hours or tunneling.

No doubt linking up with
a maze of sewers

beneath
Saxe Coburg Square.

When they closed
the Red Headed League offices,

it was a sign
they no longer cared about

Jay Beards Wilson's
presence.

In other words the tunnel
was complete.

And that they would make
the attempt on a Saturday

was just
a guess?

Watson,
you disappoint me.

I never guess.

Saturday's an excellent
night for stealing bullion.

It gives you a full day
to escape.

Thank you then.

Thank you.

Oh, you've reasoned it out
beautifully Holmes.

It's so long a chain
and yet every link rings true.

It saved me
from irony.

You know sometimes I think
my whole life is spent

in one long effort
to escape from

the common places
of existence.

No, no.

You are a benefactor
of the race Holmes.

Well maybe it is of some
little use after all.

as Gusta Flabare wrote
to George Sand.