Emilia.
The strange case of the Red Circle started in New York,
and ended in the Antipodes.
But first, I should explain how two men with the initial "G"-
came to be in London.
Gennaro was the hero. Black Gorgiano, the villain.
And both men loved Emilia.
Yes, what can I...
You have a room to let?
Yeah. Aah. Ooh, well you see, I don't really...
Who is it Albert?
The the wife, she usually sees to this you see.
Er, er, visit my dear. Er, er, wanting, a, a room.
All right, Albert. You go into your boat.
Now sir. What do you require?
Is it a room for a night? Or for a longer stay?
Well, Mrs Warren, I cannot think you
have any particular reason for uneasiness.
And you note I have other things to engage me.
Holmes the, the matter of a lodger
remaining unseen in his room for more than a week
is surely of some passing interest.
If I were her lodger, she wouldn't see me for weeks on end.
That doesn't trouble you, does it, Mrs Hudson?
Nothing troubles me, where you're concerned, Mr. Holmes.
But if you remember,
you arranged an affair for a lodger of Mrs Warren's a year ago.
Yes, you did, sir. An Italian gentleman, Mr. Firmani.
Enrico Firmani?
Mr. Firmani never stopped talking of your kindness, sir.
How you brought light into the darkness.
It was a Wagner night, I think.
Let us hear about his lodger.
It frightens me, Mr. Holmes. I can't sleep for fright.
Hearing his footsteps moving here and moving there,
from early morning 'til late at night and yet never,
never to catch so much as a glimpse of him.
Mr... Mr. Warren is as nervous as I am.
What's the fellow hiding from, Mr. Holmes? What's he done?
You see, except for the maid, she's alone in the house with him.
Oh, I... I can't stand it. My... my nerves can't stand it.
Watson... cope.
Serious thoughts, Mrs Hudson if you can.
Take time to consider, Mrs Warren.
The smallest point may be the most essential.
He came ten days ago and he asked my terms.
So, I told him twelve shillings a week.
There's a small sitting room and a bedroom, all complete.
All at the top of the house.
And he said he'd pay me three pounds a week for it.
Three pounds?
Yes sir. Three pounds a week, as long as I kept his terms.
What terms?
Well, he wanted a key to the house. Huh, that's alright.
Most of my lodgers have 'em,
but he was to be left entirely to himself and never,
on any account, to be disturbed.
There's nothing very wonderful about that?
Hmm. Well not in reason. But this is out of all reason.
He's been there ten days, morning, noon and night,
and neither she nor Mr. Warren,
nor the maid has once set eyes on him.
And apart from the first night, he's never once gone out.
Well, he did go out on the first night?
Oh yes, he did. He returned very late.
I'd gone up to bed, but Mr. Warren...
saw him. It was after midnight he come back.
But his meals, I mean, surely he eats.
Well, he rings when he wants them.
Wed put them on a chair outside his door.
If he wants anything else, he writes it on a bit of paper.
Er, er, this... just in pencil.
Just the one word, nothing more. Here.
The maid leaves the Daily Chronicle with him every morning at breakfast.
Why is it printed?
Oh, to conceal his handwriting?
Watson, Deduce.
Me?
Well, the er pencil is broad-tipped and violet-tinted.
And it's used with er, well, it's used with considerable pressure.
The paper's been torn off at the side before the printing was done.
You can see the, the "s" of soap is...
partly gone.
Suggesting?
Haste?
Or caution? The man's age and appearance?
Oh, he's under thirty, sir. He's very dark,
middle height, clean shaven.
Oh, has an accident like Mr. Firmani.
Of course. No name?
No, sir.
No letters or callers?
Oh no. None, sir.
His luggage? Labels? Stickers?
White star?
Ten days ago.
New York. I er think that er,
we must wait until we have a little more material.
Please vanish both of you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Holmes.
Thank you, Doctor.
Leave it to me, Mrs Hudson.
You must admit, Holmes. There are some points of interest.
Only that the man now in the rooms may not be the one who engaged them.
Yes, of course. I hadn't thought of that.
And he went out immediately after taking the rooms,
and returned at midnight.
Why a subscription?
Well, opens up a pleasurable field for intelligent speculation.
And there is one line of investigation.
Mrs. Warren's former lodger.
Enrico Firmani of Naples.
He works backstage, with the Royal Opera House.
I, erm, helped him find a close relative once.
A simple matter.
37 Catchpole Street. Mm, you've added something.
A friend to his fellow countryman in need?
Do you suppose he could have recommended
his former lodgings to a fellow countryman in need?
Possibly.
Mm... Well, it doesn't explain the lodger's behaviour.
Behaviour. What behaviour?
How do you know this address?
Ah, Mr. Sherlock Holmes...
Mr. Holmes?
He always keeps a record of his past clients.
But if Holmes has something to ask, why does he not come himself?
Why send you, Doctor Watson?
Well. Ah, I do on occasions act for myself.
Well, I cannot help you, I am afraid.
I know nothing of this lodger of Mrs. Warren's.
Is he perhaps a fellow countryman of yours,
recently arrived from America in need of help?
Then tell him, I am here if he needs me.
That is all I can say.
Excuse me. I must go to work now.
It may be that Mrs Warren needs help.
The man is disturbing her household.
Why? What does he do to them?
Well, it's more a case of what he doesn't do-
doesn't appear from dawn till dusk.
He had meals on a tray left outside the door.
If he's a fugitive from justice we should turn him over to the police.
Police? No. No.
Caio Mama.
If there is a problem, Holmes knows where to find me.
At the theatre, not here, never here. Doctor, you understand?
You have enemies in your line of work?
Everyone has enemies, whatever they do.
Is that not true of life?
But some are more at risk than others with their-
beliefs and their courage.
I do what I do, Doctor. Don't make me out to be a saint.
Now, please, excuse me.
"Signor Zamba, a senior partner in the firm of Castalotte and Zamba,"
"Chief fruit importers of New York,"
"was stabbed repeatedly on the steps of his mansion."
Now, this is dated er, eight weeks ago.
"Detective Rimmer of the Pinkerton Agency"
Abe Rimmer...
"said at the scene of the slaying,"
"we believe this is the work of a Neapolitan society,"
"allied to the old Carbonari, known as the Red Circle"
"famous throughout Europe a branch has now been planted in Brooklyn."
"Detectives are anxious to question a Guiseppe Gorgiano."
Now, Firmani, was hiding something else. I can't describe the feeling.
But there was a, there was an old woman who I took to be his mother.
His mother? You went to his home?
Yes.
Her face full of sorrow and secrets?
Is the person that you helped, Holmes?
If you are holding something back I, I should like you to tell me.
By going to his home,
you may have put Firmani's life in danger.
What?
He is a point of refuge for the Italian community in London.
A beacon of light, if you will, in a dark web of delivery.
The Red Circle.
God... And this Giorgiano?
Black Gorgiano.
He has earned the name of "Death", La Morte,
in Southern Italy and far beyond.
He is red up to the elbows in murder.
Is it possible that this Black Gorgiano-
is the man at Mrs. Warren's?
No, but there may be some connection.
Watson, we have work to do.
The Opera House?
And then Charing Cross
to send a telegram to my friend, Abe Rimmer.
Wonderful, Miss Lake. Just once more please.
Enrico Firmani,
vin a dente amigo mio.
You have been troublesome to me for a long time.
But now you help me,
in return for your life.
Gennaro Lucca.
Where are you hiding him?
Will you tell me, Enrico?
Er, nobody's allowed in here.
Oh, it's er you, Mr. Holmes.
Mr. Holmes?
Hawkins. What brings you here?
Same thing that brings you, I expect.
Well, you got on to it so fast, I can't imagine.
Different threads, leading up to the same tangle.
We've come to see Enrico Firmani.
But Firmani's dead.
He was found with his throat cut less than two hours ago, up here.
Murderer got clean away, I'm afraid.
Watson.
You were right, Holmes.
I should not have gone this morning.
Might have saved a life.
I don't think you can blame yourself for that.
Golden boys and girls all must,
as chimney sweepers come to dust.
A person arrives alone in London.
He seeks help from Firmani, his fellow countryman
who places him, for safety in Mrs Warren's lodgings.
And then Firmani is murdered rather than give away the hiding place?
No. No. For that we can't be sure.
But who killed him?
Gorgiano? Is Gorgiano in England? What does he want with this lodger?
The person in that room is entirely alone and at risk.
I mean, even a letter might be intercepted.
How does a message reach him from outside?
Except by that most valuable hunting ground
ever given to the student of the unusual.
The Agony Columns?
We need only concern ourselves
with the Daily Chronicle for the past two weeks,
which our lodger collects every morning after his breakfast.
Oh. Oh, dear me, what a chorus of cries and groans.
What a rag-bag of singular happenings oh.
"Lady with a feather boa at Prince's Skating club"...
Holmes, listen to this.
"Be patient. Will find some means of communication."
"Meanwhile this column G."
Can you pick up a trace again?
Ah. Here we are. Here. Er.
"I'm making successful arrangements."
"Patience and prudence. The clouds will pass. G."
No, nothing.
Here, here. "The path is clearing."
"If I find chance to signal message remember code as agreed."
That's two days ago.
Mrs. Hudson.
What is it Mr. Holmes? I'm washing curtains.
The Daily Chronicle. Yesterday and today, if you'd be so kind.
Patience and prudence.
Ah. The affair begins to grow more intelligible.
I've found it.
"House with porch and black door."
"First floor. Window right. After dusk. G."
There you are. "G"? Black Gorgiano.
Could it be a trap to draw the person out?
Unlikely.
Well, should we not tell the police what we know about The Red Circle.
Tell the police. They find it difficult enough to deal with the facts
without confusing them with our suppositions.
Oh, listen to this.
"Motiveless murder" according to Inspector Hawkins.
Really.
Mr Holmes, Doctor, you must come quickly.
There's been a kidnapping.
This is a police matter, Mr. Holmes. I'm throwing that lodger out.
I'd have gone straight up and told him so, if it hadn't been...
But she thought it was only right to ask your opinion first, Mr. Holmes.
A large pot of tea please, Mrs. Hudson.
I'm at the end of my patience,
when it comes to knocking my old man about...
Who knocked him about?
Oh, I wish I knew that. It happened this morning, sir.
Mr. Warren, he's a timekeeper
at Norton and Waylight's on Tottenham Court Road.
He has to leave the house before seven in the morning.
It would great, greatly help me if I could speak to him myself.
All right.
Take care, Holmes. His heart.
Can you speak Mr. Warren?
Well, I hadn't gone ten paces
before two men crept up behind me.
They threw a coat over his head, bundled him into a cab,
and drove off, and shot him out. On Hampstead Heath.
Hampstead Heath.
Dreadful. What did you observe?
I took a bus home.
Before the bus.
There men... did you observe their appearance?
No, sir, no.
I was picked up as if by magic and dropped as if by magic.
Yes. Three of 'em at least was in on it.
Maybe four.
Did you hear them talk?
One of them swore some oaths in Italian.
Money is not everything.
I'll have him out of here before the day's done.
I should like to meet this lodger of yours.
What time does he take his lunch?
One o'clock sharp.
Is there anywhere where we might conceal ourselves?
Yes. There's a box-room upstairs.
Is there a looking glass?
Yes. There's one on a chest of drawers, outside on the landing.
Excellent. Come, Watson.
What about me, then?
We've got forty minutes.
It's clear now that his enemies mistook their man.
What they would have done if they'd got him, bears on thinking?
Yes, but they didn't. Do you see what I see?
A house with a porch and black door.
With a room to let to which "G" could have access.
Holmes, I feel very strongly that we should inform Scotland Yard.
Not yet. We are on watch,
and maybe being watched.
Let us see what lies behind these lodgings.
How's he feeling?
Oh he's alright. He just likes a fuss made of him.
Mr. Holmes?
Bolt the door and let no one in until we return.
Did you see him?
Mrs. Warren. Trust me.
I don't know when he's coming back.
He, he gave me some money, and I haven't seen him since.
A foreign gentleman, you say?
Definitely, and I, I don't care for foreigners.
Oh, really.
So I... if you want it, gentlemen,
I'll be sure we can come to an arrangement.
I'll be in the hall, sir, when you've finished.
Thank you.
Nothing in here.
Perfect. Look, Watson.
The first floor window of the lodgings. Our agitated lady.
Only a few more hours to wait before the signal.
"After dusk. G."
It has all the makings of some love escapade.
Love?
Love may be at the root of it,
but her face. Oh, Watson her face.
She fears for her life. Now consider.
A couple seek refuge in London from some instant and terrible fear.
The man desires her utmost safety
and arranges to communicate in such original fashion
that not even the landlady knows of the substitution.
Those printed messages to prevent the fact that
she's a woman being revealed by her hand writing?
Look.
A candle and matches.
Their signal.
But there's no need for this now, surely?
Can't we just simply bring them together?
And guarantee that we'd protect them forever from The Red Circle?
No, we must let them play this thing out.
I must return briefly to Baker Street.
Do you have reason enough to stay in the lodgings?
Mr. Warren's health gives me every excuse.
It might be advisable for me to bring back your revolver.
No need, old man. I have it.
Good. Splendid.
I'll see you within the hour.
Hawkins. Journeys end with lovers' meeting.
I'll do you this justice, Mr. Holmes,
I was never in a case yet I didn't feel stronger for having you on my side.
"Fugitives may be Gennaro and Emilia Lucca."
"If so, in grave danger. Expect agent imminently."
"Regards, Abe Rimmer."... The agent's here.
He arrived from New York this morning. His name's Leverton.
Leverton, I know of him.
The man he's after is Black Gorgiano. Leader of the Red Circle.
Do we score ever you for once, Mr. Holmes?
You must give us best son of the time.
I think that we should pool our resources. Mmm?
There's someone up there.
Mrs. Warren.
Holmes...
Keep the peace downstairs.
I must have a word with Senora Lucca.
Senora Lucca. It's Sherlock Holmes. I must speak to you.
Oh, no, no.
Your husband, Gennaro, will be safe, and so will you.
If you will place yourself in our hands.
Scotland Yard is watching the house,
and Mr. Leverton is on his way from New York.
Mr. Leverton?
We shall not let any harm come to you. Please let me in.
Please.
I'm not goin' up there again, never.
Oh, don't be silly, Vera, don't be silly. You know what the doctor said.
It was just a cat scratching.
No, it wasn't, it lifted.
Mrs. Hudson. Would you make Vera a cup of tea, please?
What is going on in this house? Noises, lights going off.
It'll be the death of me.
Oh my nerves.
I was born in Posilippo near Naples.
My father was chief lawyer.
Gennaro had no money and no position,
nothing but his beauty, his strength and energy.
My father forbade a match, and we ran away,
we were married in Bari.
I sold my jewels to bring us to America.
Fortune smiled at first.
Gennaro saved a rich Italian form some ruffians in the Bowery.
He was Signor Castalotte,
of Castalotte and Zamba the Fruit Importers.
Gennaro became like a son to him.
Tell me about this visitor.
This friend of your husband's from Posilippo.
Ah, he is no friend.
Gennaro brought him home one day.
They had met in the street. He came again and again.
He talked and raved about politics and social questions
and what he meant to do... whirling his great arm,
his voice was like thunder in our little house.
And your husband?
He sat pale and listless.
At first I thought it was dislike, but then I understood
it was a deep secret fear...
I implored him out of love for me by all we held dear,
to tell me why this man overshadowed him.
In his wild young days, when all the world seemed against him,
he had joined a brotherhood. Il circa Roso, The Red Circle.
He thought it's purpose was to put right the injustice of life.
Once you have taken it's dreadful oath...
Tell me about you and Gorgiano.
I had noticed for some time when he came to us,
his eyes were always turned upon me,
his terrible, glaring eyes...
And one evening,
I had awakened what he called "love" in him.
Emilia...
But it was the love of a brute, a savage.
A few days later, there was a Red Circle meeting.
Signor Castalotte had been approached for money and refused them.
Now they planned to kill him. They drew lots.
It was fixed. It was Gorgiano's revenge for my rejecting him.
Gennaro.
My dearest friend.
In all the world.
And then you both went to the police?
I went alone.
That was brave.
Yes, but what has it done?
They got us away, but friends still die.
We shall never be rid of that beast. Never.
And now you must go.
I have said too much, and broken my promise to my husband.
Go, please, go.
You sail at dawn.
Enrico would have wished it. Go safely to a new life.
Grazie.
He can't stay here all night.
Will if he has to. Won't you doctor?
Well, in that case I wouldn't mind a game of whist.
Do you play whist, Doctor?
Mr. Holmes?
Emilia...
Emilia, mio amore...
Hawkins.
I've set my men on watch, Mr. Holmes.
What are you expecting to happen?
Oh, well there are times, when the art of detection is of little use.
We must wait upon the unpredictable.
I've had some experience of that in my time.
I can say only that we are expecting Senora Lucca's husband.
You must let him pass. You, your men must not distract him.
They know that.
And our murderer?
Oh, he is about.
Somewhere. Oh, waiting his chance.
We have a good description from the American,
Leverton. We'll be ready.
Look.
Watson.
Senora Lucca. You must give me the signal.
Go away. I don't trust you. I trust no one but my husband.
I'm obliged to you, Doctor.
The main thing is just to keep this still as possible.
Fine.
Mr. Holmes?
Holmes, this is Mr. Leverton of the Pinkerton Agency.
Leverton.
Of the Long Island Cave mystery. I am honoured to meet you.
The honour is mine, Mr. Holmes.
Well, well, well.
I'm sorry we had to meet like this.
You're a brave man. I saw you on the roof.
When you're on the trail of a lifetime, Mr. Holmes,
you put all thoughts of personal safety out of your mind.
The brute got away, I suppose.
Yes. But he'll be back soon.
There's something in this house that he wants badly.
Oh yes, I know. Thank you, doctor. I'm fine, just fine.
Is the lady upstairs safe?
Yes, but trusting no one.
And so we must wait for her husband's signal.
What signal, Mr. Holmes?
Leverton, the lamp please.
So, Gennaro Lucca is over there now.
Not yet, but he will be I hope.
I couldn't find Lucca when I got to London.
Well, my contact was Enrico Firmani but the brute reached him first
and he must have made him talk before killing him.
Holmes, should we not go upstairs reassure Mrs Lucca?
She won't admit us, Watson.
She will only answer to her husband. Oh, look...
Hawkins. Not too conspicuous.
Yes, er Inspector Hawkins he seems an able fellow.
One of Scotland Yard's finest. He knows his business.
Gentlemen.
Gennaro Lucca has just gone in.
So far, so good.
Mrs Lucca came to us the night the Red Circle planned to kill Castalotte.
They'd already murdered his partner, Zamba.
We managed to round up most of the gang but
Black Gorgiano slipped the net.
When we heard he'd left for England, I followed after him, fast as I could.
I got in touch with Scotland Yard but he'd gone to ground.
There's a single light. What does it mean?
Tonight.
Gone.
No, no. There it is again.
Three lights, measured, slow.
What's he saying? What does it mean?
Nothing. Nothing.
But his next actions must confirm it.
He must come here to collect her.
It's gone.
The message received?
But what message?
Gennaro.
My dearest friend in all the world
and betrayer of the brotherhood.
There's no message. There's someone with him.
Watson.
Did you hear that, Holmes?
Yes. Danger.
My God, look she's out there, on the street.
Watson.
Hawkins, your murderer is up there.
Impossible. There's only one entrance... just a minute.
He's mine, Hawkins. I'll take responsibility.
No you won't sir. London dangers are up to the London force.
Gennaro?
Emilia.
Watson. Take them away from this horror.
Emilia...
Australia. Si.
I'll take those tickets, sir.
Please, our ship sails at dawn.
What are you going to do with him, Inspector?
He will be arrested and tried for the murder of Gorgiano.
That is the law.
Well, I don't know what your British Law maybe.
But I guess that in New York, this lady's-
husband will receive a pretty general vote of thanks.
There's not a judge on earth that would condemn this man.
I don't think Mr. And Mrs. Lucca have too much to fear.
But we have to go through the procedures.
Take them downstairs.
No doubt if you'd been here on your own, Mr. Holmes,
you'd have found a different solution?
The law is what we live with, Inspector.
Justice is sometimes harder to achieve.
What I still don't understand is how you came to be
mixed up in all this in the first place?
Goodnight, Inspector.
Goodnight, Mr. Holmes.
English justice looked kindly on the young couple,
and soon afterwards they left for Australia.
There, they found a new and happier life,