Holmes University: The Master Blackmailer Page #5

---

of an attack on my person.

I'm armed to the teeth

at all times

and I'm perfectly prepared

to use my weapons

and knowing that the

law will support me.

You may well

have your chance

to test your assumption.

Mrs. Hudson I am

not to be disturbed.

Go.

Mr. Holmes surely

you don't believe

I'd be so foolish to

carry my livelihood

here in my pocket?

Just making sure

Mr. Milverton.

Well now, gentlemen,

I have one or two little

interviews this evening

and it's a long

drive to Hampstead.

Now, someone has dealt

Milverton a blow.

An outraged husband

just as there

are thousands

in this great city

who crave Milverton's

destruction

and may yet beat us to it.

Holmes?

I'm as fond of

art as any man

but don't you think after

yesterday's encounter...

Art is balm to the brain

especially in

moments of decision.

So we've learned

something about Milverton.

That he's ruthless

is hardly a revelation.

And that of his vanity

and to a certain

measure his vulnerability.

I can see that the

damage to his carriage

might have unsettled him.

We must exploit

such things.

Wanton vandalism.

Any chink in the armor.

Mr. Holmes,

this is my friend

the Honorable

Charlotte Miles.

Mr. Sherlock Holmes

and his partner

Mr. Watson.

Lady Eva, may speak

privately to you?

Mrs. Miles

please accept

our sympathy.

Mr. Holmes and I

are fully aware of

your situation.

That is most kind of

you Doctor Watson

but one has to live

with one's mistakes.

He was unyielding.

Now, the next move

requires your

delicate cooperation.

I'll do anything

you say Mr. Holmes.

The dance in your honour?

On the 14th.

Good afternoon!

Mr. Stokes?

I told you I was not

to be disturbed girl

what is it?

It's Mr. Sherlock

Holmes to see you sir.

"Oh Aggie, you've

touched my heart."

Mr. Holmes?

I'm here to inform you

that my client

accepts your terms.

She's acted

with perspicacity.

She begs but

a small favour.

What is it?

That the exchange be

delayed until the 1 5th.

The Earl has

arranged a dance

for the previous night

and she is somewhat

preoccupied with that.

The dance, yes.

So 10 o'clock the

following morning

we can do business?

Seven thousand pounds?

As agreed.

Here or at Baker Street?

Here, Baker Street.

Neutral ground perhaps.

The Diogenes club

you are a member?

May I?

Tell me this

sudden turnabout

was it on your advice?

I could not abandon

my client to her fate,

Mr. Milverton.

You are the victor.

What a divine fragrance.

My late husband

and I were

something of a

second family to her

so you see my concern?

This man who is

blackmailing her?

Charles Augustus

Milverton

he's an art dealer.

Yes.

I've heard of him.

He's well placed

to hear the gossip

and do his worst.

What view does Mr.

Holmes take of it?

Well I'm sure he has

something in mind

but he seldom

confides in me

till the last minute.

Ah, Holmes.

Lady Swinstead is fully

primed for the situation.

Time is running out,

Mr. Holmes.

If it is a question

of paying the money...

That will not

be necessary.

You can give

assurance then?

That would be unwise

in me Lady Swinstead

but I assure you

I will give it my best.

I shall have to be

satisfied with that then.

Mr. Holmes?

This man must be

silenced.

Does she know

about Milverton?

By name?

Yes I told her.

Was that wrong of me?

Oh Watson, these bills,

they must be paid.

Oh, incidentally I

managed to secure

an invitation for us both

to the Dovercourt dance.

The house is some

miles from London

but in reach for

my purposes.

What purposes?

I intend to burgle

the Milverton

house that night.

For heaven's sake, Holmes,

think what you're doing.

Well, let us look at

it fairly and clearly.

You will admit

that the cause is

morally justifiable.

Yes.

Technically criminal.

No more than raiding

his pockets, a cause,

which you were perfectly

willing to help me.

That was on the

spur of the moment

not on the cold

light of reason.

Reason?

Is there reasoning

to be done, Watson?

Nothing to test my brain?

That's the curse of it.

Think!

If you're caught,

an honoured career

ending in failure

and public disgrace.

What failure?

What disgrace?

Against defeat!

You know me well enough

that I would never adopt

so objectionable a course

if another

were possible.

I must have those letters.

And I have the house in

the palm of my hand.

The cudgel

before the brain.

What of the

odious Milverton?

Do you think he's just

going to open his gates

and invite you

to stroll in?

Milverton will

be at the dance

as the guest

of Lady Eva's.

That's monstrous, Holmes.

My self-respect and

reputation are at stake

it's the only way.

Well, I don't like it,

any of it.

You have nothing to fear.

Eva?

Mrs. Hudson, why did

you tidy for me?

Where the hell

are my shoes?

Shoes?

Yes.

Masks?

Black silk handkerchief.

I see you have

a natural turn

for this sort of thing.

I wonder where

I learned it.

Take the usual

precautions tonight,

Hebworth.

I will.

Enjoy your evening.

The people are at

risk here Holmes.

Yes indeed.

We leave in

eight minutes.

Excuse me sir,

Her ladyship would like

to see you upstairs.

Harry.

That man

is he an invited guest?

Milverton.

Yes it's something

Eva schemed.

The painting.

The old girl is

probably trying to

whittle down the price

by inviting him here.

Don't worry

yourself Diana.

It's all right.

How strange

to see you here

Mr. Holmes.

Mixing business

with pleasure?

There's no doubt you are.

Purely pleasure this

evening Mr. Holmes

I assure you

You will be keeping

our appointment.

Sir.

I am expecting a visitor

in a half an hour.

Sir.

Servants are playing

while the master's away.

Holmes?

Milverton's carriage,

no time to lose the door.

You made me curtail

my evening's

entertainment.

I hope you prove worth it.

You couldn't have come at

a more sociable time?

Well if you couldn't,

you couldn't

if the Countess

is a hard mistress

you have a chance now

to get even with her.

Bless the girl, what

are you shivering about?

That's right!

Pull yourself together.

Now then, let's get

down to business.

You say you have five

letters, which compromise

the Countess D'Albert?

You want to sell them.

I want to buy them.

So far, so good.

So it remains to

fix the price.

Of course I shall want

to examine the letters.

If they prove to be

good specimens then...

Great heavens, it is you?

A woman whose life

you have ruined.

You were so very obstinate!

Paris twelve years ago.

Why did you drive me

to such extremities?

An episode long closed.

I wouldn't hurt a

fly of my own accord.

You waited for the moment

when the stakes was

most worth winning.

What was I to do?

I put the price well

within your means.

Instead you sent the

letters to my husband.

You would not pay.

A man whose boots I was

never worthy to lace-

you broke his

gallant heart,

vile creature.

That day I came

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes