Sherlock Holmes in New York Page #2

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the strength and fury I could muster.

'Chink in your armour'?

Rubbish!

There's no such thing

as a chink in your armour.

Isn't there, Watson?

Isn't there?

This'll do very nicely.

Thank you, very much.

Hansom. Hansom!

I say there, hansom.

Handsome is as handsome does, mister,

and you'll do quite nicely.

I say! Well, did you hear that, Holmes?

The young lady...

Off you go, off you go. Shoo, shoo...

- Oh, well!

Let that be a lesson to you, Watson.

They don't have hansom cabs

in New York, just cabs.

Cab! Over here, my man.

You see, Watson?

Get our cases aboard

as quickly as you can will you?

The Empire Theatre, and don't

spare your steed. Jump in, Watson.

There we are.

Ah, I make it just on half-past three.

Eight, Holmes.

What on earth are you talking about?

Half-past eight, see.

Watson, we are on New York time.

Oh.

Oh, well I've always found Greenwich time

perfectly adequate to me needs.

I see now reason for changing it now.

Hello! What's this?

Wooah!

How do I get through here?

You can't.

Go around the side behind

the LaFayette Square.

That'll take a half an hour.

Driver, what is this?

It's the new subway, sir.

Subway'?

What's a subway?

It's their word for 'Underground'.

Now that he mentions it,

I recall reading of its construction.

New York's first, I understand.

You mean to tell me they don't have

an underground railway here?

Stands to reason, doesn't it?

They don't have hansoms!

Driver, where are we now?

8th Avenue, sir.

Almost at 34th Street

Good. Come along, Watson.

The Empire Theatre

is on 39th and Broadway.

The walk will do us good.

Driver, would you be kind enough to

get our cases to the Algonquin Hotel

the best way you are able?

I'm sure that this will take care

of any inconvenience.

Thank you.

Come along, Watson, we walk this distance

ten fold on a single afternoon in London.

Heads up, mister!

- I say, look here...

Come along, Watson.

To think we fought a war to keep

these barbarians in the Commonwealth.

Watson, see if you can purchase two

tickets for this evening's performance.

I will endeavour to find out

what I can, inside.

Yes, of course.

I'll join you when I've done.

Oh, excuse me, is this a queue?

Yes, sir?

Oh, how do you do?

Is Miss Irene Adler in the theatre,

do you know?

Nobody here but me, sir.

Oh, I must speak with her at once.

Do you know where I might find her?

No-one is to be disturbed

until curtain time. Mr Furman's orders.

This is extremely urgent.

- So are Mr Furman's orders!

Well, do you know her address?

Look, I just finished telling you...

- Yes, quite.

Now, look here, my good me,

when did you last see Miss Adler?

This morning, at line rehearsal.

Was she all right?

Letter perfect.

Was she?

I cannot tell you how relieved I am

to learn that.

I wonder if I might prevail upon you

for a further service?

Would you be so kind as to give Miss Adler

my card directly she gets to the theatre?

Tell her I'm at the Algonquin Hotel and

must speak with her as soon as possible.

I think I can arrange that for you, Mr...

Sherlock Holmes.

You have earned my undying gratitude.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, sir.

I say, Holmes.

- Watson,

we have a splendid piece of reassurance.

As late as this morning,

Irene was apparently in good health.

Good!

- And what have you been able to accomplish?

It's a rum go, Holmes.

Beastly rum go.

See those? Last two in the house.

Fella in the window says.

Row B.

Seats five and seven.

Er, don't bother, Holmes.

I already questioned the fella.

You have?

Those tickets were purchased

a fortnight ago.

By Irene Adler.

But were sent to me.

- Exactly.

Then why are they here?

- They were returned.

When.

- Earlier this afternoon.

By whom?

- Er, a stranger.

The chap at the box office

never seen him before, he says.

Holmes, what do you make of it all?

Watson, my apprehensions return.

Those tickets sent to me in

Baker Street were forgeries.

These were intercepted

before they could reach me.

Whatever for?

A phrase continues to ring in my ears:

'The crime of the century,

'the past century

and for all centuries to come,

'is now in preparation.'

Moriarty said that to me.

You mean he's behind it?

Behind whatever it is that's going on?

'It will take place

before your very eyes

'and you will be powerless

to prevent it.'

Watson, there is devilry afoot.

I feel that in my very marrow.

What're we to do about it?

Until it chooses to

reveal its nature to us

there is nothing we can do,

except dress,

dine and attend this theatre tonight.

Is he in?

- Upstairs.

Come in.

Have you got something for me, Skipper?

He's here.

Indeed he is.

- Yes, sir.

All right, back to your post.

You know what to do.

Yes, sir.

Act one,

the cast is assembled,

the play begins.

Holmes?

Yes, Watson?

There's not a Red Indian

in the entire place.

I had noticed.

They should have started by now.

We didn't have

to rush dinner, after all.

Ten minutes late.

Isn't it time they started?

Oh, yes.

Time they were getting on with it

and all that, eh?

Ah!

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm Mr Daniel Furman.

I beg your indulgence, please.

Due to the sudden indisposition

of Miss Irene Adler

Watson, quick!

Excuse me.

...that this performance...

Some people just don't know how to behave.

...will be played by May Robeson.

Thank you.

I demand to be shown to Miss Adler at once.

My name is Sherlock Holmes.

Oh, Mr Holmes.

Thank heaven youre here.

Where is she?

So far as I know, at home.

I must know exactly what happened.

All I can tell you is that when she

didn't appear after half hour was called

I sent a boy a call boy to her house.

- And?

He returned with this.

- Let me see that.

As you can see, it just says she's sick

and will be unable to perform.

With a full house and the curtain

already delayed fifteen minutes

I had no alternative but to go out front

and make the announcement you just heard.

Mr Holmes, can you shed any light

on such behaviour?

This is absolutely unlike Miss Adler.

- I can shed some light Mr Furman.

This note was not written by

someone suddenly taken ill.

It was written by a person in the

clutches of the most extreme terror.

Well, look at the hasty scrawl.

The hand shaking so it's scarcely

able to hold the pen.

In fact, here, here and here the pen

has actually dropped from her hand.

I must know Miss Adler's address at once.

14 Gramercy Park, but...

There's no time for buts.

Come Watson!

Katie won't turn up now.

Hmm, hardly.

Then you two shall hear it.

Doctor, Frank, this is the last time

we are to meet in these rooms.

'The last time'? Really?

Good evening, I must speak

to your mistress at once

I'm sorry, sir,

Miss Adler is not at home...

To Sherlock Holmes?

Step aside. I must have that assurance

from the lady's lips herself.

Irene, are you there?

I'm here Sherlock.

It's all right, Heller.

Mr Holmes and Dr Watson may come up.

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