Pursuit to Algiers

Oh, Stimson, thank you for keeping open so late to take care of us.

Oh, that's quite all right, sir.

This gun is an excellent selection, Mr. Holmes.

You ought to get plenty of grouse.

Grouse, silly little birds,

not worth the trouble of eating after you shoot them.

You wait till you hook into your first salmon, old boy.

Well, mind you have everything at Baker Street

first thing in the morning, Stimson,

because if we're not in Scotland

by the time the salmon stop running,

the fish will hold Dr. Watson personally responsible.

I'll have everything at your rooms first thing in the morning.

Thank you. Good night.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

Ah, Scotland.

I shall be glad to get away from this place.

The smell of heather after rain,

the crisp night air

with the stars shining clear in the sky.

"A day in the bush with stars to see,

were I dip in the river.

There's the life of a man like me,

- there's the life forever." - Huh?

Robert Louis Stevenson.

You heard that rhyme before?

Yes, and many other lovely irons, too, Watson.

Hello.

Oh, so the old girl has lost her emeralds, eh?

Now, Holmes, you promised,

no more cases till our holiday's over.

Don't worry, old fellow,

I was just thinking she was well rid of her emeralds.

Green was never a becoming color to the old trout.

I say, you've dropped your paper, sir.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

No mistake, I saw you drop it.

You've just been told, sir, that you made a mistake.

But it is the gentleman's paper, sir.

Be off with you, my good man.

Mr. Holmes told you that he didn't have a paper.

Yes, but I was quite wrong, I'm so sorry,

that is my paper.

There are times, Holmes,

when your behavior is utterly inexplicable.

- Oh. - I'm sorry, sirs.

May I recommend a visit, gentlemen?

A visit where, sir?

The best fish and chips in London.

Fish and chips?

I never eat fish and chips.

My friend doesn't eat fish and chips.

We loathe fish and chips, sir.

Come to think of it, old fellow,

some fish and chips might go very well just now.

Thank you for your suggestion, sir.

Come on, Watson.

Fish and chips, filthy stuff,

I wish we'd brought our cat.

Hello, ducky.

Ah, good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening.

May I suggest that, sir?

26.

No, I think I'll have some fish and chips.

- And you, sir? - Just a minute, I haven't decided yet.

We serve the best fish and chips in London, sir.

Make it two, will you?

I think I'll have an order of--

Oh, gone?

I ordered for both of us.

What'd you order for me?

- Fish and chips. - Fish and chips, huh.

Nice place you brought me to, I must say.

I say, take a look at this fish bone.

Where?

Right in my soup.

A fine thing, it might have stuck in my throat.

- Just a moment. - Fish bones.

I'd rather eat in an alley.

Go on and eat in an alley, then.

That's where you probably belong.

Likely as not we'll both be poisoned.

What's up, Holmes?

I don't know...yet,

but something definitely is.

Thank you.

Fish bones.

Fellow probably was right.

Looks like something one might find in an alley.

- That's it. - What's it?

Fishbone Alley, of course.

What's the price got to do with it?

It's not the price, it's the numerals,

2, 6, number 26, Fishbone Alley.

Everything these last few minutes has been directed

towards giving us that address.

Oh, come, Holmes, who on earth

- would go to all that troub-- - Shh.

The Duchess' photograph,

Duchess Brookdale's house, Barkley Square.

About 8:00 o'clock last night--

I've got it, 8:00 o'clock.

But you said you weren't interested in

the old trout's emeralds.

- I'm not. - Well?

We've just been invited rather surreptitiously.

I meant to appear at number 26 Fishbone Alley at 8:00 o'clock tonight.

Mumbo jumbo if you ask me,

probably no such place as Fishbone Alley.

Oh, yes, there is; it's off Mount Street.

7:45, we've just got time if we walk briskly.

Good night, ducky.

Look here, Holmes,

you're not thinking of going there, are you?

Naturally, someone must want to see us rather badly

if they've gone to all that trouble.

But hang on; it may be a trap!

Well, if it is, at least it promises to be interesting one.

Sinister looking place.

See that?

They're expecting us.

Look out, Holmes, be careful.

Won't you go in, gentlemen?

Thank you.

Please forgive the somewhat odd way

in which we've summoned you, Mr. Holmes.

The method was ingenious.

I'm sure you must have a reason.

Briefly, we wish to engage your services

to take someone from England

and deliver him to a place we shall designate.

And the name of this person?

That I'm not at liberty to divulge.

Gentlemen, I'm not accustomed to working in the dark,

I bid you goodnight.

Mr. Holmes, one moment, please.

We are prepared to pay any sum you name, Mr. Holmes.

I assure you this is a matter of international importance.

My dear sir, I realized that,

when I encounter the Prime Minister of Rovenia

lurking outside an oyster bar in Soho

apparently for the sole purpose

of stimulating my appetite for fish and chips!

You deserve your reputation, sir.

I take it that you brought me here on a matter pertaining to

the death of His Majesty King Stefan

in an automobile accident last week.

His Majesty was not killed

in an automobile accident, Mr. Holmes,

he was assassinated.

It's a great loss to the whole democratic world.

- Won't you sit down, Mr. Holmes. - Thank you.

Thatcher.

Permit me, gentlemen, to introduce my colleagues,

Anton Petzfall and Matias Churney.

How do you do? My associate Dr. Watson?

- How do you do, gentlemen? - How do you do?

Mr. Holmes?

Thank you.

- Dr. Watson? - Thank you, sir.

- A glass of wine, gentlemen? - No, thank you.

For several years now, a powerful group has been

seeking to gain control of Rovenia for personal gain.

The assassination of His Majesty

was their first step in that direction.

It is to prevent the second step that we have sent for you.

For the sake of our people,

it is imperative that King Stephan's son Nikolas

be returned safely to his country.

- Is he here in England? - Oh, yes.

His Majesty has been educated

at one of your public schools.

A wise move, sir. Sound, very sound.

Do you feel that you yourselves

are unequal to your task?

We're up against a clever and ruthless group

to whom we are all well known.

Are they aware of His Majesty's identity?

No, no one knows but ourselves.

His Majesty was brought to England

as a child incognito.

Do you have any plans for his return to Rovenia?

We have a plane and retinues to leave tonight.

However, several steps will be necessary on route,

and at any one of these stops

His Majesty's life may be attempted.

Mr. Holmes, for the sake not only of our country,

but for liberty and good government everywhere,

we implore you to undertake this mission.

Well, now, Holmes, you've given us your promise.

You need a rest, you know, you've not been up the mark lately.

I'm afraid we'll have to postpone our holiday, Watson.

- But think of your health? - Sorry, old fellow.

Gentlemen, in the interest of democratic government,

I shall be happy to do my utmost

to see that His Majesty reaches Rovenia in safety.

We thank you, Mr. Holmes.

Now, if we are to leave tonight, time is short

and there are certain precautionary measures