Murdoch Mysteries

- -

Up you go!

Henry will be happy that you're here.

Oh, yes. He's mentioned it at least a dozen times.

This is his first game with the team.

And rather an important one, l hear

- Oh. Oh. - Look! It's Murdoch!

Hi.

I must say, I'm surprised how popular it is.

Look at all these people.

Do you know the rules?

Not in the slightest.

Oh.

That must be the Serbian count that Henry mentioned.

His family was recently outed in a coup a few years ago.

- -

There is something rather swarthy about him, isn't there?

Look at how the players

are positioned strategically on the field.

A line of defense anticipating any and all outcomes.

Julia, this is quite a lot.

Are we expecting someone?

Yes, we are, William.

Oh. You don't mean...

I do.

It actually worked?

We're having a baby.

Oh.

- Oh! -

- Oh! - Oh.

I'm very sorry. Are you all right?

Of course. I'm not made of glass.

L-I don't know what to say. Uh...

I love you.

I love you, too, William.

And I couldn't be happier.

But I do think that we should keep this between us.

- At least for a little while. - Right, right.

Isn't there a law against that kind of thing?

Have you got something to hide?

Are you enjoying the game, sir?

Not really.

England may have exported the rules, but not the talent.

Look at that. Ridiculous.

The batsman's stance is all wrong.

Come on, Higgins! Get a move on!

Inspector. One does not yell at a cricket match.

Oh, really? Is that what this is?

Rupoo!

Oh, that's Rupert, my brother.

The alive one.

His likeness to Roger is quite something.

Doesn't my Henry look so dashing in his uniform?

He is fitting in quite well here.

They're referred to as whites, Miss Newsome.

Is this the Serbian count that's been staying with you?

Oh, yes. Count Dagan Petrovic.

He said our estate was the finest he'd ever seen.

He has impeccable taste.

- Oh! -

The rules in Serbia must be quite different.

- Dirty bastard!

Go on, lad! Get after him!

Oh. Inspector.

- - This is as bad as hockey.

Perhaps the other ball had a defect.

If this batsman is anything like the last one,

it won't make a blind bit of difference.

- - Bloody hell!

Julia, perhaps you shouldn't.

- Why not? - This was particularly violent,

and what with your...condition,

I thought it might be best to let Miss Hart handle it.

Nonsense, William.

Just because I'm accompanied

doesn't mean I can't do my job properly.

All right.

-[ Gags 1 Front foot planted

firmly down the crease. Head down.

Strong follow-through, and fours will come.

Sixes strictly for the anarchists.

Here endeth the lesson.

So, this one's different.

Any thoughts?

- Murdoch? - Yes, sir.

It would appear someone put explosive inside the ball.

We all saw that.

Sirs, the count is ready to speak when you are.

Yes. Henry, tell us about the victim.

Michael O'Donnell, sir.

He'd been a part of the Professionals' team

for some years, from what I understand.

And the history between the teams?

Oh, sir, as you may have heard me mention

several times this week,

they are all professional cricket players.

Every year, they face off against us, the Gentlemen.

We are hobbyists. Of some distinction.

So, basically, a bunch of rich buggers

pay to be humiliated by professionals.

Mr. O'Donnell was sledging the count

in the lead-up to the game, sir.

- Sledging? - A form of mental intimidation.

He and some teammates would show up at practice

and taunt the count,

yell insults, that sort of thing.

For what purpose?

Sir, some people simply resent us for our wealth.

Brewster! Here.

- Sir. Take Miss Newsome home

and then lay out my formal attire for this evening.

I have an engagement at the club tonight.

What just happened?

Who the bloody hell is Brewster?

Oh, Ruth insisted I take on a manservant, sir.

Part of my transformation, as she calls it.

Ah, yes. You seem to have adjusted quite well.

Sir, I feel it's the life I should have always lived.

Animal!

You killed him, you Serbian bastard!

- What are you saying? - I know it was you.

- You are a madman. - Who is that man?

Sam Mactier, sir.

He was also sledging the count.

I believe he was quite close to O'Donnell.

Why aren't you arresting him? He blew up my friend.

I mean, my God, this is his blood.

Yes. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend,

but I still have questions.

What do you think was the count's motive for doing this?

We embarrassed him.

But why?

This game is our chance to show these twits

they can't just buy glory.

We've been trouncing them for years,

but then we heard about this count.

That he was a ringer.

Did Mr. O'Donnell have direct contact with the count?

No. No. At least I don't think so.

We just wanted him to know we were watching.

Only a maniac would do this, Detective.

He has to hang.

Mr. Petrovic.

Count Petrovic.

Or "my lord," if you prefer.

Detective Murdoch, Inspector Brackenreid,

Toronto Constabulary.

Why did you switch balls just prior to the explosion?

The stitching was coming loose.

This is why I nearly hit that poor man.

It looked to me like you did it on purpose.

- Do you play cricket, Inspector? -

I'm from Yorkshire.

Of course I do.

And I'm a damn sight better than you lot.

Then you will understand what I mean

when I say the ball was drifting.

I merely exchanged it for a better one.

The victim, Mr. O'Donnell, and Mr. Mactier

had been antagonizing you in the days prior to the match.

Yes. Very unsportsmanlike for professional cricket players,

in my humble opinion.

Did you retaliate in any way?

Detective.

I was in the Serbian army.

If I'd wanted to kill that man,

I would have just shot him like a dog.

Which I have done.

Thank you, Count.

We will be in touch.

Henry.

Where do the players obtain their cricket equipment?

The only sporting goods store in town, sir.

- Christianson's. - Right.

Have constables fetch a new ball for me

and bring it 'round to the station house.

Oh, and I'll need a saw.

The center is cork layered with tightly wound string.

It's possible someone could have made their own ball

and encased an explosive inside.

I imagine an assembled ball could also be tampered with,

with the right tools.

It would be more difficult, but possible.

If it was filled with explosive,

why didn't it blow on the first bounce?

We can assume they used a less volatile combustible.

Lyddite, nitroglycerin.

Both are relatively common.

I'll know more once I examine the ball fragments.

The constables are scouring the field as we speak.

I'll see if Dr. Ogden has completed the postmortem.

That may give us something.

Oh, the good doctor -- Is she all right?

She looked a bit flushed earlier.

Oh. Just the excitement of the game, I'm sure.

Hm. Ah.

Ah, the sound of willow on leather.

What's this?

- These are for your table. - Oh.

And this is a tonic in powder form.