

Lot 249
10/1/2024 | 29m 11sVideo has Closed Captions
Mark Gatiss adapts Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tale starring Kit Harrington and Freddie Fox.
University life at Oxford is disrupted when Bellingham, an expert in Eastern languages, dies mysteriously. Rumours grow. Strange sounds emerge from Bellingham’s room at night. One student is strangled. Another is hurled in the river. Both didn’t get on with Bellingham. Has a spat spiralled out of control, or are supernatural powers at play? Starring Kit Harrington and Freddie Fox.
Ghost Stories is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television

Lot 249
10/1/2024 | 29m 11sVideo has Closed Captions
University life at Oxford is disrupted when Bellingham, an expert in Eastern languages, dies mysteriously. Rumours grow. Strange sounds emerge from Bellingham’s room at night. One student is strangled. Another is hurled in the river. Both didn’t get on with Bellingham. Has a spat spiralled out of control, or are supernatural powers at play? Starring Kit Harrington and Freddie Fox.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[ Banging on door ] -Let me in!
Let me in!
For pity's sake, let me in!
-Good heavens!
I'm coming, I'm coming!
[ Banging continues ] All right!
-[ Breathing heavily ] -Smith!
Great Scott, what's the matter?
-Brandy!
Brandy!
Get me brandy!
-What on Earth has happened?
You're as white as cheese.
-May I stay?
I-I must stay.
I don't think I can face that road again except by daylight.
-Well, of course, of course.
I'll have Mrs. Burney make up the spare room, but...
There!
There, you see it?
-Some...fellow?
-[ Breathing heavily ] A fellow?
-I can scarcely see a thing out there.
Gone now.
What of him?
-[ Gasping ] I am my own man again now.
It was never so unmanned before.
-Yes, you're shaking like an aspen leaf.
What the devil can have frightened you so?
-Ha!
I have been within the hand grip of the devil.
That is certain.
Sit.
Sit, and I will tell you all -- the whole black business.
It is monstrous and incredible, but it is true.
It is all true.
♪♪ ♪♪ [ Bell tolling ] -Morning, gentlemen.
-Whisky.
-No, thanks.
-Are you sure?
Uh, Scotch in the jug.
Irish in the bottle.
-Uh, I don't partake.
-Ah, yes.
Religion and all that, eh?
-Yes, and all that.
-Fair enough.
I won't either.
I'm in for the, uh, for the sculls, and I don't liquor when I'm training.
-Oh, good for you, Smith -- soon to be Dr. Smith?
Oh, wish I had your brains.
[Chuckles ] -Oh, no.
They're in the jar by the hat stand.
[ Laughs ] It's very good of you, having me over like this.
-Oh, not at all.
It's good to get to know one's neighbors.
Never know when I may need to scrounge something off you.
-[ Chuckles ] -Had no luck with the other fellow, though.
-Oh?
-Hmm.
Middle rooms, hardly stirs his stumps from morning till night, a bit of an enigma.
Bellingham?
-What do you know of him?
-Oh, that he's a bright spark, one of the best men in his line they've ever had here.
Eastern languages is his thing, I think.
-Oh, amongst other things.
-Oh, like that, is it?
Well, color me intrigued.
What is it?
Drink?
Cards?
A cad?
-No, no, no, it's -- it's not that.
I mustn't be... Ned, uh, Bellingham has shown me great kindness, too.
But I worry about him rather... so immersed in his strange studies.
And his temper.
-His temper?
-You know Long Norton?
-Yes, big fellow, uh, made 70 for the freshman against the 11.
-He and Bellingham got into a terrible row last term.
Bellingham's often experimenting with arcane bits and bobs.
Well, one day, the stench drifted all the way across the quad.
Long Norton and he had words, I can tell you.
It was quite frightening.
You should see the way in which Bellingham looks at Norton when they meet now.
[ Clock chimes ] Ah, gracious.
Um, I must fly.
I have a lecture.
Uh, I'll borrow this, if I may.
Oh, and the bones of your inner ear?
-Oh, by all means.
-Thank you.
Um, well, good afternoon then, Smith, and thank you again.
I hope we shall become friends.
-I also.
-[ Screams ] Ned!
Wake up!
Can you come down?
Can you?
Bellingham's -- Oh, God!
You must come!
Is -- Is he dead?
-Eh, only a faint, I think.
His heart's going like a pair of castanets.
I don't like his color at all.
Come on.
Come on, old chap.
Undo his collar, will you?
-[ Coughs, inhales sharply ] [ Breathing heavily ] Smith, isn't it?
From above?
Nice to make your acquaintance.
[ Giggling maniacally ] And you, Lee... to what do I owe this pleasure?
[ Giggling maniacally ] [ Giggling stops ] [ Groans ] -Sorry.
Had to be done.
-Not at all.
It's the only thing that works.
Happens in all the best romantic novels.
-Look here.
What the devil have you been up to?
[ Sniffs ] Narcotics, is it?
Some heathen pipe?
What have you been brewing here?
-Well, not tea.
It's a sort of resin.
It's a sacred plant, a plant of the ancient Egyptian priests.
-Look here, Ned, I've told you before, you must drop all this nonsense.
-Must I?
-This is the second fright you've given me.
It was the same last winter.
I found him just like this, with that horrid thing in front of him.
♪♪ -Good heavens.
-I don't know his name.
He's just lot 249.
That was how he came from the auction house.
But what a beauty he is.
-You still haven't said what you were up to.
-Undressing and unwrapping him.
It requires a certain atmosphere.
I must have inhaled a little too much.
How long was I out for, by the way?
I couldn't tell if it was seconds or weeks.
-A couple of minutes.
-Hmm.
Unconsciousness is a strange beast.
[ Inhales, exhales deeply ] Now, this gentleman was packed up some 40 centuries ago, and yet, if he could find his tongue, he'd tell us that this lapse in time has been but a brief closing of the eyes... ...and reopening of them.
-I think, uh, with your nervous system, you should find some less morbid study, Bellingham.
-How strict you are.
But perhaps you're right.
Perhaps.
♪♪ ♪♪ [ Muffled speaking ] -[ Groans ] [ Muffled groan ] [ Scattered cheers and applause ] -Good morning.
-Ah.
I'm glad to see you looking better.
-Yes, indeed.
Nothing like watching others exert themselves to get the old claret pumping.
-Hmm.
-I just wanted to thank you again.
-Don't mention it.
-Oh, but I must.
You don't look quite the ticket though, Smith.
Anything the matter?
-A rotten night's sleep.
-Oh, dear.
-In truth, it was rather your fault.
-Mine?
-You, uh, you talk to yourself, old man, whether in your sleep or your studies.
-I do no such thing.
-Well, I'm afraid -- -I do no such thing.
[ Birds chirping ] But you were perfectly splendid anyway.
Just the sort of chap to keep the flags of empire flying, eh?
Hmm.
I can just see you putting down a native uprising in the Sudan or some such.
-Rather more your territory, I gather.
-Ah, so you've heard a little about me?
-A little.
-Morning, gentlemen.
-Good morning, Styles.
-Mr. Norton's certainly showing them how it's done, eh, sir?
-Oh, that he is, Styles.
That he is.
-I've, uh, got the bloaters on for you upstairs, sir.
-Oh, thanks.
-Yes, I have indeed had some success out East with my researches and with the people.
-I am told you were able to master them as though to the manner born.
-Well, mastery of one subject is key, is it not?
To be masterful of all disciplines.
And it is a wonderful thing to feel that one can command.
-And, uh... what of Monkhouse Lee?
Is he under your command?
-Oh, Lee is a good fellow... an honest fellow.
But he is without strength or ambition.
He would not make a fit partner for a man with a great enterprise.
-No?
-No.
No, he would not make a fit partner for me.
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] I told you I'd do it, old boy.
I told you, didn't I?
Ha ha!
Thank you.
Thank you.
[ Sighs ] -[ Speaking ancient language ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -They say they'll play him instead of Buddicomb, for Buddicomb's clean off color.
He used to be nasty on a wet wicket.
-Now then, sir, that wouldn't be a Woodbine I smell, would it?
-No.
No, Styles, not at all.
Whatever made you think that?
-I should be getting along now, gentlemen, if I were you.
Back to your rooms.
-Cheerio.
[ Indistinct conversation ] -Won't be a moment, Styles.
Just savoring my victory.
-Right you are, sir.
Congratulations again.
-Thank you, Styles.
-I prefer Ogden's Guinea Gold meself.
[ Birds twittering ] -[ Exhales deeply ] [ Choking ] ♪♪ Aah!
Aah!
-Mr. Norton, sir!
Are you all right?
-[ Coughing ] -Help!
Help!
-I can't give you long.
I'm on a hard grind at the moment.
-Smith, you must change your rooms at once.
Eh?
-I know this must sound very extraordinary, but believe me when I say that Bellingham is not a very safe man to live near.
-Not safe?
How do you mean?
Have you two had some sort of falling out?
-Oh, yes.
-What about?
-I'm not a very worldly fellow, Smith.
I'm sure you can see that.
My books have been my only true companions since childhood.
Bellingham dazzled me... showed me a world elsewhere... a world of culture and mystery and... and pleasure.
-[ Clears throat ] -I was totally in his thrall.
I'll admit that now.
But he has gone beyond the pale.
There are things he's done... things that frighten me.
-Oh, that's all very fine, Lee, but you're either saying a great deal too much or a great deal too little.
-I can only warn you.
I'm under a solemn oath, you see, a very solemn oath.
-Look here, if I were to see some rascal about to blow up the college with dynamite, no pledge to prevent me from stopping him if the danger's real.
-It is.
You heard what happened to Long Norton the other night.
-Oh, yes, a garrotter, most likely.
-Long Norton says not.
-Who then?
-"What" would be more grammatical.
Long Norton swears whatever attacked him wasn't human.
And indeed, from the scratches on his throat, I'd be inclined to agree with him.
-Have we come down to spooks?
-It was real enough.
-And you suspect Bellingham had something to do with it.
-I know it.
♪♪ -Well, look here, my boy... surely, what's more to the point is, if you've had some great breach with Bellingham, is it not you that's in danger?
♪♪ [ Bell tolling ] ♪♪ Bellingham?
[ Creaking ] [ Heartbeat thumping ] [ Breaths echoing ] -[ Rasping ] -[ Gasps ] -Is that you, Mr. Smith, sir?
-Hello?
-Mr. Smith?
-What?
Y-Yes, yes, it is I.
-Thank God.
Come at once.
Mr. Lee is drowned, sir.
-What?
-Well, there may be life in him yet, but it'll be a close call.
Do you have brandy, sir?
I'm afraid my little stock is diminished.
-Yes, yes, I have a hip flask.
-Hurry, sir.
Hurry!
Only a medical man can save him now.
Mr. Smith, sir!
It's life or death!
-Y-Yes.
♪♪ [ Grunts ] Put your watch glass to his lips, Styles.
That's a good fellow.
-Yes, sir.
It's dimming.
-Let's get to work.
[ Grunting rhythmically ] ♪♪ -Oh.
Good evening.
Won't you come in?
-No.
-No?
Busy as ever?
My dear chap, you look quite done in.
Burning the candle, eh?
-Not exactly.
-Oh, is it poor Monkhouse Lee?
I heard a rumor.
-Yes?
-Some accident.
I'm very sorry to hear it.
-Well, you'll be sorrier still to hear the lad is doing very well and is out of danger.
How did you fall in?
-I didn't fall in.
I was thrown in.
Picked me up like a feather.
I saw nothing, and I heard nothing.
But I know what it was.
-So do I.
Your hellish tricks did not come off this time.
-The devil do you mean?
-I know all about it.
-About what?
Do you mean to say that I had something to do with Lee's accident?
-Yes.
You and that bloody bag of bones in there.
They've given up burning folk like you, Bellingham.
But we still keep a hangman in this country, and by George, if any man at this college meets his death while you are here, you'll swing for it.
Your filthy Egyptian tricks won't answer in England!
[ Grunts ] ♪♪ -What you intend to do?
-I have a friend who lives a few miles out of town.
I intend to get his opinion on it all.
He's a no-nonsense sort of fellow... very clever in his own peculiar way.
I shall lay the facts before him... see what counsel he can give.
[ Birds squawking ] -Good evening.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -[ Roars ] -[ Breathing heavily ] ♪♪ [ Roaring continues ] [ Banging on door ] Let me in!
Let me in!
For pity's sake, let me in!
[ Roaring continues ] [ Roaring stops ] Well?
-Hmm.
To a collector of fairy tales, no doubt, fascinating.
But you cannot seriously believe that.
-What other explanation is there?
-Oh, I can think of several.
You've been studying hard.
-I am no weakling.
-Well, how could such a thing as this stride through the streets of Oxford, even at night, without being seen?
-But it has been seen.
There's quite a scare in town about an escaped ape, as they imagine the creature to be.
This is the talk of the place.
-Reminds me of old Presbury.
-Presbury?
-Just a case.
Well, my dear fellow, it is a striking chain of events.
You must allow that each incident in itself is capable of a more natural explanation.
-Even my adventure of tonight?
-Certainly.
You come out with your nerves unstrung, your head full of this theory of yours.
Some gaunt, half-famished tramp steals after you, and seeing you run, is emboldened to pursue you.
Your fears and imagination do the rest.
Now, in the instance of your finding the mummy case empty and a few moments later with an occupant, you'll admit that it was lamplight, the lamp was half down and you had no especial reason for looking hard at the case.
You may have simply overlooked the creature in the first instance.
-Hmm.
-Norton may have been garrotted.
Lee may have simply fallen in the river.
-Hmm.
-Won't do.
No, it won't do.
-Well, I've given you my opinion.
I stand flat-footed upon the ground, and there I must remain.
The world is big enough for us.
No ghosts need apply.
-There.
That's it.
I've written it all down.
Sign it please.
-Whatever for?
-You will kindly retain it and provide it in case I am arrested.
-Arrested for what?
-For murder.
-Whose murder?
-Bellingham's, of course.
-I shall give the fellow one chance and one chance only, And if not -- -My dear fellow, don't do anything rash.
I'll happily look into the matter myself.
But it is going to have to wait a few days.
-You are still set on a return to London then?
-Mm.
I have my eyes on a suite of rooms in Baker Street.
Just what I'm looking for, if my purse can stand it.
You wouldn't be interested in... -Oh, no, I-I fear I'd make a very poor fellow lodger.
-Nonsense.
A doctor would make a very fine companion to any man.
-Not a doctor yet.
♪♪ ♪♪ -Well, why don't you make yourself right at home?
What the devil?
♪♪ -Get to work.
-Doing what?
-Cutting up that mummy.
-[ Chuckles dryly ] Is that it?
-Yes.
That's it.
I have no notion of all the foul perversions you practice, Bellingham, nor those you have galled others into.
I know the law cannot touch you, but I have a law that will set matters straight.
You have five minutes to destroy that thing, or I swear to God...
...I'll put a bullet through your brain.
-You would murder me?
-Yes.
-F-For what?
-To stop your...mischief.
One minute gone.
-What have I done?
-You know, and I know.
Oh, two minutes.
-You're mad.
Why would I destroy my own property?
It's very valuable.
-Cut it up.
Burn it.
Three minutes.
-I will do no such thing.
[ Gun cocks ] All right, all right, all right.
[ Sighs ] Damn you.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Shouting ] ♪♪ Perhaps that will satisfy you.
-No.
The papyrus, too.
I know you keep it tight to you.
-No.
No, not that.
It's unique.
It's priceless.
There's wisdom in there.
-Wisdom?
Out with it!
-You can't mean it, Smith.
I'll share the knowledge with you.
I'll teach you all that's in it.
Please.
Let me only copy it before you burn it.
-No.
[ Grunting ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Well, then.
A very pretty night's work.
-Get out!
-I'll bid you good evening.
And let this be an end to it.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Congratulations, Doctor.
-Congratulations, Doctor.
-[ Chuckles ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -No, no, no, no, he's, uh, he's an ophthalmic surgeon.
-Oh, I see.
-Ah, "seeing" being the operative word.
[ Both chuckle ] You know, I've often thought I might specialize in that area, too.
Uh, but no rush, eh?
Much to do first.
Plenty of pretty girls out there for a start, hey, my boy?
-Hmm.
Perhaps.
♪♪ ♪♪ -Seriously, what are you thinking of going in for?
Treves has some openings at the Royal London, I heard.
-[ Gasps ] -What do you think?
Lee?
Lee?
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Breathing raggedly ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Chuckling nervously ] [ Laughing maniacally ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Neck snaps ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪
Ghost Stories is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television