An early Sherlock Holmes talkie. In what is billed as Holmes' greatest case he has to save a young woman from an escaped murderer who is after treasure.
Years before in a prison in the tropics, Small (Graham Soutten) makes a deal with two of the prison officers. He will tell them where his stashed treasure is in return for their help in escaping. The officers Sholto (Miles Malleson) and Morstan (Edgar Norfolk) find the treasure but then Sholto kills Morstan and returns to England keeping all of the loot for himself!
Now in the present, Sholto is living comfortably off the proceeds of the treasure but hears that Small has escaped. Sholto dies of shock when he sees Small, before that he admits his dark secret to his sons and tells them that Morstan has a daughter (Isla Bevan). The sons, being weak willed, tell Small about the daughter who finds herself in peril. She turns to the famous Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) and Dr Watson (Ian Hunter) for help.
This is a fine film that stays truer to the Arthur Conan Doyle idea of Holmes than some later adaptations being more restrained and thoughtful. Although the early talkie can be a bit hard to follow at times the story is portrayed very well and quite atmospheric.
