[ Panting ]
[Grunts]
[ Groans ]
I'm Detective William Murdoch, Toronto Constabulary.
Joshua Jones.
You said your son saw the incident?
He said he saw something.
I'm not sure if it's real or not.
He's not right in the head.
What's your name, son?
JOSHUA: He doesn't talk much. Except for nonsense.
Tell me what you saw.
I saw the angel of death.
On horseback.
He ran the man through.
With a lance.
JOSHUA: Now, Ezekiel...
You saw an angel on horseback?
He had wings.
That's why I knew he was an angel.
JOSHUA: What did I tell you?
-It's nothing but nonsense. -It's the truth.
Higgins, make a move.
There you go.
- What are you doing? - Making a move.
Yes, but a knight doesn't move like that, Higgins.
I've told you a million times.
Two spaces in any direction and one left or right,
or one space in any direction and two left or right.
Honestly, does this go in one ear and come out the other?
Fine. But that's stupid.
Well, that's the rules.
Morning, gentlemen.
- Ah, the art of war. - HIGGINS: Do you play, sir?
I did, but I was never very good.
Really, sir? A man of your intelligence?
Plenty bright enough, Crabtree. Just too bloody impatient.
Now get to work, the pair of you.
Does that mean we can stop playing, then?
Sure.
Checkmate.
Well, the boy may have spoken nonsense in the past,
but this is the truth.
The victim was run through with a lance.
MURDOCH Mm-hmm.
I would think this to be a first, even for you two.
I think you might be right.
Perhaps this may help.
These were in his jacket pocket.
What are they?
I don't know. I haven't looked through them.
Looks to be Russian.
DR. OGDEN: So a Russian man
was killed by a winged angel of death in a field in Markham?
So it would seem.
And there was one more thing.
This was found in the folds of his clothes.
Thank you.
You've certainly been drinking a lot of that.
It just eases my stomach.
Mm.
DR. OGDEN: [ Exhales sharply]
Just move one of those little fellows.
Yeah, perfect. Thank you, Higgins.
- Detective Watts. - Yes.
Given your facility with language,
I was hoping you might assist me with this.
- Of course. - That must be some sort of code.
- Well, it's Russian. - HIGGINS: Russian?
You can tell by the Cyrillic alphabet.
Of course you can.
They appear to be travel documents.
A Russian man, aged 37.
His name is Dimitri Gorkhov.
- Say again? - Dimitri Gorkhov.
You know who this man is, George?
Do I, sir? He's the 10th-best chess player in the world.
At least according to current rankings.
What would he be doing in Toronto?
Well, he must be here for the tournament, of course.
Sir, the very best in the world are all assembling
for a grand exhibition right here in the city.
It won't affect world rankings,
but it's expected to be a harbinger
of what's to come at the world championships later in...
Thank you, George.
- We should go. - Not so fast, Crabtree.
An event of this magnitude
should be attended by a ranking officer.
- Sir? - Well, all these foreigners.
There may be a need for British diplomacy.
Grab your coat and hat, Murdoch.
Thank you.
All right, Constable, back to the game.
[ Indistinct conversations]
BRACKENREID: Russians.
Excuse me, sir. Toronto Constabulary.
[ Russian accent] What can I do for you?
Do you know a man named Dimitri Gorkhov?
Yes. Where is he?
Drunk again, I'll bet.
I apologize.
He's dead. He was found murdered yesterday.
Oh.
I see.
This is not good news.
No.
Do you know who might want to do this to him?
Someone who is desperate to win the tournament.
How was he killed?
A witness reports he was killed by a knight on horseback.
Do you know what this is?
I have no idea.
BRACKENREID: You'd be well advised to tell us the truth.
I said I have no idea.
I'll tell you when we're finished.
- Unhand me. - Sir.
No need to cause an international incident.
That bugger knows something.
I would tend to agree.
But I'll wager someone else here does as well.
British diplomacy, sir.
Excuse me. Toronto Constabulary.
[ Polish accent] Yes?
Would you happen to know what this is?
I have never seen it before.
Oh, I see. You're cheating on me.
Very disappointed, George.
- Miss Bloom, you play? - My father taught me.
Miss Bloom is by far the finest player I've ever encountered.
NINA: Chess is one of our pastimes.
I didn't think he cared to share it with others.
Let's see you wiggle out of that, George.
BRACKENREID: Not one person said a bloody word.
One of them is involved.
You think one of those chess players
is also a knight in shining armor?
That's nothing but a young boy's imagination.
I'm not so sure about that, sir.
Regardless, I'd wager that someone at that tournament
knows something about this.
We need a man on the inside.
No.
- BRACKENREID: No? - No!
Sir, I wouldn't stand a chance. These are masters.
- I'm a hobbyist at best. - What about Miss Bloom?
It's not exactly that sort of mission, Watts.
Sir.
Miss Bloom is a very good player.
She is, but the tournament doesn't allow women.
Which is a shame.
I honestly think she would give any of them
a run for their money.
Perhaps she can play them.
Sir?
She's a -- She's a woman. She can't.
She may be able to.
With some slight modifications...
Yes.
Right, then. We'll leave you to it.
Would you care to walk with me?
What about the detective?
He's working late.
If you don't mind, there are a few things
I'd like to finish up first.
Of course not.
I have to say, you've been doing an excellent job
since you started here.
Thank you.
Night.
[ Door opens, closes]
[Sniffs]
Four stitches, William.
It always surprises me
how you find newer and newer ways to die.
Well, at least I haven't found one that's successful yet.
We have a child coming, William. You need to be more careful.
I was simply trying to walk home.
Imagine my surprise when the report of a bleeding vagrant
in an alleyway turned out to be you.
What happened?
I was attacked by a knight in armor.
- With wings? - With wings.
You're bloody lucky.
I don't think luck had much to do with it, sir.
If he intended to kill me,
he certainly could have accomplished that.
He was after that crest.
Which narrows down the field quite a bit.
The only people who knew I was in possession of that pin
were attendees at the tournament.
All the more reason to get Crabtree into that game.
That's my intention.
Careful. It's very delicate.
Right.
Now, Miss Bloom has agreed to this?
Yes, sir. She's quite excited about it, in fact.
Especially now, what with Mr. Gorkhov being slain,
and Master Troubetskoy taking the reins.
Troubetskoy?
Yes, sir. He was a master before his retirement.
The Russians brought him this time
simply to be an advisor to Mr. Gorkhov,
but since his untimely death,
Master Troubetskoy is returning to the fray.
It's an honor to play against him, really.
Miss Bloom has studied his game for years.
There's more to your Miss Bloom than meets the eye.
There is indeed, sir.
As if what meets the eye wasn't enough already.
Indeed.
Right. We need to test the range.
Go stand at the front of the station house,
and I'll send transmissions.
Sir.
Murdoch said this would work?
He's confident it will, sir.
I have to say I'm getting quite excited about this now.
Sir, I'll be going head to head
against some of the best chess players in the world.
Remember, Crabtree,
you're there to find out about the murder, nothing more.
Yes, of course.
William, I have something for you.
Oh. Does it pertain to the case?
Not in the slightest.
Just a reminder as to why you need to be more careful.
Listen.
[ Heart beating ]
This is going to happen!
I hear a heartbeat.
Is this gonna take all bloody day?
Sir, no. I can hear his voice.
It's really fast. Is that normal?
Quite.
You have to remember, it's only the size of a plum.
Our child.
Its little heart beating inside the womb of the woman I love.
- I couldn't be happier. - What?
Sir!
- What? - S I r!
DR. OGDEN". Soon I'm not going to be able to hide my condition.
'Sir! 'What?!
So until that point, I'd like to enjoy the secrecy.
So not a word.
- She's pregnant! - Who?!
- Dr. Ogden. - Really?
Sir, there's a-a heartbeat and everything.
Give me that.
I mean, you can't hear the heartbeat,
but you can hear them talking about the heartbeat.
And he never said anything to you about this?
Sir, no.
Well, congratulations are in order.
No, no, sir. Dr. Ogden said she wants to keep it quiet.
Why the bloody hell would she say that?
- I don't know. - Women.
You can never really tell what's going on
inside their heads, can you?
Oftentimes, sir, more than you think, in my experience.
In your experience?
- Sir! - Gentlemen.
BRACKENREID: [Chuckles]
Uh, faring well?
I am indeed, George.
- Remember, get plenty of rest. - Yes.
I shall.
- Cheerio. - Right.
- Be careful. - Mind your step.
Thank you for your assistance, Miss Bloom.
My pleasure.
Right, the draws for the preliminary match
have been announced.
And as host, Canada can enter whomever they like.
Who do we play first?
Marcel Monet. The French representative.
Oh. Good. I've played him before.
- Miss Bloom? - By correspondence.
- We can beat him. - Right.
Are the three of you ready?
As ready as we'll ever be.
Everything you need is in this case.
I've secured a small suite just off the hall.
You won't be disturbed.
[Telephone rings]
Detective Murdoch.
What made you think to take this photograph?
VIOLET: I thought it would be wise to take inventory
of all the cases I have been assigned to working on.
For my interest and for that of others in the future.
Well, it's a good thing you did.
I've also taken it upon myself to learn about the crest.
And?
It was the kingdom of Poland's coat of arms.
Oh.
- Excellent work, Miss Hart. - Thank you, sir.
It's my desire to impress you.
I find this work quite fascinating.
Can you hear me?
NINA: Not too loud.
Now, when Marcel makes a move,
you have to say what it was out loud, but not too loud,
so I can counter.
Yes, I understand.
[ French accent] Monsieur Crabtree, is it?
Yes. Mr. Monet. Pleasure to meet you.
I must say I recently spent some time in your wonderful country.
Good for you.
When you lose this match, perhaps you should go back.
NINA: George, don't let him rattle you.
You expect a quick victory, then, do you?
We shall see.
Ah, I should have guessed.
Pawn to queen four.
Your knight
to king's bishop three.
[ Polish accent] It is the crest of Poland.
Or rather the former Poland
before she was carved up by the Russians and Germans.
Why is an outdated national emblem
the subject of a police inquiry?
It was found on the person of a murder victim.
- A Pole? - No, a Russian.
Ah.
That is something.
How did he die?
An eyewitness claims he was run through with a lance.
I imagine that is not an everyday occurrence
in your line of work.
It is not.
The wielder of the lance was apparently a knight.
- With wings? - Yes. How did you know?
These were knights of the Polish nation.
The Husaria.
The assailant was one of those?
I doubt it.
The Husaria have not ridden in nearly two centuries.
So someone was impersonating a Husarian knight.
Can you fathom any reason
why someone would do such a thing, Professor?
Well, the Husaria rode to protect Poland and her honor --
something we have had precious little of
after we were taken over by Russia.
So, revenge.
I would say retribution.
Perhaps I misjudged you, Mr. Crabtree.
Really? How's that?
At first I thought you inept, but you appear almost adept.
Bishop to king three. Zut alors.
Do you need to speak every move I make?
Helps me think.
Marcel is a creature of habit.
Excuse me?
I've played exactly the same match with him before.
By correspondence.
Queen's bishop to queen's knight two.
If I'm right, this will all be over in four moves.
Ezekiel.
I believe you.
I believe you saw what you said you did.
I was attacked by the angel as well.
Then you must be good.
What do you mean?
Because he spared you.
Ezekiel, I wonder if you could help me.
[ Birds chirping ]
Do you remember anything else about that day, anything at all?
The angel took something from the dead man.
- What was it? - I don't know.
But what would a man have that an angel would need?
I heard you put Marcel Monet in his place.
It was a well-fought match.
Why is it I have not heard of you?
Uh, this is actually my first tournament.
I live in Toronto.
I would have thought you would be known here.
I'm a bit shy.
[ Chuckles ] Well, you must get over that.
Come! Have drink with us.
[ Laughs]
What's this?
Vodka.
Come, Mr. Crabtree.
Let us offer the Russian dogs our regrets.
CRABTREE: Uh...
I came to offer my condolences
to your fellow countryman Mr. Gorkhov.
What a tragedy.
It was a most unusual way to die.
You played well today, Mr. Crabtree.
I wish you luck tomorrow.
You are aware you have drawn Master Troubetskoy?
Yes. I will do what I can.
It will be simple enough task.
He's nothing but old befuddled man.
You watch your tongue.
In fact, it is good thing Mr. Gorkhov was killed.
It spared him the humiliation of defeat.
CRABTREE: All right, gentlemen, that's enough!
- Sit down! - There's no need for this!
Your next step will be your last.
[ Laughs ] The Szczerbiec.
Does it break your heart that she's no longer yours?
Are you so sure of that?
Right. Well, uh...
I'll be seeing you all in the morning, I suppose.
Are you all right, Father?
[ Indistinct conversations]
Aha! That's it!
Sir, that looks like the tattoo.
It is the Szczerbiec.
- If you say. - It's the name of the sword.
George, you said you're playing the Russian master next?
That's right. And I'm not sure I fancy our chances.
You need to keep him at the table as long as you can.
We have to keep eyes on both the Poles and the Russians.
Right. Sir, one other thing.
The Russians have a couple of chaps with them
who don't look like they have much to do with chess.
Mm. Thank you.
What the hell are you on about, Murdoch?
- The Szczerbiec. - I know that. But what about it?
It may not be in St. Petersburg.
And why would anyone give a toss about that?
The Szczerbiec is a coronation sword of the kingdom of Poland.
It was taken by the Russians as a spoil of war.
Still, not a toss to be given.
Sir, there are a number of rumors
that would suggest the Poles
furnished the Russians with an imitation.
And the real sword?
Taken to the New World,
to be brought back at the right time.
So I'm to believe that the sacred sword of Poland
is now residing somewhere in the heart of Markham, Ontario?
That could very well be the case.
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.
The Russians have the sword.
They took it when they stole our nation.
And the rumors?
Optimistic nonsense.
A vain belief from a destroyed people
that their dignity has not been completely stripped away.
MURDOCH: You seem quite convinced.
I am convinced.
I am a Pole.
I would like nothing more than to believe
my people still held the Szczerbiec.
But we do not.
So, what do you think?
I think the professor doth protest too much.
Consider this, sir.
A young boy sees a man dressed as a Polish Hussar knight
kill another man and take something from him.
That man is a Russian
whose compatriots have fought with Polish men,
one of whom wears the Szczerbiec tattoo.
So you think this Russian found the “Sherbits,"
stole it, and then was killed for his efforts?
- Szczerbiec. - Sh...
You do, don't you?
Well, I suppose if I was in your shoes, and at your age,
I'd indulge in one last flight of fancy myself.
Let's see how George is getting on.
Mr. Crabtree, our patience is waning.
Yes, I'm -- I'm -- I'm thinking.
I mean, your last move was a real doozy.
I mean, rook to king four, it's...
I keep going over and over it.
Rook to king four.
I heard you the first three times, George.
- Miss Bloom... - I'm thinking.
King's bishop to king's knight two.
No!
No.
King's bishop to queen's bishop four.
Had you excited there for a moment, didn't I?
[ Footsteps]
Dr. Ogden.
Oh, thank you, Miss Hart.
You seem in fine spirits.
I am!
Was there something else?
May I ask you a question of a personal nature?
Of course. Although I may not answer.
You are pregnant, are you not?
Well, that is straight to the point.
Why would you say that?
Your demeanor. Your complexion.
I also noticed a slight change in your figure.
But I suppose most of all, I sensed your glow.
My glow?
I saw the same in my sister when she was with child.
Well, Miss Hart, your observations are correct.
But if possible, I would like you to keep them to yourself.
You have my word.
Well...
Well, that's unexpected.
Pawn to queen five.
- MURDOCH: George? - BRACKENREID: Crabtree?
What are those two doing here?
How are you going on, bugger lugs?
Oh, I'm -- I'm trying to think.
That must be quite difficult considering the distraction.
The simpleminded always have a hard time concentrating.
[Laughing] Did you hear that, Crabtree?
Did you think I was talking about him?
Oh.
Come on.
- MURDOCH: That's curious. - BRACKENREID: What's that?
Those two Polish men are leaving.
Why would they leave their compatriot
in the middle of a match?
Obviously they can't handle all the excitement.
- Keep an eye on them. - Oh, yes.
George, the Russian men
you mentioned with this delegation?
There were.
Where are they?
I'm sorry, my mind was on the match.
Bloody hell, Crabtree. You had one job.
Well, two, actually.
[ Indistinct talking ]
You're only prolonging the inevitable, Mr. Crabtree.
If you don't mind, miss,
church isn't over if the organ's still playing.
- Have you not heard that one? - No.
Gentlemen.
- Where are they? - They didn't come back here?
- Do they look like they're back? - I suppose not.
Did you find anything of use?
I know they booked passage back home.
To Poland?
Well, to what once was, which is curious,
considering there's a revolution going on.
- When are they set to leave? - Tomorrow.
BRACKENREID: Anything else?
This is the thing about travel agents.
They not only know where you are going
but also where you are coming from.
Excellent. Thank you, Watts.
BRACKENREID: Doesn't make any sense.
The revolution has got nothing to do with Poland.
-It's the bloody Bolsheviks. -Indeed, sir.
But if you are a Polish nationalist,
you could use the chaos to your advantage.
Bring the sword home. Rally the people.
Break apart from Russia.
Well, I guess we know
what George's Russian friends were up to.
I'd also wager that if the sword was here,
then it's long gone.
I tend to agree.
Sir.
Professor Stanislav.
It seems that the professor was less than honest with us.
[ Clears throat]
[ Door opens]
[ Door closes]
MAN: Good game.
SERGEI: I think Mr. Crabtree is attempting
to break the Yugoslavian's record for delay.
Why not? It's the only record he has chance to achieve.
All right, I-l -- I'm almost ready.
[ Clearing throat]
Yes, I realize I must make a move.
NINA: George...
Take your queen's rook and move it to...
[ Zapping buzzing ] -George?
And what? What? What? What?
[ Chuckles] Excuse me. A nervous tic.
What? What?
Looks like the professor scarpered.
I don't think so.
Sir, look at this.
It would seem the sword has more than a symbolic use.
Professor by day, Hussarian by night.
KARINA: Are you, uh,
waiting for my father's expiration to claim victory?
No, it's just
his last move has left me with a bit of a puzzle.
Oh, my word!
Are you the Mr. George Crabtree I've heard so much about?
Uh, y-yes. Yes, I am.
Would you mind terribly
if I gave you a great big...
We are in the middle of a game.
- Mr. Crabtree. - Queen's rook to queen's one.
Yes, of course.
Forgive me.
I seem to have garnered some admirers.
All right.
The Poles had hidden the sword here, in Canada.
And that first Russian tried to steal it
and was killed for his efforts.
Just as Stanislav was killed trying to protect it.
Well, at least we know where all the players are.
Mm.
[ Clears throat softly]
[ Speaking Russian ]
PIOTER: Let us through. Move.
[ People murmuring ]
Where are they?
What are you talking about?
Your countrymen. Where are they?
George. The Russians...
- Watts, the Poles. - PIOTER: Where are they?!
George. Watts.
The most curious thing just occurred.
Spit it out, Watts.
A pair of knights just took off
in pursuit of a gang of Russians.
Which way?
Down toward the waterfront. Just minutes ago.
[Horse whinnies]
What do you know about all this?
We're just here to play chess.
You mean here to cheat at chess.
You were doing the same.
Throw them both in jail, Crabtree.
KARINA: Why? We did nothing wrong!
Tell the owner I've commandeered this animal.
You there! I need that bike. Toronto Police.
SERGEI: Hurry! Hurry!
Whoa.
That is not yours.
You will die by the blade you covet.
- It is almost poetic. - MURDOCH: Stop right there.
Both of you step back and drop your weapons now.
This is not your fight.
This is still Toronto, and our laws still apply.
You are under arrest for the murder of Victor Stanislav.
Stanislav was a murderer!
He boasted to me about killing Master Gorkhov!
Give the sword to me.
It belongs to my country. It will be returned.
It belongs to us. It was surrendered to us!
And now we have it back.
Well, this is a new one.
Bloody hell, Murdoch. What's going on'?
I'm trying to get these men to listen to reason.
BRACKENREID: And I take it they won't?
The sword belongs to kingdom of Poland.
The sword is ours.
And you want to fight your war on Canadian soil?
I want to bring the sword back to Poland.
I want my people to rally behind it and reclaim our country.
All right, then. You want a bloody war? Have one.
They stole the sword from us, killed my countrymen!
Arrest them.
BRACKENREID: And your countryman killed one of theirs.
As I see it, that's even.
Now, you want that precious sword, fight for it.
Kill for it.
We are in the right. Arrest them.
One of them killed my countryman.
Well, then, this is definitely your battle.
Settle it.
Your country is defeated anyway.
And one day the Bolsheviks will take yours.
[ Door opens]
You're free to go.
The Russians?
They are as well,
save for the man who killed Victor Stanislav.
And the Szczerbiec?
A sword will be sent to St. Petersburg,
one bearing a remarkable resemblance to the Szczerbiec.
But this one is yours.
How do you know I will not return to Poland with it?
No one will believe you possess the true one.
But if they do?
Then you will be responsible for the deaths
of thousands of your countrymen.
I don't believe you to be that man.
Are you sure you did the right thing, William?
His ticket hasn't been used.
He's staying in Toronto for the time being.
He may change his mind.
People always seem willing to die for useless symbols.
He wasn't willing to kill for it.
I very much doubt he would want others to die for it.
Julia, don't look now, but everyone is staring at us.
- Do you think they know? - I haven't told anyone.
Nor have I.
Although Miss Hart did guess that I was with child.
And the inspector did counsel me to get plenty of rest.
He told me to take one last flight of fancy.
- So they know? - Did Miss Hart tell them?
I very much doubt it.
The microphone.
We were listening to the baby's heartbeat.
George must have overheard our conversation.
I see.
Well, I don't much fancy being stared at
for the next five months.
Julia...
Inspector, I couldn't help but notice
that you and all of the men were staring at us both.
Is there something you'd like to ask us?
Uh, no.
- Constable Crabtree? - What? [ Chuckles]
- Higgins? - No, ma'am.
What about you, Detective Watts?
You seem like a curious fellow.
Well, there is one thing.
- What is that? - When's the baby coming?
- CRABTREE: Oh! - Bloody hell, Watts!
They wanted to keep it a secret.
How could they do that when everyone clearly knows
what's going on here?
How, indeed.
Yes, we are very happy to announce
that we are having a baby.
Well, now that the cat's out of the bag,
congratulations to the pair of you.
Yes, excellent news, sir. Wonderful.
DR. OGDEN: George.
Busy night ahead, Miss Hart?
Yes. I've been speaking with my anatomy professor.
He's given me permission to accelerate my studies.
Could be finished within the month.
Why would you want to do that?
You're so young. Enjoy your life.
I already do, thank you.
But I have to do this if I am to warrant full consideration.
Full consideration for what?
Well, your -- your job.
I assume you'll be taking leave after you have your child.
Oh, I hadn't thought...
Excuse me for being presumptuous.
Well, I suppose I will need to take some time.
And who knows?
Maybe I'll fall so in love with the little one
I'll never want to come back.
Well, whatever it is that you decide,
I just want to let you know
that I'm more than able to take your place.
Well. You did say you weren't going to work for me forever.
Yes. I did say that, didn't I?
Good night.
Good night, Miss Hart.
[ Door opens]
Let us out!
Hey! Let us out!
Miss Troubetskoy,
you and your father will be released
first thing in the morning.
Until then, after all that's happened...
...it would be my honor
if we could see the two real masters at play.
Miss Bloom, would you join us?
It would be my honor.
And I will enjoy defeating you.
Already engaging in gamesmanship?
Just letting you know the truth.
Oh, so you can predict the future'?
It seems readily apparent.
- What color would you like? - You choose.
What do you say, sir? Fancy a nip while we watch?
Poyekhali!
Hmm. Queen's Gambit.
Did you really think I would accept it?
Queen's Gambit.
You know, Troubetskoy,
whoever decided the queen would be the most powerful piece
was ahead of their time.