London Underworld

Lore & Background

The underworld in this specific narrative is anchored by the Temple of the Four Orders, a secret magical fraternity led initially by Sir Thomas Rotheram. This group includes high-ranking figures such as U.S. Ambassador Standish and Home Secretary Lord Coward, who are manipulated by Blackwood, Rotheram's illegitimate son. The lore revolves around experiments conducted by Luke Reordan that attempt to merge science with magic, specifically a device designed to release cyanide gas into the Palace of Westminster. This plot is facilitated by a network of henchmen, including the 7-foot French-speaking Dredger, who guard the device in the sewers. The narrative also introduces Professor Moriarty as the true mastermind, using Blackwood's public theatrics as a diversion to steal a key component based on the infant science of radio from Reordan's machine.

In Their Own Story

The conflict ignites when Lord Henry Blackwood, having killed five women previously and claimed supernatural powers, is arrested for the ritualistic murder of a woman in 1890 London. Two months later, after being hanged and pronounced dead by Dr. John Watson, Blackwood warns Holmes that three more deaths will occur. His tomb is found broken into with Reordan's corpse inside, leading Holmes to discover Reordan's lab. Holmes is subsequently abducted to the Temple of the Four Orders, where he learns of Blackwood's plan to conquer the United States and rule Britain. That night, Rotheram drowns in his bath under Blackwood's watch. When Standish attempts to shoot Blackwood during a meeting, he bursts into flames and flees out a window to his death. The climax occurs when Holmes, Watson, and Irene Adler infiltrate the sewers beneath Parliament to stop the cyanide device. Blackwood is eventually defeated at the incomplete Tower Bridge, where he falls through scaffolding and is ensnared in chains by a collapsing crane.

Reader's Guide

To navigate this underworld, one must understand that supernatural claims are often scientific tricks aided by theatrical effects. Key figures include Lord Henry Blackwood, who uses technology to feign magic; Irene Adler, an American femme fatale from New Jersey and skilled professional thief working for Moriarty; and Professor Moriarty himself, whose voice is provided by Andrew Jack in the film (later re-dubbed by Jared Harris). The guide involves recognizing that Blackwood's final act was a plan to murder members of Parliament using cyanide gas, which Adler deactivates with a controlled explosion. For investigators like Holmes, success requires distinguishing between the visible villainy of Blackwood and the hidden manipulation of Moriarty, who uses confrontations as diversions to secure advanced technology.

Did You Know?

• Blackwood was hanged and pronounced dead by Dr. John Watson before returning to threaten Holmes.
• The villain's plan involved a device developed by Luke Reordan designed to release cyanide gas into the Parliament chambers.
• Robert Maillet portrays Dredger, a 7-foot (2.14 meter), French-speaking henchman working for Blackwood.
• Professor Moriarty used the confrontations with Adler and Blackwood as a diversion to steal a key component based on radio science from Reordan's machine.
• Andrew Jack provided the voice of Professor Moriarty, though Jared Harris re-dubbed his lines for later home media releases.