It's understandable that adapting one of 'Dr. Watson’s' shorter pieces from the ‘Strand’ magazine into a twenty-minute film presented challenges. The story begins with a visitor arriving at their Baker Street residence. His entrance suggested he might have just stepped off stage from 'Phantom of the Opera,' but after a brief period of observation, 'Holmes' (played by Eille Norwood) identifies him as King Wilhelm and informs his companion, Hubert Willis. The king explains that he’s about to be married, yet is concerned because an actress named 'Irene' (Joan Beverley) has a photograph that could damage his reputation. Despite his efforts, he hasn't been able to recover it, leading him to seek help from the detective pair. Agreeing to assist, they set out to locate the image, considering her simply an actress – or so they believe. The narrative feels more like the first installment of a larger story, something fans familiar with Sir Arthur’s work will recognize as Holmes confronting a clever and resourceful adversary, a situation that isn't unique in his adventures. Certain aspects of the photography, particularly those featuring Norwood, seem to have influenced portrayals of the character. I also found it fairly straightforward to read some of the dialogue, which aided comprehension as the investigation unfolds quickly. Regarding the visuals, there’s a dependence on handwritten notes for clarity that were occasionally difficult to decipher; perhaps more frequent inter-titles could have summarized those points. Nevertheless, despite its darkness and grimy aesthetic, this is an entertaining adventure featuring the detectives, with just a touch of classic Edwardian scandal.

Source on TMDB