Original subtitles

Jack Liskard - blunt, rough-diamond Prime Minister -

sets off for London to negotiate his country's final independence.

In a matter of days, another British colony will gain its freedom.

And the flight will be ghastly. We'll take off late.

Cabin service to us peasants non-existent!

Ah, well, it's... all in a good cause.'

Prime Minister! Get down!

Are you all right? Yes.

That was quick thinking. A terrible waste of champagne, Prime Minister

Well, I'm very grateful to you, Mr...Templar. Simon Templar.

You got involved in a pub fight on our first night here?

The man was drunk, sir, shouting abuse!

We are here to negotiate with the British government - not to fight drunks!

I have said a hundred times that our image must be one of absolute integrity...and dignity!

I'm sorry, sir. It will never happen again.You are so right, Mr Lockhart. It won't...

because you are on the next plane home!

Thank you. That's all.

Mail.

Personal items, on this side.

You could take in a cocktail party before dinner, if you dropped in early. Oh, do I have to?

No, but it might be politic.

Ah, well... Oh, by the way, Stewart,

will you get on to that Chief Inspector

and ask him to make my bodyguard just a little less obvious?

It's normal procedure after what happened back home.Yes, well,

I don't want him breathing down my neck.

Anyway, I've got a gun. I'll see the Chief Inspector.

Darling!

What shall I wear for the state dinner?

Oh, Anne, can't you work these things out for yourself?

Only I'm terribly busy here.

Oh, I'm sorry... Mr Prime Minister

Don't you think it's just a little too early for that?

It's never too early, darling.

You should know that by now.Cheers!

You were over-hasty with Lockhart. He's a good man.

WAS a good man. But bawling him out in public!

He brawled in public, didn't he? Defending you!

You should watch it, Liskard.

You're beginning to believe your own legend.

Huh! And what is that supposed to mean?

The great leader, surrounded by a crowd of second-class brains

All right, Brand, what's eating you?

Well, look at the way you treat me!

I'm supposed to be your deputy, but for over a week I've been trying to speak to you.

Yes, right. Well, later. Later.

All right. Later.

You won't reconsider on Lockhart? No.

Heaven help you, if you ever make a mistake, Jack.

Something wrong?

Is it true?That I had an affair with Mary Bannerman? Yes.

Four years ago, when I was with the High Commission here.

What kind of letters did you write? Oh, just about as compromising as you could get,

saying I was in love with her, I wanted to leave my wife, I didn't care about my position...

You name it, I said it.

But you er...didn't leave your wife. No.

Why? Because suddenly I was in line for big things politically...

and I had to make a choice. How did Mary take it?

Badly. Mind you, she was very young.

Oh? How young?19. Huh!All right, I know.

Baby-snatching in a way, I suppose, but anyway, I was in love with her

or...thought I was.

Is she a nice girl? Nice? What is "nice"?

Am I "nice"?

The point is, someone claims to have these letters and threatens to send copies to your wife

and the papers. You sure? Yes, quite sure, thank you.

Could it be Mary? Well, she has the letters.

Quite frankly, I don't know what I can do.

Listen, I can't go to the police at this particular moment,

and you did save me once before.

This is a bomb that's already gone off. You're just waiting for the blast effect.

No - not necessarily.

If Mary Bannerman merely wanted to ruin my reputation,

she would've sent the letters straight away.

But no, I have two days' grace. Do you think it's blackmail?

Well, it must be - otherwise, why the delay?

Anyway, I'm willing to pay. Not with my help.

Now, look, Mr Templar. It won't worry me if you believe this or not,

but I really don't care about myself.

On the other hand, I care desperately about the work I am trying to do.

If I go under now, I think the result back home will be utter chaos.

Where does Mary Bannerman live?

Come in and keep quiet.

All right, that's fine. Keep that...

Lovely. One more, sweetheart.

That's it. Great.

And who are you? Er, a friend of a friend.

But if I'm interrupting the shooting...Oh, the shooting's over. Who sent you?

It's...confidential.Look, if you're selling something...

I'm afraid I left the vacuum cleaners downstairs

Even so, I don't entertain strange men alone.

Wise, but in my case, I hope you'll make an exception.

You hope in vain, unless you tell me who you are.My name is Simon Templar.

THE Simon Templar. Of course. Fortunately, there's only one of us.

Well, well! Mr Templar - Jim Bell, George Ransome and Jeff Peterson.

Mr Peterson, I liked your pictures you did in Hong Kong.

Yeah. I'll call you. Do.

Bye, darlings. Bye.

Peterson's a tough-looking character, as photographers go.

Colonial type. What's the hold-up in aid of?

"Munch - the candy bar they'll do anything to get!"

Want a bite? No, thanks. I'm trying to kick the habit.

Do you usually work at home?No, but circular beds are difficult to find.

True. You must make a lot of money on that one What?

I mean, the photographers pay for the use of it, don't they?

Jeff is a friend.Oh. Now, who sent you here?

Another friend. Jack Liskard.

He sent you here?

Why? Can't you guess?

No, but I can tell you that any friend of Jack Liskard

is no friend of mine! I...gather you don't like him.

Hate him. Then why do you keep his letters?

What do you know about his letters? That somebody claims to have them

and threatens to send them to his wife...and the papers.

That's a lie!Can you prove it? I can do even better.

I can give them back to him!

He's scared I might use them. Is that it?

They're gone. That did seem likely.

This isn't?No. No-one knew about them. No-one!

I don't know where they are.

I realised Jack didn't love me, that he was just using me.

He's terribly selfish and ambitious.

But I wouldn't do a thing like that to anybody.

Who would? I don't know.

Wait a minute! I had a robbery here three weeks ago.

They took some jewellery and some cash and some furs.

It never occurred to me they might have taken the letters.

Maybe that's what they were really after. The rest was just a blind.

Did they catch the thieves? No.

Who else knew about the letters? No-one, I told you.

Well, somebody did. Maybe it'll...come to you.

What are you doing for dinner tonight? Nothing. Why?

Good. I'll call for you at eight. Maybe you'll have some fresh ideas.

Er, Mr Templar!

In case YOU have any ideas...

I know I'm labelled as a sinner, but it doesn't follow that I go easily for saints!

Take your pick: Mary's either a darn good actress...

or she's in the clear.I think she must have told somebody.

Inadvertently, maybe. Does the name Jeff Peterson, a photographer, mean anything to you?

Yeah, sure. His family come from my home town.You know him?

Let's say I know his father better.

I kicked him out of the cabinet six months ago.

Why? I'm allergic to alcoholics.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise you had company.

Hello? WOMAN: "Templar?" Yes?

"I understand Mr Liskard is anxious to recover certain letters."

Who is this speaking? "Go to Balfour Street. Park your car in the far end.

There is a small church. Round the side, there is an entrance to a vault.

You will be met there." Yes, I'll come if -

Good evening. Let's talk business, shall we?

�25,000 for the return of certain letters.

It's a...lot of money.That's the price.Take it or leave it.

Well, since you're obviously in no mood for bargaining,

I'd like to see the letters. Do you have them?

I have them.

Ah, this stuff stinks! How long will it keep him under?

Long enough. So much for the Saint!

How to lose your halo in one easy lesson

Lesson Two: when to hold your breath.STOP!

I can't stop here! Who are you working for?

Get off at a side street!Who are you working for? Is it Peterson?

Is it Peterson?Aye. Has he got Liskard's letters?Yes.

Oh, no! There's a copper.

Oh, good evening, Officer. With petrol the price it is these days,

it's definitely cheaper to walk.

Hi. What are YOU doing here?

Keeping our dinner date. I...couldn't make it.

You mean, you didn't think I'd turn up - I wonder why

How did you get in here? I have to confess I'm a burglar,

but of a different variety: I return stolen property.

What are you going to do?

I will listen.

I ran into debt. I needed money desperately,

so I invented the burglary to collect the insurance money.

I couldn't keep the things here, so I checked them in at Victoria Station.

And Liskard's letters? Oh, I don't know.

When I found them gone, I kind of lost my head

and gave you the same story as I gave the insurance company.

Do you think Jeff Peterson could've taken them?

Jeff? Why on earth should he?

Well, he...seems to be around a great deal.

Well, Jeff and I are in love.

How nice

I take it he knows about Liskard? No.

That was all over a long time before we met.

Hmm. Well, just how did you run into debt?

I...live like an idiot.

Don't cry. It's not the end of the world.

What are you going to do?I'm going to come back here in the morning,

at ten, and I'm going to be quiet.

In exchange for Liskard's letters and your written assurance you won't bother him again.

How many more times? I haven't got the letters!

Well, you have exactly ten hours to find them.

How?Sweetheart, that's your problem.

But if they're not here when I get back in the morning,

you'll be in jail before lunch - that's a promise.

Get out.

I said, get out!

Until ten, then.

Hello? Mary. Look, I'm in trouble and so are you.

Templar definitely knows.

Where are we going? He thinks you'll be better out of the way for a while.

Welcome to the party, Templar. Hope my boys didn't drive too fast for you

Most considerate Good. Now walk ahead...

and don't try anything silly.

Jeff! He followed, as expected. Congratulations.

Jeff, why? What's the idea? Be quiet.

Time him up. Pleasure. On the bunk!

Happy? Why did you follow?

I was worried about you.

Oh, don't tie him up, please!

He stays here till we've finished our business.

Oh, then you'll release me? Naturally.

What will I do then - recommend you for a knighthood

Do what you like.All right, sonny, I will. Don't you fret.

Liskard's rotten! He ruined Jeff's father. He'll ruin his own country.

Ah! The sturdy patriots out to wreck the evil dictator Is that it?

That's it.I don't know what they have in store for Liskard,

but they're going to kill me. They've tried already tonight. That's ridiculous!

Is it? You work it out for yourself.

If I go free, loverboy here gets ten years in jail.

Jeff, don't! Very clever.

Discrediting Liskard is one thing, and I'm all for -You heard.

You're a liability too. Don't forget it!

You make gags, as well Not particularly. It's a bit late now, isn't it?

I have to go to London. I'll be back before dawn. You stay with Templar. Don't leave him.Right.

You stay with Mary. I don't want them talking.Right.

And take the boat midstream. Anchor her there.

I hope you're getting well paid for this.We don't need money.

We're patriots. Oh, how nice

Sing me your national anthem - send me straight off to sleep

For you, Mrs Liskard. Post Office messenger.

Darling, I'd like a word with you.

Oh, Anne, later. Do you mind? I really am very, very tired.

I know, and I hate to bother you.

It's about these letters... to Mary Bannerman.

I gather they arrived a day early.

Possibly your friend Simon Templar was getting in their hair.

Yes, possibly. They're a revelation, I must say!

Why have you hidden this passionate streak from me all these years?

Anne, I could...I could talk to you for hours and hours,

and I still wouldn't be able to explain.Well, try!

This house is sitting all night, Mr Prime Minister

Oh, Anne, listen, listen! I stayed with you, didn't I?

Because you felt sorry for an alcoholic?

Or because you were protecting your career?

All right. A bit of both, I suppose.

Well, get this, Mr Prime Minister:

your career is finished! You are dead!

Mad, if you ask me.Floats right by me and shouts,

"Pull me in, chum, will you?" Cheerful as you like!

Who'd done a thing like that? I did it myself. Do you think you could...get this off?

Oh, yeah, yeah. You feeling all right? Oh, fine, fine!

Sipped a little water, that's all. What happened? Tried to do yourself in? No, it's a little experiment.

I'm planning on swimming the Channel like this next year.

What's your name, son?Houdini. You may have heard of my great-uncle.

Here. Sorry about the...water. Thanks for your help.

Rogers!

He's gone! Back to shore! Fast! His car.

Get the anchor up!

What happened? I heard a shot. Liskard?

Liskard!

What happened? He shot himself.

Suicide. I cannot stand the disgrace. There's no other way out.

What are you doing?

Calling the police. You'd better call an ambulance.

He's still alive.

I see no point in allowing the police to see either the note, or the Photostats.

Are you suggesting we conceal evidence?

Why not? What's to be gained by a scandal? For Mrs Liskard's sake alone.

Thank you Bob, but it's no good. The newspapers have the information anyway.

So...You see? It's bound to come out.

Only if he dies, Mr Brand. Don't keep burying him.

Inspector Teal, madam.

Erm, Mrs Liskard, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Most regrettable.

Thank you. Erm, this is Mr Brand, the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Stewart, my husband's aide. And Mr Simon Templar.

I am here by invitation. Mr Templar was making some...

private investigations for my husband.There's no need to beat about the bush, Inspector.

Mr Liskard was, in effect, being blackmailed.

The strain was too much for him.

What time did you hear the shot? Very close to three o'clock.

Is this your husband's handwriting?

It's rather scrawled,

but he wrote like that when he was in a hurry...

or angry...

or upset.

Where's the gun? Here, Claude.

You'll find his prints on it. It was in his hand when we found it.

Thank you, Templar. At your service, Claude.

It would seem that Mr Liskard either shot himself accidentally

or - forgive me, Mrs Liskard - attempted to kill himself.

That is so.It is not. Someone tried to murder him

and make it look like suicide.

Ridiculous! We were here, in the next room.This whole blackmail was a front leading up to murder.

Perhaps you'd explain how it could've been done.

All right.

Suppose...I am the would-be murderer.

I come through the windows. Liskard is sitting here.

He doesn't raise any alarm because he knows me.

So I start talking and I...stroll casually towards the door.

I talk about politics, economics - anything...

..as I lock the door behind me.

Then I move back to the desk.

Liskard is becoming tired and irritable.

He gets up and he...starts to pace around the room.

I move...over here, still talking.

And I take his gun. I know where he keeps it.

All right, Mr Prime Minister? Sit down and be quiet!

Then I shoot him. I whip out the already-written suicide note

and I place it in front of him. I wipe the gun, put it in his hand

and I go back through the windows the way I came in

before anybody can crash through the doors.

Absolutely ridiculous! Absolutely!

You're jumping to conclusions, Claude.

You'll be telling us next you know who did it

I do.

A man named Peterson.

Peterson isn't even in England. Ah, but his son is.

Pick up a photographer named Jeff Peterson. Ask him where he was at three o'clock this morning.

See what he says.

Thanks for the use of the clothes, Mrs Liskard. I shall return them tomorrow.

Good night.

Well, well, well!

Did you bring your friends with you? No, I did some thinking, as you advised.

So you packed, kissed your friends goodbye and walked out, huh

No, while the big man was away looking for you,

I hit the other one over the head with a hunk of wood.

I got a lift to London.

And...what do you expect me to do with you?I don't know.

I was scared to death. I couldn't go home.

Did you really believe that all Peterson wanted to do was discredit Liskard?

I swear that's the only reason I gave him Liskard's letters.

Well, he tried to kill him.

It's true. The police are picking him up now.

On my word of honour, I had no idea!

We both wanted Liskard out of office.

I hated him because he...threw me over,

and Jeff hated him for what he did to his father,

and we honestly believed he was wrong for the country!

But killing him...

I never!

He shot him and tried to make it look like suicide because of your letters.

By some miracle, the bullet didn't kill him.

It's touch and go, though.

Well, you'd better call the police.

I can't talk myself out of this.

Back in there. Keep quiet.

Wow, Claude! This is more than I deserve. Twice in one night!

It's a clear case of attempted suicide.

You're quite happy about that? Not happy, but convinced.

You're wrong. Care to bet?

Claude, you have the air of Sherlock Holmes about to confound Watson.

Liskard was shot at three o'clock this morning.Right.

I checked Peterson. Right again.

At exactly 1:30am, a black saloon car collided with a truck near Twickenham.

The driver was killed instantly.

Jeff Peterson? Well done, Watson

So Jeff Peterson wasn't shooting anybody at three o'clock.

He was shooting off to heaven So keep out of it - there's a good chap.

There's nothing left to do now except get a statement from Liskard,

when or if he recovers consciousness. What are his chances?

Anybody's guess.

Good morning.

He's holding his own, Mrs Liskard. That's something, anyway.

I'll look in again later. Thank you.

Good morning, Mrs Liskard.

How is he? The same.

Well, there's...not much point in hanging around, is there?

I was just leaving.

Mrs Liskard... Hm?

Do you think your husband's the type to attempt suicide?

Normally, no...but who knows what happens?

I wasn't much help, I'm afraid.

So did you tell him you would divorce him?

I let him think so.

Will you? That's my business, Mr Templar.

Mine and Jack's.

Inside! Move!

What did you have to kill him for?

Come off it, Claude! What are you going to do, charge me with murder? Dead men can't talk.

So I apologise. Next time, I'll let them shoot me and have Matron arrest them

All right, all right. I'm not denying you probably saved Liskard's life.

Yes. If we're going to keep him alive, this is what I suggest we do.

What I have to say is strictly confidential

and must not be repeated to anyone outside this room. That's understood.

As a safety precaution, no-one is to be allowed to see Mr Liskard - and I mean no-one.

Except me, as a protective measure. Erm, yes.

And as an additional precaution, he's being moved to another hospital in the country

at ten o'clock tonight. Is he well enough to be moved?

He's much stronger. They think he might be able to talk tomorrow.

Where are they taking him? I can't tell you that.

Surely we have a right to know? Not even his most trusted friends.

Well, Claude, dear boy, you seem to have everything under perfect control

so I can leave you unsupervised for the time being.

Goodbye, Mrs Liskard. I have a strong hunch your husband will soon be well.

I'll er...see you out.

Mr Templar, I shan't be allowed to see my husband till he's talked, yes?

That is the general idea.Perhaps you were wondering what I was doing

when you came into the hospital room this morning.

I was going to write a note, leave it with him,

saying all is forgiven - or words to that effect.

Perhaps you'd see that he gets it.

Of course, Mrs Liskard.

Don't move! You won't get hurt.

Right, Stewart. It's the end of the road.

How did you know? I didn't. When Peterson died, it could've been any one of you,

so I had to smoke you out.

Thanks, partner. I think you've earnt full remission.

I just...I just couldn't believe it of Stewart.

That's why I didn't offer any resistance.

Quiet, unassuming Stewart!

Well, the oddest people have political ambitions.Hm!

And...and how about you?

I...I'm looking for a Minister of Defence.

No, thanks, Prime Minister.

I'm a pacifist.

Doing anything in particular, Nurse? No, sir.

Good, because I am in urgent need of some rather specialised treatment.