Original subtitles

How do we get in?

things only because I'm here.

Ah, but it's like old times to me.

I've had fine times on winter nights when the wolves were after the stock.

But I hoped you'd come, because other wolves are running, and they're running

after me, and they're running me very close.

What do they want?

Not me.

They want my box of delights that I showed you at the inn.

I've not had it long.

It is Master Arnold's box, not mine.

And though I've sought him and called him, I've not found him.

Gone a long way back as Master Arnold.

But doesn't... Excuse me, but doesn't the box protect you from the wolves?

Ah, they run me close with that new magic which I can't guard myself

Not anymore.

Because I'm old now and only know the old magic.

No, Master Kay.

I look to you.

Will you keep it and see that they never get it?

Of course.

I'll keep anything you want kept.

But if you're in danger, shouldn't you go to the police?

Ah, the police don't heed the kind of wolf that's after me.

Now, let me show you, Master K.

There are three things you must know about this box.

Mr. Hallings, but don't you think... Perhaps your magic is fading.

You open it like this.

If you push this to the right, you can go small.

If you press it to the left, you can go swift.

Yes, yes.

So will you keep it for me until I'm able to claim it? If I ever may be able.

Or until old Master Arnold comes back out of the old time for it.

Yes, I promise I will.

But how is Master Arnold?

Above all, keep it from them.

Nothing.

Go back to sleep. I must have been dreaming.

Towards

dawn.

Getting me up before it's light on the first day of the holidays.

I think it's the purple pin.

Shh.

Aren't we having a secret breakfast?

Here.

And won't we have a proper breakfast later on as well?

I suppose so.

Well, stop grumbling then.

Oh, very well. But what are we going out for?

Oh.

Explore. Hunt.

Is he all sorts of things at this time of day?

You never see normally.

Why, there's King Arthur's camp.

But it's just a mound of earth.

Told you, there's nothing there.

Come on, let's go explore it.

Give him, Chet.

We have him.

They've got him. What can we do?

Come on, you're ready.

Well, we scrabbled the old man.

I'm sure it was old Mr. Hollings.

Our point and duty man.

Certainly looked jolly like him.

But who are they?

And what would they want him for?

I wonder.

Hey, I'm glad I came.

What shall we do?

I'm afraid we're going to have to report it to the police.

An aeroplane.

You

haven't been

around lately to see my rabbits, Master Harker.

I've been away at school, Inspector.

Ah.

An aeroplane.

It bottlers down.

Near King Arthur's camp.

Have you seen the latest issue of The Magician, Master Harker?

There's a very good conjuring trick.

Hard -boiled eggs.

The Inspector and I are both interested in magic.

No, I haven't. You take thick, hard -boiled eggs.

And when I say take, it wouldn't be for you to take them without your guardian's

permission. Far be it from me, as a man of the law, to encourage...

An aeroplane. You see, I should hate anything to happen to old Mr. Hallings.

Master Harker, that aeroplane... That aeroplane...

That was those young officers from the aerodrome, having a

bit of a frolic. It didn't look like a frolic, and they weren't in uniform, and

I'm sure it wasn't a government plane.

Besides, such a lonely place, and at such a time in the morning.

And what were you doing at that place and at such a time in the morning, eh?

I hope you young gentlemen weren't trespassing. No.

No, of course we weren't. We were exploring.

Ah.

Now then, did this old man struggle at all or cry out?

No, he didn't have a chance to.

And did he see you or did the other gentlemen see you?

No, they couldn't. Not from where we were.

And did you shout or otherwise try to raise an alarm?

I'm afraid we didn't. We were flummoxed, flabbergasted. It all happened in an

instant.

Well, it sounds like the air at home to me.

Those young fellows, Master Harker, serve in their country and away from the

civilising influence of their mothers, full of spirits.

The spirit of what I was myself at their age.

It was a bit of a Christmas ragging. And you see, Master Harker, the law isn't

like ordinary things.

Sometimes the law has to put its foot down and sometimes the law has to shut

eyes.

And the law makes much of what is called motive.

What's prank when meant as prank may become felony when meant as felony.

And what you saw was no more than a prank.

But all the same, I'm obliged to you, Master Harker. We in the law are always

grateful for evidence from one who knows what's what.

So I'll keep my eyes and ears open and I'll ask what aeroplanes were around

way this morning.

Did you get close enough to recognise any of the parties?

Well, as I told you, we think we're sure the old man kidnapped was old Mr.

Hallings, who gave us a bunch of judy show at my house yesterday evening.

I shall make a note.

That'll be all, young gentlemen.

Condicott 7 ,000?

Yes.

I see.

Now, hold on, hold on.

Now, that is what we call in the law a coincidence.

Our officer in Tatchester is inquiring about your very punch and duty man, Mr

Cole, what was it, Hollins?

Has he been reported missing?

Not at all. He's at Tatchester Police Station to show his licence.

And our officer wants to know if he's a suitable person to perform before the

bishop. Oh, yes, he's splendiferous.

Hello. I have every reason to suppose, from information received, that the man,

Hallins, can be trusted not to shock the company.

Is he there?

Could I, please?

Would you bring Mr. Hallins to the telephone, please?

There's a young gentleman here who would like a word with him.

Hello, Mr.

Hallins.

Are you any the worse for your little trip in the aeroplane?

He says none the worse, sir.

Oh, Mr. Hallins.

Who was it put you in the aeroplane?

Ah. He says some young friends with more fun than sense.

Oh, and Mr. Hallins.

What brought you out to Bottler's Down in the snow?

Ah.

He says it's the only flat bit where he could meet the aeroplane.

Hello, Mr. Hallings. Are you all right?

Perfectly fine, thank you, young master. You really are Mr.

Hallings. The woman found my ticket on the railway station and was scrabbled

into the aeroplane. The very same, young master.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

So, that is that.

Now, that is how science helped the law.

You thought your friend was scrabbled, and now you hear, by science and the

law... from his own lips that all is well.

Well, I'm very glad, if he's safe. We're sorry, Inspector, for taking up your

time. Hey, public man's time is the public's.

It's my duty to listen to all and sundry.

Sometimes there isn't enough for the law to go on, but any tale that's first

-hand evidence, you bring it to the law and depend upon it murder will out.

However dark the deed, we bloodhounds of the law, as they call us, will bring it

into the limelight.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

And over Christmas, you must come and see my rabbits.

And I'll demonstrate that trick with yard -boiled eggs.

Bloodhound of the law.

Was that really old Cole on the telephone?

It sounded like him.

I'll shake the head.

I found an old clay pipe.

Oh.

Oh! This is one of your hats.

Yes, a rather good one, in fact.

Fine. Only a trouble.

Now, children, you're all getting wet through.

It's all right, Ellen.

No, Master K, it's not all right. With Miss Karen and Louisa away, it's my

responsibility. Have you had any message?

Is she coming home? No.

Telephone's not working.

Are they doing their best?

They always say they're doing their best.

Miss Maria!

Miss Susan, just look at you.

Miss Jemima, you really are old enough to know better. Come on. Come on, Peter.

There's too much discipline here altogether.

I can't help feeling we'll find out more if we have another look.

Hey, look!

I know them. They were on the train yesterday

on the way home from school.

I have a suspicion they picked my pockets.

Curates? Picking pockets?

If they're curates.

You mean they're disguised?

Gosh, these holidays turning out to be better than expected.

What are they doing?

Looking for something.

Something they expected to find on the old man.

It's not here, Joe.

Come on.

Well, they've given up.

Come on, let's follow them.

I will.

Let's go home.

Are you Herm the Hunter?

Hey, are you coming into my wild wood?

Yes, please.

Now, be a stag in the wild wood with me.

Bye.

Did you see the wolves in the wood?

No.

That is why we became wild ducks.

You see the hawk in the air.

No. That is why we became fish in the pool.

Now do you see the pike in the weeds?

how long all that took.

Ten to eleven?

All that took only two minutes.

Ten to eleven.

Abner Brown and the Rat.

If I push it to the right, I can go small.

We'll dance from here.

Why, yes, but it's a bit of a pair adventure.

There are some very terrible fellows between here and there.

But we must get there quickly, by 11 o 'clock, and it's almost that now.

Won't you show me the way?

Oh, don't ask me.

Please don't ask me.

There's too much danger in it.

Hold tight to my hand, Mouse, and if we're threatened, I'll find a way.

lot of them.

Don't make me. Please don't make me.

They'll see you.

To the left to go sweet.

The Prince Rupert's arms.

Where is he, that rat?

And where is the box?

As for the boy, that interfering,

overreaching boy, reporting to the police, talking

on telephone.

What I won't do to that boy.