Original subtitles

Well, so much for tomorrow's weather.

The next program... There's something I'm confused. I've just been told that

there's a high -pressure area, whatever that may mean, moving in from the

Atlantic, and a low -pressure area moving in from France.

The two are scheduled to meet round about here sometime tomorrow morning.

Now, this means that it will either rain, or hail, or snow, or maybe the sun

will shine.

Or it might even sleep.

That's why I'm confused.

Excuse me.

Hello? Oh, Saint.

This is Long Harry.

You know, Harry Garrett.

Look, I've got to see you right away.

I'm in real trouble.

Well, why don't you drop around? You know where I live.

Oh, thanks.

If anybody can help me, it's Simon Templer.

Thanks for letting me come round.

It's all right, Harry.

I was glad to see an old friend.

Now, what's this all about?

You see, last week in Regent's Park, I broke into a house.

Oh? Whose house?

There's a knob called Devorist.

Mark Devorist?

Well, do you know?

Yes, he's connected with the Ministry of Air and Aeronautical Affairs.

I'm sorry, Mr. T, if he's a pal of yours.

I can see you're broken -hearted. Go on.

Well... You see, there's all sorts of silver and stuff lying about.

But all I've got to do is to get this letter from the top right -hand drawer

Devery's desk.

Who put you up to this?

Like you've got a sticker the same.

This one calls himself the Scorpion.

The Scorpion?

You think that's funny?

Yes. Oh, it's no joke.

He's got a skid kid outside.

He's been following me all night to kill me.

You're all right then. Go on, you have a look out there if you don't believe me.

Go on.

There's nobody there?

He's out there, somewhere.

He's been chasing me all over London, up and down streets.

Mr. T, you've got to believe me.

Fine, Harry, I believe you.

Now, calm down.

Why is he following you?

My only contact with this Scorpion character is on the phone.

My orders is to check this letter in a luggage locker at Victoria Station.

And the key?

I took that to a nightclub in Paddington called the Bird's Nest.

I'll give it to a hostess, Patsy Butler.

She'd give me a hundred quid.

Well, I should have forgot the whole thing.

But you didn't?

No. Why not?

Because I didn't understand nothing that was in that letter.

But I knew right away what it was wanted for.

Blackmail, huh? Yeah.

Look, Mr. T.

I'm bent all the way.

I'll break, I'll enter.

I'll drill the fillings out of Mum's front teeth.

But blackmail now.

Go on, Harry.

Well, I was curious, see.

So I go back to Victoria Station and I watch that locker.

Sure enough, after about four hours, he turned up.

I got a good look at him.

I couldn't put a name to him, but I know his face again.

The trouble is, he saw me.

And he knows that you could identify him in a court of law.

That's why he's having you followed.

He only means business.

That scorpion character's deadly.

Well, Harry will.

I have to try and draw his sting. Give me a coat.

Why?

It's cold outside.

Now, you stay here. Don't open the door and don't go near the window.

Oh, and help yourself to liquor.

Mr. T, you wouldn't shock me, would you?

What do you think?

No, I'm sorry.

Where are you going?

First, I'm going to lose whoever's been on your tail.

Then I should go to Regent's Park and drop in on Mark Devers.

You didn't see a man come in here with a fawn raincoat and a cloth cap, did you?

No, sorry.

Just sign here, Mr. Devers.

You'll have this notarized tomorrow?

Yes, by noon.

Good.

Make a note to have it photostated and send a copy to Crandall. Yes, sir.

Well, that's finished.

I'll see who that is, will you, Karen?

Of course.

Well, I suppose it's no use trying to persuade you to have a nightcap, Mr.

Garderman. No, no, thanks.

Hi, Mr. Templer. Come in.

Thanks, Karen.

I imagine you want to see Mr. Devers.

Right, first time.

I need to know your head.

It's with a solicitor at the moment.

It's Simon Templer, Mr. Devers.

Oh, really?

Excuse me.

Simon, what a pleasant surprise. How are you? Fine, thank you. Good, yes. Come

and have a drink. Come on.

Oh, Karen, thanks a lot. That'll be all for tonight. Spencer will drive you

home. Okay?

Thank you. Good night. Good night.

Whiskey and water, isn't it? Yes, thanks.

Not that you need a reason, Simon, but tell me, what brings you out here?

Curiosity.

Really? What about?

It is rather personal.

Oh, I'll let you talk alone.

No, no, no, don't go.

Garnerman's my lawyer.

Well, you may be needing him.

Right this moment, there's a fellow sitting in my flat.

Says he robbed your house last week.

Are you serious?

Yes, very. You mean it isn't true?

My dear fellow, I don't even know what you're talking about.

Well, he claims that he took a letter from the top right -hand drawer of your

desk.

That's absurd.

He also says you're being blackmailed.

Blackmailed?

Simon, this is absolute fantasy.

You mean there's no robbery, no blackmail?

No. The whole thing's preposterous. This man must be mad.

Looks as though I've been told a finery story, doesn't it?

It certainly does.

It's too nonsensical for words.

Excuse me.

Mrs. Patsy Butler again.

I think you realize what would happen to your life and your career if I sent

that letter to the newspapers.

Yes, I realize that very well.

Then bring the money to me tonight, 250 pounds.

I'd be glad to.

Where? The nightclub in Paddington.

It's called the Bird's Nest. Have you got that?

Yes, I understand.

I gather you've got people there and can't talk.

You're absolutely right.

Can you make it here by 11?

I'd be very happy to do that, yes.

I'll be sitting at a table near the door.

I'm wearing a black dress with a diamond brooch.

And if you don't turn up, Mr. Devers, you'll be sorry.

Mr. Douglas, it's no trouble at all, believe me.

I'm only too happy to help out.

Sorry. Simon, let me top up your drink. No, no, thanks, Mark. I must be going.

I'm sorry I troubled you.

Well, then.

Your friend must be suffering from hallucinations, eh?

Well, he's going to be suffering with more than that when I get a hold of him.

Good night, Mark.

Mr. Garman, good night.

Good night, Simon.

Mr. Templer?

Oh, Karen, why didn't you call me Simon? Everybody asked us.

What do you want? A ride home? No, I must talk to you.

All right, what's on your mind?

Well, it isn't any of my business, really, but I've worked for Mr. Devers

three years, and I'm very fond of him.

I know you're his friend.

Well, the truth is that there was a robbery, and he is being blackmailed.

How do you know?

He nearly tore the house apart looking for that letter. What was in it? He

wouldn't say.

Then I listened in on that phone call tonight.

Yes, he was faking his end of it.

You guessed?

That's fairly obvious. Who was it?

A girl named Patsy Butler.

And he's going to give her some money tonight at a club in Paddington called

Bird's Nest.

Your members, of course.

No.

My special guest.

What's the difference?

Now, a table here or the bar? I think the bar.

Is this your first visit to my establishment?

Yes.

Well, have a good time.

We have music, wine, and a set. Good evening.

Good evening. Sam's our drink dispenser.

And by the way, my name's Bird.

Montgomery Bird.

I own this nest.

Well, thank you, Mr. Bird.

Whiskey and water.

Two whiskey and water, please.

Yes, sir.

Hey, do you think that's her by the door?

She certainly fits the description you had on the phone, doesn't she?

I just don't understand this.

I mean, what could Mr. Deverest have done? What has she got on him?

I don't know.

Thank you. Keep the change. Thank you, sir.

Tell me, does Deverest get along well with his wife? Oh, yes, very well.

Sure. Well, I'm in the house. I see them together.

It is right on time.

Miss Butler?

Sit down, Mr. Debris.

Care for a drink?

No.

Who are you?

Oh, just a plain, simple girl trying to get along.

How did you know about that letter?

I didn't. I just collect the money.

Who's behind you?

Please, Mr. Devers, no questions.

Did you bring the money?

Yes. Then give it to me.

The letter first.

Oh, you're joking.

Surely you didn't expect to get the letter back.

But you said to me on the phone tonight that... I told you to bring me 250

pounds.

That's your monthly payment from now on.

So it's like that, is it?

Yes.

You filthy little... Good night, Mr. Devers. The newspapers will have that

letter in the morning.

Oh, wait.

I don't like your language.

I, uh... Sit down.

Apologize?

That's better.

Where's that letter now?

In a safe place.

And don't look so broken up.

You've a large income and we're not greedy.

250 a month is reasonable all round.

And don't look at me like that. You're not exactly the soul of integrity

yourself, are you?

So I suggest you pay up and shut up now. Come on, I haven't got all night.

Well, do you pay off?

They'll wait.

Good girl.

Your 10%. Thanks.

I'll deliver the rest to the boss, get my cut, and maybe you and me can paint

the town a bit.

Any time.

But on your own money.

This office is private.

Yes, so it is.

Get out of the way.

The car come through again? Yes, she left in a hurry.

Let's follow her example. I'll tell you in the car.

Could anyone write in a letter to Mr. Devers that would be this compromising?

I don't know.

What did he say when he missed it?

He just asked me if I'd touched anything in the desk drawers, and I said no.

Then, as I said, he turned the whole house upside down looking for it.

Did he say who it was from?

No.

Ask Long Harry.

He read it.

Maybe I should jog. His memory is not very bright, but at least he's literate.

Well,

did I wake you up when I came in?

No, I wasn't asleep.

Mark, is something wrong?

No.

There is, you know.

For heaven's sake, don't badger me tonight, Cynthia, please.

Mark, for the past week you've been prowling around this house at all hours

the night.

Why? What is it?

You don't understand. I just can't tell you.

Well, you see, the fact is I feel ashamed.

Darling, not with me.

I love you.

Yes, I know.

Mark, are you in some sort of trouble?

Yes, I am.

Darling, sit down, will you?

Now, look.

When I took this job in the Ministry of Aeronautical Affairs, I was required by

law to divest myself of all my shares in the Kimber Holling Aircraft Company.

Well, I didn't. Mark.

It would have meant the loss of 20 ,000 pounds.

I just couldn't. So you held on to them? Well, I had the shares transferred to a

nominee. Who?

Ernest Caldwell.

And? Well, he wrote me the usual letter saying that he was holding 90 ,000

Kimber Holling shares in my name.

But ten days ago... The Air Minister announced that Kimber Holling were going

build the new F -109 jet fighter.

Exactly. So you can see where this puts me.

Cynthia, I did not push that contract.

I've done nothing dishonest.

Then what exactly is the problem?

A few days after the contract was announced, Caldwell's letter was stolen

my desk.

Mark. I missed it about a week ago yesterday.

It must have been stolen the night that we went to the Miltons for dinner.

Anyhow, somehow now it's fallen into the hands of a girl called Patsy Butler.

Who?

Oh, she's a hostess in a nightclub.

I don't understand.

How did this girl know... Oh, she just collects the money.

I never met her before until tonight.

Anyway, the deal is that I have to pay 250 pounds a month or Caldwell's letter

is sent to the newspapers.

You mean every month?

Yes, Wess. suppose I can afford that, but don't you understand if this goes to

the newspapers?

I just don't know.

250 a month now, but what happens when it's raised to 400 and then 500? I mean,

how long can it go on?

I don't know.

Claude, I've answered all your questions.

Now, will you answer one of mine?

Do you want me to make some more coffee? Go ahead.

You ever heard of a character called the Scorpion?

Has he something to do with this?

You're asking questions again.

We have a file on him, but incomplete.

Three cases of blackmail over the past year that cross -checked led back to

name, but we never had a direct complaint.

Why not?

Because people who are being blackmailed are either too frightened or too

ashamed to report it to the police.

If the public had a little more guts, it would help our job a great deal.

This scorpion character hasn't got his hooks in you by any chance.

Now, Claude, what have I ever done that would lay me open to blackmail?

It's too late to give you my list of suggestions.

Then toddle along so that I can take Karen home.

Let me make one point, Simon.

Of those blackmail victims I mentioned just now, one committed suicide.

With this killing here tonight, I want the scorpion for two murders.

Sorry, we're closed.

I'd never have guessed.

Fairly around?

In the office.

Thanks.

What the devil do you want? It's all right, I'm not after your money.

I remember you.

You were in last night.

That's right.

As your special guest.

Well, what do you want?

Some information.

What about?

About this place. Tell me about it. Why should I?

Because I'm asking.

Well, the Birch Nest is a very respectable club.

Yes, I can see that. Thank you.

Maybe not severed, but a nice nest just the same.

And a cover. For what?

Blackmail. What are you talking about?

What do you know about the scorpion?

Why don't you try the zoo?

Okay, we'll start again.

Tell me about our friend with the black leather jacket on the motorcycle.

I don't know who you mean.

What about Patsy Butler?

Well, she's just a hostess who works here.

At what?

Being a hostess.

What she does in her spare time is her business.

Well, I'm making up mine. Where does she live?

I don't know.

The girls here, they come and go as they please.

Birdie. You are not being very cooperative.

I don't have to be.

And if you don't get out of here a bit lively, I'll call the police.

Go ahead.

Go on.

Call the police. Call Scotland Yard and ask for Chief Inspector Claude Eustace

Teal. Tell him that I've been asking about a boy in a leather jacket who

a man.

Tell him I've been asking about Patsy Butler, who took money from Mark Devoris

last night. And while you're at it, tell him about the scorpion. Go on. I don't

know nothing.

Birdie, if you're not very careful, you're going to jump straight out of

nest into a cage.

With bars.

Sorry to interrupt the housework. That's okay.

That's the butler.

What about her?

Where does she live?

210 Warple Bay. But me.

I'll give it to Miss Patsy Butler.

First floor, number three.

Mind your feet!

Good afternoon, Patsy.

What do you want?

It's a general rule. I never force my attentions on a lady, but with you I

an exception.

I said, what do you want?

To get to know you better.

Drop dead.

That's not very friendly, is it?

I don't feel very friendly.

We are nasty today, aren't we?

This is charming.

I see you spend all your money on clothes.

I won't spend my money. It's my business.

How you earn it is mine.

What have you got, 10 % of the rake -off on Devorist?

Now look, I don't know who you are.

But believe me, you're messing around in something dangerous. Move out before

you get hurt.

Your concern for my welfare is touching.

What have you got on Devers?

Ask him?

I have, but he's not being very frank with me.

Well, that makes two of us. Now, shove off.

Oh.

Leather jacket.

To Pat say with love, Eddie.

True love is very rare these days, isn't it?

I think so.

Eddie what?

Black.

Where does he live?

London.

Well, Eddie Black of London killed a man last night.

Oh, come on.

You knew him?

Harry Garrett?

I never heard of him.

But you paid him a hundred pounds to break into Deborah's house.

You're crazy.

Eddie's a killer.

He chased poor old Harry all over town last night.

Poor old Harry who wouldn't hurt a fly, who was scared of a stiff breeze, but he

knew too much, so Eddie put a bullet in his chest.

I don't believe you.

Why don't you come here and go out and buy a paper? It's all over the front

pages. Your lover boy's wanted for murder.

Well, that's nothing to do with me.

Isn't it?

You're blackmailing Debra.

No, not me personally.

Then who? I don't know.

Is it the scorpion?

I don't know. What's his real name? I don't know. Where does he live? I swear

you, I do not know.

But Eddie works for him. No.

I don't know.

I'm not sure.

Patsy, you're in this right up to your neck.

The only way you're going to get out of it is to talk.

I can't.

I'm too frightened.

All right, I'll help you. No.

I don't know anything. Now, please, please, will you leave?

Have you ever seen the inside of a woman's prison?

It's not very pleasant and you're going to spend an awful long time there.

Now, when you've calmed down and thought things over, call me.

Morning, Miss Bates.

Hello, Mr. Garnerman.

I've brought the contract.

Yes, he's expecting you.

Oh, Garnerman, come in. Morning.

Thank you, Karen. Perhaps you would like to take care of those letters now.

Yes, Mr. Bates.

I brought the notarized contract.

Sit down.

Now, look, before you start, there's something I want to tell you.

I lied to you last night.

Lied?

I am being blackmailed.

At first I was going to knuckle under and pay.

But of course my wife convinced me that that was the wrong thing to do.

Blackmail?

For what, in heaven's name?

Well, I think I'd prefer to save the detail till Templer gets here.

He's on his way now.

Well, that's about it.

I'm supposed to pay this girl 250 pounds a month from now on.

You're shocked, aren't you, Garnerman?

Yes, I must admit, I am.

You see, Mr. Garnerman is only concerned with nice, clean, respectable company.

Law, deeds, titles, contracts.

This is like something from another world, isn't it?

I'm no more narrow -minded than other men in my profession.

I just happen to admire integrity.

I respect you for it.

All right, then, Mr. Garland, what exactly do you advise?

Mr. Devers, there's only one possible choice.

Oh, you mean the police?

Of course. Tell them the whole story and they'll protect you. That means the Mr.

X routine, and it doesn't work.

You can't fight these people yourself.

I can.

In fact, I've made a fair start. I saw your Miss Patsy Butler today.

Threw a real scare into her.

I should imagine she'll call me within 24 hours.

Because I think she knows who the Scorpion is.

What's more...

I think she'll tell me.

Mr. Templer, you must see I can't take part in your activities.

But you wouldn't have to take any risks. As you yourself said, I'm concerned

with respectable law.

Now, look.

Suppose we give Simon 24 hours.

If he fails, all right, then I'll go to the police.

All right.

I'll wait until I hear from you. Good.

And don't think too badly of me.

If no human being did anything illegal or stupid, I'd starve to death, wouldn't

I? Yes, well, thanks for being so understanding.

The same song to that girlfriend of yours.

We shall have to look after her.

There you are, my little friends.

Eat well.

They're horrible.

Why?

I don't know. They came in the crate.

They're like you, Eddie.

Greedy and ruthless.

They grab what they can.

Kill it and tear it to pieces.

Shut the case, will you?

I obey the laws of nature.

That's the secret of power.

What?

I mean that man is an animal and it's natural for him to behave like one.

Denying the animal in us weakens us.

Makes us poorer.

Could scorpions really kill you?

Most couldn't, but these can.

They're god -deadly killers.

Well, if I got stung, what would happen?

You'd die within three minutes.

Let's talk about something else.

Yes.

Like Patsy Butler.

What exactly does she mean to you?

She's a bird.

Nothing more.

She satisfies your animal instincts, precisely.

She's a threat, Eddie.

What do you mean?

We've got to stop her from talking.

I'll take care of her.

Good.

Go on doing as I tell you and you'll end up a very rich man.

I'm counting on that.

Come in.

Hello, love.

You're early.

I'm eager, baby.

I wanted to see you.

Huh? What about?

Do I need a reason?

Hey, you're shivering.

I must be getting a cold.

Oh, that's too bad.

That bloke that caught us in the office last night.

What about him?

Seen him again, love.

Are you kidding?

I thought maybe he had.

I haven't been out of this room all day.

He hasn't been here, has he?

And he barely says he got your address from Sam down the club.

Of course he hasn't.

You going somewhere, baby?

No.

Then why pack a bag?

I didn't.

You know, Patsy, a man has to be ruthless in this world.

Obey the laws of nature.

That's the secret of power.

Man's an animal. Did you know that?

Well, you have to know it, you see.

We get all frustrated.

Blackmail's fallen down the stairs.

But what makes you so certain, Patsy Wilfrum?

She's frightened.

Blackmail's one thing.

Murder's a little more than she bargained for. After you.

I've convinced her that her boyfriend killed Long Harry.

Christmas is early this year.

No, but I'm positive Pat's your phone tonight. And it's a call I don't want to

trust to my answering service.

I wonder what this is.

Sir, it's my job to mind the phone while you're at the bird's nest.

That's right.

Something I've got to give tonight.

My 24 hours is up at ten in the morning.

Simon, do you think Mr. Devers did wrong?

Who am I to judge?

There's always a conflict between public service and private gain.

That's funny.

What is?

There's no card.

Nothing.

It's beautiful.

Yeah. But who's it from?

Probably some stunned female.

See if the card's on the inside.

You dare have.

Stay steady.

Nurse, please.

Now, Miss Butler, you mustn't upset yourself.

Take this.

That's a... Good girl.

Nurse, this is terribly urgent.

Simon Templer, Regent 5333. I must see him. Doctor says no visitors, my dear.

Will you stop humouring me and do as you're told?

Regent 5333, Simon Templer. Get him. I must see him at once.

All right, Miss Butler.

All right.

Here, let me freshen you a drink.

The scorpion delivered this sometime this afternoon. Tonight he gets it back.

You all right?

Yes.

Now, if Patsy calls, I'll be at the bird's nest. You have the number?

You sure you're all right?

Yes. Okay.

You go on.

Hello. Hello, may I please speak to Mr. Simon Templer?

Well, I'm afraid he's not here at the moment, but I can take him. I'm speaking

for Miss Patsy Butler.

She's had an accident.

Accident? Yes, she's in St. Margaret's Hospital.

What hospital?

St. Margaret's, Paddington.

Well, tell her that I'll be there right away.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Patsy Butler around?

No. Too early.

She does come every night, though, doesn't she?

Sure. Sure.

Good. I'll wait. Make it a long beer, will you?

Right, sir.

A while today.

I thought I was going to die.

But you are going to be all right.

My dancing days are over.

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

I'm sorry, too.

For a lot of things.

Mostly for ever getting mixed up with a swine like Eddie.

He does work for a man called the Scorpion.

Do you know his real name?

No.

But his telephone number is Parkside 3000.

Mr. Templer can trace the address.

Thank you.

I've got to go now.

And if he can pin one on Eddie into the bargain, he'll be doing me a favor.

I'll tell him.

Good luck.

Sure.

Oh, Mr. Garnerman.

You've seen Miss Butler?

Yes. We heard about the accident. Mr. Devers thought you might be able to tell

us something. Yes, I've talked to her. She gave me the scorpion's telephone

number.

Excellent. I must take it at once to the police. Oh, I promised Simon I'd report

to him.

Where is he? At a club called The Bird's Nest.

I'll drive you there.

You drive, Miss Bates.

And please do exactly as you're told.

Can't you read?

It says private on that door.

So everybody keeps telling me. So out.

Bertie, I suggest you start singing.

It'll make things a lot easier for you. Now, listen.

If you don't blow, I'll call the police.

Where's Patsy tonight?

I told you once before. The girls here come and go as they please. I don't know

where she is. All right.

What about Leather Jack and Ellie? Where's he?

Here.

Speak of the devil.

You've been causing us a lot of bother lately.

So has Karen Bates.

We've got her.

And you're next on the list.

Eddie, don't! Shut up.

There's a hundred witnesses out there.

Get out of the way, Grandad.

Do as he says.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a bad mess up here.

It's a rancor.

Where's Karen?

Oh, carry on, carry on.

12th and 12th Maple Road.

I'm so sorry.

Over here.

In here, officer.

He'll be all right.

Something quick.

He's been dealing with Mr. Templer.

That leaves us with you, Miss Bates.

Oh, what was I saying?

Oh, yes.

The tail of the scorpion is very flexible.

The sting consists of a needle -sharp spine and a vesicle containing the

poisoned lambs.

Most species are relatively harmless.

These are deadly.

How did you get on, Eddie?

What? We've got a visitor. Come over here where I can see you.

Police have got Eddie.

What he doesn't tell them, Patsy Butler will.

Quite an operation, Garderman.

As a lawyer, you use your knowledge of people's affairs to blackmail them.

It's all over now.

You'll be charged with extortion and murder.

Somehow, Mr. Templer, I doubt if I'd be charged.

It's been anything.

Simon, stop!

They sting them the moment they're disturbed.

Legend has it, Mr. Templer, that scorpions faced with a hopeless

commit suicide.

I've always admired them for that.

Simon, can't we do something?

Yes, Mr. Templer, you can.

You can put that gun down and listen to what I have to say.

I shall be able to repeat it.

Because within three minutes, I shall be dead.

He admitted everything.

A web of blackmail spread over a dozen of his clients.

He gave me your letter.

He was dead before Thiel arrived.

It's absolutely incredible.

Do you know I trusted Garnerman completely?

So did a lot of other people.

Incidentally, I've sold all my Kimber -Holling shares, so that puts me

completely in the clear now.

It's all over.

Yes. Thanks to Simon, it's all over.