Original subtitles

Let me get another drink.

Mark, before Tony comes, I ought to explain something.

Yes, I've been waiting for that.

I haven't told him anything about us.

Well, that's not surprising. It's a tough thing to do. When you telephoned

morning, I simply said you wrote crime stories and that I'd met you once when

you were here before.

That has a pretty guilty ring to it. I'd never use it in one of my stories.

Mark, I know you think it's silly, but when you get to know Tony, you'll

understand why I said that.

Darling, I understand now, but that doesn't stop me from loving you.

It's not as simple as that.

Tony's changed.

Thanks.

He's a completely different person to the one I used to tell you about.

Really? When did all this happen?

That night I came to say goodbye.

When I left your apartment, I came back here.

I sat down on the sofa and had a good cry.

And then I fell asleep.

And when I woke up, there was Tony standing in the hall with all his bags

tennis rackets.

He just said he decided to give up tennis and settle down to a job.

Just like that? Just like that.

Of course, I didn't believe him at first, but he meant it all right.

But he's been wonderful ever since.

I suppose that's when you stopped writing me, huh?

Margot, is it?

Do you remember the letters you wrote to me?

Yes, I remember.

After I read them, I burnt them. I thought it best.

All except one.

You probably know the one I mean.

Yes, I think I do.

What about it?

It was stolen, but... One day, Tony and I were going to spend the weekend

in the country with friends, and while we were waiting on the platform, I

noticed my handbag was missing, and the letter was inside.

Where was this?

Victoria Station.

I thought at first I'd left it in the restaurant, but when I went back to look

for it, it had gone.

You mean you never found it?

I recovered the handbag about two weeks later from the lost and found, but the

letter wasn't there.

And then about a week afterwards... I received a note.

It told me what I had to do to get the letter back.

Yes, go ahead. Go on.

I was to draw 50 pounds from my bank in five -pound notes and then change them

for used one -pound notes.

It said that if I went to the police or told anyone else, he would show the

letter to my husband.

Do you still have the note?

Printed. All capitals.

Anyone could have done this.

And two days later, I got this one.

Both mailed in Brixton.

Clap the money in a package and mail to John S. King, 23 Newport Street,

Brixton, SW9. You'll get your letter by return.

It's a little shop. People use it as a forwarding address.

You didn't mail the money.

Yes. Mark. But the letter was never returned.

So after waiting about two weeks, I went there.

They said they'd never heard of a man by that name.

And the parcel was still there. It had never been opened.

That's something, I suppose. May I keep these?

Yes, if you like. I can't understand why you didn't tell me about it. There

wasn't anything you could do.

You probably would have made me tell Tony and the police. And as it was only

pounds, I thought I'd pay up and have done with it. Margo, I'm going to tell

Tony about us tonight.

No, Mark, please, you mustn't.

You don't understand. Tony's changed.

Please.

Oh, she was a year ago when you came to say goodbye.

We were standing in the kitchen. I nearly turned around and said, I can't

through with this.

Let's find Tony and tell him all about it.

I believe you'd have done it then.

Well, I can see this is going to be a rough evening.

All of us saying nice things to each other.

Look, there's only one thing you haven't explained.

Why didn't you burn that letter too?

There you are. We thought you were never coming.

What have you been up to? I'm sorry, darling. The boss blew in just as I was

leaving.

Tony, this is Mark Halliday. Hello, Mark. Tony, hello.

I'm terribly sorry to be so late.

How do you like it over here, Mark?

Oh, fine. Just fine, Tony.

Is this your first visit to London?

No, no. I was here a year ago for a vacation.

Oh, yes. That's right. Margot told me. You write for the radio, don't you? No,

television. For my sin.

Darling, did you reserve a table? Yes, seven o 'clock. Well, come on, then. Oh,

darling, a slight alteration in plans.

Oh, now, don't say you can't go. I'm afraid so. Old man Burgess is flying to

Brussels on Sunday, and I have to get my monthly report in by tomorrow.

Well, can't you do it when we get back tonight? I'm afraid not. It'll take

hours. I still have to fake half of it as it is.

But... Well, could you join us after the theatre? We might go somewhere. Why

don't you give me a ring in intermission?

If I'm inspired, I might make it. Well, do try.

I'll just get my things, Mark.

Over here are the tickets.

Oh, thanks, Tony.

I'm afraid this is terribly rude of me.

Well, not at all. I'm just sorry you can't come along, though. You must come

dinner one night. Thanks, I'd like that. By the way, what are you doing tomorrow

night? Saturday? Nothing, I know of. Well, how'd you like to come to a stag

party? A stag party? Yes, some American boys have been playing tennis all over

the continent, and we're giving them a sort of farewell dinner. Oh, I see.

I'm not much of a tennis player. That doesn't matter. You know New York and

that. Darling, Mark's coming to the party tomorrow night. Oh, good.

Well, you'd better drop in here first and have a drink. That's the idea. Yes.

All right.

Well, I'll try and get a taxi. Oh, no, we can usually pick one up.

So long, darling.

Enjoy yourself.

So long, Tony. Goodbye.

Oh, Mark.

Yes? Try and sell the extra ticket and have a drink in the proceeds.

All right, Tony. We'll try. Have a good time.

Thanks. Bye.

Well, Hampstead 7 -8 -double -9. Could I speak to Captain Lesgood, please?

Speaking. Oh, good evening. You don't know me. My name is Fisher.

I understand you have a car for sale.

Oh, yes, an American car. Yes, I saw it at your garage. How much are you asking?

Eleven hundred.

Eleven hundred, I see. Well, it certainly looks just the job for me, but

like that price much.

I didn't like it when I bought it.

Now, when can we meet?

I'm afraid I can't manage that.

No, I can't. And I'm going to Liverpool on Sunday. I was rather hoping... I say,

you couldn't come round to my flat tonight?

Where is it?

Maida Vale.

I'd call on you, only I've twisted my knee rather badly.

Oh, I'm sorry. Well, what's your address?

61A, Charrington Gardens.

Charrington? No, no, Charrington. Oh, Charrington. Turn left at the

It's about a two -minute walk.

Right. I'll be there in about an hour. That's extremely good of you. Oh, by the

way, will you be bringing the car?

Well, that doesn't matter. I had a good look at it.

You might bring the registration book and any necessary papers.

Yes, of course. I don't see why we couldn't settle this whole thing here

now, provided you dropped the price sufficiently.

Oh, I'm afraid that's quite applicable.

Well, we'll see what a couple of drinks can do.

Well,

goodbye.

Mr. Fisher? Yes, Captain Lescott? Yes. Won't you come in? Thank you.

Very good of you.

Let me have your coat.

Having difficulty finding your way?

No, none at all.

Well, do sit down. How about a drink?

You know I can't help thinking I've seen you before somewhere.

You know, it's funny you should mention that.

The moment I opened the door, I... Wait a minute.

Lescott?

You're not Lesgate. Swan.

C .J. Swan. Always at C .A.

C .A.? Well, you've got a better memory than I have.

Fisher.

When did we meet? Weren't you at Cambridge?

Yes. Must be 20 years ago. You wouldn't remember me. I only came here last year.

Wow, what a coincidence.

Yes, it's called for a special drink.

I was planning to pawn you off in an indifferent port, but let's see what we

have here.

How about this?

Perfect.

By the way, how do you know my car's for sale?

Your garage told me.

That's odd. I don't think I mentioned it to anyone there. I was stopping for a

fill -up, and I told them I was looking for an American car, and they gave me

your phone number. I say it is for sale, isn't it?

Well, of course.

Good, but I refused to discuss the price until you had at least three vendors.

Well, I warn you, I drive a hard bargain, drunk or sober.

So do I.

You know, I think I must have seen you somewhere since we left Cambridge.

Ever been to Wimbledon?

That's it.

Wenders?

Tony Wenders?

What's all this about Fisher?

What's all this about Lescott?

Do you like a cigar?

No, thanks. I'll just stick to my pipe, if you don't mind. Well, there's one

habit you've changed.

I remember at college, you always used to smoke rather expensive cigars.

Wait a minute. I think I have a picture of you here somewhere.

Yes.

Yes, here's one.

Taken at a reunion dinner.

There you are, with the biggest cigar in the business.

Well, that's the first and last reunion I ever went to.

What a murderous thug I look.

Yes, you do, rather.

Of course, I always remember you because of the college ball.

You were the treasurer, weren't you?

Honorary treasurer.

I used to organize the beastly things.

Yes, some of the ticket money was stolen, wasn't it?

That's right, almost a hundred pounds.

I'd left it in a cash box in my study, and in the morning it had gone.

It was the college porter, of course.

Yes, of course. Poor old Alfred.

He never could back a winner.

Yeah, they found the cash box in his back garden.

But not the money.

Twenty years ago.

What are you doing nowadays?

I deal in property.

I say, I don't follow tennis very closely. Do you still play?

No, I've given up tennis, or rather tennis gave me up. One has to earn a

sometime, and I had a pretty good run for my money. Went around the world

times.

What are you doing now?

I sell sports equipment.

It's not very lucrative, but it gives me plenty of spare time.

Well, I see you manage to run a very comfortable little place. My wife has

money of her own.

Otherwise, it would hardly feel like blowing a thousand pounds in your car.

Ah, eleven hundred.

You know, people with capital don't realize how lucky they are.

I'm almost resigned to living on what I can earn.

Well, you can always marry for money.

Yes, I suppose some people make a business out of that.

I know I did. Why do you think she married you?

Well, I was a tennis star.

Yes, but you've given up tennis.

She hasn't left you?

She nearly did.

After we were married, I played in the various championships and took Margot

with me.

She didn't like it much, and when we got back, she tried to make me give up

tennis and play husband instead.

In the end, we compromised.

I went alone to America for the grass court season, and we turned after the

national championships.

I soon realized that a lot had happened while I was away.

But one thing, she wasn't in love with me anymore.

There were phone calls which would end abruptly if I happened to walk in.

There was an old school friend she used to visit from time to time.

One day we had a row.

I wanted to play in a covered court tournament, and as usual, she didn't

to go.

I was in the bedroom.

The phone rang.

It all sounded pretty urgent.

After that, she seemed rather keen that I play in a tournament after all, so I

packed my kit into the car and drove off.

I parked the car two streets away.

Walked back on my tracks.

Ten minutes later, she came out of this house and took a taxi.

I took another.

Her old school friend lived in the studio in Chelsea.

I could see them through the studio window as he cooked spaghetti over a gas

ring. They didn't say much. They just looked very natural together.

You know, it's funny how you can tell when people are in love.

I went for a walk.

Began to wonder what would happen if she left me.

I had to find some way of earning a living to begin with.

I suddenly realized how much I'd grown to depend on her.

All these expensive tastes I'd acquired while I was at the top.

Now big tennis had finished with me and so apparently had my wife.

I can't ever remember being so scared.

I dropped into a pub and had a couple of drinks.

As I sat in the corner, I thought of all sorts of things.

I thought of three different ways of killing him.

I even thought of killing her.

That seemed a far more sensible idea.

And just as I was working out how I could do it, I suddenly saw something

completely changed my mind.

I didn't go to that tournament after all.

When I got back, she was sitting exactly where you are now.

And I told her I decided to give up tennis and look after her instead.

Well? Well, as things turned out, I even got so worked up after all. Apparently

that spaghetti evening had been a sort of a fun farewell.

The boyfriend had been called back to New York.

Ah, in America? Yes.

There were long letters from there.

They usually arrived on Thursdays. And she burned them all except one.

That one she used to transfer from handbag to handbag. It was always with

That letter became an obsession with me. I had to find out what was in it.

And finally I did.

That letter made very interesting reading.

Do you mean you stole it? Yes.

I even wrote her two anonymous notes offering to sell it back.

Why?

I was hoping you would make her come and tell me all about him.

But it didn't.

So I kept the letter.

Why are you telling me all this?

Because you're the only person I can trust.

Anyway, that did it.

It must have put the fear of God into them because the letters stopped and we

lived happily ever after.

You know, it's funny to think that just a year ago I sat in that Nicebridge pub

actually planning to murder her.

And I might have done it if I hadn't seen something that changed my mind.

Well, what did you see?

I saw you.

What was so odd about that?

The coincidence.

You see, only a week before, I'd been to a reunion dinner, and the fellows were

talking about you.

How you'd been court -martialed during the war.

A year in prison.

That was news.

Mind you, at college, we'd all said that old Swan would end up in jail. That

cash box, I suppose.

Well, what about it?

Oh, my dear fellow, everybody knew you took that money.

Poor old Alfred.

Thanks very much for the drink.

Interesting hearing about your matrimonial affairs. I take it you won't

wanting that car after all.

Don't you want me to tell you why I brought you here?

Yes, I think you'd better.

It was when I saw you in that pub that it happened.

Suddenly everything became quite clear.

Only a few months before, Margot and I had made our wills. Quite short affairs,

leaving everything we had to each other in case of accidents.

Those worked out at just over 90 ,000 pounds.

Investments, mostly. All a little too easy to get at.

And that was dangerous, as they were bound to suspect me.

I need an alibi.

A very good one.

Then I saw you.

I'd often wondered what happened to people when they came out of prison.

People like you, I mean.

Can they get jobs?

Do old friends rally round?

Suppose they never had any friends.

I became so curious to know that I followed you.

I followed you home that night.

And would you mind passing me your glass, old boy?

Thank you. Thank you very much. I've been following you ever since.

Why? I was hoping that sooner or later I might catch you at something and be

able to... Blackmail me?

Influence you.

After a couple of weeks, I got to know your routine.

And that made it a lot easier.

Well, the doll work.

To begin with, yes.

But you know how it is. You take up a hobby, and the more you get to know it,

the more fascinating it becomes.

You became quite fascinating.

In fact, there were times when I felt that you almost belonged to me.

That must have been interesting.

You used to go to the dog racing Mondays and Thursdays. I even took it up

myself, just to be near you.

You'd change your name to Adams.

Yes, I got bored with Swan. Any crime in that?

No, no, none whatever.

In fact, there was nothing really illegal about you.

I got quite discouraged.

Then one day you disappeared from your lodgings.

So I phoned your landlady.

I said, Mr. Adams owed me five pounds.

Well, apparently that was nothing. Mr. Adams owed her six weeks' rent and her

best lodger 55 pounds.

And Mr. Adams had been such a nice gentleman.

That's what seemed to upset her most.

Yes.

That always seems to upset them most. I say, old boy, if you want another drink,

do you mind putting on these gloves?

Now, where were we?

Oh, yes, I'd lost you, and then I found you one day at the dog racing.

And I'd tailed you home to your new lodgings in Belsize Park.

There, Mr. Adams became Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Wilson left Belsize Park owing 16 weeks' rent and somewhat richer for a

brief encounter with a Miss... a Miss Wallace.

You used to take Miss Wallace out on Wednesdays and Sundays.

She certainly was in love with you, wasn't she?

I suppose she thought you were growing that handsome moustache to please her.

Poor Miss Wallace.

This is all very interesting to go on.

July, August, September.

Apartment 127, Carlisle Court.

Occupant of Mrs.

Van Dorn.

Her late husband left her two hotels and a large apartment house furnished.

What a base to operate from, Captain Leskett.

The only trouble is, she does rather enjoy being courted. And she's so very

expensive.

Perhaps that's why I've been trying to sell her car for over a month.

Mrs. Van Dorn asked me to sell it for her.

I know. I called her up just before you arrived here.

She only wanted 800.

Where's the nearest police station?

Opposite the church. Two minutes walk.

Suppose I walk there now.

What would you tell them?

Everything. Everything?

All about Mr. Adams and Mr. Wilson?

I should simply tell them that you're trying to blackmail me into... Into?

Murdering your wife.

I almost wish you would. When she heard that, we'd have the biggest laugh of our

lives. Aren't you forgetting something?

Am I?

You've told me quite a lot tonight.

What of it?

Suppose I tell them how you followed her to that studio in Chelsea and watched

them cooking spaghetti and all that rubbish.

Wouldn't that ring a bell?

Oh, it certainly would.

They'd assume you followed her there yourself.

Me? Why should I?

Why should you steal her handbag?

Why should you write her all those blackmail notes?

Can you prove you didn't?

You certainly can't prove I did.

It'll be a straight case of your word against mine.

That'll puzzle them, won't it?

What could you say?

I should simply say that you came here tonight half -drunk and tried to borrow

money on the strength that we were at college together.

When I refused, you mentioned something about a letter belonging to my wife.

As far as I could make out, you're trying to sell it to me.

I gave you what money I had, and you gave me the letter.

It has your fingerprints on it, remember?

Then you said if I went to the police, you'd tell some crazy story about my

wanting you to murder my wife.

But before you go any further, old boy, do consider the inconvenience.

You see, I'm quite well known, and there'd be pictures of you as well.

And sooner or later, there'd be a deputation of landladies and lodgers who

step forward to testify to your character.

And someone is almost certain to have seen you with Miss Wallace.

You were careful not to be seen around with her, I noticed.

You usually met in out -of -the -way places where you wouldn't be recognized.

Like the little tea shop in Pimlicow.

That was her idea, not mine.

Yes, it was a bit crummy, wasn't it?

Hardly the place to take Mrs. Van Dorn.

By the way, does Mrs. Van Dorn know about Mr. Adams and Mr. Wilson and Miss

Wallace?

You were planning to marry Mrs. Van Dorn, weren't you?

Smart, aren't you?

No, not really. I've just had time to think things out. Put myself in your

position.

That's why I know you're going to agree.

What makes you think I'll agree?

The same reason that a donkey with a stick behind him and a carrot in front

always goes forwards and not backwards.

Tell me about the carrot.

One thousand pounds in cash.

Flum murder?

For a few minutes' work, that's all it is. No risk, I guarantee.

That ought to appeal to you.

You've been skating on pretty thin ice.

I don't know what you're talking about. You ought to know.

It was in all the papers.

Middle -aged woman found dead due to an overdose of something.

Apparently she'd been taking the stuff for quite some time and nobody knows

where she got it.

But we know, don't we?

Poor Miss Wallace.

That's a thousand pounds.

Where is it?

It's in a small attaché case in a check room.

Where? Somewhere in London.

Of course, we don't meet again.

As soon as you've delivered the goods, I shall mail you the checkroom ticket and

the key to the case.

You can take this £100 on account.

You know, the police would only have to trace one of these notes back to you to

hang us first from the same rope.

They won't.

For a whole year, I've been cashing an extra £20 a week.

Always in fivers.

I then change them for those at my leisure.

Let me see your bank statement.

By all means.

Don't touch.

Turn back a page.

Ah, your balance has dropped by over a thousand pounds during the year.

I suppose the police ask you about that.

I go dog racing twice a week.

Well, check your bookmaker.

Like you, I always bet on the tote.

Satisfied?

When would this take place?

Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow? Not a chance.

I've got to think this over.

It has to be tomorrow.

I've arranged things that way.

Where?

Approximately where you're standing now.

Tomorrow evening, Halliday, that's the American boyfriend and I will go out to

stag party.

She'll stay here.

She'll go to bed early and listen to Saturday Night Theater on the radio.

She always does when I'm out.

At exactly three minutes to eleven, you'll enter the house with the street

Find the key to this door.

Under the stair carpet here.

The fifth set, that's the one.

Go straight to the window.

Hide behind the curtain.

At exactly 11 o 'clock, I shall go to the telephone in the hotel to call my

boss. I shall dial the wrong number. This number.

That's all I shall do.

When the phone rings, you'll see the light go on under her bedroom door.

When she opens it, the light will stream across the room.

So don't move until she answers the phone.

There must be as little noise as possible.

After you've finished, pick up the phone and give me a soft whistle. Then hang

up. Don't speak whatever you do. I shan't say a word.

When I hear you, Whistle, I shall hang up and redial.

The correct number this time.

I shall then talk to my boss as if nothing had happened and return to the

Well, what happens next? Go on.

You'll see the suitcase here.

It contains some clothes of mine for the cleaners. Open it and tip the clothes

out onto the floor.

Then fill it with a cigarette box and some of these cups.

Close the lid, but don't snap the locks.

Then leave the suitcase there just as it is now.

As if I'd left in a hurry. That's the idea. Now the window.

If it's locked, unlock it and leave it open.

Then go out exactly the same way you came in.

By this door?

Yes. And here's the most important thing.

As you go out, return the key to the place where you found it. Under the

carpet? Yes.

Yes, but what exactly is supposed to have happened?

Well, they'll assume...

You came in by the window.

You thought the apartment was empty, so you took the suitcase and went to work.

She heard something.

She switched on her light.

You saw the light under the door and hid behind the curtains.

When she came in here, you attacked her before she could scream.

When you realized you'd actually killed her, you panicked, bolted through the

garden, and left the loot behind you.

Just a minute.

I'm supposed to have come in through these windows.

Suppose they'd been locked.

It wouldn't matter.

You see, she often takes a walk around the garden before she goes to bed, and

she usually forgets to lock up when she gets back.

That's what I shall tell the police.

Yes, but she may say that.

But she isn't going to say anything, is she?

All right.

I leave the apartment.

I put the key back under the stair carpet and go out by the street door.

Suppose the street door's locked. How do I get in in the first place?

The street door is never locked.

What time will you get back?

About twelve.

I'll bring Hanley back for a nightcap so we'll find her together. And we shall

have been together since we left her.

And there's my alibi.

You've forgotten something.

What? When you get back with, what's his name, Halliday, how will you get into

the apartment?

I shall let myself in.

But your key will be under the stair carpet.

He'll see you getting it out. It'll get the whole show away.

No, it won't be my key under the carpet. It'll be hers.

I shall take it from her handbag and hide it out there just before I leave

flat.

She's not going out, so she won't miss it.

When I come back with Halliday, I'll use my own key to let us in.

Then, while he's out searching the garden or something, I'll take the key

under the carpet and return it to her handbag before the police arrive.

How many keys are there to this door?

Just hers and mine.

May I have your C499?

Oh,

hello, darling. How's it going?

No, I'm sorry.

I mean, I'm glad.

You will join us, won't you?

Well, I don't think so. I hardly seem to have started.

Oh, darling, just a moment. I think there's someone at the door.

You can be seen from the bedroom window.

Sorry, darling, false alarm.

Look, why don't you take Mark to Jerry's?

How do we get in?

Oh, just mention my name. I don't know about the band, but the food's good.

By the way, Maureen called up just after you left and wants us for dinner on

Wednesday.

But you've got something written in your diary for Wednesday and I can't read

your writing.

Looks like Al Bentor.

Who's he? Another one of your boyfriends?

Albert Hall, you idiot.

Oh, the Albert Hall, of course.

I'm so glad we don't have to go to Maureen. She's such a filthy cook.

Oh, there's the bell. I'm sorry.

All right, dear. Enjoy yourself.

Tony, don't make that martini too watery.

Oh, now, where's the picture of Malraga?

Darling, when are you going to finish pasting in those clippings?

Oh, I should find time one of these days.

Excuse me.

This is the Maharaja.

Isn't he dreaming?

Four Rolls Royces and enough jewels to sink a battleship. And all he really

wanted was to play at Wimbledon. Oh, the poor darling. He was so short -sighted

that he could barely see the end of the racket, let alone the ball.

You know, you should... You should write a book about all this. Why don't you

two collaborate?

A detective novel with a tennis background.

Yes, what about it, Mark?

Will you provide me with the perfect murder?

Nothing I'd like better.

How do you go about writing a detective story?

Well, you forget detection and concentrate on crime. Crime's a thing.

And then you imagine you're going to steal something or murder somebody.

Oh, is that how you do it?

That's interesting.

Yes, I usually put myself in the criminal's shoes and I keep asking

do I do next?

Do you really believe in the perfect murder?

Yes,

absolutely. On paper, that is.

And I think I could plan one better than most people, but I doubt if I could

carry it out.

Oh?

Why not?

Well, because in stories, things usually turn out the way the author wants them

to, and in real life, they don't.

Oh, it's... No, I'm afraid my murders would be something like my bridge. I'd

make some stupid mistake and never realize until I found everybody who's

at me.

You'd better drink up, Mark. Yes. What are you doing tomorrow?

Nothing I know of. Why don't we all drive down to Windsor for lunch? That's

good idea. Come along early, but not too early. We may be nursing a hangover.

How about 11?

Fine. Oh, we can have lunch at the King's Head.

Is that right in Windsor? No, it's just outside.

Oh.

Darling, did I lend you my latch key? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I don't know. I may have them both in my handbag. I'll just look.

No, I've only got one here.

Are you sure yours isn't in your overcoat? No, I've looked. May I borrow

Well, that's a bit awkward.

Why? I may want to go out.

Tonight?

Yes, I thought I might go to a movie or something.

Well, aren't you going to listen to the radio? Saturday night theater?

Oh, no, it's a thriller. I don't like thrillers when I'm alone.

I see.

Well, in any case, I'll be back before you so I can let you in.

But we won't be back until after midnight. You may be asleep by then.

You can always put your key on the proverbial mat.

Oh, it's all right.

Here it is. It was in my glove all the time.

Well, that settles that.

What movie are you going to?

Oh, the classic, I expect.

Will you get in?

Saturday night?

Oh, I can always try.

Oh, but don't. Oh, now, don't make me stay home. You know how I hate doing

nothing. Doing nothing? Why, there are hundreds of things you can do.

You've written to Peggy thanking her for the weekend.

And what about those clippings? It's an ideal opportunity.

Well, I like that. You two go gallivanting while I stay home and do

clippings.

Very well. We won't go.

What do you mean?

Well, it's quite obvious you don't want us to go out tonight, so we won't. We'll

stay here with you instead.

What shall we do, play cards?

Oh, Tony, darling.

Well, I'd better call the Grendon and tell him we're not coming.

Oh, Tony, please, let's not be childish about this.

All right, I'll do your old press clippings.

You don't have to if you don't want to, you know.

But I do want to.

I think I'll try and scare up a taxi.

Have we any paste?

Yes, there's some on the desk, I believe.

You need some scissors. I'll do it my own way.

Let me some change, dear. I just need some money for the taxi.

Hey, you leave my bag alone. How much do you need anyway? Well, let's see how

much you've got.

You put that... You owe me ten, Bob, anyway.

Oh, what?

Well, I paid for that package you sent to Peggy. That comes out of

Well, let me give it to you, then I'll keep your hands up.

There, now.

How much do you want?

Well, I've got three, five, seven, and sixpence. It'll be enough to get us

and back.

Oh, but you'd better take something.

How much are the dinner tickets? Already paid for, tipping -tooted. If I run

short, Mark will help out.

Taxi's here.

Tony, what are you waiting for?

Oh, nothing, dear, nothing.

Good night, Mark. Good night, Mark. What time will you get home? Oh, about

twelve, I should think. I'll bring Mark back from night camp on his way home.

Will you be up? I should be fast asleep, and I don't want to be disturbed.

We should be as quiet as mice.

Night. Night.

Uh... Oh, Margo!

You know, it's quite possible old man Burgess might call. Would you tell him

we're at the Grand Inn? It might be rather important.

What's the number? It's in the book. All right.

Goodbye, dear.

I was staying at the Tall Bay Hotel. You know the Tall Bay Hotel in Dartmoor?

But it's not exactly in Dartmoor. But Dartmoor's sort of in the district, if

know what I mean. Anyway, the whole point of the story is that it concerns

Dartmoor Prison.

Anyway, I was staying at the Tall Bay Hotel as I was saying. I went to the bar

one day.

So I turned to Mr. Edwin and said, what are you doing here?

I'm a commercial traveler.

I sell agricultural machinery.

I sell agricultural machinery. Excuse me a moment. Do any of you fellows have

the right time?

Yes, I have seven minutes past eleven.

I make it only just after eleven.

Well, my watch has stopped. I must have overwhelmed it. So, as I was saying, I

said... Excuse me a moment. I have to call my boss.

Agricultural machinery...

Hello Hello

Hello

Hello

Hello

Darling, it's me.

Tony.

Tony, thank God.

Come back at once.

What's the matter?

I can't explain now. Come quickly, please.

Darling, pull yourself together. What is it?

A man has tagged me. He's tagged me.

Did he get away?

Margot, now listen very carefully.

Don't touch anything. I'll be with you right away.

And he came across to me and said... No, no, do sit down. I have to run along.

It's Margot. She's not feeling too well. Serious? No, no, nothing serious. You

stay and enjoy yourself. I'll come along. No, it's perfectly all right.

It's all right, darling. It's all right. What happened?

He pulled something around my throat.

It felt like a stock.

Are you sure? Let me see.

I got up to answer the phone and he came from behind the curtain and tried to

stay away.

I almost passed out. I felt the scissors in my hands and then he knocked on

suddenly and he fell over on the floor.

There's hardly any blood.

When he fell, he must have... What are you doing? I'm trying to find my... Oh,

here they are, my aspirin. I've got such an awful head.

I'd better get a blanket.

Shut the window, please.

No, he mustn't touch anything until the police arrive.

He must have broken in.

Wonder what he was after.

Those cups, I expect.

When will the police get here?

Have you called them already?

No. You told me not to speak to anyone.

Hadn't you better call them now?

Yes.

Where's Mark?

I told him to go straight home.

Operator. Hello, operator.

Get me the Maida Vale police quickly.

Did you tell him?

No, I didn't know what had happened. I just said that you weren't feeling well.

Maida Vale police.

Oh, police.

There's been a ghastly accident.

Yes, sir. A man has been killed.

Your name, sir?

Wendis. Is that a double S?

No, D -I -C -E.

Your address, sir?

Was it an accident?

I don't know.

What do you mean, sir? You don't know?

You think he might have been killed by someone?

I'll explain that to you when you come. How long will it take?

About two minutes.

Two minutes.

And don't touch anything, will you, sir? No, we won't touch anything. Goodbye.

I'll get dressed.

Why?

They'll want to see me.

They're not going to see you.

But they'll have to ask me questions. They can wait until tomorrow. I'll tell

them all they need to know.

Tony. Yes.

Why did you phone me?

What? I'm sorry, darling. I'll tell you about that later.

I just thought of something.

You said he used a stocking. I think it was a stocking or a scarf.

Isn't it there?

No, but I expect you'll find it.

Now you go on to bed.

Tea, gentlemen.

Sergeant, look. It's the other stocking.

All right.

Break it up.

Let's get moving on.

Almost empty.

Remind me to get some more.

Always runs out just when we need it.

Oh, look, before I forget, the sergeant wanted to know why you didn't phone the

police immediately.

How could I? You were on the telephone.

You distinctly told me not to speak to anyone until you got here. I know,

darling, but I told him a slightly different story.

Why? Well, I said you didn't phone the police because you naturally assumed

I would do it from the hotel.

Why did you say that?

Because it was the perfectly logical explanation and he accepted it.

Now, if they get the idea that we delayed reporting it... They might get

and start asking all sorts of questions. So you want me to say the same thing? I

think so, dear, in case it comes up again.

Oh, that'll be Mark. Would you let him in?

Good morning, madam.

Oh, good morning.

Mrs. Wenders?

Yes. I'm a police officer. May I come in?

Of course.

Excuse me, I'll just tell my husband you're here. Oh, thank you.

Good morning.

Good morning, sir. I'm Chief Inspector Hubbard, in charge of criminal

investigation of this division.

I think we gave your sergeant all the necessary information.

Yes, I've seen his report, of course, but there are a few things I'd like to

first -hand.

I gather the sergeant only saw you for a few moments, Mrs. Winders?

Yes. My wife was suffering from considerable shock.

Yes, and that was a very nasty experience you had.

Do you mind if I take a look around? Go ahead, the bedroom and bathroom are

through here.

I certainly didn't get in by the bathroom.

In the kitchen, his bar's in the window.

We assume he must have come in through these windows here.

I understand that you weren't here when this happened, sir. No, I was at a

dinner party at the Grendon Hotel.

And by curious coincidence, I was actually phoning my wife when she was

attacked. Yes, I gather.

Can you tell me exactly what time it was? No, I'm afraid I can't. I do

my watch had stopped.

Did you notice, Mrs. Wendell?

No, I didn't.

Won't you sit down, Inspector?

Thank you.

Have you any idea who he was?

Yes,

at least we've discovered where he lived.

There still seems to be some confusion as to his real name.

Oh? He appeared to have several.

Had you ever seen him before?

Why, no, of course not.

Oh.

Is this him?

Yes. You don't recognise him?

No, I never saw him.

But didn't you even catch a glimpse of his face? No, you see, he attacked me

from behind and it was dark. I hardly saw him at all.

Yes, but before I showed you these photographs, you said you'd never seen

before. How could you know that if you never saw his face last night?

I don't quite understand.

Inspector, my wife simply means that as far as she knew, she never saw him

before.

Was that what you meant?

Yes. How about you, son? Had you ever seen him before?

No.

No?

At least, yes.

It's very like someone I was at college with.

But the moustache makes quite a difference.

Oh, what was his name?

Oh, I don't know. Must be 20 years since I left.

Was it, uh, Lesget?

No.

Wilson? No.

Swan? No.

Swan.

Wait a minute. Swan, yes, that's it.

There's an old photo taken at a reunion. We were at the same college together.

There he is there.

Why, it's unbelievable.

Did you know him well?

No, he was senior to me.

Now, have you met him since then?

No, at least... Come to think of it, I did see him quite recently, but not to

speak to.

Oh, when was that?

Oh, about six months ago at a railway station in Victoria, I think.

I remember noticing how little he'd changed.

Now, had he a moustache then, sir?

No.

Mrs. Winders, would you show me exactly what happened last night?

Tony, do I have to? I'm afraid so, darling.

I was in bed when the phone rang, and I got up and I came in here.

Did you switch this light on? No.

Just show me exactly where you were standing.

I stood here, and I picked up the phone. Just one moment.

Are you sure you had your back to the window like that?

Yes. But why?

Why not?

I mean, why go round the desk?

I should have picked it up from this side.

But I always answer the phone from here.

But why?

Well, in case I have to write anything down, I could hold the phone in my left

hand.

I see.

I'm sorry. Go on.

Well, I picked up the phone.

He must have come from behind those curtains and attacked me.

He got something round my neck. Something? What do you mean by

I think it was a stocking. I see.

Now, what happened then?

Well... Then he pushed me across the desk.

I distinctly remember feeling for the scissors. Now, where were those scissors

usually kept?

In that mending basket. I'd forgotten to put them away.

Now, what makes you think he came from behind those curtains?

Where else could he have been? The curtains were drawn, I suppose. Yes,

were. Did you draw them yourself?

No, Inspector. I drew them just before I went out.

Did you lock the window at the same time? Yes.

Are you quite sure of that? Oh, perfectly sure. I always lock up and I

curtain. And how do you suppose he got into this room? Well, we assume that he

broke in.

Well, there's no sign of a break -in. Our report shows the lock's quite

undamaged.

Mrs. Windes, why didn't you call the police immediately this happened?

I was trying to get through to the police when I discovered my husband was

the line.

I naturally thought that he would call the police from the hotel before he came

here.

Didn't it occur to you to call a doctor?

No. Why ever not?

He was dead.

How did you know that?

I... It was obvious. Did you feel his pulse? No, of course I didn't.

Anyone would have realized he was dead.

Just one look at those staring eyes. So you did see his face after all. I saw

his eyes. I can't remember his face.

Inspector, my wife obviously had never seen this man before. And if he didn't

come in by those windows, how did he get in?

As a matter of fact, we're quite certain that he came in by this door.

But it was locked.

Margot, did you open that door at all after we'd gone?

No. How many keys are there to this door, sir? Only two.

Mine was in my handbag and you had yours with you.

Yes, that's right.

Has the caretaker got a key?

No. Do you employ a charwoman?

Yes, but she hasn't got one either. I'm always here when she comes.

What makes you think he came in this way?

His shoes.

His shoes.

The ground was soaking wet last night. If he'd come in by the garden, he'd have

left mud all over the carpet.

As it is, he didn't leave any marks at all because he wiped his shoes on the

front door mat.

How can you tell?

It's a fairly new mat and some of its fibres came off on his shoes.

Oh, but surely... And there was a small tar stain on the mat and some of the

fibres show that as well.

There's no question about it.

Wait a minute.

I think I've got it.

Do you remember when your bag was stolen?

Yes.

Wasn't the key inside?

Yes, but it was still there when I got it back.

Now, just a moment. I mean, I'd like to hear about this.

What sort of bag? A handbag, Inspector. My wife lost it at Victoria Station.

But I got it back from the lost and found about two weeks later.

Was anything missing?

All the money was gone.

Anything else?

No. I mean, no papers or letters?

No.

Are you quite sure about that?

Yes. And your latchkey was in your handbag when you lost it?

Yes, but it was still there when it was returned.

Well, whoever stole the money could have copied the key.

Where was the bag found, eventually?

At Victoria Station.

Wasn't that where you said you saw this man, sir?

When did you lose the bag?

Wasn't it that weekend we went to visit Peggy?

Yes, it was. I remember now. He was sitting in the restaurant.

Was that where you left your handbag? Yes, it was. And didn't I say something

about, oh, there's someone I was at college with?

I don't remember.

And that's how he got in. He had a duplicate made and then returned the

to the handbag. Before you go any further with this, how did he get in

the street door?

Well, the street door is never locked.

I see.

He could have had your key copied.

And he could have used it to open the door.

But of course he didn't.

Why not?

Because if he had, the key would still have been on him when he died. But no

was found when we went through his pockets.

Oh, we seem to be back just where we started, don't we?

Well, not quite.

Well, then how did he get in?

We'd better get all this down on paper.

I'd like you both to make an official statement before the inquest.

My office is only a few moments from here. Perhaps you could come now.

Oh, Mark, this is Inspector Hubbard. Inspector, this is Mark Halliday. He was

with me last night. How do you do, Inspector?

Now, Mr. Halliday, as you were with Mr. Wendis last night, you may be able to

help us here.

Now, did you notice what time it was he went to the phone?

Yes, as a matter of fact, it was just three minutes after 11.

Well, how did you come to notice that?

Well, Mr. Wendis' watch had stopped, and some of us compared times.

Thank you, sir. You see, it was when Mrs. Wendis came in here to answer his

that she was attacked.

Did you phone Margot before or after you phoned your boss?

Tony, I know what I wanted to ask you. Why did you telephone me last night?

just one moment before I lose the thread of this.

Now, at three minutes past eleven, you left your party to phone your boss.

Yes, I used the pay phone in the lobby.

Now, how long were you on the telephone to your boss before you called your

wife? As a matter of fact, I never did speak to him. I couldn't remember his

number in the country, so I rang my wife to ask her to look it up in the address

book on the desk.

You mean you hauled me out of bed just to get his number? I had to, darling.

see, my boss was trying to Brussels this morning. I wanted to remind him of

something. It was rather important.

Wasn't there a telephone directory in the hotel?

Yes, but his country number wouldn't be in that directory.

And did you phone him?

Oh, no, naturally.

When I heard what had happened here, I forgot all about it.

Yes.

Mr. Halliday, Mr. and Mrs. Windis are coming to my office now to make their

statements. Would you be good enough to give me your address, sir? I may want to

get in touch with you. Certainly.

I'll just get my coat.

I'm saying the Carfax Hotel.

Just write it down there, will you? Your telephone number as well.

You

ever

been over here before, sir?

Yes, yes, about a year ago.

There you are, sir. Thank you.

Mr. Winders.

There's quite a crowd in front of the house. I was going to suggest that we

by the garden. Isn't there a gate at the far end? Yes.

I'm afraid the gate may be locked. Would you mind taking a look?

Certainly.

How much does he know about you and Mrs. Wendis?

I beg your pardon?

You wrote a letter to Mrs. Wendis from New York. It was found in the dead man's

inside pocket.

I didn't mention it because I wasn't sure how much Mr. Winders knew.

Have you any idea how it got there?

No.

Where's Turner?

He's just gone into the garden.

Mrs. Winders, when you lost your handbag, did you lose a letter as well?

No. Margot, it was found in the dead man's pocket.

You did lose it, didn't you?

Yes, I did.

I asked you that before, didn't I?

Yes.

But you see, my husband didn't know about it. Now, this man was blackmailing

you, wasn't he? It's no good, Margot. Tony will have to know about it. No.

the only thing we can do, Inspector.

After Mrs. Wendis lost my letter, she received these two notes.

Last October.

How many times have you seen this man? I've never seen him.

Mr. Halliday, I'd like you to come along with us. Yes, of course.

Mrs. Wendis.

When you come to make your statement, there may be other police officers

present. I shall warn you first that anything you say will be taken down and

be used in evidence.

Now, never mind what you've told me so far. We'll forget all about that.

But from now on, tell us exactly what you know about this man and exactly what

happened last night.

If you try and conceal anything at all, it may put you in a very serious

position. I wish you'd explain what you mean by all this.

I will.

Now, you admit that you killed this man.

Well, you say you did it in self -defense.

Unfortunately, there were no witnesses.

So we've only your word for that.

But I heard it all, Inspector.

Over the telephone.

Well, what exactly did you hear, Mr. Winders?

Well, I heard a series of faint cries.

Well, did you hear anything to indicate that a struggle was going on?

What I did hear, Inspector, is perfectly consistent with what my wife told me.

So all you really know of the matter is what your wife told you, isn't it?

Now, you suggest that this man came to burgle your flat, but there's no

of that.

There is evidence, however, that he was blackmailing you.

Blackmail? Yes, I'm afraid that's true, Tony. And you suggest that he came in by

the window, and we know that he came in by that door.

But he can't have come in that way. That door was locked, and there are only two

keys. My husband had his with him, and mine was in my handbag here.

You could have let him in.

Are you suggesting she let him in herself?

Well, at present, that appears to be the only way he could have entered.

Don't you even believe I was attacked?

How do you think I got these bruises on my throat?

You could have caused those bruises yourself.

A silk stocking was found outside the window.

It had two knots tied in it.

Does that mean anything to you? I suppose it must have been the stocking

used. We found the twin stocking hidden underneath this blotting pad.

Can you explain why your attacker should do that?

No.

Those stockings were yours, weren't they?

No. We know they were.

One of the heels had been downed with some silk that didn't quite match.

We found a reel of that silk in your mending basket.

Tony, there was a pair of stockings here.

I've heard of the police deliberately planning clues to ensure a conviction.

His men were here for hours last night. They could easily have taken those

stockings and done anything with them. Of course they did. Probably wiped his

shoes in the doormat as well.

Oh, hello, Roger. Thank heaven you're in. Tony Wenders here.

Now, listen, we had a burglary last night and Margo was attacked.

Margo? Was she hurt? No, she's all right, but the man was killed. The

here now.

And don't laugh. They're suggesting that Margo killed him intentionally.

I wouldn't say that about you, sir.

Well, that's a good one.

Yes, it is funny, isn't it?

Now, Roger, could you come around at once? Maida Vale Police Station?

Yeah, I'll be there right away.

Oh, thanks, old boy. Goodbye.

It's all right, darling.

Roger's going to meet us at the police station. Now, Mr. Wendis, I should

you. Our lawyer will give us any advice we need. Thank you.

Margo.

Put your hat back.

Thank you.

Are you all coming?

Oh, but of course, Inspector.

Yeah. Yeah, that's what I just... I mean, I just wondered.

I charge you that on the 26th of September, you did

willfully murder Charles Alexander Swan.

Do you wish to say anything in answer to this charge?

And did you, at any time in your life, meet this man, Swan?

You received a letter from Mr. Halliday.

This letter was found in the dead man's pocket.

Now you say you did not know?

Do you find the prisoner?

Margot Mary Wendis, guilty or not guilty?

Guilty.

The sentence of this court is that you be taken to the place from whence you

came, from thence to a place of lawful execution.

any news from the Home Secretary.

Then it's tomorrow.

Tony, I... I take it you'd do anything to save her life. We've done everything.

No, Tony, we haven't done everything.

I've been trying to figure out something for weeks just in case it came to this.

Now I really believe it's her only chance.

Let's have it.

Margot was convicted because nobody believed her story.

The prosecution made out she was telling one lie after another and the jury

believed him. But what is his case really about?

Just three things.

My letter, her stocking, and the fact that because no key was found on Swan,

must have let him in herself.

Don't try and tell me. Wait a minute, Tony. Now hear me out.

This is where you come in.

Now you've got to go to the police and tell them some story.

Anything that will convince them that Margot wasn't lying after all.

The police aren't likely to believe anything I might tell them.

Tony, I've been writing this stuff for years.

I figured out something for you to tell them.

Now, let's take those points one by one.

Margot says she never let Swan in through this door.

Okay.

He must have opened it somehow.

Suppose you tell the police that you left your key out here somewhere.

Then Swan could have let himself in.

How do you know he was there?

You told him.

But I haven't met Swan in 20 years.

Tony.

Swan is dead.

And we've got to make the most of that.

You can tell any story you like about him now. You can even say that, well,

two met somewhere and you planned this whole thing together.

Planned what?

Are you suggesting I arranged for Swan to come here that night to blackmail

No.

To kill her.

Kill Margo?

That's it.

Why? Because she said so.

He came from behind the curtain.

And he tried to strangle her.

Okay, that's what he did.

All you've got to do is support everything she said. Don't you see,

my whole idea.

But what about your letter?

A man doesn't try and kill the person he's blackmailing. It doesn't make

Yes, I know. That worried me for a while, too. But I've got that licked.

You tell them that you stole her handbag yourself.

Why should I do that?

Because you wanted to read my letter.

And when you had read it, you got mad and decided to teach her a lesson. So

wrote those blackmail notes.

Nobody can prove you didn't.

And you can also say you never saw Swan at Victoria Station.

You just invented that to try to connect him with my letter.

Don't you see Tony how it all hangs together?

But your letter was found in his pocket.

Well, you put it there.

When?

It's sometime before the police arrived.

And you could have also...

Planted the stockings at the same time. But, Mark, why should I want anyone to

kill Margot?

I know, Tony.

It's tough for us to see because we... We both love her.

But we need a reason now.

We need it badly.

Let's take one of the old stock motives.

Had Margot made a will?

Yes, I believe she had.

Who was the beneficiary?

Why, I am, I suppose.

There's your reason, Tony.

But thousands of husbands and wives would leave money to each other without

murdering each other.

The police wouldn't believe a word of it. They'd take it for exactly what it

A man trying desperately to save his wife.

Well, I certainly think it's worth that try.

Let's face it, they can't hang you for a murder that never came off.

Most you'd get would be a few years in prison.

Thanks very much.

It's a small price to pay, Tony. You'd be saving her life.

That's fine, coming from you, Mark.

Her life wouldn't be in danger at all if it hadn't been for you.

It's because of her association with you that she lost the sympathy of the jury.

Don't get me wrong, Mark.

If there was the slightest chance of this coming off, of course I'd do it.

But it's got to be convincing.

For instance, how could I possibly have persuaded Swan to do a thing like this?

Well, you offered him money or something. What money? I don't have any.

you'd have had Margo's. It'll be months before I get my hands on that.

And people don't commit murder on credit.

Now I'm...

I'm afraid you'll have to think of something better than that.

I know you're trying to help, but... Can you imagine anyone believing a story

like that?

Yes, I can.

If you make them believe it.

But I wouldn't know what to say. You'd have to come with me.

Oh, Tony, that'd really be a mistake. They know the kind of stuff I write. We

wouldn't stand a chance then.

Is it about my wife?

No, sir, I'm afraid not.

Then what is it?

Well, I'm making inquiries in connection with a robbery that took place about

three weeks ago, sir. Well, can't it wait a few days?

Of course, sir, I'm very conscious of your position. If I may, I'd like to say

how deeply sorry I am. Yes, Inspector, yes, all right. Now, how can I help you?

Well, the cashier of a factory in Ledbury Street was attacked in his

and two men made off with several hundred pounds, mostly in pound notes.

What is all this to do with me?

In cases like this, all police divisions are asked to keep a lookout for anyone

spending large sums of money.

I see.

I was wondering if you'd sold anything recently for cash.

Why?

Well, my sergeant happened to be making inquiries at Wales's garage the other

day, and it appears that you settled an account there recently for...

Just over 60 pounds.

Yes, well, you see, I happened to have quite a bit on me at the time, so I

settled for cash.

I see.

Had you just drawn this money from your bank?

Have you been to my bank, Inspector?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.

But they wouldn't help me. Bank statements are always jealously guarded.

Yes, well, I'm rather surprised you didn't come to me first.

It was only a routine matter. After all, I didn't want to disturb you.

Where did you get it, sir?

Is that any of your business?

Well, if it was stolen money, yes, sir, it is my business.

Do you mind if I smoke? Go ahead.

Do you really think I've been receiving stolen money?

Well, until you tell me where you got it, I shan't know what to think, shall

You see, if you got this money from someone you didn't know, I mean, that

be the very person we're looking for.

Hello.

This is yours, sir. What is it?

Somebody's latchkey. It was lying on the floor just here.

No, mine's here.

No, no, it's not yours.

It may be mine, then.

Yes, yes, it is mine.

Yes, it must have dropped out of the pocket. There's a small hole there.

That's the trouble with these latchkeys. They're all of life.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir, you were saying? I don't think I was, is I? Oh, yes, it was

about that money.

I'd be grateful if you'd tell me where you got it. After all, a hundred pounds

is quite a lot to carry around. You said sixty a moment ago.

Did I?

Oh, yes. Yes, my sergeant decided to dig a little deeper before he put in his

report. He said that you also paid a bill at your tailor's and another for

and spirits.

Well, I'm sorry I went to all that trouble. Had he come straight to me, I

have explained it at once. I simply won rather a large sum at dog racing.

What, over a hundred pounds?

Yes, over a hundred pounds. It has been done before, you know.

Yes, well, why didn't you tell me this straight away, then?

Well, I was rather ashamed of being caught going to dog racing when my wife

under sentence of death.

Yes, I know how it is. It helps to take your mind off things.

Well, that answers everything, doesn't it?

I'm sorry to have had to bother you at this time. Not at all, Inspector, not at

all.

Just one other thing, sir.

Have you a small blue attaché case?

Don't say you found it already.

Why, have you lost it?

Yes, I was going to report it this afternoon. I think I left it in a taxi.

I see.

Well, we must try and get it back, mustn't we?

Where did you pick the taxi up, sir?

Hyde Park Corner, about half an hour ago.

Anything valuable? No, a few books and... Any money?

Two or three pounds an envelope, I believe.

Not two or three hundred. No, I'm afraid not.

Just as well.

Tell me, Inspector, how did you find out about the attaché case?

Well, the wine shop mentioned that you had it when you paid your bill. So my

sergeant checked back on your garage and your tailor. They both remembered you

having it with you when you paid them. Yes, well, I used it instead of a

briefcase, you see.

Well, these taxi men are pretty good at turning things in.

I hope you'll find it all right, sir.

Inspector, before you go, I think Mr. Wenders has something to tell you.

Oh, has he?

Then I'd like to show you something in here, sir.

No wonder you couldn't bear to sleep in her bed.

There must be over 500 pounds here.

Where did you get it?

Well, I can tell you why he got it.

This money was to have been paid to a man named Swan after he murdered Mrs.

Wenders.

But as you know, there was an accident, so it wasn't necessary to pay Swan after

all.

Obviously, he couldn't produce all this without questions being asked, so he

lived on it.

He's been living on it since the 27th of March.

Well, Mr. Winders, before you came, Inspector, he was trying to persuade me

go to the police with the most fantastic story you ever heard.

Apparently, I bribed Swan to murder my wife so that, correct me if I go wrong,

Mark, so that I could inherit all her money.

And that isn't all.

You remember Mr. Halliday's letter.

Well, apparently Swan didn't steal it. I did.

And I wrote those two blackmail notes, and I kept Mr.

Halliday's letter and planted it on the body.

And the stocking... Oh, yes, yes, the stocking. Perhaps I'd better tell this,

Mark. It might sound more like a confession.

I substituted... Is that the right word?

Yes, I substituted my wife's other stocking for the one that... You do

me, don't you?

What else, Mark?

He told Swan he'd hide his key somewhere out here.

Probably up on this ledge.

Swan let himself in.

He hid behind the curtains. Then Wendis telephoned from the hotel. That brought

her... Just one moment. If Swan had used Mr. Wendis' key, it would still have

been on him when he died.

Besides, how did Mr. Wendis get in when he returned from the hotel?

Well, she could have let him in.

And he could have taken his key from Swan's pocket before the police got

But he let himself in with his own key.

That came out in the trial.

Don't you remember?

Come on, Mark.

You'll move.

Uh... Swan could have taken the key down from here, unlocked the door,

and then replaced the key on the ledge before he came in.

All right, Mr. Halliday, this is all very interesting, but it isn't getting

any nearer what I came to find out. But this is a question of life and death.

What else matters?

What matters to me is where Mr. Wendis got this money. That's all I want to

know.

Just a moment, please.

Inspector Wynn, look at this.

The last cheque he wrote was on the 26th of March.

That's the day before this all happened. I tell you, he's been living off it

ever since.

He

hasn't

drawn any large sums from his bank. Nothing over 53 pounds.

But look, Inspector.

Practically every week.

35 pounds, 40, 45 pounds, 50.

He could have saved it up.

Of course, I could have been planning all this for years.

Then where did you get it?

Do you really want to know?

I warn you, you won't like it, Mark.

Come on.

All right, you asked for it.

When she called me back from the party that night, I found her kneeling beside

Swan's body, going through his pockets.

She kept saying he had something of hers, but she couldn't find it.

She was almost hysterical. That's why I wouldn't let the police question her.

In the state she was in, she'd have told every lie under the sun.

The next morning, she showed me the money, just as it is now, all in one

notes.

And she said, if anything happens to me, don't let them find this.

Well, after she was arrested, I took the money in that case to Charing Cross

Station and left it in the checkroom.

Whenever I needed money, I took it out and left it in some other checkroom.

I knew if you found it, she wouldn't stand a chance.

You see, she was just about to give it to him when she killed him instead.

You don't expect anyone to believe this, do you?

I've really no idea.

What about it, Inspector?

Well,

I must say I suspected something like that.

You mean you're not even going to check up on this? She's being hanged tomorrow.

Look, all this has been out of my hands for months. There's been a trial and an

appeal. Oh, of course, it wouldn't mean much to you, would it?

You'd have to admit you arrested the wrong person.

I think you'd better go.

You bet I'll go.

But you've made one mistake.

What'll happen when Margo hears about this? Well, she'll deny it, of course.

perhaps she'll change her will.

You'll have done it all for nothing, Tony.

If I'd told that story of his, will anyone have believed me?

No, not a chance.

Before nearly every execution, someone comes forward like this.

This must have been very distressing for you, coming as it did.

You suppose they let him see her? I don't want her upset just now.

Have a word with your lawyer. He might be able to prevent it.

I should get all that money into the bank before somebody pinches it. Thank

I think I will.

I hope Mr. Halliday is not waiting outside to see me.

Would you mind just taking a look, sir, to make sure he's gone?

All clear?

Good.

Oh, by the way, sir, I was asked to tell you, there are a few things belonging

to Mrs. Windis at the police station. What sort of things? Oh, just some books

and a handbag, I believe.

They'd like you to come and collect them sometime.

You mean after tomorrow?

Yes, or today, if you like. Just ask the desk sergeant. He knows all about it.

Yes. Well, goodbye, Mr. Windis. I don't suppose we shall meet again?

Goodbye, Inspector, and thank you very much.

Chief Inspector here. Give me Sergeant O 'Brien, quick.

O 'Brien.

Hubbard, look, O 'Brien, I've got back in again.

Start the ball rolling.

Inspector Hubbard, it's me, Mark Holliday.

Now, what are you up to? What's the idea?

What are you doing here? Never mind about that. I was wondering why you

come out. You have to get out of here, quick. Listen, Inspector. Shut up.

If you want to save Mrs. Windis, keep quiet and let me handle it. All you're

possibly going to...

But what is all this?

They talk about flat -footed policemen. May the saints protect us from the

gifted amateur.

You'd better prepare yourself for a surprise, Mr. Heller.

Margot.

Hello, Mark.

Where's Toby?

He... He's gone out.

When will he be back?

We're not sure.

Was that you who rang just now?

Yes.

Why didn't you let me in?

You've got a key. Why didn't you use it?

I did, but it didn't fit the lock. Oh, and you know why, don't you?

No, I don't. Has the lock been changed?

May I have your bag a moment?

Whose key is this?

I thought it was mine.

I don't know.

What's going on here?

Your husband's explained this, you know.

You can tell us all about it now.

What is it?

I don't understand.

No, I don't believe you do.

Pearson? Sir?

Take this handbag back to the police station and get that car out of the way.

Yes, sir.

Oh, wait a minute, you plot. You can't walk down the street like that. You'll

arrested.

Put it in this.

Margot, how did you get here?

I don't know.

About an hour ago, the warden came to see me.

He just said I was to be taken home.

And then two detectives brought me here.

And they said I could go.

But I couldn't get that door open.

Where's Tony?

He was supposed to visit me this morning, and they said he couldn't come.

Has anything happened to him?

No.

Nothing.

Inspector, I don't want to interfere, but do you think you could tell us what

you're up to?

Mrs. Wendy's, what I've got to tell you may come as a shock.

Yes?

We strongly suspect that your husband had planned to murder you.

Tony arranged for Swan to come here that night and kill you.

How long have you known this?

Did you suspect it yourself?

No, never.

What's the matter with me, Mark?

I don't seem able to feel anything.

Shouldn't I break down or something?

It's delayed action, that's all.

In a couple of days, you're going to have the most wonderful breakdown.

What did you find out, sir?

Well, the first clue came quite by accident.

We discovered that your husband had been spending a large number of pound notes

all over the place, so it ran into over 300 pounds.

And it appeared to have started at about the time you were arrested.

Now, I had to find out where he got that money and how.

And then I remembered that after you were arrested, we searched this flat.

And I saw a copy of his bank statement in that desk.

So yesterday afternoon, I went to the prison and asked to see your handbag.

While I was doing this, I managed to lift your latchkey.

Highly irregular, of course, but my blood was up.

And then this morning, when your husband was out...

I came back here to look at his statement.

I never saw it, because I never got through that door. You see, the key that

taken from your handbag didn't fit the lock.

Williams?

Mendes?

Oh, that was a near one.

Look at Ron.

He's found out about his raincoat. He just came back and couldn't get in. I

think he's on his way to the station now.

Has Pearson arrived with a handbag yet? Yes, sir. Good. Now listen.

Give Wendis those books and the handbag and make sure he sees the key.

Better make him check the contents and sign for them.

If he wants his own key and raincoat, tell him I've gone to Glasgow.

Any questions?

No questions.

Right. Call me back when he leaves the station.

Roger.

Well, Mr. Halliday, have you got it?

I don't think so.

Where's Mrs. Wendis' key?

It took me just half an hour to find it.

But if it was there, why didn't Wendis use it just now?

He didn't use it because he doesn't realize it's there. He still thinks it's

his wife's handbag.

You see, you were very nearly right.

He told Swan that he would leave your latchkey under the stair carpet, Mrs.

Wendis, and told him to return it to the same place when he left.

But as Swan was killed, we naturally assumed that your key would still be in

of Swan's pockets.

That was his little mistake.

Because Swan had done exactly as you suggested, Mr. Halliday.

He unlocked the door, then returned the key before he came in. And

it's been out there ever since.

And the key Wendis took out of Swan's pocket and returned to her handbag was

Swan's own latchkey.

Mind you, even I didn't guess that at once.

Extraordinary. You know, it had always puzzled me that no key was found on

Swan's body. After all, most men carry a latchkey about with them.

And then I had a brainwave.

I took the key that was in your handbag to his girlfriend's, Mrs. Van Dorns, and

unlocked the door of her flat.

And then I borrowed her telephone and called Scotland Yard.

Why did you bring me here?

Because you were the only other person who could possibly have left that key

outside. I had to find out if you knew it was there.

Suppose I had known.

You didn't.

Yes, darling.

I think I've needed help.

Inspector Hubbard.

O 'Brien?

Try and hang on just a little longer.

Williams, he's just left the station. Give me a thump if he comes this way.

What happens now?

Sooner or later, he'll come back here.

As I've pinched his latch key, he'll try the one in the handbag. When that

doesn't fit, he'll realize his mistake, put two and two together, and look under

the stair carpet.

But if he doesn't do that, all this is pure guesswork. We can't prove a thing.

That's perfectly true.

But once he opens that door, we shall know everything.

What did you do there?

I'm to phone the Home Secretary personally. He's standing by for a call

And Mrs. Wenders?

We'll have nothing else to fear.

All right, Mark.

What's he doing?

He's wondering why that key doesn't fit.

He's going around to the back entrance.

He's stopped again.

He's looking at the handbag now.

He's trying to remember when he put the key back in there.

No, he's given up.

I'm afraid we've had it this time. He's going way down the street.

Hold it.

He's stopped again.

He's turning around.

He's staring at the key.

Of course, that swanskin.

Now he's got it.

He's coming back fast.

He's remembered.

As you said, Mark, it might work out on paper, but congratulations, Inspector.

Oh, by the way.

Well, how about you, Margot?

Yes, I could do something.

Mark? So can I. I suppose you're still on duty, Inspector.