All language subtitles for No Trace (Gilling, 1950).en

The Mind of the Murderer,

third of a series of broadcasts
by Mr Robert Southley,

the distinguished crime
novelist, here's Mr Southley.

Good evening.

We know that in the
majority of cases

murder is enacted on
the spur of the moment,

and without consideration
of consequence.

Between the thought and the deed,

there has passed only the
shortest interval of time.

Tonight I'm going to speak
about premeditated murder.

Few murders would be committed
if they were planned,

since over the planning
will inevitably

harbour the shadow
of retribution.

It is fear, not conscience,
that makes cowards of us.

There are not many
who have the nerve

and the ability to carry
out the perfect crime.

For to murder with
malice or forethought

require resource and
skill in planning,

and something of the
novelist's ingenuity of...

I wanted to listen, John!

Sorry.

Why don't you like Robert?

Several reasons,

for one thing, he doesn't like me!

I don't think he ever mentions you.

No, he wouldn't.

The only people in existence
as far as Robert's concerned

are the people who do like him,

not likely to waste
his valuable time

with those who can
see through him.

John, there are two sides to Robert,

the rather superior side
that you don't like,

it's just his armour.

Underneath he's quite a
sensitive, fine person.

If you knew him as well as I do,
I think you'd agree with me.

Rubbish, he's just a
melodramatic sensationalist,

shallow as ditch water.

There's isn't a particle of him
that isn't reflected in his writing.

I thought you never
read anything of Robert's!

Well, I have ah,

read a chapter or two
of one of his books.

Well, before you start making

a character analysis
of his writings,

I suggest you read more
than a chapter or two.

What a title!

What's wrong with it?

It's from Othello, I
think it's his best.

Arise Black Vengeance,
sounds corny to me.

I think I better start
writing novels myself,

some people seem to be
able to get away with it.

Some people can write them.

- Good night, Linda.
- Good night, John.

- Evening, Mr Southley.
- Evening.

- Good evening.
- Good evening, Mr Southley.

- Robert!
- I know, don't tell me.

- I will, you're late!
- Oh, why do we give

these press parties?

Why don't you turn up to them?
I've been making excuses for you

for the last hour and a half!

Well, that's what a
good secretary's for!

Did you tell them I was
with my publisher?

- I said excuses.
- In we go.

Well, I can't even
begin to apologise!

Well, you better begin soon,
Robert, we're just going.

Well, what's the great author
got to say for himself?

How delighted he is to be placed

in his proper category
for once, thank you, Jim.

You know everybody,
don't you, Robert?

Yes, I feel quite at home,
like Daniel in the lion's den.

Oh, I'm sure nobody's
going to tear you to pieces.

Well, somebody ought
to on principle.

Stop you from getting
too conceited, Robert.

Oh no, conceit's the
monopoly of the critics

who advise the public on how
a novel should be written,

if only they'd thought
of them first.

I shall print that!

Yes, do that, George, I thought
of it coming up in the lift.

So, what's going to be
your next book, Mr Southley?

Well, we don't know
yet, do we Linda?

You're sticking to crime, of course.

No, crime's sticking to us,

it dogs our footsteps,
haunts us when we're asleep,

and lurks at our bedsides
waiting for us to wake up,

doesn't it, Linda?

Glad you put it in the
plural, especially the noun.

You know, Linda has a
livid moral sense.

She lived in an age
when the word bed

was considered highly improper,
she died 50 years ago,

but she's feeling much
better now, aren't you, dear?

Robert, why weren't
you on the stage?

Well, I was once,

but I discovered that I liked
eating as well as resting.

I cannot imagine Robert
failing at anything.

Don't take him seriously, Inspector,

especially when he's being modest!

He once told me that
he was a better actor

than he was a writer.

- Let me get you another drink.
- Oh, thank you.

You, ah, seen John Harrison lately?

Yes, I saw him a few days ago!

Thank you.

I'm meeting him tonight.

- Oh?
- Excuse me.

Certainly.

- Bye.
- Goodbye.

Why do you always write
in the first person, Mr Southley?

It's the person I have the greatest
admiration for, Miss Randal.

- Goodbye, Miss Trent.
- Goodbye, Mr Southley.

- Cheerio, mate.
- Goodbye and thank you for coming.

Is there somebody
giving you a lift?

No, I've got my own car.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Thanks for
everything, goodbye.

Well, now that's that.

Oh, sorry, Mac, I expect
you've been bored to tears.

Oh, not at all.

By the way,

I thought you told me you'd
never been in the States.

- I haven't.
- But...

this was taken in New York,
isn't New York in the States?

Oh no, New York is a country
surrounded by America.

Did you read Limelight Murder?

- Aye, I did.
- And what'd you think of it?

Not up to standard, it's
too predictable, Robert.

The solution's obvious from
the the very beginning.

Well, the obvious isn't
always right in murder.

Improbable memory, you'd
best get a little experience

in crime detection first hand
before you begin your next book!

- From Scotland Yard?
- Aye, hard facts against

psychological deductions.

I'd hate to embarrass you by
solving the crime before you did.

That sounds like a challenge!

One of these days, my lad,
I'm gonna deflate that ego of yours.

You never will, I promise
you, good night, Mac.

- Good night to you.
- Good night, Inspector.

Well, does that conclude
my secretarial duties for the night?

Yes, and thank you for
keeping the wolves at bay.

You mean the lions.

When are you gonna start some work?

What a horrible thought!

- When are we?
- Starting work?

When I can think of
something to write about.

- You haven't dried up?
- Oh, don't be silly.

Why don't you get
Mac to let you hold

a watching brief
on his next case?

Are you suggesting he
could teach me anything?

Why not?

If I were a writer,
that's what I'd do,

something different
once in a while.

Or I'd take a job to let
a little daylight in!

Oh, Linda, surely
you don't mean work?

It would stop you
from getting stale.

My dear girl, the only reason
I took up writing was to avoid it.

I very nearly believe you!

You're too sheltered,

it's a pity you haven't seen
a bit more of the seamy side.

Linda, has it ever occurred to you

that I might have had
a very hard youth?

You'll be telling me next
that you write from experience!

Well, I certainly don't write
from Inspector MacDougall's.

You might do worse, good night.

Good night, Linda.

Oh, work!

I don't like it, either.

How the devil did
you get in here?

Fire escape.

I guessed I'd stand
a better chance

of seeing you that way, Mr
Southley.

Remember me?
Fenton.

Sure you do.

I'll give you a minute
to get out of here, Fenton.

Remember Pittsburgh?

You were lucky, I got
caught, you got away,

now look at you!

- What do you want?
- I got five years.

I used to think a whole lot
about you, you know how it is.

You didn't come here to reminisce
on your prison experiences.

Say what you've come for
and get out!

OK.

Someone on the other side

lent me a book you'd
written called No Trace.

It had your photograph.
Boy did I get a laugh!

You've built up quite a name.

Too bad if something
should happen to it.

Did you get all this
by writing books?

Swell!

Suppose someone should prove
that you'd cashed in on experience?

There's a lot of people
who'd rather read about you

in newspapers than in books
cooked up like fiction.

Ain't that right, Paul?

Pardon me, Robert, I forgot
you changed your name.

Me?

I always stuck to the same one.

Funny I should keep the letter
you wrote me all these years.

Then I'm sentimental, I guess.

It's a honey.

It's about a jewel robbery
we pulled in Philly,

in your handwriting.

You were young in those
days, boy were you young!

Where is the letter?

At my lodgings, want it?

- How much?
- 500 pounds.

If I give it to you,
what guarantee will I have

that you will leave me alone?

You'll have the letter, won't you?

There's nothing I can
do without that.

But I don't have to tell you

there's a whole lot I could
do with it, is it a deal?

- I'll get you the money.
- OK.

Here's what you'll do.

Meet me tomorrow at 12:00, see?

Here's my address:
2 Riverwalk, Dockside.

I'm not meeting you there.

Wherever you say.

- You know Hyde Park?
- Yeah.

I'll meet you at the car
park by the serpentine.

OK.

I'll be seeing you.

I'll bring the letter,

all tied up with
pink ribbon... for luck.

Good night, Paul,
pleasant dreams.

Hello?

- Linda.
- Yes?

What happened to you last night?

Well, nothing, why?

I tried to telephone you.

Oh, I didn't get into until late,

I was having a drink
with John Harrison.

Nevermind about that, I
want to know how much money

I've got in my current account.

- I don't know off hand.
- Roughly.

About 900 I should think,

do you want me transfer
anything to capital?

No, I may want it,
I'll be out this morning,

I'll be back after lunch.

All right, Robert.

Morning, Paul.

We'll skip the social stuff,

- shall we?
- Sure.

- Have you got the...
- And the letter?

Seems like you don't
trust me, Paul.

Open it up and let me
have a look at it.

Sure.

- Satisfied?
- Yes.

Right, open the packet.

Fives?

- They can be traced, can't they?
- They can, but they won't be.

OK.

Don't let me see
anymore of you, Fenton.

Threatening me?

Warning you.

Oh.

- Hello.
- May I come in?

Suppose so.

I'm knee-deep in work.

Oh, Robert's here is he?

No.

I only wanted to ask
about a show tonight,

I've got some tickets for
Bet Your Life, front row.

Well, Robert hasn't
done his BBC talk yet,

I expect I shall be
working late with him.

Oh.

You could drop by later
for coffee if you like.

Yes, please.

What time does the illustrious
Mr Southley go on the air?

- 9:30.
- I'll be round at 9:00.

I sometimes think
I'd stand a better chance

if you got a job with
somebody else.

Why?

It is Robert, isn't it?

He doesn't even know I exist,
so the point doesn't arise.

I'm afraid I don't agree
with your views on him, John.

Naturally, you're in love.

I didn't say...

Oh, and how's Sergeant Harrison?

All right, thanks.

I'm sorry I can't ask you
to stop, I'm rather busy.

That's all right, I
was just going anyway.

Linda, I don't know
why we have to be

afflicted with Sergeant
Harrison's company.

He only came in for
a moment, Robert.

You're not getting serious
with that young man, are you?

No! Why?

I...

I don't want to lose a
good secretary, that's all.

Try and get rid of me.

Hello, Mr Southley's
secretary speaking.

- Is Southley there?
- What name is it, please?

I wanna
talk to Mr Southley!

Yes, but what name shall I say?

Just a moment, it's for you,
Robert, he won't give a name.

Hello, Southley speaking,
who is that?

Hello, Paul, this is
your old buddy here again!

Boy, I can't help remembering
those good ol' times we had.

A minute, Linda.

Now listen, Fenton,
you've got your money

and I've told you I don't
want to hear anymore from you!

Take it easy, Paul,
I've got other ideas.

You wanna take another
gander at that letter?

It cost me quite a few
bucks to get it copied.

What do you mean?

I mean it's a phoney
, Paul, you're slipping,

you'd a never fallen
for that one in Philly.

- Why you dirty rat!
- Take it easy!

You wanna be like me
Paul, never trust nobody!

Anyways, I've got the original,
and you've got just one day

to come across with
another halfgrand!

You have my address,
I gave it to you,

2 Riverwalk, Dockside, OK?

I'll see you in hell
before you get one more penny!

Friend of yours?

Everybody's a friend
of mine, babe!

What engagements
have I got, Linda?

You were seeing your
publishers at 3:00,

you're down for cocktails
with Lady Medford at 6:00,

and then there's your
broadcast at 9:30.

Well, cancel Lady Medford,

and tell Gilley
I can't make it today.

Tomorrow?

No, better leave it till Friday.

We don't carry a large stock, sir,

we usually make to order,
except very minor artists.

What particular character
would you be playing?

Well, I haven't decided yet.

Oh, but surely the beard.

Whatever it is, I'm
gonna wear the beard.

Now, ever since I was three
I've always longed to wear a beard.

"Oh, that the slave
had 40,000 lives,

"one is too weak, too poor
for my revenge," how's that?

Quite good, sir,
if I may say so.

- How nice of you.
- Not at all, sir.

The effect is just
vaguely ferocious,

exactly what is wanted
for the part I should say.

- Exactly, I'll take that one.
- Very good, sir.

- Your name, sir?
- George Dunn.

- And the company, sir?
- Hmm?

Oh, we don't supply
to private individuals.

Oh, of course, the
London Reverie Players.

Thank you, sir, that
will be three pounds,

shall I forward it to the account?

No, I'll pay for it,
I'll take it with me, too.

Thank you, sir.

- Thank you, good morning.
- Good morning, sir.

"Oh, the slave had
40,000 lives," amateur!

Tombs Garage, please.

Good afternoon, Mrs Green.

Good afternoon, sir, I had
no idea you were coming down,

there's very little
in the way of food.

That's all right, I'll
get something a bit later.

Will you
be staying long, sir?

A day or two, I'll
come down to your house

- if I want you for anything.
- Very good, sir.

And will you telephone
my secretary?

- Certainly!
- Tell her where I am,

and ask Crenshaw from the garage
to take the car in tonight,

- the brakes need looking at.
- Very good, sir.

Car giving you trouble,
Mr Southley?

The brakes are a bit slack,
have a look at 'em, will you?

- Here are the keys.
- Right,

I'll bring it back in the morning.

Thank you.

Hello operator, operator!

- Evening, got a room vacant?
- Yes.

- How long do you want it for?
- Hey operator,

call that number for me
again, will you please?

See if I like it first, shall I?

No reply?

Well, there must be
somebody there!

Call him again,
will you, please?

Here it is.

- The best I can do.
- Lovely, just like home!

30 bob a week,
bed and breakfast,

clean sheets once a fortnight,
clean towel once a week.

- There's luxury for you.
- Pay in advance.

OK, got any luggage?

No, I'll have to go
back to the ship for that.

If you want a bath,
it's sixpence six,

and you'll find it at
the end of the passage.

Yeah, baths don't fuss me.

What's your name?

Albert Genders.

You better sign the
book when you come down,

- it's in the hall.
- Okey doke, I'll find it.

OK, I'll call it later.

- Hello, just arrived?
- That's right.

Give us a light, will you?

Boy, what a telephone
service, you know somethin'?

I been trying to call a guy
on that telephone since 6:00!

Well, he's probably out!

Oh no, he wouldn't be out,
I know he wouldn't because.

Well?

That'd be telling.

- Hey, who are you anyhow?
- A new lodger!

Come and have a drink.

- Well, that'll be nice now...
- Not you! Thanks.

Fine gentleman
you are, aren't ya?

Make yourself at home.

What port are you out of?

Boy, is this a dump?

But I don't have to stay here.

What port did you say
you was out?

I didn't.

Here's your drink.

Hey, what is this?

Why did you lock that door?

Say something, don't
stand there like a dummy!

Well, what's got into ya?

I brought you here to
have a drink, didn't I?

Oh, I get it,
I know what you're after!

But brother,
you're going to be unlucky!

You've got a bad memory,
Fenton, take a good look!

- Paul!
- You're slipping,

you'd never have fallen
for this in Philly.

- What's the idea?
- Where's the letter?

Well, you won't find it.

Where is it?

OK.

And the money.

OK, let up!

It's in the drawer,
look for yourself.

Where's the money?

Under the mattress of the bed.

You're dangerous, Fenton!

With or without that
letter you're dangerous!

No, no Paul!
Paul, you can't!

Look, here's what I'll do.

I'm done, I'm done,
really, no Paul!

Paul!

Mike!

Mike, it's Maisie!

- Everything all right?
- Couldn't be better!

That Yank up there,

- he's a drunk, see?
- Oh.

- If he bothers you let me...
- I don't think he will.

And don't forget to
sign the book!

Mike, he's dead,
he's murdered!

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning, Mrs Green.

- He brought your car back.
- Thank you,

I'm going back to
town this morning.

Oh, well that's a short stay!

Well, I'm starting work
on a new novel,

I shall need my secretary.

- Well, I rang her up.
- Thank you.

Did you
have a good night, sir?

- Excellent.
- Good.

I'll be down again in
about 10 days, Mrs Green.

- All right, sir.
- Good bye.

I think you'll find
she's all right now, sir.

- Good, how much do I owe you?
- 15 bob, sir.

- Keep the change.
- Thank you, sir.

- Do you want a lift?
- Please!

Good morning.

Hello, Mac.

- What's the trouble?
- Murder, Robert.

- Really?
- Aye, last night a man

was murdered in the Dockside
district, I've been called in.

On my way down there now,

so thought I'd loop by
and see if you'd care

to come and watch a real
police investigation.

- Who's idea is this?
- Yours!

You've been tellin' me how
clever you are for so long

I'm givin' you a chance
to apply some

of these magnificent theories
of yours, quite unofficially.

Quite.

Are you suggesting I might
help you discover the murderer?

Aye, you might.

Now's your
chance, Robert, show them!

- Good morning.
- You'll find everything in order.

- Good, are you the landlady?
- I am.

Room seems tidy,
Inspector, oh and,

that's not quite normal, and
then this bearded fellow.

- Aye, Genders is it?
- Yeah, didn't sign the book

- and he hasn't been back.
- Ohho.

Will you look at the body now?

No, I'll let my breakfast
settle for a wee while yet.

I've got the doctor's report,
death was instantaneous.

- Did you find the knife.
- Yes.

I want to talk to
everyone in the house,

no one is to leave, and
I'll start with you, ma'am,

and then I'll see the
lassie that found the body.

Do you mind if I use your room?

- You're Mrs ah...
- Finch.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'm Inspector MacDougall,
and this is Mr Southley,

one of my junior assistants.

How many lodgers
have you, Mrs Finch?

Well, I have an old
lady on the second floor,

she was out when it happened,

and the young lady
on the same floor.

- She was in?
- She was the one

- what found the body!
- Aye, anybody else?

No one except the bearded
fellow, I told the other copper,

the other policeman about.

He come in about 10:00 and
left half an hour later.

Which room did you give him?

The one next to
the murdered man.

Ah, he went out and that
was the last you saw of him?

That's right, except
I met him on the stairs

when I heard Maisie scream.

Can you describe him to me?

- Why yes, he was ah...
- Go on, go on.

He was a seaman he said,

he wore a cap and
a seaman's scouty,

he looked like a seaman.

How tall was he, Mrs Finch?

- Well he was ah...
- About my height?

No, I should say he was
about the height of um...

Did you notice
anything unusual about him,

in the way he behaved?

No, I can't say I did, except
he didn't have no luggage,

but he paid in advance,
he give me two pounds!

Have you got the note still?

They went towards me gas
bill, I paid it this morning.

But mind you, I'd
recognise him if I saw him!

Even without his beard?
I'm sure I would!

How long had Fenton
been with you, Mrs Finch?

About a couple of weeks.

Would you call him
a desirable character?

Desirable!

A loose liver, that's what he was,

drunk morning, noon and night.

Did he have any man friends?

Not to my knowledge.

What about the young lady

that lives on the same floor,
was she a friend of his?

So-so.

How friendly is so-so?

Well...

- Ahha.
- Oh, it's not

that sort of house if
that's what you're thinking,

no funny business!

Thank you, Mrs Finch,

that'll be all for now.

You won't keep the corpse
hangin' around too long, will ya?

I want to let the
room when it's out.

We'll endeavour to have it removed
as expeditiously as possible.

Thank you.

- Will you see the girl now, sir?
- Aye, bring her in.

Oh, sit you down Miss ah...

Phelps is the name, and I'd rather
stand if you don't mind.

Please yourself,
lassie, please yourself.

Now...

Well, of all people!

You know Mr Southley?

No, but I've got a picture of him,
Mike Fenton gave it to me.

Will you bring it to me, please?

Oh, I'll be too glad.

Fenton seems to have been
a fan of yours, Robert.

I think my work has a
fairly universal appeal.

I wonder where he came
across your picture?

Probably a newspaper cutting.

Queer in the way she
recognised you so quickly.

I don't think my face is entirely
unfamiliar to the public!

That's one
thing I like about you, Robert,

your modesty.

Thanks, here we are!

Oh, thank you.

No Trace, one of the
few unread, Robert.

You have a treat in store, Mac.

Now Miss Phelps, I understand
you found Fenton's body,

I want you tell me just
what happened,

think carefully
and take your time.

Well, Mike came back
to have a drink, see?

He asked me, too, but I
never touch the stuff,

- you know.
- No, no.

But when I got back to my room,

I thought I'd drop a
few lines to me old man,

he gets very lonely, you know.

- Your ah, husband?
- Me father,

he's got another 18 months to go.

Well, I saw I'd run out
of note paper...

Yes, Miss Phelps,

but what happened when
you went to Fenton's room?

Well, I knocked on the
door and there was no reply.

I could hear the bearded man
talking to Mrs Finch on the stairs,

but you know I never thought
anything about it at the time.

- Naturally.
- I called out, "Mike!

"Mike, this is Maisie!"

But not a sound.

Well, he did come in
plastered that night,

I thought he'd passed out
or something.

Anyway, in I went.

Well, you can imagine,
can't you?

There he was over
by the curtains

with his throat slit from his
ear here, to his ear here,

and he was grinnin'
something awful!

- Hmm?
- Heart.

Must allow a little for
poetic licence.

Did you not speak to
the bearded man?

I said, "Hello,"
when he came in.

- Had you seen him before?
- No, never.

Are you sure?

I said, "No," didn't I?

Thank you, Miss Phelps, if I want
you again, I'll send for you.

Oh, well, I think I'll take
a look at that murdered man.

Send out Genders'
description right away

and have him picked
up for questioning.

Very good, sir.

- Finished?
- Not quite, sir.

A nice clean job.

- Fenton drank a lot.
- Aye, so they say.

Then why not pay a visit
to his local?

We might learn
something about him.

Description's being
broadcast, sir.

Right, you can
get the body away.

Careful you don't miss something
good, I'll be back later.

- Find any money?
- Only a few shillings.

Oh, can you tell me what
pub Fenton used, ma'am?

I think it's The Cannon,
it's the one round the corner.

I think I'll just have a word
with the constable on the beat.

Right, you know where to find me.
That was a good idea, Robert.

Yes sir, he was in and
out of here every night.

Only one night we didn't see
much of him, that was Monday,

he dodged in just
before closing time.

Did he ever mention
anyone he knew by name?

No, I don't think so.

The last few days
he'd been leadin' off

about some big business
deal he had on,

but he never said who with.

Did he have plenty of money?

Quite a bit, Tuesday
lunch time he come in here

with a roll of notes that thick.

- Fivers?
- No sir, pounds.

Now, suppose he,

he didn't say any more
about this business deal?

Not a word, and
I didn't say anything.

Did he ever come in
here with anyone, a man?

No, only Maisie Phelps.

- Drink, Harrison?
- Oh, thanks, bitter for me.

Did you get anything
from the policeman, son?

No, not much.

He seems to remember
Fenton quite well, though.

Nearly ran him in for
drunkenness on Sunday night.

That's life, isn't it?

- Pint of bitter, please.
- Yes, sir.

Good day, sir.

Well, have we
succeeded in giving

the great Mr Southley
food for thought?

Yes, Mac, I think you have.

Going back to the house.

I'll get along,
I have some work to do.

Have you got motive
figured out yet?

Of course, robbery, elementary.

Too bad, there's
nothing amidst the facts

in that magnificent
brain of yours.

Yeah, too bad.

Train is late in London's East End,

against the drab
background of Dockside.

The scene is a dingy
boarding house,

to which Inspector McTavish,

a competent but
unimaginative CID man,

accompanied by Steven Gilchrist,

a brilliant crime reporter,
now proceed.

May I make a suggestion, Robert?

No, you mayn't, don't interrupt.

This is a story of a perfect crime,

the story of a man who
came in the night, killed,

and vanished into thin air,
he was never seen again.

Aren't you anticipating
things a bit?

- What do you mean?
- If the story is based on

the Fenton case, surely it's
a bit early to say, isn't it?

Now Linda, if I have
to wait to finish my book

until MacDougall has
blundered his way through,

I can see a very lean time
ahead in the way of royalties!

Besides, MacDougall gets a
weekly salary, and I don't.

In any case,

I'd be very surprised if
he arrived at anything.

I'm sorry.

Well, what is this brilliant idea?

Well, you'll probably
think it's a bit far-fetched.

I've already steeled
myself for that conclusion,

what is it?

Well, how about making the
crime reporter the murderer?

I mean, you can still
let him get away with it,

if you want to, but it
would be rather ingenious,

don't you think?

He'd be investigating a murder
that he himself had committed!

Oh, you don't think much of it.

I'm thinking a great deal, Linda.

It's stretching
plausibility too far,

I write about things that
could happen and do happen.

Yes, Robert,
thought of a title yet?

Yes, I'm gonna call
it Murder by the Book.

That's good, I don't
quite see the connection,

but it sounds all right.

You probably never will.

Now, the first suspect was
described by the landlady.

He was man about 40,
six foot tall, and um...

He wore a beard.

I want all boats watched, especially
those takin' on new crews.

Have Genders' description
circulated to every port.

- Right, sir.
- Anything from the autopsy?

Other than knife
was the cause of death.

That was pretty obvious.

- What about fingerprints?
- They're checking them now.

- Anything else?
- Yes, Fenton was a steward

on the Codasal, a cargo boat,

arrived at South Hampton
three weeks ago,

and sailed again the
day before yesterday.

Yes?

Mr Southley to see you, sir.

- Oh, show him in.
- Thank you, constable.

- Good evening, Mac!
- Hiya, good evening.

- Any developments?
- No,

we're gettin' on in our
slow, plodding way, you know?

- Sit you down, man.
- No, I can't stay.

I just dropped in to give
you some moral encouragement.

Very kind of you, Robert.

I noticed you haven't
contributed anything much yet,

isn't the case worthy of
your specialised talents?

On the contrary,

but there isn't very much to
go on at the moment, is there?

- Or, is there?
- It's mostly

routine at this stage,
very dull, Robert.

We're waitin' for you to contribute

some exciting
psychological deductions.

- Any news of the bearded man?
- No, not yet.

I have a feeling Miss Phelps
might of been a bit more helpful.

You haven't spoken to
her again, I suppose?

No, I always though you reticent
where rookies are concerned.

You think she could add a little
more light to our bearded friend?

Well, I think she
must have known something

about Fenton's background.

She must have known he
had money, for instance.

That's true.

You think she had something
to do with the murder?

Well, if we're agreed that
robbery was the motive, yes.

Aye, she did close up a little
when I mentioned the seaman.

I suppose they could
have been in it together.

She might be worth watching, sir.

Well, put Stevens
down there, Harrison,

he can take it over and
get to know the girl,

she might give us a better lead.

Very good, sir.

Well, I'll leave you
to solve it, gentleman,

just thought I'd put you on
the right track, good night.

Aye, put him through.

The reason I rang,

I don't know whether
it's of any importance,

but it might help you check

Fenton's movements on Monday night.

Yeah?

A fellow was in here
just after you left,

saw him gettin' in
a taxicab about 8:00.

Did he know the driver?

No, but that oughten
to be difficult,

the rink's only in
the next street,

first on the right as you go
out of here, Windham Street.

Aye, what about this
fellow who tipped you off?

I'd like to have a word with him.

He won't have that,
he's rather shy.

I see, well it may not be
necessary, thanks anyway.

- Good day, sir.
- Half?

- Yes, please.
- All right.

End of chapter one, not bad.

I must say, I feel a
but sorry for Maisie.

Why?

Did you put up the idea
that she was connected

with the murder to
Inspector MacDougall?

Yes, I did.

What does MacDougall say?

Well, he thinks it's
feasible, thanks.

As far as the novel's concerned,

I've got a much better idea,
if you'd like to hear it.

Oh, go ahead,

I don't suppose I'll
have any peace till I do.

Well, I think that
we're looking for

a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
type of person.

- Hmm, well what about it?
- Suppose Genders doesn't exist?

Linda, you know you
sound like one of those

irritating people who go
about prattling

that Shakespeare was Bacon.

- I think he was.
- Oh, Linda!

I wonder why the most
obvious solution

hasn't occurred to
anybody but me?

On the face of it, Genders
was incredibly stupid.

He came in and booked a room,
he left and didn't come back.

Yet, if he murdered Fenton,
he obviously planned it,

well, that doesn't suggest
that he was stupid, does it?

- Well, go on.
- Put yourself in his place.

What would you do if you'd
planned to murder somebody

nobody knew you were connected with,

in surroundings where
you were unknown?

You'd create a new
character, wouldn't you?

A character that could cease to
exist the moment you wanted it to.

- Well, how would I do that?
- Simple,

by removing and destroying
the false beard and clothes

that identified you at
the scene of the crime!

Linda, are you trying to help
me or Inspector MacDougall?

I'm trying to solve this murder!

Well, you certainly
won't do it by soaring

into lurid flights of fantasy!

Don't you think anything
of it is a story idea?

Not very much, no.

But if the beard were a disguise,
it could turn out to be anybody,

think of the rope that
would give you!

- The what?
- The rope!

You mean scope, don't you?

- Well, scope's the same thing.
- Not quite.

Anyway, it's not the kind of
scope I want for my novel.

Now come on, let's get
down to some work.

Now, take the top copy, and
pencil in my corrections.

Now, Clinton was a petty crook,

a confidence man with several
convictions against him.

Since we've discovered
he's an American,

we may as well stick to
fact and keep him as one,

so his convictions
took place in America.

- Is that your passenger?
- Yes, that's him.

- He was an American?
- Yes, what happened to him?

It was taken after the
performance of a certain operation.

Ha, doesn't seem to have
done him much good, does it?

Mr Craig drove Fenton

to the corner of Cunard
Square and Seymour Street.

Yes, as a matter of fact,

I was bit doubtful
about pickin' him up,

he'd had a skin full
by the look of him.

You're sure that's the man?

- Oh, I'm certain.
- Thank you, that's all.

OK cop, ah,

good night, sir.

MacDougall here.

It's the Commissioner.

No sir, no trace of
the seaman, no.

Harrison!

Yes, sir, we've just found out

that Fenton was in the
Cunard Square District

the night before he
was murdered, yes.

Aye, I'll get on with
that, sir, good night.

Hello, Robert.

- Sordid little den, isn't it?
- Harrison's choice, I suppose.

And mine, it's cheap
and the food's good.

- Have some tea?
- No, thanks.

You waiting for Harrison?

Pot of tea for
two, nothing to eat.

Yes, I am, as a matter of fact.

Linda, I came along because
I want to tell you something.

I'm rather anxious

that you shouldn't discuss
the novel with anyone.

I never discuss your
business, Robert!

- Here's John now.
- Sorry I'm late.

That's quite all right.

The Commissioner's not
very pleased with us.

Why not?

We're not progressing fast
enough, no news of Genders,

the only fresh thing we've
discovered is that Fenton took

a taxi to the corner of
Cunard Square on Monday night.

On Robert's doorstep, looks bad.

What about my suggestion?

Oh frankly, I don't think
that'll land us very far.

We're in touch with
the FBI now to find out

if they know anything
about Fenton.

I still think my idea
was the best.

Oh, what was that?

Well, Linda thinks that the
seaman wore a false beard.

Poor Linda.

I don't think it's so
very funny, do you John?

- Well...
- When Linda was 16,

she came across a similar
situation in Peg's Paper,

and it impressed her very much.

She's now had the temerity
to suggest it for my novel,

naturally I turned it down.

If you've conferred yourself
of these scintillating facts, Linda,

I'll see you in the morning
as usual, at 10:00 a.m.

Good night.

- Mind if I take your seat?
- No, that's all right.

That sounded a lot
like an ultimatum.

I have a nasty feeling that
you're laughing at me, too.

I am not!

I only joined in a laugh
with Robert on principle.

I think I'll make some
investigations on my own.

Look, let's leave it
till tomorrow, shall we?

We're off duty.

All right.

Matter of fact, that beard idea
would be worth thinking about.

Yes, but remember that I
happened to have thought of it!

Thanks.

Wouldn't be working for the police
as well as your boss, would you?

I told you, I'm
working for Mr Southley.

What was he doin' up
here with all them coppers?

Getting material for
the novel he's writing.

Oh, yeah?

He thought if I came
to see you by myself

that you might say more to me
than you would to the police.

Oh!

I'm trying to help him solve
this crime before they do,

there's a sort of rivalry
between him and the Inspector.

I don't like policemen,

I don't believe in
tellin' them too much.

If I gave you a bit
of extra grit,

would he be willing
to pay me for it?

Oh, I think so.

I don't want to get mixed up
in anything, you know.

- Don't worry, you won't.
- Well, I can tell you this now.

Mike's been in touch with someone,
out of his class, he sounded to me.

I know because I heard
him talking to him

on the phone the other night,
and he sounded ever so mad!

Did Mike tell you what
it was all about?

No, not a word.

Did he mention the man's name?

I heard him call him Paul.

Paul...

About the seaman,

you say you spoke to him
when he first arrived?

- That's right.
- What did he look like?

Oh, not bad,
'cept for his beard.

Really don't like
beards, do you?

I'll tell you one thing
I noticed about him

that struck me as being
queer, his hands.

I always notice a man's
hand, his were nice,

nice clean fingernails.

I remember I said to
myself at the time,

"If you're a seaman,

"you must of scrubbed the
decks with your feet!"

Do you think his beard
was a real one?

Oh, I couldn't say about that,
they all look phoney to me anyway.

Well, I think that's all.

You might mention to
Mr Southley for me,

because he is thinkin' of
writin' a novel about this,

- I'd like a copy.
- You've got one.

Thank you for everything.

- Oh, don't mention it.
- Bye bye.

Good bye!

Hello?

Mr Southley, this is
Tracy the wigmaker, sir,

would you hold the line, please?

Do step this way.

Hello, Robert?

What are you doing there?

I'm sorry I'm so late,
I'll explain when I get back,

I just rang to let you know
I'm on my way.

Well, it's too
late to start work now, Linda,

you better have an early lunch
and get back here about 1:30.

She did, did she?

All right, Stevens, good work.

Oh, just a minute.

Yes?

Cable coming
in from the FBI now, sir.

Right, let me have it.
Carry on, Stevens.

Hey?

Aye, do that,
and let me have your report.

Linda's been busy this morning,
she's been visiting Maisie.

What, in Riverwalk?
Aye, when she left,

Stevens followed her to
Tracy's, the wigmaker.

He overheard her cross-examine
the assistant like a professional.

It appears a man bought a bear
there the day of the murder.

I'd love to see
Robert's face if Linda

put us on to the murderer, hey?

- FBI cable, sir.
- Thank you.

Oh, here's Fenton's history
sheet, listen to this, laddie:

"Fenton wellknown here.

"Served 14 years petty
larceny, blackmail,

"and participation in jewel holdups.

"Sentenced in Cincinnati,
New Orleans,

"Pittsburgh and Sing Sing.

"Believed to have a
British associate.

"This guy is expert,
this man's still wanted

"but disappeared 12 years ago,"

I'm doin' best on that
system alone here.

Yes, I'll toast you.

Have a word with Linda
in the meantime,

find out why she went to Tracy's.

She's probably at
Southley's flat by now.

What's wrong with that?

Well, she may not want Southley
to know she's been there.

Well, no harm in it I
suppose, I'll go along.

Oh, nice of you to drop in.

I'm sorry, Robert.

Well, I do think you might
offer some kind of excuse.

What were you doing at Tracy's?

Making inquiries.

- What about?
- About a gentleman

who bought a beard the day
that Fenton was murdered.

And when you've quite finished

looking like the cat who
swallowed the canary,

perhaps you'll tell me how
it went forward from that.

He gave the name of George Dunn,

said that he came from
the Repertory Players.

Alarming.

Why not tell MacDougall and
go and arrest him immediately?

I telephoned them,

they said they've never
heard of George Dunn,

don't you think that's rather odd?

No Linda, I don't.

And I'd be very grateful from now on
if you'd attend to your work,

instead of gallivanting
all over London

poking your nose into things
that don't concern you.

But it does concern me!

You ridiculed my suggestion,
and I want to prove

that you're wrong!

Hello, John.

Linda, I'd like to
have a word with you.

Yes?

Are you alone?

No, Robert's in, what is it?

Well, I thought...

Oh, I um, brought this
along to show you.

- Is that all?
- Yes, that's all,

- you can keep it if you like.
- Thanks.

Yes, it may be useful.

Well, what's the next move?

Until we find this seaman,
there doesn't appear to be one.

Quite an
extraordinary case, I must say.

Oh, there's a
very simple solution,

when we find it.

All solutions are simple,

if you find them, Harrison.

Yes, I suppose they are.

- Give my regards to Mac, will you?
- And ask him to give me a ring.

- Yes, all right.
- Thanks.

Isn't it vexing?

If I saw him again, I'd
know him in a flash.

I can just see him now quoting
that little bit from Othello.

What little bit?

"Oh that the slave had 40,000 lives,

"one is too poor, too
weak for my revenge."

Anything else?

Oh, he probably
didn't know anymore,

he was obviously an amateur.

London Repertory Players,
bet they never even heard of him.

They haven't, we checked up.

Really, it doesn't
surprise me in the least.

Yes, sir.

Have you got a copy of
Othello down there?

Othello, sir?

- Shakespeare.
- I think I have, sir.

All right, send it up

to Inspector MacDougall's
office, will you?

So, you don't recognise him
in any of these, Mr ah...

- Clooney.
- Uhhuh, yeah.

Here's another one for you,
do you mind looking at it in here?

No, certainly.

Very unreliable character.

Have you ever read a
novel of Robert Southley's

called Arise Black Vengeance?

No, cannot say I have.

The title's a quotation from
Othello, thank you, Sullivan.

Now, I um...

Act three.

Yes, "Oh that the slave
had 40,000 lives,

"one is too poor, too weak
for my revenge,

"Arise black vengeance
from the hollow hell."

Linda gave me the book to read,

I started it in the
bus this morning.

He completes the quotation here.

"Arise black vengeance
from the hollow hell."

Our friend Robert seems very
partial to Othello, doesn't he?

What makes you think there's
any significance in that?

Just a hunch.

MacDougall here.

Yes sir, right away.

The Commissioner
wants to see me.

Hunches can be very
deceptive things, laddie,

they should be treated
with extreme caution.

That's how I'm treating this one.

Just a moment, please.

No luck?

No.

Do you recognise him?

It's not unlike him.

But he looked older than this.

I see.

Photographs are always
deceptive, aren't they?

I take a very bad one myself.

I dare say.

About this beard you sold him,

could you let me see
another one like it?

Yes, I think we've got
one almost identical.

Good, let me have it, will you?

I'll send someone
round to the shop.

I'd like to know what this
man is supposed to have done.

Well ah, confidentially,
he's stolen the Crown Jewels.

Oh!

I see.

Good afternoon.

Has MacDougall telephoned
at all this morning?

Well no.

There's a letter from
the bank, Robert,

you drew out 500
pounds the other day,

it leaves your current
account rather low.

Yes, I was gonna make
a deposit on a car,

but I changed my mind.

Why didn't you do it by check?

- Linda...
- Yes, Robert.

Ever since you came back from

that ridiculous expedition
yesterday, you've done nothing

but ask a lot of silly questions,
or talk in monosyllables.

Well?

Robert, how did you
know about Fenton's past

before you read the
cable from the FBI?

What do you mean?

You gave Clinton in the novel

the same crime sheet as
Fenton, I've got it here.

Yes, here it is:
"Clinton was a man who"...

Yes, I remember,
as a matter of fact,

MacDougall telephoned me
when the cable arrived.

I didn't take much notice of it,

so I probably put that
down subconsciously.

You're not suggesting that
I knew Fenton, I suppose?

Robert, this is something
that worries me very much:

the assistant in Tracy's

described the man who
bought that beard,

he was a bit vague but the
description was like you.

Well, it was probably
like 50,000 other people.

To anybody else,
Robert, not to me.

Well, I wouldn't take anything

that fathead told you
very seriously, Linda.

- You've met him!
- I?

Oh, no, of course not I, I
heard him on the telephone

and drew my own conclusion.

Last Tuesday, do you remember

that man who telephoned you,
he was an American, wasn't he?

Did you know Fenton when
you were in America?

- Intimately.
- Oh Robert,

please be serious!

But I've told you,
I knew him intimately.

We used to hold up trains
together every Saturday afternoon.

On one occasion, we kidnapped
the President of the United States,

but we gave him back again
because he talked too much.

Why don't you unburden yourself
to Inspector MacDougall?

Or have you already done so?

Have you?

No.

Anything I said about
Fenton's past was fortuitous.

I'm surprised at you, Linda.

I'll tell you what we'll do
to put your mind at ease,

I'll take you to the
country this afternoon.

If we get there before two,
we might run into Mrs Green.

What has Mrs Green to do with it?

Well, she'll be able to tell you

that I was there at the cottage
the day Fenton was killed.

He was killed at night.

And I was there in the
afternoon, I stayed there.

The car was in the village
garage until the morning.

What do you say, shall we go?

All right.

You have a broadcast tonight,
you haven't finished preparing it.

We can do that at the cottage.

Sir?

Stevens, come here a
minute, will you?

Very good, sir.

Darkroom,
Harrison speaking.

It won't be long now, sir.

Yeah, not bad for
a composite, John.

Let's hurry and
get this dry, will you?

Very good, sir.

Oh, Stevens,
you know Lyndon Court

to Cunard Square?

Yes.

I want you to go
there right away.

Do you know Mr Robert
Southley by sight?

- Oh, yes!
- Report his movements.

If he goes out, follow him.

Very good, sir.

Be ready in a few minutes, sir.

Othello!

That character's gonna make us the
laughing stock of the police force!

Oh, maybe, sir.

There's not a stitch
of real evidence here,

- do you appreciate that?
- All the same...

And there's not even
an established motive!

Blackmail, sir.

Based on the flimsiest supposition

that Robert was Fenton's
British accomplice,

no proof of that whatsoever!

I know it's all pretty
circumstantial, sir.

Apart from the fact that Fenton

got out of a taxi at Cunard Square

the night before he was
murdered, what have I got?

Robert was once an actor, and
he might have been the man

that bought the beard at
Tracy's, he might have been!

Supposing he was, that
doesn't prove anything.

Well, it all depends on
the boarding house people,

now doesn't it, sir?

Didn't have much
luck with Mr Clooney,

but if they recognise him...

Aye, I'd still recognise him.

Well, sir, shall we go?

- Oh, good afternoon, miss.
- Good afternoon,

Mr Southley's just coming in, Mrs
Green.

Hello.

We didn't expect to see
you down so soon, sir,

have you had lunch?

We can fix something,
you know my secretary.

- Oh yes.
- Mrs Green,

the last time I was
down here, on um...

- Tuesday, sir?
- Tuesday afternoon, wasn't it?

That's right, sir.

Did I leave a briefcase behind?

Yes, I put it in
the drawer for you.

I tried to catch you that
morning before you went away.

- Thanks.
- Hope you're better now.

Satisfied?

Did you see anybody else
after Mrs Green had left?

Yes, the man who
picked up the car.

- What time was that?
- About half past eight,

I worked on until midnight.

The fire's already set,

would you like me to
put a match to it?

No, thanks.

Oh well, I'll be toddling off, you
won't be here in the morning

- I suppose, sir?
- We're going back tonight.

Oh, goodbye, goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

You still think I murdered Fenton?

I'll go.

- Oh, Mr Flynn.
- Good afternoon, Mr Southley,

I'm so sorry to trouble you.

Not at all, won't you come in?

Well, I won't stay if you
don't mind, I left my door ajar.

Well, what can we do for you?

Oh well, heaven knows
what you'll think of me,

I'm afraid I've been
guilty of sheer piracy!

- Oh?
- Yes, it goes back

to last Tuesday when you
came down for an hour or two.

I found myself without a
single drop of paraffin

for my bedside reading lamp,
you know, always use paraffin.

Well, I came and knocked
at your door about 10:00,

and not a sound, so I thought
you must of gone back.

I said to Martha, "I
don't think he'd mind."

So, if you can believe
the audacity of me,

I popped into your
garage and helped myself.

Well anyway, here we are,

returned with many
thanks and no harm done.

- No harm done, I hope.
- None at all, thank you.

You did leave.

You shouldn't waste
your sympathy on Fenton,

he got what he deserved.

I can't imagine your
killing anybody unless he did.

There's no need for
the police to know,

unless you tell them, are
you going to tell them?

They'll find out
sooner or later, Robert.

Oh, no they won't,
I'm in the clear!

That's what you thought
before Mr Flynn called,

maybe they won't think of
questioning him,

but there'll always be something,

either you or I might say
something by accident.

Tell them, Robert, it'll
be better if you do!

Do you think I'm gonna throw
my life away on a rat like Fenton?

He was blackmailing me, do
you realise what that meant?

What was he blackmailing you for?

I met him in the
States several years ago.

I was broke, and he
introduced me to a gang.

I helped him with several jobs,

and got out while the going
was good, Fenton was caught.

That'd look nice if it
came out, wouldn't it?

Tell them, Robert,
it's your only chance!

Tell them what Fenton was doing,

no one has any sympathy
with a blackmailer!

No one has sympathy with a murderer.

Oh Robert...

If I don't tell
them, what will you do?

I don't know,

I can't stay with you,
go on working for you,

wondering whether
something I might do

might throw suspicion on you.

All right, I'll go and
see MacDougall tonight.

I'll take the train, and you
can drive me to the station,

then come back and arrange
to close up the cottage,

and see Mrs Green in the morning.

- Robert...
- Yes?

All right.

Yes, that's him!

- That's him, all right.
- Thank you, that's it.

I knew I'd recognise him
if I saw that beard again.

- Have you caught him yet?
- Hello?

- No, not yet.
- Yes, it's for you Inspector.

MacDougall here, aye.

Where did you get the photo?

- Out of a book.
- A book?

- What book?
- Right, thank you Stevens.

He left for the country at 2:00.

- Alone?
- No, with Linda,

we best not waste time.

But what book?

One of Robert Southley's.

Oh, yes!

Hurry!

Is it 6:30, Ned?

Good evening, Mr Southley,
right on time.

It's all right, you
scared me for a moment.

You caught the train,
how did you get back?

At the whistle halt, a
couple of miles up the line.

That's where I boarded the
train the night I killed Fenton,

I got off there and I
came back to the cottage.

You see, that's my alibi,
no one saw me.

If Mr Flynn is questioned,

I shall tell them I was asleep
and didn't hear him knock.

The porter at the railway station
will tell them I got on the train,

I asked him the time, remember?

You're the only one
who knows, Linda.

They won't think of questioning me

as long as you're not
there to help them.

But for you,
it was a perfect crime.

No, Robert, no!

I have a lot to lose, Linda!

How much further is it?

About a couple of miles
past the bridge.

That's a car.

In the garage, I'd say,
I'll have a look.

Inspector!

The risk of detection is not vested
solely in the act of murder,

it can be anywhere between

the remote event that inspired it,

and the hazardous task
of its concealment

after it has been committed.

The case of the unsolved
murder is never closed.

However perfect the crime,

there will always remain a
fear of the unpredictable.

The slip of the tongue
that will reveal him,

or the trick of fate that
may destroy with one blow

the whole web of deception

with which the murderer
thought he'd eluded justice.

Goodnight.

- Come on.
- All right, Mac.

You have been listening
to Robert Southley

in the last of his series of talks,

the Mind of the Murderer.