All language subtitles for Victorian Scandals - starring Nigel Havers, Patricia Hayes & Richard Wilson (1976)

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

This is true of the sun.

Do you sit down?

This is the most extraordinary application I've ever read.

Yes, sir.

You'll compile it yourself?

That's right, sir.

Why exactly are you applying to a church court?

I want a faculty to open the coffin, sir.

Of?

Of my father-in-law Thomas Charles Jusse.

Page 16, I think it is.

You say, died in...

Well, supposed to have died in 1864, yes, sir.

34 years ago.

He kept a shop in Baker Street.

His coffin was placed in the family vault at Hygge,

7-3, and his will duly executed.

And your application says that he didn't really die at all.

And the coffin is empty.

That's right, sir.

You claim that he, in fact, lived another 15 years under another name.

As the Duke of Portland, yes, sir.

You see, my father-in-law and the Duke of Portland

were one and the same man.

He lived a double life, you see.

He lived six months of the year as one and six months as the other.

He had two wives and two families, and neither side knew about the other.

I know it sounds rather surprising, but all we've got to do is open the coffin.

It's full of legs, you see.

Making a private application, sir.

How far have they gone?

I'm sorry, sir.

My name is Foster.

I represent Mr Herbert Druss.

He was an interested part here.

The applicant is his sister-in-law.

We really must see that a truss of a boat is as early as possible, moment.

Well, if you'd like to wait a moment, gentlemen...

Please.

I've applied so far to the home secretary, the House of Lords,

the cemetery authorities in Bow Street Police Station,

but none of them would listen.

Well, I'll be frank with you, Mrs. Dross.

We receive applications similar to your own from time to time.

For unfortunate souls, not entirely in command of their wits.

Oh, but...

But in your case, I must say that I've been impressed by the evidence that you gathered,

and by the nature of the witnesses who made affidavits to support it.

Also, you appear to be perfectly sane.

Oh, I am.

I'll grant your application for co-hearing.

You should at least have a chance to make out your case in full.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. I'm very much obliged.

But you really should get yourself represented, you know.

Well, I can't afford it, sir. I'm a poor person.

I see.

Well, I'll let you know when the court hearing will be.

Good afternoon, do you?

Thank you very much, sir. Good afternoon.

Mrs. Dross.

What exactly is your legal interest in all this?

Well, if what I say is proved right and I know it will be,

I'll be the Duchess of Portland.

I'll own Wilbur Cabbie, all the Portland estates, and 16 millions in cash.

I see.

Thank you.

Annie.

Herbert.

I'll let you know when the court is to hear me, Herbert.

It's all arranged.

You're a lunatic woman.

You're a lunatic, your grace.

Mrs. Dross?

Honourable, sir.

I am aware that at first sight my claim may seem to be extravagant, even fantastic.

Nevertheless, over the past three years I have gathered evidence which proves that my case is based on fact.

The fifth Duke of Portland was always regarded as a great eccentric,

and he would disappear for six months of every year, leaving no trace of where he had gone to.

Thomas Charles Dross was also an eccentric and in the same ways.

He too would disappear from his shop in Baker Street London for six months of every year,

the exact opposite six months from the Dukes.

I have here a list of dates for the 16 years of the year.

I have here a list of dates for the 16 years up to 1864.

Together with 23 sworn affidavits from people who support these dates, they exactly coincide.

I submit to the court photographic likenesses of the Duke and of Thomas Charles Dross,

showing their identical resemblance.

I also submit sworn affidavits of Mr. Vassar in the employment of Thomas Charles Dross in 1864.

And have he helped bring them into the shop to fill a coffin,

and that Mr. Dross's instigation announced his death and arranged for the funeral next day.

I also submit Mr. Dross's death certificate, which was never signed by any doctor,

nor is any cause of death given, because no one ever saw the body.

But why on earth should the Duke lead a double life for?

It's very boring being a duke.

Then why fake, Juicy's death in 1864?

I think he just wanted to escape. His wife, my mother-in-law grew very nasty as she got older.

What were the common eccentricities you mentioned?

Those were given to wearing extraordinary wigs.

Both travelled in carriages of which the blinds were always drawn even at midday.

Both were highly secretive and shy, and spoke to very few people.

Most were abstimious, except that both would eat one chicken per day,

and every day, fresh-killed, half at lunch and half at dinner, and nothing else.

Both suffered from the same rare skin disease,

a purple patching in identical places on their bodies,

giving rise to certain disfigurements of the nose.

And when the family vault was opened in 1893, my husband's coffin had dropped down into old drosses beneath it.

You could see them. That was no body in it.

I find it to be the duty of this court to grant this application.

The court has been impressed by the evidence, and it would seem that the only way to settle the matter is to open the coffin.

Is that the commencement of the proceedings you did say that...

I was about to add.

Persons who have an adverse interest should submit a caveat.

Faculty will not issue for two weeks to allow time, such objection.

All right.

All right.

What? Submit a...

Cavie. What?

Cavie, that was the word.

Yes.

I don't think you quite heard about what Dr. Tristram said.

I must have listened.

It was in the end.

I don't want to have listened.

Well, nevertheless, if I can be of any assistance, your grace, I'll just leave you my address.

I know why you don't want all this brought out, Herbert.

So will everyone soon enough.

I do wish we could get a good lady locked up.

She's been demented for years.

Yes, but not demented enough for incarceration, I fear.

So what approach, then?

Well, her imprecuniosity might be of service to us.

By her?

Well, a small return on loan.

How much?

A thousand.

A thousand pounds.

Her business with Dr. 20 times, I don't mind if you know what could I do.

In return, she might lend you all her interesting documents to read, just for a day or two, of course.

Which I keep.

But you burn.

She thinks she's worth millions?

She doesn't.

She has fantasy in deep, don't she knows it?

My experience, self-delusion, could be cured overnight.

I cash down to a sharp kick in the teeth.

No, Herbert.

Now, listen to me, Eddie.

Absolutely not.

I know perfectly well why you want to stop the case.

It's a dreadful thing to open up Dad's coffin.

There's nothing in the coffin.

It is empty.

How long have you thought all this about the Duke of Portland?

I used to talk about it when Dad was still alive.

That was a family joke.

It was a half joke.

But when my husband died, I started to investigate.

It's taken me three years.

I've been all over the country.

I've employed search agents, ex-police, all sorts.

Yes, then you must have used up every penny he left you.

I can manage and I know what's worrying you, my lad.

Dad's will left everything equally between the children

and you got the shot and the very good living indeed.

Yes, well that was in the will.

And if his probate is set aside,

because he didn't really die when he was supposed to have done,

only his legitimate children would inherit anything under the law.

You'd lose everything, Herbert.

And that is your concern.

Five thousand pounds.

Good night, Herbert.

All right then, a caveat.

We'll enter a caveat. That'll better stop you.

Then you'll get nothing.

Just you try it. That's all.

Oh, good heavens.

Mr. Ron won't go.

Yes, come in.

Yes.

I've never been to a solicitor's office before.

Oh, this isn't my office, actually.

I'm just working from here, present.

Please, you sit down.

Thank you.

I don't believe in solicitors.

I think you should be able to fight for yourself.

They're all you're eating.

Big pun.

Bread and butter, is that all?

Oh, no, I'm just between appointments at present.

No.

What can I do for you?

Well, I want some legal advice and I'm prepared to pay for it.

You do remember my case.

Oh, yes indeed.

A monstrous injustice, your grace.

Yes.

Look, what is that?

See that caveat?

Caviar.

Caviar.

Caviar.

Well, it's a legal objective.

Caviar.

Caviar.

Well, it's a legal objection which prevents judgment being executed until country argument has been heard.

In this case, I imagine your brother-in-law intends to use it to apply for a writ of prohibition under the Burials Act.

Oh.

May I make a suggestion?

What?

There could be a better approach.

You could attack Thrill Drus's will.

His will.

Yes.

If he really didn't die in 1864, the probate is invalid.

I never had that.

You could do the call to probate and substantiate your claim.

The onus is then on the court to find out if he really did die then.

You mean they'd have to work in the coffin.

Yes.

Yes.

Well now look here.

I'll pay you for your advice.

I must do the talking in court, but I'll pay you a shilling a noun for your legal advice.

Take it or leave it?

I don't suppose you'd find a way of making it one and six times, could you?

You do stand and make sixteen million.

Very well then.

One at six points.

Now then, you tell me all about the court of probate,

and then we decide what to do.

And then you come back to my house for a good squammy on my lad.

How's that?

Cool.

I represent both Mr. Herbert Druce

and the executives of the will of Thomas Charles Druce deceased.

I wish to apply for leave to intervene in the matter of the faculty

to open the vault of Druce.

You obviously have an interest? How will you intervene?

By requiring the High Court to require you to appear before it's under the Barreos Act

in order to prohibit you from proceeding with this desecration.

The Barreos Act is inclusive.

Even if a faculty is granted, the license of the home secretary for exhumation is required.

But we are not digging up a body.

Nearly unbreaking one end of a vault and looking in. The objection is frivolous.

This respect for the day that is being outraged for financial gain.

I am of opinion the act is ambiguous on the point.

Dr. Tristram may certainly grant faculty as no body is to be dug out.

I strongly suggest, however, the home secretary's license is obtained anyhow just to make sure.

Let's say now, that's a very complicated and economic argument.

I can't understand.

I'll be awake.

You advise him, Mrs. Druce.

Whatever I am.

Just so you tugged in for her business at the consistent record, I gave him.

This was a law society, it's very hard on touting.

I would give her up if he wished to stay in business.

All right!

This is a prayer.

Why are they so frightened?

Herbert's inheritance.

No, it's more than that.

It's deeper than that.

Foster's gone to enormous trouble to put every conceivable obstruction in our way.

You say Herbert is illegitimate.

Yes.

And that his parents married only after his birth.

Five years after.

Why?

I don't know.

None of us ever knew, though.

It's nice here.

Mm.

A ble suit.

Oh, from the home office.

About the license for exhumation.

Yes?

We note the strong objections of the next of kin, Mr. Herbert Druce.

About in any case, as the reason given for the application is that there is no body in the coffin.

An exhumation license is clearly irrelevant.

The application is therefore refused.

The will must be cancelled, because Mr. Druce did not die then.

He was the Duke of Portland.

You mean the probate of the will?

Well, it's the same thing, my lord.

Oh, it's not the same thing at all.

So you wish to apply to have the probate revoked?

Cancel.

Cancel.

Yes, my lord.

Well, clearly only one way that can be settled.

Open the coffin.

I shall adjourn and invite the Chancellor of the Diocese of London to consider favorably the petition before him to do just that.

But no home, Secretary's license has nothing to do with me, sir.

All right.

I asked him once where he went to when he disappeared every six months.

And he looked at me with such a funny smile.

And next day in the shop, he gave me a little box.

A little ivory music box.

It was, I forgot it somewhere.

Had a picture of World Bank Abbey on the lid, and inside it said,

when this you see, remember me.

Yes, that doesn't prove anything.

Oh, yes, it does, my dear.

Proves I'm the Duchess of Portland.

I apply for a renewal of the faculty to open the tomb of Thomas Charles George Deceis.

Objection.

I know all about the home, Secretary's license, Mr. Foster.

I don't think he has any jurisdiction.

Normally, I would grant this renewal.

But now, apparently, the home secretary has served a writ on the cemetery company,

ordering them to refuse me access to the vault until his license has been granted.

I find it all most bizarre.

Then, I apply for leave to serve a citation on the cemetery company to show cause before you

why they should not comply with your faculty.

Ah, that's a good idea.

Yes, Mr. Green.

I appear for the Highgate Cemetery Company, my lord.

I apply for a rule, Nysai, calling upon Dr. Tristolum to show cause why.

The Consistory Court should not be prohibited from adjudicating the caveat.

Is there nothing we can do to stop all this?

Only one king, my lord, let you and me go to Highgate Cemetery one dark night with a crowbar and a shovel.

It's the only way.

Yeah, yeah.

You believe me?

Mm-hm.

You believe me, don't you?

Yes, I do now.

What convinced you?

Not the evidence, impressive though it is.

No, it's the amount of organised opposition to opening that vault.

Annie, you say you've had no communication with the Portland family.

Could they be behind all this?

Well, they might feel he's getting a little too close to home.

They'd be paying foster behind the scenes.

There.

That's for the evening herald.

How much?

Five guineas.

Sometimes.

I just wonder if I'm going mad.

You're a high-strung woman, but you're not mad.

I know I'm not level-headed, but that's on account of all this business.

Fighting this all alone for so long is enough to drive anybody batty.

There's your socks.

Thank you.

Oh.

I think that's right.

Ooh, honey, no, I've been thinking it does seem stupid

for us to be paying two rents when we're both so hard up.

Why don't you move in here.

You can sleep on that couch.

Mm?

What's that matter, Ducky?

What's the matter, Ducky?

What?

What?

Collapse of Drew's case, third family discovered in Australia.

Old Drew's previously.

Mary!

Mary!

Foster!

Foster!

Foster!

What do you want?

Have you seen this?

I don't like it, sir. I've heard about that for months.

What? This is not a sort of place to carry on this sort of business.

Why don't you come and see me in my office?

I think I can see you next Wednesday.

I've already been there! Your clerk told me you were here!

Did I hear you saying months?

Your voice dark.

A very enterprising journalist who first unearthed that came to see me at the earliest stage of investigations.

A very wise move, I thought.

We'd all wondered why Old Drew's hand married his wife for so long.

So he was married before then?

Yes, in Australia.

He married in Elizabeth Crickmars, how long ago was 1816?

He deserted her, but she lived on for 1851.

That's why he couldn't be married. Get it very quiet, didn't he?

Who's this George Hollenby Drew stand?

He's the eldest son by the first marriage.

He's a minor, but he's now put down his pickaxe and is rushing over here in the cutt his sack, convinced he is a Duke of Portland.

So, you're dropping the case?

It was OK to ask me.

Yes, of course I had wondered.

I represent him in the new claimant.

You're what?

George Hollenby Drew's, I contacted him by an electric telegraph.

As soon as I read about that.

Would you like to have heard about Drew's?

He's not worth a penny.

No one will use his shop now as a legitimacy has been made public.

Would you care to join me?

No doubt you gathered lots of valuable evidence.

I already have my own client, thank you.

My dear sir.

After this, she might as well hang herself.

I want a date fixed for the trial of the will.

Your lord chip adjourned for case.

Until the coffin had been examined, yes.

Well, there are difficulties about that, my lord.

Hello, we cannot rush these things.

I have to reprove a will first proved 30 years ago and that cannot be done in five minutes.

In any case, I understand there have been certain antipartian developments in this case that may overtake this petition.

But I want my income.

Thousand pounds a day, a thousand sovereigns.

I am very proud of the people who have been here.

I am very proud of you, no, and I want my money.

Why am I so opposed?

There are two millions telling owing to me in a real alone.

And it's all very fine for Mr. Barglave Dean and your lord chip to keep my money from me.

I am now only Mrs. Drew's of Baker Street, but I shall prove I am the Duchess of Portland later on.

Say about Harpelsville.

But there is my evidence, sir.

Evidence, witnesses, sworn affidavits.

No, one will listen to me.

You must drop it, Annie.

I don't care what it costs.

Your health is far more important than any lawsuit.

No one will listen to me.

Look, I'm going to tell you bluntly, Annie, if you go on like this, you really will go off your head.

Yes.

You think I should drop it?

You should take a rest from it.

Just for a while.

Look, why don't we go away for a few days, sir?

Why don't we go to the seaside?

It says you could push me in.

Now, Annie, don't be ridiculous.

Don't touch me!

Deciding with them now.

Oh.

They've got it you now, just like they did foster.

I know how they work.

Well, I don't need you anymore.

Go back to your dirty little room.

You're a traitor!

Traitor!

I'll fight it alone.

No!

No, Annie, no, no, don't go.

I'm sorry.

It's just that...

Everyone is against me.

Oh, everyone!

Really?

I speak in the court.

I speak in the court and say...

I speak in the court and say...

Say...

Oh, no, no, no.

I'm so proud of you.

I took in my chest for something of my claim.

Oh, no.

And as you see, remember me.

I know you do not know me.

I asked for leave to intervene in behalf of George Hollumby-Druce,

a citizen of Australia, due to arrive on the port of London tomorrow.

He is an impudent, audacious and absolutely ignorant imparture.

It's a truce, Mrs. Druce.

He is an antipoding reminder by occupation.

And, believe me, should be brought with his solicitor to Bow Street extradition court.

And they are taught a lesson they wouldn't forget.

My client is the eldest son of Druce by his first marriage in his earth,

and a major heir presumptive to his estate.

He is loving of a sort!

He's the son of a Trump from Brisbane!

What is the nature of your application?

I apply for a faculty to open the vault of Thomas Charles Druce deceased.

Wish to open it, now.

But, of course.

Just kiss and laugh!

The sign is...

No, I'm sorry.

No, no, just a friend.

You can't.

Only a few moments, Anna, right?

Rolly.

Oh, Rolly, thank you for coming.

Rolly.

Rolly!

I promise you to stop that Australian or let trust you.

Promise me.

Please.

Yes, very well.

Oh, God bless you, my darling boy.

Thank you.

Rolly!

I can take Rolly!

Oh!

Well, back, Abbe, Nottingham, Charlie, seat of the Duke of Portland since the 17th century.

It's a very beautiful place, you know, Grace.

Oh, now this is your time, house.

My what?

It's your house in London.

Well, where was the first one then?

That was a Nottingham show, about a hundred miles away.

Oh, good, two houses?

You got seven.

Now, these are some of the Portland estates.

They're in good, they're hard to ward and lands, and taken together, they comprise about 260,000 acres.

Yeah, that's quite a lot, isn't it?

Yes, well, it's worth about 16 millions.

I'm sure you're a tenon tree, greatly appreciated speed, with which you've hastened to these shores to take up your duties, your Grace.

Well, how about some ready cash thing?

Oh, well, I'd advise you to form a limited company, the Juice Portland Clamens Company Limited, and sell the shares in the open market as a pound each.

They asked you to start with an issue of 30,000. They should sell, like, hot cakes.

In fact, I've taken the liberty of drawing up the necessary paperwork.

Your Grace doesn't have to do anything but to sign a tender.

Pay my bills.

I'm not sure.

Oh.

Do you think I might have a work again?

I really don't think you should without your solicitor being...

Foster! He's my solicitor no longer.

I'll oblige you.

Well...

A magistrate's court sons.

Propergery.

A private prosecution brought by that Australian.

I guess we set foot in the country.

In that the said Herbert drewster to clear upon oath that he saw the body of his father, the said pombers Charles drewster ceased in his coffin after his death.

It's tactics, isn't it?

That's Foster.

Anyway, do you...

Point is this. Will you act for me?

What?

Well, since my illegitimacy became public knowledge, my business has halved.

And if I had to face a perjury charge as well...

Yes.

But why me?

Because you're the only solicitor apart from Foster and knows anything about it.

And I'll not answer this quickly.

Do you know what witnesses they'll be calling?

No, can't you find out?

No, not until we're in cause.

Surely you have a right to know beforehand?

Not with perjury.

And nor have you the right to go into the witness box.

You also realise I've got no experience of cross-examination.

Oh, I know where else I can ask.

I really don't think I can do this with the limited knowledge in the future.

As to fee, shall we say £400?

Not only rate to start with.

Cost to $5,000 is funded by unsolicited measures.

None understood through most of the papers?

naughty!

locks yours!

Can he tell me you may have to go upstairs?

Erm...

oh, he's smells your shits.

Three barristers and two slittages and watching brief.

The other council represent the shareholders of the Drew's Porton Fainments Company.

First curtain.

Port will rise.

Let Herbert Jews surrender to his bail.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Herbert Jews, you are charged with perjury.

You naturally cleared upon oath on the 13th day of June last,

that upon the 28th day of December, 1864,

you saw your father dead and in his coffin,

knowing that this was untrue and calculated to deceive the court.

I will say.

Are you guilty or not guilty?

You may sit down.

Yes, Mr. Pastor.

May I please your worship?

The relevant passage of the defendant's statement made upon oath that the court will probate,

is as follows.

About the month of September 1864, my father became gravely ill,

and I was present when he died on December 28th between the hours of 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

I saw him wrapped in a sheet and placed in a lead container,

which was placed inside an oak coffin, which I saw sealed.

At a later date, I saw this coffin placed in a vault in high gate cemetery.

I should be calling witnesses to prove that this statement was a deliberate, malicious and wicked lie.

I should be calling two in particular, and Mr. Robert Caldwell,

who was just returned from the United States of North America,

where he has been living since 1871.

You will hear how he personally arranged the simulated death and mock funeral of Drus himself.

How it was he who bought the lead and placed it in the coffin.

I shall also be calling Ms. Robinson, who was in a certain relationship with Mr. Drus,

and who, after his supposed death, continued in that relationship with the Duke,

and nearing him, ought to be one in the same person.

And Ms. Robinson, even now, is living in a house in Medavale,

given to her by Mr. Drus on an income provided by the Duke.

Your worship I call Mr. Robert Caldwell.

Now, how did you first count beneath the Duke?

When I was a young man, I used to suffer from an acute skin disease,

which gave me a bulbous nose.

I went to see Sir Morrell Mackenzie, the physician, about it,

and it was he who introduced me to the Duke.

It how came he to know the Duke?

He was suffering also from the same complaint.

Did you meet the Duke again?

Oh, yes, we became friendly. I was invited to stay at Wellback Abbey.

Where was this?

It would be the spring of 1862.

At the conclusion of my visit, I travelled with him in his curious, closed carriage back to London,

and to his Baker Street Bazaar, where I also stayed with him.

He explained to me that in London, he was known as Mr. Drus.

Yes. And did you ever meet Mrs. Drus?

Oh, yes, indeed, and the children, including the defendant.

Of course, he was very young at that time.

Yes. Did you have friendship with the Duke Continual?

Oh, yes. We became intimate friends.

Yes. Did he ask you to perform a particular service in 1864?

Yes. One evening, sitting by his fireside in Baker Street,

he told me he'd grown tired of his double life,

and asked me if I'd help him to kill off Drus, as he put it.

Yes. And did you receive payment for this service?

Yes, 200 pounds.

And what did you have to do for this payment?

I had an old carpenter make a coffin, in secret, to understand,

and I went to a store to purchase some sheet lid.

How much lid? About 200 pounds in weight.

Yes, and why that amount?

It was the approximate weight of the Duke.

And where are you present when the coffin was sealed?

I sealed it myself with the assistance of the Duke and the carpenter.

Yes, and what was in it?

Nothing but the lid.

You're quite sure about that?

Absolutely.

Yes. Now, did Mr. Drus or the Duke ever lie in the coffin

in order to give the impression to a third party that he was dead?

Absolutely not.

What else did you do?

I advertised the death in the newspaper.

I informed the staff of the bazaar and arranged to have it closed for a week.

I arranged the funeral and coaches for the mourners and so on.

Yes, how many coaches?

About 50.

50?

Oh, yes, it was a grand funeral.

They were filled with old men from the soldiers,

home whom I paid five shillings each.

The last, uh, Mr. Corlow, how was it earning now that you come to appear in this case?

I read about it only three months ago in an American magazine.

I immediately wrote to the court to explain my part in the affair,

and later I was requested by yourself, sir, to cross the Atlantic and give evidence.

Thank you, Mr. Corlow.

So, Drus' death was a lie.

Yes.

For which you were paid two hundred pounds.

You were paid two hundred pounds to turn an elaborate lie.

How much were you paid to tell this one?

I don't follow.

You mean to say that you're receiving no payment for this?

No.

But you must surely know that if the defendant is found guilty,

the one pound shares of the Drus Portland Clayman's company will rocket in value.

Maybe ten or twenty times.

I know nothing about that.

Oh, you own no shares.

You've been offered no financial inducement to...

Oh, well, it is my friend who offered any evidence that this would be a stance to gain financially.

Mr. Walker?

Well, that's singing.

Then don't meet that type of quite unfunded implication that's most reprehensible.

Yeah, I should.

Now, this carpenter that you say made the coffin.

Does the prosecution intend to call him?

The worship, if it was already, was known in 1864.

I even went over a hundred by now.

Oh, this is a carpenter.

I am at the death of many years.

So, who am I?

Hey, Your worship, does my friend wish to ask any specific points of my witness,

or is it merely following the old legal edits if you have no defense,

just call everyone a liar?

Well, what else could I have done?

It was thirty years ago.

He was lying.

He was telling an absolute string of inventions.

Can't you hit him with anything harder?

There's only one way to do that.

What's that?

Open the coffin.

Oh, no, I... I went along that.

But why not?

How long could I go down for?

Up to seven years.

Who is Miss Robinson?

I have no idea.

Well, then you must accept that the only thing we've got left is that coffin.

You must withdraw your objection.

Druse.

Oh, for...

I became his mistress. At three p.m. I'll fly did you lie the 24th, 1861.

I'm quite sure about that.

Oh, yes. It was raining at the time.

Now, how did you first come to meet Mr. Druse?

We had been introduced by Mrs. Sowers, a Polish lady.

Now, who was she?

A friend of mine.

Yes, but how can I put it?

Was she the sort of person who was an habit of introducing young ladies to middle-aged gentlemen?

Ah, don't...

Why she a procures?

Oh, my gracious, now her husband was a church board.

So this was simply a social introduction.

Well, of course.

And did you have friends with Mr. Druse?

Yes, he saw me a lot.

He took me out of theaters and restaurants.

We had a lovely time.

Often we were accompanied by Mr. Dickens, the celebrated hobo.

And eventually, you became Mr. Druse's mistress.

Yes.

And after a period of time that he provided you with a accommodation.

He brought me my house in May to there.

Do you now produce the deeds of that house to the court?

Yes.

I may I see those, please?

Okay.

Well, you were at this time of his double life.

Not exactly.

I didn't realize what was going on for a long time.

Well, how do you mean?

Well, he eventually told me about being a Duke.

I was amazed.

I had no idea.

Then he said he was killing off Druse and just going to be the Duke in future.

Yes.

Where was this?

In 1864, we planned it together.

You actually took part in the planning.

We worked it all out, lying in bed together.

It was quite an hour and a half.

It was a great lark.

That's what we called it, a great lark.

We planned the funeral, the lead in the coffin, everything.

I even went to the funeral.

You attended as a morna.

Yes, I thought it would be a lark too.

But it was just rather sad.

Yes.

Now, how long did you have an association with the Duke continue for?

Another two years.

One day in 1866 he came and said that he had come to say goodbye.

But then he was settling on a newity, upon me of 240 pounds a year.

Yes, and you now could use the deeds of that in your tins of the court.

I do.

Then he kissed me and said goodbye and that was the last I saw of him.

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you, Miss Robinson.

Miss Robinson, are you a prostitute?

Oh!

I beg your pardon.

You received payment from Mr. Druce in return for your services.

He loved me.

How could you tell?

He said so.

I come, Miss Robinson. This is absolute lies, isn't it?

You've never met him in your life.

Of course I did. You gave me my house.

But these title deeds, they don't mention him at all.

Don't they?

They give your name and the names of previous owners.

But there's no mention of anyone who may have provided you with a cash to buy the place.

Oh?

It's the same with the deeds of annuity.

There's no mention of anyone who invested the money.

Might it have been you yourself.

That's it wasn't.

Can you offer any proof at all of your friendship with Thomas, Charles, Druce and the Fifth Duke of Portland?

Well, all I've been saying.

I simply just have to take your word for it, do we?

That's right.

How long were you as mistress altogether?

Five years.

Five years.

And in all that time he never wrote you a single letter or gave you anything which you could produce to this court to show beyond the pair of venture that you even knew him.

Oh, yes, this.

What?

He gave me this locket. It has an inscription.

Shall I show it?

Yes, please.

I think that this is not evidence that has been agreed, gentlemen.

I've also seen it before.

Then I think perhaps I'll have it.

Thank you.

It is unlucky to have conventional type.

On the left there is a photograph of a clean-shaven man.

Clearly the same photo has already been submitted to the court as Druce deceased.

And on the right, a bearded man.

It appears to be the same man with a beard.

There's an inscription around it.

There's an inscription around it.

In memory of a great luck.

December 28th, 1864.

Shall I?

No.

No.

No.

Your worship.

In view of this development, my client now wishes to inform the court that he is willing to withdraw his objection to the opening of his father's vault.

I'm sure that they have been done.

I shall say about a week.

Then I will adjourn the case for a week, while the exhumation is carried out.

All rise.

At one hour before dawn, Dr. Tristan gave the word to begin operations.

The lid was wiped free of dust and rubble, disclosing a brass inscription, reading Thomas Charles Druce Esquire died 28 December 1864 in his 71st year.

At my instruction, a workman cut through the bed all around the outer edge of the bed.

The outer edge of the upper surface.

This lid was then removed with the utmost caution and the face of an elderly man was revealed in perfect condition.

And by elderly, Dr. Pepper, between the ages of 65 and 75, and the entire body was well preserved?

Exceptionally well preserved.

I say you had no difficulty in identifying it.

Now, I was equipped with several photographic likenesses of Thomas Charles Druce, which had been produced in this court.

It was undoubtedly the same person.

There is no doubt in your mind about it.

None whatsoever. Thank you.

I know where to do it.

There cannot be the slightest doubt, my dear Astani.

He had scanty red brown hair with one part white, and his eyebrows thick and rather wavy.

You saw him, your son.

Oh, yes, indeed.

What about the locket?

If it were not for your slip over the locket, you may both have got away with it.

But the fact that you would try to erase the hallmark unsuccessfully, and that mark showed the locket to have been made in 1896,

activated a chain of police inquiry, which inevitably disclosed the substantial sum of money you would be paid for your perjury in this very court.

This is the most wicked case of conspiracy to Persia I have ever known.

You will both go to prison for seven years.

So, I'm afraid, my dearest, Astani, that that is the end of it.

Oh, no.

What?

Not by a long...

Not any. I really do think.

Ronnie, I want you to start all over again from a totally new fact.

Last week, I paid three work on that to go over one night to the tune of the fifth Duke of Portland and open it, and do you know what they found?

It's full of lead.

I've got to go.

No.

I've got to go.

Don't go.

Don't go now.

Don't you see what it means. Ronnie!

The Duke of Portland's coffin was never open to find out whether Annie was speaking the truth or not.

The tune was irreparably damaged by a high-explosive bomb during the Second World War.

The Duke of Portland's coffin was never open to the tune of the second World War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War War