Original subtitles

Let me get you another drink.

Mark, before Tony comes

I...I ought to explain something.

Yes, I've been waiting for that.

I haven't told him anything about us.

That's not surprising. It's a tough thing to do.

When you telephoned this morning, I simply said

you wrote crime stories and, and I'd met you once

when you were here before.

Heh. 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 and 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 alright.

But he's been wonderful ever since.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

"Tie up the money in a package and mail to John S. King

"23 Newport Street, Brixton SW 9.

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, but the letter was never returned.

So after waiting about two weeks, I went there.

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

And the parcel was still there, it had never been opened.

Well, 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've made me tell Tony and the police

and as it was only 50 pounds

I thought I'd pay up and have done with it.

Margot, I better tell Tony about us tonight.

No, Mark, please, you mustn't.

You don't understand. Tony's changed.

Please.

I wish it 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 go 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 gonna 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?

Oh, there you are. We thought you were never coming.

- What have you been up to? - Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

But 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.

Well, 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, uh.. You write for the radio, don't you?

No, television, for my sins.

Darling, did you reserve a table?

- Yes, 7 o'clock. - Well, come on then get--

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 shall have to fake half of it as it is.

But..

Well, could you join us after the theater?

We might go somewhere.

Why don't you give me a ring at intermission?

If I'm inspired, I might make it.

- Well, do try. - Alright.

I'll just get my things, Mark.

- Oh, here are the tickets. - Oh, thanks, Tony.

I'm afraid this is terribly rude of me.

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

You must come to dinner one night.

- Thanks, I'd like that. - By the way..

What are you doing tomorrow night?

Saturday? Uh, 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, well, I'm not much of a tennis player.

Oh, that doesn't matter.

You know New York and all that.

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

Oh, good, well, you better

drop in here first and have a drink.

- That's the idea. - Yes. Alright.

Well, I'll try and get a taxi.

Oh, no. We can usually pick one up.

So long, darling.

Enjoy yourself.

- So long, Tony. - Goodnight.

- Oh, Mark? - Yes?

'Try and sell the extra ticket'

'and have a drink on the proceeds.'

Alright, Tony, we'll try.

'Have a good time.'

Thanks. Night.

- 'Hello. Yes.' - Hello. Hampstead 7899?

Could I speak to Captain Lesgate, 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 I don't like that price much.

'Well, I didn't like it when I bought it.'

Now, when can we meet?

'Well, now, how about tomorrow afternoon?'

I'm afraid I can't manage that.

Uh, no, I can't

and I'm going to Liverpool on Sunday.

I was rather hoping..

I say, you couldn't come around 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?'

61 A, Charrington Gardens.

- 'Harrington?' - Oh, no, no. Charrington.

- 'Oh, Charrington. - Turn left at the underground.

It's about a two minutes' walk.

'Right, uh, I'll be there in about an hour.'

Oh, that's extremely good of you. Oh, by the way..

Will you be bringing the car?

'Oh, uh, I'm afraid I can't--'

Well, that doesn't matter.

I had a good look at it.

As 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 drop the price sufficiently.

'Oh, I'm afraid that's quite out of the question.'

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

- Uh, goodbye. - 'Goodbye.'

- Mr. Fisher? - Yes. Captain Lesgate?

- Yes. - Won't you come in?

Thank you.

It's very good of you.

Let me have your coat.

Have any difficulty finding your way?

No. None at all.

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. Lesgate?

You're not Lesgate. Swann. C.J. Swann. Or was it 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 your last year.

Well, what a coincidence.

Yes, this calls for a special drink.

I was planning to palm you off with 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've mentioned it to anyone there.

I was stopping for a fill-up and I told them

I was looking for an American car.

They gave me your phone number.

I say, it is for sale, isn't it?

- Well, of course. - Good.

I refuse to discuss the price until

you've had at least three brandies.

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. Wendice.

Tony Wendice.

What's all this about Fisher?

What's all this about Lesgate?

- Would you like a cigar? - No, thanks.

I'll just stick to my pipe if you don't mind.

That'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. - 'Oh.'

'I used to organize the beastly things.'

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

That's right. Almost a 100 pounds.

'I'd left it in a cashbox in my study'

'and in the morning it'd gone.'

It was the college porter, of course.

Yes, of course. Poor old Alfred.

He never could back a winner.

Yeah, they found the cashbox 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 living sometime

and I had a pretty good run for my money.

Went round the world three 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 some money of her own.

Otherwise, I should hardly feel like

blowing a 1000 pounds on your car.

Ah-ah, 1100.

'Uh, 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 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 returned after the national championships.

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

For 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

used to visit from time to time.

One day we had a row.

I wanted to play in the covered-court tournament

and as usual, she didn't want me 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 the tournament after all.

So I packed my kit in to the car and drove off.

I parked the car two streets away

walked back in my tracks.

Ten minutes later, she came out

of this house and took a taxi.

I took another.

Her old school friend lived in a 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.

I began to wonder what would happen

if she left me.

I'd have 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.

And 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 which 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 needn't have got

so worked up after all.

Apparently, that spaghetti evening

had been a sort of a fond farewell.

The boyfriend had been called back to New York.

- Ah, an American? - 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 her.

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 it 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 in to them

because the letters stopped

and we lived happily ever after.

It was funny to think that just a year ago

I sat in that Knightsbridge 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 fellas 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 Swann would end up in jail.'

'That cashbox, 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 be 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.

Hers worked out at just over 90,000 pounds.

Investments mostly.

All a little too easy to get at.

And that was dangerous as they'd be bound to suspect me.

I needed 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'd 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.

And 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, uh..

- Blackmail me? - Influence you.

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

and that made it a lot easier.

- Rather dour 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, uh, changed your name to Adams.

Yes. I got bored with Swann. 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.

I phoned your landlady.

I said Mr. Adams owed me five pounds.

But 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 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, uh, 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 mustache to please her.

Poor Miss Wallace.

This is all very interesting. Do go on.

July, August, September.

Apartment 127, Carlisle Court.

Occupant, a Mrs. Van Dorn.

Her late husband left her two hotels

and a large apartment house, furnished.

What a base to operate from, Captain Lesgate.

The only trouble is, she does rather enjoy being courted

and she's so very expensive.

'Perhaps that's why you'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 'em 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?

'Will that ring a bell?'

Oh, it certainly would.

They'd assume you followed her 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'd be a straight case of your word against mine.

That would puzzle them, wouldn't it?

What could you say?

I shall simply say that you came here tonight half-drunk

and, uh, 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 tried 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 would step forward'

'to testify to your character.'

And someone is almost certain

to have seen you with Ms. 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 Pimlico.'

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?

For 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. - For a murder?

For a few minutes' work, that's all it is.

And 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 had been taking the stuff for quite some time

and nobody knows where she got it.

But we know, don't we?

'Poor Miss Wallace.'

This 1000 pounds.

Where is it?

It's in a small attache case in a checkroom.

'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 pounds on account.

You know, the police would only have to trace

one of these notes back to you

to hang us both from the same rope.

They won't, for a whole year, I've been cashing

'an extra 20 pounds 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 1000 pounds during the year.

Suppose the police ask you about that.

I go dog racing twice a week.

They'll check your bookmaker.

Like you, I always bet on the tout.

Satisfied?

When would this take place?

Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow? Not a chance.

I've gotta think this over.

It has to be tomorrow.

I've arranged things that way.

Where?

Approximately where you're standing now.

How?

Tomorrow evening, Halliday

that's the American boyfriend and I

will go out to a stag party.

She'll stay here.

She'll go to bed early and listen to

"Saturday Night Theatre" on the radio.

She always does when I'm out.

At exactly three minutes to 11:00

you'll enter the house through the street door.

You'll find the key to this door..

...under the stair carpet here.

- The fifth step. - That's the one.

Go straight to the window..

...and hide behind the curtains.

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, and hang up.

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

When I hear your whistle

I shall hang up and redial..

...but the correct number this time.

I shall then talk to my boss

as if nothing had happened

and return to the party.

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.

- Ah, 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 stair 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 walks 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?

Alright.

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 12.

I'll bring Halliday 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 give the 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 the 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 from 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.

Maida Vale Z499.

- 'Tony, it's me.' - Oh, hello, darling.

- How's it going? - 'Wonderfully.'

'It's really a splendid play.'

'We're enjoying every minute.'

Oh, I'm sorry. I-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 someone's at the door.

Psst. You can be seen from the bedroom window.

Sorry, darling. False alarm.

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

- 'How do we get in?' - Well, 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 Bentall.

'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's.'

'She's such a filthy cook.'

'Oh, there's the bell. I must fly.'

Alright, dear. Enjoy yourself.

'Tony, don't make that martini too watery.'

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

Darling, when are you gonna finish

pasting in those clippings?

Oh, I shall find time

one of these days.

Oh, here it is.

This is the maharaja. Isn't he dreamy?

He had four Rolls-Royces and enough jewels to sink

a battleship, but all he really wanted was to play at Wimbledon.

Oh, the poor darling, he was so shortsighted

that he could barely see the end

of the racket, let alone the ball.

Y-you know, you should, um.. Oh, thanks, Tony.

You should, uh, write a book about all this.

Why don't you two collaborate?

A detective novel with a tennis background.

Yes, what about it, Mark?

Would 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 the thing.

And then you imagine you're gonna

steal something or murder somebody.

Oh, is that how you do it? Interesting.

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

'and I keep asking myself, um'

"What do I do next?" Heh, heh!

Do you really believe in the perfect murder?

'Mm. Yes, absolutely.'

'On paper, that is.'

'And I think I could, uh, 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 always.

No, I'm afraid my murders would be something like my bridge.

I'd make a stupid mistake and never realize

till I found everybody was looking at me.

- We better drink up, Mark. - Yes.

What are you doing tomorrow?

Mm. Nothing I know of.

Why don't we all drive down to Windsor for lunch?

That's a good idea. Come along early, but not too early.

We may be nursing a hangover.

- How about 11:00? - Fine.

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

'Is that right in Windsor?'

- 'No, it's just outside.' - 'Oh.'

Did I lend you my latchkey?

I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I don't know, I, 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 yours?

- 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.

Won't you listen to the radio? "Saturday Night Theatre?"

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 under the proverbial mat.

No, it's alright. 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, darling--

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.

Have you 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 those boring 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 them we're not coming.

Oh, Tony, please

let's not be childish about this.

Alright, 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 in the desk, I believe.

You'll need some scissors.

Oh, they're in my mending basket.

Lend me some change, dear. I 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.

- Put that down. - You owe me 10 bob anyway.

For what?

I paid for that package you sent Peggy.

That comes out of housekeeping.

Well, let me give it to you.

Keep your hands off.

There now. How much do you want?

Well, I've got, uh, three, five, seven and sixpence.

It won't be enough to get us there and back.

Oh, but you better take something.

How much are the dinner tickets?

Already paid for, tip included.

If I run short, Mark will help out.

'Taxi's here.'

'Tony, what are you waiting for?'

Oh, nothing, dear. Nothing.

- Good night, Margot. - Good night, Mark.

What time will you get home?

Oh, about 12, I should think.

I'll bring Mark back for a nightcap

on his way home. Will you be up?

I should be fast asleep

and I don't want to be disturbed.

We shall be as quiet as mice.

- Night. - Night.

Uh..

- Oh, Margot? - 'Yes?'

You know, it's quite possible old man Burgess might call.

Would you tell him we're at the Grendon?

- It might be rather important. - What's the number?

- It's in the book. - Alright.

Goodbye, dear.

'Alright, Mark.'

I was staying at the Torbay Hotel.

You know the Torbay Hotel in Dartmoor?

Well, it's not exactly in Dartmoor, but Dartmoor sort of

in the district, if you know what I mean.

'Anyway, the whole point of this story is'

'that it concerns Dartmoor Prison..'

'Anyway, I was staying at the Torbay Hotel, as I was saying'

'I went to the bar one day..'

So, I turned to this guy and said, "What are you doing here?"

He said, "I've become a commercial traveler

I sell agricultural machinery." I said, "Agricultural--"

Excuse me a moment. Do any of you fellas have the right time?

Yes, I have, uh, seven minutes past eleven.

I make it only just after eleven.

Well, my watch has stopped. I must have overwound it.

So-so, as I was, as I was saying, uh..

Excuse me, old boy. I have to call my boss.

"Agricultural machinery.."

Hello.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello.

'Hello.'

Hello.

Oh.

'Get the police. Quickly. Police.'

- Margot? - 'Who's there?'

Darling, it's me.

Oh, Tony.

Tony, thank God.

Come back at once.

What's the matter?

'I can't, I can't explain now.'

'Come quickly, please.'

Now, darling, pull yourself together. What is it?

'A man attacked me. He tried to strangle me.'

Did he get away?

'No. He's dead. He's dead.'

T-Tony, are you still there?

- Margot. - 'Yes?'

Now, listen very carefully.

'Yes, I'm listening.'

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

No. No, I won't.

'Don't touch anything and don't speak to anybody'

'until I get there.'

- No, I won't touch anything. - 'You promise?'

Yes, I promise. Only, please, be quick.

'I-I'm sitting at the same bar'

'and I see the same man standing at the end'

and he came across to me and said..

No, 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 alright.

'...with which he was buying me dry martinis.'

'Anyway, we just..'

Tony! Oh, Tony.

It's alright, darling. It's alright.

What happened?

He put something around my throat.

- It felt like a stocking. - Are you sure? Let me see.

I-I got up to answer the phone

and he came from behind the curtain

and tried to strangle me.

I-I almost passed out. I..

I felt the scissors in my hands.

And then, then he let go suddenly

and he fell down 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.

What is it?

I'd better get a blanket.

Shut the window, please.

No, we mustn't touch anything till the police arrive.

He must've broken in. I 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?' - Wendice.

- Is that a double S? - No, D-I-C-E.

C-E. Your address, sir?

'61-A Charrington Gardens, the ground floor apartment.'

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?

'Well, I don't know.'

'Well, have you any idea who might have done it?'

I'll explain that to you when you come.

- How long will it take? - 'About two minutes.'

- Two minutes? - And, uh, 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 question--

They can wait till 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 they'll find it.

Now, you go on to bed.

Tea, gentlemen?

- 'Sergeant.' - 'Mm-hm?'

'Look, it's the other stocking.'

Alright, break it up.

Let's get moving on.

Hm. Almost empty. Remind me to get some more.

It 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 th-- - I know, but..

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

that 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 nosy 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?

- Uh, good morning, madam. - Oh, good morning.

- Uh, Mrs. Wendice? - '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.

Oh, I think we gave your sergeant

all the necessary information?

Yes, I've-I've seen his report, of course

but, uh, there are a few things I'd like to get first-hand.

I gather the sergeant only saw you

for a few moments, Mrs. Wendice?

Yes, I..

'My wife was suffering from considerable shock.'

Yes, that was a very nasty experience you had.

Do you mind if I take a look around, sir?

Go ahead. The bedroom and bathroom are through here.

Well, he certainly didn't get in by the bathroom.

And the kitchen has bars on the window.

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

I, uh, I understand that you weren't here

when this happened, sir?

No, I was at a dinner party

at the Grendon Hotel.

And by a curious coincidence

I was actually phoning my wife

when she was attacked.

So I gather.

But can you tell me exactly

what time it was, sir?

No, I'm afraid I can't.

I-I do remember my watch had stopped.

- Did you notice, Mrs. Wendice? - No, I didn't.

'Won't you sit down, inspector?'

Well, thank you.

Have you any idea who he was?

Hmm? Oh, yes.

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 recognize him?' - 'No, I never saw him.'

But, uh, didn't you even catch a glimpse of his face?

No, you see, he attacked me from behind

and it was dark. I-I hardly saw him at all.

Yes, but before I showed you these photographs

you said you'd never seen him before.

'Now, 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.

Now, how about you, sir? Had you ever seen him before?

No.

- No, at least.. - Yes.

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

But the mustache makes quite a difference.

Oh? What was his name?

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

- Was it, uh, Lesgate? - 'No.'

- Wilson? - 'No.'

- Swann? - Uh, n..

Swann?

Wait a minute. Swann. Yes, that's it.

Here's an old photo taken at a reunion.

We were at the same college together. There he is there!

- Why, it's unbelievable. - Uh, did you know him well?

No. He was senior to me.

- 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?

'About six months ago at a railway station'

Victoria, I think.

I remember noticing how little he'd changed.

'Now, had he a mustache then, sir?'

- No. - Hmm.

Uh, Mrs. Wendice, would you show me

exactly what happened last night?

- Oh, 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.

Uh, just show me exactly where you were standing.

I stood here and I picked up the phone.

Now, just one moment.

Are you sure you had your back

to the window like that?

Yes.

- 'But why?' - Why not?

I mean, why go around the desk?

I should have picked it up from this side.

But I always answer the phone from here.

But why?

Oh, 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.

When I picked up the phone

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

He got something around my neck--

Oh, something? What do you mean by "Something?"

- 'I think it was a stocking.' - 'I see.'

'And 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. Uh, I'd forgotten to put them away.

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

Where else could he have been?

But the curtains were drawn, I suppose--

- Yes, they were. - Did you draw them yourself?

Uh, no, inspector, I drew them just before I went out.

But did you lock the window at the same time?

- Yes. - Are you quite sure of that?

Oh, perfectly sure, I always lock up

when I draw the curtains.

Then how do you suppose he got into this room?

Oh, we assume that he broke in.

Well, there's no sign of a break-in.

Our report shows the lock's quite undamaged.

Mrs. Wendice..

...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 on the line.

'I naturally thought that he would call'

'the police from the hotel before he came here.'

Uh, 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--

Oh, 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?

Now, 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.'

Well, 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.'

'Uh, 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.

And 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 doormat.

- How can you tell? - 'It's a fairly new mat.'

'And some of its fibers came off on his shoes.'

Oh, but surely--

And there was a small tar stain

on the mat, and some of the

fibers show that as well.

So there's no question about it.

Wait a minute. I think I've got it.

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'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.

But 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.

Then that's how he got in, he had a duplicate made

and then returned the original to the handbag.

Now, before you go any further with this.

How did he get in through the street door?

'Well, the street door is never locked.'

I see.

But he-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 key was found when we went through his pockets.'

Well, 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.

- Tony. - Mark! Oh, Mark!

This is Inspector Hubbard.

Inspector, this is Mark Halliday.

- He was with me last night. - How do you do, inspector?

Now, as you were with Mr. Wendice last night

you may be able to help us here.

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

Well, y-yes, as a matter of fact, it was just

three minutes after 11:00.

Well, how did you come to notice that?

Well, Mr. Wendice's watch had stopped

and some of us compared times.

Oh, thank you, so you see

it was when Mrs. Wendice came in here

to answer his call 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?

Now, 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 payphone 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.

You see, my boss is flying to Brussels this morning

and 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.

Hmm.

- And did you phone him? - Oh, no.

Naturally, when I heard what had happened here

I forgot all about it.

Hmm. Yes.

Now, Mr. Halliday, Mr. and Mrs. Wendice 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.

- Most certainly. - I'll just get my coat.

I'm staying at Carfax Hotel.

Oh, just write it down there, will you?

- Your telephone number as well. - Alright.

Ever been over here before, sir?

- Yes. Yes, about a year ago. - Mm.

- There you are, sir. - Thank you.

Uh, Mr. Wendice. There's quite a crowd in front of the house.

I was going to suggest that we left by the garden.

Isn't there a gate at the far end?

- Yes. - Uh, I'm afraid..

The gate may be locked. Would you mind taking a look, sir?

Certainly.

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

I beg your pardon?

You wrote a letter to Mrs. Wendice from New York.

It was found in the dead man's inside pocket.

Now, I didn't mention it because I

I wasn't sure how much Mr. Wendice knew.

Have you any idea how it got there?

No.

Where's Tony?

He's just gone into the garden.

Uh, Mrs. Wendice, when you lost your handbag

uh, 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.

Uh, this man was blackmailing you, wasn't he?

It's no good, Margot, Tony will have to know about it.

- No. - It's the only thing we can do.

Inspector, after Mrs. Wendice

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. Wendice.

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 may 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, do 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. Wendice?

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 evidence 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've 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 he 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 darned

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 planting 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 on the doormat as well.

'Hello?'

Oh, hello, Roger, thank heaven you're in.

Tony Wendice here.

Now, listen, we had a burglary last night

and Margot was attacked.

'Margot? Was she hurt?'

No, she's alright, but the man was killed

and the police are here now, and don't laugh

'they're suggesting that Margot killed him intentionally.'

I wouldn't say that if I were you, sir.

'Well, that's a good one. Ha-ha-ha.'

'Yes, it is funny, isn't it?'

'Now, Roger, could you come around at once'

'Maida Vale Police Station?'

- 'I'll be there right away.' - 'Oh, thanks, old boy.'

Goodbye. It's alright, darling.

Roger's gonna meet us at the police station.

Now, Mr. Wendice, I should advise you--

Our lawyer will give us any advice we need, thank you.

'Margot..'

- Here's your handbag. - Thank you.

- You are coming, Tony? - Oh, but of course, inspector.

Yes. Yes, well, I just..

I mean, I just wondered.

'I charge you that on the 26th of September'

'you did willfully murder Charles Alexander Swann.'

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

'And did you, at any time in your life'

'meet this man, Swann?'

'You received a letter from Mr. Halliday.'

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

'Now you say you did not know him?'

'Do you find the prisoner, Margot Mary Wendice'

'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.'

- Oh, hello, Mark. - Tony.

I..

Have you, uh, gotten 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 did his case really amount to?

Just three things

my letter, her stocking

and the fact that because no key was found on Swann

'she must've 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 go to the police and tell them some story

anything that will convince them 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've figured out something for you to tell 'em.

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

Margot says she never let Swann 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 Swann could have let himself in.'

- How'd he know it was there? - 'You told him.'

But I haven't met Swann in 20 years.

Tony, Swann is dead.

Now, we've gotta make the most of that.

You can tell any story you like about him now.

You can even say that, well, you two met somewhere

and you planned this whole thing together.

Planned what?

Are you suggesting I arranged for Swann to come here

'that night to blackmail her?'

No.

To kill her.

- Kill Margot? - 'That's it.'

- Why? - Because she said so.

"He came from behind the curtain

and he tried to strangle me."

Okay, that's what he did.

All you gotta do is support everything she said.

'Don't you see, Tony? That's my whole idea.'

But what about your letter?

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

- 'It doesn't make sense.' - Y-yes, I-I know.

That worried me for a while too

but I've, 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 you wrote those blackmail notes.

'Nobody can prove you didn't.'

'And you can also say you never saw Swann 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?

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

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 is..

'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.

The 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

Swann to do a thing like this?

Well, you-you offered him money or something.

What money? I don't have any.

Yes, you'd have had Margot's.

It'd be months before I get my hands on that.

And people don't commit murder on credit.

No, 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 'em 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 there..

Oh, hello, inspector.

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, I'm very conscious of your position.

If I may, I'd like to say how deeply sorry I am--

Yes, inspector, yes, alright.

Now, how can I help you?

'Well, the cashier of a factory in Ledbury Street'

'was attacked in his office'

'and two men made off with several hundred pounds'

'mostly in pound notes.'

'What is all this to do with me?'

Well, in cases like this, all police divisions

are asked to keep a lookout for anyone

spending large sums of money.

- I see. - And I was wondering..

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

Why?

Well, my sergeant happened to be making inquiries

at Wales' Garage the other day

and it appears that you settled an account there recently

for, um, yeah, just over 60 pound.

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. Yeah, as a matter of fact, I have, yeah.

Yeah, but they wouldn't help me.

Oh, bank statements are always jealously guarded.

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

'Well, it was only a routine matter after all.'

'I-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, I shan't know what to think, shall I?'

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

I mean, that might be the very person we're looking for.

Hello.

- Is this 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.

Heh. 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 alike.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir, you were saying?

- I don't think I was, was I? - Oh, yes, about that money.

I'd be grateful if you'd tell me where you got it.

After all, a 100 pounds is quite a lot to carry around.

- You said 60 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 wines and spirits.'

'Well, I'm sorry he went to all that trouble.'

'Had he come straight to me, I could've explained at once.'

I simply won rather a large sum at dog racing.

- What? Over a 100 pounds? - Yes, over a 100 pounds.

It has been done before, you know.

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

Well, I was rather ashamed

of being caught going to dog racing

when my wife is 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 to bother you at this time.

Not at all, inspector. Not at all.

Uh, there's just one other thing, sir.

Have you a small, blue attache case 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, we must try and get it back, mustn't we?

Now, where did you pick the taxi up, sir?

Uh, Hyde Park Corner about half an hour ago.

Anything valuable?

- 'No, a few books and, uh..' - 'Any money?'

Two or three pounds in 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 attache 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, but I use it instead of a briefcase, you see.'

'Mm. Well, these taxi men are'

'pretty good at turning things in.'

'I hope you'll find it alright, sir.'

Inspector, before you go..

I think Mr. Wendice has something to tell you.

Oh, has he?

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

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

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 Swann

after he murdered Mrs. Wendice.

But as you know, there was an accident

so it wasn't necessary to pay Swann 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. Wendice?

Before you came, inspector, he was trying to persuade me

to go to the police with the most fantastic story

you ever heard.

Apparently, I bribed Swann to murder my wife so that..

Uh, 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, Swann 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.

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..

Uh, you do follow me, don't you?

What else, Mark?

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

Probably up on this ledge.

Swann let himself in.

'He hid behind the curtains.'

'Then Wendice phoned from the hotel.'

- That brought her-- - Just one moment. Ahem.

If Swann had used Mr. Wendice's key

it would still have been on him when he died.

Besides, how did Mr. Wendice get in

when he returned from the hotel?

Well, she could have let him in.

And he could've taken his key from Swann's pocket

before the police got here.

But he let himself in with his own key.

hat came out in the trial.

Don't you remember?

Come on, Mark.

Your move.

Uh..

Swann could have taken the key down from here

unlocked the door

and then replaced the key on the ledge

before he came in.

Alright, Halliday, this is all very interesting

but it isn't getting me 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. Wendice got this money.

That's all I want to know.

Just a moment, please, sir.

Inspector, wait a minute. Look at this.

The last check 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.'

- There's his bank-- - Mr. Halliday.

Sorry.

Well, he hasn't drawn any large sums from his bank.

Nothing over 53 pounds.

But look, inspector, practically every week.

Thirty-five pounds, forty..

'Forty-five pounds, fifty.. He could've saved it up.'

Of course I could've 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.

Alright, you asked for it.

When she called me back from the party that night

I found her kneeling beside Swann'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 would have told

every lie under the sun.

The next morning she showed me the money

just as it is now all in one pound 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 had 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 have really no idea.

What about it, inspector?

Hm?

Well, I must say I suspected something like that.

You mean, you're not even gonna 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 Margot hears about this?

Well, she'll deny it, of course.

And perhaps she'll change her will.

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

If I'd told that story of his, would 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'd let him see her?

I don't want her upset just now.

Well, 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 you. I think I will.

I hope Mr. Halliday's 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.

Uh, there are a few things

belonging to Mrs. Wendice 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. Wendice.

I don't suppose we shall meet again.

Goodbye, inspector, and thank you very much.

- 'Maida Vale Police.' - Chief inspector here.

Give me Sergeant O'Brien, quick.

- 'O'Brien here.' - Hubbard.

Look, O'Brien, I've got back in again.

- Start the ball rolling. - 'Right away, sir.'

'Inspector Hubbard, it's me, Mark Halliday.'

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

- What are you doing here? - Never mind about that.

I was wondering why you did--

You've gotta get out of here, quick.

- Listen, inspector-- - Shut up.

If you want to save Mrs. Wendice

keep quiet and let me handle this.

How are you possibly gonna..

Look, 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. Halliday.

'Margot.'

Hello, Mark.

- Where's Tony? - 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.

No. 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? - 'Yes, sir.'

Take this handbag back to the police station

and get that car out of the way.

Yes, sir.

Oh, wait a minute, you clod.

You can't walk down the street like that.

You'll be arrested.

Well, here. Put it in this.

Margot, how did you get here?

I don't know.

About an hour ago, the warden came to see me

and just said I was to be taken home.

And then two detectives brought me here.

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 wanna interfere

'but do you think you could tell us what you're up to?'

Mrs. Wendice..

What I'm about to tell you may come as a shock.

Yes?

'We strongly suspect that your husband'

'had planned to murder you.'

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

How long have you known this?

- Did you suspect it yourself? - No, never.

And yet..

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 gonna have

the most wonderful breakdown.

When 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, 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 I'd taken from your handbag

didn't fit the lock.

Williams?

Wendice.

Heh. Oh, that was a near one.

'Maida Vale Police. O'Brien speaking.'

Hubbard. Look, O'Brien.

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 the handbag yet?

- 'Yes, sir.' - Good. Now, listen.

Give Wendice 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'

'uh, tell him I've gone to Glasgow.'

- 'Right, sir. No questions.' - 'Any questions? Right.'

'Call me back when he leaves the station.'

'Right, sir.'

Well, Mr. Halliday, have you got it?

I don't think so.

Where's Mrs. Wendice's key?

It took me just half an hour to find it.

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

Well, he didn't use it because he doesn't realize it's there.

He still thinks it's in his wife's handbag.

You see, you were very nearly right.

He told Swann that he would leave your latchkey

under the stair carpet, Mrs. Wendice

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

But as Swann was killed, we naturally assumed

that your key would still be in one of Swann's pockets.

That was his little mistake

because Swann 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 Wendice took out of Swann's pocket

and returned to her handbag was--

Swann'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 Swann'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 Dorn's

and unlocked the door of her flat

'and then I, 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, I had to find out if you knew it was there.

Suppose I had known?

You didn't.

- Mark. - Yes, darling?

I think I'm going to have that breakdown.

- 'Inspector Hubbard?' - O'Brien?

'Yes. He's just left the station.'

Right.

Try and hang on just a little longer.

Williams, he's just left the station.

Give me a thump if he comes this way.

- Can I have a handkerchief? - What happens now?

Sooner or later, he'll come back here.

As I've pinched his latchkey

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 will you do then?

I'm to phone the Home Secretary personally.

He's standing by for a call now.

And Mrs. Wendice?

Will have nothing else to fear.

- Alright, Margot? - Yes, I'm alright.

Quiet now, you two.

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.'

'Now he's given up.'

I'm afraid we've had it this time.

He's-he's going way down the street.

Hold it.

'He's stopped again.'

He's turning round.

He's staring at the key.

'Of course. That's Swann's key, isn't it?'

Now he's got it.

'He's coming back fast.'

He's remembered.

As you said, Mark it, uh

might work out on paper, but, uh..

Congratulations, inspector.

Oh, by the way..

Oh, how about you, Margot?

Yes, I could do with something.

- 'Mark?' - So could I.

I suppose you're still on duty, inspector.