All language subtitles for [2009] Claude Chabrol - Le petit vieux des Batignolles (EN)

Three goldsmiths on St Eloi's day,
went to diner at another goldsmith's

Three goldsmiths on St Eloi's day,

went to diner at another burgess'
put up, my lovely,

your white petticoat,
and show it back and front,

put up, my lovely, your white petticoat,
and show it back and front,

Three burgesses, on St Eloi's day,
went to diner at another goldsmith's

Three goldsmiths on St Eloi's day,
went to diner at another goldsmith's

put up, my lovely, your white petticoat,
and show it back and front,

Doctor Godeuil?

Yes, no, I'm not a doctor yet.

Not yet is fine with me. Could you
fix this for me? Close the door.

Sit there, please.

Stand your arm above the basin.

- Nice knife stabbing.
- It's not a knife stabbing.

- Is that so?
- You see that I'm a chimney sweep.

I cut my arm while
slipping from a roof.

- For a cut so large it must be...
- The gutter.

It looks more like...

You can't imagine how
a gutter can be sharp.

I'm going to apply a dressing.

You don't miss Angouleme
too much, Mr Godeuil?

Who told you I come from Angouleme?

I saw a little brochure there on
Angouleme's fortifications.

Yes. That town is good on
the defense.

My father is a doctor there.

So you're following
the family tradition.

I'm studying in Paris because I'm
bored with my country and my family.

Your parents never showed much
affection towards you, did they?

Usually when one's living
far from his relatives

one's putting a portrait on his
bedside or on the table.

But you have emptied your bag
and there's no portrait around.

I don't know your name, Mr...

I'm ready to bet that you have an older
brother who didn't succceed as a doctor.

It worried your father who nurished
a grief against you.

The younger brother is never
forgiven for succeeding

where the older brother failed.
It's old as the world.

Mechinet. My name is Mechinet.
I'm your neighbour.

- And you are a chimney sweep?
- Today I was a chimney sweep...

Precisely, I was a chimney sweep...
Don't worry, you'll understand later.

Would you like to have lunch
with us tomorrow at noon?

Don't say no, I'm
sure you like raw meat.

Raw meat yes but...

With the fat, I hope. It's what
makes the meat so tasty.

Mrs Mechinet is cooking it
with potatoes and bacon.

It will make you lick your lips.

I'll have to apply
another dressing anyway.

Good. See you tomorrow then.

For Mrs Mechinet we reached an
agreement, didn't we? It was the gutter.

So, I was right. A knife cut, unh?

Thanks again, Mr Godeuil. See you
tomorrow at noon, on the third floor.

Mr Mechinet, how did you guess
I was a medecine student?

The janitor, of course, Mr Boneuil!
Come on!

The janitor!

Dr Godeuil, I suppose.

Yes, well, no, in fact I...

My husband told me the whole story.
Come in quick.

Give me a drop, Mechinet.

It's a Vouvray that I've made
coming in...

from Vouvray.

For the main course I've planned
a Chambertin that one of my friend...

You won't drink another wine
after this Vouvray, Mechinet.

It's white or red. Not both.

I've made him take digestive salt
from Vichy. What's your opinion, Dr?

- It can only make him some good.
- Cheers, then!

To our new neighbour!

Taste this.

Not bad?
What do you think?

- Only happiness in this glass.
- And so light.

- One could drink all day.
- All the same, be careful, Mrs.

You see, Mechinet, it's the
doctor saying it. You must be careful.

Taste it, taste the honey,
the acacia...

- The almond.
- And the nut.

Such a nectar!

Such a nectar!
But no nuts.

While Mrs Mechinet is serving
I'm going to dress up.

Give me just a small potato, at least!

It's not prudent.
It will be too fat.

At least it will have some taste.

It's you, Goulard.

Hello, Mrs Mechinet.

No, not again!

- What's the matter?
- There's a bloodbath.

- At the Batignolles, I guess.
- Exactly.

It always ends in blood there.

Caroline, put all this on the boiler.
We'll make it back as soon as possible.

Who is "we"? -Mr Godeuil
is coming with me.

I don't want to disturb you.

We can postpone the
lunch if you want...

It's much more interesting than
a medecine class, you'll see.

Please, Mechinet, be careful and
think about your little wife.

Come on, Caroline. You're
getting us late.

Godeuil, let's go.

This neighborood is a little
bit dangerous, isn't it?

Assuredly.

The Batignolles is
the lair of the best

cut-throaters and the
sharpest knives of Paris.

It knives, it lashes in every corner
but, let's recognize, with great talent.

- So, Goulard, go on. Tell me.
- Another hit who turned wrong.

You see... Didn't I tell you so?

There's no mistake on the victim?
It happens sometimes.

- They whack the wrong guy.
- Maybe.

Anyway, the burgess could not
defend himself, too old.

They made a mess out of him.
No method at all.

Say, chief?

I don't want to be indiscreet
but what do we do with him?

Come on, Goulard. Dr
Godeuil is my guest.

If he's a doctor, then...

- It's there.
- What are you doing?

You're giving yourself
in to the police?

Why do you want me to give in?

I don't know but if you
committed a crime...

Mr Godeuil, you don't realize
what you're saying.

I've already observed this.
When one works on

an empty stomach one
often loses his head.

- Who are you, at last?
- And now you're forgetting my name...

My name is Mechinet.
I'm neither a chimney

sweep nor a bank counselor. Alright?

Hey, there, what's happening?

It's you, Chief. Sorry,
we did not recognize you.

- So, what's the situation?
- A man named Pigorot.

You must know him under
the name of Anthenor.

He used to be the
hair-dresser of actresses.

- Chief, the judge is upstairs.
- Which one?

- You won't be happy.
- I see. They sent the big mouth again.

Ok, let's go.

Beware, disperse ahead!

What's your opinion?

It's you the Superintendant
now, my dear Poletin.

But you're still chief, chief.

If you want my opinion it
will be resolved promptly.

Judge Boisec, good luck!

My poor Mechinet!

You've come here for nothing.
Imagine that once his crime commited

the murderer fled thinking that
his victim had ceased to live.

But he was wrong.

The unfortunate old man
was still breathing.

Inspect the corpse as thoroughly
as I did

and you will jump to the same
conclusion. Go on, have a look.

Well...

I give you a hunch because you have
to be a very good observer to see it.

Gathering all his strength,
Mr Pigorot,

aka Anthenor, dimped his finger

in his blood and here, on the floor,

he wrote the murderer's name,
designing him to the law of men

which I'm representing here.

Monis?

That's the name he wrote
before he died. Monis.

I'm telling you now, my dear,

that Pigorot had a nephew who
gave him a visit yesterday evening.

And this nephew's name is...

Monis...?

- I don't know.
- Trol.

Trol.

- And then?
- How can you

- say "and then"? Monistrol.
- I've understood.

It's his only heir.

He came yesterday at 9 pm and
left before 11.

The janitor is formal.

- What else do you want?
- A confession.

But why complicating a simple
case, Mechinet?

Monistrol is probably an
idiot but how could he

deny since it's so
obvious, it's even signed.

Me, I tell it's satisfying enough.

In your mouth, the word satisfying
is taking all his value.

And I must confess it's a
great help for me since

I'm waited for at a very
important reception.

At the Palais.

- You see what I mean?
- No.

- At the Palais!
- At the Palais.

At the Palais?
I know, at the Palais de Justice.

No! At the Palais de l'Elysée,
of course!

You're so clumsy Mechinet!

Between us, I'm anxious to compare
the greetings of the President

with those of Napoleon III.
I know what you're going to say.

Under the Empire or the Republic the
gilding is always the same. - Indeed.

But I must hurry, the
President is waiting

for me to give the Commander's Cross

to president Dantini,
an excellent magistrate.

- You surely know him?
- No.

I'm leaving you with my clerk.

Naturally, I will interrogate myself
Monistrol early tomorrow morning.

Naturally. Mr Judge.

Good evening, Gentlemen.

You're feeling better, Chief? How is
your wound after yesterday's arrest?

Mr Godeuil did a wonderful
job stopping the bleeding.

I see, I see. Mister is your doctor.

- I'm not yet...
- He's the best.

Poletin, how did you
learn about the nephew?

The janitor, Chief.

I'd like to meet that brave woman.

I'll get her for you.

The judge seems, if I may
say, very sure of himself.

I warned you.

He knows and sees everything and
above all he understands very fast.

- He's an ace.
- I've finished, Gentlemen.

- If you don't need me anymore.
- You can go.

- Gentlemen.
- Thanks.

Pigorot collapsed at 10.40
pm yesterday evening.

His watch broke up when he fell
on the floor. It gives us...

the hour of the crime.

Mr Mechinet? I've found something.

Yes?

It was under the clerk's feet.

I've found it when he left.

Wax.

Green wax.

He had a good cellar,
Anthenor the hair-dresser.

Sealed wine when I'm
buying mine by the barrel.

Hair-cutting pays well.

You see this, Mr Godeuil?
It's a clue.

Beginner's luck.

Monistrol. Jewelry at home.
Gold and imitation. 1st floor.

- I'm asking you where you're going?
- To see Mr Monistrol?

What do you want with him?

If someone is asking you
will tell you don't know.

It's not you scrubing the staircase!

If you're representatives
it's the backdoor staircase.

I'm not breaking my back for nobodies.

And this, it belongs to nobodies?

I don't understand why this
ring is taking you so long.

For once, it's really gold.

If you had some real gold more often

I would not be eating those
awful cakes and drinking...

I don't even know what I'm drinking!

I tried to learn to Marie
the method to prepare

english tea but it's no use.
She's Breton yet.

- It's not far from England.
- We're not so poor, Clairette.

Stop calling me that name.
It's ridiculous.

When we're happy with the bare
necessities why complaining, indeed?

Theatre, restaurants are for the others.

As long as you're happy.

It's not my fault if
clients are scarce.

And your uncle?
Does he help us, your uncle?

No.

Anyway, you don't dare
asking anything from him.

Am I wrong?

Police, open the door!

Marie, stay in the
kitchen with Pluton.

- Are you George Monistrol?
- Yes. -Born?

The 16th october of 1849 at
Rochefort sur Meurt.

It's you indeed. In the name
of the law we arrest you.

Why?

You're accused of the murder
of your uncle, Auguste Pigorot.

Best known as Anthenor.

It's no use trying to deny.
Before dying, your uncle

had the time to write the name
of his murderer on the floor.

Listen, Sirs.

George, say something.

I've killed my uncle.

You see, it's not so hard to
confess. Come on, let's go.

My husband is innocent. You
won't take him with you.

Make no fuss, Lady.

You can't treat my husband this way.

You're not facing a nobody.
I'm an artist.

Clara Venus. You surely
have heard about me.

Clairette Bouttefigue,
married Minestrol.

Until she married she was working
in a tavern

under the name Clara Venus.
No political songs.

Only licentious.

Love songs. I keep
repeating you I'm an artist.

Let's hasten up. It's not everyday
we have a guilty in a good mood.

Oh, my love. My beloved, you're
innocent as the lamb just born.

I beg you. Tell me it's not you.

My darling, my darling,
your Clara will not fail you.

I will move heaven and earth...

After seeing you disguised as a
chimney sweep then as a messenger

- how could I guess?
- You liked it yesterday evening?

A lot. But I have a lot
of questions to ask you.

I'm asking some myself too.

The janitor described Anthenor as
a miser of the worst kind.

- It's odd, isn't it?
- Why that?

Because a miser doesn't
buy sealed wine.

So...

the bit of cork I've found in the
apartment...-Comes from the outside.

You see how simple is an investigation.
So, you don't have a fiancée of course?

I know why you're saying this.
Because you

haven't seen a woman's
portrait in this room.

No. I'm saying this because a woman in
love would already have sent you a note.

They're always afraid
of being forgotten.

But don't worry, they grow out of it.

Then, to resume. At this hour
Monistrol is in jail.

- He's waiting to be interrogated.
- Why would he be waiting?

Because Judge Boisec is late, of course.
After the reception at the Elysée

where he probably bragged all evening
and drank too much Champagne.

- Very bad.
- For his liver, assuredly.

I didn't think about his liver
but about vanity and pride

The Champagne is misleading. It gives
you the feeling of being higher.

Than time and men. The strongest,
the brightest, it's you.

It's not so unpleasant in fact. It can

even be helpful but
in the case of Boisec

you can see the amount of damages.

- In the end, we both do the same job.
- You sound the body, I sound the mind.

To make the foulness, the ugliness,
the deceits, the anger getting out.

You're right. Except that

you have a lot of tools to
cure your patients.

While I have only one
to make the truth win.

- Only one?
- Only one.

But what a tool, my nose!

Aren't you forgetting the brain,

They work together. They speak, they
examinate, they argue on the case.

They have a rule, a motto.

All must coincide. Every piece
must fall in the right place.

Or else, it's a wrong lead.

Your brain and your nose do
a lot of talking.

Hence the importance of
not catching a cold.

Let's go.

Where are we going, Mr Mechinet?

To see the janitor
of the old Anthenor.

You remember it's her who discovered him
in his blood while coming to do chores.

If he was so miser he probably
did the chores himself.

Good, Mr Godeuil. Very good.

Three burgesses, on St Eloi's day,
went to diner at another goldsmith's...

But it's my wife's voice.

Oh, you're here! -What's that song?

It's a little tune I
hum from time to time.

I've heard the janitor singing it.

In fact the janitor heard me singing
it here and there and... - Caroline.

Only doctors are allowed to
sing that tune.

- It's understood?
- I did something bad, then?

Very bad. Come on. Let's go now.

I got a good look at
you yesterday when

you were inspecting
the victim's body and

I noticed something odd.
It seems to make you glad.

Carry on.

Well, since the old Pigorot
has been cut-throated...

- Which weapon?
- A very sharpened knife or one of these

- Catalan dagger they sell in the south.
- Carry on. - At first glance it seems

Pigorot used his own blood to write
his murderer's name. -And then?

Your special method of inspection
got me puzzled.

When you took the watch out
of the waistcoat pocket I

thought it was to know the
exact hour of the crime.

Then, I understood it was
something else interesting you.

What then?

I just followed your glance.
You discovered

that the waistcoat
pocket was on the left.

Because Pigorot had asked for it
to his tailor.

It was a waistcoat made for
a left-handed person. But

Pigorot wrote the murderer's
name with his right hand.

Dear Mr Godeuil! Too bad that
the medecine get you so busy.

You would have made a great detective.

Let's go.

I've been told to stay
out of this appartment.

- I'm inviting you, it's not the same.
- It's the house of murder, people say.

Precisely, you're the most
famous janitor in Paris.

You can't refuse the opportunity.

For sure, I would prefer to
be in the police force than

scrubing stairs. It seems
that I scrub since I'm born.

For example. Old Anthenor always
told me that I was putting too much wax.

- Why that? Sit down, please
- Why?

Why? The money, of course.
He didn't let it go easily.

- He was stingy?
- You couldn't say better.

What's your opinion on the murder?

I always thought it
would end like this.

When you have so much money that
you don't share with your family...

You don't know him other relatives
except the nephew?

- No. I think there was only him.
- Very nice, this Mr Monistrol.

Always polite, always gentle.

So, Pigorot and the nephew
got along well?

That's your impression?

Yes. Until the nephew
married the singer.

You don't like her, that one, huh?

It's only her or you hate all
the singing women?

I distrust creatures who take baths.

What do you mean?

I don't find very honest
to put oneself in a bath.

It's been said that singers
and actresses do it all day.

It's very bad for health.

A doctor told me so.

What's your opinion, you?

On the contrary. Baths are very
good for health.

To smell like a chick? No thanks.

Listen. The singer came last
week to see the old man.

That day I had sweeped like
a slave but the staircase was not

smelling wax but violet.

She had sprinkled herself with violet.
And I'm tellin you that

it's her fault if it went wrong
between Minestrol and his uncle.

- He wanted money.
- Of course.

So, Pigorot never gave him anything.

I learned that long before you.

How did he pay you for the chores?

He was cutting my hair being
an hair-dresser in his time.

But I already told you, didn't I?

How did he proceed to cut your hair?

I was sitting on a chair
and he was behind me.

- And then?
- And then, he took his cisors

and comb and cut my hair, that's all!

In which hand, the cisors?

How would I know?
Unless...

Now that you ask me.
In the left hand.

All the same, the police force is
extremely lucky to have you on his side.

It's true that I'm the
one who discovered

that the nephew was the murderer.

By the way, the nephew, Mr Monistrol,

have you seen him going up to his
uncle's on tuesday?

I bet. I've seen him for sure.

Did you see him coming back?
It was night time then.

Since I tell you I've seen him.
I'm doing a good job in this house.

His face? You've seen his face?

No. But since his dog
was following him

I've immediately recognized him.

Can I ask you another question,
dear Lady?

Please do.

Did Mr Pigorot had a cellar?

At first, when he came here,
he owned one.

Do you know what the old stingy
did then? He sold it.

He didn't drink wine anyway.
What's the use of keeping it then?

I'm counting on you for keeping your
repertory away from Mrs Mechinet's ears.

Tell me, Mr Mechinet. Since Pigorot
was left-handed it's not him writing

the murderer's name. And Minestrol is

certainly not idiot
enough to design himself.

Talking about idiocy you have seen
nothing yet. On this subject...

Tell me. Judge Boisec did not
interrogate his culprit for long.

Of course, Chief.

Since the suspect made a confession
it didn't last long.

You're lucky, he's still here. I haven't
bring him back to his cell yet.

I don't know if I can let you come in.

He's my doctor.

Let's begin from the
start, Mr Monistrol.

A jeweler like you must make a
lot of money?

- Am I right?
- Don't ridiculise me.

My business is not good, they
probably told you.

How unfortunate for you.

What Mrs Monistrol
have to say about it?

Leave her out of this.

She's a remarkable wife.

A remarkable wife and
a very good singer.

- That's what everybody says.
- My wife is not singing any longer.

It's the past.

- It's finished since our wedding.
- To resume, she only sings for you now.

So, it quickly turned bad
last tuesday with your uncle?

Very fast, indeed.

He refused to give you money.
Is that the reason?

You killed him because he
refused to give you money.

I already told you.

I couldn't make it. I asked him for
help but he refused. So I beated him.

Sure. You hit him with what
at your hand.

- What was it already?
- A poker.

A poker. Of course, you were
near the chimney?

Yes.

If you had been in the kitchen
it would have been a knife.

So, you hit him with the poker?

Where did you hit him?

I can't remember.

He had the throat opened slice.

I hit him to the throat.

Alright. But a hit is not enough to
cause such a wound.

The poker would have had to enter
in the throat.

Wouldn't you rather have
pierced through his throat?

Yes, I've pierced him.

And after that?

He collapsed. Then he died.

Well, I thought he was dead.

- Deceived husband.
- What?

- Deceived husband
- I don't hear you.

He's a deceived husband

And the poker then?

Where did you put it?

I think I left it there.

Am I silly! Of course, we found
it near your uncle's body.

I have just to thank you before
leaving you, Mr Monistrol.

I'm sure Judge Boisec did
not ask you other questions?

No.

I thought so. See you soon, dear Sir.

And then Mr Mechinet leaves
the poor Mr Monistrol

to sink into his lies.

He was pitiful to look at.

Noone shows pity for me.

After such a day I would
have need comforting.

To get back my strengths.

Mrs Mechinet, I think this Chambertin
would do a lot of good to your husband.

Are you sure, Doctor?

Think about it.

If the wine is wrong for him
he should not drink.

But it's not the same if he drinks

- while knowing it's good for him.
- Take this glass, Mechinet.

Doctor's orders.

In my opinion Monistrol is innocent.

Me I'm saying it's as usual.
There's a woman in this case.

I never ate a stew so delicious!

You're the most lucky man.

Don't you think you should
look after the woman?

If you give me some stew
I'll answer to you.

- What's planned for tomorrow?
- Appointment at Monistrol's at 11 am.

Give me some fat. That's it!

It's only good with some fat.

What do you want?

Good morning, dear Lady.
I'm Dr Larouge.

I'm the author of this
medical encyclopedia.

All diseases in one book. I've been said
I would find clients in your building.

Is there someone ill here?

To know that we have to
look in my encyclopedia.

It's the only way of knowing
if one's ill.

Do you want to have a look inside?

See. It's my name here.
Larouge.

Look at that.

Come on. Don't be afraid.
A skeleton never hurt anyone.

See this. All the inside of the head.

It's wonderful.

I often have a pain here in the neck.

Wait a moment. May I?

Over here you say?

No, no, it's rather...
I mean it's rather here.

Yes, exactly here.

It's the neck's muscles.

You're pulling too much on them.
You keep your head down too long.

- It's the staircase, I'm sure.
- Staircase? -When I'm cleaning them.

Nobody in Paris cleans
a staircase better than me.

That's another case. Don't you have
the impression that since you're born

you're scrubing things?
That's it. Exactly.

Be careful, it could
go up to your brain.

What should I do, Doctor?

- Eat cabbage. That's the only remedy.
- Cabbage?

For the neck's muscles cabbage
is the only solution.

And you must pass your fingers on
your neck like this with the head up.

You see, like this?

Upwards.

It looks like the tenants love
their pets in this building.

Don't tell me. It's Pluton,
Mr Monistrol's pet.

The first floor's tenant. The poor man
was taken to jail yesterday.

Is that so?

Imagine that he killed his uncle.

And the poor Mrs Monistrol
is up there alone since then.

She's a very kind woman.

And she wears violet all the time.
She smells like a bunch of flowers.

Maybe it's the reason
of her headaches.

Maybe.

We could look in your book, Dr.
Maybe her illness is inside?

There's nothing about flowers
in my book. I'm sorry.

You were saying about Mrs Monistrol?

When she has a headache I
bring her my onion soup.

I could put cabbage in my soup!
It could do a lot of good to my neck!

Good idea.

So you brought her some soup...

Exactly on the evening of the crime.
If I could have guessed.

So, you have seen Pluton
this evening?

No. He was with his master, Pluton.

And since Mr Monistrol was busy
then killing his uncle...

Of course, Pluton is
following only his master.

It depends.
But it has to be a person he knows.

If I call him, for
example, he comes to me.

It's a good dog.

Come on. It's finished.

- It's 11 am, Mr Godeuil.
- But Mr, I...

It's you.

Back to work, Mr Godeuil. I'm

Superintendant now and
you're my assistant.

But don't let the janitor get her pawns
at you. She's really sick. Come on.

Do you still need me, Mrs?

No. Thank you, Marie.

I do not know what I could
tell you more, gentlemen.

Especially since I have an appointment
with the judge at 4 pm.

I hope they will let me see my husband.
Poor Marinos!

As if he could have commited... I have

goose flesh thinking about it.
Look here.

Feel me. Feel me, Superintendant.

I'm feeling. I'm feeling you, dear Lady.

If your husband is innocent could
you tell us why he's accusing himself?

- I don't understand.
- But Mr Monistrol went

to see his uncle in the evening
of the murder of Mr Pigorot, didn't he?

The day before.

Our uncle was killed on tuesday

- but my husband visited him on monday.
- Are you so sure, Mrs?

My husband was in Montrouge
on tuesday evening.

What was he doing in Montrouge?

He had received a message from a woman
wishing to have an adorning repaired.

We can not afford to refuse work.

My husband took the omnibus
on monday evening at seven.

How can you be so sure?

I accompanied him and I saw
him climbing in the omnibus.

So, he came back with the adorning?

No. There was no adorning.

Someone made a bad joke to my husband.
He moved for nothing.

A false adress. George was very angry.
He came back walking.

Which hour did he came back?

Almost midnight.
Can you imagine that?

The poor man spent all that time asking
in Montrouge if someone knew his client.

Did you keep this message?

He probably kept it on himself.

Or maybe he threw it.

He was really very angry.

I'm sorry.

Mrs Monistrol, do you
have a wine reserve?

- Yes. We have a small cellar.
- Could I visit?

Of course, just let me take a candle.

Do not bother. I will find my way.

My assistant will keep talking with you.

Ah...

I knew it.

Doctor! Doctor!

I'm sorry, Mr Superintendant.

I thought you were someone else.

- Who?
- My doctor.

He's healing my pains in the neck
caused by my scrubing.

He left me that big book until tomorrow
where all is explained.

And why did you think I was a doctor?

Looking at your back I
thought it was him.

You both have the same coat.

I'm thanking you from the
bottom of my heart, dear lady.

By the way.

Did you see Mr and Mrs Monistrol leaving
last tuesday at 5 pm?

Wait a minute. Of course I've seen them.

But Mrs Monistrol came
back shortly after.

With the dog?

The dog accompanied them when they left
but not when she came back.

It's the same evening that the
uncle was killed and

in the evening I went
up and served her soup.

How Mr Monistrol was dressed up?

He had the coat he always wears.

And no hat. He never wears one.

- Never?
- Never.

- He tries to be original, I'm saying.
- Maybe.

- Then what, Pluton!
- Pluton, shut up.

- He's only obeying my husband.
- You mean he never leaves him?

- No... well... yes.
- You mean he's always following him.

On the night of the murder of your
uncle was he with his master?

I can't remember. Probably.

He took the omnibus with him?

You've seen him climbing
with your husband?

I guess so.

I'm so nervous since
this story happened.

All is fitting, chief.

Monistrol took the omnibus to
Montrouge at 7 pm.

On the spot he asked for his way
a few times since a witness

is certain he talked to him at 9.30
and he had to come back walking.

Since the last omnibus is
leaving from Montrouge at 9 pm.

He went the hard way
to find his client.

You have the client's name?

A certain Elvire D'Anjonie.

Very theatral. She probably
does not exist.

- And the dog?
- No-one spoke about a dog, chief.

And dogs are not
admitted in the omnibus.

I still don't understand why Monistrol
is accusing himself of the murder.

To protect his wife, of course.
He knows she's behind the murder.

Why protecting her then?

Because he loves her.

That's it.

When I told you there was a woman
behind this. But you never listen to me.

I'm leaving, chief.

If Poletin learns that I'm doing more
investigation for you than for him...

Alright. Let's put it straight then.

We know Monistrol is lying
to protect his wife

but her, why is she lying?

- Who is she trying to protect?
- Her lover.

Exactly, a familiar of
the Monistrol couple.

The janitor told me
the dog is following

his master or someone
he knows very well.

Well, Pluton was not with
his master in Montrouge

since he was on the crime scene with the
killer. So, the dog knows the murderer!

It won't be easy to make
the dog talk, chief.

It made me thirsty.

What I understand is that
you have to find the lover.

He must not be very proud
to sleep with a singer.

Ex-singer, Mrs Mechinet.

Ex? Clara Venus doesn't sound very old.

Could you explain what we're
doing here, Mr Mechinet?

Pursuing the investigation.

What are we waiting for?

This.

The judge is waiting for her at 4 pm.
She'll be on time. Take off your hat.

Sorry? - Take off your hat and give
10 cents to the kid for keeping it.

Oh, those fine police gentlemen!

My assistant forgot his
hat at Mrs Monistrol's.

She just went out.

- And her maid?
- She's there alright.

Tell me, do Mr and Mrs Monistrol
have a lot of visitors?

From time to time.

The one I remember best is the
man without hat.

Like Mr Monistrol. I think
they met when they were workers.

What's his name?

I don't know. You'd better not ask
too much from me today.

I'm ill from the neck
because of my scrubbing and

since I'm taking my
treatment I have headaches.

There are times like this.

You're unlucky.
Mrs just left.

Don't worry, delicious lady.

We've just the lost the adress of
the man your landlady asked us to meet.

Which man?

He comes from time to time.

Pluton likes him well.

That man working with Mr before
Mr worked on his own?

That's it.

It's Mr Victor.

Mr Victor.
And where does Mr Victor live?

All is getting clear.

- There's still something disturbing me.
- What is it?

The janitor at Pigorot's did
not see the face of the murderer.

But two facts gave her the impression
it was Monistrol alright.

- The dog.
- Not just the dog.

- The coat.
- You thought about it?

- Hello, chief. -Hello.
- Still feeling bad?

Why should I feel bad?

You always have your
doctor accompanying you.

Go and get me Monistrol's gear.

Mr Monistrol! Your hat.
How are you?

Is this your coat?

Yes.

Mr Godeuil. What do you think
about this coat?

- It's new.
- It's new.

I know that. My wife
offered it to me two weeks ago.

A folly. She should not
have spend so much money.

Yes but the other coat
was old, worn-out...

- What colour was it?
- Like this one.

It was the same coat.
It's true that it was worn-out.

What are you doing here, chief?

We bring you new evidence.

Which evidence? My poor Mechinet.

He confessed.
He confessed it all.

I've just seen her wife.
She told me an

unbelievable story to
try saving his life.

An appointment in Montrouge.
What nonsense!

Do you imagine that? In Montrouge.

- I like his simplicity.
- Why not in Pondichery or Chandernagor?

But I'm not buying it.

No argument is holding in front
of a confessing culprit.

That being sad, I'm signing the
warrant and the case is over.

Mr Judge. Before that may I ask
Mrs Monistrol what she did

- with her husband's old coat?
- I wanted to give it to the poors

but someone took it before.

Could you tell us who?

One...

- One of our friends.
- Thank you, Mrs.

What's this new story?

Mr Judge, can I ask you to
postpone your warrant?

You're complicating the
justice's work, Mr Mechinet.

What's on your mind? You want
to change my culprit?

The culprit doesn't matter.
Whoever the culprit

you will resolve the case as usual.

I know that but meanwhile
what do I look like?

- People will say I'm incompetent.
- Let them say.

We'll stop at Barbeaux, the wine
merchant in Rue des Petits Champs.

He has the best plonk in Paris. You
see what I mean? -Very well, chief.

You think it's there?

Yes, I'm sure it's this workshop.
Come on.

Provided that the bird is in the nest.

Who's there?

It's to make an order.
A friend is sending me.

- Hello, Victor.
- Hello.

- Who is sending you?
- An old man in the Batignolles.

A gift from him.

Sealed wine. Green wax. The best.
It seems you like to indulge.

And him!
You look like real old pals.

Come on, sit down.

- You won't leave so quickly.
- What do you want from me?

You didn't guess?
Sit down, I tell you.

You murdered Pigorot better
known as Anthenor

when he was an hair-dresser
for actresses.

You're Mrs Monistrol's lover.
Ain't that true?

You wanted her for you only
while killing two birds with one stone.

Send the husband in jail

and enjoying the inheritance of the
beautiful Clara Venus.

It's not because Pluton
recognized me that...

So you know the dog's name?

I've worked with Monistrol for ten years.
I know his wife, his dog.

Of course you know his dog.

Under the pretext of an order

you sent Monistrol in Montrouge.
His wife

accompanied him to the
omnibus then came back.

With the dog. You were there

watching her of course.
So you suggested to go

with Pluton for a walk
and he followed you.

He followed you up at Pigorot's
like you wanted to.

Then you brought the dog
back at home knowing that

his master would soon
be back from Montrouge.

What a nice dagger! Very pretty!

The kind of blade cutting
through flesh like butter.

Only problem is it's fragile.

Except... if you're protecting the tip.

The best protection being a bit of cork.

The good cork of a good bottle.

It does the trick.

Meurceaux 1869.

You have good taste, my boy.
Hats off.

Mrs Minestrol is really
of good friend of yours.

She gave you the old
coat of her husband.

She could have given
it to some poors.

It should look good on you
with a hat...

Except that you don't wear hat.

Like your friend Monistrol. You were
wearing caps when you were workers

and you were wearing nothing
while waiting to become burgesses.

Mrs Monistrol confessed it all.
You're acccomplices.

It's not true. I never told
anything to Clara.

I know. You did it on your own.

But she understood very fast.

I've had the idea when she offered
the new coat to Monistrol.

It was now or never. You understand?

No?

- Of course.
- My poor Victor.

Never would have been
much better for you.

Or you should have inquired before.

To inquire?

Do you want to know why
Anthenor was hair-dressing all Paris?

He had nimble fingers.
An exceptional gift

in spite or thanks to
the fact he was...?

He was...?

Left-handed!

People that manage to write their
murderer's name are very few.

But left-handed people
writing their name

with their right hand
are still unheard-of.

You lost, my friend. 779a 00:51:43,440
...> 00:51:45,081 Six months later...

That's what I call a Muscadet.

Fresh, keen, suple. In one word, frank.

Enjoy it then. In your profession
you don't meet frankness every day.

Don't let him enjoying it too much, Dr.
He's very precious to me, my Mechinet.

All is permitted today.
Hard labor for Victor the

murderer of the little
old man of Batignolles.

The little old man? The one
who didn't drink wine?

If he had drunk some maybe
he would still be alive.

There was a lady in this
case if I remember well.

A singer?

Mrs Monistrol, yes.
Victor was her lover

and the husband was accusing
himself of the crime.

And she wasn't accused
of complicity to murder.

Arguably she escaped the worst.

Why was he accusing
himself that poor fellow?

Love for his wife like
Victor's act of love for his lover.

What a lot of damages she did
for love, that singer!

She tried to redeem herself swearing and
crying that her husband was innocent.

Justice appreciated.
Conjugal repentance always pleases.

- Me, I would have condemned her.
- No need.

Eating her soup every
day in front of her

husband is the worst
punishment for her.

It's the dog that I pity.

Dear Godeuil, where does it come from
that elegance in dressing

- that I've noticed on you since a while
- Don't answer, Doctor. I've understood.

There's a woman behind this.

Corrected by jcdr