Original subtitles

- The Indians win again!

- They didn't. I killed you up there.

- No, you didn't! - I did!

- You didn't! - I did!

You can't run away, you've been scalped.

And you've been shot.

- No, I haven't! - Yes, you have!

- No, I haven't! - You have!

- No, no! - It's my turn

to be Sitting Bull.

Let's play Massacre.

No. Let's play Scotland Yard.

I'll be an inspector.

- No! - I'll be a policeman!

- No. You and David will be crooks, armed and desperate.

You've just robbed a bank over there.

- Why can't I ever be a policeman?

- You're too young.

- I'm not too young.

- Do you want to play, or don't you?

- Oh, all right.

- Now, listen, you've just robbed a bank

in a daring daylight holdup.

I'm the inspector from Scotland Yard,

and these are my men, hot on your trail.

Now, turn around men.

We'll give you 10 to get away.

Are you ready?

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

Nine! 10!

- Right, you three go that way.

The rest, follow me.

Quick, this way.

- There they are!

Quick, David, down here.

Go, men! Go, men!

They're armed and desperate!

They'll never find us here.

- What's that?

- It's a landslide!

Oh, look at that.

There's one of them! Look!

Put up your hands!

- Hey, he's under there!

- What?! - Come on, let's race!

Get him out of there!

Come on!

Come on!

Erik, are you all right?!

- I'm all right!

Wait till you see what I found!

- Are you all right? What happened?

Look. Look at this.

Maybe it's a gun.

And what if it's real?

- My brother's got a real gun.

- It's only half a gun.

It's broken. - It's not broken.

The rest is stuck inside.

- Let me have it. - No.

- I'm the inspector. I'll break it out!

- No, it's mine!

- We were all playing together, weren't we?

Then it belongs to all of us!

- No, it's mine.

I found it.

Anyway, I don't want to play anymore.

- Listen, if you let me have the gun for a little while,

you can be the inspector.

- No! I'm going home.

- Then we'll play War!

Come on, men!

We're the allies, and you're the enemy!

I'm not the enemy.

- Your mother's a foreigner, and so are you.

I am not!

- He's dead.

- What's happened, lad?

- Hello, Jeb.

Come in.

Hello, Johnson. - Good afternoon, sir.

Comparison report on the bullet in that child shooting case.

I was on the way, so I thought I'd drop it over.

- Oh. Thanks.

- It's rather unusual, sir.

- What is?

- Ballistics say a .27 calibre bullet.

I've never heard of that calibre before.

- .27 calibre?

- Yes, it's odd, isn't it?

- Where did this accident take place?

- On the Aldersgate bombsite.

- Aldersgate? That's my old district.

- So I understand, sir. - Well, it is odd.

- Sir? - Bring me the dossier

marked Norton.

Yes, sir.

- .27 calibre.

- Is it a foreign gun?

- Yes. German.

Have we still got a man posted at the Jenner flat?

- Yes, sir. - Make it 24-hour duty.

- Right. - Don't go, Johnson.

- The Norton dossier, sir.

You double-checked this ballistic report?

- Yes, sir.

This is incredible.

These bullets were both fired from the same weapon.

I've been waiting 10 years for this.

- Identical.

- Get me the United States Army, London Headquarters,

Criminal Investigation Division.

- Rifle range!

Yes!

Speak up, will you?! I can't hear a word!

Oh.

Sir.

I'll try, sir.

Yes, sir.

Captain Mark Andrews?

At once, sir.

Sir, are you Captain Mark Andrews?

Sir, are you Captain Mark Andrews?!

- That's right! What is it?!

- There was a phone call for you, sir!

It was from Colonel...

It just came through on the field telephone, sir!

- Who?!

- I don't think I got his name, sir, with all the noise!

But it was a colonel, sir,

and I think he said it was important!

- Sergeant!

- Sir!

- How long you been here from the States?

- Three and a half months, sir.

I'm sorry sir.

- Yes, sir? - Who's the phone man

on this detail? - Why, he is, sir.

- Refer charges against him for inefficiency.

Send the papers to my office, and I'll sign them.

- Yes, sir.

Well...

- This is not a pleasure tour for you men.

It's a tour of duty.

And that means exactly what it says.

- You heard him.

Make it up and start firing.

- Gee, Mack, don't take it out on me!

Anybody could make a mistake.

Sir, but I think you're in the wrong.

Rookie to make a mistake like that.

He ain't here like you guys because someone told him!

He likes it!

You understand?! He likes it!

Come in.

Oh. At ease, Andrews.

Whenever I can't seem find you anywhere else,

the range is a sure bet, hm?

- I like it there, Colonel.

- You play soldier boy 24 hours a day, don't you?

This being a one-man army's awfully hard on the rest of us.

Why don't you relax?

- Did you call me in from the field

to tell me this, Colonel?

- Sorry.

Read this.

And then contact Mr. Mackenzie,

he's divisional superintendent of Police B Division.

- Yes, sir.

- And another thing, this time, I don't want you to forget

that we're only guests in this country.

We abide by their institutions and their methods.

- Is there anything else, sir?

- Yes.

Yes, there is.

Mark, sometimes, when a person wears a uniform

or a badge for too long a time,

they imagine themselves to be some sort of tin god.

Don't fall for it.

- Will that be all, sir?

- That'll be all.

That's her. That's Elsa Jenner.

- From the press, Mrs. Jenner.

Could you- - What's happened?

- It's your boy. There's been an accident.

- An accident? - Yes.

The kids were playing over

on the bombsite. - Erik?

Let me through, please.

- Oh. Mrs. Jenner?

- Yes.

- Do you mind if I come in?

- Of course not.

Erik?

Erik!

He's not here.

Please, Officer, what's happened?

- Well, it seems your son found a gun in the bomb ruins

and shot another boy, ma'am.

- Shot another...

But you must be wrong-

- It happened early this morning.

What time does he usually get back?

- Well, he should be home now.

He's usually waiting

when I get back from work. - Has he got a key?

- Yes, but there must be

some mistake. - Excuse me, ma'am,

but I've got my report to make,

so I'll wait here until he gets back.

- Well, he'll be home soon for supper.

He's never late for that.

- I understand that, madam.

I've got one myself, aged six.

He eats me out of house and home.

- The little boy that was shot...

- He's in hospital, ma'am.

- Is he...

Will he be all right?

- I wouldn't know that, ma'am.

- Evening, Bill. - Good evening, Fred.

Anything new?

- Nothing.

- See you in the morning. - Yep.

How long are we going to have to keep this detail going?

Until we find the boy, I heard.

- Ah. Well, see you in the morning.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- I can't understand why he's so late.

He never stays out after dark.

He's afraid of the dark.

I've tried to tell him

that there's nothing to be afraid of, but...

- If you'd like it better, ma'am, I could wait outside.

- I'm sorry. Won't you sit down?

- Thank you. If you don't mind.

- He isn't even properly dressed for the night.

His supper will get cold.

I better put it in the oven.

- Can I help?

- Would you care for some supper?

- Thank you, ma'am, but I had mine before I came on duty,

not that it doesn't smell good.

- I'm going out to look for him.

Maybe he's still in the ruins.

- They've been searched pretty thoroughly.

He wouldn't be there now.

- I've got to do something.

Erik?

Erik?

Erik, it's Mother!

Erik.

Erik.

Erik.

Mrs. Jenner?

Mrs. Jenner?

Please.

Erik?

- Mrs. Jenner?

- I thought I heard something.

- I'm Superintendent Mackenzie.

This is Captain Andrews.

Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Army.

- Criminal?

Why are you hunting a 10-year-old boy

as if he were a criminal?

- I wouldn't put it quite like that, Mrs. Jenner.

Shall we go to the car?

- What does the American Army have to do with my son?

- There is some connection, Mrs. Jenner.

Perhaps we could talk more comfortably at your place.

- You still haven't told me

what the American Army has to do with my son.

- We're not directly concerned with your son.

- Mrs. Jenner, it's the duty of the Metropolitan Police

to find your son.

All Captain Andrews is interested in is retrieving

the gun your son found,

so if you'd be good enough to answer a few questions

he's going to put to you?

- Of course.

- Your son's playmates stated that he, your son Erik,

found the gun at the Aldersgate bombsite.

They also stated that none of them

actually saw him find the gun.

- In other words, you think it's mine.

- I think what the captain means-

- I know exactly what the captain means.

- Well, fine, then we should have no difficulties.

Could this gun have belonged to your husband?

- My husband's dead.

- Yes, but he could have owned a gun.

You know, brought it as a souvenir or-

- A souvenir of what, a war?

- Mrs. Jenner, to your best knowledge,

did your husband possess a gun?

- Yes, he did.

And he died with it in his hands

as a member of the British Army.

- When was this?

- 1945.

- How long have you been in England?

- What has all this got to do with it?

I'm not interested in your wretched gun.

All I want is my son back, safe and sound.

- Yes, Mrs. Jenner, we all do.

I think we'd better continue this in the morning.

If we should find the lad tonight,

or if he should come home on his own, we'll phone you.

- Whatever you say, Superintendent.

If your son doesn't return tonight,

would you mind dropping by my office in the morning?

This is my address.

About nine o'clock?

If you have no objections?

- It's up to Mrs. Jenner.

- I'll be there.

- You don't mind if the officer remains?

The lad is naturally frightened.

He might take off if he comes home

and finds a policeman outside.

- Of course.

- Good. Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

Well, what do you think?

- I think you were a bit blunt.

- Superintendent, I'm a soldier, not a diplomat.

- So I noticed.

But the war's been over a long time, you know.

- Has it?

Come in.

Ah, Mrs. Jenner. Good morning.

You're on time.

- One of my virtues.

- Won't you sit down? That's all.

- What is it you want of me, Captain?

I haven't much time.

I have to be at work soon. - I'll be as brief

as possible, Mrs. Jenner.

Do you have a photograph of your son?

- Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

You can put it in the papers,

then someone's bound to see him.

- There's already been an item in the papers.

Far as I'm concerned, it's one item too many.

- Too many?

I don't understand.

- Mrs. Jenner, 10 years ago,

an American Army officer was murdered.

It's my job to help find that murderer.

Anything else is up to the police.

Do I make myself understood?

- All I understand is that my child is somewhere

cold, hungry, and afraid,

and you won't even try to help.

- I'm terribly sorry, but I have a job to do.

Part of that job, as I see it, is to keep this thing

out of the newspapers as long as possible.

- A little boy's life should be more important

than some stupid facts you can uncover

about a man who died long before

my baby was even born.

- Excuse me.

Yes?

Yes, she's here.

What?

What was that name again?

Joshua Henry.

Yes.

I'll see you there.

I'm afraid you'll have to come with me, Mrs. Jenner.

- What is it?

- That was Superintendent Mackenzie.

Someone telephoned.

They have information.

Please, Mrs. Jenner, we've got to hurry.

Mr. Henry? - Yes?

- I'm Captain Andrews, United States Army.

This is Mrs. Jenner.

- How do you do? - The police have asked us

to meet them here.

Do you mind if we wait?

- Not at all. Come in.

- Thank you.

- May I take your coats?

- I don't believe we'll be staying that long.

- Oh. Just as you say.

Well, make yourselves comfortable.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

- I know it's rather early, but can I offer you a drink?

- Perhaps Mrs. Jenner. I wouldn't care for one.

Thank you. - Oh, no thank you.

- I believe you telephoned the police

that you saw a little boy in this-

- Yes, that's right. - You saw my Erik?

- Well, I don't know if it was your little boy,

but just after I got up

this morning- - Is that the boy you saw?

I'm his mother.

- Yes, that's him.

- Was he all right?

- As near as I could tell, yes.

- He can't have gone very far.

- Mrs. Jenner, the police will be here in a moment.

If Mr. Henry is not mistaken,

they'll have your little boy back.

- But he's sure.

Aren't you, Mr. Henry?

- Oh, yes, that's him.

No chance of a mistake.

- We're wasting time. - Mrs. Jenner,

we will have to wait for the police.

There's nothing else to do.

Are you positive that this is the boy you saw?

- Oh, I'd bet on it.

Would you care for a cup of coffee?

- Mr. Henry, would you tell me

just how you happened to see Erik?

- When I went to the door, this morning,

about seven o'clock,

I suppose- - Yes?

- Just as I opened the door, this little boy was about-

- Erik. His name is Erik.

- Yes, Erik, was about to reach for my bottle of milk.

- Oh, he must have been very hungry to steal.

- He did look hungry.

He looked up at me as he grabbed the bottle

and his little face was sort of desperate, you know?

- Oh, if only you had stopped him.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful,

but if only you had stopped him.

- I suppose I could have, but the little lad looked

as if he needed it more than I did,

so I just let him take it.

- So you went without your milk.

- After all, what's a pint of milk?

Why do we stay here?

We should be out looking

for him. - Mrs. Jenner,

that wouldn't help anybody.

The police are out doing that now.

- Oh. Please don't think I'm complaining about the milk.

I simply wanted to help find the boy.

After all, that's the only reason I called the police.

- And we appreciate it very much, Mr. Henry.

- Oh. Permit me.

- Must be the police now.

- Oh, yes.

The police.

- Mr. Henry? - Yes?

- I'm Superintendent Mackenzie.

- Oh, come in, Superintendent.

- Sorry to be so late,

but traffic at this time of day is abominable.

- It was Erik.

Mr. Henry recognised the photograph.

- Send out a district call, Johnson.

- Right, sir. - If the boy's anywhere

in this area, we'll have him back for you in no time at all.

And thanks for your assistance, Mr. Henry.

- Oh, not at all. May I see that photograph again?

I might still be of help in finding the lad

if he's in the neighbourhood.

He's a fine-looking little chap.

- Mr. Henry, if we should need you again,

we can call on you?

- Of course. - You will let me know

if anything turns up? - Right.

I do hope you find him.

- Thank you. - Shall we go by my office,

Mrs. Jenner?

- Oh, couldn't we go later?

I'd like to help look

for my boy. - The London Police

are very well-trained.

I'm sure they'll do the job much better

without the assistance of a frantic mother.

- Oh, Mr. Henry, I'm very grateful.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

- If possible, I'd like to stop by the restaurant

where I work just to let them know.

- Sure. - I don't want to lose

my job. - Where is it?

- Beldon's Restaurant on Bridge Road.

- Bridge Road? Blackfriars?

- It won't be a moment.

Erik?

You are Erik Jenner, aren't you?

You remember me.

Audrey Thompson.

I was at your house only last week.

- Is my mother in there?

- She should have been here ages ago.

I don't know what's keeping her.

Why don't you come inside and wait where it's warm and cosy?

- No thank you. - Now, listen to me, Erik,

there's a nice ham sandwich inside

waiting for a little boy I know.

And a nice hot cup of chocolate that goes with it.

Now, you just sit here.

It won't be a moment.

Here we are. One ham sandwich.

Now, you just wade into that.

And there's cake to follow.

I'll go and call your mother.

- Oh, what a lovely gun.

May I see it?

- Excuse me, sir.

The little boy that was here- - What a strange child.

He didn't want any caps for his gun.

Elsa.

He was here five seconds ago.

- Well, why didn't you keep him?

- I tried. I took him in for some food.

- Where's your telephone?

- In there.

- Erik!

The traffic, he'll be killed.

Erik!

Oh!

Stop that boy!

Slow down!

Captain!

Captain!

A lady says she saw a boy running down the street!

Hello.

You the friends of Erik?

Erik Jenner?

- You from Scotland Yard?

Ah, there's a bright lad.

Can't keep any secrets from you.

- Have you a gun?

A gun? No, no, not on this case.

Look, tell you what,

how would you boys like to work for Scotland Yard?

- You mean be detectives?

Wow.

On second thought, I don't think it'll work.

To be a detective, you have to be silent, secret.

You mustn't give anything away.

I don't think you boys could stick to that.

- We can! - Sure we could!

- Yeah! - All right, all right.

But remember, you're working for Scotland Yard.

We'll pay a penny a day to each of you.

And to the one who finds him, the whole reward.

Here's your first penny.

- What must we do?

Search for Erik in all the places

you used to play together.

I'll be in daily contact with you chaps.

Now remember, you are detectives.

Silent, secret.

- Oh, Benny. - Come on!

- Oh, Benny. - What make of dog

do you call him? - A bit of everything.

- Have you got a licence for him?

- A licence?

- Yeah, thought you would have.

Good morning, Mrs. Jenner.

- Good morning, Officer.

Hello, Mrs. Jenner.

Hello, David.

- Mrs. Jenner?

Yes, David?

- Do you have any stale cake you want eaten?

Well...

All right, come on up. - Oh!

Would you like a cup of tea, Officer?

Well, I wouldn't say no, ma'am.

- I'm going to get the cake. How about you?

- Come on. - If you're feeling tired,

ma'am, I'm pretty good at making tea.

All right, we'll compromise.

You put on the kettle, and I'll fix the cups.

Very good, ma'am.

You wait here.

- Yes, ma'am.

Shh.

Psst!

Here, Benny, take a good sniff.

Come on. Come on.

Sniff it, hey?

Go on.

- Boys, what in the world are you doing?

Nothing.

- David, what are you hiding?

- Nothing, Mrs. Jenner.

I wasn't taking it, honestly.

- We're only letting Benny sniff it.

- Why?

- She's his mother. I guess we can tell her.

- Well, we're helping to look for Erik.

- Oh, David, David. - It's true.

And we're going to get paid.

A penny a day.

- Yes, a whole penny. - And who was it who made you

this magnificent offer?

- A man from Scotland Yard.

Down at the bombed ruins.

- The bombed ruins, hey?

Was he a bobby?

- No, nothing as low as that.

He was a detective.

Maybe an inspector.

- Maybe the commissioner himself.

Is this a real penny?

Yes, it's a real penny all right.

Had me worried.

- Any developments?

- No.

What's your theory about Mrs. Jenner's penny man?

- Think he's after information.

Kids give you any sort of description of him?

- Mm, a dozen different ones.

The man could either be a midget or nine feet tall.

He might also be a crank.

- Yes, and he might also be the murderer.

- With a pocket full of pennies?

- Suppose he's trying to get the gun

before you get to the boy, or the boy gets to you.

- If I thought that, I'd spill it in the newspapers,

and get that boy back as quickly as possible.

- Great.

Before we could trace the weapon,

the murderer would be out the country, like that.

- That's a chance I'd have to take.

- If you'd taken chances 10 years ago,

we wouldn't even be discussing this now.

Or am I being too personal?

- You are, but go on.

- Look, you were the investigating officer

on this case originally.

Now, wouldn't it be worth a chance

to have it cleared up once and for all?

- Only for me ego.

And that's not worth the gamble with a child's life.

- Oh. - I'm afraid we're very

different, Captain.

You're interested only in that gun.

We're also interested in the boy's safety.

- But I think I have a plan where we can get them both.

Superintendent, the murderer can't possibly cover

this territory as well as you can.

You have 16,000 policemen on your side.

- So? - Well, if you're having

troubles finding the boy,

the murderer must be having his problems too.

- That doesn't help us.

- Look, give me 48 hours to work out my plan

without interference from newspapers.

- That's impossible. - At the end of that time,

if I can't deliver, you can plaster it all over

every newspaper in the country.

- They told me you were a one-man army, Captain.

They didn't tell me you were a one-man police force too.

- Oh.

So the answer is no, hm?

- I'll give you 24 hours.

- 24 hours- - Listen, Captain,

I'm sticking my neck out too far as it is.

You have 24 hours, and don't overdo it.

I should hate to have to run you in on a charge.

And good luck.

- Yes? - Mackenzie speaking, sir.

I've just given that young American captain

24 hours carte blanche.

Going to set the world on fire, is he?

- Well, probably he'll go over the old list of suspects.

Smithson the butcher, that chorus girl Eunice Reed,

Vivienne Pasquale.

Probably the lot. - He's wasting his time.

We've been over that road before.

- It's a well-traveled one, I grant you.

But maybe a new pair of eyes will see something I've missed.

I suppose 24 hours can't do any harm.

- That's what I thought.

Thank you, sir. - Right.

- Come in.

How can I help you, friend?

How can I help you, Captain?

- By answering a few questions.

- What would I know that would interest you?

- Suppose we start with William Norton.

- Norton?

Norton?

Can't say I ever- - Oh, come on now,

don't be coy with me, Smithson.

Know all about you.

You've got a police file this thick.

- Now, wait a minute,

young man. - I don't have time.

You were in this black market with Norton up to your ears.

- I was cleared.

My hands are clean. - Oh, yes.

- I'm as honest as the next one.

You'd better get out of here!

I don't like your tone!

Don't like yours.

Maybe I can give you something to help you remember.

Anything!

- The truth, I don't know anything.

- You'd better start remembering.

That was just a sample.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Jenner.

- Why, hello, Mr. Henry.

- You look tired. Let me buy you that coffee.

Sit down. - Sit down?

Why, I'd be fired on the spot.

Besides, this coffee is his. - Miss?

- And it looks like he's getting very impatient.

- Have you found your son?

Oh, I thought you had.

I hadn't seen anything further in the newspapers.

- It's not really very important news, I suppose.

- Well, it is to me.

- I really have to go. - Andrews.

Captain Andrews. That was his name, wasn't it?

- Yes. - I was wondering about

his connection with you.

He didn't act like a friend.

- Oh, he's not.

He's not anybody's friend. - Miss!

- You'll have to excuse me. - Oh, I'm sorry

to have bothered you. - Oh, that's alright.

Thank you for your concern.

- After all, I am one of the interested parties.

Hello again.

- Why, hello.

I was wondering where you disappeared to.

- Oh, I'm flattered.

- What I mean is I turned around and you were gone.

- I was jilted.

- I didn't mean to be rude.

- I'm deeply hurt.

And just as you refused to have coffee with me,

I refuse to let you go home on the bus.

- Oh, thank you. - In you get.

- I am tired.

- But not too tired, I hope, to show me the way.

You know, I admire you for going back to work.

- I suppose it does seem peculiar.

It's just that Erik stopped by the shop this morning.

I wasn't there.

I thought he might try again.

- Well, I wish I could do something to help.

- Thank you, but I suppose everyone's doing

all that can be done.

- There's a thing they can't do that I can.

- What? - Take you to dinner.

- Oh, I can't. - Oh, come on,

you need cheering up.

- Thank you, but maybe some other time.

Erik might come home tonight.

- Oh, of course. I'm being inconsiderate.

I'm sorry.

- You've been very kind.

- Oh, isn't there something else I can do for you?

Slay a dragon?

Take the rubbish can out?

Run an errand?

- You've given me enough of your time already.

- Well, a lonely bachelor has plenty of time

to do things for a lovely woman.

I'm also very partial to a home-cooked meal.

- Oh, I'm a terrible cook, Mr. Henry.

But if you want to take a desperate chance-

- I'm a desperate man, and since you insist.

- Sure, I was quite close when the buzz bomb hit.

Nearly got done in myself.

I'm none the worse for it.

- I can see that.

Did you know Captain Norton well?

- We were neighbours.

Then one day, he started giving me

this hands-across-the-sea stuff

and, well, let's just say I knew him.

- Mm-hm. Did he ever tell you anything about himself?

- Such as what?

- Such as anything.

- Listen, mister, this was over 10 years ago.

Besides, he was a nice fellow.

Always giving parties.

Lots of cigarettes. American whiskey.

So why should I ask questions?

A girl starts asking questions,

and pretty soon, she's not invited to the party anymore.

- Did you know his fiancee Vivienne Pasquale?

- Fiancee?

I could use another word.

- Did she come to these parties too?

- Come to them?

She moved in like a Chicago gangster.

She got all her nightclub crowd in

and pretty soon the old bunch were out.

- Can you remember anything about this crowd of hers?

- Sure.

They were a bunch of black markets and no-goods.

- How about Norton?

- Hardly ever saw him again.

Till he was found dead.

Everybody.

- You have to excuse me. Now, I'm wanted, you know.

- Wait a minute. Wait a minute, honey, I'm not finished yet.

- Then talk to Vivienne Pasquale.

- Come on, you. - Well, that's what

I wanted to ask you.

Where can I find her? - Buy yourself a map!

Shh!

Please, sir, not in the lineup.

Really.

- Got a match?

Only lonely men drink by themselves.

- I'm waiting for somebody else, honey.

Sorry.

- You got a match?

- This is three packages tonight.

- In that case, you are well-supplied.

I save them for souvenir.

I don't smoke.

- If I know anyone that keeps old, dead matches,

I'll tell them to send them to you.

- I figure you'd like to burn a couple with me.

I am Vivienne Pasquale.

- I'm Mark Andrews. Won't you sit down?

- You a policeman?

- No. U.S. Army.

Oh, waiter?

- Nothing for me.

Now, what's your pleasure?

- Information.

- I am not in that business.

I am a dance hall hostess.

- I bet you're very good at it.

- Mm, that and an aeroplane ticket will take you to Paris.

- What do you know about Captain Norton?

- Who is that?

- Captain William Norton

of the United States Army, Quartermaster Corps,

and now deceased.

- Oh, yeah. - Mm-hm.

- A lot can happen to a girl in 10 years

to make her memory a little fuzzy.

- According to my information, you were engaged to him.

- If you are going to be insulting, I will have to leave.

I never should have come here

in the first place. - You testified to that

at the investigation.

- Look, mister, they told me I was, and I let them think so.

That's all I'm going to say about it.

Now, what about my taxi fare?

You wouldn't want me to lose money on this deal, would you?

Five. It's a long trip you know.

- No, I wouldn't know.

- Well, you do now.

- Exactly what was your relationship with Norton?

- Nothing. He was too dull.

- Then why won't you talk about him?

- Look, you are wasting my time.

- I'll make it up to you.

- Why do you drag all this up?

I told all I am going to.

Anyway, I don't remember.

- I might have a couple of good reasons

why you should remember.

- Remembering costs plenty.

- I'm on an expense account.

- All right, but not here.

- Where? - I'm a working girl.

I have a living to make.

So meet me at my place after two.

25 Bell Street.

- 25 Bell Street.

- And don't look so happy.

The night is young.

You should knock before entering a lady's bedroom.

- Should I?

- Joshua.

- Oh, you remembered.

I'm flattered.

- What do you want?

- Well, don't we have time for small talk?

You know, such things as "long time no see"

or "the passing years have treated-

- We don't.

- Of course. I forgot.

You have a date.

- That's none of your business.

Now, get out.

- I thought we might talk over old times.

- Start talking. - That's better.

I hate a scene.

You should have remembered that also.

- You don't frighten me anymore.

- Oh, but I should, you know.

You should be very, very frightened.

- What more could you do to me?

I believed you when I loved you, and it was all lies.

Why should I believe your threats?

- You've grown older, Vivienne, but not any wiser.

- That's where you're wrong.

You'd be surprised how much wiser I've become

since you came into this room.

For instance, I see you now exactly as you are,

a silly little man with big ideas, nothing else.

You should never have come back, Joshua.

You silly little man-

- I think you're underestimating the situation.

Be smart, don't.

Goodbye, Vivienne.

Take care of yourself.

- I thought you lost my address.

- No, no. Can't lose me.

I'm a bloodhound.

- Come in.

- It's getting late, so I won't bore you with details.

Everything's in here, the old story and the new.

- So?

- So I need some help.

- Who doesn't?

- Why don't you stop working so hard at being tough?

- I don't want to disappoint my father.

- I need straight answers out of you,

and I'm going to get them.

- Stay where you are.

Don't try getting rough with me, or my price goes up.

- You're helping a murderer.

Why? - Why should I help you?

- To save a kid's life, that's why.

- Kids are dying all over.

- But you could save this one.

- Maybe I won't be doing him such a favour.

In this stinking world, being dead and buried,

sometimes it's a lucky break.

- You're not making any sense.

- No?

Look at me.

Take a good look.

What do you see?

- Honey, nobody forced you into this life.

- Life?

But you've got it all wrong!

I am dead.

But I won't fall down.

Do you hear me?

I am dead, and they bury me in this world.

What good will be the testimony of a dead woman?

It won't stand up in court.

- I'll take a chance on that.

I know what it's like to be dead and not fall down.

Believe me, I know.

- Believe you?

How could you know?

You want something from me, so you will say anything,

promise anything to get out of me what you want.

But after that, you won't care, like all the others.

You're all alike, all of you!

Oh, please leave me!

Leave me alone!

Leave me.

- All right.

All right, I'll go.

No.

No, don't go.

It's been a long time since I cried

for anybody, even myself.

I sometimes look at the sky this way,

hoping that maybe some day a star will fall down

and hit me on the face,

and I wouldn't have to be me anymore.

That will be a real break.

- I don't think so.

I think you're nice.

- It's been a long, long time since I've been called that.

- Maybe you never gave anyone a chance.

- Kiss me.

Kiss me on the lips.

Please, kiss me.

You know something?

You are nice.

Real nice.

- You know something?

I haven't been called that lately either.

- Maybe you never gave anyone a-

- How's he coming along?

- He's all right.

Just a touch of concussion.

- The girl, Vivienne Pasquale-

- She's dead.

- I know.

Her star has fallen down.

- Hm?

- Nothing. What time is it?

3:30 a.m.

I wouldn't rather run too much yet.

You're not as strong as you think.

- Would you be able to identify the fellow?

- No, it was too dark.

- Superintendent? - Yep?

- This just came through on the car radio.

I can give you something to make you sleep.

- Haven't got time.

- Well, looks like it's all over.

- What do you mean?

- A lad answering the general description

of the Jenner boy was fished out

of the Thames half an hour ago.

We shall need a positive identification.

I'll have an officer fetch Mrs. Jenner.

- No, please.

I'll go for her.

- Yes.

One moment.

What is it?

- May I come in?

- Yes.

What is it?

What do you want?

- I'm terribly sorry.

- Erik's hurt?

- They've taken a boy from the river.

You'll have to come with me to identify...

It's not Erik.

- Been too many tears tonight.

- There'll always be tears like mine.

Soon, the mother of the poor little boy lying in there,

and all the others whose hearts are full of pain tonight.

But you wouldn't understand.

People like you never cry.

- Sometimes, it's harder not to cry.

Come on. Take you home.

- Thank you very much, Captain.

- You've been through quite a bit tonight.

I thought maybe you'd like to have a cigarette

and relax for a few minutes?

- Come in.

- Aren't there any relatives

of your husband's here in London

that might stay with you for a while

so you won't be so by yourself?

- He was alone too.

He had no one before I came along.

- So you married him.

- He was kind.

- Is that enough?

- I didn't need anything more.

I was sick of selfishness and inhumanity.

I need kindness then, and he gave it to me.

- And now?

- Now?

- I don't know quite how to say this,

but a person can be wrong,

so wrong that, after a while,

there's no right in anything, anywhere.

- Why are you telling me this?

- I don't know, except that I want you to understand.

Give me that picture of Erik.

I'm going to bring the boy back to you,

if I have to turn this town upside down.

I'll bring your boy back to you.

Hey, what are you doing there?

Hey!

Paper, mister?

- Here you are, guv. - Thank you.

Ta.

Late night final. Read all about it.

Jenner boy still missing.

Jenner boy still missing.

Late night final.

- Hello?

Hello, Elsa?

- Oh, just a minute.

Mrs. Jenner!

Mrs. Jenner, telephone!

- Hello?

Hello, Elsa?

- Oh, Mark, is there any news?

- Nothing specific, but don't be discouraged.

I had the picture printed up,

and I'm plastering it all over town.

Breaking every law there is,

and I'll probably end up in jail, but...

I told you I'd turn this town upside down.

- Yes. Yes, you did.

Thank you, Mark.

It'll work Elsa.

And, Elsa-

- You let me know the moment you hear anything.

- Good evening.

- Oh, hello.

- Wine, steaks, caviar.

- Elsa?

Elsa?

Hello?

Hello?!

- Oh, Mark, I'm terribly sorry, someone just came in.

What were you saying?

- It's not important. Nothing that won't keep till later.

Stay by the phone, will you?

Bye.

Come in.

- You wanted me, sir? - That's right.

Want you to call up the Signal Corps.

Have them send over a fleet of loudspeaker trucks.

Want this announcement broadcast

from every street corner in town.

- You want this-

- And I don't care how many rules you break.

I want that kid back, tonight.

- Yes, sir.

Oh, this is the duty citation on Corporal Bryant,

the incident on the rifle range.

You have to fill it out

and sign it. - Oh, yes, yes, Jordan-

- I'll get busy on these trucks.

- Yeah.

Okay, Bill.

- What do you think you're doing?

- Helping.

- Oh, you want a job, is that it?

Suppose they report me to the authorities for hiring you?

You don't care, hey?

What price do you put on your services?

Come on, what do you think you're worth?

- Penny?

- Well, we can't call you unskilled labour.

Suppose we say six pennies?

Now, you pick up anything I drop behind me.

Ta.

Here's your money.

That bit of effort must have given you an appetite.

Come on. Food.

Come on.

Couple of sandwiches, Joe.

Give the boy one.

- And a glass of milk, please.

- Thanks.

Goodnight, Joe.

- Goodnight.

Here's your change, son.

- How much are those?

- They're free.

Goodwill builders. - We interrupt this programme

to bring you a police message.

Will anyone knowing the whereabouts of Erik Jenner

please report to the nearest police station.

Erik is the boy who ran away after he accidentally shot

and wounded his playmate, Johnny Ashton.

Tonight, the Ashton boy is completely out of danger,

and the police are doing everything to make it known to Erik

that he has nothing to fear.

Hey there! What about your milk?!

- Telephone.

Hello?

Oh, Erik, thank heaven.

Mr. Henry, it's Erik!

- I heard the man on the radio.

Can I come home now, Mummy?

Of course you can come home.

- No. Tell him to stay where he is, we'll come and get him.

My car's outside. - Erik?

- Yes? - Stay where you are.

Do you understand that, darling?

Don't move from where you are.

I'm coming for you.

- Wait. Find out where he is.

- I'm so excited, I almost forgot.

Erik, where are you?

I'm in a telephone booth, but I don't know where.

- Now, look, darling,

go to the corner and look at the street sign,

then come right back to the telephone and tell me.

Come out. Please, come out.

- Oh, is this your call? - Yes.

- Sorry.

- I'm at the corner of Wyndham Street and Jason Road.

- All right, my darling.

You stay right there and wait for us.

Oh. - Where are you going?

- I've got to call Captain Andrews.

- I'll call him, you get the coats.

- Oh, thank you.

Number, please.

Number, please.

Number.

- Right. Thank you, Captain.

- You called him? - He'll be here when the time

we get back with the boy. - Oh, wonderful.

Mummy, Mummy!

- My darling, I'm taking you home.

Why didn't you come back?

- I was afraid.

- Well, you don't have to be afraid anymore.

- Oh, no, never.

You'll be home soon with a nice, hot dinner

and a warm bed and bath.

- And you won't have to go to school tomorrow.

How's that, hey?

Oh, where's the gun?

- Oh, let's not worry about the gun.

- Don't you think we ought to clear

this whole business up right now?

- It's my gun, and I'm going to keep it forever.

- Mr. Henry's right, Erik.

Where is the gun?

- I tell you what, Erik,

I'll buy you a new one, a big one.

That one's awfully small for a big boy like you.

- It was awfully little.

Can I have a six-shooter?

- Oh, you can have a seven-shooter if you want it.

- Yes, anything you say.

Now, where is it?

- I hid it in the ruins.

- Right.

- You've just missed Mrs. Jenner.

They went away in a car.

- They?

- She was with another gentleman.

- Oh?

What did he look like?

- A dark-haired man with a moustache.

- Has he ever been here before?

- Several times.

Do you blame him?

- I guess not.

Well, I'll stick around.

Cigarette?

- No, not on duty. Thank you, sir.

I'm up for retirement next year, and I'm taking no chances.

Know the recent whereabouts of Erik Jenner,

please report to the nearest police station.

His description is as follows...

- Who's he?

He's the nice man whose milk

you took that first morning.

- But I never took his milk.

That's stealing.

You said never to steal.

- Well, maybe you didn't see him,

but he saw you when you took it from his front door.

- But I didn't take his milk.

Cross my heart.

- But, Erik, Mr. Henry told us that he saw you take it.

How did you know it was a little gun?

- Unfortunately, it was my gun, Mrs. Jenner.

This is one of the circumstances I couldn't control.

- No, Erik, don't show him where the gun is.

- Erik's going to be a sensible boy, aren't you, Erik?

- No, Erik. - Yes, Mrs. Jenner.

I'm sorry.

Well, Erik, here's the bombsite.

Now, where did you hide that gun?

Don't tell him!

- What are you doing? - Run, Erik, run!

- Hey, come back here! - Hurry!

Hurry! - Hey, come back here!

- Another one.

I tell you, Captain, it takes a daring man

to step off the curb these days.

- Don't you think you ought to go there?

- Shouldn't leave my post.

A man on the beat will be there.

Still- - Go ahead.

I'll stay here.

I can square with the inspector.

- You're sure it will be all right?

- Sure.

- First bit of action I've seen in days.

Look at that car.

I called for an ambulance.

Stop that noise.

Pull a wire or something.

Is she alive?

Just about.

The ambulance will be here any minute now.

- Captain!

Captain Andrews!

It's Mrs. Jenner!

Help!

- Now, no more nonsense.

Where's that gun?

It's- - Yes?

- It's at the house.

- Show me.

- A pulse? - She'll be all right.

Stand back, will you?

Come on. Stand back everyone, please.

- Come along. - Please.

Come along, please.

Please, everyone. - Mark.

- I'm here, Elsa.

- Mark, he's after Erik.

He wants the gun.

- Now, take it easy. - He'll kill him.

He's your murderer.

It's Joshua Henry.

- What? - In the ruins.

Erik ran in the ruins, and he ran after him.

Don't worry about me.

Just help Erik.

- Take care of her.

Help!

Help! Help!

Come on, hurry up!