Original subtitles

A 12-bore double-barrelled shotgun.

The breech and stock richly engraved by...

Tambling's of St James.

It's not exactly a healthy thing to be on the business end of.

Especially if you're a pheasant or a partridge.

The English, those that can afford it, that is,

are absolutely mad about shooting and hunting.

They have a language of their very own.

"Mark over. My bird, sir. Your bird, sir. Gone away. Tally-ho."

The outsiders are either envious or contemptuous, like Oscar Wilde,

who once described them as "the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable".

Next weekend I am joining the unspeakables myself.

- Good afternoon, Miss Ripwell. - Mrs Ellshaw. I'm meeting...

There he is. Simon, I'm so sorry I'm late. The traffic was impossible.

It's all right, but you think you have problems.

- What's the matter? - I don't have a charge account here.

- Do you think I could pay cash? - Leave it to me.

The cashier used to be Dad's secretary. I'm in. Come on.

Mrs Ellshaw, may I introduce an old friend? The famous Simon Templar.

- You'll find this gun eminently suitable. - Thank you.

Oh, Mrs Ellshaw. Excuse me, would you?

- Would you put that in the window? - Certainly, sir.

Mrs Ellshaw, what is it? Mrs Ellshaw!

- How odd. - What's the matter with her?

(Pneumatic drill)

(Knocking) Arthur! Let me in!

I know you're in there! Let me in!

- Arthur... - Why are you following me?

What do you want?

And why are you bothering me?

- Who are you? - Who am I?

- I never saw you before in my life. - You... Arthur, you must be ill.

- Will you get out of here? - Arthur, it's me. Florrie.

Don't pretend you don't know me. We're married. What's the matter?

Florrie, will you please go away?

- Are you living here? - Yes.

- Why? - I can't explain.

You must. For six months I've believed you were in Canada.

Believe what you like. Now, please go.

- Are the police after you? - No.

- Then what's wrong? - Nothing.

You're hiding from somebody.

Florrie, if you'll just leave me alone, forget you ever saw me,

I'll give you £20.

Now, take it.

Arthur, I love you. Do you understand that?

Maybe we weren't always happy, but I married you.

- You have to tell me what this is about. - I can't. I can't tell you any more.

- I'm going to the police. - Please don't.

Please trust me. Don't go to the police. Don't tell anybody you've seen me.

Florrie, promise me.

Thank you. There's something terribly wrong, Mr Templar.

At first he actually pretended not to know me.

- Why would he do that? - I know what you think.

That he was tired of being married to me. Perhaps he was.

But if that's true, why couldn't he just have left me?

Why pretend he's in Canada? Why hide in an empty house?

- Empty? - There's no proper furniture in it.

Only a camp bed and a couple of wooden crates.

He eats there. I saw a hotplate and a kettle.

He keeps a blanket over the window as if he's afraid he's being watched.

Mr Templar, I had to come to see you.

I promised I wouldn't go to the police

Why? Has he ever been arrested?

Yes. He served three years in prison, long before we were married.

- What for? - Theft.

It...was his second offence. Mr Templar, please help me.

Arthur's not bad, not really.

I know he used to drink and gamble but they were just symptoms of something.

He's unhappy. Afraid of life somehow.

Mrs Ellshaw, where is this house?

11 Duchess Place.

Would you like me go round and talk to him?

- Would you? - Mm-hm.

I don't know what good it will do but we'll try.

- Let me know right away? - When I talk to him.

Thank you. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

You don't have to.

Goodbye. Give my regards to your father.

- I'll show Mrs Ellshaw out. - Thank you.

- Goodbye. - Mrs Ellshaw.

What do you think?

- I think it's marriage fatigue. - Why not just walk out?

Why hide and pretend to be in Canada?

- I don't know. Is she making it up? - What motive could she have?

Who knows? She's lonely. Lonely people do funny things.

You saw her rush out of that shop. She must have seen something.

Besides, she was Dad's secretary for two years. She was always reliable.

- Simon, let's help her. - Do you mean now?

Dinner can wait. I'll see you all weekend. Let's go to Duchess Place now.

I am at your disposal.

Ring the bell and introduce yourself?

Seems a reasonable way to start. Come on.

Excuse me. This place has been closed for months.

- Do you know who owns it? - No. Why don't you try the agent?

Thank you.

There's nobody here.

Wait here. I'll see if I can get in a back window.

- Do you think you should? - I am trying to break the habit.

No sign of life at all.

- Is this the room? - This is the one she described.

Except there's no blanket on the window.

No furniture.

No camp bed. Nothing.

Oh?

- What is it? - It's a milk-bottle top.

Simon, what do you think?

Mrs Ellshaw isn't as level-headed as you believe.

Surely she wouldn't make up a story out of nothing?

Most stories are made up out of nothing.

The only thing we know is somebody opened a milk bottle in this room.

And that's a lousy reason for missing a good dinner.

- Now what? - Wait in the car. I'll call Mrs Ellshaw.

All right.

(Phone)

Hello? Yes, this is Mrs Ellshaw.

Empty, Mrs Ellshaw. No furniture, no camp cot, nothing.

Mr Templar, I'm not making this up, I swear.

I saw him, I tell you. And there's something else.

'After I left your place, a man followed me.'

Mrs Ellshaw, was it your husband?

Since I saw him, I feel I've been watched.

I see. All right, Mrs Ellshaw. Miss Ripwell and I will stop by in a moment.

Goodbye.

I'm willing to play the boy scout,

but this has the earmarks of a neurotic woman's need for attention.

Well, I find it hard to believe.

It happens all the time. People confess to crimes they never committed.

Last week in the paper, an old boy said the Russians were spying on him

from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.

We don't have to stay long.

(Buzzer)

Simon.

You wait here.

Are you all right?

Could I speak to Inspector Teal?

- Well, go on. - Mrs Ellshaw came to my place at 6:15.

She told me the story about her husband, then left at 7:15.

And then?

Miss Ripwell and I went round to Duchess Place.

- And found nothing? - I figured she was making it up.

- It's obvious now she wasn't. - What time did you get to her flat?

- About five past eight. - (Knocking)

Come in.

- The Ellshaw file, sir. - Thank you.

Ellshaw has a record, right enough. Served three years for robbery in 1953.

- He's not wanted for anything now. - Except possibly his wife's murder.

Possibly.

It was a clumsy attempt to make it look like suicide.

- Simon, we'll keep this out of the papers. - Why?

You are the daughter of Sir John Ripwell, the shipping magnate?

- Of Hayley Manor, Norfolk? - Right.

- Mrs Ellshaw worked for your father? - She was his secretary.

She resigned 10 months ago.

- Why? - Trouble with her husband, I believe.

Mm. I think we will keep quiet about it for the present, in case it ties in.

- Give our man a false sense of security. - What are you getting at?

- I presume your father told you? - Told me what?

Last Tuesday night somebody broke into your house.

- Someone what? - You didn't know?

I live in town. I haven't seen my father since last weekend.

- There are telephones. - He wouldn't want to worry me.

Claude, what are you keeping back?

Last Tuesday a man tried to kill Sir John Ripwell.

- What are you thinking about? - Your father.

Why didn't he tell you about the attempt on his life?

Dad's like that. He doesn't believe in sharing his troubles.

- Besides, he wasn't hurt. - Typically British.

- Who else is going to be there? - My brother Ken and Hugo Meyer.

Meyer? Your father's partner.

He's vice chairman of Ripwell's, the master company.

- Anybody else? - Martin lrelock. Dad's secretary.

- Mrs Ellshaw's successor? - Right.

It's the next driveway on the left.

(Gunshots)

- The natives are hostile. - They're on the moors.

Dad's absolutely crazy about shooting.

Si"

- Sir John? - Sir John!

- Dad. - What happened?

He's been shot. Kenneth, call Dr Cranston. Hurry.

Hurry up! Help me get him into the Land Rover.

- Is it wise to move him? - Of course. I can't stay here all night.

- Mr Templar's in the front guest room. - Yes, Miss Anne.

- I wouldn't like to pay the rates on this. - Anne! There's been an accident.

- Dad's been shot. - How bad is it?

- I don't know. - But how?

I'm not sure. We were all spread out. Hugo was behind and I...

Dr Cranston, Kenneth Ripwell speaking. Can you come over right away?

There's been an accident. My father's been shot.

What in the devil is Dr Cranston doing?

Kenneth, for heaven's sake, get a grip on yourself. And don't drink so fast.

When I want advice on how to drink in my father's home, I'll ask.

And don't be rude.

We won't help things by arguing among ourselves.

I'm sorry.

What I can't understand is how it happened.

Sir John aimed, fired twice.

A moment later there was a third shot from over on the left.

Why don't you go right ahead and say it?

I was on Dad's left.

Yes. You were.

- I shot twice in the entire afternoon. - Kenneth.

- Nobody's accusing anybody. - That's right.

- It was an accident, pure and simple. - Of course it was.

One of us shot my father. I'd like to know who.

Why? Contemplating legal action?

There's no thought of prosecuting anyone. I'd just like to know who it was.

- Dr Cranston says he'll be fine. - Nothing to worry about.

His constitution's sound. He'll be up in a few days.

- Thank you so much. - You're welcome.

Oh, which one of you is Templar?

- I am. - He wants to talk to you.

Good night, gentlemen.

Don't tire him out.

I have no intention of tiring Sir John out. He's asked to see me. Do you mind?

Naturally not.

Thank you.

What about the meeting with the Kinglake group on Monday?

- It'll have to be postponed. - That's impossible.

I'd suggest you talk to Sir John about it. He's still in charge.

- I'm not suggesting he isn't. - Aren't you?

- No. - Good.

Wouldn't do to be premature.

- Simon, my boy. - Sir John.

Come in. This is a blasted nuisance. I'm most frightfully sorry.

- It's hardly your fault. - I hate greeting guests like this.

- How are you? - Fine. More to the point, how are you?

It's only a scratch. Not worth talking about. Sit down.

Thanks.

Sir John, I suppose you are convinced that this was an accident.

Bless my soul. Of course it was.

You're not suggesting somebody shot at me deliberately?

- Yes, I am. - What utter rot.

Is it? How about the attempt on your life?

- Who told you? - Inspector Teal.

- He's an old woman. - What happened?

Some wretched burglar broke into the house.

I got up to investigate. Blighter cleared off through the drawing room windows.

I took after him. Halfway down the drive, he turned and took a shot at me.

Missed me by a mile.

But l...nipped straight back into the house.

An occasion where discretion is the better part of valour.

Sir John, a burglar takes a shot at you last week. Now this accident.

- I think there's a connection. - Good heavens. Look who I was with.

My son, my business partner and my private secretary.

It's unthinkable that any one of them would deliberately...

Is it?

On the face of it, it is unthinkable, but is it impossible?

- Where is everybody? - Anne's seeing about dinner.

Meyer's telephoning London. Templar's with your father.

- Martin, why is Templar here? - Because Anne invited him.

- Are you certain? - Of course.

- I'm not. - Pull yourself together.

Martin, I can't stand much more of this. All this hiding, it's driving me crazy.

- You're drunk. - No, but if I didn't drink...

Ken, why can't you just forget it? You're safe. Understand?

Every time I hear a ring at the door, I wonder if it's the police.

Martin, it's driving me out of my mind.

I'd rather be dead than carry on like this.

There's is no connection between what happened and Templar. You're safe, Ken.

I'm the only one who knows. You can trust me.

Yes, I know that. Without you, I don't know what I would have done.

Am I interrupting something?

Would you care?

- What's the matter with him? - Suppose you guess?

- What does that mean? - Accusing him of shooting his father.

I think he did. It was an accident, but Kenneth's too cowardly to admit it.

- Why not say it to Sir John's face? - I would if he asked me.

- I believe you would. - I deal in facts, not sportsmanship.

- But I never went to a public school. - Excuse me.

- I'm not through yet. - Meyer, get something straight.

I'm Sir John's private secretary, not yours.

You can give me orders when he's dead and not before.

If that event occurred, your services would be dispensed with instantly.

Don't start making plans too soon.

Well, I'm dashed. What an extraordinary story.

Yes, isn't it?

What was Mrs Ellshaw like when she worked for you?

Most reliable. Absolutely first-rate woman. I liked her thoroughly.

I felt sorry for her having to put up with her husband.

Can you think of any motivation Ellshaw might have for murdering you?

Certainly not. I merely tried to be a little considerate of his wife.

- And he was jealous? - Good heavens, no.

Sir John, I'm sorry to have to tell you. At the moment it's being kept quiet.

Mrs Ellshaw is dead. She was murdered.

You're not serious.

Very. The police think Ellshaw killed her.

I don't know what to say. I always knew he was a... But to kill his wife?

Mrs Ellshaw's murder and these two attempts on your life form a pattern.

Sir John, forgive me for asking, but who would benefit most from your death?

The world would be immensely better off.

- I'm serious. - You mean who gets my money?

The estate is divided equally between Kenneth and Anne.

- I presume it's considerable. - Yes.

- What about Hugo Meyer? - He'd take over in my place.

- And lrelock? - That would be up to Hugo.

Since they don't get on, no doubt lrelock would be looking for a job.

Sir John, something strange is going on.

- I'd like to call Inspector Teal. - What for?

Have him come down here.

Well, if you think it's wise, I suppose I've no objections. Go ahead.

(Short rings)

- (Woman) 'Number please.' - 'I'd like to place a call to London.

'Chief Inspector Claude Eustace Teal of Scotland Yard. Whitehall 1212.'

'Your number, please?'

Kenneth, dinner will be in 40 minutes, so...

- What's the matter? - Why did you invite Templar?

- Because I wanted to. What's wrong? - Everything.

- What's this about? - You could knock.

- Do I have to? Where are you going? - London.

- Why? - I want to.

- Ken, what's wrong? - Templar is a police spy.

He's not just here for the shooting, nor your pretty eyes.

- Are you in trouble? - When am I not?

- What have you done? - What's it matter?

- Tell me. - Anne, face it.

I'm a total failure. I'm no good at business, no good at sport.

Everything Dad wants me to do, I hate. I got sent down from Oxford.

I've never even held a decent job.

What's the use of talking about it?

Does that help?

Some people say it doesn't, but they're wrong.

It saves me from going out of my mind.

Anne, I'm no good.

I drink, I gamble, I've a vile temper

- and what's worse, I... - Say it.

- No. - Say it!

- I'm a murderer if you want to know. - What?

I've taken the life of another human being.

Ken.

Ken. Ken, come back. Ken!

Simon.

- Ken's drunk. You've got to stop him. - (Car speeds off)

(Horn)

(Train whistle)

Come on, stop worrying.

He's probably sobered up and on his way home now.

Simon...

- There's something I haven't told you. - Oh?

Last night, before Kenneth rushed out, he said something.

That he'd killed someone. I know he was drunk and I don't believe it but...

- But he said it. - Yes.

- Did he say who? - No.

- But I thought of Mrs Ellshaw. - Why?

Because Ken was in London the night it happened.

- Have you mentioned this to anyone? - No.

Then don't. It doesn't fit in with my theories.

- Why else did he run away? - Sh.

- Well, good morning. - Morning.

- Any news of the runaway? - Not yet.

- Simon sent for the police last night. - The police?

Under the circumstances, I thought it wisest.

- Why? Kenneth hasn't done anything. - Then why did he run away?

You know him better than anyone.

- What's troubling him? - Oh, Anne...

The way he drove, I thought he was trying to kill himself.

Martin, I'm so worried.

Ken is no worse than lots of young men of his age.

- He gambles, drinks too much. - You think that's all there is to it?

- Why does he drink too much? - I'm not a psychiatrist.

- Does he owe money? - Not that I know of.

He's a little uncertain of himself.

Not sure where he wants to go, what he wants to do.

Sometimes it's... Well, your father's not the world's most patient man.

- No. - How is Sir John?

- He's much better. - I'll go and say good morning.

Yes, why don't you?

Anne, don't worry.

- Are you not telling me something? - Nothing. My word of honour.

I suppose we'll have to wait for the police to find him.

The doctor ordered you to stay in bed.

Rubbish. Cranston orders six weeks in bed for a cut finger.

Come and sit down. Any news of Kenneth?

- Not yet. - Bolting off like this.

He's a good lad at heart but undisciplined. Did you ring Teal?

Yes, he'll be down this afternoon.

Sir John, I'm trying to tie together three isolated events.

Mrs Ellshaw's death, the attempt on your life and Kenneth's disappearance.

- Is there anything else you can tell me? - About what?

Last night when I mentioned Ellshaw,

I got the impression you were holding something back.

You don't miss much, do you?

Then there is more?

Blasted shoulder.

Yes, there is. Cigarette?

Thank you.

Ellshaw tried to blackmail me.

Oh? What for?

It was nonsense. I liked Mrs Ellshaw, of course.

Felt sorry for her being married to a rogue.

Out of the blue, he accused me of fooling around with her.

- He demanded money or he'd sue me. - What did you do?

Called his bluff. Told him to go ahead and sue.

Then I threw him out.

Sir John, forgive me, was there any truth in this?

No, of course not. Mind you, she was attractive but...no.

This attempt must have proved to Ellshaw

that you couldn't be blackmailed under any circumstances, right?

- Yes. - Do you suppose he then tried Kenneth?

- Not much point. He has no money. - But he will have.

Yes. Mind you, he has his allowance

and some property in London I deeded to him when he was 18.

Four houses. They're empty. Property's been sold for a big development.

- But the money's all tied up. - Where is this property?

- Duchess Place. - Duchess Place.

- Why? - Who's handling the sale for Kenneth?

Hugo Meyer. He can tell you all you want to know.

Hello there, Meyer.

I see Mrs Ellshaw's demise has at last hit the papers.

You're a man of many parts. You seem to control both the police and the press.

It was Inspector Teal's idea to keep it quiet.

- Oh? Why? - He doesn't take me into his confidence.

Why isn't your name mentioned? You found the body.

- How do you know? - You told Sir John, he told me.

Meyer, have you been down to Duchess Place lately?

To where?

Duchess Place. Young Kenneth owns property there.

Yes. Why?

- Are they vacant? - Yes. They're to be torn down shortly.

They form part of a larger property that will be demolished.

Is it possible for anyone to live there without you knowing?

They're unfurnished.

Supposing I went through a back window with a camp bed.

- Would you know? - Probably.

Why? Your landlord being difficult?

No, just curious.

May I ask you something else? What do you think of young Kenneth?

I'm sorry.

I don't discuss my partner's family with strangers.

- Very wise. - However, since you ask,

I think he's spoiled, self-indulgent, lazy and irresponsible.

Give him three gins and he'll fight the world.

He's a belligerent drinker, is he?

Very. And when he's sober, he's afraid of a mouse.

- It's obvious why he's run off like this. - Is it?

On the moors yesterday, he was on his father's left.

It was an accident but he won't admit it. Typical of the British upper classes.

You don't like the British upper classes?

I don't like cowards and phoneys,

men who think they can get away with anything if they wear a public school tie.

Class distinctions have ruined England.

- This includes Sir John? - He is 20 years behind the times.

- When the day comes... - You mean when he's dead?

I didn't say that.

He may fool you. I understand his father lived to be 102.

(Car approaching)

That must be Claude Eustace Teal. Right on time.

Don't tell me you've brought the police here because of a shooting accident.

Not a shooting accident, Mr Meyer. A deliberate attempt at murder.

Well, Claude Eustace.

- The bloodhound of the Yard. - Hello, Simon.

- You don't look happy to see me. - I'm bursting with happiness.

I know you want to do me a good turn.

Before I talk to people, perhaps you'll tell me what's going on in this house?

We'll go to my room. We won't be disturbed there.

- For heaven's sake. - Comfortable, sir?

No, but stop acting like Florence Nightingale.

- Sorry, Sir John. - Well, Inspector, got any theories?

There is no connection between the attempt on your life and Mrs Ellshaw.

Stop referring to an accident as an attempt on my life.

Sir John, it wasn't an accident.

Are you suggesting my son tried to kill me?

- I think he had nothing to do with it. - Then who did?

- We're trying to find that out. - lrelock, pour some Scotch and soda.

- Dr Cranston said... - Stop quoting Dr Cranston at me.

- How about you two? - No thanks.

The way I see it, there are four motives that make a man a killer.

Revenge, jealousy, fear and greed. Now, Sir John's a very rich man.

I think the motivation behind this is extortion.

How can Mrs Ellshaw's death tie in to an extortion attempt?

Claude, when that's figured, the case will be solved.

- Here we are, Sir John. - Thank you.

You think there's a connection?

I'm positive.

Don't drink it. It's poisoned!

- What's happened? - Call Dr Cranston, quickly!

Claude, that took organisation and nerve.

- Be careful. - Well, I'm touched. You really care.

I don't. It's just that a lab report is more accurate than your taste buds.

Ten shillings says it's arsenic. Now we have more than a theory. We have a fact.

- Which is? - You mean you don't see it?

- It's staring you in the face. - Then introduce me.

- Is Dr Cranston finished? - He didn't suffer any real damage.

What's happening in this house?

We're not sure, but I've arranged for two policemen to stay on duty all night.

One's outside and I'd like one in your father's room.

- Is that necessary? - I think it is.

- Well, you can tell him. - Right. I want a word with Dr Cranston.

- Excuse me. - Certainly.

To get onto the estate without being seen, what's the easiest way?

Through the wood, by the outhouses. Why?

I have a hunch we're going to have an uninvited guest.

There you are, Robbins.

You mean every time I look up from my reading, I'm to be faced with him?

There have been two attempts on your life.

- Do you play chess, young man? - No, sir. I'm sorry, sir.

- Would chequers be any good, sir? - It seems I am to be spared nothing.

- How do you feel? - Not too bad.

A bit shaky. But mostly I'm frightened. I don't mind admitting it.

It was sheer chance you and Inspector Teal didn't have drinks.

- This maniac might have killed us all. - Mr lrelock.

Let's go back the first attempt on Sir John's life last Tuesday.

Well, I was asleep.

The sound of the shot woke me up.

I looked out the window and saw Sir John running to the house.

I hurried downstairs. He wasn't hurt but he was naturally badly shaken.

- We called the police. - Did you see anybody else?

- Not a soul. - How about the gate at the tool house?

- Is it kept locked? - It's kept locked right enough.

But it's four feet high. A child could climb it.

I see.

Have you ever met Mrs Ellshaw?

Once, briefly, when I was taking over her job here.

- What about Mr Ellshaw? - I met him too.

Under rather unpleasant circumstances.

He came here with an absurd story suggesting Sir John and Mrs Ellshaw

had been behaving improperly.

- And had they? - Of course not.

It was a tissue of lies. Sir John threw him out.

So he told me. Why didn't he call the police?

It's not the sort of thing you call attention to.

Besides, it was too ridiculous to be taken seriously.

Just one more thing. I know you couldn't speak frankly in front of Anne.

But what can you tell me about Kenneth? Is he in any sort of trouble?

He's been in trouble since the day he was born.

- In what way? - Sir John's very demanding.

He wants Kenneth to grow up into the perfect English gentleman.

Unfortunately, the mould is out of date.

Since the first day Kenneth went to prep school, Sir John kept at him to excel.

Kenneth lives constantly under pressure. Not just to grow up

but to grow into a carbon copy of his father.

- And that's too much to ask of any boy. - I'm caught in the crossfire.

I respect Sir John and he pays my salary.

On the other hand, I like Kenneth. I understand what he goes through.

Could Kenneth have shot his father accidentally and been afraid to admit it?

I suppose it's possible.

On the other hand, he couldn't have poisoned the whisky

when he wasn't even here.

I know. It's quite baffling.

Don't worry, Mr lrelock. It won't be baffling for long.

Surely two policemen on guard are enough.

They don't know who to look for.

I do.

This whole situation is going to come to a boil tonight.

- Kenneth! - Hello, Anne.

- We've been worried sick. Dad thinks... - That I tried to kill him?

- He knows it was an accident. - I shot twice yesterday.

- Neither shot went anywhere near Dad. - Why did you run off?

Because what I said's true. I have killed someone.

I don't believe it.

You've come back to give yourself up?

That's why you're here, isn't it? Why you sent for Teal.

Why don't you tell us the whole story?

Well, there was a card game in London six months ago.

I'd lost over £100, but then I realised that this man was cheating.

I accused him. He denied it and hit me.

Well, I was terribly drunk and I went crazy.

I hit him so hard I knocked him against a radiator and fractured his skull.

Who was this man?

Arthur Ellshaw.

- Who else was there? - Well, well, well.

The prodigal son has returned.

- Hello, Hugo. - What's behind all this?

You're interrupting a private conversation.

Am I? Well, I'd suggest, Kenneth, that you go upstairs at once

and explain this behaviour to your father.

- No, Ken. Not a word to anybody. - But I have to.

After six months a few hours won't matter.

It seems Mr Templar's taken charge of the entire household.

Please, Ken, don't say anything to anybody. Not yet.

- All right, if you think it's for the best. - I do.

I think it's absolutely vital.

(Owl hoots)

What?

Sorry, sir.

Set up another board.

Inspector, I presume I can go to bed without running foul of the law?

- Good night, Mr Meyer. - Our runaway adolescent is back.

Well, the elusive Ellshaw, I presume.

Right, now, Mr Ellshaw, you and I are going to have a little talk.

- You're Templar? - That's right. Let's have your story.

- I can't tell you anything. - I'm prepared to get rough.

- That would be murder. - Is it possible to kill a man who's dead?

What do you mean?

Why did you come here?

It was Florrie. The idea was to keep out of the way, hidden at Duchess Place.

I didn't know he'd shoot her. Florrie and I didn't get on but I didn't want her dead.

- You're lying. - I'm not.

You can get away with a lot in front of a jury,

but they never take kindly to a man who kills his wife.

- I didn't kill her. - Are you going to tell me the truth?

Yes. Yes, I'll tell you everything.

Not to me. You can come up to the house and tell Inspector Teal.

Now, pull yourself together. This is your chance to get off the hook.

Well, young man?

- I told Mr Templar I wouldn't talk. - Templar's not in charge. I am.

A few hours won't make a difference. I'll make a full confession.

Mr Templar seems to think...

Here you are, Claude. The man all the commotion's about.

- But it's Ellshaw. - That's right.

The million-dollar mystery people were killed to keep.

But it can't be.

- It is. - But he's dead!

I know. I killed him.

It's fairly obvious you didn't.

For six months I've been in hiding.

Every time there was a ring of the doorbell, I was afraid it was the police...

Wait a minute.

Oh, I thought I heard Kenneth's voice.

Why don't you come right in? You'll hear even better.

Well, Claude, the party is now complete.

- You mean lrelock's in on it too? - Right up to his neck.

What are you talking about?

You wanted Ripwell's money.

So with Ellshaw you tried blackmailing Sir John about Ellshaw's wife.

It got treated with contempt. You tried another way.

- Martin, is this true? - He's raving.

I haven't even started. Again using Ellshaw, you engineered a poker party.

You fed Kenneth plenty of liquor and then Ellshaw started cheating so openly

that even drunk, Kenneth realised it. There was a fight.

Ellshaw was knocked out as planned. You told Kenneth that Ellshaw was dead.

He said he'd get rid of the body and cover up the evidence.

- Two days later he said he'd done it. - And you believed him?

Oh, Anne, I've done things before when I was drunk and not remembered.

- From then on, you were in his power. - Yes.

While you pretended you were his best friend.

- It's not true. - Twice you tried to kill Sir John.

Kenneth would inherit the money and then you'd really turn the screw.

- You're mad. - Nuts, Mr lrelock.

Kenneth can tell us how you pretended you were saving him from the gallows.

You double-crossed Ellshaw and shot his wife.

- But why did he take poison? - To throw us off the scent.

Wasn't it? Come on, lrelock, admit it. You're through.

You think so?

Oh, yes. It's true. All of it.

I had to kill Mrs Ellshaw, she'd seen this stupid idiot alive.

- You said you wouldn't hurt her. - You fool, you...

Want to fire it again?

There you are, Claude. There's your case.

Anne, I think you and Ken had better go upstairs

and tell Sir John that the elusive Ellshaw is not elusive any more.