Original subtitles

Thank you.

Hi, Dolly.

I said hi.

Oh, it's you.

I was nearly asleep.

We had a wonderful time.

Where's Alan?

He's putting the car away.

Nearly missed the garage.

Oh, he did, did he? Yes, he put his foot down on the accelerator instead of the

brake and shot past it.

It's time I put my foot down. Before that young man borrows a car of mine

again, he'd better learn to drive.

All down to drink. Oh, don't be such an old grouch.

I see you've had company.

Was it the merry widow?

How did you guess?

Oh, I'd recognize Brenda's lipstick anywhere.

And her perfume.

You don't like Brenda, do you?

Darling, I adore her.

She's so smart.

A foreign English woman, of course.

Brenda's smart by any standards.

And yet you fell asleep on her. My dear Henrietta didn't fall asleep while she

was here. She left more than an hour ago.

Yet the perfume lingers on.

Lanvin's my sin.

Hello, Alan.

Hello, sir. I hope we didn't keep you up. Not at all, not at all. Helped

ourselves to a nightcap.

Good night, darling. Good night, Johnny.

Good night, Alan.

You know your room, don't you? Don't overshoot it and end up in the swimming

pool. He's a good swimmer, anyway.

Good. Good night.

Good night.

Don't you want a drink, darling?

No, thanks.

Alan, what's the matter?

Nothing, whatever the matter with me.

And I'm certainly not drunk.

Even if your so-called guardian or adopted father or whatever you choose to

call him implies that I am.

Darling. Look, I heard that crack about learning to drink or learning to drive.

He was joking.

He's a fine one to joke about people learning to drink.

He certainly seems to put in plenty of night school on the subject.

That bottle was full when we left.

What he drinks in his own house is surely no business of yours.

And you must have been listening at the door.

No, no, I wasn't.

I did hear that one crack, and then I remembered your bag was on the front

seat of the car, so I went back to get it. Oh, thank you.

Look, we've had a lovely evening, Alan. Don't let's spoil it now.

I'm sorry.

I think you're jealous.

Jealous? Of Johnny, my so-called guardian or stepfather or whatever I

choose to call him. Henriette, I said I'm sorry.

All right, you're sorry.

But are you jealous?

There shouldn't be enough.

He ought to be grateful.

Why? Because if it weren't for Johnny and his wife, I wouldn't even be in this

country. We'd never have met.

I'll tell you something about him.

He's more jealous of me than I am of him.

In fact, he's more than jealous. He's possessive.

Oh, now, Alan, you're just talking nonsense.

No, no, I'm not. Yes, you are.

Alan,

there's somebody at the window.

Now you're talking nonsense.

You are imagining things. I'm not. I'm sure I saw someone.

All right.

I'll look around. You wait there.

Come on, let's go back.

No, wait a minute, though.

You could be right.

I'm certain I closed the garage doors when I put the car away.

Oh, it's probably just some tramp.

Look, I'm getting cold. Let's go back.

No, I'm going to have a look in the garage.

You wait here.

Don't forget, you're just going.

What the hell is this?

What the devil's been happening?

Hello, Johnny.

Oh.

What are you doing here?

What's been happening?

It's a long story.

Oh, yes, I've told you about Paul Lanson, haven't I?

Well, here he is.

The lady says I'm some tramp.

And this is Alan Simpson.

It seems you two have met already.

Yes, I had quite the reception.

You must admit, your method of looking up old friends is rather unconventional.

I can explain all that.

The house was in darkness. I didn't want to disturb anyone, so I thought I'd

sleep in the car.

You haven't disturbed anyone.

Not in the least.

I suggest we go into the house.

Oh, what brings you over here? Business? Pleasure? Oh, business.

Are you all right, sir?

Yes. You are yet the verdiest little girl.

You grow very beautiful.

Thank you. Come on, you two.

Come on in.

My dear Henriette, I shall be quite content to watch you.

Besides, I think I have enough exercise last night. Well, if you will go

prowling around other people's houses.

Only the very best houses. And only those of my best friends.

It's quite a place friend Johnny has here.

Friend Johnny's worked pretty hard for it.

Most of us work very hard, but few end up with a place like this.

How does he do it?

You've known Johnny as long as I have.

That was a war.

I was just a kid.

A very brave one, I've heard.

Brave?

What is that?

All the women were brave also.

Cigarette?

Oh, my hand's wet.

And beautiful too.

Thank you.

You still haven't answered my question.

How did Johnny acquire all this?

Why don't you ask him yourself?

Ah, but that would be impolite.

You don't like French cigarettes?

They're so strong.

You have English tastes.

Well, that's hardly surprising.

I've lived here almost all my life.

Besides, I don't really have a taste for cigarettes.

I was not referring to cigarettes.

What then?

Oh, you mean Alan.

Don't you like him?

After last night, that's hardly surprising. Hey!

That's a joke.

Oh, you are part of the joke, my friend.

Huh?

Oh, don't be so aggressive, darling. Come and sit down.

I didn't come out here to sit down. I came to swim.

Thought that was your idea, too.

I've already been in. Can't you see?

Yes.

Alan, where is Johnny?

I don't know.

Counting with silver, I should think.

He is not in your class.

As a swimmer, I mean.

Can you do better?

I shouldn't have to try very hard.

Well, I think I go and help Johnny count the silver.

Silver.

With this place, I would have expected the gold plate at least. We reserve the

gold plate for special occasions.

This is a special occasion.

It's very special.

Au revoir.

No, thank you.

It's a little early for me.

Is that a reflection on my drinking habits?

It's no concern of mine how you choose to drown your sorrows or your

conscience.

What?

You heard what I said.

Yes, I heard what you said.

Tell me, Paul.

Just exactly why did you come here?

I came here to kill you, Colonel Paxton.

And what made you change your mind?

I've not changed my mind.

I must say, today is sporting of you to give me the tip.

Well, good luck.

You'll certainly need it.

I should have another if I were you.

You'll need that.

I have every intention of having another.

I certainly wouldn't if I took your threat seriously.

So you came here to kill me?

When did you propose to do it?

Before or after lunch?

I would have done it last night if it had not been for that blundering

prospective son-in-law of yours.

Son-in-law?

This Alan.

Is he not more or less engaged to your adopted daughter?

Henri, it is not my adopted daughter.

When our parents were killed by the Gestapo, my wife and I decided to bring

her up, that's all.

Yes, I know.

It was a very clever move on your part.

Nothing clever about it. It was a tribute to the memory of two gallant

people, the Verdiers.

They saved my life.

It was the worst thing they ever did.

Why do you say that?

Because if they had not saved your life, the Verdiers would have been alive

today.

How do you make that out?

Why do you say the Verdiers would have been alive today if they had not saved

my life? I'll tell you why.

Never mind your damn table.

The Verdiers would have been alive today if you had not betrayed them.

I betrayed the Verdiers. You must be out of your mind. Listen.

When I come to France from Denmark, the Verdiers were like parents to me.

And then you come in the war and you were a great hero for me.

It's true.

The fine British liaison officer to the resistance.

A few years ago, I am in Germany buying machine tools and I have to deal with

this German who is ex-Nazi.

And quite by chance, he is talking about the Colonel Paxton.

So I lead him on.

And I discovered that the Nazis paid you to betray us.

And how well they paid you is very evident by all this.

Rubbish. My wife bought this house.

Yes, I know. And then she met with a fatal accident.

You seem to know an awful lot about my personal affairs.

You have been my chief concern for many years now.

And I can prove that you not only betrayed the Verdiers...

You also betrayed the Michels and the Dufaults and the Allards.

But it has taken me till now to gather all the evidence that I require.

Evidence? What evidence?

Sworn statements by Nazi agents who paid you.

Since when have the affidavits of Nazi agents been regarded as gospel?

That is not all.

You have some more?

Photographs, film. You have been busy.

And tape recordings.

Then it's high time you handed this dossier to the authorities.

They will no doubt take whatever action is justified.

Oh, no, no, no. It would take them too long to do anything. By the time that

they had sifted and checked on all the evidence, you would have sold up and

skipped the country to some place where the police could not get you.

You're a rich man.

That's right.

And I intend to stay rich and alive.

Get that into your thick skull.

Hey!

What are you two doing?

Johnny was just showing me how he killed an SS sergeant in unarmed combat.

What did you use?

Powdered glass?

Two grown men, really?

Well, since you've so much surplus energy, why don't you help me tidy up?

It was nothing.

Could have cut your hand.

I'm going to have a sherry and then I think I'd better get dressed.

You sure you won't change your mind?

About the drink?

Yes.

Sherry? Thank you.

Hello, Alan.

Sherry? Oh, yes, thanks.

Well, that's taking care of that.

Oh,

Johnny and Paul were playing at being soldiers.

Not as rough as it was last night, Alan.

Cheers.

Santé. Cheers.

Cheers.

Well,

I'd better get dressed and start the lunch and make the beds. Do you want any

help? I'm sure Paul is very good at making beds. Alan!

What did you mean by that remark?

Don't I make myself clear?

Young man, you make yourself very clear.

You both do.

All right.

I apologize then.

Take nothing of it.

I did not.

You know, you should see my place.

Two rooms you couldn't swing a cat in.

This is magnifique.

Cost to pack it, too, I can assure you. Or does that sound ostentatious?

On the contrary, Johnny. It sounds like the justifiable pride of a man who has

done well for himself.

But all this luxury and no servants.

Poor Henriette.

Servants have the weekend off. It's easier to keep them, that way.

And Henriette spends most of her weekends in town.

So I'm usually by myself.

I like being alone.

Would you say that was a hint for us to get out of here?

I'm going this afternoon.

I'll see you at lunch.

Excuse me.

Alan, why are you going back to town so soon?

I'm not going to stay here and play second fiddle to your guest.

I should have thought there was a good reason for sticking around.

Who is he anyway, Johnny?

What's he up to?

Arriving here in the middle of the night, obviously with no intention of

staying. What's made him change his mind?

Henriette.

Perhaps.

But who is he?

What is he?

I met him during the war. He was in the Maquis as a boy.

Henriette's completely infatuated with him.

Head over heels.

Then I should stay here and see that she gets disinfatuated.

If you go, you're doing exactly what he wants.

I'll get rid of this.

Alan, I'd like you to stay.

And Henriette?

No, I'm going up to London and I'm taking Henriette with me.

Why did you come to see Johnny?

Just for old time's sake. How long are you staying?

Why do you ask?

You brought nothing with you.

I can borrow what I want.

You're sure of yourself?

Yes.

I wish I was sure of myself.

In what way?

Alan?

But you are not in love with him.

I thought I was.

Not yet.

You must come back to France with me.

You belong there, not here.

No, I must be fair to Alan.

Fair? What is fair?

Everything is fair.

In love and war?

Yes, yes.

Perhaps just the opposite is true.

Sometimes it's better that we don't know the truth.

About love or war?

About both.

This is a beautiful place.

I suppose someday it will all be yours.

If Johnny doesn't marry his merry widow... His merry widow?

Mrs. Brenda Williams.

She lives in the village.

She's got her eye on Johnny.

She's very attractive.

Excuse me.

Johnny. Oh, darling. Oh, no, Sherry.

No, thanks.

I want to talk to you about your friend Paul.

You rather like him, don't you?

I don't know whether I like him.

I'm scared of him.

Scared of Paul? Why?

Did you know he's carrying a gun?

My dear, Paul's been carrying a gun since he was so high. But why now? Why

here? Some people it becomes a habit. Like drink.

They're both killers.

Squirrels on your lawn, Johnny.

That was a bit childish, wasn't it?

What the devil's going on?

A squirrel shoot, apparently.

What was the idea, Paul?

You're not annoyed, are you, Johnny?

I thought you'd be grateful.

Squirrels are pests, aren't they?

I think you'd better let me have that gun.

I bet you do.

What was this morning's performance in aid of?

I should have thought you'd be more subtle than to want to shoot me.

I have no intention of shooting you now.

That weighs more than you deserve.

How, then?

Last night I admit I went to use a bullet, but my plan went wrong.

I thought you made a hash of things. You went about it like an amateur.

My information was at fault.

I was told that you went to bed dead drunk nearly every night and that you

were alone every weekend.

Usually I am.

I wish to climb through your window.

Shoot you and go.

But this morning I would have been back in France.

Nobody would have had a clue.

It's lucky for you those youngsters were still around.

Well, you've succeeded in getting Alan to leave, but not Henriette.

Do you want her to be in at the kill?

Henriette will not be there next time.

Tell me, exactly how do you propose to do it?

It will look like an accident.

Now you're talking.

I was CEO of a battalion that specialized in booby traps. I could

write a book about it. You did?

For the Germans?

As a matter of fact, I have it.

Giving all the secrets away.

Oh, yes, I know you're an expert killer and traitor in the disguise of a hero.

You know, Paul, there's nothing to stop me ringing the police, telling them that

I have a mad Frenchman in the house threatening to murder me.

In fact, I would do, if I thought you had the remotest chance of being

successful. But you would not.

Because my accusations would be investigated.

The evidence would be produced and then the world would know about you.

Henriette would know.

She would know that you, the kind, loving guardian, were really the

murderer, the betrayer of her parents.

And that you only took care of her to conceal your own guilt.

She would know that.

Even if you succeeded in escaping justice.

Damn.

Help yourself to a cigar.

Consider it a prize for your feat of marksmanship this morning.

No, thank you. You'll find them far better than fairground ones.

I don't know what your game is with Henriette, but as far as I'm concerned,

your accusations are pure bluff.

You want me to produce the evidence now?

I don't fall for that one.

You didn't come here to kill me. You came to blackmail me.

All this business of appointing yourself judge, jury and executioner is just an

elaborate charade.

What you want is money.

You want your price for whatever documents you've got.

So you admit that the evidence exists?

I admit nothing.

It's for you to make the admissions.

Your references to my wealth and your poverty are more loaded than the gun in

your pocket.

Don't underestimate me, Paul.

I have never done that. If you're hard-pressed for money, why don't you

come and ask me for some?

Instead of this stupid pose as a dedicated patriot bent on vengeance, I

would gladly have helped you.

Paxton, you can't buy me off.

The taxi will be here in five minutes.

I want you to be ready.

Are you giving me orders?

I'm not ordering you.

I'm asking you.

In fact, I'm begging you.

I don't think you should stay in this house a minute longer.

Whether I stay or go is my business.

But it's mine too.

I don't like the idea of you being in this house with a gun-heavy lunatic

running around.

I've spent the best part of my life in this house.

And I mean the best part.

Darling, what's he up to? Why is Paul here?

I'm pretty certain that whatever he's dragged up from Johnny's past isn't very

pleasant.

And I think you oughtn't to be around.

There's your taxi.

I think you'd better go.

Alan left in a hurry.

Why don't you go with him?

No, no, no, no, no.

Your stance is all wrong.

Down, down.

In line.

Like this, see?

I see.

I'm just going for a walk. Are you coming, Henriette?

No, thank you.

Paul is teaching me to play billiards.

I thought you weren't very good at games, Paul.

I'm not.

Henriette and I are just a couple of beginners together.

Now, where were we?

Hi.

I don't think you're such a beginner.

Aim for this red ball.

Strike the cue ball here.

Strike it gently but firmly. Don't prod it and don't dig it.

That's good.

Again. Try this one here.

Try and sink the red.

How's my stance?

That's beautiful.

You keep the cue in line with the body.

Let it ring.

I'd better answer it.

It might be important.

Hello?

Henriette?

I've missed my train.

When's the next one?

In 40 minutes.

It's Alan.

So I gathered.

I can't come up to town with you. We have a guest in the house.

Guest?

Look, Alan, we've been through all this. I can't help it if you don't approve of

it.

What?

I don't care if he is self-invited. He's still a guest.

Do as he asks. Go up to town with him.

Just a minute, Alan.

But why? We'd only quarrel.

Believe me, it's for the best. I'll explain why later.

Harriet?

Are you there?

At least go and see him.

Talk it over.

Paul, we have talked it over. It's no good.

Just a minute, Alan.

Please, darling, just go and see him.

I'll walk part of the way with you and explain why.

All right, Alan.

Wait there for me. I'll be down as soon as I can.

Mariette.

Mariette.

Where are you going?

To get my coat.

That's what you wanted, isn't it?

Darling. Don't darling me.

What sort of a fool do you take me for? Oh, yet I don't take you for a fool.

Please, you must listen to me. I wish I'd never seen you.

I certainly don't want to see you ever again.

You don't mean that.

I never meant anything more in my life.

Oh, I'm a beginner, all right. I only want you to be sure of yourself.

I'm only sure of one thing.

That I've made a complete fool of myself.

And made myself look cheap into the bargain. Oh, yet you must not say things

like that. Leave me alone.

It'll be Alan again.

Will you do as I ask?

Will you meet him and see me in London next week?

Yes, I will.

I'll answer the telephone.

What shall I tell him?

Tell him I'm on my way.

Hello?

Alan, this is Paul.

Sorry to hear about your train.

Henriette is on her way down to meet you.

All right. Thank you.

That's all right.

Goodbye and good luck.

Do you drive?

No, why?

Shall I order a taxi?

There's just time to walk.

I thought you were going to come part of the way with me.

It looks as though it's going to rain.

It doesn't matter. I'll take an umbrella.

There is going to be a storm.

I should have ordered a taxi.

The thunder's miles away.

I'll take a bus.

Oh, no, no, no.

Does Johnny usually leave the ignition keys in the cars? Yes, usually.

Do you think he would mind if I borrowed the car?

Well, Alan borrowed one last night.

That's good enough for me.

Down in there.

None there either.

Oh, come on, Paul. Let's walk. Wait.

It can't be.

It's old Daisy.

I haven't seen this bicycle for 20 years.

Did you know that she used to be with us in the days of the resistance?

It used to be a mobile transmitting station.

Yes, I've heard all about it. She could get you down in style.

Oh, for sure.

Why not? She's perfectly safe.

It's an honor to have a ride on old Daisy. Thanks for the honor, but I'd

rather walk.

And besides... Johnny wouldn't mind you borrowing one of the cars, but nobody

else is allowed to ride that bicycle.

Who'd have thought Johnny would be so sentimental about an old bike?

You should take better care of it.

The rear wheel has a slow puncture in it.

I'll do him a good turn.

I'll fix it for him when I get back. Oh, come on, Paul.

There's a gate past the pool. We can take the shortcut that way.

One minute.

Paul, why do you carry a gun?

That's a long story. I'll tell you sometime.

It frightens me.

Watch this.

Paul?

You can die for it next time you swim. Paul, what are you going to do?

There she goes.

Enjoying the music.

Oh, hello.

I hope you don't mind I hurt myself to one of your cigars.

You're quite right. They are better than the fairground ones.

Glad you like them.

You must have been for quite a long walk. You've been away hours.

I dropped in to see a friend.

Oh, your merry widow.

Henriette told me about her.

I'm a very tactful man. I got the impression you wanted to be alone with

Henriette. I'm very considerate of you.

Where is she now, by the way?

Gone.

I said she's gone.

Gone up to town with Alan.

Does that set your mind at rest?

I don't believe it.

You seem more intent on keeping her here with you.

I can assure you that they have gone up to London together.

You don't have to put the wrong interpretation on it.

Harriet has her own flat in town.

Thank you. I will remember that.

So, you and I are alone together for the rest of the weekend.

At last.

I've been apologizing to people in the district for the sound of pistol shots

this morning.

I told them who was responsible.

Did it take you all this time?

Well, you can tell them not to be alarmed. There will be no encore.

I threw the gun away into your swimming pool.

Why there? Is that a rubbish tip?

It was just one of those theatrical gestures I thought would impress.

Henriette told me it frightened her.

As we were passing the pool at the time, I threw it in.

She's a bit naive, that girl, isn't she?

She must be to imagine she's in love with you.

Oh, she told you that, did she?

But her parents must also have been naive to have trusted you.

Come to that, British military intelligence must also have been a bit

naive. Help yourself to a drink.

Thank you.

You know, Johnny, I'm beginning to like this place.

I'm glad it meets with your approval.

Mind you, I'm not saying that I wouldn't make a few changes.

It's a bit pseudo for me.

Most of the ideas are only heads, if that interests you. Oh, really?

That explains a lot. She's shortly joining a family of interior decorators.

Fine, fine.

But tell me, Johnny, she doesn't have to work for a living.

One day all this will be hers.

When you are dead, I mean.

If anything happened to me, Paul, everybody in the district would know who

was responsible.

I even dropped in on the local police inspector who was a friend of mine and

mentioned to him that he was staying here.

So, the great Colonel Paxton is scared after all.

I've never been scared in my life.

That's just about the most stupid boast I ever heard.

Anyway, there is no point you dropping my name with the local gendarmerie.

Your death is going to be accidental.

You'll have to be up very early in the morning. I know all the tricks.

I'm always up very early in the morning.

And I go to bed very late at night.

With a loaded gun, brave chap.

Oh, that.

I just carry that to impress young hostesses.

You'd be surprised at the success I've had with that little prop. It makes them

think one's one hell of a fellow.

It makes me think I'm more than a little mad.

Yes, but there is method in the madness.

Anyway, I'll get the gun in the morning, if you'll lend me some bathing trunks.

You'll find a pair in the linen cupboard upstairs.

I think I'll go out to the paddock.

Bring in Oriette's hunter, stable him for the night. Hunter?

A horse.

Cheval.

Not so funny about you, English.

Harriet was very upset because I shoot the squirrels and that you have taught

her to enjoy hunting a fox.

A revolting sport.

I'll make a deal with you.

How much do you want for that trumped-up evidence?

All the money in the world couldn't buy it.

Well, think it over.

I'm going to get that horse in.

Good evening, sir. Good evening. Why don't you come in?

What a nasty night.

You must be Mr. Lanson, is it? That's right, Paul Lanson.

Colonel Paxton told me he had a friend staying with him.

He's not in at the moment, I'm afraid. He went out on an errand of mercy to

rescue a horse from the storm.

But he should be back any time now.

In fact, he should have been back long before now.

I'm afraid there's been an accident, Mr. Lanson.

I hope, Johnny, Colonel Paxton was not involved.

He was. That's why I'm here. I thought I'd let you know.

He's not seriously hurt, is he? He's in the cottage hospital.

I'd better go and see him.

I don't know my way around these parts.

Would you give me a lift, please?

Certainly, sir, if you're ready.

I'll just get my coat.

What happened exactly?

Colonel Paxton was found unconscious in the roadway with his leg badly burned.

On the bicycle he was riding, close beside him, a twisted wreck.

It looks as if the bike was struck by lightning.

It's a miracle he's alive.

Thanks for coming along, Brenda.

As if I could have stayed away.

You gave me the fright of my life.

I'll have to stop riding bicycles.

That one's a complete write-off, anyway.

Now, you're sure there's nothing I can do for you up at the house?

Shouldn't I phone Henriette?

No, thank you, darling. There's only that mad Frenchman out there. He can

look after himself.

And I'd rather Henriette stayed in town with Alan.

All right.

See you tomorrow, then.

Mr. Lanson to see you. I was just going.

Good night, darling.

Not bad, eh?

What do you want?

I just come here to see you.

What happened?

They tell me the bicycle was struck by lightning.

No, it wasn't.

I fixed it.

How?

I repaired the slow puncture in the rear tire, and I used plastic gelatinite.

You know how easily that detonates?

You saw the tire was flat, so you pumped it up. That generates heat.

Then you start to cycle.

As the wheel revolves, the gel ignites between the outer cover and the inner

tube. It sets up a friction.

That generates more heat.

Then... That's very clever, eh?

Not clever enough.

You even bungled that.

No, no, I didn't.

If I had wanted to kill you, then I would have used more jelly.

But then it would have been established that it was not an accident.

I'm not even seriously hurt. I'll be out of here by tomorrow.

Why don't you tell your police inspector, pal, what I've just told you?

Then they will arrest me for attempted murder and I will tell the whole story.

You won't accept the challenge, will you? Get out of here.

All right, I'm going.

But I shall be waiting for you.

In the meantime, I'll look after the house.

I wouldn't leave that gun where it is, Vavio. I'll get it tomorrow.

You do that.

I'm sorry I said what I did about Johnny.

About him being jealous, I mean.

So damn tactless.

I didn't want to bring it up again, but... Is that what's wrong?

I think I ought to go home.

To the flat?

Home.

Whatever you think about Johnny, about his feelings for me, he brought me up.

He gave me everything I ever wanted. He never asked for anything from me.

I ought to be with him now.

You agree, then, that Paul is some sort of a threat to him? I don't know.

I've tried to get close to Paul to find out.

I thought you'd fallen head over heels for him.

Alan, I don't want to lie to you.

I'm frightened of him.

At the same time... What made you come back to town, then?

Awful atmosphere in that house.

Paul and Johnny.

I felt sick. I wanted to get away.

I wanted to explain things to you.

Oh, Alan, I know I'm being selfish, but I need your help.

Well, you'd better stay in town until Paul's gone.

No, I must go back.

It isn't safe.

Alan, I'd better go alone. We'd only fight.

I'll ring you tonight.

Goodbye, Mr Paxton. Goodbye, nurse. Take care of yourself.

Good

morning,

Millie. Mr Paxton, are you better?

Madam told me you'd had a bad accident.

Madam was spreading tales of alarm and despondency. All I did was to fall off a

bicycle. You're not badly hurt, then? Nothing at all. A few cuts and bruises.

You've just missed, madam.

Ah, that's a pity.

Did she say where she was going? She was driving up to your house, sir.

To my house?

Yes, sir. She said she was going to do any tidying up that was necessary, have

a swim in the pool, and then go and see you at the hospital.

Millie, will you please ring the station taxi?

Ask him to come here as quickly as possible. I want him to take me out of

my house.

Of course, sir.

Is he coming?

There was no reply, sir. He must be collecting someone off the London train.

Millie, you know my telephone number, don't you? Of course, sir. Do you want

me to ring Madam?

Yes. Tell her on no account is she to go into the swimming pool.

Not to go into the pool, sir. Under no circumstances.

Tell her... Tell her the wind blew down some electric cables last night and it

might be dangerous if they're trailing in the water.

Oh, God.

I'll ring right away.

And keep ringing until she answers.

Tell her I'm on my way over.

Poor Johnny. He looked so pathetic lying there in that hospital bed.

He had a very narrow escape.

He was very lucky.

You understand French?

Enough to get by. I only read the fashion columns.

I make my own clothes.

Ah.

And Johnny, he has the eye. He appreciates what he sees? As much as

you'd expect from a retired British colonel.

Now your stance isn't so good. You pay for that.

I say you'll pay for that!

Are you kidding?