Original subtitles

Oh my god.

Always a minute slow.

You can't trust these electric clocks.

Never mind, Father.

You're still 28 minutes ahead of the rest of the staff.

No doubt.

Except one.

Huh? You know, when I came home last month, I should have taken another job.

Working for my father means that I'm the only secretary that comes in here at the

crack of dawn.

The early bird, Shirley, the early bird.

How do you think I came to run my own business at 30, eh? Well, now you've got

a high-powered partner, let him make you a fortune.

You can afford to relax.

I only wish I could, my girl.

I only wish I could. Oh, excuse me, sir. I forgot to tell you. There's a Mr.

Tilsley from the Richmond Chemical Company upstairs.

At this hour?

He said he didn't have an appointment, sir, but there's some urgent business to

discuss with you and Mr. Logan.

I see.

He said you'd understand, sir.

Of course, sir. Is he in reception?

Yes, sir. Do you want me to tell him you're here, sir? No, no, no. Don't do

that. I'll see him after my partner arrives.

Very good, sir. I call the lift back later.

Oh, no, don't bother. Don't get out.

Thank you.

Mind you, don't kick the bucket.

No, I'm not ready for that yet. Oh, sure you're not, Mr. Carson. You're in the

pink, eh?

In the pink, in the red. Oh, you say that too, yes?

No, that's something entirely different. But your English is improving.

Oh, maybe, but oh, I wish it was better. Monday I have to make a speech.

Oh? Yeah, my daughter Valentina, she's getting married, so her mother has to do

the speaking.

You must be very proud of her. Oh, yes, and he's a nice boy.

Hungarian? No, no, English, but we're having a real Hungarian wedding.

I just wish her father was alive to see it.

I hope it's a great success. Thank you.

Mr.

Curzon, you forgot this.

Oh, thank you.

Good morning, Mr. Curzon. Good morning.

Hold it, Mrs. Jenko.

In a funny mood today?

Yeah, he does not laugh once.

Smiling, I mean.

You're right.

Dragging his chin along the corridor like it was Monday morning instead of

Friday. Here, what have you been saying to him, Mrs. Tinker? Oh, nothing.

I am telling him about my daughter's wedding, but he's not really listening,

I think.

There's something worrying him, maybe. Do you think?

There's something in the window, right?

I bet the answer's in here.

In that book?

Ah, stock figures.

If you saw them, you'd get an idea what the trouble is. Oh, I wouldn't

understand. They took me a long time even to count in English.

The head is not what I have got for business.

Thank you, Mr. Hargreaves.

You'll have to handle Curzon with kid gloves today.

It gives me a pain. The moment there's a draft, he starts flapping. I can feel

the draft blowing myself, even with this mink coat on.

Don't worry.

I told you, I'm going to warm things up.

Curzon may not listen to you.

He'll have to.

We're still his partners, whether he likes it or not.

I suppose you'll say you were only dusting. I was just... Don't try and

fool me. How many times have I given the order that nobody is to touch those

preparations? I'm sorry.

I see you've had the good grace to clean the bowl.

Listen, Mrs. Chekhov, or whatever your name is, one more performance out of you

like this, and I'll call my husband, and out you go.

Understand? Yes, Mrs. Logan.

Oh, it's nothing.

You've been crying. Oh, no, no, just some trouble with Mrs. Logan.

Why did you... Oh, you've been using Venetia make-up. Yeah, I'm silly.

Well, don't let it worry you. Oh, thank you.

Oh, Shirley.

Yes, Mrs. Logan?

You'll save me a trip upstairs.

Do something for me, will you?

Oh, certainly.

Mamming's due for a clean.

I've arranged with the furriers to send a man over first thing this morning. See

that he gets it, will you?

It's a gorgeous coat.

New bet. Seven thousand pounds' worth. Be sure you get her a seat, huh? Don't

worry.

Well, maybe she has fine feathers, but that does not mean she is making good

burnt. Oh, forget it.

Here, have a cup of tea. Oh, no thanks.

You know I never drink tea.

Only my own kind of coffee.

She's threatening the sack.

The sack for a little thing like that.

I'm telling you, this place is giving me the creeps. Things are a darn sight

better off when Ben Curzon ran the place himself.

Old-fashioned, maybe, but solid.

Now, the place is rocky. So is Curzon, by the looks of things. How did the

Logans become his partners?

Logan was the big ideas man. His wife was a beauty expert.

Oh, so Mr. Curzon took them into the business?

Yes, and got taken in himself.

You mean they had the wrong ideas?

Oh, it didn't seem like that at first.

Logan talked Curzon into building this new factory, pushed up production,

brought in a dozen new lines.

Every one of them a flop.

If you ask me, it wasn't the business he was really out to boost.

No? No, he was boosting his own pocket.

Feathers for the nest.

Fine car, mint coat, live in a penthouse.

And the joke of it is, old Curzon lives in the same block in an ordinary flat.

Yeah, I have heard.

Well, look at this. Where am I going to put it?

You can't even give this stuff away nowadays.

Bye-bye.

Believe me, our sales figures are improving all the time.

Now, I don't need to tell you, Mr. Tilsley, that new markets aren't

captured overnight.

But for some time now, we've been trying out several new preparations just to see

how the women take to them.

And I can assure you the response has been most encouraging.

Now, we can anticipate record sales.

You make it sound very rosy, Logan.

The future's even rosier.

What's your version, Ben?

My partner's substantially correct in what he says.

So you want me to hold off for a bit, eh? We'd be grateful.

Say for two months.

After that, we pay your bills in full.

Due to your rising turnover?

Just as I said.

All right, then, how do you explain this?

Your chemical supply figures are the lowest they've ever been.

We aren't taking stuff from any other company, if that's what you mean.

All right.

Richmond Chemicals are still your sole supplier, but we don't supply any more.

Yet you say business is expanding, trades on the upgrade.

What are you selling?

Empty bottles? Hold on there, Chelsley. I think I can clear up that point for

you. I'd be obliged.

I told you, we've been experimenting with new lines.

We let production on all the old preparations slacken off, so we haven't

needed supplies in our usual bulk.

Obviously. But now, thanks to our new products, we've really got the women

hooked. Oh, that's good news. Sure. And we're going to need more chemicals than

ever. As a matter of fact, Ben and I were just working out a big new order.

Going to dump it right in your lap.

There's an old saying, if you can't pay the grocer's bill, ring him up and place

hefty order.

I don't think I like that remark.

Richmond Chemicals doesn't like being kept waiting this long for its money.

Naturally, we're sorry, but... I'm sorry, Ben.

You and I have done business for a long time, and I hoped it wouldn't come to

this, but the facts have got to be faced.

You are in the red with us far more than we can allow.

We've got to have a settlement.

You will offer. I assure you you will.

Well, today's Friday.

I'll give you the weekend, but I must have your proposals by Monday.

Monday? Couldn't you give us longer?

Sorry, Ben.

You'll be sorrier still if we start looking elsewhere for our chemicals.

That's my decision.

A concrete move by Monday, or I shall have to take steps to recover what you

owe.

Not too much.

For summer makeup, the color should be less pronounced.

Lower, much lower.

Remember, madam may want to wear a bankless evening dress.

Good. Now you're getting the hang of it.

Upwards. Always upwards when you apply cream to the cheekbones.

Careful around the eyes. Remember that the body's most delicate tissues are

around the eyes.

Good. Make sure you soothe.

Venetia builds morale.

Excuse me.

Hey, the Tilsi was here. What happened?

Plenty. He's given us till Monday. Monday?

Mm-hmm. He means business.

He's guest about our sales.

He's been held at arm's length for so long, I'm not surprised.

Yeah. It's time we made a move.

I need your help upstairs.

To work on Carson? Mm-hmm. It isn't going to be easy.

You'll have to see it our way.

Come on.

Oh, Mrs. Logan.

That man hasn't come for your coach yet.

Ring them up.

I'll do it straight after the meeting.

We won't be needing you, Shirley.

I said we won't be needing you.

Must you talk to my daughter like that?

You want her to know the spot we're in?

Sooner or later, she and everyone else will have to know.

Let's get on with the business, shall we?

I wish you hadn't lied to Tilsley. All that hoodwinking about our sales when

you know we're practically aground.

Mitch had to throw up a smoke screen.

What else was I supposed to do?

All right, we have a few days' grace.

But we've only just got enough money to pay 220 employees next week. Never mind

settle Tilsley's account.

We've got to do something.

You're so right.

You know, Logan, you must be something of a hypnotist.

I've known for a long time that you've been leading us along the path to ruin.

We've been holding hands all the way. Don't forget that.

Yes, I'm also responsible.

Chiefly because I didn't do something about getting you and your wife out long

ago. I wanted to move with the times, that's why I brought you in.

You were going to be a shot in the arm for Venetia.

You've been poisoned.

You even got me to fake the books because you persuaded me we could put

the situation right in time.

Well, it hasn't come out right.

Now it's too late.

Not so fast.

All is not lost.

Not yet.

What do you mean?

I expected Richmond Chemicals to put the pressure on.

As far as we're concerned, that's a signal for action.

There's someone I want you to meet.

Another supplier?

What's the point?

We don't need supplies. We need sales.

He doesn't deal in either.

He specializes in helping people.

People with business problems.

This is your client, Mr. Curzon.

This is the gentleman I was telling you about. How do you do, sir? I hope you

like my work, Mr. Curzon.

What's this?

Don't you recognize it?

Where did he get these blueprints?

I gave them to him. What for?

I told you.

He helps people with business problems.

I know it's not the right furniture, but it's cute, isn't it? As soon as I

finished, I went out and bought some of the toy shop along the street.

I always like to think my models are complete.

You know I take a pride in my work, Logan.

Sure you do.

What's the idea of the model? What's going on? I told you, Kaiser's a

planner. That's why I built the model.

I always like to think that my clients have confidence when I arrange things.

Arrange things? I think I can demonstrate to you that my project will

be successful.

That's what we want to hear. Go ahead.

Right. Well, now, I enter through the goods entrance here with your passkey.

Then I go along this corridor into the stock room.

And I make my arrangements here.

And at the appointed time, watch.

I couldn't go through with it.

Mad. And you want to employ a madman.

Kaiser takes a pleasure in his work. Why not?

He's a genius at it.

But we couldn't just pack up one night and go home and wait for the factory to

burn. There won't be any way of telling how the fire started.

No, it's unthinkable.

We'll just try thinking about the insurance money.

A quarter of a million.

That should help.

Yes. And if we're caught, we go to prison. We won't be caught.

In any case, what do you think is going to happen if Venetia fills up and they

examine our books?

We'll go to prison just the same. Yes, for fraud, but nothing as terrible as

arson. What difference does it make?

Look.

No one is going to get hurt.

The insurance company comes through with the money, and instead of going out of

business with a load of debt, we go out with everything paid.

Plus something in the bank.

You make it all sound so easy.

It is.

How you can keep so cool and talk about a fire in the same breath, I don't know.

The books have been cooked before.

They can be cooked again.

You can send Kaiser back to his asylum or wherever he came from.

We're going to raise money, not a fire.

Father, I've just finished drinking.

Were you all right?

Yes.

Well, you don't look it.

A little tired, perhaps.

Time to go home.

You coming?

I've got a hairdresser's appointment.

I should be back about seven.

You go along home and put your feet up.

See you later, then.

Father, I can easily cancel that hairdresser's appointment.

No, I'll be perfectly all right.

Get me marshmallow first.

Hello? Marshmallow first.

I'm calling for Mrs. Logan, Venetia Beauty Products.

No one turned up for the coat.

All right, I see.

Well, will you make sure that he comes first thing on Monday morning?

Thank you.

Goodbye.

I'm almost ready. I'll be with you in a minute, dear.

You know, Logan, if it wasn't for that little favor you want me to do, I'd

never suspect you had money troubles.

Listen, you took your time getting here.

There's plenty of time.

Did you talk old Curzon round? Sure, sure.

This is the key to the goods door.

Now, remember, the night watchman finishes his round, gets to the

gatehouse at 8.30. Now, you make sure he's back there before you move in,

right? I can do the job in a half hour. Fine.

On Sundays, he doesn't make another round until 11.

Say, listen, I'd like to offer you a drink, but I have some people coming in.

You better get going. Aren't you going to ask to see my little invention?

I'm only concerned it works.

It works all right, I can assure you that.

Best time gadget I ever made. Oh, to have it patented. What is it, plastic?

It's a beauty.

When this blows, it goes.

You won't leave a trace.

Better not.

Okay, get going.

That's what happens.

Two more guests to come, and then we eat.

Oh, cheer up, Daddy. This is a party.

It's a little hot. I think I'll get some air.

I've decided to handle Tillsley alone tomorrow morning. Oh, you have?

He's an old friend. I think I can make him see reason.

Great, great. You think you can?

Yes. And let's have no more talk like we had on Friday.

Have you seen Kaiser again? Oh, yes. On this afternoon.

I hope you'll send him about his business.

Oh, I did.

I did.

That is finished.

Mama, it's wonderful.

Now you put the veil on. I can't get over the dress. It's so beautiful.

Ah, you got the looks to go with it, Valentina.

I had the looks when I wore it 30 years ago.

All those years I keep the dress for my daughter.

I could not bear to leave it behind in Budapest. So I bring it, and tomorrow

you wear it at your wedding.

Dick? The dress?

Oh, it's a dream.

All right, give me ten minutes and I'll be ready.

No, you can't see the dress. You know that.

Bye, darling.

I do not understand.

Your father and me, we do not... see each other for two whole days until we

meet in the church.

Night before, like usual, you young people make dates.

Oh, that reminds me, I got a date myself.

Yeah. At the factory.

Tonight? Yeah, I do the cleaning tonight instead of in the morning. I don't clean

anywhere on your wedding day.

Oh, surely you can skip it for once. Now listen to me.

You're getting married. You know what it means to stick to a bargain.

What happens if you're sick?

Suppose you're sick. I never felt better. Now don't say any more.

I am into that factory and back again before you get home. And don't be late.

All right, Mama.

Hello? This is Kaiser.

Yeah? I've just left.

The fireworks will begin at ten to ten.

Great. Did you fix that gadget of yours all right?

With great care.

Where are you now?

In a phone booth just over from a factory.

Now listen, you be careful. You were caught once before drooling over a fire,

remember?

Don't worry.

Oh, I'll be watching.

Okay,

see you.

Okay, everybody, make yourselves comfortable. I've got a sauce and

brandy. Was that Kaiser who phoned? Uh-huh. You can start counting down.

Till when?

Ten to ten.

Pauline, darling, the food was out of this world.

And so is this view.

How wonderful.

Your father and I live five floors below, looking into the gloomiest

courtyard. Why don't you try the outlook from the terrace?

We will.

Oh, it's a bit cold.

Grantley, darling, fetch me my wrap, will you? I knew I'd forgotten to tell

you something, Mrs. Logan. Your mink coat. The folio didn't come.

It didn't? No, but they'll send someone along tomorrow morning. Well, the coat's

quite safe. I locked it up in my office cupboard.

My mink, Mitch. What about it? It's still in the factory.

Oh, no.

Ah, what the hell. It's insured with all the rest of the bonfire.

No, it's not insured.

What?

I got a renewal notice last week, but I forgot to send the check.

Oh, that's great.

I knew the furriers would cover it if they cleaned it.

7,000 pounds, not a penny back. You should have been more careful.

Can't you get Kaiser to go back and get it?

No, he's out of touch.

I wonder if I could make it.

You mean go to the factory yourself?

Well, it's either that or let it burn.

No, it's too risky. But listen, some people rob a bank for less. I can't sit

back and watch all that money go up in smoke.

But if you leave the party now, it'll be noticed.

Maybe not.

I have an idea.

So I found this place you can hire old movies.

How about one of those crazy old comedies? You'd like to see one? Oh, I'm

all for green cinemas. I love the old comedies.

You must excuse Mitch. It's his idea of an after-dinner treat.

Why not?

Splendid idea. So good for the digestion.

He fitted up our walk-in wardrobe, and now I don't know whether it's a wardrobe

or a projection.

When you see this one, it'll kill you.

Wonderful.

Are you sure you can make it?

This movie runs 40 minutes.

There's just time enough for me to get to the factory and back.

But it's risky, supposing that fire bomb went off ahead of schedule. It won't.

Now you go ahead and put our guests in the dark, huh?

Let's hope we can keep them that way.

Thank you.

than these here beauty products.

Mrs. Tinker?

No, not yet. Reckon she's still at it.

Who?

All right, I'll tell her when she comes out.

That's all there is. I hope you liked it.

Hello.

Yes?

Say that again.

Okay, we'll be there as soon as we can.

What is it?

There's a fire at the factory.

It can't be.

It's ablaze from end to end.

We're not gonna be able to save much of all this.

I'm afraid it looks like the end of Venetia.

It's too terrible.

What was that?

Number four, go to the ground floor at the opposite end of the building.

Keep your jet low.

I want that turntable in the center.

Do you hear me?

Keep your jet low.

The light watchman.

How is he?

He's coming around. He'll be all right.

I'm Bryce, South England Insurance.

Ah, yes.

Where did you find him? In the entrance hall.

He must have tried to get into the factory after he gave the alarm.

A glass of water.

Venetia. That was my wife's name. I named the factory after her.

She always used to say, I'm the most unbeautiful woman in the world, and yet

you've made my name spell beauty to thousands of people.

She's dead.

Now, Venetia's practically gone, too.

But there'll be a new factory, Daddy.

No.

No, there won't.

Have you any idea how the fire started, sir?

Hmm? Oh.

No, they say it began in the stockroom. The stockroom? Mm-hmm.

Complete disaster.

Thank heaven there was nobody on the premises when it happened.

Please, let me through.

You've got to tell me.

My mother, where is she? She was in the factory.

Well, there was no one there. Only the night watchman, and they pulled him out.

My mother was working.

Mrs. Chenko.

Yes, she was cleaning.

She came to do the job tonight instead of tomorrow.

My mother.

Did you see Mrs. Chenko?

Mrs. Chenko?

She left.

Say she left.

Listen, was the woman there when the fire started?

Yes, I think so.

I tried to get in, but the smoke.

Smoke.

Someone help me make the coffee, Shirley. All right.

You went ahead and did it.

It was the only way.

It backfired.

That woman burned to death.

That was an accident.

An accident, you call it?

You mean murder. How was I to know she was in the factory?

Anyhow, she's played right into our hands. Yes, and their soil was something

far worse than a fire.

Listen, they'll find her responsible.

If... We leave things as they are.

What do you intend to do?

Go to the police?

I haven't made up my mind yet.

Well, let me make it up for you.

Think about your daughter.

Surely I am thinking about her. Are you?

Are you going to be much use to her in prison?

Now listen, what does it all matter?

The Hungarian woman's dead now.

They'll say she started the fire.

She was smoking, making tea.

Anyhow, she was down there.

And she'll get the blame if you keep quiet.

This is the starting point, all right, Inspector?

Yeah, and it didn't take long to get a grip. Not with this sort of stuff

around, it wouldn't.

Price is right.

The full stock of beauty preparations, too. They were all inflammable.

Made a close search.

If you mean, could the fire have been started deliberately?

There's no trace of arson.

It must have been caused by the cleaning woman. She was on the premises.

And in the stockroom.

Her body was found here? It was.

Well, suppose she had caused the fire. She couldn't control it. Wouldn't she

have got out?

I thought you'd raise that.

Now, here's my reading.

The gas ring was here.

It's near those drums.

Now, the gas was turned off, but possibly she boiled a kettle for tea.

She lit the gas with a match that wasn't properly extinguished afterwards.

And it fell on some slow-burning material here. Or it could have been a

cigarette she was lighting. At any rate, the match set fire to something, or it

made it smolder.

Gradually, it reached the alcohol.

And boom.

Then that watchman heard an explosion.

Which probably killed Mrs. Chenko instantly.

After that... You'll let my company have a full report?

Of course.

He's burning himself with zeal.

Oh, he's young.

The new ones are all like that, sniffing about for clues, filling their nostrils

with smoke, till they find out that 99% of fires are accident.

A factory burned to the ground and 220 people out of a job.

Well, because some cleaning woman was careless.

She paid for her carelessness.

Oh, don't think I don't have any feelings about that.

But you know what I mean.

Your partner was in quite a state. How's he now?

Cousin?

He's an old man.

He'll be all right.

I've just been talking to the police and the fire people.

What do they say?

They confirm the blaze began here in the stock room.

Any idea how?

No one can be certain about that. An unspent match seems the likeliest

reason.

Gets you, doesn't it?

One small match wipes out a whole factory.

Good. When did this happen?

Last night, sir. Didn't you know? No.

Oh, keep the change.

Mr. Kersnere?

No, sir. Mr. Logan.

He's in there somewhere.

All right. I'll find him.

Imagine you're used to these postmortems, huh? I'm getting to be.

Pretty futile, though, aren't they?

Not for us. If we're not satisfied, we don't pay you.

Oh, there you are, Logan.

Oh, in the name of this... Ah, Mr. Chelsea, this is Bryce, Southern England

Insurance. What a disaster.

Yes, yes, you can say that again.

Well, look, I'm sorry to appear at a time like this, but as you know, our

business is rather important. Oh, yes, yes, we have things to discuss, haven't

we? But I'm not here. Couldn't it wait?

No, I'm afraid it can't. I mean, this fire makes it all the more serious.

All right, well, let's go somewhere else and talk, shall we?

Very well.

Excuse us.

Your question, Mr. Bryce, is unethical. Is it?

Business matters between Venetia and ourselves are entirely confidential.

I understand. However, the thought did occur to me when you happened to turn up

at the scene of the fire. I'm sorry, Mr. Bryce.

If you want to find something out about another firm, you'll have to do it for

yourself. That's precisely what I'm trying to do.

Well, there was an urgent problem between Venetia and ourselves, but I'm

happy to say that the solution to that problem is now in sight. You mean when

the fire insurance is paid?

I'm sorry I can't help you.

When your company rang me up this morning, I naturally assumed that you

wanted to talk about our insurance.

Oh, yes, the Richmond chemicals policy.

Yes, well, it's fully paid up.

I see you were seeking a reduction in the premium.

Naturally, and I hope we're going to get it.

Your cooperation in this matter would no doubt help.

Oh, I see.

It's a form of blackmail, is it?

A little pressure.

Very well.

Venetia owed us for six months' supplies, which they were unable to pay.

I see.

It seemed a little strange to us because their sales, according to Logan, were

hitting a new peak.

Were they?

What do you mean by that?

The basement was bulging with stock.

This is the second day you've been down here. I can't help it, Shirley. It's

like a grave. I get drawn to it. You mustn't.

It is a grave. It's where that poor woman died.

Her daughter got married yesterday.

Did she?

It was in the paper.

Is there anything more about the fire?

No.

You must try and put this out of your mind.

I want you to do something for me, Shirley.

What? I want you to give this cheque to Valentina Tchenko.

2,000 pounds?

It's from my personal account.

That's very little for a life. All the money in the world won't make

restitution. You mustn't get upset about it.

Anyone would think that you were personally responsible.

I've been responsible for a lot of things, but I'm going to put them right.

You rang, Mr. Price? Ah, Thelma. Never mind your notebook. I want to ask you a

few personal questions.

What about?

It's about your makeup.

My makeup? Yes. What kind do you use?

Why? Never mind. Just tell me.

Outer of Rome, mostly.

How about Venetia?

Don't like it.

Don't you? I thought it was a very popular brand with women.

What? I never buy it, neither do my friends.

Oh, my mother still uses their cold cream.

She's about the only person I know.

How about the big stores, cosmetic counters? Do they sell it?

Some might, but it's mostly the sort of makeup you'd find in small chemists.

I see.

Thank you, Thelma.

Anything else you'd like to know about my makeup?

No, thanks. You've told me plenty.

Please, thank your father.

He asked me to tell you that he doesn't blame your mother for what happened.

Everyone else does.

You do, don't you, Mr. Bryce?

I haven't said that. I was simply going to ask a few questions.

Questions, questions.

What good will they do?

Just one more.

Did your mother smoke?

Yes, but only a little. Only at home with her coffee.

Could she have been smoking at the factory?

She might, but I don't think so.

That's her lighter. She didn't take it with her. So how did she light a

cigarette? There was a gas ring in the stockroom.

This should never have been allowed. It seems she either lit a cigarette or lit

the ring to make tea.

Anyway, the fire started there.

Can I tell you something?

My mother never drank tea.

Only her own coffee here in this house.

Sorry if I butted in at the wrong time. I didn't know you'd be there. That's all

right. I'm glad you're right.

It was quite an ordeal, wasn't it?

2000. That was very generous of your father. He's got a heart of gold.

All this has been rather a shock for him.

How long have you worked at the factory?

Oh, about a month. Ever since I came back from the continent.

Then you don't know the Logans very well.

No. What I do know, I don't like very much.

But that's beside the point.

You and your father were dining with them on Sunday evening.

Yes. They gave a dinner party.

It lasted all evening?

Yes, until the fire.

What are you getting at?

Nothing. Yes, you are. You question first my father, then the Logans of

Valentino, now me.

What's behind it?

My job's to look into fires.

Sometimes I see strange patterns.

What's that supposed to mean?

Are you suggesting that this fire wasn't accidental?

Now, wait a minute. Let me get this straight.

You wrote a cheque?

Yes. To the cleaning woman's daughter?

Yes. For 2,000 pounds?

Correct. You must be crazy.

Do you realize what you've done?

The ashes are hardly cold and you have to stir them up again.

Send a great shower of sparks in the air.

So the insurance boys and the police will come running. The money was from my

own account.

You think that matters?

You think they won't suspect it could be guilt money?

It is.

Now you listen to me.

You're in this up to your neck and the sooner you get used to it, the better.

And take that weight off your shoulders.

I'm the one that's had to do all the legwork, fixing Kaiser, facing everybody

ever since.

Red filter.

Oh, yes, those movies.

Here we are, four cans.

That's right, sir.

Thank you.

You mean coat.

Shirley said it was lost in the fire. She was upset because she'd left it. But

it's here.

You went back.

It's another mink. You're lying.

No one has two of these.

So I went back for the coat. So what?

On Sunday night.

That's impossible.

Mitch was at the... You didn't know the mink was still in the office until my

daughter told you at the party.

What does it matter when I went back?

Mrs. Jenko.

You must have seen her.

I had to do it.

She saw the setup.

She would have sounded the alarm, stopped the fire.

That settles it.

He's cracking up.

I'm sorry if I've peppered you with questions.

Let me buy you a drink to make amends.

I'd like one.

There's a pleasant little pub round the corner. One drink, no inquisition, then

I'll run you home. Lovely.

Hello?

Mr. Curzon.

Certainly right away. As a matter of fact, your daughter's with me at the

moment. I was just going to run her home.

I'll be right over.

What did he want?

He wants to talk to me urgently.

The Logans live here too, don't they?

Yes, that's right. At the penthouse on top.

What's the matter? I'm sorry, miss. You can't go in. But I live here.

I'm sorry. This has been an accident.

Your father's been found dead.

No.

No.

This is the second time within a few days that a death has occurred in which

the deceased has been connected with the unfortunate firm of Venetia Beauty

Products. It is my sorrowful duty to announce the verdict of this court.

That Bernard Julius Curzon took his own life while the balance of his mind...

Was disturbed.

I'm terribly sorry.

You didn't trust him, did you?

I've had time to work it all out.

You thought my father had something to do with the fire.

Not quite. I merely was... I have nothing more to say to you, Mr. Brice.

That's tough on that girl.

I still don't believe it was suicide.

His own gun. His prints.

Cousin had something to tell me about that fire, but he was snuffed out.

You think it was arson, don't you?

Yes, and murder.

Look, I don't like Logan any more than you do. But we haven't a thing on him.

Not a thing.

Now you can stay with us just as long as you like.

Thank you.

I couldn't have slept down in our flat after what happened.

You must try and forget about it now.

You must... Just take a holiday. You can afford it. That's right. All the

insurance money will come to you.

I didn't care about the money.

Drink this. There's an aspirin in it.

And try not to worry.

You'll feel differently in the morning.

Good night.

Good night.

What

are

you doing here?

It's been a few days since I heard from you, so I figured I'd stop by and remind

you about my bill.

Don't worry, you'll get paid.

I'd like to get back to the States.

You never know, someone may be impatient for my services.

It's a little boring in that hotel room.

I'm confused getting on my nerves, that factory.

You know, I'm like most people.

Once the job's done, I'll have to get started on something new.

A payer takes time on a deal like this. You should know that, Kaiser. You've

been through all this before.

It may be another two weeks before the insurance company come through with the

money. I'll settle right now for half of what you owe me. You can send the rest

on. I told you we're out of funds, Kaiser. You'll just have to wait.

You don't live like you're out of funds. All our assets are tied up in a factory.

Except a mink coat. How about that coat? That would cover half my feet.

Oh, no. Not my mink. Oh, I'd be content with half.

You're quite sure it was the same mink? Quite sure.

And then I saw my father's walking stick.

We can't go storming in on just that. We need more to go on. What did you say

this other chap's name was?

I heard Logan call him Kaiser.

I think there was something slightly mad about him.

It's what I think he is. You're probably right.

Did you say he was talking about a hotel with a view of the factory?

Yes. All right, we'll check the area.

Well, I'd better go now, otherwise they'll get suspicious.

You're not afraid?

No. Good. Be careful.

All right.

Did he say when he'd be back?

No, Inspector.

The model could mean only one thing.

I thought he was building it for a child. Did you see what it was?

Not really. Kept it covered up, said no one was to touch it.

Then one day I noticed it had gone.

Yes, so had the factory.

Yes, a very professional firebug.

Shirley Kersner was right. She brought us the goods.

I'll say. All wrapped up in mink.

How was your shopping?

Well, Oxford Street was a scrum. Feeling better this morning, huh? Yes, thank

you. Hello, Shirley. I just made coffee. Have some.

No, thank you. I think I'll go and lie down. I'm feeling rather tired.

From talking your head off? I thought I told you to stay at your hotel.

I had visitors and I didn't want to meet them. The police!

What? She tipped them off. About everything.

We haven't much time. Well, now.

Having taken care of your father, it seems I'll have to take care of you.

You did kill my father. He was getting nervous.

And Mrs. Chenko. The damage is damage. Never mind about her. Let's get out of

here.

All right, Logan.

Let her go.

You let us go, Inspector.

The three of us are walking out of here.

And you know what'll happen if you try to stop us.

All right, Logan. Drop it.

Please don't carry guns. Knowing your kind, I thought I'd bring one.

Thank you. Take him down.

Comes in handy sometimes.