Original subtitles

That's the way Nick liked them.

Blonde and plentiful.

Nick had most things a woman lost sleep about.

He was a natural and knew it. And liked it. And I guess he had a good time.

He was the sort of guy you couldn't be mad at for too long. No matter what he

said, nor what he did.

And brother, Nick did plenty.

Hi, Ben.

You won't be taking off just yet.

What's on the map?

Plenty.

You know, you can see the Channel Islands from here if you climb on a

stool.

You might make it tomorrow. I've just finished reading the weather reports.

You'll need more than a stool.

Read them again, Superman.

Is my aircraft ready? Nope. Engine's still cold.

It must be ready at seven.

What's the hurry?

No hurry. It's just schedule.

This is an airline we're running, not a fishing fleet that waits for the tide.

Listen, Nick.

There's a load coming up from the southwest that's going to ground even

the gulls. So be your age.

I've already phoned Spencer.

We'll phone him again.

As far as I can see, this is just a routine flight. You're taking your plane

back to the Guernsey sheds because that's where she belongs.

Am I missing anything?

Nothing. Then you fly her tomorrow.

She's not going to have pups during the night or anything.

Well, if she does, she'll have them on the Channel Islands.

Any foreign messages for Spencer?

Your plane has been grounded.

Whose orders? Mine.

So go jump in a solent.

Who are the wax tasers for? Anybody I know?

Alexia. Oh, yeah? From Spencer. He asked me to bring them across.

And do you think that's important?

Well, there you are.

Well, if you want to stop me, go right ahead.

You're duty, boy, and that's it.

But, uh, I wouldn't.

That doesn't sound very friendly.

You can stop me flying tonight. I can stop you flying permanently.

Right?

You're doing all the talking. Go right ahead.

Do I need to?

All right, so you're the one guy in the outfit that knows I black out every now

and then.

You're just the kind of heel that would use that.

Why didn't I know about you before?

Every time you take up a kite, you're endangering life. Someone ought to tell

you. It's my life.

I only carry freight. Spencer likes his freight in one piece.

Do I fly or don't I? You bet you do.

You can fly right straight to... Only to the Channel Islands.

I'll give your love and kisses to Spencer.

Give me Guernsey 320.

Control.

Oh,

for Pete's sake, put that through the booking.

Hello, Spencer.

It's Van Ness.

Talbot's on his way to you.

I thought you said he wasn't coming.

Well, that was my mistake.

He'll be with you in half an hour.

I hope.

Spencer Airline calling Talbot.

Spencer Airline calling Talbot.

Flight three.

Spencer Airline calling Talbot.

Flight three.

Are you receiving me?

Come in, please.

The look?

Not a peep.

Can you see the report?

Yes, he saw him till he was sick.

Sorry I spoke.

Forget it.

Spencer Airline.

Here. Yeah, he's here.

Spencer.

Hello, Spencer. Vanessa.

Talk was 80 minutes overdue.

I know that. I've been trying to reach him for the last hour.

What's it like over there?

100-foot ceiling and a rising gale.

Have you tried to alter the airport?

He hasn't logged in there.

Jersey? No.

Shareport? Nothing's come through.

He may have turned back.

I've never known him to do that.

All right. Keep trying.

We'll do all we can this end. Thanks.

Why did you turn in? You've been on duty all day.

Heard the radio again.

Somewhere down there, they'd started to search for Nick, but it wasn't any good,

and I'd known that the moment he took off.

When he walked out with that cellophane box of orchids under his arm, it was

just like he was taking them to his own funeral.

And there was Avril.

I'd promised to look after that crazy brother of hers, and she thought I could

do it.

And there was something else.

Some things are hard to put into words. It's hard to tell a girl you love her

and can't marry her.

She deserves some kind of reason.

And the one I've got wouldn't make sense.

No use telling her that one day I'll be hauled out of the drink or scraped out

of somebody's backyard because it won't back out too many.

Oh, Mr. Van Ness, Mr. Spencer wants you in his office.

Okay.

Good morning.

You think so?

Hi. Want a drink?

No thanks, Alexia. Sit down, Vanessa.

Alexia tells me you and Talbot were friends.

That's right.

Did he ever talk much about himself?

Not much. Why do you keep putting him in the past tense?

Because that looks like where he is.

There's a square search on and a few boats out.

Just a formality.

What happened exactly?

He didn't seem to want to hang around. He had some orchids to deliver,

remember? Did he read the weather?

He did. He thought he could beat it.

You were on duty. Why didn't you stop him?

Nick is a good flyer. He was at his own risk.

What about my risk?

I'm sorry about your play.

That was nice.

The plane's my loss. Told it's yours.

You'll cut up about it all, but I'm not.

Go away and get over it. Is that all?

That's all.

If you're going to the hotel, I'll give you a ride.

So long, Boyd.

I've never taken you for a ride, have I, then?

Still time.

Friend of yours? We play golf together.

Hello, Jerry.

Hello.

Thanks for the lift.

Oh, Lexia, this is Jerry Maxwell.

Hello, how do you do?

Maybe the kid will get back and come up and we'll celebrate.

If he doesn't, there's still nothing to stop you.

Back to girl.

Yeah, if you like that type.

Is she referring to Talbot?

Yes, she was.

Any news?

Nothing yet.

Morning.

Morning,

Mr. Vaness. Hello, Ann.

Here's your keys, sir. Thank you. Is Miss Talbot in? Yes, sir. She asked if

you'd arrived.

I'll go right on up. If any phone calls come through for me, will you switch

them to her apartment, please?

Darling? Hello, Van.

Hello, sweetie.

I'm making some coffee. Would you like some?

I'd love some.

I'm glad you're back.

Glad to see you.

I don't suppose you've had any news?

Not yet. They're still searching.

Do you think there's a chance?

Oh, there's always a chance.

But in weather like that... Darling, I made you a promise once about Nick.

I'm not going to ball.

Go ahead.

Get it out of your system.

You haven't had much sleep, have you, Van?

No. Don't need much.

You should.

It'll be good for those headaches.

Drink your coffee.

Van, they told me you were here. Hello, Mr. Howard. It's nice to see you.

Are you staying long this time?

Well, I never know.

Have some coffee.

Oh, dear, I haven't time, thank you.

Well, why the long faces?

You're not worrying about Nick, are you?

I'm sorry, Pops. He's too good a flyer to be upset by a little weather.

After all, he went through the war.

We'll be hearing from him any time now, don't you agree, Van?

Well, that could be, yes, sir. Well, you must excuse me. I've got to get along.

Oh, Van.

Take my advice, never go into the hotel business.

There's no rest day or night.

You'll let us know when you hear from Nick, won't you?

You bet.

I'll never see him again.

Thank you.

It's a wonderful fellow.

Fern? Yeah.

You know my brother as well as anyone.

Is he what you'd call a good type?

Good?

Sure, why?

I've always thought so.

You know, Pops is so proud of Nick.

If anything has happened, that's all he has to live for.

Memories of Nick Talbot.

I'd like to make sure the memories stay the way he wants them.

What makes you think they will? I don't.

I just want to be sure.

I'm sure that people think the same way about him as Pops.

I don't want him hurt anymore.

He's had a lot to take in his life.

Well, you're doing a wonderful job. I think your father's a very, very lucky

man. What about you?

I ought to have my head exempt.

I'll get it.

Hello? This is he.

That's he.

Is it Nick?

When?

All right, thanks.

Darling, they have spotted some wreckage at Samaris Bay. They aren't certain yet,

but I'm going to drive out. It must be, Nick. I'm going with you. No.

It's better if I go by myself.

I will see you tonight.

Of course.

I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Don't worry.

I watched the salvage boys towing in that tail unit.

It looked very final and there seemed no argument.

Nick had taken a sock at the gale and it had sucked him back and broken his neck.

It was as simple as that.

And yet there were a lot of loose ends and ideas that jabbed at my brain and

fizzled out to the edge of nowhere.

Ideas I couldn't explain even to myself.

You know, Van, I didn't like you at first.

But you grow on me.

Stop talking like a Siamese twin and say what's on your mind.

I will.

Seen many of these?

If you don't want to take your eyes off the road, it's a dollar bill.

This is a very good dud, Vanessa.

It's the sort of dud that's been costing Britain quite a lot of money.

In the last two years, she's lost something like 10 million pounds.

Most of it across the channel.

I know.

How do you know?

I'm an airline pilot and a lot of money, both good and fake.

Goes by air.

Also gold.

All right, Vanessa, I may as well tell you.

You're suspect.

Is this interview official?

As good as.

If you're in the racket, I'm out to bust you.

If you're not, you can tell me about the air smuggling.

I said I was a pilot.

If I didn't see what goes on, I'd have my eyes shut, wouldn't I?

If you mean how much of the stuff I pass myself, the answer is none.

I'm afraid you'll have to wait until one of your scouts finds me making dollar

bills in the ladies' powder room.

Never mind that, I'll get it.

You going up?

Yes.

They might even find a couple of stink bombs in a catapult in my pocket. I'm a

heck of a fella.

So you don't want to explain?

I don't think so. Just a minute, Vaness.

Look, I'm in a jam.

Frankly, I don't know if you're in the game or not.

Wish I could help you to find out.

If you are, you realize I'm giving you a chance to get clear.

I reckon that's pretty decent.

Stop playing Santa Claus.

All right, if you're not in the racket, I'm wondering if you'd be as good to me

and put me on a scent.

How can I?

You say you know that smuggling's going on.

Don't you?

Everybody reads the newspapers.

So you won't give me a lead even if you can. That's right.

I fly airplanes and you chase smugglers. Why don't we just meet off duty and

leave by washing up in the sink?

No, you can't slip out like that. You're too involved.

In rackets this big, more things are involved than contraband. Meaning?

Are you satisfied Torbjorn's death was an accident?

What do you think it was?

You didn't answer his radio, did you?

That will all come out at the inquiry.

I'm asking you now.

No, he didn't.

It's odd that he didn't?

Yes.

You know that guy?

Yes, his name is Snell. I watched him playing cards last night. He's very

good. Parks a spare ace up his sleeve.

Why didn't Torben answer his radio?

If he was at the bottom of the sea, he couldn't very well answer anything,

could he?

Anything else?

Yes.

Boyd Spencer's on the list as well.

I've got nothing on him, not a thing.

I reckon his girlfriend would talk to the right man.

Why pick on me?

Because I've seen the way she looks at you.

Think it over.

Hello, Anne. Give me Miss Talbot, will you?

Yes. May I see you for a minute?

I can't now, darling.

Will it do later?

No, later's okay.

Why didn't you ask him in?

Would you like him to know you're blackmailing me?

Blackmail? It's an old-fashioned word, Miss Talbot. Well, what would you call

it?

It's business.

I'm selling, you're buying.

You're buying a little commodity known as silence.

Because it can be so embarrassing if I choose to break it.

Oh!

Give my condolences to your father.

Oh,

I was just looking for you. Anything

on? Nothing urgent.

Why don't you stick around for a day or two? Enjoy yourself.

Thanks, I'll do that.

By the way, the inquiry's booked for ten in the morning. Royal courts.

Sorry I couldn't get you out of it. Thanks.

Boyd, do you really think it was an accident?

What do you mean, Van?

Well, he wasn't a bad flyer. It was bad weather.

Have you any doubts?

Well, nothing concrete. I just think it takes more than bad weather to bring

Nick down.

He had a radio.

You said you couldn't get a spark out of him. Yeah, that's funny, too. Every time

I run into 8-8s, I start drumming the ether for help.

Did you check the table?

Well, the radio was signed on for. It's serviceable.

They do break down.

Something broke down.

Just a minute.

If they ask you at the inquiry, don't forget to say that the aircraft was

signed for as fully serviceable.

You know, an airline can sink overnight if there are any doubts left after an

inquiry.

Now, keep that in mind.

Come in.

Are you lost?

Or did you come to see me?

Just a nice, friendly visit.

How friendly?

So-so?

Drink?

No, thanks. I might be wanted.

You are wanted, darling.

Thanks. Smoke?

What happened to the Talbot girl?

Have you quarreled?

No. This little visit is partly business.

Only partly.

Now that's something.

Alexia, you know these islands like a book. You know who does what, who comes

and goes.

Oh, I get around.

I've kept my eyes open.

Why?

Well, I like to fly, but I'll never get rich doing it.

You're saying words, darling, but you're not making much sense.

I think I'm on to a good thing. I know a man who wants dollars.

Isn't there an exchange bureau on the island?

He wants better rates.

Why ask me?

Well, I could ask a lot of people.

But they don't have your figure.

Darling, this is so sudden for you.

To all pilots, especially those with strong, silent faces.

How many does your friend want?

He'll pay 1,000 sterling, and he'll want more later.

What's his name?

That's his little secret.

We've all got them, haven't we?

Do you want to know mine?

Honey, I can see it.

Can you help me?

Depends on the sort of health.

Alexia, you're a great little temptress.

I have to know about the dollars.

I'm seeing this friend of mine in 20 minutes.

He'll have to know whether he can get them or not.

20 minutes?

That doesn't give you much time, does it?

How about it?

You can have the dollars.

If you collect them personally.

When?

What's wrong with tomorrow night?

Boyd's flying to England in the morning.

Thanks for the drink.

You really keep yourself on ice, don't you, Van?

Do I?

Don't you ever melt?

Yes.

Sometimes. In the dark.

Well, that's fine.

Tomorrow at ten o'clock.

In the dark.

Don't go on worrying about Nick, darling.

I'm not worried about that snake I saw sliding into your room.

It's nothing.

Private?

Not that sort of private.

If it becomes necessary, I'll ask you to help me with something.

But don't ask me now, please.

Why so solemn?

Well, I suppose the answer to that is I don't really have the right to ask you

any time.

You've got every right. You know that.

You're sweet.

Hey, your hands are cold.

It's poor circulation.

Ever tried reading the home doctor's book? Oh, I used to when I was a child.

I knew all the rude words before anyone else in my class.

I'll bet you do.

A holy terror on wheels, huh?

What about you?

Well, don't go into that.

How's your father taking you?

You can't tell with him.

No.

Can we go?

Yes. Lewis.

Yes, sir.

Mail check, please. Yes, sir.

Keep, please, Sam.

Thanks. Oh, hello, you two.

Have you had a nice evening? Very.

I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you how sorry I am.

Thank you very much. Oh, Mr. Talbot, I've been looking for you all day.

You'll excuse me, won't you?

Your poor son.

I was so desperately sorry to hear the news.

Such a fine, upstanding young man.

Center of attraction whenever he entered the room.

Magnificent, quite magnificent.

It's a little difficult to know what to say in the circumstances, but you do

know what I feel, don't you?

And there was something else now. What was it? Oh, yes, my system.

It's making those dreadful, gurgling noises again.

I wonder if you could possibly... I'll see that it's fixed, Mrs. Clarence. Oh,

would you? Thank you so much.

Excuse me.

Well, chin up. Stop it. Chin up. Good night.

How about a drink? If you don't mind, I'll go to bed.

Are you going to the inquiry tomorrow, then?

Yes, sir, I am.

I suppose it's necessary.

But it seems a pity they have to drag these things out.

Nick would have hated it. Well, as you say, it's necessary.

He was a grand fellow.

One of the best, sir.

Come up, Ed. Good night, sir.

Your name's Snell, isn't it?

That's him.

What's your name?

Gorman. You boys seem to be a big help to each other.

I want to talk to you about Miss Tolbert.

Some other time.

Now will do.

Listen, I don't like your tone. In my room.

You'll find it very interesting.

Well, I haven't got long.

It's all right. It won't take long.

What is this hold you have on Miss Talbot?

You're going to be found crab-eating in the harbor in the morning. You think so?

One minute.

You want to know about Talbot?

Go ahead.

Well...

I'm

warning you, I'm liable to get tough.

Sit down.

Maybe this one will be lucky.

Now, what about Tobin?

I knew him in Paris.

When? Just after the war.

He's running a nice racket there.

What kind?

Demand and supply.

Of what?

If anything, he wouldn't like to try pushing through the customs.

He made a nice little pile for himself.

Go ahead.

I lost sight of him.

I met him in London two years later.

He needed a job.

Don't stop. You're doing fine.

I introduced him to Spencer.

What do you know about Spencer?

Nothing. What do you know about Spencer? I don't know, honest. I've done a few

small jobs for him, but they've all been on the street.

Maybe you're doing a little job for him now, huh?

Are you? As a matter of fact, I am. What?

Nothing.

Just wants me to deliver a kit of tools to Sherbrooke.

Where is it?

It's at the airport.

Good.

I'll collect it for you.

Now tell me about Miss Talbot.

What shall I tell you?

You figured her father shouldn't know about Nick.

Yeah.

Hello, sweetheart.

I just wanted to say good night.

Phil?

Yeah? Are you all right?

Sure, why?

No headaches.

No, no headaches.

What was that?

What? That noise.

I was just putting out a cigarette.

But I had a crash.

Well, you see, it was a very heavy cigarette. One of those Turkish blends.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Sam, C-Max will come in.

Not in the lobby.

No.

Okay.

You're squeezing her a little, eh?

How much?

No more if you could stand.

You're a bright boy, aren't you?

What about Spencer's racket?

I've told you, I don't know.

Think again.

Maybe he doesn't spot a licker running. I get a steady cut. I don't ask any

questions.

Suppose you're blackmailing him, too. I've got nothing on him, I tell you.

You're going to spend a little time here by yourself.

Don't talk to any strange men.

You were very sweet to call her.

Would you like to tell me what's going on?

Oh, now, what do you mean by that?

I don't know what it has to do with me or Nick or what it is.

Things are going on I just don't understand.

Something's happening to us.

If you could tell me about it, maybe we could straighten it out together.

Couldn't we?

Why don't we talk about this in the morning? Sometimes at night things get

all sort of twisted up.

Look, darling, if I told you that I might want to go away just to sort of

think things out for myself, would you understand me?

Is it that hard to talk about? Yes.

You mean you wouldn't be coming back?

Maybe.

Don't leave me.

Darling, you know I love you. I'll always love you no matter what happens.

You'll spoil your makeup.

Maybe I should have thought of that.

Good night, Johnny.

Oh, so you got my message.

I got it.

How'd you do with that little friend?

True.

Snell, I left him dressed up like a chicken.

What are you playing at, Vanessa?

When I came in, the room was like it is now.

Untidy. Well, I gave him a good working over and left him here.

I guess his little playmate picked him up.

What have you got there?

It's a toolkit.

Snell was taking it to Sherbrooke tomorrow for Spencer. I thought I'd

better look into it.

Did Snell talk about Colbert?

Yes, he did.

Better get after that guy. He's hot.

Hot? Carrying toolkits to Cherbourg?

I don't get it.

My guess is correct.

That's made of solid gold.

Gold? Are you kidding?

Well, leave it to Sherlock Holmes.

Spencer must be running a little sideline.

Well, so you were right about the man. Why don't you pick him up?

No, not yet.

Did you get any other kind of lead from Snow?

Such as what?

The crash?

I'm not sure yet.

Well, you did or you didn't. Which is it? I said I wasn't sure.

You know, Maxwell, the trouble with you and me is we don't trust each other.

Why'd you have me tailed to the airport?

I didn't know the tale. Somebody did.

Your guess is better than mine. He was on a motorbike.

You let him get away.

I said he was on a motorbike. The motorbike worked.

You're not doing so well.

Whatever your game is.

Hello, Sam. You off duty already?

Good evening, sir.

What a place, please.

I'm going out, sir?

No, I'm just going to put the car away.

I'll do it for you, sir. I'm going that way.

Thank you, Sam.

Wait, here are the keys.

Good night.

Good night, sir.

Come in.

Good morning, honey.

A very early good morning to you.

Have the police gone? Yes, they've just left.

Got a cup for me?

It's only hot milk.

Well, what's wrong with hot milk? I haven't slept a wink all night. Nor have

I.

Any news about Sam?

I called the hospital twice during the night.

I've just finished talking to them. He's going to pull through.

It was you they were trying to shoot, wasn't it?

I can see Sam for a couple of minutes, about six o'clock this evening.

Oh, and don't forget your appointment with Alexia.

Alexia? Yes, she phoned yesterday about your lighter. Says she's got it for you

when you call.

She's crazy. I have it in my pocket.

Maybe she isn't.

Maybe she's just a woman.

Yes. Oh, incidentally, your friend Snell has just been arrested.

Arrested? Yes, I don't know exactly on what charge, but I have an idea it has

something to do with smuggling.

What did he tell you?

Well, you can forget about him. He won't bother you anymore.

He can still talk.

Let him talk.

Can't do him any good.

Do you believe what he said about Nick? I told you, Nick was tops.

I don't think he ever did anything wrong in his life.

Nick wouldn't look at it in that way. He made his own rules.

Van, will you promise me something?

Sure.

What? Last night you talked about going away.

If you do, don't just disappear.

Tell me you're going, won't you?

I promise.

Well, that went off all right? Think so.

On the surface, anyway, no one said you could have done any more.

Are you ready?

No, thanks.

I can do with a drink myself.

So could you.

What do you drink? Scotch ale, please.

Two Scotch ales.

I'll get some.

Snell gave us the lowdown on Talbot.

Jerry, Nick's father thinks of him as a hero. I'd like for him to go on thinking

that.

That won't be easy.

Snell said you were mixed up in it, too.

Do you believe that?

It's worth thinking about.

If I were mixed up in it, why would they take pot shots at me?

Maybe they just don't love you anymore.

Nice record.

Thank you.

How do I look?

Magnificent.

I scarcely know what to say to such a gallant compliment.

If you don't, baby, nobody does.

You're very tough.

To Alexia, the items.

Some unknown reason, Apollo. You're just hating my inside.

Like to tell me what it is? Sure.

I just don't like leaving cigarette lighters behind, most especially when I

don't leave them.

When a woman scores a point, she likes to chalk it up.

Well, we'll leave it like that for now.

Meanwhile? Meanwhile, I know a man who still wants dollars.

What gave you the idea that I could help? You with Nick in Paris.

Did I say so?

No, but he did.

Did he tell you anything else?

Plenty. I hope he was a gentleman.

Well, he risked his life ferrying orchids for you, didn't he?

You mean he lost his life.

That handed me a quiet chuckle.

Nick Tolbert taking a dive, bringing orchids for another man's girl.

He can have the dollars.

He can have them any time he says.

Only just don't try and kid me about this other man.

Now, why would I do that?

Yes, why?

You don't have to.

So you and Nick were flying pretty high in Paris.

Nick always flew high.

You want the dollar?

You can always use dollars.

Very soon I'm packing up here.

Where are you going?

The Bahamas.

There's a big white casino there that needs you.

You wouldn't believe I was a sentimentalist, would you?

No, baby, I wouldn't. You're so wrong about me.

I hate people who drag out their photo albums.

But you can leave now if you can't take it. No.

That's it?

It's a nice place.

Yes.

My father built it before I went bankrupt.

Yes, me, when I was 16.

Wasn't bad for 16, was I? No.

That your father?

Mm-hmm.

I never knew my mother.

She died when I was born.

This isn't boring you too much, Van, is it?

Oh, no, no, I'm just getting interested.

Here he is on his own.

He was a wonderful swimmer.

I keep this because a year later, he swam out to sea one evening, and he

didn't come back.

That morning, someone had broken him.

A man called Barnes had started a rival casino on the other arm of the bay, and

there wasn't room for two in those days. That's quite a story.

I've tried to understand, and I've tried to be happy.

The first was easy.

So he waited 17 years after your mother died.

I'd never realized before how much he'd missed her.

Until I read his note.

That's unusual for a man, isn't it?

Well, that all depends on the woman.

She was very beautiful.

I hope he'd find her again.

What about you? Have you been happy all your life?

I wouldn't say that.

I've never met the right company.

Until now.

Will you come to the Bahamas with me? What about Spencer?

I'll pay him off. You sure he'll like that? He'll have to like it.

You're being silly.

He knows too much.

It's double-bladed, darling.

If he squeals on me, he squeals on himself.

Just think of the Bahamas.

If he were planning to fix you, he'd clear himself first.

You're not thinking fast enough. You're not being smart.

You're so cute.

You've got everything I want.

And they say the sun shines there the whole year round.

You may have more on Spencer than you realize.

Meaning what?

Well, he fixed all of it, didn't he?

Oh, it could be.

I wouldn't know.

But there's one little card I'd play if I had it.

If you can get it for me, it's worth the whole of Spencer's take.

What is it?

A private account book.

In code.

I've got the key.

Here.

He keeps the book in the office.

Are you interested?

I might be.

I could send Spencer to the war for all times. I could name my own term and my

own price.

And you could name yours.

What about it? You're wonderful.

You've got a heart of pure steel.

My future's no dream from a bottle.

I've had too much of attic rums and runs in my stocking and ten-cent bar loungers

trying to pour me to death.

Not to know what I want out of life.

And to recognize it when I've got it.

All you have to do is to hitch a wagon, and I'm tossing you the hook.

Thanks for the hook and for the information.

You've taken me for a ride, haven't you? That's right, I had to.

You... Now, wait a minute. You'd better start drumming for your friend Spencer

because he's your last ditch. You'd better start drumming fast because

things are starting to happen and they're coming your way.

Thank you.

This can't be happening, not with you here.

Now, is that the nicest thing you can say to me?

The best I can think of. Well, just relax, John.

A lady wants to meet you. Jeannette!

This is Jeannette, and you're in her cottage.

Darling, this is Richard Vaness.

Hello.

Well, that's more like it. Like what?

Heaven. There's nothing celestial about my little Jeannette, and she's worth

coming back to Earth for. You should know.

How do you feel now?

I'm thirsty.

I'll get you something.

You'd better do the talking. My life has been rather dull lately.

Start with the last night and work back.

What happened to my car?

You've had it, Shum. It's a total wreck.

You know, you've been a lot of trouble to me lately.

You don't say.

Every place I've busted into, you've been. Why can't you let a guy die in

peace? I'm waiting for the first thrilling installment, if you don't

mind. How did your aircraft come to grief without you in it?

The kite's under 50 fathoms of salt water. Complete.

I belly flopped her in the Atlantic and swam ashore.

But they found some wreckage in St. Mary's Bay.

Did they find the orchids?

Yes, they did.

Well, I hope Alexia got them.

No, she didn't, you darn clown.

When I think how I let my conscience bother me about you... Now, what about

that tail unit? Oh, that was another tail unit.

You know, I'll lay ten to one that you've been trying to pin the death of

Nicholas Talbot on one Boyd Spencer, right?

That's right.

Now suppose you start explaining simply this Spencer had me on a short lead.

I made up my mind I wasn't gonna string along that way anymore.

So I took the easy way out. I met a little ferret named Snell He opened his

mouth wide. I forgot about Snell. Why don't you go back to the grave and stop

bothering people?

Suppose it is the best thing I could do stop being a hero makes me nervous How

did Spencer managed to get you on ice and where does Snell fit in?

Well Snell introduced us

I joined the outfit thinking I was in on the racket.

But I wasn't.

Snell had sold me out.

I learned afterwards that Spencer had paid him 200 for letting him know that I

was wanted by the French police.

What good did that do him? If one of the mobs slipped up at any time, he had

already made scapegoat to take the can back.

I was valuable.

So you slipped out of Spencer's clutches by the simple expedient of dying.

I organized an identical piece of tail unit that I found in one of the disused

hangers. Then waited for bad weather.

Stowed the tail unit on board and all I had to do was get through the gale. You

should have told me.

And spoiled a beautiful friendship.

You spoil it now, Nick.

Will you like this, Monsieur Van?

It's perfect.

But you haven't even seen it.

It's still perfect. Thank you, Jeannette.

Monsieur Van is very nice now. No, he's a menace.

So? So.

Well, while the menace is eating his lunch, I'll go and see about his

clothes.

So, you don't waste a minute, do you?

There comes a time when one finds the perfect specimen. Then if you have any

sense, you stick to it. Or if you have something to offer.

How's Avril, Fann?

Just the same as she always was.

Perfect specimen.

When are you going to let her make an honest man of you?

One day she's going to meet the right guy. Not one who exists on three hours

sleep a night with the aid of a phenol tablet.

You're crazy.

One day Jeanette should find the right guy too. Between Avril and Jeanette,

that lets you and me out.

Have you told Avril yet? Have you told Jeanette?

Get on with your food and I hope it chokes you.

Oh, don't tell me that's my suit.

I am sorry. I did my best.

It's not very chic, is it? Oh, it is not.

I'll fix you up with something.

Oh, Dr. Wilmer. Yes, sister? A new patient's been making an awful nuisance

of himself. Nonsense. You hand him.

I'll see him in a few moments.

Mr. Spencer, what are you doing out of bed?

That's fairly obvious, isn't it? I think you'd better get back again at once.

Oh, you do, do you?

You're not leaving without seeing the doctor.

That's exactly what I am doing.

Good day.

Right, now out you come, beautiful.

Mine be eight.

Ah, don't worry about them.

We'll scramble them.

I'll scramble you.

Now take this, and this, and this.

What are you going to carry?

This.

Well, let's go and see how the invalid is. It's time he was up. There's nothing

wrong with him.

You know, I think there's something wrong with you.

You have no R.

No R?

No, no R.

Stop malingering, I see.

How are you feeling?

All right.

Going to the hotel to find Avril. For some reason, I think she'll be happy to

know you're alive.

I'd rather you didn't tell her.

It won't make any difference. She knows what kind of a rat you are already. She

got the whole thing from Snell.

Does Dad know?

We've managed to keep it from him so far.

I hope it bothers you in case he finds out.

It does.

As far as he's concerned, I'm still dead.

Where are you heading for?

Kingston, Jamaica.

You see, a live rat isn't going to help Dad.

He'd much prefer to think of me as a dead hero.

You know, that dead hero stuff nauseates me, but we'll let it pass.

Now I want Spencer's notebook.

Why look at me? Because you nabbed it in his office.

Who told you there was a notebook?

Alexia? Yeah.

Quite a girl, isn't she? She told me about it, too. That's what I figured.

Only, uh, I didn't like the land of gold and opportunity that went with it. Nor

did I.

So Alexia's been turned down all around.

You know, I once made up a rhyme about her.

Something about pajamas in the Bahamas.

There was a young... Some other time. What about that book?

It won't do you any good, you know.

It's all in code.

Then what did you want it for?

Well, I was going to bluff Spencer that I knew the code. I planned to raid his

little nest in the causeway and leave the book behind to security in case

anything went wrong. That's too bad.

In a few hours, I'm going to break up Spencer's little racket, so it's too

late for you to move in.

What's he got on the causeway?

Dollars. And millions of them.

Spencer makes them. The airline delivers them.

He found a set of forging plates left behind by the Nazis. That started it.

That's all I wanted to know.

I'll leave this behind as a souvenir.

I won't need it now.

Don't do anything rash, will you?

You're the right guy to tell me that.

Of course, I don't like to mention it, but what are you going to use for

transport? I don't know yet.

I may have to walk.

You can use my car if you like.

I want to use it later, so don't break it. Thanks.

I'll send Avril to see you, okay?

I tell you, it all happened so quickly, I didn't get a chance to see who it was.

Anyway, the code book's gone.

It could be, Vanessa.

Why do you say that?

Just a hunch.

You're holding out, Alexia.

Take your hands off me. For God's sake, Alexei, if you know anything about this,

tell me now before it's too late. Vaness called here last night with some phony

proposition about buying some dollars for a friend.

You didn't fall for it? No.

Then why do you suppose he... For the simple reason he admitted it was a try

-on. He's out to get you for murdering Nick Talbot. It's your own fault. You

shouldn't go around murdering people.

I had nothing to do with Talbot's death. I told him that, but he didn't believe

me. I didn't really believe it myself.

Anyway, that's beside the point.

The important thing is, if he has that code book, we've got to get it back.

If Vanessa has the code book, he is out to get me.

Sam, what's happened to you? Where have you been?

It's all a little matter of tearing up the car.

Sam, darling.

I went to see Alexia last night.

I was trying to find out how and why Nick's plane crashed.

She gave me a lead that took me to Boyd Spencer's office. And there, some guy

attacked me. I chased him in the car.

I'm telling you, that's all wrong. Go on.

What I'm trying to say is that Nick's plane did go under the sea.

But he managed to bring it down.

In a flat drift.

You mean... Exactly.

He's alive. I've been with him all day.

All day?

Where? Well, I'm going to take you part the way there. He wants to see you. But

there's only one thing. You mustn't tell anybody, not even your father, until

after you've talked to Nick.

Is it a promise?

Yes, yes, I promise.

All right.

You'll need a coat.

Nick! Nick!

Nick, she's here!

Well, what's all the excitement? Your sister, she's come. She's here already.

Nick Hello everyone Well now, you know what me did he give you a shock I

Think I've always known about you Well, come on in and meet you in it

Yes, this is a hello Jeanette, I'm so pleased to meet

you I'm going to marry her Just like that? Well, she says she'll have me, so

I can't see any other objection.

Have we got a drink to offer the lady? Oh, of course.

There's still some wine left. I'll go and get it.

Do you loathe me?

Jeanette doesn't loathe you, and I suppose she knows as much about you as I

do. She's different.

We're both women.

Nick, why did you do it?

Pretend I was dead. No, I can imagine that.

You were up to your neck in something.

Why did you start smuggling?

I wanted pretty clothes just like all the other boys had. That isn't funny.

I'm thinking of Pops at the moment.

You can hurt anybody else under the sun. That's your business.

But Pops happens to be my business as well.

Why so serious?

Avril's worried about you. Me?

She doesn't think you ought to have an idiot like me for a husband.

I'll take very good care of my idiot.

I wish you lots of happiness, Jeannette.

Thank you.

By the way, what happened to Van?

He brought me most of the way here.

Said he was going for a walk over to the causeway.

Get him out of the nest.

This won't get you very far, Boyd. We'll see about that.

All right, tie him up.

Remember Maxwell, Boyd?

Well, he knows where I am.

Don't try and bluff me.

Riley, you better start moving this gear.

You give him a hand, too, O'Connor.

I'm dumping this love in the sea.

Seems like a great waste of a good forging plant.

I hate to lose sight of it so soon.

I'll set your mind at rest.

You're going with it.

Finesse, you're going to have the honor of being the first man I've ever killed.

You signed your death warrant the night you grew smell.

Don't be too sure about that.

Talbot! Drop the gun, Spencer.

I'm probably a better shot than you are.

Drop that gun.

Sure you can make it?

Sure, sure. It's only up the lane.

You're crazy, you know. You can't do anything on your own. I've got to keep

an eye on those guys until Maxwell gets here.

Find a telephone, call up the hotel, get hold of Maxwell, and tell him to come

over to Causeway.

Okay.

And make it quick. Good luck.

I'm all right. What happened?

Jeanette, where's the nearest telephone?

Why? Well, get through to Maxwell at the St. George Hotel and tell him the van's

on the causeway and to get out there quick.

I'll look after him.

Well, am I glad to see you.

All right, talk your way out of this.

Well, you silly idiot, I've just sent somebody to telephone.

Oh, yes?

Look, Maxwell, while we're standing here arguing, Boyd Spencer and his crew are

probably on their way to the airport.

What are you doing here on the causeway?

Exactly the same as you. If you don't believe me, ask Avril if I didn't leave

a message for you to meet me here. And how am I expected to do that?

Maxwell, how long have you been out on the causeway?

Half an hour, and you must have heard firing.

I did. Well, then that was me they were shooting at.

Maxwell, I am warning you. You're about to lose the one thing you're after.

Van, I want your word you won't try on me.

You've got it.

All I want to try to do is to stop Boyd Spencer.

Have you got a car?

Yes, a good one in the mainland. Well, let's get to it.

Where's Jeanette?

She went to telephone.

Don't move, Nick.

Please don't move.

I've got to leave you for a while, Nick. I'm going to get you a doctor.

No, no, no. Don't do that, Avril.

Dad will find out if you do. Please don't.

All right.

Lie back, darling.

Lie still, please.

Avril. There's something I've got to tell you.

What is it?

It's about Van.

He needs you, Avril.

He's a good guy.

He needs you, but he's scared.

Of what?

Well, you probably don't know this, but he got banged up pretty badly during the

war in a bomber crash.

And he hasn't slept much since.

I know.

Yeah, but what you don't know is that he...

Blacks out suddenly.

Without warning.

And one day it's going to happen at the wrong time.

But why didn't he tell me?

You want him, don't you, Avril?

Then it's up to you.

All right, darling.

Don't talk anymore.

Don't make him give up flying, Avril.

It's his life. I won't.

I must get you a doctor.

No, no, please don't.

We've got to think about dad. I'll tell you what you can do.

You can give me some brandy.

You'll find some in the kitchen.

All right.

Is that Boyd Spencer's aircraft?

Yes. Maxwell Customs Intelligence.

Contact all major airports, give them details of the aircraft, and ask them to

detain the pilot and any passengers.

Go ahead.

London, Paris, Brussels, Rome first, then try the smaller drones,

Southampton, etc., etc.

So that was their plan, huh? They made it. They'll be lucky if they make it. I

tried to warn Mr. Spencer.

Warn him about what?

Cold engines.

Surprised they ever got off the ground.

St. George Hotel, please.

Now, I'll hold her.

They're coming back.

Oh, yes, get me Miss Talbot, please.

I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid Miss Talbot hasn't come in yet.

Oh, just a moment.

Call from the airport for me, Miss Talbot.

Hello? Hello, Avril.

Are you all right?

Oh, yeah, sure.

You saw Nick?

Yes.

You there, Avril?

Yes.

I understand.

Look, darling, I may not be back for quite a while.

How long a while?

Well, I don't know.

I can't say. I'm going away to think about things.

It sounds as though you're not coming back.

Oh, I... Goodbye, darling.

Pity about the girl. She was a good looker.

Well, don't you think so?

What did you say?

I was talking about Alexia LaRoche.

Oh, yeah.

Too bad.

Anything going out tonight?

Everything's grounded.

You ought to take a look at the Met reports.

They're still afraid to go to Southampton.

Tomorrow.

I'm going to take it tonight.

Met reports can be very deceiving.

Do you know that if you climb on a stool, you can see Southampton from

here?

It's a long time.

I'll take it.