Original subtitles

What's that number again, Miss?

211.

Whoa.

You want your bags out, Miss?

No.

No, not yet.

I think you'd better wait.

Charles!

Ha ha ha!

This couldn't be it.

Would you take me to that tavern

down the street?

♪ Oh, my love ♪

♪ for thee had ere grown cold ♪

♪ had ere grown cold ♪

you know, uh,

I didn't even get your name, sir.

You want a name?

Oh, I got a name... Flaherty.

I also got a business, and like any business, it can't operate on charity.

I realize that.

I'm also hoping you'll realize that this is the seventh bottle of wine

you've ordered in the past two days without paying for any one of them.

True.

I know that this is a free country, and if I got the wine free,

I'd be happy to give it to you, but I got to pay for it, so...

Naturally, I got to sell it myself.

That's what's known as business.

I didn't invent it, but I got to live like the rest of the world does,

you you see what I mean?

I've told you I'm expecting some money,

and it's a few days late in coming. If you'll continue to have patience with me, I'll...

ha ha ha!

I can't go to the bank, and get anything for patience.

All right. Now...

All right, friend.

A couple of days, huh?

Try to look at it my way.

Will you do that, Mr., uh...

Dupin.

Oh, you French?

No.

I'm a fool.

Could be a French fool.

Hey, Bert, look at this.

Well!

Stray lamb in our midst.

Well, are you looking for someone, Miss?

I beg your pardon, but I... I'm looking for a home.

Ha ha ha! That's a good one, Miss.

You're looking for a home, and I'm trying to get away from one.

The home of a monsieur Thevenet.

Thevenet? Ooh la la!

I was told this is a country of barbarians.

I'm sorry to find out it is the truth.

Only a half-truth, mademoiselle.

A lovely girl is an uncommon sight

in a place like this.

In the face of loveliness, all men feel a little foolish.

We were only...

perhaps I can assist you.

Won't you sit down?

- Coffee for the lady, please. - Yes, sir.

All right, now. It's possible the gentleman has a point.

So drink up and enjoy yourselves at your own expense.

- Would you prefer wine? - No, thank you.

I saw you go up the street.

Did something happen to frighten you?

Tell me about it.

I suppose I am frightened.

It must have been the wrong house.

I don't understand.

You see, I just arrived from Paris tonight.

- Your first trip to America? - Yes.

I have a letter to monsieur Thevenet.

- Thevenet? - You know him?

Of him.

Well...

I came straight from the boat to the address I was given,

but I think I must have the wrong number.

- What number? - 211.

Along the street here, but it could not be such a place.

Monsieur Thevenet is an old man who lives alone.

Old Mr. Thevenet's house, do you know the number?

Up in the next block, sir.

211.

What do you know about Thevenet?

Only what I have been told.

He fought with napoleon as a marshal,

and after napoleon was banished,

he came to this country.

You see, he loved napoleon and the empire.

He hates the republic.

You're of the republic?

Oh, yes, but it is a losing cause

unless help can be obtained.

So someone sent you to Thevenet?

Not exactly.

I have a letter to him from his grandson, Paul de Lage,

but it was my own thought to make the journey.

This Paul de Lage, he is also of the republic?

Oh, yes.

Paul is a leader.

He thought it was useless to appeal to his grandfather,

but, after all, monsieur Thevenet's an old man,

and time may have changed him.

They say he is very rich.

They say worse than that.

They say he is a facsimile of the devil.

Do you know more of him?

Only what is said.

That he was a roue in the grand manner, a connoisseur of wine, women, and wit.

Now he's an ancient ruin, but with one arm paralyzed,

and one foot in the grave.

Perhaps you'd better go back to Paris.

Not when I have come this far.

Are you being so brave for the republic, or for Paul de Lage?

Forgive me.

I was hoping it was for the republic.

Thank you for your kindness.

It is really 211, then-the number?

Good night.

Yes?

I am mademoiselle Madeline Minot...

And...

And what is your business?

I have a letter from Paul de Lage in Paris, introducing me to Mr. Thevenet.

I have just arrived in New York.

Stop telling me what to do!

You sniveling troublemaker.

Get out and take your bag of tricks with you!

Get out, you hear?

Where's Miss Bounty?

I must see Miss Bounty.

Yes, Dr. Roland.

What is it now?

You must listen to me, Miss Bounty.

I told him one glass of sherry, just one glass,

and he's consuming the entire decanter.

It's suicide, pure suicide.

In that case, he has been committing suicide, as you put it, for 40 years.

Nevertheless, I take no responsibility for him.

I can keep him alive only so long as he wishes to exist.

You flatter yourself.

I'll be back in the morning.

Who is this?

She has a letter to Mr. Thevenet.

I am Madeline Minot, a friend of Paul de Lage.

Paul de Lage?

He's the grandson of monsieur Thevenet.

I have brought a letter from Paris.

Give it to me, and I will present it to him.

- I don't know who you are. - I am Lorna Bounty.

You do not know the name?

No.

Then I can only assume this is your first trip to New York.

He's an ill man.

I'll see if he wishes to receive you.

He is very ill?

Fatally, mademoiselle.

What is causing his death?

His life.

Ha ha ha!

It always amuses me when you attempt to be efficient.

What is the trouble now?

Someone at the door with a letter of introduction to you.

Eh? Where are my glasses?

You broke them last night when you threw them at Villon.

Eh.

Read it to me.

- Where is Villon? - I have no idea.

What does it say?

Someone asking for money.

Ah! It's ridiculous.

Always the same, someone asking me for money.

Villon!

Villon!

He does not wish to see you.

But-but I must...

He never sees anyone.

- Madam, who are you? - I manage this house for him.

I obey his wishes.

Did you read the letter?

Did you read it, monsieur?

Eh.

Give it to me.

Oh, hello, Villon.

There you are, mon petit.

I did not want you to be disturbed or upset, not tonight.

Sit down.

You are very lovely.

I say this now as an old man who is weary of lying.

Paris.

You did not tell me it was from Paris.

Read it to me, my child.

"Dear grandfather..."

Huh? It's from Paul.

Go on with it.

"This will introduce you to mademoiselle Madeline Minot,

"the woman I... the woman I love."

So, that's how it is, eh?

Oh, come, now.

Do not tell me it is the first time he has said this to you.

I know him to be a fool, but not such a great one.

Put it aside, my child.

I will tell you what it says.

He wants money from me.

He is fighting for the cause of the people, the downtrodden.

Also, he is penniless, and about to be put in jail.

- Am I right? - Mm-hmm.

And knowing I can resist anything save a pretty face, he sent you to me.

He did not!

He advised me against it.

I came because I wanted to help him,

but he said that in the cause of justice,

it was ridiculous to appeal to a man like you.

For once in his life, he was right.

I am sorry to hear you say that.

The romantic patriot and the lovely maiden.

Huh?

The young lovers and the great cause of human justice.

Ah! Tell us what it is you have to say.

It is difficult for anyone to speak when you listen only to yourself.

Forgive me, mademoiselle.

I have been so long away from Paris, I have lost my manners.

Tell me about Paris, eh?

Who are the great names now?

Who paints? Who writes the poems?

Delacroix...

Daumier...

Gautier...

Baudelaire.

Baudelaire?

You know him?

Where does he live now?

A small room.

Hotel Pimadon on the Quai d'Anjou, île Saint-Louis.

Quai d'Anjou...

They have manned the barricades, monsieur, all of them...

The painters, the poets...

For the republic.

Quai d'Anjou.

Monsieur Thevenet is tired, he has been very ill.

He is also very drunk.

It is late. Perhaps you had better go.

You will...

You will stay the night.

Then tomorrow,

you will talk to me again,

and I will look at you without listening. Eh?

She stays here.

Perhaps the young lady would prefer to stay elsewhere.

She stays here.

Don't excite yourself, Charles.

This is your home, and we will take care of her.

Will you come with me?

I want to thank you.

Yes, yes. Thank me, be done with it, and get out.

Get out.

Send Martin to me!

I want to go to my room.

Paris... Quai d'Anjou.

Eh. Villon.

Ou sont Les Neiges D'Antan?

Martin!

Martin!

I am right here, sir.

Will you be comfortable?

Yes. Yes, I think so.

I'm ready to go to bed.

Lingerie from Paris.

One can always tell.

There is a bell cord at your bedside if you need anything further.

If you ring, I will answer.

Good night.

I don't like it, this girl being here. Why has she come?

To get his money.

For this grandson, this Paul de Lage?

Yes, his only living relative.

That's not so good, is it?

He hates De Lage. They never agreed politically.

- And the girl is here to patch it up? - Yes.

And, having a pretty face, she'll do it.

Mark my words.

Must you always drink it that way?

- What's the difference? - There's a difference in manners.

Manners.

You have to do everything politely.

You even have to murder a man politely.

- What are we gonna do about it? - About what?

This girl.

You're so nervous, Martin.

All right.

I've seen you for a long time now, without a nerve in you,

waiting for him to die, and you've given a good performance, too...

with a million-dollar audience of one old man.

Ha ha ha!

- Is it amusing? - No, but it might be,

after all this time and talent, if you lost your public...

And the million to boot.

Then it would be amusing?

- No. - I'm not amused, either.

How was he when you left him?

Snoring...

And grumbling.

A few more nights like this, and...

I can begin to live, this time with money,

not having to care about giving a good performance for anybody.

- Queer thing, isn't it? - What?

The 3 of us, waiting all these years, for the old man to die.

Then this child comes

and reminds him there's a decent world outside this house.

Is there?

If you didn't think so, you wouldn't be frightened of a wisp of a girl.

I don't understand it.

I don't know what keeps him alive.

Couldn't the doctor push him a bit?

No. Durand is too intelligent for that.

Durand, that meddling lawyer. If I had my way, I'd...

If you had your way, we'd all be dancing a rigadoon together at the end of a rope.

And a good end to us all.

Monsieur, what do you want?

I am concerned about your presence here.

Concerned?

Perhaps it is the hallucination of an old man,

but I would not want harm to come to you, and it might.

I want to warn you to be careful.

Why should anyone wish to harm me?

Money.

They want my money,

and since they have been waiting all these years, for me to die,

perhaps they are most entitled to it.

That's not true.

Of course it is true.

You want it for Paul. Paul wants it for his cause.

His cause would not exist without it.

But these people are servants.

More than that.

But Paul is your own blood.

And blood is thicker than water. Eh?

Well, so it is,

but I could not say it down there.

How is he-Paul?

What does he look like?

Well...

He looks a little bit like you, monsieur,

as you once were.

How would you know that?

There's a small painting of you in his room.

You are wearing the uniform of the empire.

He keeps that?

It is over his desk, where he writes.

Once he read aloud to me an article he had written,

and then he looked up at the picture of you, and smiled

and told me how you would have denied every word of it.

Yeah, no doubt.

He's a great man, monsieur, a strong... and gentle, and honest man.

You love him?

With all my life.

This key locks the door of your room.

Use it.

Thank you.

Bonne nuit, mon petit.

Bonne nuit.

Bonne nuit.

Sometimes I wonder why he bothers with a doctor at all.

He never listens to me.

We do what we can.

I've made up a new prescription,

and I'll leave it with Mrs. Flynn to prepare it.

It should be taken in milk...

a dose now, and then again at bedtime.

Is he feeling better? Can I see him now?

I don't think he should be disturbed. Don't you agree, doctor?

Uh, yes, it's best not. It's best not.

Good afternoon. I'll be back this evening.

Thank you, doctor.

Two teaspoonfuls in a glass of milk.

Send it up right away, and give him another this evening before he goes to sleep.

Get the milk.

Yes?

Where can I buy a postdating order to mail a letter?

I would say the post office, mademoiselle.

I'll go.

Bring that up when it's ready.

Please. Where is the post office?

Down the street, Miss, a block beyond the chemist's.

Can't Miss the sign.

Can I take that up to him?

The pretty sight of you won't help the likes of him,

and I heard what she said to you this morning, Miss.

And I say the same to you myself.

You'd best be on your way.

Is that, uh, money still coming to you?

You are, I presume, Flaherty, a christian man.

I try to be, sir...

Though some people make it difficult for me.

If you are a christian, you must know your bible.

Therefore, you will recall what it says about money.

And, uh...

What does it say?

It says in timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil.

It's not that I love it, sir.

It's just that it's a necessary evil.

And to show you I have indeed read the book, it says in ecclesiastes,

"money answereth all things."

In bitterness, Flaherty. It was said in bitterness.

That's the way I was asking for it.

Good afternoon.

Oh. Ma'am.

I- I don't like to annoy you.

It's just that you were kind to me last night, and I need help.

Shall we sit here?

Tell me how I can help anyone.

Well, it's nothing, exactly, that I can explain.

I...

Something happening at the house?

Yes, but I can't say, except it's...

it's something terrible.

Something happening to old Thevenet?

Yes.

I think they are trying to kill him.

It would be difficult to find a more deserving victim.

Oh, forgive me.

How do you imagine they're trying to kill him?

I thought it might be this.

I thought...

I might take it to the pharmacist, and see if it was...

Poison?

Terrible. Terrible.

Terrible.

Sugar water.

Thank you very much.

You're sure it contains nothing else...

no poison deadlier than water?

Forgive me.

Thank you.

- Are you satisfied? - You were right.

I have an imagination.

Yes.

Do you know what I was going to do if I found it was poison?

What?

I was going to see monsieur Thevenet's lawyer, monsieur Durand,

about getting the police.

You know where this lawyer lives?

Oh, yes. Paul gave me his address.

He has written to me.

Then you go and see him now.

Why now?

You heard him say it was harmless.

That's right.

And you showed imagination, but not enough.

I don't understand.

Well, how do you dispose of a man who's being kept alive by a medicine?

Either by poisoning the medicine, as you suspected,

or by giving him none at all, as you failed to suspect.

Cabby!

You go and see this Mr. Durand now.

Give him the address.

341 Bailey.

I'll find you later.

I would like to see mademoiselle Madeline Minot.

She's not here.

Well, do you mind if I waited for her?

I don't know when she'll return.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if she never came back at all.

- Nor me. Are you the butler? - I am.

It is a role remarkably unsuited to you.

Good afternoon.

Good evening.

You wanted to see Miss Minot?

I couldn't help overhearing your conversation.

Eavesdropping is one of the few unpunishable pleasures in life.

I do want to see Miss Minot. I'm a dear friend.

Will you come in?

You must excuse Martin.

He's rather upset about his master's illness.

Indeed...

I've always found it wiser not to question the cause of anyone's bad temper.

My name is Dupin.

I'm Lorna Bounty. Could I serve you some tea?

Tea.

Well, some wine, perhaps?

You would be preserving my life.

A sufficient reason.

There are also sufficient reasons not to preserve it,

but I am not the man to disclose them.

That's understandable.

Dupin-that's a French name, isn't it?

The name is French. The man is not.

Who is he?

I know nothing about him.

Why let him in?

To find out about him, of course.

She came all alone from Paris, and now suddenly, she has a friend.

Yes.

Take this in to him.

Take it yourself.

Mrs. Flynn.

So that's it.

How do you look to yourself?

A man's eyes are a better test than any mirror.

How do I look to you?

Go ahead. Tell me.

I want to know.

Ha ha ha!

Do you like poetry?

I've had it read to me.

I don't doubt it.

Do you like this?

"Ah, distinctly I remember, "it was in the bleak December,

"and each separate dying ember "wrought its ghost upon the floor.

"Eagerly, I wished the morrow.

"Vainly, I had sought to borrow from my books

surcease of sorrow."

You read like an actor.

And you drink like one.

Would you take advice from the likes of me?

Ma'am, I take advice as easily as I take a drink.

The only trouble with me is that I've never been able to make good use of either.

You're a friend of Miss Madeline's?

So it would seem.

Then you should tell her, for her own good...

A very sweet young lady - Miss Madeline.

We've all grown fond of Madeline.

I have very special feelings about her myself.

Have you known her long?

That depends on how you look at time.

I don't look at it with much faith, being a woman.

A very beautiful one.

You remarked that Mr. Thevenet was not well.

He is very old and very ill,

and last night he drank more wine than is good for him.

You can't imagine how impossible that sounds to me.

I don't have to imagine it. I can see it.

Lorna Bounty.

I remember hearing about you when the critics savored your charms like vintage wine.

"lips like claret..." "Cheeks like Burgundy."

Now I no longer doubt it.

I can see it.

You're an interesting man, Mr. Dupin.

I'm in an interesting house.

Why do you say that?

Handsomely upholstered in margue,

with an old and dying reprobate as master,

butler like a professional wrestler,

and his housekeeper, she was once the toast of an era.

Housekeeper?

Forgive me.

Forgive me. I seem to have become slightly drunk.

I don't think I shall wait any longer for her.

Will you please tell her I'll call again?

I'll tell her, but I don't think she'll be here very long.

But you will.

I?

Yes.

Yes, I'll be here. Certainly.

Thank you.

Thank you for your hospitality.

I can find my own way out.

So he leaves just in time to meet her outside, huh?

Apparently.

What did you find out about him?

- What's he after? - I don't think he knows.

- He interests you, doesn't he? - He does.

You act as if you've seen him before.

No, but I think I'll see him again.

Ho ho!

Back, back, back.

Halloween favors!

Halloween.

There you are, children.

Thank you.

Now you can have a nice party. There you are.

Run along and have a nice time.

Thank you!

Halloween favor.

Thank you.

Say, I heard old Thevenet was on his deathbed, and got off it again.

Ha ha ha! Just won't believe it.

What?

That they can make it faster than he can drink it.

Say, the butler was down here earlier.

Bought a lot of wine and brandy.

A bunch of actors stopped by here on the way to the house.

They're having a big Halloween party up there.

You, uh, thinking of going?

Only since you mentioned the wine.

Friend of yours.

Oh, I'm so glad to find you.

- They're having a party. - Yes, I heard.

He's downstairs with people entertaining him, and he's drinking again.

They're letting him do it to kill him.

All right. Go back to the house

and lock yourself in your room. I'll be there.

If there's anything you could do to stop him...

just do what I say.

Go! Dance! Dance!

Ha ha ha!

Thank you.

If you're looking for Madeline, she went to her room.

I don't think she feels very well.

Thevenet seems to have improved.

There's nothing we can do about that.

A man has a right to live as he pleases.

And die as he pleases.

If I told you something flattering, would you believe it?

Only if it were flattering.

Then I'll be frank about it.

I can't remember when I've met a man who intrigues me as much as you do.

Do you forget easily?

No, I don't.

Then I'll be equally frank, and tell you that I...

Find you equally intriguing.

But at least we've broken the ice.

Now we can drown together.

Lorna! Lorna!

He wants me to sing for him.

But I'm going to sing for you.

♪ Yesterday I lost my heart ♪

♪ to a man who chanced my way ♪

♪ I breathed a sigh for his reckless eye ♪

♪ I loved him yesterday ♪

♪ but now I fear since today is here ♪

♪ my heart feels not the same ♪

♪ I've changed my mind, so tomorrow I'll find ♪

♪ another to play my game ♪

♪ he will pass me by with a reckless eye ♪

♪ and my heart will bid him stay ♪

♪ then he'll smile at me, and tomorrow will be ♪

♪ another yesterday ♪

♪ though my heart will bid him stay ♪

♪ he'll have naught to do but look forward to ♪

♪ another yesterday ♪

get out! Get out, all of you.

Get out of here. Get out, all of you. Get out!

Martin, feed them and get them out of here.

What's the trouble now, Charles?

Who is that one?

He calls himself Dupin.

Dupin, what do you do?

Nothing that would interest you.

You are not an actor?

No more than you.

I have been an actor all my life,

but in a theater where these mountebanks could never play.

What are you doing here?

I came to see Miss Minot.

Oh. Oh! These people... Send them away!

Get them out of here!

And close that door.

You-help me over to that table.

What is this you do that would not interest me?

I am a poet.

A poet? You hear that, Villon?

This bird is named for a poet-Francois Villon...

a thief, a murderer, and a poet.

Hey, tell me a poem.

"Nay, never ask this week, fair lord, where they are gone,

nor yet this year, except with this for an overword."

"But where are the snows of yesteryear?"

You hear that, Villon? That is a ballad written by your namesake.

Who are you?

A man with an empty glass.

Ha ha ha!

We have something in common.

- More than the wine. - What more?

The girl.

Madeline?

You are her friend?

Mmm.

I should like to believe that.

- Why? - Because I think she needs one.

She spoke highly of you.

You were kind to her.

That is an art I have always lacked... being kind to women.

It's a very difficult art.

You know, of course, why she is here.

Yes.

She is after my money.

Everybody is after my money.

Must have been after it yourself to have acquired so much.

Oh, but not you. You are a poet,

and money means nothing to you.

Beauty-beauty attracts you, eh?

And this girl is very pretty...

is that it?

You're not young enough to be this cynical.

Yes. Yes, she is after your money, as you put it, but not for herself.

And this is the kind of miracle that should astonish even you.

It does.

You know she is in love with a fool and a dreamer who is also a relative of mine?

De Lage.

I think we are both drunk enough to be honest with each other.

Let's be sure of it.

So since she is already married to a political idea,

and also aspires to marry my relative, what do you expect to gain?

A man looks at a rose, a star.

What can he hope to gain?

Dupin, if that is your name...

which, for no reason at all, I doubt...

I think you are as great a fool as De Lage and this girl.

Oh, no. You're the fool.

You've spent a life wasting your money,

and now you're going to waste it in your death.

What bigger fool than the man who rewards his own murderers?

Dupin, could you prove this?

I won't have to. You will.

And you are concerned with my fate?

No.

Only the girl's.

That's right.

I'd get her out of here if I could, but she refuses to leave you.

She's as courageous as she is foolish.

This comes from a faith in life, Thevenet, something you and I both lack...

a dream that is not for sale and never can be laughed away.

Faith...

In life.

Martin.

Martin!

You've had too much.

Pour it. Pour it, Dupin.

It is never too much when it is too late.

You are an eloquent man.

Martin!

I am right here, sir.

Huh?

I wish to see Durand immediately.

Have him come here. Bring him yourself.

First thing in the morning?

No. Now!

He'll be in bed.

If he is anyplace but the grave, get him out and bring him here.

Now.

Sit down.

Stay till he comes.

Eh? Keep on lying to me, so I do not change my mind.

You'd better get them all out.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry.

I'm afraid you will all have to leave.

Mr. Thevenet is not at all well.

Aw! Oh!

He wants me to fetch the lawyer-Durand.

Now?

I think a better idea would be to throw that Dupin in the street.

I told you you were a fool for ever letting him in.

I could pitch him into the gutter easy enough.

So he could go himself to Durand tomorrow?

That would be tomorrow.

No. Bring Durand.

- You know what you're doing? - Do as I say.

What does he want with a lawyer at this hour?

I don't know.

You only want a lawyer for two things...

a crime or a will.

Mark my words, none of this will come to any good.

Don't you think you've had enough of that, Charles?

You see how concerned she is?

You should have seen her 10 years ago.

How long? How long has it been?

Charles has a remarkable capacity for cruelty.

I've always felt the best way to stay young is to forget your youth,

but that's all Charles remembers.

Oh, gee. She was one of the most attractive women in all the world.

She still is.

Let me tell you...

I think you had better go to bed, Charles.

Bed?

I have made my bed, and I am swimming in it.

Will you help me get him upstairs, please?

He needs a doctor more than he does a lawyer.

He's not getting any lawyer tonight.

Non compos mentis.

What's that?

He's drunk... blind, senseless drunk.

Tomorrow he won't remember whether Durand was here or not.

So you're going to stand up against her, eh?

I'll tell you one thing...

if that Dupin doesn't get out and stay out,

I'm gonna break his neck.

I think it would be a good idea to send for a doctor.

As soon as Martin returns.

Oh. It seems Martin has returned.

I've been waiting to see you out, sir.

All the other guests are gone. The party's over.

True, and it isn't too late for me to make a call,

a rather important one, possibly one of life and death.

He's waiting for you upstairs.

Get him into bed and then bring the doctor.

Do you understand?

Perhaps you would like a brandy before you go.

I would.

Leave the brandy, Mrs. Flynn.

It's on the table, ma'am.

I'm beginning to think I've underestimated you.

So has my generation.

What were you talking about with the old man?

A little bit of everything. Thank you.

Politics, poetry, love.

Nothing more?

I believe we did discuss money.

Ah, yes. He has a lot of money.

You must be aware of that.

It's a rumor that everyone seems to verify.

You're an extremely difficult man, Mr. Dupin.

So I've been told.

Most men have found it easy to talk to me,

but you seem at a loss for words.

What would you like me to say?

Something very simple.

I'll do my best.

And so will I.

About Mr. Thevenet...

he has a great deal of money.

And a great many people after it.

And someone will eventually get it.

You've made a friend of a girl who wants it.

I want it, too.

Why not make a friend of me?

Would you not like to be my friend?

I'd prefer it to being your enemy.

Merely in friendship, I can offer you...

What? What are you trying to say?

If I were your friend, I would help you.

You owe money at the tavern. You can't pay your rent.

Is this a bribe?

That's not a very friendly thing to say.

Gift, then.

Couldn't we call it a loan?

- You're a bold woman... - Yes.

- But puzzling. - Why?

You give me one thing to make me talk, and another to keep me silent.

Oddly enough, you've discovered both my weaknesses.

To understand another's weaknesses is the first rule of friendship.

And the second?

To understand another's strength.

That was very impulsive.

Under the circumstances, it was inevitable.

I think I'd better say good night.

I suppose that was inevitable, too.

Oh, about this loan...

I thought we were friends.

Of course.

Then there's nothing more to discuss.

You're obviously a man of honor.

Otherwise you would not be saying good night.

Good evening.

Good evening to you.

If you're just walking, do you mind if I join you?

I don't mind at all.

I get lonely enough.

Of course.

Oh, why, Martin.

Out for a little constitutional, are you?

Sometimes I enjoy the night air.

Would you care to join us?

No, thank you. I'm willing to take my chances.

But walking alone on a dark street can be very dangerous.

How well I know.

One's safety, however, depends on his choice of walking companions.

It's the first of the month, you know.

I can understand your excitement.

It happens only once every 30 days.

Hope you're writing home for money.

It's been two months now since you last paid me.

What have I got out of you in that time?

A smile and a lot of fancy talk.

I'm not one to throw a human being out into the streets,

but I'm not one to adopt a grown man, neither, not in my time of life.

There's jobs to be had. Why don't you go out and get a job?

Or didn't that occur to you?

There's nothing I can do.

Why don't you be an actor, then? You're pretty enough.

You know, I used to try to imagine you

as a small girl running to school with an apple, or playing with dolls

and then as a young maiden who fell in love, and walked among the stars.

Last I saw you as a lovely oak tree

that grew into an acorn.

Oh!

It's not my money.

Oh, it's not now.

You telling me you didn't have a penny week after week,

and me wondering where my next loaf of bread is coming from.

This is mine.

The world could do very well without the likes of you.

It's doing its best, ma'am.

Cheater of the poor.

Philanderer.

It's only the landlady.

She's a rather holy woman.

She dislikes ladies visiting in the rooms.

I... I looked for you in the tavern.

They said you lived up here.

I came to thank you and to tell you about everything.

I think it's going to be all right now.

Then why don't we plan on dining together tonight, and you can tell me about it.

Would you like that?

I would like it very much.

Besides, I badly need to hear some music.

"Thus ensuring their shelter and happiness together under the same roof."

Mm-hmm.

Good. Good.

Now it's done.

Bring up your... your clerk.

I'll sign, and he can witness.

Villon?

How do you like this for an epitaph?

What better time for a man to take his own life...

Than in the final stupidity...

Of a generous deed?

Now, Charles...

There.

See? Evidence of life.

Here. Robert?

That's all, Robert.

Sir.

Good night.

You don't need any more of that, my friend.

I can make better use of that than you can.

What is it, Charles? Another attack?

Uh... Uh... Uh...

Charles, can't you speak?

Poi...

I'll have them fetch the doctor.

You know what you're doing?

What am I doing?

You're dancing in a public place. You're no longer respectable.

I think it is beautiful.

It is.

Now you look sad again.

What are you thinking?

I'm thinking how much more habitable the world becomes

just by dancing with you.

That makes you sad?

Not only that.

What is it?

A man I don't even know.

Well, if you don't even know him, how can he concern you?

Because you do.

You would like him.

You do, don't you?

Yes. I like him very much.

Now...

Tell me your news.

Oh, yes.

Well, today monsieur Thevenet had another attack,

and they would not let me see him.

That's understandable.

But I saw monsieur Durand again,

and he told me a new will was to be made,

and what could it be, except in favor of Paul?

He's coming to the house... Durand?

Yes. They're drawing it up tonight.

Do Miss Bounty and Martin know about it?

Of course.

Martin brought the message to monsieur Durand,

and I will see him again tomorrow, and know what I can write to Paul.

I doubt it.

Why do you say that?

Have you ever awakened suddenly in the night

with the feeling that something terrible was wrong?

I don't understand you.

What could be wrong?

I think we'd better find out.

Thank you, Dr. Roland.

Now, Mrs. Flynn.

I'll have your story, please.

Well, Mr. Durand was up in the bedroom with the old man when I took up his medicine.

He asked me, was Miss Madeline about?

And I said, no, she'd gone out.

That's Miss Madeline there.

Ah. Now go on.

Well, a little bit later, Mr. Durand come downstairs

and said Mr. Thevenet had had some kind of a fit...

though he looked more like he'd had a fit himself...

and would I fetch the doctor?

So I tells Martin, and Martin goes for the doctor,

and when I come back into the library,

there was Mr. Durand, sitting in that chair

as dead as a stuffed mackerel.

Oh, and Miss Bounty...

What are you going to do?

I'm going up to him.

Is he all right?

- I have to see him. - You can't.

Why? Everybody can see him but me. I'm going up.

- It's useless. - Why?

Miss Bounty, will you come in, please?

Yes, I'm coming.

He's had a stroke. There's complete paralysis.

- He can't even speak. - When did this happen?

I suppose when Durand was upstairs with him.

You'd better bring her down. He must be quiet.

You'll be all right now.

I'm going to take care of you.

Is there anything you want?

Monsieur...

Vous n'avez pas besoin de quelque chose?

He's paralyzed. He can't speak.

Remember, we have something in common.

He's trying to tell us something.

Barometer?

Villon?

Barometer.

Villon.

Barometer.

I'm sorry.

You all have to leave.

He's very weak, you know.

You wait so long for it to happen, and when it's finally here...

It's not at all the way you expected it to be.

But 10 years is a long time to care for a mountain of selfishness...

Whose only virtue is money.

Maybe there isn't that much in the world.

You said you were underestimated by your generation.

Well, I was underestimated by his.

It's difficult to be the toast of an era, and not be burned by it.

- Miss Bounty? - Yes, officer?

I'm on my way, ma'am.

Thank you for your cooperation.

If there's anything else, please let me know.

Oh, no need to disturb you again.

I'm sure the doctor's report will be sufficient.

Thank you.

This has been a very distressing evening.

Indeed, ma'am.

I hope Mr. Thevenet feels better in the morning.

Good night. Good night.

Tell me...

Did Durand leave anything behind?

What would he leave?

Perhaps a new will.

Nonsense.

Why did the old man send for him?

They were friends, old friends.

Like you and me.

Have you found it?

Found what?

It's lost, but it exists.

If you want to exist, you better get out of this house.

You know, I think you mean it. You're desperate.

You should have found it before you killed him.

Martin!

Preserving your life may become a little monotonous.

Not to me.

Why don't you say what you're thinking?

Is it necessary to say it?

You're thinking Thevenet made a new will for that girl

and that Durand was murdered, so it could be destroyed, isn't that it?

Isn't that reasonable?

I don't know why Durand died.

But you know a new will was drawn.

Oh, forgive me for being presumptuous.

I don't see how this concerns me.

Exactly.

Well, it'll all come out in the wash, as they say, or an autopsy.

The doctor pronounced him dead from a heart attack.

Why should there be an autopsy?

Why, indeed?

If you'll excuse me, I don't want to get in the way of your search.

If I see you again,

or rather, when I see you again,

I hope it'll be under more pleasant circumstances, for us both.

I think it will be.

Good night.

- Did you find it? - Not yet.

Monsieur.

Tell me, how did you know monsieur Durand was dead?

You knew it before we came here.

- How? - Guess.

Half my life has been a game of guessing.

Why?

Did you think there was some other reason why I knew?

I don't know... I don't know.

Monsieur, wait.

I'm sorry. I...

I didn't really distrust you.

I could try not to, but in the end, I'll always believe in you.

But I suppose this is the end of it.

We haven't failed yet.

You mean, you have some idea?

Just another guess.

With his eyes, he was telling me to take this.

He was trying to tell me something else, too.

Come along.

You know, this is the first time in my life I've ever been interested in an empty glass.

Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Yes. Will you stop that noise?

Sleeping fox catches no poultry.

I'm not a fox.

Now you're no longer sleeping. Open up.

This is vital... a matter of life and death.

What is it now?

This glass. I want to know what was in it.

A friend of mine drank from it.

I think it contained poison.

Please.

Oh, very well.

Very well. Very well.

Your friend is dead?

Poison?

Arsenic.

Have you ever sold any of it?

Yes.

When?

Oh, some months ago. 6 or 7 months ago.

- To whom? - To Mr. Thevenet.

I wouldn't tell you,

except I don't care to stay up the rest of the night arguing about it.

Give him some money.

Give me nothing. Give me my rest.

Out with you, both of you.

Thank you.

Do you think Mr. Thevenet really bought the poison himself?

He kept it in this ring.

I think he put it in the brandy,

intending to kill himself after he'd made the new will.

He wanted to kill himself?

He told me as much at the party last night.

Paralysis must have struck

before he could pick up the glass.

Durand was upset by the old man's tack

and drank the brandy himself.

Poor old Thevenet could only lie there and watch, unable to protest or raise a hand.

Durand...

Not realizing he was poisoned, went downstairs for help.

What we don't know is, what's happened to the new will?

Let's go back to the house.

I'll see to everything.

Martin...

Pack the girl's things.

Oh.

Good evening.

May I go up to monsieur Thevenet?

There'd be no point in that, child.

But I want to see him.

Mr. Thevenet is dead.

I'm sorry.

You can leave it open.

You're not staying, either of you.

So he's dead.

Yes.

Well...

He lived a long life...

Or was it too long?

I know how you must feel.

Do you think he meant anything to her, either in his life or his death?

And if what I wanted was merely money,

was it any different from her or from you?

At least you aren't weeping about it. You aren't lying.

What's the use of this?

You wanted to see him?

Go on upstairs and see him, and then get out.

I'll get out, but why her?

Because I'm mistress here now, and she's not wanted.

I'll find you a place to stay.

Yes?

Mrs. Inness, I want to rent a room, for a friend of mine.

Her?

Miss Minot, yes.

Fine hour for a respectable girl to want a room.

That's what she wants... a room, not an opinion.

Pay in advance.

$1.00.

Excuse me.

Here you are.

Feel a little better now?

Yes. I feel all right.

It wasn't just the money for Paul.

I... I liked monsieur Thevenet, and I-I pitied him,

and I still think they killed him.

I think they...

Don't try to think.

But the new will, what happened to it?

It's at the house.

That's probably why we were put out of it.

But how can we find it if we can't go back there?

They'll try to find it by ransacking the house,

and I'll try to find it by ransacking my brain.

It's horrible.

It is.

Isn't it, Mrs. Inness?

Now you go to bed.

In a little while, it'll be light enough to sleep.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Well, there goes old Thevenet.

Hmm... Only the servant woman and the girl.

Well... I'm an Irishman, and this is a solemn occasion,

so I'll give you one last drink.

I accept.

Some men leave good will,

others... Just a will.

There are even some who leave two wills.

Hmm?

To the busiest man in the world.

Who's that?

Death.

Oh.

I thought I might find you here.

In fact, you knew it.

I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you last night.

I was upset. I...

is there any way I could make amends?

You can buy me a drink.

You, uh, didn't go to the funeral.

No.

Correct.

The grave is no place for rejoicing.

Thank you.

I didn't really hate him, not at the end.

I did at first, but...

That was when he was someone to be hated.

It was a long time ago. I was young.

I was in love with someone else.

How idyllic.

I was in love the way Madeline is.

I was even like her. I was that naive.

Can you believe that?

I'm trying desperately hard.

Thevenet made me feel I could be a great actress.

In time, I would be Ophelia and Juliet.

And lady Macbeth?

Forgive me.

He made me feel that I belonged to the theater.

The theater you belonged to was always the one he owned.

Yes.

And he bought you all the accessories to fame...

plays, gowns, teachers...

Until he finally owned you, too.

And the love affair?

It was lost.

It didn't fit his pattern.

How very sad.

Oh, I can see you're touched by it.

You're telling me that Thevenet owed you a great deal?

Yes. He owed me freedom, 10 years of it.

Freedom is always expensive.

Why are you telling me this?

There is a new will, and you know it.

You want to find it for this girl.

You want me to find it for you instead, so that you can destroy it?

Oh, I think it would mean more to you.

What will it mean if you find it for her?

Nothing at all.

That's hard for me to imagine, you doing something for nothing.

Then there is no arrangement between you and this ingenue?

No.

Then that leaves only us.

Why do you look at me that way?

You think I killed Durand?

I didn't.

I know it.

The old man had prepared the hemlock for himself, but Durand drank it.

That doesn't matter anymore, any of it.

What is it now?

You...

And me.

You and me and money, the corrupter of conscience and honor.

It makes fire in men's minds.

It makes friends foes...

And enemies friends,

but having little, I'm not one to talk much about it.

You'll need this to pay for the wine.

Shall we go to the house?

Oh, Flaherty...

Keep this for me, and think about this...

I'm going with her to that house.

If I don't come back,

always remember that either in heaven or hell, someone thinks kindly of you.

Miss Bounty.

More trouble.

Draw me a beer.

But you're on duty.

I'll go off a minute.

Draw one, Zack.

I wish I knew what they were up to.

I can tell you, it's no good.

You got reasons?

He made some foolish talk about going to that house

like he might never come out of it on his own power.

Well, that sounds foolish enough.

I'm not so sure.

No matter what he says, he's no fool.

Well, I'd never dream that Martin was so literary.

He knows where it is, Martin.

He knows where the bottle is, that's what he knows.

More than that.

After all, Martin, it's a tremendous sum of money, for just two people.

I have to live, too, you know, uh, if only because I have a theory.

To live, you'd better have more than that.

Now...

If Durand had hidden the will, even a fool like Martin might have found it,

but Thevenet knew where it was,

and Thevenet was a clever man, like myself.

Try to get the murder out of your face.

Now, since what are we going to do, just talk about it?

Since Thevenet was trying to tell me where it was,

it's obviously in his bedroom.

Now...

I was standing here.

Thevenet lay here.

Only his eyes were alive, and trying to tell me something.

He looked at an empty glass here on the table,

the glass that had contained the poison for himself,

the poison that Durand had the misfortune to drink.

Then Durand...

be quiet.

Then he looked up at me,

then at the glass,

then his eyes went up to the wall here, to the barometer.

It was falling.

Then he looked at the foot of the bed, where the bird is,

back to the barometer, back to the bird.

What kind of figuring is this?

Villon, the only living creature in this house who didn't want his money.

You don't like the memory. It's just that it's cold.

It's cold in here.

Villon...

The only living creature in this room capable of moving.

Cold. Certainly, cold.

The barometer, it was falling.

What do you do when it's cold?

You light a fire.

He was looking at the fireplace, where Villon must have put the will.

Here, here.

Come on.

Steady, you.

Oh, Flaherty was right.

He said there'd be trouble here.

Now, what's this all about?

It's about a will.

Officer...

This happens to be a private affair.

I'm afraid it's no longer a private affair.

It's an affair for the court of New York.

"I, Charles Francois Thevenet,

"being sound of body and mind,

"do hereby bequeath all my monies

to my grandson, Paul de Lage."

"To Lorna Bounty,

"Joseph Martin, and Emma Flynn,

"who have served me so long and well,

"I bequeath this house and its furnishings

"on the condition that they never sell it or cease to live in it,

"thus ensuring their shelter and happiness together under the same roof."

Ha ha ha!

Will you please see that this gets into the hands of the proper authorities?

Get her out of here.

Is that all you have to suggest?

Shelter and happiness, Martin.

It's in the hands of the law now.

We'll discuss it later.

Will you please inform Miss Minot?

She's rooming with Mrs. Inness down the street.

Thank you.

Well, it's over,

and good has triumphed over evil,

which is to say, you and me.

The heroic Paul de Lage will now win his cause, one presumes and hopes.

And beauty becomes the bride of virtue.

You are obviously leaving.

I'm always leaving.

You're going alone?

I always have. Why not?

I thought, perhaps, you might have forgotten something, that's all.

What?

Perhaps the only thing not worth remembering.

You owe me some money.

Well, is my credit good for a while?

It is with me.

Well, I won't hide.

Someday, I'll be a man not too hard to find

if anyone bothers to look.

Someone will.

Have you seen him... monsieur Dupin?

Dupin?

The landlady told me she'd thrown him out of his room.

I thought he would come here.

I knew he would, Miss, and I was waiting for him.

So he has been here.

He has.

Because, you see, I have to find him.

He has been so kind.

The police came, and told me the new will had been found.

I don't know about that, Miss,

but me and the landlady had the same kind of trouble with him.

Trouble?

Where is he now?

He had an unusual theory of business...

take, and ye shall receive.

I found myself running a steady loss.

He owed you money, too?

He did.

And you threw him out like that woman upstairs?

I didn't throw him, no.

I just told him to try his system elsewhere.

Only because he could not pay?

It's my upbringing, Miss.

How much did he owe you?

Well, he wrote me an i.o.u. For it...

Whatever it may be worth.

May I see it?

When exactly did he leave?

Oh, only 2 or 3 minutes ago.

He couldn't have gone very far.

Don't you know where he was going?

Miss, I don't even know who he really is.

He gave me a name, and I gave him some credit.

Then he gave me that i.o.u. With another name on it.

No, you aren't gonna find that fellow.

Yeah, that name will never be worth anything,

not in a hundred years.