Original subtitles

(dramatic introductory music)

(suspenseful music)

(tape tearing)

(suspenseful music)

(glass smashing)

(suspenseful music)

(drawer rattling)

(suspenseful music)

(light clicking)

- Make it quick.

- What do you mean?

- I have seen.

I can give the police a 100% description.

I can pick you out of any lineup.

So, make it quick.

Don't be a fool.

Breaking and entering, caught red handed,

that's five to seven years, at least,

and I'm the only witness.

You kill me and you're in the clear.

Go on.

Go on.

Shoot!

- I'm no killer!

- No.

No, you're not.

(objects rattling)

Get out. - Hey?

- Get out!

- What?

You mean, you're letting me go?

- And, use the front door, please.

I don't want anyone seeing you climbing out of the window

and calling the police.

- Why?

- Because, you're not the man I thought you were.

Now, run along. (suspenseful music)

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

(Clori groaning)

- Hey, sleepy head.

Come on, get up.

(Clori groaning)

You're gonna miss the best part of the morning.

(shades rattling)

- I have to get up soon.

It's ---

- Another auction?

- Starts at 11.

You're up early.

- Well, it's that kind of a day.

- Your hands are all dirty.

What have you been up to?

- I have been doing a little bit of work around the house.

You know, Clori, I wouldn't have

to get up so early, darling.

I mean, a house this size,

it's crazy not to have a staff live in.

- We did have staff.

Don't you remember Annie, the little blond

and the other one?

- Clori, you're paranoid, darling.

- No, my definition of paranoia is imagined insult.

I didn't imagine anything.

I saw you.

- Darling, it was Christmas and we were just having fun.

- It was November.

Certainly you were having fun.

Both of you.

But, I wasn't.

So, until we can find staff aged enough to repel you

and yet, still active enough to negotiate that long drive,

we'll shut up one half of the house and do without them.

Thank you for the orange juice.

Hugh?

- [Hugh] Yes, darling?

- Why don't you come to the auction with me?

- And watch you spend your money?

I'll see you later at the usual place.

- With Paul?

- What's the matter with Paul?

- He encourages you.

- I like a drink, Clori.

- No, no the drink.

He encourages you.

He's just shrugged off wife number three

and looking for number four.

Well, I wish he'd find her and leave us alone.

- The usual place, darling.

(door opening and closing)

(kettle tinkling)

- Putty?

(suspenseful music)

- We can always think up some excuse to give Clorissa.

Say that I need moral support or something.

- Paul, she just wouldn't buy it.

Clori is... - Hugh?

- Clori is here.

(light piano music)

Hello, darling.

- Hello, Clori!

- Hello, Paul. - Like a drink?

- Thanks, a martini.

(light piano music)

- Did you have a nice morning?

- Yes, but it would have been better

if you'd been there with me.

- Darling, I don't like auctions and you know it.

- But, that's how we met, or have your forgotten?

'Cause, I think you have.

I often did wonder just what you went there to pick up.

You never did tell me.

- Now, Clori...

- And, it isn't the only thing you've forgotten, is it?

Do you remember the things you said?

Promises?

- Excuse me, darling.

Is it sweet or dry martini?

- Dry, please.

- [Paul] Right.

- Well, come on, what'd you buy?

- A signed lithograph and a Matisse.

(Hugh chuckling)

- Well, Clori... - As you never cease

to remind me, it is my money.

(light piano music)

- Thanks very much.

- Another Matisse.

- Eh?

- That's what she bought this morning, another Matisse,

and we already have two.

Plus, the best jade collection in the country.

Paul, do you know there's a piece in that collection

that is so s...

Well, it would fit in your pocket, all right.

It is worth 50,000.

That and the silver that's worth twice as much

and yet, our burglary precautions are practically nil.

- Hugh, don't broadcast it.

- What do you mean?

- Well, not here.

- Why?

- Well, you've got a large fortune stashed away at home.

You never know who may be listening.

Burglars. - Come on, Paul,

at a place like this?

There's not a potential burglar in sight.

- You never know, Hugh.

(suspenseful music)

- You're going out?

- Yes.

Yes, darling.

And, why not?

You're obviously crashing, huh?

- You know the trouble I have sleeping.

- Sleeping, Clori?

Or, looking the world, the real world, in the face?

- They're prescribed!

- Well, so are crutches, darling.

So are crutches.

(suspenseful music)

- Why do we keep scratching at each other?

(clothing rustling)

Do you want a divorce?

- No!

(drawer slamming)

Absolutely not.

- Because of my money?

(Hugh chuckling)

- No, because I happen to love you very much.

Now, come on.

What's this all about?

Yes, I'm going out.

I'm going down to the pub for about an hour

to have a drink, all right?

- An hour?

- Ye...

What does that look mean?

- There's a game tonight, isn't there?

- Maybe. - There's always

a poker game somewhere!

Paul's place or some... - That doesn't mean

I'm playing, Clori.

All right, I'm sorry, darling.

You're right.

We've got to stop scratching at each other.

- I love you, Hugh.

- I'm glad to hear it.

- I love you despite everything.

That word, hooked, it fits me perfectly.

- You're in a funny mood tonight.

- Do you love me?

- So help me.

- And, you trust me?

- Of course.

- But why, Hugh?

Why do you trust me?

- Clori, what's gotten into you tonight?

- Nothing.

Enjoy yourself.

(tense music)

(door closing)

(engine turning over) (suspenseful music)

(bottle cap clinking)

(pills rattling)

(suspenseful music)

(lever squeaking)

(men grunting)

- You don't say?

- George, right?

All right.

You know what that is?

- Oh, yes, yes. - All right.

I don't.

I don't know anything about it.

It stands about this high, all right?

The last evaluation on that little piece was over 50,000.

(man whistling)

- You must keep it chained to a guard dog.

- No, no, no, no.

Our protection is all right.

We've got a good, solid house and doors that lock.

- Yes, but all the same, I mean, these days...

- You're right.

You're absolutely right.

One of these days, I'm gonna have to put in the alarms

and the bars and all the other stuff,

but who wants to live in a fortress, right?

You know what I mean?

- But, if you lost that piece of silver,

financially, you would... - Piece?

Piece?

You think that's the only one?

That place is loaded with the stuff.

It's loaded.

(car approaching) (suspenseful music)

(door opening)

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

All right, hold it right there.

Put your hands on top of your head and turn around.

Now, walk towards me, very slowly.

Over there, by the couch.

I feel like an actor in a bad western.

You have broken into my house, my friend, my home.

- Well, you can't shoot me for that,

at least, not in England, you can't.

- But, I am an American and the Embassy gave me a pamphlet

on how to conduct myself in a foreign country.

True, they didn't mention shooting intruders,

but they didn't mention not shoot them, either.

But, Paul was right.

I blabbed about the riches in this place

and I finally caught myself a burglar.

You're not armed?

No, where would you hide a gun?

Well, I'm glad I got home early,

before you had a chance to take anything.

Still, breaking and entering,

that's five to seven years, isn't it?

But, that's police business from here on.

Back up.

(phone dial whirring)

(dramatic music)

- Put it down! - Now, look...

- Down!

(dramatic music)

- That was a mistake.

A bad mistake.

- Fatal.

- Now, look.

Look, this is my house.

I don't think you'll shoot.

Burglary is one thing, and murder's another, my friend.

All right, I'll tell you what,

just put the gun down and take off.

Go on, take off and I won't say anything to anybody.

- What, you won't remember this face?

You won't grab the phone the minute I've left?

- That's right, I promise.

- I am sorry.

- Now, just put the gun down.

Put it... (gun shots)

(grunting)

(dark music)

Let's talk this out over a drink, all right?

Come on.

Sit down.

That's all right.

It's okay.

My wife is asleep, upstairs, but she takes pills,

she doesn't hear anything and there's nobody else

around here for miles.

- I shot you.

- Yes, I know you did and I'm delighted, but with blanks.

See?

You need that drink.

You are just the man I have been waiting for.

You know, I was beginning to feel that all the crooks

over here were milk and water boys.

You know what I mean?

(liquid pouring and glass clinking)

But, not you.

You have a nice, desperate edge.

Give you a gun and you're prepared to use it.

Cheers.

How much did you think you were gonna make

on tonight's haul?

Hmm?

Come on, how much?

Come on, now.

You've heard me in the bars,

shooting my mouth off about paintings worth 50,000,

silver worth a hundred grand.

Now, how much did you think you were gonna make?

I'll tell you.

The entire contents of this place are insured

for over three quarters of a million.

But, you're one man, didn't even bring a bag

to carry the stuff out with, so you figured

whatever you took, you would stuff in your pockets, right?

What?

Some silver off the shelf over there,

a couple of these pieces?

At most, a couple paintings, cut out and rolled up.

Now, I figure a haul like that would be worth, what?

200,000?

On the open market, and 30,000, 35,000 tops,

sold underground, through a fence.

Yes, I know about those things.

35,000, tops, and you were prepared to kill for that.

So, I wanna make a deal with you.

I wanna make you an offer you can hardly refuse.

That 35,000, plus 10, plus your freedom,

plus my blessing.

45,000 and a very clear conscience.

What do you say?

(ice rattling)

Come on, I asked you a question.

- You must need the insurance money awfully badly.

(Hugh chuckling)

Insurance?

Who was talking about insurance?

You're missing the point, my friend.

You are missing the point.

You see, you broke in here to steal and I surprised you

and you suddenly found yourself with a gun.

Now, suppose it hadn't been me?

Suppose my wife had come down here and surprised you.

That wouldn't have made any difference, would it?

You would have killed her, just like you killed me.

(suspenseful music)

That's what I want you to do.

I want you to kill my wife.

(suspenseful music)

Now, come on.

It's the cleanest thing you'll ever come across.

You are a stranger.

All you have to do is point the gun, pull the trigger,

and then just get lost in the night.

(suspenseful music)

- What if I say no?

- Then, I say you're still an intruder and, this time,

there aren't any blanks and I don't think

you're gonna say no.

- It would appear that I have no choice then.

- [Hugh] That's right.

- Well... (Hugh chuckling)

- Nothing tricky, all right?

Keep it simple.

Yes, I do know about these things.

- And you've been thinking about them for a long time.

- That's right.

Now, we take it from the police point of view:

you break in here and you ransack the place.

(objects clattering)

Now, my wife hears you, she comes down the stairs,

you have found my gun, I leave it right here in that drawer,

it's loaded at all times, she walks in,

you panic, and she's dead.

How does that sound?

- Point. - Yes?

- Your wife takes sleeping pills.

How would she hear me?

- Oh, now that's not only a point, that is the point.

You see, she starts to come out of those pills

early in the morning.

By four, the effect's only shallow.

- Four? - That's right.

Four o'clock, that's when I want you to do it.

It's nearly 10, now.

I'll be in a poker game from 11 o'clock on

with some friends and I probably won't get home

until around 9:30 in the morning.

That's when the help arrives.

- And, you're gonna leave me here?

- That's right, until four.

That's when I want you to do it.

- All right, second point.

- Yes?

- You go off, what's to stop me just walking away?

- I wanna see that good right hand of yours.

The glove, take it off.

Off!

I think you need another drink.

Hand me one of those sherry glasses from the bar.

Now, sit down.

This is why you're not just gonna run away.

See, if I come back tomorrow morning and the job isn't done,

and that silver is going to be missing,

then I'll tell the police that I saw a man

running away from here and I'll be the best witness

they've ever had.

I'll be dead accurate and they'll find this glass

with your prints on it, matching up with the record,

and come on, you can't win.

You can't win, my friend.

You'll do it.

You'll do it for that and you'll do it for 45,000.

Now, come on.

Come on.

You're gonna do it.

- Yes, I'll do it, Mr. Briant, but for the 45,000,

not because you forced me into anything.

Now, I could've taken you any time

in the last few minutes, Mr. Briant.

You haven't forced me into anything.

(phone jingling)

- I got lucky, didn't I?

I really got lucky this time.

All right.

All right, so I haven't forced you into anything,

but we have made a deal, have we not,

like the gentlemen we are?

Now, I've gotta get going.

How far did you get up the stairs?

- Not far.

- Did you wear those gloves all the time?

- Ever since I picked them up off the hall stand.

They're yours.

- Now, look, you can pick up this little bit of insurance

any time you want, after it's over,

but don't forget, four o'clock, no sooner, no later,

and use the gun.

A knife is messy, it's uncertain,

and it says calculation,

and this has got to be a panic killing,

you broke in here to steal and you were forced to murder.

All right?

It's a pleasure meeting you.

- Aren't you forgetting something?

- No, I'm not forgetting anything.

You can collect it after I've gone.

You'll find it where you found my gloves,

on the hall table.

(suspenseful music)

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

- Hugh, don't you think it be wise now to pull out?

- Oh, come on, let's play.

What time is it, Brent?

- Nearly four.

- That's the third time you asked that, Hugh.

Is something bothering you?

- No, I'm just writing a book on poker.

I need statistics.

- Statistics?

- Yeah, I wanna know how much you can lose per minute.

(Hugh chuckling)

No, I left my watch at home.

Nearly four?

- Yeah.

(suspenseful music)

- Hugh, Clorissa is going to eat you alive.

Do you know that it's nearly nine o'clock?

- Oh, another few minutes aren't gonna hurt.

I'll be home by 9:30.

- Yes, well, I hope there isn't gonna be a great row

about all this.

(vacuum sucking)

(maid gasping)

(suspenseful music)

(maid sobbing)

(suspenseful music)

(voices over police scanner)

(suspenseful music)

- He's here, sir, the husband, he's just arriving.

- Something funny going on here, Michael.

Something down funny.

(suspenseful music)

Oh, remember what I told you:

I handle it my way.

- I still think it's immoral.

- I'm handling it, I'm responsible.

- Not only immoral, it is probably illegal, too.

- You'll have to arrest me, won't you?

- What's going on?

What has happened?

- I'm afraid it's your wife, sir.

- Clori?

Clorissa?

- It was horrible.

Such a beautiful, kind lady.

I found her.

All that blood.

- Oh, my god.

- He's the only one can help her now.

- Would you take her home, please?

- Clori?

Clori?

I've gotta see her. - I'm afraid

they've taken her away, sir.

- Oh, god.

Oh, no.

- You can see her later, of course.

- Clori.

Clori.

- Do you mind telling us where you've been, sir?

- I've...

I've been playing cards, poker, with some friends.

- Bit early for card games, isn't it, sir?

- The games started last night.

Inspector...

- Superintendent, sir.

Detective Superintendent Lucas

and this is Detective Sergeant Player.

- Who did it?

- We don't know that yet, do we, sir?

- Well, you've gotta have an idea.

You've gotta have a conclusion.

I mean, surely, someone heard the shots.

- Shots?

- Yes, I know we're fairly isolated out here,

but certainly some... - Your wife wasn't shot, sir.

She was stabbed.

- Stabbed?

- What made you think she'd been shot, sir?

- My gun, I just...

I keep it loaded, I assu...

- Yes, we found the gun.

- And, your license to own one, sir.

- And, it's still loaded.

It's nicely oiled.

- And, not a print on it.

- Well, you're obviously a very meticulous man, Mr. Briant.

(suspenseful music)

- Stabbed.

What about the knife?

Have you found that?

- [Lucas] No, not yet.

- [Michael] We're still looking, sir.

- It's funny that you should think

that she'd been shot, though, sir.

- Well, I just naturally assumed whoever broke in

found the gun and then...

- No one's broken in, sir.

That's another false conclusion.

- There's no sign of a break in at all, sir.

- We'll go from here to your card game, sir.

- Yes.

- What time did you leave, sir?

- I left a little after 10 and I drove off to Hampstead.

Yes, it was after 10.

I remember hearing the news on the car radio.

I got out there a little before 11, 45 minutes driving time.

- Well, you're helpfully accurate

with your timing, Mr. Briant.

- I just happen to remember things, that's all.

- And, before you left for the card game, sir?

- Well, I was here.

Well, for a little while, anyway.

I'd gone down to the pub and had a couple of drinks.

I got back here around 9:30 and left shortly after 10.

I'm to blame.

- [Michael] Sir?

- I'm to blame.

If I hadn't gone out last night

or if I'd just kicked the game earlier,

well, Clori might still be alive.

- Oh, why do you say that, sir?

- Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

I might have been here when whoever it...

- You were here, sir.

- [Hugh] What?

- Your wife was stabbed between 9:30 and 10 last night,

which puts you here when it happened,

right in the middle.

(alarm clock ringing)

(suspenseful music)

- You think I killed her, don't you?

Why?

Why would I kill Clori?

I loved her.

I loved her.

- Look, Mr. Briant, I think that you've

got a right to know...

- Michael!

I need your help upstairs.

- All right, if you're gonna do it, let's...

Let's do it and get it over with, all right?

- Sir?

- Well, you're gonna arrest me

for murdering my wife, aren't you?

- Not unless you give us a signed confession, Mr. Briant.

You still think I'm being immoral, Michael?

- Yes, but...

- But?

- He's suffering.

- The whole world suffers, Michael.

Now, you just tell me about the but.

- I don't know.

- Well, that's a coppers charm.

He has to know the truth, however or whatever.

- It'd help to eliminate a few if I had his, too.

I've got hers and the cleaning lady's.

- Well, Michael will arrange it.

He'll treat him gently.

Well, he is suffering.

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

- Fingerprints?

- It's just routine, Mr. Briant.

It's to help you help us, in fact.

You see, it could be that someone did break in here.

A good burglar doesn't always leave evidence,

especially if he's been forced to use violence.

- Lots of prints around this house.

If we an eliminate yours...

- Yeah, the rest we check out against criminal records.

- [Mustached Detective] You never know.

- Okay.

(suspenseful music)

- Thank you, sir.

- You'll dust for prints everywhere?

- All the usual places, yes.

- In here?

- Of course.

- Just make sure you do.

(suitcase rattling)

(suspenseful music)

- Why in here, particularly, sir?

- Well, it may be my imagination, Sergeant,

but things just seem different.

I mean, those pieces on the mantle.

(suspenseful music)

I'd swear this decanter was full when I left last night.

(suspenseful music)

- Mrs. Harper?

- No, no.

She's been with us for nearly a year now

and I never noticed anything missing, least of all booze.

- Or you're mistaken, sir.

- Yeah, maybe.

Maybe, but just the same, your man will check everything

on the tray, won't he?

- Oh, yes, sir.

I'll make sure he does, sir.

(suspenseful music)

- Superintendent?

(suspenseful music)

- Come on, Sergeant, relax.

I should be the worried one.

You've got all the symptoms.

- Look, Mr. Briant...

- Do you and your wife spend much time apart, Mr. Briant?

- Well, she went to auctions, things like that.

- Has she been away on her own recently?

A holiday alone, perhaps?

- A couple months ago, she went off to see about a house

she was gonna buy. - In Devon?

- Yes.

How'd you know about that?

- Darling, it really must end.

Oh, must is underlined.

Although I am still...

Now, there's something there that I just can't read,

but the lab will bring it out.

Those few idyllic days in Devon are something

I will never forget, but Hugh...

There's something else there that I just can't read.

I'll never forget you and always, in my funny way,

will love you.

Clorissa.

Now, when did you find out that your wife had a lover, sir?

- I didn't.

- Oh.

Those few idyllic days in Devon are something

I will never forget, but Hugh...

But Hugh what, sir?

But Hugh was very suspicious, but Hugh was jealous,

but Hugh has found out?

- Ridiculous.

- I'll never forget you and always, in my funny way,

will love you.

Clorissa.

Well, whether you knew it or not,

your wife did have a lover, didn't she, sir?

Now, are these your gloves, sir?

We found them on the hall table.

Are they yours? - Yes, they're mine.

- Oh.

Expensive.

Soft kid.

Oh, silk lined.

Oh...

Oh, it's a pity about this, though.

It spoils them.

Do you see, sir?

Look, there's a little, dark spot.

I'd say it was blood, wouldn't you, sir?

You are right handed, aren't you, sir?

- Okay, sir?

- Yes, carry on.

- All right, what happens now?

- Well, I'd suggest that we have a little talk,

as you Americans say, in depth.

Oh, down at the station.

It'll be quieter there.

- Are you arresting me?

- No, I just want you to cooperate

and to assist in our inquiries.

- But, that's just another way of saying

you're accusing me of murdering my wife, isn't it?

- I'm accusing you of nothing, sir,

certainly not of murdering your wife.

I just want to talk to you a little more.

Is that all right with you?

- That's fine.

That's perfect.

- Good.

(suspenseful music)

You see my problem, Mr. Briant?

You were in the house when it happened

and then, there's the question of the glove, your glove.

- All right.

All right, but come on.

Come on, superintendent, if I am the killer,

then I'm a pretty poor one, aren't I?

I fix an alibi that just doesn't get me off the hook?

- That's a point in my favor.

You stab your wife, panic, and then dash off

to get into a card game, hoping that we won't be able

to pinpoint the exact time of the attack.

I'm theorizing, of course.

- Yes, of course.

Now, how can you pinpoint it so accurately?

- I'm a gambling man, too, Mr. Briant.

How is my ace in the hole.

- You think...

You think I killed her out of jealousy?

- Undeniably she had a lover.

- All right, then what is wrong with the idea

that he did it?

What's wrong with that?

That letter was a goodbye note, it's rejection.

Now, there's your motive.

She was brushing him off and he refused to be brushed.

- It works equally well for you, too.

Rejection, the other man.

- I...

I did not know there was another man.

- And, that leaves you with an even stronger motive.

Your wife held the purse strings, Mr. Briant.

In the event of her death, I imagine her estate

would be considerable.

- Look, you just find the other man.

You find the other man, you find the...

(knocking at the door) - Yes?

- Fingerprint report, sir.

(Hugh sighing)

- [Lucas] All right, let's have it.

(door closing)

- Well, there's more than a dozen that we can't pin down.

That's guests you've entertained, probably, sir.

Just the same, we ran a comparison check

against criminal records.

- And?

- Well, none of the prints belong to anyone with a record.

(suspenseful music)

(paper rustling)

(suspenseful music)

(file rustling)

- We'll be in touch, Mr. Briant.

- That's it?

- For the moment.

(suspenseful music)

(door closing)

- It's criminal.

You're playing with people's emotions,

(crosstalk)

- Find that knife.

Find it.

(suspenseful music)

(door closing)

(suspenseful music)

(glass clinking and liquid pouring)

(suspenseful music)

(Hugh shouting) (glass shattering)

(birds chirping)

(phone ringing)

- Superintendent Lucas' office.

Oh, yes, doctor.

Yes, I see.

Thank you, sir.

It's the hospital.

- Well?

- The doctor reckons 11, 11:30 at the earliest.

- Hmm.

- Well, you'll have to tell him.

- Of course, I will.

Later.

- He crossed me.

He crossed me!

(phone ringing)

(Hugh sighing)

(phone ringing)

Hello?

- [Burglar] I see you got your name

in the papers, Mr. Briant.

- [Hugh] It's you.

You filthy rotten... - Well, you've gotta be

alone, Mr. Briant.

You wouldn't be saying things like that if you weren't.

- Now, look.

Where are you?

Where are you and who are you?

- Where I am doesn't matter.

As for who I am, I'm the boy who's got you

by the throat, Mr. Briant.

I also have the knife that killed Clorissa,

the knife with your prints on it and only your prints.

I'm taking very good care of them, too,

very good care to see they don't get smudged

or lost or mislaid.

- All right, what do you want?

- What I want...

Well, I'll tell you.

I was pretty mixed up about that.

(drawer opening)

You see, last night, I wanted Clorissa,

'cause I really did lover her

and then, when you put your sickly deal to me,

I wanted to see you sweat.

I wanted to see you behind bars,

'cause I really did love her.

- Love her?

You scum.

You killed her.

She was already dead when I came and found you last night.

- I didn't plan to kill her.

Scare her, maybe, but I didn't plan to kill her,

at least not cold blooded-ly batter away a life like you.

No.

To stick you, that's what I wanted.

But, that was all very hot blooded and passionate,

but not anymore, Mr. Briant.

I'm thinking very cool and collected, now.

- All right, now listen.

- No, you listen.

You don't know my name or anything about me.

My prints don't mean anything because I've never

been in trouble with the law.

I'm just a face amongst 10 million faces

and you'll never find me,

but I can find you any time I want

and I also have the knife.

I have the evidence that could send you away forever.

You still there?

Hmm?

- Yes, yes, I'm still here.

- Right, now, listen.

They'll sweat you a bit, but without the knife,

they can't prove a thing and it'll all blow over

and you'll inherit all that lovely money

and then, you'll be hearing from me again,

but this time, we won't be talking about 45,000, Briant.

Unfortunately, I want it all, piece by piece.

I mean to have it all.

(suspenseful music)

(heavy breathing through mask)

(water splashing)

(heavy breathing through mask)

(water splashing)

(door closing)

- They searched every inch of the grounds.

There's no sign of the knife.

That's the report.

(Lucas sighing)

Superintendent Lucas, I placed a report

on your behavior in this case

before the Chief Superintendent.

I had to, sir.

I'm sorry.

- That's all right, Michael.

I knew you would.

You're a good cop.

Not a bad fellow, either.

You didn't have to tell me.

All right, early 11, we have a trip to make.

Get a car, would you?

- Hello, Paul.

- Hello, Hugh.

I nearly telephoned you, but I thought it best

to come straight over as soon as I heard the news,

which I must confess was only a short time ago.

I have go the most appalling hangover.

Terrible news about Clorissa.

Dreadful, dreadful.

I hear you've been down at the old cop shop for some time.

Talked you the old third degree, I shouldn't wonder.

You don't mind if I help myself to a drink, do you?

- No, go ahead.

- Hair of the jolly old dog, don't you know.

- Oh, I'm sorry, Hugh.

Sorry.

Didn't mean to be jocular, Clorissa and all that.

Um, one for yourself?

You look as though you need one.

- No, I've had too many already.

- Right.

Yes, just as you wish.

Um...

Hugh, have they any idea who or why?

- They think it was me.

- Yes.

Mmm.

Well, they would, naturally, because of the money.

Not that I subscribe to that, mind you, but...

Hugh, what do you think?

- Her lover.

- Ah.

You know about that.

- Are you saying you knew?

- Yes, Hugh, I must admit, I did.

Mind you, I disapproved and I would have told you, Hugh,

but Clorissa made me swear, made me promise,

and when a gentleman gives his word to a lady...

- You mean you discussed it with her?

- It was inevitable.

I mean, I caught them at it.

Well, not actually at it, but I caught them together.

It was unavoidable.

We bumped into each other, we physically collided.

He was coming out of their place

and I was walking down the street,

my mind was on other matters.

As a matter of face, I was thinking about a rather pretty

little redhead I had met in a pub, the other...

- Coming out of his place?

His place?

- Well, I assumed it was his place.

It wasn't a hotel and I really can't imagine

Clorissa renting an apartment in that block.

- What block, Paul?

- Which block, Hugh.

Really, you Americans and English grammar.

- All right, all right.

Which.

Which block.

- Well, that old block of apartments

down by the old church

in Fulham, old and seedy, the Wentworth apartments.

That's it.

- I'm gonna have that drink with you.

- Ah, that's lovely, Hugh.

Nice to see you perking up.

Never say die, eh?

Oh, sorry.

Didn't mean it in that context.

Always putting my foot in it.

- No, your feet are immaculate, Paul.

Immaculate.

So, you kept your promise to Clori?

You didn't tell me.

- Well, I never told anyone.

- All right.

You owe me the same promise.

- Eh?

- The same deal.

Paul, I wanna keep Clori's memory untarnished.

You've just got to promise me not to tell anyone

what you've told me today.

- All right, I promise...

- Not even to the police.

- Oh, least of all the dear old fuzz.

They tend to look at a chap a bit sideways

when he may have imbibed a soupcon too many.

- To friendship, Paul, and to promises well kept.

(glasses clinking)

- The car's ready, sir.

Well, wouldn't you have done the same?

- Perhaps.

I don't know.

I'm different to you, Michael.

- How different?

Look, I had to make that report.

What you have been doing to Briant is...

- Hugh Briant is a killer.

I'd bet on it.

That's the difference between us, Michael.

I'm a gambling man.

- But, I think a little does because, you see,

one of those time...

- You'll still be here tomorrow, Paul.

That's not much of an alibi,

but every little bit helps, old boy.

(upbeat rock music)

(knocking at the door)

- Who's there?

(upbeat rock music)

I said, who is it?

(upbeat rock music)

(door slamming)

- Max Burns, that's what it says on the door.

Well, at least you've got a name

and a place where I can find you.

Now, I have no time to waste, Max.

I want the knife.

Where is it?

- It's over there, in the drawer.

- Well, you get it.

(upbeat rock music)

Now, easy.

Take it out of its nice wrapper

and put it on the table, blade first.

Now, sit down.

(upbeat rock music)

Now, is there anything else here

that would connect you with me?

My name, my phone number, my address,

did you write that down or did you memorize it?

- No, I wrote it down, sir.

- Where is it?

- Right there, an address book over there.

- All right.

All right, I'll check this whole place out afterwards.

- What do you mean, afterwards?

- There is no connection between Max Burns and the Briants.

You saw to that, Max, and that was very, very clever,

but too clever because, once a blackmailer,

always a blackmailer, isn't that right, Max?

Well, my friend, you are dispensable.

You are dispensable.

- [Max] No.

- Goodbye, Max. (volume of music increasing)

- No, please! (gunshots)

(loud, upbeat rock music)

(Hugh chuckling)

- It's blanks, Max.

Blanks.

All I wanted to do was see you sweat.

- You!

- I just wanted to stick you.

See, you were gonna die anyway, Max.

Anyway, but not with my gun.

Nothing to lead them back to me, see?

(suspenseful music)

Nothing must lead them back to me.

- I just want to ask you one question: just one.

- Just soon after 9:30.

I took my sleeping pills at 9:30.

- Mrs. Briant, you've already told us that.

You haven't told us yet who attacked you.

(suspenseful music)

(paper tearing)

(suspenseful music)

(door opening)

(door closing)

(footsteps)

- Mr. Briant?

I thought you said that you didn't know

that your wife had a lover.

Max Burns.

Oh, your wife told us.

- Clorissa?

Now, how can she possibly tell you?

- That was my ace in the hole, Mr. Briant.

Your wife's not dead.

She lost a lot of blood, but she's alive

and she's going to recover.

I owe you an apology, Mr. Briant.

- [Michael] You're in the clear, sir.

Your wife has just told us that it was Max Burns

who attacked her.

- [Lucas] So, you've got nothing to worry about.

- [Michael] You're off the hook, sir.

(knocking at the door)

We're pulling him in now.

(suspenseful music)