- 5/9/2025
PART TWO https://dai.ly/x9j8k3m
Joan Hickson in Agatha Christie's Village Whodunit
In A Murder Is Announced – Part One, Joan Hickson returns as Miss Marple in one of Agatha Christie’s most beloved mysteries. When a newspaper advert announces a murder in the quiet village of Chipping Cleghorn, the curious townsfolk gather—only for events to take a deadly turn. As secrets unravel, Miss Marple arrives to begin her subtle, sharp investigation. This first installment sets the stage for a classic Christie tale filled with intrigue, deception, and hidden identities.
Joan Hickson in Agatha Christie's Village Whodunit
In A Murder Is Announced – Part One, Joan Hickson returns as Miss Marple in one of Agatha Christie’s most beloved mysteries. When a newspaper advert announces a murder in the quiet village of Chipping Cleghorn, the curious townsfolk gather—only for events to take a deadly turn. As secrets unravel, Miss Marple arrives to begin her subtle, sharp investigation. This first installment sets the stage for a classic Christie tale filled with intrigue, deception, and hidden identities.
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TVTranscript
00:00The
00:30ORGAN PLAYS
01:00ORGAN PLAYS
01:30ORGAN PLAYS
01:32Thank you, dear.
01:35A very pleasant young man.
01:39Rudy.
01:41For a foreigner, I suppose.
02:51Archie?
02:53There's going to be a murder.
02:55Bloody man, Nehru.
02:56He's too clever by half.
02:57That's his trouble.
02:59Jolly good.
03:01I said there's going to be a murder.
03:04What time?
03:05Seven o'clock this evening.
03:07Short notice.
03:08A murder?
03:16Hinch!
03:20Hinch!
03:24Hinch!
03:28Hinch!
03:29What is it, Margaret Ryd?
03:31Where are you?
03:33Penhouse.
03:37Listen to this.
03:38In the Gazette.
03:40A murder is announced
03:42and will take place on Friday,
03:44October the 5th,
03:45at Little Paddocks at 7pm.
03:48That's his evening.
03:49Friends, please accept this,
03:52the only intimation.
03:57D'oh.
03:59What do you think it means?
04:01It means a drink.
04:08Bad sherry, probably.
04:14People don't announce murders.
04:16Marriages, yes, but not murders.
04:19Put that dreadful paper down and have a look.
04:21It isn't a dreadful paper.
04:23You're not even a worker.
04:25I'm writing a book.
04:26I mean real work.
04:35Well, some sort of party, I expect.
04:38Aren't there some rather boring,
04:39bright young things
04:40staying at Little Paddocks?
04:43They'll pin pieces of paper on you
04:45and then draw lots
04:46and somebody's the victim
04:48and somebody's the detective.
04:51Then they turn out the lights
04:52and everybody screams.
04:54Bourgeois escapism, Mother.
04:56The opium of the people.
04:59Friends accept this,
05:01the only intimation.
05:03Sounds very exciting.
05:05Sounds extremely tedious.
05:06Nonsense, Edmund.
05:07I'm going and you're coming with me.
05:10Opium.
05:12Surely there won't be opium.
05:15Morning, John.
05:16Morning, Ma.
05:17Good morning.
05:18Good morning.
05:21A murder.
05:22Isn't it scrumptious?
05:27What time did you say it was?
05:30Seven?
05:31Yes, at Little Paddocks.
05:33Oh, I have a confirmation class.
05:35Oh, what a shame.
05:37And you do so love a good murder.
05:39May I see?
05:40Yes, it's there.
05:41In amongst the second-hand pianos
05:42and old teeth in Cocker Spaniels.
05:44It really is an extraordinary announcement.
05:48And so uncharacteristic of Miss Blacklock.
05:58Patrick, is this your doing?
05:59No, indeed, Aunt Letty.
06:02Whatever gives you that idea?
06:03I thought it might be your idea of a joke.
06:07I can think of much better jokes
06:08than announcing murders in the local rag.
06:12Julia?
06:13Of course not.
06:16Do you think...
06:17Mrs. Haynes?
06:19I don't think our Philippa would try to be funny.
06:21She finds it difficult enough being serious.
06:24Or anything.
06:26Oh, it's obviously some sort of silly hoax.
06:28But why?
06:30It's very stupid.
06:34And in very bad taste.
06:37Bunny, there's nothing to get worked up about.
06:40It's obviously somebody's idea of humour.
06:43But it says today.
06:45Today.
06:47At seven o'clock.
06:50What do you think is going to happen?
06:52Easy.
06:53The angel of death will spread his wings on the blast.
06:57I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen.
07:00At seven o'clock this evening,
07:02half the village of Chipping Claycorn
07:03will be banging on the door agog with curiosity.
07:08I'd better go and see if there's any sherry in the house.
07:17Poor Lottie.
07:18She's so worried.
07:19Two words.
07:24Five letters and six letters.
07:27Terminal stiffening of sinews.
07:30Rigor mortis.
07:32Of course.
07:34Good old rigor mortis.
07:36I wish you wouldn't talk about things like that.
07:43Oh, Hannah.
07:45We shall need a bottle of sherry for this evening.
07:47I'm expecting visitors.
07:48I will not be here this evening, Miss Blacklock.
07:51What do you mean?
07:52I am giving you my notices.
07:55There is no need to give notice.
07:58There is need, Miss Blacklock.
08:00In the newspaper, they are coming to kill me.
08:04Nobody is coming to kill anybody.
08:06It's just a joke.
08:07Murdering people is a joke.
08:10In England, everything is a joke.
08:12In Europe, killing people is not a joke.
08:15That is why I escaped.
08:19I promise you, my dear, you are perfectly safe.
08:23You promise?
08:25If somebody was going to murder you,
08:27they'd hardly advertise the fact in the newspaper.
08:30Perhaps in England they would,
08:32but perhaps it is you they mean to murder, Miss Blacklock.
08:36You've heard the central heating lit, Aunt Betty.
08:58Oh, the whole house felt clammy.
09:02Our precious, precious Coke.
09:05Well, it was either that or our even more precious Coke.
09:08I can remember when there was plenty of Coke.
09:10Plenty of Coke.
09:12Plenty of everything.
09:13Was this in the olden days?
09:14Oh, yes, my dear.
09:18Hello.
09:22Is there a party?
09:24Welcome to the scene of the crime.
09:26Is it a joke?
09:27I'm very stupid when it comes to jokes.
09:29Indeed.
09:31There is to be a murder in this room
09:33in about quarter of an hour.
09:37Here you see the funeral wreaths
09:39and here the funeral supper.
09:42I don't understand.
09:44Read this.
09:45I was explaining.
09:46It'll be quicker and quieter if she reads it for herself.
09:48I must go and look up the ducks.
09:51I'll do it.
09:52Certainly not.
09:53Last time we did it,
09:53she didn't put the latch down properly.
09:57I've read what it says,
09:59but I still don't understand.
10:01Nor do we.
10:03Great fun, isn't it?
10:04You don't really think anyone will come, do you?
10:13I shouldn't think so.
10:15Village people are very inquisitive, you know.
10:18Well, I know for a fact
10:19there's a brand new bottle of sherry on the premises,
10:21so that won't go to waste, whatever happens.
10:25Shall I fetch it to be on the safe side?
10:26I think Letty wanted you to move that table into the bay.
10:30Work, work, work.
10:32Will it never cease?
10:36Oh, thank you, Patrick.
10:38And when you've done that,
10:39would you be very kind and fetch...
10:40And fetch the new bottle of sherry from the pantry.
10:43My pleasure.
10:44Yes, that's better.
10:53How is that better?
10:55Well, we're prepared for guests,
10:56but we don't look as if we're expecting guests.
10:59And we all give a lovely performance
11:00of a quiet evening at home
11:01and put on looks of total astonishment
11:03if anybody drops in.
11:05Precisely.
11:05I do hope nobody drops in.
11:14Somebody at the door.
11:19Mr. and Mrs. Borgia from along the road.
11:22They've brought their own bottle.
11:24Patrick,
11:25do you think you could make a huge effort
11:27and behave yourself?
11:28I'll make a huge effort
11:30and we'll see what happens.
11:35Here is Colonel Estabrook
11:37and Mrs. Estabrook
11:38to see you.
11:39Thank you, Hannah.
11:40What a lovely surprise.
11:44Well, good evening.
11:46Good evening.
11:47Good evening.
11:49Happened to be passing.
11:50Quite a mild evening.
11:53Central heating on.
11:54The whole house felt clammy.
12:00Well.
12:04Lovely chrysanthemums.
12:06A bit scraggy, in my opinion.
12:11We haven't started ours yet.
12:14Your chrysanthemums.
12:17Central heating.
12:20Miss Margetroyd and Miss Hinchcliffe.
12:23Evening.
12:24Thank you, Hannah.
12:26Evening.
12:26Good evening, Miss Blackhawk.
12:28Good evening.
12:31Such a lovely evening.
12:32We came out for a stroll.
12:33I said to Margetroyd,
12:37why don't we pop in
12:38at Little Paddocks
12:38and see how the ducks are laying.
12:40It's lovely and warm in here.
12:42Have you got the heating on already?
12:44Yes.
12:44I'm told the house felt clammy.
12:48Hmm.
12:48Well, this is jolly nice, isn't it?
12:54Bang on.
12:56Bang on?
12:57Is that what they say nowadays?
12:59I'm afraid so, Colonel.
13:03A Mrs. Svetanum and a master slut.
13:12Here we are.
13:14Indeed, we are.
13:15I just popped in
13:17to see whether you might be interested
13:18in a kitten.
13:21A kitten?
13:23Our cat is just about to...
13:26Be blessed with issue.
13:28A father unknown,
13:29but probably various.
13:32The result will certainly be a monster.
13:34Edmund.
13:35Do sit down, Mrs. Svetanum.
13:37It's jolly warm in here.
13:38He put the central heating on.
13:40It seems the house seems a bit clammy.
13:42I bet you never had that trouble
13:45in India, Colonel.
13:47The odd flood during the monsoon.
13:49No clammyness to speak of.
13:50Mrs. Harmon.
13:52Hello, everyone.
13:53Hello, Mrs. Harmon.
13:55Hello, Miss Blacklock.
13:57I'm not too late, am I?
13:59When does the murder begin?
14:01No, you're not too late.
14:03Everybody's still intact.
14:05Oh.
14:06Julian's simply frantic with rage.
14:08He can't be here.
14:09He adores murders.
14:10He writes some of his best sermons
14:12when he's in the middle of a good thriller.
14:14You know,
14:15with four or five decent corpses
14:17littered about the place.
14:19Oh, sorry.
14:21I'm talking too much.
14:23No, no, you're not.
14:24When's the murder going to begin?
14:26Well, if it's going to begin,
14:28it ought to happen soon.
14:29It's just one minute to seven.
14:32Well, time to pour the sherry, I think.
14:34Patrick?
14:34Yes.
14:35Oh, Philippa, be a dear.
14:38Yes.
14:39What do you mean, if?
14:48I've really no idea.
14:49I know no more about it than you do.
14:51Oh.
14:53Well, now.
14:54Yes, perhaps a cigarette.
14:56It's beginning.
15:08Archie?
15:09Archie, where are you?
15:10I'm here, dear.
15:11Where are you?
15:12No.
15:13I'm so sorry.
15:13It's not something special.
15:14Oh, please.
15:16Oh, please.
15:17Oh, please.
15:17Oh, please.
15:18Take her out.
15:20Take her out, I tell you.
15:21Isn't it wonderful?
15:22I must say it's quite impressive so far.
15:24Somebody switch the lights on.
15:30Anybody got matches or a light?
15:32Yes, I have.
15:32Archie, take me home.
15:34Try the switches, sweating them.
15:36Are they off at the mains?
15:38Or a fuse?
15:39This way.
15:40On my way.
15:41That's Hannah's cleaning.
15:43Peter seems to have knocked himself out.
15:45Serves him right.
15:46She's locked in.
15:47I was cleaning this over.
15:52And the man locked me in.
15:53And then I heard shooting.
15:56Now, stop it.
15:57The candles are in the kitchen cupboard.
15:58There's a black lock.
15:59Letty, you're bleeding.
16:01Something great.
16:02Letty, he must have hit you.
16:04There's something wrong.
16:05But he's not all over you.
16:06Of course, he has bleed.
16:07Everybody knows that.
16:08Patrick, where are those candles?
16:11We can't do anything without...
16:12Oh, Philip is mending the fuse.
16:14Oh, thank goodness.
16:14Somebody's efficient in this house.
16:15Better take a closer look at the fellow.
16:21Good God.
16:22What is it?
16:22The man's dead.
16:24It was just the one fuse gone.
16:27Oh.
16:27Better see who it is.
16:29Anyone know him?
16:30Never seen him in my life.
16:32Nor me.
16:33He looks so young.
16:35Do you think he shot himself?
16:37Could have been an accident.
16:38If he tripped over that cloak thing.
16:40I know him.
16:42You do?
16:44Letty.
16:45It's that young man from the spa hotel at Medinam Wells.
16:48The one who came asking you for money.
16:50So it is.
16:52He might have killed you.
16:55He came here to kill you, Letty.
16:57He did.
16:57I know it is.
16:58Take Bunny into the dining room and give her some brandy.
17:01Julia, run upstairs to the bathroom and get some sticking glasters.
17:04My blood seems to be upsetting everybody.
17:05Patrick, ring for the police.
17:21Rudy Scherz, Swiss nationality, employed here as a receptionist.
17:26Yes, this is he.
17:33How long had he been working for you, Mr. Rowlandson?
17:36I took the liberty in checking in my files before we arrived.
17:40A little over three months.
17:42Good credentials, references, permits, etc.
17:45Would you like to have a look at these?
17:50I'll take your word.
17:52Aye.
17:54Was he satisfactory?
17:57Quite satisfactory, Inspector.
18:00That sounds to me like a negative judgment.
18:02It's purely conjectural.
18:03What is?
18:04Well, there were a couple of misunderstandings about the bills.
18:08Items charged that oughtn't to have been.
18:11We assumed it was carelessness, inexperience.
18:15But it wasn't.
18:16Well, you will now tell me that he was some sort of criminal.
18:19So I suppose he could have been trying to cheat our customers.
18:23But it's still different from an armed hold-up.
18:27Any women in his life?
18:31One of our waitresses.
18:33Name?
18:34Myrna Harris.
18:36You were friendly with Rudy Shouts.
18:39I didn't know what he was like when...
18:41We don't know what he was like.
18:43I want you to help me find out.
18:48Well, you always think that anybody who works on reception is bound to be all right.
18:53I mean, they're very careful when they employ people.
18:56Especially foreigners.
18:58Was he with a gang?
19:01We think he was working on his own.
19:02He was a lovely dancer.
19:05Nice to go out with.
19:08Best seats at the pictures and bought you flowers and...
19:13I'm sorry he's dead.
19:14Um...
19:15Oh, this one.
19:26Thanks.
19:30Stuff's been going missing, you know.
19:32What sort of stuff?
19:33From rooms.
19:34It was a diamond brooch, I think.
19:36And, um, a little gold locket.
19:40Might not have been him.
19:42Might have been me.
19:45But it wasn't.
19:46You liked him?
19:49Yeah.
19:50He talked big, mind you.
19:53But I got used to that during the war.
19:55The Poles were bad enough.
19:57The Americans were even worse.
19:59How did he compare to the Poles and the Americans?
20:03He talked us big.
20:05He said he came from a rich family in Switzerland.
20:08Only he couldn't get his money here on account of the currency regulations.
20:11Well, that's what he said.
20:14He didn't wear rich clothes.
20:16Very ordinary.
20:18Not...
20:20real class.
20:22You know?
20:23I know.
20:24And he'd saved all kinds of people from certain death in the Alps.
20:28I didn't believe that either.
20:32Did he ever mention Miss Blacklock?
20:37No, I don't think so.
20:39She sometimes comes here for lunch.
20:43So we might have met her, but...
20:45Did he ever mention the village of Chipping Clegghorn?
20:49I think he asked me about the buses once.
20:52What time I went.
20:54I'm not sure if it was Chipping Clegghorn.
20:56Might have been some other Chipping.
20:58Let's look round here.
21:01I wouldn't have gone out with him if I'd known he was a crook.
21:06But I'm still sorry he's dead.
21:09Oh, good morning, Inspector Crabby.
21:25Oh, good morning.
21:26Okay.
21:27Oh, good morning.
21:27You've checked the house, Fletcher.
21:46Sir.
21:47No fingerprints, no signs of forced entry.
21:50But the doors seem to be left unlocked most of the time anyway.
21:54Sure, it seems to have come from Mednam on the bus.
21:56It arrives in Chipping Cleghorn at 6.30.
22:00Why did the lights go out?
22:02Well, the drawing room and the hall seem to be on the same circuit.
22:06If you can organise for them to fuse at exactly seven o'clock.
22:09You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.
22:11As you might say, sir.
22:14Tell me about the people who live here.
22:16Miss Blacklock?
22:17I think she's all right, sir.
22:19Miss Bunner, is it?
22:21Nice woman, sir, but with respect a bit scatty.
22:24Patrick Simmons?
22:26Fancies himself as a joker.
22:29Julia Simmons?
22:30Just fancies herself.
22:33Philippa Haymes.
22:35I haven't met her yet, sir.
22:36Out at work all day.
22:38Good.
22:41Pretty garden.
22:42This is the room in which the incident occurred?
22:51Yes.
22:52But he tied it up, of course.
22:53Such a mess.
22:55Tables knocked over, people barging about in the dark.
22:58And a nasty cigarette burn.
23:01But that seems to happen all the time these days.
23:03Honey, I think we should just answer Inspector Craddock's questions.
23:07Thank you, Miss Blacklock.
23:15Tell me when you first saw Rudy Schertz.
23:18Is that his name?
23:20Yes.
23:22Well, it was about three weeks ago.
23:25We went shopping for the day in Mednam Spa.
23:28We had lunch at the hotel.
23:29He came over to our table and said that he was the son of the proprietor of the Hotel des Alpes in Montreux, where my sister and I stayed during the war.
23:40Did you remember him?
23:41Oh, no.
23:42I mean, all these boys at reception desks look exactly the same.
23:48And then he came to see you?
23:50Yes.
23:51Ten days ago.
23:53Honey, he had some absurd story about his mother being dangerously ill and needing the money to get back to Switzerland.
24:00You didn't give him any money?
24:02Oh, no, certainly not.
24:03Very wise.
24:04Well, I was secretary to a financier for many years.
24:08I know all about hard luck stories and appeals for money.
24:11When he came here, did you sense that he might have been spying up the land, so to speak?
24:18You mean casing the joint?
24:21Yes, that's what I mean, Miss Bunner.
24:23Yes, it is quite possible.
24:26I remember he took a keen interest in the house.
24:29But all that elaborate nonsense, the advertisement in the newspaper, I just really don't understand any of it.
24:39Do you keep much money in the house?
24:41No, a few pounds, no more.
24:43Jewelry?
24:44Well, a couple of rings and brooches.
24:47These cameos.
24:48There's really nothing worth stealing.
24:50It was revenge, Inspector.
24:52Letty refused to give him the money, and he came here to kill her.
24:56That's where he shot at you, Miss Blacklock.
25:00Oh, just a scratch.
25:02Made a lot of blood, but...
25:04Tell me what happened.
25:05Well, the clock struck.
25:07Seven o'clock?
25:08Yes.
25:08And then the lights went out.
25:11And next?
25:12The door opened.
25:15Which door?
25:16That door.
25:17What about that door?
25:19Oh, no, no, that one's never used.
25:20That's just a hangover from when this was two rooms.
25:22So, this door opened, and...
25:29Well, there he was.
25:32A man with a revolver.
25:34A masked man with a revolver.
25:36And I thought...
25:37Well, I mean, we all thought that it was just some silly joke.
25:42And then he said something.
25:44Hands up or I shoot.
25:47Something like that.
25:49Did you put your hands up?
25:51Oh, yes.
25:52It seemed like part of the game.
25:55He shone his flashlight in my eyes.
25:58It dazzled me.
26:00I began to get annoyed about it.
26:02And then?
26:03Oh.
26:04Well, then there was the first shot.
26:07Somebody screamed, I think.
26:11And then I...
26:13Yes, I felt the pain in my ear.
26:14You see?
26:15It wasn't just a scratch.
26:19Where were you standing, Miss Blacklock?
26:22Over here.
26:23By the table.
26:25I was reaching for the cigarette box.
26:27And look!
26:28There are the bullet holes.
26:29He was trying to kill you.
26:32You tell her, Inspector.
26:33She won't believe me.
26:35And having failed to shoot you in the darkness, he then turns the gun on himself.
26:39Obviously!
26:41Do you think it's obvious, Miss Blacklock?
26:43No, of course I don't, Inspector.
26:44I think it's absolutely ludicrous.
26:46He wasn't the sort of man to shoot himself.
26:48What?
26:48Or anyone else, for that matter.
26:50Oh, Bunny, will you please take those away?
26:52I hate dead flowers.
26:53I picked them fresh yesterday.
26:57Even flowers don't last the way they used to.
27:04Is Miss Banner a relation of yours?
27:06No, an old friend.
27:08We were at school together.
27:12About a hundred years ago.
27:15A companion.
27:16We keep each other company, Inspector.
27:19And the other people who live here?
27:22Patrick and Julia.
27:24They call me Aunt Letty, but they're actually distant cousins.
27:27Oh, sorry.
27:31Aunt Dora's wandering around saying the police want to cross-examine everyone.
27:34Is that so?
27:35This is Julia.
27:37Since you're kind enough to volunteer, Miss Simmons.
27:40Inspector Craddock.
27:41And this is Sergeant Fletcher.
27:43We've met.
27:45Have you finished with me for now, Inspector?
27:47I think so, Miss Blacklock.
27:48Oh, will you be speaking to Hannah?
27:54Hannah is?
27:55My cook.
27:56She screams a lot.
27:57A poor girl is a refugee.
28:00Nationality?
28:01I asked her that.
28:02She said, I do not know.
28:03I have not read the papers today.
28:06Please don't be prejudiced against her, Inspector, just because she tells lies.
28:10There are a lot of atrocity stories around now.
28:13But I think there is a real core of truth in some of hers.
28:16I can't help feeling sorry for her.
28:21And she is a very good cook.
28:23When she feels like it.
28:26I shall bear all that in mind, Miss Blacklock.
28:42Would you like to tell me about last night?
28:44I told your Sergeant Fletcher.
28:45He wrote it all down.
28:47I'd like you to tell me.
28:49Well, a lot of tiresome people called round.
28:53Who?
28:54In order of arrival.
28:56Colonel and Mrs. Easterbrook.
28:58Miss Hinchcliffe and Miss Murgatroyd.
29:00Mrs. Sweternham and Edmund Sweternham.
29:03And Mrs. Harmon, the vicar's wife.
29:06They all said the same things.
29:07What lovely chrysanthemums.
29:09And I see you've got your central heating on.
29:11Except Mrs. Harmon.
29:13She said what everyone else was thinking.
29:15What time's the murder?
29:17You like Mrs. Harmon?
29:19She's the best of the bunch.
29:22And then?
29:22The lights went out and this man walked in and said, stick them up, you guys, or something equally ridiculous.
29:31Then the shooting started.
29:34It wasn't ridiculous anymore.
29:35Was the only light from the man's torch?
29:39Yes.
29:41And from what you could see, when he fired the shots, was he aiming at Miss Blacklock?
29:47From what I could see, I shouldn't think so.
29:49A revolver in one hand, a torch in the other, having to keep that silly door open, everybody all over the place, he'd have won't hit anyone.
29:56If he really wanted to take a pot shot at Aunt Letty, I can think of a thousand better ways of doing it.
30:01Stand behind a hedge anywhere around the village and do it, bang, like that.
30:05Understood.
30:05But to fill the room with all the friends and neighbours, put that silly advertisement in the newspaper, it's more like a student rag.
30:14You're a student, I believe, Miss Simmons.
30:15I'm training as a dispenser at Milchester General Hospital.
30:21But if I'd planned last night as a joke, I wouldn't have filled the room with colonels and vicars' wives.
30:26And if you were planning a murder?
30:28I'm a dispenser.
30:30I'd mix a lethal potion.
30:33Quick and clean and quiet.
30:38Should I make a note of that?
30:40Better not.
30:42In case anyone else pops off in suspicious circumstances.
30:45Is your brother at home?
30:50No, he went out somewhere.
30:52He's a student too, did you know?
30:54Really?
30:56Milchester University, reading engineering.
30:59Occasionally.
31:00He's a bit of a waster.
31:02I like him, considering he's my brother.
31:04And I believe he was quite heroic during the war.
31:07I might have a word with Hannah in that case.
31:17Crazy foreign cook.
31:20An obvious suspect, Inspector.
31:22All my life I am pursued by men in uniform.
31:28I escaped to England, thinking I will be safe.
31:33But still, I am pursued by men in uniform.
31:35We're not here to arrest you.
31:37You're not?
31:38I just want to know your version of what happened last night.
31:41Last night?
31:43I see the announcement in the paper.
31:46And I know I am going to be murdered.
31:49I tried to leave, but she will not let me.
31:52She is a very strong woman.
31:55Miss Blacklock?
31:56Yes.
31:57The others are silly, but she is strong.
32:00You stayed.
32:01And then what?
32:02The doorbell rings.
32:04I answer the door.
32:05The doorbell rings again.
32:07I answer the door again.
32:09The doorbell rings again.
32:11I answer the door again.
32:13After the people had arrived.
32:15Oh.
32:16I go to the dining room to clean the silver.
32:20I hear shots.
32:22I scream.
32:23I try the door.
32:24It is locked.
32:25I scream again.
32:27Somebody turns the key and lets me out.
32:30I scream again.
32:31Somebody hits me.
32:33I see blood.
32:34You scream again?
32:36I think so.
32:39Are you going to arrest me?
32:41Not today.
32:54I'm going to arrest me.
32:55I'm going to arrest you.
32:56I'm going to arrest you.
33:00Mr. Luthes, Mr. Patrick Simmons.
33:03Am I under suspicion?
33:05Well, there is a feeling that placing the advertisement in the newspaper was your style of joke.
33:10It is the sort of thing I go in for.
33:13Habitually. Occasionally.
33:16At some point, we'd like your version of what happened last night.
33:20It'll be as confused and contradictory as everybody else's.
33:24In that case, perhaps you'll let us know where we'll find Mrs. Haynes.
33:27Our Philippa. She works at Deus Hall. Assistant gardener.
33:32I know it, sir. Along the road to the left.
33:34Philippa doesn't say much. She's nice in an anonymous sort of way.
33:39Not the murdering kind. But then nobody is.
33:43Somebody must be.
33:45Unless the fellow shot himself.
33:47Peculiar way to commit suicide.
33:49Equally peculiar way to commit murder.
33:52So, what is your conclusion?
33:58It's easier being an engineering student than an ace detective.
34:04You arrived here at what time last night?
34:25About six. I had a bath, got changed, then found some sort of party was about to happen.
34:31And when you arrived home, which door did you use?
34:35The side door. I'm generally a bit mucky, so I never use the front door.
34:39Was the door unlocked?
34:41Yes, I locked it when I came in.
34:43I see.
34:45Tell me about the, uh, hold up.
34:54The lights went out exactly as the clock was striking seven.
34:57The door opened and this man shone a torch on us and flourished a revolver and told us to put our hands up.
35:04Which you did.
35:06No, I didn't actually.
35:09I thought it was just fun.
35:11And I'd been working all day, so I thought, bother it, I'm not putting my hands up.
35:16You were bored by the whole thing?
35:19Yes, I was rather.
35:23Where were you standing?
35:25By the mantelpiece. I was looking for my lighter.
35:28When the man shone the torch around the room, did you get the sense that he was looking for somebody?
35:35No.
35:37He wasn't looking for anybody?
35:40Thinking about it since it happened, he did it in a vague sort of way.
35:46Just waved the torch about aimlessly as if he hadn't the faintest idea what he was there for.
35:51When you saw the body, did you know the man?
35:57No.
35:58But then I can't really afford to eat at the Royal Spa Hotel.
36:02That being so, presumably you don't keep any valuable jewelry at the house.
36:07I wish I could.
36:08There's my engagement ring and a couple of brooches.
36:11Are you aware of anything valuable in the house?
36:14Not what you'd call loot.
36:17Some quite nice silver, but nothing out of the ordinary.
36:20Miss Blacklock likes to wear her strings of pearls.
36:25But they're just costume.
36:30I'm sorry to be so unhelpful.
36:33Patrick says I'm too sensible for my own good.
36:38It's not a bad thing being sensible, Mrs. Hanks.
36:41And he stood there.
36:43A shadowy figure with a revolver.
36:45And that blinding torchlight sweeping around the room.
36:48And he said, your money or your life.
36:52He didn't say anything of the sort, Mother.
36:54I've never enjoyed myself so much for years.
36:57Until the bullet started.
36:59Then it was quite dreadful.
37:01Do you know where you were standing when this happened?
37:05I've no idea.
37:06Where was I standing, Edmund?
37:08I don't know.
37:11Do you remember who you were speaking to?
37:13Either Mrs. Harmon or Colonel Eastbrook.
37:16I think.
37:17Edmund?
37:18I haven't the faintest idea.
37:20Do you remember who you were speaking to?
37:22I was in the middle of the room.
37:25Talking to Julia Simmons.
37:27When the man shone the torch, did he hold it still or move it around?
37:32It was right in my eyes for ages.
37:35I couldn't see a thing.
37:36He moved it around slowly.
37:38So as to see what we were all doing.
37:43Three shots were fired.
37:44Two of them hit the wall.
37:46One of them injuring Miss Blacklock en route.
37:48The third killed the intruder.
37:49Do you think it was suicide or an accident?
37:51It certainly seemed to me like one of those.
37:55Though I did say to Edmund, it felt more like murder.
38:00Except that doesn't really make sense, does it?
38:03You just told the inspector that it was all three.
38:06Don't be silly.
38:07Murder, suicide and an accident.
38:10I'm simply trying to be helpful.
38:13And I appreciate it, Mrs. Swetnam.
38:17Psychology.
38:18That's your answer.
38:20Psychology.
38:21Not to understand the criminal mind.
38:23What leads him to put the advertisement in the paper?
38:25Psychology.
38:26Wants to draw attention to himself.
38:28Probably had a rough time at the spa hotel.
38:30Other members of the staff looking down on him because he's a foreigner.
38:33Yes, can easily happen.
38:35Chances are some pretty girl turned him down.
38:38He wants to win her affection.
38:40How will he do it?
38:41He'll be the tough guy.
38:43The gangster.
38:44The masked man.
38:45The gun.
38:46The hero.
38:47Sort of Robin Hood with an audience to play to.
38:51Robbery with violence.
38:52Steal from the rich.
38:55And it all goes wrong.
38:57Absolutely.
38:58Took the words right out of my mouth.
38:59The crucial moment comes.
39:00Loses his nerve.
39:02Panics.
39:03Shoots blindly in all directions.
39:05You thought he shot blindly?
39:07Oh.
39:08No doubt about it.
39:09A room full of people.
39:10He manages to miss the lot.
39:11Suddenly it becomes real to him.
39:13The dream becomes a nightmare.
39:16Can't face the truth about himself.
39:18Decides to put an end to it all.
39:21Psychology.
39:22Isn't it wonderful, Inspector?
39:24The way Archie knows exactly what happened.
39:27Yes, Mrs. Easterbrook.
39:30Wonderful.
39:31You like pigs, Inspector?
39:45I love them.
39:46Make a nice rusher by Christmas, this one.
39:47Yes, I'm sure.
39:48Well.
39:49What can I tell you?
39:50Anything you remember about the incident last night?
39:52Ha, ha, ha.
39:53Incident.
39:54We used to have incidents when I was in the ARP during the war.
39:58Saw some incidents then would make your hair tear.
40:00Enjoyed every minute of it.
40:01You mean where was I when the shooting started?
40:02Yes.
40:03Leaning up against the mantelpiece hoping to God someone would IRR me a drink.
40:07Tell me about the shots where the er, um.
40:10have incidents when i was in the arp during the war saw some incidents then would make your hair
40:15curl enjoyed every minute of it you mean where was i when the shooting started yes leaning up
40:23against the mantelpiece hoping to god somebody would offer me a drink tell me about the shots
40:29were they fired blindly or aimed at one particular person no idea the torch was whirling around dazzling
40:41everybody and the shots were fired and all i could think was it was that damn fool patrick up to his
40:49silly games you thought it was patrick simmons process of elimination really edmund sweating
40:57some sort of intellectual communist who writes books but soft if anything old colonel easterbrook
41:02isn't much of a one for jokes but patrick's wild enough for anything though not robbery with violence
41:11what about your friend miss murgatroyd did she see anything
41:14murgatroyd
41:18she's up a tree
41:22police
41:30she won't be much help
41:34listen to her by all means but don't take too much notice
41:38is it scotland yard inspector craddock from milchester oh even better have you found any
41:48decent clues all he wants to know is where you were when the crime took place
41:53oh dear of course i i ought to have been prepared alibis
42:00now let me see i was with everybody else you weren't with me
42:03i remember that girl screaming and a voice saying put them up please
42:11stick them up and he certainly didn't say please
42:16yeah i'm i'm sorry i can't be more helpful i i get so confused it's all such a blur
42:22is there anything else you want to know no i don't think so inspector's already made up his mind about
42:28you margatroyd no question of it well i'll say anything that'll help if it's likely to help
42:37i think you'll find the vicar's wife more value than the two of us put together inspector we're
42:41more used to pigs you've both been extremely helpful and i'm very grateful thank you
42:47oh hint was i very awful i get so flustered as usual you were quite astonishing thank you
43:06well you see i hate being dazzled so when he shone the torch i shut my eyes
43:13and i i hate loud noises so when he fired the shots i shut my eyes even tighter
43:22i wish it had been a quiet murder when did you open your eyes when i was quite sure that the bangs
43:28had stopped some people were out in the hall with candles then the lights came on and everybody was
43:36normal again people in the dark are quite different aren't they what did you see when the lights came
43:43on the young man shirts is that the name yes it's lying there dead with a revolver beside him
43:52he looked so young and surprised
44:01it doesn't make sense all this in in chipping cleghorn
44:07i agree except i have to make it make sense
44:11they all tell different versions of the same story even if they told the same version it still add up to
44:19nonsense an important question sir how good is your typing rough but accurate
44:27good the chief constable likes accuracy i'll try not to disappoint him
44:37now sit down radic thank you sir
44:41anything new since you wrote this report information from the swiss police
44:46shirts had a criminal record ah petty thieving falsified entries checks
44:53a dishonest man but in a small way well don't small things lead to larger things
44:59i'm not sure sir well it seems very clear to me
45:04shirts traveled by bus to chipping cleghorn evidence of the conductor and two passengers
45:10he got into the house probably simply by opening the front door
45:14he held up the company assembled by placing an announcement in the local newspaper which we
45:18know he did evidence of the cashier in the gazette office he then fired three shots
45:25two go into the wall and one goes into him
45:30well in my practical world that means that a coroner's jury is going to bring in a verdict of suicide
45:35or accidental death either way we can draw a line across the ledger and turn to the next page
45:39i have the feeling that that silence indicates that you disagree
45:47i disagree sir why
45:51i don't know exactly offer me a theory
45:59miss bunner insists but shirts intended to murder miss blacklock
46:03is miss bunner a reliable witness utterly unreliable she's a very sweet slightly scatty old lady
46:12but she's totally sincere and it's all her own idea nobody's put it there and she insists
46:21a personal question craddock how do you get on with scatty old ladies
46:26i have nothing against them in principle sir good because there's one staying at the royal spa hotel
46:34it's a miss marple miss jane marple well she's an old friend of sir henry clivering
46:42his opinion is that you should take miss marple into your confidence
46:46show her your report if you like she's entirely trustworthy
46:50well thank you for letting me see those inspector
46:56any observations miss marple yes but may i digress a little first by all means i'd like to show you
47:03something i'm staying here for a few days taking the spa waters rheumatism you know oh well of course
47:12you don't know but when you're my age i'm afraid perhaps you might of course i couldn't afford to stay
47:17here but i have a very generous nephew called raymond now then here we are
47:27a check yes he altered it he the young man who worked at the desk and who is now i understand dead
47:37you see it was for seven pounds and he altered it to 17. a stroke in front of the seven and a team
47:46added to the word seven yes very neatly done a certain amount of experience and practice i should
47:54say
47:57as you say very neatly done well the bank sent me my checks this morning and i noticed it at once
48:02what made you notice i never write a check for 17 pounds but you do for seven oh yes quite often
48:13of course what struck me was that the young man had a shifty eye
48:17a shifty eye yes the kind that looks straight at you and never blinks it reminded me of fred tyler
48:23should i know fred tyler oh no no no he worked at the fish shop in my village
48:33always adding an extra one to the shillings column you know people very rarely check their bills
48:41fred tyler would look people in the eye and smile and then steal enough money to take jesse's
48:46prague to the pictures and buy very loud ties well as you suggested you were quite right in your
48:55diagnosis rudy's shirt's had a no coffee no thank you miss marple no thank you dear i shall last until
49:06tea time now thank you have you talked to her inspector i'm sure you have yes i did we'll talk
49:18to her again because i think there's more to come she uh she brought me kippers this morning instead of
49:24herrings and forgot the milk jug you see he may have told her who it was i'm sorry who what was
49:31well who it was put him up to it you think somebody put him up to it well i yes i think that's obvious
49:38don't you well to be truthful it's not all that obvious to me miss marple oh i'm so sorry yes well
49:46do forgive me but you see here is a personable young man if he filters a little here and there a
49:51petty thief likes to show off to the girls then suddenly he goes off with a revolver and holds up a
49:57whole room of people well he'd never have done a thing like that but we have witnesses to say that
50:03he did precisely that oh no you have witnesses to say that he flung open the door and shone a torch
50:10and pointed a gun at them but it was dark how could they possibly have seen a gun
50:18you mean i mean they thought they saw a gun they heard shots they heard him say
50:23stick him up or words to that effect and then afterwards they saw the gun lying on the floor
50:28but they couldn't possibly have seen the gun when he first came into the room which means somebody
50:33else fired the shots well that's logical the same person who persuaded rude his shirts to put the
50:39advertisement in the paper and to burst open the door shine a torch and say those ridiculous words
50:47you're telling me to look for mr x mr mrs or miss x i should say
50:56you know inspector some of the best murderers are women especially in an english village you turn
51:02over a stone you have no idea what will crawl out but somebody who wanted to kill miss blacklock
51:09well it has that appearance well i must say you've turned my entire investigation inside out
51:19oh i am so sorry i didn't mean to interfere inspector may i uh may i cause you yet more trouble
51:28if you like may i change my mind and have some cheese and biscuits
51:32and talk to that girl again inspector she's very frightened frightened someone shot rudy shirts
51:45somewhere in chipping keghorn a killer is at large
52:02a
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