- 2 days ago
Constable Gough is called in by the Yard to investigate a murder at a boarding house over Christmas. The body of John Zebedee has been found downstairs and the man's young wife is convinced that, while sleepwalking, she has murdered her own husband after waking up and finding him. But Constable Gough is not convinced after hearing of witness statements from the cook and decides to investigate further...
Starring Michael Crawford, Felicity Gibson, Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Reginald Marsh, William Lucas, Pauline Delaney, John Normington, Calum Mill, Pamela Moisiewitsch, Jill Richards and keep your eyes peeled for a very early screen appearance by Tim Curry in only his 3rd screen role. Broadcast Boxing Day 1970.
Starring Michael Crawford, Felicity Gibson, Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Reginald Marsh, William Lucas, Pauline Delaney, John Normington, Calum Mill, Pamela Moisiewitsch, Jill Richards and keep your eyes peeled for a very early screen appearance by Tim Curry in only his 3rd screen role. Broadcast Boxing Day 1970.
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TVTranscript
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02:52One lump or two, sir?
02:54Three.
03:18Something bothering you, Constable?
03:20No, Sergeant.
03:22No, Sergeant.
03:25You can confide in me like you might your own father.
03:27It just isn't what I came into the force for, sir?
03:29What isn't?
03:30Holy up other people's fires like a back steers twini.
03:34Inspector Pennyquick isn't other people.
03:36If you'd join the army instead of the police force...
03:38But I didn't join the army, sir.
03:39You might have found yourself doing a lot worse things if you had.
03:42Now, I remember when I was at Balaclava, were you...
03:45Oh.
03:47Yes, miss?
03:48There's been a murder.
03:50Number 14, Ryder Street.
03:52Has there now?
03:53Sergeant Gribble, I'll be obliged.
03:56Hello, what's this, then?
03:57Young lady has information about a murder, Inspector.
04:00Ryder Street, number 14.
04:02And how did you come to hear about it?
04:03Miss, er...
04:04Smith.
04:05Mrs Crosscapple sent me.
04:06Crosscapple?
04:07She's the woman who owns the boarding house where I work.
04:10Oh, you're a domestic?
04:10I'm the cook.
04:12Have you seen the murdered person, miss?
04:14I was only sent for to inform you.
04:16Quite right and proper.
04:18Gough?
04:19Yes, sir.
04:19Accompany this young lady back to number 14, Ryder Street.
04:22Find out if there's anything in it.
04:23If there is, report back here directly.
04:25Let bow and enter, or leave the building till we arrive.
04:28No, sir.
04:28Now, you know the procedure, if anyone volunteers a statement.
04:30I do, sir.
04:31Right.
04:31I'll figure it out, lad.
04:36Am I to take a cab, Inspector?
04:38It's no distance, Constable.
04:40No, sir.
04:40A cook.
04:46Very nice, dear, eh?
04:49There's a cook's girl.
04:50Hmm.
04:51Can you tell me something about the man, miss?
04:58His name?
05:00Zebedee.
05:01John Zebedee.
05:02I know nothing about them.
05:04Them?
05:05He's recently married.
05:07They're staying in London till they sail.
05:09Oh?
05:10To Australia.
05:13Australia, eh?
05:16He said we were to walk.
05:18Who?
05:20Oh, the inspector.
05:22Oh, I'm paying for this out of my own pocket.
05:23Why?
05:25Oh, there's been a crime committed.
05:27Doesn't pay to walk when you should run.
05:29Perhaps you're not meant to run before you can walk.
05:33Some of us can do both.
05:42So you're a cook, are you?
05:43What if I am?
05:45Nothing.
05:45Nothing.
05:45I just wouldn't have thought it, that's all.
05:53I was meant for a compliment.
06:08Are you quite sure the door is locked?
06:09Yes.
06:11Make up that class smartly, Betsy, and stop snivelling.
06:14We shall have the police here directly.
06:16A very good idea.
06:17Make it as comfortable as you can, and we'll never get rid of them.
06:19Cousin Margaret, I begin to wonder if you've quite grasped the seriousness of the situation.
06:24Betsy, where's Dr MacLeish?
06:26I distinctly requested everyone to come to me.
06:28Dr MacLeish is with the deceased wife, Mrs Zebedee, as I believe.
06:32I cannot believe that poor creature is responsible.
06:34That poor creature's already confessed.
06:36They'll take her away, and there's an individual.
06:37Betsy, look sharp.
06:39Find Dr MacLeish, and ask him if he would be so good as to step into my parlour.
06:43I said the spider to the fly.
06:45Your levity in the circumstances is as much a matter of good taste as a pauper's breakfast.
06:50A lot of fuss about nothing.
06:51About murder, Cousin Margaret.
06:55That'll be Priscilla with the police.
06:57Do remember to be your natural offensive self.
07:01She, she couldn't have killed it.
07:04Distantly related though we may be, I consider Mrs Cross capable, is capable of anything.
07:08I was referring to Mrs Zebedee.
07:10She said she did it.
07:11She must know.
07:12It had to happen.
07:13There's something about this house.
07:15A presence.
07:16Something I cannot explain away to my own satisfaction.
07:19A presence?
07:20You must have noticed.
07:22I noticed nothing.
07:23A haunting sensation of someone in the house.
07:26But not of it.
07:28I, I, I cannot explain.
07:32If you cannot explain, then it cannot exist outside of your imagination, Mr Cranber, can it?
07:37Yes, but I...
07:37Can it, Mr Cranber?
07:39Priscilla, join Betsy in the parlour and remain there till I say otherwise.
07:54No doubt you wish to see the body.
07:56I will...
07:57Fleet lights up and it's the door on the left.
07:59You're Mrs...
07:59Cross-Capple.
08:00I see.
08:01I shall want to inspect the premises, ma'am.
08:03Whatever for?
08:04It's routine, ma'am.
08:06Well, that won't be necessary.
08:07His wife has confessed.
08:09Did the cook not tell you?
08:11There's no need to turn the place upside down looking for the murderer.
08:14She's up there.
08:16That remains to be seen, ma'am.
08:18Well, it really isn't necessary.
08:19If you'll excuse me, ma'am.
08:39Mrs. Zebedee?
08:49This man?
08:50Her husband.
08:51Now ask another fool question.
08:53Who are you, sir?
08:54MacLeish.
08:55I'm a doctor of medicine.
08:57One of the best ones.
08:58You've never heard of me?
08:59No, sir.
09:00Oh, well.
09:00It's a damn funny old will of me.
09:02Are you one of the boarders here, sir?
09:03Aye, and if I am...
09:04I might ask what you're doing in this room.
09:06Physic.
09:07A little something to calm the poor lassie down.
09:10And look, suppose you look after the dead.
09:13Well, I take care of the living.
09:16Here you are, lassie.
09:17Now, you just take this down, eh?
09:21I killed him.
09:23I killed him.
09:25Her nerves are all in fringes.
09:27She's been blaming herself ever since she discovered him.
09:30You were the first...
09:31I heard her screaming blue murder.
09:33Now, what would you have done?
09:34Which is your room, sir?
09:35Across the landing.
09:37I was well placed.
09:38I see.
09:39And you came in?
09:40Followed her in.
09:41She stood in the middle of the room with a knife in her hand.
09:46Where is the knife now, sir?
09:47On the floor behind you.
09:50Yes, she dropped it when I slapped her face.
09:54Why did you do that, sir?
09:56Slap her?
09:57She was hysterical.
09:59Now, can I take the poor creature out of this?
10:02Yes, of course.
10:04Come on.
10:06I killed him.
10:07You did no such thing.
10:09You seem very sure, sir.
10:11I'm as sure as I'm sure of things that go bump in the night.
10:15My bonnie wee policeman.
10:20You were asked to remain downstairs, miss.
10:40I came up to fetch a handkerchief from my room.
10:42Mrs. Crosscapple said I might.
10:44Where is your room?
10:45Where a domestic's room usually is.
10:47At the top of the house.
10:49Well, she didn't say you could come up here, and neither did I.
10:52I've never seen a dead man before.
10:54Come on now, miss.
10:55He looks so peaceful.
10:58Sinless.
10:58This is no place for you.
11:02You don't seem to realise a man has been done to death, brutally murdered, maybe by someone
11:06in this house.
11:07And doesn't that frighten you?
11:09Why should I be scared of the dead?
11:10So, if the area gate was locked, the kitchen window shutters fastened, the back door secured,
11:36the downstairs windows ditto,
11:37then we're almost certainly looking for the murderer inside this house.
11:42Then it must be Mrs. Ebedee.
11:44She compared.
11:45She said she killed him.
11:46Just tell me what you can about this business, will you, ma'am?
11:48I heard screams at midnight or thereabouts.
11:52Naturally, I went to see what was happening.
11:54Dr. MacLeish was in Mrs. Ebedee's room attempting to pacify her.
11:57She was quite distracted.
11:59You said the cook for the police, but not for the doctor.
12:01Dr. MacLeish said Mrs. Ebedee was dead.
12:04I could hardly flout his judgment and call for a second opinion.
12:07This, uh, couple, this Mr. and Mrs. Ebedee, you had any trouble with them before?
12:11No.
12:11But there was one odd thing about her.
12:13Hmm?
12:14She walked in her sleep.
12:16Mr. Ebedee warned me when they first arrived.
12:19And, of course, I indicated as much to everyone in the house.
12:22It can be disturbing if you're not expecting such behaviour.
12:25Walked in her sleep?
12:26So she must have killed him.
12:27What kind of man was he?
12:29Kind?
12:30Ebedee.
12:31Oh, I really couldn't say.
12:36Try.
12:37Well, he was handsome.
12:40I know what he looks like.
12:42You'd better ask his wife.
12:43I'm asking you.
12:45He said very little about his affairs.
12:47They were both of the servant class.
12:49He was formerly a footman, and Mrs. Ebedee had been a lady's maid, I believe.
12:54Yet their clothes look expensive.
12:56Well, he did mention that Mrs. Ebedee had recently received a substantial legacy.
13:00In spite of which, he said little about his affairs.
13:03I'm only telling you what he told me.
13:05I'm obliged to you.
13:06I'd like a word with Dr. McLeish now, ma'am.
13:14From a dear friend.
13:17Gough, you say that McLeish is definite that Mrs. Ebedee is not the guilty party.
13:21Yes, sir.
13:23Did that surprise you?
13:24He saw her with the knife in her hand, sir.
13:26Tell him, sergeant.
13:27It does mean she killed him.
13:28I was about to say so, sir.
13:36Just in case you're curious, I'm not guilty from head to foot.
13:40Dr. McLeish?
13:44Aye.
13:45I suppose you'd like to give me your account of the affair, sir.
13:49Well, I came in late.
13:52Locked the door and then started up the stairs.
13:55And suddenly, there before me in the half-darkness, an apparition.
14:00A creature floating silently up the stairs.
14:04The somnambulist, I said to myself.
14:08I was sober in an instant.
14:10I realised it was Mrs. Ebedee, so I followed her on tiptoe.
14:15You see, it's fatal to weaken the subject out of time.
14:19Watched her go into her room, then I went into mine.
14:22I hadn't closed the door five seconds before I heard her scream.
14:25I nearly dropped a bottle in my hand.
14:27I rushed out in there, with a knife in her grasp.
14:30It was Mrs. Ebedee.
14:33Hang it all, man.
14:34There wasn't time for her to kill him.
14:36Unless the deed was done earlier.
14:37Rubbish.
14:38You're not a practising physician, sir.
14:40That makes my testimony no less valid.
14:43Certainly.
14:44That'll be all, thank you.
14:53May I ask why you no longer follow your profession, Doctor?
14:56Drink.
14:57Which might account for things that go bump in the night.
15:00Have a word with Miss, uh, my bus sergeant.
15:08See what you can learn from her.
15:09Sir?
15:13Gough?
15:13Sir?
15:14Better have Mrs. Ebedee in now.
15:15Yes, sir.
15:16Uh, has she said anything to you?
15:18Mrs. Ebedee, sir?
15:19The cook?
15:20Nothing, sir.
15:22That's funny.
15:23Cooks are usually talkative.
15:25She's not in the usual run of domestic, sir.
15:28No.
15:29Who is it?
15:38Sergeant Gribble, ma'am.
15:40Go away.
15:40I've nothing to say.
15:41I'm afraid I must ask you a few questions, ma'am.
15:44You wicked man.
15:45I'm in bed.
15:47Well, wherever you are.
15:49Oh, very well.
15:49But you must follow my directions implicitly.
15:53I shall arise, go to the door, draw back the bolt, and then return to bed.
15:59I shall then require you to count up to 40, after which you may enter.
16:05Very well, ma'am.
16:06One, two, three, four, five, six...
16:10So fast!
16:12Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven...
16:16Do you remember this?
16:19And when was the last time you saw it?
16:21My husband.
16:23Your husband?
16:24Yes.
16:25I took it out of his body.
16:29It made a squelching sound.
16:32I...
16:33Boots lifted out of mud.
16:35I took it out.
16:37His knife.
16:39Not his.
16:41But didn't you give it to him?
16:42I never saw it before in my life.
16:46But there's an inscription.
16:48To John Zebedee from a dear friend.
16:51Now, who was this dear friend?
16:54I never saw it before.
16:55But it's his knife.
16:57No!
16:58John never had such a thing.
17:00Are you quite sure?
17:02Never.
17:07Well, look out she should be lying.
17:09Well, why should I lie?
17:12I've lost everything that made my life worth living.
17:16We were going to emigrate.
17:18Go far away.
17:19Start a new life.
17:20We were going to work for ourselves instead of slaving for others.
17:24Now there's nothing.
17:26Well, why should I lie?
17:3238, 39, 40.
17:35I am now about to enter, ma'am.
17:37You may do so.
17:42Well, don't stand there gawping.
17:45Have you never seen a woman in bed before?
17:47Uh, never.
17:48Uh, except for me old mother, ma'am.
17:50Ah, you men are all liars and policemen are no exception.
17:53Shut the door.
17:54You were in the army.
18:02No man would dare to wear such ridiculous whiskers unless he'd served in the cavalry.
18:06I had the honor to serve in the Crimea, ma'am.
18:08Ah, more fool you.
18:10Honor!
18:11I've seen what your precious army can do to a man.
18:14Ah, well, this is my budgerigar.
18:18Ah.
18:18He's been stuffed.
18:19He's 20 years come Whitson, and I've no idea who kills Ebony.
18:23Well, um, if I might just ask you a few questions, Miss Yobus?
18:26My boss.
18:28You should pay attention to details, Sergeant.
18:30They can be so important.
18:32Now, what is it you wish to tell me?
18:34Oh, uh, nothing, ma'am.
18:36Uh, well, perhaps I, uh, ought to remind you that a man has been brutally done to death in this house.
18:41It was all my fault.
18:42No, no, no, you must bear the full responsibility.
18:45After all, it could have happened to me, and then where would you be?
18:47Still asking me stupid questions, no doubt.
18:50Yes, now, if you've quite finished bullying me, I shall attempt to get some sleep.
18:55You may call again tomorrow, when we shall both have had time to reflect on this tragedy.
19:00Yes, good night, Sergeant.
19:11We inspected, like a word, with you, Sergeant.
19:16Ah.
19:17I suppose Miss Yobus wasn't very helpful?
19:19Uh, she was, uh, overawed with the stripes, Lander.
19:23Overawed.
19:27Now, perhaps you realise the danger.
19:30In future, you will do as we say.
19:32You will not wonder about the house as though you were a free agent,
19:35or we can do nothing for you.
19:46So you were still up and dressed at midnight, Mr. Cranboe?
19:49Aye.
19:49Yes, I was still up.
19:51Everyone else in their house came out to see what the noise was about.
19:54Mrs. Crosscapple said you never appeared until she knocked on your door.
19:58Well, it's usual to find out what a commotion's about.
20:00It had nothing to do with me.
20:01Very likely not.
20:01I pay my rent, I'm on my own business, and if I hear screams, I close my ears.
20:07We all of us owe something to our neighbours, Mr. Cranboe, especially when they're in distress.
20:11I can do nothing for Mrs. Zebedee, beyond affirming her innocence.
20:15Affirming or speculating?
20:16It was not the cry of a murderess.
20:17Believe me, I know with every fibre of my being.
20:20It was the cry of a soul in torment.
20:23To which you closed your ears.
20:25I have very good reason.
20:28Well?
20:28Well, it must be obvious I'm not in the best of health for some years now.
20:33I've...
20:34I've...
20:35I've...
20:36I've no need to explain myself to you.
20:38That defence...
20:39You think I killed him?
20:40Why?
20:40Because I'm lame.
20:41Because I cannot entirely...
20:42Control my sensibilities.
20:45Why should I be marked down because of infirmities?
20:47I cannot choose but bear because some fool gets himself murdered.
20:50Compassion doesn't seem to be one of your infirmities, Mr. Cranboe.
20:53There's too much compassion for the dead in our time.
20:55There's too little for the living.
20:57If I must weep, I'll weep for Mrs. Zebedee.
21:01Oh.
21:02As an anguished fellow being.
21:05I see.
21:05No, you don't see.
21:07Any more than you could hear footsteps wrapped in black velvet, scarcely disturbing the silence.
21:14No.
21:15You don't see.
21:16Only that you're imagining things, Mr. Cranboe.
21:24This way, sir.
21:32No, you don't see.
21:33At all.
21:39Madness, McNaughton.
21:40Oh, well.
21:42Madness isn't badness.
21:43Right, well, I'm going to take Mrs. Zebedee back to the station.
21:46Sergeant, I'd like you to come with me.
21:48Sir.
21:51Gough.
21:52Yes, sir.
21:52You stay here and question the domestics.
21:54Yes, sir.
21:55From a dear friend that nearly tells us everything and almost tells us nothing.
22:01Aren't you going to answer it, miss?
22:14What do you want?
22:15How long have you...
22:16I'm just going to ask a few questions.
22:19You were listening.
22:20To a bell?
22:22Well, that wouldn't get me very far, would it?
22:24Who was it, miss?
22:27I said, who was it?
22:29Mr. Cranboe.
22:30Does it matter?
22:31Well, shouldn't you see what he wants?
22:33What could he want at this hour of the morning?
22:35Especially from the cook.
22:38I've nothing to tell you.
22:41Fourteen rooms.
22:43I spoke to Betsy just now.
22:45She couldn't tell me much either.
22:48Well, what do you expect?
22:49There's not much to tell.
22:51They took Mrs. Zebedee away just now, so she must have done it.
22:55She says she did it, so we have to act as though she did.
22:58You seem to doubt it.
23:00Are you afraid of something, miss?
23:04Not of you.
23:06Well, I mean, cooks are usually fat, jolly people.
23:09You're...
23:10Tell me, miss.
23:12What did you do when you heard the screams?
23:15I dressed quickly and came downstairs.
23:18Ah.
23:19Well, Betsy says she was awake with toothache till twelve.
23:22Heard you go to your room not five minutes before.
23:25She's mistaken.
23:25Well, you were one of the last to go to your room.
23:28Of course.
23:28It's part of my duty is to turn down the lights.
23:30Then if Mrs. Zebedee was walking in her sleep, you may well have seen her.
23:33Was she sleepwalking?
23:35Let me ask the questions, miss.
23:38What were you doing before you turned the lights down?
23:41I was reading.
23:45A Bible.
23:45My father's.
23:47He was a Baptist minister.
23:50So you didn't undress?
23:53Oh, well, I started to and then...
23:54I see.
23:55We had one at home.
23:57Whenever my mother had a difficulty, she'd open it anywhere, point to a passage, swore it worked every time.
24:03For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil, but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
24:26I never believed in it much myself.
24:30I'd better be off.
24:33They've gone.
24:50You realise it isn't going to be easy.
24:54You'd better go to your room.
25:02Priscilla.
25:03Priscilla.
25:07You've had a trying time, Mrs. Ebedee.
25:35There's not one of us doesn't feel for you.
25:37I hope that's some consolation.
25:38I've reason to be very grateful to you, Inspector.
25:41If it hadn't been for you at the inquest...
25:43Well, that's all over now.
25:44Now, my advice to you is...
25:47Go through that door and start again.
25:50Goodbye.
25:54And never look back.
25:59Well, I don't know what she would have been like as a wife,
26:01but she makes a lovely little widow.
26:05Cross-capple.
26:07Why does that name ring a bell?
26:08I can't think, sir.
26:11What about this knife?
26:14It's the sort of article that's sold by the Thousand.
26:17Not with that engraving on there, it doesn't know.
26:18I mean, what about the photograph we are taking of it?
26:20Circulated to every police station in the country.
26:22We've heard nothing.
26:25Yes, go.
26:25Mr. Cranberry outside, sir.
26:27Particularly, he wants to speak to you.
26:29Seems very agitated, sir.
26:30All right.
26:30Come to confess, I shouldn't wonder.
26:33I should.
26:34Ah, take a chair, Mr. Cranberry.
26:40I know who killed Zebedee.
26:44Unless, of course, you prefer to stand.
26:46That is, I know.
26:49And I don't know.
26:51Riddles.
26:52Well, now, that is seasonal.
26:54You're mocking me?
26:54No, I'm trying to make things easy for you, Mr. Cranberry.
26:56You still believe I did it?
26:57I believe, Mr. Cranberry, that you once voluntarily confined yourself, under your father's direction, to a private asylum.
27:05A nervous illness.
27:07I told you.
27:08What else have you got to tell us, Mr. Cranberry?
27:10In the house.
27:11A man I've never seen before.
27:14I thought it was my imagination, so I asked Mrs. Crosscapel, is there another boarder I've never met?
27:19Someone who, like myself, leads a quiet, retiring life, perhaps even for the same reasons.
27:24And she said that I was mistaken.
27:26There was no one, and I'm certain she's lying.
27:29A stranger?
27:30And sounds, vague as shadows.
27:35Voices, whisperings, from nowhere.
27:41Not often.
27:43All right, we'll look into it, Mr. Cranberry.
27:45Thank you, I won't keep you.
27:54Hmm.
27:54Strangers' voices.
27:58Just a cast of dust in our eyes, I reckon.
28:00There's 14 rooms in that house, and there's only seven of them occupied.
28:06You sure you searched that place thoroughly?
28:07I did, sir.
28:08Every room?
28:08Except Miss Mybusy, sir.
28:10Well, I searched that room, sir.
28:11Well, at least...
28:12Oh, wait a minute.
28:12She's got two rooms.
28:13Yes, that's right.
28:14I saw the door leading to a parlour, as I suppose it was.
28:18But you didn't search it?
28:19Uh, no.
28:20No, Inspector.
28:22Gough!
28:23Yes, sir?
28:23Go round to see Miss Mybus, see what she's got to say about this story of Cranberry's.
28:27Have a look and see what's behind that door of hers.
28:30If anything.
28:31Yes, sir.
28:31Who is it?
28:38Police Constable Gough, ma'am.
28:40I'd like a word with you, if I may.
28:42Oh.
28:43Are you the good-looking one?
28:44That's right, ma'am.
28:46One moment.
28:47Ah, so you're back again.
28:54And who's been murdered this time?
28:56No one that I know of, ma'am.
28:58Ah, well, you'd better come in.
29:08Well?
29:09Mr. Cranberry called on us with a very unusual story.
29:12My superior thought he should be treated seriously.
29:15Your superior's a fool.
29:16You're all fools.
29:17The assassin's been under your noses for the past three weeks and you've let her go.
29:21Oh, Mr. Cranberry talks of someone else.
29:23A stranger seen in the house.
29:24Not one of the boarders.
29:26Really?
29:28Oh, well.
29:28Anyone with two glass eyes and a defective ear trumpet would know that poor Mr. Cranberry's
29:33figments should be taken with a large pinch of salt.
29:36He also claims to have heard strange noises in the house.
29:39Voices and so forth.
29:41Well, I may claim to be the Empress of China,
29:43but I should be ashamed to admit it to the public at large.
29:46Then you've heard nothing.
29:47Nothing.
29:48I see.
29:49I wonder if I might ask about that door, ma'am.
29:52It leads to my parlour.
29:53I am not only Mrs. Crosscapple's nearest living relative.
29:57I am also her only parlour boarder.
29:59Surely the parlour is usually in the front of the house.
30:02I particularly requested the rooms to be rearranged.
30:06This room is too sunny in the mornings.
30:08May I see the parlour, ma'am?
30:10Yes, sir.
30:10I take it the inner door leads to the passage.
30:26You have only to open it?
30:27It's locked.
30:29Yes, yes, to the passage.
30:30I see.
30:31Well, thank you, ma'am.
30:32I'm sorry to have disturbed you.
30:34One moment.
30:35Perhaps you will now allow me to satisfy my curiosity.
30:38If I can.
30:39Why should Sergeant Gribble, the officer with those disgusting mustachios, visit this house so often?
30:47All in the line of duty, no doubt.
30:49Well, his duty must be highly confidential, otherwise surely he would come to the front door.
30:53I don't understand.
30:55Three times, to my certain knowledge, he has descended to the basement by the area steps and never in uniform.
31:02I've seen him from my window.
31:05Now, why should he do that?
31:08To preserve his incognito, I imagine.
31:10I mean, why should he wish to visit the cook?
31:14Or Betsy.
31:16Nonsense.
31:17Betsy's a dumpling.
31:19Sergeant Gribble happens to be fond of dumplings.
31:22Good night, ma'am.
31:23Good night.
31:49I thought your room was the one across the landing, sir.
32:07But this is where I hear the voices, and yet the room's empty.
32:10You can see for yourself.
32:12It's quite empty.
32:19It's quite empty.
32:35Expecting someone?
32:37Someone else?
32:39I'm sorry to disappoint you.
32:43Why should Sergeant Gribble call on you three times in as many weeks?
32:47And you'd better ask him.
32:49No, I'm asking you.
32:51It's not easy to answer.
32:52Well, I must know.
32:53I suppose he wants to find out who killed Mr Zebedee.
32:56Well, that doesn't explain why I should call on you so often.
32:59No.
33:01Perhaps he has a more personal reason.
33:04Gribble?
33:05Some things are better than loneliness.
33:07Even Sergeant Gribble.
33:10Besides, I feel safe when he's here.
33:12If you ask me, miss, you are deceiving yourself, and Sergeant Gribble along with you.
33:17Look, I didn't ask him to come.
33:18All you.
33:19Why don't you all leave me alone?
33:21I'm sorry.
33:22I'm sorry, miss.
33:25I'd be sorrier still if someone had a claim to you.
33:29Sickens me what men say.
33:30What they really mean.
33:32Yes.
33:32Just answer me one thing, miss, will you?
33:37Do you know of anyone at all, a stranger, a visitor who comes to this house regular?
33:43Stranger?
33:44Who said so?
33:45Who said so?
33:46Mr. Cranber, as it happens.
33:50He's lying.
33:51Is it Mr. Cranber you're afraid of?
33:59He's just leaving.
34:01Why should they keep coming back?
34:04Murder by a person or persons unknown.
34:07Doesn't that satisfy them?
34:09Don't be a fool.
34:09They never give up.
34:10Then there's no hope for him.
34:12Fiddlesticks.
34:12He's as safe as the Bank of England if only we keep our heads.
34:15I'm grateful to you.
34:17You must know that.
34:18For what?
34:19For marrying into my family?
34:21Oh, I'm going to bed.
34:24And don't concern yourself about the police.
34:25They're only interested in that cook of yours.
34:29Which is our good fortune.
34:32Miss Mybus says she's definitely seen nothing, heard nothing out of the ordinary, sir.
34:36Nor is Miss Smith.
34:38Miss Smith?
34:39The cook, sir.
34:40Oh, you want to be careful of that one, my lad?
34:43She's a cool customer.
34:44Wasn't born yesterday.
34:46Oh, that wasn't my impression.
34:49Oh, I do believe he's smitten, sir.
34:52Blushing fit to bust.
34:54In fact, I thought you admired her.
34:56Well, whatever gave her that idea.
34:58Oh, something she said.
35:00Suits my book, lad.
35:02She knows as much as I give her credit for.
35:04Well, a little harmless flirtation might help to pick the lock.
35:10You suspect her?
35:11Suspicion's a bit strong, lad.
35:12Let's say she don't ride true to snaffles her mouth.
35:16Now, I don't give tuppence if you are my superior.
35:18Stop!
35:18I'll say it for you, and you needn't fear of being disciplined.
35:26Do you think that Sergeant Gribble is practising a heartless flirtation on an innocent girl?
35:30Oh, I...
35:30Well, that just may be.
35:31That somebody in that house killed Zebedee.
35:34Now, we've got a job to do.
35:35It's a scavenger's job, clearing up the mess.
35:38We can't afford finer feelings any more than they can.
35:39Even so, sir...
35:40Oh, maybe you think you can do better with kick gloves and patent leather boots.
35:43Maybe I could, sir.
35:46Now, careful, Constable.
35:48You've come a long way in two years, lad.
35:50Now, don't throw it away because of an infatuation.
35:53Of course.
35:55It's his day off tomorrow, sir.
35:57He might spend half an hour clearing up the mystery,
36:00if he's got nothing better to do.
36:03Yes.
36:04Yes, perhaps he might.
36:06He's got his theories right.
36:10All right, then.
36:12Ah, let's suppose this and suppose the other.
36:15What would be the first thing you'd do, then, Constable?
36:20I'd ask to have another look at the knife, sir.
36:23Quite easily done.
36:24Now, Cutlass Hall has told us all we want to know about that knife.
36:36It's an old knife made by a firm that went bankrupt 40 years back.
36:39It's the engraving on the handle that's new.
36:41What we want to know is who gave it to him.
36:45A dear friend.
36:47If we knew more about Zebedee,
36:50maybe it was someone in love with him, sir.
36:54Oh, Gough, your trouble is you're an idealist, lad.
36:57They don't have the same values as realists.
36:59I always thought duty was an ideal, sir.
37:01No, lad, that's a reality.
37:02Like putting lots of coal on the fire.
37:05So, is your day off tomorrow, then?
37:07Yes, sir.
37:08Right.
37:09Zebedee was in service at Hearn Manor,
37:12near Waterbank.
37:13That's a nice little spot.
37:15You've got my permission to run down there
37:17and see what you can find out.
37:20Thank you, Inspector.
37:21I'm doing you no favours, lad.
37:23Don't think I am.
37:24Right, off you go, then.
37:34Any luck with those day reports?
37:36No sign of a cross-capital, sir.
37:37All right, keep looking.
37:38Yes, sir.
37:43It's after 11.
37:44I know.
37:45Why can't it wait until...
37:46Well, this is important.
37:47If you like, it's official.
37:49Sir, I can't refuse?
37:50No.
37:50No.
37:53I shouldn't be here, rightly.
38:05Oh, but I've just come straight from the station.
38:08You can forget about Gribble.
38:10He doesn't give tuppence for you.
38:11Whatever he might have said isn't worth your remembering.
38:14Seems to make you happy.
38:15Happy?
38:15Well, of course I'm happy.
38:16It's what I was hoping for.
38:17You asked him.
38:18I didn't have to.
38:19He came right out with it.
38:20Having you on, he said.
38:22Why?
38:23Well, it's just the way these things work when there's been a crime committed.
38:27Just hoping he might pick up a useful bit of information.
38:29So, I remember what you said about men, saying one thing and meaning another.
38:37Well, that may do very well for Gribble or anyone else, but my mind doesn't run that
38:42way.
38:43What are you trying to say?
38:44Well, when I asked about him, about Gribble, it was jealousy, nothing more.
38:53Oh, I'm not much good with words, but if you want it plainer, I can only say...
38:59You'd better not.
39:00Priscilla.
39:01Miss Smith, Constable.
39:03Miss Smith, I know more than you think.
39:07I know that when you walked into the station that night, I loved you.
39:17And I know that as we rode in the cab for a few blessed moments, I loved you.
39:22And I know that sleeping or waking, I've thought of nothing and no one else ever since.
39:28I'm very much obliged to you.
39:30How are you that much?
39:31Miss Smith, I mean every word I say.
39:35Perhaps you do.
39:36I'm not much of a bargain.
39:40My prospects aren't bad, no worse than a lot of others.
39:44Suddenly they're better.
39:45In fact, that's another reason I tore around here, shared the good news.
39:48You know what I did?
39:49I showed them they were looking the wrong way for Zebedee's killer.
39:53But the inspector, he's a good sword, he gave me a chance and a half.
39:56If only I can turn up the clue to this mystery.
39:59Clue?
40:00Well, don't you see what a difference it made to my chances?
40:03To our future?
40:05No.
40:06Oh, no.
40:09Here now.
40:12You're trembling.
40:13I'm frightened.
40:15What of me?
40:17Go away.
40:19Please, you must go away.
40:21No, no, I'm not leaving here until you give me an answer.
40:25Some hope.
40:26I've got nothing to give you.
40:28Nothing.
40:29I want to leave this house.
40:33Leave?
40:34I must.
40:35No, no, you can't do that.
40:36Why not?
40:38Well, if I'm to find out who killed Zebedee, then you must remain.
40:42You want me to...
40:43You want me to...
40:44There.
40:47I made you smile.
40:50I made you smile.
40:52Priscilla, please understand.
40:55What do you want me to do?
40:56Nothing much.
40:58Just watch.
40:59Listen.
41:00I mean, everything counts.
41:01Nothing is too small.
41:02Nothing.
41:03I mean, even Zebedee.
41:05See, no one's given him much thought yet.
41:07Tomorrow I shall know more about him.
41:09Zebedee?
41:09He was in service near Waterbank.
41:15Now, you're not to be worried or frightened anymore.
41:20Because everything's going to be all right.
41:23For both of us.
41:38Waterbank!
41:40I find that very interesting.
41:43That's the second time he's called on you in as many hours.
41:45He's a policeman.
41:46Presumably he's doing his duty.
41:48And you're a cook.
41:49The two go together like turkey and plump pudding.
41:51You're mistaken.
41:52Whether I'm mistaken or not.
41:54The sooner you leave here, the better it will be for everyone concerned.
41:56Will that solve your problems?
41:58The police are looking for a murderer.
42:00Why should that be my problem?
42:01You have good reason for wanting to keep them away from this house.
42:04Perhaps we both have good reason.
42:06I have nothing to fear.
42:07Liar.
42:08I know exactly what you have to fear.
42:11I know all about you.
42:12Do you honestly think that I shall lose so much by telling them what I know?
42:17You will leave at the end of the week.
42:19Hadn't you better ask him?
42:20A month's wages should be mutually satisfactory.
42:22In the circumstances, you can hardly expect a reference.
42:26I tell you, I saw him right there in the house.
42:30Can you describe him, sir?
42:32Eh?
42:32Oh, no.
42:33Oh, well.
42:35He was a tall, strapping young fellow.
42:37He slipped into Miss Mybus's room when he thought I wasn't looking.
42:41Oh, good God.
42:44I didn't think she knew one end of a man from the other.
42:47Miss, uh, Mybus, sir?
42:49You're welcome to have share in my amazement.
42:52Well, did she scream?
42:53She did not.
42:54And what's more, neither did he.
42:57Well, I suppose she's old enough to know what she's doing.
43:01Oh, that's not the point.
43:02What I'm trying to tell you is it's been going on for months.
43:05Whispered voices.
43:07Footsteps on the stairs.
43:09You, um, you never mentioned it before, sir.
43:12Oh, well, I hadn't paid much heed to it till the murder.
43:14Besides, I often see things.
43:18That, um, that aren't really there, sir?
43:20Well, it's the gift of the second sight.
43:22Or the second bottle, sir.
43:24Here, you think I'm drunk?
43:26Yes, sir.
43:27How dare you insult the mind, eh?
43:29Oh, yeah.
43:32Oh, yeah, maybe you're right, eh?
43:34I'm not saying you, Blakely, I don't know what I'm talking about.
43:37Here, Hermione in her room.
43:39Oh, it's gruesome.
43:41It's gruesome.
43:42Well, look into it, sir.
43:48Well, looks as though Cranber might have been right after all, eh?
43:52I've just found that.
43:54It was in the wrong section.
43:55It's a lookout from the war office for a deserter, George Crosscape.
43:59Crosscape?
43:59Hmm, it's a mistake.
44:00It should be cross-capple.
44:03I think we'll go and have another look at that house, Sergeant.
44:13Is it true what my mother says, that you're leaving?
44:17Yes.
44:18But why?
44:18You're safe as long as you stay here.
44:21What's more, it's not fair on me.
44:23What sort of a life will it be not having you around?
44:25Oh, come on.
44:28I'm not so bad, am I?
44:30I admit I took advantage of you that night.
44:33But fair's fair.
44:34I don't blame you for what you did.
44:36So why blame me for what I did?
44:37Look, you say the word, and I'll fix it with Ma.
44:41She's got no right turning you off like that anyway.
44:45I tell you what, let's you and me skip together.
44:48I'm sick of playing tag with the military anyway.
44:51If I stay, I'm bound to be taken sooner or later.
44:54It stands to reason.
44:56Well?
44:56I'm leaving, and thank God I'll never have to see you again.
45:02Ever.
45:04You're a bit of a proud bitch, really, aren't you?
45:06It's about time you realised how well off you are after what I...
45:09You don't frighten me any more.
45:11Oh, don't I?
45:14Well, I can still try.
45:15I can still try.
45:24I came straight here.
45:26Didn't even stop to report at the station.
45:29I told you everything would work out all right.
45:32Cut a long story short.
45:34I saw the housekeeper, and she told me everything I wanted to know.
45:38Couldn't stop talking one thing after another.
45:41If you ask me, she was a bit sweet on him herself.
45:44He was a real ladies' man with Zebedee.
45:47You'd hardly credit it, but he was actually promised to one,
45:51and made trips to London to visit another.
45:53Yes, well, I suppose it is a bit sordid.
45:57But that's what life's about.
46:00Some of it, anyway.
46:02What matters is, where do you suppose he spent his days off?
46:0614 Ryder Street.
46:10Surprised me, too.
46:11He was visiting Mrs Crosscapple.
46:14Why not?
46:14Someone had to have that knife.
46:15Why not her?
46:17You think the Mrs Cross...
46:18Look, if Mrs Zebedee never saw it, and it turns up in this house,
46:21who else could he have given it to?
46:22I learned enough to put a rope round that woman's neck.
46:27She didn't do it.
46:30What?
46:31I told you, Mr Policeman.
46:33You can't run before you can walk.
46:36But you had to know better than those who really know.
46:38You said she didn't do it.
46:42You said she didn't do it.
46:43How could you know that?
46:46Answer me!
46:47You know you're trouble, Constable.
46:49You're thick.
46:50Who are you?
46:52Well, go on, Priscilla.
46:53Tell the gentleman.
46:55Loyal, isn't she?
46:56I'll ask you once more.
46:58My shot, on the other hand, is authority.
47:00I just don't like it.
47:02Whether it's marching around in a red coat
47:04or a navy blue uniform like yours.
47:05You've been shielding this, ma'am.
47:06Why?
47:07You're all questions and no answers.
47:09It's not good enough, Constable.
47:11It's not what the public pays you for.
47:14Come.
47:14Don't come in near her, friend.
47:22You're the one she was afraid of.
47:25Maybe she had good reason.
47:28And you're the one who made her suffer.
47:30I didn't notice her suffering.
47:32Not these last three weeks.
47:36What?
47:36Well, cooked up in this house all these months.
47:38What would you have done, friend?
47:47Go upstairs, Priscilla.
47:49Wait for me there.
47:53I'm placing you under arrest.
47:54Keep your distance.
48:05Let's leave it at that, eh?
48:09I'm taking you in.
48:10You're not taking me anywhere.
48:11I know what it is.
48:15You're sweet on her.
48:17Well, she's like that.
48:17She grows on you.
48:19Well, take her.
48:19She's yours.
48:20I'll kill you.
48:21No, listen.
48:21Not because of Zebedee.
48:22Because he's no loss either.
48:24But you made her suffer.
48:25What are you saying?
48:26I know nothing about Zebedee.
48:27No, you've got it all wrong.
48:29Sheep.
48:32Get out.
48:33Get out.
48:35You fool.
48:36I saw her.
48:38I killed him.
48:38Not Mrs. Crosscapple.
48:45Not her son.
48:46Not anyone.
48:47I killed Zebedee.
48:49He saw me go into the bedroom.
48:51And he saw me leaving.
48:52I don't understand.
49:12You're thick.
49:14Thick!
49:15You were the one that Zebedee promised to marry.
49:24Yes.
49:25He promised me.
49:35Sir, he must have known that you were in the house.
49:38No.
49:39Anna, come on.
49:40Don't try and tell me it was pure chance.
49:42No.
49:42Don't you see?
49:43That's why it happened.
49:44I wouldn't have gone out of my way to punish him.
49:47But when I heard he was in this house with her,
49:50I rejoiced.
49:51For I knew it was the hand of God.
49:55Of God?
49:56Guiding him here.
50:00Now, listen to me.
50:03When you knew Zebedee,
50:04he mentioned his visits to London
50:06with friends and relations in Ryder Street.
50:09No.
50:10Yeah, once, in a way of conversation,
50:12he said how a friend of his was in need of a cook.
50:15And when he cast you off,
50:17you found you couldn't stay in Waterbank.
50:18You'd have to find a new position.
50:21So you remembered
50:22the one place you knew.
50:25Or maybe even told you
50:26that you'd spend your honeymoon there
50:27with his good friends
50:28that cross cattle in Ryder Street.
50:30Maybe they still needed a cook.
50:32You're torturing words into facts
50:34where they never were.
50:36God called me.
50:37How else could I have done such a thing?
50:38This has nothing to do with God!
50:40I could destroy you with a word.
50:59God forgive me.
51:00I can't say that word.
51:01In spite of everything.
51:07This may be because of everything.
51:10I still love you.
51:12It's no use.
51:14It's not in our hands.
51:15I love you, Priscilla.
51:17You're forgetting George Cross cattle.
51:19You go upstairs
51:23and you get your things together
51:25and we'll go away.
51:26We'll go in a cab
51:27like when we first met.
51:30And everything will be all right.
51:32I promise you.
51:33Where is my son?
51:40Giving himself up, ma'am.
51:41Very wisely.
51:42Walk right into our arms,
51:43as you might say.
51:44He will be detained
51:45as a deserter
51:45from Her Majesty's army.
51:48And as for those
51:48who afforded him all aid and comfort
51:50to avoid apprehension...
51:51My nearest living relative, Sergeant.
51:53Do you know what they did to him
51:54in the army?
51:56Flogged him.
51:58Unofficially, of course.
51:58Into insensibility.
52:00I'm not ashamed
52:01of my part in this affair.
52:02You will be answerable
52:03of the new course, ma'am.
52:03Where is he?
52:04Not just now, ma'am.
52:05My son did not kill Zebedee.
52:12Sergeant,
52:13I shouldn't be surprised
52:14if you find Constable Gough
52:16downstairs in the kitchen.
52:18Yes, sir.
52:24No.
52:25Your son did not kill Zebedee.
52:28Did he, Miss Smith?
52:33Crosscapul's son.
52:41He killed Zebedee.
52:43Find him on the floor, sir.
52:44He must have passed out.
52:45All right, Sergeant.
52:46We'll take the others back to the station.
52:47We'll make our own way back.
52:48Here you are, lad.
52:49That's a nasty guy, lad.
52:57Where is she?
52:58Very nasty, that is.
52:59He killed Zebedee.
53:01Hmm?
53:03I'm leaving, force.
53:06You'll, uh...
53:07You'll need, uh,
53:08one or two stitches in that, lad.
53:09I shouldn't wonder.
53:10I intend to make Miss Smith my wife
53:12at the first opportunity.
53:13Go on.
53:17I took a train down to Waterbank myself.
53:20The housekeeper there told me
53:21as much about the women
53:22in Zebedee's life
53:23as she told you.
53:25The difference is
53:25the idealist only listened
53:27to what he wanted to hear.
53:28The realist had to listen to the lot.
53:30She had nothing to do
53:31with Zebedee's death.
53:33The knife belonged to her, lad.
53:34Now, I got that from engraver
53:36in Waterbank.
53:36She had it inscribed.
53:37She was going to give it to Zebedee.
53:39If she's guilty as hell,
53:40you wouldn't get me
53:41to give evidence against her.
53:42because once we're married...
53:43It's too late.
53:45She's confessed.
53:48Sergeant Gribble's
53:49taken to the station now.
53:55You don't understand.
53:58He deserved to die.
54:01Nobody deserves to die, constable.
54:10Priscilla.
54:12Priscilla.
54:18Priscilla.
54:18Priscilla.
54:18Priscilla.
54:19Priscilla.
54:19Priscilla.
54:19Priscilla.
54:19Priscilla.
54:19Priscilla.
54:21Priscilla.
54:22Priscilla.
54:23Priscilla.
54:25Priscilla.
54:26Priscilla.
54:27Priscilla.
54:28Priscilla.
54:29Priscilla.
54:30Priscilla.
54:31Priscilla.
54:32Priscilla.
54:33Priscilla.
54:34Priscilla.
54:35Priscilla.
54:36Priscilla.
54:37Priscilla.
54:38Priscilla.
54:39Priscilla.