- 1 day ago
1982 DRAMA Anthology of Agatha Christie short stories: With the intervention of Mr. Parker Pyne, a retired major finds love and adventure helping a young lady to find a very precious African treasure. Starring Maurice Denham, Angela Easterling, William Gaunt & Patricia Garwood.
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00:22I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
01:05Yes, thank you. Good morning.
01:15Come on, Wally.
01:18Morning, Major.
01:20Morning.
01:21Nothing for you, as per usual.
01:23Perhaps next week, eh?
01:25Right.
01:30Good morning, Major.
01:32Oh, blazes.
01:34I wonder whether I could have a...
01:35Sorry, Vicar, bit of a hurry.
01:38Enemy diverted.
01:46Look out, heavy artillery.
01:47There I am.
01:55Come on.
01:59Made it back to HQ.
02:26That's a bit rum.
02:29Listen to this, Wally.
02:31Personal Gollum.
02:32Understood?
02:33Are you happy?
02:35If not, consult Mr. Parker Pine, 17 Richmond Street.
02:42What do you make of that, old chap?
02:47Quite right.
02:48Ridiculous.
03:09Good morning.
03:10Wilbra.
03:11Ah, yes.
03:12Good morning, Major Wilbra.
03:13Morning.
03:14May I take your coat?
03:15Uh, absolutely.
03:18I, uh,
03:19telephone for appointment.
03:20Of course, Major Wilbra.
03:23Mr. Parker Pine is expecting you.
03:27Major Wilbra, sir.
03:29Ah.
03:33Good morning, Major.
03:34Morning.
03:35Good morning.
03:37Come in, please.
03:41Copy, Major.
03:42Black or white?
03:43Uh, black.
03:45Pent Cottage, Blicking Lane, Cobham.
03:48That sounds charming.
03:49Yes, charming spot.
03:50And does the vine round the thatch-eeds run?
03:53Uh, sort of thing.
03:55Wisteria, actually.
03:56Ah.
03:58Sugar?
03:59Uh, thank you.
04:01And is there a good lady?
04:04Bachelor.
04:05Ah.
04:06Thank you, Miss Lemon.
04:08Please sit down.
04:10Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd say that you were a man recently returned from abroad.
04:16Yes, that's right.
04:17India or Africa?
04:19East Africa, Kenya.
04:20A fine country, I believe.
04:22And now here you are, and you're not happy being back home again.
04:26Is that it?
04:27That's very shrewd of you, Mr. Parker Pine.
04:29You're absolutely right.
04:30Though, how you know that?
04:31No, it's my business to know.
04:33You see, for 35 years of my life, I've been engaged in the compiling of statistics in a
04:38government office.
04:4035 years, Major Wilbraham.
04:42Now I'm retired, and it has occurred to me to use the experience I've gained in this
04:46novel fashion.
04:48You see, unhappiness can be classified under five main headings.
04:53No more, I assure you.
04:54You make it sound so simple.
04:55Well, life is simple, Major Wilbraham, if people will only allow it to be.
04:59Now, may I ask why you came back?
05:02I mean, you're obviously not a man who's retired.
05:04You're still in your prime.
05:06I hope you don't think I'm being impertinent.
05:08No, not at all.
05:09No, it's a fair question.
05:10Quite fair.
05:11No, I don't mind telling you.
05:13Not at all.
05:14Yes.
05:15Yes, that's it exactly.
05:17And we need you here straight away, if you wouldn't mind.
05:20Yes.
05:24Goodbye.
05:28You see, the army's given me a damn good life.
05:31I've seen a bit of action.
05:32Traveled, of course.
05:33Companionship, freedom, and Kenya.
05:36That was the best posting of all.
05:38Regiment was there for six years old.
05:41Do you know, they actually have a pack of hounds in the White Islands.
05:44That's only drag hunting, of course.
05:46But it makes a damp February in the shires seem pretty silly.
05:49Anyway, when the regiment was due to come back, I gave very serious thought to staying on.
05:55Well, but it's, uh, well, it's difficult, really.
05:58Yes, it would have been the life of an exile.
05:59That's it, absolutely.
06:01And, you know, there are some splendid women out there, but...
06:04No one you found you could, um...
06:07Absolutely.
06:08No, I just felt, do you see, that England was my home and I should return to it, settle down,
06:12make a go of it here.
06:13So I came back and resigned my commission.
06:17Really? Why did you do that?
06:18Well, there's no real soldiering anymore when you face it fair and square.
06:21Then I just felt I should make a break, start afresh.
06:24And now?
06:25Now you're restless.
06:26That's putting it mildly.
06:28Well, I doubt as much consolation, Major Wilbraham.
06:31But your situation is far from unique.
06:34Would you, uh...
06:35Uh, no, no.
06:36You see, a retired empire builder, whoever he is,
06:39exchanges an active life full of responsibility, a life of possible danger, for what?
06:45Strained means, dismal climate, and the feeling of being a fish out of water.
06:49That's it, absolutely.
06:51All my neighbours are pleasant folk, but they've got very few ideas beyond the parish pump.
06:56I've got a little money, but I can't afford to hunt or shoot.
06:59The long and the short is that you're bored and you find life tame.
07:02Damn tame.
07:04Well, having diagnosed the malady, the remedy shouldn't be impossible.
07:09I hope you're right.
07:11You see, I stand in the place of a doctor.
07:14There are cases where no treatment can be of any avail,
07:17and if this is so, I say, frankly, that I can do nothing.
07:20But if I undertake a case, the cure is practically guaranteed.
07:26And so?
07:27In your case, I will willingly undertake.
07:31Oh, jolly good.
07:33And the cure?
07:34Well, what you require is excitement, possibly danger.
07:37That's it exactly, but I'm not going to find it in dear old England, am I?
07:41I beg to differ, Major.
07:43Well, you're quite wrong.
07:45So far, you've only seen the smiling surface of English life,
07:50where turnips are applauded at village fates
07:53and wisteria goes round the cottage doors.
07:57But you must realise that there is another darker side.
08:00That danger is commonplace.
08:03Now, if you wish, I can show you that side.
08:07You know something, Mr. Parkipine, I believe you can.
08:10When I first came in, first saw you, you know,
08:13I'll admit I thought to myself, there's a chap I can trust.
08:16I should warn you, however, that there is an element of danger.
08:19Your claims would look pretty rum if they weren't.
08:21Exactly, sir.
08:22And your fee?
08:24My fee is 50 guineas payable in advance.
08:26Ah, that's rather...
08:28But I make it returnable.
08:32If in six weeks' time you're still in the same state of unhappiness,
08:36I will refund you your money.
08:38No cure, no fee.
08:40Fair enough, I agree.
08:41I'll give you a check now.
08:42Thank you, Major.
08:45Now, you will receive certain instructions from me in a day or so.
08:50Be sure to carry them out to the letter.
08:53Sir.
08:55Thank you, Major.
08:57Oh, has Madeline arrived?
08:58She has, sir.
08:59Ah.
09:02Madeline, right here.
09:04Mr. Parkipine.
09:06Come here.
09:09Madeline, may I introduce Major Wilbraham?
09:11Miss Madeline de Sarai.
09:14Delighted.
09:15How do you do?
09:15The Major is taking you out to lunch.
09:18Oh, how wonderful.
09:19Might I recommend Moroni's?
09:21Er, certainly.
09:23Splendid.
09:24Miss Lemon?
09:24Your taxi will be here at any moment.
09:26Splendid.
09:28Ah.
09:29Your carriage awaits.
09:30Splendid.
09:32Shall we, er...
09:37Miss, er...
09:38Miss Versailles.
09:39Do enjoy your lunch.
09:42Thank you, sir.
09:47Hm.
09:48A diffident man.
09:50But not without charm.
09:52Hmm?
09:52Anyway, I think I know what's required.
09:54Oh, I'm sure you do, Miss Lemon.
09:55He's obviously Schedule C.
09:57Yes.
09:58And I'll wager you a new typewriter ribbon to a glass of sherry that you'll need a type 4.
10:04Type 4?
10:06Hmm.
10:08I'll accept that wager.
10:10And await Madeline's judgment.
10:12Type 4.
10:15Oh, did you ring Moroni's?
10:17Of course.
10:26Ah, yes, er, very well.
10:29Er, for two, I'm afraid we haven't booked.
10:31That will derange us not at all, monsieur.
10:33Jean-Suis-sieur.
10:34I believe I have just the table for you.
10:37Suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît.
10:39Aristide, les fleurs, tout de suite.
10:42If monsieur and mademoiselle would care to follow.
10:45Absolute.
11:08Ah, it's, er, very, um, sort of place, um...
11:14You don't like it?
11:16Well, it's not really a question of, um...
11:19Oh, I like it.
11:22Occasionally.
11:23It's somewhat faded, don't you think?
11:25But still quite stylish.
11:26Oh, it's stylish, definitely.
11:28Though faded.
11:31But not an everyday place.
11:33I quite agree with you.
11:35One would become tired of it.
11:36Yes, I think that one, er...
11:39But for a special occasion.
11:42Splendid.
11:47Mm.
11:48Oh, these are for us, you know.
11:49Yes, I gathered.
11:51May I?
11:52Oh, of course, absolutely.
11:55Oh.
12:00I suppose that waiter chap is French, isn't he?
12:02Mm.
12:04I've heard that most of these chaps are from the East End, who've got an ear for the lingo.
12:10I like the French, as a matter of fact.
12:13Just wish they'd get out of the roar.
12:16There.
12:17Oh, you do look splendid.
12:20Good.
12:20Splendid.
12:21I mean, how can you get war reparations from a country that's completely broke?
12:24And you can't mess around forever with people like the Germans, can you?
12:29Quite.
12:32Shall we, um...
12:50Ah, English lamb cutlets, good.
12:53How about you?
12:54I shall have the pottage shrimps and the medaille.
12:56Right, fine.
12:57That sounds like something from the Rhine followed by something from Burgundy.
13:01That sounds like what you were just talking about.
13:04What?
13:06Oh, yeah.
13:08Very good.
13:12Tell me, was it awful out in Africa?
13:15Uh, not really, no.
13:17It's pretty good on the whole.
13:19Did you go on safari, that sort of thing?
13:21Yes, I suppose I did, really.
13:24It must have been pretty dangerous.
13:25Sort of, time to time.
13:29Did you see any tigers?
13:32Tigers are India.
13:34No tigers in Africa.
13:37Look here.
13:37Is this Parker Pine's way of finding out about people?
13:41No.
13:42It is my way of finding out about people.
13:45I see.
13:47Well, let's, um...
13:48Let's choose some vegetables, shall we?
13:51Where's that waiter?
13:52Oh, it's about as French as whopping, I'd say.
13:55Wait.
13:59Excuse me.
14:04Merci.
14:05Merci.
14:06It's easily done.
14:15Now then, legume.
14:22Ah.
14:23Well?
14:23Well?
14:24I never knew such enchantingly simple men still existed.
14:28So?
14:28What type are we going to need?
14:30Oh, don't be so excruciatingly efficient, Miss L.
14:33You know perfectly well.
14:35I cannot keep the grading codes in my head.
14:40We shall need the Army Gazette, I think, Miss Lemon.
14:43Very good, Mr Parker Pine.
14:46I make it type four.
14:50You are a bit of a witch, Miss Lemon.
14:52I shall jolly well hope so.
14:53Don't tell me we agree about something at last.
14:56And don't forget, you owe me a new typewriter.
14:59It's yours.
15:01Now, I have a feeling that this is a case for Mrs Oliver.
15:04Huh?
15:05How extraordinary.
15:06What is it, Miss Lemon?
15:07I was about to say the same thing.
15:09We are having a good day.
15:11Both of you?
15:11Oh, dear.
15:14I could have argued successfully with either of your individual opinions, I think.
15:18But this begins to look like nemesis.
15:20Mrs Oliver usually does.
15:22Oh, well.
15:24What's this?
15:25Females.
15:26Type four.
15:47Hello, Miss Clegg.
15:48Hello, Miss.
15:49Hello, Charlie.
15:50Hello, Neville.
15:51That fella's here again.
15:53What fella?
15:54Fella will come before when you was out.
15:56This morning.
15:57Who is he?
15:58Prince of Wales.
15:59Come on, Charlie.
16:00What does he look like?
16:01Not half as pre as you.
16:03Oh.
16:03Nah, much preer.
16:04Yeah, smooth as nice thing gearbox.
16:07Delicious.
16:08A heartthrob, a matinee, monsieur.
16:10Oh, stop it, the pair of you.
16:11What does he want?
16:13Do you know?
16:13No.
16:14Don't have tall cod.
16:15Most peculiar.
16:17Australian.
16:18Australian?
16:19Yep.
16:20Anything else?
16:20No.
16:22Well, I'd better go and see him.
16:23Tell us when the wedding is.
16:25Oh, be quiet, Charlie.
16:26I'll see you later.
16:27Oh, let me enfold you in my arms.
16:30Oh, my dearest, I hunger for your touch.
16:35Ah, Miss Kegg.
16:36There you are.
16:37Hello, Mrs B.
16:39There's a gentleman to see you.
16:41A Mr Reid.
16:43A lawyer, he says.
16:44I suppose he might be a lawyer, but he's got a funny voice.
16:47Australian, perhaps?
16:49Well, it's peculiar, whatever it is.
16:50Anyway, I'll put him in my parlour.
16:53You can see him in there if you like.
16:54You'll be all right in there.
16:55Oh, that's all right, Mrs B.
16:57I don't mind seeing him in my sitting room.
16:58Are you sure, Miss Kegg?
16:59Are you sure?
17:00I dare say I'll survive.
17:02Well, I've got a good look at him.
17:03He knows it, so he didn't think he can get away with anything.
17:06I'm sure you won't.
17:07Look, just give me a moment to get my coat off and then send him up.
17:10All right?
17:10Well, I don't like it.
17:11I mean, I'll not forgive myself.
17:13I'll be all right.
17:16Well, I didn't even know they had lawyers in Australia.
17:33Come in.
17:35Ah, Miss Kegg?
17:37Mr. Reid, I mean.
17:38That's right.
17:39It's very good of you, I'm sure, to see me.
17:40Well, I'm sorry.
17:41You had to wait.
17:42Oh, that's all right.
17:43Do go in.
17:44Thanks.
17:46I'm one of the world's workers, I'm afraid.
17:49Vacuum gas company.
17:50I see.
17:52Please sit down.
17:53Thanks.
17:54Very charming room you have.
17:56Oh, thank you.
17:58My goodness.
17:59That looks old.
18:01Oh, yes, that's my father's old sea chest.
18:03Really?
18:06Mrs Benson tells me you're a lawyer.
18:09Yes, that's correct.
18:10I'm a solicitor, in fact.
18:11I have a very large practice in Melbourne.
18:13Melbourne?
18:14Yeah.
18:16Actually, I knew your father years ago,
18:18when I was still only article to the firm.
18:20Really?
18:21Yes, he was, as you know,
18:23a master of one of the Liverpool and Oriental fleet at that time,
18:25and he put some of the company's business into our hands.
18:29I see.
18:31Now, Miss Kegg,
18:33the reason why I'm here
18:34is that a year or two before your father died,
18:36he entered into some business transactions on his own behalf,
18:39which, quite frankly,
18:41had been forgotten
18:42until a reference to them came to light this year
18:44when we were overhauling our filing system.
18:46Oh, really?
18:47Yes.
18:47I didn't know...
18:48Oh, it's most unlikely
18:49that you would have heard anything of the matter.
18:51From the nature of what we've learned,
18:53it seems that Captain Clegg hardly took the affair seriously.
18:56But, er,
18:57I have reason to believe
18:59that you might benefit as a result of it.
19:03Good heavens!
19:05How exciting!
19:06Yes.
19:08Would you like a cup of tea, Mr. Lee?
19:09Oh, no, no, no, thank you.
19:11The excellent Mrs. Benson plied me with five cups of tea
19:13and several biscuits.
19:15Well, now, where was I?
19:17Oh, yes.
19:18Now, the amount accruing could be considerable.
19:22Yeah, but I can't go into details right now
19:24just in case the money doesn't, in fact, pass to you.
19:26Oh, quite.
19:28Why might it not?
19:30Er, well, any claim that you might make
19:32would depend upon your ownership of certain papers.
19:36Now, these papers would be part of your father's estate
19:40and, of course, they could have been destroyed as worthless.
19:43You, er, haven't kept any of your father's papers, have you?
19:46Well, yes.
19:48My mother put all his papers and mementos and so on
19:51in his old sea chest.
19:53When she died, I looked through it,
19:54but I don't think I saw anything.
19:57Well, I mean...
19:58You wouldn't perhaps recognise
20:00the significance of the papers in question.
20:03Or any of them, as a matter of fact.
20:05I see.
20:06Anyway, I didn't get rid of a single one of them.
20:09You...
20:10Well, that's excellent.
20:14Would you like to see them?
20:15Uh, please.
20:30Yes, there.
20:32They're all in there.
20:35Well, well, well.
20:39Uh, this
20:40is very promising, Miss Clegg.
20:43Uh,
20:45look,
20:45would you mind if I took them away with me
20:47and studied them in my own time?
20:49Oh, please.
20:50You take them.
20:50They're all yours.
20:53Thank you very much.
20:55Well, now,
20:55I'll, uh, be in contact with you,
20:58uh, let's see,
20:58uh, tomorrow?
20:59Uh, just as soon as I've been through them.
21:01Right.
21:02Right.
21:03Well, goodbye, Miss Clegg.
21:04Goodbye, Mr. Reid.
21:05Goodbye.
21:07And, uh,
21:09I'll see you tomorrow.
21:11Yes.
21:13Yes.
21:32Nice little job you're doing there, Major.
21:35Good of you to say, sir.
21:36Mm-hmm.
21:44Now, Earl, do you, Major?
21:46Hardly at all.
21:48Ooh, I reckon she's got her eye on you,
21:50Mrs. Trembar.
21:52Buried two husbands already, you know.
21:54Really?
21:55Yeah, very hard woman to resist.
21:58Uh, only one for you this afternoon.
22:01Oh, yep.
22:04Lovely bit of wisteria, that.
22:06Yes.
22:07Never flowers.
22:10Ah, well, I've got to get up to the old rectory,
22:12so I'd best be getting along.
22:14Cheerio.
22:18Go to Eaglemont, Briar's Lane, Hampstead,
22:22tomorrow at 11.15 sharp,
22:24and ask for Mr. De Souza.
22:26You will represent yourself
22:28as an employee
22:29of the Zettling Brown Firearms Company.
22:32I say, old boy,
22:33I say.
23:04You all right, Willie?
23:25All right.
23:27Let's go.
23:58Sit and stay.
24:40Sit and stay.
24:59Let her go or I'll break every bone in your body.
25:03No!
25:03Let me go!
25:04Let me go!
25:05No!
25:10Look behind you.
25:17Over there.
25:18Right!
25:34Come on!
25:35Come on!
25:37Now we'll see.
25:45You all right?
25:47Yes, I'm fine.
25:47Good.
25:48Come on.
25:48We don't know how many more of them might get around.
25:54I'm...
25:55I know!
26:14There.
26:15That should put a safe distance between us.
26:19You should have a drop of this.
26:22I really think I ought.
26:24Yeah.
26:27There.
26:33I'm not used to this stuff.
26:35Well done.
26:37Oh, you really were splendid, you know.
26:39Nonsense it was.
26:39If you hadn't come along...
26:40Nothing at all, no.
26:41Glad I was on hand.
26:43Nasty experience for you.
26:44Yes.
26:46But you really were splendid.
26:48Really, it was nothing, really.
26:51You did pretty well yourself.
26:54Brutes had quite a job holding you.
26:58You sure you're all right?
26:59Oh, much better, thank you.
27:01Good for the brandy.
27:02Yes.
27:06Oh, by the by.
27:08Wilbrum.
27:09Major of that ilk.
27:10Oh.
27:11Clegg.
27:13Frieda Clegg.
27:14How do you do?
27:14How do you do?
27:17Oh, I say, is he yours?
27:20Inseparable, I'm afraid.
27:22He's rather nice, isn't he?
27:25You're taking this awfully well, you know.
27:30It doesn't seem real.
27:33Isn't it odd?
27:35In a way, I was thinking only this morning
27:37that my existence was too tame.
27:41Really?
27:42Hmm.
27:42Isn't it...
27:46What?
27:46No, nothing.
27:48Oh.
27:50Would it help...
27:51I don't mean to pry, but would it help to talk about all this?
27:55Oh, not necessarily now.
27:58Over lunch, perhaps.
28:00But that would be very nice.
28:02Splendid.
28:04Then yesterday, I got a letter from Mr. Reid,
28:06saying he thought he'd found what he was looking for,
28:09and would I mind meeting to discuss it with him.
28:11The address he gave was that empty house.
28:14Blanche Lance.
28:15And the rest you know.
28:19Well, one thing's certain, whatever it was your father had amongst his papers,
28:22it was the key to something very valuable.
28:24Well, I suppose so.
28:25Must be so.
28:26I mean, that fellow...
28:27Reid.
28:28Reid put a lot of thought into getting hold of your father's papers.
28:31Evidently what he wanted wasn't there, I'm glad to say.
28:33Yes.
28:35Oh, another thing.
28:36Hmm?
28:36Yesterday, when I got up to my rooms,
28:38I had a feeling that some of my things had been tampered with.
28:41It was only a feeling, of course.
28:43Well, let's see.
28:45Reid doesn't find what he's looking for,
28:46so he assumes it must still be in your room.
28:49So he sends around someone posing as, uh...
28:52Well, what, a waterboard inspector, something like that.
28:55Still can't find it, so he assumes you've found it yourself.
28:58So he arranges this dreadful ambush.
29:00Yes.
29:03May I make a suggestion?
29:04Oh, of course.
29:05After lunch, I think we should go over to your place
29:07and make absolutely sure whether this thing exists or not.
29:09You agree?
29:11I agree.
29:14Oh, Miss Clayton, there you are.
29:16Thank goodness.
29:17How do you do, sir?
29:19Oh, Miss Clayton, I've been worrying all day.
29:21That person...
29:23I mean, I'd never forgive myself.
29:24What on earth wrong?
29:25That person yesterday.
29:27You haven't noticed anything gone from your room?
29:29Gone missing?
29:30No.
29:31Why?
29:31No?
29:32Oh, wow.
29:33What a relief.
29:34What a blessing.
29:35I pride myself on my valigence,
29:37but young Neville cut his knee, you see,
29:40so I was off my guard.
29:41Otherwise, I would never have...
29:43You know, not unaccompanied.
29:45Even though I do find the stairs a trial,
29:47I wouldn't have not unaccompanied.
29:49But, Mrs Benson, you still haven't told us what happened.
29:51Well, from the electricity yesterday.
29:53Well, that's what he said.
29:55Pea cap, little bag.
29:57I mean, I never thought.
29:59Something to do with a meter, start at the top of the house.
30:01Well, I mean, you don't know, do you?
30:04And there was Neville's knee.
30:05But he wasn't up there long.
30:07I saw to that.
30:08Quick dab of iodine.
30:09I was up those stairs before you could say,
30:10Lloyd George has your father.
30:12Fiddling with the light, he was.
30:13I mean, I never thought.
30:15But then this morning...
30:17What happened this morning?
30:19A man from the electricity came to read the meter.
30:33What do you suppose it is?
30:34If we even find it.
30:36Buried treasure.
30:37Well, buried's the word.
30:38I've been through everything.
30:40I suppose that fellow...
30:43The egg.
30:44Sorry?
30:45May I?
30:46Oh, yes, of course.
30:53How stupid of me.
30:58There's something.
31:00Really?
31:00Looks like a piece of soft cloth or tissue,
31:03but it's definitely there.
31:06Do you have a knitting needle, skewer, something like that?
31:09Oh, yes, wait a minute.
31:16There.
31:21Now then.
31:24Come on.
31:32Well done.
31:34Now, let's see.
31:39Oh.
31:41It's in Swahili.
31:42I'm in Swahili.
31:44All things.
31:44Can you read it, then?
31:45Oh, yes.
31:51I say, hang on.
31:52Here's your buried treasure, in a manner of speaking.
31:54Treasure?
31:54In a manner of speaking.
31:56Chapembe wa-n-double.
31:58What is it?
31:59Ivory.
31:59A mass of it.
32:01An ivory pit.
32:04Laid, um...
32:05Laid in dry sand.
32:07Six courses deep.
32:08Set to find out.
32:10Seven by five.
32:12That's...
32:12That's directions.
32:13Most of its directions.
32:15Chau wa-kikui.
32:16It's up in Kikuyu country, by the look of it.
32:18I'd have to consult my maps.
32:20Ivory?
32:21Probably the hall of some old Mwizzi.
32:23Mwizzi?
32:24Mwizzi wa-n-double.
32:26Elephant poacher.
32:27Oh.
32:28Yes, the authorities get on to him, so he hides the lot.
32:30Perhaps he even gets out of the country.
32:32Perhaps my father gets him out.
32:34Yes, that's possible.
32:36Years later, when he knew he'd never get back there, he gave your father that.
32:40Your father didn't take it seriously.
32:42Perhaps didn't even know what it meant.
32:44Popped it inside the egg and forgot about it.
32:46Something like that.
32:48Do you suppose it's still there?
32:51Whoever's been trying to find this office, we think so.
32:53Do you think you'd be able to find it?
32:56If anyone can, yes.
32:59It could be worth an awful lot, you know.
33:01We should go after it.
33:03Us?
33:04Yes.
33:09Meanwhile, what do we do about this?
33:11Yes, of course.
33:12Would you look after it for me?
33:14Well, yes.
33:15You've trusted one man already.
33:16But you were allowed out for unaccompanied, remember?
33:19Mrs Benson, yes.
33:20Right.
33:21I'll take it home, and I'll work out a plan of action.
33:24Mind you, it might be dangerous.
33:26I'll look on that as a bonus.
33:30Are you sure this is what Mrs Oliver said?
33:32Absolutely.
33:33But is it really necessary?
33:35I mean, it's not very original.
33:37Mrs Oliver is a writer, so when it comes to the construction of a story, we must accept her verdict.
33:42Yes, I suppose so.
33:45Mrs Oliver did say that you were a great diagnostician.
33:48Oh, thank you for me.
33:50But that all those years with government statistics and the company of clockwork men may have withered his instinct.
33:57Oh, really?
33:59I challenged her on that.
34:00I told her that you'd advance to science, the science of happiness, what's more.
34:04Oh, thank you, Miss Levin.
34:05No, it's just that her scheme seems a little extravagant.
34:08Well, she's convinced that if the major's threatened in some way, he'll realize that business is meant.
34:13And then everything else becomes that much more simple.
34:16Oh, maybe.
34:17But it's very trying, you know.
34:18I've reduced my theories to a set of precepts as limpid as the Mediterranean.
34:22On a calm day, that is.
34:24But this is Harry Adney Oliver-ship.
34:27Oh, perhaps you'd better get a hold of young Lorimer.
34:31Right.
34:31Oh, Miss Levin.
34:33Yes, sir?
34:34For you.
34:36And your typewriter.
34:37Oh, thank you, sir.
34:39I thought you'd forgotten.
34:41Nothing else would matter in this world.
34:46We could go on surging in the same old way.
34:53And earn it on each other, dear.
34:59Ripped up in the whole night.
35:07scandal
35:24Oh, my God.
36:00Damn!
36:10Oh, what a relief.
36:15Of course.
36:17Why, the deuce didn't I think of that before.
37:02Afternoon.
37:03Hello.
37:08That won't do no good.
37:10She's out.
37:11Actually, I came to see Miss Clegg.
37:13Is she at home?
37:14Ah.
37:15Your name, Wilbrum?
37:17Major Wilbrum, that's right.
37:19Ah.
37:20Ah.
37:21What on earth's that supposed to mean, you horrible little duo?
37:25We have a little bit of coo for you.
37:28Be-do from her. Here.
37:34Dear Major Wilbrum, something rather strange has happened.
37:38Can you meet me at Blanchlands?
37:40Can you please go there as soon as you get this?
37:43Yours, Frida Clegg.
37:45Where'd you get this?
37:46Mrs Benson.
37:47She said to look out for you.
37:55She gave us a penny.
37:57Very well.
37:58Here's a tanner each for both of you.
38:01There you are.
38:02It's hard ever, sir.
38:05Did Mrs Benson say where she got it?
38:07No.
38:08Just that it arrived for you.
38:10Arrived?
38:11So when did Mrs Clegg go out?
38:11Just after she'd come back.
38:13I mean, she'd come back and she went straight out again.
38:16Mrs Clegg?
38:16Yeah.
38:18I see.
38:20Thank you, man.
38:21Carry on.
38:24Thank you, man.
38:55How about you?
39:01She got her.
39:09And she got up.
39:10I said, I hope so.
39:10I knew she would have something to come back.
39:11I thought she was a little girl.
39:11She was a little girl.
39:12She was a little girl.
39:14I knew she was a little girl.
39:15You knew I knew she was a little girl.
39:18She's an old girl.
40:31Oh, damn, damn, damn.
40:36Sorry, old girl.
40:37Don't be silly.
40:39I knew there was something wrong, and still I walked right into it.
40:43I suppose you didn't send me a note.
40:47And you didn't send me one?
40:48No.
40:50And have they got the map?
40:52I suppose they must have, if I had it on me.
41:03Well, well, Major Wilderum.
41:05It's all turned out very satisfactory, wouldn't you say?
41:09It's Reed.
41:10No.
41:11Well, I can hardly expect you to agree.
41:15Anyway, we had what we were looking for.
41:18My most appreciative thanks.
41:21Unfortunately, this also means you are now dispensable.
41:25Therefore, you will be dispensed with.
41:30Enjoy your last moments together.
41:35Reed!
41:36John, don't.
41:37Reed!
41:37It's no good, you know.
41:46My father, they're blown.
41:48No, they're damn well not.
41:51Whatever happens, I just want you to know them.
41:54I know.
41:55Me too.
41:56Worth living the water.
41:57Just a bit.
41:58I'm water.
41:59I'm water.
42:00Right.
42:21Now, you're going to have to ride me.
42:23Yes, of course.
42:25Up a bit.
42:27A bit further.
42:29I'm a bit too bent.
42:31Not a problem.
42:33You're there.
42:36Are you all right?
42:38Yes.
42:39I'm all right.
42:50Are you all right?
42:54I'm fine.
42:56Yes.
42:57Really?
43:01Just try them once in a minute.
43:06Right.
43:07Really?
43:12Let me see.
43:13No, I'm all right.
43:14Got to see to you.
43:15Are your feet tidy?
43:16Yes.
43:17Ah, damn.
43:25Come on!
43:44I don't think that was quite pop, Mrs. Oliver.
43:46I don't mind.
43:48You can turn that thing off now.
43:49Oh.
43:54Poor man.
43:56I've never seen anyone show that sort of courage before.
43:59Who'd want to play the hero?
44:00Oh, that reminds me.
44:01Did you get the job in the Cochran show?
44:03Ah, no.
44:04Too tall, or some such, Ross.
44:06Oh, bad luck.
44:07Yes.
44:08Anyway, I've been told to tell you that if you come into the office tomorrow, the overwhelmingly
44:11charming Miss Lemon will give you your feet.
44:13Oh, jolly good.
44:15Oh, by the way, I'm, uh, looking for you.
44:21Are you sure I'm not hurting you?
44:22Yes.
44:25It's worth a bit of pain having you here to do it.
44:31I'm, uh, glad they found the map.
44:34Why?
44:34It was a fake.
44:36The original should be at my bank by now.
44:39Oh.
44:40Oh.
44:41Jolly good.
44:43So we can still go.
44:45Go?
44:47To find it.
44:49Oh.
44:52Good.
44:56You like the cottage?
44:58Oh, it's beautiful.
45:00Just right.
45:02For whom?
45:06For you.
45:08Or
45:08for us.
45:13Does that mean
45:16what I think?
45:18Absolutely.
45:23And
45:24Wally?
45:26Doesn't look as though he'd mind.
45:31More tea?
45:33Ah, thank you.
45:39Another case concluded.
45:42I think the major's getting value for money, don't you?
45:45Oh, certainly.
45:47But was Lorimer really worth the eight guineas?
45:49He collected the moment the office was open this morning.
45:52Miss Lemon, you are the victim of thespian prejudice.
45:55The poor fellow is an actor, it's true, but he's not a scoundrel because he calls you darling.
46:01Now, our two assailants were much more reasonable.
46:04Thirty shillings apiece.
46:05Yes, well, in this world, the unskilled will always suffer.
46:08Unless they sit in the House of Lords.
46:10Hmm?
46:11Oh, I see.
46:13You're right, as always.
46:15By the way, how on earth did you manage with the Swahili?
46:18Thank you for reminding me.
46:19I consulted the Hartford Commercial Language Bureau.
46:22I'm afraid that's another thirty-eight and sixpence.
46:25Mr. Parker Pine?
46:28Mrs. Ariadne Oliver.
46:29I'm sounding very cross.
46:32Mr. Parker Pine, do you realise you could have ruined everything?
46:38Have I not impressed upon you time and time again the importance of detail?
46:43Detail, Mr. Parker Pine.
46:45But I'm a master of detail, Mrs. Oliver.
46:48Your kind of detail, not mine.
46:51Yes, it's like teaching music to a trap.
46:55Why didn't you tell me the basement was gaslit?
46:58It could have been disastrous.
47:00Ah, your kind of detail, not mine.
47:02It should have occurred to you.
47:03If you had thought to mention it, it would have occurred to me.
47:08Silly fellow might have gassed himself.
47:11Men defeat me, they really do.
47:13Couldn't he have seen that picture with the broken glass I put there specially
47:17so that he could cut himself free?
47:20Human nature, I suppose.
47:22I've noticed it before.
47:23People simply will not see what you want them to see.
47:26I'm always having this trouble with my characters.
47:29I put a perfectly good clue in front of them.
47:32They simply turn the other way.
47:33It's too tiresome.
47:34Tea, Mrs. Oliver?
47:36Ah, no, thank you.
47:38Anyway, apart from your unfortunate oversight,
47:41everything went off well, did it?
47:43Yes, very well.
47:44I'm glad.
47:46There's just one thing.
47:48What?
47:48Don't you think that on a future occasion,
47:51the mise-en-scene might be a little more original, perhaps?
47:56No.
47:57No?
47:59No.
48:01Oh.
48:03What we are talking about, Mr. Parker Pine,
48:06is the basis for my being able to sell my 40 books in 20 different languages.
48:13That is to say,
48:15the conservatism of the generality of mankind.
48:20People like to know where they stand.
48:23They read about buried loot, maidens in distress,
48:28water rising in the cellar, and so on,
48:30and they're thoroughly familiar with them,
48:32so that when they experience these things for themselves,
48:36they really know they've had an adventure.
48:40Put them through something too unfamiliar,
48:43they merely have a disagreeable experience they'd rather forget.
48:47No, no.
48:49Life should imitate fiction wherever possible.
48:52Now I must dash.
48:58Well, thank you for your help, Mrs. Oliver.
49:00Any time, Mr. Parker Pine,
49:02as long as we get it right in the end.
49:06Speaking of which...
49:08Yes?
49:09Do you think they'll try to find the ivory?
49:12I sincerely hope so.
49:14You hope so?
49:14Yes.
49:15Oh, well, it's inevitable they will try, I suppose,
49:18but I think I'd rather have liked to spare them the disappointment.
49:21Nonsense.
49:22They're realists, both of them.
49:24Their expectations won't be very high.
49:27Most important, he should show her Africa.
49:30Vital.
49:31It's his soul.
49:33The very heart of his experience.
49:36She must see it.
49:39Of course.
49:42Of course.
49:49Are you very disappointed?
49:52It's funny, you know.
49:54When I saw the mission station and the road and everything,
49:57and the canning factory built just where the stuff was supposed to be buried,
50:01I didn't mind.
50:04More than that, I was actually quite pleased.
50:07It was only then that I realised how happy I was.
50:11If we'd found your ivory, things would have changed,
50:13and I want nothing to change.
50:17That makes sense.
50:19I was dreading finding it, too.
50:21Good Lord, were you?
50:22You should have forgotten all about it, gone up country.
50:24I thought you'd be disappointed.
50:26I thought you would be.
50:31Do you know it's our anniversary?
50:33Really?
50:34Six weeks to the day we met.
50:37Six weeks?
50:38What is it?
50:40Just remembered, chap owes me 50 quid.
50:45Still, I suppose.
50:47Six weeks to the day we met.
50:49Six weeks.
50:51Seems more like a couple of days, doesn't it?
50:55Weren't we lucky?
50:57Finding each other.
50:58Weren't we just?
50:59Most.
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