Alleyn Mysteries (1990) s01e02 Episode Script
The Nursing Home Murder
Come on, come on, come on
Police! Put it away - What if they find us? - Burn those papers Help him Police.
I have a warrant to search these premises You're making a lot of noise I suppose you have an explanation for this invasion? You'll soon find out, sir.
Hold him! Drop it! Ask the Chief inspector to come here Im here, Brer - Anyone hurt? - No But look at this Sir Derek O'Callaghan Ah, Sir Derek - My apologies, Prime Minister - Nice to see you Congratulations - Nice to see you back - Thank you very much Gentlemen, we can begin My secretary telephoned, I believe, with the news We've been discussing it.
Scandalous Things can't be allowed to go on like this It has been suggested that more troops be sent in Do you agree? Well, with respect, Prime Sir Derek! - Home Secretary, some brandy - No, please Please, no brandy.
Some water Some water Thank you Sorry about this My dear fellow, what on earth was it? Keep meaning to see my doctor, but, well this Palestine business is so pressing But you mustn't ruin your health over it Gentlemen, I think it best if we adjourn for the moment No, there really is no need, Prime Minister.
The pain comes and goes quite quickly I wanted a private word with you anyway.
Gentlemen This really is quite unnecessary, Prime Minister.
Your time is valuable Ive asked Chief inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard to arrange things but I have to Walther PPK 9mm Officer issue There's a lot that came back as souvenirs Yes Well, he was carrying it and it was loaded Yes, I know, Brer We didnt set up that raid to find one measly little gun, did we? Well, it could tie up Isnt Sir Derek responsible for Palestine? Well, he's trying to deal with the situation, but responsible? I think that rather begs the question Get Bailey to check all the prints from the house against the prints of our three prisoners That should at least tell us if we've missed anybody Right Id better have a word with this fellow Blautwicz, hadnt I? Tell you what, Brer, see if you can get an opinion from the handwriting people about that stuff you saved from the fire So this is the land of the free? Freedom does not mean liberty to break the law, Mr Blautwicz You know that as well as I do And what crime have I committed? You invade my house.
Why? A gun was found on your premises A gun A little gun The world is full of guns, Chief inspector The detritus of war Was it necessary for half the police in London to strip my house to find one little gun? Where did you get it? How did it come to be in your possession? That is a long story, Chief inspector Im in no hurry The gun belonged to SS Colonel Halberschmidt, in charge of oven BZ-79 at Auschwitz Im sure I dont have to explain to you why I was there While we were being liberated, I managed to get hold of it, and I shot him Am I going to be charged with murder? Your actions elsewhere do not concern me Here they do.
The gun was loaded.
Why? I have enemies Personal enemies? I am a Jew, Chief inspector Do you consider Sir Derek O'Callaghan to be an enemy? I am not aware of the gentleman Come now, I find that hard to believe He's deeply concerned with events in Palestine Sir Derek O'Callaghan is receiving threats to his life His name was found on paper in your house And you were found in possession of a loaded gun Now, what do you say to that, Mr Blautwicz? I think in the land of the free, I am entitled to see a solicitor Its not the end of the world You're young and pretty, you'll find somebody else That's what you'll do Find somebody else You've no feeling Now, come on, you're not a child Let's be adult over this.
We've had good times together They aren't good times when you remember them and know you were just a man's good time I loved you Don't make a scene How can you treat me like this? What am I to do? I love you, but if I could kill you Im not staying to listen to this stupid talk Oh, that's right, run away I hate you I hate you - Nash? - Yes, my lady? Has Sir Derek come back? Yes, my lady.
He's in the study Thank you, Nash Shall I serve dinner, my lady? How was Sir Derek? Oh, much more his usual self, Im happy to say, my lady Then we may as well eat as usual, Nash Very good, my lady Derek? Im sorry, Cecily That damn pain again You can't keep putting off seeing a doctor Have you spoken to John about it? No, I haven't seen him for weeks.
Why? He rang my office this afternoon, asked if he could come round and see me here tonight I wondered Oh, people talk, I suppose Its just as well you see him He's a surgeon, not a doctor You must see him.
You can't go on like this After this Palestine business is over tomorrow, I can ease up a little, get proper advice, and a good rest.
There And that's my speech for the House tomorrow Now, dont worry Have you had any more of those letters? You mustn't worry about them Evening, Miss Ruth.
Im afraid Sir Derek Oh, my God, it's Ruth! I dont know why you let her bother you so much She's my sister.
I can hardly forbid her to visit Ill get rid of her Im sorry, they are not at home.
I assure you that they're Really, Cecily.
Nash said you were out! - He meant "not at home", Ruth - Ah, Derek, dear - I did my best, madam - Thank you, Nash - Feeling better, Im sure - Yes.
Yes, Ruth Oh, I knew you would be And here are new supplies Mr Sage's remedies really are splendid Remarkable, and all from natural ingredients Nothing chemical, nothing artificial, you know Yes.
I do know, Ruth You've told me several times There are some things, Cecily, which are worth repeating Not all natural substances are good for one An expert like Mr Sage knows Dinner Mafeking has been relieved There's a curious mark on this paper, Brer You can just see the faint outline Bailey says there's one set of prints unaccounted for So, three in the cells, four sets of prints Four in the gang.
We missed one We missed more than that, didnt we? Yes Bad luck on Sir Derek If wed found the weapons, it would have given him a head start in the House tomorrow What's that? Censure motion by the Opposition on his handling of the situation in Palestine Im too busy with crime to bother with politics Well, you'll jolly well have to bother with them in this case Let's see.
We've got the Stern Gang You've heard of them, I take it? Supposed to have a cache of arms at Blautwicz's house, ready for shipment to Palestine All we find is one little pistol and a piece of paper with Sir Derek's name on it So, what's going on, Brer? Well, it looks like the threats came from Blautwicz The likelihood is we've stopped those Yes, but for how long? Blautwicz has already got his lawyer busy What do you make of that? Not a lot Couple of snakes up a tree That's a caduceus Oh, yes.
What's that? A symbol of the medical profession - Good evening, Sir John.
- Is Sir Derek in? I believe he's in the library, Sir John.
Perhaps youd care to wait in the study whilst I inform him of your arrival Very well May I take your coat and hat, Sir John? Er, not now John! Cecily Hello Im so glad you've come That will be all.
Thank you, Nash You know Derek has been unwell.
You must have heard - Of course, yes, but - He refuses to see a doctor until this wretched Palestine debate is over What with that and the stress of threatening letters - Well, you must know about those, surely? - Yes, but There you are, John.
Sorry to have kept you Do have a word with him, John, please.
Ill get Nash to send in some coffee We'll share something stronger, I think.
Come inside, my dear fellow Your coat, John It doesn't matter.
I shall not be here long Ive been so busy lately and politics are a damned curse And as for this Palestine Do sit down, dear fellow Ive not come here to exchange pleasantries What? You're an unfeeling, insensitive blackguard Your conduct has been beneath contempt I don't know what the hell you're talking about Im talking about Jane Harben What's she to you? Her happiness is more important to me than anything, and you have ruined it Come on, old boy.
Good Lord! We had fun together for a few months, that's all She enjoyed it, I enjoyed it Women aren't ruined nowadays for enjoying a bit of what they fancy It was not fancy, as you call it, with Jane She loved you.
I cannot fathom why but she did And she believed that her love was returned It was only because of this that she You have ruined her life If she thought I loved her, Im sorry But as for ruining her Good God! She's not pregnant, is she? Damn you, no! Well, then, what the hell does she want from me? - Money.
Is that it? - You're a bustard, O'Callaghan I love Jane If you drive me too far Don't be so dammed melodramatic I dont want the woman.
If you do, take her I warn you, I know your ways If you make the slightest move to hurt or take advantage of her again, I swear I will kill you Dammed fool! Is that another of those letters? No, no, it's nothing like that What's the matter with Nash? Nothing.
I wanted to bring it to you myself To wish you luck on your big day Well, that's very sweet of you.
Thank you Perhaps we could have a weekend at the cottage A change would do you us good Yes, yes, why not? Ill give myself a good going over and get rid of this, whatever the damn thing is Im sure two aspirins would do you more good than those things of Ruth's Pleases her to think she's helping me and herbs can't harm me, can they? I can't understand why people won't trust nature After all, nature made us, so nature must know best It is rather obvious.
Don't you agree, Mr Sage? Alas, not everyone has your clarity of mind, Miss O'Callaghan Now remember, it's essential these are taken regularly until the treatment is complete Oh, yes, yes.
Ive explained to Derek very clearly and he's promised to take them Good Well, into battle I hope they're not too hard on you I can give them as good as Im likely to get Don't worry You will take care, won't you? Look Armed guard, never lets me out of his sight Dammed nuisance, actually Ah, Chief inspector Am I to be shot? We hang people in this country, Mr Blautwicz, but no, not today Bail has been arranged.
You're free to go So, British justice works after all With a good solicitor it does Ah, you're a cynic, Chief inspector Will my gun be returned? I advise you to keep clear of guns in future, Mr Blautwicz Oh, I shall, Chief inspector, I shall I wouldnt want to lead you to another mistake One moment, sir What? I might be arrested again? My paper, sir Your pardon, Officer Slippery customer, sir I think he plays a fairly straight bat Could I see your paper? - Did you tear this out? - No, sir He must have Order! Order! I wholeheartedly support the decision of this Government to develop the atom bomb Order! Order! No, no, I will not give way The defense of this country and the safety of our troops in Palestine - is my prime concern - Hear! Hear! We hold that country not for any gain, but under mandate from the United Nations to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict there Hear! Hear! It is a burden we reluctantly assume Why dont we get out, then? It may be in the nature of the honourable member's party to run away from responsibility, but on this side of the House we have a sense of honour Order! Order! Order! Sir Derek Sir Derek? To yield to terrorists .
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to succumb to force is not is not a characteristic of our island race Please let me pass.
Im Sir Derek's sister Oh, it's you, Cecily Yes, darling, it's me Try not to talk - Please stand aside - Sir John has given instructions - I am well acquainted with Sir John - But, madam Get out of my way, you silly girl Im Sir Derek's sister.
I insist you let me see him - Ruth, what are you doing? - Ah, Cecily Thank goodness.
This silly girl is trying to stop me from seeing Derek - Im sorry, my lady, but - Sir Derek is my brother I keep telling her Its all right, Nurse Banks, thank you Sir John Phillips would like a word, Lady O'Callaghan I dont think we should disturb him I dont think Im likely to disturb my brother, Cecily He's hardly conscious You will be staying, Nurse Banks? Oh, yes, my lady.
Sir John told me not to leave him Good Poor Derek.
Is the pain very severe? Oh, Ruth, it's dreadful You must take some of Mr Sage's fulvitavolts If you take one now, it will ease it immediately Im sorry, madam, but you cannot give that to the patient Nonsense, it will do him the world of good Nothing must be given to the patient without the Doctor's permission Very well That's the trouble.
The medical profession is so prejudiced They think the knife cures everything Cecily, it's probably peritonitis An operation is really imperative I think we should get Somerset Black to do it But, John, surely you'll do it Somerset is very capable An excellent surgeon I have no doubt, but I have more confidence in you, John, than anyone, as I am sure Derek has You're sure youd not prefer Somerset Black? Absolutely I mean him no disrespect, but I would be much happier if you would operate Very well Get the theatre prepared, Mr Thoms.
And the anaesthetic, Dr Grey, I think He's in Birmingham, Sir John.
Lister conference Oh, well, Ill get Roberts.
Will you take Lady O'Callaghan back to Sir Derek? - Ill join you shortly.
- Thank you, John.
I know he could not be in safer hands Dr Roberts.
Oh, Sir John, yes Im at St Quinten's.
Dr Grey is unavailable Unavailable? Oh, yes, I see Its an emergency.
Sir Derek O'Callaghan Sir Derek O'Callaghan? Acute appendicitis I must operate as soon as possible I shall be over at once Thank you, Roberts Always an honour to work with you, Sir John I shall bring my own equipment as usual Of course - Goodbye - Goodbye Have you heard the news? - No, depress me further Oh, you had to let Blautwicz go, then? Ex-concentration camp victim, one very small pistol, good solicitor.
What else? Sir Derek O'Callaghan collapsed in the Commons.
He was rushed to hospital Good Lord! Nothing suspicious? No, natural causes.
Appendix, they think We can hardly accuse Blautwicz of that No, we can't I really think I should take more exercise Ill walk to the corner The corner? Yes, I have this sudden, overwhelming desire .
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to buy a newspaper Sir John is going to operate immediately, Miss O'Callaghan.
You must leave now Its wrong.
The knife is wrong Nature's way is best You should let nature cure him, not the knife I can understand how you feel, Ruth On your head be it On your head - Im sorry, John.
Ruth - Please, please, I understand Ill do what I can.
Try not to worry No Not him Don't let - Don't let him - Its nothing Pain sometimes makes patients delirious It will all be over soon Nurse Harben, you should know by now that Sir John uses his own hyoscine solution Put that back in the store Sorry, Sister - Your tray is ready, Sir John - Thank you Dressings, Nurse Not giving him two, are you? One tube was empty Oh, well.
Roberts has arrived Ill get scrubbed up Nurse Banks, doctors are dressing Politics is an honorable profession May be.
Trouble is the nuts who enter it Power and the glory, that's what they're after.
Egomaniacs mostly - Do you really think so? - Obvious Always handing each other titles Knighthoods, peerages, all that stuff.
Right, nursey? So you think Sir Derek O'Callaghan's an egomaniac, then? Hardly got a humble opinion of himself, has he? And look at the mess he's been making in Palestine No wonder there's Jews threatening to take pot shots at him Are there? Ive heard he gets threatening letters Course, could be some of your pals, eh, nursey? I have no pals among assassins Though sometimes they can be right If theyd managed it with Hitler, who would have complained? Of course, he was mad You shouldnt be here, Jane Do you think I want to be? I have no choice.
Its my job Ill speak to Sister Graham.
Im sure she No, you mustn't - But surely you - You mustn't speak to anyone I I want to be here I dont understand you, Jane I dont understand myself, so how can you? All I want is to help you.
I love you Don't say that, please How can you have any feelings for him? - He threw you aside - What feelings I have, I Don't ask me to talk about them Im afraid of them myself No more than I am of mine I hate him for what he has done to you Is everything ready, Sir John? - Ive given him 100th of hyoscine - Ill have him ready in a moment If you please, Nurse Forceps Mop The pulse is weak, Sir John I dont like his pulse Camphor, three grains Quickly, Nurse Inject it Serum, Nurse Serum, Nurse Harben Serum Serum, Nurse Harben Pay attention, Nurse Sorry, Sister How is he? Not so good Ill give him oxygen Nasty mess.
Must have neglected it No doubt Better take him back Nurse Harben seemed a bit not here today, didnt she? Nurse Harben, didnt seem with us - I didnt notice - Hm, not her usual self at all - Must be love or something - Doctor Its Sir Derek He's gone I understand that the letters Sir Derek received were from political extremists opposed to his policy on Palestine We feel that it's hardly likely that I heard all this from the Prime Minister There is no point in your repeating it He is not aware, as I am, that a woman with whom my husband had had an unhappy relationship and who was embittered by his rejection of her works as a nurse at Sir John's nursing home Forgive me, but are you sure of this? Wives are not fools, Chief inspector - Was she present during the operation? - That I do not know It is sufficient to know she was there Im afraid that hardly constitutes grounds for a postmortem, particularly since the death certificate was signed by two surgeons, Sir John Phillips and a Mr Thoms Cecily, you can't do it.
I won't allow it You can't.
Its wicked.
Its wrong The body is a sacred vessel Ruth, I have a visitor Chief inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard My sister-in-law Ruth O'Callaghan But surely it's You're Sir George Alleyn's brother, aren't you? He's George Alleyn's brother.
Aren't you? We met at Stone Towers, the Bellamys' That's right, we did You're a policeman.
I remember Yes, I am You must stop her.
There must be no postmortem - It's ridiculous.
Derek must not be cut up - Ruth Its indecent.
He must be left to sleep in peace You may tell the Prime Minister, I appreciate his motives in sending you here but I require to know the real cause of my husband's death The Doctors may be satisfied but I am not Cecily, please.
Think of My mind is made up, Ruth The Chief inspector is leaving, Nash Do you by any chance know the name of the young woman? Jane Harben.
She's the daughter of neighbors of ours in Hampshire Thank you You may be sure that the Prime Minister will be kept informed She's a Ratisbonne They're a frosty lot They have a great deal of pull with the powers that be - Got a bit yourself, haven't you? - I have friends, Brer I dont have pull I dont use them Well, perhaps in the course of justice Well, isn't that what Lady O'Callaghan thinks she's doing? There's no point worrying until we get the results of the postmortem - If she gets one - Rather a big if, Im afraid As I said, she's a Ratisbonne Their family motto roughly translated is, "We dont stop until we get what we want" Anyway, look, this is much more important This might give us a lead on our fourth man "Anarchism, The Means And The End?" Your evening's entertainment, Brer Yes, yes, I see your point.
Unfortunately Lady O'Callaghan is a Ratisbonne The family is very influential.
The party needs their support I fail to see why my professional reputation should be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency Quite, quite Chief inspector, perhaps you could Quite, quite Lady O'Callaghan is very determined There's nothing we can do to stop her arranging a private postmortem I have signed the death certificate So has Mr Thoms There is nothing unusual in the death Then you've nothing to fear The whole world of politics is nothing but the embodiment of arbitrary power As anarchists, it is our duty to oppose corrupt and bureaucratised states of any political colour Our aim is justice But justice is not the work of the law Law is only a declaration of justice, controlled and administered by the arbitrary power of entrenched capitalism and privilege Until they are uprooted and destroyed, there can be no true freedom Let us not forget that these ends would be achieved by each and every one of us in our daily lives, particularly in our workplaces And in this way, we will undermine the system that enslaves us .
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and reform the world There weren't a lot of you but I thought you were very attentive I thought that festival session was very interesting Because I think we can actually Closing up now Ah, excuse me, miss That's quite all right I beg pardon for disturbing you, my lady Never mind, Nash.
What is it? I scarcely know how to begin, my lady Ive served the family for many years and would not presume to interfere in personal matters For heaven's sake, Nash, get to the point.
What is it? I think you should see this, my lady Where did you find this? In Sir Derek's wastepaper basket, my lady - Morning, Perkins - Morning, sir What load of misery have you brought to start the day? Depends how you look at it, sir Some bad news is good news - Oh, really? - Oh, yes, sir Hip, hip, as the man said, when his mother-in-law got the whoopers Morning Morning, Brer Ah, you remember your two snakes climbing up a tree? They're on free notepads given to doctors, hospitals and chemists That's an awful lot of people - Rosie Lee, sir - Thank you, Perkins Well, there was no luck with the writing either Didnt match the hand of any of the three that we nabbed I suppose that confirms something That Blautwicz has a comrade on the loose somewhere - Who did you put on his tail? - Robinson Oh, that's really going to frighten him.
What happened at the anarchists'? Any luck? Oh, nothing happened and no luck There was no-one Id ever seen or heard of What's Blautwicz doing with the anarchists anyway? Bit out of date, Id have thought Still, he must have torn that piece out of the newspaper for something Let's have another look at it Perhaps he was playing us along, codding us "Sage's herbal remedies" I think we should try some of those, don't you? Out of sorts, are you? The caduceus, Brer, the caduceus On notepads given to doctors, hospitals and chemists That's the connection.
Pill pushers, not bolshies Chief Inspector Alleyn's office Yes? Oh, yes, just a moment Its Lady O'Callaghan, she wants to see you.
Got important new evidence for you Here is the proof "Do not underestimate me, O'Callaghan If you trouble Miss Harben again, I will surely kill you" Signed, John Phillips My husband received that letter on the morning of his death and he died at the hands of Phillips and that woman Harben I do not wish to be disturbed, Nash I beg pardon, my lady.
The Chief inspector is wanted on the telephone I took the liberty of putting it through to here, sir Alleyn.
Yes? I see Thank you That was the result of the postmortem, Lady O'Callaghan Well? I'm afraid your husband was poisoned .
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by an overdose of hyoscine I knew it I knew it He killed my husband Blautwicz and the gun runners will have to take a back seat One never knows, Brer.
One never knows Do you think it's murder? Sir Derek O'Callaghan dies of an overdose of hyoscine That's the same drug administered by Sir John Phillips during the operation Who signs the death certificate? Sir John Phillips If it isn't murder, somebodys been awfully careless - What the devil? - Just a tick, sir Just a minute, miss What was that all about? She's an anarchist She's certainly got you stirred up She was at that meeting The one with the advertisement that Blautwicz cut out of the newspaper She could be number four, the one that was missing from that raid on the house I'm afraid not According to the handwriting experts, the name Sir Derek O'Callaghan was written by a man Oh.
Well, it's a link, though I mean, he died here and that nurse works for Sir John Well, there you are, then Thank you, miss.
Would you like to take a little stroll with me? Unless it can be established that Sir Derek somehow administered the drug himself, the situation is serious, Sir John You do understand? Of course.
I - Will you smoke? - No, thank you Do you always use hyoscine? Who prepares the injections? I always do my own These tablets packed in tubes of 20 make only one fifth of a grain in all This is the tube I used.
I have since used one more That makes 18 May I? May I hang on to these? There might have been some mistake in the manufacture.
And the box Was Nurse Harben present during the operation? I won't have her name brought into this Did you write this letter to Sir Derek O'Callaghan because of his relations with Nurse Harben? You threatened to kill him Do you deny writing this letter? We do many things in a passion, in a temper, that we regret I did not want to perform the operation I asked Lady O'Callaghan to let me get Somerset Black to do it but she insisted Did she tell you that? - Did anyone hear you ask her? - Mr Thoms was present, I believe Nurse Harben has not turned up for work today - Do you know why? - No, I do not - Do you know a man called Blautwicz? - No, never heard the name So you do know a Mr Blautwicz? I didnt say I did I said I wouldnt tell you whether or not I did until you told me why you wanted to know whether or not I did Now, a few days ago you attended a meeting organized by an anarchist group Is that against the law, Inspector? Er, no, Nurse.
No, it isn't I've also been to Tory, Labour, communist, fascist and social realist meetings - Did you see me at those? - Er no I've told you all I know, Inspector Just a minute, I haven't finished yet There was a dirty glass in Sir Derek's bedroom Not at school today? Do you want a sweetie? Give my love to your mother, yes? - Bye-bye - Bye Now There were three syringes used Hyoscine, which Sir Jo-Jo used in there, the anaesthetic room He thinks it's safer, if you know what I mean Wouldnt the anaesthetist normally do that? Ah, well, Roberts isn't happy with needles, so Sir John did it for him Why isn't Dr Roberts happy with needles? He's quirky.
Takes all sorts in medicine Like politics Now, this is camphor used in the op and this large one here This is the anti-gas gangrene Was anyone in here with Sir John when he administered the hyoscine? Oh, no, Roberts was in the scrub Er Well, actually To be honest with you, I couldnt be sure I dont know We like people to be honest Sir John filled the syringe where? Oh, here.
I saw him do it.
He He what, Doctor? Well, look, it doesn't mean anything, not really Then you've no reason for not telling me what it is It's just that I thought he might have used two tablets, not one You see, there were two tubes but one of them was empty Anyway, if he had given him two tablets, that's only two 100ths of a grain, nowhere near the amount that's supposed to be in Sir O'Cally, is it? Why do you say supposed? Well, accidents happen, dont they? Even at postmortems And during operations Well, couldnt be anything else, could it? I mean, O'Cally was a political prat.
Look at what he was up to in Palestine Well, no-one here is going to deliberately do him in for that, are they? I understand Sir John has left.
Where was he going? I do not know.
It's not my place to ask Sir John where he's going No, no, of course not, but did he say how long he was likely to be? No, he did not.
And stretch and stretch He may have been going home or to see a patient, I don't know Have you had any word from Nurse Harben explaining why she hasn't come to work today? No.
And it's very awkward.
We're short-staffed as it is Don't slack, Mr Curtis Without all this bother What about Nurse Banks? Couldnt she have stayed on? Help you out? I saw you coming from the window Ah, good They think Sir Derek O'Callaghan was murdered Oh, thanks Bit odd, isn't it? Sir John suddenly going off like that I want to know why Nurse Harben is missing I expect she's gone home I've got her address there - Broughton, Hampshire - Might pay her a visit.
Now .
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story so far Sir Derek O'Callaghan dies of an overdose of hyoscine There are only two ways it could be administered: by syringe or by mouth It could hardly be by mouth as he was unconscious Syringe? Well, there were three syringes used during the operation and there were three puncture marks found on the body during the postmortem.
So The dose must have been in one of the syringes.
Where else could it have been? And there was only one syringe large enough to contain enough hyoscine to kill How about two small doses? No, still not large enough, apparently If it was administered by a syringe, it had to be the big one - the sort of thing you'd use on a horse - which, according to Thoms, was filled with anti-gas gangrene, whatever that is - I suppose it could have been hyoscine - Who filled it? Nurse Banks It's empty - Do you want another one? - No I was just remembering what you said about being taken by mouth Banks said there was a dirty glass in Sir Derek's bedroom Sorry to keep you waiting.
Chief Inspector Alleyn, isn't it? And you're Dr Roberts - Do sit down - Thank you I see you've been exploring my work Theodore Roberts, yes Bit over my head, I'm afraid Frohlich's synergenic parallels conclusively prove Napoleon's dystrophia adiposogenitalis" Sounds rather painful It's a matter of power impulse and source I need hardly tell you of its connection with sex There's an acute conflict between the survival of the fittest, nature's law as defined by Darwin, and the human tendency to preserve the weak Genius in the arts and an excessive power impulse are both deviants from the norm, the extremes of both being madness Is the transmission of their genes beneficial to the human future? Quite I was hoping you might help me with a rather more mundane problem, the death of Sir Derek O'Callaghan Yes Yes, that's quite dreadful I cannot deny that I am rather selfishly nervous on my own account.
But I suppose it's difficult for all concerned in the operation But you gave no injections No, no, I'm thankful to say, no Isn't it usual for the anaesthetist to give injections? I have a personal, rather painful reason I never give injections Why not? I gave an overdose of morphia A patient who died as a result of my carelessness For some time I was unable to work at all Then I had to An urgent heart case It was successful Restored my confidence But I have never been able to use the needle I'm sorry, this must be very distressing for you But you did examine Sir Derek before Sir John gave the injection? Yes, of course.
I would have been failing in my duty if I had not done so - His pulse was very slow - Really? Mr Thoms has stated that you were worried about that during the operation His pulse was worsening progressively Naturally I had to draw Sir John's attention to it Could that have been consistent with hyoscine poisoning? With hindsight, yes, yes, I suppose it would And this was before the camphor and the anti-gas gangrene injections were given? Yes, of course But that would mean that Sir Derek O'Callaghan received an overdose before he arrived at the operating table Well, it would seem so, yes But you know, I I really dont see how it could be done A quarter of a grain is a massive dose, Chief Inspector So I understand The results of the postmortem have not yet been made public How did you know that the suspected dose was a quarter of a grain? Nurse Banks told me She's here now She came to tell you the news? Not especially, no We have a shared interest in mental disorders She's using my upstairs library Helen? We were about to have coffee Perhaps youd care to join us You dont seriously think it was murder, do you? Well, frankly, I dont know what to think It could have been an accident, but I suppose youd like it to be murder My dear Miss Banks, I can assure you, I'm only interested in justice Thank you If a wrong has been done, it has to be put right Well, I can't argue against that I'm all for justice I just wish there were a bit more of it, in society generally Oh, dont let us get into politics You see, I really dont see how it could be done Everybody sees what everybody else does in an operation.
Isn't that true, Helen? We do.
Except Except what? It must have been an accident I filled the anti-gas and camphor syringes myself, so how could it have happened? That is what the Inspector is trying to find out I didnt like O'Callaghan, or his policies, but I hate killing, of any kind If I could help you, I would But I don't see how I can Well, perhaps you could just tell me why you told Inspector Fox that there was a dirty glass by Sir Derek's bed That was just There was a dirty glass there I dont suppose it was important but his sister wanted to give him some patent medicine and I said Hyoscine It's a sedative and it is often used in patent medicine If he took that before the operation, there would have been a build-up and the dose Sir John gave him might well have taken him over the limit - I told her not to give it to him - But you think she did? It's possible.
I did leave the room for a minute or two, - and the glass was empty - I bet that's it Shed given him something with hyoscine in it It wouldnt surprise me.
Ruth O'Callaghan is an eccentric, I believe There is a streak of insanity in her family Her father committed suicide and one of her sisters is in a home Sacrilege! Sacrilege! The family will never forgive you for it For goodness sake, Ruth, shut up! How can he rest in peace after being mutilated? His spirit will be in torment You think he was a saint, but he wasn't He was a Casanova, always after younger women How dare you! How dare you It was only my tolerance kept our marriage and his career intact Derek was a gentleman He was a womaniser God knows why I loved him He was half crazy, like the rest of your family Good afternoon, Chief Inspector Thank you.
Would you be good enough to ask Lady O'Callaghan if she can spare a moment? Yes, sir.
Perhaps youd care to wait in the study You tricked him into marrying you.
He never loved you - Miss Ruth? - Yes, sir Thank you - You're hysterical! - You're so petty and cruel! Chief Inspector Alleyn has called and would like a word with you and Miss Ruth I've shown him into the study Get Bessie to clear up We've had a slight accident Very good, my lady Lady O'Callaghan .
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Did Sir John Phillips suggest to you that Somerset Black carry out the operation on your husband? - Yes, he did - Why didnt you tell me? Is there any reason I should have? Forgive me, but if Sir John had wanted to carry out his threat, hed hardly have suggested another surgeon for the operation It was a ploy.
He knew I would insist, ignorant as I was of any hatred he had toward Derek And another thing, before Derek was wheeled into the operating theatre, he revived for a moment and cried out, "Don't let Don't let " or something like that He was clearly warning me against letting Phillips operate I'm sorry, but how can you be so sure? Because Phillips was standing in the doorway and Derek was looking straight at him The nurse who was in attendance heard him too but said Derek was delirious And, um you didnt think this worth mentioning before? I had been upset and confused It is not every day one's husband is murdered I appreciate that.
It's just that premature accusations I also remember that the night prior to my husbands death Sir John visited him here and behaved most oddly I realise now it was about that Harben woman Is Is there anything else you remember? I would not wittingly hold anything back, Chief Inspector I wish to know the truth about my husbands death Yes, of course Oh, prior to the operation, was Sir Derek taking any patent medicines? Tell the Chief Inspector, Ruth Tell him about Mr Sage's magical cures That's the one Blautwicz went in? That's right, sir.
1:05 he went into Sage's, 1:04 Yes, never mind the others, he went in there - Are you sure? - Of course I'm sure, sir.
It's in my report Right, wait here Good morning, Brer I was just going in there - How odd, I was just coming out - So I see, sir I've got his prints on a box of fulvitavolts and a receipt in his handwriting What did you come for? Gyppy tummy? Fascinating Absolutely fascinating.
I can't make top or tail of it What about you? Well, at least somebodys awake.
What have you got for us, Perkins? Could be love letters but they look like reports Yes, thank you, Perkins Prints match.
What about the writing? Dead match That's it Mr Harold Sage was the one we missed at Blautwicz's house That means we've got a herbal chemist involved in gun running - Wheel in some tea, Perkins - Would that be herbal, sir? - Perkins! - Right away, sir You shall have it, good and strong Without water Gets worse Brer, is it possible that this man Harold Sage, acting on Blautwicz's instigations, supplies Ruth O'Callaghan, Derek O'Callaghan's sister, with this fulvitavolt stuff laced with hyoscine? But they couldnt have known about his operation, could they? You can stand your spoon up in that Thank you, Perkins.
Ask Robinson to come in, would you? And go out without making a joke Now that would be one, sir Yes, I'd like you to get me a number, please I want to speak to Sir John Phillips at St Quinten's Nursing Home - The number is Hampstead 3903 - You wanted me, sir Yes, first thing tomorrow morning get round to the General Medical Council and find out all you can about this man Dr Theodore Roberts He had an accident a couple of years ago with a patient of his.
Find out all you can - Yes, sir - Hang on a minute, Robinson Yes, I'd like to speak to Sir John Phillips, please Oh, I see.
Um Well, could I speak to Sister Graham, then? Thank you Also, a man called Thoms, T-H-O-M-S, surgeon, also works at St Quinten's That's all Right, sir Sister Graham, it's about Sir John Sir John left after your visit, sir - I see - We haven't heard from him since - No word at all? - No What about Nurse Harben? It was an accident.
It must have been an accident You dont think I killed him? I'm not sure I'd blame you if you had I loved him, but I could have killed him Love is like that, isn't it? Close to hate But all I know is, his going has left a hole in my life One has to be careful of holes You can fall in them You mustn't start thinking like that.
He isn't worth it If only youd let me take care of you I'd do anything for you, anything to make you happy I love you.
Can't you understand that? How do you know you aren't just infatuated with me? It can work both ways, you know What's all this? Deep in thought or a touch of the old catatonics? Is Dr Roberts coming? Well, he's here already Don't tell me you're pining for him when there are handsome young surgeons available? Oh, dear Right, then, what's on the menu today? Not an appendectomy, I hope I dont think Sir Derek O'Callaghan's death is anything to joke about Maybe not, but there's no point being hypocritical, is there? Wouldnt you agree, old boy? I mean, Sir Derek O'Callaghan was not exactly loved throughout the land I'd go further.
He won't be sorely missed She goes on about warmongering politicians but when the worst one in the land gets knocked off, she goes all conscience-stricken Knocked off means murdered, doesnt it? Don't you try and be clever with me, young lady If he was knocked off we all know no-one had more motive for doing it than you That's not fair You yourself have said, in my presence, that a lot of people would be better off if Sir Derek was dead Well, yes! I was just thinking about those poor Jews he kept stuck in a boat .
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unable to land Exactly Nurse Banks was merely thinking of the other unfortunates I know you both mean well but really you're arguing over nothing Nobody here would murder a patient Well, how could they, with everyone watching what everyone else is doing? It's impossible Nothing's impossible It could be done How? Come on, then, smarty-pants If you know how it could be done, tell us Come on Don't be silly I wouldnt tell you, I'd tell the police I understand what you're saying, Chief Inspector, but How can I? I knew what kind of a man Derek was .
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but I loved him.
There it is And Sir John? He couldnt kill anybody if he tried He's too soft.
You've got to believe that Do you happen to know where Sir John Phillips is? He went back to London.
He left just before you arrived Are you sure he's going to London? He's not the sort of man to run away Can I answer that? Or are you afraid I'll run away? Don't be too harsh on us, Miss Harben.
We're only doing our duty I'm sorry.
It's all so upsetting 41226.
Hello? Hello? She loved him! I sometimes wonder what women are made of They often wonder that themselves So I'm told Still, in love with Sir Derek? Oh, well Mind, she doesnt exactly seem averse to Sir John Well, defending him like that It's Scotland Yard.
They want to speak to you, Chief Inspector Thank you Chief Inspector Alleyn - Would you like one? - No, thank you, miss The syringe that was used for the pre-operation injection of hyoscine, Did you see Sir John fill it? No, I did not Did you handle the two that were filled by Nurse Banks? Yes, of course I did It's part of my job to han Do you think I emptied them and refilled them with hyoscine? Is that it? It's absolutely impossible for anyone to do anything they shouldnt during an op We've got to get back to the Yard.
Things are hotting up Do you really think you need that? Well, I hope I don't but we don't know what we're up against Well, put it away somewhere Good luck, sir Thank you No Parthian shot? Silence is golden, Perkins - Helen, I was just coming up - Oh, that's all right, Mrs Oliver - I've run out of sugar again - Yes.
I'll, um Oh, it's all right, dear.
I'll come back later Yes Could I speak to Chief Inspector Alleyn, please? Chief Inspector Alleyn's office Could I speak to the Chief Inspector, please? - Who's speaking? - My name is Banks I'm a nurse at St Quinten's Nursing Home Well, he's not here, Nurse.
He's just gone out Please ask him to ring me I know how something could be done Tell him that "Know how something could be done" - Right, Nurse - Thank you Oh, Mrs Oliver Mrs Oliver? - Sage! - All right It's done Here Should have left ten minutes ago The ship won't leave on time.
It never does Remember, number three shed.
Say "Happy days" and you'll be cleared Right, let him go Chief inspector Really This is getting beyond a joke Then we shall see who has the last laugh Open it up, Brer Correct me if I'm wrong, Chief Inspector, but wasn't Brer a rabbit? Not this one.
Have you never heard of Brer Fox? Guns may be embargoed Medical supplies are not Cotton wool That's all Harmless.
You're delaying a mission of mercy This way, come on! We've got him, we've got him! Mr Blautwicz Chief Inspector Seen you before, haven't I? Those powders of yours, just the ticket We're still none the wiser as to who killed Sir Derek O'Callaghan All in good time, Brer.
All in good time "Nurse Banks knows how " Helen? Helen? Helen! Oh, I didnt know you were asleep.
I won't disturb you I'll just turn the light out Yes, poisoned Overdose of something.
I can't say what I'll need a postmortem but it looks like suicide Nothing's been touched, has it, Merritt? Oh, no, sir.
I've seen to that, like you said I've let no-one touch anything Could be hyoscine Blood? Probably scratched a pimple Perhaps That's it.
The patient can be removed now He's not his usual self today, is he? I dont wish to speak out of turn, Sir John, but Mr Thoms seems to think That's another lucky fellow tucked away.
Well done, Sir John Youd be well advised to take it more seriously, Mr Thoms Surgery is not a matter for humour I wasn't being funny.
I meant it it was a difficult op and he was lucky to have you do it - Sister! - What? - I think youd better come - Oh, my God, what is it now? What the? What's all this? Jane! What's happened? I dont know.
I was told to come in here with him and stay with you Stay? No-one is to leave without the Chief Inspector's permission, sir - This is ridiculous! - Sir! Oh, God! What the hell is this? Oh, for Gods sake You can't come barging in here just when you feel like it - We have important operations to get done - All right, Thoms.
All right This is very irregular, Chief Inspector So is murder, Sir John Sister Graham, please The syringes were on this table? I've already been through that with you.
What's the point? Quiet, doctor, please Is that correct? Yes Sir John, you took a syringe, you filled it with hyoscine, took it through to the anaesthetic room and injected it into Sir Derek O'Callaghan That is correct.
100th of a grain Would you show me, please? I picked up the syringe and - Do you want me to go in? - If you would, please Where was Nurse Harben? There, by the operating table, I think Would you mind, Nurse? - She was there? - As far as I remember And what about you, Sister? Me? Oh, I really dont know.
I You were there at the table, looking at the syringes No, no, no, she wasn't.
She was by the store You weren't in here at that time Yes, I was.
I asked you if youd given O'Callaghan a double dose, and you said one tube was empty As I told you, Chief Inspector Then I went off to the scrub room, you went to the anaesthetic room, and Sister was by the store I really dont think I was in here at all I was in the scrub room with Dr Roberts.
You were there, doctor Well, I was certainly there when Thoms came in Yes, and I was helping you dress when he came in No, no, no, you couldnt have been When I went in, Roberts was scrubbing up You were there where you are now, Sister Nurse Banks came from the anaesthetic room and you told her to help dressing Ah, yes.
Yes, um I think Nurse Harben's right.
I did speak to Nurse Banks You were there, by the syringe table Yes, very well, Nurse! I was by the table All right? Thank you Dr Roberts Mr Thoms, you were both in the scrub room Come on.
He counts to ten, then comes to find us Sir John So Sir Derek would have been where exactly? Thank you And you gave the injection Left arm, in the artery - And this is the anaesthetic equipment? - Yes You give the injection before this is used? Yes So this is wheeled in next to the trolley? - I would not be here, of course - No, no, I understand Good, thank you Inspector, please Would you come in here, please? Ladies and gentlemen, I would like the patient to be wheeled in and you all to be in the positions you were at the time It'll be charades next Inskip, youd better play Banks Just a moment.
Shouldnt you have the anaesthetic equipment with you? It's already here The equipment in there is ours.
Dr Roberts uses his own So you bring this with you? We all of us feel more comfortable with our own equipment Good.
Carry on So you were all in these positions when the operation on Sir Derek commenced? Yes Nurse Inskip would be Nurse Banks - What about the lights? - I did them Thank you, Sister - You went straight back to the table? - Yes - You didn't do anything else? - I adjusted the screen - What's that? - Well, that's it It's to conceal the patient's head while the surgeon works In case the patient comes to consciousness for some reason Well, wed better have it, then, hadnt we? You all stayed in these positions throughout the operation? Except for when syringes were needed Nurse Harben, you collected one? Yes You gave it to Sir John? No, Sister took it from me She wasn't paying attention.
I gave it to Sir No, I gave it to Mr Thoms, who injected it No, no, that was the second one, serum for the dressing Banks gave the first one, the one you asked for Thank you.
I'd like you all to go to the scrub room, please - Look, what the hell is this? - Mr Thoms Well, I'd like to know what the hell's going on, ordering us about like kids in a kindergarten Sister Thank you Blake, cover the door Brer, it's got to be here somewhere - Brer, you're a genius - Oh, I wouldnt say that Grab him, Ginger Nurse Banks guessed, didnt she? She realized that you were the only one .
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who couldnt be seen Is he? Did he kill O'Callaghan? And Nurse Banks She was full of all sorts of burning causes, as you were so keen to tell me One of them was justice Why? What had Sir Derek done to you? I did it for the good of mankind There were only three injection marks on the body If Roberts had used the syringe, there would have been a fourth There is, in the head, under the hairline You see, I'd spotted a speck of blood on Nurse Banks' pillow and so I had her head shaved The same with Sir Derek There they were, tiny marks So simple, should have been obvious But his not wanting to do injections? Oh, a perfect alibi.
Well, nearly perfect Excuse me I shouldnt have tried to run away I'm not ashamed of what I did O'Callaghan was mad, like all his family But then, so are all politicians and scientists Mad with conceptions and power You see, one murder makes a villain and he is hanged, but connive at the making of an atomic bomb to kill millions, allow as many again to suffer torture and starvation for political ends, and then what do you get? A knighthood Society rewards its potential destroyers I killed them to try and save it Was Nurse Banks a destroyer? You know, sir, I'd say he's gone in the head himself I daresay that'll be a matter for expert opinion Do you know, Brer, I sometimes think madness is an extreme kind of sanity
I have a warrant to search these premises You're making a lot of noise I suppose you have an explanation for this invasion? You'll soon find out, sir.
Hold him! Drop it! Ask the Chief inspector to come here Im here, Brer - Anyone hurt? - No But look at this Sir Derek O'Callaghan Ah, Sir Derek - My apologies, Prime Minister - Nice to see you Congratulations - Nice to see you back - Thank you very much Gentlemen, we can begin My secretary telephoned, I believe, with the news We've been discussing it.
Scandalous Things can't be allowed to go on like this It has been suggested that more troops be sent in Do you agree? Well, with respect, Prime Sir Derek! - Home Secretary, some brandy - No, please Please, no brandy.
Some water Some water Thank you Sorry about this My dear fellow, what on earth was it? Keep meaning to see my doctor, but, well this Palestine business is so pressing But you mustn't ruin your health over it Gentlemen, I think it best if we adjourn for the moment No, there really is no need, Prime Minister.
The pain comes and goes quite quickly I wanted a private word with you anyway.
Gentlemen This really is quite unnecessary, Prime Minister.
Your time is valuable Ive asked Chief inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard to arrange things but I have to Walther PPK 9mm Officer issue There's a lot that came back as souvenirs Yes Well, he was carrying it and it was loaded Yes, I know, Brer We didnt set up that raid to find one measly little gun, did we? Well, it could tie up Isnt Sir Derek responsible for Palestine? Well, he's trying to deal with the situation, but responsible? I think that rather begs the question Get Bailey to check all the prints from the house against the prints of our three prisoners That should at least tell us if we've missed anybody Right Id better have a word with this fellow Blautwicz, hadnt I? Tell you what, Brer, see if you can get an opinion from the handwriting people about that stuff you saved from the fire So this is the land of the free? Freedom does not mean liberty to break the law, Mr Blautwicz You know that as well as I do And what crime have I committed? You invade my house.
Why? A gun was found on your premises A gun A little gun The world is full of guns, Chief inspector The detritus of war Was it necessary for half the police in London to strip my house to find one little gun? Where did you get it? How did it come to be in your possession? That is a long story, Chief inspector Im in no hurry The gun belonged to SS Colonel Halberschmidt, in charge of oven BZ-79 at Auschwitz Im sure I dont have to explain to you why I was there While we were being liberated, I managed to get hold of it, and I shot him Am I going to be charged with murder? Your actions elsewhere do not concern me Here they do.
The gun was loaded.
Why? I have enemies Personal enemies? I am a Jew, Chief inspector Do you consider Sir Derek O'Callaghan to be an enemy? I am not aware of the gentleman Come now, I find that hard to believe He's deeply concerned with events in Palestine Sir Derek O'Callaghan is receiving threats to his life His name was found on paper in your house And you were found in possession of a loaded gun Now, what do you say to that, Mr Blautwicz? I think in the land of the free, I am entitled to see a solicitor Its not the end of the world You're young and pretty, you'll find somebody else That's what you'll do Find somebody else You've no feeling Now, come on, you're not a child Let's be adult over this.
We've had good times together They aren't good times when you remember them and know you were just a man's good time I loved you Don't make a scene How can you treat me like this? What am I to do? I love you, but if I could kill you Im not staying to listen to this stupid talk Oh, that's right, run away I hate you I hate you - Nash? - Yes, my lady? Has Sir Derek come back? Yes, my lady.
He's in the study Thank you, Nash Shall I serve dinner, my lady? How was Sir Derek? Oh, much more his usual self, Im happy to say, my lady Then we may as well eat as usual, Nash Very good, my lady Derek? Im sorry, Cecily That damn pain again You can't keep putting off seeing a doctor Have you spoken to John about it? No, I haven't seen him for weeks.
Why? He rang my office this afternoon, asked if he could come round and see me here tonight I wondered Oh, people talk, I suppose Its just as well you see him He's a surgeon, not a doctor You must see him.
You can't go on like this After this Palestine business is over tomorrow, I can ease up a little, get proper advice, and a good rest.
There And that's my speech for the House tomorrow Now, dont worry Have you had any more of those letters? You mustn't worry about them Evening, Miss Ruth.
Im afraid Sir Derek Oh, my God, it's Ruth! I dont know why you let her bother you so much She's my sister.
I can hardly forbid her to visit Ill get rid of her Im sorry, they are not at home.
I assure you that they're Really, Cecily.
Nash said you were out! - He meant "not at home", Ruth - Ah, Derek, dear - I did my best, madam - Thank you, Nash - Feeling better, Im sure - Yes.
Yes, Ruth Oh, I knew you would be And here are new supplies Mr Sage's remedies really are splendid Remarkable, and all from natural ingredients Nothing chemical, nothing artificial, you know Yes.
I do know, Ruth You've told me several times There are some things, Cecily, which are worth repeating Not all natural substances are good for one An expert like Mr Sage knows Dinner Mafeking has been relieved There's a curious mark on this paper, Brer You can just see the faint outline Bailey says there's one set of prints unaccounted for So, three in the cells, four sets of prints Four in the gang.
We missed one We missed more than that, didnt we? Yes Bad luck on Sir Derek If wed found the weapons, it would have given him a head start in the House tomorrow What's that? Censure motion by the Opposition on his handling of the situation in Palestine Im too busy with crime to bother with politics Well, you'll jolly well have to bother with them in this case Let's see.
We've got the Stern Gang You've heard of them, I take it? Supposed to have a cache of arms at Blautwicz's house, ready for shipment to Palestine All we find is one little pistol and a piece of paper with Sir Derek's name on it So, what's going on, Brer? Well, it looks like the threats came from Blautwicz The likelihood is we've stopped those Yes, but for how long? Blautwicz has already got his lawyer busy What do you make of that? Not a lot Couple of snakes up a tree That's a caduceus Oh, yes.
What's that? A symbol of the medical profession - Good evening, Sir John.
- Is Sir Derek in? I believe he's in the library, Sir John.
Perhaps youd care to wait in the study whilst I inform him of your arrival Very well May I take your coat and hat, Sir John? Er, not now John! Cecily Hello Im so glad you've come That will be all.
Thank you, Nash You know Derek has been unwell.
You must have heard - Of course, yes, but - He refuses to see a doctor until this wretched Palestine debate is over What with that and the stress of threatening letters - Well, you must know about those, surely? - Yes, but There you are, John.
Sorry to have kept you Do have a word with him, John, please.
Ill get Nash to send in some coffee We'll share something stronger, I think.
Come inside, my dear fellow Your coat, John It doesn't matter.
I shall not be here long Ive been so busy lately and politics are a damned curse And as for this Palestine Do sit down, dear fellow Ive not come here to exchange pleasantries What? You're an unfeeling, insensitive blackguard Your conduct has been beneath contempt I don't know what the hell you're talking about Im talking about Jane Harben What's she to you? Her happiness is more important to me than anything, and you have ruined it Come on, old boy.
Good Lord! We had fun together for a few months, that's all She enjoyed it, I enjoyed it Women aren't ruined nowadays for enjoying a bit of what they fancy It was not fancy, as you call it, with Jane She loved you.
I cannot fathom why but she did And she believed that her love was returned It was only because of this that she You have ruined her life If she thought I loved her, Im sorry But as for ruining her Good God! She's not pregnant, is she? Damn you, no! Well, then, what the hell does she want from me? - Money.
Is that it? - You're a bustard, O'Callaghan I love Jane If you drive me too far Don't be so dammed melodramatic I dont want the woman.
If you do, take her I warn you, I know your ways If you make the slightest move to hurt or take advantage of her again, I swear I will kill you Dammed fool! Is that another of those letters? No, no, it's nothing like that What's the matter with Nash? Nothing.
I wanted to bring it to you myself To wish you luck on your big day Well, that's very sweet of you.
Thank you Perhaps we could have a weekend at the cottage A change would do you us good Yes, yes, why not? Ill give myself a good going over and get rid of this, whatever the damn thing is Im sure two aspirins would do you more good than those things of Ruth's Pleases her to think she's helping me and herbs can't harm me, can they? I can't understand why people won't trust nature After all, nature made us, so nature must know best It is rather obvious.
Don't you agree, Mr Sage? Alas, not everyone has your clarity of mind, Miss O'Callaghan Now remember, it's essential these are taken regularly until the treatment is complete Oh, yes, yes.
Ive explained to Derek very clearly and he's promised to take them Good Well, into battle I hope they're not too hard on you I can give them as good as Im likely to get Don't worry You will take care, won't you? Look Armed guard, never lets me out of his sight Dammed nuisance, actually Ah, Chief inspector Am I to be shot? We hang people in this country, Mr Blautwicz, but no, not today Bail has been arranged.
You're free to go So, British justice works after all With a good solicitor it does Ah, you're a cynic, Chief inspector Will my gun be returned? I advise you to keep clear of guns in future, Mr Blautwicz Oh, I shall, Chief inspector, I shall I wouldnt want to lead you to another mistake One moment, sir What? I might be arrested again? My paper, sir Your pardon, Officer Slippery customer, sir I think he plays a fairly straight bat Could I see your paper? - Did you tear this out? - No, sir He must have Order! Order! I wholeheartedly support the decision of this Government to develop the atom bomb Order! Order! No, no, I will not give way The defense of this country and the safety of our troops in Palestine - is my prime concern - Hear! Hear! We hold that country not for any gain, but under mandate from the United Nations to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict there Hear! Hear! It is a burden we reluctantly assume Why dont we get out, then? It may be in the nature of the honourable member's party to run away from responsibility, but on this side of the House we have a sense of honour Order! Order! Order! Sir Derek Sir Derek? To yield to terrorists .
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to succumb to force is not is not a characteristic of our island race Please let me pass.
Im Sir Derek's sister Oh, it's you, Cecily Yes, darling, it's me Try not to talk - Please stand aside - Sir John has given instructions - I am well acquainted with Sir John - But, madam Get out of my way, you silly girl Im Sir Derek's sister.
I insist you let me see him - Ruth, what are you doing? - Ah, Cecily Thank goodness.
This silly girl is trying to stop me from seeing Derek - Im sorry, my lady, but - Sir Derek is my brother I keep telling her Its all right, Nurse Banks, thank you Sir John Phillips would like a word, Lady O'Callaghan I dont think we should disturb him I dont think Im likely to disturb my brother, Cecily He's hardly conscious You will be staying, Nurse Banks? Oh, yes, my lady.
Sir John told me not to leave him Good Poor Derek.
Is the pain very severe? Oh, Ruth, it's dreadful You must take some of Mr Sage's fulvitavolts If you take one now, it will ease it immediately Im sorry, madam, but you cannot give that to the patient Nonsense, it will do him the world of good Nothing must be given to the patient without the Doctor's permission Very well That's the trouble.
The medical profession is so prejudiced They think the knife cures everything Cecily, it's probably peritonitis An operation is really imperative I think we should get Somerset Black to do it But, John, surely you'll do it Somerset is very capable An excellent surgeon I have no doubt, but I have more confidence in you, John, than anyone, as I am sure Derek has You're sure youd not prefer Somerset Black? Absolutely I mean him no disrespect, but I would be much happier if you would operate Very well Get the theatre prepared, Mr Thoms.
And the anaesthetic, Dr Grey, I think He's in Birmingham, Sir John.
Lister conference Oh, well, Ill get Roberts.
Will you take Lady O'Callaghan back to Sir Derek? - Ill join you shortly.
- Thank you, John.
I know he could not be in safer hands Dr Roberts.
Oh, Sir John, yes Im at St Quinten's.
Dr Grey is unavailable Unavailable? Oh, yes, I see Its an emergency.
Sir Derek O'Callaghan Sir Derek O'Callaghan? Acute appendicitis I must operate as soon as possible I shall be over at once Thank you, Roberts Always an honour to work with you, Sir John I shall bring my own equipment as usual Of course - Goodbye - Goodbye Have you heard the news? - No, depress me further Oh, you had to let Blautwicz go, then? Ex-concentration camp victim, one very small pistol, good solicitor.
What else? Sir Derek O'Callaghan collapsed in the Commons.
He was rushed to hospital Good Lord! Nothing suspicious? No, natural causes.
Appendix, they think We can hardly accuse Blautwicz of that No, we can't I really think I should take more exercise Ill walk to the corner The corner? Yes, I have this sudden, overwhelming desire .
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to buy a newspaper Sir John is going to operate immediately, Miss O'Callaghan.
You must leave now Its wrong.
The knife is wrong Nature's way is best You should let nature cure him, not the knife I can understand how you feel, Ruth On your head be it On your head - Im sorry, John.
Ruth - Please, please, I understand Ill do what I can.
Try not to worry No Not him Don't let - Don't let him - Its nothing Pain sometimes makes patients delirious It will all be over soon Nurse Harben, you should know by now that Sir John uses his own hyoscine solution Put that back in the store Sorry, Sister - Your tray is ready, Sir John - Thank you Dressings, Nurse Not giving him two, are you? One tube was empty Oh, well.
Roberts has arrived Ill get scrubbed up Nurse Banks, doctors are dressing Politics is an honorable profession May be.
Trouble is the nuts who enter it Power and the glory, that's what they're after.
Egomaniacs mostly - Do you really think so? - Obvious Always handing each other titles Knighthoods, peerages, all that stuff.
Right, nursey? So you think Sir Derek O'Callaghan's an egomaniac, then? Hardly got a humble opinion of himself, has he? And look at the mess he's been making in Palestine No wonder there's Jews threatening to take pot shots at him Are there? Ive heard he gets threatening letters Course, could be some of your pals, eh, nursey? I have no pals among assassins Though sometimes they can be right If theyd managed it with Hitler, who would have complained? Of course, he was mad You shouldnt be here, Jane Do you think I want to be? I have no choice.
Its my job Ill speak to Sister Graham.
Im sure she No, you mustn't - But surely you - You mustn't speak to anyone I I want to be here I dont understand you, Jane I dont understand myself, so how can you? All I want is to help you.
I love you Don't say that, please How can you have any feelings for him? - He threw you aside - What feelings I have, I Don't ask me to talk about them Im afraid of them myself No more than I am of mine I hate him for what he has done to you Is everything ready, Sir John? - Ive given him 100th of hyoscine - Ill have him ready in a moment If you please, Nurse Forceps Mop The pulse is weak, Sir John I dont like his pulse Camphor, three grains Quickly, Nurse Inject it Serum, Nurse Serum, Nurse Harben Serum Serum, Nurse Harben Pay attention, Nurse Sorry, Sister How is he? Not so good Ill give him oxygen Nasty mess.
Must have neglected it No doubt Better take him back Nurse Harben seemed a bit not here today, didnt she? Nurse Harben, didnt seem with us - I didnt notice - Hm, not her usual self at all - Must be love or something - Doctor Its Sir Derek He's gone I understand that the letters Sir Derek received were from political extremists opposed to his policy on Palestine We feel that it's hardly likely that I heard all this from the Prime Minister There is no point in your repeating it He is not aware, as I am, that a woman with whom my husband had had an unhappy relationship and who was embittered by his rejection of her works as a nurse at Sir John's nursing home Forgive me, but are you sure of this? Wives are not fools, Chief inspector - Was she present during the operation? - That I do not know It is sufficient to know she was there Im afraid that hardly constitutes grounds for a postmortem, particularly since the death certificate was signed by two surgeons, Sir John Phillips and a Mr Thoms Cecily, you can't do it.
I won't allow it You can't.
Its wicked.
Its wrong The body is a sacred vessel Ruth, I have a visitor Chief inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard My sister-in-law Ruth O'Callaghan But surely it's You're Sir George Alleyn's brother, aren't you? He's George Alleyn's brother.
Aren't you? We met at Stone Towers, the Bellamys' That's right, we did You're a policeman.
I remember Yes, I am You must stop her.
There must be no postmortem - It's ridiculous.
Derek must not be cut up - Ruth Its indecent.
He must be left to sleep in peace You may tell the Prime Minister, I appreciate his motives in sending you here but I require to know the real cause of my husband's death The Doctors may be satisfied but I am not Cecily, please.
Think of My mind is made up, Ruth The Chief inspector is leaving, Nash Do you by any chance know the name of the young woman? Jane Harben.
She's the daughter of neighbors of ours in Hampshire Thank you You may be sure that the Prime Minister will be kept informed She's a Ratisbonne They're a frosty lot They have a great deal of pull with the powers that be - Got a bit yourself, haven't you? - I have friends, Brer I dont have pull I dont use them Well, perhaps in the course of justice Well, isn't that what Lady O'Callaghan thinks she's doing? There's no point worrying until we get the results of the postmortem - If she gets one - Rather a big if, Im afraid As I said, she's a Ratisbonne Their family motto roughly translated is, "We dont stop until we get what we want" Anyway, look, this is much more important This might give us a lead on our fourth man "Anarchism, The Means And The End?" Your evening's entertainment, Brer Yes, yes, I see your point.
Unfortunately Lady O'Callaghan is a Ratisbonne The family is very influential.
The party needs their support I fail to see why my professional reputation should be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency Quite, quite Chief inspector, perhaps you could Quite, quite Lady O'Callaghan is very determined There's nothing we can do to stop her arranging a private postmortem I have signed the death certificate So has Mr Thoms There is nothing unusual in the death Then you've nothing to fear The whole world of politics is nothing but the embodiment of arbitrary power As anarchists, it is our duty to oppose corrupt and bureaucratised states of any political colour Our aim is justice But justice is not the work of the law Law is only a declaration of justice, controlled and administered by the arbitrary power of entrenched capitalism and privilege Until they are uprooted and destroyed, there can be no true freedom Let us not forget that these ends would be achieved by each and every one of us in our daily lives, particularly in our workplaces And in this way, we will undermine the system that enslaves us .
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and reform the world There weren't a lot of you but I thought you were very attentive I thought that festival session was very interesting Because I think we can actually Closing up now Ah, excuse me, miss That's quite all right I beg pardon for disturbing you, my lady Never mind, Nash.
What is it? I scarcely know how to begin, my lady Ive served the family for many years and would not presume to interfere in personal matters For heaven's sake, Nash, get to the point.
What is it? I think you should see this, my lady Where did you find this? In Sir Derek's wastepaper basket, my lady - Morning, Perkins - Morning, sir What load of misery have you brought to start the day? Depends how you look at it, sir Some bad news is good news - Oh, really? - Oh, yes, sir Hip, hip, as the man said, when his mother-in-law got the whoopers Morning Morning, Brer Ah, you remember your two snakes climbing up a tree? They're on free notepads given to doctors, hospitals and chemists That's an awful lot of people - Rosie Lee, sir - Thank you, Perkins Well, there was no luck with the writing either Didnt match the hand of any of the three that we nabbed I suppose that confirms something That Blautwicz has a comrade on the loose somewhere - Who did you put on his tail? - Robinson Oh, that's really going to frighten him.
What happened at the anarchists'? Any luck? Oh, nothing happened and no luck There was no-one Id ever seen or heard of What's Blautwicz doing with the anarchists anyway? Bit out of date, Id have thought Still, he must have torn that piece out of the newspaper for something Let's have another look at it Perhaps he was playing us along, codding us "Sage's herbal remedies" I think we should try some of those, don't you? Out of sorts, are you? The caduceus, Brer, the caduceus On notepads given to doctors, hospitals and chemists That's the connection.
Pill pushers, not bolshies Chief Inspector Alleyn's office Yes? Oh, yes, just a moment Its Lady O'Callaghan, she wants to see you.
Got important new evidence for you Here is the proof "Do not underestimate me, O'Callaghan If you trouble Miss Harben again, I will surely kill you" Signed, John Phillips My husband received that letter on the morning of his death and he died at the hands of Phillips and that woman Harben I do not wish to be disturbed, Nash I beg pardon, my lady.
The Chief inspector is wanted on the telephone I took the liberty of putting it through to here, sir Alleyn.
Yes? I see Thank you That was the result of the postmortem, Lady O'Callaghan Well? I'm afraid your husband was poisoned .
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by an overdose of hyoscine I knew it I knew it He killed my husband Blautwicz and the gun runners will have to take a back seat One never knows, Brer.
One never knows Do you think it's murder? Sir Derek O'Callaghan dies of an overdose of hyoscine That's the same drug administered by Sir John Phillips during the operation Who signs the death certificate? Sir John Phillips If it isn't murder, somebodys been awfully careless - What the devil? - Just a tick, sir Just a minute, miss What was that all about? She's an anarchist She's certainly got you stirred up She was at that meeting The one with the advertisement that Blautwicz cut out of the newspaper She could be number four, the one that was missing from that raid on the house I'm afraid not According to the handwriting experts, the name Sir Derek O'Callaghan was written by a man Oh.
Well, it's a link, though I mean, he died here and that nurse works for Sir John Well, there you are, then Thank you, miss.
Would you like to take a little stroll with me? Unless it can be established that Sir Derek somehow administered the drug himself, the situation is serious, Sir John You do understand? Of course.
I - Will you smoke? - No, thank you Do you always use hyoscine? Who prepares the injections? I always do my own These tablets packed in tubes of 20 make only one fifth of a grain in all This is the tube I used.
I have since used one more That makes 18 May I? May I hang on to these? There might have been some mistake in the manufacture.
And the box Was Nurse Harben present during the operation? I won't have her name brought into this Did you write this letter to Sir Derek O'Callaghan because of his relations with Nurse Harben? You threatened to kill him Do you deny writing this letter? We do many things in a passion, in a temper, that we regret I did not want to perform the operation I asked Lady O'Callaghan to let me get Somerset Black to do it but she insisted Did she tell you that? - Did anyone hear you ask her? - Mr Thoms was present, I believe Nurse Harben has not turned up for work today - Do you know why? - No, I do not - Do you know a man called Blautwicz? - No, never heard the name So you do know a Mr Blautwicz? I didnt say I did I said I wouldnt tell you whether or not I did until you told me why you wanted to know whether or not I did Now, a few days ago you attended a meeting organized by an anarchist group Is that against the law, Inspector? Er, no, Nurse.
No, it isn't I've also been to Tory, Labour, communist, fascist and social realist meetings - Did you see me at those? - Er no I've told you all I know, Inspector Just a minute, I haven't finished yet There was a dirty glass in Sir Derek's bedroom Not at school today? Do you want a sweetie? Give my love to your mother, yes? - Bye-bye - Bye Now There were three syringes used Hyoscine, which Sir Jo-Jo used in there, the anaesthetic room He thinks it's safer, if you know what I mean Wouldnt the anaesthetist normally do that? Ah, well, Roberts isn't happy with needles, so Sir John did it for him Why isn't Dr Roberts happy with needles? He's quirky.
Takes all sorts in medicine Like politics Now, this is camphor used in the op and this large one here This is the anti-gas gangrene Was anyone in here with Sir John when he administered the hyoscine? Oh, no, Roberts was in the scrub Er Well, actually To be honest with you, I couldnt be sure I dont know We like people to be honest Sir John filled the syringe where? Oh, here.
I saw him do it.
He He what, Doctor? Well, look, it doesn't mean anything, not really Then you've no reason for not telling me what it is It's just that I thought he might have used two tablets, not one You see, there were two tubes but one of them was empty Anyway, if he had given him two tablets, that's only two 100ths of a grain, nowhere near the amount that's supposed to be in Sir O'Cally, is it? Why do you say supposed? Well, accidents happen, dont they? Even at postmortems And during operations Well, couldnt be anything else, could it? I mean, O'Cally was a political prat.
Look at what he was up to in Palestine Well, no-one here is going to deliberately do him in for that, are they? I understand Sir John has left.
Where was he going? I do not know.
It's not my place to ask Sir John where he's going No, no, of course not, but did he say how long he was likely to be? No, he did not.
And stretch and stretch He may have been going home or to see a patient, I don't know Have you had any word from Nurse Harben explaining why she hasn't come to work today? No.
And it's very awkward.
We're short-staffed as it is Don't slack, Mr Curtis Without all this bother What about Nurse Banks? Couldnt she have stayed on? Help you out? I saw you coming from the window Ah, good They think Sir Derek O'Callaghan was murdered Oh, thanks Bit odd, isn't it? Sir John suddenly going off like that I want to know why Nurse Harben is missing I expect she's gone home I've got her address there - Broughton, Hampshire - Might pay her a visit.
Now .
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story so far Sir Derek O'Callaghan dies of an overdose of hyoscine There are only two ways it could be administered: by syringe or by mouth It could hardly be by mouth as he was unconscious Syringe? Well, there were three syringes used during the operation and there were three puncture marks found on the body during the postmortem.
So The dose must have been in one of the syringes.
Where else could it have been? And there was only one syringe large enough to contain enough hyoscine to kill How about two small doses? No, still not large enough, apparently If it was administered by a syringe, it had to be the big one - the sort of thing you'd use on a horse - which, according to Thoms, was filled with anti-gas gangrene, whatever that is - I suppose it could have been hyoscine - Who filled it? Nurse Banks It's empty - Do you want another one? - No I was just remembering what you said about being taken by mouth Banks said there was a dirty glass in Sir Derek's bedroom Sorry to keep you waiting.
Chief Inspector Alleyn, isn't it? And you're Dr Roberts - Do sit down - Thank you I see you've been exploring my work Theodore Roberts, yes Bit over my head, I'm afraid Frohlich's synergenic parallels conclusively prove Napoleon's dystrophia adiposogenitalis" Sounds rather painful It's a matter of power impulse and source I need hardly tell you of its connection with sex There's an acute conflict between the survival of the fittest, nature's law as defined by Darwin, and the human tendency to preserve the weak Genius in the arts and an excessive power impulse are both deviants from the norm, the extremes of both being madness Is the transmission of their genes beneficial to the human future? Quite I was hoping you might help me with a rather more mundane problem, the death of Sir Derek O'Callaghan Yes Yes, that's quite dreadful I cannot deny that I am rather selfishly nervous on my own account.
But I suppose it's difficult for all concerned in the operation But you gave no injections No, no, I'm thankful to say, no Isn't it usual for the anaesthetist to give injections? I have a personal, rather painful reason I never give injections Why not? I gave an overdose of morphia A patient who died as a result of my carelessness For some time I was unable to work at all Then I had to An urgent heart case It was successful Restored my confidence But I have never been able to use the needle I'm sorry, this must be very distressing for you But you did examine Sir Derek before Sir John gave the injection? Yes, of course.
I would have been failing in my duty if I had not done so - His pulse was very slow - Really? Mr Thoms has stated that you were worried about that during the operation His pulse was worsening progressively Naturally I had to draw Sir John's attention to it Could that have been consistent with hyoscine poisoning? With hindsight, yes, yes, I suppose it would And this was before the camphor and the anti-gas gangrene injections were given? Yes, of course But that would mean that Sir Derek O'Callaghan received an overdose before he arrived at the operating table Well, it would seem so, yes But you know, I I really dont see how it could be done A quarter of a grain is a massive dose, Chief Inspector So I understand The results of the postmortem have not yet been made public How did you know that the suspected dose was a quarter of a grain? Nurse Banks told me She's here now She came to tell you the news? Not especially, no We have a shared interest in mental disorders She's using my upstairs library Helen? We were about to have coffee Perhaps youd care to join us You dont seriously think it was murder, do you? Well, frankly, I dont know what to think It could have been an accident, but I suppose youd like it to be murder My dear Miss Banks, I can assure you, I'm only interested in justice Thank you If a wrong has been done, it has to be put right Well, I can't argue against that I'm all for justice I just wish there were a bit more of it, in society generally Oh, dont let us get into politics You see, I really dont see how it could be done Everybody sees what everybody else does in an operation.
Isn't that true, Helen? We do.
Except Except what? It must have been an accident I filled the anti-gas and camphor syringes myself, so how could it have happened? That is what the Inspector is trying to find out I didnt like O'Callaghan, or his policies, but I hate killing, of any kind If I could help you, I would But I don't see how I can Well, perhaps you could just tell me why you told Inspector Fox that there was a dirty glass by Sir Derek's bed That was just There was a dirty glass there I dont suppose it was important but his sister wanted to give him some patent medicine and I said Hyoscine It's a sedative and it is often used in patent medicine If he took that before the operation, there would have been a build-up and the dose Sir John gave him might well have taken him over the limit - I told her not to give it to him - But you think she did? It's possible.
I did leave the room for a minute or two, - and the glass was empty - I bet that's it Shed given him something with hyoscine in it It wouldnt surprise me.
Ruth O'Callaghan is an eccentric, I believe There is a streak of insanity in her family Her father committed suicide and one of her sisters is in a home Sacrilege! Sacrilege! The family will never forgive you for it For goodness sake, Ruth, shut up! How can he rest in peace after being mutilated? His spirit will be in torment You think he was a saint, but he wasn't He was a Casanova, always after younger women How dare you! How dare you It was only my tolerance kept our marriage and his career intact Derek was a gentleman He was a womaniser God knows why I loved him He was half crazy, like the rest of your family Good afternoon, Chief Inspector Thank you.
Would you be good enough to ask Lady O'Callaghan if she can spare a moment? Yes, sir.
Perhaps youd care to wait in the study You tricked him into marrying you.
He never loved you - Miss Ruth? - Yes, sir Thank you - You're hysterical! - You're so petty and cruel! Chief Inspector Alleyn has called and would like a word with you and Miss Ruth I've shown him into the study Get Bessie to clear up We've had a slight accident Very good, my lady Lady O'Callaghan .
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Did Sir John Phillips suggest to you that Somerset Black carry out the operation on your husband? - Yes, he did - Why didnt you tell me? Is there any reason I should have? Forgive me, but if Sir John had wanted to carry out his threat, hed hardly have suggested another surgeon for the operation It was a ploy.
He knew I would insist, ignorant as I was of any hatred he had toward Derek And another thing, before Derek was wheeled into the operating theatre, he revived for a moment and cried out, "Don't let Don't let " or something like that He was clearly warning me against letting Phillips operate I'm sorry, but how can you be so sure? Because Phillips was standing in the doorway and Derek was looking straight at him The nurse who was in attendance heard him too but said Derek was delirious And, um you didnt think this worth mentioning before? I had been upset and confused It is not every day one's husband is murdered I appreciate that.
It's just that premature accusations I also remember that the night prior to my husbands death Sir John visited him here and behaved most oddly I realise now it was about that Harben woman Is Is there anything else you remember? I would not wittingly hold anything back, Chief Inspector I wish to know the truth about my husbands death Yes, of course Oh, prior to the operation, was Sir Derek taking any patent medicines? Tell the Chief Inspector, Ruth Tell him about Mr Sage's magical cures That's the one Blautwicz went in? That's right, sir.
1:05 he went into Sage's, 1:04 Yes, never mind the others, he went in there - Are you sure? - Of course I'm sure, sir.
It's in my report Right, wait here Good morning, Brer I was just going in there - How odd, I was just coming out - So I see, sir I've got his prints on a box of fulvitavolts and a receipt in his handwriting What did you come for? Gyppy tummy? Fascinating Absolutely fascinating.
I can't make top or tail of it What about you? Well, at least somebodys awake.
What have you got for us, Perkins? Could be love letters but they look like reports Yes, thank you, Perkins Prints match.
What about the writing? Dead match That's it Mr Harold Sage was the one we missed at Blautwicz's house That means we've got a herbal chemist involved in gun running - Wheel in some tea, Perkins - Would that be herbal, sir? - Perkins! - Right away, sir You shall have it, good and strong Without water Gets worse Brer, is it possible that this man Harold Sage, acting on Blautwicz's instigations, supplies Ruth O'Callaghan, Derek O'Callaghan's sister, with this fulvitavolt stuff laced with hyoscine? But they couldnt have known about his operation, could they? You can stand your spoon up in that Thank you, Perkins.
Ask Robinson to come in, would you? And go out without making a joke Now that would be one, sir Yes, I'd like you to get me a number, please I want to speak to Sir John Phillips at St Quinten's Nursing Home - The number is Hampstead 3903 - You wanted me, sir Yes, first thing tomorrow morning get round to the General Medical Council and find out all you can about this man Dr Theodore Roberts He had an accident a couple of years ago with a patient of his.
Find out all you can - Yes, sir - Hang on a minute, Robinson Yes, I'd like to speak to Sir John Phillips, please Oh, I see.
Um Well, could I speak to Sister Graham, then? Thank you Also, a man called Thoms, T-H-O-M-S, surgeon, also works at St Quinten's That's all Right, sir Sister Graham, it's about Sir John Sir John left after your visit, sir - I see - We haven't heard from him since - No word at all? - No What about Nurse Harben? It was an accident.
It must have been an accident You dont think I killed him? I'm not sure I'd blame you if you had I loved him, but I could have killed him Love is like that, isn't it? Close to hate But all I know is, his going has left a hole in my life One has to be careful of holes You can fall in them You mustn't start thinking like that.
He isn't worth it If only youd let me take care of you I'd do anything for you, anything to make you happy I love you.
Can't you understand that? How do you know you aren't just infatuated with me? It can work both ways, you know What's all this? Deep in thought or a touch of the old catatonics? Is Dr Roberts coming? Well, he's here already Don't tell me you're pining for him when there are handsome young surgeons available? Oh, dear Right, then, what's on the menu today? Not an appendectomy, I hope I dont think Sir Derek O'Callaghan's death is anything to joke about Maybe not, but there's no point being hypocritical, is there? Wouldnt you agree, old boy? I mean, Sir Derek O'Callaghan was not exactly loved throughout the land I'd go further.
He won't be sorely missed She goes on about warmongering politicians but when the worst one in the land gets knocked off, she goes all conscience-stricken Knocked off means murdered, doesnt it? Don't you try and be clever with me, young lady If he was knocked off we all know no-one had more motive for doing it than you That's not fair You yourself have said, in my presence, that a lot of people would be better off if Sir Derek was dead Well, yes! I was just thinking about those poor Jews he kept stuck in a boat .
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unable to land Exactly Nurse Banks was merely thinking of the other unfortunates I know you both mean well but really you're arguing over nothing Nobody here would murder a patient Well, how could they, with everyone watching what everyone else is doing? It's impossible Nothing's impossible It could be done How? Come on, then, smarty-pants If you know how it could be done, tell us Come on Don't be silly I wouldnt tell you, I'd tell the police I understand what you're saying, Chief Inspector, but How can I? I knew what kind of a man Derek was .
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but I loved him.
There it is And Sir John? He couldnt kill anybody if he tried He's too soft.
You've got to believe that Do you happen to know where Sir John Phillips is? He went back to London.
He left just before you arrived Are you sure he's going to London? He's not the sort of man to run away Can I answer that? Or are you afraid I'll run away? Don't be too harsh on us, Miss Harben.
We're only doing our duty I'm sorry.
It's all so upsetting 41226.
Hello? Hello? She loved him! I sometimes wonder what women are made of They often wonder that themselves So I'm told Still, in love with Sir Derek? Oh, well Mind, she doesnt exactly seem averse to Sir John Well, defending him like that It's Scotland Yard.
They want to speak to you, Chief Inspector Thank you Chief Inspector Alleyn - Would you like one? - No, thank you, miss The syringe that was used for the pre-operation injection of hyoscine, Did you see Sir John fill it? No, I did not Did you handle the two that were filled by Nurse Banks? Yes, of course I did It's part of my job to han Do you think I emptied them and refilled them with hyoscine? Is that it? It's absolutely impossible for anyone to do anything they shouldnt during an op We've got to get back to the Yard.
Things are hotting up Do you really think you need that? Well, I hope I don't but we don't know what we're up against Well, put it away somewhere Good luck, sir Thank you No Parthian shot? Silence is golden, Perkins - Helen, I was just coming up - Oh, that's all right, Mrs Oliver - I've run out of sugar again - Yes.
I'll, um Oh, it's all right, dear.
I'll come back later Yes Could I speak to Chief Inspector Alleyn, please? Chief Inspector Alleyn's office Could I speak to the Chief Inspector, please? - Who's speaking? - My name is Banks I'm a nurse at St Quinten's Nursing Home Well, he's not here, Nurse.
He's just gone out Please ask him to ring me I know how something could be done Tell him that "Know how something could be done" - Right, Nurse - Thank you Oh, Mrs Oliver Mrs Oliver? - Sage! - All right It's done Here Should have left ten minutes ago The ship won't leave on time.
It never does Remember, number three shed.
Say "Happy days" and you'll be cleared Right, let him go Chief inspector Really This is getting beyond a joke Then we shall see who has the last laugh Open it up, Brer Correct me if I'm wrong, Chief Inspector, but wasn't Brer a rabbit? Not this one.
Have you never heard of Brer Fox? Guns may be embargoed Medical supplies are not Cotton wool That's all Harmless.
You're delaying a mission of mercy This way, come on! We've got him, we've got him! Mr Blautwicz Chief Inspector Seen you before, haven't I? Those powders of yours, just the ticket We're still none the wiser as to who killed Sir Derek O'Callaghan All in good time, Brer.
All in good time "Nurse Banks knows how " Helen? Helen? Helen! Oh, I didnt know you were asleep.
I won't disturb you I'll just turn the light out Yes, poisoned Overdose of something.
I can't say what I'll need a postmortem but it looks like suicide Nothing's been touched, has it, Merritt? Oh, no, sir.
I've seen to that, like you said I've let no-one touch anything Could be hyoscine Blood? Probably scratched a pimple Perhaps That's it.
The patient can be removed now He's not his usual self today, is he? I dont wish to speak out of turn, Sir John, but Mr Thoms seems to think That's another lucky fellow tucked away.
Well done, Sir John Youd be well advised to take it more seriously, Mr Thoms Surgery is not a matter for humour I wasn't being funny.
I meant it it was a difficult op and he was lucky to have you do it - Sister! - What? - I think youd better come - Oh, my God, what is it now? What the? What's all this? Jane! What's happened? I dont know.
I was told to come in here with him and stay with you Stay? No-one is to leave without the Chief Inspector's permission, sir - This is ridiculous! - Sir! Oh, God! What the hell is this? Oh, for Gods sake You can't come barging in here just when you feel like it - We have important operations to get done - All right, Thoms.
All right This is very irregular, Chief Inspector So is murder, Sir John Sister Graham, please The syringes were on this table? I've already been through that with you.
What's the point? Quiet, doctor, please Is that correct? Yes Sir John, you took a syringe, you filled it with hyoscine, took it through to the anaesthetic room and injected it into Sir Derek O'Callaghan That is correct.
100th of a grain Would you show me, please? I picked up the syringe and - Do you want me to go in? - If you would, please Where was Nurse Harben? There, by the operating table, I think Would you mind, Nurse? - She was there? - As far as I remember And what about you, Sister? Me? Oh, I really dont know.
I You were there at the table, looking at the syringes No, no, no, she wasn't.
She was by the store You weren't in here at that time Yes, I was.
I asked you if youd given O'Callaghan a double dose, and you said one tube was empty As I told you, Chief Inspector Then I went off to the scrub room, you went to the anaesthetic room, and Sister was by the store I really dont think I was in here at all I was in the scrub room with Dr Roberts.
You were there, doctor Well, I was certainly there when Thoms came in Yes, and I was helping you dress when he came in No, no, no, you couldnt have been When I went in, Roberts was scrubbing up You were there where you are now, Sister Nurse Banks came from the anaesthetic room and you told her to help dressing Ah, yes.
Yes, um I think Nurse Harben's right.
I did speak to Nurse Banks You were there, by the syringe table Yes, very well, Nurse! I was by the table All right? Thank you Dr Roberts Mr Thoms, you were both in the scrub room Come on.
He counts to ten, then comes to find us Sir John So Sir Derek would have been where exactly? Thank you And you gave the injection Left arm, in the artery - And this is the anaesthetic equipment? - Yes You give the injection before this is used? Yes So this is wheeled in next to the trolley? - I would not be here, of course - No, no, I understand Good, thank you Inspector, please Would you come in here, please? Ladies and gentlemen, I would like the patient to be wheeled in and you all to be in the positions you were at the time It'll be charades next Inskip, youd better play Banks Just a moment.
Shouldnt you have the anaesthetic equipment with you? It's already here The equipment in there is ours.
Dr Roberts uses his own So you bring this with you? We all of us feel more comfortable with our own equipment Good.
Carry on So you were all in these positions when the operation on Sir Derek commenced? Yes Nurse Inskip would be Nurse Banks - What about the lights? - I did them Thank you, Sister - You went straight back to the table? - Yes - You didn't do anything else? - I adjusted the screen - What's that? - Well, that's it It's to conceal the patient's head while the surgeon works In case the patient comes to consciousness for some reason Well, wed better have it, then, hadnt we? You all stayed in these positions throughout the operation? Except for when syringes were needed Nurse Harben, you collected one? Yes You gave it to Sir John? No, Sister took it from me She wasn't paying attention.
I gave it to Sir No, I gave it to Mr Thoms, who injected it No, no, that was the second one, serum for the dressing Banks gave the first one, the one you asked for Thank you.
I'd like you all to go to the scrub room, please - Look, what the hell is this? - Mr Thoms Well, I'd like to know what the hell's going on, ordering us about like kids in a kindergarten Sister Thank you Blake, cover the door Brer, it's got to be here somewhere - Brer, you're a genius - Oh, I wouldnt say that Grab him, Ginger Nurse Banks guessed, didnt she? She realized that you were the only one .
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who couldnt be seen Is he? Did he kill O'Callaghan? And Nurse Banks She was full of all sorts of burning causes, as you were so keen to tell me One of them was justice Why? What had Sir Derek done to you? I did it for the good of mankind There were only three injection marks on the body If Roberts had used the syringe, there would have been a fourth There is, in the head, under the hairline You see, I'd spotted a speck of blood on Nurse Banks' pillow and so I had her head shaved The same with Sir Derek There they were, tiny marks So simple, should have been obvious But his not wanting to do injections? Oh, a perfect alibi.
Well, nearly perfect Excuse me I shouldnt have tried to run away I'm not ashamed of what I did O'Callaghan was mad, like all his family But then, so are all politicians and scientists Mad with conceptions and power You see, one murder makes a villain and he is hanged, but connive at the making of an atomic bomb to kill millions, allow as many again to suffer torture and starvation for political ends, and then what do you get? A knighthood Society rewards its potential destroyers I killed them to try and save it Was Nurse Banks a destroyer? You know, sir, I'd say he's gone in the head himself I daresay that'll be a matter for expert opinion Do you know, Brer, I sometimes think madness is an extreme kind of sanity