The Persuaders (1971) s01e03 Episode Script
Take Seven
Here, let me help you.
Let's see.
Isn't that nice? It looks like somebody.
- You're an artist.
- No! Am l Now, let me help.
I'll take this, you take that.
OK? No, I'll take this and you No, in fact No, let me have the easel back.
Here, take this back and I'll take the, er You're wanted on the phone.
Your wife's in the maternity hospital Congratulations! 'We regret to announce a two-hour delay to flight 951 ' - What can I do for two hours? - I'm going back to the bar.
- You should charter a flight.
- If I could find one, I would.
Pas encore, s'il vous plaît.
What did he say? That even if you chartered one, you couldn't leave on it.
Why? What are you talking about? Why would someone shoot a young girl like that? How would I know? That's for the police to figure out.
- It's not my problem.
- Oh, indeed it is.
I think that bullet was meant for you.
I'm telling ya, I'm straight.
All I'm after is a holiday.
Maybe somebody wanted to make it permanent.
- Who? - Whom.
Right, whom? Any of four outraged fathers, three disappointed dollies, two Consul-Generals or a partridge in a pear tree.
The French knew how to handle you aristocrats! Some of us survived.
Nobody's got a right holding me, including these police.
They're merely requesting you not to leave the country.
I've got a right to leave any time I want, right? Legally, right.
However, I have given my assurance that you won't.
What? Only until they complete the investigation.
Shouldn't take more than six months.
Very, very funny You can't always come up with gems, Daniel.
There must have been 30 other passengers on that Tarmac.
Why didn't they hold them? Apparently, they were at a good distance from you and the girl.
Naturally.
So that makes me the target, I suppose? You're more likely than a 22-year-old art student.
She could have had a jealous lover.
With a telescopic sight and flippers? He's right - it was planned too professionally.
Do you think it was for me? I don't know.
You've both been active along this coast from time to time.
Excuse me, Judge, but whose fault is that? Uh, something may interest you.
If you'll forgive the translation.
"People are wondering whether the shot that hit Mademoiselle Devigne "was intended for the 'playboy du jet set' Danny Wilde, "pictured above in Monte Carlo.
" Nice picture.
Michelle Devigne is attractive.
Why do you always look so furtive? Does it say where she went or anything? Marvellous! Say "attractive" and he wants to storm the operating theatre.
I just want to know - Hôpital de Madelaine.
- That's Hospital de Madelaine.
Aren't you being a trifle impetuous? Look, they're asking me questions, I want to ask her a question.
See you later.
Hi.
Oh, nurse, I've been looking for you.
Le docteur parler avec vous in the hallway.
I think a patient - le patient - is croaking in the next room.
I thought she'd never leave.
- How are you? - I'm OK.
- I got you some flowers.
- Thank you.
- I've been reading about you.
- How's your shoulder? - A bit sore.
- It could have been worse.
It could have been more serious.
Danny Wilde.
I find that hard to believe.
Why? I've heard about your exploits.
I don't know if they're "exploits".
- Was someone trying to kill you? - Everybody seems to think so.
And you, what do you think? I'll tell ya, kiddo It's either me or you.
Me?! You must be joking! I'm nobody.
Who'd want to shoot me? So, for his own safety, we must send him away.
My great uncle Charles runs a safari club in the wilds of Tanzania.
It's really quite comfortable.
You believe that bullet was meant for him.
Well, he was 18 feet clear of anyone else.
No professional makes a six-yard mistake.
- If you discount the girl? - You don't? "Mlle Devigne, who lives with her uncle, "one of Monte Carlo's more exclusive jewellers, "had been voted the most talented student at the Valeuris Art Centre "before her sudden decision to study in London.
" M'lud, pray, what is the implication? "Sudden.
" "Before her sudden" - Why sudden? - Why not? People leave suddenly.
Daniel, for instance.
Hmm.
Danny doesn't deal in gold.
Are you suggesting that girl is involved in gold trafficking? I have no evidence, but her uncle is Maurice Devigne, the jeweller who specialises in plaques, medals and gold coins.
He was involved in a clever twisting of the law Ah! You're tall.
A-G, please.
I suppose you're going to tell me what you're talking about.
Devigne sold a gold Napoleon 100-franc piece which turned out to be counterfeit.
These are your "decalred innocent but guilty and got away with it" files.
Exactly.
In Devigne's case, he testified Let's see Yes, here we are.
He testified that as he wasn't sure about the coin, he charged only the market value of the gold.
That's not illegal.
No.
But selling unauthorised gold is.
But not in the form of coins.
- Counterfeit or otherwise? - That's the twist.
What's in the file about the girl? The girl? I know nothing about the girl.
There really isn't much to know.
I sketch, do clay modelling, a little engraving Jill of all trades, mistress of none.
I lead an uneventful life, Mr Wilde.
I don't know.
I think being an artist would be exciting.
All the beautiful things in the world.
And you're very good.
And you're putting me on.
No, I'm not.
It was a very good ink portrait.
What ink portrait? The one I saw at the airport.
Water? Thank you.
I'd rather talk about you.
You're more interesting.
Are the things I hear true? Don't believe everything you hear or read.
Now who was the guy? Who was who? Look, the guy.
The one in the sketchbook, the one with the goatee beard.
Ever seen a gold Napoleon? No, but I knew someday you'd show me one.
Beautiful, isn't it? It's counterfeit.
Really? Valueless to a collector, but literally worth its weight in gold.
Which is why hundreds of them turn up in Paris, Rome, Geneva and Beirut.
Yes, it sounds like a wonderful way of unloading stolen bullion.
Precisely.
Devigne lacks the courage and capacity to be involved in that.
- But he might be used - As a funnel.
A funnel for something so big, they'd even kill to keep it going.
It's worthwhile exploring.
In which case, the key would be Monsieur Devigne.
- Uncle! - Oh, Michelle.
I just heard.
I came Careful! What happened? Is it serious? No, nothing.
I'm all right.
Hi.
This is Mr Wilde.
My uncle, Mr Devigne.
Enchanté.
I was keeping her company until you arrived.
Goodbye.
Why did you run away? Why? I trusted in you.
I believed you.
- You went to the foundry? - Of course.
I would have explained Explained what? That those moulds I was making of the Napoleon coin weren't for bronze replicas? Michelle, look at my hands.
I can no longer do this work myself.
I had to ask you.
- You still have the shop.
- No.
It isn't mine any more.
Not even that.
Why not? What have you done with it? I had no choice.
A syndicate offered to take over Syndicate?! Uncle, what on earth are you involved in? I cannot tell you.
Please don't ask me any more questions, if you don't want me to rot in jail.
You lied to me! You said you'd learned your lesson the first time! I saw what you learned.
Gold! You were minting gold coins, not bronze! Don't lie, I saw it! And someone saw you.
Understand? They saw you run from the foundry.
- Saw you buy a ticket.
- Who? They panicked, thought you'd cause trouble.
They had to stop you.
So it was me.
The bullet was meant for me.
They tried to kill her, Pullicino.
- They tried to kill my niece.
- Terrible.
I was away.
They will be punished, believe me.
If anyone touches her again I know exactly how you feel.
l-I'm horrified.
Did you think she would talk? All she knows is that I am involved.
She does not know YOU even exist.
We'll keep it that way, eh, Devigne? You came to promise she'll make no more foolish moves, right? - Of course.
- Excellent.
You'll keep your side of the bargain, Pullicino keeps his.
The girl keeps her mouth shut and stays in one place.
Now, you go back to your shop in comfort, knowing all will be well.
Papa.
Papa, look at me.
So, you arranged to have the girl killed, eh? What kind of primitive animal are you? - Somebody had to make a decision.
- So you did? A panic decision that's made her the centre of interest for every policeman on the Riviera.
That's not true any more.
We're moving two and a half billion dollars of gold through that old man.
I warned you, Vernier, if what you did jeopardises our operation, your family can start lighting candles for you.
I just did a jump! Isn't that something, eh? How high did you jump? Oh, high.
And I'm going to do it again.
- Watch me.
- I'm watching, Cara.
The police don't think the shot was meant for the girl any more.
Danny Wilde? I also read the papers, Vernier.
They must do more than THINK, they have to be sure.
Give them more evidence, eh? What do you suggest? Remove any doubt.
So, suddenly, I ask myself, so what if she's acting strange? Am I Sherlock Holmes? I have my own problems.
So after lunch - which I'm gonna let you buy me - it's up and away, even if I have to charter a plane.
- Finished? - Yeah, completely.
If the judge is correct, the bullet could have been for the girl.
I don't care if that bullet was marked "his" or "hers".
I admire your gallantry Furthermore, Judge Fulton can take his assurances - Un Americano.
- Oui, monsieur? - Eh? - You want a drink? - A lemonade.
- Lemonade?! - That girl did something to you! - That girl did nothing.
Maybe you weren't her type.
How does a mind like yours get so decadent? It's hereditary.
If she lives with her uncle and he's part of this racket, then they're mixed up with some unlovable characters.
People with nasty habits, like shooting people at airports.
Bully for them.
- Merci.
- Cheers.
If you can say cheers with that.
Wanna test this for poison? So it's the girl they're after, huh? I promise you, you'll be happy in Tanzania, Daniel.
Oh, it's primitive, but my uncle, the Viscount Chesterfield may even help you catch a WILDEbeest.
Yeah, I get it.
Nobody aims his dirty car at me.
If you want me out of this country, deport me.
- My plane's leaving in half an hour.
- Have a nice trip.
I suggest you have something to eat Hey, you know what? I'm gonna trace that car.
Easy! There can't be more than This one's got a busted fender.
That limits it to a thousand.
- Tanzania.
- You keep saying "Tanzania".
I'm not going there.
I'm gonna find that car.
Make up your mind.
First you're going, then you want to stay and chase untraceable cars.
He was probably trying to ambush you.
What are you so worried about me for? Well, perhaps I'd rather hate you alive than dead? I wish you'd make up YOUR mind.
At the airport you tell me that it's me they're after.
At the café, you tell me it's the girl.
Now it's me again.
They're gunning for both of you.
Collect Mr Wilde's bag.
I just said hello to the girl.
We're not Bonnie and Clyde.
- I don't understand you.
- "The British and Americans, "two people separated by a common language.
" - See? - That's a quote from another Wilde.
Do me a favour, don't do me any more favours.
So who's paying for lunch? I didn't have any lunch, YOU had lunch.
But you ordered it.
We'll settle the argument.
- We'll toss for it.
- All right, toss.
- Heads.
- You win.
Wait! That's the guy! - That's the guy.
- That's Napoleon III.
Yeah, but that's the guy in Michelle's sketchbook.
You know, that's the guy she made the sketch of.
A most interesting speculation.
She's an aspiring artist working for her uncle sketching coins.
One casts coins, which are then reduced on an engraving machine and made into a steel die, which punches out the coins.
Did you just make that up? Pearls before swine.
- May I? - Of course.
Good luck.
- Tout a I'heure.
- Where are you going? Prospecting.
Bonjour, monsieur.
Guten Tag.
We are interested in your coins.
And what sort of coins have you in mind, monsieur? The best.
We are interested only in the best.
Mein late father, General von Graumann, would say, "Less than the best is not best enough.
" It does not translate vell.
The coins, bitte.
We have a varied selection.
From these superb gold ones, several in almost mint condition, to some extremely rare silver specimens.
And we ourselves mint a very fine bronze reproduction of the popular 100-franc gold Napoleon III.
Like this one, ja? Yes, a particularly fine specimen.
Ja, but we ask ourselves, it is genuine or is it counterfeit? Pardon? We understand there are many good copies around.
There are indeed, monsieur.
We von Graumanns always try to be correct.
My father would say, "Any Dummkopf can be incorrect, "but not to be a Dummkopf is more correct.
" Is good, ja? It's even better in German.
Now, you will tell me the correctness of this coin? It will be a personal opinion only.
Exactly what we wish.
The work is good but it is a copy.
So, so But the value? It is a counterfeit piece.
Jawohl, but the metal is not counterfeit - it is genuine.
- In that case - Ja? Well, it weighs an ounce.
The market value of the gold is a little bit more than $35.
We prefer to speak in Deutschmarks.
I'll have to check the currency conversion table.
Or even better, in Reichmarks? Reichmarks? Or to be more precise, Reich gold.
I'm afraid I do not understand, monsieur.
Herr Devigne, I am in your trade.
Like you, I represent big interests.
- I see.
- Good.
We will continue this discussion in your office.
It will afford more privacy.
Please.
Wunderschern, wunderschern.
We do have some very beautiful pieces.
I, too, have something very beautiful, Herr Devigne.
A steel chest my father raised from the depths of the Walchensee.
It was part of the Reichbank gold convoy Adolf Hitler tried to move to Switzerland.
Yes, I suppose it has a certain curiosity value.
But what is the value of the gold that's inside that chest? Zweiundzwanzig solid gold ingots.
- Excuse me.
- Bitte.
Working on today's gold quotations, allowing 10% I am sorry, monsieur.
I cannot help you further.
I was instructed you were the person to contact.
I don't know who told you that.
In our trade, we do not disclose names.
But we do not buy gold in bulk, whatever its source, Herr Graumann.
Von Graumann.
I will contact you again in, say, 24 hours.
It will just be a waste of time.
Mein father said, "It's never a waste of time, "if some of the time has not been wasted.
" Witty man, my father, huh? Auf Wiedersehen.
All right, you're this girl.
You see something you shouldn't, so you want out.
A warehouse, a factory Some place that's been out of business.
Yes, of course I'll wait.
But somebody doesn't want you out, so they try to stop you.
- A near miss! - Yes? Splendid! Who is the actual owner of the company? Now, you're lying in hospital, afraid for your life, and you clam up.
Why? Oh, he does, does he? Tell me, where is this place? Could you let me have the address? Why doesn't she go to the police and spill everything she knows? - I don't know.
- I'll tell you why.
Her uncle's in it up to his gold Napoleons, that's why! - Yes, I'm ready.
- Here's the switch.
Suddenly she gets too hot to handle, so they gotta take the heat off.
I'm most grateful.
So they put the heat on me.
While the fuzz is busy with me, they're up in the mountains making these gold Nappies, huh? It's probably in a stone quarry, or a warehouse.
How about an abandoned foundry that's suddenly sprung to life? - Yeah, not bad.
- It's in the Haute Province.
All right.
Finish for the night.
Yes? D'accord.
That was the main gate.
Devigne just drove through.
What are you doing here? Something came up.
It could be something big.
There was a man.
Herr von Graumann.
He says he has the Walchensee gold - all the ingots the Nazis hid.
- What? - It's a fortune, Pullicino.
He just came to me with a proposition.
If it is true What were you doing with him? - Who? - Sinclair! I don't know any Sinclair! Don't lie! I saw him leave your shop.
The only one who came in was von Graumann.
I can imagine.
He's Danny Wilde's friend.
I followed him.
I know! Let him go.
What's on your mind, old man? Nothing.
A man with a German accent offers this deal You have betrayed us.
No No! Devigne! He's dead.
So is our control over that girl.
We must silence her for good.
Hey! Run him down.
No more time.
We'll get the girl.
Wait here and watch his car.
- Visiting hours are over! - This is very urgent.
No one has been through here.
Visiting hours - May I see Michelle? - Certainly.
- Don't tell her I'm coming.
- No.
Danny! What are you doing here? - Ssh! Come on.
- No, tell me.
I'll explain everything later.
Vernier! The fire escape! Put your hands up.
Just put your hands up.
Bertrand! Wait a minute.
Are you sure, Commandant? I see.
Yes, very well, I'll tell him immediately.
I apologise for the trouble.
May I ask you something? What are you apologising about? Oh, wine! Where's Michelle? She'll be down in a minute.
Any luck? All bad.
Oh wish I hadn't asked.
The police went to the foundry, but the birds had flown.
No body, no truck, no packing cases, no coins.
The Commandant is sending an escort to make sure the American troublemaker is on the next plane.
- Bon voyage.
- I told you what I saw.
Pullicino's been implicated in every major theft in Europe.
I've wanted to see him behind bars for years, but he cannot be convicted without positive proof.
What about the shipping manifesto you lifted from the foundry? Six crates of bronze coins, destination Genoa.
It's perfectly legitimate.
Oh, come in, my dear.
Go and sit down.
Have a cup of coffee.
Wasn't there anything else? Some tangible evidence? Hey, what about this coin? I clipped it from one of the packs.
It's exactly what their manifests states - a replica of the Napoleon in bronze.
There were others in gold.
I was there.
I saw them minting gold coins.
From the moulds you made for your uncle.
I didn't know.
I didn't know about Pullicino.
I only wanted to get away.
- So it was you they tried to kill? - Yes.
It was my uncle they destroyed.
Without them Yes, but there's no proof they were doing anything illegal.
Daniel, when you got there, were the crates already packed? Almost, yes.
Perhaps they sandwiched the gold between layers of bronze.
Perhaps?! If you stop them and find nothing wrong, you're in trouble.
We're always in trouble.
Let's check that out.
Before you go off half-cocked, they've got a head start.
Tey can either take the lower coast road or the new autostrade.
- You take the lower I take the auto.
- There's a song there! - I'm going, too.
- You're not The gendarmerie! Go out the back.
Wait.
I'm not taking a wounded girl in my Ferrari.
If you don't, I'll scream.
Good idea.
If you are stopped, she can corroborate your story.
I'm coming.
Hello? Mayfair? Come in, please.
- 'Hello? ' - Yes, Bronx, I read you.
It's not Daniel, it's Michelle.
Have you seen any trucks? Not yet.
Where are you? - Outside of Eze.
- We're just outside Eze.
Eze? You're three miles behind me.
Remember that white number that spilt your lemonade? - Sure, what about it? - He says what about it? It's been tailing me for three miles.
That's Sinclair's car up ahead.
We can be sure Mr Wilde is covering the other route.
Don't lose him.
Hello, Bronx, are you reading me? - We're reading.
- I'm here.
'I'm between the border gendarmerie and the lemonade spillers.
- 'How about you? ' - We're in sunny Italy.
The van passed through customs ahead of me.
Cover my road and keep tabs.
Get in his car.
Keep his mouth shut! Vous devez utiliser I'autre voie.
I don't suppose you'll believe that van was carrying $2,000,000 worth of gold? - You must use the other lane.
- All right.
My grandmother's 100 today.
Ma grand-mère a cent ans aujourd'hui.
She's flying to Rome to have a final little dolce vita.
If I'm not there, she may fall and miss everything.
Ah, je comprends.
One hundred.
Cent ans.
C'est magnifique! Fantastique.
A tout a I'heure.
There's the slip road.
Cute.
Look, I was telling this young lady Wait.
Put me down.
Thanks.
Oh.
Ow! Next! You big I've something to tell you.
Put me down! Here, put my friends down! That's better.
Just be reasonable, Daniel.
You should have asked me.
Peter Pan, come here.
I just thought of something.
You see, when I punch them, they stay down.
Yeah, come on.
Sunday driver! - I just had a horrible thought.
- What? We'd better be right about this smuggling or we're in trouble.
Look, I'm telling you.
I know those coins are gold.
Could I ask you, what do you know about Italian jails? Nothing, but I prefer French cooking.
After them.
- Is that them? - That's them.
His Lordship's gonna love this Hold on, now.
Get the driver.
- What's going on? - Daniel - Arrest them! - What are you talking about? Let go! Look, I've been shot at.
People have aimed cars at me.
They've been trying to hit me.
I wanna Arrest them! Arrest them! - They stole this camion! - Who owns it? - Who are you? - Chief of Police.
He does.
And those two guys behind him have been shooting at us.
Of course we did.
I've a right to protect my cargo.
He's a gold smuggler.
- Daniel.
- What? - Please take notice of me.
- How dare you! That is defamation of character.
- Go ahead.
- What about this smuggling? Bronze copies of the Napoleon coin! Gold?! - Gold.
- Bronze.
- I telling you they're gold.
- Bronze! They are thieves of the worst kind! - Put them under arrest! - Don't tell me what to do.
Look, feel the difference.
This is gold and this is bronze.
- They've been dipped.
- What did I tell you? Daniel, I apologise.
I'm not used to handling coins, they make holes in one's pockets.
It's a shipment of bronze coins.
Tell them, both of you.
Gold! Here you are, sir.
Examine that, please.
Arrest these men.
Oh, do you know my friend? This is Pullicino.
You'll forgive me if I don't shake hands.
You hit hard! Not really, just about ten Napoleons' worth.
Merci.
- Which one of you is Lord Sinclair? - I am.
If you believe that you'll believe anything! - There's a message from Judge Fulton.
- Tell him we don't need any.
Apparently, he needs you.
Au revoir.
What is it? - The Judge has been arrested.
- What for? For interfering with the police.
That'll teach him.
What should we do? I suppose we could bail him out.
Yeah.
You think about it.
We're going to have dinner.
Yes I have the money! - I'll tell you - Daniel! - The dinner money.
- Here's a car.
Smile.
Bonjour! Ah, you How about a ride, pal? What do you say? Not my fault!
Let's see.
Isn't that nice? It looks like somebody.
- You're an artist.
- No! Am l Now, let me help.
I'll take this, you take that.
OK? No, I'll take this and you No, in fact No, let me have the easel back.
Here, take this back and I'll take the, er You're wanted on the phone.
Your wife's in the maternity hospital Congratulations! 'We regret to announce a two-hour delay to flight 951 ' - What can I do for two hours? - I'm going back to the bar.
- You should charter a flight.
- If I could find one, I would.
Pas encore, s'il vous plaît.
What did he say? That even if you chartered one, you couldn't leave on it.
Why? What are you talking about? Why would someone shoot a young girl like that? How would I know? That's for the police to figure out.
- It's not my problem.
- Oh, indeed it is.
I think that bullet was meant for you.
I'm telling ya, I'm straight.
All I'm after is a holiday.
Maybe somebody wanted to make it permanent.
- Who? - Whom.
Right, whom? Any of four outraged fathers, three disappointed dollies, two Consul-Generals or a partridge in a pear tree.
The French knew how to handle you aristocrats! Some of us survived.
Nobody's got a right holding me, including these police.
They're merely requesting you not to leave the country.
I've got a right to leave any time I want, right? Legally, right.
However, I have given my assurance that you won't.
What? Only until they complete the investigation.
Shouldn't take more than six months.
Very, very funny You can't always come up with gems, Daniel.
There must have been 30 other passengers on that Tarmac.
Why didn't they hold them? Apparently, they were at a good distance from you and the girl.
Naturally.
So that makes me the target, I suppose? You're more likely than a 22-year-old art student.
She could have had a jealous lover.
With a telescopic sight and flippers? He's right - it was planned too professionally.
Do you think it was for me? I don't know.
You've both been active along this coast from time to time.
Excuse me, Judge, but whose fault is that? Uh, something may interest you.
If you'll forgive the translation.
"People are wondering whether the shot that hit Mademoiselle Devigne "was intended for the 'playboy du jet set' Danny Wilde, "pictured above in Monte Carlo.
" Nice picture.
Michelle Devigne is attractive.
Why do you always look so furtive? Does it say where she went or anything? Marvellous! Say "attractive" and he wants to storm the operating theatre.
I just want to know - Hôpital de Madelaine.
- That's Hospital de Madelaine.
Aren't you being a trifle impetuous? Look, they're asking me questions, I want to ask her a question.
See you later.
Hi.
Oh, nurse, I've been looking for you.
Le docteur parler avec vous in the hallway.
I think a patient - le patient - is croaking in the next room.
I thought she'd never leave.
- How are you? - I'm OK.
- I got you some flowers.
- Thank you.
- I've been reading about you.
- How's your shoulder? - A bit sore.
- It could have been worse.
It could have been more serious.
Danny Wilde.
I find that hard to believe.
Why? I've heard about your exploits.
I don't know if they're "exploits".
- Was someone trying to kill you? - Everybody seems to think so.
And you, what do you think? I'll tell ya, kiddo It's either me or you.
Me?! You must be joking! I'm nobody.
Who'd want to shoot me? So, for his own safety, we must send him away.
My great uncle Charles runs a safari club in the wilds of Tanzania.
It's really quite comfortable.
You believe that bullet was meant for him.
Well, he was 18 feet clear of anyone else.
No professional makes a six-yard mistake.
- If you discount the girl? - You don't? "Mlle Devigne, who lives with her uncle, "one of Monte Carlo's more exclusive jewellers, "had been voted the most talented student at the Valeuris Art Centre "before her sudden decision to study in London.
" M'lud, pray, what is the implication? "Sudden.
" "Before her sudden" - Why sudden? - Why not? People leave suddenly.
Daniel, for instance.
Hmm.
Danny doesn't deal in gold.
Are you suggesting that girl is involved in gold trafficking? I have no evidence, but her uncle is Maurice Devigne, the jeweller who specialises in plaques, medals and gold coins.
He was involved in a clever twisting of the law Ah! You're tall.
A-G, please.
I suppose you're going to tell me what you're talking about.
Devigne sold a gold Napoleon 100-franc piece which turned out to be counterfeit.
These are your "decalred innocent but guilty and got away with it" files.
Exactly.
In Devigne's case, he testified Let's see Yes, here we are.
He testified that as he wasn't sure about the coin, he charged only the market value of the gold.
That's not illegal.
No.
But selling unauthorised gold is.
But not in the form of coins.
- Counterfeit or otherwise? - That's the twist.
What's in the file about the girl? The girl? I know nothing about the girl.
There really isn't much to know.
I sketch, do clay modelling, a little engraving Jill of all trades, mistress of none.
I lead an uneventful life, Mr Wilde.
I don't know.
I think being an artist would be exciting.
All the beautiful things in the world.
And you're very good.
And you're putting me on.
No, I'm not.
It was a very good ink portrait.
What ink portrait? The one I saw at the airport.
Water? Thank you.
I'd rather talk about you.
You're more interesting.
Are the things I hear true? Don't believe everything you hear or read.
Now who was the guy? Who was who? Look, the guy.
The one in the sketchbook, the one with the goatee beard.
Ever seen a gold Napoleon? No, but I knew someday you'd show me one.
Beautiful, isn't it? It's counterfeit.
Really? Valueless to a collector, but literally worth its weight in gold.
Which is why hundreds of them turn up in Paris, Rome, Geneva and Beirut.
Yes, it sounds like a wonderful way of unloading stolen bullion.
Precisely.
Devigne lacks the courage and capacity to be involved in that.
- But he might be used - As a funnel.
A funnel for something so big, they'd even kill to keep it going.
It's worthwhile exploring.
In which case, the key would be Monsieur Devigne.
- Uncle! - Oh, Michelle.
I just heard.
I came Careful! What happened? Is it serious? No, nothing.
I'm all right.
Hi.
This is Mr Wilde.
My uncle, Mr Devigne.
Enchanté.
I was keeping her company until you arrived.
Goodbye.
Why did you run away? Why? I trusted in you.
I believed you.
- You went to the foundry? - Of course.
I would have explained Explained what? That those moulds I was making of the Napoleon coin weren't for bronze replicas? Michelle, look at my hands.
I can no longer do this work myself.
I had to ask you.
- You still have the shop.
- No.
It isn't mine any more.
Not even that.
Why not? What have you done with it? I had no choice.
A syndicate offered to take over Syndicate?! Uncle, what on earth are you involved in? I cannot tell you.
Please don't ask me any more questions, if you don't want me to rot in jail.
You lied to me! You said you'd learned your lesson the first time! I saw what you learned.
Gold! You were minting gold coins, not bronze! Don't lie, I saw it! And someone saw you.
Understand? They saw you run from the foundry.
- Saw you buy a ticket.
- Who? They panicked, thought you'd cause trouble.
They had to stop you.
So it was me.
The bullet was meant for me.
They tried to kill her, Pullicino.
- They tried to kill my niece.
- Terrible.
I was away.
They will be punished, believe me.
If anyone touches her again I know exactly how you feel.
l-I'm horrified.
Did you think she would talk? All she knows is that I am involved.
She does not know YOU even exist.
We'll keep it that way, eh, Devigne? You came to promise she'll make no more foolish moves, right? - Of course.
- Excellent.
You'll keep your side of the bargain, Pullicino keeps his.
The girl keeps her mouth shut and stays in one place.
Now, you go back to your shop in comfort, knowing all will be well.
Papa.
Papa, look at me.
So, you arranged to have the girl killed, eh? What kind of primitive animal are you? - Somebody had to make a decision.
- So you did? A panic decision that's made her the centre of interest for every policeman on the Riviera.
That's not true any more.
We're moving two and a half billion dollars of gold through that old man.
I warned you, Vernier, if what you did jeopardises our operation, your family can start lighting candles for you.
I just did a jump! Isn't that something, eh? How high did you jump? Oh, high.
And I'm going to do it again.
- Watch me.
- I'm watching, Cara.
The police don't think the shot was meant for the girl any more.
Danny Wilde? I also read the papers, Vernier.
They must do more than THINK, they have to be sure.
Give them more evidence, eh? What do you suggest? Remove any doubt.
So, suddenly, I ask myself, so what if she's acting strange? Am I Sherlock Holmes? I have my own problems.
So after lunch - which I'm gonna let you buy me - it's up and away, even if I have to charter a plane.
- Finished? - Yeah, completely.
If the judge is correct, the bullet could have been for the girl.
I don't care if that bullet was marked "his" or "hers".
I admire your gallantry Furthermore, Judge Fulton can take his assurances - Un Americano.
- Oui, monsieur? - Eh? - You want a drink? - A lemonade.
- Lemonade?! - That girl did something to you! - That girl did nothing.
Maybe you weren't her type.
How does a mind like yours get so decadent? It's hereditary.
If she lives with her uncle and he's part of this racket, then they're mixed up with some unlovable characters.
People with nasty habits, like shooting people at airports.
Bully for them.
- Merci.
- Cheers.
If you can say cheers with that.
Wanna test this for poison? So it's the girl they're after, huh? I promise you, you'll be happy in Tanzania, Daniel.
Oh, it's primitive, but my uncle, the Viscount Chesterfield may even help you catch a WILDEbeest.
Yeah, I get it.
Nobody aims his dirty car at me.
If you want me out of this country, deport me.
- My plane's leaving in half an hour.
- Have a nice trip.
I suggest you have something to eat Hey, you know what? I'm gonna trace that car.
Easy! There can't be more than This one's got a busted fender.
That limits it to a thousand.
- Tanzania.
- You keep saying "Tanzania".
I'm not going there.
I'm gonna find that car.
Make up your mind.
First you're going, then you want to stay and chase untraceable cars.
He was probably trying to ambush you.
What are you so worried about me for? Well, perhaps I'd rather hate you alive than dead? I wish you'd make up YOUR mind.
At the airport you tell me that it's me they're after.
At the café, you tell me it's the girl.
Now it's me again.
They're gunning for both of you.
Collect Mr Wilde's bag.
I just said hello to the girl.
We're not Bonnie and Clyde.
- I don't understand you.
- "The British and Americans, "two people separated by a common language.
" - See? - That's a quote from another Wilde.
Do me a favour, don't do me any more favours.
So who's paying for lunch? I didn't have any lunch, YOU had lunch.
But you ordered it.
We'll settle the argument.
- We'll toss for it.
- All right, toss.
- Heads.
- You win.
Wait! That's the guy! - That's the guy.
- That's Napoleon III.
Yeah, but that's the guy in Michelle's sketchbook.
You know, that's the guy she made the sketch of.
A most interesting speculation.
She's an aspiring artist working for her uncle sketching coins.
One casts coins, which are then reduced on an engraving machine and made into a steel die, which punches out the coins.
Did you just make that up? Pearls before swine.
- May I? - Of course.
Good luck.
- Tout a I'heure.
- Where are you going? Prospecting.
Bonjour, monsieur.
Guten Tag.
We are interested in your coins.
And what sort of coins have you in mind, monsieur? The best.
We are interested only in the best.
Mein late father, General von Graumann, would say, "Less than the best is not best enough.
" It does not translate vell.
The coins, bitte.
We have a varied selection.
From these superb gold ones, several in almost mint condition, to some extremely rare silver specimens.
And we ourselves mint a very fine bronze reproduction of the popular 100-franc gold Napoleon III.
Like this one, ja? Yes, a particularly fine specimen.
Ja, but we ask ourselves, it is genuine or is it counterfeit? Pardon? We understand there are many good copies around.
There are indeed, monsieur.
We von Graumanns always try to be correct.
My father would say, "Any Dummkopf can be incorrect, "but not to be a Dummkopf is more correct.
" Is good, ja? It's even better in German.
Now, you will tell me the correctness of this coin? It will be a personal opinion only.
Exactly what we wish.
The work is good but it is a copy.
So, so But the value? It is a counterfeit piece.
Jawohl, but the metal is not counterfeit - it is genuine.
- In that case - Ja? Well, it weighs an ounce.
The market value of the gold is a little bit more than $35.
We prefer to speak in Deutschmarks.
I'll have to check the currency conversion table.
Or even better, in Reichmarks? Reichmarks? Or to be more precise, Reich gold.
I'm afraid I do not understand, monsieur.
Herr Devigne, I am in your trade.
Like you, I represent big interests.
- I see.
- Good.
We will continue this discussion in your office.
It will afford more privacy.
Please.
Wunderschern, wunderschern.
We do have some very beautiful pieces.
I, too, have something very beautiful, Herr Devigne.
A steel chest my father raised from the depths of the Walchensee.
It was part of the Reichbank gold convoy Adolf Hitler tried to move to Switzerland.
Yes, I suppose it has a certain curiosity value.
But what is the value of the gold that's inside that chest? Zweiundzwanzig solid gold ingots.
- Excuse me.
- Bitte.
Working on today's gold quotations, allowing 10% I am sorry, monsieur.
I cannot help you further.
I was instructed you were the person to contact.
I don't know who told you that.
In our trade, we do not disclose names.
But we do not buy gold in bulk, whatever its source, Herr Graumann.
Von Graumann.
I will contact you again in, say, 24 hours.
It will just be a waste of time.
Mein father said, "It's never a waste of time, "if some of the time has not been wasted.
" Witty man, my father, huh? Auf Wiedersehen.
All right, you're this girl.
You see something you shouldn't, so you want out.
A warehouse, a factory Some place that's been out of business.
Yes, of course I'll wait.
But somebody doesn't want you out, so they try to stop you.
- A near miss! - Yes? Splendid! Who is the actual owner of the company? Now, you're lying in hospital, afraid for your life, and you clam up.
Why? Oh, he does, does he? Tell me, where is this place? Could you let me have the address? Why doesn't she go to the police and spill everything she knows? - I don't know.
- I'll tell you why.
Her uncle's in it up to his gold Napoleons, that's why! - Yes, I'm ready.
- Here's the switch.
Suddenly she gets too hot to handle, so they gotta take the heat off.
I'm most grateful.
So they put the heat on me.
While the fuzz is busy with me, they're up in the mountains making these gold Nappies, huh? It's probably in a stone quarry, or a warehouse.
How about an abandoned foundry that's suddenly sprung to life? - Yeah, not bad.
- It's in the Haute Province.
All right.
Finish for the night.
Yes? D'accord.
That was the main gate.
Devigne just drove through.
What are you doing here? Something came up.
It could be something big.
There was a man.
Herr von Graumann.
He says he has the Walchensee gold - all the ingots the Nazis hid.
- What? - It's a fortune, Pullicino.
He just came to me with a proposition.
If it is true What were you doing with him? - Who? - Sinclair! I don't know any Sinclair! Don't lie! I saw him leave your shop.
The only one who came in was von Graumann.
I can imagine.
He's Danny Wilde's friend.
I followed him.
I know! Let him go.
What's on your mind, old man? Nothing.
A man with a German accent offers this deal You have betrayed us.
No No! Devigne! He's dead.
So is our control over that girl.
We must silence her for good.
Hey! Run him down.
No more time.
We'll get the girl.
Wait here and watch his car.
- Visiting hours are over! - This is very urgent.
No one has been through here.
Visiting hours - May I see Michelle? - Certainly.
- Don't tell her I'm coming.
- No.
Danny! What are you doing here? - Ssh! Come on.
- No, tell me.
I'll explain everything later.
Vernier! The fire escape! Put your hands up.
Just put your hands up.
Bertrand! Wait a minute.
Are you sure, Commandant? I see.
Yes, very well, I'll tell him immediately.
I apologise for the trouble.
May I ask you something? What are you apologising about? Oh, wine! Where's Michelle? She'll be down in a minute.
Any luck? All bad.
Oh wish I hadn't asked.
The police went to the foundry, but the birds had flown.
No body, no truck, no packing cases, no coins.
The Commandant is sending an escort to make sure the American troublemaker is on the next plane.
- Bon voyage.
- I told you what I saw.
Pullicino's been implicated in every major theft in Europe.
I've wanted to see him behind bars for years, but he cannot be convicted without positive proof.
What about the shipping manifesto you lifted from the foundry? Six crates of bronze coins, destination Genoa.
It's perfectly legitimate.
Oh, come in, my dear.
Go and sit down.
Have a cup of coffee.
Wasn't there anything else? Some tangible evidence? Hey, what about this coin? I clipped it from one of the packs.
It's exactly what their manifests states - a replica of the Napoleon in bronze.
There were others in gold.
I was there.
I saw them minting gold coins.
From the moulds you made for your uncle.
I didn't know.
I didn't know about Pullicino.
I only wanted to get away.
- So it was you they tried to kill? - Yes.
It was my uncle they destroyed.
Without them Yes, but there's no proof they were doing anything illegal.
Daniel, when you got there, were the crates already packed? Almost, yes.
Perhaps they sandwiched the gold between layers of bronze.
Perhaps?! If you stop them and find nothing wrong, you're in trouble.
We're always in trouble.
Let's check that out.
Before you go off half-cocked, they've got a head start.
Tey can either take the lower coast road or the new autostrade.
- You take the lower I take the auto.
- There's a song there! - I'm going, too.
- You're not The gendarmerie! Go out the back.
Wait.
I'm not taking a wounded girl in my Ferrari.
If you don't, I'll scream.
Good idea.
If you are stopped, she can corroborate your story.
I'm coming.
Hello? Mayfair? Come in, please.
- 'Hello? ' - Yes, Bronx, I read you.
It's not Daniel, it's Michelle.
Have you seen any trucks? Not yet.
Where are you? - Outside of Eze.
- We're just outside Eze.
Eze? You're three miles behind me.
Remember that white number that spilt your lemonade? - Sure, what about it? - He says what about it? It's been tailing me for three miles.
That's Sinclair's car up ahead.
We can be sure Mr Wilde is covering the other route.
Don't lose him.
Hello, Bronx, are you reading me? - We're reading.
- I'm here.
'I'm between the border gendarmerie and the lemonade spillers.
- 'How about you? ' - We're in sunny Italy.
The van passed through customs ahead of me.
Cover my road and keep tabs.
Get in his car.
Keep his mouth shut! Vous devez utiliser I'autre voie.
I don't suppose you'll believe that van was carrying $2,000,000 worth of gold? - You must use the other lane.
- All right.
My grandmother's 100 today.
Ma grand-mère a cent ans aujourd'hui.
She's flying to Rome to have a final little dolce vita.
If I'm not there, she may fall and miss everything.
Ah, je comprends.
One hundred.
Cent ans.
C'est magnifique! Fantastique.
A tout a I'heure.
There's the slip road.
Cute.
Look, I was telling this young lady Wait.
Put me down.
Thanks.
Oh.
Ow! Next! You big I've something to tell you.
Put me down! Here, put my friends down! That's better.
Just be reasonable, Daniel.
You should have asked me.
Peter Pan, come here.
I just thought of something.
You see, when I punch them, they stay down.
Yeah, come on.
Sunday driver! - I just had a horrible thought.
- What? We'd better be right about this smuggling or we're in trouble.
Look, I'm telling you.
I know those coins are gold.
Could I ask you, what do you know about Italian jails? Nothing, but I prefer French cooking.
After them.
- Is that them? - That's them.
His Lordship's gonna love this Hold on, now.
Get the driver.
- What's going on? - Daniel - Arrest them! - What are you talking about? Let go! Look, I've been shot at.
People have aimed cars at me.
They've been trying to hit me.
I wanna Arrest them! Arrest them! - They stole this camion! - Who owns it? - Who are you? - Chief of Police.
He does.
And those two guys behind him have been shooting at us.
Of course we did.
I've a right to protect my cargo.
He's a gold smuggler.
- Daniel.
- What? - Please take notice of me.
- How dare you! That is defamation of character.
- Go ahead.
- What about this smuggling? Bronze copies of the Napoleon coin! Gold?! - Gold.
- Bronze.
- I telling you they're gold.
- Bronze! They are thieves of the worst kind! - Put them under arrest! - Don't tell me what to do.
Look, feel the difference.
This is gold and this is bronze.
- They've been dipped.
- What did I tell you? Daniel, I apologise.
I'm not used to handling coins, they make holes in one's pockets.
It's a shipment of bronze coins.
Tell them, both of you.
Gold! Here you are, sir.
Examine that, please.
Arrest these men.
Oh, do you know my friend? This is Pullicino.
You'll forgive me if I don't shake hands.
You hit hard! Not really, just about ten Napoleons' worth.
Merci.
- Which one of you is Lord Sinclair? - I am.
If you believe that you'll believe anything! - There's a message from Judge Fulton.
- Tell him we don't need any.
Apparently, he needs you.
Au revoir.
What is it? - The Judge has been arrested.
- What for? For interfering with the police.
That'll teach him.
What should we do? I suppose we could bail him out.
Yeah.
You think about it.
We're going to have dinner.
Yes I have the money! - I'll tell you - Daniel! - The dinner money.
- Here's a car.
Smile.
Bonjour! Ah, you How about a ride, pal? What do you say? Not my fault!