Alleyn Mysteries (1990) s01e04 Episode Script
Death at a Bar
You all right there?! Yeah, all right! - Constable Oates? Thank God! - What's up, Mr Pomeroy? There's been a bad accident, in the bar.
Someone's been killed Look at me, please, Mr Kirby On the night of the 15th there was a programme of dance music by Mr Henry Hall On the third programme there was a talk on Egyptology Do I take it, Mr Kirby, you are an Egyptologist? Henry Hall.
Yeah, that's right We had a bottle of stout, Beryl and me, and some sandwiches and that and then we listened to Henry Hall Mr Kirby, you amaze me For the first time in my life, I find myself addressing a man who, despite all the rules of logic and natural law, experiences no difficulty at all in placing himself in three different locations at the same time While you were at home with Miss Hoskins listening to Mr Hall, you were also, as Miss Hoskins has already testified, at the pictures with her watching Oliver Twist, the young man who asked for more You were also, as the court has already heard from three other independent witnesses, deep in conversation with Mr Slater at the Ajax Cafe A remarkable achievement on your part, for which you must take full credit Do you want any more, Mr Kirby? Oh, well done, you Mr Watchman Thank you As I see it, you are asking me once again to subsidies your inordinate vanity Rory! I was just talking about our victory - Well done - Thank you This is my cousin Sebastian Parish whom you may have seen on the stage - How do you do? - Hello.
Are you going to risk it? I think I might Thank you Can I persuade you to change your mind? - No, you can't - Oh, but, Luke What I suggest to you is that you take Mr Micawber's advice Oh.
Splendid, thank you You have to give in to the pain.
Enjoy it - Crack of dawn we are off to Penota - Cornwall, near Tintagel? Yes I can't get away till Thursday Discovered it in our Oxford days.
We've been returning ever since Seb here, Seb's friend Norman, who paints pretty pictures, and myself Mr Cubitt is a talented professional artist Yes, yes, of course I trust you'll all have a wonderful time What the hell do you think you're playing at? - It was my right of way! - I didnt hear you - What? - I didnt hear you coming You should have sounded your horn Im sorry, but I dont think there's any harm done No, I suppose not If you wouldnt mind backing up, see if we can free them? And for Gods sake, drive properly! You watch out for young Will there.
He's been at sea all night See you, John.
Bye Don't take any notice of him.
You know what he's like - Mr Watchman - Hello, Abel.
Bit late, Im afraid Missed dinner, have I? No, sir.
I told Mrs Ives to keep back a lobster for you Oh, good man - Come on, Will - Can't.
Not with you on his mind, Decie Take no heed, Will There.
See? Perfect That's our game, I think.
George, your round Best of three, Alec, remember? Ey, after what you've been downing, I doubt if you'll hit the board Well done, Will Evening, Mr Watchman Welcome back What's all this, then? Mothers' meeting? See that? I can see an old boot needs mending That's another of your pesky rats, that is Keep your voice down, George.
Don't need the whole world to hear One of them as near damn it got my ankle What are you going to do about it, eh? - Its all in hand - In hand! In hand, I said, George As you will find out if you will just mind your own interference What's he on about, George? This was worth motoring 200 miles for - Good evening, Decima - Evening, Mr Watchman - Is that all you have to say to me? - Yes That's all - Pretty, isn't she? - Very What, even prettier than last summer? I do hope you're not going to be a bore, Sebastian If the girl could do it, shed make a presentable Juliet Oh, would she? To your Romeo? Well, I dont see you playing opposite her Mercutio, maybe Anyway, Luke, this summer she only has eyes for her very handsome young fisherman, which is all that her father wants So everybodys happy, eh? I think Decima is old enough to decide for herself You be careful.
That's poison you've got there There, that should do for the little beggars Not before time No, no Some utter halfwit driving too fast did his best to kill me What are they doing out there? A chap could die of thirst Next thing I see, his confounded car here in the garage Strange thing is, Im sure Ive seen his face before - Somewhere - No shortage of lunatics in cars Put it under lock and key, out of harm's way Fair enough Sorry, Bob.
Pint, is it? When you've got a moment, Decie Oh, my God! Its the chap I ran into.
He must have heard every word I think we met on the way down Unfortunate circumstances Ive forgotten all about it.
Cigarette? Thanks Allow me to introduce myself.
Robert Legge Luke Watchman Luke, how are you? - Good run down? - Yes, interesting You're looking well, Norman.
How's the portrait coming? Oh, interesting Come on, Norman.
Double or quits All right.
As long as you promise to pay Do you play? Once a year when we come down.
You? - His aim's deadly - Really? - How deadly? - I never miss Well, now, is everybody having a good time? Hello, Mr Watchman.
Gin and lime, please - When did you get here? - Just over two hours ago, Miss Duffy - Ah, good - What have you been up to? - Well, Ive taken up watercolors - Really? Yes, Im making fair progress, wouldnt you say, Norman? Yes, Miss Duffy, very fair progress - Two and six - Oh, thank you Here's good health to you all and let's pray for good painting weather Do you mind coppers? Let Jock have them - He hasn't missed yet - There's always a first time He wouldnt do it There you are, you see.
Told you, didnt I? The man's deadly Well done, Patrick You survived Tickets, please Tickets, please I will now hear the first witness, Dr Shaw An autopsy on the deceased, Mr Luke Watchman KC, was carried out by you, Dr Shaw, at the weekend at the request of the Illington Constabulary With what result? The main finding was a grain and a half of cyanide in the blood Enough to cause death? Half a grain would have been sufficient The index finger of the right hand had been penetrated to the bone by the dart, virtually pinned to the dartboard But there can be no doubt death was caused by poisoning Visitors to St Nicholas' church at Looe will find in its tower a 'scolds cage' for the incarceration of nagging wives - Bet that's worth looking at - But you're not married Anyway, it's 30 miles from Penota Sorry Scheele's acid mixed with prussic acid? For the extermination of rats on Mr Pomeroy's premises Mr Bartram, did you hand over the substance direct to the purchaser? No, sir, a Mr Parish came into the shop on Thursday afternoon, acting on behalf of Mr Pomeroy He said the rat bane I supplied previously was ineffective Would I please ginger it up a bit? From what Im putting together, our Mr Watchman seems to be a bit of a handful Bit of a reputation, Im afraid First at Oxford Very young KC Very effective in court He was lethal in the Slater case The only time I saw him in action Sounds like a gentleman who should have gone all the way to the top Did you um Did you like him? I admired him Superintendent Harper, would you tell the court the results of certain forensic tests, namely to the pieces of a broken glass from which the deceased drank brandy and to a bottle of iodine which was applied to his pierced finger? Neither the broken brandy glass nor the bottle of iodine contained any traces of cyanide nor any other poisonous substance, sir The train on Platform 1 is the 4.
15 from Paddington All change here, please I believe you knew him professionally Yes, sir.
Perhaps the best advocate of his generation Fat lot of good it's done him Here we are I suppose the coroner brought in an open verdict? Death by misadventure, inspector.
What else could it be? Having to close my private bar is bad enough Its the height of the season Everything's topsy-turvy Glasses out of the bar, darts taken away by police Yes, well, you'll have to get used to it A man has died on these premises from rat poison, brought into this hotel at your instigation Well, is this our office? Its my parlour Mr Pomeroy Im so sorry we have to get under your feet I hope it won't be for too long Thank you Have you taken their cases up? Two and four.
Was that right? - That's what I said - All right, no need to snap! Who's snapping? - Nice motor car - Belongs to the actor Parish - Watchman's cousin - Bet that cost him a bob or two If indeed it's paid for - Fingerprints on the jar? - Only Pomeroy's - How much of the poison was left? - It was full We've got the stuff in a bottle now, back at the station with the other things - You've had it analyzed? - Not yet, no I didnt think it was necessary.
We know what it was Do we? - Well - With respect, sir, I think your lab boys should look at it right away - Don't walk away from me! - No, I won't! Just sit down there, sir Now, I want you to take your time, Mr Pomeroy, and tell us what happened last Friday evening in the private bar Well, now, let me think There was a dickens of a storm The lights kept on flickering on and off They were playing Round The Clock Be with you in a minute Next thing they're all at it, drinking brandy If Id had any inkling of what was going to happen, Id have picked up that blessed bottle and hurled it into the sea But you didnt, did you, Mr Pomeroy? No.
I did not That calls for a drink on the winning team.
What will it be? Oh, well, I declare, the drinks are on me My bottle of Courvoisier, Decima, my dear Brandy all round? Time we had a new road in this place, if you ask me Bloomin' government talking about utopia for the masses, equality and all that malarkey You can't even get into the village on a wet day without driving through a flood Come on, George, things aren't that bad What were you saying, lad? Fetch some candles for the private, Decie - sharp Oh, that's better.
Now then Who hasn't had any? Will.
Here you are Thank you - How about the other half, Dick? - Ill be on my way Shan't stop out long, not in this Just down the bottom and back up this way Ill stop in again and have it then - Rather him than me - Just in case Good idea Now then, Luke, being on the losing side, are you prepared to risk your hand tonight? Course I am.
Im game But I insist on new darts Abel, break out some new arrows You take care of them Aim straight, for Gods sake Nobody's asking you, are they? I feel like William Tell's son without the apple Oh, do be careful Fire away Keep still, Luke Luke! - Im so sorry - You bloody f God, that looks nasty, Luke Light the candles - Decie, please - Hang on - Just get me something! - Here Always the same.
Lights go out, everybody panics Can't be that bad.
Its only his finger If you don't want to help How about some light in here for the proletariat? Just hang on, George, will you? We've had an accident Can I help? I used to do bandaging with the St John's Now, let's see.
Is there any iodine? Here we are - Is he OK? - Give it a good cleaning Will, brandy Please, drink some of this, make you feel better Get a grip of yourself Careful he bites his tongue.
Calm down.
Calm down.
So I told Decie to phone for a doctor And I went out to look for Dick Oates Thank you, Mr Pomeroy Sorry to have taken up so much of your time You're welcome Well, if there's nothing else Nothing else For the time being So time to look under a few stones See what's crawling underneath I thought it was time for lunch And there's a smugglers' tunnel all the way down to the beach I think we can safely leave smuggling to His Majesty's Customs and Excise, don't you? Yes Sorry, sir Our matinee idol Mr Parish Chief inspector I was very shocked by the death of your cousin We got to know each other, as colleagues I find it difficult to take it in I keep expecting to see him there at the bar Its like some nightmare I keep expecting to wake up, you know Im sorry If only I hadnt brought that bloody rat poison back from Illington You've no reason to blame yourself for that You asked the chemist to ginger it up a bit Who told you that? Good morning Ah, you haven't met.
My friend Norman Cubitt Chief inspector Alleyn Is there anything I can tell you, inspector? I love being questioned - The man who threw the dart - Legge? Did Watchman know or had he met him before? I dont think so.
Seb? No, Im sure they hadnt Look, if there's nothing more, we ought to go, get on with my portrait While the tides right Oh, yes, of course Well, Mr Parish seemed very distressed at the death of his cousin I nearly cried my eyes out Luke Watchman seemed affable enough at his club but I did detect a certain atmosphere between him and Parish Im not sure Mr Cubitt might not have something to do with it Where's Mr Legge off to? 'And there, my friend, since unavailing woe bursts from my heart and mingles with the strain, had the sword laid thee with the mighty low, pride might forbid e'en friendship to complain.
' - You're looking pleased with yourself, Seb - Because I am I mean, putting poor old Luke to one side for the moment, you could say things are looking distinctly brighter While I was fighting for King and country Winning your Military Cross Luke was absolutely coining it So I am looking forward, Norman, to being a man of means Keep still What's wrong? Nothing, as long as you stop fidgeting I thought we might start with a little holiday I mean, a proper holiday abroad India, maybe Then well, if Luke's money is all I take it to be, I might go into management Ive always wanted to do The Vortex You could do the sets and costumes Fine Then I bought my boat with the gratuity Probably paid over the odds for it Bit different from flying Hurricanes, eh? Its a lot safer, most of the time What do you want to know, inspector? How well did you get on with Luke Watchman? - I didnt - Did you quarrel? We had a difference of opinion He thought he was welcome here in Penota I didnt, and told him so Was Was that on account of Decima Pomeroy, Mr Moore? You seem to know all the answers, inspector Why ask the question? Miss Duffy Good afternoon Oh, dear, Im so sorry I didnt hear you I didnt mean to startle you Well, nice spot you've chosen Yes, but I can't get my sea right today It keeps coming out too green.
Im sick of it That's enough for today Have you tried mixing cobalt with a touch of aquamarine and white? Oh, yes, Ive tried that and it still comes out looking like spinach and mashed potato - Shall I? - Thank you Miss Duffy, were you by any chance painting here last Friday? Yes, indeed I was And in view of everything that happened that day, every single minute is etched in acid up here Every minute? I was on my way up here.
It was about half past ten I was just passing the old graveyard Will, don't be so childish Can't you see how stupid you're being? Stupid? What do you think he's come here for? Well, I dont know - To be with his jolly friends? - Decie Will! Oh, dont look at me like that What do you expect me to do? Push him off the cliff? Good morning Morning What makes you so sure she meant Watchman? Well, everybody in Penota knows she had some sort of fling with him last year A fling? Oh, well, anyhow she seems to be spending a lot of time with young Moore, much to old Abel's relief Hed rather a local man than some sophisticated London barrister? Lord, yes! Luke had some sort of power over her Power? Yes, hed only got to lift his little finger and It wasn't just Decima, either Just a few things to settle first No-one's been in since Fox, what are you looking for? Anything that may have been overlooked Right, Mr Pomeroy, soon as Ive done in here, you'll get your keys back Good afternoon, Miss Pomeroy You're from Scotland Yard, aren't you? Yes, I am I imagine this must be quite a change for you after the hurly-burly of Oxford Its different Inspector I know why you're here.
Why dont you just ask your questions? Very well Im trying to find out how Luke Watchman spent last Friday, the day that he died I see Where he went, whom he met I know, for example, that you spent the morning with Will Moore, and that you quarreled Who says so? But you also met Luke Watchman that morning Was he the reason that you quarreled? Id much rather you admitted it yourself, Miss Pomeroy Although I know it to be true How? A French cigarette packet, a few Dog ends with lipstick, and this Its yours, I think How very clever of you So? Would you please care to tell me what happened when you met Luke Watchman that Friday morning? It can't matter much now, can it, now that he's dead? It might I usually take a walk along the cliff in the morning Id just got to the headland and Luke called out to me Decima! I want to talk to you What about? Sit down, have a cigarette and Ill tell you This refugee outfit of yours Thinking of joining, are we? Hardly Decima, you're You can do anything you want.
Why waste yourself? You're not in love with me, Luke You just want me I adore you, Decie, and you know it Come here - Luke, it's over! - Is it? Leave me alone.
I wish to God youd never come back Will, wait for me! I chased after Will But of course hed seen me and Luke and there was a terrible row But you've now made up? Yes, I think so Well, I hope so Inspector bullying you, Decima? Just doing my duty, Mr Moore Come on Luke loved this place.
He was happy here Then it's only fitting he should remain here, Mr Parish - Wednesday at noon, then - Thank you, vicar You've been a great comfort What exactly are you looking for, Brer? Well, there should be a massive rock over there in the shape of a woman, more or less - But there isn't - How very disappointing for you Do you think we could get back to the private bar? Oh, yes, of course - The wood box - By the fireplace? Yes, stuffed with newspapers, stinking of brandy - Brandy? Interesting - Yes, that's what I thought Anything else? Oh, yes According to the legend, that headland is where Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur, met Igraine, the beautiful wife of the Duke of Cornwall You can just imagine it, can't you, sir? 'So flashed and fell the brand Excalibur But ere he dipped the surface rose an arm, Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, And caught him by the hilt and brandished him three times And drew him under the mere' I thought a mere was a lake, sir Nothing gets past you, does it, Brer? Come on Rotten thing to live with Seeing a man in full health suddenly die when you've thrown the dart Damn silly trick, I shouldnt have tried it I can imagine what they've been saying to you I can feel their suspicion down my neck like a draught Whose suspicion, Mr Legge? Abel Pomeroy, for one You see, Chief inspector, Im a pacifist, and since his daughter Decima sympathises, he blames me He thinks I turned her against him Perhaps But I think we should concentrate on the death of Luke Watchman He must have moved his hand, he must have done I had nothing against the man personally, I hardly even knew him If I were you, I would be making enquiries as to who stood to gain by his death Ive got all the essentials What's bothering you, Norman? Im fed up You and me? Of this place I can finish this at home Let's push off tomorrow, Seb I dont see that meeting with the Chief inspectors approval Oh, him! Don't you like him? Oh, I think he's rather nice Nice? Him and his little Sir Echo Come in, sir Mrs Ives! Im sorry to disturb you, sir, but some of our guests like a nice hot drink last thing at night and I was wondering whether youd like one Miss Pomeroy? Im sorry, I didnt mean to startle you - Wed like to go over what happened - Do we have to go over it all again? Im afraid we must When the dart struck Luke Watchman, whereabouts were you? About here, I think Why did you give him the brandy? To revive him Hed gone so pale, I just picked up a glass and Where from? The bar counter Would you mind? Whose glass was it? Well, it could have been Sebastian's I dont know I didnt stop to think whose glass it was Well, you dont think of things like that in a crisis, do you? No, you don't.
Please go on I poured some more brandy and I took it over to him I said something, like, 'Have a sip, make you feel better' Then I held it up to his lips and Oh, it was awful.
Im sorry, I can't Just forget about us, miss Try to remember what happened I did manage to get him to drink some of the brandy I think he was struggling to say something I can't be sure Thank you, miss.
That's just about what the others told us Oh, my dear Mr Pomeroy, how are you? I was simply appalled to hear what had happened - Closed the private bar - Good gracious! But it's preposterous Why did this happen? - Of course Im entitled to know - Im sorry, sir Now listen, when something as devastating as this happens, there must be a reason - Yes, sir - Well, I want to know what it is We need another talk with young Will There's something not right between him and our landlords daughter What's that? She lied to us.
She knew whose glass it was What was she frightened of? Perhaps she's trying to implicate our thespian - What's wrong? - Nothing What's the matter? Im thinking of cutting this so-called holiday short, getting out of here Why? Cos Ive been onto Luke's solicitor And? And Ive just heard how cousin Luke liked to have his little joke, from beyond the grave at my expense Listen to this, Brer Robert Legge, agent for the Devon and Cornwall Philatelic Society, Secretary and Treasurer of the Refugee Rehabilitation and Resettlement Fund, previous history: none But who is he? I dont like mysteries Come in Excuse me, gentlemen, Mrs Ives is wondering if you'll be taking luncheon - What do you say, Brer? - Oh, definitely, yes Drink at the bar first, whet the appetite? Even better Ive got something rather special.
I think you'll enjoy it Not rat poison, I hope As my next of kin - He's left you all his money? - No Well, that's what he promised And no-one knew better than Luke how much I need it - He hasn't cut you out? - No The joke, Norman, is that you and I inherit Me? Jointly - I hope you find it amusing - Why me? Oh, I can think of several reasons You needn't look so astonished Im looking astonished because I am Really? I know that as recently as last Christmas, I was his sole heir So what could possibly have taken place, dear boy, between then and now, eh? Search me There you are, sir - That's a fine dry sherry, that is - Indeed it is Kind of you - Good health to you, gentlemen - And to you - Nectar - Oh, very nice - Shall I do them, or will you? - Ill do them if you like, it's no trouble Decima, get a decanter for the gentlemen's sherry Excuse me, Bob If Mr Legge can spare you Thank you very much, sir.
It will be ready on Tuesday - No - Why, what's wrong with it? Everything.
Makes you look like a spiv I take it you have got a tie in this benighted establishment that a gentleman can wear? I think it's rather nice It isn't Luke would have had a seizure I dont think Luke would care tuppence whether we wear black or not He may not, I do And I knew him rather better than you Better, fractionally I shan't rest, dear boy, until we get to the bottom of this whole sordid business Meantime we conduct ourselves here with as much grace and dignity as we can muster Black armbands as well, I suppose May we join you, Mr Legge? Help yourselves Thank you Do you know, Ive always found this interesting but Ive somehow never found the time Well, you need time all right Never interested me until well, I became ill Oh, bad luck Very ill Found I had time on my hands Seven years Long time out of a man's life So, what brings you to this part of the world? Well, I came here to regain my strength Plenty of Cornish pasties, eh? I got hold of the Philatelic Society and landed a job as their agent for Devon and Cornwall And I do volunteer work for the refugees which is no-one's business but my own No, of course not Luke Watchman What about him? Did you know him? Well, not socially, not to speak to, no But I never forget a face.
I recognized him straightaway Oh, really? He didnt recognise you? Well, why should he? Oh, it was a long time ago, early years of the war He was a sharp, young barrister on the way up Midsummers party I see There didnt seem to be any point to mention it the other day Luke Watchman KC, Legal bigwig in his world Me in mine Might have taken it the wrong way, don't you think? Perhaps Miss Pomeroy good afternoon What is it? I was wondering if you could help me again May we? Miss Pomeroy, Ive got a man murdered and Im completely in the dark Well, I dont know what I can do No? - I was wondering if you might tell me - What? Whatever it is that's troubling you Wouldnt it be better to tell me now? It was Friday morning After Will and I had quarrelled about Luke Will was in the garage yard and I saw him go into the stable I don't know what for.
There was nothing in there Except the rat poison Ever since then Ive been frantic, wondering, was it Will? Thank you But haven't you something else to tell me? The brandy you gave Luke Watchman You've been wanting me to think that the glass you poured it into might have been anybodys But that isn't the case, is it? It was Will's glass, wasn't it? - Pensive, Brer - No, sir Angry With myself Trying to call something to mind I can't get there Its just There was something that should have been there and wasn't I can't remember what When you do remember, perhaps youd let me know Good morning, sir Its a bit embarrassing, Chief inspector Just as well you suggested doing an analysis The liquid from the jar Abel Pomeroy put in the garage? Turned out to be surgical spirit Well, look on the bright side, sir.
At least we've confirmed one thing Now we know where the poison came from Our murderer took the pot out of the rat hole Emptied out the acid and put the surgical spirit in instead He or she was counting on it being left, untouched and untested Then if you're right, if looks as if he, or she, emptied the stuff into another container ready to put it on the dart that killed Watchman No What do you mean, no? Actually, sir, Im convinced it wasn't the dart that killed Watchman We've got the evidence, Alleyn.
Cyanide on the damn thing Only the slightest traces Sir, hydrocyanic acid is highly volatile Expose it to the air and it evaporates There was no way that dart could have been poisoned before it was thrown Mr Pomeroy opened a new set and they were in full sight of everybody all the time But the blasted lights were going on and off Not between the time that Abel opened the new box of darts and the dart was thrown that hit Watchman And in any case, by the time the dart was thrown, the bulk of any cyanide would have simply evaporated After the candles were knocked over and the whole place was in darkness, - somebody - The murderer picked up the dart and smeared it with poison Incriminating Legge after hed thrown the dart Exactly, so the question remains, how did the poison get into Watchman? That Dog That's what's missing, the collection box - She's over the worst now, inspector - Oh, good, thank you Mrs Freeman, I can't tell you how sorry we are about this It was bad luck really No, Im afraid not Mrs Freeman, did anybody else know that youd be picking up the RSPCA box today? No As a matter of fact I was early going for it - Early? - Because of the holidays I usually collect them at the end of the holidays You must have been surprised to find a bottle No, no People put in all sorts of things, you know Buttons and bottle tops and bus tickets Oh, dear So when I saw this little bottle roll out, like a silly Duffer, I put it up to my nose to smell it, like you do, and I suddenly felt very sick and dizzy and and I don't I dont remember much else I dont know what to say, sir A lethal bottle of iodine, just sitting there, in the Dog, right under our noses and we That poor woman - I know - I feel ashamed of myself Nonsense, Brer But you do see the implication? Before it got into the Dog, our killer had put it into Pomeroy's first-aid box Where anybody could have used it Exactly, before Legge's trick with the darts They've clearly got no conscience at all He couldnt have known thered be an accident No, he couldnt, but I think he managed to engineer one by making sure that everyone was drinking Parish's brandy - Whereas he - Or she stayed stone-cold sober, chucking their brandy into the wood box There you are, ready to do what could only be done in the dark - switch the iodine bottles, put the innocent one where the lethal one was and throw that one into the Dog Waiting for Mrs Freeman to pick up her little Jock Her Dog Oh, yes Implore you, be at usual place tomorrow 8.
30 am.
Must talk Whatever you want, just tell me and Ill do it - I just can't stand much more of this - Bob! If youd been through what Ive been through, you might understand - Of course I understand - Do you? They've been asking questions, talking to everybody When it comes down to it Its me, isn't it? Just dont draw any attention to yourself and you'll be all right The police have to do their duty.
We all have to put up with that - Its intolerable - Well, self-pity won't get you anywhere See? You, too No! You know Ill do my best for you, but I I can't.
I I wouldnt Wouldnt you? Bob, you know how much I feel for you Why can't people leave me alone? Well, I suggest that you come back to the inn, put on a black tie come to the funeral and show some respect for the dead 'Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live And is full of misery He cometh up and is cut down like a flower He fleeth as it were a shadow And never continueth in one stay In the midst of life we are in death Of whom may we seek for succour ' Which one's the killer, Brer? Who's the front runner? - I know which one Id bet on - Yes, I know But they all had motive and most of them had opportunity I wouldn't rule anybody out - Including the ladies? - Including the ladies "Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts " I was wondering if our young fighter pilot wasn't too good to be true Even Pomeroy? Too true to be good Thing is, we don't have a scrap of incontrovertible evidence against any of them 'O God most mighty Thou holy and merciful saviour Thou most worthy judge eternal Suffer us not at our last hour For any pains of death to fall from thee" Ill go back to the car Not quite the abbey but I think it all went off rather well, don't you? Dear Mr Cubitt currying favour with the aristocracy - Im sorry? - Oh, didnt you know? - She's poor old Dunatholl's sister - Irish peer? No-one had even heard of him until he hit the headlines He was convicted, wasn't he, of embezzlement and fraud? - Bit of a cause celebre - Got cousin Luke started What? Why do you think yon Violet's so chummy, eh? Dear cousin Luke was leading counsel for the defense Brilliant performance Got the old fraudster a minimum sentence, Duffy's undying devotion, and set him on the road to his silk Dunatholl? There was another defendant in the case, wasn't there? His partner.
Jingle? Dingle? Something Dickensian Can't remember much about it I wasn't around at the time.
King and country Pringle Well, it's only to be expected Villages are like that.
Close community They're getting restless - Trouble? - Who knows? What time do you get into Paddington? Six.
Be at the Yard before seven and back here tomorrow The Chief Constable has asked me to take you both to his house for dinner tomorrow night That's extremely kind of him Inspector Fox and I would be delighted to join him He's keen to know how it's going Then I hope we won't disappoint him, sir Sir what do we have to wear? Black tie, I suppose Is that a problem? No Its cruel, but accurate May I congratulate you on your inheritance, Mr Cubitt? Oh, yes Well, I wasn't expecting anything He was really Seb's friend But Im not complaining, naturally When did you hear? Seb told me yesterday I rather wish he hadnt It makes me a suspect, doesnt it? Well, both of us, really You see, we were both flat broke Don't talk nonsense Artistic temperament, overactive imagination Not something I suffer from, Mr Parish What have you been saying? You may have just come from his funeral, but I want to know when this inquiry is going to be finished Don't, please No, he's got a point there.
We're all sick of it So why dont our sleuths get on with it? Ladies and gentlemen, I can understand your feelings but this is a murder inquiry These things do take time, but I can promise you one thing I shall find the murderer Shove up a bit, won't you? - Evening - Good evening, sir Oh, Jenks Im sorry to bring you in but Bailey's gone sick on us And I need this dusted for dabs sharpish Photos, usual drill, OK? No, thanks Hello Could you give me the number of Moss Bros, please? Morning You see that? Central pocket loop Tinted arch there and there, a plain whorl This one left index off the bottle Middle right, particularly good ulnar loop there From the tumbler, an exact match Yes, so who? Old Bailey, March 1941.
Does that answer your question? It does indeed Miss Duffy, may I join you? Of course Do you know, I didnt realize you were the late Lord Dunatholl's sister And I didnt realise that you were Sir George Alleyn's brother You heard of my brother's trouble? His health suffered dreadfully When he came out, hed lost the will to live Not so the brilliant young barrister who led for the defense Luke kept in touch I was always grateful for what he did Miss Duffy, your brother was sentenced to two years imprisonment His co-defendant Alexander Pringle got seven years Was that fair, would you say? Patrick was lucky The family solicitors wanted the best defence, Luke Watchman was the best He acted for Pringle as well, you know Mr Pringle wasn't so lucky, was he? I wonder why Perhaps his face didnt fit Or was there another reason? You seem to know an awful lot, inspector It is my business, Miss Duffy You've been spying on me, haven't you? Well, Ive told you all I know And now, if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do The train arriving on Platform 1 is the 12.
15 from London Paddington You think it was me, don't you? What? You think I poisoned him No! Look, if we can't be honest with each other There could have been poison in the brandy I gave him - It was my glass - I know There were no traces of poison in the pieces, none at all Friday morning, after you left me where did you go? Why? Well, who's been talking to you? No-one It was me, I saw you I saw you go into the garage yard, into the stable And what? Take out the rat poison? You think I took it? No Will I dont know Mrs Ives Inspector Fox and I won't be dining in tonight Im sorry, we've been summoned by the Chief Constable Oh, Colonel Bramington Chief inspector? Can you spare me a few minutes? How did you know that Bob Legge and Alex Pringle were the same man? It wasn't difficult, Miss Duffy No, I suppose not Now it's out, I really dont know whether Im glad or sorry And you knew about his pre-war history? Yes He joined the British Union of Fascists in 1936 - He was a Nazi in all but name - That's a long way from being a pacifist Now perhaps you can understand his behaviour He felt his past closing in on him Forgive me for asking, but your feelings for Mr Legge.
.
? Completely unreciprocated, inspector Yes! Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear This spells disaster - Tomorrow? - OK Thanks, Bob - Hello, Miss Duffy - Decie, two beers Is it finished? Oh, yes, it's finished I think we can safely say it's over and done with May I see it? I think it's wonderful Nice of you to say so But Im glad it's finished Ive had enough of it Decie, what happened to that sherry? Ah, hello - Your sherry, Mr Fox - Oh, thank you Here you are, missy All right All right, Brer All right Come on Up you get.
Ready? That's it That's it All of it Money isn't everything, Norman.
It won't make you a better painter - Pomeroy? - Sir? Lock this away, please Constable Oates? No-one is to leave the premises - Is that clearly understood? - Sir? Close all the doors.
Somebody has tried to kill inspector Fox Oh! I can't believe it There's a distinct smell of treachery about the place - Oh! No - No, no No arguments, Brer Just till the doctor gets here I dont want to see the doctor - I should have taken your advice - Oh, what? Gone home a couple of days ago Chief inspector or no Chief inspector Where is inspector Fox? He's upstairs, the room at the end of the landing Thank you Could be here all night long We might as well make ourselves comfortable Decima, my dear, does your father have anything worthy of the occasion tucked away behind the bar? Hardly a time to start making fools of ourselves, Sebastian I should keep off the sherry in future Just a little sodium nitrate, inspector Its beef tea.
Is that all right, sir? Yes, if he'll take it.
There's nothing better Come in Sorry to disturb you, Mr Fox, sir, but I thought a little beef tea might be in order in the circumstances Now then Here we go Ooh, Mr Fox You didnt get that lying in bed No, I think I got it falling over Oh, well, I think wed better have something to clean that up Now you just hang on a minute Mr Parish I mean, this is utterly ridiculous It was you What? Why couldnt you trust me? I got to thinking that iodine would probably be the best but then I find that the blessed iodine bottle is missing from the first-aid box in the bathroom Brer Fox, I can't leave you for a minute That's just what I said, Mr Alleyn - Are you all right? - Oh, yes, yes Mind you, it would be a lot simpler with just one box Thered be a sight less confusion Take last Friday morning when Mr Legge cut himself shaving There was blood streaming down his chin, he was in a fair pickle I had to open up the cupboard in the private bar - Mr Ives - And fetch on out the other first-aid box I thought Mr Pomeroy had the only key No, I have a key to every lock in the place, except Mr Pomeroy's safe, of course Did anybody see Mr Legge with the box? Not as far as I know, no Thank you, Mrs Ives You've been a great help - I have? - You have Give her some air She's all right - Is the doctor still here? - Miss Duffy, are you all right? Yes.
Just gently.
Come on All right? Im going to get some water Are you all right, ma'am? Thank you, fine - What is it, Oates? - Its Legge, sir - What about him? - Mr Legge, he's gone and run for it Has he? Take him into the parlour - Sit him down and this time keep him there - Yes, sir Well, that's it, then We still have to prove it, sir Anything youd like me to do? You could search his room, top to bottom What are we looking for? I dont know but he's managed to poison a sherry decanter without anybody noticing This is an outrage You do know that, dont you? Oh, yes, sir, a terrible outrage Mr Pomeroy Do you think you could clean this gentleman's jacket? Reckon so Perhaps youd better empty the pockets, Mr Legge You can't keep me here Is that all? Thank you, Mr Pomeroy.
Now, Mr Legge I need a doctor I gave express instructions that no-one was to leave Why did you choose to run off? - I had to - Had to? Yes, had to I couldnt spend another minute in that room Everyone looking at me, as if I did it I have bad nerves, Im highly strung Ah, yes, of course, your your illness Seven years, I think you said Pentonville Prison, wasn't it? I don't deny my prison sentence grotesquely unjust, though it was It was 100 times worse than any illness Dunatholl should have rotted in prison until he died - You murdered Luke Watchman - No You believe he got Dunatholl off with a light sentence by shifting the blame onto you He did And all the time with that damn smile on his face Or perhaps you murdered him because you feared he would expose your past as a Nazi sympathiser You're improvising You haven't got a case Oh, but I have, Mr Legge Its the oldest cheat in the book If you can't find the guilty one, you pin it on the man with a criminal record How dare you? Convince me I not only know that you did it, I know how you did it You took the iodine bottle from the upstairs bathroom You laced it with cyanide from the rat hole and then using the pretext of a shaving cut, you gained access to the first-aid box in the cupboard in the bar Luke Watchman died the way you planned it Not from a poisoned dart, but from poisoned iodine And this evening you got scared and attempted to poison inspector Fox and myself Now what do you say to that, Mr Alexander Pringle? What an intriguing maze a policeman's mind is I would like to see that doctor now, please, if I may - Any luck, Superintendent? - Nothing Im afraid he's got the better of us - Best I could do, Mr Alleyn - Thank you, Mr Pomeroy There must be some way we can hold him give us more time I dont see how, sir He's guilty of murder and attempted murder, and Im going to have to let him walk out of there I will be bringing an official complaint against you personally, Chief inspector And now I am sick and tired of this farce Id like my things, please That's my pen Im sure it is I think you'll find, Superintendent, that this is hydrocyanic acid and it was dropped into a very fine sherry Goodbye - Well, that's it, then - Oh, you're welcome Thank you very much Tickets, thank you Here, a guide book for you Its a present Will? Can you ever forgive me for not trusting you? I love you Its not a bad life here, you know And there are worse ways of making a living It was Luke who said that I was wasting my life, that I should better myself You know it's an awful thing to say, but now he's dead, I feel quite free Hed never have married you anyway You would never have been good enough for him Pig! - Are you sure you're good enough for me? - Yes Lobster catcher Bet you can't catch me So what's in store for Mr Parish now? Resting? I haven't the faintest You could say Legge did Sebastian a bit of good, indirectly And me Do you know, Legge must have had Watchman in his sights for a very long time Poor old Luke Legge was an opportunist, an improviser Just talking about Legge Do you know, he must have waited and waited until he saw his chance Doesn't bear thinking about Now, I must get back to my own compartment Give my regards to Miss Troy Small world Well, there's our man He was a man who created his own darkness
Someone's been killed Look at me, please, Mr Kirby On the night of the 15th there was a programme of dance music by Mr Henry Hall On the third programme there was a talk on Egyptology Do I take it, Mr Kirby, you are an Egyptologist? Henry Hall.
Yeah, that's right We had a bottle of stout, Beryl and me, and some sandwiches and that and then we listened to Henry Hall Mr Kirby, you amaze me For the first time in my life, I find myself addressing a man who, despite all the rules of logic and natural law, experiences no difficulty at all in placing himself in three different locations at the same time While you were at home with Miss Hoskins listening to Mr Hall, you were also, as Miss Hoskins has already testified, at the pictures with her watching Oliver Twist, the young man who asked for more You were also, as the court has already heard from three other independent witnesses, deep in conversation with Mr Slater at the Ajax Cafe A remarkable achievement on your part, for which you must take full credit Do you want any more, Mr Kirby? Oh, well done, you Mr Watchman Thank you As I see it, you are asking me once again to subsidies your inordinate vanity Rory! I was just talking about our victory - Well done - Thank you This is my cousin Sebastian Parish whom you may have seen on the stage - How do you do? - Hello.
Are you going to risk it? I think I might Thank you Can I persuade you to change your mind? - No, you can't - Oh, but, Luke What I suggest to you is that you take Mr Micawber's advice Oh.
Splendid, thank you You have to give in to the pain.
Enjoy it - Crack of dawn we are off to Penota - Cornwall, near Tintagel? Yes I can't get away till Thursday Discovered it in our Oxford days.
We've been returning ever since Seb here, Seb's friend Norman, who paints pretty pictures, and myself Mr Cubitt is a talented professional artist Yes, yes, of course I trust you'll all have a wonderful time What the hell do you think you're playing at? - It was my right of way! - I didnt hear you - What? - I didnt hear you coming You should have sounded your horn Im sorry, but I dont think there's any harm done No, I suppose not If you wouldnt mind backing up, see if we can free them? And for Gods sake, drive properly! You watch out for young Will there.
He's been at sea all night See you, John.
Bye Don't take any notice of him.
You know what he's like - Mr Watchman - Hello, Abel.
Bit late, Im afraid Missed dinner, have I? No, sir.
I told Mrs Ives to keep back a lobster for you Oh, good man - Come on, Will - Can't.
Not with you on his mind, Decie Take no heed, Will There.
See? Perfect That's our game, I think.
George, your round Best of three, Alec, remember? Ey, after what you've been downing, I doubt if you'll hit the board Well done, Will Evening, Mr Watchman Welcome back What's all this, then? Mothers' meeting? See that? I can see an old boot needs mending That's another of your pesky rats, that is Keep your voice down, George.
Don't need the whole world to hear One of them as near damn it got my ankle What are you going to do about it, eh? - Its all in hand - In hand! In hand, I said, George As you will find out if you will just mind your own interference What's he on about, George? This was worth motoring 200 miles for - Good evening, Decima - Evening, Mr Watchman - Is that all you have to say to me? - Yes That's all - Pretty, isn't she? - Very What, even prettier than last summer? I do hope you're not going to be a bore, Sebastian If the girl could do it, shed make a presentable Juliet Oh, would she? To your Romeo? Well, I dont see you playing opposite her Mercutio, maybe Anyway, Luke, this summer she only has eyes for her very handsome young fisherman, which is all that her father wants So everybodys happy, eh? I think Decima is old enough to decide for herself You be careful.
That's poison you've got there There, that should do for the little beggars Not before time No, no Some utter halfwit driving too fast did his best to kill me What are they doing out there? A chap could die of thirst Next thing I see, his confounded car here in the garage Strange thing is, Im sure Ive seen his face before - Somewhere - No shortage of lunatics in cars Put it under lock and key, out of harm's way Fair enough Sorry, Bob.
Pint, is it? When you've got a moment, Decie Oh, my God! Its the chap I ran into.
He must have heard every word I think we met on the way down Unfortunate circumstances Ive forgotten all about it.
Cigarette? Thanks Allow me to introduce myself.
Robert Legge Luke Watchman Luke, how are you? - Good run down? - Yes, interesting You're looking well, Norman.
How's the portrait coming? Oh, interesting Come on, Norman.
Double or quits All right.
As long as you promise to pay Do you play? Once a year when we come down.
You? - His aim's deadly - Really? - How deadly? - I never miss Well, now, is everybody having a good time? Hello, Mr Watchman.
Gin and lime, please - When did you get here? - Just over two hours ago, Miss Duffy - Ah, good - What have you been up to? - Well, Ive taken up watercolors - Really? Yes, Im making fair progress, wouldnt you say, Norman? Yes, Miss Duffy, very fair progress - Two and six - Oh, thank you Here's good health to you all and let's pray for good painting weather Do you mind coppers? Let Jock have them - He hasn't missed yet - There's always a first time He wouldnt do it There you are, you see.
Told you, didnt I? The man's deadly Well done, Patrick You survived Tickets, please Tickets, please I will now hear the first witness, Dr Shaw An autopsy on the deceased, Mr Luke Watchman KC, was carried out by you, Dr Shaw, at the weekend at the request of the Illington Constabulary With what result? The main finding was a grain and a half of cyanide in the blood Enough to cause death? Half a grain would have been sufficient The index finger of the right hand had been penetrated to the bone by the dart, virtually pinned to the dartboard But there can be no doubt death was caused by poisoning Visitors to St Nicholas' church at Looe will find in its tower a 'scolds cage' for the incarceration of nagging wives - Bet that's worth looking at - But you're not married Anyway, it's 30 miles from Penota Sorry Scheele's acid mixed with prussic acid? For the extermination of rats on Mr Pomeroy's premises Mr Bartram, did you hand over the substance direct to the purchaser? No, sir, a Mr Parish came into the shop on Thursday afternoon, acting on behalf of Mr Pomeroy He said the rat bane I supplied previously was ineffective Would I please ginger it up a bit? From what Im putting together, our Mr Watchman seems to be a bit of a handful Bit of a reputation, Im afraid First at Oxford Very young KC Very effective in court He was lethal in the Slater case The only time I saw him in action Sounds like a gentleman who should have gone all the way to the top Did you um Did you like him? I admired him Superintendent Harper, would you tell the court the results of certain forensic tests, namely to the pieces of a broken glass from which the deceased drank brandy and to a bottle of iodine which was applied to his pierced finger? Neither the broken brandy glass nor the bottle of iodine contained any traces of cyanide nor any other poisonous substance, sir The train on Platform 1 is the 4.
15 from Paddington All change here, please I believe you knew him professionally Yes, sir.
Perhaps the best advocate of his generation Fat lot of good it's done him Here we are I suppose the coroner brought in an open verdict? Death by misadventure, inspector.
What else could it be? Having to close my private bar is bad enough Its the height of the season Everything's topsy-turvy Glasses out of the bar, darts taken away by police Yes, well, you'll have to get used to it A man has died on these premises from rat poison, brought into this hotel at your instigation Well, is this our office? Its my parlour Mr Pomeroy Im so sorry we have to get under your feet I hope it won't be for too long Thank you Have you taken their cases up? Two and four.
Was that right? - That's what I said - All right, no need to snap! Who's snapping? - Nice motor car - Belongs to the actor Parish - Watchman's cousin - Bet that cost him a bob or two If indeed it's paid for - Fingerprints on the jar? - Only Pomeroy's - How much of the poison was left? - It was full We've got the stuff in a bottle now, back at the station with the other things - You've had it analyzed? - Not yet, no I didnt think it was necessary.
We know what it was Do we? - Well - With respect, sir, I think your lab boys should look at it right away - Don't walk away from me! - No, I won't! Just sit down there, sir Now, I want you to take your time, Mr Pomeroy, and tell us what happened last Friday evening in the private bar Well, now, let me think There was a dickens of a storm The lights kept on flickering on and off They were playing Round The Clock Be with you in a minute Next thing they're all at it, drinking brandy If Id had any inkling of what was going to happen, Id have picked up that blessed bottle and hurled it into the sea But you didnt, did you, Mr Pomeroy? No.
I did not That calls for a drink on the winning team.
What will it be? Oh, well, I declare, the drinks are on me My bottle of Courvoisier, Decima, my dear Brandy all round? Time we had a new road in this place, if you ask me Bloomin' government talking about utopia for the masses, equality and all that malarkey You can't even get into the village on a wet day without driving through a flood Come on, George, things aren't that bad What were you saying, lad? Fetch some candles for the private, Decie - sharp Oh, that's better.
Now then Who hasn't had any? Will.
Here you are Thank you - How about the other half, Dick? - Ill be on my way Shan't stop out long, not in this Just down the bottom and back up this way Ill stop in again and have it then - Rather him than me - Just in case Good idea Now then, Luke, being on the losing side, are you prepared to risk your hand tonight? Course I am.
Im game But I insist on new darts Abel, break out some new arrows You take care of them Aim straight, for Gods sake Nobody's asking you, are they? I feel like William Tell's son without the apple Oh, do be careful Fire away Keep still, Luke Luke! - Im so sorry - You bloody f God, that looks nasty, Luke Light the candles - Decie, please - Hang on - Just get me something! - Here Always the same.
Lights go out, everybody panics Can't be that bad.
Its only his finger If you don't want to help How about some light in here for the proletariat? Just hang on, George, will you? We've had an accident Can I help? I used to do bandaging with the St John's Now, let's see.
Is there any iodine? Here we are - Is he OK? - Give it a good cleaning Will, brandy Please, drink some of this, make you feel better Get a grip of yourself Careful he bites his tongue.
Calm down.
Calm down.
So I told Decie to phone for a doctor And I went out to look for Dick Oates Thank you, Mr Pomeroy Sorry to have taken up so much of your time You're welcome Well, if there's nothing else Nothing else For the time being So time to look under a few stones See what's crawling underneath I thought it was time for lunch And there's a smugglers' tunnel all the way down to the beach I think we can safely leave smuggling to His Majesty's Customs and Excise, don't you? Yes Sorry, sir Our matinee idol Mr Parish Chief inspector I was very shocked by the death of your cousin We got to know each other, as colleagues I find it difficult to take it in I keep expecting to see him there at the bar Its like some nightmare I keep expecting to wake up, you know Im sorry If only I hadnt brought that bloody rat poison back from Illington You've no reason to blame yourself for that You asked the chemist to ginger it up a bit Who told you that? Good morning Ah, you haven't met.
My friend Norman Cubitt Chief inspector Alleyn Is there anything I can tell you, inspector? I love being questioned - The man who threw the dart - Legge? Did Watchman know or had he met him before? I dont think so.
Seb? No, Im sure they hadnt Look, if there's nothing more, we ought to go, get on with my portrait While the tides right Oh, yes, of course Well, Mr Parish seemed very distressed at the death of his cousin I nearly cried my eyes out Luke Watchman seemed affable enough at his club but I did detect a certain atmosphere between him and Parish Im not sure Mr Cubitt might not have something to do with it Where's Mr Legge off to? 'And there, my friend, since unavailing woe bursts from my heart and mingles with the strain, had the sword laid thee with the mighty low, pride might forbid e'en friendship to complain.
' - You're looking pleased with yourself, Seb - Because I am I mean, putting poor old Luke to one side for the moment, you could say things are looking distinctly brighter While I was fighting for King and country Winning your Military Cross Luke was absolutely coining it So I am looking forward, Norman, to being a man of means Keep still What's wrong? Nothing, as long as you stop fidgeting I thought we might start with a little holiday I mean, a proper holiday abroad India, maybe Then well, if Luke's money is all I take it to be, I might go into management Ive always wanted to do The Vortex You could do the sets and costumes Fine Then I bought my boat with the gratuity Probably paid over the odds for it Bit different from flying Hurricanes, eh? Its a lot safer, most of the time What do you want to know, inspector? How well did you get on with Luke Watchman? - I didnt - Did you quarrel? We had a difference of opinion He thought he was welcome here in Penota I didnt, and told him so Was Was that on account of Decima Pomeroy, Mr Moore? You seem to know all the answers, inspector Why ask the question? Miss Duffy Good afternoon Oh, dear, Im so sorry I didnt hear you I didnt mean to startle you Well, nice spot you've chosen Yes, but I can't get my sea right today It keeps coming out too green.
Im sick of it That's enough for today Have you tried mixing cobalt with a touch of aquamarine and white? Oh, yes, Ive tried that and it still comes out looking like spinach and mashed potato - Shall I? - Thank you Miss Duffy, were you by any chance painting here last Friday? Yes, indeed I was And in view of everything that happened that day, every single minute is etched in acid up here Every minute? I was on my way up here.
It was about half past ten I was just passing the old graveyard Will, don't be so childish Can't you see how stupid you're being? Stupid? What do you think he's come here for? Well, I dont know - To be with his jolly friends? - Decie Will! Oh, dont look at me like that What do you expect me to do? Push him off the cliff? Good morning Morning What makes you so sure she meant Watchman? Well, everybody in Penota knows she had some sort of fling with him last year A fling? Oh, well, anyhow she seems to be spending a lot of time with young Moore, much to old Abel's relief Hed rather a local man than some sophisticated London barrister? Lord, yes! Luke had some sort of power over her Power? Yes, hed only got to lift his little finger and It wasn't just Decima, either Just a few things to settle first No-one's been in since Fox, what are you looking for? Anything that may have been overlooked Right, Mr Pomeroy, soon as Ive done in here, you'll get your keys back Good afternoon, Miss Pomeroy You're from Scotland Yard, aren't you? Yes, I am I imagine this must be quite a change for you after the hurly-burly of Oxford Its different Inspector I know why you're here.
Why dont you just ask your questions? Very well Im trying to find out how Luke Watchman spent last Friday, the day that he died I see Where he went, whom he met I know, for example, that you spent the morning with Will Moore, and that you quarreled Who says so? But you also met Luke Watchman that morning Was he the reason that you quarreled? Id much rather you admitted it yourself, Miss Pomeroy Although I know it to be true How? A French cigarette packet, a few Dog ends with lipstick, and this Its yours, I think How very clever of you So? Would you please care to tell me what happened when you met Luke Watchman that Friday morning? It can't matter much now, can it, now that he's dead? It might I usually take a walk along the cliff in the morning Id just got to the headland and Luke called out to me Decima! I want to talk to you What about? Sit down, have a cigarette and Ill tell you This refugee outfit of yours Thinking of joining, are we? Hardly Decima, you're You can do anything you want.
Why waste yourself? You're not in love with me, Luke You just want me I adore you, Decie, and you know it Come here - Luke, it's over! - Is it? Leave me alone.
I wish to God youd never come back Will, wait for me! I chased after Will But of course hed seen me and Luke and there was a terrible row But you've now made up? Yes, I think so Well, I hope so Inspector bullying you, Decima? Just doing my duty, Mr Moore Come on Luke loved this place.
He was happy here Then it's only fitting he should remain here, Mr Parish - Wednesday at noon, then - Thank you, vicar You've been a great comfort What exactly are you looking for, Brer? Well, there should be a massive rock over there in the shape of a woman, more or less - But there isn't - How very disappointing for you Do you think we could get back to the private bar? Oh, yes, of course - The wood box - By the fireplace? Yes, stuffed with newspapers, stinking of brandy - Brandy? Interesting - Yes, that's what I thought Anything else? Oh, yes According to the legend, that headland is where Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur, met Igraine, the beautiful wife of the Duke of Cornwall You can just imagine it, can't you, sir? 'So flashed and fell the brand Excalibur But ere he dipped the surface rose an arm, Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, And caught him by the hilt and brandished him three times And drew him under the mere' I thought a mere was a lake, sir Nothing gets past you, does it, Brer? Come on Rotten thing to live with Seeing a man in full health suddenly die when you've thrown the dart Damn silly trick, I shouldnt have tried it I can imagine what they've been saying to you I can feel their suspicion down my neck like a draught Whose suspicion, Mr Legge? Abel Pomeroy, for one You see, Chief inspector, Im a pacifist, and since his daughter Decima sympathises, he blames me He thinks I turned her against him Perhaps But I think we should concentrate on the death of Luke Watchman He must have moved his hand, he must have done I had nothing against the man personally, I hardly even knew him If I were you, I would be making enquiries as to who stood to gain by his death Ive got all the essentials What's bothering you, Norman? Im fed up You and me? Of this place I can finish this at home Let's push off tomorrow, Seb I dont see that meeting with the Chief inspectors approval Oh, him! Don't you like him? Oh, I think he's rather nice Nice? Him and his little Sir Echo Come in, sir Mrs Ives! Im sorry to disturb you, sir, but some of our guests like a nice hot drink last thing at night and I was wondering whether youd like one Miss Pomeroy? Im sorry, I didnt mean to startle you - Wed like to go over what happened - Do we have to go over it all again? Im afraid we must When the dart struck Luke Watchman, whereabouts were you? About here, I think Why did you give him the brandy? To revive him Hed gone so pale, I just picked up a glass and Where from? The bar counter Would you mind? Whose glass was it? Well, it could have been Sebastian's I dont know I didnt stop to think whose glass it was Well, you dont think of things like that in a crisis, do you? No, you don't.
Please go on I poured some more brandy and I took it over to him I said something, like, 'Have a sip, make you feel better' Then I held it up to his lips and Oh, it was awful.
Im sorry, I can't Just forget about us, miss Try to remember what happened I did manage to get him to drink some of the brandy I think he was struggling to say something I can't be sure Thank you, miss.
That's just about what the others told us Oh, my dear Mr Pomeroy, how are you? I was simply appalled to hear what had happened - Closed the private bar - Good gracious! But it's preposterous Why did this happen? - Of course Im entitled to know - Im sorry, sir Now listen, when something as devastating as this happens, there must be a reason - Yes, sir - Well, I want to know what it is We need another talk with young Will There's something not right between him and our landlords daughter What's that? She lied to us.
She knew whose glass it was What was she frightened of? Perhaps she's trying to implicate our thespian - What's wrong? - Nothing What's the matter? Im thinking of cutting this so-called holiday short, getting out of here Why? Cos Ive been onto Luke's solicitor And? And Ive just heard how cousin Luke liked to have his little joke, from beyond the grave at my expense Listen to this, Brer Robert Legge, agent for the Devon and Cornwall Philatelic Society, Secretary and Treasurer of the Refugee Rehabilitation and Resettlement Fund, previous history: none But who is he? I dont like mysteries Come in Excuse me, gentlemen, Mrs Ives is wondering if you'll be taking luncheon - What do you say, Brer? - Oh, definitely, yes Drink at the bar first, whet the appetite? Even better Ive got something rather special.
I think you'll enjoy it Not rat poison, I hope As my next of kin - He's left you all his money? - No Well, that's what he promised And no-one knew better than Luke how much I need it - He hasn't cut you out? - No The joke, Norman, is that you and I inherit Me? Jointly - I hope you find it amusing - Why me? Oh, I can think of several reasons You needn't look so astonished Im looking astonished because I am Really? I know that as recently as last Christmas, I was his sole heir So what could possibly have taken place, dear boy, between then and now, eh? Search me There you are, sir - That's a fine dry sherry, that is - Indeed it is Kind of you - Good health to you, gentlemen - And to you - Nectar - Oh, very nice - Shall I do them, or will you? - Ill do them if you like, it's no trouble Decima, get a decanter for the gentlemen's sherry Excuse me, Bob If Mr Legge can spare you Thank you very much, sir.
It will be ready on Tuesday - No - Why, what's wrong with it? Everything.
Makes you look like a spiv I take it you have got a tie in this benighted establishment that a gentleman can wear? I think it's rather nice It isn't Luke would have had a seizure I dont think Luke would care tuppence whether we wear black or not He may not, I do And I knew him rather better than you Better, fractionally I shan't rest, dear boy, until we get to the bottom of this whole sordid business Meantime we conduct ourselves here with as much grace and dignity as we can muster Black armbands as well, I suppose May we join you, Mr Legge? Help yourselves Thank you Do you know, Ive always found this interesting but Ive somehow never found the time Well, you need time all right Never interested me until well, I became ill Oh, bad luck Very ill Found I had time on my hands Seven years Long time out of a man's life So, what brings you to this part of the world? Well, I came here to regain my strength Plenty of Cornish pasties, eh? I got hold of the Philatelic Society and landed a job as their agent for Devon and Cornwall And I do volunteer work for the refugees which is no-one's business but my own No, of course not Luke Watchman What about him? Did you know him? Well, not socially, not to speak to, no But I never forget a face.
I recognized him straightaway Oh, really? He didnt recognise you? Well, why should he? Oh, it was a long time ago, early years of the war He was a sharp, young barrister on the way up Midsummers party I see There didnt seem to be any point to mention it the other day Luke Watchman KC, Legal bigwig in his world Me in mine Might have taken it the wrong way, don't you think? Perhaps Miss Pomeroy good afternoon What is it? I was wondering if you could help me again May we? Miss Pomeroy, Ive got a man murdered and Im completely in the dark Well, I dont know what I can do No? - I was wondering if you might tell me - What? Whatever it is that's troubling you Wouldnt it be better to tell me now? It was Friday morning After Will and I had quarrelled about Luke Will was in the garage yard and I saw him go into the stable I don't know what for.
There was nothing in there Except the rat poison Ever since then Ive been frantic, wondering, was it Will? Thank you But haven't you something else to tell me? The brandy you gave Luke Watchman You've been wanting me to think that the glass you poured it into might have been anybodys But that isn't the case, is it? It was Will's glass, wasn't it? - Pensive, Brer - No, sir Angry With myself Trying to call something to mind I can't get there Its just There was something that should have been there and wasn't I can't remember what When you do remember, perhaps youd let me know Good morning, sir Its a bit embarrassing, Chief inspector Just as well you suggested doing an analysis The liquid from the jar Abel Pomeroy put in the garage? Turned out to be surgical spirit Well, look on the bright side, sir.
At least we've confirmed one thing Now we know where the poison came from Our murderer took the pot out of the rat hole Emptied out the acid and put the surgical spirit in instead He or she was counting on it being left, untouched and untested Then if you're right, if looks as if he, or she, emptied the stuff into another container ready to put it on the dart that killed Watchman No What do you mean, no? Actually, sir, Im convinced it wasn't the dart that killed Watchman We've got the evidence, Alleyn.
Cyanide on the damn thing Only the slightest traces Sir, hydrocyanic acid is highly volatile Expose it to the air and it evaporates There was no way that dart could have been poisoned before it was thrown Mr Pomeroy opened a new set and they were in full sight of everybody all the time But the blasted lights were going on and off Not between the time that Abel opened the new box of darts and the dart was thrown that hit Watchman And in any case, by the time the dart was thrown, the bulk of any cyanide would have simply evaporated After the candles were knocked over and the whole place was in darkness, - somebody - The murderer picked up the dart and smeared it with poison Incriminating Legge after hed thrown the dart Exactly, so the question remains, how did the poison get into Watchman? That Dog That's what's missing, the collection box - She's over the worst now, inspector - Oh, good, thank you Mrs Freeman, I can't tell you how sorry we are about this It was bad luck really No, Im afraid not Mrs Freeman, did anybody else know that youd be picking up the RSPCA box today? No As a matter of fact I was early going for it - Early? - Because of the holidays I usually collect them at the end of the holidays You must have been surprised to find a bottle No, no People put in all sorts of things, you know Buttons and bottle tops and bus tickets Oh, dear So when I saw this little bottle roll out, like a silly Duffer, I put it up to my nose to smell it, like you do, and I suddenly felt very sick and dizzy and and I don't I dont remember much else I dont know what to say, sir A lethal bottle of iodine, just sitting there, in the Dog, right under our noses and we That poor woman - I know - I feel ashamed of myself Nonsense, Brer But you do see the implication? Before it got into the Dog, our killer had put it into Pomeroy's first-aid box Where anybody could have used it Exactly, before Legge's trick with the darts They've clearly got no conscience at all He couldnt have known thered be an accident No, he couldnt, but I think he managed to engineer one by making sure that everyone was drinking Parish's brandy - Whereas he - Or she stayed stone-cold sober, chucking their brandy into the wood box There you are, ready to do what could only be done in the dark - switch the iodine bottles, put the innocent one where the lethal one was and throw that one into the Dog Waiting for Mrs Freeman to pick up her little Jock Her Dog Oh, yes Implore you, be at usual place tomorrow 8.
30 am.
Must talk Whatever you want, just tell me and Ill do it - I just can't stand much more of this - Bob! If youd been through what Ive been through, you might understand - Of course I understand - Do you? They've been asking questions, talking to everybody When it comes down to it Its me, isn't it? Just dont draw any attention to yourself and you'll be all right The police have to do their duty.
We all have to put up with that - Its intolerable - Well, self-pity won't get you anywhere See? You, too No! You know Ill do my best for you, but I I can't.
I I wouldnt Wouldnt you? Bob, you know how much I feel for you Why can't people leave me alone? Well, I suggest that you come back to the inn, put on a black tie come to the funeral and show some respect for the dead 'Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live And is full of misery He cometh up and is cut down like a flower He fleeth as it were a shadow And never continueth in one stay In the midst of life we are in death Of whom may we seek for succour ' Which one's the killer, Brer? Who's the front runner? - I know which one Id bet on - Yes, I know But they all had motive and most of them had opportunity I wouldn't rule anybody out - Including the ladies? - Including the ladies "Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts " I was wondering if our young fighter pilot wasn't too good to be true Even Pomeroy? Too true to be good Thing is, we don't have a scrap of incontrovertible evidence against any of them 'O God most mighty Thou holy and merciful saviour Thou most worthy judge eternal Suffer us not at our last hour For any pains of death to fall from thee" Ill go back to the car Not quite the abbey but I think it all went off rather well, don't you? Dear Mr Cubitt currying favour with the aristocracy - Im sorry? - Oh, didnt you know? - She's poor old Dunatholl's sister - Irish peer? No-one had even heard of him until he hit the headlines He was convicted, wasn't he, of embezzlement and fraud? - Bit of a cause celebre - Got cousin Luke started What? Why do you think yon Violet's so chummy, eh? Dear cousin Luke was leading counsel for the defense Brilliant performance Got the old fraudster a minimum sentence, Duffy's undying devotion, and set him on the road to his silk Dunatholl? There was another defendant in the case, wasn't there? His partner.
Jingle? Dingle? Something Dickensian Can't remember much about it I wasn't around at the time.
King and country Pringle Well, it's only to be expected Villages are like that.
Close community They're getting restless - Trouble? - Who knows? What time do you get into Paddington? Six.
Be at the Yard before seven and back here tomorrow The Chief Constable has asked me to take you both to his house for dinner tomorrow night That's extremely kind of him Inspector Fox and I would be delighted to join him He's keen to know how it's going Then I hope we won't disappoint him, sir Sir what do we have to wear? Black tie, I suppose Is that a problem? No Its cruel, but accurate May I congratulate you on your inheritance, Mr Cubitt? Oh, yes Well, I wasn't expecting anything He was really Seb's friend But Im not complaining, naturally When did you hear? Seb told me yesterday I rather wish he hadnt It makes me a suspect, doesnt it? Well, both of us, really You see, we were both flat broke Don't talk nonsense Artistic temperament, overactive imagination Not something I suffer from, Mr Parish What have you been saying? You may have just come from his funeral, but I want to know when this inquiry is going to be finished Don't, please No, he's got a point there.
We're all sick of it So why dont our sleuths get on with it? Ladies and gentlemen, I can understand your feelings but this is a murder inquiry These things do take time, but I can promise you one thing I shall find the murderer Shove up a bit, won't you? - Evening - Good evening, sir Oh, Jenks Im sorry to bring you in but Bailey's gone sick on us And I need this dusted for dabs sharpish Photos, usual drill, OK? No, thanks Hello Could you give me the number of Moss Bros, please? Morning You see that? Central pocket loop Tinted arch there and there, a plain whorl This one left index off the bottle Middle right, particularly good ulnar loop there From the tumbler, an exact match Yes, so who? Old Bailey, March 1941.
Does that answer your question? It does indeed Miss Duffy, may I join you? Of course Do you know, I didnt realize you were the late Lord Dunatholl's sister And I didnt realise that you were Sir George Alleyn's brother You heard of my brother's trouble? His health suffered dreadfully When he came out, hed lost the will to live Not so the brilliant young barrister who led for the defense Luke kept in touch I was always grateful for what he did Miss Duffy, your brother was sentenced to two years imprisonment His co-defendant Alexander Pringle got seven years Was that fair, would you say? Patrick was lucky The family solicitors wanted the best defence, Luke Watchman was the best He acted for Pringle as well, you know Mr Pringle wasn't so lucky, was he? I wonder why Perhaps his face didnt fit Or was there another reason? You seem to know an awful lot, inspector It is my business, Miss Duffy You've been spying on me, haven't you? Well, Ive told you all I know And now, if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do The train arriving on Platform 1 is the 12.
15 from London Paddington You think it was me, don't you? What? You think I poisoned him No! Look, if we can't be honest with each other There could have been poison in the brandy I gave him - It was my glass - I know There were no traces of poison in the pieces, none at all Friday morning, after you left me where did you go? Why? Well, who's been talking to you? No-one It was me, I saw you I saw you go into the garage yard, into the stable And what? Take out the rat poison? You think I took it? No Will I dont know Mrs Ives Inspector Fox and I won't be dining in tonight Im sorry, we've been summoned by the Chief Constable Oh, Colonel Bramington Chief inspector? Can you spare me a few minutes? How did you know that Bob Legge and Alex Pringle were the same man? It wasn't difficult, Miss Duffy No, I suppose not Now it's out, I really dont know whether Im glad or sorry And you knew about his pre-war history? Yes He joined the British Union of Fascists in 1936 - He was a Nazi in all but name - That's a long way from being a pacifist Now perhaps you can understand his behaviour He felt his past closing in on him Forgive me for asking, but your feelings for Mr Legge.
.
? Completely unreciprocated, inspector Yes! Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear This spells disaster - Tomorrow? - OK Thanks, Bob - Hello, Miss Duffy - Decie, two beers Is it finished? Oh, yes, it's finished I think we can safely say it's over and done with May I see it? I think it's wonderful Nice of you to say so But Im glad it's finished Ive had enough of it Decie, what happened to that sherry? Ah, hello - Your sherry, Mr Fox - Oh, thank you Here you are, missy All right All right, Brer All right Come on Up you get.
Ready? That's it That's it All of it Money isn't everything, Norman.
It won't make you a better painter - Pomeroy? - Sir? Lock this away, please Constable Oates? No-one is to leave the premises - Is that clearly understood? - Sir? Close all the doors.
Somebody has tried to kill inspector Fox Oh! I can't believe it There's a distinct smell of treachery about the place - Oh! No - No, no No arguments, Brer Just till the doctor gets here I dont want to see the doctor - I should have taken your advice - Oh, what? Gone home a couple of days ago Chief inspector or no Chief inspector Where is inspector Fox? He's upstairs, the room at the end of the landing Thank you Could be here all night long We might as well make ourselves comfortable Decima, my dear, does your father have anything worthy of the occasion tucked away behind the bar? Hardly a time to start making fools of ourselves, Sebastian I should keep off the sherry in future Just a little sodium nitrate, inspector Its beef tea.
Is that all right, sir? Yes, if he'll take it.
There's nothing better Come in Sorry to disturb you, Mr Fox, sir, but I thought a little beef tea might be in order in the circumstances Now then Here we go Ooh, Mr Fox You didnt get that lying in bed No, I think I got it falling over Oh, well, I think wed better have something to clean that up Now you just hang on a minute Mr Parish I mean, this is utterly ridiculous It was you What? Why couldnt you trust me? I got to thinking that iodine would probably be the best but then I find that the blessed iodine bottle is missing from the first-aid box in the bathroom Brer Fox, I can't leave you for a minute That's just what I said, Mr Alleyn - Are you all right? - Oh, yes, yes Mind you, it would be a lot simpler with just one box Thered be a sight less confusion Take last Friday morning when Mr Legge cut himself shaving There was blood streaming down his chin, he was in a fair pickle I had to open up the cupboard in the private bar - Mr Ives - And fetch on out the other first-aid box I thought Mr Pomeroy had the only key No, I have a key to every lock in the place, except Mr Pomeroy's safe, of course Did anybody see Mr Legge with the box? Not as far as I know, no Thank you, Mrs Ives You've been a great help - I have? - You have Give her some air She's all right - Is the doctor still here? - Miss Duffy, are you all right? Yes.
Just gently.
Come on All right? Im going to get some water Are you all right, ma'am? Thank you, fine - What is it, Oates? - Its Legge, sir - What about him? - Mr Legge, he's gone and run for it Has he? Take him into the parlour - Sit him down and this time keep him there - Yes, sir Well, that's it, then We still have to prove it, sir Anything youd like me to do? You could search his room, top to bottom What are we looking for? I dont know but he's managed to poison a sherry decanter without anybody noticing This is an outrage You do know that, dont you? Oh, yes, sir, a terrible outrage Mr Pomeroy Do you think you could clean this gentleman's jacket? Reckon so Perhaps youd better empty the pockets, Mr Legge You can't keep me here Is that all? Thank you, Mr Pomeroy.
Now, Mr Legge I need a doctor I gave express instructions that no-one was to leave Why did you choose to run off? - I had to - Had to? Yes, had to I couldnt spend another minute in that room Everyone looking at me, as if I did it I have bad nerves, Im highly strung Ah, yes, of course, your your illness Seven years, I think you said Pentonville Prison, wasn't it? I don't deny my prison sentence grotesquely unjust, though it was It was 100 times worse than any illness Dunatholl should have rotted in prison until he died - You murdered Luke Watchman - No You believe he got Dunatholl off with a light sentence by shifting the blame onto you He did And all the time with that damn smile on his face Or perhaps you murdered him because you feared he would expose your past as a Nazi sympathiser You're improvising You haven't got a case Oh, but I have, Mr Legge Its the oldest cheat in the book If you can't find the guilty one, you pin it on the man with a criminal record How dare you? Convince me I not only know that you did it, I know how you did it You took the iodine bottle from the upstairs bathroom You laced it with cyanide from the rat hole and then using the pretext of a shaving cut, you gained access to the first-aid box in the cupboard in the bar Luke Watchman died the way you planned it Not from a poisoned dart, but from poisoned iodine And this evening you got scared and attempted to poison inspector Fox and myself Now what do you say to that, Mr Alexander Pringle? What an intriguing maze a policeman's mind is I would like to see that doctor now, please, if I may - Any luck, Superintendent? - Nothing Im afraid he's got the better of us - Best I could do, Mr Alleyn - Thank you, Mr Pomeroy There must be some way we can hold him give us more time I dont see how, sir He's guilty of murder and attempted murder, and Im going to have to let him walk out of there I will be bringing an official complaint against you personally, Chief inspector And now I am sick and tired of this farce Id like my things, please That's my pen Im sure it is I think you'll find, Superintendent, that this is hydrocyanic acid and it was dropped into a very fine sherry Goodbye - Well, that's it, then - Oh, you're welcome Thank you very much Tickets, thank you Here, a guide book for you Its a present Will? Can you ever forgive me for not trusting you? I love you Its not a bad life here, you know And there are worse ways of making a living It was Luke who said that I was wasting my life, that I should better myself You know it's an awful thing to say, but now he's dead, I feel quite free Hed never have married you anyway You would never have been good enough for him Pig! - Are you sure you're good enough for me? - Yes Lobster catcher Bet you can't catch me So what's in store for Mr Parish now? Resting? I haven't the faintest You could say Legge did Sebastian a bit of good, indirectly And me Do you know, Legge must have had Watchman in his sights for a very long time Poor old Luke Legge was an opportunist, an improviser Just talking about Legge Do you know, he must have waited and waited until he saw his chance Doesn't bear thinking about Now, I must get back to my own compartment Give my regards to Miss Troy Small world Well, there's our man He was a man who created his own darkness