Randall Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969) s01e09 Episode Script

Hmm.
Hmm.
Hmm 10.
15 Henry, what a thoughtful fellow you are.
Frederick, good fortune.
The kitchen stove is still serviceable, so we're having cocoa with our sandwiches.
Wonderful! Wonderful.
You know, this, Frederick, is a very attractive house.
I couldn't agree more.
Shall I check over the notes I've made so far? We arrived at Merston Manor at 10.
15 precisely, investigated all rooms, including a highly dangerous cellar before setting up watch in the lounge at 10.
54.
All doors are now secure.
We are alone in the house.
No sign of any psychic presence so far.
Oh.
Did you check upstairs? You know I did.
It couldn't be a tramp or somebody, could it? I suppose we could go and look.
Oh, dear.
Well, if there's nobody up there, why don't you make some notes? Nonsense, Henry.
You know we've never had this sort of trouble before.
It's a ghost.
We've come across a real ghost.
Nonsense.
You know I don't believe in them.
Oh, Frederick! Oh, this house is really haunted.
Hey! Hey! Wait for me! You don't think it really is haunted? Come now, Mr.
Randall, let's not be ridiculous.
It's just a thought.
Anyone who believes in ghosts is a fool and I expect you to prove it.
Good day.
Hello, fool.
- What was all that about? - I was accepting your next case.
MY next case? Yeah.
I want you to go to Merston Manor, take statements from everyone.
Get statements.
That's nice.
Jeff, are you feeling all right? Fine.
And don't let anyone give you any nonsense because they're all trespassing.
- Who's trespassing? - The ghosts.
Perfect for you.
You know I don't like that sort of thing.
Haunted houses give I've got a nervous disposition.
You've also got a death certificate, so find out who's been screaming.
Screaming? - Morning, Mr.
Randall.
- Morning, Jenny.
Thank you.
Mr.
Randall? Mr.
Randall? Oh, come on, Jeff.
This is Jenny, Jeannie's sister.
Hey, listen! Play your cards right and we could be brothers-in-law.
Come here.
What? Come here.
She's helping out while Jeannie's away, - not running a marriage bureau.
- It's about time you settled down.
I know what you're doing - trying to change the subject.
All right.
Why can't we both go to Merston Manor? Because I'm on the Morgland case - and I'm late.
- But a haunted house.
On my own! If it is haunted, you won't be on your own.
And you might even pick up a few tips.
Now go! I'm off now, Jenny.
Well, I'll be fine.
If there's a panic, can I get you at Morgland's? Yeah, sure.
You know where everything is? - Jean told me.
- I'll see you later.
- Yes, Miss James? - 'Mr.
Randall has arrived.
' Send him in.
Sorry if I'm late.
I had to see a client first thing.
Shall we begin? I understood we had first call on your services.
Simpson is waiting.
He's a dispatch clerk in our security delivery service.
- We'll take Simpson now.
- 'Yes, sir.
' - Does he handle the diamonds? - Yes, he checks and packs them.
- Mr.
Simpson, sir.
- Sit there.
Thank you, Miss James.
- When you're ready, Mr.
Randall.
- Sure.
Carry on.
I don't need to explain the situation, you know about the missing diamonds.
- Yes, sir.
The police - I'm not concerned with them.
Mr.
Randall is retained by our insurers.
He wants to know your involvement.
Yes.
Well, I received the stones in the usual way from the strongroom.
- Then - Which way was that? They were brought to me by Mr.
Fletcher, as usual, in a sealed container.
Very well.
Go back to the moment you arrived at the office and tell me everything you did.
II'm not sure I can remember everything.
We shall help you, Mr.
Simpson.
We want to know every single move.
Ah ha! Mr.
Randall! Mr.
Randall! Are you here? No, he's on another case.
I'm the other half - Hopkirk.
Where are you going? I thought you didn't believe in ghosts! You watched the canister out of the safe and until it was left with the delivery agent.
- Yes, sir.
- Thank you.
- Are there many more to see? - Four or five.
- We'll leave them till tomorrow.
- That suits me.
I don't see it.
Everyone confirms everyone else's alibi.
That's how alibis work.
Perhaps you'll explain how a consignment of diamonds disappeared under everyone's nose.
- It's possible.
- How? It's too soon to say.
You'll get a copy of my report.
See you tomorrow.
We should have it wrapped up by lunchtime.
- You finished? - I think so.
- Fine, I'll give you a lift.
- You don't even know where I live.
We can discuss such details over a drink.
Or if you play your cards right, even dinner.
Sorry to barge in on you, Mr.
Randall, knowing how busy you are.
- My secretary.
- You don't have to apologise.
It's urgent.
I'm afraid you have to drop everything, Mr.
Randall.
Shall we make it tomorrow? Do I make an appointment? - I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
I've had a trying afternoon.
You forgot to tell me about Mr.
Webster.
- The estate agent.
- We didn't get on well.
He accused you of doing nothing about his case.
I said you couldn't have accepted it because you were under an exclusive retainer.
- Not bad for starters.
- Gets better.
He said unless you're on the job tonight, you are fired.
You never imagined I put another man on it? We haven't got another man.
- Oh, if only you'd mentioned it.
- I'm sorry.
The other call, he wouldn't give his name, but said he wanted to see you tonight at this address.
Impossible.
He told me to say he knew who had the diamonds.
You see, I had to get you away from Yeah.
- A warehouse in the docks.
- It's a rough neighbourhood.
It could be a trap.
Well, like the man said, there's only one way to find out.
Oh, my coat.
Don't turn round.
I said don't.
- Why so shy? - It's the only way to do business.
All right.
I'm listening.
What's your fee for the Morgland case? Pays the rent.
- Tomorrow you finish the interviews.
- You know a lot.
I think your report to the insurance company should be negative.
- There's still Carlson.
- Carlson's a fool.
He doesn't want to tie it in to the company.
You play your cards right and there's 5,000 in it.
- You must be terrified.
- All I want is peace and quiet.
You're the one who can get it for me.
You do work there? is decide it was an outside job.
If I don't? - I wouldn't advise that, Randall.
- I see.
Let me give you a piece of advice.
Next time you want to play gunman, make sure the tubing is the right bore.
What are you doing here? Um, nothing.
I'm I'm not going back to Merston Manor, so forget it.
Why not? What did you find there? - Nothing.
- Well, then.
Jeff, it's It's spooky.
Another hour and I'd have had a nervous breakdown.
Ghosts don't have nervous breakdowns.
How do you know? If I want a nervous breakdown, I'll have one.
I'm telling you, I was terrified.
What of? If it's haunted, you should be delighted.
- Somewhere to go on your night off.
- Very funny.
Ghosts are nothing to be scared of.
- How do you know? - Because I live with one.
- That is different.
- Oh, yeah? Do I run around screaming every time you jump out of the woodwork? No, I talk to you like a normal, rational individual.
You just have to go have a nice chat with whoever is doing the haunting.
Suppose it isn't a nice ghost? It could be some fool waving a sword about, straight out of Macbeth.
- My head is not going on a plate.
- That was Samson and Delilah.
- It could be two ghosts.
- I can't handle both cases.
- Webster's breathing down my neck.
- Let him.
- Chances are there's nothing there.
- Oh, yes? Why don't you try it? All right.
OK.
We'll go together.
Now! Now? - Cosy little place.
- Shh.
- This isn't at all bad.
- I don't like it.
It's too quiet.
A few groans and clanking chains would liven things up.
Don't say that! I've got a great idea.
Why don't we come tomorrow? You've had no sleep and I'm tired.
- Ghosts can't get tired.
- Will you? Will you stop telling me what ghosts can and can't do? Relax.
It's just an old, empty house.
Ha! Empty, he says.
What do you think that is? - Mice with clogs on? - Shh! You better take a look.
Up there? On my own? You must be joking.
Jeff, I've just taken myself off this case.
Listen, it's coming downstairs.
Come on.
Do you see anything, Marty? Marty? Marty, come back here! - Go on, then.
Say it.
- You're fired! Fired? What do you mean? You ran away, too.
You can't fire a partner.
Especially a dead one.
- Don't get technical.
- I said it was haunted.
- You wouldn't believe me.
- Why d'you think I put you on it? I asked you to take one look.
One lousy, rotten look.
Right.
You're forgetting one thing.
If I can see him, he can see me.
Whatever he was dragging, it wasn't a good-conduct medal.
If you couldn't have seen him, - we'd know it was a hoax.
- What do you mean, a hoax? If it terrifies a ghost, me, who cares? Watch the road.
- Hi, Jenny.
- Morning, Mr.
Randall.
You look terrible.
Thanks a bunch.
That's all I need.
And you're late.
Morgland's have been on the phone twice panicking.
They'll panic when I get there.
Oh? The contact last night proved useful? If you include bribery, blackmail and assault, very useful.
I just need a name to fit the face.
- At Morgland's? - At Morgland's.
Can you type these? Get them to Webster with a letter saying too early to reach conclusions, further observations required.
- Stuff like that.
- With you.
- Shall I get a taxi or something? - Can't you drive? - Yes.
But I haven't got a car.
- Use mine.
- That'll keep Webster quiet.
- Is the house haunted or not? If it isn't, someone's got a rotten sense of humour.
I'll be at Morgland's, if you need me.
Ciao.
Morning.
You have been busy.
We do like to keep normal office hours, Randall.
You missed the last four interviews.
We'll have the transcripts this afternoon.
They won't be necessary.
You could drive a truck through the holes in this.
See here, Randall.
- Here? - Simpson's office.
He checked them.
- Put them in the safe? - Naturally.
And went to lunch.
- Yes, he went to lunch.
- So? We're not fools.
Two men were outside the whole time.
Fine.
They'll be able to tell us who went in.
You saw these men this morning.
They'll be able to tell you who went in the office.
- You are incredible, Randall.
- There was somebody in the office.
- Who was it? - A director.
In point of fact, the sales director, Mr.
Walter Previss.
- Shall we see him now or later? - I don't care what you do, Randall.
'How about some coffee, darling?' I'm going to lunch.
See that Randall is out of my office before I get back.
Understand? Yes, Mr.
Carlson.
Just keep quiet and you won't get hurt.
- What do you want? - A little cooperation.
I'll give you the directions as you drive.
I said drive.
Don't even think of playing games because I'd have to drive the car myself and then you would get hurt.
All right? - How about lunch? - You must be joking.
If Mr.
Carlson found out, my feet wouldn't touch the ground.
Ah, Previss, I wondered if you'd pay us a visit.
All right, Miss James.
Carlson said you wanted a word.
I want more than that.
I want a signed confession and 50,000 in diamonds.
Sorry, old chap.
The stones are already in the hands of my agents.
I'd be a fool to sign anything now.
We know you're a fool, Previss, Or you wouldn't have tried a crazy stunt like this.
- And I can prove it.
- But you won't.
Oh, but I will.
Not if you want to see your charming secretary again.
I don't believe you.
Phone your office.
She was picked up by friends of mine.
Friends who don't care whether you see her again or not.
You Splendid.
All you've got to do is report that the robbery was an outside job, by persons unknown, and she'll be back at work in no time at all.
Jenny! Jenny! - She hasn't been back since lunch.
- Where did she go? - She's your secretary.
- And your sister-in-law! - Can't you keep an eye on her? - What for? She's only out shopping.
Isn't she? Jeff? No.
She's being held to keep my mouth shut.
- Held? By who? - I was hoping you'd know.
Me? All right, so she's standing in for Jeannie.
Five minutes and you've got her into bother.
You are not getting her involved.
It's not that simple.
I don't see how he planned it so quickly.
Never mind that.
Tell 'em your lips are sealed.
Don't even tell me.
She's his insurance.
He'll keep her until I'm warning you, if it's you or Jenny, you'll be in a white suit before you can turn round.
- Shut up.
- I will not shut up! Previss, an amateur working alone, persuades someone to grab Jenny.
- How? - Money.
Know the right people, get anything.
That's it.
Here's this director doing his once-in-a-lifetime job.
- Well, who's he know? Except - Well? The fence, the man he passed the diamonds on to.
He's the only man he can trust with a reason for grabbing Jenny.
- That makes sense.
- It's got to be.
Previss lies low until things cool off and takes a holiday abroad.
And Jenny? It could take weeks.
You've got to do something.
Not until I know who the fence is.
- That's your job.
- Mine? Sooner or later, Previss will contact the fence.
You haunt Previss.
Don't let him out of your sight.
Right.
Hang on, I don't know Previss.
Find him at his office! Let me know when he meets that fence.
Right.
Busy, Mr.
Randall? Frantic.
Randall, I don't think you realise the urgency involved.
I am sitting on a client who I dare not take out to Merston Manor - until this nonsense is stopped.
- We all have our problems, some more urgent than selling a house.
Possibly.
But if you were able to go this afternoon, - you can give me a report.
- It was done this morning.
What did you say? If you had time to go this afternoon - This afternoon? - Yes.
You were there.
- What makes you say that? - I saw your car.
I was passing.
I would have stopped but I was with a client.
- Why would Jenny go there? - Jenny? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
Don't worry.
All part of the service.
If I'm right, your house will be on the market in no time.
Oh, splendid! Mr.
Randall.
Jeff! Oh, you had me so worried.
- Is it always like this? - What? - Your job.
- Only when I don't do it right.
- What's all this about, Jeff? - I'm not sure.
I think this is a hide-out for stolen goods.
- Why bring me here? - It ties in with the Morgland case.
Previss must have used that fence for the diamonds.
He's holding you to keep my mouth shut.
- Now he's got you.
- Yeah.
Lucky Previss.
How many are there of them? Oh, two of them brought me here.
I heard another one come later.
They can't keep us here for long.
Can they? I don't know.
I should think they're more worried about that than we are.
- Is Jackson on watch? - Yes, at the front.
Then get me a brandy.
That'll be Previss now.
Aha! Nice of you to come, old chap.
Drink? No, thanks.
It's no fault of mine Randall found his way here.
What was that? We weren't followed.
Don't blame me.
That's hardly the point.
Due to a very unfortunate set of circumstances, Mr.
Randall found our little nest.
The point is, Previss, what are you going to do about it? Well, I really don't consider it's my problem.
He's a bit of a joker, isn't he? We only agreed to hold the girl until the stones had been disposed of and Randall had cleared you.
The situation now is quite different.
- Our whole operation is in jeopardy.
- I can't help that.
But my dear chap, it's all your fault.
This is a mess.
You were supposed to stay at the office.
Who was supposed to check this house? It certainly wasn't me.
I'm sorry, love.
I was kicking myself for not checking this place over.
Exactly.
And you know how nervous I get when there's other ghosts about.
A few lousy sound effects.
They are very convincing.
No one expects a ghost to punch them on the jaw.
So that was it.
You fell for that, did you? There's a ghost I'd like a few rounds with.
Not the way these ropes are tied, I'm afraid.
I'd like to know what they're talking about.
I'm doing my best.
I just can't loosen the knots.
I know, love.
I'm sorry.
All right, Jeff.
I'm going.
The fact is, you led him here.
He knows you.
I know, but what else can we do? You can't be serious.
Perfectly serious.
Unless you'd like us to do a deal with Randall.
Let him have you and the diamonds.
May I recommend something more subtle? A fatal car accident in the early hours? The driver smelling strongly of drink, of course.
Jeff, have you any idea what they're planning in there? They're forcing Previss to kill you.
They're telling him how.
It's no use, Jeff.
We'll just have to sit it out.
No, Jenny! We've got to do something.
The only way is to get some help.
Help! Yes, but how? There isn't time.
Don't worry, Jenny.
I'll think of something.
No.
No, I couldn't.
Very well.
Latimer.
Bring Randall out.
All right.
No! Don't listen to him.
All right.
- I'll need help.
- Latimer will stay here with you.
Now, don't worry, old chap.
You'll be amazed how easy it is.
No one will suspect anything but a boss having a night out with his secretary.
Give me an hour to show up at the club.
How much help do I give him? If he doesn't do it, kill him and deal with the others.
There's got to be a way.
There's got to be.
Oh, try and get some sleep, Jeff.
You might have some ideas in the morning.
Jeannie will be very upset about this.
She'll never forgive you.
Somehow you've got to get someone over here.
Someone nearby, who isn't afraid of ghosts.
All right.
I'll try.
But even if I do find someone, who'd listen to a ghost giving directions to a haunted house? Together we have witnessed many strange and inexplicable occurrences.
However, I'm going to concentrate only on the situation at Merston Manor.
Throughout the night we heard sounds which could be construed as supernatural.
But I'm able to tell you now that after further investigation, the following day, almost all the manifestations could be put down to purely natural, material causes.
Mr.
Horsfall, good evening.
I've got to talk to you.
I can solve the Merston Manor problem.
I must address the meeting, through you.
You can't really be A ghost.
Of course I'm a ghost.
I thought you were an expert.
- What is it? - There's been a complication.
This gentleman wants to address the meeting.
Have you been drinking, Henry? What gentleman? This gentleman over here in the white suit.
Pull yourself together, there's no one there.
Mr.
Wallor, the meeting, please.
Excuse me.
Mr.
Horsfall, you've got to listen to me.
- I need everybody's help.
- Go away.
You don't exist.
You're an impostor.
What? Oh, for crying out loud.
Look what I found! It'll make it look more like an accident, in case the car doesn't catch fire.
Langford said to wait an hour.
There's still 30 minutes.
We might as well do the thing properly.
What's the matter? Are you afraid to look them in the face? Couldn't we wait till they're asleep? Perhaps use a drug? I haven't got Langford's patience.
In actual fact, ladies and gentlemen, for every supernatural incident, there is a super-normal answer.
In the case of Merston Manor, my colleague and I have been to great pains to ensure it is merely a very old, deserted house.
Henry! For the last time, will you stop behaving like a fool and listen to me? - Go away! - I will not go away! Henry, if you don't help, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life.
Go away, whoever you are.
Please go away.
My colleague does seem rather anxious to make one or two points, so I will introduce him without further ado.
Here he is, Mr.
Henry Horsfall.
You better listen to me, or there'll be two more ghosts screaming at you.
Go away! I'm terribly sorry, but I really would like to say something.
Be quiet! - Ladies and gentlemen - Never mind ladies and gentlemen! All right.
All right.
- Tell me anything to say, anything.
- Right! Ladies and gentlemen, the truth about Merston Manor is that it is haunted, and a ghost is with us here in the house tonight.
The reason he is here is he wants to tell us a gang have made their headquarters there and there are two people going to be murdered in cold blood tonight.
Well, really! Yes, going to be murdered in cold blood.
Webster will prove it.
- Yes, he'll prove it.
- What? - Absolute poppycock.
- Come on, Henry.
Come on, Henry! Randall.
Randall, you're the detective.
Could you tell if the bodies in a burnt out car had died before or after the crash? If you weren't so stupid, you'd know there's more to it than that.
Oh, yes.
Of course there is.
First, Previss uses a starting handle on you both.
If it was me, it would be quick and painless, but Previss is very nervous and not very strong.
Stop it! Get on with it.
- All right.
But you stay outside.
- Oh, no.
If I've got to do it I don't want a witness.
All right.
Scream.
Scream! Scream! Drop that gun! - Thank you, sir.
- Pleasure, my dear fellow.
- Unpleasant type.
- Yes, somewhat.
There's more upstairs the police'd be interested in.
Right! - How's Jenny? - She's OK.
She's upstairs.
- You cut it a bit fine.
- That's nice.
That's charming, that is, I save your life and all you do is complain.
I mean, well we cleared up both cases, didn't we? Frederick, I think I'd like to go home.
I'm not surprised, Henry.
You've made a spectacle of yourself, not to mention our reputations.
Listen, I want the truth.
How did you know about this? I'll tell you, Frederick, when I was coming in to the hall, I overheard - What's up with the little fellow? - He's just seen a ghost.
Up you come.
- Not the lady, Colonel.
- Pity.
- Can you manage this one? - Come along, you.
- You all right, Jenny? - Mmm.
Been quite a day, hasn't it? - She's done very well, hasn't she? - Yes, she has.
- What was that? - Nothing.
Come on.
It runs in the family, you know.
I know it's cleared up, but there's something I don't understand.
- What's that? - How did Henry what's-his-name Henry Horsfall know where we were? Um, I don't know, Jenny.
Perhaps the old place really was haunted.