The Avengers (1961) s02e10 Episode Script

1 (theme music playing) This should remove the present makeup base, then we can start building up from there.
Well, I can't get over my husband buying me a beauty treatment and I don't know whether to take it as a compliment or not.
Every man likes his wife to look beautiful, Mrs.
Ross.
Why didn't he tell me about it? I understood it was to be a surprise for you.
That's why he asked me to call on you on your own home.
Is that a mudpack, Miss Denham? It's a face beauty pack.
Well, I'm not very fond of them, you know.
- They cake, don't they? - Not this one.
This is one of our own creations.
It has an extremely fast-setting agent.
It'll dry quite solid within a few seconds.
Hmm, you're right.
I can hardly move my face already.
I'd like to remove a few of those lip wrinkles.
Now breathe through your nostrils.
Now tilt your head back.
That leaves us just the nose.
The nostrils.
Take a look on at this ID point, Sid.
What do you reckon? Oh, there's a slight flaw on the girdle.
Well, who will see that when it's set? Well, I still wouldn't give more than 20 pounds a karat for it.
I'm very sorry, I hope I haven't broken anything.
It's all right.
I'm looking for a Mr.
Van Berg.
He's the security officer, - I believe, of the Diamond Federation.
- Van Berg? He's on the floor somewhere.
I'll see if I can find him.
- Thank you.
- Excuse me, Jack.
Oh, Van? A gentleman to see you.
How do you do? My name is Steed.
I telephoned you yesterday afternoon.
Oh, yes, yes.
Excuse me.
You're the man who wants a setup - on the Diamond Bourse as a dealer.
- That's right.
And I gather I can't do that unless the Diamond Federation agrees to supply me with rough stones.
Yes, that's quite correct.
You deal with all diamond sales? - Well, yes, we do.
- You must be new in this business, Mr.
Steed.
The Federation controls diamond operations throughout the world.
- If you'll excuse us, Mr.
Daniels.
- Yes, certainly.
So you want to buy uncut stones, Mr.
Steed.
May I ask why? To resell to the diamond cutters at a profit.
Isn't that the way dealers usually operate? I'm asking you why you chose this aspect of the business.
Oh, I see, I thought I might be rather good at it.
- Do I need another reason? - Yes, I'm afraid you do.
That one seems a bit too simple for me.
You seem very suspicious.
Yes, we have to be in this business.
- Man: Mr.
Van Berg? - Yes, coming right away.
We'll consider your application, Mr.
Steed, but frankly, I wouldn't hold out much hope.
- Any luck? - I'm afraid not.
- He doesn't seem to encourage new business.
- Ah.
They're a bit worried at the moment.
There's some illicit buying going on at Hatton Garden.
Really? On a large scale? Well, they've traced a million pounds worth of illegal stones so far.
- Have they now? - Yeah, probably a lot more about.
Still, that's not our worry.
I've been thinking, if you're really keen to get into this business, why don't you try going into a partnership with an established dealer? That's a very good idea.
Have you got a suggestion? There's a man called Ross who might be interested.
- I understand he's - Ross.
Selling his house in Highgate, so perhaps he's trying to raise capital.
Ross, Highgate? Now I've seen that in the papers somewhere.
Yeah, he just lost his wife.
- Under rather strange circumstances? - Terrible business.
Yes, I remember.
I might be interested in buying his house.
Who knows? - Thanks for your help.
- Pleasure.
- (animal roars) - What was that?! Oh, do be careful.
I told you to move that if it's in the way.
Look, perhaps I better shove it in the bedroom.
Yeah, what is it anyway? - It's the head of a blue wildebeest.
- Not anymore.
It's a striped one now, isn't it? It won't bite, will it? Would you prefer for me to move into the bedroom, too? No.
No, no.
You stay where you are.
I don't want to cause you any bother.
You're very considerate.
Anybody home? - It used to be a home.
- Oh, there you are.
What a terrible smell of paint around this place.
Oh, well, if you've got a visitor, I'll go do a bit in the bathroom.
Well, now look, don't tell me you're gonna go on living here, all this redecorating? - (animals roars) - Jeez.
I'm gonna try to.
How do you turn this off? There we are.
Look, I'll get it out of the way for you.
You ought to move out till it's finished.
Where do you suggest I go, the YMCA? I had a stroke of luck.
A beautiful 1930s modern mansion set in its own grounds, 12 rooms, in the most exclusive part of Highgate.
Ah, there we are.
- Right.
- Thank you.
- That was a great help.
- It's a pleasure.
You've gone into the real estate business then? No, I just happen to have one going spare.
Won't you be using it? I thought we might both use it.
Thank you for the offer, but I prefer to make my own arrangements.
Oh, don't misunderstand me.
It's just that I need a wife for a couple of weeks.
So long? - As a sort of cover to my business, you know.
- What business? This.
What are you doing with rough diamonds? I'm trying to track down about a million pounds worth of them.
Those are illicit stones.
You've lived in Africa.
You probably know more about the illicit diamond business - than I do.
- Possibly.
And the house goes with the job, does it? Hmm.
I need someone to do some entertaining, you know, make it look respectable.
(glass shatters) What's the address? I'll let you know as soon as you can move in, Mrs.
Steed.
Man: Oh, miss? I found this in the bathroom.
Where do you want me to put it? I should put it back in the bath.
It's still alive.
Go open the door.
There's no need to look so scared.
We thought you were the customers.
He is a nervous boy, isn't he? I'm not the only one.
Everyone in Hatton Garden's on edge.
That's just what we're aiming for.
Look, I still think it would be better if these stones were trickled through a few at a time.
It would take us 20 years with the stocks we hold.
This isn't one of your petty smuggling rackets.
This operation is on a scale that you don't appear to grasp.
I'm only trying to warn you that the Federation knows this stuff's is getting in, and so do the Customs.
Sooner or later, somebody is gonna start mentioning a few names.
Suppose you leave us to worry about that.
I think that might be wise.
By the way, how is Ross getting on after his tragic loss? He's carrying on in business.
He's even talking of going into partnership.
Is he? With whom? A new man called Steed.
This Mr.
Steed, is he backing Ross? Well, he must be pretty well loaded to set up as a dealer at all, mustn't he? Besides, I heard he paid £30,000 for Ross' house in cash.
What about his private life? He's married, that's all I know.
Then you better get to know him a little better, haven't you? I'll try.
Well, what are you waiting for? Better get back the way you came and take care you're not seen.
And by the way, I shall need the use of your workshop again tomorrow night.
Now look, you can't go on dealing right in the center - of the garden.
- Why not? That's where the dealers are.
Well, couldn't they come out here? And run the risk of being followed? We run quite enough risk with you coming here.
Now get out.
Do we really need that boy? His workshop comes in useful.
And he knows are quite a few dealers.
Perhaps he's right about being a bit more cautious.
My instructions are to dispose of these stones as quickly as possible.
That means that we must test our strength and we can't do that cautiously.
Well, Mr.
Steed, your bank seems to think highly of you.
Well, Sir John is an old friend, Mr.
Ross.
- Hmm, so you'd be all right for an overdraft? - Mm-hmm.
I've had my solicitor draw up a draft deed - of partnership there as you see.
- I know.
I've checked it.
The only point is, Mr.
Steed, if you'll excuse me asking, just how much do you know about the technical side of this business? Oh, as I explained to you, I'm no expert.
I think I'll leave that to you until I get to know more about it.
I think my most useful contribution is putting up capital.
- Mr.
Steed, we are in business.
- Excellent.
By the way, how do you like my house? Well, my wife's seen it.
She seems very happy.
Seems an awful pity you have to sell, though.
Well, after what happened to my wife, there is just myself and my daughter.
Why do we need such a big place? Well, I'm happy to arrange the sale for you today.
- So it's all yours.
- Fine.
Is there anything else you would like to know while you are here? Yeah, there's one thing that puzzles me.
I went through your books.
How do you work out the Customs and excise duty on rough stones? The Federation works that out with the Customs whenever they import stones.
Then the Federation and the Customs, they take their whack, and believe me it's a big whack.
Unless you're dealing in illicit stones, too.
Obviously, if you pay no customs, you make a fortune.
- That's why people go to such lengths to do it.
- Mm-hmm.
Mr.
Steed, before we go any further, I would like to get one thing clear.
If you are in partnership with me, you'll deal legitimately.
- Naturally.
- Sorry I'm late, daddy.
Oh, hello.
This is my new partner, Mr.
Steed.
My daughter, Jackie.
She works for me.
- From now on, for us.
- Very nice, too.
I'll be seeing a lot more of you then, Jackie.
If you want anything, Ross, I'll be at the house.
I've got to help the little woman move in.
Jackie, you know it's after 10:00? - I had a late night.
- Who with? Daddy, I'm nearly 20.
I should be able to go out with whom I please.
All right, you answered my question.
Now I suppose we don't talk for the rest of the day.
Now look, darling, all I want is that you don't waste yourself.
You are all I've got left now.
Daddy, I've got a headache.
I don't feel like another lecture.
Well, you are going to get one whether you feel like it or not! Not if you're gonna start on about Nicky! That boy is no good for you.
He's already been in trouble once.
Well, that's all over now.
In any case, I don't care.
Daddy, I love Nicky and there's nothing you can do about that.
- Can't you knock? - I did.
You didn't hear.
You've got a nerve coming here during working hours.
Isn't it enough to drag her out half the night? - I didn't come to see Jackie.
I came to see you.
- Oh.
Jackie, go down to the café and bring me a cup of tea.
Yes? Go on.
Now, Mr.
Ross, I'd like to talk to you about your new partner.
Oh, you're unloaded then.
I thought I saw a Pantechnicon moving away.
Look, did you really have to bring all this junk? Well, I wasn't gonna leave them in the flat for that vandal of a decorator to ruin.
Well, couldn't you have got the Natural History museum to take them off your hands a couple of weeks? I prefer to keep my eye on them.
Give me a hand down, will you? - Oh, hold on.
- Oh.
Take your fares, twice round the children's zoo for six pence.
- Did you enjoy it, my love? - Not much.
By the way, I'm glad you walked in.
I've just been having a talk to one of the neighbors.
There appears to be some mystery about the previous lady of the house.
I meant to mention that.
Yes, she had a terrible accident with a face pack.
How can one have an accident with a face pack? Well, it was made of a sort of plaster of Paris compound, and it hardened rather quickly.
The coroner gave accidental death.
I don't think so, though.
I have my doubts.
- You think she was murdered? - Yeah, I think so.
Here? No, up in the bedroom, I'd say.
I see.
Well, that's all I wanted to know.
Have you got anything to drink? I think under those antlers there you'll find some.
Have you ever heard of a fellow called Fenton? No, I don't think so.
Why, should I have done? Well, he spent most of his life in South Africa.
- I was in East Africa.
- Yes, probably there, too.
- Glasses? - In the bar.
He was a member of the Diamond Federation out there until he was sacked for dealing in illicit stones.
Well? He left breathing fire on the Federation, and came to London a couple of years ago, went into hiding.
I think he's the fellow behind this illegal diamond operation.
I thought the Federation had their own security people.
Why are you involved? Well, it's got rather wide implications.
These people have an unlimited supply of diamonds, and I mean unlimited.
They could even take over the entire market if they could get buyers to deal with them.
- Cheers, love.
- Cheers.
And if they moved in on industrial diamonds, they could get a grip on our industry, particularly armaments.
There's not much you can do without cutting tools.
All the same, I can't see anyone breaking the Diamond Federation.
Well, from what I've heard of Fenton, he's mad enough to try.
You set yourself up as a dealer in the hope that they'll approach you.
I'd like to see how they operate.
So you and I will have to convince them that we're legitimate.
Are these all you've got for me? These are the only ones I thought I could trust.
- Then you better close up and set your alarm.
- Right.
Now, gentlemen, as you've seen, this first parcel is of second brilliance, total weight 2,200 karats.
Now who'll offer me 12 pounds a karat? All right.
I'll start at 11.
76 pounds a karat, ought make a round figure, £25,000 the parcel.
Who will offer me 25,000 pounds? I'm offered 25,000 pounds.
Will anyone raise that? 25,850 pounds.
25,850 pounds.
That's 11.
76 pounds a karat.
Now come along, gentlemen, you know very well that this is at least 2,000 below Federation prices.
- 26,000.
- 26,000.
- 26,400.
- 26,400.
Anything further? Mr.
Van Klee.
This second parcel, gentlemen, is industrials, total weight, 4,000 karats.
Do you care to inspect it.
It's all right, gentlemen, don't be alarmed.
Go and see who it is.
- It's Van Berg! - Stay where you are, gentlemen.
- Is he alone? - Yes.
- Then let him in.
- With this stuff lying around, are you mad? I said let him in.
- These yours? - No.
- Where did they come from? - That's none of your business, Van Berg.
You've answered my question.
You all know these are illicit stones, don't you? And you know you can't prove that because one stone is exactly like another.
I don't have to prove anything.
I'll leave that to the Customs.
Why didn't you bring the Customs officers with you? I'll ask the questions.
I tell you why you didn't bring them with you, Van Berg, 'cause you know that you're gonna make a fool of yourself.
I don't know what you think you're doing here.
I suppose you've been doing some private sleuthing.
Well, all you'll find is a few diamond merchants dealing among themselves.
What do you prefer to do about them? I'm not going to argue with you.
I don't have to.
I shall impound these stones as evidence.
I shall make a report on each one of you to the Federation and the police.
- Now, look here - You all know what that means.
Van Berg? Those diamonds belong to me.
Your Federation has run this industry long enough.
It's time we changed that.
No, Fenton, don't be a fool! (gunshots) Pick those stones up.
- Well? - He won't float.
- Supposing they drag the Thames? - Why should they? Van Berg disappeared in Hatton Garden.
- He might be anywhere.
- I still don't see why you had to kill him.
He was starting to breathe down our necks.
But he couldn't identify those stones.
The dealers were getting nervous.
How do you know that they won't get so nervous that they'll run straight to the police for protection? For the same reason that you don't, my dear Nicky.
No one can be protected every minute of the day.
It only takes a few seconds to kill a man.
Now tell me, how are you getting on with our new acquaintance, Steed? I'm not sure of him yet.
- Have you approached him? - Yes.
I'm seeing him tonight.
He's throwing a party for some dealers, and Jackie and I have got ourselves invited.
Well, you better get over there.
Would you like Lisa to go with you to back you up.
No, I can handle it myself.
I hope you can, for Steed's sake as well.
Thanks, George.
You're a big help.
Hey, you're going a bit faster than me.
- Speed of the slowest ship, eh? - There we are, love.
- Turn it right.
- Excuse me.
Darling, could you turn the sound up a bit? - Yes.
- Thank you, my love.
Oh, shall we lead them out there, Mrs.
Daniels? - Would you do me the honor? - I'm awfully sorry, but I'm not very good at dancing.
Now I don't believe it.
Come on, let's give it a go.
- Well, if you insist.
- Careful of the carpet.
Ah, this was a good idea.
- Livens things up a bit, don't you think? - Yes.
You are lucky moving here.
I've always liked this house.
Yeah, it's got a very nice feel to it.
We haven't started the decorating yet, of course.
Oh, but I shouldn't have thought that was necessary.
I mean, Mrs.
Ross has such very good taste.
Yes.
(chuckles) Doesn't go too well with my wife's trophies, I'm afraid.
No.
I do hope Max is all right.
Come and dance, Max.
No, no, thanks my dear.
I'm quite happy.
He seems to be.
It's awfully kind of you to invite us, Mr.
Steed.
Not at all.
It was a pleasure.
- Excuse me.
I think my husband wants to speak to me.
- Oh.
- Let me take your coat.
- Oh, thank you.
If you'd like to go over to the bar, my husband will give you a drink.
But we've only just arrived, Max.
I'm sorry, Steed, but we have to go on down to town.
- I don't wanna be late.
- That's too bad.
Shall I see you to the door? No, it's okay.
We'll show ourselves out.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you for the dance.
Good night.
Come along, my dear.
Come along.
Excuse me.
Oh, Jackie, it's very good of you to come.
- This is Nicky.
- How do you do, Nicky? What will you have to drink, eh? - Oh, a gin and orange, please.
- Gin and orange.
- Orange squash.
- Orange squash.
What happened to your partner, John? They had an appointment in town.
They sent you their apologies.
- Will you have a drink, my darling? - Oh, no, thank you.
I've got one started over there.
Mr.
Steed, I wonder if I could have a word with you.
By all means.
Jackie, do come and meet my mother-in-law.
- She's really quite a character.
- Oh.
- Oh, you've forgotten your gin and orange.
- Thank you.
Now what did you want to see about? I thought you might be interested in a proposition.
Proposition? Hmm.
Hi.
I have some diamonds to sell.
Nothing very subtle about you, is there? It could be a very profitable deal.
How profitable? You can have a million pound's worth if you want.
There's no limit.
My partner does the buying, you know that.
His resources are somewhat limited.
We we thought you might like to start trading on your own account.
How will I get it? You leave that to us.
Now what do you say? No, I don't think so.
Try someone else.
- Well, everything all right? - Jackie's in a bad state.
It's quite understandable coming back to her old home.
Of course, I quite understand.
Jackie, why don't you, come and dance.
- Yes, go on.
- Well, thank you.
Let me fill this up for you.
What was it? - Gin and orange.
- Right.
Nicky: Just a minute, Steed.
I thought we'd had our little chat.
You will excuse us, won't you, my darling? So what is it now? I've made you an offer and you've turned it down.
You're no fool, Steed, you know what that means? What does it mean? It means we shall have to use some other form of persuasion.
It's not going to be very pleasant.
You're sweating, Nicky.
Here, miss, what are you doing here? Ow! What's going on? Is he a friend of yours? He works for me.
Does he always give your customers such a warm welcome? She was in here when I came in.
- Door was open so I came in to wait for you.
- No, it couldn't have been 'cause I locked up last night myself and I set the alarm.
Get out.
I'm terribly sorry about this, Mrs.
Steed.
You do understand with so many valuables lying around, - we have to be very careful.
- Oh, yes, that's all right.
You you wanted to see me about something? Um, yes, Jackie was telling me you specialize in jewelry repairs.
I manufacture jewelry, yes.
I also do repairs from time to time.
Is there anything special? Yes, I was wondering if you could fix this watch for me.
A couple of stones seemed to have fallen out of the mounting.
It shouldn't be too difficult.
Where did you get this? My husband gave it to me as a present.
Why? You do have a customs receipt for this, don't you? We should have one, but I haven't got it with me.
I'm sorry.
I'm not taking that on.
Then I'll have to try someone else, won't I? Jackie seemed to think you'd be able to.
- Mrs.
Steed? - Yes? That's a smuggled watch, isn't it? I wouldn't have thought that would have worried you.
What do you mean? Jackie told me about your bit of bother 12 months ago.
Did she also tell you that I was framed? She claimed that, yes.
Your story was that someone dumped a batch of watches on you for you to reset into different mountings.
Yes, and ten minutes later, the Customs walked in.
Whoever dumped those watches also tipped off the Customs.
Still, you were lucky not to go to jail, weren't you? I would have done if I hadn't paid up.
But the Customs prefer to get money out of you.
I would say a 10,000 pound fine, must have been very difficult for a small jeweler to find.
- Friends raised it.
- The same friends who got you in on this diamond smuggling racket? Is that what you're doing now, paying off your debt? Who are you working for, Mrs.
Steed, - the Customs or the Federation? - Neither.
By the way, that watch of mine is quite legitimate.
I bought it in a Customs auction.
Sid.
Yep.
Are you sure you locked up last night? Of course, I'm sure, I always do.
- And set the alarm? - And set the alarm.
Come here.
Look at this.
Whoever did that managed to cut the wires without setting off the alarm.
You better report it to the boss, hadn't you? I don't have to report to Fenton everything that happens in my own workshop.
Just as you like, mate.
- Nice to see you again.
- I won't keep you.
I just wanted to say how sorry we were we had to leave your party so early.
Oh, that's all right.
Let me take your coat.
Thank you.
All the same, I do owe you an explanation.
Oh, you had to go into town, didn't you? Yes, but it wasn't as important as all that.
Oh? Well, I suppose I shouldn't discuss my husband's business behind his back.
Oh, I know how you feel, Mrs.
Daniels, but wives should take an interest, shouldn't they? That's exactly what I always tell Max.
He worries himself sick, expects sympathy from me, but he won't tell me what's the matter.
Sit down.
- Cigarette? - Thank you.
So you don't know what it is that's worrying him? I do now.
I got it out of him eventually.
Well? - You'll keep it to yourself, won't you? - Mm-hmm.
- You know about this illicit diamond business? - Yes.
They're putting pressure on Max.
I see.
Then we both have the same problem.
I thought so.
I told Max I was sure that Mr.
Steed had been approached as well.
I suggested he ought to speak to your husband.
What did he say to that? Something about wondering whether Mr.
Steed might be in with the rest of the gang.
- Oh, but surely - I said I couldn't believe a man like your husband would get involved in business like that.
- Well, he's not the type.
- That's nice of you, Mrs.
Daniels.
But that man, Nicky's got something to do with it.
Because when he turned up at your party, Max decided to leave.
Did your husband tell you what kind of pressure they've been putting on him? No.
He didn't.
- But I do know that it affects me somehow.
- You? Max insisted I leave London for a while.
- He wants me to go abroad.
- I see.
Tell me, did you know Mrs.
Ross very well? Oh, yes.
We were very close friends.
Do you know if her husband was under any kind of pressure before she died? Well, she didn't say so, not in so many words.
But I knew there was something wrong.
I think you better do as your husband says and go away for a bit.
But if Max is in danger, I ought to stay and help him.
Mrs.
Ross wasn't able to help her husband much, was she? No.
I see what you mean.
(telephone rings) Hello? This is Mrs.
Steed here.
Is my husband there, Mr.
Ross? Yes, he's here.
Your wife.
Ross: She sounds a bit annoyed.
- Oh, dear.
- Mm-hmm.
- Hello, darling.
- I want to talk to you.
Go ahead.
I can't talk on the phone.
When will you be back? When I finish my work, my dear.
Well, you better make it sooner than that.
Otherwise, you won't find me here.
In fact, I think it might be better if we met at my flat.
I'll see you there in an hour.
But, but Everything all right? She's fused all the lights.
Do you know where the fuse is? The main fuse box is in the cellar.
Oh, thank you, I better go and pacify the little woman.
On second thoughts, she can calm down.
Can I have a look at those diamonds you bought this morning? What for? Well, after all, I am your partner.
All right.
But I thought we agreed I am in charge of this side of the business.
Oh, of course, yes.
We'll keep to that.
I've got to learn some time, haven't I? Could you lend me your little glass thing? - With pleasure.
- Thank you.
- How much did you pay for them? - 15,000 pounds.
- Would you like to see the Federation invoice? - Not much point.
They didn't come from the Federation.
- What are you talking about? - I don't know how you cook your invoices, - but these are illicit stones.
- Illicit? Even an expert couldn't tell the difference, let alone you.
Late last night the Federation stopped selling rough stones until the illicit stuff could be tracked down.
Anything bought since that time must have been bought illegally.
I'm not gonna interfere on your side of the business, but why did you give me that fatherly chat about buying legally? I didn't want you to get involved.
Very thoughtful of you.
Why not? Because I didn't want the same thing to happen to your wife that happened to mine.
Why didn't you tell me this before? - I didn't dare.
- They killed your wife, you had nothing to lose Or were you frightened for your own skin? No, no, no, not for me.
I don't care about myself anymore.
But I do care about my Jackie, my daughter.
Yeah, I see.
Steed she She's all I've got left in the world now.
Have you told her what's happening? How can I tell her? How can I tell her that because of my obstinacy, her mother was killed? Would she believe me when she's so in love with that Nicky creature? She would think I was trying to break them up.
Hmm.
They really got you, haven't they? Yes, that's how they are getting everyone in the business, through their families.
That's why everyone is afraid to speak up.
You better have your diamonds back.
Steed if you'll take my advice, keep quiet about this.
Remember, you have got a wife as well.
I haven't forgotten.
Neither have they.
(knock on door) - Who is it? - Nicky.
I thought I told you never to come here in daylight.
The Customs have just made a swoop on the Garden.
They're going through everybody's stocks.
That's not for the first time.
Yes.
But this time, they got more to go on.
Did you know that the Federation stopped issuing any diamonds? I heard early this morning, our dealers have all been informed.
Well, then haven't we better lie low for a bit - until things blow over? - Certainly not.
This is where we make ourselves felt.
Federation's played right into our hands.
By withholding their own stocks, they're forcing the dealers to buy from us.
But you can't force the Federation out of business.
I believe that we can take over this industry.
With our stocks, we could have an annual turnover of 200 million pounds.
But apart from the Federation, you're up against the Customs.
You're up against the government.
When we take over, we shall make the same deal with them - that the Federation has done.
- You don't seriously think - they're going to deal with murderers, do you? - Why not? We shouldn't be the first monopoly to establish ourselves over a few dead bodies.
There's a price for everything.
Now tell me, have you informed the dealers of our next auction? - Yes.
- Then you better get back to Hatton Garden.
What about Steed? I haven't got anywhere with him yet.
Well, I think we can tie that problem up by tonight.
Ooh.
Oh, hello.
I was just doing the squiggly bits.
They always seem to to leave those.
- Where is that painter of yours, by the way? - I don't know.
Whenever I look in, he's out somewhere doing another job.
He ought to learn to lock the door when he goes out.
Anyone might wander in.
What did you want to see loving hubby about so urgently? I take it you knew from the start that this gang brings pressure on the dealers by getting at their wives.
Yes, it passed through my mind.
That's why you set me up in that house, wasn't it? As a clay pigeon for someone to take a potshot at? You haven't come to any harm yet, have you? You're doing your best to make them try, aren't you? Look, if it happens, I'll be around.
Gee.
Now I've been to Nicky's workshop and I think you're right.
He is the weak link.
I have a feeling he wants to get out, but he's scared to.
And I found these, hold your hand out.
- Were there anymore? - No.
I don't think so.
They obviously keep their stock elsewhere.
Oh, even with my very, very limited knowledge, these must be worth, what, 10,000 quid? - You think so? - Mm.
Give them to me a minute.
Where are you? Oh, I'm sorry, yes.
Get 'em.
What are you gonna do? A disappearing act.
(chuckles) You're still there.
Now, find your diamonds.
Taste it.
- What? - Taste it.
- Oh, salt.
- Rock salt crystals, almost identical in appearance to rough diamonds.
- So don't tell me they're dealing in this, eh? - Oh, no.
It might fool you at a glance, but it wouldn't fool a diamond merchant.
But it does indicate how they're getting them into the country.
Yes.
Real diamonds mixed in with a cargo of rock salt.
Get them through Customs, add water, - dissolve the salt, then pick out your stones.
- Hmm.
We've still got to solve the main problem.
Where did they get these diamonds from in the first place? The Federation controls the world's mines.
Even the Russians distribute through them.
What about China? Does that fit geologically? North China, perhaps.
Or Manchuria, they also produce rock salt.
My dear, you've been a great help to your husband's career.
Now you've got a phone? Where is it? - Yes, go ahead and use it.
- Thank you.
But where is it? I haven't the faintest idea.
I'm getting the Customs to give us a list of rock salt Mrs.
Daniels.
You say your wife rang you yesterday lunchtime? Yes.
She rang me at the office.
She said she was going down into town to make some arrangements for going away and you'd invited her to your town flat.
- Did she actually say she'd spoken to me? - No.
I think she said that you'd left a message for her.
Whoever left that message, Mr.
Daniels, it certainly wasn't me.
Steed, I'm not gonna let them get away with it this time.
I've got to see the police this morning to make a statement.
I'm gonna tell them everything I know.
I should have done it a long time ago.
I quite understand how you feel, Mr.
Daniels.
- Do you think that's quite wise? - What have I got to lose now? - Do you have any children? - Yes, a daughter, but she's staying with my wife's parents in Leeds.
- You're not the only one that knows that.
- I got to do something! At least the police could pick up those we know about.
On what charge? Defrauding the Customs? They'd get a smart lawyer.
They'd be out next morning.
And what about the rest of the group? - They're still on the loose.
- Just what do you suggest I do? Now look, you carry back to the Garden and you carry on trading normally.
- Trading with whom? - With the same people.
- You have no choice.
- Is that what you're gonna do? If I only have myself to think of, I'd probably still hold out.
But there's Cathy.
So they know about my flat.
Killing Mrs.
Daniels is an early warning system.
Do you suppose they also know that I'm not your wife? Probably think you keep a flat for your extramural activities.
(telephone rings) Yep.
Yep.
Oh, hold on a minute, will you? - A lady for you.
- Thank you.
- Hello? - Mrs.
Steed, my name is Liza Denham of the Denham Beauty Parlor.
We are running a free trial of a beauty treatment in your area.
You have been selected from a list of names in the telephone book.
I wondered when it might be convenient for me to call.
Would you hold on a moment? I'll look in my diary.
It's the lady from the beauty parlor.
She wants to call on me.
Make an appointment.
Darling, it's beautiful.
Well, aren't you gonna put it on? Well, it should be you who puts it on.
There.
Happy? Well, yes.
You don't sound very sure.
I'm just thinking you could have chosen somewhere a bit more romantic.
Darling, I'm sorry, I couldn't get away from here today.
Hey, I'll tell you what, I'll propose to you all over again in the most romantic place you can think of, all right? All right.
(giggles) Hey, look, you better get back to your father or he'll be wondering where you are, won't he? Yes.
Should I tell him we're engaged? Yes, I think you should.
- Oh, hello.
- Hello, Jackie.
I'll see you at the office.
I hope you can keep her in the style to which she's accustomed.
Do you think you'd be able to get her father's approval? - He'll do what he's told.
- I wouldn't count on it.
He's quite an obstinate old fellow, you know.
- You came to discuss business? - Yes, at your suggestion.
I'm very glad to see you've come to your senses.
How much would you like? I'll start with a small sample.
20,000? Say 10,000 to start with and we'll build from there.
- How do I take delivery? - You leave the cash with your wife.
- We'll do the rest.
- That seems a bit complicated.
Do you treat everybody this way? Until I trust them, yes.
I can't afford to trust anybody.
You could always try.
I think I'd like to remove a few of the hairs from the outer tip of the brow here.
I might as well take them out permanently.
All right.
You're well-equipped, aren't you? (whirring) Do you always visit your clients in their homes? I prefer to.
My clients are more relaxed in their own homes.
You run the business by yourself? My husband drops in from time to time to look at the accounts.
Now a few from the other brow.
Please, hold your head still.
There.
Now if I might make a suggestion.
You should do use a slightly lighter powder base.
I'll bring one along with me next time I call.
But that is, of course, if you want me to go on with the treatment.
Oh, it's really rather up to you, isn't it? Well, then I'll call again, if I may.
I almost forgot.
- I have a preparation for your husband as well.
- Oh? How long has he been taking beauty treatments? Oh, this isn't from me.
- I'm just delivering it for a friend.
- I see.
Let's hope he doesn't mistake it for talcum powder then.
I was told it was cash on delivery.
There seems to be some misunderstanding.
My friend was under the impression it would be in cash.
My husband didn't have time to go to the bank this morning, but the check is made out to cash you merely have to present it.
I don't think your husband's sense of humor is going to be appreciated.
Really? Well, it never occurred to me.
I suppose the bank manager would be a bit suspicious, a perfect stranger walking in with a cash check for that amount.
What game are you trying to play with us, Steed? A genuine mistake.
I write checks automatically.
Just get the cash to me in the next hour.
I'll see that it's attended to.
Oh, I'm very satisfied with the first consignment.
Let's make the other one a little larger, don't you think? We'll deal with this one first, we will.
- Well? - I don't trust him.
- He knew we wouldn't take a check.
- Of course he did.
He wanted to see the diamonds before he paid up.
I can understand that.
I should have done the same myself.
As a matter of fact, I should be rather suspicious if he had paid up without seeing it.
But what else did he say? - He said he wanted to take some more.
- Good.
Then let's give him the opportunity.
When he brings that cash over, tell him to come to the auction tonight.
Well, don't look so worried, Nicky.
We can take care of Steed.
He wants to marry you, eh? I prefer to get your approval, but If I don't give it, you'll do it anyway.
We're engaged.
Jackie, if you are engaged, where is the ring? I'm not wearing it for the moment.
It didn't fit very well.
He, a jeweler, can't make a ring to fit? Now you better tell me the whole truth.
You're not wearing his ring because you're not sure, are you? That's why you came to see me.
- Daddy, I want to marry him, but - But what? Well, just sometimes I'm not really sure if I can trust him.
Now look, darling, if you are not sure, why don't you give yourself plenty of time to think about it? How many times should I tell you.
Go away somewhere for a holiday? You need it badly.
Why not doing that first? Oh, no, no, I don't want to leave him.
You're afraid he'll change his mind if you're not here to keep an eye on him, eh? No.
No, it isn't that.
I can assure you, if he really cares about you, he'll be here when you come back.
All right, Daddy, I'll do as you say for once.
That's a good girl.
Now you leave all the arrangements to me.
I want you to leave tonight.
- Tonight? - Yes, it's very important for me, too.
I'm sorry, darling.
I won't be able to see you off because I have another appointment.
Customs couldn't give me a list of all rock salt importers.
All they could say was that they were unloaded in these wharfs here within more than a score of little warehouses.
Fenton must have them pretty well hidden anyway.
Couldn't you have Nicky followed? I've done it night and day.
The trouble is he knows it.
Now Fenton is holding his auction tonight.
They'll collect their stones and bring them to the Garden.
I'm gonna take a walk around to those wharfs, I think.
Are you going to the auction? I don't know.
I may not bother.
It depends what I find this afternoon.
If you don't, I suppose I can expect my second course of beauty treatments.
A bid of 150,000 pounds by Mr.
Jacobs, can I take it any further? Mr.
Jacobs? The next batch is also of the first water.
Total weight 10,000 karats, do carefully inspect.
- No sign of Steed yet? - I warned you.
We'll give him another 10 minutes and that's all.
Now, gentlemen, can anyone offer me 25 pounds a karat? - All right, 25 pounds.
- 25 pounds.
Mr.
Ross, we haven't had a bid from your firm.
Fenton: I know you're a little pressed for cash, but I'm sure that your partner would underwrite it.
I can't act for my partner.
In any case, I'm no longer interested.
If you're not interested, Mr.
Ross, why didn't you leave earlier? - That's my affair.
- You weren't waiting for the 10:00 train to leave Victoria? Your daughter's not on it.
You didn't think we'd let her get away as easily as that, did you? Where is she? She's quite safe for the moment.
She just couldn't resist coming to say good-bye to her fiancé, could she, Nicky? You're not going to get my Jackie.
You hear? You are not going to get my Jackie.
You can do what you like, you are not What are we going to do with him? Put him in the van and take him to the wharf.
One starts defying us, the rest will follow suit.
I don't think we ought to let his partner - defy us very much longer either.
- Very well.
- And Liza? - Hmm? Now that Mr.
Ross is out of the way, you better see that his daughter doesn't go to the police.
No! Jackie knows nothing of this.
- She never has.
- I can't take a risk.
- Fenton, you're out of your mind.
- Nicky.
Fenton, I'm warning you not to touch that girl.
If anything happens to her, I shall go straight to the police.
I don't care if I spend the rest of my life in prison, do you hear? See to Mrs.
Steed first.
The girl can wait.
Oh, I'm so glad you come.
How did you find me? I saw their van coming out of the wharfs.
They'll be here soon.
Quick.
(footsteps) - What do you want me to do with him? - Put him inside.
We'll get rid of him later.
I'll get the rest of the diamonds.
(screams) Look out! You're late for your diamonds, Steed.
Liza is already on her way to your wife.
- Where is she? - Get out of my way.
(yells) Where is she? - I'll get you an ambulance.
- Thanks.
Your father.
Let him go.
I've been expecting you all evening, Miss Denham.
Then you know what I've called about? Yes, but I don't quite see how you're gonna manage it.
You don't think I'd come by myself, do you? Mr.
Daniels.
I'd prefer not to have to shoot you.
The police cause so much fuss about the use of guns, Mrs.
Steed.
Let's drop this Mrs.
Steed farce, shall we? I might as well tell you, that he's just an acquaintance of mine and anything you do to me won't bother him in the slightest.
Even if I believed you, we could hardly let you stay alive now, could we? Do go along with Liza, Mrs.
Steed.
You'll find her methods are much gentler.
She's got a gun.
(gunshot) (gunshot) (gunshot) Don't bother to fire, Mr.
Daniels.
Your gun's empty.
(gun clicking) There you are, my beauty.
Oh, I hope that'll do.
- I didn't think you liked it.
- I don't.
I'm just making quite certain it doesn't come down off the wall.
I never expected my flat to be finished.
I told my painter to get a move on.
Your painter? I had to get you out of here somehow, didn't I? Oh, they found a million pounds' worth of diamonds in those warehouses, take or leave a few thousand quid, you know, and Mr.
Daniels has told all.
Mr.
Daniels was quite a shock, wasn't he? Yeah, It'd have been quite a shock if Mr.
Daniels had been using a .
38 which fired eight rounds, wouldn't it? There is such a thing, you know? I know, but they look different.
Not very.
You took quite a chance.
You sound as if you care.
My dear, for better or for worse.
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