First broadcast 27th December 1984.
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00:00I
00:30of course it's too ridiculous I haven't been to the seaside for years and now
00:35instead of doing whatever it is one does at the seaside here I am sleuthing like
00:39mad trying to clear my poor husband's name I mean it's potty isn't it would
00:46anyone think that 24 hours ago a perfectly strange young girl was found
00:52dead in our library and now here I am with you tracking down suspects at a
00:58five-star seaside hotel murder of the majestic oh I'm sorry Jane were you
01:05thinking what oh no well perhaps yes ah well then I'll be quiet
01:13Jen what is it a tube yes
01:24I don't know I just wondered
01:29it's just a tube
01:33I suppose the key to it all was that eight years of mourning were coming to an end
01:54I've only just realized it thanks to you Andy to me yes if you hadn't struggled free of me a
02:06little this holiday then I doubt dear god poor little ruby
02:15yes I'm sorry mr. Jefferson we policemen can rarely leave a decent interval quiet I want to help chief
02:31constable very much what you want me to tell you well as I understand it eight
02:38years ago in the plane crash you lost not only your wife but both your children a
02:43son and a daughter and they each left behind a wife and a husband namely mrs.
02:49Jefferson here and mr. Mark Gaskell yes we were very much thrown together as you
02:55might imagine Mark and Adelaide were very good to me I sometimes think I owe my will to live to
03:02them I become more independent mind you over the years perhaps it was necessary
03:14if you'll excuse me colonel I really ought to find my son Peter yes of course I'll see you soon Jeff
03:27mr. Jefferson when you announced that you intended to adopt Ruby Keane as your daughter
03:42what was the reaction of mrs. Jefferson and Mark Gaskell they weren't tremendously pleased but they
03:49took it all right and was that the reaction that you expected which was yes I didn't expect them to
03:57like it I had made healthy provision for both of them when they married my children yes so I didn't
04:05expect them to behave unreasonably it's my experience that family is often do but we shared a lot don't forget
04:16and they had no blood claim on me true and when you decided to adopt Ruby Keane did you also tell
04:26them how much you were going to leave her they're not stupid they'd have made educated guesses how much was
04:34it in fact a hundred thousand yes I suppose that's a motive I don't envy you trying to prove either
04:46Mark or Adelaide a murderer
04:50oh Jane really I can't solve a murder I will stand in one's shoes
05:00oh come on Jane are you going to tell me or aren't you I'm sorry well for heaven's sake who strangled Ruby Keane and why did they leave her body in our life oh oh that yeah well isn't that what you've been thinking about well
05:07well yes of course it's obvious who might have done it but
05:10oh yes of course it's obvious who might have done it but
05:16I might say there's something missing yes
05:23yes you don't
05:25you don't
05:27you don't
05:28you don't
05:29you don't
05:30you don't
05:31you don't
05:33you don't
06:00Oh, and cars on standby 24 hours a day.
06:03Inspector Slacks table there. Backup table's here. Let's get on with it.
06:06Go on, Cheryl.
06:08Ah, yes, Mr. Bartley. Ruby Keane seemed happy enough to dance with you.
06:12I hadn't thought of that, yeah.
06:14Well, it's sort of a job, really, isn't it?
06:16Yeah, I think she was quite... I danced quite decently, you know.
06:20You finished dancing when?
06:21Gosh, sorry. I couldn't say.
06:23No idea at all.
06:24Sorry. It's a thing in time, isn't it?
06:27What did you do after you stopped dancing?
06:29You know how it is.
06:30Thought I might get lucky, take some for a spin, you know.
06:33But then she pushed off.
06:34Who did?
06:35Ruby, after I last danced.
06:36Lake?
06:37Yawning like a monkey for most of it, anyway.
06:39Then she said she had a headache.
06:41I say, was I the last one to see her?
06:44I mean, apart from...
06:45Where did she go?
06:46To her room, she said.
06:48What did you do?
06:49Do? Yeah, I see what you mean.
06:52Could have been anything, really.
06:53What was it, in fact?
06:55Drink, probably.
06:56Usually drink after waggling a leg.
06:58I think I wandered about and stowed about outside.
07:01Hate it when it's stuffy.
07:02Hate it.
07:03Of course, that's it.
07:05Must have.
07:06Because that's when I spotted it.
07:07What?
07:08Well, I didn't spot it because it wasn't there.
07:09Sorry.
07:10But I spotted it had gone.
07:11What, Adam?
07:12The motor.
07:13The motor.
07:14Your car.
07:15Absolutely.
07:16Sorry, I reported it with the chaps down at the station at Thingamay Road.
07:19I say, you couldn't, could you?
07:21I mean, you seem to be a little more intelligent than those chaps down there.
07:25It's a Vauxhall coaster, red with...
07:28Sorry, Mr. Bartley.
07:29That was a murder inquiry.
07:30Oh, yeah.
07:31Sorry.
07:32Gone.
07:33Yeah.
07:34Gone.
07:35Sorry.
07:36Gone.
07:46Gone.
07:49Gone.
07:54Jan.
07:55Gone.
08:00Gone.
08:03Gone.
08:04Gone.
08:06I'm sorry to trouble you again.
08:19Not at all.
08:20We need to establish...
08:21Blake!
08:22Sir.
08:23That should be so good as to...
08:25Hello.
08:27Yes, can I help you?
08:29Ackroyd.
08:31Mrs. Perkins.
08:33Yes, now, what can I do?
08:34Now, Miss Turner.
08:35We need to establish the actual times, you see, of your cousin's movements.
08:40And, of course, the movements of others who are involved.
08:43Yes, of course.
08:45Now, you said in your previous statement
08:47that she did her exhibition dance with Mr. Starr.
08:50Yes, that was 10.30.
08:52There or thereabouts.
08:54She used to look forward to it.
08:58Ladies and gentlemen,
09:00Miss Ruby Keane!
09:05Where do you be at, Mark?
09:23Sorry.
09:24Sorry.
09:25Writing letters.
09:26Come on, Mark.
09:27Ruby's just starting to dance.
09:29Let's do this.
09:31Let's do this.
09:32Let's do this.
09:32Let's do this.
09:33Let's do this.
09:33Let's do this.
09:34Let's do this.
09:34Let's do this.
09:35Let's do this.
09:35Let's do this.
09:36Let's do this.
09:36Let's do this.
09:37Let's do this.
09:37Let's do this.
09:38Let's do this.
09:38Let's do this.
09:39Let's do this.
09:39Let's do this.
09:40Let's do this.
09:40Let's do this.
09:41Let's do this.
09:41Let's do this.
09:42Let's do this.
09:42Let's do this.
09:43Let's do this.
09:43Let's do this.
09:44Let's do this.
09:44Let's do this.
09:45Let's do this.
09:45Let's do this.
09:46Let's do this.
10:46It was just after that that Ray came over to the table.
10:49He wasn't pleased.
11:20She's not in the room.
11:27But we're supposed to be on now.
11:29But she's your responsibility.
11:30Where the hell is she?
11:31Bridget, have you seen Ruby?
11:33No.
11:34Listen, Ray, we'll have to do a toned-down version ourselves.
11:37Right, I'll buzz upstairs and change.
11:39You work out a routine with plenty of the slow spectacular,
11:42not too much of the athletic flash.
11:44Yeah, I'll probably put that ankle right back.
11:48And you stayed up for her?
12:10Till nearly two.
12:12Mr. Starr persuaded me to go to bed eventually.
12:15When did the bridge game actually begin?
12:1810.30.
12:19We would have started earlier, but Mr. Gaskell had some letters to write.
12:22At least, that's what he said.
12:24I think it was an excuse, actually.
12:26He's not that keen on bridge, I don't reckon.
12:28But he was back in time to see Ruby's dance?
12:30Yes.
12:31And did anyone leave the table before Ruby was reported missing?
12:36No.
12:36I knew what I was doing.
12:40Others will tell you that Ruby amused me.
12:45It was more than that.
12:47To an extent, of course, she was performing.
12:49She was a natural storyteller.
12:52She heard that from her background.
12:56Her parents were both theatricals.
12:59What a childhood.
13:02Dreadful lodgings.
13:03Catching the train on Sundays and not going to church.
13:08They had to get to the next touring date, you see.
13:12Fascinating to me, this sort of thing.
13:16And you know, even the most horrifying anecdotes always ended in laughter.
13:21Her laughter, I mean.
13:24No complaints, no comments.
13:27Just clear-headed amusement.
13:28She had a marvellous knowledge of life.
13:35And it had left her unsullied.
13:40Unsullied?
13:41Yes.
13:43I want to make that clear.
13:45I want to make that clear.
14:01then you must sell a hundred Brittany Markham excuse me have you talked to
14:22sir Henry yet no sir why the hell not you're a bloody old woman Edwards I
14:28told you it was urgent I haven't spoken to sir Henry sir because he was not at
14:33home I did however leave a message with his housekeeper who said she could
14:37contact him I have no doubt that he will be here for lunch as requested and if
14:43you'll excuse me sir I shall now go and confirm the arrangements Edwards what
14:52bring me tomorrow excuse me I say you're from Scotland Yard I'm Peter Carmody my
15:01name's not Jefferson you see because mommy was married before my real daddy was
15:06killed in the law gotcha do you like detective stories I do most of them got
15:11lots of autographs Dixon Carr H.C. Bailey and Dorothy Sayers will the murder be in the
15:17papers well because I'm going back to school next week and I'll be able to
15:20tell the chapters I knew her I mean really knew her well you did did you yes
15:24what did you think about not much quite honestly she was pretty thick my uncle
15:30Mark didn't like her much either only grandfather she was always butting in
15:34they glad she's dead how do you know uncle Mark said it was one way out anyway
15:38and mommy said yes but it was so horrible or something and uncle Mark said he
15:43didn't see the point in being hypocritical
15:50sir thank you slack thought I should take a look at Ruby Keane's room for
15:55myself of course sir your prerogative that was mrs. Jefferson's boy wasn't it mm-hmm
16:02did he have anything to say for himself oh he thinks his mother probably did it
16:05aided and abetted by his uncle does he now chambermaids only do the staff rooms
16:14once a week so nothing was touched no unaccounted prints is this the dress she
16:20was wearing for the exhibition dance yes sir as far as we can tell she left
16:25George Bartlett at half past 11 and nobody saw her after that so presumably she came
16:30up here changed out of this into the white dress she was wearing when she was
16:33found yes sir who occupies the other rooms on this floor only Josie Turner
16:38opposite the other rooms are empty the extra summer staff use them later so there
16:43was no one to see her
16:46the fire escapes hardly lit at night she could climb down and practically
16:53guarantee not to be noticed yes there's only one reason why a girl changes her
16:58dress right she was gonna meet someone I saw you had to cancel your little
17:04gathering I was looking forward to it everyone's catching it the nailers rang last
17:09night to cancel their do yeah never mind yes yes well my regards to mrs. Duffy goodbye
17:22come on you said you wanted to see the girl you can't back out now you've got to tell now come on
17:52here's a good night welcome how's the world with you Malcolm's made a
18:00discovery sir oh yes that body what found a buddy
18:22assuming she was gonna meet somebody now suppose it was a boyfriend and he was a
18:44bit of a hard case exactly the sort of person she'd want to keep dark so as not
18:48to foul up her chances with Jefferson it's hardly surprising nobody knew about it now
18:52suppose she tells him that Jefferson is going to adopt her he doesn't like this a
19:00bit gonna take her right out of his class he's good as lost her he probably
19:04doesn't mean to kill her but he's stupid doesn't know his own strength panics rings
19:12her neck drives around a bit hardly knows where he is passes Gossington Hall big house easy to break
19:24into dumps are there to divert attention and clears off to London well I think it's about the best line
19:32we have at the moment that is the financial motive of course but at this
19:37stage it looks as if mrs. Jefferson and Gaskell have a cast-iron alibi well I must be off
19:44slack I want you to report to me at the end of each day whenever you finish that
20:01bantries are neighbors of mine
20:03uh late tell Prescott that's the manager that I want to speak to that flash piece of goods who
20:20teaches tennis what's his name star Richard hop down to the tennis courts and ask mr. star to come up
20:26you should be finished by now there I'll send mr. star along to the room that we've given you thank you sir
20:56can I help you madam something something I've seen and I don't know what it is madam oh I beg your pardon how can I help you
21:17oh I only wish you could I sometimes feel we have no control over what our eyes decide to see or not to see
21:24oh that's it yes I should like to buy one of those newspapers no no compliments of the house
21:32thank you thank you very much I only knew her as a dancing partner she seemed a very pleasant girl
21:38bit dim what about men well for what it's worth I always thought of her as very innocent
21:43she spent most of her time with the Jeffersons I assumed she was missing a family did you know
21:49that mr. Jefferson was planning to adopt her legally a crafty little maid not so dim perhaps
21:56good morning my name is Clithering would you telephone mr. Jefferson's room he is expecting me yes
22:09indeed indeed see Henry Clithering I phone his suite now sir thank you
22:13mr. Jefferson's suite is on the first floor sir his man will meet you at the stairs thank you
22:28do you think Josie Turner knew about the adoption business I don't know she usually knew what was in
22:54the wind she's got her head on a Josie matter of fact seems to me more likely that Josie planned
22:59it all the little Ruby size it up for herself why do you think that Josie was as cross as I was when
23:04Ruby didn't turn up for the exhibition dance I wondered why at the time it makes sense if Josie
23:10had told her to keep her nose clean wouldn't it if you could give me just one moment please madam
23:16excuse me sir there's a lady outside I'm busy late now the exhibition dance was about what's the
23:26matter with you she won't go away sir who is it I don't know sir a miss Marple
23:30let her in this way please madam thank you I'm so sorry Dr. Inspector it's just that it's so
23:43important I thought you ought to know it's this missing school girl in the newspaper oh yes madam
23:49what about her she's well I don't know what she is but I know that it's important I'm afraid I'm not
23:56putting this very well but oh why do I keep thinking of Mozart and the girl why do I keep
24:06thinking it's too late do you know her miss Marple now there's another thing no one seems to know
24:11anyone else in this business this business are you suggesting that the missing school girl is in
24:17some way connected with the death of Ruby Keane of course how well I don't know how but what is being
24:25done about this missing school girl it's not my department I'm afraid that would be local I'm
24:31County if you're really concerned Miss Marple I should have a word with the duty staff at
24:36Danemouth that would be the the Harold Road station do you know it oh dear oh dear well it's probably too
24:44late anyway
24:45up
24:48well
24:54oh
24:58yeah
25:04Any clues?
25:17Young girl.
25:21Ruby and I did our 10.30 dance together.
25:23I didn't notice what happened to her then.
25:25I had my partners to look after.
25:27When she hadn't turned up by midnight, I saw George Bartlett.
25:31He said that he hadn't seen her since around 11.30.
25:37So I went to look for Josie.
25:41Sorry to interrupt.
25:44Josie, Ruby hasn't turned up.
25:46George Bartlett hasn't seen her for half an hour.
25:48I wish she wouldn't do this sort of thing.
25:51Excuse me.
25:52I am sorry.
25:57Damn little fool.
25:58If you can't do this sort of thing,
26:00it'll ruin all her chances.
26:02She's not with that film bloke, is she?
26:06She's changed.
26:09She must be with someone, little idiot.
26:12How I'm going to square this with the Jeffersons, God knows.
26:15The Jeffersons?
26:17Never mind.
26:18Come on.
26:18Lake Hill.
26:27Who do you think Josie Turner meant when she talked about that film bloke?
26:31A chap who comes here occasionally,
26:33bazils somebody.
26:34Where?
26:34Got a weekend cottage somewhere around.
26:36I suppose that's who she needs.
26:38Thanks.
26:40Excuse me, sir.
26:42Well?
26:42HQ, sir.
26:43They think they found the school girl.
26:44Think?
26:45The body's very charred, apparently.
26:47She's in a burnt-out car in a disused quarry about five miles from here.
26:51Ben's quarry.
26:53The car's a Vauxhall coaster, sir.
26:54The car's a Vauxhall coaster, sir.
27:24Where do the parents live?
27:30Westcliffe, sir.
27:33You have to admit, it is all the bizarre ingredients of a cheap thriller.
27:39Most extraordinary.
27:42That really is the most extraordinary story.
27:47Arthur Bamford's place.
27:50What do you want me to do?
27:52What I would do if I went in this damn chair.
27:55Find out who killed the girl?
27:58Yes.
27:59You're the professional.
28:01It's a long time since I did any detection.
28:05Mind you, I suppose now I've retired from the yard,
28:08I can nose around a bit without fretting on too many toes.
28:12Good.
28:13All the same.
28:15May I make a suggestion?
28:17Do.
28:18Did you know that downstairs in the foyer is one of the most formidable criminologists in England?
28:24Really?
28:26Oh, yes.
28:26And I can lay you almost any odds you would never recognize her as such.
28:32Her?
28:33Hmm.
28:35There she sits.
28:36An elderly spinster.
28:38Sweet.
28:40Classed, so you'd think.
28:42Yet her mind has plumbed the depths of human iniquity.
28:46And taken it all in the day's work.
28:48How do we involve her?
28:50I expect she's involved already.
28:53She lives in St. Mary Mead, only a couple of miles from Arthur and Dolly's place.
28:58It's extraordinary.
29:00She knows the world only through the prism of that village and its daily life.
29:06By knowing the village so thoroughly, she seems to know the world.
29:09Miss Martha?
29:20Oh!
29:21Oh, Sir Henry!
29:23Oh, what luck!
29:24What a great pleasure!
29:26Oh, how kind of you to say so.
29:28Are you staying here?
29:30Yes, as a matter of fact.
29:31Poor Dolly Bantry and I are sharing a suite.
29:34I thought you might be involved.
29:36Have you found any village parallel yet?
29:39Well, not really, no.
29:41You don't sound sure.
29:42Well, I was trying to account for Mr. Jefferson's infatuation with the poor child that was murdered.
29:47I must admit, Mr. Harbottle came to mind.
29:50And to a certain extent, Mr. Badger the chemist.
29:53I knew you wouldn't fail me.
29:56Miss Marple, Conway Jefferson has asked me to keep an eye on the case.
30:00Unofficially, of course.
30:02May I call you in for consultation?
30:04Equally unofficially.
30:06Oh, of course.
30:07Sir Henry, if you think my little ramblings would be to the purpose, I...
30:11Oh, good.
30:12Then may I ask you and Mrs. Bantry to dine with me this evening?
30:16Oh.
30:17I can't wait to hear the Harbottle Badger thesis.
30:20Oh, Henry.
30:20Until tonight.
30:21What was the name again?
30:31Reeve.
30:31Major Reeve.
30:32The girl was called Pamela.
30:33Pamela Reeve.
30:35Reeve.
30:47Major Reeve?
30:48Yes.
30:50May we come in, sir?
30:51Oh, God.
30:53Oh, my God.
30:54Campbell.
30:59Come in.
30:59Oh, my God.
31:11Oh, my God.
31:13Oh, my God.
31:13Oh, my God.
31:14Oh, my God.
31:14Oh, my God.
31:15Oh, my God.
31:15Oh, my God.
31:16Oh, my God.
31:17Oh, my God.
31:17Oh, my God.
31:18Oh, my God.
31:18Oh, my God.
31:19Oh, my God.
31:19Oh, my God.
31:20Oh, my God.
31:21Oh, my God.
31:22Oh, my God.
31:23Oh, my God.
31:23Oh, my God.
31:24Oh, my God.
31:25Oh, my God.
31:25Oh, my God.
31:26Oh, my God.
31:27Oh, my God.
31:27Oh, my God.
31:28Oh, my God.
31:28I don't think Conway Jefferson is a nasty old man, you know Jane?
31:37Oh, certainly not.
31:39Oh no, I wasn't implying that for one moment.
31:41No, I simply think he was looking for a nice bright girl to take his dead daughter's place
31:46and this girl saw her opportunity and feared it for what she was worth.
31:50Like the young maid of Mr. Harbottle.
31:53Ah, Harbottle, good.
31:55Yes, ordinary girl, nice manner she had.
31:58Mr. Harbottle's sister kept house fame and went away to nurse a dying relative.
32:03When she returned she found the girl completely above herself.
32:07Sitting down in the drawing room laughing and talking and not wearing her uniform.
32:11Tut, tut.
32:12People said things but I don't think there was any familiarity.
32:16I think it was simply that the old man found it much pleasanter to have a young charming girl
32:21telling him how amusing and clever he was than Miss Harbottle continually pointing out his food still.
32:27Yes.
32:34So you think it was foul play?
32:36Yes, sir. We think she was dead before she was placed in the car and that somebody tried to destroy the evidence.
32:41We found containers for several gallons of fuel.
32:44I see.
32:45You don't think she was...
32:48We think she was killed because she was an unwitting witness to another crime.
32:54We don't believe the motive was...
32:57We don't believe the motive was personal in any way.
33:01You mean sexual?
33:03Yes, sir.
33:04Another girl has been killed and we think Pamela may have stumbled across something that made her too dangerous for the murderer.
33:11Do you think you feel up to answering some questions now, sir?
33:18We want to catch this person and we need all the help we can get.
33:21Of course.
33:23Now, according to your first statement when you reported her missing at Harold Road, Pamela left Westcliff to attend a guides rally in Danemouth and you expected her home for supper?
33:34Yes.
33:35She was supposed to come home by bus?
33:40The local station questioned some of her friends and they all agreed that Pamela said she was going down to Woolworths and would catch the bus later from the depot.
33:48Is that the sort of thing she often did?
33:51And she had no other plans?
33:55Not so far as I know.
33:57She hadn't got a real boyfriend or anything like that.
34:01Like playing games.
34:04She was a...
34:06sporting...
34:19And when Mr. Badger discovered that Miss Hart was carrying on with a very undesirable young man connected with racecourses and had actually pawned some of Mr. Badger's presents as well.
34:28He was furious.
34:29Well, he was certainly disgusted.
34:31I'm not sure that Mr. Badger was capable of anything so forthright as fury.
34:36Mrs. Badger got a fur coat out of it.
34:40Do you think Mr. Jefferson would be capable of fury?
34:43Conway?
34:45Oh, yes.
34:46He has drive.
34:47I'm sure he's capable of great anger.
34:50What do you think, Dolly?
34:51Yes, I do.
34:54Why do you ask, Jane?
34:56Miss Marple?
34:58You don't think...
35:00Conway?
35:01You don't really think that.
35:03Oh, no, no.
35:04No, I don't think it, Sir Henry.
35:07No.
35:09But this is a very muddy business.
35:11And I merely say that your friend Conway Jefferson is a rich, powerful and ingenious man whom I suspect would hate to be made a fool of.
35:21That's all.
35:22Miss Marple?
35:23Miss Marple?
35:24Miss Marple?
35:25Why were you never called to the bar?
35:28What a wonderful prosecuting counsel you'd have made.
35:31She would.
35:33She's wonderful.
35:34Oh, no.
35:35I wouldn't have liked it at all.
35:37All that plumbery and pretense.
35:39Far too theatrical.
35:40Oh, dear.
35:41No, no.
35:42I wouldn't have been good at all, no.
35:44I want everything you can find on Bartlett.
35:46I can't believe anyone can be that sparmie.
35:49And I want confirmation that this film bloke the Turner woman was talking about is, in fact, Basil Blake.
35:53And if it is, then I want as much as possible about his visits to Danemouth.
35:56Check him out with a film studio as usual drill.
35:58Ah!
36:00Forensic prelim.
36:01Good.
36:07Here, was there a long-haired rug in that library?
36:10No, no.
36:11The hearth rug was a...
36:15A patent oriental sort of thing.
36:19That dress she was wearing had some long hairs stuck to it, apparently.
36:24White hairs.
36:26Not wool.
36:28Ah!
36:30There it was probably a goat.
36:32Mountain goat.
36:33Something like that.
36:34Mountain goat rope.
36:36Don't reckon I've ever seen one.
36:38Whose house would you find one of those in, then?
36:40How about an ex-colonial type?
36:43Favourite occupation when bored with safeguarding the empire, shoot a Himalayan goat or two, eh?
36:47What? Bantry?
36:48Why not?
36:50On his own admission, driving around between 10 and 11.45 on the night in question.
36:55No witnesses.
36:57Was it the Majestic last week?
37:00No's the Jeffersons.
37:01But who'd be so stupid as to dump a body in their own library?
37:05Or so clever.
37:06Oh, I certainly think that if Ruby had had a young man, she would have been careful to keep very quiet about it.
37:21And the young man might have resented it.
37:22Yes, that's plausible.
37:23You know, it struck me when her cousin Miss Turner was at Gossington yesterday that she looked angry with the dead girl.
37:28Of course it may be that she was hoping to do well out of this business of her adoption.
37:29Now, to get back to Conway, what do you suppose sparked off this infatuation with the girl?
37:30Oh, that's easy.
37:31From what I can gather, the bond between him and his young-in-laws was not the case.
37:32If Ruby had had a young man, she would have been careful to keep very quiet about it.
37:34If Ruby had had a young man, she would have been careful to keep very quiet about it.
37:35And the young man might have resented it.
37:37Yes, that's plausible.
37:38You know, it struck me when her cousin Miss Turner was at Gossington yesterday that she looked angry with the dead girl.
37:44Of course it may be that she was hoping to do well out of this business of her adoption.
37:49Now, to get back to Conway, what do you suppose sparked off this infatuation with the girl?
37:56Oh, that's easy.
37:57From what I can gather, the bond between him and his young-in-laws was not so much respect and love as sorrow.
38:03Mr. Gaskell and Mrs. Jefferson are both young.
38:06They're beginning to feel less sorrowful, that's all.
38:09They're beginning to look at the world again.
38:11And, you know, gentlemen can so easily feel neglected.
38:16Yes.
38:20Yes, I think if you'll excuse me, I'll just telephone to Arthur.
38:25I know that you two have lots to natter about.
38:30Jane, let's breakfast together.
38:33Oh, Dolly, dear. Yes, indeed, of course.
38:35Good night, Sir Henry.
38:37Good night.
38:41Good night.
38:46Why did you refer to Mrs. Bantry as poor Dolly this afternoon?
38:50Well, Sir Henry, it seems to me that this may well be the sort of crime that never does get resolved like the Brighton Trump murders.
38:56That would be a disaster for the Bantry's.
38:59People would think there's no smoke without fire.
39:02Some will even say it, too.
39:04They'll be quietly shunned.
39:06Colonel Bantry is very sensitive.
39:08He'll turn in and in upon himself.
39:10He's probably started already.
39:13I think this could quite literally kill them.
39:17So you see, Sir Henry, we have got to find out the truth.
39:20It's such an open case, though, isn't it?
39:25It's 15 miles to Gossington.
39:28Now, Ruby Keane was last seen here at 11.30.
39:32By midnight or earlier, she was dead.
39:36Almost any type of car could have made the journey in that time, if it was midnight.
39:43But why anyone should kill her here and take her body to Gossington or take her to Gossington and kill her there beats me.
39:57Well, of course it does.
39:59Because it didn't happen.
40:01What, do you think it was a number of meditated killing?
40:04I don't think anything of the kind.
40:06I think that a very careful plan was made and what happened was that the plan went wrong.
40:16Oh.
40:22What is it?
40:23The orchestra.
40:27Their tune.
40:29Dolly was humming it this morning.
40:31Do you know it?
40:33It's been haunting me and here they are playing it.
40:37Do you know what it is?
40:39I'm not very up on the latest thing.
40:42It's Mozart, Sir Henry.
40:45Now, why do I keep thinking of it?
40:48It's jolly nice.
40:51It's a mystery.
40:54But then we all are, aren't we?
40:57Even to ourselves.
40:59Especially to ourselves.
41:23But it's the worst.
41:25What we are so doing?
41:26It's always for me to go back.
41:27It's a mystery.
41:28It's the first time that we know it's not on our left.
41:30It's the first time that we eat.
41:32It's not so nice that we can serve.
41:33It's our whole world.
41:34It's really moving.
41:39Now, there's some気になる.
41:41I want to use this and that's the first time that we need to do.
41:43Let's get started.
41:45I want to use this and that's the last time that I build.
41:46It's a very much water.
41:48It's what we need to do.
41:50I like to use this and that we need to get this.
41:51Ready?
41:52come in
42:00ah that's the police again I'm afraid it is sir no need to be afraid Lorimer no sir
42:12have you seen any tobacco no sir I think I'll go and get some what do they want
42:20then they're asking if we have any long-haired white rugs in the house and
42:26have we not white I believe sir pale yes I said they want to take samples of what
42:33of the hairs in the rug sir but the hairs in the well let him search the place if
42:40this is the open season on hairy rugs let them loose oh why not all right go
42:48ahead turn the place upside down Liberty Hall Liberty Hall
43:10thank you mr. Brogan
43:16good morning miss Dennis
43:22morning to you mr. Brogan
43:29morning Colonel what can I get you I think I'll take a two-ounce tin of my usual please
43:34thank you sir thank you put it down will you oh yes something wrong nothing
43:53sir well then at all colonel please sad day mr. Brogan sad day
44:05you were gonna refuse him tick weren't you just because some madman dumps a body in his house
44:16suddenly he's untouchable my god this place give me Babylon any day
44:24what is it Blake I just wanted to say how sorry I am sir
44:38why about what this business of the body in your house it can't be very amusing
44:45I must say you've got a damn funny way of putting things sometimes Blake
44:49well quite it must be awful something so inexplicable it's inexplicable quite I
44:58just hope it isn't look I think I'll be on my way if there's anything I can do
45:05no Blake you and I've never got on very well together in the past have we thanks
45:11for the offer and all that but I can't see that situation changing can you good at
45:16you
45:23oh yes it was all Addie's fault all right too many tennis lessons with that good-looking
45:29young fellow Mark Jeff felt neglected no wonder he turned to our little dance hostess
45:35you weren't exactly over attentive to yourself I know but it's female company
45:39that's the key to it as to everything else yes but I mean a girl like Ruby key oh quite Jeff's
45:46always been such a sensible level-headed old boy gentlemen are sometimes not so level-headed as they seem
45:53well
46:02how is Conway today I thought he looked well enough yesterday but I hear he's been ill
46:08yes he's all right tell me
46:12I'll be keen what was she really like oh Lord well I didn't why we shouldn't talk
46:19about her she was a common garden gold digger oh Mark and she knew her stuff we never spotted her
46:25luckily for her I'd have wrung her neck Mark for heaven's sake it's just a figure of speech Addie
46:32we were mugged not to have tumbled her to Henry and I uh I was angry that's all
46:37well I'm sure Addie and I are both under heavy suspicion Jeff was proposing to settle an absolute fortune on the
46:43half-baked little sourpuss which we have to assume would have been our loss
46:48well well
46:51what an unscrupulous person you are Addie
46:56I say isn't that dear old Hugo McClain yes Addie only has to whistle and along he comes wagging his tail
47:09the most reliable man in England he's hoping to marry her of course
47:14do you take this sack of potatoes to be your lawful wedded husband I don't know
47:19well will you excuse me my daily duty
47:24Jeff's constitutional a quick burn up the corniche in the wheelchair
47:35well what do you think of the principal beneficiaries of the murder
47:39well I think Mrs. Jefferson should marry again
47:42she's a likeable woman she make a good companion
47:45no wonder Mr. Jefferson missed her
47:47and Mark Gaskell
47:49oh he's a downy fellow
47:51village parallel please
47:54Mr. Cargill the builder
47:56he bluffed a lot of people in having more done to their houses than they wanted to
47:59and then charged them the earth
48:01he married money too
48:04like Mr. Gaskell
48:06so you don't like him
48:07oh yes yes I do
48:09oh yes I think he's reactive
48:11but he doesn't take me in
48:13a downy fellow who talks a little too much
48:15that's what I think
48:16and there's another little story
48:19and there's another little story
48:29what do you mean
48:33are you suggesting
48:35that that star fellow
48:37is entertaining ideas of marrying Mrs. Jefferson
48:39because if so
48:41well Dolly we're told that Hugo McLean is
48:44and anyone who marries Adelaide Jefferson
48:46would not want to see her disinherited
48:49quite
48:51yes
48:53so you're still trying to tell me that where there's a motive there's no opportunity
48:54and when there's opportunity there's no motive
48:56and when there's opportunity there's no motive
48:58who stands to gain sir
49:00Mrs. Jefferson and Mr. Gaskell
49:02both playing bridge from Ruby Keane's exhibition dance until
49:04well after midnight
49:06scores of witnesses
49:08rock solid alibis
49:09same with star
49:11what about Blake
49:23he was at a studio party until the small hours
49:24he knew Ruby Keane we think
49:25but
49:26there's no discernible motive
49:28Bartlett
49:30well he had the opportunity true
49:32but
49:34and
49:35and
49:36true and he can't account for his movements for the time when she was
49:40killed and the reeve girls in his car but everything else is against him
49:45there's no motive in either case amiable so completely dim oh we're following him
49:51up there's a thousand to one that by the way sir I suppose Ruby Keane really was
50:00dead by midnight was she now I'd already asked myself that question so I rang
50:06dr. Haylock just to verify he got quite shirty as a matter of fact now he puts
50:13midnight as the absolute limit oh yes apparently she was heavily drunken before
50:20she was killed a barbiturate which doesn't look like impromptu violence does it
50:24sir what a random killer you mean? a psycho? no no no no no I don't think so
50:33Melchert. thank you sir. oh yes Lake thank you no no he's with me I'll tell him yes
50:46goodbye
50:49apparently Basil Blake was seen leaving the studio car park at about 11 o'clock on
50:56the night in question would that have given him time? yes sir it would
51:02what do you be doing? what does it look like?
51:32I do stink you be burning your car? no my old granny as a matter of fact
51:41nah
51:51bye
51:51bye
51:52bye
51:56bye