First broadcast 16th October 1983.
Tommy and Tuppence are newly wed and bored. At the suggestion of Inspector Marriot, they buy over a defunct detective agency.
Francesca Annis as Tuppence Beresford
James Warwick as Tommy Beresford
Reece Dinsdale as Albert Batt
William Hootkins as Hamilton Betts
Graham Crowden as Colonel Kingston-Bruce
Susannah Morley as Beatrice Kingston-Bruce
Arthur Cox as Detective Inspector Marriot
Dulcie Gray as Lady Laura Barton
Lynda La Plante as Phyllis Betts
Charles Shaughnessy as John Rennie
Fleur Chandler as Janet Smith
Ursula Mohan as Elise
Tim Woodward as Lawrence St. Vincent
Noel Dyson as Mrs Kingston-Bruce
Tommy and Tuppence are newly wed and bored. At the suggestion of Inspector Marriot, they buy over a defunct detective agency.
Francesca Annis as Tuppence Beresford
James Warwick as Tommy Beresford
Reece Dinsdale as Albert Batt
William Hootkins as Hamilton Betts
Graham Crowden as Colonel Kingston-Bruce
Susannah Morley as Beatrice Kingston-Bruce
Arthur Cox as Detective Inspector Marriot
Dulcie Gray as Lady Laura Barton
Lynda La Plante as Phyllis Betts
Charles Shaughnessy as John Rennie
Fleur Chandler as Janet Smith
Ursula Mohan as Elise
Tim Woodward as Lawrence St. Vincent
Noel Dyson as Mrs Kingston-Bruce
Category
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TVTranscript
00:00["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
00:30["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
00:43Hey!
01:00["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
01:30["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
01:36I wish something would happen.
01:38This craving for vulgar sensation alarms me.
01:41Six years ago, I'd have sworn that with enough money to buy most of the things I want and with you for a husband,
01:46life would have been one grand sweet song, as the poet puts it.
01:49Is it me or the money that pulls on you?
01:51Pulls isn't the exact word.
01:54I'm just used to my blessings, that's all.
01:58Shall I neglect you a little?
02:00Take other women out to nightclubs, that sort of thing?
02:02Oh, no use. If you did, I'd only meet you there with other men.
02:05What's the matter with you, darling?
02:07Oh, think of the times we had once, Tommy.
02:10You should never have left the Secret Service.
02:12Think how thrilling it would be if there was a mad rapping at the door and in staggered a dead man.
02:17If he was dead, he couldn't stagger.
02:21The daily leader.
02:23I beg your pardon?
02:24The paper you want, the boss.
02:26Yes, of course.
02:27I just need it.
02:29Need what?
02:30A midday edition, Mrs B. It was the last one.
02:33Thank you, Albert.
02:34Oh, and could we have less of the dying gangster and more of the perfect English butler, do you think?
02:38Why, Olga?
02:42I wish Albert wouldn't go to the cinema so often.
02:45Miss Rudolph Valentino is particularly forgettable.
02:48So you're not starting the crossword, are you?
02:52We were having a conversation.
02:56Oh, where has your spirit of adventure gone?
03:03You're getting fat.
03:05And comfortable.
03:07I am not.
03:08Sleek and prosperous and comfortable.
03:11You see, it's very dangerous to have everything you want.
03:16I suppose there are always hats.
03:19But you've got about 40 hats already.
03:22And they all look the same.
03:23They're not really the same.
03:25There are nuances in them.
03:28I saw a rather nice one in Violette's yesterday.
03:31Dobbins, if you've got nothing better to do, then keep on buying hats.
03:34Oh, well, that's just it, if I had something better to do.
03:38Oh, Tommy.
03:40I wish something exciting would happen.
03:44Come in.
03:47Detective Inspector Marriott of Scotland Yard.
03:54Thank you, Albert.
03:56Good afternoon, Inspector.
03:58Well, it's good to see you both.
03:59How's life in general, Mrs Batesford?
04:01In general, satisfactory.
04:03In particular, dull.
04:05Haven't you told her?
04:06I was just about to when you came in.
04:08Told her what?
04:12Well, it's all set, if you want to go ahead.
04:15Told her what?
04:19Read that.
04:21International Detective Agency.
04:23Theodore Blunt, Manager.
04:25Private inquiries.
04:26Large staff of confidential and highly skilled inquiry agents.
04:29Outmost discretion.
04:30Consultations free.
04:3128 Hailham Street.
04:33It's a detective agency.
04:35Obviously.
04:36Though I can't imagine of what interest it could be to you.
04:38Unless, of course, you're thinking of having me followed.
04:40Too many men do that already, my sweet.
04:42Now, the point is, the agency has been on its last legs for some time.
04:45And it can be acquired for a mere sum.
04:47Under new management, naturally.
04:50What about Mr Theodore Blunt?
04:52Mr Blunt, I'm afraid, is being detained at His Majesty's expense.
04:55And he won't tell us half of what we'd like to know.
04:58I see.
05:00Least I think I see.
05:02I thought I might have a shot at running it.
05:04On a six-month trial.
05:07Inspector Marriott has very kindly been arranging the necessary license and so on.
05:11Which, I'm happy to say, has now come through.
05:13The agency is all yours.
05:16And you knew about this all the time?
05:19Only since I first thought of it.
05:21Mystery and romance, remember?
05:23Tommy! Tommy!
05:26Oh, I take it all back.
05:28You're not at all dull, comfortable and sleek.
05:31And certainly not fat.
05:33Only a little.
05:35There is just one thing.
05:37The agency is still in the name of Blunt.
05:39But that could be an advantage.
05:41In case I don't make a go of it, you mean?
05:43Not only that, I fancy that the somewhat shady Mr Blunt and his assistant
05:47might have a little more freedom of action, shall we say,
05:50than the altogether more proper and decorous Mr and Mrs Beresford.
05:55Whoa!
06:11Well, this is it.
06:25Here we are.
06:27This is where you'll hang out, Albert.
06:29Reception.
06:31Just a ticket, Mr B.
06:33Now, there's a buzzer under here.
06:35When a client comes in, buzz me a warning.
06:38But don't let him in until I buzz you back.
06:40Right?
06:42Yes, sir.
06:44Thank you very much.
06:46You're welcome.
06:48You're welcome.
06:52I'll buzz you back. Right?
06:54Right, chief.
06:56This way to the inner sanctum.
06:59Bring the cases, Albert.
07:04Hmm.
07:06It has scope.
07:08Just what I thought.
07:10Over here by the shelves.
07:12What have you got in these guv, dead bodies?
07:19Not exactly the Ritz.
07:21No, this is just for the secretarial staff.
07:23Who's that? You, my sweet.
07:26What do you want me to do now, guv?
07:28Whatever the well-trained office boy should do.
07:31Well, there's a gas ring. Shall I make up a take?
07:33Good wheeze, Albert.
07:39Oh, we've been here for days now,
07:41and absolutely no one's come to see us
07:43except husbands who want their wives shadowed
07:45and wives who want their husbands shadowed.
07:47Sometimes I think the entire population
07:49is composed of middle-aged wives
07:51whose husbands go away at weekends.
07:53Perhaps we should put that in the advertisement.
07:55No divorce work.
07:57I second that. More tea.
07:59Not for me. I'm awash.
08:01I say.
08:03You've transformed this place.
08:05Yes, it is a little more like home.
08:07What on earth is that?
08:09Do you like it? It's my disguise tree.
08:11Your what?
08:13What's the first thing you notice about a woman?
08:15Her hat, of course.
08:17I may come in here in a little Bond Street number,
08:19but that wouldn't do if I had to go somewhere with you,
08:21as your secretary Miss Robinson say.
08:23Quite.
08:25So...
08:27Miss Robinson.
08:29Like it?
08:31Brilliant.
08:33Oh, Tuppence.
08:35I adore you.
08:37Now, here we are,
08:39bursting with talent and absolutely no chance to use it.
08:41But I don't intend to be beaten.
08:43To begin with,
08:45I don't think that ad in the paper's very tempting, do you?
08:47You think we should change it?
08:49Well, you said it yourself. We're brilliant. Brilliant!
08:51So, how about
08:53International Detective Agency,
08:55blunts, brilliant detectives, satisfaction.
08:57No. No, no, no, no. Results guaranteed.
08:59Not bad.
09:01Not bad at all.
09:03When shall we put it in the paper?
09:05Straight away.
09:07Done.
09:11I hope you're right about this, Tuppence.
09:13Indeed. That's a fairly tall order.
09:15Oh, yes, I know Dedean detective stories
09:17because once they've worked out the solution,
09:19they can arrange the clues.
09:21I wonder now.
09:23Hmm?
09:25I'm beginning to have an idea.
09:27It hasn't quite come to me yet, but it's on its way.
09:29Well, leave the door open. It might pop in.
09:31I'll get Alberts to go round to the newspapers
09:33with this right away.
09:35Oh, no need. I can take it. It's on my way.
09:37Not another hat?
09:39It's an extremely nice one.
09:41At the price.
09:43PHONE RINGS
09:49Hello. International Detective Agency.
09:51An appointment at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning, sir?
09:53Yes.
09:55I believe Mr Blunt can just fit you in.
09:57Er, might I inquire the nature of your business, sir?
10:01To clean the windows.
10:03Right, mate. Any time.
10:05HUMMING
10:11KNOCKING
10:13Come in.
10:17I say, is this the, um...
10:19Blunt's International Detective Agency?
10:21That... that is, sir.
10:25PHONE VIBRATES
10:31I know! I know!
10:35Now, let me see.
10:37Get to work.
10:39Start typing.
10:43Do you want to speak to Mr Blunt himself, sir?
10:45Yes, that was the idea. Can it be done?
10:47Well, we're pretty busy at the moment.
10:49So, I see.
10:51You haven't an appointment, I suppose?
10:53Afraid not. Should I have?
10:55It's always wise to ring up first, sir.
10:57Oh, yes. Well, I dare say I could call back another day.
10:59PHONE VIBRATES
11:01You're in luck, sir. The boss is free now.
11:05Kindly step this way, will you, sir?
11:07Oh, good day.
11:09Good day.
11:11Do come in.
11:17Now then, you wish to consult us?
11:19Yes, I want you to find someone who's missing.
11:23May I know a little more?
11:27It's rather difficult.
11:29Frightfully delicate and all that.
11:31A young lady.
11:33I see.
11:35Does she appear of her own free will,
11:37or do you suspect she's been abducted?
11:39Oh, I don't know. See, I don't know anything.
11:41Ah.
11:43Well, can we start
11:45by you giving me your name?
11:47My name? Yes, my name's Smith.
11:51Your real name, please.
11:53Oh, I see.
11:55I saw through that little...
11:57Yes, St Vincent.
11:59Lawrence St Vincent.
12:01It's curious how few people there are
12:03who know your real name, Smith.
12:05Oh.
12:07Could I have a description of this young lady?
12:09Yes, well, she's awfully pretty.
12:11Pretty?
12:13An absolute topper.
12:15Topper?
12:17Just a moment.
12:19Yes?
12:21The Prime Minister?
12:23I see.
12:25Right-o.
12:27If you'll excuse me a moment,
12:29I have an urgent call.
12:31Ahem.
12:35Were you listening? Of course I was.
12:37Why did you interrupt? I think he's the real thing.
12:39He's more than that. Look.
12:41Who's who?
12:43St Vincent Lawrence, 28,
12:45nephew and heir of the Earl of Chariton.
12:47You see?
12:49If we pull this up,
12:51we'll get published in all the right places.
12:53Yes. Well, don't keep interrupting.
12:55So sorry to have kept you.
12:57Ah.
12:59May I introduce
13:01my confidential secretary,
13:03Miss Robinson?
13:05How do you do?
13:07Was there something, Miss Robinson?
13:09You asked me to come in and take down
13:11the facts of the case for you,
13:13as you had to go at once to Downing Street
13:15via Scotland Yard.
13:17Oh, I see.
13:19Yes. Well, I think the Prime Minister
13:21would be prepared to wait a little, don't you?
13:23Oh, I don't think so, Mr Blunt.
13:25Most urgent, he said.
13:27Mr Robinson,
13:29mind talking to me?
13:31Oh, no. No, not at all.
13:33Very well.
13:35Thank you, Miss Robinson.
13:37I apologize, but I leave you in capable hands.
13:39I'm sure.
13:45A lady has disappeared, I understand.
13:47A young lady.
13:49Oh, yes.
13:57I must do something.
13:59I wouldn't have anything happen to her for the world.
14:01You can depend on Mr Blunt.
14:03Now, please, may I have her name and tell me all about her?
14:05Her name's Janet.
14:07Second name?
14:09I don't know. You see, she works at a hat shop,
14:11Madame Violette's in Brook Street.
14:13I went round there yesterday
14:15and waited for her to come out,
14:17but then I found she'd not been at work that day at all.
14:19Did she send a message?
14:21None. Old Madame was furious.
14:23I went round to Janet's place,
14:25but she hadn't come home the night before.
14:27Nobody seemed to know where she was.
14:29I was simply frantic, I can tell you.
14:31I even thought of going to the police.
14:33Did you?
14:35No.
14:37And what made you come here?
14:39Well, that's the funny part.
14:41She pointed out your advertisement to me herself
14:43only the other day.
14:45May I have a full description?
14:47Yes.
14:49Well, she's got the most marvelous hair.
14:51Sort of golden, but deeper.
14:53It's like a sunset.
14:55That's it, a sunset.
14:57Red hair. Height?
14:59Tallish.
15:01She has eyes.
15:03Really?
15:05Blue eyes.
15:07Very, very blue eyes.
15:09In a sort of decided manner.
15:11Am I to understand
15:13that you're engaged to this lady?
15:15Oh, no.
15:17I mean, not exactly.
15:19I never said anything.
15:21If I say this, I can tell you.
15:23I mean to ask her to marry me as soon as ever I see her.
15:25If I ever do see her again.
15:27It sounds to me as though you need
15:29our special 24-hour service.
15:31What's that?
15:33It's double fees,
15:35but we put all our available staff onto it.
15:37If the lady's alive, Mr St Vincent,
15:39we should be able to tell you where she is
15:41by this time tomorrow.
15:43I don't know what to say.
15:45You must have the most marvelous staff.
15:47Yes, we have.
15:49Sir.
15:51Two o'clock tomorrow, and we should have some news for you.
15:53Is that a fact? I can't thank you enough.
15:55Not at all.
15:57Good day.
15:59Will you thank Mr Blunt for me?
16:01What have you done?
16:03Have you gone stark staring mad?
16:05Our special service.
16:07Do you realize
16:09we've guaranteed him results by this time tomorrow?
16:11I thought it sounded rather good.
16:13Perhaps we should put it in our advertisement.
16:15I think you must have taken leave of your senses.
16:17Don't worry.
16:19Leave it to Mother.
16:21Mother knows best.
16:31It's a filthy night.
16:33Oh, you are in bed.
16:35Thanks to you.
16:37Oh, Elvis, try and dry these out, will you?
16:41Waterlogged.
16:43What are you doing?
16:45Looking for that blasted girl.
16:47Going round the hospitals with her description.
16:49Any luck?
16:51Not a sausage.
16:53Well, I'm glad you're back any later, and dinner would have been ruined.
16:55No dinner for me tonight.
16:57Why not?
16:59Because of you and your 24-hour service.
17:01If we don't deliver the goods, young St. Vincent is going to tell everyone we let him down.
17:03Well, you'll have a drink at least.
17:05No, thank you.
17:07I only came back to change my socks.
17:09I have a dozen hospitals to get round yet.
17:11Didn't I tell you to leave it to me?
17:13That's very kind of you, Tubbins,
17:15but even you can't find that wretched girl
17:17single-handed before two o'clock tomorrow morning.
17:19I have.
17:23What do you mean?
17:25Very simple.
17:27Where is she?
17:29In the spell room.
17:31As a matter of fact, I've invited her to stay for a couple of days.
17:33Wait a minute.
17:35Wait a minute.
17:37She's an old friend of mine,
17:39and actually she spent last night in a hotel
17:41before he went to the office.
17:43You mean she's been here all day,
17:45all the time I've been hunting for her?
17:51She was never missing in the first place.
17:53You set up the whole thing between you.
17:57Well, I only bumped into her recently,
17:59and she told me about young St. Vincent pursuing her,
18:01so I got her to rub the advertisement into him
18:03and then disappear.
18:05I don't believe it.
18:07It's wonderful publicity for Blunt's brilliant detectives
18:09and the necessary shove to get that young idiot to propose.
18:11So not only do you bamboozle our client,
18:13our first client,
18:15but you trap the poor blighter into marriage.
18:17Oh, stuff.
18:19You can tell at a glance what his family needs.
18:21Some good red blood in it.
18:23Hello.
18:25Ah, Tommy.
18:27This is my old pal from my nursing days, Janet Smith.
18:29Smith? Is that your real name?
18:31Yes, it is. Why?
18:33Oh, just wonder.
18:35Tommy doesn't want his drink, Janet.
18:37I'll get it for you.
18:39Thanks.
18:41It's the most immoral thing I've ever heard.
18:43How do you do?
18:45It'll be the making of him, won't it, Janet?
18:47It certainly will.
18:49You see, strange as it may seem to you,
18:51I do love the silly idiot.
18:53She'll get him to cut down on cocktails and nightclubs
18:55and lead a good, healthy life.
18:59You see, for months he's been driving me frantic
19:01trying to nerve himself up to propose.
19:03I couldn't stand it any longer.
19:05For months, brilliant detectives have not only played Sherlock Holmes,
19:07but Cupid.
19:09Oh, so cheer up, Tommy.
19:11Hmm?
19:13And let's all drink to the International Detective Agency.
19:19Shh, shh, shh.
19:21Sherlock, a client.
19:23Oh.
19:25Female. Dark.
19:27Mid-twenties.
19:29Clothes cheap but striking.
19:31Looks worried.
19:33Right. Get to work. Start typing.
19:37Oh, very well. You can be doing shorthand notes.
19:39How?
19:41Just do squiggles.
19:45Uh, lady to see you, Mr Blunt.
19:47Ah, good morning.
19:49Do take a seat.
19:51My confidential secretary, Miss Robinson.
19:53Adam,
19:55you are in need of our services, Miss, um...
19:57Kingston Bruce.
19:59Yes. You must have found travelling in a bus
20:01rather crowded at this time of day.
20:03I came in a taxi.
20:05Oh?
20:07Oh, you mean this.
20:09I picked it up outside.
20:11A small neighbour of ours collects them.
20:13Really?
20:15We live in Wimbledon.
20:17Last night, a lady who's staying with us
20:19lost a pink pearl.
20:21Apparently of some considerable value.
20:25A Mr St Vincent was also dining with us.
20:27Mr St Vincent?
20:29During dinner, he'd happened to mention your firm.
20:31This morning,
20:33my mother sent me along here
20:35to ask if you could look into the matter for us.
20:37I see.
20:39But you haven't called in the police.
20:41It would be idiotic to call them in
20:43and find this stupid thing
20:45had rolled under the fireplace or something.
20:47Yes.
20:49So you suspect it may only be mislaid.
20:51People make such a fuss about things.
20:53Hmm.
20:55Well, uh,
20:57I'm extremely busy at the moment.
20:59I shan't trouble you any more.
21:01I quite understand.
21:03Nevertheless, I think I could manage
21:05a run down to Wimbledon.
21:07Could you give me the address?
21:09The Laurels, Edgeworth Road.
21:11We'll expect you then.
21:13Good morning.
21:15Good morning.
21:17What an odd girl.
21:19Yes.
21:21I couldn't quite make her out.
21:23Makes you wonder if she took the thing herself.
21:27Oh.
21:37Well,
21:39here we are.
21:41I'd say we'll find a house full of snobs.
21:43The father, if there is a father,
21:45bound to have a military title.
21:47The daughter falls in with their way of life
21:49but despises herself in doing so.
21:51You're an incurable romantic.
21:53Will you bring the camera, please, darling?
21:55Is it
21:57absolutely necessary?
21:59Oh, yes.
22:01I shall photograph footprints
22:03and enlarged negatives
22:05and all that sort of thing.
22:11And if you don't mind,
22:13I think I'll stop being your secretary
22:15and become your assistant.
22:17Do you think you'll be able to carry it off?
22:19Mr. Blunt, isn't it?
22:21I'm Kingston Bruce.
22:23Colonel Kingston Bruce.
22:25How do you do, Colonel?
22:27This is Miss Robinson.
22:29Mr. Blunt's assistant.
22:31Ah.
22:33Well, thank you, Gladys.
22:35Do sit down.
22:37This is a most distressing business.
22:39Most distressing.
22:41Yes, it must be, Colonel.
22:43I suppose you are certain
22:45that an actual crime
22:47was committed?
22:49No doubt of it, sir.
22:51Unfortunately.
22:53May we see where it happened?
22:55Why, it was here, Miss, uh...
22:57Robinson.
22:59In this very room.
23:01Your daughter only gave us the barest details, Colonel.
23:03Could you tell us exactly what happened?
23:05Certainly, Mr. Blunt.
23:07The fact is, we, at the present moment,
23:09we have a number of people staying here.
23:11The best sort,
23:13a house party, really.
23:15Well, last night, after dinner,
23:17we all returned to the drawing room.
23:19There was an old
23:21and very dear friend of ours,
23:23Lady Laura Barton,
23:25daughter of the late Earl of Carrow.
23:27I remember she felt a chill
23:29in the room.
23:31She's here with her maid,
23:33Elise.
23:35She's French.
23:37Well, part maid, part companion, really.
23:39Of course, my dear wife was there,
23:41and our daughter, Beatrice.
23:43She was attached to young St. Vincent.
23:45And, of course, there were
23:47two American friends of mine.
23:49Well, friends of friends, actually.
23:51Hamilton Betts, a financier,
23:53and his wife, Phyllis.
23:55A charming lady.
23:57A very fine meal, my dear.
23:59Yes, Margaret. Really delightful.
24:01Oh, thank you, Lady Laura.
24:03Charles, Mr. Betts was wondering
24:05if we might play some bridge.
24:07Wants his revenge, does he?
24:09Now then, Colonel, I admit you and Beatrice
24:11had the cards last night,
24:13but let's see who they smile on this evening.
24:15There's just one problem.
24:17There aren't enough of us for two fours.
24:19Oh, I don't mind skipping it.
24:21I can always sit out with Lawrence and talk about
24:23this yacht he's thinking of buying.
24:25Sorry, Phil, you're the only one here
24:27who understands my bidding.
24:29I trust you'll be my partner, Lady Laura.
24:31No, thank you, Colonel.
24:33I have a slight headache this evening.
24:35Oh, I'm so sorry, Lady Laura.
24:37It's nothing to worry about.
24:39I'll soon watch, if you don't mind.
24:41Well, if you're quite sure.
24:43Beatrice?
24:45No, I don't want to play.
24:47Oh, no use looking at me, Colonel.
24:49I've not got enough of the old grey matter
24:51for four spades and three trumps and all that.
24:53Never could follow it, frankly.
24:57It appears you'll have to be my partner, my dear.
24:59Oh, must I?
25:01Just do your best.
25:03Now, that's the style.
25:05Thank you, Gladys.
25:09Would you set up the card table, please?
25:11Yes.
25:13And be settled down to a normal, pleasant evening.
25:15Where do the Betzes fit in, Colonel?
25:17Ah, well,
25:19just between ourselves.
25:23I'm hoping he'll put some money
25:25into a firm whose board I'm on.
25:27I invited them because Lady Laura is staying.
25:29It's important to show
25:31one mixes with the right people.
25:33Quite.
25:35And what about the Pearl?
25:37Yes.
25:39It was strange how that happened.
25:41How it all began.
25:45We were all setting down.
25:47Young St. Vincent has very kindly
25:49offered to look after the drinks.
26:01Oh, you've no idea what a pleasure it is
26:03to be in a country where you can
26:05sit down with friends for a drink
26:07without wondering if you'll be raided by the police.
26:11Are you thinking of coming to the States at all, Lawrence?
26:13Oh, I'd love to,
26:15but I think I'll wait till you've got rid of Prohibition.
26:19Oh.
26:21Something wrong?
26:23I think the catch on this thing must have gone.
26:25I told you not to keep fiddling with it.
26:27Now I'll have to get it fixed.
26:29We'll take it to a jeweler's in the morning.
26:31I want it done right.
26:33Girls like that don't grow on trees, you know.
26:35It's so pretty.
26:37Just a little thing I got Phyllis
26:39for her anniversary.
26:53The game turned out to be very enjoyable.
26:55Quite tense at times.
27:03Oh.
27:17We played for about
27:19two hours, two and a half.
27:21Did anyone leave the room in that time?
27:23No.
27:25But there was another arrival.
27:27Oh? Who was that?
27:29A Mr. Rennie.
27:33He is
27:35an acquaintance of my daughter Beatrice.
27:37He is a teacher
27:39at a local college, but not the sort of chap
27:41I care for. A most pestilential fellow.
27:43An arrant radical.
27:45It was quite wrong,
27:47of course, of Beatrice to invite him to call in,
27:49especially with young St. Vincent here.
27:51Most unfortunate.
27:53Beatrice tells me you're having a yacht built.
27:55Ah, it's a nifty little thing.
27:57Nicholson should be able to tool over the bologna in her,
27:59perhaps even get in a spot of racing.
28:01Will you sail here yourself?
28:03Of course not. She'll have a crew for that sort of thing.
28:05Naturally.
28:07It always amazes me how the idle class
28:09think up the most expensive ways to remain idle.
28:11Do I gather you don't approve,
28:13Mr. Rennie? I do not.
28:15Oh, dear, why not?
28:17It may have escaped your notice that there are
28:19over a million unemployed, thousands of families
28:21on the breadline, living in squalor,
28:23denied even the opportunity to work.
28:25In these economic conditions,
28:27boat trips to France and yacht racing
28:29seem to me the height of immorality.
28:31Ah, but I don't agree. No? No.
28:33What about the people who are building her?
28:35The ones who'll sail her and service her?
28:37I'm not a shipwright, a sailor, or a cook.
28:39Without me, they'd all be unemployed too.
28:43I put the United States one up, Colonel,
28:45but I'll give you your chance
28:47at another rubber.
28:49Well, I, uh...
28:51Would you mind, Lady Laura?
28:53Not at all.
28:55I'm enjoying watching.
28:59Matter of fact, I'm hoping the yacht
29:01will be ready in time for my honeymoon.
29:03Honeymoon? Yes, of course.
29:05I haven't actually asked her yet, but, uh...
29:07Who are you hoping to marry?
29:09Oh, not anybody you'd know. Not you, Beatrice.
29:11You'd like her, though. She's rather your type.
29:13Perhaps, Mr. Rennie, you and Beatrice
29:15would like to come for a cruise with us one day,
29:17if it's not against your principle.
29:23We finished the rubber, which, luckily,
29:25made us all square.
29:27Rennie had left sometime before.
29:29St. Vincent said goodnight shortly after,
29:31and we all went to bed.
29:33And what about the pearl?
29:35It was left lying where it was.
29:37We'd all simply forgotten about it.
29:39When was it found to be missing, then, Colonel?
29:41When Clarice, the parlor maid, came in to tidy up.
29:43The necklace in the setting
29:45was still lying on the table.
29:47But the pearl had gone.
29:49She came and told me at once.
29:51And, uh, what happened next?
29:53Well, we had a good look around,
29:55and then decided to search again in the morning.
29:57And what was the Betsy's attitude
29:59towards all this?
30:01As you'd expect, she was very upset.
30:03He wanted me to call the police.
30:05But you dissuaded him.
30:07Uh, to avoid publicity.
30:11My wife and daughter backed me up.
30:13Then we remembered young St. Vincent
30:15talking about your firm
30:17and your 24-hour special service.
30:19Yes, well,
30:21I suppose there's no reason
30:23to suspect the parlor maid, Colonel.
30:25Clarice? Oh, she's been with us for years.
30:27Oh.
30:29On the other hand,
30:31temptation,
30:33one never knows.
30:35You said there was a certain amount of
30:37tension over the bridge game, Colonel.
30:39Yes.
30:41Yes, I redoubled no trump hand, I remember.
30:43And also a rather painful argument
30:45when my dear wife had the misfortune
30:47to revoke.
30:49Really?
30:51Ah,
30:53I see what you mean.
30:55You think it would have been possible for him
30:57to wrench off the pearl
30:59while we were absorbed in the game.
31:01Who exactly do you mean by him, Colonel?
31:03By Rene, of course.
31:05He's an unprincipled fellow.
31:07I don't mind telling you,
31:09I don't trust him an inch.
31:13You can't deny it, Mother.
31:15She got out of the car and a silver teaspoon
31:17fell out of her mouth.
31:21This is Mr. Blunt, my dear.
31:23And his assistant, Miss...
31:25Robinson.
31:27How do you do, Mr. Blunt?
31:29I hope you'll be able to clear up this dreadful case quickly.
31:31I shall certainly try, Madam.
31:33Poor Lady Laura, she's most distressed.
31:35Calm yourself, my dear.
31:37Mr. Blunt has everything in hand.
31:39I'm afraid I will have to question everyone.
31:41You see, for a start,
31:43has anyone left the house today?
31:45Absolutely not. I haven't allowed anyone to leave.
31:47Except your daughter.
31:49Except me.
31:51But Beatrice...
31:53Beatrice volunteered to go and lay the case before you.
31:55Well,
31:57what now, Mr. Blunt?
31:59Well, I, um...
32:01You were going to take some photographs,
32:03weren't you, sir?
32:05Oh, yes, of course.
32:07If you'll excuse me, I'll just go and fetch my
32:09special camera.
32:15Now, what do you think?
32:17I haven't the faintest idea.
32:19Did you get that about the daughter, Beatrice?
32:21Yes. Now, she said her mother
32:23had asked her to come to see us.
32:25But now it appears it was her own idea.
32:27To get out of the house with a pal?
32:29Could be.
32:31And there was another thing that interested me.
32:33Who was it with the silver teaspoon in her mouth?
32:35He loves the Russians and the Germans.
32:37What else can you expect?
32:39He never touched it. I was watching him all the time.
32:41He couldn't possibly have taken it.
32:44Beatrice!
32:54Ah.
32:56I gather you're the private inquiry agent.
32:58I am. And you are Mr. Betts?
33:00Hamilton Betts.
33:02I'm told you hustle things through.
33:04Hustle is my middle name, Mr. Betts.
33:06Well, it better be.
33:08Or I'm sending for the police, whatever Colonel Bruce says.
33:10May I ask you a few questions about this pearl?
33:13What do you want to know?
33:15For example, was it insured?
33:17Unfortunately, it was not.
33:19I only bought it on this trip,
33:21so now it's Colonel Bruce's problem.
33:23Ah.
33:25Well, the theft, or whatever you want to call it,
33:27took place on his property, so it's his responsibility.
33:29I don't intend to be out of pocket.
33:31May I ask how much a single pearl is worth?
33:33One like that?
33:35Well, I bought it in Amsterdam,
33:37paid in dollars in your currency
33:39at a conservative estimate, I'd guess,
33:41between 20,000 pounds.
33:46I cannot imagine what this will achieve.
33:48A little invention of my own, Colonel.
33:50In appearance, you see,
33:52it is just like an ordinary camera.
33:54You mean it photographs fingerprints and stuff like that?
33:56If the angle of light and, um,
33:58refraction and things
34:00are calculated correctly.
34:02Remarkable.
34:04I thought we were way ahead of you in the States,
34:06but this is really amazing.
34:08Nothing at all, really.
34:11So, here you all are.
34:13Aren't you dressed yet, honey?
34:15I was too upset to.
34:17Who is this?
34:19The private eye, Mr. Blunt.
34:21This is Phyllis, my wife.
34:23How do you do, Mr. Blunt?
34:25Mrs. Bates.
34:27Are you, uh,
34:29getting anywhere?
34:31Slowly, but surely.
34:33So what's the position?
34:35Well, the position amounts to this.
34:37Now, either the pearl is still in the house,
34:40or it is not.
34:42It is still in the house.
34:44Quite so.
34:46Now, if it is not in the house, it may be
34:48anywhere.
34:50But, if it is still in the house,
34:52it most probably is, uh,
34:54concealed somewhere.
34:56Then the search must be made, is what I keep saying.
34:58Very well. I give you carte blanche, Mr. Blunt.
35:00Search the house from attic to cellar.
35:02But, Charles, the servants,
35:04I'm sure they'll leave.
35:06Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Bruce.
35:08The thief is sure to have hidden the pearl
35:10in the most unlikely place.
35:12I seem to have read something of the kind.
35:14Well, what sort of place?
35:16Well, the most unlikely place would be
35:18Mrs. Bates' apartment.
35:20Wouldn't that be just too cute?
35:22Well, what are we waiting for?
35:24Come and search.
35:26I'd better come with you.
35:28Don't interfere with the expert, Hanny.
35:30Mr. Blunt knows what he's doing.
35:32Aren't you going to take your camera?
35:34Oh, yes.
35:39I was just coming back for it.
35:48How long have you been with Lady Laura Lee?
35:51Several years now.
35:53I know what you are thinking.
35:55I know what they are saying, all these stories.
35:57Stories?
35:59I am very fond of her. She is very kind.
36:01It's so unfair.
36:03Oh, what is?
36:05She is a widow, you know.
36:07Her husband was killed in the war.
36:09Perhaps that is why.
36:11Perhaps something happened to her then.
36:13What sort of thing?
36:15She cannot help it.
36:17She does not mean to do it.
36:19Believe me.
36:21When we go to places,
36:23stay with people,
36:25things are lost.
36:27Disparu.
36:29Disparu.
36:31Disparu.
36:33Things are lost. Disparu.
36:35Not always valuable things, you understand.
36:39The silver teaspoon.
36:41You heard about that?
36:43Yes.
36:45Yes, what was that exactly?
36:49The last time we stayed here,
36:51we had been to tea
36:53with some friends of Colonel and Madame Bruce.
36:57They had a set of
36:59antique silver spoons.
37:01Lady Laura
37:03carried her firm mouth.
37:05Just as we arrived home,
37:07one of the silver spoons
37:09fell out of it.
37:11I took it back for her,
37:13explained that it must
37:15have got there by accident,
37:17but I don't think they believed me.
37:19You did what you could.
37:21I should not have told you.
37:23Oh, la pauvre.
37:25Please, believe me.
37:27This time it is different.
37:29Milady could not have
37:31taken the pearl.
37:35This is all that was left of it.
37:37Oh.
37:39It must have been very upsetting.
37:41Plenty more pearls in the sea.
37:43Worried Hammy more than it did me.
37:45Well, it cost a lot.
37:47Well, he makes a lot.
37:49That's all he ever really thinks about, making more.
37:51He's hardly ever
37:53at home.
37:55You can't think how
37:57lonesome I get.
37:59Yes, I dare say.
38:01Tell me,
38:03how big was the pearl, Mrs. Betts?
38:07And what colour was it?
38:09About a match
38:11for these drapes.
38:13Oh, are you
38:15going to take a picture?
38:17If you'd step aside, Mrs. Betts.
38:19Phyllis.
38:21If you'd step aside, Phyllis.
38:23Where to?
38:25Well...
38:27You're so tall,
38:29Mr. Blunt.
38:31Tell me,
38:33just how blunt are you,
38:35Mr. Blunt?
38:37Come in.
38:39Excuse me.
38:43This is my assistant,
38:45Miss Robinson.
38:47Oh, I was just wondering if you needed any help.
38:49He might just do
38:51that, honey.
38:53Just go right ahead.
38:55You won't need me.
38:57Did I interrupt something?
38:59Yes, thank heavens.
39:01Well, are we really going to search the room?
39:03Well, we're going to do something to bluff it out.
39:05You and your 24-hour special service.
39:07That pearl could be anywhere.
39:09Haven't you found out anything?
39:11Only that Colonel Bruce is short of money,
39:13but he's putting a brave face on it.
39:15How about you?
39:17Oh, one or two things.
39:19Such as?
39:21She had the opportunity.
39:23And the motive?
39:25She gets all of 18 shillings a week for working here,
39:27and she's the sole support of her aged mother.
39:29Ah.
39:31But I don't think she did it.
39:33Now, the daughter Beatrice,
39:35she's desperate to leave home,
39:37but without enough money to set up on her own,
39:39there's nothing she can do.
39:41And the most interesting thing of all...
39:43Oh, Lady Laura's the kleptomaniac.
39:45Oh.
39:47The teaspoon.
39:49The teaspoon.
39:51She's always staying with people.
39:53Poor old dear hasn't been.
39:55So she's always accepting invitations
39:57from people to whom a title still means something.
39:59Five or six distinct thefts
40:01have occurred
40:03while she's been staying at various houses.
40:05Various houses?
40:19Oh, Elise.
40:21This is Elise, Mr. Blunt.
40:23Oh, yes, of course. How do you do?
40:25Monsieur.
40:27Are you busy?
40:29I was just cleaning my lady's bath, monsieur.
40:31Then you won't mind if we just have a little look round the room?
40:33It's all right, Elise.
40:35All the rooms are to be searched.
40:37Oh, I've left the water running.
40:39What's the matter?
40:41It must have stuck.
40:59I wonder why it's stuck.
41:03Sophie.
41:05Good.
41:07Would you give Miss Robinson a hand?
41:09Now, I just want
41:11one photograph
41:13of the dressing table.
41:15Mademoiselle Elise, would you be so kind
41:17as to hold back the curtain?
41:19Just loop it back.
41:21Loop it back.
41:31Is that all, monsieur?
41:33Ah, yes, thank you.
41:35Oh, um, would you?
41:37Thanks.
41:39Ah, right.
41:41I've just had a thought.
41:43It would be most unfortunate if Lady Laura were to find us here.
41:45Would you be so kind as to keep an eye on the stairs
41:47and warn us if she's coming?
41:49C'est tout, monsieur.
41:51Thanks.
41:55What are you up to?
41:57Can you hang on here for a bit?
41:59Try and get an interview with Lady Laura, but don't alarm her.
42:01Can you suspect the parlour maid or something?
42:03Whatever you do,
42:05don't let her leave the house.
42:07Right.
42:09But, Tommy.
42:13Tommy, where are you going?
42:15Back to town. Sorry, darling, I haven't got time to explain.
42:17Listen, there's something I forgot to tell you
42:19about the daughter Beatrice.
42:21Oh?
42:23Well, she left here at half-past nine this morning,
42:25so it took her two and a half hours to get to the office.
42:27Well, that's not possible.
42:29No.
42:31So, where did she go before she came to see us?
42:33Yes, well, that's very interesting.
42:35Follow up any clue you like, darling,
42:37but don't let Lady Laura leave the house.
42:39Back at it.
42:47Looking for something?
42:49Mr Rene, isn't it?
42:51How do you know me?
42:53Just a hunch.
42:55Can I help you?
42:57I want to speak to Beatrice.
42:59In a moment.
43:01You know I'm from
43:03the International Detective Agency.
43:05I guessed as much.
43:07Because Beatrice is a detective.
43:09Yes, she is.
43:11And you're a detective.
43:13Yes, I am.
43:15Guess as much.
43:17Because Beatrice told you we would be here.
43:19When she came to see you this morning?
43:21Yes.
43:23I suspected it was you
43:25that she'd come to see.
43:27Why do you think Miss Bruce took the pearl?
43:29Believe me, Mr Rene,
43:31getting the pearl back
43:33is all we're interested in.
43:35Do forgive me.
43:37I have to take different pills every few hours.
43:39It's very tedious.
43:42Do you have everything you want, Milady?
43:45Yes, thank you, Elise.
43:47You may leave us.
43:49Very good, Milady.
43:55She seems very kind.
43:57Yes.
43:59A dear girl.
44:01Oh, I'm growing forgetful.
44:03Please sit down, Miss Robinson.
44:07How is your inquiry progressing?
44:09Quite well, thank you, Lady Laura.
44:13Do you think I could have done it?
44:15Because, you see,
44:17I know that I could have.
44:19Oh, Lady Laura, I...
44:21Please.
44:23This is very difficult for me.
44:25For a long while now,
44:27I've not been quite myself.
44:31Lately, it's grown worse.
44:33Sometimes,
44:35I take things.
44:37I take things, you must realize.
44:39Yes.
44:41No doubt you've already heard.
44:43Yes.
44:45Yes.
44:47It's shameful.
44:49Shameful.
44:51I have to rely on the kindness
44:53of friends, of Elise.
44:55And I do not know
44:57when these things have happened,
44:59nor when they will happen.
45:01I do not even have a sense of guilt
45:03because I'm unaware of them.
45:05I understand.
45:07But never before
45:09has it been anything so valuable.
45:11It's not certain,
45:13Your Ladyship, that you had anything
45:15to do with this.
45:17You are kind, my dear.
45:21You have searched my room?
45:23Yes.
45:25But we found nothing.
45:27It will turn up
45:29somewhere.
45:31And when it does,
45:33if you are certain
45:35that it was me,
45:37I want you to promise me
45:39that you will come and tell me yourself.
45:41And then I shall know what to do.
46:03Oh, come in.
46:05Hello, darling.
46:07We're all in here.
46:09No time for that.
46:11Come in, please.
46:13Come on.
46:17Oh, so you think
46:19it was Lady Laura after all?
46:21Mm-hmm.
46:23Oh, dear, I was rather hoping it wouldn't be.
46:25Still, I've lots to tell you
46:27about Beatrice Kingston Bruce
46:29and her boyfriend.
46:31Inspector Marriott!
46:33Good day, ma'am.
46:35I understand you've been having quite a time.
46:37Are they what?
46:39Um, well,
46:41will someone kindly tell me what's going on?
46:43She won't quietly.
46:45She's an old hand and she knows when the game's up.
46:47What about the pearl?
46:49Well, I rather fancy we'll find it in here.
46:51We'll find it in here.
47:05An old trick, Mrs. Beresford.
47:07Cut a bar of soap in half,
47:09scoop out a hiding place,
47:11clap it together again,
47:13and smooth the join over with hot water.
47:15If I might.
47:17Very smart piece of work
47:19on your part, Mr. Beresford.
47:25But...
47:27Sir.
47:29I can't believe, sir.
47:33That's Lady Laura and Beatrice
47:35and Gladys.
47:37Oh, didn't I tell you?
47:39It was Elise.
47:41My dear sir, I can't thank you enough.
47:43I've really got to hand it to you, yes, sir.
47:45Thank you, Mr. Beresford.
47:47Thank you, thank you, thank you.
47:49Don't leave me out.
47:53I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Blunt.
47:55I feel as if a great cloud has been lifted.
47:57Now I can live the rest of my life
47:59without feeling ashamed.
48:03Thank you, Lady Laura.
48:05Thank you all.
48:09Miss Robinson,
48:11I wanted to thank you.
48:13Although I know you suspected me
48:15all the time.
48:17You were terrified that Renny had taken the file.
48:19He was terrified that you had,
48:21so it meant it couldn't have been either of you.
48:27But he'll tell you himself.
48:37All's well that ends well, eh?
48:39Hello, my fancy.
48:41Can you tell me how you knew it was Elise?
48:45Well, it was when she tried to open the bathroom door.
48:47I tried to turn a handle
48:49with soap on my hands myself.
48:51Can't be done. Your hands slip.
48:53Then she picked up a towel.
48:55Wiped the soap off the handle and opened the door herself?
48:57Exactly.
48:59It occurred to me that if you were a professional thief
49:01it would be quite useful to be the maid
49:03of a lady suspected of kleptomania.
49:05Oh, dear. Poor Lady Laura,
49:07suspected of taking all those things.
49:09If you remember,
49:11I took a photograph of Elise by the window.
49:13Induced her to hold a glass slide for me
49:15and toddled off
49:17to dear old Scotland Yard.
49:19They developed her photograph
49:21and checked her fingerprints on the glass slide.
49:23Revealing Elise
49:25to be a Longwell's friend.
49:27Why didn't you tell me in the first place?
49:29Because in the first place
49:31I suspected Elise was listening outside the door.
49:35And in the second...
49:39you and your friend Janet Smith
49:41put one over on me last time.
49:45This makes us all square.
49:47Ha, ha, ha!
50:09Ha, ha, ha!
50:39Ha, ha, ha!