First broadcast 23rd October 1983.
Tuppence persuades Tommy to attend a fancy dress dance at a night club and they come across a woman who had been stabbed with a jewelled knife.
Francesca Annis as Tuppence Beresford
James Warwick as Tommy Beresford
Benjamin Whitrow as Sir Arthur Merivale
Anna Turner as Widow (possibly the waitress at the Ace of Spades)
John Gillett as Dr Stoughton
Annie Lambert as Lady Merivale
Arthur Cox as Inspector Marriot
Peter Blythe as Captain Bingo Hale
Reece Dinsdale as Albert
Terry Cowling as Detective Sergeant Halliday
Pat Gorman as Commissionaire
John Mangan as Pinocchio guest
Tuppence persuades Tommy to attend a fancy dress dance at a night club and they come across a woman who had been stabbed with a jewelled knife.
Francesca Annis as Tuppence Beresford
James Warwick as Tommy Beresford
Benjamin Whitrow as Sir Arthur Merivale
Anna Turner as Widow (possibly the waitress at the Ace of Spades)
John Gillett as Dr Stoughton
Annie Lambert as Lady Merivale
Arthur Cox as Inspector Marriot
Peter Blythe as Captain Bingo Hale
Reece Dinsdale as Albert
Terry Cowling as Detective Sergeant Halliday
Pat Gorman as Commissionaire
John Mangan as Pinocchio guest
Category
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TVTranscript
00:00["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
00:30["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
01:00["The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"]
01:16Paper! Paper!
01:17Good grief!
01:19Read all about it!
01:20How did we ever get stuck with you, Albert?
01:22There's cos I'm always on the spot when needed.
01:24Are you daily leader, Mr Beresford, sir?
01:29Top of the morning, Miss Suttons. Morning, Albert.
01:31Mrs Beresford, sir.
01:33You seem a bit laden, darling.
01:35I thought I'd do kedgeree when we got home this evening,
01:38followed by rhubarb and junket and spoonfuls of lovely gooey custard.
01:43Good Lord, just like school. Are we really that desperate?
01:46We haven't had a sniff of crime for the last three weeks.
01:49And a detective agency is supposed to detect, not sit around reading the Daily Leader.
01:54Or making kedgeree or junket or custard.
01:58Gooey or otherwise.
01:59So, in the meantime, I thought we needed cheering up.
02:02Oh, do we? What did you have in mind?
02:05I thought it was time we went dancing again.
02:07Oh, Tubbins. My darling wife, my little helpmate. I am getting on a bit.
02:12Oh, you poor old thing.
02:14Your sympathy is truly touching.
02:16And you have two grey hairs in your eyebrows.
02:19Not very observant. I have two grey hairs in one eyebrow.
02:22My right.
02:23Your left.
02:24My right. When I look in the mirror.
02:26Oh, but Tommy, you do dance so divinely, darling.
02:29Gently with the butter, Tubbins.
02:30When I was a nice young girl...
02:32What a memory.
02:33I was brought up to believe that men, particularly husbands,
02:36were very fond of drinking and dancing and staying out half the night.
02:39What a strange upbringing you had.
02:41And that it took an exceptionally beautiful and clever wife to keep him at home.
02:44Oh, well, there you are then.
02:46Am I? Where exactly?
02:48You are an exceptionally beautiful and clever wife,
02:50and I'm kept at home and go to bed at half past ten.
02:52Perhaps you'd like a little dog to bring you your slippers.
02:55Good idea.
02:56Oh, no, but Tommy, to be absolutely honest...
02:58Aha, I knew it. An ulterior motive.
03:00I want to go to the Three Arts Ball.
03:02Oh, no. Not the Three Arts Ball.
03:05Well, it's for charity, darling.
03:07Which my upbringing taught me to go at home.
03:09And in this instance, it is a home for distressed gentlemen.
03:12Well, in that case, book me a room.
03:14Oh, right, we go.
03:15Oh, but Tubbins, think, think.
03:17The Three Arts Ball.
03:19Fancy dress, tepid champagne, the battle of the bride rose.
03:23Oh, well, it's not purely for pleasure that I want to go.
03:26I'm intrigued by an advertisement.
03:28Kindly turn to the personal column of the Daily Leader.
03:31Oui, mon capitaine.
03:33Now, eighth insert down, second column.
03:36What does it say?
03:38One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
03:40I should go. Three hearts.
03:44Twelve tricks.
03:46Ace of spades.
03:48Necessary to finesse the king.
03:51What do you make of it?
03:53Rather an expensive way to learn bridge, I should think.
03:56You know, Tommy, I sometimes wonder if you pretend to be dumb on purpose, or are you?
04:00Um, it's a coded message of some sort.
04:03Well done.
04:05My guess is that three hearts is the Three Arts Ball.
04:10Obvious.
04:11Thank you very much.
04:12That's tomorrow. Twelve tricks is twelve o'clock.
04:14Midnight.
04:15Well, obviously midnight, you chump.
04:16You don't give a charity ball during the lunch hour.
04:19Yes.
04:21The Ace of Spades.
04:23Oh, not that dingy basement club in Chelsea where we went just after we were married.
04:27That's the one.
04:28Where the mouse ran round and round the stool till like a dirt track rider.
04:31I couldn't bear to look.
04:33With screened-off boobs.
04:35You didn't seem to mind.
04:38Um, hmm.
04:40Yes, but what is the Ace of Spades to do with the Three Arts Ball?
04:43I feel it's where ye revelers go at the shank end of the evening to eat bacon and eggs,
04:47rabbit and that sort of thing.
04:49Oh, cagery.
04:50Oh, very witty.
04:51All in fancy dress?
04:52Of course.
04:53Masks and everything.
04:54Oh, frightful.
04:56So, three hearts is the Three Arts Ball,
05:00twelve tricks is twelve midnight,
05:03and the Ace of Spades is the Ace of Spades.
05:06Absolutely brilliant.
05:07Yes, but what does it mean necessary to finesse the king?
05:10Well, that's what I thought we could find out.
05:12I mean, as a detective agency, we could do with a bit of practice.
05:15Ah, but if it's tomorrow, how do we get fancy dress this late?
05:18Oh, I've got them all ready.
05:20I was a fool to ask.
05:22What are they?
05:23Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
05:25Oh.
05:26Not bad.
05:28I shall look pretty nifty, that dear stalker,
05:30with a Mearsham pipe clenched in my manly jaws,
05:33carrying a violin case and a hypodermic thingamy round my neck.
05:45Woo!
06:00Ah!
06:02Woo!
06:15Go on, admit it.
06:17Admit what?
06:18You're enjoying every minute of it.
06:20What utter rot.
06:22I'm a bored husband dragged out against his will,
06:25jolly hot in all this padding.
06:28Oh, but you do dance, dance, dance divinely.
06:32That's because I love you.
06:34Oh, it's so nice being out with you.
06:37And you do say, you do.
06:41Home, Sherlock?
06:43Tommy, what time is it?
06:45Uh, quarter to twelve.
06:47Twelve, please.
06:49Ace of spades.
06:51Quarter to twelve.
06:53Twelve, please.
06:55Ace of spades.
07:21Come on, Tommy!
07:28Woo-hoo!
07:30Yeah!
07:32Woo-hoo!
07:34Woo-hoo!
07:36Woo-hoo!
07:38Woo-hoo!
07:40Woo!
07:51There we are.
08:03Oh, good, still a den of iniquity.
08:10Oh, hello, Bridget.
08:12Sit down.
08:14That's right.
08:16We have bacon and egg or Welsh rabbit.
08:18Lovely, Welsh rabbit, please.
08:20Bacon and egg for me, please.
08:22And coffee to your lemonade.
08:24Coffee, please.
08:26And gin.
08:28Coffee's gin, dear.
08:30It's served up in cups just in case the coppers drop, eh?
08:32What's tea?
08:34Whiskey.
08:36And one's lemonade.
08:38Lemonade's lemonade.
08:40That's for them that don't indulge.
08:42Lemonade, please.
08:44Yes, yes, I'll have lemonade too.
08:46We've indulged enough.
08:51I wonder which hour people are.
08:53Columbine and Pierrot.
08:55The Gypsy and the Battleship.
08:57More of a fast cruiser, I'd say.
09:05I say, look at that.
09:07Rather a good get-up, that.
09:09Rather.
09:11Escorted by a gentleman dressed in a newspaper,
09:13courtesy of Alice in Wonderland.
09:15I saw him at the ball.
09:19Daily Leader, I expect.
09:21Were.
09:23Oh, Tommy, do brighten up a bit.
09:25I meant his costume was made out of the Daily Leader.
09:27Oh.
09:29Oh, isn't it lovely?
09:31Scandals all round us.
09:33It's a hell of a dip.
09:39What about that nymph?
09:41Where?
09:43Just coming in with the comic Frenchman.
09:45Oh, good.
09:47Well, then it could be anybody.
09:55Where do you think he's going?
09:57Hurry up the drinks, I expect.
09:59I hope our food won't be long.
10:01I'm famished.
10:03What?
10:05Let's not detect any more.
10:07We're enjoying ourselves too much.
10:17Why so serious all of a sudden?
10:19I don't know.
10:21I have a strange feeling.
10:23What about?
10:25One in order.
10:27Coming.
10:29Here we are now.
10:31There's one with shredded,
10:33and one bacon and eggs,
10:35and two lemonades.
10:37Enjoy it, me dears.
10:41I have a feeling there's something wrong in the next booth.
10:43Oh?
10:45Well, love,
10:47two things didn't seem to go together.
10:49And then the man strolling out.
10:51Yes.
10:53Too nonchalant.
10:55On his own?
10:57Yes. Why?
10:59I don't know.
11:01Let's go and see.
11:03I've got a plot of drunkenness.
11:15Oh, Tommy.
11:17Oh, Tommy, quick.
11:19She's still alive.
11:21Who is it?
11:23See if there's a doctor outside,
11:25and then call the police.
11:27Don't touch the handle of that dagger.
11:29No, no. I'll be careful.
11:37Can you tell me
11:39who did this?
11:42Who did this?
11:50Bingo.
11:52Yes.
11:54Who did it?
12:10I think she's dead.
12:18We'd better leave things as they are
12:20till the police come.
12:26I'm sorry we meet again
12:28in these circumstances.
12:30I'm glad it's you, Inspector.
12:32We still haven't been able to find out
12:34who the poor lady is.
12:36No identification,
12:38except for her costume,
12:40and the outfitters won't be open
12:42at this time of night.
12:44Yes, Doctor.
12:46She died of the stab wound
12:48which penetrated the heart.
12:50In your opinion,
12:52could it have been self-inflicted?
12:54Now, Mrs. Beresford,
12:56what made you go into that
12:58particular booth?
13:00Tommy and I...
13:02No, no. I'll begin at the beginning.
13:04We came here straight from the Three Arts Ball,
13:06and soon after
13:08we had settled in our booth,
13:10I heard a woman cry out.
13:12What sort of cry?
13:14Difficult to say. It could have been
13:16a cry of surprise.
13:18Or of pain?
13:20Possibly.
13:23Then we thought no more about it.
13:25When suddenly I had a funny feeling
13:27that everything wasn't according to oil.
13:29This man who was
13:31outfitted as a newspaper,
13:33he wore a mask.
13:35Yes.
13:37So I suppose you wouldn't recognise him?
13:39I'm afraid not. Tommy?
13:41No.
13:43Apart from his costume.
13:45And his laugh.
13:47Of course, we'd seen him earlier
13:49at the ball.
13:51Sir, one of the women
13:53who runs this place said the customer dressed as a newspaper
13:55skedaddled soon after he came.
13:57I'll bet he did. Without ordering nothing, sir.
13:59So who is the lady
14:01in there?
14:03I thought you knew.
14:05There was no identification.
14:07No, but her photo appears
14:09in all the society magazines.
14:11The Tatler, the Sporting and Dramatic,
14:13that sort of thing.
14:15But not in the Police Gazette, I don't suppose.
14:17So who is she?
14:19Lady Vera Maryvale, inspector.
14:21I'd recognise her anywhere.
14:23Even dead?
14:25Yes.
14:27Right-o.
14:29There's no reason
14:31to keep you, Mr and Mrs Westford.
14:33I'll need you for a bit, doctor.
14:35Sergeant Halliday,
14:37telephone headquarters and find out where we can get hold of...
14:41Who would he be?
14:43Sir Arthur Maryvale.
14:45Sir Arthur
14:48Arthur Maryvale.
14:50Right, sir.
14:52This way, doctor.
14:56Now, darling,
14:58are you sure that's what she said?
15:00Yes. Bingo did it.
15:02Come on.
15:04Let's get out of here.
15:14Almost dawn.
15:18I'm sorry, darling.
15:20Sorry?
15:22What on earth
15:24are you sorry for?
15:26Dragging you through the three-arched ball
15:28and the ace of spades.
15:30You weren't to know
15:32what was to happen.
15:34But I was intrigued.
15:36That's my weakness.
15:38And your strength?
15:42What really made you
15:44suspicious about the goings-on
15:46in that next booth?
15:48The laugh, I think.
15:50It sort of rang hollow.
15:54And coming after the girl's cry?
15:56That's it.
15:58Simple, my dear Watson.
16:08Ah, Mrs Westford.
16:10I'm sorry to get you up so early
16:12after last night.
16:14Not at all, inspector.
16:16This is Mrs Beresford, Sir Arthur.
16:18Like I told you, she found your wife
16:20at the ace of spades last night,
16:22Sir Arthur Merrivale.
16:24Good morning, Mrs Beresford.
16:26I'm so sorry, Sir Arthur.
16:30I can't believe, and I won't believe
16:32that Captain Hale could have hurt Vea
16:34in any way at all.
16:36Sir Arthur was very hard to convince.
16:38Bingo Hale was one of our closest friends.
16:40We were at Eton and Cambridge together.
16:43Hale, he practically lived with us.
16:45You must have been mistaken.
16:47I'm afraid not, Sir Arthur.
16:49Your wife said it was bingo.
16:51I said bingo.
16:53She said yes. Bingo did it.
16:55You see, Sir.
16:57Absolutely incredible.
17:01What possible motive could he have had?
17:03Well, if what I heard
17:05is true...
17:07I know what you're thinking, Inspector Marriott.
17:09You think that Hale was my wife's lover.
17:11Possibly no more than a rumor.
17:13I realize that.
17:15The three of us have gone about together for years.
17:17Where did he go after the ace of spades?
17:19Well, we arrested him
17:21at Sir Arthur's house early this morning.
17:23I came home by myself last night
17:25after the ball.
17:27My chauffeur can verify that.
17:29He already has, Sir Arthur.
17:31Exactly. Bingo said that he was going to go
17:33on to that club,
17:35whatever it's called.
17:37Well, that's what he said he was going to do.
17:39May I ask, did anyone know Lady Marivelle
17:41was going to be there?
17:43Well, I certainly didn't.
17:45And I don't understand it.
17:47As far as I knew,
17:49she was still at our country seat in Cornwall.
17:51It's not a very pleasant thing to say, Sir Arthur.
17:53I believe Captain Hale
17:55had been paying a lot of attention
17:57to a certain young American lady
17:59of late.
18:01Well, it's news to me.
18:03Anyway, gentlemen don't discuss their paramours
18:05with each other.
18:07You're talking out of your hat, Inspector.
18:09It's no good supposing this or that.
18:11We need proof.
18:21What exactly were you doing there,
18:23Mrs Beresford?
18:25Oh, well, the same as everyone else.
18:27We went there to pick up a snack
18:29after the Three Arts Ball.
18:31No other reason?
18:33Yes, actually.
18:36The day before,
18:38I'd come across an intriguing message
18:40in the personal column of the Daily Leader.
18:42Addressed to who?
18:44It didn't say.
18:46From?
18:48Again, it didn't say.
18:50Do you still have the paper?
18:52As a matter of fact, I have.
18:54Oh, no.
18:56No, it's at the office,
18:58but I can remember it.
19:00Would you tell us?
19:02It said I should go.
19:04Well, three hearts, the Three Arts Ball,
19:06twelve tricks, twelve o'clock,
19:08ace of spades, obvious,
19:10but finessing the king stumped us.
19:12Whoever wrote that
19:14was obviously not a British player.
19:16Anyhow, it looks as if it was
19:18inserted to catch Lady Mary Vale's eye.
19:22Do you read the Daily Leader, Sir Arthur?
19:24No, not very often.
19:26My wife does.
19:28Did.
19:30For myself, I favour the Morning Post.
19:32Probably Lady Mary Vale
19:34and Captain Hale had already
19:36arranged to meet at the ball.
19:38Excuse me, Sir Arthur.
19:40I know it's no business of mine,
19:42but when exactly did you decide
19:44to go to the Three Arts Ball?
19:46Three Arts, let me think.
19:48Yesterday was Thursday.
19:50Bingo said he was going to go
19:52on Monday,
19:54and he does a lot of work for charity.
19:56I said I would pick up
19:58a costume and go too.
20:01Did he make any comment on your decision?
20:03No, not that I remember.
20:05Good show, possibly.
20:07Something like that. I don't recall.
20:09That might explain the phrase
20:11necessary to finesse the king.
20:13To warn Lady Mary Vale
20:15that you were going to be
20:17at the ball too.
20:19Doesn't sound like bingo at all.
20:21And you went as...?
20:23Me? Oh, the devil.
20:25Well, it was the only costume
20:27that the place had left, actually.
20:29Yes, yes, I think I saw you.
20:31Well,
20:33I don't have a very clear picture.
20:35Oh, long red cloak,
20:37um, a mask,
20:39red gloves,
20:41sort of headdress thing,
20:43got up to look like flames,
20:45and a forked tail stuck
20:47in the back of the cloak.
20:49But not a dagger?
20:51Of course not. Please talk sense.
20:53I'm trying to solve
20:55a murder, Sir Arthur.
20:57Yes, I know, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
20:59I'm very much upset.
21:01Naturally, I'm on edge.
21:03But I'm afraid I can't help you.
21:05Well, thank you for coming
21:07to hear what Mrs Beresford had to say.
21:09Not at all. I still don't believe it.
21:11One further point,
21:13Sir Arthur.
21:15There was a fragment of newspaper
21:17found in Lady Mary Vale's hand.
21:19No doubt Mrs Beresford
21:21noticed it.
21:23No, I'm afraid I didn't.
21:26But then I was quite upset.
21:28Of course.
21:30What does a fragment of newspaper prove?
21:32A man dressed as a newspaper
21:34attacks a woman.
21:36The woman, in an effort
21:38to defend herself,
21:40grabs at him and tears off
21:42a corner of his costume.
21:44Yes, yes, I see that. Yes, go on.
21:46My men already have orders
21:48to take Captain Hale's costume
21:50away from your house.
21:52If there is a tear in it
21:54as the piece of paper found
21:56on your wife's person,
21:58well, it'll be the end of the case.
22:00Well, you won't find it.
22:02I know Bingo Hale.
22:04Of course, you may be right, Sir Arthur.
22:06I apologize again for disturbing you,
22:08Mrs Beresford, but it was unavoidable.
22:10Of course. Good day.
22:12Good day.
22:14We'll see ourselves out.
22:20Oh, Tommy, you shouldn't have.
22:22Why not?
22:24I was done out of my bacon and eggs last night.
22:26And lemonade.
22:28Yes. Well, I thought more coffee
22:30would be appropriate this morning.
22:32Did you hear everything?
22:34Just about.
22:36I'd say Bingo Hale
22:38was in for it.
22:40Well, only if Marit's theory is correct.
22:42I mean, he said,
22:44if what I've heard is true.
22:46Oh, you mean about Captain Hale
22:48being Lady Merryvale's lover?
22:51Where'd you hear that from?
22:53One of the servants at the house, possibly.
22:55Are men really so stupid
22:57as to have affairs with their best friend's wives?
22:59Quite commonplace, I'd say.
23:01Really?
23:03And who's your best friend?
23:05You, my dearest.
23:07Oh, Tommy, no, but seriously.
23:09I am serious.
23:11But surely not in a best friend's house.
23:13In situ, as it were.
23:15Well, I really wouldn't know, darling.
23:17You see, it's never happened to me yet.
23:19You might seem convinced that it's Captain Hale,
23:21so the case ends there, as far as we're concerned.
23:23Mm.
23:25We'd better go to the office in a minute
23:27and see what a new day has to offer.
23:29Right. Yes.
23:31What?
23:33There's something wrong somewhere,
23:35and I'm damned if I know where.
23:37Well, you know what you're like.
23:39St Paul.
23:41He'll come to you in a blinding light.
23:43Eat up.
23:45Yes, but what did he say, Albert?
23:47If I don't tell it my own way, Mr B,
23:49I'll get it wrong.
23:51Yes, Albert, he was a small man, about 50.
23:53On the small side, I said.
23:55Something between a dwarf and a giant.
23:57That's it, Mr B.
23:59Did he give you his name?
24:01All he gave me was a cigarette card.
24:03Cigarette card?
24:05I think it was. I didn't really look at it yet.
24:07Oh, Albert, that's a visiting card.
24:09Just as you say.
24:11Q.E. Telling Solicitor.
24:13Verity, Bilton and Hackett.
24:16In what way, Mrs B?
24:18How did he appear to you?
24:20Well, he was on the small side.
24:22Yes, yes, you've told us that already.
24:24Nicely got up, white shirt,
24:26striped trousers, black jacket,
24:28bowler hat, umbrella.
24:30What about the colour of his socks?
24:32Black with an arrow. Black shoes.
24:34All right, Albert.
24:36Tell me to be observant.
24:38Yes, thank you, Albert.
24:40We'll telephone the gentleman later.
24:42Oh, yes.
24:44There was one other thing.
24:46He said he was representing a Captain Hill.
24:48Hill?
24:50Are you sure he didn't say
24:52Hale?
24:54That's right.
24:58Was there a number
25:00on the visiting card?
25:02Yes. Oh, damn!
25:04Albert, 1592.
25:08But how did you know about us?
25:10Inspector Marriott
25:12told my solicitor, Mr Tolling,
25:14about you, that you'd be called
25:16as witnesses when I come to trial.
25:18We've already made a statement.
25:20We've nothing more to add.
25:22The inspector also said you run a detective agency.
25:24He considered you very capable.
25:26That's very kind of him.
25:28So, I asked my solicitor
25:30if you'd be willing to come and see me.
25:32Yes.
25:34Well...
25:36Naturally, I'd pay you whatever the going rate is,
25:39whatever, well, happens to me.
25:41Oh, no.
25:43No, no, it's not the money.
25:45It's the results we care about.
25:49So, Captain Hale,
25:51what do you think
25:53we can do for you?
25:55Well, you see,
25:57everything the police say
25:59so far is true.
26:01You don't mean that.
26:03Except for one thing.
26:05I did not kill Veer.
26:07Yes.
26:09As a gentleman dressed in a newspaper?
26:11Yes.
26:13Made out of copies of the Daily Leader?
26:15I don't really know.
26:17Mary Vale's housekeeper ran it up for me.
26:19Why?
26:21What do you mean, why?
26:23Why that particular costume?
26:25She said she was a great reader of Alice in Wonderland
26:27and would that be a good idea, I said yes.
26:29And then you went on to the Ace of Spades?
26:31No.
26:33But we saw you there.
26:35In the personal column of the Daily Leader?
26:37Yes, I put that in.
26:39So your liaison with her was a fact?
26:41Yes, I, well,
26:43worshipped her.
26:45Why didn't you go as arranged
26:47to the Ace of Spades?
26:49Because somebody shoved a note
26:51into my hand at the ball.
26:53From?
26:55Veer, I presumed.
26:57Saying?
26:59Not to speak to her at the ball
27:01or come to the Ace of Spades
27:04The note that somebody gave you?
27:06Well, I don't know.
27:08I must have thrown it away.
27:10Did you recognise her handwriting?
27:12Well, I didn't think.
27:14And besides, we didn't write to each other.
27:16Is it true, Captain Hale,
27:18that you were
27:20paying attention to another lady?
27:22Eldritch American?
27:24Not really.
27:26No, I knew her and we were friends
27:28but it was the gossip columns in the papers
27:30that printed the rumour.
27:32It did, a bit, but we were
27:34very much in love and hoped
27:36one day that we would be married.
27:38Did Sir Arthur know of this?
27:40No.
27:42We were very discreet
27:44but we hadn't decided
27:46how to handle the situation.
27:48But we saw Lady Merivelle speak to you
27:50and then go with you into the booth
27:52next to ours.
27:54It wasn't me!
27:56Unless...
27:58Unless I was so drunk
28:00or mad and killed her
28:02without knowing what I was doing.
28:06Did they show you the dagger?
28:08Yes.
28:10Had you seen it before?
28:12I told the inspector I hadn't.
28:14But you had.
28:16Yes.
28:18It's mine.
28:20Yours?
28:22Yes. It belonged to my father who served in India.
28:24I know this is a silly question
28:26but how on earth do you think it happened to be at the Ace of Spades?
28:29My dear.
28:31Where did you keep the dagger?
28:33At my chambers in German Street.
28:35Is that where you used to meet Lady Merivelle?
28:41Captain Hale.
28:43We may or may not be able to help you
28:45but please
28:47be frank with us.
28:49In the strictest confidence, of course.
28:53Oh.
28:55I'm sorry.
28:57Yes.
28:59We met there quite often.
29:01Did Lady Merivelle
29:03ever go there by herself?
29:05Yes. She had keys to the place.
29:07So she could have taken the dagger?
29:09Yes. I suppose so.
29:13If you didn't go to the Ace of Spades
29:17where did you go?
29:19Well
29:21to begin with I was pretty upset at the note from Vere
29:23so I went on dancing.
29:25Who with?
29:27Well
29:29I'm sorry.
29:31By that time I'd had quite a bit of bubbly
29:33and was dancing with
29:35well I'm not sure.
29:37They were all wearing masks.
29:39What time did you leave the ball?
29:41After the last dance
29:43about
29:45what would it be?
29:47Carriages at one.
29:49Then it would be about one.
29:51And then you went to Sir Arthur's house?
29:53No.
29:55I went with
29:57three other people to the corner house.
29:59Which one? Strand.
30:01Who were these people?
30:03I don't know. We just drifted there as I said.
30:05Were you a bit tipsy?
30:07Yes.
30:09More than a bit tipsy?
30:11Yes. Blotto?
30:13More or less.
30:15I was upset at the note from Vere and puzzled.
30:17So much so that you could have gone to the Ace of Spades after all.
30:19Anyhow Vere must have been dead by then, mustn't she?
30:22When they arrested you did they tell you what time she died?
30:24No.
30:26Look I was at the corner house. The Strand.
30:28I couldn't.
30:30But you have no witnesses that you were there Captain Hale.
30:32No.
30:34Were you still in your fancy dress?
30:36Yes.
30:38So if we advertise for anyone who'd seen a man dressed in a newspaper
30:40at the Strand corner house...
30:42It's no good. I was wearing a Burberry over it.
30:44Yet an alibi
30:46is what we're looking for.
30:48Was Sir Arthur still up when you got home?
30:50No.
30:52But he'd left a note saying he'd seen me at breakfast.
30:54And the police arrived when?
30:56Well I don't know. I just dropped off to sleep.
30:58When you eventually got out
31:00of your fancy dress
31:02did you notice that a corner
31:04of one of the sheets was missing?
31:06Well to tell you the truth
31:08oh man
31:10I was in no fit state to get undressed or anything else.
31:12You know the police have taken
31:14away your costume?
31:16Yes I gather. What that'll prove I've no idea.
31:18Well Captain Hale
31:20we'll go away
31:22and put on our thinking caps.
31:24Yes.
31:26And if we come up with anything we'll let your solicitor know.
31:28And if you think of anything
31:30however small please don't hesitate
31:32to let us know.
31:34Yes thank you. It was very decent of you to come and see me.
31:40Goodbye.
31:42Goodbye.
31:45Goodbye.
31:53Don't forget
31:55I loved her.
31:57I couldn't have killed her.
32:15Goodbye.
32:25With a
32:27order of things.
32:29Tea is served.
32:31Did anyone call while we were out Albert?
32:33One phone call Mrs B. A man
32:35said he'd be round directly.
32:37Didn't you ask who he was? Of course I did.
32:39Who was it? That cop who thinks you're behaving suspiciously.
32:41Really Albert your sense of humour
32:43will be the death of us. Yes or of you.
32:45So when did the inspector say he'd be round?
32:47Now.
32:49Do we tell him we've seen Captain Hale?
32:51I bet he knows.
32:53Inspector Marriott of Scotland Yard.
32:57What's he up to now?
32:59I think he'd like to be playing a butler.
33:01The butler did it eh?
33:05Well you can tell he's a smart lad
33:07because knowing you were coming inspector
33:09he's put out an extra tea cup.
33:11Please.
33:13Well I thought
33:15you two would like to know the latest developments.
33:17We certainly would.
33:19By the way how did
33:21Captain Hale impress you?
33:23Quite straight forward we thought.
33:25Yes he's a
33:27plausible rogue. Why do you
33:29say that? Well I've never
33:31known a clearer case.
33:33I mean the dagger was his.
33:35How did you know
33:37that? The charlotte
33:40chambers recognized it.
33:42You've been pretty busy.
33:44That's why we're called
33:46busies.
33:50Well it's best to get these sort of things over with don't you think?
33:52Yes.
33:54We'll have his confession by nightfall.
33:56So I won't have to be called as a witness?
33:58There'll be no need.
34:00He won't confess.
34:02What makes you think that?
34:04Because he knows he didn't do it.
34:06Duffinson and I know a bit about that man.
34:08I confess when I present him
34:10with a piece of paper
34:12torn from his fancy dress
34:14it fits exactly
34:16exactly
34:18exactly
34:20from Tuesday's Daily Leader.
34:24I brought you round some
34:26photographs of the exhibits.
34:28I thought you'd be interested.
34:32This one is of
34:34Captain Hale's costume.
34:36This is a closer one of the tear.
34:40And this one is of the piece
34:42of paper we found clutched in
34:44Lady Maryvale's hand.
34:46A perfectly
34:48clear case wouldn't you say?
34:50Why yes.
34:52On the surface it certainly looks like it.
34:54What do you mean
34:56on the surface?
34:58Well there may be a piece of the
35:00jigsaw missing.
35:02Then let me know when and if
35:05you find it.
35:07Thanks for the copper.
35:09Not at all.
35:11I'll let you know if anything else crops up.
35:13Thank you. Goodbye Mrs Beresford.
35:15Oh Thomas.
35:17The inspector.
35:19Oh sorry.
35:21Goodbye inspector.
35:23Goodbye.
35:25Albert.
35:27Come here
35:29Tommy.
35:31What is this?
35:33Those marks there.
35:35There.
35:37Stitch marks I'd say.
35:39Where the sheets were sewn together.
35:41And what about
35:43these three stars here?
35:45Just before the tear.
35:47Well some papers put
35:49special signs on different editions
35:51and different days.
35:53Why?
35:55Well I'm not at liberty
35:57to divulge the sorts of my information.
35:59You mean you don't know.
36:01It happens when I really don't think we're very compatible.
36:03Oh I remember that I heard
36:05an early morning edition of the Times had a crown
36:07on it. One specially for Buckingham Palace.
36:09Yes and some papers place white dots
36:11on certain black lettering
36:13at the top. Oh you're right darling.
36:15Look. There. That's what I said.
36:17Albert.
36:19What are you up to now? Do I hear my name?
36:21We want you to collect all the copies
36:23of the Daily Leader for the past week.
36:25Where do I find them? How about a newsagent?
36:27Oh the Jason of newspapers.
36:30Jason of what? From Jason.
36:32Well nip over to Fleet Street. Take a taxi.
36:34And bring them back here? Of course bring
36:36them back here. Nitwit. I'm on my way.
36:40Am I right in thinking you're onto a hunch?
36:42The wherewithal?
36:44For what? For Luca?
36:46The brass for the taxi-meter Cabriolet?
36:48Why can't you just say
36:50money Albert?
36:52Cheers guv.
36:56Why do you think Inspector Merrith keeps
36:58saying it's a perfectly clear case?
37:00Smug satisfaction expert.
37:02I don't think so.
37:04I think he's trying to get us rattled.
37:06Rattled? Well no but you know
37:08put us on the key weave. Pourquoi?
37:10Well for instance butchers know about meat.
37:12Are you feeling alright darling?
37:14Grocers know about vegetables. And fishermen about fish.
37:16And Scotland Yard detectives must know
37:18all about criminals. So in my humble opinion
37:20Humble? Inspector Merrith's
37:22expert knowledge tells him that
37:24Captain Hale isn't a criminal
37:26All the facts are dead against him.
37:28So as a last resort
37:30he's getting us irritated
37:32thereby hoping that some important
37:34detail from last night will come back to us
37:36and throw a different light on things.
37:38Exactly.
37:40I mean
37:42why shouldn't it be suicide?
37:44After what she said to you? Ah yes but look at it
37:46from a different way. How? I mean it was
37:48Bingo's doing. It was his conduct, his waffling
37:50his not making a decision
37:52that drove her to it. Just possible
37:55especially if he was messing about with that
37:57American woman. And so she killed herself
37:59in front of Captain Hale
38:01as a kind of gesture. Hale hath no
38:03fury like a woman scorned. Having pinched
38:05his dagger from her chambers.
38:07So quite naturally he would deny ever having been
38:09of the ace of spades. Well there we are then. Suicide.
38:11I don't believe it. Do you?
38:13No.
38:15And there's another thing. What? Well there was a note
38:17from Lady Maribel that somebody gave him.
38:19He said he'd thrown it away. Yes but who
38:21gave it to him?
38:23The commissioner possibly? But if Captain Hale
38:25was in fancy dress and a mask
38:27how did the commissioner know
38:29who to give the note to?
38:31Good point darling.
38:33Well perhaps
38:35somebody went up to
38:37the commissioner and said
38:39give this note to the gentleman dressed as
38:41a newspaper. And that somebody
38:43this man
38:45or woman must have
38:47known who the man dressed as a newspaper
38:49was. Brilliant.
38:51There's no need to tell us. Save all the
38:53papers. What on earth for?
38:55For me cat. Can it read? Oh don't let's get into it.
38:57Well done Albert.
38:59I'll be off then. Oh just a minute.
39:01What about the taxi fare?
39:03What fare? No taxi. I never took
39:05no taxi. I'm sorry Albert but that's
39:07not honest and you'll have to go. Oh thanks Gav.
39:09I'll be off then. See you tomorrow. Toodaloo.
39:11Albert. Albert just a minute.
39:13What a wretched boy.
39:15Now what are you up to Sherlock?
39:17Not so simple my dear Watson but
39:20Hey look at this.
39:22This is
39:24Tuesday's paper. Tuesday now that was
39:26Tuesday Tuesday. Two days before
39:28the three yards ball. Now what do you see?
39:30Two stars
39:32and a hieroglyphic on the left and two
39:34white dots on the T of Z. No denying
39:36that. And this is
39:38Wednesday's paper. What do
39:40you see?
39:42Three stars. No hieroglyphic
39:44and one white dot on the
39:46T of Z. Well I'm
39:48sure you're right darling.
39:50Well don't you see?
39:52Yes of course I do.
39:54No. Oh well then look.
39:56Here's a photo
39:58of the piece torn from
40:00the newspaper. You see
40:02it fits perfectly
40:04but it's not the same paper.
40:06One's Tuesday's
40:08and the other's
40:10Wednesday's. Yes
40:12you're right.
40:14So our client Captain Hale
40:16must have realized that a piece of his costume
40:18had been torn off but did
40:20not realize that it had been torn off by Lady
40:22Merrill and then tried to oh no no
40:24no that's not right.
40:26Toppins
40:28I think we've got to have a
40:30chat with Sir Arthur.
40:32Oh my darling
40:34you always have the best ideas.
40:36You must
40:38forgive us for asking you here Sir Arthur.
40:40But we've discovered something
40:42we think you ought to know.
40:45Yes? And we know how anxious
40:47you are to clear your friend.
40:49Well I was but even I have to
40:51give in to the overwhelming evidence.
40:53What would you say Sir Arthur
40:55if we told you that we'd found a new piece
40:57of evidence that would completely
40:59clear Captain Hale? I should be overjoyed.
41:01Supposing we told you
41:03that we'd found a gal who was
41:05with Captain Hale at the Strand Corner House
41:07last night. Marvellous
41:09marvellous
41:11Do you know I knew there was some mistake.
41:13Oh poor Vera. She must have killed herself.
41:15Hardly that.
41:17You forget
41:19the other man.
41:21What other man?
41:23The man we saw leaving
41:25the booth next to ours.
41:27I'm afraid I don't follow. Are you trying to say
41:29that there were two men at the ball dressed as
41:31a newspaper? No not at the ball.
41:33I'm afraid I'm thoroughly confused.
41:35I don't think I can spend any more time.
41:37May I give you my ideas on the subject?
41:43When this second man
41:45saw an opportunity
41:47he asked the commissioner
41:49to give Captain Hale a note.
42:01The note telling him
42:03not to speak to a certain lady
42:05but the lady herself
42:07had no idea
42:09what was going on.
42:11But the lady herself
42:13knows nothing of that note.
42:15The note was certainly
42:17not written by Lady Merivelle
42:19which is why she went to the Ace of Spades
42:21to meet Captain Hale as arranged.
42:25After the second man
42:27had seen Lady Merivelle leave
42:29he followed
42:31and took a taxi to the Ace of Spades.
42:33Tell me what time?
42:37Quarter to twelve.
42:39Ace of Spades.
42:45Car's this way darling.
43:09During the journey
43:11he discards his devil's clothes
43:13and assumes another disguise.
43:17A man dressed
43:19in a newspaper.
43:23All very cunningly
43:25planned by this
43:27second man.
43:30Good, still a dinner in my cutty.
43:32Meanwhile
43:34at the Ace of Spades
43:36Lady Merivelle couldn't understand
43:38where Captain Hale had gone to.
43:44The man had discovered
43:46that Lady Merivelle was an unfaithful wife
43:48and had managed to get into
43:50Captain Hale's house.
43:52Lady Merivelle
43:54had gone to the Ace of Spades
43:56to meet Captain Hale.
43:58She had managed to get into Captain Hale's chambers
44:00to steal the dagger.
44:04Wait here will you.
44:22Lady Merivelle
44:24continues into the booth
44:26only thinking her lover is with her.
44:28She puts out her arms.
44:30He goes to her
44:32and embraces her.
44:34During the embrace
44:36he stabs her.
44:38She cries out.
44:40He laughs
44:48and leaves the
44:50Ace of Spades.
44:53Where do you
44:55think he's going?
44:57Hurry up the drinks I expect.
44:59So far it was a fairly
45:01straightforward murder.
45:03Albert Hall please.
45:15But on his way back to the Albert Hall
45:17he notices that a piece of paper
45:19of his get up has been torn off
45:21Lady Merivelle
45:23that would present great difficulties
45:25unless
45:27the men
45:29happen to be living in the same house.
45:33Fortunately for him
45:37they were.
45:39This made things
45:41simplistic itself.
45:47He makes an exact duplicate of the tear
45:49Captain Hale's costume.
45:53He burns his own costume
45:55and then prepares
45:57to play the part
45:59of the loyal friend.
46:11What do you think
46:13Sir Arthur?
46:15A rather vivid imagination
46:18of a charming lady
46:20who probably reads too many cheap novels.
46:22You think so?
46:24And a husband who is guided
46:26by his wife.
46:28I don't fancy you'll find anyone
46:30to take this matter too seriously.
46:32I'd know that laugh anywhere.
46:34I heard at last of the Ace of Spades
46:36and you're under a misapprehension
46:38about both of us.
46:42International detective agency.
46:44So that's why
46:46Inspector Marriott brought me here
46:48this morning.
46:50It was a trap.
46:52You're too clever by half Mrs Beresford.
46:54Why should you worry about an unfaithful wife
46:56who gets her just desserts?
46:58Toppins!
47:06Get back.
47:08Stop it!
47:28I'll go down
47:30and see to
47:32poor devil.
47:34If he was fond of his wife.
47:37Fond of her?
47:39That's as may be.
47:41He was at his wits end where to turn for money.
47:43Lady Maryville
47:45had a large fortune of her own
47:47and it would all have gone to him.
47:49But if she'd bolted with young Hale
47:51he'd never have seen a penny of it.
47:53So that was it was it?
47:55It was.
47:57Of course I sensed from the very start
47:59that Sir Arthur was a bad lot and that young Hale
48:01was all right.
48:03That's very smart of you Inspector.
48:05You very well know what's what at the yard
48:07but it's awkward when you're up
48:09against the facts.
48:11Yes.
48:13It must be.
48:15Well I'll be going down now.
48:17I'd give you a young wife a glass of brandy
48:19if I were you Mr Beresford.
48:21She looks as the saying goes a bit
48:23white about the gills.
48:27Fishmongers?
48:29Butchers?
48:31Detectives.
48:33I was right wasn't I darling?
48:35As always.
48:39Yes.
48:41Marriott was definitely
48:43putting us on our metal.
48:45A bold bid
48:47for game and rubber.
48:49He finessed the wrong way round
48:51and arrested Hale.
48:53Even so
48:55he lost the king.
49:33I
49:35I
49:37I
49:39I
49:41I
49:43I
49:45I
49:47I
49:49I
49:51I
49:53I
49:55I
49:57I
49:59I
50:02I
50:04I