First broadcast 7th March 1993.
Poirot is holidaying in Brighton on his doctor's orders, but gets dragged into an investigation when the pearl necklace of Mrs Opalsen, an actress staying in his hotel, is brazenly stolen.
David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
Trevor Cooper as Ed Opalsen
Sorcha Cusack as Margaret Opalsen
Karl Johnson as Saunders
Elizabeth Rider as Grace
Simon Shepherd as Andrew Hall
Hermione Norris as Celestine
Tim Stern as Bell Boy
Andrew Carr as Hubert Devine
Graham Rowe as Manager
James McCusker as Journalist
Arthur Cox as Dr Hawker
Eileen Dunwoodie as Holidaymaker
Simon Molloy as Holidaymaker
Jo Powell as Holidaymaker
Peter Kelly as Lucky Len
Colin Stepney as Guest
Terry Sartain as Theatre Audience
Doreen Taylor as Woman on Stall
Reg Thomason as Theatre Audience
Tommy Windward as Theatre Audience
Poirot is holidaying in Brighton on his doctor's orders, but gets dragged into an investigation when the pearl necklace of Mrs Opalsen, an actress staying in his hotel, is brazenly stolen.
David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
Trevor Cooper as Ed Opalsen
Sorcha Cusack as Margaret Opalsen
Karl Johnson as Saunders
Elizabeth Rider as Grace
Simon Shepherd as Andrew Hall
Hermione Norris as Celestine
Tim Stern as Bell Boy
Andrew Carr as Hubert Devine
Graham Rowe as Manager
James McCusker as Journalist
Arthur Cox as Dr Hawker
Eileen Dunwoodie as Holidaymaker
Simon Molloy as Holidaymaker
Jo Powell as Holidaymaker
Peter Kelly as Lucky Len
Colin Stepney as Guest
Terry Sartain as Theatre Audience
Doreen Taylor as Woman on Stall
Reg Thomason as Theatre Audience
Tommy Windward as Theatre Audience
Category
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TVTranscript
00:30Ladies and gentlemen, when the Russian actress and dancer Natalia Dobzhenko made Salome
00:47in 1908, she wore a necklace made of magnificent pearls given to her by the Tsar.
00:59Last week, at an auction in Paris, I paid 300,000 francs for that same pearl necklace.
01:08My wife is going to show it to you now.
01:28Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, our new play premieres here at your beautiful theatre
01:35next week, prior to a six-month tour of America.
01:39Yes, Margaret is taking the leading part, and she will be wearing the Tsar's pearls
01:45at each and every performance.
01:48Mr. Opelson, don't the pearls get stolen in the course of the play?
01:55Yes, they do.
01:56So that's in the play.
01:58You'll be under guard 24 hours a day.
02:02I think I can promise you that they're not going anywhere.
02:15And again, please.
02:24Well, Doctor, tell me, what is your diagnosis?
02:29Well, essentially, you're run down.
02:34Even those famous grey cells of yours need an occasional rest.
02:40It is true, Mr. Poirot.
02:42You've been taking on much too much recently.
02:45Two weeks' complete rest.
02:47That's the answer.
02:50If I were you, I'd think of getting out of London.
03:00This hotel, Hastings, it has, I hope, the full central heating?
03:03Well, Miss Lemon said it had all the comforts.
03:06Now, where's a cab?
03:09Well, I must say, it's good to be out of London.
03:11Less traffic for a start.
03:14Less taxis also, it would appear.
03:18I know you.
03:20It is possible, yes.
03:21Your face's been in the paper.
03:23Yes, that is true, on many occasions.
03:25You're lucky, Len, and I claim my ten guineas.
03:33I've got my paper, I said the right words, so where's my money?
03:35Please, do you mind?
03:37Grand Metropolitan Hotel driver.
03:39Righto, guv.
03:44It's a sort of game, Poirot.
03:46The newspaper prints a photograph of this character, Lucky Len,
03:49and whoever finds him gets ten guineas.
03:56This holiday, Hastings, already I begin to have the second thoughts.
04:08Your key, Mr. Worthy.
04:10Room 113.
04:11Yes, sir.
04:12It's as you requested.
04:13On the first floor.
04:15Good.
04:25I have your bag sent up, sir.
04:37It is most curious that Hastings did you not remark.
04:39What's that?
04:40The gentleman that just booked in ahead of us.
04:42Honestly, Poirot, you are incorrigible.
04:45Mr. Poirot, isn't it?
04:47Yes.
04:48What a great privilege to have you here at the Grand Metropolitan.
04:53Boy, you've got a nice sea view here.
04:56Bathroom through there.
04:59Two bedrooms.
05:03You going to the races?
05:04Oh, we might.
05:05I think not.
05:06Laughing boy in the four o'clock, that's my tip.
05:09How about the theatre?
05:11There's a new show opening this week.
05:13I can get you tickets.
05:15Hastings.
05:16Well, I reckon you'd enjoy it, sir.
05:18You being a detective and that.
05:20They've got a necklace worth a bundle on stage.
05:23Yes, I read about that.
05:24Mr. Opelson, the producer, he's staying here too.
05:27Him and his wife.
05:29Oh, thank you, sir.
05:33Au moment, s'il vous plaît.
05:39Yes, Monsieur Opelson, would you happen to know which is his room?
05:42Poirot.
05:43Yes, of course I do, sir.
05:45The Imperial Suite, number 114, just here, sir.
05:50Merci.
05:58Ah, here we are.
05:59Laughing boy in the four o'clock.
06:01Seven to one.
06:02Perhaps I will have a flat.
06:06Mr. Poirot...
06:07I hope you'll forgive me, Mr. Poirot,
06:09but when I heard that the famous detective was staying at the hotel,
06:12I just had to meet him.
06:13Mr. Poirot, this is Mr. Opelson, the producer.
06:16Ah, yes, of course.
06:18Monsieur Opelson, my associate Captain Hastings and myself
06:22have already heard much about your production.
06:24Will you join us?
06:26Yes.
06:28Pearls before swine.
06:30It opens tonight.
06:32I'd be honoured if you'd come as my guests.
06:34And to the party afterwards?
06:36Oh, that's jolly decent of you.
06:40And it is tonight, I think,
06:42that your famous necklace makes a Swiss debut.
06:44Yes, the maid's just taking it to the theatre now.
06:47Celestine, show Mr. Poirot the pearls.
06:54Get them out of the box!
06:56I can't, sir. I don't have the key.
06:59Why not, dammit? Where'd you put it?
07:02Mrs. Opelson keeps it, sir.
07:04She insists.
07:06Security.
07:09You carry the necklace on your own?
07:11No, sir.
07:12No, Saunders, my driver, always goes with her.
07:15As a matter of fact, he's late.
07:18Then perhaps you will permit Captain Hastings and myself
07:21to accompany La Marmoiselle?
07:22Oh, that's very kind.
07:24Not at all. It is our pleasure. Is it not, Hastings?
07:26Oh, rather.
07:28Margaret?
07:29Now, listen, dear, you'll never guess who I've just met.
07:34It's Poirot.
07:36Hercule Poirot. He's on his way over now.
07:39I know.
07:40That's right. We're going to have to do something.
07:49La Marmoiselle, your name of Celestine.
07:51It is French necklace.
07:54La Marmoiselle, your name of Celestine.
07:56It is French, n'est-ce pas?
07:58My mother was French, sir, but I've always lived here.
08:02I was hoping to be in the theatre myself one day.
08:05And you have been working with Monsieur Opelson for how long?
08:08About two years.
08:10He's not normally so edgy, sir.
08:12It's just when there's a first night.
08:14Have you seen Pearls Before Swine?
08:16Only in rehearsal, but it's beautifully written.
08:19I'm sure Mr. Opelson has nothing to worry about.
08:23Stop!
08:25You are Lucky Len of the Daily Echo,
08:28and I claim my ten guineas.
08:30No, madame, I am not Len, and therefore, for you, I am not Lucky.
08:34Excuse me.
08:46Here we are.
08:48We can go in the back way.
08:53All right, where is it?
08:55Let me go!
08:57Money.
08:59When?
09:01Tomorrow.
09:02You said that yesterday.
09:06Tomorrow.
09:07I promise you.
09:09Tomorrow, then, or else.
09:12Give me the bag, madame.
09:17Are you all right?
09:20They haven't heard me.
09:23My God, you're Hercule Poirot, aren't you?
09:26Oui, it would appear that you are in need of assistance, monsieur.
09:29Me?
09:31No, no, those are just what you might call business associates.
09:36It's nothing I can't handle.
09:38This is Andrew Hall, the writer I was telling you about.
09:42Ah, Monsieur Hall.
09:44So it's your play.
09:46It's Ed Opelson's play.
09:48He bought it, cut it, rewrote it, and left me with about 2% of it.
09:52Hence my current difficulties.
09:54Are you sure you're all right?
09:56Yes.
09:57I have to go in.
09:59I'll come with you.
10:00Thank you, Monsieur Poirot.
10:02Vamos, eh?
10:13You know, Hastings, I begin, I think, to look forward to this play.
10:17Glad to hear it.
10:23I'll go.
10:25Thank you, Hastings.
10:30Mr Poirot?
10:32I am Poirot.
10:35My name is Saunders, sir.
10:37Mr Opelson's chauffeur.
10:39Yes?
10:40Mr Opelson has sent me to take you to the theatre, sir.
10:43With his compliments.
10:51Here he comes.
10:53Mr Poirot?
10:54Mr Poirot, have you been challenged to solve the play, sir?
10:56This I do not believe. Hastings!
10:58Mr Poirot, how many eggs do you take?
11:00Excuse me!
11:02It is an outrage, Hastings, to use our cube parole for the publicity of this play.
11:06Absolutely. It's beginning.
11:10Inspector Drake should be here pretty soon.
11:14Is Inspector Drake really coming here?
11:16I've read so much about him in the newspapers.
11:19Oh, yes. Inspector Drake and I have worked together quite a lot recently.
11:23Good luck, my dear.
11:25And you're a mere local sergeant.
11:27Oh, here's Inspector Drake coming out.
11:29Shh, shh, shh.
11:30Good evening, sir. My lady will be here presently.
11:33Good. I must speak to her at once.
11:35My dear inspector.
11:38Forgive me, Lady Jane,
11:40but I don't think you should be wearing that.
11:43The necklace. Why ever not?
11:46Because the Phantom has sworn to have it.
11:51And the Phantom has never once failed.
11:58I think it's about time we made an appearance at the party.
12:02Well, you're not going to wear the pearls?
12:04I'm tired of being upstaged by them.
12:07Celestine.
12:09Is it safe just leaving them there?
12:11Of course. Celestine won't leave the room.
12:14More champagne?
12:15No, thank you.
12:17I don't see why you don't wear the pearls. It's good publicity.
12:20That's all you ever think about.
12:22Now you heard what I said, didn't you, Celestine?
12:25Yes, Mum.
12:26I'll have your supper sent up to you. There.
12:39Come on, then. Time to play host and hostess.
13:00I hope you enjoy the party, sir.
13:03Thank you. Oh, pardon. You will forgive me?
13:06Oh. Thank you very much, sir.
13:09Not at all.
13:13I'll be waiting for you here, sir.
13:21Who is it?
13:22The maid, Mum. I've got your supper for you.
13:25One moment.
13:28That's very kind of you.
13:29All part of the service? Do you want me to carry it in?
13:32Yes, put it over there.
13:36All on your own, are you?
13:37Yes.
13:38It's a shame. All the rest of them at the party.
13:42Tell you what, I'll sit with you if you like.
13:49My name's Grace. Grace Wilson.
13:51So, how do you like the Grand Metropolitan?
13:54Let us say it was an evening I shall not easily forget.
13:56Ah, Mr Poirot!
13:58Excuse me.
13:59I was delighted you could make it.
14:01Monsieur. Madame.
14:03Monsieur Opperson.
14:04At the theatre this evening, there were some journalists awaiting me.
14:07This was not, I think, a coincidence.
14:09No. But a man in my position needs all the publicity he can get.
14:14I bet you'd guessed who'd stolen the pearls by the second interval, Monsieur Poirot.
14:19Not at all, Madame.
14:20It was a question that ceased to occupy my mind only for the first.
14:25Excuse me.
14:29They're not really that bad.
14:30You should try this job. I could tell you a thing or two.
14:33Have you worked here long?
14:35Not here, no.
14:36Hello.
14:59Mr Poirot!
15:00Hubert Devine.
15:02I played the detective, Drake.
15:04Ah, yes, of course.
15:05I found your performance most engaging.
15:08It's a jolly good play.
15:10Yes, I think it's going to be a success.
15:13And just as well, dear Ed needs a winner.
15:18Oh, three disasters last season.
15:20He only had one success, and that was a revival.
15:24Oh, yes.
15:28If Perls doesn't run, I'd say he was finished.
15:35I do like these telegrams.
15:37They're really nice.
15:39They always send them.
15:41I need some scissors.
15:44I can get you some if you like.
15:46No, it's all right. I've got some somewhere.
15:48I hate sewing.
15:54Did you enjoy yourself, sir?
15:55Yes, thank you, Saunders.
15:57But now you know the fatigue.
15:59Well, it is after midnight.
16:00Yes, indeed, Hastings.
16:03We're back, Celestine.
16:05Everything all right?
16:06Yes, ma'am. Everything's fine.
16:08What a dreary party.
16:10You weren't exactly glittering yourself, my dear.
16:13And you drank too much.
16:15Why not? I paid for it.
16:17Celestine, my jewellery box.
16:20Yes, ma'am.
16:24That damned rifle.
16:26I'm going to get it.
16:29That damned writer, Andrew Hall.
16:31He didn't even bother to show up.
16:33I saw him leave the theatre.
16:35He was avoiding you.
16:36Are you inferring something?
16:37No.
16:39Here's the key.
16:41Are you still drinking?
16:43Yes. Do you want one?
16:49Sir?
16:51Mrs Opelson?
16:53What is it?
16:55The necklace.
16:58I don't understand it. It's not here.
17:01What do you mean it's not there? It's got to be.
17:03Out of the way. Let me.
17:08For heaven's sake, call the police.
17:12Someone has stolen my pearls.
17:21I take it, Mr Opelson, that you have summoned the police?
17:27Yes, of course.
17:29They're sending someone down from London, but that's not good enough.
17:33I want you, Mr Poirot.
17:36I beg of you, I've got to get them back.
17:43And these pearls, they were without doubt insured?
17:49Well, yes, but that's not the point.
17:53Yes, but that's not the point.
17:56The play, Mr Poirot.
17:58All the publicity about the pearls.
18:01If they aren't returned, I'll be a laughingstock.
18:03We have an American tour. How can we do?
18:05Pearls before swine with no pearls.
18:07Poirot.
18:09Excuse me.
18:11Mon cher Hastings.
18:12The doctor.
18:13Comment?
18:14I just think you ought to remember why you're here.
18:17Yes, that is true, but Hastings...
18:24Mr Opelson.
18:26I regret that Poirot cannot help you in this matter.
18:30What?
18:32I am here.
18:35On vacances.
18:45Ah, morning, Poirot.
18:46Bonjour, Chief Inspector Jekyll.
18:48Ah, morning, Poirot.
18:49Bonjour, Chief Inspector Jekyll.
18:57Pearls, please.
19:04I took the necklace off before the party and put it in my jewellery box.
19:09And then I put the box in the drawer.
19:12Was the drawer locked?
19:14No, it wasn't.
19:16Celestine was here, so I felt there was no need.
19:21How many keys are there to this box, Mrs Opelson?
19:24Only one. And I keep it with me all the time.
19:27You're sure of that? It doesn't seem to have been forced.
19:31Of course I'm sure.
19:33There's only ever been one key.
19:37I'm going to offer a reward, Chief Inspector, a big one.
19:41You think that'll help?
19:43It may, sir.
19:48So what were you doing when all this was going on?
19:51I was doing the sewing, sir.
19:54I only went into the side room.
19:57The first time for scissors and later for thread.
20:02Oh, cheer up, Quarrow. It is for the best.
20:05I have no doubt, Hastings.
20:08But you're here for a rest.
20:10If you're going to get involved in another case,
20:12you might just as well have stayed in London.
20:14That is true.
20:16I'm not going to stay in London.
20:18I'm going to stay in London.
20:20I'm going to stay in London.
20:22I'm going to stay in London.
20:24I'm going to stay in London.
20:26I'm going to stay in London.
20:28I'm going to stay in London.
20:30That is true.
20:32I don't know why you can't just sit back and enjoy the sea air.
20:39I know you.
20:41No, no, no, Hastings. It is no use.
20:43Not to take this case is for Quarrow more hard work than to take it.
20:53Saunders, get the car started. I'm in a hurry.
20:56What? Oh, um, Mr Prior, I'm afraid I can't stop.
21:00You've heard, then, about the purse?
21:02Yes. What was it, about life imitating art?
21:04Serves Ed right.
21:06Anyway, it's not my problem.
21:08Mr Hall, I noticed that you were not at the party last night.
21:12Well, I wasn't in a party mood.
21:14May I ask where you were?
21:16I went for a walk.
21:18Now, if you'll excuse me, I really will be late.
21:20Thank you, Saunders.
21:27I only stayed with her cos I felt sorry for her.
21:30So you were alone in the room with the necklace?
21:32Yeah, for about two seconds.
21:34Didn't even know it was there.
21:36No cheek.
21:38Chief Inspector.
21:40Ah, hello, Quarrow.
21:42Excuse us one more second.
21:44Thought you were sitting this one out.
21:46No, no, no, no.
21:48So, how goes the investigation?
21:50Pretty routine.
21:52Have you got any more questions? I've got a tonne of work.
21:54Oh, no, that's all right, Miss Wilson.
21:56That's all for now.
22:00Grace Wilson.
22:02Been with the hotel a couple of months.
22:04Barmaid before that.
22:06Dog and duck in Hoburn.
22:08She took that girl, Celestine, her supper.
22:10First wall, please.
22:12So tell me, Chief Inspector,
22:14what is it that you have so far found out?
22:16Grace Wilson or Celestine?
22:18The hotel maid or the ladies' maid?
22:20Seems to me it's got to be one of them.
22:22A necklace in a box within a chest,
22:24Chief Inspector, and only one key.
22:26It is as a magical trick.
22:40The necklace?
22:42Yes.
22:44The necklace?
22:46It was in this drawer?
22:48That's right.
22:52And this door?
22:54Well, that leads to the maid's room.
22:56That's where Celestine went to get the scissors and thread.
22:58Leaving Grace alone in the room?
23:00Tell me, Hastings,
23:02how long do you think it would have taken
23:04Mademoiselle Celestine to retrieve the scissors from that room?
23:06Oh, I don't know.
23:0820 seconds?
23:1020 seconds.
23:12How long has it been out of this room?
23:14Four or five seconds at the most.
23:16Exactement.
23:20And for Mademoiselle Grace Wilson
23:22to open this drawer, remove the box,
23:24somehow to unlock it, open the box,
23:26take out the necklace, close the box
23:28and return it?
23:30Well, she couldn't possibly have had time.
23:32I do not think so.
23:34Right.
23:36Excuse me.
23:38Where are you going, Chief Inspector?
23:40I had Miss Celestine searched.
23:46I can't imagine why they didn't lock it.
23:54This drawer runs easily, Hastings.
24:00But not this one.
24:10Intéressant.
24:12I wonder...
24:18Well, that must interconnect with the room next door.
24:20It is bolted.
24:28Bolted on both sides.
24:30But, Hastings,
24:32we know who it is who occupies this room.
24:34Room 113?
24:36Oui.
24:38I think it was Mr Worthing.
24:42That's right, sir. He was an American gent.
24:44He only stayed the night. Left this morning.
24:48You saw him depart?
24:50Oh, no, sir. Carried his own luggage.
24:52Must have left at the crack of dawn.
24:56You did not by chance see him yesterday evening?
24:58No, sir.
25:02I can tell you I did see, though, sir.
25:04Well, it was just as I was leaving.
25:06Well, I don't want to talk out of turn, sir,
25:08but, uh, well,
25:10if there's a reward and all that, well...
25:12Pleased to continue.
25:14Yeah. Well, that rioter,
25:16Mr Hall, he was hanging around
25:18outside the hotel.
25:20Must have been about 11 o'clock.
25:22Outside?
25:24Yes, sir.
25:32Would he have been near to the window
25:34with your Madame of Brisson?
25:36Oh, yes, sir.
25:38Right under it.
25:54Ah.
25:56Now here's something that shouldn't be here.
26:04It's a duplicate key
26:06to the jewel box.
26:08We found it hidden in the hem
26:10of Celestine's petticoat.
26:12Sounds pretty conclusive.
26:14But what about the necklace?
26:16No sign of that yet.
26:18But, uh,
26:20if you say her boyfriend
26:22was seen outside her hotel last night...
26:26Mr Hall,
26:28he was here, yes?
26:30Well, that explains it, doesn't it?
26:32Explains what?
26:34How she got the necklace out of the hotel.
26:36She couldn't leave the room,
26:38so she simply dropped it out of the window
26:40and he was there to catch it.
26:42You have arrested Mme Celestine?
26:44Yes, and the sooner we find Andrew Hall,
26:46the better.
26:52Ah, Mr Saunders.
26:54We want a word with you.
26:56Oh.
26:58I hear you've already
27:00solved the case, sir.
27:02Never mind about that. Have you seen Mr Hall?
27:04Mr Hall, sir?
27:06I drove him to the race course.
27:08Is he in some sort of trouble, sir?
27:10He could be in a lot of trouble. Why do you ask?
27:12Well,
27:14he did seem a little
27:16anxious.
27:18I'm not surprised. Have you any idea
27:20where we might find him?
27:22Well, he always places his bets with
27:24the same man,
27:26Harry Wax.
27:28He's a bookie, sir.
27:52Just the sort of place I'd expect him to go.
27:54What do you mean, Chief Inspector?
27:56A race course. This is where you'll find
27:58every criminal down at Poirot.
28:00And what better place to do this kind of business
28:02than in the middle of a crowd?
28:04We're not too late. Have you got all the entrances covered?
28:06Yes, sir. Right. You lot come with me
28:08and keep your eyes out for a bookie called Harry Wax.
28:10Right. Come on, lads.
28:12He thinks this is wrong.
28:14To Poirot, it makes no sense.
28:18Twenty-five.
28:20Fifty.
28:22Fifty-five. Sixty.
28:24Next race is the
28:26three-thirty...
28:28Take six to four, this favourite,
28:30and four to one bar one.
28:32Take six to four.
28:38Take six to four, this favourite.
28:40Now, who's straight in today?
28:42The five redstones, Hansel and Gretel,
28:44Wicked, Nelson Mellow, and Shaddy Man,
28:46and Penny Blackin has got a trouble at the back.
28:48Face quickly now,
28:50as they come down the long straight.
28:52Are you Harry Wax? Yeah.
28:54I saw a tall blonde-haired chap here maybe about this morning.
28:56And it's Magic Sun out ahead,
28:58and on the inside...
29:00Poirot!
29:02And as they're coming into the Magic Sun,
29:04Redstone... This must be Worthing. I could have sworn it.
29:06Oi!
29:08There he is!
29:14Poirot!
29:22You can't come in here!
29:26Stop him! Stop him!
29:30Get him!
29:32I've got you.
29:34Come on.
29:38There's something there.
29:40Right, get him in the cot.
29:42Oi, in a cot. Come on.
29:44I'm afraid we got to him just too late,
29:46but we found this and this.
29:48The pearls? No, just the pouch they were kept in.
29:50Empty.
29:52So what happened to the pearls?
30:08Empty.
30:26You've got it all wrong, Chief Inspector.
30:28Ah.
30:30So I suppose you won this lot on a horse, did you?
30:32Yes.
30:34Laughing Boy came in at 7 to 1.
30:36Did you try and run for it when you saw me?
30:38I owe money.
30:40I've had a bad run
30:42and fell in with some pretty bad company.
30:44Well, you saw what they were like.
30:46Outside the theatre. Yes.
30:50I didn't know who you were, so...
30:54How do you explain this?
30:56I can't.
31:04I can't. I've never seen it before.
31:06It was in your pocket.
31:08Then somebody must have put it there.
31:10Chief Inspector?
31:14Mr Hall.
31:18Why did you not go to the party of Mr Opperson?
31:22I've told you.
31:24I went for a walk.
31:26And your walk took you back to the Grand Metropolitan Hotel?
31:30Yes.
31:36I wanted to see Celestine.
31:40I just needed to be with her, but...
31:44Then, when I saw she wasn't alone...
31:48I went to bed.
31:54Mr Poirot, you've got to believe me.
31:56I'd never seen that key before.
31:58Someone must have hidden it there.
32:00No, no, no, no. Not a deed.
32:02Tell me.
32:04About Mr Hall.
32:06You know of his gambling?
32:08Yes.
32:10I've tried to stop him,
32:12but it's no good.
32:14It's like a disease.
32:16You are aware, mademoiselle,
32:18that for the return of these pearls,
32:20Mr Opperson is offering a reward
32:22most substantial?
32:24Yes.
32:26But I didn't take them, Mr Poirot.
32:28I swear to you.
32:30But nobody else came into the room while you were there?
32:32No.
32:36Only the hotel maid.
32:38Tell me, mademoiselle Celestine,
32:40Monsieur Hall,
32:42how did you first meet?
32:46It was at the theatre.
32:48One of Mr Opperson's productions.
32:50An Oscar Wilde.
32:52Lady Windermere's fan?
32:54No.
32:56It was the importance
32:58of being earnest.
33:02Of course.
33:10Hastings, I must contact
33:12the good Miss Lemonade in London.
33:14What for?
33:16In this case, Hastings, I begin to see the light.
33:18You heard what the young lady said?
33:20Oscar Wilde?
33:22Exactly.
33:24Hastings, there is work to be done.
33:48I'll see what I can do.
34:06Good shooting, Chief Inspector.
34:08I used to go out on Isleworth Marshes when I was a boy.
34:10Some things you never forget.
34:12Well, I must say, it's nice to have an evening off.
34:14What's Poirot up to then?
34:16Thinking.
34:18Oh.
34:20This was meant to be a rest, you know.
34:22Heaven knows what Miss Lemon's going to say when she arrives.
34:24Hello, sir.
34:26Evening, Chief Inspector.
34:28Hi, Miss Watson.
34:30Nice to see the police is human, too.
34:32Is that for your little boy?
34:34Yes.
34:36I'm glad I ran into you. There's something I was wanting to tell you.
34:38Oh, yes? What's that?
34:40Well, it may not mean nothing, but it's that writer.
34:42What about him?
34:44He's in Nicholson's room.
34:46The day before, that necklace got swiped.
34:48He was there when I did the cleaning.
34:50Said he was looking for something, but I don't know.
34:52Anyway.
34:54The day before?
35:06Mr Poirot.
35:08Miss Lemon.
35:10Allow me to take your case.
35:20Good morning, Miss Lemon.
35:22I thought
35:24this was meant to be a holiday,
35:26Captain Hastings.
35:28I'll talk to you later.
35:30Poirot.
35:36What are you up to, Poirot?
35:38Chief Inspector,
35:40you're under immediate arrest.
35:42I've already made an arrest, thank you very much.
35:44Chief Inspector, what if this case was not just a question of theft,
35:46but of fraud?
35:48And what, also, if the pearls of the sand
35:50did not exist?
35:54Can we have a statement, please?
35:58Can we have a statement, Chief Inspector?
36:00Mr Opelson?
36:02What are you going to say, Mr Opelson?
36:04How dare you?
36:06But, Mr Opelson, a man in your position
36:08has all the publicity he can get.
36:12Mr Opelson, can you tell us what's going on, sir?
36:14Following our investigations,
36:16we discovered that the necklace that was stolen was a fake.
36:18There never were any real pearls.
36:20You mean he did it for the insurance, Chief Inspector?
36:22We are now investigating the possibility
36:24of an insurance fraud.
36:26That's all I can tell you for the present. Thank you.
36:28One more question, Baker.
36:30What made you think the pearls were fake?
36:32I can't hear you.
36:34Mr Opelson.
36:38Oh, yes.
36:40Inspector Drake and I have worked together
36:42quite a lot recently.
36:44Oh, here's Inspector Drake. Come in now.
36:46Good evening, sir.
36:48My lady will be here presently.
36:50My dear Inspector.
36:52Forgive me, Lady Jane,
36:54but I don't think you should be wearing that.
36:58Necklace?
37:00Why ever not?
37:02Because the Phantom
37:04has sworn he'll have it.
37:06And the Phantom
37:08has never once failed.
37:10The Phantom?
37:12Why did you want to see the play again?
37:14Tomorrow the play travels to New York,
37:16mon ami.
37:18Yes.
37:20Miss Lemon has yet to see a performance.
37:22That is why I mean to have him.
37:28Right, John.
37:36Good night.
37:54What are we doing here, partner?
37:56The play's finished.
37:58The play?
38:00It has finished, yes, Hastings.
38:02But there is still one more act.
38:04I don't understand.
38:06Ah, mon cher Hastings.
38:08The Pearls are celebrated at the Tsar.
38:10Where do you think a market could be found for them?
38:12I don't know.
38:14Somewhere on the continent, I suppose.
38:16No, no, no, Hastings.
38:18And that is what Miss Lemon discovered for me in London.
38:20They're just too well known over here.
38:22No one would touch them.
38:24In America, then?
38:26Exactement. And with everyone searching for them,
38:28what would be the best way to smuggle them abroad?
38:34Well, of course,
38:36in among the scenery and props for the play.
38:38Oui.
38:40You mean they're here somewhere?
38:42Oui.
38:44Well, where? And who put them here?
38:46In this case,
38:48it has been most curiousness,
38:50but, Chief Inspector,
38:52from the start,
38:54there were only two people
38:56who could possibly have stolen those pearls of Monsieur Opelson.
38:58Mademoiselle Celestine
39:00or Mademoiselle Grace Wilson
39:02the hotel maid.
39:04Well, it must have been Celestine.
39:06She had the key.
39:08It was sewn into her petticoat.
39:10It has always puzzled me that, Hastings.
39:12Why keep the key?
39:14It was so needless, so clumsy.
39:16Are you saying it was planted?
39:18Yes, of course.
39:20Well, if it wasn't Celestine, it must have been Grace.
39:22But we know that she didn't have time to take the pearls.
39:24You said so yourself.
39:26It is a riddle, is it not, Hastings?
39:28So which of them was it?
39:32Let us imagine.
39:34Mademoiselle Grace Wilson
39:36is in the room of Monsieur Opelson.
39:38She is there only to be friendly.
39:40Excuse me.
39:42I can get you some if you like.
39:44No, it's all right.
39:46The moment that Mademoiselle Celestine
39:48leaves the room to retrieve the scissors,
39:50as quick as a flash, she acts.
40:02She was able to execute
40:04the theft of the pearls in an instant
40:06because she did not need to unlock
40:08the box herself.
40:10She had in the adjoining room an accomplice
40:12with a duplicate key,
40:14and it was he who removed
40:16the pouch and the pearls.
40:22Mr. Worthy.
40:24Exactement, Hastings.
40:26And when Mademoiselle Celestine
40:28leaves the room for the second time,
40:30it is time for some thread.
40:32The box, it is returned in exactly
40:34the same manner.
40:38Only now
40:40the necklace, it has gone.
40:42And I suppose
40:44it was this mysterious Mr. Worthing
40:46who hid the key
40:48in Celestine's petticoat.
40:50He or his accomplice, Chief Inspector, yes.
40:52But it was definitely
40:54Mr. Worthing who placed
40:56it in the pocket of Monsieur Hall,
40:58which was empty.
41:02That's right. I saw him at the racecourse.
41:04It was Mr. Worthing. I could have sworn.
41:06But who is he?
41:08Who is this Mr. Worthing?
41:18Mr. Poirot.
41:20Shh.
41:24Shh.
41:26Wait there.
41:28Wait there.
41:54It is a pleasure to meet you at last,
41:56Mr. Worthing.
42:04Saunders?
42:08Let go!
42:10Get off me!
42:12I've done nothing wrong! Let go of me!
42:14Oh, God.
42:26You bloody fool.
42:28I told you we shouldn't have ought to have come.
42:30But I think it is too late for that,
42:32Madame Saunders.
42:34Madame? What, you mean they're married?
42:36Yes, of course, Chief Inspector.
42:38It was that that Miss Lemon discovered for me
42:40at the Dog and the Duck in Holborn.
42:42Grace Saunders.
42:44The landlord remembered her well.
42:46But why the disguise?
42:48Ah, Hastings.
42:50How else could Monsieur Saunders
42:52reserve for himself a room next door
42:54to Monsieur Operson?
42:56He had to assume
42:58a new identity.
43:00How could you possibly know?
43:02As ever, Monsieur,
43:04it was the little details,
43:06the matters of no consequence
43:08that caught the attention of Poirot.
43:10You will recall, Hastings,
43:12on the night of the theft,
43:14that I remarked on some white powder
43:16on the sleeve of Monsieur Saunders?
43:18Pardon. You will forgive me?
43:20I thought it was talcum powder.
43:22Thank you very much, sir.
43:24Not at all.
43:26No, Hastings, it was not the talcum powder.
43:28It was the French chalk,
43:30which cabinetmakers used to let the drawers
43:32made of wood run more smoothly,
43:34and with which Monsieur Worthing
43:36prepared beforehand the drawer
43:38containing the pearls.
43:40But I was suspicious of Mr. Worthing
43:42long before this.
43:44Your key, Mr. Worthing.
43:46When Hastings and myself first came
43:48to the Grand Metropolitan Hotel,
43:50he was elderly. He must walk with a stick.
43:54But when he goes to his room,
43:56which is on the first floor,
43:58he proceeds not to the lift
44:00that he's waiting, no,
44:02but to the staircase.
44:10It was a performance, Monsieur,
44:12but a performance that to Poirot
44:14did not ring true.
44:16Damn you.
44:18That's enough of that.
44:20Take him away.
44:30One thing, Poirot.
44:32I know you were waiting for them.
44:34Why did you think they'd come here?
44:36They came here, Hastings, to retrieve the necklace.
44:38I see.
44:42Where is the necklace?
44:44The necklace, Hastings?
44:46It is, I think...
45:10Voilà .
45:14Damn, Poirot.
45:16You mean that bloody little man
45:18set me up?
45:20It's your own fault.
45:22You tried to use him.
45:24But, Margaret, what about the pearls?
45:26Don't worry.
45:28That bloody little man
45:30got them back.
45:44So you made up the story
45:46about the fake pearls
45:48to smoke out the thieves?
45:50So, now you learn the plot
45:52of your next play, Monsieur.
45:54Yes, I told to them that the necklace,
45:56it was false because I knew that
45:58I would then have to examine it.
46:00We're all packed, Monsieur Poirot.
46:02Thank you, Miss Lemont.
46:04The reward, Monsieur Poirot.
46:06It should be yours.
46:08Why have you given it to me?
46:10Because, mademoiselle,
46:12I am an honest.
46:14And there is in that play
46:16a character that is very well known
46:18who is called...
46:20Jack Worthing.
46:22Cesar.
46:24And it was then that I saw the light.
46:26So the reward, I think,
46:28must be for you.
46:30Miss Lemont?
46:32Hastings?
46:42So much for your holiday,
46:44Monsieur Poirot.
46:46But, Miss Lemont, I feel completely refreshed.
46:48Even so, this wasn't what the doctor wanted.
46:50Daily Echo!
46:52Daily Echo!
46:56You are Lucky Len
46:58of the Daily Echo, and I claim my ten guineas.
47:00You're right.
47:02I was Lucky Len.
47:04And I'm sorry I got fired this morning.
47:06Fired? Why?
47:08Too many people were recognizing me.
47:10The papers decided it must be my face.
47:12It's too common.
47:14Common?
47:16That's what they say.
47:18Bit of a cheek if you ask me, but there you are.
47:20They are wrong, mon ami.
47:22You have a face that is most distinguished.
47:24You have no need to work
47:26for this newspaper.
47:28You have a face of a great man.
47:30You think so?
47:32Oh, yes. I know it.
47:40I know it.