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deaddogsdam
  • 28/05/2025
First broadcast 30th March 1980.

While golfing on the Welsh coast, Bobby Jones apparently hits a stranger who falls off the the sea cliff. His enigmatic last words are "Why didn't they ask Evans?"

Francesca Annis as Lady Frances Derwent
James Warwick as Bobby Jones
John Gielgud as Reverend Jones
Bernard Miles as Dr Thomas
Eric Porter as Dr Nicholson
Leigh Lawson as Roger Bassington-ffrench
Madeline Smith as Moira Nicholson
Connie Booth as Sylvia Bassington-ffrench
Robert Longden as Badger Beadon
Doris Hare as Rose Pratt
Joan Hickson as Mrs Rivington
Rowland Davies as Dr. George Arbuthnot
James Cossins as Henry Bassington-ffrench
Mitzi Rogers as Mrs Cayman
John Pennington as Mr Cayman
Lynda Marshal as Mrs Roberts
Deddie Davies as Postmistress
Frank Tregear as Mr Roberts
John Horsley as Mr Spragg
Leon Sinden as Mr Owen
Elaine Wells as Nurse Fletcher
Annette Robertson as Julie
Eirik Barclay as Tommy Bassington-ffrench
Raymond Francis as Earl of Marchington
Sally Grace as Nurse Villard
Christopher Cregan as Reeves (as Chris Cregan)
Michael Stainton as Mr Askew
Hugh Morton as Barker
Debbie Armstrong as Mary
Arnold Peters as Innkeeper
Norman Mitchell as Constable Browning
Artro Morris as Ticket Inspector
Terence Soall as Doctor
Kate David as Hotel Waitress
Penny Ryder as Cafe Waitress
Roy Boyd as Alan Carstairs
Mischa De La Motte as Ross
Colin Cunningham as Fred Pratt
Derek Hollis as P.C. Bunner
Nicholas Drake as Village pest
Nick Diprose as Lover
Charles Morgan as Coroner

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00:00["Pomp and Circumstance"]
00:00:30["Pomp and Circumstance"]
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00:01:15You know, sometimes I wonder whether bringing you into the world wasn't a waste of professional effort.
00:01:20How many times have I told you it's all in the mind?
00:01:23Sorry, Doctor. I get worse every day.
00:01:26Decide where you want the ball to go.
00:01:29Imagine it there, and then...
00:01:35...hit it.
00:01:38Like that?
00:01:41You all right for time?
00:01:43I promised Dad I'd play for Evensong.
00:01:46I should be all right for another couple of holes anyway.
00:01:49As if we ever get this one finished.
00:01:55Oh.
00:01:57Of course, if you have no imagination, I suppose it doesn't work.
00:02:00I thought I heard a shout. I hope it didn't hit anyone.
00:02:04The ball can't possibly have travelled that far, can it?
00:02:07Not if the precedent is anything to go by.
00:02:10Ah, here it is. Good.
00:02:13Good?
00:02:15I mean, it didn't hit anyone.
00:02:17And it's unlikely to be hit by anyone.
00:02:20Try getting it out of there.
00:02:25Not that one, you fool. This one.
00:02:28Now, if you can't manage with that, you'd better put the wretched thing out of its misery.
00:02:32Pick it up and throw it.
00:02:38Decide where you want the ball to go.
00:02:44Oh.
00:02:46Every time I'm close to the edge I do that.
00:02:49Every single time.
00:02:51Are you going to try and get it back?
00:02:53If I can see it anywhere.
00:03:03Doctor, quickly!
00:03:08Look.
00:03:12Can we get down to him?
00:03:15There's a path further along.
00:03:38He's still breathing, I think.
00:03:41There's nothing to be done.
00:03:47His back is broken.
00:03:49I'll go for help.
00:03:51Isn't there anything we can do?
00:03:53No, it's too late now.
00:03:55His pulse rate is weakening fast.
00:03:58He'll last about another 20 minutes.
00:04:01I'll stay.
00:04:03There'll be no pain.
00:04:05No pain at all.
00:04:07I'll be as quick as I can.
00:04:36Why...
00:04:40...didn't...
00:04:42...they ask...
00:04:46...Evans?
00:05:05...Evans?
00:05:36I say...
00:05:40...anything the matter?
00:05:43Man's dead.
00:05:45Help is on its way.
00:05:47I'll come down.
00:05:50There's a path to your right.
00:05:53Help is on its way.
00:05:55I'll come down.
00:05:58There's a path to your right.
00:06:19I say, what a beastly thing to happen.
00:06:22Grim.
00:06:23Nothing I can do.
00:06:25Well, actually, there is.
00:06:27But not for him. For me.
00:06:29You see, the thing is, I've got an appointment at six, and...
00:06:32You don't like to leave?
00:06:33Well, I know the poor chap's dead and all that, and...
00:06:36...there's nothing one can do but all the same.
00:06:38Don't you worry, old man. You cut along to wherever it is.
00:06:41I'll stay till they get here.
00:06:43My name's Roger Bassington French, by the way.
00:06:45I've come down to see about a house.
00:06:47Bobby Jones.
00:06:48Like the golfer?
00:06:49Not a bit like a golfer.
00:07:06It's five minutes past, Vicar.
00:07:08Well, I'll give him five more minutes, Roberts.
00:07:10Wretched boy.
00:07:12Punctuality may be the politeness of princes...
00:07:15...but not, apparently, in my parish.
00:07:19Ah!
00:07:37It being the feast of St. James the Greater...
00:07:39...we shall now sing...
00:07:41...unaccompanied, I'm afraid...
00:07:43...hymn number 557...
00:07:45...for all thy saints, a noble song.
00:08:04What number?
00:08:15557
00:08:41If you cannot do a thing properly, my dear Bobby...
00:08:44...it's far better not to do it at all.
00:08:46Thank you, Mrs. Roberts. That smells quite delicious.
00:08:50I know that most of your friends have no idea of time...
00:08:53...but there is one who must never be kept waiting.
00:08:57For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful.
00:09:00Amen.
00:09:01I'm sorry, Dad, but it really wasn't my fault.
00:09:04I was keeping guard over a corpse.
00:09:07You were what?
00:09:09Keeping guard over a poor blighter who stepped off the cliff.
00:09:12He must have gone straight on...
00:09:14...and over.
00:09:16Was he killed outright?
00:09:18No, unconscious.
00:09:20He died just after Dr. Thomas had gone for help.
00:09:22Well, I felt I couldn't just push off and leave him...
00:09:25...so when another fellow came along, I just passed the job of chief mourner on to him...
00:09:29...and legged it here as fast as I could.
00:09:31Well, nothing, not even sudden death...
00:09:33...shake your deplorable callousness.
00:09:36Everything, however solemn, appears to be nothing but a joke to your generation.
00:09:40Oh, it isn't like that really, Dad.
00:09:42I hesitate to say this, Barnaby, but...
00:09:44...it's eight months now since you were unfortunately invalided out of the Navy.
00:09:48Seems to me you're losing your grip of things.
00:09:51There isn't much to grip around here, Dad.
00:09:53Exactly.
00:09:54I think it's time you set about finding yourself a job.
00:09:58Well, actually, I may be on to something.
00:10:01I'm going up to London tomorrow to have a look.
00:10:04Oh, it's the first I've heard of it.
00:10:06Yes, well, I thought I'd better find out more about it first.
00:10:10Well, good prospect.
00:10:12I'm thinking of going in with Badger Beedon.
00:10:15My dear Bobby, you can't be serious.
00:10:17His great-aunt died.
00:10:19And left him 300 pounds.
00:10:21He's taken a lease on a garage, second-hand cars, that sort of thing.
00:10:25Young Beedon is completely irresponsible. He's never done a hand's turn in his life.
00:10:29Well, that's not fair, Dad. It's just that he's not had much luck.
00:10:32Luck? Divine intervention would hardly compensate for his complete lack of application.
00:10:37When he started that chicken farm, what happened?
00:10:40Foul-pest.
00:10:41And when his uncle set him up in the stockbroker's job in the city, what happened?
00:10:45Fired.
00:10:46And when his father and his mother sent him off to Australia, what did he do then?
00:10:50Came back.
00:10:51Exactly.
00:10:52Well, Australia!
00:10:56Well, how long are you proposing to be away?
00:10:59Back the day after tomorrow, Dad. That's all.
00:11:02Well, it grieves me to say this, Bobby.
00:11:05But I fear you will not go with my blessing.
00:11:09I didn't think that I would.
00:11:15Badger.
00:11:17Badger.
00:11:19I know practically nothing about cars.
00:11:21Oh, it doesn't matter, old chap.
00:11:23I tell you, we're bound to succeed.
00:11:27Put a lick of paint on, and that's all the organ you'll notice.
00:11:35Ah.
00:11:40Pretty, don't you think?
00:11:43It, ah, it, ah, sticks a bit, that's all.
00:11:53I see why I need you.
00:12:06Oh.
00:12:08Oh, I see.
00:12:09I, I am most frightfully sorry.
00:12:15Frankie?
00:12:19Bobby!
00:12:21I haven't seen you for ages.
00:12:24Well, I haven't seen you.
00:12:27Are you planning to spend the entire journey on the floor, or are you going to sit down and talk?
00:12:31The ticket's the wrong colour.
00:12:33Leave it to me.
00:12:35Everything all right, Your Ladyship?
00:12:37Yes, perfectly, Inspector.
00:12:39Well, my friend, Mr. Jones, has just popped in to see me for a bit.
00:12:42Won't matter.
00:12:45The gentleman won't be staying for long, I expect.
00:12:53I shan't be round again till after Bristol.
00:13:01What can be done with a smile?
00:13:03Nonsense.
00:13:04Father's habit of tipping everybody five shillings whenever he travels, that does it.
00:13:10I must say, it's nice to see you.
00:13:13I heard you'd given up the navy.
00:13:15It didn't axe you, did they? Not at your age.
00:13:17It's eyes.
00:13:20You've always had trouble with your eyes.
00:13:23I heard you'd given up Wales for good.
00:13:26After the party I went to last night, I thought even the castle couldn't be worse, in spite of the draughts in the bathrooms.
00:13:32Oh, what was the matter with it?
00:13:34Oh, nothing really.
00:13:36Just like any other party, I suppose, I was in.
00:13:39It's odd, isn't it?
00:13:41I've little to worry about.
00:13:43I've a choice of houses to live in.
00:13:45Hideous family jewels, creditless shops.
00:13:48It's all family, it is for me.
00:13:50What is you, do you think?
00:13:53When we were children.
00:13:55Playing together.
00:13:57Happy.
00:14:00I'm so tired of everything, aren't you?
00:14:03No, not really.
00:14:05I don't get the chance.
00:14:07By the way, what's all this about a man falling over the cliffs?
00:14:10Oh, yes, poor devil.
00:14:12Dr. Thomas and I found him.
00:14:14How did you hear about it?
00:14:15In the paper.
00:14:16It doesn't say anything about you and Dr. Thomas, though.
00:14:19Well, no, it wouldn't, would it?
00:14:22What does it say?
00:14:24Fatal accident on Welsh coastal path.
00:14:27The victim of the recent tragedy, Marchibolt,
00:14:29was identified late last night by means of a photograph he was carrying.
00:14:33The photograph proved to be that of Mrs. Leo Cayman.
00:14:36Mrs. Cayman was communicated with and journeyed to Marchibolt
00:14:40where she identified the deceased as her brother, Alex Pritchard.
00:14:43Mr. Pritchard had recently returned from Siam.
00:14:46He'd been out of England for ten years and was starting on a walking tour.
00:14:50Inquests will be held Marchibolt on Monday.
00:14:52I believe I shall have to give evidence.
00:14:54Oh, Bobby, how thrilling!
00:14:56I should come and listen to you.
00:14:58I suppose nobody pushed him over, did they?
00:15:00Pushed him over? Good Lord, no.
00:15:02Why?
00:15:03Well, it'd be much more exciting, wouldn't it?
00:15:06Life was not then extinct.
00:15:08No, no, no. Deceased was still breathing.
00:15:10There was, however, no hope of recovery.
00:15:12The man's back was broken.
00:15:14There were no signs of any violence,
00:15:16such as might have been administered by a third party?
00:15:18I can only say that all the injuries present
00:15:20are such as would have been occasioned
00:15:22by a man falling on the rocks 50 or 60 feet below, sir.
00:15:26There remains, then, the question of suicide?
00:15:29That is perfectly possible.
00:15:31Whether deceased walked over the edge or threw himself over
00:15:34is something about which I cannot give an opinion.
00:15:37Thank you, Dr. Thomas. Thank you.
00:15:39That will be all. Thank you, sir.
00:15:41Lieutenant Robert Jones.
00:15:44HORN HONKS
00:15:52CRASH
00:16:03A cry, you say? What sort of cry?
00:16:06Well, I mean, a cry.
00:16:09A cry for help?
00:16:11Oh, no, no. More a sort of shout, you know.
00:16:14In fact, I wasn't quite sure that I'd heard it.
00:16:16A startled kind of cry?
00:16:18Oh, that's more like it.
00:16:20The sort of sound a fellow might let out if a ball hit him unexpectedly.
00:16:23Or if he took a step into nothingness when he thought he was on a path.
00:16:27That's it exactly.
00:16:29Thank you, Mr. Jones.
00:16:31Mrs. Leo Cayman.
00:16:46I swear by almighty God
00:16:48the evidence I shall give shall be the truth.
00:16:51The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
00:16:58You are Mrs. Amelia Cayman of 17 St. Leonard's Gardens, Paddington.
00:17:02You are related to the deceased?
00:17:05He was my brother.
00:17:07Mr. Alex Pritchard.
00:17:09Mrs. Cayman, when did you last see your brother?
00:17:13The day before...
00:17:15The day before he fell.
00:17:17He said he was going on a walking tour of Wales.
00:17:20He had only just recently returned to this country from the east.
00:17:23He was so looking forward to it.
00:17:26He was in a happy and normal state of mind?
00:17:28Yes.
00:17:30He had no money troubles or troubles of any kind in his life recently?
00:17:34Well, there was no sign of it.
00:17:36Hmm. What was his profession, Mrs. Cayman?
00:17:41Prospecting.
00:17:43Well, that's what he called it.
00:17:46He was very seldom in England.
00:17:49You know of no reason at all which might have caused him to take his own life?
00:17:59Thank you, Mrs. Cayman. I don't think we need distress you any further.
00:18:09Members of the jury,
00:18:11it is your task to decide
00:18:14how this man came by his death.
00:18:22Sorry I was late.
00:18:24I caught you all bit, though. I thought you were jolly good.
00:18:27You make it sound like a school concert.
00:18:29Well, there's little enough to do down here. An inquest was a perfect godsend.
00:18:32Mind you, I thought death by misadventure was a bit of a dodo.
00:18:36I'd hoped for a suspicion of foul play.
00:18:38It all seemed regrettably straightforward.
00:18:42I would never have believed it.
00:18:44What?
00:18:46The girl in the photograph I found could end up looking like that.
00:18:50Well, it looks exactly like her.
00:18:52Photograph was touched up, that's all.
00:18:54So touched up you wouldn't have known them for the same person.
00:19:04Anyway, where did you see it?
00:19:06In the Marge Bell Times.
00:19:08It probably reproduced badly.
00:19:11Seems to me you're absolutely batty over a painted-up rattled bitch.
00:19:15Yes, I said bitch like the Cayman woman.
00:19:17Frank!
00:19:18Well, you shouldn't be so ridiculous.
00:19:24What is ridiculous is to quarrel about the damned woman.
00:19:27How about a game of golf tomorrow?
00:19:29You can't be as bad as you used to be.
00:19:31Can't I? I'm not sure I'm all that keen on golf at the moment.
00:19:34That's how all this started.
00:19:36Well, who knows? You may be lucky.
00:19:38Perhaps there's a lunatic at large, a pusher of people off cliffs.
00:19:41Will he strike again?
00:19:43Does Bobby Jones, the vicar's son, hold the key to the mystery
00:19:46that's terrifying the inhabitants of this sleepy little Welsh town?
00:19:50Go home!
00:19:5110.30?
00:19:52At the golf club.
00:19:54I still think it looks exactly like her.
00:20:01Ah, there is Bobby.
00:20:03Bobby?
00:20:06I do hope you'll forgive the intrusion, Mr Jones.
00:20:09My husband is arranging for my poor brother's body and...
00:20:12Well, I was just wondering...
00:20:15Mrs Cayman was wondering if you had anything else you could tell her.
00:20:20Yes, you see, I know you tell the coroner everything you could,
00:20:23but, well, I did just wonder if there was some small personal thing.
00:20:27You do understand, don't you?
00:20:29Absolutely. Oh, absolutely.
00:20:33You see, I still can't believe it.
00:20:36My poor Alex. Poor, poor Alex.
00:20:39Oh, I know. Absolutely grim.
00:20:43I think it's a little chilly in here. Perhaps I'd better put a match to the fire.
00:20:47You see, if he had left any last word or message, I should like to know it.
00:20:52It would mean so very much to me.
00:20:54As a matter of fact, he didn't.
00:20:56Nothing at all?
00:20:58No. Well, as a matter of fact...
00:21:01Nothing at all.
00:21:03Merciful to pass away, unconscious, without pain.
00:21:07Yes. Well, that is something to be thankful for.
00:21:12I did say that I would meet my husband back at the hotel.
00:21:26You must put your trust in the great healer, Time.
00:21:30You're sure you wouldn't like us to walk you over to the hotel?
00:21:33Oh, well, that's very kind of you,
00:21:35but I should like a few moments to be alone, you know.
00:21:39Goodbye, Mr Jones. Goodbye, Mr Jones.
00:21:43Goodbye.
00:21:47Really, Bobby, you had a tolerable education.
00:21:50In moments of stress, when an unfortunate human being demands words of comfort,
00:21:55is that the best you can do?
00:21:57Absolutely grim.
00:21:59I'm sorry, dear, but I didn't know what to say.
00:22:03It's all very well for you. You're doing it all the time.
00:22:06I don't know what you mean.
00:22:08Kettle's on, Vicar. Tea won't be a minute.
00:22:10How was Stylum, Mrs Roberts?
00:22:12Oh, Mark, it won't be worth going too soon. Fewer stalls every week.
00:22:16Mrs Roberts, have you seen last week's copy of the March Boat Times by any chance?
00:22:20I'm sorry, Mr Bobby. I thought you and the Vicar were finished with it.
00:22:24I used it on the fire.
00:22:27I don't suppose it matters.
00:22:37You see, you can do it when you try.
00:22:39Well, at least it didn't go into the sea this time.
00:22:44Good Lord. What?
00:22:46I just remembered something. Well?
00:22:49That woman, Mrs Cayman, when she came round yesterday
00:22:52and asked if the fellow had said anything before he died,
00:22:55I told her he hadn't. He hadn't?
00:22:57No. No, I've just remembered now. He did.
00:23:00But it wasn't the sort of thing they meant.
00:23:02That's why I didn't think of it, I suppose.
00:23:04What did he say?
00:23:06He said, why didn't they ask Evans?
00:23:08What a funny thing to say. Nothing else?
00:23:11No. He just opened his eyes and said that, quite suddenly, and then he died.
00:23:16Well, I wouldn't worry about it. It wasn't important.
00:23:19No.
00:23:21Still, I wish I'd just mentioned it.
00:23:23Dear Mrs Cayman,
00:23:25I have just remembered that your brother did actually say something before he died.
00:23:29I think the exact words were, why didn't they ask Evans?
00:23:34I apologise for not mentioning this yesterday,
00:23:37but I attached no importance to the words at the time,
00:23:40and so, I suppose, they slipped my memory.
00:23:43Yours truly, Robert Jones.
00:23:45Just going to the shop, Mr Bobby.
00:23:47Oh, Mrs Roberts.
00:23:49Mrs Roberts, would you be kind enough to put this in the pillar box for me?
00:23:53Oh, it's no trouble.
00:23:55Posting a few for the vicar, anyway.
00:23:57Ah.
00:24:08Well, I'm damned.
00:24:10Really, Bobby?
00:24:12Oh, sorry, Dad. Forgot you were there.
00:24:14But somebody's offered me a thousand a year.
00:24:17What did you say? A thousand?
00:24:19A thousand pounds?
00:24:21Hold in wonder.
00:24:23But that's quite impossible.
00:24:25A bit unlikely, I agree, but not impossible.
00:24:27Who are these people?
00:24:29Some shipping firm in Buenos Aires.
00:24:31I've been highly recommended.
00:24:33They don't say by whom.
00:24:35Remarkable.
00:24:37Remarkable.
00:24:39Must be complete lunatics, I agree.
00:24:41Nothing of the kind.
00:24:43Obviously realizes the value of a young man of integrity.
00:24:46All the same, Dad.
00:24:48Why me?
00:24:50Well, ex-officer of the British Navy.
00:24:52Vicar's son.
00:24:54They want you to telegraph your acceptance immediately
00:24:56and be ready to sail for Buenos Aires within the week.
00:24:59Well, it's rather short notice, I grant you.
00:25:01Dad, I can't.
00:25:03What on earth do you mean?
00:25:05Well, I'm... I'm fixed up, aren't I?
00:25:07With Badger.
00:25:09Even Badger Beedon can't be such a complete ass
00:25:11to turn down an offer of £1,000 a year.
00:25:13It's no good, Dad. I can't let him down.
00:25:15He's counting on me.
00:25:17Why is he counting on you, will you tell me that?
00:25:19Simply because he knows that you're as big a fool as he is.
00:25:27The beautiful you are
00:25:31They wouldn't believe me
00:25:34They wouldn't believe me
00:25:37Really, Roberts?
00:25:39Oh, sorry, Dad.
00:25:41How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.
00:25:45Haven't you anything to do?
00:25:47Tell you the truth, Dad, I'm... I'm a bit bored.
00:25:51I thought I might go for a walk.
00:25:53To your power of good, young man.
00:25:55Brisk 12 miles or so across country.
00:25:58Wish I could come with you.
00:27:39Come on.
00:28:09Here.
00:28:36I brought the usual flowers.
00:28:38Rather a graveyard suggestion about them, I'm afraid,
00:28:41but the choice was singularly limited.
00:28:43I thought you were in London.
00:28:45I dare, as soon as I heard about you, I tore back.
00:28:47It's most exciting to have a romantically poisoned friend.
00:28:51I don't know whether morphia is so very romantic.
00:28:54I hope you realise you're now gazing upon a medical phenomenon.
00:28:58To listen to you, I would think nobody had ever been poisoned before.
00:29:01If you have been poisoned with eight grains of morphia and got over it...
00:29:06Dash it all, Frankie. You don't seem very impressed.
00:29:09Well, I'd spare a thought for the people who poisoned you.
00:29:12Whatever for?
00:29:14Must be pretty sickening for them.
00:29:16That morphia and there you are, alive and kicking.
00:29:19I never thought of it like that.
00:29:21Do you know Dr Thomas thought I'd done it deliberately?
00:29:24Deliberately?
00:29:26Yes. He says anybody who plays golf the way I do
00:29:29should be forgiven for taking the easy way out.
00:29:33Someone must have put the stuff in my beer while I slept.
00:29:37Apparently, even the dregs were lethal.
00:29:40Which just goes to prove that what I said on the train was true.
00:29:44What did you say?
00:29:46That that man Pritchard, or whatever his name was,
00:29:48didn't fall over the click at all. He was pushed.
00:29:51Oh, Frankie. Well, it's obvious, darling.
00:29:54I mean, who'd want to put you out of the way?
00:29:57Having any enemies that you know of?
00:30:00Well, there you are, then.
00:30:02Where?
00:30:04Well, it must have been something to do with Pritchard.
00:30:07You had seen something that you weren't supposed to see,
00:30:10or so they, whoever they are, think.
00:30:14Bobby?
00:30:16Well, has anything else out of the ordinary happened?
00:30:19Well, there was that letter
00:30:22offering me a job for £1,000 a year in Buenos Aires.
00:30:25People I'd never met.
00:30:27Well, there you are, then.
00:30:30First they try to get rid of you by offering you a job abroad,
00:30:33and then when that doesn't work, they have to put you out of the way altogether.
00:30:37But what on earth is it I'm supposed to have seen?
00:30:40Oh, well, that's a difficulty, I agree.
00:30:43And anyway, if I had seen anything, I would have said so at the inquest, wouldn't I?
00:30:47Well, I'll have to go away and think about it.
00:30:50And do I kiss you or don't I?
00:30:53It's not catching.
00:30:55Then I'll do my duty to the sixth thoroughly.
00:30:57Magazines and papers.
00:30:59I'm sorry they're a bit out of date.
00:31:01And I'll see you tomorrow.
00:31:12Lady Frances! Lady Frances!
00:31:14I'm ever so sorry, Lady Frances, but could you come back?
00:31:17I think Mr Jones has had a relapse.
00:31:19Oh, Bobby!
00:31:21What on earth's going on? Look...
00:31:23This copy of the March Pearl Times you left me, the one I never saw.
00:31:26Look.
00:31:28Portrait found on the dead man by which he was identified.
00:31:31Mrs Amelia Cayman, the dead man's sister, sir.
00:31:35That isn't the photograph I put back in the dead man's pocket.
00:31:39It isn't?
00:31:41No.
00:31:43But that means that...
00:31:45Either there must be two photographs...
00:31:47Which isn't likely.
00:31:49Or...
00:31:50Or someone took the photograph that you saw and put another in its place.
00:31:56That man that came along after Pritchard had died.
00:31:59Basington French, if that's his name.
00:32:01Oh, come on, Bobby.
00:32:03Basington French is hardly a name one's likely to make up.
00:32:05What was he like?
00:32:07I didn't notice him particularly.
00:32:09He said he was a stranger down here.
00:32:12And something about looking for a house.
00:32:14Bobby, have you thought...
00:32:16If Pritchard was pushed, Basington French is probably the man who did it.
00:32:20He seemed such a nice fellow.
00:32:22Yes, but if it was murder, then it all fits.
00:32:24You turn up, you're not supposed to.
00:32:26You find the photograph, you're not supposed to.
00:32:28They had to do something.
00:32:30It won't work.
00:32:31Why not?
00:32:32If it was the photograph that was so important,
00:32:35whatever was going to be done about me would have been done at once.
00:32:40Otherwise, the chances are that I'd have seen this copy of the March Pearl Times
00:32:45and immediately said,
00:32:47that isn't the photograph I saw.
00:32:49Why wait until after the inquest to have a go at me
00:32:52when everything was nicely settled?
00:32:54Oh, and there's another thing.
00:32:56Basington French didn't appear
00:32:58until after I'd put the photograph back in the dead man's pocket.
00:33:01Damn!
00:33:02So it's got to be something they didn't know till after the inquest.
00:33:05Hmm.
00:33:06Don't know why I keep saying they.
00:33:08I do.
00:33:10Because the Caymans must have been in it as well.
00:33:15Of course.
00:33:17I bet you it isn't even his sister.
00:33:19Well, it puzzled me all along.
00:33:21I mean, the dead man, whoever he was, was a gentleman.
00:33:24Mrs Cayman was in a different class altogether.
00:33:27But if he isn't Mrs Cayman's brother, then...
00:33:30who is he?
00:33:32And why was it so important he shouldn't be recognised?
00:33:35And why was the portrait of Mrs Cayman put into his pocket
00:33:38and the portrait of the fair unknown removed?
00:33:42Hmm.
00:33:43Was she fair?
00:33:45She was very pretty.
00:33:47Would you recognise her again?
00:33:49Oh, I'd know her anywhere.
00:33:54Bobby...
00:33:55Hmm?
00:33:57What was it that Pritchard said just before he died?
00:34:01Uh, why didn't they ask Evans?
00:34:03But you didn't tell the Caymans that, did you?
00:34:06As a matter of fact, I did.
00:34:08You did?
00:34:09Yes.
00:34:10Yes, I wrote to them that evening
00:34:12saying it was probably quite unimportant
00:34:14and they wrote back, politely agreeing
00:34:17and thanking me for taking the trouble.
00:34:19I felt rather snubbed.
00:34:21And two days later, you get a letter from a strange firm
00:34:23bribing you to go to South America.
00:34:25Yes.
00:34:27Well, what more do you want?
00:34:29Look.
00:34:30Look at it from the Caymans' point of view.
00:34:33Everything's gone off well.
00:34:35Body successfully identified.
00:34:37Verdict of accidental death.
00:34:39Everything in the garden lovely.
00:34:41Then you come along and mess it all up.
00:34:43Why didn't they ask Evans?
00:34:46I don't see how that could put the wind up anybody.
00:34:49That's because you don't know.
00:34:51So what do we do now?
00:34:54Check up on Basington French.
00:34:57I believe a friend of mine was down here the other day.
00:35:00A Mr Basington French.
00:35:02He was looking for a house.
00:35:04Making inquiries about various properties
00:35:06with a view to purchase.
00:35:08He was obliged to return to town the next day.
00:35:11So he couldn't view many of the houses we have to offer.
00:35:14Since he left, one or two highly suitable properties
00:35:16have come onto the market.
00:35:18I've sent him on particulars
00:35:20to Merroway Court, Staverley, Hance.
00:35:22But I've had no reply.
00:35:24He's guilty.
00:35:26He's definitely guilty.
00:35:28I mean, you don't go to a house agent's at 6.30 in the evening
00:35:31then up to London the following day.
00:35:33Why make the journey at all?
00:35:34Why not write?
00:35:36You've done jolly well so far.
00:35:37That's not all.
00:35:38After that I tackled Inspector Williams.
00:35:40Oh, what did he say?
00:35:41He said the deceased had very little on him.
00:35:43One handkerchief, not marked.
00:35:45Some loose change.
00:35:46A packet of cigarettes.
00:35:48A couple of treasury notes.
00:35:50No letters.
00:35:51And just one photograph.
00:35:53Not the one I saw.
00:35:54Didn't he say anything else?
00:35:56Yes, could he borrow the castle grounds for the police fete?
00:35:58Oh, and there was a car scene in the vicinity
00:36:00the day that you were poisoned.
00:36:02A dark green Talbot saloon.
00:36:04Is that a registration number?
00:36:06Well, no, not quite.
00:36:07It was, um, G.G. something or other.
00:36:09Oh.
00:36:10There must be hundreds of dark green Talbots in England.
00:36:12Almost as many as there are Evans in the Margebole directory.
00:36:16482.
00:36:17I'm thinking of taking for my text this Sunday.
00:36:20And he that was dead came forth.
00:36:24Well, Lazarus, you know, seems most apposite.
00:36:28Oh, I beg your pardon, Lady Frances. I didn't see you.
00:36:30I've always thought everyone must have been perfectly furious with him.
00:36:33Lazarus, I mean.
00:36:34Oh, there he was, safely tucked away,
00:36:36all that wailing and gnashing of teeth going on,
00:36:38then suddenly he's up and about, making everyone look silly.
00:36:41It was a miracle, Lady Frances.
00:36:46Oh, hello, Doctor. Come in.
00:36:48Oh, good day, Doctor. How are you? Let me take your clubs.
00:36:51You're very kind, very kind.
00:36:53This way.
00:36:55Doctor's here.
00:36:57Just coming to take a look at him.
00:36:59Time you were back on the golf course, young man.
00:37:01I'm reduced to playing with people who can play.
00:37:04There's St. Luke, of course.
00:37:06Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
00:37:10I hardly think that applies to Bobby, do you?
00:37:13Well, no, perhaps not.
00:37:15What about that child that Elisha raised from the dead?
00:37:19Oh, much more fun than Lazarus.
00:37:22I mean, he opened his eyes and sneezed seven times.
00:37:24Yes.
00:37:25But as far as I can remember, our dear Bobby didn't sneeze at all.
00:37:30If he gives you any trouble, Mrs. Roberts, just let me know.
00:37:33Oh, he won't do that, Doctor.
00:37:35Thanks, Dr. Thomas.
00:37:41Ah, you off, Doctor?
00:37:43Oh, I must get in a few holes before surgery.
00:37:52The doctor says I shall be fit enough to go up to London next week.
00:37:55Good. May I?
00:37:57I thought you didn't approve of my going in with old Badger.
00:38:00Easier to check up on the Hampshire-Basington Frenchess from London
00:38:04than from this remote outpost of the British Empire.
00:38:14Bobby, this is George Arbuthnot.
00:38:17He's a doctor, and we shall need him for a little scheme that I've got on.
00:38:22Shall we?
00:38:24We shall also need a car.
00:38:26One of yours will do.
00:38:28You mean you want to buy one of our cars?
00:38:30Yes.
00:38:31That's really very nice of you, Frankie,
00:38:32but I do actually draw the line in taking advantage of my friends.
00:38:35You've got it all wrong, as usual. No, we really do need a car.
00:38:38What about the Bentley?
00:38:39Bentley's no good for what I want it for.
00:38:41What's that?
00:38:42Smashing it up.
00:38:44I don't think I feel very well this morning.
00:38:46She means she's going to have an accident.
00:38:48How does she know?
00:38:50Badger Beedon!
00:38:53The last time I saw you, you were head down in the mud
00:38:56and we had to pull you out by the legs.
00:38:58My dear, you haven't changed a bit.
00:39:01Well, this time I managed it under my own steam.
00:39:06Frankie wants to buy one of our cars.
00:39:09Oh, two cars.
00:39:10George has got to have one, too, and he's crashed his at the moment.
00:39:13We can hire him one.
00:39:14Well, come and have a look at what we've got in stock.
00:39:18They're very smart.
00:39:20Oh, yes, they look all right. That's the idea.
00:39:22Now, this?
00:39:23This is remarkably good value in second-hand...
00:39:28Trojans?
00:39:29Oh, no, not that one.
00:39:31The Austin's still got a bit of mileage in it.
00:39:35And the standard should last another week or so.
00:39:43All right.
00:39:44I'll take the standard.
00:39:46Cash.
00:39:47Wow!
00:39:48First time I ever knew anyone with a title who could pay cash.
00:39:52I'll just get a watch, then.
00:39:54Now, will someone please tell me what's going on?
00:39:58Roger Balsamton, French.
00:40:00I'm on the track.
00:40:02Merroway Court belongs to his brother,
00:40:04and he lives there with him and his American wife.
00:40:07Whose wife?
00:40:08The brother's, of course.
00:40:10The point is, how have I gotten one mile away into the household?
00:40:14Why you?
00:40:15Why not me? Or both of us?
00:40:17Because, my dear child, Bearsington French knows you,
00:40:20and he doesn't know me from Adam.
00:40:22And I'm in a frightfully strong position because I've got a title.
00:40:26Very useful things, titles.
00:40:28George and I have been down to the village, had a look round.
00:40:31Strangers arriving there would simply stick for miles,
00:40:34so we've evolved a plan.
00:40:36Who has?
00:40:38Me and George.
00:40:40Now, this is what's going to happen.
00:40:45♪
00:41:14Are you actually going to sell this to someone?
00:41:16All it needs is a bit of work.
00:41:19It needs a new engine, a new gearbox, four new tyres and some brakes.
00:41:23Let's hope the law of gravity still holds good
00:41:25and it gets down the hill of its own volition.
00:41:28Frankie, are you sure you know what you're doing?
00:41:31It's all beautifully planned, I told you.
00:41:34George, off you go.
00:41:45You're looking very pale, Frankie.
00:41:47Are you sure you're all right?
00:41:49I made up pale.
00:41:50Wouldn't want me carried into the house blooming with health.
00:41:53Now, look, this is what you have to do.
00:41:55When George waves his handkerchief and I wave mine, start her off.
00:41:58I'll stay on the running board until the pace gets too hot
00:42:01and then I'll jump off.
00:42:03Don't hurt yourself.
00:42:05Oh, I shall be extremely careful not to.
00:42:07It might complicate matters to have a real accident
00:42:10on the spot of a faked one.
00:42:13Right, he's there.
00:42:15My turn.
00:42:17Oh, by the way, I better not write to you direct.
00:42:20I'll write to George or my maid and get them to pass it on.
00:42:23Frankie, look after yourself.
00:42:27I mean, don't do anything foolish.
00:42:29I'll write to George or my maid and get them to pass it on.
00:42:32Frankie, look after yourself.
00:42:35I mean, don't do anything foolish.
00:43:29Oh, my God!
00:44:00Shall I roll around a bit and make myself dusty?
00:44:03You might as well. Here, give me your hand.
00:44:05Ow!
00:44:07Concussum!
00:44:09Bye, doggo.
00:44:15Oh!
00:44:17Oh, has there been an accident?
00:44:19No, a young lady ran her car into the wall on purpose.
00:44:22Oh!
00:44:24Oh!
00:44:26Oh!
00:44:28Oh, has there been an accident?
00:44:30No, a young lady ran her car into the wall on purpose.
00:44:33Is she dead? Not yet.
00:44:35She must be taken somewhere at once. I'm a doctor.
00:44:37What is this place? Merroway Court.
00:44:39Belongs to Mr Bassington French.
00:44:41You take her legs, I'll take her head.
00:44:58Oh!
00:45:20Has there been an accident?
00:45:22Is there a room I can carry this lady into?
00:45:24She needs to be attended to at once.
00:45:29Shall I call a doctor? I am a doctor.
00:45:31I happened to be passing in my car and saw the accident occur.
00:45:34Ah, in here.
00:45:36Is she badly hurt? I can't really tell till I've examined her.
00:45:47I'll be in the hall if you want me.
00:45:49She looks terribly pale, poor child.
00:45:53Oh!
00:46:03George, darling, this won't blight your career, will it?
00:46:06I mean, it won't strike you off the register or anything like that, will it?
00:46:09Probably. If it ever comes out that it...
00:46:11I won't let it. Don't worry, George. I shan't let you down.
00:46:15By the by, you'd better be a Christian scientist.
00:46:17Christian scientist?
00:46:19Well, we don't want any other doctor examining you, do we?
00:46:22Oh, George, you think of everything.
00:46:24Now, you will be careful.
00:46:26I shall be most circumspect.
00:46:29You've got me into the enemy camp.
00:46:31Bless you. Now it's up to me.
00:46:37I don't know whether it's the bang on the head or what it is,
00:46:40but I just don't want to move.
00:46:43I could lie here for days and days.
00:46:46I could lie here for days and days.
00:46:49Well, I wish you would. It gets lonely here sometimes.
00:46:54Tommy! Play quietly.
00:46:57Poor Lady Frances will never recover with you making all that noise.
00:47:00Lady Frances is malingering.
00:47:02Actually, it's marvellous to see him playing and enjoying himself.
00:47:06He's had so many accidents recently.
00:47:09Last winter, he nearly drowned,
00:47:11and then this spring, he fell from his swing.
00:47:14Roger was... My brother-in-law was terribly upset
00:47:17because he was swinging him at the time.
00:47:20You know, pushing him up high the way children love.
00:47:22Well, he certainly looks splendid now.
00:47:24Henry doesn't like him playing with the local children,
00:47:26but there's no-one in his name who never did me any harm.
00:47:29Quite the contrary.
00:47:31Well, I know we're overprotective, but he is the only child.
00:47:34The son and heir.
00:47:36It's understandable.
00:47:38If anything were to happen to Tommy...
00:47:40Nothing will happen to Tommy.
00:47:42Oh, Roger.
00:47:46Lady Frances, may I present the Black Sheep family.
00:47:49My brother-in-law, Roger.
00:47:51Roger, this is Lady Frances, to win.
00:47:53Who made such a marked impression on the park walk.
00:47:55Oh, Roger! Roger!
00:47:56Roger, you're back!
00:47:58And you brought my fort.
00:48:00Tommy, how many times have I told you, you mustn't ask for things.
00:48:02Nonsense. Promise is a promise, isn't it, old chap?
00:48:05Well, don't you worry. I've got your fort,
00:48:07and your cowboys, and your Indians.
00:48:09They're all in the hall. Off you go.
00:48:12Oh, Roger, you spoil him.
00:48:14Henry, I'm there.
00:48:16You're back, then.
00:48:18Are you joining us for tea?
00:48:20Tea?
00:48:22No, I don't want any tea.
00:48:24The watch must have stopped. What time is it?
00:48:27Ten to four.
00:48:28It can't be.
00:48:29I promise you, it is.
00:48:31For God's sake, tell those children to go home.
00:48:36It was getting chilly anyway. I'll just close the window.
00:48:39I must go back to my study.
00:48:41Do some accounts.
00:48:43Damned head gardener thinks I'm a fool.
00:48:45I have offered to do the accounts for you.
00:48:47How thought of use you'd be, here today and gone tomorrow.
00:48:53I'm sorry about...
00:48:55It must be very boring for him, my butting in like this.
00:48:58Henry doesn't mind that.
00:49:00Henry doesn't mind anything these days.
00:49:02I'll go and have a word with him.
00:49:04Roger, I'm glad you're back.
00:49:10Steady on, old chap.
00:49:12Is that the afternoon post?
00:49:14Yes, sir.
00:49:15How many times do I have to tell you to bring it straight to me?
00:49:18Very good, sir.
00:49:19Put that lot on my desk. I'll deal with them later.
00:49:40Dad!
00:49:42Oh, Bobby!
00:49:44Is that you?
00:49:49What are you doing here?
00:49:51Had to come up to sort out that dreadful mess about the new hymn books.
00:49:54I ordered three dozen in red Morocco.
00:49:56And that fool Lewis sends me two dozen black.
00:50:02How are you, Dad?
00:50:04Is everything all right?
00:50:06Everything is not all right.
00:50:08That young woman who has taken your place,
00:50:10only temporarily, I trust,
00:50:12doesn't seem to appreciate the fact that congregations like ours
00:50:15like their hymns taken at a leisurely pace.
00:50:19Onward Christian Soldiers may have been written
00:50:21to help a group of small children to climb a hill,
00:50:24but there's no reason why she should attack it in quite such a vigorous manner.
00:50:29Oh, good morning, Vicar.
00:50:32Oh, good morning, Vicar.
00:50:36Good morning, Badger.
00:50:41I trust the venture prospers?
00:50:44We sold three cars in five days.
00:50:46Only one was brought back.
00:50:48Bloke said we must have given it an injection or something
00:50:51to get it going in the first place.
00:50:54Remarkable.
00:51:02How are you keeping yourself, my boy?
00:51:04No more trouble, Dad, if that's what you mean.
00:51:06Oh, talking of which, a friend of yours was kindly inquiring for you.
00:51:09A friend?
00:51:11A tall, stooping man with very strong glasses.
00:51:14He stopped me just as I was going into the vestry.
00:51:17He seemed most anxious to know how you were.
00:51:19I gave him your address.
00:51:21I expect he'll be looking you up soon.
00:51:23When was this, Dad?
00:51:25Just a few days ago.
00:51:27Would you like a cup of tea, Vicar?
00:51:29If you'll excuse me, I think I must catch the 12.40 from Paddington.
00:51:37Take care of yourself, my boy.
00:51:39And you, Dad.
00:51:41You play a very good game.
00:51:43No, I don't.
00:51:45I'm too lazy to practice, but it's kind of you to say so.
00:51:48Lady Frances.
00:51:50Oh, please. Please call me Frankie. Everyone does.
00:51:53You'll think I'm quite mad, I know.
00:51:55After all, I barely know you.
00:51:58But I do feel I have to speak to someone about Henry.
00:52:01And I feel I know instinctively I can trust you.
00:52:05Do you think who, Sean?
00:52:07Last night I caught you watching him.
00:52:09You see what I see, don't you?
00:52:11The abrupt changes of mood, his appearance, the eyes.
00:52:15Yes. Yes, I have noticed.
00:52:18It's morphia.
00:52:20I'm sure it's morphia.
00:52:22Or some sort of opium.
00:52:24Morphia?
00:52:26I first noticed it about six months ago.
00:52:30He was complaining of sleeplessness a good deal.
00:52:33How he first came to get the wretched stuff, I don't know.
00:52:36But I think it began then.
00:52:38How does he get hold of it?
00:52:40By post. I'm almost certain.
00:52:42Like yesterday, for instance.
00:52:44You saw how he was at tea time.
00:52:47Something arrived in the afternoon post.
00:52:50By dinner time, he was a different man.
00:52:53Oh, Roger.
00:52:55Where does it come from?
00:52:57I know one thing.
00:52:59No reputable doctor would let him have it.
00:53:02Why are you telling me this?
00:53:04I don't know what to do about Sylvia.
00:53:06You think she doesn't know?
00:53:08Either she doesn't know or she doesn't want to know.
00:53:13If any, he'd consent to go for a cure.
00:53:16There's a place quite near here, actually,
00:53:18run by a Dr Nicholson, Canadian, a very clever man.
00:53:22Henry likes him, too.
00:53:25My, you two look as if you've been very energetic.
00:53:27Three sets, and I lost every one.
00:53:30I hope you haven't let him tire you out.
00:53:32I thought we might make up a party.
00:53:34Ask the Nicholsons over.
00:53:36You'd like Maureen Nicholson. She's a pretty little thing, isn't she, Sylvia?
00:53:39Well, men seem to think so.
00:53:41Judge for yourself.
00:53:44She has the most appealing eyes.
00:53:46That's exactly what Alan Carstairs said.
00:53:49Someone who came down here a few weeks ago was some friends of ours.
00:53:52He seemed quite smitten by her, didn't he?
00:53:54Looks a little sad.
00:53:55It's hardly surprising.
00:53:57Living in a sanatorium surrounded by depressives and drug addicts can't be much of a life.
00:54:01Either she worships her husband or she's scared to death of him.
00:54:04I can never make out which.
00:54:05He's a very forceful man.
00:54:07You don't like him?
00:54:09No, I don't like him.
00:54:11I don't like him at all.
00:54:12Two loads of morphia turning up within days of each other can't be a coincidence.
00:54:16But that would mean that Bassington French would have had to be around in Wales
00:54:20on the very day Bobby was poisoned.
00:54:22When was it exactly?
00:54:23Let me think.
00:54:25Tuesday I lunch with the Parkinson's and Wednesday was the first night of that new review.
00:54:29That was the 16th. It must have been the 16th.
00:54:31All you have to do is find out where Roger was on the 16th.
00:54:35Oh, that's going to be very easy, isn't it?
00:54:37Look, that run on the Black 7,
00:54:41bring the two across and you'll clear the King of...
00:54:44Oh, I'm sorry.
00:54:46It's maddening, isn't it?
00:54:47Quite maddening.
00:54:50When you smile, are you sure we haven't met before?
00:54:53Recently, quite recently.
00:54:55Wasn't it that party of Lady Shane's at Claridge's, the 16th it was?
00:54:59Oh, he couldn't have been there.
00:55:01The 16th was Tommy's birthday.
00:55:03They had the most ghastly children's party.
00:55:05If I'd have got through it without Roger, I just don't know.
00:55:08Besides, if I had met you before, I should never have forgotten.
00:55:11That's the extraordinary thing about this place.
00:55:14When nothing happens most of the time, the most trivial things become memorable.
00:55:18Well, if you think this is quiet, you should try Wales.
00:55:21Mind you, we do have the odd bit of excitement.
00:55:23We had a man fall off the cliff last month.
00:55:25We were all thrilled to the core.
00:55:27Rotten for him, of course, but it did give us something to talk about.
00:55:30Was that a place called Marchbowl?
00:55:32Yes, that's right.
00:55:33We live seven miles from there.
00:55:35What an extraordinary coincidence.
00:55:37That must have been your man, Roger.
00:55:39Your man?
00:55:41I was actually in at the death.
00:55:43Stayed with the body till the police arrived.
00:55:45What were you doing there?
00:55:47He had some absurd idea of buying a house down there.
00:55:49It's not absurd at all.
00:55:51I shall settle down someday.
00:55:53When you do, settle down near us, not in Wales.
00:55:57Didn't turn out to be suicide or anything, did it?
00:55:59Oh, no, it was all painfully above board.
00:56:03Didn't you see his picture in the paper?
00:56:06I really don't remember.
00:56:08I think I've got a cutting in my bag.
00:56:11Must have been awfully handsome, this Alex Pritchard.
00:56:15Before he was dead, I mean.
00:56:18Oh, yes, I remember.
00:56:20He looks a bit like Alan Carstairs. I said so at the time.
00:56:22There is a look of him about it, I agree.
00:56:24There is no real resemblance, you know.
00:56:26Alan Carstairs? I've heard that name before somewhere.
00:56:29Perhaps he was at Lady Shane's on the 16th.
00:56:34Oh, he's quite a celebrity in his own way.
00:56:36He's a Canadian.
00:56:38A naturalist, a big game hunter, an explorer.
00:56:41Not that I know him all that well.
00:56:43He was down here with some friends of ours, the Rivingtons, for lunch one day.
00:56:46Very attractive man.
00:56:48And he fell in love with Maura Nicholson?
00:56:50With her photograph, yes.
00:56:53It was his first time in this country, I believe.
00:56:55Last year he'd been on tour through Africa with that millionaire man John...
00:56:58Savage.
00:57:00You know, the one who thought he had cancer and killed himself.
00:57:03Funny.
00:57:05Yeah, Alan Carstairs, looking so like that man who fell over the cliff at Marchburg.
00:57:14That's Dr Nicholson.
00:57:16I thought they were coming to play tennis this afternoon.
00:57:19Well, they said they were.
00:57:36My dear Sylvia, I'm the bearer of sad tidings.
00:57:40Maura has a slight migraine.
00:57:42I'm afraid we won't be able to make up a set this afternoon.
00:57:44Oh, my guest will be very disappointed.
00:57:46May I introduce Lady Frances Derwin?
00:57:48Lady Frances, Dr Jasper Nicholson.
00:57:50How do you do?
00:57:51Lady Frances has created quite a stir in the district.
00:57:54I have?
00:57:56Earl's daughter survives unorthodox arrival at Merroway Court.
00:58:03You know, there was one thing that intrigued me.
00:58:06Yes?
00:58:08There was a doctor who was passing.
00:58:10The one who brought you in here.
00:58:12He must have had a most curious character.
00:58:14To turn his car around before going to the rescue.
00:58:19Sorry, I don't understand.
00:58:22Well, young...
00:58:24Young Reeves, the messenger boy,
00:58:26he came from Staveley on his bicycle
00:58:28and no car passed him.
00:58:30Yet he comes round the corner,
00:58:32finds the smash,
00:58:34with the doctor's car pointing in the same direction
00:58:36as he's going towards London.
00:58:39You see the point.
00:58:43Good morning, Dr Nicholson.
00:58:45Good morning, Thomas.
00:58:47Have you got tea by thought?
00:58:48Oh, not today, I'm afraid, young man.
00:58:50Sounds most impressive.
00:58:51I look forward to hearing all about it
00:58:53when you come to tea tomorrow.
00:58:55Tea?
00:58:57Oh, Thomas has made an assignation with my wife,
00:58:59didn't he tell you?
00:59:02Tommy, have you been inviting yourself again?
00:59:05No, of course he hasn't.
00:59:08And I'll show you the rabbits.
00:59:10Shall we say 3.30?
00:59:12Oh, thank you, Dr Nicholson.
00:59:14I'll drive him over myself.
00:59:17Fine.
00:59:19Bye.
00:59:29Bye.
00:59:39He's fond of children.
00:59:41He says he's not, but that Tommy's special.
00:59:45I suppose he came to Tommy's birthday party then.
00:59:48Oh, no, he was away that weekend.
00:59:50Dear Bobby,
00:59:52I think it's about time you came down.
00:59:54Get a chauffeur's livery, ours are always dark green,
00:59:56and put it down to Father's account at Harrods.
00:59:59I hope you have the moustache under control
01:00:01and remember your name is Hawkins.
01:00:03It's all right, no one will ever recognize you,
01:00:05people just don't look at chauffeurs.
01:00:07Come down here and ask for me.
01:00:10You'll have to put up at the pub
01:00:12and get what local information you can there,
01:00:14particularly about a Dr Nicholson
01:00:16who runs a place for dope fiends.
01:00:18Several suspicious circumstances about him,
01:00:21like he owns a dark green Talbot saloon,
01:00:23was away from home on the 16th when your beer was doctored,
01:00:26and is altogether far too interested in my accident.
01:00:30Au revoir, my fellow sleuth.
01:00:32Love from your successfully concussed Frankie.
01:00:36Oh, and P.S.
01:00:38I think I've identified the corpse.
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