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deaddogsdam
  • 5 days ago
First broadcast 3rd January 2010.

When a vicar chokes to death on a cocktail while attending a party held by actor Sir Charles Cartwright, Poirot initially dismisses the idea of murder.

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
Martin Shaw as Sir Charles Cartwright
Kimberley Nixon as Egg
Art Malik as Sir Bartholomew Strange
Suzanne Bertish as Miss Milray
Anastasia Hille as Cynthia Dacres
Ronan Vibert as Captain Dacres
Kate Ashfield as Miss Wills
Jane Asher as Lady Mary
Anna Carteret as Mrs Babbington
Nigel Pegram as Reverend Babbington
Tom Wisdom as Oliver Manders
Michael Hobbs as Coroner
Jodie McNee as Annie
James Hurran as French Boy
Tony Maudsley as Superintendent Crossfield
Prue Clarke as Matron
David Yelland as George
Kimberly Stewart as Doris

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00:00You
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00:01:02Ready enough?
00:01:03Go, Babs!
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00:01:27What's that one?
00:01:28Oh, it's called an anchor bend, surprisingly.
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00:02:51Hello, managed to find your way around.
00:03:03Ahoy there.
00:03:04Charlie.
00:03:05Moreau, you've arrived.
00:03:08Merci.
00:03:09Now, my guess is you're in the entertainment business too.
00:03:13No, no, no, monsieur.
00:03:14I am a spectator merely.
00:03:16You've been down here before?
00:03:18No.
00:03:19No, I was introduced to Sir Charles at the bridge party.
00:03:22Oh, it is now many years.
00:03:25And you, monsieur, you've known him for a long time also?
00:03:27Ah, yes.
00:03:28We were at Oxford together.
00:03:29Henry, why do you think he has retired?
00:03:31Well, chaise la femme.
00:03:33Oh, through, that's all I'll say.
00:03:34Nolly, welcome.
00:03:36Good to see you.
00:03:37My dear Charles.
00:03:41I'm so glad you two have finally met.
00:03:44My two best friends in all the world.
00:03:47Good afternoon, Sir Charles.
00:03:49Gentlemen.
00:03:51Here is the menu for dinner.
00:03:53Before sailing, it was racing cars, remember?
00:03:55I'll read that car.
00:03:57What next?
00:03:58Hot air balloons?
00:03:59If you will excuse me, Sir Charles, it might be a good idea were I to dine with you tonight.
00:04:05Well, that would be lovely.
00:04:06Otherwise, we shall have an odd number of males and females at table.
00:04:10I'm glad you agree.
00:04:11Gentlemen.
00:04:14Remarkable specimen.
00:04:15How long have you had her?
00:04:16Six years.
00:04:17First in London, then here.
00:04:18Runs a place like Clockwork.
00:04:20Now the bloody woman wants to leave.
00:04:23Leaving?
00:04:23Why?
00:04:24She says she has an invalid mother.
00:04:26Sounds unlikely to me.
00:04:28I'd be very surprised if Miss Milray had biological parents of her.
00:04:32Let's go.
00:04:32He says she has a good one.
00:04:33He says she has a good one.
00:04:34Oh, I think she has a good one.
00:04:35Well, it's all right.
00:04:36I think she has a good one.
00:04:37Je te remercie for your invitation.
00:04:47This is a spot most beautiful.
00:04:51So tell to me, if you please, who are to be the other guests?
00:04:54Yes, come on, Charlie.
00:04:55Who are the figures in this drama?
00:04:57A dramatist persona, eh?
00:04:59Very well.
00:05:01Down from London are Captain and Mrs. Dacus.
00:05:06Cynthia.
00:05:07Is, in fact, Ambrosine of Bond Street.
00:05:10Not the dressmaker that he's a celebrity.
00:05:14That's it.
00:05:16Whilst Bakers, once a trochey himself, is now something of a flat-racing fanatic.
00:05:24Who else?
00:05:26Also from London is the up-and-coming playwright, Anthony Astor.
00:05:31Oh, splendid.
00:05:34Does this London lot know the others who are coming?
00:05:37No.
00:05:37Why should they?
00:05:39My algenue tonight will be Miss Littengore.
00:05:43Egg Littengore.
00:05:46Accompanied by her mother, Lady Mary, the genuine article.
00:05:50Long-run breeding, short on cash.
00:05:52Then there are the Babingtons.
00:05:56Nothing very notable there, but protocol demands, et cetera, are best to have for the parson along.
00:06:02Then last, and in every way least, the young squib, Oliver Manders.
00:06:12The villain of the piece.
00:06:14Let's just say he's a little bit devious.
00:06:17Accompanied by the chip on his shoulder.
00:06:21Never goes anywhere without it.
00:06:23And that is my cast.
00:06:25But we must not forget Mademoiselle Milray, who she is also to join us.
00:06:30How could one forget Miss Milray, the spectre at the feast?
00:06:34This is, um, Captain Dacus.
00:06:45And the very beautiful Cynthia Dacus.
00:06:47For many years, madame, I have admired your creations.
00:06:52Formidable.
00:06:53How penetrating of you.
00:06:55Any chance of a drink, old boy?
00:06:57I'm just about to make some cocktails.
00:07:00As soon as the others arrive.
00:07:02Any tips for Goodwood?
00:07:04Dacus, you're a man of the turf, I hear.
00:07:08What else do you know?
00:07:09I beg your pardon.
00:07:11What else has she told him?
00:07:12Who, man?
00:07:13Her.
00:07:17Well, I'm not ashamed of my profession.
00:07:23Not one bit.
00:07:25There may well be minors in Steve at all and so forth whose budget does not stretch to Goodtuna.
00:07:29But if any woman is misguided enough to marry, that, as they say, is her lookout.
00:07:40Mambo, sorry, who is that lady?
00:07:43Oh, that's Antony Astor.
00:07:45The playwright.
00:07:46Her real name is Muriel Wills.
00:07:51Oh, here come the locals.
00:07:54Oh, you're here.
00:07:57Good evening.
00:07:58Vicar.
00:07:59Come in, come in.
00:08:01Drinks.
00:08:02Ah-ha, Skipper.
00:08:03Oh, this is Mambo's a little gore, huh?
00:08:06Who calls herself something amusant.
00:08:08Egg.
00:08:09Don't ask me why.
00:08:12Boiled, I like to think.
00:08:13Have a cocktail, egg.
00:08:17Cheers.
00:08:19I say, Sir Charles, you do know some very reactionary people.
00:08:27People are people.
00:08:28I'm not political.
00:08:30Oliver's not political either.
00:08:32He just went to the Eastland once by mistake and had a road to Damascus moment.
00:08:36You of all people actually know how degrading poverty is.
00:08:38No, I say steady.
00:08:40It's all right.
00:08:41I can fend for myself.
00:08:50Oh, do I dare?
00:08:52Go on, ma'am.
00:08:54Show Mr. Manders were not completely ground down by the iron heel of capitalism.
00:08:58I think I might have one, too, if my wife permits.
00:09:02May I have my annual drink, dear?
00:09:04Theodore is exactly as he likes, is he?
00:09:08Do come and meet a friend of mine who is actually a detective.
00:09:12A real one?
00:09:13A real one.
00:09:13Stay slightly and...
00:09:15It's a cocktail, Stephen, not a pint of mine.
00:09:18It's not.
00:09:19Oh, Mr. Babington!
00:09:21Stephen!
00:09:22What's happened, idiot?
00:09:23Oh, God.
00:09:26Stephen, what is it?
00:09:27Is you all right, Tolly?
00:09:28Talk to me.
00:09:29Stephen!
00:09:34No, I'm sorry.
00:09:36He's not.
00:09:38He's dead.
00:09:39What?
00:09:39Oh, my God.
00:09:41Stephen!
00:09:42Stephen, please!
00:09:43You ever see anyone die like that, Tolly?
00:09:53I'm a psychologist.
00:09:54I don't see people die much at all.
00:09:57A nerve specialist tries rather hard to keep his patients alive.
00:10:00Something is out of joint.
00:10:01I can't put my finger on it.
00:10:04What if he was murdered?
00:10:06Murdered?
00:10:07Who'd want to murder a harmless old clergyman?
00:10:10What if he wasn't harmless?
00:10:11Look, Charlie, you're a thundering good chap, but you do let your imagination run away with
00:10:15you sometimes.
00:10:17Look, Poirot, you're a crime expert.
00:10:20Do you think anything untoward happened here tonight?
00:10:23We're planning to get that glass, his glass, chemically analyzed.
00:10:27Yeah, we can do no harm.
00:10:28Yes, and what do you think will be the results?
00:10:31Well, all I can do is to guess, Sir Bartholomew, and my guess it is that they will find the
00:10:34remains of a dry martini most excellent.
00:10:37To poison a man with a cocktail, one of many handed around on a tray, it is a technique
00:10:41très difficile.
00:10:43So, what do you think happened?
00:10:45All I know, Sir Bartholomew, is that he was taken ill most suddenly.
00:10:49Measure me perhaps the inquest it will reveal to us, huh?
00:10:52I find nothing to indicate foul play of any kind.
00:10:55No trace of poison in his glass, no sign of any wounding.
00:10:59I conclude that the decease of the Reverend Stephen Babington was occasioned solely by
00:11:03natural causes.
00:11:05Natural causes?
00:11:07What a lot of tripe.
00:11:08That coroner should be struck off at once.
00:11:10But the vicar is elderly, mademoiselle, and his health, it is not so good.
00:11:13Oh, he had a touch of arthritis, nothing more.
00:11:16He should have lived till he was 90.
00:11:17Did you know him well, this Monsieur Babington?
00:11:20Yes.
00:11:20He was a sweet man, a devout Christian, and never unkind to anybody.
00:11:26They had a son, you know, Robin.
00:11:28Actually, I used to have rather a passion for Robin.
00:11:30And Robin is?
00:11:32He's, well, in India.
00:11:35So, you see, I feel rather strongly about this.
00:11:39Supposing it wasn't natural causes?
00:11:41Michelle, there was nothing in that cocktail glass but vermouth and gin.
00:11:45It is proof.
00:11:46Oh, yes, yes, but it's still damned odd.
00:11:48I mean, the Babingtons had an enemy in the world, and yet why would he just keel over and die?
00:11:53I'm going to find Sir Charles and give him a piece of my mind.
00:11:59I suppose he's had loads of affairs, has he?
00:12:02Mademoiselle, je suis désolée, but it is not...
00:12:04It's all right.
00:12:05I like a man to have had affairs.
00:12:07It shows he's properly red-blooded.
00:12:09Unlike him.
00:12:10But I thought the two of you, you were friends.
00:12:14Yes.
00:12:15He's gone into his uncle's office in the city, and, well, he's getting a bit oily, if you know what I mean.
00:12:20He just wants to get rich, which I find odd, as he's always saying he's a communist.
00:12:25But then, I find most people rather disgusting when it comes to money.
00:12:30Oh, mademoiselle.
00:12:31So many people are disgusting about so many things.
00:12:53I'm going to say goodnight, Poirot.
00:12:55I've got an early morning train to catch.
00:12:57Will you return to London, Monsieur Le Doctor?
00:13:01No, I'm going to Yorkshire.
00:13:04I have a private clinic up there.
00:13:06I hope we meet under better cirques next time.
00:13:09We take care.
00:13:09Charlie, when you two leave, I shall be quite alone.
00:13:14I'm sure you will find some attractive company.
00:13:17No, I'm an old man, Charlie.
00:13:20Hair grows out of my ears.
00:13:22Fifteen years ago, perhaps, but now I think I'm deluding myself.
00:13:29Damned nice, though, she is.
00:13:34I'm thinking of selling up, actually.
00:13:36Are we?
00:13:38Well, then we may resume our weekly lunches at the Ritz.
00:13:41No, I mean to get away.
00:13:43To where?
00:13:43I bought the Riviera.
00:13:48Monte Carlo.
00:13:49Ah.
00:13:51I make the visit to Monte Carlo each year.
00:13:53No.
00:13:54Where do you stay at the Majestic, isn't it?
00:13:56Naturally, ma'am.
00:13:57Excellent.
00:13:59I need something to take my mind off this awful murder.
00:14:05But then you don't think it is murder, do you, Poirot?
00:14:08Well, I do not wish to disappoint you, mon ami,
00:14:10but I do not see how it could be.
00:14:12No, well, anyway.
00:14:14I do not mean to stay in Cornwall a moment longer.
00:14:37The rest of God I have never come to the wretched place.
00:14:43Oh, my goodness.
00:14:47There must be some money in psychology.
00:14:50Yes, monst, but why has he invited us here?
00:14:51We barely know them.
00:14:53Oh, it takes me back to my younger days.
00:14:55The shooting parties.
00:14:57The balls.
00:14:58Of course, not an idiot.
00:15:00I received an invitation, that's all.
00:15:02Good morning, Cynthia.
00:15:03First sign of a white coat.
00:15:04I'm making a dash for it.
00:15:05Oh, my goodness.
00:15:06Oh, my goodness.
00:15:07What's your name?
00:15:07Oh, my goodness.
00:15:08Oh, my goodness.
00:15:09Welcome.
00:15:10Thank you so much.
00:15:14Good evening.
00:15:16Straight through, straight through.
00:15:31Ahem.
00:15:44That was a very fine meal, Sir Bartholomew.
00:15:50One found the Mirai especially captivating.
00:15:53You don't stint on the fire, Walter, as well, I'm pleased to say.
00:15:59My dear.
00:16:00Good night.
00:16:01And, um, you shall be clear, Marge.
00:16:04As by Jove, yes, dear.
00:16:15Serve the cheese now, Alice, would you?
00:16:28Oliver!
00:16:30My God, Mattis, what happened?
00:16:32Bad smash, I'm afraid.
00:16:34I've been up in Cumberland for the shooting.
00:16:36I was on my way back to London when I lost control of my machine.
00:16:39Bit of luck, I was right outside your house, Sir Bartholomew.
00:16:41I'll say.
00:16:42Shall I pull the poets on?
00:16:44Er, er, yes, thank you.
00:16:46Is this where your sanatorium is?
00:16:47Yes, in the grounds.
00:16:49Oh, tucked away.
00:16:51What caused the crash?
00:16:53I think I had an oil slick, ploughed into your wall.
00:16:56Sorry about the medieval masonry and all that.
00:16:59It's an extremely tall tale, these manners.
00:17:03However, we drink to your miraculous escape.
00:17:07As a matter of fact, I'm very fortunate to have you amongst the company, amongst my good friends from Cornwall and London, for the reason that I have something remarkable to reveal.
00:17:21I'm only sorry Charlie Cartwright can't be here. He'd relish it.
00:17:25Why can't he?
00:17:26He's in the south of France.
00:17:28What a pity.
00:17:29Now, ladies and gentlemen, it has recently been brought to my attention that one of you...
00:17:37Oh, no!
00:17:38Help! Help! Help! Somebody get some help!
00:17:44Help! Help! Somebody get some help!
00:17:46Let's go to the left of the blue train.
00:18:00Let's go to Monte Carlo.
00:18:03Let's go.
00:18:16Be cheerful, sir.
00:18:40Our revels now are ending.
00:18:42You are with me.
00:18:44You are with me, monsieur.
00:18:46A muse to have a tomb of love.
00:18:47No, no, no, madame.
00:18:48She won't be here.
00:18:49No, no, no, it's Westash.
00:18:50No, no, no.
00:18:51It's Westash.
00:18:52No, no, no.
00:18:53Poor uncle.
00:18:54Sir Charles, get surprised.
00:18:56In heavens, I found you.
00:18:57Look at this.
00:19:00I love you.
00:19:01Oh, yes.
00:19:03I regret to announce the death of Sir Bartholomew Strange,
00:19:06the eminent nurse specialist.
00:19:08His demise occurred suddenly at the end of a dinner party.
00:19:11He was drinking a glass of port when he had a sudden seizure
00:19:15and died before medical aid could be summoned.
00:19:17A glass of port?
00:19:19Now, will you take me seriously?
00:19:25We must return to England tootsweet.
00:19:29Dear Sir Charles, I'm so worried.
00:19:31You'll have seen in the papers that Sir Bartholomew is dead.
00:19:34Well, he died in just the same way as poor Mr. Babington.
00:19:39Also, I'm worried about someone else.
00:19:41My friend Oliver.
00:19:43He's acting rather strangely.
00:19:45I can't explain it all in a letter.
00:19:47But you could find out the truth.
00:19:49I know you could.
00:19:52Do you come back.
00:19:53Egg.
00:20:06May I say what a pleasure it is to see you again, Sir Charles?
00:20:08No, thank you, George.
00:20:09I hope you have enjoyed your time in France.
00:20:11Splendid, thank you.
00:20:12Merci, George.
00:20:14Now, let us see who else was present at the death of Dr. Strange, huh?
00:20:20Ah, ici.
00:20:22Sir Bartholomew Strange is having his usual party for the st. leisure.
00:20:26Among the guests are Lord and Lady Cardigan, Lady Mary Littangore,
00:20:31Captain and Mrs. Dacors, and Miss M. Wills.
00:20:36Seduction after dark.
00:20:39I beg your pardon?
00:20:40Yes.
00:20:41That was the play written by Mlle Wills.
00:20:43Oui, but there is no mention of Monsieur Oliver Manders,
00:20:46and it was Mlle Legge herself who suggested that he also was there.
00:20:51Tell to me about Merford Amby.
00:20:53Well, Tolly bought it a few years back for a song and restored it
00:20:57and put up a sanatorium, nursing home, whatever you want to call it.
00:21:01Not house, basically.
00:21:03I've got to find out what happened.
00:21:09Someone has murdered my friend.
00:21:13I'd better get off to Yorkshire.
00:21:17I know the Troop Constable quite well.
00:21:19One moment, my friend.
00:21:21In Cornwall, I felt you to be guilty of overstating the case
00:21:25because I just found it incredible that such a gentleman who was old and harmless
00:21:32should die a death anything that was but natural.
00:21:36But now we have another death in circumstances very similar,
00:21:39and Hercule Poirot, he must admit an error.
00:21:43And so, if you permit,
00:21:46I myself, Hercule Poirot, will make the investigation, won't we?
00:21:50Hercule Poirot will travel to Yorkshire.
00:21:52That's very handsome of you, won't it take up your time?
00:21:55What is time in the face of death?
00:22:13See, you've changed your shoes.
00:22:15Yes, I always start with the feet.
00:22:19Come on.
00:22:20With the shoes.
00:22:22Get the walk right.
00:22:24And the costume.
00:22:26And before you know it,
00:22:28you've got a character.
00:22:29Ah, oui, d'accord.
00:22:30D'accord.
00:22:31Welcome to Yorkshire, gents.
00:22:41Sorry about the weather, but some of us like it.
00:22:42I was expecting Fred Johnson.
00:22:45The chief constable's away.
00:22:46I'm stood in.
00:22:47Name's Crossfield.
00:22:48I may as well say right off.
00:22:52I don't hold with amateurs coming up from London telling me my business.
00:22:55Oh, superintendent, if you permit.
00:22:56We are here because of the death of Bartholomew Strange.
00:23:05Doctor Strange.
00:23:06Doctor Strange?
00:23:07You were highly spoke of round here.
00:23:09But I'm afraid to say it looks like you were murdered.
00:23:11There's not to indicate suicide.
00:23:13Tolly would never kill himself.
00:23:14Friend of yours, sir?
00:23:15Very much so, yes.
00:23:16You look oddly familiar.
00:23:18Anyway, there's nothing for you to do here.
00:23:20We're pretty sure that the butler's our man.
00:23:22New chap.
00:23:23I'm not sure that the butler's our man.
00:23:24New chap.
00:23:25I'm not sure.
00:23:26I'm not sure.
00:23:27I'm not sure.
00:23:28I'm not sure.
00:23:29I'm not sure.
00:23:30I'm not sure.
00:23:31I'm not sure.
00:23:32I'm not sure.
00:23:33I'm not sure.
00:23:34I'm not sure.
00:23:35I'm not sure.
00:23:36Anyway, there's nothing for you to do here.
00:23:38We're pretty sure that the butler's our man.
00:23:41New chap.
00:23:44Strange had only had him for a fortnight.
00:23:46Morning after the crime, he disappears, vanishes into thin air.
00:23:49Where'd he come from?
00:23:50Any idea?
00:23:51Oh, yes.
00:23:52His name is Ellis.
00:23:55Gave a London agency a reference from a previous employer,
00:24:00Sir Horace Byrd, Holland Park.
00:24:02And have you spoken with Sir Horace?
00:24:04I'd be happy to.
00:24:05Only he's away in East Africa on safari.
00:24:07So these references, they could...
00:24:09Well, they're forged, obviously, Poirot.
00:24:11Anybody can see that.
00:24:13And the houseguests?
00:24:14They are to be called as witnesses?
00:24:16We have asked them to stay on, yes.
00:24:18Can we have a look around Melford, Abbey?
00:24:19No, you can't.
00:24:20Now, look.
00:24:21I'm very pally with Fred Johnson.
00:24:24We used to play polo together in India.
00:24:26I'm...
00:24:27Hang about.
00:24:29Aren't you Sir Charles Cartwright?
00:24:31At your service.
00:24:32Well, why the heck didn't you say so?
00:24:35Hey.
00:24:39I saw you in Lord Aintree's Dilemma.
00:24:42I did.
00:24:43Yeah, no.
00:24:44I took the wife to London, and she wouldn't see our tells.
00:24:45It had to be Charles Cartwright in Lord Aintree's Dilemma.
00:24:48And I remember we queued for hours for the Pall Mall Theatre.
00:24:51Why, it were worth it.
00:24:53Superintendent, if you please.
00:24:55Are you absolutely convinced in your little grey cells
00:24:58that this Monsieur Ellis is your man?
00:25:00Why else did he bolt?
00:25:05My dear Charles, do you realize that almost every person
00:25:08who was present at your dinner in Cornwall
00:25:10was also present here?
00:25:11No.
00:25:12Please don't assume that because I'm a thespian,
00:25:15I'm also a bin.
00:25:17Of course I realize.
00:25:18Then...
00:25:19What can we deduce from you?
00:25:21No, it's just that...
00:25:22It appears to me that the doctor, he was making an experiment.
00:25:25He must have thought that one of the people in Cornwall
00:25:27was responsible for the crime,
00:25:29and so he has invited them here to Manfred Abbey.
00:25:32Of all this is Galbraith of the Yard,
00:25:35and rather authentic, eh?
00:25:55Hello, Annie.
00:25:56Yes, Charles, come in.
00:25:57Merci.
00:25:59You've no bachelor?
00:26:00Mr. Baker.
00:26:01He's in Margate.
00:26:02Sir Bartholomew gave him two months already for long service.
00:26:06Excuse me, sir.
00:26:08That's why Ellis was here.
00:26:12It's a caller for you, Sir Charles.
00:26:14Oh, thanks, Annie.
00:26:17And where's he?
00:26:19Crossfield here.
00:26:20Now listen,
00:26:21I have a pal who works at the coroner's office,
00:26:24and he sent me the mortuary report.
00:26:27They think it were nicotine poisoning.
00:26:28Couldn't you get that just from smoking?
00:26:29You have to smoke a heck of a lot.
00:26:34The nicotine is an alkaloid, colorless, odorless,
00:26:38and is used habitually by the gardeners for the spraying of the roses.
00:26:42Ah.
00:26:43Also, they got a toxicology report on the glass.
00:26:46It contained port and only port.
00:26:49Exactly the same as last time.
00:26:52With one difference most important one, I mean.
00:26:55This time we know it was murder.
00:26:57It was murder.
00:27:00So, how did you find it serving under Monsieur Ellis?
00:27:04Oh, it were quite fun, actually, sir.
00:27:07Yeah.
00:27:08He'd been in service all over.
00:27:10He knew things, scandals, about some very grand households, too.
00:27:14Is it possible that he was not, in fact, a butler?
00:27:18Oh, no, sir.
00:27:20No, he'd been in service, for sure.
00:27:22Well, he arranged the work different from any butler I ever knew before.
00:27:27Got his own method, sort of thing.
00:27:29Well.
00:27:32So, tell to me, if you please, about the Doctor Strange.
00:27:35On the night that he died, how was his mood?
00:27:38Oh, um, he were happy, sir.
00:27:41Very jolly.
00:27:43He even larked about with Mr Ellis.
00:27:45I think I'd never heard him do with Mr Baker.
00:27:48Pardon, but what does it mean, he larked about?
00:27:51Mr Ellis came up with a telephone message,
00:27:54and the doctor asked him if he was sure he got it right.
00:27:56And Mr Ellis said, quite sure.
00:27:59And the doctor laughed, and said,
00:28:02you're an excellent butler, Ellis.
00:28:05How was that surprised?
00:28:07What was this telephone message?
00:28:11Oh, it was from the sanatorium,
00:28:14about a patient who'd arrived,
00:28:16and Mrs Rush Bridger, or something like that.
00:28:20Well, that'll be them coming back from the inquest.
00:28:26Miss Wills, do you mind if we ask you some questions?
00:28:28Do you mind if I call my solicitor?
00:28:29Erm, do you want more?
00:28:30Je pense que mademoiselle Wills, she makes a little joke, non?
00:28:31What's it you want to ask?
00:28:32What's it you want to ask?
00:28:33Did you notice that I was going to call my solicitor?
00:28:34Um, do you want more?
00:28:35Je pense que mademoiselle Wills, she makes a little joke, non?
00:28:36What's it you want to ask?
00:28:37Did you notice anything unusual,
00:28:39about the arrangements that I was going to call my solicitor?
00:28:41I think that mademoiselle Wills, she makes a little joke, non?
00:28:43What's it you want to ask?
00:28:44Did you notice anything unusual, about the arrangements that night?
00:28:49I heard there was a secret tunnel, did you hear about that?
00:28:51No.
00:28:52Yes.
00:28:53There's a secret tunnel, that leads to the inquest, non?
00:28:55I think that mademoiselle Wills, she makes a little joke, non?
00:28:59What's it you want to ask?
00:29:01Did you notice anything unusual, about the arrangements that night?
00:29:06I heard there was a secret tunnel, did you hear about that?
00:29:10No.
00:29:11Yes.
00:29:12There's a secret tunnel, that leads to open countryside.
00:29:15Is there?
00:29:16Yes.
00:29:17And they think, the butler crawled along it and escaped.
00:29:20Crikey.
00:29:21Where is it?
00:29:22Ah, well, that's the sort of thing that detectives detect, isn't it?
00:29:28I'd start with the bookshelves if I were you.
00:29:32Miss Wills?
00:29:33I couldn't say what Miss Wills thought about anything.
00:29:35Yeah, will you tell to us what you thought about her?
00:29:37Well, someone said she lives in Tooting, but she can't help, I suppose.
00:29:40But she does poke and pry something terrible.
00:29:42She was in my room.
00:29:43She was what?
00:29:44In my room, poking about.
00:29:45No, she wasn't.
00:29:46You're seeing things.
00:29:47Oh, here we go again.
00:29:48In the funny france round the corner.
00:29:49Oh, do be quiet, Derek.
00:29:51There's supposed to be a secret tunnel.
00:29:53Have you heard about that?
00:29:55The coroner said it was nicotine poisoning.
00:29:57What's that?
00:29:58Well, it's a colourless, odorless alkaloid.
00:30:03Widely available, in fact.
00:30:04Orphan used by gardeners who spray their roses with it.
00:30:07I use it.
00:30:08Everyone does.
00:30:09Ah.
00:30:10If you please tell me, mademoiselle, where is Oliver Manders now?
00:30:13Oh, he went straight back to town after the inquest.
00:30:17He had to get straight back to work, poor love.
00:30:20Did Ellis poison Doctor Strange?
00:30:23Well, how am I supposed to know that?
00:30:25Do you have any information about the secret passage?
00:30:28Do you?
00:30:29I certainly don't.
00:30:30And I don't think Mum's does either.
00:30:32Oh, God, this is hopeless.
00:30:35I haven't found out a single thing.
00:30:38Oh, you're doing wonderfully well.
00:30:41Oh, you're doing wonderfully well.
00:31:13The police have already searched Mr. Ellis' room, sir.
00:31:27Yes, thanks, honey.
00:31:29Merci, ma'am, was it?
00:31:34Well, what have we here?
00:31:43Ah, you had athlete's foot.
00:31:53Oh, look.
00:31:58What is that?
00:32:01It's ink.
00:32:01There is something that is discomposing in my mind.
00:32:07Yes, go on.
00:32:09It is simply the way that Sir Bartholomew Strange, he made a joke with his battler, as was told to us by Mademoiselle Annie.
00:32:16It did not seem in keeping with his character.
00:32:18By God, you're right.
00:32:21Tolly would never have spoken to the staff like that.
00:32:23Oh, hello.
00:32:24And when did the incident occur?
00:32:27When Ellis brought the telephone message from the sanatorium.
00:32:32I'll bet there's no such person as Mrs. Rushbridger.
00:32:36I'll bet you it's a coded message.
00:32:38I've just returned from abroad to this dreadful news.
00:32:48I wanted to call in and make sure that everything was shipped here.
00:32:52Dr. Strange was very proud of this place, matron.
00:32:57His experimental treatments are often a great success.
00:33:00Well, yes, I was speaking to a chap in Monte Carlo and has a relation coming here.
00:33:05Mrs. Dan, what was her name?
00:33:07Bridger, Rushbridge, Rush...
00:33:09Mrs. de Rushbridger?
00:33:11Yes.
00:33:11Oh, yes, she arrived.
00:33:13Rather a bad breakdown.
00:33:16Lapses of memory, severe nervous exhaustion.
00:33:20She won't be seeing anyone for a very long time.
00:33:23Oh, dear.
00:33:24Well, thank you so much, Mitchell.
00:33:27Yes.
00:33:30Dan, Dan, bloody woman exists.
00:33:35This whole thing's giving me a headache.
00:33:38What are you saying we go somewhere for a stiff whiskey?
00:33:40No, no, no, no, no, my chai.
00:33:43We must return to the bedroom of Ellis.
00:33:45Ellis?
00:33:46Why?
00:33:50The stain of ink.
00:33:52Now you remember, perhaps, huh?
00:33:53Yes, it's just a stain on the skirting board, Poirot.
00:33:57Yes, but how does it come to be there?
00:33:58No, no, something, it is a mess.
00:34:01Yes, by God, you're right.
00:34:04He didn't drop his ink bottle.
00:34:06There'd been more ink.
00:34:07He dropped his fountain pen.
00:34:09And he must have been writing at the time,
00:34:11or the top wouldn't have been off.
00:34:14Perhaps he laid it on the mantel shelf and it rolled.
00:34:16You know, in the theatre,
00:34:26we have to examine the internal logic of all our actions.
00:34:30There's this Russian cove called Stanislavski.
00:34:32No.
00:34:37He's writing a letter.
00:34:40He thinks he hears something.
00:34:41He has to hide the letter.
00:34:46No time to rip up a floorboard.
00:34:48No.
00:34:50Can't burn it.
00:34:51No, because of the cinders, huh?
00:34:55La, la, la, la.
00:34:57Only one place.
00:35:00Behind the file?
00:35:01Have a look, Mon ami.
00:35:02No.
00:35:12Oui?
00:35:14No.
00:35:15Bravo!
00:35:17Excellent!
00:35:19We believe they are letters drafted by the fugitive, Ellis.
00:35:25This is to say that the writer does not wish to cause unpleasantness,
00:35:30but journalist Butler presents his compliments
00:35:34and will be glad of a short interview
00:35:36touching the tragedy tonight before going to the police
00:35:38with certain information.
00:35:42I am badly in need of money.
00:35:45A thousand pounds would make all the difference to me,
00:35:47make me up.
00:35:48So that's it.
00:35:49Blackmail.
00:35:52Um, may I ask who you're telephoning to?
00:35:56Cornwall.
00:35:57The Loomoth police.
00:36:00So, Ellis knew something.
00:36:03He was paid to disappear,
00:36:04and that's exactly what he did.
00:36:06The question is, where's he gone?
00:36:08Wait.
00:36:10My friend,
00:36:11I am convinced that this Monsieur Ellis,
00:36:14he is dead.
00:36:17That is why there...
00:36:19That is why there is no trace of him.
00:36:23We are dealing with a maniac that is very dangerous.
00:36:26My lord.
00:36:28What about Egg?
00:36:29Is she going to be all right?
00:36:30Well, there is something that concerns me
00:36:31about the Mademoiselle Akely-Tengor.
00:36:36The stain on the wall?
00:36:38It's ink.
00:36:39How did she know that it was ink?
00:36:40To me, it was simply a stain on the wall.
00:36:42Women have a better developed colour sense than us,
00:36:45don't they?
00:36:45Makes me to be suspicious.
00:36:47Of Egg?
00:36:47I don't know.
00:36:49My dear friend, forgive me,
00:36:50but we must consider every eventuality.
00:36:53Of course we must,
00:36:54but it's not her.
00:36:55It can't be.
00:36:56No, no, no, no, no.
00:36:56No.
00:36:57It can't be.
00:36:57It can't be.
00:36:58It can't be.
00:36:59We must consider others.
00:36:59We must consider others.
00:37:00We must consider others.
00:37:00It's a very hard time to believe it.
00:37:03Sure.
00:37:03I'm so fatigued.
00:37:04sir I'm afraid there are visitors in the drawing room visitors in the drawing room
00:37:28yes but it is 11 o'clock at night sure indeed it is 11 o'clock at night therefore we do not
00:37:33have visitors in the drawing room no sir take this of course what is it that you do here
00:37:42good evening monsieur Oliver Oliver has something to tell you tell him the motorcycle crash was a
00:37:50stunt sir I faked it comment why did you do such a thing and do not make me angry monsieur
00:37:57I am very fatigued I was told to do it by whom Bartholomew strange he wrote to me and told me to
00:38:04fake a crash and arrived about half past nine but when I got there he seemed as surprised as
00:38:07everyone else well then ten minutes later he is poisoned yes and there is no connection no I
00:38:11had nothing to do with it you have not told this to the police well it's going to look a bit windy
00:38:23isn't it sir why did you obey his instructions I heard you'd be there and I knew Charles Cartwright
00:38:36was in France oh Ollie why are you so wet I'm nervous why I don't bite I'm mindful of Robin
00:38:41Babington don't be ridiculous excuse me what has happened to Robin Babington well Robin fell in love
00:38:45with her too and she sent me to India he never came back why not that's enough he went all mystical
00:38:49went to live in an ashram or something totally gaga he did what he wanted did he or did you drive
00:38:53him away you drive us all away in the end deck
00:38:55miserable business I know but it must be done
00:39:19Stephen Babington was a gentle old soul without an enemy in the world and yet he was killed
00:39:26or at least we think he was killed we're about to find out what reasons are there for killing a person
00:39:34Babington knew something Babington recognized somebody and what did he know perhaps it was
00:39:43something he didn't know he knew perhaps he was the cause and Dr. Strange the effect I see someone
00:39:50what if we are to believe that the second mother is sprung directly from the first then it is the first
00:39:58murder that we must investigate the murder of the Reverend Stephen Babington
00:40:02if I hadn't moved to Cornwall none of this would have happened
00:40:09I'm deluding myself egg
00:40:14I'm no detective
00:40:17I'm not a detective
00:40:19I'm not a detective
00:40:20I'm not a detective
00:40:21I'm not a detective
00:40:22I'm not a detective
00:40:24I'm not a detective
00:40:25I'm not a detective
00:40:26I'm not a detective
00:40:27I'm not a detective
00:40:28I'm not a detective
00:40:29I'm not a detective
00:40:30I'm not a detective
00:40:31I'm not a detective
00:40:32I'm not a detective
00:40:33I'm not a detective
00:40:34I'm not a detective
00:40:35I'm not a detective
00:40:36I'm not a detective
00:40:37I'm not a detective
00:40:38I'm not a detective
00:40:39I'm not a detective
00:40:40I'm not a detective
00:40:41I'm not a detective
00:40:42I'm not a detective
00:40:43I'm not a detective
00:41:14I'm with her, Wills.
00:41:29What is it that you do here?
00:41:31Well, I've never seen an exhumation before.
00:41:33Ah, so this is all, how do you say, grist to your mill?
00:41:38The command of English is really rather wonderful, isn't it?
00:41:44Poor Stephen.
00:41:56He told Egg to steer clear of Oliver.
00:42:00But girls are very foolish, Monsieur Poirot.
00:42:03There's something attractive to a girl about being told that so-and-so is a bad man.
00:42:08She at once thinks that her love will reform him.
00:42:16It may seem a wicked thing to say, but...
00:42:19I was relieved when my husband died.
00:42:22That it was just Egg and I.
00:42:24A little rotely-poly baby.
00:42:27Trying to stand up, always falling over.
00:42:29Yes, it's a ridiculous nickname.
00:42:34But don't let that deceive you.
00:42:36She's a girl who knows what she wants.
00:42:38On the night that Doctor Strange died, did he appear to be worried about anything?
00:42:42No.
00:42:43No, he was in high spirits.
00:42:45He seemed to be amused about something.
00:42:48Some private joke.
00:42:51He said he was going to spring a surprise.
00:42:55Sadly, he did.
00:42:56Do you really think someone murdered my husband with nicotine?
00:43:09That's what they're trying to find out.
00:43:11All we know is that Tolly Strange drank some port and...
00:43:15And it was just the same.
00:43:17I was there.
00:43:18It was just the same.
00:43:21You have some lovely flowers, Mrs. Babington.
00:43:24What are these?
00:43:27Lupins, dear.
00:43:28But I have such trouble with Greenfly, I have to spray them constantly.
00:43:34Forgive my forthrightness, Mrs. Babington, but...
00:43:38Did your husband leave you very much money?
00:43:41Well, he gave away everything.
00:43:45Missionaries were better off than we were.
00:43:47I used to scold him about it.
00:43:51What about when he was younger?
00:43:53Did he have any enemies?
00:43:56Enemies?
00:43:57No.
00:43:58Stephen was my father's curate.
00:44:01We were engaged for four years.
00:44:03Then he got a living in Kent, in Gilling, so we were able to get married.
00:44:08We lived in Gilling for 16 years.
00:44:10Then we came to Cornwall.
00:44:14We were happy.
00:44:15We were happy.
00:44:40I have a little idea I would like to suggest.
00:45:04Is it possible that the poison was intended all along for Sir Bartholomew Strange,
00:45:11and then the Reverend Babington, he drank it by mistake?
00:45:16No one who knew Tolley at all well would have tried to poison him with a cocktail.
00:45:20But why not?
00:45:21Of course, he never drank them.
00:45:23Couldn't stand them.
00:45:24Oui.
00:45:25Oui.
00:45:30May I speak to you the truth?
00:45:32You know, this whole investigation, it has been conducted with great enthusiasm
00:45:39and great skill, but it has yielded very little now.
00:45:46And there is danger.
00:45:49Real danger.
00:45:52So now, Poirot, he will take charge.
00:45:55We will return to London by the early train.
00:45:58And if you please, mademoiselle, you will make the visit to the showrooms of Ambrosine Limited
00:46:02Sir Charles will receive his instructions from me.
00:46:05It is the approach classic, you see.
00:46:08The technique of elimination.
00:46:10We eliminate the suspects one by one.
00:46:16We do not scamper around like the puppies.
00:46:20Cynthia, thank you.
00:46:28Cynthia, thank you.
00:46:33Fleur de li on the cuffs.
00:46:35Witty, don't you think?
00:46:36And the waistline is rather penetrating.
00:46:39I shouldn't have it in the red ledge color, though.
00:46:42I should have it in Espanyol.
00:46:44And you've come into some money, you say?
00:46:47You have so much personality.
00:46:49You mustn't wear anything ordinary.
00:46:52Have you been back to Cornwall since that party?
00:46:55Oh, my dear, I couldn't. It was too upsetting.
00:46:57I know.
00:46:58And you knew the vicar from before, I think I remember him saying.
00:47:02In a place called Gilling in Kent?
00:47:05Oh, no, no, no, Marcel, no.
00:47:06I asked for the blue patoo.
00:47:09No, I would never go to Kent.
00:47:11Why would I go to Kent?
00:47:13What's even Kent?
00:47:15Perhaps Captain Dacus.
00:47:17Him? No, he never leaves the 72 club.
00:47:20Except to lose money at some stupid racecourse or other.
00:47:22Which we can scarce afford at times like these.
00:47:25Oh, now, look, this is lovely.
00:47:29What do you say your name was again?
00:47:31Egg.
00:47:33Hello, I'm Bacon.
00:47:34You have lovely eyes.
00:47:37Anyone ever mention that?
00:47:38Tell me about Reverend Babington.
00:47:40Who?
00:47:41Babington.
00:47:42You knew him, didn't you?
00:47:44In Gilling, wasn't it?
00:47:45Oh, if you say so, my dear.
00:47:47Sorry, just back from Newbury, I had a bit of a poxy day.
00:47:51Funny thing is, I can understand bumping off a doctor for obvious reasons,
00:47:55but I can't understand bumping off a parson.
00:47:57Who'd want to bump off a parson?
00:47:59Who'd want to bump off a doctor?
00:48:00Oh, a lot of people, a lot of people.
00:48:01Doctors are interfering, swine.
00:48:04Did Bartholomew strange?
00:48:06You strange, Bartholomew, you humbug.
00:48:08I'd like to know what goes on in that sanatorium of his.
00:48:11Nerve cases, very likely.
00:48:13All I know is, it doesn't matter what your nerves are like,
00:48:15they lock you in and you'll never get out.
00:48:17They call it a cure.
00:48:19Swine.
00:48:19Cynthia told him not to talk about it.
00:48:29Talk about what?
00:48:30It, the thing.
00:48:31The Arab.
00:48:32The Arab.
00:48:33There was this Arab gentleman, Cynthia was wooing.
00:48:35He was going to invest in Ambrosine, which, by the way, badly needs,
00:48:38because I head for business as bad as sound as I've dressed since.
00:48:41But he had some awful trouble with his nerves.
00:48:43He was seeing a fellow in Harley Street, a specialist.
00:48:48Packed him off on a cruise, a world cruise.
00:48:50Gone for good.
00:48:51Harry for Dutch in his checkbook with him.
00:48:53And that specialist was Bartholomew strange?
00:48:56Well, you don't know, but if it was,
00:48:57things would look a bit fishy for us, wouldn't they?
00:49:00Which is why I'm not supposed to talk about it.
00:49:03Now, you tell me something.
00:49:04What was that woman doing in my room?
00:49:06What woman?
00:49:07The rabbit face, the playwright.
00:49:09Always poking and prying.
00:49:10I'm going to throw it up a train pack, that woman.
00:49:13William.
00:49:17Evening, Standard.
00:49:19Call his explanation.
00:49:30Miss Millery.
00:49:32Oh, isn't it dreadful?
00:49:34Miss Millery, are you all right?
00:49:36Oh, help me, darling.
00:49:38I know, it's terrible.
00:49:39I'm sorry, I'm overreacting.
00:49:41I'm fine, really, really, fine.
00:49:43It's just...
00:49:44I've known him all my life.
00:49:47Mr. Babington?
00:49:48Yes, I grew up in Gilling, where he was vicar.
00:49:51All my family come from there.
00:49:52Gilling?
00:49:53But when...
00:49:53Sorry, I must dash.
00:49:55Awfully nice to see you again.
00:49:57Amy, Standard.
00:49:59Vicar poison.
00:49:59Such a pity you left the profession, Sir Charles.
00:50:14You'd have been perfect in this one.
00:50:16What's it called?
00:50:18Sin in Suburbia.
00:50:20Who's playing my part?
00:50:21Geoffrey Winchester.
00:50:23Oh, God.
00:50:23No, no, no, no, no.
00:50:25Very bit wonderful.
00:50:26I adore Geoffrey.
00:50:28Well, do you.
00:50:29Next Thursday.
00:50:30Come to the dress rehearsal.
00:50:31Not to.
00:50:32And you, Monsieur Poirot.
00:50:34I like an audience.
00:50:35Bring your friends.
00:50:37Merci beaucoup.
00:50:39Mademoiselle, I would like to ask you something more about the event so terrible at Melford Abbey.
00:50:44Because, if there was anything to be noticed, I believe that you, the connoisseur of human nature, you would have noticed it.
00:50:52Grist to my mill.
00:50:54But that's all.
00:50:55I was intrigued, I admit.
00:50:58I've never seen a murder a close hand before.
00:51:03Actually, there was one thing I suppose I ought to inform the police, if truth be known.
00:51:08What was it?
00:51:10Well, it was about the butler, Ellis.
00:51:13What was it?
00:51:15He had a kind of strawberry mark on his right wrist.
00:51:19I noticed it when he poured the port.
00:51:21Ah.
00:51:23No one else mentioned a birthmark.
00:51:25Where exactly was it?
00:51:28It was right here.
00:51:30Roughly the size of half a crown.
00:51:34When you were in Yorkshire, did Sir Bartholomew mention Mrs. de Rushbridge to you?
00:51:41One of his patients, suffering from loss of memory?
00:51:43Well, can you tell us anything else at all about any of the other guests?
00:51:52Sorry.
00:51:52Oh, well.
00:51:58Sorry to disturb your rehearsal.
00:52:01Goodbye, Miss Wills.
00:52:04Mademoiselle.
00:52:04She knows something.
00:52:12I'm sure she knows.
00:52:13Faites attention, mon ami.
00:52:15You must be careful.
00:52:16You must be careful.
00:52:17It may not be Mamoiselle Wills that we must watch.
00:52:22You must be careful.
00:52:23I'm sure she knows.
00:52:24I'm sure she knows.
00:52:25I'm sure she knows.
00:52:26I'm sure she's not going to be able to do it.
00:52:27I'm sure she knows.
00:52:28Desperate for money.
00:52:29Possibly Dr. Strange ruined her best chances of getting some.
00:52:35What about Oliver Manders?
00:52:36Does his story ring true?
00:52:38Holly Strange writing him a letter.
00:52:40No, I have the impression that it is not in keeping with the character of Dr. Strange
00:52:44to behave in such a fashion.
00:52:46I'm very suspicious of Oliver Manders.
00:52:51What is his relationship with Mademoiselle Milray?
00:52:53With Milray?
00:52:55He has none.
00:52:55The woman is incapable of relationships.
00:52:58Osmosis, perhaps, not relationships.
00:53:01Now, Oliver Manders was present at both murders, and now he's keeping his head down.
00:53:07Is there a link between Manders and Miss Wills?
00:53:09I do not believe so.
00:53:12So, what are we going to do?
00:53:18Think.
00:53:19Think?
00:53:22It is a mental process.
00:53:23I know what it is.
00:53:25But can't we do something?
00:53:26For you, always the action.
00:53:29Eh, mademoiselle?
00:53:32Alors, there are inquiries to be made, the killing, the mother of Mademoiselle Milray.
00:53:37And I wonder if you would be so kind to both of you to find out what you can about the past of the Reverend Babington.
00:53:43I do.
00:53:43In the meantime, I will make the preparations for my sherry party.
00:53:48A sherry party?
00:53:50Oui.
00:53:52Tomorrow evening at eight o'clock.
00:53:55It is the fashionable thing to do, n'est-ce pas?
00:53:57Ah, mesdames, messieurs, au moment, s'il vous plaît.
00:54:07Let us have no talk of murders and poisons because he spurs the pelly.
00:54:11Ah, secar.
00:54:14Thank you, Poirot.
00:54:15Thank you, Poirot.
00:54:18Cynthia.
00:54:20Charming dress.
00:54:22Why did you bring me to these awful places?
00:54:25It's how I pick up custom.
00:54:27Like you picked up the Arab, like you picked up Sir Charles.
00:54:29Keep your filthy insinuations to yourself.
00:54:35To marry an older man, I think it's safer.
00:54:38His follies are behind him.
00:54:40Not as with younger fellows still to come.
00:54:42I wish that I shared your certainty, madam.
00:54:45Oh, but we have been so badly off.
00:54:48I want to go to see people, places, great cities, great art.
00:54:54I don't know how you put up with it.
00:55:00What do you mean?
00:55:01Him, barging in like that.
00:55:03He's a has-been.
00:55:05A washout.
00:55:06A flop.
00:55:07He gains more maturity to settle.
00:55:09You're right.
00:55:10Mr. Oliver, I wish to ask you something.
00:55:13The letter you received from Dr. Strange, the invitation to,
00:55:16how do you say, gatecrash the party.
00:55:19Where is it?
00:55:20Oh, I, um, I burnt it.
00:55:23But why?
00:55:24Well, after he was killed, I thought it wouldn't incriminate me.
00:55:27The police didn't even notice me.
00:55:30And tell me if you please, what is it that prevents you from proposing to Mademoiselle Lake?
00:55:36I haven't any money.
00:55:38Can't you see?
00:55:40Here's to you.
00:55:42You've changed my life.
00:55:45Sometimes I feel like I'm bad luck, like a bad penny.
00:55:48No, don't be absurd.
00:55:50What?
00:55:51Oh, off to Gillingham, what?
00:55:53No way.
00:55:54Oh, but Mademoiselle Millere.
00:55:56Where is she?
00:55:57She is not here.
00:55:58I'm sure that I invited her.
00:55:59Good health and God save the king.
00:56:01Mm-hmm.
00:56:02I'll have another sherry, John.
00:56:04Ah, the sherry.
00:56:06I prefer it to the cocktail and a thousand times to the whiskey.
00:56:09Ah, the whiskey killer.
00:56:11But the delicate wines of France, you have to merely to taste this.
00:56:14Charles.
00:56:15Charles.
00:56:16Oh, dear God.
00:56:17Charles.
00:56:18Oh.
00:56:19Oh.
00:56:20Charles, no.
00:56:21Not you.
00:56:22Charles.
00:56:23Charles.
00:56:24You fool.
00:56:25You absurd play-acting little fool.
00:56:26Do you think you know everything about everything?
00:56:27But look what you've done.
00:56:28Genius.
00:56:29A performance magnifique, Sir Charles.
00:56:31Bad luck.
00:56:32Still here.
00:56:33You beast.
00:56:34Golly.
00:56:35But why?
00:56:36Monsieur, madame, I demand pardon of you all.
00:56:37This little farce, it was necessary to prove to you and also to me.
00:56:54One little fact that my reason told me it was true.
00:57:09I placed into one of these glasses a teaspoon of the plain water.
00:57:14This water was to represent the pure nicotine.
00:57:17And I asked Sir Charles to play the victim here tonight.
00:57:21Sir Charles.
00:57:22Super.
00:57:23But suppose for one moment that this was not a false, that it was a real life.
00:57:29What do you think the police will be the first thing they will do?
00:57:34They'll analyze the glass.
00:57:37They will analyze the glass and traces of the nicotine, it will be found.
00:57:40When?
00:57:41No.
00:57:42You make the error.
00:57:43No nicotine will be found.
00:57:45Why not?
00:57:46Because that is not the glass from which Sir Charles, he drank.
00:57:51This is.
00:57:52The theory of the countering trick, mes amis, it is very simple.
00:57:57The attention can never be in two places at the same time.
00:58:00While you were looking at the body, Hercule Poirot switches the glass.
00:58:06And this is how both of the mothers were hidden so expertly.
00:58:11Alors faites attention.
00:58:13I demand that you listen to me most attentively.
00:58:17This murderer may strike again.
00:58:20If any one of you knows anything at all, now it is the time to speak.
00:58:27So you planned it all?
00:58:28Why?
00:58:29Just to see if anyone noticed if you switched the glasses.
00:58:30I also had another purpose.
00:58:32When Sir Charles, he fell dead, I wished to see the expression on the face of one person
00:58:34in particular.
00:58:35And did you?
00:58:36Oui.
00:58:37Which persons?
00:58:38Ah.
00:58:39That is my little secret.
00:58:40So you know who the murderer is?
00:58:41Oui.
00:58:42Then have them arrested.
00:58:43I cannot.
00:58:44No.
00:58:45No.
00:58:46No.
00:58:47No.
00:58:48No.
00:58:49No.
00:58:50No.
00:58:51No.
00:58:52No.
00:58:53No.
00:58:54No.
00:58:55No.
00:58:56No.
00:58:57No.
00:58:58No.
00:58:59No.
00:59:00No.
00:59:01No.
00:59:02No.
00:59:03No.
00:59:04No.
00:59:05No.
00:59:06No.
00:59:07But.
00:59:08Then have them arrested.
00:59:09I cannot, because until I know why Stephen Babington was murdered I have no proof at all,
00:59:14and I do not know why.
00:59:16Excuse me, sir.
00:59:17Telegram!
00:59:26Mille Tanere?
00:59:28Please come at once, can give valuable information, death of Bartholomew's trained, Margaret
00:59:40de Rushbredger.
00:59:41Margaret de Rushbredger?
00:59:52Merci.
00:59:54Thank you very much.
00:59:55Let's change it on faster.
00:59:57Keep.
00:59:58It's like we're not going to find out any more about the Reverend Babington from old Mother
01:00:15Milray.
01:00:16She died a month ago when I was in France and Milray didn't tell me.
01:00:21Oh, this is helpless.
01:00:23I wish Poirot was here.
01:00:27Egg?
01:00:27Look at these names.
01:00:31There are some frightfully strange ones.
01:00:34There's a family of shoved pennies and here's a Mary Ann Sticklebucket.
01:00:39None of them are as strange as mine.
01:00:42Cartwright?
01:00:42Well, that's not strange.
01:00:43It's not my real name.
01:00:45It's an acting name.
01:00:47What's your real name?
01:00:48Couldn't possibly tell you.
01:00:50Why not?
01:00:51You'll laugh.
01:00:51No, I won't.
01:00:52No, I can't tell you.
01:00:53What is it?
01:00:58It's mug.
01:01:00My father's name was mug.
01:01:04That is genuinely catastrophic.
01:01:07She goes through life as a mug.
01:01:08And are you really a child, Sir Charles?
01:01:11Or are you a sham in all respects?
01:01:14Well, are you really poisonous?
01:01:16You're the black widow everyone says you are.
01:01:18What?
01:01:19Do you mean?
01:01:20What about Robin Babington?
01:01:21Oh, I don't know.
01:01:22He was always wet.
01:01:23He wore sandals.
01:01:24Anyway, you were in Madras with him.
01:01:26You tell me.
01:01:27No, I was not in Madras with him.
01:01:30I found out afterwards from the consul that he'd sold his passport and grown a beard.
01:01:35And you had nothing to do with it?
01:01:36Of course I didn't.
01:01:37And what about Oliver Manders?
01:01:39Are you trying to implicate him in these murders?
01:01:41Because Oliver couldn't kill anyone.
01:01:44What are you up to?
01:01:46Trying to clear the field for yourself?
01:01:48See off the opposition?
01:01:49No, of course I'm not.
01:01:51I love you, Egg.
01:01:55And I would very much like to marry you.
01:01:59I just haven't found the courage to ask you.
01:02:02So you mean you've just been dithering?
01:02:06Well, yes.
01:02:21Yes, I remember you.
01:02:28With Sir Charles.
01:02:29But you never told me your name.
01:02:31Oh, I called myself Hercule Popple.
01:02:33And who do you want to see?
01:02:34Madame the Rush Bridger.
01:02:36But don't you know?
01:02:37She's dead.
01:02:38She died this morning.
01:02:40She's been poisoned.
01:02:44The box of chocolates came through by post.
01:02:48The liquor chocolates.
01:02:49Nicotine.
01:02:53Chemical analysis will show.
01:02:57Was she killed to prevent a telanguner's what she knew?
01:03:01Eh, Poirot?
01:03:05Or what she did not know, Superintendent?
01:03:08I must waste no time.
01:03:16A lad from Melford Village says he was given a telangun by a chamber.
01:03:19A tramp?
01:03:20Right.
01:03:21The tramp says it came from a loony lady in the nut house.
01:03:24This nut house.
01:03:26He said he can't chew one of his sensei.
01:03:29To me?
01:03:30Right.
01:03:31To you?
01:03:32Well, Superintendent, if you please to take me to the railway station as quickly as you can.
01:03:38And also, there is one other thing that I would like you to do for me.
01:03:49Merci, Georges.
01:03:50Sir Charles telephoned from his Belgravia residence, sir.
01:03:54He's concerned that Miss Wills has gone missing.
01:03:58He motored out to Tooting for the purpose of a further interview,
01:04:00but when he got there, she was nowhere to be found.
01:04:32Miss Lytton-Gore, sir.
01:04:58Merci, Julie.
01:05:02Monsieur Poirot will see you now, Miss.
01:05:05Mademoiselle, si vous.
01:05:09Good heavens, what are you doing?
01:05:11I find that the building of the House of Cards is most stimulating to my little grey cells.
01:05:19And so whilst I was in the railway station in Yorkshire, I purchased these pack of cards.
01:05:23But these aren't real cards.
01:05:24No.
01:05:25Well, they've sold you happy families.
01:05:27It's a children's game.
01:05:28I haven't seen these in years.
01:05:30Master Bun, the baker's son.
01:05:32Mr. Gritz, the grocer.
01:05:34Oh, and here's me.
01:05:36You?
01:05:37Mrs. Mug, the milkman's wife.
01:05:39For I am to be Mrs. Mug, Poirot, when I marry Sir Charles Cartwright.
01:05:43For that is his real name.
01:05:46Wish me happiness.
01:05:47I've just told you I'm engaged to be married.
01:05:49Oh, pardon, wait, wait, but I do wish you happiness, mademoiselle, but not the brief happiness of youth, but the happiness that endures, happiness that is built upon the rock.
01:06:00I'll tell Charles you called him a rock.
01:06:02He'll think you're referring to his acting.
01:06:03God, they're paranoid, aren't they?
01:06:05We think it's Miss Wills, by the way, the murderer.
01:06:07And pourquoi?
01:06:07Well, because she's gone missing, and she's creepy.
01:06:10And the funny thing is, we're going to see a dress rehearsal of her play tomorrow.
01:06:13But will she be there?
01:06:14Will she show up?
01:06:16I'm so excited.
01:06:17I've never been to a rehearsal before.
01:06:19And Charles has taken the backstage.
01:06:21Exactly.
01:06:23Poirot?
01:06:24But Poirot has been blind.
01:06:28Blind!
01:06:30Are you coming?
01:06:30To the theatre?
01:06:33Oh, oui, but of course, and I shall bring everyone.
01:06:37Everyone must come.
01:06:38Oh, do, it's going to be fabulous.
01:06:41I shall round up the audience, but immediately.
01:06:50That is a station.
01:06:51That is a station.
01:07:00One moment, Ryman.
01:07:02Sure.
01:07:04Follow that taxi, if you please.
01:08:00stop you cannot do this mademoiselle it is evidence
01:08:14it's so exciting
01:08:29it's only jeff winchester egg don't expect fireworks
01:08:34mesdames monsieur you have come to watch a dress rehearsal of a play
01:09:02instead i give to you
01:09:05when the reverend stephen babington died sir charles advanced the theory that he had been murdered
01:09:23i did not think it likely
01:09:25i could not figure to myself why stephen babington should be murdered
01:09:32never mind how
01:09:34as there was no trace of poison in his glass
01:09:37until
01:09:4224 hours ago
01:09:45when i saw that this murder
01:09:49was both reasonable and possible
01:09:53who had the opportunity to poison the cocktail of the reverend stephen babington
01:10:00only sir charles and his serving mate
01:10:03who handed around the drinks
01:10:06but were either of these two at melford abbey no no they were not so
01:10:10they could be eliminated from being suspects
01:10:14very swiftly
01:10:17so who had the best chance to put the nicotine in the glass of dr bartholomeo strange at melford
01:10:22the butler ellis who disappeared
01:10:27but he we knew was a blackmailer merely
01:10:30but then i was visited by a sensation curion
01:10:35i was certain that the person who committed both of the crimes must have been present on both occasions
01:10:44but not apparently so
01:11:05and so i am forced to investigate once again this butler so mysterious this
01:11:11monsieur ellis
01:11:14he appears suddenly uh out of the blue a fortnight before the crime and disappears but immediately afterwards
01:11:21and poirot he comes to the conclusion that he is dead and in a way i was correct
01:11:25i recall the remarks made about him by the parlor made at melford mademoiselle annie
01:11:31well he arranged the work different from any butler i ever knew before
01:11:35got his own method sort of thing
01:11:37and eventually poirot he came to realize why
01:11:44hello this butler
01:11:47monsieur ellis was indeed dead
01:11:50why
01:11:51because he never ever existed
01:11:57but dr bartholomeo strange was another matter
01:12:01he must have known the true identity
01:12:04of his temporary servant
01:12:06do we have any evidence for this one way
01:12:08his remark
01:12:09facetious
01:12:10you're an excellent butler ellis
01:12:13said as the joke
01:12:15huh
01:12:16but as told to us by mamma zalani
01:12:18the lark
01:12:19and it would have been a lark perfectly understandable if the doctor had known the butler
01:12:24it would have been a lark totally understandable
01:12:26if the butler was indeed
01:12:29sir charles cartwright
01:12:32his old friend
01:12:34and the doctor
01:12:36had known of this all along
01:12:39serve the cheese now ellis would you
01:12:42and then welcome
01:12:43i say what's this
01:12:45oliver
01:12:49i'll say
01:12:51shall i fill the portal
01:12:53ah yes thank you
01:12:55is this for your sanatorium
01:12:57it has recently come to my attention
01:13:02that one of you
01:13:04and now my heart it is breaking
01:13:23and charles
01:13:27it is you who have broken my heart
01:13:31i hope you know where you're going
01:13:33with the explorer
01:13:36sadly mon ami i know
01:13:41you see
01:13:44if anybody at the dinner table that evening had spotted that
01:13:48sir charles was
01:13:50the butler
01:13:51the whole thing could be passed off as a practical joke
01:13:54but nobody did
01:13:55one of sir charles cartwright
01:13:57is the actor supreme
01:13:59he is in disguise
01:14:00and he played the part but to perfection
01:14:03even adding the little detail of painting the birthmark on the right wrist
01:14:11and so the doctor bartholome estrange he dies
01:14:15and this battler escapes by the secret passage
01:14:19and two days later
01:14:20he is strolling about the gardens of monte carlo
01:14:23and what are the letters of blackmail behind the fireplace in the room of this monsieur ellis
01:14:28sir charles
01:14:30sir charles himself
01:14:31and the letter asking
01:14:32sir oliver manders to fake the accident
01:14:34what could be easier than for sir charles to write the letter himself in the name of dr bartholome estrange
01:14:39because he wants to bring you all together again
01:14:41he wants to bring you all together again
01:14:43so that there are many many suspects
01:14:48and so i return to mademoiselle wills
01:14:52en effet mes amis
01:14:54mademoiselle wills noticed the butler ellis more than anybody else at the table that evening
01:14:59and when i interviewed her in this theater
01:15:02sir charles at first he is gratified that she spotted the birthmark
01:15:05well of course he likes his audience to notice his skill
01:15:10but then la catastrophe
01:15:13i do not think that until that moment
01:15:16mademoiselle wills connected ellis with sir charles
01:15:18but she is an observer
01:15:20and when the drinks they are poured
01:15:22she notices not the drinks but
01:15:25the hands that held them
01:15:28and at that moment mademoiselle wills understood that sir charles he was the butler
01:15:32because with or without a birthmark the hand it was the same
01:15:35and now he is worried
01:15:36he thinks she knows something and believes she is a danger to him
01:15:41when sir charles acted the death scene
01:15:44at my sherry party
01:15:46charles
01:15:49charles!
01:15:51the face that i was watching was that of mademoiselle wills
01:15:54and i saw a look upon that face of complete astonishment
01:15:57and it was then that i knew
01:15:59that mademoiselle wills suspected sir charles
01:16:01and if mademoiselle wills suspected sir charles
01:16:03then sir charles indeed suspected mademoiselle wills
01:16:05and now she was in the danger most grave
01:16:08so it was on the advice of hercule poirot
01:16:12that she leaves her london home
01:16:14s'il vous plait entrez mademoiselle wills
01:16:17and she was wise so to do eh
01:16:30because the following evening sir charles he drives to tooting
01:16:32to dispose of the one person he feared could expose him
01:16:36mademoiselle wills
01:16:38and now we come to murder victim number three
01:16:41mademoiselle
01:16:44mademoiselle
01:16:45how does she fit into the puzzle
01:16:47it is my belief that on the day of the sherry party given by me
01:16:51hercule poirot
01:16:52sir charles cartwright rises early that morning
01:16:54perhaps even at dawn to make the long journey to yorkshire
01:16:56where he disguises himself as a tramp
01:16:58gives to a small boy the telegram
01:17:00addressed to me hercule poirot at whitehaven mansions
01:17:02ostensibly from mademoiselle
01:17:04mademoiselle
01:17:06when on my one and only visit to the sanatorium
01:17:08with sir charles i had never even mentioned my name
01:17:11and why does he do this
01:17:13because he leads poirot out of the way
01:17:15oh brother one other thing
01:17:19he even posted a box of chocolates
01:17:22to this poor woman who knew nothing
01:17:25in fact she would tell to poirot that she knows nothing
01:17:28nothing at all
01:17:29how could she
01:17:30she was a decoy merely
01:17:32and it is for this simple reason
01:17:36that she is dead
01:17:44suddenly
01:17:46i saw how this murder of dr bartholomew strange
01:17:50was not only essential
01:17:52but purposeful
01:17:54well i'm hooked
01:17:56go on
01:17:58tell me what was my motive for murdering my dearest friend
01:18:03the man i had known since boyhood
01:18:05well
01:18:06it was the doctor himself who gave to me the clue when he said
01:18:09chercher la femme
01:18:11you know
01:18:13you know sir charles it was obvious to me that you were in love deeply in love with mademoiselle ditengor
01:18:19you loved her with a passion that was so arid
01:18:21so
01:18:22terrible
01:18:23so why the hesitation
01:18:26why did you not ask her to marry you when you were sailing around lumas
01:18:29what was the obstacle
01:18:31the old man
01:18:32for who he will tell to you
01:18:34the obstacle it was this
01:18:36that you already had a wife
01:18:38oh but of course you enact the role
01:18:41of the bachelor
01:18:43but this marriage of yours it took place since many years before
01:18:45when you were young
01:18:46long before you were sir charles cartwright the actor renowned
01:18:50and when your name it was something else
01:18:54who were you missing me
01:18:58there are only two situations in the law of our land when a divorcee cannot be permitted
01:19:03the first
01:19:05when either the husband or wife
01:19:07he's serving a life sentence in prison
01:19:09and the second
01:19:10when one or either of them is confined to a lunatic asylum
01:19:15and of course the charge you cannot kill yourself because immediately you would become
01:19:20uh-huh the prime suspect
01:19:23but what if nobody knew huh
01:19:25well then you'll be free to marry mum with a little girl
01:19:27without ever having the need to tell to her the truth
01:19:29but one person did know
01:19:31and one person only
01:19:33your oldest friend
01:19:36the best man at your wedding
01:19:39and so before you can remarry
01:19:41it is necessary that Dr Bartholomew Strange
01:19:44your friend so dear to you
01:19:47he must be eliminated
01:19:49and Babington
01:19:51I suppose he knew too
01:19:53hmm
01:19:54I've already
01:19:55that was a one flaw in my theory
01:19:58because even if it was you charles who placed a liquid nicotine into the glass
01:20:02you could never make sure of it reaching one particular person
01:20:05no the poison was never intended specifically for the reverend Stephen Babington
01:20:09no
01:20:10it was intended for anyone who was there present
01:20:13except of course Dr Bartholomew Strange
01:20:16who never touched the cocktail
01:20:18and Mademoiselle Littengor
01:20:20the young lady with whom you were in love
01:20:26you handed me my cocktail yourself
01:20:30have a cocktail
01:20:32have a cocktail
01:20:36John
01:20:50it tastes slightly
01:20:51the murder of the reverend Stephen Babington was nothing more nor less than a
01:20:53and Stephen Babington was nothing more nor less than a dress rehearsal.
01:20:58Sir Charles, he is the actor.
01:21:00He rehearses the mother before he commits it.
01:21:03And the rehearsal, it goes well.
01:21:05Stephen Babington, he dies.
01:21:07And foul play, it is not suspected, not even by Hercule Poirot,
01:21:09which is why, of course, I was invited to go to roomhouse,
01:21:12because if Poirot suspects nothing, they're indeed with anyone else.
01:21:17Et enfin, Mademoiselle Milray,
01:21:19you knew that your employer conducted the chemical experiments in the tower, in the wood,
01:21:26and in fact, it was you who paid the bills for the solution for the spraying of the roses.
01:21:32But you knew he was no gardener.
01:21:35And when you read about the death of the Reverend Stephen Babington,
01:21:39that he was poisoned by this very same solution,
01:21:41you did not know what to do.
01:21:43You had known the Reverend Babington since you were a little girl.
01:21:46But now you are in love, huh, with your employer, who is so hard.
01:21:52Fascinating.
01:21:54But when you heard about the death of Madame de Rushbridge,
01:21:56you decided that enough, it was enough.
01:21:58So you travelled all the way to Cornwall to destroy the apparatus in the tower
01:22:01to protect the man who you love.
01:22:06But Poirot, he has prevented you.
01:22:11Superintendent, if you please.
01:22:16Well, I have here, sir,
01:22:23your passport.
01:22:26We know exactly when you went to France.
01:22:29And I have here
01:22:30a note that proves
01:22:33that in the Habiton Asylum in Essex
01:22:38there is a lady by the name of Gladys Mary Mug.
01:22:45Fifty-eight years of age.
01:22:48Who is your lawful wedded wife.
01:22:51Is it true?
01:23:01Is it true?
01:23:02Egg?
01:23:05It's all lies.
01:23:08It is true, mademoiselle.
01:23:17I left you.
01:23:29I left you.
01:23:33God damn you.
01:23:35What have you done?
01:23:43What have I done?
01:23:46It is you who have deceived me!
01:23:49These last two days, they have not been genial.
01:24:00You are deranged, monsieur.
01:24:06Deranged.
01:24:07You don't know what it's like.
01:24:14You don't know what it's like.
01:24:14People think you're so happy,
01:24:40so glamorous.
01:24:41Girls run after you.
01:24:47Beautiful girls.
01:24:49You kiss them.
01:24:51And then they go home.
01:24:55You take off their pretty costumes.
01:24:59And they go home.
01:25:02And you are alone.
01:25:07I would have loved you, Egg.
01:25:09Till the day I died.
01:25:13That's all I wanted.
01:25:18Love.
01:25:22That's so much to ask.
01:25:24It's not enough to kill three people for.
01:25:26My friend.
01:25:34Your revels now are ended.
01:25:38Oh, well.
01:25:42Damn you.
01:25:51Damn you all.
01:25:52That's okay.
01:25:55Don't want to sit.
01:26:02No.
01:26:06Don't want to sit here.
01:26:07Don't want to sit.
01:26:10Don't want to sit.
01:26:11Don't want to sit.
01:26:12Mr. Melders, I think now is the time to take home the Lady Mary and Mamouzele.
01:26:33Yes, sir, of course.
01:26:36You will look after her now.
01:26:38I shall.
01:26:42Mademoiselle, you fall down, but you will get up again.
01:27:12Tragedy in three acts, I think.
01:27:16A great man brought low.
01:27:22I can see now I should have gone to the police.
01:27:25Don't judge me too harshly.
01:27:27Oh, Mademoiselle, I investigate.
01:27:29I do not judge.
01:27:30I just had a terrible thought.
01:27:36If anyone could have drunk the poison cocktail, it could have been me.
01:27:45And there is a possibility even more terrible, Mademoiselle.
01:27:52It could have been me.
01:27:54I do not judge me.