The Assassin by Eric Saward

Oldtuberadio

The Assassin by Eric Saward was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1974 and rebroadcast on BBC World Service in 1980 Story: There is evil in London. The assassin is its right hand. I would not live to spend your money. I risk my life just talking to you.'   Cast: Insp Maitland: William Eedle  Sgt Bound: John Hollis  Richard Mace: Geoffrey Matthews  Roundtree: Leonard Fenton  Asst Commissioner: John Bryning  Albert Hugget: Alan Dudley Rosie: Diana Bishop Rosie's friend:  Carole Boyd Perkins: Julian Fox Jeremiah Scrim,:  Fraser Kerr Landlady: Betty Huntley-Wright   BBC Radio 4 FM Afternoon Theatre 1 June 1974    Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00E.B.C. World Service

00:11Radio Theatre presents The Assassin by Eric Sayward

00:16London, 1888

00:20Edward Albert George Stockman

00:25What?

00:27Are you here?

00:28Who, who, what do you want?

00:31Are you here?

00:32Get out, get out, do you hear?

00:34In a moment, Sir Edward

00:37First I must leave you with this

00:41Brilliant shooting, sir

00:46What?

00:47Two shots in the head, not a finger's width separating them

00:50God, I'm tired

00:51Working the same man all right?

00:53Four much exactly as before

00:54Did anyone hear the trumps?

00:56Yeah, the butler did

00:57But I gather that's all he did here

00:58The rest of the staff were in bed asleep

01:00Would you like a word with him, sir?

01:03Not if you've taken a statement

01:04I gather there isn't a lady, Stockley

01:07No, died some four or five years ago

01:09Well, let's go

01:11We're only wasting our time here

01:12Oh, excuse me, sir

01:13Yes, Perkins

01:14Urgent message from Assistant Commissioner

01:16It's come by special messenger

01:17You ought to report to him at once

01:20Thank you, Perkins

01:21Yeah, I wonder what he wants

01:23Let's go find out

01:24Come

01:39Ah, Maitland

01:42Found

01:42Come in the pair of you

01:44Thank you

01:44Sit

01:45Smoke, if you like

01:49Ah, thank you, sir

01:51Now, I've just come from a meeting with the Home Secretary

01:54Damn fella's an insomniac

01:57Mind you, he's every reason to be

01:59This incident, Maitland

02:01It's got to remain hush-hush

02:03What, sir?

02:04Absolutely hush-hush

02:06Not a word to anyone

02:07Press embargo and all that

02:09Why, sir?

02:11Damnation, man

02:12This is the fourth assassination this month

02:14We've lost two knights, a duke and an earl

02:18Yes, sir

02:18A sizable chunk of the aristocracy

02:20What's the public going to make of the yard's ability to maintain law and order

02:24If we allow the activities of this fellow to go unchecked?

02:27Well, sir

02:28And what with this rip-up business as well

02:30There'll be riots

02:31Eminent people forced to resign

02:33Inspectors demoted

02:36Yes, sir

02:37This assassin's a professional

02:39Someone must be employing him

02:42Find them, Maitland

02:43And find out why they're so intent on the wholesale slaughter of Britain's aristocracy

02:48The motive, Maitland

02:50What about Sir Edward, sir?

02:51There are bound to be questions about his death

02:53It was rather sudden

02:55It's been decided his death be announced as from natural causes

02:59Heart failure

03:01Sounds a bit irregular to me, sir

03:04Think of the yard's reputation, man

03:06I am, sir

03:07The death certificate will be signed accordingly

03:10There's nothing to worry about

03:12Not a thing

03:13Now keep me in touch, Maitland

03:15Fully in touch

03:16Yes, sir

03:17The case is cursed

03:22The one common factor these murders have is that all the victims were members of the aristocracy

03:28Who knows more about them than anyone else of our acquaintance?

03:32Albert Huggett

03:33Precisely

03:34One-time butler to the second most noble family in the land

03:38Until they found he was personally responsible for the vast amount of pork drunk in the house

03:42If anyone knows more about the dark side of the four murdered men, it'll be him

03:47It's midnight, sir

03:49Where do we start looking for him?

03:51This is the one time of day I know for certain where he'll be staggering out of the shind and gutter

03:56Stop the cab at the next corner, driver

03:59Hello, Albert

04:08Good evening, sirs

04:11Do I have the honour of knowing either of you gentlemen?

04:15Or are you street ruffians out to steal my last pennies?

04:20Come off it, Mr. H, you know us

04:22Well, blow me down

04:25If it isn't the inscrutable Sergeant Brown

04:29Bound's the name, Mr. H

04:30And we don't go in for official titles in this part of the world

04:33Mr. Bound and Mr. Maitland will suffice

04:36Mr. Maitland

04:38How are you, Maitland?

04:40Very tired, Albert, very tired

04:42I'm drunk

04:43What is matter?

04:44Look, Albert

04:45I need information

04:47For you, kind sir, anything

04:49It's, um

04:50It's the assassin, Albert

04:53I want information on the four men he's murdered

04:55Danger, good sir

04:58Involves risk

05:00Risk is a calculable commodity

05:04Anything to do with the assassin is suicide

05:09The odds are not to my liking

05:12It's very important

05:13We'd make it worth your while

05:14There is evil in London

05:17The assassin is its right hand

05:20I would not live to spend your money

05:22I risked my life

05:24Just talking to you, Inspector

05:26Come, Mr. Bound

05:27Bring with me off

05:28Good night, Albert

05:29Gentlemen

05:33I cannot help you

05:45No other professional informer will either

05:48These are dangerous times

05:50But there is one man

05:53Who just might

05:55Yes

05:55Come here

05:57There is a man called

06:00Michael Agate

06:02He's better known in these parts as Michael the Triple

06:06Do you know him, Sergeant?

06:08No, sir

06:09He has yet another name

06:10This one you will know

06:13What is it?

06:14Richard Mace

06:16What?

06:17The actor?

06:19That's him

06:19He has eyes and ears everywhere

06:24If anyone can help you

06:26It's him

06:27But why should we

06:28Don't say no more

06:30Trust me

06:31He's a good man

06:33He's supplied me with some of my best information

06:36Now

06:37I'll get word to him

06:39He'll make contact with you

06:42In his own way

06:43But you must never let him know

06:45I told you his real name

06:47Now

06:47Go

06:48Too many eyes have seen us together already

06:52It all seems a bit bizarre to me

07:00A famous actor

07:01Prancing about London

07:02Dressed as a cripple

07:03The whole case is

07:06Pooh-like, Sergeant

07:07Oh

07:08If I can stay away long enough

07:10I shall get drunk

07:11Before going to sleep

07:12Get to join me

07:13Oh, the old lady

07:14Won't take too kindly to me

07:16Arriving home drunk

07:17I'll stay in my room

07:18Well, I haven't been home for three days

07:21Fourth will make no difference

07:22Hey, you're right

07:23She doesn't care to have me about the house much anyway

07:26Driver

07:27You have two thirsty men aboard

07:31And this handsome seems to be travelling backwards

07:33Albert Mervyn Huggit

07:40Am I of your acquaintance, sir?

07:45Are you here?

07:46Your voice is not familiar

07:49Are you here?

07:52But you are not unexpected

07:54I've come for you, Albert

07:57You have spoken your last words to the police

08:02Hell of a damn nice estate, sir

08:07I should never have left him sitting at the side of the road in a state he was

08:12I don't think it would have made much difference where you left him, sir

08:15The assassin seems to have eyes and ears everywhere

08:18That's what Albert said of Richard Mays

08:21Yes?

08:30Mr. Mays?

08:31He isn't here

08:32Go away

08:32It's the police

08:33The police?

08:35What do you want?

08:36Would you mind opening the door, sir?

08:37Has something happened to the governor?

08:41Not that I know of

08:42Can we come in, sir?

08:43Uh, yes, sir, of course

08:45Who are you, anyway?

08:48Roundtree

08:49I'm Mr. Macy's dresser

08:50Well, Mr. Roundtree

08:52Roundtree is sufficient

08:53I've never been one for handles

08:54Oh

08:55No Christian name?

08:57You'd have to be a Christian first

08:58Roundtree

09:00Oh, governor

09:01Who are these people?

09:05The police, governor

09:06Did we send for them?

09:08They came at their own accord

09:10We'd like a word with you, sir

09:12How many times have I told you I never see anybody before a performance?

09:16They insisted I let them in

09:17In a few minutes' time I am to perform Hamlet

09:20The ground yoga

09:21What difference does it make?

09:22They're all difficult

09:23I need to be able to relax

09:25To be able to compose my thoughts

09:27Acting is an art, gentlemen

09:30A very difficult art

09:31And I have a splitting head

09:34Albert Haggard is dead, sir

09:36Dead?

09:38You did know him, sir

09:39I knew him

09:40When did it happen?

09:42Last night

09:42He was murdered

09:43And I always thought he would die of cirrhosis of the liver

09:47Well, according to the pathologist, he very nearly did

09:50But not quite

09:51Poor Albert

09:52You haven't much time to change

09:53The man is dead, Roundtree

09:55Surely I can spare a moment

09:57Sorry, Guff

09:58Then a moment is all he will get

10:01My costume

10:02An actor without an audience is an actor unemployed

10:05And with my debts, that is a situation I cannot afford to be in

10:10Help Mr. Mason with his doublet, sergeant

10:12Oh, allow me, sir

10:15The sergeant and I were in conversation with Al

10:18Just a couple of hours before he was murdered

10:20Your name was mentioned

10:21My name is on the lips of half the populace

10:24I'm sure it is, sir

10:25But this was concerning another matter

10:27There are other matters associated with my name

10:29This was more to do with the name of a character you sometimes play

10:33Michael Aggett

10:34Ah

10:35A name I'm sure you're not unfamiliar with

10:38Your talents are wasted, gentlemen

10:40You compliment each other so beautifully

10:42You would make much more money as a double act

10:45Albert was under the impression you could be of some help to us

10:48To you?

10:49Surely not

10:50Oh, he spoke very highly of you, sir

10:52He said, uh, you have eyes and ears everywhere

10:55It is true

10:56In every tavern

10:57Every back street

10:59How is that, sir?

11:00When I go to the east end or to the docks

11:02I don't go carrying a silver-topped cane

11:04And wearing a saddle-row suit

11:06I go as a sailor

11:08A tradesman

11:08Or a labourer

11:09Or Michael Aggett

11:11Precisely

11:12I have friends in every town

11:14Where is my wig?

11:16Roundtree

11:16Here, the gulf

11:17What made you start such an activity, sir?

11:19I simply enjoyed drinking in the east end

11:21And didn't want to be conspicuous

11:23I was, um, thinking more about your supplying Albert with information

11:27Albert was an old friend, fallen on hard times

11:30He was able to make a few shillings

11:32Selling the bits and pieces that I overheard

11:35You haven't done too badly, are there, the gulf?

11:37Someone pays you as well

11:39On occasions, I have done the odd bit of investigating for friends

11:44Information is easily bought if you know where to ask

11:47And if I should want to purchase information?

11:50Sure you have your own, uh, knarks

11:53This is something special

11:55Then it could be very expensive

11:57I'm interested in information on the assassin

12:01Are you sure?

12:04Where he's concerned, London's underworld is very mute

12:08My dagger, Roundtree

12:11Right, gulf?

12:12Four very important people have died by his hand

12:15And now Albert

12:16Four?

12:17He killed again last night

12:18Sir Edward Stockley

12:20I tell you this in the utmost confidence

12:23Oh, of course

12:23It would be in your interest to cooperate with this, sir

12:27I know nothing

12:28I wish I could help you

12:30My dagger, Roundtree

12:32It's, uh, here somewhere, gulf

12:34The, the underworld

12:36Wants to be rid of him as much as you do

12:39Like the ripper, here's an embarrassment to all honest criminals

12:42My dagger, Roundtree

12:46I can't seem to find it, gulf

12:47How can I perform it out of my dagger?

12:50Is it asking too much to demand a few miserable props?

12:53Here it is, gulf

12:54It's all right

12:55Put it on me

12:56And, uh, refill my glass

12:59Yes, sir

13:00Uh, you must excuse me, gentlemen

13:03I, I have a lot to do

13:04Mr. Mace

13:05Do we have your cooperation on this matter, sir?

13:09Of course

13:10Anything I hear, you will be told immediately

13:13And not so to the highest bidder

13:15You have my word

13:17For what that is worth as an actor

13:19That's good enough, sir

13:21You want me to call, Mr. Mace

13:24Thank you

13:24I must go

13:26Romeo awaits my genius

13:29He cannot live until I breathe life into him

13:32Come, Roundtree

13:34Coming up

13:35Look, Vince

13:36The governor's been very candid with you

13:39Albert was the only person who knew his identity

13:41If he got out in the wrong quarters

13:43The governor was Michael Abbott

13:44God only knows what would happen

13:46Roundtree

13:47Well, sir

13:53What did you think?

13:56I don't know

13:56He certainly was very strange

13:58All that shouting

13:59Oh, he's an actor, sir

14:01He's been a pretty rum lot at the best of times

14:02He's been living a world of his own

14:04Alcoholic, hey

14:05I'd call it

14:05I've never seen a man drink so much

14:07Yeah, I find this case grows more depressing by the hour

14:11Do you think he'll help?

14:13Mace

14:13I don't know

14:14If he doesn't get in the way

14:16He'll get himself killed

14:17I don't care what he does

14:18A little room in this case for temperament

14:20Siver

14:21Scotland Yard

14:23On our way, sir

14:24Anything interesting in the newspaper?

14:33Er, Parliament had to be suspended

14:36I did a smell

14:37Of whom?

14:38Well, it says here

14:39Parliament was suspended yesterday afternoon

14:42Owing to the pungent smell

14:44That filled the lower house

14:46The smell was traced to Mr. Hunt's bone factory

14:504th Street, Lambeth

14:51Owing to the direction of the wind

14:54The smell of his establishment

14:55Was being carried across the river

14:57And into the house of commons

14:59Fascinating

14:59Talk to me

15:02I'm bored

15:03What would you like to talk about, Gov?

15:06Why must I always find a topic?

15:08Don't you have any thoughts of your own?

15:10My thoughts are exclusively of your welfare and comfort, Gov

15:13Then comfort me

15:14That's why I was reading the newspaper

15:16I was hoping to find some humorous art they've got to show you

15:19Something to cheer you up

15:20How kind

15:21Who is it?

15:23A letter for Mr. Mace

15:24Where's the letter?

15:28Here

15:28He left it on the floor

15:30You demeaned

15:30Give it to me

15:31Who is it from?

15:33The letter is addressed to me

15:35Sorry

15:36It's...

15:41It's from Albert Tugget

15:43What?

15:43Dear Mr. Mace

15:46Forgive me for writing to you at the theatre

15:48But the information I have just acquired

15:51Must be placed in your hands as soon as possible

15:54I would have come to the theatre myself

15:56But I go in fear of my life

15:58And must leave London at once

16:00The information itself is a bit vague

16:03But I'm sure with research

16:05You will be able to make more of it

16:07What simple handwriting?

16:09Come on, Gov

16:09What else does it say?

16:10The clue is as follows

16:12Search the personal columns of the times

16:15If you require any help from the professional police

16:17See Inspector Maitland at the yard

16:19He is one of their best

16:20And he has been good to me

16:21Pray for me, Mr. Mace

16:24I fear that I may be dead when you receive this letter

16:28Your obedient servant

16:30You would hug it

16:31Well, well

16:32A clue in the traditional manner

16:34Suddenly

16:36I have great interest in this case

16:38What's to be done?

16:39You will go to Fleet Street

16:40To the Times office

16:41Yes, precisely

16:42And look for Albert's clue

16:44What will you be doing?

16:45Michael Aggett is going to visit a certain tavern in the eastern end

16:49This is no time to go boozing, Governor

16:51This is business

16:51You said that the last time

16:53I begin to wish Albert had sent his letter to the police

16:56He knew where it would be most use

16:58One large brand to eat

16:59And then

17:00To our tasks

17:01You tell more jokes like that

17:09And Jack the Tickler will be owning his razor for you

17:12Don't say a thing like that evening, Jack

17:14It makes my flesh creeps just to think that such a man lives in London

17:19I keep my door locked tight at night

17:22Except when Will Bainard comes calling

17:24Oh, ho, ho, ho

17:26Here, Rosie

17:27A thing of yours is just staggered

17:30Where?

17:31Oh, yeah

17:32I must go over

17:35You take care, Rosie

17:37You can't trust no one nowadays

17:39Hello, Rosie, my dear

17:44Well, well, well

17:46Michael Aggett

17:47Long time since we've seen you in this place

17:49Been very busy, my dear

17:51Very busy

17:51Would you like to do it?

17:53Another time, Flour

17:54Look, I am able to refuse a drink

17:57This visit is purely business

17:59Oh, yeah

18:00What is it?

18:02Information

18:02For a very special client

18:05Oh, all your clients are special

18:07Except when it comes to paying

18:09This little job is payment in advance, my precious jewel

18:12What information's wanted?

18:15About our late, dear departed friend, Albert

18:17Are you serious?

18:20I never joke about business

18:22You should know that by now, Rosie

18:24You know who did he mean?

18:26I don't

18:26That's what I want you to find out, my little father

18:29A bloody assassin

18:31What with him and the Ripper, no one's safe in London

18:34Albert was careless

18:36Very unwise move

18:38Albert was not smooth, my old

18:40I still don't want to get involved

18:42To the best interests of London's underworld

18:45That this man has caught

18:46His activities bring discredit on all of us

18:49Well, what are the police for?

18:51To catch villains, my cheery pie

18:53But at times like this

18:55It is best to put aside our prejudices

18:57And aid the police

18:58It's not until this man's neck wears a collar of hemp

19:02That we can continue our activities in peace

19:05I don't know

19:07For Albert's sake

19:09If not for the other blighters he's killed

19:11This assassin isn't one of us

19:14Nor is Albert any longer

19:16My client wishes retribution

19:19All right

19:23Oh, that's more, Rosie

19:24But the job's going to cost you plenty

19:25Name your price, Rosie, my dear

19:27Ten guineas

19:29Plus a guinea a day

19:30And another guinea a day for each of our girls

19:32What's this talk of guineas?

19:33I've gone respectable

19:34Not with fees, virgin or daylight robbery

19:37My Christmas tree

19:39Take it or leave it

19:40I'll pay seven pounds ten to you

19:42And six half-crowns a day

19:44For each of your girls

19:45A guinea a day or nothing

19:47You'll get no one else to touch this business for you

19:49You drive a hard bargain, my little prairie flower

19:52Yeah, put it down to the high cost of dying

19:55Oh, have a good

19:56Hmm, pass it from the end of the table

19:58I don't want any of us to come here

20:00If we don't have so much money

20:01Right

20:02There you are, princess

20:04Around twenty-five

20:07I've got every scrap of information

20:09However vague

20:11Whoever's overheard saying

20:13I want to know everything

20:15Right

20:15Messages left in the usual place?

20:17Of course, my love

20:19I'll get my girls organised

20:20They're looking for the man who killed Albert, remember?

20:23No mention of the assassin's other

20:25Activities, my little Warren's

20:26We don't want any of them getting hurt

20:29Do we?

20:37Hello, love

20:38Remember Albert?

20:40Such a nice man

20:41Wicked he was done in

20:43Never did no one, no harm

20:44You heard anything?

20:46Any little thing?

20:47A name?

20:48An address?

20:48Oh, whisper

20:49Poor Albert

20:50Poor

20:51Poor Albert

20:52Rosie

20:56Yes, love?

20:58A word with you

21:00Where have you been, Governor?

21:08Mike Maggett's got the better of me

21:10You've been boozy

21:11I was sidetracked as I was returning to the theatre

21:14Did you see Rosie?

21:15Of course

21:16She's got her best girls working on the case

21:18Poor dear, Brandy

21:19Her head feels as though

21:2120,000 people have been clapping and cheering in it for a week

21:25Governor

21:25Look what I found out

21:26I must have Brandy

21:28It's the oldest shit in the world

21:29What is?

21:30Where's my drink?

21:31An advertisement in a personal column

21:33What are you talking about?

21:34Albert's clue

21:35What I went to the Times about

21:36Oh, come on, Governor

21:38Can't concentrate

21:40I must have a drink

21:41All right

21:42Read this while I'll pour you one

21:44Dispatch at once to Mrs. Smith

21:48All my love

21:49Well, dispatch what?

21:51What's it about?

21:52That message appeared in the Times on the day each man was murdered

21:55So, a signal to the assassin?

21:59That's what I thought

21:59The plot thickens

22:01I checked the back copies for the last six months

22:03That message only appears on the day of each murder

22:07At no other time

22:08Must follow it up

22:09Did you get the name of the person who placed the ad?

22:11The clerk wouldn't give it to me

22:12We must have that name

22:14The police could get it

22:16Meekton

22:16Talbot seemed to think he was a good bloke

22:18A telegram to Meekton

22:19And whilst you're out

22:20Message from Mr. Mays

22:21I'll get it, come

22:22It's from Mr. Todd

22:24Here at once

22:25It's from Rosie

22:27Give the boy a tip

22:28All right

22:28Oh, thank you, Dad

22:30It must be important

22:32She only uses Todd in an emergency

22:34Listen

22:35Come at once

22:37Don't let me down, Rosie

22:39Quickly

22:40By Michael Agate disguise

22:41Yes, Governor

22:42Well, get it, man

22:43I must leave at once

22:44You're still wearing it, Governor

22:46What is it, Sergeant?

22:50A telegram, sir

22:50It's from Mr. M

22:52Hmm?

22:53What does he want?

22:55To see you

22:55He also wants us to find out the name and address of someone who put an ad in the Times

23:00Hmm, he's got a bit of a liberty

23:02Sending telegrams to us with his instructions

23:05Not if his information's positive

23:06Ah, I'm on my way, sir

23:09I shall be at the theatre

23:10Meet me there

23:12There he is, back to him

23:17Where's Rosie, sweet thing?

23:20She's had enough of you

23:21Get out of here

23:22Go away

23:22Well, what have I done, my twinkling starlet?

23:25Cause trouble, cause pain

23:27Oh, Rosie

23:28I must speak to him

23:31Let him pass

23:32Oh, Rosie

23:32My lovely

23:35I'm no longer your lovely

23:37Look at my face

23:39God

23:40Um, what happened?

23:43A man

23:44A razor

23:45In a dark alley

23:47The Ripper?

23:48No, it wasn't the Ripper

23:50I'm still alive

23:51It was a warning

23:53The assassin?

23:55A henchman

23:55I don't know

23:57He just warned me to stop asking questions

24:00I'm sorry, my treasure

24:02I didn't realise the danger

24:04I didn't know his strength

24:06You get him for me, Michael

24:07You must promise me

24:09Yes

24:10I swear I won't rest until the assassin is a good day

24:14Where's Mr. Mace?

24:18I don't know

24:18He left no message

24:19Help yourself to a drink

24:21Oh, thank you, sir

24:22How'd you get on other times?

24:24No, I got the name

24:25John Smith

24:26How original

24:27Corresponds with the name in the advertisement, sir

24:30Could be genuine

24:30Oh, no matter John Smith

24:31We didn't have something to hide

24:32This John Smith was an Indian

24:34You sure?

24:36But the clerk said

24:37You get the address?

24:38Yes, sir

24:39I'm just phoned with the name

24:40Well, I've already telegraphed the arbor of the information

24:42I thought it wouldn't do any arbor of him checked

24:45Your hip flask, Roundtree

24:51Here you are, Guth

24:52There is evil in London, Roundtree

24:57And it's too well organised

24:59I like you

25:00Let's get out of this business, Governor

25:02There isn't anything in it for us

25:04It's too late to withdraw

25:06Much too late

25:07Driver!

25:09Turn left at the next junction

25:11Where are we going?

25:12I thought so

25:13What are you doing?

25:15That cab behind, it's following us

25:16Are you sure?

25:17He is following us

25:19Can you see who it is?

25:22No

25:22Driver, to the theatre

25:25As fast as you can

25:26Don't follow us, Mayor

25:27Precisely what I want them to do

25:29They want to know where I am going

25:31And I want to know who they are

25:33Better this comes about on my own territory

25:35Then can't you go any faster?

25:38Couldn't you see who was following?

25:43No

25:44They stopped at the end of the road

25:45It was stupid of me not to realise

25:48They would need to come no nearer

25:50What if it was the assassin?

25:51If they had anything to do with him

25:53I would guess they were a little more than minor henchmen

25:55I have the feeling he only comes out for the kill

25:59Then you better think seriously about going into hiding

26:01Never

26:02Oh, if only Shakespeare had lived the life, I do think

26:07What plays he could have written?

26:09I doubt if he'd lived long enough, sir

26:10Look what happened to Marlowe, it's right

26:12You forget

26:13I am already 40

26:14I am 39

26:15I am indestructible

26:17Refill my gas bounty

26:19Brandy won't stop a bullet, sir

26:21I am not drunk, Inspector

26:23No, sir

26:24I must perform

26:25I am bubbling

26:25You can watch my performance from my box

26:28I shall be magnificent

26:30I should be too busy watching the audience

26:32Ah, yes

26:33A telegram for Inspector Major

26:35I'll get it

26:36What does it say?

26:42Bad news

26:43Not more

26:44What is it?

26:45Message in the Times

26:46Two officers sent to investigate the person who placed it

26:48And?

26:49A fight

26:49One constable's dead

26:51Stabbed

26:53Good God

26:54The Indian, whose real name according to papers found in his house is Krishna Singh

26:58After the attack

27:00He attempted suicide

27:02His condition is critical

27:04Any reason given for the resistance?

27:06No, sir, I would have thought it was obvious

27:08Now I think I should return to the yard

27:11One minute, Mr. Mays

27:13You must excuse me, gentlemen

27:14You can't go on tonight, Governor

27:15I agree with Rantree

27:17My public is waiting

27:18There could be great danger, sir

27:20With Miss Bailey playing Ophelia

27:21I will have a large enough object to hide behind

27:23Should it prove necessary

27:25Take more involved, sir

27:26You are too kind, Sergeant

27:27But the Lord Chamberlain has mutilated the text sufficiently

27:31Without my adding any anachronism

27:33You were brilliant, Governor

27:41I know

27:42My genius is once more confirmed

27:45Oh, I am blinded with emotion

27:49Lead me back to my dressing room

27:51Hmm

28:00Maitland gone?

28:02Yes, Governor

28:03Give me your overcoat

28:04I'll put some more coal on the fire if you're cold, Governor

28:07Now, don't bother

28:08We are going out

28:10No, Governor

28:11Inspector Maitland said I was to keep you here

28:13Maitland is a competent policeman

28:15He should know better than to give you such an order

28:17Rantree

28:18Put on the suit that I was wearing this afternoon

28:21What?

28:22What for?

28:23Don't argue

28:24Put it on

28:25Listen, Governor

28:26You can't go out

28:27The fog's so thick a blind man would get lost

28:30Hurry up and change

28:32You're not thinking, Governor

28:33The assassin could be out there

28:36Then we mustn't keep him waiting

28:37You won't stand a chance

28:40If the fog is as sick as you say

28:42You'll have to come very close before he can shoot

28:44What if he blows your head off from behind?

28:48That's why you will be wearing my suit

28:50I'm sorry, Governor

28:52I won't do it

28:53Even with my genius

28:54I cannot work unhindered if the eyes of the world are upon me

28:58You will be quite safe

29:00Hmm

29:06Gray suits you, Rantree

29:09Yes

29:10I've never worn a silk suit before

29:12It's yours

29:13For how long?

29:15You might be burying me in it tomorrow

29:16More likely, I shall be praising you for your courage

29:19Your dedication

29:21Your diligence

29:21I don't like this fog

29:26Without it, what would London be?

29:29If nothing else

29:30It gives Monsieur Monet something to paint

29:33What's that?

29:34What?

29:35I heard a footstep

29:36Hmm

29:38Nothing, you see

29:39Your imagination will be the death of you

29:42If it is, I'll die a happy man

29:44Can't we take a cab home, Governor?

29:47I'm a bag of nerves

29:48We are not going home

29:50What?

29:50We are going to Scotland Yard

29:52I thought a nice, leisurely stroll

29:55It's miles

29:56One and three quarters, to be precise

29:59We'll be much safer at your rooms

30:01Don't you ever think?

30:03Where have all the other murders occurred?

30:06All right

30:06In the victim's own homes

30:08In their very own studies

30:10Except for poor Albert, of course

30:13I feel safer at home

30:15I don't want to get blood on one new suit

30:18Look

30:20We could barricade the door

30:22I could do with it a good night's sleep

30:24Do you good as well, Governor?

30:28Governor?

30:30Mr. Mace

30:31Where have you gone?

30:33Oh

30:33Oh, my God

30:34Don't mess around

30:37You know I have a very nervous disposition

30:39Please

30:41You're playing a mean trick, Governor

30:43Richard

30:45Archibald Mace

30:47Are you here?

30:51Oh, my God

30:52Are you here?

30:55You've got the wrong man

30:57Honest

30:58Do I look like Richard Mace?

31:00I'm only a dresser

31:01A humble dresser

31:03I am Richard Mace

31:04Where are you?

31:08Here

31:08I can't see you

31:11Identify yourself

31:13I have something for you

31:17What is your name?

31:19My name

31:20Would mean nothing to you

31:22Tell me your name

31:23And I shall show myself

31:25I have an urgent message

31:28For you

31:29What is it?

31:31I can't be expected

31:33To deliver it

31:34To a faceless man

31:35State your name

31:37And I will show myself

31:39That is all

31:41The identification

31:41That I want

31:42You

31:43Get to go

31:44I don't know where he went

31:58That was the last I heard of him

31:59Where did this happen?

32:00Not two minutes walk from the theatre

32:02Pardon?

32:03Sir?

32:03A general alert

32:04My one Mr. Mace found

32:05Let's wait a bit

32:06Wait?

32:07What for?

32:07The Governor's a tough bird

32:08In spite of his funny ways

32:10He's used to working alone

32:11Your Governor might already be dead

32:13This is the nearest we've ever got to the assassin

32:15We can't afford to let him slip through our fingers

32:17But he won't, Inspector

32:19Governor

32:19You've got the assassin?

32:21I lost him

32:22Help!

32:23Damnation!

32:24Where?

32:24Just beyond Waterloo Bridge

32:26He was heading in the Lambeth direction

32:27I'm glad you're safe, Governor

32:29Thank you, Roundtree

32:30Sergeant

32:31I want every available man into the Waterloo area

32:33Yes, sir

32:34You've, uh, no idea who you're looking for

32:37I intend to arrest everyone I find on the street

32:40That will cause you nothing but embarrassment

32:41What?

32:42You'll have half the aristocracy in your jail before you know where you are

32:45That part of London is considered good soil for planting wild oats

32:49Your hip flask, Roundtree

32:52Boozing won't help to find the assassin

32:54We won't have far to look

32:56Here

32:59A dirty old hat

33:02The assassins

33:04Let me look

33:04Well, perhaps there's a name in it

33:06There are initials

33:07J.S.

33:09John Smith

33:09The man who put the advertisement in the Times

33:11I doubt it

33:12As his name turned out to be Krishna Singh

33:15What about a maker's label?

33:16Ah, this sort of cap can be bought of any cost among us, Barrow

33:19You know something we don't, don't you, Governor?

33:22I know no more than that hat, Toadbury

33:24Study it carefully

33:26Come on, Mr. Mace

33:27This man's dangerous

33:28He could be making his getaway while we stand here playing games

33:31I doubt it

33:32The assassin is a confident man

33:33He won't run

33:34I think six of your best men should be enough

33:37Armed, of course

33:39Where are we going?

33:404th Street, Lambeth

33:42What makes you so sure you're going to find him where you stay?

33:48Smell the cap

33:49Sergeant

33:50What does it remind you of?

33:54The drains

33:55Inspector

33:56I agree

33:58My flypaper memory

34:00Tells me otherwise

34:01The other day

34:03Roundtree read me an article from the newspaper

34:05Concerning a problem that Parliament is having

34:07With the smell of Mr. Hunt's boneworks

34:10It really is rather devoted

34:12Is that what this hat smells of?

34:14You'll be able to confirm it for yourselves

34:16As we cross Waterloo Bridge

34:17So you think Mr. Hunt is the assassin?

34:19Hardly

34:20The poor man has enough problems already

34:23Then who?

34:25I don't know yet

34:26The only thing I'm sure of is that the assassin has a hideout in 4th Street

34:31I would think there are few places in the whole of the world where such a smell exists

34:37Depressing looking place?

34:43Any idea which house, sir?

34:44There is only one

34:45Deploy the men, Sergeant

34:48Yes, sir

34:49Perkins, you stay here

34:50Sergeant

34:50The rest of you come with me

34:52And no talking

34:52I've had enough

34:54I'm off

34:54Stay where you are

34:56There could be a madman in that house, Governor

34:58A madman with a gun

34:59I know

35:00How do you plan to wiggle him out, Inspector?

35:03I'm not sure

35:04I've got much experience with this sort of thing as concerned

35:07I'd go in guns blazing

35:08Maybe it's the wrong man

35:09The police are discredited enough without adding indiscriminate murder to the list

35:13Hmm

35:14At least the fog is clearing

35:15I'm not so sure that's an advantage

35:17The men are in position, sir

35:19Your hip flask round for you

35:20Here you are, Governor

35:21To your success

35:22Gentlemen

35:23Want you to come here with us?

35:24I don't think so

35:25I shall remain here

35:26Perhaps I could borrow a rifle to guard your backs

35:29You know how to use one?

35:30Of course

35:31Perkins

35:32Give the gentleman your rifle

35:33Yes, sir

35:34Thank you

35:35Sergeant

35:36You come with me

35:37Thank you, sir

35:37You too, Perkins

35:38Right, sir

35:38The rest of you keep your eyes skinned

35:41All right

35:41Let's get it over with

35:43He doesn't seem very confident, Governor

35:47Nor would I be

35:48He's a very brave man, Roundtree

35:50They all are

35:51Oh, can't we do anything to help?

35:53We will only get in the way

35:54Inspector Maitland is the star of this show

35:57Hmm

35:58I think another swing is called for

36:01You've got your side armed?

36:08Of course, sir

36:09Sir

36:09Don't let them out of your grasp

36:10Who is it?

36:11Police

36:12Open up

36:12What do you want?

36:13Open up

36:14How do I know you're the police?

36:16You could be the ripper

36:17A gang of ruffians

36:19If you don't open this door, I'll smash it in

36:20Oh, you're the police

36:22All right

36:22No, you're funny

36:23Stupid old hag

36:25He'd want to cut her up

36:26What do you want?

36:28Disturbing a respectable woman at this time of night

36:31Who else lives here?

36:32You can't barge your way into my house

36:35Answer, woman

36:36Well, there's my lodger

36:38What's his name?

36:39Mr. Scrim

36:40What's his first name?

36:41Jerry Meyer, I think

36:42J.S.

36:43Come on

36:44Which floor?

36:44Top floor

36:45Be grateful you're still alive to collect that rent, old woman

36:47Anybody else in the house?

36:48Just my old cat

36:50Right

36:50Get out

36:51Over there, where those men are

36:52And be quick

36:53Come on, Sergeant

36:54Quietly now

36:58There are two doors, sir

37:00Damn

37:01Which one?

37:02I don't know

37:03I don't know

37:04Should I call him?

37:05All right

37:06Scrim

37:08Jeremiah Scrim

37:11We'd like a word with you

37:13It's the police, Scrim

37:14Official business

37:15As you step into the hall

37:17It's important we talk to you

37:19Give yourself up, Scrim

37:21Wrong door, copper

37:24Stand up

37:28Mr. Policeman

37:30You all right, Sergeant?

37:31It hurts, sir

37:32You're a strong man

37:35That shot would have killed most men

37:37All right

37:38Perkins are gonna know, sir

37:39Give me the gun for him

37:40They've sent a boy to do a man's job

37:43I am a professional

37:46See how calm I am?

37:48I even had time to talk before shooting your colleagues

37:52Now that's skill

37:53You have not even cocked your revolver

37:56Drop it

37:59I was hoping the police would send some of your best marksmen

38:06But never mind

38:08I doubt whether we're that unpopular with the inspector

38:17What are we gonna do?

38:18I don't know

38:19Yes

38:21What can I?

38:22When I say go

38:23Run towards the house

38:24You're joking

38:24It's across open ground

38:25He'll pick me off

38:26Precisely what I want him to try and do

38:28Thanks very much, Governor

38:29Well, he'll have to show himself to get a clear shot at you

38:32When he does, he will be a dead man

38:33How good a shot are you?

38:35When drunk, excellent

38:35Sober as I am now

38:36A good average

38:37That's very reassuring

38:38And if he doesn't show himself

38:39You'll be inside the house with a professional killer

38:42Oh, I'm all

38:43Stay where you are

38:44Let me get a couple of shots off to see how this rifle fires

38:48Barrels like a corkscrew

38:55But I think I've got it stripped

38:56Right

38:57Roundtree

38:58Go

38:59Come off it

39:00Come a joke's a joke

39:01Look

39:04The enforcement

39:04I'll wait for them

39:05Go

39:06Now

39:06This is discrimination of the worst short

39:08Come on

39:10Show yourself

39:10Don't be shy

39:12Please change windows

39:14Are you all right, Roundtree?

39:21I think so, Governor

39:22Did you get him?

39:24Oh, yes

39:24Our assassin has killed his last victim

39:28All a bit of an anticlimax

39:30Most disappointing

39:31Hell, I'm damned, Nathan

39:32The place is like a battlefield

39:33Who are you?

39:34Richard Mace

39:35Never heard of you

39:35Never?

39:36Heard of me

39:37The greatest actor in the country

39:39I won't hold that against you

39:40Is that Maitland?

39:42Must speak to him

39:42Maitland?

39:44Maitland?

39:45Oh, hello, sir

39:46How are you, man?

39:48Oh, I'll be all right, sir

39:49Is Scrim dead, mate?

39:51If he's the assassin

39:52Yes

39:52Thank God

39:54Oh, hell's broken loose

39:55At the yard, you know

39:56What?

39:57Who is this barbarian?

39:59The assistant commissioner

40:00Maitland

40:00This Indian chappy

40:01Krishna Singh

40:02He recovered consciousness

40:04Hasn't stopped talking since

40:05Knows everything

40:07Damn nuisance

40:08Accused all sorts of important people

40:10Of the most terrible things

40:11Never do, you know

40:12Dreadful affair

40:13Constable

40:14Get an ambulance

40:16Organized to the wounded

40:17Get Sergeant Ricks down here

40:19To take statements and things

40:20Who's that hag

40:21Lurking in the corner?

40:22Oh, don't bother to tell me

40:23Arrest her

40:24We'll sort everything out later

40:25This way, gentlemen

40:30We have them in a private room

40:32Hmm, how splendid

40:34Gentlemen, how are you?

40:36Oh, oh

40:37Hmm

40:37You look more cheerful, Inspector

40:39Oh, excuse me, Sergeant

40:40His wife's just been visiting

40:42Ah

40:43I've just been scanning the newspapers

40:45For their version of the events

40:47But I find nothing

40:48Not even in the gut of press

40:49Yeah, you won't

40:50It's all being suppressed, sir

40:52For the sake of the nation

40:53The confession of Krishna Singh

40:54Has been of the greatest embarrassment

40:56To a lot of people

40:57I love scandal

40:58No one knows how much they can believe

41:00Can't this statement be checked?

41:02He's dead

41:02How?

41:03Died from his wounds

41:04How convenient

41:06The establishment

41:07The establishment hates getting its title folk involved in scandal

41:09Especially when the scandal is treason

41:11How does Sir Edward Stockman fit into this cut?

41:14It was him who committed the treason

41:15Oh, what did he do?

41:16Tell me everything

41:17He sold arms

41:18To the Indian nationalists

41:19Good God

41:20Not that the delivery was ever made

41:22The authorities got wind of the sale

41:24So, Sir Edward

41:25And his aristocratic friends

41:26Decided to drop out

41:28And the arms weren't delivered

41:29By the time the nationalists realised they weren't coming

41:32It was too late to stop the uprising

41:34A coup without guns is a little more than a riot

41:37Little did we know what we were involved in, Governor

41:39Indeed

41:40We reckon Sir Edward and his consortium

41:42Has underestimated the size and power of the nationalists

41:45Thought of them as little more than a bunch of fanatics

41:48Their uprising had failed dismally

41:50And therefore Sir Edward must have thought he'd hear no more from them

41:53Who hired Scream?

41:55Krishna Singh

41:55Where did he find him?

41:57I don't know, sir

41:58He was a one-time professional soldier

42:00Served his time in India

42:01I've seen you in from those days, who can tell?

42:04There's no suggestion he was politically involved

42:06Like the consortium

42:07He did it just for the money

42:08And a love of it, sir

42:10Yeah

42:11He was certainly mad

42:12Living in the bleakest of rooms

42:14Yet he had over a hundred pounds in his money belt

42:17And a scrapbook

42:18Of what?

42:20A very special scrapbook

42:22In it were newspaper tippings of the three assassinations

42:25That were reported in the press

42:26Those tippings were filed under the heading of business

42:29The second half of the scrapbook was headed

42:32Pleasure

42:33Oh my God

42:34Can you guess, sir?

42:35Yes, I can

42:36I can't?

42:37In that part of the book were cuttings concerning the activities of the so-called

42:42Jack the Ripper

42:43Jeremiah Scream, we believe

42:47Was the Ripper

42:48He certainly possessed a knife that could have done the job

42:51What an evil to unleash for London

42:53I feel ill

42:55A terrible affair

42:56And an affair where the conclusion must remain secret

43:00Officially

43:01The case of the Ripper must remain unsolved

43:04Or to announce the capture of the Ripper

43:06Would expose his other business

43:08I feel very melancholy

43:10You always do at the end of a case, Governor

43:12The foreknowledge doesn't make it any easier to bear

43:15The memory of Rosie's face

43:18What I've heard here

43:19Makes my depression a thousand times worse

43:23Let's be gone

43:25I've heard enough

43:26Will we see you tomorrow, Mr. M?

43:28Tomorrow

43:28Tomorrow I shall be indisposed

43:30Governor

43:31I have a night's heavy drinking before me

43:34Come, Browntree

43:35To the theatre

43:36I need the comfort of familiar things

43:40In The Assassin

43:44By Eric Sayward

43:46Richard Mace

43:47Was played by Jeffrey Matthews

43:49And Roundtree

43:51By Leonard Fenton

43:52Inspector Maitland

43:54William Eadle

43:55Sergeant

43:56Billy Eadle

43:57Billy Eadle

43:58Billy Eadle

43:59Billy Eadle

44:00Billy Eadle

44:01Billy Eadle

44:02Billy Eadle

44:03Billy Eadle

44:04Billy Eadle

44:05Billy Eadle

44:06Billy Eadle

44:07Billy Eadle

44:08Billy Eadle

44:09Billy Eadle

44:10Billy Eadle

44:11Billy Eadle

44:12Billy Eadle

44:13Billy Eadle

44:14Billy Eadle

44:15Billy Eadle

44:16Billy Eadle

44:17Billy Eadle

44:18Billy Eadle

44:19Billy Eadle

44:20Billy Eadle

44:21Billy Eadle

44:22Billy Eadle

44:23Billy Eadle

44:24Billy Eadle

44:25Billy Eadle

Category

Transcript

Recommended