All language subtitles for Rivals of Sherlock Holmes s02e08 Anonymous Letters.eng

[inspiring music]

[birds chirping]

[gentle soft bright music]

No color in your cheeks,
circles under your eyes?

You have become a poor,
pale little ghost.

I shall send for Dr. Gottlieb.

I promise you, Othmar,
there's nothing wrong with me.

It's just I'm not used
to your kind of life yet

and being at court.

I'm tired, I've
been sleeping badly,

and when I do sleep, I
have these horrid dreams.

Very well, we won't
send for Gottlieb yet.

My wife is excused all
social duties for a week.

I prescribe a light
diet and early nights,

but if there is no improvement.

There will be, I'm
sure there will.

Thank you, dearest Otto.

Have you heard about
Baroness Reicher?

Lotte?

Yes, our charming,
feather-brained, lovable Lotte.

Too lovable, it seems,
her indiscretions

have at last reached
the emperor's ears.

And?

[Otto] He has tried
her, found her guilty,

and pronounced
sentence upon her.

Sentence?

Two years behind convent walls.

But that's horrible,
it's inhuman.

Lotte's only crime.

Was to be found out.

Oh, I'm sorry for her,
you know I really am,

it won't be a bit
the same without her.

Two years behind convent
walls, I'd rather die.

Don't look so downhearted,

I can't see the same
fate awaiting you.

Goodbye, my darling.

- [Lenke grunts]
- [Nadja] Lenke.

A letter for you, Countess.

Leave it on the table.

[dramatic music]

[energetic bright music]

[Narrator] In late
Victorian times,

there lived many detectives,

"The Rivals of
Sherlock Holmes."

[dramatic music]

The same hand, the same
loathsome accusations.

If all this were true,

we would be the most abandoned
courtesans in Vienna.

We? Tildi, what are you saying?

For the past month, my dear,

I have been suffering
the same persecution,

and our unknown enemy
is certainly the same.

Compare the writing,
it's identical.

Oh, my poor darling.

And I came to you for help.

Well, they say a trouble
shared is a trouble halved,

and two heads are
better than one.

Perhaps we can help each other.

Of course, my situation
is different from yours.

Rich, young widows cannot
easily defend themselves

against this sort of thing,

whereas you have the protection

of one of the greatest
names in the land.

That's what I don't
understand, Nadja.

You've only been
married six months.

Otto worships the
ground you walk on.

Why come to me when you
could have confided in him?

Let Otto read those
obscenities about me?

I would rather die.

Oh, you silly goose.

If you'd gone to him
in the first place,

he would have set your
mind at rest instantly.

But now, well, if
he does find out,

by not telling him,
it does rather look

as though you had a
guilty secret to hide.

Tildi, don't!

Darling, I'm only trying
to be sensible about it.

I know, I know.

I'm sure I'm being very foolish.

But there is one thing

in every one of these
letters that is true.

Nadja, my dear, I
never dreamt that-

No, no, it's not that.

When you were an actress?

I had every
opportunity, but Otto

was the first man in my life,
the only one, I swear it.

No, I'm speaking of
something quite different.

The birthmark?

I have a small birthmark
just here, under my breast.

Who in my life has ever seen it

or known of its existence?

Well, your mother.

Well, my nurse when I was
a child, my doctor, Otto.

And the writer of these letters.

Yes, it's devilish.

That one fact alone could
raise a doubt in a man's mind.

Is Otto jealous?

I've never given
him the least cause,

but he loves me so much.

I think if he ever
thought I betrayed him.

Oh, we are dealing
with a monster, Nadja.

Not just a wicked person,
but a clever one too.

Look, he knows of
your birthmark,

he knows of this scar.

I fell down and cut myself
when I was a little girl.

It's nothing now, you
can hardly see it,

but he knows it's there,

and if my poor Leopold
were still alive.

I understand your
feelings now, darling.

I would be as
frightened as you are.

Oh, no, Tildi, it could
never be as bad for you.

My whole background
is against me.

Oh, come, a leading
lady of the Burgtheater,

a protege of the great
Walter Frankenburg himself,

and married to a prince.

A morganatic marriage.

I will never be
called archduchess,

and my children will
never accede to the title.

But a marriage, nonetheless.

My dear, your life has been
a fairy story in itself.

I used to think so,

but Cinderella lived
happily ever after.

I never heard of anything
like this happening to her.

Oh, Tildi, whatever can we do?

I suppose a person
of the lower orders

might ask the police for help.

God forbid.

Precisely.

And if we consulted
some private detective,

he would sell the
story to the newspapers

the moment he knew who we were.

A private detective, yes!

Tildi, I've only
just thought of it.

There is someone.

Do you know Dagobert Trostler?

[laughs] I thought it
was Queen Victoria.

Herr Trostler, I swear there
is nothing personal in this,

but I discovered Nadja Dolin.

I recognized her genius,

and I made her the pride
of the Burgtheater.

And you, my dear Walter,

introduced her to the
Archduke Othmar, huh?

Yes, and how was I to
guess the consequences?

Oh, come now, Herr
Frankenburg, you exaggerate.

They fell in love
and married and,

to my certain knowledge,
are ecstatically happy.

In my view, sir, great artists

have no right to happiness,
their lives are dedicated.

Ah, I disagree.

One may choose wrongly, but
freedom of choice is everything.

Nadja chose her archduke.

There are some who might say

that he used his
illustrious position

to rob our theater of one
of its brightest jewels.

Ah. [chuckles]

Ah, ah, Berthold.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

I'm afraid I have to leave you.

Herr Frankenburg, I disagree
with everything you say,

but it has been a great pleasure
to make your acquaintance.

- Goodbye, Heinrich.
- Dagobert.

Philistine.

No, no, no, no,
no, that's unfair.

He's a rich bachelor,
devil with the women,

close friend of the archduke,

and in one respect, he
is remarkably gifted.

Gifted, that clothes-peg?

I speak as
Commissioner of Police.

As an amateur, Dagobert

has an unsurpassed
talent for detection.

[birds chirping]

Yes, the paper's of
the finest quality.

Dutch or English, handmade.

And the writing?

Has been disguised
with great skill.

There is such a mixture of male
and female characteristics,

it's almost impossible to judge

whether the author
is a man or a woman.

A woman, Herr Trostler?

You aren't seriously
suggesting that a woman's mind

could sink to such
depths of depravity.

My dear Countess, in
everything that is good,

I put woman higher than man.

In everything that is
evil, I put her lower.

Yes, Countess, a woman could
have written these letters.

On the other hand, there
are certain turns of phrase,

a vigor of expression,
a flamboyancy even,

which suggests we are
dealing with a man.

And now, Countess.

This, um, this friend of yours.

Yes?

Why is she not here with you?

There seemed no
need to involve her.

Why?

Because our circumstances
are different.

Her position is at
once more exalted

and more vulnerable than mine.

Ah, I see, so you felt

that if I could expose this
villain on your behalf,

I would be rendering
her the same service

without any risk of
embarrassment to her.

Yes.

How rare to find such
selflessness in a woman.

You must be very devoted.

Oh, we are, we are.

Unfortunately, if I'm

to get to the bottom of
this unpleasant business,

I shall need the
help of both of you.

Please tell Countess
Nadja I said so.

How could you possibly guess?

Your description of your friend

could have fitted no one else.

You should have come to me

in the first place,
Herr Trostler.

Do you sell much of it?

Enough to justify keeping

a sufficient stock
in hand, no more.

Do you wish me to add your name

to those whom I already supply?

No, no, no, Wiegand, I don't.

But the emperor has
done you the honor

of making you purveyor
of stationery to

and I'm sure you would
leap at the chance

of rendering a member of
his family a small service.

Ah, good morning,
Baroness Heffner.

Oh, my dear Herr Trostler,
anything, anything at all.

I wish to know the names
of all those customers

to whom you supply
this particular kind

There is not the least problem,

I need not even
consult my ledger.

It is all here, Herr
Trostler, all here.

The emperor himself,

the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,

Count Czernik, the
Lord High Chamberlain

of the Serbian court,

Herr Walter Frankenburg
of the Burgtheater.

Herr Frankenburg?

[Wiegand] Yes, and Sir
Giles Pakenham-Montrose,

the British ambassador.

Is that the complete list?

The only names I can give you,

but there is one other customer

whose name is not known to me.

Ah, a man or a woman?

I cannot say.

A man calls once a month,
but he is obviously a servant

making the purchase on
behalf of his employer.

And since he always
pays in cash.

Have you never asked him
who his employer was?

- No.
- When was he last here?

Exactly a week ago.

So, you don't expect to see him

for at least
another three weeks?

That is so.

Yes, pity, well, thank
you, Herr Wiegand,

you have been most obliging.

My pleasure, Herr
Trostler, my pleasure.

[Nadja] What is it?

A minute shred of tobacco.

In several letters, I
found a few such particles.

It doesn't sound a very
momentous discovery.

Oh, on the contrary, madam,

it shows us something
useful about our man.

Ah, then it is a man?

I'm almost certain.

And what does it show you?

I am a connoisseur of tobacco.

That shred, and all the
others I found in the letters

are of a variety
known as Sultan Flor,

a light-yellow Turkish tobacco,
cut rather fine and long.

It's expensive and is only
used in self-made cigarettes,

the kind you make yourself.

But women smoke
cigarettes these days.

Yes, it is quite the
fashion, I grant you.

But is there a single
lady of your acquaintance

who makes her own cigarettes?

No, no, I can't think of one.

Precisely, in my experience,

it is essentially
a masculine habit.

Yes, so far, all the
indications suggest a man.

And now, ladies,
let me apologize.

I'm afraid I have not
been completely frank

with either of you.

I think I'm closer to
the truth of this matter

than I dared to hope
a few hours ago.

You know who the villain is?

Not yet.

But this I can say with
absolute certainty,

the writer of these
letters is well-educated,

affluent, and known
intimately to both of you.

That narrows the
field considerably,

but I can do better still.

Out of six, only four
are possible candidates

for this, for this race.

That leaves me with
two rank outsiders,

a dark horse whose form
is still not known to me,

and the odds-on favorite.

I am putting my money
on the favorite.

Oh, then tell us who he is.

Oh, Herr Trostler,
I implore you.

Ah, if I did, it might
spoil everything.

But why?

You might find it
hard to act naturally

when you next meet him.

I don't want to put
him on his guard.

No, that would ruin
the plan I have in mind.

And this is where I shall
need your help, Countess.

What can I do?

Here is a list of people,

including the Countess
Tildi Leys and myself,

they are all known to you,
and all are socially acceptable

to both you and your husband.

In two days' time, I want
you to give a small soiree,

inviting every one of them.

- Your suspect is among them?
- Of course.

Will you do this for me?

Of course.

And if your plan works,

will you expose this man
before the whole company?

Oh, heavens, no, the
best I can hope for

is that he will betray
himself in some way,

if I succeed, no one
else will be aware of it.

When I take my
leave of your party,

delay the other guests
for at least another hour.

That is just the time I
shall need to set my trap.

Very well, Dagobert.

Now I must go, Otto
thinks I'm at home.

- Ah.
- Resting.

Don't forget this, Countess.

[bell tolling]

[bell chimes]

Au revoir, Dagobert, and please,

we are such old friends,
call me Nadja, again.

Au revoir, Nadja.

Berthold, show these
ladies to their carriage.

Will you not grant
me the same favor?

It is no favor, it is a
pleasure, my dear Tildi.

And I hope that I
may have the pleasure

of your calling on me.

Countess Tildi Leys,
Felberstrasse, 10 Vienna 3.

My dear Tildi.

No, no, that won't
do, my dear fellow,

old hedonists like you
can't fall in love.

[footsteps tapping]

Ah, Berthold, what is it?

The commissioner of
police is here, sir,

and wishes to know if
you'll receive him.

Ah, the commissioner.

- Show him in at once.
- Very good, sir.

Dr. Weinlich.

My dear Heinrich, what
a delightful surprise.

Is it business or pleasure?

Anticipated pleasure, Dagobert.

Of all my friends, you keep
the best brandy in Vienna.

Berthold, bring the brandy.

- Make yourself comfortable.
- Thank you.

[Dagobert] Ah, a cigar.

Ah, yes, you also keep
the best Havanas, too.

[Dagobert chuckles]

Thank you.

[Dagobert] Ah,
thank you, Berthold.

And the best company,
it seems, eh, eh?

[both chuckling]

Oh, I saw the ladies departing.

Mm, I recognized them instantly.

Yes, I'm glad it was
you and no one else,

this is rather
a delicate matter.

Oh, don't worry, my dear fellow,

I shan't breathe a word.

In your experience, Heinrich,

what kind of person
writes anonymous letters?

Oh, so that's it, eh?

Well, all kinds, Dagobert,
from disgruntled servants

to jealous husbands and
wealthy industrialists.

[laughs] I can even
remember one old maid

who came to us for help.

She'd been receiving an
absolute flood of letters,

accusing her of the most
scandalous and indecent antics.

Yes, in the end, we found she
was writing them to herself.

[both laughing]

But that was an exception.

What are the most
common motives?

[Heinrich] Mm,
malice, envy, sadism.

The knowledge that you
can torture your victim

with relative impunity
is a strong incentive.

Would you say that the
writing of such letters

could be an end in itself?

Oh, most always, yes.

But I have known some rare cases

where it was the prelude
to a more sinister end.

- [bird cooing]
- [dog barking]

Otto, what are you doing here?

Drinking a glass of port.

[chuckles] Well, the
truth is I wondered

what on earth I was
doing at a dull reception

when I might be here
with my own wife,

so I came straight home.

Oh, darling.

But there was no
wife waiting for me.

You were supposed
to be here, resting.

I know, but I was
so bored and lonely.

And suddenly I felt
so much better,

I decided to drive
round and see Tildi.

You are better,
color in your cheeks,

a sparkle in your eyes,
my treatment's working.

You look like a
little girl in love.

Oh, I am, darling,
I'm terribly in love.

But still convalescent,
you mustn't overdo things.

It's nearly 10:30, I
suggest you go to bed.

As your personal physician, I
shall attend to you presently.

[chuckles] Otto.

I want to give a party.

Not even convalescent,
completely cured.

Of course you can give a
party, a ball, if you wish,

and invite the emperor, too.

Oh, no, no, no,
just a small party.

[both vocalizing]

[bright piano music]

What is it, Lenke?

This letter came for
Your Imperial Highness

by the late post.

Thank you, Lenke.

Nadja?

"That delectable
birthmark known only

to those fortunate gentlemen
who share your wife's favors."

[dramatic music]

[Deubner] Here are this
morning's letters, sir.

Ah, Deubner, thank you.

And there is a person outside
requesting to see you, sir.

Oh, what manner of person?

Some minor official from
the Ministry of Works.

Shall I send him away?

[laughs] By all means.

Oh, no, I guess
I'd better see him.

Yes, sir.

What is it that you want?

I'm sorry to trouble you, sir.

I have an order here to inspect

all the premises on
the Lisenstrasse.

The ministry proposes-

Never mind what the
ministry proposes.

One gets used to these
bureaucratic interferences.

Deubner, show him round.

"His Imperial Highness,
the Archduke Othmar,

and Countess Nadja
command your presence?"

In what way, changed?

He was so loving
and affectionate,

so happy to find me
in better spirits.

An hour later it was like
being with a different man.

He was quiet and
withdrawn, as though

some kind of barrier had
sprung up between us.

This morning it
was still the same.

Ah, we mustn't jump
to conclusions.

He may have some problem
weighing on his mind

that has nothing to
do with this matter.

But it may have to
do with this matter.

Yes, we can't dismiss
the possibility.

Don't lose your courage now.

However he behaves,
seem not to notice,

be as gay and cheerful
as you were last night.

- Dagobert, I can't.
- You must.

You're a great actress.

Give the performance
of your life,

and soon, I'm confident
I can put an end

to your miseries
and Tildi's, too.

What a dear man you are.

We owe you so much.

Mm, not yet.

It's true, whatever happens
now, even if you fail,

I'll never be such a
little coward again.

Do you know I was
ready to kill myself?

As for poor Tildi.

What of Tildi?

Oh, you've quite
captured her heart.

Dagobert, you are in love.

[Dagobert] Since you say
it, yes, I fear I am.

Fear, what is there to
fear from falling in love?

I was born to pleasure,
and I've lived for it.

I never dreamt that I was
capable of any deep emotions.

And now, after all these years,

to discover that I'm as
vulnerable as the next man.

My dear Nadja, I find
it most disturbing.

I think it's wonderful.

I implore you, until
this affair is settled,

give her no hint of
what I've told you.

[knuckles rapping]

Ah, come in.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

That's all right, Berthold.

Berthold?

Au revoir, Dagobert, you won't
fail us tomorrow evening?

I would never dream of missing
such a delightful occasion.

Berthold, no, I can't
possibly have him showing you

to your carriage in those
disgraceful clothes.

I shall escort you myself.

Wait in here, Berthold,

and do get rid of that
ridiculous mustache.

Ah, well, how did you fare?

No difficulty, sir.

They didn't question my
credentials, it was an easy job.

Now look, sir, I've
made a rough plan.

Now, there's only
one room in the house

where any writing's done,

and that's Frankenburg's study.

It leads off the
drawing room here,

and here there's a French window

which leads out onto
a small balcony.

What floor is this?

It's the floor
above the basement.

It's only a six-foot drop from
the balcony to the garden.

Excellent, Berthold.

You've done very well.

Thank you, sir.

Is anything wrong, sir?

No, everything is right.

Almost too right.

When things go too smoothly,
I start to feel uneasy.

Foolish, I suppose.

Well, we can only wait
until tomorrow night.

[gentle bright piano music]

[guests clapping]

Your Excellency.

Ladies and gentlemen, gentlemen,

you may smoke if you wish.

- My dear!
- It is my party, Othmar.

Walter, how lovely to see you.

Your Excellency, permit me

to introduce an old friend of
mine, Herr Dagobert Trostler.

The new British ambassador,

Sir Willoughby Erskine-Chalmers,
and Lady Erskine-Chalmers.

May I congratulate Your
Excellency on your appointment?

Thank you, very
sudden, you know.

Indeed, I've been absent,

I haven't seen the
court circular.

Pakenham-Montrose only got
his marching orders last week.

Moved on to higher things, what?

Oh, really?

[bright piano music]

Glass of champagne,
Herr Frankenburg?

No champagne, thank you.

I was merely enjoying the air.

Ah, Herr Trostler, I
recognize voices before faces.

An Havana, perhaps?

I smoke cigarettes,
and I make my own.

It's a vulgar habit, but in
the theater, Herr Trostler,

one has no time to enjoy
a cigar between acts.

[water splashing]

[clock ticking]

[key rattling]

[bird cooing]

[liquid splashing]

[bells chiming]

Stay where you are.

Put your hands above your
head and stand over there.

[phone rattling]

Hello? Give me the
Central Police Station.

But you must see
you're putting me

in a quite impossible position.

Yes, I'm sorry,
my dear Heinrich.

Sorry, indeed.

For two days, I have
been holding a criminal

calling himself Carl
Schmidt, a man accused

of breaking and entering
and attempted robbery

and trying to find excuses

not to bring him
before the magistrate.

Do you realize what
will happen to me

if the truth gets out?

Yes, you will be cashiered

for conduct unbecoming
a chief commissioner.

Your humor is in
very poor taste.

And let me tell you this,

people are beginning to inquire

what has happened to
Herr Trostler. [laughs]

Yes, all sorts of rumors
are flying around.

They have only to
ask at my residence.

My poor mother was taken ill,

and I have been down
to Salzburg to see her.

All very fine, but I've
put my career in jeopardy

by shielding a guilty man.

Oh, come, now.

But you guilty on
your own admission,

breaking and entering
is a criminal offense.

For which I have been punished
by two days in your cell.

You must try them
yourself, Heinrich.

The rats are very fast,
the fleas abundant,

and the food is quite appalling.

- Serves you right.
- Calm down, my dear fellow.

Berthold will be here any
moment with the proof I need,

and when he comes, your
misery will be over.

Really, but I-

Believe me, Heinrich, you
have been a good friend,

and I'll never abuse friendship.

This two-day respite has
been absolutely necessary.

Well, if you say so.

I do.

Ah, this is an excellent Havana.

You're acquiring my
expensive tastes.

Yes, well, you're leading
me into bad habits.

- [knuckles rapping]
- Come in!

Ah, come in, Berthold.

Well, that will be all,
Sergeant, leave us.

- You have the letters?
- Yes, sir.

Give them to the commissioner.

What am I supposed
to do with them?

Hold one up to the light,

so that you can see
the address obliquely.

Now tell me what your
trained eye observes.

An address written
on an envelope.

Yes, yes, yes,
yes, but what else?

Nothing else.

You're getting too old
for the job, Heinrich,

or else your eyes are failing.

The ink has a distinct
metallic sheen.

My eyesight is excellent, and
there's no metallic sheen.

There must be, there has to be.

There isn't.

Well?

Before that damn pistol
was pointed at me,

I put a few drops
of bronze tincture

into Frankenburg's inkwell.

[Heinrich] And?

Wrong inkwell.

How very embarrassing for you.

Yes, a disappointment,
a setback,

indeed, nothing worse.

Berthold, take a message
to the Countess Tildi Leys.

Tell her I have
returned from Salzburg.

And that she can
find him in cell 22

at the Central Police Station.

Now, don't be absurd, Heinrich,

this is where I'm going
to need your help.

My poor Dagobert,

this is where my help
ends and duty intervenes.

I can do nothing more for you,

absolutely nothing,
do you understand?

Absolutely nothing!

So I agreed to
accompany Herr Trostler-

Oh, Commissioner, pray,
come to the point.

Well, I was only
trying to make it clear

that my presence here
is entirely unofficial.

Very well, and what
of Herr Trostler?

Yes, well, he is here, sir,

to make a somewhat
strange confession to you.

Then I suggest that
you let Herr Trostler

make his strange confession.

I came as soon as I
received your note.

What did Berthold say?

That his master has
returned from Salzburg, but-

Thank God, oh, darling,
that last letter,

it was horrible.

Horrible, it was
the worst of all.

Oh, I know, so was mine.

Then let's go and
see Dagobert now.

- He's not at home.
- But you said he'd come-

He has returned from Salzburg,
but he can't see us today.

He begs us to call on him
tomorrow morning at 11:00.

I can't wait till then.

Oh, darling, we
have to be patient.

Oh, you're much
braver than me, Tildi.

I've less to lose, that's all.

The writing paper you use,

those few shreds of
Sultan Flor tobacco,

your manner of expression.

You even, in somewhat
reckless terms,

expressed your disapproval
of the royal marriage

and your desire to see the
Countess Nadja restored

to her former career.

Everything, Herr Frankenburg,
seemed to point to you.

Herr Trostler, I
have already told you

that I am an artist.

I speak as the spirit moves me,

yet I would never hurt
those whom I loved.

With reason, I admit,
you have suspected me

of having perpetrated
a disgusting crime.

Yet, had I been guilty,
what reason do you suppose,

would have driven me to abuse

the Countess Tildi
Leys in like manner?

A charming lady who,
to my certain knowledge,

has no theatrical
ability whatsoever?

What should I gain there?

It was, I agree, the most
baffling aspect of the case.

Yes, there are some who may
not approve your methods.

They are, indeed, unorthodox.

But if you have not yet
arrived at the truth,

you have at least
established my innocence,

for which I am grateful.

Your Imperial Highness rang?

Order my carriage.

At once, your Highness.

I'm glad it wasn't
my dear Walter.

Yes, I was hoodwinked
very successfully.

But that sort of thing
doesn't happen twice

to Dagobert Trostler.

I know where I stand now,

and this time I
shall not fail you.

Where is Tildi this morning?

She sends her fond regards.

She has a bad headache
and is unable to be here.

Oh, you cannot guess how
anxious we have been.

Indeed, I can.

There is a subtle change
of tone in these letters,

less abusive and obscene,
more, more menacing,

as if the cat had grown tired
of playing with the mice

and now felt ready for the kill.

Dagobert, don't!

Facts must be faced.

I am now persuaded this
is no ordinary case

of anonymous letter writing,

but the prelude to
something more sinister.

Trust me now, dear.

You must both trust me.

Thank God for your
dear friendship.

Ah, your hands are cold,
let me get you some brandy.

Oh, no, truly, Dagobert,
I am perfectly well.

I must be leaving now.

[Dagobert] How is Othmar?

He's better, very
gentle and kind,

but at moments he's
strangely abstracted,

as though there was some
conflict in his mind.

Yes, indeed, I think
there might be.

Disregard it, ask no questions,

be the loving wife you are

and hide your own
distress from him.

Give my love to Tildi.

Oh, may I?

No, not yet.

My warmest regards and best
wishes for a speedy recovery.

Berthold, show the
lady to her carriage.

- [knuckles rapping]
- [Otto] Where is your master?

Take me to him at once.

He's in his study, Your
Highness, I'll tell him.

Sir, sir!

[Otto] Out!

Your Imperial Highness.

Villain, vile seducer.

I condescended to
call you friend,

and you betray me
with my own wife.

You can tell your seconds
to call on me tonight.

Although you are a commoner,

I shall not decline to meet you.

Stop, I command you!

Dead men do not command princes.

[body thuds]

Good God, sir,
you've hit a Hapsburg.

[both chuckle]

Dear, dear Nadja.

Why did you say that?

I never dreamt that I was
capable of any deep emotion.

She told you?

After all these
years, I discover

that I am as vulnerable
as the next man.

I said that to Nadja in trust.

Is it still so disturbing?

Yes.

Oh, dear, dear
Dagobert, why so sad?

Look at me, I am happy, happier
than I've been in years.

Today you brought me roses,
and I kissed your roses.

And now you've kissed me.

Why, Tildi, why?

Never ask why of
anything, my darling.

Accept love. Accept me.

There, now I shall go and dress

and make myself beautiful,
so you'll be proud of me.

[Dagobert chuckles]

- Madam?
- Oh, so formal.

I [laughs] asked Nadja
to say nothing to you.

[Tildi] Dagobert, women
are loyal to each other.

And cruel.

Only in love.

[Dagobert] Have you
ever been in love?

What a question.

[Dagobert] Are you now?

Have you forgotten the things

that I whispered to you
less than an hour ago?

Are you?

Oh, Dagobert, how
very serious you are.

I am, in earnest.

Oh, not today, not now.

How loyal are you to Nadja?

She's my dearest,
closest friend.

"Your disgraceful conduct
is now known to his highness

in every sordid detail,
harbor no illusions.

He's only waiting to
ask his imperial majesty

to dissolve union which
has brought shame upon

entire royal family.

The fate you will
so richly deserve,

five years behind convent walls,

count on nothing less."

My poor darling, poor darling,

how she must have suffered.

Thank you, Dagobert,
for hitting me.

A shrewd blow, it damaged
my jaw and restored my wits.

But what an abject performance,

a prince of the blood
behaving like a common grocer.

How many letters
have you received?

Two, the first, seven days ago.

Believe me, Dagobert, I would
have dismissed it from my mind

with the contempt it
deserved, but for one thing.

Ah, the birthmark on the body.

Yes, that went on nagging
like an aching tooth.

However much I tried, I
couldn't explain that to myself.

[Dagobert] And
the second letter?

Was much more explicit.

It simply said that
if I wanted proof

of Nadja's infidelities, I
had only to watch your house.

You might have had a long wait.

Oh, not at all.

It gave me the exact time
of your meeting on that day.

What? When did the letter come?

By the morning's post.

Oh, dear God.

Oh, my dear fellow,
what's the matter?

Are you ill?

No, no, I'm perfectly
well, it's just that.

I'm bound to ask Your Highness

what you may consider to
be an indelicate question.

Dagobert, my darling, what
are you trying to say?

Before the archduke
fell in love with Nadja,

you yourself had a
passionate affair with him.

Who would tell you such a thing?

- The archduke himself.
- Never.

I was obliged to
ask him outright.

No gentleman would ever betray-

No lady, madam, would ever dare

to destroy her dearest,
closest friend.

I haven't the faintest notion
what you're talking about.

Oh, Dagobert, only a day ago
you held me, you were so-

Yes, I did.

I, like Nadja, had
such faith in you.

Oh, madam, you must have been
the author of those letters.

[laughs] For a moment, I
believed you were in earnest.

I am in deadly earnest.

Then you have quite taken
leave of your senses.

Have you forgotten that
I am a victim, too?

I also have received letters.

Yes, a very clever move to
divert suspicion from yourself.

I haven't the faintest notion
what you're talking about.

Put yourself in Nadja's place.

All along, you pose as her
bosom friend and confidante.

And at some time, doubtless
without her being aware of it,

you had seen the
birthmark on her body.

Now you would have
seemed the fellow victim

of this vile persecution.

A very clever move,
indeed, but not enough

to satisfy someone as ruthless
and scheming as yourself.

You don't know what you're say.

Supposing desperation
drove Nadja to seek help

in tracing the writer
of these letters,

that could prove
very embarrassing.

So, you used Frankenburg

as the second part
of your safeguard.

A celebrated impresario,
who had never attempted

to disguise his opposition
to Nadja's marriage.

You knew his habits well enough.

You could imitate his
manner of expression.

Your servant purchased the
same kind of writing paper,

and, what a brilliant touch,

you even introduced those
few shreds of Sultan Flor.

Lies, lies.

If the finger of suspicion
had to point anywhere,

you had made certain it
would be at Frankenburg.

No, madam.

[Tildi] Oh, Dag.

I cannot fault your choice.

And when Nadja, in despair,
wanted to consult me,

you were again equal
to the occasion.

You played the part of
the selfless friend,

anxious to protect someone
at once more exalted

and more vulnerable
than yourself.

Your real aim was to
keep her in the dark,

while you hoped to be informed
of any progress I might make.

It didn't work, but it
deceived me thoroughly,

very thoroughly.

How clever you make me sound.

[Dagobert] Oh, no, no, no, no,

I think cunning
is a better word.

Oh, Dagobert, no.

Nadja, Nadja is
very highly strung.

You hoped to create in her a
state of anxiety so apparent

that once her husband, once his
suspicions had been aroused,

might easily regard it as
signs of a guilty conscience.

You nearly succeeded.

What are you trying to do to me?

Think what would have
happened to Nadja.

Five years, at least,
in the convent.

And that was what you wanted,

time to win back Othmar's love.

If the emperor refused to
have the marriage annulled,

you were confident
that very soon

you would be once more
enjoying all the privileges

of a royal mistress.

How dare you?

Get out. Get out!

Don't ring for your servant.

He would be no match for me.

I pity you, Herr Trostler.

I proved that Frankenburg
did not write those letters,

and from that moment,
you were in danger.

And then you made
your first mistake.

The letter the archduke
received two days ago,

only you and Nadja knew that
I'd invited you to visit me.

You feigned a headache,
and she walked alone

into the trap you
would set for her,

it just failed to
close on both of us.

Oh, Dagobert.

But it did fail,
and instantly I knew

who the guilty person was.

The same means which proved
Frankenburg's innocence

have proved your
downfall, madam.

How you dare, dare to accuse me-

A day ago, I called on you.

You brought me roses,
and now you humiliate me.

You have been
play-acting, madam,

and I played into
your hands, yes.

Yes, I fell in love with you.

And you accepted my love as
a heaven-sent opportunity

to divert me from the truth.

You accepted my love.

I had hoped, madam, for
some last-minute revelation,

some detail which would
have proved me wrong.

Ooh, you've tricked me!

Yes, yes!

A base deception, I admit.

Here is the letter Nadja
received from you this morning.

Hold it up to the light.

You will see that the writing

has an unmistakable
bronze sheen.

I have put a few drops of
bronze tincture in your inkwell.

Only you could have written it.

Have pity on me, Dagobert.

Have pity on me now.

Why should I pity you?

The reason is in your heart.

[Dagobert] It is not for
me to decide your fate.

You mean you will
tell his highness?

I have no choice.

Then I have no choice, either.

You have just
sentenced me to death.

Oh, no!

[Otto] What is it?

Cyanide, enough poison
to destroy a regiment.

And you really think
she meant to use it?

Unquestionably.

What are we to do with her?

It is already done.

I gave her the choice
of facing the scandal

and its consequences, or
going into voluntary exile

for five years.

She chose exile?

Yes, and has already left
on the train for Paris.

Damn it, Dagobert.

I was about to say that it
was none of your business,

that it was for me to decide.

You've been absurdly lenient,

but I'm glad, yes,
glad and grateful.

So am I, dearest Dagobert.

Come and see us soon.

Goodbye, my dear Countess.

Goodbye, my dear fellow.

I hate to think what
would have happened

if you hadn't been on hand.

Poor Dagobert.

Why poor Dagobert?

Because he loved
Tildi, that's all.

[energetic bright music]

[dramatic music]

[inspiring music]

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