Original subtitles

GEOFF WHISTLING

- BUSH: Hi, Geoff. - GEOFF: Oscar.

HE SIGHS That's the lot. Are you ready?

Oh, come on. Let's get going. It's late.

Oh, wait a moment.

HE CHUCKLES He's not going to turn up.

I told you, he's just a nosy journalist or something.

You don't think he's gonna get out of a warm bed

on the off chance of finding you.

Well, you're wrong Bush. He already has.

What'd you mean?

He arrived when you were down at the boat.

Hmm?

Came in here, started asking questions.

He, er, he wanted to know who I was.

What did you say?

I told him. BUSH SCOFFS

Don't blame me if it blows up in your face.

It won't.

Did you find out exactly who he was.

I think he said his name was Williams.

You should have been here.

It was amazing how much he knew.

Quite extraordinary really.

I'd never have thought anyone could've pieced it all together.

It's quite extraordinary.

Why'd you let him go?

I didn't.

BUSH: What are we going to do?

- Destroy the evidence. - Hmm?

QUENTIN: Come on.

HE SNEEZES

Did you know him?

Only by sight, he was a contact man for a job I once did in Paris.

He usually worked in France.

What was he doing on this side of the Channel?

That's what we're trying to find out.

- Number 15, wasn't it? - Hmm.

Over there.

JOHN SIGHS

How did it happen?

He was found in the ashes of a burnt out hut early this morning.

Jonathan Williams, bachelor, age 38, height 5'10.

Weight 11.2, next of kin, mother, Cheltenham.

CATHERINE: Is it your man?

It's a little hard to tell.

The pathologist will give a more positive identification.

There's plenty for him here. Teeth, fingerprints, the lot.

I wonder what they did with his personal stuff.

CATHERINE: Here I should think. Number 15.

JOHN CLEARS HIS THROAT

Nine and four pence.

A hundred French francs, now that wouldn't get him very far.

TELEPHONE RINGING

Steed.

Yes, we have.

Dr Stannage?

Thank you. Bye.

Steed, what you make of this?

Knight own.

It's an unusual piece.

I wonder why he was carrying that around.

I've tried, it's genuine and valuable too.

As far as I know, there are only two places in this country

that deal in pieces as unusual as that.

Well, as Mr Williams can't help us,

we have to try and find out where the rest of the set is.

Where will you be?

At the scene of the crime.

HE HUMS SEAGULLS SQUAWKING

Dr Stannage? - Yes, that's right.

My name is Steed, John Steed.

Oh, how do you do? I was warned you'd be coming.

Can't remember who by though.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Ah, yes of course.

Hush-hush job, isn't it? Something to do with fishing.

Can't say you look the part though.

Oh, someone has to keep the books, you know?

Suppose so. Not that these local people will see it that way.

Stubborn, you know in this part of world.

Can't abide interference.

Think they know everything.

Same trouble with medicine these days.

Patients think they know more than their doctors.

That's why I turned to pathology.

Corpses can't argue.

HE CHUCKLES He was shot.

- Who? - Your ministry friend.

A .38 at a guess.

Entered the body just below the right side of the rib cage,

punctured the right lung,

left the body between the seventh and eighth rib.

That's what I'm looking for.

- The ribs? - No. The bullet.

Don't think I'm going to find it, though.

What was he doing down here?

He was making some inquiries about fishing conditions and so on.

There's a lot of lobster fishing going on.

Yes, so I believe.

Can't abide shellfish myself. Bad for my liver.

There's a question of waste material from the new power station

affecting the lobster bed.

He was making a provisional investigation.

We didn't want to alarm the locals until we have some proof.

Well, hardly a motive for murder, though.

Oh, I don't think I'll do much more here.

You, you, er...

If you care to, er, stop by later at the mortuary,

I'll give you a full report. - Thank you very much, sir.

Oh, dear. Lobster thermidor.

BUSH: What are you doing here?

Oh, I was making some enquiries about this mysterious fire.

What are you doing?

These huts are private property, you know.

Belong to Captain Slim.

Perhaps I ought to introduce myself. My name is Steed. John Steed.

I'm from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Oh, I see.

Well, is there anything I can do to help?

Not unless you can tell me how this fire started.

I wish I could.

Captain's blaming me for it.

Seems to think I should check the huts personally every night.

Probably a tramp left a cigarette burning.

Doesn't explain what Williams was doing here.

No, I suppose not.

Perhaps I should speak to the captain.

Maybe he can give me some idea. - Oh, I don't...

Some time this afternoon. Would that be suitable?

Oh, all right. Come up after lunch.

HE CHUCKLES

Got you this time. Got you this time.

Oh. Checkmate.

DOOR BELL CHIMES

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Let me guess. Sixteenth century.

A reproduction I suppose.

In red and white. Here.

This is the one for you.

Well actually no, that's not what I want.

For a lady of your intelligence and beauty

this has to be the one for you.

Isn't there a proverb in your country that says everyone...

Not Confucius, please.

What was wisdom to my ancestors

is now mere pomposity in this enlightened age.

Today we need new rules.

- What's your philosophy for life? - Humour.

Laugh and the world laughs with you.

- I can't argue with that. - Good.

Now, what can I do for you?

I'm interested in buying a set made up of pieces like this one.

This looks familiar.

Yes, it was lent to me by friend, Jonathan Williams.

I understand he bought the set from you.

Yes, indeed.

It's a beautiful piece of work. - Hmm.

I can understand why you want a set like it.

I'll just go and check Mr Williams' order.

Thank you.

How is Mr Williams?

Oh, he's very well.

He's staying with me for a few days.

Really?

I thought he was in France.

We were playing a game by post.

You know, sending each other the moves by letter.

Oh yes, I know.

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to take him my last move.

I was just going to post it. - Yes, I will.

Of course, I haven't got a set like this in stock.

But if you could come back in a few days time,

I might have found one by then. - Right. Thank you very much.

Give Mr Williams my regards.

Yes, I will. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

DOOR BELL CHIMES

It's a mystery. Complete mystery.

There's been nobody around at all.

Not at that time of night.

The beach would be deserted.

Low tide.

You know when the fire started then?

Approximately 2:00am. The coastguard was making his hourly check.

Saw the flames, gave the alarm.

Good thing too. Enough to confuse a ship's captain, a thing like that.

Lucky not to have anybody around the grounds.

Had either of you ever met Williams? Or seen him around?

I wouldn't know.

Don't know what the fellow looked like, even now.

Ah, Bush?

No, no, I don't think I ever met him.

Pity.

SLIM: Say he was one of your people, Steed? Ministry man.

- Yeah. - He was trespassing, you know?

May not have realised it, of course, but he was trespassing.

Now, I can't think what he was up to at that hour of night. Bush?

No idea.

Should have come straight to me if he wanted to know anything.

I'm the only person who does any real fishing off this coast.

JOHN: Yes, so I understand.

And I'd have helped him, gladly.

After all, we've got nothing to hide.

Bush?

HE LAUGHS No, of course not.

SLIM: Mystery. Complete and utter mystery.

If you'll excuse me, I've got work to do.

- Mason coming down tonight? - I think so.

Good. Good.

That's a friend of mine, Steed,

with an insatiable appetite for lobsters.

I have to keep him half a dozen every week.

JOHN CHUCKLES

He will eat them with soy sauce though.

Ruins the flavour.

That's terrible. It's like, er, mustard with lamb.

SLIM CHUCKLES

It's interesting, I didn't realise

these little pink creatures could be so remunerative.

Hmm. It's just a question of filling a market, you know.

People all over Europe want to eat fresh lobster, we supply it.

Look, er, would you like to take a few back with you?

- That's very kind of you. - Not at all.

I'll get Jackson to put up a box.

Thank you.

DOOR CLOSES

Who painted this picture?

KATIE: My husband.

JOHN: I'm terribly sorry, I thought you were...

Er, my name's Steed. John Steed.

How'd you do, Mr Steed?

I know the face but not the name.

Katie Miles, currently appearing at the Alice Club.

That's right, I passed there the other night.

Your name is up in lights.

Well next time don't pass, drop in.

I will, thank you very much.

Erm, so your husband painted this. - KATIE: Yes.

Ah, Jackson will have the stuff ready for you when you leave.

Thank you very much. He's a good painter.

He was, Mr Steed.

I'm afraid my son's dead.

- I'm sorry. - Thank you.

He was a good boy.

A rotten sailor of course, couldn't even navigate.

But he was a good boy.

My father-in-law feels I don't show enough respect for the dead.

That is true, isn't it?

Hmm. Perhaps.

What happened?

The poor lad couldn't swim.

He insisted on going out alone one night.

One of these freak channel storms blew up and capsized the boat.

It's just gone twelve months ago now, hasn't it?

It was my boat.

I'm afraid he blames himself.

Well, I'd better be going now I think.

I don't want to miss the 3:30.

- I'm so sorry. I'll see you ashore. - Thank you very much.

I'm gonna drop around to that club one evening.

Good, I'll forward to it.

- Goodbye. - KATIE: Bye.

DOOR CLOSES

SLIM: He's dead.

Sometimes you seem to forget that.

Father? DOOR SLAMS SHUT

Must mean something.

The letter to Williams contains these two similar lists.

PAPER RUSTLING

Here. See what you can make of them.

Typed list of moves for a chess game between M Wright and D Bruno...

Bruno what? - Leslie.

Leslie. Well, that seems straightforward enough.

But it isn't. I've tried the moves on that one,

they don't make sense. There's no pattern.

Well let's try the other one.

I'll take white.

Will you read out the moves.

SHE SIGHS

- Hmm. - Pawn to Queen four.

Oh, there's nothing wrong with that.

Pawn to Queen's Bishop four.

That's promising.

In your next move, you bring out your Queen's Rook.

HE HUMS

Doesn't work.

Quite. None of these moves will work.

He should keep me going for a while.

Why don't you go and eat it then?

What's wrong with you today?

We had a spot of trouble last night.

Oh.

Your friend Williams.

Williams? What do you mean trouble?

He came down here.

Seems he was some sort a spy.

We don't know who for.

Had to get rid of him.

- When? - Last night.

Now what's wrong?

A friend of his, a woman came into the shop.

She said she'd be seeing Williams so I gave her his mail.

That was silly of you, Mason. Very silly.

What can we do?

Find out who she is.

We dealt quite successfully with Williams.

We might have to do the same for her.

Not bad.

Well, considering the weather, they're good.

But below average.

How many this week?

Eight hundred so far.

Then there are the regular weekend orders.

We shall need 2,000 all together.

Men will have to double their efforts tonight.

Tell 'em so.

If necessary, they'll have to go 'round twice.

The weather looks clear.

You expect them to work the weekend?

Wind's in the south. It should stay moderate.

They'll need a rest.

We're paying them double time. They don't get a rest as well.

They'll have worked 20 hours without a break.

They can take it. They're fit enough.

This isn't the Navy, Captain.

But I am still the officer commanding and don't you forget it.

BUSH SIGHS

Now look, to be really successful,

we've got to run this thing exactly like the service.

BUSH CHUCKLES

I know it's not easy giving orders, especially to the men on this side

but if we don't keep discipline the whole system could break down.

BUSH MUMBLES

It's up to us to run both sides of the operation efficiently

because one can't exist without the other.

All right.

Now get that double trip organised for tomorrow.

And Bush... - Hmm?

Do it now. BUSH CHUCKLES

Aye, aye, sir.

SLIM CHUCKLES

LIVELY PIANO MUSIC PLAYING

- Hello. - Hello.

May I?

I should be very disappointed if you don't.

Thank you.

Well, cheers.

- Cheers and here's to this evening. - This evening?

Well we do have a dinner date, don't we?

Yes, so we do.

Yes, I'm afraid it's very non vintage.

No, it's very, very nice.

Erm, did you ever find out how that fire started?

No, it's not really my job. It's a job for the police.

Why were you there then?

I was enquiring about Williams' death

on behalf of my elders and betters

at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

- I see. - Mm.

Yes, poor Williams.

Did you know him?

No, I heard Arnold Bush talking about him once.

I think they were going to do some business together.

What sort of business?

Lobsters, I suppose. Do they do anything else?

I was hoping you'd be able to tell me that.

I wouldn't know.

I'm only a weekend guest.

You're still part of the family.

Oh yes.

He's very good to me, you know.

I owe him a lot.

My father and the captain were in the Navy together.

When my father died, the captain became a sort of guardian to me.

Yes, I owe him quite a lot.

Education, you know.

He even supported me while I was learning to sing.

I'm sure it's very well worth it.

Let's say, er, ten o'clock, eh?

- Mm. I think so. - Good.

Well, I'll see you ashore as the captain would say.

HE LAUGHS

- Who was that with Kate? - Steed.

Oh, yeah. The man from the Ministry.

Has she seen him before?

They met at the Captain's. I did tell you.

I hope there's nothing going on. Hardly becomes a widow.

HE LAUGHS

See what you can find out about him.

With pleasure.

PARROT SQUAWKS

Come on. Come on.

Your favourite, lobster and noodle.

No?

A little soy sauce, huh?

DOOR BELL CHIMES

- Ah, good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

So, did you manage to find me a set?

- No, I'm afraid not. - Oh.

It's very rare. I can't match it.

Of course, I shall make further enquiries.

But in the meantime, why don't you have one of these.

They are only £2.

I suppose that's an idea.

I do need something to practice with.

Erm, do you have any literature on the subject?

Yes.

Er, but you're quite right, there's no substitute for practice.

Of course, the history of chess is fascinating.

It's origins are still lost in obscurity.

I thought it came from India.

Oh, that's one theory.

Others are that it came from China or Egypt or even Wales.

Ooh, I think a bit of practice is what I need at the moment.

I wonder, erm, could you find me an opponent?

Certainly.

I have friends all over the world, I'm sure I could find you a partner.

Now let me see, Mr Donner in Frankfurt.

Now he's just a beginner.

I'll contact him. - That's very kind of you.

DOOR BELL CHIMES

May I have your name and address please?

Mrs Gale.

Number five, Westminster Mews. - Excellent.

You'll be hearing from us in due course.

- Thank you. Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

DOOR BELL CHIMES

Thank you. That's your lot. HE SNEEZES

HE SIGHS

- Doctor? - Yes?

Wonder if I could have a word?

HE SIGHS I'm rather busy, you know.

BUSH CLEARS THROAT

Can't we talk in here?

HE SIGHS All right, I suppose so.

- It's about Steed. - Steed?

You remember, the inspector from the...

Yes, yes, yes, I remember.

I wonder if you know where I might get in touch with him?

Why?

Captain Slim is rather anxious to see him.

It's cold in here.

It has to be.

Well?

Well, what?

- Do you know where he lives? - Who?

- Steed. - Yes, yes, yes.

I know where he lives.

Good.

HE CHUCKLES

A few quiet glasses of champagne

then on to a little dinner at my club.

Surely a small diversion over Richmond Hill to look at the river.

Do you think she'll like that?

Have the others?

Depends on the lass.

Don't worry, I'll get Harry to send you up some sandwiches.

Oh that's all right, I've got some,

er, smoke salmon and some Pouilly-Fume in the fridge.

Do you know, I think you're wasting your time.

We should get the experts to do that.

I have a feeling it isn't that complicated.

TELEPHONE RINGING

Steed.

Well, that's what I thought.

Thank you. Bye.

- Quentin Slim? - According to our files,

he was under suspicion for smuggling.

Another couple of days, he'd have been arrested.

Convenient time to disappear.

And a convenient place to do it.

A Channel storm. Hardly expect to find the body.

Hardly costs anything.

All you've got to do is to lose a small yacht,

and charter a fishing snap to pick you up.

It's cheap at the price. - Very difficult to prove.

Anyway, we're having a look for him on the Continent.

Apparently he's gone to ground there.

Certainly suit his particular line of business.

Did that woman come back?

Yes, her name's Mrs Gale.

- You get her address? - Yes.

Good.

Be worth a lot.

Now, Mason...

..remember Steed?

- Hmm? - The man I told you about.

Oh, yes.

I think he was working with Williams.

That I feel is your business, not mine.

Ah, not quite.

He lives in London. That's your department.

Here's his address.

Five, Westminster Mews?

Yes, I'm sorry we can't leave yet.

Ah, well, the night is young.

Isn't it annoying? I've got to stay here until 10:30.

Tonight, I hope. SHE LAUGHS

Yes, of course.

Good, otherwise there'd have to be a radical change of plan.

I'll give you three guesses what we're gonna do.

Up to your flat for coffee.

But, first?

- Erm, dinner at your club? - Oh, one of my clubs.

A drive back through the park.

Over the hill actually.

And then up to your flat for coffee.

You are a good guesser.

'Course, I don't suppose if I were accustomed to it.

What makes you think that?

Well, your husband left you very well provided for.

My husband was well off but not exactly rich.

No, I shall never be a rich man's wife now.

- There's time yet. - What do you mean?

Well...

No.

I shan't marry again.

I wouldn't worry, once bitten twice shy.

Or how we contemplate it.

I'm sure that you and I... TELEPHONE RINGS

Steed. I'm very busy.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry, it's for you.

SHE CHUCKLES

Hello.

Oh yes. Right.

We can leave now.

That's very nice of them.

I hope you don't have to be in by midnight.

So do I.

I'll see you ashore.

As the captain would say. SHE CHUCKLES

KNOCKS ON DOOR

- Bush? - BUSH: Yup.

Well? Well, what's the news?

- You were right. - Steed?

Yeah. I checked with the Ministry of Fisheries.

And they never heard of him, have they?

Well, had they?

Look, there's no sense in panicking.

Let's, let's sit down and reason it out.

Not me, baby. You reason it out.

I'm going into town.

- Huh, to see Kate? - Uh-huh.

- Well, Kate'll be at the club now. - I know.

The club will be packed with people at this time.

OK, so I'll be careful.

Careful? Careful isn't good enough. You got to be sure.

Suppose you run into someone you know?

I have to see Kate.

She's been running around with Steed, hasn't she?

You said so yourself.

She's probably with him right now. - Probably.

Are you crazy?

Listen, baby, Steed is pumping her for information.

She's got to be warned.

And that's the reason you're running up to town?

It's not good enough, hmm?

More than good enough if I could believe it.

And just what is that supposed to mean?

Steed's got a lot of charm. Kate's an attractive woman.

Fine. They make a nice couple. So why should I care?

You're jealous!

Jealous is illogical. It's something we can't afford to be.

Stuff it, Bush.

Look, you'll stay here or nurse a bad headache.

All right, Pax.

All right, then. What's your idea?

Bring Steed to us.

Oh, nice. Yes.

What shall we say, dinner at 8:00? Black tie. RSVP.

BUSH CHUCKLES Mrs Gale.

If she were to disappear,

the odds are Steed would come looking for her.

CATHERINE: A.

CLOCK CHIMING

Y.

Ten pounds due Marseille. Wednesday.

DOOR BELL RINGS

- Good evening, Mrs Gale. - Good evening.

I think I found a suitable partner for your first chess tournament.

- Good. - And as I was in the neighbourhood,

I thought I dropped by.

May I come in? - Please do.

Would you like a drink?

No thank you. I don't.

I hope you've been practicing, Mrs Gale.

Yes, I've just been trying out a few moves.

Very important.

One piece can decide the whole game.

So I believe.

One unexpected move from your partner can mean...

..checkmate, Mrs Gale.

JOHN CHUCKLES

Thank you. Pity about that fog.

You'll just have to take my word for it.

On a clear evening, you can see right across the river

to Kew.

Oh, well...

Wow. This is cosy.

Well, it's warm.

My weekend place's more comfortable though, of course.

I'll take your word for that.

Come and see for yourself. It's a beautiful part of the world.

No lobsters, but fine hunting country.

- Oh! - Whoops!

SHE CHUCKLES

Are you quite comfortable? - Yes.

You'd better get warm by the fire. SHE CHUCKLES

I will. Thank you.

And we'll have a little coffee and brandy.

- Ah. - What's the matter?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Not to worry, no damage.

What's the matter?

Not sure.

Well, what's happened?

It's a message from a friend of mine,

she wants me to go around. - I see.

It's not like that at all. She's a very old friend.

Look, we'll have to postpone the coffee and brandy.

I'm sorry. - You are sending me home.

I'm afraid so. This matter's very urgent.

A matter of life and death, I suppose?

Could be.

I'll get you a cab.

I'll come round and see you at the club, tomorrow evening.

DOOR BELL CHIMES

PARROT SQUAWKS

And the same to you.

CHESS PIECES CLATTER

Scotch gambit.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

DOOR RATTLES

HE SNIFFS

Lobster thermidor.

CLOCK CHIMES

Good evening.

You're very late.

Yes. I've been out for dinner.

Celebrating?

What's that supposed to mean?

It's exactly a year ago tonight since Quentin died.

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

Do you really expect me to treat

every day of the year as a day of fasting?

What does it matter how long it is?

Matters to me.

I think it should matter to you.

It does matter to me.

I just can't go on wearing widow's weeds all my life.

I don't imagine my son ever meant a great deal to you.

Now he's gone, I think you should respect his memory

if only for one night a year.

Look, I think it's about time this charade ended

and you knew the truth.

I don't wish to discuss it further.

I can't talk to you about my son, or his death.

And especially tonight.

You only knew one side of him.

You don't know what he became.

Your son... - That's enough!

High time you went to bed.

All right.

And feeling as you do,

it might be better if you started looking for another home.

Very well.

But you must know the truth about Quentin.

I know everything I want to know about my son.

Good night.

SOFTLY: Good night.

MATCHSTICK STRIKES

John Steed here. Is Mrs Gale in by any chance?

Look, could you get her to ring me the moment she comes back.

Yes, yes, she has.

Thank you.

HE SIGHS

TELEPHONE RINGING

Steed.

Oh, yes, sir.

Well, of course, I'm working on it.

Yeah. I've just come back from the chess shop,

it's as we expected, heroin.

Well, that's the trouble,

Mrs Gale has disappeared.

TELEPHONE RINGING

Hello.

Yeah, speaking.

Oh, good. I've got the loading schedules ready.

I'll bring them over right away.

- Who's that? - Morning, Captain.

- Well, who was it? - The airport.

Weather's cleared.

They expect to start flying in about an hour.

I didn't know there'd be any sort of delay.

There was some early morning fog.

You know what it's like this time of the year.

Somebody should've told me.

There was nothing we could do. It's just a question of waiting.

We might have been forced to re-route the stuff.

I'd already arranged to fly it from London

if we weren't cleared from here by midday.

All right, Bush.

You should have called me.

You know I like to check everything,

personally.

Sorry.

SLIM SIGHS

I took Kate to the station this morning.

- Did you? - Yeah.

She tell me have had a wrap.

Is she leaving here for good?

That's up to her.

Is it?

I wouldn't let her go if I were you.

But you're not, are you, Bush?

No, I'm still running this show,

and I'm getting sick and tired of constantly reminding you

that you only work here. You're not a member of the family.

Now remember that.

BUSH CHUCKLES SOFTLY

TELEPHONE RINGS

Steed.

Oh, Mr Steed,

I hope you will forgive this anonymous phone call,

but I have something rather interesting to tell you.

Is this an outside call?

'Oh, please, do not ask questions.

'Are you listening?' - Yes, yes, I'm listening.

I believe you wanted to know about Quentin Slim.

I think you know already

that he was wanted by the police when he disappeared.

Oh, yes, he has only disappeared you know. He is not dead.

'He lives in France, in Le Havre.'

Mr Steed, Mr Steed, are you listening?

Oh, look, I don't want you to worry about who I might be.

If what I have told you is of any use to you,

I should be very happy.

Au revoir.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

SHE SIGHS

Hello.

How about that postponed brandy?

GUNSHOT RINGS

MAN YELLS

HE GRUNTS

- Captain. - Steed.

- Good evening, Captain. - What on earth are you doing here?

Your daughter-in-law wanted me

to talk to you about your son. HE SCOFFS

What cock and bull yarn has she been spinning now?

Oh, you tell him, Mr Steed, he won't believe me.

We have reason to believe he's been engaged in contraband activities.

That's ridiculous.

Everything points to it. Now those trips abroad...

Look, Mr Steed, now I know Quentin used to bring stuff in occasionally,

but who doesn't?

He went over to France quite a bit, you know, on business.

He'd always try and bring something back.

Oh, a few cigarettes, bottle of brandy,

box of cigars, possibly, but nothing more than that.

And nobody's perfect, are they? - No.

He didn't stop at that.

What does that mean?

JOHN: He was using your fishing business as a cover

for something more serious than cigarettes and brandy.

- Such as what? - JOHN: Drugs.

It's true, Father.

SLIM SIGHS

You would believe a thing like that, wouldn't you?

You'd enjoy believing it.

KATIE: It's the truth.

If only we'd been able to talk about Quentin,

I could have told you ages ago.

You've never really seen your son as he was.

I don't care what Quentin was or what he did.

He was my son and I loved him.

You didn't even know him.

I know him. I'm married to him.

"Were" married to him.

Quentin's dead.

I understand your feelings, Captain,

but, er, we have a strong suspicion that may not be true.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

Come in.

Excuse me, Captain.

- Not know, Bush, I'm busy. - It's urgent,

could you come down to the shed? - Get out!

I'd rather he stayed, Captain, if you don't mind.

He may be able to help us.

Help you?

Were we talking about Quentin Slim.

Quentin?

It's just a year, isn't it?

He was one of my best friends, Steed.

He still is, isn't he?

What?

Quentin didn't drown.

The whole thing was planned, Father.

He took the yacht over to the French coast

where he'd arranged to meet a fishing boat.

He deliberately capsized the boat and left it.

- Ludicrous! - Fantastic!

That's a fair account of what happened. Where is Slim?

Go and ask the mermaids.

You must know. He helped to plan the whole thing.

French police know where he was living.

They found letters from you to him. That's all the proof we need.

I think we've had enough, don't you, Captain?

I don't know what these two are playing at,

but I think it's time the British police heard about it.

Come on, Steed.

JOHN: You go, they'll be delighted to see you.

I mean it, Steed.

Better do as he says... Steed.

HE GROANS

Thank you, Captain.

Keep an eye on him.

I'll go for Mrs Gale, that way we may find your son.

Get the boat out. Hurry.

OK, Mason.

Well, I'm sorry we don't have time to get better acquainted, Mrs Gale.

I should've liked to talk to you.

Questioned me, you mean. You could've tried.

- I should succeed. - CATHERINE: I doubt it.

You sound very sure of yourself.

I am.

Perhaps you've been trained to resist pain. Is that it?

Well, let's see.

FIRE CRACKLING

SHE GRUNTS

Yes, they told us all about that at the police station.

You what?

Well, who is it?

No, I, I think I better come down and find out for myself.

KATIE: What did they say?

They have got somebody out of the hut.

They want me to go down to the hospital.

- Let me go. - No, I got to find out who it is.

Well, I'm coming with you.

Well, I suppose you have a right.

HE HUMS A TUNE

Do you mind?

They're certainly taking their time, aren't they?

Ambulances rarely rush to the morgue, Mr Steed.

I'm sorry.

Are you sure about that message?

Quite sure. I took the call myself.

A body has been removed

from a burnt out hut on Captain Slim's estate.

And they didn't say whether it was male or, or female?

They did not. But we'll know soon enough.

Oh, no.

- We heard they'd found someone. - Yes, that's right.

SOFTLY: Is it Quentin?

We, er, we don't know yet.

Steed, I, I don't quite know how to say this,

but if anything's happened to your friend,

I can't help feeling I'm responsible.

No, no, no. Mrs Gale was my responsibility.

DOOR OPENS

That's Quentin.

I tried to get him out.

I did all I could.

I'm sorry.

I kept on trying to tell you.

But I wouldn't listen.

Come on. I'll take you home.

All right.

I'm going to take you home too.

You look really wonderful, my dear.

CATHERINE: Thank you.

Look, I've hung you in the place of honour.

Yes, very touching.

JOHN: I told you, a few days complete relaxation

and you'll be as right as rain.

How are the burns, by the way?

Oh, only superficial.

Good, I'm delighted to hear it, cos I've got something for you.

To replace the wardrobe you lost in the, er, in the line of fire.

Ah, that's nice of you, Steed.

Oh, who told you? - Told me what?

That I'm taking a holiday.

- Are you? - Yes, I leave tomorrow.

I'm off to the Bahamas.

No! What a coincidence.

HE SNAPS HIS FINGERS

As a matter of fact there's just a, erm...

Little bit of trouble out there?

That's right. It's not in the least dangerous.

No, no, no, of course not.

And as you're gonna be out there anyway,

pussy footing along those sun soaked shores.

You thought I might do a little investigating?

That's right. What'd you say?

- Goodbye, Steed. - Eh?

That's what I said. Goodbye.

- But that isn't asking too much. - Oh, yes, it is.

You see, I'm not going to be

pussy footing along those sun soaked shores,

I'm going to be lying on them.

Not pussy footing.

I must have been misinformed.

DOOR CLOSES

Hello, my dear.

John Steed.

Eh?

Well, I've been very busy you know.

Hey, how are the little Salukis?

Really?

Vicious little beasts. Huh?

It's, terrible weather for the time of year, isn't it?

Very inclement as my Auntie Debbie used to say.

Bodes bad for the bulbs.

Look I think you to get a little sunshine, you know.

Beautiful blue skies, sandy beaches.

I've got a little job I want you to do for me.

Well, of course, we'll discuss it as our leisure.

Why not tonight?

Say eight o'clock?

I know a little place down by the river.

HE CONTINUES SPEAKING INAUDIBLY

THEME MUSIC PLAYING

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