Original subtitles

Do you realize how long it's been since Guadalcanal?

25 years.

Fiji's wonderful this time of year.

If your invitation still stands, I've arranged three consecutive weeks.

Took a little doing.

Crime doesn't pay, but it doesn't stop either.

Of course it still stands.

Fishing's absolutely marvelous. I'll get hold of a boat. Fishing?

I thought you'd been having a little trouble with your heart.

Oh, no, no. With this new medication the doctor's given me, My heart will stand

anything in moderation.

Now, Bob, how soon can you get away? Tomorrow.

Not all that fast, but within the next few days, I'll cable my arrival time.

Good. Bob, I'm going to give you the time of your life.

And thank you for humoring an old man. Nonsense. I'm humoring myself.

Bye, Walter. Bye, Bob.

I'm looking forward to it tremendously.

Anthony, we're going to have a guest.

Anthony isn't here, Colonel.

Who are you?

What do you want? I would like you to come along with me, sir. Come along

This is preposterous. Get out of my house.

If you please.

Sir?

These bottles you're taking, are they for snakebite or malaria?

To ward off a cold.

A cold in the South Seas. Winter down there gets down to 70 degrees.

Besides, three fingers of prevention is worth a fistful of cure.

You have an hour layover in Hawaii before your connecting flight.

Here are your tickets.

And here are yours, Mark. Your flight leaves 15 minutes after the cheap. Oh,

that's a nice timing.

Take care of yourself in Chicago, huh?

It's awfully urban. Oh, you must really think I'm a hayseed. Now, that's what I

plan to be. Complete with straw hat, blue jeans, and a fishing pole.

What about you, Eve?

Still trying to make up your mind?

I have to find out where the old gang is.

Nice, can, the Costa Brava. Oh, little old jet setter, you.

All of you have a good vacation and get plenty of rest.

You've earned it.

Did I hear what I thought I heard? No, no, not from Chief Robert T. Ironside.

did sound like his voice, though. A moment of weakness.

Let's go.

Have a marvelous time.

I intend to.

You're permitted to kiss me goodbye.

Have a marvelous time yourself, Eve.

I will.

Can I get you a taxi, sir?

Oh, thank you. I'm expecting someone to meet me. Is there a telephone?

Yes, sir.

Just that way.

But I would be happy to place that call for you, sir.

I'd like to stay here in plain sight in case my friend arrives.

Mr. Walter Branford, 22407.

22407. It won't be a moment, sir. Thank you.

Excuse me. My name is Ironside. Is there a message here for me?

No, sir. Nothing for Ironside.

Thank you.

Mr. Brantford is not at home, sir.

He's probably on his way here.

I don't think so, sir. The houseman indicated that Mr. Brantford is not in

Would you get me that taxi?

Yes, sir. Right this way.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Branford, please.

I'm sorry, but Mr. Branford is not at home, sir.

I'm an old friend of his, and I've come a long way.

I'd like to know where he is.

You're an American, aren't you?

No doubt you passed each other in the air.

What do you mean, past each other? Mrs. Brantford is on holiday, sir.

In San Francisco, visiting with an old friend.

May I ask the name of the old friend?

Ironside. Robert T.

Ironside. Do you know him? My name is Robert T.

Ironside. Is Miss Brantford in?

Miss Brantford. Mr.

Brantford's niece. I'd like to see her. Oh, yes.

But Miss Marcia doesn't live here.

She has her own apartment.

I'd like to get in touch with her. Of course.

She'd be at work now, but I can give you her phone number.

I'd like the use of your phone, if you please.

Miss Branford here.

Miss Branford, this is Robert Ironside.

How nice to hear from you, Mr. Ironside. The houseman tells me your uncle is in

San Francisco.

Houseman?

You mean you're here in Fiji?

At your uncle's home. But he was going to see you.

Not your fault.

Mr. Ironside, I'm in a terrible rush.

You've caught me in the middle of a meeting.

I'll arrange accommodations for you at the Coral Reef Hotel.

And I'll meet you there for dinner.

Is that all right?

I appreciate it.

Fine.

I'll see you then.

Your taxi driver is waiting, sir.

You'll want him to take you to a hotel?

No, I'll be staying here.

At Miss Branford's invitation.

Very well, sir.

I'll see to your luggage.

Operator, I'd like to cable the United States.

No, uh -uh.

Don't bother. Just read it to me.

Right, I've got it.

Look, have my bill ready. I'm checking out.

And will you call the airport while I pack and get me the first plane back to

San Francisco?

And when do I get the feature?

That long?

Okay.

Look, hold it a moment.

You got a cable, too?

I sure did.

Look, make that two reservations.

Yeah, yeah, both of them to V3.

Okay, thank you.

Yes, sir. Hi. Do you have reservations for us, Sanger and Brown? Just a moment,

sir.

I'm sorry, sir. There is no reservation.

But we do have rooms available if you'll sign our register.

Thank you. Will that be one or two rooms, sir?

One large one will do.

And can you tell me which room Mr.

Ironside is in, please?

Ironside?

I'm sorry, sir. We have no one registered by that name.

Travel Lodge Motel.

Mine says the same thing.

Look, it's Robert T.

Ironside. It's a big man in a wheelchair.

No, sir. No Ironside.

I'm sure there's some sort of explanation.

General, will you be seated?

All right, now let's just take it a point at a time, if we may.

Chief Ironside showed up here, but Mr. Branford was gone. To San Francisco?

Yes. Didn't it seem strange to you that Mr. Branford would go to the States when

he was expecting a visitor? Sir, I was not told of Mr.

Ironside's visit.

I knew nothing of it until he presented himself.

All right, then what?

The gentleman called Miss Marsha, Miss Branford's niece.

At first, she arranged for him to stay. At first?

There obviously was a change of plan.

I went to the market. With Mr. Brantford gone, I don't keep much in the house.

When I returned, Mr. Ironside had gone.

I found a note saying he had moved to the hotel.

The note, can we see it? I'm afraid I threw it out, sir. I could look through

the rubbish. No, no.

Did Mr. Brantford say anything as to why he suddenly decided to go to San

Francisco? Mr. Brantford is not in the habit of confiding in me, sir.

When he mentioned Chief Ironside there, did he say anything about him at all?

So, I wasn't here at the time. You weren't? No, sir.

It was my afternoon off.

When I returned, Mr. Branford was gone. I was informed of his departure by his

niece. And you didn't think that was strange?

Why should I, sir?

Miss Marsha seemed to understand.

Where can we find Miss Marsha?

At a ministry.

Which ministry?

The Ministry of Finance.

Shall I ring her? You don't need... We'll just drop in on her. Thank you

much. Whatever you think, Mr. I certainly hope this...

The thing will be cleared up if I can be of any assistance. We'll find it.

Where do you think the ministry is?

We'll find it, but there's a stop I want to make first.

Where? Customs and Immigration.

Let's find out if Brantford really left the islands.

Very naughty indeed, making all that smash.

I apologize.

I'm sure you do. I have quite enough to do without having to clean up after you.

You could have saved yourself the trouble of throwing that jar out the

There's nothing out there but a back alley with no one to hear you.

Force of habit. I don't like being a prisoner.

You wouldn't find yourself in that inconvenient position if you'd left well

enough alone and gone to stay in a hotel.

But then I wouldn't be here, would I?

I'd have missed the pleasure of your acquaintance. You know, it's just

to me.

Premeditated, wasn't it?

You deliberately allowed yourself to be kidnapped.

Where's Branford? What have you done with him? The death probe of the expert

interrogator. I'm not the run -of -the -mill thug you're used to, you know.

Please don't treat me as if I were.

Funny how you all look the same. Side view, front view, numbers underneath.

Doctor, small accident.

Your patients weren't disturbed, I hope? No.

There's a crying infant out there that would drown out an atom bomb.

Still, I don't suppose we should run any further risk.

You see, Ironside, you've spoilt it all for yourself.

We'll have to find you new lodgings now.

Far less comfortable, I'm afraid.

I don't mind.

Riding the fresh air will do me some good.

You go ahead and relieve Hines.

Barnsworth can help me bring him out.

Right you are.

I'll see you at the village.

If you're planning any further disturbances en route, I'm afraid you're

be disappointed.

You're going to have a pleasant little nap.

I have another sick man here now, boys. And you promised to be quiet and play at

the other end, didn't you?

Yes. Well, if you continue to disturb my patient, I'll have to tell your

parents. Now, you don't want that, do you?

No. Of course you don't. There you are. Run along. There's a good little group.

Oh.

What have you done to it? He'll be all right.

But why are you doing this? Why? Don't excite yourself. You'll find out in

Bob.

Are you all right, Bob?

Hello, Walter.

Well, I've certainly handed you a bloody awful holiday.

First, I gave myself kidnapped.

But how did they get hold of you?

Oh, it took a little managing.

I was at your place waiting.

Two of them appeared with chloroform.

But why you as well?

It's not a simple kidnapping, Walter.

No? When I called your niece, the operator identified the office as

Resources Control.

Marcia's in charge of precious metals.

Then she could arrange to clear a shipment, probably a gold shipment.

She's the only one that could.

Apparently, Marcia's being forced to cooperate.

She told Anthony that you were in San Francisco.

No one knows you're missing, Walter.

That's absurd.

Well, at least Anthony knows something's up now after seeing you abducted. He

wasn't home when it happened.

He's probably been given another story by now.

By whom?

By your niece.

Marcy? Have you heard from the repository?

Two million in gold bullion cannot be cleared as fast as you seem to think,

Barnsworth.

There are papers to be made out and authorizations to obtain.

Well, we'll simply have to be very patient then, won't we? You certainly

all your own way, haven't you? Of course.

How fortunate we are to have the cooperation of the head of gold control.

You must be very efficient to have such a responsible post at your age.

How'd you do it? I was fortunate.

So were we, to find that you had an ailing uncle whom you dearly love.

Don't worry.

We'll have him back to you, safe and sound, just as soon as you've

us to the repository to sign the necessary papers to transfer the

You can't really expect to get away with this.

You tend to your part, and we'll attend to ours.

Yes.

It's the American.

Why now?

Tell them only what we've agreed on.

Please send them in.

Hello? Mr. Brown?

Mr. Sanger? Yes.

How do you do?

Please,

sit down.

Thank you.

Well, I don't really know where to begin.

Except to tell you that I'm afraid you've been taken in by my uncle's

game. He had no idea it would go this far.

Game? Yes.

Uncle Walter thought it would be jolly good fun.

For Anthony to say he was in San Francisco, visiting the very man who'd

visit him.

He's never left Fiji, you see. We know that. We checked.

Would you like some tea? No, thank you.

Why didn't Anthony tell us?

He doesn't know.

Uncle Walter thought it best not to tell him.

He's such a poor liar.

He'd have given it all away.

Would you mind telling us where they are?

Batulili. Where?

Oh, one of the Northern Islands.

Fishing, I presume.

And we rushed here all the way from the States.

Well, the least we can do is drop over there and say hello.

Where exactly are they?

A hotel resort near Nambuwalu.

Do you mind if I call?

Oh, I don't think you'll find them in.

They're probably out in a fishing craft.

But if you hurry, you can catch the motor sailor.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I'm terribly sorry for the trouble you've been through.

Perhaps you'll stop off and visit on your way home.

It's a date.

Excellent performance.

You've missed your calling.

I don't see how sending them off to Vatulili will help you.

Once they find Mr. Ironside isn't there, they'll be back.

If we let them, my dear.

If we let them.

May I use your telephone?

Ironside?

Not that I recall, sir.

But I'd be happy to look at the registry.

A man in a wheelchair.

There is a man in a wheelchair.

Though he's not a guest of the hotel.

Where is he now?

I just saw him taking a bit of fresh air, sir.

Thank you.

No trouble at all, sir.

Well, maybe the girl wasn't lying.

Well, do we go or not?

When's the only time you play a crooked wheel?

When it's the only wheel in town.

There won't be another motor sailor till morning.

Did you find out about her charter?

Yeah, there's one in the harbor going over soon. The skipper might take us.

It's worth a try.

Oh.

Now, this smells.

You can say that again.

Yeah, well, the tracks are going that way.

Welcome to the island.

No, no, don't wave your hands about. Just walk down to the beach like a good

little tourist.

Hold it.

Drop your guns.

Drop them.

The Marines.

Devon, CID.

Nice to see you. And you.

I've been briefed somewhat since your call, so shall we?

You.

What's your name?

Tobash. Well, Tobash, you'll save us all a lot of trouble if you'll very quickly

tell us where we can find Mr. Branford and Mr. Hindsight.

I don't know them. Of course you do.

No, sir. Then why'd you jump us?

To rub you. And trap us with a wheelchair?

Look, come on.

I've got nothing to say. Oh, you'll be a long time in prison with that attitude.

We were paid, that's all we know. By whom?

We don't know. He just told us to use the wheelchair. Just to rob us?

No, to keep you here a few days. All right, take him away.

Well, it's fairly obvious, isn't it?

Someone wants you out of their way.

The only one who knew we were coming here was Marsha Brantford.

Some nice... I say, you haven't eaten what we brought you before.

Not good to waste it, you know.

Why don't you join us?

Oh, my dear Ironside.

Of course it's drugged. Not heavily, mind you. Just enough to keep you quiet.

Well, we'll just leave it here in case you change your mind. I say, it's a bit

of rotten luck coming to see your old pal at this particular time.

But if you'll just cooperate, it'll soon all be over, then you and your pal can

have a jolly toddy and talk about it, eh? What we'll talk about is the length

sentence you'll be drawing.

I'm not familiar enough with the laws here to guess at what you get for

gold. And I'm sure it's sufficient.

Not a word.

It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

You'd best see to your friend.

Walter. Walter.

I must have fallen asleep.

You've been drugged.

It's the new water.

I wouldn't trust it.

Well, at least this sedation keeps on calm.

The old heart's ticking over pretty nicely.

You just stay there.

Walter. How long does it take to clear a gold shipment?

Oh, a few days, I suppose.

Well, it's been a few days.

Ah. Well, then they should be releasing us pretty soon.

Don't you think? If they intend to release us at all.

Of course.

Well, you still have your remarkable instincts, Bob.

Sensing something was wrong and calling in your associates.

It wasn't instinct.

No one with a heart like yours goes off and leaves his medicine behind.

Ready to go?

Checked out and gassed up. When do we leave? Tonight.

Miss Brownfield has received word the repository will deliver in the

About time.

You, uh, have the debris?

Yeah, I got some stuff that would float long enough for search parties to figure

we sank.

Jolly good. Are you sure that Chinese freighter will be out there all right?

I've been in radio contact.

She's underway to the rendezvous point 20 miles to the northwest right now.

I wish it could be closer. There'll be planes after us before we're halfway.

We'll make it. Are you awfully sure they won't hit that freighter? And create an

international incident.

That may be a great deal of bullying, old boy, but not nearly enough to start

war.

Told you little beggars not to play around here. Now get away and stay away.

About time you got here. What's happening?

All going to plan.

We pick up the gold this afternoon, leave tonight.

Then we can pack it in here. Immediately.

How are the two patients?

Branford's very quiet.

But that other one, strong as an ox.

Keeps fighting off the drug.

A good doctor will see to that.

All right.

Put them under.

I mean, really under this time.

Double the dose.

But that'll kill them.

Ranford's old.

He's sick.

You'd be doing him a service.

Barnsworth, please.

Go on, now. Be over and done within a second.

There's a good chap.

Let's get on with it, Doctor.

All right.

What about Branford?

His heart's giving out. He can't last.

Let's get out of here.

Pleasant dreams, old boy.

Where'd you find it? A village youngster found it. His mother telephoned the

conservatory. They called us.

When did they find it? This morning.

Well?

Well, what? Well, what are we waiting for?

Get the paper signed, darling.

There's a good girl, and no disturbance, please.

Well, things seem to be going swimmingly.

You could be a bit more cheerful about it. There are worse things than a

share of two million dollars.

I don't want the money. What you want or do not want is of no consequence now.

Brace up.

It'll all be over soon.

All right, chums. Load up.

Well, uh... Yes, Pop?

How is it?

Not too good, I'm afraid.

A lot of pressure on the chest.

Honey, I had my medicine.

Sorry they took it away from me.

Don't worry, old boy.

I'll manage.

I'm having trouble staying awake.

Drugs again?

Larger dose than before.

Funny thing, though, I could have sworn he... ejected part of that shot before

he gave it to me.

Bob.

Bob!

Keep talking to me, Walter.

Help me stay awake.

I'm afraid I... I can't make very scintillating conversation.

I have a feeling we've been this route before.

We have.

The cave.

That Guadalcanal.

Of course.

History repeating itself.

I had a better chance then.

At least we were armed. We were pinned in.

Cut off.

And no friendly soul to hear us.

Remember? Yeah.

I remember.

But we got out of that one, didn't we?

The help of U .S. Marines.

I remember how... Listen.

It's better over here.

You've got what you wanted.

Now, what about my uncle?

In due time, darling.

In due time.

Easy, Chief. That's hard enough to take a lining off your stomach.

And a cotton wool out of my head.

Walter, how you doing?

Carrying on, Walt.

Well, there's an ambulance on its way here. Should be along in about 15

Yeah, Walter, it's going to be all right. If I darted it for a minute.

And I've been inquiring at the repository.

They'll radio us back if they have any information.

Well, I don't intend to sit around here and wait.

Walter, we have to go on ahead. You understand, don't you?

Howdy. Mark will stay with you.

Chief, you've had a beating. Don't you think you should wait here for the

ambulance? Nobody ruins my vacation and gets away with it.

Where was the shipment cleared to? Did they tell you what the repository?

Yes, sir.

Special air freight for Australia.

Seem normal enough?

All right, call the airport.

Have the control tower delay all departures except regularly scheduled

flights.

Take as many men as you can.

Yes, sir.

We'll be there immediately.

Well, you heard.

It's going to be easier than I thought.

They only have a half -hour lead.

It should take a lot longer than that to transfer the shipment to a plane.

It's sticky, though, having Miss Brantford with them.

A hostage, do you suppose?

As far as I'm concerned, this whole thing is sticky.

You think she's in with a gang?

I'm not talking about Miss Brantford.

I mean, the way they're moving the gold out of the country, it's too easy, too

obvious. Hasn't been up to now.

Exactly my point, Ed.

After an involved plan to cover up their tracks, after kidnapping and extortion,

now they leave a trail a child could follow.

Yeah, perhaps.

But really, the airport's our only lead, isn't it? I believe it when I see it.

All right, now, get to work. Double pay for the man who loads the most.

Good timing. We'll catch the tide up. Planning, old boy.

Planning. You got plans for her, too?

Of course. And the good doctor, too.

They should have reached the airport by now.

Well, take half the men from the airport patrol and send them out on the roads.

Find that lorry.

Yes, sir.

I'll be in touch.

There are no other airfields on the island, are there? Oh, a few small

airstrips. Nothing large enough to handle a plane that can make it to

with a cargo as heavy as this. And forget about Australia, too.

It'd be too easy for us to be waiting for them to land and too hard for them

get rid of stolen gold.

Oh. Gross.

Red China.

And by boat.

Once it's out of territorial waters, the gold's as good as on the mainland.

Any Chinese ships in port?

No, none.

We keep pretty close tabs on them. What about out to sea?

Gold could be transferred by motor launch.

Very possible.

Very probable.

That does it.

There are villages all up and down the coast. A launch could load from any one

of them. I'd bet on one close to the city, Ed.

They don't want to stay on the island any longer than they have to.

What about a helicopter?

Well, there's one on board the survey ship, the SS Cyclops.

We can take a shortcut past Government House Grounds.

All right.

Have the constabulary.

Start checking the villages east of the city.

We'll cover the other side.

Where is my uncle?

You said you'd let him go.

Well, now, we've had a change of plan.

Don't fret. He'll be released. But unfortunately, you will not be.

Sorry, darling, but we need you with us.

Just in the event a patrol boat intercepts us, you'll...

Our insurance.

What is it?

A holiday?

That's a changing of the card, a daily ceremony.

We can't prove.

Ceremony is great, but it's going to cost the government two million dollars

we don't get through.

Barnsworth, ready to leave in about five minutes.

All right.

Pay off the men.

All right, you can go aboard now.

Please. I've done everything you wanted. All right, then. Let's not spoil things

now, shall we?

You too, Doctor.

Unless you'd rather stay behind and answer to everybody.

I can't tell you how very happy I am to see you all right, sir. Thank you,

Antony. I was so very worried. You called me every few hours to see if

any news.

Well, I'd expect that from someone who's been with me as long as you have,

Antony. You were very kind to Miss Marcia. Not at all, sir.

Would you like me to serve tea now, sir?

Yeah, I think that would be an excellent idea.

Yes, and thank you again for your concern.

Well, sir, the very thought of you on the North Island.

Fishing? In your condition, sir.

It simply... It simply gave you sleepless nights, didn't it, Anthony?

Sir? Anthony, someone had to know the habit patterns of this household very

to have set up the gold theft.

I'm not sure I understand you, sir. I think you do.

You were always conveniently gone when things were happening here.

Are you implying, sir... No implication.

Fact. Don't tell us.

The butler did it. Exactly.

Ed, didn't you tell me you got word from Miss Branford that Walter and I were on

the North Island?

Yes.

Marsha, who else did you tell?

No one.

Would you mind telling us how you knew?

I... Miss Marsha, I'm sure that I... We are sure too, Antony.

Yes, I've got it.

Thank you.

Well, hello.

Hello.

I just took a letter for you, Ed, from Fiji.

What's it say?

Uncle Walter doing fine. Are you ever coming back for our date, St. Marcia?

Fiji? I thought you went fishing.

He did, but I needed him.

We had a little excitement over there, and I had the boys fly over and help.

boys? What about me?

Oh, we didn't know where you'd be. You said Nice, Cannes, Corpus Christi. I

stayed at home.

Well, you've had your time off. At least one of us will be here on duty. Which

one of us?

Oh, well, I thought I'd go back to fishing.

And I'm going back to Chicago.

Now, I would have thought a trip to the South Seas and a little walk in the sun

would have been all the vacation you needed. Now, get the caseload. They're

the table.

I'll help you unpack.

I'll tell you all about it.

And from 70s Fiji, we head for 40s London next, where Gary faces a decision

monumental proportions, which life, and thus wife, does he plump for? Good

night, sweethearts. Back on ITV3 next.