Original subtitles

Now keep watch.

Kirby.

This is collection day.

Have you got the money?

Who are you?

I'll collect for your bookmakers.

I told your people I can't pay, not for another month yet.

Well, that's too bad.

Stop it.

Get out of it. I've done enough.

He's not moving.

What? Let's have a look.

He's dead.

We've killed him. Are you sure? Yes, come on, let's get out of here. But we

can't leave him here. I said someone's got to move him. Come on, let's get out

of here.

What about silver boy?

Sir Philly.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Tax collector out of silver virgin.

What's that?

I was just reposing the problem.

I've got it.

Shining money.

Tax collector money, silver shining.

Revenue girl.

Tax money, virgin girl.

Oh. That sounds all right.

Let's see if it's been used.

Ah, red new girl, won a handicap in 1959.

And lost the St. Michael's stakes in 51 and my shirt along with it. Good

morning, sir. Can I help you? How do you do, Mr. Meadows?

No, pantry, major pantry. Ah, still at the Jockey Club.

That's right, yes.

This is Mr.

Meadows. Look, I'm terribly sorry. My name is Steed. One of your stablemen

me I'd find you here.

What can we do for you, Mr. Steed? Well, I'm here about the new four -year -old

you're staving, Sebastian II.

Are you from the press?

No, no, I'm from the Foreign Office.

Oh. We're concerned about Sebastian, you know. Well, that's extremely good of

you. He comes from a very good home.

You know... Oh, thank you. A horse belonging to a Sultan is a little like a

visiting the country.

Well, you might have given him some VIP treatment, mightn't you?

Waved your silly quarantine rules.

Aren't they so? Has there been some trouble?

Sebastian's become very attached to one of the Sultan's spaniels.

Normally they travel together, otherwise he gets very nervous. There's no other

country where Britain refuses to let a dog into you. No, it's a crying shame.

No trouble about a racehorse, though, so long as he's to race.

You're not suggesting there should be quarantine for thoroughbreds, are you?

no, certainly not, Major. I should think not, indeed.

Like some sherry? Thank you very much. What exactly do you want to know, Steve?

Well, this is the first time a Sultan's entered a horse in this country. It

wouldn't help some rather delicate negotiations going on at this moment if

anything were to happen to Sebastian.

What do they think might happen? Well, the recent doping scandals, you know, in

the country. Frightful business, that. Absolutely frightful.

Thank you. I take it your people think I don't know how to look after a horse?

No, no, no, of course not. If you prefer, you could stable him in number

Downing Street.

I don't think that the Prime Minister would like that too much, a rather small

house. No, I think that this letter will explain everything.

It's not that we want to take him away, you know, just keep an eye on him.

This Salton fellow, we want his oil, don't we?

That, amongst other things, any unfortunate incident might sever what

could be a very beautiful friendship.

Hmm.

Well, I think this is an impertinence.

It seems to be in order.

What exactly do you want to do?

Oh, just be around, you know.

Now, look here.

I've never had any trouble with doping. Is that what you're worried about?

Of course not. My stables are more difficult to get into than most banks.

Sir. I suppose you want to drop by now, then? Thank you. Thank you very much,

Miss Meadows. And thank you, Major, for the sharing. Morning, everyone.

Oh, hello. This is Mr.

Steed, my daughter Anne.

How do you do? Oh, hello.

Perhaps you could show him over to the stables, Anne. Yes, of course.

By the way, have you found a name for the new filly? Ah, no, no, no, not yet.

Awful problem, you know. You can't use a name that's been used before, and the

name must have some connection with its sire and dame. Yes, Tax Collector out of

Silver Virgin. Tax Collector out of Silver Virgin. Yes, well, we don't want

bother Steve with that. Now, perhaps you can give it a thought at. I've done

nothing else all morning.

Would you like to come with me, Mr. Steve?

Delighted, yes. Tax Collector out of Silver Virgin.

That's right.

How about impossible?

Well, goodbye. See you later, gentlemen.

This place is a mess, Brown. I want you to clean it up when you get back. You

ready to go? Yeah. Right.

Morning, ma 'am. Morning, Jonathan. How's Sebastian?

Well, he's a bit jumpy after this morning's gallop. He hasn't settled down

Anything special you wanted, ma 'am? Oh, no, we just want to look at him. Thank

you, Jonathan. Yes, ma 'am. Morning, sir.

Afternoon. Well, come on out, you old devil.

Well, he is a fine fellow, isn't he? If you want to make yourself known to

Sebastian, you'd better be properly introduced.

Here, give him some sugar. Oh, the Sultan's compliments. I'm very sorry it

Turkish delight.

Why are you so interested in Sebastian?

Well, there are certain people, you know, in Whitehall, they wouldn't like

anything to happen to Sebastian, would they, old boy? You have a good nibble

there. On the other hand, I don't think they need worry. I've never seen such

security arrangements.

Do they always have these electrified fences around training establishments?

Steve, we don't just let any Tom, Dick or Harry in here, you know. Oh, no, I

very impressed.

Do you know anything about horses, Mr. Steve? Yes, I know which end is which.

Oh, thank goodness for that.

I thought you might be one of those terribly dull civil servants. Oh, horse.

you ever heard of a horse that was kinky about a spaniel?

I think I'll have a little more sugar, young lady, if you don't mind.

Mind your fingers.

Whoops. Oh, he nearly got me the first time. Look, perhaps we could go riding

together one day.

With you, young lady, that'd be a pleasure. That could be fun, couldn't

Sebastian? We'll all do that.

You ever find anybody trying to get at your horses?

No, and we don't intend to either. No one could get in here, not even the

if they wanted to.

Well, what about the stablemen?

Oh, well, most of the men working here started as boy apprentices.

I know them all.

Oh, really? I can assure you they're absolutely loyal to my father.

Right, well, I think that settles your next assignment, Brown.

Oh, by the way, you'll find a gentleman waiting outside. Would you send him in,

please? Thank you.

There was a bloke down at the stable this morning wanting to look at a

horse. Oh, do you know who he was?

Never seen him before.

In the foreign office or something. Really?

Oh, it's probably nothing to worry about.

Well, well.

Come on in.

Sit down. There's no charge.

Get him a brandy.

I believe you wanted to see me. Yes, I always like to see people after they've

done the job for me.

Didn't you know the man had a weak heart?

Mr. Fortune, or should I say, the Honorable.

When a client opens a tough account with me, I don't demand to see a medical

certificate.

Everyone knows that if they try to take a bookmaker for a ride like Kirby did or

like you tried to do, they've got to face the consequences.

I don't think I wish to accept your hospitality.

Let's see.

How much did you owe me?

A thousand pounds.

You placed bets on credit knowing you didn't have that kind of money in the

bank? It's not against the law. Ah, a lot of people think that, but they're

wrong.

It's as much a crime to defraud a bookmaker as it is to defraud a tailor.

Look, the debt was cancelled out last night, wasn't it? I accepted your third

alternative. Yes, alternative one, to pay up, which in your case was

Alternative two, to get beaten up.

Very painful.

Alternative three, to help beat up someone else who owed me money. So now

quits. Not quite.

I want to know what you intend to do next.

That's my business.

Perhaps, but I'd like to hear about it.

I intend to leave the country.

I see.

Well, I don't think we can really agree to that. But it's got nothing to do with

you. I have my social conscience to consider. You're a non -convicted

I never touched the man. Johnson did it. I had to drag him off.

Is that so, Johnson?

No. He freed him up, not me. But that's a lie.

Sure.

Sure.

We all know that.

But what Mr. Johnson and I want to impress on you is how it could look to a

judge and jury.

You see, Kirby's body was removed last night by some other friends of mine.

I only have to lift one of these telephones.

This is really what you'd call checkmate, Mr. Armour. You're involved

well, Houston. Really?

You and Johnson came to me, offered your services as debt collectors. I thought

you were a genuine little two -man agency. I wasn't to know anything about

methods. And you betray Johnson?

He came to the pinch, yes.

Except he's a friend of long standing and he'd be in South America before

knew anything about it.

But you're not quite in that category yet.

Are you suggesting that I could be?

You have two alternatives open to you now.

One, go to prison for manslaughter. That's if they're lenient and don't

for murder.

Two, that you become another of my long -standing friends.

And collect more debts for you. No, no, no, no. Nothing so crude. I run another

business, far more refined.

We need men like you.

Strong in lineage and a little light on principle.

I don't think I'm interested.

I'm afraid you have no choice.

You see, we kill people to order.

A man like you would be useful.

Good manners, public school accent, acceptable anywhere.

You'd be highly trained and grossly overpaid.

Now go away and think about it.

Come on. And before you get any high -minded ideas about running to the

remember Kirby.

I'll give you till tomorrow morning to make up your mind.

Well,

I apologize for earlier remarks.

You ride very well. Thank you very much. I didn't expect racehorses to be, well,

to change direction quite so sharply.

Oh, did you want something, Smith?

Beg your pardon, Miss, but I was waiting to see your father. I'm afraid he's not

here. Is there anything I can do?

No, it was your father I wanted to see. It's just this murder charge they've got

my brother on. Comes up next week. When did you hear this?

It's in the paper, miss. Where? Show me.

See, there.

Oh, Smith, this is terrible.

Oh, hello, Anne. Your father around?

No, he's in town.

Oh, pity. I wanted to see him.

I'm sure Greg is charging too much for those moth -eaten carrots of his.

Am I butting in? It's about Smith's brother. He's coming up on trial. Oh,

see. What happened exactly?

Oh, amazing story.

Apprentice Jockey disappears.

A month later, turns up in South America, of all places. Takes a pot shot

plantation tycoon he's never seen before. Misses and gets caught.

Amazing. You mean he disappeared from here? From these very stables.

Reliable lad. Keen. Good rider.

Apprentice to Meadows since he was 15.

What about the British Embassy out there? Can't they help you, brother?

nothing much they can do. Evidence damning. Court red -handed.

If you beg pardon, sir, I found something out that might help.

Jerry was in debt. He was gambling, haven't he? Not Jerry. Begging horses?

I'm afraid so, sir.

Well, didn't he know the rules of the stable? Well, of course, sir, but I

suppose he was tempted.

Anyhow, I found this old notebook among his things where he put down which

horses he was backing and how much he was losing.

I think maybe that's why he went away. No reason to try and commit a murder.

I was thinking if I could get out there, I could talk to him. Do you know who he

owed money to?

No, sir, that's what I'd like to find out.

All right.

Have you got a bank account?

No, sir. Well, I'll make it out to cash. Enough to cover your fare and moderate

expenses.

I'll speak to Mr. Meadows and get him to give you a week off.

Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. If you're sure you're all right, don't you

worry. I'll fix it with Mr. Meadows. Well, don't forget there's a credit and

tomorrow. You're riding in that.

Go before then, miss. Want to let Mr. Meadows down or the major? Good. Then

that's settled.

Thank you very much, major. Thank you, miss.

Thank you, sir. Good luck to you tomorrow.

That was very kind of you, Major.

I must look after the troops, you know.

Anyway, if he rides me a winner tomorrow, I shall be amply repaid. I

getting along.

Goodbye. Let's hope he will, eh?

He's a very generous man, the Major. When did he start owning horses?

Only the last few years, I think. I remember he used to say how poor he was

after he came out of the army. Living on his pension, you know.

He was quite bitter about it.

I suppose he must have been lucky on horses.

Yes, I suppose he must have.

They're on the start of orders now, but three fingers have turned around. Oh,

another transfer supervisor has broken the tape.

But yes, they're all in line now. It looks as if they'll be open any moment,

just as soon as they've got that tape across again.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Four times went on number four, please. Thank you very much.

Well, this seems to be having trouble with the transfer supervisor again.

Thank you very much.

Oh! Hey, look, I want to get something on transfer supervisor.

Number five.

Oh, you've sent it this time, sir. Good, I'll have five pounds each way on

transfer supervisor.

I haven't seen you here before, though. Probably not, sir. This happens to be my

first day.

Well, let's hope it's your lucky window.

Ten pounds, please. Look, you don't want to stay in there. You can't see the

racing. Come out and enjoy the sunshine, eh? It's against the rules.

Besides, I wouldn't get much work done, would I? Who wants to work?

Well, aren't you here to play the field?

I suppose you could say that. How about 6 .30? There is no 6 .30, sir. The last

race is the 5 .30. Oh, 5 .30. Perhaps you could give me the benefit of your

professional experience.

Now, there we are. There are the runners. Which one?

What about number two, Fifth Symphony?

No.

Number three, Lower Depths.

Shop window.

Shop window. Look, I do have other customers besides you, sir. I suppose

have. Look, I'll have five pounds each way on shop window.

I'll be at the members' exposure at 5 .45 for a drink. Do you want me to do

I'll see what I can do.

And that will cost you £20. And £20 coming up. And we'll celebrate that.

5 .45.

Well, I hope you win.

OK, fine. Thanks a lot.

The people come all this way just to watch television.

It's more realistic than your own country. I mean, the atmosphere is more

important. My horse is still running and I'm watching the race. Of course.

Come on, Scavenger. Come on, Scavenger.

Come on,

Scavenger. Come on, Scavenger.

Scavenger.

He's going to make it. He is.

Can't you feel me? Can't you?

There he comes. Come on, Scavenger. Come on, that's right. You encourage him.

Will he make it?

Oh!

Oh!

Jolly man.

It was nice of you to meet me at the station.

Sorry, sir. I had to see a fellow by the horse.

What do you really want me down here for? I'm a bit rusty on my tic -tac.

I'll talk with that one.

Now, I've got some prep going for you. Oh,

hello, Smith.

Hey, Jolly, good luck.

Thank you, sir. I've got my shirt on you.

And most of my wardrobe, I must say. Who's that?

He's Linton Smith. He's the brother of the fellow there who was accused of

a pop shot at a plantation millionaire in South America.

Yes, this is a very odd case. He doesn't appear to have had any motive

whatsoever. The even odder thing is that he was an apprentice jockey at the same

stable as his brother.

Well, how did he get to South America?

Well, that does intrigue you.

Steve, what's your real interest in Meadows, Steve? That horse Sebastian or

attempted killing of this millionaire?

Oh, hello, Mr. Meadows. Sorry, Steve, can't stop.

You know, like the stables, electrified fences around it, photoelectric cells

operating alarm bells, the lot, the whole place is like a, almost like a

fortress. Very wise precautions with all the doping going on these days.

Has it occurred to you that there could be something going on inside? I mean,

someone the police are looking for could be hidden in there.

Are you basing your suspicion on the coincidence of this boy turning up in

America? In the past 12 months, there have been at least 12 unsolved murders

rich men, either important businessmen or political bigwigs.

You mean like Luther Striffel, the West German banker?

Exactly. And not one single one of them has been found.

And in each case, someone has stood to gain either a political rival or a

business competitor.

But now that the attempt has failed, well, thank goodness, we've got someone

our hands.

If these stables are at security bound, as you say, how do you propose to get in

there? I mean, by yourself?

Well, there's one thing I've observed.

They've got a procedure for checking you in.

They don't seem to have one for checking out again.

Are you fond of bran mash?

Ah, come on, we've got to go to the next place. I've got a small interest in it.

Shop

Stuart,

but I think they... OK, yes, and they're off, and already Shop Stuart is well

into the lead. Second is Fifth Symphony, written by Ted Higgs.

but with a hat -trick at Newbury last week, he's closely followed now by Laura

Debson. La Trois are breaking ground from a distant point in fifth position.

They're coming now to the second fence. Want a refill?

And the sensation, Smith is off.

Tony!

Smith's fallen off. You missed it.

You mean the horse fell?

No, Smith just fell off.

Really?

Was he hurt? I don't know.

Well, there's probably nothing to worry about.

Look, I think I ought to go home. He could have been hurt.

But you're spending the day with me, remember?

I'm sorry, Tony, but I want to get back.

Oh, don't worry, darling.

You'll see.

He'll be all right.

What is it now, Johnson?

Well, it's a new table I have, Mr. Meadows. The Honorable Lucian Fortune.

The Honorable?

From now on, known as Fortune.

He wants to earn a living for a change.

Earn a trade.

I see.

Well, now... Hello, Mr. Meadows.

I'll be with you in a moment, Seed.

Fortune can have the room over number two, Stable. Right, sir.

This way.

Afternoon, sir.

Afternoon to you.

I suppose you've come to see no one's ridden off with Sebastian.

First of all, I want to see about Linton Smith's accident yesterday. Now, have

you got any ideas?

It must have been half cut through before the race started.

It looks like it was sliced with a razor.

I could have sworn everything was all right when I gave Linton Smith a leg up

the parade ring.

Twenty -five years as a trainer. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

I see.

These dopers will stop at nothing.

They can't get at the horse, they'll get at the rider.

This time they've gone too far. This will be a charge of murder.

I'm going to call the police.

Are you sure they were horse dopers?

I mean, Lower Depths wasn't a hot favorite.

They couldn't have nobbled. There would be no point in it, in nobbling either

the horse or the jockey.

I think there were more personal reasons.

What do you suggest we do?

Hold off calling the police until after the first morning.

All right.

And in the meantime, I'd like to have a small word with Sebastian.

I'll get someone to take him away. Oh, don't worry. I know my way. You just

phone up and tell him I'm coming, OK?

Meadows here.

Mrs. Steed wants to enter the stable. Let him in, please.

What?

Well, that's your department. Deal with it.

Yes, I know.

We've no choice, have we?

Hello, Sebastian.

How's the climate suiting you, then, old boy?

I haven't got anything today. I'm stingy.

This is the house.

Number 17, Avenue de la Grande Armée.

His car.

Registration number 8293MY75.

The man leaves his house in this car every morning at ten past eight. He's

driven along the Champs -Élysées de Concours, follows the Seine to Boulevard

Palais, turns right and continues to Boulevard Saint -Michel.

He stops at number 29.

Excellent. Now you're a signer.

Ah.

Patrice Dubois, age 54, major shareholder in the house of Souchet.

Here's your passport and money.

And you'll need these.

You'll fly with the horses and three other stablemen tonight at the chartered

aircraft, departure time 7 .25.

When you arrive at Chantilly, rooms have been booked for all of you at the

Pension Goujon.

At exactly 11 o 'clock tonight, a light blue car will be parked outside the

Pension. Here are the car keys.

You can be in Paris in 30 minutes.

You go to number 69 Avenue Emile Bourne.

Report to Monsieur Goldstein.

He'll put you up for the night.

Right. Contact me when you get back tomorrow.

You're in very good health.

Take any calls now.

Who?

Oh, you sent her in, really?

Mrs. Gay?

Oh.

Do come in. Won't you sit down?

Well, what can I do for you?

Your settler and I can't agree on a thing. What's the problem?

I placed an each -way Yankee with ten -pound stakes on a price of a three -to

-one, Robin Hood at seven -to -two.

Wally Pone was 11 to 4, and Reedy River at 5 to 1.

Now, that was a total investment of 220 pounds.

That checks.

They came up, so I should have got back 9 ,690 pounds, 18 shillings and times.

What's the quibble?

Doubles?

No, Mr. Houston.

A matter of 65 pounds, 12 and 7 is short.

Your settler's checked it once, but refuses to check it again.

See, I think he's reckoning that Krasov had a quarter of the odds instead of a

third. You mean there were less than eight runners in the race?

Yes, the whole line was scrapped.

You see, if he's reckoning at a quarter, that would make the place double come

to £15 ,200 left, the place treble £30 ,600 left, and the place accumulator

£20 ,400 left. That's a total discrepancy of £65 ,127.

Tell me, how do you calculate this?

Well, I take the place odds, add one unit to each, multiply them together,

subtract one unit at the end.

Then I know the odds against the doubles and trebles.

Incidentally, your settler got it right with Wally Pone.

He took into account there were less than eight runners in that race.

Mrs. Gale, have you ever worked for a tough accountant?

No, but I've been a race girl for a long time.

Well, I'm very glad there aren't any more like you, but we'd be out of

Tell me, do you know this one?

When would a punter definitely win by backing every horse in a race?

Well, say there were ten horses.

You add one to the odds of each of those ten horses.

Then you take the reciprocal of those ten numbers.

Well, if the sum of the reciprocals is less than one, you must win.

You're very talented, Mrs. Gayle.

I'm glad you think so, because there's something I wanted to ask you.

Well, you want to extend your credit?

No, I'm looking for a job.

Well, but the money you've just won, why work?

Winnings don't last forever.

You should know that, Mr. Houston.

True.

Yes, well, this business of mine is certainly expanding.

Okay, you're on.

What are the terms?

70 pounds a week, mostly tax -free.

You'll be this side of the glass wall.

A lot of the time you'll be completely in charge of the place.

I have another enterprise which is taking up more and more of my time.

Anyone with your head for figures would be pretty useful about the place.

Useful enough, would you say, to be worth a hundred?

You'd have a hard bargain.

Okay. A hundred pounds.

When do I start?

You've already started.

Then perhaps you'd show me the office routine.

With pleasure.

Outside phone.

Internal phone.

That one's direct to my London office. Now, over here we have... In these

cabinets... We have clients' references in here.

Our credit card is in here.

And what's in here?

Oh, you could call those the dead files in there.

Dead or about to be dead.

Where did you get it? It was picked up on the course.

You can see it's been deliberately cut.

I pointed it out to Steed. And he didn't want to tell you the police, eh? No.

Strange, isn't it?

I'm beginning to wonder about Mr. Steed and where he is.

When did you last see him? He wanted to see Sebastian again.

His letter of authority, what else could I do?

I can tell you, Major, I'll be darned glad when that horse is out of here.

And Steed, too.

I don't trust that fellow.

I don't trust him.

Gabby, huh?

Right,

now, hurry up and settle down.

Right, before we start this evening, I want to introduce you to Fortune.

It's built with two small Fs. How do you do?

Take it, Phil.

Now, I want to devote the first half of this evening to poisons.

Now, poisons come in two main categories.

Irritant and corrosive.

In nature, and in man's historical applications of poisons, both categories

but one purpose.

To kill.

That was a lovely meal.

Oh, it's my pleasure.

Do you mind if I smoke?

No, not at all. Thank you.

What made you give up mathematics and take to bookmaking?

Well, there's more money in bookmaking.

Is that the only reason?

Well, I've... I've always been a greedy man, Cathy.

At university, my mathematics tutor said to me, mathematicians could rule the

world. So this gave me a big idea.

And I calculated that with my knowledge, I could just about ruin any of the

local professional gamblers.

I started with poker. One hand is down, they're not roulette.

But a small fry. So I set about the bookmakers.

That's where I came unstuck. Because horses aren't just figures to juggle

They're living creatures.

So are the people who handle them.

And who dope them?

Well, you know the old saying on the racecourse, Kathy?

The punter who hasn't got a horse in his family tree stays a punter forever.

Now, the only way to win at this game is to know who's been given orders to

lose.

So, you got into debt with a bookmaker.

That's right, and instead of kicking my teeth in, he asked me to go and work for

him.

I reminded him that I was still working for a degree. His words were, stop being

a high -minded idiot, sell out and grow up.

So you sold out?

No, not immediately. I worked for that man for about three years.

Then I opened up my own account.

So really one could say you were trapped into bookmaking, but grew to like it

afterwards?

You could say that.

I've been trapped into other things as well since then, but I...

I wouldn't say I enjoy them.

I can't see you doing anything you didn't want to.

Well, there are those occasions when one has no alternative.

It's either that or... Or what?

Take now, for instance.

I have to leave you.

Must you?

I have no alternative.

Waiter. Check, please.

Now, the next bit's rather complicated, so I want you to pay attention.

Now, the spring loading is operated by this trigger here.

Now, as you've just seen, it takes considerable pressure to force the

back. So that'll have to be done before you reach the actual site of operation.

I mean, anyone seeing you trying to get that spring back in the Royal Enclosure

is likely to get a bit suspicious, aren't they?

Well, once you've got the spring back into position, you are now equipped with

one of the deadliest short -range weapons ever invented.

To complete its deadliness, the dart is inserted here.

Now, the poison on the tip of the dart will remain potent for a good four

Now the great advantage of this weapon is that it can be used in a seemingly

innocent way.

As the race is in progress, preferably at the height of excitement, you turn

your binoculars away from the horses and take aim at the subject.

Now with the built -in range finder, which is there, pass it along, accuracy

to 10 yards is guaranteed.

Now take a good look because you can't afford to make mistakes.

Now ejection of the dart is achieved by pressing this button here.

And as you've seen tonight, the mechanism operates without any sound at

Well, here's the man you've all been waiting for. Right, that'll be the lot

the night.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Full week's pay for only three days' work.

Two hundred pounds.

Right, you're up at dawn. You'd better turn in now.

Here's yours. Thanks.

Tell me, how's fortune making out? Oh, it'll be all right.

You know, I think it's time we used him.

Well, name the job and I'll set it up for him.

Okay.

Let's go.

I want to know who he is.

He came here with a letter from the government requiring me to allow him

the stables to watch over Sebastian II.

I don't think we have anything to worry about. Steed was in the harness room

last night. He beat up Brown.

Likely he saw everything.

What's that got to do with me?

Are you still pretending you don't know what goes on in your own stables? What

you and Johnson do, I don't want to know. Well, let me remind you. I don't

to hear. We train killers, highly professional murderers, and you're part

organization whether you like it or not.

Now, I want you to get that horse, Sebastian, out of there. I can't do

Sultan is my friend.

Just because you hobnob with aristocracy means nothing to me. Look, I've told

you what you want to know.

Steed's interest is solely confined to the welfare of one horse. I'm sure of

that. Well, I'm not.

I thought we agreed that you'd keep away from here and I'd look out at this end

of the business.

We also agreed that you'd be careful whom you let into the stables.

They're still mine, you know.

Are they?

With ten thousand pounds outstanding gambling debts, I've only got to breathe

the word that you're in debt to a bookmaker and your stables will be worth

nothing.

Big decisions, little man.

Did you say Pantling?

That's right, Ronald Pantling.

Actually, Major Ronald Pantling.

Oh, yes, I've got it here.

I'm afraid I can't raise your credit without... Hello, Major.

Oh, good to see you, Juicy.

You're a delightful young lady to be very patient with, eh? Yes. A question

increasing my maximum credit.

Oh, that'll be all right, Catherine.

By the way, I've got some rather private business to attend to. I wonder if you

could sort this out with the Major in the outer office. Yes, of course.

Thank you. This way, Major. Thank you.

Very good of you, old chap.

Not at all.

Send him in now.

Thank you.

Come in.

Sit down.

I have an assignment for you.

This is where he lives.

This is his car.

This is the man you have to kill.

Oh, panting.

Is he at the club now?

No, I don't want to hold on.

Look, surely you must know if he's there or not.

Hello, Anne.

Rage, I've been phoning everywhere to try and find you.

Why, what's the trouble? I wondered if you knew where my father was.

No. You see, he didn't come in to breakfast this morning and no one's seen

Well, perhaps he had to go out to London. I'm sure he would have told me.

Oh, you've tried the police.

Oh, no, of course not.

One of their jobs, you know, tracing missing people.

Then maybe I should phone them. Well, let's not do anything too drastic for

moment. You leave it to me. I'm so worried. He's never done anything like

before.

No, but you leave it to me. I have an idea who may know something about this.

You can settle that by phone.

Can I see you?

Yes.

That'll be all for now.

I'll be outside checking over the next bit.

Well, who's the bird?

She's got brains.

Don't worry. She doesn't know anything about us.

Yet.

But she could be trying to.

I want you to find out everything you can about her.

Okay. All right? What was it you wanted?

Well, it was about that old Fall Meadows.

And what about it?

Well, he came into the stables with a gun.

Had some idea about taking many others down to the police station.

When was this?

Last night.

I tried to get you, but I'd taken you out on the town.

I see.

Well, what did you do?

I took the gun off him, of course.

I suppose you expected us to touch our caps to him, call him so, and go along

like good little boys.

Where is he now?

Well, he got a bit rough.

There was a fight.

Look, you're not going to like this, but there was an accident.

I mean, it was an accident.

I'm sick and tired of being treated like a serf.

They think they can treat everyone like animals.

Still a fool.

Where's the body?

Well, he's all set to go on a journey.

Nobody, no one will find it.

It does rather change the situation, doesn't it?

I mean, now your girlfriend Anne will have to be told the truth, won't she?

Hello, Miss Meadows.

I'm afraid my father isn't here.

It's just me.

I just wanted to give Sebastian some sugar.

And without my father's permission, I can't have you admitted to the stable. I

know your voice on the phone. You just pick it up and tell him I'm coming.

Not without my father's permission.

Oh. Now, let me help you. Oops.

Just for me? Not even for you.

Look, I must go.

Morning, Mr. Steele.

Good morning to you.

Holding the fort?

I was just admiring this fine old desk.

No value.

Woodwork. Oh.

You seen Anne?

I was giving her a hand. She just went out. She seemed a trifle upset.

I don't wonder. Meadows has disappeared.

Oh? I didn't like to tell her, but I had a very odd letter in the post this

morning.

I'll read something to you.

Dear old friend, I've suddenly realized what a mess I'm making in my life.

And facts have to be this terrible handwriting.

Ah. If anything happens to me, I want you to run the stables until Anne is of

age to take over.

No wonder she was upset.

I want to have a word with Sebastian. Do you mind phoning up and saying I'm

coming? Delighted. Thank you very much.

I don't think I'll ever make a stableman.

Major Pantling here.

You're to admit Mr. Steed.

Yes, I'm acting on behalf of Mr. Meadows.

Hello, boy. How are you?

Oh, yeah. I'll supplement your diet a bit.

By the way, keep your eye on the liability in fifth century if I've got a

for it.

We don't want to make her a loser on the book.

Who?

Miss Meadows.

I see.

All right, send her in.

Anne, how nice to see you.

How are you?

Tony, have you seen my father?

No, not today. Isn't he at the stable? No.

Will you have a drink? I don't want anything.

Tony, Dad's disappeared.

Well, do you know anything about it? Why should I?

Because you've got some sort of hold over him.

That's why he's forbidden me to see you again, isn't it?

I thought it was because a bookmaker wasn't fit company for a trainer's

daughter. Oh, you know that's not the reason.

Tell me something, Anne.

Why did you defy your father's wishes? Because I wanted to know what was going

on.

Is that the only reason for seeing me?

Well, no.

I'm glad.

Come and sit down.

Anne, you've got to know sooner or later, so I might as well tell you now.

Your father's had an accident.

He's dead.

What? You might as well know the rest, too. And please, do me the favor of not

passing judgment until you've heard it all.

There's an organization that I'm in and that your father was part of.

It all goes on in what are now your stables.

I don't believe you.

It all starts off with one man getting the edge somehow on two other men who

don't know each other.

He says to one man, obey my orders or my other man will kill you.

He says that to the other man too, so both of them are in terror of the

And then on it's like, like building a pyramid from the top downwards, getting

bigger and bigger. What's an organization like that for?

To kill, to make money.

An organization based on terror can be used for anything.

My father was living under this threat too?

We all are, but it pays good. Oh, shut up.

I'm sorry, I'll be serious.

You know, it was fun when it started because of the money, but after a time,

know, anyone who steps through that door may be my Trojan horse.

Because, just like the wooden horse that the Greeks let the Trojans drag into

their city, the person coming through that door may look all right, but they

have been ordered to kill me.

Then you're not the head of this organization.

No, Anne, I'm one step down the pyramid and I never know who my killer will be

if ever I step out of line.

Such as planning to run away from it all.

That would be stepping out of line, wouldn't it?

You, of course.

The most innocent -looking Trojan horse there could be. Oh, no, I'm not part of

your racket.

The only reason I've been seeing you is because I knew you had some hold over

Dad. I wanted to protect him.

Well, now you've told me what I've been trying to find out. Anne?

It won't solve anything.

Give it to me.

Now, brand the plate.

Hello, Kirby here.

Assignment in Paris completed.

Request permission to enter stables.

Right, thanks.

Mrs. Gale? Yes?

You may remember me, Major Pantley.

I wonder if you've come up to the stables with me.

Which stables?

Meadows. Something I want to discuss with you and your friend Steve.

He's up there now.

Car's outside, engine ticking over.

They're in no time.

All right.

Yeah?

Yeah?

Well, how do you mean he's not there?

Police.

Right.

What do you hope to get out of it? This organisation can't go on forever.

Be quiet.

Would a thousand quid interest you? In cash?

I make that in a month now.

How about an earldom? I could fix that for you.

What's he talking about? He's trying to bribe me.

You won't get far with that, mate. You can't bribe people when they know

got a gun in their own back. What did Houston say?

He said to do away with him.

Or go and shoot him.

I've just given you an order.

Houston's just confirmed this over the telephone, has he? I'm telling you,

him! Anyone around?

Keep out of here! What's going on here? Kirby.

You said he was dead.

Fulton!

All right, now, who else is due for my execution? That's himself, I believe.

That against the wall. Come on, help him up.

Hold it.

Take the gun.

Thank you very much, Your Lordship.

Where was Mr. D when he asked you to fetch me?

It must have been here somewhere. He spoke to me on the house phone from the

stables. It must have been there.

Not very bright for someone. Bad management. Not meant for your eyes at

Strange day all round, what?

Sorry, Mrs. Gale.

In there.

All right, Major. I'll relieve you of your shooting stick.

Looks as if we need some more carrots.

You'd better order five tons. Yes, and what about some hay? Well, you can see

about that, too.

How are the new stable hands coming on? Oh, they'll be all right.

And by the way, Five Acres has got a cough again. Oh, he's just putting it

The brandy snaps as fit as a fiddle. Oh, no.

Oh, are you just off? I'm afraid we must. Oh, what's it like running the

on your own? As you can see, I'm not completely on my own.

Lucien's helping me out. Yes, well, we'd better get those orders off. Where do

you keep the books? Oh, in the office. Come on, off. You haven't met Sebastian,

have you, Mrs. Gale? No, I haven't.

Sebastian, this is Mrs. Gale. There you are.

Hello, Sebastian. Have you got good relationships?

Is he ever going to run in a race?

Very shortly, and under my colours.

The Sultan's made me a present of him, hasn't he, Sebastian?

That's very generous of him.

Yeah. He's a four -year -old, you know.

Four -year -old? You must be joking.

Eh?

Thank you.