All language subtitles for the_avengers_s02e21_the_white_dwarf

Yeah. Yeah.

The flight dwarf Richter Alpha is now in
maximum luminosity as previously

calculated. I shall now compare its
position with plates taken six months

As far as can be seen,

the dwarf is now three degrees from its
previous position in an elliptical

orbit, which would seem to contradict
previous expectations of where the dwarf

would be.

All right, yes, I've got that.

Well, Mrs. Gale will be around here any
moment now. I rang her half an hour ago.

Yeah. Right.

I'll let you know.

Stay there, sheep.

Good morning.

When you rang, I actually believed you
had got up with the law.

I've been on the phone ever since,
haven't you, girl?

Coffee? Thanks.

What's all the panic?

Have you seen the morning papers?

Do you expect me to be here in 30
minutes flat and to have read the paper?

Have a look at that one.

And the other.

The armies have been mobilized. What are
they for?

Well, it's got nothing to do with
battle.

Do you know what a white dwarf is? It's
some kind of astronomical body.

The core of a supernova.

Um, what does that mean, then?

Well, stars explode sometimes.

Oh, when you say star, you don't mean a
planet.

No, no, no, no. The word star gets used
very loosely.

Stars are really like our sun, burning
masses of gas. Every now and then, one

them explodes.

Every now and then, meaning every few
million years.

Not necessarily. There was one quite
recently in 1054.

Bang up to date.

The Crab Nebula is the debris from it.

You see, when a star explodes, as our
sun will one day, there's an enormous

outgrowing of energy.

During the next few days, the heat and
light of the exploding star increases

from 1 to 100 million times its original
state. And when it's all over, you get

a white dwarf. Yes, probably not much
bigger than our own Earth.

After that, it becomes a space wanderer.

There's a theory, you know, that our own
solar system started this way.

First, there were twin binary stars.

Then one of them exploded, and some of
the debris became the planet.

That's Professor Richter's theory, isn't
it?

If you've already read up on this,
you're wasting my time, aren't you? Keep

shirt on. All I know about his theory is
that he said that the white dwarf would

re -enter our solar system one day.

He still maintains that theory, as far
as I know. He doesn't maintain anything

anymore. He was murdered last night.

Murdered?

Well, who would want to kill a man like
him? That's why I want to find out why

his merits were stolen, the tape
recorder he was working on destroyed.

Now, he was making a very important
observation last night. He went to the

Ministry of Science six months ago and
said that in 15 months, the white dwarf

would re -enter our solar system. That'd
give us nine months to go.

Now, last night, he was going to confirm
or deny those calculations.

Do you know what the return of the white
dwarf would mean?

It'd go for the sun, wouldn't it?

A thimble full of white dwarf matter
weighs a thousand tons, according to our

standards. It has more gravitational
pull than anything else in the universe.

You're right.

It would go for the sun.

But it would take us with it.

If this news got out, there'd be a
worldwide panic. The only government

that. That's why they mobilise the armed
forces to try and keep law and order.

They're not telling anyone yet. But
other countries, certainly other

observatories, have a right to know. Not
if there's the slightest possibility of

a leak.

And if communiques were sent all over
the world, it might happen.

When is the government going to tell the
country that the world's coming to an

end?

It's being decided this morning.

Our problem is to try and find out why
Richter was killed.

So, do you know Torpoint Observatory?
It's in Cornwall. It's a fascinating

place. And the Cornish Riviera leaves at
midday.

And what will you be doing while I'm
away?

What do you think? Having myself a good
time while there's still time to have

it.

Keeper.

Morning,

Barker. Morning, sir.

Any further news?

No, sir.

I've been on to the PM. There's to be a
cabinet meeting this morning.

It's absolutely incredible, Barker. The
one man who'd been following the path of

the dwarf to be murdered.

I phoned Torpoint again last night, sir,
and told Professor Cartwright not to

inform the local police.

Oh, yes, yes. Quite right.

Whoever killed him will have to go scot
-free for the moment.

Of course, you know what the service
chiefs will say.

Why didn't we let them occupy the place
six months ago?

But we agreed, sir, that would have
drawn too much attention to it.

Oh, yes. That's what I told the PM.

Have you found out when they can make
another observation?

Yes, sir. Just before midnight on
Wednesday.

Well, of four days. I know, but
Cartwright says that's the earliest time

the dwarf can be observed from this
hemisphere.

I see.

Well, I shall have to suggest to the PM
that he holds back the communique to

other governments until after that
observation.

We certainly can't pronounce world doom
on the basis of an observation made six

months ago.

No, we couldn't do that.

Tell Cartwright we shall want to hear
from him by 1 a .m. on Thursday morning.

Yes, sir. Meantime, I'll tell the PM
what's happening.

We must inform the police, Mr. Barker.
I'm afraid that's quite out of the

question.

As the Minister's expressed wish, no one
shall be informed.

He wants you to carry on normally, make
the observation on Wednesday as planned,

and inform him immediately of your
findings. Is that understood?

No. No, it's not understood.

But I take it we have no option.

Now, just what is supposed to have
happened to Professor Richter? As far as

Ministry is concerned, Professor Richter
is on leave indefinitely.

Well, thank you.

And good day, Mr Barker.

Oh, you heard that?

Mount Palermo and California could make
an observation tonight if we could tell

them. No.

No, Dr. Fuller, we can't.

If there's a leak, there could be a
panic.

Worldwide social disorder.

It's far more important than any concern
for scientific truth.

Perhaps they're right. If we have seen
what people do when they're frightened

in panic, you might agree with the
officials.

Well, I suppose I'd better tell Luke
that his father's gone on indefinite

It's all right.

I'll tell him.

Well, thank you.

I think it might come better for me.

Luke?

Luke?

Yes?

You really shouldn't go in there, you
know.

I haven't properly seen him since last
night.

The minister's been on the phone.

There isn't going to be an inquiry.

Can they decide that?

I think it would be better if we do what
they want. Well, I think it would be

better if we told them to go to hell.

Look, if Cartwright isn't going to call
in the police, then I am. Now, look,

you've had a terrible shock. We all
have. But nothing's going to bring your

father back.

I just can't think why.

I mean, can you? No, of course I can't.

Look, why don't you go back to the guest
house and get some rest?

I've been trying to work out who could
have done it.

People kill because they hate or they're
frightened or they want to get

something out of it.

Well, who could have got anything out of
killing my father?

Certainly nobody here.

I wonder.

Yeah, okay.

When the price reaches $2 .50, sell.

Yeah, the lot.

And credit my number one account, Bank
of New York.

Oh, and call me here again tomorrow and
care of Maxwell Barker, Hyde Park 5011.

Huh? Yeah, London.

You got that?

Okay, goodbye.

That'll take care of today's buying.

Let's see now. I'll make the total cash
reserve at... Two, three, five.

Two, seven.

Oh, here we got a half. Hmm.

Seven and a half million English pounds.

That's not bad.

But you know, Max, if you could let some
other friends of mine in on this, we

could make it up to 30 or 40 million.
What would be in it for us?

What? Oh, 10%, 20%. Well, you could name
your own price.

They'd be glad of the tip -off.

That would all be extra for us.

It would all be extra risk, too.

Oh, not necessarily.

Now, look, Max. When the government
announces Victor's theory and we start

buying, our names are going to stick out
like sore thumbs. But if there was

somebody else buying at the same time,
it would make it look like we weren't

only ones who didn't believe the world
was coming to an end, right? But we

be buying under our own names, remember?
At least I won't.

Okay, Max.

Even so, couldn't we use those extra
percentages?

We could if we knew we were going to get
them.

You might get four shillings out of a
man who's earned a pound on your tip

but you try getting four millions out of
anyone who's earned 20 millions, he'd

tell you to go and whistle.

I just thought we'd do some friends of
mine a favor, that's all.

When you're one of the two richest men
in the world, that's the time to think

about doing favors.

Even then, I'd consider it to be a sign
of moral witness.

Well, I guess maybe you're right, Mac.

Thank you.

Hello. Hello.

Hello, Henry. I didn't expect you.
Hello, Max. Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I'm

barfing you. No, not at all. I was just
leaving.

I'll see you tomorrow, Max. Bye.

Bye. Bye.

Well, now, let me get you a drink.

Thank you, Max.

Have you seen a lot of this fellow
Johnson these days?

It's good to keep up overseas contact.
He's a big man on Wall Street.

No, but, brothers, we couldn't be more
different, could we? Oh, I don't know.

Just because you don't like my friends
and I don't like yours?

I've got nothing really against Johnson.
He's probably no more unscrupulous than

you are.

Well, we can't all dedicate our lives to
public service. Someone has to keep the

wheels of commerce turning. Oh, is that
what you call it?

Well, if Professor Richter is right,
there won't be any wheels of commerce

anymore or anything else.

All your efforts to scrape a meager
living of however many millions a year

will be brought to naught. I thought
there was going to be an announcement

today. No, they couldn't make the
observation last night. Too cloudy or

something? Technical hitch.

But the government must tell the people
fairly soon, surely? Well, there are two

points of view inside the cabinet.

One is to tell other governments
straight away so that they can mobilize

armed forces and police to maintain
public order.

Then what happens if you find out
Richter was wrong? Well, the world would

been thrown into social chaos for
nothing. The other point of view is to

nothing until the tall point astronomers
have made sufficient observations to be

completely sure that there's no hope.

The one thing the Cabinet does agree on
is that the world should learn its fate

in a proper and orderly manner.

So between these two extremes, what
masterstroke of British compromise has

finally been decided? There is no
question of compromise.

The next possible observation is
Wednesday midnight.

If Torpoint then confirms Richter's
theory, communicators will be sent to

governments at one o 'clock on Thursday
morning, and the Prime Minister will

speak to the country a few hours later.

But surely all the time the dwarf is up
there, there's the possibility that some

other astronomer might see it. Well, of
course, the government would prefer it

if there could have been other
independent observations.

But the chances of any astronomer even
looking at the dwarf, let alone

its path, are on a par with your looking
through a pinhole and seeing one

particular seagull nesting on the cliffs
of Dover. You really think this is

going to happen?

I find it difficult to believe that
Richter could have been wrong.

I was thinking if it comes to the worst,
you and Mary might like to join me at

my villa on the French Riviera.

We could live it up a bit. I haven't
planned my summer leave yet. Oh, but

forgetting, Henry, the world may be
coming to an end.

If we are going to be dragged into the
sun, it'll be summer all the way for all

of us.

Until we melt.

I'm Dr. Gale. You're expecting me. Oh,
yes, yes. I've got your room ready.

You'll be at the observatory, I suppose.

That's right. Oh, they all stay here,
you know. Not a room to spare since that

place opened.

There's one of them waiting for you now
in the lounge.

Dr. Fuller, Dr. Gale is here.

Could I possibly have something to eat?

Yes, certainly.

There's carrot soup and herb omelette
and baked bananas.

Be all right?

Lovely, thank you.

Dr. Gale?

I'm Elizabeth Fuller. Nice of you to be
here to meet me. I was just having some

coffee. Maybe you'd like to join me.
Thanks.

I'll show you this room, then, when
you've had your dinner. Right.

This is the lounge and the tea room.

It's not exactly the Ritz, but we
manage.

Do you take molasses?

I have done.

Well, we don't get sugar here. Or meat.

We're very, very healthy, but growing
increasingly thin.

Oh, and we don't smoke. At least not
when Mr. Garth's around.

I hope you can stand the pace of our
high living.

It's the only place to stay around here,
isn't it? Well, it's the only place

near the observatory, unless, of course,
you can afford to run a car.

Unfortunately, in this country, an
astronomer's pay doesn't run to such

luxuries.

You've been working abroad, haven't you?

Yes, I was at Mandesau for two years.
Oh, India.

Oh, that must have been very
interesting.

But a bit remote.

Oh, we managed to keep up with things.

You know Cartwright and Richter, of
course? I know their work.

Yours, too, of course.

I was very impressed with your paper on
the asteroid belt. Oh, well, I didn't

seem to impress Tikov.

You know him, I suppose.

I've never been to Russia, at least not
to any of the observatories there.

Tell me, what's Professor Richter
working on at the moment?

He's gone away, on indefinite leave. Oh,
this is Dr.

Luke Richter, Dr. Gale.

How do you do? How do you do? Dr. Gale's
been at Mambus all the last two years.

Oh, really?

Then you should feel at home here.

We have Dr. Rime on loan from Bombay.

Well, you must have met him out there.

I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you
again.

Professor Cartwright?

Oh, yes, Ryan. What is it? What's the
lowest possible angle of the telescope?

Oh, sure. It's about 20 degrees. Why?
Well, I've been thinking about the

Oh, but it's not over the horizon here.
Oh, I know, I know. Not for four more

nights. But we have the place of
Professor Fuller's observation of the

Dondema, which is also at an angle of 87
degrees to the planetary disk, but of

course more distant than the dwarf.

It seems to me that any movement the
dwarf has made must be reflected in the

curve of Dondema, owing to the dwarf's
immense density.

Yes, yes, that's possible.

I've been studying the spectrum reading
Victor took of the dwarf. It's mainly

iron, isn't it? Yes, it's the typical
dwarf interleaving atomic structure to

gravitational pull of 2000 to 1 compared
with Earth.

I wish your permission to make an
observation of the comet Dondema.

Yes, yes, of course, you go ahead.

But the one using the telescope tonight,
don't you think the chances of making a

calculation on that basis is rather
remote? Yes, I know, but if the chance

exists, I think we should take it.

All right.

I'll let you know straight away if I'm
successful.

Thank you.

You see, it's not very far from the
guest house.

Doesn't Mr. Dowd mind you coming and
going at all hours of the night? Oh, I

think she's gotten used to it. But she
still thinks there's something a little

immoral about sleeping during the day.

This is the office.

Oh, hello, Luke. Hello.

Oh, Professor Cartwright, this is Dr.
Day. Oh, I'm very pleased to meet you,

Day. How do you do?

Oh, my letter of introduction is in a
minute. Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Well, we're not observing Mars from here
yet.

You want to stay until it's opposition,
I suppose? I would like to.

No, no, not at all. If there's anything
you want, you let me know, won't you? We

record our programs up here. It usually
works out quite well.

I see Professor Raheem's using the
telescope.

I didn't know we had anything programmed
for tonight.

Well, he had some idea about Alpha
Richter.

I'll tell you about it later.

Well, now, if you'll excuse me, I have
some plates to develop. If I might

Dr. Fuller.

Yes, certainly.

I'm so sorry. We're not very used to
strangers, but you're very welcome.

Perhaps Dr.

Richter would show you one.

Excuse me.

I'm afraid you'll find we're a little
preoccupied just at the moment.

Would you like to see the telescope?

Yes, I would.

Well,

they call this place new, but you'll see
most of the stuff's been handed down.

The telescope, however, is brand new.

I'm sure Ronan will be delighted to see
you.

It's just possible. Of course, he won't
remember me. Shall I lead the way? Yes,

do.

You mind if I put some lights on?

Ryan?

Uh, just a moment, I'll turn the light
on.

Mind you don't trip over anything.

Oh, good morning, sir. Good morning. Mr.
Barker's expecting me. Yes, sir.

Yes, yes, all right, I've got that. Dr.

Gale.

Yes, thank you.

Come on.

Hi, Max. Hello, Johnson. I'll be a
minute.

Would you like some coffee, sir? Oh,
yeah, thanks.

Well, what did your brother have to say
last night? Nothing we don't know.

Except that there are elements inside
the government who'd rather not make the

announcement on the basis of one man's
observations.

I've just had a call from the
observatory.

Professor Rahim was killed last night.

Who?

Rahim. He was from the University of
Bombay.

Well, that could mean police
investigation.

I know. The sooner this business is
over, the better.

Look, Max, you can't expect to make this
kind of money without taking some risk.

Maybe I come from a tougher school than
you do, huh?

I doubt it.

It's just that there's a Dr.

Gale down there as a guest of the
ministry.

Gale?

Gale? I've never heard of him. It's a
woman.

Her visit may be just a coincidence, but
it couldn't have happened at a worse

time. Is this your brother's doing? No.

Look, you were saying something about
elements in the government having to

They

don't want to take the risk of the
newspapers getting hold of the story

they make an announcement.

On the other hand, they'd be much
happier about making that announcement

there had been other independent
observations.

Maybe we can fix it. How?

Well, I know a man that I can put
pressure on.

Look, do you mind if I call New Jersey?
Go ahead.

Don't you worry, I'll... Hello?

Oh, yeah, I want to make a person -to
-person call... What?

Oh, sorry.

A personal call to a Professor James
Larson, University of New Jersey.

Hyde Park 5011.

Okay, fine. I'll stick by this phone.

Was Professor Rhyme really after the
White Dwarf?

I'm certain of it.

They all know what happened to Richter
and what he was on to.

Playing it dumb, eh?

They're doing exactly what they've been
told.

They're loyal.

Yeah, but to whom? I've been doing some
investigating of my own.

By remote control.

In a way, yes.

I've been asking myself, why should
anyone want to kill Professor Richter?

Sounds like right thinking.

The white dwarfs are coming, and we all
cry together.

So what's the point of anyone murdering
anyone else?

Unless, of course, Richter was wrong.

None of the people around him seemed to
think he was ever wrong.

Well, who's to know what's right or
wrong in astronomy?

Well, obviously it's all theoretical,
but right means a theory that's

mathematically watertight. Wrong means
one that isn't. Yeah, we'll come and sit

down.

Scientists can be wrong. Victor was an
old man.

Now, let's take a purely theoretical
question for a while. Is everything all

right? Looks lovely. Who would stand to
gain out of a widespread scare about

something that isn't going to happen?

To gain a political point or to make
money? Either.

Well, politically, the social order
would come to a grinding halt the moment

news got out. No one would care anymore.
Exactly. There'd be chaos, and

everybody would have a feeling that
nothing mattered. The country knew it

fake scare.

Just walk in.

Yes, except they'd have their own
military forces to contend with. No,

wouldn't care either.

That leads to the next thing.

What do the world's stock exchanges do
when there's a threat of war?

Prices drop, except for armaments.

I'm beginning to see what you mean.

As soon as the government communicates,
it goes out.

All the world's observatories are
focused on the white law.

It'll take a couple of days to confirm
whether the threat is real or imaginary.

During that time, a smart operator comes
in, buys up half the stock market

shares, on the cheap.

Biggest killing in history.

Yes.

Still doesn't explain Richter's death.

But if he was going to contradict what
he told the government six months ago.

Now, I've got a list here.

Of all the best -known financiers who've
been making sellings on the grand

scale, the person who wants to buy up
half the world, he's going to need all

money he can lay his hands on.

There are 20 or 30 names here.

Most of them have legitimate reasons for
selling. It's the others I want to find

out about.

Just a minute. There's a name here that
rings a bell.

Maxwell Barker.

Where's my bag?

Oh, here.

In my letter of introduction from the
Ministry of Science.

Oh, there it is.

Look, here we are.

I beg to remain your obedient servant.

Ooh, something quite unreadable. For and
on behalf of Henry Barker, head of the

Division of Astronomy.

It's a pretty common name, but they
could be related.

They could indeed.

That's out of the question, Professor.

No, no, no, don't get up, Barker.

It's good to see you again, Professor.

I can't tell you how shocked I am about
Rahim's death.

Yes, yes, I've just been telling Mr
Barker. I think it's high time we called

the police. I couldn't agree more.

But I'm afraid he's quite out of the
question.

But surely you must inform Bombay about
Rahim's death.

Well, we can't keep this accident quiet.

Well, I'm afraid we'll have to.

At least until after the observation.

Well, then, in that case, we must have
some sort of protection at the

observatory. I've got a damn good mind
to go straight down to Scotland Yard.

Have you tried to explain the
government's views to Professor

sir.

I'm afraid, Professor, that unless you
can give us your absolute assurance that

you will not inform the police, we can't
even let you return to the observatory.

I see.

Perhaps you'd like to come back there
with me, would you? Explain the official

view to my colleagues?

Yes, that might be a very good idea.

Provided, of course, your colleagues
aren't going to regard Mr. Barker as a

Whitehall spy.

Oh. You might also be able to assist
Professor Cartwright with some security

arrangements. But of course. I do hope
this will be agreeable to you.

I suppose I have no choice. Good. That's
settled then.

Now then.

I shall want you to telephone me at my
private number immediately after the

observation on Wednesday night. Yes.

The Cabinet has decided that if you are
able to contradict Richter, of course

there'll be no announcement at all, but
if your observation confirms his

predictions, then coded messages will be
sent to British embassies throughout

the world and they will inform the
governments of the countries concerned.

The messages will suggest that the armed
forces and the police be mobilised to

maintain public order and also that
national observatories be alerted to

the door.

Yes?

Ah, yes. I'm rather tied up at the
moment. The minister's with me. Ask him

wait for you. No, don't let me interrupt
your work, Barker. Not at all.

Are you going straight back to the
observatory?

Yes, if that's agreeable to you.

Good. Then I'll have my chauffeur take
you to catch your train.

Be out of Mr. Barker's way.

All right, send Mr. Steed in. When are
you coming down, Mr. Barker? That

on the minister.

Oh, we'll see to all that, Professor.

We'll have a talk about this later. Yes,
sir.

Oh, good morning. Morning, sir. Morning.

Good morning, Mr. Steed. Good morning,
Mr. Barker.

Really, it's a privilege to see Sir
Charles in person. Oh, you know the

minister. Do sit down.

Not perfectly.

Wasn't that Professor Cartwright of
Torpoint Observatory with him?

Yes.

I'm afraid I'm not quite clear what it
is you wanted to see me about. Your

secretary wasn't very precise on the
telephone. Very hard to get good

secretaries these days. I don't want to
worry the poor girl.

My card.

Oh, thank you. Now, we are stockbrokers
for some of the most successful

financiers and investors in the country.
Although, I say it myself, you've

probably heard of us.

I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm not very well
up on the city.

Oh, really?

Well, it's quite simple. I have to
advise my clients when to buy and when

sell, and I thought that you would be
the best person, the very best person,

tell us whether we really are going to
be wiped out by the white dwarf.

Well, just tell them you didn't want to
say anything until you were sure.

Say that you saw it for the first time
six months ago, if you like, and that

you've been studying the problem
completely independently.

Yeah. Now, listen.

I want to hear some results of your
observations within the next 12 hours.

got that?

12 hours.

Okay. Goodbye.

Well, that ought to fix it.

Are you expecting someone? Not
particularly.

Oh, good afternoon, sir. Is my brother
in? Yes, sir. He's not expecting me, but

I'm sure it will be all right. Yes, I'm
sure it will be, sir.

Your brother, sir. Hello, Henry. I
thought you'd still be at the ministry.

Something I want to talk to you about,
Max.

Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. Let me get
you a drink. No, not just now.

It's rather personal, actually.

I can take myself off to the study.
That's very kind of you.

I'll come straight to the point, Max.
There was a man in my office just half

hour ago from the city.

He knew all about the white dwarf.

I thought I was the only person you
told. Exactly. Now, just a minute,

before you jump to any conclusions.

How many people work at the Ministry of
Science? Oh, I don't know.

And how many people are employed at that
observatory, tall something or other?

Tall point, you know perfectly well how
many people work there. You also know

that as far as this end is concerned,
the Minister and I are the only people

know what's going on. And the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet.

Oh, you're deliberately making this very
difficult for me, Max.

He mentioned you by name.

Did he give you his name? I don't think
that matters.

He showed me a list of the stock that
you've been selling in order to raise

capital. He also said you've been
deliberately spreading a rumor through

city that the world was coming to an
end. That's not true. He concluded that

were up to some big swindle, that
possibly there wasn't a white dwarf at

and that somehow you knew that. None of
us are going to know that till Wednesday

midnight, are we?

I simply want to know how he got onto
the white dwarf at all if it wasn't

through you. If there's no one else
knows in London except you and the

how about your observatory people? Well,
I told you. You have not answered my

point about them.

Maybe one of your tame professors has
been indiscreet.

You're putting them under a very big
strain.

Thinking the world's coming to an end
and not being allowed to talk about it

anyone. Not even their relatives.

Which is a restriction you did not apply
to yourself, you remember.

You're accusing me of betraying you.
This man mentioned you by name. If I saw

some way of making capital out of this,
I'd keep it to myself, wouldn't I?

I'll see the minister in the morning and
offer him my resignation.

I swear I've said nothing about this to
anyone.

Look, I'll always be fond of you, Max.

But I'll never trust you again.

I told you something in confidence
because I was depressed and frightened.

Now I see I was a fool.

Don't you think you ought to talk this
over with Mary before you do this big

scout act and ruin your career?

But if there really is a white wolf, I
have no career to ruin.

Have I?

Johnson?

Oh. I just wanted to let you know my
brother had gone.

Is that all you wanted to let me know?

Were you listening?

Look, I've got stake money in this too,
don't forget.

Do you need to go straight home from
here?

What do you mean?

Well, you don't think I'm going to let
him keep his morning appointment with

minister now, do you?

Knowing my brother, I can't think of any
way to stop him.

Yeah?

Well, there's always one way.

You think Henry Barker fell for it?

I don't see why not. After he turfed me
out of his office, I stayed and watched

the front door. He came out about ten
minutes later. He ordered a cab, which

took him to his brother's magnificent
apartment.

It's all pretty obvious.

It doesn't prove he's done anything
criminal.

After all, what would you do if someone
came bursting in here and accused your

brother of perpetrating a swindle? I'd
be very surprised if I hadn't got a

brother. No.

Henry Barker may be guilty of selling
secrets.

Or he may be just a fool who can't keep
his mouth shut. The end result is the

same. This is all presupposing, of
course, that it is a swindle and there's

real dwarf.

Listen to this. Stay there, Sheba.

Where are we?

Here.

Based on the radioactive decay of
uranium deposits which have turned into

the existence of the Earth as a separate
body can be calculated as about 2 ,000

million years.

There's an alternative theory put
forward by the Bishop of Armagh in 1654

the Earth began at 9 o 'clock in the
morning on the 26th of October in the

4004 B .C. But later research would seem
to question this. Well, whichever of

these dates you want to take, the point
is the Earth's been going a long, long,

long time.

It's not going out of business just like
that.

That's probably what they were saying
before the flood, but it happened just

same. I know cosmic collision is a rare
event in the universe, but it can

happen, and it could happen twice.

Thank you.

Yep.

Oh, it is, is it?

Thank you very much. Goodbye.

Do you know a man called Larson in
America?

Professor Larson? I've heard of him.

Well, as Professor Larson has told the
American Science Foundation, he's been

tracking a white dwarf for six months,
which is now dangerously close to us.

Do you think this is genuine?

I would if Professor's written rhyme
hadn't been murdered.

Where are you going? I'm going round
Maxwell Barker's apartment.

There was nothing else I could do.

When was this?

I told you just after you left here.
Believe me, he was going to kill you.

I don't believe you. It's true.

I've only got your word for that now.

You'll have to help me, Henry.

Who knows he was up here? Only you.

And your man, sir? I sent him out. He
didn't see the body.

I suppose we could dispose of him. He's
rather out of my line of country,

really. We've got to do something.

I'll say he's disappeared.

I'll carry on normally as though nothing
had happened and you will have to do

the same.

Meaning what, exactly?

Your resignation. You can't go through
with that now. What you've done makes no

difference to that. Oh, but it does.

You can't walk out of a job like yours
on a five -minute notice.

They'll want to know why you're packing
it in. It's all going to come back to me

and then to him.

All right, Max, I'll help you.

Provided you do one thing.

I don't trust you. And from now on, I
won't let you out of my sight.

I'm going down to Torpoint Observatory
the day after tomorrow.

You're coming with me.

I went through his pockets.

Mervyn Johnson, American citizen living
in New York.

No idea how he got in there?

No, but apparently, what's his name,
Barker, and a man called Johnson, I

it's the same Johnson, have been merging
their business interests in the past

few months.

Oh, well, it's the end of a happy little
relationship.

Now, here you are. I got these for you
on the way back.

Oh, thank you.

Are they any good?

They look convincing enough to me.

It all depends whether they'll convince
anybody else.

These notes you found could be in
Richter's writing. I'll have to check

when I get back to the observatory.

Mind you, it won't prove or disprove
anything.

They would just tell somebody where to
look for the white dwarf.

Such as Professor Larson in America?

I thought Dr. Gale would be down by now.

Oh, she's still up in her room changing.

Believe it, she shouldn't be too long.

Well, I don't want it to spoil.

Oh, really? Don't worry.

Oh, all right, then.

I'll bring you tea in a minute.

Thank you.

Well, what do you suppose it is?

Stewed seaweed, by the look of it. I
suppose we should be glad for small

Have you decided yet if you're going to
spend your last nine months with me?

I haven't really been able to think
about it the past few weeks.

In any case, it'll only be six months if
we're lucky.

You see, according to your father, the
Earth's atmosphere will be drawn off

three months before we're actually
dragged out of orbit. The sky goes black

we die of suffocation.

Pleasant thought.

And what, I wonder, will all the
generals and admirals be doing?

Rushing round, issuing orders to each
other.

I don't think so.

Not once people can see the dwarf coming
at us.

I think they'll be paralyzed with fear.

May put some sense into the world at
last.

But it should take a thing like this.

It's going to be a bit late, isn't it?

Luke.

What would you do if you knew there
wasn't a dwarf, that your father had

wrong? That now means Larson's wrong
too, remember? Well, just supposing.

Go to that overpaid job in America?

Take you with me?

Oh, I brought your tea.

Will you all be working again tonight?

Yes, until midnight.

Oh, well, it'll be a nice change if you
have a night's sleep.

Thank you.

I hope it's not spoiled, though actually
it can hardly taste any different. It's

all right.

Did you know all you had to do in
London? Yes, just a few people I had to

there. Do you know what I think?

I think our Dr. Gale is some sort of
ministry spy.

Luke! But hasn't it struck you as odd
how she's appeared here just at this

Just at what time, Dr. Richter? You
don't really think my father's on leave,

you? Now, Luke, I don't think Dr. Gale
wants to know about that. I think she's

been sent here to keep an eye on us. To
make sure we're going to keep quiet

about having a murderer amongst us.
Luke, I'm speaking in your interest. I

think you should pursue this. I love the
way everyone can reduce my father's

disappearance to what's in my interest.

None of us have any interest anymore.

Do you think we might tell our guest
about the white dwarf, or would that be

breaking the official secrets act? Are
you crazy? We are making an observation

tonight, Dr. Gale, to ascertain whether
the entire solar system is to be

imploded by a wandering white dwarf,
which, according to my late father, is

heading towards the sun and shows every
sign of scooping us up on the way.

Now this, however, is supposed to be a
white horse secret.

If what you're telling me is true, don't
you think it's better that way?

Not if it results in two people being
murdered without being given the chance

even of their last six months. Oh, but,
Luke, there's surely no connection.

I wish I was trusting as you, Elizabeth.

Look, it's time everyone knew what was
going on.

If you'll excuse me, I'll get up to the
observatory.

Professor Clark's right here, Elizabeth.

Yes, and you'll need this. By special
orders of the ministry, we're keeping

front door locked now. Typical
bureaucratic thinking for you. Lock the

doors after the horses are bolted.

We were discussing our last six months.

Let's talk about that after the
observation.

Where are you going?

To make a telephone call.

Toll point 859, please.

859?

Yes?

Well, thank you very much for telling
me.

Yes, I know what to do about Dr. Gale.

Oh, good evening, Dr. Gap. Good evening.

Could I have a word with you?

Yes, of course.

After you.

Now, this is Dr. Gap.

Now, may I?

Thank you.

Well, I believe you know all about the
White Dwarf now.

Fuller telephoned me.

Young Richter, he shouldn't have said
anything, but I suppose there's no point

in keeping it from you anymore.

Knowing about this, you must all have
been under quite a strain the last few

months. Yes, perhaps in my time of life
it doesn't seem quite so cruel, but for

Fuller and Richter it seems so unfair.

And for you too, Dr. Gates, by knowing
that you have so little time.

Since you'll all be back early tonight,
I'll leave some sandwiches there for

you.

You, uh, you wouldn't know about when
your father's coming back, I suppose,

would you?

No.

Look, I'll let you know about it.

Nice manners, some of them are. Oh,
excuse me.

Good evening. You wanted something?

Yes, I wondered if you had a room for
the night. Just for the one?

Yes, just for myself, for one night.

Oh, it's a bit late, isn't it?

Well, that's why I want the room.

Oh. Are you with them?

No, no. I'm just with myself. Good
evening.

Good evening.

Wow.

Why, I don't know. It's all about an
hour ago.

I saw these people from the observatory.

Well, that must be quite a problem. Were
they from the observatory? Oh, yes.

Everybody.

I've got two men just come from the
ministry.

The ministry? Yes. I've got them sharing
a room.

You haven't got a camp bed or a blanket
in the bath or something? Oh, no, no. I

wouldn't like to do nothing like that.

I could let you have some blankets. How
about some tea in the lounge?

At a reduction, of course. Oh, that'd
suit me admirably. Thank you. Oh, well,

that's all right, then. Just for the one
night.

It won't be the end of the world.

Come on, then. I'll show you the
bathroom.

Thank you very much.

Elizabeth?

I'm sorry I lost my temper back at the
guest house just now. You better say

to Dr. Gayle.

After all, it was a pretty cruel way of
telling her what's in store for us all.

I just kept having the feeling somehow
that she knew already.

Look, none of us are going to know for
sure for the next ten minutes.

Anyway, how are you going to feel if the
observation proves your father was

wrong? Delighted.

Ah, gathering of the class. Telescope
locked on yet? No.

No, I'm going to do that. Well, that's
all right. I'll speak to it.

Dr. Gale, I'm sorry I told you about the
white dwarf so brutally.

The last few days have been a bit of a
strain on me.

I quite understand.

Will I be able to help with the
observation at all?

No, it's a one -man job, really, but we
may as well all be there.

Who the devil can that be?

Mr. Garth said something about a couple
of men from the ministry.

I thought they'd given that idea up.

Well, I suppose I'd better go and roll
out the red carpet for them.

Well, you'll be staying on here if we
get an affirmative reading tonight.

I mean, observing Mars will be a bit
pointless, won't it?

We'll see.

Ah, good evening, Professor.

Good evening, Mr. Barker. I trust you're
satisfied with our security

arrangements. We now lock the door.

Ah, yes, there you go.

You don't mind me bringing a colleague
along with me from the Ministry?

No.

Well,

would you like to go up to the dome
straight away, or would you like a

tour? Well, I don't think there's really
time for a conducted tour, so if you'd

like to lead the way, Professor.

Certainly.

This is Mr.

Barker, the minister.

How do you do?

A colleague of mine.

Good evening.

Well, we're all set up, aren't we? Yes.

I don't quite understand.

If the telescope's at this angle, why
can't you see the dwarf now?

Because the moon is in the way.

That's what makes observation of it so
occasional. You might care to look

through this one? Ah, thank you.

This is about it.

There's just something I have to do
first. I'll join you in a moment. Okay.

Of course, he's only a basic principal.
Yes.

Oh, this is Dr.

Richter. How do you do?

Dr. Gale's on her way out.

Who?

I guess, Dr. Gale.

I thought you sent her down here. Well,
we're very departmentalized. I'm sure

it's all right.

Well, now, it must be nearly time.

Yes. Right, well, if you'll give us some
room to work in.

Dr. Follett, if you'll handle the
plates.

Dr. Richter, would you look out for the
light?

Ah, that's it.

How do you want to see it? Oh, can you
tell anything yet? No, no, not until I

make a comparison.

Thank you.

Your father was right.

It's affirmative.

This is quite true. The white dwarf is
still on course. You can see for

yourself. But he can't be. I only regret
it that I should have had anything to

do with you in the last few months of my
life.

Dr. Richter, I murdered your father and
Professor Brown.

My share, I believe, was to be a million
pounds, wasn't it?

Not that!

do with all these?

Read them eventually.

What's this?

Instant astrology or what the stars
foretell? This book is about astrology.

Astrology? The bookshop assistant must
have made a mistake.

It's very good, you know.

What's your birthday?

5th of October.

5th of October. That puts you under
Libra. That's right. Page 42,

paragraph 7.

They'll give you a horoscope for the
whole of next week.

Thank you.

For the planet Mars now in opposition
and Neptune in the ascendant, this is

chance to break out of the rut you live
in.

Throw care to the winds, come out of
your shell.

Here at last is your great opportunity
to live dangerously.