Original subtitles

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.