Original subtitles

Stand it any longer, Charles. I can't have it.

Pull yourself together, man.

I can't help it.

Being cooped up like this, I've got to make a break.

Look, look, Charles.

If you could cause a diversion, draw the guards away, then perhaps I could rush

the door. It wouldn't work that if you're back within minutes.

It's a chance I've got to take.

Brevet.

I want to get away from here as much as you.

But it'll take planning.

We've got to wait for the right moment. I can't.

I can't stay another minute. Excuse me, gentlemen.

May I recommend the salmon souffle for dinner?

Followed, perhaps, by the pheasant.

Mr. Merriday.

We'll order later, thank you.

Oh, Mr. Brevin.

Is something wrong, sir?

I'm leaving.

You understand?

I'm leaving now. Why, certainly, sir. Your cases are already waiting.

Oh, Mr. Bradford?

Yes. Your piece, sir.

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course.

Oh, my dear Mr. Rabbit, I have told them before about polishing that top tip.

With this place.

Is it going to take long?

I should be at Mother's an hour ago.

It's almost one o 'clock and Kendrick goes to lunch at one o 'clock.

Oh, give it to me again.

I got a call from Maple.

Who's he?

Mr. Maple.

He's Uncle Charles' chief clerk.

A material call?

Yes, he said it was a very urgent matter, but that we should make sure we

come until Kendrick went to lunch.

Who's Kendrick?

The company secretary.

Look, there he is now.

Shall we go and see what Mapes has to say?

Oh, Miss Tara, thank goodness you're here.

Now, Mapes, what's the trouble?

It's Mr.

Merredale, your uncle, Miss Tara.

Your uncle, Charles, Miss.

He's missing.

At least, he's not missing. I know where he is, but I can't get in touch.

Oh, dear me, I am so confused.

Shall we start at the beginning?

Yes, yes, of course.

Your uncle took a holiday.

What, another one? He just took one a month ago. And he's still taking it.

That's it, miss. He hasn't been back since.

Oh.

I tried to call him at the hotel, but he's always too busy. I can't get hold

him. Meanwhile, there are so many changes taking place here.

Changes? In the company, miss.

Nearly all the old staff has been replaced, and Mr. Kendrick, he... He's

over.

I hope I did right in calling you, Miss Tara. I am so disturbed.

Yes. Now, listen, mates.

Uncle Charles went away a month ago.

And you haven't heard from him since. Of course we've heard from him.

I've got my wallet.

Now, Mr. Maple, what's all this nonsense about not having heard from Mr.

Merriday? So, in fact, I had a postcard from him only this morning.

Having a wonderful time. Place is absolutely captivating once you're here.

And I spoke to him only an hour or so ago. He's in perfect health and very

spirit. You spoke to him? That's impossible. Mr. May... Well, naturally,

uncle doesn't keep in close communication with a minor member of the

So you see, Miss King, nothing to worry about.

Well, I'm very sorry to have incommoded you, gentlemen.

Goodbye, mate.

Goodbye, Miss King.

Maple, I want to see you in my office.

It's just not like him.

Now, look, he's having an extended holiday. He's booked in at this whatever

name of the place is.

Elizabethan Hotel. That's right, and decided to have a long rest.

You really are worried, aren't you?

See, listen, I'm not doing anything specific at the moment, and you'll be

up with Mother for a while, so do you think I could... Why not?

You deserve a holiday.

Thank you. I'll explain it all to Mother. I just want to make sure Uncle

really is all right.

Good afternoon, madam.

Good afternoon.

I'd like a room for the weekend. A single room. A single? Certainly, madam.

And could you tell me where I could find Mr. Merredale?

Mr. Charles Merredale?

Yes, he's my uncle.

I think you'll find him in the... Oh, he's over there, madam.

Miss, uh... Miss King. Thank you.

A large cotton soda, please.

And a very dry sherry.

Hello, Uncle.

Tara, my dear, what a wonderful surprise.

Oh, Mella, would you bring the drink to the table, please?

What on earth are you doing in this part of the world?

And what stupid, idiotic impulse brought you here?

Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather. What a marvellous

Really?

This has really put the cat among the pigeons.

Uncle, what are you talking about?

Careful. Careful?

Uncle, now... Drinks.

Oh, you'll have a marvellous time, I can personally guarantee you. Thank you,

Meryl, thank you.

What is wrong?

I'm being held prisoner.

Well, let's go out on the terrace and have a breath of fresh air, eh?

Come along, dear, come along.

You do feel all right, don't you, Uncle?

Of course I'm all right.

But that won't last long if either of us starts causing any trouble.

It just seems so ridiculous.

This place being a prison.

That's exactly what it is.

Why do you think I've been stuck here for a whole month?

Well, that's what I came to find out, isn't it?

Now you'll be stuck here forever.

Or until they decide that you can leave.

Who?

Everyone. Anyone.

I'm not sure.

Look at all those people out there.

Now they can come and go whenever they please.

Do you think I haven't tried?

Only a few days ago Brevet tried it.

Who's Brevet?

The chap over there with the crutches.

He's a prisoner too.

Cracked, poor chap, and...

Made a break for us.

But he's leaving us.

You see?

Accidents.

All the time, accidents.

It's coincidence.

It has to be.

You'll learn.

Now, Uncle, I'll tell you what we're going to do. We're going to go out and

in my car and drive off without any interference from any... We'd be cut

before we got three yards.

And I've no intention of becoming a stretcher case before dinner.

See, there's only one way to convince you.

Tara, please.

Would you care for another drink, sir?

Yes, Miss King.

I'm afraid I won't be staying after all.

Oh, what a pity.

Perhaps another season.

Yes, Miss King.

There seems to be something wrong with my car.

Oh, dear.

What a nuisance. I'll have to service people out right away.

I'm in a bit of a hurry, actually. Do you think you could call a taxi? With

pleasure. We are a little out of the way here, but there is a taxi in the

village.

He appears to be out. I am terribly sorry.

Is there a bus stop around here?

Yes. But it's about half a mile beyond the main gate.

I'll walk.

But, Miss King, what about your luggage?

I'll send for it. I tell you, it's no good.

Don't be silly.

Give up now before they start getting really tough.

King? I had no idea it was raining.

It isn't.

Window cleaners.

But this is terrible.

That's a reprimanding motion, Tom. If I could just have a towel, I'd be on my

way. No,

I couldn't possibly allow that.

A guest leaving our hotel in such a state and our responsibility. I couldn't

possibly. Miss Craven.

Kindly take Miss King to her room, 107, will you, and see to things for her? I

am most terribly sorry, but accidents will happen, you know.

Yes.

Hello, Mary Dale.

Oh, Maxwell.

Feel like a rubber bridge after dinner?

Sure we could raise a fourth? No, thank you, not tonight, excuse me.

Very.

Oh, um...

Maxwell, you've been here as long as I have, haven't you?

Like the place.

But you could leave if you wanted. Oh, of course.

Oh, come on, little boy. You're not on about that being held prisoner again,

you?

Well, it's just a selected few, then.

Come in.

will you believe me?

Car wouldn't start, no taxi available.

And what about that window cleaner, eh? What about him?

Clumsy mistake.

Now, where are my suitcases? I want to change.

Well, I don't see them around.

Nor will I see them around.

You'll see if I'm right.

Yes?

Yes?

My suitcases have been taken away in my car.

Now, it is a perfectly reasonable mistake. And as soon as my suit arrives,

leaving.

I just hope you weren't too fond of that suit.

What do you mean?

Miss King, sorry to keep you waiting.

That's all right.

Thank you very much.

Theonsel?

I told you so.

Now you're a prisoner.

Just like me and Brevard.

All right, where's Brevard?

Hmm?

Well, I'm not completely going along with all of this, but if Brevard will

confirm what you've said... What room's in?

109. But be careful.

And put some clothes on.

Oh.

It is vital to the security of the entire operation that we discover the

identity of the agent responsible.

Now, all the evidence is in this room. All the operatives involved are

represented. It shouldn't be beyond our ingenuity to uncover this viper that we

have nerfed at our collective bosom. The viper seems to be particularly elusive.

We're no further on than when we started, 18 hours ago.

18 hours, 18 days, 18 years. I'll not be thwarted in my quest to unmask him.

Well, let's start at the beginning again, shall we?

The beginning?

Polanski pretended that he was working for Faber, whereas, actually, he was

working for Litov. Now, Smithson, who didn't know that Burton was a double

acting bizarre enough under the name of Wyler, thought that Caldicott had killed

Mackay because Tyrrell couldn't prove that she was with Faulkner. Now, that's

clear so far, eh? Yes, assuming that... Klinger was telling the truth about

Goodman and Baker. Or that Humphrey didn't know that Cartham was

with Nordoff.

Alternatively, a friar could have suspected Yates and Condos when Summary

to recognize Berman at the meeting with Gaunt, which means that Fellini was

actually Hauptmann.

No, Mother, it isn't as simple as that.

We must get Tara in on this. She has a good analytical mind.

What didn't I tell you? She's taking a short holiday.

What?

Family matters.

I said you'd understand.

What? Hold on.

Understand? Well, of course I don't understand.

Remind me to dictate a severe reprimand. Mother here. Now, what do you want?

Yes.

Yes, yes, all right.

Goodbye.

For you. Hit and run case. That's the place. You'd better get over there

quickly. He doesn't seem to have much time.

I say, I'm most frightfully sorry, Uncle. I'm not your uncle. I'm your

At least you call me mother during office hours.

Oh, stop it, Basil. Do go away.

It's hopeless having a member of the family in the business.

Well, I'd better get started.

Well, get back as quickly as possible. I want this case solved.

I won't be long.

I imagine you'll still be weighing it up.

Yours, I think.

Mr. Michael.

Mr. Brevet.

Mr. Brevet.

Oh,

Uncle. What's wrong? You were right. It's Brevet. He's dead in his room.

Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure.

Poor old Brevet.

But at least it means we have some evidence at last.

Help convince the other guests. Exactly.

After all, they're not all being held prisoner.

I've already tried to tell them what's going on here, but they just laughed at

me. Well, they won't laugh now.

Not when they see Brevin.

Of course, we could make a public announcement.

Mm -hmm.

But then we don't know who's on whose side.

No.

What we need to find is someone who we can trust absolutely.

Maxwell. Get him on our side.

Mr.

Maxwell.

Now, he could get out of here and go and tell the authorities.

Right.

Oh.

Maxwell, old chap.

Oh, Merida. My niece, Tara King. Oh, how do you do? Got something to show you.

Something upstairs.

109. Mr. Brevet.

Poor Mr. Brevet. Oh, poor Mr. Brevet.

Not at all well. He's not at all well. Oh, I see.

It's preposterous. It's true.

Brevet murdered.

Murdered? Be for yourself.

If this doesn't convince you, nothing will.

What on earth is going on here? That's what I'd like to know.

Mr. Merriday, Mr. Maxwell, Miss King.

I trust there is some reasonable explanation for this... this melee.

Broke into my room.

Your room? Sneaked up on me.

We were looking for Mr. Brebbitt.

This is his room.

And he was here?

Just a few minutes ago, he was... He checked out.

Mr Brevitt left the hotel a few minutes ago.

He thought he'd stayed long enough.

I see now, Mr Vickers, it was clearly a little misunderstanding. They thought Mr

Brevitt was here. You thought they were intruders. No hard feelings, I hope? Not

at all.

But what about... Nicer you to take it this way, sir.

We won't intrude any longer.

Please accept our apologies.

I hope it won't be necessary to disturb you again, sir.

Why didn't you stay and see it through?

I assure you it wouldn't do any good. But, Uncle, the point is... You must

concede my superior intelligence.

After all, I have been a prisoner longer than you. Oh, look, old boy.

Don't start all that again.

But it's true. There was a body there. I saw it. You really must take this more

seriously, Mr. Maxwell.

Rightio. What's next?

Well, one of us has to get away from here.

We can trust Michael.

Only one of this place I do trust.

Think he'll get away?

I hope so.

The thing is... Yeah?

Now he's involved with us in Brevik's room.

Might be under suspicion, you mean.

He might be.

When I think of me here, why, that scoundrel Kendrick is running my

mine. Oh!

Oh! Mr Maxwell, what happened to you?

Half -dead, highly polished, eh? No, somebody left out a roller skate. Oh, to

say nothing of the fact that my car has been stolen.

Now, you're in the same boat.

A prisoner.

One of us still has to get away.

Come by the bed.

Good idea.

Heck of a transport job.

110.

Milk truck in the morning.

Laundry pick up every night at 9 o 'clock.

Right now.

Laundry comes from a thing with a chute right down to the basement.

From every floor.

Good shot.

Superb.

Good shoot.

Ground floor.

Top floor to the basement.

Oh. Hard luck.

I'll get into the laundry basket and into the van as soon as I can.

Careful. Refresh the water.

No, thank you, madam.

Regan, McKenna, O'Driscoll, O'Toole and McGee.

Sounds like McNamara's been... Hello?

Yes?

I see.

Well, good night.

What was that?

They say that Tara has gone out and given a message to the exchange not to

disturb her.

Sounds fairly reasonable.

So did the other four reasons.

Four?

First time I rang, she was riding. Second time, playing tennis.

Third time, she was on a picnic. And the fourth time, she was swimming in the

pool.

Active girl. No wonder she's gone to bed.

She's staying at the Elizabethan. So you said.

The Elizabethan has no swimming pool. A beach, but no pool.

Funny. Silly.

Stupid. Odd.

Crap.

Uncle isn't back from holiday yet.

The hit -and -run case was a Mr. Maple.

Mr. Maple is her uncle's chief clerk.

Would you like me to send someone down to check on her? I feel happier.

Could you spare anyone?

Philipson gets back from Shanghai tomorrow night, but I...

Basil.

It's a simple case.

A man with the mentality of a child of seven could handle it. On that basis,

Basil qualifies.

Basil, dear boy.

Yes, Uncle. I need my mother.

You've met Tara King, haven't you?

Oh, yes, jolly girl. She graduated the day I started my probationary agent's

course.

Awfully decent sort.

Get down to the Elizabethan Hotel and have a discreet word with her.

See if she's all right.

Go on a mission?

Oh, gosh, yes, I'd like that.

Jolly good.

You'd better go home now and get an early start in the morning.

Yes. Yes, of course.

Right away.

Thanks very much.

Cheer, then.

Oh, Basil.

Subtle day.

Well, if she is in trouble, she'll be grateful and if she isn't she'll never

forgive us

Just

give me a couple of minutes to check up

Take your coffee and brandy in the lounge.

I don't think about that.

Right.

Off you go.

I'll stop in when coming through here.

The van should arrive in five minutes.

What are you doing here?

You should have escaped.

What, and leave you here injured?

Doctor said you should have complete rest. Nonsense.

What the devil happened, anyway?

Don't you know?

Well, the last thing I remember... Ooh!

Someone chopped me down from behind.

And tipped down a chute.

You shouldn't have stayed, Tara.

More important for you to get away.

Tell me...

Where was Maxwell when all this was happening?

He helped me carry her back to the room. He swears no one saw us.

They'll watch us every second from this on.

We'll never get away now.

As Damsel in distress, I have a feeling that a knight in shining armor on his

trusty steed will come and rescue us at any moment.

What a nice day.

Looks like quite a decent sort of place, too.

Will you be staying long?

Oh, I don't know, a couple of days, perhaps. I stay careful with those.

Hello.

I always like to be prepared.

I know what the weather's going to do.

Any mountains near here?

Not one, sir.

Pity.

Well, you never know.

Been awfully chilly.

Will that be all, sir?

Ah, just the parachute.

That's in the back.

Parachute.

Ah, Crichton Latimer.

I telephoned earlier.

Ah, yes. Room 105.

Your keys, sir.

Much better, thank you.

Ah, it's to business.

Keep your head down.

Good.

Hold on, chap.

And back.

Good.

Spindy day.

I think you'll drop this.

Oh, thank you.

Well, perhaps I'd better introduce myself.

Basil Crichton Latimer.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Now.

I beg your pardon?

Now.

Oh, that's very funny. Mr. Crichton Latimer.

Yes, Pedro.

What a good joke.

I'm awfully sorry, Miss King, but I don't... think I've got the joke. Keep

talking.

What a good story. What a good story. I know another one. It concerns this

farmer's daughter and his travelling sales, Chappie.

Well, it appears that Chappie's car ran out of petrol. I think we've convinced

them.

Convinced who about what?

Them that we don't know each other.

Oh, that's important.

Terribly. Did Steed send you?

Yes. Oh, I'm so glad you're here.

I wish you hadn't come.

I wonder if you could possibly say that again.

What I mean is, if only you hadn't come through the front door, you could have

sneaked in the back way or something.

I'm beginning to see why Mr Steed was worried about you.

Was he really?

Really. Uncle, I mean Mother, too.

How lovely.

Yes, as a matter of fact, Mr Steed was really rather cross.

He thought you should have telephoned him to say you'd arrived safely.

Well, I did, but they blocked it.

They? Oh, they go... through the motions, but the line's always busy.

Oh, I see.

Yes.

To tell you the truth, I don't.

Don't you understand, Basil?

I'm trapped.

Trapped? I've been held prisoner here. They will let me go.

Oh, not a basil prison.

Better than Darth Maul. Are we going somewhere?

Let me show you the grounds, Mr. Crichton Latimer.

Oh, I'd love to.

Simply love to.

You don't believe a word I've said, Basil.

Do you, Basil?

Well, look, Miss King, I mean, it's jolly difficult to swallow.

I mean, here you are, wandering around free as a bird.

From what I've seen, I can't very well go back and tell Mr. Steed you're a

prisoner.

I can see I'm going to have to convince you the hard way.

Come along.

Why didn't you tell me, Mr. Crichton Latimer?

Why didn't you say you'd come to visit my Uncle Charles?

That ought to be good for four flat tires and a few minor catastrophes. Why

don't you try and leave now, Latimer? Now, look, if this is some kind of a

I think... No, no, no, it's not. I mean, why don't you try and go? Go on.

Well, what's to stop me? You'll find out.

Go on, do try. I dare you to.

All right, I jolly well will.

It's ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I should have to cancel my room.

You'll have to put all the gear back in the car.

Oh, dear, what a pity. You came so well equipped. I really thought you were

going to enjoy your stay.

Perhaps some other time.

Yes, perhaps.

No urgent messages?

Nothing to delay me, then.

Chair.

My dear Mr. Crichton Latimer, what can I say?

Well, at least we did some good.

We convinced Basil.

I was decorated with a vengeance.

The question is, what are we going to do now?

Well, I've been thinking about that, and I've decided.

I'm jolly well going to escape.

You have a plan?

Indeed, I have.

I feel a bit of temptation.

Tailed in the middle of the day.

It was either that or a maid's uniform.

Oh.

Eliminate Charles Meridale altogether.

That's what I'm asking.

And I'm willing to pay well for the service.

It's not the service we offer.

You know our terms, Kendrick.

Leo's somebody here for a holiday, and we'll keep him here as long as you like.

But murder?

We killed Brevin.

It was an extreme case.

So is this.

I can take over Meridell's business, take it over lock, stock and barrel, and

don't want him to return.

He won't escape from here. You have my word.

I want more than that. I want to be absolutely certain.

You realise this is a complete change of policy?

Yes.

It costs a lot of money.

I know.

No problem.

All right.

Red alert.

It's Crichton Latimer.

Excuse me, could you please help?

Well, I'm awfully sorry, actually. I'm in rather a hurry.

Oh, but I caught my foot in a trap.

A lovely day.

Mary Dale.

How nice to see you up and about again. You look a great deal better.

I feel much better.

It won't be long now, Max. We'll soon be away.

You're not planning another escape?

Don't have to.

Basil got away.

I may have misjudged that boy.

Basil. Just up and away. Fool them all.

Basil.

You don't mean...

except a young fellow in the rather beautiful clothes. That's him?

Well, say, he didn't look too bright, but he's proved himself.

Oh, dear.

Oh!

Oh!

Beth!

What happened?

I'm not awfully certain.

There was this girl, and then something hit me.

According to this hotel chappy who found me...

A tree fell on me.

Well, that's as good an excuse as any.

I must say, Miss King, I do apologise for doubting you. That's all right. It's

just... Well, it's not like a prison. I mean, there are no locked doors, iron

bars, warders, anything.

That's right.

I never really thought about it that way.

I beg your pardon?

I mean, real prisons are locked up.

Letting us run about loose may be their one fatal error.

Fade I don't quite understand.

Well, neither do I, really.

But I have a friend who always says, when the enemy think you're beaten,

the time to attack.

Attack!

That's it! The reverse!

Come on!

Oh, where are we going?

To the front line.

The kitchen!

You sign this, and that takes care of Meridale.

I'm amending the contract.

That king girl, I didn't expect her to snoop so hard. She's dangerous.

We only agreed to kill Meridale.

I'll amend the price.

Kill her as well as the old man, and there'll be no loopholes.

Very well.

This calls for a small celebration, eh, Vickers?

Oh, do you want to be in on this as well? If there's any chance of a fight,

wouldn't miss it for the world.

All right.

Basil, would you look after Monsieur?

And, gentlemen, would you help me barricade the door?

I still don't get your intention.

Well, tell me... Uncle, who ever heard of an hotel without water?

Or, um... Food.

Right.

It'll soon be dinner time.

I must be all asleep in the kitchen.

Gentlemen, please.

I wonder if it's dark yet.

Shall we test their night sight?

The lights have thrown the main switch.

Candles, get candles and lamps.

Mr. Maxwell, would you serve the wine?

Uncle, the crown rose.

Artichoke, Mr. Baxford?

Oh, there.

Come on, come on.

It's no good, it's too salty. Keep trying, we must get in there.

Mr. Parker, the guests, they're all leaving. Take over, Vickers.

Come on, harder.

Yes,

is the kitchen? Is the kitchen here for much of this? The only chance there is.

Ladies and gentlemen, please.

Please just give me one moment to explain.

Gentlemen.

Success.

It's ruined.

An empty hotel. What good is it now? Stop panicking.

Your whole operation depends upon normality.

Discreetly hold a man prisoner here amongst a crowd of genuine bona fide

That was your story, Parker. That's what I was buying.

Normality.

Well, does all this look normal?

Well, does it?

Well, you're not running out now.

Not now.

What does she hope to achieve?

She's more a prisoner now than she ever was. I don't know. We'll have to wait

for her next.

Why are they flashing the lights?

That's Morse code.

FOS, she's signaling.

Would you take over for me for a moment, Uncle?

Yes, ma 'am.

The hotel is such a long way from the road, do you really think anyone would

it? Oh, this is purely a diversionary matter.

Diversionary? Well, what would you do right now if you were them?

Get those lights out!

Turn on all the lights!

Come on!

Come on, you two, move!

I think this is clear temporarily.

Thank you.

Um, I must say, Miss King, I think you're doing an absolutely splendid job.

Thank you.

But I'm afraid the odds are still against us. At least we know who the

Yes.

Everyone who's still left in the hotel.

With the exception of us.

Correct.

Maxwell, put you on our side.

Sorry, old chap.

Been working undercover, so to speak.

Now, get away from there.

Can't have you upsetting my organisation.

Yours?

Yes, I am what you would call in criminal parlance the boss.

I devised the whole idea, you see.

Now, if you don't mind, I'll...

What a pity.

Seems such a nice chap.

Key to the hotel safe.

And he's the boss?

We take the money.

And they think it's the boss.

And that lot won't run up without being paid.

Right. So as long as we have this... There are print notes.

Not a single light's shown.

We've done it, then.

Right, the next thing is Miss King and Carl. Smoke them up? Possibly. All

Maxwell!

Thorough!

Too much polish?

Oh no, just enough.

Maxwell. That's Steve's car.

Welcome to the Elizabethan Hotel.

Ah, thank you.

Do you by any chance have a room for a weary but successful viper hunter?

One moment, sir.

Ah, yes.

Splendid. I hope you enjoy your stay here.

It's really a very relaxing place.

Thank you. I'm sure I will.

Do you know, your holiday seems to have done you a power of good.

Oh, Steed, I did miss you.

And I'm dying to get back.

Really? Want to come back to all those spies and thieves and masterminds?

No. I want to come back to a long, long rest.

Didn't forget our picnic, did he?

Well, let's go.

We have to postpone it.

Why? Because I can't leave the apartment.

You're being held here?

Yes. A prisoner?

Virtually.

Someone.

What do you want me to do?

Come back later.

What, and leave you here alone?

Good enough. I'm getting you out of here.

You think that you could hold the fort alone?

Well, if I had to, yes.

Splendid.

I'll go after the pub and leave you with it.

With what?

The neighbor's baby.

Lively little lad. I'll see you later.