Original subtitles

Hello there.

And for you early birds, let me tell you that it's July the 19th, 1960.

And you are listening to the American Forces Network, bringing you news and

music from the free world.

Passport.

Thanks, John.

White Rat.

They arrested George.

And Bonzo.

And Freddy.

And Laura.

All of them betrayed by you.

Now it's your turn.

You walked into a trap.

And you're holding the cheese in your hand.

I am taking you home to London.

They will crucify you.

And I want to be there to see it.

I know what you are.

Now I want to know who you are.

Find out about White Rat?

Let's practice, hmm?

Right, Prince!

Don't know, but I can find him.

Shot him in the left leg.

Have you told London?

When we finish.

Do you think he's... Don't worry.

No rat catcher's as gentle as a lamb.

All the children love him.

The rat catcher? He was found in the hold of a ship. Must be more than 16

ago. He was terribly injured.

They've always presumed he was a seaman who fell from the rigging or something.

They put his bones back together, but...

Poor man, not his mind.

He can't remember where he came from or his name.

It's funny.

He's always saying he has to catch a rat.

A big white rat.

Here he is again, right on time.

Same as before.

The flyer has landed.

Pledge.

The flyer has landed.

The same message for the past three nights.

Is him all right?

It has to be him.

If it is, we're both sunk.

Pledge and the white brat, we sink together.

The flyer.

Have you got a fix on him?

Oh, we've no authority. We've been looking on into some kind of crank or an

amateur. It could even be a kid mucking about.

The flyer? Sounds like the 50s and 60s. The flyer, the butcher, the baker. The

candlestick maker?

We used a lot of funny names in those days, didn't you?

They weren't funny.

I was the new Doberman.

Woof, woof.

That's an awful lot of mocks.

They abbreviated it.

Cut it short after the letter D, the new D.

The new D?

Indeed. Mind you, it saved my life once, coming over the wall.

They arrested a coachload of nudists. There was an eccentric dancer, a bishop,

taxidermist from Fife. But I, fully clothed, got away.

But you were absolutely right. 50s and 60s. Now, let's check the files.

Yes?

Right. Where?

Mm -hm.

OK.

We've got it.

Somewhere in this area.

Probably a farm.

Nothing on the flyer.

Nothing? Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Oh, I don't deal in absolutely.

Just because I found nothing on the flyer doesn't mean there is nothing on

flyer. I see.

Names allocated and names actually used, different thing.

Like Steed here, he was actually the new Doberman. But on the radio... Yes, I

was telling him that.

You were a big disappointment to me when I finally met you. Steed, you didn't

tell me about this incident in Istanbul.

Devilish clever use of the garlic sausage.

You're supposed to be spying on them, not me.

So Flyer is a nickname used mainly in the field. But... He's transmitting

That's it. Same as before.

The Flyer has landed.

Where are you,

Daedalus?

Daedalus. That's done it.

Gunner. Erwin Gunner. That was his fist. I'm sure of it. Well, you don't see a

man's rhythm on a morse key. This is the fingerprint.

That was Erwin Gunner.

It can't be.

Your brother, you say?

Yes.

Yes, he took a fall.

Long time ago.

Left him a bit... You understand?

Did he do any damage? My arm and my farmhand's nerves, that's all.

He's sick, you see.

Poor fellow.

Well, I'm prepared to forget about it.

One of our best, he was. The sleeper on the east inspector.

But the report had it he was dead.

The flyer.

Look, Steve, Donner was a trapeze artist. That was his cover.

And the peace artists come in two varieties.

The catchers who catch and the flyers. Who fly.

But where does Daedalus come in?

Gunner's controller, had to be.

How do you arrive at the virtues of a classical education?

Daedalus was the father of Icarus.

Icarus... Flew like a bird until his wings melted.

Virtues of a knockabout education and a girlfriend who majored in Greek.

Amongst other things, no doubt.

Interpret it as you may.

But even if he isn't dead, it can't be Gunner.

Look at the date.

See when he was due to report in?

If that is Erwin Gunner out there, he's 17 years too late.

I am Erwin Gunner.

I am Erwin Gunner.

You see, I remember that.

And there is something...

important I have to do.

Something very important.

I'm Irving Gunner, and 17... 17 years

ago... Oh, no, he's so good.

Look, I am Irving Gunner, and the white rat is... The white rat?

The white rat...

Oh. You don't have to be afraid of me.

I'm Erwin Gunner, yes?

You want your ball back?

Here.

Come on, then. Come on. Jump.

I won't let you fall. I'll catch you.

I won't let you fall.

I won't let you fall.

I have to go now.

I have to go now.

I have to catch a big white rat.

Minister, we've got an agent out there needing our help. We've got to get it to

him.

Come on, you're ahead of D -16. This is your pigeon.

Well, if he is our man, and you have to admit... Look, I've already told you

that he is our man. But if he is, then we can't get in touch with him. We don't

even know his receiving wavelength. We'll have to send a blanket message.

got to clear all channels. Clear all channels? You must be mad. That's

impossible. It would cause the most terrible disruption.

The media will be bound to get hold of it, and, as minister, I will be

questioned in the House.

That would be very inconvenient.

No, the best thing is to keep trying to get a pick on his location, and I want

to know the minute you do locate him.

We are trying, but it is not easy.

He keeps moving on.

17 years ago.

What?

Owen Gunner, 17 years ago.

I was just trying to remember what I was doing 17 years ago.

Eating marshmallows, probably.

You haven't changed a bit.

Or maybe a bit, but the right bit.

It was a Wednesday, I think. Yeah.

And my parents took us boating.

And an awful man came up to me and said... How about here?

He certainly did not. I meant, how about here, for going round and round.

Round and round?

Yes. Then when Owen Gunner transmits, we can home in and find him.

What about you 17 years ago?

Me? I was discovering sex.

What a waste of time.

You might have been learning to drive.

Why don't you have another month?

Tomorrow.

Focus on 145. Princess Alexandra cut.

First rush before 11 to 1.

Second, Soldier Queen. Odds on favorite.

Third, Merchant Prince. Five to one.

Flyer calling Daedalus.

Flyer calling Daedalus.

Where are you, Daedalus?

Daedalus, why don't you answer?

I'm of no importance now, is that it?

Expendable.

Well, you're making a big mistake, old chap.

I can get the white rack.

I repeat.

I can get him.

Well, did you hear that? What a thing half the damn country heard.

Now we've got to take this seriously, Minister.

Yes, yes, I suppose so.

The white rat, the bogeyman of the 60s, remember?

Yes, yes.

The white rat.

A suspected double agent working right here in Whitehall.

That was just a rumour, a theory.

No more.

Just because he was never found doesn't mean he doesn't exist.

If the fly is to be believed, he still exists.

Well, Minister, first thing is to locate Owen Gunner.

Steed? We're at the pylon now.

There's no sign of him.

We'll make a sweep of the area, but it looks as though he's been gone some

Thank you, Pody.

I want my airspace, Minister, and I want it now.

Catch the white rat.

Catch the white rat.

Come in.

They just went by Gambit and Purdy.

But they don't know where to look. I do.

That's better.

I mean, going round and round's quite nice, but it does lose its enchantment

after a bit.

Anyway, from what I hear, you've already been around quite a bit.

Been to keyholes again, Purdy? It's common knowledge in the department.

Just here, sir.

The typing pool affair?

Rumour.

The undersecretary's undersecretary?

Jealousy.

The Russian countess, so -called?

Ah, yes. Well, that was an undercover job, and I took them literally.

What do you mean?

Undercover.

Undercover.

Let's go round and round again.

I've got him.

Keep acknowledging.

Ask him where he is.

I am in Site 3

near Meacham.

Ask him what he means by Site 3.

It says, if you are

who you say

you are, you should

know.

Tell him to stay where he is. We'll send someone.

When we know where to send them.

Ready? You round, sir?

The flyers are in the Meacham area. That's all we know.

We're on our way.

Site three.

Binder. Binder.

Site three. If the code word was some kind of safe place, circa 1960.

1960?

Well, these are the files for 1960.

Sight three.

A, B, C. One, two, three.

Sight one was A.

An airfield.

Sight two was B.

A barn.

Sight three, C.

C for church.

That's it. Those were the orders. Hide out in the nearest church.

Fancy me remembering that after all these years.

30. Yes.

He's in a church.

A church in Meacham.

Right seat.

It's a church.

Oh, there's three of them.

Then we'll try them all.

you brute! You can't make me do it! I'll never marry you, never!

I hate you!

Quick thinking, eh?

I got us out of a tricky situation without any embarrassment. No

No embarrassment at all. Probably happens all the time. They'll think no

it. Now, the thing is, the flyer is not in that church. Brilliant.

But that leads to two choices.

Close your

eyes. Spin the map. You pick churches like you pick horses. Let me have a

one of those is a ruin the other one

Gunner? Gunner?

Gunner? Gunner?

Gunner?

I've come to take you in.

You're safe now.

Gun out.

They went to catch a flyer.

They called a catcher.

John Kledge.

Gunner's partner in the trapeze act.

Now, we have pulled out every official stop to try and get to Gunner.

He got to him first.

I think his intention was to kill him. Oh, come on.

Gunner has been suspicious of us from the start. Otherwise, why didn't he come

to that door and announce himself?

The white rat?

A double agent.

Right here in this organisation.

Sir?

White rat.

This message is for you.

Now I know what I'm up against.

I'd forgotten how quickly rats breed.

How many of you know?

A whole department?

Try and get a fix.

Rats can hide, but not from me. We both know that, don't we?

I've put my mark on you.

I'm going to cut off your tail.

Destroy you.

Well?

Sorry, sir. All I can say is it was very close by.

Very close?

Here in London.

Hello, Grant.

Don't you recognize me?

Look closely.

Gunner. It's been a long time.

For pity's sake, I do have a front door.

I didn't know whether you'd open it to my knocking or not.

Besides, I have to be cautious.

Why?

You're not still in the business, are you?

Someone chasing you?

No, it's simpler than that. I have to be cautious because I may have to kill

you.

It's a joke.

It isn't a joke.

Think of it as a reunion.

We were a nice, close, happy little unit, weren't we?

Comrades.

Yet one of us was the traitor. Did you know that?

One of us was the white rat.

You?

My dear chap, I'm out of that now.

I moved on, up to higher places.

You know, that's exactly what the white rat would have done.

Can I offer you a drink?

Cigar?

A bit of soap?

You were in the Navy, weren't you?

Yes, early days, but... What was the phrase they used to rouse the men in the

morning? Oh.

Why show a leg?

Whoops.

Seems we both have the same idea.

So, Pledge got to the flyer before us.

But why?

And how?

Well, the answer isn't here.

Nothing.

Except a rather good malt whiskey.

Join me?

Thank you.

You play rough, Mr. Cromwell. You play rougher, Purdy. I wasn't playing.

Nor I, Scull. Cheers.

Well, now what?

I think you'd better take your trousers off.

You were very, very lucky.

I was aiming a fraction higher.

Was Clid a bachelor?

I think so. Why?

I'd love to be white -tread then.

That's all they ever have.

Well, you can't leave like that.

Take your trousers off.

Off?

I'm not throwing them on you.

Off, off.

Now, this is where it happened, the scene of the crime.

I mean to say, a man's bath ought to be sacrosanct.

There I was in deep contemplation, sitting a large brandy, and... He

your leg.

As though I was a ballet chorus girl.

Which leg?

Which leg?

Does it matter which leg?

The one on that corner, I think. Yeah, it's the left.

You were sipping brandy.

Like this?

Yes. I say, Steve, what is it?

Excellent. Fine Napoleon, I'd hazard.

No, I mean to say, this leg -grabbing business.

If it were to escalate, no extremity would be saved.

A throwback to the old days, you think?

But how?

I haven't been involved in anything like that. When you were, you were working

with Gunner.

He was a contact, yes.

Who else was on the team?

Hard to say.

They didn't encourage you to know everything, in case you were caught, you

But I suppose it would be on file somewhere.

This is all there is on file, sir.

Photocopies of everything.

Trust that's an order, sir.

I didn't know you could sell.

Yes, fantastic, isn't it? I've mastered such a complex operation.

Mind you, threading the needle is still quite difficult.

You know what I mean.

You see me in a new light.

Yes. I have all the virtues.

I can wash, sew, iron, cook a mean omelette, and break your back in three

if you step out of line.

I doubt that. I'm very good.

You won't step out of line?

As I said, I'm very good.

I'll take your word for that.

My word may not mean a thing.

I may prove to be a bounder and a cad.

I wouldn't rely on my word.

I was relying on your family name.

Cromwell. He was a Puritan.

Yes, he was.

Cromwell.

Yes.

There you are.

1960 through to 65.

Thanks.

No dust.

Dust is almost mandatory in this place.

Where's the dust?

I can get you some.

The 1935... Somebody else has been through these farms.

Recently.

Who?

Mr. Quaintance.

Steed. Minister.

I know the ethics of government are changing, but rifling another man's

Curious occupation for a minister of pride.

In any case, I'd have picked the lock, not broken it.

I can explain.

I hope so.

Mark Gilpin was in the same spy cell. With Owen Gunner in 1960, I know.

Well, then.

You think he's the White Rat?

It's possible.

You think he knows where the White Rat is?

You see my position, Minister, I have to suspect everyone.

My recurring nightmare is that one day I might even have to arrest myself.

I sincerely hope not.

Look, Steve, it occurred to me Gunner paid Grant a visit.

So he might turn up here.

Yes, that occurred to me, too.

Now, Gilpin, our don in residence, is expected any minute.

You didn't check that at the lodge gates? Well, I'm surprised, Minister.

After all, you were very active in the field.

Ah, there he is.

Yes, Minister?

Have you obeyed my orders?

Yes, Minister.

Security around this house is to be doubled.

Yes, well, I want it trebled. Do you hear me?

Trebled. Yes, sir.

You can't forget now. It's important, very important.

You've got to catch a rat, a white rat.

Steve?

I backtracked through the files.

Worked all night, I did.

Don't worry, it's only Helga.

She doesn't speak a word of English.

Do you, Helga?

Do you speak English?

Not one word.

But you, uh, manage to communicate?

Frequently.

Of course, our relationship is fairly basic.

Yeah, no doubt.

What about the files?

Oh, here they are.

See for yourself.

Tricky.

He's a very big wheel.

Then let's spin him and see where he stops.

I was just passing by.

Try again.

This is the basement 21 steps down. To be just passing by, you have to be on

your way to a coal mine.

Okay.

Okay what? Okay, you're right, I wasn't just passing by. I came with the

deliberate intention... Of having your back broken in three places. No, dinner.

I want to invite you to dinner. Tonight. To celebrate services rendered.

Services? Past services?

One pair of pants.

Look, it was hardly the Bayeux tapestry. Oh, I treasure every little stitch.

Please.

All right. Good. Pick you up at 6 .30.

Well, Minister?

I didn't think it was relevant. You were working with Gunner in 1960 and you

didn't think it was relevant.

Politic, then. I'm in the public eye now, Minister of the Crown.

To be associated with... Gunner is running around attacking any members of

past team.

If he had caught up with you, you certainly might have ended up in the

eye under a teak lid.

Oh, for goodness sake.

Gunner is after the White Rat.

Whoever he is, and if he exists, and I... You

surely don't think that I... It's ridiculous without the question.

Convince us.

Yes. Convince us.

And we might.

Just might convince Gunner.

This way, madam.

When you said dinner, I had a restaurant in mind. And I had my place in mind,

which goes to point the difference between us. I could quote the French and

but that'd be corny. I'm so glad you weren't corny.

But it's the difference, not just in gender, but in our attitudes, which adds

spice, stimulation, an abrasive edge to our relationship.

Forgive me? What relationship?

The one that's just beginning.

Martini?

I was only working actively in the field for a few weeks. Why, I never even met

Gunner. Is that enough service, Steve?

Thank you. A few weeks or not, someone who was working with him is the white

rat. Yes.

Yes, I'd work that out for myself.

That is why I went to check the files. I found Gilpin's name, and then, Steve,

you found me.

Convinced? No.

Nor I.

You still haven't convinced us, Minister.

What else can I say?

Thank you. I worked in the Eastern Zone for a few weeks and then I had to get

out in a hurry.

Fell over the wall.

Literally. Broke my leg doing it.

Mind you, my replacement didn't have much better luck.

What replacement?

He didn't last long either. Stopped a bullet in his leg.

Yes, we never quite got to the bottom of that.

Anyway, he was shipped home too.

Who was this replacement?

Why, Cromwell, of course.

Well?

Delicious.

My sewing and your cooking. Sorry.

I had it sent in from the restaurant next door.

Well, at least you're honest.

Which is more than I can say for Steed.

This business with Irwin Gunner, the flyer, he's playing it pretty close to

chest. I mean, we're all after the same thing, aren't we?

Are we?

How far has Steed got on it?

Is there anything he isn't telling me?

If there was, and I knew, do you think I'd tell you?

You're right. More wine?

Nothing.

Oh, Purdy, it doesn't make any sense.

Interdepartmental jealousy.

We've all pooled our knowledge. Everything we know, a team effort.

Look, I have no secrets.

No secrets?

Go ahead.

Hello? Where's Cromwell?

Who is this?

Don't talk, Cromwell. Listen.

Now you're head of D -16.

Don't bother to ask how I found out. I did, that's all.

I know who the white rat is.

And the only person I can trust now to tell is you.

Then tell me.

Oh, no.

No, the white rat is powerful now. The odds are against me.

I need protection.

Your protection.

Meet me.

Meet you where? The old picture palace.

North Road.

Gunner? Gunner!

He wants to meet.

Tell Speed.

Gladly. Afterwards.

Purdy! We don't want any of that interdepartmental jealousy, do we?

Pool our information.

Team effort?

Okay.

Neighbours saw him leave a few minutes ago. Cromwell and a girl... My purse

I left at your place. Oh, vanity, vanity. Not my make -up, my gun.

I'm carrying enough artillery for both of us. More than enough.

You really don't resent me coming along?

No. Maybe this is the best way.

No loose ends.

Who is this?

Where's Cromwell? Who's this?

Look, I told him to meet me here. He should be here by now.

The flyer.

I'm glad you called. He's hanging on the other line.

Huh? Cromwell.

He was waiting for you to call.

He had trouble finding the rendezvous.

Trouble? I told him clear enough. The old picture palace, North Road.

He's on his way.

Thank you.

I'm here.

Cromwell.

Gunner.

I asked you, Cromwell.

Only you.

This is Purdy.

She's with me.

On our side.

Where are you? Let's see you.

I can see you. That is enough.

Now, shall we observe the formalities?

I can tell you.

The white rat, Quaintance. The minister?

I knew he'd grown big, but minister?

How do you know, Flyer?

The time gets all mixed up in my mind. It was 16, no, perhaps

17 years ago. I set a trap for the white rat and he took the bait.

But he was too quick, yet not quick enough.

He took my bullet with him in his leg.

Which leg?

The left leg.

Where in the leg?

Above the knee.

Quaintance, on his right.

You've seen him, he limps on his left leg.

Wound like that 16 years ago.

I doubt if it would leave a limp.

Might leave a scar.

A small scar.

Like the one you've got.

I've seen it.

Remember?

Oh, Purdy, Purdy.

Show me.

Come along.

Show me.

Show me.

Now, come on.

Show me.

Sorry, Purdy. Not another step.

I never make the same mistake twice.

Aren't you even going to say goodbye?

I can break your back in three places.

Did I get him?

Oh, you got him, Flyer.

I... I got him.

I got my white rat.

Who's that?

I know I'm 17 years late.

But welcome back.

You're dying to know, aren't you, how I knew about the scar on Cromwell's leg?

Well, it was rather high up.

You're just bursting with curiosity, aren't you?

Frankly, yes.

Well?

A real gentleman doesn't ask a lady a question like that. Oh, the road.