Original subtitles

(gentle music)

- Good day to you ma'am.

- Sir?

- Patterson's Ridge Chronicle.

You're a long way from the mountains, ma'am?

- You know what they say, Sir.

Bad news travels fast.

- I suggest we stroll, Mrs. O'Neil.

Safer.

When governments make decisions,

people's lives are changed.

There are fortunes to be made out of those circumstances.

- Let me make something clear, Mr...

- Smith.

- Mr. Smith.

A mysterious letter offering my newspaper a story

makes me very suspicious

and secret meetings with passwords makes me

skeptical.

- But you are here.

- But not for long if you keep talking in riddles.

- The government is to make a decision

on a second rail line through the mountains.

- That's common knowledge.

- That decision has already been made.

These documents prove it.

But it's been kept secret.

The announcement is being deliberately delayed.

- Why?

- So that those in the know can pick up

the land for a song.

They're already doing it Mrs. O'Neil.

- Why did you come to me with this?

- Well, theatrics of the city, press of importance

sold long ago.

The Chronicle has a reputation for telling the truth.

- Flattery makes me even more suspicious, Mr. Smith.

- This affects

your mountains, Mrs. O'Neil.

It's your people who are being exploited.

- I'll make my own inquiry, Mr. Smith.

And if what I find supports your claims,

I'll publish.

(gentle music)

(bell dinging)

Yes.

I want to know if recently, there've been any

purchases of land in this area.

- Very well.

No land purchases as such, just some options.

- What kind of options?

- 30 days options.

The purchaser must put down a deposit

and has 30 days to complete the transaction.

- How many of these options were taken up

in the last month?

- 17.

(slow music)

- [Mr. Black wood] My land?

- Just a small piece of it, Mr. Black wood.

- What the Black woods have, the Black woods hold,

Mr. Randall, we don't sell.

- Naturally, I'm prepared to pay more than a

reasonable price.

- How much more?

- More than enough.

- What would you do with this land?

- I'm only acting as an agent for a client, Mr. Black wood.

I imagine he fancies himself a farmer.

- This would be farmer has a name, I presume?

- Ethics, Mr. Black wood.

Can't discuss a client.

Does it matter?

- That depends what he's offering.

- Generous deposit, 30 day option.

If he doesn't pick up the option,

you keep the deposit.

- Well,

depending on your facts and figures,

I'll think about it.

Where can I get in touch with you?

(slow ominous music)

- Mr. Black wood.

- He's a long way from the city.

What did he want?

- Nothing you should worry yourself about.

- Really?

Land agents and auctioneers.

We're buying land?

- Not exactly.

- We're not selling.

Frank, we're supposed to be managing Balmoral together.

- I haven't sold anything.

- Then why are we entertaining land agents?

- He invited himself.

He wants to option some land, that's all.

- Where?

- Northwest boundary.

- And you agreed?

- No, I didn't.

- Why an option?

If he wants the land, why not just make

an offer for it?

- Aging his bets.

Speculating maybe.

- Speculating on what?

- I don't know,

but I'm going to find out.

- So, this is what took you to Melbourne.

- What do you think?

- It's a good story.

You got your facts right?

- The land's office only deals in facts.

- 13 people buy options on 17 different properties,

but they're 13 different people.

Doesn't seem like a conspiracy to me.

- Except for the fact that every one of those options

has been purchased in the last two weeks.

Now I don't believe in that kind of coincidence.

- These documents and the rail line

and the junction,

who showed them to you?

- I can't discuss where they came from.

- What?

- Not even with you, I'm sorry,

but I gave my word.

- And the land options, they're proof enough?

- They verify the documents I saw.

- So, you're convinced then.

- I have no doubts.

If I did, I wouldn't publish.

- What does Matt think?

- Matt believes in a free press.

- You've spoken to him then?

- No, he's in Melbourne.

He doesn't know anything about this.

I mean, he didn't even know that I was in Melbourne.

- So, the first he'll know about it

is when he reads it in the Chronicle.

- Along with everyone else.

(gentle music)

- Anyone else know the purpose of this meeting?

- No one, Mr. Promere.

- Good, let's keep it that way.

If we're going to catch whoever is responsible,

secrecy is the key.

Can you report your findings directly to me on this?

Tea?

- No thanks.

- My views on corruption are well known.

I'll do whatever is necessary.

So, find out who on your committee is corrupt

and I'll do the rest.

- And if it's a member of government?

- Then I'll come down on him twice as hard.

As head of the government, I have a duty to the people.

Are you working for me on this?

The fewer people know about it, the better.

Keep me informed.

- I'll do that.

- You have no English linen in stock?

- No, I'm sorry.

- Right.

Candles, do you have any Belgian ones?

- [Clerk] No, I'm terribly sorry.

- [Customer] But you ran out four months ago.

When will you have them in stock?

- [Clerk] They should be arriving on next week's train.

- Fine.

This store has nothing as usual.

You have to order it from Melbourne.

- Huh?

- You have to order from Melbourne.

- Read this.

- Secret government documents.

Good for Kathleen.

- Good for someone.

- But no one thought the new railway junction

would be built near Patterson's Ridge.

- Exactly.

See yourself home, sister dear.

I suddenly realize I have some business to attend to.

- Frank.

The land option,

it's for the new railway line, isn't it?

- Yeah.

- Don't think you can sell without my signature.

- Who said anything about selling?

- I wish you'd talk to me before publishing this.

- And I wish I knew that you were on that committee.

The facts are correct.

- I can't say, it's confidential information,

as is the very existence of this committee.

At least it was until now.

- I'm sorry if I've caused you any embarrassment.

- So who gave you this information?

- You know, I can't tell you that.

- It's important Kathleen.

- And it's important that I keep my word.

I can't name my source, Matt.

- (sigh) Alright.

Tell me about the documents.

- The documents I saw describe the new railway line

and the location for the rail junction.

And when I checked with the lands department,

they verified land was being optioned.

Someone on the committee must be involved.

What are you gonna do?

- I can't tell ya.

We're both in the same boat.

Like you, I've given my word to someone.

- Neither of us can betray our confidence.

- Nope.

- I have put you in a difficult position, haven't I?

- Not as difficult as the one you're in.

Various people in my committee who will

try and make you out to be the villain in all this.

- To protect themselves.

- So I'll do what I can but...

- Everything I wrote is true then.

I see.

- Perhaps you don't.

Whoever's behind this has a lot to lose.

You be careful.

(gentle music)

- Matt.

- Oh, Frank.

- Seems we're fellow travelers.

- Yes apparently.

Oh there you are.

- I'll save you a seat.

- So, back to Melbourne.

- Yes, time enough for them to have

read the Chronicle.

- I hope you understand why I published what I did.

- Never let it be said that I stood against

freedom of the press.

- Printing that article was a matter of principle.

That's how I see it anyway.

- [Train Conductor] All aboard.

- Kathleen O'Neil, I always said

you were trouble.

Bye.

- Bye.

(somber music)

(train horn blaring)

- Quite a hornet's nest Kathleen stirred up.

- Perhaps.

- Those documents she quoted, for instance,

you'd know I think the real thing, I suppose?

- This seems to have caught your imagination Frank.

- Hmm, it has.

Certainly has.

- So, this little trip to Melbourne.

Business or pleasure?

- The secret is to combine the two.

- It calls itself The Chronicle,

but it's just a scurrilous rag from the mountain country.

- From my elected, to be precise.

- It's outrageous, it's intolerable.

We must deal with the proprietor.

- Here, here.

- Well, you can't accuse Mrs. O'Neil of getting

her facts wrong.

- No, but I can accuse her of consorting with spies

and informants.

This makes the committee look like a bunch of shysters.

- Here, here.

- There's no reason to shoot the postman

just because the mail is bad news.

- Well, you tell me McGregor,

you tell me how you think she got

her hands on this information.

- Well, isn't it more important

to stamp out this corruption?

- Someone told her.

Someone betrayed the decisions of this committee.

- With all due respect, Sir, you're missing the point.

- Now you let one of these news hounds

get away with this, McGregor,

and the rest of them will be after this government

like a pack of hounds scenting blood.

We must make an example.

- Here, here.

Here, here.

- Cable for you, Mrs. O'Neil.

- Oh, thanks Mr. Perkins.

- Just came in.

Town's right behind you, Mrs. O'Neil.

- Thanks for helping Denny.

- It's alright, how long will you be away?

- I hope I'll be home tomorrow.

But I don't know for sure.

So Michael, if I can't come back,

you'll be staying with Emily and Collin.

Collin's promised to look after the farm.

- Why do you have to go Mom?

- Well, I have to answer some questions

at a government inquiry.

If they don't like my answers,

I could be in serious trouble.

- What sort of trouble?

- Well, they may try and put me in prison.

- For what, telling the truth?

- I knew what I was doing.

I knew that printing that story

would make people in the government angry.

I had to do it.

I had no choice.

- Why?

- We've talked about this.

How important it is to do what you think is right.

If they can frighten me into not printing this story,

it's not too far from scaring me into

telling outright lies.

- Well, Dad would never let them put you in prison.

- This time, I don't think he can help, Denny.

I'm on my own.

(gentle music)

- Hi.

- They won't keep you waiting much longer.

- Well, I'm glad of that.

Are they very fired up?

- Very.

- Good.

So am I.

(crowd chattering)

- Mrs. Kathleen O'Neil, the proprietor of the

Patterson's Rich Chronicle presents herself

before the Parliamentary Committee

and to the railways and transport.

Mrs. O'Neil will be accorded all the courtesy

warranted her in this place.

Madam, we have questions for you.

- I understand.

But what exactly is the legal status of this inquiry?

- No, this is not a court of law.

Cooperate and you will not have to face one.

- Cooperate?

- By answering clearly and truthfully.

Are you the author of the article that appears

on the front page of your newspaper?

- Yes, I am.

- This article describes the proposed extension

of the new railway line through the mountains.

- It's the truth, isn't it?

No one's denied it.

- Where did you get this information?

- My sources expect protection

and I'm not going to disappoint them.

- The antics of your profession.

- That's right.

- Very noble too.

They go hand in glove with the

freedom of the press and the right of the people to know.

- If you have anything against those things,

Mr. Higgins, I'll hope you'll grant me an interview

for the paper so that your constituents will know

where you stand on such matters.

- This committee disagrees with none of those things,

Mrs. O'Neil.

Heaven forbid we should persecute the newspapers.

- Then, what am I doing here?

- Your newspaper quotes from certain documents.

- I was satisfied that they were genuine.

- They were.

And there's only one way you could've

got your hands on them.

They were taken from this room unlawfully.

- You just admitted that my article told the truth!

- No, you're missing the point, Mrs. O'Neil.

You took possession of those documents.

Receiving stolen goods, a crime!

- That's enough, Higgins.

The lady came here to answer questions,

not to be bullied or threatened by you.

- This is Parliament House, McGregor.

Not your precious mountains.

I am the chairman of this committee.

Yes, Mr. Rule?

- My apologies for interrupting, Mr. Chairman,

the papers you requested have arrived.

- [Higgins] Oh good, bring them here.

(ominous music)

Oh no, don't leave Mr. Rule, we may need you

to process these documents.

Now, Mrs. O'Neil, it's very simple.

You tell us who gave you the information.

- And if I don't?

- I'll have you prosecuted and you will go to prison.

Oh, don't make the mistake of thinking

that's an idle threat.

- I'll tell you nothing.

- Madam!

Mr. Rule, we will not be requiring your services after all.

We will give you time to think about it, Mrs. O'Neil.

You have one week to name your informant

or this summons will be served.

And from that point, believe me,

there is no turning back.

(slow ominous music)

- Excuse me.

I beg your pardon.

Mr. Smith.

Perhaps I should call you by your real name.

- Madam, please.

Someone may hear you.

- I'm facing prison, Mr. Rule.

If you want my continued protection,

you better start telling me who you are

and why you gave me that information.

Very well, I'm going straight back into that

committee room to tell them everything I know.

- Wait.

Alright, but not here.

This is terrible and I feel ill.

- Did you know that I was being summoned here?

- Of course.

You can imagine how I felt.

- Well I'm sure you can imagine how I felt.

But I think it's time you told me everything, don't you?

- Everything?

- I know your name is Rule, but what's your position?

Are you a politician?

- I'm an employee of the Parliament.

Secretary of their committee.

- Which would have given you plenty of time

to steal those documents.

- Oh please.

- I haven't got time to be polite Mr. Rule.

Now be straightforward with me please.

- A man does his job as a public servant

for years.

While he obeys the rules, he sees

secrets being kept, power abused.

One day, his conscience says enough.

He makes a stand.

Look what it's brought me.

- Calm yourself.

I didn't tell them you were my informant.

- That is what you're threatening to do, isn't it?

- Not if you convince me that your motives

were honorable.

- Mrs. O'Neil, I tell you honestly, I wish I had

no such thing as a conscience.

If I'd known I'd be in such a dreadful position,

I'd have kept my mouth shut.

The documents are genuine.

You've checked them independently.

The committee has not denied any of it.

Mrs. O'Neil, I am telling the truth.

(somber music)

- You can ease your mind, Mr. Rule.

I'll continue to protect you.

- I told you you'd be satisfied

with the price, Mr. Black wood.

- Your mysterious client hasn't bought the land yet.

Only the option to buy.

Mountain's very pleasant this time of the year, isn't it?

- You'll have the balance of the money

within the 30 days.

Your signature?

- You tell your client he got himself a bargain.

- You're persecuting a woman for telling the truth!

Instead of conducting a witch hunt,

we should be thanking her.

- Thanking her?

For accusing this committee of fostering corruption.

Now you let one newspaper get away with this

and where will it end?

What then?

- Oh, who knows?

To an open government perhaps?

- Perhaps we don't need the ladies testimony.

Perhaps the answer's right underneath

our noses, McGregor.

Mrs. O'Neil is your fiance, is she not?

- I made that fact available to you all

when this business began.

- Draw your own conclusions, gentlemen.

(gentle music)

- Any success, Mr. Randall?

- Another option.

Mr. Black wood of Balmoral.

- The last one.

So,

our business dealings are complete.

- Glad to be of service, Sir.

- I don't have to remind you that your generous

fee buys not only your services but your silence.

- I don't even know your name, Sir.

Good day.

(ominous music)

- I beg your pardon.

- Mr. Arnold Rule, isn't it?

- Do you have an appointment, Sir?

- I don't think I need one, do you?

- Who are you?

- I think I'm your new business partner, Mr. Rule.

(gentle music)

- There is a constable outside this building.

If you do not leave, I will have you removed.

- You won't do that, Rule.

The name's Black wood.

Frank Black wood.

You've been a clever fellow.

As soon as you knew where the new rail line was

going to be, you had agents like Randall

running around picking up options

from poor unsuspecting land owners.

I'll have mine back, by the way.

The left inside pocket of the jacket, I believe.

It wasn't until I saw where you work

that I put two and two together and figured out

who let Kathleen O'Neil put a knick on the block.

Tell me, who's bank rolling you?

- A group of businessmen.

- Speculators, huh?

- What are you doing to do?

- I could blow the whistle on you

and let Kathleen off the hook.

On the other hand, Kathleen's a clever lady

with Matt McGregor on her side, but if you

get away with this,

I think there'll be a sizable cut in it for me.

Wouldn't you agree?

- Come in.

Matt.

- Mr. Promere.

- This fiance of yours, quite a woman.

- Yes, she's not afraid to speak her mind.

- Unfortunately, there are others who may not

agree with a woman's right to do so,

especially in a delicate matter like this.

- Well, journalists have a duty to protect their sources.

- Yes but that is a voluntary code of ethics,

it's not a fact of law.

- Well, she hasn't confided in me.

I don't expect she will.

- There are others who say it's not a matter

of her confiding in you but,

you confiding in her.

- I can assure you, Mr. Promere, that's not true.

- I believe you Matt.

I may have difficulty convincing others in the party.

- Wait, you want me to stop my investigation or?

- Rightly or wrongly, you have been compromised.

If we're to uncover this corruption,

we need someone who is above reproach.

- And I'm not?

- Matthew, you know I don't believe in rumors.

But there are some who might use them to their advantage.

I'm sorry Matthew.

Truly, I am.

(gentle music)

- If I had known it was gonna turn out like this.

- You still would've published the article.

- How can you be so sure?

- Because I know you.

- What is it, Matt?

It's not just the committee.

(sigh)

- The mountain's can't be represented in Parliament

by a man with a tarnished reputation.

I might have to resign.

- Because I told the truth?

- Because people believe what they want to believe.

And true or not, they think I'm responsible for that story.

- Then we have to find out who's behind all this.

- Publish it in The Chronicle?

- If we have to.

- No.

- City press then.

- Kathleen, it's my problem.

- It's not.

- It is my problem.

- We have to face this together.

You don't want my help, do you?

I've done enough, is that it?

Too much perhaps.

- I didn't say that.

- Then what are you saying?

- I just need some time to think.

Alone.

(train horn blaring)

(gentle music)

- Mom!

They didn't put you in jail.

- No, they didn't.

Not yet, anyway.

- But they let you come back.

That means it's gonna be alright, doesn't it?

- I'll explain later.

Right now, I have to go and see Mr. Guse.

- I'll take your bag.

- Thanks.

I'll see you in a bit.

- Got my cable then?

- Yes I did.

- Will I see you later?

- Just need some time to myself.

- Matt.

- Don't worry about it Kathleen.

(somber music)

- I had to come Matt.

- I didn't think you'd stay away.

- Oh Matt, we can't let this come between us.

- It won't, I promise.

- There must be something we can do.

Perhaps if you, if you went to the Promere,

explain that you had nothing to do with what I wrote,

that you didn't even know about it

until it was already published.

- Wouldn't do any good.

- But it must!

The Promere is a fair man.

He knows you Matt.

- You know how I told you I gave my word to someone?

Well, I'm just about to break it.

I'm gonna break it because of what's happened

and because I trust you.

- I don't understand.

- You know why the committee's decision on the railway

hasn't been announced?

It's because the Promere personally ordered it

to be delayed.

- Are you saying the Promere's behind this?

- You see, there you go again,

jumping to conclusions.

The Promere suspected that someone

was leaking confidential information from the committee.

So he asked me to investigate.

Answering only to him.

I mean, no one else knows.

And I was getting close when you published the article.

- Ah, and cut the ground out from under you.

- Worse, it pointed the finger at me as a person

most likely to have given you the information.

- But the Promere can put an end to that.

All he has to do is tell them you were working for him.

- I mean, the Promere's an honest man.

If my reputation's too badly damaged,

you can't expect him to leap aboard a sinking ship.

Our only hope is to find out who's behind this.

- You were investigating in Melbourne.

Why not start at this end with the land options?

- Well, whoever it is has been using different people

to negotiate those options.

I've been covering their tracks.

- It's worth a try, isn't it?

- So here's the proposed new line

and the rail junction.

Crosses 18 properties.

- There are only 17 options.

- So they missed one.

- Why miss one?

Why go to all this trouble and then miss one?

- Unless,

unless one of the land owners is behind this.

He wouldn't have to option his own land.

- Of course!

Of course.

Let's see,

Fairview, Chandler's Creek,

Balmoral, (laughs) there isn't an option on Balmoral.

- Frank.

- Why are we surprised?

- But it doesn't fit.

He doesn't have access to the committee's findings.

- And why take only a 30 day option?

I mean, why not a 60-day option or a 90-days?

- 'Cause that's all that was needed.

The decision was imminent.

- Until the Promere delayed it.

- So I could investigate.

- And then I published the details.

- Details became public knowledge,

then the speculators started outbidding each other

to buy up the options.

And they used you to make it public.

- They used me.

- That man you've been protecting,

what's his name?

- Oh Matt, I'm so sorry.

- His name?

- Rule, Arnold Rule.

- Kathleen, this is a pleasant surprise.

- Matt, I thought you were still in Melbourne.

- I came back to see you Frank.

I thought we should have a little chat.

- What have you done now, Frank?

- Why don't you and Kathleen go make some tea?

- No, I'm staying Frank.

- Got a few questions to ask you.

- And if I don't feel like answering them?

- Well, you suit yourself.

But when the police come knocking on your door,

they won't take no for an answer.

- Come on Matt, this is ridiculous.

What am I being accused of?

- I did some checking.

A certain Mr. Randall came to Balmoral

offering to option part of your land.

- What of it, I wasn't interested.

- But you went to see him in Melbourne.

- Ah, so that's why he went to Melbourne.

Sign the papers?

- The deal fell through.

- Or you decided to hang onto your land

because you found out that very soon,

it'll be much more valuable.

- Guess work, you're grasping at straws.

- I don't think he's a gambling man,

do you Matt?

- No, I doubt it.

- What are you talking about?

- You talk now, you're assisting a Parliamentary inquiry.

But if the man behind this gets caught

and you've been holding out on us,

well you're in it up to your neck.

Accomplices can go to jail too Frank.

- You both misjudge me, you know?

- Really?

- You tell us Frank.

- I can't wait to hear.

- I was trying to help Kathleen, wasn't I?

Used my brains.

I managed to pin down the fellow who's been

selling government information.

You ought to thank me Matt, I've been

doing your job for you.

- Oh, so you're not a speculator?

You're an investigator.

- I'm hurt you thought otherwise.

- The name Frank.

The name.

(ominous music)

- Higgins, gentlemen.

- What is the meaning of this?

- I have a few things to say to this committee.

- You have no leave to address this committee, Sir.

You have stood down.

- I'm not asking for your permission, Higgins.

For a start, I have a message from Mrs. O'Neil.

In the great tradition of the free press,

she refuses to name her sources.

- Then she will pay the penalty.

And if we can prove that you were the source of her...

- If this committee is genuinely interested in proof,

you'll hear me out.

I have a witness.

- Excuse me Mr. Chairman.

- Mr. Rule!

You stay right there.

Sir, could you bring in the witness please?

Just for the record, I'd like to introduce

Mr. Frank Black wood, a rancher of considerable

estate and standing in the high country.

His father was well known to many of you.

- Black wood, what have you got to do with all this?

- If I see an injustice Sir,

I cannot remain idle.

When I heard that Matt McGregor had been

accused of betraying his trust,

I made a private investigation of the circumstances.

In the course of that investigation,

this man tried to buy an option on my property.

The same piece of land through which the

proposed rail line will pass.

- Police are waiting outside, Mr. Rule.

- Black wood is a liar.

He's in it up to his neck.

- That's enough from you!

Mr. Black wood is a gentleman,

while you sir, it seems, are a thief.

- Hot off the press, read all about it.

Local hero receives stacks of Parliament.

- Never thought I'd say this Frank,

but I'm proud of you.

- Thank you.

- Thanks to Parliament, they might even

give you a medal.

- I wouldn't be surprised.

- Local hero.

You laid it on a bit thick, didn't you?

- Well Frank'll have to behave himself from now on.

He's got a reputation to live up to.

- Don't count on it.

Ah, Frank.

Victoria.

- Morning.

Come to buy a few extra copies, have we Frank?

- Just some printing, thank you

Read the front page, Matt?

- Yes, several times.

- Strange how things turn out isn't it?

Now they've made the announcement about the railway.

- It's running through your land,

which you still own.

- And if the railroad wants it,

they'll have to pay what I ask.

- Yes, well I'm sorry to disappoint you Frank

but there's a law going through Parliment right now.

Railroad land will be acquired

on a compulsion at existing market prices.

(slow ominous music)

- I won't speculate on whose idea that was Matt.

- No, come on Frank.

- Good day.

- Well, not exactly justice, but it'll have to do.

- Poor Frank.

- Now, as long as I'm an MP

and you're an intrepid reporter,

we could run into this conflict of interest again.

- We can discuss it this evening

because I have it on very good authority

that at some time in the next five minutes,

you'll be inviting me to dinner.

- Oh, what makes you think that?

- And reveal my sources Matt?

Never.

(gentle music)