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This is your storyteller,

The Man in Black.

You are going to hear a story

of intrigue and jealousy,

and

murder

This is Henry Clavering,

a man obsessed with the fear of impending death.

Bertha, Clavering's second wife,

merciless, vindictive, scheming.

Janice, her daughter.

Victor Harrington, the opportunist.

Joan Clavering,

danger's daughter in this house of terror.

Oakfield Towers, the scene.

I have always been interested in the philosophy of yoga,

and in my own small way,

something of a collector of Eastern rarities.

And when I heard that the estate of Henry Clavering

was to be sold by auction,

I decided to go along.

Henry Clavering was reputed to be

the greatest exponent of yoga in the country,

and I thought that here

I might perhaps find a few pieces

to add to my modest collection.

I was not particularly interested in the kind of wares

normally presented on these occasions.

I wanted something... unusual,

something which might reflect

the character of Henry Clavering,

an unusual man

It was bought by the late Mr Clavering

from as far away as the north of.

The "late" Henry Clavering.

That was the first indication I had

that Henry Clavering was dead.

Then I saw it.

Shiva, the great yogi,

dedicated to Patanjali, the Hindu seer,

who first practised about 150 BC at Gonda, Oudh.

And then, as I looked up,

I felt instinctively

that the girl standing near me

must be Clavering's daughter, Joan.

And from that moment,

I forgot the mundane things surrounding me.

My curiosity as a storyteller was aroused.

Perhaps it was the way she gazed on the portrait

which I later learned was her dead father

I heard other things, too, from Joan Clavering,

of how that portrait had played the first vital part

in a sequence of events

that started two years ago.

Henry Clavering knew that he was dying.

He knew also that there were people in his own house

who were waiting. Patiently.

Henry's going to live forever just to spite you.

I'm not so sure about that.

The doctor was quite hopeful the last time I spoke to him.

And I've been having a little private bet with myself.

Henry, dear,

come sit down and have some tea.

My word, you're looking better.

It must be that new treatment

I was just saying to Janice

how much you've improved since you started it.

You are feeling better, dear, aren't you?

I can't say I am really, Bertha.

Rubbish, Henry.

You mustn't give in so easily.

Must he, Janice?

No, he mustn't.

What is it, Hodson?

You said you wanted

to see me this afternoon, sir.

Yes, I did

I'll see you down at the boathouse in a few minutes.

Aye-aye, sir.

Horrible creature.

Can never be sure whether he's being deliberately insulting or just ignorant.

He's the rudest servant I've ever had to cope with

I wasn't aware that you had to cope with any servants

before I married your mother, Janice.

What time is your yoga demonstration, Henry?

About eight o'clock.

What are you going to do this time, swallow a couple of swords?

Janice, I've told you on more than one occasion

that yoga is not a subject for cheap jibes.

You know very well what it means to me

I'd prefer it if you kept your own peculiar sense of humour

for those that enjoy it.

And another thing, Janice, I.

Don't upset yourself, Henry.

Remember what the doctor said.

No excitement You must take things quietly.

You all right, dear? You sure?

Yes, I'm all right.

What are you going to do tonight, Henry?

Something a little unusual.

Sure it won't be too much for you?

It might be.

Remember what Dr Wainwright said.

Yes, I know what Wainwright said.

Is there anything I can do, Henry?

I don't think so.

Do you want any help?

Any special effects or anything?

The only special effect I want is complete silence.

Any unusual sound occurring

during the first stages of concentration

can be very dangerous.

Even fatal.

To you, Henry?

Yes, Bertha, to me.

Sandford will be here in a few moments.

Ask him to wait in the study, will you, please?

Yes, Henry.

Why did you have to say that?

I don't see why I should be insulted.

Did you know Sandford was coming?

No.

No, I didn't.

I wonder if he's going to change the will again.

Hmm.

Obstinate old fool He should've died months ago.

Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it You can count on that.

Good old naval discipline, eh, Hodson?

Aye-aye, sir.

Course, there's a bit of a difference, you know.

Of course there is.

Here.

You're doing this for me, and I appreciate it.

Whatever you do, keep an eye on Miss Joan, won't you?

Well, of course I will.

You're gonna be all right too

I'll stake my pension on that.

Well, don't stand there dithering, come aboard!

Excuse me, sir.

Mr Sandford's waiting to see you.

Thank you, Elsie.

Whatever you do, don't leave.

You may have a lot to put up with, but stay here.

Aye-aye, sir.

You can rely on me, you know that.

Thank you, Hodson.

My matches.

Hmm, yes.

Thank you, Hodson.

Here's to Mrs Clavering.

May she be well and truly preserved!

In a bottle.

Ready?

Nearly.

- Help me, will you? - Mm-hmm.

You got something up your sleeve?

What do you mean?

I'll tell you this much,

don't be surprised at anything that might happen tonight.

Is that a prophecy or a warning?

Both

I've got one of my psychic moods on.

Hmm!

Wouldn't be in connection with a quarter of a million, would it?

It might.

I don't know what you intend to do,

but whatever it is, I'm taking no responsibility.

For what?

Its effect on your health

I know enough about these mystic rites

or whatever you call them to make me apprehensive.

Oh, my dear Wainright, if I die,

I won't be able to hold you responsible.

No, but you might haunt me

for not being firmer with you.

If ever I haunt anybody,

I promise it won't be you.

Well, that's some consolation.

Where do we sit?

Wherever you please

Ladies and gentlemen, I think everybody's here now.

Will you please seat?

Dr Wainright.

Thank you.

Tonight I propose to demonstrate

a state of physical catalepsy.

To be able to achieve this at will

has necessitated years of arduous training.

A few minutes after I sit down in this chair,

my body will, to all intents and purposes, be dead,

but during this period, my mind will remain active and alive.

I must ask Professor Chopra to help me in my return to life.

All Professor Chopra will have to do

will be to touch my face in certain places.

Then, all being well, I will return to a living state.

Anybody like to ask a question?

Is there any personal risk attached to your experiment?

Yes, there is.

But this can be minimised by your own cooperation

in maintaining absolute silence.

Wainright, would you put out the lights, please?

Certainly.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

I think I'd like to be near my husband.

Well, of course, Mrs Clavering

Mr Clavering!

Quick! Switch on the light, someone

Henry

Henry.

I'm afraid he's dead - Dead?

He can't be - He can't be

Henry

Henry!

Henry!

Well, I must be getting along now

I'll call by in the morning.

All right, Doctor, thank you.

Goodnight, Mrs Clavering.

Try and get a good night's sleep.

Oh, there'll be no sleep for me tonight, Doctor.

You're not keeping that up for my benefit, are you?

Trouble with you is you've got no heart.

Give me a cigarette.

Send that wire to Joan.

Yes, of course.

I wonder if she's as delicate as she used to be.

Delicate and highly strung.

Poor little thing

Miss Joan, dear

I'm so sorry.

Thank you, Lettie.

Let me get you something.

What happened to you, dear?

We expected you yesterday.

Oh, don't tell me, don't tell me

"To my daughter, Joan, I give and bequeath Oakfield Towers and all my estates."

Income derived from investments

and interest appreciation on net capital

to be placed in trust for her

upon her attaining the age of 21,

after other bequests have been taken into account.

To my wife, I give and bequeath the sum of? 5,000.

"To my step-daughter, Janice, the sum of? 100"

There is a codicil.

"In the event of my daughter's death,

or any other cause such as illness,

rendering her incapable of administering her estates,

or affecting her judgement in such a way

as to impair the affairs of the estates

before she reaches the age of 21,

I direct that the aforesaid properties

be executed in favour of my wife, Bertha,

after a sum of? 50,000

has been placed in trust for my daughter's lifetime.

I direct also that my remains

be placed in the family vault.

That completes our business, I think.

That was a curious codicil, Mr Sandford.

A curious will.

Mr Clavering's affairs are in perfect order,

so I think I can wind things up without much delay.

Oh, perhaps, Miss Clavering,

you'll call at my office next week

and I'll have the necessary documents ready for you to sign.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mrs Clavering.

Good morning, Mr Sandford

Joan, see Mr Sandford to the door, will you?

What do we do now, start packing?

No.

Give me a cigarette.

No

I must say, you're very young

to be suffering from nerves, Joan.

Wait till you get to my age.

Must have been your imagination.

Oh no, I I heard it.

It seemed to come from my window,

and it happened more than once, I know it.

Of course, you've never enjoyed very good health, have you, dear?

People don't really enjoy bad health, do they?

Pass the marmalade.

Anyway, the door couldn't have opened and closed

on its own now, could it?

You dreamt that, of course.

No, it.

I It happened more than once and.

Oh, well, maybe the room's haunted.

Didn't somebody die in there?

Oh yes Yes, they did, years ago.

I never heard about that.

It was at a house party.

A man strangled his wife,

or the wife strangled the man,

I forget which way round it was.

Round the neck's the usual procedure, I believe

Janice, don't be so grisly

I wonder you didn't hear about it, dear.

There was quite a fuss made at the time.

Really? Hmm.

You're probably sensitive to vibrations, Joan.

It was just the same with your poor father.

Abnormal, really.

Daddy, abnormal?

Don't make me laugh, he was plain barmy

Janice.

How dare you talk about my father in that way!

Janice doesn't mean anything, dear.

It wasn't that your father was exactly violent.

No, Mother, it's no use trying to cover up.

You know he used to bash you about unmercifully.

Oh, I don't believe it!

You're lying, both of you!

Do you think it'll work?

I'm sure of it

Patience, just a little patience

- Good morning, Hodson. - Is it?

Hello, Victor How are you?

Not too bad, thank you.

We thought you might have got down for the funeral.

No.

No, I specialise in weddings

I'm glad to hear it.

Hello, Victor.

Hello, my sweet.

Nice of you to drop by, darling.

- Not at all. - Haven't you got any luggage?

Yes, I left it out in the car.

Oh, I'll see Hodson

Janice, you'd better show Victor

where we're going to put him.

This way.

Your highness.

Tell me, who is the girl I just saw outside?

Hmm, Joan, probably.

- Joan? - Mm-hmm.

Oh, yes, Joan.

She's got everything in the right places, hasn't she?

Think so?

But definitely.

- Hodson? - Mm.

Take Mr Harrington's cases up to his room, will you?

What?

I said take Mr Harrington's cases up to his room.

What's the matter, ain't he strong enough?

Do you propose to do as I've told you?

Propose to who?

Do you pr.

Do you intend to do as I've told you, Hodson?

Suppose I ought.

If he ain't strong enough

And another thing, Hodson.

Now that Mr Clavering has passed on,

there are going to be one or two changes in this house.

Yes, I expect there are.

In the first place, I want a little more civility from you.

Yes, I expect you do

Secondly, I hope to smell a little less rum

and see a little more work.

Yes.

Has the will been read yet?

Yes, it has.

Well?

Nearly everything goes to Joan,

unless something happens to her.

Oh, not so good.

We're not giving up hope, you know.

Well, what are you going to do, contest it?

No, nothing like that.

But surely it

Where do you want this?

Down there, please, Hodson.

Hodson, I said down there.

Mightn't it be rather a good idea to get rid of him now?

Can't He goes with the estate, unfortunately.

Ah

Hodson - Yes

I want to ask you something - Yes?

About my father.

Oh.

Would you say his behaviour was odd before he died?

Odd?

Oh, I don't know, you see,

there's odd and there's odd, isn't there?

There's some folks who's odd in some ways

and there's other folks odd in other ways.

Your dad was one of them folks, see?

No.

Oh?

Hmm.

Well, I've got to get down tend to the boats

I would like you to tell me now please, Hodson

I've got a load of stuff to shift,

and I am on the time, like.

Oh, please, Hodson

Well, you take that Mrs Clavering now.

She's odd in another way,

but you can't compare her with the skipper.

You know what I mean?

It's becoming a little clearer, but Daddy was.

Yeah, what if that old vulture starts getting out of hand, like,

all you've got to do is holler like an Indian

and I'll be there in a couple of rum swallows, all right?

Yes, Hodson

We'll be watching over you,

make no mistake about that.

Here.

Oi!

Dear, what on earth's the matter?

The noises, I I heard them again.

You'd better come in.

Now, my dear, what is it this time?

Tapping, it

it got loud and then my light wouldn't go off.

Dear, that's nothing It's probably a faulty connection or something.

It's the tapping that interests me.

Interests you?

Yes, didn't I tell you?

I'm by way of being psychic myself.

Oh, I don't say I'm as sensitive to vibrations

as you appear to be, but I

Joan?

Yes?

Come and sit down.

You mustn't be frightened about what I'm going to tell you.

I think it's your father.

No - I'm convinced it's your father

because he was so worried about you before he died.

Now he's trying to reach you.

Why was he worried?

Dear, you're forcing me to be very blunt.

He was afraid you'd go the way he did.

Of course, I told him not to worry,

that whatever happened, I'd always look after you.

Nothing I said seemed to make any difference.

What with the worries and the responsibilities of the estate

and this peculiar phobia of his regarding yourself,

the end was a merciful release.

Thank heaven we

didn't have to certify him.

- I hardly believe my father is. - Oh, I know, my dear.

I know.

But you mustn't let it prey upon your mind.

You're not strong yourself,

and after all, the human brain can stand so much.

Now.

Now be a good girl and go off to bed.

Yes, all right.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

How're you getting on, missy?

Oh, you frightened me.

Hmm, did I?

You're very jumpy, ain't ya?

I I haven't been sleeping well lately.

That old vampire been running you down?

Hodson, you mustn't talk about Mrs Clavering in that way.

She might be listening

You know who I meant, didn't you, aye?

Yes, you can always tell a vampire when you see one.

You know, missy,

I've been thinking a lot about you lately.

- Have you, Hods? - Mm.

A young girl like you ought to be going out more.

Pictures, dances.

You don't want to be cooped up here

in this miserable place.

Don't you got a young man?

Have ya?

Yes, but he's in Belgium.

Have you got a picture of him?

Yes, I'll show it to you sometime

I'd like to see it

Hodson.

Oh, there, there now.

You like him?

Yes.

That's the stuff then, you're on.

Here, I've got some bits to take a look at.

Wouldn't be doing a little snooping by any chance, would we?

I beg your pardon?

I smell a mystery.

What's it all about?

You're imagining things.

Oh, no.

No, it's Joan who is imagining things.

At least according to you and Janice, she is

I'm wondering what it is

I mean, what it really is

Well, well, well.

How's the poor little rich girl?

You talking to me?

No, Hodson, you're rich in a slightly different way.

Here, let me have a go.

Don't tickle it, slosh it.

- What, like this? - That's better.

Even better

Hodson, that hedge out in the front

wants cutting, you know.

Oh yeah?

He's like the kid brother, isn't he?

You know, we ought to take one of these out sometime.

Better ask Janice, she'd probably like it

Janice? The very mention of water makes her seasick.

Oh, hello, we're just painting ship.

Hmm, so I see.

I'd like a word with you, if you don't mind.

Private?

Yes.

Okay.

See you later, Joan.

Victor!

Victor!

Victor, if you think you're pulling the wool over my eyes,

you're mistaken.

You've been

you've been slobbering over that child ever since you arrived

I don't slobber.

Well, you'd better make up your mind one way or the other.

If you want to chase after her, it's all right with me,

but you can get out of here as fast as you like.

And what's more

I wish you'd stay in one place.

It's like watching ping-pong.

Anyway, how can I possibly chase after the girl

if I leave the scene of the chase?

Oh, you,

you dirty, rotten pig!

Oh, don't start snivelling.

Get out of this house.

Get out!

Janice, very confidentially,

there are times when you bore me.

Oh, Janice, I wonder if you'd.

How are you feeling today, dear?

Better, thank you.

Good.

Now, don't over-tire yourself

and don't give that active little brain of yours

too much to do.

It's bad for you.

Janice, this is a dangerous thing and I don't like it.

It's led to murder before now

Victor, don't be so melodramatic.

Murder, I never heard of such a thing.

People like us don't murder.

Ah, hello, dear.

Is anything wrong?

I

I

I've lost my photograph of Charles

Charles?

And who is Charles?

My.

My friend in Belgium.

Sounds like a cocker spaniel.

Where did you last see the photograph, Joan?

It was on my dressing table It's been taken out of the frame.

- It was there this morning, I know it was. - Joan, this is really getting serious.

Are you asking me to believe that someone in this house

has deliberately stolen your photograph?

Yes, I am.

Huh

I don't know

I do.

Go on, give the poor girl back her photograph

Victor, are you insinuating that I've taken it?

I shouldn't be surprised.

Joan, at the risk of offending the servants,

I'll ask them if they've seen it,

but I should be very sorry if you force me

to make a direct accusation.

No.

Please don't bother.

I get the idea.

That's not bad for a couple of amateurs.

"People like us don't commit murder."

You make me smile.

You make me rather angry, Victor.

Yes, I'm sure I do.

I should stay on the fence until you know

which side the cat is going to jump.

Oh, but I shall.

You see, I'm in rather strong position.

Head's, I win Tails, you lose.

And she's a very attractive girl

Joan, you really must pull yourself together.

This is getting most serious.

Now, my dear.

In the first place,

you realise you never did have a photograph of Charles.

It was in this frame.

That photograph has, to my knowledge,

been in this room for the last three years,

in that frame.

Oh, but it couldn't have been

Joan, please allow me to know.

We haven't all taken leave of our senses.

Really, I can see I shall have to be

very, very firm with you.

Now, come sit down and listen.

Now

your inheritance brings with it

great responsibilities.

Until you're 21, it was your father's wish

that I should take care of you and advise you

as to the handling of your affairs.

If anything were to happen to you, which, heaven forbid,

then I should have to carry that burden for you.

You do understand what I'm talking about, don't you?

Yes, I understand - Good.

And you do realise the great responsibilities

that are going to call on you?

Responsibilities which drove your poor father

out of his mind.

But they're not going to do that to you, are they, Joan?

No.

Your poor little brain may be very delicately balanced,

but you're going to keep a firm grip,

aren't you, dear?

Aren't you?

Yes, yes!

That's not a very good start, Joan.

Oh, why don't you please leave me alone?

My dear, I'm only trying to help you.

If only I could contact your poor father.

What do you mean?

Please tell me what you mean.

Poor man.

I know he's trying to reach one of us.

Today I have a feeling that it's me.

You see, I know how worried he is.

I wonder.

Yes, dear?

Perhaps if you could look after my inheritance for me, he

he wouldn't worry anymore.

It's not as easy as it sounds.

Everything's in your name.

Yes, I know, but.

Of course, we could always talk it over with Mr Sandford.

Oh, will you?

Talk to him? Yes, of course I will.

Of course I will, if you really want me to.

Now, why don't you go out?

Why don't you go to the pictures or something?

I'd come with you, only I've got too much to do.

Yes Yes, perhaps I will.

And remember, Joan,

whatever happens, you can always rely upon me.

Yes.

Yes, I'm sure I can.

Mr Sandford's arrived, ma'am.

Oh, has he?

I've put him in the library.

Thank you

Good afternoon, Mr Sandford

I wasn't really expecting you until tomorrow

I was just passing by, so I thought I'd look in.

What's the trouble?

Do sit down.

Thank you.

Mr Sandford,

I look upon you as more than just another solicitor.

Thank you

I regard you as a friend.

That's why I feel I can speak quite openly.

I'm very worried about Joan.

Really?

What's she been doing?

It isn't what she's been doing, poor little thing.

It's what's happening to her.

You know she's always been delicate.

That's why her father never brought her to England.

For some years, she's been under the care

of a very big nerve specialist in Belgium.

Oh?

I wasn't aware of that.

Oh yes.

And now, since her return to England,

she's been inconsolable over her father's death.

It's quite understandable.

They were devoted to each other.

Mr Sandford,

I'm afraid Joan is losing her mind.

Good gracious.

You surely don't mean that?

It started the day before you read the will.

She came to me one morning,

and in all seriousness,

told me her father was trying to communicate with her.

The following day, she begged me for a seance.

Oh, really?

You're something of an authority on spiritualism,

aren't you, Mrs Clavering?

I have practised it a little in the past,

- purely for the benefit of my friends. - Of course.

Mrs Clavering, do you, from experience,

imagine there's any reason why your husband

should desire to communicate with Joan from the other side?

I can think of none whatsoever.

Well, just the same,

Joan's conviction hardly justifies any fear of insanity.

Of course not,

but it indicates an unhealthy trend of thought.

However, that isn't all.

She appears to be suffering

from the most extraordinary delusions.

Such as?

Persecution mania.

She imagines her food is poisoned.

She can't remember what she does.

Yesterday, for instance, she was quite violent.

I had occasion to reprove her

over some slight domestic matter.

She actually struck me.

Of course, if I were to remind her about the incident,

she'd deny it ever happened at all.

Extraordinary.

Have you spoken to the doctor?

I feel I can help her better than Dr Wainwright

I think you're taking a risk, Mrs Clavering.

In any case, she should be placed

under observation for her own good.

I think I'd better talk to Wainwright myself

I'd rather you didn't do that, Mr Sandford.

You see, I've studied Joan Clavering

very carefully these last few days.

Though I'm not qualified to say

whether her condition is permanent or temporary,

I'm absolutely certain that her only chance of recovery

lies in the removal of all responsibility and worry.

You mean responsibility arising from her inheritance?

Yes, I do.

As I've made the suggestion,

I would rather not benefit from Joan's misfortune.

That would be very distressing for you, wouldn't it, Mrs Clavering?

Very.

But perhaps we could find some other way

I doubt it.

The terms of the will are quite definite on that point.

Yes, it clearly stated that if Joan were incapable

of administering her own affairs,

they should be turned over to me.

Of course, that puts me in a terrible quandary.

Does it?

Legally

I'm not interested in the legal aspects, Mr Sandford

I'm thinking of poor little Joan.

If I were to take her to a doctor,

why, I know he'd support everything I've said.

That is what you should do.

And stand calmly aside while they put her away?

Oh no, Mr Sandford, no!

No.

I couldn't agree to that.

Of course, I shouldn't dream of asking her,

but if she herself were to suggest

turning things over to me.

That would solve everyone's difficulty, wouldn't it?

Well, I'll be getting along.

Well now, Mrs Clavering,

no doubt you'll be getting in touch with me

when you've decided what it is you want to do

Please, let me in!

Let me in!

Please!

Dear child, what on earth's the matter?

Someone was following me.

The fact is, my dear, I ought not to allow you out at all

- the way you're carrying on. - I tell you, it's true!

There, there, I know all about it.

Now you'd better go up to your room,

and perhaps you'll feel a little better in the morning.

You poor child.

You're probably suffering from some sort of mental blackout.

Now you're imagining things that never happened at all.

It was just the same with your poor father.

Oh please, I'm tired.

We've got to sort this thing out together, Joan.

Once you get in, you're finished.

You hear me, Joan?

Joan, do you hear me?

Yes.

Hello, what's going on?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Well, well, well.

Quarter of a million quid.

And I'm holding it

Hello, Hodson.

It was lovely

Hello, Mr Harrington - What?

I want to give you a tip.

Well?

Keep away from that girl.

Well, did you enjoy your trip?

It was lovely You should have joined us.

Should I? You're very kind.

Hello, Jan.

Yes, you should have been with us.

You'd have been as sick as a dog

Now listen to me, Joan.

The next time you persuade Victor to take you boating,

you might remember he's engaged to me.

What's the matter, Janice?

I didn't persuade him to do anything.

I wish we could be friends.

The atmosphere in this house is hardly conducive to friendship.

I'm sorry, Janice.

Oh, go away, you make me ill.

Oh, Joan?

Yes?

Joan, look, there's something

I'd rather like to talk to you about for a moment.

It's it's a little bit public here.

Let's go out to the conservatory, shall we?

Come on Come on

Now, let's

let's sit down here, shall we?

How about that?

Now, uh.

What is it?

Well, in a nutshell, I want to ask you to marry me

Victor, are you serious?

Of course I'm serious

I know it sounds a bit sudden and all that sort of thing,

but that's the kind of chap I am.

No sooner the thought than the word.

Yes, but when did you think about it?

Just now, on the river

I would have asked you then,

but somehow I couldn't quite see myself

coping with a canoe and a proposal at the same time.

How about it?

No, Victor, I'm sorry.

In the first place, you're engaged to Janice.

Secondly, I've known you five minutes.

Darling, a man's feelings for a woman

don't go by the calendar.

Besides, you need someone to look after you.

No, Victor, I'm sorry.

You're very kind, but I like you,

but I don't love you.

Well, you think about it.

It won't make any difference.

Ah, you never know.

Besides, think of the fun we could have together.

What, with your money and my charm,

we could really go places.

And do you know the first thing we'd do?

We'd chuck old Ma Clavering out,

neck and crop - Victor!

You think she's a friend of yours, don't you?

Well, you're quite wrong.

She'd cut your throat for sixpence.

As for me, I wouldn't do it under half a crown

Oh, no, no, no, don't stop playing.

Go on.

Go on, I like music

I'm afraid I only play for my own amusement.

Well, now you can play it for mine as well, can't you?

Mm!

Go on, sit down, sit down.

- Oh, please, I'd rather. - What's the matter?

You're not afraid of me, are you, just because I've had a little drink?

After all, Hodson drinks,

and you're not afraid of him, are you?

Hodson drinks, but he doesn't get drunk.

Hmm? Oh!

That's very funny

I'm very glad you popped into this old mausoleum.

You know, it sort of brightens the place up a bit.

What do you keep moving away from me for?

Come on, what's the matter? There's nothing to be frightened of.

If you don't want to marry me, all right

I can marry the richest woman in the world if I want to.

Why don't you then, and.

And what?

And leave me alone.

Oh, now.

Oh, no, you're not gonna get away as lightly as that

I'm gonna get a little kiss first,

just to show there's no ill feeling.

Or is there?

Please, please leave me alone.

Now, just listen to me, you.

You owe me something

I'm the one person in this house

who's given you a decent break.

The one person, do you understand?

Now, you just come.

You!

Get away!

I thought I told you to leave that girl alone.

Mind your own blasted business.

Why, you.

Hodson?

Hodson?

Joan, dear?

Joan?

Joan?

Can't find Joan anywhere.

Have you spoken to Mrs Carter?

No, she's in bed.

Well, we'd better go look in the.

Well!

Have you seen anything of Joan?

No - You sure?

Why the devil should I?

I'm not her keeper, am I?

I was just wondering.

Your face looks as though it'd been bitten

- I thought perhaps Joan might have. - Oh, shut up!

Hodson?

Hodson?

Hodson?

Where on earth has he got trapped in the hill.

Stupid old fool

Come in.

Please, ma'am, I can't find Mr Hodson

I've been searching high and low for him.

There's no use searching high for Hodson.

Might be dead.

Yes, ma'am.

Ask Mr Harrington to come see me, will you, Mrs Carter?

Yes, ma'am.

What do you want with Victor?

You've just given me an idea.

"It's no use looking high for Hodson.

He might be dead".

You know, he might be.

Don't talk bosh

I was trying to be subtle

Victor had a row with him yesterday.

Supposing he had another row when we were out.

That would account for Hodson's disappearance

and Victor's cut face.

It might, but it won't.

It's much too pat.

Somebody want me?

Hello, Victor

Victor,

is anything worrying you?

Because if there is, I think you ought to tell me.

No, nothing at all.

Where'd you get that scratch from?

I got it from the branch of a tree.

Why, were you bird's-nesting?

Or bird chasing?

Oh, mind your own damn business!

Where's Hodson, Victor?

I've no idea at all.

You're lying, aren't you?

I'm only putting two and two together,

but you looked a little ragged last night,

to say the least.

This morning, Hodson can't be found.

If we can't find him by this afternoon,

I'm going to send for the police, Victor.

That all right with you?

Is it?

No, no, no, don't do that

I can explain, you see.

Last night, I was a little bit tight,

and I went down to the garden to try and cool off.

When I was out there,

Hodson suddenly came up and attacked me

for no reason at all

I hit him back, self-defence, of course,

knocked him down and.

When I tried to pull him round, he was dead.

Look, don't give me away

I can I can explain it.

It was absolutely an accident

I didn't mean to kill him

Janice, I think you'd better lock the door

Now, listen, Victor.

I don't give a fig what happens to you!

If this gets out, you'll just what you deserve.

It just so happens it might interfere with my plans.

Yes, I rather thought it might.

Well, don't get too cocky about it.

One wrong move from you, and I'll turn you in.

Okay.

You're crazy - I don't think so.

Well, I do, and I don't want any part of it.

If you think I'm going to let this blundering fool

rob me of a quarter of a million, then you're mistaken.

Yes, and I'm the man you love, remember?

You owe something to me.

Yes, I think I do.

You can take that back for a start.

This is absolutely - Oh, shut up!

We're in a jam and we've got to trust each other.

- Trust him? - Yes.

Mutual trust, that's the thing.

Do I do I get a cut in the quarter of a million?

Possibly - That's not quite good enough.

Oh, and what are you going to do about it?

That's better Now let's go over last night.

Did anyone see you?

No, I don't think so.

Was Joan out of the way?

Yes, I'm pretty certain she was.

Good.

Now.

Here's a bill signed by Hodson

I want you to scrawl a note

explaining he couldn't bear the sight of us any longer,

he's gone, and he's not coming back.

How do you know I can do it?

You've got Hodson's writing to copy,

and four years in Pentonville

for seven convictions of forgery.

You nearly got away with six of them,

so you must be pretty good.

How the hell did you know that I

I get round.

To think I nearly married a crook

Is Miss Joan coming in, Elsie?

I'm afraid I couldn't say, madam I haven't seen her

Sorry I'm late.

How's your cut face, Victor?

Hmm?

Your cut face?

Oh, it's only a scratch.

Looks a very nasty cut to me

I've just been talking to Hodson

Did you say Hodson?

Yes, he thinks the hawthorn near the terrace ought to come down.

It's spreading too fast Pass the salt, please.

- When did you tell you that, dear? - A few minutes ago.

Are you feeling all right, Joan?

Yes, thank you.

I think you're right - Hmm?

Something we were talking about before you came in, dear.

Oh, excuse me

I just remembered something I wanted to tell Hodson.

By the way, Bertha, I'd like to go through

the household accounts with you this afternoon.

Elsie, you can go now.

Yes, ma'am.

What on earth's come over her?

She's mad.

Don't be so silly, she's the sanest thing in this house.

I wonder if she's trying to frighten us.

She's not clever enough

Victor doesn't seem to share your opinion.

You say you didn't think she did see you last night, Victor?

No.

No, I'm sure she didn't.

Hmm Well, perhaps old Hodson's spirit is earthbound as well

Janice, do stop trying to be funny

I told you I'll deal with Joan, so forget about her.

What I'm worried about now is finding somewhere else to hide Hodson.

By the way, Victor,

how did you get into the vault?

Well, the door was open.

Open?

Well, it wasn't locked.

That's extraordinary I'm the only one that's got a key.

- Where did you put him? - In an empty coffin.

- In a what? - In an empty coffin!

Empty?

You were drunk, you know

I'd sobered up by then.

We'd better go down at once.

What, now, in broad daylight?

No, perhaps we'd better wait.

This is fantastic!

Well, you won't get me down there after dark.

For heaven's sake, Victor, pull yourself together!

Well, I'll go and get some fresh air.

Give me a cigarette.

Aren't you eating, Janice?

No.

Where's Elsie?

She's gone back to the kitchen You'd better help yourself.

Oh, all right.

Hodson!

I've just seen him outside on the terrace.

Well, you must be mistaken, Victor

I just left Hodson going towards the boathouse.

This does look nice!

Oh, hello, Joan.

I want to talk to you.

Come on - No, please.

Come on, don't be so frightened I'm not gonna bite you

Joan.

It's Victor - What about Victor?

I think he's dead.

What happened?

He was very drunk,

and I tried to push him and his head hit against the fender.

That sounds a likely story.

Come on - Oh, please come see.

Is this your idea of a joke?

He, he was here a few minutes ago.

Well, he isn't here now,

unless he's hiding in the inkwell.

He was lying there, his head against the fender.

But I tell you, it's true! I.

He was using this glass.

Why did you kill him, Joan?

I didn't, he fell.

You must have hit him with something.

No, I.

You're lying

I tell you, I only pushed him away from me.

I wonder if that coffin was empty.

What has that got to do with it?

We seem to have a body snatcher in our midst.

Whoever moved Henry's body must have moved Victor's.

Don't you think we ought to send for the police?

No, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Did you show that note to anyone, the one Victor wrote?

- From Hodson? - Mm.

Yes, I.

Yes, I showed it to Mrs Carter.

That was brilliant of you.

But I thought that was the idea.

We call the police and they'll want to know where Hodson is.

Mrs Carter will mention the note, and then they'll find the body.

Seems to me we've got a bit more covering up to do.

What has happened to Hodson?

Nothing.

But you said - Never mind what I said.

You stay still and listen.

We're going down to the vault.

And what's the idea?

We'll find out when we get there.

Come along, Joan I'm not letting you out of my sight

Victor

Elsie?

All right, Elsie, I'll take the tea.

But what about Mr Harrington and Miss Joan, ma'am?

Mr Harrington doesn't want to be disturbed,

and I want you to leave Miss Joan alone.

But her door was locked and she was trying to get out.

You heard what I said, Elsie.

Yes, ma'am

We've got to find Hodson.

If he's alive, we can inform the police about Victor

and Joan will be taken care of for the rest of her life

I can promise you that

Good morning.

- How did you get out of your room? - I just walked out

I thought you said you locked the door, Janice.

But I did I.

Oh, no, Janice You couldn't have locked it.

You must be imagining things.

Who let you out?

I don't know what you're talking about.

- Was it Hodson? - How could it have been?

You said you killed Hodson.

- I said I what? - That you killed Hodson

I distinctly remember you saying that you killed him.

Why you lying.

You surely haven't forgotten, Bertha.

That's why you didn't report Victor's death to the police, isn't it?

Because you killed poor Hodson.

If I didn't know how ill you were,

I should say you were a very wicked girl

for telling such shocking lies.

Would you, Bertha?

But knowing how ill you are,

I'm going to do my best to help you.

Thank you, Bertha.

You always said you were my friend.

Yes, dear, yes, dear And so I am.

Now, I want you to listen very carefully.

Do you remember my telling you how I thought your father

was trying to get in touch with me from the other side?

Yes, yes, I remember.

Well, last night I spoke to him.

Did you really?

Yes.

Was he in good health?

He was worried, Joan He was very, very worried.

Oh, poor father.

What was he worried about?

He was worried about you, dear.

But.

What have I done now?

Joan, surely you haven't forgotten.

Oh, I'm afraid I have.

You killed Victor, Joan

Victor?

Who is he?

Give me strength.

Never mind who he is, dear.

You killed him.

Yes, but isn't that rather serious?

Bats.

Yes, dear, it's very, very serious.

That is why I'm going to help you

Then I won't worry about it.

Now, I want you to write down

exactly what happened between you and Victor.

If you can't remember, I'll help you.

You quarrelled with him,

and he turned his back on you,

and you struck him.

Did I?

Yes, dear, you did.

It's far better for you to tell the truth.

Now, here you are.

I wonder if my father would agree to that.

It was his idea, Joan.

Really?

- Bertha? - Yes, dear

I think I'd like you to put me in touch with him

I think I'd like to speak to him myself.

Couldn't you couldn't you sort of act as a medium between us?

Of course, dear, if you don't trust me.

Oh, but, Bertha, I do.

It's only that if my father wants me to write a confession,

I'd rather he told me himself

That's quite understandable, isn't it, Janice?

Quite

I'll tell you what, dear, we'll hold a seance tonight.

Oh, thank you, Bertha.

Oh, you are kind.

Oh, I'm sure everything's going to be all right now.

You're a good friend to me, aren't you, Bertha?

She really is crazy.

Well, if she thinks you're a good friend of hers, she must be.

Look, I don't like the idea of this confession.

How's it going to look when Victor's body is found in the coffin?

Hodson can explain that.

You hope.

I'm here, Henry

Henry?

I want to speak with you, Henry

Henry?

Henry?

I want to speak with you, Henry

Yes, we're in contact.

Our spirits are joined.

Have you a message for me, Henry?

Yes, he has a message.

Is it about Joan, Henry?

Are you worrying about her, Henry?

Do you wish her to follow my instructions?

Henry?

Henry, do you wish Joan to follow my instructions?

Janice?

Janice, what is it?

Oh, Daddy.

It's all right, darling.

Nothing to worry about now

Henry

Henry, it isn't possible.

I'm afraid it is.

Henry, I thought Hodson.

For your information, Hodson is dead.

I couldn't very well inform the police

because I was officially dead myself.

You had murdered me, remember?

What do you mean?

I told you that any noise

that occurred during my trance might prove fatal,

because I suspected that you might take advantage of it.

But it wasn't fatal, Bertha.

You see, yoga can sometimes enable one to simulate a state of death.

You're mad.

After my funeral, which,

thanks to Hodson, I did not attend,

I decided to find out exactly what methods

you were going to use to defraud Joan.

Did Joan know about this?

Only after Harrington had murdered Hodson.

Sit down!

As a matter of fact, Joan quite entered into the spirit of the thing.

It was her idea that we let you carry on

until we had a really watertight case against you.

Personally, I'd learned all that I wanted to.

You know, Bertha,

it's a pity you incited Harrington to murder Hodson.

You liar.

I did no such thing.

You're going to have a hard job proving that.

Harrington's word against yours.

Harrington's dead.

Harrington's alive.

He was only unconscious when you found him.

You're lying.

Where's he now?

Safely locked up in Hodson's cottage.

You're lying.

You're lying!

He's dead

I know he's dead

Good evening.

Inspector Blake, Scotland Yard

I'd like to see Mr Clavering, please.

In here, gentlemen

Excuse me, miss.

It is Miss Joan, isn't it?

Yes, that's right.

Where would you like the picture sent?

Oh.

To this address.

It's my husband.

Mr Charles Linton.

Very good, miss.

By the way, miss,

I was sorry to hear about Mr Clavering.

Did you know my father?

Oh, very well indeed, miss.

Such a fine man.

Hmm, yes.

It must have been a shock.

No, not really.

We had been expecting it for a long time.

Oh

This is your storyteller,

The Man in Black