Original subtitles

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(THRILLING MUSIC)

(SIREN WAILING)

Yep.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

- DONALD: On the dot. - They check it every Sunday?

DONALD: They test it every Sunday.

It's a weekly reminder of our neighbours.

The 12 o'clock lunatic they call it round here.

There.

Major been in yet?

No, he's out with his girlfriend this morning, Tom.

- First time she's been down here. - Well, where's she come from then?

London, I think. School teacher.

Eh, it's a bit late for him to start thinking

- about getting married, isn't it? - Oh, I don't know.

He's a lonely man.

Behind it all he's only got himself.

Oh they'll welcome 'round the door for every one of 'em up at Parkways.

I wonder how many of them of them are ever cured.

Cured, my dear, they're criminal lunatics!

They're little better than brutes!

I suppose it is terribly difficult to know

- what to do with people like that. - Is it?

What do you do with a mad dog?

Oh Donald, it's not quite the same!

Two years ago one of them escaped, he was loose for three days

during which time no woman or child in

this vicinity dare leave their homes.

And he'd been gone two hours before they sounded off that siren.

There could've been a child massacre

for all they cared up there at Parkways.

JILL: Was there?

I'd like to have seen him try it.

JILL: Do you know, I think you would.

What do you mean?

After 15 years in the Army,

life in a small Kent village must be a bit tame.

What we need's a drink, come on.

It's about time you got tied up, Tom, isn't it?

And where's the women around here?

I don't know. There's young Hazel Ashley.

She's coming along all right.

Yeah, so I've been hearing.

Oh I've got no time for that sort of nonsense.

Look, I've got a month's work to do in less than a week.

That's if the weather holds good.

And there's only me and the old man to do it.

I tell you what, Tom,

there's over 300 idle hands down at Parkways,

strong ones too.

They'll help you with your potatoes.

You said it.

- Morning, George. - Good morning, sir.

Oh hi, Tom. Jill, meet Tom Baldwin.

He and his father own that farm

that you were admiring down the road.

- Oh. - Pleased to meet you, Miss.

We saw your father in the orchard.

Yes, he's very busy just now.

Saturdays, Sundays, it's all the same to us you know.

No five day week stuff for us, is there Major?

Oh, no.

- There you are Major. - Ah thank you, George.

Jill, meet George.

- How do you do, Miss. - How do you do.

Well what'll it be, some of our local cider?

Oh I'd love some, thank you.

I hear there's a chance you'll be coming down to stay here, Miss.

Well, I don't know about that.

It seems rather a dangerous place to be!

Oh the Major'll look after you.

No, you don't want to take any notice

of all this talk about escapes.

Ever since we had one, two years ago,

they've got that place down there really sewn up.

No one can get out of it now.

You know sir, it takes 45 minutes

to make a complete search of the grounds and all.

We've checked all the main buildings.

And you say he was definitely on church parade this morning?

Oh yes, sir.

He went into the chapel all right.

And we checked them as they came out,

but there was no Miller.

You've questioned the other patients and the padre?

OFFICER: There's another officer doing that now, sir.

This would happen when the governor was away.

It's my opinion he took advantage of the test siren.

Well it has to be tested.

Remember what happened two years ago.

OFFICER: It's working all right now, sir.

I'm not sounding out alarm until I'm absolutely sure!

Yes, sir.

Only a man can go a long way while you're--

While I'm making up my mind.

Yes, sir.

That's my responsibility.

Besides, it's so soon after the test alarm

that people might think we were testing again.

Yes, sir.

Only, well I have a wife and family down in the village.

I want you to commence a search of the grounds

beginning at the main drive,

and report to me immediately you've finished.

Very good, sir.

Operator, give me Maidford one, double one, three.

(PHONE RINGS)

Chief Constable here.

Oh good afternoon, Nichols.

Yes?

Oh.

Yes, I see.

Right, thank you.

Ask Inspector Bennet to come in. And then get me the CRO.

Inspector Bennet, it's the Chief Constable.

(TYPEWRITER CLICKING)

Sir?

Hello Records, Chief Constable here.

I want all the file details on Alec Miller,

prisoner, patient, Parkways.

Get them sent up to me straight away.

(BELL TOLLING)

BENNET: You want me, sir?

Yes, that was Parkways on the phone.

The governor's away and one of their bright boys thought

it a good opportunity to get lost.

BENNET: You mean an escape, sir?

I don't know what I mean.

The medical superintendent doesn't seem to know either.

Except that one of his boys can't be found

and is not yet to be regarded as an escape.

I think he's afraid of sounding that little hooter of his

in case the local sweep bashers get at him.

Anyway, I can't take a chance.

I'm going to alert patrols for escape procedure.

We'll set up road blocks here,

here, and here.

And of course on the main arterial.

Now you get down to Parkways straight away.

I want someone there who understands my language.

BENNET: Get the dogs out, sir?

- Yes. - All right sir.

And don't stand any waffling from Nichols!

If you think the man's outside those walls,

I want to know straight away!

All right, sir.

Who are we looking for, sir?

- Alec Miller. - Miller!

- You mean? - Yes.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hey you're in a hurry, where are you going?

(MAN PANTING)

Well, uh, you see I was.

Yeah well don't give me that one about waiting for a bus,

there've been two bus here in the last hour and they were full.

- You got a light? - No.

Hm, I had a light here somewhere.

Oh here it is.

Lorry driver filled it for me.

Tied a bit of string round it and dipped it in his petrol tank.

I never seen that done before, have you?

Tried to get fresh with me after that.

When I wouldn't play, he put me down here.

You lookin' for a lift?

No.

I've got to get to the American Air Base at Ramsgate.

My husband's a pilot there. I'm just back from London.

- Where are you headed? - Looking for work.

Hm, take life seriously, don't you?

What do you do?

Farm work.

Well there's plenty of farms around here.

I never know anybody who worked in a farm before.

You have to get up early, don't you?

Yeah, it's all right.

You know where I can get a drink?

There's a village a mile or two back down the road.

Must be a pub there.

I mean a glass of water or something.

Water, is that what you drink?

- I don't have no money. - Oh, well don't look at me.

Where'd you say that village was?

About a mile back down the road,

I think it's called Cheringwell or something.

Hey hang on a sec.

It's all right, I'm not gonna bite you.

Here, have one on me.

Well go on, take it.

Thank you.

- Afternoon Major Peters. - Afternoon Jack.

Hello George, Tom. Oh, Miss.

Here, I've just seen a police car go into the Parkways.

I suppose there's another of them going in there.

I wonder what he's done.

Inspector Bennet, sir.

Good morning, Dr. Nichols.

NICHOLS: You haven't wasted any time.

Chief Constable takes a very serious view of this,

you've sounded the alarm?

NICHOLS: No, we're still completing the search

inside the walls.

Well how long's that supposed to take, sir?

If one of your prisoners has escaped--

- Patients. - Patients, all right.

You realize the responsibility's yours?

NICHOLS: I know all about that.

I don't feel justified in giving a general alert yet.

When was he missed?

- About 40 minutes ago. - About?

We don't keep them chained to the wall, Inspector.

This isn't a police station.

BENNET: Well I appreciate that, sir.

- We've got our job to do. - And so have I.

I've got to consider 300 patients in this institution

and the effect upon them of sounding that alarm.

Why, it would take us weeks to quiet them again.

Does everybody talk about them all the time?

Well, perhaps we do let the place get on top of us a bit.

But you see, we all still remember that escape.

It was pretty grim for people with families.

I gather that the police caught the man?

Just as well for him they did!

Before the Major got there!

JILL: Why?

Major's the best shot in the county, that's why.

JILL: Is that so? Really?

I've seen the Major

hit a jay on the wing from 150 yards,

with a rifle, mind ya.

Yeah, I reckon he could do one of them chimpanzees

from half a mile.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Half a pint of bitter, please.

Sorry, chum.

- Yeah, but I ain't a gypsy. - DONALD: George!

Miss Shadwell's glass seems to be empty.

She's taken quite a fancy to our cider.

(CHUCKLING) They make it locally, Miss.

Not everybody likes it.

But I reckon it's much better than the bottled.

DONALD: It's a darn sight stronger

than some of that whisky you get up at London!

I've seen young Tom go under the table with it.

Now look son, I don't want to appear awkward.

Yeah, all right.

But I want to ask you a question.

I'm trying to find work on a farm.

Potato lifting or something like that,

I thought that you might.

Well you see I can do almost anything on a farm

and I thought that, well if anybody needed a hand.

GEORGE: Well where do you come from?

Mind you I'm not gonna say that there is any work but?

Well I was on a farm, cherry picking last year

but it came to an end, it,

you know it was the other side of the midway there.

(DOOR SQUEAKING) (PEOPLE CHATTERING)

- Good day. - Hi Sergeant.

- Hello. - I'll be back, son.

NORRIS: Ta.

(REGISTER RINGING)

- GEORGE: How's the garden, Burt? - Could do with some more rain.

Rain!

Well what about my potatoes?

You get your watering can out, Sergeant.

(NORRIS CHUCKLING)

Burt!

Someone's been layin' rabbit while I was

in the Major's lower meadow again!

Well he doesn't mind if he keeps his bunnies down, does he?

Ah that's not the point Burt, and you know it.

It's his land.

Same thing happened on my land only last week.

I don't know what we pay your salary for!

(CHUCKLING) Well I'll take a stroll down there.

They left the gate open as well!

One of his heifers got out yesterday!

It's them hikers!

NORRIS: Well let me know if it happens again, Jack.

I will!

I'll be straight down to your place!

(CHUCKLING) Well how are the potatoes, Tom?

Oh fine.

'Cepting I've lost half me crop through blight.

- NORRIS: Got any help? - Nope, can't get any.

Oh I think I've got a casual for you, Tom.

Well I don't know, offer a chap a job and he disappears!

(UPBEAT BAND MUSIC)

Sorry it's too loud for your Ladyship.

Yeah, but Mum, you've had it on ever since before lunch!

Yeah, you wait until there's something on you want to hear!

We'll have it on nice and loud then, won't we?

Cheek!

Telling me how loud I'm to have me own wireless on!

- You done the dishes? - I'm doing them now.

Yeah well there's some mashers to clean for tea.

And you haven't finished sweeping out the back yet, have ya?

And when you done that,

go out to the dairy farm and get me some milk.

- We run out. - Why can't Johnny

goes to the dairy farm!

You know very well he's too young!

He's too young! He's too young to do anything!

All he does is go out and play!

ANNIE: Now I've had about enough of your lip!

I'll get your father onto you!

You're real soft on Johnny ain't you!

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

- Hello. - Hello.

Who are you?

I wondering if I could get a drink of water, please.

Yes there's plenty in the tap.

My dad, my dad always says it rinse it out once.

Yeah, never be too careful.

You workin' round here?

Yeah. Well I mean I'm looking for work.

- Would you like some more? - Yeah.

(UPBEAT BAND MUSIC)

- You're very thirsty ain't ya! - I'm hot.

Here, I made these myself.

Go on! I'd like you to have them!

Thanks.

Hey, what's the matter with your hand!

- I caught it on a nail. - Do you want me to have a look?

- No, it's! - I wasn't gonna bite it!

Thanks for the drink.

Excuse me I, I wonder if you could tell me

if there's any way around here I could have a kip?

- Kip? - Yeah, a sleep.

Oh!

I been walking most of the night.

(DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC) of a barn or something like that.

Oh yeah, oh wait a minute.

ANNIE: Hazel? Hazel!

- What d'you want? - Who is it?

HAZEL: It's a man for some water.

ANNIE: Well send him away!

HAZEL: all right!

- Well send him away then! - He's going!

There's a barn over there with a hayloft and some straw

you can a, you can get a kip there.

- Anybody ever go in there? - No only me and my brother.

Well where is it, I can't see it.

It's up, well I've got to go up that way anyhow.

- Well no, don't bother. - No I've got to go.

Mum!

I'll be going for the milk!

How much longer do we have to wait, sir?

There are 23 acres.

Five acres of woodland, 11 out buildings, a chapel,

four work sheds, a laundry.

He'd be halfway to Maidford by now.

Killing people all the way.

He is a killer, sir?

He's been having treatment for four years.

Oh do you treat them here for being murderers?

We treat them for being insane.

If we can save one in 100 it's worthwhile.

Is that his file, sir?

Thank you.

This tattoo mark on his right hand, how long has he had it?

NICHOLS: As a youngster, I think.

BENNET: Well that's something to go on.

You can't wipe those off very easily.

- Well? - Sir!

There's a great bough of a tree up against the north wall.

It must be 300 weight,

only a man as strong as Miller coulda moved it!

That's all I'm waiting for.

Well Dr. Nichols?

(SIREN WAILING)

(DOGS BARKING)

That's funny.

- Went off at 12, didn't it? - Yeah.

It's never gone twice like that before.

That police car you saw going in Jack.

Perhaps they knew then.

What are you going to do?

Well there's one thing I'm not going to do,

and that's stand here doing nothing.

There's a madman out there and he's not going

to wait for the police to catch him, come on.

(SIREN WAILING)

Oh it's all right, it always goes at this time on Sundays.

It from the loony bin, you know.

Hey, what's up?

MAN: I hate that noise.

Why you was never in there were you?

No, of course not.

Where have you heard that noise before then?

You'd be too young to remember,

that's what they used to use for air raids.

Oy!

Was you nearly killed or something?

No, I wasn't at home.

Well there's the loft.

It's made up on the corner, you can go and sleep on it.

Come on.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

MAN: Someone here!

HAZEL: Johnny!

Whatcha doing here?

Mum was gonna drown 'em so I keep 'em up here now!

I don't know what you want with such things,

they're horrible!

They're not horrible, they're nice!

Ain't they, Mister?

Yeah.

Here, what do you call 'em?

The big one's George, and that one's Frank,

and that one's Jean.

I'll take them out if you like, they won't run away.

Johnny, Mum wants you to go on an errand,

- to get the milk. - I ain't going for no milk!

I'm too young!

Johnny you didn't ought to stay up here!

There're big rats everywhere, and your mum wouldn't like it

if you got bitten by a big rat, would she?

- Too young, aren't you? - Go on, there no rats here!

- Is there, mister? - I don't know, sonny.

Here you are mister, hold her in your hand!

She won't run away!

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

Hasn't got much of a chance, has she?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(MUSIC STOPS)

- Where are they? - Who?

- Hazel and Johnny! - I don't know.

Hazel's gone for the milk, Johnny's out, why?

Didn't you hear the siren go?

Don't be silly, it's Sunday.

It's gone off proper this time!

There's one of 'em got out!

- From Parkways? - Yeah, from Parkways.

You keep this damn wireless on too loud!

There's everyone gettin' their kids in but us!

Oh my god! Johnny, Hazel!

JACK: Where's the town of calling from

if they've gone off somewhere!

Where have they gone!

Oh Johnny slipped out after dinner,

I don't know where he's gone!

And Hazel went to the dairy farm to get some milk!

I'm going to get 'em. You stay here and bolt the door!

And don't let no one in you don't know!

ANNIE: But Jack, I!

Everyone's got their kids in but us!

(TYPING)

All I want to know is Norris,

when did you know of his escape?

I keep telling you Major, I knew of it same time as you did.

But what time did he escape? How long has he been at large?

I don't know.

Now look Major, don't you think it'd be a good idea

if you went to your home and took the lady with you?

We got it all in hand.

- But what are you doing? - BURT: We've got it in hand!

Now look here Burt, you're one of us.

You live here.

By the time the Chief Constable gets here,

that man may be anywhere!

We must all pull together in this,

if we don't do something, who else will!

I'm only trying to help!

Now tell me.

Which direction do you suppose he's gone?

Major I keep telling you I know nothing more'n you do!

(DOOR OPENS - FOOTSTEPS) Now look there's the inspector down.

Honestly, you'll have to go.

I'm sorry this should happen on your first visit, Miss.

But we don't normally carry on like this.

Ah Inspector, I was just telling Sergeant Norris here

that myself and six other men--

Thank you, we know what we're doing, sir.

Yes I'm sure you do but if you need any able--

We've got it all under control, thank you, Major.

- Sergeant Norris? - Sergeant!

Sergeant, I've got to see you!

You'd help me all very much more if you all went home.

- But Sergeant I-- - I know you all want to help but--

I don't think we're needed here, Jack.

- Major, you got your car here? - Yes.

Can you get over to my place? Quick?

Yes, come on Jill.

Whatcha keep starin' at me for?

You remind me of somebody.

Who?

Why do you keep on asking me so many questions?

I ain't never been to Maidford yet. Dad keeps promising.

Maidford's nothing, I've been there lots of times,

- you shut up! - JOHNNY: No you ain't!

- Only two times! - He don't remember.

Then I been to Bristol, and Wales.

It's another country.

Oh, where do you sleep when you go to these places?

Oh anywhere.

Hostels in the winter and in the summer,

well you just sleep where you can.

Like this morning, I tried to get some kip

in a place near town that turned out to be a chicken run.

Whoo them chickens was screamin' and crowin'

and then the farmer's wife came running out

and I tell you I just had a run for it.

(CHICKENS SQWAKING)

Oh, it's all right, everybody goes by here

on the way to the dairy farm.

It's a short cut.

They never look up here!

- Where does he usually play? - Oh it could be anywhere, really.

He didn't say.

Oh I wish I'd never let him go!

Yeah, them white mice, where'd he take 'em?

Oh, I don't know.

I just told him he wasn't to have 'em around the house.

I wouldn't mind how many white mice now.

Oh, what are we to do, Jack!

What about Hazel?

Well she went for the milk!

- She'll be all right. - Yes, if she got there.

We better check on that.

We'll go up the lane in the car.

You better come with me, Jack.

And you, Tom, take the shortcut across the fields

- and we'll meet you there right? - Right.

Do you need a rifle to look for a little boy?

Yes, I do.

But the police said that we should--

OFFICER ON LOUDSPEAKER: Parkways Institution.

Please remain in your homes.

Keep your children indoors, keep your children indoors!

This man is dangerous!

Keep in your home!

There's been an escape from Parkways Institution.

Don't you think we ought to do what they want?

Look Jill, you better stay with Mrs. Ashley, she's very upset.

Well I'm very upset!

Yes, I know, dear, but we'll soon--

JILL: No, that's not what I mean, Don.

We should be together in this!

Look, this man is dangerous!

You don't know what might happen to us out there!

I can see what's happening to us, Don.

Look, don't worry.

You just stay here, keep the door bolted.

You saw Miller at breakfast, didn't you?

Was there anything strange about him then?

OFFICER: You know Miller sir, you can't tell what he's thinking.

Has he said in the past few days

that he wanted to go anywhere or has anybody annoyed him?

Well, he doesn't like the siren, sir.

He always talks about them ever since we started the testing.

Would he know his way around this part of the world?

I doubt it, sir.

He comes from another part of the country altogether.

Once he got outside here,

he wouldn't know where the main road went to.

NICHOLS: He must've had a reason for going.

Well you know sir, the men they talk amongst themselves.

They think if they could get outside

and get a job and stay out for a year or two,

they could prove they're sane.

Then they think the law can't hold 'em.

But what work could Miller do? What's he ever done?

Oh, well he's done some farming in the grounds.

He might be able to persuade some farmer to take him on.

But of course as you know yourself he,

he looks all right normally.

Trouble is it wouldn't last.

Once he got one of his moods on, anything could happen.

And if he got a knife in his hands, that might start him off again.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Yes of course.

If he did get a knife it might trigger off

a whole train of thought again.

I broke the point of my pencil! Can you sharpen for us, mister?

Yeah, let's look at it.

Yeah it is blunt isn't it?

JOHNNY: Have you got a knife?

- No, I'm sorry Son. - Oh, I've got one.

- Only I can't open it. - Yeah well let's have a look at it.

You ain't supposed to have it opened,

- Dad said you mustn't! - Well it ain't no good shut, is it?

No, come on let's have a look at it.

He ain't supposed to to have it opened!

Go on, open it, mister!

Why don't you tear that bit of rag off your hand?

No, it's all right, I can manage.

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

Yeah, it's blunt.

There's a stone over there

like what you use for sharpening knives on.

(FOOTSTEPS TAPPING)

Give us a ride!

- Major? - Yeah?

I think I've found something.

In that old calf shed, up in the hayloft

there's a man walking about.

- Nobody ever uses that! - Tom, didn't you see my Johnny?

- Hasn't nobody seen my Johnny? - He'll be all right!

He'll be somewhere Mrs. Ashley, don't worry.

Did you go up and have a look?

Well I thought I better come straight back here first.

Didn't you catch sight of no one?

You know what these blokes are like, Jack.

I thought I better not let him see me.

Well it could've been anybody up there, surely!

Not a man from the village'd be up there with a warning on.

They'd all be home with their families, all getting ready--

Look, I think we'd better go Major, before he breaks out.

Once he's out in the open, it'll be much more difficult.

All right.

Let's go.

Oh, he's got my Johnny, I know it!

He's more likely miles away by now.

- What about your daughter, Hazel? - Oh she'll be all right.

She's up at the dairy farm.

Well what about you and I going along then?

Oh with that man around?

No, we'd better leave it to the men.

- Hm, I'm not so sure about that. - ANNIE: All right.

That's where I heard him.

- It coulda been a rat! - No, he's up there all right.

Like as not, he's got young Johnny up there with him too.

- Go on! - Hold it, Jack!

Keep your voice down, if he hears us.

Now listen we can get your boy out alive

if we do this in an organized way.

Now Tom, I want you do come up the stairs with me,

and be prepared to open the trap door,

so that I can get my rifle ready.

Now, if he listens to reason, comes peacefully, he won't get hurt.

But if I have any nonsense, I want you to grab Johnny,

get him out of the way so that I can deal with the man.

You're not dealing with anybody, Major.

I went up to your house, Jack, as soon as the Inspector had gone

since you wanted to see me. They told me you were all down here.

Well who've you got up there?

My Johnny, he's up there with Miller!

- Are you sure? - Well he must be!

Tom here distinctly heard a noise in the loft.

BURT: What kind of noise?

But no one from the village uses this place!

Surely the thing to do is to go up and to have a look isn't it?

Like we were going to.

If it is Miller and he's got someone there,

our instructions are that he's not to be disturbed

until someone from Parkways gets here.

- Parkways doesn't run this village! - Those are our instructions, Major.

Now we better get away from this door.

Sergeant! Can't I call Johnny?

If you want to see Johnny alive again Jack,

you better do as I say.

If there is anyone there and he hears us, come on.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

ANNOUNCER: A man answering to the description of Miller

was seen boarding a bus on the Rochester Road

at 2:10 this afternoon.

A man answering to the description of Miller

was reported to have bought matches

at a shop in Tumbridge Wells at 2:12 this afternoon.

A man answering to the description of Miller

was seen driving a small brown car on the south section

(PHONE RINGING) of Burbridge at 2:13 this afternoon.

OFFICER: Sir?

ANNOUNCER: All these reports are being investigated.

Chief Constable here.

Who, Cheringwell?

Yes, put him through.

Hm, well, it is possible.

I should have thought he'd have got further away by now.

All right Norris, I'll contact the inspector by radio.

You wait until he gets there.

Get me a radio link with Inspector Bennet,

now in the Cheringwell area.

(FINGERS SNAPPING) And page Dr. Nichols at Parkways.

(PHONE RINGS)

Yes?

Thank you, I'll get there as quickly as I can.

Please see that he's not disturbed or sees anybody.

- Rawlings? - RAWLINGS: Yes, sir?

They think they found him.

They say there's a child with him.

- Afternoon Sergeant. - Sir.

- How old's this little boy? - He's 10, sir.

These are the parents, sir.

- What's he like with strangers? - He's very friendly, sir.

He'd go out with anybody!

He's been sitting there for over half an hour!

He'll be dead Inspector, he'll be dead, I know it!

Now there, Annie. Don't you worry.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Are you sure it's Miller, Inspector?

This'd be the fifth Miller I've gone out after today.

But it could be.

Possibility that there's a child up there, too.

If it is Miller, we'd better get him out of there as soon as possible.

Or the child?

JOHNNY: Give us another ride Mister!

HAZEL: Look Johnny, it's time you went home.

JOHNNY: Why should I?

'Cause your mum wouldn't like you being up so late.

JOHNNY: Well what about you?

I've got to go to the dairy farm.

Go on then!

Well, no he wants to sleep and you'll make a noise.

- You want me to go home, don't ya? - You mind your own business!

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

- Johnny! What do you want now! - JOHNNY: I want an ice cream!

Well I haven't got any money!

Here. Here you are, boy.

Oh thanks, mister!

When I get it, would you like half of it?

No, no thanks, boy.

Oh, oy.

Hey Johnny, don't you tell our mum I'm up here will you?

Why?

'Cause you wouldn't want your white mice eaten

- by them black rats would you? - JOHNNY: You wouldn't do that.

I would.

I'd set 'em on 'em.

So I ain't here, see?

Nobody ain't up here.

JOHNNY: All right, I won't tell.

(CROWS CAWING)

It's all right Johnny, you're all right!

Now Johnny, who were you up there with?

I ain't done nothing!

Nobody says you've done anything, Johnny.

- But who were you with in the barn? - I wasn't with nobody!

- There's nobody up there! - What's he got in his hand?

What do you got there, say?

Well show the policeman what you've got, Johnny!

Would he have had any money on him, Jack?

JACK: Don't reckon so, I don't know!

He only had six pence this week and he put that in his money box!

- Who gave you this, sonny? - No one!

All right, Mrs. Ashley.

Oh you bad boy!

Now you tell me the truth!

- Hazel-- - Sh!

- What? - Hazel said I mustn't tell.

- Hazel's up there? - No!

OFFICER: Is Hazel up there with a man, Johnny?

No, she said I wasn't to tell about the money!

Your little fella didn't want to go did he?

Oh he's only a kid.

So are you.

Oh no I'm not! I'm nearly 17!

Well I'm, I'm nearly as tall as my dad is!

He's old and he's got round shoulders, my dad.

He ain't like you.

Why Cotton, wait over there would you?

All right Dr. Nichols, if you want to,

you can go in there alone, we'll cover you.

- He mustn't see the dogs. - Oh yes.

They'll only have to go just inside the door.

The scent's only half an hour old.

And I must have these people away from here.

Well it's, all a bit difficult you know, whatever they see.

All wanna stare.

If that is Miller, and he sees these people,

he'll give them a performance, all right.

OFFICER: All right Sergeant, move these people.

Aye, sir.

(BURT MURMURING)

Well come on Major.

OFFICER: What's the trouble, Sergeant?

Sir.

What are you doing with that gun?

I'm a farmer, I'm entitled to carry a gun.

That's a rifle, not a shotgun.

I'm also the member of a rifle club.

I see.

Well I'll give you 30 seconds to get away from here.

- And what'll you do if we don't? - We'll see.

Hazel!

Hazel!

Oh that's me mum, if she finds me in here she'll kill me!

Hazel!

(WHIMPERING) I was trying to bring her up decent.

- Sergeant? - Sir?

I want one man around the back,

and one around the side in case he makes a break for it.

Sir.

Well Doctor, are you still going in alone?

Yes.

All right, we'll cover you. Make it quick.

Thank you.

(DOGS WHINING)

NICHOLS: There's no one up there.

I'm hardly surprised, they've picked nothing up here.

Dogs are more reliable than little boys.

(CROW CAWING) (COW LOWING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(SIGHS) Well I don't suppose we'll ever find out

where you got that fourpence hey?

Now you answer the gentleman, Johnny.

And this time I want you to tell the truth, see?

There wasn't no Hazel

and there wasn't no man up there neither was there?

- Well I tell you I heard footsteps! - Let the boy answer the question.

Now Johnny, was your sister up there?

No!

You made all this up, didn't you?

Well I swear I heard something!

Well of course you did, you heard the boy up there!

Look, for the past two hours

I've interviewed parsons, shopkeepers, and housewives.

Some of them have even talked to Miller

at the same moment, 20 miles apart.

I think you all better go home.

Sir?

Your driver says there's another report come over the radio.

They think he's been seen on the arterial road.

The Chief Constable's waiting to speak to you now, sir.

Thank you Sergeant.

Get these people home and then report back to your station.

Bye Johnny.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

It's all right, she's gone.

You can have your sleep now.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ANNOUNCER: The search for Alec Miller continues.

Reports are still coming in

from all over southeast England,

but the police say that as yet,

they have found no definite clue as to his whereabouts.

They have asked all drivers in the area

not to give lifts, and remind the public once more

that this man is dangerous.

We know.

(SIGHS) What makes a man do a think like that?

Well you see Miss, according to the doctors,

people like Miller are really children.

What time'd he escape?

Oh I'd say about 11:30.

So it was an hour and a half before they'd off the siren?

Just a minute.

There was a farmer from Briddle'd came over today.

He said that his chicken house was raided

at a quarter to 12 this morning.

I never gave it a thought, I thought that Miller got out

when the siren went at five to one!

Yeah.

That shows just how much good that siren is!

What's he look like, this Miller?

Oh big chap.

Healthy looking fellow about 28.

He's got a big tattoo mark on his right hand.

- Shows up a mile off. - Not if he had something over it.

What do you mean, Tom?

You know what I mean, George.

Now that bloke escaped about 11:30.

Now you say a chap came in here looking for a job.

I 'spose--, I 'spose he didn't have something over his hand did he?

Yeah, yeah I, yes I think he had.

Tell me, would he have any money on him?

I mean the price of a drink?

No, not unless somebody gave it to him after he got out.

Or stole it.

Excuse me.

- I'm so sorry, miss. - That's all right, thanks.

As I was tellin' you, nobody'd give me a lift today.

The law is all over the place.

The drivers got scared. As if I look like Alec Miller!

Well they're not allowed to pick up passengers now,

- it's because of their insurance. - I think I saw him today.

- GEORGE: You saw who? - This Alec Miller.

Fancy, I was sitting right next to him.

Just like a child he looked, placid.

What time?

About a quarter past 12 up in the main road.

He came through the hedge, I bet it was him.

Did he have a bandage on his right hand?

Yes, he did. I sent him up here.

- This is Cheringwell, isn't it? - Yes.

Did he tell you he was Miller?

Oh of course not but it could've been him couldn't it?

It very well could've been him!

- Tell me what time was this? - About a quarter past 12?

- And you sent him here? - That's right, he wanted a drink.

So he did come in here.

But the man who came in here had money didn't he?

- I gave it to him. - How much?

Only some loose change.

There was half a crown, oh and before I left London

I was gonna make a phone call and didn't

so there'd be half a crown and four pennies.

But at the dairy farm they said she never got there!

They never saw her! And Jack's searching everywhere now!

Don't you worry, Annie.

I'll keep a look out for her.

After all, it isn't the first time Jack's had

to go out searching for her is it?

- ANNIE: But with this man loose! - Well we know he's not around here.

ANNIE: But how do we know where he is?

You haven't found him yet have ya?

Well you can bet your life he didn't break out

just to go after your Hazel, Annie.

It's no use talking to you Burt Norris. You ain't got no kids!

You don't know what it's like being a mother.

Well I'd hardly be in this uniform if I did.

Oh I can see you're gonna be a great help.

Do you know what I think?

I think you're scared of him!

But I know someone who's got more guts than you have!

So, now we can see the picture.

Miller was smart enough to escape before the test siren.

Then he raided the chicken run,

probably hoping to steal a chicken to raise some cash.

Failing that he borrowed some money off this lady here.

And then he had the intelligence to double back

to Cheringwell knowing the police would be watching

the main roads and leaving the villages

to fend for themselves, he was pretty smart.

And in this very bar he posed the casual labourer.

And significantly, slipped out

when Sergeant Norris came in in his uniform.

Now the question is, where'd he go from here?

GEORGE: He took a bit of risk coming in

here like that, didn't he, Major?

No, no more than the natural guile of a trained sniper

or the instinct of a wild animal

they merge into the scenery, they don't cut and run,

they're too cunning for that, and so is Miller.

But would Miller have that type of cunning?

I mean surely that's why he was in Parkways.

Well the more primitive the mind, the more natural the cunning.

When I was in Burma, the Dag head hunters used to--

Major!

Oh Major, sir, I'm so glad you're here!

It's Hazel!

She hasn't come back yet, and nobody knows where she is!

I been to Sergeant Norris and he just laughed at me!

Now, now, Mrs. Ashley, calm down, calm down, dear.

We'll see what we can do. Now tell me,

what time did you send her out?

Well I don't know the time exactly, I was listening to the wireless

and then a fella called for a drink of water!

Well what did this fella look like?

I never saw him!

Hazel saw him!

And then she went out.

And you're sure you don't know what time it was?

No!

Oh, wait a minute, the program changed from dance music.

It'd be about a quarter to one.

A quarter, that's just the time it would take him

to get from The Plough to that cottage!

Yeah.

So it could've been him up there in the hayloft with Hazel.

- I thought I heard something. - Oh but the police dogs!

Oh I'll tell you why they didn't get a scent.

There's been sheep in that barn all this week,

their stink'd kill anything.

Then he coulda been with Hazel all that time!

And all because he wanted a drink.

But why didn't they find nothing when they searched!

Because he'd already broken out by the time they got there!

And all that time Burt Norris kept us waitin' here

till the Inspector came with his police cars.

That's what he's done.

He's broken out.

And he's taken Hazel with him.

Oh you got to do something sir! You got to do something!

All right Annie, we will.

You run along home, we'll do something!

Only this time, Tom, we'll do it alone.

(COWS LOWING)

(MILK CAN RATTLING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hm, that was my dad.

He didn't look up here.

I say.

You aren't on the run?

What do you mean?

Well I mean the police aren't after you or anything

I mean like you see on the telly?

- Nobody's after me. - Ain't they?

You haven't got much money on you, have you?

You have you, you've done something wrong haven't you?

No, I haven't done nothing!

I don't care, I know you're innocent.

You wouldn't do anything wrong.

Not, not really wrong I mean.

I broke into a chicken house this morning, that's all.

I didn't take nothing.

Perhaps they did, yeah perhaps they think ya did!

(GASPS) They'll be after you!

They'll go on till you're dead!

It's exciting, isn't it? We're being hunted!

We'll have to go away. The two of us together.

We'll have to wait 'til it's dark first, though.

Yes.

I felt the shiver go across me just before we come in.

That was when it was.

You know they say that always happens if your firstborn goes.

Look, drink your tea.

I'll get you some Aspirins.

Where's Johnny?

I sent him to bed.

Well what's up Jack?

JACK: Johnny, come down here.

DONALD: Did you find anything Jack?

Johnny, I want you to come down here right away!

Well whatcha got there, Jack?

(GASPS) Oh no!

- What happened Jack? - I don't know, yet.

Johnny, come over here, son.

Johnny,

do you remember that knife of your grandpa's what I gave ya?

Yeah.

JACK: Why did I let you have it son?

'Cause I couldn't open, it's too hard.

- JACK: Who opened this? - (SCREAMS) You found her!

No Annie, I haven't found her.

But I found this.

Who opened it, Johnny?

Who opened it!

- (SNIFFLING) The man! - All right Johnny.

- You ain't gonna belt me? - No Johnny.

Go back to bed.

I went back over to have another look in the barn

and I found it!

He must've broken out when Norris disturbed us, I thought as much.

But surely you'd have seen him!

In broad daylight, where could he have gone?

Perhaps he didn't go anywhere.

What do you mean, Tom?

When I was a kid about young Johnny's age,

I used to play in that barn too.

I've just remembered something, Major.

We had a hideout.

Right up in that hayloft at the back.

We better tell the police.

I'll get you those Aspirins Mrs. Ashley.

Okay Jill, I'm awfully sorry about all this but--

Must you always carry that thing around?

I am used to being trusted with firearms?

Why can't you leave this to the police?

- Oh them! - Yes, them.

Donald I want you to call them back, now.

Tell them what Jack Ashley's found.

But we haven't time!

- There's a child's life at stake! - That's not all that's at stake.

- What do you mean? - Oh nothing.

I want you to call the police now.

Now look, Jill--

You're a stranger here, you don't understand.

I understand very well!

You're a stranger here too, aren't you?

You don't really belong.

Well I wasn't born here, no but--

Well, people expect someone to--

JILL: Lead the local hunt?

Jill I, I really am very sorry

that this should've happened on your first day here and--

Oh well perhaps it's as well that did, Don.

(FOOSTEPS)

Coming, Major?

Yes, yes, Tom, I'm coming.

Well then you could get a job driving a lorry.

Oh no, that would mean you'd be all alone in that.

Well you could be a porter.

I could be a, I could be a nurse in the same hospital.

Train you, you know.

And then in the evenings,

some evenings of course, not every evening.

I'll take art lessons.

I had a friend who went to Southampton,

she took art lessons and they learned her to draw.

My teacher says I'm very good at drawing.

Do you like drawing?

- Hey. - Hm?

- Yeah what time is it? - It's the evening.

(YAWNS) Oh yeah, I've had a good sleep.

You know I felt dopey all day.

I feel fine now.

You know you have got fine hair.

Now I think you've been asleep all the time I was talking.

Yeah whatever I have I got a right to be asleep don't I?

How's your hand?

Here let me have a look at it, it might've got poison in it.

No, it's all right.

Well tell me about that person,

who you said was like me.

She was killed.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

You never stop thinking

about that person who was killed do you?

She was my sister.

She was killed in an air raid, and I wasn't there.

I shoulda been there.

You know you are like her.

You're hurting me.

You are, you're hurting me!

I'm sorry, I don't know my own strength.

HAZEL: It's all right.

Listen Tom, I don't want him breaking out of the back.

TOM: All right Major.

Better leave the village now while it's dark. No one will see us.

- How old are you really? - I'm old enough to leave home.

Yeah, what would your dad say?

You don't want to take me, do you?

Well you see Hazel, I'm the sorta chap that,

well I wander around a great deal.

I don't mind, I'll go! I'll go with you anywhere!

Yeah I know but,

but you're too young you see?

But, but you promised me!

MAN: Now look, I didn't promise you nothing.

Oh please! Please take me with you!

Please take me! You don't know what it's like living here!

I can't!

HAZEL: So you're not gonna take me!

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

There's men all the way around now, Major.

Good.

Now I'm bringing up first with the gun,

I want you to follow closely behind me.

Jack, you stand by down here.

Hopefully we'll know what we see.

So you're not gonna take me with you?

Look I might be back in this way in a couple years time.

Now if you really want to go with me--

Where was you running from this morning?

Look what's the matter with you!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I know who you are!

And they're they're gonna get-- (SCREAMING)

(HAZEL YELPING)

(HAZEL WHIMPERING)

Dad! (WAILING)

He won't take me with me.

I tried to get him. (WAILING)

All right Miller.

Come on down.

Hey what are you all doing down there!

Come down!

You won't get hurt if you come quietly.

Look you don't think I touched that girl do ya?

All right.

Look I never, I never touched her!

Watch him, hold it! Hold him!

Get outta my way!

(MEN SHOUTING)

He's in there!

(HAZEL SCREAMING)

(GUNSHOT FIRES)

(DOGS YELPING)

OFFICER: You might've killed him!

If it hadn't been for you bloody headlights, I would've!

Anyway, I got Miller before he could do any more harm.

Miller gave himself up half an hour ago.

(RIFFLE CLATTERING)

But you just don't know my mum,

you don't know what she'd do to me! (SNIFFLING)

- I think she'd kill me! - Oh look.

Don't be afraid Hazel, you just tell them the truth!

(HAZEL SNIFFLING)

He never touched me.

- Is he gonna be all right? - He's all right.

It was the wrong man Jill.

The wrong man.

It was a mistake anyone could make!

You all made it, not only me! I did what any man would do!

Any...

There was a life in danger!

There was indeed. Come on Major.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(BRIGHT MUSIC)