Original subtitles

The Mind of the Murderer,

third of a series of broadcasts by Mr Robert Southley,

the distinguished crime novelist, here's Mr Southley.

Good evening.

We know that in the majority of cases

murder is enacted on the spur of the moment,

and without consideration of consequence.

Between the thought and the deed,

there has passed only the shortest interval of time.

Tonight I'm going to speak about premeditated murder.

Few murders would be committed if they were planned,

since over the planning will inevitably

harbour the shadow of retribution.

It is fear, not conscience, that makes cowards of us.

There are not many who have the nerve

and the ability to carry out the perfect crime.

For to murder with malice or forethought

require resource and skill in planning,

and something of the novelist's ingenuity of...

I wanted to listen, John!

Sorry.

Why don't you like Robert?

Several reasons,

for one thing, he doesn't like me!

I don't think he ever mentions you.

No, he wouldn't.

The only people in existence as far as Robert's concerned

are the people who do like him,

not likely to waste his valuable time

with those who can see through him.

John, there are two sides to Robert,

the rather superior side that you don't like,

it's just his armour.

Underneath he's quite a sensitive, fine person.

If you knew him as well as I do, I think you'd agree with me.

Rubbish, he's just a melodramatic sensationalist,

shallow as ditch water.

There's isn't a particle of him that isn't reflected in his writing.

I thought you never read anything of Robert's!

Well, I have ah,

read a chapter or two of one of his books.

Well, before you start making

a character analysis of his writings,

I suggest you read more than a chapter or two.

What a title!

What's wrong with it?

It's from Othello, I think it's his best.

Arise Black Vengeance, sounds corny to me.

I think I better start writing novels myself,

some people seem to be able to get away with it.

Some people can write them.

- Good night, Linda. - Good night, John.

- Evening, Mr Southley. - Evening.

- Good evening. - Good evening, Mr Southley.

- Robert! - I know, don't tell me.

- I will, you're late! - Oh, why do we give

these press parties?

Why don't you turn up to them? I've been making excuses for you

for the last hour and a half!

Well, that's what a good secretary's for!

Did you tell them I was with my publisher?

- I said excuses. - In we go.

Well, I can't even begin to apologise!

Well, you better begin soon, Robert, we're just going.

Well, what's the great author got to say for himself?

How delighted he is to be placed

in his proper category for once, thank you, Jim.

You know everybody, don't you, Robert?

Yes, I feel quite at home, like Daniel in the lion's den.

Oh, I'm sure nobody's going to tear you to pieces.

Well, somebody ought to on principle.

Stop you from getting too conceited, Robert.

Oh no, conceit's the monopoly of the critics

who advise the public on how a novel should be written,

if only they'd thought of them first.

I shall print that!

Yes, do that, George, I thought of it coming up in the lift.

So, what's going to be your next book, Mr Southley?

Well, we don't know yet, do we Linda?

You're sticking to crime, of course.

No, crime's sticking to us,

it dogs our footsteps, haunts us when we're asleep,

and lurks at our bedsides waiting for us to wake up,

doesn't it, Linda?

Glad you put it in the plural, especially the noun.

You know, Linda has a livid moral sense.

She lived in an age when the word bed

was considered highly improper, she died 50 years ago,

but she's feeling much better now, aren't you, dear?

Robert, why weren't you on the stage?

Well, I was once,

but I discovered that I liked eating as well as resting.

I cannot imagine Robert failing at anything.

Don't take him seriously, Inspector,

especially when he's being modest!

He once told me that he was a better actor

than he was a writer.

- Let me get you another drink. - Oh, thank you.

You, ah, seen John Harrison lately?

Yes, I saw him a few days ago!

Thank you.

I'm meeting him tonight.

- Oh? - Excuse me.

Certainly.

- Bye. - Goodbye.

Why do you always write in the first person, Mr Southley?

It's the person I have the greatest admiration for, Miss Randal.

- Goodbye, Miss Trent. - Goodbye, Mr Southley.

- Cheerio, mate. - Goodbye and thank you for coming.

Is there somebody giving you a lift?

No, I've got my own car.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Thanks for everything, goodbye.

Well, now that's that.

Oh, sorry, Mac, I expect you've been bored to tears.

Oh, not at all.

By the way,

I thought you told me you'd never been in the States.

- I haven't. - But...

this was taken in New York, isn't New York in the States?

Oh no, New York is a country surrounded by America.

Did you read Limelight Murder?

- Aye, I did. - And what'd you think of it?

Not up to standard, it's too predictable, Robert.

The solution's obvious from the the very beginning.

Well, the obvious isn't always right in murder.

Improbable memory, you'd best get a little experience

in crime detection first hand before you begin your next book!

- From Scotland Yard? - Aye, hard facts against

psychological deductions.

I'd hate to embarrass you by solving the crime before you did.

That sounds like a challenge!

One of these days, my lad, I'm gonna deflate that ego of yours.

You never will, I promise you, good night, Mac.

- Good night to you. - Good night, Inspector.

Well, does that conclude my secretarial duties for the night?

Yes, and thank you for keeping the wolves at bay.

You mean the lions.

When are you gonna start some work?

What a horrible thought!

- When are we? - Starting work?

When I can think of something to write about.

- You haven't dried up? - Oh, don't be silly.

Why don't you get Mac to let you hold

a watching brief on his next case?

Are you suggesting he could teach me anything?

Why not?

If I were a writer, that's what I'd do,

something different once in a while.

Or I'd take a job to let a little daylight in!

Oh, Linda, surely you don't mean work?

It would stop you from getting stale.

My dear girl, the only reason I took up writing was to avoid it.

I very nearly believe you!

You're too sheltered,

it's a pity you haven't seen a bit more of the seamy side.

Linda, has it ever occurred to you

that I might have had a very hard youth?

You'll be telling me next that you write from experience!

Well, I certainly don't write from Inspector MacDougall's.

You might do worse, good night.

Good night, Linda.

Oh, work!

I don't like it, either.

How the devil did you get in here?

Fire escape.

I guessed I'd stand a better chance

of seeing you that way, Mr Southley.

Remember me? Fenton.

Sure you do.

I'll give you a minute to get out of here, Fenton.

Remember Pittsburgh?

You were lucky, I got caught, you got away,

now look at you!

- What do you want? - I got five years.

I used to think a whole lot about you, you know how it is.

You didn't come here to reminisce on your prison experiences.

Say what you've come for and get out!

OK.

Someone on the other side

lent me a book you'd written called No Trace.

It had your photograph. Boy did I get a laugh!

You've built up quite a name.

Too bad if something should happen to it.

Did you get all this by writing books?

Swell!

Suppose someone should prove that you'd cashed in on experience?

There's a lot of people who'd rather read about you

in newspapers than in books cooked up like fiction.

Ain't that right, Paul?

Pardon me, Robert, I forgot you changed your name.

Me?

I always stuck to the same one.

Funny I should keep the letter you wrote me all these years.

Then I'm sentimental, I guess.

It's a honey.

It's about a jewel robbery we pulled in Philly,

in your handwriting.

You were young in those days, boy were you young!

Where is the letter?

At my lodgings, want it?

- How much? - 500 pounds.

If I give it to you, what guarantee will I have

that you will leave me alone?

You'll have the letter, won't you?

There's nothing I can do without that.

But I don't have to tell you

there's a whole lot I could do with it, is it a deal?

- I'll get you the money. - OK.

Here's what you'll do.

Meet me tomorrow at 12:00, see?

Here's my address: 2 Riverwalk, Dockside.

I'm not meeting you there.

Wherever you say.

- You know Hyde Park? - Yeah.

I'll meet you at the car park by the serpentine.

OK.

I'll be seeing you.

I'll bring the letter,

all tied up with pink ribbon... for luck.

Good night, Paul, pleasant dreams.

Hello?

- Linda. - Yes?

What happened to you last night?

Well, nothing, why?

I tried to telephone you.

Oh, I didn't get into until late,

I was having a drink with John Harrison.

Nevermind about that, I want to know how much money

I've got in my current account.

- I don't know off hand. - Roughly.

About 900 I should think,

do you want me transfer anything to capital?

No, I may want it, I'll be out this morning,

I'll be back after lunch.

All right, Robert.

Morning, Paul.

We'll skip the social stuff,

- shall we? - Sure.

- Have you got the... - And the letter?

Seems like you don't trust me, Paul.

Open it up and let me have a look at it.

Sure.

- Satisfied? - Yes.

Right, open the packet.

Fives?

- They can be traced, can't they? - They can, but they won't be.

OK.

Don't let me see anymore of you, Fenton.

Threatening me?

Warning you.

Oh.

- Hello. - May I come in?

Suppose so.

I'm knee-deep in work.

Oh, Robert's here is he?

No.

I only wanted to ask about a show tonight,

I've got some tickets for Bet Your Life, front row.

Well, Robert hasn't done his BBC talk yet,

I expect I shall be working late with him.

Oh.

You could drop by later for coffee if you like.

Yes, please.

What time does the illustrious Mr Southley go on the air?

- 9:30. - I'll be round at 9:00.

I sometimes think I'd stand a better chance

if you got a job with somebody else.

Why?

It is Robert, isn't it?

He doesn't even know I exist, so the point doesn't arise.

I'm afraid I don't agree with your views on him, John.

Naturally, you're in love.

I didn't say...

Oh, and how's Sergeant Harrison?

All right, thanks.

I'm sorry I can't ask you to stop, I'm rather busy.

That's all right, I was just going anyway.

Linda, I don't know why we have to be

afflicted with Sergeant Harrison's company.

He only came in for a moment, Robert.

You're not getting serious with that young man, are you?

No! Why?

I...

I don't want to lose a good secretary, that's all.

Try and get rid of me.

Hello, Mr Southley's secretary speaking.

- Is Southley there? - What name is it, please?

I wanna talk to Mr Southley!

Yes, but what name shall I say?

Just a moment, it's for you, Robert, he won't give a name.

Hello, Southley speaking, who is that?

Hello, Paul, this is your old buddy here again!

Boy, I can't help remembering those good ol' times we had.

A minute, Linda.

Now listen, Fenton, you've got your money

and I've told you I don't want to hear anymore from you!

Take it easy, Paul, I've got other ideas.

You wanna take another gander at that letter?

It cost me quite a few bucks to get it copied.

What do you mean?

I mean it's a phoney , Paul, you're slipping,

you'd a never fallen for that one in Philly.

- Why you dirty rat! - Take it easy!

You wanna be like me Paul, never trust nobody!

Anyways, I've got the original, and you've got just one day

to come across with another halfgrand!

You have my address, I gave it to you,

2 Riverwalk, Dockside, OK?

I'll see you in hell before you get one more penny!

Friend of yours?

Everybody's a friend of mine, babe!

What engagements have I got, Linda?

You were seeing your publishers at 3:00,

you're down for cocktails with Lady Medford at 6:00,

and then there's your broadcast at 9:30.

Well, cancel Lady Medford,

and tell Gilley I can't make it today.

Tomorrow?

No, better leave it till Friday.

We don't carry a large stock, sir,

we usually make to order, except very minor artists.

What particular character would you be playing?

Well, I haven't decided yet.

Oh, but surely the beard.

Whatever it is, I'm gonna wear the beard.

Now, ever since I was three I've always longed to wear a beard.

"Oh, that the slave had 40,000 lives,

"one is too weak, too poor for my revenge," how's that?

Quite good, sir, if I may say so.

- How nice of you. - Not at all, sir.

The effect is just vaguely ferocious,

exactly what is wanted for the part I should say.

- Exactly, I'll take that one. - Very good, sir.

- Your name, sir? - George Dunn.

- And the company, sir? - Hmm?

Oh, we don't supply to private individuals.

Oh, of course, the London Reverie Players.

Thank you, sir, that will be three pounds,

shall I forward it to the account?

No, I'll pay for it, I'll take it with me, too.

Thank you, sir.

- Thank you, good morning. - Good morning, sir.

"Oh, the slave had 40,000 lives," amateur!

Tombs Garage, please.

Good afternoon, Mrs Green.

Good afternoon, sir, I had no idea you were coming down,

there's very little in the way of food.

That's all right, I'll get something a bit later.

Will you be staying long, sir?

A day or two, I'll come down to your house

- if I want you for anything. - Very good, sir.

And will you telephone my secretary?

- Certainly! - Tell her where I am,

and ask Crenshaw from the garage to take the car in tonight,

- the brakes need looking at. - Very good, sir.

Car giving you trouble, Mr Southley?

The brakes are a bit slack, have a look at 'em, will you?

- Here are the keys. - Right,

I'll bring it back in the morning.

Thank you.

Hello operator, operator!

- Evening, got a room vacant? - Yes.

- How long do you want it for? - Hey operator,

call that number for me again, will you please?

See if I like it first, shall I?

No reply?

Well, there must be somebody there!

Call him again, will you, please?

Here it is.

- The best I can do. - Lovely, just like home!

30 bob a week, bed and breakfast,

clean sheets once a fortnight, clean towel once a week.

- There's luxury for you. - Pay in advance.

OK, got any luggage?

No, I'll have to go back to the ship for that.

If you want a bath, it's sixpence six,

and you'll find it at the end of the passage.

Yeah, baths don't fuss me.

What's your name?

Albert Genders.

You better sign the book when you come down,

- it's in the hall. - Okey doke, I'll find it.

OK, I'll call it later.

- Hello, just arrived? - That's right.

Give us a light, will you?

Boy, what a telephone service, you know somethin'?

I been trying to call a guy on that telephone since 6:00!

Well, he's probably out!

Oh no, he wouldn't be out, I know he wouldn't because.

Well?

That'd be telling.

- Hey, who are you anyhow? - A new lodger!

Come and have a drink.

- Well, that'll be nice now... - Not you! Thanks.

Fine gentleman you are, aren't ya?

Make yourself at home.

What port are you out of?

Boy, is this a dump?

But I don't have to stay here.

What port did you say you was out?

I didn't.

Here's your drink.

Hey, what is this?

Why did you lock that door?

Say something, don't stand there like a dummy!

Well, what's got into ya?

I brought you here to have a drink, didn't I?

Oh, I get it, I know what you're after!

But brother, you're going to be unlucky!

You've got a bad memory, Fenton, take a good look!

- Paul! - You're slipping,

you'd never have fallen for this in Philly.

- What's the idea? - Where's the letter?

Well, you won't find it.

Where is it?

OK.

And the money.

OK, let up!

It's in the drawer, look for yourself.

Where's the money?

Under the mattress of the bed.

You're dangerous, Fenton!

With or without that letter you're dangerous!

No, no Paul! Paul, you can't!

Look, here's what I'll do.

I'm done, I'm done, really, no Paul!

Paul!

Mike!

Mike, it's Maisie!

- Everything all right? - Couldn't be better!

That Yank up there,

- he's a drunk, see? - Oh.

- If he bothers you let me... - I don't think he will.

And don't forget to sign the book!

Mike, he's dead, he's murdered!

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning, Mrs Green.

- He brought your car back. - Thank you,

I'm going back to town this morning.

Oh, well that's a short stay!

Well, I'm starting work on a new novel,

I shall need my secretary.

- Well, I rang her up. - Thank you.

Did you have a good night, sir?

- Excellent. - Good.

I'll be down again in about 10 days, Mrs Green.

- All right, sir. - Good bye.

I think you'll find she's all right now, sir.

- Good, how much do I owe you? - 15 bob, sir.

- Keep the change. - Thank you, sir.

- Do you want a lift? - Please!

Good morning.

Hello, Mac.

- What's the trouble? - Murder, Robert.

- Really? - Aye, last night a man

was murdered in the Dockside district, I've been called in.

On my way down there now,

so thought I'd loop by and see if you'd care

to come and watch a real police investigation.

- Who's idea is this? - Yours!

You've been tellin' me how clever you are for so long

I'm givin' you a chance to apply some

of these magnificent theories of yours, quite unofficially.

Quite.

Are you suggesting I might help you discover the murderer?

Aye, you might.

Now's your chance, Robert, show them!

- Good morning. - You'll find everything in order.

- Good, are you the landlady? - I am.

Room seems tidy, Inspector, oh and,

that's not quite normal, and then this bearded fellow.

- Aye, Genders is it? - Yeah, didn't sign the book

- and he hasn't been back. - Ohho.

Will you look at the body now?

No, I'll let my breakfast settle for a wee while yet.

I've got the doctor's report, death was instantaneous.

- Did you find the knife. - Yes.

I want to talk to everyone in the house,

no one is to leave, and I'll start with you, ma'am,

and then I'll see the lassie that found the body.

Do you mind if I use your room?

- You're Mrs ah... - Finch.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'm Inspector MacDougall, and this is Mr Southley,

one of my junior assistants.

How many lodgers have you, Mrs Finch?

Well, I have an old lady on the second floor,

she was out when it happened,

and the young lady on the same floor.

- She was in? - She was the one

- what found the body! - Aye, anybody else?

No one except the bearded fellow, I told the other copper,

the other policeman about.

He come in about 10:00 and left half an hour later.

Which room did you give him?

The one next to the murdered man.

Ah, he went out and that was the last you saw of him?

That's right, except I met him on the stairs

when I heard Maisie scream.

Can you describe him to me?

- Why yes, he was ah... - Go on, go on.

He was a seaman he said,

he wore a cap and a seaman's scouty,

he looked like a seaman.

How tall was he, Mrs Finch?

- Well he was ah... - About my height?

No, I should say he was about the height of um...

Did you notice anything unusual about him,

in the way he behaved?

No, I can't say I did, except he didn't have no luggage,

but he paid in advance, he give me two pounds!

Have you got the note still?

They went towards me gas bill, I paid it this morning.

But mind you, I'd recognise him if I saw him!

Even without his beard? I'm sure I would!

How long had Fenton been with you, Mrs Finch?

About a couple of weeks.

Would you call him a desirable character?

Desirable!

A loose liver, that's what he was,

drunk morning, noon and night.

Did he have any man friends?

Not to my knowledge.

What about the young lady

that lives on the same floor, was she a friend of his?

So-so.

How friendly is so-so?

Well...

- Ahha. - Oh, it's not

that sort of house if that's what you're thinking,

no funny business!

Thank you, Mrs Finch,

that'll be all for now.

You won't keep the corpse hangin' around too long, will ya?

I want to let the room when it's out.

We'll endeavour to have it removed as expeditiously as possible.

Thank you.

- Will you see the girl now, sir? - Aye, bring her in.

Oh, sit you down Miss ah...

Phelps is the name, and I'd rather stand if you don't mind.

Please yourself, lassie, please yourself.

Now...

Well, of all people!

You know Mr Southley?

No, but I've got a picture of him, Mike Fenton gave it to me.

Will you bring it to me, please?

Oh, I'll be too glad.

Fenton seems to have been a fan of yours, Robert.

I think my work has a fairly universal appeal.

I wonder where he came across your picture?

Probably a newspaper cutting.

Queer in the way she recognised you so quickly.

I don't think my face is entirely unfamiliar to the public!

That's one thing I like about you, Robert,

your modesty.

Thanks, here we are!

Oh, thank you.

No Trace, one of the few unread, Robert.

You have a treat in store, Mac.

Now Miss Phelps, I understand you found Fenton's body,

I want you tell me just what happened,

think carefully and take your time.

Well, Mike came back to have a drink, see?

He asked me, too, but I never touch the stuff,

- you know. - No, no.

But when I got back to my room,

I thought I'd drop a few lines to me old man,

he gets very lonely, you know.

- Your ah, husband? - Me father,

he's got another 18 months to go.

Well, I saw I'd run out of note paper...

Yes, Miss Phelps,

but what happened when you went to Fenton's room?

Well, I knocked on the door and there was no reply.

I could hear the bearded man talking to Mrs Finch on the stairs,

but you know I never thought anything about it at the time.

- Naturally. - I called out, "Mike!

"Mike, this is Maisie!"

But not a sound.

Well, he did come in plastered that night,

I thought he'd passed out or something.

Anyway, in I went.

Well, you can imagine, can't you?

There he was over by the curtains

with his throat slit from his ear here, to his ear here,

and he was grinnin' something awful!

- Hmm? - Heart.

Must allow a little for poetic licence.

Did you not speak to the bearded man?

I said, "Hello," when he came in.

- Had you seen him before? - No, never.

Are you sure?

I said, "No," didn't I?

Thank you, Miss Phelps, if I want you again, I'll send for you.

Oh, well, I think I'll take a look at that murdered man.

Send out Genders' description right away

and have him picked up for questioning.

Very good, sir.

- Finished? - Not quite, sir.

A nice clean job.

- Fenton drank a lot. - Aye, so they say.

Then why not pay a visit to his local?

We might learn something about him.

Description's being broadcast, sir.

Right, you can get the body away.

Careful you don't miss something good, I'll be back later.

- Find any money? - Only a few shillings.

Oh, can you tell me what pub Fenton used, ma'am?

I think it's The Cannon, it's the one round the corner.

I think I'll just have a word with the constable on the beat.

Right, you know where to find me. That was a good idea, Robert.

Yes sir, he was in and out of here every night.

Only one night we didn't see much of him, that was Monday,

he dodged in just before closing time.

Did he ever mention anyone he knew by name?

No, I don't think so.

The last few days he'd been leadin' off

about some big business deal he had on,

but he never said who with.

Did he have plenty of money?

Quite a bit, Tuesday lunch time he come in here

with a roll of notes that thick.

- Fivers? - No sir, pounds.

Now, suppose he,

he didn't say any more about this business deal?

Not a word, and I didn't say anything.

Did he ever come in here with anyone, a man?

No, only Maisie Phelps.

- Drink, Harrison? - Oh, thanks, bitter for me.

Did you get anything from the policeman, son?

No, not much.

He seems to remember Fenton quite well, though.

Nearly ran him in for drunkenness on Sunday night.

That's life, isn't it?

- Pint of bitter, please. - Yes, sir.

Good day, sir.

Well, have we succeeded in giving

the great Mr Southley food for thought?

Yes, Mac, I think you have.

Going back to the house.

I'll get along, I have some work to do.

Have you got motive figured out yet?

Of course, robbery, elementary.

Too bad, there's nothing amidst the facts

in that magnificent brain of yours.

Yeah, too bad.

Train is late in London's East End,

against the drab background of Dockside.

The scene is a dingy boarding house,

to which Inspector McTavish,

a competent but unimaginative CID man,

accompanied by Steven Gilchrist,

a brilliant crime reporter, now proceed.

May I make a suggestion, Robert?

No, you mayn't, don't interrupt.

This is a story of a perfect crime,

the story of a man who came in the night, killed,

and vanished into thin air, he was never seen again.

Aren't you anticipating things a bit?

- What do you mean? - If the story is based on

the Fenton case, surely it's a bit early to say, isn't it?

Now Linda, if I have to wait to finish my book

until MacDougall has blundered his way through,

I can see a very lean time ahead in the way of royalties!

Besides, MacDougall gets a weekly salary, and I don't.

In any case,

I'd be very surprised if he arrived at anything.

I'm sorry.

Well, what is this brilliant idea?

Well, you'll probably think it's a bit far-fetched.

I've already steeled myself for that conclusion,

what is it?

Well, how about making the crime reporter the murderer?

I mean, you can still let him get away with it,

if you want to, but it would be rather ingenious,

don't you think?

He'd be investigating a murder that he himself had committed!

Oh, you don't think much of it.

I'm thinking a great deal, Linda.

It's stretching plausibility too far,

I write about things that could happen and do happen.

Yes, Robert, thought of a title yet?

Yes, I'm gonna call it Murder by the Book.

That's good, I don't quite see the connection,

but it sounds all right.

You probably never will.

Now, the first suspect was described by the landlady.

He was man about 40, six foot tall, and um...

He wore a beard.

I want all boats watched, especially those takin' on new crews.

Have Genders' description circulated to every port.

- Right, sir. - Anything from the autopsy?

Other than knife was the cause of death.

That was pretty obvious.

- What about fingerprints? - They're checking them now.

- Anything else? - Yes, Fenton was a steward

on the Codasal, a cargo boat,

arrived at South Hampton three weeks ago,

and sailed again the day before yesterday.

Yes?

Mr Southley to see you, sir.

- Oh, show him in. - Thank you, constable.

- Good evening, Mac! - Hiya, good evening.

- Any developments? - No,

we're gettin' on in our slow, plodding way, you know?

- Sit you down, man. - No, I can't stay.

I just dropped in to give you some moral encouragement.

Very kind of you, Robert.

I noticed you haven't contributed anything much yet,

isn't the case worthy of your specialised talents?

On the contrary,

but there isn't very much to go on at the moment, is there?

- Or, is there? - It's mostly

routine at this stage, very dull, Robert.

We're waitin' for you to contribute

some exciting psychological deductions.

- Any news of the bearded man? - No, not yet.

I have a feeling Miss Phelps might of been a bit more helpful.

You haven't spoken to her again, I suppose?

No, I always though you reticent where rookies are concerned.

You think she could add a little more light to our bearded friend?

Well, I think she must have known something

about Fenton's background.

She must have known he had money, for instance.

That's true.

You think she had something to do with the murder?

Well, if we're agreed that robbery was the motive, yes.

Aye, she did close up a little when I mentioned the seaman.

I suppose they could have been in it together.

She might be worth watching, sir.

Well, put Stevens down there, Harrison,

he can take it over and get to know the girl,

she might give us a better lead.

Very good, sir.

Well, I'll leave you to solve it, gentleman,

just thought I'd put you on the right track, good night.

Aye, put him through.

The reason I rang,

I don't know whether it's of any importance,

but it might help you check

Fenton's movements on Monday night.

Yeah?

A fellow was in here just after you left,

saw him gettin' in a taxicab about 8:00.

Did he know the driver?

No, but that oughten to be difficult,

the rink's only in the next street,

first on the right as you go out of here, Windham Street.

Aye, what about this fellow who tipped you off?

I'd like to have a word with him.

He won't have that, he's rather shy.

I see, well it may not be necessary, thanks anyway.

- Good day, sir. - Half?

- Yes, please. - All right.

End of chapter one, not bad.

I must say, I feel a but sorry for Maisie.

Why?

Did you put up the idea that she was connected

with the murder to Inspector MacDougall?

Yes, I did.

What does MacDougall say?

Well, he thinks it's feasible, thanks.

As far as the novel's concerned,

I've got a much better idea, if you'd like to hear it.

Oh, go ahead,

I don't suppose I'll have any peace till I do.

Well, I think that we're looking for

a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde type of person.

- Hmm, well what about it? - Suppose Genders doesn't exist?

Linda, you know you sound like one of those

irritating people who go about prattling

that Shakespeare was Bacon.

- I think he was. - Oh, Linda!

I wonder why the most obvious solution

hasn't occurred to anybody but me?

On the face of it, Genders was incredibly stupid.

He came in and booked a room, he left and didn't come back.

Yet, if he murdered Fenton, he obviously planned it,

well, that doesn't suggest that he was stupid, does it?

- Well, go on. - Put yourself in his place.

What would you do if you'd planned to murder somebody

nobody knew you were connected with,

in surroundings where you were unknown?

You'd create a new character, wouldn't you?

A character that could cease to exist the moment you wanted it to.

- Well, how would I do that? - Simple,

by removing and destroying the false beard and clothes

that identified you at the scene of the crime!

Linda, are you trying to help me or Inspector MacDougall?

I'm trying to solve this murder!

Well, you certainly won't do it by soaring

into lurid flights of fantasy!

Don't you think anything of it is a story idea?

Not very much, no.

But if the beard were a disguise, it could turn out to be anybody,

think of the rope that would give you!

- The what? - The rope!

You mean scope, don't you?

- Well, scope's the same thing. - Not quite.

Anyway, it's not the kind of scope I want for my novel.

Now come on, let's get down to some work.

Now, take the top copy, and pencil in my corrections.

Now, Clinton was a petty crook,

a confidence man with several convictions against him.

Since we've discovered he's an American,

we may as well stick to fact and keep him as one,

so his convictions took place in America.

- Is that your passenger? - Yes, that's him.

- He was an American? - Yes, what happened to him?

It was taken after the performance of a certain operation.

Ha, doesn't seem to have done him much good, does it?

Mr Craig drove Fenton

to the corner of Cunard Square and Seymour Street.

Yes, as a matter of fact,

I was bit doubtful about pickin' him up,

he'd had a skin full by the look of him.

You're sure that's the man?

- Oh, I'm certain. - Thank you, that's all.

OK cop, ah,

good night, sir.

MacDougall here.

It's the Commissioner.

No sir, no trace of the seaman, no.

Harrison!

Yes, sir, we've just found out

that Fenton was in the Cunard Square District

the night before he was murdered, yes.

Aye, I'll get on with that, sir, good night.

Hello, Robert.

- Sordid little den, isn't it? - Harrison's choice, I suppose.

And mine, it's cheap and the food's good.

- Have some tea? - No, thanks.

You waiting for Harrison?

Pot of tea for two, nothing to eat.

Yes, I am, as a matter of fact.

Linda, I came along because I want to tell you something.

I'm rather anxious

that you shouldn't discuss the novel with anyone.

I never discuss your business, Robert!

- Here's John now. - Sorry I'm late.

That's quite all right.

The Commissioner's not very pleased with us.

Why not?

We're not progressing fast enough, no news of Genders,

the only fresh thing we've discovered is that Fenton took

a taxi to the corner of Cunard Square on Monday night.

On Robert's doorstep, looks bad.

What about my suggestion?

Oh frankly, I don't think that'll land us very far.

We're in touch with the FBI now to find out

if they know anything about Fenton.

I still think my idea was the best.

Oh, what was that?

Well, Linda thinks that the seaman wore a false beard.

Poor Linda.

I don't think it's so very funny, do you John?

- Well... - When Linda was 16,

she came across a similar situation in Peg's Paper,

and it impressed her very much.

She's now had the temerity to suggest it for my novel,

naturally I turned it down.

If you've conferred yourself of these scintillating facts, Linda,

I'll see you in the morning as usual, at 10:00 a.m.

Good night.

- Mind if I take your seat? - No, that's all right.

That sounded a lot like an ultimatum.

I have a nasty feeling that you're laughing at me, too.

I am not!

I only joined in a laugh with Robert on principle.

I think I'll make some investigations on my own.

Look, let's leave it till tomorrow, shall we?

We're off duty.

All right.

Matter of fact, that beard idea would be worth thinking about.

Yes, but remember that I happened to have thought of it!

Thanks.

Wouldn't be working for the police as well as your boss, would you?

I told you, I'm working for Mr Southley.

What was he doin' up here with all them coppers?

Getting material for the novel he's writing.

Oh, yeah?

He thought if I came to see you by myself

that you might say more to me than you would to the police.

Oh!

I'm trying to help him solve this crime before they do,

there's a sort of rivalry between him and the Inspector.

I don't like policemen,

I don't believe in tellin' them too much.

If I gave you a bit of extra grit,

would he be willing to pay me for it?

Oh, I think so.

I don't want to get mixed up in anything, you know.

- Don't worry, you won't. - Well, I can tell you this now.

Mike's been in touch with someone, out of his class, he sounded to me.

I know because I heard him talking to him

on the phone the other night, and he sounded ever so mad!

Did Mike tell you what it was all about?

No, not a word.

Did he mention the man's name?

I heard him call him Paul.

Paul...

About the seaman,

you say you spoke to him when he first arrived?

- That's right. - What did he look like?

Oh, not bad, 'cept for his beard.

Really don't like beards, do you?

I'll tell you one thing I noticed about him

that struck me as being queer, his hands.

I always notice a man's hand, his were nice,

nice clean fingernails.

I remember I said to myself at the time,

"If you're a seaman,

"you must of scrubbed the decks with your feet!"

Do you think his beard was a real one?

Oh, I couldn't say about that, they all look phoney to me anyway.

Well, I think that's all.

You might mention to Mr Southley for me,

because he is thinkin' of writin' a novel about this,

- I'd like a copy. - You've got one.

Thank you for everything.

- Oh, don't mention it. - Bye bye.

Good bye!

Hello?

Mr Southley, this is Tracy the wigmaker, sir,

would you hold the line, please?

Do step this way.

Hello, Robert?

What are you doing there?

I'm sorry I'm so late, I'll explain when I get back,

I just rang to let you know I'm on my way.

Well, it's too late to start work now, Linda,

you better have an early lunch and get back here about 1:30.

She did, did she?

All right, Stevens, good work.

Oh, just a minute.

Yes?

Cable coming in from the FBI now, sir.

Right, let me have it. Carry on, Stevens.

Hey?

Aye, do that, and let me have your report.

Linda's been busy this morning, she's been visiting Maisie.

What, in Riverwalk? Aye, when she left,

Stevens followed her to Tracy's, the wigmaker.

He overheard her cross-examine the assistant like a professional.

It appears a man bought a bear there the day of the murder.

I'd love to see Robert's face if Linda

put us on to the murderer, hey?

- FBI cable, sir. - Thank you.

Oh, here's Fenton's history sheet, listen to this, laddie:

"Fenton wellknown here.

"Served 14 years petty larceny, blackmail,

"and participation in jewel holdups.

"Sentenced in Cincinnati, New Orleans,

"Pittsburgh and Sing Sing.

"Believed to have a British associate.

"This guy is expert, this man's still wanted

"but disappeared 12 years ago,"

I'm doin' best on that system alone here.

Yes, I'll toast you.

Have a word with Linda in the meantime,

find out why she went to Tracy's.

She's probably at Southley's flat by now.

What's wrong with that?

Well, she may not want Southley to know she's been there.

Well, no harm in it I suppose, I'll go along.

Oh, nice of you to drop in.

I'm sorry, Robert.

Well, I do think you might offer some kind of excuse.

What were you doing at Tracy's?

Making inquiries.

- What about? - About a gentleman

who bought a beard the day that Fenton was murdered.

And when you've quite finished

looking like the cat who swallowed the canary,

perhaps you'll tell me how it went forward from that.

He gave the name of George Dunn,

said that he came from the Repertory Players.

Alarming.

Why not tell MacDougall and go and arrest him immediately?

I telephoned them,

they said they've never heard of George Dunn,

don't you think that's rather odd?

No Linda, I don't.

And I'd be very grateful from now on if you'd attend to your work,

instead of gallivanting all over London

poking your nose into things that don't concern you.

But it does concern me!

You ridiculed my suggestion, and I want to prove

that you're wrong!

Hello, John.

Linda, I'd like to have a word with you.

Yes?

Are you alone?

No, Robert's in, what is it?

Well, I thought...

Oh, I um, brought this along to show you.

- Is that all? - Yes, that's all,

- you can keep it if you like. - Thanks.

Yes, it may be useful.

Well, what's the next move?

Until we find this seaman, there doesn't appear to be one.

Quite an extraordinary case, I must say.

Oh, there's a very simple solution,

when we find it.

All solutions are simple,

if you find them, Harrison.

Yes, I suppose they are.

- Give my regards to Mac, will you? - And ask him to give me a ring.

- Yes, all right. - Thanks.

Isn't it vexing?

If I saw him again, I'd know him in a flash.

I can just see him now quoting that little bit from Othello.

What little bit?

"Oh that the slave had 40,000 lives,

"one is too poor, too weak for my revenge."

Anything else?

Oh, he probably didn't know anymore,

he was obviously an amateur.

London Repertory Players, bet they never even heard of him.

They haven't, we checked up.

Really, it doesn't surprise me in the least.

Yes, sir.

Have you got a copy of Othello down there?

Othello, sir?

- Shakespeare. - I think I have, sir.

All right, send it up

to Inspector MacDougall's office, will you?

So, you don't recognise him in any of these, Mr ah...

- Clooney. - Uhhuh, yeah.

Here's another one for you, do you mind looking at it in here?

No, certainly.

Very unreliable character.

Have you ever read a novel of Robert Southley's

called Arise Black Vengeance?

No, cannot say I have.

The title's a quotation from Othello, thank you, Sullivan.

Now, I um...

Act three.

Yes, "Oh that the slave had 40,000 lives,

"one is too poor, too weak for my revenge,

"Arise black vengeance from the hollow hell."

Linda gave me the book to read,

I started it in the bus this morning.

He completes the quotation here.

"Arise black vengeance from the hollow hell."

Our friend Robert seems very partial to Othello, doesn't he?

What makes you think there's any significance in that?

Just a hunch.

MacDougall here.

Yes sir, right away.

The Commissioner wants to see me.

Hunches can be very deceptive things, laddie,

they should be treated with extreme caution.

That's how I'm treating this one.

Just a moment, please.

No luck?

No.

Do you recognise him?

It's not unlike him.

But he looked older than this.

I see.

Photographs are always deceptive, aren't they?

I take a very bad one myself.

I dare say.

About this beard you sold him,

could you let me see another one like it?

Yes, I think we've got one almost identical.

Good, let me have it, will you?

I'll send someone round to the shop.

I'd like to know what this man is supposed to have done.

Well ah, confidentially, he's stolen the Crown Jewels.

Oh!

I see.

Good afternoon.

Has MacDougall telephoned at all this morning?

Well no.

There's a letter from the bank, Robert,

you drew out 500 pounds the other day,

it leaves your current account rather low.

Yes, I was gonna make a deposit on a car,

but I changed my mind.

Why didn't you do it by check?

- Linda... - Yes, Robert.

Ever since you came back from

that ridiculous expedition yesterday, you've done nothing

but ask a lot of silly questions, or talk in monosyllables.

Well?

Robert, how did you know about Fenton's past

before you read the cable from the FBI?

What do you mean?

You gave Clinton in the novel

the same crime sheet as Fenton, I've got it here.

Yes, here it is: "Clinton was a man who"...

Yes, I remember, as a matter of fact,

MacDougall telephoned me when the cable arrived.

I didn't take much notice of it,

so I probably put that down subconsciously.

You're not suggesting that I knew Fenton, I suppose?

Robert, this is something that worries me very much:

the assistant in Tracy's

described the man who bought that beard,

he was a bit vague but the description was like you.

Well, it was probably like 50,000 other people.

To anybody else, Robert, not to me.

Well, I wouldn't take anything

that fathead told you very seriously, Linda.

- You've met him! - I?

Oh, no, of course not I, I heard him on the telephone

and drew my own conclusion.

Last Tuesday, do you remember

that man who telephoned you, he was an American, wasn't he?

Did you know Fenton when you were in America?

- Intimately. - Oh Robert,

please be serious!

But I've told you, I knew him intimately.

We used to hold up trains together every Saturday afternoon.

On one occasion, we kidnapped the President of the United States,

but we gave him back again because he talked too much.

Why don't you unburden yourself to Inspector MacDougall?

Or have you already done so?

Have you?

No.

Anything I said about Fenton's past was fortuitous.

I'm surprised at you, Linda.

I'll tell you what we'll do to put your mind at ease,

I'll take you to the country this afternoon.

If we get there before two, we might run into Mrs Green.

What has Mrs Green to do with it?

Well, she'll be able to tell you

that I was there at the cottage the day Fenton was killed.

He was killed at night.

And I was there in the afternoon, I stayed there.

The car was in the village garage until the morning.

What do you say, shall we go?

All right.

You have a broadcast tonight, you haven't finished preparing it.

We can do that at the cottage.

Sir?

Stevens, come here a minute, will you?

Very good, sir.

Darkroom, Harrison speaking.

It won't be long now, sir.

Yeah, not bad for a composite, John.

Let's hurry and get this dry, will you?

Very good, sir.

Oh, Stevens, you know Lyndon Court

to Cunard Square?

Yes.

I want you to go there right away.

Do you know Mr Robert Southley by sight?

- Oh, yes! - Report his movements.

If he goes out, follow him.

Very good, sir.

Be ready in a few minutes, sir.

Othello!

That character's gonna make us the laughing stock of the police force!

Oh, maybe, sir.

There's not a stitch of real evidence here,

- do you appreciate that? - All the same...

And there's not even an established motive!

Blackmail, sir.

Based on the flimsiest supposition

that Robert was Fenton's British accomplice,

no proof of that whatsoever!

I know it's all pretty circumstantial, sir.

Apart from the fact that Fenton

got out of a taxi at Cunard Square

the night before he was murdered, what have I got?

Robert was once an actor, and he might have been the man

that bought the beard at Tracy's, he might have been!

Supposing he was, that doesn't prove anything.

Well, it all depends on the boarding house people,

now doesn't it, sir?

Didn't have much luck with Mr Clooney,

but if they recognise him...

Aye, I'd still recognise him.

Well, sir, shall we go?

- Oh, good afternoon, miss. - Good afternoon,

Mr Southley's just coming in, Mrs Green.

Hello.

We didn't expect to see you down so soon, sir,

have you had lunch?

We can fix something, you know my secretary.

- Oh yes. - Mrs Green,

the last time I was down here, on um...

- Tuesday, sir? - Tuesday afternoon, wasn't it?

That's right, sir.

Did I leave a briefcase behind?

Yes, I put it in the drawer for you.

I tried to catch you that morning before you went away.

- Thanks. - Hope you're better now.

Satisfied?

Did you see anybody else after Mrs Green had left?

Yes, the man who picked up the car.

- What time was that? - About half past eight,

I worked on until midnight.

The fire's already set,

would you like me to put a match to it?

No, thanks.

Oh well, I'll be toddling off, you won't be here in the morning

- I suppose, sir? - We're going back tonight.

Oh, goodbye, goodbye.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

You still think I murdered Fenton?

I'll go.

- Oh, Mr Flynn. - Good afternoon, Mr Southley,

I'm so sorry to trouble you.

Not at all, won't you come in?

Well, I won't stay if you don't mind, I left my door ajar.

Well, what can we do for you?

Oh well, heaven knows what you'll think of me,

I'm afraid I've been guilty of sheer piracy!

- Oh? - Yes, it goes back

to last Tuesday when you came down for an hour or two.

I found myself without a single drop of paraffin

for my bedside reading lamp, you know, always use paraffin.

Well, I came and knocked at your door about 10:00,

and not a sound, so I thought you must of gone back.

I said to Martha, "I don't think he'd mind."

So, if you can believe the audacity of me,

I popped into your garage and helped myself.

Well anyway, here we are,

returned with many thanks and no harm done.

- No harm done, I hope. - None at all, thank you.

You did leave.

You shouldn't waste your sympathy on Fenton,

he got what he deserved.

I can't imagine your killing anybody unless he did.

There's no need for the police to know,

unless you tell them, are you going to tell them?

They'll find out sooner or later, Robert.

Oh, no they won't, I'm in the clear!

That's what you thought before Mr Flynn called,

maybe they won't think of questioning him,

but there'll always be something,

either you or I might say something by accident.

Tell them, Robert, it'll be better if you do!

Do you think I'm gonna throw my life away on a rat like Fenton?

He was blackmailing me, do you realise what that meant?

What was he blackmailing you for?

I met him in the States several years ago.

I was broke, and he introduced me to a gang.

I helped him with several jobs,

and got out while the going was good, Fenton was caught.

That'd look nice if it came out, wouldn't it?

Tell them, Robert, it's your only chance!

Tell them what Fenton was doing,

no one has any sympathy with a blackmailer!

No one has sympathy with a murderer.

Oh Robert...

If I don't tell them, what will you do?

I don't know,

I can't stay with you, go on working for you,

wondering whether something I might do

might throw suspicion on you.

All right, I'll go and see MacDougall tonight.

I'll take the train, and you can drive me to the station,

then come back and arrange to close up the cottage,

and see Mrs Green in the morning.

- Robert... - Yes?

All right.

Yes, that's him!

- That's him, all right. - Thank you, that's it.

I knew I'd recognise him if I saw that beard again.

- Have you caught him yet? - Hello?

- No, not yet. - Yes, it's for you Inspector.

MacDougall here, aye.

Where did you get the photo?

- Out of a book. - A book?

- What book? - Right, thank you Stevens.

He left for the country at 2:00.

- Alone? - No, with Linda,

we best not waste time.

But what book?

One of Robert Southley's.

Oh, yes!

Hurry!

Is it 6:30, Ned?

Good evening, Mr Southley, right on time.

It's all right, you scared me for a moment.

You caught the train, how did you get back?

At the whistle halt, a couple of miles up the line.

That's where I boarded the train the night I killed Fenton,

I got off there and I came back to the cottage.

You see, that's my alibi, no one saw me.

If Mr Flynn is questioned,

I shall tell them I was asleep and didn't hear him knock.

The porter at the railway station will tell them I got on the train,

I asked him the time, remember?

You're the only one who knows, Linda.

They won't think of questioning me

as long as you're not there to help them.

But for you, it was a perfect crime.

No, Robert, no!

I have a lot to lose, Linda!

How much further is it?

About a couple of miles past the bridge.

That's a car.

In the garage, I'd say, I'll have a look.

Inspector!

The risk of detection is not vested solely in the act of murder,

it can be anywhere between

the remote event that inspired it,

and the hazardous task of its concealment

after it has been committed.

The case of the unsolved murder is never closed.

However perfect the crime,

there will always remain a fear of the unpredictable.

The slip of the tongue that will reveal him,

or the trick of fate that may destroy with one blow

the whole web of deception

with which the murderer thought he'd eluded justice.

Goodnight.

- Come on. - All right, Mac.

You have been listening to Robert Southley

in the last of his series of talks,

the Mind of the Murderer.