Original subtitles

(PIANO INTRODUCTION)

♪ We'll tell you our names in case someone forgets 'em

-J' I'm Jetsam ♪ -J' I'm Flotsam ♪

-J' He's Flotsam ♪ -J' He's Jetsam ♪

♪ We want them to be recognised by anyone who spots 'em ♪

-J' I'm Flotsam ♪ -J' I'm Jetsam ♪

-J' He's Jetsam ♪ -J' He's Flotsam ♪

♪ Flotsam and Jetsam, most kind friend to lots 'em

♪ The songs sung by Jetsam are written by Flotsam ♪

-J' I sing all the low notes... ♪ -J' You'd wonder how he gets 'em ♪

♪ Yours very sincerely ♪

♪ Flotsam and Jetsam ♪

(PLAYING CASCADING SCALE)

♪ "O who will o'er the downs so free?" is what the choirs sing

♪ "Oh, who would like ourjob today?" is nearer to the thing ♪

♪ It's quite a problem getting news and putting it in verse

♪ But when there ain't no news to get the problem's even worse ♪

♪ "Man bitten by a dog" will neither interest nor amuse ♪

♪ It's got to be the man who bites the dog to make it news

♪ The Canadian quins and the English quads

♪ Are facing a future of fearful odds ♪

♪ Such interest does the world evince

♪ In the Harrison quads and the Dion quins ♪

-J' These tots ♪ -J' In cots ♪

♪ Like peas within their pods

-J' First dozy ♪ -J' Then posy ♪

♪ Poor little quins and quads

♪ Sing a song of film stars direct from Hollywood

♪ They've all discovered England as we thought they would ♪

♪ Arriving by the shipload

♪ Landing by the score

♪ "Your policemen are so wonderful"

♪ We've heard it all before ♪

♪ Hey-ho, it's a funny world

♪ You're lucky to be a Viennese ♪

♪ Anything in fact but British

♪ For by acting cute and skittish

♪ You can collar all the top-notch fees

♪ When a Budapest soprano gets a froggy in the throat ♪

♪ There's another in Vladivostok that goes rushin' for the boat ♪

♪ She can't speak a word of English and she's seldom on the note

-J' But she's glamorous ♪ -J' Yeah, she's wonderful ♪

-J' She's marvellous ♪ -J' Yeah, she's blinkin' awful ♪

♪ So our advice to all you girls is not to sit around and sob ♪

♪ You can put one over neatly on the managerial mob ♪

♪ By calling yourself Jiujitsa Katchaskatchkanski

♪ And landing yourself a job

♪ Good idea, Jetsamovitch ♪

♪ Very sound, Flotsamski ♪

♪ Women we see are determined to rake up

♪ New styles of make-up

♪ Going to take up evening gowns and make them skimpier ♪

♪ Eyelashes green and lips very scarlet

♪ So that a varlet won't know his Charlotte

♪ From say an average clown at Olympia ♪

♪ Dress shirts for men will have washable fronts

♪ Or that's what the outlook promises ♪

♪ Wait till you see Mr J's tomsers ♪

♪ We'd like to sing more rhymes

♪ About the modern times ♪

♪ To prove how things go round and round

♪ And round and round and come out here ♪

♪ We can't do that, they're 'ere, you know

♪ We can't do that, they're 'ere ♪

♪ So that's all for the moment and it's all meant as chaff

♪ Flotsam and Jetsam and the trademark is a...

(CHUCKLING)

♪ So cheerio till the next time unless anyone forgets 'em

♪ Yours very sincerely, Flotsam and Jetsam ♪

(JETSAM SINGING LOW NOTES)

(FLOTSAM PLAYING FINAL FLOURISHES)

MAN #1: Turn the page once more.

Page five.

ANNOUNCER: Tonight, we have the one hundredth edition

of an old favourite.

STREET SELLER: In town tonight!

In town tonight!

In town tonight!

In town tonight!

MAN #2: Stop!

ANNOUNCER: Once again, we stop the roar of London's busy traffic

to bring you some interesting people who are in town tonight.

Among the diminishing trades of London is that of the cat's meat man.

But we have with us tonight Mr Henry Hopkins,

who has been selling cat's meat for the last fifty years

and whose business is still going strong.

Mr Henry Hopkins.

Yes, sir, it's still going strong. Huh!

You know, cats like strong meat nowadays.

Just like my old woman does when she goes to the pictures.

Well, cats have their likes and dislikes, then, Mr Hopkins?

Oh, yes. Cats are funny things.

You know, I've got some very particular old cats on my books.

You know, there's one in particular, a retired publican's wife. Yeah.

Do you know, she wanted something very special for her cat.

I think she had a Persian pussy. Anyway, she used to have.

But something special she wanted, and something special I had to get.

So I went and got a Grand National winner.

-I see. -Huh!

And, do you know, after one plateful of that meat,

that cat, it jumped all round the furniture,

hopped over the grand piano, cleared the table

and made a beeline for Aintree.

-And you got the blame. -Yes.

She tried to make out I'd poisoned him.

Took me to court, she did.

Yeah, and I lost the case. Mmm.

"And where do you get your meat from?" says the old beak.

"Rotten Row," says I.

"Oh, indeed?" says he.

"No wonder the poor cat was poisoned. Pay five pound."

-And how many cats do you serve a day? -About a hundred.

Fifty of 'em I gets paid for, and the other fifty I feeds for nothing

to stop 'em from following me round.

Do you know, in my fifty years as a pussy's butcher,

I must have supplied meat for about one-and-a-half million cats.

Good gracious. You must get sick of them.

Me? Not me. I'm just going home to feed me own cat.

ANNOUNCER: Far removed from horse slaughter

is another Slaughter we have in the studio tonight.

I refer to that well-known actor of old melodrama, Mr Tod Slaughter.

Mr Slaughter has murdered thousands of people

and been hanged thousands of times.

On the stage, of course.

Mr Tod Slaughter.

Yes, and I'm still alive to tell the tale.

In my career, I've murdered hundreds and hundreds of people

and come to a sticky end more times than I care to remember.

And have you any favourite method of murder, Mr Slaughter?

I keep a perfectly open mind on the matter.

I murder by strangulation, poisoning, shooting, stabbing, or with a razor.

In Maria Marten, I murdered poor Maria by shooting her in the Red Barn.

In Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,

I polished dozens of them off with my razor.

The desire for strong meat is so wide

that I am now performing in a new old melodrama.

Is there any such thing as a "new old melodrama"?

Most certainly.

Take Stephen Hawke, for instance.

As double-crossing an old villain and racketeer as ever lived.

A kindly old gentleman and yet a fiend.

Terrorising the whole countryside

so that no man, woman or child

knew peace or safety.

I'm going out to roll my hoop.

Oh, I don't think you ought to.

I want to roll my hoop and I'm going to!

Oh, very well, then. But don't go too far from the house.

What are you doing here?

Just looking at a nice little boy's garden.

Well, you'd better get out of here at once!

Can't I look at a nice little boy's garden?

No, you can't!

My father doesn't keep a garden

for nasty common people like you to look at.

But I'm doing no harm.

So you say. I'm not so sure about that.

I believe you've come here to steal.

I'm going to call the servants.

No, no, no, don't do that.

Come here, my little man.

Have you ever heard of a paradoxical taradiddlum?

-No. -What?

Never heard of a paradoxical taradiddlum?

-No. -They only grow in India.

I've brought one here for you.

Come here, my little man, and I'll show it to you.

-(SCREAMING) -Master Terence!

Master Terence! Oh, Master Terence!

-What's happened? -Master Terence, sir.

-Look. The red marks on the arms. -And the arms twisted behind.

-He's dead? -Yes, the spine's broken.

The Spine Breaker!

You came out of there in a mighty hurry.

Yes, I'm afraid my artistic ability was not appreciated.

-Beautiful house, too. -Lookedit

-Going back there tonight? -|'m afraid not.

Not for some time yet.

I fancy it will be too well guarded.

Told you today'd be unlucky.

-Saturn's too high in the heavens. -Is it?

I shall be compelled to send you there if you don't drive more carefully.

Remember, Mr Stephen Hawke is a very nervous passenger.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

(DOOR HANDLE CLUNKING)

-May I come in? -Of course you may, Julia.

Julia, do you think you ought to be out alone?

I mean, with this terrible criminal, the Spine Breaker, still at large?

Oh, don't worry about me, Matthew.

I'm old enough to look after myself.

No Spine Breaker's going to get his hands on me.

Besides, he only murders very wealthy people.

But, joking apart, Julia, this man really exists,

as we've all had ample proof.

I hear there was another poor creature found murdered yesterday,

with the same terrible marks on his body.

I know, Mr Trimble, but I'll be all right, really.

I only just came for a moment to see Father,

but I can't get any answer from his door.

-Let me try. -All right.

Can't you knock any louder than that?

Yes, but I don't want your father to come too soon.

You're wasting your time, my boy.

-Am I? -Ah, well, perhaps not.

But I've just remembered that your father told me

he had some important business which would keep him until late afternoon.

If you'd like to come in and wait.

Oh, thank you, Mr Trimble. I won't wait.

I really must be going.

-Must you? -Yes.

I've got to get ready for my party tonight, and there's so much to do.

-Don't be late, will you? -I shall be the first one there.

The early bird, you know.

-How many dances do I get? -How many do you want?

-All of them. -Greedy.

What are you dreaming about, Matthew?

Oh, everything.

Yes, things certainly seem to have moved in the right direction

since you took over that warehouse.

Nothing like having young blood in a business.

You can't have 'em too young, I say.

-Trimble and Son, eh, Father? -Yes, my boy. Trimble and Son.

Perhaps you'll be putting that sign on a new door soon.

What, move from here, away from me old friend Stephen Hawke?

Not after all he's done for us.

He has been wonderful, hasn't he?

Without his money to build that new warehouse, where would we be?

Yes, my boy, when people talk of flint-heated moneylenders,

they can't have met Stephen.

That sounds like Stephen coming back.

I thought I'd like to enquire how you got on today.

Eh? What's that?

I mean with the business deal in the City.

Oh, not as well as I'd anticipated.

Some little whippersnapper chose to interfere.

Dear me, I am sorry.

But it only proves what I was saying to my son just now.

A great mistake to put anybody into business too young.

You're quite right. But he's a good lad.

I'm glad you like him. It may influence Julia.

Julia?

Haven't you ever noticed that he and she...?

You mean he wants to take her from me?

But you wouldn't object, if he made her happy?

I'm jealous of everything concerning Julia.

Yes, you couldn't love her more even if she were your own child.

You're the only who knows she isn't.

And, sometimes, I'm sorry I told even you.

You know that I shall never say a word.

Be careful you don't.

All I've done, I've done for her sake,

so that she may never know poverty or want after I am gone.

I hope she'll always remember that,

no matter what she hears about me at any time.

Why, my old friend, you talk as if you were a criminal.

(CHUCKLING)

That's how most people regard moneylenders, isn't it?

Not when they want to borrow, of course.

-Only when the time comes to repay. -You mustn't say that, Stephen.

I don't know what some people would do without your help.

Ourselves, for instance.

Julia's friends are my friends. Always.

Oh, by the way, Julia was hereto see you.

She seems very excited about her party tonight.

(CHUCKLING) Happy, eh?

You spoil her, Stephen.

She's my one weakness.

And you should see all the grand people I have coming to our party tonight.

Lord Brickhaven, Marquess of Powers, Countess Perringer.

That's just a few.

So useful to me in my business, you know.

People with plenty of money, plenty of jewels.

I like to know them, to know their habits.

And you'd be surprised the business I do with them.

Not here, of course, but in their own homes.

Alone.

Well, I'll leave you. I expect you're busy.

My, you do meet with some important people.

-I beg your pardon, sir. -We||, I should think so too.

Yes.

I heard you were honouring me with a visit today, Sir Franklin.

Well? What is it?

It's just a little matter, Mr Hawke.

Not foolish enough to ask me to lend you more money, I hope?

No. I fear that would be useless.

Then perhaps you've come to repay me some of the money you owe?

Well, er... not exactly.

Oh, then what is it, my friend?

|-|-|t's about Lord Brickhaven.

Oh, yes. I'm looking forward to seeing his lordship tonight.

I hope you asked him to wear his famous emerald ring.

You know what pleasure the sight of precious stones always give me.

But, er... his lordship is not coming.

No, no, no, you're joking, my friend.

I shall be bitterly disappointed if he is not with us.

And you wouldn't have me disappointed, eh?

SIR FRANKLIN: It's not my fault, I did my best,

but he's due at Bath tomorrow evening.

HAWKE: He's due at my party tonight.

-SIR FRANKLIN: He never promised. -But I requested.

It's not much I ask of you, but what I ask, I expect...

Oh! You're breaking my wrist!

I apologise,

but Lord Brickhaven must be there,

and his famous emerald with him.

It will lend tone to my party, you understand.

How? How?

Fool! Idiot! Dolt!

Have you no brains?

Can a coachman be bribed?

Have you never heard of accidents on the road?

Trees that have happened to fall?

See he's there, or else!

Bah!

Lord Brickhaven and his emerald, heh?

So they're the next.

I hear that emeralds worth ten thousand pounds.

You hear a lot, my dear Nathaniel.

Values are sometimes a trifle exaggerated.

We shall find out in due course what it will fetch.

Lots of people would pay almost as much to know who the Spine Breaker really is.

Yes, but you wouldn't be so ill-advised

as to accept their offers, would you, Nathaniel?

No, no, no, no, no.

Let it remain a nice little secret.

Just between us two.

I'll never split. Don't worry about that.

But you have to be careful.

What are you snivelling about?

Mr Franklin. Supposin' he spots our little game?

"Supposing"?

You're always supposing this or supposing that.

That's all very well, but...

And remember, you're not paid to give advice.

You're paid to do as you're told.

-All right. -Have you done as you're told?

What about the Widow Simpson?

Sold up, lock, stock and barrel.

And her six miserable children?

-Turned out into the street. -Good.

That'll prove to her that Stephen Hawke is not to be trifled with.

What'll they think I am? A philanthropist?

How much did her goods realise?

Seventeen pounds ten shillings.

Is that all?

Sold up all she had.

The next woman who comes to borrow ten pounds,

I must see she has more security.

Where is it?

(cows RATTLING)

Mmm.

Money has a nice feel about it, eh, Nathaniel?

It has.

But a nice large emerald has a nicer feeling, eh?

Come.

Come.

(JOHANN STRAUSS ll: "BLUE DANUBE" WALTZ PLAYING)

What do you think of it, eh?

Marvellous!

Not bad for a miserable little moneylender.

I wish shipping agents could make as much money as moneylenders.

-(HAWKE CHUCKLING) -Lord Brickhaven!

I'm glad you were able to prevail upon Lord Brickhaven

to stay in town this evening.

Yes, but what a risk.

The confounded coachman nearly caught me.

One should always take risks.

After all, what is life but one big risk?

Delighted to see you, Lord Brickhaven.

I was beginning to be afraid we should not have the pleasure

of your company this evening.

I really should be on the Bath road at this moment,

but an accident happened at the wheel of my coach,

and before my fool coachman had finished repairing it,

it was too late to start tonight.

Then we are all indebted to your fool coachman.

Ah, Julia, my dear.

-Enjoying yourself? -Wonderfully, thank you, Father.

You have there a jewel for men to covet.

So, for that matter, have you, milord.

My emerald, you mean? Ah, yes.

But I do vow you have the rarer jewel of the two.

I agree with you, milord.

But to possess both...

That would indeed be paradise.

Again, I agree with you, milord.

-May I have the pleasure? -May I have the pleasure?

Oh, I'm afraid I've already promised Mr Trimble.

Did you notice that?

Our friend Archer doesn't look too pleased.

So it seems.

The gossips tell me that he hopes to be your son-in-law, Mr Hawke.

Then the gossips, as usual, are mad.

My son-in-law? Lecherous brute.

There is scarcely anything that he cannot possess

once he sets his mind to it.

He'll find that my daughter is the one thing that is beyond his reach.

You are a brave man, my friend, to talk like that of Archer.

If he heard, where would you be?

In one of his filthy state prisons, I imagine.

But rather that than he should marry my daughter.

They seem to be dancing a lot together tonight.

Yes, they make a lovely pair.

You'd like to see them married, wouldn't you?

Indeed I would. Wouldn't you?

Perhaps.

When he's made some money.

A most delightful evening.

I'm so glad you're appreciating it.

With all this youth about, it makes one feel young again.

Yes, I was just remarking,

you look at least sixty years younger than when I saw you last.

God bless my soul, I'm... I'm only fifty-one, sir.

You surprise me.

Yes, I feel the recurrence of spring in my veins, you know.

I believe it's the sight of your daughter that has done the trick.

How so, sir?

This party is to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, isn't it?

That is so, sir.

Eighteen is about the right age for a girl to marry.

Huh! I fancy them young, my friend.

-You appreciate my meaning? -You do us too much honour, sir.

Then I take your decision to be in the affirmative?

I fear we are unworthy, sir.

Do you mean that you refuse?

No, no, no, no, of course not, sir.

Perhaps you'd allow me to call on you one night alone.

Then we could get to grips with the matter.

Oh, yes, to clinch the bargain, as it were.

"Clinch" is the word, sir.

Then you will back me up?

Definitely.

You'll find me behind you.

Isn't my mistress looking lovely tonight?

I hadn't noticed. I've got other things to look for.

You must be very tired. Wouldn't you like to sit down?

Well, that would be nice.

Oh, you've got no romance in you.

I can imagine myself out there, dancing in the arms of a man.

Well, I can't.

You appear warm, sir.

Why not go out on the balcony?

It will be lovely in the moonlight.

By sad. yes.

Er... Perhaps you'll join me?

If your lordship will excuse me. The night air, my bronchitis...

But later on, perhaps.

Yes, a little later on.

I promise I will join you then.

It was spring, and love was in the air.

(MAN SHOUTING)

What was that?

It came from the terrace.

(CHATTERING)

-What's happened? Who is it? -Lord Brickhaven.

Why, I... I was dancing with him only a few minutes ago.

-Can I...? -No, no, stand back.

-Stand back, everybody. -Is he... Is he very ill?

Lord Brickhaven is dead.

(GUESTS GASPING)

-Is it a stroke? -It is murder.

The reason is not far to see. The Brickhaven emerald has gone.

Oh, this is too ghastly!

As I thought.

The spine is broken.

The Spine Breaker!

My best friend, and this is what I've done for him.

But for me, he'd be alive now.

I brought him here, but I didn't know, I didn't know.

Stop that raving! What good can that do?

Why, what has happened?

Has one of my guests been taken ill?

You know. You know! No-one better.

This is your work!

I see it all now!

-But, my friend... -Stand back. Stand back!

Don't come near me! He's the murderer!

Stephen Hawke, the Spine Breaker!

-(GUESTS SHOUTING) -Raving mad!

TRIMBLE: And the sight of Lord Brickhaven lying there murdered,

his spine broken.

Didn't have a moment's sleep all night.

Really? What do you think of this?

A nice piece of work. I bought it this morning.

-But I can't get over it. -Get over what, my friend?

The way the Spine Breaker does his hellish work.

What a grip the fiend must have.

As I was saying, the lines of this statue are delightful.

Exquisite work.

The work of the devil.

Some say he is the devil.

Nine feet he stands, if an inch.

With big, hairy hands.

-You've seen him? -Oh, of course not.

Nobody sees him and lives.

-No. -Yes.

(SPITTING)

And I want to say how much I sympathise with you, too.

Yes, I'm to be congratulated upon my bargain.

But for Sir Franklin to accuse you like that.

Why? It's absurd to think you could have the strength to...

-My friend, I'd rather not... -Didn't you hear him?

-He called you the Spine Breaker. -Stop!

Why do you look at me like that?

Your hands.

They have sinews of steel.

Well?

Nothing. I...

My dear friend, I think you're afraid of me.

No, of course not.

Then why are you trying to get away?

It's so hot in here.

I must get air.

What's the matter, Father? You look like a ghost.

Something has happened. I don't know how to say it.

It seems impossible. Me head's in a whirl.

-Sit down, Father. You look ill. -I'm all right.

No, look, come on. You must.

Now, where have you been? What's happened?

I went to Hawke's office about ten minutes ago.

Yes, and what happened there?

Nothing.

Nothing that you would understand.

I expect I am all unnerved after what happened last night.

But tell me, Father.

And then I ran out.

-And is that all that happened? -Yes. Tell me it's impossible.

My old friend can't be this monster really?

(CHUCKLING) No, of course not.

For my own peace of mind, assure me I'm wrong in my suspicions.

Out of the question.

A kind old gentleman like Mr Hawke?

Julia's father commit a crime like that? Impossible.

Oh, thank Heaven.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Father,

thinking him capable of such dreadful things,

after all his kindness to us.

Yes.

(WHISPERING) Joshua, my friend.

(CLOCK CHIMING)

Stephen.

(YELLING)

(SCREAMING)

(GRUNTING)

(CHORTLING)

Stuffed sheep's hearts, Nathaniel?

You know I can't eat meat in the morning.

I have a very delicate stomach.

Just a little dry toast.

Excuse me, sir.

-Mr Trimble is here to see you. -(WHISPERING) Trimble...

Ah, Matthew, my boy. Glad to see you.

Won't you join me in a little breakfast?

Mr Hawke, a terrible thing has happened.

Oh, and what is that?

Last night, my father was killed. Murdered.

Murdered?

My old friend Joshua Trimble, murdered?

(TUTTING)

I can't believe it.

Who could have done such a thing?

My boy, this is too distressing.

Your father was my very dear friend.

Yes, I know. That's why I want your advice.

Willingly, my boy. Willingly. Sit down. Sit down.

Yesterday, he must have had a premonition

that he was going to be killed.

Oh? What makes you think that?

He gave me a sealed packet to be opened with his will,

if by any chance he died a violent death.

He said it contained a great secret.

Really? I wonder what that can be.

But the will cannot be opened till after the funeral tomorrow.

Then the secret is a secret still, eh?

But oughtn't we to open the letter at once,

in case it contains the name of the murderer?

No, no, my boy. Most irregular.

In any case, it's safe until tomorrow.

-Where did you put it? -Where no-one will dare to go.

Oh? And where was that?

Still in my father's keeping.

How do you mean?

With the body and the will.

It seemed the safest place.

No-one would dare to disturb it there.

You're right, my boy.

No-one would dare to disturb it there.

DEEP VOICE: Stephen Hawke.

Joshua.

Stephen Hawke.

Keep away from me. Don't come near me.

Mercy. Mercy.

-My murderer. -You forced me to do it.

You knew too much. You had to die.

I had to kill you! I had to kill you!

Oh, leave me in peace! I shall go mad.

Cease your grovelling, Stephen Hawke.

YQU!

You've told me all I had to know.

We have an account to settle, you and I.

Don't kill me. You love Julia.

Remember, I'm her father. Spare me.

If I do, it'll be for her sake.

You mean you'll let me go?

Tomorrow I bury my father. You shall have till then.

Good. Excellent.

But after my father's body is laid to rest, beware.

You shall be like a hunted animal.

But as a fox is given a chance to run for its life,

so shall you be allowed to flee.

For Julia's sake, I hope you elude me.

But to avenge the death of my father,

I swear I shall never cease in my efforts to kill you.

I'll do anything. I'll leave London.

You shall know what is worse than death.

Feat

Dread fear by day and night.

Every living moment.

Death is sure and swift.

Too good for you, but this is better.

Now go. Run swiftly.

But I shall follow more swiftly still.

Why, Father. I was wondering where you were.

Julia. Not in bed yet?

Well, I'm glad. I wanted to see you before I left.

You're going away, Father? Now? At once?

Yes, an urgent business call.

But, Father, at this time of night?

I'm afraid I must. And I may be away some time.

The business I have on hand may be long and difficult.

Then I must pray for its speedy completion.

All ready to go. Everything's on board.

All right, Nat.

Goodbye, my darling.

I think "goodbye" is such a horrid word.

Yes, but it's a beautiful word, too.

For it means "God be with you".

And that's how I want you to take it from me.

I'll see you off, Father.

I hate to see you going out into the night air like this.

Thank you, dear.

Well? Where to now?

Anywhere. And as fast as the horse can take us.

To a house where a man may enter safely?

No, you fool. To a house we can bolt and bar.

So that even the devil himself can't find us.

-You don't know where? -No.

You don't need a coachman.

A bunch of carrots at the end of a stick'd do you.

Ah, get on with it.

Why, Matthew. I'm so glad to see you.

I've just buried my father.

I know, my dear. I thought about you every moment.

You look so tired and worn. Come and sit down.

I'm sorry, Julia. I've only a few minutes to spare.

-Why? What's the matter? -|'m going out of London.

-You too are going away? -Why do you say "you too"?

-Who else is going? -My father. Last night.

He wouldn't tell me where he was going,

but he went away so strangely, so suddenly.

Almost as if he were afraid of something.

-Why should he be afraid? -I don't know.

I don't understand him. Or you.

How far are you going?

I don't know that. I only know I must go at once.

Yes, yes, my dear. I can understand that.

You want to get away from it all.

But you must know where you're going.

Listen, Julia, I'm going away,

I don't know where, and I shall never come back.

You poor boy. But it'll be all right presently. You'll see.

Time heals all wounds.

Don't you understand, Julia? I must get away for good.

My father's death will always stand between us, keeping us apart.

But in life he always loved me. He always said so.

In his life, yes.

But in his death, he's made it impossible for us ever to meet again.

He made you promise to give me up?

I've taken an oath. An oath I cannot break.

-And I must be free to carry it out. -"Free."

That's a big word, Matthew.

You mean...

You mean free from everyone? From me?

Oh, but you can't mean that. Take me with you, Matthew.

We'll go away together and forget all about these terrible things.

You're making a difficult task doubly difficult.

I can't do as you suggest.

Nothing shall turn me from my purpose.

I love you, Matthew.

And nothing in my life could ever have been greater than my love for you.

But your love is different.

Yours is a love which can be overshadowed by sorrow and self-pity.

A weak love, which no woman would want.

Here's someone to see you, Sir Franklin.

-Has he said anything yet? -Not a word.

If he don't soon say something, I'll have the vapours.

I'll make him talk.

Now, tell me all you know. Who is the Spine Breaker?

If you tell me who the Spine Breaker is, I'll have you taken out of here.

To some other place, perhaps. Only worse.

Very well. I'll be back later.

Have everything ready then to make him talk.

Right.

This way.

Here, show these two gentlemen up to the front room.

Come this way, gentlemen.

Aye, and take a tot of brandy to the gentleman.

Him got a bad toothache.

Put the bags down there.

And don't bother about the brandy. I... I feel better now.

Yes, sir. Nothing else I can get for you?

No, nothing. And I don't want to be disturbed.

-You've fastened the window securely? -As tight as a drum.

Good.

How many miles from London are we?

Too many for the horse's liking.

What parts are you making for, sir?

Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know.

You've come a tidy way, by the look of your horse.

Yes, from London Town.

Aye. And at a tidy speed, too.

Yes, we kept the milestones busy.

Well, you're not the only one who's ridden from London in a hurry today.

-Oh? Who's the other? -Others, sir.

Early this morning, we had a couple in a buggy.

-In a buggy, eh? -Aye.

What did they look like?

Have you ever searched for a needle in a haystack, Nathaniel?

No.

But I've often looked for hops in a pint of beer,

and that's much about the same.

It'll be just as easy for him to find us.

He doesn't even know the road we've taken.

We can sleep in peace tonight. We're safe.

-Can I open the window a little? -No, no, not now.

We're not as safe as that.

Yet.

-A thousand thanks, fella. -Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.

(GROANING)

(YAWNING)

(GRUNTING)

(YELLING) No, let me go! Let me go, I say!

I didn't mean to do it! I...

It's all right, it's all right.

It's only me.

Nine o'clock just striking.

Look! Here he is!

Close that window.

Was it fate or the devil that brought him here?

-Perhaps it was his horse. -F0oL

We must get away quickly. We'll double back.

Go tell the landlord to get the buggy ready at once.

Don't stand there like a fool. Hurry, man!

Hurry! Hurry!

-I hear you're leaving, sir. -Yes, that is so.

But, sir, if you're not comfortable here,

I have another room on the ground floor

with a big window opening onto the street.

-No, thank you. -No, no, no, no.

Look, my friend as the ague.

The country air doesn't agree with him.

It's the only reason why we are leaving.

See? Here's a full week's money, so you lose nothing.

Oh, thank you, sir.

And now just one word in your ear, my excellent friend.

-Yes, sir? -In return, do me this favour.

Not a word to a living soul that we've been here.

Sir, not a word.

(CHUCKLING)

He'll talk. They always do.

Good morning, sir. What can I do for you?

-Is your ale good? -None better in the West Country, sir.

-Then give me a pint. -Certainly.

-Pleasant morning. -Is it?

Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?

Do me the favour of fetching your master.

Mr Tomkins!

-You're a stranger here, sir? -Yes.

-Will you be here long? -I've no idea.

Ah, good morning, sir. At your service. You wish to see me?

Join me in a mug of ale?

Why, thank you, sir. Don't mind if I do.

I'm looking for two friends of mine whom I've reason to believe

passed this way recently.

Aye, many pass this way.

Many honour you with their company for the night?

No, sir. I've had no guests for quite a while.

But, master, the two that were here an hour ago.

-Quiet, girl. -What's this, my friend?

-Come on, tell me the truth. -Ow!

Hello! What's the matter?

Let me look at your arm.

Now, who gave you that?

And who are you to ask?

A friend who's looking for one with just such a grip.

Aye.

Are you sure you're a friend?

He said he had many enemies.

Which purse would you say was the bigger?

This one, or the one he gave you?

Why, this, to be sure.

It outweighs the other by quite a lot.

Aye, to be sure.

Take it as a souvenir of me.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Now, which way did my friends go?

Well, I promised not to tell.

No need to tell. Can't you point?

Aye, to be sure.

I'm afraid, Mr Archer, you have called at a bad time.

My father is away from home.

Then I've come at a good time, for it is you I wish to see.

-About what? -Oh, merely to pass the time of day.

Shall we sit down?

If you intend staying long enough to make it worth your while.

Thank you.

They tell me that young Matthew Trimble is also away from home.

Why do you mention him?

So you're quite without male protection.

You seem very well informed, Mr Archer.

May I offer my services?

Oh, thank you. I have no need of them.

Well, that remains to be seen.

It's a peculiar coincidence that both your father and your sweetheart

are away from home at the same time.

I don't see why.

Unless, perhaps, they are travelling together.

They are not doing that.

Or unless one is in search of the other for his revenge?

Revenge? For what?

His father's murder.

But his father was murdered by that monster who...

Murdered Lord Brickhaven in the garden of this very house.

And whom Sir Franklin Hilliard has declared to be...

But he was raving. He didn't know what he said.

Surely no-one believed it.

One or two do.

Matthew Trimble, for one.

But he couldn't believe anything so stupid, so absurd.

Has he said nothing to you?

Then that's what he meant.

But his mind must be unhinged.

Well, two have the same delusion.

But surely you don't think...?

I know.

Sir Franklin Hilliard admitted it today.

Oh, no, no, it's impossible. I won't believe it.

But, my dear girl, why disbelieve facts?

Facts? What are you here for?

To blacken my father behind his back?

-To drive me mad? -No. To offer you my protection.

You need it more than ever now. You are alone.

Who have you to look after you? Not your father.

He needs my protection, too.

Do you realise that he is a hunted man?

Hunted now by Matthew. Soon to be hunted by the law.

And yet it is in my power to ensure his safety.

Can you? Will you?

Yes.

On one condition.

Oh, I can't promise that.

Oh, come, come, my dear girl.

Am I so unattractive as a husband?

Rich, powerful.

Consider it carefully.

I don't expect your answer now, at once.

I'll come back tomorrow, and every day for a week.

But, if at the end of that time, your answer is not yes,

your father's fate is in your hands.

A charming memory

to haunt you for the rest of your days.

Goodbye, dear girl.

Till tomorrow?

Well, there be people that's scared of mice

and others who's frightened of cockroaches.

And even some who don't fancy fleas.

I'd rather have all they together than two flights of stairs.

Won't be so far for you to go down, so what are you grumbling about?

You like to live near the skies, eh?

Mmm, as far as possible from the street.

Why?

Give us plenty of exercise going up and down.

You never go out. Your master doesn't, anyway.

Where is he now, if he's not out?

You don't mean to say he's gone out for once?

Mm-hmm. As it's a fine night, he thought he may risk it.

But he's got to be very careful.

(COUGHING) Account of his bronchitis.

My grandmother's got bronchitis.

Ah, she's not the woman she was.

Your grandmother?

Yes. People live a long time round these parts.

Oh, my master will be pleased about that.

-What's happened? -He's here. He's seen me.

He saw me at the fair. I was fool enough to go there.

-Did he see you come up here? -I don't know. I don't know.

Yes, there he is outside now.

Waiting for me. Caught like a rat in a trap.

He's coming for me now.

I know he is.

Is there no way of escape?

The roof! My one chance.

You stay here and hold him off.

Good day, Nathaniel.

The master in?

-My master? -Mr Stephen Hawke.

Oh, him. I left his service weeks ago.

So now you're travelling with him as his friend, eh?

-Who said I was travelling with him? -I do.

I'm living here alone.

So I see.

Where is he? I saw enter the door below.

-Did you see him come up the stairs? -No.

You'd better look down the stairs again.

MATTHEW: That's the hat and coat he was wearing

when I saw him come in.

-So he has been here. -Is he here now?

-Where is he? -You're looking for him, not me.

Why should I help you?

Quite right.

I'll help meself.

What are you gonna do?

Wait till he comes back.

Who are you and what are you doing here?

Oh, my arm!

What are you hiding behind your back?

Bread, eh?

Oh, for Heaven's sake, don't hand me over to the Runners.

A thief.

Nice company for me to find myself in.

It was for my children. They're starving.

The Runners saw me. They're after me now.

Don't let 'em catch me, sir, please.

But you're a thief and prison is what you deserve.

You don't know what prison means, sir.

Locked up like that, it's like being in the tomb.

For aught anyone knows, you might be dead.

"For aught anyone knows, you might be dead."

Yes, that's true.

And if people think you're dead, they cease to take an interest in you, eh?

-Yes, sir. -Dreadful.

-You wouldn't send me to that, sir? -No, my poor fellow.

Cruelty was never part of my nature.

Here, give me that bread and I'll hold them off while you escape.

RUNNER: This way, quick! He must be at the Larches.

-Go. Go quickly. -May Heaven reward you, sir.

Go.

There he is! Quick!

-Come on, out you come. -Pity, sir, pity.

-I am innocent! -You tell that to the magistrate.

Let me go.

Come on.

We'll have you.

Make yourself at home.

You don't want me to be uncomfortable, do you?

Oh...

(CHUCKLING)

Are you still determined to stay here and see if he comes?

-I am. -Ah, well.

Not that I blame ya.

PRISONER #1: Well, cheer up, boys. First fifteen years is the worst.

I ain't got a chance to find out. I've only got ten.

What are you cribbin' about?

-How long have you got? -Only one year.

-Blimey. He's a bloomin‘ amateur. -Talks as if he wished he'd got more.

Fancy puttin' us to work with a raw recruit like him.

(AFFECTED POSH ACCENT) Yus. Won't my people be awfully upset?

Have you seen the menu today, old fellow?

-No. -PRISONER #2: Wednesday. Pea soup day.

Two split peas and a pint of water and still a little thick.

Well, I'm not complaining.

Hark at the parson talking.

I'm quite contented here, thank you.

I can't make the parson out. He seems to like it here.

Perhaps he's married. (LAUGHING)

-There's someone to see you. -Who? Who is it?

-Look at him. -The wife's found out where he is.

You can talk to him through the grille for about five minutes.

It's a him.

Just come to tell you that the party we were waiting for's changed his mind

and gone back to London.

-(WHISPERING) Matthew? -Aye.

But I've some other news that may not please you so much.

-Oh, and what is that? -It's about Julia.

-Julia? -Mmm.

She's to be married.

-To him? -No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

To the other. To Archer.

Why? Where and when?

Oh, any day now.

Gawd knows what for. It can't be for his beauty.

No. Not for his beauty, no.

But I think I have an idea why she is doing it.

-And I've got to stop it. -We||, you can't in here.

There are always a way of getting out, my dear Nathaniel.

Yes, but have you found them?

No, no yet. But I shall.

Be ready to return home at any moment.

You mean to say that after all the trouble we took to get away,

you're going to stick your neck in the noose again?

After what you've told me, I've got to get out of here.

Well, it's your neck and I suppose you can do what you like with it, but...

You stand ready with the buggy to leave immediately.

-Understand? -Oh, all right.

Your wedding dress has come, Miss Julia.

-Has it? -Don't you want to see it?

I shall see it soon enough.

Why, you've been crying.

Oh, don't cry, Miss.

It breaks my heart.

I've just been thinking, that's all, Emma.

The wonderful dreams we have, they never seem to come true.

My marriage. To think it would be like this.

Yes, Mr Archer isn't my idea of a fairy prince either.

Why you have to marry him, I don't know.

Please, Emma. It's sufficient for you that I'm going to marry him.

But, Mr Matthew, he loved you and loves you still.

No. That's all over and done.

Just like one of those soap bubbles we used to blow.

All beautiful colours and nothing inside.

Bubbles that disappear into nothing as if they'd never been.

And Mr Archer? What sort of a bubble do you call him?

More like a bladder of lard, I think.

Oh, why did Mr Matthew go away and leave you like this?

I told you, he had something to do.

Well, whatever it is, he seems to have done it all right.

Oh, no. No, don't say that.

Please, God, that's not true.

If it is, all I'm doing now would be wasted.

But why do you say his work has finished?

Because, Miss, he's just coming up to the front door now.

Emma, don't let him in.

Tell him I'm away in the country, anything, only don't admit him.

Oh, do see him, Miss, just for my sake.

No, no, Emma, I won't, I won't.

-Is your mistress at home? -No, sir. She's away in the country.

-That's what she told me to tell you. -Then you mean she is in?

Well, that's what I mean, but that is not what I told you.

Thank you, Emma. God bless you. Where shall I find her?

Ooh, I mustn't tell you that, sir,

but I may tell you where you won't find her.

Where's that?

Well, you won't find her anywhere in the house, except on the terrace.

But I mustn't let you go there, sir, because she forbade me.

-Out of my way, woman. -Oh, unhand me, sir.

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

-Matthew. -Julia, is this terrible thing true?

What terrible thing?

They tell me you're marrying Miles Archer tomorrow.

-Why shouldn't it be true? -Because he's impossible.

Besides...

Julia, you can't do it. You know you can't.

I love you, Julia.

You talk like this now,

but a few weeks ago, when you were going away,

who was it insisted that everything was finished?

-Wasn't it you? -My dear, don't you understand?

I was at my wit's end.

My father had just been killed and murdered.

I felt it was my duty to track down the man who'd done it.

That seemed to me more important than...

-Did you find him? -No.

Oh, thank Heaven. Thank Heaven.

Why do you say that? What do you know?

Look at me, Julia.

Julia, you know who your father really is?

Yes. But I can only think of him for all his kindness to me.

I would give anything to save him.

Julia, Julia, my darling, listen to me.

I know that he's the notorious Spine Breaker,

that he ought to be dead a hundred times.

But I also know that his death cannot bring my father back to life,

that, alive or dead, it cannot alter my love for you.

Let's forget all that happened in this house before I left

and start our lives all over again, together.

Together.

Oh, no, what am I thinking about? It... It's impossible.

I have given my word.

Throw away your whole life for your word?

Julia, there's something more in this.

Why are you marrying this man?

-I have promised. -You promised to marry me.

And nothing would have made me break that promise.

-|'m not like you. -Why did you promise?

-I love him, I tell you. -Julia. Tell me the truth.

Am I responsible to you for my actions? Let me go.

Julia, you said just now that you'd do anything to save your father.

That has nothing to do with it.

I wonder.

Anyway, that's just what I'm going to try and find out.

He gets later every day with our supper.

He waits till it's dark so as we can't see what's in it.

PRISONER #1: We can smell it, though, can't we, Parson?

You men are always complaining.

I'm quite content.

Blimey, so you have come, then.

-Good evening, Nurse. -Not so much talk from you fellas.

GUARD: Help! Help!

(GUARD SCREAMING)

(PRISONERS YELLING)

Can't you make the horse go any faster?

It's only an horse. It ain't got wings.

Well, use your whip. Try and persuade him that he has.

-SERVANT: Is that all, Mr Archer? -Yes.

See that I'm not disturbed. I want to have a quiet evening.

-My last night as a bachelor, hmm? -Exactly, sir.

(BELL JANGLING)

Unless that's somebody of importance, I'm not in.

Very good, sir.

Mr Matthew Trimble.

I'm glad to see you.

This saves me from the unpleasant necessity of having to send for you.

Jndeed? -Yes.

You've been absent from London for some weeks.

What have you been doing?

Looking for the man who killed my father.

Oh. A very dangerous occupation.

Did you find him?

Yes, and I've got some news for you.

-Good news, I hope? -The very best.

The Spine Breaker is dead.

Dead?

Oh, so you killed him, eh?

Well, my young friend,

supposing I clapped you into prison on a charge of murder? What then?

Yes, come on. I admit it. I killed him. He's dead.

-Come on. Why don't you tell your men? -It does not suit my convenience.

-We||, very well. I'll tell them. -Wait.

Ah, I thought so. You don't want your men to hear.

You don't want the Spine Breaker to be dead.

-You want him to be alive. -What do you mean?

I mean that the Spine Breaker and Stephen Hawke are one and the same.

That Julia is going to marry you because you blackmailed her into consenting.

-You realise what you're saying? -Yes, I do.

And supposing I do admit it. What can you do?

Persuade the young lady to change her mind?

You miserable rat.

Go ahead. Go ahead and try.

Or perhaps you've already tried.

You see, my excitable young friend,

I hold the whip hand.

You may have it now, but I haven't finished yet.

I've got till tomorrow to prevent this marriage.

And I shall move Heaven and Earth to do so.

Good evening, Archer.

-Stephen Hawke! -Pardon the intrusion.

But the window was open.

And, after all, what is ceremony among good friends?

Don't ring that bell.

Make the slightest move or sound and I'll blow your brains out.

-I thought you were dead. -I know you did.

That's why I'm here.

I've been away on government business.

You didn't know I was in the government's service, did you?

But I was and should be still.

But I heard rumours, vague rumours, that you were to be married tomorrow.

And who do you think the silly gossip-mongers coupled your name with?

No, no, don't try to guess. I'll tell you.

With my daughter, Julia.

You can't bluff me, Hawke. I know who you are and why you're here.

But you're too late. She becomes my wife tomorrow.

You're clever, Archer, but not clever enough.

You're right.

I am the Spine Breaker.

So many I've come to grips with.

Lord Tre|awny's son with his skinny little arms.

Lady Kingsmead with her white flabby shoulders.

Sir Geoffrey London with a tough back, but brittle.

It went... (CLICKING FINGERS)

Just like the rest.

And now...

You.

You... You shall have your way.

I'll give her up. I... I won't marry her!

After having made her promise?

Hardly a gentlemanly thing to do, eh?

Still, if you wish to cancel the affair, what can I do but accept?

So, come, we'll shake hands on it, eh?

Won't you shake hands with me?

It's time we got to grips, so long since we met.

Too proud, eh?

Then I must take it!

-Oh! You're breaking my arm! -Are you frightened, Archer?

You're the only one who has found me out before it was too late.

All the others discovered my secrets after I'd demonstrated my skill.

You are luckier.

You are about to watch the whole process!

Aah! Oh, not that! Not that!

(SCREAMING)

(HAWKE CHORTLING)

But, Julia, darling, your father's hidden away safely.

Nobody knows where he is, not even Archer.

-And my promise? -A promise given under threat.

And you want to marry the girl whose father caused your father's death?

Oh, Matthew, could there ever be happiness for us?

Sooner or later they'll find him and then...

-(CHATTERING) -What's that?

Out of the way in the name of the law! Out of the way! Out of the way!

There he is, the Spine Breaker! Arrest him!

But this is nonsense. What madness are you talking?

I arrest you for the murder of Miles Archer.

But you're mad. A mistake has been made.

A mistake has been made, gentlemen.

Allow me to rectify it.

If you value your lives,

you won't move.

Matthew, Julia, my coach is outside on the road.

Off you go, both of you.

-But, Father... -Don't argue.

Do as I tell you or, by Heaven, I...

Now move over this way a little, so that I can see you.

(GIGGLING)

Move quicker!

(LAUGHING)

Well, gentlemen, you're searching for the Spine Breaker?

You've found him.

Yes, you've found him!

But you haven't caught him yet.

What's going on here?

He says that the Spine Breaker escaped through that window.

What are you talking about? He's there behind the pistol.

We followed him from Aylesbury Gaol.

-Come on, Hawke. The game's up. -Ah, my friends from captivity.

So you've arrived too. Each eager to be the first, eh?

You'd better join my friends over there.

Well? Why do you hang back?

I'm hereto be taken. Why don't you take me?

It's no use, Hawke. You'll have to give in.

There are six of us and you've only got one shot in that pistol.

Yes, but each of you has only got one life.

Which of you is going to give in?

Well? Which is it to be?

You, of the quaking knees?

Or you, with the loud voice?

Or you, the brave man who wants the others to take all the risks?

Or even you, you pale-faced underling.

(LAUGHING)

(GUNSHOT)

-Come on, boys! Get him! -Get him!

-We must do something for him. -There's nothing we can do.

On the roof!

Now, Hawke, come on! Open the door!

Get that post!

(BANGING)

ALL: Heave!

-And again! -ALL: Heave!

-Heave! -And again!

Haven't caught me yet! Curse you!

And again!

(LAUGHING)

Take me! Take me if you can!

(CACKLING)

Come on, you curs!

I'll beat you yet!

(SCREAMING)

(WHIMPERING)

Julia. Julia.

Father.

There's something you ought to know.

Something I should have told you years ago when I adopted you.

-Adopted me? -Yes.

That makes a difference, eh?

You're not really my daughter.

As if that would make any difference.

I might have known you'd say that.

But it makes me...

haPPY-

Master.

Master.

Master.

Ma...

(sesame)

(SNORING)