Original subtitles

[orchestral music] ]

[grinding]

[slurping]

- 'ow long, Mrs. Bridges?

- 'Til it's done and not before.

- When's that, then?

- When your arm drops off.

- Look, I'm supposed to be a footman,

not an ice cream maker.

This is kitchen maid's work, this is.

- Ruby couldn't turn the 'andle of a musical box,

let alone a thing like that.

I said pick 'em over, Ruby, not eat 'em.

[Ruby sighing]

[grinding]

- Blinkin' organ grinder, that's me.

All I need is a monkey on this.

[monkey hooting]

[Ruby laughing] Watch it!

- Shall I wash them?

- Wash strawberries?

The very idea.

Take away any little flavor they have got.

Now, when I was a girl, strawberries did 'ave flavor.

Now, not so much.

[mumbles] were then.

Oh!

Sick and tired of not cookin'.

Somethin' cold, Mrs. Bridges, she says.

[scoffing]

'ow I long to get me 'ands on a nice leg a mutton.

- Oh, you don't want gas goin' this weather,

Mrs. Bridges, we're all shut in 'ere.

- We don't want that thing goin', anyway.

- What're we 'avin' tonight, Mrs. Bridges?

- Salmon, said the same.

- Oh no, not again.

- Don't like it.

- Then you'll go 'ungry.

If I leave this in the larder another day,

it'll walk off on it's own two feet.

- How are we off for ice, Mrs. Bridges?

- Ooh, it's in the sink, Mr. 'udson,

what's left of it.

- Thank you. - Ah.

[grinding]

[dishes clattering]

Oh, Edward, go and remove one place in the dining room.

There'll only be two for dinner tonight.

- Oh, drat.

- The master will be dining out, Mrs. Bridges.

[Mrs. Bridges gasping]

At his club.

[clock ticking]

[paper rustling]

[sighing]

[paper rustling]

- Jack Challen?

- Yes?

- I'm sorry, but... - It's Dick, um?

- Yes, Bellamy.

- Dick Bellamy. - Oh, it is you.

- That's hardly believable. - Well, I didn't even know

you were a member here.

- Only just.

I live in the country, and I hardly ever come in here.

- Well, that's the old wind, it's been donkey's years.

- Well, since Ferris, when you were grand

Second Secretary, and I was humble Fourth.

- Yes, you lighted on our loathing of the First Secretary.

- Not to mention the Ambassador.

- Oh, well, Bunting, I'll have some more.

Would you have some whiskey?

- Oh, yes, please.

I can't stay long, I've got to catch a train.

- Well, sit down for five minutes.

Are you still with the foreign office.

- No, I married into commerce.

I loved the girl and needed the money.

I prefer it now.

I was, uh...

I was sorry to read about your wife.

- Thank you.

- I say, this place, it's like a morgue.

- Yes, well, London's always tedious this time of year.

The House in recess, everyone away.

- Well, you should get away yourself.

- Nowhere to go.

- Huh, no one to see?

- Oh, no, heavens no.

Only our London house now, and that belongs to my son.

I just board there.

- Really?

- Thank you.

- Sodas.

- Oh, just this one, please.

Do you ever get down to Southwold these days?

- Never.

Marjorie's cousin is no--

- Heaven's sake, look out!

- Sir, I've got a cloth, it's a new...

Sorry for.

- Let me help. - There, it's alright.

No, there's no harm done.

- Very sorry, Sir.

- It won't stain?

- No, no, it'll probably spoil the crease, nothing more.

Just give me a little soda in the glass,

please, and carefully now.

That's right, that's enough.

- [chuckling] It doesn't show.

- No, no, no.

Ah, where were we?

Oh yes, about your situation.

- Yes.

- Well, it's really none of my business.

- Well, I'm now one of those impoverished widowers

with a small income and precious little capital.

- Oh, I see, it's rotten for you.

Tell me, Dick, do you, um...

Do you ever gamble on the stock exchange?

Shares? Puxoles?

- Oh, never, all a mystery to me.

- Yes, well...

I must be getting to the station.

- Well, can't you dine?

And go later?

I'm on my own now.

- Alas, no, my chairman is coming for the weekend,

and as he also happens to be my father-in-law,

I must be getting back.

- Well, been good to see you.

- We'll meet the next time I'm in London.

- We must. - Yes.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

[paper rustling]

[door thumping]

- Dick, it's just a thought.

- Yes? Yes, Sir?

- I'd like to give you a tip, if I may?

- Well, thank you, Jack, but I never bet horses.

- No, this isn't a horse.

Any spare cash that you do have,

anything you can raise,

buy Cartwright's Engineering.

They're a motor car firm.

Might just ease your situation.

- Well, that's very kind of you, but surely all

motor car firms are as dead as the dodo, even I know that.

Too much competition but too small a market,

isn't that what they say?

Sorry, Jack.

- You will be sorry if you don't.

- Do you mean that?

- I promise you.

But there is one thing that you must promise me.

For reasons which I can't disclose,

you must not mention to anyone that I told you to buy them.

It must be absolutely confidential.

- Word of honor.

- I must be going.

- Wait, oh look, James, let me have your address.

[door thumping]

Cartwright Engineering.

- Uh, that's right, Jock, Apple Cider for the 2:30,

and a bob to win White Magic for the same ledger.

-[Hudson] Good morning, Jock -[Jock] United?

-[Hudson] I think I'll have a wee sale in the big race.

A Seremond.

S-E-R-E-M-O-N-D. -[Jock] Seremond?

-[Hudson] Aye, 16 to way.

-[Jock] 16 to way Seremond in the big race?

-[Hudson] Right you are, Jock.

Cheery bye for now. -[Jock] Bye, Angus.

[phone ringing]

- Hello?

-[Richard] Ah, there you are, Hudson.

The telephone was busy.

- Oh, I, I'm sorry, Sir.

I was just making some arrangements with a tradesman.

- Uh, yes, yes, we'll, that's quite alright.

I want you to get me a telephone number.

Chancery 2214.

- Very good, sir.

Hello?

-[Operator] Number, please?

- Oh, aye, would you connect me, please, with chancery 2214?

[phone ringing]

- Hello? -[Secretary] Chancery 2214.

- Good morning, Richard. - Come on in.

Is that Ben and Joseph, Law and Main?

Can I speak to Mr. Main, please?

-[Secretary] Will you hold the line, please?

- Yes, I will.

Hello, my dear.

- I am sorry.

James wanted some cigarettes.

We thought you might have some.

- Uh, yes.

Here we are.

- Thank you.

Did you have a pleasant evening at your club?

- Oh, tolerable.

Met a chap I hadn't seen for years, as a matter of fact.

Oh, oh, hello.

Is that Mr. Main?

-[Mr. Main] Speaking.

This is Richard Bellamy here.

I believe you looked after my late wife's investments.

-[Mr. Main] Oh yes, Lady Marjorie.

- Yes.

-[Mr. Main] How nice to hear from you.

- Thank you.

I wonder if you would do something for me.

-[Mr. Main] Glad to help if we can.

- I'd like you to purchase for my account

some Cartwright Engineering shares,

the motorcar firm.

-[Mr. Main] Cartwright's?

They're a bit slack at the moment.

- Yes, yes, Mr. Main, I know they are,

but all the same, I would like.

-[Mr. Main] Are you certain about this?

- Oh, yes, yes, I am quite certain.

5,000 pounds worth.

Ordinary shares.

Well, get...

Well, I suppose so.

Um, what do I have to do?

-[Mr. Main] Oh, nothing further.

We'll send you an account.

- Alright, thank you very much.

- You've no doubts about this?

- No, no, I have no doubts, Mr. Main, thank you.

Goodbye.

-[Mr. Main] Goodbye, Mr. Bellamy.

[phone clicking]

- Ah, perhaps they'll make me rich,

perhaps they won't.

- It's an awful lot of money to risk.

- Yes.

It's calculated.

- Well, thank you for the cigarettes, Richard.

[door thumping]

[blowing]

- Thank you.

Yes, Hudson?

You do it just as well as Locks.

- Uh, thank you, Sir, though might I suggest a new one.

- No, certainly not.

One only buys a new hat for a general election,

not for the first day of a new session.

- Will you be requiring your coat today, Sir?

- It is cooler this morning, Richard.

- No, no, no, plenty of time for coats and cars.

Thank you, Hudson.

Now, my dear, can you spare me accompaniments in the study?

- Yes.

- There's some bills for you and James.

Now, master curmudgeons.

This bill from Wilson's the garage.

That's where James' motor car is said to be by mistake.

- I'll see to them.

♪ Three little maids are we

You're very cheerful this morning, Richard.

- Oh, it's getting better at the House of Commons

after that interminable summer recess.

- Give Mr. Askwith a bite for me, would you?

- I'll do that.

And I'm going to my tailor to order a new suit.

- Splendid.

- [laughing] Oh, Father,

didn't you say you bought some

of those Cartwright Engineering?

- Your motor.

- Hmm? [groaning]

Didn't you say you bought some

of those Cartwright Engineering?

The uh, the shares?

- Yes, in a moment of abberation.

I should have listened to that stockbroker.

Why?

- There's something about them in the paper this morning.

- Oh, well, they went up a hay penny a month ago,

I suppose they've lost it again.

- Not exactly.

What did you buy them at?

- Three in sixpence.

It's engraved on my heart.

- Today, they're 14 shillings.

- What? - Richard.

- Well, that's incredible [stuttering] .

- Let me see. - Look, here, here, look.

-[Richard] How much am I worth?

C'mon, now be a good mathematician.

- 5,000 pounds.

- Well, your 5,000 is now worth 20.

- Oh, my God.

- Jolly good, Father.

- Why have they got at them?

There must be a reason for it.

- Oh, there is.

They've just pulled off a whopping

great deal with the war office.

To make trucks for the army.

What made you buy them, aye?

Someone put you onto them?

- Uh, yes, yes, an old friend, yes.

- Congratulations.

- Oh, darling, you should be off.

- So must I.

- Yes.

- Well, that's incredible,

15,000 pounds profit in a matter of weeks,

merely by picking up the telephone.

- Well, don't go and spend it, Father,

remember it's only on paper.

Unless, of course, you sell the shares again.

- No, I won't do that.

C'mon, I'm due at the tailor's at 10:00.

- Goodbye, Richard.

-[Richard] Goodbye, Hazel.

- Be good.

- Bye, James. - Bye bye.

- Goodbye, Sir.

[Ruby singing]

- Thank you, Ruby.

[Ruby singing]

- The master gone, then?

- Both of them, Mrs. Bridges, the old and the new.

And both in a very cheerful mood for a change.

- Hmm, well, that's just at well.

The tradesman's books higher than ever.

I know what it'll be.

We must cut back, Mrs. Bridges.

Must economize.

- Oh, I don't think we're as hard up

as all that, Mrs. Bridges.

- Gentries always 'ard up when it comes to paying bills.

'specially them as wasn't born to it.

Mentionin' no names, but you see were my thoughts fly.

- Even the master's not exactly hard up,

not today, Mrs. Bridges.

-[Mrs. Bridges] [chuckling] What's 'e been up to, then?

Pawnin' the crown jewels?

[Hudson chuckling]

What are you so full of cream for?

- He's had good news, Mrs. Bridges,

though naturally I can't say what.

- Yes, you can and yes, you will.

- The girl.

- She can't hear.

Even if she could, she wouldn't be able to understand.

What news?

- Some shares he's got.

They've gone right up in the stock exchange.

- Oh, I don't know with shares.

Penny bank, yes.

What shares?

- It seems he's made a wise investment

that could make him financially independent at last.

- Oh.

- And about time too, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh.

- Morning. - Good morning.

- Ah, Bellamy. - Pritchett.

Good morning.

- You're just the fellow.

Good summer?

- Tolerable, thank you.

- Have you got your extra sheet?

- No, something interesting?

- Do you know Arthur Naws?

-[Richard] No, I don't think so.

-[Pritchett] A lobby correspondent

with the Evening Gazette.

Not quite my politics and even though it's yours, but still.

Arthur Naws, Richard Bellamy.

- How do you do, Mr. Naws?

- It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Sir.

- Naws was asking me about this Cartwright business.

Oh, you have heard.

Yes, they've got a contract to reequip

the army with motortrucks.

- Why ask Pritchett?

He's not war office, just a back bencher like myself.

Government benches, of course.

[Naws chuckling]

You need Mayfield or Deeping.

I'll see if they're around.

- Oh, don't go to any trouble.

Our dear Mr. Pritchett has been most helpful.

- I thought, perhaps, he should have a word with you.

I believe you know something about it.

- I?

- Ah, Bertie.

Forgive me, gentlemen.

- It's these motortrucks that I'm curious about.

- Oh, yes?

- Yes, but what do the army favor so much?

They're spending a fortune on it.

Cartwright Engineering

have been working on the machine for years.

With encouragement, I believe?

- I don't think I can help you.

- It's an interesting question

that Mr. Pritchett's put down tomorrow.

Don't you agree?

- I get the impression you're trying to say something.

- Oh, no, not me.

It's your friend, Mr. Pritchett's question.

- He's not my friend.

And what's his question, anyway?

[clearing throat]

- "Mr. Henry Pritchett, the member from Stafford North

"to ask the Prime Minister if he could set up an inquiry

"to investigate the circumstances in which allegations

"have been made that certain honorable members

"have made use of information improperly acquired,

"when dealing in the shares of Cartwright Engineering, Ltd."

That's somewhat sensational, don't you agree?

Mr. Bellamy?

[clock ticking]

- Noon tea late, Mrs. Bridges?

- I 'aven't 'ad time, that Ruby's out.

There's a pot on the range if you're dyin' a thirst.

Where 'ave you been, girl?

- Shopping on Elizabeth Street.

I fetched' Mr. 'udson's evening papers.

- Shop?

You think you been to the printers and printed it.

- Oh, thank you, Ruby, thank you.

- You been talkin' to soldiers?

- Oh, no, Mrs. Bridges, I wouldn't dare.

- I shouldn't think they'd want to neither.

Oh, go on, get the tea laid out.

She's listless, that Ruby.

Dose of brimstone and treacle for 'er tonight.

- Ah, Fox best team for Saturday, my own choice exactly.

- Oh?

What's that then, Mr. 'udson?

- At Chelsea, for the game against Woolwich Arsenal.

- God bless my soul.

It's Mr. Bellamy's picture, look.

[paper rustling]

- "Among the names figuring in the share

"register of Cartwright Engineering

"is that of Mr. Richard Bellamy, MP."

- Ooh.

- "It will be remembered that Mr. Bellamy's wife,

"the Lady Marjorie, was among the victims

"of the tragically [mumbles].

- Why can't they let it alone?

She's dead and that's that.

- Question in the House tomorrow

about the master's shares, aye.

I don't like the sound of this, Mrs. Bridges.

[knocking]

- Hazel?

- Back to my old job as your secretary.

- Yes.

- I didn't expect you so early.

How was the House?

- Oh, it was fun to be back, honest.

- Oh, do you want some tea?

- No, thank you, I must telephone

the stock broker before he leaves his office.

- Your valuable shares?

- Yes, well, I might as well get rid

of them while they're high.

But would I be a bull or a bear?

I never know.

- A bull, I think.

- Oh.

- Suppose they go any higher.

- I rather hope they don't.

- Spoken like a socialist.

- Why?

- Oh, Richard. - Oh.

Some idiot's put down a doubtful question about them.

- Oh?

- Had me worried for a moment, but it's nonsense.

So, might as well get rid of them.

And be done with it.

- Excuse me, Sir, I thought perhaps

you ought to see the evening newspaper.

- Evening newspaper?

It's pretty early, isn't it?

- It's my own copy, Sir.

-[Richard] Oh, well, that's very kind of you, Hudson.

- Oh, thank you, Hudson.

-[Richard] Oh, oh, Hudson, will you get

me a telephone number?

Chancery 2214.

- Very good, Sir.

[door thumping]

- Scored me mad, he must think I'm very

out of date with the news.

- Oh, Richard.

- What?

God Almighty.

[phone ringing]

-[Hudson] Your number, Sir.

- Cancel it, please, Hudson.

-[Hudson] Very good, Sir.

- Our friend Pritchett seems to be out for my blood.

In God's name, why?

[knocking]

- Sir Geoffrey.

- Where is your master?

- I'll see if he's at home, Sir.

- Which means that he is.

- He's in the study, Sir.

-[Richard] Ah, Geoffrey.

- Sir Geoffrey Dillon, Sir.

- What is this, Richard?

- Oh, you have seen it.

- I have.

Are you trying to drag the Southwold name in the mud?

- I imagine you had come here through a concern for me,

and not for the torpid carers.

- Excuse me, Richard.

Sir Geoffrey.

- Have you thought of the Dowager Countess?

She's bound to hear of it.

Some friend will telephone, you may be sure.

How could you do this, Richard?

- I would of thought, a solicitor, above all,

would assume his client's innocence

until the reverse is proved.

- I only bought the damn paper to read about

that disgraceful divorce Yutevy Smith's conducting.

For us, as a matter of fact.

Well?

- I'll sue the rag for libel,

and you'll make a lot of money.

- You can't sue them.

It's not libelous.

"Have MP's been trafficking in Cartwright shares?"

It's a question.

"Richard Bellamy, MP, is found

to have bought shares in the company recently."

It's a plain statement of fact.

I assume it is a statement of fact.

- Of course, it is.

- How many?

- 5,000 pounds worth.

- What, the 5,000?

The money you got from James for the house?

- I have no other.

- Then you're a fool.

- A fool?

Even though they're now worth 20,000?

- I can manage simple arithmetic.

When did you buy them?

- Oh, middle of last month.

I was about to dispose of them.

- Don't you dare!

- Why not?

- It would look suspicious.

- Suspicious?

For God's sake.

- To sell out the moment you're in trouble,

as good as admitting your guilt.

- I am not in trouble, and I am not guilty.

- What exactly is this question tomorrow?

How is it raised?

Henry Pritchett?

And asking the Prime Minister?

- I know.

Why didn't he put it down for the war secretary?

- Wouldn't have made as big a splash in the papers.

Is Askwaith in on this?

- Surely not.

- Well, they're both liberals.

Why, I wouldn't put anything past them.

- Mr. Johnson Munhy to see you, Sir.

- Johnson Munhy?

Oh, send him in, Hudson.

- I thought you should have your chief whip

round here before you could say the word "scandal".

- Damn it, the question doesn't mention me by name.

- The newspaper does, Richard.

I'm afraid the fat's in the fire.

- Mr. Johnson Munhy, Sir.

- Bellamy.

Ah, Sir Geoffrey.

- Good afternoon.

- I expect you can guess why I'm here.

- Yes, yes, I can.

Please sit down.

- Thank you.

- Now, Munhy, before you go any further,

I'd like to make it quite clear to you.

- My dear Bellamy, you have purchased

shares in a firm possibly knowing...

I will allow you possibly.

That the firm in question

would benefit from a government contract.

That was a very dangerous thing to do.

- Did you know, Richard?

- I did not.

- Then why did you buy the stock?

- Because someone advised me to.

- Someone outside the House?

- Who was it, Richard, it might make a difference.

- The man who advised me to has nothing to do with politics.

- Your broker?

- Certainly not.

I cannot reveal his name,

because I promised not to on my word of honor.

- The honor of the Conservative Party is at stake, Bellamy.

And of the House of Commons.

- The honor of the House?

Have they gone mad?

- If that's your attitude.

- That is my attitude and my firm belief.

Let Pritchett ask his question and be damned.

- You're skating on very thin ice, Richard.

Don't you realize that?

- Munhy.

- Good morning.

- I would like you to arrange fa meeting for both of us

with the leader, if you would.

- I wouldn't advise it.

The morning's newspapers may come as pleasant reading.

- Yes, they say much to offend,

while offering nothing the way of fact.

Any further developments?

- Yes, one.

Through his chief whip, the Prime Minister

has done us the courtesy of showing us

his reply to Pritchett's question.

- Which is?

- "He knows nothing of dealings by honorable members

"in the shares of Cartwright Engineering, Ltd.,

"or whether any misuse of privileged information

"may be involved, but he wishes to inform the honorable

"member for Stafford North that he proposes

"to appoint a Select Committee to look into the matter."

- Select Committee?

- He set one up in '93 in similar circumstances

when he was Home Secretary.

The Fellowsome affair.

It worked very well.

It will be my duty to instruct you to appear

before the committee to answer their questions.

- Why not a full scale trial appeal or bailee?

- A three-man Select Committee will be simpler

and quicker, and it can take evidence under oath.

- Under oath?

I'm not a liar, you know.

- Nobody said you were.

Now, I advise you to go home, Bellamy.

I wouldn't show your face in the chamber, not today.

Unless you relish the prospect of a pack

of wolves baying for your blood.

- But she said she was going out to lunch.

- And now she's not, Mrs. Bridges.

- That's right, she was gonna visit

her marm, I heard her say it.

- Edward, what on earth are you doing with those flowers?

- Well, she likes the way I do them, she said so.

- [scoffing] Make a nice little wife

for somebody, you would.

- More than you would.

- Oh, chop and change, chop and change.

- The pavement outside is thick with people.

- Gawkers?

- Yes, gawkers and newspapermen, Mrs. Bridges.

Mrs. Bellamy's quite right not to run their gauntlet.

- Well, it'll just have to be the raised pie I made.

There's no choice.

[crowd clamoring in distance]

If she wants a share of our stew.

They're only there because his name's in the paper.

- You know, she should've let me call the police.

- Well, I should've thought they would 'ave come before.

'im, a member of Parliament and that rabble outside.

[clucking]

- They won't throw a bomb, will they?

- Get on with your work, Ruby.

Oh, good God, will they, Mr. 'udson?

- I think it extremely unlikely, Mrs. Bridges.

- Only villains get into papers.

- The master is hardly a villain, Mrs. Bridges.

- The king gets in papers.

- Duchess, maybe.

You get on with your work, my girl.

That there has got eyes in it.

I can see them from 'ere staring at me.

Just like that crowd outside, staring in here.

We're notorious, that's what we are.

- Now, keep calm, Mrs. Bridges.

- How can anybody keep calm?

Oh, oh!

Oh, drat!

[sobbing] It's like on a them besieges

with the enemy all round.

- We'll starve to death.

- Oh, be quiet, girl, I won't tell you again.

- Don't you pick on my Ruby.

- Oh, it's alright, Hudson, I came in through the mews.

- Yes, yes, of course, Sir, but uh...

- Rather a crowd at the front door.

- Yes, Sir, gentlemen of the press, Sir.

- So I gather.

- Oh.

Things must be bad for 'im to come in by 'is own back door.

[door thumping]

- So, it's tomorrow.

- What is?

- Your grilling by the Select Committee.

- Yes.

- Ah, I suppose I must wish you luck.

But I don't understand you.

- Don't you?

- No, I don't.

- Sir Geoffrey Dillon, Sir.

- Good evening, Sir Geoffrey.

- James.

- Do you want me to go?

- No, we have no secrets from each other.

How was Consoto?

- No, thank you, I haven't time.

- Well, do sit down.

- I have a city dinner tonight.

Wishful company Master Cutlers.

- Oh yes, they have the fellows who make the sharp knives

for politicians to stab each other in the back.

- If you're thinking of our friend Pritchett,

I am not altogether satisfied.

- How do you mean?

- His motive, Richard.

Damn it, the indiscretion of one Tory member

can't bring down a liberal government

and you can't bring down our opposition,

so what's his game?

- Pure mischief making by the sound of it.

- I wonder where his interests lie.

Let's keep an eye on friend Pritchett.

You've seen this, I take it.

- The names of my judges, yes.

- Not your judges, Richard, your examiners.

This isn't a trial, you know.

- Isn't it?

With the attorney general leading the team?

- Who is Reuben Chantrey?

- Liberal.

- Ah.

- And this man Divners, the Tory.

- Oh, he's a big brewer from the North.

Never mind him, harmless and stupid.

- One of each, and a criminal lawyer in the middle.

Now, look here, Richard, for the last time,

because there is no more time,

who was this man you claim

advised you to buy those shares?

Are you going to disclose his name?

- For the last time, Geoffrey, I am not.

The advice was given to me in the utmost confidence.

- And it remains a fact that it never occurred

to you to ask this man the source of his information.

- That is correct.

- [tsking] And that's what you're going

to tell the committee tomorrow.

- Yes.

- Oh, Father, why do you have to be so pigheaded?

- Because I happen to believe, James,

that a gentleman should keep his word.

And I trust you'll agree with that.

- The real reason why I called in this evening

is to tell you that I've taken the liberty

of seeing the speaker on your behalf.

- What good is that going to do me?

Wasn't that rather my business than yours?

- Not altogether.

Things are going to be said tomorrow

and questions asked which may

reflect upon your honor and integrity.

I feel it my duty as legal adviser to the family

to hold a watching brief upon the proceedings.

To this end, I have obtained the speaker's permission

and that of the attorney general to be present myself.

Fortunately, Sir William Trevanion and I

were at law together in New College Oxford.

- Is that in my favor?

- Quite the contrary, we detest each other.

- Then why come?

- I am concerned, Richard,

for the reputation of the Southwold name.

As far as yours is concerned, if you wish to withhold

the one piece of evidence that might save your skin,

by all means do so.

Wreck your political career, if that's what you want.

And disgrace your family by implication.

[door thumping]

- The evidence I shall give this committee will be

the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,

so help me God.

- You understand, Mr. Bellamy,

that the oath you have just taken

binds you throughout this inquiry.

- Well, of course, I understand.

- I would advise you not to be pettish with the court, Sir.

- Court, Sir William?

Committee, surely?

- Thank you, Sir Geoffrey, thank you.

Now, in permitting the accused a legal--

- Accused, Mr. William?

- I do beg your pardon, Sir Geoffrey,

I remember you were always a hair splitter.

What would you have?

- Now, gentleman, please, it was my understanding

that we're here to inquire

and make a report for the House.

For that we need facts,

and I am not sure that too much procedure matters.

- Procedure always matters, Mr. Chauntry.

Without it, we have anarchy.

And no justice is born of anarchy.

- Let's get on with it, aye?

- Well, surely, that is our intention.

Now, you've read the affidavit

from the a Robert Main of Benninger, Sitdorn, Main,

relating to the purchase of the shares.

Are there any questions arising from that?

- When you saw the sharp rise of the shares,

due to press support of the contract,

you didn't think it prudent to sell the shares?

- In the circumstances, I saw no reason to.

- Are you in the habit of speculating

on the stock exchange, Mr. Bellamy?

- Up until I bought the Cartwright shares,

I had never bought or sold a share in my life.

- When these shares you purchased went up in price,

perhaps you'll allow me to use the word sensationally,

because it was announced that the company

had signed a contract to supply the army

with a new motor vehicle known as The Bulldog,

were you surprised?

- I was.

- The negotiations leading up to this contract

were, I understand, conducted over

a number of years in the strictest secrecy.

One of the reasons, I believe, was commercial rivalry.

Another company known as Rankin's Mechanicals

having also submitted designs to the war office.

Now, Mr. Bellamy, if in spite that secrecy,

you had learned of this new vehicle

and the high hopes pinned upon its successful developments,

then surely you must have known

that you'd be guilty by investing in the company.

[clearing throat]

- Oh, Mr. Chauntry, Mr. Chauntry,

you exercise Sir Geoffrey.

Mr. Bellamy is not on trial.

I would...

Nevertheless, it is possible that criminal proceedings

could ensue from this committee's work.

And in certain circumstances,

the report might have to be sent

to the director of public prosecutions.

- I have no objection to anything Mr. Chauntry has said.

If I had known of this contract before

I bought the shares, I would indeed be guilty

of using privileged information for personal gain.

There's no question of that.

- Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

So, we may take it you did not know.

- I did not.

I am a back bencher in opposition,

not party to war office secrets.

- Mr. Chauntry, would it not be in order

if I were to introduce this--

- Oh yes, indeed, now I think is the time, yes.

- [exhaling] Mr. Bellamy, we have through the courtesy

of the central registrar, access to certain documents

which are not normally available.

- We've had no sight of any such document, Sir William.

- No, Sir Geoffrey.

But you will hear of them.

Now, I have in my hand here,

"a minute of the proceedings,

"the Imperial Defense Committee

"for Friday, June the 27th, 1905."

A well attended meeting of this important body.

And among the names of members present

is listed that of Mr. Richard Bellamy, MP,

who was as that time under secretary of state

at the admiralty in Mr. Balfour's government.

- I admit I was on the Imperial Defense Committee

at that time, and that was up until the change

of government in 1905 when g...

- Thank you.

Thank you.

Now on that day, June the 27th 1905,

there were two matters on the agenda.

It reports on the maneuvers, the German grand fleets.

- A matter of great concern to me, of course.

- And...

And a report on the development

of a promising new truck for the army

in its first stages of design

by Cartwright Engineering Company, Ltd.,

to be known as The Bulldog.

Now, from these minutes, it's perfectly clear

that the further development of that vehicle

was encouraged by, among others, Mr. Richard Bellamy.

Would you care to comment on that?

- It was eight years ago.

How can I possibly remember details of the wretched truck

or the name of the manufacturer's after all that time?

- Can you prove you couldn't?

- James, I can't.

- Surely, Richard, all you need to do

is tell the name of the man at the club.

- I will not betray a confidence, Hazel.

Not for a whole army of lawyers and politicians.

Yeah, they too, is to put a scurrilous and insulting

interpretation on what I did in perfect innocence,

then be damned to them.

- Yes, and allow the press and public,

to mention nothing of your friends and family,

to go on believing that you behaved

in a dishonorable manner.

- I did nothing of the sort.

- Then prove it.

- It's not up to me to prove anything.

The burden of proof is on them.

- Father, you are guilty by implication.

- I am not guilty.

Will you please stop making these accusations.

You're as bad as they are.

- James, please.

Well, Richard has been through a lot today.

- And more to come tomorrow.

- Yes.

And whose fault is that?

- Will they put him in prison, you think?

- I don't think.

I dare to think.

- Where's that girl?

- Ruby?

She's in the scullery.

- Letter, Edward.

- What do you want her for?

- Oh, she's going up in the world.

She has correspondence.

- Ruby?

- Mrs. Bridges, please.

A letter is private, even to a kitchen maid.

- I have the right.

If it's from some man.

I'll give 'er one she won't forget.

- You wanted me, Mr. 'udson?

- You've, uh, had a letter, Ruby.

- Oh no, not me.

- Yes, here is the envelope.

"Miss Ruby Finch, care of 165 Eaton Place."

The idea.

- "Ruby Finch."

[chuckling] That's me name.

- A man, Mrs. Bridges?

- Oh no, I never, I swear, it's a lie--

- Worse, its from Bradford, from your mother.

There you go.

[clock ticking]

- You'll read it for me, Mrs. Bridges, won't you?

Well, it would take me all day, and I...

I've got pots to scour.

Is she alright?

It's not her leg, is it?

It's not me sister Ethel?

- "Dear Ruby,

"You're to come home at once.

"Your dad and me don't want you servin'

"in no house what gets in the papers.

"2nd, we do not want you workin' for someone

"who like as not will soon be in prison,

"Your dad's sure of it.

"3rd, I got you a place as kitchen maid

"with Dr. Reardon round the corner.

"It's live-in and all found

"so, you won't be under my feet.

"Enclosed, money for train.

"PS, Spot died, run over by the brewer's dray.

"Your dad and Ethel send their love.

"Mother."

[sobbing]

- Will you tell the committee how you first came

by the knowledge that Richard Bellamy's name

was on the register at Fairfolds and Carwright's?

- I went to the company's office

and looked up the share register.

- Did you find the names of any other

members of Parliament on the register?

Any one at all whose holding affairs

might have distracted you?

- I did not.

- So, there was no great Tory plot?

I doubt whether even you would consider

Mr. Richard Bellamy's holding shares on his own a Tory plot.

So, one begins to wonder why you made

the expedition to the company's offices in the first place.

- I am interested in the good name of this House

and rectitude in public life.

- Address the committee, if you please.

- I am vigilant against corruption

on the behalf of my constituents.

- Ah yes, your constituents in...

Stafford North, I believe.

- That is my constituency.

- Though up 'til 1904, Mr. Pritchett,

you were, I believe, a shareholder

of a company called Rankin Mechanicals.

- I did have a few shares.

But what of it?

- Were not Rankin Mechanicals the only possible

competition for that war office contract?

Rankin Mechanicals, whose factory

is in Stafford North, your constituents, Sir.

- Look, I don't know what you're implying.

- The committee, if you please.

- I told 'er, Madame, she can't go.

[Rose sniffling]

I mean, I can't find another

kitchen maid in two minutes notice.

And anyway, it's downright disloyal--

- Alright, Mrs. Bridges. - I--

Ruby, we cannot go against your mother's wishes.

- But I don't want to go.

[bawling] I like it 'ere, Madame.

- Oh, there, there.

There, there, Ruby.

-[Hazel] Perhaps you can take her downstairs, Mrs. Bridges.

- Yes, yes, yes, Madame.

- I will write to your mother, Ruby.

And see if I can persuade her to change her mind.

That is all I can do.

- Thank you, Madame.

- C'mon, Ruby, blow your nose.

[Ruby crying]

Come with me.

I'm sorry, Madame.

- Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

[sighing]

It seems as if Ruby's family has been poisoned

by what they read in the newspaper.

- Yes, Madame, as working class people,

they can hardly be expected not to know any better.

- Would be a pity if she left.

Well, we'll just have to see.

Thank you, Hudson.

Hudson?

- Madame?

-[Hazel] I want to ask you a kindness.

- Anything I can do, Madame.

- Please keep this to yourself, Hudson.

The night before Mr. Bellamy telephoned

his stockbroker about these wretched shares.

- I do recall, Madame.

- Do you?

Do you remember the date?

Because you see, Mr. Bellamy dined at his club that night,

and someone he met there, one of the members

advised him to buy those shares.

- Yes, Madame.

- Well, I won't go into all the details, Hudson.

For various reasons, Mr. Bellamy cannot himself reveal

the man's name to the committee's inquiry.

And I'm, that is, I and Captain James,

we must find out, you see,

so that Mr. Bellamy will be cleared

of all this suspicion.

- You will be hoping to persuade

the gentleman to come forward.

- Exactly.

I cannot myself go into a man's club and ask the hall

porter the name of any of the members

who might have spoken to Mr. Bellamy on the night of

whatever it was.

- It was the night of September the 9th, Madame.

- Really?

- I have reason to remember,

because the following day was the 10th.

The St. Leger day at Doncaster.

- Are you sure?

- Positive.

If I might take the afternoon off, Madame?

- Certainly, Hudson.

- I put it to the honorable member for Stafford North

that Rankin's found out that Richard Bellamy

was a shareholder in Cartwright's,

their successful rivals,

that Rankin's pressured him.

How, I don't know, and heaven forbid

that I should find out.

To start this kalamay, not to destroy Richard Bellamy,

a mere victim standing in the way.

But to negate Cartwright's contract

by painting a picture of corruption

so that the war office and the treasury

would be forced to cancel the contract.

- I agree.

The contract should be canceled.

The whole thing should be reexamined.

- And go to Rankin's next time?

- Well, that if I may say so, will be disastrous.

To give the contract to another firm,

when Carwright's have already developed a vehicle.

A truck which can serve as a troop carrier,

a supply vehicle, ambulance, even,

even light artillery

- It seems you do remember the details, Mr. Bellamy.

And with enviable clarity.

- A Mr. Challen?

- Can't remember.

'e doesn't come in much.

- Would that have been the night before the St. Leger?

September the 9th.

- Yes, I reckon it was.

- Can you be sure?

- Quite sure.

You see, this siphon of soda

squirted all over Mr. Challen.

And when I took the siphon back

to Jack in the dispense, and told him as Mr. Challen

had wet his trousers, oh ho ho, he laughed,

and 'e said it must be a good omen,

'cause 'e was backin' 'orse called

April Showers at Doncaster the next day.

- Could you, uh, tell me this Mr. Challen's address.

- Oh no, I can't do that.

Against the rules to give

members' addresses to strangers.

Sorry, it's on me job's worth.

- But you, uh, you must have a member's address book.

- In the old porter's cubby 'ole.

Wait 'ere.

[door thumping]

- That I knew something of the war office

hopes for bull log, I have no wish to deny.

And I was not deceiving the committee by saying otherwise.

It had simply gone out of my mind.

I admit that in July of this year,

I was the possessor of the capital sum of 5,000 pounds.

Without, to be frank, hopes of anymore.

While pondering over this, I came across

an old friend I had not seen for many years.

Whose name because his advice was given to me

in the strictest confidence I am unable to disclose.

- Mmm.

Well, were we to believe in this man's existence,

which we must question,

another question would have to be answered.

How much did this individual know,

and how did he know it?

- Then I can only be right to protect his name.

- Yes, I think you are.

- Though at what a cost.

- There seems nothing more

to be said on either side,

so we will adjourn.

And consider our report tomorrow.

- Sir Geoffrey.

[door thumping]

I found out the name of the man at the club.

Have you? By George!

- Yes.

Are you sure?

- I hope so.

- Where's Richard?

- Oh, he's in bed.

He's very tired.

- Well, who was it?

- A man called Challen.

Jack Challen.

- Where's the Who's Who?

- Over there.

I wanted to talk to you first.

Before I telephone him.

- No, no, no don't telephone.

If he were going to come forward,

he would've done so by now.

- His address is Hillgreen Hall, near Torchwood.

[paper rustling]

- This should interest the committee.

- Now, you told us the other day

that you never cared to ask this man his reasons

for advising you to buy the shares.

- That is right.

- You knew and indeed you made it clear

to the chief whip and to myself

that this was not a man involved in politics.

- Yes.

- Did you know he was involved in business?

- I knew that he was a businessman.

- I'm going to suggest to you that this man

is a senior director of Cartwright's.

He is married to the daughter

of the company's chairman, Mr. William Cartwright.

And that his reason for demanding your discretion

was that he knew of the contract with the war office

about to be signed by his firm.

And that he could be in breach of city ethics

by tipping his company's shares,

at that time, to anyone.

- What am I supposed to say to that?

- You are under oath to answer

questions put to you here truthfully.

And I shall ask you one more question,

which you must answer truthfully.

- What is your question?

- Is the name of the man who advised

you to buy those shares, John Stuart Challen?

- Yes.

And may God and Challen forgive me.

- Sir.

[door thumping]

- Well, Richard?

- There is to be no report.

At least not one that will cause a scandal.

I am declared innocent if foolish.

And my lack of forethought is deplored.

- Deplored?

How dare they?

- How dare they?

They could have dared a great deal worse.

How dare you?

- What?

Going to my club.

- I didn't go to your club. - Sending my servant.

Involving my servant in my affairs.

- Someone had to.

- Clubs exist so that women

and servant's can't meddle.

As a result, I've been forced to break my word.

You've made me a man whose word is worthless.

I'd rather prison than that.

- Then you are a fool.

Do you think I give a damn about your word of honor,

hand on your heart, public school code?

- Such things matter to a man.

- It don't matter to a woman.

Any woman.

We fight for things that do matter.

Like our families.

And you are my family.

Like it or not.

- Women should keep out of men's affairs.

- Keep out?

Newspapers?

Servant's leaving?

And those that are here in turmoil.

- I don't care.

It was wrong of you and Geoffrey Dillon to force

Challen's name out into the open against his will.

And possibly get him into serious trouble with his company.

- He should have come forward, but he didn't dare.

Man's a coward.

Oh, Richard.

Please, don't be angry just because you needed help.

- I am angry because you behaved

so willfully and improperly.

Clearly, your ways are not yet our ways.

- I am sorry about that.

I frequently think that you and James are insane.

- Because we have standards?

- I have standards, and I obey them.

You won't convince me I've done anything wrong.

- Our ways will have to become your ways.

About that there can be no argument.

And I suggest you start working on it this very minute.

Now, please leave my study.

[door thumping]

[orchestral music]