All language subtitles for s01e03_-_the_burglar_s_wife1

Good morning, Patron.

Stay outside, you.

Patron.

Patron. Sorry, I didn't expect you in
this morning. There's a woman waiting to

see you.

Ernestine Jussion.

Oh, you'll have to deal with her.

Well, she asked to see you, Patron. She
said you'd remember. Don't argue with

me, La Pointe. Even a chief inspector's
allowed leave once a year.

There for my niece.

Look, I went on my holiday one hour ago.

He said you'd remember her because she
once took off all her clothes in front

you. What did I do? Nothing. That's why
she wants to see you. It was ten years

ago. You don't remember?

The beanpole.

You came to arrest the young woman that
stole her handbag.

To make things difficult for you, I took
off all my clothes.

Yes, I remember.

What can I do for you?

They sent me down for 14 days. When I
got out, you slipped me 50 francs. Told

to go home to mother.

My advice appears to have been wasted.
Perhaps.

But I remember the one policeman who
couldn't be corrupted.

Behave like a human being.

Continue with your duties.

Yes, Captain.

I married Freddy just young.

Had Freddy?

Mm -hmm. And two days ago, he went out
on a job.

Well, all I know is it was somewhere in
the suburbs.

At 5 o 'clock in the morning, the
telephone rang. It was Freddy.

He was ringing from a cafe near the
railway station, Gardiner.

Mm -hmm.

It seems that when he got down to this
joint, it knew him. What joint?

Well, what a job was. I don't know
exactly what.

Go on.

Well, he never got down to business.

Because there was a body in the room.

A woman's body.

Roped up in a rug and dumped over the
back of a seat.

No, a section boat.

Duty desk.

What? Well, then he had a car drop, so
he beat it. He was so scared, he dumped

his bicycle in the river.

Have you had any homicide report in the
last 48 hours?

No corpses?

No bodies fished out of the Seine.

Thank you.

All right.

Let me know when you hear from him
again.

Well, that's just it.

I won't. Not unless you solve the case.

Well, is there anything else you
remember?

Well, he wore gloves, of course, but in
his panic, he left his kit behind.

Uh -huh.

Any other details?

No, that's a lot.

All right, dear. Thanks for the
information.

You'll deal with the case yourself.

Even when I'm on leave, I'm still in
charge here.

Is that good enough for you?

I suppose so.

But I want Freddy back.

My home, please.

La Pointe. La Pointe. Bring me the file
on Alfred Jussion.

Sad Freddy the Safebreaker.

Quick as you can.

Yes, La Pointe.

Hello, dear. No, it's me.

Look, I'm going to be delayed a little
while.

Mm -hmm.

Something's blown up.

No, no, no, no, no.

Just an hour or two.

Oh,

I'll get a sandwich.

Oh, look. Tell Rose I got the flippers.

The Jussion file.

Is your car here? No, he's on duty, but
I can tell you all about Sad Freddy.

Oh, you can.

Apprentice de Planchard, the safe
manufacturer, left because he got

with some tart, took with him
impressions of the keys of every safe

sold. There's a list of Planchard safes
on the file.

Excellent, Lopointe. You're a smart boy.

You're going to have the privilege of
working with me.

You don't like that?

Well, it's my holiday. I was hoping to
get away at midday. That makes two of

Now, Nui.

Nay, nay, here we are.

Jumped over the back of a settee, huh?

Well, assuming that you only find
upholstered furniture in private

There's only one private address in the
whole of Nui. A planchard safe.

Installed 12 years ago.

Sixty -six.

Holy Lafayette.

You, my boy, put out a general call for
San Freddy.

last heard of in the cafe on Thursday
night it burned from a cafe near the

du Nord.

That may not be true.

She'll wait if she's worth it.

Patron, your girl.

You can call her if you like on my
private line.

Why don't you get it over with? I'm
sorry?

With the dentist.

I saw you across the street.

Oh, well, I'm early. It's only an
examination.

What's he like?

The dentist.

I've never been.

I lost my teeth in the 14th war.

That was before his time.

Family's been here for years.

Very respected.

It's a very old family.

Not like a dentist, really.

Soda? Water.

I shouldn't think you ever need a
dentist.

Young Monsieur Thayer, as we call him.

I'm told he's quite gentle, really.

Well spoken.

He comes in here?

After dinner, usually.

To get away from his wife, eh?

No, from his mother.

She doesn't allow strong drink.

What else does he come in here for?

Nothing he shouldn't.

He's very fond of his wife.

He only married her two years ago.

How did you get here? By bus.

I want a word with you. A brandy, five
stars.

May I?

You knew the address all the time. I
looked at Freddy's list.

There was any house marked it, no?

Well, anyway, it's a complete waste of
time. You can see for yourself it's a

respectable place.

These people have been here since before
the First World War.

There's been any breaking and entering,
they'd have reported it.

You don't believe me?

All right.

You're not satisfied?

But you can pay for your own drink.

Have you an appointment?

Speak with Mrs. Thayer, please. You
never see anyone without an appointment.

Will you tell him that Chief Inspector
Maygray would like to speak with him?

He's come in.

I may have to keep you waiting. Come
this way, will you?

My son is up...

I don't wish to seem inquisitive.
Employee to turtle. May I know what this

about? Is he ill?

He isn't strong.

His medical attendant wouldn't excuse
him from speaking to a police officer?

Doctor de Boeck gets very annoyed if he
overdoes it.

Can I speak to his wife?

Maria is no longer with us.

It's about her that you've come, isn't
it?

I'd like to know about her.

Was she his first wife?

My son was a widower for many years.
Then, two years ago, he married again.

I see.

Perhaps it was my fault I thought he'd
be happier.

Where? That she wasn't used to our ways
and perhaps she imagined him to be

wealthier than he really is.

Anyway, Maria left us two days ago.

For good?

Personally, I don't think she'll ever
return.

It was an amicable separation.

She thought she'd like to be with her
own people in Holland.

This gentleman is a police officer, he
owns.

What exactly do you want?

I have reason to believe that you have
been the victim of an attempted

Well, surely, Inspector, if that were
the case, I would have reported it.

Well, you don't mind if I look around?

Your mother was just telling me that
your wife left you on Thursday to go to

Holland.

Did you drive her to the station?

What on earth has that got to do with
it?

Well, you might have been out when the
attempt was made. As a matter of fact,

Maria fetched a taxi.

Did you have a car? I have.

What time did she leave?

I don't think... The inspector's only
doing his duty here.

Let me see. And time to catch the 9 .40.

Mm -hmm. From the Gardenault?

We naturally thought so.

Let's see. Did you see her off?

I went upstairs after dinner. So did my
son.

You didn't see her off at the door?

We made our farewells earlier.

Mm -hmm.

Well, you had a breakage, yeah? We
banged two on the night of the storm.

would be Tuesday.

Mm -hmm.

Where do you sleep, madame? Over here.

And your son over the front room? I do.

You sent for Glacier right away?

No, my son mended it. He always sees to
any little household repairs.

There's been no burglary that we know
of.

But kindly you to call, Inspector.

Any more questions?

Yes, just this.

When I first called, your mother
concluded that I'd called to inquire

wife. That is so.

I was afraid that Maria had been foolish
when passing through the customs.

She took all her jewellery with her and
some of it was recently purchased.

So that you don't even know whether
she's arrived. When she's settled, I'm

she will communicate with it.

My son is naturally upset.

But if there are any more questions, I
shall be only too glad to answer.

just one question, Madam, sir. If you
sleep over the back, how did you know

Maria had got out for a taxi?

I went to my son's room to comfort him,
and from there we saw her come back with

a taxi.

And the taxi man came in for her
luggage? That is the way she wanted it,

Inspector. Thank you, Madam.

Goodbye, Inspector.

Monsieur is coming back. Another anise
and more ice. And if you will pay?

Naturally. Too bad for you if he
doesn't.

Listen, you... I wanted you another
anise. Thank you very much. That's kind

you. Now, look.

It's Freddy's word against those people
over there.

Respectable citizens.

They've answered every question I put to
them. There's been no breaking and no

entering. Well, that's what they say.

Look, I'll do my job and you do yours.

I'm in the wrong district for that.

Why did you just go home and wait for
Freddy to turn up?

Well, supposing he doesn't?

If I were Freddy, I wouldn't stay away
too long.

Well, all I can say is I'm disappointed
in you, Inspector Medwell.

Inspector?

My mother told me over here.

Do you mind if I sit down?

No, I don't want anything to thank you.

The fact is, as soon as you'd left, I
went round to the garage at the back to

get out my car.

It's gone.

So that's obviously the solution. There
was a theft, but it wasn't from the

house. It was my car that was stolen.

When did you last use it?

Last Wednesday, I think.

It's a 1956 black V -Doc saloon. The
number is IZ...

1 -5 -2 -7 -3 -B. I have a license. I
said 1 -5 -2 -7 -3 -B. No, no, don't

bother.

Oh, I don't think you told me your
wife's maiden name.

Her name is Thanat.

Thanat. Maria Thanat.

Double A -R -T -S. There's her record at
the town hall.

Thank you. You'll let me know when she
gets in touch with you.

Very well.

May I ask you if you have any influence
here locally?

I think so.

Then be good enough to tell the town
hall that I need my car.

I can't get him up much on foot. I have
a cardiac condition.

Au revoir.

Telephone.

Yes, Patron.

Yes.

Now, I want you to go over to the
Jussium apartment.

Ernestine has just left here, so you
should have half an hour to yourself.

make quite sure that Sad Freddy really
has gone away. Is Sergeant Luca there?

Yes, Patron.

Mr. Luca.

Mr.

Luca. I'll call you back.

Patron. Ah, Luca, I know you're busy,
but this is something that La Pointe

handle. I want you to get in touch with
the Frontier Police and ask whether

there's been any customs difficulty with
Madame Sayre or Fanarts travelling to

Amsterdam Thursday night.

Madame Sayre? Or what? Or Fanarts?

Uh -huh. The next thing's a bit more
tricky.

Give my compliments to Inspector Kemper
of the Amsterdam Police in asking to

find out if Madame Sayre crossed the
Frontier and where she is now. And,

be careful.

The Sayre family register at least one
General of France and two deputies.

Vive la France.

Are you coming back?

No, I don't think I need.

I think we'll find a set for any pinched
car to go blonde to the seaside.

If my wife rings, just tell her that I'm
on my way home now and we'll have a

late start.

Have you got my holiday address?

Good. That's all. Bye.

Bye -bye.

Luca. Ah, Madame Magret.

How are you?

Looking forward to your holiday?

Looks like another burnt chicken,
Madame.

He's just rung to say he's on the way,
but he'll be late.

No, no, no, truly, madame.

He definitely said he's on the way now,
but he will be late.

Goodbye.

Bertrand, you said you weren't coming
back. I forgot something.

I checked with customs. There's nothing
come through yet.

Inspector Kemper was out, but his
assistant seems to be a live wire, so I

him the message.

Good. That all?

The plant's checked with stolen cars,
but no news yet. Excellent, excellent.

What have you been up to?

Acting on your instructions, I went
round to the flat occupied by Sad Freddy

Mademoiselle... Madame... The beanpole,
yes. Now, take it quietly.

Patron, well, I affected an entry. You
got in.

Now, let's have it in your own words.

Patron. Well, the thing is this. The bed
wasn't made, and two people had slept

in it. On one side of the cabinet, there
was a glass of milk, and it was empty.

Go on.

Well, Sad Freddy has ulcers. He drinks
milk. Milk.

So would I.

I had Alphys.

And I may have soon. Now, go on.

Well, there were some dregs of milk in
the bottom of the glass, and they were

still quite fresh. Now, in this weather,
the milk would have gone off in a few

hours.

Congratulations,

La Pointe.

Clear off.

Patron? Your holiday.

You've earned it.

Thanks, patron.

Thank you.

You'd better have someone watch that
place. Pick up St. Freddie. Yes, I will.

Let me know what happens.

His wife owes me at least six drinks.

Oh, I checked with the Met boys. There
was a storm in the Nui district on

Tuesday night.

Storm? Yeah.

Oh, yes, the mended window.

You know, if Sad Freddy is lurking
there, he didn't pinch a car.

Ask records to let you have a list of
all the ironmongers in the Nui district.

We'll have found.

Laplante, you'll be halfway home by now.

No.

Well, I think I'll go down there myself.

Tell the records I collected on the way
out.

Let's have a list of all the ironmongers
in the Nuri district round about Rue de

la Ferme.

Sheet glass and putty. Quick as you can.

Do you sell sheet glass?

Yes, sir. Have you brought the
measurements?

No, it's for a friend.

Do you know, Mr. Sayre?

The dentist, yes, sir.

He's been in lately.

Well, I've only just come back from a
holiday.

But I can look it up in the book. Oh,
he's got an account here, has he? That's

right.

And he bought the piece of glass on
Wednesday.

42 by 65.

Mm -hmm.

Wednesday, eh? A lot of people came to
book glass or order the glazier on that

day. Ah, yes. There was a bad storm on
Tuesday night. Right, that's it. Thank

you very much.

Hello. He came back for another piece on
Friday.

Hmm? Let me see.

Same size, 42 by 65.

Is that the piece he's worried about?

Yeah.

I think he'd very well, maybe.

We'll see with you.

if you've been at... Hello?

Amsterdam?

Monsieur Meret's not here.

Shall I take the call for him?

Yes, yes, I'm his wife.

Inspector?

I'm most terribly sorry, but they did
say that he would be back right away,

he hasn't turned up yet.

Well, I can't understand it because...

Oh, it's important.

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, we were
just getting off for our holiday.

Prisoner this year.

Yes, thank you. And your wife?

Good. Hold on a minute. He's here.

Amsterdam. Inspector Kemper. He wants to
speak to you personally.

Hello, Kemper?

Yes, make way here. Sorry I was out.

Yeah? Yes, that's the name.

Maria Serf and Arts.

Yeah.

Oh, that's very useful.

Yes? Oosting?

Oosting. Gertrude Oosting. Two O's
through Gertrude Oosting.

Not at all.

The next best thing to a body is a
missing person.

Now, will you do this for me, please?
Ask her to lodge an official request.

your Bureau of Missing Persons will
refer it to ours.

That's right.

Thank you very much.

What?

Yes, it's hot here, too.

Goodbye.

What's she done?

Behaved like a sensible person.

When her friend didn't turn up, she
thought she must have lost the address.

So she telephoned the police.

Well, how long will it take to get the
official request through?

Oh, Kemper will push it through in the
morning, noon.

Shall I cancel our bookings again, then?
Bookings? Oh!

Oh, no.

No, why should we?

Are you going out?

I've made you a promise and I'm going to
stick to it.

If you want to make an early start in
the morning, I shall have to work all

night. We'll have to get you something
to eat. All right.

Good

evening,

Mr. Sayers.

Have you a warrant?

On a complaint lodged by Fru Gertrude
Usting of Amsterdam, I'm conducting an

inquiry into the disappearance of Maria
Cerny.

What is it, Guillaume? It's nothing,
Maman. Please go up to your room.

These gentlemen, I believe, wish to
search the house.

Where do you want to start?

From the top to the bottom.

Your father?

An uncle.

General Foncer.

I see. Your mother's brother.

Mm -hmm.

His wife.

A cousin, Guillaume Fortard, the deputy.

That's my mother, her first communal.

Would you mind opening your safe,
please?

Of course.

Your first wife?

A cousin.

You'll understand that when I marry her
again... Yes, of course.

Is there a portrait of your second wife?

The small one, the wedding group.

Inspector?

Thank you.

Gold? Yes.

May I close it? No, no, leave it. It'll
be attended to later.

Don't seem to have had many patients.
I'm in semi -retirement.

Mostly women.

Prescriptions for my family.

Sure, I see.

Jean, sir? That's my first wife.

She had a weak heart.

You'll find her death certificate in the
files.

Maria, sir, your second wife.

She had a weak heart, too. She has
pretty good health.

Seems to have spent quite a lot on
medicine.

She isn't a young woman, Inspector.

Dr Dubuc was your family doctor?

He was telling my wife before we
married.

He died recently.

But she continued with the
prescriptions.

Do you keep this locked?

Allow me.

You will find the normal preparations
used in dental surgery.

Pure alcohol, ether, stimulants,
including swelling salts.

I keep a book, like everything else in
the house. It's in perfect order.

I'm sure it is, but unlock it all the
same. Do you want to go through it now?

No, no, my men will see to it later.

When did you meet your second wife, Mr.
Steele?

We met at the Louvre.

Maria was alone in Paris.

She put an advertisement in the papers
asking to meet somebody who was

interested in art.

And then you discovered that you both
knew Dr Dubuque? That is so, yes.

It wasn't Dr Dubuque who introduced you?

No, I remember quite clearly.

He came to dinner and my mother
mentioned the name Mademoiselle Van

We were naturally pleased that he could
give such a good account of her.

And are you interested in art, Monsieur
Sayle?

Well, I prefer literature.

Do you have any other interests in
common?

She likes driving.

Incidentally, have you found my car yet?

Oh, if it's been abandoned, it'll turn
up at nightfall.

It's easier, then, for the patrol.

Oh, let me. Tea, Inspector.

We have it mild in the English style.

Oh, no, thank you, madame. Some for your
men when they finish upstairs.

Madame.

Inspector. When do you have your rubbish
collected?

On Friday. There will be yesterday.

So you can't show me the broken glass?
I'm afraid not.

We're ready now for your room, madame.

Certainly.

Just one moment, madame.

How long have you been a widow?

Eighteen years, Inspector.

When your husband died, he was
considerably older than yourself?

In fact, younger.

He did not lead a careful life.

The certificate called a pericarditis.

When he died, was your son married?

No, not for five or six years.

I see. Did you approve of his first
marriage? In a good family, Inspector,

things are not left to chance.

We had known Jeanne for many years.

It was a most suitable match.

Not Havana, but quite smokeable.

Thank you.

Monsieur, sir.

Would you care to put on another jacket
and some shoes?

Are you arresting me?

I think you could give me more
assistance. I'm at headquarters.

Yes, yes, he's here. Of course he's
here, but I can't disturb him now.

No, it's more than my life's worth.
Sorry.

Huh?

Oh, well, why didn't you say?

Whereabouts?

What time?

Mm -hmm.

I see.

Good, I'll tell him right away.

Yeah, let me know as soon as you can.

Excuse me, Monsieur, sir.

I'll be with you again in a moment.

Administrative details.

They take a lot of time.

No one doesn't think of time in a job
like this.

Good.

Just a moment. You can take these.

There.

Ah, good work.

Mr. Sayre, you're lucky. We found your
car for you.

Thank you.

Tenny, half a mile from your home.

Where is this exactly?

On that patch of rough ground near the
cemetery.

Oh.

Where's the car now? We brought it in.
The technicians are going over it. Good.

Let me have their report.

Meantime, order some coffee. Right away?

No, no. We haven't done a night's work
yet.

Like some coffee, Mr. Sayre?

I had mine after dinner. Thank you.

Now, would you mind sitting here?

Sir, correct me if I'm wrong. Am I to
understand that I'm being charged?

You're here as a witness.

However, if you wish me to charge you,
I'm ready to do so. What with?

The point for you to consider, Monsieur
Sayer, is that if I ask the Director of

Prosecutions to indict you, that would
entitle you to legal advice.

I don't need it, thank you. Good. Well,
let's get on.

Now, we have established that your
father died of pericarditis.

That only means an enlarged heart, like
yours in all probability.

Your first wife died of heart trouble.
Your second wife also had heart trouble.

Not necessarily.

But Dr. Dubuc prescribed the same pill.
According to statistics, nearly 30 % die

of heart failure.

Is your life insured, Mr. Sayles? Since
I was a child. And your wife? Quite

usual. What is less usual is to give a
large amount in gold and currency in

safe. Oh, you forget the excessive rates
of taxation and the constant

devaluations. You admit, then, that your
intention was to conceal your capital

and defraud the Treasury?

Did you tell your wife about the money
in the safe?

She knows.

You told her?

Her own was in there until a few days
ago. Was your wife wealthy? She has

but I can see what you're driving at.
What am I driving at?

Whether the money you found in the safe
was all mine or part of it hers. What's

this? One column is headed GM and the
other M.

M stands for Maria?

Naturally. And GM?

Guillaume Mamon.

You and your mother?

We share everything.

Have you thought about that second
window pane?

That was obviously an error on the
books.

The young assistant was away on holiday
and the old man's getting past it.

Don't you like a cognac, you say?

That too.

What does that mean?

I'm sure they told you at the cafe that
I take an occasional drink there.

Well, what's wrong with one now?

You're insinuating that I'm under my
mother's thumb.

Allow me to tell you that my father was
a drunkard.

Is that why there's no portrait of him
in your house?

You're very fond of your mother, aren't
you, Mr. Sayre?

Luca, Mr. Sayre is ready to make a
deposition relative to tax evasion.

You can take him into the confessional.

Don't be alarmed.

The confessional's just a small room
next door.

It's all yours.

I'm good.

I think I'll take a breath of air and
see if there's anything on the car.

I only think you'll see arms out there.

Beanpole? And Madame Sayre says she
wants to help. She's obviously concerned

her precious son.

All right, Luca, I'll deal with him.

Thank you.

Inspector.

Oh, Madame Sarah, there's no need for
you to come down. If there are any

questions, my son can't answer. Oh,
we're getting on very well, thank you.

Me? Come on, I haven't got all night.

What's the matter? Are you mad because I
made you pay for my drink in the cafe?

Since when have you been drinking milk?
I never drink.

Well, I never drink milk except for
breakfast.

And I'm too lazy to make coffee.

You can't get Freddy to come up here?

I don't know where he is.

Ah, well, I suppose he'd be not worth
two shoes as a witness anyway. I don't

suppose he would.

But I don't want to see him.

Hmm.

All right. You can do something for me.

Do you know who that is in there?

Murderer's mother.

That's a respectable widow who's offered
every assistance to the police.

Unfortunately, neither she nor her son
realise that in the course of justice,

the police are no respecter of persons.

Now, it would shorten matters if she
could be made to realise that.

You're going to beat her up?

Beanpole. Thought you were bright.

Think.

One moment, Mother.

Pat? No, no, no.

What are you in for?

I'm waiting for my son.

What's he in for? He's just here as a
witness.

Lucky boy.

That man who just went by... Inspector
Mason. I believe that is his name.

He seems very correct.

First time I met him, he kept me stark
naked in his office for 24 hours with a

window open in midwinter. Oh, poor you.

You seem a nice girl, but tell me, have
you ever served a term in prison?

Since you asked me?

Yes.

What's it like?

Well...

The first thing is they want to shave
you from head to foot, crew cut down to

your knees, against bugs.

But don't you let them. You stand up for
yourself.

You tell them you're clean and decent.

Do they beat you?

Oh, no.

Not once they get you to the locker.
Yeah.

If you don't answer the question.

What's your name?

Where did you see him?

Where did he go? What's your name?

That may be the devil. He break down a
stone.

I don't know what he's doing to me. You
must have courage.

Have you finished it?

Not yet. You can have them again in a
minute.

A few more questions, Mr. Sayre.

How often do you clean your car?

When it's dirty.

When did you last clean it?

Last Wednesday.

Ah, yes.

The day after the Tuesday thunderstorm.
That's right. The roads were muddy. We

took a trip to Fontainebleau.

Hmm? Hmm?

Oui. The three of us.

We're civilized beings. My wife and I
are quite amicable.

Mm -hmm.

So you took a trip to Fontainebleau,
huh? Mm -hmm, for a picnic.

And then in the evening when you got
home, you gave your car a thorough

I washed it down.

This was the day before your wife left?

That is so, yes. Where is your wife, Mr.
Sayre?

Because we've got to find her, haven't
we?

Tell me, when you clean your car, do you
brush out the carpet?

Depends. Last Wednesday?

I may have done.

Would you show me just where you had
your picnic?

Thereabouts. In the middle of the road?

I don't know if I answer your questions.

I think perhaps you walked into the
forest a little way.

Naturally.

So that if you didn't brush out the
carpets, one might expect to find

of earth, leaf mold, grass... I tell
you, I may have brushed the carpets. I'm

sure you did.

But not so thoroughly as our technical
people.

Oh, what do they find?

Some of my wife's hair.

She's been in that car several times a
week for the last two years.

Brick duct.

Dust from new bricks.

There's a key near your home where
they're unloaded.

Well, I'm sure you're not lying.

Well, give us a point to work from.

As soon as it's light, the river will be
dragged.

Why did you kill your wife, Mr. Sayles?
Oh, this is ridiculous.

Very well. Why did you marry her? For
the companionship.

You had your mother?

She was afraid that I might be left
alone.

She thinks I'm still a child and I need
somebody to look after me. How much did

your first marriage bring you?

An enormous fortune.

That's why we live quite simply without
servants.

Why did you take your car out on
Thursday night? Why did you abandon it

cemetery? I suppose you decided to put
me through an endurance test.

I will not answer any more of these
questions.

Reception. There's a Madame Serre
waiting out there.

Let's see if she wants some coffee.

Is my mother here?

She came of her own free will.

Send her away.

She's free.

I wouldn't like to have your job.

I wouldn't like to be in your shoes.

Now, I would just like to complete that
statement about your financial affairs.

Look out!

Same thing happened every time we went
abroad.

Oh, it must have been dreadful. Of
course, I've never been out of France.

I'll take you again. Yes, sir.

Can't you ask for a lawyer?

Lawyers, police, they're all in this
together.

Now, how'd it go?

I've got a thing bad about you I could
think of. Good, thank you. You should.

I've shaken that.

Haven't you got anything better to drink
than that filthy police will? They call

coffee. Certainly I have.

What did she talk about?

Oh, about her son.

She doesn't like him being a dentist
because her father was in the army.

About how they used to travel, sea
voyages.

Oh, that was when her husband was alive.

First class on the boat to do it, but
they were terribly sick.

Do you want any more?

Yes, everything.

They were sick, yeah?

Yes, both of them. But it seems there
was a famous doctor on board, and he

her something which cured her at once,
so she was able to look after her

husband. Didn't he cure him?

Not the way she told it. Does it matter?

No, it seems a bit hard on the poor old
man.

Well, then she went on and on about how
she devoted her life looking after her

husband. He had a weak heart.

So he did.

Did she say what medicine he gave her?

When? When she was seasick.

No. No, it was a pill.

Well, they make them for seasickness,
don't they?

How long ago was this?

Oh, ages.

They went to Buckingham Palace.

Saw that king who's got a metro station
named after him. George V?

And now?

No, you go home and wait.

I haven't finished yet.

Pick up. I'm ready.

Come in, Mr. Sayre. Sit down.

Ah.

You want to go home to your bed, and I
want to get away on my holiday.

My niece is very disappointed that we
haven't started already, so let's cut

short, shall we? For my mother's sake,
I'd like it.

For your sake, I'd hope you'd be more
frank with me.

Now, you married your second wife for
economic reasons, eh? I've told you. I'm

not blaming you. Her motives were the
same, although you met in the Louvre.

She thought I was richer than I am.

And then she connived with you about
transferring all her capital to gold,

then this was placed in your safe.

With her tent.

When she decided to leave you, she
intended to smuggle her share across the

front here.

I told your assistant all this.

Your father, like your first wife and
like your second wife, suffered from a

weak heart. Look, must we go over all
this again?

How convenient. If your wife should die
of heart trouble before she could take

her share from the safe.

I deny that.

It's convenient.

Are you going on all night?

No, not much longer.

I suggest that it was inconvenient that
when your wife died and before you

conveyed her body to the river...

A safe -breaker entered your home with
intent to rob. Who is this mythical safe

-breaker? His name is Sad Freddy.

We know that he entered by cutting out a
pane that you'd repaired the night

before. We know also that he saw the
dead body of your wife bundled up and

for the river.

And when are you going to confront me
with this imaginary and careless burglar

who leaves his tools behind?

Does he?

What? Leave his tools behind?

You suggested that when you first came
to my house. You assume that

What you will remember...

He's adding his tools and the broken
glass to the luggage and the body of

wife, which you dumped that night in the
river.

With my wife's shirt of the girl, too,
of course.

Of course.

Your little notebook had to tally.

You see, you never had any intention of
killing your wife, Mrs. Stare.

You're not a monster.

When she decided to leave you, you were
even sorry about it. Is that true?

I hoped she'd come back.

You were able to account for every
filing of her capital.

I'm not a cheat.

No, monsieur, sir.

You are not a cheat.

You married Jeanne, your first wife, in
good faith.

A suitable wife, approved by your
widowed mother, chosen by your mother.

You met Maria, your second wife, in
romantic circumstances, but you didn't

her until your mother had approved.

Oh, what's wrong with that?

I'm suggesting that, in effect... Your
mother chose your wives.

Chose them for a particular reason.

You're not a cheat, monsieur.

And when Maria decided to leave you, you
faithfully accounted for all her money

in your safe.

Yes.

But your mother couldn't bear to see so
much gold leaving the house.

At dinner on that last night, she gave
Maria a tablet, probably aconite, in

place of her usual heart pills.

Do you know the properties of aconite?

It's not used in dental surgery.

No, it was used as a cure for
seasickness, but has been largely

hyacinth, owing to its lethal effect
upon those suffering from a cardiac

condition.

Pericarditis.

Heart, as your father suffered, and your
first wife suffered, and your second

wife suffered.

What do you say to that? It's fantastic.

The behavior of a systematic murderer
always seems fantastic.

You could hardly believe it at first.

As a dentist, you had some knowledge of
poisons. You tried to revive Maria with

antidotes. And then the awful truth
dawned on you.

You charged your mother with the death
of Maria, the death of Jeanne.

Possibly you thought of your father,
too.

But she didn't deny your charges.

She told you to call Dr Dubuc, who would
certify Maria's death from natural

causes. Dr Dubuc is dead. Exactly.
That's what you told your mother, but

forgotten.

When I first called at your house, she
spoke of him as though he was still

attending you.

She couldn't remember, because of her
guilty conscience.

The elderly Dr Dubuc was essential to
her plans to sign anything for his poor

dear friend Maria Sayer.

Madame Sayer.

Who always paid his bills at the end of
the month?

We always pay our bills.

This is one bill you paid for your
mother.

To protect her, you had to get rid of
your wife's body.

You wiped your fingerprints, cleaned
your car.

But a few specks of brick dust have told
us where to look for the body.

You want a smoke?

No.

I don't think I can get any cigars this
time of night.

Maybe some cigarettes.

They clear?

Yeah. River patrol, yeah.

Started already?

Good.

Look out.

Pick up.

I don't. See if you can find some
cigarettes.

Oh, coward, no.

Cigarettes. Right.

Tell madame, sir, I'm ready for it.
Madame, sir.

Come in, madame.

You've had a long wait. Sit down.

In a few moments, it'll be dawn.

I'm just an old woman, Inspector, but I
have the consolation of religion.

There's nothing you can do to me.

I'm quite sure, Madame Serre, that you
have always done everything that is

in your own eyes. You came here and
offered help, and it's not been needed.

I have to tell you that as soon as the
Director of Prosecutions arrives at the

Palais de Justice, your son, Guillaume
Serre, will be indicted for the murder

his wife.

How foolish you'll look when Maria turns
up.

I suppose you've tortured him and he's
confessed.

No, madame, he's not confessed.

It might be better for him if he had.

I think he will.

It might save him from the guillotine.

There may be extenuating circumstances.

Care to tell me about them? I do not
intend to be tortured, Inspector.

I know that my son has not been formally
charged, otherwise you dare not deny

him legal advice.

He's refused it.

If you'd like to discuss it with him,
he's there in my private office. I may

talk with him?

Oh, certainly.

Go ahead.

Guillaume?

Are you all right?

It's me, your mother, Guillaume.

You have proved yourself to be a true
son, Guillaume.

I'm very proud of you.

Your father was a coward and a drunkard.

I've not always been able to do
everything I'd like for you.

You've had a difficult time.

Listen to me, Guillaume.

You have made yourself a man.

Yeah.

Time for your medicine.

No.

Now be a good boy.

Do you remember when you were a little
boy?

Perhaps Mama will have a chocolate in
her hand.

He could have had a good profession as a
dentist, but that wasn't good enough

for you.

Perhaps you told yourself that you were
doing it all for his sake, for his

security.

Now, even you can see the truth. It was
all for your own greed.

He'd have taken this last dose, saved
himself the pain of accusing his own

mother.

Now you won't have to.

Take her away.

Madame, sir, this way, please.

She's accused of the murder of Maria,
sir. Not

Havana.

Probably unsmokeable.

10 ,000 francs till the end of the month
and the market garden get going.

Yes, but do you really want to retire?

Look, anyone into this business, sir,
could retire.

Oh, sad Freddy himself.

We've got a bicycle of yours.

What? We're dredging down there.

We found it with a body and a bunch of
keys.

What are you going to do about it,
Inspector?

Sell the lot for the police orphans.

Now, I think it's your turn to buy me a
drink.