Original subtitles

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.