Original subtitles

Here on the left. We're going to park up.

Oh, Brenda, slow down!

Stop yelling, you're making me nervous!

Almost dying makes me nervous.

You flew past two stop signs!

Well...

..I didn't want you to be late on your first day.

Well, I appreciate that, but this was a bad idea.

I'm afraid I'll have to postpone your lessons

while I do jury service.

Well, how long will that be for?

I can't say for sure.

And I'm afraid I can't speak about the case once it starts.

I'm more than happy for you and Father Brown to observe,

but there'll be no discussions of any kind about the case.

Understood.

We will withhold our opinions until the case is concluded.

Good luck, Mrs Sullivan.

Thank you, Father.

How am I supposed to improve if I can't practise?

You may be resuming your lessons sooner than you think.

This is likely to be a short trial.

Well, how do you know that?

According to the paper, the accused has already confessed.

Oh.

I've never been to a murder trial before.

Sorry, Father, I know you knew the victim.

Who was he again?

His name was Arthur Goddard.

He was a good man.

I met him through his daughter, Josie,

who attended catechism as a child.

That's her there,

on the end in the green dress.

All rise for His Honour, Judge Carmichael.

Will the accused please rise?

Please state your full name for the Court.

Ahem, David Thomas Ensley.

You are indicted on one count of murder,

namely that, on the ninth May, 1955, you did murder

Arthur Goddard,

contrary to Common Law.

Do you understand the charge against you?

Yes.

How do you plead?

Not guilty.

What's the blimmin' hold up?

I'm not sure.

Members of the jury,

I must inform you that the defendant has excused his counsel

and wishes to represent himself,

something I will allow.

He's fired his barrister?

Is that a good idea, Father?

Not usually, no.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Arthur Goddard lived and worked peacefully

as a potter on his small plot of land all his life,

until he was brutally stabbed in his workshop in the dead of night.

Why would this happen?

Because five years ago,

he gave David Ensley a job...

..after he was released from prison for manslaughter.

By all accounts, Mr Goddard offered him his friendship.

But on the day of the murder,

employees overheard a heated exchange between them,

and Mr Ensley was given his marching orders.

Police later received a telephone call from Mr Goddard

as he lay dying.

They caught Mr Ensley attempting to flee.

He had his employer's blood on his coat,

and cash in his pocket

taken from the safety deposit box.

Mr Ensley gave a full confession to police after his arrest,

a confession he now wishes to retract.

But I believe we will prove beyond a shadow of doubt

that he is guilty of this crime.

Ahem.

I know how it looks, but I never killed Arthur.

He gave me that money - I never took it.

And...

..I only went back to check on him

and saw someone else had stabbed him.

I know I shouldn't have run.

But I swear, it wasn't me.

Thank you.

Do you think he's telling the truth, Father?

I intend to find out.

I'm not a man of faith, Father.

That's not why I'm here.

I knew Arthur.

And I would like to know the truth.

Were you lying when you confessed to his murder?

Or did you lie in court when you pleaded innocent?

I didn't kill him.

That's the truth.

Then why wait till now to defend yourself?

'Cause I knew the police

would take one look at me...

..the blood, the money.

They'd assume I was guilty.

Most men would have protested nonetheless.

I learned a long time ago.

If you can't win, don't fight.

But you have decided to fight.

So perhaps you have faith after all.

No.

I'm sure I'll be hanged.

And I had made my peace with that.

But then my solicitor said

pleading guilty might mean being locked up

for the rest of my life.

I'd rather die.

And your previous conviction for manslaughter?

Were you falsely accused of that, too?

No.

I used to want to pick a fight with the whole world.

Until I hit a man so hard

he never got up again.

I deserved what came to me.

I know how wrong it is to take a life.

Especially a man like Arthur's.

No.

You didn't kill Arthur.

But you are already in the dock,

so I do not have much time to find the real culprit.

You will have to assist me.

I'd like to, Father.

But how? Time's up.

By recounting to me, meticulously, everything I ask you to.

Sometimes the clue's in the smallest detail.

Can you believe they're not even paying us properly for this?

I can just about afford the weekly shop as it is.

This blimmin' trial better not drag on for too long.

Well, in that case, perhaps we should get started.

So,

what does everyone make of what they've heard so far?

Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

Ensley's guilty as sin.

Oh, it's a bit early to assume that.

No, it's not, he confessed.

There could be a number of reasons why a person might confess

to a crime they didn't commit.

How would you know? I...

I take an interest in murder cases.

Also, my husband's a police Detective Inspector.

That doesn't make you cleverer than us.

If a man's killed before, nine times out of ten he'll kill again.

It's not fair to judge someone just because of their past.

Look, I'm not saying Ensley's innocent,

but we need to consider he might be.

I still think I could've driven here.

Brenda, what's the urgency?

I'm sure the verdict will come soon enough, and then I'm all yours.

I must go.

Oh, good morning, Sergeant.

Morning.

Morning, Father. Miss Palmer.

What are the pair of you doing here?

We are observing a murder trial, Sergeant.

You? I'm testifying in one of the smaller courts.

Not nearly as interesting as a murder trial, mind.

Good day.

Hmm.

I shall now read a statement

given by Police Sergeant Alistair Flynn

of Cirencester Police Station,

who is unable to attend in person.

"The station telephone rang at approximately 1:30am.

"When I answered, I heard a man in considerable pain.

"He gave his name as Arthur Goddard, of Goddard's Pottery.

"He told me he'd been stabbed and asked for immediate assistance.

"I then heard Mr Goddard gasp and cry out in fear."

He said:

"David, no."

After that, the line went dead.

Father, are you sure you're not wrong about David?

Why would Arthur have called out his name like that?

I am undoubtedly fallible, Miss Palmer,

but I think that Arthur's words were misleading.

Pardon me for interrupting.

Do you remember me?

Father Brown, of course.

My goodness, it's been so many years.

It has indeed.

A pity to meet again under such sad circumstances.

I'm sorry about your father.

This is Miss Palmer, my housekeeper.

And this is my husband.

Royce Holland. It's a pleasure to meet you both.

Poor thing. She's...

She's exhausted.

I'm all right.

It's just hard watching that brute defending himself.

You believe David Ensley's guilty?

Of course he is. He took advantage of my father for years.

He even forced us to leave my own mother's funeral.

He struck my husband. Don't...

Don't upset yourself. It's all in the past.

Let me take you home.

I'd rather be at the cottage.

All right.

I'll wait in the car.

I've been putting my father's affairs in order. Mm.

Would it comfort you if I paid you a visit later?

Thank you, Father. I'd like that.

Did I imagine it, or could you smell alcohol on her breath?

No, you didn't imagine it.

A way of coping with recent events, no doubt.

I suppose you don't believe me any more, Father.

No, my belief is unchanged.

But I need an explanation.

I met Arthur's daughter.

She said you ejected her from her mother's funeral.

Arthur wanted her there - just not her husband.

But he wouldn't go.

I shouldn't have hit him one, but Arthur was upset.

They both left, but...

..I'll never forget the look Josie gave her father.

When was this?

Just a few months back.

So Josie's anger would still have been palpable

the night her father died?

There were a man in a big, fancy car who wanted to buy

the pottery, Father.

I never got his name,

but I saw him in court today.

Yes, I noticed him.

Tell me more.

Arthur weren't interested in selling,

but the man kept coming back -

with cigars and bottles of whisky, that sort of thing.

When that didn't work,

he sent two men to try and lean on Arthur.

But I put an end to that.

So Arthur came to depend on you?

Why did he sack you?

Arthur weren't himself that day.

He said I'd made a mistake with some tiles

in the kiln and it cost us a day's takings.

I said it weren't me, but he...

He called me a liar.

He paid me off and told me to go.

But I knew something were wrong,

so I went back later that night...

Send someone, quickly!

David! No!

Arthur, what happened?

Who did this? No time...

Police coming...

You'll be blamed.

I don't care about that. Tell me who did it!

Use that money I gave you.

Get away.

I'm not leaving you. Please, David!

Run! Promise me!

He fired you to protect you.

I think he knew he was going to die.

I could've sworn I'd bought some biscuits,

but there were none in the cupboard.

It's these pills I take for my nerves.

They make me forgetful.

Tea is ample, Mrs Holland.

Please, call me Josie - like before.

I'm sorry things had become difficult with your father, Josie.

Hmm.

Well, he never forgave me for eloping

with Royce when I was 16.

Though I must say, you were rather young.

I was old enough to know my mind.

My father always blamed Royce.

Daddy always thought he knew best.

You still seem angry with him.

Can you blame me?

I was his child, and he loved some stranger more than me.

I'm sure that's not true.

Isn't it?

Well, he left everything to David.

I mean, I get mother's personal things, of course.

But David gets the house, the factory.

Now do you see why I think he's guilty, Father?

I agree an inheritance can be a strong motive.

Of course, if David Ensley is hanged,

it will all revert to you.

And you think I'd want it now?

After what's happened here?

Do you recall where you were the night your father died?

I think Royce was having a sing-song in the pub.

I must confess, I'd had a few gins,

which doesn't mix well with my pills.

So I went upstairs to bed.

You live above a pub?

Royce owns the Raven Tavern.

It's a family business.

You know, I used to help my dad in the workshop.

He taught me everything I needed to know to run this place someday.

I suppose it just wasn't meant to be.

Mr Holland, would you describe for the jury

the events that took place at your mother-in-law's funeral?

What do you think motivated Mr Ensley's

aggression that day?

Well, I believe that a reconciliation

between Josie and her father was possible.

But Mr Ensley was determined to prevent that from happening.

So Arthur would keep him in the will.

But I didn't know about any inheritance till a week ago!

Mr Ensley! Some solicitor told me! He's making Josie contest it!

He just wants that land his-self!

Mr Ensley, any further outbursts

and I'll have you removed to the cells!

I'd like to answer that, if I may?

Yeah?

My wife deserved better from her father.

And if we have to fight to get back what's rightfully hers,

well,

I make no apology.

Oh, hello again.

What can I do for you?

I was hoping for a favour, actually,

if you wouldn't mind?

But it'd need to be kept between us.

Go on. Mrs S has been teaching us how to drive,

but she's been really busy with the trial.

And between you and me, she shouts a lot.

So I thought maybe you could do it?

I've got a test booked, but I have not told anyone in case I fail.

I finish work at six.

Oh!

Thanks, Sergeant!

Hello, Kembleford police?

Where was this exactly?

Sir, someone's reported an abandoned car.

And? And there was blood in it.

Lots of blood, sir.

Right.

Here you are, gents.

Hello, Father.

It's good to see you.

What can I get you? Nothing for me, thank you.

Just a moment of your time, please, Mr Holland?

Of course.

I heard your testimony this morning.

And I must admit, it puzzled me.

Why contest Arthur's will?

If David Ensley's condemned,

there will be no need for litigation.

We were told that the estate could be tied up for months that way.

Perhaps.

But what's the hurry?

Oh...

For the sake of transparency,

I've run up a few debts -

on the horses.

Easily done. Yeah.

So you know?

As it happens, somebody wants to buy the pottery -

and says he's willing to pay more for a quick sale.

His name's Blakeley.

Of Blakeley Manufacturing? Yes.

I was surprised to see him at the trial,

but I suppose the outcome is of interest to him.

And I meant what I said.

Josie has a right to the sale of that land.

And it will more than cover my debts.

Though, of course, I'll come clean once it's all settled.

You haven't told her yet?

No.

She's barely coping as it is.

Mm. She does seem very fragile.

She said she took sedatives

the night her father died, and went to bed.

Where were you?

I was here, working.

And then I went upstairs and joined her.

Look, Father, I can see why you're suspicious.

Josie, she was young when we met.

But we couldn't help falling in love.

It's just a shame that her father never respected that.

I always found Arthur to be a fair man.

Hmm! Well, you can't always see the signs from the outside.

Believe me, he controlled Josie -

until I helped her escape from that house.

Looks like it's been here for several weeks.

Do you think whoever owns it was murdered, sir?

This was found empty at the scene of Mr Goddard's murder.

Mr Ensley's fingerprints were on it,

and, according to the log book, the exact amount

of missing cash was later found on his person.

I put it to you...

..that Mr Ensley returned after dark

and was caught stealing from Mr Goddard,

which is why he attacked him... That's not who I am!

Mr Ensley, I will not warn you again.

You must not interrupt.

Your honour, throw me in the cells, but please let me say this.

I know what I was, but Arthur showed me a better way.

Your Honour, Mr Ensley is not in the witness box!

I loved him like a father!

And no punishment can be worse than knowing

I'll never see him again!

Apart from Bonnie,

can anyone here genuinely say

the prosecution's proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt?

Mr Sharpe claims the inheritance was Ensley's motive.

So why would he steal the petty cash and make a run for it?

It makes no sense.

You're the only one who thinks he could be innocent.

The verdict has to be unanimous,

so when the time comes,

you'd better vote with us!

I will not be bullied.

Not if a man's life hangs in the balance.

Can I tempt you, Father?

They're imported.

Exceptional quality.

No.

No, thank you.

Not one of my vices.

So, what's this visit in aid of?

Well, I come out of concern for Mrs Holland.

I know you tried to buy her father's pottery before he died.

And I would hate for her to be taken advantage of

in her present distress.

Mm, that's why I'm dealing with the husband.

Yes, but some might say that your recent offer

was a little premature.

Mm.

I'm a businessman.

Why wait to be beaten to it?

Besides, it's a generous offer.

But why buy it at all, if I may ask?

You already own a successful pottery business?

It's called capitalism, Father.

The Goddard's land has a higher quality of clay,

but the old man was selling it for less.

I was sick of being undercut.

So you attempted to persuade him to sell?

Once or twice.

Sent my men round to negotiate,

but that thug of his came at them with a pickaxe.

How disturbing.

I presume you reported this incident to the police at the time?

Hmm. We let it lie.

Suggesting David Ensley acted in Arthur's defence.

You can suggest what you like, Father.

Ensley is the one in the dock.

And from what I can see, it's not going very well for him,

hmm, is it?

The number plate's registered to a Lester Helms

from Warwickshire, sir.

His wife reported him missing a couple of months back.

She gave me this to help us find him.

If we ever do find him.

Goodnight, Sergeant.

Goodnight, sir.

Ready?

Yeah. Yeah, all right.

You'll know it's her.

I've got to go.

Bonnie, about before, I'm sorry for my tone.

I hope we can... I'm sorry, too.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Right, then, you don't mind us using this, do you?

No.

As long as you don't lock me in the back

like you did the first time we met.

Ha!

Well, Mrs Sullivan's taught you all the basics, I expect?

Yeah.

I know how to start and stop.

It's just everything in between.

All right. Let's see how you do.

That's it.

Handbrake. No, you're doing well.

Whoa!

Oh!

I'll never pass that test, will I?

Of course you will.

You just need to believe in yourself.

That, and slow down.

It's not a rocket ship, you know? Hmm.

Let's try again tomorrow, 6am.

OK.

Oh!

Thanks for giving me a lift, Sergeant.

No problem.

Mrs S, are you all right?

Father, I think there's something's wrong.

Mrs Sullivan?

I'm fine. I'm just nervous about the verdict tomorrow.

What am I doing here? I should go home.

Goodnight.

Murder trial ends today!

Bonnie, can I talk to you?

Why? We talk all blimmin' day. Someone came at me last night.

He seemed to know that I've been speaking up for Ensley.

Was that you? That telephone call you made?

Don't know what you're talking about.

He's bribing you, isn't he?

You've got no proof.

He threatened to kill my husband.

You'd better do what he says, then, hadn't you, love?

How can I?

He wants me to make sure Ensley's found guilty,

which means he must be innocent.

So what?

You're going to risk your husband's life for some jailbird?

Just keep your mouth shut.

The Inspector will be back in a minute, Father.

Who is Lester Helms?

A notorious smuggler, as it turns out.

Known for knocking off items of luxury

shipped into Bristol Port.

He's been missing for two months.

Murdered, presumably.

That would be our guess.

Although his operation hasn't ended.

If anything, it's increased recently.

Suggesting the killer's stepped into the dead man's shoes?

Exactly.

But with no body found, we are out of leads.

Ah, Father.

To what do we owe the pleasure?

I'm here about Mrs Sullivan.

Oh, really? What about her?

I saw her yesterday evening.

She seemed unsettled.

Something about the verdict.

Has she spoken to you at all?

No. About the trial? No, never.

She went to bed, left early this morning.

Is there something I should be worried about?

Well, it's probably nothing.

Passing judgment is bound to weigh heavily on anyone.

That jury's got it in for me, Father.

I know it.

Take courage, Mr Ensley.

There is still time.

Now, tell me more about the businessman

who tried to bribe Arthur with cigars and whisky.

I ask because it's possible he's a smuggler.

I wouldn't know about that, Father.

But I can believe he's a crook.

The two men he sent smashed up a batch of tiles.

We lost a week's work.

The day Arthur sacked you,

he said you had cost him takings

because of a mistake in the kiln.

What mistake?

A batch of tiles had been fired twice.

Twice?

Odd.

The works are locked up.

How can I get in?

There's a key hidden behind a loose brick in the factory wall.

Good.

What are you looking for, Father?

Something that shouldn't be in a pottery kiln.

Ah!

There we are.

No time to explain.

We need to hurry, Miss Palmer.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I urge you to come

to the only natural conclusion -

that David Ensley murdered his employer

on that fateful night, and must face the full consequence of the law.

The Crown rests, Your Honour.

Mr Ensley, you may begin your closing statement.

Why the cellar, Father?

Because there is something I need to investigate....

If there's any trouble,

go to the telephone box on the corner

and call Inspector Sullivan.

I will. Ah!

Be careful, Father.

You can't be in here, Father!

Josie,

I expected you to be in court, to hear the verdict.

I'm not feeling well today.

Or perhaps you don't have the stomach

to see an innocent man condemned?

Why would you say that?

Because...

..I found this in your father's kiln.

It's a gold tooth.

It belongs to the rival smuggler your husband killed.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I think you do.

Your husband persuaded you...

..to help him get rid of the evidence

by incinerating the body.

Which would've been the perfect crime,

if your father hadn't caught both of you in the act.

You're sure you know how to work this thing?

Josie?

Dad, I...

I thought you'd be asleep.

I saw the light on in here.

Is this what you've become?

No. No, Daddy, it's not what you think.

That man, he tried to kill Royce - he had to defend himself.

Please don't tell the police.

Please.

Just let us leave, and you'll never hear from us again.

I won't tell anyone.

Thank you.

Arthur would've kept his word.

He loved you too much to turn you in.

But your husband couldn't risk that, so he murdered him.

No.

No, when we left, my father was still alive.

It was David - he killed him to get the inheritance.

The very next night?

After your father had witnessed the cremation?

How fortuitous for Mr Holland.

Perhaps you cling to this fantasy

because the truth is too much to bear?

A truth your father tried in vain to make you see.

That your husband is capable of evil.

You're wrong. He's a good man.

Look, Josie.

Contraband.

Royce didn't kill Lester in self-defence -

he killed him because he got in his way.

As did your father.

Royce would never do that to me.

He loves me.

He only loves himself.

Which is why he starved you of your family's love.

Josie?

Josie? Are you down there?

Time to make a choice, Josie.

The choice your father longed for you to make.

Otherwise the guilt which torments you will deepen.

Josie?

Please, Father, you have to go!

I am not leaving without you.

Come with me now,

and tell the court and the police of your husband's guilt.

I can't.

You must.

God will not absolve you of your sins

unless you face them.

Huh!

Did you break in here?

What kind of a priest are you, Father Brown?

A curious one.

Didn't you hear me calling you, Josie?

What's he said to you?

You're trembling.

My poor darling.

Here, it's time to take your pills.

He's trying to keep you weak, Josie.

You need to find your strength.

Take them, and go upstairs.

They will announce the verdict soon.

David's fate is in your hands.

Now.

Inspector Sullivan's on his way.

Is there still time to get to the court?

That's Royce's, but I can't drive.

I can!

Josie! Open the door or you'll regret it

for the rest of your life!

Arthur gave me that money earlier in the day.

I think he wanted me to leave 'cause he was scared...

..of someone.

I only wanted to help him.

That's why I went back that night...

..and found him dying.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Mr Ensley - you may be seated.

I shall now sum up the case.

Miss Palmer, could we possibly go a little faster?

Safety first, Father.

The jury may now retire, to start your deliberations.

Come on. I can't.

Your Honour?

I have something to say.

Don't be stupid.

I can't be a part of this!

Is something wrong? Yes, Your Honour!

Very!

Last night, I...

Stop the trial! What's the meaning of this?

Forgive us, Your Honour, we have crucial information.

We've already concluded our closing statements.

Any evidence you have may be submitted on appeal -

if indeed, one is granted.

Please let me testify, Your Honour.

Arthur was my father, and I know who killed him.

It was my husband.

If we hadn't gone to the factory that night,

my father would still be alive.

Mrs Holland, are you saying that you knew all this time

that your husband later returned to kill your father?

No, Your Honour. I...

I think I just didn't want to believe it.

I'm so sorry.

I've let so many people down.

I've let my parents down.

I know I broke my father's heart.

Arthur loved you.

To the end.

In light of this testimony,

I hereby declare a mistrial.

Mr Ensley will remain in custody

while the police make urgent enquiries.

And Mrs Holland will be detained for further questioning.

Oh, Mrs Sullivan.

Why didn't you tell us, Isabel?

He threatened to kill you if I did.

It's all right. We're safe now.

I'm sorry you had to face that alone.

Is that her?

You sure?

Mrs Baldridge?

Wait there, please.

Why, what's this about?

I need to ask you a few questions.

I haven't done anything wrong!

Come this way, please.

Oh! Thank you for coming, Sergeant.

It was parked right there.

I mean, who would steal a car from outside a presbytery?!

Are you sure it wasn't borrowed, Mrs Sullivan?

Borrowed? Well, who would...?

Brenda Palmer!

What makes you think you can borrow Hercules without my permission?

Not to mention driving without a licence!

I'm sorry I didn't ask.

I just thought it would spoil the surprise.

I just passed my driving test!

That is stupendous news!

Congratulations!

But how? Last time we practised, you were...

I guess you're a better teacher than you thought, Mrs S.

Subtitles corrected by DB