Original subtitles

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(SCREAMS)

What's the matter?

Sheila, you'd better phone Dr Wallace.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(TYRES SCREECH)

(HORSE NEIGHS)

(HORSE HOOVES TROTTING)

Hello. How do you feel? Kinda groggy.

Wait a minute and I'll bring you some tea.

Fine. I'll do that.

Well, you certainly look better than you did last night.

You scared me stiff when you popped up at the window like that.

When I what? When you came to the window.

Don't you remember? Or were you too far gone?

Thanks. Yeah, I guess I must have been.

What exactly happened last night?

Well, you arrived...

all over blood and bruises and passed out in the garden.

The doctor thought you might have had an accident

but the police hadn't heard of one. Oh, you called in the police, huh?

Well, we phoned them, naturally.

They wanted to know your name and address and things like that

but there were no papers on you at all

so they said they'd come over after you woke up.

I see. To ask me my name and address.

I suppose so.

That's a laugh.

I was rather hoping somebody might be able to tell me.

Do you mean you don't know who you are?

I don't know who I am or where I am or what I am.

I don't know a darn thing except that I've got a sore head

and I'm wearing somebody else's pyjamas.

My father's but...

..do you mean you don't remember anything at all before the accident?

Accident?

I don't remember any accident.

You say I'd no identification on me at all?

No, none.

Only a key on a chain and those other things on the table there

and there were no tailor's tabs on your clothes.

So, we don't know where I come from.

Well, from your accent, I'd say America.

Well, maybe I was knocked out and robbed or... maybe I'm just a tramp.

Not in those shoes you're not.

Incidentally, that's another proof that you live in England.

Now you said tramp. In America you'd have said hobo.

Tramp has an entirely different meaning over there.

Yeah. I know.

Oh, I'd forgotten. You were muttering in your sleep

and talking to someone named Christine.

Does that help?

Christine.

Christine.

No, I'm afraid not.

I wonder... Don't.

Don't wonder, I mean. You'll only get very muddled.

I expect your memory will come back perfectly once your head heals.

In the mean time the doctor says you're to get plenty of rest.

He's coming over to see you later on in the morning.

Now, finish up your tea and I'll be in to see you again.

Good morning, Sheila. Good morning, Doctor.

How's the patient?

Well, he seems to be more or less all right

except he's no idea who he is. He's lost his memory.

Oh. He has, has he?

Mm-hm. Deary, deary me.

I told him it'd probably be all right,

you know, trying to cheer him up

but... will it mean he'll have to see a specialist?

A specialist? What on earth for?

Well, I thought... you know, a lost memory, maybe a psychiatrist could--

Sheila Kemp. A psychiatrist, indeed!

You'll be suggesting an astrologer next.

Since when have I been calling in psychiatrists?

Well, I'm terribly sorry, Doc-- And so you should be. Hm!

Well, I'll away up and see him now.

Would you like me to take you up? No, thank you.

I'll see to it myself.

(DOOR OPENS)

Well, hello there, my fellow.

I'm Dr Wallace. How are you, Doc?

How are YOU? Is much more to the point.

Sheila tells me that you've lost your memory.

Yeah, I guess so. Kinda stupid, isn't it?

Mm, maybe it is and maybe it isn't. We don't know the reason yet.

First thing, I want to have a look at your eyes.

My eyes? Well, what's wrong with them?

Nothing that I know of

but if a doctor confined himself

to looking at things there were something wrong with,

he'd not get very far.

Right, my lad, out of the bed and come and sit in this chair here.

OK, Doc.

That's it.

Now, then. I just want you to look at my right ear.

That's it. Pay no attention to this wee light.

Uh-huh. Now look at the left ear.

Aye.

Ah, well that looks all right from here.

The next thing is to have a look

and see how the crack on the head's progressing.

Aye.

Mm-hm.

Healing nicely.

Yes, the best thing for that from now on will be fresh air

and we can dispense with the bandages.

I guess this is how I lost my memory, huh?

Hm. Maybe so but that's only the excuse. It's not the reason.

What do you mean, Doc?

Outside the penny novelettes,

people don't go losing their memories

just through a crack on the head.

No.

No, it's usually cerebral senility,

hardening of the arteries.

I've had a good look at your eyes. It's certainly not that.

So, the trouble seems to be psychological.

You sound like a psychiatrist.

When you call me that, smile. I'm no psychiatrist, my lad.

I'm sorry, Doc.

A psychiatrist is usually a medical man

trying to forget his medical training.

I am a doctor and my field includes everything

from mental illness to malaria or mumps

and you haven't got mumps, anyway. Well, there must be something.

Aye.

Just so.

Your trouble seems to be retrograde amnesia pure and simple.

I hope it's pure, Doc, but it's certainly not simple.

Hm. What do you mean?

Well... mind you, this is not my final diagnosis.

But it seems to me that when you got hit by whatever hit you,

you were in a highly neurotic state. You understand?

You were probably running away from something.

The police haven't heard about me or so I'm told.

Oh, the police aren't the only things you run away from.

My guess is that you had such a load on your mind

that your mind just wouldn't wear it

and, so, when you got that clip on the head,

your subconscious mind just took the opportunity of running away.

Hm.

All of which may not sound like the right jargon for a psychiatrist.

Would you like me to call one in?

Thank you, no.

Good. That proves your mind's not affected, anyway.

Is my head badly hurt, Doc?

I mean, apart from the loss of memory.

No, as far as that goes, you'll be all right in a couple of days.

Here, there's a way we might get at something.

Last night when you were a bit delirious,

you seemed to be having some sort of a dream.

Mm-hm. Do you remember anything about it?

Was that when I was calling for Christine?

Uh-huh.

No, I'm sorry, Doc. I don't remember the dream at all.

Would you mind if we try to recapture that dream?

Well, what would that involve?

Just an injection and a few questions, that's all.

If it's likely to help in restoring my memory, that's OK with me.

Right, laddie. Back onto the bed.

OK, Doc.

Oh, hello, dear. Any word from Weatherby's?

Yes, the letter's on your desk there.

Where? In your pigeon hole.

Oh, thanks.

Yeah. I saw Dr Wallace's car outside.

I suppose he's come to see that young chap.

How is he? Have you seen him? Yes, I took him up some tea.

He seems all right but he's lost his memory.

Good Lord! Has he?

What does the doctor say?

I don't know yet. He's still up there.

I'm not saying that this will get us anywhere at all but...

..it might just help us to find out

what this dream is of yours that you can't remember.

And that might help us to find out a wee bit more.

Are you ready? Sure.

Right. I just want you to close your eyes and just relax completely.

(INHALES)

Now, this dream of yours.

Have you had it often?

I wouldn't know.

Go on. Try and tell me about it.

There's a woman in it, isn't there?

A woman called Christine.

It's just when you're dozing off to sleep that it comes, isn't it?

Or just when you're waking up.

Come on.

Try and tell me.

I don't know what it is.

The trees.

They're all bare.

I'm...

..walking up the avenue.

I don't wanna walk up but...

..but I have to.

There's a house... at the top.

I can't see it...

..but I know it's there.

If I go on...

..I'll come to it.

..and then...

..it's Christine.

She's waiting.

..waiting for me...

..at the top of the avenue.

She's in... a house, I think.

Christine.

Christine.

As soon as I see the house...

..Christine...

..that's when the dream... ends.

I don't... wake up...

..I just...

I don't know.

That's all there is.

Aye.

All right. All right.

You have a nice quiet sleep now.

You'll be all right.

There was only one road accident reported last night in this area

and that were 40 mile away, near York.

Car overturned and caught fire.

Well, he wasn't in that, I can assure you.

For one thing, he's not burned and, for another,

he couldn't have walked four miles in that condition let alone 40.

Hm. How is he now, Doctor? Oh, he's asleep just now.

I've just given him an injection.

He'll likely stay asleep for a wee while.

Kemp, you'll have to keep him here for a few days

unless you want to send him down to the hospital.

Oh, we don't want to do that. Oh, don't we?

Well, I mean...

Well, it wouldn't be very kind, would it, Doctor?

What is it these Yanks have that the others haven't got?

(CHUCKLES) And who's going to nurse him?

He won't take very much nursing, will he?

No, no, no. Just rest and fresh air.

There's not very much wrong with him just now but...

..you never can tell with these head injuries.

I want to keep my eye on him.

I'll be round again the same time tomorrow.

Don't worry, Sheila. I know my own way out.

Goodbye, everybody. Goodbye.

Goodbye. Good morning, Doctor.

Hello.

I thought the doctor said you weren't supposed to get up

till later on today. He said I could get up later

but he didn't say how much later so here I am.

You sure you feel all right? I feel fine and why shouldn't I?

For the past three days, I've done nothing but eat and sleep.

So, now you feel like a little mild exercise.

Why not? All right, let's go for a walk.

I'll show you round the place. Fine.

That's it. Come on.

You must have a lot of fun living here, Sheila.

I do. Yeah, I think I could too.

Plenty of space, nothing to worry about...

You can do just as you please.

There is a certain amount of work to be done, you know.

Sure. Sure there is. Hard work never worried me.

How do you know? Are you beginning to remember?

No but I'm beginning to wonder. Wonder what?

What kind of friends I had.

Here I've been missing from home for three full days

and nobody's reported it to the police.

Looks like I can't matter very much to anyone.

Come on. Let's walk some more. Sure.

That'll do.

All right. Take her back.

Hello. How are you feeling? Fine, thanks.

Sheila been showing you round? Yeah, she certainly has.

Nice place you have here, Mr Kemp. Nice horseflesh too.

Aye, not bad some of them.

I noticed the bay gelding in the paddock back there.

It doesn't look too good to me. Yes, that's Rufus.

Why? What do you think's wrong with him?

Oh, I don't know. At a guess I'd say curb.

You're right.

But you'd have to know quite a bit about horses to spot that.

Would I?

You know, it's funny, I think maybe I do know something about horses.

Maybe he was brought up on a ranch. Could be.

Well, let's go back to the stables

and find out what you do know. Sure. Let's do that.

Well, there you are. Do you think I've handled horses before?

I know you have. Could you do with a job?

Huh?

Well, I'm not looking for a new groom

but I could do with someone to help me run the place.

Take some of the paperwork off my hands.

What he really means is it give him more time for drawing and painting!

But it's a grand idea. Now, why shouldn't I draw and paint?

Well, not reason at all. You're jolly good.

Do you know Daddy did all those heads in the living room?

No kidding? They're pretty good, sir.

If you took on this job, it'd give him time to do dozens more.

How about it? Well...

I'm very grateful to both of you for what you've done already but...

Well, you know how it is, Mr Kemp.

Until I know who I am or what I am...

I understand. Well, don't make up your mind right away

but if you want the job, it's yours. Well, thanks a lot.

Come on, Sheila.

More tea, Daddy? No thanks, dear.

Would you like another cake? No, thank you.

You've been feeding me too well as it is.

Well, would you like a little exercise now?

Let's take a walk in the park. Why? Is it something special?

Well, it's very lovely. We could take Falcon with us.

Fine. I'll go and get your coat. I don't need a coat.

Yes, you do. It's quite a cold wind. You heard what your father said.

How's it coming? Not bad. Look.

Oh. Looks a little sinister, doesn't he?

I wouldn't say that. I don't like the chin line, though.

Still, perhaps I'd better stick to horses!

You're not falling for that chap, are you?

Oh, Daddy. I hardly know him.

You can't kid me. You watch your step.

He might be a married man with six kids.

Oh, Daddy. Don't be silly.

I found this raincoat. Can I take it?

It's yours. You came in it. I did?

Anything in the pockets? We couldn't find anything.

Hey! What's this?

A movie stub.

Rialto Cinema, Epping.

Where's that? A small town in Essex.

Does that convey anything?

No, I'm afraid not.

I wonder what I was doing there.

Seeing a picture, I suppose.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah.

I guess so.

Come on, let's take that walk, huh? Well, so long.

Bye. So long.

Sheila!

What's this nonsense Helen's telling me?

What's the matter?

I was only telling him about the gentleman going away, Miss Sheila.

Oh. It's sheer criminal lunacy.

Where's your father? Well, he's over there. Daddy?

Hm. Helen? I'll cope.

Oh, thank you, Miss Sheila.

Morning, Doc. What's the trouble?

Why on earth have you let that fella go away by himself?

Well, he wanted to. He thinks he lives at Epping

and naturally he's anxious to find out--

Of course he's anxious to find out

but that's no excuse for letting a sick man wander off by himself.

But he's not sick now, Doctor.

His head's healed-- He's sick in his mind.

It's one thing to wander about here where nobody knows him

but it's quite another to let him go off on his own where he might be...

..heaven knows what? What do you mean, Doctor--

I mean that if Epping does turn out to be his home

and he goes crashing back into things there suddenly,

his mind might receive any sort of a shock.

Oh, I don't say he shouldn't go back there at all but...

at least somebody might have gone with him.

Somebody he knows and trusts.

Who could look after him in case anything went wrong.

Aye. I see what you mean.

But it's too late now. He's caught the night train for London.

I know he has and why yourself

or Sheila didn't catch it with him, it... Och.

Doctor, would it help any if I went after him?

Do you know where he'll be?

No I don't but Epping isn't a very big place

and there can't be many hotels.

I could take that sketch. The one that Daddy did.

That might help me find him. Well, it's certainly a chance.

And with all events, it's better than doing nothing.

I think you ought to go, Sheila.

Yes, and the sooner the better.

May I, Daddy?

All right, dear, you go. Yes but now I'm late for my rounds.

Have my car sent round, will you, please?

Very well, sir.

Harold, have the Commander's car sent round, will you?

Dinner all right, Mr Smith? Fine, thanks.

I've asked them to send my coffee in here.

Yes, it's brighter than the dining room.

You don't sound as though you came form this part of the country.

No. I come from Lancashire. I've only been here three months.

I see.

There have been some changes in staff, then?

Oh, yes. Two thirds of the staff are new.

You see, this hotel was a family concern

and when it was taken over, well, most of the old staff went.

Yeah, of course. I was wondering...

I thought maybe somebody might recognise me.

Ooh, you've been here before, then?

Yeah, I'm not exactly a stranger around here but...

if the staff are all new... well, that would explain it, wouldn't it?

Yes.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Pardon me. Do you know where that is?

Oh, yes. That's the drive up to Tor House.

A big house out on the Cambridge Road about three miles from here.

You don't happen to know who owns it, do you?

Oh, dear. Now, let me think.

I have heard the name. Sheridan, could it be?

Something like that.

Sheridan...

Sh...

Sherwin. Could it be Mark Sherwin?

Well, I suppose it could be, sir.

He's a Canadian gentleman, I believe.

Canadian. Of course.

How do I get there?

You get a Number Eight bus outside and it goes right past it.

The conductor will tell you where to get off.

Oh, fine.

Oh, cancel my coffee. Do you mind? Very well, sir.

Thanks a lot.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Mark Sherwin.

Mark?

Christine?

(SCREAMS)

Christine? What's the matter, darling?

Christine?

Oh! It's all right, honey.

I'm not a ghost.

Mark...

You're real. (WEEPS) I don't understand.

Of course I'm real.

I don't know who's in there in that coffin but it's certainly not me.

(SIGHS) Oh. Come on, honey.

Mark.

But it was your body they found in the car. They said so.

They found your luggage and the number plates and...

..and that's how they knew it was you.

That's how they THOUGHT it was me. But, then, what happened?

Half an hour back, I couldn't have told you

but now I remember it all, everything.

Some guy stopped my car and knocked me out.

He must have pinched it and got killed, I guess.

I lost my memory.

Some people took care of me but...

..now it's come back and here I am.

And these people, they brought you back?

No. Nobody knows I'm here apart from you and the servants.

Where are the servants, anyway?

Oh, I sent them away. I... meant to close up the house.

That's why the furniture's like this. I...

I just couldn't stand being here without you.

Oh, Mark. This room's horrible with... with that in there.

Let's go somewhere else.

Sure. Let's.

Mark, when you say you lost your memory, did you remember me at all?

I forgot all about everything, honey.

I didn't even remember my own name

much less that I had a wife to share it.

But don't let's worry about me.

It's you that had the worst time.

You poor kid. It must have been terrible.

Oh, it was.

The police called me and they told me there'd been an accident and...

Oh, don't remind me. I'm sorry.

And then...

..they said that you'd been burned to death and...

..I'm sorry, Mark, I can't go on. Don't try, baby.

It must have been hell.

How did you fix... I mean...

..how did you take care of all the details?

Oh, I was lucky.

Paul happened to be in England at the time

and when I told him you were dead... I mean...

I know what you mean. I'm glad Paul was here.

But this coffin, honey...

Whoever's in it, we can't let him be buried under my name.

No, of course not.

Oh, Mark, it's wonderful having you home again.

Can't we leave the details till tomorrow

and then I can call the police and the vicar and Paul and everybody

but right now... Well, here you are.

And here I am. Darling... I...

Oh, never mind. Let it wait.

Why, Mark, what is it? Have you met some girl in Yorkshire? Is that it?

No. It's nothing like that. It's... just that...

Mark, are you all right?

Yeah. I'm all right.

It's just that suddenly finding out who you are

when you haven't known for a week, I...

guess your brain gets a little dizzy trying to readjust itself.

But don't worry, honey. It's nothing a good sleep won't cure.

Of course, darling.

You know, I ought, really to have called the Clifford Hotel tonight

and told 'em I wouldn't be back.

Oh, that's all right, darling. Do it tomorrow.

I don't suppose they'll worry unduly.

I guess not. Funny, they don't even know who I am.

Just Mr Smith from Yorkshire.

Well, Mr Smith can wait till tomorrow.

Right now he's going to sleep. Yeah, I guess so.

Imagine old Paul being here.

Trust him to show up when he's wanted.

How is the old so-and-so? Does he still look the same?

Oh, he's fine. Exactly the same.

Anyway, let's not talk about Paul.

Oh, it's wonderful to have you home, Mark.

Oh, you're awake. Mm!

You're an early bird, aren't you?

Well, when you haven't any servants, somebody has to make the tea.

Well, this is wonderful. Where's yours?

Oh, I had mine an hour ago.

Since then I've made five phone calls.

No, six. Six?

Who in heaven's name to?

Well, I called the police and I told them what had happened.

Mm-hm. They said they'd call up Yorkshire

and explain that the identification was wrong.

Oh and then I called the hotel to say that you wouldn't be back.

Good. How did they take it? They weren't worried.

Evidently you'd paid in advance.

Yeah, that's right on account of I didn't have any baggage.

Who else did you call?

Oh, I called the vicar to say that he wouldn't be burying you today

and also the undertaker to come and take away the... you know.

Yeah. The house will be a little more cheerful without that.

Yes. Oh, and then I called Paul

and, of course, he wanted to come right round and see you.

I persuaded him not to. It'll wait till tonight.

But why? I'd like to see Paul again.

Yes but I talked to the doctor

and he said that after a shock like this that you're to sleep,

take two of my pills and he'd come round this afternoon and see you.

Honey, I've just had ten solid hours of sleep.

I don't want any more.

I know, darling, but under the circumstances I think you ought to.

So, please, Mark. For my sake, will you?

Well, well.

I ought to write to the Kemps.

You know, the people who took care of me in Yorkshire.

Well, you don't have to do that today.

Well, they'll be wondering what's happened to me

and, besides, I owe them money.

Well, do they know you're here?

They know I came to Epping.

Oh. Well, I'll send them a telegram

and the letter follows. What's the address?

Kemp Training Establishment, Gormdon.

Any Christian name? Yes, Sh...

No. Just put Kemp.

Oh. So there was a girl.

Well, I'm not surprised. You're quite an attractive man, you know.

Still, I hope she didn't take it too seriously.

I don't suppose she would in a week.

Now, darling, I have an awful lot to do

so, please, be a good boy and take the pills.

I'll leave you in peace till the doctor comes.

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

Hello? I'd like to send a telegram, please.

Telegrams? Yes, this is double two, double four.

Telegram to Kemp. K-E-M-P.

Yes. ..Training Establishment.

Gormford, Yorkshire.

Yes. Yes, the message reads...

(SIGHS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(CAR DOOR SLAMS)

(VEHICLES DEPARTING)

(CHURCH BELLS TOLLING)

(CHURCH BELLS CONTINUE)

Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live

and is full of misery.

He cometh up and is cut down like a flower...

He fleeth as it were a shadow

and never continueth in one stay...

In the midst of life we are in death...

(BELLS TOLLING)

For as much as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy

to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother Mark, here departed...

..we therefore commit his body to the ground...

..earth to earth... ashes to ashes...

dust to dust...

Paul Kenton?

You have the very deep sympathy of us all, Mrs Sherwin,

for your great sorrow.

May you have strength and the power to get the better of it.

CHRISTINE: Thank you.

Madam, what a beautiful service.

How the master would have liked it

if only he could have been here to see it.

It's very nice of you to come along.

None of the staff would dream of staying away.

We were all very devoted to the master, madam.

If only he could have been here himself to see it.

But who knows? Perhaps he did see it from wherever he is.

Thank you.

Take me back to the hotel. I want to tell you something.

It must have been a horrible shock to you when I came back alive.

And yet, you carried it off beautifully.

I wonder what you and Paul are cooking up for tonight.

What's the matter, Chris?

You're not really upset about Mark, are you?

Upset.

I'm more upset about Mark than I've ever been.

Paul...

..he's not dead.

What?

That was some tramp we buried today.

Mark arrived home last night.

But why on earth did you--

Just give me a chance. I'll explain. But this is fantastic. I...

Well, where is he now? He's in bed.

I made up a story about the doctor wanting him to sleep

and I gave him two strong sleeping pills. Well, what else could I do?

But why on earth did you go through with the funeral?

What is this?

If everyone knows he's alive-- Listen, Paul.

Only two people on earth know he's alive. You and I.

Well, that can't be true.

He must have met people-- Paul.

..wherever he-- Mark had an accident.

He lost his memory. Some people in Yorkshire looked after him.

They know nothing about him

except that he came here to regain his memory.

He stayed here at a hotel. They think his name is Smith.

Yes but when the people in Yorkshire find out.

No. I fixed it. I sent them a telegram.

I said his name was McCarthy and he'd gone back to Ireland.

But, Chris, this is nonsense!

If they don't know now, they damn soon will.

And then, besides, what about Mark himself?

What's he going to say about it?

How soon will all this happen, Paul?

Them finding out, I mean.

Well, tonight probably.

Tomorrow certainly, as soon as he sticks his nose outside the house.

But supposing he never leaves the house, Paul?

Supposing he never leaves the house again alive?

(SIGHS) It's murder.

Is it murder to kill someone who's already dead and buried?

Well, of course it is.

Mm.

But it's a murder that we're pretty sure of getting away with.

I must say I don't particularly like

the idea of murdering my best friend.

No? But you don't mind having an affair with his wife.

That's different.

Look here... couldn't we get Mark to give you a divorce?

And what do we use for money?

Well, wouldn't he give you some alimony?

As a reward for double-crossing him?

I doubt it. Look, Paul, let's be logical.

If you and I had thought we could be happy on your money,

we'd have gone away months ago but we didn't.

We waited for something to happen.

And last week we thought it had.

Yesterday, I was a wealthy widow.

Today I'm not.

But there's no reason why I shouldn't be tonight.

Oh, darling. Don't you see it only means one unpleasant evening?

Then we can have the rest of our lives together.

Can't you see it's just that difference

between misery and happiness?

I feel sorry for Mark but...

what kind of a future do you think he'd have?

Tied for the rest of his life

to a woman who's in love with somebody else.

You are still in love with me, Paul, aren't you?

What do you think?

Darling...

I think you better take me home. I'll explain on the way.

Christine, supposing somebody has seen him.

Don't be a fool. We're the only people who know he's alive.

No, miss.

I don't know him from Adam.

Are you quite sure? He might have only stayed the night.

We only had three stay here last night, miss.

That was Mr Mullins of Steadhalls',

Mr Thompson of Clarther's

and Mr Harvey of Imperial Chemicals.

You see we get mostly commercial gentlemen here, miss.

Why don't you try the Clifford or the Queen's?

Thank you. I will.

(HEAVY BREATHING)

Mark? Darling? Mm?

Come on. Wake up.

Good heavens. Have I slept all day? Mm. Pills did you good.

Yeah, they did, didn't they?

No sign of the doctor, I guess?

No. That's what I came to tell you. He won't be along today. Tomorrow.

Well, he doesn't expect me to stay in bed until then, does he?

No, of course not. You can get up providing you take it easy.

Good. One of the things I could take easy is a drink.

You can have one when you come downstairs

to help me get ready for the party. Party?

Well, I told you Paul was coming along tonight

to celebrate your return to life.

Oh, yeah. Of course.

So, will you hurry up, darling? Come downstairs, help me open some tins.

Right. Give me ten minutes.

(EXHALES)

Hello there. Sorry I've been so long.

I thought I better have a shave while I was about it.

Oh, that's all right.

I'm managing fine by myself.

Oh, would you like to bring some champagne up?

Sure.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I see Forester's have delivered that quicklime.

Oh. Yes, it arrived last week.

Mm. Useful stuff quicklime.

So many things you can do with it.

Everything from bagging birds to...

..burying bodies.

Will that be enough? What did you say?

I said will that be enough champagne

or shall I bring up another bottle?

Oh, yes, another bottle. Right.

Are you nearly ready, Christine? Five minutes.

OK.

I'll go down in case Paul's early.

Pour one out for me too. Sure, I'll do that.

Give me the police.

Hello? Exchange?

Paul. Come in.

Oh. Well, this is wonderful, Mark. I didn't expect to see you again.

You ought to know I always walk away from crashes.

I guess that old saying's right, you know.

Some guys are born to be hanged.

Put your hat down there. Christine will be down in a minute.

She... tells me you've had rather a bad time of it.

Yeah. I...

..met up with one of your strong-arm men. Bop!

Hello, Paul. Well, why aren't we drinking?

Christine tells me you were a great help

when the bad news came through, Paul.

Oh. Well, I... did what I could.

I'm only glad I happened to be in England at the time.

Hm. When are you going out East again?

Oh, I'm not. They've suspended that service.

I'll probably go on one of the shorter routes nearer home.

Good. Then we may be seeing quite a lot of you, huh?

I certainly hope so.

India gets you down after a bit.

I'll bet it does.

It's certainly no place to take a woman.

What?

I said, it's certainly no place to take a woman.

Well... I don't quite get what you mean.

You know it's funny, somehow, to think of you two falling in love.

What are you talking about, Mark?

You and Paul. What?

What on earth makes you think we're in love?

Again, you and Paul. Oh, you hide it much better than he does

but it's still pretty obvious just the same.

How long did you plan on being in mourning for me

before you got married again, honey?

Mark, you're crazy and very insulting.

Insulting, maybe but crazy, never.

Hurry up, Paul. Drink up and have another drink.

No, thank you.

Christine? No. Thank you.

No. Neither will I.

Come on, let's open up the real stuff.

You know, Paul,

I think I saved you from something through turning up again.

Christine's not really your type.

Oh, I've known you both long enough to be pretty sure about that.

Of course, having an affair with her might be fun but...

once she got you firmly fixed in wedlock,

she'd give you hell of a life.

How much longer are you going on talking like this, Mark?

I find it very obnoxious.

It must be extremely embarrassing for Paul.

Yeah. I guess it may be at that.

I'm sorry, Paul.

It's just that...

Well, you know, the etiquette books don't teach you how to behave

when you're having a drink with your wife and her lover.

Look, if you want another sock in-- Honey, put some music on, will you,

and relieve the tension?

I could scarcely believe my ears when she said we had to go

and only a month's wages, too, after eight years.

Eight years I've been with the family.

Yes, it's terrible for you but I'm afraid there's no vacancy

for a housekeeper here now. You see--

But I'm very experienced in hotel work.

Why, before I went to Tor House, you know--

Excuse me. Just a minute.

Good evening. Good evening.

I'm trying to trace a friend who's staying somewhere in the town.

I wondered if he might be here. That's him.

Why, that's Mr Smith to the life. Then he IS here.

No not NOW but he looked in last night

and then he went out after dinner and he didn't come back.

A lady phoned up this morning to say he was staying with friends.

Did she say who she was? No, she didn't.

I see.

You've no idea where he was going to when he left here, have you?

Yes, I have. He was going to Tor House.

Is that near here? I mean, can I get there easily?

Oh, very easily. You take the Number Eight bus outside here

going that way and it'll put you right down at the gates.

Thank you very much.

Begging your pardon, madam, if I may make a suggestion?

I don't think you should go to Tor House tonight.

Oh. Why not?

The master's just died and they buried him today.

I see. Then, of course, I won't intrude.

Thank you very much for telling me.

Thank you, madam. Why that is the poor gentleman himself.

What? Poor Mr Sherwin was buried today.

That's impossible.

Oh, pardon me, madam, but I was at the funeral.

Beautiful service it was.

I mean it's impossible that that should be Mr...

What did you say his name was? Sherwin?

Mr Mark Sherwin and it IS him.

I should know, madam. I was his housekeeper for eight years.

But how did Mr Sherwin die?

Killed in a car accident in Yorkshire a week ago, madam.

I see.

Thank you very much.

Feeling less embarrassed, Paul?

Well, I-- Good.

Then let's talk business. How much do you want?

I don't understand you.

You wanna marry Christine and she wants to marry you.

But if I know Christine, she's not gonna let me divorce her

unless I make a pretty satisfactory financial settlement first.

So, I'm asking you, how much do you want?

Are you offering me my freedom plus a settlement?

I am. Why?

Because, all things considered, I'd rather live than die.

And just what does that mean?

It means that I know Paul came here tonight to kill me

and, frankly, I'd rather he didn't. That's ridiculous.

Yeah? Then why did the pair of you go through with that funeral?

Oh. So, you know about that? Sure. I was there.

I thought you gave a very moving performance, Christine.

And even though you think we intended to murder you,

you're still willing to give me money?

I am. I don't believe you. Why should you?

I'll be perfectly honest with you, honey.

It's because you outsmarted me.

Oh, this isn't the way I'd plan things at all.

When I discovered that you'd pinched my gun

and cut the telephone wires, I realised I was in a spot.

So, I am prepared to do a deal.

You'll get your freedom and £5,000. I keep my life.

How's about it, sweetheart?

Do you think that's a very generous offer?

If you stay dead, I get much more £5,000.

True but you also run the risk

of having that pretty neck of yours stretched.

Oh, I know. I realise that you were relying on the quicklime

but murder has a funny way of coming out.

Maybe you're not scared...

..but I'll bet Paul doesn't wanna take

that eight o'clock walk in the morning.

It isn't a pleasant death, Paul, hanging.

Well? Is it a deal?

It's a deal.

Christine?

Do you swear you'll abide by that?

I do.

It's a deal. Good.

I think we'll have a drink on that.

I need one. I'd like a brandy, Mark.

I'll have to go get some.

I'll be right back.

(SIGHS) Well, thank heaven for that.

Quick. Go after him.

But why? We-- Oh, you fool.

You don't believe that. The first thing he'll do is go to the police.

But what for? What have we done? Are you mad?

We faked a funeral. We've planned a murder.

We're for it. We've got to go through with it.

No. If you haven't got the guts, I have.

Give me the gun.

All right.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(DOORBELL RINGS)

Good evening. I'd like to see Mr Mark Sherwin, please.

He's... He's dead. He was buried today.

I don't think so. Well, any case this isn't his house.

Oh, isn't it? No, I...

Well, do you think we'd be having a party if we had death in the house?

It's about half a mile up the road. Tor House. You can't miss it.

All right. Thank you very much.

(GUNSHOT) That was a shot!

No, it wasn't. He is here, I know he is

and you're Christine!

Sheila! Mark, you killed Paul!

Either him or me. It turned out to be him.

Get out. I wanna talk to Miss Kemp. I certainly will not!

If you know what's good for you, you'll do what I say.

Mark, what's been happening?

Honey, I can't explain right now but I want you to do something for me.

Of course. Will you go down to the main road,

turn left until you come to the telephone box.

It's about 50 yards down. Call the police.

Tell them there's been some shooting here and I want them up here fast.

I mean fast. All right.

Wait. Where are you staying? The Clifford Hotel.

Good. I'll call you up later. Will you wait up for me?

I will. Swell.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

You lied to her. Shut up and listen to me.

We've got some straight talking to do.

If there's any talking to do, you'll have to do it

because you killed Paul and I'll swear I saw you kill him.

That wouldn't do you any good.

I killed Paul in self-defence.

It was his gun and it has his fingerprints on it as well as mine.

It's you that's in the spot, not me.

I don't think so.

Then how are you gonna laugh off that funeral?

Just for that you could get seven years.

Seven years, Christine. That's a long time.

You're gonna be quite an old woman by the time you come out.

Seven long years with no pretty dresses,

no nylons, no perfume and no bath salts.

Just coarse brown sackcloth and hard work.

I'm not going anywhere.

You don't know much about firearms, do you, honey?

Enough. The safety catch is still on.

(GUNSHOT)

(DOORBELL RINGS) Who's that?

Police, I guess. Sheila was gonna call 'em.

Mark, you can't mean it?

Mark, you're not serious?

It wasn't my fault. It was Paul. I didn't know what was happening.

Mark, listen to me, I'm your wife!

You can't do this, Mark!

(GUNSHOT)

Good evening, Sergeant.

You're just too late...

..thank God.

Come on in.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)