Original subtitles

Hallelujah.

Hallelujah.

>> [music]

>> There you go.

Oh, who shot you?

That's why I can't say if I didn't

expect an answer, sir. Not really. Not

with a bullet in the head.

>> No, sir.

>> Everything's just as it was when I got

here, sir.

>> Who found the body?

>> Mr. Gou, the Scotsman.

>> Yes, sir.

>> See, he doesn't leave before I have a

word with him. I also want to talk to

Mrs. Lancing, when she's a little more

composed.

>> It's not Mrs. Lancing, sir. That's Miss

Lancing, dead man's sister.

>> Oh, where's the wife?

>> No. He seems to be out.

>> Oh, I see. All right. You can arrange to

move the body, will you?

>> Yes, sir.

Sorry, when I got to the officer,

>> that's all right. The body's still

there. It's all quite straightforward.

Somebody forced the catch in the French

window. You see the mark where the

knife, whatever they use, scratch the

paint, crept up behind him, put a gun to

his head, and pull the trigger.

>> Well, it doesn't sound like a burglar.

>> No premented murder. All very

unpleasant. More unpleasantness to come,

too. The wife isn't here. She'll have to

be told when she comes back.

>> I don't think that will be necessary,

>> ma. She already knows and she won't come

back.

[music]

>> Oh, she's gone. All right. Packed up and

left.

>> Any of the servants see her go?

>> No, but she's taken some of her clothes

and there are a couple of suitcases

missing. Now, nobody heard the shot, but

one of the footmen said he heard the

sound of glass breaking.

>> Now, when was that?

>> It was just after it became dark about

7:30. Don't suppose there's any

connection. There's no sign of any grass

lying about.

>> So, she shoots her husband and calmly

goes upstairs and packs her frills and

fancies. Very, very feminine. She looks

a very feminine woman, doesn't it?

>> Quite a difference in their ages.

>> Yeah, I think you give her about 20

years. Not the happiest basis for

matrimony.

>> But if she did kill him, who forced the

catch on the French window?

>> Oh, that could have happened anytime,

days ago, even months.

My name is Gurley. And Gurley.

>> Oh, yes. I'd like to ask you a few

questions, sir. I wonder if you'd mind

waiting outside until we finish this.

>> Then I suggest you make your private

deliberations as brief as possible. They

show a remarkable lack of concern for

the welfare of others.

>> I'm sorry we've kept you waiting so

long.

>> Not me, sir. Miss Lancing. That woman

should be in bed with a sleeping drop.

>> Yes, I appreciate how distressed she

must be. Merit.

>> Well, we've one or two facts to

establish first, sir. You found the

body, I believe.

>> That is so. I had an appointment with

Mr. Lansing for 8:00. When the maid

showed me into a study, I saw

immediately the man was dead.

>> Must have been something of a shock.

>> It's not a very pleasant sight,

>> nor an unfamiliar one. I've seen violent

death before in the midst of life.

>> Yes. What exactly was your business with

Mr. Lansing?

>> God's business.

>> You could be a little more specific,

sir.

>> I'm a servant of the Central African

Mission Society. I had hoped that Mr.

Lansing might be of some assistance to

us without work among the heathen.

Financially, of course.

>> Of course. You knew him quite well. No,

I met him for the first time when I got

back from Africa two weeks ago. I had

heard of his reputation for honesty and

integrity and I thought that under the

circumstances he might contribute to our

funds.

>> Under um what circumstances?

>> Sergeant, you can't be unaware of the

fact that Mr. Lansing was managing

director of the Congo Minerals Company.

>> Oh. Oh, I see.

>> I doubt if I can tell you anything more.

>> No, thank you very much. I wonder if

you'd mind asking Miss Lansing to come

here, please.

>> She's gone to her room, but I'll inform

the maid. Good night, Sergeant.

>> Good idea. Thank you very much.

Congo Minerals. Well, well, well. I knew

that Lancing was a prominent man in the

city. I didn't know he owned a gold

mine. You know, you won't believe this,

but I turned down shares in that

company.

>> And uh regretted it ever since then.

>> Well, who wouldn't? They've traveled in

value. They're still going up. I could

kick myself.

>> I don't even kick yourself quite so hard

if your company was building ships or

spinning cotton.

>> I don't follow just this lady. You talk

about investments, about shares, about

profits. What really mean is gold.

Gold's not a metal. It's an emotion.

>> I don't know. Aren't you?

>> It's been a sickness with this country

ever since the ran strike and that

ruined more men than it made.

>> You mean you wouldn't have bought the

shares?

>> I don't know. Perhaps if I'd had the

money.

>> You wish to speak to me, sir?

>> My apologies, mama.

>> I'm sorry. I thought Would you care to

go to the other room?

>> No, no, I'll be all right.

>> Do sit down.

>> My brother,

we were very close.

>> Yes, you have my sympathies, Mom.

Wish I hadn't got to ask these

questions, but I'm afraid I must ask you

some questions about your sister-in-law.

>> Ha.

You must find her. She must be punished.

>> We don't know yet, Mom, that she's

responsible.

>> Don't you? Don't you? But then you

didn't hear them quarreling

>> this evening.

>> Yes. I don't know what was said, but I

could hear their voices through the uh

study door.

>> So, you don't know what they were

quarreling about?

>> I can guess. Sooner or later, he was

bound to find out what kind of a woman

he'd married.

Steven gave her everything. A home,

security, position.

But that wasn't enough for Ha.

>> So she had other associations.

>> If you mean men, yes, one at least,

though there were probably others. He's

John Hoskins, one of Steven's business

partners.

>> Well, she may have gone there. Do you

happen to know his address, Mark?

>> There's a book in one of the drawers.

Red Morocco.

>> Mr. Lancing was his wife's senior by

several years, I believe. Ma'am,

>> just that excuse her. She was a penniles

governor when he married her. An act of

charity.

My brother was so pure in his own

nature, he couldn't see the flaws in

hers. I tried to tell him what kind of a

creature he brought into my house.

>> By which time it was her house, of

course.

>> Ah, here we are. Hatheraway, Hawkins,

Hogot, Hoskins, John, Piccadilli. He has

chambers in the Albany.

>> Piltchure, come here. Damn you.

Peltchure.

>> Sir,

>> what the devil are these things doing

here? Who's are they?

>> Mrs. Lancing, sir. She's been waiting

for some time.

>> Shall I remove the baggage?

>> Here, take this. Baggage indeed. Hester.

>> Oh,

>> I thought you were never coming back.

>> What's the matter? You're trembling.

What's happened?

>> I'm not going back to him. We had a

quarrel. I told him I was going away

with you.

>> Oh,

>> is that all you had to say?

>> I suppose he found out we'd been uh

seeing each other.

>> We haven't just been seeing each other,

have we? And he didn't know until I told

him.

Don't say something. You asked me to go

away with you if you changed your mind.

>> No, no, of course not, darling. It's

just that I have certain matters of

finance to attend to. I didn't want to

leave until next week.

>> Well, I could stay with you till then.

>> It's out of the question. When you told

Steven I was leaving the country, you

told him too much.

>> But you can't stop us.

>> Don't be so sure.

>> Tonight? It has to be tonight.

>> You mean just leave?

>> Why not? But what about all your

possessions?

>> Possessions? [laughter]

I own them. They don't own me. No, we'll

stay overnight in some hotel somewhere

and then tomorrow, Paris, Caro, summer,

wherever our fancy takes us.

>> You are the most irresponsible man I've

ever met.

>> Not like Steven, eh?

>> No, not in any way. He suffocated me

with his saintliness.

But why do we have to go to a hotel?

Steven won't come here. No,

but the police might

pilch.

Not um far from the Albamar Club, are

we?

>> Yeah, we're past it. Why?

>> Um I say driver, drop me off at the next

corner, will you?

>> Thought we were going to the Albany.

>> Uh you are. I'm not. And you see

Lancing's other two partners. What were

the names?

>> Uh Bruce and Pigot.

>> Bruce and Pigot. Uh, they live in the

country, but the town address is the

Albamar Club. Might as well pop off in

the off chance that they're there. Thank

you. After all, someone's got to tell

him he's dead.

>> Rogue, gentlemen. Rogues. Whole lot of

them.

>> But I'm not being critical, gentlemen.

When I describe our politicians as

rogues, heaven help England if it's ever

led by honest men. Thank you, Moscow. No

society can survive without its

decadence. Don't you agree, Mr. Char?

>> Evening, Mr. Pig. Very good help.

>> Has Mr. Bruce been here this evening?

>> Why, yes, sir. He's with those gentlemen

by the fire been here long.

>> I really couldn't say, sir. Some time, I

imagine.

>> Ask him to join me, will you?

>> Very good, sir.

>> Excuse me.

>> Mr. Picket's confidence. He'd like to

have a word with you, sir.

>> Uh, thank you, Mos.

>> Would you excuse me, gentlemen?

Hello, Edot.

Why didn't you join us? The conversation

was becoming much too intellectual, and

a slight lowering of the tone would have

been most acceptable.

>> I didn't come here for polite

conversation. I want to talk to you

in private.

>> Oh, don't worry about the general. He's

slept through every campaign since the

Crimea, and some of them are rather

noisy.

>> Where have you been tonight? here and

there. Pick it here and there. Mostly

here. Why this sudden interest in my

social activities?

>> You know why?

>> Oh, let me see. I spent the afternoon

with Mr. Charles and Lady Benon. Sir

Charles suggested we dine at the club

and we've been here ever since.

>> If you don't believe me, if only to

cross the room to ask him.

>> He's been with you all the time.

>> This is becoming quite ridiculous. I

don't see what concern it is of yours.

>> Excuse me, sir. There's a person from

the detective department, a Sergeant

Cork. He'd like to have a word with

either you or Mr. Pick it.

>> Then he can have his choice. Bring him

in.

>> Yes, sir.

>> This way, sir.

>> Mr. Pigot. Mr. Brewster, sir.

>> Mr. Brewster, you sir. I must apologize

for disturbing you, but the matter is

rather urgent.

>> Should hope it would be, Cork. Moscop.

Uh, this is Mr. Pigot. Moscop too large

brand is.

>> Yes, sir.

>> I'm afraid we have no beer, Sergeant.

>> I dare say I shall survive without him,

sir. What I have to say will better said

uh in private, sir. Now, come to the

point, man.

>> Well, as you wish. Mr. Steven Lancing

was found in his study this evening.

Murdered.

Murdered

>> by God.

Shot through the head.

>> Who would want to do a thing like that?

>> Well, that's where I thought you might

be able to help me, sir, in view of your

close association. Had he any enemies in

the business world?

>> No, none. Most respected man in the

city. The most honest man alive.

Obviously, it's the work of a burglar.

Sergeant Lancing mentioned there had

been some house breakings in the

district. In fact, I advised him to

purchase a firearm.

>> No, it wasn't a burglar. At least

nothing was taken. Did he buy a gun?

>> I believe so.

>> You can't think of anyone who might have

a motive. I thought perhaps Mr. Hoskins

might be able to suggest something. Are

you expecting

>> Hoskins is not a member of this club?

>> Oh, I thought so as you were so closely

associated.

>> One can rarely choose business

associates or blood relations. Sergeant,

personal friendships are a different

matter.

>> And uh Mrs. Lancing chose the latter.

>> Sergeant, you must be careful what you

suggest.

>> I'm not suggesting anything, sir. I'm

simply asking a question. Was there

anything between Mrs. Lansing and Mr.

Hoskins?

>> Well, you wouldn't care too.

>> They were having an affair. It was

perfectly obvious to everyone except

Lancing.

>> Then it wouldn't be quite true to say

that he had no enemies.

>> Damn it. The men's an adventurer, but

murder. [snorts]

>> One, one hesitates to pass judgment, of

course, but his background is rather

questionable.

>> How so?

>> He doesn't appear to have any.

He spent some time prospecting in the

transval apparently with little success

at first, it seems.

>> Well, the long and the short of it is

that eventually he found a gold field.

We sent out to section man called

Pettigru and he confirmed Huskin plains.

>> Nice sir. Well, good evening. I don't

think I need trouble any further for the

moment. Thank you.

>> Sorry, sir. Excuse me.

>> Allow me, sir.

>> Oh, you appear to have cut yourselves.

No to a slight accident earlier at all.

>> Yes, the uh blood appears to be quite

dry.

>> Good evening, sir.

>> Sergeant.

>> Well, well,

another brandy for Mr. Picket. The large

one.

>> Very large.

The suitcases are down, sir. Mrs.

Lansing is waiting in the cab. Don't

>> tell her won't be long, will you? You

can take this now.

>> Well, damn it, man. It's not that heavy.

I've seen a native porter carry twice

that much for 10 miles on a handful of

meies.

>> If you'll forgive me, sir. It's hardly

an apt comparison.

Ah, Mr. Hoskins.

>> Yes.

>> Uh, Detective Constable Marriott, I

wonder if I might ask you a few

questions.

>> I was just on the point of

>> Take a moment, sir.

>> Oh, very well.

>> If you'll um just come through here. Oh,

>> the luggage is secured. Ma'am, Mr.

Hoskins will be down presently.

>> Thank you, Pilchshire.

>> There is one small matter, ma'am. I have

tried without success to raise it with

Mr. Hoskins. I wonder if you'd be kind

enough to remind him.

>> Remind him of what?

>> Well, I've never been discharged under

quite such peculiar circumstances,

ma'am. On the spur of the moment, so to

speak.

>> Oh, hasn't Mr. Hoskins given you money,

and he'll notice?

>> He was most generous, ma'am, but it's a

question of references. I would find

some difficulty in obtaining a new

position without rather grand northland

avenue.

>> Sir, if I might draw your attention to

>> you neglect.

>> There's no time for that now.

>> Damn. He heard what I said. Brother,

I've changed your mind. Take me to

Paddington.

>> John, why?

>> I had a visit.

>> What? Who are you?

Tell Sergeant Cork.

[music]

>> Tell me, Miss Lansing, did your brother

possess a firearm?

>> Yes, he kept it in his desk. There

doesn't appear to be any sign of it.

>> Then she must have

>> Yes.

>> Oh no. It's too horrible.

>> She must have used it to shoot your

brother.

>> If we find it in her possession, it

would be rather conclusive evidence.

>> Evidence? Haven't you enough of that

already? The scenes, the quarrels. The

servants will confirm.

>> Yes. I've already questioned them. It

would appear that some of the quarrels

were with yourself, ma'am.

>> Quarrels? I wouldn't call them quarrels.

>> What then, ma'am?

uh disagreements and Ha was always at

the bottom of them.

She would go against my wishes at every

possible opportunity. She would

contradict my orders to the servants.

>> What was your brother's attitude to all

this?

>> Steven was naturally torn between his

loyalties. Oh, he realized I was right,

of course, but uh he felt a certain

obligation to his wife.

>> That was all he felt. Obligation.

When she demanded that I be sent away,

he refused to listen to her. Does that

answer your question?

Sent away from my own home.

But she didn't succeed. Steven realized

there were certain things she could

never give him,

>> such as

>> sympathy, understanding.

When he needed these, he always came to

see me. Ha was such an insensitive

creature. She didn't even notice that he

seemed troubled over the last few weeks.

>> Troubled in what way? Oh, business

worries. I never questioned him. I

responded to his moods.

>> Yes, these uh business worries, you

never discussed them.

>> What do I know of business? He merely

said he had some disquiting information

from Mr. Gule. Whatever it was, it

affected his health and his appetite.

But Ha didn't notice.

>> Well, thank you, Miss Auntie.

She's an evil woman.

Oh, dear. You find the runaways?

>> No. Hoskins man servant Pilchshire was

wrong. They didn't go to the grand in

Northland Avenue. The fool doesn't know

anymore. Hoskins commits a murder,

assaults a policeman. All Pilch is

concerned about is not getting a

reference through future. He

>> had the right idea. What did you say to

Hoskins last night?

>> Well, I told him who I was. He showed me

into the sitting room and then hit me

with a knob carry. Oh,

>> very univil. And what's a knob carry?

>> Well, it's a weapon the Zulus use. They

use it for hitting people on the head.

>> Oh, well, keep a thing for 70 years.

You're quite sure that Hoskins is our

man? Well, aren't you?

>> No.

>> Last night I was sure that Mrs. Lansing

was our woman. Now I'm uh not so sure at

all. Why?

>> Someone did break in here last night.

>> He left a trail a blind man could

follow.

>> At least you're certain it's a he.

>> Oh, yes. Yes. Yes.

>> I agree with Sergeant C. What's the

matter with you? Are you tired?

>> No.

>> The man's footprints are the footprints

in the garden are a man's. And you can

see that the IV's been torn away from

the wall as he scrambled over. Mhm.

>> Yes. But before that uh happened uh

something else occurred.

>> What's up?

>> I touched it fast to heighten the

tragedy. Whoever it was fell flat in his

face and um tripped up.

>> One of the servants heard glass breaking

in the in the glass frame.

>> Yes, I think our friend is injured.

There are spots of blood on the wall.

>> Could have been Hoskins.

>> I think that bump on your head entirely

to prejudice, lad. But I've got other

fuses in the matter. Don't sit down,

lad. I want to go and see Mr. Gurley,

that Scottish missionary. After all, he

called here recently. Off you, lad. Off

you go.

One moment.

>> I found this in Hester's bedroom.

>> Miss Lansing just found this in a

sister-in-law's bedroom.

>> Yes, there's a spent cartridge inside.

>> And where precisely did she find it?

>> Well, she didn't say. I don't have a

sense. I searched the room pretty

thoroughly.

>> What did you search?

>> Well, um

the dressing tables and the escrit.

>> Yes. I thought there might be some

letters or papers.

>> Is this your brother's revolver? Ma'am?

>> Yes. Now, will you accept that Ha is an

evil woman?

>> Oh, yes. Never deny that fact. Also a

very careless woman. What made you look

in the uh escto?

Um, I had some letters to write. I ran

out of note paper

>> and it was just um lying there.

>> Yes. You can hardly deny that this is

conclusive.

>> Not only conclusive, Mom, but um

convenient.

>> The Ashanti. Yes. The Ashanti. Once a

savage and warlike people now respond to

um the teaching of the what? Oh, close

the door behind you, will you, Miss

Prit? Well, this is partly due to their

defeat. H pacification. Yes, to their um

pacification

some 20 years ago. The devoted service

of our missionaries in the field cannot

be ignored. H yes,

I think, Miss Prit, we should um Oh, who

are you? Uh, Detective Constable

Marriott, sir. You may remember last

night.

>> Oh, yes, of course. What can I do for

you, Mr. Marriott?

>> Well, I just like to ask you a few

questions. I'm sorry to interrupt when

you're so busy.

>> Oh, that's quite all right. I was just

making a few notes. The society have

arranged a program of lectures, a

fundraising venture.

>> Well, I'm sure it'll be a great

successor. I was fascinated.

>> Were you? Now, you know, Mr. Marriott,

you'd be surprised at the number of

people who, when faced with a silver

collection, regret that the penny is

made of copper. However, since you were

so fascinated,

every little helps.

Thank you. And now,

>> um, well, you said you called on Mr.

Lassing a fortnight ago. May I ask why?

>> Well, for the same reason as I called

last night. With so many commercial

enterprises getting underway in Africa,

the society felt that some of the

companies involved might care to make a

small contribution to our work. The

results so far have been most

disappointing.

>> What happened, Mr. Lansing?

>> Oh, he said he would consider the

matter. I assume that's why he sent for

me last night. I propose that his

company donate a small proportion of

their African revenue to our funds.

>> Yes.

>> You see, Mr. Marriott, not only do we

spread the light and clothe the naked

heathen, we also make them more amanable

to civilized control.

>> I can see the advantages from both

sides.

>> I'm quite sure you can. The word of God

is a far more powerful instrument than

any expeditionary force, and we can

spread it for half the price. However,

Mr. Marriott said he would have to

consult with his board of directors

first.

>> Uh, Mrs. is Bruce and Pig.

>> Oh, those are gentlemen. I never met

them.

>> There's a third, Mr. Hoskins. Now, he's

something of an explorer. Do you know

him?

>> Only by a reputation, and that's far

from being a good one.

>> Explorer? Is that what he calls himself?

Come here, young man.

>> Do you know what this is?

>> It's a map of Africa.

Well, geography was never my strongest

subject.

>> The Congo River. 3,000 miles of it. And

I've marched, paddled, and hacked my way

along most of its length, from Lake

Vangulo to the Stanley Falls, up the

Yubangi, and along the Casai before Mr.

Hoskins could even walk.

>> He's broken no new trails.

>> Must be very exciting, sir.

>> It was dirty, unhealthy, and dangerous,

but it had to be done. Yes. Some men go

to Africa to seek souls, others to seek

riches. But there's so much work to be

done.

>> Yeah. When you when you spoke to Mr.

Lansing, was anything said that could

possibly upset him?

>> No. No, I I don't think so. Unless um

Pedigrew

>> Pedigrew.

>> Yes. He was in charge of the company's

mining operations. I was sent forth to

attend to him at a camp. Oh, he was in a

pretty bad way. Far gone with malaria.

Poor man. He died soon after I arrived.

>> Uh but Lancing would have known about

this.

>> No, not until I told him. You see,

before he died, Mr. Pettigu gave me a

report to deliver to Mr. Lansing, which

I did.

>> A report?

>> What did it say?

>> I have no idea.

>> I see. Uh, well, thank you for your

help, sir. Good day.

>> As you paid your money, you might as

well see a performance.

>> Well, thanks, sir, but I haven't really

got time.

>> There's always time for useful

instruction. Oblige me by drawing the

blind.

Although Lake Victoria Nyanza was first

circumnavigated by Stanley in 1865,

the nature remain comparative.

>> The lake appears to be upside down, sir.

>> Oh,

yes. This is well termed the magic

lantern. My assistant's more familiar

with this operation than I am. Oh, Miss

Prit, I wonder if you'd be

>> I want to talk to you about Lancing's

death.

This is Detective Constable Marriott.

He's just leaving.

>> Delighted to have met you, Marriott.

>> And you, sir. Good day, gentlemen.

>> Thank you.

We should be at Liverpool by 4. And

>> what are they looking for us then?

>> No, no, I don't think so. They'll be

watching the Channel ports.

>> John, that policeman, you're sure you

didn't?

>> I told you the worst he'll suffer from

is a sore head. If only he'd come 5

minutes later, though.

[clears throat]

>> All right, I'll set your mind at rest.

There was a newspaper boy at the bar. It

was also policeman John.

>> Excuse me. The lady who was here with me

just now, if you

Six suspects.

You're ridiculous.

One, two, even three, I could cope with,

but six.

Wouldn't mind arrest the whole bunch and

let the let the jury sort it out.

>> Perhaps if we start the other end,

eliminate the least likely ones. Here,

you write them down as we go. Now, let's

see. Hester Lanti

>> unfaithful wife who quarreled with her

husband the night he was murdered and

has since fled.

>> Uh John Hoskins wife's lover also fled.

Why if he's not guilty?

>> Well, these two have understandable

motives. What about Clara Lansing? Now,

I'll swear she didn't find that gun in

the bedroom.

>> So, how did she come by it?

>> Gouly.

>> Gully, a liar. An unexpected one of

that. Why'd you call the house that

night? Pigot. I saw a frightened man, it

was Pigot, and with a blood stained

handkerchief. motive, business jealousy

perhaps.

>> And this could also apply to the other

director, Brewster.

>> Brewster, cynical, coldblooded man. The

fact there's no obvious connection makes

me even more suspicious. Well,

>> Brewster fig girly pum. We've still got

six suspects.

>> That report that Gurley mentioned, I

think we ought to take a look at that.

Ah, Mr. Pigot, a calamitous day for us

all. I could scarce believe my eyes when

I saw the newspaper. Mr. Lancing, gone.

>> Yes, tragic last greedy. Tragic, but we

must all bear up under it. He would have

wished it.

>> He would indeed, sir, but that such a

thing should come to pass. Foully

murdered by his own fireside. A man of

so much worth, so much admired. when we

see his like again.

>> When indeed

uh has it u has it afflicted uh have you

been to the exchange this morning?

>> Oh yes sir. The prices remain quite

firm. They are in fact still rising.

>> Good. I think the most lasting memorial

to my late friend and partner will be

the continuing success of his

enterprises.

>> Yes sir.

As you say, sir.

>> I well remember the first day his father

brought Mr. Steven to the office. I was

merely a junior Clark. Of course.

>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Your memories must be a

great consolation to you. Uh, where are

the keys to this desk?

>> That Mr. Steven's desk, sir. He was most

insistent that he'd never be disturbed.

>> You forget he's dead. I'm

>> sorry, sir. Mr. Steven always kept the

keys about his person.

>> All right. All right. That will be all.

>> Yes, sir.

I thought we'd have to send out for a

locksmith.

>> I

I was going to destroy it.

>> You are a destructive creature.

But as heir to Lancing's throne, I think

the decision should be placed in my

hands.

In my hands, Pickicket.

>> No, Pigot. You are an immodderate man,

but twice in 24 hours would be excessive

even for you.

>> I didn't kill Lancer. You did.

>> You killed him because you are foolish,

impetuous, and indiscreet. Three good

reasons why I should take care of this.

>> What are you going to do with it?

>> Keep it away from prying eyes. You

better. You must not lose as I have.

>> A point which has not escaped my notice.

Though I doubt if I risk hanging.

>> I didn't kill Nancy.

>> M. So you said

I think 3 weeks should elapse before

this is uh discovered. 3 weeks.

>> My trans section should be complete by

then.

>> What about the shareholders meeting

tomorrow?

>> Lancing's death would be a good excuse

for canceling it.

>> I think not, bigot. It could give rise

to unfortunate conjectures. Booster,

you won't do anything.

>> You have my word as a gentleman.

>> Excuse me, sir, but I wondered if in

view of the tragic happening, I should

issue any special instructions to the

stone.

>> That I figured just tell them to carry

on with their duties in the normal way.

>> Very good, sir. To think that Frog

Morton Street will no longer echo to his

tread. When should we see his?

>> When indeed.

>> But don't worry, Pigot. You can tell the

staff that everything will proceed

exactly as Mr. Lansing would have

wished.

>> Very good, sir.

>> Yes, exactly as he would have wished.

I would be obliged.

>> This gentleman is from the police, sir.

The

>> police?

>> Yes. Detective Constable Marriott. I'd

like a few minutes of your time, sir.

>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Please. Come in. Yes.

I uh I met one of your fellows last

night.

>> Yes, my superior call.

>> Uh yes, that was the name.

>> Well,

making progress, I hope. Well, we're

exploring several avenues, sir. Several.

>> Good. Good. The culprit must be

apprehended and traced to the full rigor

of the law. I talk not only for myself,

but the whole world of commerce.

Greatest merkantile nation on earth can

ill afford to lose a servant like Mr.

Lansing.

>> I believe he was highly respected.

>> Steven Lancing was a dedicated man like

myself. He believed that this country

had a duty to humanity and especially to

those people of Africa and Asia.

We who are left must pick up the torch.

The tea has let fall.

>> Quiet.

>> Can you tell me anything about the

report he received from the Congo

fortnite ago?

>> How did

How did you get that information?

>> I was told by Mr. Gory. He's a

missionary. He said he delivered the

report personally.

>> Good. Can't recall the name. No, I don't

know anything about it. Well, perhaps if

you look for it in Mr. Lansing's house.

>> No, we searched his place pretty

thoroughly. There's no sign of it. I uh

I wonder if the office staff would know.

>> Oh, it's unlikely.

Perhaps it was some trivial matter which

didn't merit the attention of the board.

I dare turn up a time. Oh, coming

really.

Do you know anything about the report

from our mining venture in the Congo?

Did Mr. Lansing mention it?

>> No, sir. We occasionally get requests

for supplies, but we've not had a report

from Mr. Pettigrew for some time.

>> Mr. Pettigrew died a fortnight ago.

Malaria.

>> Good heavens. You should take the

>> First of all, I'd like to look in this

desk.

>> We do not have the keys, Mr. Marion. Mr.

Lancing always kept them.

>> Drawer is open. Excuse me.

Best would have been forced.

>> But that's impossible. I would have

noticed it when I dusted it this

morning. I always dusted Mr. Steven's

desk. He wouldn't trust anybody else

near it. And I swear it was all right

then.

Nonsense. Nonsense. You can't be sure.

Uh perhaps that Mr. Lansing mislaid his

keys one day.

>> I am sure, sir.

>> All right. Great to be

very old. You know,

his faculties are not quite what they

were.

And he's he's given to imagining things.

I have quite an imagination myself, sir.

My infinite wisdom, grant us the power

to make the heathen and Africa seem

alike. Not as the powers.

>> What else did Picket say?

>> Well, that's all. Apparently, Brewster

takes over the administration of the

company's affairs for the moment.

>> Why for the moment?

>> Well, there's a shareholders meeting and

they may make changes.

>> Sir,

>> who will be represented?

>> Well, aboard, the investors, maybe the

press, all the interest in parties.

>> I presume that term includes the

detective department.

>> Well, I refuse to think anymore on an

empty stomach.

>> What do you expect to hear, sir?

>> Oh, pack of lies. The whole business

smells of concealment and fraud. Yes.

Aren't you?

>> Yes, I'm Hester Lancing.

[music]

I did not kill my husband.

>> I didn't. But there was a quarrel.

>> No, it was impossible to quarrel with

Steven.

I was summoned to his study. Oh, yes.

Summoned. I hated going to that room. It

always meant a sermon on propriety or a

lecture on decorum. A gentle reproof on

some aspect of me which Clara didn't

approve of.

>> Oh yes, I've met your sister-in-law. And

in this occasion,

>> it was an appeal for loyalty.

>> Well, most husbands will take that for

granted, man.

>> But not Steven. He had to parade his

martyrdom and wave his integrity like a

flag.

He said that as a result of a decision

he'd made, we soon be living in, how did

he put it? Reduced circumstances.

>> And what was this uh decision?

>> A business one. Something to do with

John Hoskins. But whatever it was, it

meant the end of the house and the

servants and the elegant life for which

I'd married him.

>> Well, that's brutal enough.

>> He wasn't treated, Sergeant. I'm a young

woman and he was an elderly man.

I told him that I was leaving him, going

off with somebody else. He He pleaded.

I never believed that Steven could plead

with anybody.

It was like a cathedral crumbling.

>> He must have been very fond of you.

>> Oh yes. Clara used to say that I wasn't

worthy of him. Perhaps she was right.

>> At any rate, you preferred John Hoskins.

>> Whatever he is, John Hoskins was never

less than a man.

>> A man? I know. But what kind of man?

>> Oh, I never had any illusions about him,

Sergeant. He was a free bootter who saw

what he liked and took it. I was far

from being the first woman in his life,

and I never really thought I'd be the

last. But he was free. Nobody could ever

own him. Perhaps that's why I found him

so attractive.

>> Well, I'd hardly call that love, Mom.

>> No.

No, it was never that.

But whatever it was, it's gone now.

Now,

>> now you think he's a murderer.

Now that I know he's a murderer,

>> whatever he is,

>> according to you, he's a murderer.

>> I thought I loved him.

>> I wonder how he feels about you.

>> My apologies. I keep forgetting. Are

these really necessary?

>> Yes.

>> I'm sorry about the knob.

If I get my word.

Very wise. I stopped trusting people

when I walked into the arms of the

Liverpool police.

>> Oh, you should be in London inside the

hour.

>> Now, I can't help admiring Hester.

Few women could calmly shoot their

husbands and then throw the suspicion

onto their lovers.

>> Oh, you threw suspicion onto yourself by

assaulting a policeman and running away

when you thought I was coming to arrest

you for lancing murder.

>> Arrest me? Yes. But not for murder. Then

what? Fraud.

But but that's monstrous. He couldn't

have said that.

>> He did. Ma'am, I heard him last night.

His signature at the bottom. JD Hoskins.

>> But he's accusing me of having killed

Steven.

>> No less than you did for him. Returned

the compliment, so to speak.

>> Oh, I wouldn't have believed he could

stoop so low. Well, it's obvious that

he's accusing me to protect himself.

>> Well, it is obvious, isn't it?

You surely wouldn't accept the word of

an of an of an adventurer.

>> You must admit it's all very plausible.

You knew he was leaving the country.

He'd asked you to go with him. What

better opportunity?

Come in.

>> Good morning, Mrs. Lansing. I trust that

the couch in your cell is comfortable,

if unusually virtuous.

>> Don't speak to me. I suggest that

neither of you speaks except in answer

to my questions. Sit down, Mr. Hoskins,

please.

>> Now then, this board meeting about a

fortnight ago, what actually happened?

>> Lancing produced a report from Pettigru

in the Congo. The substance

[clears throat] of it was that the vein

had peted out. There was no more gold.

>> Pettigrew also claimed in that report

that you and he had conspired to

misrepresent the position, to defraud.

In fact,

>> the man was dying of malaria. I must

have been delirious.

>> Well, dying men are frequently honest

men. Your actions hardly support your

innocence. Why do you attempt to leave

the country?

>> Why? These bland city men with their

smooth city minds. They wanted a

scapegoat, a head to present to the mob.

If the mine had failed, I knew whose

head it would be. Lancing threatened me

with prison.

>> How dare you speak of Steven like that?

>> Isn't your devotion a little late, my

dear Hester? Although to give him his

due, he was at least honest. Despite

objections from Brewster and Pigot, he

announced that he would reveal the facts

at the shareholders meeting.

>> It's hardly the sort of thing that can

be concealed indefinitely.

>> Not indefinitely, just for 3 weeks. That

would give them time to dispose of the

shares without bursting the bubble.

>> And Lancing refused. Well, the meeting

should be over by this time.

>> I'm sure that Mr. Brewster has been very

discreet.

It's no use, sir. Halfway down the

stairs, all the red cannot be sent for

the

>> Well, I wonder what if I could get out

bigger they want. Why does he come in

speaking

up now? Give me your attention, please.

We look out a police officer

on the way at this very moment with the

magistrate. If anyone have your foot

inside this door, the charge will be

rise to assembly. Now get out. Will it

please?

All right.

>> Well, you've read the papers, of course.

>> Yes, it's wrong. It's all very wrong. It

shouldn't have happened this way at all.

>> I was there when Brewster read out the

report. Everything was open and above

board.

>> Yes, I know. Okay. I wonder if you can

see if you've got any documents at all

in Mr. Pettigru's handwriting, please.

>> Certainly, sir. Thank you.

Uh, cork. Sergeant Cork.

>> What?

Oh,

>> I'm a ruined man.

>> We didn't get your threee. Mr. Hoskins

told me all about it. Brewster must have

had second thoughts.

>> Brewster? The fool? The fool.

After he finished reading that damn

report, you know what he said? He said

he was confident that in spite of their

enormous losses, the investors would

stand by the company and see through a

difficult period.

>> I can think of no statement more

calculated to make a stampede for the

door.

>> Even state to hear him out.

>> 3 weeks, just 21 days. You've been high

and dry, wouldn't you? You must have

been desperate, mustn't you?

>> Desperate?

>> Desperate enough to call on Lancing the

night he was murdered. Oh, we've taken

some plaster casts of the footprints

outside in the garden. I dare say

they'll match yours. Of course, there

were other things, too.

>> The blood on my handkerchief.

>> Must have been in a great hurry to leave

the house that night.

>> Couldn't get away quick enough. I

tripped over something. Stuck my nose on

a brick. Very painful. Bled for some

time.

>> Yes, we know all about that, too. Tell

me, why did you go to Mr. Lancing's

house?

>> To kill him, of course.

Of course.

And here's another one, sir, for

netting.

>> Netting?

>> I expect that will be mosquito netting.

There are quite a few mosquitoes in

Africa, I guess.

>> Well, here's another for medicine, sir.

Mr. Petro was always very concerned

about his health.

>> As it turned out, he had reasonably.

What a terrible noise.

>> Most disturbing.

>> Quiet.

And

>> I'm warning a lot of you.

>> Worked. Now, what else have you got in

Pedigrew's handwriting? He has an

>> Yes, this is the document I received

from Mr. Pettigru. He wrote it just

before he died. Poor fellow.

>> As you say, poor fellow. I understand

the ravages of malaria are rather

dreadful. I'm wondering he had the

strength.

>> Ah, that was a triumph of the human

spirit, Sergeant. In his rare moments of

consciousness, two of the camp boys

would hold him while he penned his

report.

>> I'm glad to have your assurance he did,

Pennet. It had crossed my mind that the

uh document might have been a forgery.

Of course, we've been able to compare it

with his uh specimens of his

handwriting.

>> Well, uh that should settle your doubts.

>> Oh, yes. It was similar in all respects.

I say I'm not an expert on graphology,

but uh it was easy to recognize the bold

upright, the flourish of the signature,

the curly cues on the seraps. All

identical in every way.

>> Well, I'm relieved to hear it.

>> Not what you would expect really, from a

dying man weakened and shivering with

malaria.

>> I don't understand what you mean,

Sergeant. I mean that you might have to

stand up in court and swear that

document is genuine

under oath.

Well, sir, would you prepare to do that

now?

You don't believe I would.

As God is my witness,

I swear.

No,

not blasphemy.

>> No, not blasphemy.

>> There was such a document.

Mr. Pettigrew did give it to me. I took

it to the company's office to deliver it

to Mr. Lansing.

Instead, I was received by Brewster,

>> who uh substituted a forgery. I have

>> sinned.

>> You have sinned. One man dead. Heaven

knows how many ruined. And what was to

be your reward?

>> Continent. A continent ready for

salvation. A harvest of black sold ready

to be gathered into the light. I had a

vision, Sergeant. A whole army of

dedicated men spreading the word through

Africa.

>> And Mr. Bruce offered you money.

>> Yes, I compromised with Mammon, but not

for myself. That money would have been

returned to Africa as the word of God.

Africa.

First came the Bible,

then the flag, then the gun,

and then the brewers and the pickets and

the lances.

>> You had no compunction then,

>> had our lord any for the moneylanders in

the temple?

So having created a panic, I suppose Mr.

Brewster's buying up the shares at 900

weight.

you.

>> What is this creature doing here? Why

isn't she under locking key?

>> If you step this way, mom, I think your

question will be answered.

>> Day, ma'am.

>> Sergeant, I demand that this woman be

removed from my house immediately.

>> Not your house. I'm afraid it's her

house. Mom,

>> she's a murderous.

>> Then again, I'm afraid I must correct

you. She did not kill your brother.

Well, then she helped this liberty

>> nor him either. We're about to charge

someone with a crime. I believe you know

Mr. Pigot.

>> Mr. Pigot?

>> No, I don't believe

>> this statement uh amounts to a

confession. He admits to coming here to

kill your brother.

>> Muskings, please sit down. Normally,

>> Mr. Pig said,

>> "Yes, he said he forced the windows of

the study, creeped up to behind where

your brother was sitting." You know what

he said next? Mom

is he found a a dead man staring at the

wall. Your brother was already dead.

You ever heard a decorator?

No jury would believe that, would they,

ma'am?

>> No,

but it's true.

>> Yes, I suspected it might be. And what

did you do with a suicide note?

>> I destroyed it.

I came in and found Steven.

Oh, it was horrible.

The gun was still in his hand.

There was a letter on the desk

addressed to her, not to me, to her.

>> And what did the letter say, Mom?

I can't recall the exact word, but he

said that he was facing ruin and her

desertion was the last straw.

>> She killed him. Sergeant,

>> you must have hated her very much to

want to see her hang. Afraid I must ask

you to come along with us, man. I can

give you a few moments to compose

yourself.

>> Mr. Hoskins,

>> gone.

>> Gold Marot, you can't eat it. You can't

build houses with it. You can't make

bridges with it. It's still old things

to all men.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Hallelujah.

[music]

Hallelujah.

[music]

>> [music]

>> See?

It's all we have, Barry.

>> Oh, Nas, keep it. They'll need it.

>> Children want some

>> one bit of moldy bread.

>> What'll you do?

>> I get to London somehow.

>> After the police, force will be after

you. Oh,

>> that's right, lass. We'll have to dodge

him some road. If we can only get to

London and see Big Ben Lewis. He's the

fellow to help us.

>> What can he do?

>> Oh, we'll likely think of something.

He's our only chance. Come on, E. We

better start.

>> Hi.

>> Bye then, Evan. Bye, George.

>> I'm uh I'm sorry it's come to this,

love.

>> Why did you do it, Harry? It's not like

you.

>> I don't know.

>> Well, I know. He were mocking us. He

were mocking our rags and our way of

talking. And all time he was sitting

there eating.

>> I He were eating stuff on table. Cheese,

new bread, white bread, and a big bowl

of fruit. Just seeing that food there on

the table made me guts grown with

hunger.

>> Oh, come on now. You better start. We've

been here too long already.

>> Bye then, lass. I'll I'll find some way

of some way to let you know what

happens.

Will you explain to children?

>> I'll do my best.

>> I didn't reckon to come to this.

>> No.

>> I wish I wish I had some money or

somewhere to leave. No

>> good wishing for what you can't have.

No. Come on. Are you all right, George?

Helen.

>> Bye.

Harry.

Oh,

>> may the last name then the Monkeeper

brave art

there.

>> Oh god. Peel us the back door. George,

quick

get your make up. Get out. Get off.

There was no nature of you.

>> Unless you'd like Sam.

>> You are Harry Whitaker.

>> D. He's Whitaker. That's his brother and

that [ __ ] his wife.

>> Thank you, Sergeant. Harry Whitaker, I'm

taking you into custody in connection

with the murder of Sir James Gilbert.

>> Murder? Murder? You swine. You and your

mates struck down Sir James. He agreed

to meet some of you to discuss your

grievances, and you repaid him by

jumping on him like animals.

>> But we didn't as a member of this

so-called deputation. Huh. How many were

you?

>> Six. Why? There were five or six.

>> We know there were six. You and your

brother. Who were the others?

>> I don't know.

>> Oh, come on. You must know they were.

>> Well, they find out.

>> I could loosen his tongues. Huh?

>> It's not important, Sergeant. We know

that Leon Marvel was your leader. We can

find the others easily enough. Take them

away.

>> Ellen, try to get word of Big Ben Lewis

Lass.

>> Lewis? I don't think even he's going to

help you in this matter.

>> What'll happen? What he'll do? What

happened to him?

>> They'll get on, l they'll put on empty

collar and do Paddington frisk for a

minute or two and that'll be finished.

Make up your mind to it, lass. You will

end up a widow before long.

My god, these places stink like stars.

The stencer. The stench.

Lanasher Weavers found guilty of murder

of Sir James Gilbert. All six to be

hanged.

>> All six.

>> Yes. Though it's likely the younger

Wooder may get a reprieve.

Oh, come on, Cork. They were found

guilty of murder. They admitted their

guilt in open court.

>> Yes. Yes, I know.

>> You don't condone the

>> Well, it wasn't a cold, bloodied,

reckless killing. I mean, they were

driven and goded beyond endurance. Mean

they've been locked out the mills for 5

weeks. They were starvation point.

You've read the evidence yourself.

>> Yes, I know. I know. They went crawling,

sir James, begging him to open the mills

on any terms, almost as long as they

could work. He told them he'd open in

his own good time. As soon as he was

sure they'd learned the lesson, talking

about murder mean punishment, all

accounts hang. It's an act of vengeance

which is shameful and disgusting.

>> Almost the identical words used by Big

Ben Lewis. Is it kind of an argument

with him? Yes.

>> Yes. Well, I agree with him, too.

>> Oh, I shouldn't make such statements too

publicly if I were you, Corki. Big Bell

isn't exactly popular with the

authorities just now.

>> Has he ever been?

>> Ah, yes. But lately he's been making a

particular news for himself. Support of

the unions, the freethinkers, the radio

causes. Oh, yes. Boy, he's a very

unpopular man.

>> I know. With the authorities.

>> Also, Corki, he's a very foolish man.

>> I'd rather have his kind of foolishness

than the wisdom of a dozen others.

>> Oh, even when he writes a letter

inciting men to commit murder.

>> What's a letter inciting men to murder?

Read it. Page three. Go on. Read it.

Read it. Got him here.

>> Yes.

>> Dear Whitaker,

what the same?

>> Yes. Harry Whitaker, the union leader,

one of the six tried for the murder of

Sir James.

>> I wonder at your patience, dear

Whitaker, if you allow this lockout to

continue, it will mean the end of

unionism in Lanasher, will set the clock

back 20 years. I believe the other

employers would fall into line if only

that arch reactionary Sir James Gilbert

could be brought to heal. If you are

men, you will put Sir James in his

proper place. You ought to be prepared

to go to any length to destroy his

influence. You may be assured that any

action you took to do this of whatever

nature would have my full support.

Signed Benjamin A. Lewis.

>> That was written a week before, said Jim

L.

>> It doesn't advocate murder.

>> Well, it comes pretty boy. Put him in

his proper place. Go to any lengths. Any

action of whatever nature would have my

full support. Well, you couldn't get

much than that now, could you? Perhaps

it come to be published in the press.

>> Well, the claw doesn't disclose its

source of information, but they insist

the letter is genuine. What's more, they

say they have other letters of an even

more incriminating nature which they

intend to publish.

>> Well, they're out to get him, it seems.

>> Well, they'll do it for you. This letter

could ruin him. Might even go further

than that.

>> Well, what if it's a forgery?

>> Oh, come on. Look, the Globe is a

responsible newspaper, not a scandal

sheet. They wouldn't dare publish unless

they were absolutely certain this letter

was genuine. Anyway, I've been given

orders to interview big Ben Lewis.

>> Oh, orders from homes.

>> Well, commissioner, who knows?

>> Well, who gave him his instructions?

>> Well, what else can we do, boy? This is

clear incitement.

Can't just leave it now, can we? Anyway,

I've been instructed to interview the

editor of the Globe and Big Ben Lewis.

And to make a report, are you um busy at

the moment?

>> I've just got the odds and ends of the

Mitchum affair to clear up, that's all.

>> Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Yes. Well, I

can't take the case myself. I'm far too

busy here.

>> I have to ask Inspector Bird. That's

all.

>> Bird? [laughter]

>> Bird?

>> Well, there's no alternative for you.

You can't or won't do it? I could

insist, of course, but we would never

work like it would.

>> Uh, no. I I'll do it, Charlie.

>> No, no, no. You're just trying to be

accommodating. No, no,

>> no, no, no, no, no, no, John. I like to

do it.

>> Well, if you're certain, boy, it would

take a load off my shoulder.

>> May I take this?

>> Oh, yes, my homies.

>> Get on with it right away. There's

nothing in the Mitchum affair that can't

wait a day or so.

>> Thank you, Corky.

>> I'll go and see Big Ben Lewis right

away. Right. Oh, Corki, watch your step.

>> They say Big Ben hates policemen. Eat

some for breakfast. Still, you got

indigestion if he tries it on you. Would

he?

>> Well, the commissioner would like to see

you when you freezer.

>> All right, thank you.

>> There quite a few letters from your

constituency. B,

>> I look at them later. Any word from my

lawyer about Whitaker's appeal?

>> No, not yet.

>> These damn lawyers take their time.

>> They must grant an appeal.

>> Oh, I'm not so sure.

>> Never trust the law, Lily. Policemen,

lawyers, judges. It's one big conspiracy

to maintain privilege and keep down the

common man.

>> You've got a lot to learn.

>> Breakfast.

>> What's the time? Half past 10. Stanley,

>> I thought you'd like to wait for Mrs.

MacArthur to come down.

>> And the girl didn't come in this

morning.

>> Oh, what's wrong? Why didn't the girl

turn up?

>> I think she had a code last night.

>> Oh, that's it. Well, if she doesn't turn

up by dinner time, go around and inquire

about her, Clen. If she really is sick,

see if there's anything she needs.

>> Yes, I'll do that.

>> Don't worry, Clem. I'll set it up.

>> I can manage.

>> Oh, let her do it. Let her do it, man.

Wait, the girl didn't turn up. Who cook

this? You must have done it.

>> Yes. Oh, you shouldn't have, Clen. You

should have called me.

>> Oh, don't worry about Clen. He can turn

his hand to anything. He's

indispensable. I lean on him like a

crutch, don't I, Clam?

>> He looks and smells wonderful. Still,

you should not have done it, Clen. You

make me feel guilty. Now, if the girl

doesn't arrive, I'll get the lunch. Is

that clear?

>> Very well, Mrs. Nag.

>> I do wish you'all call me Lily. Why not?

You refer to Mr. Lewis as Ben. I would

prefer to be regarded in the same way,

as a friend.

>> I've known Ben. Mr. Lewis for a good

many years.

>> I do try.

>> Ah,

>> you try too hard. Lamb doesn't give

friendship easily. You must wait for it

to come.

>> If it ever does,

>> it will ease us all to the earth. I know

that in time he'll regard you as I do.

>> Not in quite the same way, I hope.

>> Perhaps not quite the same. [laughter]

>> Then that letter in the Globe, what

shall you do?

>> Nothing.

>> But you must do something. It's a

forgery, I shall say. So, I shall make a

statement in the House of Commons, and

that's all.

>> You won't take legal action to defend

your goodness. Oh,

>> legal action? I thought I told you my

opinion of lawyers. Now, come on. Give

me my breakfast. My stomach tells me

it's been waiting too long.

Six of them sentenced to hang.

Monstrous judicial murder.

The fools.

Don't they realize the world is

changing? They can't forever keep the

working man in poverty and subjection.

If they continue this of repression,

there'll be a revolution.

>> How many sausages?

>> What

>> you must eat?

>> You're preaching to the converted. I

believe that every man has the right to

start the day with a full belly and

finish it with one. That's a practical

summary of my beliefs and opinions.

>> How many is sausages?

>> Oh, just fill the plate. I'll wipe it

clean. It's a lesson I learned early in

life. Wish not, want not.

You know, you're a beautiful woman.

>> I'm glad to hear it. You don't flatter

me often enough.

>> Oh, no flattery in that. Just plain

unvarnished truth. A very beautiful and

desirable woman.

>> I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.

Here we are.

>> Damnation. I forgot. Oh,

>> my manners. I should have waited for you

to begin. Pull up the chair and all that

>> then is not important.

>> No, I am a bull in a China shop. I'll

never learn.

>> I wouldn't want you altered in one

degree.

>> Permission to begin, my lady.

>> Granted,

>> Ben, [clears throat]

>> that letter.

>> Oh, forget it.

>> No, I'm frightened, Ben. They want to

break you.

>> No, they've tried that before.

>> Well, never quite like this, Ben. You're

so confident, so sure. But they are

powerful, my dear, and they hate you.

They hate all you stand for.

>> Don't underestimate your enemies, Ben. I

beg you.

>> It's a stupid forgery, my dear. I shall

be able to prove it so. They've

overreached themselves.

>> They must be confident or they would not

have published the letter, and they

speak of others.

>> It's a trap. They want to provoke me

into legal action. They want to get me

into court, don't you see?

>> What?

>> It would provide a legal forum from

which to attack me further.

My private life will be brought into

public view. You mean I should be

involved?

>> Oh, Ben, I don't mind if you're holding

back on my

>> I shall not walk into that trap. I shall

not be provoked. A simple,

straightforward statement in the House

of Commons indicating the old thing is a

vicious forgery. That's my best move.

>> There are two gentlemen outside to see

you, Beth.

>> Oh, two police officers.

>> What do they want?

>> They asked to speak with you.

>> Well, they can wait till I finish my

breakfast. Tell them to wait.

>> Very well.

>> Police

>> might be about that letter. Whatever it

is, they can wait till I finish my

breakfast. I have no particular reason

to be polite to policeman. I've seen

them in action too often.

>> Now, stop worrying. Eat your breakfast.

>> We'll see you in a few minutes

and go.

>> Nothing like a nice warm welcome, is

there?

>> No, thanks. And you shouldn't eat so

much that stuff either.

>> Well, it's not good for the teeth or the

figure.

>> What's the matter with my figure?

>> Well, it's a bit wellrounded.

>> Any other complaints to make? What about

my uh mustache, my hair, my clothes?

Hate to cause you any unhappiness, you

know.

>> I merely ventured an opinion. I have

nothing further to add.

>> No,

>> it was meant jokingly, of course.

>> Of course. Of course.

>> It's a nice house this, don't you think?

>> I thought Ben Lewis was a union

organizer. I didn't expect to find such

comfort.

>> So, you've changed his habit, have you?

>> Yes. How can he afford to live in this

place?

>> Well, the first place is not a union

organizer. He's a supporter, a

sympathizer. Nothing more than that.

>> Well, how can you afford this? I mean

it's not palatial I admit but it's

comfortable substantial.

>> Well his father was a minor in South

Wales killed in a pit accident. Um Lewis

went to Africa struck a rich came back

with enough money to live comfortably on

for the rest of his life. Took an

interest in politics as a liberal member

of parliament a label that is more or

less an independent. Fights the lost and

fall causes wins quite a few of them

too. Yes. A man of great force and great

character. Very popular with the ladies

to boot.

>> The boot. I think you're very polite and

very patient. We've given him 5 minutes

to finish his big breakfast. Let's go

in, shall we?

>> Someone else with urgent business. Shall

I do the honors?

>> Why not?

>> My name is Marta. Captain Marta. Where's

Louis?

>> I want to see Lewis. Take me to his

once.

>> Don't proicate with me, sir. It will be

the worst for you. Take me to your

master. I know my wife is here. I know

she's staying in this house with him. I

have proof here. I'll find him myself.

>> You've known my waiter.

[music]

For the last time, get your things. I'm

taking you away from here. Please, this

is my house. I'm the only person who

issues orders.

>> I was not talking to you, sir. The less

you say, the better. Lily, get your

things. I have a handsome waiting.

>> I've told you, William, I'm not coming

home.

>> Are you out of your mind? Have you not

read the newspapers? Are you not aware

of this latest scandal?

>> I have seen the newspapers. Yes. And you

still do not see through this man. He

incited those poor devils in Lanasher to

commit murder. It's there in the

newspaper in black and white his own

letter. He as good as struck down Sir

James Gilbert with his own hands.

>> That is not true.

>> I tell you, they have reproduced his own

letter. And they have others also. It's

not enough that he's a free thinker, an

atheist, an agitator. He now stands

condemned as an accessory to murder. And

you still don't see it.

>> Please go, William.

>> What has he done to you, woman? Are you

bewitched?

He's a ruined man. He stands condemned

before all the world. Do you wish to be

dragged down with him,

>> William? It's no use.

>> Will you not come to your senses? This

this stupid loyalty.

>> Not loyalty. Not just that.

>> Damn it, you are bewitched. Like all the

other women who have passed through his

life. Has he told you about them? Eh,

has he told you about all the others?

>> He has told me everything.

>> What future can there be for you? What

possible future? In a year, 6 months, he

will have grown weary of you. Where will

you go then? What will you do?

>> It will not be like that.

>> Lily, I am willing to take you back. I'm

willing to forget this incident to

forgive you.

We'll go abroad for a year or so till

this scandal is forgotten.

I beg you for your own sake,

>> William. I'm sorry. It is impossible. We

were never happy.

We could have been.

>> No, it was impossible from the first.

You did not want a companion. You wanted

a possession. You even tried to direct

my thoughts to instruct me as to what I

should think. I lived in a cage, not a

home.

>> Now I have my freedom.

>> I shall not ask you again if you refuse

me this time.

>> I'm sorry,

>> Lily.

I beg you.

>> I'm sorry.

Have you nothing to say?

>> Not just at this moment. This seems to

me to be a matter between the two of

you.

>> If you were a man, you would not allow a

woman to degrade herself in this way, to

live with you openly, to flaunt herself.

>> We have different views on what

constitutes degradation. Macather, I

happen to think that marriage without

love is a sort of degradation. However,

we will not debate the matter just at

the moment.

>> So, you intend to drag her down with

you, then that is the extent of your

affection. I have no intention of going

down, I assure you. Whether I am dragged

or otherwise,

>> you'll hardly escape this time. That

letter and the others to follow.

>> Oh, you've seen them? I

>> I've heard of them. And if they're

anything like the one already published,

>> they are fortunate.

>> The issue can always be tested in court.

I presume your uh your friend will take

action against the Globe.

>> You think that I should? Well, if you

are innocent, as you say, if your good

name means anything to you.

>> My good name? I didn't realize you had

one. Tell me, MacArthur, who do you

think would be most anxious to see me

ruined?

>> None more anxious than myself.

>> Oh, well that's honestly in. And would

you go to any length to achieve that

object?

>> Yes, I think I might.

>> Even to the extent of forgery.

>> What? Damn me, Louis. This is true.

>> What have I said? You admit you'd go to

any lengths to bring me down? You seem

to know a great deal about those

letters. You certainly had a many

samples of my handwriting. Can you

wonder if I draw the obvious conclusion?

I'm not going to stay here to listen to

this. Very well. We prefer your room to

your company. Good day,

>> lady. For the last time.

>> No.

>> You've had your answer. I regret that we

can do nothing to repair your pride.

Good day, sir.

>> I shall bring an action for divorce.

>> That is your affair. Oh,

>> you will marry her. No doubt.

>> That is my affair.

>> You will hear further from me.

>> Damn you.

My things quickly, man.

>> Over there. All right. Good.

>> Captain MacArthur doesn't seem too

pleased about his visit. Let's hope we

fare a little better, shall we? Let's um

go in.

>> Who the devil are you?

>> Uh, Sergeant Cork, Criminal

Investigation Department. Detective

Meredith. Good morning, Mr. Lewis.

>> I told you to wait.

>> I have waited. I've waited far too long.

My time is precious. I have other things

to do if you don't mind.

>> But I do mind. Police. You think we can

pge you away in here at will?

>> Have you got a warrant?

>> What for? We haven't come to search your

house just to ask you a few questions.

Lily, my love, I think you better leave

us for a moment. This won't take long. I

promise.

>> Very well, Ben.

>> Mom,

just a minute.

>> Prem here. I want you.

>> Did you tell those two policemen I was

ready to see them?

>> No, I tell them to wait. Oh, you better

come in. I shall want a witness of all

this.

>> Yes, my

>> be careful. Don't be provoked. Keep your

temper.

>> Oh, it won't be easy.

>> You must.

>> I do my best. Damn these intruders. I

wish we were alone.

>> Ben,

>> Clenutley. I'm Mr. Lewis's secretary.

>> Thank you.

>> What did you say your name was?

>> A Cork.

>> The Sergeant Cork.

>> Well, the only one Sergeant Cork that I

know of. H I've heard of you. Well, what

do you want?

You've come about that damn letter in

the Globe. I

>> Yes, we have, Mr. Lewis. Questions are

being asked. There are some who see it

as a clear incitement to violence, even

to murder. And this specifically

mentioned Sir James Gilbert's name.

>> It is an incitement to violence. No

doubt of that.

>> You admit it.

>> Why not?

>> Well, how do you explain it?

>> I can't.

>> Why?

>> For the simple reason that I didn't

write the letter, man.

>> Oh, I seem to bear your signature. It

seems to bear what is intended to look

like my signature.

>> Oh, you think it's a forgery, do you?

>> I know it to be so.

>> It's an obvious attempt on the part of

Mr. Lewis's enemies to discredit it.

>> But who would want to forge such a

letter?

>> Go and ask the Globe. They published it.

>> I'm asking you, Mr. Lewis.

>> How go away, man? Do you think I'm a

political innocent? I know perfectly

well you've come here to manufacture a

case against me.

>> Then you know more than I do. I've come

here to get the facts, just to get the

truth.

>> I've made it a rule never to believe a

policeman, Sergeant. Was there anything

else?

I uh

beg of you not to uh underestimate this

affair.

>> Well, the second person who said that to

me today,

>> the publication of this letter could

have very serious consequences against

you, unless you failed to prove it's a

forgery. Could do great harm to yourself

and the people in the movement you

represent.

>> Why should that concern you, a

policeman?

>> I've heard what you think about

policemen, but I've uh I'm trying to do

my job. You say it's a forgery. I want

more than your word. I want proof. I

want cooperation. And since you won't

give it to me,

>> will you confirm this to be my

handwriting?

>> Yes. Good. I can find others to confirm

it if you so wish. You know anything

about handwriting?

>> A little. Yes.

>> Let's hope it'll be enough. Compare this

with a script on the letter in the

globe. Better still, compare it with the

original if I let you see it. I fancy

that should furnish proof enough.

Well,

>> go on. Take it, man. You asked me to

cooperate, didn't you? There you go.

>> If I might.

>> Yes.

>> But you were asking just now who could

well who could be behind the forgery.

>> Well, go on. What is it?

>> It occurred to me that Captain

MacArthur.

>> Oh, you're not serious.

>> Well, why not?

>> Captain MacArthur.

>> He was here a few minutes ago. I think

perhaps you saw him.

>> Oh, the gentleman who went out to

Temper. Yes, but why should he be

interested in

>> Oh, forgive me. I'm not usually so

stupid. Um, his wife, the lady I met,

>> she has left her husband. Not through

any influence I may have exerted, though

gossip maintain the contrary. They'd

separated before I met her. He's anxious

to get her back

>> and would stop at nothing to do so.

>> Oh, you're barking up the wrong tree

there, Clement. He's not the type for

this sort of thing. Altogether too

subtle.

>> And nevertheless, uh, I'll make

inquiries.

>> You'll be better occupied talking to the

Loyal and Patriotic Association.

>> Would you repeat that, please?

>> The Loyal and Patriotic Association.

It's a rag bag of an organization very

much against trade unions, that sort of

thing. They've been trying to down me

for a long time. They could be behind

this.

>> Well, they'd hardly dare.

>> They trumped up a charge against Tom

Manillet 6 months ago.

>> Yes. And failed.

>> Which made them the more anxious to try

again.

>> Who runs it?

>> A fellow called PD. I've reason to know

him well. He used to be an associate of

mine, very active in the movement. Then

he turned renegade.

>> He lacks the intelligence for this sort

of thing.

>> I will talk to him. Thank you very much

for the suggestion.

>> Not at all. I shall be very interested

to learn the result of your inquiries,

even more anxious to learn whether you

are as impartial as you pretend.

>> And I shall be very interested to know

if you are as innocent as you pretend.

>> That is the most insulting and

aggressive remark.

>> Hold your horses, Clam. I lack a man who

can give as good as he gets. Well, thank

you, Sergeant.

>> I'll push the inquiries forward with all

possible speed.

>> I'm sure of that. Let me warn you,

however, I reserve the right to make my

own inquiries and pursue my own line of

investigation.

>> We'll meet again. Good day, Miss Lewis.

>> Good day.

>> Good day.

>> And to you. Good day, sir.

>> Oh, he has a tongue, this boy. He can

speak.

>> Give him the opportunity, sir.

>> I think we split forces here. That you

go to the Globe officers. I'll go to the

loyal and patriotic association. What

have you been see, Mr. What was the

name?

>> Poss.

>> Pause. Right.

>> If I may, I would suggest you do not

leave Captain McCarter out of your

calculations.

>> I have no intention of leaving anyone

out of my calculations. Mr. um

>> Butley,

>> but you are employed uh by Mr. Lewis.

>> I've been Mr. Louis's secretary and

associate for 11 years.

>> I congratulate you on your stamina.

>> Thank you.

>> You obviously know all his friends and

his enemies. H

>> I imagine. So

>> I wonder if you care to drop me a few

notes. It might save time. I'm

particularly interested in hearing about

Mr. Lewis's enemies.

>> There are many and many.

>> I'm sure there must be. But if you could

drop me a line to Scotland Yard, I'd

like to know the names and the

particulars of people who you think

might be responsible for this forgery.

>> I'm not sure.

>> We're all wanting to help Mr. Lewis,

aren't we?

naturally. I'll try and do as you

suggest. Much

>> advised. Good day.

>> Come on. Haven't you with him yet?

>> Let's clear up the post and they want to

draft this special statement to make for

the House of Commons.

>> I'm not at all happy about this, Ben.

I'm still not sure the best course

wouldn't be to consult a solicitor.

>> Oh, solicitor liar.

>> But you must have a case.

>> Perhaps so, but I prefer to wait. They

shan gets me into court. Not just yet,

at any rate. No. A simple answer to the

House of Commons. That's all they get

for me. Sure. Let's buckle down to it.

>> A Ben.

>> Yeah. What's a manner?

>> Well, I wasn't just thinking of the

letter. I was thinking, forgive me, of

Captain McCarthy.

>> Oh, you seem to have that gentleman very

much on the brain, Clam.

>> Well, it's a dangerous situation. You

know the public temper.

>> I'm not concerned with the public

temper.

>> But you must be. And you have a

responsibility to those who look to you

for a lead.

>> Look, if Marta should sue for divorce,

naming you as the other man, the damage

done would be irreparable. Or the

Parnell case last year. Ah, yes.

Parnell, they crucified that battle.

>> Well, then don't you feel that you?

>> No, I don't. Poor Lily, my love.

>> Have the police gone?

>> Yes, they gone. I was just telling

Clamier, I have no intention of allowing

them to throw me to the wolves. They

shan make another Parnell out of me.

We'll see this thing through together,

the three of us. And they'll beat them.

>> I, the living jingo, Mr. SS. Never in

all my years as editor of the Globe have

I seen anything like this. It It's

dynamite. This can blow Pen Lewis to

Kingdom Come. How did you manage to get

it?

>> I thought you might appreciate it, Mr.

Glover. I thought it possible that Mr.

Lewis might have various callers this

morning, so I took up a position from

which I could observe the house. I saw

Captain MacArthur arrive and leave. I

was intrigued. I decided to speak to him

and he intends to sue for divorce and

name Ben Lewis.

>> Well, not quite that. Not yet. He has it

in mind. He is still hopeful that his

wife may return to her proper marital

station. He hopes that the publication

of those letters may make her see Lewis

in his true light.

>> So, we can't use this yet.

>> Not directly, Mr. Glover, if you follow

me. But there are ways and means.

Perhaps a suggestion here, a hint there.

It could all help to build the

atmosphere. Don't you think?

>> Excellent, Mr. SS. Excellent. You've

done the globe great service. Pleas to

bring us those letters. And now this,

we're most grateful.

>> I'm glad to be of service. If Lewis is

exposed and disgraced, that will

suffice. The man is a menace to decent

society.

>> A quite a quite, Mr. Smith. Well, uh,

thank you. There is only the question of

recompense, Mr. Glover. I have so many

expenses, you understand, and you have

been more than generous on past

occasions.

>> You may leave it in my hands, Mr. SS.

And of course, anything further you may

be able to produce.

>> You would be the first person I should

bring it to, Mr. Glover.

>> You're Mr. Glover, the editor.

>> I'm Glover, but I I cannot see you

without an appointment. If you'll speak

to my assistant in the adjoining office,

>> police, Mr. Glover, criminal

investigation department. My name is

Marriott. I've been waiting some time.

It is rather urgent.

>> I will come back later, Mr. Glover.

>> Thank you, Mr. SS.

Oh, now. Uh,

and what can we do for you?

>> The letter you published in the paper

this morning.

>> The one signed by Ben Lewis?

>> The one purporting to be signed by Ben

Lewis? I'd like to see the original.

>> I'm not sure that that's possible.

>> Make it so, Mr. Glover. I want to see

it.

>> You take a high-handed line, Mr. Marius.

>> Only when necessary.

>> Are you considering uh making charges

against Mr. Please

perhaps

you

>> Oh, you you can't take that away with

me.

>> You'll have an official receipt.

>> That is a most valuable document.

>> It'll be treated as such. I shall return

it to you as soon as it's been studied.

>> Where did you get it, by the way? Oh,

>> come come, Mr. Marriott. You don't

expect me to disclose that to you?

We shall find out. Of course.

>> You're quite convinced that this letter

is genuine.

>> If Mr. Lewis maintains otherwise, he can

take action against us in the courts.

>> We'd welcome that. Of course, we would

sell newspapers,

>> among other things.

>> And if Lewis is ruined as a result,

>> Mr. Marriott, I have nothing against

Lewis myself. I sympathize with a good

many of his aims, but I cannot allow my

personal views to override my duty as

editor of this newspaper.

>> Good day, Mr. Big Lover.

Stunning. Stunning.

>> What you want, government? Things

>> a moving joke. I've just had the police

here about that letter we read.

>> Are they taking action against?

>> No, they're just making preliminary

inquiries. Now, listen. I want you to

get over to the House of Commons. Lewis

is sure to attend today. He may even

make some statement or other. If you get

the chance, interview him.

>> What line am I to take?

>> Oh, freedom of expression and all that.

Tell him that Globe is an impartial

newspaper and he shall be happy to print

his side of the story. That's all.

>> That's all.

>> No,

you might ask him one other thing.

Say you've heard a report that Mrs.

MacArthur is to be sued for divorce by

her husband. Ask Big Ben. Ask him if

it's true that he intends to marry the

lady if the divorce goes through. Is

there anything in it? Oh, I've had

inside information it's true. Right.

This could be more effective even than

those letters. One way or another, I

fancy we have Mr. Louis corner.

I see. I'm sure Mr. Lewis will see you.

If you care to wait, I'll tell him when

he comes out.

>> Very grateful, sir. Very grateful.

>> Mr. Lewis is expecting you. He'll be out

directly.

>> Did you hear his statement to the house?

>> I'm afraid not. No.

>> It was excellent. Very calm, very

dignified.

>> Did he satisfy him?

>> Well, I'm not certain. There seems to be

a demand for a special inquiry. Did you

uh did you discover anything?

>> Very little.

>> Oh, here are the uh here are the notes

you asked me to prepare.

>> Oh, thank you.

>> They'll help you very little, I'm

afraid. I'm still not convinced that

Captain MacArthur is an innocent party.

>> Did you learn anything about it?

>> Not yet. Not very much. And this man,

the other man, Posdy, he wasn't there.

The office was closed. Nobody could say

where he could be located. Seems to have

left in something of a hurry.

>> Yes, I just

made the announcement. Oh, what's being

decided?

>> The government has appointed a committee

of judges to inquire into the letters. I

demanded a select committee, but they

refused. We've got a fight in our hands

now. What have you got to tell me? Well,

we've studied the first letter and

compared it to uh your handwriting. It's

now been sent to an expert.

>> Oh. What's your opinion?

>> There's certain uh differences in the

handwriting. It may be significant, but

not conclusive.

>> It's a forgery match.

>> If it is, it's a very good one.

>> Oh, don't have you no opinion.

>> Indeed. Yes, I have.

>> And what is it?

>> Well, my private opinion, not an

official opinion, is that the letter was

forged?

>> Would you be prepared to state that

before this commission?

>> If necessary. Yes.

>> I can see I shall have to revise my

opinion of policemen. Of course.

>> I want to ask a little bit more about

this man, Posy. He seems the obvious

next line of inquiry, but he seems to

have taken to his heels.

>> Oh, Mr. Lewis.

>> Yes,

>> Mr. Lewis. My name is Dunning. I

represent the Globe. We are anxious to

be fair and impartial, and we wondered

if

>> the Globe.

>> That's right, Mr. Lewis.

>> A fair and impartial.

>> Well, we just wondered if you a fair and

impartial comment, Mr. Dunning.

>> Oh my god.

>> Well, as I was saying, we seem to have a

fight in our hands now. What was it you

wanted to tell me about PD Cork? Thank

you.

[bell]

>> Quiet in the corridor.

the upstanding court.

The terms of reference under which this

commission of judges are met is quite

brief and explicit. Such in my long

experience has not always been the case.

>> Thank heaven was here some sense of

humor. We're in luck.

>> On October the second last a certain

letter was published in the Globe

newspaper. It was a faximile copy of a

letter alleged to have been written by

Benjamin Lewis, member of parliament to

one Harry Whitkar. Whiter, I may say,

now lies in jail under sentence of death

for his part in the brutal murder of Sir

James Gilbert. The task of this

commission is to ascertain the genuiness

or not of that letter and to report to

her majesty's government on the

circumstances surrounding its

publication. That is all. It's no part

of our task to go further than this. If

we decide that the letter is genuine in

all respects, it'll be the task of

another court to decide whether the

author of that letter has been guilty or

not of willful incitement to violence.

I've learned it council.

>> Please, your lord chips, I represent

here the general interests of the Globe

newspaper.

>> Thank you, Mr. B.

>> I represent myself, your lordships.

>> Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I shall now ask

the cler to read the letter. I beg leave

to ask your lordships that this inquiry

stand adjourned.

>> For what reason?

>> I am anxious to call a witness whose

testimony I believe to be vital.

Unfortunately, this witness cannot be

traced.

>> They're still making inquiries as to his

whereabouts.

>> What is his name?

>> Walter Posdy. He is secretary of the

loyal and patriotic association and for

some reason perhaps known to the Globe

newspaper. He disappeared on the day

this inquiry was announced.

>> Lord, I must object to that.

>> Quite right, Mr. White.

Now, Mr. Lewis, the court is anxious to

show you every latitude consistent with

its functions, but we cannot we will not

allow unsupported statements of the kind

you have just made. Why is Posd's

statement of such importance?

>> I have reason to believe that he is the

person behind these forgeries.

>> I trust you can support that statement,

Mr. Lewis.

>> I could if I had him here for 5 minutes.

I'd soon get the truth out of him. I

tell you, he's been campaigning against

me for months.

>> Please sit down, Mr. Lewis. Your request

is refused.

>> I make the strongest possible protest.

Your lordship.

>> It is noted, Mr. Lewis, the cler will

now proceed with the reading of the

letter.

>> The letter is dated August the 12th,

1892.

>> I found Posy.

>> Where? He's in Ireland somewhere.

>> Ireland?

>> Yes. He went there on business a month

ago.

>> Know what is?

>> No. He traveled under an assumed name.

He must have had some reason for doing

this. I got all this from the chairman

of the Loyal and Patriotic Association.

>> Well, is this the truth? No doubt of it.

>> A month ago, there goes Big Ben's vital

witness.

>> I never did believe in Posy as a villain

or a witness. I mean, we've had no

proof, just Big Ben suspicions.

>> In my view, this man SS is the key to

the mystery.

>> Yes, I think you'll find that he bought

the letters and took them to the Globe

newspaper.

>> What do we know about him?

>> Well, nothing. He lives in rooms in

Theobbol's Road, makes an obscure living

as a journalist of sorts.

>> If that letter was a forgery, then

whoever did it must have known a great

deal about Big Ben's collections in

Lancasher.

>> And he must have had access to Big Ben's

writing. I mean, you said yourself it

was a clever piece of work. I mean,

we're not even certain it was a forgery.

Success to Big Ben's handwriting is easy

as a prolific letter writer. I mean,

there must be hundreds of people with

the samples.

>> Now, hold on, boy. You're talking as if

you're certain that there was a

>> But you've checked the letter with Big

Ben's handwriting.

>> It could be a forgery. That's as far as

I'm going to go.

>> Ellen Whitaker. Mrs. Ellen Whitaker.

>> That's the wife. That's Helen Whitaker's

wife.

>> Better go back in.

>> No, no, no. I I think we'll follow you

in Silver.

>> What are you going to do? I

>> I just got to do a little fishing. I'm

taking Mary with me too soon, sir.

>> You recognize that letter?

>> Yes, sir.

>> When did you see it last?

>> I don't, sir. Was sent to Harry.

>> Your husband, Harry Whitaker?

>> Yes, sir.

>> And you testify that letter was received

by means of the ordinary post by your

husband?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Thank you, Mrs. Whitaker. Mr. White.

>> Thank you, my lord.

>> Mrs. Whitaker,

>> were you in the house when the postman

brought this letter? I sir it come one

morning.

>> Yeah. Did you open it?

>> Oh no sir. I took it straight to Ari.

>> And did he open it immediately?

>> Yes sir. He did.

>> And did you see what was in it?

>> Well he he read it through first sir.

Then he he showed it to me.

>> And you are prepared to swear without

any doubt or hesitation that the letter

which you now hold in your hand is that

self-same letter?

>> Yes sir.

>> Thank you Mrs. W.

Now, will you tell their lordships in

your own words exactly what happened to

it subsequently?

Well, you see, Sarah were with me

husband's other papers and after my were

took by the police after they after they

passed

after they found.

>> Would you like a glass of water, Mrs.

Whitaker?

>> No.

Thank you, sir.

Well, after the trial, this gentleman

come and he says he wants to look

through AR's papers. Well, I said no

first out, but then he offered me money,

you see. Well, I would destitute ad and

two children. And I thought, well,

nothing can do no harm to Harry now. He

wouldn't mind for sure. So, I let him

look through and he took this letter,

sir, saying he was well pleased. You

sold in that letter.

>> I say, give me 15 guineies for it.

>> 15 guineies.

>> Do you know the gentleman's name?

>> Oh, I sir. It were all opening above

board. Said his name was SS. Mr. Ps.

>> This shouldn't give us much trouble.

>> Don't stand there staring, Dad. I mean,

keep Ky. This is highly illegal.

>> Got it.

>> What already? A trick I learned from

Baggy Powers. One of the best cracksmen

in the business. Let's go in then

with a little friend here.

>> There you are. A beauty. You take overly

mate. Not fun with cats. Oh, yes. Admire

them. The steady independence.

>> You wouldn't expect this from the

outside.

>> Yeah. The obviously Mr. Serms goes in

for the creature comforts. Does it very

well too, eh?

All right. Come on.

>> Yeah.

That's it. Cheers.

Not bad. Not bad. Rather fullbodied.

>> Uh, new Sanjour, I'd say. Nui who? I

tend to dislike wine snobs, you know.

What are we looking for?

>> I don't know. I find it. I think we'll

try the desk first.

>> Manny, will you stop playing with that

thing? Look. Look. Search the other

rooms, lad. Search other rooms. Make

yourself useful. Go on, lad.

>> You know me, Mrs. Whitaker.

>> I know. Yes, sir.

>> Your husband knew me?

>> I met you several times, I think.

>> Why did he hail me?

Well, I don't understand.

>> Well, I mean, what was his opinion on

me? Did he regard me as a friend or an

enemy or what? It

>> was a friend, sir. He took great note of

what you had to say. Thought you were a

man to follow, sir.

>> As a friend, I never did any harm. No

harm to you or yours.

>> No, sir.

>> Then why have you come before this

inquiry with this [ __ ] and bull story?

>> Oh, please, Mr. Lewis.

>> Oh, I'm sorry,

>> Mrs. Whitaker.

You are a poor woman.

very poor.

>> So 15 guineies would be a godsend to

you. Like a fortune.

>> Well, I like to think of the children

out.

>> Well, of course. Anyone who's had an

empty stomach or an empty purse would

understand what interests me is. What

was the money for?

>> For the letter?

>> Well, the letter didn't exist. I never

sent your husband such a letter.

>> They come in the post when I

>> So you said so you said. And after the

trial, Mr. SS called.

>> Yes, sir. and offered you 15 guineies to

come here and swear that the letter was

genuine.

>> No. No. Come in the post when moaning.

>> Did Mr. SS tell you why he wanted the

letter?

>> No.

>> Did you ask it?

>> No.

>> Why not?

>> I didn't think I I didn't think it were

important.

>> He offered you 15 kies, a very large

sum. And yet you were not curious.

>> No. All I could think of with the money

I could do it.

Mrs. Whitaker, your husband, was a

staunch trade unionist.

>> I

>> you know that I was his friend and

comrade in those beliefs and activities.

>> Do you know also that if this letter is

found to be genuine, which I swear it is

not, if it is held to be genuine, the

consequences would be disastrous for me

and equally disastrous for the movement

which he fought for and believed in.

>> I don't know anything about that.

You still insist that this letter came

in the post your husband?

>> Yes, sir. I do.

>> Your lordship, I beg to call this

woman's husband, Harry Whitaker, as a

witness before this. Why not, Mrs.

Whitaker? Are you afraid that you come

here and denounce your letter for the

pack of lies it did?

>> Mr. Lewis, I should not warn you again

about your conduct. Your motion has

already been before the court and

denied. I see no reason to alter that

ruling.

>> But if I am denied this testimony,

>> the testimony of a convicted murder is

hardly likely to influence our decision.

I assure you

>> I most strongly protest your lordship.

>> Your protest is noted, Mr.

>> Nothing of interest in the vet.

>> Nothing here either. I thought Mr. Zones

would be highly organized and methodical

gentleman. Sort of might keep records.

You know,

>> if they of an incriminating nature, it'd

hardly keep them here.

>> Still the uh place is tidy, isn't it?

Very tidy. Very methodical.

If you

Wait a minute.

Think we have him, lad. Come on. I I

think I've got it. Got him. What is it?

What have you found?

>> Truth. Evidence. Not that it's going to

do Ben much consolation. Come. Don't

take that cat with you. Put it back and

come along then.

I was convinced from the first that the

working people were being deluded and

misled by a superior intelligence. I may

say a satanic intelligence. I regarded

it as my Christian duty to expose the

truth. And who is this metophale? This

satanic influence

>> yourself Mr. Lewis.

>> I see. So driven by your sense of duty,

you went to Miss Mrs. a ticker and asked

to look at her husband's papers.

>> That is so

>> and among them you found this letter

>> and others.

>> For the moment, let us concentrate on

the letter before this inquiry. You

purchased it from Mrs. Whitaker. This

much we have been told. What then did

you do with it?

>> I took it to Mr. Glover, the editor of

the Globe,

>> and he purchased it from you.

>> He did indeed.

>> At what price?

>> I do not think.

>> Answer the question if you please.

>> 200 guineies.

I have my expenses. You understand?

>> A total profit of 185 guineies.

>> Oh, some of your expenses and some

recompense for your zeal and integrity.

>> With your lordship's permission.

>> I have no further questions of Mr. SS

for the moment.

>> Stand down, Mr. SS.

>> I should like to call Sergeant Cork of

the Criminal Investigation Department.

>> Call Sergeant Cork.

Sergeant Cork. Uh,

>> yes. Don't forget what I told you, lad.

Here. Here.

>> You're not leaving us, Mr. SS.

>> I have some business of an urgent

nature.

>> We are rather anxious that you should

stay.

>> That will not be possible.

>> I'm afraid I must insist. Let's sit and

talk for a while, shall we? Perhaps

you'd like to discuss cats. Black cats.

Maybe you're rather fond of cats or

deaths that deceive the eye. Secret

draws. I think we can fill the time

quite profitably.

In your interest, it might be useful to

cooperate.

I studied the letter carefully, sir, and

compared it with a specimen of Mr.

Lewis's handwriting.

>> And what conclusion did you reach?

>> In my opinion, sir, the letter was

forged.

>> Can you be more explicit?

>> For example, the signature in the letter

tend to slope downwards. Mr. Lewis's

signature tend to slope upwards, and the

word arch reactionary was misspelled in

the letter last syllable. spelled with

an E instead of an A. Yet in Mr. notes

from Mr. Lewis, it was used three times

and spelled correctly on each occasion.

>> And these discrepancies convinced you?

>> Not entirely. I had to confess that the

letter may have been written in a hurry,

and that would explain these

discrepancies. Then I considered another

line of approach. It was clear to me

that assuming the letter was a forgery,

it must have been written by someone

close to Mr. Lewis. I made further

inquiries which confirmed this view.

>> You mean that you can prove the letter

is not genuine?

>> Yes, sir.

>> But I There you are. We have the

evidence of Mrs. Whitaker.

>> I think Mrs. Whitaker thought the letter

was genuine, sir. She may even have been

paid to come here to confirm that view

today.

>> Well, great.

>> But she is a poor woman, sir. I beg you

not to this.

>> Hunger is a bitter task. Master sir,

>> you realize that if you cannot prove

these bits more evidence, sir, a

notebook or daddy here belonging to Mr.

SS. I draw your attention to the third,

fourth, and eighth entry which I have

marked there. Sir,

>> have five letters in all now. All quite

remarkable specimens. These should

effectually finish brother Lewis. doubt

if even he would recognize the

imitation. The handwriting looks so much

like say this is an

>> authentic sir. I think Mr. SS will

confirm that.

>> Will you call Mr. SS?

>> There is also this receipt, sir.

>> Received from Mr. Morris the sum of 10

Guinness for services rendered. It's

signed Clam Butley.

>> Are you Clam Butler?

>> They're trying to manufacture a case

against me. It's a lie.

>> Come here, Mr. SS.

up now, isn't it?

>> Is this your diary?

>> Yes, your lord chip.

>> It contradicts your previous evidence.

>> Yes, [snorts] your lord chip.

>> Which is the truth? Are these letters a

forgery?

>> Is this letter a forgery?

>> Yes, your lordship.

>> And who is responsible?

>> Batley.

>> You betrayed me.

>> He betrayed me.

>> Oh, I think you betrayed yourself.

Here's letter I asked you to write at my

request. Do you recognize him?

>> Yes.

>> You really should do something about

your spelling, you know.

>> Damn you,

>> Clam. My old friend. It's a lie. Tell

him it's a lie. Friend.

>> Oh, that's so easily said, isn't it?

>> Oh, I was supposed to be your friend,

but you gave me no advancement. You

treated me as a servant.

>> I was your friend so long as I was

content to remain your secretary.

>> You brought that woman into the house.

You prefer her confidence and advice to

mine.

>> Now, now a movement.

>> Oh, I believed in a movement once, but I

soon became disillusioned.

All those petty bickerings and jockeying

for positions made me sick. I've been

working against you for years. You hear

years, you hear me?

Thank you very much.

[music]

Happy

heat. [music]

>> [music]

>> Down

well down.

>> [music]