Original subtitles

[Music]

All

[Music]

right.

[Music]

What you miss here? Half a tick. This

come around by end for you this

afternoon. Oh, tell.

So I said to him, I said, "Well, what

about the

You come up.

[Music]

[Music]

Wait up.

Wait.

[Music]

Ah, here you are. About time. I'm sorry,

George. I had to attend some urgent

business. Yes. Wait a more wine. Yes.

And another glass. Yes, sir. You know,

my dear chap, this place is putting a

great strain on our friendship. How do

you mean? Well, slumbing has a certain

fascination in moderate doses, but

carried to excess, it becomes a ball. I

like these people. We're not stuffed

dummies.

[Applause]

Your glass, sir. Savages. Yes, they are

bit noisy tonight, sir.

Keep the chain. Thank you, sir. Oh,

dear. It's warm. Wait. Yes, sir. This is

warm. Yes, that's right. Yes.

Oh, well, when in Rome to your nighting

gale to Kate. Order, order, order.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you please

to further your evening's entertainment,

wait for it. Wait for it. That lovely

little lady with a golden voice will

oblige with Somebody whispered so

sweetly.

I have much pleasure in introducing to

you

Yes, you are right, Miss Kate Seymour.

[Applause]

Where is he? If she met him,

rowing aloud in the

night. Maybe she could not

forget him.

Maybe she met him

again. Somebody whispered so

sweetly, vowing he loved us. So

well, what is he

completely? Where is he? Can you tell?

Well, she certainly goes down very well

with the masses. with you. She has a

voice and she's quite an attractive

little thing. Don't be so damn. All

right. I like her.

[Music]

[Applause]

Maybe she went here

again all together now.

I intend to marry Kate. Oh dear. You

can't be serious. This my old chap.

You're simply suffering from

infatuation. Yes. Know it well. Maybe

through it myself. So don't go making a

Greek drama out of it. No, it'll pass.

Oh, use yourself while you can. I mean,

she's she's very charming. Let them, but

don't go signing any contract. It's not

infatuation. I love that. Oh, don't talk

like a penny

no. Have you got any girl? Is that

what's tring you? Cuz if it is that sort

of thing can very easily

be there like that. No, then you are

married.

[Applause]

You know, it' be that was embarrassing

for all your friends if you go ahead

with this ocean. You don't think she's

good enough for you? She's probably too

good old chap. That's not the point,

though, is it? More wine, my lovely.

Just in our class. I wondered when we

get to that. Oh, Lord. Now, look, don't

give me a lecture on liberty, equality,

and so forth. Class is a fact of life,

your dear chap. I don't like it, but

there it is. You can't make a napkin out

of a dish cloth. Now, listen. No, you

listen to me. I mean, think of the girl,

too. There's there's more to marriage

than four legs in a bed, you know. I

mean, your wife has to entertain, to

mix. She has to show a certain amount of

of poise and intelligence and whatnot. I

It's not fair to ask her to take that

on. She's just not quit. All the same, I

intend to marry her, and neither you nor

anyone else can stop me. Oh, well, don't

say I didn't warn you. And don't forget

to save me two front seats for the

execution. I mean the wedding. You know

your trouble. You don't recognize a true

genuine person when you see one. You're

a cynic. You don't believe in

[Music]

anything. Ah, you adorable.

Katie, you had them rocking tonight.

Blow me. I thought some of those birds

were going to jump on the stage and eat

you. They were all right. All right,

Blimey. I never heard Mari Loyer the way

you have sometimes. Oh, come off it,

ma'am. If I was half as good as she is.

Well, who says you ain't? Eh, who said

you now? Come on. Who said you ain't? I

do. Then you're talking through the back

of a girly. Why? In a year, 6 months,

Marley Lloyd won't even be colored as

far as you're concerned. I tell you, she

won't even be colored. Oh, no. Oh, I I

knew you had the talent. Ever since she

was nearey to a kipper. Oh, not again.

Oh, I have the confidence in you. You

know, do I didn't I work hard to give

you the chance? I know. I know. Now, can

we drop the subject? All right. How you

feeling tonight? You look a bit pale

under the gills.

Tired, that's all. I've just done a

show. I'm entitled to be tired. Yeah, of

course. You'll brighten up all right

when his royalist arrives. Now, don't

start that again, Mom. I'm warning you

if you do up. Well, don't start anyway.

Not allowed to open me mouth now. If

someone shuts you up, I'll go down in

history. Well, if I can't say what I

think you can, Mom, but there's such a

thing as tact, you know.

Oh, come on now. Admit it. You like

Jimmy. Really? Don't you? Be honest. Oh,

he's all right. But if you look hard

enough, you'll find something rotten in

all of them. All men are the same. When

they want you, it's summer. And when

they got you, it's winter. And a damn

cold one at that. It just ain't your

side. That's my mama. Is it now?

Arthur. Hello, Mrs. Well, you're a sight

for sore eyes. Well, don't stand there.

Come on in. Stand there like a cup of

cold tea. Arthur. Hello, Kate. Hello,

Arthur.

Nice to see you. Oh, you're looking in

the pink. I can't really grumble, you

know. Hope you don't mind me coming. My

native

team. You're always welcome, son.

Welcome as the flowers in May and the

ops in September. Yes, that's right,

ain't it, dear? Of course. You enjoyed

show, Arthur? Oh, it was marvelous. As

for you, oh, you really had me going.

Marvelous. That's what I was telling

her. Arthur, I thought you was a real

dazzler, Katie. Honestly,

oh, you don't mind if I carry on with my

faith? Oh, I'll wait outside if you Oh,

you do no such thing now. Sit down. Sit

down. I'll give you a nice glass of

stout. Like some like some wrinkles.

You're fond of the major. Not just now.

Spoil yourself. I expect Well, don't

worry. It's well, put that Put that with

the coach's cup. Run over it. Sure.

Cheers. Thank you. Cheers. I uh I've

been expecting you to pop in, you know.

I told Kate I see you last week. Well,

anyway, now you're here, ain't you?

Yeah, me now.

Uh, Kate. Mhm. Well, I know you're busy

and all that, but I was wondering uh

well, just for old time sake, whether

you might have a bite with me. Ah, I was

wondering when you was coming around to

that. Mom, please.

Yes, sir. I'd like that, Arthur. When

would be a good time for you? Well, I

was thinking about uh Well, tonight. Oh,

no. Sorry, I can't. Not tonight. I've

already made arrangements. But you can

put them off. Father don't show up every

night. Your eye class friend won't mind

for one evening. He sees enough of your

god only knows. Well, who's this then?

Who's the bloke? One of us staged all

Johnny's. He's a bit more than that.

Mom, you're engaged.

Will has got to know sometimes. Arthur's

got to know now. You haven't even done

me your own mug yet. Well, I was going

to Where's the ring? In my bag.

Ah, very nice. Well, he don't do things

on the cheap. I'll give you that. This

must have knocked you back a couple of

stripes.

When'd he give it to you? Last night.

Last night? And you didn't see fit to

tell me. I was going to, Mom, but Well,

me and Jimmy wanted to tell you

together. I'll bet. Well, I'll have

something to say to that gentleman. You

won't say anything, Mom. I've got to

speak to him first. All right. Suit

yourself. I can wait. But Arthur can't.

We don't know ever going to see him

again, do we?

Love, come on, Katie. Don't let him

down, love.

Well, I'm going off again soon, Kate.

All right,

Arthur. I'll fix it

somehow. Yes, why

not? All right, Arthur.

You know, if he doesn't come so well,

it's the best table. Why don't you go

on? I suppose I could.

No, I'll wait. I'll share your cab. Then

I can observe your nighting gale, the

close quarters.

It's too It's too God's my judge. He was

well over 80. Bald as a bear alive. You

want to take off to do that? I think the

community sailor, your competitor.

Hello, Jimmy. Good evening, Mr. Seymour.

Good evening, lady. Uh-oh, you back

here. I heard you gone up picking. Ah,

well, you were wrongly informed. I never

pick hops. Pockets occasionally, but

never hops. Oh, I see very sharp

tonight. Been eating vinegar with a

knife. Jimmy, I'd like you to meet an

old friend of the family, Arthur

Stevens. He's ow my leave from the Navy.

Oh, Lord George

Kryton. Oh, James Stratton. I do. Glad

to know. Well, it's you hanging around.

K's book tonight. Mom, I told you to

leave it to me. Jimmy, I want to work

with you a minute. Well, I I was only

telling him. I bet he's got other fish

to fry. Don't want him wasting his time,

do we? Well, he's only for a few more

days, you see. And well, he is an old

friend of the family. I was looking

forward to tonight. I'm glad to hear it.

Oh, Kate. Darling, please can't you

shake him off. No, I can't. Anyway, why

are you so upset? You can easily amuse

yourself elsewhere, can't you? What?

Kate, don't joke. I love you, darling.

Do you? Well, what's come over you? You

were so different last night. You told

me that. I hadn't got this last night.

Another about you and Lily Brandon. I

told you it meant nothing to me. It was

just a passing affair all over in 5

minutes. I suppose you got what you

wanted and then walked out when you were

bored. No, it wasn't like that at all.

What was it like then? Did you sleep

with Lily Brandon? Kate. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm embarrassing you. Am I? Too rough,

too direct. I apologize. And I'm only a

rough, common girl, and I don't know any

better. Kate, will you stop this? Did

you tell her that you loved her? Kate, I

won't have this. Is that how you

persuaded her to go away with you? You

don't really believe what's in that damn

I don't know what to believe. Now, you

two don't keep us hanging around all

night. Kate, I'm going to the police.

Police? That's what they're there for.

I'm going to show them this letter and

then God help the one who wrote it

because I tell you this, when I find out

who it was, I'm going to kill him. 12 in

long

by 4 in at the widest point. Yes. What

else? Well, there's a sort of bar-shaped

mark at the end of the heel and the toe.

Uhhuh. Suggesting something attached to

the boot. Brilliant. Carry on. Well, the

boot could be rather old and well worn.

Well, a sort of shape worn by a laborer.

You know, like this.

They're your footprints.

Probably. Yes, they are mine. I suppose

you could call me a labor really. Oh, I

didn't mean that. Oh, no apologies, lad.

I'm a poor man. Don't pay fortunes on

this kind of job. What are these strips

then? A rubber. Strips of rubber. Got

the idea when I was on the beat in the

East End. Most the chaps on patrol do it

now. Soften the sound. Saves wear and

tear. Important consideration on my

salary. All right. All right. We haven't

done too badly. Main thing to remember

about footprints is that your deduction

is only going to be of a general kind.

Now, supposing I put my foot in mud, the

impression much bigger if I put it on

dry earth, not just deeper, but wider.

That might mislead you. When you get a

good print, always show it to a good

shoemaker. Always go to the experts,

lad. Don't think you know it all

yourself. Ah, tea. Good. Come

in.

Uh, where's the blasted tea, Chalky?

I've been too busy to think about tea,

Mr. Cork. Oh, I brought a gentleman in

to see you, Mr. Pleased to meet you. Too

busy to make the tea to realize the

crime figures are rising. realize we're

hampered, harassed, and neglected. Do

you realize we fight on so that you and

your family can sleep safe in your bed

at night? And you tell me you're too

busy to make the tea. Well, the kettle's

on. On what? On the boil. Take it off

the boil and make the tea. I give you

exactly 3 minutes. Do you take tea?

Thank you. Three large cups of tea and a

toasted buttered bun for me. Do you like

buttered buns? No, thank you. You're

very wise and always stale. That's why I

have mine toted. Off you go. Don't stand

there gping like a hook salmon, man.

Tea, man. Tea, man. Tea. We're sorry

about that, but we have to fight for our

rights here. Stratton, you say James

Stratton? No. Uh, son of a Lord Stratton

of Burmal, I suppose. Well, we'll sit

down, will you? Well, move all this

stuff away from me. Bob, Mar, my

assistant. But all right, I'll take

that. Now, look, what can we do for you?

I'm not sure that you can. It's rather a

delicate matter. Oh, our specialtity.

Don't be deceived by this ragabone shop

here. Underneath there's great sincerity

and delicacy. Now, what is your problem?

Well, I was sent here by Superintendent

Nelson. in the uh nature of your visit.

For the past 2 weeks, my fiance, Miss

Kate Seymour, has been receiving

anonymous letters like that one. All of

them written against me with the obvious

purpose of poisoning our relationship.

Very strong stuff. Where is the

envelope? Kate didn't keep that. Oh, I

see it. Kate Seymour. I've seen her at

Riley. She's a singer. She's jolly good.

I mean, she's got a good voice and all

that. I think so. I've seen her, too,

Mary. We hold a unanimous opinion. Read

that, will you? I've known Kate for some

months now. Though we became engaged

only 2 days ago, we expected opposition,

but not like this. You uh said there

were other letters. No, this is the

third. The first one told Kate to have

nothing to do with me. Then about a week

later, the second one arrived. Well,

somehow the writer had discovered that

about a year ago, I had a a rather

foolish affair and is using this to turn

Kate against me. This is the third

letter. What about this other woman? Oh,

I hardly think she'd do a thing like

this. Was she in love with you? This um

excuse me, what's her name? Uh, Lily

Brander. Yes. Yes, I think she was. And

she might still be. That's possible, I

suppose. Yeah. Well, she could have

written these letters out of jealousy,

couldn't she? Was she the only one?

Look, Mr. Stratton, you brought me a

letter here touching on your private

life, and you wish him to investigate.

That means I've got to ask you some

unpleasant and intimate questions. If

you don't want that, you shouldn't have

come here. If I'm going to take this,

will you kindly sit down? It's going to

be awfully embarrassing if you pop up

and down all the time. I've half a dozen

cases here, all serious, and all far

more important than trying to keep you

from losing your lady love. Nor right. I

haven't a good reputation with women. I

have had affairs not only with Lily

Bradley. I'm a saint. But this is

important to me. I love Kate Seymour and

I intend to marry her. Well, now we're

getting somewhere. Well, does she want

to marry you? Oh, yes. We're engaged.

Well, surely she wouldn't be put off

with rubbish like this. Oh, she's upset.

And there are other difficulties. Family

position and so forth. Well, yes. I

thought that sort of thing went out of

George IV. Oh, did it? It works both

ways. Kate's mother's taken a dead set

against me and my friends or George and

so forth. They're horrifying. And your

family? Well, they don't know about the

marriage yet. They think it is just

another of your attachments. Yes. And it

isn't. Well, I told. All right. All

right, Mr. Stratton. I just want to make

sure that's all. Why don't I think we

might be able to help you? The first

thing to do is to get to know the story

from the beginning of how and when you

met Kate and her mother and in fact the

whole kaboodleoodle. Well, I met Kate.

One moment, please, Mr. Stratton. Oh,

look. Shout down for chalk for that tea.

I lay Lombard speak to a China orange.

He's forgotten

again. I'm sorry. Uh, Mr. Stratton, you

were saying I've known K. Joy, where's

the confounded tea?

How you feeling tonight, lovey? So, sir,

you want a bit more rouge on? You look

washed out. I'll be all right. What's

this place? Oh, you want to get out of

this dump? Trouble is your agent ain't

no good. He works very hard and he's

honest. He couldn't pick cones from a

fruit cake.

Nah. There we are. How's that? The

trouble is you you want you want someone

who get you there quick. Make a star of

you.

See? Oh, Katie. I could go to the bone

orchard happy woman if I could see your

name of a jewelry line. Would never

happen.

Not sure that I want it to happen now

because of this stuff you're stuck

on. It's turned your head. You're

willing to to chuck up everything we

both work for for a toff. You only want

to get out of your you'll end up in the

gather. I'm telling you. You don't like

the truth, do you? Get out. I said if

you wasn't my mama.

Well, oh, all right. Forget it. Let's

just drop the subject.

You know, one day I will get out and

leave you to for yourself. Who is

it? Me, Arthur. Oh, wait a minute. It's

only Arthy. You're respectable and Come

on then,

love. There we are, lovey. There she is

getting ready. Keep her company. I'll uh

pop up to the wardrobe for a minute.

You down, Arthur? No, it's all right.

I'm coming in to see the show again

tonight, so I thought I'd pop around,

tell you I was here. You're a glutton

for punishment. Old man would choose

this minute to go off. Oh, here. Arthur,

you do it, will you? It's his class. Bit

stiff, right?

Let go of me.

You lay a finger on me again, so help

me. I'll ruin you for life. Well, I'm

sorry, Kate. I thought that you know

what thought done, don't you? I don't

like being mauled and slumbered over.

I'm not one of your tarts. No, you're

not one of mine.

What did you say? I'm not deaf. It's

common knowledge the way you carry on

with that fancy Jimmy of yours. Oh, he's

all right. He's got class. You let him

take all he wants, but I ain't good

enough. You soon find out who your

friends are. Shut up, marry. You

Everybody knows what he's done. You love

another dozen before. Get out.

What do you want? My name's Cork. What's

your name? Harry.

Harry. Marlo. Marlo. Uh but interesting

man that I knew a murderer once by the

name of Marlo killed his wife's lover

but his name was um Albert Marlo. No

relative? No.

Here what all what's all this about? Who

are you? Police. Police? Yeah. You're a

sergeant.

Cork. Yeah. I saw a bit of paper about

you the other week. Case of that young

woman in Bazewater. Was it? Yes. And

remind me to tell you about it sometime.

Look. Is Mr. Stratton here? No, not yet.

He generally comes in about this time,

though. Yeah. Me, a letter was delivered

yesterday to a miss um Kate Seymour.

Yes, that's right. Well, I haven't got

it now. I gave it to Miss Kate when she

come in. Who delivered it? Best of I

know. See, I'll pop out for 5 minutes.

When I come back, let us here waiting

for me. You have no idea who left it

here. No. So, that ain't nothing

unusual. I mean, all sorts of things

keep popping up in a place like this,

you know. Here, Mr. Kate. She's not in

any sort of trouble, is he? Oh, no. No,

no, no. Well, that's all right then. Oh,

it's a favorite of yours this year, Miss

Kate. He's one of the best.

Have some. What is it? Stick your lady I

know in Chapel Street makes it. It's all

her maid. Oh, no. Oh, no. No. Get get

stuck in my teeth. Really? Yeah. Oh,

yes. Miss Kate, she's one of the best.

And so the old girl, her mother. Out of

the top drawer, a pair of them. We'll

have a chat about come down. Good

evening, sir. Evening, Harry. Evening,

Mr. James. Shall we go through? Hey, go.

Who's the cuss with the good manners? I

don't know him really. He's an old

friend of Kate's on leave at the moment.

What's his name? Let me see. Stevens.

Arthur Stevens. That's it.

[Music]

Oh, good evening, Mr. Moore. Hey, this

is Sergeant Cork. Sergeant Cork, Miss

Cape C. Police. I don't I've come to

help if I can.

Sorry, bro. Got some stick jaw stuck in

my tooth. Stick jaw? Yeah, we like a

lot. Oh, I love it. But I better not eat

me now. Look, I'll leave it here and

have it later. Huh? Oh, John. I haven't

had any since I was a kid. I used to

like tiger nuts, too. And locust beans.

A lady in chapel I know makes them all

homemade. Human bugs, winter warmers,

acid droppers. You think we better get

on with the case? The case? Oh, yes.

Have you the other letters, Miss

Seymour? Oh, yes.

There we are. They

go all liver by

hand. All the same note paper. The same

block cabbage

levers. Quite good quality note paper.

Unfortunately, in rather common use

nowadays. Well, yes, I noticed that.

Well, I use the same sort myself.

I said you always keep it there. Yes. Do

you mind if I keep these? Why not?

Well, what do you think? I know it's a

bit early yet. Have to study them.

Letters are quite well composed, but the

capitals are rather badly formed. The

writing would have been disguised.

Almost certainly has been. Obviously,

these letters are obviously to try and

stop your marriage, Miss Seymour. Who

would want to do that?

Quite a few people. Lord George Kiton

for one. Really? Kate? No, Jimmy. I'm

serious. I've never liked him and he

doesn't like me. All right, we'll put

him on the list. Anyone else? Oh,

there's that sailor we bumped into just

now. Um, Stevens. Oh, no. Arthur Wood.

He's just as capable as Kryon. How

long's he been on leave? About two

weeks. Two weeks. And these letters

started arriving two weeks ago. We'll

make him our number two. Huh? Champagne

Charlie is the name. Champagne drinking

is the game. What's going on here? Oh,

good evening, Mr. Seymour.

Well, what's going on here? Arthur's

left. Arthur? I'm not surprised anyway.

Oh, Mom. This is uh Mr. Corker, friend

of Jimmy's. Friend, friend. You'll have

to go. So, you got to get dressed. Oh,

wait a minute, love. I got something for

you. Where to put it? Oh,

Mo. Here we

are. Well, go on. Take it, lovely.

Is it the same? No, not quite. It's a

deal more

serious. This is a

threat. A threat of violence against

Kate?

No, against you.

I'd like to lay me hands on the petty

about Rick Dad. All right, my lovey. All

right, little love. Don't worry.

Detective Sergeant Criminal

Investigation

Department. Yes. All right. Show me in.

Ah, you're very punctual, Sergeant. Uh,

it was Sergeant, wasn't it? Yes, it is.

Uh, it's my assistant, Detective

Consible Marriott. This is Lord George

Kitton. Uh, delighted. Um, do sit down.

Um, I have a rather fine crusted pork.

Perhaps you'd care for glass. Yes, I

would. But my assistant does not drink.

doesn't know what he's

missing. There we are. Thank you. Now

then, Stratton has informed me why he's

enlisted in your services. Naturally, I

find the whole affair very distasteful.

Very, very But the port is good. Oh,

yes. Uh, but you know, there's very

little I can tell you, I'm afraid,

Inspector. Sergeant, you do know the two

parties concern. Uh, yes, I do. Um,

Sergeant, and I've made it very clear to

Stratton, that I consider him completely

and utterly mad to manage the girl.

Isn't that for Mr. Stratton himself to

decide? He's a damn fool. Oh, what's the

attitude of the family? Lord and Lady

Stratton have been out of London since

the beginning of the year. They know

nothing of the affairs. Well, I did

write to Lord Stratton about it, but um

he wasn't interested.

I um don't understand this attitude.

Don't understand it at all. I believe

you knew a woman named Lily Brander.

I did. You introduced her to Strat.

Well, well, they formed a strong

attachment. I believe

so. But at least there was none of this

nonsense about marriage. You approve of

workingclass girls as mistresses, but

not as wives. I think you might do well

to remember who I am, both of you.

Personally, I don't give a damn who you

are.

Damn it, I like you, Sergeant. Well, I'm

not too sure about you yet. Um, my

lord, look, I'm not being frivolous

about this, Sergeant. This country, like

most others, is led by its great

families. They alone have the wealth and

the breeding to rule uh to lead. They're

also the patron of the arts, the

custodians of culture, the the only

truly civilized group. Without us, this

country would revert to barbarism. I've

met some who don't quite fit your

description. Yes, that's exactly what I

mean. The head of it is being

squandered. Sergeant, we are becoming

irresponsible. No, Jen should marry a

girl of his own class and breeding. He

should not weaken the strain by marrying

outside his social status. I sincerely

believe that. Did you write those

letters?

My god, you're not lost for cheek. You

haven't answered my question. May I use

an old-fashioned and much maligned

word? I'm a gentleman, Sergeant. That

still doesn't answer me. I have known

too many gentlemen. They have a strange

morality. You are determined man. If you

set your mind on something, not write

those letters. For one thing, I do not

fight in the dark.

And for another, I don't think they're

necessary. How do you mean? I don't

believe this woman has any intention of

marrying James. You think uh she's just

waiting to be bought off? I do. What is

she, after all, music hall entertainer?

It's an old trick. Incidentally, another

letter arrived last evening.

Uh it accused Mr. Stratton of other

things, but he um like yourself is a

gentleman. Another letter. The writer

threatened to kill Stratton unless Kate

broke off with him. Oh, it's a bluff for

sir. rather deep waters here and uh very

murky. I find it rather sickening. I

have a sensitive stomach. I'd rather

deal with ill bred people who work for a

living. My

lord

Billy. Billy, let those two get clear

and then go home. You hear? Go home.

[Applause]

Tommy, make room for your uncle. There's

a little deer. Tommy, make room for your

uncle. I want him to sit here. You know

M's got to give to you. So don't annoy a

good boy. Make room for your uncle, too.

Here's the story of Freddy Jones which I

will tell to you. As you may

guess, he knows a few.

[Music]

There's a little dear Tommy make room

for your uncle. I want him to sit here.

You

know that she to you. So don't know.

There's a good boy. Makeover.

[Music]

Well, do you want an honest opinion? You

ever give anything else? I think she's

good. She's almost very good. But um I

doubt if she'll ever make the top. No, I

I think she knows that. She wouldn't

mind giving it up. Her mother's pressed

her this far. A Bessie, the proud and

doing mom.

Be penny for him.

What? I said a penny for your

thoughts. I got one of me heads tonight.

and do me please, ma'am. Will you? Yes,

of course.

Gary, you never tell me that. What's his

name? As a policeman. Who told you?

Ar says, uh, how'd you come,

love? Says I've been asking questions.

Oh, I didn't want to worry you. You

should have told me, Katie. If I told

you, Mommy, you'd have found out about

the letters. Well, I know now, don't I?

Anyway, you should have told me before

going to the police. Now, we'll have

nothing else but trouble. I don't like

the police, you know, I don't. Oh, Jimmy

thought it would be for the best. Jimmy,

Jimmy, Jimmy, I'm sick to death of

hearing what Jimmy thinks.

And sorry, sorry,

love. This has been a bit of a shock to

me tonight. I'm not feeling up to much

anyway. You tired, man.

I'll get Harry to get a cab and take you

straight home. Will you ducks? I could

do with a good night's Keip. Oh, could

[Music]

I? We're here. Take a few with us. Have

a beer. Will it

be? Is it all right to talk? Of course.

Uh Bob here has been to see Lily

Brander. That accounts for his bright

eyes and high coloring. Lily, did she

say anything? Oh, we had a very pleasant

half hour. She's quite a girl. There's

real ginger there. What did she say?

Well, she merely confirmed what you've

already said. The letters are

exaggerating. Did you expect anything

else? Now that I've met her, I wouldn't

be surprised at anything. Look, did you

get a sample of her handwriting? Make

one. Did you get We'll keep that mainly

later. Did you tell her about the last

letter? The one that threatened Mr.

Strap? Yes. She laughed. Laughed? Do you

mean she thought the idea ludicrous? Go

here. I go. No. No. She thought it was a

very good idea. What she actually said

was, "If I can't have him, why should

anyone else?" Do you think she'd be

capable of writing those letters? Oh,

more than capable. She'd be capable of

killing Mr. Stratton, too, if you put

her mind to it. Nice friend you keep,

Mr. Stratton.

Good night, girls. Here. Where did those

come from? Wouldn't you like to know?

And I

never for you. Sure.

Ah, you little mink. You

straight home now, girls.

Oh, excuse me, sir. Miss Seymour asked

me to tell you she's sorry, but her

mother wasn't feeling none too good and

had gone straight home. Oh, thank you.

She says she's sorry she couldn't let

you know earlier. Seems I've wasted your

evening, sir. Yeah, it's all right. I'll

just have a few words with our friend

here. Shall I wait for you? No, I shall

more than 5 minutes. Then I'll hear from

you tomorrow. Thank you. Good night.

Good night, Mr. Mario. Good night,

Harry. Good night. Good night, sir.

Perhaps now you'll keep your bloody

place.

Lily Brander has never been around here

to your knowledge. Oh, I ain't seen no

girl of that name, no sir. One scene,

never forgotten.

Lord George Clayton is a regular

visitor. Well, he comes and fits and

starts. Would you like a cup of tea,

sir? Oh, no. Thank you. No. Well,

sometimes we don't see him for months.

Been three or four nights running. He's

been around quite a bit lately. No other

regular visitors for Miss Seymour,

except of course Mr. Stratton. Not in

the last two weeks. No, sir. Right.

We'll be moving. Thank you. Certainly.

Oh, the sailor's been around quite a

bit. Yes. Um, we know about him.

M strap can adopt it quickly. Bobby, Mr.

Strap, look if you

Surprising thing about handwriting, you

know, gives a clue to a man's character.

You'll agree that the handwriting here

of Lord George Kitton is very similar to

the samples of handwriting here of

well-known important people. Yes, it is.

Right. Now, take a look at the samples

of handwriting there. The samples of

handwriting of uh elderly people. Take a

look at it. Go ahead. See a certain um

awkwardness in the script. Yes, I see.

But what does this tell us about the

poison letters? I doubt if these letters

were written by an older person, I would

say someone between um what 30 and 50.

Wide margin. My but not so wide. See,

the letters are in big bold capitals.

That suggests to me someone of u

determination, a certain

single-mindedness. That's just a

thought. What do we get from it? Not

very much, but it helps um you know,

paint the picture. Right. Look, forget

all about the handwriting for the

moment. Now, these three letters were

delivered to the stage door. Now, they

weren't posted. No one was seen to bring

them. How? Supposing they weren't

delivered at

all. Supposing they came from the

inside. Oh, yes. But who? Oh, half a

dozen people had the opportunity and the

motive. Uh, even your lady friend Lily

Brand should a friend in the theater

could have planted them from the inside.

So, we're back where we started. Half a

dozen suspects. No, not quite. First of

all, get the facts, the information, and

from that we'll make our deductions.

Have you done that? Yes, I have. Now, to

put them to the test, take this address,

will you?

Arthur Stevens, a sailor. That's right.

Go around to his lodgings and find out

if his naval jacket has a button

missing. If it has, bring it to me round

at the theater. Well, suppose he's

there. What do I say? He will not be at

the theater. Now, off you go, lad. Want

to close this case today? The

superintendent wants to go to Bradford

tomorrow. Bradford? Don't worry, lad.

Lily Brander will still be here when we

get back. I didn't mention Miss Brandon.

No, you didn't. I also read faces too,

you know.

Gummy.

Ah, how you doing? Well, Katie ain't

here. She's up for the afternoon. It's

uh you I came to see Mr. Seymour. Well,

you're barking up the wrong tree. I

can't help you. Well, let me be the

judge of that, will you?

Well, I'll get on with what I was doing.

You must be very proud of your daughter,

eh? K is going to be a big star one day.

You see, do you mind if I look? Oh, go

on. Help yourself. Help yourself.

Were you uh in this game, Mrs. Seymour?

No, I wanted to be, but I never had the

chance. But Kate did. Oh, yeah. I'll see

to that. Oh, wish my Albert could be

here now to see our cake.

When did your husband die, Mrs. Seymour?

Long time ago.

He didn't just die. He was

killed. Killed by a gentleman's horse.

They said the author gone wild and they

shot it. But I know different. The

gentleman was blind drunk.

I buried my Albert without a word from

him, without so much as a sorry.

Well, that was the year Prince Albert

died, so I couldn't expect much

attention when I said my Albert had gone

too.

No.

Never stops, do it. Who is it now?

Oh, Arthur. I got Kate's message.

Message? I didn't know she sent no

message. No, I sent That's a liberty. I

sent on her behalf. I wanted to chat

with this fellow lad here. It's all

quite straightforward. I know the Lu to

ask. Look out. Here's a blue bottle.

Police. I've got nothing to say to you.

Nothing you have, but please yourself.

We can either talk here at the station.

It's up to you. You uh know Kate's

fiance, I believe. I've met you. You

know he was attacked outside here last

night. Oh, why should he know? Talking

to him, Mrs. Seymour? No, I didn't. Oh,

well, I just looked know why he was

attacked, that's all. Oh, use your loaf

of money, of course. Nothing was

touched. Well, perhaps the thief got

scared off before he had a chance to

lift anything, perhaps. Oh, well.

Whoever it was sells him, right? You are

glad he was set upon. No, no, take that

back. I don't owe them sort of locks.

What about you, Sims? You're fond of

Kate and yet you're jealous of Stratton.

If you think I did it, you've got

another thing coming. I was miles away

at the time. I got China who can prove

it. Time. What time? When it happened.

You said you knew nothing at all about

it. How do you know what time it was?

Well, you said it was last night. Well,

I was down at a pub on the

docks. Has uh Mrs. Seymour told you

about the letters? Let us what? Let us

see. Poison pen letters sent to Kate

Seymour. I suppose now you're going to

start accusing him of writing them

blasted letters. Well, you're wrong

again because Arthur can't read. All

right, can you boy? No. No, I can't.

Well, in any case, he wouldn't have sent

this oneh to himself, would he? What?

But what's it say then? Oh, it's

something about an affair you have with

some old trolop in Portsouth. He has

Let's have a

look. Well, this don't say nothing about

me. But you can't read, Stevens,

remember? Well, I know a few words that

I learned when I was at sea. They give

us lessons, you see. Well, Mr. Seymour

didn't know. You're a rotten liar,

Stevens. Oh, come

in. Ah, nice timing, Bob. It's rolled up

in the back of the cup. Tell us what we

want to know. Yes.

What's going on? Is that your jacket?

Well, I don't know. The st like that.

Not like that. Not with a button

missing. Don't waste my time, Steven.

That jacket was found in your lodgings.

All right. Yeah, it is my

jacket. I've been a right idiot and I

don't know. Well, you see, it's Kate.

Well, Mrs. Seymour knows how I feel.

Yes. Yes, of course I do, lovey. I tried

to make her see sense. Well, you see,

when I found out she's running around

with this this stuffed up snotty, you

got desperate. Well, everyone knows what

he is. He's had dozens of women. Well,

he just takes what he wants and then

scarpers. Well, I wasn't going to let

him do that to Kate. So, you wrote those

letters. No, no, I didn't. I'd tell you

if I did, but I didn't. But you did beat

him up last night. Way in a way. Yeah.

Way you had it coming to him. It's a

fair

fight. Well, I don't know what he told

you, but it was a straight do. I bumped

into him outside and he he made some

snide remark. Well, I wasn't having

that. I answered him back. Next thing he

lashes out, so I hit him, and before we

knew where we was, it was a proper

Barney. Well, that's the Bible truth,

Mr. God, my witness. Poor Arthur. He

didn't mean no harm, really.

Really? Uh, as I said before, Stevens,

uh, a rotten liar, but you're not a bad

actor. What? Fair fight, you said. Yeah,

almost. It was just like I said. Do you

think I've just come out of the egg? Mr.

Straen was sandbag last night. There's a

mark on the back of his neck, which

could not possibly be made by a fist.

Somebody attacked him with a sandbag and

kicked him in the ribs while lay on the

ground. And you call that a fair fight?

I didn't do that. That must have

happened after I left him. I didn't do

it. Oh, I take him around the station

holding that till I prefer charges. Hey,

look how What you doing? What you b

You want your stage, George? Well, let's

see if he wants you after I done with

him. Let me out.

A this damn door.

Oh my god. But hold it. Hold it.

came to my little

[Music]

Oh, these come from Miss Kate. Oh, thank

Who's Adam? The usual. Mr. Stratton, of

course. Yeah, I'll get this lock men in

as soon as I can.

Good. Kate's getting it to him tonight,

is he? You know, after this afternoon, I

didn't think she'd be up to it. She's a

real trooper. Yeah, you can say that

double, too. You know that bloke, the

sailor, they reckon he's round a twitch.

Clean off his rocker. You wouldn't

believe it, would you? Quiet spoken

bloke and a turn like that. That makes

you do funny things, doesn't it? Liy,

hope it never takes me that

way. Mr. See,

you back again. Well, with a little uh

unfinished business to clear up, haven't

we? Thank you.

Excuse me, sir.

[Music]

Well, for what? You cleared it up, ain't

you? You got

Arthur. Poor Arthur. Yes, we've got

Arthur. But that's the end of it. Well,

you should know about that. Oh, no.

You're the only one who can tell me

that.

Arthur didn't write them letters. I know

he didn't. I was convinced of that this

afternoon. He wouldn't write letters.

That would be too subtle, too

complicated. He's a man of direct and

violent action.

You know, Adam,

we both

know. C Can you prove it?

Do you want me to?

All right.

I shan B tried. I've got to go to Brad

for tomorrow, but I'd just like to clear

up one point in this case.

There won't be no more letters if that's

what you was going to say. Are you sure

of that? Sure as I'm standing here.

Good. And I can rely on

you. I just want her to be happy. That's

all. He ain't the right man for her. He

wants her to give up everything we both

worked for. You think she's going to be

another Mary Lloyd, don't you? She could

be. Oh, no. No, no. You're blinded by

your own affection for her. for your own

your own ambition. ambition. Look, you

want her to be somebody you never could

be a great star. And you're prepared to

sacrifice everything for that. Yourself,

Kate, everyone, everything. That' be all

right if she had talent. But she hasn't.

She's just an average performer. There's

500 girls just as good. That's what she

said. And she's right. You know,

he ain't the right fellow. Don't you

think Kate ought to find out that for

herself?

If he hurts my cake. Cake? He can look

after herself. What about this

afternoon? She laid that fell flat,

didn't she? It was 3 hours before he

opened his eyes.

She's gone and sat ginger on Kate.

Yeah. Takes after a

mommy. Chip off the old

block. Why don't you give her a flat

iron as a wedding present?

That's an idea.

You're a proper caution,

agent. It's time for Kat's number. I

mustn't miss that. Oh, look at me.

Forget me manners again. I haven't even

said thank

you. I'm

grateful. I really

am. And there won't be no more

letters. Promise. All that. Well, I um I

closed the case 5 minutes ago.

Okay. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[Music]

The boy I love is up in the galaxy. The

boy I love is looking down at me.

Mary is can't you see waving of his

anchor

sheep. Mary as a

robin that sings on a tree.

[Music]

Now, if I were a duchess and add a lot

of money, I'd give it to the boy that's

going to marry

me. But I haven't got a penny, so we'll

live on love and

kisses and be just as happy as the birds

on the tree.

The boy I love is up in the gallery. The

boy I love is looking down at

me. There he is. Can't you see? Waving

of his anchor

sheep. Mary as a

robin that sings on a tree.

The boy I love

is in the gall. The boy I love is

looking at

[Music]

[Music]

me. Heat.

Heat.

[Applause]

Yeah. Heat.

[Music]