All language subtitles for The Avengers 2x16 Immortal Clay

This is our design room,
Mrs. Gale.

Come over here,
and I'll show you
we're busy with.

- Mind the step.
- Yes.

This is Royal Marling.

I think it's the finest
bone china we've ever made.

This lot's going to Leipzig
for the trade fair.

That's right, isn't it, Mara?

Yes, Mr. Allen.

It's lovely.
It should sell well.

I hope so.

The main pottery shop
is through there.

- It's all very small,
isn't it?
- Yes, yes.

Space is one
of our big problems.

I'm afraid we just can't
afford larger premises
at the moment.

Here we are.

This is where we make
our chinaware.

Is it all handmade?

Oh, yes, we don't make
any mass-produced stuff.

Only the best is
good enough for Marling.

My laboratory
is through there.

- Would you like to see it?
- Yes, I would, very much.

It won't help you write a book
on fine china, I'm afraid,

but my stuff's far
more practical than beautiful.

Here we are.

Do you always use tiles
for your experiments?

Yes, yes, I do,
they're a handy shape,

and of course they're made
of the same materials

as the stuff we manufacture,
at least they are when I start.

All these tiles are...
They're brittle, see?

I'm trying to make one
you could bounce off a wall.

Unbreakable china?

- Do you really think
it's possible?
- Yes, I know it is.

It's a question
of what you mix with it

- and the molecular structure
has to be exactly right...
- Sorry I'm late.

- I hope Allen's
been looking after you?
- Yes. Thanks, Richard.

You shouldn't bother Cathy
with your world shattering
theories, Allen.

- Unbreakable ceramic.
- That's not the one.

It's all rubbish, you know.
Come with me.

- I'll show you something
really interesting.
- Thanks, Allen.

This is where it all starts...
With mud,

honest-to-goodness mud.

You put it in,
you mix it up...

- you get...

Yes, not bad.
Not bad at all.

Now, Steed, this business
about the pottery.

Marling's is a small company,
very small.

They only produce quality stuff.
Remember that.

Still, it's in grave danger
of going bankrupt.

So I don't suppose
they can afford very much

in the way of
the laboratory equipment.

- Surely we can put that...
- Let me finish, Steed.

Now, Marling's making a claim
that's well-nigh impossible.

I know that.

He's also published
his findings

in that scientific journal,
"Form."

Surely they're bound
to check what he wrote.

He's only given them the general
idea of what he's working on.

According to my experts,
he could be right, could be.

It's up for you
to find out if he is.

It would be great not to break
a cup every time I wash up,

but I don't see what's that
got to do with security.

Pottery's just mud, Steed.

It's plentiful and cheap
and easy to move.

And if it's as hard
as Allen Marling claims it is,

it'll cut through
tempered-steel.

And think of all the uses
of that has,

all the jigs and dyes
and drills, millions of them.

I can think of other uses
for it too.

The nosecones of rockets,
for example.

But other people
have been trying to make

an unbreakable plastic,
experts all over the place,

and Allen Marling's the last one
who should've succeeded.

He's made claims before,
and they've all failed.

Well then?

Well, the trouble is
that if he's right,

a lot of people would like
to know his secret.

There are few people
who specialize in stealing

other people's ideas and sending
them to whoever will pay.

And one of them was killed
at Marling's yesterday.

A man called Lander.

- How do you know?
- Mrs. Gale told me.

I told you before, Steed,
I don't approve of amateurs.

But she knows
all about ceramics.

She's writing a book on it.
That's how she met the Marlings.

Yes, maybe,
but go there yourself, Steed.

I've arranged you
to be an expert

from the Ceramics
Research Council.

Here's the current copy
of "Form."

I'm an expert, eh?

Yes, it usually takes
10 years.

- How long have I got?
- 24 hours.

Joy Tracey's going
to have a film test.

Who?

Joy Tracey,
this year's Miss England.

"Beautiful,
raven-haired Joy Tracey"

has been offered a film test
by producer Roy Birch.

"Miss Tracey, a secretary,
is 37-23-36."

Here, look.
Not bad, is she?

No, she's pretty good.

Not a patch on you,
though, Mara.

That's what I thought.

You know, I could be
where she is.

Just imagine,
a big contest

with all those people
looking at me.

Oh, if only I had
the chance.

Once you start entering
you'll win every time.

On, there's no need
to sound so sad about it.

Well, you'll go away then,
won't you?

I hope so.

Oh, Harry, I'm sorry.

- I didn't mean...
- Just a minute.

Where did you get
that dress from?

Mr. de Groot bought it
for me.

I told you before, Mara,
you shouldn't let him
buy you things.

- Well, you buy me things.
- But that's different.

- It is?
- Of course it is.

Mara...

Oh, Harry,
Mr. Allen will see us.

He's out in the pottery shop.

You've been to the bank?

The wages are almost ready.

It's all right
for them, isn't it?

There's been a murder here
so they lose two days' work,

and I still have to pay them
a full week's wages.

Well, it might be
worth it at that.

At least he can't run off
with you now.

Richard, please, I've told you,
Lander wasn't anything to me.

I just went out with him
a couple of times.

Now the whole town
knows it.

You must have been
out of your mind.

When did you last take me out?
When did you last want to?

You're talking like
that blasted inspector.

He thought I was jealous
of Lander, too.

Well, he's right, I was.

I haven't even an alibi
for the night he died.

They were on to that
quickly enough.

- Surely they can't...
- I had the means
and the motive.

If they think I had
the opportunity, too...

As if I hadn't enough
to worry at the moment.

De Groot wants
all the Royal Marling

we can give him
for the Leipzig Trade Fair,

and he leaves
in three days' time.

This one has to be
a success.

If it isn't,
we're really in trouble.

We haven't had a really
successful new line
in over 18 months.

You wouldn't think Miller
could have done that, would you?

He spends half his time
falling over to our glamour girl

in the design shop,
but he made that,

created it out of nothing.

If Royal Marling fails,

I shan't be able
to afford him any longer.

It's the last chance
we've got.

Hello, Mrs. Gale.
How is the book going?

Ready for publication?

I won't even finish it if
I can't complete my research.

Marling's turned out
some very fine stuff, huh?

Unfortunately there's not
a great demand for it.

Who runs the business?

Richard keeps the books
if that's what you mean.

Allen has the brains.

They inherited the business
from their father.

They've both been in it
since they left school.

Would you say Allen
was a good potter?

Yes, I would,

though I'm afraid he's
held back by his brother.

It's a pity,
he'd be a much happier person

if he were allowed
to get on with his research.

It's bad to feel sorry
for people in our business.

Slows you up.

I'm not in your business.
Might as well remember that.

All right.

Look, Steed,
that's the best there is,

but it's hard to sell
because it costs so much.

Was there anything incriminating
found on Lander's body?

No, nothing.

Do you think anyone
could drown in liquid clay?

I doubt it.

More likely someone
surprised him, murdered him,

and popped him
in the slip tank.

Oh, well,
it's out of our way.

What do you mean
out of our way?
Who was Lander?

He was a seller of secrets,
a middle man in a business

which buys and sells
industrial information.

Have you read Allen Marling's
article in "Form"?

As much as I could.

Now, he's trying
to produce a ceramic,

a piece of pottery that is,
that won't break.

- Yes, One-Ten told me that.
- What's his interest?

If Allen Marling's theory
is right,

this will be a breakthrough
in the problem of solving

the problem of friction

in high-speed aircraft
and rockets.

If he's right, it'll be
the hardest man-made material

ever produced.

And he and his brother
will be millionaires.

Ah.

Can you get me
some more like this,

about three dozen?

And not so many cracks
of some force...

Josh, what you doing here?

Payday, Mr. Allen.

Oh, yes, of course.

Right, Susan, as soon
as you can, thank you.

I haven't seen you
since, uh, the other night.

Police are getting
nosy enough.

I burnt me clothes
like you told me to.

They're full of clay.
Didn't burn so easy.

Oh, and I lost a glove,
one of them.

- Lost?
- Yeah, I looked
everywhere for it.

I'm sorry, it must have
slipped out, you know,

when I was bundling
your things together.

- Don't worry.
- But it was covered
in clay from the tank.

But there's lots of gloves
here covered in clay.

Not like these!
Mine is specially made.

Besides it had
my name on it.

Look, there's someone coming,
you better go.

Don't worry, Mr. Marling.
You haven't done anything wrong.

Bad luck, old chap.
Have a chocolate.

Huh? No, thank you.

It's not my best attempt,
you know,

but it's still pretty hard.

Look.

That's not bad.
Have you got a better one?

- Oh, yes.
- Another tile like that?

I should very much
like to see.

You will, Mr. de Groot.

Everybody will
when the time comes.

And I promise you this,
you'll be able to hit it

with a sledgehammer,
and it won't even crack.

But ceramic is bound
to break, surely,

It's part of nature.

Not mine.
You'll see when the time comes.

I look forward to it.

Oh, can you tell me,

is my Royal Marling
consignment ready yet?

- Oh, you better ask Miller.
- Thanks.

Ah, you're working
on my order at last.

We've been out of it for
the past two days, Mr. de Groot.

The police have been
all over the place.

Leipzig won't wait,
Mr. Miller.

It'll ready in time.

Oh, Mr. de Groot.
I got my new dress today.

It's lovely.
Would you like to see it?

Of course!

Mara, see if you can find
some coffee, will you?

And tell Mr. Marling
Mr. de Groot's here.

It won't take a minute.

Go on, Mara.

Go now!

Why did you have come
filling her head

full of this bathing-beauty
stuff for?

Parading around
like that with a lot

of dirty-minded men
looking at her?

It's an investment,
an investment

I'm perfectly willing
to turn over to you.

All you have to do
is buy me out.

I haven't got any money.

The way things are going,
I'll be lucky if I keep my job.

If you do as I'm suggesting,
you won't need a job.

You know,
you really need Mara

before the top
of your head blows off.

With £20,000,
you could have her.

And what would I
give you in exchange?

Let's imagine
you have £20,000.

You can give Mara
all the things she likes.

You can help her
and encourage her,

and the glamorous Miss Little
becomes Miss World.

Think how kind she would be
to Harry Miller.

All you have to do
is bring me a tile,

Allen Marling's tile.

Do you really believe
he's made it?

I really do,
and I want it,

every bit as much
as you want £20,000.

Look around
all you want to, Cathy.

Sorry I can't finish
showing you around myself.

Don't worry about me,
Richard.

This is still a craft,
you know.

You take clay, shape it.

If your hands are wrong,
you end up with rubbish.

Pretty difficult to find
real craftsmen these days.

You know,
you're being very helpful.

This is just the kind
of information I can use.

You're welcome.
I must leave you now.

I daren't keep de Groot waiting.
He can be rather difficult.

But He's my best customer.

If he does well at Leipzig,
all our troubles are over.

You're selling to Leipzig?

I'll sell to anyone
who'll buy.

Politics
doesn't come into this.

I make cups and saucers,
not H-bombs.

Oh, sorry,
Mr. Marling.

Oh.

Are you interested
in pottery then, Miss?

Yes, I'm writing
a book about it,

the fine stuff you know,
Chinese porcelain,

Dresden and Meissen.

Aye, I've made the stuff
myself, you know.

Even that delicate, too.

I've often wondered
how my hands could hold it.

Not anymore though.

I used to be the best potter,
you know, in the five towns

until I had a car accident
a couple of years back.

Would you like to see
some of my work?

- Yes, I'd love to.
- Over here.

- Now, this is a nice...
- Oh!

Oh, thank you, Miss.

I'd have hated
to see that go.

I've worked
really hard on that.

Yes.
It's beautiful.

You know, I'm not fit to be let
loose in the pottery these days.

If it wasn't for
Mr. Marling and Mr. Allen,

I wouldn't even have
this night watchman's job.

They've been very good to me,
you know, both of them.

The car accident,
it was my fault, Miss.

You see, I didn't get
any compensation.

I see.

So I owe quite a lot
to the Marlings.

You'll find things
in rather a mess, I'm afraid.

We've, um... we've had...

A murder, yes.

It's not a very easy thing
to keep secret, is it?

- Did you know Lander?
- Yes.

Yes, I did,
not very well, but...

Was he interested
in pottery too?

Yes, he was.

Must have been quite a shock
for you and your husband.

Did he know Lander?
I suppose he must have done.

He wouldn't let him
in the pottery.

Richard didn't let him,
nor did I.

Don't tell me he broke in.

It's not a friendly thing
to do, is it?

Mrs. Gale, Mr. Steed of
the Ceramics Research Council.

How do you do,
Mrs. Gale?

I'll tell my husband
you're here, Mr. Steed.

- Thank you.
- Do make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Oh, hello, my dears.

They're very pretty,
aren't they?

Marling creamware, hollow cast,
manganese glaze, 1810.

1810?

You've worn very well.

Steed, there's a man here
called de Groot.

He's exporting a consignment
of Royal Marling to Leipzig

for the trade fair.

Might be also
be exporting the tile?

He might at that.
I better have a look at him.

That's a very good cover...

Respectable businessman
boosting our export trade.

- I've just been talking
to the night watchman here.
- Was he any help?

Well, I couldn't tackle him
right off about the murder,

but it strikes me
he must have been here
when Lander was killed.

You think he'd hear
Lander breaking in.

What makes you think
he broke in?

Mrs. Marling told me.

He didn't, Steed.
He had a key.

This would do well in Leipzig,
I'm sure.

It will do well in America, too,
but you need money,

and you need it soon,
isn't that true?

You've got a lot of debts,
Mr. Marling.

Have I?
How do you know?

It's my business to know.

If this new line of yours takes,
you'll have to expand.

You can't refuse capital.

We're quite happy as we are,
thank you.

I don't want you
out of business yet.

I expect a lot from Marling.

Mr. Steed's here.

Oh, yes, of course.

- How do you do?
How do you do?
- How do you do?

Mr. de Groot,
this is Mr. Steed

of the Ceramics
Research Council.

- How do you do?
- Mr. de Groot is one
of our best customers.

- Beautiful, isn't it?
- That's a very fine glaze.

Where are you going
to sell it?

Leipzig, at the trade fair.

Business before politics,
eh, Mr. Steed?

I have better go.
How soon will my order be ready?

Tomorrow if you like.

Three days will do nicely.
Thank you.

- Mr. Steed.
- Good day.

We're very pleased
with the Royal Marling.

I had no idea the research
people were interested, though.

Let me show you
around the pottery.

Oh, are the police
are not still there, eh?

Nobody had been...
Nobody been arrested?

No. If you'll come through
to the pottery shop.

I'd very much would like
to meet your brother.

Allen's not concerned
with this.

Well, it's not bone china
as such we're interested in.

It's your brother's experiment
we'd like to see.

See if he's in the lab,
will you?

My brother has made discoveries
before, you know.

Not all of them quite
turned out the way we hoped.

- Hello?
- There was the cheap way
of making porcelain.

£3,000 I think
that cost us.

Then the electrical
insulators,

the teapot
with a non-drip spout,

flameproof kitchenware...
All very good ideas, of course,

but why should this one
be any different?

It might.
We think it will.

Hope you're right.

Allen's on his way here,
Richard.

Good.

Now, here's a line
we know will sell, Mr. Steed.

Mm-hmm.

What do they want me for,
Mara?

There's a Mr. Steed here.
He's very important.

He's from the Ceramics
Research Council.

How on Earth do you know?

The girl in reception
told me.

There are no secrets
in a pottery, Mr. Allen.

Has he come about
your invention?

Yes, I expect he has.

You do look tired.

You've been working
much too hard lately.

Yes, well,
now the worst of it's over.

The tile's finished.

Oh, I am glad.

- Mara?
- Yes.

I was wondering if you...
Well, if we...

Look, I'd like you to have
dinner with me some time

to celebrate, you know.

Of course,
if you're too busy...

No. I'm not busy.
Anytime.

Good, what about
next Wednesday then?

Wish me luck.

I'll do better than that.

Pottery seems the wrong
sort of place for a...

a crime passionnel.

- Oh, is that what it was?
- I should think

he was gonna meet someone,
don't you think, Mrs. Marling?

I have no idea
what he was going to do.

Somebody must have
let him in.

- I hardly think it need worry
the Research Council.
- Well, I think it might.

Now, supposing someone
was trying to sabotage

your brother's work.

Who'd want to do that?

Well, he probably arranged
to meet somebody here.

I think you've said
quite enough, Mr. Steed.

For your information,
I knew all about Lander

- and my wife.
- Richard, please!

- Look, I assure you...
- But I didn't murder him.

- Take it easy, Dick.
- Easy?

He's practically accused me
of murdering Lander.

Who are you?

My name is Steed,
the Ceramic Research Council.

It's very good of you
to come up here, Mr. Steed,

but there's no need
to insult my brother.

As quick as you can,
will you, Mr. Steed?

We're rather busy here.
You won't need me, will you?

Well, I...
Just a minute.

Mr. Steed, my laboratory
is along there

through the pottery shop.

I wonder if you'd mind
going and waiting for me.

- I won't keep you a minute.
- Of course, yes.

Thank you.

Oh, how do I get in?

Just open the door.

Thank you.

I've done it, Richard.
The tile's finished.

- I wish you'd come with me.
- I really am very busy.

Look, this is important to me,
very important.

This time it works,
I swear it does.

We'll be rich!

You and me and Anne
will make a fortune.

Honestly, Dick,
this time there's nothing

- that can go wrong,
I promise, please.
- You must go.

- He's been working
on this for month...
- All right, all right.

Come on.

Good luck, Allen.

Thanks, Anne.

This time I don't need it.
Thanks just the same.

Very brittle,
aren't they?

What on earth's
going on here?

There's not a very tactful way
of putting it.

- One of your staff
hit me on the head.
- What?

- What did he look like?
- Well, he was pretty big.

He's about 16 stone.
He was bald.

- I think he had a scar there.
- There's nobody here like that.

I hope your ceramic's safe.

Yes, I'm not quite
as careless as that.

- I'd better get the police.
- No. Wait a minute.

We'll get on
with the experiment.

I don't want to waste time
laying evidence

- against a sneak thief.
- As you wish.

- Are you sure you're all right?
- Yeah, I'm quite all right.

All right. Allen.

Yes, just let me get
my stuff set up.

Allen's got a visitor.

Going to show him
his unbreakable tile.

Oh, I do hope it works.

What's he want
the gloves for?

- It's not dangerous, is it?
- Might be, for him.

He'll need gloves
before he's finished.

You're not still gone
with him, are you?

Why shouldn't I be?
He's always been nice to me.

When? You've not been
out with him, have you?

Oh, Harry, for heaven's sake.
I just like him, that's all.

I think he's wonderful.

And as for the other one...

he's dreamy.

Any pair of trousers
with money in them, that's you.

Come on!

All right.
I think we're ready.

First of all, Mr. Steed,
I'd like you to look at that.

What do you make
of it?

Ordinary ceramic.
Kaolinitic, high
in elbite...

- Undulatious?
- I should think so.

And the glaze?

Feldspartic,
I should think.

How will it wear then?

It'll stand up to heat,
bound to be brittle.

You really do know
your ceramics, Mr. Steed.

As you say, brittle.

Let's have a look at
the one that won't break.

Now just a minute.

There's something else
to think about first.

This tile I've made
is very valuable, isn't it?

- If it works, yes.
- What's it worth?

That depends,
if you market it yourself,

you'll have a turnover
of 5 or 6 million a year.

You'll have a monopoly,
at least for time.

- 5 or 6 million?
- Maybe more if it works.

Oh, it works.
You'll see.

Now, I published some
of my findings in "Form."

Some of your people read it
and sent you to me.

- That's so.
- Right,
anybody can buy "Form."

If crook who knew something
about pottery read my article,

he could come here
and try to steal my
design, couldn't he?

- You mean Lander?
- Exactly.

But he's dead.

But suppose another one
had also read my article.

And met Lander here at dead
of night and murdered him.

- Allen, for heaven's sake.
- Look, there it is.

The only one there is,
and it's worth 5 or 6 million.

- Isn't it likely someone
would kill for that?
- It's possible.

It's the one explanation
for Lander's murder
that makes sense,

and it puts Richard
completely in the clear.

And that really is the only tile
you have left?

Yes. It took me
a long time to make it.

Our equipment isn't very
up-to-date, you know,

but this one's enough.

Now, Dick, I want you to hit
that tile as hard as you can.

Go on, hit it.
It won't break.

What on earth
are you doing?

Oh, Harry, it's terrible.
I've just measured meself.

And I'm 23 1/2 inches
round the waist.

Well...

And I can't be more
than 23, I mustn't be.

- Harry?
- Yes?

Mr. de Groot wants to see you
at his hotel right away.

All right.

But what's he
want to see you about?

That um, that stuff
for Leipzig, I suppose.

Mara...

Yes?

You weren't serious
about Allen Marling, were you?

What about Allen?

Well, you said you
liked him and that
you're going out with him.

Well, I do and I am.

Listen to my accent, Harry,
I think it's coming on.

My name is Mara Little,

and I am 20 years old
and I work as a painter

in a pottery
in Staffordshire.

Oh, and then there's
the other bit.

- Ladies and gentlemen...
- Mara, please!

What's wrong?

He doesn't love you,
does he?

Not yet,
but he might one day.

Listen, if I had money,
a lot of money,

- would you marry me then?
- How much?

£20,000.
Maybe more than that.

Maybe £50,000.

And where would you
get £50,000?

I...
I might win the Pools.

All right, Harry,
you win the pools

and we'll get engaged.

Now, watch.

I'm sorry.

There's no need
to apologize.

My name is Steed,
Ceramics Research Council.

My name's Miller.
I'm the designer.

This is Miss Little.

Mara Little.

How do you do,
Mara Little?

What can we do for you?

Well, I was looking

for Mr. Allen Marling's
missing ceramic.

Oh, yes,
I heard there was a chap

broke into the lab yesterday.

Yes.
He laid me out.

Oh, but he didn't
get the tile.

- How do you know?
- It had been pinched already,

another one substituted
it in its place.

There's, uh,
another explanation,

Mr. Steed,
if you're interested.

Of course, yes.

It never was stolen
and never could be.

It just didn't exist.

Mr. Allen Marling told me he'd
already carried out the tests.

Maybe but did anyone
ever see him, Mr. Steed?

I don't know what to do,
Cathy.

If Allen's right
and that tile was stolen,

I shall have to tell
the police.

Suppose the tile
he smashed was the one

he thought was unbreakable.

I shall be the laughingstock
of the industry.

And the bad publicity
just now will finish me.

Where's Anne?
She's late.

There's plenty of time.

We're not supposed
to eat till 1:00.

I suppose Allen couldn't
have made that tile, could he?

Why not?

Yes, why not,
Richard?

Allen can't succeed
at anything.

He's always had to be nursed,
and that's been my job.

Can you imagine Allen coping
with someone like de Groot?

I know Allen's soft-hearted,
but he's got guts, too.

De Groot would have
bought him up years ago.

Why should he?
Forgive me, Richard.

But Marling's doesn't seem
a very sound investment
at the moment.

It could be.
And Allen told her the truth.

I know he did.
That tile was stolen.

Let's go in, shall we?

Allen Marling swears
the real tile was pinched.

Do you believe him?

He's boobed before,
lots of times,

but he's desperately anxious
to help his brother.

- Why?
- They need the money.

And the police suspect Richard
of killing Lander.

Allen's trying to prove that
it was done because of the tile.

That's bright of him.

What do you make
of that?

Er, ahem...

- Gloucester.
- Sunderland.

An expert in ceramics.

Lander was after the tile,
we've checked.

And so was somebody else.
That's obvious.

Any idea who?

There's a man called
de Groot.

He's got connections
with the Leipzig Trade Fair,

and he's trying to buy
in to Marling's.

Leipzig, behind the curtain.
Yes, that makes sense.

If the thing exists.

I'm betting that it does.

The trade fair
opens next week.

I'll have the ports watched,
of course,

but I'd like
to get it back here.

A little bit of tile's
easy enough to hide,

and I don't want any fuss.

- Besides...
- Yes?

If I'm right, Steed,
you let the tile be stolen.

It's up to you
to get it back.

Richard's coffee
will be cold.

I've never known anyone
take so long to telephone

as Richard does,

but I suppose
you've noticed that already.

No. Should I have?

Well, he seems to spend rather
a lot of time with you.

- That's nonsense,
and you know it.
- Is it?

Well, he certainly doesn't
spend much time with me anymore.

Apart from business lunches,

I haven't been out
with Richard for months.

He works 12 hours a day
in that pottery.

We can go on for weeks
and not say a word

unless it's about designs
or invoices

or china clay deliveries.

Well, he's bound
to be preoccupied.

He's trying to save the firm.

You should know that
better than anyone.

Yes, I do but he's not
working on the right lines,

and he's going to lose,
he's bound to.

People don't want the things
he makes anymore.

What can he do about that?

Help Allen's research,
perhaps.

You believe in Allen,
don't you?

Yes, of course, I do,

but you try and persuade Richard
that's he's right.

He doesn't seem to have
much faith in him, does he?

Richard hasn't any time
for people, not now.

He's changed so much.
He's become so bitter.

Richard can't love
anybody anymore.

Maybe that's why
I went out with Lander.

I didn't like him
very much.

Does Richard know
about this?

No, and I'd rather
you didn't tell him.

Of course I shan't.

Sorry I've been so long.

So much red tape attached
to exporting china.

I'm afraid I have
to get back to the pottery.

- So if you'll excuse us.
- Yes, of course.

May we give you
a lift, Cathy?

No, thanks, there's somebody
I have to meet here first.

- Right then.
- See you later, Cathy.

You're a rotten one to do
business with, aren't you?

You tell me to pinch that tile
and then send him after it!

- Blomberg is a lot cheaper.
- Maybe, but he didn't get it.

- Why didn't you tell me?
- I got it meself, that's why.

All right, Blomberg.
Why didn't you tell me?

Why didn't I tell you?
I had to think it over first.

Very sensible of you.
£20,000.

It's not enough.

Oh, I do hope you are not
going to get greedy.

I'm being reasonable,
Mr. de Groot.

They're saying that tile's
worth millions.

Well, I don't want millions
but I must have £50,000

for Mara and me,
I can't manage with less.

You and Mara.
Am I to congratulate you then?

It's possible.

So I am to be
the fairy godfather, huh?

All right, Cinderella.
£50,000.

You won't regret it.

I hope you won't be
foolish enough to cheat me.

Of course not.
I told you I got it, didn't I?

You could do anything
to that tile,

and it just won't break.

There's something else
you can have.

This.

Allen Marling?
What does this prove?

It was lying right beside
the slip tank

the morning
they found Lander's body.

But the police
were all over the place.

I've had it before
they ever called the police.

I'm good at finding things,
Mr. de Groot.

You'd be surprised how often
they come in useful.

This glove won't
prove anything, you know.

No, but it's a good hint
that Allen did it, isn't it?

- You can have it.
- You're very kind.

- Have a chocolate.
- Thank you.

It's must be very satisfying
to hate somebody

the way you hate
Allen Marling.

- Mara's too fond of him.
- She's not fond of me.

And if she were, you'd do better
to keep out of it.

£50,000.
All right.

But I want to see it.

- Well, it's at the pottery.
- What?

Don't worry.
It's well hidden.

Bring it here then.
Uh, no.

That tile should mold
under flame.

Make it into a cup for me,
a Royal Marling cup.

Paint it and put it in
with a set for Leipzig.

If those repellant
Customs men see it,

they won't find a thing.

You can't think how undignified
they can make one feel.

Don't worry.

I've got enough to pay you.

You'd better.

I don't suppose you're
the only one that's interested.

- Ooh!
- All right, Blomberg.

Miller, there is one thing
you must understand.

You work for me
and nobody else.

You provide the goods
and leave me to do the haggling.

The people I shall haggle with
would kill you for that tile.

I would myself
if I didn't need you, but I do.

So finish your job
and keep your mouth shut!

Otherwise... but I leave
that sort of thing to Blomberg.

He's very good.

Well?

All right.

As long as I'm paid.

- When will it be ready?
- Saturday.

There'll be nobody
working at the pottery.

Give me two hours.

Blomberg and I
will call for it.

And be careful, Miller,
be very careful.

Ah, thank you.

Mmm.
Excellent brandy.

- Very warming.
- If you need warming,

you should come down
to the pottery.

In a couple of big ones
I went into,
the heat is unbearable.

One-Ten will be unbearable
if I don't find this tile.

Ah, that's the price you pay
for being a professional.

Talking of being
a professional,

have you any idea who it was
who knocked you out

in Allen Marling's
laboratory?

No, except he was very big,
about 17 stone,

bald, and has a scar
on his cheek.

Rather distinctive.

Yeah, well,
if you ever run into him,

hit him with something
very big.

Like you did?

Do you happen to know
where de Groot is staying?

A hotel in the high street,
I think.

Suite or a room?

Anyway, I want
to have a look at it.

Now, will you invite him
round here for tea?

Say that you want him
to see some porcelain

you're thinking of selling.

Tang be all right?

Sung will be better,
not that I've got any.

Tang will have to do.

Anyway, I've arranged
for the museum to lend you some.

They're very valuable pieces,
priceless,

worth thousands
of pound apiece.

What if he makes
a bid for them?

You'll have to stall him.

One-Ten
would really hit the roof

if anything happened to them.

And you might tell him
you're in the market

for an unbreakable ceramic.

Who am I acting for?

You have contacts
and Leipzig, too.

All right. I wish I didn't
have to have a meal with him.

- You should see him eat.
- It's all under good cause.

Now, he may be after
that tile already.
So get a move on.

All right,
I'll go and ring him now.

- Oh, Mrs. Gale?
- Hmm?

You take care
of those figures, won't you?

My figure?

Those figures.

Oh. All right.

I'll do my best.

Thank you.
I'll have another, large.

I'm sorry, Mr. Miller.

I didn't know
there was anyone in.

- What do you want?
- Oh, I'm just doing me rounds.

Mr. Marling asked me
to start earlier

on account
of that fellow breaking in.

My, that's lovely.

Don't touch it!

Oh, the...
The paint's wet.

I'm sorry, Mr. Miller,
I'm sure.

Look, Josh,
just go away, will you?

I'm busy.

Aye, I can see you are.

It is very,
very beautiful.

And valuable, too.

Of course.
How much, Mrs. Gale?

I'm not selling.
I'm buying.

Oh, I have nothing
in this class.

Perhaps you have something
even more valuable?

Goya's portrait of Wellington?

No. I was thinking
of a ceramic

in the shape of a tile,
one that won't break

even if you hit it
with a hammer?

Oh, Mrs. Gale,
the unbreakable tile

is like the alchemist's stone,
just a legend.

Allen Marling
doesn't think so.

I don't think his experiments
were very successful.

I do.
I can go up to £200,000.

Cash?

If that's how you want it.

But now,
why do you think I have it?

I deal
only in beautiful things.

Like this.

Uh, who are you acting for?

If you haven't got it,
why should it concern you?

Mrs. Gale...

Now, what do you think
of this one?

Oh, exquisite,
quite exquisite.

Oh, I wish I could help you,
Mrs. Gale.

Hello, Miss Little.
Nice to see you again.

It's no use waiting.
Mr. de Groot's not here.

I'm in no hurry.

How'd you get in?

I told the maid
I'd locked meself out,

- and she loaned me
a pass key.
- Such fibs.

That's fine.
Now take it easy.

We're supposed to be burglars.
How did you come by this?

You weren't wearing it,
by any chance, eh?

It was in that drawer.

Oh, will you show me
where exactly?

There,
under that shirt.

Mm-hmm.
Like that?

No. It was pointing
the other way.

Now you didn't really
come for that.

What was it then?
Allen Marling's ceramic?

Of course not.
Harry wouldn't take that.

- Harry?
- Harry Miller, the designer.

- You met him this morning.
- Yes, I remember. Go on.

Oh, it's all such a mess.

Well... I'm very fond
of Allen, you see.

And Harry, he's so jealous,
you know,

doesn't like other men
even looking at me.

Trouble is other men
do look at me.

I can't help it,

and I don't suppose
they can either.

It's not as if I was going
to marry him, Harry I mean,

but I can't get him
to understand that.

Yes, but what's
all this got to do

- with you being here?
- Well, Harry says

that Allen's mixed up
in that murder, you know.

Lander.

Aye, and he says
he can prove it, too.

How?

Well, he's got one
of Allen's gloves,

and I'm sure
he brought it here.

Oh, you've just got to help me
get it back, Mr. Steed.

This figurines, Mrs. Gale,
I like them very much.

You have exquisite taste.

Thank you.

- Cake?
- No, thanks.

I'm not really worried
about my waistline

if that's
what you were thinking.

You are like another
young friend of mine,

always worried
about your waistline.

Now, could you tell me,

if I could show you
where you can get this tile,

could you come to an
understanding with me

about these figurines
and the tile?

- You know where it is then?
- I might do.

After tea, I have
an appointment at Marling's.

When that is over,

I might be able
to carry on this conversation.

Oh, this one
I particularly like.

Until then, Mr. de Groot.
Shall I take care of them?

They're very fragile.

The car is waiting, sir.

Oh, indoors, Blomberg,
it is customary

to remove one's headgear,
even if one is bald.

Excuse me, Mrs. Gale.

While you are waiting,
I want you to go to my hotel.

There is a little piece
of machinery

in the center drawer
under the shirt.

- You understand what I mean?
- Yes, Mr. de Groot.

- Bring it back to me.
- Yes, sir.

Splendid, now we have time
for another cake.

You know, people
are afraid of Blomberg.

I can't think why.

I know he's terribly strong,
and he has a nasty temper

but he would never dream of
hurting a friend of mine, never.

You have nothing
to worry, Mrs. Gale.

That's very reassuring.

All right then, young lady.
Let's have a look, eh?

Bang! Bang!

Oh, Mr. Allen,
I brought the pieces

- you wanted for firing.
- Thank you, Josh.

See who it is.

Hello?

Oh, yeah,
just one moment, please.

Mr. Allen?

Mr. de Groot
on the phone for you.

Thank you.

Allen Marling.

Yes?

I don't believe you.

M-my name on it?

I see.

Yes, I'll wait here.

De Groot's found my glove.

Couldn't have, I'm the only
one anywhere near the place.

He's got it all the same.

It's just as well,
isn't it, Josh?

The police had far too good
a case against Richard.

What is de Groot after?

I have no idea.

I'm not a very good subject
for blackmail, am I?

Whatever it is,
it's nothing to do with you.

- But I helped you.
- No! Nobody helped!

Nobody has anything
to do with it but me.

I did it all myself,
right?

All right, Mr. Allen,
whatever you say.

After you, Mrs. Gale.

Everything's
under control, sir.

Good, now we won't
be interrupted.

Take Mrs. Gale's handbag.
Your bag, please.

The figurines, too.

I never trust anybody
I do business with, Mrs. Gale.

And you see, I'm right.

Allen Marling is waiting
for me in his lab.

Take Mrs. Gale there.

Oh, I'll have this.

Blomberg is dangerous
enough without it.

I shouldn't try
to run away, Mrs. Gale.

He can be very nasty
sometimes, can't you?

But you have no reason
to run away, Mrs. Gale,

have you?

You want that tile.

You're nervous, Miller.

No need.
I brought your money.

- Did anybody see you?
- Of course not.

I'm very careful always.
Where's the cup?

In there.

Packed already for Leipzig?
That's very nice.

- May I see it, please?
- But it's all nailed down.

Do I look really so stupid?
Open it up!

This way, Mr. Marling.

I don't understand.
Where's de Groot?

He'll be here soon.
You wait.

What are you doing here,
Cathy?

I've got some business
to finish with Mr. de Groot.

I've got some Chinese porcelain
he wants to buy.

Oh, that reminds me.
I must make a phone call.

There's a phone in the lab.

No. The phone
is out of order.

Nonsense.
I used it a few minutes ago.

The phone is out of order.

Your nerves
are in a terrible state.

- I thought I heard the watch.
- I can assure you, you didn't.

He's been
travelling round...

Did he see you
working on the cup?

- No, I don't think so.
- The cup, please.

Let's see the money first.

Of course.

Wait here.
You too, Mrs. Gale.

Who the devil
do you think you are?

Get out of my way!

Stop it!

Where's the cup, Marling?

What cup?
The place is full of them.

I know this used to be a tile,
an unbreakable tile.

Miller made it into a cup!
Where is it?!

How should I know?

The tile's mine.
I want it back.

No, I didn't think you had it.
Well, Mrs. Gale?

I told you, I want to buy it.
So do you, apparently.

- What are you...
- Quiet!

It's not too bad,
Blomberg.

We haven't got the tile,
but we have got Mr. Marling.

And he could make another one
for us, couldn't you?

Now that we have found
your glove.

He's dead.

Now, look, go out
to Mr. Marling's office.

Phone the police.
Wait for me till I get back.

- You took everything?
- Yes, sir.

So now we have you
and all your notes.

You could make another
ceramic for me

or I could even sell you
as a going concern.

And you, Mrs. Gale,
you are right,

I really will
have to shoot you.

Look out!

He is pretty big,
isn't he?

Thanks.

I'm very grateful
to you, Steed.

You really must
be interested in my ceramic.

I think of nothing else.

I must have been going about
with my eyes closed.

Well, a lot's come out
in the open but not all.

You let Lander in that night,
didn't you, Mrs. Marling?

He used a key,
and it was your key.

Yes. He wanted
to look around the place

before he put any money up,
so he said.

And then he made
a pass at you, eh?

Yes.

I yelled,
and Allen heard me.

They fought, and Lander
bumped his head on the tank.

He fell in before Allen
had a chance to reach him.

Then Allen went in after him,
and got him out.

It was ghastly.

He had to go in there
and lift him out,

but he was already dead.

And he sent me home

and put Lander's body
back in the tank.

And nobody heard you?

Josh did.

He got rid
of Allen's clothes.

Except his glove.

What's going to happen
to him, Steed?

Manslaughter.

Sympathetic jury,
probably.

Better look at this,
Mr. Marling.

That's from the Leipzig batch,
isn't it?

Better Throw it away
with the rest, Josh.

Have a look
at it first, Richard.

Drop it, Mr. Marling.

But, Josh, that's it.
Where did you find it?

I saw Miller do that.
Miss, drop it, I mean.

And when he was out of the way,
I swapped it for another.

I gave it to Mr. Steed here.

I thought it would be safer
with him than anyone else.

It works.
Allen was right.

Well, Mrs. Gale, you'll be able
to get on with your book now.

Yes, I will.

Where will you
be dashing off to?

I've got to return those
figurines to the museum.

Ah, yes.

All that fuss
over a little piece of mud.

Would you say
that was official view

of the Ceramics
Research Council?

Undoubtedly.