Original subtitles

I've just learned a horrible, hideous fact. Birds.

Now, get this. Birds do not sing because they are happy.

The next time you hear a thrush sing, don't get romantic.

What the thrush is doing is warning other birds

to stay the heck off his branch and keep out of his nest.

This news has depressed me terribly

and it has absolutely nothing to do with the reason I am in Stevenage.

- I'm Matson. I've been waiting for you. - How do you do?

Good morning, sir. Sorry to keep you waiting.

- That's all right. - Can I help you, sir?

I'd like a room with a bath, if possible.

No, we haven't. I can give you room number seven, though.

The bathroom's just across the hall.

Seven was always my lucky number.

- And your name, sir. - Templar, Simon Templar.

- I'm sure you'll be comfortable, sir. - It's fine.

Lunch is served from noon till two o'clock.

The dining room is just off the lobby.

Are you staying long, Mr Templar?

- That depends. Thank you. - Thank you, sir.

(Phone)

- Hello. - Templar. This is Henry Matson.

I couldn't talk. I was being followed.

- Can you meet me out of town? - Where?

Drive north a mile out of town. There's a pub called The Red Lion.

About 200 yards further on, there's a bus stop on the left.

- I'll meet you there in 20 minutes. - Fine. Bus stop on the left.

Hello, Templar. I'm sorry about all this spy-thriller atmosphere.

To be frank, well, I'm scared.

Start at the beginning.

- Before I do that, promise me one thing. - Go ahead.

If...if anything happens to me, my wife thinks I'm a plain electrical engineer.

If she found out the truth...

If I can cover for you, I will.

Thanks.

I happen to be a very weak man...and a stupid one.

It started ten months ago. I'd been gambling and I lost a lot of money.

About two years' salary.

I was asked for the copy of a blueprint.

Electronic component. It wasn't particularly vital or secret.

- (Vehicle approaching) - I went along.

- See Maris. - Who?

Blue Goose, Magda Vamoff.

- Morning. - Good morning, sir. Can I help you?

- Yes. I've come to report a murder. - Where did it happen?

A mile out of town. A man named Matson was shot by two men in a passing truck.

Detective Inspector Kinglake, please.

Henry Stephen Matson. 25 Russell Road.

You'd better go and break the news to his wife.

- This is your coat, I believe. - Yes, thanks.

Why did you choose this place to meet Matson?

- He did. - Rather remote, isn't it?

- He was being followed. - Who by?

I don't know. He was a very frightened man.

You've no idea what he wanted to discuss with you?

He got shot before he could say much.

Come to the station and make a statement.

- Shall we go in your car? - Certainly.

How well did you know Matson?

- I never saw him before today. - Why were you meeting him?

He telephoned me in London three days ago.

Just out of the blue?

I do have a certain reputation.

Yeah, you have. Go on.

He was involved in something too big for him to handle alone.

- He said he was scared. - Of what?

He wouldn't say. I told him to go to the police.

He said he couldn't. Before I could hang up, he started crying.

- You mean literally? - Sobbing.

I realised he must be desperate, so I agreed to meet him in Stevenage.

Before he could tell me anything, he died.

- Turn left at the lights. - I have been here before. Remember?

From what I've read about you, your private life can become a public problem.

- There are no charges against you. - That's right.

But some policemen start leading with their chins as soon as they see me.

- I'm an exception. - I'm glad.

Mr Templar's statement's finished, sir.

Well, your story sounds straight so far.

Well, it would do if anybody else had told it.

Would you mind signing this, please?

With pleasure.

By the way, while you're in Stevenage, don't give me any trouble.

I never give anybody any trouble, unless they ask for it.

- Where are you staying? - The Cromwell.

- For how long. - That depends. I have things to do.

- For instance? - Firstly, I must see Mrs Matson.

What about?

Kinglake, it's obvious.

After all, I was with her husband when he was shot.

I must naturally offer my condolences.

All right, Templar, but remember this.

I am in charge of this case, not you.

- I will remember. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodbye, Sergeant.

What do you think of him, Lashbrook?

I like him, sir.

There's no accounting for taste.

Mr Templar, I don't want to talk about it.

Mrs Matson, I know this has been a terrible shock. I don't want to intrude.

- Then don't. - But I think I can help you.

You can, by leaving me alone.

Did you know I was with your husband because he asked to meet me?

No, I didn't.

- He said he wanted to talk to me. - What about?

I'm not sure. Have you heard of a man named Maris?

- Maris? No, I don't think so. Why? - Your husband was afraid of him.

I don't think Henry was afraid of anybody.

- He didn't have any enemies, then? - No.

I suppose people were jealous of him. He was a brilliant engineer.

- Was he gambling? - No.

Are you sure?

- It was her fault. - Whose fault?

- Whose fault? - Mr Templar, I don't want to discuss it.

Was it Magda Vamoff?

You knew.

I suspected.

Please tell me.

About ten months ago, Henry began getting phone calls.

Short, mysterious calls that he wouldn't talk about.

He'd say yes and no a few times and then hang up.

When I asked questions, he'd say it was business and change the subject.

The calls always came at the same time. A few minutes before dinner.

Without fail, as soon as he'd eaten,

he'd say he was going down to the local for a few pints.

You didn't believe him?

After it happened a few times, I began to get suspicious.

One night I answered the phone.

It was a woman.

I asked Henry who she was and he said it was one of the girls from the plant.

- Well, it wasn't. - How did you know?

I knew Henry well enough to be able to tell when he was lying.

I went to every pub in town that night.

He wasn't in any of them.

He went to a place called the Blue Goose.

I saw our car parked outside.

- Did you go in? - No.

It's a membership place.

Besides, I was too embarrassed. I didn't want to see him with her.

I can't face those sort of scenes.

No, I just came home.

He worked for Watford Williams Ltd.

Yes. He went there right from university.

It was the only job he ever had.

Mr Templar, why?

Why did this happen?

I'm afraid I don't know, Mrs Matson, but I promise you I'm going to find out.

I'll see myself out.

Thank you for letting me see you.

Afternoon, sir.

I have an appointment with Mr Gower at 2:30.

- Name, please. - Simon Templar.

May I see some identification, sir?

- Driving licence do? - Yes, sir.

Henry Matson? One of our most brilliant engineers. Been with this firm for years.

In what department?

He designs electronic components for guidance systems in ballistic missiles.

- A very important job and top secret. - Absolutely.

- With access to classified information? - Of course. Blueprints, sketches.

Could he have taken any home?

Impossible. Every classified paper is checked in and out with two witnesses.

- Could he have photographed them? - Are you suggesting a security leak?

I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just asking questions.

How would you describe Matson?

Quiet, unassuming, almost shy, I'd say.

Look here, what is all this? You speak as though Henry were a security risk.

Has the fact that Henry hasn't come into the plant today

anything to do with these questions?

Very much so, Mr Gower. I'm afraid he's dead.

OK.

(Engine races)

- He got clean away. - There'll be a next time.

Sure, but Maris isn't going to like it.

- Good evening, sir. Your name, please? - Yes. It's Simon Templar.

- Are you a member, Mr Templar? - No, but I have a large expense account.

- I'm sure you can arrange it. - Of course. Make yourself at home.

LWill.

Good evening, sir. What may I get you?

- A whisky and soda, please. - Sir.

Barman, do you know a Miss Magda Vamoff?

I'm Magda Vamoff.

I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name.

It's Simon Templar.

Is anything wrong, Mr Templar?

No. It's just the altitude here puts bubbles in my blood.

- Say when, sir. - I'll do it, thank you.

- Would you like to buy me a drink? - I'll buy you the club.

The usual, Joe. Why were you asking for me?

A friend mentioned your name.

Oh, a friend? I have a great many friends, Mr Templar. Which one?

Henry Maison.

Oh, yes, Henry.

Have you seen him recently?

Yes, I think he was here last night. Have you a cigarette?

For you, anything.

- You're charming. - Not really.

It's just that I'm interested in women

who are old enough to have had a little experience

and young enough to want a little more.

- To luck. - And to a long evening.

- Are you a gambling man, Mr Templar? - Don't I look it?

- Would you like to play, sir? - Do you have a place?

200.

What do you know about Henry Maison?

Why should I know anything about him?

I've been around too long to go along with treating you as an ing�nue. Banco.

Your name was on dear Henry's lips when he passed away.

Henry is dead?

Three bullets. Very effective.

How did you meet Henry?

The way I met you. The way I meet many men.

- Was he a gambler? - Yes, but not a very good one.

- Meaning he lost? - Yes.

What do you know about a man named Maris?

Maris?

I get it. Maris is the man that everybody talks about but nobody knows.

Sorry.

Well, looks like I'm on a winning streak.

Let's hope it stays that way.

Thank you for driving me home.

It's been my pleasure. And I've enjoyed the evening.

Magda, are the games at the Blue Goose on the level?

- You won this evening. - There can be exceptions, though.

Especially if somebody wanted Matson to get heavily in debt.

Why should anybody want that?

Well, let's look at it this way.

If you owed me, say, four or five thousand pounds,

I could make some pretty fancy demands.

- Did Henry owe that much? - It's an accurate guess.

Well, some men are born losers.

I suppose so.

Would you like a nightcap?

It takes every ounce of willpower but no. Another time.

- Soon? - Very.

Whatever you were looking for at the Blue Goose,

if it isn't something you want very much, don't look for it.

Magda, I never look for things I don't want.

Be careful. You might get hurt.

Why should you care?

- You wanted me, sir? - Yes. What's your name?

James Andrew Robert MacTavish, at your service.

- Where are you from? - Clackmannanshire.

Mr MacTavish of Clackmannanshire, how would you like to earn �5 legally?

Very interested, sir.

Put this notice in all the London newspapers.

"Would any friend or enemy of Maris

"contact Simon Templar at the Cromwell Hotel, Stevenage,

"where he or she will hear something to their advantage?

"Telephone Stevenage 3482."

- Phone it in? - Right away, sir.

- Templar! - Good morning.

- You said you wouldn't give me trouble. - I haven't. Coffee?

- No thank you. You've been over town... - Tea?

No. You've been all over town asking questions about Matson.

- You went and talked to his boss. - You do get around, don't you?

You ended up at the Blue Goose with Magda Vamoff.

Ah, Magda. Lovely girl. Would you like a cup of hot chocolate?

- I'm not questioning your right to go... - Very decent of you.

- I will not tolerate interference. - You're right. The coffee is terrible.

I will not tolerate interference.

Kinglake, a man asked me for help and got murdered.

So I have a moral obligation to follow through.

I must admit the trail is pretty murky.

There's Magda, the Blue Goose, a man named Maris and Mrs Matson.

I'm sorry but I'm going to keep at it.

Templar, get this. I won't have you playing amateur detective.

- I would never play amateur detective. - Good.

I'll leave that to you.

Mr Templar, I... No, thank you.

- May I? - Of course.

I asked you to come here today because I've thought things over.

I wasn't honest with you yesterday.

- You weren't? - No.

There's more behind Henry's death than a woman and some gambling debts.

Oh, what?

I think he was doing something against the law.

In what way?

Henry designed electronic components for the guidance system in missiles.

Yes, I know.

I can hardly bear to say it but I think he was tricked into this gambling business,

then when he lost enough, they offered him a way out.

I think his debts were cancelled for information.

- Do you have any proof? - I found an IOU in his wallet.

It was made payable to the Blue Goose and on it was Henry's signature.

It was for �600 and stamped across it were the words, "Payment received".

Mr Templar, that debt wasn't paid with money. I know.

- I'm sorry, Mrs Matson. - It's true, isn't it?

Mr Templar, don't try to protect me. I've got to know the truth.

- Yes, it is true. - Henry was a traitor?

- I'm afraid so. - How? Why? What happened to him?

- That's what he wanted to tell me. - Why couldn't he have told me?

Because he loved you, Mrs Matson.

He was ashamed of what he was doing, so he wanted to expose the operation.

That's why he asked me for my help. He's still going to get it.

- Well, hello. - (Magda) Surprised to see me?

A little.

I was shopping. I thought I'd find out if you were in.

- You weren't waiting? - Darling, I never wait for a man.

- You like to have dinner with me? - I'd love to. Where would you like to go?

- My place. - An intimate, domestic evening.

You like Hungarian food?

I love it. What time do you want me?

About seven. I have to be at the Blue Goose at ten.

Seven it is, then.

All right.

I see you later.

- James Andrew, any messages for me? - No, sir.

- How about my ad? - You're in the late editions tonight.

- The rest tomorrow. - Good. Thanks.

You're welcome, Mr Templar.

You know, James Andrew, it's all a little too pat.

Why would Magda Vamoff suddenly decide to ask me for dinner?

Well, not to be familiar, Mr Templar, but if she asked me,

I wouldn't care about her reasons.

Got a present for you.

Who for?

Templar. It's got to be put in something he eats or drinks.

All right. All right. I'll do it. But these things are not as easy as Maris thinks.

He's getting impatient. This time, no slip-up.

- It smells great. - It's the herbs that make the difference.

I throw in everything I have in the kitchen.

Not too much for a start. That's fine. Thank you.

- Taste it. - No, I'll wait for you.

I want to know if you approve.

Superb.

I'm so glad you like it.

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?

- Budapest. - And your parents?

My father was a doctor. A very respected one.

My mother was - how shall I say - Hungarian. They adored each other.

So, in all, you had a happy childhood?

Mm. It is good. Yes, very.

I came in England in 1955 to learn the language.

1955. You got out before the Uprising.

Yes. I was one of the lucky ones.

- How did you get the Blue Goose job? - A friend.

- Named Maris? - Maris, Maris. I don't know any Maris.

- Do that again. - Do what?

Flutter your eyelashes. It means you're lying.

Simon, darling, I never tell you a lie.

Magda, darling, you have not uttered one word of truth since we met.

If you don't like it, you know what you can do.

(Phone)

Hello?

Hello?

It's for you. Some man with a foreign accent.

Thank you. Hello?

You asked me to call you if there were any messages.

- MacTavish. - A telegram just came in for you.

Well, open it.

'OK. Hold on a moment.'

Hello? It says, "I know Maris and I want to talk. I'll be at your hotel at 11 tonight."

'And it's signed Nick Vashetti.'

Thanks, James Andrew. Have him wait in my room when he gets there.

- Put a bottle of Scotch in, too. Thanks. - OK.

- Well, what was that all about? - Just an experiment.

When I'm desperate, I usually invite the ungodly to step forward

and identify themselves.

Can I help you, sir?

Which room is Mr Templar?

- You must be Mr Vashetti. - So what?

Well, Mr Templar's out at the moment but he's expecting you.

I'll show you up to his room.

- Mr Templar should be back any minute. - OK.

- Make yourself comfortable. - Thanks.

Oh, Mr Vashetti arrived a minute ago, sir.

- Where is he? - In your room.

- Thank you. You're a very reliable man. - Thank you, sir.

' (Door opens) ' Templar?

- You're Vashetti? - Yeah.

I er...seen your ad.

What made you answer it?

I'd rather talk to you than to the police.

Also I want out. I read about Matson's killing. That capped it, I'm through.

Where's Maris?

He's a very dangerous man. But not so fast, Jack. Let's talk first.

All right. Where do you fit in?

Well, I've done time here in England. Dartmoor.

When I came out, a fellow called Blatt was waiting for me.

He told me that I could make some easy dough.

- Doing what? - Carrying packages.

I got a room here in Stevenage

and I used to check in at the Blue Goose...every day.

Now, every once in a while, this Blatt would give me a package

to take to a Mr Smith in Liverpool

or an envelope for Mr Brown in a hotel in London.

What else?

45 quid a week. It was a cinch.

You knew you were doing something illegal?

Ex-cons don't ask questions but one day I got curious.

And I opened one of the envelopes.

There was a blueprint inside and a lot of writing in Russian or German.

So I figured I'd got mixed up in a spy ring and I got scared.

- So? - So I start to keep a record.

- Of what? - Of places I've been.

Names and addresses of these guys and a description of what they looked like.

- How many names? - At the last count 31.

Can I have a drink?

I'm sorry. Of course.

31 names is quite a haul.

I wrote them all down in a little book.

- The book's for sale. - How much?

My fare back to Canada and a little over. �500?

- Water or soda? - Water.

Where's the list now?

It's here in Stevenage. It's in my room.

OK. I'll buy it.

- Thanks. - But, Vashetti, there's a catch.

It's only fair to warn you that I shall turn the list over to the authorities.

Give me 48 hours first to get out of England.

OK. When can I have it?

As soon as you have �500.

You come here tomorrow, I'll have the money.

That's a deal.

- Hey. What... - It's poisoned.

You were right. Maris is dangerous.

(Phone)

- Hello? - Templar, it's me, Nick Vashetti.

My joint's been broken into. The book's gone.

Can you remember any names that were in it?

I can remember some names and addresses but not all.

Listen, I figure they knew and I...

Hello, Nick.

Wh...what do you want?

Nick, what names and what addresses?

Oh, nothing. Just some friends of mine.

Oh. He has friends. Isn't that nice?

Very nice. Looks as if you've had some trouble tonight.

Oh, yeah, well, I... When I got back, my place had been broken into.

Anything missing?

No. I don't think so.

Nick, I ask you once again. What names and what addresses?

Just a book of names and addresses -

friends.

I get around quite a bit and I like to keep in touch with the people I meet.

That's all. Blatt, what's the big idea? You've got no right to come in here.

Vashetti, Maris has known for some time that you were...unreliable.

He's had a few reports of envelopes and parcels that have been tampered with.

Not by me, Blatt. Honest.

I never touched nothing.

You had an envelope for Palmer in Charrington Street two weeks ago.

Palmer examined it under a microscope.

It had been steamed opened and then restuck with rubber cement.

Very clumsily, very stupidly.

That points to you.

Blatt, I never done nothing that Maris didn't tell me to do.

I done every...

(Knocking)

(Police bell rings)

- Now what? - We wait and see what happens.

Templar, I told you I wouldn't stand for any interference.

- I'm holding you on suspicion. - Of what?

- Probably of murder. - Don't be ridiculous.

- You don't have any grounds. - Haven't I?

Vashetti was with you tonight in your hotel room.

You are now in his room with his body.

If you don't think that's enough, you're wrong.

- You're really determined to be difficult. - Very difficult.

- Take over. - Yes, sir.

They've arrested Templar.

That's not enough.

Maris wants him dead.

Sit down.

I believe I'm entitled to a phone call, or, better still, you make it for me.

I beg your pardon.

Wyvern 9400.

- The War Office? - Mm-hm.

Ask for a man named Richardson. WF Richardson.

- Are you trying...? - I'm not bluffing.

Believe me, you'll only save yourself more grief later on.

Tell him you're holding me on suspicion of murder.

Ask him about the Blue Goose. Go on.

Wyvern 9400.

Two, Joe.

- What's the matter? - Everything.

- What happened? - I'll tell you when I've spoken to Maris.

Of course, Mr Richardson, I understand.

Yes, I'll give Mr Templar every possible cooperation.

I see, sir. Thank you. Goodbye.

Why didn't you tell me before?

I didn't know you. One man's secret can become every man's rumour.

- Can you trust me now? - Vashetti had a list with 31 names.

The entire cell. We get that list, we smash the ring.

How do you suppose they knew Vashetti had the list?

They're not amateurs. They work for GIU.

- What's that? - Their chief intelligence administration.

Their department deals solely with information on new weapons.

- Weapons. That explains Matson. - Mm-hm.

He seemed such a solid chap. It's hard to understand how he got involved.

- It's hard to understand any of them. - Yeah. Well, what do we do now?

Tonight we get Maris. He's the head of the cell.

Excuse me.

- Good evening, Mr Templar. - Is Miss Vamoff around?

- She's at the gaming table. - Tell her I'd like to see her.

Certainly, sir.

Mr Templar's in the bar. He wants to speak to you.

Keep him busy.

(Dealer) Faites vos jeux.

- Soda or water, sir? - Nothing, thanks.

- I didn't expect to see you here tonight. - I didn't expect to be here.

I was planning on curling up in bed with a good book. A notebook.

It belonged to a friend of mine who has given up reading.

- Given up? - Yes, he was shot.

Vashetti?

Only two bullets this time.

- The usual, Miss Vamoff? - I'm not drinking tonight.

You're in this right up to your pretty neck.

Yes, but not the way you think.

Feel better, Mr Templar?

Maris.

- Yes. - I should have known.

The man nobody sees because nobody looks at the bartender.

You were arrested tonight and released within 20 minutes. Why?

The police like me.

Are you connected with Scotland Yard, Special Branch or MIS?

Blatt.

Maris, don't.

- Why, if I may ask, do you care? - I don't.

Templar, I promise you, unless you talk, you will be shot. What do you know?

I know plenty.

For a start, you're the head man. You work under GIU, department four.

The infection spreads over England from the Blue Goose.

- Go on. - Matson's a good example.

Magda starts him gambling.

He loses heavily. Then you ask him for something.

A blueprint, a Photostat. With others, it's different.

A works slow down here, a strike there.

Individually, the incidents are trivial. The sum total is deadly.

You made a deal with Vashetti, didn't you?

Your people soften up quickly.

Vashetti agreed to give you a list of names and addresses.

I want that list, Mr Templar.

- I'm sure you do. - Where is it?

In the mail to Ml5.

I'm too old for this sort of thing. I'll give you five seconds to tell the truth.

- One... - Maris, don't.

Two.

Three.

Four.

I am not playing games, Mr Templar.

In one second, you will be dead.

Where is that list?

- I have it. - You?

- Yes. - How did you get it?

I knew Vashetti was going to Templar's hotel. While he was out...

You went to Vashetti's house the night before he planned to sell that list.

- Well, I was getting suspicious of him. - Liar.

You knew all along about that list. Answer me.

Yes! Simon, before they kill us, I want you to know the truth.

I work for Maris but only so I can destroy him.

Go on.

I've been planning this for weeks.

After the revolution, my family were imprisoned.

He promised me that if I cooperated he would have them brought to England.

Magda, let me tell you something about your parents.

Yes, I know. They've been dead for three years.

I only found out five months ago from a refugee. They died in prison.

I only went on working for him so I could bring enough evidence

to put all of them where they belong!

- The list! - Tell him or he'll kill you.

- It's upstairs in the big vase of roses. - It had better be.

Get something to get my hands free.

Templar and the girl, downstairs.

In the chair, Templar.

(Templar) Magda!

Hold it!

Don't move!

I'm not ready yet, Kinglake,

to have my organisation wrecked by some ham-handed policeman.

Get this. You're coming downstairs with me now and unless you...

Don't move!

- I'm sorry, Templar. We're too late. - Why?

Before I could stop him, he burned the list.

It looks as though we failed.

Simon, are you taking me to that man Richardson in London?

Magda, I have no choice.

But they'll never know Maris found out about me.

I could go away and move in somewhere else, this time on your side.

That'll be up to Richardson.

Do you think it would affect his decision

if he found out that I know every name and address on this list by heart?

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