All language subtitles for Murder With Mirrors (1985) EN

[♪]

MAN [OVER SPEAKER]:
Next train...

[CHATTERING]

Thank you.

WOMAN:
Mr. Gulbrandsen,

Miss Jane Marple is here
for her appointment.

Jane.
Christian.

How good
of you to come.

Oh, no trouble at all.

I'm in London
once a month anyway

to do a little shopping.

Well, come in, please.

Now, that report?

It hasn't arrived yet,
Mr. Gulbrandsen.

All right, uh...
thanks.

That's all,
Miss Valentine.

Well, please, sit down.

You look marvelous, Jane.
Not a day older.

Oh, it's only
four or five years

since you saw me last
at Stonygates.

I'm afraid it's been
more like 13.

It's been 13 years?

Mm.
That's terrible.

How is
my dear Carrie Louise?

You know my stepmother.

Still living
in her own little world.

Ah, there is Carrie Louise.

Yes,
that was taken last year.

And that's her new husband
with her?

[CHUCKLES]
Not really new.

They've been married
for over 10 years now.

But that's him:
Lewis Serrocold.

I've heard very nice things
about him.

Yes, well, I must say

he simply worships
Carrie Louise.

Well, he'd be a fool not to.

Jane...

Oh, that's my half sister
Mildred,

but of course
you know that.

Yes, of course,
I know Mildred.

CHRISTIAN:
Yes.

Christian, what is it?

What?

You've been wanting
to say something to me,

but for some reason or other,
you're not saying it.

Do you have time
for a stroll?

CHRISTIAN:
The point is,

I thought I'd have certain
information by now,

and I'm afraid I don't.

Is it concerned
with Carrie Louise?

She's all right,
isn't she?

Well, that's it, you see.
I'm not sure she is.

Jane, is there any way
you could spare a few days

to pay her a little visit?

I really think that
just now she could use

an old friend about.

And you can't tell me
any more than that?

Oh, not until
I'm absolutely sure.

I'm sorry, but if you could
take a morning train,

I'll be down myself
tomorrow evening,

and I'll explain it all
to you then.

You're getting me
very worried.

Oh, I suppose I must be.

And I'm worried, too,
more than you can imagine.

My stepmother
is very dear to me.

I'll take
the next train home

and call her from there.

I can be at Stonygates

by early
afternoon tomorrow.

Oh, that's marvelous,
and if you would,

uh, could just say you had
this sudden whim to see her?

I don't want to alarm
her in any way.

It's something very serious,
isn't it?

Yes, I'm afraid it is.

[♪]

Miss Marple?
Miss Jane Marple?

That's right.

I'm Edgar Lawson.

I'm Mr. Serrocold's
assistant.

I've come to fetch you.

I'm very pleased
to meet you, Mr. Lawson.

If you'll just
follow me,

I've got a van
round the back.

[HORN HONKING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[LAUGHING]

Thank goodness!

I was so afraid
I was going to be late.

How was your train trip?
Absolutely wretched?

It had to be.

Did you have
something to eat?

You must be starved.

Well, actually I had
some fruit and cheese with me,

and thank you for asking,

but I don't think
I know you, do I?

Well, I know you,

and you're just as adorable
as I remember.

Well, I'm Gina.

Gina?

Gina!

Pippa's daughter.

Of course.
Ho-ho-ho-ho!

I didn't recognize you,
but actually,

you were 9 years old
when I saw you last.

I remember.
At my parents' funeral.

From the moment I heard
of that terrible crash,

I've refused to ride
in an airplane.

Don't worry.

I'm driving you
to Stonygates.

Oh.

Hold on, Gina.

I'm supposed to be
driving Miss Marple.

It's all been arranged.

Well, consider it
rearranged, Edgar.

You just take
Miss Marple's luggage.

Well, go on.

I don't think Mr. Lawson
is too pleased.

Well, perhaps I was
a little hard on him,

but Edgar's such
a pompous little twit.

[CHUCKLES]

Pippa's daughter.

Oh, I should have known you
straightaway.

You're just exactly
like your mother at your age.

She was so beautiful,
even as a child.

You knew her
way back then?

I'm from way back then.

[LAUGHS]

And I knew Pippa practically
from the day

that Carrie Louise and Eric
picked her up at the orphanage.

It's funny the way things
turn out, isn't it?

They adopted my mother
thinking

they couldn't have
children of their own,

and the very next year,
they had Aunt Mildred.

Mildred married a vicar
or somebody, didn't she?

Yes, but he died
of cancer last year,
Oh.

so she's moved back
to Stonygates.

Mostly hangs about looking like
a rain cloud, I'm afraid.

Well...

here we go.

[TIRES SQUEALING]

We're going rather fast,
aren't we?

Yes. Don't you love it?

You remind me
of a little girl back home.

Always rode her bicycle
as fast as ever she could.

Oh, I did too.

[SIGHS]

And after the accident,

she even joined
the county wheelchair race.

Bless her,
she came in fourth.

You know, it's been so long
since you visited Stonygates,

you'll hardly
recognize the place.

Lewis has turned Stonygates
into a prison.

Oh, well,
not really a prison,

sort of a--

A rehabilitation center
for juvenile delinquents.

JANE:
Uh, l-like that boy
at the station?

He said he was
Mr. Serrocold's assistant.

GINA:
Oh, Edgar?

Oh, he hasn't the brains
for that.

Do you know why they
put him away in the first place?

He used to go around
claiming his father

was Sir Laurence Olivier
or Paul McCartney,

or just anyone.

Anyway, Louis likes
to make them feel

like they're all part
of a family,

so they're given
these little jobs to do

and that sort of thing.

Do you think
that's sensible?

I-I-I suppose--

I think we'll
probably all be murdered

in our beds one night.

[SCREAMS]
Gina!

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[SHEEP BLEATING]

You idiot!

Now, what was I saying

before those silly sheep
got in the way?

Oh, um...

you were telling me
about life at Stonygates.

Oh, well, yes.

It's frightfully boring,
of course,

except the theater part.

Steven's got me helping out,
as a matter of fact.

Steven?

GINA:
Steven Restarick,
a young repertory director

Lewis hired
about seven or eight years ago

to do the theater business.

Grandmother sort of adopted him.

JANE:
How is your grandmother?

GINA:
Well, I'm afraid you'll be
shocked when you see her.

I'm really concerned
there may be

something wrong with her.

But she's such a dear.

Even sent me to school
in America.

Growing a lot older,
I'm afraid,

but she still
gets herself made up

like the belle
of the ball.

Oh, but lately, she's had
a touch of flu or something.

Oh, dear.

Did you enjoy America?

Oh, well,
I'm not sure really.

See, that's
where I met Wally.

Wally?

My husband.

Oh.

MAN [OVER INTERCOM]:
Yes, who is it?

It's me, obviously.

Come ahead,
Mrs. Markham.

JANE:
They have a gate guard?

GINA:
Oh, yes, until midnight.

Oh, that's Jerome Davis.

Caught exposing himself
in St. Paul's.

I suppose we all worship
in our own way.

Oh, Aunt Jane,
I'm so glad you're here.

Ah! I think I saw
Grandmother just now

down by the lake
with Mildred.

Go and say hello while
I pull the car around.

Oh, yes.
I'll see you later at tea.

Yes, of course,
of course.

And thank you
for the ride.

It was, uh...unique.

I'll take you out tomorrow,
and we'll really open her up.

Mother, don't you
think you've had

enough exercise
for this afternoon?

This is the same walk
we take every day.

Still...

Mildred, dear,

Miss Bellever
knows my limitations

better than you do.

Young man, you don't want
to lose an eye, do you?

There are so many
wonderful things to see

in this world.

Yes, ma'am.
Thank you, ma'am.

Carrie Louise!

Oh, Jane.

Dear.

You look wonderful.

Come, come, Jane.
I'm an old lady.

You are not,
and I'm not either.

We're still the same
silly young ladies

we were 45 years ago.

Oh. Oh, you-- You remember
my daughter Mildred, of course.

Mildred.

Glad you could come.

And this is our housekeeper,
Miss Bellever,

who insists upon
treating me

like a delicate
piece of glass.

Ha-ha! She doesn't know
I'm just a silly young lady.

How was your trip?

Well, the train trip
was quiet enough,

but, uh, the drive with Gina
from the station...

Ha.

[LAUGHING]
I know. I know.

But they make
a beautiful couple, don't they?

Wally. That's her husband's
name, isn't it?

CARRIE LOUISE:
Yes.

Wally Markham.

But that is not he.

That is Steven Restarick.

There's Wally.

Hey, that's
my wife.

STEVEN:
What are you doing?
Now, leave her alone.

Hold it.

Wally, stop it.

Mr. Markham's an American.

Steven,
are you all right?

Jane, I want you
to meet my husband.

He's quite
a marvelous man.

Come, come, dear.

Terry Joseph,
a very conscientious worker,

and I'm sure you will find

his business skills
first-rate.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Come in.

Oh, hello, darling.

I'm sending
his academic transcripts

under separate cover.

Yours sincerely,
Lewis Serrocold.

Well, you have to be
Jane Marple.

Ha-ha!
Huh?

I can't tell you
how delighted I am

to finally meet you.

And I might
say the same.

[CHUCKLES]

Just trying to place

another
of our little family.

Max here feels the more
we treat the boys as family,

the more likely they are

to start assuming
responsibility.

I want you to meet
Dr. Hargrove, Jane.

Max, may I introduce
Miss Jane Marple?

How do you do?

A brilliant psychologist
and the resident genius

of our little
program here.

Oh, you're being far
too modest, Mr. Serrocold.

Without you,
there wouldn't even be

a Stonygates Institute.

Nonsense.
It's all your show.

I just try to, uh, refine
the boys' talents a bit.

I suppose you don't mean
like safecracking.

[CHUCKLES]

Nothing so exciting.
No, no.

We try to teach them
the basics:

typing, accounting, computer
language, that sort of thing.

We've hundreds of our boys
in firms all over England.

That sounds
very admirable.

A pebble in the quarry
so far, I'm afraid,

but it's a start.

If you'll excuse me,
I have a staff meeting.

A pleasure to meet you,
Miss Marple.

See you later at tea,
I hope.

Oh, Max.

Don't be too hard
on young Timmy Welcroft

for stealing those biscuits.

Boys at that age
just get hungry.

I'll tell him
you've advised mercy.

Well, do you like your room?

I'm afraid she's not
seen it as yet.

Oh, I'll take you
upstairs, then.

Darling, no sense
in your overdoing it.

I suppose not.
Thank you, darling.

Come along, then.

Oh, this is lovely.
Quite.

Miss Marple...

May I have a word with you?

Is anything wrong?

Yes.

Yes,
I'm afraid there is.

I wonder if this
is what Christian meant.

You, uh, talked to Christian?

Actually,
that's why I'm here.

He told me that Carrie Louise
needs a friend right now.

Did he...say why?

He told me he'd explain it to me
when he arrives tonight.

You know Carrie Louise
well, don't you?

She's found some secret,

enchanted place
in this world

where nothing ugly
ever seems to reach her.

She may be out of touch

with the reality
that you and I know,

but I happen
to love her very much,

and I wouldn't change
her for anything.

If she knew what
I'm about to tell you...

she'd be
completely shattered.

But Christian was right.
She does need a friend.

Someone who can help her

and who can help me
look after her.

As you saw,
she isn't terribly well.

I'll do everything I can.

Carrie Louise
is a very special person.

She is.

And I have
reason to believe

that someone is trying
to poison her to death.

[♪]

MAX:
So Mr. Serrocold convinced
Christian Gulbrandsen

that an experiment
like ours

could serve
as a pilot program

for a whole new theory
of, uh, juvenile reform.

This is
just the beginning.

Then the original concept
was yours, Dr. Hargrove?

Essentially, yes.

The basic theory
is to let the boys

develop their self-respect
and confidence

by treating them as
members of a community

rather than outcasts
from one.

Except all they are
is a bunch of teenage hoods.

I'm afraid Mr. Markham
represents the prejudices

of most of the outsiders.

Outsider,
Dr. Hargrove?

I've been here
over a year.

Yes, and you don't seem
to have learned a thing.

I suggest
you back off, okay?

Mildred,

is your mother
going to join us?

I thought it best she lie down
for a bit before supper.

I better bring up
her medicine.

I already did.

I prefer she receive it
at the proper intervals.

Well, aren't we
the jolliest group?

A most peculiar young man.

He reminds me
of somebody at home,

but I can't think
who it is.

Just another nut case.

Most of us are a little mad,
Mr. Markham.

But actually, Edgar Lawson
is quite bright.

He was very good
in that production of yours

of The Mousetrap
last year.

Yes, I was sorry
to lose him.

But he thought there
was some plot against him

when he couldn't get to play
Richard III.

WALLY:
Like I said,
another nut case.

If you'll excuse me,

I'm going
to take a little walk.

GINA:
Oh, going snooping,
Aunt Jane?

Oh, these?
No.

I'm afraid I'm just an
old-fashioned bird watcher.

I've heard there are
some bearded reedlings

in this
part of the country.

Oh, Aunt Jane,
Aunt Jane.

That boy out there
clipping the hedge.

He spent
six months in Borstal

for coshing old ladies
and stealing their purses.

Oh! Oh, you gave me
quite a start.

You've been watching me.

What?
Don't lie.

You've been watching me
since you got off the train.

Have I?

You're planning something
against me, aren't you?

Of course not.

I know what's going on.

They want me
out of the way.

Who? Who wants you
out of the way?

How do I know
I can trust you?

Don't I look like
someone you can trust?

What are they for?

Bearded reedlings.

I've been betrayed.

Betrayed by whom?

By the one person
in the world I trusted,

who wants rid of me.
Well, he won't get away with it.

Who's he?

My father.

The orphanage
falsified the records

so I wouldn't guess the truth,
but I know now.

I'll throw his lies
in his face.

Who is your father,
Mr. Lawson?

You'd like to know,
wouldn't you,

so you could warn him?

Of course not.

Well, you won't
get away with it.

None of you.

[SIGHS]

[CAR APPROACHING]

[CAR DOOR OPENS]

[MEN CHATTERING
INDISTINCTLY]

I think it best to get
some outside advice.

Yes, I--
I suppose so.

I only wish I hadn't been
able to confirm all this.

It's Carrie Louise
we have to consider now.

Yes.

Well, we'd better get in.

I'll go up and change.

We'll talk more after dinner.

Jane, I'm so glad you're here.

You've seen my stepmother?

Of course.

How does she seem?
Her health, I mean.

Oh, she's had a bout
with the flu,

but except for that--

But what about
her heart?

Oh, I don't know.

It's all right, I suppose.

Christian, Louis told me--

Christian!

Darling.
Christian.

You look wonderful.

Well, I'm-- I'm delighted
you think so.

CHRISTIAN:
Well, it's true.

If you have a moment, Max...

I'd like you to look at
those staff recommendations.

Be happy to.

They're encouraging,
I think.

Christian, you simply must
tell me what's going on.

Miss Bellever, I want to get
a letter off tonight.

May I send one of the boys
into town with it?

Certainly.

I'll be half an hour
at the most.

There's nothing
to worry about.

What's the old boy
doing here anyway?

I mean, he doesn't show up
for six months at a time,

and here he is
twice in a fortnight.

Foundation business with Louis,
I suppose.

[♪]

STEVEN:
Gulbrandsen's a real marvel,
isn't he?

Always looks just like
a millionaire should.

MILDRED:
And how is that?

Perfectly immaculate
and just a touch smug.

I'm working on the look.

You've got the smug part
down cold.

[PLAYING]
You being surly again, old man?

Well, I suppose it's what
you colonials do best.

Aren't you supposed
to be at the theater

watching your, uh,
little gangsters play dress up?

A bit later, yes.

A lot more fun than sitting
and watching my wife support me.

You know damn well
I'm going back to get my degree.

When?
When Gina's money runs out?

I don't have to take
this garbage.

Now, you look--

WALLY:
Get your hand out of the way--

If you two want to dance,
don't let me stop you.

MILDRED:
The boys are just being boys.

Someday they might even
grow into men.

BELLEVER:
Excuse me, Mrs. Serrocold.

CARRIE LOUISE:
Must I?

I suppose I must.

Darling!

Darling, I, uh...

I don't think you
should take this tonight.

CARRIE LOUISE:
Why ever not?

Well, I'm not sure it
really agrees with you.

The prescription
says four times a day.

LEWIS:
Yes, well, she won't
miss it for one evening.

WALLY:
That stupid circuit.

It must have
overloaded somewhere.

I'll put another fuse in it.

Wally's very clever
with electrical things.

That's about all he does do.

There you are!

Oh, of course I'm here.
What's the matter with you?

You betrayed me.
You been spying on me.

Edgar, now, please, calm down.

Okay?
You're upset.

You don't know what
you're talking about.

I know what I'm saying
right enough.

You've been plotting
to get rid of me.

Come on. Come along!

Now, we'll just talk
this thing out, hm?

Just you and me.

I'll take him back
to the dormitory.

Give him a sedative.

It's all right, Max.
He just needs to talk.

Hm? Don't you, old chap?

He had something in his pocket.
[SHOUTING]

Edgar, I mean.

In a film, it would be a gun.

JANE:
I think, you know,

it was a gun.

EDGAR:
That's a lie. All lies.

You are my father!

LOUIS:
That's simply not true.

EDGAR:
You took away my name,
my birthright.

LOUIS:
Put that gun away!

He'll kill him.
He's crazy.

Edgar loves Louis.

He won't hurt him.

It's locked.

I'll get my keys.

LOUIS:
We can't talk

while you're pointing
that gun at me.

EDGAR:
Without it, you'd come
after me, wouldn't you?

[LOUD BANG]

CARRIE LOUISE:
It was outside.

A car backfiring, or something.

Edgar! This is Dr. Hargrove.
Open the door.

LOUIS:
It's all right, Max,
I can handle it.

Are you sure?
Of course I'm sure.

Edgar's not stupid.
He'll listen to reason.

You're not stupid, are you?

EDGAR:
You must think I am

if you imagine I'd
put this gun away.

LOUIS:
What good would shooting me do?

EDGAR:
This much good.

[TWO GUNSHOTS]

[♪]

Oh, my God!

[KNOCKING]

Edgar, please,
let us in.

Let me in!

Edgar!

[GASPS]

Louis, darling.

It's all right, my dear.

What the hell's going on?

That maniac
tried to kill Louis.

I'll telephone
the police.

There's no need for that,
Miss Bellever.

It's all right,
darling.

Max, come here,
will you?

I didn't mean to shoot.
Something just came over me.

That's my gu--
You stole this out of my room.

I don't remember.

Better lock it up
for safekeeping.

MAX:
Come on, lad.

Let's get back to your room.

I'll give you a little something
to help you sleep.

I telephoned the police.

They'll be here
in a few minutes.

I told you not to do that.

This young man's not a criminal.

Believe what you want,
but someone around here is.

What are you saying?

I'm sorry, ma'am,

but Mr. Gulbrandsen's
been killed.

Somebody shot him in the head.

[♪]

Christian.

I'm sorry, my darling.

I know how much
you cared for him.

I wish to God you could
have been spared this.

CARRIE LOUISE:
Nobody could spare
anybody anything.

Things just have to be faced.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
According to what
we know so far,

Mr. Gulbrandsen was killed
at short-range,

probably by a shot
from a 38-caliber pistol.

What you thought might have been
a car backfiring at the time...

was almost certainly
the fatal shot.

At that moment,

Mr. Serrocold
was in that room there,

being threatened by a young man
named Edgar Lawson.

And with the exceptions

of Mr. Markham
and Miss Bellever,

you were all in this room here
until the body was discovered.

Somebody care to add
anything to all that?

Just that we appreciate
you allowing Mrs. Serrocold

these few moments to herself.

I'll take that as a no,
Miss Marple.

Now, Miss Bellever,

what made you call in
on Mr. Gulbrandsen?

Well, after Mr. Serrocold
was almost murdered,

I thought I ought to explain
all the noise

to Mr. Gulbrandsen.
LEWIS:
I told you,

Edgar didn't try
to murder anyone.

The gun going off
was an accident.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Begging your pardon,

he did put two rather
nasty holes

in your book collection.

But not in me.

That could have been
the accident.

And by the way, Mr. Restarick,

you were playing the piano.
How long did you continue?

You mean, did I accompany
that little scene in the den

with a gentle obbligato

to the inevitability of death?

No. I stopped when
the shouting started.

Too much competition.

And now, I'm late for rehearsal.

If you need me,
I'll be down at the theater.

What the hell
are you asking us

all these questions
for anyway?

I mean, what, we have
over 200 delinquent punks.

They live right next door,

and they're-- And they're
all crazy as bedbugs.

He's right, you know.

We have an outside door
that leads to the hallway.

It's never locked
except when we retire.

Anyone could sneak in.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
We will check everything.
Rest assured.

Meanwhile, I would like

to question you all
individually.

By the way,
is there a room I can use?

You can use my study.

Most obliging of you, sir.

I think we'll begin
with Miss Marple.

Inspector,
I think it's important

that you should talk
to me first.

In good time,
Mr. Serrocold. Please.

It's so hard to imagine,
isn't it?

The idea of murder, I mean.

A person taking the life
of another person,

but I suppose it
happens all the time.

Though not as often as the films

or television
would have us believe.

Although on the other hand,

the newspapers are full
of such stories,

and they don't lie
about things like that.

Although one wonders sometimes

it they don't
make up some of it,

just in case their readers

are tired of reading
about Princess Diana

or Belfast,

or even soccer matches.

I rather like Liverpool's
chances this year. Do you?

I think you can drop the act,
Miss Marple.

Act? What act?

Pretending to be this dithering
little old lady

from St. Mary Mead,
isn't it?

But I do dither.
That's my nature.

And I am small, I suppose.

And old, too, I'm afraid.

But I've known people
smaller and older,

and I don't see
what that has to do--

How do you know I come
from St. Mary Mead?

Sit down, Miss Marple,
please.

I believe you know an old friend
of mine that lives there:

Inspector Blacker.

He speaks about you
a great deal.

Oh?
Yes.

He uses words like "meddlesome,"
"obstinate," "infuriating."

I assure you, inspector--

On the other hand,

he also says that you're
intuitive, instinctive

and bloody useful,

if you'll forgive
the expression.

But what I'm getting at

is that this
is an official investigation,

and I will not tolerate
any meddling.

I will be on my best behavior.
I promise.

Blacker also employed
the phrase

"deceptively cooperative."

Now, then,

what can you tell me
about this unpleasant business?

Well, for one thing,

I noticed there wasn't
any paper.

In the typewriter.

You see,
he was sitting at the table

as though he had been typing,

and there wasn't any paper
in the machine.

I thought that a bit odd,

especially since Miss Bellever
told me there was a paper

when she found the body.

But I do think Mr. Serrocold
was right.

What about?

That you should speak
to him immediately.

He might be able to tell
you about the paper.

Mr. Serrocold, would you step
in here for a moment, please?

What is this thing,
by the way?

A dream, I'm afraid.

A rather utopian youth center.

A completely
self-contained community.

Well, perhaps one day.

Miss Marple thinks
that you might have

some information for me.

Thank you, Miss Marple.

Oh, please, no.
Don't go on my account.

You already know most
of what I'm going to say.

Oh, very well.

What are you going to say, sir?

Christian Gulbrandsen
was murdered because

he must have known
who has been trying,

slowly and cold-bloodedly,
to poison my wife.

Poison your wife?
Yes.

He was here two weeks ago,

and he noticed that my wife's

physical condition
had been deteriorating.

What we all assumed to be
some form of influenza--

The muscle cramps,
occasional abdominal pain.

--he suspected might be symptoms
of arsenic poisoning.

Arsenic?

Did he tell you this
at the time?

No. He called me a few days ago.

He must have taken away some
evidence to check in London.

A glass, some food.
I'm not sure. Anyway,

when he arrived this evening,

he told me that his suspicions
had been definitely confirmed.

JANE:
That's true.

I happened to overhear
part of the discussion

between Mr. Gulbrandsen
and Mr. Serrocold.

W-w-well, you were talking
right under my window.

Excuse me!

Did Mr. Gulbrandsen
say who he suspected?

No, and I'm not sure he knew,

but the murderer must have
thought that he knew.

And you have no idea
what evidence he had?

No, but, um...

the only thing
my wife ingests

that the rest of us don't
is her medicine.

I managed to stop her
taking some of this

earlier this evening.

I'll have Sergeant Lake
take this to be analyzed.

You'd better have this too.

It's the letter
that Christian was typing

when he was killed.

I took it out of the typewriter.

Well,
unless Miss Bellever was lying,

he was the only one
who had the opportunity.

Who is Dr. Galbraith?

The Bishop of Cromer.

He's a friend of Christian's
and my wife's,

also one of the
foundation trustees.

"Dear Dr. Galbraith,
if possible, I beg you to come

"to Stonygates as soon
as you receive this.

"A serious crisis has arisen.

"I am at a loss
how to deal with it,

"and I don't know how much

"our dear Carrie Louise
must be told.

"Not to beat about the bush,
I have reason to believe

"that that sweet
and innocent lady...

"is being slowly poisoned.

I first suspected this when--"

It stops there.

When he was shot, I imagine.

Why would the murderer leave
this in the typewriter?

No idea.

Perhaps he didn't realize
what Christian was writing,

or perhaps he didn't
have time to check.

Heard someone coming and just
had time to make his escape.

But I beg of you, inspector,

not to let my wife know
anything about this.

But, surely, for her own safety,
she should be warned.

That may well be.

But as Miss Marple will confirm,

she will be devastated to learn

that someone near and dear
to her was trying to kill her.

Near and dear?

You've got 200
juvenile delinquents

within spitting distance.

Inspector,

I'm obviously not an expert
on these matters,

but wouldn't a slow-poisoner

have to be someone living
within the family?

There are outsiders.

Yes. Steven Restarick,
Dr. Hargrove and some servants,

but what motive would they have?

Who are the beneficiaries

of Carrie Louise's will?

Miss Marple, please.

Oh, sorry.

Yes.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Who are the beneficiaries
of Mrs. Serrocold's will?

Well, just about everybody,
I'm afraid.

Even Miss Bellever
and young Restarick
are given sizable bequests.

Stonygates, of course,
would revert to the foundation.

But you as her husband
would benefit the most.

No, you see,

four years ago
Carrie Louise signed over

a third of her personal estate
to me.

Therefore I...

I'm no longer
one of her heirs.

I see. So
with the exception of yourself

and Miss Marple here,

everyone in the house has
a motive for killing your wife.

Nay, let them go.
A couple of quiet ones.

BOY 2:
Went they not quickly,
I should die with laughing.

Of all mad matches,
never was the like.

Mistress, what is your
opinion of your sister?

[IN HIGH VOICE]
That being mad herself,
she's madly mated.

Ronnie, you're playing
a young woman,

not a whistle
only spaniels can hear.

[IN LOWER VOICE]
That being mad herself,

she's madly mated.

I warrant him,
Petruchio is Kated.

Neighbors and friends,
though bride and bridegroom

wants for to supply
the places at the table,

you know there wants
no junkets at the feast.

Lucentio, you shall supply
the bridegroom's place

and let Bianca
take her sister's room.

BOY 3:
Shall sweet Bianca
practice how to bride it?

She shall, Lucentio.
Come, gentlemen, let's go.

[DRUMMING]

All right, boys,
that's good enough for now.

I'll see you tomorrow night,
7 sharp.

[CHATTERING]

Talking of madly mated,

look who's here.

Ronnie told me he doesn't want
to wear his dress anymore.

Bianca has to wear a dress.

Blast Ronnie and Bianca.

One of the boys may come back.

They should learn
how grown-ups kiss.

I'm sure they already know,

but you could certainly teach
them some of the finer points.

Thanks for
the recommendation,

but please, don't tell
your Neanderthal husband.

Oh, afraid he'll
knock you down again?

More than that.

Somebody around here
kills people.

Come on.
Wally has a bit of a temper,

but he could never kill anybody.

But you can't really be sure,
can you?

Anyway, it won't last,
you know?

What do you mean?

Well, you and Wally.

You certainly can't pretend
you're suited to each other.

The man's a walking sulk.

I know, and he used
to be so much fun.

Really a dreadful change.

I haven't changed, have I?

Fortunately,
you are just the same.

Remember how I used to
tag after you every holiday?

I used to think you were

just another bratty
little teenager.

I was.

STEVEN:
The tables are turned now,
aren't they?

You've got me just
where you want me.

Mm, I know, and I love it.

See you later at the house.

Mr. Restarick.

I came to tell you
that Inspector Curry

wants to talk to you,
to everybody, really.

Oh...

Oh, it's just like
a real theater.

Louis had this built
about eight years ago.

Well, very good acoustics.

I've always felt
that a great deal

of juvenile crime
is due to exhibitionism.

Well, you know, the
boys needing to feel like
heroes, and all that.

Acting in plays
can channel those needs

in a constructive direction.

What I'd really like to do

is start up my own
facility in London,

but I'm afraid that's
a rather costly ambition.

I used to do some work
with the St. Mary Mead

garden and theater club.

I was amazed at the way

it brought some people
out of their shells.

Our only problem was when
Mrs. Forges-Moncrief

ran off with one of
the volunteer ushers.

[CREAKING]

Ooh!
Who's there?

I'll be right back, Miss Marple.

Could be one of the lads
with vandalism on his mind.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Out, out, damn spot.
Out, I say.

One, two. Why, then,
'tis time to do't.

Hell is murky.

Fie, my lord, fie!
A soldier, and afeard?

What need we fear that knows it

when none can call
our power to account?

Yet who would have thought
the old man to have

so much blood in him.

[♪]

The quality of mercy
is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain
from heaven--

Oh!

Upon the place beneath.

[FOOTSTEPS RUNNING AWAY]

At the time of this attempt
on Miss Marple's life,

Mr. Serrocold was with me,

and Mrs. Serrocold
had already retired,

so I will need to know
where everyone else was...

at roughly 10:30 p.m.

I was in the library,
reading.

Alone?

One usually reads alone,
inspector.

Yes, I'm sorry
if all this offends you,

but there is obviously
a killer running around.

STEVEN:
But this business
could have been

an accident, you know?

The equipment here isn't
exactly West End.

Even in a West End theater,
a cut rope is a cut rope,

and this rope
was definitely cut.

I was afraid
it might have been.

It must have been one
of those young thugs.

I mean, which one of us
would want to kill Aunt Jane?

Why would anyone want to kill
your brother?

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Mr. Restarick,

you were on the premises,
I believe.

Well, not really.

I thought I heard
somebody backstage.

But I didn't see anyone,
so I went on out.

You know, maybe somebody
lurking about.

I dashed back in
when I heard the crash.

You didn't see anyone
going in or out?

No, but there are
two other doors backstage.

And nobody saw you
dashing in or out?

No. No one.

MAX:
Inspector, I was in my office

in the school.

I'm afraid
no one saw me either.

Do you know where
Edgar Lawson was?

MAX:
Asleep in his room, I think.

I gave him rather heavy sedation
after that gun nonsense

earlier tonight.

Mr. Markham,
where were you?

Walking. Down by the lake.

Alone, I'm sure.
Yes.

I was in our room.
Alone.

It's not very helpful,
all this, is it?

I don't believe any of us

actually thought
we'd be needing an alibi.

Oh, one of you might have.

You haven't asked, but I
was with Mrs. Serrocold,

in her room.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Was she awake?

Not all of the time.

Yes, well, that will be all
for the moment.

I'll be back
tomorrow morning.

I suggest you all get
a good night's sleep.

Oh, there's
one more thing.

I don't wish to sound
melodramatic about this,

but I would strongly recommend
that you all...

lock your doors.

CARRIE LOUISE:
You amaze me, Jane.

Almost killed last night,

and bright as a button

this morning.

I think not being killed
raises one's spirits.

MILDRED:
Well, I think

that inspector should get Wally
and force the truth out of him.

Mildred!

That's quite
an accusation, my dear.

I'm sorry,
but that's how I feel.

Why?

MILDRED:
Well, firstly, he's the only
real stranger amongst us.

I mean, Gina only brought him
over last summer,

and secondly, he's American.

So many of them have
that streak of violence.

I suppose it's watching all
those dreadful television films.

And then, look at
the way he behaves.

I mean, he can't stand
the sight of any of us.

And anyway,
he's got all those guns.

Just a couple
of target weapons.

What reason
could he possibly have

to kill your brother?

Well, perhaps Christian
found out something

murky about his past.

He came from Chicago,
didn't he?

Well, that's where
all the gangsters are.

Well, I must say,
he hasn't exactly

fitted in here at all.

He seems to have
no sympathy or interest

in anything we're trying to do.

Excuse me,
Mrs. Serrocold.

This was just
delivered for you.

CARRIE LOUISE:
Oh,

thank you.
A box of chocolates.

Oh, I just love
presents.

Oh, from Steven.

How sweet.

Jane?

Oh.

Good morning.

Oh, Steven.

Carrie Louise would like
to thank you for the chocolates.

Chocolates?

What chocolates?

These. They came
with your card.

Well, it looks a little
like my handwriting.

But I'm afraid

I wasn't
that thoughtful.

Has anyone seen
Inspector Curry this morning?

I think he's with Dr. Hargrove
in the library.

I think I'll
take these with me.

You'd think
there was a bomb

in that
box of chocolates.

Well, I suppose with all
that's been happening,

Louis wants
to be extra careful.

I can't see
playing a game

at this time.
It's disgusting.

And not even a black
armband between you.

Well, I shouldn't think
anyone brought anything

like that with them.

After all, they couldn't
possibly have known--

Christian is my brother.
At least, my half brother.

You'd think some respect
would be paid.

No offense,
Aunt Mildred.

I cared a great deal
for Uncle Christian,

but I hate
wearing black.

I mean, it may be all right
for housekeepers

and receptionists, but--

Yes, well, I'd expect that
attitude from you, but--

CARRIE LOUISE:
Now, now, now.

Now, it's not that
important, is it?

MILDRED:
Yes, it is!

My brother's dead,
and nobody seems to care.

And you!

You always
take their side.

I'm always in the wrong,

and I'm sick of it.

[DOOR SLAMS]

INSPECTOR CURRY:
So almost anyone
had the opportunity

to poison the medicine and put
a bullet into Gulbrandsen.

We might do better
to concentrate on motive.

Who really needs money
from Carrie Louise's estate?

They all do.

I know that Steven would
like to start up in London.

Juliet Bellever
would have enough

for her retirement cottage.

And she has been looking after
the medicine, hasn't she?

As for the Markhams,

they don't have
any money to speak of,

and she has expensive
tastes, that one.

And he might be happy
to have enough money

to get his wife
away from here

before she forms
another attachment.

And the delightful
Mildred, of course,

would get the lion's share
of her mother's inheritance.

And then she wouldn't have to
play assistant nursemaid
anymore, would she?

Hmm...

Do you know
what puzzles me?

I know what puzzles me.

Who sent those
poisoned chocolates?

Oh, they were poisoned,
by the way.

I assumed so.

What puzzles me is how
lucky our murderer was.

If Edgar Lawson
hadn't lost his wits like that,

we wouldn't have been
focusing our attention
on the scene in there

and might have noticed
someone slipping off.

Yes, I think
our young Mr. Lawson

knows a great deal more,
perhaps, than he's letting on.

One of our suspects
could have paid him

to create that
little diversion.

What do you think?

I think I'm going to do
a little bird-watching.

I beg your pardon?

Uh, just now,
flying by the window.

I think I saw
a silver-throated dasher.

Did you?

I'll see you later.

A silver-throated dasher?

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[♪]

STEVEN:
...a few minutes late...

GINA:
It's all right.

I rather fancy
this spot.

STEVEN:
I had a devil of a time
getting away.

I had to get all those lights
put back up at the theater.

GINA:
Why all this cloak-and-dagger,

middle-of-the-maze business?

STEVEN:
Well, you know why.

There's no sense
getting the wind up

till we go public.

GINA:
Do you think we've got
reputations left to protect?

Look, what I want to know is,
when are you

going to tell Wally you're
divorcing him and marrying me?

Do you think
you can afford me?

STEVEN:
Oh, I'll find ways.

GINA:
What if Wally
doesn't want a divorce?

STEVEN:
Well, that's his problem.

But every woman should make
one mistake matrimonially.

It's a stage, like puberty.

Your husband may be
very intense, which I know

women adore,
but intensity

is terribly tedious
in the home, isn't it?

Believe me,
Gina darling,

with me you will find life
a constant surprise.

[LAUGHS]

Well, I--

I shall have to think
about it a little.

STEVEN:
Of course.
But just a little.

I really adore you.

And you won't find
a better offer.

GINA:
You can come out now,
Aunt Jane.

Oh, I know
you're there.

Oh, so...
were you entertained?

I couldn't help
overhearing.

Oh, couldn't help.
You were eavesdropping.

Just like at the theater
last night.

Oh, Steven told me
you overheard every word.

I happened to be watching
a rehearsal.

Just like you happened
to be in the maze?

I'm sorry, Gina.

So,
what's the verdict?

Jezebel, strumpet,
trollop, what?

I'm not going to judge you.

I only know
that you have a husband

who obviously
worships you.

Oh, and puts me on
some stupid pedestal.

Do you think
that's what I want?

I don't know
what you want. Do you?

Maybe I want it all,
just like everybody else.

Maybe-- Maybe I want
every man I meet

to fall in love with me.

Maybe I want my freedom
and enough money to enjoy it.

And how do you propose
to get all that?

Perhaps I'll poison grandmother
for her inheritance.

Gina!

I'm not a child
anymore, Aunt Jane.

All that-- That business with
Louis taking the medicine away

and the box of chocolates.
It was so obvious.

And I know
what you're thinking.

What?
Well, that I...

could actually be capable
of doing such a thing.

And I am, you know.

Anything I want
I usually get.

I could have killed
Uncle Christian too.

While everybody
was concentrating

on that twit, Edgar,
and his stupid threats,

I could have slipped out,
shot the old man

and been back before
anyone knew I was gone.

Gina, you mustn't
talk like that.

But it's all true,
and you know it.

There's just one problem,
isn't there?

[♪]

Nobody will ever be able
to prove it.

[GUNSHOT]

You're quite good
at that.

If that cop
finds out,

he'll probably
clap me in irons,

or whatever
they do over here.

I'm the number one suspect
anyhow.

Did Inspector Curry
tell you that?

He didn't have to.
It's obvious.

[SIGHS]

I blew the fuse.

I was out of the room
when that old guy got nailed.

It was my gun
that the kid had.

And besides all that...

I'm an American.

You know
what they're like.

Mildred thinks
you may be a gangster.

Yeah?

Well, maybe I am.

I don't
believe it.

I visited Chicago once.
Met some very nice people.

I'm sure you didn't
meet my family.

Not exactly
high society.

It doesn't seem
to have bothered Gina.

Not then, but now
everything seems to.

Since we came here...

she's like
a whole different person.

Why didn't you go
back to the States

and finish medical school?

I suppose I should've.

[SIGHS]

But she just seemed
to wanna stay here so much.

I just...

I don't know.

I just
went along with it.

That might have been a mistake.

You're telling me?

I hardly even see her anymore.

Always off
with Mr. Artsy-Craftsy.

WALLY:
Like right now.

[♪]

I won't have you interfering.

Interfering?
She's my mother.

It is my responsibility
to take care of her,

and I think I know
how to do that better than you.

The only thing you know

is how to be insufferably
arrogant and rude!

It's time for her walk.
If you'll excuse me.

[CUPS SMASHES]
Oh!

Oh, Aunt Jane.

I'm s-- I'm--
I'm-- I'm sorry.

Uh, someone's told me
I can find some tea in here.

I hate that woman.

She does seem
rather officious.

And mother just lets her
lead her around by the nose.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I better pick it up.

Mildred, I'm sorry we haven't
had a chance for a talk.

Yes, well,
it hasn't exactly

been the situation
for little chats.

N-no, that's true.

I'm terribly sorry
about your brother.

And, apparently,
you're the only one who is.

Nobody seems to even care
who murdered him.

O-oh, I-I just heard
that you lost

your husband, recently.
I-- I didn't know.

Yes, well, he'd been ill

for several years.

That must have been
very hard for you.

Hard?

Not at all.

He was a wonderful man.

I was glad that I could do
what I could

to make his last years
more comfortable.
Still--

Don't you know what it
feels like to be needed,

I mean, really needed?

I never knew
until I was married.

I was always just here,
sitting in corners,

being ignored, just as I am now!

Your mother cares for you
more than you know.

And that's why she brings in
all these strays.

And practically
cuts me out of her life.

That's not fair, Mildred.

The tea's in the kitchen.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Somehow, the answer's
in this room.

I know it.

Nothing else you can remember
about last night?

Just what I told you.

Then we'll go through it
all again.

Bellever and Markham
were out of the room.

Either of them
a possible murderer.

Restarick was at the piano.
Mrs. Marcum was over there.

Either one of them
could have sneaked out.

And what about
daughter Mildred?

Oh, I doubt she'd kill
her own brother.

Oh, do you now?

Did you know there
was some doubt

about the way
her husband died?

I thought it was cancer.

Some people last
for years with cancer,

but when
the vicar died,

there was no
attending physician,

and she had him cremated
the very next day.

You really suspect her?

I suspect everybody
in this bloody house.

Take your spirited
young friend, Gina Markham.

Did you know that
her mother was adopted?

Yes, Pippa.
Yes.

But did you know
who her mother was?

Pippa's mother, I mean.

Frances Elsworth.

The-- The actress...

who poisoned her husband
with arsenic?

And was hanged for it
in 1943.

Don't you find it more than
of a passing interest

that Gina Markham's grandmother

was a convicted
arsenic-poisoner?

Quite a family.

LAKE:
They got queer taste
in music all right.

Shostakovich,
Tchaikovsky,

Rachmaninoff.

All the Russkies.

Oh, please, sergeant.

Oh, this is more like it.

Handel's Largo.

Clair de Lune.

♪ I know a lovely girl-- ♪

[♪]

Inspector.

Over here, sir.

Steven Restarick
was sitting there.

It could have been
put there later.

Or he could have meant
to take it away earlier.

Let's ask him.

Sergeant.

Oh.
Oh.

Excuse me.

Miss Bellever.

Have you seen
Mr. Restarick?

Oh. Oh, I'm afraid
he's no longer here.

What do you mean,
he's no longer here?

I mean that
he packed his bags,

and he left
about an hour ago.

He didn't say
where he was going.

CARRIE LOUISE:
I can't believe it.

Somebody trying
to poison me?

I tried to keep it from you
as long as I could,

but now, with all
that's happened,

and Steven running away--

You knew
about this, Jane?

I'm afraid so.

It's just not true.
Any of it.

[♪]

I suppose I've been
living outside reality...

for some time now.

I think I'd like to go
to my room alone,

if you don't mind.

[DOOR OPENS]

Oh, inspector, come here.

What does it look like?

Th-the room.

Oh.

Old, stuffy, rich.

But think of it
as a stage set...

with a large,
star-studded cast.

Some on-stage,
some in the wings,

props at the ready,
houselights dim,

curtain up...

noises off.

Entrances here,

exits there.

Conflict, action,

climax,
curtain down,

thunderous applause.

What do you think?

If you'll forgive me
for saying so,

I think you're beginning
to sound as bonkers

as everybody else
in this place.

I came to tell you
that London

have picked up
Steven Restarick

getting off the train
at Paddington Station.

They're sending him

straight back here.
Thought you'd like to know.

Did he give any excuse
for running away?

He claims he wasn't
running away at all.

He claims he was just
tired of this place

and decided to move
back to London.

Not a very plausible
story, is it?

It's a bloody lie,
is what it is.

You think Steven
is our murderer?

I hope so.

I really do hope so.

You're really jealous
of Steven, aren't you?

Don't I have
a reason to be?

It's the theater.
Don't you understand?

I get a lot of satisfaction
out of my work there.

WALLY:
Out of your work?
Are you sure that's all?

GINA:
That's an ugly
thing to say.

WALLY:
Yeah? The reason
that you're here now

instead of that
stupid theater

is because Steven pulled
his little disappearing act.

GINA:
That's ridiculous.
We're together all the time.

Oh, excuse me.

No, come in.
No, I was--

GINA:
No, I need somebody
to hear this.

What?
Oh, I--

I need a witness in case
there's a divorce.

Somebody to testify
how he talks to me.

Oh, come on, Gina.

GINA:
What's the matter?

Are you ashamed of what
you have to say?

We'll talk about this later.
No, we won't.

You say whatever
you want right now,

or don't say it at all.
I mean that.

Oh, d-don't worry
about Aunt Jane.

I doubt there's
anything you can say

she doesn't
already know.

All right.

Okay.

What I was
going to say...

is that I am fed up
with it here,

and I am fed up with you.

Are you really?

Yeah, really.

We didn't know much about one
another when we got married.

I mean, about each other's
background and everything.

The only thing that counted...

was how much
we loved each other

and all the great times
that we had.

And you can't tell me
that we didn't.

They were all right.

All right? They were
a hell of a lot better

than "all right."
And you know it.

Until we got here and everything
started falling apart.

I mean, suddenly, everybody
treats me like I'm like

the village leper.

You're being ridiculous.

Am I?
Yes.

Well, I'm leaving,

and I'm going back
to the States next week.

I'm gonna finish up
med school,

and I'm gonna start
my own practice somewhere,

and I'm going to start
my own life.

Well, you can
just buy one ticket...

because I don't care
if I never see you again.

I was a stupid little fool ever
to marry you in the first place,

and I'll get a divorce
as soon as I can.

And I hope
when you get home,

you find some boring,
miserable little frump

who makes you realize
how lucky you were

to have me in the first place.
Fine.

Great.

Now we know just where we stand.

And it's your loss.

I'm sorry, Wally.

I have to see Carrie Louise.

[GRUNTS]

Oh, Mother--

Oh, I didn't know
you were busy.

Well, we're not really busy,
are we, Jane?

Well, I-- I suppose I--
I just wanted to, um, apologize

for acting the way I did.

Oh, that's quite
all right.

Is there anything I can get you?

Some tea or something?

No, thank you, dear.

Miss Bellever's tending to that.

Oh, yes,
of course she is.

All right, then.

[DOOR SLAMS]

CARRIE LOUISE:
Oh, dear.

I wish she could be happier.

Mildred reminds me
of Mary Alice Runacre

back in St. Mary Mead.

JANE:
Tended her invalid father

for 20 years,

and when he finally died,
everybody said,

"Oh, finally,
Mary Alice is free

and can make a life
for herself."

And she did mean to travel,

but her first trip was to visit
an elderly aunt in Cornwall.

Well, unfortunately, the aunt
had recently been bedridden,

so Mary Alice offered
to stay a while and help out.

That was five years ago.

As far as I know,
she's still there.

Really?

Yes.

You see, taking care of people
was what she did best

and what gave her
the most pleasure.

Some people are like that.

You told me that story
for a reason,

didn't you, Jane?

Well, it's just a story.

Hm.

By the way,

uh...do you have
any nail scissors handy?

Nail scissors?
Whatever for?

I know it sounds ridiculous...

but could you give me
some nail clippings?

MAX:
Wh-what do you expect me
to do with these?

Analyze them.

You do have some sort
of dispensary

or a laboratory here,
don't you?

Yes.
Hm.

What's the point?

Well, as I understand it,

a chemical analysis
of Carrie Louise's fingernails

would determine what kind
of poison she was given.

[CHUCKLES]

If I were you,
Miss Marple,

I wouldn't waste my time.

Oh, I have lots of time,
doctor.

Well, I haven't.

Not for foolishness
like this.

You know very well
it isn't foolishness, don't you?

First thing
in the morning, then.

JANE:
Thank you.

All right,
you meddling old witch.

How much do you know?

I'd put that away, doctor.

Oh, I see. A trap.

All right,
out of my way.

Come on, both of you,
around here.

MAX:
Come on, move.

Now, don't move,
or I'll kill her.

And don't think I won't.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Oh!

Stay there.

Cut across the park.

Try and stop him
at the gate.

Are you all right?

I've been better,
thank you.

Come on.

Okay, open the gates.
Open the gates!

Now, get out. Get out!

Stay where you are!

[CAR DOOR SLAMS]

[TIRES SCREECH]

He's a goner,
I'm afraid, sir.

Yeah.

Well...

That's that, then.

JANE:
Not quite.

I'm afraid we still have
a murderer in our midst.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Restarick still won't explain

why he ran away.

He claimed he doesn't know
a thing about that gun

in the piano stool.

But what I want to know is,
what put you on to Dr. Hargrove?

I suddenly remembered
who Edgar reminded me of.

Not really the answer
I was looking for.

Watch what you're doing,
you bloody young hooligan!

Hardly the Stonygates spirit.

The Stonygates spirit
is beginning to nauseate me.

When are you going
to call London?

[GRUMBLES]

The Gulbrandsen offices
should be open now.

We really need to know
what Christian was up to.

It's a question of motive.

Oh, Hargrove?

Partly.
It's very complicated.

It's just possible I may
be able to understand.

Soon, I promise.

But Edgar is the key
to the whole thing.

Obstinate, infuriating.

Inspector Blacker
was right about you, you know.

Didn't he also say,
"Bloody useful"?

All right,
I'll have Sergeant Lake

bring young Edgar
across for questioning.

You look surprised.

I suppose I am.

Oh, me, too,
actually.

I can't even explain
how it happened.

After our little
screaming match yesterday,

I-- I went up to our room,
slammed some doors,

threw some things about,

and then I sat down
to think about

what it was
I really wanted.

Your husband?

[SIGHS]
Isn't it amazing?

I mean,
I married him because--

Because I loved it
that he was so strong,

so committed to all
the things he wanted to do.

And then when we got here, I--
He became so-- I don't know...

ineffectual...
until yesterday.

I guess that's why

I must have turned down
Steven's proposal.

When did you do that?

Well, yesterday morning.

Even before Wally
told me off like that.

I mean,
wasn't he wonderful?

Like the hero
out of some old cowboy movie.

Or a Shakespeare play.

Was I really being a shrew?

Well, Kate's a much nicer
role than Jezebel.

[GASPS]

Yes, I see.

Four years ago.

Yes, I understand.

Oh, certainly need a copy.
Yes.

All right, I'll do that,

and thank you
very much indeed.

What you expected?

More or less.

I'm beginning to see
what you were after.

Ah, Mr. Lawson.
Sit down.

I've got some questions
for you, lad.

I already told everybody.
I didn't mean to do it.

Something just came over me.

No more lies, boy.

Just tell us
who put you up to it.

Nobody put me up
to nothing.

Oh, come off it!

Somebody gave you that gun

and told you to threaten
Mr. Serrocold with it.

That's a lie!
And we know who it was.

The one who killed
Mr. Gulbrandsen.

No.

You're an accessory
to murder, boy.

Now, just tell me the truth,
and we might go easy on you.

I don't know anything.

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Twenty years to life.

That's what you're facing.

The same as if you pulled
the trigger yourself.

Now, tell us the truth!

Boy! Come back here!

LAKE:
Lawson!

Lawson!

Come back here, Lawson!

Lawson, stop!

Stop, I said!

Come back!

Sergeant, get round
the other side!

Hurry!

LEWIS:
Edgar!

That boat's rotten.
It'll sink!

Edgar!

[SCREAMS]

Help! Can't swim!

He'll drown.
Sergeant! Come back here!

Oh, no.
No, sir, please, no!

We don't want
to lose you as well.

I need a hand
with the boat.

EDGAR: I can't swim!
Sergeant!

I can't swim!

Help--

Help me, please!

Help!

[GASPS]

I can't find him, sir!

Well, keep looking!
Keep looking!

No, sir, it's no good.

I can't see a thing.
It's too muddy.

We'll get a crew down
to drag the bottom.

I'm sorry, Mr. Serrocold.

Well...what now?

According to you, that lad
was the key to everything.

He was.

Well, that key is never going
to unlock anything now.

So we'll just have to do
it ourselves, won't we?

And, I must say, I had
my doubts when she told me.

However,
we've done some checking,

and her theory seems
to hold up very well indeed.

But, as it's her show,

there's no reason why
she shouldn't take the stage.

Miss Marple.

Oh.

Well, that's what it's
all about, isn't it?

The stage, the theater,
illusion,

like a magician using
mirrors to fool the audience.

But first, one small detail.

Steven...

you bolted because
Gina had turned you down,

and you wanted to be someplace,
anyplace, away from here

to lick your wounds,
isn't that right?

But we still
have the problem

of someone trying to poison
our dear Carrie Louise.

Poison mother?

What are you talking about?

Perhaps some of you
are unaware

that the entire investigation
of Christian's murder

was based on the assumption

that someone was trying
to poison Carrie Louise.

The theory was that Christian

might know the identity
of the poisoner

and was therefore killed
to keep him quiet.

But that's nonsense. I mean,
who would try to poison Mother?

INSPECTOR CURRY:
Well, there was evidence,
you see.

Firstly,
Mrs. Serrocold's illness.

The symptoms
could have been the result

of slow arsenic poisoning.

In fact, Mr. Serrocold
said that Mr. Gulbrandsen

had told him
that's exactly what they were.

And then, of course,
there was the letter

in Mr. Gulbrandsen's typewriter,

telling how he'd discovered
the poisoning plot.

In fact, poison was discovered
in Mrs. Serrocold's medicine

and in the chocolates,
which were delivered to her.

That's some pretty
solid evidence.

JANE:
But is it?

Carrie Louise's
physical condition

could be exactly
what it appears:

the result of a mild flu,

plus the sad toll the years
take on all of us.

And, you see,

the letter in the typewriter
could have been written

not by Christian,
but by the murderer.

And the medicine
and the chocolates

could have been doctored later

to give the firm impression
that there was a poisoner afoot.

Then you mean grandmother
wasn't being poisoned?

Exactly, thank the Lord.

But if there wasn't a poisoner,

then what in the world
brought Christian down here

in the first place?

Inspector?

Ah, yes.

Well, earlier today,
I rang Mr. Gulbrandsen's office

and found that on the afternoon
before he arrived here,

he had received
a preliminary audit

of Stonygates finances.

It was obvious that there
had been gross irregularities,

and a full accounting
was ordered,

which is now in progress.

And at Miss Marple's suggestion,

we had them dig
a little further into the files.

We found that four years ago,

Mr. Gulbrandsen,
on behalf of the foundation,

had turned down a plan
by Dr. Hargrove

to establish a fully
self-contained youth center.

The model of it is still
in Mr. Serrocold's study.

Yes, of course it is.

It's my opinion,

and I'm quite sure that
the accounting will bear me out,

that in the last few years,
tens of thousands of pounds

have been embezzled
from the Gulbrandsen foundation

to set up this center
independently.

That's damned unfair.

You're slandering
a dead man.

Please, Mr. Serrocold.

Miss Marple has a few more
enlightening things to tell us.

Dr. Hargrove must have thought

the youth center would
bring him international fame

as a psychologist.

People do strange things
pursuing a dream of glory.

But I still can't believe that
he would actually kill people.

Oh, I could.
He tried to kill me twice.

He dropped those lights on me
at the theater.

He thought he would be safer
with me out of the way.

And then he tried again

when you brought him
those nail clippings.

Persistent devil, wasn't he?

JANE:
He knew that an analysis
of Carrie Louise's nails

would prove that she'd never
been subjected

to any kind of poison.

And if there wasn't a poisoner,
then we would be

on to the real reason
for Christian's visit:

the embezzlement.

Then Hargrove killed
Uncle Christian

because he discovered
the embezzlement?

JANE:
No.

Dr. Hargrove was in the room
when we heard the first shot.

Yes, he was,
wasn't he?

And he shouted to Lewis
through the door.

And you said that you
could cope with Edgar.

I remember.

But then, if Dr. Hargrove
didn't murder my brother,

who did?

Another person

to whom that youth center
had become an obsession.

The one who thought
of the whole poison story,

and the one who actually
engineered the embezzlement.

I'm afraid Christian's
murderer is you...

Mr. Serrocold.

This is insane.

When Christian was killed,

I was in the study
almost being killed myself.

You were all there.

You-- You heard it.

Yes, but we didn't see it,
did we?

But what's the difference?

Oh, a great deal,
Mr. Serrocold.

What first put me on to it

was that Edgar kept reminding
me of someone back home,

and I suddenly remembered
who it was:

a foolish young man
named Leonard Wylie.

A dentist.
His father was a dentist, too,

but he got old,
and his hand began to shake,

so all of the patients
preferred the son, of course.

The old man was miserable.
Oh, he moped around.

So Leonard began to pretend
that he drank.

He doused himself with whiskey,
and he staggered about,

and slurred his speech,
and all that.

You see, his idea
was that the patients

would then go back
to the father.

Well, anybody with good sense

would know
what was going to happen.

All the patients went
to another dentist, Mr. Reilly.

The irony of it was
that I always thought

Leonard was a most
unconvincing drunkard.

He always seemed to overdo it,

just as Edgar
seemed to overdo everything.

But Edgar was putting
on his little act

for the benefit
of the one person here

who was the closest
he'd ever had to a real father.

Again, you, Mr. Serrocold.

We all know
that Edgar belonged

to the theater group here

and that he could be counted on
to do his part well enough.

So while you crept out
of the study,

ran around to Christian's room
and killed him,

Dr. Hargrove and Edgar

performed their lines
in person,

taking their cues
from your tape-recorded voice.

You do use a tape recorder.
I've seen it.

And there were the two
bullet holes in your books.

They were exactly where
your head would have been,
Mr. Serrocold.

There's no way Lawson
could have missed you

if you'd been sitting
behind the desk.

And I daresay a thorough search
of the house

will probably turn up
a pair of gloves you used

with powder marks on them,

or possibly your fingerprints
on Mr. Gulbrandsen's typewriter.

In any case,
a full audit--

Where are you going?

Well, um...

The game's up, isn't it?

I thought you might like to have
the tape that I used.

It's in the study.

Sergeant Lake,
be careful.

He's got my gun
in his study.

Hurry up.

CARRIE LOUISE:
Don't worry, inspector.

He won't try to escape.

He sneaked out of that room
once before, ma'am.

[GUNSHOT]

No, no,
don't come in, sir.

Please.

JANE:
I'm afraid when an idealist
becomes a fanatic,

the line between right and wrong
becomes a blur.

But he wasn't a bad man,
was he?

CARRIE LOUISE:
What he wanted was good.

And he was ready
to risk his own life

to save Edgar Lawson
from drowning.

I know.

And he did love me very much,

and I loved him.

I always will.

Aunt Jane, I believe I owe you
a debt of gratitude, too,

because mother tells me
it's thanks to you

that Miss Bellever
was given the sack.

Oh.
[BOTH GIGGLE]

Well, have a good journey.

Jane, how did you
figure it all out?

Actually, you were
the key to the solution.

Me?

You won't be offended,

but people always say

that you live
in this never-never land,

that you're not really
in touch with reality.

I suppose it's true.

No.

You were the only one
around here

who could separate
reality from illusion.

And when you kept insisting

that no one could possibly
try to poison you,

I had to rethink
what we'd all assumed

was the reality.

And once I'd accepted the idea

that you were not
being poisoned,

then it all
fell into place.

Ready to go, Aunt Jane?

Oh.

It's all right.

Gina has promised
to drive very slowly.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe you're not as in touch
with reality as I thought.

[LAUGHS]

Better come, Aunt Jane,
or we'll miss your train.

You know,

there's someone else
in St. Mary Mead

that you remind me of:
Lucie Bond.

No, don't say it.

All these little
village parallels.

They've all got
a sting in the tail.

You really are wicked,
you know.

[GASPS]

These are for you

because you remind me
of my old mom.

[LAUGHS]

[CAR STARTS]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[♪]