Original subtitles

Well, I can't be any franker than that now.

Her name's Tolly.

Have you seen her before?

Well, of course I've seen her before.

Her name isn't Tolly. It's Stafford.

It's Phyllis Stafford.

Phyllis Stafford? She lives here. She's the tenant here.

Look, who are you?

Who have you come here to see?

My name's Milton. I'm a police inspector.

I understood a Miss Dawson lived here.

Jacqueline Dawson.

I've never heard of her. She doesn't live here.

Not in Kingstown Mansions.

Hmm.

Mr. Tolley, I realize this has been a terrible shock for you. Oh, God, you can

say that again. But you must try and help us. You must be absolutely frank

about it. Look, I am being absolutely frank. I've told you.

I didn't know my wife was using a maiden name. I didn't know about the flat in

Richmond.

I travel about a great deal. I'm all over the place.

You know, I've got a couple of stores here in the market. One at Daylesbury,

another one at Kingston. I just opened a little place at Byfleet.

Yes, I know.

Well, naturally, with traveling about like that, I...

Look, I'm not trying to concede anything, Inspector. There's no reason

why I should, but Phyllis and I lived together. We shared a cottage together,

but, well, we both had our own friends and we'd done exactly what we liked. I

see.

Well, I can't be any franker than that now, can I, Inspector?

It would be difficult, Mr Tully. Now, would you mind telling me what you were

doing last night and where you were? Last night, yes, I was at the place at

Byfleet till about 11 o'clock, going through the accounts. I suppose I got

home about quarter to 12.

Yes, thank you.

now if you don't mind if you don't mind i'd like to ask you a few questions for

a change go ahead i understand it was you went to the flat last night it was

you that discovered phyllis yes yes it was well how did that happen was my wife

a friend of yours then no i'd only met her twice before if you can manage it oh

i'm sorry sir i didn't realize you had anyone with you mr tolly this is

sergeant phillips sit down right

I went to the flat yesterday because I understood Jacqueline Dawson lived

there. What?

Jacqueline Dawson, the actress?

Yes, I do know.

No, I don't know her, but I mean, I've seen her on the stage, of course, seen

her several times.

Yes, I see.

Mr. Sly, four weeks ago, four weeks last Sunday, to be precise, your wife went up

to London to visit her sister. Now, on her way home, she dropped into a coffee

bar and she accidentally overheard a conversation between Mr. Fielding and a

friend of his.

Wait a minute.

Fielding? You mean Tom Fielding, the man she used to work for? That's right, but

you know about this incident. Your wife discussed it with you. What incident?

I mean, what exactly is my wife supposed to have discussed with me?

Well, didn't she tell you she overheard a conversation between Tom Fielding and

a man called Harry? Didn't she tell you? No. I don't know anything about this.

I mean, she went to see her sister. She was always popping up to town to see

her, but she never said nothing to me about a coffee bar or Tom Fielding or a

man called Harry. Look, I don't get this.

All right, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, Mr. Tolley. I've obviously

made a mistake.

Where will you be in the next few days if we want to get in touch with you?

Well, I must be out tomorrow. It's market day. And the rest of the week, I

should probably be at Bifleet.

Although, God knows, I don't feel like doing any work at the moment.

Yes, well, if there's anything we can do, anything to help, you can always get

in touch with us. You can talk to Sergeant Phillips if I'm not here.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Mr. Tolley.

Was he telling the truth? That feeling?

Yes, I think he was.

I think Mrs. Tolley lied to us, Roy.

I don't think she told him a word about that coffee bar incident.

If it ever happened... Well, if it didn't happen, why did she invent the

story?

I don't know. I just don't know.

Anyway, tell us about this morning.

You've obviously got some news. Let's hope it's good.

Well, it's certainly interesting.

I finally tracked down Miss Dawson. She's got a flat at Esher.

She claims she never wrote anything on that cigarette packet.

And that she's never heard of a Mrs. Tolley.

And that she's certainly never been to Kingsdown Mansions. Ah.

So I drove over to Richmond and went through Mrs. Tolley's flat again. Ah.

I found this in one of the airing cupboards.

Whose is it?

Well, there's no name in it, except the Taylor's.

There is a reference number.

So I got on to the Taylor's straight away. Right. Who does it belong to?

Whose is it?

It's Eric Viner's.

You'll just have to leave it, Tom, and get in touch with the garage.

I don't understand it, Governor. I just don't understand it at all. It went like

a bird all day yesterday.

Hello, Alan. What are you doing up so early? Thought you boys didn't start

work until ten o'clock. You've obviously been misinformed, Eric. It's not ten,

it's quarter to eleven, anyway.

What? Is it really?

Good Lord, how time flies. You don't seem to have done a blessed thing this

morning. I won't keep you a minute. I just wanted to know if you'd seen this

jacket before, Harry.

Yes, it's mine.

It's the one I lent Harry.

Harry Brent?

Yes.

When did you lend it to him?

Oh, about three weeks ago. He came down for a weekend and we went fishing

together. It rained cats and dogs. A pair of us got drenched, so I lent him

that jacket. It's an old one of mine. Harry took it back to town with him.

Matter of fact, I'd forgotten all about it.

I see.

What are you doing with it? Where did you get it from?

It was brought into my office.

Eric, does the name Stafford mean anything to you? Phyllis Stafford?

Phyllis Stafford?

No, I don't think so. What about Tolly? Mrs. Tolly? Oh, yes, I've heard of Mrs.

Tolly, of course. She used to work at Fielding's.

Stafford's a maiden name.

Or rather, it was.

I didn't know that.

What do you mean, it was?

Eric, how well did you know Mrs. Tolly? Was she a friend of yours?

Good heavens, no. I don't suppose I said more than half a dozen words to her.

But look here, Alan, you're talking about the woman as if she's dead.

She is dead.

She was murdered last night. Strangled.

We found her body in a flat at Richmond.

Good God.

What have you done while she's not, temperamental hussy?

Well, I've got an appointment, Eric. I'll tell you about the coat later. No,

no, tell me now. Later, Eric.

Sorry, Carol. I can't find that letter. I've looked everywhere.

Oh, dear. Have you had a word with Dora? No, not yet. I didn't want to bother

her. Well, bother her, George. Bother her, but don't bother me. All right,

Carol. Oh, by the way, Mr Fielding's housekeeper wants to see you. She phoned

me last night just after you left. Mrs Green? Yeah.

Well, what does she want? Do you know? I don't know. She's going to ring again

this morning sometime.

Hello?

Hello.

Can I speak to Miss Viner, please?

This is Miss Viner. Who's that?

Oh, good morning, Miss Viner.

This is Mrs. Green.

Oh, hello.

I'm sorry I was out when you phoned last night. What can I do for you? Well, I'm

leaving for Canada next week, and I wondered... Canada?

Yes, I have a married daughter out there. She and her husband emigrated

just over four years ago. Oh, yes, of course. I remember now. Miss Viner, I

hope you don't think this is presumptuous of me, but, well, last

Christmas I gave Mr. Fielding a pen. A fountain pen, I mean, for a Christmas

box. Oh, yes, yes, I remember.

It's here now in front of me. Well, I wondered if I could have it back.

I know it's a bit of a cheek, but you see, I've got to take my son-in-law a

present. Well, the pen isn't much use to Mr. Field now, is it?

Well, I don't see why you shouldn't have it back. Mrs. Green, just pop in one

morning and I'll give it to you. Oh, thank you, Miss Viner.

I'll drop in about 12 o'clock, if that's convenient.

This morning?

Yes, all right, 12 o'clock.

May I come in?

Harry!

What on earth are you doing here?

I thought you could use some help this morning.

How are you, Carol? How are you feeling?

Oh, I'm all right. I feel much better now. You looked pretty rotten last

night. I was very worried about you. Is that why you came down this morning?

Well, I'm on my way to Guildford. I've got an appointment there at half past

twelve. You could have gone via Scotland.

I've got the car outside.

It'll only take about 45 minutes from here.

Carol, there's something I wanted to ask you. I've been thinking about it ever

since you dropped me at the station last night.

Well?

What is it, Harry?

What did Alan Milton say when you gave him the photograph?

I told you. He just thanked me for taking it along, that's all.

But you were with him for almost 15 minutes.

Then afterwards, on the way to the station, you looked desperately unhappy

and you hardly said a word.

It's my opinion that he told you something.

Something about me. And if he did, I think it's only fair that you should

tell me what it was.

You were hardly mentioned. We were discussing the photograph the whole

time. Then Sergeant Phillips turned up and... Go on.

There's nothing to go on about. Then I came down to the car and we went to the

station.

Carol, I'm very sorry, but I just don't believe you.

All right, Harry, we did talk about you last night.

Alan said he thought you were deliberately lying about your friendship

with Barbara Smith.

What does he mean, friendship?

I never knew the girl. I never saw her before until she got onto the train at

Waterloo. Is that the truth, Harry?

Well, of course it's the truth.

Now, look, Carol, I know certain things have happened, extraordinary things,

things I can't explain.

The theatre ticket, the flowers on the grave, the fact that she was in the same

compartment as I was.

But I swear to you, I never knew that girl before. I'd never seen her in my

life. Then you didn't know why she was coming here? You didn't know that...

That what?

No, go on.

You didn't know that she was going to kill Fielding?

God, of course I didn't know.

I hardly knew Tom Fielding. The man was practically a stranger to me.

Carol, what did Alan Milton really say last night?

You've got to tell me!

Morning, Inspector.

Good morning.

I didn't expect to find you here.

Life's full of surprises.

Yours, Mr. Brent?

Yes, it is.

Yours, Mr. Milton.

I imagine you've been paying Carol a visit.

I was on my way to Guildford, so I dropped in for a chat, that's all.

Should I have asked your permission, Inspector?

Did she tell you about Mrs. Tollett? Mrs. Tollett?

Who's Mrs. Tollett?

I obviously haven't heard yet, or Carol would have told you.

Well, Mrs. Tolley used to work here.

She was murdered last night, rather early this morning.

We found her in a flat at Kingsdown Mansions.

How was she murdered?

She was strangled.

Do you have any idea who did it? No, I'm afraid we haven't. Not yet. Where is

Kingsdown Mansion?

In Marketwell?

No, it's at Richmond.

Rather nice block of flats down by the river.

Excuse me, Mr. Brent.

Yes? I believe when you were down here a week or two ago, you borrowed a jacket

from Eric Viner. A jacket?

Yes, you were caught in the rain one day, and he lent you an old sports coat.

Oh, yes, yes, that's right, so he did.

What became of that jacket, Mr. Brent? What do you think became of it?

When I borrow something, I return it.

That's what I did with the jacket.

Were you surprised when Mrs. Tollick ever noticed her? No, I wasn't. I knew

she'd been having trouble with her back and she'd been wanting to leave for some

time.

Now, Carol, I want you to be frank about this. Was there anybody on the staff who

was particularly friendly with her? No, I don't think so. She was a very

efficient person, you know, most conscientious.

That's not what I asked you. Well, I'm afraid I can only tell you what she was

like during working hours. She wasn't a friend of mine, so I know very little

about her private life.

Although one had rumours, of course.

What kind of rumours?

Oh, well, you know.

No, I don't know.

It's what I'm trying to find out.

Well, people say that although she and her husband lived together, they, well,

they had an arrangement.

I don't think there's any doubt she had a boyfriend. She certainly was never

short of money.

Do you, uh, do you think Tom Fielding was one of her boyfriends?

Mr. Fielding? Yeah.

Oh, good heavens, no, that's absolutely absurd.

Well, why is it absurd? She wasn't a bad-looking woman. Yes, but he just

wasn't that kind of man.

What kind of a man was he?

But practically his whole life was wrapped up in this business and when he

wasn't here He was either sailing or tinkering with that toy of his toy He

was trying to invent a new kind of tape recorder and we used to pull his leg

about it. I'm afraid When he was a young man, he'd invented something to do with

a camera I forget what it was and sold it to America made a great deal of money

out of it At least that's what I've always been told And he'd been trying

rather unsuccessfully. I'm afraid to do the same thing ever since

Did you ever see this tape recorder?

Yes, he brought it down to the office one day. What happened?

It didn't work.

Mrs. Green's arrived here. Er, yes, all right, I'll be out in a minute. Look, if

you give me that pen, I'll get rid of it for you. Oh, thank you, George.

Oh, no, perhaps I'd better see her. She's leaving for Canada next week, and

I probably won't see her again. Mrs.

Green's going to Canada next week? Er, yes, she's got a daughter out there. She

and her husband emigrated about four years ago. What's this about a pen?

Well, apparently Mrs. Green gave Mr. Fielding this for Christmas, and she

rang up last night and asked if she could have it back. She said it would

save her buying a present for her son-in-law.

Oh, well, it takes all sorts.

Carol, wait a minute.

Just ask Mrs. Green to come in, would you?

Hello, Mrs. Green.

Miss Viner tells me you're off to Canada next week. Yes, I have a married

daughter out there, and, well, Dot's been on at me for some time to join them

now, so when Mr. Fielding died, I thought... Yes, yes, of course. Well,

leave Miss Viner your address, would you, just in case we want to get in

touch with you? Oh, I was going to do that, anyway.

Oh, here's the pen you wanted, the one you gave Mr. Fielding. Oh, thank you. I

hope you didn't mind about this, Miss Viner, but you see, I've been put to

such a lot of expense lately. No, of course not. It is the right pen, Mrs.

Green.

Yes. Well, you should know. You bought it.

Yes, yes, of course, it's the right one.

Goodbye, Mrs. Green.

I hope you like Canada. Oh, thank you, sir.

I'll see you down, Mrs. Green. Thank you.

Seems a perfectly ordinary sort of pen to me.

And why on earth should she want this?

Mind if I join you?

No, of course not.

What's the fare to Canada these days, Mrs. Green?

Must be pretty expensive, I know.

Oh, it is.

Do you know it'll cost me the best part of 200 pounds by the time I get to Doc's

place?

She's in Edmonton, you see, right over on the other side.

Then, of course, if I don't like it when I get there, well, I dare not think

about that. I've just got to like it. I wish you the best of luck, Mrs. Green.

Oh, before I forget, I made a mistake.

I gave you the wrong pen.

The wrong pen? Yes, I'm sorry. I gave you mine instead of Mr. Fielding's.

Well, they're not very much alike, are they?

I don't know how I made such a silly mistake.

But they're not enough.

You didn't spot the difference either.

How much did you pay for them?

Oh, 35 shillings, I think. I can't remember exactly.

Because you didn't buy it, did you, Mrs. Green? Of course I bought it. I bought

it for Mr. Fielding's birthday.

Really? I thought you bought it in for Christmas. But tell me, where did you

buy it from?

A shop in the high street. I just forget the name of the shop. It's the post

office. Mrs. Green, I'm investigating a murder case.

Two murders, in fact. And if in my opinion... Two murders? Yes, and Mrs.

Tolly was strangled early this morning.

Tolly?

Phyllis Tolly?

Do you mean the woman who used to work for Fielding's?

Oh, my God.

Was she a friend of yours?

Well, yes, she was. Oh, no, no. Not exactly a friend, but... Go on, Mrs

Green.

Well, it was her husband that wanted me to get... It was Mr Tolley that wanted

the pen.

Mr Tolley?

Yes.

They both came to see me two or three nights ago.

Mrs Tolley and her husband, I mean.

They said they were very sorry to hear about Mr Fielding and they wondered if

there was anything they could do for me.

We sat talking for about half an hour, and then just as Mr. Tolley was leaving,

he said he had a customer. He has a store in the market, you know. Yes, I

know. Well, he said he had a customer who was very anxious to get hold of

something of Mr.

Fielding's. He said the man was an absolute crank, but he'd done business

with him before.

And, well, Tolley said if I could get that pen, he'd give me 50 pounds for it

in cash.

And you ask him why this customer wanted the pen? Yes, he said he didn't know and

didn't care. It was just a deal as far as he was concerned.

I hope to God you're telling me the truth, Mrs. Grant. Oh, I am, Mr. Milton.

Truly, I am.

Oh, I knew I shouldn't have done this.

Oh, I knew I was a fool, but... Oh, dear, I've had so many expenses lately.

And what with Mr.

Fielding dying of one thing and another... When are you seeing Tolly

again?

He's supposed to be collecting the pen tonight and handing it over tomorrow

morning. It's market day tomorrow.

Right, well, this is what I want you to do. Don't mention this to anyone.

Give Tolly the pen.

and collect your 50 pounds.

Now, if you do what I say, there's nothing to worry about.

Christmas, I do not have to tell you ladies, but a very acceptable gift is

made for us. The same saving device you've ever seen. A pound, sir. There,

I'll pound you, sir.

Thirty bucks, two pounds, wherever you go.

I'll charge you a pound, half price. Now, give me the stuff away today. I

don't buy the goods. I don't pay for the goods.

It's enough.

Now,

all I hope you are silk.

Cut from the square.

Guaranteed. Pure silk?

But do they look like pure silk to you, Jacqueline? They look like hell.

Who's the chap with Jacqueline Dawson?

I don't know.

Never seen him before.

I'm sorry, old boy. Not for me. Another time.

Here's the man I told you about. He was in my flat.

The man who wanted the cigarettes.

Well, I've spent half an hour with our Irish friend.

He went and told me a damn thing, not even his name. Have you been through his

things? Yeah, yes, I have, and there's nothing there, I'm afraid. And so far,

the yard hasn't come up with anything. Who the devil is this character, Roy?

Search me.

Anyway, I'm charging him. He broke into my flat and he was carrying a gun.

That's enough for me.

I've had an interesting talk with Tolly. You know what his story is?

He says he knows nothing whatever about the pen.

He's never seen our Irish chum before in his life.

And he claims that six months ago he borrowed 50 quid from Mrs. Green and

last night... He repaid it? Oh, God, that's a likely story. It's a very good

story as far as he's concerned. Come in. Excuse me, Inspector. Boo, you're

looking pleased with yourself.

Oh, I am a bit, sir.

I quite enjoyed myself this morning in a curious sort of way. Yes, well, in a

curious sort of a way I didn't.

Someone just handed in this driving licence, so they found it in the market.

I think our friend might have dropped it.

Kevin Jason, 83, Kingsdown Mansions, Richmond.

Kingsdown Mansion.

Thank you, Booth.

Good heavens, I know Jason. Thick-sep type.

Irish accent.

Natty dresser. Yes, he's been here over six months.

Top floor, number 83.

What does Mr. Jason do, exactly?

Do? I haven't got a clue. He calls himself a business consultant.

That could mean anything, couldn't it?

I tried to consult him myself once.

Little matter of a fiver.

I didn't get very far, though.

All right, Mr. Breyer. Would you take us upstairs, please? We want to see his

flat.

I'm supposing he's in.

He won't be, but I've got a warrant if that's what's worrying you, Mr. Breyer.

It's pretty much the same as the other flat, Miss Stafford's.

Or Tolly, or whatever her name was.

It's the living room.

Kitchen, bathroom, and the spare bedroom.

The main bedroom is through the living room.

All right, that'll be all. Thank you, Mr. Brower.

Oh. If I can be of any help, Inspector.

We'll let you know.

Oh, there's one other thing. What happens if Jason comes back while you're

still here?

He won't.

Oh.

Oh.

Go to the living room, will you? Right. I'll have a look in here.

Roy!

You go into this sort of thing, don't you?

Why, yes.

This projector's a lot better than mine, though, I'm afraid. Well, can you work

it?

Yes, I think so. Well, go ahead.

I'd like to have a look at this. All right.

Here, it looks all right.

Yes, put the light off, will you?

That's Tom Fielding.

There's somebody else on that boat.