Original subtitles

Hello.

Have another drink before you leave, eh?

No, thank you, Bennett.

I am sorry I had to ask you to leave so early.

I'd forgotten I had an appointment with Griffiths. Don't apologize, Bennett. You

have your work to do.

I'd sooner spend the evening with you.

What time will he be here?

8.30.

I'd better go.

It's a damn nuisance, but he insists on seeing me before he goes abroad

tomorrow. You should be pleased to have such a conscientious partner.

He's too conscientious at times.

I'll call you.

Please.

Good night.

Come on, come on.

Hello, stage door.

I want to speak to Miss Denver, please.

Off it.

Home, Miss Julie.

Hello.

Julie, darling, it's Bennett.

What's happened? I've been waiting for you. I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to be

with you earlier, but some business cropped up and I had to attend to it.

Are you coming to the club?

Just as soon as I can get there.

Come straight to the dressing.

Yes.

And Julie, listen.

About tonight.

You know what to do, don't you?

Do stop saying that. Of course I know what to do.

I will see you soon.

Come in, Craig.

Been waiting long?

Half an hour.

I'm sorry about that.

Ava Torea is a very attractive girl.

Drink.

Thanks.

I have to go out again soon.

Shall I wait?

Well, I shan't be back till after midnight. I don't think you need hang

around. Just so long as you're back before then.

Right.

Mr. Saunders, I've been working for you for nearly a month now.

You're getting paid for it, aren't you?

Maybe I'm too honest, but that's what's worrying me. Up to now, I haven't done

anything.

Don't be impatient, Craig. They'll try again.

Expecting someone?

Yes, he's early as usual. Let him in, will you, Craig?

Oh, hello, Mr. Griffiths.

See him? Yes.

Hi, Bennett.

Ah, John.

I hope we can get this over with quickly. I have another appointment.

I think it'll take long.

And I'd rather it was in private.

Just as you like.

There's no need for you to wait, Craig.

We don't have to worry about my partner, do we, John?

I'll be back before midnight.

You'd better be, or you'll be looking for another job.

Now then, John, what's on your mind?

I want you to sign the Dallas Agreement.

I thought it was something important.

Surely that could have waited.

I don't think so.

We've lost far too many contracts in the last few months.

I want to be sure of getting this one.

Are there any problems?

No.

Once we've signed, I can get the shipping people tied in, and after that,

it's straightforward.

Show me the papers.

Here.

You've learned a great deal, haven't you, John, since I first took you under

my wing?

I suppose I should be proud of you.

I wish I could feel the same.

Meaning?

You know damn well what I mean.

Come now, John.

After all I've taught you.

When I gave you your start, you were a tuftney-hapenny little clerk.

There are times when I could kill you, Bennett.

You shouldn't let Craig hear you say that.

You may get the wrong idea.

Okay, you frightened me where have you been it's nearly 11 o'clock I Met some

friends you're lying You've been with him Miguel. I left him before 830

am I to believe that yes, it's the truth Don't get

upset again upset every time I think of you with him It's like a knife in my

heart again. We agreed. I know I know

Every time I get more worried, I don't trust him.

I'm doing it because I have to, Miguel.

Because we agreed.

You know how much I hate him.

Yes.

He won't be for much longer.

I've made up my mind.

Tonight I'll pay a call on Saunders.

Mr. Sanders!

Yes Who's this What

are you talking about what story

Hello, Mr. York. Didn't take you long to sniff this one out. No, my editor was

tipped. Who's in charge?

Inspector Rune, sir. Rune? That's all right. Mind if I go straight in? Oh, I

think that'll be all right, sir. We've known you long enough.

Hello, Craig.

Simon. I haven't seen you for years. How are you? I'm tired. What's all this

about?

Well, York, what brings you here?

A phone call.

Oh, you, Craig. All I did was phone you. No, whoever it was, it was a woman.

A woman? Uh-huh. Oh.

Simon York, Dr. Trent, police surgeon. Hello, Doctor.

Well, now, I've got a story, haven't I?

A man was murdered here tonight. Just me, Craig. Billy murdered.

Don't you know? Well, I need the body.

I haven't got one. Oh, very handy.

You tell him, will you, Craig? You've got work to do.

Well, I don't know, Simon. It pleads me.

Here, let's sit down. I've got a sore head.

Better start at the beginning, I suppose.

It would help.

Since I left the force, I've been working as a private detective.

Mainly divorces, that sort of thing.

About a month ago, Bennett Sanders came to me for help.

He's one half of Sanders and Griffiths, a big export agency here in town.

Oh, yes.

Go on.

Sanders came to me because he'd been receiving threatening letters.

He wanted me to find out who was sending them.

I've been working for him ever since without any results.

He came back here just after midnight tonight.

Or last night, whatever it is.

He went into the house.

I saw someone run round the side of the house.

I followed him in.

I heard Sanders cry out. I came in here and he was stretched out on the carpet.

A knife lying beside him.

And then?

Someone thumped me.

When I came round, no body, no knife, nothing.

I found Rune straight away, of course. The rest you know.

Rune seems dubious.

Can't blame him, I suppose. He's only my word I found Sanders.

And Rune was never particularly fond of part-time detectives.

But Sanders was murdered, Simon.

I'll swear to that.

All we need is a body. It should make interesting reading.

Hey, if you print this, it's going to make me look pretty stupid.

Oh, and the newspaper game, the truth can sometimes be twisted.

Well, at least we've got something to go on.

Bloodstains on the carpet, nothing much, but it's enough for the doc to work on.

You'll be careful how you handle this story, will you?

I'm not certain it is murder yet. I want to check upon Sanders first. But

Inspector Rune... Yes, yes, I know. You saw the body. Well, I didn't. And until

I do... No murder.

Very rational, Inspector.

Look, Inspector, I know you think I... Say it, Craig, will you?

You know the way I have to think.

Nobody, no matter.

You're going to have a hard time convincing our friend.

I see his point. It's just that I know I'm right.

Keep in touch. I'm intrigued.

Will do, Simon.

If things go on the way they are, I'm going to need your help.

So long, Craig.

So long, Eva.

I don't know.

Nothing. You've been on edge since last night.

Calm down.

Calm down?

How can I calm down?

He's dead, isn't he?

So?

Murder doesn't exactly make me feel easy.

Eva, listen to me.

So, Sanders is dead.

Murdered. Murdered.

Isn't that exactly what we wanted?

All right, Miguel.

I know I'm being a fool.

After all these months of waiting, now he's dead.

It's turned out very well for us.

Things could have been much more complicated.

That doesn't ease my conscience any.

Do you think his conscience was easy after what he did to us?

He's lucky.

His death was simple.

What do we do now?

There's only one thing for us to do.

Settle with Griffiths.

Haven't we done enough?

Can't we go back home?

Eva, we made a promise.

Our work isn't done yet.

Once we have settled with Griffiths, then we go home.

And what are you looking so pleased about?

I'm glad I chose.

I feel cheerful, that's all.

Well, bully for you, I feel like death. I still haven't got the go-ahead from

the old man on that textile swindle yet.

I hate sitting on a good story.

Oh, what's your problem?

I want to drop the story I'm working on and follow up the Sanders affair.

Oh, just like that?

Well, it'll be a great story when it breaks.

Your police chums let it break, you mean?

Now, I have to play fair with them. I don't want to jeopardize my future.

Yes, you have to admit they're always pretty helpful. Be ashamed to spoil a

beautiful relationship.

Exactly. All right, then. Drop the bank job. Go ahead with this one.

Oh, yeah.

You know, I had an idea about that this morning after you told me about that

Sanders character.

I have a feeling that we've had something on him before.

You mean he's got a murky past?

Well, I can't be sure. All I can remember is the name of his firm,

Sanders and Griffiths.

Could be wrong. Could be wrong.

Oh, now, come, Dave. Have you ever been?

Sure, sure.

Anyway, why so keen to follow up this one? I thought you had plenty of other

stuff. There's more to this killing than meets the eye. Anyway, Craig is an old

pal of mine.

But whatever happens, I'll get you a good story out of this.

You'd better.

Yep.

Good

morning,

sir.

I'd like to see Mr. Griffiths, please.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Griffiths left for the continent this morning. Can I

take a message?

No, it's a personal matter.

When does he return?

He didn't say exactly when.

In about a fortnight, I should think.

A fortnight?

That's too long. I must see him.

If it's urgent, I could get a message to him. No, no, I must see him myself.

Then I can't help you.

His address.

Please, give me his address.

I can't do that unless I... It's urgent, I tell you. Where is he?

If you leave your name, I could tell if I... No, no, no. My name's not

important. I must know where he is.

I'm sorry, sir.

Why won't you tell me?

Mr. Griffiths left strict instructions.

Oh, yes, yes.

Yes, I understand. It's not your fault.

I'm sorry.

It's very important to me.

Thank you.

All right, Simon, come in.

I'm sorry for being late.

I had one or two things to clear up. Well, it was good of you to come.

Well, now, how's the head? It's improving.

Take a seat.

Thanks.

Well, now, I've been thinking about this business.

The best thing we can do is follow up the people who saw Saunders last night

before he was killed.

Check. There were three, two of them women.

The last person I saw him with was Julie Denver.

I don't know exactly what their relationship is, but he was seeing quite

a lot of her. She's a singer at a club. Sounds interesting.

She is. Very.

The other two were Griffiths, his partner, and a girl called Ava Turia.

He was seeing quite a lot of her, too.

Quite the ladies' man.

Very much so.

You said he called you in because he was being threatened.

Any ideas?

Well, he wasn't exactly the sort of man who'd be over-popular. Too smooth.

And Griffiths obviously hated the sight of him.

Mind you, that's just a personal hunch, but it didn't take much to see the way

they felt about each other. You mean Saunders wasn't exactly mad about

Griffiths, either? No.

Whenever they were together, you could see the sparks flying.

What about this, uh, Ava Torea?

Well, he saw her two or maybe three times a week.

I know the hotel she's staying at, and that's about all.

There's just one thing bothers me.

You were witness to a murder, and all you got was a thump on the head.

I know. I've been thinking about that.

I might possibly have recognized the man.

He'd already killed once.

So why didn't he eliminate any chances and get rid of me too?

And another thing, who brought me in on this? And why?

No idea.

It certainly wasn't me or the police.

That woman who phoned me.

Why tip off a newspaper man and then vanish?

I'd like to pick up some background on Saunders and Griffiths. I can get that

at their office.

Also, I'd like to have a word with the singer-girlfriend of his. Julie, what's

her name? Julie Denver.

She sings at the Blue Parakeet Club.

A multimillionaire requested that I should meet him at some rendezvous.

We wined and dined, he talked the whole night through.

He didn't see my point of view.

I think I'm better off with you.

A Spanish matador pursued me.

I lingered with this handsome torredor.

Fled along the hotel corridor.

He scored a bullseye, though it's true.

I think I'm better off with you.

For every man there must be a mate.

And they are lost who hesitate.

Proceed with caution, don't ever trust a fate.

Or you may learn when it's too late.

I stepped upon a magic carpet.

The wealthy Sultan took me for a ride.

He said his harem needed one more bride.

Who wants to stand behind the queue?

I think I'm better off with you.

And though so many men have asked me.

I must admit that I've known quite a few.

I soon discovered no one else would do, except perhaps for one or two.

I think I'm better off with you.

I think I'm better off with you.

I think I'm better off with you.

Miss Denver, may I have a word with you?

I'm from the Daily Sketch.

Oh, yes, come in.

How do you do, Mr... York, Simon York.

You'd like to do an article on me in your paper?

Well, as a matter of fact, I'm more interested in a friend of yours, Bennett

Saunders. I think you might be able to help me.

Help you? How?

Help me find him. He's missing.

What do you mean, missing?

Just as I said.

How well do you know him, Miss Denver?

He's a friend, that's all.

Nothing more?

In my business, the girl has a lot of acquaintances.

Too many at times.

He's just one of them.

You went to his home?

Is that against the rules?

So, in fact, you don't know him very well.

I told you, he's a friend.

Unquote. And you have no idea where he might have gone?

None at all.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a show to do.

Yes, of course.

Goodbye, Miss Denver. Goodbye.

Who's the boyfriend?

Press. He was asking about Saunders.

He said Saunders was missing, not dead.

So, they have to find a body before they can say he's dead, haven't they?

That's going to take some doing.

What happens if he comes back?

Be nice and say nothing. There's a lot of money tied up in this.

That reporter's been on to Julie. We've got to go careful. We can't afford to

take any risks now.

Come in.

Hello, Maggie. Hello.

Oh, I take it you know each other.

Maggie, Simon York.

Hello. Listen, Maggie, this is important.

I believe Mr. Griffiths has gone abroad.

That's right, to Rome. I need his address. It's urgent.

Well, as it's you.

Get in touch with him, if you like. Ask him.

No, no, it'll be all right.

Someone else was asking for his address yesterday.

Oh? Who was that?

He wouldn't say.

As a matter of fact, he got quite angry when I wouldn't tell him.

Well, I mean, I didn't know his name or anything.

Yes, of course.

Can you remember what he looked like?

He was a foreigner of some sort.

Italian, might be.

Quite tall, dark hair.

Rather good-looking, actually.

Seen him before?

No, and I don't particularly want to see him again.

He frightened me a bit.

Well, thanks for the address.

Good seeing you.

Bye. Bye. Bye-bye.

I wonder who else is interested in our friend Griffiths. Whoever it was didn't

get very far. Maybe it's just as well he didn't.

By the way, Craig, I'd like you to follow up the Avatoria angle.

Mm-hmm. And you?

I'm catching the next plane to Rome.

I can't tell you anything.

The first I knew about Sanders disappearing was when you told me.

You don't get on very well with him, do you?

Well, there's no great love lost between us, but that's beside the point.

I don't know anything about his disappearance.

According to Craig, you were always arguing.

That doesn't mean a thing.

You can't implicate me in this. I never said I was trying to.

Did he ever say anything to you about tetting letters he was receiving?

No, no.

No, he didn't.

As a matter of fact, he wasn't the only one.

Oh? About a month ago, I received two letters threatening my life. Did you say

anything to Sanders?

No, I assumed they came from some crack. I just tore them up.

What do you know about his private life?

Very little.

The only thing we had in common was business.

What about Julie Denver and Ava Turia?

You know about them, too, don't you?

Uh-huh.

Well, they're just two of the many strings to his bow.

He's not exactly a faithful man.

I gather that.

Well, thanks very much, Mr. Griffiths. You've been very helpful.

Uh-huh.

I think so. I'll keep in touch.

Yes, do that.

I wouldn't like to think that anything had happened to him.

No, of course not. I'm sure you wouldn't.

I'm sure you wouldn't.

Good afternoon.

I'm looking for a friend of mine, a young lady named Ava Turia.

Turia? Oh, I'm afraid she's checked out.

Oh, when was that?

This morning.

Blast. Did she leave a forwarding address?

No, I'm afraid not. I've no idea where she went.

Thanks.

I don't like it, Miguel.

Why did I have to move?

It's safer.

You may have been seen with Sanders. I don't want the police to get onto you.

The sooner we go home, the better I shall like it. We go and I've settled

with Griffiths.

But how do you know when he's coming back?

I don't. We must wait.

Have patience, Edward.

How'd you make out with Griffiths?

Well, he seemed nervous.

I suppose that's only to be expected.

I'm still not sure if we can trust him, though. Neither am I.

Take a look at this.

Rune gave it to me.

As you can see, it's addressed to me.

The police found it when they were going over to Saunders' house.

In the event of anything happening to me, you are to go to the Palmel safe

deposit and open locker 69.

In it, you will find a sealed file marked simply Bennett Saunders.

This file is to be taken personally by you to the address given at the bottom

of this letter.

All this is to be done without the knowledge of my partner, Frank

Griffiths.

Signed, Bennett Saunders.

The key to the locker was in with the letter.

This address is at Montevideo.

Looks as if you've got a share-silver trip to South America.

Yeah.

Well, Simon, how do you figure Griffith's now?

Well, the fact that Sandler's wanted that file delivered without his

knowledge obviously means something.

But I'm not sure.

I haven't told Rune what was in this letter yet. I thought I'd wait until I'd

seen you.

Good. I think you can tell him now.

Wonder why South America?

I'm sorry, gentlemen, we shall have to wait for Inspector Rune to phone.

I simply cannot open the locker on the instructions of this letter. Why not,

Mr. Spencer? It's signed by Bennett Sanders, isn't it? It could be a

forgery. Oh, come now. No, don't say, oh, come now, to me. In my position, one

has to be very careful.

One never knows what that locker might contain.

All we need is the file.

Here's another thing. Both Mr. Sanders and Mr. Griffith have laid out specific

instructions that the locker is only to be opened in the presence of both of

them. But you've read this letter.

Mr. Spencer.

Excuse me.

Inspector Roon.

You got my message, Inspector.

These gentlemen say that you can vouch for them.

Oh. Oh, I see.

Yes. Yes, indeed. Thank you.

You must appreciate I have to be careful.

Yeah.

Goodbye.

Well, apparently it's all right.

Inspector Roon says it's an emergency.

Good. Very well, gentlemen. Follow me.

You deliver the file.

Then we sit back and wait for something to happen.

What's the matter with the police?

Why aren't they doing something? There's nothing in the papers.

I told you, they're puzzled. They've got to find a corpse first.

Supposing they get on to us?

Why should they?

That report is showing too much interest.

Oh, sweetheart, use your head. That's just what we want.

We've got to keep the ball rolling till we're ready to get moving ourselves.

I know, but I'm scared.

Why? A few more days and we'll be clear of this and lapping up all that

sunshine.

Hello, Davey. You wanted me. Ah, yes, yes.

I have a feeling I may have something for you. All help gratefully

acknowledged. I think you'll acknowledge this, all right.

Come on, come on. Don't make a meal of it. Shoot.

I had a feeling that Saunders and Griffiths were involved in something

big. Do you remember a couple of years ago, parts of South America were wrecked

by floods?

Oh, yes. There was some sort of flood relief fund organized.

That's where Saunders and Griffiths came in. They shipped tin foodstuff out to

one of the villages in the flood area. It turned out to be rotten.

Some of the people died of food poisoning. There was a very big scandal.

I remember that. The village was called, uh, Sand something or other. Um, San

Capella. That's it.

The court of inquiry was set up. They came under fire, but they got away with

it. But some of the mud did stick.

Was there any charge brought against them? No. They lost a fair amount of

money one way or another.

South America. That's interesting.

San Capello.

Very interesting.

Oh. Does it fit somewhere?

It very well might.

You remember the safe deposit business?

Mm-hmm. That file was supposed to be delivered to Montevideo.

And Montevideo is just about 100 kilometers from San Capello.

Do you like it?

Any news?

He's still out of the country.

This could go on for weeks.

No, he must be back soon. He must.

Miguel, please.

We could catch a plane tonight.

Eva, I must finish what I came to do.

I've been thinking. Craig.

What do you know about Craig?

Mr. Craig?

Yes. I'm sorry to bother you, sir. I'm from the Pal-Mal safe deposit.

Oh, you'd better come in. Thank you.

Mr. Spencer, our manager would like you to sign a couple of forms, sir.

Forms? Yes, they're in respect of the file you took today. As the file is now

in your possession, we have to have your signature.

It's... I see. It's purely red tape.

These files have got nothing to do with him.

Oh, thank you.

The operator says the line is out of order.

I'll have to get hold of Craig. Did he say he was going out?

No, he said he'd be in all day. He's got a pack.

Besides, he didn't want to let that file out of his sight.

Inspector Roon, please.

Roon?

Simon York here. I think I've got some interesting news for you, but I'm

worried about Craig.

No, I can't get hold of him.

He said he'd phone me here, but he hasn't.

No, he was going to be in all day.

I think we better check.

Okay.

I'll see you outside in five minutes.

Looks as if we're too late.

Craig?

At least we found something to work on.

Peter's here.

Well?

It's all right. I've got the file and Craig.

Went like a dream.

Bring Craig and the file to my place. What about the passports and plane

tickets? I've got them here.

Bring them with you.

What do we do with Craig?

Look, Theriot, I'll ask you again. Where's Craig? And I'll tell you again.

I don't know.

Look, when we got to Craig's place... I know nothing about Craig.

What were you doing there?

Looking for something.

What? It's not important.

Not important.

Two men are missing, and you decide it's not important.

What do you know about Bennett Sanders?

Nothing. And Ava?

Ava?

Miguel, Torea, Ava Torea.

You know nothing about Sanders, yet she's spent night after night with him.

It's a lie!

She saw him about four times.

Oh, so you know something.

Why did you go to Sanders' office?

That's my business.

The girl who identified you said you wanted Griffiths. Why?

I like him. I want to send him a birthday card.

Very funny.

Look, Torea, you're in dead trouble.

Why don't you use your head and talk sense?

I told you all I'm going to. The rest is my business.

Rune, what is it?

Is she?

Better send her up.

This should be interesting.

Well, Torea, we'll see if you decide to change your mind now.

You can't hold me for anything?

I think I can make breaking an entering stick.

Come in.

Miss Tarila, sir.

Eva? Miguel, I had to come.

Eva, please go. This has nothing to do with... I think we should leave her to

decide that, don't you?

Sit down, Miss Twain.

You are the police inspector?

Yes. I saw you arrest Miguel.

I was watching the house from the car.

I tried to stay away, but I must help him.

You see, Miguel is my brother.

Oh.

Eva, please.

You can't help.

Inspector, Miguel and I come from a small village in South America.

San Capello?

It's all beginning to fit into place.

Go on, Lestria.

Two years ago, there was a terrible flood in our country.

Many homes were ruined. Many people died.

Our village received a shipment of tinned food from here in England.

The food was rotten, not even fit for animals.

Many of our villagers died from food poisoning, including our father and two

young brothers.

We vowed that day to repay the men responsible for their deaths.

The shipping agency was Sanders and Griffiths.

Yes, but surely you can't blame them. They can't have known the food was

poisoned. There was a court of inquiry.

We know these two men lied their way out of trouble.

First, we did not blame them.

But we promised our father before he died that we would find out the truth.

Did you get your proof? No.

But I know these men are guilty.

This is why I must kill them.

And that's why you were looking for Griffiths?

Yes.

Did you kill Sanders?

No. Then who did?

Inspector, I swear I don't know.

I went to his house that night.

I was too late. I found him lying dead.

You expect me to believe that? It's the truth. You have given me the perfect

motive for a murder, and now you ask me to believe you have nothing to do with

it. It's the truth, Inspector.

I would have killed Saunders.

And taken my punishment if I'd been caught. But I was too late.

Someone else killed him.

Well, it fits in with Craig's story.

Why were you searching Craig's room?

I had to find Griffiths.

Our money is running low, and you would have to return home soon.

I knew that Craig worked for Saunders, and I thought he might be able to tell

me where Griffith was.

But Craig wasn't in his room, so I decided to try and find something,

anything to help me.

Inspector, you must believe us. Yes, well, even if I believe that you had

nothing to do with Saunders' death, you were trying to take the law into your

own hands, and you must realize how wrong that is.

These men killed our family.

You believe they did.

Where's your proof?

All right, sir, they shipped the food.

That's not to have to make you want to kill them.

Saunders was an evil man.

He knew what he was doing.

Constable, I want a statement from these two. Take them downstairs.

I'll be down myself in a minute.

Right then.

What are you going to do with us?

You know, I'm not sure.

Come along, please.

Why will people take the law into their own hands?

You better get a hold of Griffiths.

Yes, I'll get on to Interpol and arrange for him to come back on the next plane.

That'll please him. He's on a business trip.

He'll have to lump it, won't he?

What do you think?

Well, for a start, I think they're crazy.

Do you think he killed Sanders?

I don't know, Simon.

I really don't know.

Julie? Hello, Ralph.

Finished packing yet?

Yes, I won't take much.

You won't need to. You'll get a complete new wardrobe where we're going.

Yes, I thought of that.

It's nearly nine o'clock. After the show, go straight to the house.

Supposing the show runs late? What the hell with the show?

Wait a minute. If anything does hold you up, we'll meet you at the airport car

park. And remember, the plane leaves at eight o'clock in the morning.

You'd better give me my ticket.

What's the matter? Don't you trust me?

Should I?

Now, Julia.

See you later.

And remember, keep your mouth shut, eh?

Inspector, you've simply got to find that file. So important about it.

Well, it's my affair.

I see. First Taria, now you. Why does everybody want to help a policeman?

Look, Simon, it's nearly 11 o'clock and we've still got nowhere.

I told you what was in that letter, Griffiths.

Why didn't Saunders want you to know about that file?

I refuse to say anything till I know definitely what's happened to him. Why?

Well, it's a question of honour.

Honour my foot.

Griffiths, I want to help you.

Terea was trying to kill you. Half-heartedly, by all accounts.

Well, at least I know where those threatening letters came from. Yes, and

by arresting him, I've helped you. Look, I'm not saying anything till either that

file or Saunders is found.

Quite frankly, Inspector, from what you've told me about Terea and the death

of that family, I feel almost sorry for him.

Did you know that consignment of food was rotten?

Well, no.

Of course I didn't.

Why are you and Saunders dissolving your partnership?

How did you know that? I'm a newspaper man. It's true, isn't it?

Yes, yes, it is partly. We were thinking about it. What about the file?

Well, all I can tell you, you must find it.

The rest is up to you.

I wouldn't bother if I were you.

I'm getting a bit tired of you, pal.

Let's see what you're like without your gun.

But I'm not without it.

I'm sorry.

Suppose you tell me what this is all about. We thought you'd like a little

rest. You've been so busy lately.

We?

Now be patient. You won't have to wait much longer.

Instead of answering your questions, I know nothing about Saunders.

Well, there doesn't seem much point in bothering you again, Miss Denver.

Glad I've made myself clear.

Do you mind going?

Of course.

I keep forgetting you're a working girl.

Coming.

And fled along the hotel corridor.

He scored a bullseye, though it's true.

I think I'm better off with you.

For every man there must be a man.

And they are lost who hesitate.

Proceed with caution, don't ever trust a fate.

Or you may learn when it's too late.

Room. It's Trent.

I've got something interesting for you.

This time of night?

Yeah, well, I've just finished testing those blood samples we found at Sander's

place. And?

The erythrocytes are nucleated. What?

No, it's not Sander's blood.

Then who the hell's is it?

It's not a question of who, Inspector.

It's what.

That blood came from a chicken.

Last to go, hmm?

Yes, yes, I am. Good. Well, I can get off home now. See you tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

Good night. Night.

Mind your step.

No answer.

She must be on her way.

Be careful. Don't show any light.

Where is she? It's after two. We should be at the airport by seven. Supposing we

get held up? Don't worry. There'll be nothing on the road this time of the

morning.

There she is.

See? She hasn't wasted any time.

Now, don't bother. She'll let us help him.

Good evening.

You're looking remarkably healthy, Mr. Saunders.

Thank you. For God's sake, Saunders. Shut up.

You must be polite to our guests, even if they are unexpected.

I just came to pay my respects to the dead.

The dead?

Of course you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

Do you know our friend?

I know him.

Ralph Peters.

He supplied the food that Saunders shipped off to South America.

Ah, another piece in the puzzle.

The last piece?

I think so.

And perhaps you'd like to tell us how the rest of it has taken shape. Let's

get out of here.

There's plenty of time.

I take it you know about Miss Denver?

Oh, she let us here, if that's what you mean.

Where is she now?

I have no idea. She saw us outside, but she didn't bother to tell.

Clever girl.

Oh, incidentally, she was the one that phoned me in the first instance, wasn't

she? She was.

You see, I wanted some publicity about my death.

Unfortunately, you didn't oblige.

I apologize.

No need.

Do go on.

Two years ago, you and your friend cooked up that deal to ship that food to

South America.

I didn't know the stuff was rotten. When I bought it, I would have lost money.

Why shouldn't I have got rid of it?

Very businesslike.

Unfortunately, Griffiths here didn't know anything about the deal.

He was always so disgustingly honest.

If it's repentance you're looking for, I'm not the man.

I needed the money.

Before the inquiry was set up, Griffiths here stumbled on all the papers you and

your friend had cooked up.

Receipts, package notices, phony invoices.

But most of all, proof that the food had been condemned and should have been

destroyed. But out of a rather stupid loyalty to you, he kept quiet.

Honest and noble.

If those papers had been produced at the court of inquiry, it would have been

disastrous.

But what he did do was to keep them and threaten to expose you if you ever set a

foot wrong again.

You might call it a form of assurance.

I kept the papers in a safe deposit box because I knew it could only be opened

in my presence.

You're being so clever.

Shall I go on?

Please do.

So far, you've been very accurate. I salute you.

I had to get those papers, and without his knowledge, of course.

So you arranged your death?

Quite.

Those threatening letters gave me the idea.

And when Griffiths said he was leaving the country for a while, I hired Craig,

who took the bait like a fool.

And I made sure that he got that locker open.

By implicating Griffiths with your apparent death?

I had no intentions of letting Craig take those papers out of the country.

In fact, that address in Montevideo didn't even exist.

But I did know that he wouldn't let the file out of his sight, which made it all

the easier to borrow it. Oh, incidentally, he's quite safe.

I expect you'll blunder onto him without much trouble.

Actually, I made a hell of a lot of money out of that deal, and I intend

spending it abroad.

And now that I've destroyed the evidence, I don't see that there's

anything to stop me. For God's sake, Sanders, how can you talk like this?

They've got enough on us already to put us inside for years. My dear Peters, I

have just explained.

The evidence has been destroyed.

They have nothing on us.

Oh, but we have.

You see, your girlfriend hasn't really gone very far.

And she is inclined to talk rather a lot.

This whole business intrigued me from the start to report your sixth sense, if

you like.

That is why I took the liberty of having a photostat taken of that file.

Now, listen.

You've got to be reasonable.

We didn't know that food was condemned or we wouldn't have sent it away. Not

even for money?

Oh, I don't think Torea would appreciate that.

Give me those papers!

Now, that'll do.

I'll take the papers.

If you want them, you'll have to use that gun, and I don't think you'll go

that far.

You're a smart man, York.

I've too much to lose wasting time with you.

Come on, let's get out.

Leave it.

Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves without any hurt from us.

Hey, what are you doing?

But these... these aren't the papers.

As a matter of fact, they're old publicity brochures.

You mean you never had any copies?

No, at the time I didn't even know what the papers were. How could I? Besides,

the file was sealed.

Well, now we've got nothing on them.

No, but I'm sure you'll have a lot to say to the proper people now that you've

come to your senses, and I'm sure the police won't have any trouble in making

Peters talk.

Yeah, but you've let them get away.

Have I?

Do have a look around for Craig, will you?

It's bound to be somewhere about.

It's nearly 6.30. How much longer?

About half an hour.

I wonder if Julie made it. And if she didn't?

Too bad for her.

Once we're out of the country, they'll never find us.

That's it.

No, she'll be waiting for them.

She's about five foot six, got fair hair, and she's wearing one of those,

um... Brown suede coat.