Original subtitles

Thank you.

It's one of the books on the top shelf.

They have not arrived.

Find out all you can and be at Wickenham tomorrow night.

Very well.

I beg your pardon, madam.

I had no idea.

I thought I had noises on the terrace, so I came along to see.

You were right, Currie. There was a man down there.

I couldn't sleep, and I went down to find a book, and just as I opened the

library door, I saw him.

Was he armed?

Yes, yes, he had a gun.

I think that's what frightened me. I must have fainted. When I came to, he'd

gone. Oh, I see.

Not much chance of catching him now, then. No, no, I'm afraid not.

I think he must have got cleared away by now.

Pity.

Well, is there anything I can get you, madam?

A drop of brandy or aspirin or something?

No, thank you, Carrie. I'll be all right.

I'll just go back to my room and lie down.

Very good, madam.

I think I'll go down and take a look around, though.

Yes, of course.

Good night, Carrie.

Good night, madam.

That coffee I smell already?

Well, if it isn't, I've been wasting my time for the last 15 minutes.

Bring the milk out here, will you, darling?

What's the hurry?

Well, we want to get away early if we're going to make Folkestone by midday.

Or had you forgotten?

One look at you, darling, and I forget everything.

Even at this hour in the morning? Any hour, day or night.

Don't be indelicate, darling. Even if we have been married six months.

Hey, I can't cook and canoodle at the same time.

You'll learn.

Who the devil's that?

I'll have two guesses, and I hope they're both wrong.

Bob Westlake, who is this?

Morden. Look, Bob, I want you down here right away.

Shouldn't take you more than an hour by car, the rate you drive.

That's right.

It's a pity the car will be in its way to Folkestone, though.

Huh?

Listen, Steve, you must be looking at last year's calendar.

This is Sunday.

Nobody works on Sunday.

Like to bet on it?

Anyway, I do.

In fact, I've got to get the plane to Brussels this afternoon.

What?

No. If I could tell you over the phone, I wouldn't need to drag you down here in

person.

But it's important, young man, so be here.

Look, Steve, have a heart, will you? Are you trying to get me divorced before my

first anniversary?

Huh? Bring Susie with me. Well, uh... Yeah, yeah.

Okay.

Okay, my foot.

That ruins our day. Oh, no.

The Morton Swimming Pool is a much better place than Folkestone Beach.

Besides, you can have a look at Steve's new girlfriend. She'll be staying there.

Who? Who is she? Well, Steve didn't say.

But no doubt we shall find out when we get to Maidling.

Morning, Carrie.

Good morning, madam.

Who's that young man?

Well, it'll be Mr. Westlake.

I expect the boss has got him down about last night's little scare.

You all right this morning, madam? Yes, sir. Thank you, Carrie.

A little frightened at the time, but I've quite recovered now.

You know, what I don't understand is why the burglar alarm didn't go off as soon

as he got the window open.

The burglar alarm?

Is there one?

How exciting.

Oh, yes. The whole place is wired up like a concentration camp.

Not a very valuable stuff in that library.

Yes, I know.

Mr. Morton showed me some of his treasures yesterday.

Do you want your car now, madam?

No, but soon after lunch.

I'm afraid my weekend stay has to be cut short.

Pity.

I'll get it ready then, madam.

Thank you, Cardi.

Yes, I know, Susie, but I promise not to keep him more than an hour.

Another sherry, or will you leave it till after your swim?

No, thanks. I won't take another sherry, but I'm second to none at taking a hint.

Touche. I've brought my costume. If your housekeeper can rustle up a bathtub.

Ring the bell and they'll come running.

It'll be in the car. I'll get it, Susie. Oh, no.

Business before pleasure.

You get on with your work.

And not more than now.

Thank you, ma'am.

Let's go inside.

Yeah.

Well, what's in the wind? Well, briefly, Bob. I want you to handle the Torben

deal for me tomorrow.

I've got all the figures here.

Okay, if you say so, but why me? It's your baby.

I can't be there. I've got to be in Brussels for a couple of days.

Brussels? Yes.

Something's come up that might mean a great deal of money. A very great deal.

I can't tell you what it is until I check personally.

Meanwhile, Bob, get in touch with the fool firm who put in these burglar

alarms and raise cane.

Someone's broke in here in the early hours and never a faint tinkle from the

damn thing.

Oh?

Call the police? No, I don't want any smart addict detectives or reporters

nosing about at the moment. Because of the Belgian mystery?

Okay, no police. We handle it ourselves.

Anything missing?

No, not even a post-it stamp.

He was disturbed and bolted. One of my guests interrupted him before he could

get down to business.

Witness? Splendid. Can I have a word with him? It's a lady.

Better still.

Do I know her?

I don't think so. It's a Mrs.

Delgado. But I don't want to bother too much, Bob.

It's been a very great shock to her, and I'm afraid it's upset her considerably.

I wonder what she was doing down here in the middle of the night.

She couldn't sleep and came down for a book.

Pretty unpleasant for her, bumping into an armed thug.

Armed? Oh, that's a different picture.

I suppose Mrs. Delgado screened her head off, tore off the roof, and so on?

No, she fainted.

Carrie heard the disturbance and came down.

He helped her back to her room and rang me on the house phone.

Is that working? Yes, of course.

Then the circuit's okay.

Hmm.

I'll have the experts on it. Yeah.

In the meantime, I'd like a word with this Mrs. Delgado.

Ah, well, here's your chance.

Come in, my dear.

I'm not intruding? Not a bit.

Come along.

Oh, Rosemary, this is Robert Westlake. How do you do? How do you do? Glad to

see you up and about. Thank you. Must have been very unpleasant last night,

bumping into a burglar.

Would you have a cigarette?

No, thank you, I don't, but please do yourself.

Thank you.

You're quite sure you're all right, my dear child?

You don't think the shock?

Oh, no, Steve, really.

You know, I feel I've made far too much fuss about it already.

Oh, I'm only so terribly angry that it should have happened while you were my

guest. You couldn't describe the guy, I suppose.

Only vaguely.

He's a very ordinary sort of man.

Not very tall, a little thin for his height.

Well, you see, I hardly had a glimpse of him before I fainted. And as far as you

know, he didn't touch him? No, I'm sure he didn't. Then you must have got that

bruise on your arm when you fell, huh?

Yes, I must have done.

I bruise very easily.

Look here, Bob, I've told you, Mrs. Delgado doesn't want to be cross

-examined. Besides, I want her to see my rose garden.

Feel like it now, dear?

Yes, of course, I'd love to.

Good.

Give you some peace, Bob, to check through those figures. I think you'll

find them all in order. Well, if they're not, I'll phone up the airport and

cancel your reservation.

Steve, darling, I do think the garden looks lovely. Ah, I'm very proud of my

roses. Are you? Now, come along. I want you to see my peace rose particularly.

Hey, Bob, here.

What is it?

Is that Steve's new girlfriend?

Sure, Mrs. Delgado. I've just met her. Mrs. what?

Delgado. Rosemary, I believe.

And that's not what she called herself the last time I saw her. She used to be

Raymond Cusack's glamour piece.

Anita something.

You mean the Cusack who had to skip the country because of those phony shares?

And she was in it up to a beautiful neck.

Don't you think you ought to warn Steve?

At the moment, I don't think he's in the mood to listen.

We might check up on him while he's away, though.

I'll have a word with Curry while you get dressed.

Okay.

Hello, Curry.

Hello, sir. Nice job.

Break this straight out of the showroom.

And she knows how to handle it.

Not the only thing she can handle.

You mean last night? Uh-huh.

If you ask me anything, it was a boyfriend paying a late call.

What's your idea, Mr. Westlake?

You've heard the story and seen the lady.

She's no fainting type, not if I know anything about it.

Well, that's what I want to find out.

I suppose you've ferreted out her address and you can stop looking hurt.

Well, as a matter of fact, she did leave her driving license in the pocket of the

car. Uh-huh.

That tan Leinster house.

Anything else?

Oh yes, I didn't tell the boss, but I picked this up on the terrace.

A medallion, Arabic.

Now here is a thing, a very pretty thing.

I wonder who's the owner of this pretty thing.

Tan Leinster house.

But suppose she's in. What on earth are you going to say?

I'll think up some guff about Steve having phoned from Belgium.

Will she believe you?

I don't suppose she's there. I checked in the garage around the back and her

car's missing.

Oh. Did they say where she'd gone? That's what I want to find out inside.

Look, if she does come back, come in and give me the tip. Right.

Oh, good evening.

Is Mrs. Delgado in by any chance?

Yes, sister.

Oh, I'm afraid not, sir. She got back from the country and then went out about

half an hour ago. Oh, gosh.

Any idea when she'll be back?

Couldn't rightly say, sir.

That's too bad. I'm leaving for the States in a couple of days. I'd like to

see her before I go. We're very old friends.

You've no idea where she's gone?

Afraid not, sir.

She wouldn't have left the note in her flat, I say. I very much doubt it, sir.

In any case, we're not allowed to enter tenants' apartments, except in

emergencies. Oh, naturally, yes. She didn't happen to put through a phone

call, did she?

Oh, now you come to mention it, sir.

She did have one. Oh, excuse me. Yes, sir, now.

A Pope's Grove number, sir. Pope's Grove. That's Twickenham District, isn't

it? That's right.

Ah, yes. She's gone over to see Margaret Hayes.

I could probably just make it. Thank you very much for your help.

Oh, not at all, sir.

Shall I leave your name, sir? No, no. I want this to be a surprise.

Learn anything?

Not much.

I'll have to get into that flat.

What?

How on earth can you?

There's a master key hanging up in the office.

There's also an obstinate portrait to get rid of. Oh.

I've got an idea.

Good job you've got me with you. Now you keep out of sight.

Yes.

I'll see it's attended to first thing in the morning.

I can't stop it. I don't know what to do.

Here you are, miss.

I'm afraid you'll have to get it seen to proper at the garage, though. Yes, of

course.

League of the Friends of Arabia.

Avonlea, Moncton Road, Twickenham.

Twickenham, here we come.

The wall runs around three sides and the lawn runs right down to the river.

Could you get in from there? Yeah, but I'm not in the mood for a midnight

bathe. Wall climbing's much more on my line.

But there's an awful lot of war.

Yeah, fortunately, there's an awful lot of car.

Good thing we thought of this hire, John.

Well, in any case, you might have recognized ours.

That's right.

Changing it on Newt was a good idea.

Not enough!

Turn around and put your hands up.

Harmless, eh?

Just a housebreaker with poor technique.

That is what you want us to believe. You make too much noise, my friend.

You insult us.

Do you mind if I put my hands down? I'm tired and I haven't got a gun.

But I have. Be careful. Do as I say.

I will take you to the leader. What are you doing here anyway?

great job

What the blazes?

What goes on? Put that blasted light out.

Our dinghy has been stolen.

Why tell me? Tell the police.

Waking up a body in the middle of the night.

Ah, it's those foreigners again.

Here, what do you two... Shh.

We're eloping. Eloping?

Yes, that was her uncle up there looking for her. You'd better come aboard.

Oh, thanks.

You first.

Well, suppose you tell me just what you're up to.

Oh, it's true.

The man in the launch was my guardian, Uncle Stanislav.

He's not English. Well, not really.

I'm not 21 till July, and he wants to take me away to Italy, and then I'll

never see Bob again.

Yes, we want to get married right away, then he can't take her away from me. Oh,

so you pinched his dinghy, eh?

Yes. Well, what were you going to do then?

Well, we hoped, you see, to get to the other side, but then he came after us,

and... So we hid behind your boat. Oh, you did, eh? And if you got the other

side, what then?

Well, you see... I have an aunt in London.

Susie could stay with her. Susie's my intended bride.

But I had intended, of course, to return the dinghy.

I'll leave it here. You can pick it up in the morning.

Blinking foreigners shooting off guns and shoving searchlights around.

I'll run you downstream.

Oh, we couldn't bother you. Ah, it's no bother at all.

I was leaving the mooring tomorrow anyway.

Begging your pardon, miss, but since this bunch of foreigners has landed

here... This mooring's too noisy for me.

I'm afraid, Captain, we have added to your troubles. Ah, Danny, fash yourself.

Glad to help in the romance.

It's like Gretna Green in London, isn't it?

Now, let's see the wee bride try her hand in the galley. And now we'll start

the voyage in a cup of cuckoo. Wonderful idea, Captain. Thank you.

Is that you, darling? You're early.

Yeah, thought I'd catch you out with the gas man.

Brought you a present.

Oh, my bag.

Returned intact by our Kirch's police.

By the police? But what have they got to do with it? Now, don't panic. I had to

do something about that car, so as soon as I got to the office, I phoned the

hire people, and I told them it had been stolen.

Did they believe you? Why not? It happens every day. The Twickenham police

carted around, and there he was, sitting under the wall, waiting for him. With my

bag in the dashboard locker.

There's nothing missing, is there?

No, thank heavens. I was terrified I'd left a letter or something inside that

the other people might have found first.

I don't suppose they even noticed. After all, we...

Didn't make her exit by boat.

There was that thug you had the wrestling match with. He could have

described you.

I doubt if he'd be coherent for an hour or two, not after that last haymaker I

handed him.

Anyhow, I don't think they'd want to draw attention to themselves by making

it a police job.

What I can't make out is what on earth a Delgado woman's got to do with a bunch

of Arabs.

Of course, Steve comes into it.

Why has he suddenly gone dashing off to Belgium, for instance?

Your guess is as good as mine. He's probably buying something to sell at 900

% profit. Just what escapes me.

Ah, your boyfriend from the gas company is a little late.

It's probably Mother.

I'll go.

Oh, Doris, do come in. Do you want Bob?

If he's available, Mrs. Westlake.

Is Doris going up in the office, darling?

No, we're out of time, but she's welcome to a straight turn.

Thanks, just a little one.

Welcome to Liberty Hall.

And to what are we indebted for this visit?

A continental long-distance call from the big boy himself.

Oh? It came after you left.

Antwerp, I gather.

Antwerp? He wanted to talk to you personally.

He'll ring you again this evening. Uh-uh. But meanwhile, you ought to get

in touch with Tom Cookson right away.

Tom Cookson.

I don't think I like the sound of that. Sorry, but that's the message.

Who's Tom Crookson, anyway?

Well, he's one of the uncrowned kings of Soho. He's an ex-fighter who did rather

well in the boxing game. He runs a book at the Dogs, indulges in a little black

market, and knows nearly all the answers.

Sounds dreadful.

That's where you're wrong, dear. He's really a very nice fellow.

But why on earth does Steve want you to contact him?

Well, that's something we'll have to find out.

I have an idea that Steve's present activities on the continent are, shall

we say, a little unorthodox.

That wouldn't surprise me.

Good heavens, I'll have to get weaving.

Bright lights tonight for little Doris. New boyfriend?

Sorry to dash.

Bye, Doris. Give him an order at the office. I will. See you at dawn.

Bye, Mrs. Westlake.

Oh,

for Pete's sakes, not again.

You know, that man never stops.

Hello, Bob Westlake.

Who is it?

Who? Oh, Mrs. Delgado.

Yes, I do remember. We met at Steve's yesterday.

How is the bruise?

Uh-huh.

Sure.

You see, Steve promised himself to advise me about these shares.

Well, as he's away... You'd like me to deal with them for him? I'd be only too

pleased to.

You have them around at your place?

Well, I'm afraid I can't do it because, you see, I'm expecting a long-distance

call.

Oh, I see.

Yes, that does make it difficult.

Wait a minute.

What? Why don't you get the exchange to transfer the call to my number?

It would save you waiting.

Yes, I think that's a pretty good idea.

What is your phone number?

Langham 0801.

And your address?

10 Leinster House.

Fine, Mrs. Delgado, I'll be right along. Goodbye.

That woman is about the feeblest liar in the business.

Advisor on shares.

Advise her on what we were up to last night, more likely.

On the other hand, she's nobody's fool.

You'd better watch your step.

Don't you trust me?

Sometimes.

Oh, lucky this time, sir. Mrs. Delgado is in. Yeah, she just phoned me.

Second floor, sir. That's right.

Hello,

Bob.

What?

Oh, I see.

London are transferring the call to another exchange.

I see. All right, I'll hold on.

Steve must find you so useful.

He told me yesterday how he relies on your judgment.

That was nice of him. Thank you. Good luck. Cheers.

Still, you must have been awfully cross at being dragged down to Madeley on a

Sunday, though.

You get used to that sort of thing with Steve. He's a great character.

I find him absolutely fascinating.

He's out on his own.

He's the hardest guy to fool I've ever come across.

Still, it must have been annoying having to cut your run to the coast. Oh, we

didn't mind it, really. We made up for it.

We went to the movies in the evening, came back, played a few records, and had

an early night.

I see.

You're sure you don't mind looking to me? Not at all. Not at all.

Excuse me. Certainly.

Hello? Yes.

Oh, it's for you.

Antwerp, I gather. Oh, thank you.

Hello?

Oh, yes, Steve.

Your daughter's giving me a message.

What's that?

Cookson knows all about it.

That's more than I drew.

Now look, Bob.

It ought to be worth a cool 50,000.

All I want you to do is to go with Cookson and collect the goods.

Then take them down to Madeley and put them in the safe.

Simple. Yeah, isn't it?

Or would be if I knew what the heck you were talking about. Look, Steve.

Just what do we collect and when and where?

That's why I'm ringing.

It'll be a fishing boat and it won't hang about.

You'll have roughly 30 minutes.

Tell Cookson to have a van waiting at Lillington Point between 3.15 and 3.45

tomorrow morning.

Attractive times you choose.

I'll be feeling at my best.

And where, may I ask, is Lillington Point?

Look, Steve.

Steve.

Hello. Hello.

Look, miss, I've been cut off.

Hello. Hello, Antwerp.

Hello. Come on.

An import.

Merci. Oh, was that Steve?

Yes, it was.

I'd have let you have a word with him, but it was a very bad line, and we got

cut off in the middle. Oh, how annoying.

Is he all right?

Oh, yeah, he's fine.

He didn't say when he'd be back. Mrs. Delgado, would you mind if I looked at

those shares sometime tomorrow?

He's just handed me a rather urgent little job. Oh, but naturally, I realize

what a busy man you are.

Sure there won't be any snags, Tom.

Now that Susie's insisted on joining the party, I'm just a little worried.

Why, you needn't be.

I got the lowdown.

There's been a bit of activity, and last night the revenue boys picked up a

couple of Belgian characters, but it's just routine stuff.

That's nice. So we'll find the place knee-deep in preventive officers.

But they're working further out and down the river.

We'll be okay. According to your boss, only Jackson should do in the run, and

he doesn't believe in trouble.

Wish I could say the same about Steve.

Where exactly is Gillington Point?

It's a beautiful place so as to give us the choice of three nice lots of police

cells. Gilliam, Gravesend, or Sheernet.

Bend it.

Purely of normality, Tom, but you wouldn't know what it is we're

collecting, I suppose.

I never ask questions.

We'll find out soon enough.

Yes, that was what I was afraid of.

Sure you're not too cold, honey? No, not too bad.

Here, you try a drop of this, Dax.

Nothing like it for warming up.

Yeah, but that came in duty free, too.

Keep it, of course, and we'd better darken ship. But leave your navigation

lights. All right.

Shall we be able to get alongside?

Better not to chance the jetty.

Okay, I'll take a look in a minute.

If it's too bad, we'll get the stuff to join the dinghy.

Only a couple of cases.

I don't know what's in these things, but it feels as though Morton's bought up a

lead foundry. Come on.

Skip it. I just said they're ruddy heavy.

What do you make the time?

3.22 exactly.

Gets light in about half an hour. Yeah.

I hope he won't be late.

Ah.

There he is.

Acknowledge. Three slow ones.

Is it all right to smoke?

Right inside. We don't want too much of a bonfire out here.

Oh, yes. The flame might be seen.

That the lot?

That is all.

C'est tout.

I should hope so, too.

All right.

Okay. Right. So long, Armand.

Bon voyage.

He didn't say he was going to ship a couple of cases of gold bars.

We can't manage both in one journey.

Well, let's take this one and we'll come back for the other, eh? Wait a minute.

Right-o. Okay?

Yeah.

Right.

All

right,

Fred. Yes, sir.

Inza! No!

Retard, what happened?

All right, Mr. Missing. Yeah, all right.

Susie!

Susie!

Yeah, that mob isn't too much of a hurry. They didn't even spot this one.

Might be they got the one they wanted.

They got Susie.

Yeah.

Yeah, tough there, Mr. Wesley.

Oh, boy, Eddie.

I jacked on me own territory, eh?

The bloke with me must have used them back of my head's murder.

Someone's going to get their teeth kicked in for this. You can say that

again. If only we knew who they were.

They knew us all right. And what we was doing.

And they jumped us.

I'd have brought some of the boys along if I'd known this was in the schedule.

You didn't recognize any of them, did you, fellas?

No, there wasn't an English outfit.

Sounded like a bunch of camel drivers to me.

Four hundred of some coin.

You didn't tell anyone about this trip. Oh, Tom, keep it sensible.

Funny coincidence.

They should just happen to be here just at the right time.

I don't believe much in that kind of coincidence.

They got a tip.

Wait a minute.

Maybe it was my end.

When I got that telephone call from Steve, I wasn't in my own place.

Somebody could have been listening in and heard enough to fix this thing up.

I'll sort that out when I get back. If I can make it stick, somebody isn't going

to like it. We've got to get back first.

Here. How about using Mickey Swait's car?

Blimey, far my walk.

It'll be full daylight before we get started. Who's Mickey Swait? A pal of

ours. Runs a small oldie near the Stroud Road.

Yeah, this hat belongs to him.

Very useful it's been, more than once, eh? Why ain't carrying that lot across

the fields to Mickey's? All right, then. No one's asking you to.

I'll tell you what. Mr. Westlake could stop here and keep an eye on it. Okay.

As far as I'm concerned, I wish it was at the bottom of the sea and Steve

Morden with it. Then you can quote me on that.

Cheer up, Coke. You won't have long to wait.

We're not marathon runners, but we'll do our best.

Sorry we've been so long. I hope you pinch a bite, but they keep things

locked up in these parts. Did you get a car?

Sure, let's get this thing aboard. Yeah, let's hurry. I've just had a visitor.

Another cop? No, but a nosy little swab who said he was bird-watching. Ah, as

long as that's all he was watching.

Now, I'm always scared of that type.

Knocks, mostly. Yeah.

Aren't you going to get this to Mr. Steve's place right away?

I am not. Steve and his troubles will have to wait. My first job is to find

Susie. And I don't get it, Mr. Westlake. A mob like that don't usually want to

get lumbered up with a prisoner. And a female one at that. Well, they won't be

lumbered up with her for long if I have to take this town apart.

Tell you what.

I'll hang on here and keep an eye on this lot.

And in case there's anyone wanted on the blower. Yeah, they might have taken

Susie as a safety measure. So if what they want, it wasn't in that first case.

They'll offer a swap for this one. Possible.

Well, that means they won't harm her in the meantime.

Just let them try it, that's all.

Well, I don't mind hanging around.

It might be an idea to make whatever's in this lot into separate parcels.

Easier to handle, eh? That's a good idea.

Steve or no blasted Steve. Look, there's a hammer in that drawer.

Go down to the janitor and try and rustle up a chisel, eh? All right. You

leave it to me, Mr. Westlake, but you push off because every minute counts.

Fine. Okay.

Mrs. Delgado.

She's gone, sir.

Gone? Yes, sir. Very unexpected.

Packed her things and left late last night.

You mean for good?

That's right, sir. Her flat's vacant.

You know where to?

No, sir. I asked her for a forwarding address letter, isn't there?

She was out of here and into the taxi before you could say no. Was there

anyone with her?

No, sir.

Not a young girl, blonde, grey slacks, green jacket, no one at all, sir.

Can I use your phone?

Certainly, sir. Shall I get the number for you?

Yes, it's Pulp's Grove 9063.

It's urgent.

This is a very pleasing room facing south.

I'm sure the former tenants were most satisfied.

You really must consider yourselves most fortunate that such an unexpected

vacancy...

Oh, excuse me.

Hello?

Who?

Mrs. Delgado?

No, I don't think I know the name.

Oh, perhaps she was connected with our recent tenants.

No, I'm afraid they have given up the lease and left. Thanks.

Come in.

We have still been unable to contact the young man, doctor.

You realize that every moment is vital.

Naturally, doctor. The moment we have any further news, we will inform you. At

once, please.

You will not forget that you have an appointment at 11 o'clock with the

minister. I'm afraid that for once in his life, the minister will have to

wait. Perhaps he would be good enough to present my compliments and apologies.

I will see to it. Please do so.

Any news? No.

Dead end.

Cleared out. All of them. Cleared out?

Taken Susie with them.

Blimey, she... She might be anywhere.

Yeah.

You opened up that treasure chest yet?

Yes, no wonder it was heavy. Do you know what was in it? Oh.

Books.

Books? Yeah, come and have a dick of yourself.

You're gonna knock me down with a feather.

Look at them.

Yeah.

What's this?

1658. Printed in Florence.

Philosophical meditations by Bernadetta de Placido.

It ain't looking so old that you'd have to share the customs.

They're not.

If I thought we'd lost Susie and taken all those risks with that, I'd have

strangled Steve with my own hands.

Museum pieces, ain't they?

I'll say they are. Greek, Latin, early Italian religious manuscripts.

What have we got here?

1670, 1704.

Pietro Leonardi. Whoever he was. Worth a bit, I expect.

Worth a packet, even with only half the consignment. They've got away with a

young fortune.

I wonder who that is.

Hello, who is it?

Mr. Westlake?

One moment, please.

Thank you.

I'm afraid my name will mean nothing to you.

But I have good reason to believe that we have certain interests in common.

I will tell you this much.

I'm engaged in a cultural capacity by a certain government.

I would appreciate the pleasure of a talk with you.

Look, I'm pretty busy right now.

Just, what do you want to talk to me about?

I would prefer to speak to you in person.

It's not a fit matter for the telephone.

If I say that it has something to do with books and last night's activities,

would that be sufficient?

Perhaps.

Where are you?

22 Queens Gate.

All right.

I'll be right along.

Do you mind if I bring a policeman with me?

A policeman?

No, I would not object to that, but I confess it might serve no useful

purpose.

From whose point of view?

Oh, you're being very cautious.

I do not blame you, but I can assure you we wish to help, not to harm.

As Mr. Stephen Morton, but still on the continent... You seem to know quite a

lot, don't you?

All right, I'll be with you in 15 minutes.

Who was that?

Some foreigner who wouldn't give his name. He seems to know plenty about what

happened last night.

Well, perhaps he was one of them.

There's only one way to find out. Stick around here, Tom. I'm going to talk to

him.

Say that.

Take her upstairs, the room at the back. You will not get hurt so long as you do

not give trouble.

You won't mind if I use a few unladylike words or kick you in the teeth if I get

the chance?

Enough.

As soon as we've got the books, you will be set free.

And if you don't get them?

We shall hold you as a hostage until we do.

And you're liable to get hurt.

And the reason Steve had to smuggle them in was because they're Nazi property.

Strictly speaking, they're ex-Italian property.

The entire contents of both cases that arrived last night were stolen from the

monastery of Monte Cassino during the Nazi retreat.

And in one of the two cases are these prophecies of Ahmed? We believe so.

And possibly Mr. Mordent was not even aware of the fact. But I can assure you

they are highly dangerous.

What are they exactly?

Ahmed the Elder.

was a great Eastern seer and prophet in the early part of the 14th century.

There's a belief that in his work, he foretold the fate of the entire Arab

world and its eventual triumph over the infidel.

I see.

In recent years, a new Ahmed cult has appeared.

Their leader, Hejaz Delal, is a skilled agitator.

And with the aid of those original works, he could well set the whole of

the Middle East aflame.

Egypt, Syria, the Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Sort of holy war.

A jihad.

Exactly.

And on a vast scale.

There's still widespread superstition amongst the desert tribes.

And as you know, there's already trouble enough in Morocco and elsewhere.

And this is the mob that's kidnapped my wife.

What's the hope of locating them? They've left the Twickenham place.

I think it is more likely that they'll try to locate you, Mr. Westlake.

If not, you can rest assured that my government's own organization here...

We'll find out their new whereabouts in a matter of hours.

And meanwhile?

If the books are in the case at your flat, perhaps they could be moved for

safety until Mr. Morden's return?

Well, you'd better come and pick them out. I don't give a rat about the books.

My wife is a different story.

Thank you.

Side, will you come with us?

Yes, the second volume.

It is an amazing stock of luck to be in this box.

These must be taken to the embassy right away.

Very good, Doctor. And if you take my tip, you'll pop down the fire escape.

You never know who you might meet in the front.

Ah, is that an excellent idea? Yeah, just a sec.

As soon as they discover that they've got the wrong crate, they're bound to

come here. So we lay the bait and sit and wait for them, huh? Suits me. And if

there's any of that hijacked mob that jumped us last night, they're going to

find out what it's like to be jumped.

Don't answer that, Cub.

Might be someone trying to find out if it's anyone at all. And it might be

something about Susie. Oh, don't worry. We'll get your missus back all right.

One of our little pals is going to tell me where she is. Perhaps we'd better

wait in there. Yeah.

Hello, Donal.

Yes, the books are all here.

They've been unpacked.

All right, I'll wait.

My dear Mrs.

Delgado, how nice of you to drop in.

Such a pleasure.

So you're a reader of the classics as well?

That's close enough.

You're a fool if you think I won't use this.

Sit down.

You're the boss.

And how long do you think you're going on with this nonsense?

Long enough.

There's nothing you can do about it, so you'd better just relax.

In the meantime, if you'll tell me where my wife is, we might make a deal.

What makes you think you're in a position to bargain?

Little fool stuck her nose into what didn't concern her. She's finding out it

doesn't pay.

Okay, so we just sit here and wait for your tufts to come along, pick up the

books and deliver them to Delal.

What do you know about Dalal?

I know a lot of things.

Including your past with Raymond Cusack. Oh, by the way, what is he doing these

days? I don't know what on earth you're talking about.

Short memory.

I haven't told Steve.

Yet. You talk too much.

If you think that Steve would listen... You see?

Your reinforcements?

Come on, get up.

You go first and open the door.

I'll be right behind you.

Quickly!

You? Yes.

That's the second time your excellent fire escape has come in useful.

Shall we continue our conversation inside?

You should try a little ring craft, lady.

Where do you think all this is going to get you? Take your hands off me.

I'm still willing to make a bargain.

You know what I want, so now's the time to talk.

What do you think you've got to offer?

You. Me.

You tell me where Susie is and I'll let you go free as soon as I've located her.

Well?

Or do I call the police?

Kidnapping is not encouraged in this country.

You wouldn't do that.

You've too much to explain.

Smuggling those books, for instance.

None of that matters now.

My wife does.

She's... She's a Twickenham. You know the house.

Oh. They've gone. I checked.

You'll have to hand me a better clue than that.

Well, I... I don't know.

Delal has several addresses. She might be at any one of them.

Ah, here's the real party.

Now look, you do as you're told and you'll be okay. You come with me to that

door, you'll let them in.

You'll tell them we've made it up. We've come to a business arrangement, right?

They'll kill me if I do.

I'll kill you if you don't.

Come on.

Act natural. Give them a nice welcome.

Oh, hello, boys. Come on in.

Oh, uh, Mrs. Delgado and I have come to an arrangement.

You want the books?

Okay. No hard feelings, but if you want them, get them out of here before my

boss arrives.

It's a private deal, see?

I know nothing about this.

You've no need to. Would you go on in there?

Stop there, madam. You're a little too eager.

We haven't yet got our information.

When is she? What's the address?

I do not squeal. Ah, don't you? Well, I'll hand you one in a minute. Save it,

Tom.

I think our friend Rosemary will tell us now.

All right.

She's at 16 Greenock Street, Camden Town.

Ah.

16 Greenock Street, Camden Town. I take it you keep your bargain. Can I go now?

I said after we'd located Susan.

I think it would be advisable to check the address.

Why, you... Perhaps the lady would like to wait at the embassy in the meantime.

That's a very good idea, Doctor. You can show those Ahmed books.

You mean that's where they are? Yes, they are.

This is not your lucky day, but then you wished yourself into this. You know, you

should have stuck around with Raymond Cusack and his straightforward fraud.

Thank you for the suggestion.

I might have bet.

Where's your boss, Dallal?

There you go, Barginale.

Who'd you say you were?

Dallal, and we want him now.

Dallal? Who's he?

Never heard of him.

This is number 16, isn't it? That's right.

So what?

You must have got the wrong address. Oh, no, we haven't. Where's the girl he

brought here? The one from Kew?

I don't know what you're talking about. There's no girl here.

Oh, look, if you don't mind, I... I think that Delgado woman was lying.

Could be, but I don't think so.

Look, if you don't clear off, I'll get the police.

You can't just bust into a private house like this and... Shut up.

Where's the girl?

I tell you, there's no one here. Only me and the missus.

Then blasted stairs will be the... Take that down again, Ada. I don't want it

yet. What do you mean you just... Take it down. That's not much of a meal. Who

is it for?

Get back to your kitchen and mind your own business.

Make up your ruddy mind.

First you tell me get the tray ready. Now, just because you got some more

visitors, I've got to traipse the lot back again.

More visitors.

There's things going on in this house I don't like the look of, and that's a

fact. And who are you, anyway?

Never mind who I am.

Where were you taking that tray?

Why don't you ask him? He gives all the orders round here.

What goes on upstairs is no business of mine.

I've got me work to do.

I think we'll take a look for ourselves.

Oh, no, you don't. Oh, yes, we do.

You hurt?

No, no, not really.

It was pretty foul, though. I'll bet.

I'm all right.

If you can find my other shoe, I think we might get out of here.

Can't be quick enough for me.

Come on.

Stay.

As I was saying, I hadn't a clue as to the

full contents.

Tony DeHuyken traced them to a private house in Cologne, and knowing they'd be

worth a packet in America, I nipped in and bought the lot cheap.

It'll cost you a packet in compensation to us.

I'll put up your percentage on what we make out of it.

Keep him to that, darling.

Yes, Briggs. Will Mr. and Mrs.

Westlake be staying to luncheon, sir? We certainly will.

And it'd better be good.

I want smoked salmon and chicken.

Yes, madam.

Will there be any other guests, sir?

I don't think so, Briggs.

Who may do in mine?

I thought perhaps Mrs.

Delgado might.

No.

Definitely, no.