Original subtitles

Bye.

Thank you.

When this is safely delivered, the plans will be complete.

I shall take good care of it.

It is the last document.

A map of London, with the positions to be taken up by the transmitters marked

on it.

And also the wavelengths that they will operate on.

Everything is ready. We await the signal.

And nothing can go wrong?

What?

That fool Schaefer allowed the police to obtain a part of the plans.

They know our intentions, but they have no way of stopping us.

They might as well know nothing.

And they've not even been able to cross-question any of the men that they

arrested, thanks to Mr. Preston.

He has served us better than he knows.

Why, I have never quite been able to decide.

This man has led an exemplary life.

His past is an open book.

It has been conclusively proved that he had no connection with the act of

sabotage in question.

And so I submit that my client is not only as innocent as a man can be, but

that further he is showing more than usual restraint, I might even say

sportsmanship, in refusing to claim damages from the police for wrongful

arrest. There is not one shred of evidence against him, or the slightest

reflection on the integrity of his character.

Anything to say?

No, sir.

In my opinion, there is insufficient evidence against the accused.

The case is dismissed.

Preston. Oh, hello, Inspector.

No ill feelings, I hope. Still friends?

You're a very clever young man.

Oh, that's pretty generous. Yes, never mind. I think it's a great pity you're

wasting your talents and obstructing the law. I'd be careful if I were you.

I should have thought you could have found a healthier occupation than

defending jailbirds.

Oh, now, please, Inspector, please.

Clans.

Anyway, can't you find anything better to do with your time than trying to

convict a lot of innocent civilians?

Innocent, my...

Dear young fella, I've been tracking down that sabotage gang for months now,

and I've only arrested the three I know to be guilty.

And I was inconsiderate enough to prove them innocent.

They're as innocent as you are, Larry Preston. That's what I told the judge.

You wanted to see me?

I did.

You defended Carl Bergson. Yes, and I got him off. That's no credit to you.

Oh, but it was a tough case. I wouldn't be... Preston, you have deliberately

defended three men, all of them undesirable aliens, against my express

wishes. These men have been charged with the iniquitous crime of sabotage.

And I proved them innocent. That's beside the point.

You could prove her, Hitler, innocent.

Oh, that's very nice of you. Take me a bit of time, of course. Now, are you or

are you not going to come to your senses? That is not the type of client

we want. Who, Hitler? No, Bergson and the others. I'm afraid I disagree.

Larry, I don't think I'm trying to be difficult.

It's just that, well, your father wouldn't like to think that you weren't

carrying on in the old tradition.

You know, with a very old established firm. Do I ever forget it? Well, yes, I

am afraid you do.

Now, Larry, my boy, won't you really try to be a little more particular in

choosing your clients?

Well, there's no harm in trying.

Excellent.

I feel quite reassured.

Hello, Perkson.

This is me under the soap. Oh, Mr.

Preston. Here, here, here. Turn it up, old man.

That's right. I didn't expect to see you in a place like this. I thought you'd be

out celebrating.

No, you have a couple to celebrate getting out of prison and they put you

back in for being drunk and disorderly. Sure, but I'll get you out again.

I prefer not to give you the trouble.

Here, here. Do you want to get your throat cut?

Hello there.

Good evening, sir.

Quite a reunion.

You boys keeping out of trouble now?

Yes, yes, we're keeping out of trouble.

What's he doing here?

Hadn't you better tell the boss?

We must wait till he goes.

Thank you.

How much do I owe you? Fourpence and eightpence, one shilling, sir.

Oh, thank you. I hope we shall see you again soon, sir. Yes.

I'll be back. Thank you. Thank you.

Well, good night, boys.

Don't forget, if any of your pals get into trouble, let me know.

Thank you, Mr. Preston.

Oh. Having fun? That's a damn silly thing to do. Shh.

Darling, I've got to follow them. Look.

Oh.

Good Lord.

It's Bray.

Good evening, Inspector.

Are you enjoying your constitutional?

Good night, Inspector.

He has just left.

I thought you should know at once.

Bergson. It appears that young Preston trailed one of them to the shop. This

evening he came in for a shave.

That's not so good. How do we know?

He's an intelligent young man. He may want to be paid for his services.

It is not unreasonable.

And he can be very useful to us.

Well, we shall wait and see.

Good morning, Mrs. Preston. Is your husband in?

Oh, what?

Oh, shut up. Is your husband in, Mrs. Preston? No, I'm afraid he's out. Good.

Can I come in, then?

Oh, why? Inspector. No, no, no.

All about Borgia. Nothing like that about the old dick. Take your hat off.

What? Take your hat off.

What I mean to say is I don't want to see him. I want to have a private chat

with you.

Oh, I understand.

Perhaps you'd like to wait here, Mr... I'm afraid I don't know your friend's

name. That's not my friend. That's my assistant, Delacroix.

Delacroix. Never mind. I'd rather he came in.

Well, Mrs. Preston. Nice. Hey, nice little place you've got here. Yes,

haven't we? Mrs.

Preston. I want to talk to you about your husband. Oh, must we? Yes, we must.

I'm afraid he's been behaving rather stupidly recently.

But if you'll answer my questions and answer them honestly, we... We might be

able to prevent him from getting into quite a lot of trouble.

Very well, Inspector.

I see it's no use hiding anything from you.

Wait a minute.

Really, Mrs.

Preston, is all this necessary?

Oh, yes, indeed.

It's very important to get the right atmosphere.

Now, Inspector, I will come clean.

Oh, good sir. Shut up. You care to take tobacco?

Well, Mrs. Preston, have you noticed any marked increase in your husband's income

recently? No, I can't say I have.

But then you'll see he gives me very little money. Oh, don't be so... Be

quiet. Have you noticed any change in his attitude towards you?

Must I answer that?

Yes? No.

Hasn't he become more secretive?

Oh, yes.

Stays out without telling where he's gone to?

Oh, yes.

Oh, any other change in his habits?

No. Huh?

Oh, yes, he likes getting his hair cut and he goes out for a shave very often.

Yes, well, I didn't mean his personal habits.

Wait a minute, what did you say, shaves?

Where does he go to?

An awful little shop in Penton Street.

Does he go there often?

Oh, I know he may be there now.

Thank you, Mrs Preston.

Oh, thank you very much.

To the port, quick!

Hello, darling. I had to come back. I forgot something. Well, that's just

providence, darling, because you left me without any money this morning.

What's wrong with your bank?

Some bust.

Well, look.

Here's a couple of quid.

No, that's not nearly enough.

That's all I've got on me.

Oh? Inspector Braid told me you were earning such a lot these days.

Inspector... When did he tell you that?

This morning.

Has he been here?

Yes, he put me through the third degree.

I've got to go.

Come in, come in.

Miss Sampson, ask Mr Preston to come in for a moment. I want to consult him.

I pray Mr Preston hasn't come in yet, sir.

Doesn't he ever come in? I mean, I just want to be told.

He's a little later than usual this morning.

Of course, he may be at his barracks.

All right, never mind.

Oh, Mrs Honeycomb has called to see you, sir.

Oh, really?

Oh.

Well, well, well, don't stand there. Show her in, show her in.

Ah, there you are, Mrs. Honeycomb. Do come in, do come in. I've been waiting

for you all morning.

Oh, thank you. And how are you, Mr. Blight? Very fit, very fit.

You sit there, will you? It's much more comfortable.

Thank you.

Well, first of all, I really must thank you most sincerely.

You've been so kind. Oh, no, not at all, not at all.

Oh, but you have. I don't know what I should have done without you. Oh,

nothing at all, nothing at all, Mrs. Honeycomb. No, but it was.

You paid out all that money for what you lawyers call it?

Bail. Oh, yes, bail.

Well, we could hardly leave an unprotected girl in prison, could we?

No. You're so kind-hearted, Mr. Blight. No, no, no. Please, please, please.

Anyone would have done the same thing.

Besides, I was lucky to be allowed the privilege.

And so gallant?

Well, now, Mrs. Honeycomb, do you feel able to talk seriously just for a little

while? Well, I confess, the whole thing is just a complete muddle to me. Of

course, of course.

Mrs. Honeycomb, now tell me all about it.

Well, if I can.

There doesn't seem much harm in asking people to one's flat, does there? Of

course not. Doesn't seem the sort of thing one should be put in prison for,

does it? Oh, dear, dear.

Scandalous, I should call it.

Completely without justification, legal or otherwise.

And to be taken from one's house in a police van.

Infamous. Just because these friends I'd invited started to gamble. Without my

knowing anything about it, of course.

Some game with a funny little wheel.

Of course I didn't even know it was gambling. Of course not. And then to be

accused of running a... what was it? A gaming house.

Yes, a gaming house.

The very thought of it. Definitely a shock for a woman of your character.

Yes, I must make a point of that.

And why me?

Exactly, why you?

Why not the others too? Indeed, why not?

I suppose because it was in my house they did it. Ah, yes, no doubt. Well,

now, Mrs. Haricot, we mustn't fret. You've been through a great deal. But

look, look, from now on you must leave everything to me.

I shall be working for you. Oh, I know you will.

I'm so much happier now.

Ah, that's the spirit.

At first I was so hurt, so lonely, because I've no husband to protect me.

I've been alone for seven years. Oh, really?

But now I have someone to look after me.

Of course you have, my Mrs.

Honeycomb.

Well, I mustn't keep you from your work any longer.

I'm sure you must be very busy. Yes, but you must come again soon. I quite

understand that my little troubles mean an awful lot to me, but they can only

mean a tiny little thing in your thoughts. Oh, no, no, no. Please, Mrs.

Honeycomb, I shall think of nothing else.

Oh, Mr.

Blight, what nonsense you talk.

Now, I really must be going.

You must come again soon. Oh, I'd love to. Why, of course, of course.

We shall need many more consultations once I get down to details.

Really? Oh, yes.

In regard to the case, of course.

Shall we? Oh, I am glad.

Goodbye, Mr. Bright, and thank you so much. Whatever happens, I shall never

forget what you've done for me. Please, please, don't mention it, Mrs.

Honeycomb.

About me.

Oh, hello, Larry, my boy.

Clever woman.

What did you do for her?

Just the client, just the client.

Ridiculous charge.

An innocent little card party construed as an offense.

No evidence at all, least of all against her.

Oh, I see. Ah, hence the interest in the gaming law.

Well,

good hunting.

Oh, Larry.

Oh, Larry.

One moment. Look, it seems that the Gaming Act of 1787 has never been

repealed. Do you think they might cite it?

I'll be sentenced to death.

Well, of course, if they bring that one against the little widow, you'll be a

widower before the fact.

Really, Larry?

Why worry about that?

I think you'll find that it was repealed in the Act of 1832.

Was it?

Oh, of course.

I quite forgot, stupid of me.

Before getting my own head next.

Oh, I don't think you could do that, could you?

Inspector Bray to see you, sir.

Oh, there you are, Inspector. Where have you been this morning? I've been looking

for you all over the place. Oh, well, that's remarkable. So have we.

Did you find him? Oh, yes.

Mr. Blight, I don't know whether you've got an influence over this harebrained

partner of yours. Well, Inspector, if you have, I'm going to ask you to use it

before I start taking more drastic steps.

I don't pretend to know what he's up to, but I'll tell you this much.

Every time I set eyes on him, he's looking less like a lawyer and more like

a lawbreaker.

Careful, Inspector.

Remember, you're in a solicitor's office.

Everything you say can be taken down, changed, and used to get heavy damages.

No, Larry, Larry.

Is that true, sir, please? It's what... Preston!

It might interest you to know that I can book you this moment on the charge of

associating with known criminals.

What? No, no, no, you mustn't do that.

Don't you realize we're a very old, established firm? Yes, the courts of

England are usually rather severe on crooked lawyers.

Crooked lawyers?

How are they on crooked detectives? Larry!

Have a good mind to knock your block off. No, careful, sir, careful.

Remember, we are in a solicitor's thing.

Oh, are we? All right, Mr. Blight, I'm surprised at you.

Do you realize he's working against his country? This money he's accepting of

defending these men is foreign money?

Foreign... Larry, Larry, you're not accepting foreign money. Oh, that's all

right. I can use it in foreign parts.

All right, be funny.

But you look serious enough when you're up in the dock defending yourself

against the charge of espionage. Oh, no, sir, no.

Espionage. Oh, but that's definitely actionable. You must be more careful.

All right. All right, let them sue me. I've got a thing or two to say to the

jury. It'll make them sit up. I hope I make myself plain.

Perfectly. I should think even the neighbours know about it by now. Very

well, Mr. Blight. It's up to you now.

If there's any unpleasant scandal, don't say I didn't warn you.

Well, I'm awfully sorry. I barged in like this, and thanks very much. Ciao.

Temperamental fellow, isn't he?

Don't try to evade the issue, Preston.

After all, it was just what I suspected myself.

Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day when a partner of Blight and

Preston would be threatened with imprisonment. No, I must say that it

came as a bit of a shock to me.

You realize, of course, that this regrettable state of affairs must cease

instantly? Oh, I do, yes.

Well, I most emphatically hope so.

Yes, I... I see now where I was heading and I... Well, I'm very grateful to you.

Hmm?

Well, I... I dare say you've learned your lesson, fortunately, before it was

too late.

In that case, we'll... we'll consider the matter closed. Thank you very much.

Hello.

Oh.

Hello.

Hello, darling.

Like it?

Oh, yes. Very nice.

It was very cheap.

For the money.

I thought your bank account was in the red. So it is. Why?

Well, who's going to pay for that?

You pay for it, darling.

Oh. Oh, Santa Claus, eh?

No. You.

Oh, me?

32 pounds 10.

That leaves £17.10 unaccounted for. Oh, no, darling, I've got to receive.

What have you got to say for yourself?

Well, if I've got to live with a husband who earns tainted money, I don't see why

I shouldn't get some of it. Tainted money?

What makes you so sure of that?

Barber shops, detectives, sabotage.

It all looks very tainted to me.

Very well, it's tainted money. So what? So I get my cut.

And rob the charity it was going to be sent to?

Taint-tainted.

Oh, so you're not a crook lawyer? No.

That's a pity. It seems to me it's much more profitable.

Look, darling, there are moral issues involved. That's something you wouldn't

know anything about.

I'm not a crook lawyer. I simply want to look like one. You do, darling.

Suppose you keep a secret.

Now, first of all, Detective Inspector Bray is a very bad detective.

Agreed? Now, don't interrupt.

He finds there's a lot of sabotage going on. So what does he do? He arrests

everybody he can lay his hands on. And where does that get him?

Nowhere. Nowhere.

So what do I do? As fast as he arrests people, I set them free. And where does

that get me?

Nowhere.

Into their confidence, dear.

They've started to pay me already.

If I'm very lucky, they may take me on as a mouthpiece for the whole gang. And

then I may learn quite a lot. Very clever.

By the way, do you want to be buried or cremated?

Oh. Oh, you think they'll find me out?

Well, I hope so.

But I'm afraid they might find you in.

Bang, bang.

Hello?

Yes, speaking.

Oh.

Yes, yes, certainly.

It's the boss.

I've got to defend someone.

Well, I'll have to look that up.

Would you hold on a minute, please?

You should be glad that young solicitors are so poorly paid.

He seems to want the money.

How do we know that's all he wants? We don't.

But in the meantime, he serves his purpose.

Yes, you can leave it to me. Oh, good.

Then that is settled.

Were you actually speaking to the mastermind?

Nobody less.

Oh.

Doesn't it give you a funny feeling?

Yeah.

It's nothing to the funny feeling it's going to give Blythe.

Detective Inspector Bray.

Will you take the oath?

I swear by my God, I have the evidence to give the truth, the old truth, and

I've got the truth.

Proceed.

Detective Inspector Bray, sir.

On the night of August 15th, I entered the premises in Charles Street, Soho,

known as the Blue Pigeon.

I had reason to believe that a certain person I had been following would be

there. Was he?

No, sir.

As we entered the premises, the lights were put out.

Who is we?

Myself and my... my assistant, sir.

My assistant located the switch and put on the... lights.

Then I saw the accused trying to escape. I questioned him and his answers were

unsatisfactory. Please tell the court more plainly.

What is your idea of unsatisfactory?

Well, sir, he couldn't explain why he was trying to escape.

He was taken to Swallow Street and there searched.

In his possession, sir, was found a document which gave instructions such as

might be sent from abroad to a foreign agent in this country.

He denied any knowledge of how this document came to be in his possession.

What exactly does that mean?

Well, sir, he said he'd never set eyes on it before, sir.

One question today.

All right.

I ask that the prisoner be remanded in custody, sir.

Oh.

Has the prisoner anything to say?

Is he not represented?

I think not, sir. I represent the prisoner, sir.

Have you got two pennies for half a minute?

I mean, two half minutes for a thing.

Oh, here's one.

Look, I want Kingsway. Oh, oh,

oh.

Hello, yes, Mr. Blight speaking.

Oh, hello, Mr. Blight.

Hello,

Mr. Blight.

Oh.

Hello, Mr. Blight.

Detective Inspector Braze just asked me to phone you.

Well, what about, what about?

Oh, he didn't say.

Hmm?

Well, perhaps you'd be good enough to go and ask him.

Oh, no, I can hardly do that. He's in court. He's in the middle of a case

there. Here's a rather funny thing, as a matter of fact. Your friend, Mr.

Preston, arrived rather suddenly to defend the prisoner, Walter Jolly.

What?

You're sure of that?

Mr. Rossini, you were in the Blue Pigeon at the time of the raid.

That's all right.

Would you please tell the court exactly what happened?

The lights go out, everyone rush about and bump into each other, and very much

annoyed. How long do the lights stay out?

Three, four minutes.

You can't say exactly?

I don't know. I don't know when they go on.

Oh. You went out?

That's right.

And how did you go out? I go out by the window.

Oh. What were your reasons for going out? I don't know. I just don't like to

stay.

Thank you, Mr. Rossini.

What has happened?

Is the case over? Yes.

Larry's doing awfully well. Come sit down, miss.

Thank you so much for coming along, Mr. Rossini. You've been a great help. Don't

mention it, Mr.

Preston. Perhaps you'd like to wait.

Oh,

I'm so sorry.

I would like to ask Detective Inspector Bray a few questions, if I may.

Step up, please.

The Blue Pigeon was in darkness for some five minutes after you made your

entrance. Now, do you think it likely that a person carrying incriminating

documents would still be in the room at the end of that time with the documents

still on his person?

Well, he was trying to get out.

So were a lot of the others.

Some of them seem to have succeeded.

Is it not more likely... But such a person would try to escape immediately

or to dispose of the documents, either of which he had plenty of time to do.

Not necessarily.

Do you admit that he had time to dispose of the documents?

Yes, if he wanted to. By slipping them into someone else's pocket? Yes, but not

without that other person being aware of it.

Well, we'll leave that for the moment.

Now, do you consider this an important document?

Oh, exceedingly.

Would you mind telling the court, so far as you're permitted, just how important

it was?

It was a plan...

It was a plan to enable enemy aircraft in the event of war to reach their

objectives by means of beam radio.

Portable transmitters would be left at various places such as public buildings

and railway stations so that any aircraft which got through the defenses

could make straight for them.

Where did you find this important document?

In the prisoner's pocket. Which pocket?

The left-hand jacket pocket.

I see.

This sinister foreign agent carries secret plans loose in his jacket pocket.

Sir. I submit that the guilty person, the person who should be standing in the

dock in the place of my client, was present on the night of the raid on the

Blue Pigeon, that he was carrying the plan, although not in his jacket pocket,

and that on hearing the alarm he took advantage of the darkness in the scuffle

to slip it into the unreasonable place where it was found by Inspector Bray.

The testimony of witnesses and the dictates of common sense make it obvious

that my client was an innocent bystander. I protest, sir.

Mr. Preston has not answered my point, which is that the accused would have

been aware of such an act, that he has made no statement to that effect.

The document was quite bulky.

What have you got in your left-hand jacket pocket at this moment?

I object to the question, sir.

My defense rests on it, sir.

You must answer.

A pipe and matches. Is that all?

Yes.

That is incorrect.

You will find also my brief for this case.

I slipped it into your pocket as you went into the box, and as you'll

observe, it is daylight.

In my opinion, there is insufficient

evidence against the accused.

The case is dismissed.

This is what your promise is worth.

Oh, can't I defend anybody?

Besides, that man was up on a charge of espionage, not sabotage, and I didn't

know it was Bray's case. Oh, you didn't, didn't you? If only you'd get some

evidence before you arrest people, this sort of thing would never happen.

Preston... Evidence? You talk to me of evidence. What kind of evidence do you

bring up in his defense? Nothing but a cheap music-hall trick. I warned you,

Preston. Yes, you've warned me till I'm sick and tired of it. Why don't you go

ahead and do something? Arrest me. I'll come quietly.

You... You haven't heard the last of this.

You can imagine how distasteful this scene is to me.

I wish to make it clear that I will not continue to be associated with a man who

persists in defending questionable clients.

This is the last time that you disobey my instructions.

I shall see you at the office.

Well, that's over.

You've won the case. You should do the trick.

Well, I hope so, because I can't go on stalling Bray and Blight indefinitely.

Oh, excuse me, Mr. Preston.

I wonder if I could have an interview with you sometime for the woman's world.

Certainly, yes.

Well, I'm rather busy just at the moment, but perhaps you could come up

tomorrow night.

Why, that'd be excellent.

Any time that suits you.

Thank you, Mr. Preston.

Nice?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Yet.

So there you are.

How's the little widow's defense?

I have not come here to discuss that.

As a matter of fact, it's cast iron. You haven't broken it down yet?

Broken it down? What do you mean?

You forgot to last, did you?

What are you insinuating?

Really, Mr. Preston, I think it's time that you and I had a frank talk.

Oh, very well, if you think we can control our tempers. My temper is always

under control.

Remote control?

Mr... Come in.

This has just arrived, sir. It's marked urgent.

Thank you, my boy.

Excuse me.

Certainly.

You wrote this! You wrote this!

That? Yes, this!

Oh, did I? What did I say? Don't try to deny it. I shall hand you over to the

police. But what for?

Oh, for using threats of violence. For trying to blackmail me into silence. For

threatening my life. Oh, it's a threatening letter. May I see it? Don't

try to pretend that you haven't seen it before.

But I haven't. Honestly, I haven't. Honestly.

You, you don't know what honesty means.

But I shall take advice. I shall instruct counsel.

I'll take the case if you like. Sounds exciting.

You can't get out of this with your cheap jokes.

This time you've gone too far. But I still don't know what we're talking

about. For heaven's sake, let me see the letter. You'll hear what's in it from

the dock when it's read out in court.

You've got to step this way, sir.

Good afternoon, Mr. Blight. Now, what can I do for you?

Good afternoon, Inspector.

I want you to arrest Larry Preston immediately.

I'd be delighted. On what particular grounds?

This.

Did Preston write this? Of course he wrote it. Well, does he admit it?

Worse.

He denies it.

Oh, was it? Have you any proof?

Proof? Of course I have proof. Good, let me have it.

Not exactly proof, but I just know that he wrote it.

Look, Mr. Blight, I know a lot of things that Larry Preston's done that hurt me

just as much as this hurts you, but knowing is not enough.

Then you refuse to take action. I can't. In fact, in all probability, it didn't

write it.

Are you doubting my word?

Oh, no, no. Don't rush offences. All jolly good fun. I hope you're right.

Look, Mr. Blythe, can I keep this? It might be of great value to us.

Very well.

You may have it for exactly 24 hours.

After that, I shall take action myself.

I see.

And then he went straight to Scotland Yard? Yes, he stayed about 10 minutes

and has just come out.

Very interesting.

Our friend seems to ask for stronger measures.

You'd better tell Vido to ring me here, immediately.

We must act quickly before Scotland Yard decide what they're going to do.

In the meantime, they can content themselves with puzzling over the

letter, looking for clues.

Excuse me, over there. Thank you.

Well, anyway, the machine used was a Royal Portable with the E bunged up and

the ampersand out of alignment. Come again?

Come again. Oh, see what I mean. Yeah, well, one of the keys is not quite

straight. The one that makes the twiddly bit in Anne Kerr, you know, the... Oh,

that thing.

Ah, well, that might help us if Preston really did write it. Oh, I don't think

he did, you know. I mean, the whole thing's got a sort of lilt to it, as it

were. A lilt? Well, the chap's a lawyer.

Yeah, well, the man of the right type, I mean. You know, school, all that. Right

type. He's a thieving double-crossing...

Oh, too true, too true.

If only I could use his dirty tricks, I'd soon pull him in.

Oh.

Oh, uh, uh, Hoptic.

It's him.

Who? Larry Preston? Yeah.

Do you want to see him? I don't know.

What do you think?

Think? Oh, don't bother. Let him come up.

Let him come up.

One of these days, I'll have Larry Preston here, and he won't walk in, and

he won't walk out.

I see your point.

Or do I?

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Well, what do you want?

I... Oh, thank you.

Bray, you remember a long time ago when I used to do you favours and you used to

do me favours and we used to be great pals?

Well, those were the days. Shut up.

Well, I want you to do me one now. Oh.

I want you to show me that letter that Blight got this afternoon.

Oh, you do?

Any particular reason?

Yes, I have.

You see, Blight thinks that I wrote it and I don't know anything about it.

As a matter of fact, I met him on the way here and he cut me dead.

It's breaking my heart.

Oh, thank you, Bray.

I always said you were magnanimous. And what?

White man, and I've died in the wool.

And now perhaps you'll do me a favor and tell me who wrote that.

No, I can't.

And that's the truth.

Dear sir.

For the sake of your health and your insurance companies, and in order to

spite any heirs who might profit by your early demise, it would be better for you

not to interfere again in the work of your junior partner.

Well, you see what I mean about the little thing? Be quiet.

And you mean to say you don't know who wrote this?

No.

I sincerely hope that you'll give him police protection.

Oh, so you're taking it seriously, are you?

You never know.

Thank you.

Mrs. Honeycomb, it seems, sir.

Oh, yes, yes.

She's very punctual.

Tell her I won't keep her one moment. I have just a little thing I want to

attend to here.

Mrs. Honeycomb, do come in.

Well, well, well, and how are you?

Much better today, thank you. Oh, that's good, yes. You look, if possible, even

prettier than you did yesterday.

Oh, Mr.

Blight. Yes, yes, yes. There's something about your eyes. I don't know what it

is.

Roguish. Really?

Oh, no, no, don't deny it, don't deny it. There's no harm in a rogy-pogy eye.

I thought I'd come here for a consultation.

Perhaps I misunderstood you when you said... No, no, no, you're quite right,

you're quite right, Mrs. Honeycomb. Yes, business must be done. Now, let me see.

It occurred to me that...

This office is rather a dreary place for you to spend so much of your time.

I thought we might discuss this thing over a little, you know, a little

refreshment. If you prefer it that way. Oh, infinitely.

Very well.

Shall we go?

Hello. What do you want?

Oh, nothing.

Only home life was a little dull.

So I thought there might be something happening here. Yes, well, something is.

Work. Oh, it's all right. I won't interrupt you.

Who's the lady?

Lady? What lady?

The one who went out with Blight.

Oh, that's Mrs. Honeycomb.

Mrs. Honeycomb?

Believe it or not, she's one of his clients.

Oh, I should have thought he was one of hers.

Chalk that one up.

Now make yourself at home, my dear.

Do you think we might dispense with this for a little?

Yes, if you wish it.

Samuel?

Now, what do we do? Oh, yes, the papers. Now, where are the papers? Ah.

Well, would they be, Mr. Blight, but in the safe?

I am so happy, so happy, so happy.

Oh, I am so happy.

My love, my love, don't tell me you're dead.

Oh, my darling.

It looks like a bomb.

Shall I get a doctor?

Are you all right?

All right.

Something's happened, all right. They mean business. I told you they did.

Come and sit down.

My hand.

Are you all right now, Blight?

Suppose you explain.

Oh, me? Yes, you. You did this. You sent me that letter.

And now you did this to make me believe in your precious crooks.

I don't suppose you even cared if you killed me. Oh, but don't be fantastic,

Blight. Why should I do a thing like that? I don't know.

But you're after some game or other, the pair of you. And you're trying to stop

me from interfering.

Oh, no, Mr. Blight. I don't approve at all.

Oh, don't ever text yourself, dear.

Rest for a while.

Yes.

Rest.

Look, Blight, you know I wouldn't do a thing like that.

Can't you get it into your head that you really are in danger? Danger?

Fiddlesticks? Except for having a maniac for a partner?

What does it matter whether you did it or not?

It would never have happened if you hadn't made up your mind to associate

with criminals.

You're a disgrace to the family.

I hope you realise now that I was right in trying to stop you.

Look, if I could explain to you... I prefer not to talk to you.

Thank you, Bray, to see you, sir, urgently.

Ah, hello, Inspector. Quite orthodox today, eh? Coming in by the door.

Good afternoon, Mr... Mr. Blight.

He's not very well.

Mr. Blight, have you and Mrs. Donecombe here?

Yes. Why?

Mrs. Donecombe, I have a warrant for your arrest.

What? Again?

But there must be some mistake. I'm afraid not. Do you represent her?

Yes.

Oh, so they took you off the other case, did they, Inspector? That's been

transferred to the military police.

Perfectly natural.

Oh, perfectly. Nothing to do with the way you handle the case, I hope.

Well, as a matter of fact, that's what the inspector was wondering.

That'll do you.

But there's nothing new here.

It may interest you to know that Mrs. Honeycomb has already faced this

ridiculous charge and been granted bail.

I'm afraid it's not quite the same charge, Mr. Blight.

We've got evidence that there are five other premises conducted by her as

gambling clubs.

Five? It isn't true.

Of course not. It can't be true.

Don't let them persecute me. Oh, Mrs.

Honeycomb.

Oh, how could you?

I only played there with my friends. What?

All those places.

Don't know what to think.

Well, don't stand there gaping. Do something.

Must you take it away?

I'm afraid we must.

Can they?

Yes.

You're a nice lawyer.

Mrs. Honeycomb, you've deceived me.

And you said you would protect me. You blithering old fool.

Come on.

Oh, good evening.

Am I inconvenient?

Oh, no, no, do come in.

Sorry I couldn't manage earlier.

Oh, that's quite all right. It's really very nice of you to come at all.

Thanks.

Oh, good evening, Mrs Preston. Good evening.

Won't you sit down?

Have a drink, will you?

No, thanks. This is strictly a business visit.

Oh, must it be?

Well, I'm afraid so.

Aren't you?

Call me if you need any help, darling. I do hope you're not going on my account,

Mrs. Preston. Oh, no. I have one or two things to do.

I'll be popping in and out.

But I'll knock.

Don't pay any attention to her. She always tries to embarrass everybody.

She's very charming.

Do sit down.

Thank you.

Well, shall I start?

You've been achieving a certain amount of... Notoriety? Can I call it that?

Everybody else does.

Good. You see, I want to write an interview that isn't just another

interview. I want it to be sensational.

In other words, I want to be the first person to know the reason why.

Well, I'm afraid there isn't a reason. It's just one of those things that

happen.

Oh. I was so sure there was something behind it.

Sorry.

Is it something that mustn't be known just at this moment?

Because if it's something that you can't tell me, I'd promise not to print it

until you gave me the word.

I'm terribly anxious to get this.

I'd rather set my heart on it.

Yeah.

Well, come in.

All clear.

I'm so sorry to barge in again like this.

But I'm afraid I can't trust my husband for more than five minutes at a time.

Sorted, isn't it?

We were just discussing your husband's recent cases. Oh, really? I'm afraid we

don't like to discuss them.

You see, we need money very badly.

But we don't like people to talk about it. It's just one of those things.

I do hope I haven't disappointed you. But I think it's best to be frank, don't

you? Oh, quite.

Well, thank you very much.

Good night.

Oh, you want to go now?

Oh, do you bother to see me out? Oh, it's no bother.

Good night.

Oh, good night.

Hello?

Oh, yes.

Immediately.

Shall I leave you?

No. You will be interested.

We may learn something about the mysterious Mr. Preston.

Well, my dear, had you any success?

I'm afraid I hadn't, really.

Preston I could have handled.

With pleasure.

Yes.

But his wife is either a clown or a very clever woman.

I dislike both.

It was a mistake to go to his flat.

Your own would have been better.

Much better.

However, it does not have any great importance. I disagree.

I've disagreed all along.

Preston is dangerous.

He knows too much.

Yes, but he's very useful.

You must know that, Bergson.

And but for him, we might not be here.

Schaefer would have talked if he had gone for trial.

Preston saved us that.

He served his purpose now.

It's madness to leave him free.

We may still need him.

It may be weeks before our plan is wanted.

There's only waiting to be done.

I'd sooner do it with Preston out of the way.

Pauker, you're losing your nerve.

If he's indiscreet, he will be threatened.

We have very persuasive threats.

Then, if he insists on working against us,

Verriksen has even more persuasive methods.

There is no danger.

You know, it's time I did something.

I wonder if I'd find anything if I searched the barber shop. It's the only

lead I've got. Larry Preston investigates.

The intrepid young secret service agent takes his life in his hands and his wife

on his arm and sets out to beard the criminals in their barber shop. You're

not coming. Oh, I must, I must. If I clear, I'll entreat you. You're not

coming.

I have to pick the lock.

Give me a hairpin. No hairpins.

No hairpins?

I want a rotten hairpin. Wait a minute.

You're wonderful. Is that your Boy Scout training or foster?

Shh.

Go ahead, you've broken into the wrong shop.

Blast.

Come on.

Next time I go burglary, I shall go with a professional.

I hate amateurs.

What do I know?

Here's a nice razor.

You'll splinter home. Don't look at me like that.

Looking for a haircut?

Or a shave?

Sit down.

Mr. Preston, it's very nice of you to call on us. And very thoughtful of you

to bring your charming wife.

We appreciate it.

In a way, it's only natural that you should want to know a little about those

who employ you.

Natural, but not wise.

And besides, you could have found nothing.

There's nothing here to find.

I could have allowed you to continue your search and let you go undisturbed,

but that wouldn't have been hospitable.

I prefer to have a little chat with you.

Mr. Preston, you are a very talented young lawyer, but a very poor detective.

In future, you will do better to concentrate on the profession you excel

in. You will gain both in money and in safety.

And should you be tempted to repeat this little breach of etiquette, think first

how you should feel with the death of your partner and your conscience.

Especially if Mr. Blight were to die in circumstances which suggested that you

were the murderer.

People know that you have quarreled.

It could be very easily arranged.

Well, goodbye, Mr. Preston.

Goodbye, my dear.

And oh, in case you are trying very hard to memorize my appearance, it is a waste

of time.

I'm only a very minor member of our little group.

And I leave the country tonight.

Before you are released, I shall be well on my way.

May we smoke?

Certainly.

You can go.

Oh, darling.

Janet. Janet.

Come on, darling. We can go home.

Oh, we do very much. Look, Mr. Bergson. Oh.

Come on, darling. Yes, so we do.

Good night, Mr. Preston, and need I warn you not to be so foolish again.

I think you're an awfully good lawyer, dear.

I think you're a marvelous housewife.

Well, it looks like checkmate.

Either we do nothing or we give the whole thing away to that ham detective.

I suppose so.

Well, I can't do any more by myself, and Blight's life's at stake.

No. There's no place you'd be safe.

Well, where?

Besides, he wouldn't go. He'd tell the police to try and stop me going on with

it. You couldn't put him in jail.

Chalk that one up.

I see.

And the numbers have been verified with the bank that paid out on the forged

check? Yes, sir. I asked that the accused be remarried for a week in

custody.

I must crave your leniency, sir.

In making application that bail be granted, I am not overlooking the grave

nature of the charge against the accused.

Well, consider the temptations.

Among the accused clients are many very wealthy people.

He handles their estates, puts through deals.

Many of them trust him so implicitly that he invests their money almost as if

it were his own.

I object.

Silence!

I object.

But you can't object to your own defense.

I think it is only human.

Under these circumstances that my client should on this occasion have gone just

one step further and Well forgotten that the money in question did not in fact

belong to him for that reason I ask that they'll be grunt hmm The application for

bail is refused You will be remanded for one week in custody.

I Don't know what I've done to deserve this

It's no use. I can't think of a damn thing. Darling, you've got to. I know,

but I can't.

What a fool.

What a fool you are to put poor old Blighty in prison before you'd found a

way of getting at the crooks.

Now he's got to stay there to think of a plan. I know, I know, I know.

That might be six months. Oh, don't be ridiculous.

Well, he's been there three days and we haven't even started yet.

Poor old Blighty, you've got to do something.

Come on, then.

What do we know?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except that the barbershop must have something to do

with it.

Yes, but what?

It can't be their headquarters because they come outside to phone the boss.

Old Sarcastic said there was nothing there.

Perhaps he's a liar.

No. No, they're too smart to use a place like that where all the riffraff go.

Mary Preston here.

All right.

Oh, yes, I could. We have a little problem that you alone can solve.

Yes, I can manage that.

Ah, thank you.

You will be well paid for your trouble.

Well, shall we say in half an hour? Yes, I'll be there.

I've got to be at the shop in half an hour.

Was it the boss?

Yes, I think so.

Well, that's wonderful.

What are you looking so glum about?

I don't know.

It's what you've been waiting for, for weeks.

Now it's happened just at the right time. It's bound to lead you somewhere.

Yes, I'm afraid of that.

What's the matter with you?

Well, I don't exactly want to commit suicide.

Well, who's asking you to? I'll be waiting outside.

If anything goes wrong, I can call the police.

Or the undertaker. Oh, what a morbid mind you've got. Go on.

Go on.

Good evening, Mr. Preston. Just a little precaution.

You don't object?

You have to do that? I'm afraid so. Excuse me.

All right, boys. Take him up.

All right, boys, outside.

Good evening, Mr. Preston.

Good evening.

I've been looking forward to meeting you.

But we have already met, don't you remember?

Rossini.

Yes, Rossini.

I played that little part just so that I could meet you and study you.

And now I wish to compliment you. Oh, please be seated.

As I was saying, I wish to compliment you on your touching consideration of

your partner, Mr. Blight, and also the extremely clever move you made to ensure

his safety.

It was very astute. He's in prison. We cannot reach him.

Well, that's perfectly true. But we can reach you. That is why your little plan

was not quite so clever. You should have put yourself in prison, too, Mr.

Preston.

You agree that we have been fair with you?

I'm not complaining. You admit, then, that you were warned. You don't have to

defend yourself, Rossini.

Heinrichs. Heinrichs. I knew what I was doing. It just happened that I took one

chance too many. Yes, that is the English way to take chances.

It makes their movements incalculable, but vulnerable.

So it seems.

Can I use your van?

What's the matter? Want to go for a joyride? No, I want to play a joke with

my friends.

Where? In that barbershop.

Okay. Hop inside.

Time presses.

This is a momentous night, Mr. Preston.

In a way, you're much luckier than a good many people who think that tonight

their future's stretched before them and are wrong.

Goodbye.

All right, go ahead.

Let's go.

He got cleaned away.

You fool, you fool.

Well, get after him. Why waste time by coming back here?

We can't stay here now.

We've got to.

He'll phone the police. He's bound to. They won't find us.

It's not safe.

Well, what if it's not?

We've got to stay.

The message ought to come through at any moment now.

We can't just sit here until they come for us. They aren't so smart. They won't

find us.

In half an hour at most, the vans ought to go out.

Then nothing will stop us.

Our work is done.

Hello?

Oh, hello!

What?

No! Oh, no, I've watched that shop for the last three weeks. The bus hasn't

gone near there yet. I tell you, I met him.

Perhaps he goes in disguised as a barber's pole, but he was there.

He was on the first floor.

They blindfolded me and led me up one flight of stairs.

Of course it's true.

Well, hold on, will you?

Get me two cars and ten men. Yes, sir.

Ten cars and two men. No, two cars. Go on, get them at once. Hello, Preston.

All right, we'll go straight along there. Thank you. Will you be all right?

Well, I hope so.

Bye.

Think you'll get them?

Well, they're sure to find something interesting. Though I don't suppose

they'll be sitting around in the shop waiting to be collected.

More likely to come buzzing around here to collect us.

That's right. That's the kind of people they are.

I wouldn't say no to a nice, comfortable cell.

Oh, I'd share it with you, little woman.

You know, we oughtn't to stay here.

It's a letter.

You're in contact.

What a moment to send it.

How much is it this time?

I've been called up.

What does that mean?

It probably means war.

So that's what Heinrichs was getting at.

Oh, darling.

Well, at least you'll be comparatively safe in the army.

Right.

I shall have to go right away.

It's up to Bray to cope with Heinrichs now.

After goodness, he's in time.

What's going to happen to poor old Blighty? You can't leave him in jail for

the duration.

You're right, I can't.

I'll have to see to that first.

Hello, Blighty.

You all right? Get out of my cell.

Get out of my cell. Now, take it easy, Blighty. We've come to get you out. Yes,

we discovered the whole thing was a frame-up. Somebody planted the money on

you and then forced your signature.

Is this true?

Every word of it.

Who did this thing to me? Larry did.

Blight!

Now listen, Blight. I can tell you the whole story.

I'd been trying to track down the same gang as Inspector Bray.

I wanted to get taken on as their lawyer. If I could, that's why I

defended those men.

I admit that I had you put in here, but I only did it because they were

threatening to kill you and I wanted to get you somewhere safe.

Tonight, they threatened to kill me.

Half an hour ago, I was called up.

For all I know, that may mean war.

If it does, you'll probably be called up too.

Come on, Blight.

Let's forget about the whole thing and... Excuse me, friends.

You mean... You mean they really did try to kill me?

They did.

Well, in that case, is it quite safe to go out now?

I think you'll find it's all right now.

Go to the barracks as soon as they fix your release.

We had a bit of a job with the police. They didn't quite appreciate Larry's

motives.

Well, that's all right. I've got the papers for your release. Oh, thank you,

Inspector. Well, come on, come on. Off you go before I change my man and pack

the whole lot of you in.

Oh,

Inspector, will you tell Inspector Bray that I'll phone him as soon as I get to

the barracks? Right-o.

Hey,

you!

Simon, stand by the door. Don't let anybody come in. Very good, sir. Come

on.

Here, here, here. What's the caper? What's going on here? I can't decide

you. You're not going up there, are you? I am. But you can't do that. Can't I?

You stay there. Jones, take care of it. Very good, sir.

Blimey, there ought to be a law.

We belong here.

Now then.

Oh, crikey.

What do you want? I'm sorry, madam. I thought that... Get out! Get out! Get

out! Don't stand there looking at me. Get out! Get out! Get out!

Did you get him, sir?

I thought I told Simon to let nothing come through that door. Oh, I just

thought that was... Oh, if this is another of Larry Preston's jokes, I'll

knock his block off.

What did I tell you?

Get me Scotland Yard, please.

Hello, I want to speak to Detective Inspector Bray.

Hello, Bray.

Larry Preston here. What happened?

That's impossible.

It's just as well you're in the army, my lad, or I'd... I'd have so much to say

to you.

Yes, but... But, Bray, listen. Hello?

Hello, I... Oh, that's ridiculous. He says there was nothing there.

Nothing?

Only the barber's wife in bed. But that doesn't make sense.

Well, we go ahead immediately.

And remember, tonight's success depends on us. We must not arouse suspicion.

But every transmitter must be in position and operating before midnight.

Probably at this very moment they're preparing to carry out their plan and we

can't do a thing to stop them.

What plan?

Oh, you remember, the one that Brave found.

The plan to guide bombers to their objectives by radio beam.

I wonder how they hide the transmitters.

Probably have to be portable.

Perhaps they do it like the Freedom Station in Germany.

Move about in vans.

I wonder how the vans... Vans?

Vans! Janet, what does a small grocer in a slum street want with more than a

dozen vans? I don't know, you tell me.

Of course!

Vans!

Janet. Which window did I jump out of?

The one above the shop. Yes, but which shop? Oh, wait a minute.

It was the grocer's shop.

Next door. That's why Bray could never find their headquarters.

Come on, Blight, we've got a date with the grocer.

I'm convinced we're being very unwise.

Shut up.

Good heavens, Larry, you can't break into enclosed premises. I mean, that's a

felony. Remember?

Nothing here. Well, that proves it. That's right. They can't be out

delivering groceries at this time of night.

Come on.

Hello? Hello, Bray?

Bray, listen, I'm phoning from Fenton Street and I've broken out of barracks

to get here.

Now listen, Preston, do you expect me to...

What was that? I found their headquarters.

It's not in the barbershop, it's in the grocery shop next door. That's how

they've been fooling us all along.

Yes, all right, I'll keep watch till you get here. But, Ray, wait a minute, wait.

Listen, you remember those plans that you found?

Yes.

What?

Right.

Once again, thank you, Preston.

Tell the clock.

Get me two cars and ten men. Yes, sir. Small point, really, but we've done

that. Get them, don't argue.

Ready your room.

Calling all cars.

Calling all cars in the metropolitan area.

Keep a lookout for small grocery vans marked E. Thomas & Co. License Grocer.

Marked E. Thomas & Co. License Grocer. Will probably be parked near important

buildings, bridges, railway stations or similar military objectives.

All vans to be searched for wireless apparatus.

Apparatus if found to be switched off immediately.

Drivers or any persons found in charge be detained.

I will repeat this.

Janet and I'll go round the back. You wait here.

But me alone?

If anyone comes out, shout like hell and tackle him. I'll come flying.

All right, my boy.

I pray it shouldn't be long now.

I hope we're not standing guard over an empty building.

It does seem kind of deserted, doesn't it?

Larry! Larry!

Larry! Larry!

Larry!

Larry! Larry!

Larry!

Larry! Larry! Larry!

Larry! Larry!

Larry! Larry!

Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry!

Larry!

Take a step here, sir, please.

Get in there, sir, please.

Take him in round the back. Try and post an entry. What, again? Different shot.

Oh, different shot. Come on, boys. To me, to me, to me.

All

right,

message up.

Come on, then!

I

tell you, fella,

hardly the time or the place, what?

Crikey, it's a girl!

Well, come on, we've got to get back.

Hey, Preston.

Well, thank you. You did us that favour after all. Oh, don't thank me. We

weren't doing so well till you came along.

By the way, take great care of him, won't you?

Well, who was Team Zeon?

Is he a pal of yours, Preston? No, Heinrichs is the name.

Heinrichs? Yes, he's the boss.

See you in court.

You mean to say we've nubbed his nibs? By go, that's champion.

Oh, really? Here, Mr. Champion. No, don't be daft. That's the ringleader.

This means promos...

Any casualties?

Hey, you're... Oh, Mr. Blight. Bad face.

Mrs. Hunnicutt.

How smart you look.

When did they let you out? My friends paid the fine.

Then you... you're free?

Oh, yes, I...

I'm free tonight.

Are you? No, he's not. He's got to come back to the barracks.

Oh, don't worry about that. The field marshal's a personal friend of mine. Mr.

Blight, I take it, is just a private friend. Of course he is.

And I think we've just time for a little, what was it, refreshments?

You're certainly making very hard to refuse. Come along, my dear.

I suppose I'd better go and keep an eye on Blight. I think I'll come and keep an

eye on him.