1 00:00:43,940 --> 00:00:49,253 A man may labour and toil to attain a certain kind of leisure in retirement, 2 00:00:49,340 --> 00:00:55,233 and then find that, after all, he yearns for the old busy days... 3 00:00:55,380 --> 00:00:59,616 ...and the old occupations he had thought himself so glad to leave. 4 00:01:00,020 --> 00:01:03,849 I had already begun to miss the daily toil of my previous employment... 5 00:01:03,850 --> 00:01:06,359 ...when "tout à coup", I was flung back into the midst... 6 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:10,428 ...of the most perversely fascinating work that there is in the world, 7 00:01:10,820 --> 00:01:13,375 ...the study of human nature. 8 00:01:16,100 --> 00:01:18,295 A journal came into my possession... 9 00:01:18,340 --> 00:01:23,534 ...in which a murderer had taken the trouble to record for posterity... 10 00:01:23,590 --> 00:01:28,296 ...the thoughts that had accompanied a crime most dastardly. 11 00:01:30,420 --> 00:01:33,214 Rarely have I come across such bitterness, 12 00:01:33,300 --> 00:01:35,509 ...such envy and contempt of others, 13 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:38,453 ...such haughtiness misplaced. 14 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:49,231 Our village, Kings Abbott, is I imagine, very much like any other English village. 15 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:54,772 A chilly medieval church stands at the top of a single street of stone-built cottages. 16 00:01:55,420 --> 00:01:58,532 At the bottom of the street, a bridge crosses a stream... 17 00:01:58,620 --> 00:02:01,453 ...where the snotty-nosed offspring of the poor... 18 00:02:01,540 --> 00:02:05,171 ...perfect the most advanced skill they will ever possess. 19 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:09,115 Although to the casual observer Kings Abbott is a friendly place, 20 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,456 ...everything is not as it seems. 21 00:02:11,540 --> 00:02:13,634 Just scratch the surface... 22 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:18,216 ...and you will find more jealousies and rivalries than Ancient Rome. 23 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,910 - Parker. - I'm calling next door at Mr Poirot's... 24 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:26,612 My little book is about the murder of Roger Ackroyd... 25 00:02:26,700 --> 00:02:30,579 ...the events leading up to it, the subsequent numbskull investigation, 26 00:02:30,660 --> 00:02:36,260 ...and the final revelation to you alone, dear reader, of the guilty party. 27 00:02:46,940 --> 00:02:48,878 Hello? 28 00:03:15,340 --> 00:03:17,157 Now I give up on you. 29 00:03:17,157 --> 00:03:19,775 You shall torment me no longer. 30 00:03:19,860 --> 00:03:23,057 I will kill you! 31 00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:32,616 Sacré! 32 00:03:32,620 --> 00:03:37,718 My dear doctor! I beg of you a thousand pardons! 33 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,350 But these vegetable marrows, they have driven me to the edges of barbarity! 34 00:03:41,940 --> 00:03:45,534 Please to forgive me. I am ashamed. I prostrate myself. 35 00:03:45,620 --> 00:03:47,699 What's the trouble, Poirot? 36 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:49,299 Ah, you know, Doctor, 37 00:03:49,300 --> 00:03:53,334 it is my desire to grow a vegetable marrow of the proportions gigantesques. 38 00:03:53,620 --> 00:03:55,236 And you have seen how I nurse her. 39 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:56,384 Each day I give to her water, 40 00:03:56,384 --> 00:03:59,728 each day I weed around her with my very best tweezers. 41 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:04,312 And when those little flowers of hers they show themselves, I remove them all, 42 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,953 but one, so that her strength, it may be conserved. 43 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,572 Does she appreciate this cosseting? No. 44 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:11,917 She grows to a size that is merely conventional, 45 00:04:11,917 --> 00:04:13,875 then she rests upon her laurels. 46 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,832 You mustn't upset yourself, Poirot. 47 00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:19,534 No. No, you are correct. 48 00:04:19,540 --> 00:04:21,549 But you can figure it to yourself, James. 49 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:26,675 When one retires, one hurls oneself into new pursuits. 50 00:04:27,740 --> 00:04:30,679 Oh. Pardon, Monsieur Parker. 51 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,165 What can I do for you? 52 00:04:32,165 --> 00:04:34,470 I've come to take you to the factory, sir. 53 00:04:34,860 --> 00:04:37,555 But it is just struck ten o'clock. 54 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,591 My appointment was not until eleven. 55 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,011 Yes, but Mr Ackroyd hoped you wouldn't mind it being earlier. 56 00:04:43,020 --> 00:04:45,256 He's got a bit of a busy day. 57 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:53,372 Our only captain of industry is the vulgarian, Mr Roger Ackroyd. 58 00:04:53,860 --> 00:04:57,152 The factory from which Ackroyd's ill-gotten wealth emanates 59 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,536 encapsulates the life we lead here, 60 00:04:59,736 --> 00:05:02,212 ferment and turmoil. 61 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:08,676 - Have you got a penny, Poirot? - Oui. 62 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:11,378 Thank you. 63 00:05:11,460 --> 00:05:14,816 Show Monsieur Poirot what your acid can do, Ted. 64 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:25,139 It is here that he lines his pockets by combining unlikely chemicals... 65 00:05:25,140 --> 00:05:27,039 ...to make unnecessary products, 66 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:30,232 ...while befouling the very air we breathe. 67 00:05:30,620 --> 00:05:33,810 He likes to think of himself as a scientist. 68 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:38,278 I'm afraid the noise was a bit too much for you, Poirot. 69 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,478 Not at all. 70 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,633 I envy you, mon ami. 71 00:05:42,820 --> 00:05:47,077 Who would have thought those experiments at the back of your little shop would lead to this? 72 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,859 Your country house but a mile or two away, and yet here, 73 00:05:49,860 --> 00:05:53,794 ...we have the challenges and triumphs of great industry. 74 00:05:53,980 --> 00:05:57,732 I'm eternally grateful to you for that first loan, Poirot. 75 00:05:58,420 --> 00:06:01,153 And you can't say you're not without your own triumphs. 76 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,812 And now you've got your reward, the peace and quiet of the country, your garden. 77 00:06:07,500 --> 00:06:09,565 You don't regret retiring down here, then? 78 00:06:09,565 --> 00:06:10,931 Oh, no, no. Not at all. 79 00:06:10,940 --> 00:06:14,117 For thirty years I was exposed to the dark side of life, huh. 80 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,660 - It takes its toll, you know. - I'm sure it does. 81 00:06:17,660 --> 00:06:20,891 And now, as you say, I have my reward. 82 00:06:23,180 --> 00:06:24,700 Excuse me, Mr Ackroyd. 83 00:06:24,700 --> 00:06:26,020 What is it, Raymond? 84 00:06:26,020 --> 00:06:27,599 Mr Paton is here, sir. 85 00:06:27,599 --> 00:06:29,258 Mr Paton? 86 00:06:29,260 --> 00:06:30,578 Your stepson, sir. 87 00:06:30,580 --> 00:06:33,778 I know who Mr Paton is, thank you, Mr Raymond. Let him in! 88 00:06:34,860 --> 00:06:37,098 Why is it I can't stand that fellow? 89 00:06:37,620 --> 00:06:42,659 Eh bien. Now I must return to Kings Abbott. 90 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:47,156 Thank you very much, my friend, for showing to me your factory magnifique. 91 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:49,189 I can't understand why you haven't been before. 92 00:06:49,189 --> 00:06:51,219 You've been here nearly a year now. 93 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:54,437 But all in all, this has been a good week for me. 94 00:06:55,280 --> 00:06:59,135 Read your newspaper on Sunday morning, Poirot, under Forthcoming Marriages. 95 00:06:59,140 --> 00:07:01,729 You mean your stepson and Mademoiselle Flora? 96 00:07:01,730 --> 00:07:05,098 Please to accept my congratulations. 97 00:07:07,340 --> 00:07:10,412 Ah, Ralph, my dear boy. You remember Monsieur Poirot? 98 00:07:10,500 --> 00:07:12,697 Yes, of course. How are you, Mr Poirot? 99 00:07:12,697 --> 00:07:14,275 I am well, thank you. 100 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:16,148 I regret I am on the point of departure. 101 00:07:16,148 --> 00:07:17,800 I'll get Parker to run you home. 102 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,936 - See to it, Raymond, will you? - Merci. 103 00:07:20,020 --> 00:07:21,999 - Au revoir. - Goodbye. 104 00:07:27,900 --> 00:07:29,513 What are you doing here? 105 00:07:31,900 --> 00:07:34,209 With his ill-gotten gains, 106 00:07:34,300 --> 00:07:37,812 Ackroyd has built himself a truly ostentatious house, 107 00:07:37,820 --> 00:07:41,976 ...spending a fortune on architects' and surveyors' fees, no doubt. 108 00:07:46,860 --> 00:07:51,138 He lives there with the former wife of his deceased brother, Mrs Vera Ackroyd, 109 00:07:51,140 --> 00:07:53,176 ...and her daughter, Flora... 110 00:07:53,460 --> 00:07:56,238 ...vultures, eagerly awaiting his demise. 111 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,739 - Shall I pour, Mrs Ackroyd? - Yes. 112 00:07:58,740 --> 00:08:01,692 Oh, tea. Wonderful. Hello, Ursula. 113 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:04,274 - Shall I pour for you too, Miss Flora? - Yes, thank you. 114 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,975 - Isn't this exciting? - Tea? 115 00:08:07,060 --> 00:08:09,755 No, you goose. The forthcoming announcement. 116 00:08:09,755 --> 00:08:11,850 And not before its time, either. 117 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,900 Oh! Um sorry. I'll um... I'll get a cloth. 118 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,211 I really don't know where Roger finds these girls. 119 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,411 Have you spoken to Ralph? 120 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,019 No, Mummy. He's in London. 121 00:08:24,020 --> 00:08:27,630 You'd think he might telephone on the occasion of his engagement. 122 00:08:28,180 --> 00:08:30,291 I er... came down last night. 123 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,113 I'm staying at the White Hart. 124 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:33,572 Look, er... Father... 125 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:35,850 What's wrong with Fernly Park all of a sudden? 126 00:08:35,940 --> 00:08:38,051 There's nothing wrong with Fernly Park. 127 00:08:38,140 --> 00:08:40,454 Look, I heard you're going to announce the engagement. 128 00:08:40,460 --> 00:08:42,139 Flora's all for it. 129 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:44,693 Well, yes. Perhaps she is. 130 00:08:44,780 --> 00:08:47,890 You've been putting it off, and putting it off for three months now. 131 00:08:47,980 --> 00:08:49,757 I've been trying to find a job, Father. 132 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:54,298 I always told your late mother that I would look after you as if you were my own son. 133 00:08:54,300 --> 00:08:56,774 - I know, but... - No buts. We... 134 00:08:57,100 --> 00:08:59,860 Didn't I say I did not want to be disturbed? 135 00:08:59,940 --> 00:09:02,738 Mrs Ferrars is on the telephone, sir. 136 00:09:02,740 --> 00:09:04,419 Oh. 137 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:12,630 - Hello? - Roger? It's Dotty. 138 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:14,776 I've got to see you. 139 00:09:14,860 --> 00:09:17,897 There's something I've got to tell you. 140 00:09:23,580 --> 00:09:26,174 Ralph! 141 00:09:32,060 --> 00:09:34,054 I'll try to come round late this afternoon. 142 00:09:34,060 --> 00:09:36,729 All right, all right! I'll definitely come round late this afternoon. 143 00:09:36,729 --> 00:09:38,519 I'll be there. 144 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:43,099 The highly-strung and unpredictable Dorothy Ferrars... 145 00:09:43,180 --> 00:09:46,233 ...is something of an enigma to the villagers. 146 00:09:48,020 --> 00:09:50,775 She lives alone, in considerable comfort, 147 00:09:50,780 --> 00:09:53,818 ...thanks to the wealth she inherited from her late husband, 148 00:09:53,900 --> 00:09:57,854 ...a sot who died in suspicious circumstances last year. 149 00:11:25,980 --> 00:11:27,936 Dr Sheppard. 150 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:31,636 Oh! 151 00:11:31,820 --> 00:11:34,309 In ten minutes. 152 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:39,033 Who was that? 153 00:11:39,820 --> 00:11:41,897 Inspector Davis. 154 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:48,950 Now, tell me, Mary, my girl, 155 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:51,938 ...why did you come to wake her so early? 156 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,900 Friday was her morning to go riding. 157 00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:57,972 She liked to get out of the house before six o'clock. 158 00:11:59,340 --> 00:12:01,198 All right, Mary. Thank you. 159 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:03,336 Go and get yourself a cup of tea, eh? 160 00:12:12,380 --> 00:12:14,336 Veronal. 161 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:19,412 Think it's suicide? 162 00:12:19,500 --> 00:12:21,856 Ask me after the inquest. 163 00:12:22,900 --> 00:12:24,835 It must have been a year since her husband died, isn't it? 164 00:12:24,835 --> 00:12:27,070 Almost exactly. 165 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:29,650 Did you find a note? 166 00:12:30,560 --> 00:12:32,552 Not yet. 167 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:59,459 Sheppard. I want to talk to you. 168 00:12:59,460 --> 00:13:01,234 You've heard about Mrs Ferrars. 169 00:13:01,234 --> 00:13:03,199 Yes. I only saw her yesterday afternoon. 170 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,268 Come to Fernly Park tonight. Seven thirty. 171 00:13:10,620 --> 00:13:13,634 - I've been thinking about Dotty Ferrars. - Ah ha? 172 00:13:13,820 --> 00:13:17,615 She must have taken the Veronal on purpose. Remorse. 173 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:19,179 Remorse? 174 00:13:19,260 --> 00:13:21,079 You never would listen to me last year 175 00:13:21,079 --> 00:13:23,599 when I told you how she'd poisoned that awful husband of hers. 176 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:25,699 This proves it. 177 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:35,830 - Oh, hello. Please do come in. - Thank you. 178 00:13:36,180 --> 00:13:38,236 We have a visitor, James. 179 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,215 Oh, pardon Doctor. You are at your luncheon. 180 00:13:41,215 --> 00:13:43,310 Uh, no, no. no. We've just finished. 181 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,119 Hercule's come round with a little job for you. 182 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,719 Oui. Ma pendule de voyage. 183 00:13:48,719 --> 00:13:50,639 Pendule? 184 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,557 Ah! A carriage clock. 185 00:13:53,560 --> 00:13:55,059 How say you, James? 186 00:13:55,140 --> 00:13:57,859 - Perhaps I have overwound her? - No. 187 00:13:57,860 --> 00:14:01,057 Looks as if she just needs a good clean. 188 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:02,600 Ah. 189 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:04,272 I'll do what I can with her. 190 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:06,655 It is good, I think, to have the hobby, no? 191 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,215 You've got your garden, Poirot. 192 00:14:11,100 --> 00:14:13,056 Yes. 193 00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:21,254 - Good morning. - Morning. 194 00:14:21,260 --> 00:14:23,899 Just a little more time. You've got to be patient. 195 00:14:23,899 --> 00:14:25,119 Oh, for heaven's sake! 196 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,879 My dear girl, it's quite on the cards the old fellow will cut me off with a shilling. 197 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:30,000 Of course he won't! 198 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,466 He's pretty fed up with me the last few years. 199 00:14:31,466 --> 00:14:33,113 A little more would do it. 200 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:35,172 And we need the dibs. 201 00:14:35,260 --> 00:14:37,774 I'll be a very rich man when the old fellow pops off. 202 00:14:37,860 --> 00:14:39,737 So we don't want him to go alter his will. 203 00:14:39,820 --> 00:14:42,278 Then why are you staying here and not at Fernly Park? 204 00:14:42,278 --> 00:14:44,336 Look, leave this to me. 205 00:14:44,420 --> 00:14:48,149 - Don't worry. - Worry! It's all very well for you. 206 00:14:50,860 --> 00:14:53,478 You'll feel more comfortable in a day or two, I'm sure. 207 00:14:53,478 --> 00:14:54,696 Thank you, Doctor. 208 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:57,496 James, I... Oh. 209 00:14:57,580 --> 00:14:58,979 Oh, I am sorry. 210 00:14:59,060 --> 00:15:00,659 Goodbye. 211 00:15:11,340 --> 00:15:12,975 He wasn't on your panel. 212 00:15:12,975 --> 00:15:15,410 No, my dear sister. Cash. 213 00:15:16,700 --> 00:15:18,579 I saw something quite peculiar just now. 214 00:15:18,580 --> 00:15:19,695 Really? 215 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:23,475 First of all, Ralph Paton is here and staying at the White Hart. 216 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:24,629 Staying there? 217 00:15:24,630 --> 00:15:27,771 Staying there. And he was talking to a girl. 218 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,717 I couldn't quite see who she was. 219 00:15:29,717 --> 00:15:31,555 Presumably it was Flora. 220 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:33,616 But that doesn't make any sense. 221 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:37,779 Mind you, it makes even less sense if it wasn't. 222 00:15:57,580 --> 00:16:00,139 There is evil in this village, Poirot. 223 00:16:00,539 --> 00:16:01,978 Downright evil! 224 00:16:01,980 --> 00:16:04,289 Well, tell me what has happened, mon ami. 225 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:07,271 You didn't know Ashley Ferrars, did you? 226 00:16:07,660 --> 00:16:10,737 No. No, I believe that he had died before I arrived here. 227 00:16:10,740 --> 00:16:12,696 Yes, I thought so. 228 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:16,431 After he died, there were all sorts of rumours flying about. 229 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,494 Well, this sometimes happens in a small town. 230 00:16:19,980 --> 00:16:25,617 Anyway, the coroner said gastritis exacerbated by acute alcoholism, 231 00:16:25,620 --> 00:16:28,657 then peritonitis, and that was that. 232 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:30,915 Until yesterday. 233 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:33,236 Yesterday I found out he was poisoned. 234 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,155 Poisoned? 235 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,652 Look, I might as well tell you this, Poirot. 236 00:16:39,060 --> 00:16:40,871 I've been... 237 00:16:41,060 --> 00:16:45,419 ...well, in love with Dorothy Ferrars for years. 238 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:47,516 She telephoned me yesterday. 239 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,094 Very upset. Wanted to see me. 240 00:16:50,100 --> 00:16:51,913 She broke down completely. 241 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,056 She told me everything. 242 00:16:54,740 --> 00:16:56,931 Her hatred of that brute of a husband, 243 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:59,376 her growing feelings for me... 244 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:03,030 ...and the dreadful means she'd taken to... 245 00:17:04,100 --> 00:17:05,774 Poison! 246 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,491 Murder! Cold-blooded murder! 247 00:17:10,780 --> 00:17:11,879 I see. 248 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:15,057 The terrible thing is, she must have seen the shock in my face. 249 00:17:15,060 --> 00:17:17,053 I mean, I couldn't disguise it. 250 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,077 I drove her to suicide. 251 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:23,993 But it was reported that her death was accidental. 252 00:17:25,460 --> 00:17:28,418 You must not blame yourself, mon ami. 253 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:30,955 I know, but she also told me something else. 254 00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:33,439 It seemed that there was one person 255 00:17:33,439 --> 00:17:35,979 who'd known about the murder all along 256 00:17:36,260 --> 00:17:39,900 and was blackmailing her for huge sums. 257 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:42,035 And do you know who was this person? 258 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:44,017 She wouldn't tell me his name. 259 00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:47,053 As a matter of fact, she didn't even say it was a man, but... 260 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,532 Well, they're not going to get away with it! 261 00:17:51,220 --> 00:17:54,659 You intend to hunt down this blackmailer? 262 00:17:54,660 --> 00:17:57,094 If only Dotty had left a note. 263 00:17:57,180 --> 00:17:59,614 She might have given a name. 264 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,556 Roger... 265 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:04,973 ...you must be careful. 266 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:08,636 Thank you, Ursula. 267 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:14,213 Ah, Sheppard. Good evening. 268 00:18:14,300 --> 00:18:16,495 Good evening. Evening, Poirot. 269 00:18:16,500 --> 00:18:19,458 - Good evening, James. - I'm just seeing Monsieur Poirot out. 270 00:18:19,460 --> 00:18:22,373 - Go on into the sitting room, will you? - Thank you. 271 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,536 Thank you, Monsieur Parker. 272 00:18:28,620 --> 00:18:30,258 ♪ Faint jazz 273 00:18:30,540 --> 00:18:32,196 Ah. 274 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,936 Hello, Dr Sheppard. I didn't know you were coming this evening. 275 00:18:36,500 --> 00:18:39,233 - You know, you've got to congratulate me. - Indeed? 276 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:42,354 Look. I'm going to marry Ralph. 277 00:18:42,540 --> 00:18:45,740 I know you'll both be very happy, Flora. 278 00:18:45,740 --> 00:18:47,517 We've been engaged for three months now, 279 00:18:47,517 --> 00:18:49,894 but it's going to be announced officially tomorrow. 280 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:53,371 Why, Dr Sheppard! 281 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,976 Good evening, Mrs Ackroyd. 282 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,977 Is it true about poor Mrs Ferrars? 283 00:18:59,980 --> 00:19:02,116 She died last night, yes. 284 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:03,633 Did she... 285 00:19:03,820 --> 00:19:06,054 Was it suicide? 286 00:19:06,140 --> 00:19:08,370 We don't know yet. 287 00:19:08,460 --> 00:19:10,416 Poor woman. 288 00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:11,853 Oh, well. 289 00:19:12,820 --> 00:19:15,231 Life must go on, I suppose. 290 00:19:19,540 --> 00:19:23,171 I wish you'd tell me about these antique things, Dr Sheppard. 291 00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:24,980 I'm sure you know what they all are. 292 00:19:24,980 --> 00:19:28,097 Ah, just because I'm an antique myself... 293 00:19:30,220 --> 00:19:32,811 Ah, Sheppard. There you are. 294 00:19:32,820 --> 00:19:36,859 Look, you're staying to dinner, aren't you? We can talk later. 295 00:20:20,860 --> 00:20:22,088 Fernly Park. 296 00:20:22,090 --> 00:20:23,722 Is Monsieur Roger Ackroyd available? 297 00:20:23,722 --> 00:20:25,835 No. He's at dinner at the moment, Mr Poirot. 298 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:27,493 - At dinner? - Yes. 299 00:20:27,580 --> 00:20:30,736 Could I leave a message for him to call me back? I'm at my cottage. 300 00:20:30,740 --> 00:20:32,332 I'll ask him to call you. 301 00:20:32,340 --> 00:20:35,173 And Monsieur Parker, will you be sure to give him the message now? 302 00:20:35,180 --> 00:20:37,116 Certainly, sir. 303 00:20:45,300 --> 00:20:50,010 So I said, just because you're breaking eggs, it doesn't mean you're making an omelette. 304 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,779 My late husband detested omelettes. 305 00:20:53,860 --> 00:20:57,111 Mr Poirot telephoned, sir. I told him you were at dinner. 306 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,614 Thank you, Parker. I'll phone him later. 307 00:20:59,620 --> 00:21:05,358 Oh, my late husband disliked anything even remotely to do with chickens. 308 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:13,236 Last post. Feels like it, too. 309 00:21:13,236 --> 00:21:15,213 Thanks, Barney. 310 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,756 The evening post, sir. 311 00:21:26,940 --> 00:21:29,476 Put the other letters on the table, Parker, thank you. 312 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:31,438 Yes, sir. 313 00:21:40,420 --> 00:21:44,229 "My dear, my very dear Roger... " 314 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,955 There is one thing a murderer may rely on for protection. 315 00:21:51,140 --> 00:21:53,415 That the account of every witness 316 00:21:53,500 --> 00:21:56,492 will be radically different from the account of every other, 317 00:21:56,580 --> 00:21:59,936 even though all were present on the same occasion. 318 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:02,195 I trust you enjoyed your dinner, Dr Sheppard. 319 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:04,675 Indeed, I did. Thank you, Parker. 320 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:06,938 Oh, I'll just go and say good night to the ladies. 321 00:22:06,938 --> 00:22:08,616 Yes, sir. 322 00:22:13,360 --> 00:22:14,795 Good night, ladies. 323 00:22:14,795 --> 00:22:16,820 Oh. Do you have to go, Doctor? 324 00:22:16,820 --> 00:22:20,059 Oh, unfortunately, I do. Good night. 325 00:22:20,060 --> 00:22:22,654 And once again, congratulations, Flora. 326 00:22:22,740 --> 00:22:25,754 Oh, thank you, Dr Sheppard. Good night. 327 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:06,992 However, I regret to say that the calls on my purse have been so frequent of late 328 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,472 that it is impossible for me to accede to your request. 329 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,916 As you will appreciate... 330 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:50,215 Parker, Mr Ackroyd says he doesn't want to be disturbed tonight. 331 00:23:50,500 --> 00:23:53,419 Oh. Very well, Miss Flora. 332 00:23:58,380 --> 00:24:01,258 It doesn't sound like a very interesting evening, I must say. 333 00:24:01,260 --> 00:24:03,335 Didn't you hear anything about Ralph, even? 334 00:24:03,340 --> 00:24:07,454 Well, yes. I heard he got officially engaged to Flora at last. 335 00:24:07,460 --> 00:24:09,914 Then what was that I heard him saying to her this afternoon? 336 00:24:09,914 --> 00:24:10,959 At the White Hart? 337 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:13,169 Who can say, my dear? 338 00:24:13,170 --> 00:24:15,674 Oh no, why do people always choose bedtime to get ill? 339 00:24:17,140 --> 00:24:19,059 Doctor Sheppard. 340 00:24:19,900 --> 00:24:21,294 What? 341 00:24:21,940 --> 00:24:23,453 What?! 342 00:24:23,540 --> 00:24:25,951 Yes, I'll come at once. 343 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:27,879 What is it? 344 00:24:28,060 --> 00:24:29,375 What is it, James? 345 00:24:29,375 --> 00:24:31,991 Well it's Parker. From Fernly. 346 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:35,712 They've just found Roger Ackroyd murdered. 347 00:24:48,740 --> 00:24:50,214 - Yes, sir? - Where is he? 348 00:24:50,220 --> 00:24:51,479 Beg your pardon, sir? 349 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:53,789 - Have you called the police? - The police, sir? 350 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:55,477 What's the matter with you, Parker? 351 00:24:55,477 --> 00:24:57,675 Your master has been found murdered. 352 00:24:58,260 --> 00:24:59,458 Murdered, sir? 353 00:24:59,460 --> 00:25:01,096 Didn't you telephone me five minutes ago 354 00:25:01,096 --> 00:25:03,533 and told me Mr Ackroyd has been found murdered? 355 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,400 No, indeed, sir. I wouldn't dream... 356 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,195 Do you mean to say it's all a hoax? 357 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,829 Oh, thank God! 358 00:25:12,360 --> 00:25:14,969 Though I should like to strangle whoever the joker is. 359 00:25:14,970 --> 00:25:17,449 I can just check if you like, sir. See if everything's all right. 360 00:25:17,450 --> 00:25:19,451 No, no, there's no point in that. 361 00:25:19,460 --> 00:25:21,166 Let me just go and see, sir. 362 00:25:21,266 --> 00:25:22,453 Where is everybody else? 363 00:25:22,460 --> 00:25:23,718 The ladies have gone to bed, sir. 364 00:25:23,718 --> 00:25:25,777 I believe Mr Raymond is still up. 365 00:25:29,020 --> 00:25:30,378 It seems to be locked. 366 00:25:30,380 --> 00:25:32,193 Perhaps he's gone up to bed. 367 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:35,099 I've never known him to lock this door before. 368 00:25:38,980 --> 00:25:41,250 The key's in the lock on the other side. 369 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,156 Ackroyd? 370 00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:50,604 Ackroyd! 371 00:25:50,604 --> 00:25:52,609 He may have fallen asleep. 372 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,071 - I'm sorry, Parker. - Dr Sheppard, sir! 373 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:00,909 Out of the way! 374 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:07,659 No. The fewer people disturb this room, the better. 375 00:26:17,820 --> 00:26:20,488 Ring the police station, Parker. 376 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:32,879 Yes. Right away. 377 00:26:32,879 --> 00:26:34,979 Mr Ackroyd's been murdered. 378 00:26:34,980 --> 00:26:36,932 What did you say? 379 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:40,678 It's Mr Ackroyd, sir. He's dead. 380 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:42,716 In the study. 381 00:26:44,780 --> 00:26:46,759 Oh, my God! 382 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:52,294 What are you doing here? 383 00:26:52,294 --> 00:26:54,688 Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Poirot. You'd better come in. 384 00:26:54,780 --> 00:26:56,736 Thank you. 385 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,200 I was just telephoning the police. 386 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:00,628 What has happened, Monsieur Parker? 387 00:27:00,628 --> 00:27:02,556 Mr Ackroyd's been killed, sir. 388 00:27:02,740 --> 00:27:04,796 Murdered. 389 00:27:09,380 --> 00:27:11,377 Who would do such a terrible thing? 390 00:27:11,460 --> 00:27:13,315 Oh, Poirot. Thank God! 391 00:27:13,315 --> 00:27:15,270 Nobody's been in here. 392 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,270 What do you think, Poirot? 393 00:27:31,340 --> 00:27:33,496 I have failed my friend. 394 00:27:42,380 --> 00:27:47,051 Our local police are a constant source of harmless amusement. 395 00:27:47,660 --> 00:27:52,319 A year ago, they could not even see that the death of Ashley Ferrars was murder. 396 00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:57,716 This time, they will probably claim that Ackroyd committed suicide. 397 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:04,519 Ackroyd was in such a strange mood all day. 398 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:07,060 Mrs Ferrars dying hit him badly. 399 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:09,096 Evening, gentlemen. 400 00:28:12,860 --> 00:28:14,400 Has this been moved at all? 401 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,678 I ascertained that life was extinct, nothing more. 402 00:28:18,620 --> 00:28:19,874 Who found the body? 403 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:21,878 The butler, Parker and myself. 404 00:28:21,978 --> 00:28:23,077 I'd been here to dinner, 405 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:26,013 but I was back at home when I got a telephone call from Parker 406 00:28:26,020 --> 00:28:28,468 telling me Mr Ackroyd had been murdered. 407 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:30,398 So Parker had already found the body? 408 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:33,690 No, sir. I didn't make any phone call, sir. 409 00:28:33,780 --> 00:28:35,775 Wait a minute, wait a minute. Dr Sheppard says... 410 00:28:35,780 --> 00:28:38,235 I didn't phone, sir. I swear I didn't! 411 00:28:38,420 --> 00:28:40,875 Did it sound like Parker's voice on the telephone? 412 00:28:41,260 --> 00:28:43,694 I can't say I noticed. 413 00:28:43,694 --> 00:28:46,129 I took it for granted, you see. 414 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:48,296 How odd. 415 00:28:48,496 --> 00:28:49,773 Anyway, you came in here... 416 00:28:49,780 --> 00:28:52,434 Broke the door down. It was locked from the inside. 417 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:54,396 Has anyone checked the window? 418 00:29:01,700 --> 00:29:04,898 Well, this is the way the murderer came in all right, and went out. 419 00:29:04,898 --> 00:29:06,396 Look. A footprint. 420 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,769 Made by a boot with a rubber sole, sir. 421 00:29:08,860 --> 00:29:11,135 When was Mr Ackroyd last seen alive? 422 00:29:11,140 --> 00:29:14,257 I left at nine o'clock. He was certainly alive then. 423 00:29:14,340 --> 00:29:16,774 He was alive at 9.30. 424 00:29:16,860 --> 00:29:19,010 I heard him talking in the study. 425 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:20,708 Who was he talking to? 426 00:29:20,708 --> 00:29:22,317 I don't know. 427 00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:25,350 At the time, I assumed it was Dr Sheppard. 428 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:28,671 But in fact, you'd already left. 429 00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:31,636 Did you overhear any of the conversation? 430 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:33,358 Just a fragment. 431 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:35,590 Mr Ackroyd said something like, 432 00:29:35,780 --> 00:29:38,617 "The calls on my purse have been so frequent of late 433 00:29:38,700 --> 00:29:42,237 that it is impossible for me to accede to your request." 434 00:29:43,060 --> 00:29:44,698 I didn't hear any more. 435 00:29:44,780 --> 00:29:46,675 But a demand for money. 436 00:29:46,675 --> 00:29:48,160 It may be important. 437 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:50,430 If you'll excuse me, Inspector Davis. 438 00:29:50,820 --> 00:29:53,892 Miss Flora saw him after half past nine. 439 00:29:53,980 --> 00:29:57,100 I saw her leave the study at ten past ten. 440 00:29:57,100 --> 00:30:00,158 - Send someone to get her, will you? - Yes, sir. 441 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:05,017 I don't know you, sir. What's your name? 442 00:30:05,017 --> 00:30:07,975 This is Hercule Poirot, Inspector. 443 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:11,855 The famous detective? 444 00:30:11,860 --> 00:30:14,713 Oh, yes? What are you doing here? 445 00:30:15,580 --> 00:30:18,240 Monsieur Ackroyd was a friend of mine, Inspector. 446 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:20,456 I was with him earlier this evening. 447 00:30:20,460 --> 00:30:22,810 When was the last time you saw Mr Ackroyd alive? 448 00:30:22,900 --> 00:30:26,893 We said goodbye at 7.36. I then went home. 449 00:30:26,980 --> 00:30:28,957 What are you doing here now? 450 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:31,434 Monsieur Ackroyd was in a mood of great upset. 451 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:34,095 I was worried about him and I made my return. 452 00:30:34,660 --> 00:30:36,029 Thank you, sir. 453 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:37,699 I have to say this. 454 00:30:37,899 --> 00:30:40,179 Mr Ralph Paton is down here from London. 455 00:30:40,260 --> 00:30:42,434 He came to the factory to see Mr Ackroyd. 456 00:30:42,534 --> 00:30:44,509 They had words. 457 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:46,658 What about? 458 00:30:46,660 --> 00:30:48,616 I don't really know. 459 00:30:49,060 --> 00:30:51,749 Something to do with Mr Ackroyd's will, I think. 460 00:30:58,180 --> 00:31:00,136 Oh, this is awful. 461 00:31:00,620 --> 00:31:02,252 It can't be true. 462 00:31:02,260 --> 00:31:04,933 Miss Ackroyd, I'm afraid I gonna have to ask you a few questions. 463 00:31:05,020 --> 00:31:09,696 Parker says he saw you coming out of your uncle's study at 10.10. Is that right? 464 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:13,170 Do you think I am a murderer? 465 00:31:13,260 --> 00:31:15,820 Mademoiselle, if you please, just sit. 466 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:18,156 Please. 467 00:31:25,740 --> 00:31:28,157 We're just trying to place everyone in the house, 468 00:31:28,457 --> 00:31:30,875 find out what they've seen or heard. 469 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:34,296 All right. 470 00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:39,080 Yes, I... I did go in to say good night to Uncle Roger. 471 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:40,679 At ten past ten. 472 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:43,276 I don't know. 473 00:31:44,620 --> 00:31:47,259 Yes. About then. 474 00:31:47,540 --> 00:31:49,496 Was he alone? 475 00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:53,533 Alone. Yes. 476 00:31:53,720 --> 00:31:56,593 Did you notice if the window was open or shut? 477 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,359 I don't know! 478 00:31:59,780 --> 00:32:01,736 I didn't look. 479 00:32:03,060 --> 00:32:05,510 Well, the curtains were drawn, anyway. 480 00:32:07,020 --> 00:32:09,176 Oh, God! 481 00:32:44,060 --> 00:32:46,416 Can I drive you home, Poirot? 482 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:51,916 No, merci. 483 00:32:53,740 --> 00:32:55,696 I prefer to walk. 484 00:33:20,180 --> 00:33:23,617 From now on, the deception began in earnest. 485 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:28,309 You could scarcely move for people protesting how innocent they were 486 00:33:28,500 --> 00:33:31,373 ...or pointing the finger of guilt at someone else. 487 00:33:31,480 --> 00:33:36,289 There was so much smoke, you could hardly see across the High Street. 488 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:38,796 Such larks! 489 00:33:50,900 --> 00:33:53,570 Oh! Hello, Flora. 490 00:33:53,960 --> 00:33:55,956 I came to see Mr Poirot. 491 00:33:56,056 --> 00:33:57,352 Is he in? 492 00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:00,737 Well, he's terribly upset, actually. 493 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:02,800 My brother's with him now. 494 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:04,950 We both came round. 495 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:08,629 Who would do a thing like that to such a man, James? 496 00:34:08,820 --> 00:34:10,820 Well, it's difficult to say. 497 00:34:10,820 --> 00:34:13,175 The question was a rhetorical one, mon ami. 498 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:16,873 It's Flora. 499 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:19,793 - Mr Poirot, I'm sorry to burst in on you. - Mademoiselle. 500 00:34:19,980 --> 00:34:23,052 But the police think that Ralph murdered my uncle. 501 00:34:23,540 --> 00:34:25,519 He didn't do it, Mr Poirot. 502 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:27,476 He really didn't. 503 00:34:29,560 --> 00:34:32,215 I cannot help you, mademoiselle. 504 00:34:32,500 --> 00:34:34,300 But you're a detective. 505 00:34:34,300 --> 00:34:37,995 Your uncle was Monsieur Poirot's friend, Flora. 506 00:34:38,280 --> 00:34:40,699 In any case, mademoiselle, I am now retired. 507 00:34:40,699 --> 00:34:42,719 I work no longer. 508 00:34:42,980 --> 00:34:44,936 I'II... I'll pay you. 509 00:34:45,020 --> 00:34:46,217 I'll find the money somehow. 510 00:34:46,217 --> 00:34:47,714 It's not a question of money. 511 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:49,856 Come on, old girl. 512 00:34:49,940 --> 00:34:51,771 What am I going to do? 513 00:34:52,860 --> 00:34:54,812 What am I going to do? 514 00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:56,956 Where's Ralph now? 515 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:01,117 I don't know. Not exactly. 516 00:35:02,620 --> 00:35:05,710 Uncle Roger told me yesterday he was staying at the White Hart. 517 00:35:05,900 --> 00:35:07,956 But he's not there now. 518 00:35:08,980 --> 00:35:11,198 They told me he left in the middle of the night. 519 00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:13,956 But he's left all his things behind. 520 00:35:16,100 --> 00:35:18,689 - I see. - No, you don't see! 521 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:22,318 Ralph may have done some foolish things in the past, 522 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:25,234 but he wouldn't murder anyone. 523 00:35:25,620 --> 00:35:28,460 Mademoiselle, I cannot help you as you wish. 524 00:35:28,460 --> 00:35:29,500 But I... 525 00:35:29,500 --> 00:35:33,133 But I will go to the Inspector Davis and speak on your behalf. 526 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:37,193 That may do some good. 527 00:35:38,860 --> 00:35:42,450 Between ourselves, Chief Inspector, my money's on Ralph Paton, the stepson. 528 00:35:44,780 --> 00:35:47,472 That er... foreign gentleman to see you, Inspector. 529 00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:49,974 I don't want to be disturbed! 530 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:54,494 I will take only five minutes of your time, Inspector. 531 00:35:54,580 --> 00:35:56,636 I know that voice! 532 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:00,130 Chief Inspector Japp! 533 00:36:00,130 --> 00:36:03,110 I knew the name Kings what-you-me-call-it sounded familiar. 534 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:06,560 - Oh, my dear friend! - Poirot. 535 00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:19,077 There was I, thinking you'd retired, 536 00:36:19,077 --> 00:36:22,254 and I come down here and find you mixed up in murders and all sorts. 537 00:36:22,260 --> 00:36:26,396 No, no, no, Chief Inspector. I am not, as you say, all mixed up. 538 00:36:26,540 --> 00:36:30,010 No, Monsieur Roger Ackroyd was my very old friend and that is all. 539 00:36:30,010 --> 00:36:31,800 Yeah, but you'll help us out though, won't you? 540 00:36:31,800 --> 00:36:34,291 Help me talk to all these cabbage-bashers. 541 00:36:36,500 --> 00:36:38,279 Non. Non. 542 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:40,669 Chief Inspector, I have been idle for too long. 543 00:36:40,670 --> 00:36:43,690 Oh, come on, Poirot. It'll be like old times. 544 00:36:48,220 --> 00:36:50,176 Very well. 545 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:58,209 But er... only on the outskirts. 546 00:37:05,900 --> 00:37:08,238 Inspector Davis, Mademoiselle Ackroyd tells me 547 00:37:08,238 --> 00:37:10,776 you suspect most strongly Ralph Paton. 548 00:37:10,860 --> 00:37:12,816 It was either him or the butler. 549 00:37:12,900 --> 00:37:14,777 What have we got against Paton? 550 00:37:14,780 --> 00:37:18,309 First, he left the White Hart last night and hasn't been seen since. 551 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:21,572 Secondly, it's said he's in serious financial difficulties 552 00:37:21,660 --> 00:37:23,017 and will probably profit from the will. 553 00:37:23,017 --> 00:37:25,175 And thirdly, it's said he has a row with the victim. 554 00:37:25,260 --> 00:37:27,216 Sounds pretty fruity. 555 00:37:27,300 --> 00:37:29,689 Perhaps a little too fruity, mon ami. 556 00:37:29,780 --> 00:37:31,736 We'll see about that. 557 00:37:31,740 --> 00:37:34,354 Got here a pair of shoes which we got from the White Hart. 558 00:37:34,360 --> 00:37:37,671 I'm gonna compare them to the footmarks on the window sill. 559 00:37:38,820 --> 00:37:42,608 Has anyone seen any suspicious strangers hanging around here? 560 00:37:42,700 --> 00:37:47,376 Any strangers calling on Mr Ackroyd at all over the last week or so? 561 00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:49,700 Yes, there was. 562 00:37:49,700 --> 00:37:52,114 That young man called himself a salesman. 563 00:37:52,114 --> 00:37:53,320 On Wednesday. 564 00:37:53,320 --> 00:37:55,197 He was in with Mr Ackroyd a good hour. 565 00:37:55,180 --> 00:37:58,172 No, no, no. That was a perfectly innocent salesman. 566 00:37:58,460 --> 00:38:01,300 He came to the factory trying to sell Dictaphones 567 00:38:01,300 --> 00:38:03,655 Mr Ackroyd had him come here to demonstrate. 568 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:05,737 Mr Tuffnell, his name was. 569 00:38:06,020 --> 00:38:07,496 Yes, all right. 570 00:38:07,696 --> 00:38:10,172 Now, let's get back to the events of last night. 571 00:38:10,260 --> 00:38:13,212 There was something though last night, Chief Inspector. 572 00:38:13,220 --> 00:38:14,299 Yeah? 573 00:38:14,300 --> 00:38:18,816 I was on the terrace outside the sitting room, smoking at about 9.30. And I saw... 574 00:38:19,300 --> 00:38:24,500 Well, I thought I saw a woman disappearing into the bushes near the summer house. 575 00:38:24,820 --> 00:38:26,751 Just a gleam of white, you know? 576 00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:28,832 No idea who it was? 577 00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:31,516 I'm not even sure. 578 00:38:31,900 --> 00:38:34,368 It could have been just a trick of the moonlight, you know? 579 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:36,716 Yes, all right. Thank you. 580 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:42,515 Now, when you, Dr Sheppard, and you, Parker, break the door down, 581 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:46,818 ...you are confronted by the sight of Mr Ackroyd dead in this chair. 582 00:38:47,000 --> 00:38:48,579 Quite. 583 00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:52,498 If I may, Chief Inspector? 584 00:38:52,498 --> 00:38:53,577 Of course. 585 00:38:53,780 --> 00:38:55,179 Thank you. 586 00:38:55,180 --> 00:38:57,769 Is this room exactly as it was then? 587 00:38:59,500 --> 00:39:01,779 The curtains were drawn, sir. 588 00:39:01,879 --> 00:39:04,059 And the electric light was on. 589 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:07,709 Bon. Anything else? 590 00:39:11,180 --> 00:39:13,774 Yes. That chair was drawn out a little more. 591 00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:15,454 Bon. 592 00:39:16,300 --> 00:39:18,094 Show me. 593 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:24,216 Voila ce qui est curieux. 594 00:39:33,980 --> 00:39:35,772 How say you, Chief Inspector? 595 00:39:35,860 --> 00:39:38,738 No-one would sit in a chair in such a position, I fancy. 596 00:39:38,820 --> 00:39:40,334 Well, it's an odd place for it to be, all right. 597 00:39:40,334 --> 00:39:42,349 But I can't see that it's very important. 598 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:44,312 Well, it is completely unimportant. 599 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:47,312 That is why it is so interesting. 600 00:39:47,600 --> 00:39:51,234 These shoes match the marks on the window sill precisely. 601 00:39:51,720 --> 00:39:54,075 Of course they do, Inspector. 602 00:39:54,080 --> 00:39:56,016 Of course they do. 603 00:39:57,040 --> 00:40:01,877 For the moment, Ralph Paton is the chief suspect. 604 00:40:02,580 --> 00:40:05,248 If muddy shoes could convict, 605 00:40:05,340 --> 00:40:08,332 they'd have him swinging from the gallows by the morning. 606 00:40:08,900 --> 00:40:11,056 There is only one problem. 607 00:40:11,340 --> 00:40:15,353 The spineless Lothario is nowhere to be found. 608 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:18,830 I helped Mr Ackroyd build this house, you know. 609 00:40:19,020 --> 00:40:21,329 Design it and everything. 610 00:40:21,420 --> 00:40:23,012 These modern houses, you see, 611 00:40:23,100 --> 00:40:26,570 generally, they don't have the facilities for staff, like proper houses. 612 00:40:26,570 --> 00:40:28,974 Mr Ackroyd, he wanted it just so. 613 00:40:28,980 --> 00:40:30,493 He was a good employer, no? 614 00:40:30,580 --> 00:40:32,855 He could be short with you, could Mr Ackroyd. 615 00:40:32,940 --> 00:40:34,896 But he was always fair. 616 00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:37,955 We shan't see his like again. 617 00:40:39,700 --> 00:40:41,656 No, indeed. 618 00:40:43,760 --> 00:40:47,673 Tell me, Monsieur Parker, what is your opinion of the secretary, Monsieur Raymond? 619 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:51,673 He's a bit of a stick, to tell you the truth, Mr Poirot, but he's all right. 620 00:40:51,760 --> 00:40:55,000 It's just that he told to Inspector Davis last night 621 00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:58,531 that he overheard Monsieur Ackroyd talking in his study at half past nine. 622 00:40:58,420 --> 00:41:00,695 I am not disposed to believe him. 623 00:41:00,780 --> 00:41:02,498 I don't know about that, sir. 624 00:41:02,580 --> 00:41:05,174 I don't think Mr Raymond is the type to tell an untruth. 625 00:41:05,180 --> 00:41:08,013 - Ah. - But there is something. I mean... 626 00:41:08,700 --> 00:41:10,691 I haven't mentioned it before, but... 627 00:41:10,880 --> 00:41:14,270 it's been nagging away at the back of my mind, like. 628 00:41:15,740 --> 00:41:18,638 It was usually kept in the display case in the sitting room. 629 00:41:18,720 --> 00:41:21,775 I'm sure it was in there just before dinner last night. 630 00:41:22,760 --> 00:41:24,600 Excuse me, Chief Inspector. 631 00:41:24,600 --> 00:41:26,488 Monsieur Parker would like to show to us something. 632 00:41:26,488 --> 00:41:27,976 Monsieur Parker? 633 00:41:27,980 --> 00:41:29,534 It's these. 634 00:41:29,980 --> 00:41:32,098 They came in the evening post last night. 635 00:41:32,098 --> 00:41:33,497 So what? 636 00:41:33,900 --> 00:41:36,214 Well, there were five when I brought them in. 637 00:41:36,220 --> 00:41:37,779 And now there are four. 638 00:41:37,780 --> 00:41:41,309 I noticed particularly because these are all business sort of letters. 639 00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:44,819 And there was one more, personal one, handwritten. 640 00:41:44,820 --> 00:41:47,853 Dark blue envelope. Quite distinctive. 641 00:41:47,940 --> 00:41:50,898 Perhaps Mr Ackroyd put it in his pocket. 642 00:41:51,080 --> 00:41:53,879 Was any such letter discovered on the body, Inspector? 643 00:41:53,879 --> 00:41:55,478 No. 644 00:41:57,380 --> 00:42:00,419 So these will be the French windows into the sitting room. 645 00:42:00,860 --> 00:42:03,959 Yes, Chief Inspector. Inside of which was the case 646 00:42:04,059 --> 00:42:08,217 that contained the murderous weapon, conveniently within reach. 647 00:42:08,217 --> 00:42:09,495 Mm. 648 00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:16,597 And along here, no other... 649 00:42:17,180 --> 00:42:18,918 no other window overlooks the terrace 650 00:42:18,918 --> 00:42:22,156 till we come to the study of Monsieur Roger Ackroyd. 651 00:42:23,580 --> 00:42:25,498 Chief Inspector? 652 00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:27,830 I've just had a call from GPO. 653 00:42:28,220 --> 00:42:31,151 They've traced that telephone call that Dr Sheppard got. 654 00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:33,594 It's logged at 10.15 last night 655 00:42:33,595 --> 00:42:37,414 from a public telephone box at Kings Abbott railway station. 656 00:42:37,420 --> 00:42:40,100 And at 10:23 the night mail leaves for Liverpool. 657 00:42:40,100 --> 00:42:41,954 Why should the murderer have telephoned at all? 658 00:42:41,954 --> 00:42:43,809 There seems no rhyme nor reason to it. 659 00:42:43,810 --> 00:42:46,792 Oh, there was a reason, Chief Inspector. Of that you can be sure. 660 00:42:46,795 --> 00:42:50,472 And when we know it, we will know everything. 661 00:42:56,800 --> 00:43:00,156 Everyone tells me it's been fine and dry here for a fortnight. 662 00:43:00,240 --> 00:43:02,714 So how did those muddy footprints get on the window sill? 663 00:43:02,720 --> 00:43:04,558 Oh, that is easy, Chief Inspector. 664 00:43:04,560 --> 00:43:07,618 See you there? The gardener has left dripping the tap. 665 00:43:07,700 --> 00:43:09,269 Oh, yeah. 666 00:43:10,940 --> 00:43:13,210 Ah, there's the same footprint again. 667 00:43:14,300 --> 00:43:16,970 You see also there the footprint of the lady? 668 00:43:17,460 --> 00:43:19,434 Well, there's plenty of women in the house. 669 00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:23,449 Come, Chief Inspector. Let us investigate together the summer house. 670 00:43:33,880 --> 00:43:35,616 My Emily wanted one of these. 671 00:43:35,616 --> 00:43:38,153 But it didn't seem quite right in Isleworth. 672 00:43:44,740 --> 00:43:46,696 What have you got, Poirot? 673 00:43:48,980 --> 00:43:52,397 Well, it's a bit of cloth from a handkerchief, or something. 674 00:43:53,220 --> 00:43:55,176 Perhaps. 675 00:43:59,640 --> 00:44:01,592 Remember this, Chief Inspector. 676 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:05,992 The good laundry, it does not starch the handkerchief. 677 00:44:09,800 --> 00:44:12,912 The organisation, it is in disorder today? 678 00:44:13,100 --> 00:44:15,953 Because of Mr Ackroyd's absence? Hardly. 679 00:44:15,960 --> 00:44:18,833 His guiding hand, it is not missed? 680 00:44:20,460 --> 00:44:24,892 Mr Ackroyd's guiding hand was more likely to hold things up than... 681 00:44:25,640 --> 00:44:27,558 I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. 682 00:44:27,640 --> 00:44:31,110 But the truth is, I handled all the day-to-day running of the business. 683 00:44:31,300 --> 00:44:33,856 Not that I got any thanks for it. 684 00:44:38,020 --> 00:44:42,173 Sundry creditors, 403 pounds... 685 00:44:42,180 --> 00:44:45,013 ...seven shillings and four pence. 686 00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:48,719 Mr Hammond is Mr Ackroyd's personal lawyer, 687 00:44:48,719 --> 00:44:50,678 as well as acting for the company. 688 00:44:51,420 --> 00:44:54,851 I'm Detective Chief Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard. 689 00:44:55,480 --> 00:44:57,777 And this is Hercule Poirot. 690 00:44:58,677 --> 00:45:00,375 Private detective. 691 00:45:00,420 --> 00:45:02,715 We need to know what's in Mr Ackroyd's will. 692 00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:04,079 I see. 693 00:45:04,079 --> 00:45:08,638 But er... I shall be coming down to the house later on anyway, for the reading. 694 00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:10,294 So much to do. 695 00:45:10,294 --> 00:45:12,149 Oh, so much to do! 696 00:45:12,140 --> 00:45:14,296 - Whenever... - Yes. What's in the will? 697 00:45:14,380 --> 00:45:18,400 Hmm, the will consists of a series of legacies and bequests... 698 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:19,894 Such as? 699 00:45:19,980 --> 00:45:25,208 Well, there's £500 to his secretary, Mr Geoffrey Raymond. 700 00:45:25,820 --> 00:45:31,700 Then, Mrs Vera Ackroyd receives the income from £10,000 worth of shares, 701 00:45:31,700 --> 00:45:33,577 during her lifetime. 702 00:45:33,580 --> 00:45:39,576 While her daughter, Flora Ackroyd, inherits £20,000 outright. 703 00:45:39,580 --> 00:45:41,855 And the majority of the estate? 704 00:45:41,860 --> 00:45:45,217 The er... residue, including Fernly Park, 705 00:45:45,220 --> 00:45:47,859 and the shares in Ackroyd Chemicals 706 00:45:47,940 --> 00:45:51,728 to his adopted son, Mr Ralph Paton. 707 00:45:52,820 --> 00:45:57,238 Tell me. The estate of Monsieur Roger Ackroyd, it was very large? 708 00:45:57,220 --> 00:45:59,131 Oh, yes, indeed. 709 00:45:59,220 --> 00:46:02,671 Mr Paton will be a very wealthy young man. 710 00:46:03,080 --> 00:46:04,991 Merci. 711 00:46:06,380 --> 00:46:10,134 Tell me, Chief Inspector, the stationmaster at Kings Abbott, was he of any help? 712 00:46:10,140 --> 00:46:11,589 Not a lot, I'm afraid. 713 00:46:11,589 --> 00:46:14,238 Nobody remembers anybody using the phone box. 714 00:46:14,420 --> 00:46:18,279 But about that time, you've got the London train coming in on one platform, 715 00:46:18,280 --> 00:46:20,574 and the Liverpool train on the other, so... 716 00:46:20,760 --> 00:46:23,116 Was anyone seen to board these trains? 717 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:27,616 Well, a porter remembers a young man getting on the train to Liverpool. 718 00:46:27,700 --> 00:46:30,336 He thinks. Mind you... 719 00:46:31,620 --> 00:46:33,214 Voila. 720 00:46:34,100 --> 00:46:36,373 She looks pretty browned off. 721 00:46:37,160 --> 00:46:39,754 Let us go and cheer her up, Chief Inspector. 722 00:46:48,380 --> 00:46:50,291 Bonjour, Mademoiselle Ackroyd. 723 00:46:50,380 --> 00:46:51,918 Oh, you startled me. 724 00:46:51,920 --> 00:46:54,150 There's something I've been meaning to ask you, Miss Ackroyd. 725 00:46:54,340 --> 00:46:57,179 Did you go anywhere near the summer house on the night of the murder? 726 00:46:57,180 --> 00:46:58,979 Summer house? No. 727 00:46:59,060 --> 00:47:02,296 Only someone, a lady, was seen in its vicinity. 728 00:47:02,780 --> 00:47:04,377 Well, it wasn't me. 729 00:47:04,460 --> 00:47:06,471 This would have been about half past nine? 730 00:47:06,880 --> 00:47:08,396 Thank you, mademoiselle. 731 00:47:08,596 --> 00:47:10,393 You have been most helpful. 732 00:47:10,400 --> 00:47:12,550 I've got to get back to the house, anyway. 733 00:47:16,180 --> 00:47:18,191 I was just getting started with her. 734 00:47:18,480 --> 00:47:20,057 Very likely. 735 00:47:20,057 --> 00:47:22,634 Is she out of sight, Chief Inspector? 736 00:47:24,640 --> 00:47:26,990 Yeah. What are you doing, Poirot? 737 00:47:29,220 --> 00:47:30,573 Poirot? 738 00:47:30,660 --> 00:47:35,531 Always one must keep the eyes on the alert, mon ami. 739 00:47:36,820 --> 00:47:41,810 One little glint in the sunlight... 740 00:47:43,820 --> 00:47:45,299 ...voila! 741 00:47:47,060 --> 00:47:49,016 It's a wedding ring. 742 00:47:49,200 --> 00:47:51,236 Yes, indeed. Oh! 743 00:47:51,240 --> 00:47:53,310 A woman's, probably, by the size of it. 744 00:47:53,500 --> 00:47:56,035 Very likely. Do you think this will stain? 745 00:47:56,040 --> 00:47:58,270 Funny place to find a wedding ring. 746 00:47:59,740 --> 00:48:02,559 Oh. Hang on. There's an inscription. 747 00:48:03,140 --> 00:48:06,250 From R. 748 00:48:06,340 --> 00:48:08,774 March 13th. 749 00:48:08,460 --> 00:48:10,616 Do we know who R might be? 750 00:48:12,200 --> 00:48:14,156 Non. 751 00:48:20,860 --> 00:48:23,328 - Ah, Mr Raymond. - Not now, Chief Inspector. 752 00:48:27,500 --> 00:48:29,098 What's going on, Parker? 753 00:48:29,498 --> 00:48:30,897 I don't rightly know, sir. 754 00:48:30,898 --> 00:48:32,817 Something's gone missing. 755 00:48:39,140 --> 00:48:44,216 I have never thought the staff at Fernly Park were quite trustworthy. 756 00:48:44,220 --> 00:48:45,779 What happens, madame? 757 00:48:45,780 --> 00:48:47,850 Some money is missing. 758 00:48:47,940 --> 00:48:50,614 - Stolen. - We don't know that. 759 00:48:50,620 --> 00:48:52,631 Forty pounds, Monsieur Poirot. 760 00:48:52,720 --> 00:48:54,760 From poor Roger's bedroom. 761 00:48:54,760 --> 00:48:57,832 Mr Hammond is down from London to read the will. 762 00:48:57,920 --> 00:49:00,488 He asked Raymond if there was cash in the house. 763 00:49:00,580 --> 00:49:02,855 It has to be included in the estate, of course. 764 00:49:02,860 --> 00:49:07,331 When Raymond went to get it from Mr Ackroyd's bedroom, it was gone. 765 00:49:07,340 --> 00:49:10,198 I have never thought the staff here were trustworthy. 766 00:49:10,199 --> 00:49:12,250 Oh, come, Mrs Ackroyd. 767 00:49:12,540 --> 00:49:14,735 Right. Who's the current suspect? 768 00:49:14,820 --> 00:49:16,555 The parlour maid, Ursula. 769 00:49:16,555 --> 00:49:18,280 She was given her notice yesterday. 770 00:49:18,380 --> 00:49:21,736 Doubtless she thought she'd leave with a little unearned bonus. 771 00:49:22,640 --> 00:49:24,817 - You are Ursula Bourne? - Yes, sir. 772 00:49:25,000 --> 00:49:27,698 - I understand you're leaving. - Yes. 773 00:49:27,700 --> 00:49:29,369 Why is that? 774 00:49:29,660 --> 00:49:34,856 I disarranged some papers on Mr Ackroyd's desk. 775 00:49:34,940 --> 00:49:39,530 He was very angry about it and said I had better leave. 776 00:49:39,620 --> 00:49:41,935 Let me tell you my girl, a considerable amount of money, 777 00:49:41,935 --> 00:49:44,340 forty pounds, is missing from this drawer. 778 00:49:44,340 --> 00:49:47,776 If you think I took it and that is why Mr Ackroyd dismissed me, well then, you're wrong. 779 00:49:47,780 --> 00:49:50,772 - Well, it seems... - If you please, Inspector? 780 00:49:53,440 --> 00:49:54,893 Mademoiselle Ursula, 781 00:49:54,894 --> 00:49:59,298 it was yesterday afternoon that Monsieur Roger Ackroyd dismissed you, was it not? 782 00:50:00,200 --> 00:50:02,340 How long did it last, this interview? 783 00:50:02,340 --> 00:50:03,534 Interview? 784 00:50:03,540 --> 00:50:05,929 The interview between you and Monsieur Ackroyd in the study. 785 00:50:06,120 --> 00:50:08,579 Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? Half an hour? 786 00:50:08,579 --> 00:50:10,338 Something like that. 787 00:50:10,340 --> 00:50:11,819 Half an hour? 788 00:50:11,700 --> 00:50:13,975 Well, not longer, certainly. 789 00:50:14,060 --> 00:50:16,016 Merci, mademoiselle. 790 00:50:16,100 --> 00:50:18,859 Not one flipping penny! 791 00:50:19,159 --> 00:50:21,700 Six years I worked for that bastard! 792 00:50:21,700 --> 00:50:23,372 Not one flipping penny. 793 00:50:23,460 --> 00:50:25,696 Well, that's what they're like, isn't it? 794 00:50:27,200 --> 00:50:30,672 Well, who do you think's got the last laugh? 795 00:50:30,860 --> 00:50:34,769 Who knows all the little family secrets, eh? 796 00:50:36,980 --> 00:50:39,699 Last orders, gentlemen now please! 797 00:51:10,640 --> 00:51:13,654 Come on! Plenty of room! 798 00:51:15,820 --> 00:51:17,633 Come on! 799 00:51:18,100 --> 00:51:20,773 Come on, you bastard! 800 00:51:20,960 --> 00:51:23,190 Plenty of room! 801 00:51:53,420 --> 00:51:57,899 First, Roger Ackroyd, brutally stabbed in his study. 802 00:51:57,900 --> 00:52:02,590 Now his manservant Parker, deliberately run down by a motorcar. 803 00:52:02,600 --> 00:52:04,909 Has the killer no mercy? 804 00:52:05,100 --> 00:52:09,320 No conception of the difficulty of finding good servants? 805 00:52:09,320 --> 00:52:13,479 Our dud detectives continue to run around in circles. 806 00:52:14,400 --> 00:52:16,675 Why would anyone want to kill the butler? 807 00:52:16,860 --> 00:52:20,091 Perhaps he was going to reveal to us something. 808 00:52:21,380 --> 00:52:22,813 But tell me, Chief Inspector, 809 00:52:22,900 --> 00:52:25,937 what did you think of the story told to us by the parlour maid? 810 00:52:26,020 --> 00:52:28,090 - What story? - The story of her dismissal. 811 00:52:28,180 --> 00:52:30,694 To dismiss a servant, does it take half an hour? 812 00:52:30,780 --> 00:52:32,458 Well, that was in the afternoon, wasn't it? 813 00:52:32,458 --> 00:52:34,536 It can't have anything to do with the murder. 814 00:52:35,620 --> 00:52:37,576 I am not sure. 815 00:52:38,480 --> 00:52:42,129 Perhaps, in time, the scrap of cambric that I found will tell us. 816 00:52:42,880 --> 00:52:44,891 You're doing what you always do, Poirot. 817 00:52:44,892 --> 00:52:47,540 - What is that, Chief Inspector? - Confusing me. 818 00:52:47,620 --> 00:52:50,054 Just when I think I'm getting a grip on a case. 819 00:52:54,060 --> 00:52:56,516 Tell to me, Chief Inspector... 820 00:52:57,620 --> 00:52:59,196 ...what is your grip? 821 00:52:59,296 --> 00:53:01,573 Well, you've got to be logical, you see, Poirot. 822 00:53:01,780 --> 00:53:03,279 Oui, bien súr. 823 00:53:03,360 --> 00:53:05,860 All right. Now, what have we got? 824 00:53:06,060 --> 00:53:09,415 The last person to see Roger Ackroyd alive was Dr Sheppard, 825 00:53:09,415 --> 00:53:11,060 who left him at nine o'clock. 826 00:53:11,060 --> 00:53:13,318 No. You forget Mademoiselle Flora Ackroyd, 827 00:53:13,320 --> 00:53:16,418 who went in to say good night to him at ten minutes after ten. 828 00:53:17,460 --> 00:53:18,734 Oh. 829 00:53:18,820 --> 00:53:20,776 Do not disquiet yourself, Chief Inspector. 830 00:53:20,860 --> 00:53:23,290 I do not believe her. Please, to continue. 831 00:53:23,940 --> 00:53:25,973 Oh. But why would she... 832 00:53:28,180 --> 00:53:32,571 Anyway, then Raymond heard Ackroyd talking to somebody at half past nine. 833 00:53:32,660 --> 00:53:35,970 Ralph Paton disappeared from his lodgings on the night of the murder, 834 00:53:36,060 --> 00:53:38,016 and nobody's seen him since. 835 00:53:39,480 --> 00:53:42,809 The person Ackroyd was talking to was asking for money. 836 00:53:42,900 --> 00:53:45,613 Ralph Paton was always in financial trouble, 837 00:53:45,620 --> 00:53:48,393 ...and he's the chief beneficiary of the victim's will. 838 00:53:48,580 --> 00:53:50,889 Ralph Paton had a row with the victim, 839 00:53:50,980 --> 00:53:53,319 Ralph Paton's footprints are all over the window sill... 840 00:53:53,400 --> 00:53:55,695 So, who is the murderer, do you think, Chief Inspector? 841 00:53:55,780 --> 00:53:57,336 Very amusing, Poirot. 842 00:53:57,336 --> 00:53:59,793 Look, if Paton were innocent, he'd come forward, wouldn't he? 843 00:53:59,795 --> 00:54:01,840 Mais oui. That is a theory, that. 844 00:54:01,840 --> 00:54:04,454 Certainly you have the little grey cells, of a kind. 845 00:54:04,740 --> 00:54:06,296 But it leaves unaccounted a great deal. 846 00:54:06,380 --> 00:54:07,695 What, for instance? 847 00:54:07,695 --> 00:54:09,100 The chair that was moved. 848 00:54:09,100 --> 00:54:10,577 Oh, not the chair again. 849 00:54:10,580 --> 00:54:12,636 No, it was pulled out, it was pushed back. 850 00:54:12,640 --> 00:54:14,444 Perhaps the murderer was afraid that one day, 851 00:54:14,444 --> 00:54:16,439 Monsieur Parker would realise of the significance. 852 00:54:16,440 --> 00:54:18,038 I'm trying to deal in facts here, Poirot. 853 00:54:18,038 --> 00:54:20,037 But the chair is a fact, mon ami! 854 00:54:21,320 --> 00:54:23,975 As are the telephone call, the wedding ring discarded, 855 00:54:23,975 --> 00:54:26,852 the £40 missing and the murder of Monsieur Parker. 856 00:54:26,860 --> 00:54:28,913 Why, Hercule! 857 00:54:29,920 --> 00:54:31,536 Madame Sheppard. 858 00:54:31,540 --> 00:54:34,300 Isn't it terrible about poor Parker? 859 00:54:35,200 --> 00:54:37,218 Won't you introduce me to your friend? 860 00:54:37,318 --> 00:54:38,637 Yes, of course, madame. 861 00:54:38,620 --> 00:54:40,215 This is the sister of Dr Sheppard, 862 00:54:40,215 --> 00:54:43,011 Chief Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard. 863 00:54:43,100 --> 00:54:45,295 I thought it must be. How exciting. 864 00:54:45,380 --> 00:54:46,733 How d'you do. 865 00:54:46,920 --> 00:54:52,053 Mind you, I don't think that Roger Ackroyd ever knew about Parker's drinking. 866 00:54:52,140 --> 00:54:54,934 Something for you two sleuths to think about, eh? 867 00:54:56,420 --> 00:54:57,847 Excuse me. 868 00:54:57,847 --> 00:54:59,275 Madame. 869 00:54:59,280 --> 00:55:00,932 Bye. 870 00:55:01,680 --> 00:55:03,374 Blimey! 871 00:55:04,700 --> 00:55:08,390 Decidedly, it is time for Poirot to act. 872 00:55:11,860 --> 00:55:13,816 Merci. 873 00:55:15,900 --> 00:55:18,539 Mademoiselle Ursula, rest here, if you please. 874 00:55:21,880 --> 00:55:25,689 Doctor, asseyez-vous la. 875 00:55:25,689 --> 00:55:27,298 Thank you. 876 00:55:31,540 --> 00:55:37,075 To begin with, I make a special plea to you, mademoiselle. 877 00:55:37,160 --> 00:55:39,715 - To me? - Oui. 878 00:55:41,480 --> 00:55:43,713 If you know the whereabouts of Monsieur Ralph Paton, 879 00:55:43,720 --> 00:55:47,076 I beg of you most earnestly to persuade him to come forward. 880 00:55:47,260 --> 00:55:51,897 Monsieur Poirot, I swear solemnly to you, I have no idea where Ralph is. 881 00:55:52,260 --> 00:55:56,350 I have neither seen him nor heard of him on the day of the murder or since. 882 00:55:59,220 --> 00:56:00,669 Bien! 883 00:56:01,460 --> 00:56:03,052 That is that! 884 00:56:04,120 --> 00:56:05,872 Now, you others, 885 00:56:05,960 --> 00:56:09,292 all of you were friends and intimates of Monsieur Ralph Paton. 886 00:56:09,380 --> 00:56:13,311 If you know where the missing man, he is hiding, speak out! 887 00:56:15,140 --> 00:56:18,018 I beg of you, speak out. 888 00:56:18,820 --> 00:56:21,453 Messieurs et mesdames, I mean to arrive at the truth. 889 00:56:21,540 --> 00:56:24,171 I mean to know, and I shall know... 890 00:56:24,820 --> 00:56:27,076 ...in spite of you all. 891 00:56:51,380 --> 00:56:53,336 Thank you. 892 00:57:03,880 --> 00:57:05,027 Mr...? 893 00:57:05,027 --> 00:57:08,116 Poirot, Madame Folliott. Hercule Poirot. 894 00:57:08,216 --> 00:57:09,016 Ah! 895 00:57:09,100 --> 00:57:12,200 A thousand apologies, Madame, for calling on you like this. 896 00:57:12,200 --> 00:57:13,494 Not at all. 897 00:57:13,499 --> 00:57:16,545 I have seen the references that you have been good enough to provide 898 00:57:16,545 --> 00:57:19,975 for a former parlour maid of yours, a Mademoiselle Ursula Bourne. 899 00:57:20,060 --> 00:57:21,454 Yes? 900 00:57:21,540 --> 00:57:25,800 And it was just over a year ago since she left you, I understand. 901 00:57:25,800 --> 00:57:28,175 Yes. Yes, it was. 902 00:57:28,260 --> 00:57:29,773 That's quite right. 903 00:57:29,860 --> 00:57:31,293 Mm. 904 00:57:31,580 --> 00:57:35,168 I was wondering if there was anything more you can tell me about her. 905 00:57:35,260 --> 00:57:37,755 For example, she comes from where? 906 00:57:37,955 --> 00:57:40,393 - Her family... - I don't know at all. 907 00:57:42,900 --> 00:57:44,733 I see. 908 00:57:45,320 --> 00:57:48,329 Then who was her employer before she came to you? 909 00:57:48,420 --> 00:57:50,638 I really don't remember. 910 00:57:52,940 --> 00:57:55,390 Is it necessary to ask all these questions? 911 00:57:55,400 --> 00:57:58,833 Oh, no, no. No, not at all, madame. Pardon. 912 00:57:59,460 --> 00:58:02,320 I did not think you would object to answering. 913 00:58:06,020 --> 00:58:07,976 Taxi! 914 00:58:11,080 --> 00:58:13,478 The News Chronicle in Fleet Street, sil vous plais. 915 00:58:13,478 --> 00:58:15,077 Yes, sir. 916 00:59:06,680 --> 00:59:09,233 All right, all right, you can put your watch away. 917 00:59:09,420 --> 00:59:11,576 You know how the lateness, it distresses me. 918 00:59:11,860 --> 00:59:13,078 Mr Hammond. 919 00:59:13,078 --> 00:59:14,877 Good day to you, Chief Inspector. 920 00:59:14,880 --> 00:59:16,575 This is indeed a treat. 921 00:59:16,575 --> 00:59:19,571 So much choice, I'm staggered. 922 00:59:20,700 --> 00:59:23,453 What did you discover at the apartment of Monsieur Paton? 923 00:59:23,540 --> 00:59:26,737 Absolutely nothing. A bed, a table, a chair. 924 00:59:26,820 --> 00:59:29,050 Nobody's been there for a week. 925 00:59:30,240 --> 00:59:32,458 Did you get for me the list of nursing homes? 926 00:59:37,680 --> 00:59:39,636 Merci. 927 00:59:41,980 --> 00:59:44,078 There's nothing I can eat here, Poirot. 928 00:59:44,078 --> 00:59:46,976 It's all macaroni this, ravioli that. 929 00:59:47,620 --> 00:59:49,412 Haven't they got any meat? 930 00:59:49,600 --> 00:59:51,874 Spaghetti Bolognese, it has meat. 931 00:59:51,880 --> 00:59:54,036 I don't like spaghetti. 932 00:59:56,160 --> 00:59:58,591 Now then, Mr Hammond. We're gonna need your help. 933 00:59:58,600 --> 01:00:01,138 As well as acting for Mr Roger Ackroyd, 934 01:00:01,140 --> 01:00:04,332 you were also Mrs Dorothy Ferrars' solicitor, we understand? 935 01:00:04,420 --> 01:00:07,776 That is correct. All her affairs passed through our hands. 936 01:00:07,860 --> 01:00:09,093 You see, Monsieur Hammond, 937 01:00:09,095 --> 01:00:12,960 Monsieur Ackroyd believed that Madame Ferrars, she was being blackmailed. 938 01:00:12,960 --> 01:00:16,634 And it is possible that this blackmailer and the murder of Roger Ackroyd, 939 01:00:16,634 --> 01:00:18,209 they might be connected. 940 01:00:18,400 --> 01:00:20,353 Blackmail, eh? 941 01:00:20,440 --> 01:00:22,676 - You are surprised? - No. 942 01:00:22,860 --> 01:00:25,693 No, it explains a great many things. 943 01:00:25,780 --> 01:00:30,012 During the past year, Mrs Ferrars sold certain securities. 944 01:00:30,020 --> 01:00:34,054 But the money was paid into her account, and not reinvested. 945 01:00:34,240 --> 01:00:37,700 I've always imagined that the money was being paid to some woman 946 01:00:37,700 --> 01:00:39,930 who had a claim on the late Mr Ferrars. 947 01:00:40,020 --> 01:00:41,851 What was the amount of this selling? 948 01:00:41,940 --> 01:00:48,175 In all, I should say the sums involved totalled at least £20,000. 949 01:00:48,660 --> 01:00:53,095 £20,000? I could retire tomorrow and go and live in the south of France. 950 01:00:53,180 --> 01:00:56,252 No. You would not approve of the food, Chief Inspector. 951 01:00:56,340 --> 01:00:58,356 Well, none of our merry band of suspects 952 01:00:58,356 --> 01:01:00,972 shows any sign of having come into that kind of money. 953 01:01:01,420 --> 01:01:03,477 Ah look, Poirot. There's your old flat. 954 01:01:03,677 --> 01:01:05,135 Who lives there now? 955 01:01:05,320 --> 01:01:07,954 No person. It is still mine. 956 01:01:08,040 --> 01:01:09,076 - No! - Oui. 957 01:01:09,076 --> 01:01:10,613 I didn't know that. 958 01:01:10,800 --> 01:01:12,916 Well, let's go and have a look round. 959 01:01:13,000 --> 01:01:16,272 Non. In any case, I do not have my keys. 960 01:01:16,960 --> 01:01:18,416 Yes, you do. 961 01:01:18,716 --> 01:01:20,973 I wondered why you wanted to walk this way. 962 01:01:21,060 --> 01:01:22,509 Come on. 963 01:01:42,860 --> 01:01:45,016 Home, sweet home, eh, Poirot? 964 01:01:45,700 --> 01:01:47,611 Oui. 965 01:01:48,000 --> 01:01:49,956 But it is full of ghosts. 966 01:01:50,140 --> 01:01:52,296 Lively ones, too, some of 'em. 967 01:02:02,760 --> 01:02:05,433 You know, Chief Inspector, this visit to London? 968 01:02:06,840 --> 01:02:08,796 It disturbs me. 969 01:02:16,240 --> 01:02:18,196 And this... 970 01:02:22,540 --> 01:02:24,493 ...even worse. 971 01:02:25,800 --> 01:02:28,751 You were never meant to be a country bumpkin, Poirot. 972 01:02:28,760 --> 01:02:32,400 No, no, no, no, Chief Inspector, you must not say such things! 973 01:02:33,000 --> 01:02:35,316 The life in the country, it is good for me. 974 01:02:36,460 --> 01:02:38,571 I have the fresh air, I have my garden... 975 01:02:40,200 --> 01:02:41,740 ...the quiet. 976 01:02:41,740 --> 01:02:43,696 You should never have retired. 977 01:02:43,780 --> 01:02:45,816 I said so at the time, if you remember. 978 01:02:45,900 --> 01:02:49,170 One cannot postpone the inevitable forever, Chief Inspector. 979 01:02:50,220 --> 01:02:53,817 And this case, it is full of postponements. 980 01:02:53,900 --> 01:02:56,289 - Is it? - Ah, oui. Bien súr. 981 01:02:56,380 --> 01:02:58,558 Monsieur Roger Ackroyd and Madame Ferrars, 982 01:02:58,558 --> 01:03:00,737 they postponed the announcement of their betrothal, 983 01:03:00,620 --> 01:03:03,088 Monsieur Ralph Paton and Mademoiselle Flora, the same. 984 01:03:03,180 --> 01:03:04,977 I don't see where that gets us. 985 01:03:04,977 --> 01:03:07,175 Non. Moi aussi. 986 01:03:08,620 --> 01:03:11,832 But one must permit oneself to muse. 987 01:03:20,120 --> 01:03:23,932 "From R, March 13th." 988 01:03:28,000 --> 01:03:32,349 Perhaps Monsieur Roger Ackroyd and Madame Ferrars, they married in secret. 989 01:03:32,350 --> 01:03:33,796 Why would they do that? 990 01:03:33,798 --> 01:03:37,217 Or Ralph Paton and Mademoiselle Flora, the same. 991 01:03:37,400 --> 01:03:39,174 Well, that's more likely. 992 01:03:39,174 --> 01:03:41,149 But why keep it secret? 993 01:03:41,560 --> 01:03:44,199 Who else do we know with the initial R? 994 01:03:45,980 --> 01:03:47,777 What about Mr Raymond? 995 01:03:47,777 --> 01:03:49,875 Monsieur Raymond? Non. 996 01:03:52,040 --> 01:03:55,696 I do not think that Monsieur Raymond is the marrying kind, Chief Inspector. 997 01:03:56,080 --> 01:04:00,637 No. You see, we do keep coming back to Ralph Paton. 998 01:04:01,300 --> 01:04:04,019 Of course, the ring might have nothing to do with the case. 999 01:04:04,200 --> 01:04:07,078 But I can't understand why he doesn't come forward. 1000 01:04:07,160 --> 01:04:09,799 Has it not occurred to you, Chief Inspector, 1001 01:04:09,799 --> 01:04:11,968 that Monsieur Ralph Paton... 1002 01:04:12,768 --> 01:04:14,338 he could be dead? 1003 01:04:14,420 --> 01:04:17,373 Dead? No. 1004 01:04:17,960 --> 01:04:21,197 I hope not, for Flora Ackroyd's sake, if nothing else. 1005 01:04:23,040 --> 01:04:24,335 What did you mean the other day 1006 01:04:24,335 --> 01:04:27,930 when you said you didn't believe she'd seen her uncle at ten past ten? 1007 01:04:31,120 --> 01:04:32,858 Allons-y, Chief Inspector. 1008 01:04:32,858 --> 01:04:34,796 We must catch the train. 1009 01:04:38,660 --> 01:04:42,814 I have also the need to escape from these ghosts. 1010 01:04:47,940 --> 01:04:51,476 By now, the cracks were beginning to appear. 1011 01:04:51,860 --> 01:04:54,090 There are, I am ashamed to say, 1012 01:04:54,180 --> 01:04:58,119 certain darknesses of the heart of which even I was not aware. 1013 01:04:58,120 --> 01:05:01,956 Who would have thought Miss Goody-Two-Shoes Flora Ackroyd 1014 01:05:01,960 --> 01:05:04,793 capable of such naughtiness? 1015 01:05:04,880 --> 01:05:08,733 Now, Monsieur Poirot has made a certain suggestion to me, Miss Ackroyd. 1016 01:05:08,740 --> 01:05:12,135 He suggests that you weren't in the study at all last Friday night, 1017 01:05:12,220 --> 01:05:15,253 and that you didn't see Mr Ackroyd to say good night to. 1018 01:05:15,540 --> 01:05:17,110 Parker saw me there. 1019 01:05:17,120 --> 01:05:20,817 No, mademoiselle. Monsieur Parker said that he saw you coming out. 1020 01:05:24,980 --> 01:05:28,729 You have no idea what my life has been like since we came here. 1021 01:05:31,280 --> 01:05:32,919 Wanting things, 1022 01:05:32,919 --> 01:05:35,958 scheming for them, lying and cheating. 1023 01:05:37,140 --> 01:05:39,115 Running up bills and promising to pay, 1024 01:05:39,115 --> 01:05:41,691 I hate myself when I think of it all. 1025 01:05:42,180 --> 01:05:45,052 That's what brought us together, Ralph and I. 1026 01:05:45,840 --> 01:05:48,100 I understood him because I'm the same underneath. 1027 01:05:48,100 --> 01:05:50,933 We're not strong enough to stand alone, either of us. 1028 01:05:55,020 --> 01:05:56,573 All right. 1029 01:05:56,660 --> 01:05:59,533 I wasn't coming out of the study. 1030 01:06:01,320 --> 01:06:03,476 I was in my uncle's room. 1031 01:06:03,860 --> 01:06:06,928 I knew he always kept some cash in that drawer. 1032 01:06:09,820 --> 01:06:12,515 I was on the stairs... 1033 01:06:12,860 --> 01:06:15,496 ...coming down from Uncle Roger's bedroom... 1034 01:06:16,340 --> 01:06:18,970 ...when I heard Parker crossing the hall. 1035 01:06:19,160 --> 01:06:22,380 So I pretended that I was leaving the study. 1036 01:06:22,380 --> 01:06:25,770 Parker. Mr Ackroyd says he doesn't want to be disturbed. 1037 01:06:25,770 --> 01:06:28,958 Oh. Very well, Miss Flora. 1038 01:06:33,680 --> 01:06:34,995 Mademoiselle... 1039 01:06:34,995 --> 01:06:37,500 I took it, all right? £40! 1040 01:06:37,500 --> 01:06:40,912 I'm a common, vulgar little thief! Now you know! 1041 01:06:47,940 --> 01:06:50,659 Rule number one in Kings Abbott, 1042 01:06:50,740 --> 01:06:53,429 never believe what anyone tells you. 1043 01:06:53,880 --> 01:06:57,092 So what could the sleuths do but start again? 1044 01:06:57,380 --> 01:07:00,167 Back they went to Dorothy Ferrars' house 1045 01:07:00,167 --> 01:07:03,554 for another rummage through her sad existence. 1046 01:07:03,954 --> 01:07:07,049 She really was the cause of all this fuss. 1047 01:07:07,360 --> 01:07:11,409 Madame Ferrars had been your patient for many years, James. 1048 01:07:11,920 --> 01:07:14,375 Had she seemed to you recently distressed? 1049 01:07:14,760 --> 01:07:17,496 She was a very sensitive person, you know. 1050 01:07:17,496 --> 01:07:20,232 Not many people understood her. 1051 01:07:23,040 --> 01:07:25,998 But er... you did. 1052 01:07:26,480 --> 01:07:30,155 She confided in me to a limited extent. 1053 01:07:30,240 --> 01:07:32,196 Excuse me. 1054 01:07:39,440 --> 01:07:41,908 Madame Ferrars, she wrote many letters? 1055 01:07:42,100 --> 01:07:44,375 No, I don't think so. 1056 01:07:44,460 --> 01:07:47,293 - Her only relatives were in New Zealand. - Oh. 1057 01:08:16,560 --> 01:08:18,516 Bonjour, madame. 1058 01:08:21,620 --> 01:08:23,133 Have you seen this? 1059 01:08:23,320 --> 01:08:24,992 Good morning, Chief Inspector. 1060 01:08:25,080 --> 01:08:26,991 What? Oh. Good morning. 1061 01:08:27,180 --> 01:08:28,237 Listen. 1062 01:08:28,237 --> 01:08:31,975 "The police have for some days been anxious to interview Mr Ralph Paton, 1063 01:08:31,980 --> 01:08:34,036 the adopted son of Mr Roger Ackroyd, 1064 01:08:34,120 --> 01:08:37,510 whose death occurred in suspicious circumstances last Friday. 1065 01:08:37,700 --> 01:08:40,834 Mr Paton has now been arrested in Liverpool, 1066 01:08:40,940 --> 01:08:43,738 where he was on the point of embarking for America." 1067 01:08:43,820 --> 01:08:44,855 Bon. 1068 01:08:44,940 --> 01:08:47,059 Bon? What do you mean, bon? It's all rubbish. 1069 01:08:47,059 --> 01:08:48,979 I've been onto Liverpool. They don't know anything about it. 1070 01:08:49,060 --> 01:08:50,639 No, they would not, mon ami. 1071 01:08:50,720 --> 01:08:55,471 It was me who persuaded the editor of that estimable newspaper to insert the item. 1072 01:09:09,140 --> 01:09:11,154 Well, we'll see if you are right, Poirot. 1073 01:09:11,160 --> 01:09:14,735 See if your newspaper article has flushed anybody out of the woodwork. 1074 01:09:14,820 --> 01:09:16,658 Can woodwork be flushed, Chief Inspector? 1075 01:09:16,658 --> 01:09:18,096 You know what I mean. 1076 01:09:18,096 --> 01:09:21,252 Well, if they can be flushed, then this will have flushed them. 1077 01:09:29,360 --> 01:09:31,830 I'm sorry. Have you been waiting ages? 1078 01:09:32,120 --> 01:09:33,997 We're at sixes and sevens. 1079 01:09:34,080 --> 01:09:36,931 What with Parker... not here, 1080 01:09:37,020 --> 01:09:39,176 and Ursula not being well... 1081 01:09:39,260 --> 01:09:40,916 She is unwell? 1082 01:09:41,000 --> 01:09:44,610 I say unwell, but she just won't come out of her room. 1083 01:09:44,700 --> 01:09:47,291 You can hear her, crying away. 1084 01:09:49,880 --> 01:09:51,515 Merci. 1085 01:10:05,940 --> 01:10:06,979 Go away. 1086 01:10:06,980 --> 01:10:08,699 Can we have a word, Miss Bourne? 1087 01:10:08,699 --> 01:10:11,119 Go away. I don't want to see you. 1088 01:10:14,500 --> 01:10:16,716 Mrs Paton? 1089 01:10:17,100 --> 01:10:19,530 It is me, Hercule Poirot. 1090 01:10:23,640 --> 01:10:26,715 There's no point in pretending any more, is there? 1091 01:10:27,520 --> 01:10:29,754 The paper says Ralph has been arrested. 1092 01:10:29,840 --> 01:10:32,508 The truth is what we need, madame. 1093 01:10:32,700 --> 01:10:34,292 Ralph didn't do it. 1094 01:10:34,380 --> 01:10:37,017 Verity, I am inclined to agree with you, but... 1095 01:10:37,017 --> 01:10:39,854 the affair marches badly. 1096 01:10:40,460 --> 01:10:44,057 Only the truth can save Monsieur Paton now. 1097 01:10:45,140 --> 01:10:49,691 So first, tell to us why you make this masquerade as a parlour maid? 1098 01:10:49,880 --> 01:10:51,936 For a living. 1099 01:10:52,620 --> 01:10:56,608 My father died two years ago, leaving nothing but debts. 1100 01:10:56,700 --> 01:10:59,050 Debts and five daughters. 1101 01:10:59,400 --> 01:11:03,695 My eldest sister was already married, to a Captain Folliott. 1102 01:11:03,780 --> 01:11:06,413 Oui. I met your sister yesterday. 1103 01:11:06,500 --> 01:11:08,775 I wasn't going to be a lady parlour maid. 1104 01:11:08,860 --> 01:11:10,816 It was the real thing or nothing. 1105 01:11:10,900 --> 01:11:13,289 And my sister would give me a reference. 1106 01:11:13,380 --> 01:11:16,497 - So you got a job here. - Yes. 1107 01:11:16,580 --> 01:11:19,014 Actually, I quite enjoyed the work. 1108 01:11:19,100 --> 01:11:21,336 And I met Ralph. 1109 01:11:21,520 --> 01:11:23,455 As soon as we met, we both felt the same. 1110 01:11:23,460 --> 01:11:25,710 We wanted to get married. 1111 01:11:25,900 --> 01:11:27,856 Oui. 1112 01:11:28,640 --> 01:11:33,291 On... the 13th of March. 1113 01:11:34,220 --> 01:11:36,172 My ring! 1114 01:11:37,840 --> 01:11:39,831 I thought I'd lost it for ever. 1115 01:11:40,020 --> 01:11:42,853 - How? Where did you... - Please to continue, madame. 1116 01:11:44,740 --> 01:11:46,718 Well, we um... 1117 01:11:47,100 --> 01:11:50,836 ...we got married and then I came back here 1118 01:11:50,920 --> 01:11:53,550 and Ralph stayed in London looking for work. 1119 01:11:53,700 --> 01:11:56,916 But then he decided that the only way to clear his debts 1120 01:11:56,916 --> 01:11:59,333 was to ask Mr Ackroyd for help. 1121 01:11:59,340 --> 01:12:01,729 Still without disclosing to him your marriage. 1122 01:12:01,820 --> 01:12:05,256 Yes. Mr Ackroyd was furious. 1123 01:12:05,340 --> 01:12:08,696 But he said he'd help if Ralph married Flora Ackroyd. 1124 01:12:08,780 --> 01:12:10,099 And he agreed? 1125 01:12:10,100 --> 01:12:14,059 Yes. But he did make the stipulation that it shouldn't be announced for a while. 1126 01:12:14,780 --> 01:12:17,036 He didn't want me to hear about it. 1127 01:12:17,220 --> 01:12:18,619 I bet he didn't. 1128 01:12:18,700 --> 01:12:21,512 But then, last Thursday, Mr Ackroyd got impatient 1129 01:12:21,600 --> 01:12:24,751 and said the engagement had to be announced that weekend. 1130 01:12:25,940 --> 01:12:28,932 So Ralph had to tell me the mess he was in. 1131 01:12:29,020 --> 01:12:31,295 It's quite on the cards the old man will cut me off with a shilling. 1132 01:12:31,300 --> 01:12:34,809 I said I was going to see Mr Ackroyd and tell him we were married. 1133 01:12:35,100 --> 01:12:38,790 Ralph begged me not to, but what else was I to do? 1134 01:12:40,380 --> 01:12:42,820 I was so furious with Ralph 1135 01:12:42,820 --> 01:12:45,634 that on my way home, I threw away my wedding ring. 1136 01:12:46,120 --> 01:12:49,351 I regretted it almost as soon as I'd done it, but... 1137 01:12:50,040 --> 01:12:53,199 I thought Mr Ackroyd might have been sympathetic but... 1138 01:12:53,499 --> 01:12:55,858 he was awful. 1139 01:12:56,140 --> 01:12:58,853 He said I'd tried to trap Ralph for his money. 1140 01:12:58,860 --> 01:13:00,378 Already married? 1141 01:13:00,460 --> 01:13:04,453 Anyway, I'd agreed to meet Ralph that evening in the summer house... 1142 01:13:04,540 --> 01:13:06,332 ...to tell him how it had gone. 1143 01:13:06,480 --> 01:13:08,379 I met him at 9.30 and... 1144 01:13:08,679 --> 01:13:09,978 that was awful. 1145 01:13:10,060 --> 01:13:11,077 You've ruined everything! 1146 01:13:11,077 --> 01:13:14,094 I have every right. I'm your wife! 1147 01:13:16,260 --> 01:13:19,960 You also tore your apron. 1148 01:13:19,960 --> 01:13:22,110 I wondered where I'd done that. 1149 01:13:23,960 --> 01:13:26,234 Anyway, I... 1150 01:13:26,434 --> 01:13:29,509 I haven't heard or seen Ralph since. 1151 01:13:30,640 --> 01:13:33,479 And then I heard that Mr Ackroyd had been murdered. 1152 01:13:35,060 --> 01:13:36,573 Oui. 1153 01:13:37,740 --> 01:13:39,719 Tell us, Madame Paton, 1154 01:13:39,919 --> 01:13:43,258 what hour was it that you parted from your husband in the summer house? 1155 01:13:44,220 --> 01:13:46,375 You think I haven't gone over that again and again. 1156 01:13:46,380 --> 01:13:50,994 I was with Ralph for... ten minutes? Not longer. 1157 01:13:51,620 --> 01:13:54,978 It was just quarter to ten when I got back to the house. 1158 01:14:00,240 --> 01:14:02,117 Ah, there you are, Monsieur Poirot. 1159 01:14:02,300 --> 01:14:03,836 I was just trying to find you. 1160 01:14:03,836 --> 01:14:05,372 There's a phone call for you. 1161 01:14:05,460 --> 01:14:07,616 - For me? - Yes. 1162 01:14:14,260 --> 01:14:16,216 Poirot. 1163 01:14:31,760 --> 01:14:33,716 Ah. 1164 01:14:34,500 --> 01:14:36,856 Mr Smith. 1165 01:14:37,220 --> 01:14:39,976 I thought that I would find you here. 1166 01:14:45,720 --> 01:14:48,209 So now will come the biggest test. 1167 01:14:48,400 --> 01:14:50,968 We have all been summoned to a pow-wow. 1168 01:14:51,060 --> 01:14:53,858 But I am sure the police are still in the dark. 1169 01:14:53,940 --> 01:14:58,172 If we all hold our nerve, they won't get any more secrets out of us. 1170 01:14:58,560 --> 01:15:01,412 But there is always a weak link, isn't there? 1171 01:15:01,420 --> 01:15:04,537 No, no, no, no, no, no, Caroline! 1172 01:15:04,540 --> 01:15:07,173 I'm not going to pander to your mere inquisitiveness. 1173 01:15:07,180 --> 01:15:09,915 Oh, come on, James. Don't be a meanie. 1174 01:15:09,920 --> 01:15:14,298 No, Caroline! Poirot said just those people he named. 1175 01:15:14,380 --> 01:15:16,813 Well, I'll just drive you up there, then. That's all. 1176 01:15:16,820 --> 01:15:19,429 Hercule won't mind. I don't have to come in. 1177 01:15:41,120 --> 01:15:44,935 Well! I don't see why we have to be at his beck and call. 1178 01:16:04,460 --> 01:16:05,897 Ah, Chief Inspector. 1179 01:16:05,897 --> 01:16:08,335 You are so kind. Please to place it here. 1180 01:16:09,640 --> 01:16:11,551 No, no, no, no. 1181 01:16:11,740 --> 01:16:14,815 Voila. Observe. 1182 01:16:15,140 --> 01:16:17,358 Ah, come in, come in, please. All of you. 1183 01:16:17,358 --> 01:16:18,956 It is so good of you to come. 1184 01:16:18,960 --> 01:16:22,869 Please, entrez, entrez. Make yourselves comfortable. 1185 01:16:23,060 --> 01:16:25,274 Monsieur Raymond, if you please, to remain. 1186 01:16:25,280 --> 01:16:26,633 - Oh. Me, too? - Oui. 1187 01:16:26,820 --> 01:16:28,477 What's the great idea? 1188 01:16:28,477 --> 01:16:30,535 Some scientific machine? 1189 01:16:30,540 --> 01:16:33,656 Do we have electrodes on our knees to register guilty knocking? 1190 01:16:33,660 --> 01:16:35,556 No, no, no, Monsieur Raymond. I am old-fashioned. 1191 01:16:35,556 --> 01:16:37,933 I work only with my little grey cells. 1192 01:16:37,940 --> 01:16:39,896 Please to sit. 1193 01:16:39,980 --> 01:16:42,179 Ah, my dear, good Dr James. 1194 01:16:42,179 --> 01:16:44,478 Welcome to you. Please, do sit. 1195 01:16:48,840 --> 01:16:51,157 You know, of course, Chief Inspector Japp. 1196 01:16:51,157 --> 01:16:52,674 Good evening. 1197 01:16:52,860 --> 01:16:54,612 Bon. So... 1198 01:16:55,100 --> 01:16:56,991 now let us begin. 1199 01:16:57,080 --> 01:16:59,913 But first, I have an announcement to make. 1200 01:17:01,180 --> 01:17:03,489 This young lady, 1201 01:17:03,580 --> 01:17:05,616 Mademoiselle Ursula Bourne, 1202 01:17:05,700 --> 01:17:09,839 is in reality Madame Ralph Paton. 1203 01:17:09,920 --> 01:17:13,833 Oh, yes. She married Ralph Paton last March. 1204 01:17:13,920 --> 01:17:18,015 Ralph? Married? 1205 01:17:18,500 --> 01:17:20,195 How could he be? 1206 01:17:20,195 --> 01:17:22,390 Oh, shut up, Mother! 1207 01:17:25,500 --> 01:17:28,260 You and Ralph kept your secret very well. 1208 01:17:30,740 --> 01:17:32,696 I'm very glad for you. 1209 01:17:34,540 --> 01:17:36,537 Well, that's very kind. 1210 01:17:36,620 --> 01:17:39,653 Ralph behaved so badly, especially to you. 1211 01:17:40,600 --> 01:17:43,155 He was in a corner and took the only way out. 1212 01:17:43,740 --> 01:17:46,738 I'd should have probably done the same myself, in his place. 1213 01:18:06,020 --> 01:18:09,099 Each person here had both the motive and the opportunity 1214 01:18:09,099 --> 01:18:11,578 to kill Monsieur Roger Ackroyd 1215 01:18:11,660 --> 01:18:14,752 and, because he knew too much, Monsieur Parker. 1216 01:18:16,180 --> 01:18:22,850 Madame Ralph Paton might well have hoped to clarify her own situation... 1217 01:18:23,000 --> 01:18:28,533 ...if the uncle of Mademoiselle Flora did not exert pressure on her to marry Ralph Paton. 1218 01:18:29,380 --> 01:18:33,717 Monsieur Raymond resented the unwillingness of Monsieur Roger Ackroyd 1219 01:18:33,720 --> 01:18:36,019 to grant him more authority in the factory. 1220 01:18:36,020 --> 01:18:40,174 And, of course, Madame Ackroyd and Mademoiselle Flora 1221 01:18:40,260 --> 01:18:43,520 both hoped to profit from the will of Monsieur Ackroyd. 1222 01:18:45,180 --> 01:18:47,036 I don't like this. 1223 01:18:47,120 --> 01:18:49,276 I'd much prefer to go home. 1224 01:18:49,360 --> 01:18:52,875 You cannot, madame, until you have heard what Poirot has to say. 1225 01:18:53,060 --> 01:18:55,016 Please to sit. 1226 01:18:58,500 --> 01:19:00,456 Merci, madame. 1227 01:19:01,840 --> 01:19:05,715 The problem has always been one of time. 1228 01:19:06,760 --> 01:19:10,420 We know that Monsieur Roger Ackroyd was alive at half past nine, 1229 01:19:10,420 --> 01:19:13,571 because it was then that Monsieur Raymond overheard him talking. 1230 01:19:13,660 --> 01:19:16,174 But with whom was he talking? 1231 01:19:17,500 --> 01:19:20,014 Certainly, it was not Monsieur Ralph Paton, 1232 01:19:20,100 --> 01:19:24,013 whom we know was at the time in the summer house with his wife. 1233 01:19:24,100 --> 01:19:26,534 So, with whom? 1234 01:19:26,620 --> 01:19:30,374 From the very beginning of this case, I have been troubled by one thing... 1235 01:19:30,860 --> 01:19:33,994 the nature of those words spoken by Monsieur Roger Ackroyd 1236 01:19:33,980 --> 01:19:35,932 and overheard by Monsieur Raymond. 1237 01:19:36,320 --> 01:19:40,049 "The calls on my purse have been so frequent of late... 1238 01:19:40,920 --> 01:19:46,599 ...that it is impossible for me to accede to your request." 1239 01:19:48,480 --> 01:19:52,160 Eh bien. Does nothing odd strike you about that? 1240 01:19:52,160 --> 01:19:55,132 It sounds more as if he's dictating a letter. 1241 01:19:55,140 --> 01:19:57,176 Exactement. 1242 01:19:57,860 --> 01:20:00,510 A Dictaphone. Is that what you think? 1243 01:20:01,300 --> 01:20:03,373 It doesn't change anything. 1244 01:20:03,260 --> 01:20:05,400 Mr Ackroyd was alive at 9.30, 1245 01:20:05,400 --> 01:20:07,691 since he was speaking into his Dictaphone. 1246 01:20:19,680 --> 01:20:22,953 But always we come back to Monsieur Ralph Paton. 1247 01:20:24,620 --> 01:20:26,178 As I have said, 1248 01:20:26,260 --> 01:20:30,651 we know that he was in the summer house with Madame Paton. 1249 01:20:30,740 --> 01:20:33,952 But then suddenly, pouf! He disappears. 1250 01:20:34,860 --> 01:20:36,735 Where? 1251 01:20:36,735 --> 01:20:39,011 He has fled the country, perhaps? 1252 01:20:39,300 --> 01:20:44,738 Or perhaps he has become the third victim of our murderer. 1253 01:20:44,820 --> 01:20:45,935 No! 1254 01:20:46,020 --> 01:20:51,300 Or perhaps someone is helping him to conceal himself from the police. 1255 01:20:51,300 --> 01:20:53,756 But who and where? 1256 01:20:53,940 --> 01:20:56,852 A hotel? Non. 1257 01:20:56,940 --> 01:20:58,612 Far too public. 1258 01:20:58,700 --> 01:21:01,817 A boarding house? No, no, no, certainement the same. 1259 01:21:02,300 --> 01:21:04,256 I have it. 1260 01:21:04,440 --> 01:21:07,035 The private nursing home. 1261 01:21:07,320 --> 01:21:10,700 Chief Inspector Japp made enquiries 1262 01:21:10,700 --> 01:21:14,852 and discovered that there were in the area two nursing homes. 1263 01:21:14,740 --> 01:21:19,018 And at one of them, there had been admitted early on Saturday morning a certain... 1264 01:21:19,940 --> 01:21:21,532 ...Mr Smith. 1265 01:21:21,720 --> 01:21:23,976 But Ralph would never run away! 1266 01:21:24,700 --> 01:21:29,718 We can ask Mr Smith himself. 1267 01:21:33,540 --> 01:21:35,468 Oh, Ralph! 1268 01:21:38,040 --> 01:21:39,996 But I ask myself, 1269 01:21:40,180 --> 01:21:44,571 I wonder who it is who gave authority to the nursing home 1270 01:21:44,580 --> 01:21:48,416 for the admission of Monsieur Ralph Paton? 1271 01:21:50,340 --> 01:21:52,531 All right, Poirot. 1272 01:21:52,620 --> 01:21:55,057 Mea culpa. 1273 01:21:55,540 --> 01:21:59,249 As soon as I heard that Ralph was back in Kings Abbott, 1274 01:21:59,250 --> 01:22:02,277 and staying at the White Hart, I knew something must be wrong. 1275 01:22:02,460 --> 01:22:04,974 I went to see him that afternoon. 1276 01:22:05,060 --> 01:22:09,178 Eventually, he told me about his marriage and the hole he was in. 1277 01:22:09,360 --> 01:22:12,320 There didn't seem to be anything I could do to help at the time, 1278 01:22:12,320 --> 01:22:15,732 ...but that night, when the murder was discovered, 1279 01:22:16,020 --> 01:22:19,196 I knew that suspicion would fall on him. 1280 01:22:19,280 --> 01:22:21,775 Or, if not on him, on the girl he loved. 1281 01:22:22,380 --> 01:22:28,057 And the thought of his possibly having to give evidence that might incriminate his wife... 1282 01:22:28,140 --> 01:22:32,028 My dear James, have I not told to you 36 times, 1283 01:22:32,120 --> 01:22:35,749 it is impossible to conceal anything from Hercule Poirot? 1284 01:22:54,740 --> 01:22:58,215 I know precisely who murdered Monsieur Roger Ackroyd and poor Monsieur Parker 1285 01:22:58,220 --> 01:23:00,176 and how it was done. 1286 01:23:02,020 --> 01:23:03,976 And this... 1287 01:23:04,760 --> 01:23:07,355 ...tells to me all. 1288 01:23:08,180 --> 01:23:10,011 What is it? 1289 01:23:10,760 --> 01:23:13,615 It is a wireless message from a steamer 1290 01:23:13,800 --> 01:23:16,455 on her way to the United States. 1291 01:23:17,820 --> 01:23:22,636 And tomorrow, the good Chief Inspector Japp... 1292 01:23:23,740 --> 01:23:26,095 ...will make his arrest. 1293 01:23:36,180 --> 01:23:37,779 What a ridiculous exercise! 1294 01:23:37,860 --> 01:23:42,038 I have never seen anything more pointless in my entire life! 1295 01:23:42,040 --> 01:23:44,396 That wretched little man! Really! 1296 01:24:17,360 --> 01:24:18,813 Now, look here, Poirot. 1297 01:24:18,900 --> 01:24:21,216 If you really know who committed this murder... 1298 01:24:21,300 --> 01:24:23,530 Both of the murders, Chief Inspector. 1299 01:24:25,140 --> 01:24:26,693 Yes, I do. 1300 01:24:37,400 --> 01:24:38,858 Well, who is it? 1301 01:24:38,858 --> 01:24:40,717 Can you tell us? 1302 01:24:43,480 --> 01:24:45,874 Poirot shall not make things easy for you. 1303 01:24:45,960 --> 01:24:49,619 You, Chief Inspector, with your career of detection both long and distinguished, 1304 01:24:49,620 --> 01:24:52,639 you have your theories, I know. And you, my dear James, 1305 01:24:52,820 --> 01:24:56,176 maybe, you have been involved in the case from the beginning, n'est-ce pas? 1306 01:24:56,260 --> 01:24:58,899 You know intimately all of the people involved, 1307 01:24:58,980 --> 01:25:00,991 as only the good country doctor can. 1308 01:25:01,000 --> 01:25:05,034 But, before I reveal my secret, 1309 01:25:05,040 --> 01:25:08,715 you must both expound your theories to me. 1310 01:25:09,560 --> 01:25:13,292 And let us commence with you, James. 1311 01:25:13,380 --> 01:25:15,818 Me? Oh, no. 1312 01:25:16,180 --> 01:25:20,470 I can't show myself up in front of the professionals. 1313 01:25:22,420 --> 01:25:24,617 I got so fed up with waiting in the car. 1314 01:25:24,617 --> 01:25:26,415 Are you going to be much longer, James? 1315 01:25:26,500 --> 01:25:29,407 No, no. Maybe I ought to call it a day. 1316 01:25:29,407 --> 01:25:31,015 No, my-my dear James. 1317 01:25:31,100 --> 01:25:34,710 Madame, your brother was just going to tell us his theories about the murderer. 1318 01:25:35,500 --> 01:25:37,568 Please to come and sit. 1319 01:25:38,620 --> 01:25:40,576 Yes. 1320 01:25:42,720 --> 01:25:44,676 Yes, of course. 1321 01:25:45,940 --> 01:25:50,934 Merci. So, James, tell us, what sort of man or woman are we looking for? 1322 01:25:51,020 --> 01:25:54,490 Woman? I hardly think it could be a woman. 1323 01:25:55,320 --> 01:25:59,718 And this man, was he also, do you think, the blackmailer? 1324 01:26:01,060 --> 01:26:05,904 Oh, I think he probably had some sort of financial arrangement 1325 01:26:05,904 --> 01:26:08,149 with Mrs Ferrars, yes. 1326 01:26:08,160 --> 01:26:12,976 Somehow, suddenly, he became aware of the true cause of Ashley Ferrars' death. 1327 01:26:13,060 --> 01:26:17,109 He could even be a detective. 1328 01:26:21,460 --> 01:26:22,995 But perhaps, as a doctor, 1329 01:26:22,995 --> 01:26:26,131 you would have been also situated most ideally, n'est-ce pas? 1330 01:26:26,220 --> 01:26:28,715 Oh, ideally. 1331 01:26:29,380 --> 01:26:31,914 But the important moment in this case 1332 01:26:32,100 --> 01:26:34,773 is not the murder of Ashley Ferrars, 1333 01:26:34,860 --> 01:26:37,215 but the suicide of his widow. 1334 01:26:37,300 --> 01:26:41,054 Her motives remain unclear, but, for whatever reason, 1335 01:26:41,140 --> 01:26:44,576 she decided to end her life. 1336 01:26:44,660 --> 01:26:50,530 Now, this must have placed our murderer in something of a quandary. 1337 01:26:50,620 --> 01:26:56,252 He knew about her rather distasteful affair with Roger Ackroyd. 1338 01:26:56,340 --> 01:27:00,572 His difficulty was in knowing whether, before she died, 1339 01:27:00,660 --> 01:27:04,892 ...she had confided in him the identity of the man... 1340 01:27:04,980 --> 01:27:07,540 ...with whom she had the financial arrangement. 1341 01:27:07,620 --> 01:27:08,689 You mean the blackmailer. 1342 01:27:08,780 --> 01:27:12,732 This was hardly some common blackmailer, Chief Inspector. 1343 01:27:13,320 --> 01:27:18,811 He probably saw Roger Ackroyd somewhere about this time 1344 01:27:18,900 --> 01:27:23,769 and something in Ackroyd's manner made him wonder. 1345 01:27:23,860 --> 01:27:26,494 And, in that moment, 1346 01:27:26,580 --> 01:27:30,070 he decided he could not take a chance. 1347 01:27:30,600 --> 01:27:34,136 He was certainly capable of constructing some sort of device 1348 01:27:34,220 --> 01:27:38,299 to turn a Dictaphone on and off at any time he chose. 1349 01:27:39,620 --> 01:27:45,199 I don't imagine he'd left the choice of weapon as much to chance as it would appear. 1350 01:27:45,860 --> 01:27:49,218 I believe he had a weapon with him already... 1351 01:27:49,800 --> 01:27:52,951 ...when it occurred to him that the dagger, 1352 01:27:52,960 --> 01:27:57,416 which was actually on display at the scene of the crime, 1353 01:27:57,420 --> 01:28:01,569 would cast the net of suspicion even wider. 1354 01:28:02,280 --> 01:28:04,889 He was all ready to perform the killing, 1355 01:28:05,180 --> 01:28:09,895 ...when he had confirmation of his deepest fear. 1356 01:28:09,900 --> 01:28:11,731 The evening post, sir. 1357 01:28:12,120 --> 01:28:16,716 Mrs Ferrars had indeed confided in Ackroyd, 1358 01:28:16,800 --> 01:28:21,316 ...but not in person; she had written him a letter. 1359 01:28:22,060 --> 01:28:28,615 And Ackroyd opened that letter in his presence and started to read it. 1360 01:28:28,900 --> 01:28:32,172 "My dear, my very dear Roger, 1361 01:28:32,260 --> 01:28:35,536 I would not tell you the name this afternoon... 1362 01:28:36,580 --> 01:28:39,194 ...but I propose to write it to you now." 1363 01:28:41,360 --> 01:28:44,718 I'm sorry, but I... I must read this on my own. 1364 01:28:44,980 --> 01:28:47,569 At least tell me the name of the man. 1365 01:28:47,860 --> 01:28:49,676 No, no. I must read it on my own. 1366 01:28:49,676 --> 01:28:51,193 Very well. 1367 01:28:59,340 --> 01:29:03,772 And in that letter, Madame Ferrars had named the blackmailer, had she not? 1368 01:29:03,960 --> 01:29:07,635 I've been reading this book I found in the car, James. 1369 01:29:07,420 --> 01:29:09,092 It wasn't blackmail! 1370 01:29:09,180 --> 01:29:11,011 Don't say any more, James. 1371 01:29:11,100 --> 01:29:12,639 Oh, come now, James. 1372 01:29:12,839 --> 01:29:15,179 The man had bled Madame Ferrars white! 1373 01:29:15,260 --> 01:29:19,815 Dorothy Ferrars was an adulterous, murdering bitch! 1374 01:29:19,900 --> 01:29:22,812 She lorded it over us. 1375 01:29:22,900 --> 01:29:24,836 All the money she had, she never worked for it. 1376 01:29:24,836 --> 01:29:26,973 Nor did her drunk of a husband before her. 1377 01:29:27,060 --> 01:29:29,972 - They were idle, useless parasites. - Stop it, James. 1378 01:29:30,060 --> 01:29:31,175 No! 1379 01:29:31,260 --> 01:29:34,138 They didn't know what it was like scrimping and saving year after year, 1380 01:29:34,220 --> 01:29:35,972 never able to afford a holiday, 1381 01:29:36,160 --> 01:29:41,388 on call day and night to every idiot with a bilious attack for miles around. 1382 01:29:42,060 --> 01:29:44,972 You've no right to stand in judgment on me. 1383 01:29:45,060 --> 01:29:47,654 Blackmail, you call it? Blackmail? 1384 01:29:47,740 --> 01:29:51,753 The law wouldn't punish her, would they? So I did. 1385 01:29:59,500 --> 01:30:02,931 Well... there you are. 1386 01:30:05,380 --> 01:30:07,536 I've done your work for you. 1387 01:30:12,640 --> 01:30:15,135 Sorry, Carol. 1388 01:30:17,380 --> 01:30:20,417 Killing Ackroyd was easy. 1389 01:30:22,760 --> 01:30:27,299 The knife was sharp and I knew just where to strike. 1390 01:30:34,680 --> 01:30:39,231 And for the rest, I simply had to follow my plan. 1391 01:30:40,160 --> 01:30:45,632 The first thing to do was make sure everyone remembered me leaving the house. 1392 01:30:45,820 --> 01:30:48,580 - I'll just go and say good night to the ladies. - Yes, sir. 1393 01:30:51,220 --> 01:30:56,096 I drove away, but parked the car a little way down the drive. 1394 01:30:57,180 --> 01:31:03,216 Then I had to make it look as if Ralph Paton had entered through the window. 1395 01:31:03,860 --> 01:31:07,939 He was a pathetic, profligate fellow. 1396 01:31:08,860 --> 01:31:13,114 I knew Ackroyd had bought a Dictaphone and had been using it. 1397 01:31:13,560 --> 01:31:19,832 Now I was going to use it, to arrange for Ackroyd to speak from the grave. 1398 01:31:22,920 --> 01:31:27,798 And then, the business of the chair, which so intrigued you all. 1399 01:31:37,260 --> 01:31:42,334 I'd left Ralph Paton's muddy shoe outside when I entered through the window. 1400 01:31:42,720 --> 01:31:44,754 Now, as I made my escape, 1401 01:31:44,840 --> 01:31:48,676 I was able to use it to make a footprint on the sill. 1402 01:31:53,640 --> 01:31:57,719 And then, of course, the Dictaphone did its work. 1403 01:32:00,860 --> 01:32:04,450 "I'm greatly impressed by your persistence and determination, 1404 01:32:04,540 --> 01:32:08,977 ...however, I regret to say that the calls on my purse have been so frequent of late... " 1405 01:32:09,060 --> 01:32:14,334 Which convinces us that Monsieur Roger Ackroyd was alive at half past nine, 1406 01:32:14,720 --> 01:32:17,860 by which time you were safely back at home awaiting... 1407 01:32:17,860 --> 01:32:18,815 Hello, Dr Sheppard. 1408 01:32:18,900 --> 01:32:20,856 The telephone call. 1409 01:32:21,900 --> 01:32:24,673 From the patient whom you had persuaded to take part 1410 01:32:24,660 --> 01:32:29,751 ...in what you had told him was a practical joke. 1411 01:32:30,360 --> 01:32:33,591 Yes. You did well there, Poirot. 1412 01:32:34,380 --> 01:32:36,535 I was quite surprised 1413 01:32:36,540 --> 01:32:39,752 when you showed us your telegram from the ocean liner. 1414 01:32:40,240 --> 01:32:42,196 Well done. 1415 01:32:43,660 --> 01:32:45,616 Thank you. 1416 01:32:46,340 --> 01:32:49,180 I needed the excuse of his phone call, you see... 1417 01:32:49,180 --> 01:32:54,174 ...to ensure that I was first on the scene when the murder was discovered. 1418 01:32:54,060 --> 01:32:56,499 - Police, sir? - What's the matter with you, Parker? 1419 01:32:56,580 --> 01:32:59,538 - Your master has been murdered. - Murdered, sir? 1420 01:33:02,540 --> 01:33:06,753 No. The fewer people disturb this room, the better. 1421 01:33:08,600 --> 01:33:12,393 I'd carefully calculated the position of the chair... 1422 01:33:12,480 --> 01:33:17,476 so that the Dictaphone would be hidden from anyone standing in the doorway. 1423 01:33:18,140 --> 01:33:20,356 Ring the police station, Parker. 1424 01:33:20,640 --> 01:33:24,394 When I'd sent Parker to telephone for the police, 1425 01:33:24,180 --> 01:33:27,770 I had ample time to remove my contrivance... 1426 01:33:27,960 --> 01:33:32,078 ...and put the chair back in its accustomed place. 1427 01:33:36,740 --> 01:33:41,834 Finally, I had to tell Ralph Paton of his uncle's murder, 1428 01:33:42,020 --> 01:33:44,015 persuade him that he was in danger 1429 01:33:44,100 --> 01:33:48,259 and get him to accompany me to the nursing home. 1430 01:33:49,240 --> 01:33:51,160 Why did you kill Parker? 1431 01:33:51,160 --> 01:33:53,316 Parker was too observant. 1432 01:33:54,080 --> 01:33:57,470 He remembered that he brought in five letters, not four, 1433 01:33:57,470 --> 01:34:00,713 and that one of them was handwritten on dark-blue paper. 1434 01:34:01,100 --> 01:34:03,456 He knew he hadn't moved the chair. 1435 01:34:03,940 --> 01:34:07,989 How long would it be before he realised I had? 1436 01:34:09,020 --> 01:34:12,657 No. I couldn't take that chance. 1437 01:34:13,340 --> 01:34:16,013 James, your journal. 1438 01:34:26,420 --> 01:34:31,494 James Sheppard, I am arresting you for the murder of Roger Ackroyd. 1439 01:34:32,280 --> 01:34:34,975 Of course you are, Chief Inspector. 1440 01:34:35,200 --> 01:34:37,977 James, no. This is foolish! 1441 01:34:37,980 --> 01:34:40,648 Don't move, either of you. 1442 01:35:03,120 --> 01:35:05,151 Are you all right, Chief Inspector? 1443 01:35:06,340 --> 01:35:07,955 Stop! 1444 01:35:08,040 --> 01:35:09,951 Come on, Poirot. 1445 01:35:27,200 --> 01:35:29,118 Japp! 1446 01:35:38,540 --> 01:35:40,293 That's three. 1447 01:36:07,460 --> 01:36:09,493 Get back, Poirot! 1448 01:36:10,460 --> 01:36:11,854 James, no! 1449 01:36:11,940 --> 01:36:13,853 Don't make me, then! 1450 01:36:16,180 --> 01:36:18,794 Plenty of time for heroics when he runs out of ammo. 1451 01:36:22,000 --> 01:36:24,756 That's five. One more to go. 1452 01:36:47,580 --> 01:36:49,235 No! 1453 01:36:49,320 --> 01:36:51,197 James! 1454 01:37:18,520 --> 01:37:21,208 For the sake of the sister of Dr Sheppard, 1455 01:37:21,500 --> 01:37:24,537 the true stories of these murders most dreadful, 1456 01:37:24,537 --> 01:37:27,174 must for the moment, remain a secret. 1457 01:37:30,600 --> 01:37:34,236 A last favour, if you will, to a man I once looked on as a friend. 1458 01:37:37,360 --> 01:37:41,638 I thought I could escape the wickedness of the city, by moving to the country. 1459 01:37:42,740 --> 01:37:46,635 The fields that are green, the singing of the birds, 1460 01:37:46,720 --> 01:37:49,712 the faces, smiling and friendly. 1461 01:37:49,800 --> 01:37:51,074 Huh! 1462 01:37:51,500 --> 01:37:53,352 The fields that are green 1463 01:37:53,360 --> 01:37:57,394 are the secret burial places of the victims of murders most hideous. 1464 01:37:58,080 --> 01:38:01,993 The birds sing only briefly before some idiot in tweeds shoots them. 1465 01:38:02,540 --> 01:38:05,498 And the faces all smiling and friendly... 1466 01:38:06,400 --> 01:38:08,756 ...what do they conceal?