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People should be ashamed to make such a racket at night!

What's going on?

Is there a fire?

Can't you knock more quietly?

Stupid window.

They're knocking at Mrs. Miller's.

Mary Baring is staying there.

Here comes a police officer.

Where?

I could have sworn he was right at the corner.

Don't swear. Here he comes from the other side.

Look, it's Moore! He seems drunk.

Let's go downstairs.

Where are my pants?

Here they are.

What's going on? Why all this noise?

I'm looking for my wife. She's here in this house.

I want to take her home.

What, in the middle of the night?

My wife is here to dine with Mary Baring.

Wait for me. I'm coming with you.

By the time you're ready, Moore will have sobered up.

Just wait. I'm coming.

- Open! - Open up, please.

Open up!

Open the door!

You! It was you who did this!

You've always hated her.

Yes, you! It was you who did it.

Sir, please pull yourself together.

Keep it together. It's no use.

Just let me be.

Do you have any brandy in the house?

Empty. Not a drop left. Nothing.

- Is the deceased one of your tenants? - Oh, no.

Miss Baring lives with me, and she had invited Mrs. Moore for dinner.

- That's what happened. - Yes, yes.

Officer, the two ladies here... That was...

We all are members of the company of actors performing at the Royal Theater.

I just got back from there. I'm the stage manager.

- Mr. Moore here is the director-- - Yes, yes.

And I'm an actress. I'm his wife.

And I was invited tonight as well. But I--

Slow down, ladies and gentleman. One at a time.

A cup of tea will make you feel better.

I will bring you one.

- Shall I turn the light on? - Yes, please.

I'll put on some more water.

Oh, well. Now poor Ellen has had it.

You know what, Mrs. Miller? Let me tell you something.

Mrs. Miller.

It's like this. Ellen and Mary Baring didn't get along.

I know for a fact that they didn't talk for weeks.

Mary Baring never said anything about it.

But it's true, I assure you!

Well, I just can't believe that she could have done it.

But if I think about it... She did always have a temper.

And how! She had quite a temper.

- She resigned because of Ellen. - Who?

- Miss Baring? - Yes, Miss Baring.

And Moore didn't accept her resignation.

And then tonight, Ellen was completely changed.

You can't imagine the change!

Really! All of a sudden she had the idea to reconcile with Mary Baring.

Well, Mary Baring was quite surprised.

But nonetheless, she invited me and Ellen for dinner.

I turned her down.

I had the feeling the two wanted to be alone.

Ellen was probably jealous again of some man who was interested in Mary.

You know?

Officer. Officer, may I give her a cup of tea?

It's okay. She will get something from us.

Due to sudden illness,

the parts of Mary Baring and Ellen Moore will be played by someone else.

Miss Baring's understudy is onstage.

One moment, Brent. Come over here.

The inspector would like to have a word with you.

This is... This is Brent, Inspector.

We are here because of the murder, Mr. Brent.

We still need to clarify a few things.

Do you remember if Mrs. Moore and Miss Baring left the theater at the same time?

Yes, they left together. I even made a remark to Fane, our lead.

He said, "Wow, that's great."

Why? Is that unusual?

Oh, yes! It was a miracle!

I even told my wife, "Therese," I said--

That's your cue. Get onstage!

Which one of the two ladies is Mrs. Brent?

You wouldn't have any luck with that lady.

That lady is a man.

May I introduce you to our first lover, Mr. Fane?

But I assure you, Inspector, that in this case, I am not the other woman.

I don't doubt that, Mr. Fane, but I heard you saw the two ladies last night.

Yes, before I left the theater.

I went straight home.

- Alone? - Yes. Actually, no.

Stuart came with me to borrow some cigarettes.

Does that happen a lot?

- No. I think he lost his cigarette case. - You're up!

Please excuse me. That's my cue.

Reginald, dearest! Finally, I get to see you.

Who is this man?

That's Stuart, the one Mr. Fane was talking about.

Very good actor.

Married?

Him? Hardly.

His relationship to the deceased?

So-so. Excuse me.

Was he popular with the ladies?

Oh, are you talking about Mr. Stuart?

A little too popular, if you ask me.

But I don't know if you could call Ellen Moore a lady.

- Please, don't forget that she's dead. - Of course, of course.

I didn't know that you can't tell the truth.

And everyone knows that Ellen Moore and Stuart--

Oh, well.

Are you saying Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Moore--

- Your cue! Time to go onstage. - Sorry, my cue.

Oh, don't bother! I know my way.

It's not my first time, Reginald...

One moment, excuse me. I have a costume change over there.

- What did they do with her? - With Baring?

- I think she's still at the station. - Any news?

Did she make a statement? Can we do anything for her?

My God, Brown, you don't really think Mary did this, do you?

This is awful. Why did they arrest her?

What else would you expect?

I saw it with my own eyes. The poker in her hand, or at least beside her,

- full of blood. - Please stop!

Well, well, what is it, young man?

The mere mention of blood makes me shudder.

Just keep calm.

I will let you know when you're up.

There's still time. Don't stress, my friend.

Attention! One moment.

Let's go.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Mary Baring stands accused in the murder of Ellen Moore.

She has pleaded not guilty.

Your task, ladies and gentlemen, is to determine whether she is guilty or not.

Needless to say, in the eyes of the law,

men and women are equal.

Even a murder committed by a woman

must be judged dispassionately by you.

Neither youth nor beauty...

I could certainly not let myself tolerate her demeanor.

And suddenly she looked at me so strangely...

And then...

And I can't remember anything after that.

Did you speak about a particular person?

I will not answer this question.

It has nothing to do with this case.

Whatever I may have done must've happened in a state of complete unconsciousness.

I-- I--

That's all I can say.

The defense states that guilt has not been proven and repudiates all charges.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you were able to observe the defendant in court.

The prosecutor called her demeanor stubborn and indifferent.

But only someone who is truly innocent

can be indifferent towards such an accusation.

If you believe the statement of the defense to be truthful,

it is your duty to clear the defendant of all charges.

I do want to mention that the defendant is an actress.

If you believe that she committed the offense in full consciousness,

I shall remind you of the words of the prosecutor:

Neither beauty nor youth constitute attenuating circumstances.

Go and consider the facts for yourselves.

I think it's unnecessary to look at all the evidence again.

With your permission, I will just restate the facts of the case.

It has been established that the defendant and the deceased did not get along.

The deceased was invited to dinner by the defendant.

They wanted to make up.

Both have a few drinks, and another argument starts because of a man.

Proof: The landlady heard loud, agitated voices.

The defendant admits to this, but won't name the man.

Well, that's understandable. In any case, nothing we can do about it.

The defendant loses her temper. She grabs the poker.

And this is how Ellen Moore was murdered.

The prosecutor claims that the facts prove the case.

That she was caught red-handed. The poker next to her, the dress bloodied.

The brandy bottle next to her, she herself barely conscious.

What's more, no other person entered the house.

I think it's obvious.

The defense is unable to deny the crime,

but claims she may have acted on impulse.

One thing is certainly clear.

In the attempt to clear the defendant,

the medical expert developed the following theory:

We know that under the influence of very strong emotions,

a person is capable of actions that he or she is completely unaware of.

Actions that this person won't remember at all,

once he or she has regained a normal mental state.

Which also means that the person cannot be held accountable for such actions.

Well then. Yes.

It would be best if everyone writes down their verdict.

Then we'll see where we stand.

Those in the minority can, of course, explain their individual reasons.

Then we'll have to...

NOT GUILTY

Then we'll have to work through it.

GUILTY

GUILTY

GUILTY

GUILTY

NOT GUILTY

NOT GUILTY

GUILTY

GUILTY

So there are-- one, two, three, four--

seven guilty, three not guilty altogether.

I assume you haven't made a decision?

The whole matter is... embarrassing.

The responsibility we bear is too great.

If we clear her and she is the murderer, it would be unfair to society.

Or she will be... hanged, and that I find barbaric.

And if we ask that she be pardoned?

You call that pardon? To be excluded from life for 20 years?

To spend the best years of your life in... hell?

Do you even know what it means to go to prison?

To conceive of such penalties has been reserved for the most modern civilization.

I think you're exaggerating a bit.

You can't mess with the facts.

Those who do wrong must be punished.

You cannot rule the world on sentiment alone.

You're right, but we should at least try.

We should save the guilty instead of...

having children and then start wars to get rid of them again.

The world is a steaming heap of sentiment.

Your verdict, Mr. Shackleton?

Guilty.

So then.

That leaves us with the three who voted not guilty.

I will explain why I vote not guilty.

The testimony of the medical expert is beyond doubt.

Everyone who studied modern psychology knows that a person with high sensitivity

and under great stress, which is common in the acting profession,

may find herself in situations where she is unaware of her actions.

She may be right.

But then it may also be possible that this condition repeats itself.

- Possibly with the same end result. - Yes.

I didn't think of that.

If we release her and something happens--

Then we'd have blood on our hands!

Would you like to change your verdict, Miss Ward?

And you, dear Mr. Daniels. Does your opinion remain the same?

Well... I have to say I think it's great that--

I think everyone would be glad to have such a girl for a daughter.

Your verdict, Mr. Daniels,

cannot be based on the... qualities you see in the young lady.

Yes, yes, I can see that.

But I mean... in a certain way...

The whole thing is just so terrible. I mean--

Setting your concerns aside, what is your verdict?

Well then... Guilty.

All right, so we all agree. Apart from... Sir John.

I can't make it as easy for you as the others, Mr. Foreman.

Just no lengthy explanations, please. Time is money, you know.

Time is money?

In this case, even more than that. A life is at stake.

I'm an actor, not a merchant.

If I take my time, I apologize.

So please speak, Sir John.

First of all, I think that Mary Baring is telling the truth

when she says she can't remember anything.

Her demeanor during the trial made a big impression on me.

But dear sir--

Don't expect me to take the same route as Mr. Daniels.

He wanted to be gallant.

My thoughts go a bit deeper.

I am absolutely convinced that she did not drink the brandy.

You must be forgetting that the police doctor said she smelled of alcohol.

Who says it wasn't the wine she had with dinner?

The testimony of Stuart, the actor?

He confirmed that the women didn't get along.

He said the defendant wanted to attack her onstage.

That's clear proof of her temper.

- But Mr. Fane said the opposite. - His testimony is useless.

He seems to be in love with the defendant.

When they found the body, the facts of the case were already clear.

- Well-- - The poker was lying next to her.

- And they were arguing over a man! - Right.

What say you, Sir John?

You have to consider her personality.

She's not the kind of person who gets drunk.

But they had a bottle of brandy there.

- She didn't dispute that. - Right.

- Answers, Sir John? - Not yet.

The question remains if someone else came into the house that night.

- The landlady said no. - She herself says they were alone.

And she said they were fighting.

- That means she confesses! - She's not confessing.

She only says she can't remember.

That's not the answer of someone who's guilty.

- Caught red-handed. - Poker right next to her.

- Her dress was full of blood. - You have to provide your vote.

- Do you oppose? - We're losing time.

- We're losing money. - The brandy!

- Empty. - Both hands bloody.

How do you respond to that, Sir John?

Now that the verdict is unanimous, I'll notify the judge.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?

Guilty.

Mary Baring,

anything you want to say why you shouldn't be sentenced to death?

But...

But that's impossible.

It can't be true.

Hear ye, hear ye.

We ask for absolute silence

as we announce the death sentence.

In today's jury trial, an unanimous verdict was reached

against actress Mary Baring in the murder of Ellen Moore,

wife of theater director John Moore.

She was sentenced to death by hanging.

Our station has just received an SOS call.

We have to interrupt this broadcast for five minutes.

After the break, we will hear a concert of our radio symphony orchestra.

I'm glad you're back, Sir John. The audience is asking for you.

They don't want any understudies.

But the trial was great for publicity.

Well, I understand that seeing Baring again wasn't very pleasant for you.

She wanted to be our star...

When was that?

About a year ago.

Now she is a star, but in a very dramatic turn of events.

Bennet, please!

Well... Gosh.

- Can you check if I have mail? - Of course, no problem.

We will now continue our broadcast.

The radio symphony orchestra will first play

the overture of Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner.

Strange. This SOS call earlier.

Save our souls.

Save her soul.

Save her.

If only I had stayed strong.

I would have convinced them all.

Why did these idiots not see this woman the way I see her?

Before the court, everyone looks different from how they usually look.

Bizarre.

What may she be thinking now?

Who drank the brandy?

Why didn't I put more emphasis on this issue?

Hindsight is always 20/20.

She said she didn't drink the brandy.

But she admits it's possible that she committed the murder.

Yet she vehemently disputes some small detail

and lets herself be convicted of murder without any objection.

I was right.

Who says it wasn't someone else who drank the brandy? It could be.

That is the crucial point!

Who drank the brandy?

Did I do the right thing?

No.

- No what? - No mail for you.

Oh, I see.

Yes, Bennet, why don't you find an understudy for me?

I don't want to perform.

And please get me in touch with my attorney.

No, no, I know the number by heart. Wait.

Museum 12-23.

Museum 12-23.

I want him to find out where the company Miss Baring was part of is performing.

And then I want him to find that little fellow, that stage manager or--

or theater manager or whatever he was.

I want to see him in my office tomorrow.

I thought the trial was over.

- Far from it! - Oh, it's a publicity stunt.

Publicity? Bennet, please. Publicity!

Line is busy.

- Publicity! - Well, why not?

Hello?

Yes, Mr. Brown lives here.

Yes? Mr. Brown is not home.

Mr. Brown is sick. He's in the hospital. Yes.

Yes, that's right. He didn't feel well.

Excuse me? Dr. Mayer?

If I can give him a message?

I don't have to give him a message?

What did you say?

Sir John?

One moment, please. One minute. One second!

I think they are carrying Mr. Brown back in.

Hey, he's calling on behalf of Sir John!

Hello?

Stage manager Brown here.

Good morning. Good morning, Doctor.

Yes, good morning, counselor. No, thank you. Not so bad.

Just a bruise. In the briefcase area. Yes. What?

Sir John? Yes, of course. Happy to. I'll come right away.

I was going to go to the bank, but I can do that later.

Yes, of course. I'll hurry. Thank you very much.

You know what? I think he wants to hire me!

Oh, Bobby, then we don't have to move!

What are you talking about? I have to move fast and get dressed!

Bring me my white gloves.

If that works out, I will give you--

You'll give me--

Hello, Mr. Brown. How are you?

Very well, thank you.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

At the Baring trial,

you made a strong impression on me, as a man and as an artist.

When you were testifying.

That's why I would like to review some details with you.

Has Bennet talked to you about the job yet?

What?

Yes, we'd like to hire you as stage manager.

Really?

We were thinking about a one-year contract.

But we will talk to Bennet about that.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I am so lucky.

I mean it's lucky that I happen to be available.

Just so happens.

I-- I will work very hard.

Rest assured that everything will run like clockwork.

- So we're all set? - Yes, thank you.

- Anything else, Mr. Brown? - Yes, I--

I'm so sorry, it's... my wife.

My wife and I, we always work together, so I was thinking,

if it's not asking too much, maybe a small role?

- Where is your wife? - Waiting downstairs.

Why didn't you say so, Mr. Brown?

- You could have brought her up. - Shall I get her?

No need, thanks. I'll just call.

Hello?

Yes, who is this? I'm sorry, wrong number.

Hello? Yes, Bennet.

Mrs. Brown is downstairs. Could you ask her to come up?

Thank you.

- Thank you. - My pleasure.

Thank you.

So... to get back to the trial.

I have taken this matter very much to heart.

My part in it was very difficult.

The part of a juror.

And when the curtain fell and they pronounced the death sentence...

fear took ahold of me.

This wasn't theater.

It was real life.

And life is not as kind as the theater.

It allows a young, innocent human being to die.

If art doesn't intervene at the last minute to correct life...

My God! Are you saying that...

That Mary Baring is innocent?

Yes, indeed.

That's exactly what I'm saying.

They simply convicted her because she didn't dispute anything.

- But I saw-- - What did you see, Mr. Brown?

Mary Baring next to the dead body, confused. Why?

Drunk?

She never drinks.

So someone else must have been drinking. Just think about it, Mr. Brown!

And there is something else.

Why did she get the poker from the other room?

People just assume she killed Ellen because she didn't deny it.

Everyone was content with that.

Without any further questions, any responsibility.

Ah, Mrs. Brown. I'm delighted to meet you.

It's my pleasure. It's nice to get out to get some air, meet some people...

What a wonderful room!

In such a nice neighborhood. And all the shops downstairs...

- Will you join us for lunch? - I would love to.

I'm starving.

I mean, thank you. Just something small.

Harvey, bring us a cocktail. And serve lunch as soon as it's ready.

You know what? He hired us. Both of us.

- Really? - Yes, really.

Yes. But please have a seat in the meantime.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

I happened to notice that you are unemployed, and--

- Go ahead. - Thank you.

Thank you.

A toast to our new endeavor!

Your husband and I agree that the Baring trial

needs to be approached from a different angle.

What?

Oh! To free Mary Baring!

But that will be impossible.

So you don't agree with us?

That Miss Baring is innocent?

No. I mean, yes.

Well... Mary Baring was always a very nice colleague.

And I personally would have never thought that she could do such a thing.

Isn't that right, Bobby?

I always said that people who know Mary would never expect such a thing.

Sir John, are you taking this matter into your own hands?

Did you discover something?

Oh, we would be so glad if we could be of assistance to you. Right, Bobby?

I really don't know where to start. Do you, Mr. Brown?

I have performed in many detective plays, so...

The most important thing is to follow a specific plan. I mean--

- May I? - Yes, thank you.

But, Bobby, why would you have a plan if Sir John doesn't have one?

Thank you very much.

No, no, let him, Mrs. Brown. I'm completely in the dark.

I'd love to get some ideas from your husband.

Most of all, one would have to return to the city where the murder was committed.

- Would you have a day or two for me? - But of course!

Then you could show me where the murder happened.

Do you really think that Ellen was killed by someone else, Sir John?

I think... I mean it would be possible that it may have been a total stranger.

How would you explain that?

If it wasn't Mrs. Miller and not Mary,

then there must have been a third person.

This third person must have gotten in and out somehow.

Very smart.

What we must find out is if someone else was seen at 1:30 in the morning

close to the scene of the crime, except for Moore, of course.

Bobby, there was that police officer who came around the corner!

But my dear, that has nothing to do with--

One moment, please.

What police officer?

That night we were awakened by terrible banging on the door.

I rushed out of bed to the window to see what was going on.

And I saw a police officer coming around the corner.

I said to Bobby, "There's already a police officer!"

And when Bobby looked out, he saw one too.

But he was coming from the other side.

What happened to the officer on the corner?

Unfortunately I have no clue.

He must have turned around at the corner and gone back.

- You mean on the right corner? - Exactly. Ouch!

Yes.

I see. And you are sure it was the same police officer?

It couldn't have been the same officer.

He was out of sight for less than 30 seconds.

My God, it's Moore! The poor guy must have gone crazy.

I will go check on him.

- I want to see my wife! - But you know she's dead.

But, Moore, you have to come to your senses.

But I just want to see my wife.

Let's just go home. Let's go home.

The gentleman here would like to take a look at your apartment, if you'd allow.

May I?

Come on in.

You won't find much. Some of her things are over there.

I couldn't exactly mail them to her.

Give them to me. I can bring it to her.

That's a photo of you!

There is a lot more to take a look at.

Do you think it's possible to get into the apartment from the backhouse?

Well... Just come and see.

The garden begins at the backhouse.

Over there is the theater. To me it seems impossible.

Yes, you are right.

Only an athlete could climb up here.

Look at the plants. They would have been damaged.

They are beautiful.

Did Miss Baring have many visitors?

Not a lot.

Mrs. Brown now and then, and Mr. Stuart and Mr. Fane.

And then the short, funny looking one. What was his name again?

- Tom Brent? - Yes.

Good evening. Well, old friend? Got anything for us?

No, nothing in particular. The sink in No. 4 is broken.

Must have been someone from your company.

- Whose dressing room was it? - I think Stuart's and Fin's.

No, no, absolutely not. None of us broke that thing.

One more thing. We found this cigarette case. Do you know whose it is?

No. But we will figure it out, no worries.

May I see it?

I'd like to check out the broken sink, buddy.

Sure, be my guest.

- What can you see from here? - The house on the corner.

I would really like to know who destroyed our sink.

Finally. Here we are.

I hope you'll sleep well.

I can come by in the morning.

I'm very much looking forward to bed.

Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.

Be quiet!

Can't you take it? It'll spill!

Do you want to eat in bed or should I get the chairs?

What are you doing? Leave the things over there alone!

No climbing!

Didn't I tell you to leave the suitcase alone?

Just wait till your father gets home. He'll show you.

The boy is too curious.

Even though he just got a beating.

But you know what? It wasn't even so bad what he did.

I would have told Mr. Stuart off, but it was in the middle of the Baring trial.

My husband found the body.

And he enjoyed the trial.

Edith isn't usually so friendly. But she liked you right away!

Do you have children too?

Why did Mr. Stuart give the boy such a beating?

Right, let me tell you. Little Arthur was playing with a suitcase.

He found a police uniform, and of course, he thought it belonged to his father.

All of a sudden I hear terrible screaming.

Tell me, is that a reason to hit a child?

I went to Mr. Fane the very next morning to tell him about it.

I was a little embarrassed.

But he just turned around and said he didn't know anything about it.

I said, "I'm sorry, but if it wasn't you, then it was your colleague Stuart."

Come in, my dear Brown.

Can I talk to you for a moment?

I'll bring some hot water. Come on, Edith, get down!

It's not good to get spoiled.

Come on, boys, let's go! You can play in the street.

But be careful. Don't get run over.

What a cozy home.

- I have something to tell you. - Be my guest.

My wife and I-- Or rather, me and my wife, we found something.

Remember the cigarette case? The one the doorman gave me?

- One of us supposedly left it. - Right, right.

I put it in my pocket. Then this morning, before I got up, I felt like... I thought,

"Well, let's have a cigarette. I should try one from the case."

I asked my wife to bring it over, and I said, "Do you know whose it is?"

My wife looks at it and goes, "It belongs to Stuart."

And she says, "Gosh, it's dirty. Look at that beer stain!"

Then I said, "Dear, we should clean it before we return it."

My wife starts wiping it. All of a sudden she says, "That's not beer!

What is this?"

- You know what it was? - No.

Blood.

There. Take a look yourself.

Indeed. I think you're right.

Stuart.

Who wears a police uniform in your play?

Fane and Stuart.

Stuart played the police officer. And in the third act, there is a costume change.

With Fane. That means...

We had an extra uniform for Fane to make it go faster, and it was a better fit.

So we had two police uniforms.

You know that you've become an important factor, Brown?

A very important factor.

- But I have an alibi! - No, no.

The most important factor here is the police officer that you didn't see.

That I didn't see.

On the night of the murder,

your wife saw a police officer come from a certain direction.

When you came to the window, you didn't see an officer.

And then the officer was back.

Brown! That police officer was not the same person.

We can be certain that the first police officer was not a real one.

You're saying that someone walked around as a police officer in our stage costume?

Now we have to figure out the name that Mary Baring doesn't want to say.

Was it a member of the company? Was it someone else?

The cigarette case will force her to talk.

Thank you.

It's very kind of you to come and see me.

But you know... I'm very surprised.

Yes.

I've taken a great interest in your case, and that's why--

Please, don't talk about it.

How is it going with your new play?

Well, thank you.

Even though I was gone for a while. I was a juror at your trial.

Yes.

- I know. - There is...

Could you answer some questions about the case?

I'm convinced there are grounds for an appeal.

You want to help me with that?

Do you know the consequences?

Appeal.

Prison for life.

One week alone drove me almost over the edge.

If...

If they want to go through with the verdict, they should do it.

I've accepted all of this.

Only at night...

It can't be much worse than going to the dentist.

And if I really did it in a moment of sickness...

then it's better if I go away.

But the other option... No.

If you are my friend, you won't try to.

Lock yourself into your room for a day, just for one day.

Then you'll understand.

Mary, talk to me. Be honest with me.

You wanted to be part of my theater company.

You wanted to be a famous actress, right?

We can make this all happen if you just help me a little bit.

You have no idea how... hard it is for me that I contributed to your misery.

And if you want it, Mary, you will be a great actress someday.

I believe in you.

What else can I tell you?

Tell me the name of the man that you and Ellen argued about.

I already said that he has nothing to do with it. We didn't even argue about him.

I will explain to you.

Ellen wanted to say bad things about him.

And I covered my ears so I wouldn't hear.

So you couldn't hear? Including if someone came in the room?

No. I don't think so.

And why did you cover your ears?

- I already knew what she would say. - What?

I can't tell you.

It would incriminate someone.

But so many have been incriminated.

Moore, Fane, Stuart, you. And me too!

Why are you trying to spare that person?

Would you reveal the past of another person you discovered by chance

without it being a benefit to anyone?

Maybe it will help. Maybe it is a way to salvation!

I believe in your innocence.

Please, just tell me.

You know what your silence means? You are sparing him because you love him.

That's not true.

And the person you wanted to spare was Stuart, right?

- That belongs to Fane. - Fane?

You're not allowed to give anything to the inmate, sir.

Your visitation is over.

- John. - Courage, Mary!

Indeed.

That's him. Dressed as a woman.

He was always best in those kinds of roles.

That makes also for a good cover.

Brown, I have an idea.

I will ask Mr. Fane--

or shall I say Claudette-- for a meeting.

And I'll offer him a big role.

We found Fane! And he will fall into our trap.

Sure, sure...

Sherlock Holmes is nothing compared to you.

Nonsense. I didn't come up with it. Listen.

Sir John has a genius idea.

He'll pretend to have written a play.

That's the disguise. And he'll offer Fane the lead.

I want to see the actor who won't take that bait!

If you're right, then Fane is dangerous.

So why are you mixed up in it?

Me? Why me?

I'm only the prompter in this play.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

MONDAY

Come in.

- Do you have a moment? - Of course.

Who is it?

This is Mr. Handell Fane.

This is the actor you recommended for the lead?

- Yes. - Please approach.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

- Here. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Bennet, please stay. I may need you.

I'm a terrible negotiator. I always forget the crucial points.

Did Bennet tell you who the playwright is?

No, not yet.

- I wrote the play. - I see.

It was very easy. The only difficulty was finding the lead actor.

May I ask you to stand up?

Yes. Excellent.

That's exactly how I imagined him. That's the look, right, Bennet?

That's what I thought too.

Would you read a few lines from the script?

Oh, please have a seat.

So I can get an impression of you.

Ben. This is illegible.

Tell Waldron to bring me a different one.

May I ask what the play is about?

You may be surprised by my taste.

But as an artist, you will understand the temptation I gave into.

It's about the events leading up to the Baring trial.

Thanks.

You were back then part of Moore's theater company?

Yes, I was.

And you knew the women involved?

Exactly.

We can start now.

Currently, you're engaged with the Circus Olympia.

- Could that interfere? - Oh, no.

That used to be my job. I'm only doing it now because times are tough.

And you won't start any earlier than in two or three weeks?

Hardly.

May I?

Go ahead, Bennet.

So to give you an idea of the scene...

The table was in front of a fireplace, more or less like this.

On the table, the remains of a meal.

Next to it, a bottle of brandy--

You know, Mr. Fane,

I'm surprised that the bottle of brandy...

played such a small role in the trial.

I, as author, gave it a much larger role.

Well, I guess you can't ask the court to have imagination, right?

I think--

I think we'll start with the scene of the murder.

Right before there is dialogue between the women, who are arguing as usual.

And you appear in the middle of the argument.

Right when she says-- and we are quoting from testimony--

"I will tell you things about your protégé you have no idea about!"

Those words are your cue.

Let's start.

Bravo!

You're coming from the window.

You understand the part, even without a script.

Right, the script...

Where were we again? Right.

"I will tell you things about your protégé you have no idea about!"

I think it's better if I have the poker with me already

when I enter the room, no?

Excellent idea.

Please continue.

Can I have the poker?

Sorry, we only have electric heating.

Maybe you can just use my pen?

That should do it. So... Yes.

"Climbs out of the window."

You sneak by the door.

You're approaching slowly.

The two women are facing each other.

You're approaching slowly.

Very quietly, so no one sees or hears you.

The women are facing each other.

Now you're behind one!

She screams, "I'm going to tell you!"

What?

The script is not finished.

I was really getting into it.

I was hoping you'd help us write it, Mr. Fane.

No!

I don't know anything about writing.

I'm not one of those actors who mess with the work of famous authors.

If you complete writing the scene, I will act the scene for you.

I'm very sorry. I cannot help you in any way.

Please find out at what time he's performing tonight with the circus.

I'm curious if he's as good a trapeze artist as he's a comedian.

Don't you worry, Bennet.

He will play the role all the way to the end.

One moment, Sir John.

- I'll be with you in a moment. - Please.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Brown. I didn't expect to see you around here again.

- I was lucky. Sir John hired me. - He's helping me with my new play.

Brandy, huh?

Probably calms your nerves.

Yes.

My role is very intense.

You never know what's going to happen.

Ready, Fane? You're almost up.

Are you here to talk about your play?

- You almost guessed it. - Hurry, Fane. Your number.

Wow, Sir John himself!

- Will you attend the show? - No, thank you.

I have to discuss something with Mr. Fane.

- If you'd be so kind to wait for me. - Of course.

I think I may have a good idea for the ending of your play.

Good.

- What is going on? - Look at him.

- What is he doing? - What is going on?

What is it?

What's happening?

That's for you. Maybe the letter has something to do with this matter.

It's all right.

Listen, Mr. Brown. That's the end of my play.

"Hearing the first words, he jumps forward,

poker in hand, pushes Mary out of the way.

She hits her head on the edge of the table and collapses, unconscious.

Then he strikes Ellen Moore.

But when he sees her blood-covered body, he nearly faints.

He picks up the brandy bottle and empties it.

Then he flees through the garden window back to the theater.

In his dressing room, he cleans himself up and breaks the sink in the process.

To his horror, he sees people crowding in the street.

Then he has an idea.

He puts on the stage uniform to go home as a police officer, unnoticed."

You see, Brown? That's your police officer.

The rest we already know, apart from the motive.

"It was the constant threat of the victim

to reveal his past to the other, whom he loved."

The poor devil.

Mary Baring had long known his secret.

What was his secret?

He was an escaped convict, living in constant fear of being captured again.

Please, don't cry.