Original subtitles

- Special edition of Paris-Soir. 20 Francs! For all the news!

Come on, beat it!

Go and have a look if you want to but watch out for the cars.

Evening, Mr. Hire. - Evening.

And don't bring any more fleas home!

A funfair's all we needed. Ten days of trouble! Well...

What will you have today?

One loin chop, a little thick, and bloody.

One chop and you're through shopping.

If you had eight children like me.

My wife can't recover from the last one.

Mathilde! What does the doctor call it?

Lymphatism in the organs.

Mean anything to you?

Oh, I forgot!You don't have a wife either.

Some don't want to complicate things.

Look at that: top choice meat!

You said so yesterday about the steak.

It wasn't bad but lacked blood.

Lacked blood! You'll be happy, this time.

Mathilde! 6.25 for Monsieur.

With the funfair, it'll be too noisy to sleep.

And customers will stuff themselves with sweets.

There ought to be a law against it.

- You said 6.25? - Yes, Monsieur.

- Good evening. - Glad to be of service.

Always talkative. And friendly too!

Hey, boss!There's a fine pair of shoes.

Dammit, it's shoes with the feet inside them

Well, wait, don't go anywhere.

Kids, where's the police station?

Don't know.

Where's the police station?

I've just found a dead body in the vacant lot.

- No kidding! - A man or...

- A woman. - Who did it?

Not me!You imagine getting there to find that?

Now, where's the police station?

- That small street opposite. - Thanks.

Good evening, Mr. Hire.

A camembert, runny, quite ripe.

They're all quite ripe. Choose for yourself.

There's a dead body in the vacant lot!

- What? - There's a dead body in the vacant lot!

Jérôme, get over there. You can tell me all about it.

I'll tell you everything.

Did you hear it, Mr. Hire? In our neighborhood.

Makes you think there's no morality and religion anywhere.

They're not ripe enough. The brie seems better.

Now, look at them, all running over there.

Carrion has always attracted flies, my dear madame!

Keep back! Come on, keep back. On the ground,

there are footprints and things that can be of use to the police.

We can try and identify the victim to tell the family delicately.

Pass the light.

Kids, don't push!

It wouldn't hurt for the men to remove their hats.

It's a woman.

It's Miss Noblet!

- Who? - Miss Noblet, a kind-hearted lady.

- Was she killed with a blow or a knife? - The police. We'll know soon.

Out of the way, out of the way. This isn't a sideshow.

May the police investigate with vigor and haste.

I did my best to keep them back.

Well done. Now let the doctor through so that he can examine the body.

Allow me. Let the doctor through for the official examination!

Come on now, let the doctor through!

- There you go. - Thanks.

Always at your service, sir.

Through here, doctor.

- Hello, my little Lucienne. - Hello, Mr. Hire.

- Were you a good girl at school? - Yes, Mr. Hire.

- Want an apple? - Yes.

- No "thank you"? - Thank you, Mr. Hire.

Lucienne, come here at once!

- Who gave that to you? - Mr. Hire.

Next time you take something from him, I'll lock you in the broom closet!

Anybody there?

I saw a drowned man when I had the hotel in Bougival.

Drowned people are awful to look at but the poor lady seemed asleep.

The oddest thing was seeing the edge of her petticoat.

If she had known the whole neighborhood would see her...

She was a big-hearted woman, who gave to charities.

Yes, but alone, no husband, no children. And her appetite, like a bird!

She didn't eat half a pound of meat a week.

But a fine woman all the same.

A glass of red wine.

She didn't have any enemies.

She was killed by some lout or some sadist.

Did they find her bag?

She didn't have any money.

Miss Noblet wasn't killed for her money.

Think: a lady dressed in black

who was in her fifties

and who was found in a vacant lot

- Don't you find it strange? - It's really out of the ordinary.

Where do all these fairground people come from anyway?

Just what I was saying. Those fairs are no good.

Pretend you don't know me.

See you behind the church in half an hour.

Sensational news!

The Inspector wants to phone Headquarters.

Phone's at the back. Care for a drink?

- Quinquina. - What did she die of?

- She was strangled. - You found prints?

- It's confidential. - When did it happen?

The victim put up a fight. She broke the glass of her watch.

- A phone token. - A token.

- Her watch stopped at 8:20. - It was this morning.

Probably last night.

Eight twenty, while we were playing cards.

Good reminder. You lost 36 francs, which you still owe me.

You will search everywhere, question everyone.

- Don't worry. - May I introduce myself?

Adrien Sauvage, Internal Revenue Collector.

I know everybody in the neighborhood.

Nice people, Inspector. They're all upset.

I'm a man of thought and experience.

And if I can tell you more about strange individuals, likely suspects...

You... You, my dear one.

My Freddy, it's you.

Finding you again at last.

Lili, my sweet Alice!

Hold me tight... - Look...

Don't say anything.

I've waited 233 days for this. And 233 nights...

What about you, darling, were you waiting for me?

Of course, but I didn't expect you so soon.

- You didn't do anything rash? - No.

I behaved well, so well that they let me out sooner.

I don't understand. Why all the precautions?

You don't know them.

Or you'd know they don't give anything for nothing.

I had to promise I'd help them if they need me.

I promised everything they wanted just to be near you.

- But they'll be watching you. - I have nothing to hide now.

- You're serious? - Yeah.

- You've got a job? - Yeah.

I'll tell you all about it.

I'd have been a swine, after what you did for me.

No, it's nothing.

I came to like my prison because the time I did, I did for you.

I even wanted it tougher.

I wanted the matrons to be meaner.

I wanted to suffer more, to show you how much I love you.

You understand, my little soldier?

I love church music.

It reminds me of when I was a kid.

Tell me...

Why are you saying they'll still watch you?

They know that in those theft cases, I took the rap for someone else.

So we must pretend we're strangers.

You don't mean to leave me, do you?

Why take the risk of being caught now?

You know... I need patience too.

Until tomorrow only.

Tomorrow, in the café,

we'll pretend we're meeting for the first time.

You'll address me as "Miss,"

and I'll act coy about telling you my first name.

With whom do I start this fine romance?

One Alfred.

He works in a garage and has got friends there.

The neighborhood thinks well of him and he's always ready to help.

He doesn't drink, rarely goes to the races.

Never plays poker,

only "belote."

No girlfriend?

He can't. He loves a girl who's been away a year

and who has no place to live now.

They'll have a room for me at "Le Petit Caporal."

I'll ask the owner.

You're crazy. We haven't met yet.

Pity!

See you tomorrow, then?

I think it'll be love at first sight!

My love!

We've got to go. I don't want to sleep outside.

Neither do I.

- What's going on? - It's the mortuary van.

- A spinster was done in last night. - Lovely neighborhood!

Goodbye, darling. See you tomoroow.

- Good night! - Good night!

Not much of a view, but it's quiet.

- It'll be all right. Thanks. - Good night, Miss.

Good evening.

- I don't need anything. - Thank you, madame.

Miss...

I never took the liberty to accost a woman in a staircase but since last night

Oh, it's you!

If you knew me better...

- You see, it's here, Inspector. - Yes, I see.

You didn't register last night, Miss.

Sorry, but it was late.

With this murder, it's better to be in good standing with the law.

- Murder or not, you always should be. - That's what I meant.

You came here yesterday?

- Yes. - Where are you coming from?

Rennes.

Profession?

Pleater. I came to Paris to try and find work.

Has anyone checked in or out this week?

Our guests stay on months, for years sometimes.

Here!This one has been here for three years.

A room happened to be vacant.

- A guest left suddenly? - Suddenly indeed: a heart attack!

Take my word, he's a cop. I can spot them a mile away.

He's looking for the murderer, looking everywhere.

In the drawer, in the waste basket. Even in the inkwell!

And you know what happens in the meantime?

While the cop is looking for his culprit under the chest of drawers

the murderers are at the races.

Hostile ears are listening.

I've got nothing to hide!

- If people listened to me... - You're being listened to.

And we do understand. I'll add that my crime,

my unforgivable crime, is to be impervious to your charms.

Mr. Hire.

Give us a second, please.

Gladly, Mr. Breteuil.

A woman who did him no harm. And he takes her down.

I'm sure he bumped her off.

Tell me, is this your name, Hire?

Do you mind leaving us?

Hire is an abbreviation of my name.

My name is Désiré Hirovich.

You're French?

I was born in Paris, the 14eme.

You've lived in this hotel long?

3 years, 2 months.

Profession?

- I'm in business. - What sort of business?

I sell hope, like priests. And cures, like doctors.

- You understand? - I'm asking the questions.

Did you know this Miss Noblet?

Vaguely.

Did you ever chat with her?

I never chat with anyone.

On the day of the crime, what were you doing?

To answer, I'd have to know

on what day and at what time that person was killed.

That you'd know.

Friday, between seven and eight p.m.

That's when I usually shop for my dinner.

Were you alone?

I always am.

- The camera is yours? - It's mine.

What do you do with it?

I take pictures.

What kind of pictures?

I collect human documents, candid snapshots.

Police record?

No.

Have you got any ID?

I'm French. I didn't know that, legally,

I was supposed to carry them at all times.

I want to check the spelling of your name.

A voter's card?

I don't vote.

Some mail?

I never receive any mail.

Not very social, are you?

In what sense do you mean that word?

I speak everyday French and all I mean is you have no friends.

I don't like men. Policemen, even less.

You don't seem to like women either.

It all depends.

What are you writing?

I'm noting a detail that interest me.

Stop proscrastinating.

Friday, what were you doing between 7 and 8 p.m.?

What about you, Mr. Michelet?

The neighborhood wants to buy a wreath for Miss Noblet.

It's bad enough to be strangled, but to be buried without flowers...

- Will you contribute? - Of course, I'll give 100.

Thank you very much.

The florist will fix something nice for a bargain.

It saves a lot of money. I'll tell you which shop to go to.

We women must help each other.

You'll see, I'm easy to get along with.

Oh, I see. Women are all alike.

Mr. Michelet,

do you know that young woman?

Not at all. Good-looking, isn't she?

- If you're interested, he's yours. - Oh, come on!

Don't apologize. I was like you when I arrived here.

He got me with a smile.

He didn't last long though.

But you've got to watch out. He's got a technique of his own.

Number one, a kind word that pleases you.

Number two, a drink.

Number three, an hour of bustle here and there.

And he has his way with you before you realize it.

But the day after, he doesn't know you any more.

Thank you for the information.

Marcelle, how about something for the wreath?

Business is slow these days.

I'll give you two francs.

- Thank you. - Here.

You, Miss?

- You're not from around here, are you? - She arrived yesterday.

I thought so. Otherwise, I'd have noticed you before.

Here we go! A kind word.

Couldn't you introduce me?

Alfred, known as Fred or Freddy.

Delighted.

Careful! She's serious. She's an old friend of mine.

- By the way, what's your name? - Alice.

Raphael! One glass of white wine and two picon-citron.

Coming, Mr. Alfred.

- Isn't it too strong? - Velvet-like.

Trust me a little, Miss Alice.

Hey, stop your show, you're coming in too late.

Let's go to the fair, the two of us. I love the fair.

Actually, my first man was a tamer.

His name was Theo.

And yours, what was his name?

- Alfred. - Same as him?

- What did he do? - Nothing.

Nothing? He must have been a man of means.

He'd figured things out.

- Cheers, Miss Alice. - Cheers.

...love, love, it's the beauty of the world.

Where do you want to go?

What's wrong?

I'd like to get rid of this guy.

He's bothering you?

Yesterday night he was looking at me from his window.

He's luckier than I.

This morning he was on the staircase, now he's following me.

Don't mind him. He is crazy!

"Madame Blanche, sees all, tells all. Past, present and future."

- Shall we go in? - You're interested in the past?

No, the future.

Come on in. She'll tell me which horse to gamble on.

- May I speak freely in front of Monsieur? - Of course.

You're coming out of a sanatorium, or some place of rest.

- Aren't you? - Well...

I don't make anything up, it's written.

The gentleman, next to you... That's Love.

But I see someone else.

with a good education, dark hair.

- Do you know who I mean? - Not at all.

Be careful. I see problems, complications

caused by a small inheritance.

Am I going to be married?

The dark-haired gentleman again.

Tell me... Is anyone in your family very ill?

I don't think so.

Someone about to die.

Someone close to you. Not this one.

Someone older.

Take my advice, stay away from rowboats.

As for your getting married...

not for a while.

Show me your hand.

Your lucky number is eight,

your stone, the ruby.

Watch out for your kidneys.

An October girl.

That'll be 20 francs.

- Go out! - What?

Get out.

Thank you very much.

Who is this educated gentleman?

Ah well...

Again!

- There he is, in the flesh. - Don't make a scene.

All right.

Let's go to the bumper cars.

If he follows us, we'll have fun, I swear.

Look at the man alone there!

Look at the bearded guy. He's getting it!

Have you ever taken part in a big hunting-party?

I shoot partridges sometimess in October.

No, I mean a big hunting-party, with hounds and horses.

See? Your scarecrow is gone.

- Let's watch the women wrestle. - No, not tonight.

- You don't want to leave me? - Of course not.

Shall we go back together?

No, walk around and come to me. Be careful, nobody must see you.

You'll scratch on my door.

Don't go to the wrong room: number 12.

I'll walk around five minutes.

But I'm already at your door, scratching discreetly.

I can already hear you.

Miss...

You again!

I'm sorry I approached you this morning

and mumbled words you couldn't understand.

but you've got to know.

You're wasting your time.

It may be important.

- Let go of me, or I'll call the police! - Even if it 's about your friend Alfred?

Meaning...?

Youth pursues youth. The world is full of silly laws.

And while water flows to the river, the sand...

What do you want from Alfred?

I? Nothing.

But I know you're interested in him.

When you see him tomorrow, why wouldn't you ask him

where Miss Noblet's purse is hidden.

Miss Noblet's purse?

The purse with the 7,000 francs in it.

You're interested in the future,

but you needn't go to fotune-tellers.

You'd rather see a reliable man... A friend of mine, Doctor Vargas.

This is his address.

For if sand needs water, youth needs advice.

Good evening, Miss.

No answer? I scratched several times.

- Don't show yourself. - What's going on?

He's there, behind his window.

- The idiot's there? - He'll recognize your figure.

So what?

- You're free. This is your place. - Better be careful.

Did he speak to you in the staircase?

Tell me!

I leave you full of passion only to find you an icicle.

- What did he say to you? - Nothing.

Why are you so absorbed then? I scratched three times.

You'll be angry if I tell you.

- Shoot. - Well...

I was cold when I came back.

I've only got a summer dress and a raincoat.

I know bothering you with this sort of thing is silly but

I know of a good buy.

A little coat with a fur collar, 3,000 francs.

Could you lend them to me?

3,000 francs? My poor darling, I haven't got them..

Don't you have any savings?

I'm not the type to hide money in a sugar bowl.

You wrote that you had a job, that you did well.

Only for the past month.

Couldn't you borrow from your friends?

I'm so afraid to be as cold as I was there.

My poor Lili, it really upsets me to say no to you but

I didn't expect you so soon or I'd have provided for you.

Do you know how much I've got?

300 francs, that's all.

I love you!

- But what... - You can't understand but I love you.

I love you.

Come on!

We're not rats. Why should we scurry about in the dark?

His window is dark, but he is watching, I can feel it.

Take me in your arms and hold me tight.

You know, that dark-haired man who wants to harm us,

it's him.

He is a real bastard.

We've got nothing to hide.

I want him to know. I want him to see me in your arms.

- Feeling good? - I've never felt so good.

Can you pass the cigarettes?

Wait. I'll get them.

Know what I was thinking?

Tell me.

I was sleeping in a hard bed, on a thin mattress.

I could hear the matrons roaming about in the corridors.

It rings out and it's heart-wrenching.

But I wouldn't have changed places with anyone.

When thinking that, one day, we'd be as we are now.

- You've never held it against me? - Never.

The little coat with the fur collar,

you can buy it, you hear?

I can't keep the money hidden if you're cold.

I have 7,000 francs under the mattress.

The Noblet's 7,000 francs.

I killed her.

I didn't know you'd come back.

When I saw you in the café,

I first thought it was bad luck. Just the day before.

Now, I have no regrets. You deserve a new outfit.

A Miss Noblet is useless.

She'll get to Heaven sooner than planned. What's the harm?

And you'll be warm.

Don't worry, no one knows.

I used to call on her secretly.

Don't be jealous, she was ugly.

And what a job to get 100 francs out of her!

It was dark.

She wouldn't give me 1,000 and

I pushed her in the lot. She struggled for a while.

And when she fell she broke her watch.

I pushed the hands back half an hour and went to play cards.

It's an air-tight alibi.

They can investigate. The inspectors are lost in the fair.

They'll search for a while, won't find anything and they'll close the case.

Then we'll move on and you'll have all you want.

Can't be better, can it?

You're afraid?

No one knows, I tell you. No one.

Good!

TO MISS NOBLET FROM HER NEIGHBORHOOD FRIENDS.

- It says a lot. - And not expensive.

This wreath comes straight from the heart.

We owe her as much.

We're out of pocket.

But we don't often have a nice funeral.

Arthur, you'll miss the removal of the body.

I'm ready. I was watching Mr. Hire passing by.

You'd think that, for once, he'd do as the others.

Everyone's at the funeral but he takes his bus.

His presence would cast a chill.

And other things.

The No Gossip business.

Where are my gloves? -In Your pocket.

Do I wear the crown? -I don't think so.

- The file is set.

- Good.

- Where's my card?

- In the other pocket!

The day of his funeral, he is not found in his coffin.

- So go, Mr. Alfred.

- Take a seat.

Here is Raphael.

Excuse me, Miss, I'm the Chief-Inspector's secretary.

I have a summons for you on my desk.

I know nothing about the murder.

Yes, I know. I also know about your last place of residence.

And why you were there, I have your record.

- If you know it all, I can say nothing. - Who knows?

In that robbery case, you were innocent, you were protecting someone?

Ask the Judge.

Oh, it really doesn't matter. The case is closed. Let's forget it.

Why the summons, then?

When you left Rennes, you promised to help us if necessary.

A pretty girl like you gets around.

If by chance you hear something, do come and see us.

You'll always be most welcome. Goodbye.

Good luck.

"If you're worried about the future, if you have doubts

about yourself and others. SEE DR. VARGA.

Dr Varga, please.

- Dr. Varga, please. - First floor, on the left.

I should have guessed.

Welcome.

Come in.

Strange place!

What's this ball for?

Have you come for Dr. Varga or for Mr. Hire?

I don't know Dr. Varga.

As for Mr. Hire, I don't know him well.

Dr. Varga can tell you odd things about your past and future.

And could Mr. Hire tell me where he gets those stories he makes up?

- That he makes up? - To make girls laugh in the staircase

or to frighten them.

Just what did you tell me?

To beware.

Of Alfred?

Why?

You know him?

So today you have nothing more to say?

Yesterday I was abrupt and I'm sorry for it.

You were joking, weren't you?

I've drawn the broad lines of your horoscope.

You see these lines, these curbs, these intersection points?

Those are the landmarks of your life.

A series of milestones at the light of which everything becomes clearer.

You know nothing about me.

You were born on August 8, 1912 in Paris.

It's not divination. I saw your registration form at the hotel.

While a policeman was burdening me with silly questions.

What time were you born?

So you can invent more stories about the boy I met two days ago?

Two days?

Your parents abandoned you, right?

Unhappy childhood with a poor relative whom you left.

Very interesting.

You see this conjunction of planets? It's very rare.

One man, only one man in your life.

For three years.

There we are!

And

what man?

A clerk? An artist? A bad guy?

Maybe a criminal.

Dr. Varga cannot tell you.

What about Mr. Hire?

You haven't much use for Mr. Hire.

Mr. Hire told me about Miss Noblet's handbag last night.

Why did he tell me?

Mr. Alfred has told you all the details.

Look at me, my child.

You know as much as I do about it.

Yes, it's true.

For three years he's done all he wanted with me.

He is a thief, a cheat.

Yes, he is a murderer.

Because of him, I went to jail.

Because of him I may go there again.

I give you terrible weapons to use against me.

But I trust you now. Help me!

If you won't, there's no hope for me. What must I do?

To ruin Alfred or to save him?

No one ever took care of me.

You're right, I had a terrible childhood.

When I ran away, I only found Alfred.

I didn't know.

I've never met anyone strong and good.

If you want to be rid of Alfred, it's easy.

A letter to the police. They lock him up and it's over.

But I need evidence.

I have it.

Conclusive evidence, genuine evidence?

Indisputable.

What is it?

Trust me.

So, the letter?

To the police? It mustn't be written.

By me? No. Do you think I could?

To get rid of a rival?

My child, my ideas about society and about the world

don't allow me to do such things.

But you are threatened, you have the right to do it.

I can't, he forced me to get involved, to have a hold on me.

You say a word, you give me away too.

So you want to save him again?

No, I'm only thinking of myself.

If he takes advantage of it, I don't care.

I never want to see him again. In front of the others, he's nice

and for a trifle, he gets violent.

Here!

Look!

Look at these bruises.

Dr. Varga takes your word for it.

And Mr. Hire needs no evidence to know that you are beautiful.

Yes, you are beautiful.

Last night behind my window, I suddenly felt very unhappy.

Something has happened which gives me high hopes.

A strange word when uttered by me. Yet I said it.

So,listen to me.

You're in danger. Nothing else matters.

Go back to your room.

Keep away from Alfred as much you can.

I'd like to be able to take you far away from here, right now.

But what would the police think?

And that neighborhood in which I'm accused of misdemeanors?

It is for you,

for you that I fear.

Promise me that tonight you'll sleep alone.

And I shall watch over you from my window.

I promise.

Thank you.

So, is he Varga?

Of course.

- He knows something? - Everything.

He told you so?

He's craftier than we thought.

He's got evidence?

Most certainly. But what? Well...

I tried everything: charm, promises.

He wants to blackmail you.

No. I don't think so.

For the time being, he's into noble feelings, generosity.

But if he gets worked up, he might talk.

What's his place like?

It's in a courtyard. On the first floor.

No caretaker. And a very noisy saw.

If I may, Doctor, I'll send you some friends,

neglected or misunderstood wives. There are so many of these!

They dare not come but I'll make them dare.

- And many, many thanks. - I thank you, Madame.

So?

You didn't come here to stand in front of my door?

Come in!

Did you beat my address out of her?

What did you threaten her with?

I don't mind having this out with you.

Come on, I'm listening. Out with it!

You have nothing to say?

You may have something to do.

With your hands,

as with Miss Noblet?

With a knife? With a gun?

Careful, that's rather noisy.

And when I bleed on the ground, what will you do with my body?

Did you bring a bag, a suitcase to take me away?

You lack foresight, young man.

And you're pale! Livid!

Do you want water with some sugar?

Or do you want advice?

If you kill me here, in the staircase, elsewhere,

I must tell you I have taken precautions.

The next day, a letter will reach the proper parties.

It will bring you capital trouble.

Capital, get the pun?

But you don't feel like laughing. You're hesitating.

Watch out, Miss Noblet was anemic, strengthless.

But I'm as solid as a tree.

I could get you by your neck and toss you out with no effort.

But I feel sorry for you.

I can't stand looking at you.

I find it so unpleasant, aesthetically unpleasant

that I must ask you to go away.

If you don't dash off at once,

something will happen that will be very different from what you expected.

You moron,

you punk,

you dared to do it.

It's pathetic.

Come on! Pick up your knife.

But should you harm a single hair on her head,

this will only be a warning.

For her! For me!

For Noblet!

Come on, beat it!

Waiter!

Fix your tie.

- Well, tell me! - Nothing happened.

Getting there, I saw it was foolish.

I've felt the same way since you left. I couldn't breathe.

- Tell me. - What will you have?

- I don't care. - Neither do I.

Draught beer.

Well?

Well, we had it out.

It was no use. He is clever. Won't say what he knows.

He'll keep quiet while he thinks he has a chance with you.

I can manage him for a while but we must think of something else.

- Lager or brown ale? - Lager.

What can he do against me? At worst, he saw me.

What if he talks?

Who is the accuser? A guy loathed by the entire neighborhood.

We must be patient.

I'll lie low and you'll be nice to him.

Meanwhile, people will talk and we'll help them.

But he says he has evidence against you.

We need to find something on him.

But what?

I took the money and buried the bag behind the fence there.

Watch out! There are gypsies.

Must be around here.

Lie down here.

It's not that far.

I've got it.

What shall I do with it?

If I'm caught with it...

Give it to me.

I won't keep it long. I'll put it in his room.

What is it?

It's me, Alice... I must speak to you.

Excuse me.

I didn't expect you to...

Good evening.

May I come in?

No, not now. The place is a mess.

I must speak to you.

You can throw me out when you feel sleepy.

Some other time.

I'd be ashamed.

I wanted to apologize.

He beat me to make me talk.

I had to give him your address.

That's what I thought.

I'm scared to sleep in my room.

I'd only feel safe at your place. And you won't have me.

Don't say that. Please, don't.

But tonight it's impossible.

I'll spend the night on a chair in front of your door.

No, no, forgive me.

I feel a little anxious but it won't be necessary.

If something happens, I'll call you out of the window.

But nothing will happen.

Good night.

Alice... may I call you Alice?

Of course.

I'd like tomorrow to be a special day.

I'll take you to a place I want you to see.

After, you won't be scared any more.

- Would you? - You're so kind.

Then, tomorrow at two in front of the bookstalls?

All right.

- See you tomorrow. - See you tomorrow.

Am I late?

I came early. To have the pleasure of waiting for you.

- Shall we go? - Where are you taking me?

To the suburbs. Shall we take a taxi?

Like two lovers.

Wait for us here.

Is this the place?

Yes, it's here, on this island. We call it Wolves' Island.

What is this bleak house?

That's where I'm taking you.

Come on!

But how do you know all this?

We'll keep it between ourselves, right?

The Police didn't care, but I called at Dr. Varga's.

Books everywhere, with weird titles.

A hypnotizing machine...

And machines

that must be used to do odd things.

- What he up to?

- For example, you bring him photo of someone he hates.

A creditor's husband, wife or uncle with inheritance.

The type is taken pain and vomiting.

To bring on migraines, or even worse.

Another bite and the guy is in bed

But when one pricks the heart, dive unscrews his pool.

Without having time to write to his family.

- If this were true, we'd go to slaughterhouses.

But a doctor can hypnotize a guy and say,

"In 18 hours, you go to Champs Elysees naked."

- Or: "You kill your children with an ax."

The guy wakes up and unsuspecting.

At 17 h 55, it is like you.

And 5 minutes later, he is naked or kills his children.

- Oh, gosh!

Mr. Hire did that?

And did it freely.

- It is surprising that the florist or the wife is sick.

- And what is this camera used for?

This guy is a public menace.

So you think Noblet...

I'm not accusing anyone. They're only suppositions.

Don't get worked up!

If he could kill people at a distance, why would he strangle them?

True, but some people have strange tastes. Now with Noblet...

To get such a woman into a vacant lot, you need special powers.

It's the rabbit hypnotized by the snake.

It's true that he has a strange eye.

I don't want to add to what you say

but do you know what he always says about the meat?

That it doesn't have enough blood.

Come on in.

Can't you see there's no one here?

Whose place is this?

Mine.

You had it all planned.

These cups have been waiting years for you.

I left this place several years ago. Suddenly.

Please sit down.

It was in the Fall. It was starting to get cold as today.

The logs are still in the chimney.

In a short while, it'll be warmer.

Yes, I never came back.

A caretaker comes from time to time.

You see, I was about to have tea.

With whom?

It was a long time ago. Don't make me think of it.

Here! Look at this while waiting for tea.

I've always liked photography,

a charming but dreadful art.

It's an art which explains many things.

Look!

The kitchen is close. I'll be back double quick.

Look!

Of course, you've lost your appetite.

It's not my fault.

You have dizzy spells and the doctor doesn't know why.

You know what he said.

Your doctor is an ass.

Quiet when eating.

Lymphatism!

He blames everything on lymphatism.

Your illness can't be explained,

and as long as this guy comes into the shop.

It has nothing to do with Mr. Hire.

Don't you understand that those pin pricks are scientific stuff?

You wouldn't argue about the Catechism!

An¤ay, your health is your concern.

But the kids' health, sorry!

From now on, not a steak, nothing for Mr. Hire! Got it?

And if wants to insist...

Out!

There's someone in the shop.

Well, if it's him, you'll have fun.

Hello, Mr. Capoulade, you've got my cat's food ready?

It's ready.

Your wife's unwell this morning?

No, Mrs. Arnaud. It's the top.

- The top? - Yes, I'm going to blow my top.

Are the people here all cowards to put up with what's going on?

One murder always leads to another.

If there's a sickly animal in your herd, you kill it.

Or you pass it to your neighbor on the sly.

You mean Mr. Hire?

You can stand him?

- Hello, Mr. Capoulade. - Ask Miss Dutoit and Mr. Sauvage.

What is it about?

How many times have I complained about Mr. Hire's behavior?

Not towards me. Towards Lucienne.

- Right, dead right. - Yes, it's the truth.

What does he want with the child?

He has ways of giving her apples and pushing her into corners.

Tell me, you know Mr. Hire well?

He gives me rock candy.

Interesting!

He speaks to you sometimes?

He says, "Hello".

He says I'm a pretty little girl.

Come with me.

Look! You like veal, don't you? This is a nice cutlet.

It's yours if you tell me the truth, but the whole truth.

He's never asked you into his room? - No.

My dear girl, this is not for liars.

Remember, he never said to you:

"Today I forgot the candy, come and get it into my room."

No.

You had a narrow escape, Mrs. Arnaud. It was a close one.

It's me.

Yes, I've been a lawyer for a few years.

I knew law well.

I prepared my cases scrupulously. Yet, I wasn't a success.

My clients didn't think me optimistic enough.

I worried them rather than inspiring confidence.

This here is my mother.

An excellent woman, but she always liked my brother better.

He was better looking.

I've never been able to please, not even my parents.

At school, in the army, in college,

my comrades always gave me the cold shoulder.

I didn't choose to lead a lonely life.

The others avoided me.

Yet, I got married.

Is this your wife? She was beautiful.

All these pictures bear only one caption: happiness.

Biarritz, Monte Carlo.

Britanny, Holland.

- And her everywhere always. - Always beautiful.

Here, I'm not in the picture. I took it.

I brought them together for the first time. Her and him.

A friend of yours?

My first friend, my only friend.

And that's it?

It ends there suddenly.

It was not normal, was it? That life should bring me what's most precious:

a great love, a great friendship.

I lost both together.

There are other pictures.

They're quite different. That's the horror museum.

A hobo who froze to death in front of the Arch of Triumph.

A laughing little girl. She's insane. She was struck in the head with a poker.

A drunken woman.

Faces of destitution. Shame, vice, crime.

A nice set of candid shots which I took myself and gathered.

My family album. - Why?

To be sure, leafing through it, never again to be moved by pity.

For 10 years I have lived inside books,

consorting only with the dead.

They can't betray any more.

I thought I was safe, out of the world, and then

I met you.

I don't quite know what happened.

Alice,

do you want this house to become yours?

Forgive me.

I, too, misjudged you, like the others.

I don't blame the others.

Have I ever tried to let them know who I am?

They're in a hurry and judge by appearances.

For you, it's different for you. You mustn't feel sorry for me.

Think it over before you answer.

Don't hurt me unnecessarily.

You're gentle and you're kind.

I know life well enough to know what it's worth.

So tonight, tidy up your room, I'll bring you my answer.

I'll scratch at your door like a little mouse.

You don't mind waiting until tonight?

Suppose something is wrong in a neighborhood.

Gas pressure too low.

Poisonous fumes from a factory. Any problem.

The residents get together and write a letter.

- A petition! - That's it!

Let's sign a petition to get rid of this individual.

It won't work against a private individual.

You're all softies! Why doesn't the hotel throw him out?

I'd like all my guests to pay like him, on the dot.

Pass.

Was that meant for me?

- Two! - Six!

It's easy to talk about my reputation with all those idiots around.

How the bourgeois don't like to listen to talk of miseries.

But you all know where my dough comes from.

But who knows where Mr. Hire gets his?

From the empty lot.

Some blue Gauloises, please.

Mr. Michelet could tell us about the investigation.

The police mustn't talk about their work.

I've got a large family, I'm a respected shopkeeper.

And we'd all like to know...

Come on, don't get worked up, you might be unfair and ridiculous.

You're waiting for more murders?

The only solution is to beat him up!

Well, who's going to do it? We want a man!

And a man isn't easily found, take my word for it.

I'd say: "First, there are only honest people here."

"So you've got nothing to do here."

"Two: I'm a man of experience and reason."

"I advise you to disappear with your stuff, your stills and your potions."

"And I'd tell him: "Thirdly,

Mr. Breteuil?

- I'm sorry to disturb you. - No trouble, Mr. Hire.

Have you got a bottle of champagne?

- Champagne? - Yes, a good brand, please.

Yes but it's expensive.

- It doesn't matter. - Right away, Mr. Hire.

So? No more firstly, no more secondly?

Mr Hire...

Yes.

Mr. Hire,

I'm listening, Monsieur. Everyone is listening.

Careful, the counter is wet. You might dirty your sleeve.

It costs 80 francs.

- Here you are. - Thank you, Mr. Hire.

- Give the change to Raphael. - Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hire.

Goodbye, Mr. Breteuil.

A good day to you.

Mr Breteuil!

A camomile injection for our heroic tax-collector.

The toughest guy of them all!

He stared at me, I couldn't talk.

You're a disgrace to my customers.

Good evening, may I?

- You've got flowers. - To please you.

You were looking at me from here.

It's a good look-out.

You promised me an answer.

Yes? No?

Haven't I come to you?

You're kind, you're unhappy.

How could I hesitate?

We'll celebrate our engagement, solemnly.

Solemnly?

There's some champagne getting cooler.

Take off your coat. Sit down.

I've been thinking of the house.

If my living there with someone else disturbs you,

we'll arrange it as you desire

or we'll sell it.

I have no ambition but to see you smile.

For the first time, you look happy.

I am happy.

- Excuse me. - Thank you.

Oh, dear! I've forgotten the ring.

It doesn't matter, we've got time. All our life.

I don't even know your first name.

In that, too, I was unlucky. Désiré.

Désiré? It's lovely.

To your desires, Désiré, and to your good luck!

- Hello, Mr. Michel. - Hello, Monsieur.

What is it?

The Chief-Inspector's secretary.

If I had known I'd wake you up at noon, I'd have come later.

Noon?

I apologize, Mr. Michel.

Do come in, please!

Last night, I went out on a binge and came in very late.

They don't need you at the garage?

I went out with my bosses. They like me.

A nice quiet job, with enough to go on a binge now and then.

And yesterday, I had a hot tip for the races.

Twelve to one on Razibus.

You play the horses often?

- No, I can't afford it. - That's right.

Tell me, on the day of the murder, you remember what you did?

I worked at the garage until eight.

It's fortunate that you worked that day.

Ask my bosses.

- They like you, don't they? - What are you driving at?

- I only... - At 8:30 I was playing cards.

- Everybody saw me. - I just wanted to make sure.

You said Razibus at Auteuil. What day was that?

Yesterday, third race.

Thank you. Goodbye, Mr. Alfred.

I'm at your disposal.

Going to see your friend?

Yes. I'm looking for work and

he knows lots of people and yesterday he said he might have something.

Him too? Good luck, Miss.

Thank you.

I looked for you everywhere last night.

I was out with the boys.

I came to tell you that it's done. The bag is behind the radiator.

- You're great. - It was quite a job, believe me.

- I don't doubt it. - It seems it was high time.

I think so too. You met Michelet?

- That's why. - Yes, we thought his head was in the clouds,

but it's not. He's like a bloodhound.

- He's sniffing everywhere. - We must hurry.

Yes but let's not change our system.

We let the others get worked up. And we remain quiet.

They're already hot. One spark will do it!

It will get nasty.

Hey, say. You seem sorry for him.

Me?

I love you!Whatever the question, that will be my answer.

Now listen. I'll tell Fernand and Marco.

While we're watching the struggle, they'll attack.

On my left, Olga the Romanian versus Fanny the Belgian.

85 versus 95 kilos.

Chérie the Redhead versus Rachel, arms of steel.

Raw power, no fakery, and real muscle!

Not afraid to take a hit - no holds barred!

To a man's strength, those international champions

add the cunning and wiles of these daughters of Eve...

You can go now and don't forget: behind the radiator.

Let us know straight away.

We're not looking for trouble.

We're for order and we're acting in everybody's interest.

In that case, I'm in.

Mathilde, close the shop.

Let's get Mr. Sauvage.

Mr. Sauvage!

We're going to settle Mr. Hire's account. Coming?

Aren't there enough of you?

We need a spokesman. With eloquence and authority.

I'm coming. Let's finish with this.

You're coming too, aren't you?

What about you, Mr. Branchu?

- Are you coming? - Where?

- To help justice. - OK. I've got nothing better to do.

Let's go!

- Breteuil's here? - No. In the staircase.

Let's go. This way!

He's there.

- Mr. Breteuil? - Yes.

What's wrong?

Quite a crowd.

- What do you want? - Mr. Breteuil,

On behalf of the neighborhood, for the last time,

- we want the management to... - I've told you you've got no ground.

You think so? Well, I repeat.

If you won't comply with our legitimate request

- What will happen? - We shall...

I don't know. The commitee didn't decide.

- We mustn't be influenced by Breteuil. - You're right.

We won't accept it.

We're going to move Hire out.

- He's at work. - Good!

When he comes back, he'll find his stuff on the sidewalk.

No one is going to enter his room.

Give us his key or we'll...

- I'll call the police. - Here it is!

I've got it!

If you touch his things, I'll call the police.

- The police! - We don't often laugh like this!

What the hell!

Come on! Quick! Let's empty it out!

Look! See what he reads?

At last! Good work, gentlemen.

There's something underneath.

Nice! A handbag!

Mine needed to be changed.

Let me see!

There are initials...

A N

Aurore Noblet! It's Noblet's handbag!

He is the murderer! I found the murderer.

I found the murderer.

I found Noblet's handbag! Hire is the murderer!

- What? - She found the handbag.

Hire is the murderer! Hire is the murderer!

I found it!

Alfred! They found who killed Noblet.

What are they saying?

He says they know who killed Noblet.

Someone's been murdered.

- Is there a fire? - What?

- What's going on? - Why are they leaving?

Fire! Run for your life!

- What's going on? - A murderer.

- Where? - In the hotel over there!

You know - the gruff one with the beard. Who spoke to no one.

They say he's killed Lucienne, the little girl. It's terrible!

He's barricaded himself into the hotel! Come see!

It's a scandal, the police won't do anything!

Let's go and take care of him.

- What's going on? - The murderer was just arrested.

- What's going on? - Something happened at the hotel.

Now is the time. We must get him here at once.

- Now? - Tonight will be too late.

They'll have cooled off. You've got a number?

- He gave me one for emergencies. - Call him. You must.

- Really? - Do you love me?

Doctor Varga!

- What is it? - On the phone. Your fiancée.

I'm coming.

What are they shouting?

Nothing.

Death!

Hello?

Hello? Is that you, Desiré?

Listen! Something awful is happening.

I told Alfred it was over. He's gone crazy.

You must come at once. At once, hear me?

Why don't you come here? Here you'll be safe, darling.

Impossible?

I'll tell you why later. Come!

What? The underground?

No, not the underground. Take a taxi.

Yes, I'll wait for you at the corner of the square.

Yes. See you soon.

Come on now. I won't ask anything more.

- So? - He'll be here in five minutes.

- Here? - He'll arrive by the rue de Paris.

What's going on?

They found Miss Noblet's handbag at the murderer's.

- At whose place? - Hire's.

At the hotel.

Come on. Disperse the crowd.

Get me the Quai des Orfèvres.

- Is it true that Hire has disappeared? - We're looking for him.

There will be blood!

Who could have suspected? He looked so quiet!

Imagine! I went into his room every day.

How exciting! I have goose pimples all over!

Come on! Move along!

Mr. Michelet!

You must arrest him.

If he isn't here, he must be at his office.

Now please. You can't stay here. Keep moving.

Come on, ladies! Go home!

Move along, let the police do their work!

We do no harm. We want to watch.

Come on! Please, lady, please!

Come on, kids, go home!

Move along, please!

As a civil servant, may I add my request to Mr. Michelet's?

We must keep calm and not hamper the course of the law.

Hey you, shut up! It's none of your business.

A guy who sends me a tax return! Me, can you imagine?

And he talks of the law!

Come on, Miss Marcelle. You're usually more flexible.

With you, it's different. It would hurt me to say no to you.

Now, please, you must all go home. Clear the square.

This man is dangerous.

He may be armed.

What? He is armed.

Let us not stay here. No use taking risks.

Come on, children, we're going home now.

Don't stay here. A stray bullet might get you.

And there's the market tomorrow.

A free show, we can't compete. Let's close down.

We won't do anything today.

Come on, Doctor, set an example!

What a mess, eh, Mr. Michelet?

Yes indeed. You found the handbag, didn't you?

No. We were at the show there.

Come on, go home!

Hey boss... We aren't leaving right away, are we?

The customer's waiting.

I don't want to miss the fight.

From here, we'll see the show perfectly well.

Coming, Mrs. Sauvage?

- He'll come this way. - So what?

Nothing.

Here comes a taxi!

How much?

14.

What is it? What do they want from me?

Mr. Michelet, I demand the protection of the law.

Come with us to the police station.

I will, but tell me why my things are on the sidewalk?

I can't handle three, but I'll take you on one after the other!

You scum!

Murderer.

Death to the murderer!

Death to the murderer! Death to the murderer!

Death to the murderer!

Watch out! He's going to shoot!

I've done nothing wrong. I don't know what they want.

He ran away. He's in there somewhere.

Right, we'll search the buildings. Come on, get to work.

- What's going on? - I'd like to go up.

You'd better use the staircase at the back.

Where is he?

He can't do it. Get the Fire Department.

Hello. The police here. On the square immediately. Be quick!

Where's the doctor? Doctor!

- Doctor Philippot! - Coming!

Five more minutes. Hold on for five more minutes.

He's dead.

Have the van move here.

Now, move along, everybody. Move along!

It's over. Go back to your homes. Come on!

Didn't you understand? Move along!

Go back to your homes, it's over. Come on!

Start the music. You're losing money, pal. Come on!

- Come on, start it up! - Move along, everybody.

Nothing more to do here. Look out! We're being watched!

Case closed!

- What is it? - Mr. Hire's testament.

Picture of the murder of Miss Noblet by Mr. Alfred Chartier.

Taken September 5th, at dusk, in an empty lot near the square

when I went there to answer a call of nature.

Wow!

- Let's go get him! - Let him have one last go!

Some day, in this great world

Some day, the humans might

Will walk all united Hand in hand...

Love, love

makes the world beautiful.

THE END English subs cinephage & nottsforest