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One,

two,

three,

four, five.

Ready or not, here I come.

ANNA, THE DETECTIVE

MANUFACTURED GOODS

THE CONFIDANT EPISODE 46

Bagels! Buns! Pretzels! Fresh from the oven! Roll up!

Hello.

Hello, sir.

-It smells so nice. -Yes. What can I get for you?

I’m not sure.

No need for tears if bagels are here, as they say.

Tell me, my friend, is this the Zuyevs’ office?

-Yes, sir. -What do you know about them?

Well... This Zuyev is a debaucher. Yes. They say he is a little whacky.

-What do you mean? -Well...

This is the girl he’s whacky about.

Zuyevs’ housemaid.

-A maid? -Yes, a maid.

OK, bye.

Bagels, buns, pretzels!

-Hello. -Good day. Is it fresh?

As always, straight from the oven. What can I get you? A bun?

-Thank you. -Thanks a lot. Good luck.

Zuyevs’ housemaid...

She’s been with them for a year, but nobody has ever seen her face.

Never? Where is she from?

They say he brought her from St. Petersburg.

She seldom leaves the house.

And she dresses like a noble lady, the veil and all that.

How mysterious. All right. Thank you, my friend.

You’re welcome. Bagels! Buns! Pretzels!

Mr. Seslavin wanted me, as his lawyer,

to convey to you his version of the latest events.

Of course. He can’t do it himself, can he?

You will see from my story why he couldn’t do it himself.

So, Mr. Seslavin did come to Zatonsk to meet with Madame de Beau.

He didn’t admit it even under arrest.

He had his reasons.

He wanted to place an order with Madame de Beau.

She was to find him a maid, or rather a mistress,

for his long trip to Europe.

Does he have problems with ladies?

Yakov Platonovich, my client is a busy man. Besides, he is single.

He won’t have time for romancing ladies in Europe.

Thus, he needs the said maid

for reasons related to health and serenity of mind.

I see. A maid would feet this part perfectly.

Exactly. He chose a girl from photographs presented by Madame de Beau

and sent an advance payment.

Madame promised the girl would arrive in the next few days.

However, a week had passed, and nobody arrived.

Mr. Seslavin’s asked Madame about the time of the delivery,

and her behavior became really strange. She was dodging his questions.

Moreover she insisted on Mr. Seslavin leaving Zartonsk,

promising to bring the girl to St. Petersburg.

Did she give any reasons?

That’s the point! She didn’t. Obviously, my client was indignant.

He demanded for immediate delivery of his order.

Madame de Beau offered him another girl. But my client insisted upon his choice.

She must be really special. I’d like to have a look at her.

Unfortunately, he refuses to give her name.

Thus, he had a motive.

He wanted to get back his deposit, he was enraged,

he thought the cross-dressing Andre was Madame de Beau and killed him.

Yakov Platonovich, these are theories. We need proofs.

Still, Viktor Ivanovich, he is a suspect, and he stays in out custody. Orderly!

Goodbye.

Is Korobeynikov here?

Yes.

Tell him to get Seslavin. We are going to the hotel.

Yes, sir.

Yakov Platonovich. Yakov Platonovich, one minute.

Excuse me, I’m busy.

You’ll like my offer.

I saw you yesterday’s night.

I hope you understand if the news of your visit to the brothel comes out,

your career and reputation...

No, of course we are all human, Yakov Platonovich.

But a man like you at a brothel!

It’s an outrage.

I don’t understand what you want from me.

I hope I have a right to some privileges in exchanges for my silence.

Details of the investigation for the press, clues, theories...

I’d like the police to cooperate with the Zatonsky Telegraf more willingly.

Anton Adnreyevich.

Go to the cab. I’ll join you after I finish with Mr. Riabushinsky.

Well?

My friend, escort Mr. Reporter to the cell.

-For what? -For bribing an officer.

Yakov Platonovich, you misunderstood! I won’t... I don’t want to go to the cell.

Wonderful buns.

They are very fresh. Straight from the oven, ma’am.

Do you know whose house this is?

It’s merchant Zuyev’s office.

-And this must be Zuyev himself. -No, it’s accountant Ptitsyn.

And the girl?

Ulyana, Zuyev’s maid. Ma’am, buy a bun.

Mr. Seslavin, imagine this is a knifr. Hit him. Stab him in the chest.

Show us how you’d do it.

Why? I’m not going to do it. I didn’t kill anyone.

All the more so, this will prove your innocence.

-This is a crime reenactment. -This is stupid, gentlemen. Well...

Aren’t you left-handed? I saw you writing with your left hand.

I’m ambidextrous. That’s why I used my right just now.

-You can use both your hands equally? -Exactly.

You can go back to your room, Mr. Seslavin. You’re free to go.

Don’t leave the town until the investigation is over.

So? What is the sequence?

Well...

We take... this...

And we pour it... in here.

What’s next?

Then we take this and pour it here.

And the final step?

The final step...

-We take this and pour it in here. -No!

What’s wrong, sir?

A chemistry lesson. Get out.

Are you all right?

No. I don’t want it.

Mo more chemistry lessons. I don’t want it.

-All right. All right. -Please, please, no more.

No more lessons.

But we can still meet each other? Like people.

Like people? No. No. I love... chemistry.

I will. I want to. It’s just that...

I lack practice.

You won’t let me practice. You have to show me your work,

not give me some stupid chemicals!

Nina, I’m so... It’s impossible.

-Why not? -Impossible.

Again impossible! How about putting me in danger? Is it possible?

What are you doing?

You did it on purpose, to take advantage of me.

-No! I... I’m sorry! -You’re crossing the limits.

I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Never!

Why never? It’s such a strong word.

It’s just... You’re just moving too fast.

If Seslavin were the murderer,

he’d take the knife in his right hand to confuse us.

The stabber was obviously right-handed.

He didn’t know Andre had been killed by a right-handed man.

Of course he didn’t. He didn’t do it. Besides, judging by the angle,

the culprit was rather short.

But the knife? Seslavin did have it.

Dr. Milts didn’t find any traces of blood on it.

Besides, the blade is wider than Andre’s cuts.

As for the concierge, he was asleep that night.

Seslavin could go past him to visit Madame.

No. He was at the brothel that night.

He probably decided to find a match for himself while he was in Zatonsk.

-How do you know that? -I visited the brothel yesterday.

I see. How did it go? I mean, did he find what he was looking for?

No. He found the girls too vulgar compared to his perfect girl image.

-Hello. Am I interrupting? -Not at all. Come in.

Anna Viktorovna, hello.

It has been a while. Have you forgotten us?

Can’t you do without my help?

Ti tell you the truth, it’s hard.

Please take a seat.

-I decided to help you as an old friend. -We’re listening.

Are you searching for a young lady in the case of Andre,

assistant of Madame de Beau?

Don’t torture us. Go on.

She’s merchant Zuyev’s maid. Her name is Ulyana.

I suppose she got this position with Madame de Beau’s help.

It looks like Zuyeva lied to me.

Her visit to Madame was connected with this girl.

Also, I know Andre was in love with this girl.

She has a strange relationship with Zuyev’s accountant.

-A mysterious girl. -Very much so. She’s black. A Negro.

-You mean, really? -Yes.

-How? In this town? -Where did she come from?

Anton Andreyevuch, find her and bring here.

Yes.

Obviously, the accountant and the girl have a very touching relationship.

I saw them talking. By accident, of course.

To tell the truth, I was watching them.

Through a window. I know it’s very naughty of me.

Why do you think the late Andre was in love with her?

I see.

I...

-Your High Nobleness, a murder. -Where?

On the outskirts.

The body of an out-of-town lady was found in a derelict house.

The boys found the lady. They were scared.

A constable heard them screaming. And...

The first blow on the back of her head was delivered with a heavy object.

She didn’t lose conscience, though.

She managed to whip out a knife she had under her garter.

See? A scratch from the handle.

She tried to get to her feet, took out the knife,

and got hit once again on the crown of her head.

There is blood on the knife. Did she manage to get to her murderer?

This is not an ordinary knife. Dague de Pute ou de Vertu.

-Which means a hooker’s dagger. -Or a dagger of virtue.

A peculiar, rather short blade. Andre might have been killed with it.

Find out if anyone with stab wounds turned for medical help.

Yes, sir.

Who killed you? Tell me who it was.

The lady was killed here.

Miss Mironova, Yakov Platonovich ordered to take you home in our carriage.

Thank you, I’ll walk.

As you please.

Anna Viktorovna?

-Is this where the murder took place? -Excuse me, do I know you?

No. I heard a lot about you. Seslavin. I’m from St. Petersburg.

Madame de Beaus’ friend. Was she murdered?

Yes. Unfortunately, she was.

Oh my God! I’m in a dire situation. Only you can help me.

I know about your gift. I was going to look for you.

How? How can I help?

Madame promised that Ulyana would be mine. And what now?

Ulyana, Zuyev’s maid?

Yes. I chose her. I even paid a deposit. But Ulyana works in another house.

Help me!

Do you want me to help you get the money back?

No, it’s not about the money.

I want Ulyana to be mine, to leave Zuyev.

Are you attracted to exotic women?

Exotic? What do you know about it?

Excuse me. Help me! Talk to her.

Ulyana? Are you joking?

No, of course not. The Madame. I mean, her spirit.

What can Madame’s spirit do for you?

Madame knew something about Ulyana that let her keep her in check.

Do you mean Madame was blackmailing her?

I’m begging you to contact Madame’s spirit and find out about this secret.

-It would give me a key to Ulyana. -To win her with threats and blackmail!

Why threats and blackmail?

I’d give her a chance to leave this backwater town and live in Europe.

No. I’m sorry, Mr. Seslavin, I’m not helping you.

-You have to! -Excuse me?

I’m begging you. I can’t live without her. I have nobody else to go to.

The Madame is dead, and so is Andre. Andre fancied Ulyana, too.

How do you know that?

He was hanging around the office with this... accountant Ptitsyn.

Also, Ptitsyn visited him at the hotel. I tried to act through Andre first,

but he took my money without an intention to do anything.

Still, I won’t help you. I’m sorry.

Hello.

Hello.

Where is your maid? I was at your house, but nobody was at home.

I don’t know. She left this morning. I haven’t seen her since.

-And your brother? -I last saw him in the evening.

Is something wrong? Where is everybody?

I don’t know. I’m worried, too.

My brother sometimes goes to pubs. I can’t say he doesn’t.

All right. There’s nothing we can do about it.

Is your accountant here?

-Ptitsyn? -Ptitsyn.

I let him go early. He doesn’t feel well.

In that case, you’ll have to come with me. Yes, to the precinct.

Get ready. I’ll wait for you here.

Don’t you dare! Don’t!

Don’t get her into all this! You nasty old... old...

You aren’t fit to hold a candle for her. You harlot and harlot-peddler!

We’d better wait until the buzz around Andre’s death settles down.

It’s not my fault.

The police will now start making arrests left and right.

We need to wait.

-For how long? How long? -A few days, maybe weeks.

What shall I tell Yevsey? Where have I been?

We’ll think of something.

What if he finds out I was at your place?

He won’t if you stay low.

Whose house is this?

You know I can’t follow you to Europe.

They’ll separate us.

It’s bad. Maybe you should stay.

No, I need to be seen at the office. Don’t leave the house.

Ulyana. Wait. Can I talk to you? I’m Anna Mironova.

What about?

I know about you and merchant Zuyev. Also, about Madame de Beau.

Go away. It’s none of your business.

-Wait. You are in a bad situation. -What do you care?

Madam de Beau is dead.

I strongly recommend that you go to the police

and tell Mr. Shtolman everything you know.

Who is this?

Merchant Zuyev. Arrested in the street.

-I see. Speak of the devil. -Looks like we’ve got lucky today.

He’s dead drunk. He was in a fight. His sleeve is soaked with blood.

Open it.

Come on, my friend, wake up.

Yakov Platonovich, he’s drunk as a newt. You’re right.

This wound might be inflicted by Madame de Beau’s knife.

When somebody’s trying to hit you with a knife,

this is exactly how you protect yourself.

His wound is in the right spot.

Get him back to his senses and bring to me for interrogation.

Yes, sir.

All right, I had a couple of drinks. So what? Yes, I was in a fight.

Where did you get this wound?

How would I know in this mess? I don’t remember.

Yakov Platonovich, Tamara Zuyeva. Ulyana wasn’t at home.

What happened to you?

A drunken brawl, never mind it. What are you doing here?

They brought me here like a criminal and ask me questions.

Anton Andreyevich, go to Dr. Milts.

Check if Andre’s wound is consistent with the shape of Madame’s knife.

Will do.

Take a seat.

Where is your maid?

Where is she?

I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since the morning.

She probably went shopping.

A question to you both: what connected you with Madame de Beau?

What Madame? I don’t know her.

Let’s put it in this way: how did this maid get into your service?

What do you mean? I hired her. What does she have to do with all this?

She looks rather unusual for our region.

It’s all her fault, this Ethiop’s! Ever since she came to our house,

our live had been turned upside down.

Shut up!

-I won’t shut up! Kick out this devil. -I’d rather kick you out.

-She put a spell on you, this infidel! -She’s a Christian.

That’s all well and good, but this isn’t the true story.

You meat Ulyana during your visit to St. Petersburg.

You turned to Madame de Beau,

saw Ulyana, hired her as a maid, and brought her here.

It would be fine if not for Mr. Seslavin, who was promised Ulyana

after her contract with you would expire. But you wouldn’t let her go.

Neither was she willing to leave. That’s how this mess started.

Seslavin insisted, Madame de Beau pressed on Ulyana, and your sister

was begging Madame to take the Ethiop away.

Seslavin bribed Andre...

Did you go to Madame behind my back?

I did. I thought you’d come to your senses if the Ethiope goes.

You viper!

I wonder which one of you killed Madame. You, to revenge the Ethiop?

Or you, because she wanted to take her away from you.

I wouldn’t even think of it. Neither would Yevsey.

He doesn’t remember anything.

I couldn’t have! I have nothing to confess.

I’m not guilty, believe me or not.

Your High Nobleness, you have a visitor. They say it’s urgent.

Wait for me here.

-Yakov Platonovich, I brought Ulyana. -Good.

-I’m listening. Talk to me. -What about?

Start with Madame de Beau coming to Zatonsk to take you from Zuyev.

That’s true. I haven’t seen Madame de Beau since, though.

I see. But I saw you with her last night. Do you remember?

And then someone hit me on the head. Was it your other suitor, Mr. Ptitsyn?

You didn’t want to part with Zuyev. You had reasons to want Madame dead.

-I didn’t kill anyone. Can I leave? -No.

You are under arrest on suspicion of murder.

-I didn’t kill anyone. -Who did, then?

I don’t know.

You can think it over in the cell. Orderly!

Take her.

Are you out of your mind? On what grounds?

She’ll be more cooperative after some time in the cell.

I barely recognize you, Yakov Platonovich.

She knows something, but she won’t tell. Anyway, I’m fed up with this family.

I persuaded her to come here. I promised you’d sort it out.

And I will. Thank you for your help. I’ll take it from here.

Yakov Platonovich. Excuse me, Anna Viktorovna. One minute.

Yakov Platonovich, this time you overdid yourself.

Thank you.

Arresting the whole Zuyev family, house help included!

Each of them had reasons to wish Madame de Beau dead.

We only need to find out which one killed her. I’m on it.

Why did you arrest Riabushinsky? What has he done?

Mr. Riabushinsky’s intervention endangered the investigation.

He was going to make public a piece of secret information.

Andre’s spirit, present yourself.

Andre’s spirit, present yourself. Tell me who your killer is.

I’m not afraid of you anymore.

I’m a free man, and I want to decide my own fate.

With what means, my friend? A pauper’s freedom tastes bitter.

Maybe. But now I know what real love is,

and I don’t want to indulge your perversions anymore.

Abandoning me, you ungrateful mutt! To be with your bitch!

I deserve freedom and love. With Ulyana.

If you don’t give her to me, I’ll fight you.

Ulyana is used to comfortable life. What will you do with her, with this face?

Perform at a circus?

She hasn’t made up her mind yet.

But I’ll get her to. You and I are over!

Forever!

You petty loser!

You think you can speak to Madame de Beau like this?

I’ll gladly take off this stupid dress and finally become a man.

Andre, let’s calm down and talk.

I don’t want to talk to a pervert. You’re a disgusting old witch!

We’ll start anew. Yes, we will.

Nobody will stop us.

Report on your plan.

We’ll be questioning the suspects for a couple more days, until they confess.

But they have to stay under arrest.

Two days. That’s all I can give you.

Also, release Riabushinsky. It’s an order.

Andre, I can hear you.

I can help you.

Madame de Beau has to be punished by people’s judgment, too.

People need to know she’s a murderer, not a victim.

And Ulyana needs to know you love her.

But please give me some proof.

I need evidence. I’m begging you to help me.

Mr. Riabushinsky, I have nothing to discuss with petty blackmailers.

But I just...

You were trying to disclose secret information regarding the police’s actions.

-Do you realize what it means for you? -No.

State treason.

But I’m always prepared to cooperate.

So, tell me everything you know about Madame de Beau.

Madame promised me the name of the gentleman

who had bought the maid from her.

We already know that. Go on.

I started watching the Zuyevs family.

I noticed that Zuyev’s accountant and the maid...

You know. They have a special relationship.

A tender one.

The accountant?

-You’re free to go. -Am I? Thank you.

What are we looking for in this mud? Your spirit could be more specific.

Madame de Beau’s negligee. There should be traces of blood.

Wouldn’t it be easier to tell the police?

No. To give Shtolman a reason to mock me? No. We’ll find it.

All right.

This isn’t the first time.

Wait.

Here! What did I tell you?

-Is this what we’re looking for? -Yes.

Is that it? Can we go now?

Wait.

Can you tell me now why you visited Madame?

Oh my God.

I wanted to recommend a friend to her. To ask Madame de Beau

to help her find a job at a good household in St. Petersburg.

Do you think it would be good for her?

After struggling at our local brothel

a good house in the capital is definitely good.

So, now I know everything.

-Just... please... -I understand. We won’t tell Mother.

-No. -Yes. Yes.

Sergey Stepanovich, hello. Is Mr. Shtolman here?

Mr. Shtolman is out. He went on some errands.

Please give it to him. It’s important.

-All right. -Tell him it’s from me.

I will.

Our papers are always in order.

I can see you hire only hardworking people.

Yevsey Danilovich knows how to cherry-pick his employees.

Yes, but still he nursed a killer on his bosom.

A killer? Who’s that?

Who? Ulyana, his maid. She killed the Madame.

It’s... impossible. What are you saying?

She admitted she lived with Zuyev by the contract arranged by Madame de Beau.

It has expired, and Madame wanted her back.

She even threatened her.

So Ulyana got rid of her.

No! No. She didn’t kill her.

I would know.

How?

I’m... I’m her father.

I used to serve at the court when I was young.

There was this servant, His Majesty’s footman,

an Arab from Ethiopia. He had a sister.

I fell in love with her.

We had a daughter. Ulyana.

Then she grew up.

It’s not easy to be a Russian girl with a face like hers.

Yes, she lived with the merchant by contract.

But now they are so much in love nobody can bring them apart.

Are you all right? You’re pale and sweaty.

It’s stuffy in here.

What is this?

A ledger.

Give it to me, if you don’t mind.

God...

Why didn’t you go to a doctor?

Now they’ll take her away from me.

I can’t live without my daughter.

I’ve ruined her life. Madame de Beau bought out all my debts.

All I can do now is be there for my daughter, protect her.

I thought everything was set, but here came this Madame with a new client.

She threatened to call for all my debts

and send me to the debt pit.

So you arranged for a meeting with her.

I wanted to settle it, but she flatly refused me.

-Where are you going, my dear? -Somewhere far from here.

I’m coming with you. Let’s wander the world together. Paris, Africa...

Wherever we can be together openly.

You need a rest, Anna Viktorovna. Thank you for your effort.

You dag out the truth literally from ashes.

I’m not tired. The only thing I can’t understand is why Andre needed that dress.

Madame felt a perverted passion for Andre. She made him wear women’s clothes.

By the way, this dress helped her to avoid suspicion at first.

My first thought was that it was Madame de Beau the killer aimed for.

Besides, the negligee stained with blood. She tried to burn it

and hid the remains in the ash bucket. How did you figure it out?

Let’s say I had some help.

Seslavin never got Ulyana. It seemed to me he...

No, it wasn’t sincere love but an obsession of a kind.

They were all acting like crazy. There must be something about her.

-Did Seslavin ask you for help? -Yes.

-And? -I said no.

Why? You said he was sincere.

Because he was acting through Madame de Beau.

Buying a slave for himself.

I didn’t want to help him.

You said a true feeling justified anything.

Anything, except for a lie.

THE CONFIDANT