Original subtitles

(brass fanfare)

(pastoral music)

(bell ringing)

(distant footsteps)

- Good morning, good morning!

- Good morning, Madame.

- Lemon tea, please, Hyacinth.

- Yes Madame.

- So stringent, so stimulating.

Why Mr Palfrey, why are you here?

- You wished to discuss the Frock Morten case.

Sharp at nine, you said.

- Oh, the Frock Morten case can go on the backburner,

isn't that what they say?

- Who, Madame?

- They.

Americans, I suppose, it's always the Americans, isn't it?

No, but I do want to see you.

You'll never guess what's in there, Mr Palfrey.

- Lunch?

- (chuckles) More a feast for the eyes.

Well, Mr Palfrey?

- An icon, my word.

- I know it's an icon, what do you think of it?

- Well, I confess I'm not mad for them,

but this is rather nice.

- What would you say it's worth?

- Quite a lot I imagine.

- 40 pounds, I paid for it.

In the Portobella Market.

Mrs Walker's stall.

- Good Lord.

Must be a fake, a clever copy.

- Mr Palfrey, it's genuine.

- Not for 40 pounds.

- The experts have confirmed it,

I went straight to Bond street, I saw the top man,

he swears on his reputation that it's 13th century,

and it's from Pskoff, well the girl told him that,

and it's St Theodore.

- And its value?

- 5000 pounds.

- My congratulations, Madame, not a bad bargain.

- I want you to look into it, Mr Palfrey.

It smells.

- With respect Madame, my field is security,

not doubtful works of art.

- Sit down, Mr Palfrey.

It's a capital offense in Russia.

These things aren't allowed out of the Soviet Union

without special permits.

Smuggling them means the firing squad.

- Perhaps it's been here a long time.

- And ends up for 40 pounds on Mrs Walker's stall?

Do you know what these things are worth?

How rare a 13th century icon is?

No, there's something wrong here, I know it.

And you'll find out what it is.

- I suggest Scotland Yard.

- And I've decided it's a matter for your section.

I sense implications, do you understand?

- Yes, Madame.

- You can borrow it, I trust you.

- I'm relieved to know.

- Oh would you like some tea, Mr Palfrey?

Unless you feel you haven't got time.

- It's worth a great deal more than 40 pounds.

- [Mr Blair] Portobello Road?

- A Mrs Walker.

- A villainess, no doubt.

If she bought it in good faith, she's in the clear.

No one in that trace to a particular.

Nor are some of the customers.

- She wouldn't tell me where she'd got it.

- Leave it to me.

My expenses require your initial, Mr Palfrey.

- I'll look at them.

(phone rings)

- [Madame] Mr Palfrey?

- Yes, Madame.

- How are you getting on, what did you find out?

- I've only been on it for two hours.

- Time is of the essence, Mr Palfrey.

- You don't think, dare I suggest it,

but because of the Russian object you're being a bit,

Reds under the bed?

- Of course I am, isn't that where Reds lurk?

Under all our beds?

- [Mr Blair] So tell me.

- If you don't leave me alone, I'll call my Harry.

- You don't have a Harry.

I checked.

You're just a poor defenceless old woman.

- Are you the law?

- Guess.

- Got a warrant?

- Is your street trader's license in order?

- Course it is.

- When's it up for renewal?

(rude noise)

I mind if I'm the law.

And if I'm not, well,

me and my mates can do a terrible lot of damage,

you know what I mean?

- That's Culport, put it down.

- [Mr Blair] So tell me.

- I can't, I don't remember.

I got a customer for that!

- I've just taken a call from Mr Blair!

- Mrs Walker acquired the icon from a known villain,

and professional housebreaker who brought it to her

out of the blue and she gave him a fiver for it.

Name of Roger Prentice.

Being held for questioning on something else.

Going there now.

- [Mr Palfrey] Splendid!

- Icon?

What's an icon to do with a Frock Morten investigation?

- Oh, I need tell you, you're so out of date!

- Thanks, I can manage.

Roger Prentice?

In for questioning.

Caught last night on the seventh floor

of the Rosamonde Hotel.

- You're not the Filth?

- As and when it suits.

- What I got last night, if I got anything,

in fact I never left home, wasn't worth 50 pounds.

No style left in the world.

A three star hotel, and all rubbish.

- Tell me about another job.

- My memory's gone.

- So's your reputation.

A little icon of St Theodore.

- A what?

- An icon of St Theodore.

- You're not CID.

- Say a government department,

which doesn't usually stoop to the likes of you.

- So don't stoop now.

- The investigating officer's an old pal of mine.

I might do you a bit of good.

- Damn picture.

I knew it was bad luck.

- So why nick it?

You go for sparklies.

Did you get any?

On the icon job?

- [Prentice] I'm not answering.

- And if you've a fancy for a picture,

why that particular one?

- I don't know one from the other.

But I saw it on the wall, and I thought to meself,

it's an icon.

Even I knew that.

An easy carry so I lifted it.

There's a sort of standing order for them in the trade.

Easy moved on, for good money.

- And how did it end up where it did?

- [Prentice] He didn't like it.

- Who?

Who was this likely punter you had it in mind for?

- Reisman.

Near West End.

Creepy sod.

- And where did you get it?

- My solicitor should be here any minute now.

- Tell me first.

So we can stay friends.

- Flanny Richmond.

If I did it.

Place done up like a tart's wedding.

- If you did it, when was it?

- [Prentice] Might be three weeks.

- The name?

- I'm not in here because of that,

I'm in here because of last night's caper.

- You've never forgotten.

- If there was a name, might've been Armitage.

- He's on the main board of Federated Businesses.

They have defense contracts, so he's been vetted,

hence the file.

- [Mr Blair] So, he gets burgled, but there's no record

he reported it to the police.

- You'll also find he hasn't made an insurance claim.

- He couldn't do one without the other.

A visit, you think?

- Did you ring his office?

- Yes, he's not there.

- [Mr Blair] Done a bunk?

- He's at home today.

- Alone or both?

- No, you look after Jess.

- Shall I bug his phone?

- Can I stop you?

- [Mr Armitage] Yes?

- Mr Armitage?

- [Mr Armitage] Who is it?

- My name is Palfrey.

- [Armitage] Yes?

- Do you think I could have a word?

- [Armitage] What about?

- I'm from the Ministry.

- [Armitage] Ministry?

- Defence.

- [Armitage] Oh, then come up.

Take the lift to the fourth floor.

(buzzes)

- Blair here.

A (mumble).

- [Operator] Number?

- I don't know the number but the name's Armitage.

James Armitage, at 401 River House.

Put him on for me.

- [Operator] He'll be with you.

- That's alright, when you can.

- Do go through.

- Thank you!

Oh, and charming room!

And the view!

- I'm sorry if I sounded churlish.

I get so many callers all wanting something.

So, what can I do for you, Mr?

- Palfrey.

What a fortunate man you are!

Anyone would know that for a Piesley!

- [Armitage] He's a friend of mine.

Gave it to me himself.

Something missing?

- [Armitage] Oh, that's not here at the moment.

- Being cleaned?

- Must be.

Spot of whiskey?

- Oh, no, no.

- [Armitage] It's rather a special one.

- Oh really now, I seldom go beyond sherry.

- Then you can sample my equally excellent Feno.

- You alone here?

- Being alone is a treat sometimes.

I get so many invitations I can't choose between them

so opt for tranquility.

- I'm intruding.

- Good health, Mr Palfrey.

- And yours, Mr Armitage.

Oh yes, very good.

- I assume it's business?

- Three weeks ago you were burgled.

How did the burglar get in?

I assume you weren't here at the time.

- I was at a meeting in our defence plant in Scotland.

- Federated Businesses?

- Yes.

The man, or whoever, must have come up the fire escape.

The terrace door could be opened by a nine year old.

- And he took?

- Oh, nothing much.

A watch.

- A good one?

- Well, it was...

Oh, not particularly.

Cufflinks, cigarette lighter.

Which didn't matter because I've given up smoking.

- All items he could put in his pocket.

Even the icon, if he had a large pocket.

- Icon?

Good heavens.

I never expected to see it again.

But how?

Where did you get it?

Though I am so grateful.

- Well I am afraid it belongs to a friend of mine.

- But it was stolen from me.

- And you didn't report it to the police.

- You did say Ministry of Defence.

Look, I didn't report it because of all the fuss!

People trampling about, fingerprint powder everywhere.

- Or your insurance!

- How thorough you are.

Yes, well I might get around to it,

I'm away so much.

Why are you interested?

- It belongs to a friend of mine.

- The burglar?

Look, are you offering to sell it back to me?

- You'd buy it again?

Oh we must see, where did you get it, Mr Armitage?

- I don't think I recall.

- Oh but surely, such a fine piece?

- No.

I don't remember.

- Been in Eastwoods, lately?

- You mean Norridge.

- I mean Russia.

It was Russian originally.

- I would like to know who you are,

and what you're after, Mr Palfrey.

- They never willingly let the genuine ones go,

did you smuggle it out?

- Now look here--

- Bought it cheap from some black market chap,

and smuggle it out wrapped in your pajamas?

- [Armitage] Certainly not!

- But you say you don't recall.

Well perhaps you'll think about it

and let me know if it all comes back to you.

(phone rings once)

Oh, irritating, mine does that all the time.

- Yeah, where is yours?

- I don't think I recall.

- Hello?

Hello, hell, it's dead.

Shall we call the office now, that is.

Hello?

- I must go, Mr Armitage, I'll report your phone

out of order if you like.

The phone went ping.

- Good.

- Do what you have to do and then get,

ah, laundry van's here.

You better park somewhere else.

Do what you have to do and then get clear.

I'll take a taxi.

You can keep Jess.

(sighs)

(door buzzes)

(door buzzes)

- Dieter.

Is it you, I don't believe it.

- Sure, me.

- What in the world are you doing here?

- You don't ask me in?

- Yes, of course, although I'm terribly busy,

it's a bad time.

But, take the lift to the fourth floor.

(buzzes)

- This one great place you live.

- Dankeshein.

- That's what?

- Oh no, that's just a report.

- Oh yes.

I'm very impressed.

Is that the Thames?

- Yes.

This is such a surprise, Dieter.

- Too long since I saw you.

- I might not've been here!

- I take the chance.

This is our fifth meeting.

Four in my country, the first in yours!

I did not realize you are so rich.

- I put on a show.

How are you here?

- Because James, I came to find you.

- Well you can't just bop across?

- You're looking at the second-best assistant manager

in the city.

- Not the first place.

- I didn't even know there was a competition,

I swear it, when they come and tell me

I've won second prize.

A six day cruise on a Russian boat to London and back.

- What was first prize?

- Two weeks in Moscow, so, thank God.

(chuckles)

I do miss you, James.

- And the boat is here now.

- Not (mumbles).

- And they let you get off and just come here?

- [Dieter] They don't know where I am.

I made sure of that.

Come and tell me what the buildings are.

- There's nothing special.

- You are special.

But, different here I think.

- Not different.

I guess I am.

Your turning up is such a surprise.

(phone rings)

- Your life is full of surprises!

- Mr Armitage, I've come to fix your phone.

- Unusually fast service.

- Oh we do try sir, dare say it won't take a ten.

- Don't rush to help!

I'd better have that, Mr Palfrey.

Remember what happened last time.

- Okay.

Freeze.

Back a bit.

Stop.

- Can you see?

- Just.

Top right bell, 401.

Okay.

And he hasn't come out yet.

- And he wasn't in the office was he,

dressed like that.

- Good-looking, if you like that sort.

- Perhaps our Mr Armitage does like that sort.

- I don't think it's got anything to do with the icon,

but it makes one curious.

Which bug did you use, all the time

or only when the phone is in use?

- Only had time for the small one.

- Pity.

If Norton has his full he won't be calling anyone, will he?

I think you'll better go back there.

That laundry van can't follow me.

- [Caroline] Why you?

- Face Madame.

- Federated Businesses are as big as any.

Directly responsible for marketing and public relations.

He went to Eaton!

- Ah, so we can sleep easily.

- Unmarried, which probably accounts for the young man,

you're making progress, Mr Palfrey!

- But on what?!

- My icon got you this far,

now it's time for the thumbscrews.

- I think I'll be the art connoisseur a little longer.

- You can waste your own time in your own time,

but not the country's.

- Never fear, Blair is on the spot,

and he's never without his thumbscrews.

- Excuse me!

- Sorry mate, I can't help you,

I'm stranger around here.

- That hat's a dead giveaway!

You're either Special Branch or a fisherman,

and I don't see any trout jumping around here.

- And who are you?

- One of the special departments.

- That's easily said.

- I can give you a number to ring,

but then they'll start training you.

- Sergeant Margetson.

- You watching that place?

A man called Armitage?

- I'm following a bloke off a boat.

- Boat?

- Russian cruise boat at Tilbury.

I'm on duty there.

It was odd the way they let this bloke get off

like it's a number nine bus.

Thought I'd keep tabs.

- You going on with it or is this your lark?

- It depends, if I know whose place it is.

Armitage, you say?

- You'd better lie low.

You're getting in something a bit dicey.

- That is what Special Branch is for.

- Oh yes, when they're called.

So he's Russian then?

- No, he's German.

East German.

What's wrong with the window, top right?

- You got his name?

- What's it worth?

- My good will.

- That's nice.

Anson, Dieter Anson.

Pulled in the ship's manifest, he comes from Leipzig.

- Even Special Branch has its uses.

- Mr Reisman?

- Yeah.

Come in, please.

- Thank you!

Icon.

Offered to me?

- You didn't accept it.

Gave it back to one Roger Prentice.

For someone with a standing order out,

I'd have expected you to have some on display.

- I act for one particular customer.

- You front for him.

- He doesn't like negotiating.

- [Mr Palfrey] You obtain the goodies where you can.

- I don't like your tone, Mr Whatever your name is.

- Palfrey.

Ministry of Defence.

- I don't care if you're from Buckingham Palace.

- Am I right in assuming that your client

didn't like the icon for some reason?

- You can assume what you like.

- You took it to him, or sent it to him,

and he said no thanks.

Did he give a reason?

- Good day to you.

- Who is he?

Where can I get in touch with him?

- Confidentiality is the watchword of this trade.

- Of course it is.

Thanks for your help.

(locks door)

- It's Ben.

I'm at the gallery.

Look, I just had some fellow in asking about that icon.

Yeah.

Palfrey or something.

Just thought you ought to know.

Call you back.

- I'm such a fool, I lost my umbrelly yesterday.

To Section 8C of the Speed of Light,

I want to know the minute they worked out

the number and the address.

- Don't forget the coordinator wants to you.

You'd better go, she sounded like a fire alarm.

- What did you find out about the young man?

- Dieter Anson.

East German.

Off a Russian cruise boat, docked at Tilbury.

- Oddly, wandering off in his own.

They usually marshal in groups.

- He's good looking in a butch sort of way.

Obviously friend Armitage is light on his feet.

- Anything else?

- It seems he works as Assistant Manager

at the Hotel Metropol.

Lives with his mother and two sisters,

Gundhof Stressa Leipzig.

- So,

also unmarried.

Get onto Federated Businesses.

Find out details, when, where,

all Armitage's trips abroad, as far back as you can get.

(gulps)

- [Armitage] Uh uh.

Schlekt.

- [Dieter] You think I'm here to spy on you?

- Am I really such a bastard?

You get used to being tidy.

- Like your life is tidy.

Where is the icon I gave you?

Have you tidied that away too?

- I'm afraid it was stolen.

- You bring some man back in Europe?

- No, I don't bring anyone back.

I don't know anyone to bring back.

It'll be two years the week after next.

- It should be four bloody times.

- Where did it come from?

The icon?

- Man was selling everything to get to the West.

- I should get it back.

I should be in Leipzig in June for the trade fair.

I'll try to stay on for a day or two.

- I do not wish you will be more friendly.

I must look forward to that.

- Please Dieter.

- I must not be late getting back to the boat.

Must not test my luck.

- I had a word with PDI about James Armitage.

- Oh, I wish you wouldn't Madame,

one day our lines will tangle and

we'll both end up hanging from a tree.

- So graphic!

James Armitage is listed as a charming man.

Thank you Hyacinth.

Nice looking, well mannered, clever and successful,

and no one likes him.

Not a single person could be found

who doesn't think he's an insufferable show-off.

- Eh, it ties in.

Special whiskey and sherry.

The pictures, the flat, feeling as though

he's not rich in visitors.

- Won't you sit down?

- Mm.

Something else has need of you.

What do you know about CY3?

- It was another aeroplane, I know nothing about it.

- Excellent.

Our Mr Palfrey, from whom not the least whisper is safe,

knows nothing.

That proves my point.

It's a well-kept secret.

It's also a computer.

- Have we stolen it or lost it?

Not, I hope, made my Federated Businesses.

- No, by Lasarl, in their strange place in North Wales.

Snowbound half the year.

- As all computer firms should be.

- Don't be waspish.

It's very small, this machine, very compact.

Despite which it has a 60 wave stretch,

or is it 65 something.

- It wouldn't matter.

- Anyway, it's considered very desirable.

They've married two little microchips

with stunning results, apparently.

It's also good at working out prime numbers.

- I did hear that they're trying, so far failing,

to devise a code which will be unbreakable

unless it can be worked out that a 200 digit number

is not prime but composite, and you have to know

all its factors.

- I only heard about CY3 this morning, which proves...

If I didn't know about it, who does?

They've made two,

oh what you call them, samples.

- Prototypes.

- Well, one is still in North Wales,

the other was shipped to Belgium,

as a modest crate of books.

- Why?

- They want to run it against Big,

well, you know what's in Brussels.

- [Mr Palfrey] Oh!

- They got it as far as the airport, it was lost.

- Oh dear!

- I want you to think.

If it's been hijacked, and we can guess by whom,

the Russians or the French,

how do they even know it existed?

All our business leaked secrets or blown secrets,

but some secrets are kept.

- Well as you say Madame, it only takes one man or woman

less than completely loyal.

- Find him or her for me, and I'll tie--

- The noose yourself.

Take this to the Wartzburg Institute,

ask for Mr Benskin, tell him I want a complete rundown

and I want it yesterday.

I'll join you there.

- They've worked out the number from the tape.

- Ah yes.

- It's a private line.

A man called, had to write it down.

- Velliadis.

- And the address, Mr Palfrey.

- Well?

- It's a church.

- It's good of you to see me, Father.

- You have come about being converted?

- Oh, no.

- No one does.

They all want to be Romans.

It is our own fault.

This awful frock, and all this hair.

Even my youngest priest, who is pretty enough

to fill the church with the ladies,

looks like an old warrior.

- It's tradition, of course.

- I keep telling them we should shave,

and get Pierre Cardown to design us a new outfit,

like the airlines do.

- Are these Greek?

- Mostly Russian.

Russia was more suppressed,

and so had more need for secret worship.

- Do they belong to you or the Church?

- Are you from the England Revenue?

They are mine.

Good to look at, and an investment for my old age.

- You must be quite an expert.

- God is my expert.

- Your agent, Mr Reisman, of the Mezzanine Gallery.

- He rang me about you.

- He offered you an icon, a proper St Theodore.

- There was no crocodile!

St Theodore always has a crocodile.

- But you sent it back.

What was wrong with it, apart from no crocodile?

- It was a nice thing.

I showed it to God, but he said no way.

- He thought it was a fake.

- I don't know what He thinks.

It didn't look fake.

Perhaps, He knows its history, perhaps it brings bad luck

and if He's not going to look after His priests,

who is He going to look after?

- I've seen it.

It looked fine.

Better than fine.

Is the dealer, Mr Reisman,

I hope you don't mind my asking, Father,

do you think he's completely honest?

- I don't mind you asking, my son.

If you don't mind my not answering.

- Everything there is genuine.

That's rose madder from our Tintereto,

that's lapis from the Leonardo.

Later or earlier paints would be quite different.

The gold leaf's a bit tricky.

I like to look at that under a microscope.

Don't tell anyone but I prised a bit off.

- How do you stick it back again?

- Oh, the best thing, funnily enough, is spit.

There!

- Is it genuine?

- Oh yes.

That's from an icon at Wodsden Manor, same period.

The paint's identical.

- [Mr Palfrey] Hello Jess.

- She made me stop twice.

- There's nothing wrong with her waterworks.

- Here's the list you wanted.

- It stops at Moscow, Warsaw, Leipzig,

Berlin, Geneva, Prague.

- To the office?

- Um, no, to Richmond.

But first I want to go to the Institute.

- Coordinator said press on.

- Oh, it'll be a lovely evening,

we'll take Jess for a walk on the green.

- [Blair] My leg's acting up.

- You dictate very well!

(knocking on door)

- Come!

- Mr Benskin.

- Mr Palfrey.

- All done?

- All here.

- Well don't type it later, tell me.

- The roughing doubled edges suggest it was

once a panel from a chest or ark.

The wood could be 13th century and Russian.

All the colors are true to that period.

- And the gold leaf?

- Concerning the--

- It's hard to be sure with gold unless

you carbon-date it, and I don't have the facilities,

but it seems okay.

Got a rather high trace of antimony,

which accounts for the pinky color.

- I've got it all down.

- Mr Benskin, you're a treasure.

Who uses gold?

- People who make wedding rings.

- An older master.

The Atomic Weapon Research Center.

- Ah, save getting out my key!

I say!

- Yes?

- I know you.

- That can't be.

- You work in a hotel.

- Reception, that's right.

- Ribbon Leipzig?

- The Metropol.

I'm sorry, I don't remember--

- How could you?

One of a stream of customers, nice to see you.

- And you, Mr--

- Are you working in London or a little holiday?

- Holiday.

- Oh, well enjoy yourself!

- Oh, come on, I don't wanna walk over.

Hello there.

- Hello?

- You're a nice looking fellow to be out on your own.

- Do I understand you?

- Course you do.

I live just around the corner.

(cries out in pain)

Oh, get off.

- Now that was a special department.

- And where is the icon now?

- Mr Armitage, have you ever heard of something

called the CY3?

- Oh yeah, I know all about the CY3.

Known all about it for ages.

Lasarl's new baby.

You know Lasarl?

It's a little old place in Wales.

- Is it special?

- Well there's talk it has a remarkable capability.

Of course if you were to ask Federated,

the others might go a bit green if it works.

- Talk, Mr Armitage.

- You can't be in my business at my level

without hearing things.

- Gossip.

- Apart from all the old women on the committees,

scuttlebutt, the Yanks call it.

- [Mr Palfrey] You travel such a lot?

- Oh God, I do.

- Mostly, Dresden and Berlin and Leipzig?

- All over.

- [Mr Palfrey] They treat you well?

- Why, they're the best hotels, such as they are.

- And you're invited out?

- [Armitage] Endlessly.

- Talking shop?

- When there's any amount of value.

Are you coming to a point, Mr Palfrey?

- You've just had a visit from your lover.

- It must be time you were going.

- Dieter Anson, assistant manager on reception

of the Hotel Metropol Leipzig.

When did you meet?

Last year?

- The first time I stayed at the Metropol

was two years ago, April.

- The cruelest month.

Ah yes, April the 21st to 24th.

I see you were tendering for machine tools.

Still, you found consolation.

Has he gone back to the ship now?

Will you be seeing him again tomorrow?

(phone rings)

- Excuse me.

Yes?

Where are you?

What?

Oh, I know who you're talking about.

It's an inquisitive neighbor, don't worry.

Bye.

- You lied to him!

- About your being inquisitive?

- About being a neighbor.

- I'm beginning to feel you're a resident.

- I'm sorry.

Mr Armitage, I have to find out whether your friend,

Dieter Anson, has been obtaining information,

or you've been giving it.

- If you think that, you'd better arrest me.

- I'm not in an arresting department,

though better ask them then, of course.

- Them?

- The East Germans.

No doubt they have very revealing photographs of you.

But no need to worry yet,

they like to keep them for a rainy day.

How did it start?

I imagine they tried to set you up with a young lady.

- Of course not.

No...

- At a meeting?

One of those vast roundtables they like so much?

The prettiest secriput next to you,

all scent and eyelashes.

Gently letting her leg touch yours under the table.

- It was pretty obvious.

- Yes they are, unimaginative.

And then after the tea or coffee break,

back to the table, but you chose not to sit next to her.

You know what you did, Mr Armitage, in that moment,

you told them.

- I wasn't even so sure myself.

- And Dieter, on reception, all smiles and very charming.

- He was friendly.

- They saw.

Believe me, they saw.

They always see.

Tell me what happened.

- Well.

Telegram came, from Head Office, late at night.

There was no porter on duty.

So Dieter brought it up himself.

- Ah yes, quite neat.

- Do you think...

- Go on, Mr Armitage.

- That he was in on it?

Part of it?

- What do you think?

- He's late, it's unforgivable.

(buzzer buzzes)

Yes?

- [Reception] Professor Goodrich is here,

from Old Martin.

- Send him in.

You're Professor Goodrich?

- I am.

And, you?

- We prefer not to give names.

- I had to bring it myself.

It's ultra-classified.

Though for the life of me I can't think why.

- Report and assessment of the gold industry

of the Soviet Union.

It doesn't look very up to date.

- Well it's not a thing which changes much.

Most of it was assembled by the Economics people

at Churston Manor.

- May I see a copy?

- Is the gentleman cleared?

- Oh yes.

- Thank you.

- You're sure this picture thing.

- [Madame] Icon.

- [Goodrich] Is Russian?

- Hijes, nazies, labor problems,

I didn't know Russia had labor problems.

- And there is a trace of antimony in the gold.

- Which renders it unsuitable for high refining

and coins and bullions, so it ends up

in industry and in gold leaf.

- Well there's only one mine in Russia with antimony

in the gold.

- Ah, I've got it, the Bulakov mine in the Urul Mountains.

0.09 antimony, do you see that, Mr Palfrey?

- Now I know one of your names.

- Go ahead, 0.09, so that's where it came from.

- So the age is genuine?

- [Madame] The wood is genuine, the color is genuine,

and the gold is genuine.

My icon is apart from anything else, worth a fortune.

Thank you, Professor.

- May I go now?

I'll take those.

I have a most important appointment.

I mustn't be late.

- I know all about important appointments.

- Good day.

- Good day.

- Professor.

- Goodbye, Mr Palfrey.

- So, the young man is far from being a mere hotel employee.

Giving away priceless icons, yes,

there's certainly more to this than meets the eye.

- Did you not notice something, Madame?

- I miss nothing.

What?

- The Bulakov Mine in the Urul Mountains.

- [Madame] The one with the traces of antimony?

- The only one.

There was a footnote.

- [Madame] A footnote.

- The mine was discovered in 1950

and has only recently reached full production.

- They bungled it.

- Your icon was a fake.

God knew what He was talking about.

- Who?

- But James Armitage doesn't know it's a fake.

And perhaps the young man

who gave it to him doesn't, either.

- Where is the young man?

- Available to us.

(loud rock music)

- Would you like I to buy you a drink?

- You're too young.

I buy my own.

- I wonder if they have Leipzig beer.

- You again!

- What's it called, Das Beerschwein?

A beer for my friend.

- What do you know about Leipzig?

- Well, I know it's on the other side.

- You are police?

- Why should you be afraid of the police?

- I'm not, I am a tourist.

- That's alright.

I bet they don't have places like this

where you come from.

James has been at home again all day.

Has he been in touch?

- James?

- Armitage.

The friend you came to England to see.

Listen, Dieter.

There are times for everyone when dishonesty and lies

are indeed the best policy.

This isn't one of the times.

The truth will help us both.

- What kind of truth?

- We know quite a lot about you and James Armitage.

You met at the Hotel Metropol in Leipzig.

- You don't know this.

No one knows.

- I'm afraid this counts as an official interrogation,

Herr Anson.

- I can just turn and walk out.

- Yes, it's a free country.

You were put onto James Armitage to get information

out of him.

- Crazy, me, a spy?!

It wasn't like that.

It was just to keep him happy.

- And maybe not to get information.

But as bait, to make sure he visited the East

as often as possible.

But lately, he hasn't visited it.

So they send you here to tempt him again.

- I have not succeeded.

- You gave him a gift, an icon.

How did you come by it?

Come on, you may as well tell me.

- A man came to the hotel.

Not the sort you have to argue with.

Gave it to me and said, give it to James,

he will be pleased, and say it come from me.

- Did you know it's a fake?

Your countrymen set you up with a lousy fake.

I'm afraid you're gonna be in trouble

for your failure when you get home.

- Have I failed?

- James telephoned me today to convey

that he's being pestered here in England by you.

- He wouldn't say that.

No, he wouldn't!

I'm going to see him!

- Interesting place.

You remember?

- Back to your boat, sonny.

Just make sure you don't get off again.

- Sometimes one wonders what will happen to people.

- They'll use him again as long as his looks last.

- But now we know?

- Will they know, if he doesn't tell them?

- A man to see friend Armitage.

- You want me to come along.

- No.

Tomorrow morning, stay and enjoy it first.

- You see,

receiving a present can be such a terribly important thing

when you don't get many.

- I'm sorry the icon was a fake.

- You're not sorry, you enjoy it.

- An official fake, but awfully good.

They turn them out to earn hard currency

without destroying the national heritage.

They gave it to him to give to you.

You have to admit, they're marvelous judges of characters.

- Why did they pick on me?

- You're a peacock, Mr Armitage!

You do better, you know better.

Nothing can be secret to you.

What are you like with a few drinks inside you?!

- Oh I know i do it, but it's only gossip.

It's only showing off.

- About your company, about your rivals,

you enable them to hone in on things.

The CY3 for example.

- Lasarl's computer?

- You told them about it, didn't you,

as you told me.

Oh, I know all about the CY3.

- Possibly.

- You're a godsend to them, Mr Armitage.

Careless talk still costs lives.

- What will happen to me?

- Well I don't sentence.

My chief does that.

- I'm surprised you have one.

- Oh yes, the chief has one.

- It'll be difficult to make out a case.

- And rather messy.

- There's no fool like an old one.

- A healthy sigh.

And soon perhaps, you'll start feeling vengeful.

They have deceived you so,

perhaps you'll decide that it will please you

to deceive them.

- How?

- Go on just as you are!

Being indiscreet, but being aware of it.

And being sure they don't realize you're aware of it.

Tell them useless things of course,

useless pearls of information.

Except, when I ask you, and it won't be often,

tell them a downright lie.

- What sort of lie?

- Well, for example, at the moment,

there's some business with lasers we'd rather

they didn't get interest in.

- Well, I'd have to know who's doing it, and where.

- Of course, my dear chap, I'll dress it up,

make them ask you.

Perhaps a little explosion which gets with the newspapers,

oh they'll say, what was all that about?

- And I say, it was a disaster which couldn't be contained,

the whole process is a failure, and has been abandoned.

So they lose interest and let it go.

- You see how easy it is?

Your indiscretions, carefully rehearsed indiscretions,

could help us in so many ways.

- I'll do it.

I might even enjoy it.

- Good.

I'll get you back your icon.

- I don't even want to see it.

I couldn't bear its cynicism, betrayal.

- If it were mine I'd enjoy looking at it.

- Even though it's completely false?

- Because it's completely false.

Because it's brilliantly completely false.

- Like the trade you're in.

- Like the trade we're in.

(pastoral music)