Original subtitles

That'll do nicely, Hal. Well done.

Have it transferred on to 16mm and sent over to the Savoy.

- And don't forget the instructions! - All right.

Good morning. Miss van Rydock is expecting you. Come this way.

Jane! How good of you to come. It's wonderful to see you!

My, I'm pleased.

Now, Ruth, what's wrong?

What do you think, Jane?

It's a very beautiful gown.

Oh, the GOWN'S all right.

Thank you, Stephanie.

Wonderful how the old hag's kept her figure, isn't it?

I've booked us a table for lunch,

then we'll go to a matinee of Alex's ballet.

- Alex? - My nephew, sort of.

Alex Restarick.

Carrie-Louise's second husband's boy by his first marriage.

Johnny Restarick was Carrie-Louise's second husband!

Your family is such a tangle.

How can you expect me to understand that?

We have married rather a lot.

Six times between us.

It's Carrie-Louise.

That's what I'm worried about.

Carrie-Louise? She was always delicate.

Oh, no, no. She'll live for ever... if she's allowed to.

"Jane would dearly love to see you,

"and I suggested she come down to Stony gates.

Jane isn't at all well-off now,"

and she'd love to have the break, so you will invite her, won't you?

"Don't forget I'm in your diary for the 14th.

"Look after yourself. Your loving sister, Ruth."

It would be lovely to see Jane Marple again.

Mm?

We were in Europe together when we were girls.

Jane was a sort of governess-companion.

Ah.

I'm going to invite her to stay. Ruth has asked me to.

Mm?

I'll tell you Carrie-Louise's problem,

apart from being completely impractical, that is.

Oh, dear.

Don't look at the prices. Have what you like!

Partridge.

I'm very fond of partridge.

Well, if they do partridge, have partridge!

Carrie-Louise is a push-over for idealists.

She married her first one at 18.

Avery rich idealist.

And an old one. Turned out to be a smart move.

Thirty-two's a nice age for a widow. Then it was poor Johnny Restarick.

But it was genuinely the cranky old idealist with Carrie-Louise.

And Lewis Serrocold is the latest.

Turbot for me, I think.

Lewis has turned Carrie-Louise's house into an institution,

a sort of rehabilitation centre for young criminals.

Oh, dear!

Oh, you should hear Lewis on the subject!

Little of this would have any meaning

unless we were trying to do something different,

which we are.

It might surprise you to know that we treat discipline very seriously,

but we use the emphasis on self-discipline.

You can't force a boy to become a responsible citizen.

He wouldn't know what you were talking about.

Let him use his intelligence creatively,

then he'll learn to respect you and, in turn, the world around him.

It's my belief that the system of justice in this country,

far from preventing crime, actually encourages it.

Once you frustrate creative intelligence,

it's bound to lead to an angry, impotent, anti-social society.

And the perpetrators often end up in prison

as outcasts of society.

Crime becomes a way of life.

What a waste!

Thank you.

THIN APPLAUSE

Of course, in Gulbrandsen's time, it was education.

There are fashions in philanthropy.

- Do you remember soup kitchens? - Oh, yes, indeed!

And port-wine jelly and calf's head broth taken to the sick.

My mother did that.

My, is that the time?

We must get to the theatre.

DISCORDANT MUSIC ACCOMPANIES BALLET

Hello!

- My dears! - Alex!

Did you sit through it all?

We sure did!

It's wonderful having an American aunt,

so full of frontier spirit!

What the heck was it all about?

- You wouldn't believe me. - That means sex, presumably.

Did you enjoy it, Miss Marple? Oh, yes indeed.

I think I understood nearly all of it.

Of course, we see and hear most things in the village.

Straight on - my office.

Jane's the smartest person I know.

Be nice to her when you see her at Stonygates.

Oh?

You will go, won't you, Jane?

Stonygates is a madhouse!

You spend enough time there.

Yes, but I'm a sponger for the arts

and Carrie-Louise is one of my backers.

I do find the place inspires me.

Tea?

I'm so relieved you'll go, Jane.

Well, I haven't said I will yet.

But you will, won't you?

Well, I dare say I shall.

- You will? - I will if I'm invited.

What a relief!

I'm afraid I've already written to Carrie-Louise asking her to invite you.

I told her you weren't very well off and needed a holiday.

- Be mad at me if you want to. - I don't want to.

You're convinced there's something seriously wrong at Stonygates.

You are not a fanciful woman so I should think something is wrong.

TRAIN WHISTLES

Oh, dear.

Oh, thank you!

So difficult, you know, these days when porters imagine themselves to be invisible.

Goodbye.

Miss Marple? I've come to meet you.

From Stonygates. Mr Serrocold...

Oh, how kind! Well, there's just this one suitcase.

Porter! Take this case out to the car, will you?

HORN HOOTS

Hello, Edgar! I thought you'd be late.

I see you've got Miss Marple with you. I came to meet her.

- I'm Gina. - Oh.

What was your journey like? Simply foul?

What a nice string bag! I love string bags!

Let me. Here...

I don't suppose you know who I am.

I'm Carrie-Louise's grand-daughter.

Yes...your father was a vicar.

No, Uncle was a vicar. He was dreary.

I'm the daughter of the one who married the impoverished count.

I expect I shall work it all out in time.

I'm half-Italiano, actually, hence Gina.

Look here, Gina.

I know, Edgar, but I suddenly wanted to.

You bring the case.

Ciao!

Mummy was hopelessly romantic.

Aunt Mildred, the one who netted the vicar, was jealous of Mummy.

Well, Mummy was pretty gorgeous and Aunt Mildew was an absolute dog

so it was understandable.

Good morning.

No real gardeners since the war.

And now it's left to the villains and loonies.

Nobody else bothers.

They're busy saving the nutcases for responsible jobs in Basingstoke!

Oh?

There.

Victorian lavatory period in its full flowering.

Grandam will be on the terrace. I shall leave you with her.

Edgar can take your case to your room.

Will he? He wasn't very pleased with you.

He'll do anything for ME.

Oh, isn't he Mr Serrocold's assistant, or something?

No. Did he tell you that?

No, he hasn't the brain power. He's just a low-voltage nutcase.

He'd stay at hotels, pretending to be a fighter-pilot,

borrow money and then do a flit.

- Oh no! - Yes.

Lewis makes them feel like a part of the family,

gives them jobs to encourage a sense of responsibility.

We'll probably get murdered by one soon!

Grandam, look who I've got!

I know! I know! Jane!

Carrie-Louise!

We only use the central part of the house. It's more than enough.

When I became Mrs Gulbrandsen at 18 I loved it!

It was like a palace.

Eric and I were living for our work, but now I only think about the draughts.

- Milk? - Yes, please.

But you're still living for your work?

Oh, yes.

In many ways, Lewis is even more remarkable than Eric.

He's had some notable successes.

Oh...

I'm not sure they should be there.

Oh, it's all right. Dr Maseryk has seen them.

Oh, thank you.

We're very lucky to have him.

He was in Vienna when Hitler invaded.

He's Jewish. But he's very nice.

Oh, yes, I'm sure.

Lewis says Hitler gave us some of the best brains in the world.

Oh, yes.

Now, those boys...

They're not allowed away from their unit unless they're with a half er.

You can tell the halfers because they wear blue pullovers.

A half er?

When they arrive, they're called reffers

which means they've been referred to Stonygates.

A half er still lives in the secure unit, which is over there,

beyond the rock garden.

Yes, I see.

Oh, what a remarkably handsome girl Gina is.

Yes, isn't she?

- It's sad, though. - What's sad?

Ruth thinks that Gina could have married a duke.

Oh.

She thinks Gina's thrown herself away on Walter

who's just a chap from a farm in Idaho.

Gina met him when she was in Korea.

I think Ruth's wrong.

They make a remarkably handsome couple.

That's not Walter. That's Stephen, Alex Restarick's younger brother.

He's in charge of the educational theatre.

I suppose you realise he's in love with her.

Oh, no.

I do hope not.

Your head was always in the clouds, Carrie-Louise.

Of course he's in love with her!

Mother!

Time for your medicine.

Oh...hello. How are you?

Oh, this is my daughter Mildred Strete - Jane Marple.

I met you when you were little.

Well, I'm a widow now. A relict but not quite derelict!

So I came home to Mother.

Two of Stephen's reffers were in the garden

AND he's late for rehearsal. Dr Maseryk had to sort it out.

Gina is distracting everyone from their work.

Stephen said how useful she is.

In what capacity?

...All right, Mother, these, I think, isn't it?

- Yes. - Or is it the blue ones?

Shall I show you round the madhouse?

Oh, yes, please!

Shall we start with the theatre?

Don't you exhaust her now!

Come on, lads. Props are on the table.

Quietly, please!

- That's mine! - Shush, shush, shush!

- Get your own! - Shut up!

Shove off!

Going to push me again?

Right!

Right, does everyone know where we were?

Er...early on. The Montagues and the Capulets.

Come on!

Yeah, that's the sort of thing.

SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

What?

Come on!

Come on, mate!

You ought to stop them, sir. They'll kill each other.

Uhm...

Boys, pack that up.

Pack it up.

- Go on! - Pack that up!

Y-E-s!

Gimme that!

I can handle this, Walter.

- Drop it or I'll break your neck. - Come on, then.

Now, come on, lads, back on the table!

The rest, come on!

Go on outside!

You! You wait outside and you answer to me, boy!

And shut the goddam door!

You risked giving them knives?

The measure of risk is the measure of trust.

And we don't trust them that much.

This was no fake.

WHISTLES A WARNING

Oh, hello, is Mr Restarick around?

Sir's in there. He's busy.

Don't worry. We'll look after you.

May I introduce myself?

My name's Jane Marple. I'm a guest here.

I promised our parish magazine I'd write a few words...

I'll just...

Yes, I should if I were you.

Well now, tell me, have you been here long?

Will you tell Lewis?

You reckon I shouldn't?

There's no need.

You don't think he should know he's sitting on a time bomb?

He is concerned about the place!

He knows what these boys are capable of.

He just sees it from a different perspective.

Yeah, he wears blinkers!

If you think that, you should...

Can we look round the theatre?

No, please.

Not just now, Gina.

OK.

Lewis is really pleased with what Stephen's doing with the theatre.

That must be one of the family.

That is Grandpapa Eric, the founder of the family fortune.

I'm sorry. I interrupted you.

No, no. Lewis reckons that half the problems the boys have

stem from an inability to express themselves.

That may be true but what about the other half?

- Here he is again! - They're very alike, aren't they?

That's his son - Uncle Christian. He's head of it all now.

Oh, this is quite charming.

This is Grandam's favourite spot.

I used to swim here when I was younger,

but look at the weeds now!

Mind you, they're hoping to clear enough to make it safe again.

Are you VERY bored, my dear?

What? Why do you ask that?

I don't know.

You're always at your grandmother's beck and call,

and now you're shepherding me.

You're a real prototype, aren't you?

Most of Grandam's friends are absolutely last year's turnips,

but you're quite different.

Oh!

Walter! Jane Marple is a friend of Grandam's.

- My husband Walter. - How do you do, ma'am?

- How do you do? - Won't shake your hand.

No, I should think not! I'm very pleased to meet you.

What are you doing, Wal?

Clearing the yard.

You told me that yesterday.

- GINA! - Well, that's what I'm doing!

GINA!

Oh, there you are!

It's the telephone - Alex Restarick.

Oh, right. Uhm...

Well, I should hurry. He's hanging on.

It'll be about Covent Garden. You sure you don't mind?

I don't mind.

I'll go down tomorrow morning for the sentencing.

It sounds unpromising, I know,

but Charlie Bates used to get into trouble a dozen times a year.

After six months with us, he hasn't offended for nearly two years.

What the authorities expect of us, I don't know.

Will they let him come back to us?

If they have any sense, they will,

but they are obsessed with what it costs to send a boy here.

What they don't appreciate is that it actually works.

Sending a boy to a borstal doesn't, so it costs much more in the end.

We only charge what it would cost the state anyway.

We subsidise the process heavily.

- Another cup, Jane? - Oh, allow me.

Absolutely.

They regard us as amateurs and think the professionals

would do it much better for the money,

whereas the so-called professionals are failing.

The authorities don't like to be reminded of the cost.

You may be right, Stephen.

Mrs Serrocold, I wanted to ask a favour.

Of course you can.

I'm making a purchase, something I may need in the States.

Can I use one of the old stables to keep it there?

How very mysterious.

Of course you may.

Are you and Gina going back to the States?

No. No, this is for the future, wherever that is.

Whenever.

Poor Carrie-Louise still can't reconcile herself

to the nightmare childhoods of those we treat here.

Each one hurts her afresh.

It's good to have a real friend to share with. Welcome.

Oh, well, I...

Where's Mr Serrocold going?

Well, to clear his desk, he said.

I'd better see if he needs any help.

Oh, I don't think so, Edgar. He has some phone calls to make.

I shan't butt in!

I've already gone to the station when Mrs Hudd went too.

She ought to have told you, but it was a last-minute decision.

She made me look a complete fool!

I'm sure she didn't.

Nobody wants me here, but my good behaviour

is a plus for the school.

Edgafl

Things could have been different, VERY different.

DOOR OPENS

I'm off up now.

Oh, my darling, I'll sleep in the dressing-room tonight.

Oh...

I'm off at the crack of dawn.

Good luck tomorrow, darling.

I'll need it.

Will you?

Why can't these damned bureaucrats see sense?

If we don't treat these boys in our way...

I know.

The streets of our cities won't be safe.

Sometimes I think it's the police who are the most obstructive.

They don't trust us.

The judiciaries think we're cranks.

We're out of step. All pioneers are. You know that.

When I talk to these bloody men -

magistrates, judges, dispensers of so-called justice -

I have to make Stonygates sound more punitive than it really is.

Oh, I feel sick when I do it.

Yes, dear.

I know what it costs you.

But you know you're right, don't you?

BIG BEN CHIMES

THUNDER ROLLS

Would you like anything else?

I'd like some scrambled egg.

Good morning, Edgar.

Christian's coming. Isn't that lovely?

Christian? Does he say why?

No, he doesn't but he'll be here this afternoon.

Isn't that splendid?

He can have the music room.

Yes, of course.

He likes to sleep on the ground floor.

Doesn't like the stairs.

Yes, yes.

Christian is my Eric's son.

I married Eric when he was a widower so Christian's older than me.

I wonder why he wants to come.

I'd better go and tell Rodgers.

Well, she seems very pleased.

She likes Christian.

I wonder why he's coming. I hope nothing's wrong.

Jane, will you excuse me? I must start with the mail.

Yes, of course.

OK?

I thought you ought to know.

It was ME that Mr Serrocold sent to fetch you, not Mrs Hudd.

Oh yes, I know. He told me.

It must be very interesting for you working for Mr Serrocold.

Yes, it is.

I'm sure you're a very great assistance to him.

Yes, yes, naturally.

The problem is I don't KNOW.

It's what most people don't tell you, isn't it?

Until it...

Until it becomes very difficult.

Difficult.

I'm in a difficult position.

You mean your position here?

No, no, that's no problem.

- Listen, this is highly confidential. - Oh, of course.

You won't let it go any further?

Certainly not.

It's my father.

Things... Things could have been very different.

Actually, my father is a rather important man.

Nobody knows except Mr Serrocold.

It would prejudice my father's position if...

Oh, quite.

I'm Winston Churchill's son.

Oh...

I see.

Oh, good morning.

Morning, ma'am.

I'm looking for some gardening tools.

Sorry it's such a mess. I've been meaning to clean it out.

Just a trowel and a fork would do.

Everyone's so busy I think I should make myself useful.

These do?

Oh, thank you.

Are you fond of gardening?

Gina and I were just two kids who fell for each other.

Simple as that.

It was crazy.

It was the craziest month of my life.

Crazy.

I didn't know she belonged in a place like this.

She was doin' nursing out there.

In uniform, girls don't... uh...

You know, they look...

You can't tell if they're Rockefellers or...

You just can't, can you?

We were in love.

We were going to start up on a farm, a small spread, you know.

Horses kinda near the house,

then a mile or two of wheat out the back for money.

And now?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Nice talkin' to you, ma'am.

- Ah, yes, Miss Marple! - Oh...

Ah, you are... You are weeding, yes?

Yes. Yes.

I'm not enough of a botanist to know the difference.

- What is that? - Honesty.

Of course, it's prettier in Spring.

That's a weed?

Well, it's wild. I don't know. I like it.

A weed is only a plant in a place you don't want it to be.

No, I think I shall leave it.

You value honesty, hmm?

Mother!

Hello, Grandam. Looks like the pill ritual is looming.

Mother!

Well, here at Stonygates we try, if I may say,

to turn weeds into flowers,

into people who are wanted where they are.

That is our great task.

Oh, yes, I see.

The Great Mrs Serrocold.

- I'm such an admirer. - Oh, indeed.

OK, Grandam.

Mother, it's late again. Come along.

Carrie-Louise! I'm here!

- Ruth! Ruth! - Good morning, Mrs Serrocold.

- When did you arrive? - About half an hour ago.

Miss Marple is a horticulturalist.

- Jane! - Ruth!

What have you done to her?

She was supposed to come here for a rest!

I shall take one after lunch.

Come on. We've got a lot to talk about.

Mr Gulbrandsen!

I'm afraid you're too late for lunch, sir.

We got your telegram.

Is Mr Serrocold at home?

No, he's in London.

That is a pity.

- He won't be long, sir. - Good.

Oh, Christian, how lovely! Let me get you a drink.

No, I wish to go for a walk.

Of course.

Well, I've sorted that out.

They've agreed to let us have Charlie Bates back again.

He really was so very grateful. It was quite touching.

I KNOW we can make some progress now.

And I believe the authorities are beginning to accept us.

Isn't that great?

Have you been drinking?

Don't let me down, will you?

Mr Gulbrandsen's arrived.

Really?

That IS a surprise.

Have you been looking after him?

Sort of.

Yes, I have. Yes, I have.

Good boy! Let's see if there's anything else he needs.

Christian!

What a nice surprise!

I didn't know that you were over here.

I'm very glad to see you, Lewis.

Perhaps we should talk.

It is a most awkward position that I am placed in.

Carrie-Louise must not find out.

It is a question of how to spare Carrie-Louise the knowledge.

Absolutely.

At least, that's what we must aim for.

You agree? Good.

I fear it may be impossible to keep it from her.

Yes, I know.

That was what I had been thinking myself.

I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the evening.

That'll be delightful.

Ruth, if you'd thought, you could have brought Alex down with you.

He's supposed to arrive tonight.

It would have shortened the journey.

As long as Alex wasn't in a mood!

I don't believe they're necessary. Do you, Stephen?

You should know.

I think he puts them on to annoy you, Aunt Mildred.

What's this surprise you have for us, Ruth?

Oh, it's fun.

Remember Hal Posner?

When they were selling up Uncle Jack's studio,

Hal came across a can of film.

I'm going to show it to you.

What's it of?

Surprise!

I'll give you a clue.

Christian?

Yes, Ruth?

Do you remember when your father fell in love with my sister?

Oh, Ruth!

I do. I was terribly shocked, you know,

for I was myself in love with her.

This produced the most complicated feelings you may imagine.

LAUGHTER

Does anyone know how to work this?

Wally will. Wally, Stephen doesn't know how to work the film.

Well?

I'm afraid not.

He really won't?

He said he had a letter to write.

Carrie-Louise, have you got any influence over your aged stepson?

Certainly no more than Mildred.

What the heck, he'll miss the show.

What a curious old puritan he is!

Perhaps he disapproves of movies!

OK?

Thank you.

Want me to run it?

Would you mind?

I'll do it.

Thanks.

The film you are about to see was shot over fifty years ago

in the earliest dawn of the cinematic age.

Over to you, Mr Hudd.

Will someone turn out the lights?

Oh! Oh, do you remember?

Oh, Edgar!

You can't hide in here. I have found thee out.

Thou wast mine enemy and I have discovered the heart of thee.

- All right, Edgar. - It's not all right!

Let's talk it over.

Why don't we do just that?

One or two points I'd like to put to you!

Come on. Please, carry on.

Some people would be very interested in what I have to say!

All right.

EDGAR'S VOICE CAN BE HEARD

...between us. Think about them, then you'll know it's unforgivable.

...Betrayal... It's treason. ..betrayal...

Oh, no!

'..Betrayal. The arch-traitor...'

I'll fix the fuse.

Ol' pecan-pie in there looked as if he had a gun.

Hadn't we better do something?

Oh, there's no harm in Edgar. He's fond of Lewis, you know.

You make too many excuses for people, Mother.

Get down on your knees. Beg!

No, Edgar, I won't.

Pig!

Stinking, guilt-stinking pig!

This place is mine!

I should be in charge here! Pig!

This is my heritage. This gives me the power, pig!

To claim my own, filthy pig!

TWO SHOTS ARE FIRED

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS

THUD FOLLOWED BY SOBBING

- Hasn't anyone seen to the nutcase? - Locked. Should we break it down?

I'll get something. No, Edgar wouldn't harm Lewis.

I'll break it down.

Oh! We thought you'd been shot.

Of course not. He didn't intend to hit me.

- Maseryk... - I'll get my bag.

I think we ought to call the police. The boy's dangerous.

Would he even know if he'd shot someone?

All this poppycock about Lewis being his father! He's deluded!

Are you all right, Miss Marple?

Yes. I wonder why he said Lewis was his father.

It's all right. No harm done.

You wanted to say these things

and now they've been said and we can start afresh.

'III 'III

You didn't hurt me at all but no more guns, eh?

They do tend to scare a chap.

No, no, no... All right?

Come on, then. Come on.

It's all right, Mildred. Edgar is fine.

Get the police!

It's Christian. He's dead. He's been shot!

- All right, Mildred. - But, Lewis...

Please, return to the others.

- Evening, Sarge. - Evening.

Yes, I understand.

Gm-brand-sen.

Make sure nothing is disturbed. Someone will be with you immediately.

He won't like this!

IMAGINARY FAN FARE

APPLAUSE

KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.

I'm sor...

I'm off. Practice. Area championships in three weeks.

All right, Lake. What is it?

It can't be!

It's not possible.

Christian!

I don't believe it.

Oh, for God's sake, Mother, go and see if you don't believe me.

Who would want to shoot Christian?

It must be some horrible mistake.

Someone is trying to destroy the Trust and its work.

Why? Who? Don't be absurd!

You have no idea.

The police are on their way.

Then it's true?

Yes, my dear, it is.

Was it an accident?

No.

No.

Christian was far too competent.

He would not have taken his own life.

That leaves only one thing.

Murder.

I'll get Mrs Rodgers to put some hot-water bottles in your bed.

You're very pale.

I must see Christian first.

I must.

Jane, will you come with me?

MILDRED SOBS

Serrocold Institutions should be closed down;

that's my opinion.

And if it's one of the inmates who shot the head of the whole trust,

then I'd salute the little bleeder as I banged 'im up,

'cause that would cook their goose. LAUGHS

Can't you go any faster?

- Sir, look... - They're keeping up.

Jane.

I'm alright.

Right, lads, this is called bolting the stable door.

Here's the extent of the grounds.

Comb them till you reach the house, right?

Yes, sir.

Sarge, come with us.

- Fletcher, you stay here. - Sir.

How long did Forensic reckon they'd be?

About half-an-hour, sir.

DOORBELL RINGS

Yes?

Who are you?

Chief Inspector Slack, Much Benham CID.

Who are you?

I am Doctor Maseryk.

- You work here? - Yes.

Where is everybody?

In the big room, the sitting room.

Take me there, please.

Is the director here - Mr Lewis Serrocold?

No, he isn't.

Would you find him, please?

I shall want to talk to the person who discovered the body.

I shall take brief statements from you all.

Do not leave the premises until we have concluded this procedure.

Please remain in this room.

Who are you?

Lewis Serrocold, founder-director of the Institute,

and this is my house.

Wait with the others.

You should listen to what I have to say.

No doubt, sir.

I removed this from Gulbrandsen's typewriter.

You what?

You shouldn't have touched it, sir!

I didn't want my wife to see it in her state of health.

You'll understand when you read it.

I shall say no more for the moment.

When you're in a more receptive frame of mind...

We have procedures.

When you're...

And no doubt you do. I won't have them interfered with!

What does it say?

"Dear Dr Galbraith,

"A crisis of extraordinary graveness is occurring here at Stonygates

"and I am not knowing how to deal with this.

"I know how deep your love and kindness is for Carrie-Louise.

"How much, I am asking, must she know?

I am also asking how little?

"It is here that I so need your advice, dear friend.

"I believe that the lady is being slowly poisoned.

My suspicion..."

It stops there.

Foreign, I suppose, this Gulbrandsen.

CAR HORN

NEW ARRIVALS LAUGH

How DARE you? Don't you know someone is dead?

Don't you know that, you wretched people?

Don't you?

Bit less of the size 12 boots approach, eh, lads?

Through here. Second on the left.

Try to remember this is a respected institution.

Every magistrate in the area will tell you so.

Yes, isn't it quite the most nauseating erection?

Too Hungarian hunting lodge for words.

Are you the police?

Yes, of course you are.

Hello.

Would you join the others in the sitting room, sir?

Why not?

I'd like to thank you for showing me that document, sir.

Oh, good.

I can't approve of you removing it.

I couldn't let my wife see it.

It would have done tremendous harm.

Do you believe what it says? About your wife?

Yes, I do.

Gulbrandsen told me about it before he was...killed.

Did he?

Was that the first you'd heard of it?

Yes. Could we talk about this somewhere else?

Very well.

You don't need to talk to my wife tonight, do you?

She's distressed.

I would like to get her to bed.

I need to speak to YOU. Later.

Jane.

Oh, forgive me.

I was just thinking your fears have been realised

and I'm so sorry I've been unable to prevent it.

Nonsense! How could you?

What were you thinking just now?

I was trying to think who Edgar Lawson reminds me of.

He's pretty crazy.

Do you think so?

I suppose he is if he really believes Lewis is his father, though...

if he had been given sufficient reasons for believing it...

Yes, but stealing guns?

I know.

But there's something else,

something quite unbalanced in all this.

Something willful and really mad in a hidden way.

Edgar is so transparent.

Hmm.

Sit in the chair.

He only just missed him, you know. DOOR OPENS

He only just missed you.

Possibly.

There's a theory, to which I don't entirely subscribe,

that there is no such thing as an accident.

One's unconscious is tremendously efficient.

Edgar didn't want to hurt me so he didn't.

Then what was he after?

Power, I suspect. Why don't you ask Dr Maseryk?

He's far more of an expert than I am.

I represent authority, you see.

For a fatherless child, I suppose I am rather an ambiguous figure.

I see, sir.

Years ago, in St Mary Mead, we had a bonfire night, you know.

Some silly boys were playing with matches

and set the bonfire off early.

Lots of people were taken by surprise

and rushed out to see what was going on.

Amongst those were the Medlicotts,

one of the few people to lock up their houses in those days.

When they got back home they found they'd been robbed.

Someone had seized the opportunity

when everybody's attention was elsewhere.

Yes, I see.

I SEE!

And that's what happened tonight?

Someone very cruel saw their chance.

The great mystery, of course, is why?

Why Christian?

So Christian Gulbrandsen believed your wife was being poisoned?

He'd noticed symptoms?

Yes.

Do you think that's why he was killed?

The poisoner wanted to silence him?

It's possible.

Who is this Dr Galbraith he was writing to?

He's a trustee and a family friend.

Tell me about your wife's symptoms.

Christian came here three times a year for meetings of the Trust.

He noticed changes in Carrie-Louise which, it's sad to say,

we failed to notice.

We were with her all the time.

Presumably he suspected someone.

Well, if he did, he didn't say.

Have you warned your wife?

Good God, no. I only heard about it a few hours ago.

How could I tell her?

Carrie-Louise is a gentle, loving creature.

She trusts everyone.

I couldn't tell her.

All I could do is be wary.

This is the medicine bottle from which Carrie-Louise

would have taken a dose tonight.

I substituted another for it.

Would this help at all?

Lake.

Get it to the lab.

Thank you.

Oy! Ernie!

You've been gone long enough.

It was fog.

Old Bill was up at the house.

I knew something was up. What's going on?

How d'y0u know something was up?

Rosenbloom came round, shining his torch all over.

Don't worry. Your dummy fooled him.

DISTANT CLOCK CHIMES

COCKEREL CROWS

What's this? Another blooming farmyard?

- Well? - We're in here, sir.

DOOR SLAMS

So...

You visited Mr Gulbrandsen about ten minutes before he was killed.

Yes. We wanted him to come and see some old film Ruth has.

She thought it might interest us all.

I see.

You didn't leave the room when the lights were out?

No, how could I? I couldn't see.

No.

Why did you go to Mr Gulbrandsen's room after the lights went on?

I..-

I thought he might have heard the shots and be worried.

I see.

If he'd been worried, wouldn't he have come out of his room?

That's what I thought, but he didn't.

So were you concerned because he didn't come out of his room?

Don't fluster me. Are you trying to trip me up?

Of course I was! There was shots going off!

Did you hear the shot which killed Mr Gulbrandsen?

What?

No. No, I didn't, as a matter of fact.

Yes, you'd have thought one would, wouldn't you?

No, I didn't.

Well, I didn't, so there you are!

The home movie starts and it's interrupted

by this young loony - what's his name?

Edgar Lawson, sir.

Mr Serrocold - what sort of a name is that? -

gets up and goes into the study with Lawson.

Yes.

The study adjoins the sitting room. Right. I see.

The others go on with the film, then the lights fuse.

That's right.

The Yank - Hudd - goes to fix it.

Only one who can use a screwdriver.

He goes down to the cellar with his torch.

The others are listening to Lawson yelling at Serrocold.

Excuse me, sir...

NOT NOW!

What it amounts to is,

we know where the loony and Serrocold were,

but everybody else had opportunity.

EVERYBODY.

God, I hate these cases.

You know, I keep thinking of that old busybody from St Mary Mead.

She'd fit in here. She's barmy too, and she understands these people.

Good morning, Chief Inspector.

- Miss Marple! - How nice to see you.

Tell me, how about your family?

We've grown since we saw you last.

We have a little girl and we've just had a little boy - Adam.

Three children, that's lovely.

Oh, there you are, Chief Inspector.

Good morning, Miss Marple.

Don't just stand there!

Go and find that Yank, that Walter Hudd!

GO ON!

I must admit it's a most puzzling affair

and I have very few ideas to offer you.

Of course, there is the incident of bonfire night,

but that hardly gets us anywhere, does it?

Knowing someone's taken advantage of something

doesn't tell you who it is, does it?

Now, what do you think?

Bonfire night?

She doesn't improve, does she?

Why didn't you tell her about the poisoning of Mrs Serrocold, sir?

No proof, is there? Where were we?

They sit in the dark listening to that bloke yelling at Mr Serrocold.

You don't go on yelling at someone when the lights go out.

WHAT?

Hudd, sir. Walter Hudd.

You didn't want us to leave the premises.

- I want to leave the premises. - Good.

Mr Hudd, you fixed the lights last night, didn't you?

Yeah, sure, it was the lights, sort of.

Sort of?

There's the light circuit and the power circuit.

It was the power circuit that went.

That controls the power plugs and the wall lights.

The central lights aren't affected.

While you fixed the plug circuit,

the main light in the sitting room could still have been on?

Sure.

I couldn't find Mr Hudd, sir.

Why did no-one switch on the light?

Didn't think of it, I guess.

So the study light was on?

Could have been.

And this Edgar Lawson was yelling all the time you were down here?

He was fruit-caking for England.

Right. Gotcha.

You realise how near you were here to where Mr Gulbrandsen was killed?

Not too far, I guess.

And yet you heard nothing?

Sure I heard something.

A gunshot?

Well, not from...

A silencer?

Yeah, could have.

It was about then the nutcase started shooting,

so I didn't think of it.

It sounded like a cough.

A silencer.

Yes, so I heard the shot. I guess I did.

You're talking nonsense, Alex.

No, I'm not. Stephen is in love with you.

And I'm in love with you.

That large, simple husband of yours is pining away in mute misery.

I swear he's shrunk.

Dry up, Alex.

Oh, look, there he is. A tincture of his former self.

Which of us are you going to marry?

I'm married to Wally!

Every woman's allowed to make one mistake.

The secret is not to dwell.

Now, Stephen's more... serious than I am,

but I'm far better-looking and much more entertaining!

So who's it to be?

He doesn't mean any of this.

Yes, I do. I find it easier to tell the truth in public.

Hello, Walter!

We're playing the Truth game

but we're hoping to move on to Consequences.

- Gina. - What is it?

Would you like to come with me?

I'd like to, Wally, but...

What but?

I promised Alex and Steve.

- Promised? - Yes.

You promised me in a church once. Remember?

Yes, I remember.

We laughed all day and the next.

I haven't heard you laugh in a month.

What's wrong with you?

What's wrong with me? I'll tell you.

I wasn't born to be an odd job man on a nut farm

while my wife hangs out with arty slickers

and laughs at me behind my back.

Oh, dear!

What is it?

Gina and Walter seem to have had a quarrel.

Oh! There's Stephen.

Oh, Stephen.

Yes, you said...

I'm sure Gina loves Walter, you know.

Yes, dear. I expect you know best.

PHONE RINGS

Lewis Serrocold.

It's Chief Inspector Slack. The lab has radioed in, sir.

You may be interested to know

that arsenic WAS found in the sample you gave us.

Thank you.

I'm sorry to be such a bore, Jane.

I really am feeling rather sorry for myself.

I'll leave you in peace.

Miss Marple? Might I have a word?

Oh, Mr Serrocold, I find this so hard to accept.

Do you really think so? Carrie-Louise?

I mean, who'd want to harm her?

And yet Christian Gulbrandsen asked me about Carrie-Louise's health,

as if he wanted to prepare her for a shock.

He did the same with me.

Do you think we should tell her?

Oh, no. I don't think so.

I don't think we can do that, can we?

It might undermine her completely.

Her faith in human nature is so innocent, so complete.

There goes Hudd.

You did send for that impresario fellow, that Restarick?

- Yes, sir. - He's taking his time.

Yeah.

Oy!

Off you go!

And when's that solicitor coming?

He's expecting us to go to him, sir.

Is he?

Oh, is he?

Oh, he is, is he?

I gather I have been summoned.

I'll tell you why I went on sitting in the car.

Fog and lights.

Would you kindly explain, sir?

I suddenly saw the set of my new ballet.

The headlights in the fog

on the front of this house gave it to me.

It's about a magician.

Really?

Yes, some ghastly little suburban conjuror

who suddenly finds he has genuine powers.

A sort of Faustus of Palmers Green.

Anyway, that's why I sat in in the car.

Stonygates is the sort of place he'd choose to live in.

Don't you think?

No doubt, sir.

And how is Edgar Lawson today?

Very much better.

He has almost complete recall of the whole incident.

It's important that he should be reintegrated as soon as possible.

That's what Maseryk thinks, and so do I.

So Edgar will join us for dinner tonight.

Not at all.

I'm sure you and Dr Maseryk

are confident his delusions aren't dangerous.

Oh, no, no, no.

And they're not entirely delusions, are they?

In a sense, I am his father...in a sense.

At least, in loco parentis.

I want things to be as normal as possible before the police get at him.

Anyway...

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I've just thought of something I promised dear Griselda I'd do.

So sorry.

Hello, Miss Marple!

Oh.

DOOR OPENS

FOOTSTEPS

Miss Marple, you wouldn't by any chance have seen Alex?

He's just gone into the theatre.

Thank you very much.

Alex?

Alex?

Alex?

Alex?

Are you there?

Alex?

Good little theatre you've got.

Did you put the lighting plot up?

Not I.

Lewis gets frantic about the waste of electricity,

yet everything else is so profligate round here.

What troubleth my Lord Stephen then?

Been looking for you.

Well, here I am.

I attend.

Oh, is that the vicarage?

Oh, I didn't recognise your voice, Griselda.

I want you to do me an enormous favour.

It's one of the boys - Ernie.

Isn't he the one who did the Artful Dodger once?

That's right.

He's hinting that he knows something...about the murder.

Saw something.

He probably didn't. He's an incorrigible little boaster.

If he does know anything,

he should tell our WONDERFUL policemen.

I'd like to know what he's going to say first.

I don't want him creating unnecessary trouble.

I don't want to encourage him.

There's going to be trouble enough.

You know what the papers are saying.

And that won't be the end of it.

You know something!

Don't be absurd. I'm not a detective.

You've got a theory, haven't you?

The whole thing is a staggering puzzle,

a mystery within a riddle,

a conundrum within an onion.

But yea, vassal, I do have a theory.

Does this boy, Ernie, know who I am?

No. No, he wouldn't.

Tell him he's going to talk to a detective

and I'll be the detective.

If he has anything worth saying, he can repeat it to the real thing.

Very good.

A very good idea.

I do have them sometimes. Tell him to be here at about six.

THUD

All right.

If I understood correctly, everybody benefits.

That's right.

The daughter. The grand-daughter.

That poncey impresario, Alex Restarick.

Not to mention the housekeeper.

And the cat.

Well, come on then!

Oh, thank you.

I thought you ought to know that Mr Serrocold

has told me about the poisoning of his wife.

O�, yes'?

I can't imagine any of the family attacking Carrie-Louise like that.

Walter Hudd is not a member of the family

and there's something wrong between him and his wife.

IF he were the murderer, it would be to his financial advantage

for Gina to inherit now,

rather than when she had left him.

Hudd's back.

What I am trying to tell you...

Who is it now, Lake?

Mrs Hudd, sir.

Really? That's very interesting.

Hello, Wal.

What are you doing here?

I was just passing. I saw you drive in.

Perhaps I should have come with you.

I might have enjoyed myself.

Did it go well?

Yeah. I got what I wanted, you know.

Sure?

Yep.

Wal...

What have you got in there? Some sort of equipment?

Yeah. You want to see it?

Of course I do!

Really?

Yes!

Come on.

Keep your eyes closed. Stand there.

Now close your eyes. Make a noise.

- What? - Make a noise.

d La-la-la-la-la-la... d

Close your eyes!

They're shut.

Oh, yes, most interesting.

d La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la... d

Now, wait.

HORSE WHINNIES

d La-la-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la-la-la... d

Open them.

What?!

A horse.

Walter Hudd, you are the craziest man under the sun!

Just about!

I have to speak to Mrs Serrocold. I've entirely misjudged her.

If she were right about that, what else was she right about?

Quite.

You know, the oddest people have the clearest vision.

Now what was it I wanted to ask?

Oh!

Would you mind if Ruth van Rydock were to go to London?

She has a chauffeur, you see.

What do you think?

REPORTERS SHOUT AFTER CAR

Oh, Jane, how nice!

I'm not sure about that.

I want to tell you something very unpleasant.

I've been asked to keep it from you.

We're gonna have to break somebody, you know.

Sir.

Somebody must know something!

You say someone's been trying to poison me'?

You know I really can't believe that.

I always thought I knew what was real and what wasn't.

This doesn't seem real.

You told me it is.

You say Christian knew about this?

I think he did.

- Hello, my darling. - Oh, Lewis!

What's the matter?

Lewis...

I told Carrie-Louise what you told me.

- What? - Why did you keep it from me?

Why did Christian?

I wondered why he seemed so unlike his usual self.

Wanting to say something, and then drawing back.

Talking about my heart, was I well...

Why didn't he come straight out with it?

It would have been simpler.

He didn't want to cause you pain, my darling.

Pain?

Pain? Because I would think...

Well, you were quite wrong, Lewis.

I'm sorry.

You broke my trust!

I had my reasons, Mr Serrocold.

I must have lived... without having a real sense

of what is truth for a long time.

Please, both of you...

I want to think.

You'll take him to the States?

Uh-huh.

What are you going to do for money?

We'll think of somethin'.

- Oh, yeah? - Uh-huh!

If I were to tell you that one of your patients

could have got out of the secure unit,

could you think of a reason for him shooting Mr Gulbrandsen?

Yes.

I believe it would be very possible.

In fact, it accords with some most respected theory.

Gulbrandsen was, after all, the father-figure of the Institute.

He was - Wie sagt man? - the epitome of the super ego.

I see.

Got that, have you, Lake?

So one of these lads might have

looked upon Mr Gulbrandsen as a substitute father?

Correct.

That's a reason for killing him?

He was the ideal candidate for the focus of the boy's Oedipal rage.

At one level or another level, we all want to kill our fathers.

What?

It is the subconscious desire of every male child

to kill the father and marry the mother.

I beg your pardon.

A symbolic scenario, you understand.

No, quite frankly, I don't.

That's disgusting. That's mad.

Well, it is one of the essentials of mental health

to realise that we are all a little mad, don't you think so, Chief Inspector?

If we're all in the same boat,

you won't object to my having a word with one of your inmates.

One of the patients.

Who?

Edgar Lawson.

Oh, I don't know about that. If it would be sensible.

Something wrong with him?

No. But why do you want to see him?

Theft, possession of unlicensed firearm,

threatening behaviour, and attempted murder.

Well, I...

Go and get him, will you?

We'll give him a bit of a grilling.

Oh, nothing too serious. Just rare to medium.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Come in.

- Dr Maseryk! - They're going to interrogate Edgar!

Madam, Lawson threatened your husband, shot at him, in fact.

I dare say, but he didn't mean it.

How can you be sure of that, Madam?

I just am, in my own mind, I mean.

It's probably some romantic fantasy he has.

I'm sure Dr Maseryk will explain it all.

I expect he will.

All I'm trying to say is that Edgar is devoted to my husband

and wouldn't wish him any harm.

I'm sure you have to question him.

But if you do, I would ask you to have Dr Maseryk on hand

in case Edgar needs him.

There's something very weak about him, you see.

CROWD CHATTERS, MUSIC PLAYS

You got a pass! How did you manage that?

Dear old Stephen, old chap.

How did you swing it?

Said I knew who the murderer was.

You didn't, did you?

No, I just told him I wanted to go over

and do something friendly to that Mrs Hudd.

You stole the pistol from Mr and Mrs Hudd's bedroom?

Yes.

Why?

Because Gina had been foul to me, as usual.

No, I meant what did you intend to do with it?

What?

Why did you steal the pistol?

Because Gina had been foul to me.

Right...

Let's start again from the beginning, shall we?

BOYS SHOUT

Who told you Mr Serrocold was your father?

My voices.

You hear these voices, do you, inside your head?

Yes.

Who do they sound like?

What d'you mean?

It's all right, Edgar. All right!

It's all right.

It's all right. He has permission.

Oh.

Miss Marple, may I ask your advice on something?

This voice must belong to somebody.

Someone you know.

It doesn't! They don't!

It's not just one voice.

If there's more than one, you must be able to tell them apart.

How about an accent?

Does one of them have an American accent?

What are you trying to make me say?

You're accusing me of things. I haven't done anything.

I'm just a bastard without a father.

You're trying to take my father away from me.

Why are you trying to take my father away from me?

- I cannot... - OUT!

Get out!

I want to go. You can't keep me here.

Oh, yes, I can.

Describe the voices.

You can't. I'm Mr Serrocold's son.

He'll sort you out.

Meanwhile, lad, I'm sorting YOU out.

I doubt if Ernie saw anything.

I'm sure Alex will find out.

People say we're very alike.

There's a family likeness,

and we have the odd twitch in common but I...

What?

I've remembered something I must have known,

but didn't know I knew.

Now, this discussion about Ernie, where did it take place?

Ernie?

Ernie!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Are you quite sure there was no-one else there?

Gotcha!

Hello?

Hello?

Anyone about?

Leave me alone. Leave me alone!

There, lad, take it easy now.

I think we've got a lot to talk about, you and I.

KNOCK ON DOOR

I'm sorry, Chief Inspector, but this may be extremely serious.

Lake!

Alex! It's my brother!

Excuse me, sir.

He's alive, sir.

He'll be all right.

He's bleeding.

Oh, God!

You think you know who did it, don't you?

Yes, I believe I do.

But I still don't know how they did it.

Would you mind waiting for me in my office, Miss Marple?

Oh, of course.

Jane, it's exactly as you suspected.

The accountants are still working on it.

They're horrified!

Mrs van Rydock has been to Gulbrandsen House for me.

I didn't know this was a talent of yours, Inspector.

Tell me, how do they saw a woman in half?

What?

It's the head and shoulders of one woman and the legs of another.

PHONE RINGS And to make one person become two?

They do it with mirrors, ma'am.

- Yes? - It's for Miss Marple, sir.

A Mrs Clement, ma'am.

Thank you.

Griselda?

Yes.

Oh...

Of course.

It had to be.

Had to be.

You'll be pleased to hear that Mr Restarick has telephoned

to say that his brother is out of danger.

And...

Miss Marple?

Well, all this is very painful, Carrie-Louise.

I'm very sorry, but I'm sure great good was intended here.

I had to find out why Christian Gulbrandsen came down here,

and who was Edgar Lawson?

WHISPERED REACTIONS

Bullet holes!

Oh, yes. Bullet holes, well, that was the key to it, you see.

When I spoke to Lewis in his study,

he was sitting in his chair and I hardly saw the bullet holes.

IF someone had been standing in front of him,

the bullets would have come very close,

IF Mr Serrocold had been sitting there - but he wasn't.

Nor was it he who said to Edgar very quietly

that he wouldn't do as Edgar wanted.

Who was it?

Edgar himself.

For at that moment, Lewis Serrocold was shooting Christian Gulbrandsen.

I don't accept this!

It assumes a conspiracy between patient and mentor of such...

No, no, no, I can't accept it.

I couldn't understand it myself so I sent a friend to Somerset House.

Edgar was continuously telling us who he was.

Nobody took any notice because he PRETENDED to be mad.

Your son?

I trusted you.

I trusted you!

Why didn't you acknowledge me?

Why not?

I didn't know what you wanted to do.

Edgar, I tried... I tried...

You promised me.

You've betrayed everything we ever talked about.

You're ashamed of me.

I'm your SON.

You said...

You said you wouldn't deny me any more!

Well, damn you!

Damn your shame!

Eddie...

- Eddie! - Lake, after him!

Let's go!

POLICE WHISTLE IS BLOWN

Eddie, wait! Stop!

Come back! Eddie!

Eddie! Eddie!

Sergeant, go over there!

Eddie!

EDD-HE'.!

Eddie!

Eddie, wait!

Take it easy now, son.

WHISTLES SOUND

Eddie!

Eddie! EDDIE!

Eddie!

- I'll get them, sir. - Get back!

Lake, get a boat!

Eddie!

Head 'em off in the middle.

Where are you?

Hurry up, Lake!

Come on! Quickly, Lake!

Eddie!

Eddie?

Eddie!

Quickly, Lake, for God's sake!

Eddie?

Come on, man!

He's down too deep!

We can't find him, sir.

Carrie-Louise is all right, Mildred.

Lewis was clever but he couldn't get at her personal money.

She's still a wealthy woman.

And the Trust?

Bankrupt.

Every year Lewis applied for public funding.

He never got it but he pretended he had.

So Christian finally caught up with Lewis's financial juggling?

Yes.

He knew Lewis had to be stopped.

To stop Lewis, he'd have to expose him

and Carrie-Louise would have had to suffer all the shame of it.

He came to warn her about that, but Lewis was waiting for him.

With his son.

With his illegitimate son, yes.

Well, I must say I take my hat off to you, Miss Marple.

Oh, no, no, I've been very foolish.

I thought that Carrie-Louise had her head in the clouds.

She is, in fact, a most practical person.

I didn't appreciate that properly.

Miss Marple...

There's something I'd like to say to you.

O�, yes'?

Thank you.

Not at all. Thank YOU.

I just can't imagine you and Grandam being young together.

OK. Ready?