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Subtitles downloaded from www.OpenSubtitles.org
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(Sniffs)
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Hilda, are you coming down with a cold?
4
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- It's touching, Rumpole.
- Oh, I'm so sorry.
5
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No, Rumpole. The book.
The book is very touching.
6
00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:54,788
Oh! Another one of Amelia Nettleship's
historical romances, is it?
7
00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:58,714
Who's the hero this time,
Wicked Lord Jasper someone or other?
8
00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,031
Lord Simon Stingo.
He comes from Donegal.
9
00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,795
We thought it as a bit of a rake,
he's turned out quite differently.
10
00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:10,158
- Sad, is it?
- No, it's all ending quite happily.
11
00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:14,757
He vowed he'd never marry. But Lady
Sophia's made him swallow his words.
12
00:02:14,920 --> 00:02:19,869
And as written by Amelia Nettleship,
I'm sure he found them very indigestible.
13
00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,270
Any chance of putting
the light out, Hilda?
14
00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,750
Erm... No, no yet.
I've got another three chapters to go.
15
00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:27,990
(Rumpole sighs)
16
00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,153
(Female voice) Beautiful
and carefree though she was,
17
00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:36,552
tireless of the waltz
and a fearless rider to hounds,
18
00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,553
Lucy Lockhampton was resolved
not to lightly squander
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00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:42,314
her most precious possession
before her marriage night.
20
00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,517
She loved Harry Sexton
too much for that.
21
00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:49,116
- Miss Nettleship.
- Yes, Hetty? I am working, you know.
22
00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:54,195
- Miss Nettleship, it's... the "Beacon".
- I've no idea what you're talking about.
23
00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,397
There's a piece about you
in the "Daily Beacon".
24
00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:01,235
- Harmless?
- I wouldn't say exactly harmless.
25
00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:02,958
Well, come on, Hetty.
26
00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:08,558
It says,
"Miss Amelia Nettleship is..."
27
00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:10,676
Really, Miss Nettleship, I can't!
28
00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,551
(Miss Nettleship) Miss Amelia Nettleship
is a bit of a puzzle.
29
00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,156
The girls in her historical novels
always keep their legs crossed
30
00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,073
until they've got a ring on their finger.
31
00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:29,711
But whatever lucky man leads Amelia
to the altar, will inherit a torrid past
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00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,998
that makes Mae West
sound like Florence Nightingale.
33
00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:37,630
Her latest lothario,
so far unnamed,
34
00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,509
is said to be a married man who's been
seen leaving in the wee small hours.
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00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:47,869
Really, how can they say such things?
About you, of all people!
36
00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:52,397
Don't just stand there, Hetty.
Get onto the lawyers!
37
00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:54,516
(Indistinct chatter)
38
00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,636
(Laughter)
39
00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:06,830
Oh, what can ail thee, Erskine-Brown?
Alone and palely loitering?
40
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,309
Hmm... It's my practice, Rumpole.
41
00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:12,916
Still practising? I thought you might
have got the hang of it by now.
42
00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,629
I used to do a decent class of work.
I once had a brief in a libel action.
43
00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,870
- Huh!
- You were never in a libel, Rumpole.
44
00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,349
Who cares about the bubble reputation?
45
00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,034
Give me a murder,
some well-placed blood stains.
46
00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:28,193
- Now, guess what I've got coming up.
- A large claret for me!
47
00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,432
- Actual bodily harm, an affray.
- All right.
48
00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:33,955
In the Kitten-A-Go-Go Club, Soho.
49
00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:37,192
Two unsavoury characters
in earrings and leather jackets.
50
00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,636
- Duelling with Coca-Cola bottles.
- Sounds like my line o' country.
51
00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,633
Exactly. I'm scraping
the bottom of your barrel.
52
00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:46,872
I mean, you've got a reputation
for sordid cases.
53
00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:49,713
Oh, thank you, Erskine-Brown.
54
00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:53,839
A large Ch�teau Thames Embankment,
please Jack. Er, on the slate.
55
00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,514
I have to ask you for a few tips
on affray.
56
00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:59,513
- Visit the locus in quo.
- The what?
57
00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,150
Go to the scene of the crime,
inspect the geography of the place.
58
00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,471
The geography of the Kitten-A-Go-Go?
Do I have to?
59
00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:11,191
Of course! Then you can suggest that
it was too dark to identify anyone.
60
00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,191
The witness couldn't see round a pillar.
61
00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,715
- Mr Rumpole
- A piece of him.
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00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:20,032
Ted Sleaman. Deputy Editor.
The "Daily Beacon".
63
00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:23,909
I've just been having an argument
with my editor over there.
64
00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,718
You do do libel, don't you?
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00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:30,954
Good heavens, yeah! The law
of defamation is mother's milk to me.
66
00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,918
I cut my teeth on hatred,
ridicule and contempt.
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00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:39,234
- Slimy Sleaman?
- Collywobbles Erskine-Brown?
68
00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,790
- We were at school together.
- Yes, obviously.
69
00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:47,909
Er... Look, would you care to join
my editor? Glass of Bolly...
70
00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:49,399
- What?
- Bolinger.
71
00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:51,073
Thank you, Slimy. I'd love to.
72
00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:54,869
Yes, you too, Colly.
Well, come on then.
73
00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:58,350
Oh, golly, Colly, Bolly.
74
00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,877
Jack! This horse was unfit for work!
75
00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:08,197
Mr Rumpole. Morry Machin,
editor of the "Beacon".
76
00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:10,510
- Connie, my Features Editor.
- Hello.
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00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,717
- Hello.
- I have admired you often from afar.
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00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,032
They say you're a fighter, Mr Rumpole.
You're a terrier after a legal rabbit.
79
00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,953
Oh, I do my best.
Is that what we're drinking?
80
00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,510
Ted, a bit of pouring for Mr Rumpole.
Oh, and for... er...
81
00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,878
My learned friend, Claude Erskine-Brown
specialises in Common Assault.
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00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:33,079
I shall remember you, sir,
if I ever get into a scrap.
83
00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,198
Mr Rumpole, we were thinking
of bringing you in.
84
00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:41,718
We have a er... spot of trouble over
a libel. Connie, do you have the cutting?
85
00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:46,158
- Rumpole, tell him you can't do libel.
- How do I know that? I've never tried.
86
00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:50,472
Yes, I never turn down a brief
in a libel action.
87
00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,279
You've never been offered a brief
in a libel action!
88
00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:56,796
But on the whole, you do crime,
don't you, Rumpole?
89
00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:02,273
Well, little scraps in Soho clubs?
Oh, sordid stuff. Don't care for it.
90
00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:06,399
Libel now,
that is people's reputation at stake.
91
00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,313
Ah, you think that's important?
92
00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:13,109
"Who steals my purse steals trash;
'tis something, nothing;
93
00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,999
"'Twas mine, 'tis his
and has been slave to thousands.
94
00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:17,718
"But he that filches from
me my good name,
95
00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,236
"robs me of that which not enriches him,
and makes me poor indeed."
96
00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:28,199
- One of your speeches, Mr Rumpole?
- Er, Shakespeare.
97
00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,157
- (Chuckling)
- Oh, I see.
98
00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:33,995
Our paper goes in for
a certain amount of fearless exposure.
99
00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,470
Who's bonking who, and who pays.
Our readers love it.
100
00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:39,153
Thank you, Connie.
101
00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:42,471
You'd have no hesitation
in acting for the "Beacon", would you?
102
00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:46,076
A barrister, my dear sir,
is a taxi plying for hire.
103
00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:50,074
That's the fine tradition or our trade.
104
00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:54,438
It is my sacred duty, Mr Machin,
to take on anyone in trouble,
105
00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,160
however repellent
I might personally find them.
106
00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:01,279
Yes, we are dedicated to exposing
hypocrisy in our society.
107
00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,954
Wherever it exists, high or low.
108
00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,954
So when we find this lady pretending
to be such a force for purity,
109
00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,112
and parading her morality in front
of the Great British public...
110
00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,714
Being all for saving your cherry
'til the honeymoon.
111
00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:19,000
Thank you again, Connie. Or, as I
would put it, denouncing pre-marital sex.
112
00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:20,912
She's even against the normal stuff.
113
00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,993
Whereas her own private life
is apparently extremely steamy,
114
00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,993
we feel it our duty to inform our public.
115
00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,628
"The Private Life of Amelia Nettleship,
116
00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:34,793
"by 'The Beacon Girl on the Spot',
Stella January."
117
00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,713
Are we talking of the Amelia Nettleship,
118
00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:42,635
the expert bottler of pure historical
bilge water?
119
00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:46,634
- The lady novelist.
- And hypocrite, so it seems.
120
00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:48,711
Mind you, I have never met the woman.
121
00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,156
She robs me of my sleep.
Don't know about her morality,
122
00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:56,233
but her prose is calculated to deprave
and corrupt the English language.
123
00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,073
We need a statement
from the girl who wrote this.
124
00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:03,119
Ah, small problem.
Stella left us a couple of months ago.
125
00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:04,679
Oh! And went where?
126
00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,913
Pass. Overseas, probably.
You know what these girls are like.
127
00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:15,189
We'll have to find her. We shall fight,
Mr Machin. And we shall conquer!
128
00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:19,069
First rate, Mr Rumpole.
I knew we could rely on you.
129
00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:22,152
Of course you can.
I never plead guilty.
130
00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:26,791
There speaks a man
who knows damn all about libel.
131
00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:29,520
(Photo camera clicking)
132
00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:36,633
(Erskine-Brown) It's been my invariable
rule in affray cases, Mr Thrower.
133
00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:38,916
Always inspect the locus.
134
00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:43,119
- The what?
- The scene of the crime.
135
00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,748
To cross-examine
the witnesses on the geography.
136
00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,310
Had a lot of experience of affray,
have you, Mr Erskine-Brown?
137
00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,472
You might say I cut my teeth
on natural bodily harm.
138
00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,350
(Peppiatt) Do you know my junior,
Dick Garsington?
139
00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,511
(Rumpole) No.
140
00:10:10,680 --> 00:10:13,752
I forget, you come from another world.
You're one of the criminal boys.
141
00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,229
Oh, just a juvenile delinquent really.
142
00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:19,597
Dick and I act for the proprietors
of the "Daily Beacon".
143
00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:21,113
Melbury Publication Limited.
144
00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,909
(Peppiatt) And Mr Cuxham,
as Melbury's solicitor is instructing us.
145
00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:29,551
We should act as a team of which I, as
leading counsel am, I suppose, captain.
146
00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,917
- (Chuckles)
- Are we playing cricket, old chap?
147
00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,355
(Cuxham) Rather an expensive
game for Melbury.
148
00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:37,715
The proprietors are liable
to indemnify the editor
149
00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:39,950
for any loss occasioned
by a libel action.
150
00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:41,678
I insisted on that when I took the job.
151
00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,115
Very sensible of you,
Mr Machin, no doubt.
152
00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,511
Now, it's obvious, Rumpole,
we mustn't seek to justify
153
00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:51,116
these serious charges
against Miss Nettleship's honour.
154
00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,157
Oh, wouldn't that be cricket?
155
00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,874
If we try to prove
she's some sort amateur tart,
156
00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,112
the jury could bump the damages
up to three hundred grand.
157
00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:01,474
- Or four.
- (Peppiatt) Thank you.
158
00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,234
- Even more.
- The mind boggles, Mr Cuxham.
159
00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,470
But look here,
this defence you've filed.
160
00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,154
"The statements contained
in the said article are true."
161
00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,039
- Our bargaining counter.
- What?
162
00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,917
Something to give away
in the course of negotiations.
163
00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:20,755
When we agree terms with the other
side, we'll abandon all our allegations.
164
00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:23,593
- Gracefully.
- We put our hands up.
165
00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,911
There is no evidence
Miss Nettleship did any of these things.
166
00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,390
Then we'll have to find some.
Isn't that what solicitors are for?
167
00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:36,271
I'm unable to believe anyone who writes
so badly hasn't got some other vices.
168
00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:41,353
Couldn't we find Mr Rumpole
an ashtray?
169
00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,034
(Disco music plays)
170
00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:33,471
(Henry chuckles)
171
00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,473
(Rumpole) Morning, Mrs Slattery.
172
00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:37,993
Oh dear, dear!
173
00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,870
You'll have to smarting this place up,
now that I've gone into civil law.
174
00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:45,349
- What's this?
- Your brief, Mr Rumpole.
175
00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,671
In Amelia Nettleship versus
the "Daily Beacon" and Maurice Machin.
176
00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,276
What's that?
The fee I agreed for you, Mr Rumpole.
177
00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,318
I understand the paper
is paying for Mr Machin's defence.
178
00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:59,314
- Not bad, Henry.
- It's reasonable, Mr Rumpole.
179
00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,756
But it's the daily refreshers
makes it a worthwhile proposition.
180
00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:04,717
- How much?
- Five hundred a day.
181
00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:08,714
Now, you can make the case last,
can't you, Mr Rumpole?
182
00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:13,237
Make it last? Henry, I will stretch it out
until the trump of doom.
183
00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:17,029
We have serious and lengthy
allegations to make, Henry.
184
00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:21,273
Allegations that may take
days and days with a bit of luck.
185
00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,910
For the first time after a long career
at the bar, I begin to see something.
186
00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:29,392
- See what, Mr Rumpole?
- A way of providing for my old age.
187
00:13:29,560 --> 00:13:31,915
Oh, here comes
our poor criminal lawyer.
188
00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:33,991
Any more problems
with your affray, Claude?
189
00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,071
All under control, Rumpole,
thank you very much.
190
00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,834
- Good.
- Morning, Henry. Morning, Dianne.
191
00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,434
Morning, Mr Erskine-Brown.
192
00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:44,194
Is that your "Beacon", Dianne?
May I have a glance?
193
00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,316
Who's the beauty today, I wonder.
194
00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:50,553
Oh, yes. A fine crusading newspaper.
Prints the truth without fear or favour.
195
00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,518
- Ooh-hoo!
- Are you feeling all right, Claude?
196
00:13:53,680 --> 00:13:55,113
Rumpole...
197
00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:56,998
My dear fellow, you've gone quite pale.
198
00:13:57,160 --> 00:13:59,720
- You told me to go there?
- Oh, go where?
199
00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,952
- (Phone rings)
- The locus in quo.
200
00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,475
- That's not what it's called, Claude.
- No.
201
00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,757
It appears to be called
the Kitten-A-Go-Go.
202
00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:13,914
It's Mr Ballard.
He'd like to see you in his room, sir.
203
00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,355
(Henry) Without delay.
204
00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:23,835
(Knock on door)
205
00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:28,349
- Erskine-Brown.
- You wanted to see me, Ballard?
206
00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,909
You're looking well, in wonderful form.
207
00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,117
I don't remember when I've seen you
looking quite so fit. Good heavens!
208
00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,158
- Erskine-Brown!
- Yes, well, nice to chat.
209
00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,517
- I've got a summons across the road.
- Just a minute!
210
00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:46,835
- I don't really read the "Daily Beacon".
- Don't you? Neither do I. Terrible rag.
211
00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:51,198
Half clad young women on page four,
so they tell me. And no law reports.
212
00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:53,635
But coming out
of the Temple tube station,
213
00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,268
Mr Justice Fischwick
pushed this in my face.
214
00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,591
He's just remarried and his new wife
takes in the "Daily Beacon".
215
00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:01,751
- How odd.
- What's odd?
216
00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,798
- A judge's wife reading "The Beacon".
- Hugh Fishwick married his cook.
217
00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:08,839
Really? I didn't know.
Well, that explains it.
218
00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,912
I still don't see
why he should push it in your face.
219
00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:13,798
Because he thought I ought to see it.
220
00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,191
Nothing in that rag could be
of the slightest interest to you, surely.
221
00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:19,316
- Something is.
- What?
222
00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,558
- You.
- Oh, really?
223
00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:27,234
Good heavens! Is that me?
224
00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,278
Unless you have a twin brother
masquerading as yourself.
225
00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,398
You feature in an article
on London's square mile of sin.
226
00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:36,757
- It's a misunderstanding.
- I'm glad to hear it.
227
00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:38,478
- I can explain it.
- I hope so.
228
00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:40,596
You see, I got involved in this affray.
229
00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:43,877
- You got involved in what?
- This fight. In the Kitten-A-Go-Go.
230
00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,669
I ought to warn you, you needn't answer
incriminating questions.
231
00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:51,150
No, no, I didn't get involved in a fight.
Good heavens, Ballard.
232
00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:56,155
No, no, no. I... I... I'm doing
a case about a fight. An affray.
233
00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:00,757
Er... with Coca-Cola bottles. And
Rumpole advised me to visit this club.
234
00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:04,356
Horace Rumpole is an habitu�
of this house of ill repute? At his age?
235
00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:07,114
No, not at all. Don't be stupid, Ballard.
236
00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:11,034
Er... he said I ought to take a view.
Of the scene of the crime.
237
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:15,478
This wretched scandal sheet puts the
whole matter in the wrong light. Entirely.
238
00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,679
If that is so,
and I will make no further comment
239
00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:21,592
while the matter is sub judice,
240
00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,593
you will no doubt be suing
the "Daily Beacon" for libel.
241
00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:27,399
- Do you think I should?
- It is quite clearly your duty.
242
00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,233
To protect your reputation
and the reputation of these chambers.
243
00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:33,198
Wouldn't it be rather expensive?
244
00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,830
What is money compared
to the hitherto unsullied
245
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,389
name of Number 3 Equity Court?
246
00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,035
(Birds twitter)
247
00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:55,428
- Your secretary said you'd be here.
- Can't stop. Got to do my mileage.
248
00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:57,352
I've been advised to issue a writ.
249
00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:03,789
Oh, good. My editor seems to enjoy
a libel action. Glad you liked your pic.
250
00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,679
Of course I didn't like it.
It will ruin my career.
251
00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:09,877
Nonsense, Collywobbles,
you'll be briefed by all the clubs.
252
00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,713
You'll become the strippers' QC.
253
00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,316
- However did they get my name?
- Oh, I recognised you at once.
254
00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,995
- Bit of luck, wasn't it?
- (Shouts) Slimy!
255
00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:25,229
We were at school together.
256
00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:30,150
(Rumpole) Do I address
Ferdinand Isaac Gerald Newton,
257
00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:35,599
known in the trade as 'Fig' Newton,
private investigator to the quality?
258
00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:39,753
- How's business, Mr Rumpole?
- Never better, Fig old love.
259
00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,390
I'm doing civil work now.
Just got a big brief in a libel action.
260
00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,028
Should provide a bit of comfort
for the old age.
261
00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:50,876
But my solicitor,
instructing solicitor, is er...
262
00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:55,033
Well, he could be described, using
pure legal terms, as a bit of a wally.
263
00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:59,910
So I've come direct to you. Send him
your bill, by the way, when we win.
264
00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,755
What exactly is it you require me to do,
Mr Rumpole?
265
00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:06,480
Keep your eye on a lady.
266
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:11,475
I usually am, Mr Rumpole,
keeping my eye on one lady or another.
267
00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:16,111
This one's a novelist. Amelia Nettleship.
Do you know her works?
268
00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:20,239
No, I can't say I do, sir.
You on a winner?
269
00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,870
With a little help from you,
Fig, perhaps.
270
00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,157
But, as in most cases,
there is a drawback.
271
00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:31,074
- Oh. What's that, sir?
- The client. Back in a minute.
272
00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,552
Ah, Mr Rumpole...
Ted, glass for Mr Rumpole.
273
00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:36,709
No, thanks.
274
00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,952
Look, you've got to do something about
my friend Claude Erskine-Brown.
275
00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:42,918
The barrister that goes
to funny places in the afternoon.
276
00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:44,274
(Chuckles)
277
00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:46,715
What are you asking me to do,
Mr Rumpole?
278
00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,235
Well, apologise of course.
Print the facts.
279
00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,709
Claude Erskine-Brown
was in the Kitten-A-Go-Go
280
00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:54,440
purely in pursuit of his legal business.
281
00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:58,229
I love it!
There speaks the great defender.
282
00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:02,791
You'd put up any story, however
improbable, just to get your client off.
283
00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:04,632
It happens to be true.
284
00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:06,552
As far as we are concerned,
285
00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:12,272
we published a pic of a gentleman in
a suit examining the goods on display.
286
00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,512
- No reason to apologise for that.
- No reason at all, Morry.
287
00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,399
- (Marchin) What's your view Ted?
- No reason at all.
288
00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:22,951
- So you're going to do nothing about it?
- Nothing we can do.
289
00:19:23,120 --> 00:19:26,271
Mr Machin, I told you
that it was a legal rule
290
00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:31,594
that a British barrister is in duty bound
to take on any client, however repellent.
291
00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,593
I do remember you saying
something of the sort.
292
00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:40,437
But you are stretching my duty to the
furthest limit of human endurance.
293
00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,592
Oh, I have every confidence
in you, Mr Rumpole.
294
00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:47,673
(Marchin) I'm sure you'll uphold
the finest traditions of the bar.
295
00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:49,592
(AII laugh)
296
00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,228
You will do your best for old Morry,
won't you?
297
00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,995
- I'll do my duty.
- He's going through rather a rough time.
298
00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,435
- Oh?
- The proprietors want to sack him.
299
00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:17,353
- Because of this case?
- Not exactly.
300
00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:21,433
The circulation's dropping.
Tits and bums, you see.
301
00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,478
Going out of fashion.
Wives don't like it.
302
00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:30,317
- Who'll be the next Editor?
- Well, I'm the Deputy now.
303
00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:34,871
I see. Look, would you help me
on the case?
304
00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,349
- In strictest confidence.
- What?
305
00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:40,398
I want to get some sort of line on this
Stella January.
306
00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:43,870
Find out how her article came in,
get hold of the original.
307
00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:45,917
There might be an address,
some clue.
308
00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,197
Yes, I'll er... have a try, Mr Rumpole.
309
00:20:49,360 --> 00:20:51,828
Anything I can do to help old Morry.
310
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,514
Oh, yes, of course.
311
00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:57,716
(Birds twitter)
312
00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:13,673
Sorry, Claude.
313
00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:15,637
- There you are, Rumpole.
- Yes.
314
00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:19,156
Thank you. I'm so grateful
for your wonderful advice.
315
00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:21,880
- Claude, I'm doing all I can to help.
- Oh, please.
316
00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:23,951
Don't try to do anything else to help.
317
00:21:24,120 --> 00:21:28,352
"Visit the scene of the crime", you said.
"Inspect the locus in quo'.
318
00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:33,071
So where has your kind assistance
landed me, hmm? My name's mud!
319
00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:36,038
Ballard's threatened
to kick me out of chambers.
320
00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:39,351
I have to spend my life savings
on a speculative libel action.
321
00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:41,112
And my marriage is on the rocks.
322
00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:44,431
Wonderful what you can do
with a few words of advice.
323
00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,319
Your clients must be everlastingly
grateful to you.
324
00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,948
- Marriage on the rocks, you say?
- Oh, yes, yes.
325
00:21:50,120 --> 00:21:52,111
Phylli was ever so reasonable about it.
326
00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:56,273
She said she didn't care
what I did in the afternoons.
327
00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:59,591
But we should live apart for a while
for the sake of the children.
328
00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:02,479
She didn't want Tristan and Isolde
to associate with a father
329
00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:04,631
dedicated to the exploitation of women.
330
00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,758
Oh, Portia, whatever happened
to the quality of mercy?
331
00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:12,755
So thank you very much, Rumpole.
I'm enormously grateful to you.
332
00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:17,311
The next time you've got a few helpful
tips to hand out, keep them to yourself.
333
00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:18,754
Claude. You're shaving.
334
00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:22,356
Wonderful to witness the workings
of a keen legal mind.
335
00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:27,355
You're sleeping in chambers! Bollard
nearly got rid of me for a similar offence.
336
00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:29,590
Where else do you expect me to go?
337
00:22:29,760 --> 00:22:35,039
- Phyllida's having the locks changed.
- Claude, have you no friends?
338
00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:42,474
Strictly entre-nous, Phylli and I
have reached the end of the line.
339
00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:44,232
Oh...
340
00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:49,190
I don't exactly want to advertise the fact
amongst my immediate circle, so...
341
00:22:49,360 --> 00:22:51,555
(Sighs)
342
00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:57,397
I seem to remember when you fell out
with Hilda, you planted yourself on us.
343
00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,279
Ah, yes. Ersk... Claude...
344
00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:07,991
I cannot tell you how grateful I was for
your hospitality on that occasion, but...
345
00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:10,833
Easy run in on the underground
from Gloucester Road.
346
00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:14,231
Of course.
My door is always open.
347
00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:17,756
I'd be happy to put you up
until this matter is settled, but...
348
00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:21,515
Thank you, Horace. The least you
could do, under the circumstances.
349
00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:26,549
But it's a sacrifice
I couldn't ask my dearest friend to make.
350
00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:30,156
Shoulder the burden of daily life
with She Who Must Be Obeyed?
351
00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:33,153
I'm sure you'll find
some nice little hotel somewhere.
352
00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:35,709
Somewhere cosy
near the British Museum.
353
00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:40,874
I can assure you, old man, life is no
picnic in the Gloucester Road.
354
00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,190
(Chuckles)
355
00:23:54,360 --> 00:23:56,954
- Hilda!
- (Shouts) Is that you, Rumpole?
356
00:23:57,120 --> 00:23:59,759
No, it's Father Christmas.
357
00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:03,917
- What on earth have you got there?
- All the fruits of the earth.
358
00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:07,755
Or rather, the fruits of the first cheque
from the libel case.
359
00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:14,758
The first of many if we can spin the
proceedings out for a week or two.
360
00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:20,074
Here we are - Champagne,
Ch�teau Fleet Street Premier Cru.
361
00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:23,073
A stilton cheese.
362
00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:26,277
Flowers gathered
from Temple Tube Station.
363
00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:29,830
Jumbo box of cheroots.
364
00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:32,515
Lavender water.
365
00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:34,910
I haven't finished the one
you gave me for Christmas.
366
00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:36,638
Finish it, Hilda.
367
00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:40,031
No need to stint ourselves
now I've gone into libel.
368
00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,675
You're doing that awful case.
369
00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:49,233
That awful case, Hilda,
will bring us in
370
00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:51,755
five hundred smackeroons a day
in refreshers.
371
00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:55,708
Helping that squalid newspaper insult
Amelia Nettleship.
372
00:24:55,880 --> 00:25:00,032
It's a barrister's duty to take on all
comers, Hilda. However squalid.
373
00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:04,273
That's not a duty. It's a way of making
money out of the most terrible people.
374
00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:08,399
Like the Editor of the "Daily Beacon".
My mind is quite made up, Rumpole.
375
00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,552
I shall not use one single drop
of that corrupt lavender water.
376
00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:13,756
(Male voice singing opera)
377
00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:19,870
What in God's name...
Claude! How did you get here?
378
00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:23,555
Claude telephoned me and told me
his troubles. I invited him to stay.
379
00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:28,077
- He's got my dressing gown on.
- Yes, I had to pack in a hurry.
380
00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:32,472
I say, Horace. Thoughtful of you
to get in champagne to welcome me.
381
00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:36,030
- How was your bath, Claude?
- Absolutely delightful, thank you.
382
00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:40,352
Oh, what a relief.
The geyser can be quite temperamental.
383
00:25:42,120 --> 00:25:45,954
- Oh, I say, is this your chair, Horace?
- Yes.
384
00:25:46,120 --> 00:25:51,831
Stay where you are, Claude. We mustn't
have you catching cold after your bath.
385
00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,072
Rumpole, aren't you
going to open the champagne?
386
00:26:00,760 --> 00:26:02,637
(Sneezes)
387
00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:04,756
(Door closes)
388
00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:07,354
(Footsteps)
389
00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:11,636
(Car door closes)
390
00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:15,236
(Engine starts)
391
00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:01,872
- There's no bacon and eggs, Hilda?
- Claude doesn't like a cooked breakfast.
392
00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:05,589
But there's plenty of muesli.
I got it in for him especially.
393
00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:07,876
What's that?
Sawdust and bird droppings?
394
00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:11,112
- Claude won't mind you having some.
- How generous of him...
395
00:27:11,280 --> 00:27:14,078
(Claude sings opera)
396
00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:22,433
Morning, Hilda.
Rumpole, I hope you slept well.
397
00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,717
When the grand opera finished
in the spare bedroom, yes.
398
00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:29,031
I always find a little Wagner
settles me down for the night.
399
00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:31,475
- Is there any goat's milk, Hilda?
- Of course.
400
00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:34,871
- Goat's milk?
- I got it in for you especially.
401
00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,873
- You rushing off to work, Horace?
- Some of us have to.
402
00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:42,397
Well, I've got nothing special on today.
I might look into chambers later on.
403
00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:44,869
I'll try a little of that
organic honey, Hilda.
404
00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:46,996
So much better for you than sugar.
405
00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:48,309
Organic honey.
406
00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:52,268
Yes, the bees only sip from flowers
grown without chemical fertilisers.
407
00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,032
- How do they know?
- What?
408
00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:55,679
Do the other bees tell them?
409
00:27:55,840 --> 00:28:01,233
"Oh, don't sip from that pansy, old chap,
it's been grown with chemical fertilisers."
410
00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:03,755
(Hilda) Leave your "Times",
will you, Rumpole?
411
00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:04,875
Why?
412
00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:08,953
Claude doesn't want to go out and
buy a "Times" especially, does he?
413
00:28:09,120 --> 00:28:11,873
Go on. Don't be so selfish, Rumpole.
414
00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:19,432
Don't you dare touch that crossword!
415
00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:30,069
I might twist the proprietors' arms
to drop the allegations.
416
00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:32,834
After all the publicity my...
417
00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,871
...my lady couldn't take less
than fifty thousand.
418
00:28:37,040 --> 00:28:39,349
Forty.
And a full and grovelling apology.
419
00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:41,795
We could wrap it up
and lunch at the Sheridan.
420
00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,918
Oh, it's steak and kidney pud day
at the Sheridan.
421
00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:46,672
- Forty five?
- All right, then.
422
00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:49,877
Forty five and an apology.
You happy with that, Mr Cuxham?
423
00:28:50,040 --> 00:28:52,315
- If you advise it.
- We'll chat to the Editor.
424
00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:56,519
I'm sure we're all going to agree...
in the end.
425
00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:02,518
Miss Nettleship,
we've talked with the opposition.
426
00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:06,434
I saw that.
What's the rat's lawyer got to say?
427
00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:08,636
You only have to join in the apology.
428
00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:12,429
Melbury Publications pay the costs
and the forty five grand.
429
00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:15,034
You're trying to filch
my client's good name.
430
00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,590
- If that's what we're fighting about!
- Of course it is!
431
00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:20,716
It may not be a very good name.
432
00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:23,553
He may edit a rather disgusting
little newspaper.
433
00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:26,712
But you want him to make a statement
saying he's printed lies!
434
00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:29,189
Well, Mr Rumpole's right.
It's my good name.
435
00:29:29,360 --> 00:29:33,717
I looked up the quotation.
It is the "immediate jewel of my soul".
436
00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:36,599
Oh, steady on, old fellow.
437
00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,877
(Cuxham) Here comes
Mr Landseer now, sir.
438
00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:44,111
(Cuxham) Perry,
are we in business?
439
00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:48,671
Sorry, Robin. There's no shifting my girl.
She wants to fight for every penny.
440
00:29:48,840 --> 00:29:51,798
But Perry, this case
is going to take two weeks.
441
00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:55,475
(Rumpole)
'At five hundred smackers a day.
442
00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:59,474
'Oh, well played,
Miss Amelia Nettleship! '
443
00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,313
(Landseer) Members of the Jury,
in this case,
444
00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:05,756
I appear with my learned friend
Mr Thistle for the plaintiff,
445
00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:09,833
Miss Amelia Nettleship, in her
action against the "Daily Beacon".
446
00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:13,276
The newspaper's proprietors,
Melbury Publications Limited,
447
00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:18,673
are represented by my learned friends
Mr Robin Peppiatt and Mr Garsington.
448
00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:22,196
Mr Maurice Machin,
the Editor of the "Beacon",
449
00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:25,989
is separately represented by
my learned friend, Mr Horace Rumbold.
450
00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:28,628
Ahem!
Rumpole!
451
00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:32,190
Oh, I do beg his pardon.
452
00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:37,559
Mr Rum... pole's usual practice,
as I understand it, lies elsewhere.
453
00:30:37,720 --> 00:30:43,716
Members of the jury, Miss Nettleship is
the authoress of some historical novels,
454
00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,314
which some
of you may have read and enjoyed.
455
00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:49,233
Rattling good yarns,
members of the jury.
456
00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:51,436
I beg your Lordship' s pardon?
457
00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:55,354
I said "rattling good yarns",
Mr Peregrine Landseer.
458
00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:58,956
And the sort your wife might pick up
without embarrassment.
459
00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:04,877
Unlike the distasteful material
one finds between hard covers today.
460
00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:06,871
Ahem!
My Lord.
461
00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:10,157
- Yes, Mr er...
- Rumpole, my Lord.
462
00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:11,309
Yes?
463
00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:14,278
Might it not be better to let the jury
464
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:17,352
come to their own conclusions
about Miss Nettleship?
465
00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:20,193
Well, yes, of course.
I quite agree.
466
00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,597
And they'll find she can put together
a rattling good yarn.
467
00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:25,749
(Laughter)
468
00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:29,674
(Rumpole)
'Mr Justice Teasdale. Unmarried.
469
00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:32,434
'Lives with a Persian cat in Wimbledon.
470
00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:34,955
'I don't know what that talk
of his wife was about.
471
00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:37,873
'President of the Boys' Brigade.
472
00:31:38,040 --> 00:31:42,079
'Once an unsuccessful Tory candidate
in Weston-Super-Mare North.
473
00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:49,032
'It takes a great deal of talent for a Tory
to lose Weston-Super-Mare North.
474
00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:54,832
'And worst of all, he's a devoted fan
of Miss Amelia Nettleship.'
475
00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:58,117
(Whispering)
About that Stella January article.
476
00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:02,114
I bought a drink
for the Systems Manager.
477
00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:06,478
The copy's still in the system.
There's one rather odd thing.
478
00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:07,868
Well, tell me.
479
00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:11,749
The logon. That's the identification
on the word processor.
480
00:32:11,920 --> 00:32:14,195
It came from the Editor's office.
481
00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:16,351
Oh, you mean it was written there?
482
00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:20,718
- No one writes things any more.
- Oh, course not. How stupid of me.
483
00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:25,192
But it does seem to have been
put in from the Editor's word processor.
484
00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:26,759
That is very interesting.
485
00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:30,310
If Mr Rumpole has quite finished
his conversation...
486
00:32:30,480 --> 00:32:36,077
My Lord, I can assure my learned friend
I listened to every word of his speech.
487
00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:38,390
It's such a rattling good yarn.
488
00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:47,630
- Henry. My brief tray.
- Yes, Mr Erskine-Brown.
489
00:32:47,800 --> 00:32:49,074
Put that away, Dianne.
490
00:32:49,240 --> 00:32:52,198
- (Erskine-Brown) It's got no briefs in it.
- It's quiet time.
491
00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:54,476
(Phone rings)
Same all round the Temple.
492
00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,279
Erskine-Brown, could you
put me up for your club?
493
00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:58,998
Oh, please, Uncle Tom.
494
00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:00,752
Chap I knew who was in the RAF
495
00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:03,753
said they used to have
places like that in Port Said.
496
00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:06,434
Not that I've ever been there
for a holiday.
497
00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:08,670
My sister and I always stuck
to Bournemouth.
498
00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:12,276
Well, no use my hanging around
Chambers if there's no work to do.
499
00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:14,795
That's right.
We can always reach you at home.
500
00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,155
Er, well, no.
Er, not exactly.
501
00:33:17,320 --> 00:33:20,278
If you want me urgently just ring
Rumpole's home number.
502
00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:22,351
You're at Mr Rumpole's.
Very good, sir.
503
00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:26,229
I don't believe they have any clubs
like yours in Bournemouth.
504
00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:30,757
- By the way, where is Rumpole today?
- Oh, he's in court, sir. Doing his libel.
505
00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:33,878
Quality work for Rumpole.
What is the world coming to?
506
00:33:34,040 --> 00:33:37,919
- You did get the number of the car?
- Alas no, sir.
507
00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:41,117
Visibility was poor and weather
conditions were appalling.
508
00:33:41,280 --> 00:33:43,669
Oh, Fig.
And you didn't even see the driver?
509
00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:45,671
Alas, no again, sir.
510
00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:49,833
However, when Miss Nettleship closed
the door and extinguished the lights,
511
00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:53,231
presumably
in order to return to her bed,
512
00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:58,713
I proceeded to the track in front of the
house where the vehicle was standing.
513
00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:03,032
And I retrieved an article which I thought
might have been dropped by the driver
514
00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:07,159
in getting in or out of the motor
vehic... vehicle.
515
00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:08,275
(Sneezes)
516
00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:10,829
What was it?
For God's sake, show it to me!
517
00:34:11,000 --> 00:34:14,595
Mr Rumpole. The judge is back.
He's asking for you.
518
00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:19,231
Miss Nettleship, is there any truth in this
article about you in the "Daily Beacon"?
519
00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:21,391
Not one word, my Lord.
520
00:34:21,560 --> 00:34:25,235
"Not one word of truth."
521
00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:28,472
- Thank you, Miss Nettleship.
- Thank you, Miss Nettleship.
522
00:34:28,640 --> 00:34:31,552
Please, keep on writing
those rattling good books.
523
00:34:31,720 --> 00:34:33,472
Yes, my Lord.
I mean to.
524
00:34:33,640 --> 00:34:35,039
(Landseer) Miss Nettleship.
525
00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:41,469
This er... unfortunate article has not
affected your output?
526
00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:43,232
No, I still do my work.
527
00:34:43,400 --> 00:34:47,075
And that, if I may say so,
shows considerable courage.
528
00:34:47,240 --> 00:34:48,514
(Miss Nettleship)
Thank you.
529
00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:52,514
(Rumpole) 'Come on, old darling. Give
her the Victoria Cross, why don't you? '
530
00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:56,719
- And your sales haven't been affected?
- No, I don't think so.
531
00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:59,348
Folks still like a good read, don't they?
532
00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:01,476
Thank you, Miss Nettleship.
533
00:35:01,640 --> 00:35:05,713
Mr Peppiatt, your questions go entirely
to the issue of damages?
534
00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:07,359
That is so, my Lord.
535
00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:11,433
You're not seeking to justify this slur
on this lady's reputation?
536
00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:12,669
I am not, my Lord.
537
00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:16,594
I don't know whether others will attempt
that dangerous course.
538
00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:20,799
(Judge) That's what one would expect
from counsel of your experience.
539
00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:21,915
My Lord.
540
00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:25,388
Have you questions for this lady,
Mr Rumpole?
541
00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:27,152
Just a few my Lord, yes.
542
00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:30,630
Ahem! Miss Nettleship,
are you a truthful woman?
543
00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:32,518
I try to be.
544
00:35:32,680 --> 00:35:36,036
And you, er, call yourself
an historical novelist.
545
00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:40,830
I try to write books which uphold
certain standards of morality.
546
00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:44,549
(Rumpole) Let's forget the morality
and concentrate on the history.
547
00:35:44,720 --> 00:35:46,790
Very well.
548
00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:53,274
May I read a... short extract from
a so-called historical novel of yours
549
00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:56,398
entitled "Lord Stingo's Fancy".
550
00:35:56,560 --> 00:35:59,313
Ah, yes.
Isn't that the one which ends happily?
551
00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:03,029
Happily all of Miss Nettleship's novels
end, my Lord. Eventually.
552
00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:04,428
(Laughter)
553
00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:07,592
This criminal chap's going to bump up
the damages enormously.
554
00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:10,718
"Sophia had first set eyes
on Lord Stingo
555
00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:13,235
"when she was a dewy eighteen year old
556
00:36:13,400 --> 00:36:16,119
"and he had clattered up
to her father's castle,
557
00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:18,510
"exhausted from the Battle of Naseby.
558
00:36:18,680 --> 00:36:22,958
"Now at the ball to triumphantly
celebrate the gorgeous,
559
00:36:23,120 --> 00:36:25,998
enthroning coronation
of King Charles the Second,
560
00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,151
"they were to meet again.
561
00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:31,551
"Sophia was now in her twenties,
562
00:36:31,720 --> 00:36:39,149
"but in ways too numerous to completely
describe, still an unspoilt girl at heart."
563
00:36:39,320 --> 00:36:41,788
You call that a historical novel?
564
00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:45,396
- Certainly.
- Haven't you forgotten something?
565
00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:49,394
- I don't think so. What?
- Oliver Cromwell.
566
00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:52,597
I really don't know what you mean.
567
00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:57,550
Well, clearly if this girl,
this Sophia, how do you describe her?
568
00:36:57,720 --> 00:37:01,429
- Dewy, Mr Rumpole.
- Ah, yes, dewy.
569
00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:06,071
I am grateful to your Lordship. I had
forgotten the full horror of the passage.
570
00:37:06,240 --> 00:37:10,313
If this dew bespattered Sophie
was eighteen
571
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:14,792
at the time of the Battle of Naseby
in the reign of King Charles the First,
572
00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:17,030
she would have been thirty three
573
00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:21,113
in the coronation year
of King Charles the Second.
574
00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:23,271
Because Oliver Cromwell
came in between.
575
00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:29,788
- Ah! I am an artist, Mr Rumpole.
- What sort of an artist?
576
00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:34,078
I think Miss Nettleship
means an artist in words.
577
00:37:34,240 --> 00:37:37,869
Then your Lordship undoubtedly
noticed that in the passage I read out
578
00:37:38,040 --> 00:37:40,395
there were two split infinitives
and a tautology.
579
00:37:40,560 --> 00:37:44,599
- A what?
- Two words having the same meaning.
580
00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:48,878
As in "enthroning coronation".
Tautology. T-A-U...
581
00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:52,350
I can spell, Mr Rumpole.
582
00:37:52,520 --> 00:37:55,318
Then your Lordship
has the advantage of the witness.
583
00:37:55,480 --> 00:37:58,711
She spells Naseby with a 'Z'.
584
00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:01,030
My Lord, I hesitate to interrupt.
585
00:38:01,200 --> 00:38:05,478
Perhaps this sort of cross-examination
is common practice in the criminal courts
586
00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:09,394
but I cannot see how it can possibly
be relevant in an action for libel.
587
00:38:09,560 --> 00:38:11,994
Neither can I, Mr Landseer.
I must confess...
588
00:38:12,160 --> 00:38:17,029
These questions go straight to the heart
of this witness's credibility.
589
00:38:17,200 --> 00:38:19,589
I have to suggest,
Miss Nettleship,
590
00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:23,594
that as an historical novelist
you are a complete fake.
591
00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,115
My Lord, I have made my point.
592
00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:29,875
You have no respect for history,
and very little for the English language.
593
00:38:30,040 --> 00:38:33,157
I try to tell a story, Mr Rumpole.
594
00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:38,269
And your evidence to this Court has
been, to use my Lord's vivid expression,
595
00:38:38,440 --> 00:38:39,953
a rattling good yarn.
596
00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:42,429
(Miss Nettleship)
I have sworn to tell the truth!
597
00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:44,955
- (Rumpole) Remember that.
- He's getting worse.
598
00:38:45,120 --> 00:38:47,076
The damages are going to hit the roof.
599
00:38:47,240 --> 00:38:52,155
(Rumpole) Let us come to the last
matter dealt with in this article.
600
00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:55,869
I'm sure the jury will be grateful you're
reaching the end, Mr Rumpole.
601
00:38:56,040 --> 00:38:58,713
And I shall finish
a great deal sooner, My Lord,
602
00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:04,238
if I'm allowed to proceed without further
interruption. If Your Lordship pleases.
603
00:39:04,400 --> 00:39:08,518
"Her latest lothario, so far unnamed,
is said to be a married man
604
00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:11,558
who's been seen leaving
in the wee small hours."
605
00:39:11,720 --> 00:39:13,597
(Miss Nettleship) I read that.
606
00:39:13,760 --> 00:39:15,512
You had somebody with you last night,
607
00:39:15,680 --> 00:39:20,151
until what might be revoltingly referred to
as "the wee small hours".
608
00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:23,039
- What are you suggesting?
- That someone was with you.
609
00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:25,077
When he left,
you stood in the open doorway
610
00:39:25,240 --> 00:39:27,470
waving goodbye and blowing kisses.
611
00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:31,235
At half past five on a rainy morning.
Who was it, Miss Nettleship?
612
00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:33,391
That is an absolutely
uncalled for suggestion.
613
00:39:33,560 --> 00:39:36,791
You called for it
when you issued a writ for libel.
614
00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:40,396
- Do I have to answer?
- His Lordship will instruct you to.
615
00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:48,077
I think it may save time in the end
if you answer Mr Rumpole's question.
616
00:39:49,160 --> 00:39:51,390
That is absolutely untrue.
617
00:39:51,560 --> 00:39:57,999
"Absolutely untrue."
Thank you, Miss Nettleship.
618
00:39:58,160 --> 00:40:01,755
I think we might continue
with this tomorrow morning.
619
00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:04,673
If you have any further questions,
Mr Rumpole?
620
00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:07,115
Indeed I do, My Lord.
621
00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:15,436
Mr Rumpole, isn't it time
you went home?
622
00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:20,037
Huh, home, Jack, has lost whatever
attraction it had for me.
623
00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:23,875
"Homeless near
a thousand homes I stood..."
624
00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:25,234
However.
625
00:40:28,320 --> 00:40:30,117
No champagne?
626
00:40:30,280 --> 00:40:32,669
I don't think we've got much to celebrate.
627
00:40:32,840 --> 00:40:37,436
I wanted to ask you about Miss Stella
January, your "Beacon Girl on the Spot".
628
00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:40,239
- What?
- Bright, attractive reporter, was she?
629
00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:42,994
- I don't know.
- You're the features editor.
630
00:40:43,160 --> 00:40:46,630
- I never met her.
- Any idea how old she was?
631
00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:51,999
Young, I should think. Knowing Morry,
I assume she'd be young.
632
00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:54,071
- Ah!
- Just starting in the business.
633
00:40:54,240 --> 00:40:57,118
- And I wanted to ask you...
- You're very inquisitive.
634
00:40:57,280 --> 00:41:01,751
Oh, it's my trade.
...about the love life of Mr Morry Machin.
635
00:41:01,920 --> 00:41:05,913
Good God! Whose side are you on,
Mr Rumpole?
636
00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:10,631
Well, at the moment... unusually as a
matter of fact, on the side of the truth.
637
00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:14,475
You've suggested he had some sort
of interest in Stella January.
638
00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:16,835
- Short-lived, I'd say.
- Is he married?
639
00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:20,993
Two or three times. Now he seems
to have some sort of steady girlfriend.
640
00:41:21,160 --> 00:41:24,436
- Oh, do you know her?
- Not at all. He keeps her under wraps.
641
00:41:26,080 --> 00:41:27,559
Does he indeed?
642
00:41:27,720 --> 00:41:30,075
Thank you very much.
You've been a great help.
643
00:41:30,240 --> 00:41:33,038
Who are you going to grill next?
644
00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:37,034
As a matter of fact I have a date
with Stella January.
645
00:41:38,840 --> 00:41:41,673
(Classical music plays)
646
00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:50,309
(Music volume increases)
647
00:41:50,480 --> 00:41:54,837
We're coming to Act Three, Hilda.
Hilda!
648
00:41:55,000 --> 00:41:58,754
I'm going to play you Act Three
of "The Meistersingers".
649
00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:01,480
Oh.
That'll be very nice, Claude.
650
00:42:01,640 --> 00:42:05,599
- Not too long for you is it?
- Oh, good heavens, no.
651
00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:09,514
(Yawns) No, I'm enjoying
every minute of it.
652
00:42:11,280 --> 00:42:12,599
I wonder where Rumpole is.
653
00:42:12,760 --> 00:42:17,914
I always say with music like this,
you simply can't bear it to end.
654
00:42:18,080 --> 00:42:20,674
It's not like Rumpole
to be as late as this.
655
00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:24,276
He's probably happy in Pomeroy's
wine bar, drinking up his dinner.
656
00:42:24,440 --> 00:42:29,912
Now, Hans Sachs, the cobbler,
muses on the madness of the world.
657
00:42:30,080 --> 00:42:34,312
- I just hope nothing's happened to him.
- Oh, nothing ever happens to Rumpole.
658
00:42:34,480 --> 00:42:38,234
He just makes things happen
to other people.
659
00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:41,870
(Classical music plays)
660
00:42:48,360 --> 00:42:50,271
(Phone rings)
661
00:43:03,680 --> 00:43:08,117
Working late, Mr Rumpole? I hope you'll
be able to do better for us tomorrow.
662
00:43:08,280 --> 00:43:12,398
Yes, I hope so too.
I've come to see Stella January.
663
00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:15,552
I told you. She's not here any more.
She went abroad.
664
00:43:15,720 --> 00:43:18,154
I think she's here.
665
00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:23,319
Ted, perhaps I'd better have a word
with my learned Council.
666
00:43:23,480 --> 00:43:25,869
I'll be on the back bench.
667
00:43:28,760 --> 00:43:34,118
Well now, Mr Rumpole, sir,
how can I help you?
668
00:43:34,280 --> 00:43:37,078
She wasn't really a young woman,
was she?
669
00:43:37,240 --> 00:43:39,834
She was only with us a short while,
but she was young, yes.
670
00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:42,673
I quote from her article.
671
00:43:42,840 --> 00:43:47,072
"Miss Nettleship makes Mae West
sound like Florence Nightingale."
672
00:43:47,240 --> 00:43:50,391
No young woman today
is going to think of Mae West.
673
00:43:50,560 --> 00:43:55,793
Mae West is as remote in history
as Messaline or Helen of Troy!
674
00:43:55,960 --> 00:44:01,159
That article, I hazard a guess, was
written by a man well into his middle age.
675
00:44:01,320 --> 00:44:03,550
- Who?
- You.
676
00:44:03,720 --> 00:44:06,917
(Chuckles) Have you been drinking
at all this evening?
677
00:44:07,080 --> 00:44:09,071
Of course I've been drinking at all.
678
00:44:09,240 --> 00:44:13,677
You don't think I'd come out
with these blinding flashes of deduction
679
00:44:13,840 --> 00:44:15,319
when I'm completely sober.
680
00:44:15,480 --> 00:44:17,436
Well hadn't you better go home to bed?
681
00:44:17,600 --> 00:44:21,752
You wrote that article.
There's no argument about it.
682
00:44:21,920 --> 00:44:25,117
It was found in the system with your
word processor number on it.
683
00:44:25,280 --> 00:44:30,513
(Rumpole) Careless, Mr Machin.
You clearly have no talent for crime.
684
00:44:30,680 --> 00:44:33,672
Puzzling thing was,
685
00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:36,798
why attack Miss Nettleship
when she's a good friend of yours?
686
00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:40,509
Good friend? I've told you
I've never even met the woman.
687
00:44:40,680 --> 00:44:45,037
That was a lie.
Like the rest of this pantomime law suit.
688
00:44:45,200 --> 00:44:48,272
You were with her last night
till half past five in the morning.
689
00:44:48,440 --> 00:44:50,829
And she said goodbye to you
with every sign of affection.
690
00:44:51,000 --> 00:44:52,592
What makes you say that?
691
00:44:52,760 --> 00:44:57,914
In a hurry, were you?
This was dropped beside your car.
692
00:44:58,080 --> 00:44:59,479
(Machin) Anyone can buy the "Beacon".
693
00:44:59,640 --> 00:45:01,551
Not anyone can buy the first edition,
694
00:45:01,720 --> 00:45:06,111
the one that fell on the Editor's desk
at ten o'clock that evening.
695
00:45:06,280 --> 00:45:10,910
I'd say that was a rarity around
Godalming in the county of Surrey.
696
00:45:11,080 --> 00:45:14,789
- Is that all?
- No. You were watched.
697
00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:21,152
I went down to see her.
Asked her to drop the case.
698
00:45:21,320 --> 00:45:24,232
To use a legal expression,
pull the other one, it's got bells on it.
699
00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:25,913
I don't know what you're suggesting.
700
00:45:26,080 --> 00:45:30,995
I'm suggesting a little conspiracy
to pervert the course of justice.
701
00:45:31,160 --> 00:45:33,116
What does that mean?
702
00:45:33,280 --> 00:45:34,998
You're being sacked
from the "Beacon".
703
00:45:35,160 --> 00:45:38,994
Sales are down
on Amelia's historical virgins,
704
00:45:39,160 --> 00:45:44,029
so you and your steady girlfriend get
together to make a tax free half a million.
705
00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:47,510
- I wish I knew how!
- It's perfectly simple.
706
00:45:47,680 --> 00:45:52,356
All you do is turn yourself into the
unknown girl reporter, Stella January,
707
00:45:52,520 --> 00:45:55,193
for half an hour and libel Amelia.
708
00:45:55,360 --> 00:45:57,430
She sues the paper and collects,
709
00:45:57,600 --> 00:46:01,388
and you both sail off
into the sunset to share the loot.
710
00:46:01,560 --> 00:46:06,793
But there's one thing
I shan't forgive you for.
711
00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:08,234
What's that?
712
00:46:08,400 --> 00:46:12,791
Your little scheme called for a barrister
who would not settle.
713
00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:14,871
An Old Bailey hack.
714
00:46:15,040 --> 00:46:18,794
A stranger to the civilised world of libel.
715
00:46:18,960 --> 00:46:23,670
An old warhorse who'd attack
la Nettleship and inflame the damages.
716
00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:27,196
You used me, Mr Morry Machin.
717
00:46:27,360 --> 00:46:29,590
I thought you'd be accustomed to that.
718
00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:34,038
Oh, yes, I told you I was an old taxi
waiting on the rank.
719
00:46:34,200 --> 00:46:39,069
But I'm not prepared to be the getaway
driver for a criminal conspiracy.
720
00:46:39,240 --> 00:46:42,198
But you haven't said anything to anyone.
721
00:46:42,360 --> 00:46:46,512
- Not yet.
- And you won't, cos you're my lawyer.
722
00:46:46,680 --> 00:46:50,992
Not any longer, Mr Machin.
I have just resigned.
723
00:46:51,160 --> 00:46:52,513
I don't belong to you any more.
724
00:46:52,680 --> 00:46:56,070
I'm an ordinary citizen
about to report an attempted crime.
725
00:46:56,240 --> 00:46:59,471
I don't think there's any limit on the jail
sentence for conspiracy.
726
00:46:59,640 --> 00:47:03,269
They told me in Pomeroy's
you never prosecute.
727
00:47:04,880 --> 00:47:07,155
No, I don't, do I?
728
00:47:07,320 --> 00:47:11,199
On this occasion,
I must say I'm sorely tempted.
729
00:47:12,360 --> 00:47:16,672
But, as it's a libel action,
I'll offer you terms of settlement.
730
00:47:16,840 --> 00:47:18,751
What can I say?
731
00:47:18,920 --> 00:47:21,150
Get the fair Amelia to drop her case,
732
00:47:21,320 --> 00:47:26,189
which means you'll both be paying the
costs, including the fee of Fig Newton,
733
00:47:26,360 --> 00:47:29,511
who's caught a nasty cold
in the course of these proceedings.
734
00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:33,275
- Regarding my friend, Erskine-Brown...
- What's he got to do with it?
735
00:47:33,440 --> 00:47:38,195
Print a full and abject apology
on the front page of the "Beacon",
736
00:47:38,360 --> 00:47:42,592
and get the paper to pay him a
substantial sum by way of damages.
737
00:47:42,760 --> 00:47:45,797
- What is this going to cost me?
- I don't know.
738
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:48,235
But I know what it's cost me.
739
00:47:48,400 --> 00:47:54,350
Two weeks at five hundred quid a day!
Provision for my old age.
740
00:47:54,520 --> 00:47:57,114
Bah!
Good night, Stella.
741
00:47:58,840 --> 00:48:00,592
(Phone rings)
742
00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:08,991
Henry, Dianne.
Have you seen this morning's "Beacon"?
743
00:48:09,160 --> 00:48:11,833
We don't read that publication,
Mr Erskine-Brown.
744
00:48:12,000 --> 00:48:13,433
Not after the way they treated you, sir.
745
00:48:13,600 --> 00:48:19,835
Just look how they treated me.
A grovelling apology, on the front page.
746
00:48:20,000 --> 00:48:22,070
"'Daily Beacon' accepts
that the distinguished barrister,
747
00:48:22,240 --> 00:48:25,516
"Claude Erskine-Brown,
distinguished barrister", that's me...
748
00:48:25,680 --> 00:48:27,477
"went into the Kitten-A-Go-Go Club
749
00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:30,677
"solely for the purpose
of preparing for a criminal case,
750
00:48:30,840 --> 00:48:35,595
"and offers this full apology
together with substantial damages."
751
00:48:35,760 --> 00:48:41,551
Substantial, Henry. And free of tax.
Where's Mr Rumpole?
752
00:48:41,720 --> 00:48:43,915
Across the road,
on the second day of his libel.
753
00:48:44,080 --> 00:48:46,833
Wrong, Henry.
On the last day of his libel.
754
00:48:47,000 --> 00:48:51,391
- Oh, Mr Rumpole! Your refreshers.
- Gone with the wind.
755
00:48:51,560 --> 00:48:54,233
Miss Amelia Nettleship
withdrew her case.
756
00:48:54,400 --> 00:48:56,834
Everyone dropped
their allegations against her,
757
00:48:57,000 --> 00:49:00,072
and my poor old client
was landed with the costs.
758
00:49:00,240 --> 00:49:01,673
What's bitten you, Claude?
759
00:49:01,840 --> 00:49:04,752
Have you won a weekend in Milan
with Dame Nellie Melba?
760
00:49:04,920 --> 00:49:07,832
- (Phone rings)
- You've seen it? Substantial damages.
761
00:49:08,000 --> 00:49:11,072
Yes, by God. You've done better
out of libel than I have.
762
00:49:11,240 --> 00:49:14,550
- So glad I won your case for you.
- You won?
763
00:49:14,720 --> 00:49:18,235
- Er, it's your wife, sir.
- Oh. Phylli.
764
00:49:18,400 --> 00:49:19,992
Yes.
765
00:49:22,440 --> 00:49:24,715
You saw the paper then?
766
00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:28,429
Yes of course.
I knew you never doubted my word.
767
00:49:28,600 --> 00:49:33,993
Look, er, how about dinner tonight?
I'll book the Gavroche, shall I?
768
00:49:34,160 --> 00:49:36,594
Yes, of course.
769
00:49:36,760 --> 00:49:38,637
I love you.
770
00:49:39,440 --> 00:49:41,874
Good Lord!
You're not going to leave us?
771
00:49:42,040 --> 00:49:45,350
- I'm sorry. It's not that I'm ungrateful.
- Oh, no, of course not.
772
00:49:45,520 --> 00:49:48,114
Now look, you will look after Hilda,
won't you?
773
00:49:49,640 --> 00:49:53,838
I'll pick up a taxi, go round to your place
and collect my belongings.
774
00:49:54,000 --> 00:49:57,390
You mean we're never going to find out
how "Die Meistersingers" end?
775
00:49:57,560 --> 00:49:58,913
(Chuckles)
776
00:49:59,080 --> 00:50:01,071
So, the libel's over, Mr Rumpole?
777
00:50:01,240 --> 00:50:05,074
Yes, quite over, Henry. Look, isn't there
a little bit of burglary around?
778
00:50:05,240 --> 00:50:08,312
Couldn't you find me a nice gentle
breaking and entering?
779
00:50:08,480 --> 00:50:14,191
Something that shows human nature
in a better light than civil law?
780
00:50:23,040 --> 00:50:25,076
Good heavens!
781
00:50:26,080 --> 00:50:28,071
What's happening now, Hilda?
782
00:50:28,240 --> 00:50:30,595
This young woman
is going to Paris for the weekend
783
00:50:30,760 --> 00:50:32,876
with a man old enough to be her father!
784
00:50:33,040 --> 00:50:36,157
Oh, I should think that happens
quite often these days.
785
00:50:36,320 --> 00:50:39,676
It... seems he is her father.
786
00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:46,679
At least you've gone off the works
of Miss Amelia Nettleship.
787
00:50:46,840 --> 00:50:48,796
The way she dropped that libel action.
788
00:50:48,960 --> 00:50:51,554
The woman's no better
than she should be.
789
00:50:51,720 --> 00:50:54,109
Which of us is?
790
00:50:54,280 --> 00:50:56,555
Any chance
of putting the light out Hilda?
791
00:50:56,720 --> 00:50:59,951
No, not yet. You'll have to wait now
until I finish the chapter.
792
00:51:00,120 --> 00:51:01,678
(Grunts)
793
00:51:01,920 --> 00:51:04,971
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