Original subtitles

-Good evening, my friends.

It's raining...

and once again, Death is out in the streets, Watch out for fleeting shadows.

Yes, my friends, Death is out walking in the rain.

This is no literary fancy.

It's a brutal reality that's hard to believe.

And it's causing Buenos Aires to shake with fear.

Who is S. L�pez?

Who is this insane criminal who kills when it's raining...

and, as though it's a work of art, leaves his calling card next to the victim

...with his fatal signature.

Is he a morbid exhibitionist, a paranoiac?

Let's leave theories about the animal instincts of men for the movies.

S. L�pez, kills in order to steal.

And he acts in such a diabolical way that in spite of having committed

...six crimes in only three months,

...we don't have the slightest clue to his identity.

Terror has gripped the heart of the city like a claw.

It's raining tonight, my friends.

Will Mr.L�pez be there lying in wait,

...waiting for the unfortunate person that fate will make into his seventh victim?

S. L�PEZ IS SPREADING TERROR

-I'm sorry !

-Same as usual, skull fracture,

caused by blackjack or a small bag of sand.

-S. L�pez!

Why is there this absurd need to sign each crime, Doctor?

Is it logical that a man who kills right out in the street

... and for whom the loss of a few seconds could be fatal,

... would risk using up his precious time to leave a childish challenge ?

-Believe me, Mr. Lima, S. L�pez is going too far.

His very audacity will destroy him.

-On the contrary, Morales, it's his best ally.

The man already feels the intoxication of crime.

Nothing will now be able to stop him.

-The killer's territory

...covers Palermo and Belgrano almost exclusively.

As you well know, since the third crime

...security in these areas has been doubled.

And it's reinforced at even the slighest sign of rain.

All of my people have a standing order to interrogate and even take the details of

...every person out walking alone.

On top of that, sir, all hotels, bed and breakfasts, etc...

... have received orders to provide all kinds of reports

...on any clients whose activities seem suspicious.

As you will appreciate, we are making use of all imaginable resources.

Very good.

It's understood, sir.

- Is he furious? - You can just imagine !

On top of it, these wretched newspapers

have ordered a reward to be offered to anyone who can put the police on his trail.

On Malavia Street, in spite of increased security,

the cynical criminal took a new victim tonight.

Some official action is needed.

-Yes, sir.

-How do we take official action?

Who has the police beat in this newspaper? -Lucho Rivas, the guy from Chile.

He's a very impatient person.

-Well if he continues to bother us we'll put a stop to him.

-I don't think this headline is his.

He's a good friend of ours.

On the other hand, is there anyone better or worse?

All the newspapers are pointing out our helplessness.

- Come in! - What's up, chief?

-Are you here to add insult to injury? -I didn't write that, I assure you.

And how are Morales and Cicl�n?

Don't look at me as though you want to kill me.

In less than 2 minutes, you'll be sorry you doubted me.

I'm bringing you the news of the century. - What's it about?

-Oh! I'm counting on your discretion.

In this case, I may have let the paper down and perhaps delayed my promotion,

...but my director probably won't understand.

Come in!

- Barquinazo! - The light-fingered Barquinazo!

-Will you please tell me what all this nonsense means?

-It means, chief, that this hardworking thief,

...has come to give you the address...

...of S. L�pez.

-When the music stopped, I was left not knowing what to do.

I had a real fright, I was going to run away, when the door opened again.

I was running towards a car and I saw someone else come out.

- Would you recognize him? - He did recognize him.

- Who was it? - Me. - What?

- Have you come to make fun of us? - No, chief.

What Barquinazo has told you is true.

He followed me to Clar�n and offered to sell me his secret.

I assured him that you would pay better.

-In less than half and hour, the police will issue a communiqu� to the media,

offering 5,000 pesos to anyone who can put them on the right track.

5,000 pesos?

-Will 8% go into a pension fund? -Stop your nonsense and tell them!

-S. L�pez lives at 21, Huefanos St.

-And it happens, my girlfriend, lives in that house.

-What are you saying? -The honest truth.

It's obvious that S. L�pez,

...slipped into his room, while Valeria Duval, who he already knew,

...was playing a catchy bolero on the piano.

My girlfriend and I were the only ones still there.

The other boarders had already retired.

-What boarders? -Don't you get it, chief?

-Number 21, is a boarding house.

-It's the front door.

Go and look after it, Suerte. - Yes, madam.

-Would you like me to serve your breakfast, Mr. Norton?

-This is going to be my masterpiece, Mrs. Duval.

This time, I'll be able to pay you the six months rent I owe you.

It's my definitive work.

I got my inspiration from the current hot topic...

S. L�pez... the exterminator.

I shall call it... "Death walks in the Rain".

What do you think?'

-I don't see S. L�pez.

-Who does see Death, madam?

And now, with your permission,

I'm going to enjoy my cafe au lait.

-A gentleman would like to speak to you. -Did you ask who he was? - No.

-Fine, please give Mr. Norton his breakfast.

Good morning. - Good morning, madam.

This is the Babel boarding house, isn't it?

I am Professor Hermenegildo Miranda.

Did Mr.Camelio Vargas not speak to you about me?

-Oh, you are our new guest. I'm sorry, sir.

Suerte!

- That's the maid's name. - Madam? - Take the gentleman to his room.

It's been ready since yesterday.

-Good morning!

-Mr. Boris Andreieff.

Professor Miranda, our new guest.

-Mr. Miranda, sir.

Babel in the ancient Aramaic language means "the door to heaven".

And you will see how our hostess

spends both her money and the sweat of her brow to take care of you.

At your service!

-Pleased to meet you, sir. Please excuse me.

-Would you be so kind, dear Valeria, as to make these shoes

...look dull next to the shine and sparkle of your eyes.

-As you wish, Boris. Mr. Andreieff,

...wouldn't you like to have breakfast served in your room?

-I would never permit myself to cause you so much trouble.

I shall have it in the dining room. - Mrs. Duval!

-The magician is carrying a sword!

-What's the matter, Mr. Merl�n? -Would you please come up for a moment?

-Why don't you come down? -I insist that you come up, madam!

Unless you want to be hypnotized!

-Do you realize what kind of man he is, Mr.Andreieff?

-Hindu

-Hindu, yes!

In India, my country, I learned to talk to spirits.

I'm not a hysteric, like you. - What did you say?

Remember you're speaking to an actor.

One of God's chosen people. You are the good-for-nothing.

-I'm coming, I'm coming! Mr. Merl�n.

-Don't make the Hindu mad.

The next time his aim might be better.

Hindu?...I would swear he doesn't even know where India is on the map.

-Be so good as to knock on the door with your exquisite fingernails.

-Who is in there? -That's what I'd like to know?

-Well, you're the seer.

Have they died, perhaps? - No, I'm not dead.

I'm talking, therefore I exist.

And I'll take advantage of that to remind you...

that a gentleman, Hindu or not, should not spy through the keyhole,

...when a good woman is taking a bath.

-I have known many good women

...and none of them has spent an hour in the bathroom.

-Camelio, did you hear? - What? -What this fakir just said?

-What? What did he say? -Just a moment, sir!

I am the one who's using the bathroom next.

-Why didn't you stand up for your rights?

If he did that to me, I'd stick his turban where the sun doesn't shine.

-But, my dear, humanity has already suffered so much.

Why should we go on fighting?

-Mr. Vargas, just a moment ago, the person you sent here arrived.

-Mi...Miranda? I'll go, I'll go and greet him.

Excuse me, my dear. - You can help me do my hair.

-Come in!

-Good morning, Miss Espinoza.

Breakfast is ready. -I'll be down right away.

Did you know that Explending has asked me for a novel?

-Really? Congratulations!

So you'll be abandoning your work in PR?

-No Valeria. Why would I?

They pay me really well for each slogan.

Yesterday they bought another one from me.

"If you really don't want to cry, it's Miraflores Oil you should buy"

-Excuse me.

Here's your watch, Miss Lila.

It's working perfectly. -Thank you, Mr. Lamas.

-Although,to tell the truth, I don't know why you need to know the time.

For a young woman in love, time is just a dream.

-To dream...to hope.

Why else is a woman born?

-To prepare our breakfast too!

-You don't stand out for your wit! Go to the dining room!

Are you going out professor. Have you already had breakfast? - Yes, madam.

-Did you come by sea?

-Yes, I hate the vibration in a plane, Vargas.

-I like the velvety smoothness of water.

-I hope you won't spend all day in the bathtub.

Everyone has to take turns bathing here.

-No, madam, don't worry. -Please excuse me.

-Good morning, Doctor! -Good morning, Mrs. Duval.

-Dr. Robledo. -What do you want?

I've already told you not to talk to me about those damn retirement funds.

-No, don't get upset, Doctor. I just wanted to introduce our new guest.

Hermenegildo Miranda, who's come from Uruguay to give a talk.

Dr. Robledo, ex-surgeon in the army.

Some of the most sought after steady hands in the country.

-Pleased to meet you, Doctor.

Are you still practising? - No!

S. L�pez, has committed his seventh crime.

- When? - Last night.

And only six blocks from here. They just announced it on the radio.

The police are offering a reward of 5,000 pesos to anyone who can provide useful clues.

From what I've seen, they're hoping that S. L�pez will cover the reward.

But, naturally he won't give anything,

he prefers to find his money in his victims'pockets.

Don't you think so professor?

-Profesor Miranda? -Yes -You must come with me.

-I don't know you, sir. -You don't need to.

-S. L�pez could be any one of the boarders.

And it's naive to think that he would keep any proof in his room.

All we would do is warn him off.

But it's also not impossible that he'll make a mistake just like anyone else.

That's why we need an observer in the house.

-Someone who will keep a close watch on all the guests

...and give us daily reports on their movements.

-But I... am a scientific researcher,

...not a private detective.

-Your arrival at the boarding house comes at a good time.

On the other hand, you're not running any risk.

The house is surrounded, by detectives and plain-clothed police.

-Mr. Miranda, you can do us a tremendous service.

-But... it's just that... sharing a roof with an assassin...

It's... horrible!

I suffer from insomnia.

And with what I know now, I'll never get any better.

-Are you refusing us?

-I'm...

-You have to decide, professor.

We can't lose any time.

S. L�pez, will soon find out we're watching him.

-Professor!

-Madam. -What's the matter?

-I'm...I'm very sorry but I have to leave the boarding house.

I'm going back to Montevideo, -You just got here and you're leaving already?

-Circumstances...please excuse me.

-Aren't you happy with the house? With me?

-On the contrary, madam.

-But at least you'll eat with us, won't you?

-Alright... alright, yes. Please excuse me.

-Don't worry, I'll get it. -Thank you, doctor.

-Hello! Pensi�n Babel.

Lucho! -How are you, sweetheart?

Listen. And for God's sake don't repeat anything I tell you.

Are you alone? Right...listen.

S. L�pez lives in the boarding house. - You're kidding me?

-Lila, I'm telling you the truth, I swear.

The house is surrounded. I'll explain everything later.

No, not tonight.

I've promised the police not to come to the boarding house.

Yes, tomorrow.

Shut yourself in your room and don't open for anyone. Understand?

I'll call you early tomorrow, sweetheart.

-Happy? -Oh, men!

Why are they so naive that they have to lie, Doctor?

-Naivete is a male privilege, my dear.

-Just imagine, my boyfriend can't come tonight.

Some kind of party for sure. And you know what excuse he chose?

-Only Merl�n would be able to guess.

A lover's imagination is as crazy as a criminal's.

-Oh, now I understand why Lucho invented such a fantasy.

Do you really think, Doctor, that S. L�pez lives in the pensi�n Babel?

-My calcium! My calcium has disappeared.

-Merl�n, Mr. Merl�n!

-Be a good chap, give it back to her, Mr. Merl�n.

-But I don't have it, I swear to you Miss Lila... wait a moment.

Let's see.

-You are so impertinent!

-Camelio, do you see, the magician pretended that I stole her calcium.

-You... you... you don't need it. -Camelio!

-Borsch!

-No, Mr. Lamas, don't take any beet soup.

-I'm color-blind.

-Could you please choose another time to set your watches.

-Suerte, please give me Mr. Lamas' portion.

For two servings of borsch, I'm capable of converting to Bolshevikism.

-No, thank you. -Aren't you eating, professor?

-The gentleman has a stomach problem from what I can see.

Don't worry, Mrs. Duval, I'll eat his portion.

-Thank you, Mr. Andreieff.

- Are you feeeling sad, my dear lady? - No, no.

Or rather, yes I am.

The professor is leaving us this very night.

-What?

-What... what kind of news is this, Miranda?

-We don't talk while we're eating, Camelio. Be quiet.

-I have to leave, Vargas.

-I think the professor is afraid of us.

Perhaps he doesn't like us? -How could that be, Mrs. Duval?

-Perhaps, we are really repugnant?

-Perhaps, the professor thinks that S. L�pez

...lives at the Babel guesthouse.

-Doctor! - What do you mean?

-Perhaps you don't know who S. L�pez is?

-A...

-A...

-Say it without hesitating, professor. A killer!

-The biggest one Buenos Aires has ever known.

-Seven cri... crimes in just three months.

-A great average, as you can see.

-Compared to him, Leviathan was a mere child.

-Having only recently come from Paysand�, I haven't read many newspapers.

I believe... that he kills when it's raining.

-Just as resin drips from a pine tree, crime drips from the stones of the city.

S. L�pez, roams in the rain.

He sleathily follows his victim, raises his arm...

-You seem to be exceptionally well informed.

-And I don't have a memory like Mr. Merlin.

-My ability to recall simply means I have a good memory, Mt. Andreieff.

Perhaps you are a friend of S. L�pez?

-Better than that my dear fakir!

I am S. L�pez!

-That joke isn't funny, Andreieff.

You shouldn't talk like that.

Please forgive me, my dear lady.

He who laughs adds a golden thread to the all too short fabric of his life.

-Please excuse me, but... I have to go and pack.

Please prepare my bill, Mrs. Du...

-Madam?

-Please bring me Mr.Miranda's bill. -Right away, madam.

-What do you want?

-What do you want?

-What would you like!?

-You've finally got here!

What were you doing for so long upstairs? -Be quiet!

-Come Death! Since Julieta desires it.

Let's talk, my sweet love. Now it is day, a kiss.

Farewell, farewell, I am already upset.

O.K., O.K.

-Solitario!

Why have you taken so long? - Because the kitchen...

-Don't give me excuses, take the bill to Mr. Miranda.

No wait, I'll take it myself.

-Suerte!

Have you seen my rubber gloves?

-They should be in your room, Doctor. -I looked for them but they're not there.

I thought you had taken them away to wash them.

-I'll ask madam.

-Professor!

-What?

His eigth crime?

Where did you say?

Who's speaking?

S. L�pez! Oh!

You're talking to Hedy Lamarr.

How are you, my precious?

Hello! Hello!

A joke!

-Clar�n. Just a moment, sir.

Lucho, they want you. -Thank you.

Who's speaking?

-"Oh Death, you are calling us with your silent voice"

"Dark lover..." -Andreieff!

Please show some respect for once in your life.

There's a dead person in the house.

-Did you do this somehow, Mr. Merl�n? -Miss Espinoza was right next to me.

-That's right. I don't think Mr. Merl�n went out.

But, of course, I was reading, and... -You could have been distracted, right?

Besides, the man is a magician

and naturally, he could have made himself disappear without anyone noticing.

Mr. Merl�n, where were you born?

-In a city in Bengal.

-Good evening!

-Darling, I'm so glad you came. What's happened here has been horrible.

And to think that this evening I thought you were joking.

-How are you, Rivas?

-Thank you, Morales, for letting me come in.

-Lima authorized me to. -How did it happen? -Excuse me.

He was killed with a scalpel.

The killer must have used thin rubber gloves which he then destroyed,

since we found the remains in the kitchen range.

-That's all. - Where's the chief? -Upstairs with Kaplan, the medical examiner.

-Yes, Doctor?

-He must have been killed between 10 and 10:30.

-Did he die instantly? -Everything leads me to believe that.

-No fingerprints, sir. -Well, there's a novelty!

That scalpel, the burnt gloves...

Everything seems to indicate Robledo as the presumed killer.

It could also be a set-up to make us accuse him.

And this damned card.

Why does he have this absurd need to sign each crime?

-Good evening, chief! -Right, good evening.- Am I bothering you?

-I'm sorry Rivas,but we're in a real mess.

Stay here, though. Did you see Morales? -Yes, he's downstairs.

Torres, Tell him to send Andreieff to me! Come on, Doctor.

-And what made you think of painting this?

-Go ask Rembrandt why he painted The Anatomy Lesson!

Or Murillo, the Ascension of the Virgin.

-Freedom is free... -Nobody asked you anything.

And by the way, don't you have anything more manly to entertain yourself with?

-I don't know anything better for an active mind.

-Morales! The chief wants Andreieff to go upstairs.

-Don't let anyone touch my embroidery, Inspector.

-Mrs. Duval.

-Where's the chief, Rivas?

-He's in Dr. Robledo's room.

-Are you surprised, young Sherlock Holmes?

For the first time, S. L�pez, has killed with a scalpel and it's not raining.

It seems like an emergency killing, doesn't it.

-Or a crime committed to attract the attention of the police.

What was the intention, Andreieff ? -Ask the magician.

S. L�pez is the same kind of mystery.

-There's no doubt, it was taken from here. -Sir!

-Boris Andreieff, at your service! -Russian? - Siberian.

-I wouldn't have suspected from your accent.

-I've spent time in every city in the world.

An artist doesn't have a mother country.

-After eating, did you go up to your room?

-Just for a moment to get my embroidery.

-Did you meet anyone? -Yes, Lamas.

-The watchmaker, sir, the boarder who went out after the crime.

-Did you see anyone else? -Doctor Robledo.

-You have a dangerous memory, my dear Andreieff.

-May I leave now? -Yes. -(in Russian?) Doctor.

-Do you recognize this, Doctor?

-Nothing looks more like a scalpel than another scalpel!

-It belongs to your set. -What are you trying to suggest?

-Nobody kills with a weapon that by its very nature

could identify the killer.

-It would be risky, but clever.

-And a Doctor is very clever, isn't he, Surgeon?

-What possible interest could I have in getting rid of this poor old man?

I'm a doctor but I don't practise.

-And we know why you can't practise.

In the unfortunate case which finished your surgical career,

...you didn't show yourself to be very compassionate, so they tell us.

-You are wrong, sir.

It was because I was sorry for a woman that I ruined my life.

-Why did you go up to your room after dinner?

-To get some antacid tablets.

I bumped into Andreieff, as you know, and...

I almost forgot!

Today, after lunch, Lamas

...showed some interest in looking at my set of scalpels.

-Did you show it to him? -Right here. He seemed to be an expert.

-Why did you go up to your room after eating?

-To...to look for some old letters I wanted to get rid of.

-And why did you go out when the professor was found to have been killed?

-I... I didn't feel well and I went to get a sedative at the pharmacy.

-Why didn't you ask Dr. Robledo?

-Because...I don't know. I didn't think of it, I was so shocked.

-Please come upstairs with me.

-Mr.Vargas, why were you in the kitchen?

-To...to... -Calm down Camelio, the man's not going to eat you.

Take all the time you need to think about it.

But, for God's sake, don't say anything stupid.

- To...to ... - Answer me without thinking about it, young man.

-Why did you go? -To... to smoke.

-And the doctor has forbidden him to do that. Cigarettes are bad for his chest.

-Bu..bu... but I didn't smoke.

I thought I heard footsteps and I thought it...it might be my wife.

-Was it your wife who came into the kitchen?

- Answer me! - No...no sir, it was Lamas.

-Why did you ask Dr. Robledo to show you his set of scalpels?

-Me? No, that's not true! -What? Do you deny having...?

Do you really believe I would invent such a stupid lie?

-The scalpel is yours.

-For God's sake! I have a witness. -I...

-Andreieff was passing in the hallway when Lamas came into my room..

We exchanged a few words. Is it true or isn't it true?

-Should I call Mr. Andreieff? -No, no.

-I swear I didn't go there on purpose.

The conversation turned to surgery...

-Morales.

-What were you doing in the kitchen after eating?

-Burning some old letters in the boiler.

-Didn't you notice the smell of burnt rubber?

-No, no. I have a bad cold. I didn't notice.

-You're a terrible liar. -Chief! Come here.

-It's strange, it looks like letters. -They are letters, chief.

I showed them to the maid who said it was the first time she'd seen them.

Yesterday, she polished the table and cleaned the rooom for the new guest.

-Professor Miranda,managed to scratch them just before dying.

-Personally, I would bet he didn't.

-You would lose, Doctor.

The professor, who hardly knew the names of the boarders,

...remembered, on the other hand, some peculiarity of the killer as he died.

-He didn't manage to finish the word. -" The R ".

-What do you think it means, sir?

-A posthumous accusation. The repair man.

-Chief, the dead man's money is missing, isn't it? - Yes.

We found his empty wallet.

-Well then...I think I know where it's hidden.

S.L�PEZ = LAMAS

-Are you coming in? - No, darling, I have to get to Clar�n as quickly as I can.

-You see, this business of yours, has robbed us of at least three kisses.

-Because of, it also seems to me, that Valeria is losing some business.

-Or is gaining some more. -Later, darling. - Call me.

-It seems a little expensive.

-Is it what the dead man paid? -It is what the dead man paid.

-Good afternoon, Valer�a. -Good afternoon.

-Who would have thought, when you saw him come in so full of life...

- And then saw him leave completely dead! What else would you like to know, madam?

-You seem very happy, Miss Lila. -I am, madam.

-They just named my fianc� Editor in Chief.

-Congratulations!

-And Mr. Vargas? -He went out to buy me a corset.

-To be... or not to be: that is the question.

Whether it is nobler in the mind

to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune?

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

...and by opposing end them?

To die, to sleep - no more.

Checkmate.

-Did you lose again, Dr.Robledo? -It's impossible to win against Andreieff.

-He smokes all the time to distract his opponent,blowing smoke in his face.

-A limp prevents one from walking properly but not from kicking.

-It's terrible! I can't stand it any more!

-What's the matter, my dear lady? -People, Mr. Andreieff.

Ever since they discovered that damn Lamas,

the house is full of sightseers but no one wants to take a room.

All I'm doing is going up and down stairs.

-You'll have to let the police know, Mrs. Duval.

The street is full of onlookers. You can't go out.

This morning, an impertinent journalist, wanted to know at all costs,

what I thought about the game between Boca and River.

-For my part, this scandal has worked in my favour. -Making you more beautiful?

Nothing makes women more beautiful than fear.

-For God's sake, Andreieff!

What I meant was that Radio Explendid has just offered me an interview,

entitled "Alone with S. L�pez". See you later.

Mr. Merl�n, how elegant you are.

-Scandals attract, Miss Espinoza. They've given me a contract at the casino.

-Well done! We'll get free seats.

- And you can write me a publicity slogan - I'll be delighted to.

-"Want to know your fate? See Merlin at the casino, don't wait." - Definitely!

-Going out without a driver, Mr. Merl�n? It's raining cats and dogs. -Raining?

-Will your rapier be enough for you my dear magician?

-What for? I don't always need to have it with me.

-I'll leave it here. -Amazing confidence.

-My fortune telling faculties have never failed me. I always suspected Lamas.

Good afternoon.

-Bad jokes continue to be your weakness, Andreieff.

-On the contrary! I was serious.

It's been four days since they captured Lamas,

...and he continues to deny being S. L�pez.

-He'll confess eventually.

-And what if he were innocent, my dear Doctor?

-Did you know the professor? -No. -So, why did you kill him?

-I...I didn't kill him. -Yes, you did. -No!

-The scalpel has your fingerprints on it.

-That can't be. That can't be. -Why did you go to the kitchen?

-To burn some letters. -And why did you burn the gloves?

-Answer me! -I don't know what you're talking about.

-I burned ... I burned some letters. -You did it with a bag of sand.

-I don't know, I don't know. -But you did have a bag of sand?

- You went to the professor's to rob him. - I... I..

-Are you S. L�pez? -No, no...

-You are S. L�pez! You are S. L�pez...

-Yes, I am...

S. L�pez.

-They want you on the phone, sir.

-Hello! Lima, yes.

-She died more or less half an hour ago.

-Sir, the wallet that Torres found near the corner...

is, of course, empty.

-On two of her fingers, the woman had marks left by rings,

...the killer certainly took them. -S. L�pez!

When will we get to the end of this cynical exhibitionism?

-S. L�pez is not normal, sir.

He hasn't been able to resist the temptation of challenging you.

-No, Morales, S. L�pez must have some vital reason.

Something really special to risk so much...

What could it be?

If only we could answer that question.

Wait a minute. Look, see the little mark next to the footprint on the right.

-Yes, sir.

-Do you think that...? -It's obvious, Morales.

-Torres. -Sir?

-Have some photos taken of this footprint right away.

Come on, Morales.

By the look of it, the real S. L�pez, is still living at the Babel guesthouse.

Make the call!

-Where are you coming from Doctor? -Good evening, Mr. Lima.

You were saying? -What were you doing tonight around 6:30?

-I was walking. - In this weather? -Why not? I love rain.

We find everything under its wing: women in distress, ghosts and fools.

Adventure! Love! -And Death! -Well said!

-Good evening, Mr. Lima.

-Are all your guests here, Mrs. Duval? -Yes, sir.

Well, that is to say, except Mr. Norton. He had to go to his club earlier.

...and hasn't come back yet. -All right!

Tell the others to go to their rooms and wait for my orders.

-Yes, sir. -Go in.

After you, Doctor.

-Are you limping? -As befits a stoic philosopher.

As I told you just recently.

-What time did you go out to buy the corset?

-Roughly 5 o'clock.

-I'm going to have to ask you to be quiet, madam.

-And why did you only come in now at 7? -I went to the cinema, sir.

My wife doesn't like to go, so I took advantage of being able to go alone.

-Which cinema and what was playing? -A porno film, I'm sure!

They're the only ones he likes. -Please, madam!

-Which cinema did you go to?

-To...to the Rosedale, the one near the University.

-I'm sorry for you, Mr. Vargas. -Why?

-Around 6:30, in Eras St, next to the railings of the botanical gardens,

S. L�pez, killed a woman.

-I was leaving my manager's house. I was there because he had a bad 'flu.

-And you went to fumigate? -No sir, I went to get a contract.

In a few days, I'm going to start at the casino.

-Where does your manager live?

-In a mansion at Alvear and Acevedo.

-Near the botanical gardens? -That's right.

-Between 5 and 7, I was with a lady.

She was wonderful, she smelled of wild violets.

-At the house of a woman who was out for a walk

near the botanical gardens and served tea in a samovar?

-No, chief! At the house of a little angel, who lives in Palermo

...and prefers whisky to milky tea.

-But whose identity you insist on hiding? -Oh, yes.

-A Russian will never compromise a lady.

Not even if asked by the U.N, chief.

-Good evening, Mr. Lima!

-Good evening. -Where are you coming from?

-From fencing at the gym. -In Palermo? -Yes.

I had a game of bridge. - What time did you leave the club?

-About...about quarter past six, approximately.

I remember because we had stopped playing 10 minutes earlier.

-Did you know that S. L�pez has just made his ninth killing? -No

-It doesn't seem to surprise you much.

-I always suspected that Lamas was a victim of the real S. L�pez.

Tell me ...

Have you taken into account that the incriminating "R"...

could indicate someone other than the watchmaker? -Yes

-Who do you suspect?

-Yes. I thought of him immediately.

S. L�PEZ = Dr. ROBLEDO A surprise ending to the nightmare.

-Dr Robledo, everything seems to point to you.

The footprints in the mud are an exact metch with yours.

You have to explain to us where you were yesterday at 6:30.

-Your silence won't get you anywhere.

Sooner or later, you'll have to explain yourself.

What are you hoping for? -I'm not hoping for anything.

-I'm waiting. -What are you waiting for?

-I'm waiting for S. L�pez to deign to commit his tenth crime.

-For...forgive me my friends, but...

it's the first time in my life I have felt so happy. I...

-Don't go on about it, dear friend, after all, we owe it to you.

-Lamas, the person who won't forgive you is Lila.

-Miss Lila? Why?

-Because you made her miss her interview. -Norton!

-The main figure in the drama with S. L�pez was a watchmaker.

From one day to the next, he had to change into a doctor.

-Actually, my dear Norton...

you were right to doubt whether Lamas was guilty.

Do you now think that Dr. Robledo is?

-Without a doubt, I always suspected that insufferable misanthrope. -I didn't.

Do you want to bet on it?

-I'll give you 100 pesos for 50. -I accept.

-Gentlemen, please! Why talk about such a painful subject.

-Spasiva, my dear lady.

-Mrs. Duval is right.

We'd do better to get ready for the theatre.

It wouldn't be right for us to be late on Merlin's first night.

-Not us, Miss Lila... You'll know how to give our excuses.

-Let's all go!

-The thing is my husband gets paid at the end of the month, Mr. Rivas, and we...

-But I'm inviting you, madam. You can't miss it!

-Our young journalist seems to have come into some money.

-Better than that, Andreieff, today I got my first salary as Editor in Chief.

-Tell your men that, when the theatre gets out ...

they shouldn't lose sight of any of the boarders. Especially not the magician.

-And now, my valued public, the feeling of the present

...the past and the future.

Exercises in telekinetics, clarvoyancy and oneiromancy.

No answer is impossible for Merl�n. Ask away, ladies and gentlemen.

-What is my name? -Juana Rodr�guez.

-Who will win the football championship this year?

-River Plate.

-Who is S. L�pez?

S. L�pez... is me.

-That was impressive, Mr. Merl�n. -Marvellous! - Fantastic!

-Just like a magnificent S. L�pez.

-I'm going to paint a picture of you, Merl�n.

-It gave me goosebumps. That burning scene is incredible.

-Miss Lila, I owe a part of my triumph to you.

Your publicity posters were a success.

It's an ingenious idea. Magnificent!

-That's how my fianc� and I are, ladies and gentlemen.

-Won't you stay a while, Lucho, it's raining so hard.

-And it will keep on raining, the only place it won't, is right here.

-Oh darling, another kiss like that and I won't be able to write another slogan.

-I'll help you:"If you want a quiet life, then take Lila for your wife".

-Hello Rivas! They closed the caf� and I had to wait for you out here.

Fortunately it's stopped raining.

-Forgive me for being late, Andreieff. -I understand.

It's difficult to say goodbye to an enchanting young lady.

-How did you manage to elude the policeman? -He can go to the hell!

For a few blocks, we played "watch the thief".

Finally, he gave up.

-Where are we going? -Wherever you're going.

-And if I was going to throw myself in the river. -I would give you a hand.

-Very well, S. L�pez. Thank you for your honesty.

-What's bugging you, Rivas?

-I've decided to call all the guests that.

At least I'll be sure to call the one who is guilty by his right name.

-A stupid idea.

Stupid and dangerous.

Just imagine if I were S. L�pez?

-It would mean that my idea wasn't so stupid. -No, Rivas.

It would mean that you're ready to be dispatched to a better world.

-Don't you believe it. I have a pistol in the right-hand pocket of my coat

...and my finger is already on the trigger.

-So, you don't think that Robledo is the criminal either? - No.

The doctor was arrested for a stupid case of footprints.

S. L�pez is not a man to make that kind of mistake.

-Aren't you beginning to regret this meeting, Rivas?

The street is deserted.

Fog is enveloping us.

-I don't regret anything. I'm loving this conversation.

-But your distrust of me is growing every moment, isn't it?

-I suspect both you and Merl�n.

-Aren't you wicked to suspect a Hindu!

-Why?

-Because he is innocent.

It's impossible to scare a brave man.

This is your house, isn't it? I'll leave you.

Tell your chief that I'll only write what he wants if he pays me 1000 pesos.

That's what I wanted to tell you. Forgive the joke. Did you resent it? -No

-Right, til tomorrow then. And bring me his answer.

Dr. Robledo is free.

-When he left the casino, the painter went to Esmeralda and took the #10 tram.

I didn't lose sight of him for a second.

He went into the boarding house and I assure you he didn't leave all night.

-And Vargas?

-He and his wife took Corrientes when it began to pour with rain.

Going past the opera they got mixed up with people coming out of the cinema and..

-And then, they disappeared? -As if the rain had swallowed them up.

-What about you, Torres?

-The...the Hindu left an hour later. He ran after a taxi, reached it, and...

-And escaped just like that!

-No sir, I could have followed him, but there was no other taxi and no way to.

-That's fine!

-How is Rivas? -Out of danger, sir.

Unfortunately his statement doesn't give us any clues.

Except to confirm Andreieff's innocence.

-And with that, our famous theory goes to hell.

-The initial, the watchmaker, the lame man, the Russian.

Another one of S. L�pez's tricks to amuse himself at our expense.

-At the same time, he's boxing himself in ever more tightly.

There's only three suspects left. -Two.

If Pe�a isn't lying, Norton is free of all suspicion.

-What if we arrested Vargas and Merl�n, sir?

-What would we gain by that?

It's not just about stopping the killer.

We have to unmask him, Morales!

Have you been reading the papers?

If this madness continues, we won't be able to resist the weight of public opinion.

-Yes, Morales.

What are you saying?

Yes, perfectly. Wait for orders.

They have found S. L�pez's weapon, sir.

They just found it in the basement of an empty house on G�emes St.

...hanging from one of the bars of the skylight.

-They didn't remove it from there, did they? -No,sir.

The bag of sand remains in place.

In a word-the trap is ready to be sprung.

-Mr. Morales.

-Leave him alone.

At 9 o'clock I'll call him, Leiva. And I'll be polite.

Perhaps this rain, is a funeral oration for S. L�pez.

-Were you at the hospital this afternoon, Miss Espinoza?

-Yes, Mr. Merl�n. Lucho asked me to say hello to you all.

They'll release him this week.

-I'm happy about that. Tomorrow, I'll go and see him before my performance.

-By the way, we're going to be late, Mrs. Vargas. -Yes, that's right.

-I'm going to my club, Merl�n.

Would you like to accompany me for a little game of bridge?

-Go out on my day off? Never!

Thank you, Norton.

But generally, it's in bed that the best tricks and illusions occur to me.

-It's still raining.

-According to S. L�pez's timeframe, there's still time for a crime.

What do you say Vargas, as your wife isn't here, shall we play poker?

-Great idea!

-Will you join us, Doctor? -Same goes for me.

-Are... are you going to play seriously? -No, Vargas, an innocent little game.

Like a spring morning, running barefoot throught the grass.

Would you like to play, Lila?

-Thank you Andreieff, I prefer just to watch, if you don't mind.

-Of course, my dear!

And you Lamas, turn off that damned music.

-Three,three aces.

-Full house, queen high.

-More... ten more cards.

-These..these are the last 100 pesos I have left.

-You're not having much luck tonight, are you?

-It's terrible...I..., my wife...

-Do you feel ill, Vargas? -No, no...

I'll open with five.

-This...

-Twenty. -Forty.

-I'll see you.

-I'll see with the rest of you. -Pass. -I'll see you.

-How many cards, Vargas? -Six, sir.

Six

-And you, Andreieff? -I don't want any. -One.

-A run, ace high. -I beat you. Full house, jack high

-Just a minute, dear chap.

Full house, king high.

-What's the matter, Miss Lila?

-No... nothing, nothing.

I beg you... to excuse me.

-How strange. -She seemed terrified.

-As if she saw, S. L�pez himself.

-Ex...excuse me. I have to go to the theater to meet my wife.

Please don't let her find out that I lost so much.

-Mr. Merl�n!

-What's the matter, Miss Espinoza? -S. L�pez.

-What are you saying? -I know who it is, I know who it is.

-You have to help me, they'll kill me. -What are you saying, my dear?

Explain yourself!

But what madness is this? what you're saying is ridiculous.

-I swear to you, you have to believe me. You have to believe me!

-Listen to me! The accident to your fianc� has unnerved you.

Go and rest. -Believe me, Mr. Merl�n, believe me.

-Take a sedative and go to bed. Don't make me get angry with you, Lila.

Go on, go to bed, I'll tell Dr. Robledo to prepare a tranquilizer for you.

-Nooooo!

-Well then, pull yourself together and go and rest.

-Where are you going, my dear?

-In figuring out the tricks they pulled on Vargas to beat him.

I suddenly understood the truth.

It was so incredible I couldn't hide my fear.

Those 3 men worked together in the game ...and in the crime.

-I didn't doubt what you were saying to me for an instant, Miss Lila.

But I thought they would make us pay and kill us both ...

at the least sign of resistance.

I pretended not to believe you and went to see Robledo for a tranquilizer.

I knocked him out, tied his hands and put on his disguise as S. L�pez.

-You did us a great service, Miss Espinoza.

Now everything seems so simple.

The famous card was a brilliant idea.

With it, Lamas, Andreieff and Robledo, blinded us...

making us believe there was just one killer.

That's why, when they understood the hideout had been discovered,

...they killed Professor Miranda.

They wanted to attract the police and play their diabolical killing game,

making themselves each a suspect and each one proving himself innocent.

God knows who they thought they were going to pin the crimes on.

You were right, Morales.

This rain was the funeral oration for S. L�pez.

Right guys, I think we've earned a little relaxation.

Let's go and see this movie! " Death walks in the Rain"

English subs by Nocturne