Original subtitles

Seagulls calling

It's too ridiculous! I haven't been to the seaside for years.

Now, instead of doing whatever it is one does at the seaside

here I am, sleuthing like mad, trying to clear my husband's name.

I mean, it's potty. Look around you.

Would anyone think that, 24 hours ago,

a perfectly strange young girl was found dead in our library?

And here I am with you,

tracking down suspects at a five—star seaside hotel.

Murder at the majestic!

Oh, I'm sorry, Jane. Were you thinking?

What? Oh, oh.

Well, perhaps. Yes.

Ah. Well, then. I'll be quiet.

Begins singing to herself

oh. Jane, what is it?

- That tune. — yes?

Oh, I don't know. I just wondered...

It's just a tune.

Man: I suppose the key to it all

was that eight years of mourning were coming to an end.

I've only just realised it.

Thanks to you, Addie.

- To me? — yes.

If you hadn't struggled free of me a little this holiday, then I doubt...

Dear god.

Voice breaking: Poor little Ruby.

Clears throat

yes, I'm sorry, mr Jefferson.

We policeman can rarely leave a decent interval.

Quite.

But I want to help, chief constable. Very much.

What do you want me to tell you?

Well, as I understand it,

eight years ago in the plane crash, you lost not only your wife

but both your children, a son and a daughter,

and they each left behind a wife and a husband,

namely mrs Jefferson here, and mr Mark gaskell.

Yes. We were very much thrown together, as you might imagine.

Mark and Adelaide were very good to me.

I sometimes think I owe my own will to live to them.

I've become more independent, mind you... over the years.

Perhaps it was necessary.

If you'll excuse me, colonel. I ought to find my son, Peter.

Yes, of course.

I'll see you soon, Jeff.

Mr Jefferson,

when you announced that you intended to adopt Ruby keene as your daughter,

what was the reaction of mrs Jefferson and Mark gaskell?

They weren't tremendously pleased, but they took it all right.

Was that the reaction you expected?

It was, yes. I didn't expect them to like it.

I had made healthy provision for both of them when they married my children.

Yes? — so I didn't expect them to behave unreasonably.

It's my experience that families often do.

But we'd shared a lot, don't forget.

And they had no blood claim on me.

True.

When you decided to adopt Ruby keene,

did you tell them how much you were going to leave her?

They're not stupid.

They'd have made educated guesses.

How much was it, in fact?

100,000.

Yes, I suppose that's a motive. Chuckles

I don't envy you trying to prove either Mark or Adelaide...

The murderer.

Oh, Jane! Really?

One can't solve a murder with sand in one's shoes!

I want my lunch!

Oh, yes. Of course you do, clear. You run along.

I'm sorry not to be more companionable.

Oh, come along, Jane. Are you going to tell me or aren't you?

- I'm sorry? - — well, for heaven's sake!

Who strangled Ruby keene and why did they leave her body in our library?

Oh! Oh, that? Yes.

Isn't that what you've been thinking about?

Well, not really.

Yes. Of course, it's obvious who might have done it.

Distracted: But there's something missing. Yes.

Mumbles to self

Man: My direct line for hq. Oh, and car's on standby.

Inspector slack's table there. Back—up tables here. Get on with it.

Got you.

Ah, yes. Mr bartlett.

Ruby keene seemed happy enough to dance with you?

Hadn't thought of that. Yah. Well, sort of herjob, isn't it?

Yeah, I think she was. I dance quite decently, you know.

- You finished dancing when? - — gosh, sorry. Couldn't say.

- — No idea at all? - Sorry. It's a thing time, isn't it?

What did you do after you stopped dancing?

You know how it is.

Thought I might get lucky, take her for a spin, then she pushed off.

- Who did? - — Ruby, after our last dance.

Lake! Been yawning like a monkey for most of it, anyway.

Then she said she had a headache.

I say, was I the last one to see her? Apart from...

Where did she go? — to her room, she said.

What did you do? — do? Yah, see what you mean.

- — Could have been anything, really. - What was it, in fact?

Drink, probably. Usually drink after waggling a leg.

I think I wandered about and strolled about outside.

Hate it when it's stuffy.

Course. Must have, because that's where I spotted it. - What?

I didn't spot it, because it wasn't there. Sorry. I spotted it had gone.

- What had? - The motor.

- — Your car? - Absolutely.

Sorry, I reported it to the chaps at the station at thingummy road.

I say, you couldn't, could you?

I mean, you seem to be a little more intelligent than those chaps.

It's a vauxhall coaster, red, with...

Sorry, mr bartlett. Ours is a murder inquiry.

Oh, yah. Sorry. God, yah. Forgot. Sorry.

Phone ringing

conversations in low voices

- — I'm sorry to trouble you again. - Not at all.

We need to estab...

- Phone rings - lake! - Sir.

Perhaps you'd be so good as to...

Hello?

Yes, can I help you?

Mrs Perkins. What can I do for you...?

Now, miss Turner.

We need to establish the actual times of your cousin's movements.

And, of course, the movements of others involved.

Yes, of course.

You said in your previous statement

that she did her exhibition dance with mr starr.

Yes. That was 10.30 — There or thereabouts.

She used to look forward to it.

Orchestra plays

ladies and gentlemen, miss Ruby keene!

Applause

Where have you been, Mark?

Sorry, sorry. Writing letters.

Come on, Mark. Ruby's just starting to dance.

Music changes

Music changes

Music changes

Her next appearance was scheduled at midnight.

Just after that, ray came over to the table.

He wasn't pleased.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

As long as you don't change the run of the cards.

As long as you do!

Josie, Ruby hasn't turned up.

We were supposed to be on five minutes ago.

She was dancing with poor little rich boy...

George bartlett hasn't seen her for half an hour.

I wish she wouldn't do this. Excuse me for a moment.

I am sorry.

She's not in her room.

We're supposed to be on now. She's your responsibility.

Calm down... — Bridget, have you seen Ruby? — no.

Listen, ray. We'll have to do a toned—down version ourselves.

I'll buzz upstairs and change.

You work out a routine with plenty of the slow spectacular.

Not too much of the athletic flash!

You'll probably put that ankle right back!

Music plays

- — You stayed up for her? - Till nearly two.

Mr starr persuaded me to go to bed, eventually.

When did the bridge game begin?

10.30. We would have started earlier but mr gaskell had letters to write.

At least, that's what he said.

I think it was an excuse, actually. He's not that keen on bridge.

But he was back in time to see Ruby's dance? — yes.

And did anyone leave the table before Ruby was reported missing?

I know what I was doing.

Others will tell you that Ruby...

Amused me.

It was more than that.

To an extent, of course, she was performing.

She was a natural story—teller.

She had that from her background. Her parents were both theatricals.

What a childhood!

Dreadful lodgings.

Catching the train on sundays and not going to church.

They had to get to the next touring date, you see.

Fascinating to me, this sort of thing.

You know, even the most horrifying anecdotes always ended in laughter.

Her laughter, I mean.

No complaints, no comments.

Just clear—headed amusement.

She had a marvellous knowledge of life.

And it had left her unsullied.

Unsullied?

Yes!

I want to make that clear!

Then you must sell 100.

Excuse me.

Have you talked to sir Henry yet?

- No, sir. - Why the hell not?

You're like an old woman, Edwards. I told you it was urgent.

I haven't spoken to sir Henry, sir, because he was not at home.

I did, however, leave a message with his housekeeper,

who said she could contact him.

I have no doubt that he will be here for lunch, as requested.

If you'll excuse me, sir, I shall go and confirm the arrangements.

Door slams Edwards!

Voice on phone what?

Ring me tomorrow!

Excuse me. I say, are you from Scotland yard?

I'm Peter carmody.

My name's not Jefferson because mummy was married before.

My real daddy was killed in the war. — got you.

Do you like detective stories? I do, most of them.

I've got lots of autographs...

Dickson carr, hc Bailey and Dorothy sayers.

- Will the murder be in the papers? - It will.

I'm back at school next week.

I'll be able to tell the chaps that I knew her well.

- You did, did you? — yes.

What did you think of her?

Not much, quite honestly. She was pretty thick.

Mummy and uncle Mark didn't like her much, either. Only grandfather.

She was always butting in. They're glad she's dead.

How do you know?

Uncle Mark said it was one way out, anyway,

and mummy said, "yes, but it was so horrible."

And uncle Mark said he didn't see the point in being hypocritical.

- Sir. — thank you, slack.

Thought I should take a look at Ruby keene's room.

Of course, sir. Your prerogative, sir.

That was mrs Jefferson's boy, wasn't it? - Mm-hm.

- Did he have anything to say? - He thinks his mother did it.

Aided and abetted by his uncle.

Does he, now?

Chamber maids do the staff rooms once a week, so nothing was touched.

No unaccounted prints.

Is this the dress she was wearing for the exhibition dance?

Yes, sir.

As far as we can tell, she left George bartlett at half past 11.

Nobody saw her after that.

Presumably, she came up here, changed out of this

into the white dress she was wearing when she was found?

Yes, sir.

Who occupies the other rooms on this floor?

Josie Turner opposite.

The other rooms are empty. The extra summer staff use them later.

There was no—one to see her.

The fire escape's hardly lit.

She could climb down and practically guarantee not to be noticed.

Yes.

There's only one reason why a girl changes her dress.

Why?

She was going to meet someone?

I'm sorry you had to cancel your gathering.

Everyone's catching it. The nailors rang last night to cancel their do.

Never mind. Yes, yes.

Well, my regards to mrs Duffy.

Good bye.

Come on, Malcolm. Come on.

You said you wanted to see the colonel.

You can't back out now. You've got to tell him. Come on.

Floorboards creaking

there's a good lad. — come on, Malcolm.

How's the world with you?

Malcolm has made a discovery, sir.

Oh, yes? Whispers: Found a body.

What?

Found a body.

Assuming she was going to meet somebody,

suppose it was her boyfriend, a bit of a hard case.

The sort of person she'd want to keep dark,

so as not to foul up her chances with Jefferson.

It's hardly surprising nobody knew about him.

Now...

Suppose she tells him that Jefferson is going to adopt her.

He doesn't like this a bit. Going to take her out of his class.

He's as good as lost her.

He probably doesn't mean to kill her but he's stupid.

Doesn't know his own strength. Panics.

Wrings her neck.

Drives around a bit. Hardly knows where he is.

Passes gossington hall.

Big house, easy to break into.

Dumps her there to divert attention and clears off to London.

Well, I think it's about the best line we have at the moment.

There is the financial motive, but at this stage

it looks as if mrs Jefferson and gaskell have a cast—iron alibi.

Well, I must be off.

Slack? I want you to report to me at the end of each day.

Whenever you finish.

The bantrys are neighbours of mine.

Sir.

Lake!

Tell Prescott, the manager,

that I want to speak to that flash piece of goods who teaches tennis.

- What's his name? - Starr.

Bridget, pop down to the tennis courts and ask mr starr to come up.

There. I'll send mr starr along to the room that we've given you.

Thank you, sir.

To herself: Oh! Stupid!

Can I help you, madam?

To herself: Something I've seen and I don't know what it is.

Madam?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

- How can I help you? - — oh, I only wish you could.

I sometimes feel we have no control over what our eyes decide to see.

Oh, that's it! I should like to buy one of those newspapers.

- No, no. Compliments of the house. - Oh, thank you very much.

I knew her as a dancing partner. She seemed a pleasant girl, bit dim.

What about men?

For what it's worth, I always thought of her as very innocent.

She spent most of her time with the jeffersons.

I assumed she was missing her family.

Did you know that mr Jefferson planned to adopt her, legally?

Crafty little maiden.

Not so dim, perhaps?

Good morning. My name's clithering.

Would you telephone mr Jefferson's room?

He is expecting me. —indeed.

Sir Henry clithering. I'll phone his suite now, sir. - Thank you.

Phone dialing

sir Henry clithering is downstairs.

Thank you. Replaces receiver

mr Jefferson's suite is on the first floor, sir.

- His man will meet you at the stairs. - Thank you.

Do you think Josie Turner knew about the adoption business?

I don't know.

She's got a head on her, Josie.

Seems more likely that Josie planned it

and little Ruby sized it up for herself.

Why do you think that?

Josie was as cross as I was when Ruby didn't turn up for the dance.

I wondered why.

It would make sense if Josie had told her to keep her nose clean.

Wouldn't it?

If you can give me one moment, please, madam.

Excuse me, sir. There's a lady outside.

I'm busy, lake!

Now, the exhibition dance was...

What's the matter?

- — She won't go away, sir. - Who is it?

I don't know, sir. A miss marple.

Let her in.

This way, madam.

Yes, thank you.

I'm so sorry to interrupt.

It's so important, I thought you ought to know.

It's this missing schoolgirl in the newspaper.

Yes, madam. What about her?

She's... I don't know what she is, but I know that it's important.

I'm afraid I'm not putting this very well, but...

Oh, why do I keep thinking of Mozart?

And the girl! Why do I keep thinking it's too late?

- Do you know her, miss marple? - There's another thing.

No—one seems to know anyone else in this business.

"This business"?

Are you suggesting that the missing schoolgirl

is connected with the death of Ruby keene?

- — Of course! - How?

Well, I don't know how.

What is being done about this missing schoolgirl?

It's not my department. That would be local. I'm county.

If you're concerned, miss marple,

I should have a word with the duty staff at danemouth.

The Harold road station. Do you know it?

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

Well, it's probably too late, anyway.

Any clues?

Young girl.

Ruby and I did our 10.30 dance. I didn't notice what happened then.

I had my partners to look after.

When she hadn't turned up by midnight, I saw George bartlett.

He said that he hadn't seen her since around 11.30.

So I went to look for Josie.

Sorry to interrupt.

Josie, Ruby hasn't turned up.

George bartlett hasn't seen her for half an hour.

I wish she wouldn't do this sort of thing. Excuse me.

I am sorry.

Damn fool! She can't do this sort of thing.

It'll ruin all her chances.

She's not with that film bloke, is she?

She's changed.

She must be with someone, little idiot.

How I'll square this with the jeffersons, god knows!

- — The jeffersons? - Never mind. Come on.

Phone ringing

lake here...

Who do you think she meant by "that film bloke"?

Er... chap who comes here occasionally. Basil somebody.

Got a weekend cottage somewhere. I suppose that's who she means.

Thanks... excuse me, sir.

- Well? — hq, sir.

They think they found the schoolgirl. - Think?

The body's very charred.

She's in a burnt—out car in a disused quarry five miles from here.

The car's a vauxhall coaster, sir.

- Where do the parents live? - Westcliff, sir.

You have to admit it has all the bizarre ingredients of a cheap thriller.

Most extraordinary!

That really is the most extraordinary story.

Arthur bantry's place?

What do you want me to do?

What I would do, if I weren't in this damn chair.

Find out who killed the girl?

Yes. You're the professional.

Oh! It's a long time since I did any detection.

Mind you, I suppose now I've retired from the yard,

I can nose around a bit without treading on too many toes. — good.

All the same...

May I make a suggestion?

Did you know that downstairs in the foyer

is one of the most formidable criminologists in england?

- Really? — oh, yes.

I can lay you almost any odds you would never recognise her as such.

- Her?

There she sits, an elderly spinster.

Sweet, placid — so you'd think.

Yet her mind has plumbed the depths of human iniquity

and taken it all in a day's work.

How do we involve her?

I expect she's involved already.

She lives in st Mary mead,

a couple of miles from Arthur and Dolly's place.

It's extraordinary!

She knows the world only through the prism

of that village and its daily life.

By knowing the village so thoroughly she seems to know the world.

Miss marple.

Oh. Oh, sir Henry!

- Oh, what luck! - — what a great pleasure.

Oh, how kind of you to say so.

Are you staying here? Yes, as a matter of fact.

Poor Dolly bantry and I are sharing a suite.

I thought you might be involved.

Have you found any village parallel yet?

Well, not really, no. You don't sound sure.

Well, I was trying to account for mr Jefferson's infatuation

with the poor child that was murdered.

Mr harbottle came to mind.

And, to a certain extent, mr badger the chemist.

I knew you wouldn't fail me.

Miss marple, Conway Jefferson has asked me to keep an eye on the case,

unofficially, of course.

May I call you in for consultation?

Equally unofficially. — oh. Of course, sir Henry.

If you think my little ramblings will be to the purpose.

Good.

Then may I ask you and mrs bantry to dine with me this evening?

I can't wait to hear the harbottle-badger thesis.

- — Oh, yes. - Until tonight.

What was the name again?

Major reeve. The girl was called Pamela.

Reeve.

Doorbell

major reeve? — yes.

May we come in, sir? Woman: Oh, god! Oh, my god!

Campbell.

Mrs reeve...

Come in.

String quartet plays

I don't think Conway Jefferson is a nasty old man, Jane.

No, certainly not. I wasn't implying that for one moment!

No, I simply think he was looking for a nice bright girl

to take his dead daughter's place.

This girl saw her opportunity and fed it for all she was worth.

Like the young maid and mr harbottle.

Ah! Harbottle, good.

Yes. Ordinary girl. Nice manners, she had.

Mr harbottle's sister kept house for him

and went to nurse a dying relative.

When she returned, she found the girl completely above herself,

sitting down in the drawing room, laughing, not wearing her uniform.

Tut-tut(!)

People said things, but I don't think there was any familiarity.

I think it was simply that the old man found it much pleasanter

to have a charming girl telling him how amusing and clever he was

than miss harbottle continually pointing out his faults.

Yes.

- You think it was foul play? - — yes, sir.

We think she was dead before she was placed in the car

and that somebody tried to destroy the evidence.

We found containers for several gallons of fuel.

I see.

You don't think she was...?

We think she was killed because she was a witness to another crime.

We don't believe the motive was...

We don't believe the motive was personal in any way.

You mean "sexual"? — yes, sir.

Another girl has been killed.

We think Pamela may have stumbled across something

that made her too dangerous for the murderer.

Do you think you feel up to answering some questions, sir?

We want to catch this person and we need all the help we can get.

Of course.

According to your first statement,

when you reported her missing at Harold road,

Pamela left westcliff to attend a guide's rally in danemouth

and you expected her home for supper?

Yes.

She was supposed to come home by bus?

The local station questioned some of her friends.

They agreed that Pamela said she was going to woolworth's

and would catch the bus from the depot.

Is that the sort of thing she often did?

And she had no other plans?

Not so far as I know.

She hadn't got a real boyfriend or anything like that.

Liked playing games.

She was a s... sporting...

Crying

When mr badger discovered that miss hart was carrying on

with a very undesirable man connected with race courses

and had pawned some of mr badger's presents...

He was furious! — well, he was certainly disgusted.

I'm not sure that mr badger was capable of anything so forthright as fury.

Mrs badger got a fur coat out of it. Laughter

do you think mr Jefferson would be capable of fury?

Conway?

Oh, yes. He has drive. I'm sure he's capable of great anger.

What do you think, Dolly?

Yes, I do.

Why do you ask, Jane?

Miss marple! You don't think...?

Conway? You don't really think that?

Oh, no. No.

No. I don't think it, sir Henry.

No, but this is a very muddy business.

I merely say that your friend Conway Jefferson

is a rich, powerful and ingenious man

whom, I suspect, would hate to be made a fool of.

That's all.

Miss marple, miss marple!

Why were you never called to the bar?

What a wonderful prosecuting counsel you'd have made.

She would!

She's wonderful!

Oh, no. I wouldn't have liked it at all.

All that flummery and pretence? Far too theatrical.

Oh, dear me. No, no. I wouldn't have been good at all. No.

I want everything you can find on bartlett.

I can't believe anyone can be that barmy.

I want confirmation that "this film bloke" is basil Blake.

If it is, I want as much as possible about his visits to danemouth.

Check him out with the film studio.

Forensic prelim, good.

Dog barking in distance

was there a long—haired rug in that library?

No. The heart rug was a...

A patterned oriental sort of thing.

That dress she was wearing had some long hairs stuck to it, apparently.

Yeah, white hairs.

Not wool.

Ah! They reckon it's probably a goat!

Mountain goat, something like that.

Mountain goat rug?

Don't reckon I've seen one. Whose house would you find one in?

How about an ex colonial type?

Favourite occupation when bored with safeguarding the empire?

Shoot a himalayan goat or two.

- Bantry? - Why not?

On his own admission driving round between 10 and 11.45

on the night in question.

No witnesses.

Was at the majestic last week. Knows the jeffersons.

Who'd be so stupid as to dump a body in their own library?

Or so clever?

Music ends

I think that if Ruby had had a young man,

she would have kept very quiet about it.

And the young man might have resented it.

That's plausible.

It struck me when her cousin miss Turner was at gossington yesterday

that she was angry with the girl.

It may be that she hoped to do well out of this business of her adoption.

To get back to Conway,

what do you suppose sparked off this infatuation with the girl?

Oh, that's easy.

From what I can gather, the bond between and his young in—laws

was not so much respect and love as sorrow.

Mr gaskell and mrs Jefferson were both young.

They're beginning to feel less sorrowful, that's all.

They're beginning to look at the world again.

And you know, gentlemen can so easily feel neglected.

Yes.

Yes, I think, if you'll excuse me, I'll just telephone to Arthur.

I know that you two have lots to natter about.

Jane, let's breakfast together.

Oh, Dolly, dear. Indeed, of course.

Good night, sir Henry. — good night.

Why did you refer to mrs bantry as "poor Dolly" this afternoon?

It seems to me that this may be the sort of crime

that never gets resolved, like the Brighton trunk murders.

That would be disaster for the bantrys.

People would think there's no smoke without fire.

Some will even say it, too. They'll be quietly shunned.

Colonel bantry is very sensitive. He'll turn in and in upon himself.

He's probably started already.

I think this could quite literally kill them.

So you see, sir Henry, we have got to find out the truth.

It's such an open case, though, isn't it?

It's 15 miles to gossington.

Ruby keene was last seen here at 11.30.

By midnight, or earlier, she was dead.

Almost any type of car could have made the journey in that time,

if it was midnight.

But why anyone should kill her here and take her body to gossington...

Or take her to gossington and kill her there — beats me.

Well, of course it does, because it didn't happen.

What? Do you think it was an unpremeditated killing?

I don't think anything of the kind.

I think that a very careful plan was made and what happened was

that the plan went wrong.

Music playing downstairs oh!

What is it?

The orchestra, that tune.

Dolly was humming it this morning. Do you know it?

It's been haunting me and here they are playing it.

- Do you know what it is? - I'm not very up on the latest thing.

It's Mozart, sir Henry.

Now, why do I keep thinking of it?

Jolly nice!

It's a mystery.

But then, we all are, aren't we? Even to ourselves.

Especially to ourselves.

Birdsong

Car approaching

Doorbell jangles

Knock on door come in.

Ah. It's the police again, hm?

I'm afraid it is, sir.

There's no need to be afraid, lorrimer.

No, sir.

- — Have you seen any tobacco? - No, sir.

I think I'll go and get some. What do they want, then?

They're asking if we have any long-haired white rugs in the house.

- And have we? - Not white, I believe, sir.

"Pale, yes," I said.

They want to take samples.

Of what?

Of the hairs in the rug, sir.

Of the hairs in the...? Well, let them search the place.

If this is the open season on hairy rugs, let 'em loose.

Ho-ho! Why not?

All right. Go ahead.

Turn the place upside down. Liberty hall!

Liberty hall.

Thank you, mr Brogan.

Bell rings

good morning, mrs Ellis.

Bell rings

- — good morning to you, mr Brogan. - Morning, colonel.

What can I get you?

I'll take a two-ounce tin of my usual, please.

Certainly, sir. Bell rings

Thank you. Put it down, will you?

Oh, er...

Yes.

Something wrong?

Nothing, sir.

Nothing at all, colonel.

Please, er...

Sad day, mr Brogan.

Sad day.

Bell rings

you were going to refuse him tick.

Just because some madman dumps a body in his house,

suddenly he's untouchable!

My god, this place! Give me Babylon any day.

Bell rings

colonel.

What is it, Blake?

I just wanted to say how sorry I am, sir.

You are? About what?

This business of the... body in your house.

It can't be very... amusing.

You've got a damn funny way of putting things sometimes, Blake.

Quite. It must be awful.

Something so... inexplicable.

It's inexplicable. Quite.

I just hope it isn't, er...

I think I'll be on my way.

If there's anything I can do...

Look, Blake. You and I have never got on well in the past, have we?

Thanks for the offer and all that,

but I can't see that situation changing, can you? Good day to you.

Horn honks

oh, yes, it was Addie's fault all right.

Too many tennis lessons with that good-looking young fellow.

Mark! Jeff felt neglected. No wonder he turned to our dance hostess.

You weren't over attentive to him yourself.

No, but it's female company that's the key to it.

As to everything else.

But a girl like Ruby keene...

Quite. Jeff's always been such a sensible level—headed old boy.

Gentlemen are sometimes not so level—headed as they seem.

Oh. Well...

How is Conway today? I thought he looked well enough yesterday.

I hear he's been ill.

Yes, he's all right.

Tell me, Ruby keene — What was she really like?

Oh, lord! I don't see why we shouldn't talk about her.

A common—or—garden gold digger.

- Oh, Mark! - And she knew her stuff!

We never spotted her. I'd have wrung her neck!

Mark, for heaven's sake.

It's just a figure of speech, Addie.

We were mugs not to have tumbled her, sir Henry, and I was angry.

I'm sure Addie and I are under heavy suspicion.

Jeff was proposing to settle a fortune on the half—baked little sourpuss,

which we have to assume would have been our loss.

Well, well!

What an unscrupulous person you are, Addie!

I say! Isn't that dear old Hugo mclean?

Yes. Addie only has to whistle and along he comes, wagging his tail.

The most reliable man in england. He's hoping to marry her, of course.

"Do you take this sack of potatoes to be your lawful wedded husband?"

Well, will you excuse me?

My daily duty. Jeff's constitutional.

A quick burn up the corniche in the wheelchair. Bye.

Well!

What do you think of the principal beneficiaries of the murder?

I think mrs Jefferson should marry again.

She's a likeable woman. She'd make a good companion.

No wonder mr Jefferson missed her.

And Mark gaskell?

Oh, he's a downy fellow.

Village parallel, please!

Mr cargill, the builder, bluffed a lot of people

in having more done to their houses than they wanted to,

then charged them the earth.

He married money, too, like mr gaskell.

So you don't like him? — oh, yes. I do.

Oh, yes. I think he's attractive, but he doesn't take me in.

A downy fellow who talks too much, that's what I think.

And there's another little story.

You mean...?

Are you suggesting that that starr fellow

is entertaining ideas of marrying mrs Jefferson?

Becauseifso_.

Well, Dolly, we're told that Hugo mclean is.

And anyone who marries Adelaide Jefferson...

Would not want to see her disinherited.

Quite!

Yes.

So, where's there's a motive there's no opportunity

and where there's opportunity there's no motive?

Who stands to gain, sir?

Mrs Jefferson and mr gaskell.

Both playing bridge from Ruby keene's exhibition dance until, well, after midnight.

Scores of witnesses.

Rock—solid alibis.

Same with starr.

What about Blake? He was at the studio party until the small hours.

He knew Ruby keene, we think, but there's no discernible motive.

Bartlett?

Well, he had the opportunity, true,

he can't account for his movements from the time when she was killed

and the reeve girl was in his car, but everything else is against him.

There's no motive. Amiable sort.

Completely dim. We're following him up, but it's 1,000-to-1 that.

By the way, sir,

I suppose Ruby keene really was dead by midnight?

Ah. Now, I'd already asked myself that question.

So I rang dr haydock, just to verify.

He got quite shirty, as a matter of fact.

Now, he puts midnight as the absolute limit.

Ah, yes.

She was heavily drugged before she was killed, a barbiturate.

Which doesn't look like impromptu violence, does it, sir?

A random killing, you mean? A psycho?

No, I don't think so.

Phone rings

- melchett. - Lake here, sir.

Oh, yes, lake?

Basil Blake was seen leaving the party around 11 o'clock.

- Thank you. - — shall I phone inspector slack?

No, no. He's with me. I'll tell him. Goodbye.

Apparently, basil Blake was seen leaving the studio car park

at about 11 o'clock on the night in question.

Would that have given him time?

Yes, sir. It would.

Laughter

What you be doing?

What does it look like?

Sniffs

that do stink. You be burning your cat?

No. My old granny, as a matter of fact.

Laughter