Passport to Suez (1943) - full transcript

For Mr. Lanyard from Mr. Booth's
hothouse, with his compliments.

Oh really? Thanks very much.

My instructions are Mr. Lanyard
can pay for nothing in this hotel.

What a wonderful custom.
Tell Mr. Booth

- Mr. Lanyard will join him presently.
- Yes, sir.

You seem to own the place, sir.

You seem to own the place, sir!

I ought to.

Johnny Booth is one
of my very best friends,

next to you.

You may laugh at me,
but my premonition of



evil is stronger now than it was
on the plane coming here.

You're awfully pessimistic,
Jameson.

Why don't you answer it?

It was three calls when you
were out, sir, and each time a

strange voice said it was a mistake.
If that's the same voice, sir,

I promise you, Mr. Lanyard,
I shall scream right out loud.

Hello?

- It was!
- You didn't scream, Jameson.

- May I, sir?
- Of course!

- Ahh! Oh, thank you, sir.
- It's all right.

- My shoes, Jameson.
- Oh yes.

Do you suppose those phone calls could
have been from that slimy person we met...

on the plane, sir,
that Mr. Rembrandt, sir?

- How should I know?
- Well, he said very pointedly that he'd



be seeing us again, and
I didn't like the way he said it.

- Let's forget about Mr. Rembrandt.
- Your coat, sir.

Why don't you go out and have a good time?
Get drunk if you want to.

No thank you, sir. Tonight,
I feel sure I'll be safer here.

Very well, Jameson. First I pay
my respects to Johnny Booth,

and then who knows?

Oh, as a final word of caution,
my lad, keep your lips buttoned.

There must be no slip
about our mission here,

no mention of my appointment
later with Sir Roger.

My lips are sealed, sir,
with concrete.

You will be careful, won't you,
Mr. Lanyard?

Not a bit. I never ran into
an adventure by being careful.

Good night, Jameson.

Good night, sir.

- Mr. Rembrandt, your martini.
- Thank you.

Johnny!

Let me have a look at you!
Am I glad to see you.

Bigger and better Yankee Inns, eh Johnny?
Beats the little place I had in Paris.

- Yes, poor Paris.
- The last time I saw Paris...

Vive le France.
- Vive le France.

Here's something you haven't had
for a long time... your special coffee.

- And some 1812 brandy.
- You never forget, Johnny.

- It's been a long time, Mike.
- Remember the

- joint you had in 48th street?
- Well, that wasn't

so different from here.
There it was racketeers, here it's spies.

See those two over there?
They're Quislings posing as refugees.

Tonight, they're being picked
up as Japanese spies.

- You carry a powerful lot of information.
- I used to buy and

sell it as a hobby. Now I just
introduce the thieves and let them

murder one another. My office
is practically a clearinghouse.

- Everybody's welcome.
- Mr. Lanyard, for you.

The chauffeur is waiting.

Sorry, Johnny.
Private business that can't wait.

Oh Mike, the coffee.

I'll be back and drink gallons of it.
Mr. Lanyard?

- Mr. Lanyard?
- Yes. - Sir.

I'm Sir Roger's secretary.

Sir Roger thought it safer
for me to meet you.

Your appointment with him was for
nine o'clock, but something came up

suddenly that disturbed him
quite a bit.

Oh, that's all right.
I only missed a little coffee.

Would you mind putting
the blind down, please?

People have an annoying habit of staring
in quite a bit when the car stops.

You'll be doing the same thing
after you've been here a while.

A little mysterious to you, Mr. Lanyard,
but we have our reasons.

An elevator apartment. Do we drive
right into Sir Roger's living room?

You have very good hearing.

A characteristic I have in common
with other nocturnal animals.

This way please, sir.

This reminds me of Virgil's Aeneid.

Easy is the journey into a furnace.
That's Hades.

But very difficult the escape.
That's very fine sir.

Do you recall that
other admonition from Dante?

Abandon hope,
all ye who enter here.

Well, I hope that
doesn't apply tonight.

- Good evening, Mr. Lanyard.
- Good evening.

This reminds me of a
secret society I once joined.

I didn't expect to trap
the Lone Wolf so easily.

Trap?
Trap is a startling word.

I hope you're prepared to prefer
the startled, Mr. Lanyard.

- Of course you are not Sir Roger Wembley.
- That is correct.

I am not Sir Roger.

Sorry to have interrupted your coffee
and brandy, Mr. Lanyard.

Won't you take
up from where you left off?

That's very thoughtful of you.

What did you intend discussing
with Sir Roger Wembley?

Did I say anything about a visit
to Sir Roger, Mr. X?

No, but you had an appointment
with him for nine o'clock.

I know every move that you've made
since you started on this journey,

even to the will you made
out this afternoon,

which you signed
at exactly 4:32.

Show him this.

I gave this to Jameson.
How did you get it?

You seem disturbed now.
Let's get to the

point. You didn't invite me here to
impress me with your espionage system.

Aren't you impressed,
Mr. Lone Wolf?

Come out from behind there
and talk like a man?

Now just a moment.
Stay where you are, Mr. Lanyard!

Open that door.

Jameson!

What's this all about?

Sit down, please.

Lanyard, you have
something we want to buy,

and we're willing to pay
your price.

- My price for what?
- For your unique talent.

Oh come now, you're not going
to ask me to steal something

- from Britain and turn it over to you?
- Precisely.

Your intelligence service must
have gone wrong, Mr. X,

or you'd know that I'm not interested in
betraying the cause of the United Nations.

I'm not requesting your cooperation.
I'm demanding it.

Because if you refuse, Jameson,
your friend, will be tortured

and liquidated before your eyes.

We don't make idle threats.

I don't suppose the new order of Europe
makes any provision for sentiment.

Not the slightest.

Very well, Mr. X. Under the circumstances,
I'd be a fool to refuse.

- I am at your service.
- Release Mr. Jameson.

If you entertain any thought of
tricking us, my advice to you is don't.

Remember we're watching you
every minute.

How could I forget it?

When does my job begin?

When it's time for you to act,
we'll tell you.

Don't rush me!

My legs are asleep.
This is an outrage.

I assure you the maharaja of something
or other will hear about this.

I told you I had a premonition, sir.

Mr. Lanyard, you'll make
no effort to get in...

touch with me or to find this place.
- I understand.

- Come, Jameson, we're in business again.
- We are, sir? What business?

- Do you mean we can leave?
- The car is waiting.

You still have ample time to keep your
appointment with Sir Roger Wembley.

Oh, thank you.

You understand these
two men are to see...

absolutely nothing until you
put them out of your car?

- I understand perfectly.
- By jove, my legs

will never wake up.
Don't touch me!

I think the Lone Wolf is
in for quite a surprise.

But he's no traitor
and he's very clever.

Suppose he takes
his chances and betrays us...

I suppose nothing.
I know he will.

I expect him to tell this whole story
to Sir Roger tonight.

- Well, then this whole plan...
- Will still work out.

Fritz, have you ever heard of
the military strategy of diversion?

When Lanyard goes on this wild
goose chase we're sending him on,

he'll pretend to be working for us,
but he'll set a trap for us.

While the military and naval police
are waiting for us with open arms,

we'll be at some other spot,
taking what we really came to get.

- That means the...
- Yes, the Suez Canal...

The lifeline of our enemy.

When we get the chart of
the mine fields and the defenses,

that will be the beginning
of the end.

Your experience rather simplifies
things for me, Lanyard.

Simplifies, Sir Roger?

Yes.

I had my assistant follow you today
from the time you left the plane.

Splendid. I must have had
an army behind me.

My man followed you to the very place
where your car disappeared.

He's preparing a complete report
for me tonight. In the morning,

we'll surround the place
and arrest the entire group.

Do you think that's wise, Sir Roger?

If you'll forgive me,
I think I have a much better plan.

Mr. Lanyard, let me be
perfectly honest with you.

Or as you might say in America,
let me set you straight.

We make the arrests when I say so.

It was against my express wishes
that you were sent here.

I have my own operatives,
all very able men.

I hardly think it advisable
to accept a stranger,

especially one whose past
has been so lurid, shall we say.

Well, you're being
delightfully frank, Sir Roger.

I'm merely being realistic.

You can't come to Alexandria, in a few
hours expect to cope with the intricate

machinations of the cleverest
underground agents in the world.

Well, my lurid past, as you call it,
may be of considerable help.

Look here, Sir Roger. Wiping out
a few agents is no achievement.

You can do that anytime.

But by pretending
to work with them,

I may be able to find out
what they're after.

And who knows what else
may turn up in the net.

I'm sorry, Lanyard.

Don't mind me,
gentlemen, if you're busy.

Rembrandt, have you been
listening to our conversation?

Of course, Sir Roger.

The Dictaphone was open.

Then I'm always listening to somebody.
That's my business.

Amazing what a fund of valuable
information can be picked up this way,

Mr. Lanyard.
- And this was no exception, I suppose?

No. Sometimes when
I'm gathering an earful,

I realize that Sir Roger
has woefully underpaid me.

Where's Beckett?

I didn't see him when I came in.
That was 15 minutes ago.

Strange, very strange. He promised
to stay and finish his report.

What is it, Lanyard?

Will you open it, please?

Beckett!

You say he followed me to their hideout
and was writing a report?

If he's written any at all,
it's gone.

It's become quite serious when
they strike in my own home.

It's a challenge we've got to answer.

Then let me wish you the best of luck.
I'm sure your men will come through.

- Good night, Sir Roger.
- Wait a moment, Lanyard.

Call the police, and then Johnny's
over a coffee and brandy.

Make mine a nice cup of tea.

I'm getting a little superstitious
about coffee and brandy.

Give me police headquarters,
please.

Oh Jameson?
Jameson?

Help!

- Jameson!
- Mr. Lanyard, what a relief!

- I might have hurt you.
- Not at all.

- Of course you know my gun isn't loaded.
- Oh, that's good, sir.

Well, then what was
I doing with it out there?

That's precisely what
I was going to ask you.

Oh, Mr. Lanyard, it was awful.
I was asleep, which explains my

unconventional attire, and I heard
footsteps out there on the balcony.

While you were asleep?

Yes, sir. No, sir, no no.
When I awoke, sir.

Jameson, don't tell me
you're a somnambulist.

Oh, no sir.

Well, maybe I am. After what I've
been through today, sir, I might also

be a raving maniac. Oh, did you secure
our passages home, sir?

I do so want to get out of here.
- We're staying, Jameson.

Sir Roger is letting me play along
with our hosts of this evening.

And when we've found out what they're
after, then we'll really go to work.

Well, hunters are often caught
in their own traps, you know, sir.

You're an eternal pessimist,
Jameson.

Mr. Lanyard,
I've definitely made up my mind.

I shall give you my notice.

And I shall just as
definitely have to refuse it.

You are jittery.
See who's there.

Oh, thank you.

Telegram, sir.

- Oh, this is for you, Llewellyn Jameson.
- Oh, it must be for me, sir.

Very few people know me as Llewellyn,
sir, only those very close to me.

Mr. Lanyard, it's from my son,
my son Donald. He's coming here, sir.

Look at it, sir.
Lieutenant Donald Jameson.

Splendid!

- You're a lucky man.
- I haven't seen him for years.

No, and you won't see him tonight
unless you hurry. Look at the time.

- His plane is due at 11:45.
- Oh, did you say

11:45, sir? Oh my goodness.

- Do you mind?
- Certainly not.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

Haven't I met you somewhere before?

I think not. I seldom forget a face.

I seldom forget a voice.

It's a large world.
See you again.

Mr. Lanyard.

This is my son, Donald, sir,
and his fiancee, Valerie.

- Glad to know you, sir.
- How do you do?

Miss King, this is my very dearest
friend, Mr. Michael Lanyard.

And Mr. Johnny Booth,
the proprietor of this beautiful and

splendid temple of liquid
refreshment.

How do you do?

- How do you do?
- Very welcome here, Miss King.

Thank you.
This is a fascinating place, Mr. Booth.

Seem to have known you
a long time, Mr. Lanyard.

My father's told me so much
about you.

I can tell you a few things
about your father too.

Oh, Mr. Lanyard has the most amazing
sense of humor, you'll find, Donald.

Well, this seems to call for some sort
of celebration, don't you think, Johnny?

Definitely, one of the best.
Sort of a round robin get together, eh?

This is one table in the joint
where everyone

is the friend of the one next
to him or her.

I hope.

Waiter.

I'll be stationed her for a while now,
at the admiralty.

It was a promotion, sir,
for distinguished service in...

Now dad, wasn't that
supposed to be a secret?

Donald's distinction doesn't seem
to be limited to fighting.

May I congratulate you on
your daughter-in-law to be?

Thank you, sir.
They met in London in a blackout.

I ran right into Donald's arms.

- I could say something coy about that.
- Better not.

What do you plan to do here,
Miss King?

Well, in London I was doing a
series of articles for a magazine,

covering the trials
of the home front...

But she's always wanted
to be a war correspondent.

I wanted to get here because...

I believe the turning point
of the war will be in Africa.

That the only reason?

Why do you ask that?

Well you didn't take my bait.

I was sure you'd say that
Donald was the real reason.

Sorry, I should have.
He is the real reason.

This location is a second reason.

Who wins Africa wins the war,

and if I'm on the spot
when things happen, I'm in.

That's how others began,
even women.

Smart girl.
I hope you make it.

Thank you.

Meanwhile, I'll keep going by getting
special interviews with famous people.

Many come to Alexandria,
and Donald's promised to help me.

Well, I'll keep my eye
open for you, Miss King.

Thanks a lot, but don't
neglect your business.

I won't.

I haven't danced to an
American band in ages.

Shall we?

Uh huh, as soon
as I freshen my makeup.

Oh, look at these pretty little playthings.
Don't tell me you're domestic.

She works on them
every spare minute.

For my hope chest.

I'm making a bedspread
like the one mother had.

Your mother had a wonderful
hope chest, Donald,

but I often thought she never
got what she hoped for.

Meaning me.

No, meaning me, and you know it.

Seems funny to see a newspaper
woman making lace.

The amalgamation of the career
woman, and home girl.

Oh, I do it more to keep
from smoking too much.

You can't crochet and hold a cigarette
at the same time.

Oh look, here's a loose thread.

- Mr. Lanyard, don't, you're ripping it.
- Oh, I am sorry.

It's all right.
I'm sorry, I'm not too good at it.

They usually fix them for me at the
laundry when I have them clean and size.

They soil so easily.
I'm ready, Donald.

Suppose we leave them
alone for a while.

Come on upstairs, I want
to show you my office.

Oh, it's you.

Rembrandt can be found anyplace.

I can easily believe that.

Yes, he's a privileged character.

If I'd locked the door,
he'd have gotten in anyway.

I have to live up to my reputation,
but I'm harmless to my friends.

Good, I'll remember that.

- Oh, what's this?
- I'll show you.

Oh!

What's the matter, Jameson?
Did somebody throw something at you?

No sir, but that ugly bearded man
looked directly up here at me!

Oh, don't worry about that.
That's a special glass.

We can see through it from here,
but they can't see us.

From the other side, it looks
like an ornamental mirror.

Ooh!

What a snooping post
for a peeping tom.

You know, Mike, that King dame
has got me worried.

Newspaper girls don't crochet.

They usually burn holes in my best
table cloths with their cigarettes.

Mr. Booth, I must remind you you are
speaking of my future daughter-in-law.

- Why, you don't even know her.
- So I don't know her. Do you?

Well, no.

Well, I do. I met her someplace and
I can't remember where, but I will.

- Hello, Johnny.
- Hello.

- Rembrandt.
- Hello.

- Friends of mine.
- Hello, friends.

Johnny, I've some very
hot reports for you today.

Yeah? Well, if they're as hot
as you are, they must be something.

Brother, you are steaming.
Why don't you take a bath?

It's too busy for baths.
It's also foolish.

Friends, meet Cezanne.

He's been to three colleges,
speaks 12 languages,

and is as crooked as a pig's tail.

Nothing like coming well recommended.
Pleased to meet you, Mr. Lanyard.

How do you do?

Sir Roger told me a lot
about the great Lone Wolf.

He said he expected we might have
to work together sometime.

My staff seems to be handpicked.

And where have you been?

Where haven't I been?

No one knows I'm in town
but you and Sir Roger.

How about that Romanian you were tailing?
- I caught up with him.

That Romanian had an audience
with the prime minister,

but most unfortunately,
he was liquidated.

Who did that?

- Who did that?
- I did. - Oh.

Well, I needed some extra money and some
official wanted the dear fellow removed.

Too bad.

He was such a sad little fellow anyway.

He kept telling me he knew
they were after him.

I suppose you know that Sir Roger
will skin you alive for this.

Oh, no he won't because
he was very happy...

when he saw this. He told me
to give it to you, Mr. Lanyard.

Said it might have something to do
with your own peculiar problem.

It's an exact translation of
a message sent by von Ribbentrapp

to his best agent in Turkey.

I'll put on the
ultraviolet ray lamp.

Turn out those lights,
Rembrandt.

Urgent you obtain chart of General
Wilson's Near East Army in Iran.

Their strength,

disposition, and strategy

to facilitate high command's
S plan.

- Where'd you get this?
- You don't expect me to tell you, do you?

Do you gentlemen mind very much
if I illuminate this room again?

Oh, go ahead.

- Where's that chart now?
- At military intelligence in Cairo.

But there is undoubtedly a copy at
headquarters right here in Alexandria.

Well, the whole thing ties up.
The S plan can mean only one thing:

the invasion of the near east
through Turkey for the oil of Iran.

- What's our next move, Mr. Lanyard?
- We do nothing.

I am rejoining the
young people downstairs.

In that case, my plan is
to get a little refreshment.

Maybe I'll take a bath too.

Better destroy this right away.

Clever contraption, isn't it?
Works beautifully too.

See how close I can miss?

You have a perverted
sense of humor, Cezanne.

Listen, if you boys want to play
mumblety-peg, go outside.

Good night, gentlemen.

Same goes for me.
I'm at your order anytime, Mr. Lanyard.

But let me warn you,
our enemies are tricky.

Good night.

Good night.

The whole thing is beginning
to take shape.

The message on that handkerchief,

the high command's anxiety
to get that plan,

the gang's hiring me
for my peculiar talent.

Maybe they want me
to get the plan.

Keep pitching, Mike, keep pitching.

Well, whatever the pattern is,
it won't clear up tonight.

Suppose we go out and show

those young lovebirds some
of Alexandria's nightlife.

You're in on this too, Jameson.

- Come on.
- Right you are.

Hello.

- Hello.
- I wanted to talk to you.

- But I was just going to eat.
- I'll go with you.

Say, just for a laugh,
let's go back to Johnny's bar.

I don't think you want
to go to Johnny's bar.

- No?
- No.

Why not? Where
would you suggest?

This way.

- Then I'll see you later.
- I said this way.

The shots came from there.

- He's dead.
- But we saw him just a moment ago.

It's too bad.

Well, that's the way they
all end up sooner or later.

- Please take me to my room, Donald.
- Certainly, dear.

I hope you'll all excuse me.

I'm sorry I'm spoiling
your evening, dear.

Don't give it another thought just that
I want to be with you every minute.

How about breakfast tomorrow?
Lunch? Dinner?

I'm counting on every
meal with you.

And we're going to have
the afternoon together, I hope.

You promised to show me
through the admiralty.

- What's the matter?
- My passport's gone.

You may have overlooked it
when you changed bags.

I better go in and look.

- Can I help you?
- No thanks.

Wait, I remember.

I opened my bag twice tonight,
inside the cafe and outside,

just before that man was shot.

Oh, I'll run right back
and look for it.

Please don't worry, dear.
Lots of people lose them.

That's what we have consuls for.

It won't be that easy, darling.
Mine was forged.

Valerie, forged?

It was the only way I could get here.
The department wouldn't give me one,

and women correspondents
aren't wanted in war zones,

so I had to take the chance.

I've gotten away with it so far,
but now I'm afraid.

You do believe me,
don't you, dear?

I do believe you.

And I do love you.

But I think you've done
a very foolish thing.

Please, let's not talk about it tonight.
Now hurry, you might find it downstairs.

- If I do, shall I bring it back?
- Not tonight, dear.

I have a splitting headache.

You fool.
You might have spoiled everything.

Congratulations.

I've never had the privilege of
seeing your technique before.

Nor I yours.
What a stupid thing to do.

What?

You know what I mean. If you wanted
to get rid of someone, why

did you have to drop him
practically in my lap?

- Suppose he'd recognized me?
- What are you talking about?

- Cezanne.
- What about him?

Somebody finished him almost
before my eyes.

- If it wasn't you, who was it?
- I don't know.

Perhaps Cezanne
ran into some other group.

Don't you know everybody here?

Yes, but there's always somebody watching
us, always reporting independently.

- Who?
- I wish I knew.

And now this Lanyard, this Lone Wolf as
he calls himself, has worked his way in.

I don't like him.
I'm afraid of him.

I don't think I lost my passport.
He stole it.

Don't worry. After tomorrow,
you won't need it.

- So soon?
- How about the young Jameson?

I've got him all set.
I met him in London.

It was arranged for me because
of his assignment here.

But now...

well, I don't know how to say it.
Only I almost feel sorry for him.

He's really a nice boy.

Maybe it's the mother instinct
in me, or...

Or what?

I'll have the layout of the admiralty
for you tomorrow.

- You sure you didn't see it?
- Oh, no sir.

Well, I didn't expect to see
you here again tonight.

Valerie's lost her passport.

Passports are lost every night.

They usually turn up again
the next morning.

Your father is very proud of you,
Donald.

I know it, sir.

I'm afraid I'll have a time living up
to his estimate.

Oh, that shouldn't be difficult,
except that

as your father's best friend,
I think I should caution you...

Oh, my father's already
tried to do that, sir.

I'm afraid he was a bit inarticulate.

But what I want to warn you
about is chance acquaintances,

people who have axes to grind,

who prey upon young men
with responsible

governmental positions like yours,
especially women acquaintances.

Mr. Lanyard, are you trying
to tell me the facts of life?

No.

Well, there's no danger
of trouble, sir.

Between my work and the best girl
in the world to take up my thoughts in

spare time, well,
how can I go wrong?

Thanks anyway, sir. It's late and
I have a lot to do tomorrow.

Good night.

Good night, Donald.

Words of kindly
advice are like rubber balls.

They always rebound to the giver.
An old saint said it, not

- me. But I'm smart too, Mr. Lanyard.
- I don't doubt.

Oh, don't laugh at me. I can bring you
much information for

which you will pay me
many schillings.

I know many people, you know.
Where they go, what they say.

I can even steal things

from some desks
for many extra schillings.

- And what would I want you to steal for?
- For to see some pieces of

lace you were so much
interested in... in there.

What's your name?

You may call me Whistler.
It was a much better paper

than Cezanne. You will see.
Good night.

It's a forgery, just as we suspected,
so Roger and I checked the serial number

with the American State Department.

This x-ray clinched it.

It's a fine job, isn't it?

Couldn't have
done better myself.

I got it. I got it, I got it,
I remember where I met her.

It was Paris,

Paris just before the Razis came.

I saw her in my bar one night.
She wasn't a blonde then,

but I knew I never could
forget those perfect teeth,

that luring smile direct
from the Garden of Eden.

Wait a minute,

she was engaged to
a French officer,

just like young Jameson.

Then one day, she took
a powder, a quick one.

Soon after that,
the officer was broken.

Then the Germans came.

- Then there was the one...
- That's very interesting, gentlemen.

I came in to ask your help, Mr. Lanyard,
but I find that... I'm sorry,

but your control over
my father hardly entitles

you to interfere
in my personal affairs.

This matter is past the personal stage.

I could have saved you
a lot of trouble.

I know the passport's a forgery.
Valerie told me last night.

- But she had a very good reason.
- I bet it was good.

It satisfied me.

I'll trouble you
for her property.

Now be reasonable, Donald.
This is something that

concerns your country and mine.

It means your whole career
if this girl isn't what she pretends to be.

You're a very foolish young man.

You've got to stop that kid
before he crabs the whole show.

Oh, it's you.

What were you doing up there,
you fool?

Hiding if you please excuse me.

I was pursued.

They put me in death
if I were caught.

- Get out of my place. You're fired!
- Thank you so much.

Now I can surely work for Mr. Lanyard.
He is a gentleman.

Every good deed is a new gem
in the eternal crown.

An old sage said it, not me.

- Today, I've done a good deed.
- All right, Whistler,

forget the philosophers
and out with the good deed.

Okay, I have some information here
that's worth many schillings.

I followed the young lady,
as you said. She's beautiful.

She went to a laundry shop.
I saw her giving the laundryman four

- pieces of lace.
- Last night, she said something about

- having her laundry cleaned.
- Thank you.

Then the laundryman said something
I couldn't understand, that they

will be ready tomorrow night
at the stroke of 12.

The stroke of 12? Why then?
- Why am I to know?

Then in time, I made myself a present
of the lace, and on the way I ran,

I laughed because I thought
how you would give me the 100

schillings, maybe 200 schillings
because I commit a difficult sin.

Here...

here they are.

That's fine.

Here's 100 schillings, Whistler.

And if they're important,

I'll give you enough
to wash your sins away.

May the good deeds of
my parents make them important.

Now let's...

- I'll see you later, partner.
- Partner.

Now let's see what Miss King
was so disturbed about when I

started to pull this thread.

Look, all knots.

Looks like a code, Mike.
Dots and dashes.

Going in for fancy
souvenirs, Lanyard?

Why don't you knock
when you come in?

Getting kind of jumpy, aren't you?
Earthquake?

- No, private entrance.
- Let's see.

I know something
about morse code.

This doesn't
make any sense at all.

- It doesn't?
- No.

Try it backwards.

Yeah, arrangements definite.

Submarine will pick

me up tonight with chart.

That ties up with Cezanne's handkerchief.
They're pulling the job tonight.

- What do these say?
- The girl is

- carrying the chart away in a sub.
- Oh, these?

They're just decoys.
They have no message.

Hello?

Oh.

It's for you, Mike.

Hello?

Oh, hello.

Yes.

Yes, I think
I recognize your voice.

I want you to be in your room in an hour,
alone. I'll have a message for you there.

See that you're not followed.
Yes, six o'clock.

Jameson?

Jameson, can't I leave you alone

for just a little while without
you getting into trouble?

It's very horrible what they did to me.
Begging your pardon, sir, but

I hope you don't think this is
my favorite form of recreation, sir.

I was attacked! I really don't know
where they get all this rope from, sir.

- Is there any rationing here?
- Who did this?

I think it was that poisonous
person behind the desk in that

ghastly cellar, sir.

- Thank you, sir.
- Be careful.

Oh, I'm afraid my legs have
gone to sleep again, sir.

They've slept more than I have
since we've been here.

Did he leave any message for me?

Yes, sir.
I remember it very vividly.

He put his face very
close to mine, sir.

And if you'll excuse me, his breath
was very unsatisfactory.

Well, never mind that.
What was the message?

Oh, he told me to tell you
to meet him in the bar

downstairs at eight o'clock.

Good.

Good? What's good about it?

And what about me, sir?

Ever since you made
out your will, Mr. Lanyard,

I've had no peace of mind at all.

I must insist, sir, that you
disinherit me at once. And then...

Operator?

Wire's cut, sir.

You just wait here a moment.
I'll be right back.

Wait here alone, sir?

- See who that is.
- Yes, sir.

Don't go away, sir.

Close the door.

Well, we always seem to be
running into each other.

- Rather intentional on my part.
- Of course.

But I'm glad at last to be able to
tie your voice and face together.

Have a chair.

Oh Jameson,
that'll be all for the present.

Why don't you go out
and get your dinner?

Not hungry, sir,
but I'd love to go out.

- This is the person, sir.
- Yes, I know.

You're a little early
for our eight o'clock appointment.

I didn't intend to keep it.

I never appear where I'm expected.
It's safer.

A splendid practice to which
I owe my modest success.

Expecting someone?
That's just the bathroom.

That's the bedroom.

10 minutes ago, you'd have
found Jameson under the bed.

Yes, I know.

- Won't you sit down, Mr. X?
- Thank you.

I presume my employment
begins tonight.

It does.

In naval intelligence,
there's a file known as 253B.

It contains information that we must have.
We know exactly where it is.

- Your job is to get it out of a vault.
- But this is rather sudden.

I usually spend weeks studying
a layout: the mechanism,

- the make of the vault, and...
- All that has been

taken care of by my man who's familiar
with the building and the vault.

He'll get in touch with
you at the proper time.

When you've finished, he'll take you
to a car where I'll be waiting.

And then?

Tomorrow, you and Mr. Jameson
may do as you please.

That's awfully kind of you.
We'll both appreciate the release.

And do you really think
I'll do all this?

I'm sure you will.

Life is sweet, even to a hero.

Well, maybe you're right.

Yes, Americans are
no exception, Mr. Lanyard.

And if you contemplate
any trickery or double crossing,

remember that you hold Jameson's life
in your hands, and your own life.

- I'll expect your call.
- By the way, don't wait for Jameson.

As soon as he left the room,
he was picked up.

Only you can release him.

Whatever the man's up to,
it sure takes a lot of nerve.

Here he is.

Jameson!

You all right?

I don't know, sir. I'm still a
bit numb. Mr. Lanyard, this

is getting monotonous.
Out of three quarters of a million people in

Alexandria, why do they
keep picking on me?

Oh, will you untie him please?

We better get out of here.
The petrol tank is leaking.

- Lanyard.
- Yes, Sir Roger?

- I didn't expect to find you here.
- Why, what's happened?

The admiralty has been
forcibly entered and rifled.

The admiralty?
When did that happen?

Half an hour ago.

They killed two guards
and stole our copy of

the minefields and
defenses of Suez.

Oh, now I understand this note.

Sir Roger, I have fallen for
the oldest trick in the world.

It was so simple, it's brilliant.
And what a fool I've been.

You mean I've been a fool to have
listened to your crackbrained scheme.

If there's a pack of
submarines out there and

this chart gets to them,
Suez may be destroyed tonight,

and you'll be responsible.

30,000 for something the Germans
will probably pay a million for?

Not a bad investment.

What about it, Lanyard?

Did you have anything
to do with this?

Mr. Lanyard is an American, sir.
He's not a traitor. I'll vouch

- for him before any judge.
- I intend giving you the opportunity.

You're both under arrest
for espionage and treason.

Hop to it. Get aboard. And you.

None of that, sir.

Could I trouble
you for a match please?

Let's get out of here.

Where shall we go, sir?
I mean, where shall we go, sir?

We've got the whole of the
British Empire after us, with all of them

- excellent shots too.
- Jameson, we have a job to do tonight.

Tomorrow may be too late.

But you can go back to
the hotel if you want to.

The hotel? The hotel, sir?
Why, I'd be in the klink in no time.

Oh, Mr. Lanyard, may I call up
my son Donald and say goodbye?

Shh! What's that?

- Look there.
- It may be a trap, sir.

Your first idea was the best.
Oh, Mr. Lanyard, let's get out of here.

Scram I believe is the word.

Donald?

Donald? Donald! What happened?

- Are you hurt, son?
- I don't know how it happened.

I was following Valerie and
just as I came around a corner,

somebody struck me from behind and...
well, that's all I seem to remember.

- Can I get you anything, son?
- No, I feel better now.

Mr. Lanyard, I'm sorry,
I was wrong...

- About Valerie, I mean.
- That's all right, Donald.

Do you recognize this alley?
Does it look familiar to you?

Her all right.
Look at those bullet holes.

They're not in here.

Do you think they'd be crazy
enough to hang about just to oblige us?

They would if they were dead.
All right, men, pack her out.

This is the place.
I remember it now.

Could this be the laundry
that Whistler told us about,

where Valerie delivered
those pieces of lace?

There's a light inside, sir.

Shall we go in, sir?

Oh Donald,

before you get involved,
I think I should tell you.

About an hour ago,

the chart of the Suez defenses
was stolen from the admiralty.

No. Then I'm already
involved in this whole mess.

Why?

Well, because of the entree
I obtained for Valerie.

Got her important introductions,
explained the geography of the building.

Oh, I was afraid of that.

Well, we have plenty to undo.

She'll probably face a board
of inquiry in the morning.

And I'll probably be right
alongside of you.

Wherever you go,
I'll be right behind you.

What do you mean entering at this hour?
Go on, get out of here.

- What do you want?
- Go to the telephone.

I have no phone.
Now go before I call the police.

Lift up your hands, everybody.

Get over there.

Good work, Donald.
Give me that gun.

Tie him up, Jameson.

Oh, do you mean I can tie
somebody up now, sir?

Call up your boss.

No, I'm boss here.
There is no one else.

Call him up and do it right away.

Tell him I want to see him immediately,
and be careful how you say it.

Hello, monsieur?

There is a gentleman who
insists to see you.

- Oui. Who please?
- Mr. Lanyard.

Monsieur Lanyard. Oui, merci.
He will see you at once.

- Where is he?
- Downstairs. This way, please.

Do we require any more sheets, sir?

Yes, Jameson, I think we shall.

Oh, this is delightful.

Jameson, come here.

Does this look familiar to you?

The elevator! The elevator, sir.
They took me below in this.

Come on.

Yes sir, but don't you think we ought
to get some more sheets?

Be careful, Donald. Don't forget
your father has a weak heart.

Doesn't the navy put rubber
on your heels?

You are a little jumpy,
aren't you, dad?

A blackout in a basement
is ridiculous.

There is the door.

Good evening.
Remember me?

- Where is your Mr. X?
- I don't know.

Well, what do you know about
the robbery at the admiralty tonight?

Nothing. I never go with him.
They never tell me anything.

Look sir, look. This is the
very rope he tied me up with.

- Mr. Lanyard, will you come in here?
- Lovely, lovely.

There are moments when a man's
felicity reaches its zenith.

What's that contraption?

Well, that's an
ultraviolet ray projector.

Look at this, Donald.

- Oh, you found a clue, sir?
- Do you recognize that mark?

- Of course I do. It's the navy.
- Well, this is it,

a chart of the Suez minefields.

Of course it is,
but why did they burn it?

There is your answer, Donald.

They made a microfilm of it so
it could be more easily

concealed in case
they were caught.

Mr. Lanyard, Mr. Lanyard!
I was sitting on

the corpse... I mean on the sack
and playing with a foot.

I know what I'm talking about.

I mean a shoe. Anyway,
I didn't know it was a foot.

Whistler. Old bugger,
he was really on the trail.

Well, that's the crystal
from Valerie's watch.

I remarked on its shape once.

You're not looking at the same one.

Why would he be clutching that?
There isn't a mark on it.

You mean there's
not a visible mark on it.

I want every store in this alley searched.
It's a precaution you should have

taken an hour ago.

Here are pieces of several crystals.
Why?

Gentlemen,
I think we've solved the case.

The minefields were
micro-photographed on a crystal

now set in Valerie's watch.

Hello? Yes?

I can't say anything now.
Where are you?

I'm at the Tallyride Hotel.

You sent me here.
What's the matter, Karl?

You sound funny.
Well, come right over or we'll be late.

Valerie, wasn't it?

- Please don't sympathize with me.
- Well what are we waiting for?

Our job is to get that watch, and
it's probably on Valerie at this minute.

Oh, I thought it
was too good to last.

- And I don't like unannounced visitors.
- No, leave the light on.

Quick.

There's a light!

They're getting away.

Stop them!

Hello? Mike, you're taking
a big chance calling me.

Well, for pete's sakes,
stay under cover, will you?

They've got everybody
after you but the eighth army.

Yes, Sir Roger was here too.

Well, that's why I called, you.

If we can hold him off for an hour,
we've got this case licked.

Well, where are you going?

Tellyride Hotel?

Look, I better join you just in case.

All right, goodbye.

Karl?

- What do you want?
- Now don't be frightened, Miss King.

I've really come to help you. In fact,
I'm risking my life to come here.

Please sit down.

Now then, do you have the
correct time, Miss King?

I have a watch.

You can see that.
Now if you don't leave at once...

You don't trust me,

but you will when I explain
that Karl sent me.

I've seen you around, but
Karl never said anything about you.

Just what is your game?

The same as yours. In fact,
it's been that all the time.

How do you think Karl made all
his contacts that led to the robbery?

Through Rembrandt.

You know, working on both sides has
its advantages, and I play no favorite

except money.

And now, Miss King,
I'll relieve you of that watch.

Sorry, but I'm waiting
till Karl gets here.

He's not coming because he's in hiding.
He was followed by the police.

That can't be.

I just phoned him and he said
he was on his way over.

You phoned?

Then you must have been talking
to the police, not to Karl.

I thought there was something
strange about his voice.

And I told him where I was.

Give me that watch... now.

Listen, Rembrandt.
My instructions were that I

and nobody else was to deliver
this watch, no matter what happens.

And that's what I'm going to do.

You're a very foolish young lady.

But if that's the way you want it...

It's very late now and
you'll only get me into trouble.

Now don't worry, bud.
We're the police.

You see, she's asleep.

Get in there, Johnny.

You better stay out here, Donald.
You too, Jameson.

What's the matter?

Anyone else come up here
within the last hour?

No one. If there was anybody,
he came up the back way.

But I saw an open roadster
across the street.

There was a man in it, and
then another one joined him.

Come in.

Not a sign of the watch.

- You looked in those bags?
- Yeah.

Tough luck, Mike. Would
have been a great break.

Johnny.

I think we've overlooked
the most obvious bet of all.

Played us all for suckers.

The other man in that
roadster must have been Karl.

What roadster?

Never mind. If they're on their way
to meet the submarine,

we haven't got a minute to lose.
It's almost dawn now.

How are we going to
catch up with them?

Oh, look, Mike, they'd stop
you before you went a mile.

Besides,
Sir Roger's men will grab them.

They can't get away.

Yes, I know.
He won't let any grass grow

under his feet,
but I've got to beat him to it.

I've got to clear myself!

Look, Mike,

I think I know how you can do just
that if you're not out of practice.

I know where there's an old
training crate they let

me use on official business.
It's got a couple guns on it.

Johnny, you're a lifesaver!

After you're up in the air,

I'll do a little telephoning
about that submarine.

Right, come on!

May be too late
for the submarine now.

If we are, I know where we
can take cover till night.

- Who's that? What does he want?
- I don't know.

It isn't a regular patrol plane.

Then we've nothing to worry about.

Look after that crystal.
It's the only one we've got.

This is certainly an occasion
for celebration.

It is indeed, sir. Tomorrow we
shall be winging our way home.

Ah, America,
the beautiful land of my adoption.

This is for you.

Oh, no doubt the tickets
for the clipper, sir.

Sir Roger wants me at his
home at nine o'clock.

- For a special assignment.
- Oh, here we go again.