Green for Danger (1946) - full transcript

To

the Assistant Commissioner

of the police, Scotland Yard.

Sir, the amazing events

which I am reporting

may be said to have begun

on the evening

of August the 17th, 1944.

New paragraph.

A postman was cycling up Heron's Hill

on his way to deliver

mail at the hospital.

His name was Joseph Higgins.

I begin with him because

he was the first to die.

The hospital itself lay a mile away,

an Elizabethan manor

requisitioned and converted

in the emergency of war.

Another new paragraph.

In the operating theatre that night,

there was a surgeon, Mr. Eden,

Nurse Woods,

Nurse Sanson,

the, uh, the theatre sister, Bates,

Nurse Linley,

and the anaesthetist, Dr. Barnes.

August the 17th, 1944.

By August the 22nd, two of

these people would be dead,

and one of them a murderer.

What's up, had a puncture?

No, that second doodlebug this afternoon

dropped right behind the post office,

just as I was askin' if

these were sorted out.

They were sorted out, all right.

So were we.

Well, that's the lot, five,

and a bill for Dr. Barnes.

Might be a receipt.

Yeah, it might be.

Well, I shall be late on duty.

So long, Mac.

Can't be in two places at once.

Our old warden takes a different view.

All right for darts Saturday, Joe?

You bet, have a quiet night.

Some hopes.

What is good morale?

Discipline and confidence, the

one dependent on the other.

I repeat, discipline and confidence.

And you cannot have confidence

without positive thinking,

be you students or nurses,

under bombardment or otherwise.

A small instance, you

may smile when I tell you

that one of my first acts

when I took over this hospital

a month ago was to order the word waste

to be painted out from the refuse bins,

and instead to substitute

the word salvage.

Salvage.

A humble example of the difference between

positive and negative thinking.

An essential fact in the

building and maintenance of...

Morale.

Germany has united...

Another of them coming.

Tried to race me on me bicycle.

Bit late, aren't you, Joe?

Yes, doodlebug dropped right...

Our terrible V-1.

It remains to be seen what other numbers

will be suffixed to the letter V...

As the desperate

Churchill lies frantically

to save his face, London

and the home counties

are reeling under the incessant

fire of our terrible V-1.

This is Germany calling.

There, that's all, Sister.

I thought it wasn't a diverticulum.

Is he all right?

Hasn't turned a hair.

You all right, Nurse Linley?

Yes, thank you, sir, perfectly.

It's always a bit of an

ordeal the first time.

I wonder where that doodlebug dropped.

Somewhere near the village?

I hope it missed my house.

What a life.

Well, it can't last forever.

Nurses stand up to it awfully well.

So do the doctors, sir.

One can get used to anything in time.

Still, it must have been a bit of a change

for you too, sir, considering.

Considering what?

Your past.

Hmm?

Thank you.

I mean Harley Street,

Rolls-Royce, lovely ladies.

All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

They left their appendixes behind them.

They were

happy to be in the fashion.

And even happier to be

in your consulting room.

It's those eyes, of course.

The wounded stag look

that no woman can resist.

I...

Woods.

Why aren't you tidying up?

There's plenty to do.

Yes, Sister.

Clear out the swabs and

get some fresh saline.

There may be more casualties in.

Yes, Sister.

You look tired, Esther.

Oh, I'm all right.

I'll make you a cup of

something before you go to bed.

Thank you.

Sanson, will you take the

patient back to the ward?

Yes, Sister.

Yes, Sister.

I can see that.

But after all, I'm not being

in the least unreasonable.

I naturally thought you'd

go with me tomorrow.

Darling, it's just a

tatty little hospital hop,

not a ball at the Dorchester.

Does it matter who goes with whom?

I suppose not, but...

I was about to add, Eden

had a nerve to ask you.

Surgeons quite often ask

nurses on informal occasions.

I know, but...

I don't suppose

he thought twice about it.

I wonder.

Now you're being ridiculous.

Am I?

Not to say pompous.

I'm being nothing of the kind.

Must you shout?

You know, it's really amazing

how you always contrive

to put me in the wrong.

Well, you seem to think

you can even dictate

who I'm to go to a dance with.

I don't want to dictate to anybody.

I've none of the instincts of a dictator.

Then why dictate?

What is the matter with

you these days, Freddi?

I simply took it for granted

you were going with me.

That's all.

I don't like being taken for granted.

Well, we are supposed to be engaged.

You mean, we were.

Is that remark intended to have any point?

Yes.

We can't go on like this.

Nurse Linley.

As you have nothing to do here,

would you please move outside?

Dr. Barnes, I do hope you won't be long.

We've still a great deal

of clearing up to do.

Don't know what's happened

to hospital discipline this evening.

Ready, Barney?

Let's hope that's all for this evening.

Sorry, Sister.

Time for a hundred up

before dinner, coming?

Yes, right, I'll follow you down.

You ought to get some rest, Nurse.

You're on night duty, aren't you?

Yes, sir, I'm just going off for now.

Good.

Oh, uh, good night, Sister.

Good night, Mr. Eden.

Casualties.

Woods, you'll be needed

in casualty reception

with Dr. Barnes, I'll finish here.

And a little later,

they brought in Joseph Higgins.

Well, Nurse?

Uh, fractured tib and fib.

And he's had a quarter of morphia.

In shock too.

Got his name?

No, it's left blank.

No identity disc?

He couldn't have been wearing one.

We'll have to make room

for him in St. Cath's.

Someone's sure to come forward.

Tell Mr. Eden.

Yes, sir.

Compound, otherwise straightforward.

No internal injuries.

You haven't cleaned him up, Nurse?

No sir, he was still badly shocked

when they brought him in.

Quite right, they fixed

him up with a splint.

I think it's best to leave

him as he is for a while.

X-ray first thing in the morning.

Yes, sir.

Then we'll take him out to the theatre

and operate at, uh, 10 o'clock, all right?

Very good, sir.

Good.

Clean him up a bit now,

but don't worry him.

Had any more of those nightmares?

No.

Meaning yes, I suppose.

Why don't you take a leave?

I might later.

I'd sooner work now.

I suppose you were right coming back here,

so soon after...

My dear, this isn't

the best of atmospheres

for you, you know?

Constant reminders.

There are lots of jobs outside

where you'd be helping just as much.

I want to carry on here.

My dear, you're young.

You don't want to poison

your life blaming yourself

for something which you couldn't help.

I knew your mother, don't forget, and...

Please.

All right.

Me helmet...

You never turned off the wireless.

You never turned off...

You poor thing.

Am I late, Esther?

Sorry, I fell asleep, and...

What's the matter?

Oh, hello, Freddi.

You look completely

out on your feet, dear.

Yes, I am a bit.

Plenty of sleep, that's what you need.

Hop off now, I'll see to everything.

Anyone to fix?

Yes, three stat, one S.O.S.

It's all in the prescription book.

I'll give them, off you go.

Thank you, Freddi.

Good night.

Good night, see you in the morning.

Aren't you gonna

kiss me good night, Nurse?

Hello, Nurse.

Spare a cuppa for the poor old surgeon?

Yes, I think so, sir.

Wonderful, I'm parched.

Busy night after all.

You never know how it's

going to be with buzz bombs.

No, we shall all end up

with elephantiasis of the ears.

Isn't that one?

Mm-mmm, only a car.

Thanks.

How's Barney?

All right, sir.

Did I detect a slight note of friction

in the theatre this evening?

Saccharin?

Of course.

I like Barney.

So do I, curiously enough.

Naturally, since you're engaged.

We're not.

Hmm?

Since when?

This evening.

Oh, I am sorry.

What's the trouble, or shouldn't I ask?

I suppose it's my fault.

When a woman says that,

it usually means she's convinced it isn't.

Well, I don't know.

We always seem to be getting

on each other's nerves.

Well, nobody's nerves

are quite what they were.

Especially after being

cooped up here for years,

working long hours, under one sort of

bombardment or another.

I suppose not.

Not that I ever interfere in these things.

Don't you?

Anyway, I never admit it.

What's the matter?

I was just looking at you and thinking.

What?

That Barney must be an awful fool.

He's not, he's sweet.

It is my fault, in a way.

In what way?

Well, he's probably a

better sort of person

than I am altogether, but

he gets so possessive.

And he's firmly of the opinion

that there should be only

one man in your life.

To wit, Barney.

It wasn't that sort of quarrel.

Wasn't it?

Not really.

That wasn't a car.

That was near.

I'm sorry.

Please forgive me.

Look out!

It's cut out.

It's coming down.

Hear it?

It's gonna hit us!

It's all right, it's gone over.

You're quite safe.

I had just come into the

ward when he started.

London under fire.

Terrible V-1.

Terrible V-1!

Churchill telling lies.

Telling lies to save...

What is it?

I don't know.

Some sort of quotation.

Don't talk any more, old man.

Take it easy.

There's nothing to worry about.

You're going to sleep now.

Give him a sixth of morphia.

I'd just come to look for you, Mr. Eden,

about the operation tomorrow.

I understand you want it at 10 o'clock.

That's right, Sister.

Then I'll put back the cartilage until 11.

Thank you, Sister.

Good night, Mr. Eden.

Good night, Sister.

Oh, there you are, Esther.

Where have you been?

It must be awfully late.

Freddi overslept or something.

There's some cocoa for

you, I'll heat it up.

Please don't bother,

I don't want anything.

Esther?

Esther, what's the matter?

Mr. Eden wants me to leave here.

Well, he's very sensible.

You should never have come back.

I can't go yet, I won't!

Well, it's up to you.

Are you sure you're all right?

He saw I was upset over Higgins.

Higgins?

The postman.

The unidentified fracture.

I hadn't recognised him then, of course.

Not until I cleaned him up.

He was buried too, like she was.

They had to dig him out.

I couldn't help thinking of...

Higgins?

And at 9:50 precisely,

Joseph Higgins was wheeled

to the operating theatre.

How many cases left today?

Three, so far.

But the next's only removal of plaster.

I shall need a new oxygen cylinder, Nurse.

We nearly ran this one out last time.

Very well, sir.

Good morning, Nurse.

Good morning, sir.

How's the patient?

I could do with a pint.

That's the preoperative atropine.

Thank you very much.

We shan't keep you long.

There's no need to worry.

It's only a small thing,

hardly an operation at all.

Dr. Barnes, ain't it?

That's right.

You remember me?

Joe Higgins?

Yes, you're the postman.

Thought you would.

You gonna do the anaesthetic?

Yes.

You've got a nerve.

All right?

Perfectly.

New cylinder, sir.

All right, shove it in.

Oh, Sister, I think I'll give

the anaesthetic on the table.

Save time, he's not the nervous type.

Very well.

Did you say you're giving

the anaesthetic on the table?

That's right.

Mm-hmm.

Sanson!

Bring the machine in, Woods.

But...

Do hurry!

Yes, Sister.

Oh, Sanson, you can bring

the patient in right away?

Ah, well, as Churchill says,

"Man the guns, sweep the skies,

"plough the fields, and pull the trolley."

Who's that?

I know that voice, I've heard it before.

What's the matter?

It's the patient, sir, I

think he's a bit excited.

Shh, it's

only one of the nurses.

I've heard it before somewhere.

I can't remember where I heard it.

Don't worry now,

it'll all come back later.

Nurse?

Yes?

There's no danger, is there?

No, of course not.

No danger at all.

Now take

it quite easily, old man.

Just relax.

Breathe quite normally.

That's right.

Quite gently, no hurry at all.

Don't like his colour.

I've cut down the gas

and increased the oxygen.

He's not responding.

Nothing but oxygen now.

Still not responding.

Doesn't seem to be any obstruction?

I'll slip

an airway in to make sure.

All right?

Yes.

Still pure oxygen?

Yes.

He's stopped breathing.

Artificial respiration?

Yes.

Adrenaline, Sister.

Intravenous

Coramine, Nurse.

They

took the necessary action.

They neglected nothing.

It made no difference.

Joseph Higgins was quite dead.

There'll have

to be an inquest, of course.

Quite.

Most unfortunate.

These things always create

such a mistaken impression outside.

Of course, I'm not suggesting anyone

is in the least to blame.

Barnes, are you quite certain

that the tubes were uncrossed?

Positive.

You checked the machine?

Of course.

Hmm.

Well, I'm inclined to take the view

that the man was still

suffering from shock.

These things are bound

to happen now and then

when taking justifiable

risks in urgent cases.

I'm afraid we can't tell the coroner that.

Oh, why not?

Because this case wasn't

particularly urgent.

Oh.

And there wasn't any risk.

The patient was perfectly fit.

Hmm, should've taken the anaesthetic

without turning a hair.

Well, the fact remains he didn't.

This would have to happen

in my very first month here.

It's most distressing.

Any views, Purdy?

Well, of course I wasn't there,

but it certainly seems a bit strange.

Might get a clue from the postmortem.

Clue?

Oh, I see what you mean.

Well, we shall soon know.

No doubt it'll all straighten itself out.

Thank you, gentlemen, I

don't think I need keep you.

Thank you, sir.

By the way, I don't see

that this need be any reason

for cancelling tonight's,

uh, little gathering.

It started some time ago.

Hmm?

Oh, quite.

Well, it makes a break for the nurses.

Helps morale.

I might even look in

a little later myself.

That'll be nice.

Dr. Barnes, would you mind

staying behind a moment?

I'll see you at the party.

Right.

He spoke of our little gathering

as though it needed lancing.

Most distressing.

"Quite, oh, quite."

Barnes, you were in

practise in this district

before joining the hospital, I believe.

I was.

Yes.

Frankly, I'm told that this

won't be the first inquest

of its kind you've had to

attend at Heron's Park.

That's true, the other was four years ago.

Mmm, yes.

Just a little unfortunate.

I don't know what you're implying.

The surgeon and I were both exonerated.

Obviously.

I'm not suggesting for a moment.

Natural causes, cardiac failure,

it might happen to any of us.

The fact remains, people talked.

They generally do.

They will, in this case.

Let them.

I don't know that we can take

quite so carefree a view.

We have the hospital to think of now.

I can see that, but after all...

For instance, soon after you came here,

I believe an anonymous

letter was received.

From some illiterate half-wit.

Beneath contempt, of course.

Still, candidly, I was rather

hoping for a gesture from you.

Oh?

It might, I merely throw

out the suggestion.

It might simplify matters if you were to

discontinue your theatre duties pending...

You mean, admit responsibility

for Higgins' death?

Good heavens, no!

If I'm suspended, that's

what it amounts to.

My dear fellow, I merely

suggested that I was hoping

the gesture would come from you.

Well, it won't.

Now, listen, Barnes...

In fact, the only gesture

I feel like making

is far from polite.

There's no necessity to be vulgar.

I'm sure my predecessor...

Under your predecessor,

this hospital had a magnificent record,

partly because he backed

his staff to the hilt.

This is intolerable,

I ask for cooperation,

and what do I get?

You don't want cooperation.

What you want is a scapegoat,

neatly trussed up as

a convenient sacrifice

in case anyone starts

throwing bricks at you.

I, really!

I...

Suspend me if you like!

If you do, I shall appeal.

Good night.

Excuse me.

Barney?

Hello.

I only just heard.

What's happening?

Everything.

I've bumped off a patient,

insulted the superintendent,

and practically been suspended.

Large scotch.

Only small gins.

Barney...

Small gins, all right.

Have you really been suspended?

White's hinting at it.

It wasn't your fault.

No, thank you.

That seems to be beside the point.

Why didn't you come and tell me?

After yesterday?

We both said a lot of

things we didn't mean.

Freddi...

Ladies and gentlemen, Paul Jones!

Freddi, do you mean...

Come on, Freddi!

Barney!

Barney, Barney!

Come along, old man!

Come on!

♪ Diddly-um-dee-dee,

diddly-um, diddly-um ♪

♪ Diddly-um-de-dum-dee-dee ♪

Really, Dr. Barnes!

When you said just now,

you didn't mean what you said yesterday...

I didn't say that, exactly.

Well, what?

Couldn't we forget the whole thing?

Oh, all right.

Are we back where we were before?

I'm awfully fond of you, Barney.

You do believe that, don't you?

The mere thought of losing you

drives me absolutely dotty.

You haven't answered my question.

Barney...

It's not that I mean to be awkward.

I naturally like to know where I stand.

If you want to boot me out, well,

boot me out and I'll, I'll go.

Well?

Please don't ask me now, Barney.

I'm all in a muddle, I

want to be quite sure.

Please?

All right.

Thought about what I

was saying last night?

Yes.

I'm going against the

very best medical advice

and staying here.

You remind me very much of your mother.

She wouldn't see reason either.

Now, why shouldn't we speak of her?

You won't get anywhere

by driving this thing

into the back of your mind.

Get away, my dear.

Bring it into the open and

do a good job of forgetting.

I mustn't forget ever.

She was desperately afraid of the bombing,

and I left her to face it alone.

You can

scarcely be blamed for that.

I left her alone.

Listen, Esther.

Your mother was the most

possessive woman I've ever known.

Jealously, hysterically possessive.

You've no right to say that.

The truth isn't less

true for being brutal.

You've a chance now to live your own life.

Take it.

♪ Don't you believe a word he says ♪

♪ A word he says, a word he says ♪

Hello, Sister.

Having a good time?

No.

Oh.

Well, I don't feel exactly festive myself.

Have a drink.

I've got one.

Mmm.

They make what's called a

handsome couple, don't they?

Yes.

Well, I don't know about him.

That's where I have

the advantage over you.

What?

I do know about him.

All about him.

You think I'm an awful fool, don't you?

Why?

Oh, you know.

Everybody knows by now.

It's funny, I do my work and keep my head,

I might be a machine, but

when it comes to him, I...

It's funny, isn't it?

What about a dance?

He's sick of me.

And I'm sick of myself.

Now, look...

You're a fool too.

You know that, don't you?

We all have our off moments.

I saw him kissing her

in the ward last night.

What?

That hurt, didn't it?

Now you know how I feel.

I saw him, I saw the way he looked at her.

He's in love, as far as he ever can be.

If I were you,

I'd have a nice cup of

cocoa and go to bed.

You know it's the truth.

If he wanted to marry her,

do you think she'd hesitate

if you weren't here?

Well, I am here.

You won't be much longer.

Not if he knows about it.

What are you getting at?

You killed a girl, didn't you?

A few years ago in Heron's Park.

That's not true, and I've

had just about enough of it.

Now there's been another death,

and White's had you on the carpet.

What's

this got to do with Eden?

You're in his way, that's all.

You're imagining things.

No, I'm not.

I'm seeing the truth.

You get like that.

You get to see people

like you never did before,

all the rotten things about

them you shut your eyes to once.

And that hurts, and it's a comfort.

You're in his way, don't you see?

What are you getting at?

You'll find out.

I'm going to join in.

I'm sorry it's come to this.

What?

Spoiling your evening,

having to dance with me.

Don't be absurd.

Do you think I don't know?

Now, Marion, why can't you be sensible?

We neither of us ever

pretended it was serious.

It was all over months

ago and no harm done.

Except to me.

I've tried to be considerate,

but you won't let me.

Considerate?

You can't afford to be anything else.

What do you mean?

You see, I happen to know.

Know what?

Can't you guess?

I can't.

Do you really want me to tell you?

Here?

What are you talking about?

What is all this?

You know, all right.

Listen, everybody!

I'm sorry to interrupt the dancing,

but I have an important

announcement to make.

A patient called Higgins died

in the theatre this morning.

But it wasn't natural causes,

and it wasn't an accident.

Shall I tell you what it was?

Murder.

Yes, he was murdered!

I found out how it was done.

Oh, quite by accident, but I found out.

Sister...

And, believe it or not, I know who did it!

Marion, please.

For heaven's sake,

think what you're doing.

And what's more, I've got

something that'll prove it.

I know where it is,

because I've hidden it.

I've hidden it, and I'm the

only one that knows where!

All right, but I suggest

you come and tell Dr. White

all about it.

I'll take you into him.

Let me alone!

I'll go where I please!

Get them going, Nurse.

McCoy!

Oh, hello, Sister.

Could I have the key

to the operating theatre, please?

I won't be long, I'm just

going back for a minute.

Okay.

What on earth is the

matter with you, Marion?

For heaven's sake, what is it?

There was someone following me.

Oh, don't be absurd.

It was you.

It was you!

Marion!

Marion, come back!

Marion!

Oh, I thought you were asleep.

Uh, no, not me, no.

Dr. Barnes wanted the theatre key.

Oh, Sister Bates

took it five minutes ago.

Sister Bates?

Oh, very well, I'll tell him.

It

was early the next morning,

the 19th, that I myself, in

person, arrived on the scene.

Good morning.

Could I have...

Well?

Considering everything, yes.

I have...

What's wrong with you?

Hmm?

Just the usual slight

discomfort after meals.

Nothing, I have an appointment

with the superintendent.

Do you mind telling him I'm here?

What name?

Cockrill.

Inspector Cockrill.

Yes, Scotland Yard, I'm afraid.

Sickening.

Dr. White, please.

A terrible business, Inspector.

Mmm, frightful.

Where's the body?

In the theatre, just as it was found.

Police surgeon there?

Yes.

I do hope everything can

be arranged discreetly.

Shouldn't

think so for a moment.

Why not?

Press.

Do they have to be seen?

Can't keep 'em out.

Oh, dear.

I don't mind.

Always give me a good write-up.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

Turning

colder, don't you think?

Yes, sir.

Hello, Hendricks.

Morning, sir.

Kiddies well?

Fine.

Good.

Body's on the floor.

Well, Doctor, any views?

Stabbed twice, of course.

So I see.

Surgical knife found in second wound.

First in heart, cause of death.

Took place nine or 10 last night.

Couldn't put it any nearer.

You don't have to, we

know within 10 minutes.

Found these on the floor.

Probably worn by whoever

did it and left behind.

Hmm.

Any fingerprints?

Nice set of hers low down

on that cupboard door.

Right hand.

Dr. White, could you assemble

all the people you mentioned at once?

Somewhere private, I'd

like to talk to them.

Yes, Inspector.

I wish the man would come and get it over.

He's conducting a war of nerves.

That's what it is.

When I think of her lying there like that

and only a few minutes

before she was alive...

That's enough, Freddi.

Why the devil is he only

after five of us here?

That's what I want to know.

Because you are the only people

who seem to have been

concerned with both murders.

Simple, when you think of it, isn't it?

This is Inspector Cockrill.

Mr. Eden, Dr. Barnes,

Nurse Woods, Sanson, Linley.

Delighted.

Inspector, you said both murders.

Mmm, Sister Bates and

what's-his-name, Higgins.

Who said Higgins was murdered?

Well, Sister Bates herself,

for one, last night.

I understood you were there, Dr. Barnes.

Yes, but I didn't realise

that she knew...

Didn't you?

What about

the Higgins postmortem?

Completely negative.

But why should anyone

want to murder Higgins?

My dear young lady, how should I know?

I've only just got here.

I understand from Dr. White

that all of you were present

when he died.

Not Freddi.

Except Nurse Linley.

Interesting trust count.

I beg your pardon, except Nurse Linley.

Who was, however, on duty on Higgins' ward

the whole of the night before.

Yes, so I was.

And all of you were at the party.

So there you are.

Are you implying that one of us did it?

Well, it seems very likely.

Don't you think?

Inspector Cockrill

I really can't help feeling

that there must be some

relatively innocent explanation

of this terrible business.

Dr. White, please don't be fatuous.

Really!

We are dealing with two

premeditated murders.

Can anyone tell me anything

they think I ought to know?

If so, now is the time.

Very well, pause for 30 seconds

while you cook up your alibis.

Did you get us here just to insult us?

No, I only like to

strike an informal note.

Well?

I've cooked mine up, Inspector.

I hope it's good.

Oh, done to a turn.

Well, uh, I-I stayed

here for a few minutes

after Sister ran out.

And then I went straight back to our rooms

in the coach house.

Uh, f-five minutes' walk.

Anyone see you?

I don't know.

Hmm.

I'm sure you can do better, Mr. Eden.

I?

With the exercise of a little imagination.

You followed Sister Bates, I believe.

Yes.

Did you catch her?

As if you'd

tell me if you did.

I followed her out to the

terrace, but she'd disappeared.

I waited a moment or two,

but she didn't show up,

so I went direct to the Sisters' room.

What?

Eden?

One moment, Dr. Barnes.

Anyone see you?

I shouldn't think so.

The invisible man.

Thanks.

Nurse Sanson, your turn.

Is that necessary, Inspector?

She's not well, and like the rest of us,

she's been up half the night.

There's nothing to tell.

I was just leaving when Sister

Bates stopped the gramophone

and spoke to everyone.

It upset me, rather.

It was all, well...

Highly embarrassing?

Where did you go?

Straight to the coach house.

She was in bed when I got back.

Obviously,

she couldn't have done it.

Unless she was fully dressed

under the bedclothes,

then she might have had time.

That's preposterous.

Naturally.

Now then, Dr. Barnes, what about you?

I went after Eden.

Me?

Why?

Because you thought he

might be the murderer,

suggested by the late Sister Bates?

Oh, that's a charming supposition.

Well?

Thank you.

Now what on earth are

you suggesting, Barnes?

Did you catch him up?

No.

What did you do then?

Went for a walk.

Where?

In the garden.

Why did you want the key

for the operating theatre?

I didn't.

You told

Sergeant McCoy last night

that Dr. Barnes wanted the key.

I...

Didn't you?

Yes.

Why?

You're not a theatre nurse, are you?

No.

Then why did you go to the theatre?

Just a minute.

She discovered the body, Inspector.

Some of our most celebrated criminals

have made a particular

point of doing the same.

Sister Bates said she'd hidden something.

I thought the theatre was

the most likely place.

I see, just feminine curiosity.

Why not?

Not the desire to remove that something

before Sister Bates could

use it to incriminate anyone.

Dr. Barnes, for instance?

Or Mr. Eden.

That's more like it.

You're positively excelling

yourself this morning, Barnes.

You're

the young lady's fiance,

I believe?

I was.

Do you agree with his

use of the past tense?

I couldn't agree more.

Ah.

Another punctured romance.

Well, it comes to this.

All of you had time,

yet none of your stories is corroborated.

Perhaps we all did it!

I wonder if you realise

exactly the sort of person

we're dealing with.

Let me tell you how I

think Sister Bates died.

She hurried into the operating theatre,

unlocked the cupboard,

stooped down to get the

evidence she had hidden there.

What was it?

I don't know, yet.

Then she heard something.

She turned and saw a figure

standing in the dark,

masked and gowned and gloved.

I imagine she just stayed

where she was, staring.

Then the murderer came slowly

over to her and stabbed her,

dressed her in this soiled theatre gown,

and stabbed her again.

Through it, to make it look

as if she'd been killed

wearing the gown.

But why?

I don't know that either.

But what we do know is

that the second wound

was made after death,

and that the murderer was in a hurry.

As you see, he tore the gown somewhat.

Now, there's one other thing.

This bottle of tablets was

taken from the poison cupboard.

Dr. White has checked the contents,

and there are four missing.

A lethal dose.

The murderer has them and

will not hesitate to use them.

Four of you are in mortal

danger from the fifth.

Above all, don't trust your neighbour,

your roommate, your

fiance, or your friend.

He or she may be the murderer.

Come instead to me.

Sister Bates died because

she knew something

and was foolish enough to say so.

I beg of you, all of you,

not to make the same mistake.

I'm sorry.

Thank you, Nurse Woods.

You showed great presence of mind.

Take her back.

I shouldn't do that again

if I were you, Inspector.

Why not?

Because Nurse Sanson is on the verge

of a nervous breakdown.

Actual or assumed?

Perhaps you would prefer

to judge that for yourself.

Three months ago, her mother was buried

under the ruins of her house in a raid.

The rescue squad dug

for her for three days,

and then gave it up.

Next day she was found, still alive.

She died an hour later.

Esther was there the whole time.

I could scarcely be expected to know that.

So, without bothering to inquire,

you scare the life out of her,

like any flat-footed copper off the beat.

The police force has not a

monopoly of fallen arches,

Dr. Barnes.

Ask any chiropodist.

Thank you, Mr. Eden.

Before the war, you had a house

in Heron's Park, I believe?

Yes.

And you had a practise

in the district?

I did.

Good.

Well, then, Dr. Barnes,

would you care to accompany

me to the theatre?

You gave Higgins the anaesthetic.

What's that got to do with it?

That's what I'm hoping to find out.

Did you know him?

Only by sight.

Nurse Woods is a remarkable woman.

Absolutely first-class.

Ever live in Heron's Park?

Not so far as I know.

She used to live the other side of London.

She took up nursing when her sister died.

When?

1940, on the Continent.

That's funny.

What is?

Oh, it's nothing.

It's just that Higgins

thought he knew her voice.

That's all.

Indeed.

Have you any views on nasal catarrh?

Nothing in particular, why?

Oh, just wondering.

I often suffer from it in the mornings.

That's the machine I used.

I see.

They brought Higgins in here.

I examined him, he was

quite fit, so we went ahead.

In here?

No, I gave it to him in the theatre.

The coup de grace?

The anaesthetic.

Is that usual?

Not really, it's up to me.

Naturally.

In that case, in we go.

I gave nitrous oxide at

first to get him under.

Oh, yes.

The stuff the dentist gives you, hmm?

Commonly known as laughing gas?

Used to be, actually, the

impurities caused the laughs.

Oh, just the same as our music halls.

Then I added oxygen.

When he failed to respond...

Uh, my ignorance is simply staggering.

Please demonstrate.

Black and white, oxygen.

Black, nitrous oxide.

Green, carbon dioxide.

The rest are spares.

I began the nitrous oxide.

So...

The flowmeter registered correctly.

When I got him under, I added oxygen.

Like this.

I didn't like the look of him,

so I cut down the nitrous

oxide and increased the oxygen.

To my surprise, he didn't respond.

So I turned off the

nitrous oxide altogether,

put him on pure oxygen.

And then?

He simply collapsed.

I injected adrenaline,

and Nurse Woods gave

Coramine as a last resort.

Nurse Woods, hmm.

Could these have been tampered with?

I don't see how.

In any event, the damage

had been done before then.

What about this fellow?

Carbon dioxide?

Mmm.

We sometimes use a little

to stimulate respiration.

Isn't it poisonous?

Without oxygen, yes.

Use any in Higgins?

None at all.

You couldn't have coupled up

the wrong cylinder by mistake?

These machines are as foolproof

as they can make them.

Besides, we checked everything.

It wouldn't be possible to fill, say,

an empty oxygen cylinder

with carbon dioxide?

Good heavens, no.

It takes terrific pressure.

Just supposing.

Well, the patient would

be getting carbon dioxide

instead of oxygen.

He'd die of, well, lack of oxygen.

And you couldn't tell by the

flowmeter or the postmortem?

No, but the whole thing's quite ludicrous.

You must bear with me, Doctor.

I'm a child in these matters.

Can I go now?

No, I don't think so.

You had a similar experience

once before, didn't you?

I suppose Dr. White's been talking.

Incessantly.

It wasn't similar.

It was no comparison.

And I made no mistake in either case.

Splendid.

Does Eden think that?

Eden?

What's he been saying?

Nothing to me.

You don't like him, do you?

If I discuss that with

anybody, it'll be with Eden.

Why not?

Confidentially, do you think he did it?

How should I know?

Dr. Barnes?

About that anonymous letter.

If you're silly enough

to attach any importance

to a thing like that...

Oh, it wasn't that exactly.

I was merely wondering if Higgins

was the postman who delivered it.

Yes, I was idiotically pleased

with myself at the time.

But I am not so pleased

to think of it now,

because there was the vital evidence,

the clue to the whole

business, right under my nose.

If I had known then, it might

have saved another life.

The next morning, my presence

lay over the hospital

like a pall.

As I approached, voices were hushed,

and all eyes turned upon me.

Who was the guilty one?

When will he be arrested?

Who will be next?

That is what they were thinking.

I found it all tremendously enjoyable.

During the rest of that day,

I continued my investigations

with my accustomed energy.

Good afternoon, ladies.

No need to be alarmed.

We were only searching your rooms.

Well, I'll be...

Did you know Higgins?

Personally, no.

What precisely was your

relationship with Sister Bates?

Not exactly distant, I take it?

Harmless enough, or so I thought.

Nevertheless, you certainly had a motive

for getting rid of her.

Only in her imagination.

She might have proved troublesome.

She was jealous and possessive.

Most women are, if you give them

the slightest encouragement.

Which you invariably give them, hmm?

Only sometimes, not so slight.

Are you trying to make me lose my temper?

That was only a secondary object.

From time to time,

one of those infernal

devices roared overhead.

But such trifles, of

course, did not for a moment

distract me from my purpose.

Did Higgins say anything that night

that you think might help us?

He'd only just got in when the bomb fell.

He didn't speak again?

No, 'cause I went clean out for a bit.

When I came round, all I

could hear was the radio.

Hmm?

The radio?

Yes, our old wireless set.

Still hollering a treat it was, too.

Ah, what was it playing?

Wasn't playing.

Hmm?

It was talking.

What about?

Well, uh, let me think.

Come along now.

Surely you can remember.

I can't get it out of my mind.

When I woke up today, I

didn't remember at first.

Then it all came back.

I went to the window, and

there was the Inspector,

slinking about outside.

He's probably lurking about in the bushes

at this very moment.

Oughtn't we go back?

Why?

It's a lovely night.

We're still suspects.

That's a very good thought to escape from.

It's not easy.

Have you seen Barney?

No.

I don't know what to do about him.

Isn't it time you made up your mind?

He's behaving so ridiculously.

I don't blame him, he's in love with you.

I don't blame him for that either.

It is a lovely night.

Perfect.

"In such a night as this,

"when the sweet wind did

gently kiss the trees

"and they did make no

noise, in such a night,

"Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls

"and sighed his soul

towards the Grecian tents

"where Cressid lay that night."

"In such a night did young Lorenzo swear

"he loved her well,

"stealing her soul with many vows of faith

"and ne'er a true one."

Good night, Mr. Eden.

Good night, Dr. Barnes.

Nurse Woods.

Jane Woods.

Where she lived, when she came to London,

everything you can find out.

Ring me right away.

Bye.

I must be getting old.

So much for the 19th.

The morning of the 20th

dawned like any other.

The condemned man ate a hearty breakfast.

Have some jam.

No, thanks.

You've eaten hardly anything.

I've had quite enough.

Besides, we ought to be going.

Oh, we have 10 minutes yet.

How about the washing up?

I'll come back at nine

o'clock and do that.

Here's Freddi.

Well, I wonder what today will bring.

No, it's not.

What?

Freddi.

Anyone in?

Oh, hello.

Good morning, sir.

Oh.

Good morning.

I didn't startle you, did I?

Oh, no, sir.

I clumped to warn you.

He clumped.

I've been wandering

around for about an hour.

Thought I'd just drop in, see

if you were all all right.

Well, we're still here, sir.

Somewhat to our surprise.

Have some tea.

Nothing go bump in the night?

Only my heart.

Oh, stick the kettle on, Esther.

No, please don't bother.

It's gotta go on again

for Freddi's hot water bottle.

Her bedroom's freezing.

If you're looking for

Freddi, she's not back yet.

Oh no, really I wasn't, I just dropped in.

Oh, here she is.

Hello, children.

It's parky for an August day.

I thought I'd see Nurse Linley home

and come in and see if you were all right.

Seems to be a popular movement.

Well, I'll push off.

Got a cup of tea?

Esther's getting it.

Esther's not.

Not until someone gives me a shilling.

The gas has died on us.

Oh, dear.

It's my turn, and I forgot.

Unless there's one in my bag.

Bobs for the love of Allah.

Heads.

Good gracious.

Not a bob among us.

That's funny.

How about you, sir?

Nothing doing.

Freddi, my pet, you'll have to go to bed

with half a lukewarm water bottle.

Well, I could slip over and ask McCoy...

Of course not, I'm too tired to care.

I hardly slept at all yesterday.

Who did?

None of us, I imagine.

Speaking as the life

and soul of the party,

I just can't keep it up.

Oh, don't worry, darling.

You've been wonderful, really you have.

It's this wondering and watching.

I don't believe it was one of us.

It can't be, and-and yet,

somebody must have killed him.

But why?

Why Higgins?

I was thinking during the

night about that gown.

What gown?

The one Sister Bates was found in.

What about it?

Well, you know the hole in it

where she was stabbed?

Mmm.

I knew there was something

that seemed wrong.

I know it sounds silly,

but it suddenly dawned on me what it was.

What?

It was...

Shut up.

If you've anything to tell,

tell it to the Inspector.

Aren't you being a little fanciful?

I must say, I can't see any harm in it.

Oh, of course not.

The Inspector did say

if we found out anything

to go to him and not trust anyone.

He happens to be quite right.

What's the matter with him?

Doesn't your intuition stretch that far?

Well, it was only a thought I had.

When I wake up, I expect it'll

seem too silly for words.

Going to brush my teeth.

I'll go and

get your hot water bottle.

Are you quite happy about

the way you're behaving?

Self-criticism has never

been one of my failings.

I hope you're not confusing

Freddi with the kind of woman

who used to dither in and

out of your consulting room

in a flutter of checks and eyelashes.

Ah, those were the good old days.

I miss the checks.

She's a bit romantic and

not very experienced.

And like the rest of us, she's

been under a nervous strain

for a long time.

Well...

I'd hate to see her giving

up someone permanent

like Barney and falling for your practised

and rather hollow charm.

You're much too kind.

I'm serious.

Supposing I were too?

What?

Serious.

I might be.

Oh, I think we better keep

this conversation practical.

Have it your own way.

Think it over.

My dear Nurse Woods,

who am I to make the course

of true love run any smoother?

All right.

Only I warn you, Barney won't

bottle it up much longer.

Any moment now, he'll grab

the nearest grandfather clock

and break it over your head,

whereupon I for one will give

three rousing cheers, sir.

Anything the matter?

It appears I'm a menace.

To whom?

Unprotected females.

Have you only just discovered that?

Strictly speaking, no.

I'm not complaining.

Ready, Woody?

Here I come.

Where have you been?

Getting my cap.

Come on, we ought to be there.

Coming, sir?

In a minute.

I think I ought to give

Barney a run for his money.

You have been warned.

Bye-bye, Freddi, see you tonight.

Bye-bye.

Get me Inspector Cockrill, will you?

What?

Well, see if you can find

him, and ring me back.

Everything's ready now, Sister.

Just going back to the coach

house for a few minutes

to clear up, is that all right?

Very well, Nurse.

Only get back before 9:30.

Yes, Sister.

Dr. Barnes here.

Oh, thank you.

Is that Inspector Cockrill?

No, Doctor, it's Hendricks.

The Inspector's busy at the moment.

Can I give him a message?

I wanted to talk to him.

Well, it's about Nurse Linley.

Yes, I think it might be important.

Tell him he can find me

here in casualty reception.

Thank you.

Dr. Barnes was asking for you, sir.

What does he want?

Said it was something about Nurse Linley.

He's in casualty reception.

Right.

Let's go along.

Freddi!

Freddi?

Help!

Bring her down quick, Hendricks.

Get Dr. White at once.

Freddi!

You're not to touch her, Dr. Barnes.

How's Freddi?

Still unconscious.

Can I see her?

No.

But why not?

Because I say so.

Well, the murderer has

achieved his first object.

He or she has silenced Nurse Linley.

Wha...

At least for the time being.

Could it possibly have been an accident?

The only accident was that she survived.

Thanks to Nurse Sanson.

However, it has simplified the problem.

How?

The suspects are now reduced to four.

One, two, three, four.

Fewer suspects and less work for me.

My ideal is a 40-hour week.

Oh, for heaven's sake.

Perhaps if you'd sent for me sooner.

You left it a bit late, didn't you?

How was I to know that?

A just point, Dr. Barnes.

You all knew that the

gas had failed, correct?

You all knew that she'd

gone upstairs to sleep.

You went up there alone

with a hot water bottle.

You pointed out yourself

that Esther saved her life.

I exclude none of you from this, Mr. Eden.

And you also slipped up there alone,

without a hot water bottle.

Mr. Eden remained behind

when everyone else had gone,

and Dr. Barnes was within

easy distance across the yard.

Each one of you could have

slipped up to her room

and turned on that tap.

You all knew Nurse Woods'

habit of going back at 9:15

to boil a kettle for washing up.

And of course, none knew that better

than Nurse Woods herself.

You told me you'd never met Higgins.

I hadn't.

Does Horton's Farm,

a couple of miles from Heron's

Park mean anything to you?

What?

You

lived there once, didn't you?

Up to 15 years ago.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

Why, Woody...

Wait.

With your mother and your sister.

Yes.

Is there anything wrong in that?

No, no.

You're a theatre nurse, aren't you?

Of course.

With access to anaesthetics

and theatre gowns?

I suppose so.

Sister Bates was stabbed

through a theatre gown.

Yes.

Nurse Linley said she knew something

about that same gown, just

before her life was attempted.

Well?

And Higgins recognised your voice.

He couldn't have done.

He thought he did.

Do you know the last thing Higgins heard

as he lay in the debris

of that rescue post?

How should I know?

Hendricks.

Listen, and you'll hear

what Higgins heard.

What on earth?

Listen.

Meanwhile,

our attacks have continued

without a pause since June the 15th,

and have laid much of the

British capital in ruins.

As the desperate

Churchill lies frantically

to save his face, London and

the home counties are reeling

under the incessant fire

of our terrible V-1.

This is Germany calling.

A

BBC monitor recording

of a broadcast from Hamburg

on the evening of the 17th.

Woody?

Scarcely that.

Her sister.

What?

Her twin sister, if my

information is correct.

Am I right?

Yes, you're right.

You were

very fond of your sister.

Weren't you?

Yes.

And ashamed for her.

I tried to hide it.

I-I said she died in France in 1940.

I-I'd have done anything.

Including murder?

Murder?

Well, I had the motive, didn't I?

Higgins might have put

two and two together.

And I had the opportunity each time.

And I did go to Freddi's room alone.

And I did put the shilling in the metre.

Well?

Why don't you all say

what you're thinking?

Why don't you tell them?

Why don't you tell them I did it?

Now, who on earth said you did?

Or didn't.

Leave her.

The Inspector has a charming aptitude

for travelling in ever decreasing circles,

which I fear can only have one end.

Someday, Mr. Eden, I must try my hand

at removing an appendix.

I fancy the progress will be slow,

until I discover what Nurse

Linley was going to say

about that gown.

She'll tell

you that when she comes round.

Dr. Barnes, she may never come round.

What do you mean?

Her skull was fractured in her fall.

What?

Come back.

I must see her...

I said come back.

Why?

It can't do any good.

And I can't trust you.

Yes, but...

Besides, I haven't finished.

There is pressure on her

brain which I am told

can only be relieved by an operation

if she's to live and

tell me what she knows.

What, trephining?

So Mr. Purdy says.

That's very serious.

The operation will take place

at 9:30 tomorrow morning.

All of you will undertake

exactly the same duties

as you did in the case of Higgins.

What?

You can't do that.

You prefer not to give the anaesthetic?

I prefer not to see her killed.

The one doesn't necessarily

follow from the other.

Even if it did in the case of Higgins.

Nurse Woods, do you remember accurately

all that you did before?

Yes, I think so.

You're

willing to do the same again?

All right.

Thank you.

Nurse Sanson.

How about you?

Are you willing to perform

precisely the same duties

as you did before?

Yes.

I suppose so.

May I point out that you

can't exactly reproduce

the circumstances of Higgins' death,

which I presume is what you're after?

Oh, why not?

Because I shan't be operating.

If you refuse, I can

only draw one conclusion.

In this case, the wrong one.

You see, I don't happen

to be a brain surgeon.

Very plausible, Mr. Eden.

But if Mr. Purdy operates, do

you object to assisting him?

No.

Thank you.

You're not gonna let him touch her.

Why not?

May I remind you that Higgins

died before I could operate?

What are you suggesting?

Only that the chief danger seems to lie

in the giving of the anaesthetic.

You hinted that to Dr. White, didn't you?

I did not, why should I?

You had something to gain if

I had been forced to leave.

I did, what?

Freddi.

Now, who on earth gave you that idea?

Sister Bates, if you want to know,

just before she was killed.

Just before you met her in the garden.

Mr. Eden.

Inspector?

Pardon me interrupting, gentlemen,

but did you meet Sister

Bates in the garden?

Yes.

And you never told me.

I saw no point in making things

more difficult for myself

than they already were.

Do you expect him to believe that?

He might prefer the truth

to your jealous suspicions.

Hendricks, don't interfere.

Well, well, well.

A master of surgery

mixing it with an L.R.C.P.

Oh, what a delicious spectacle.

We might arrange a future contest

in aid of some deserving

charity, don't you think?

Perhaps the police orphanage, Inspector.

Well, I suppose I ought to

be glad that my suspects

haven't been reduced still further.

And I take it we shall

all meet tomorrow morning

in the operating theatre at 9:30.

I shall ask Dr. White to make

the necessary arrangements.

It ought to be quite dramatic.

Well?

How's Nurse Linley?

Oh, much better, thank you.

Pulse and temperature back to normal.

Splendid.

You've had a very narrow

escape, young lady.

Yes.

Have you told them all?

I have indeed.

I have convinced them that

Nurse Linley is at death's door.

They have agreed to cooperate.

Do you seriously intend to go through

with this fantastic scheme?

I do indeed.

Well, I suggest that...

Well, Mr. Purdy.

Are you word perfect?

Oh, I think so.

Depressed fracture of the

occiput necessitating craniotomy.

Really?

Even to say that's an achievement.

What about Mr. Eden?

As your assistant, would he

expect to examine Nurse Linley?

Uh, no, not necessarily.

No, I'll show him these X-rays.

Prewar patient of mine.

Uh, oh.

Ah.

Very nice fracture.

Recover?

Oh, yes.

Remarkable.

Surely no one in their senses

would make another attempt.

Not in their senses, certainly.

But it must have occurred

to you that we are dealing

with an unbalanced mind.

A one-track mind that can

see things only one way.

In every other aspect, as sane as I am.

Or even as you are, Dr. White.

Possibly.

You think what happened

before will happen again.

I think they'll try.

Well, I wash my hands

of the whole business.

You couldn't do better.

And, Nurse Linley.

Yes?

I've explained to you the

risk that you'll be running,

but if you wish to change your mind now,

I'll quite understand.

No, I've thought it over,

and I'll do as you tell me.

Thank you, I'm very grateful.

Meanwhile, absolute secrecy.

I know.

'Til tomorrow, is there

anything I can do for you?

Well, could I see someone?

Who, Mr. Eden?

No, Dr. Barnes.

Dr. Barnes.

Well, his style is less polished,

but his footwork is superior.

Hmm?

Never mind.

No, my dear, I'm afraid you can't see him.

There can be no exceptions.

Still willing?

Of course.

Good.

This is absolute lunacy.

I disagree.

You see, I think I know who did it.

20 past.

They'll be bringing her in any minute.

Dr. Barnes.

Now, is everything laid out

exactly as it was before?

All correct.

You're quite satisfied?

Yes.

Right.

Take the whole lot back again, Sister.

What, now sir?

Yes, now.

Change every single item with a fresh one.

What's the idea?

We can't be too careful.

Can we?

Oh, allow me.

This is indeed an honour, sir.

Nervous?

Paralytic.

You don't look it.

Did you do this last time?

Yes.

It's a new oxygen cylinder.

Do you think anything will happen?

Oh, yes, I think so.

Well, in that case...

What's this?

Lubricant for the airway tube.

Change it.

Where's Eden?

On his way, I hope.

All right?

Yes, sir.

Good, watch her.

Freddi?

No nearer, please, Doctor.

Ah, there you are, Mr. Eden.

We're nearly ready.

Nurse Sanson, will you

bring in the patient?

Yes, sir.

Are you ready, Doctor?

Yes.

Oh, Dr. Barnes.

I believe I know why you gave Higgins

the anaesthetic on the table.

Why?

Because you wanted witnesses.

Hmm?

All right.

Right, go ahead.

Nitrous oxide.

Hmm.

Now for the oxygen.

Oxygen.

Is she all right?

Her colour.

More oxygen.

She's not responding.

More oxygen.

She's collapsing.

Don't give her any more.

Cut off the anaesthetic.

She's not getting any.

It's pure oxygen, she must have oxygen.

Cut it off!

I can't!

Cut off the oxygen!

What's the idea?

Purdy!

All right, all right.

Purdy, the spare oxygen.

Can you change it?

Yes, here.

Right.

She's responding now.

She'll be all right.

Inspector, I'm completely bewildered.

Give

me a pair of scissors.

Green?

Yes.

Green for carbon dioxide.

You've been pumping C02 into her.

And Higgins?

Precisely.

A green cylinder repainted

black and white in each case.

What?

The salvage bins you've

been having repainted,

also in black and white.

Good heavens!

Mmm, that's where they got the paint.

She's coming round.

Freddi?

If I were you, I'd walk her

about the theatre for a bit.

The poor girl must be feeling the strain.

What?

With a fractured skull?

It may possibly disappoint you to learn

that the young lady's cranium

is at least as sound as yours.

Hello, Barney.

It's all right, you're safe.

Yes, her life is no longer in any danger.

But of course, she told me yesterday

what she was going to say about that gown.

What was it?

She said the hole the

knife made was too big.

Almost as if something had been cut out.

She was quite right.

Something had been cut out?

Of course.

But I couldn't for the

life of me think what.

Until just now, when I noticed

this smear of black paint

on Nurse Woods' gown.

Nurse Woods, have you any idea what it was

that Sister Bates had

hidden in this theatre?

No.

It was this.

Thought you might know, because

it happens to be your gown.

Mine?

Mmm, the one you wore last

time, when Higgins died.

And look.

Just here, curiously enough,

there used to be another smear

of black paint from the first cylinder.

The one that killed Higgins.

And

Sister Bates spotted it.

And jumped to the right conclusion.

You see, one thing the

murderer couldn't control

was the time the paint took to dry.

About 12 hours.

But why dress Sister Bates up in the thing

and stab her again?

To distract attention from the tear

where the paint had been by

sticking the knife through it.

It's all right.

Do you think I could sit down?

Of course, Nurse Sanson.

Yes, it must have been a terrifying moment

for the murderer, alone

here in this theatre

with Sister Bates dead at his feet.

In the moonlight, with the

wind screeching outside,

and the window slamming and opening.

Slamming and opening,

with the gown clutched

in the dead woman's hand, with

its telltale streak of paint,

and time pressing so that any

action was better than none

and first thoughts had to be best.

Can't you see it?

For heaven's sake, come to the point.

Ah, but that is the point.

Time.

Each of you had a motive

for killing Higgins

after you'd recognised him,

but which of you had time?

Was there someone you

thought would be incriminated

if Nurse Linley had been

allowed to speak yesterday?

I don't understand you.

I think you do.

Who was it?

I don't know.

Nobody.

I can't tell you anything, I don't...

Can't you leave her alone?

I told you before, she's in no state...

Why, on

the day before Higgins' death

did Mr. Eden urge you

to leave this hospital?

I don't know.

Because this was the worst

possible place for her.

I've explained that before.

I warn you, she's in no

condition to be questioned,

and you can place no

reliance on her answers.

Oh, can't I, Mr. Eden?

That's most illuminating.

What time did you leave the

ward after examining Higgins

the night before he died?

What's that got to do with it?

Answer my question.

About 10:30.

Where did you go?

Back to my room.

Did you pass the paint store on the way?

Probably.

What became of those tablets

that were taken from the poison cupboard?

How should I know?

Nurse Linley, do you

feel well enough to talk?

Yes, if I can help.

Now please think very carefully.

What time did you go on duty on the night

before Higgins died?

I was a bit late, about five past 10.

Whereupon, presumably, Nurse Sanson left.

Yes, as soon as I got there.

Say about 10:10.

What time did Nurse Sanson

reach your quarters?

It was late, wasn't it?

Yes, she said Freddi had overslept...

What time was it?

Oh, well, uh, quarter to 11,

but-but I'm sure she...

Thank you.

It should have taken you five minutes,

yet it took you nearly 40.

Why?

I don't know.

I didn't feel very well.

Did

you pass the paint store?

Yes, I suppose I did.

Did

you see anyone or anything

in there that made you pause or stop?

I can't remember.

Try to.

Was the door open?

It may have been.

Was there a light on inside?

I don't know, I can't remember.

Did you see anyone or anything in there?

Did you?

Or were you there alone?

Can't you see she's had enough?

I've warned you, Inspector.

Mr. Eden, why do you keep on interrupting?

Are you afraid of something she might say?

I've given you my reasons.

This

time, I'd like the truth.

May I speak to her alone?

No!

Are you going to answer me, Mr. Eden?

Stop him!

Eden!

Eden, open this door!

I'm sorry, Esther.

I've got to.

Look out!

Eden!

Esther Sanson, I arrest

you for the willful murder

of Joseph Higgins and Marion Bates,

and for the attempted

murder of Frederica Linley.

I must warn you that anything you say

may be used in evidence.

Esther...

What?

It can't be.

It is.

Eden.

It's not true, how could it be?

She got me out of my room when the gas...

Oh, yes, she intended to

make a dramatic rescue.

Just too late.

But she arrived back a bit too early.

Then she saw me approaching,

smashed the window and dragged you out.

And saved my life.

And contrived to let you fall

headlong down the stairs.

By that time, she had to be

content with second best.

Esther, you didn't do it, did you?

I did.

You knew, didn't you?

I was almost certain,

but I didn't know how.

But why should she want to kill Higgins?

What had he done?

Tell them.

Higgins was head of the rescue squad

that left her mother to die.

What?

That was how it seemed to her.

They had no choice, but she

couldn't see it that way.

She transferred her obsession

of guilt to Higgins,

the blame she attached to herself

for leaving her mother alone.

By punishing him, she

was relieving herself.

I don't understand that.

I was quite right, of course.

Could I have a drink of water, please?

Purdy.

But Freddi and Sister Bates?

Yes, that was bad.

But I couldn't let them talk,

otherwise I should have

been found out and punished

for something that was right.

Esther, I'm sorry.

You understand, don't you?

Water, quick, she's fainted.

She's dead.

What?

She can't be dead.

She can't be dead!

Can't you do something?

It's too late.

Mr. Eden, you have deliberately

connived in her death.

Have I, how?

You followed her in here

with that hypodermic.

Quite true.

There is a penalty for helping a criminal

to evade the consequences.

Aren't you being a little rash?

You don't know yet how she died.

Well?

Have you forgotten those tablets?

I have not.

And neither, I imagine,

did you forget them.

They killed Esther.

A lethal dose, self-administered.

Self?

Then what...

When I realised it must be Esther,

I knew she was definitely insane

and that she had the tablets.

I wanted to be ready,

but you came over to me,

and I was too late to stop her.

Yes, Inspector, that was the antidote.

Antidote?

Then wha...

And you knocked it

out of my hand.

I...

When I took my departure that evening,

it was not with the

feeling that this had been

one of my more successful investigations.

In fact, it still seems to me

that I fell down rather badly on the case.

And in view of my failure...

Mmm, correction, comparative failure...

I feel I have no alternative, sir,

but to offer you my resignation.

In the confident hope that

you will not accept it.

Full stop.