House by the River (1950) - full transcript

The unsuccessful writer Stephen Byrne tries to force his servant Emily Gaunt sexually while his wife Marjorie Byrne is visiting a friend and accidentally strangles her. His crippled brother John Byrne coincidently comes to his house in that moment, and Stephen asks him to help to get rid of the corpse and avoid an scandal, since his wife would be pregnant. The naive and good John helps his brother to dump the body in the river nearby his house. Stephen uses the disappearance of Emily to blame her and promote his book. When the body is found by the police, all the evidences points to John, and he becomes the prime suspect of the murder.

I hate this river.

What's the trouble,

Mrs Ambrose?

Oh that things floated

by again, Stephen.

In with one tide, out with

the other. Why, I'm sick of it.

Don't get upset, Mrs Ambrose.

It's due to sink any day now.

Why don't the authorities

do something about it?

They know that the tides cause the

same filth to wash back and forth.

Back and forth.

Oh, I tell you I

hate this river.

It's people who should be blamed

for the filth, not the river.

The mail just

arrived, Mr Byrne.

Put it on the table please.

Looks like a manuscript.

My manuscripts are

like the tide out there.

They always come back.

Maybe they wouldn't

if you took my advice.

Spice 'em up. Make 'em racy.

That's what the public wants.

What is it, Emily?

Well, it's just that it's

getting awfully late Mr Byrne

and the plumber hasn't arrived

to fix the downstairs tub.

Well, if he hasn't come by now he

probably isn't coming by at all today.

Use the upstairs one if you like.

- Thank you, sir.

How does your wife like

the new maid, Stephen?

Very well I think.

- Good.

Where is Marjorie by the way?

I haven't seen her all day.

She's spending the day with

the Lawlers, in the country.

That's nice. Did she

say when she'd be back?

Only in time to dress for Miss

Whittaker's party. -Good heavens!

Why I better go and finish my gardening,

so that I could start to get ready.

I've still millions of

things to do out here.

Emily.

Oh, Mr Byrne. It's you.

You frightened me.

Did I?

I thought you were

still in the garden.

Did you?

I left everything

nice and tidy for.

Mrs Byrne.

Did you?

Mr Byrne, please let me by.

Of course.

Nice perfume you use, Emily.

No Mr Byrne. You're hurting me!

- Emily!

You've been drinking.

Let me go! -Did you happen to tell my wife

that you've been digging into her perfume?

I don't care! Let me go! Let me go!

- Emily.

Let me go! Let

me go! Let me go!

Shut up! Stop it. Do you want the

whole neighborhood to hear you?

Pull yourself together

and I'll let you go.

That's better.

All we needed was that

old gossip to hear us.

Emily.

Emily!

Emily! Emily!

Merciful God!

Hello, Stephen. I tried

the front door but... -John!

Thank heaven it's you.

Well, what's happened?

There's been an accident.

Marjorie?

No, the new maid

Emily. She fell.

Let me look at her.

- No! I.

Stephen, what's

the matter with you?

Have you sent for a doctor?

- No. There's nothing anybody could do.

She fell down the stairs, she

hit her head. They'll blame me!

Why should anybody blame you?

Well because I was playing a fool,

pretending I was going to kiss her.

She got frightened

and something happened.

I don't know what exactly but of course

they'll blame me! -Stephen, stop it!

Let me look at her.

This girl didn't fall.

- She did. I saw her.

She was strangled!

- It was an accident I tell you!

I scarcely touched her. I hardly put my

hands to her to prevent her screaming.

You don't know how quickly it

happened, John. You don't know!

Where are you going?

For the police.

- You can't. You're my brother!

I've gotten you out of a lot

of nasty scrapes, Stephen.

But this is murder.

John don't let me down.

You've always helped me. You

can't do that to your own brother.

Please, you have to help

me. Please, John! Please!

Stephen.

Stephen.

I can't go through with this.

You promised to stay up there!

Listen to me.

The only thing to do

is to go to the police.

Tell them exactly how it

happened. It was an accident.

But they'll never believe me.

Even you don't believe me.

Do you?

I don't know what to believe.

I only know that I'm

not going to help you.

For once you're going to get

out of this thing by yourself.

John if you won't do this for me,

do it for Marjorie. For her sake.

Did you know that Marjorie went

into town today, to see the doctor?

Is she ill?

She's going to have a baby.

Now can you understand why I must

get out of this, why you must help me?

Yes.

I suppose I must.

Good. Now go back and

warn me if anyone comes.

John.

Wait a minute!

It'll soon be over, John.

She'll soon be in the river

and it'll all be forgotten.

Forgotten?

- Yes. Yes. I mean for the time being.

We weight it, and take it

way out, were it'll stay sunk.

Stephen!

Marjorie!

Marjorie, is that

you out there?

No, it's me, Mrs Ambrose.

- Oh, it's you Stephen.

Stay down. I'll

get rid of her.

Is Marjorie back yet?

- No. Not yet, Mrs Ambrose.

I wanted to ask her what

she's going to wear tonight.

I thought of my best black.

But still, no, it's never

very dressy at the Whittaker's.

Well, she'll be home

before long, Mrs Ambrose.

My, she stayed

late, didn't she?

Well, of course the Lawlers are

always hard to get away from.

Maybe she missed her train?

I'm not worried,

she'll be here soon.

Well, ask her to drop in for a moment

if she has time, will you Stephen?

Yes I'll do that. I must go in

now. I have to get ready myself.

I'll see you at the

party then. Until later

I thought the old

hag would never leave.

I thought you said Marjorie went

to the doctor's today? -She did.

Mrs Ambrose said she

went to the Lawler's.

She went both places.

- The Lawlers live in the country

If she went there that means she spent

the day -I think she went to the doctor's!

Now stop quibbling and help.

A scandal would ruin all of us.

We have more people to consider

than this dead servant girl.

You used to refer

to her as Emily.

Don't be like that. Don't

you understand how I feel?

If I could undo what's happend.

If I could go back but I can't.

I've got to think of

Marjorie and my child.

This has been a lesson to me.

I know I've been foolish but

I'll change. I swear I will.

John! Marjorie will

be back any minute!

All right, Stephen.

All right.

You talked me into this too, as

you have a thousand times before.

That filthy moon.

Don't you think we ought to tie

the anchor to the sack? -Yes.

Well, this should do it.

Hoist the anchor.

All right. Lift up.

Did you see that?

What?

- Something bright.

Something flashed out

there in the water.

Let's get away from here.

I'll drop you off at Weeds Point

so Marjorie doesn't see you.

Emily.

Stephen?

Marjorie.

Is that you, Stephen?

Yes Marjorie.

You frightened me.

Sorry dear. I couldn't

seem to find the light.

Where have you been dear?

- I uh took the boat out.

Well, do you know

where Emily is?

Emily?

Yes. She's not in the house and she

promised to help me dress for the party.

Oh, she said something

about going for a walk.

That's not like her. She knows

it's Cook's and I'm alone.

She probably went off with a young

man someplace and forgot the time.

I can help you if you like?

I could say that you're all

promise today but I won't.

I thought I'd be doing my best but I'm

enjoying it. -Oh, you're very sweet.

Did you do much writing today?

No.

Why not?

Oh, another script came back.

I'm sorry, darling.

Is that why you went boiating?

Yes, I suppose so.

I should of been with you.

Did you miss me?

Very much.

I.

Wish you hadn't

gone out today.

Come on.

Darling, what is

it? What's happened?

Well, what is it? What is it?

- It's.

It's nothing. I have a

terrible headache, that's all.

Then we better

stay home tonight.

No. No. I'll be all

right. Don't worry.

Oh, darling.

Grab the lady by the hand!

Round the lady over there!

And to the sound of 1, 2,

3! And round that gent from.

Oh I can't anymore,

Stephen! I'm exhausted!

Hell of a party,

Sir Whittaker!

At last my favorite dance! -How many

times have you said that this evening?

Four. First time

I've meant it.

Stephen, you're wonderful!

- You inspire me!

First your right

and then your left!

Meet your partner and give her a swing

and throw them all around the ring!

Oh, that brother of yours is

a real devil! A real devil!

Oh, Stephen! Do you know what'll

happen to me if I drink that?

Why do you think

I'm giving it to you?

Stephen! You're the limits.

Well, John. Aren't you

gonna try the punch?

No. I don't feel

like drinking tonight.

What's the matter with him?

He seems depressed.

Have you ever seen him when he wasn't?

- That's not nice, Stephen.

It must be very hard to love music

very much and not be able to dance

and to be a part of things.

He could've been a

part of things tonight.

Why didn't he call the

dances? I suggested.

He's just naturally a

wet blanket, that's all.

That's very cruel, Stephen. You wouldn't

have said such a thing if you hadn't had.

If you hadn't had say,

about four too many.

Don't start with me, Marjorie.

I'm sorry.

I'll go see what's

wrong with him.

John!

Why are you leaving?

Just what is the purpose of

all this dancing, this drinking?

Don't you understand?

Can't you see what I'm trying to do?

- No!

Well, if anything

should ever come out

everyone will remember that we were here

at the party acting in a normal manner.

Well, I think it's repulsive!

Do you think I'm enjoying myself?

- Frankly I do.

Unaware of the fact that I'm

protecting both of us. -Us? -Yes! Us.

You helped me get

rid of her didn't you?

Whatever I've done,

you're in it with me.

So I advise you to

keep your mouth shut.

Sorry I had to

remind you of that.

Come? Come and join the party.

Is that you, Mrs Byrne?

Yes, Mrs Beach.

You shouldn't have

bothered to stay up for us.

Oh, Mrs Byrne.

What is it?

It's Emily.

She's not home yet.

- She's not? -No.

When I first got here I thought maybe

you'd sent her on an errand or something.

She still isn't home. I'm

afraid something's happened.

She's probably

with her parents.

No Mr Byrne. She

don't get on with them.

She would've told us if she was

going to spend the night with them.

The thing that puzzles me is that

none of her dresses are missing.

How do you know

that, Mrs Beach?

She showed me her things when

she first came to us, Mr Byrne.

She didn't have very much.

If none of her dresses are missing she

can't have gone far naked. -Stephen!

I'm not going to sit up and worry about Miss Good

Servant Girl who wants to make a night of it someplace.

I'm going to bed.

Wouldn't waste my time reading

such trash if I were you, Mr Byrne.

Since when is the

disppearance of a human being

considered trash, in your

estimation, Ms Bantam?

Since I found out what a

bad name that Emily Gaunt

has given young women

like myself in service.

Bad name?

- Yes.

That Emily was a proper hussy.

Scatting about,

night after night.

Young men followers and

heaven knows what all.

There's no doubt that she was out

with one of her many sweethearts

the night she disappeared. And

she went further than she meant.

But.

You make your own bed

you must lie on it.

Would you like your eggs now?

No, I I don't care

for any this morning.

Now Mr Byrne, you haven't

eaten proper all week.

Miss Bantam, did

you know Emily Gaunt?

No.

But I know them that did.

Seems to me you speak with great

authority about a person you never knew.

Well, Mrs Beach

knew her, didn't she?

I happened to be present the day after

Emily, when the cook was questioned.

She didn't give the impression she

believed Emily wasn't a decent girl.

Yes, but Mrs Beach just

happened to overhear Mr Stephen.

And Emily's parents came

worrying around the other day.

Wouldn't you

like just one egg?

Emily's parents came

to see my brother?

Yes, and he let

them have it, he did.

Said they never should have let her work

in an honest house in the first place.

That she was a thief and

a good for nothing trollop.

That's a lie!

Good gracious, Mr

Byrne! Don't shout at me!

It wasn't me that said it.

It was your brother.

It's the truth, John. At first

I didn't believe it either

but Stephen kept after me

to go through my things.

It was Stephen then who

was first suspicious? -Yes.

A whole outfit was missing.

Hat, dress, shoes, everything.

And only yesterday I discovered

that the Oldport earrings

that Stephen had given me for

my birthday were missing too.

Oh, but let's not talk

about Emily anymore.

It's Stephen that

I'm concerned about.

I don't know exactly

how to say it.

There's such a.

such a peculiar look that comes over

his face when he's talking about Emily.

It almost seems as though

he were actually enjoying it.

As though he delighted

in her disappearance.

Well, he goes on and on about her.

- Well Marjorie I.

I wouldn't worry about him if

I were you. After all he's a.

he's a writer. The.

The mystery of her disappearance

probably intrigues him.

Oh, probably you're right and

he fancies the whole thing

as a great big melodrama

with himself in

the leading role.

He'd like that.

Like the article in

this morning's paper?

I didn't see it. Stephen took it

with him. He left early this morning.

Hadn't they promised to

keep our name out of it?

Well, you can't blame them,

it makes a better story.

I don't understand why they kept

their promise for a whole week and.

then suddenly today even

a picture of Stephen.

I wonder how they

got hold of it?

I don't know.

It's.

Why.

There's only one print of

that picture that I know of!

Now, isn't he like a child?

He wanted his

picture in the paper.

How do you do, Mr Byrne?

- Mr Miller.

What do you think

of the display?

Very attractive.

But, it wasn't up when

I passed yesterday.

No, your brother

called me last night

and told me of the publicity

he was expecting in the papers.

And he wanted me

to cash in on it.

Thank you, dear boy.

- Oh gee, I'd love to be a writer too.

Well, why don't you try Effie?

Your mother says you're very

good at making things up.

Some of your excuse are

masterpieces of imagination.

Don't you listen

to this scoundrel.

Imagination's not enough.

Just the other day

I read in a magazine

that a writer must write

only about things he knows.

If he puts down truthfully the

things he's actually experienced,

if they're exciting enough,

he's bound to be very successful.

That's very

interesting, Mrs Ambrose.

Don't touch that!

Did you read it?

No, I only picked it up.

What's the matter, Stephen?

Nothing it's it's not ready

to be read, that's all.

You never minded my

reading your things before.

I've changed my ideas

about a lot of things.

I know.

Just the other night when you

went out by yourself -Don't nag!

A writer needs to be alone to gather

experiences. Can't you understand that?

I wasn't nagging, Stephen.

What I started out saying was simply

that when I was alone the other night

and John dropped in

- What did he want?

Nothing special.

Seemed so forlorn lately.

We reminisced about those evenings when

you used to read your stuff aloud to us

I wish you and John wouldn't

discuss me behind my back.

I'm not interested in

what my brother has to say.

He's a bookeeper and

will always be one.

He'll never understand

the problems of an artist.

I was a fool to let you pick

on me and criticize my writings.

No one picked on you, Stephen.

You asked us for our honest

opinion and we gave it to you.

Never mind. I didn't need anyone

then and I don't need anyone now.

I'm doing very well on my own.

You mean since Emily?

Go on.

Go on, you can say it.

I didn't mean it

that way, Stephen.

The success of my books

since this Emily thing

proves that they were

good in the first place.

All I needed was

a little publicity.

In the future they'll not only

be good but they'll be great,

because they'll be

about things I know.

Like what you're

writing now? -Yes!

Well, what's it about?

- Will you stop prying!

Let's have our tea.

I wasn't prying, Stephen.

I was only interested.

I don't care for

any tea, thank you.

John Byrne's Accounting Office.

Walter Herbert, office boy speaking.

One moment please.

It's your housekeeper. She'd like a word

with you, Mr Byrne. -Thank you, Walter.

Check these over, Elmer.

What is it, Miss Bantam?

- Mr Byrne.

With the cold

weather coming on

I told the neighborhood boys

to gather some driftwood.

Save you catching

cold like last year.

But when I went to get the woodsack I

found that your brother hadn't returned it.

I wonder, would you mind stopping

there on your way home this evening?

When did my brother

borrow it, Ms Bantam?

Several weeks ago when he was doing

the gardening. He sent Emily for it.

All right I'II.

When did you say he borrowed it?

- Several weeks ago.

And even though that Emily isn't with him

anymore, you'd think they'd return the sack.

After all, your name's on it.

- My.

My name is on it?

- Yes.

I stencilled everything

you owned with India ink.

I'll go for it if you're busy.

No. No. I'll stop

by for it, Ms Bantam.

I hate this river.

We neighbors really should

gather a petition, Stephen.

What's the trouble

today, Mr Ambrose?

That horrible thing floated

by again. That dead animal!

It couldn't be,

must've sunk long ago.

No!

No it isn't. Why, it's a sack.

Yes, that's what it

is, a sack of some kind.

Probably filled with rubbish.

Do you see it?

Well, I've other things to

do besides standing out here.

But I tell you, Stephen. You

should write up a petition for us.

Yes. Yes, Mrs Ambrose.

Really! The way some people

use this river is a disgrace.

A penny for your thoughts.

Hello John.

- Hello Marjorie.

Is Stephen in?

- No, he's on the river somewhere.

He seems to have found an

unusual interest there lately.

Won't you come in?

I'm glad you've come, John.

I need someone to

talk to very badly.

When I feel like this, there doesn't seem

to be anyone else in the world like you.

Do you mind?

- You know that I don't.

You're nice, John.

Very, very nice.

Yes, like mint tea

when you have a cold.

Oh no John, like a.

Like a friend.

More than that.

Stephen?

I think you know John that I tried

to make a success of my marriage.

It hasn't always been.

well, exactly perfect.

Maybe it was my fault.

Girls have foolish ideas.

And when they marry they think

they've snared Prince Charming himself.

And he is charming, John.

Very charming.

But a woman sees deeper.

I see things now in Stephen that

I never let myself see before.

Don't get bitter, Marjorie.

Oh, I know the countless

things you've done for him.

How we couldn't live like this

if you hadn't given up most of

your share of the inheritance.

So that he could continue writing

- You wanted a career for him, didn't you?

Yes.

But I didn't want a big success like

this Emily's disappearance has brought on.

At first I thought it was simply

childish the way he capitalized on it.

but there's a limit and

he's become ghoulish.

You should have

heard him today.

Did you quarrel?

Yes. I hadn't wanted

to tell you that.

I'm beginning to wonder why

he ever married me at all.

Perhaps it was

because he need you?

He told me today that

he's never needed anyone.

That was just talk.

Everybody needs someone.

Believe me.

Are you lonely, John?

Pardon me, Mrs Byrne, but I

thought it was getting dark here.

Thank you, Mrs Beach.

Sorry I said so much, John.

It's unfair to talk about

Stephen behind his back.

But when you worry, darkness

does something to you.

I understand, Marjorie.

Perhaps you're not prepared to tell

me yet, since you are troubled I.

I'd like to tell you that I honestly think

things are going to be better for you.

Stephen's bound to change

when the baby comes.

The baby?

Stephen told me.

Stephen told you that I

was going to have a baby?

Yes.

But it's not true.

I wish that it were.

Now what on earth would make him

want to tell you a thing like that?

Maybe I misunderstood.

Don't go protecting him again, John.

You must know why he lied to you.

I can't discuss it now, Marjorie. Tell

him to come to my place when he gets home.

I'll talk to him.

You didn't eat a bite?

You didn't touch the roast.

Of course it's

all dried up now.

That's what comes from warming it over and

over when you don't serve dinner on time.

Sorry, Ms Bantam.

Sorry.

Being sorry won't

help a spoiled dinner.

You'll be sorry when

you get stomach ulcers.

I know it's none of my business Mr Byrne,

but you've been drinking a good deal lately.

I apreciate your interest

in me Ms Bantam but

I must remind you that I'm quite old enough

to determine my own drinking capacity.

When a man's alone as you are he should be

grateful to have somebody look after him.

I'd be grateful to you if

you'd stop nagging at me!

Why, I never heard

of such a thing!

Just because I take

an interest in you!

Well, I don't want you

to take an interest in me.

I'm quite capable of

running my own life.

All right!

Seems like I can't do

anything right anymore.

You didn't bring the woodsack.

No.

But I told you the boys will be here

in the morning to gather driftwood.

What shall I tell them?

I don't care what

you tell them.

Now please leave me alone!

I know I'm only a

servant girl, Mr Byrne.

But I come from a

very gentile family.

And I don't have to take this

sort of treatment from anyone.

If you want to be left alone

perhaps I can leave you alone.

Permanently!

Just as you wish, Ms Bantam.

You mean.

You want me to go?

That's entirely up to you.

Well, I can

certainly take a hint!

Now look what you made me do!

Well, I'm leaving you, Mr

Byrne! I'm leaving tonight.

And you can get somebody

else to take your insults.

And I hope you get a seething

hussy like that Emily Gaunt.

That's what you deserved!

Not a decent girl like myself!

It's come up,

John! It's come up!

What are you talking about?

- Emily's come back!

What? -The woodsack, it's

come up out of the river!

I've been up all night.

I chased it for six miles.

But the tide was too fast

and I couldn't find it.

I almost had her

once but she got away.

It's your fault. Why didn't you tie

it securely? I was a fool to trust you.

Be quiet.

So it'll be passing up and down the river

until they find it. Up and down the river!

It'll go on for weeks!

The police will

find it soon enough.

Yes, but they won't

know we did it. I mean.

There are hundreds

of sacks like it.

They won't trace

it to us, will they?

No.

Not to us.

They'll trace it to me.

To you?

My name is on it.

There's a gentleman

to see you, Mr Byrne.

You know I don't

wish to be disturbed.

He's from the police, sir.

Police.

Send him in.

Yes, sir.

I'm.

- Just a moment please.

Sorry. I wanted to get my thoughts

down before they went away.

I'm Lt. Sarten, sir.

- How do you do? What can I do for you?

Well.

It's um.

It's about um.

This sack.

You ever seen it before?

I don't know.

Sacks look pretty much alike.

It looks like the woodsack that

was stolen from here. -Stolen?

Yes, it belonged

to my brother.

Oh yes, his name is

stencilled in there.

Is it? I didn't know that.

You say that it was

stolen from here?

Yes, we borrowed it from him and

when I went to return it, it was gone.

About how long ago was that?

- About three or four weeks ago.

But if you know it belongs to

him, why do you return it to me?

Well, we tried to contact him

all day but had no success.

You he.

This sack.

contained the body

of Emily Gaunt.

clad only in this

inexpensive dressing gown.

And according to the medical expert

who testified at this inquest.

strangled.

and afterwords

thrown into the river.

Now, when did

you first discover

that this dressing

gown was missing?

It was uh.

when we were getting her things

together to send back to her parents.

And.

when and how did you discover that

your own things were missing, Mrs Byrne?

The morning after

Emily failed to return.

It was my husband who suggested

that I go through my wardrobe.

He insisted that inasmuch as none

of Emily's dresses were missing

she might have gone out

with some of my own things.

And, then we discovered that

not only was my lace dress gone,

but some of my best lingerie,

an evening wrap, and a

pair of silver slippers.

Was there any other

thing of value gone?

Yes.

Several days

later I found that.

that a pair of opal earrings

that my husband had given me

for my birthday were missing too.

Then you're under the impression that

it was Emily Gaunt who took these things?

It was hard for me to believe.

For in the short time that Emily worked

for us, I found her most dependable.

But I I was forced

to this conclusion.

What is your

occupation, Ms Bantam?

I was a housekeeper.

In the home of Mr

John Byrne, sir.

But, I'm unemployed

at present.

How long were you

employed there?

It woulda been five years

this coming Christmas.

Why are you no longer

employed by Mr Byrne?

Because he became too

impossible to get along with

from the time that

Emily Gaunt disappeared.

Please explain

yourself, Ms Bantam.

Well, Mr Byrne

became so irritable

I could scarcely speak to

him and get a civil answer.

In what manner would you

say that he had changed?

Well, Mr Coroner.

He was in the habit of

eating a very hearty breakfast

through all the years

I worked for him.

But after that Emily

Gaunt disappeared.

In fact, the very

morning the story

appeared in the newspaper

he scarcely touched a thing.

And several times

when I even indicated that the hussy

might have got what she deserved

he practically

snapped my head off.

Ms Bantam.

Tell us what you

know about this sack.

It's Mr John

Byrne's all right.

I stencilled his name in it.

The one that was borrowed

by Mr Stephen Byrne?

Yes. Mr Stephen was doing some

gardening and needed an extra sack.

Emily came for it.

And to your knowledge the

sack was never returned?

No sir.

But of course, it might have been

returned without my knowledge.

What do you mean

by that, Ms Bantam?

I mean simply that

it's peculiar to me

that Mr John Byrne would have allowed

the sack to remain at his brother's

for any length of time at all.

Please clarify that statement.

Well, it was his habit to go out

and collect firewood off the river

I should say it's what

might be called a hobby.

The only sort of hobby possible

for a man with his affliction.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I

shouldn't have said that.

Please continue, Ms Bantam.

Well, recently

I called in some of the

neighborhood boys to gather firewood.

But when I went for the sack I found

that Mr Stephen hadn;t returned it yet.

So I phoned Mr John and

he agreed to pick it up.

But when he got home and I reminded him

that he hadn't he was quite rude to me.

Said he was perfectly capable

of running his own household.

He raised his voice to such an extent

that I was quite nervous and upset.

Then he dismissed me.

And when did this seen

occur between you. Ms Bantam?

It was the night before Emily's

body was found in the river.

You've heard testimony that you borrowed

the sack some time ago from your brother.

Is that correct?

- It is.

And to your knowledge it was

never returned to your brother?

That is correct. Before I could return

it I found that someone had stolen it.

And has your brother

access to your home?

Yes.

You mean, he has

a key to your home?

No, Mr Coroner.

The back door's always open.

Then there was nothing to prevent

his coming to your home at a

time when you were not there and

taking what was rightfully his.

No, nothing to prevent him but in

this case I don't think it probable.

By the way, Mr Byrne, it

may have helped this case

if you had reported that the sack

had been stolen from your home.

I didn't think the loss of an old

sack worth troubling the police about.

But why didn't you report the theft

of the more valuable things either?

The opal earrings,

for example?

Because I didn't wish

to cause Emily's parents.

further concern.

Besides my wife and I thought that

eventually, poor Emily would return

and the articles

would be recovered.

Now, tell me Mr Byrne.

When was the last time you used

this sack for gathering wood?

Some weeks ago.

It's hard to say.

Could it have been about.

three weeks ago?

What you mean is, about the time

that Emily Gaunt disappeared?

I must ask you not to

mind what I mean, Mr Byrne.

Would you say it

was four perhaps?

I couldn't be sure.

Then, would you say it was near the

time that Emily Gaunt disappeared?

I couldn't be sure!

The collection of firewood

unlike a marriage

or a birthday,

is not a festive

moment in my life.

I don't remember.

But you do remember the testimony that

the sack was stolen from your brother?

Will you kindly give an oral answer

to the questions asked at this inquest?

I do.

Does it not strike you

as being rather odd.

that a thief would bother

to take an object of such.

little value?

I wouldn't know.

Or, that a girl.

If we conced for a moment

that Emily Gaunt took it.

Do you think she would have taken

such a sack with her to some.

mysterious rendevous?

I am not here to

answer riddles.

No, I shouldn't

think you were.

Mr Byrne, I will

be more direct then.

Did you know the deceased

Emily Gaunt.

intimately?

Mr Byrne, I asked you.

- She was employed by my brother!

I knew Emily Gaunt by sight.

Is it usual for you to zealously

defend persons whom you know by sight

to the extent that you

snap off the head of a woman who has

served you faithfully for five years?

I would defend anyone who was

being maliciously slandered.

Very admirable indeed.

Especially when they were being slandered

who's bitterness -That is all, Mr Byrne.

For one who is not here to answer

riddles I must say you've done very well.

Mr Coroner, Mr John Byrne was the

last of the witnesses for this inquest.

I have a few things I'd like

to say, if anyone will let me.

If they pertain to this inquest,

by all means, Mrs Ambrose.

Well, I can't sit here

any longer listening

to all these insinuations against a

boy who couldn't possibly harm a fly.

It's ridiculous. Preposterous!

It's downright silly, that's what it is.

- Mrs Ambrose.

Will you kindly

control your temper.

and give us a more coherent reason

for your impatience with this inquest?

No, Harry. I'm not trying to

take advantage of our friendship.

But I've known these Byrne

boys since they were lads.

And John's only fault is that he works

too hard and never thinks evil of anyone.

And as for this

silly old maid,

it's as plain as the nose on

your face she's in love with him

and imagined heaven

knows what about him!

And when an old maid's in love heaven

protect the object of her affections

if that love goes unrequited.

All the devils and all the...!

And if there's anyone else who

wants to know anything about himself,

just let me know.

Was there anything else

you wished to know, Harry?

That will be all, Mrs Ambrose.

And so, in all probability

Emily Gaunt

dressed in her

mistresses finery,

went off to some secret tryst.

Therefore, the conclusion

of this inquest is.

that the girl was murdered.

by person.

or persons unknown.

Inquest dismissed!

Here he comes now.

Oh, Mr Byrne.

Mr Byrne!

Yes?

No, not you. Mr Stephen Byrne.

Me? -Yes, they'd like to

see you inside a moment.

Certainly.

You go on, I won't be long.

Sorry to trouble

you again, Mr Byrne,

but you probably realize the

case is far from being closed.

So?

Are you certain you have nothing

more you'd like to say to us?

Nothing.

I can understand your feeling, Mr

Byrne. After all the man is your brother.

But if there's any further

light you can throw on this.

There's nothing

more I can say.

Excpet that I'm fully convinced

that my brother is innocent.

Is that all?

That was all.

It was foolish

to call him back.

Yes.

Stephen.

- What is it? You know I'm working.

Stephen, why are

you so irritable?

What is it?

I'm rather worried. -Well, can't

you wait and tell me about it later?

All right, I'll be in my room.

It's about Lt Sarten.

I'm sorry I snapped at you.

I was trying to

finish a chapter.

What did you want to tell me?

Well.

It's in these last weeks.

since the inquest

I seem to run into that

detective all the time.

And just a little while

ago at the market too.

And he always looks

at me as though.

As though, he thinks I know

something I haven't told about Emily.

Has he.

Has he asked you

any questions?

No, but last night

after you had gone out

I decided to go

over to Mrs Ambrose's

and I saw someone

across the street.

It looked like him.

And I I almost ahd

the feeling that

That he'd been

watching the house.

How long was he there?

- I don't know.

When I got back he was gone.

Well, if he has

any snooping to do.

I should think he'd do it in John's

direction. -What do you mean, Stephen?

You were at the inquest.

You know what I mean.

- No, I don't

Well, if you ask me,

he acted so stupidly

that he forced everyone to believe that

he had something to do with it. -Stephen!

On top of everything else, he hasn't

acted normal since the inquest.

He shuns everybody.

He won't even talk to me.

And let's face it,

John's a cripple.

He knows he has no chance

with a girl of our class.

It's not hard to believe that he

carried on with a servant girl.

Stop it! Aside from

everything he's done for you

he's your brother.

There's a limit to this business

of being brothers, Marjorie.

Stephen, you're insane.

You're very fond

of him, aren't you?

You know that.

Are you in love with him?

How long has this

been going on?

Don't think I haven't

been aware of it.

You have a filthy mind.

This isn't going to be

very flattering, my dear.

I haven't the slightest pang of jealousy.

- No, I shouldn't think you would.

A husband who comes home drunk night

after night and reeking of cheap perfume,

isn't exactly in a

position to be jealous.

Sometimes cheap perfume

can be very exciting.

You are a swine, Stephen.

Marjorie. Hello, J.

John.

Hello, Marjorie.

I met your office boy on his way over

here. I told him I'd bring these up for him.

Thank you.

I've been here so many times, John. To

the office too, but you were never in.

I know.

Why have you refused to see

me, or to answer my calls?

Haven't you found

a housekeeper yet?

There seems to be an extreme

shortage of domestic help at present.

Why, that's not true.

Only yesterday Mrs Beach was telling me

- It's true in the case of Mr John Byrne.

Even the children know

that I killed Emily Gaunt.

I know, John.

I've learned a lot about

people myself lately.

They can be very vicious.

And they think that because you've lived

with them for years they're fond of you.

But it's not true.

I'm going away, Marjorie.

Oh no, John!

Oh, don't run away from them.

I'm not running

away from them.

Is it that you think

it'll be better for.

for all of us if you go away?

I've got to be sensible.

Ever since the inquest my mail

consists chiefly of anonymous letters.

Not too flattering

suggestions.

Most of my clients are

closing out their accounts.

John, maybe it wasn't wise refusing

to see people and not going any place.

But you still have

friends in this town.

Let me give a party. We'll

ask everyone you like.

Our real friends.

We'll show this town.

It wouldn't do any good.

This town likes its nasty

little, backstairs gossip.

If I stay and.

you keep on seeing

me, defending me.

They'll think that we.

I wouldn't put

anything past them.

I don't care what they

say or think about me.

Marjorie, my darling.

I'd rather die than

cause you any suffering.

Oh, John. Don't

talk like that.

There must be

something I can do.

No.

The only thing to do is to go away.

I've thought it out very clearly.

John.

The promise me one thing?

Before you do anything.

Before you make any decisions.

let me know.

I promise.

Won't you come in, John?

I'd rather not, Marjorie.

Good night then, and

thanks for seeing me home.

Good night.

Stephen. Stephen, it's about John.

- I'm not interested.

Stephen please,

he's desperate!

I'm afraid he's going to

harm himself in some way.

Don't be dramatic.

- He as much as told me so tonight!

He said he'd rather be dead than go

on the way things have been going.

You mean.

Suicide?

- Yes, Stephen.

Please see him. Try to stay

with him as much as you can.

If you hurry you can

catch up with him now.

All right, Marjorie.

If you insist.

Thank you, Stephen.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Mrs Ambrose was over.

She said as long

it's Cook's day off

you should let her know if you

want to have supper with her.

I'm in no mood for her tonight.

I'll have something here.

Well, you better tell her now,

before she goes to any trouble.

You know how sensitive she is.

Yes, I guess you're right.

Stephen.

Yes, John.

What are you doing here?

- Marjorie was very worried.

She sent me to look for you.

Lucky I found you, isn't it?

What do you mean?

Oh, you might have um.

No.

Suicide would only convince

everyone that they'd been right.

I'm glad you realize that.

What were you thinking

of as you stood there?

Of another night

on this river.

You know, John.

In spite of everything

that's happened

and everything that's

going to happen.

I want you to know that

I've gained something.

Gained something?

Yes, I was always afraid as a child.

I didn't have the courage to do things.

I was afraid of people.

What they might say or think.

Maybe that's why my

writing wasn't good.

You were right in that. But,

I'm not afraid anymore and.

I've written something good.

Because it's real.

It took a murder to do that.

Doesn't the end

justify the means?

You must be very,

very ill, Stephen.

Ill?

Yeah, sick.

Otherwise, you couldn't

think as you do.

What's happened to you?

You know, John. I wish I

could really trust you again.

But I can't.

Am I right?

Suppose a policeman were to

come up to us here, right now.

Suppose he were to ask

which of us killed Emily.

What would you do?

I know what you would

do. You would point at me!

Would I?

You stepped right out of Emily's murder

as though you were shedding your skin.

You shifted the blame to me.

Did I?

- Yes.

John.

Which one of us would

the world miss the most?

I mean, if there were

a choice of one of us.

Well, ask the world. I'm gonna

start thinking about myself.

You're very much in

love with Marjorie.

I know that.

You've always been.

And you've had the opportunity that night

of getting rid of me by going to the police.

Why didn't you take it?

There are things you would

never understand, Stephen.

You're right, John.

I can't understand my own brother

expecting to go on sharing my wife with me.

I'm going to the

police, Stephen.

I'm going to tell them the whole

story, including my part in it.

I should have a long time ago.

How many times have I told

you to keep away from my desk?

Stephen!

I hadn't expected that

bit read for some time.

Since you have read it, tell

me what you think about it.

How can you ask me that?

Well, don't you

think it's good?

Can't you appreciate its quality

quite apart from its content?

Not when it says that

my husband is a murderer.

I thought I disguised

it completely.

But you read between

the lines, didn't you?

John must love you very much

letting everyone think he did it.

Oh no, he loved you very much.

He was old fashioned.

He believed in chivalry.

That's why he kept

silent about it.

But you.

I don't think I can expect

you to keep silent about it.

Can I?

Do you intend to go on forever

letting people think he did it?

John disappeared tonight. If

something should have happened to him.

Let's say he drowned

himself in the river.

That would solve everything, wouldn't it?

- Stephen!

Everyone would know that he was

driven to commit suicide by his guilt.

Wouldn't they?

- You're forgetting about me.

Oh, no. I'm not

forgetting about you.

John commited suicide tonight

What?

- I saw to it.

Before I'm through with you they'll know

that what John did once, he did again.

Stephen, you're insane.

Am I?

Now don't you

realize, Marjorie?

Your reading the manuscript

has solved everything.

But no, I met

Emily on the stairs.

She was coming

down from her bath.

She'd used your perfume.

She looked rather pretty

and I wanted to kiss her.

She got frightened and screamed.

I had to stop her screaming!

I didn't mean to kill her.

I hardly touched her. But.

I didn't realize

how easy it would be.

So very easy.

John.