Murder She Said (1961) - full transcript

P.A. system: STATION
ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE TRAIN STANDING
AT PLATFORM 2

FOR EALING BROADWAY, HANWELL,
HAYES,

WEST DRAYTON, LANGLEY,
TOUGHLOW, MILCHESTER,

AND BRACKHAMPTON.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[LOUD CLATTERING]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

TICKETS, PLEASE.

A WOMAN HAS BEEN STRANGLED. I
SAW IT.



I BEG YOUR PARDON?

A MAN STRANGLED A WOMAN IN A
TRAIN.

I SAW IT OUT THERE.

STRANGLED?

YES, STRANGLED!

YOU MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
AT ONCE.

ME? WELL...

MADAM, DON'T YOU THINK PERHAPS

YOU HAD A LITTLE NAP

AND MAYBE HAD A BAD DREAM?

YOUNG MAN, I WAS NOT DREAMING.

I SAW IT.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT
IT?

WELL, UH...LOOK,



WE'LL--WE'LL BE IN BRACKHAMPTON

IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES.

I'LL REPORT IT SOON AS WE GET
THERE.

THANK YOU.

COULD I--COULD I HAVE YOUR NAME

AND ADDRESS, MADAM?

YES, OF COURSE. MISS JANE
MARPLE.

M-MARPLE.

MARPLE. OLD PASTURE LANE...

PASTURE LANE...

MILCHESTER.

MILCHESTER. I SEE. VERY WELL,
MISS MARPLE.

I'LL REPORT THIS TO THE
STATIONMASTER

SOON AS WE GET THERE.

YES, PLEASE DO.

THANK YOU.

A BAD DREAM, INDEED!

[BELL RINGING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

ALL RIGHT, LUCY. I'LL ANSWER
THAT.

MORNING, MADAM. I--

NOT TODAY, THANK YOU.

INSPECTOR CRADDOCK, COUNTY
C.I.D., MADAM.

OH, I AM SO SORRY.

DO COME IN, INSPECTOR.

I'VE JUST BEEN GOING THROUGH

ALL THE PAPERS AGAIN FOR THE
LAST 2 DAYS.

THERE'S STILL NOT A WORD ABOUT
THE MURDER.

I SUPPOSE THE POLICE ASKED THE
PRESS

TO SAY NOTHING FOR THE MOMENT.

DO SIT DOWN, WON'T YOU?

LULL THE MURDERER

INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY,

THEN POUNCE, EH?

OH!

WHAT'S THAT?

OH, HOW STUPID OF ME.

HERE, SIR. I'M SO SORRY.

LUCY!

YOU WILL HAVE SOME TEA, WON'T
YOU?

OH, UH...

SOME TEA FOR THE INSPECTOR,

DEAR, PLEASE.

YES, MA'AM.

WELL, NOW, HAVE YOU GOT HIM?

WELL, I, UH...

THAT IS, WE HAVE COME TO THE
CONCLUSION

THAT WHAT YOU SAW ON THE TRAIN

WAS, UH...WELL...

A MAN AND A WOMAN...

YES, AS I SAID.

I MEAN, UH...

PERHAPS THEY WERE HONEYMOONERS.

INSPECTOR, I MAY BE WHAT IS
TERMED A SPINSTER,

BUT I DO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN HORSEPLAY AND MURDER.

OF COURSE, MADAM-- UH, MISS
MARPLE.

BUT THE FACT REMAINS

THAT THERE'S BEEN A THOROUGH
SEARCH OF EVERY TRAIN,

AND NO HOSPITAL HAS TREATED ANY
WOMAN

SUCH AS YOU DESCRIBED.

SHE WAS BLONDE AND HAD ON A
COAT

WITH A PALE FUR COLLAR.

AND NO SUCH WOMAN HAS BEEN SEEN

GETTING ON OR OFF A TRAIN

EITHER ALONE OR WITH ANYBODY
ELSE.

WELL, OF COURSE NOT! SHE WAS
DEAD.

FURTHER, A COMPLETE SEARCH HAS
BEEN MADE

OF EVERY INCH OF THE TRACKS

FOR THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE
LINE. NEGATIVE.

OH. SO YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO IMPLY THAT.

YOU CERTAINLY DID.

NOT AT ALL. I, UH--

WHAT, THEN?

I--AHH.

I ASSURE YOU, MISS MARPLE,

THAT A WOMAN CANNOT BE MURDERED
ON A BUSY TRAIN

A FEW MINUTES BEFORE A STATION

WITHOUT OUR FINDING OUT ABOUT
IT.

I'M QUITE SURE YOU MEAN WELL,

INSPECTOR, BUT IF YOU IMAGINE

THAT I AM GOING TO SIT BACK

AND LET EVERYBODY REGARD ME

AS A DOTTY OLD MAID,

YOU ARE VERY MUCH MISTAKEN.

GOOD DAY.

I'M SORRY, MRS. STAINTON.

THE HATRACK HANGING,
FALCON-SMITH'S LATEST--

I'M AFRAID WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED
OUR COPY YET.

PLAIN INEFFICIENCY.

ANYWAY, I WANT TO KNOW THE
MOMENT IT COMES IN.

OF COURSE. OF COURSE, MRS.
STAINTON.

OH, GOOD MORNING, MISS MARPLE.

GOOD MORNING, MR. STRINGER.

GOOD MORNING, HILDA.

[WHISPERING] One moment.

The Hatrack Hanging.

I've been keeping it for you.

MR. STRINGER, WOULD YOU SAY I
WAS AN UNSTABLE WOMAN?

OH, CERTAINLY NOT.

IN FULL POSSESSION OF MY
FACULTIES?

ABSOLUTELY.

AND NOT GIVEN TO
HALLUCINATIONS?

MY, NO.

THANK YOU, MR. STRINGER.

THE POLICE THINK I'M DOTTY.

WHAT?

APPARENTLY WHAT I SAW WAS A
YOUNG MAN AND WOMAN

IN THE THROES OF CONNUBIAL
BLISS.

I SEE. WELL, IF I WERE YOU,
MISS MARPLE,

I WOULD CERTAINLY WRITE TO THE
CHIEF CONSTABLE.

MR. STRINGER, HOW MANY
DETECTIVE NOVELS

WOULD YOU SAY WE HAVE READ OVER
THE YEARS?

IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY. CERTAINLY
MANY HUNDRED.

YES. WHICH GIVES US, WOULDN'T
YOU AGREE,

A CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THE
CRIMINAL MIND?

OH, MOST ASSUREDLY.

WELL, THIS IS WHERE WE PUT THAT
KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST.

WE?

YES--WE.

SO IT HAS COME IN!

OH, HAS IT?

WELL? I THINK I HAVE FIRST
CALL.

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT,
HILDA. TOO OBVIOUS.

THE MOTHER DID IT, OF COURSE.

HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY KNOW THAT?

THE BOOK HAS ONLY JUST COME IN.

IT ALWAYS IS WITH
FALCON-SMITH--

A DEPRIVED CHILD, YOU KNOW.

HOT BUTTERED CRUMPETS FOR TEA,
MR. STRINGER,

IF YOU CARE TO JOIN ME.

INDEED I WOULD, MISS MARPLE.

AH, YES. HERE WE ARE.

EXPRESS

TO BRACKHAMPTON

OVERTOOK MY TRAIN SOMEWHERE
ABOUT THERE.

BUT HOW CAN YOU BE SURE?

WELL, I REMEMBER THE TICKET
COLLECTOR SAYING

5 MINUTES TO BRACKHAMPTON.

COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A
MINUTE

AFTER THE MURDER HE CAME IN,

SO THAT MAKES IT 6 MINUTES
BEFORE BRACKHAMPTON

AT, SAY, 30 MILES AN HOUR.

SO...

ABOUT THERE.

BUT THE BODY, MISS MARPLE.

WELL, IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT WAS
THROWN FROM THE TRAIN

BETWEEN HERE AND BRACKHAMPTON.

THE POLICE FOUND NOTHING.

OF COURSE NOT.

THE MURDERER RETURNED BEFORE
THE SEARCH

AND DISPOSED OF THE BODY.

BY JOVE! THE POLICE WILL
CERTAINLY WANT

TO INVESTIGATE NOW.

WELL, ACCORDING TO THEM,

THERE IS NOTHING TO
INVESTIGATE.

OH, SURELY,

IN THE LIGHT OF OUR THEORY,

A FRESH SEARCH--

DEFINITELY. BUT THIS TIME, WE
WILL CONDUCT OUR OWN.

EH?

YES, MR. STRINGER.

I RECOMMEND A HEARTY BREAKFAST
TOMORROW.

YOU AND I ARE GOING TO TAKE AN
EARLY-MORNING WALK.

THERE MUST BE SOMETHING
SOMEWHERE.

YOU CAN'T THROW A BODY

OUT OF A FAST-MOVING TRAIN

WITHOUT LEAVING SOME KIND OF
TRACE.

MISS MARPLE, IF WE LINGER HERE
MUCH LONGER,

I FEEL CERTAIN WE SHALL BE
APPREHENDED.

OH, NONSENSE.

NO ONE WILL GIVE A COUPLE OF
TRACKLAYERS

A SECOND GLANCE.

I'M NOT ALTOGETHER CONVINCED
OUR DISGUISES ARE ADEQUATE.

A SHOE, A BIT OF CLOTH.
SOMETHING!

I CONCEDE OUR TIMETABLE MAY
HAVE BEEN OUT-OF-DATE,

IS STILL RUNNING.

VERY POSSIBLY.

BUT IT COULD BE MOST DANGEROUS
UP HERE!

UNDOUBTEDLY.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS IN
DISTANCE]

MISS MARPLE!

MISS MARPLE!

HERE.

THERE YOU ARE!

I THINK I HEARD SOMETHING.

AND I THINK I'VE FOUND
SOMETHING.

REALLY?

[TRAIN WHEELS CLATTERING]

CONSISTENT WITH SOMETHING

HAVING BEEN DUMPED FROM A
TRAIN,

WOULDN'T YOU SAY?

IF IT WAS THE BODY, IT WOULD
ROLL DOWN

AND FINISH UP AGAINST THIS
WALL.

THEN WHERE IS IT?

THAT, MR. STRINGER, IS THE
QUESTION.

COULD BE BURIED.

YOU WOULD NEED A PICK OR A
SHOVEL.

NO. THIS IS HARDLY AN IDEAL
SPOT

FOR DISPOSING OF A BODY.

UNLESS...

FROM HER FUR COLLAR, I THINK.

MR. STRINGER,

WILL YOU KINDLY GIVE ME A LEG
UP?

CERTAINLY, MISS MARPLE, I--

PLEASE, MR. STRINGER.

NO, NO!

MAKE A STIRRUP.

COME ON, NOW. CAREFUL.

ARE YOU READY? YES.

INTERLOCK YOUR FINGERS!

THEY ARE INTERLOCKED.

OH. WELL, ARE YOU READY?

YEAH.

OH! MAGNIFICENT.

DOWN.

WHAT A FRIGHTFUL-LOOKING MAN!

WHAT A FRIGHTFUL-LOOKING DOG.

MISS MARPLE,

PRUDENCE DEMANDS A RETREAT.

MR. STRINGER, I AM CONVINCED

THE BODY IS THE OTHER SIDE OF
THIS WALL.

BUT THAT'S THE ACKENTHORPE HALL
ESTATE.

I KNOW. PERFECT.

EASY ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE TO COME
DOWN

OUT OF THE HOUSE, RECOVER THE
BODY,

AND DISPOSE OF IT SOMEWHERE IN
THE GROUNDS.

SOMEONE FROM THE HOUSE?

YOU MEAN, ONE OF THE FAMILY?

YES, OR ONE OF THE SERVANTS,

IF THEY'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE
ANY.

SERVANTS.

I WONDER.

MISS MARPLE,

WHATEVER IT IS, NO, NO, NO!

MR. STRINGER, WE WILL
WITHDRAW...

TEMPORARILY.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING.

I'M AFRAID THERE'S NOTHING

ON MY BOOKS, MADAM--

NOT SO MUCH AS A MOTHER'S HELP.

I'M SEEKING A POST, NOT
OFFERING ONE.

PRAY, BE SEATED, DO, MY GOOD
WOMAN.

YOU NEED SEEK NO MORE.

YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

HOW GOOD TO SEE

THE SPIRIT OF UNSELFISH SERVICE
IS STILL WITH US.

LET ME SEE NOW.

YES. HERE'S A PERFECT PLUM.

"CHEERFUL HOME FOR CHEERFUL
LADY.

"OWN SUITE, TV, RADIO, AND THE
USE OF CAR.

TEA IN BED ON SUNDAYS. PENSION
SCHEME."

HEAVEN FORBID.

OH, ALL RIGHT.

"MRS. FORBES ALEXBRIDGE.

SETTING UP HOUSE NEAR MONTE
CARLO."

THEY WON'T HAVE ANY FOREIGNERS,
OF COURSE.

"OWN GAMING ALLOWANCE."

BUT I DON'T APPROVE OF
GAMBLING.

"MRS. HAMILTON POTTS."

THE DINGLEY STUD FARM, YOU
KNOW.

"7 CHILDREN. ELDEST, 7."

OH, NO, THANK YOU.

PERHAPS IF I MIGHT HAVE A QUIET
WORD

WITH MRS. BINSTER?

I AM MRS. BINSTER.

OH, I SEE. WELL, AS A MATTER OF
FACT,

I WONDERED IF THERE MIGHT BE A
POSITION

AT ACKENTHORPE HALL.

ACKENTHORPE HALL?

YES, ACKENTHORPE HALL.

OH, YES. UH...I THINK I CAN
ACCOMMODATE YOU.

YES. THERE'S ALWAYS A VACANCY
THERE.

THANK YOU.

[DOG WHINING]

[RINGING]

YES?

I'M JANE,

FROM MRS. BINSTER'S EMPLOYMENT
AGENCY--

THE NEW MAID.

WELL, YOU LOOK OLD ENOUGH

TO KNOW BETTER. COME IN.

I'M TO SEE MISS ACKENTHORPE.

YOU'RE EXPECTED. IN THERE.

MISS ACKENTHORPE.

YES?

I'M JANE.

THE NEW MAID?

YES. JANE MARPLE.

NOW, IF YOU'LL KINDLY SHOW ME

WHERE I'M TO PUT MY THINGS, I--

OH, YES. YES, OF COURSE.

BUT I'M WONDERING IF THIS POST

IS REALLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR, MISS MARPLE.

WELL, NATURALLY,

OTHERWISE I WOULDN'T BE HERE.

I DON'T WANT A HOUSEKEEPER, YOU
KNOW.

I WANT SOMEONE TO-- WELL, TO DO
THE WORK.

YES. YOU WANT COOKING, WASHING
UP,

BEDS MADE, FLOORS SCRUBBED,

FIRES LIT, ASHES TAKEN AWAY.

I QUITE UNDERSTAND.

WELL, I--I HOPE YOU'LL
FIND US SUITABLE.

OH, I'M SURE I SHALL.

PERHAPS YOU WON'T FIND THE WORK
TOO EXACTING.

THERE ARE ONLY THE THREE OF
US--

MYSELF, MY NEPHEW,

DOWN FROM SCHOOL FOR THE
HOLIDAYS,

AND THEN THERE'S FATHER.

MAY I SHOW YOU TO YOUR ROOM?

YES, CERTAINLY.

I'LL TAKE THAT, MY DEAR.

PERHAPS THE CLUBS, IF YOU
WOULDN'T MIND.

I MUST KEEP FIT, YOU KNOW.

YES, OF COURSE.

OUR STAFF CONSISTS OF HILLMAN,
THE GARDENER,

AND MRS. KIDDER-- SHE LET YOU
IN.

SHE COMES IN FROM THE VILLAGE

3 AFTERNOONS A WEEK TO DO THE
ROUGH WORK.

THAT WAS MY GRANDFATHER.

HE FOUNDED THE FAMILY FORTUNE--

TEA BISCUITS, YOU KNOW.

OH, YES.

AND VERY EXCELLENT BISCUITS
THEY WERE, TOO.

QUITE A SEVERE MAN, I'M AFRAID.

MISS MARPLE,

I THINK IT ONLY FAIR TO EXPLAIN
TO YOU

THAT MY FATHER HIMSELF IS...

WELL, QUITE FRANKLY,

HE'S A BIT DIFFICULT AT TIMES.

HE'S AN INVALID, YOU KNOW.

HE'S VERY KEEN ON ECONOMY,

AND HE SOMETIMES SAYS THINGS

THAT UPSET PEOPLE.

I WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO--

OH, I'M QUITE USED TO LOOKING
AFTER

ELDERLY PEOPLE OF ALL SORTS.

WE'LL MANAGE.

Man: EMMA!

EMMA! I HEAR YOU.

YES, FATHER.

EXCUSE ME ONE MOMENT.

Man: DON'T TRY TO SNEAK OFF.

IS THAT THE NEW GIRL WITH YOU?

WELL, UH... YES, FATHER.

HOPE SHE'S GOT A BIT MORE MEAT
ON HER

THAN THE LAST ONE.

CAN'T STAND THEM SKINNY.

WELL, DON'T JUST STAND THERE
BOGGLING, GIRL.

BRING HER IN. I WANT TO LOOK AT
HER.

YES. UM...

WILL YOU COME IN, PLEASE?

FATHER, THIS IS MISS MARPLE...

UH, JANE.

AND A PLAINER JANE

I'VE NEVER SET EYES ON IN ME
LIFE.

WELL, WE CAN'T ALL BE YOUNG AND
HANDSOME,

CAN WE, MR. ACKENTHORPE?

THERE IS ONE THING I CANNOT
TOLERATE.

THAT IS IMPERTINENCE!

WELL, WE SHOULD GET ON
ADMIRABLY.

NEITHER CAN I.

WELL, IF YOU'RE COMING TO STAY
HERE,

AND I SUPPOSE YOU'VE GOT TO,

THERE'S ONE THING YOU'D BETTER
UNDERSTAND

STRAIGHTAWAY.

BECAUSE I LIVE IN A BIG HOUSE,

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY FOLLOW

THAT I'M A RICH MAN,

SO THERE'S NO GOOD COMING HERE

WITH EXTRAVAGANT IDEAS.

I LIVE HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO,

NOT BECAUSE I CAN AFFORD IT.

FATHER, DON'T YOU THINK--

NO, I DON'T. CAN YOU COOK?

IF YOU WANT GOOD ENGLISH
COOKING, YES.

COD'S AS GOOD AS LOBSTER ANY
DAY,

AND MUCH CHEAPER.

WELL, THAT DEPENDS ON WHETHER
OR NOT

ONE HAS A PALATE UNSULLIED BY
CHEAP OPIATES.

IF YOU MEAN WHAT I THINK YOU
MEAN,

I'D HAVE YOU KNOW

THIS CHEROOT COST 2 SHILLINGS.

YES, QUITE.

UM, I'LL SHOW MISS MARPLE TO
HER ROOM.

THIS WAY, PLEASE.

GOOD IDEA.

THAT WAS HILLMAN, THE GARDENER.

WHEN MR. ACKENTHORPE WANTS TO
MOVE ABOUT,

HE ALWAYS CALLS HIM.

THEY'RE QUITE CLOSE.

WILL YOU BE STAYING MISS
MARPLE...JANE?

MY DEAR LADY, OF COURSE.

I'M SO GLAD.

Father: EMMA! COME BACK HERE.

YOU'VE FORGOTTEN MY MEDICINE.

EXCUSE ME A MOMENT.

UM, THAT'S YOUR ROOM, JUST DOWN
THERE--

THE DOOR OPPOSITE THE HEAD OF
THE SMALL STAIRS.

I'LL FIND IT. DON'T YOU WORRY.

MAY I GIVE YOU THOSE?

YES, OF COURSE.

ALL RIGHT? YES.

OHH.

[KNOCKS]

Miss Marple: COME OUT AT ONCE!

I ADVISE YOU TO COME OUT.

VERY WELL.

[VASE CRASHING]

[CREAKING]

AAH!

YOU'RE MISS EMMA'S NEPHEW, I
PRESUME?

YES-- ALEXANDER EASTLEY.

HOW DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU DO?

I'M JANE-- JANE MARPLE.

YES.

IT IS DISAPPOINTING, ISN'T IT?

I'D RATHER HOPED FOR THE JAYNE
MANSFIELD TYPE.

I SEE YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN
COMMON

WITH YOUR GRANDFATHER.

OH, WE'RE VERY ALIKE IN MANY
WAYS.

MIND YOU, I'M NOT MEAN WITH
MONEY.

HE'LL STOP THAT VASE

OUT OF YOUR WAGES, YOU KNOW.

IT'S JUST AS WELL YOU GOT OUT
OF THE WAY.

OTHERWISE...

IT'D HAVE BEEN MY HEAD,

AND YOU'D HAVE GOT 10 YEARS.

THAT IS STILL POSSIBLE.

YOU KNOW, IT ISN'T JUST THAT
YOU DON'T LOOK

LIKE JAYNE MANSFIELD.

YOU'RE NOT MY IDEA OF A MAID,
EITHER.

WELL, QUITE HONESTLY,

I DON'T THINK YOU'D BE
EVERYBODY'S IDEA

OF A BOY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOMETHING

DECIDEDLY FISHY ABOUT YOU.

I CAN SEE YOU'LL HAVE TO GO.

AFTER MRS. KIDDER, OF COURSE--

SHE'S NEXT. DEPRESSING
CREATURE.

SO WAS ANNIE. ANNIE?

YOUR PREDECESSOR.

THIN AS A RAKE AND A SHOCKING
COOK.

CAN YOU COOK?

WELL, I THINK I'VE DONE BETTER
THAN ANNIE.

GRANDFATHER'S LIKE THAT, TOO,

AND HE HATES HIS DINNER TO BE
LATE.

I'D LEAVE YOUR UNPACKING

UNTIL LATER IF I WERE YOU.

WELL, IN THAT CASE, HADN'T YOU
BETTER SHOW ME

THE WAY TO THE KITCHEN,
ALEXANDER?

VERY WELL...JANE.

Father: EMMA!

THAT'S HIM,

ALWAYS SHOUTING ABOUT
SOMETHING,

MOSTLY MONEY.

THIS WAY. EMMA!

OF COURSE, THEY'RE ALL WAITING
FOR HIM

TO DROP DEAD, YOU KNOW.

FRIGHTFUL PACK OF VULTURES,

OUR FAMILY--

EXCEPT POSSIBLY AUNT EMMA.

AND WHO ARE THESE VULTURES?

OH, THERE'S UNCLE HAROLD--

STINKING RICH AND JUST AS MEAN.

UNCLE ALBERT--

DEADLY DULL, POOR FELLOW.

THEN THERE'S UNCLE CEDRIC.

HE PAINTS, BUT NOT FOR ART'S
SAKE.

DO YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR

HE AND ONE OF HIS MODELS...

[WHISPERING]

ALEXANDER!

WELL, HE'S LIKE THAT.

THERE WAS AN UNCLE EDMUND.

WAS?

YES. STOPPED A WHOLE BOMB
DURING THE WAR,

ALL BY HIMSELF.

WASN'T ANOTHER MAN AROUND FOR
MILES--

DESERTING, PROBABLY.

AND WHO CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
FOR YOU?

WELL PUT.

MUMMY'S NAME WAS EDITH, BUT
SHE'S DEAD.

DADDY'S BRIAN EASTLEY, YOU
KNOW.

OH?

YOU KNOW, THE FIGHTER ACE.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN.

OH, THE BRIAN EASTLEY.

YES. I'M GOING TO SET HIM UP

IN BUSINESS

WHEN I GET MY INHERITANCE

FROM GRANDFATHER. HERE WE ARE.

OH, THERE YOU ARE, AND ABOUT
TIME, TOO.

WELL, I'M OFF. I WOULDN'T STAY

IN THIS PLACE AFTER DARK,

NOT FOR ALL THE TEA IN CHINA.

NOW, LOOK-- THE POTS AND PANS

ARE ON THAT SHELF THERE, OVER
THE STOVE.

OH, YES.

AND THE GROCERIES AND
PROVISIONS IN THERE.

THANK YOU.

WELL, CHEERIO.

GOOD DAY.

GOOD DAY, MRS. KIDDER.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

I WAS MERELY BEING POLITE.

CHARMING, ISN'T SHE, JANE?

HA HA!

I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE THIS.
COME ON.

WHAT?

PHASE 4, ANTI-KIDDER CAMPAIGN.

[BLEATING]

[MRS. KIDDER SHRIEKS]

HA HA HA HA!

SPLENDID.

DINNER AT 8:00, PLEASE, JANE.

[DOOR SHUTS]

[CLOCK TICKING]

[DOG BARKS]

[DOG BARKS]

[LOUD CLATTER]

HUH!

I SEE YOU MADE YOURSELF
COMFORTABLE.

I TRUST YOU HAVE NO OBJECTION?

MAYBE.

I SHOULDN'T MAKE YOURSELF

TOO COMFORTABLE, IF I WAS YOU.

[DOOR SHUTS]

[SIGHS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

YES?

OH. WHO ARE YOU?

I'M THE NEW MAID...SIR.

DR. QUIMPER.

YOU'LL GET USED TO SEEING ME
HERE.

ALEXANDER, I SUPPOSE.

YES, I'M AFRAID SO.

WELL, MR. ACKENTHORPE WILL BE
EXPECTING ME.

OH, YES. I'LL SHOW YOU UP.

OH, THAT WON'T BE...

DOCTOR--

WHERE ON EARTH ARE MY
CONFOUNDED MATCHES?

OH, IT'S YOU.

GOOD MORNING.

MORNING.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?

SNOOPING, I SUPPOSE.

WHERE ARE MY MATCHES?

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SMOKE,

WE'D BETTER HAVE SOME WINDOWS
OPEN.

I'M A GREAT BELIEVER IN FRESH
AIR.

AREN'T YOU, DOCTOR?

WHY, UH, YES, I AM, MISS, UH...

MARPLE, HER NAME.

MARBLE, HER NATURE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

LET HER GIVE ME DOUBLE
PNEUMONIA.

IF YOU CAN'T KILL ME OFF ONE
WAY,

YOU'LL KILL ME OFF ANOTHER.

NONSENSE. YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE
TO BE 100

IN SPITE OF ANYTHING I CAN DO.

WELL, IN THAT CASE,

TELL THAT WOMAN TO STOP OPENING
WINDOWS

AND TO LIGHT MY CHEROOT.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT'LL
SEND HIM TO SLEEP, DOCTOR?

I'M AFRAID IT'S A STIMULANT.

ROLL OVER.

OH, DEAR.

HOLD IT CLOSER, WOMAN.

OWW!

OOH!

YOUR HOMETOWN LOST A GOOD HORSE
DOCTOR

WHEN YOU LEFT, QUIMPER.

MATTER OF FACT,

I WAS VERY BAD WITH THE HORSES.

HOW'D THE BIRTHDAY PARTY GO?

ALL THE FAMILY GET DOWN ALL
RIGHT?

OF COURSE THEY DID.

THEY'D A WHOLE WEEKEND OF IT--

FREE BOARD AND LODGING FROM
FRIDAY NIGHT.

FRIDAY.

WHAT'S THAT TO DO WITH YOU?

OH, NOTHING.

IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE

AN INTERESTING DAY FOR ME, TOO.

HOW OLD WERE YOU, MR.
ACKENTHORPE?

MIND YOUR BUSINESS.

ANYHOW, IT WAS A MISERABLE
WEEKEND,

AND I HOPE IT WILL BE A LONG
TIME

BEFORE I HAVE TO PUT UP

WITH THE WHOLE PACK OF THEM
AGAIN.

NOT A VERY NICE WAY

TO TALK ABOUT ONE'S FAMILY.

NOT A VERY NICE FAMILY.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT OVERGROWN
BEATNIK CEDRIC DID?

TOLD EMMA RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY
EYES

SHE OUGHT TO GET OUT OF HERE--

GET MARRIED OR SOMETHING.

TRIED TO MAKE HER AS SELFISH AS
HE IS.

OH, I DON'T KNOW. IF
EMMA DID MARRY,

IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A BAD
THING.

[DOOR OPENS]

OH.

FATHER, I THOUGHT I'D TELL YOU

I'M JUST GOING INTO TOWN.

I'LL BE LEAVING IN A MOMENT.

CAN I GIVE YOU A LIFT?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GO INTO
TOWN FOR?

CAN'T SHE GO FOR WHATEVER IT
IS?

WELL, IT'S TRADESMEN, FATHER.

A FEW BILLS TO PAY.

OH, MONEY. THAT'S A DIFFERENT
THING.

CAN'T TRUST ANYBODY THESE DAYS.

ALL RIGHT. OFF YOU GO.

IN THAT CASE, MAY I BE OF
SERVICE?

THANK YOU.

OF COURSE YOU CAN, QUIMPER.

SAVES THE PRICE OF A TAXI. PAY
YOU ENOUGH AS IT IS.

IT'LL BE ON YOUR BILL.

ARE YOU READY NOW?

ONLY MY COAT. GOOD.

FRIDAY, THEN, MR. ACKENTHORPE.

GOOD DAY, MISS MARPLE.

GOOD DAY, DOCTOR.

IF YOU DON'T SHUT THOSE
WINDOWS,

YOU'LL BE FIRED.

IN THAT CASE,

I SHALL REQUIRE 4 WEEKS' WAGES

IN LIEU OF NOTICE.

GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, WOMAN!

WITH PLEASURE!

[CAR STARTS, THEN DRIVES AWAY]

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

YOUR WEIGHT ISN'T QUITE EVENLY
DISTRIBUTED.

I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW

THAT I WON THE LADIES' OPEN
HANDICAP IN 1921.

REALLY?

I'M SURE YOU HAVE MANY THINGS
TO DO.

NOT AT ALL. I'M MOST
INTERESTED.

WE'VE NEVER HAD

A GOLF-PLAYING MAID BEFORE.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS
THE AGE

OF THE COMMON WOMAN.

YOU HOOKED.

I'M AWARE OF IT.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING?

WHAT?

I BELIEVE YOU PULLED THOSE
SHOTS ON PURPOSE.

ALEXANDER, IF YOU WISH TO BE
HELPFUL AT ALL,

WILL YOU KINDLY LOOK FOR THE
HOOK

WHILE I LOOK FOR THE SLICE?

[TRAIN HONKS]

FOUND YOURS YET?

YES. HAVE YOU?

DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE.

OH, WELL, FORTUNATELY, I HAVE
SOME MORE.

AT THE PRESENT RATE, YOU'RE
GOING TO NEED THEM.

PERHAPS YOU'D CARE TO
DEMONSTRATE

THE NEXT ONE.

CERTAINLY.

LET'S SEE HOW CLOSE YOU CAN GET

TO THOSE OUTBUILDINGS.

YES. I THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.

FAIR.

HMPH. YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL

IT WAS SUPERB FOR A BOY OF MY
AGE.

RIGHT ON THE FAIRWAY.

A CHIP AND A PUTT,

AND I'D HAVE HOLED OUT IN 3.

DOES YOUR GRANDFATHER KEEP
HORSES, ALEXANDER?

HE DID. NOW HE JUST KEEPS A FEW
RELICS

OF A MORE SPACIOUS AGE.

NOSTALGIA, YOU KNOW.

A FAILING OF THE OLD, I
SUPPOSE.

LIKE TO LOOK?

WELL, I THINK I'M OLD ENOUGH.

DON'T YOU?

AN OLD-FASHIONED PONY CHAISE.

THEY USED THAT FOR GOING TO THE
VILLAGE.

I SUPPOSE THEY USED THE
VICTORIA

FOR GOING TO CHURCH.

YES--ON SUNDAYS IN THE SUMMER,

I BELIEVE.

AND THE BROUGHAM'S

FOR VISITING IN THE WINTER,
PERHAPS.

YES, I EXPECT SO.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED
HERE, YOU KNOW.

GRANDFATHER FOUND A MAN HANGING
FROM THIS RAFTER.

GOOD HEAVENS.

HE'D BEEN DEAD FOR A WEEK.

THAT WILL DO, ALEXANDER.

ALL PURPLE, YOU KNOW.

ALEXANDER! [RUSTLING]

WHAT WAS THAT?

I WONDER.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL LOOK.

ALL YOURS.

[CHICKENS SQUAWKING]

EEH!

DEAR, DEAR, WE ARE NERVOUS,

AREN'T WE?

PITY.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO
FIND?

BODIES. WHAT?

LIVE ONES, OF COURSE.

USED TO BE QUITE THE SPOT

FOR COURTING COUPLES FROM THE
TOWN.

REALLY?

TILL GRANDFATHER GOT HILLMAN

TO PUT A STOP TO
IT--SPOILSPORT.

QUITE EXTRAORDINARY, THE
GOINGS-ON HERE.

APPARENTLY, THERE WAS THIS
GIRL--

THAT'S ENOUGH, ALEXANDER.

THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER POOR
BIRD TRAPPED.

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

LOOK AT THIS.

SOMEBODY ELSE MUST HAVE BEEN IN
HERE.

THIS ISN'T AUNT EMMA'S.

IT'S MINE.

I MUST HAVE DROPPED IT. THANK
YOU SO MUCH.

IT WAS BEQUEATHED TO ME.

YOU'RE NOT BY ANY CHANCE

ON THE RUN FROM THE POLICE, ARE
YOU?

TOO MUCH TELEVISION.

YOU MUST LEARN TO RATIONALIZE

YOUR IMAGINATION.

WHAT'S BEHIND THERE?

MORE RELICS FROM THE PAST?

MATTER OF FACT, YES--

THE FRUITS OF GRANDFATHER'S
EGYPTIAN PHASE.

INDEED? HOW INTERESTING.

OH!

NO ONE'S ALLOWED IN THERE.

LET GO OF MY WRIST!

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? UP TO?

THE BOY WAS SIMPLY SHOWING ME
ROUND.

WHAT BOY? ALEXANDER. HE--

YOU'RE LYING.

ALEXANDER, COME OUT OF THERE AT
ONCE!

I THOUGHT DISCRETION

THE BETTER PART OF VALOR, JANE.

THIS FELLOW'S NOT ABOVE
CLIPPING A PERSON'S EAR.

YOU KNOW YOUR GRANDFATHER DON'T
LIKE

NO ONE SNEAKING ROUND HERE.

DON'T THINK I WON'T TELL HIM,
NEITHER.

DESPITE THE DOUBLE NEGATIVES,

I'M SURE YOU WILL.

COME, JANE.

Miss Marple: GOOD FOR YOU,
YOUNG MAN.

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

[DOG BARKS]

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS IN
DISTANCE]

[TRAIN PASSES NEARBY]

[CLOCK STRIKING]

[COUGH]

OH...

WHAT?

NO!

NO!

NOW, LISTEN, MR. STRINGER.

I WANT YOU TO INFORM THE POLICE
ANONYMOUSLY.

DON'T MENTION ME YET.

I WISH TO BE IN AT THE KILL,

SO TO SPEAK.

MISS MARPLE, REALLY. ALL RIGHT,

BUT IT MAKES MY BLOOD RUN COLD

TO THINK OF YOU THERE ALONE.

I WAS WONDERING--

PERHAPS THEY HAVE A VACANCY

FOR A GARDENER.

OH, THEY'VE GOT ONE.

VERY WELL.

I'LL DO AS YOU SAY.

MISS MARPLE, THE COMPACT!

IF THE MURDERER SHOULD KNOW

THAT YOU HAVE IT--

I'LL BE CAREFUL, DEAR MR.
STRINGER.

NOW, PHONE THE INSPECTOR RIGHT
AWAY.

WELL?

NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE IN MY
LIFE.

NO. SHE'S NOT FROM THESE PARTS.

WELL, WHOEVER SHE IS,

I WANT HER OUT OF HERE AT ONCE.

IF YOU HADN'T LEFT THE BARN
DOOR UNLOCKED,

THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ALL THESE
PEOPLE

POKING THEIR NOSES INTO
EVERYTHING.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, FATHER?

OF COURSE I'M ALL RIGHT.

THINK I'VE NEVER SEEN A CORPSE
BEFORE?

BE ONE MYSELF SOON.

PERHAPS YOU'D BETTER GO BACK TO
THE HOUSE.

I'LL FOLLOW YOU UP.

WHOEVER IT WAS TRIED TO GET HER
IN HERE FIRST.

MUST HAVE TAKEN THE STRENGTH OF
A MANIAC

TO SHIFT IT THIS FAR.

INSPECTOR?

OH, YES, DOCTOR.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS
BEING HELPFUL...

GO ON.

WELL, THE WOMAN-- NO ONE
RECOGNIZED HER,

AND HER CLOTHES STRUCK ME AS
BEING FOREIGN,

PERHAPS FRENCH.

HMM...

YES. THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

YES. THANK YOU,DOCTOR.

WELL, IT WAS JUST A THOUGHT.

MAY BE A USEFUL ONE. THANK YOU.

WELL, THAT WOULD EXPLAIN

WHY I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HER,
SIR.

I KNOW EVERY FACE FOR MILES
AROUND.

I'M SURE YOU DO, SERGEANT.

STILL, I HAVE TO START WITH THE
ASSUMPTION

THERE'S SOME CONNECTION BETWEEN
HER AND THE FAMILY.

I THINK I'LL GET THE WHOLE
BUNCH DOWN HERE.

HMM. THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS,
SIR.

THEY HATE THE SIGHT OF EACH
OTHER.

SO I BELIEVE.

ANYWAY, ROUTINE FIRST.

HAVE THEY GOT ANY OTHER
SERVANTS

APART FROM THIS GARDENER?

Miss Marple: YES, THEY HAVE,
INSPECTOR.

GOOD LORD. YOU!

YES.

DOTTY OLD ME.

IN THERE, PLEASE.

IT'S ONLY A CIGARETTE PACKET.

OF DOUBTFUL SIGNIFICANCE,

I'D SAY.

I'LL BEAR YOUR VIEWS IN MIND.

ANY IDEA WHAT YOU EXPECT YOUR
FELLOWS TO FIND?

CLUES.

WELL, NATURALLY.

BUT DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK

THEY'LL FIND ANYTHING?

WELL, SOMEBODY DRAGGED THE BODY

FROM THERE OVER TO THERE.

IT'S POSSIBLE SOMETHING COULD
HAVE BEEN DROPPED

IN THE PROCESS.

DON'T YOU AGREE?

YES. YES, I DO.

DID YOU FIND ANYTHING?

NO, INSPECTOR, NOT A THING.

FAMILY'S HERE, BY THE WAY.

THANK YOU.

I'LL, UH, GET AROUND TO THEM
LATER.

THEY'LL ENJOY THAT, I'M SURE.

GOOD HUNTING.

Father: SOME SILLY IDIOT

GOES AND STRANGLES HIS
GIRLFRIEND--

WHICH SHE PROBABLY RICHLY
DESERVED--

AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

SWARM ALL OVER THE PLACE,

MESS ABOUT IN OUR PRIVATE
AFFAIRS.

I SAID TO THIS-- THIS INSPECTOR
FELLOW--

HADDOCK OR WHATEVER HIS NAME
IS--

CRADDOCK, SIR.

SHALL I POUR?

OF COURSE.

ANYWAY, I SAID TO THIS FELLOW
HADDOCK

THAT NO MEMBER OF MY FAMILY HAD
EVER SEEN

THE WOMAN BEFORE. THAT WAS
FINAL.

WOW. WHAT MAKES YOU

SO SURE OF THAT, FATHER?

OH, NOW LOOK HERE, CEDRIC, THIS
IS ABSURD.

WELL, AFTER ALL, HAROLD,

SHE WASN'T SOMEBODY FROM AROUND
HERE,

AND SHE WAS FOUND IN OUR
STABLE,

WASN'T SHE?

ONE OF US COULD HAVE KNOWN HER.

SHE COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR
GIRLFRIEND,

DEAR BOY. WHAT?

YES. YES,

I SUPPOSE CEDRIC HAS A POINT
THERE.

HE NEVER HAS A POINT.

I MEAN FROM THE POLICE

POINT OF VIEW.

IT'S ALL RIGHT FOR YOU,
EASTLEY.

I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU'RE TOO
CONCERNED

WITH THE FAMILY REPUTATION.

AFTER ALL, YOU'RE NOT A MEMBER
OF IT,

ARE YOU, STRICTLY SPEAKING?

WHAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IS WHO
TELEPHONED THE POLICE.

OH, I KNOW WHO DID THAT.

OH? WHO?

OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE WHO KNEW

THE BODY WAS THERE.

ANY COFFEE LEFT, JANE?

[DOORBELL RINGS]

HELP YOURSELF.

IT CERTAINLY WASN'T ONE OF US.

WHO KNOWS?

WHO CARES WHO DID IT, ANYWAY?

THE WOMAN WAS PROBABLY A SPY.

THAT'S ABSURD, FATHER.

WELL, THE POLICE THINK SHE WAS
A FOREIGNER, DON'T THEY?

LOTS OF ENGLISH GIRLS GO TO
PARIS

AND BUY FRENCH CLOTHES.

DECENT ONES DON'T.

DR. QUIMPER TO SEE YOU, MR.
ACKENTHORPE.

STILL GETTING SHOT

WITH REVITALIZERS, FATHER?

I'D TAKE ANYTHING TO OUTLIVE
YOU LOT

AND KEEP MY PROPERTY

FROM YOUR THIEVING HANDS.

WELL, I'LL JUST GO AND SEE

IF I CAN BE OF ANY FURTHER
ASSISTANCE

TO THE POLICE.

DELICIOUS COFFEE, JANE.

BY THE WAY, THE INSPECTOR SAID

HE'D BE INTERROGATING YOU ALL
LATER.

BETTER GET YOUR ALIBIS READY.

OH, HE'S A BRIGHT BOY, THAT
ONE.

WELL, LET'S FACE IT. THE POLICE
SAY

THE WOMAN WAS MURDERED ON
FRIDAY,

AND WE WERE DOWN HERE LAST
FRIDAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE VERY
INTERESTED

IN ALL OF US.

BUT NONE OF US WERE HERE TILL
QUITE LATE.

YES, BUT THE POINT IS,

WHAT WERE WE ALL DOING EARLIER?

ALBERT, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

ME? YES, YOU.

AND DON'T TELL ME YOU WERE
SITTING

IN YOUR OFFICE ALL DAY.

I--WELL, NO.

UH-HUH?

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE WAS
A FILM

THAT I PARTICULARLY WANTED TO
SEE.

OH, BRIGITTE BARDOT?

NOW, LOOK, CEDRIC, THIS IS
PREPOSTEROUS.

BUT IS IT, HAROLD?

VERY WELL. WHAT ABOUT YOU?

OR CAN YOUR SECRETARY

VERIFY ALL YOUR MOVEMENTS ON
THAT DAY?

THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

WELL, I'M IN THE CLEAR.

I WAS AT MY CLUB.

IT HAS A BACK DOOR, HASN'T IT?

YES, I THINK SO,

BUT I DIDN'T GET HERE UNTIL
SATURDAY.

BUT YOU COULD HAVE LUGGED THE
BODY

UP HERE ON FRIDAY,

SLIPPED BACK TO LONDON,

AND BE SITTING IN YOUR USUAL
CHAIR

WHEN THE CLUB CLOSED.

AND I SUPPOSE ONE OF YOUR WOMAN
FRIENDS

CAN VOUCH FOR YOU.

OH, I'M CERTAIN MY CURRENT
COMFORT

WILL SATISFY THE INSPECTOR
COMPLETELY,

AS NO DOUBT WILL YOUR
SECRETARY.

WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED HERE, WILL
YOU KINDLY BRING ME

SOME FRESH COFFEE INTO THE
LIBRARY?

CERTAINLY, SIR.

WELL, WELL. JUMPY, ISN'T HE?

AND YOU'RE VERY CALM.

BUT THEN, I HAVE NO REASON NOT
TO BE.

I'VE JUST BEEN THINKING.

IF THAT WOMAN WAS FOREIGN--

YOU SHOULD THINK OF GIRLS

MORE OFTEN, ALBERT.

MIGHT BRING ABOUT SOME
INTERESTING CHANGES IN YOU.

I KNOW IT'S LAUGHABLE--

I AGREE.

NO, BUT I MEAN, IF SHE WAS
FRENCH...

COULD BE HER, I SUPPOSE.

ALL RIGHT, I GIVE UP. COULD BE
WHO?

THAT MARTINE WOMAN.

MARTINE?

YES. YOU KNOW, THAT FRENCH FARM
GIRL

WE HAD ALL THE TROUBLE ABOUT?

THE ONE EDMUND WAS SO
INFATUATED WITH

BEFORE HE WAS KILLED?

BUT THAT WAS AGES AGO.

YES, I KNOW.

STILL, I SUPPOSE
IT IS POSSIBLE.

BUT WHY SHOULD SHE TURN UP DEAD

IN OUR STABLE 16 YEARS LATER?

OH, IT'S PREPOSTEROUS.

WELL, IT ISN'T MY IDEA.

WELL, WHOSE IDEA IS IT, THEN?

WELL...EMMA'S.

EMMA?

EMMA'S?

THAT'S ODD.

[WHISPERING] Paul!

DARLING...

NO, PAUL, PLEASE.

HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING ON
LIKE THIS, EMMA?

WE'VE GOT TO TELL THE OLD MAN,

WHETHER HE LIKES IT OR NOT.

NOT YET. PLEASE, NOT YET.

WHY? WHY?

PAUL, I...

I THINK SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY

MAY BE A MURDERER.

EMMA.

I'VE HAD A LETTER.

I CAN'T KEEP IT TO MYSELF ANY
LONGER.

I WANT YOU TO READ IT.

I'M AFRAID MY FRENCH ISN'T UP
TO THIS, EMMA.

OH.

"DEAR MISS ACKENTHORPE,

"YOU WILL BE SURPRISED TO HEAR

"AFTER SO MANY YEARS

"THAT YOU HAVE A SISTER-IN-LAW.

"I MARRIED YOUR BROTHER EDMUND

"2 DAYS BEFORE HE WAS KILLED IN
ACTION.

"I DECIDED IT WAS BEST TO
FORGET THE MARRIAGE,

"BUT NOW I AM PLANNING A VISIT
TO ENGLAND,

"AND I FIND I DO WISH TO MEET
YOU ALL.

"I WRITE TO YOU INSTEAD OF YOUR
FATHER

"BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND HE IS A
SICK MAN,

"AND MY EXISTENCE MAY COME AS A
SHOCK TO HIM,

"AS IT MUST BE TO YOU ALL.

"SINCERELY YOURS,

MARTINE ACKENTHORPE."

BUT I THOUGHT EDMUND WAS KILLED

BEFORE THEY HAD A CHANCE TO
MARRY.

THAT'S WHAT WE ALL THOUGHT.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND, EMMA?

OH, DON'T YOU SEE?

THE STRANGLED WOMAN--

IT MUST HAVE BEEN MARTINE.

LISTEN, IF SHE COULD HAVE
PROVED

SHE WAS REALLY EDMUND'S WIDOW,

SHE'D HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO A
SHARE

IN THE WILL.

OH, I SEE.

PAUL, WHAT SHALL I DO?

HAVE YOU TOLD THE OTHERS?

NO.

I DID SUGGEST TO ALBERT

THAT IF THE WOMAN WAS FRENCH,

SHE MIGHT BE MARTINE.

WHAT DID HE SAY?

HE SAID IT WAS FANTASTIC,

BUT I THINK HE WAS WORRIED.

YOU'LL HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE.

THEY'RE BOUND TO THINK

ONE OF THE FAMILY DID THIS.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK YOU MUST TELL THEM.

I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

YOU'D BETTER GO.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

OH, THERE YOU ARE.

THE TRAIN WAS LATE, MISS
MARPLE.

OH, GOOD EVENING, INSPECTOR.

I SUPPOSE YOU KNEW

ABOUT THIS COMPACT BUSINESS,
TOO.

WELL, I--

BEFORE I DID, NO DOUBT.

WELL, YOU SEE--

I THOUGHT IT BEST TO BRING THE
INSPECTOR

IN ON THIS AFTER ALL.

OH, YES. VERY WISE.

VERY WISE.

I'M GLAD YOU THINK SO.

WITHHOLDING INFORMATION FROM
THE POLICE IS

A VERY SERIOUS MATTER.

OH, I KNOW, INSPECTOR,

AND I'M MOST AWFULLY SORRY.

WILL YOU TAKE TEA?

THANK YOU, NO.

DON'T YOU REALIZE WHAT THIS
MEANS,

THE COMPACT HAVING BEEN STOLEN
FROM YOUR ROOM?

COFFEE, PERHAPS?

IT MEANS THAT THE THIEF AND THE
MURDERER

ARE ALMOST CERTAINLY ONE AND
THE SAME

AND THAT HE OR SHEIS IN THAT
HOUSE

AND THAT YOUR LIFE MAY BE IN
GREAT DANGER.

OH, I SAY!

DO YOU REALLY THINK SO?

I MUST ASK YOU TO GIVE THE
WHOLE THING UP IMMEDIATELY--

TONIGHT.

YES, OF COURSE.

INDEED YOU MUST, MISS MARPLE.

VERY WELL, THEN.

I'LL GIVE IN MY NOTICE
TOMORROW.

GOOD.

THAT'S SETTLED, THEN.

IT HAS TO BE A MONTH'S NOTICE,

YOU KNOW.

WILL YOU HAVE A SMALL BEER,

INSPECTOR?

MISS MARPLE, I...

OH, WHAT'S THE USE?

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

WELL, NOW,

HOW DID YOU GET ON AT THE
PROBATE REGISTRY?

WELL, REALLY, MISS MARPLE, I
THINK

IN VIEW OF WHAT THE INSPECTOR
SAID--

DID YOU SEE THE WILL?

YES.

AND WHAT DID IT SAY?

WELL, OLD MR. ACKENTHORPE'S
FATHER

OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T GET ON VERY
WELL WITH HIM.

I'M NOT SURPRISED AT THAT. GO
ON.

YOU SEE, THE HOUSE AND THE
INCOME

FROM THE FAMILY FORTUNE ARE
HIS,

BUT HE CAN'T TOUCH THE FORTUNE
ITSELF.

THAT'S THE FIRST POINT.

YES?

THE SECOND POINT IS THAT THE
FORTUNE GOES

TO HIS CHILDREN ON HIS DEATH.

THAT IS, TO EMMA, CEDRIC,
HAROLD,

AND ALBERT. YES.

TWO OF THE OTHERS NAMED IN THE
WILL--

EDITH AND EDMUND--

ARE ALREADY DEAD, OF COURSE.

HMM. THAT MUCH MORE FOR THE
REST, EH?

WELL, YOUNG ALEXANDER, EDITH'S
SON,

GETS HER SHARE.

OH, WHAT ABOUT THE BOY'S
FATHER--EASTLEY?

NEXT OF KIN ONLY COME IN FOR A
SHARE

IF THERE'S NO ISSUE OF A
MARRIAGE.

SO EASTLEY'S ONLY INTEREST IS
HOW MUCH

YOUNG ALEXANDER GETS.

DR. QUIMPER TO SEE YOU, SIR.

OH, YES. SEND HIM IN.

YOUR CALL TO THE PROBATE
REGISTRY

HAS BEEN VERY USEFUL.

THANKS.

MORNING, INSPECTOR.

OH, MORNING, DOCTOR. SIT DOWN.

THANK YOU.

HAVE YOU FOUND OUT WHO THE
WOMAN IS YET?

THE FRENCH POLICE
HAVEN'T COME UP

WITH ANYTHING SO FAR, SIR.

OH, YOU ARE WORKING ON THE
ASSUMPTION

THAT SHE'S FRENCH, THEN?

THE CLOTHES AND MAKEUP DID TURN
OUT

TO BE MADE IN PARIS, YES.

IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO SEE
ME ABOUT?

NO, SIR.

I UNDERSTAND LAST CHRISTMAS,

OLD MR. ACKENTHORPE HAD A
STOMACH UPSET.

YES. HE'S INCLINED TO
OVERINDULGE

WHEN THERE'S TOO MUCH RICH FOOD
ABOUT.

BUT HE SAID YOU'D ASKED HIM A
LOT OF QUESTIONS,

AS THOUGH YOU SUSPECTED ARSENIC
POISONING.

ALL RIGHT. FOR THE MOMENT,

I DID SUSPECT SOMETHING

WAS A BIT ODD.

DIDN'T YOU RUN A FOOD TEST?

NO. WHY NOT?

WELL, THERE WAS NOTHING
POSITIVE--

NO HISTORY OF CHRONIC GASTRIC
TROUBLES

SUCH AS ONE WOULD EXPECT TO
FIND

IN THE CLASSIC METHOD OF
ARSENIC POISONING.

YOU MEAN, SMALL DOSES
ADMINISTERED REGULARLY?

EXACTLY.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

EXCUSE ME.

YES?

Man:
MISS ACKENTHORPE FOR YOU, SIR.

OH, PUT HER ON.

MISS ACKENTHORPE.

EMMA?

YES.

Emma: HELLO?

HELLO. MORNING.

I'VE HAD A LETTER.

I SEE.

WELL, WOULD YOU READ THE LETTER
TO ME?

[EMMA SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO SEND ROUND FOR THAT
LETTER

IF YOU DON'T MIND, MISS
ACKENTHORPE.

YES, WE'LL CHECK WITH THE
FRENCH POLICE.

THANK YOU. GOOD-BYE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WAS
ABOUT, DOCTOR?

YES, I... I THINK I DO.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?

I'M IN LOVE WITH EMMA,
INSPECTOR.

I WANT TO MARRY HER.

AND I TOLD HER I THOUGHT

SHE OUGHT TO TELL YOU ABOUT
THIS.

BUT YOU DIDN'T INSIST?

NO. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME--TO
US--

THAT SHE MADE UP HER OWN MIND.

I UNDERSTAND, DOCTOR.

WELL, THANK YOU. IS THAT ALL?

DOCTOR, DO YOU THINK THE DEAD
WOMAN IS

MARTINE ACKENTHORPE?

WELL, WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?

DO YOU THINK SHE WAS KILLED BY
A MEMBER

OF THE FAMILY?

I'D RATHER NOT ANSWER THAT,

INSPECTOR.

ALL RIGHT, DOCTOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[DOOR OPENS]

WELL, SIR?

I'M WORRIED, BACON.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR?

NO, NO, NOT HIM.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MISS MARPLE.

[THUNDER]

[THUNDER]

[MAN WHISTLINGFRERE JACQUES]

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING,

MISS MARPLE?

NO! I...

ARE YOU-- ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

YES, PERFECTLY. THANK YOU, MR.
EASTLEY.

WHAT IS IT YOU WANT?

WELL, I JUST THOUGHT

I'D TAKE UP THE OLD BOY'S
NIGHTCAP

AND SAVE YOU THE TROUBLE.

THAT'S KIND OF YOU.
IT ISREADY.

[THUNDER]

HMM. THE STORM, I EXPECT.

THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS
RATHER SHAKY,

LIKE THE REST OF THE PLACE.

YOU'RE A LITTLE SHAKY, TOO,
AREN'T YOU?

OH, NO, NOT AT ALL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

[THUNDER]

[CREAK]

[FOOTSTEPS]

OH, MY GOODNESS! WHAT ARE YOU
DOING?

LOOKING FOR LIGHT.

YOU OUGHT TO BE ASLEEP.

I HAPPEN TO BE READING.

OH.

MAY I ASK WHAT YOU'RE DOING?

TRYING TO PROVIDE LIGHT.

OH, I SEE.

WELL, YOU WON'T FIND IT THERE,
YOU KNOW.

INDEED.

IT'S A POWER FAILURE. OFTEN
HAPPENS.

MAY I BORROW THIS?

ALEXANDER, COME BACK!

GOOD NIGHT, JANE.

WHO'S THAT? WHO IS IT?

OH, MR. CEDRIC, IT'S A POWER
FAILURE.

OFTEN HAPPENS.

I'LL HAVE TO FIND SOME CANDLES,

IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME.

JUST A MINUTE.

MY SISTER SAID YOU STARTED WORK
HERE

ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO. YES?

YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A DOMESTIC
TO ME.

I HAVE TO EARN MY LIVING, MR.
ACKENTHORPE,

LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT THE DAY AFTER YOU ARRIVED,

THE BODY WAS DISCOVERED.

YOU FOUND IT, DIDN'T YOU?

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT?

BECAUSE IT FITS, AND SO NEATLY.

YOU TELEPHONED THE POLICE,

DIDN'T YOU?

I ASSURE YOU, I AM NOT THE
PERSON

WHO TELEPHONED THE POLICE.

YOU ARE NOT? NO.

WHO ARE YOU,

AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I HAVE ALREADY TOLD YOU.

WELL, I'M GOING TO WATCH YOU

VERY CLOSELY, MISS MARPLE...

JANE.

OH, HILLMAN,

I WANT TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU.

AHH.

[CLOCK TICKING]

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[EMMA SHOUTS]

HELP!

WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHAT IS IT?

ALBERT. SEE TO ALBERT.

OHH...

ALEXANDER, CALL THE DOCTOR.

QUICKLY!

THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO
FOR HIM,

I'M AFRAID, INSPECTOR.

HOW ARE THE OTHERS NOW?

WELL, EMMA, CEDRIC, HAROLD, AND
EASTLEY

HAVE HAD ONLY COMPARATIVELY

MINOR EFFECTS,

AND THE OLD MAN WILL BE ALL
RIGHT.

HE'S A TOUGH OLD BIRD.

THEY'LL BE RECOVERED BY
MORNING.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THE CAUSE?

NO. THEY WERE ALL POISONED.

WELL, THANK YOU, DOCTOR.

Harold: QUIMPER! QUIMPER!

HAROLD. I MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED
HIM

TO BELLOW THE HARDEST.

THIS IS THE LAST. CHICKEN
STOCK.

THANK YOU.

FINISHED, SERGEANT?

JUST ABOUT, SIR.

SEE THAT STUFF GETS DOWN TO THE
LAB

RIGHT AWAY. WE'RE PRETTY WELL

ALL THROUGH FOR TONIGHT.

WELL, MISS MARPLE?

MUSHROOM SOUP, CURRIED DUCK,

RICE, AND APPLE PIE.

AH. THANK YOU.

MUSHROOM SOUP OUT OF A CAN, I
SUPPOSE.

CERTAINLY NOT.

HALF A POUND OF MUSHROOMS,

CHICKEN STOCK, MILK, FLOUR,

BUTTER, LEMON JUICE,

TOUCH OF HERBS.

HMM. MUSHROOMS.

I HAD SOME OF THE SOUP MYSELF.

SUPERB.

OH, I'M SURE.

THE PIE.

I'M AFRAID I NEVER CAN RESIST

MY OWN PIE, INSPECTOR.

ANYBODY ELSE'S, OF COURSE...

THE CURRY?

EXACTLY.

GOOD, OF COURSE,
BUT RICE, YOU SEE--

FATTENING.

AND AS I WAS HAVING THE PIE...

WHERE DID THE DUCK COME FROM?

OH, THOSE.

MR. HAROLD SHOT THEM.

HE SEEMS TO BE RATHER FOND

OF KILLING THINGS.

THE BOY, ALEXANDER--

HE DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE HAD ANY
CURRY, EITHER.

NO. THOUGHT IT WOULD APPEAL TO
HIM.

CURIOUS CHILD.

WELL, DID ANYONE COME

INTO THE KITCHEN

WHILE THE COOKING WAS GOING ON?

NOT WHILE I WAS THERE.

I DO HAVE OTHER DUTIES,

YOU KNOW.

ANYONE COULD HAVE COME IN,
THEN.

6 PEOPLE ARE POISONED...

ONLY ONE DIES.

I'M THINKING ABOUT THAT, TOO,

INSPECTOR.

[DOOR OPENS]

EXCUSE ME, SIR.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF
CONSTABLE.

HE'S WAITING UP TO HEAR YOUR
REPORT.

ALL RIGHT.

IN PERSON, SIR.

RIGHT, SERGEANT. GET THE CAR
AROUND.

I'LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE.

VERY GOOD.

I THINK THE 2 KILLINGS ARE
CONNECTED,

DON'T YOU?

YES, I DO.

AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND OUT

WHO HAS THAT COMPACT, MISS
MARPLE.

SO FAR, I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE

TO SEARCH ONE ROOM.

OH? WHOSE?

UNFORTUNATELY, ALBERT'S.

OH.

MISS MARPLE, I HAVE TO GO NOW--

OH, YES, I KNOW.

A POLICEMAN'S WORK IS NEVER
DONE.

[CHUCKLES]

NOR A WOMAN'S.

I WAS GOING TO SAY...
PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

AND IF YOU DO THINK OF
ANYTHING,

I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE ME INTO YOUR
CONFIDENCE THIS TIME.

[DOOR OPENS]

THE LAB BOYS TURNED IT UP

AS ARSENIC-- IN THE CURRY.

NOT A LOT.

JUST ENOUGH FOR STOMACHACHES

ALL THE WAY AROUND.

NOT ENOUGH TO KILL.

SO ALBERT MUST HAVE HAD AN
EXTRA DOSE.

YES, BUT WHY POISON THE OTHERS
AT ALL?

IF THE POISONER IS A MEMBER OF
THE FAMILY,

HE HAD TO BE ILL AS WELL.

WELL, SAY IT ISN'T, SIR.

I MEAN,

THAT GARDENER OF THEIRS,
HILLMAN--

THERE'S TALK IN THE LOCAL PUB

THAT HE'S IN FOR A NICE LITTLE

BEQUESTMENT, OLD ACKENTHORPE
GOES.

WELL, IT IS A POSSIBILITY, SIR.

FORGETTING THE DEAD WOMAN,
BACON.

THIS POISONING MAKES IT PRETTY
CERTAIN TO ME

THAT SHE WAS MARTINE
ACKENTHORPE.

OH? FRENCH POLICE COME UP

WITH SOMETHING, THEN?

ONLY THAT THERE'S NO RECORD OF
A MARRIAGE.

THE VILLAGE WHERE EDMUND
ACKENTHORPE

WAS STATIONED

WAS BLOWN TO BITS DURING THE
WAR.

ALL THE FILES IN THE TOWN HALL
DESTROYED.

WELL, THEN, SIR?

DON'T YOU SEE, BACON?

IT'S THE PATTERN OF THE
KILLINGS.

ONLY A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
WOULD WANT

TO GET RID OF HER, TOO.

YES. KILL OFF ALL YOUR
RELATIONS IN EASY STAGES,

EXCEPT THE OLD MAN.

WHEN HE DIES A NATURAL DEATH,

INHERIT THE ENTIRE FORTUNE AS
WELL AS THE PROPERTY.

ALBERT MUST HAVE GOT HIS SECOND
DOSE

AFTER DINNER,

POSSIBLY IN A DRINK.

I SHOULDN'T DRINK THAT.

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE IT'S LUNCHTIME.

OH. WHAT IS IT?

BEEF BROTH, BAKED CUSTARD.

BEEF BROTH? BUT I ORDERED
BEEFSTEAK!

THE DOCTOR SAID BEEF BROTH.

WELL, TO THE BLAZES WITH HIM!

I GIVE THE ORDERS IN THIS
HOUSE.

I'M SICK OF SLOPS. TAKE IT
AWAY.

CERTAINLY.

EGHH...

HILLMAN, ANOTHER BOTTLE.

SURELY YOU REALIZE

THAT IF THE WOMAN WAS MARTINE,

BY SHOWING THAT LETTER TO THE
POLICE,

YOU'VE POINTED THE FINGER AT
ONE OF US,

NOT ONLY FOR HER DEATH BUT
ALBERT'S, TOO.

EXACTLY. ONE OF US.

I MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED THAT FROM
YOU.

OH, COME NOW. YOU'RE THINKING
ALONG EXACTLY

THE SAME LINES AS I AM--

IF YOU DIDN'T DO IT, THAT IS.

YOU'RE PROBABLY THINKING IT WAS
ME.

OH, STOP IT. STOP IT!

OR EVEN YOU, DEAR EMMA.

LOOK, I THINK WE'VE HAD

JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF THIS
NONSENSE.

I BET THE POLICE DON'T THINK
IT'S NONSENSE.

NOW, LISTEN, CEDRIC. SAY WHAT
YOU LIKE

ABOUT THE REST OF US,

BUT PLEASE LEAVE EMMA OUT OF
IT.

WELL, IT COULD BE ARGUED, YOU
KNOW,

THAT, UH, EMMA KEPT THAT LETTER
TO HERSELF

UNTIL SHE COULD USE IT TO HER
OWN ADVANTAGE.

WHAT?

I THINK YOU'D BETTER EXPLAIN
THAT.

WELL, LET'S FACE IT.

THE MOMENT MARTINE'S BODY WAS
DISCOVERED,

EVERYONE IN THIS FAMILY WAS
UNDER SUSPICION,

INCLUDING YOU, EMMA,

AND THE MOMENT YOU PRODUCED

THAT LETTER VOLUNTARILY,

EVERYONE WAS UNDER SUSPICION
EXCLUDING YOU.

HMM. I HADN'T THOUGHT OF IT
LIKE THAT.

YOU MUST BE ROUND THE BEND.

THAT WOMAN WAS STRANGLED.

DO YOU THINK YOUR SISTER
CAPABLE

OF DOING A THING LIKE THAT?

OH, BUT EMMA'S AN ATTRACTIVE
WOMAN,

DON'T YOU THINK SO?

WELL?

WELL, AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
DOESN'T NEED

TO DO HER OWN DIRTY WORK, DOES
SHE?

COME ALONG, EMMA.

I THINK WE'D BETTER LEAVE THEM
TO IT.

NOW, NOW, EASTLEY.

EMMA HAS HER EYE ON THE GOOD
DOCTOR, YOU KNOW.

I'M AFRAID IT'S NOT GOING TO BE
SO EASY

FOR YOU TO MARRY INTO THE
FAMILY

FOR A SECOND TIME.

HO HO. THAT HIT HOME, DIDN'T
IT?

YES. AND I'M ABOUT READY

TO BREAK YOUR BLASTED NECK.

VERY POSSIBLY,

BUT TELL ME SOMETHING FIRST.

DO YOU DENY MEETING EMMA
SECRETLY ON THE GROUNDS

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BODY WAS
DISCOVERED?

WELL, I...

HILLMAN SAW YOU, YOU KNOW.

ALL RIGHT. WE DID MEET THAT
NIGHT, YES.

HE ASKED ME TO INTERCEDE

WITH FATHER. OH? WHAT FOR?

I WANTED TO BORROW MONEY, IF
YOU MUST KNOW.

TSK, TSK, TSK.

OH, MY GOODNESS!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

MAKING UP THE BED.

BUT YOU MADE IT UP THIS
MORNING.

YES, BUT THE PILLOWSLIPS NEED
CHANGING.

THEY LOOK PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT
TO ME.

BUT NOT TO ME.

OH, WHAT AM I DOING?

I DO WISH THAT WOMAN WOULD
HURRY UP.

THEY KNOW I DON'T LIKE BEING
HERE

AFTER DARK.

WHAT ARE YOU AFEARD OF? SOME
MAN WILL GET YOU?

YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY

HOW THINGS ALWAYS COME
TOGETHER.

MY SISTER'S ELDEST HAD MEASLES,

AND THEN HER ERNIE FELL

AND BROKE HIS ARM,

AND HER HUSBAND COME OUT ALL
OVER

WITH BOILS,

ALL IN THE SAME WEEK.

YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT, WOULD
YOU?

IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME THING
HERE.

FIRST THAT NASTY MURDER

AND THEN MR. ALBERT POISONED.

WHO'S GOING TO BE THE NEXT,

I'D LIKE TO KNOW?

THINGS ALWAYS GO IN THREES.

HERE YOU ARE, MRS. KIDDER.

I'M SORRY TO HAVE KEPT YOU,

BUT THE DOCTOR HAS BEEN WITH
MR. ACKENTHORPE.

HMM. LONG WAIT FOR VERY LITTLE.

[DOOR SHUTS]

THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

HMM. WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

[DOG BARKS]

[DOG BARKS]

AAH!

[MRS. KIDDER SCREAMS]

AAH!

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

Hillman: IT'S MR. HAROLD.

THE POINT IS, DID HE USE THIS
ON HIMSELF,

OR DID SOMEBODY ELSE PULL THE
TRIGGER?

WELL, IT'LL ADD UP IF IT WAS
SUICIDE.

HAROLD KILLED THE OTHER TWO,

GOT COLD FEET,

AND TOOK WHAT IS LAUGHINGLY
CALLED

THE EASY WAY OUT. HMM...

ALL OF THEM KNEW HE LIKED AN
HOUR

OR 2 SHOOTING BEFORE DINNER

WHENEVER HE WAS AT THE HALL.

BUT HE WAS SHOT FROM A RANGE

OF ABOUT 2 INCHES.

ALL RIGHT.

SOMEONE HE KNOWS COMES UP TO
HIM,

CASUALLY ASKS TO HAVE A LOOK AT
THE GUN,

AND, UH... [PULLS TRIGGER]

STILL COULD HAVE BEEN SUICIDE,
THOUGH.

IF I WERE THE MURDERER,

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'D WANT US
TO THINK.

ONE THING'S SURE.

WE CAN'T RISK ANY MORE
KILLINGS.

COME ON.

WHERE TO, SIR?

THE HALL.

I'M GOING TO FIND THAT COMPACT

IF I HAVE TO TURN THE WHOLE
PLACE

AND EVERYONE IN IT UPSIDE DOWN.

OH, EXCUSE ME, SIR.

THERE'S A LADY TO SEE YOU,
SIR--

A MISS MARPLE.

OH. COME IN.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MISS MARPLE.

YOU WERE GOING SOMEWHERE?

YES.

THEN I'LL COME TO THE POINT AT
ONCE.

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE PIECE, ISN'T
IT?

WHO HAD IT?

YOUNG ALEXANDER.

WHAT?

I SHOULD HAVE REALIZED, OF
COURSE.

THAT BOY'S INCORRIGIBLE.

PLAYING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT

LIKE THAT--TYPICAL.

SO WE'RE BACK WHERE WE STARTED.

OH, NO, INSPECTOR.

I THINK I KNOW WHO OUR MURDERER
IS.

THE DIFFICULTY'S GOING TO BE

GETTING HIM TO SHOW HIS HAND.

SIT DOWN, MISS MARPLE.

THANK YOU.

[DOG BARKING]

OH, HOLD THAT EXPRESSION, EMMA.

OH, PITY. YOU SPOILED IT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, DARLING?

THINGS NOT WORKING OUT FOR YOU?

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO MAKE
EVERYTHING YOU SAY

SOUND LIKE AN INSINUATION?

[CHUCKLES] HE WORKS AT IT.

FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, STOP
FUSSING, QUIMPER.

IF I WISH TO COME DOWN, I SHALL
DO SO.

I THINK THIS CHAIR, HILLMAN.

FATHER, DON'T YOU THINK--

NOW, DON'T YOU START!

SORRY, EMMA, BUT YOU KNOW

WHAT HE'S LIKE WHEN HIS MIND IS
MADE UP.

I'M NOT GOING TO STAY UP THERE
ALL ALONE.

MIGHT GET MURDERED IN ME BED.

AT LEAST THERE'S SOME SAFETY IN
NUMBERS.

I QUITE AGREE WITH YOU, FATHER.

THAT MAKES A NICE CHANGE.

I WANT A DRINK.

NO, NOT YOU-- QUIMPER.

THEN I MUST BE GOING.

DON'T SMOTHER ME WITH IT, MAN!

PUT IT ROUND ME KNEES.

THIS IS ALL VERY NICE AND COZY.

HOW ABOUT A RUBBER OF BRIDGE?

WELL, IT WAS JUST A THOUGHT.

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THERE, BOY?

OH, A CHARMING LITTLE THING.

FRENCH, SECOND EMPIRE.

PRETTY VALUABLE, I'D SAY.

Father: WHERE'D YOU GET IT?

IT BELONGS TO MISS MARPLE.

YOU'D BETTER GIVE IT BACK TO
HER,

HADN'T YOU?

I ONLY BORROWED IT.

I'LL DROP IT IN ON MY WAY TO
BED.

[FRERE JACQUES PLAYING]

[FOOTSTEPS]

COME IN, DOCTOR.

YOU'RE EXPECTING ME?

DIDN'T ALEXANDER TELL YOU?

TELL ME WHAT?

FORGETFUL BOY.

I HAVE A SORE THROAT, DOCTOR,

AND I ASKED HIM TO ASK YOU TO
BE KIND ENOUGH

TO HAVE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE YOU
LEFT.

I SEE.

I'M SORRY TO TROUBLE YOU.

I HAVEN'T HAD ONE OF THESE
THROATS IN YEARS.

WELL, YOU'VE BEEN LUCKY, MISS
MARPLE.

ANY HEADACHES?

NO. JUST THE SORE THROAT.

MM-HMM. WELL, WE'LL HAVE A
LOOK.

THIS IS RATHER ATTRACTIVE.

YES. ISN'T IT?

WHERE DID YOU GET IT?

I FOUND IT.

OH? WHERE?

IN THE STABLES HERE.

REALLY?

OPEN WIDE, PLEASE.

SAY "AHH."

AHH.

NO INFLAMMATION.

DON'T YOU THINK THAT WAS A
LITTLE DISHONEST?

KEEPING THE COMPACT, I MEAN.

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
DOCTOR, NO.

IS THERE ANY SWELLING?

I DON'T THINK SO.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING]

I'VE SEEN YOU LIKE THAT ONCE
BEFORE, DOCTOR--

YOUR HANDS AT A WOMAN'S THROAT.

IT WAS ON A TRAIN, AND YOU WERE
STRANGLING HER.

THAT'S QUITE AN ALLEGATION.

I HAVE A FEW MORE.

OH?

YOU COME FOR THE COMPACT

BECAUSE YOU HAD GIVEN IT TO
THAT WOMAN,

AND IT MIGHT BE TRACED BACK TO
YOU.

I THINK SHE WAS YOUR WIFE.

DO YOU?

YOU KILLED HER AFTER YOU HAD
WRITTEN

THAT LETTER TO EMMA,

SIGNING IT MARTINE ACKENTHORPE.

WHY SHOULD I DO THAT?

THE MURDER,

SO THAT YOU WOULD THEN BE FREE

TO MARRY EMMA.

THE LETTER,

SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD THINK THE
DEAD WOMAN

WAS MARTINE

AND LOOK AMONG THE FAMILY

FOR THE KILLER,

NEVER AT YOU.

[LOCKS DOOR]

HOW DID YOU ARRIVE

AT THIS FASCINATING HYPOTHESIS?

IT WAS I WHO FOUND HER BODY.

MARTINE WAS--OR IS, FOR ALL I
KNOW--

A NORMANDY PEASANT.

THE DEAD WOMAN HAD NEVER WORKED

ON A FARM IN HER LIFE.

I SAW HER HANDS.

GO ON.

CERTAINLY.

YOU THEN PROCEEDED TO AUGMENT
YOUR PROSPECTS

BY ELIMINATING ALBERT AND
HAROLD.

HOW, CONCEIVABLY?

YOU CONTRIVED TO INTRODUCE
ARSENIC

INTO MY CURRY--

WHICH I FIND UNFORGIVABLE,

BY THE WAY--

KNOWING THAT YOU WOULD BE
CALLED ON

TO DEAL WITH THE AFTEREFFECTS.

EASY, THEN, TO GIVE ALBERT HIS
FINAL DOSE

IN THE MEDICINE.

AND HAROLD?

YOU SHOT HIM AND MADE IT LOOK
LIKE SUICIDE.

INGENIOUS, I MUST ADMIT.

MORE THAN THAT.

NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE

TO SECURE YOUR DEAD WIFE'S
COMPACT,

A FAIR CASE.

YES.

A PITY YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO
PRESENT IT.

ONE MORE MURDER, DOCTOR, MIGHT
BE ONE TOO MANY.

THIS WON'T LOOK LIKE MURDER,
MISS MARPLE.

THE DEATH CERTIFICATE--

SIGNED BY ME, OF COURSE--

WILL REGISTER HEART FAILURE.

[GASPS]

YOU ALL RIGHT?

YES, THANK YOU.

YOU'RE UNDER ARREST, AND I MUST
WARN YOU--

THAT EVERYTHING I'VE SAID

HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN

AND WILL BE USED IN EVIDENCE.

YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT
EVERYTHING,

OF COURSE.

YOU'RE A VERY BRAVE WOMAN, MISS
MARPLE.

GOOD NIGHT.

OHH!

ABOUT TIME, TOO.

I WAS COMING UP TO SEE YOU, YOU
KNOW,

BEFORE LEAVING.

NO NEED TO LEAVE.

I HAVE MY OWN HOME, MR.
ACKENTHORPE.

SELL IT.

WHY ON EARTH SHOULD I?

WELL, TAKING ONE THING AND
ANOTHER...

I MEAN, UH... YOU'RE A FAIR
COOK,

AND, UH...

YOU SEEM TO HAVE YOUR WITS
ABOUT YOU,

AND, UH... WELL...

I'VE DECIDED TO MARRY YOU.

WELL?

WELL, I'M HONORED, OF COURSE.

OF COURSE YOU ARE, BUT COME TO
THE POINT.

I'M AFRAID THAT CANNOT BE.

WHY?

WELL, IF EVER I DO EMBARK ON
SUCH A VENTURE,

THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE.

NONSENSE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT.

WHO ON EARTH WOULD HAVE YOU?

APPARENTLY YOU, FOR ONE, MR.
ACKENTHORPE.

GOOD-BYE.

THE WOMAN MUST BE COMPLETELY
UNBALANCED.

OH, MISS MARPLE, I... I'M SO
GLAD--

HOW GOOD OF YOU TO COME.

LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND.

THANK YOU.

HA HA HA!