The Accursed (1957) - full transcript

Colonel Price!

Charles Price here.

'One moment, sir.
Incoming call from Berlin.'

- 'Go ahead, please.'
- Hello?

Theodore Dehmel here, colonel.

- I have news for you.
- Have you found Zimmerman?

Yes. Hiding over here in
a displaced persons camp.

Did he give you the name
of the man we want?

- Yes, sir.
- Who is it?

I'd rather not say it
over the telephone.

- Better if I came to England.
- 'As you wish.'



- When will the others be there?
- Sometime tomorrow the 25th.

I'll send them the usual
cablegrams to remind them.

Good. I'll be with
you tomorrow evening.

In a way, Theodore, I'm sorry
you've done such a good job.

I know what you mean, sir.

If you like I can
forget what I know.

I have a bad memory.

No, no, no, I'll
finish what I started.

See you tomorrow then, 11:30.

Oh, and thank you, Theodore.

Goodbye.

The end of a search stint.

You don't sound pleased, sir.

Doesn't please me to know
that I'll have to kill



one of my best friends
in the next 36 hours.

Of course not, sir.

You'd better send the cables.

The usual places, sir?

Yeah. Uh, Joseph's
playing at La Scala, Milan.

Have the others arrived?

You and your father
are the last.

Oh. We should have
caught an earlier plane.

Oh, don't fuss.

Sadness on a night like this?

Memories belong to the past.

Sure this music
is for the future?

Professor!

Vicki!

Hello, professor!
Good to see you.

- How are you?
- How are you?

Most of us live in Liepzburg
yet we must all wait

until we come to
England before meeting.

Stefan.

Stefan..

...after dinner I'd like to have
a talk with you in the study.

Are you in trouble, Charles?

Something very likely.

All of us are your
friends, Charles.

Good friends.

Let's go to dinner.

Ladies and gentlemen..

...Gerhart Kerrer.

Gerhart Kerrer.

As you know, during war,
Gerhart Kerrer

the leader of our underground
movement in Liepzburg

was executed by the Nazis.

I became your new leader.

Each year since
the war we have met

on the anniversary of his death.

For this brief meeting
between friends

'some of you have
traveled far...very far..'

What are you trying
to say, Charles?

The doctor is right.

I'm trying to say something and
I'm finding it very difficult.

Stefan Toller says that
memories belong to the past.

And that I couldn't agree more.

But tonight,
the memory of Gerhart Kerrer

'becomes very much
a part of the present.'

Gerhart Kerrer was executed

by the Nazis.

But he was betrayed
by someone in this room.

Have you..

Yes, Thomas?

Have you any proof, sir?

My man is arriving from Berlin.

He will bring
the name of the traitor.

I presume that the police
will be kept out of this.

It need concern only us.

- What time will he get here?
- 'Eleven thirty.'

He's catching the 8:10
plane from Berlin.

Who is it?

Who is it? Stefan?

Who is it?

Oh..

Theodore!

There's...there's
been a mistake.

One of us was too
quick for you, Charles.

There's nobody
but myself to blame.

I should've anticipated this.

Did he have time
to-to name one of us?

No. All he said was
"There's been a mistake."

Well, couldn't that mean

that-that Gerhart
wasn't betrayed?

That it was all a mistake?

That's why one of us stabbed him

because he was
bringing such good news.

- Will the knife help?
- I'm afraid not.

This happens to belong to me.

It's one of
a pair from the hall.

Apparently, our murderer
has the other knife.

Take care of this, Clinton.

When Theodore came
into this house tonight

the knife was
already in his back.

Tell me, doctor, how long
can a man live like that?

Well, it depends.

Any exertion would
hasten the death.

Walking, two or three
minutes, no more.

That places Theodore at
the front door when it happened.

I don't suppose anybody
has anything to say?

Just wondering.

When I came into
this room tonight

the lights were out
and everyone was gone.

Stefan...was anybody here when
you came out from the study?

Oh, Vicki, Joseph,
Friederich, everybody.

Who was the first to leave?

Me I suppose.

Vicki and I were next.
We went upstairs.

I took father to his room
and-and then I went to mine.

I must have been next.

I went into the dining
room...for a drink.

When I came back into this room,
Baum was by himself.

The doctor and I went upstairs
to our rooms...together.

That's quite correct, Charles.

Now, Thomas, you came back
from the dining room. What then?

Well, Baum spoke to me for
a while before going upstairs.

I finished my drink.

Alone.

And walked...in the garden.

There were drinks in here.

Why'd you go into
the dining room?

The siphon wasn't there.

Which one of you
switched off the lights?

Doctor, you went
upstairs with Friederich

but a short while ago
you came in from the garden.

I...I left Friederich
and came down

to see if the others were here.
The room was in darkness.

The front door was open,
I went to close it

and then I decided
to go for a stroll.

Why didn't you
switch on the lights?

It wasn't necessary.

You were lucky, doctor,
not to have met the murderer.

He must have just
switched off the lights

to cover the theft
of the knives.

But why both of them?

The murderer's
polite way of warning us

that he will kill again...
to safeguard himself.

Coming from you, Joseph,
that is a brilliant deduction.

Between the time when you
were all leaving this room

and Clinton
coming to fetch you..

...did any of you
see each other?

How convenient for the murderer.

What happens now?

Frankly, I don't know.

Well, I do.

One of us betrayed
Gerhart to the Nazis.

It's murder.

'The same person
killed the colonel's man.'

One of us is
a cold-blooded killer.

And I for one intend to see
the killer pay for the murders!

I-I think we all feel like that

but unless the guilty
one confesses I...

We shall all be here
till kingdom come.

I need hardly tell you..

...the need for urgency
in getting rid of our caller.

Will you please all relax.

Thomas, be careful.

Joseph, will you play something?

Clinton.

Is your master in?

- Who is it, Clinton?
- Two gentlemen, sir.

- Army officers.
- 'Show them in.'

Please don't let us disturb you.

Not at all.

This is Major Shane.

I'm Bobby.

Lt. Grant

I'm Price.
Charles Price.

Colonel Price? Stutton?

Sorry for the intrusion,
colonel. Ignition burnout.

We took the liberty of
leaving our car in your drive.

May we phone the camp from here?

Well, certainly.

That piece you are playing,
I didn't recognize it.

Oh, you wouldn't.
It's my own.

Has it a name?

- It's called Prelude...
- It's a prelude without a name.

'We're through, sir.'

Sgt. Davis, Major Shane.

Our car has broken down.

Ignition.

It's in Colonel Price's drive

two miles east
of the London Wells Road.

You do know it?
Well, good.

When?

That's too long.
I'll expect you in two hours.

What's the news, sir?

All transportations
out in the ranges.

May be a few hours
before they can get here.

It's bad luck.

When you finish your
drink, lieutenant

we'll go.

Yes, sir.

Charles..

...the major and the lieutenant
have two hours to wait.

Oh, how rude of me.

I'd completely
forgotten. Clinton.

You're gonna stay here
till your car comes.

- It's very kind of you, sir.
- It's a pleasure.

Major Shane, Lt. Grant

Vicki Toller,
her father Stefan Toller

Dr. Neumann, Alfred Baum,
Friederich Suderman

Thomas Rilke and Joseph Brezina.

- Will you have a whiskey?
- Thank you.

- Are you all Germans?
- I'm Swiss.

Joseph is Polish.

Of course.

Last summer in Lisbon
I saw you play.

I am honored.

Do you object to Germans, major?

Not particularly,
now that the war is over.

That does not
answer my question.

It should.
I dislike wars.

Why, lieutenant...
isn't that intelligence?

Yes.

We have a policeman amongst us.

May I ask what
an American intelligence man

is doing in these parts?

Camp screening's purely routine.

You disappoint us, major.

I'm sorry, Fraulein.

You must find life
unexciting after Liepzburg.

Life there is similar to that in
most English provincial towns.

I was thinking of the war years.

You've met my guests before?

No, only their names.

I was in Berlin during '42.
I liaised with Ehrlich.

Gerhart's outside contact.

He put me in the picture
about all of you.

It's a pity we never met, major.

When did you take
over from Gerhart?

September '43.

They, uh, they shot
him, didn't they?

I'm sorry.

We all loved him very dearly.

He was far more to us than
a leader. Gerhart was...

Gerhart! Gerhart!

Joseph! Joseph,
where are you going?

'Let him go, Charles.'

I will go to him.

I seem to have upset things.

You mustn't reproach
yourself, major.

Joseph, is a highly
accomplished young man

but like all great artists...
extremely excitable.

Joseph lacks self-control!

That is unkind.
Gerhart loved Joseph like a son.

The war office didn't
think that was funny

sending two consignments
to Russia for the price of one.

How is he?

He will be down presently.

If you would all
forget what happened..

The young man's lucky
to have a good friend.

- A pretty compliment, major.
- You're going out?

I thought some
fresh air before going to bed.

If the major will excuse me.

Of course.

Don't stay out too long.

You like my daughter, major?

She's a very unusual girl, sir.

She's a lived a lifetime

yet she's just
beginning to live.

Paradoxical but true.

Is it private?

No, the professor
has just finished.

Stefan, I'd like to have
a word with you in the study.

You mind, Shane?

Please go ahead.

Can I help you, sir?

No. No, thank you, Clinton.

Just looking.

Where's the the colonel..

...and the professor?

In the study.

You alright?

Oh, it was nothing.

Excuse me.

I hate to prompt you, Charles,
if the major and the lieutenant

had left without
some gesture from you.

Yes, it would've looked bad
not asking them to stay.

Anyway, they will be
leaving in one hour.

We still have to watch Joseph,
he's ready to crack.

There's a greater danger
than Joseph.

- Shane, of course.
- Precisely.

Vicki has sensed it,
so have I.

But what are they here for?

I don't like it.

The War Office and the
American authorities dropped

the Gerhart investigation
years ago.

And no one outside this house
knows about tonight's murder.

If I'm wrong,
they will be leaving soon

until then, let us be careful.

Where did Vicki go?

For a walk.

Already, my dear major

Liepzburg has
rebuilt its university

and most of it's churches.

Did you manage to save
the murals of Ramsay II?

No.

They and the frescoes
of Minos were destroyed

when the museum was...bombed.

War is a juggernaut,
destroys all and everybody.

Even it's master.

Oh, please continue, gentlemen.

Your father thinks that war

is a Frankenstein that finally
destroys it's own master.

And what do you think, major?

Unfortunately, war
is a necessary evil.

- 'An interesting hypothesis.'
- It's more than that.

If I knew what you were talking
about I might agree or disagree.

If a thing is necessary,
we accept it.

If something is evil,
we reject it.

How can evil be necessary
if we reject it?

It's the same with a murderer.

Killing is an outlet
for his emotions.

What about
a premeditated murder?

Committed by the
cold-blooded killer?

A fallacy, Joseph.
Emotions govern all killing.

Whether the motive be
revenge or fear.

I arrested a man
who killed his best friend

for destroying his faith.

Colonel Price's house.

Would you just
hold on a moment, please?

For the major, sir.

Thank you, Clinton.

Shane speaking.

Yes.

Well, if you can't do any better
than that, it'll have to be.

No transportation
will be released

from the ranges until morning.

We'll be putting out,
Lieutenant Grant and I'll use

the chairs down here until then.

Major, I think
we can do better than that.

Thomas, mind moving into the
small room at the hall's end?

- Not at all.
- That's settled then.

Clinton, could you show
the major and lieutenant

to Mr. Thomas' room?

You'll find pajamas in my room.

I will go up
and clear my things out.

'I will take that, Clinton.'

Oh, thank you, miss.

You have a grease spot
on your nose, Fraulein Toller.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight all.
- 'Goodnight, major.'

You should have let him go.

Be reasonable, what excuse
could Charles have offered?

There's nothing to be
gained by arguing.

They are here,
whether we like it or not.

I for one, do not like it.

I wanna get this mess
over and done with.

Will you please
keep your voices low?

What are they really doing here?

Why must we assume that they are
here for any particular purpose?

Yes. They're story
could be true.

Don't tell me you
believe that nonsense

about lack of transport.

Well, I don't see why not.

Because, doctor, army majors
are not usually left stranded

in the middle of nowhere
through lack of transport.

'You're mistaken, Joseph.'

In England, there's not
the same respect

for colonels and majors
as there is in the German army.

For all we know, their car
may be perfectly alright.

Did your walk take you
to the majors car, Vicki?

You know I did, father,
and so does the major.

How about the car?

Strangely enough, the ignition
was completely burned out.

I suppose I could be wrong...

You are not wrong, father,
and we all know it.

I'm afraid that, uh, it looks
like checkmate, Charles.

I agree.

We can do nothing
about our own problem

till we know why
Shane came to this house.

One of you must be
laughing at us!

It's only a respite for
the murder, nothing more.

Now, I want you all to go to bed
and stay there until morning.

If any attempts to leave

'I shall take it
as an admission of guilt.'

And I shall shoot to kill.

Now, is that quite clear.

Whatever you have
in mind, be careful, Charles.

Did you find what
you were searching for, major?

I underestimated
your vigilance, colonel.

It has been rather a long time.

I think I'll go upstairs, sir.

I'd like it better
if you stayed.

Coffee please, Clinton.

You haven't answered
my question, major.

I'm waiting to hear if you found
what you were searching for.

If I knew what I was searching
for I'd be able to answer.

Still fencing, major.

I'd have been perfectly
justified in shooting you both.

After inviting us to stay?

You're relying on the guests to
substantiate your statements..

...remember they're my guests
and also my friends.

Thank you for being honest.

I will need your word for it,
that you are officers.

- I assure you, that the major...
- Be quiet, Grant.

If I thought you
were masquerading

I should've had you arrested
hours ago by the constable.

Now, let's stop playing
a game, shall we?

'You've been sent
here for a job'

and I think I've every right
to know what it's all about.

I can't say I admire your
method of approach

but I'm prepared to overlook
that and still help you.

'But I want the truth.'

I think you deserve
at least that, sir.

But I also expect you to be
equally as honest with me.

I'm listening.

Do you know Theodore Dehmel?

Never heard of him.

Yesterday Theodore Dehmel

visited a German
in a displaced persons camp.

In the American zone
and the Russian border.

Reason for his visit's
unknown to us.

All we do know is that,
after Dehmel left

the man he came
to see committed suicide.

We were unable
to save the German

but before he died, he confessed
that he was a Hans Zimmerman

one of Nazi.

He also mentioned
a name that you know.

Name you know
very well, colonel.

'Gerhart.'

Records show that Gerhart
was betrayed to the Nazis

by member of the
underground movement.

- This you know.
- Yes.

An investigation was carried out
after the war

to find his betrayer, and as
you know this came to nothing.

I still can't quite understand
why you've come here.

'Isn't it rather obvious?'

Dying Nazi gives us
the name Gerhart.

Gerhart is dead,
but we do know his friend.

Colonel Price.

Oh, I see.

You think I'll be able to tell
you something about Theodore..

...or is it Zimmerman
that you're interested in?

We checked up on Zimmerman.

He was in charge of records
and codes at Nazi headquarters

at Stutton during the war.

After Dehmel found him
in the displaced persons camp..

...he knew the game was up
and hung himself.

So, you're really
after Theodore Dehmel?

Wanna find out the reason
for his visit to Zimmerman.

Don't wait up, Clinton.

Goodnight, sir.

Now, where were we?

We were interested in
Theodore Dehmel.

And I should like
to help you but..

I understand, colonel.

Is there anything else?

One small point, sir, and you
study on a leather couch.

I found traces of fresh blood.

You don't miss a thing, major.

Today was the first day
of the shoot.

I bagged a brace,
took him in the study.

Telephone rang,
I put them on the sofa.

I'm sorry I can't
accommodate you with a body.

Good coffee.

Clinton will be pleased.

We never did find out who
betrayed Gerhart to the Nazis.

It's a pity Zimmerman died,
he might've remembered.

It's possible.

The records show no evidence
of an official inquiry

amongst the underground
movement in Liepzburg.

The authorities
thought it injudicious

to warn the guilty person
by holding one.

'But the members were carefully
screened by intelligence.'

Purely routine.

Before the movement
was disbanded.

It is possible then

the betrayer is to found here
amongst your guests.

Possible, but hardly likely.

You must remember that although
the salvaged Nazi records

gave the code number of
Gerhart's underground betrayer

it doesn't necessarily follow
that it was his group member.

It could be any one of four
other underground movements

operating within
18 miles of Stutton.

True, but you must admit
that it's more than likely

to have been someone near home.

Someone who knew him well.
Like a member of his own group.

If you put it that way, yes.

Is there anything else?

No, I think that
will be all, sir. Thank you.

Help yourself
to some more coffee.

You know where your room is.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

If you don't mind
my saying so, sir

I think the colonel was lying.

You noticed that?

He's not a very good actor.

No, he's not a very good actor.

He's a worried man, Grant.

How does it go?

That's all I remember.

You have a retentive memory.

Strange such a wonderful piece
of music doesn't have a title.

And who exactly were you playing
for in the middle of the night?

Anybody.

I wanted to chat
with one of the guests.

My playing was the bait.

You turned out to be the mouse.

I'm glad I caught you.

Are you trying
to make love to me, major?

What's this all about, Vicki?

Colonel Price told us why you're
here. We'd like to help you...

I asked what's going on here.

And I have told you,
Major Shane, nothing.

- I'm sorry.
- Oh, do stop apologizing.

I'm so..

Major, may I ask you
why you are here?

Thought you said
Price had told you?

He told us about Theodore Dehmel
if that's what you mean

but what is your real reason?

At first Dehmel was
the only reason for my visit.

And now?

I think Theodore Dehmel
went to visit Zimmerman

to find out the name of the man
who betrayed Gerhart.

But why?

Can't you think?

You are talking in riddles.

Apart from the authorities
who would want such information?

Well, I can think
of eight people.

We have all buried the past.

That why y'all meet
each year to commemorate

your dead leaders memory?

Who told you?

Thomas.

Thomas talks too much.

Our reports say Gerhart
was a paragon among men.

But none of you seem interested
in finding his betrayer.

Not very subtle, major.

I think you know
how we all feel about him.

I think you all love him enough
to want to find his betrayer.

I also think that Dehmel's
working for one or all of you.

There's nothing more I can say.

Answer me one more question.

Earlier I told the others
a man had once killed

his best friend
for destroying his faith.

Thomas dropped his glass, why?

Whose door?

I don't know, sir.

Ah, you're just
in time for a drink.

Careful.

Sorry, it's neat.

There's no soda.

What were you doing
in the corridor just now?

- Was I?
- Lieutenant Grant saw you.

Then if he saw me,
I must've been.

What were you doing?

Doing? Nothing.

Soda water, that's it, I was on
my way downstairs for a siphon..

...when he passed me.

Who passed you?

Can't remember.
Too dark.

Thought it was the colonel.

That was why I
came back into the room.

He doesn't like me
drinking too much.

What is all the fuss about?

Someone tried to stick me
or Vicki with a knife.

What's happened?

Someone tried to kill
Ms. Toller or the major.

- She's not hurt, sir.
- Thank God.

Who was it, Shane?

It's too dark to see.

- I ought to go to her.
- There's no need, doctor.

I'll expect you
all downstairs in ten minutes.

I'll send your
daughter up to you, sir.

Friederich and Joseph
must be heavy sleepers.

Might ask the colonel to let
you have his revolver.

An idea we might need it.

Thomas is drunk.
I left him in his room.

I think this time
you all know why I'm here

so I'll get straight
to the point.

You can answer my questions

or Lt. Grant will telephone
for the police.

And somehow I don't think you
want them brought into this.

- Which is it to be, colonel?
- Go ahead, Major Shane.

Whose is it?

One of a pair
from the hall, sir.

One of you
is a potential murder.

- If not already a murderer.
- How do you mean?

Not more than 15 minutes ago

someone in this house was
frightened enough

'to attempt murder.'

'You said he may already
be a murderer.'

Gerhart was executed
by the Nazis.

That makes his betrayer
a murderer.

And implies that one
of us is guilty.

I'm afraid so, doctor.

Forgive me, major,
but I'm disappointed in you.

For a man to be frightened,
he must have something to fear.

If as you say Gerhart's betrayer
is amongst us

'what has he to fear?'

Zimmerman is dead.

And as for Theodore Dehmel

if he knows
the betrayer's identity..

'...why hasn't he
brought the police?'

Major Shane thinks that
Theodore Dehmel is working

for one or all of us.

Surely we would've gone to the
police if Dehmel had told us

the identity of the betrayer.

Possibly.

As it is, it appears
that Theodore Dehmel

has contacted neither
the police nor any of you.

I wonder why.

That's quite obvious.

Dehmel learned nothing
from Zimmerman.

Could be. On the other hand,
he may still turn up.

Or is it that he's
already been here?

You're not making sense, Shane

- Baum's already...
- I remember what Baum said.

If Dehmel had told you
the identity of the betrayer

he would have sent
for the police.

Exactly.

Why should we want to protect
Gerhart's betrayer?

Frankly, colonel,
I haven't the faintest idea.

Neither have we.

Major, we're all perfectly
willing to cooperate

but so far you've produced
absolutely nothing

to substantiate your statements.

Do I have to substantiate this?

Thomas dropped
his glass tonight. Why?

You could ask him.

Why did you keep your
study door locked?

You searched my study?

Alright, Grant.

What's that?

The sample of the blood
from your study couch.

Enough to stop a car.
Have this analyzed.

If it's what I think it is,
come back with the police.

Yes, sir.

- Damn you, Shane.
- Hold it, Grant.

- Who's he?
- Theodore Dehmel's.

- What happened?
- Theodore's working for me.

Tonight I was to have
known the identity

of Gerhart's betrayer.

Theodore arrived
with the information

but somebody had already
got to him.

He was knifed in the back
and died in his room.

The knife was one
from the hall.

I cleaned it and put it back.

What happened to the body?

It was in the study
when you arrived.

And later?

Clinton and I took it
to the woods.

Of all the crazy stunts.

What you hope to gain
by such a move?

We have to tell him
everything, Charles.

Very well.

I suppose you'll find it

difficult to understand
our behavior.

Without making too many excuses

'I suppose the war is to blame
to some extent.'

In those days, we were
our own judge and jury.

And executioner.

You must be insane, all of you.

If it is insanity to punish
a murderer, then we are insane.

We have courts
to administer punishment.

Morally Gerhart's betrayer
belongs to primitive court

of the underground.

Legally the murderer
belongs to the state.

Academically, you're both wrong.

At present, the murderer belongs
very much to himself

unless you find him.

How the devil did you hope
to get away with it?

- If you had no family...
- Stop this nonsense.

Thank yourselves
I arrived when I did.

- We have not asked for...
- Stop fighting me, Baum.

Now, about the rest of you?

I think we ought to tell
the major all we know.

That's sensible
of you, Mr. Suderman.

You always were weakest.

Go ahead, Shane,
it's your party.

Were there any papers
on Dehmel?

'Nothing to help.'

Which of your guests knew
he was coming?

All of them.

All account for their movements
during the time of murder?

There's no help
from that quarter.

They were all in and out
of their rooms

impossible to check.

'The only thing that might help
is something Dehmel said'

before he died.

He said,
"There's been a mistake."

A mistake about what?

Your guess is as good as mine.

What of the attempt
on you and Vicki?

'I still think the murderer
panicked because he thought

'we knew something.'

- And do you?
- Not yet.

But I intend to.

Before any of you
leave this room

I'm going to find out
all about you.

You can lie and you can cheat.

But I promise you,
I'll find out.

We'll start with you.

But, but I don't know
anything at all. I-I...

The others will tell me
about you.

You tell me about them.

Clever, major.

Did Mr. Baum ever quarrel
with Gerhart?

I hardly think it's within
my province to answer.

Tell him anything
he wants to know.

Well..

Yes, Alfred did sometimes
quarrel with Gerhart.

But then, so did all of us.

You must understand, major,
that it is impossible

for a group to share so much
over a number of years

'without a clash
of personalities.'

- Human nature...
- Thank you, sir.

What were the quarrel's
about mostly?

Differences of opinion.

About the organization.

Did you resent Gerhart's
position as leader?

Not his position.

Only some of his
impossible ideas.

Those so called impossible ideas
were always right, Baum.

- He was lucky.
- And you were jealous.

'You weren't exactly the best
of friends with him'

the day before he was shot.

My quarrel meant nothing.

It meant enough
for him to strike you.

That's enough!

What did you quarrel about?

Me, major.

Gerhart was old enough
to be my father.

Joseph misunderstood
his affections

and told him so.

Is that right?

I made a fool of myself.
Gerhart hit me.

After that, he was sorry.

That's all there is to it.

Were you and Vicki in love?

I have never been
in love with any man.

You can't suspect Vicki.

'She was with you
when the knife was thrown'

The knife missed her.

Only because you pulled
her away in time.

If your daughter had betrayed
Gerhart and killed Dehmel

you would protect her?

Naturally.

Knife thrown to Miss Vicki
while talking to me

would place you above suspicion,
right, professor?

Ingenious, major.
But quite untrue.

Aren't you forgetting
lack of motive?

Gerhart seems to have been
a man who generally got

what he went after.

Perhaps Joseph was right.

Gerhart's attention proved
too much for your daughter.

Vicki has killed
and would kill me

but she would not betray.

What was the relationship
between Gerhart and Friederich?

How can one man know
another's thoughts?

To find out, you'd have
to ask Friederich.

'Or Gerhart's.'

I'm asking you.

I'm well aware of that, major.

You'll have to ask one
of these others.

I don't want any part
of your...your game.

You and the others have been
playing hide and seek

with the dead body.

Covering up for each other

and filling this house
with your lies.

'You dare sneer at
my method of questioning?'

I'll give you two seconds
to answer my question

or I'll prefer charges against
you for destroying evidence

in a murder case.

- Can he do that?
- I'm afraid so.

Well, doctor.

Very well.

Our tolerance
of Friederich's inabilities

'was not shared by Gerhart.'

I did my best to..

Go on, doctor.

Friederich was responsible
to the Nazis

for the good behavior
of the people of Liepzburg.

There was some of us who thought

that as mayor, he might have
done more for the underground.

Please don't misunderstand,
major.

For all his faults, Friederich
was and is an honorable man.

He was not a pro Nazi.

Thank you, Stefan.

If you had betrayed Gerhart

it would have strengthened
your position with the Nazis.

I...I suppose so.

But I did not betray him.

During the occupation, colonel,
was Dr. Neumann hiding with you?

The Nazis were short of doctors.

They allowed him to practice.

Were any of his patients Nazis?

A were few high
ranking officers.

They were sometimes a useful
source of information

to the doctor.

- And to us.
- Smart work.

How did the doctor
get on with Gerhart?

Oh, they were good friends.

If you're thinking that
the doctor's a possible suspect

forget it.

Six months before Gerhart
was betrayed

the doctor operated on him
for a bullet in his back.

Doctor could have let him die.

You seem to have a clean bill
of health, doctor.

Thank you, major.

Perhaps, you had no reason
for letting Gerhart die

when you operated.

That's all.

You may go your rooms
till I want you.

- Have you forgotten Thomas?
- No, doctor.

It may seem hard to you

but I like to have
a man present

when other people
are talking about him.

Not very encouraging.

I'm afraid not.

Mix some drinks, Clinton.

I wonder what Theodore meant by
"There's been a mistake."

If we knew that, I think we'd
also know the killer.

How long as he been with you?

He was my sergeant
in the '14 war.

Of all your guests upstairs, sir

do you have any idea
who committed the murder?

That's rather a tall
order, young man.

You think a lot
of the colonel, don't you?

Colonel lost his arm
saving my life, sir.

Thank you, sir.

'Thank you, Clinton.'

Your assistance wants to know
who the killer is.

How about it, Shane?

You formed any opinion?

Opinions? Yes.
Suspicions..

And if you fail to nail
the chap, what then?

American army regulations
is pretty much the same

as your own.

There'll be officials sent
here from Washington

for not calling in
the local police.

You still have Thomas though.

He won't be able to help him.

Anyways, he's a strange boy.

There's something you
ought to know about him.

Before he joined us,
Thomas was a Nazi.

Don't worry, we checked
and double checked

before we allowed him
in the underground.

He was a member of
the Hitler Youth Movement.

He's no worse, no better
than the rest of them.

It's you.

I thought you'd be coming
to see me sooner or later.

What's that you've
got in your hand?

That's a cushion.

You must be crazy.

You'll never get away with it.

If you come any nearer..

...I will kill you.

Ah!

- Who is it, Clinton?
- It's Mr. Thomas, sir.

Just a minute, Clinton.

Alright, Grant.
Bring Thomas down here.

The killer worked quietly.

None of the others seemed
to have been disturbed.

Lieutenant Grant
could have run into him.

Yes, he could have.

Shall I speak to
any of the others?

No. Not yet.

If only he could tell us
what he knows.

He may not have been aware
of his own knowledge.

Anyway whatever it was..

...the murderer
wasn't taking any chances.

You know, Shane,
I don't mind for myself

but honestly,
I'm scared for the others.

Notice his face,
not a mark on it.

That's what happens when a man's
been suffocated. Something...

At this moment,
I mean to sit in the living.

You want to call in the police?

No, I'm making no excuses
for tonight's business

or my own conduct.

If you hadn't come,
we should've gone on

with our original plan.

Thomas's death
alters everything.

It's getting out of hand.

You don't think
I can control it?

I don't mean that.
You're doing a good job.

But not good enough
to find the murderer.

Given time, I think you could
accomplish even that.

I'm thinking of the others.

It's 4:15 now,
give me until 7:00.

- And then what?
- You'll have your murderer.

Then you know who it is?

I know, but I have to prove it.

Meantime what happens
if our friend strikes again?

Somehow I don't think he will.

I'm sorry, Shane.
I can't take that chance.

Excuse me, sir and if
you'll pardon the expression.

The major has stuck
his neck out to help us

and I think it's only fair
we oughta help him now.

- Oh, you do, do you?
- Yes, sir.

Alright, Clinton.

- Till 7:00, Shane.
- Thank you, Clinton.

Anything I can do to help?

I'm leaving it to you
and Clinton to keep

the others upstairs and not let
them find out about Thomas.

Above all, don't let them
come down until sent for.

Ask Vicki to come downstairs
and bring a coat with her.

Thomas may yet tell us
what he knew.

Why did you send for me?

I want your help, Vicki.

You're a man of
many moves, major.

Not long ago you were trying
to place me under suspicion.

- And now..
- Now I need your help.

Is it true that..

...you've never been
in love with any man?

Don't you think you'd better
tell me why you sent for me?

Thomas has been murdered.

Our friend stuck a pillow
over his face.

Poor Thomas.

- Do the others know?
- No.

Vicki..

...I've promised to deliver
the murderer to Price by 7:00.

And you are not sure who it is.

- Bulls-eye.
- Then why?

The colonel wants
to call in the police.

I'm nearly there,
but I want more time.

You're an illogical fool, major.

I'm illogical, Vicki,
yes, but no fool.

You will have to convince me.

First, I don't think
it's the work of a pro-Nazi.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have
stopped at betraying Gerhart.

one or two
of your friends.

You don't ever look
the human element.

Supposing the poor Nazi after
having betrayed Gerhart was

was filled with remorse.

Wouldn't that account for him
not betraying the rest of us?

Is it likely that a man
who kills in cold blood

like our murderer, would suffer
from fits and remorse?

I was forgetting the murders.

The last time I asked you why
Thomas dropped his glass

murderer tried
to kill one of us.

To make doubly sure
I wouldn't find out

he silenced as Thomas.

So, the knife was
intended for you.

You know what I said?

A man killed his best friend
for destroying his faith.

You think Gerhart destroyed
the faith placed in you

and because of that,
one of us betrayed him?

- Yes, Vicki.
- But it doesn't make sense.

It is all out of proportion.

Look, a man can have his faith
destroyed in many ways.

A best friend can
steal his wife.

The leader can abuse
the trust placed in him.

Now, Gerhart might have
done one of these things

or something worse.

When I was
a little girl in Liepzburg..

...our milkman would let me
ride to school in his cart.

One day, the horse was stubborn

and the milkman kicked him.

That night, I cried
myself to sleep.

Never spoke
to the milkman again.

How do you propose to find
a man who has lost his faith?

Well, if the murderer thinks
I know as much as Thomas

might force his hand.

Murderer may not miss next time.

Vicki, if the murderer's
who I think it is

you're gonna be hurt
and deeply hurt.

What do you want me to do?

It isn't gonna be pleasant.

I want you to play
a nursemaid to a dead man.

The major has some
disturbing news for you.

What does the colonel
mean, major?

He means, doctor

that we're about to know
the identity of murderer.

I congratulate you, major.

'Thank you, Joseph.
But you're a little premature.'

Do I detect a shadow
of doubt, major?

There's no doubt, professor.

I already know the murderer.
And so does someone else.

I also know the motive.

Gerhart's killer destroyed
the faith place in him

'by his best friend.'

It's the most idiotic
suggestion I've heard.

It's not a very strong motive
for murder.

First I thought that
when Thomas told me.

But when the murderer
tried to suffocate him

not more than two hours ago,
motive began to make sense.

Before losing consciousness,
Thomas managed to ring for help.

Murderer heard someone coming
and had to make a quick exit.

He didn't make
a good job of Thomas.

Did you, Joseph?

No, major. I don't believe
you have a case.

You're trying to-to create
something out of nothing.

Don't take my word for it.

Why don't you ask Thomas?

Thomas. You're in front
of witness, Thomas.

Tell 'em what you told me.

Tell 'em how Joseph
crept into your room

'while you were lying
in your bed.'

'And tell 'em how he..'

Thomas!

This time, Thomas.

You'll not get away with it.

You swine, Shane.

- Put that down, Joseph.
- You stay out of this, colonel.

No tricks, doctor.

Over there.

I betrayed the Gerhart,
and killed two men.

They can only hang me once
if I killed you.

- That's right, Joseph.
- Joseph.

You don't know
what you're doing.

You and Shane make a fine pair.

When you reach Thomas,
tell him I hope he rots in hell.

Sorry about that, Joseph.

Hold it, men. Stay where
you are, all of you.

- Why don't you go after him?
- He's got a gun upstairs.

Joseph!
Be sensible and come down.

You're wasting your time, Shane.

Look out your bedroom windows!

Another one of your tricks,
Shane?

What are we waiting for?

There's been enough bloodshed.

He'll be down.

He's coming.

Leave him, Bobby.

Thank you, major.

- Get the transportation.
- Sir.

You mind if Clinton
gets me a drink?

You're a clever devil.

Just call it luck.

You're too modest, major.

Thomas knew you'd lost faith
in Gerhart.

I confided in him..

...the day before
I betrayed Gerhart.

Almost forgot about the incident

until you reminded him
last night

explaining about motives.

That's when he began
to suspect me.

The fool..

...was going to
blackmail me.

Gerhart destroyed your faith
in him. How?

Gerhart did everything for me.

I loved him.

We all loved him
for what he stood for.

He was our ideal.

Then I found out he'd been
in touch with Berlin.

He was going over to the Nazis.

I tried to reason with him,
but he said England was beaten.

They were fighting
a lost cause.

I called him a traitor.

And he struck me.

Baum saw him strike me.

I made the excuse we had been
quarrelling about Vicki.

Why didn't you tell
Col. Price the truth?

Would they have believed me?

Look at them now.

They still think I'm lying.

Go on.

I wanted to punish Gerhart

yet still keep his name alive.

As a symbol of right.

That's why I betrayed him

instead of shooting him myself.

How is it the Nazis shot him
if he was going over to them?

Berlin had notified a team about
Gerhart's change of heart.

When they did,
it was too late.

The local Nazis
had executed him.

Ironical, major, isn't it?

I killed Dehmel

because I thought he was
going to denounce me.

Instead Dehmel's evidence
would've established you

as a hero.

And got rid of Gerhart,
the traitor.

That's what he meant when he
said, "There's been a mistake."

Zimmerman must've told him.

Funny.

You know, major, I..

...I could so easily
have been a hero.