The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) - full transcript
A mystery writer named Leyden is intrigued by the tale of notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropolous, whose body was found washed up on the shore in Istanbul. He decides to follow the career of Dimitrios around Europe, to learn more about the man. Along the way, he is joined by mysterious Mr. Peters, who has his own motivation.
Dimitrios Makropoulos.
Case of Dimitrios Makropoulos is now
officially closed, that is all gentlemen.
- Colonel Haki, could you tell me...
- I'm sorry.
Gentlemen, there is nothing I
can add to what you've heard here.
I've known of this
Dimitrios Makropoulos for years.
And yet I've known so
little about him, so very little.
We'll probably never now who killed him
but whoever it was did us all a favor.
Good night.
- Good evening colonel Haki.
- Good evening.
Oh colonel Haki, how nice to see you.
Madame Chavez, this is such a
wonderful party, so many beautiful women.
- But none more beautiful than yourself.
- You flatterer, I got a surprise for you.
The Dutch writer Cornelius Leyden.
Cornelius Latimer Leyden here?
Wonderful, you invited him for me?
You expressed such a desire to meet him.
I must say I expected a different sort.
Oh, writers are writers.
Yes, but Mr. Leyden tells me
he was professor of economics...
at the university of
Amsterdam before he became a writer.
Looks like it.
Ah, there you are Mr. Leyden, I want
you to meet my good friend colonel Haki...
- who's an ardent reader of your books.
- How do you do?
Mr. Leyden, I long wanted to talk
to the writer whose work I so much admire.
Thank you very much.
Well, I'll leave
you gentlemen to discuss literature.
Too bore you perhaps, but long have I
admired Mr. Leyden and you understand madame.
- But of course, you'll excuse me please?
- Madame.
I read nothing but detective stories.
I get them sent from Paris.
All the best are translated into French.
- To you Mr. Leyden.
- Thank you.
I've just added your
Une Pelle Ensanglantee to my library.
Formidable, but I can not quite
understand the significance of the title.
- Well, bloody shovel.
- Exactly.
It is my ambition to write a
good detective story of my own.
I have often thought
I could do so if I'd only the time.
- Oh madame, such a pleasure.
- Colonel Haki.
I've got to play the fool
like this, it is expected of me.
- But don't think I like it, a cigarette?
- Yes, please.
Please follow me.
I should like very much
to talk to you but these women...
come, let us go to the veranda
where we will not be disturbed.
This is better.
Thank you.
You must excuse me if I am a little nervous.
All day I've been involved
in the affairs of a murderer.
Are you interested
in real murderers Mr. Leyden?
Me? Yes, why?
I find a murderer in a detective story much
more sympathetic than a real murderer.
Have you ever heard of Dimitrios Makropoulos?
I don't think so.
I've known of his existence for nearly
20 years, a dirty, cowardly type.
Murder, espionage, assassination.
Assez well, that argues
a certain courage, doesn't it?
My dear Leyden, Dimitrios would've
nothing to do with the actual shooting.
Their kind never risk their skins for
that, they stay on the fringe of the blood.
But to me the most important
thing to know about an assassination is...
not who fired the shot
but who paid for the bullet.
That's true.
As far as I know no
government ever caught Dimitrios.
And there is no photograph in his dossier.
But we knew him alright and so did
Athens, Sofia, Belgrade, Paris.
- He was a great traveler, this Dimitrios.
- Was?
- Sounds as if he were dead.
- Yes, he's dead.
His bloated body
was washed ashore this morning.
It is believed he had been
knifed and thrown in the Bosporus.
Then he died by violence, that's
very much like justice, isn't it?
There's the writer speaking, everything must
be tight, artistic, like a detective story.
The case of Dimitrios
has loose ends, dozens of them.
In just one hour his body will be disposed of
and the loose ends will still be loose ends.
You see? It is not artistic.
Now tell me Mr. Leyden, is
there anything in this story that...
could be of the
slightest interest to a writer?
Oh, yes, I've always liked police work.
Colonel Haki, I've a
rather strange request to make.
Anything.
I, I would very much like to see the
body of that Dimitrios, if it's possible.
- By all means, but...
- You know, I've never seen a dead man.
Not even in a mortuary.
Ugly devil, isn't he?
These eyes have seen
things I should like to see.
It is a pity that
the mouth can never speak about them.
For 20 years it was
my hope to get him, now...
not very prepossessing, is he Mr. Leyden?
It, it isn't quite what
a thought it would be.
- Would you like to see the wound?
- No...
- See?
- It's getting warm in here.
Well, do you still
want to hear more of Dimitrios?
- If you have the time.
- The evening is young.
Shall we go to my hotel?
It's a little better there.
Splendid.
Well, all we know of Dimitrios
is that he was born in 1889.
He was found abandoned, parents
unknown, a poor family adopted him.
A good deed they had cause to regret.
1889, do you have an exceptional memory?
That is my business, the first time we
heard of him was in Smyrna, in 1922.
The city was under martial law and I
was the head of the military police.
At that time Dimitrios worked as a fig
packer who already had a criminal record.
Abdul, Abdul Dhris.
- Dimitrios, are you in trouble?
- I must flee the country.
But I have no money and the ship masters
are asking 1,000 piasters for passage.
Well, I'm a poor man, you know.
But if you could wait till Saturday...
Oh, I can't. Abdul I know where
I can get the money, 1,000 piasters...
- 2,000 and 2,000 for you.
- What would I've to do?
Very little.
It's Dimitrios, Konrad, open up.
I got the plate Konrad.
- I told you to come alone.
- Abdul is my partner, he shares with me.
Let me see the plate
but it isn't gold, I'm not interested.
- It's gold, I'll show you in back.
- Come on, let me see it now.
They shoot looters,
I risked my life for this plate.
Come on.
- Now let me have the plate.
- First we'll see what's in your safe.
- Robber.
- Now I'll show you the plate.
- You said we wouldn't kill him.
- He'd tell the police, he's better dead.
I was willing to rob him but murder...
They hang us for robbery alone
you fool, there's martial law here now.
But you killed him
before you opened the safe.
His safe is full of worthless junk.
Oh, he was a clever one Konrad.
But not clever enough for Dimitrios.
Here it is, that's where I saw him hide it.
- His money?
- Naturally.
Ali, wine. Fill them up again for everybody.
Ali, bring the wine.
Ali, where...
We was only having a little drink.
Would you have a drink with us?
I do not drink.
You seem to have a lot of money.
Perhaps you could tell me where you got it.
Why, I, I...
Dimitrios? Dimitrios, wait, Dimitrios...
But I was only having a little drink.
I did not kill Konrad,
I tell you I did not kill him.
He stabbed himself? He robbed his own money?
1,200 piasters were found in your possession.
A fig packer, you affirm only to the winds.
I will give you one more chance.
Did you or did you not rob Konrad?
Rob him? Yes, yes, I robbed him.
But I did not kill him, it
was Dimitrios, Dimitrios who did it.
- And who is Dimitrios?
- He is a fig packer, a bad one.
- He is always in trouble.
- And he has fled the country, no doubt.
Yes, that's why he wanted the money.
I am a man who loves other men as brothers.
- I would not speak...
- Enough, hold your tongue imbecile.
You've admitted that
you robbed Konrad, that is sufficient.
Even if there was 6 Dimitrioses
you would still be guilty.
- Sentence is death, take him out.
- No, no, no.
Oh, no, no, no. I did not kill Konrad,
I tell you, I did not kill him.
It was Dimitrios, Dimitrios, Dimitrios.
That beggar was right.
But we had no definite proof till later.
What a despicable character but as
much as I hate to admit it, very brilliant.
Oh yes, I don't deny it.
I see it intrigues your fancy.
- You want to know more?
- Certainly I want to know more.
I learned he had fled to Athens, I issued
a warrant for his arrest but he escaped me.
Later I found out that
he sometimes used the name of Talat.
Talat? T - a - I - a - t?
But again too late, eh?
Yes, from Athens we traced him to Sofia
where in '23 a man named Dimitrios...
- was connected with the Stambulisky affair.
- No?
Then he turned up in
Belgrade, that was, let me see...
Oh yes, in 1926.
- This time stealing military secrets.
- Military secrets?
- Nothing was too big for him, eh?
- No.
And the last time I
heard of him was in Paris...
In connection with
an international smuggling gang.
- And when was that?
- Between 29 and 31, about that time.
The gang was eventually
broken up, Dimitrios had betrayed them.
That's logical, murder, treason and betrayal.
That's the finishing touch.
What an evil genius
that man was but fascinating.
- Wonderful character for a novel.
- You really think so?
There's so much I don't know. For instance,
what is it about a man like that?
Why is anybody trust him in the first place?
- Details, if I could only know more details.
- You'll need patience Mr. Leyden.
Yes, you see colonel Haki,
I'd love real characters for my stories.
And that man, well...
he obsesses me and I, I
admit it and I, I have to go on.
I don't know whether I should like you for
introducing me to that Mr. Dimitrios or...
whether I should hate you for it.
It's true, I come
to Istanbul for a little rest.
Well, tracing the life of Dimitrios...
I don't think that will be
a very peaceful occupation, do you?
No.
Where did you say he
went from Smyrna? Oh, Athens.
I want a ticket for Athens
please, tomorrow morning.
- One ticket.
- What is the earliest train?
- Seven o'clock.
- Thank you very much.
Yes sir.
Beg your pardon.
Is there a man named Konstantin
Gollos staying in this hotel?
No one by that name is registered sir.
Could you tell me if a Mr. Gollos is
been registered here any time during...
say, the last 30 days or
is he made any reservation?
Just a moment please.
I'm sorry sir.
I don't find any record of that name.
Thank you sir.
I beg your pardon but would it be
possible for me to view the...
remains of a man you
have here? He may be a relative.
The place is empty, clean.
Paper said a
man named Dimitrios Makropoulos...
Oh him, he's been disposed of an hour ago.
Disposed of...
Come, it's a question
of patience and organization.
Organization is the secret of modern
statecraft but patience is necessary.
- You say the surname was Makropoulos?
- That's right, Makropoulos.
- Dimitrios Makropoulos.
- That would be drawer number 13.
Why? Because M is
the 13th letter of the alphabet.
- This is organization.
- Very good.
Makropoulos, Makropoulos, Makropoulos...
Makropoulos, but no Dimitrios.
- Gone.
- Who is gone?
Didn't you see that stout gentleman? I've no
assistants in my work of organization here.
The whole burden falls on my
shoulders and people have no patience.,
I'm engaged for a moment, they cannot wait.
A man can only do his duty,
no more, no less. Patience...
But pardon me sir, could we
try under the name of Talat?
- Talat? That is a Turkish name.
- I know, but could you try?
Talat, T that is the 20th letter of the
alphabet, that will be drawer number-
Twenty, very clever.
- Talat, Dimitrios Talat.
- Yes?
- A fig packer?
- That's right.
Name, Dimitrios Talat. Born, Salonika 1889.
Occupation, fig packer. Identity card lost.
Said to have been issued at Smyrna,
Warrant for arrest on charge
of robbery and attempted murder.
That's Dimitrios alright.
Do you see? That is organization.
- Here you are my man.
- Thank you.
I must apologize
for intruding on your privacy.
Oh please, you're not intruding.
His berth was not occupied.
How good of you to say so.
How little kindness there is in the world
today, how little thought for others.
- May I ask how far you are going?
- I'm going to Sofia.
Oh, beautiful city, beautiful.
I am continuing to Bucharest.
I trust that we shall
have a pleasant journey together.
I hope so.
- Will you allow me to smoke please?
- Please, go right ahead.
You know, the moment the attendant told me
that there was a Hollander on the train...
- I knew that I should've a pleasant journey.
- Oh, that's very kind of you to say so.
I'm English by birth.
But actually I'm a citizen of the world.
To me, all languages are beautiful.
If only men would live as brothers without
hatred, seeing only the beautiful things.
But no, there are
always people who look on the black side.
Well, I think I'm going to sleep now.
Sleep, a great mercy vouchsafed poor humans.
- My name is Mr. Peters.
- How do you do?
If you'd forgive me, I think
we're getting to Sofia very early.
- Good night sir.
- Good night sir.
- We are coming into Sofia sir.
- Thank you, I'm all ready.
Please.
- Good morning sir.
- Good morning.
- I'm sorry, I tried not to awaken you.
- I was not really asleep.
I want to tell you that the best hotel to
stay in Sofia is the Slelyanska posada.
Oh really? Thank you,
that's very kind of you.
That's the trouble with this world, there's
not enough kindness, goodbye Mr. Leyden.
Happy journey sir.
How did he know my name? I didn't tell him.
I'm very happy to repay you for the kindness
you showed me in Amsterdam professor.
You are very clever people, you journalists.
I just talked to you this morning and...
already you have discovered the only person
here who knew Dimitrios, how did you do this?
It was very easy, the moment you
mentioned the fact that Dimitrios...
was one of the foreign agents
in the Stambulisky affair.
This is her establishment.
She's the proprietress.
She does not get up
until about 10 in the evening...
so we'll probably have to wait a
while before we can talk to her.
Oh, that's all right.
Wish to see me messieurs?
We should be honored if you
would sit at our table for a moment.
- Of course.
- Thank you, madame.
- Champagne.
- Yes madame.
I've not seen you before monsieur.
I've seen you but not here.
You're going to write about me
for the Paris newspapers?
So you'll stay and see
the rest of my entertainment?
We are trespassing on your
hospitality to ask for some information.
Information?
I know nothing of interest to anyone.
Your discretion is famous madame, this
however concerns a man, now dead and buried.
Whom you knew over 15 years ago.
You pay me the most
delicate compliments monsieur.
15 years? You can't expect me
to remember a man that long.
Me hardly dared to
hope that you'd remember...
but if a name means anything to you
it was Dimitrios, Dimitrios Makropoulos.
Get out. Both of you.
I don't like you in here.
- But madame...
- Get out.
Sit down, you think I want a scene in here?
If you will explain how we can leave
without standing up, I shall be grateful.
- Are you a policeman?
- Oh no, he's not with the police.
He's a writer of books, he seeks information.
Why?
He saw the dead body of Dimitrios
in Istanbul and he's curious about him.
He's dead, you sure he's dead?
You actually saw his body?
Was found in the Bosporus, he was stabbed.
Did he have any money on him?
Now I shall never get it back.
Wait, come with me.
- Madame?
- Bring it to my room.
Dimitrios, July the 15, 1923.
That's when the money became due to me.
He promised faithfully he'd pay me.
You're sure there was no money?
No, even his clothes were cheap and shabby.
And I would've sworn he'd become rich.
Dimitrios was not a man one forgets easily.
I've known many men
but I've been afraid of only one...
Dimitrios.
I will remember the first
time I ever saw him.
I'd just returned from a drive with a friend.
Until tomorrow then.
- Where to now monsieur Bostoff?
- Home.
- Hello.
- Hello.
You've kept me waiting long enough.
I want my money, I want it right away.
I haven't got it, I'll
have it for you in a day or two.
As I who have been a hotel keeper for 17
years should believe a story about a check?
It's coming, I don't know what's held it up.
- Tonight I'll send a telegram.
- With what?
I thought you'd lend me 10 leva.
I would as soon
throw the money into the street.
There things about this
hotel the police would like to know.
- The fire hazards, the broken stairs...
- You think you can intimidate me?
My place is open to the
police at all times, they are my friends..
You cheap crook, it's I who'll call the
police. I'll have you arrested for fraud.
120 leva by tomorrow morning
or the police will come, understand?
Who is it?
What do you want? You've got the wrong place.
- So I live in the room next door.
- I've seen you around but, how dare you.
- You got any food?
- What?
Something to eat.
You really are hungry?
Would I ask a woman
for food if I weren't starving?
He was hungry and homeless.
I fed him and gave him money.
He paid me back in his own peculiar way.
- Yes?
- It's me, Dimitrios.
- Oh, go away.
- Open up, it's important.
No, I've done all I'm going to do for you.
Yeah, but I want to pay you
back, I got 2,500 leva to give you.
- 2,500 leva? Are you crazy?
- Look under the door.
Got 1,500 more to give you if you let me in.
1,000 you have, another 1,000 and 500,
And 2,500 for me.
- You were starving and now...
- Now I'm paying you back for that...
crust of bread you
gave me, very good payment.
- Where did you get this money?
- Plenty more where this came from.
- I called on monsieur Bostoff this morning.
- You didn't.
I asked him for the money and he gave
it to me, I only had to mention your name.
You blackmailed him, how could you?
He love me, he's a funny,
fat little man but he love me.
- I'm not fat or funny but I love you.
- You love me?
- You blackmailed Bostoff to show your love.
- It costs money to love.
He loves you,
why didn't he take you out of this hole?
A girl as beautiful as you should've the
best, jewels, furs, a fine apartment.
- I'll get them for you.
- By blackmail?
- What you thinking about?
- Wine.
- What about the wine?
- I like it.
- I must be crazy.
- Why?
- To love you.
- What's wrong with that?
Everybody stay where you are.
Have your papers ready.
Your passport.
Dimitrios Makropoulos, your name is familiar.
- You're a member of the C. M. U.
- There's no law against that.
No, not yet.
But we do not like foreigners who belong
to so called Bulgarian patriotic societies.
Come along.
- You're wasting your time.
- I've a great deal of time, come along.
Dimitrios stayed in jail only long enough
to get in touch with a man he knew.
Someone to whom he would not introduce me.
- You understand that I've watched for you.
- Yes, I understand.
The moment I withdraw my guarantee
you will be deported to Greece.
All right, all right. I said
I'd do the job monsieur Vaxoff.
- But it's difficult work and the price is...
- The price is quite high enough.
I knew that this important friend of Dimitrios
had secured his release for a purpose.
But what that purpose was
I did not know until a few days later...
when all Bulgaria heard of it.
Dimitrios.
- What's the matter?
- The police will be here at any moment.
- You must tell them I've been here all day.
- What you've done?
There's no time for that now.
Who is it?
Yes?
How long has he been here?
All afternoon, but I don't see
that that's any business of yours.
- You'd swear to that in court?
- Naturally.
What they mean?
I'm a Greek subject but my passport
is in order, I don't understand.
I'm not without friends in Sofia.
- Perhaps you know monsieur Vaxoff?
- Mr. Vaxoff? Of the Eurasian credit trust?
I see.
- Dimitrios, what happened?
- It'll be in all the papers.
An attempt was made to
assassinate the premier Stambulisky.
- Not you?
- Of course not.
However, I'll have to leave town for a while.
- How much money you got?
- Money? But I thought you...
I'll need 1,000 French francs.
I know you got it, I've given you plenty.
Why don't you get it
from your important monsieur Vaxoff?
Because they'll be watching him for a while.
I'll send you the money back in a week...
with interest.
That's the last time I saw Dimitrios.
If you will excuse me messieurs,
it's time I returned to my guests.
You see, I know nothing
about Dimitrios of any interest.
Was of great interest
madame, I'm very thankful.
Won't you allow me to pay you
for the drinks madame?
If you like.
No, I've a superstition about
money being shown in my private room.
You can pay the waiter at your table.
Thank you, good night madame.
Utterly without scruple.
Completely unmoral but fascinating.
That's funny.
Would you be so good
as to shut the door behind you?
I think if you stretched out your left hand
you could do it without moving your feet.
What is the meaning of all this?
This is most awkward,
I didn't expect you back so soon.
Oh, I can see that.
I'd hoped to get things
tidied up, such vandalism.
A book is a lovely thing,
a garden stocked with beautiful flowers.
A magic carpet on which
to fly away to unknown climes.
What are you talking about?
A little frankness Mr. Leyden, please.
There could only be one reason
why your room should be searched.
And you know that as well as I do.
Of course I can understand your difficulty.
You're wondering exactly where I stand.
If it's any consolation to you however...
I may say my difficulty is
wondering exactly where you stand.
I'm tired, I'll go to bed.
Say, what on earth are you doing here?
Last night I met you on a train,
you said you were going to Bucharest.
Now I find you here
waving this silly pistol in my face.
I can only conclude
you're a thief or you're drunk.
Are you drunk sir?
Maybe you're mad.
Well, in that case I can only
humor you and hope for the best.
- Perfect.
- No, no.
Keep away from that telephone please.
Since you have returned so unexpectedly...
since I can no longer meet you on a basis
of, may I say, disinterested friendship...
let us be frank with one another.
Why are you so interested in Dimitrios?
Dimitrios?
Yes, dear Mr. Leyden, Dimitrios.
You've come from the Levant.
Dimitrios came from there, in Athens you
were very energetically seeking his record...
- in the Relief Commission archives. Why?
- Why?
Wait before you answer,
I've no animosity towards you.
I bear you no ill will, let that be clear.
But as it happens I too am interested
in Dimitrios and because of that...
I am interested in you.
Now Mr. Leyden, tell me
frankly where you stand.
What, forgive the
expression please, is your game?
My game, eh? Well, I'll tell you
what my game is if you tell me yours.
I have nothing to hide.
Would you mind telling me
what you hope to find in...
the bindings of my books
or in the tube of my toothpaste?
Would you mind telling me that?
I was looking for an answer to
my question but all I found was this.
You see, I felt that if you hid
papers between the leaves of books...
you might also hide more
interesting papers in the bindings.
It was never intended to be hidden.
And is this all you
know about Dimitrios Mr. Leyden?
No.
Now, who I wonder is this colonel Haki who
seems so well informed and so indiscreet?
The name is Turkish.
And poor Dimitrios was taken
from us in Istanbul, was he not?
And you have come from Istanbul, haven't you?
You know, it almost
looks as if you'd been reading a...
Turkish police dossier, now doesn't it, eh?
For every question you ask,
you'll have to answer one, for example...
Did you know Dimitrios? Had you ever met him?
I mean, actually met him?
I don't think you're
very sure of yourself Mr. Leyden.
I have an idea that I can tell you
much more than you can tell me.
- I think I must be going.
- Good night.
- I thought you were going, good night.
- Istanbul, Istanbul, Smyrna, 1922, Sofia.
Now, I wonder...
I wonder if it would be very stupid of me to
imagine that you were thinking of going to...
Belgrade in the near future,
would it Mr. Leyden?
You'll like Belgrade, such a beautiful city.
The views from the turrets see,
you can't imagine, magnificent.
See here Mr. Peters, a moment ago you
mentioned a bureau of records in Athens.
Weren't you there
while I was there? The stout gentleman.
Then it was no accident that you were on
the same train, in the same compartment...
no accident that you recommended the hotel.
I've known everything you've done since
you left the record bureau in Athens.
I've already told you I'm interested in
anyone that's interested in Dimitrios.
But what on earth is
your great interest in Dimitrios?
Money? He had none, I saw his body at
the mortuary but you're certain he was...
What's the matter?
Did I understand you to say that you actually
saw the body of Dimitrios in the mortuary?
I said I did, what do you want?
Take your hands off me.
Say, you are insane.
Mr. Leyden, we must reach an understanding.
We must stop this quarreling.
It's absolutely
essential that I know what you're after.
- And I want to know...
- No, no, no. Please don't interrupt me.
I admit I probably need your
answers more than you need mine...
but I cannot give you mine at present.
- Then you won't get mine.
- Yes, yes.
I heard what you
said but I'm talking seriously.
Listen please, if you go to Belgrade, you'll
not discover a single trace of Dimitrios.
Furthermore, you may find yourself in trouble
with the authorities if you pursue the matter.
There's only one man who could and
would, under certain circumstances...
tell you what you
want to know, he lives near Geneva.
Now then, I will give you his name and I
will give you a letter to him, but first...
I must know why you want this information.
Your passport describes you as a
writer but that is a very elastic term.
Who are you Mr. Leyden?
And what is your game?
- I have no game.
- Naturally when I ask what your game is...
I use the phrase in a specific sense,
your game is of course to get money.
But that is not the
answer I mean, are you rich Mr. Leyden?
No, then what
I have to say may be simplified.
I am proposing an alliance Mr. Leyden.
A pooling of resources.
I am aware of certain facts which I
cannot at the moment tell you about.
You, on the other hand, possess
an important piece of information.
You may not know that it is important,
But nevertheless it is. Now, my
facts alone are not worth a great deal.
Your piece of information
is quite valueless without my facts.
The two together however, are worth
at the very least, at the very least...-
- a million French francs.
- One million?
What do you say to that?
What, you'll forgive me Mr. Peters, but I
don't understand what you're talking about.
Not that it makes any
difference what I do or not, but...
Oh, I think I'm tired, I'm very
tired and I want to go to bed.
One million, eh?
No, Mr. Peters.
Well I...
suppose there's no reason why I shouldn't
tell you what my interest in Dimitrios is.
But it certainly isn't money.
I make a decent living, as you
know detective stories sell very well.
Detective stories?
- Mr. Leyden, may I use your paper?
- Go right ahead, you used everything else.
Detective stories, now that's
most interesting to me Mr. Leyden.
- I'm so fond of them.
- I'm glad you like them.
Well, the first time I heard about Dimitrios
was in Istanbul, from colonel Haki.
I don't know exactly
how it happened but somehow...
I found myself trying
to trace his strange career.
Why?
Partly for my amusement, I suppose.
I'd nothing better to do.
Maybe was the wildest
interested in such a colorful character.
I don't expect you to believe me but it's
the truth, if you don't like it too bad.
Here Mr. Leyden, are 3 pieces of paper.
On the first is written the name
of the man of whom I spoke to you.
The name is Grodek,
he lives just outside Geneva.
The second is a letter to him.
If you will present that letter, he will
know that you are a friend of mine...
and that he can be frank with you.
And incidentally, it was he
who employed Dimitrios in 1926.
Oh, really? What about this one?
- I think you said you were not rich?
- No, I'm not rich.
Half a million francs would be useful to you?
Say, it wouldn't make me sad.
Well then Mr. Leyden, when you have tired of
Geneva, I want you to, how do you say...
to kill two birds with one stone.
Here on this list of yours are other dates
besides 1926 still to be accounted for.
If you are to know what
there is to know about Dimitrios...
the place to account for them is Paris.
That is the first thing.
The second is if you will come to Paris...
if you'll consider then
the pooling of resources...
the alliance that I have already proposed
to you I can definitely guarantee...
that in a very few days, you will have
at least a half a million French francs.
At the moment I cannot say more.
But if you will believe in and trust me...
if you will come to Paris, in here
on this piece of paper is an address.
When you arrive send a pneumatique to me.
Do not call for it's the address of a friend.
- I've put you to so much trouble.
- Oh, no trouble at all.
I wish to make
restitution in a practical way.
Half a million
francs is worth considering, eh?
And I would guarantee it but we must
trust one another, that is most important.
Au revoir Mr. Leyden. I won't say goodbye.
Half a million francs Mr. Leyden,
will buy a lot of good things.
I do hope we shall meet in Paris, good night.
Mr. Leyden.
Excuse me monsieur, I did not hear the
car arrive, I was playing my favorite Bach.
Oh, I see that you have introduced
yourself to Eloise and Abelard.
- Do you like cats?
- Very much.
I love them monsieur.
This is Eloise, isn't she beautiful?
- Oh, beautiful.
- And so inscrutable.
Like a woman, ravissant.
Go back to your lover now.
Won't you sit down please?
Yes, thank you.
Very kind of you to receive me sir.
Well, I don't know exactly
what Mr. Peters said in his letter.
- Mr. Peters was very frank about you.
- Oh, was he?
He said that you were writing
a book, I too am writing a book.
Oh, really? Your memoirs?
Oh no monsieur, I am writing
the life of Saint Francis.
- Pardon me?
- Yes, indeed.
But I confidently expect to
be dead before it is finished.
- Do you care for English whiskey?
- Yes I do, very much.
- Good, I too prefer it as an aperitif.
- Oh, yeah.
- May I have a cigarette please?
- Please, help yourself.
Thank you sir.
- Have you known Mr. Peters long?
- No, I...
I met him once in a train
and then again in my hotel in Sofia.
Thank you.
Monsieur, I wonder what your attitude would
be if I were to ask an impertinent question.
Please, go right ahead.
If I were, for instance,
to ask you to tell me seriously...
if a literary interest in human frailty
were your only reason for approaching me?
Monsieur, I can assure you I...
I'm quite certain that you can but forgive me
monsieur, what are your assurances worth?
All I can do is give you my word that...
any information you'd
give me I'll treat it confidentially.
I don't think I have made myself quite clear.
The information itself is nothing.
What happened in Belgrade in 1926
if of little importance now.
It's my own position of which I am thinking.
You see my point?
I'm a little suspicious monsieur.
I still have enemies in this world.
Supposing therefore, if you tell me just what
your relations with our friend Peters are.
Would you like to do that?
I would, but I can't.
For the simple reason that I
don't know what our relations are myself.
- I was not joking Mr. Leyden.
- Nor I.
As you know sir, I was
investigating the life of Dimitrios...
and while doing so I met this Mr. Peters.
Well, for some reason, I don't know why, he
seemed to be interested in Dimitrios too.
He followed me to Sofia and there he
approached me, behind a pistol.
- Behind a pistol?
- He made me an offer.
If I would meet him in Paris and collaborate
in some sort of a scheme he had in mind...
we should each profit
to the extent of half a million francs.
I see.
He said that I had some piece
of information in my possession...
which when used in conjunction with
some information that he possessed...
should prove of great value.
And what may I ask is this so valuable
piece of information in your possession?
That's what I don't know.
Come now monsieur, you ask for my confidence.
- The least you can do is to give me yours.
- But it's true, I don't know.
Well, well yes, at
one point in our conversation...
- he became very excited.
- At what point?
Oh, when I explained to him how I knew
that Dimitrios had no money when he died.
- And how did you know?
- It's very simple, because I saw the body.
- You saw the body?
- Yes.
And everything taken from it was
right there on the mortuary table...
but there was no money, none.
Not a single penny.
- Another drink monsieur?
- Oh yes, please.
So you see, I don't know what
my relations to Mr. Peters are myself.
- Straight?
- Ye, please.
A toast monsieur Leyden...
- to the detective story.
- Thank you sir, to your book.
Forgive me monsieur.
A thought crossed my mind that made me laugh.
It was a thought of our friend
Peters confronting you with a pistol.
You know, he's quite terrified of firearms.
With me, he kept his fears
to himself very successfully.
A clever man Peters.
May I be permitted as a friend to
give you a word of advice Mr. Leyden?
Please do.
Then, if I were in your place...
I should be inclined to take our friend
Peters at his word and go to Paris.
Oh, really?
I think I shall tell you about Dimitrios.
My friend Peters has probably
referred to me as a master spy.
The term is ambiguous, actually it means...
that I was an employer of spy labor,
that's how I came to employ Dimitrios.
He was well recommended
for this particular job.
Which I don't mind
telling you was on behalf of Italy.
Relations between Italy and
Yugoslavia in 1926 were a bit strained.
My assignment was to get a copy
of the Yugoslav minefield chart.
And for that job I employed Dimitrios.
I was in Belgrade myself and had
ample opportunity to watch him in action.
I left the whole matter
entirely up to Dimitrios but...
I was interested to see how he started.
At the time, he was using the
name of Wagner, even Herr Wagner.
Can you direct me
to the department of supply?
- Yes sir, second floor, to your left.
- Thank you.
Yes?
Oh, I beg your pardon, I seem to be lost.
Could you direct me to
the department of supply?
- It's down the hall, to your right.
- Thank you.
Thank you very much.
You may part again Bulic.
I hope you'll be luckier this time.
If I have the cards, I am lucky,
if I don't have the cards, I'm unlucky.
- Go away.
- Why?
Last night, every time you
whistled a love song he led a heart.
- Go away please.
- But I only...
Oh, excuse me.
I'm a stranger in Belgrade but I'd
played bezique in Germany and I'm...
wondering if you play
it the same way in this country.
Bezique is bezique.
I like it better than the German pinochle.
Oh, I too, my patriotism
doesn't go as far as the cards.
- May I buy you a drink, all of you gentlemen?
- A free drink? Why not?
- Of course.
- Join us.
Thank you.
- Waiter, a drink for all of us.
- Yes sir.
My firm, the Dresden
Optical Company, has a bid in...
for the sale of 10,000 pairs of binoculars.
- Binoculars?
- The order would mean a great deal.
I understand that,
but surely don't expect me...
For 20,000 dinar?
A lot of money, but I'm afraid you over
estimate my importance in the government.
In any event, I have no influence
with the department of supply...
who pass this on to people.
But you probably know the
right official, you fellows stick together.
True, true.
20,000 dinar...
Do you think I could
see Mr. Druhar for a moment?
You work down the hall, don't you?
I'm afraid I don't know your name.
- Bulic, Karel Bulic.
- Oh, I suppose it's all right, go on in.
- Well, what is it?
- Mr. Druhar, I was wondering if, I mean...
- about these optical bids.
- What about them?
What about them?
I just, I've a friend of mine...
I just wondered if you would tell me when the
announcement of the awards would be made.
I don't know why you should be interested
but if it does you any good to know...
- the list will be posted this afternoon.
- Oh, thank you very much, I...
Hey Bulic, you are late.
A packet of pachas.
Bulic. Bulic my friend.
Oh Herr Wagner, I am so
sorry, I have very bad news.
But I have very good news for you.
My firm was awarded the contract
for the binoculars, I owe all to you.
The award was made
to Nanovic & Company of Czechoslovakia.
- Our Czech subsidiary.
- Subsidiary?
Yes, we put in two bids, one for
our parent company in Germany...
and the other for our subsidiary much lower.
- Much lower?
- Yes.
Here's the money
I promised you, 20,000 dinar.
20,000 dinar.
My wife, now I can buy her
all those things I wanted.
Of course you can, we must've a celebration.
You and your wife
will be my guests this evening.
Oh, Herr Bulic.
- Who is it?
- Karel.
- Oh, it's you. Well, come in.
- I can't open the door.
Hello Anna darling,
look what I brought for you.
The most wonderful thing has happened to me.
Come here, look.
Look but that's nothing.
- Look.
- Oh Karel, it's beautiful.
Look. No, no, that's for me.
Karel, they gave you a raise in salary.
No, something much more
wonderful had happened to me.
Where did you
get that money? You didn't steal it?
No, I did a slight service a friend of mine.
I helped him to get a government
contract and he paid me 20,000 dinar.
20,000 dinar.
You see, I'm not the little unimportant
nobody whom you always thought I were.
From now on, there'll be no more
of this because your husband will...
get the best for you,
because I love you, I love you so much.
Now, see how fast you
can get ready, we go out for dinner..
- Oh, where?
- A very expensive place.
- A friend of mine, Herr Wagner.
- Darling, it won't take me a minute.
- To madame.
- Thank you.
I've lived in Belgrade all my life
but I've never been to a place like this.
Madame, you should come here more often,
you're the most beautiful woman in the place.
Oh, you lucky fellow, every man
in the place is looking at madame.
Me too.
That distinguished looking gentleman
over there is the freiherr Von Kissling.
Terribly rich, controls
as many as 27 companies.
- Excuse me gentlemen.
- Of course.
Herr Wagner, is it not?
Why, Herr Von Kissling,
this is indeed a pleasure.
Madame Bulic, may I
present the freiherr Von Kissling?
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
And my very good friend Herr Bulic.
How do you do Herr Bulic?
Herr Bulic is an important
official in the Yugoslav government,
A pleasure Herr Bulic.
I beg your pardon, it is
indeed a great pleasure sir.
Why, Herr
Von Kissling, why don't you join us?
- May I?
- Of course.
Thank you.
- Waiter, another bottle of champagne.
- Please sit down.
Thank you.
Herr Bulic, you must forgive me
for forcing myself upon your company.
From my own table I
could not resist admiring madame.
I presumed that on my
acquaintance with Herr Wagner...
I consider it a compliment.
Madame, I wonder if you would be
so kind as to dance with an old man.
- Oh, I haven't danced in so long.
- And I am old and clumsy.
The freiherr is taken with your
wife, I must say I can't blame him.
You should take her
to these places more often.
Isn't she beautiful?
I can't afford it.
Well, my dear Bulic,
you forget you've just earned 20,000 dinar.
And that's only the beginning.
Regardless, the freiherr likes you.
I can tell by his expression.
He's famous for
associating with in-men whom he likes.
He doubtless has a company
or two right here in Yugoslavia.
- Madame is a divine dancer.
- Karel, I'm having so much fun tonight.
Miss. Will you permit me?
Orchid, first I've ever had.
- It's so beautiful.
- It's hardly beautiful enough for you.
Oh, may I?
It's rather a large amount
of money to carry with you freiherr.
Isn't a little dangerous?
Perhaps. I don't usually
carry so much with me.
As a matter of fact, I won this money in
Werner's room. Do you know about Werner?
He has the back room.
He's quite the most
reliable gambler in Belgrade.
In Werner's it's your own luck
and not the croupier's skill that counts.
From the look of that,
you've been very lucky.
Quite, in every way.
Since you've never been in Werner's, I shall
be delighted if you would accompany me there.
- But we've never gambled.
- You may enjoy watching me win.
Perhaps you will bring me more luck.
Herr Bulic, I have been thinking.
I wonder if you could've
luncheon with me one day this week.
Yes, yes.
It is possible that we can discuss
something to our mutual advantage.
Mutual, yes, yes.
Now, shall we try our luck?
Herr Wagner, I've never gambled for money.
Oh, my dear Bulic, suppose
you lose a few hundred dinar.
There's really no need to
concern yourself over so paltry a sum.
The freiherr is already expressed an interest
in you and that means your fortune is made.
- But, Herr Wagner...
- Oh please, don't disappoint him...
by showing yourself less
important than you seem to be now.
Important, I see, I...
- Rouge et pair.
- We have won.
- Let's leave it there.
- Should we risk it all?
Of course. Herr Bulic, play red with us.
I rather play black.
- We have won again.
- Oh, but Karel is lost.
- Herr Bulic is an individualist.
- Let's take a big chance.
- Let's leave it all red.
- All right.
That's mine, 3 blues on red.
- Oh, we shouldn't have played it all.
- Cannot win every time.
Yes, but Karel isn't won yet.
5,000 please.
40,000 dinar.
- I must've been mad.
- It's nothing Herr Bulic.
You'll win another time.
Freiherr, will you
take madame back to our table...
while Herr Bulic and I
settle things with the management?
Of course, we shall have a good dinner
now and then some more champagne..
- Yes?
- Bulic lost 40. Owe 20,000.
All right.
- Herr Wagner.
- Herr Werner.
I see you've given us back a little
of the money you won the other night...
both you and the freiherr Von Kissling.
Don't worry Werner, we'll win
it again and more another time.
Very likely, you are Herr Bulic.
Very unfortunate that you should
lose so heavily your first time here.
Herr Bulic is a very
dear friend of mine Werner.
At the moment he is unable to make good the
notes he signed during the excitement of play.
- Oh? When, may I ask, can you pay?
- I don't know, never.
Oh come now, you don't look like the sort who
gamble in a casino and not pay his losses.
I am not, I had 20,000 dinar.
It's all gone, I haven't any
money, I don't know how to get it.
I would help Herr Bulic if I could...
but unfortunately
I've exceeded my expense account.
- Perhaps the freiherr could help you out.
- Oh, no, no.
Well, it seems that I
shall be compelled to take steps.
- Who's your employer?
- No, please.
That won't do Werner, Herr Bulic
is an official of the government.
- Would mean dismissal.
- Well, I'm not interested...-
Now wait.
Perhaps I can help Herr Bulic
after all, can you give us 24 hours?
24 hours.
Very well, if you say so, Herr Wagner.
24 hours. Herr Bulic.
Thank you very much.
Herr Wagner...
my wife?
Oh we'll say nothing of this to madame, we'll
let her believe that everything is agreeable.
Tomorrow we'll talk this
all over, it won't be so difficult.
- You will help me, won't you?
- Oh, trust me, my friend.
Yes? Thank you.
- Bulic?
- Yes, he is taken our little hint.
Herr Bulic.
- Werner telephoned me at the office.
- Why would he do that?
He said he wanted to check up on me.
I have no privacy in the ministry.
- He must not telephone me there again.
- Of course, he shouldn't embarrass you.
- A drink?
- No, thank you.
- Well Herr Bulic, I think I can help you.
- You can?
Oh, if you can get me out of this frightful
situation I'll be in your debt forever.
- I'll never gamble another dinar.
- I spoke by telephone to my principles.
They're very grateful to you for your
assistance with the binocular contract.
They gave me permission
to make another arrangement with you.
Any assistance I can give but
it won't be time, Werner said tonight.
Well, let's see.
You owe Werner 20,000 dinar, what would
you say to 50,000 dinar by this evening?
By this evening?
I can get the money for
you from the Eurasian Credit Trust...
provided you
fulfill your part of the bargain.
Herr Wagner, I'd do anything, anything.
In your office is a chart, a chart of the
proposed minefields of the Otranto straits.
You'll bring it to me this evening.
You dirty spy.
The only risk you take
is not doing as you're told.
- You're quite sure he'll come?
- I'm positive of it.
The only thing I'm not positive of is the
50,000 francs you'd to pay me for this job.
You'll see the money the
moment I get the chart.
- And here my friend are your 50,000 francs.
- Thank you Grodek.
Now you'll lay your camera on the table
and place your hands behind your head.
- You too Werner.
- But Dimitrios...
Turn around.
I know you're ambitious but you certainly
cannot expect to get away with this.
Why not? The chart is
worth 50,000 francs to you.
It's probably worth
twice that amount to the Italian government.
Besides, Werner is getting
your money back from Bulic.
- Dimitrios, you can't.
- I can, I can do anything.
No, no, Werner.
A scoundrel.
Incredible.
And then, and then did you
let him get away with the chart?
He sold it to another government.
But it didn't do them any good, the Yugoslavs
learned that the chart had been stolen..
Naturally, they made
an entire new plat immediately...,
and Dimitrios' buyers
paid out their money for nothing.
- But so did you.
- Not exactly.
I gave Italy her money's worth.
There was no difficulty
obtaining the new Yugoslav chart...
without Bulic's assistance, of course.
Poor, confused little man.
- He put a bullet through his head.
- Oh, terrible.
My dear Leyden, Bulic was a traitor.
One cannot sentimentalize over traitors.
I know, he was an honest man fundamentally,
but it was all too much for him.
In the end, his
innate honesty got the best of him.
He gave the 50,000 dinar to his wife...
then he went to the ministry
and told them what he had done.
After that, there was
nothing left except to kill himself.
It is at times like those monsieur,
that one needs one's sense of humor.
Well, Mr. Leyden,
don't you think you should go to Paris?
How could I resist now?
Entrez.
Mr. Leyden, I was so glad to get your letter.
Oh, you're knocking at doors now. Quite
an improvement sir, quite an improvement.
My dear Mr. Leyden, I cannot tell you how
pleased I am to see you, welcome to Paris.
Have you had
a good journey? You're looking well.
Grodek wrote telling me how charming and
sympathetic you were, good fellow, isn't he?
Those cats of his he worships.
Yes, they are beautiful,
and his whiskey is excellent.
Oh, he wanted to know
what business I had with you.
As I don't know,
I felt I safely could confide in him.
- By the way, you have your pistol with you?
- Dear me no, Mr. Leyden.
Why should I bring
such a thing on a friendly visit to you?
Well, you've been known to do it.
Look here, Mr. Peters.
I'd hate to be impolite with a
professional gentleman like yourself.
But there is a limit even to my patience.
I've traveled a long way to see
you and I want to know why. Why?
- So you shall.
- I've heard that before.
Before you start
beating about the bush again...
there are one or two
things that you should know.
I'm not a violent man Mr. Peters.
As a matter of fact I hate violence.
But there are times when
the most peace loving simply must do it,
And this may be one
of them, I know who you are.
Your name is not Peters.
It's Peterson, Eric Peterson.
I also know that you were a member of
a smuggling gang organized by Dimitrios.
I know you were arrested in
December 1931 and fined 2,000 francs.
You were sentenced to
prison for one month, correct?
- Grodek tell you this?
- No.
I took the liberty of
going to the library yesterday...
and what do I find in our newspaper files?
This little picture.
Oh yes, a newspaper.
- I could not believe my friend Grodek...
- Well, then you don't deny it?
- Oh no, it is the truth.
- Well, then Mr. Peterson...
Peters, Mr. Leyden.
I decided to change the name.
All right, Peters.
I agree with you sir,
Peters is a much nicer name.
When I was in Istanbul
I heard some very interesting...
things about the end of those smugglers.
Somebody there said that
Dimitrios betrayed all of you.
Sent a dossier to
the police, I think anonymously.
- Is that true?
- Dimitrios behaved very badly to us all.
I was also told that
there was talk of vengeance.
That all of you threatened to
kill Dimitrios, as soon as you were free.
- Is that true?
- I did not threaten.
Some of the others did so, Constantine
Gullus for example was always a hothead.
Oh, I see. You didn't
threaten, you preferred to act.
I don't understand you Mr. Leyden.
No, let me put it to you this way.
I'm just wondering.
Wouldn't it be reasonable to suppose
that you killed Dimitrios for his money?
- I think you are a very indiscreet...
- Am I?
And very fortunate.
Just suppose I had,
as you suggest, killed Dimitrios.
Think what I should be forced to do.
I should be forced
to kill you also, now shouldn't I?
There it is, I knew it, I knew it.
You see, I lied to you
a moment ago. I admit it.
I was so curious to know what you were
going to do if you thought I was unarmed.
You understand my feelings a little?
So anxious to have your confidence.
All of which is as clever a reply to an
accusation of murder as one could wish for.
Mr. Leyden, this is not a detective story.
Even if you cannot be
discreet, at least use your imagination.
Is it likely that Dimitrios
would make a will in my favor? No.
Then how you suppose
I could kill him for his money?
People in these days do not
keep their wealth in treasure chests.
Come now Mr. Leyden,
let us please be sensible.
Let us have dinner together
and after, talk business.
You probably disapprove
of me, I really cannot blame you.
But let us at least
cultivate an illusion of friendship.
I could think of a lot of reasons
why I shouldn't have dinner with you.
Just the same I will...
but let me warn you,
unless I have this evening...
a satisfactory explanation
for you asking me to come to Paris...
I shall, half a million
francs or no half a million francs...
leave by the first available train.
- Is that clear?
- Couldn't be clearer Mr. Leyden.
And may I say
how much I appreciate your frankness.
All right. Where shall we dine?
There's a Romanian place near here.
And afterward we'll go
to my apartment for coffee.
Thank you.
Excellent dinner, now for coffee.
What about Mr. Godfrey?
He's away,
at the moment I'm in sole possession.
I see.
You conclude I suppose, that I am Godfrey?
Thank you.
- You like it?
- Well, it's rather unusual.
Actually, just another
uncomfortable French house.
Immanently an oasis
in a desert of discomfort.
- Dimitrios furnished it.
- Dimitrios?
Yes, he bought this
house and the two adjoining.
There secret doors
leading from one house to another.
In case of police raids, you know?
Thank you.
Aren't you a little indiscreet living here?
Oh no, you see, Dimitrios bought
the houses originally in my name.
After my incarceration, I sold them
quite legally to a monsieur Godfrey.
Do you like Algerian coffee Mr. Leyden?
Pard me? Yes.
Takes a little longer
to prepare it but I prefer it.
Oh by the way, you recognize him Mr. Leyden?
Why yes, certainly it's Dimitrios.
- What about it?
- You recognize him good.
That Mr. Leyden,
is a photograph of Constantine Gullus.
Gullus? Gullus...
What on earth do you mean?
What you saw on the mortuary
slab in Istanbul Mr. Leyden...
was gullus after he tried to put
certain ideas about Dimitrios into practice.
I saw the body of Dimitrios with my own eyes.
You saw the body of Gullus Mr.
Leyden after Dimitrios had killed him.
Dimitrios himself, I am glad
to say, is alive and in good health.
Dimitrios alive.
No, no, it isn't possible.
I saw his name inside
the coat, Dimitrios Makropoulos.
- Was a French identification card.
- French identification card?
That I find amusing.
I could get you a dozen
genuine identification cards Mr. Leyden...
and each in the name
of Dimitrios Makropoulos.
I guess you could.
He's alive but where is he?
Here, in Paris.
You've been very reasonable Mr. Leyden,
I shall tell you everything.
As you may imagine
we were all very angry with Dimitrios.
Some of us threatened revenge.
I became a wanderer Mr. Leyden.
A little business here, a little
business there, travel and meditation.,
That was my life, I met Gullus in Rome.
He told me that he was
on the track of Dimitrios.
Asked me to lend him
3,000 francs to conclude his search.
I gave it to him, with
that money, Gullus went to Paris.
Well sir, he found Dimitrios living in a big
home under an assumed name, a rich man.
Gullus intended
to kill Dimitrios but his nerve failed him.
He settled for blackmail.
That was his mistake.
Dimitrios took him on a cruise
to Istanbul. There, he stabbed him...,
put a false identification card in his
clothing and tossed him into the Bosporus.
You saw the results, a
bloated corpse washed up by the sea.
I think you're guessing.
How could you know? You weren't there.
But you forget the
3,000 francs I loaned Gullus.
He sent it to me in Paris with a note...
saying he was going on
an Aegean cruise with Dimitrios.
I decided to meet him in Istanbul
but when I got there was too late.
The only thing left for me
was to try and find out...
those things about Dimitrios
that Gullus had known.
Then Mr. Leyden, our paths began to cross.
Well, now that you've found him, what next?
Come now, Mr. Leyden,
surely you are not as obtuse as all this.
You now can prove that the
man buried in Istanbul is not Dimitrios.
If necessary, you can identify
Gullus' photographs on the police files.
I, on the other hand,
know where to find Dimitrios.
Our joint silence will be
worth a lot of money to him.
Gullus' fate in mind we should
know too, how to deal with the matter.
We should demand a million francs...
Dimitrios would pay
believing we would come back for more.
But we shall not be as foolish as
to endanger our lives in that way.
We'll rest content with half a million
each Mr. Leyden and quietly disappear.
Blackmail on a cash basis.
You really expect me to agree
to this plan of yours Mr. Peters?
I don't think I quite understand Mr. Leyden.
- If this is a clumsy trick...
- It is no trick, clumsy or otherwise.
You see, I'm quite prepared in
assisting blackmailing a person...
if that person is Dimitrios
but I'm not prepared to share in the profits.
- So much the better for you, isn't it?
- Mr. Leyden, you are kind.
- There's not enough kindness in the world.
- Not that again.
Not that kindness in the world.
It's coming out of my ears.
But you are kind.
I prepared a letter for
Dimitrios asking him to meet with us.
Dear sir...
The undersigned has just learned that...
he is an old acquaintance
of yours dating back to 1929.
And would appreciate
having a little chat with you.
I'm assure that you will find
the talk immensely interesting.
Kindly come to the Ledru hotel,
Avenue Ledru, tomorrow evening at 8.
Looking forward to seeing you. I remain your
old friend and associate, Eric Peterson.
- P. S.
- Oh, yes.
I've just learned of the passing of our mutual
friend, Constantine Gullus. Regrettable.
- Do you think he'll come?
- Most certainly.
- How much?
- Four.
I have it.
All right.
My name is Mr. Peterson.
I made reservation by telephone.
Oh yes, will be
15 francs for one, 20 for two.
This gentlemen is
not staying with me, 15 francs, here..
Up the stairs, down the hall, to your right.
I don't like this Mr. Peters,
I don't like it.
What's to prevent Dimitrios from
coming up here and shooting us both?
Please, do not let
your imagination run away with you.
Dimitrios would not do that, it would
be too noisy and dangerous for him.
- Besides, that is not his way.
- It isn't? Well, what is his way?
A very cautious man,
he thinks carefully before he acts.
See, he got the letter this morning.
He had all day to think carefully.
I had weeks, I tell you I know
Dimitrios, I know how his mind works.
I am asking a million francs, that is not an
exorbitant amount for Dimitrios, he will pay.
I will take the money and go instantly to the
Indies, where Dimitrios will never find me.
- You see?
- That's fine for you, what about me?
I don't feel like
instantly going to the Indies.
You've glasses? Put them on.
- Put on your hat too.
- Oh I see, yes.
- Turn up the collar of your coat.
- Yeah, that's a good idea.
Sit in that corner
where it will not be too light.
Good, that will do it.
My good friend, how are you?
How are you? It's Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith.
He knew Gullus?
That is what we wanted to
talk to you about Dimitrios.
Then talk, I've an appointment to keep.
Haven't changed at all Dimitrios, always
impetuous, always a little unkind.
After all these years, no word of greeting...
no word of regret for all
the unhappiness you've caused me.
I've an appointment to keep.
Since you want to make this a purely
business matter, we want money.
- What do you have to give me in exchange?
- Silence Dimitrios, very valuable.
- How valuable?
- One million francs.
What do you think you know
that's worth one million francs?
So difficult to know where to begin.
There are so many things
the police would like to know.
For instance, the identity of the man...
who tipped them off
in 1931 to the smuggling ring.
I'm sure they'd be interested
to know that it is the same man...
who today is a director of
the Eurasian Credit Trust.
You haven't told me anything yet
that's worth one million francs.
It's childish.
You were always inclined to despise my simple
approach to the problems of this life...
but our silence on the matter
would be worth something, would it not?
Not one million francs.
And there's Yugoslavia.
Police of that country would be glad to
know the whereabouts of Dimitrios Talat.
So Grodek is been talking. Any more?
And let us go to Smyrna.
- In 1922, a moneylender named Konrad...
- The murderer of Konrad was hanged.
Can that be true?
Perhaps Mr. Smith has
something to add to that.
Abdul Dhris was hanged, but he made
a confession implicating a man named...
Dimitrios Makropoulos.
Mr. Smith saw the body of Gullus...
and had no difficulty in
identifying it with a photograph of Gullus.
- Do you really think a million is exorbitant?
- I'm wondering why you ask so little.
I do not like to be greedy.
I like to be fair, always.
You'll have it ready in Mille notes tomorrow.
You'll receive instructions by post as
how you do to deliver the money.
If the instructions are not followed out
exactly, you'll not be given a second chance.
You understand?
- Mr. Smith?
- Yes?
How is this man whom you took to
be Gullus dressed when he was found?
Oh, in a cheap blue suit and inside
the coat there was an identification card.
And how was he killed?
Was stabbed in
the side and thrown into the water.
Are you satisfied Dimitrios?
What did you think of him?
It's Dimitrios all right.
Ruthless and primitive.
- I was frightened.
- Dimitrios has that effect on people.
You frighten me.
Always knew you hated Dimitrios
but I didn't know you hated him so much.
Not until I saw him in this room.
Then I knew I hated him enough to kill him.
- I knew it.
- What?
Listen, the trains, spent an hour
here this morning listening to them.
The Ballard rail, ready.
Come.
One million francs.
Do you ever see so much
money at one time before?
One million, beautiful thing, oh.
Is there a match somewhere?
Little surprised Peterson?
I'm glad your friend Smith is here too.
Saves me the trouble of persuading
you to give me his name and address.
Peterson was always too ingenious...
and ingenuity is never
a substitute for intelligence.
He was my friend.
No, he wasn't my friend
but he was a nice man.
Compared to you he was,
you rotten, insane brute.
You, you think you can go
on murdering people like that?
You murderer, you get up.
Let me go you...
So help me.
Not him, leave him alone.
Go, Leyden.
Go, you go.
But I, I better,
something has to be done, I'll...
I'll call the police or something.
Wait, wait, don't go, don't go. Come back.
Or do you want this carrion
to kill me? Come back.
I am very happy it is you, are you all right?
Put that money away, that's
all you ever wanted, isn't it?
I don't want it now, I don't want it somehow.
I've done what I had to do.
But, but what's going to happen?
Something is going to happen.
You'll be glad to know
I killed Dimitrios Makropoulos.
You wanted to write a book.
Write it, send me a copy.
I'll have a lot
of time to read it where I'm going.
Goodbye Mr. Peters, Au revoir.
Sorry you won't be able
to go to the Indies now.
You see, there's
not enough kindness in the world.