Alleyn Mysteries (1990–1994): Season 1, Episode 1 - A Man Lay Dead - full transcript

𝒯𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓁𝒶𝓉e 𝓊𝓃𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓉 E𝒩𝒢LI𝒮H

Two and sixpence, sir

- Thank you. Keep the change
- Thank you, guv

Charles. Charles

Nigel. Good man. So Sir
Hubert phoned you?

I'm awfully sorry, Charles.
Could you sub me ten bob?

I had to leave in a fearful rush and...
he won't take a cheque

Of course

I'll go to the bank
as soon as we arrive

There's no banks where
we're going, old chap

I'll get the tickets. See
if you can find a porter



Come on, van. Don't do
this to me, not today

I've made you some
sandwiches, Miss Troy

It only takes a couple of hours

- But you're not expected until teatime
- Yes, well, I thought I'd leave early

Get to Frantock, see Uncle
Hubert before the others arrive

- And you'll want to change
- What do you mean?

Well, for Mr Alleyn

Don't be silly, Edith

I envy you the war, Charles.
The action, the people

I would have thought your
gossip column was bloody enough

I need a big story if I'm going
to get onto the news desk

Troy's guest's a
detective, I believe

He might be someone
worth cultivating

Bailey, could I possibly ask you to deal
with these? I'd like to get away early



That's all right, sir.
Lunch doesn't bother me

- Good man - Oh, sir

Inspector Fox's, I think.
Marked confidential

Back copies of the Racing Times

And a car at 4.30 for
Liverpool Street, please

Have you met Troy's
policeman yet, Rosamund?

He's a chief inspector, Marjorie

And I really don't think they
know each other that well

Oh, come, now. Hubert wouldn't invite
just anyone, would he, Arthur?

His mother, Lady Alleyn,
is one of the Devonshires

His brother, Sir George, is
an ambassador, I believe

High time Troy found
herself someone suitable

Come on, now, Marjorie

We're the same age. Troy and
I were at school together

Then you'll know what I mean

Mother

Come in

- Chief Inspector Alleyn's office -
I'd like to see him this afternoon

- He has a meeting at 4.30, sir -
It's urgent. I'll see him at five

Yes. Yes, of course

Assistant commissioner, sir.
Wants to see you at five

- Thanks for trying -
You'll miss your train, sir

And the next one, no doubt

- Did you put acid in this?
- It's all right

- Just needs a stir
- Thank you, Sergeant

Be very careful
with that, and that

Arthur. How are you?

Charles, I didn't
know you were coming

Last-minute decision, old chap

Well, we can't all
drive in one car

Arthur?

You're very welcome
to sit on my knee

- We'll have to make two journeys
- No need. Look, there's Troy

How are you, Ros?

Never better

It's good to see you so happy

We're getting engaged, but not a
word till after the announcement

I always said you'd be first.
Oh!

Didn't you say that your chief inspector
was going to be on our train?

He didn't really know
when he could get away

You always did know
what I'm thinking

My favourite niece

- How are you, Troy?
- I'm very well

- And you are?
- Bathgate, sir

Rankin's cousin, yes.
Glad you could make it

- Very pleased to be here, sir -
Good, good. Make yourself at home

Hello, Arthur

- Charles - Sir Hubert. Hello

Marjorie

Hello

Ah. Please, allow
me to introduce.

Dr Hans Hoffner

Nigel Bathgate

Exquisite, huh?

Absolutely

Even an instrument of execution
has its beauty, don't you think?

- Are you an expert, doctor?
- An art historian, merely

I'm here to advise Sir
Hubert with his collection,

with his passion

This chain of art thefts, Alleyn

Two Rembrandts, Duraprints, religious
statuary, the Botticelli Trip-tyche

Triptych, sir. It's a painting
in three parts, in this case...

Yes, well, whatever it is

And now, this morning, a silver
chalice from some convent in Norfolk

I see. You think
they're connected?

They're all owned by VIPs, very
unimpressed by our lack of progress

And now there's a bishop breathing
down the commissioner's neck

and he's breathing down mine

Sir.

I'll look at the file first
thing on Monday morning

No, Alleyn. I want you on
this chalice theft tonight

I am due to go away
for the weekend, sir

I've already told the
commissioner you're on your way

Come in, Fox

Sir

I've called inspector
Fox back from leave

I want the best possible
team on this job

Thank you, sir. Sorry to see
you back again so soon, Breir

- Thank you, sir - My
apologies, gentlemen

But we're all under
some pressure here

Yes, of course, sir

I was beginning to think
you weren't coming

I would have telephoned, but...
well, I wanted to see you

I'm afraid...

There would have to be a
reason for the serious suit

I'm sorry, Troy

So, no weekend. Poor you

The infuriating thing is,
I'll be quite close to here

- I expect you'll be very busy
- Yes, I expect I shall

Well, good luck

Thank you

I almost forgot

For your birthday

Bring him out here, will you?

Doctor

Made it more worth our while

A long way to come for a chalice

Chief inspector, this is supposed to
be a day of holiness and restoration

Some of these people have
saved all year to come

I'm sure you'll make the situation
clear to them, Reverend Mother

Yes

Yes, of course

We'll need a list of everyone here
and then we'll take statements

That's unthinkable. They're
invalids, holy sisters

I'm afraid they still may be called
upon to bear witness, Reverend Mother

- Well, Doctor?
- He died of a broken neck

Rather expertly, I'd say.
See the bruising here?

I'd suggest a blow delivered
by hand, no weapon

We'll have to have that
confirmed by postmortem, Doctor

Yes, of course, inspector

And there's slivers of
glass, front and back

He probably cut his hand taking the
chalice. There's blood on the altar

Well...

Not exactly a man of the cloth

Charles

I thought we'd never
have a moment alone

Be patient, darling

Why not give the drinks a miss?

Besides, I have a little
surprise for our host

Come on

There's still plenty of time

My dear friends, as we know,
these weekends of mine

have acquired a certain reputation
for their... dramatic quality

And in that pleasurable
tradition,

I propose that this
weekend we play murder

Over dinner tonight, Walters will
pass one of you this red plaque

And then he or she will have until
this time tomorrow to plan the murder

It all sounds
rather bloodthirsty

The murderer must get the victim
alone and say, "You are the corpse"

And then we have to investigate
who did it and how?

Well, there's no lack of
weapons in this house, Hubert

You must have a convincing
motive, my dear, but no weapon

Ah. But I have something which
could provide some inspiration

I thought it might
be of interest

It's beautiful

Quite incredible

Isn't it?

How long, sir,
have you had this?

I saved a man's life. He gave
it to me to show gratitude

He'd been left for dead
in some sort of brawl

About the time we were
in Germany, Hubert

You were well rewarded, Charles

But your ownership, sir,
is totally inappropriate

This is a rare
medieval reliquary

Look here. The gold
handle chased with rubies

And within it is sealed a
fragment of a saint's bone

- Must be worth more than I thought
- A fortune, certainly

But it is its unique religious
significance which makes it priceless

I... I can help you return it to
its rightful owner, Mr Rankin

Oh. I can't afford
your principles

Besides, there must be
one or two collectors

who would revere the dagger

And appropriately, don't
you think, Sir Hubert?

It would be the prize
of anyone's collection

Was the chalice always kept
in there, Reverend Mother?

No. It had been in the
sisters' private chapel

I see. Why was it moved?

We hold these healing services
every year, Chief inspector

The papal chalice has always
been associated with miracles

It seemed right to use it today

Do you mean that you
hadn't used it before?

No, it was only given
to us recently

Anonymously

For the private use of our order

- Cheese, sir?
- Rather. Thank you

Bathgate's made a good meal

It's so hard to get
round rationing in town

You should consult Marjorie

She seems inventive enough
when it comes to clothes

I should ask you to step outside for
slandering your wife like that, Arthur

- It'd be a pleasure, I assure you
- He's all talk and no action

He's been the same ever
since we were boys

Conceding gracefully has always been
one of Arthur's better qualities

- Sir?
- No, I do not care for cheese

- I wasn't joking, Hubert.
- What?

If I get the plaque,
I shall give it back

Very good, my dear. Strategic
lying is all part of the game

And you could always
be murdered instead

I'm serious, Hubert.
I want no part of it

- Marjorie - I'd rather watch

Now we know you're play-acting

- It's all just a bit of fun, isn't it?
- And I'd rather be in the thick of it

Always game, Rosamund

Madam?

No, thank you, Walters

All this murderers talk has
quite taken away my appetite

How dare you order me about!

I thought you rather enjoyed it

- Arthur's getting suspicious.
- So?

Look, you must tell me how things
stand between Rosamund and you

Rosamund has no reason
to know anything

How can you be so cruel?

- Come here - Let me go!

You usually can't have enough

God, I hate you

One dead monk

What's that?

Got him, sir. Our deceased monk's
a Corporal Albert Billings

who deserted the army in '46

He's got a record to match

Breaking and entering.
Robbery with firearms

'46?

Why desert in peacetime?

I say, Troy, I wondered
if I might take you out

for a drink to celebrate

That rather depends on what
everybody else is doing

Uncle?

Oh, whatever you like, my dear

A Chief inspector Alleyn, sir

- Alleyn? I thought he couldn't make it
- Perhaps the case is over

Happy birthday

Still the serious suit?

- I'm afraid so - Alleyn

Sir Hubert. Detective
Chief inspector Alleyn

- Scotland Yard - Good
to meet you at last

I'm sorry it has to be over
a professional matter, sir,

but a man's been found murdered
at St Mary Magdalene's Convent

Oh, Dear. And how can I help?

Come along, Nigel. I'll show you the
village. You can buy me that drink

All right, Hoffner

You were stationed in
Hamburg in '46, sir?

Yeah, yes, that's right

So was the murdered man.
Corporal Billings

He was under your
command, I believe

Billings. No, I don't think so

There were so many.
Oh, morning, Charles

Tell me, does the name
Corporal Billings ring a bell?

Chap's been murdered

I'm sorry. I can't say it does

Aber Diesmal,
Krantz, ohne Gewalt

Versprichst mir

So lange du tust was ich
sage, geht nichts schiech

Wo genau ist der dolch?

In Rankins Zimmer

Das is gut

Don't act the innocent
with me, Rankin

To get that dagger, you beat
Billings within an inch of his life

He deserted from a
German hospital bed, man

For someone who claims not to know
him, you know a great deal about him

- Shouldn't you have told the inspector?
- I've a good mind to...

Billings told me he was on his
way to you with the dagger

when I... bumped into him

You won't get away
with this, Rankin

Oh, come on, Hubert

You're relieved someone
got rid of him for you

Thank you, Sister Kirsten.
That's been most helpful

Excuse me. Breir

Reverend Mother, I'm told the convent
has no photographs of the chalice

No, I'm afraid not

And that you know nothing
about its history

No records were kept. That was one
of the conditions of the gift

Well, I suppose I could
speak to the Bishop

He knows nothing about
it, Chief inspector

I'm answerable to a
rather higher authority

Turn it down a bit, darling

Arthur, my Dear chap,
I'm terribly sorry

Of course, you'd like to
be dancing with your wife

Not at all. Please, carry on

No, no, I insist

You know Arthur can't
dance, Charles

In which case, it's
high time he learnt

Don't be an ass, Charles

Now, now. Come on, Arthur.
Don't be shy

Charles, please

Excellent. Excellent

You're an ungrateful
chap, Charles

If I didn't know it was
useless, I'd call in your debts

Sorry, but most of the money's
tied up in the household

Still, you'll receive
your reward in heaven

Ros

I say, Charles, old chap.
If things...

If things really are that
tight, I'm sure I could help

- That's very good of you
- The dagger

- Yes? What about it?
- Well, you know I want it.

I rather think the price went up
today, don't you, Sir Hubert?

Very well. We'll
talk about it later

No, no, no. Let's
talk about it now

You've all seen the dagger

What do you think? Should
I sell it to Sir Hubert?

Oh, don't be such a ham, Charles

Please, sir, don't
even consider it

The doctor's right

- The dagger's not for sale - Come off it.
What use is it to you?

I shall keep it. For
sentimental reasons

- Seriously, Charles - Seriously?
I'll tell you what I'll do

Listen, everyone

In the spirit of
brothers in arms,

the dagger's yours

I'll leave it to you

Very well. But put
that in writing

- Ah, sir - Bailey.
Pull up a chair

Hope you like Spam fritters

Look what the men found
in the convent grounds

Well, well

So our murderer likes a dash
of theatricality, does he?

Good. Anything else?

Yes

There's something
on the corpse, sir

The doctor was right. Her postmortem
confirms it was a hand blow to the neck

And...

there was a small
compact contusion there

- A ring?
- Probably

My guess, something embossed,
worn on the little finger

Well, Don't look at me

All ready down here, Sir Hubert

- Top-floor windows done?
- Yes, sir. Lawrence has seen to it

- Good, good - It's
rather dark in here

We keep the curtains closed to create
the right atmosphere for the game

Now, one of us now knows that
he or she is the murderer

Now, remember, when the lights
go out and you hear the gong,

count to ten to give the killer time to
get away from the scene of the crime

I refuse to be left
alone with anyone

- Come on, Troy. I'm going up to change
- Am I forgiven?

Then, if I'm done away with,
everyone will know it's you

Ladies, please allow me to
escort you to your rooms

Wait, wait. I'm coming too

Here. Hubert.

You shall see how well the
dagger sits in your collection.

For the weekend, at least

If you'll excuse me

Ros

Are you all right?

Just a headache

- Do you want to talk?
- No, I'll be all right

It's nothing, Troy. Honestly

Mr Rankin, I wish to apologize
for my outburst yesterday

My expression, I think,
was somewhat clumsy

But the fact remains, sir, that you
have no moral right to that dagger

- Morals be dammed. It was given to me
- Charles

Shouldn't you be frightened to
be left alone with me, Arthur?

On the contrary, Charles.
You're my alibi

Ah, yes. Let's have another drink.
I'm going to be very late for dinner

Not for me, thanks. Marjorie
has a thing about punctuality

- You finished in here, Bathgate?
- Yes, thanks

Bring me in some towels,
will you, Marjorie?

Fetch them yourself, Arthur

Stay single, Nigel! You'll
get better service!

You don't really mean that

Mary, before you go down, see
if Miss Grant needs a hand

- Tell her I'm fetching some aspirin
- Yes, Miss Agatha

Florence has brought
some towels, darling

Then perhaps you
should send her in

Come in

Anything else, sir?

Oh, thank you

Florence, sir

Florence

I don't suppose you could help
me with this damnable tie?

I don't like to ask anyone else.
I feel rather a fool

- Of course, sir - Arthur,
hurry up in there

You'll be the last down -
Most awfully kind of you

It's a pleasure, sir

Ah. Just a minute

Arthur, help! Where are you?

Where do you think, my dear?

- What shall we do now, sir?
- Hang on

- The lights should come on in a minute
- Bathgate. Let's investigate

If you don't, I'll know
you're the murderer

OK, Arthur.

Hurry up, Uncle Hubert. The
others must be going down

Arthur, don't go
down without me!

Just stay near me, darling

Please, we should go down now?

But be careful

Oh, trust old Charles
to make a meal of it

He looks so uncomfortable.
Put him out of his misery

- Oh, come on, Charles
- Wait for us

- Put on the light, somebody
- I'll do it

No

Oh, no!

My God

- Are you all right?
- Yes, I think so

They've already had a word with
Uncle Hubert. He's terribly shocked

Dr Eaton, that should have
been left where it was

The body's already been
moved, Chief inspector

- By whom?
- Look, Alleyn, I do apologize

I had him moved. It was too
distressing for the women

I'm very sorry

I'll be with you
shortly, Sir Hubert

Dr Eaton, I apologize

He's been dead for a maximum
of 40 minutes, Chief inspector

This is what did the damage

The blade was angled through
the third and fourth ribs

It had pierced the
heart with remarkable,

I'd say almost medical, accuracy

Death would have
been instantaneous

Forgive me, but this accuracy,

couldn't that have
been by chance?

It's rather unlikely, inspector.
And one other thing

The body had already been
examined before I arrived

- What?
- By one of the guests

A Dr Hans Hoffner

Disinfectant? Honestly!

Sir Hubert didn't waste
any time, did he?

Well, they missed this

Must have been his glass

Well... looks as if
he's had some company

I don't know. Fire on in summer.
Curtains drawn

Sergeant, could we have
some light on the subject?

Miss Troy says when she went to the
front door, she found it unlocked

Most unusual for this time
of evening, apparently

I was in my room the whole
time, Chief inspector

I was singing... arias from
The Marriage of Figaro

- The others must have heard me
- Yes

I did, doctor, and... So did
Mary, one of the chambermaids

We shall have to take statements
from you all, ladies and gentlemen

It would help if you could stay until
after the inquest in a few days' time

Absolutely, and, of course, you
must all stay on here. I insist

My wife will be down in a moment.
I'm sure I can speak for us both

For me, it would be a
great inconvenience

Come along, now, Doctor

- Very well, then - Thank you

It's too ironic, isn't it?

I'm sorry, but what do you mean?

Such a cruel parody
of that wretched game

- We were playing murder -
The game was about to begin

Who was the murderer?

I was, Chief inspector

Mr Bathgate

Do sit down

Look, I can see what you think

As chief beneficiary, I
must have the prime motive

But I didn't do it

Honestly

During the time it took
between your going upstairs

and the gong being struck, Mr
Bathgate, did you stay in your room?

Yes. I was talking to Arthur
through the bathroom door

He was in the bath. He'll tell you.
We were sharing the one bathroom

- Arthur...?
- Mr. Wilde

So Mr Wilde was
there all the time?

That's right. And his wife. I
could hear them talking a lot

Oh, and Florence,
the maid, came in

What time was that,
approximately?

I know exactly. The hall clock was
just starting to chime. Eight o'clock

Really?

And where did Florence
go after that?

She stayed

Helped me with my bow tie

She was still there when
the lights went out

Was she?

Well, then, Mr Bathgate, it would
appear that you... have an alibi

Yes, I suppose I have

Walters was bringing Mr
Rankin another drink

when I went upstairs

Then when I was in my bath,
I talked to my wife,

and Bathgate, too,
on the other side

Is that when the
lights went out?

Help! Where are you?

Where do you think, my dear?

My wife's of a rather er...
nervous disposition, inspector

At that point, you went
out onto the landing

I thought the blackout
must have been a mistake

If I could get out in the dark, it would
be a good chance to claim my victim

For the game

I see

So, then Sir Hubert
had the body moved?

No

Who touched it first, Mrs Wilde?

Me

It was me

I'm sorry, but... when I
saw him lying there, I...

Charles!

No! No!

Don't leave me!

Marjorie

Come on. This won't help

Mr Walters, can you
explain why the front

door was left unlocked
this evening?

I told you to do that, Mary

But I did. I'm sure

What are you saying,
the inspector's lying?

No, but I...

Mary, did you meet with
Miss Troy upstairs?

Yes

She told me to go to Miss Grant's
room, though it weren't my place to

Were you with her when
the lights went out?

No

I stayed there

But Miss Grant wasn't
in her room, inspector

Ros. Ros, where are you going?

To my room

- I've nothing to say - But
we all have to be interviewed

It's too late for talking

- Has Miss Grant had a word with you?
- Only to say nothing

I think they're all playing it pretty
close to the chest, including Miss Troy

Morning, Vicar

- Have we upset the church?
- We've kicked out his Sunday school

- We each have our cross to bear
- Message, sir

Once they've finished setting up, get
Sergeant Cook back to the convent,

you and I'll get back to Frantock Hall,
get Bailey to do his stuff. Thank you

Is there a connection
between the two murders?

We have two dead bodies.
That's all we know

Bailey

- Troy - The undertaker...

Oh, yes, of course. I'm sorry

Make-up on the jacket,
sir, and scent, too

I'll have them tested, but I'm
pretty sure the scent's Goya

I think that might be Mrs. Wilde

No, sir. Miss Rosamund Grant

Good Lord.

- Troy, does that sound likely?
- I really couldn't say

All right, let's have a look

Bailey, tweezers

There you are

It's a press stud

A full description of the stolen
chalice under Hoffner's mattress

- My money's been on him from the start.
Look at these lists

Well, they're in German, of course, but...
Paintings, porcelain

16th-century statues. Late-medieval
Italian reliquary. Icons

Must be over a hundred
pieces in all

Well, could be to do
with his research

They could be stolen. Bailey, do you
think you could have them photographed

and get them back into his
room as quickly as possible?

Oh, sir. Found this.

Down the back of
the bottom drawer

Well, well

Looks familiar

There. Well, at last,
something fits

Hello

We were just looking about

and this must have fallen
from somebody's pocket

Does anyone recognize it?

Could it be Troy's?

Isn't it yours, Marjorie?

Didn't you tell me on the train
that Charles gave them to you?

Yes. And now I've lost one

When was that, Mrs. Wilde?

Since we arrived

I'm not sure. Excuse me

Excuse me

Why do you let
everyone else see how

you feel but you won't
even talk to me?

You're the last person, Arthur

So it seems

You should hate me

How could I?

- And him - All I
feel is sadness

How long had it been going on?

It was just a stupid fling

It was over, Arthur. I didn't
even know he'd be here

Forgive me, darling

Are you vain enough to complain?

No, of course not

I'm flattered that you've
found time to draw me

- Faint praise indeed
- Who's this?

Oh, just someone I saw in the
pub garden with Dr Hoffner

Why? Do you know him?

I'm not even sure if I'd
recognize him again

Perhaps this will help you

- Did he give you his name?
- No, Chief inspector

I did not, either

But you bought the man a drink

This conviviality of strangers makes
your pubs famous, does it not?

Can you tell me nothing that
might help me trace him?

We talked about... the weather

So, that makes him English, hm?

Now, if you'll excuse

Alleyn, Hoffner's a touch volatile,
but he's straight as a die

- How well do you know him, sir?
- Hans? We're not close friends

More business associates. He's been
helping me to classify my collection

He lives absolutely for his work

- Who is that?
- I was rather hoping you might tell me

The middle pages have
survived quite well

The hall, stairwell,
six bedrooms

The precise plan
of Frantock Hall

And this

Vier und zwanzig West Garten...?

24, Westcourt
Gardens, Kensington

I'm sorry to disturb you

I was hoping to
speak to Dr Hoffner

I'm afraid he didn't
join us for dinner

Walters, ask Dr Hoffner if he'd
kindly come down, will you?

Dr Hoffner left in a
taxi mid-afternoon, sir

- His room's empty -
He never said a word

Did he give you any idea
where he was going?

No, sir

Do you have his home
address, please, sir?

I only ever got in touch
with him at hotels in London

- Which ones?
- They were always different

I rather doubt if I've
kept a note of them

- Could you check, please, sir?
- We usually got in touch by telephone

- He'd ring me - Dr Hoffner
did work for you, sir

I find it hard to believe
he'd be quite so elusive

Believe what you like, Alleyn.
You'll kindly modify your tone

Rory! Do you have to
be so heavy-handed?

It isn't my uncle's fault
that Hoffner's bolted

- I wasn't suggesting that it was -
You shouldn't have let him get away

Troy, I shall assume
that you're upset

Yes, and so's my uncle

Getting people to tell the
truth isn't always pleasant

Have you considered the possibility
that you might have got it wrong?

So, we're both working
late, Chief inspector

How can I help you?

Reverend Mother, would it shock you
to learn that the stolen chalice

was itself stolen?

Are you sure?

We have it on a list
of stolen treasures

All looted

Monasteries, museums,
art galleries

During the war

Reverend Mother, I'd be grateful if
you'd take a look at these photographs

Have you seen either
of these men before?

Take your time

I don't suppose Sir Hubert knew
the chalice was stolen, do you?

Oh, no. I'm sure not.

You've tricked me,
Chief inspector

I asked you for the
truth, Reverend Mother

When it wasn't mine to give

But it was Sir Hubert who
donated the chalice?

He made me promise
not to tell anyone

- Hello - Inspector Fox?

- Yes - Miss Nellie
Weston at the post office

Miss Weston

I think I might have some important
information for you, inspector

- Please go ahead -
It's rather delicate

- Do you think you could come round?
- Yes, of course

The role of your unit
in Hamburg, Sir Hubert,

was to relocate art treasures

All the occupying forces did
their bit to sort out the chaos

But you took a special interest

The chalice came my way

and I decided to pass it on
to the convent on my estate

I had no intention of keeping it

The plain fact is, you abused a
position of trust and responsibility

It wasn't like that

And looted things you were
supposed to be protecting

Damn you, Alleyn. I wasn't
doing it for myself

Please

The chalice and the other things, well,
at least I was keeping them safe

Things were disappearing, being
melted down. It was dreadful

You broke the law, Sir Hubert

Yes, I suppose that's
how it must seem

Tell me about Corporal Billings

He was my driver. He ran
certain errands for me

- He did damn well out of it
- Perhaps he didn't think so

Is that why he was trying
to steal back the chalice?

Perhaps it was more convenient
to have him out of the way, dead

No!

When Rankin refused to
give you what you wanted,

that gave you a very strong
motive for getting rid of him

Absolutely not! What
do you take me for?

A fanatical collector who can't
distinguish between right and wrong

No

Who'll stop at nothing
for a piece of art

I would never have killed for it.
Never!

You'll appreciate, inspector,
that the switchboard involves

a high degree of confidentiality

Oh, understood, ma'am

But this morning I accidentally
overhead a call from Frantock Hall

It sounded most suspicious

Who was the call
to, do you know?

It was a Hampstead number.

A Mrs Sandylands

A maid answered, said her
mistress was gone till tomorrow

Then it went all peculiar

"Please destroy parcel in
Tonbridge and don't tell a soul"

Can you describe this
voice from the hall?

A lady, nicely spoken

Thank you, Miss Weston. Your
help has been invaluable

Well, rest assured, inspector,

I shall regard it as my duty to
oversee all calls in future,

in the interests of
your investigation

Sir

Sir. The address in
Hoffner's burnt papers

The house belongs to
a Mr Dieter Krantz

A big wheel in the art
world, apparently

- You're flattering him, Bailey
- Oh, you know him, sir?

He's notorious

Well, he was the bloke
drinking with Hoffner

- How do you know?
- Miss Troy's sketch

She caught him exactly.

Sir, there was a call from Frantock
Hall this morning, a woman's voice

I was wondering if Miss Troy
mightn't be able to help us

Like me to have a word with her?

Are you telling me I'm
losing my objectivity?

Oh, no, sir. But they're
her friends and relatives

It can't be easy for her

I had to push him, Troy

How would you feel if it
was someone you loved?

It's my duty

My uncle had nothing
to do with this

Rory, he just wouldn't

I wish you'd speak up about
everyone so candidly

I'm not sure what you mean

I need to know more about
her and Charles Rankin

- Then you must ask her
- She won't talk to me

Nor me

But why?

Please. Ros is a dear friend

Please don't ask me to speculate

But you have a duty to
help me with what you know

Rankin's jacket showed traces of
Marjorie's powder and Rosamund's scent

I need your help, Troy

They were both in
love with Charles

I only discovered about Marjorie
the night we came down here

I'd no idea Rankin had been
leading them both along

God, I hate you

The strange thing
was, when they left,

another person slipped
out of the room

You think it was Rosamund?

I... I don't know

Did she know about
Rankin and Mrs Wilde?

She seemed so happy
when we first arrived

So, a discovery like this

would have been a
terrible shock to her

You're just guessing

Enough to make her do
something desperate

- No, not Ros - How
can you be so sure?

It's just inconceivable

This phone call was made this
morning by a woman from this house

Marjorie has a dressmaker called Mrs
Sandylands - more a friend, really

What about Tonbridge? Do the
Wildes have a house there?

I'm quite sure they don't. And what
could she want destroyed so badly?

Walters

Oh, good shot

Stop that man!

Well tackled, Bathgate

Well, Walters, explain yourself, or
you can think about it in a cell

- It was that Dr Hoffner, sir
- What about him?

Yesterday, before he skipped it, he
told me to find out anything I could

- Where is Dr Hoffner?
- I don't know

- He hasn't been in touch since -
You unlocked that door, Mr Walters

And you just pinned
the blame on me

Is that true, Walters?

Rory, I'm sure that if I could
look around Marjorie's flat,

I could solve this
Tonbridge business

Good heavens, Troy, no

But I could get in without
exciting attention

It's out of the question

Well, you said you
wanted my help.

Chief Inspector Alleyn.
Breir! What news?

All arranged, sir

Nine o'clock

Better say you're
joining me for dinner

If you insist

I'll meet you at the pub

- And you're not going in that
- Why not?

If you're so determined to
come, you'll come with me

- Collier - Yes, Miss

I need to collect some
more clothes for Mrs Wilde

Thank you so much

So, before we get
down to business,

there is someone you'll
be interested to meet

- Dr Hoffner - Krantz, are
you out of your mind?

Chief inspector Alleyn is here to
facilitate a business transaction, Hans

We shall both require your help

Don't look so startled, Doctor

Surely as a lover of fine things, you
can appreciate a policeman with,

what shall we say...
expensive tastes?

In my life, Chief inspector, I've
had to face many reassessments

Dr Hoffner might
feel more reassured

once you have presented
your credentials, Mr Alleyn

By all means

What price were you
proposing, Mr Alleyn?

I'd prefer to talk
about an exchange

An exchange?

- For what?
- The papal chalice

- That is out of the question
- Quiet, Hans

- What if I don't have it?
- In that case, nothing doing

Before we make any hasty
decision, Mr Alleyn,

I would like Dr Hoffner to
authenticate this dagger

Of course

This is definitely the
San Michel dagger

The monastery will be overjoyed

You're giving it back to them?

Of course. This had been in
their custody for centuries.

And I suppose you'll be
well paid for it, Doctor.

That's more my
preoccupation, Alleyn

I'm commissioned to trace
and bring back such items

And the chalice?

Krantz, that is not
yours to barter with

As you can see, Mr Alleyn,
the Doctor is an idealist

Please

Well, I must congratulate you on
this convent job, Herr Krantz

Praise indeed

A common thief turning up, rather...
inconvenient, what?

A complete amateur. He
didn't stand a chance

But, Krantz, you said that...

He was in the way

Well, there you are, you see. A
professional can deal with anything

- Unlike you, Dr Hoffner
- What are you saying?

Well, you rather bungled the
theft of the dagger, didn't you?

You think that I
murdered Rankin?

No, no. Krantz, tell the
Chief inspector all about it

You fool. Believe me, Alleyn,
if I had got into the house,

the dagger would have been
stolen cleanly, not left behind

A pleasure to do business
with you, Herr Krantz

Dr Hoffner.

Look... this is a
terrible mistake

- I thought you had more sense
- He's nothing to do with me

Hoffner

Hoffner!

He's not a policeman

But Alleyn does know him

I don't know what this sniveling hack
is doing here, but leave him to me

I'll see he says nothing

Get in there!

There's no need for that.
He's not worth it

I hope you're not trying
to fool me, Alleyn

Go on!

Pack as much as you can, Hoffner.
You too, Bryant

And you, Chief inspector, are
going to help me get out of here

Well, do something, Bathgate!

Hans, no!

Rory

Letters

- Where were they?
- I'd got it all wrong

I was looking for an address,
when all the time it was a box

- But what about Tonbridge?
- That's the kind of box

Tunbridge ware. it's
a sort of wood inlay

Of course

But I feel awful taking
Marjorie's letters

Troy, I'm hoping they'll
help us get to the truth

We still don't know who
killed Charles Rankin

- in here - Oh, there you are

Look, I know it's late, but are
you up to driving, Mr Bathgate?

Sniveling little hack,
don't you mean?

If you're asking us
to leave, I can drive

I'm sure you can

And thank you for
dinner, Chief inspector

No surprises, Chief inspector

Charles Rankin left his cousin,
Nigel Bathgate, his entire estate,

apart from a few minor bequests

I see

Mr Benningden, did Charles Rankin
have any enemies that you know of?

He was a popular sort of chap.
Particularly with the ladies, of course

Yes. Did he confide in you?

Only recently

He consulted me about making a
future marriage settlement.

Was it to Miss Rosamund Grant?

Yes, but less than a week ago he said his
plans were to be temporarily postponed

Why?

In his own words, he confessed
he'd been caught cheating

and made an enemy of the
woman who still loved him

So she might have felt that if she
couldn't have him, no-one else would

Ros? Ros, where are you going?

Let me be, Troy. I've got to get out
for a few hours. I'm suffocating

- I'll come with you - No

Why are you doing this, Ros? It looks
as if you have something to hide

- Troy, I have - Then
don't shut me out

Chief inspector
Alleyn is your friend

How can I confide in you?

Oh, Ros. Do you really think our
friendship means so little to me?

You were in Charles's room just
before he died, weren't you?

I had to talk to him, Troy. He'd
been deceiving me with Marjorie

Oh, my God. What have I done?

And now I don't know
if he loved me at all

Not the smallest thing
in his will, Troy

Not a sign. He couldn't acknowledge
me, not even when he was dead

So you've finally decided
to tell the truth

And what would you
know about that?

Charles was just using you

- It was me he loved -
He'd finished with you

He used to joke about your clothes,
called you Madam Pompadour

- He'd loved me for years!
- No

- And that's what you couldn't stand!
- Stop it!

- No!
- You liar!

Ros! Ros, stop it!

- Is she often violent?
- No. It's so unlike her

Ros doesn't usually make
a show of her feelings

She's obviously very upset

Well, she attacked Mrs. Wilde

- I've helped you all I can
- On your own terms

Rory, these are
people I care about

Which may mean you're not
the best judge of them

You've already proved that

I'm simply trying to
assemble the facts

Rosamund Grant does
not have an alibi

She makes no attempt to provide one and
now, it seems, she's every reason to...

No, you're wrong

I know I shouldn't
have done this

I should have told you before

I took this from Rankin's room
the morning after the murder

It's Rosamund's

- This is withholding evidence, Troy
- Yes, I know, but...

Ros told me she was waiting to
face Rankin in his room that night

You see, this proves it.
She couldn't...

Miss Grant will have to
tell me this herself

Well, anything else
you haven't told me?

Only that Ros couldn't
have murdered Charles

She really loved him

I'm sorry, but in my experience, love
is a very powerful motive for murder

Excuse me

Go downstairs, Marjorie.
Leave this to me

All right, Breir,
can you hear me?

Loud and clear, sir

Well, there's nothing
wrong with that

Now, look here, Chief inspector, I
thought you'd finished with our rooms

Mr Wilde, when you
were in the bath,

where was your wife?

Here, to start with. Most
of the time in the bedroom

- Was she in there all the time?
- I don't understand

Well, would you have noticed, for
instance, if she slipped out?

I won't have this. I'm
her alibi, I've told you

And Bathgate, too. He heard her

Ah, yes, of course, Mr Bathgate

You heard Mrs Wilde talking...
all the time?

Well... not exactly

But I did, damn you!

Forgive me. We've all been
under a lot of strain

The point I'm trying to suggest,
Mr Wilde, is that your wife

actually doesn't have
a complete alibi

No, stop your investigation
now, Chief inspector

I killed Rankin

How did you do that, Mr Wilde?

This is ludicrous, Arthur.
You were in the bath

It's very understandable, but aren't
you playing rather a foolish game?

I'm sorry

I'm so sorry

Come in

I wondered if I might
have a word, Sir Hubert

Of course, dear boy. Come in

- It's about the dagger, sir
- Ah, yes, yes

I've had a word with Benningden

Charles's bequest is
quite legal, he tells me

That's what I wanted
to talk about

Look, Bathgate, I realize that all
Charles's things should go to you,

but I'm sure we can come to
some sort of understanding

I hope so, sir

I'm prepared to offer you a fair price.
It's a matter of honour

No, Sir Hubert, it's not that

I was hoping you'd agree to return
the dagger to its original owner,

the San Michel Monastery

Absolutely not!

Hello

What's going on?

Could you all come down for a
moment, please? I need some help

Thank you very much,
ladies and gentlemen

I need a volunteer

Mr Bathgate, perhaps?

What for, Chief inspector?

I'm trying to establish
how it was possible

for the murderer to
leave his or her room,

come down here, kill Mr Rankin,

and then return so quietly, unobserved,
in a very short space of time

Oh, it's horrible

Come along, now, Nigel.
We must all help

Thank you, Mr Wilde

Sir Hubert, would it be possible
to make the clock strike eight?

What is it, my dear?

The dagger. It's
back where it was

Well spotted, Mrs Wilde. Now,
from what you've all told me,

the murder must have taken place

in the time it took the
clock to strike eight

- But that's not possible, surely
- That's what we have to find out

Mr Bathgate, I'd like you to go
upstairs to the door of your room

When you hear the clock start to
strike, I want you to run down,

grab the dagger, stab Sergeant Bailey,
make to switch off the lights

and then run back upstairs
as fast as you can

Have you no feelings, Chief inspector?
Charles was his cousin

Sing out when you're
ready, Mr Bathgate

Ready!

Dagger

Stab him

Lights

See? Not long enough

Thank you, Mr. Bathgate

I suppose there's one
other way we could try

Mr Wilde, I wonder,
would you mind?

I doubt if I could
manage it any faster

This time, carry the
dagger up with you

I'll tell you what

You might try a faster way
of coming down the stairs

- How do you suggest?
- Slide down the banister?

I think I'm a bit stiff in the
joints for doing that sort of thing

Which is why I'm not
trying it myself

Rather easier for a
woman, I imagine

- Side saddle - That's it

Well, now, Mr Wilde. Let's see

How would you do it?

Well, you left Charles
Rankin down here,

you picked up the dagger and you
went upstairs to your bathroom

You made sure that Mr Bathgate and
your wife knew that you were there

Stay single, Nigel! You'll
get better service!

You don't really mean that

Then, having made sure your
wife was in her bedroom,

you looked for her gloves

You found only one

You took it and ran out
across the landing

All the time, your wife hadn't realized
you were no longer in the bathroom

Arthur, hurry up in there

Swiftly, silently, you
were down in no time,

and you plunged the dagger
into Charles Rankin's back

You switched off the lights and you
ran back upstairs to your bathroom

before the clock
had done striking

Later, quite calmly,

you threw the glove
onto the fire

Well, Mr Wilde, have
I left anything out?

Damn you, Alleyn

That bastard Rankin didn't even try
to hide your sordid little affair!

And you let him! You
tortured me, Marjorie!

No!

And then you squandered my
money just to please him

No, Arthur, listen...

He deserved to die, and
you should take the blame

That's enough, sir.
Come along, now

Thank you very much

Rory, those letters from Rankin
Marjorie wanted destroyed so badly

Wilde had already read them

We found his
fingerprints on them

and matched them
to his tooth mug

We won't be needing
this any longer

Thank you

I say, we will try
again, won't we?

I mean, dinner or something?

Yes, that'd be nice

Perhaps next time you'll leave
that serious suit at home