Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 11, Episode 3 - 8 Footsteps - full transcript
A recording device made by Alexander Graham Bell assists in the investigation of a murder at a dinner honoring Helen Keller.
(theme music)
♪
♪
(Mr. Fellows): I'm saying
it's a bad idea.
The banquet, or the fact
that it's being held
in complete darkness?
Well, obviously I'm not
against banquets.
I do work in a hotel.
This dinner is in honour
of a very special guest
who is both blind and deaf.
Which is why we've invited
blind and deaf guests
as well as charitable donors.
Exactly! Mixing the rich with
the poor? With the lights out?
And a constituency
specially skilled
for such circumstance?
The opportunity for theft
is obvious.
As a fellow detective,
you must appreciate my position.
I believe I'm more concerned
with the potential for mishap
than avarice, Mr. Fellows.
But I'm not unconcerned.
(sighing)
Why does our hotel
need a detective?
I believe you and I living
here may have had something
to do with that.
Still. One detective per hotel
should be sufficient.
Doctor, Detective.
Wonderful to see you again.
Mr. Bell. It is
indeed a pleasure.
Mr. Bell.
Allow me to introduce
my wife, Mabel.
Hello.
How do you do?
And it gives me great pleasure
to introduce the guests
of honour this evening,
Miss Helen Keller
and her governess,
Mrs. Anne Sullivan Macy.
Doctor Julia Ogden
and Detective William Murdoch.
I'm so happy
to finally meet you.
I feel I know you already
from our letters.
This... is...
Doctor... Ogden...
and William... Murdoch.
How wonderful to meet you.
And thank you
for helping organize this dinner.
Where everyone will be
as blind as I am.
May I see you?
She wants to touch your face.
Oh. Of course.
You're smiling.
I understand
you can read lips?
I can. But I make mistakes.
Meet my husband.
And you are very handsome.
(soft chuckling)
Fascinating. Her fingers can
see as well as hear.
Quite accurately I might add.
Ladies and gentlemen,
if you would please
take your assigned seats.
Dinner is about to be served.
♪
And you sit, my dear.
I think it would suit everyone
if you were
to take your leave, sir.
I beg your pardon?
To find you here
in present company is an insult.
At least I've paid to be here.
You either leave or I'll
be forced to do something
I might regret.
Take your seat.
What's the matter?
I'm missing my steak knife.
And my napkin.
Well, you could
just borrow mine.
Don't be tedious.
Goodness.
I'm missing my napkin too.
However will I
dab my mouth?
Excuse me. Hello? Waiter.
We're missing a knife
and two napkins.
(cutlery clattering)
(indistinct speaking)
Oh, hello.
(glass being struck)
Ladies and gentlemen,
you should all have your meals
in front of you by now.
Please take a moment
to acquaint yourself
with everything
you will be needing.
Please remember this is
an experiment in experience.
And whilst it's
always preferable
for the sightless to have sight,
sometimes it helps
for the sighted to have insight.
Oh.
(exclamations of surprise)
(Julia): Oh, my!
William, are you still there?
No. I seem to have
completely disappeared.
This darkness is
quite extraordinary.
I so rarely experience this.
Well, as you know, I've
been committed to hybrid teas
since I decided
to become a rosarian.
And I've been working
on developing a cross
between Persiana...
(indistinct speaking)
I have particularly high hopes
for what I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow.
Sunsets are red.
Excuse me...
Sir? Oh, my God!
Turn on the lights!
Turn on the lights!
(gasping)
Goodness gracious!
(exclamations of shock)
Who could have done this?
(dramatic music)
♪
Everybody away from the table.
I mean now!
This means you.
SIR!
This gentleman is deaf.
Allow me.
The killer likely covered
his mouth with this napkin,
and then used the countervailing
force to push in the knife.
Any idea of the force
that would have been required?
Well, woman could have done it
if that's what you're asking.
Didn't I tell you something
like this would happen?
I don't recall you mentioning
anything about murder.
A crime of opportunity was
what I predicted.
Detective, if I may be
of any assistance...
Yes. I would be grateful
if you could
aid in the questioning of
the deaf guests. The constables
will be arriving--
Why are you wasting time with the deaf?
The blind is who you should
focus on. Who else could
find someone in the pitch dark,
let alone kill them?
We have guests
that are both blind and deaf.
Yes, Helen Keller.
She has the skills,
no doubt about it. But...
the killer instinct?
Mr. Fellows,
if you don't mind,
I have an investigation...
Of course.
I'm just the hotel detective, after all.
Is there anything you'll be
requiring of us, Detective?
I'd like to take Helen
back to her room.
Very well. But stay there.
I will need to interview
both of you.
I do have some information
you may find pertinent.
What would that be?
I overheard some guests
complaining about
a missing knife...
and two napkins, if I recall.
It's probably nothing.
Sorry to waste your time.
(sighing)
George, Henry,
please interview
all of the guests.
And get a copy
of the seating chart, please.
Sir. I take it dinner
did not go as planned?
No, it did not.
Oh, and please find out which
guests were missing a knife
and two napkins.
Sir.
Sir.
The killer inserted the knife
into the narrow gap
between the spine and the skull.
He or she knew to slide
the weapon in sideways.
Detective Murdoch,
it may interest you to know
that I made an audio recording
of the dinner.
Two, in fact.
Oh?
I was hoping to learn whether
the lack of visual reference
would affect the way we speak.
I gather you'd like a listen.
Yes, I would.
So, was this your right
shoulder or your left?
George. I found out
who reported the knife
and napkins missing.
Ruth Newsome?
And the man she's with.
Right. Do you want me
to interview them? I know
she's a bit spoony over you.
It's OK. I can manage it.
Miss Newsome.
Constable Higgins!
Oh, isn't it dreadful?
Have you determined who did it?
Not yet, I'm afraid.
This is my fiancé,
Herbert Wilson.
Your fiancé?
Congratulations.
Yes. We're overjoyed.
So... so... overjoyed.
I understand you were
missing your knife?
And our napkins.
And when did you
notice them missing?
As I sat down.
I had the matter
rectified immediately.
That kind of sloppiness
is an embarrassment.
(Ruth): Herbie is one
of the organizers.
Yes. I believe in returning
to those in need a small portion
of my good fortune.
A simple credo,
but one to which I am committed.
(chuckling)
Well as you know I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become a
rosarian. And I've been working
on developing a cross between
Persiana, which is Persian
in origin, and some of the more
robust varieties found here
in Canada. I have
particularly high hopes...
Bloody hell!
She can prattle on.
(audio recording stopped)
I heard footsteps.
Yes.
Could it be the waiter?
No. All of the waiters
were out of the room
at the time the lights
went out. Could you
play it back again?
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become...
There it is. I heard it.
Let it continue.
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
- Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas since
I decided to become a rosarian.
And I've been working
on developing a cross between
Persiana, which is Persian
in origin, and some of the more
robust varieties found here
in Canada. I have particularly
high hopes for one that I'm
going to call Crimson Sunrise
because there's
just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow,
sunsets are red.
Four steps, a pause,
and then four more steps.
As if the killer took
four steps to reach the victim
and then four more
to return to his seat.
And the distance would depend
on stride length,
which is variable.
Between two and three feet.
Roughly the distance
between one diner and the next.
Our victim, David Thornton,
was seated at the middle
of the table.
And four steps brings us
to... either end.
So the killer was on
the right side of the table.
We know that Anne Sullivan
Macy was at that end.
And... Helen was to her left
at the head.
Who was at the other end?
George and Henry will
have that information.
What have you, gentlemen?
Sir. A couple
of points of interest.
A blind man by the name
of William Dawes was seen
getting into a verbal spat
with the victim just before
the lights were turned out.
A blind man would be more
capable than most.
And three people report
being touched lightly
on the right shoulder
while the lights were out.
Where were they sitting?
Seats R5 through R7.
It's how the killer found his victim.
Well, as you know,
I have been committed
to hybrid teas since I decided
to become a rosarian .
And I've been working on
developing this cross between
Persiana, which is Persianin origin,
and some of the more robust
varieties found here
in Canada. And I have
particularly high hopes
for one that I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there is just this...
George, who was sat here?
R8.
That would be...
William Dawes.
The blind man.
Bring him in.
Threaten him?
When did I threaten him?
Witnesses reported an incident
shortly before supper began.
I didn't mean kill him.
What did you mean?
Give him good rap on the skull.
And I wouldn't
have regretted it.
I was only saying that
to be civil.
What exactly did
Mr. Thornton do to you?
To me, nothing.
It was Miss Keller he insulted.
How so?
She has surmounted
the greatest obstacles
a person can face
and this... moral wastrel
has the temerity
to call her a fraud.
Why is he marrying her?
Why is who marrying whom?
Herbert Wilson
and Ruth Newsome.
What do you care?
It just seems an odd pairing.
She's rich. He's rich.
Exactly. What's in it for him?
Well? Is the blind man our killer?
Motive seems a bit thin.
Also, the victim
wrote a weekly column entitled
"The Inquiring Skeptic".
I read that. He exposed
shams and whatnot.
Though even I thought
the piece he wrote on Helen
Keller was a bit much.
What did he write about her?
He criticized her for writing
about things she couldn't
possibly know about. Like
clouds. Which I think is unfair.
I've never seen God but I know
what he looks like.
Really?
Of course. Big white beard.
Heavy eyebrows. Never smiles.
Bald?
Bald?
Well, I wouldn't think so.
If you were
the supreme being of the
universe, would you choose to
walk around with a naked pate?
Crabtree, enough!
A man who wrote a crusading
column exposing cheaters
may have angered
more than admirers
of Helen Keller.
Right. I'll look into it.
Henry, come with me.
♪
This is Mr. Bell's graphizer.
Do you know what it does?
It... graphizes.
Yes. More specifically,
it creates
a graphic representation
of an audio recording.
Exactly.
What I want you to do
is to transcribe
everything that you hear
and identify where each sound
falls on this graph.
Do you understand?
Yes...
When a person speaks,
make a mark
for the duration of that speech.
Like this.
Oh, my!
Dr. Ogden.
William, are you still there?
Lift.
No. I seem to have
completely disappeared.
Replace.
The darkness
is quite extraordinary.
I so rarely experience this.
Lift.
And so on.
On each line, write exactly
what was said.
At the end, roll it back
and repeat for each voice
that you hear.
Sir. How will I know
who's speaking?
We'll get to that later.
All right.
Detective Murdoch,
my wife has some information
you may want to hear.
Please, come in. Sit down.
Mabel is an excellent
lip reader
but you'll have
to face her squarely.
You were seated
next to the victim,
were you not?
That is correct.
What information do you have
for me, Mrs. Bell?
I believe I may have
overheard a message.
A message?
In Morse code.
How do you mean
you overheard it?
She heard it
with her fingertips.
Like this...
Do you feel that?
Barely.
It's very slight
but a deaf person
would notice it.
It's how I get
my dear Mabel's attention.
When was this message sent?
Just before the murder.
And what was the message?
I don't know Morse code well enough to say.
I have particularly high hops
for one that I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow.
Sunsets are red.
(audio recording stopped)
You can hear
the disdain in his voice.
You're right.
But he seemed genuinely curious
about the roses.
If you're so put out by it,
Higgins, I don't know
why you don't
ask her to marry you?
Don't be ridiculous.
Well, I'm serious.
She would take you any day
over Mr. Money Bags.
George, she's bonkers.
And, if you haven't noticed,
a little dim?
You're no Newton
yourself, Higgins.
Apple fell on his head.
Wrote the laws of motion--
I don't want her, all right?
I just...
When someone likes you,
you don't want to see them hurt.
Ahem. Thank you, Henry.
Hm!
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've been
working on developing--
(audio recording stopped)
I didn't hear anything.
Neither did I.
But the energy of the vibrations
is most likely expended
in the frequencies
below our hearing.
Now, the lowest frequency
I've isolated
is 20 oscillations per second.
That's this line here.
That's a lot of noise
we didn't hear.
So how do we solate the thumps?
Field compression.
Hm.
♪
Long and short salients.
Dots and dashes.
I see an N.
Mostly numbers as far
as I can tell.
I'll write them down.
All right.
One. Zero.
One. Five.
There's your N.
Seven. One.
Five.
What's all this then?
Some sort
of coded message, sir.
Who sent it?
We don't know.
Nor do we know
for whom it was intended.
What if one of those numbers was a time?
10:15.
7:15.
Or 10:15
in 715.
Room 715.
The sender was setting up
a meeting.
What time is it now?
10 minutes after 10.
Better get a move on.
(knocking)
Police. Open the door.
I hear movement.
Break in.
So what's this here then?
Are you breaking in
to one of our private rooms?
Excuse me.
This is a police matter.
It's a police matter, is it?
So those upholding the law
feel it's theirs to break?
Who are you?
Sir, this is Ralph Fellows,
the hotel detective.
I'm not a real detective
like you, of course.
Look, we hotel detectives
have to follow the law.
Who's staying in this room?
I'm sorry.
You seem to have mistaken me
for the desk clerk.
(Inspector Brackenreid):
Bloody hell! Is that...
Miss Keller.
David!
David!
David?
As in David Thornton?
The victim?
No. No.
David! Where's David?
(soft music)
♪
David...
He wrote a column
suggesting I was a fraud.
I challenged him
to come and see me
for himself in person.
So you met him?
At Radcliffe.
I was feeling very stern
and I intended to prove
what I could see with my senses.
But when I touched his face,
and felt the words
coming out of his mouth...
He was so funny
and charming.
I know a woman like myself
oughtn't to have such feelings.
At least my parents thought so.
And Mrs. Sullivan Macy.
Over time my feelings grew.
I kept it to myself.
But when he told me
he felt the same...
...it all came tumbling out.
We kept it a secret.
But our desire
was so strong,
we agreed to marry
the next time we met.
When I got his message,
I knew he was coming for me.
My heart is broken and...
I'm ashamed.
No, no, no.
Dear girl.
My wife is deaf.
But if she were blind
I would love her no less.
Ahem. I have a question.
Put her hand to your lips.
And then speak.
Had Mrs. Sullivan Macy
ever met Mr. Thornton?
Yes, at Radcliffe.
Then why did she not tell you
he'd been killed?
She knew about David
and she didn't tell me?
I would have told her in time.
Better she suffer
a broken heart first,
thinking that her lover
had changed his mind.
She would have come to know it
sooner or later from that man.
Why do you say that?
He would have exploited her.
How do you know?
Love is a transaction, Detective.
What is being exchanged here?
Add to that
the rightful discomfort
people would feel
about such a union.
Romance is not in the cards for
Helen. And the sooner she comes
to accept that fact,
the better off she will be.
Did you know
she and Mr. Thornton
intended to elope?
I didn't know
it had gotten that far.
I knew she was in love with him.
I know they met in New Orleans.
Did you know he was going
to be at the banquet?
No. That was a surprise.
What did you intend to do?
I don't know.
As it turned out,
fate intervened.
Did it?
Or did you kill him?
Don't be absurd.
You thought David Thornton
represented a threat:
danger, heartbreak,
possibly worse.
Wouldn't you do anything
to protect her?
Not that.
Convince me.
I was in my seat
the entire time.
Can anyone vouch for that?
Helen.
Someone is here.
(knocking)
Come in.
I've come to take Helen
back to her room.
Get out!
Oh, dear.
I was afraid this would happen.
How could you not tell me?
How can I explain
if you won't listen?
I'll see Helen
back to her room.
Give her anger time.
She still needs you.
I'm sorry.
Just go!
It's all right.
She's gone now.
(door closing)
Get your papers!
(Murdoch): Thank you
for your time, gentlemen.
If you could take the seats here
at the end of the table.
All right.
What's going on here?
This is part
of our ongoing investigation,
Mr. Fellows.
And it's your duty to inform
me of any police business
pertaining to this hotel.
You don't have to
respect me, Detective,
but I insist
that you respect
the office I represent.
Actually, Detective, I could
use your assistance
at this moment.
Assistance?
We need somebody
to play the role of the victim.
Are you being funny?
No. Please, have a seat.
All right.
Oh! Re-enacting the crime, are we?
That never hurts.
I've done it myself on occasion.
(Murdoch): Mr. Bell,
if you'd be so kind.
Well, as you know....
Oh, I see.
You're thinking
it's Anne Sullivan Macy.
I considered her.
...a cross between Persiana,
which is Persian in origin,
and some of the more robust
Canadian varieties here.
And I'm especially excited about
one that I think
I'll call Crimson Sunrise
because there's just a...
a hint of red.
That's eight steps.
(audio recording stopped)
How did she get
all the way back
without us hearing?
Could she have
walked on the carpet?
Not enough room.
What if she took off her shoes?
Would she think to do so?
Did she know the banquet
was being recorded?
I never told anyone.
(sighing)
Detective!
What have you, George?
I've been reading through
some of Mr. Thornton's articles.
I found one
of particular interest.
Apparently,
a well-respected professor
believed that one of his
students stumbled upon a means
of communicating with the dead.
Now, they had demonstrations
and people came from all over
and they would ask questions
into this device
and the dead would respond.
It was a great sensation and
they were even awarded a patent.
I remember reading about this.
That's right.
But then, Mr. Thornton here
discovers that the device
is nothing more than version
of Fessenden's wireless
voice transmitter.
The student, of course,
was a confidence trickster
and he'd conned everybody,
including the professor.
He was just using his reputation
to sell the patent.
George, what does this
have to do with our case?
Sir. The professor
was Horace Carmondy.
And he was seated here,
next to William Dawes.
(indistinct speaking)
Mr. Bell,
if you could replay
the recording.
As you know,
I've become committed
to hybrid teas ever since
I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've actually
been working on a cross
between Persiana,
which is Persian
in origin, and some
of the more robust
Canadian varieties found here.
And I'm especially excited
about one that I think
I'll call Crimson Sunrise
because it has
just a... a hint of red.
George, bring in
Horace Carmondy.
Sir.
You think I killed him?
Are you forgetting?
The killer touched me
on the shoulder.
Of course you'd say that.
If you weren't touched
that would mean
you were the killer.
Did you know
who David Thornton was?
Yes I knew who he was.
Of course you did.
It was his column that exposed
your device as a fraud.
I know what you're thinking.
But the truth is I've never
blamed Mr. Thornton
for what happened.
But he ruined your reputation.
Of course he didn't.
A student who...
preyed on my naivety
destroyed my reputation.
Mr. Thornton was simply
reporting the facts.
It's got to be him.
I agree he is
a strong suspect.
But I'm troubled
by the very evidence
that we're relying on.
Why's that?
Well sir,
if it was Mr. Carmondy,
why touch a series of people
on the shoulder
knowing that it would lead
to him being a suspect?
So you think that someone else
killed Thornton and then set it
up to look like it was Carmondy?
Possibly. Mr. Bell, you made
separate recordings from either
end of the table, correct?
Yes.
What if we were
to synchronize those and
play them back simultaneously,
one in each ear?
Like a stereoscope.
Only with sound!
We might be able to determine
which direction
the footsteps came from.
Yes, by Jove!
Sir, I've got a theory.
All right, Henry.
Let's have it.
As you know, sir, Ruth Newsome
is engaged to Herbert Wilson.
It's clearly a mismatch, sir,
so I did some investigating
and it appears that he has
recently suffered a reversal
of fortune, sir.
And?
Well sir, it suggests
that he is only marrying her
because he wants her money.
Henry, what does this
have to do with the murder?
Well, I don't know, sir,
but it certainly
seems suspicious.
Henry, Ruth Newsome
and Herbert Wilson
were seated on the left side of the table
and we know from the number of footsteps
the killer was seated on the right.
If you say so, sir.
Henry, is it possible
your interest in this is personal?
I just think
he's up to no good.
All right,
I seem to have synchronized
the sound recordings.
So... now we should be able to tell
from which direction
the sounds are coming.
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've been
working on developing
a cross between Persiana,
which is Persian in origin,
and some of the more robust
varieties found here in Canada.
I have particularly high hopes
for what I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
How strange.
(Murdoch): The footsteps seem
to begin in the middle.
And then go to one side
and then double back
to the other side.
Before returning
to the middle again.
So the killer was sitting in
the middle, next to the victim?
That's where my wife
was sitting.
Oh. So who's the lady
on the other side?
Ernestine Wallace.
But I believe she was engaged in
a conversation with her husband
at the time of the murder.
So nobody could have
done it then. Well, good!
That'll save us a bit of work.
Shall we have another listen?
No.
We're not listening anymore.
I want everyone
back in the banquet room.
May I have your attention?
Thank you for all coming.
I realize this may
seem unusual.
Detective, what are we doing here?
Oh! Are you going
to reveal the murderer?
It's such a thrill to see
a real detective at work.
Henry, could you please take
Mr. Thornton's position?
Oh, a re-enactment
of the events.
How exciting!
But something is missing.
Oh, yes. Your wife.
My wife may be many things,
but I can say with assurance
that she is not a killer.
Unlike the rest of us, of course.
Worthy of your suspicion.
I'm going to play you
a recording of last
night's dinner.
And as you listen, I would ask
that you close your eyes,
and do exactly
what you were doing last night.
Mr. Bell.
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
Well, as you know,
I have been committed
to hybrid teas since I decided
to become a rosarian...
(indistinct overlapping
conversations)
What was that?
- I don't know.
Well, I must say
I am breathless
with anticipation.
So what have you
learned, Detective?
Mrs. Bell,
you say you detected a communication
between Mr. Thornton and Miss Keller
just prior to the footsteps being heard.
And that constitutes your alibi, does it not?
That is right.
In fact, the message occurred
seconds before the killer's
footsteps could be heard.
What's your point, Detective?
The footsteps began
at the center of the table.
You're not suggesting that--
Your wife is the only person
whose actions cannot be heard
on that recording.
What?
It cannot be her, sir!
What is happening?
What you don't know, Detective,
is that the illness
that stole my wife's hearing
also destroyed
her sense of balance.
If she walks without
visual reference
she will fall over.
(laughing)
So what's your theory
now, Detective?
It was not Mabel!
Why do you say that?
Because the killer walked behind me.
I'm afraid that's impossible.
Oh, this is too good!
If Miss Keller says
a man walked behind her,
you can be assured
she is telling the truth.
George, if you would.
Miss Keller,
would you please
tell us when you feel
someone walking behind you?
Now.
Now.
(chuckling)
So, now what is
your theory, Detective?
I've concluded that the killer
was never sitting
at the table at all.
The killer was standing
the entire time.
You think I did it?
You knew the dinner was being recorded.
Once the lights went out
you walked slowly, softly,
to the edge of the carpet
and behind Miss Keller,
not knowing that she would
sense your presence.
You then proceeded--
This is absurd!
Can you prove
it didn't happen that way?
No, but--
Then be quiet, please,
and let me do my job.
In answer to your question,
I believe the killer did come
from the opposite side of the table.
But sir, I thought
that was impossible.
We thought that was impossible
because we only heard
eight footsteps.
It would be impossible
for someone to circumnavigate a table
of this size in eight footsteps.
And how could the killer
travel such a great distance
in complete darkness?
Unless...
unless...
the killer
used the edge of the carpet
to navigate.
The killer took
eight footsteps
but we only heard four.
At the end of those eight steps,
the killer struck.
The killer then took
another eight steps to return
to his seat, but not before
touching these three people
on the shoulder
in order to set up Mr. Carmondy
for the crime.
Which was your intent
all along.
Wasn't it?
Are you saying I'm the killer?
Oh, no, no, that's impossible.
We were having a conversation.
Begging your pardon, Miss Newsome,
but you were having a conversation.
A conversation that was initiated by Mr. Wilson
but one that he only participated in
after the last of the killer's
footsteps were heard.
No, but I--
Miss Newsome,
has your fiancé ever expressed
an interest in your roses?
Oh, no. He finds it
all terribly boring.
He... he calls it my...
"blah blah blah."
"Blah blah blah" indeed.
This is ridiculous.
How would I have found him
in complete darkness?
Practice, Mr. Wilson.
After all, you helped
organize this dinner,
did you not? You had access
to this very table
every night for the past week.
And why would I kill a man
I'd never met?
That's a good question.
I believe the answer lies
in your recent engagement.
What about our engagement?
Mr. Wilson,
why are you
marrying Miss Newsome?
Well, because...
I love her.
What specifically do you
love about her?
Well, her... her... beauty,
of course,
and her... her...
Her money?
I have my own money.
You had money, Mr. Wilson.
You've since lost it all.
Is that true?
And you've gone
to great lengths
to set up Mr. Carmondy
for a crime.
But why would you do that?
Could it be that you've lost
all of your money
investing in a machine
that allows the dead to talk?
Mr. Carmondy, who are your investors?
I don't know off-hand.
No matter. Easy enough
to find out. Henry, could you
dig a little deeper
into Mr. Wilson's finances?
Gladly, sir!
(exclamations of surprise)
Watch out!
(grunting)
GET OFF OF ME! STOP!
STOP!
Miss Keller!
(screaming)
All right. You've got me.
It's over.
I'm not sorry.
He got what he deserved.
As would have you.
I lost a fortune
because you were too stupid
to see the truth.
And as for you?
I hate roses.
And I would frankly rather go
to the noose
than be married
to someone as boring
and vacuous as you.
Oh...
Oh!
(Murdoch): Henry!
(Mr. Fellows): Bravo!
(romantic music)
♪
Oh, Henry!
Well Detective Murdoch,
once again our partnership
has produced results.
Indeed.
And once again, I must say
thank you for your help.
Perhaps we could
develop this stereoscopic sound
you've invented.
Oh, I don't see
there being much use for it,
except, of course,
in solving crime.
Maybe so,
but if you'd ever
like to work together again,
just say the word. Hm?
I'll give you a hand.
Ah!
I wonder if she'll
ever forgive me.
Of course she will.
It wasn't you that broke her heart.
She needs some time to learn
to trust you again.
I'll fetch her.
Your carriage is here.
Don't forget what I told you
the other night.
Don't let one man's barbarity
keep you from
embracing everything
that life has to offer.
I won't.
Though I doubt
I'll ever love again.
You've surprised the world
with your strength and resilience.
You may yet surprise yourself.
I'm right here, Helen.
Your leg.
Thank you.
A remarkable woman.
We can go.
To live in a world
without sight and sound!
All of your other senses
would have to be heightened.
Taste, touch --
everything would be magnified.
Did you feel that at dinner?
Yes. Yes, I did.
Well, that's good.
Why do you say that?
Because...
I bought us a blindfold.
And I have an idea
for a little experiment.
Oh, my.
(giggling)
Closed captions by: SETTE inc.
♪
♪
♪
♪
(Mr. Fellows): I'm saying
it's a bad idea.
The banquet, or the fact
that it's being held
in complete darkness?
Well, obviously I'm not
against banquets.
I do work in a hotel.
This dinner is in honour
of a very special guest
who is both blind and deaf.
Which is why we've invited
blind and deaf guests
as well as charitable donors.
Exactly! Mixing the rich with
the poor? With the lights out?
And a constituency
specially skilled
for such circumstance?
The opportunity for theft
is obvious.
As a fellow detective,
you must appreciate my position.
I believe I'm more concerned
with the potential for mishap
than avarice, Mr. Fellows.
But I'm not unconcerned.
(sighing)
Why does our hotel
need a detective?
I believe you and I living
here may have had something
to do with that.
Still. One detective per hotel
should be sufficient.
Doctor, Detective.
Wonderful to see you again.
Mr. Bell. It is
indeed a pleasure.
Mr. Bell.
Allow me to introduce
my wife, Mabel.
Hello.
How do you do?
And it gives me great pleasure
to introduce the guests
of honour this evening,
Miss Helen Keller
and her governess,
Mrs. Anne Sullivan Macy.
Doctor Julia Ogden
and Detective William Murdoch.
I'm so happy
to finally meet you.
I feel I know you already
from our letters.
This... is...
Doctor... Ogden...
and William... Murdoch.
How wonderful to meet you.
And thank you
for helping organize this dinner.
Where everyone will be
as blind as I am.
May I see you?
She wants to touch your face.
Oh. Of course.
You're smiling.
I understand
you can read lips?
I can. But I make mistakes.
Meet my husband.
And you are very handsome.
(soft chuckling)
Fascinating. Her fingers can
see as well as hear.
Quite accurately I might add.
Ladies and gentlemen,
if you would please
take your assigned seats.
Dinner is about to be served.
♪
And you sit, my dear.
I think it would suit everyone
if you were
to take your leave, sir.
I beg your pardon?
To find you here
in present company is an insult.
At least I've paid to be here.
You either leave or I'll
be forced to do something
I might regret.
Take your seat.
What's the matter?
I'm missing my steak knife.
And my napkin.
Well, you could
just borrow mine.
Don't be tedious.
Goodness.
I'm missing my napkin too.
However will I
dab my mouth?
Excuse me. Hello? Waiter.
We're missing a knife
and two napkins.
(cutlery clattering)
(indistinct speaking)
Oh, hello.
(glass being struck)
Ladies and gentlemen,
you should all have your meals
in front of you by now.
Please take a moment
to acquaint yourself
with everything
you will be needing.
Please remember this is
an experiment in experience.
And whilst it's
always preferable
for the sightless to have sight,
sometimes it helps
for the sighted to have insight.
Oh.
(exclamations of surprise)
(Julia): Oh, my!
William, are you still there?
No. I seem to have
completely disappeared.
This darkness is
quite extraordinary.
I so rarely experience this.
Well, as you know, I've
been committed to hybrid teas
since I decided
to become a rosarian.
And I've been working
on developing a cross
between Persiana...
(indistinct speaking)
I have particularly high hopes
for what I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow.
Sunsets are red.
Excuse me...
Sir? Oh, my God!
Turn on the lights!
Turn on the lights!
(gasping)
Goodness gracious!
(exclamations of shock)
Who could have done this?
(dramatic music)
♪
Everybody away from the table.
I mean now!
This means you.
SIR!
This gentleman is deaf.
Allow me.
The killer likely covered
his mouth with this napkin,
and then used the countervailing
force to push in the knife.
Any idea of the force
that would have been required?
Well, woman could have done it
if that's what you're asking.
Didn't I tell you something
like this would happen?
I don't recall you mentioning
anything about murder.
A crime of opportunity was
what I predicted.
Detective, if I may be
of any assistance...
Yes. I would be grateful
if you could
aid in the questioning of
the deaf guests. The constables
will be arriving--
Why are you wasting time with the deaf?
The blind is who you should
focus on. Who else could
find someone in the pitch dark,
let alone kill them?
We have guests
that are both blind and deaf.
Yes, Helen Keller.
She has the skills,
no doubt about it. But...
the killer instinct?
Mr. Fellows,
if you don't mind,
I have an investigation...
Of course.
I'm just the hotel detective, after all.
Is there anything you'll be
requiring of us, Detective?
I'd like to take Helen
back to her room.
Very well. But stay there.
I will need to interview
both of you.
I do have some information
you may find pertinent.
What would that be?
I overheard some guests
complaining about
a missing knife...
and two napkins, if I recall.
It's probably nothing.
Sorry to waste your time.
(sighing)
George, Henry,
please interview
all of the guests.
And get a copy
of the seating chart, please.
Sir. I take it dinner
did not go as planned?
No, it did not.
Oh, and please find out which
guests were missing a knife
and two napkins.
Sir.
Sir.
The killer inserted the knife
into the narrow gap
between the spine and the skull.
He or she knew to slide
the weapon in sideways.
Detective Murdoch,
it may interest you to know
that I made an audio recording
of the dinner.
Two, in fact.
Oh?
I was hoping to learn whether
the lack of visual reference
would affect the way we speak.
I gather you'd like a listen.
Yes, I would.
So, was this your right
shoulder or your left?
George. I found out
who reported the knife
and napkins missing.
Ruth Newsome?
And the man she's with.
Right. Do you want me
to interview them? I know
she's a bit spoony over you.
It's OK. I can manage it.
Miss Newsome.
Constable Higgins!
Oh, isn't it dreadful?
Have you determined who did it?
Not yet, I'm afraid.
This is my fiancé,
Herbert Wilson.
Your fiancé?
Congratulations.
Yes. We're overjoyed.
So... so... overjoyed.
I understand you were
missing your knife?
And our napkins.
And when did you
notice them missing?
As I sat down.
I had the matter
rectified immediately.
That kind of sloppiness
is an embarrassment.
(Ruth): Herbie is one
of the organizers.
Yes. I believe in returning
to those in need a small portion
of my good fortune.
A simple credo,
but one to which I am committed.
(chuckling)
Well as you know I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become a
rosarian. And I've been working
on developing a cross between
Persiana, which is Persian
in origin, and some of the more
robust varieties found here
in Canada. I have
particularly high hopes...
Bloody hell!
She can prattle on.
(audio recording stopped)
I heard footsteps.
Yes.
Could it be the waiter?
No. All of the waiters
were out of the room
at the time the lights
went out. Could you
play it back again?
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become...
There it is. I heard it.
Let it continue.
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
- Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas since
I decided to become a rosarian.
And I've been working
on developing a cross between
Persiana, which is Persian
in origin, and some of the more
robust varieties found here
in Canada. I have particularly
high hopes for one that I'm
going to call Crimson Sunrise
because there's
just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow,
sunsets are red.
Four steps, a pause,
and then four more steps.
As if the killer took
four steps to reach the victim
and then four more
to return to his seat.
And the distance would depend
on stride length,
which is variable.
Between two and three feet.
Roughly the distance
between one diner and the next.
Our victim, David Thornton,
was seated at the middle
of the table.
And four steps brings us
to... either end.
So the killer was on
the right side of the table.
We know that Anne Sullivan
Macy was at that end.
And... Helen was to her left
at the head.
Who was at the other end?
George and Henry will
have that information.
What have you, gentlemen?
Sir. A couple
of points of interest.
A blind man by the name
of William Dawes was seen
getting into a verbal spat
with the victim just before
the lights were turned out.
A blind man would be more
capable than most.
And three people report
being touched lightly
on the right shoulder
while the lights were out.
Where were they sitting?
Seats R5 through R7.
It's how the killer found his victim.
Well, as you know,
I have been committed
to hybrid teas since I decided
to become a rosarian .
And I've been working on
developing this cross between
Persiana, which is Persianin origin,
and some of the more robust
varieties found here
in Canada. And I have
particularly high hopes
for one that I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there is just this...
George, who was sat here?
R8.
That would be...
William Dawes.
The blind man.
Bring him in.
Threaten him?
When did I threaten him?
Witnesses reported an incident
shortly before supper began.
I didn't mean kill him.
What did you mean?
Give him good rap on the skull.
And I wouldn't
have regretted it.
I was only saying that
to be civil.
What exactly did
Mr. Thornton do to you?
To me, nothing.
It was Miss Keller he insulted.
How so?
She has surmounted
the greatest obstacles
a person can face
and this... moral wastrel
has the temerity
to call her a fraud.
Why is he marrying her?
Why is who marrying whom?
Herbert Wilson
and Ruth Newsome.
What do you care?
It just seems an odd pairing.
She's rich. He's rich.
Exactly. What's in it for him?
Well? Is the blind man our killer?
Motive seems a bit thin.
Also, the victim
wrote a weekly column entitled
"The Inquiring Skeptic".
I read that. He exposed
shams and whatnot.
Though even I thought
the piece he wrote on Helen
Keller was a bit much.
What did he write about her?
He criticized her for writing
about things she couldn't
possibly know about. Like
clouds. Which I think is unfair.
I've never seen God but I know
what he looks like.
Really?
Of course. Big white beard.
Heavy eyebrows. Never smiles.
Bald?
Bald?
Well, I wouldn't think so.
If you were
the supreme being of the
universe, would you choose to
walk around with a naked pate?
Crabtree, enough!
A man who wrote a crusading
column exposing cheaters
may have angered
more than admirers
of Helen Keller.
Right. I'll look into it.
Henry, come with me.
♪
This is Mr. Bell's graphizer.
Do you know what it does?
It... graphizes.
Yes. More specifically,
it creates
a graphic representation
of an audio recording.
Exactly.
What I want you to do
is to transcribe
everything that you hear
and identify where each sound
falls on this graph.
Do you understand?
Yes...
When a person speaks,
make a mark
for the duration of that speech.
Like this.
Oh, my!
Dr. Ogden.
William, are you still there?
Lift.
No. I seem to have
completely disappeared.
Replace.
The darkness
is quite extraordinary.
I so rarely experience this.
Lift.
And so on.
On each line, write exactly
what was said.
At the end, roll it back
and repeat for each voice
that you hear.
Sir. How will I know
who's speaking?
We'll get to that later.
All right.
Detective Murdoch,
my wife has some information
you may want to hear.
Please, come in. Sit down.
Mabel is an excellent
lip reader
but you'll have
to face her squarely.
You were seated
next to the victim,
were you not?
That is correct.
What information do you have
for me, Mrs. Bell?
I believe I may have
overheard a message.
A message?
In Morse code.
How do you mean
you overheard it?
She heard it
with her fingertips.
Like this...
Do you feel that?
Barely.
It's very slight
but a deaf person
would notice it.
It's how I get
my dear Mabel's attention.
When was this message sent?
Just before the murder.
And what was the message?
I don't know Morse code well enough to say.
I have particularly high hops
for one that I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
Sunrises are yellow.
Sunsets are red.
(audio recording stopped)
You can hear
the disdain in his voice.
You're right.
But he seemed genuinely curious
about the roses.
If you're so put out by it,
Higgins, I don't know
why you don't
ask her to marry you?
Don't be ridiculous.
Well, I'm serious.
She would take you any day
over Mr. Money Bags.
George, she's bonkers.
And, if you haven't noticed,
a little dim?
You're no Newton
yourself, Higgins.
Apple fell on his head.
Wrote the laws of motion--
I don't want her, all right?
I just...
When someone likes you,
you don't want to see them hurt.
Ahem. Thank you, Henry.
Hm!
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've been
working on developing--
(audio recording stopped)
I didn't hear anything.
Neither did I.
But the energy of the vibrations
is most likely expended
in the frequencies
below our hearing.
Now, the lowest frequency
I've isolated
is 20 oscillations per second.
That's this line here.
That's a lot of noise
we didn't hear.
So how do we solate the thumps?
Field compression.
Hm.
♪
Long and short salients.
Dots and dashes.
I see an N.
Mostly numbers as far
as I can tell.
I'll write them down.
All right.
One. Zero.
One. Five.
There's your N.
Seven. One.
Five.
What's all this then?
Some sort
of coded message, sir.
Who sent it?
We don't know.
Nor do we know
for whom it was intended.
What if one of those numbers was a time?
10:15.
7:15.
Or 10:15
in 715.
Room 715.
The sender was setting up
a meeting.
What time is it now?
10 minutes after 10.
Better get a move on.
(knocking)
Police. Open the door.
I hear movement.
Break in.
So what's this here then?
Are you breaking in
to one of our private rooms?
Excuse me.
This is a police matter.
It's a police matter, is it?
So those upholding the law
feel it's theirs to break?
Who are you?
Sir, this is Ralph Fellows,
the hotel detective.
I'm not a real detective
like you, of course.
Look, we hotel detectives
have to follow the law.
Who's staying in this room?
I'm sorry.
You seem to have mistaken me
for the desk clerk.
(Inspector Brackenreid):
Bloody hell! Is that...
Miss Keller.
David!
David!
David?
As in David Thornton?
The victim?
No. No.
David! Where's David?
(soft music)
♪
David...
He wrote a column
suggesting I was a fraud.
I challenged him
to come and see me
for himself in person.
So you met him?
At Radcliffe.
I was feeling very stern
and I intended to prove
what I could see with my senses.
But when I touched his face,
and felt the words
coming out of his mouth...
He was so funny
and charming.
I know a woman like myself
oughtn't to have such feelings.
At least my parents thought so.
And Mrs. Sullivan Macy.
Over time my feelings grew.
I kept it to myself.
But when he told me
he felt the same...
...it all came tumbling out.
We kept it a secret.
But our desire
was so strong,
we agreed to marry
the next time we met.
When I got his message,
I knew he was coming for me.
My heart is broken and...
I'm ashamed.
No, no, no.
Dear girl.
My wife is deaf.
But if she were blind
I would love her no less.
Ahem. I have a question.
Put her hand to your lips.
And then speak.
Had Mrs. Sullivan Macy
ever met Mr. Thornton?
Yes, at Radcliffe.
Then why did she not tell you
he'd been killed?
She knew about David
and she didn't tell me?
I would have told her in time.
Better she suffer
a broken heart first,
thinking that her lover
had changed his mind.
She would have come to know it
sooner or later from that man.
Why do you say that?
He would have exploited her.
How do you know?
Love is a transaction, Detective.
What is being exchanged here?
Add to that
the rightful discomfort
people would feel
about such a union.
Romance is not in the cards for
Helen. And the sooner she comes
to accept that fact,
the better off she will be.
Did you know
she and Mr. Thornton
intended to elope?
I didn't know
it had gotten that far.
I knew she was in love with him.
I know they met in New Orleans.
Did you know he was going
to be at the banquet?
No. That was a surprise.
What did you intend to do?
I don't know.
As it turned out,
fate intervened.
Did it?
Or did you kill him?
Don't be absurd.
You thought David Thornton
represented a threat:
danger, heartbreak,
possibly worse.
Wouldn't you do anything
to protect her?
Not that.
Convince me.
I was in my seat
the entire time.
Can anyone vouch for that?
Helen.
Someone is here.
(knocking)
Come in.
I've come to take Helen
back to her room.
Get out!
Oh, dear.
I was afraid this would happen.
How could you not tell me?
How can I explain
if you won't listen?
I'll see Helen
back to her room.
Give her anger time.
She still needs you.
I'm sorry.
Just go!
It's all right.
She's gone now.
(door closing)
Get your papers!
(Murdoch): Thank you
for your time, gentlemen.
If you could take the seats here
at the end of the table.
All right.
What's going on here?
This is part
of our ongoing investigation,
Mr. Fellows.
And it's your duty to inform
me of any police business
pertaining to this hotel.
You don't have to
respect me, Detective,
but I insist
that you respect
the office I represent.
Actually, Detective, I could
use your assistance
at this moment.
Assistance?
We need somebody
to play the role of the victim.
Are you being funny?
No. Please, have a seat.
All right.
Oh! Re-enacting the crime, are we?
That never hurts.
I've done it myself on occasion.
(Murdoch): Mr. Bell,
if you'd be so kind.
Well, as you know....
Oh, I see.
You're thinking
it's Anne Sullivan Macy.
I considered her.
...a cross between Persiana,
which is Persian in origin,
and some of the more robust
Canadian varieties here.
And I'm especially excited about
one that I think
I'll call Crimson Sunrise
because there's just a...
a hint of red.
That's eight steps.
(audio recording stopped)
How did she get
all the way back
without us hearing?
Could she have
walked on the carpet?
Not enough room.
What if she took off her shoes?
Would she think to do so?
Did she know the banquet
was being recorded?
I never told anyone.
(sighing)
Detective!
What have you, George?
I've been reading through
some of Mr. Thornton's articles.
I found one
of particular interest.
Apparently,
a well-respected professor
believed that one of his
students stumbled upon a means
of communicating with the dead.
Now, they had demonstrations
and people came from all over
and they would ask questions
into this device
and the dead would respond.
It was a great sensation and
they were even awarded a patent.
I remember reading about this.
That's right.
But then, Mr. Thornton here
discovers that the device
is nothing more than version
of Fessenden's wireless
voice transmitter.
The student, of course,
was a confidence trickster
and he'd conned everybody,
including the professor.
He was just using his reputation
to sell the patent.
George, what does this
have to do with our case?
Sir. The professor
was Horace Carmondy.
And he was seated here,
next to William Dawes.
(indistinct speaking)
Mr. Bell,
if you could replay
the recording.
As you know,
I've become committed
to hybrid teas ever since
I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've actually
been working on a cross
between Persiana,
which is Persian
in origin, and some
of the more robust
Canadian varieties found here.
And I'm especially excited
about one that I think
I'll call Crimson Sunrise
because it has
just a... a hint of red.
George, bring in
Horace Carmondy.
Sir.
You think I killed him?
Are you forgetting?
The killer touched me
on the shoulder.
Of course you'd say that.
If you weren't touched
that would mean
you were the killer.
Did you know
who David Thornton was?
Yes I knew who he was.
Of course you did.
It was his column that exposed
your device as a fraud.
I know what you're thinking.
But the truth is I've never
blamed Mr. Thornton
for what happened.
But he ruined your reputation.
Of course he didn't.
A student who...
preyed on my naivety
destroyed my reputation.
Mr. Thornton was simply
reporting the facts.
It's got to be him.
I agree he is
a strong suspect.
But I'm troubled
by the very evidence
that we're relying on.
Why's that?
Well sir,
if it was Mr. Carmondy,
why touch a series of people
on the shoulder
knowing that it would lead
to him being a suspect?
So you think that someone else
killed Thornton and then set it
up to look like it was Carmondy?
Possibly. Mr. Bell, you made
separate recordings from either
end of the table, correct?
Yes.
What if we were
to synchronize those and
play them back simultaneously,
one in each ear?
Like a stereoscope.
Only with sound!
We might be able to determine
which direction
the footsteps came from.
Yes, by Jove!
Sir, I've got a theory.
All right, Henry.
Let's have it.
As you know, sir, Ruth Newsome
is engaged to Herbert Wilson.
It's clearly a mismatch, sir,
so I did some investigating
and it appears that he has
recently suffered a reversal
of fortune, sir.
And?
Well sir, it suggests
that he is only marrying her
because he wants her money.
Henry, what does this
have to do with the murder?
Well, I don't know, sir,
but it certainly
seems suspicious.
Henry, Ruth Newsome
and Herbert Wilson
were seated on the left side of the table
and we know from the number of footsteps
the killer was seated on the right.
If you say so, sir.
Henry, is it possible
your interest in this is personal?
I just think
he's up to no good.
All right,
I seem to have synchronized
the sound recordings.
So... now we should be able to tell
from which direction
the sounds are coming.
Well, as you know, I've been
committed to hybrid teas
since I decided to become
a rosarian. And I've been
working on developing
a cross between Persiana,
which is Persian in origin,
and some of the more robust
varieties found here in Canada.
I have particularly high hopes
for what I'm going to call
Crimson Sunrise because
there's just a hint of red.
How strange.
(Murdoch): The footsteps seem
to begin in the middle.
And then go to one side
and then double back
to the other side.
Before returning
to the middle again.
So the killer was sitting in
the middle, next to the victim?
That's where my wife
was sitting.
Oh. So who's the lady
on the other side?
Ernestine Wallace.
But I believe she was engaged in
a conversation with her husband
at the time of the murder.
So nobody could have
done it then. Well, good!
That'll save us a bit of work.
Shall we have another listen?
No.
We're not listening anymore.
I want everyone
back in the banquet room.
May I have your attention?
Thank you for all coming.
I realize this may
seem unusual.
Detective, what are we doing here?
Oh! Are you going
to reveal the murderer?
It's such a thrill to see
a real detective at work.
Henry, could you please take
Mr. Thornton's position?
Oh, a re-enactment
of the events.
How exciting!
But something is missing.
Oh, yes. Your wife.
My wife may be many things,
but I can say with assurance
that she is not a killer.
Unlike the rest of us, of course.
Worthy of your suspicion.
I'm going to play you
a recording of last
night's dinner.
And as you listen, I would ask
that you close your eyes,
and do exactly
what you were doing last night.
Mr. Bell.
Why don't you tell me
about your latest rose?
Well, as you know,
I have been committed
to hybrid teas since I decided
to become a rosarian...
(indistinct overlapping
conversations)
What was that?
- I don't know.
Well, I must say
I am breathless
with anticipation.
So what have you
learned, Detective?
Mrs. Bell,
you say you detected a communication
between Mr. Thornton and Miss Keller
just prior to the footsteps being heard.
And that constitutes your alibi, does it not?
That is right.
In fact, the message occurred
seconds before the killer's
footsteps could be heard.
What's your point, Detective?
The footsteps began
at the center of the table.
You're not suggesting that--
Your wife is the only person
whose actions cannot be heard
on that recording.
What?
It cannot be her, sir!
What is happening?
What you don't know, Detective,
is that the illness
that stole my wife's hearing
also destroyed
her sense of balance.
If she walks without
visual reference
she will fall over.
(laughing)
So what's your theory
now, Detective?
It was not Mabel!
Why do you say that?
Because the killer walked behind me.
I'm afraid that's impossible.
Oh, this is too good!
If Miss Keller says
a man walked behind her,
you can be assured
she is telling the truth.
George, if you would.
Miss Keller,
would you please
tell us when you feel
someone walking behind you?
Now.
Now.
(chuckling)
So, now what is
your theory, Detective?
I've concluded that the killer
was never sitting
at the table at all.
The killer was standing
the entire time.
You think I did it?
You knew the dinner was being recorded.
Once the lights went out
you walked slowly, softly,
to the edge of the carpet
and behind Miss Keller,
not knowing that she would
sense your presence.
You then proceeded--
This is absurd!
Can you prove
it didn't happen that way?
No, but--
Then be quiet, please,
and let me do my job.
In answer to your question,
I believe the killer did come
from the opposite side of the table.
But sir, I thought
that was impossible.
We thought that was impossible
because we only heard
eight footsteps.
It would be impossible
for someone to circumnavigate a table
of this size in eight footsteps.
And how could the killer
travel such a great distance
in complete darkness?
Unless...
unless...
the killer
used the edge of the carpet
to navigate.
The killer took
eight footsteps
but we only heard four.
At the end of those eight steps,
the killer struck.
The killer then took
another eight steps to return
to his seat, but not before
touching these three people
on the shoulder
in order to set up Mr. Carmondy
for the crime.
Which was your intent
all along.
Wasn't it?
Are you saying I'm the killer?
Oh, no, no, that's impossible.
We were having a conversation.
Begging your pardon, Miss Newsome,
but you were having a conversation.
A conversation that was initiated by Mr. Wilson
but one that he only participated in
after the last of the killer's
footsteps were heard.
No, but I--
Miss Newsome,
has your fiancé ever expressed
an interest in your roses?
Oh, no. He finds it
all terribly boring.
He... he calls it my...
"blah blah blah."
"Blah blah blah" indeed.
This is ridiculous.
How would I have found him
in complete darkness?
Practice, Mr. Wilson.
After all, you helped
organize this dinner,
did you not? You had access
to this very table
every night for the past week.
And why would I kill a man
I'd never met?
That's a good question.
I believe the answer lies
in your recent engagement.
What about our engagement?
Mr. Wilson,
why are you
marrying Miss Newsome?
Well, because...
I love her.
What specifically do you
love about her?
Well, her... her... beauty,
of course,
and her... her...
Her money?
I have my own money.
You had money, Mr. Wilson.
You've since lost it all.
Is that true?
And you've gone
to great lengths
to set up Mr. Carmondy
for a crime.
But why would you do that?
Could it be that you've lost
all of your money
investing in a machine
that allows the dead to talk?
Mr. Carmondy, who are your investors?
I don't know off-hand.
No matter. Easy enough
to find out. Henry, could you
dig a little deeper
into Mr. Wilson's finances?
Gladly, sir!
(exclamations of surprise)
Watch out!
(grunting)
GET OFF OF ME! STOP!
STOP!
Miss Keller!
(screaming)
All right. You've got me.
It's over.
I'm not sorry.
He got what he deserved.
As would have you.
I lost a fortune
because you were too stupid
to see the truth.
And as for you?
I hate roses.
And I would frankly rather go
to the noose
than be married
to someone as boring
and vacuous as you.
Oh...
Oh!
(Murdoch): Henry!
(Mr. Fellows): Bravo!
(romantic music)
♪
Oh, Henry!
Well Detective Murdoch,
once again our partnership
has produced results.
Indeed.
And once again, I must say
thank you for your help.
Perhaps we could
develop this stereoscopic sound
you've invented.
Oh, I don't see
there being much use for it,
except, of course,
in solving crime.
Maybe so,
but if you'd ever
like to work together again,
just say the word. Hm?
I'll give you a hand.
Ah!
I wonder if she'll
ever forgive me.
Of course she will.
It wasn't you that broke her heart.
She needs some time to learn
to trust you again.
I'll fetch her.
Your carriage is here.
Don't forget what I told you
the other night.
Don't let one man's barbarity
keep you from
embracing everything
that life has to offer.
I won't.
Though I doubt
I'll ever love again.
You've surprised the world
with your strength and resilience.
You may yet surprise yourself.
I'm right here, Helen.
Your leg.
Thank you.
A remarkable woman.
We can go.
To live in a world
without sight and sound!
All of your other senses
would have to be heightened.
Taste, touch --
everything would be magnified.
Did you feel that at dinner?
Yes. Yes, I did.
Well, that's good.
Why do you say that?
Because...
I bought us a blindfold.
And I have an idea
for a little experiment.
Oh, my.
(giggling)
Closed captions by: SETTE inc.
♪
♪