Secret Agent (1964–1967): Season 1, Episode 13 - That's Two of Us Sorry - full transcript
Logan needs those papers.
Without them the whole project is held up.
Well surely you can get another copy sent
out from London.
The whole thing's most inconvenient.
I know you're wrapped
up in your scientific
problems, Dr. Hutchins,
but I shouldn't have to
remind Commander Braithwaite
of the seriousness
of the situation.
You see yourselves, these
papers are top secret.
And they've been stolen.
I'm sure there's a simple explanation.
I never let the briefcase out of my sight.
Anyway, there's no evidence of anyone
breaking in.
Aye, that's what worries me.
It could be one of the staff here.
The staff?
Impossible.
They've all been screened.
Their records are all on file.
Good, we'll need those.
Well, I take it you won't need me anymore.
No sir.
We can safely leave things
to you then, Cameron.
Aye, for the time being,
Commander Braithwaite.
But we'll need to check those prints there
with those of your staff.
It's just a question of
knowing what to look for.
You can rule out most of them on sight.
A simple matter of the
gross characteristics.
Arches, loops and whorls.
The trouble starts when
you get down to matching
the fine details.
You see, I have to establish 16 breaks
in the individual ridges.
And in order, too.
After that the mathematical probab--
Hey, you're in luck.
-Huh?
We've got our 16 points.
X-P-3-9-4-6-stroke-5.
X-P-9-4-6-stroke-5.
It can't be him.
He's been dead for 20 years.
Now that'll be him now.
Come in.
Thank you.
Mr. Preston, my name's Braithwaite.
Comfortable journey?
-Yes.
I flew into Inverness and the car met me
at the railhead.
It's a devil of a place to get to.
Which makes this fingerprint business
all the more surprising.
I mean, that'll be all, Miss Montgomery.
You can carry on with your typing.
Didn't they brief you?
I'm a ministry auditor
in case you've forgotten.
Now the whole typing pool will know
that something's going on.
No, naturally I make an exception
of my own secretary.
There are no exceptions, Commander.
Now the fingerprints on your briefcase,
would it surprise you to learn
that they belong to one, Jock Lawson.
Lawson?
-Yes.
In 1945 he was working as an electrician
in the Glasgow Shipyards.
They were on the point of arresting him
for passing on information about advanced
Naval radar systems when he skipped.
Hasn't been heard of for 20 years,
written off as dead.
Well, I suppose there's a description.
That's it.
But on my briefcase, last sort of fellow
that I'd have anything to do with.
Oh, I'm sorry, didn't
know you had a visitor.
Just wondered if you'd care
for a game this evening?
I'm afraid not, Jim.
Dr. Todd, this is Mr. Preston.
How do you do, Mr. Preston?
How do you do?
Preston's up from from
London, central auditing.
Oh, you are?
They're not planning any more cuts I hope.
No, I'm here merely to observe and report.
Then you can report that if they cut back
any further on our
appropriation, I won't be
the only one to walk out.
We don't live in this depopulated peat bog
for our health you know?
You tell 'em, Dr. Todd.
I have.
First rate chap, Todd,
absolutely brilliant.
Of course we don't talk the same lingo.
But I can still give
him a run for his money
on the golf course.
All first rate chaps,
but it doesn't alter facts.
I was under the impression
that this fingerprinting
had cleared our scientific staff.
But not their possible contacts.
But I know most of them personally.
Yes, but any man with an eight handicap
or under couldn't possibly
be a communist agent,
could he?
I don't pretend to be a spy catcher.
We have security regulations and I do
my best to see that they're enforced.
Come to that, a round
of golf isn't a bad test
of character.
Yeah, all good men, all drive clean off
the tee and straight down the fairway.
I'm sorry Commander but this isn't a game
where the rules apply.
Now is there anyone who could've had
access to this office,
painters, plumbers, anyone?
There are no outside people.
There are maintenance staff, of course.
Have they been fingerprinted?
All in good time.
Now is a good time, Commander!
We must eliminate all possible suspects
including those who play golf.
Now get them in here,
have them fingerprinted
and in the mean time
I'll take a look around.
That's all, thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I'll come back later.
That's all right, we're just finishing up
a routine security check.
Now this is Mr. Preston
who has just arrived
from Central Auditing in London.
This is your first visit here, Preston,
isn't it?
-Yes.
I'll not keep you a minute, sir.
That's all right, I'm just checking
on this new office equipment.
Well when you finish
we'll be pushing along.
You're staying at my house if that's
all right by you.
I'm afraid we don't run to a hotel.
Yes, fine.
I use a twin lens reflex myself.
And a 35 millimeter Jap job for my color.
Oh really?
Braithwaite here?
Is photography your
hobby, too, Mr. Preston?
I dabble.
I see, thanks.
Who was it, dear?
Oh, just the police.
No luck with the fingerprints.
None of them match.
Oh, perhaps I better
leave you two to talk.
I assure you, Preston, my wife
is thoroughly reliable.
Wives always are.
Well, that clears the plant.
It eliminates everyone.
Everyone except Jock Lawson.
There's no Lawson around here.
It's 10 at night.
Your Mr. Lawson is
probably a McGregor by now.
It's beyond me how his fingerprints
ever got onto my case.
The point is that they did so he
must be about here somewhere.
But where?
There's just this community,
then nothing for miles, certainly
nowhere a stranger could hide himself.
But I've been to London
and I can't get across
to the island til morning.
Hello, Sheila.
Sheila, this is Mr. Preston
who's staying with us.
Ms. Sheila Sutherland.
How do you do, Mr. Preston.
Hello.
Oh dear, I suppose you've taken my bed.
It's all right, Sheila.
We can still put you up all right.
Sheila's from Herta, Mr. Preston.
It's not always easy to get across there.
Do you want some coffee?
Mm I'd love it.
Yes, there it is, Herta.
Many people live there?
Only 50 or 60 of us now.
Only fisherman and crofters.
Oh, you don't exactly look like
a crofter if I may say so.
No?
I live there with my father.
Her father's a famous author.
Oh yes?
-Magnus Sutherland.
Really?
Now, you've never heard of him, have you?
No, I haven't.
You haven't read
The Highlander's Testament?
I'm afraid not.
Never mind, Mr. Preston.
It's quite unreadable.
Do you come across here often?
Mm, we have a boat three times a week.
Any of your people come from there?
A few, but they're living here now.
Are you here to work, Mr. Preston?
Yes, just a quick trip.
What do you do?
I'm an auditor.
You don't exactly look like an auditor,
if I may say so.
How long does it take to get across?
About an hour.
You know, I think I'll go over there.
I can take some photographs.
Oh, not another photographer.
Her father's a great enthusiast.
Takes all the illustrations for his books.
He has his own darkroom over there.
Oh really?
But I don't think you'll find
anything over there
that will interest you.
Oh, it's a lovely place.
There's the Culdee Church and the Abbey.
That's where Sheila lives, Mr. Preston.
Well that sounds interesting enough.
I think I'll make the trip.
You'll be wasting your time.
If you do go over, you'll
have to stay overnight.
Oh, we'll find him somewhere.
He'd not be able to stay at the Abbey,
my father's, well, a wee bit eccentric.
He doesn't care very much about strangers.
A couple of days off will do me good.
I hope you're use to getting up early.
The boat leaves at seven on the dot.
Donald!
Something for you.
It's the pipe you wanted.
Oh, I'm gratefully obliged to you, Sheila.
And how much will that be I'm owing you?
Oh, nothing at all.
Ach no, I wouldn't be saying that, no, no.
Take it as a Christmas present.
I'll not get a chance to
get you anything else.
Oh, Mr. Preston.
Yes?
Donald, Mr. Preston's
here to take our pictures.
Oh, do you say that now?
He'll be from the newspapers I'm thinkin'.
Oh no, I'm just here to enjoy myself.
Will Mr Preston be staying
up at the Abbey then?
Can you see Magnus Sutherland
laying himself out?
No, but then I'm wondering where else.
The ferryboat does not
go back until tomorrow.
That's true.
You see, there's nothing
but the crofts here.
Well, it's a good thing
I brought my sleeping bag
then, isn't it?
Oh, we'll not have you
sleeping in the heather.
Could you not put him up yourself?
Aye, well I suppose I could be asking.
No, no, I don't want you to
put yourself out, so I'm...
That's a Russian boat, isn't it?
Aye, they're fisherman
just like ourselves.
The Russian fishing
fleet's anchored out there.
They're here every summer.
And they're free to come and go,
no formalities?
Aye but when the weather's rough
you cannot deny them shelter.
Not too bad today, is it?
I mean, there's--
All right, if you'll just be coming along
with me now, Mr. Preston.
Yes, of course.
Um, see ya.
Mother!
This is Mr. Preston.
He's just this minute
stepped off the ferry
and looking for somewhere to stay.
Well now, there's no
easy thing for a stranger
to find on Herta.
Well, actually, Mrs.--
Mrs. McKinnon.
McKinnon, it was suggested that I might
be able to find a room here.
Well, we've nothing very grand.
Would it be for long?
Just a day or two,
until the boat goes back.
I'm thinking I should
speak to Mr. McKinnon
but he's away down the croft
about a shipment of tweed.
Well, that was Ms. Sutherland herself
that asked.
They'd've put him up at the Abbey but--
Och aye, Magnus Sutherland, you'd think
he owned the place.
But I'm sure Mr. McKinnon would never
begrudge a stranger hospitality.
So you're not to be worried, Mr. Preston.
We'll make a place for
you to lay your head
where you'll find it in the morning.
And since it was herself ask the favor,
Donald won't mind giving up his room.
Good afternoon.
Can I get a drink?
You'd better be asking
Mr. McLeod that question.
What with him being the landlord.
Oh, I see, first I have to guess
which one it is.
Uh, I hope I'm not gate crashing
but Donald McKinnon did tell me
that this place was open to the public.
Oh so you knowin' the
McKinnon's are ya, eh?
Why didn't you say?
I'm staying with them.
Oh, you're the fortunate one.
There's not a finer man on the island
than Angus McKinnon.
Looking forward to meeting him.
He was out when I
arrived but Mrs. McKinnon
made me most welcome.
Well now, what will you be having?
Can I offer you beer or whisky?
What's this?
Oh, that's something a wee bit out of
the ordinary.
It's er vodka.
Oh, genuine Russian.
That your source of supply?
Aye, well, they have been known
to part with the odd
bottle or two, you know?
There's some that like it.
But of course it's tobacco and tweed
for the women folk that they're after.
It doesn't amount to anything.
After all, what could
we do with roubles, eh?
I think I might risk a drop.
Oh boy, it's the real thing all right.
Oh, there's no doubt about that.
How about yourself, Mr. McCleod?
Oh now, that's very civil of you,
but if you don't mind.
I prefer the breath of the highlands
to the blast of the Steppes.
Mm, I see what you mean.
It packs quite a kick.
Do you think that they might let me
have a bottle?
I just wouldn't care to say.
You could always ask them yourself.
All right.
Good afternoon.
Any of you speak English?
A little.
Away with you, Nikita.
You speak it better than Mackay here.
Aye but he's a wee bit choosy
about who he speaks it to.
I've just been sampling your vodka.
Mr. McCleod here suggested that perhaps
you'd trade me a bottle.
We sell vodka?
Yes.
Quite a linguist, aren't you?
There's no trick in picking up
the odd word if you keep your ears open.
Now then, Ewan, he's all right.
He's staying with Angus McKinnon.
Ah, ah.
No, no, no, no, no.
One's enough, one's enough.
Dinna spoil the market.
All right.
Quite a windfall, isn't it?
Thank you.
Where did you learn to speak English?
I was on convoys in the war.
Uh, drink?
English camera?
No, German.
Oh watch out now, he'll have it
off ya in two shakes.
We make better in Russia.
Thank you.
This is quite an occasion, isn't it?
Last thing I expected to find
on Herta.
Do you mind if I take
a souvenir photograph?
Now I'm thinking that maybe you'll just
put your wee camera back in its box
and not be annoying our visitors.
Oh.
Well, you see, their visit's not
exactly official.
Oh, I see.
Well, we certainly bring a whiff
of the outside world to the island.
Mind you, they're only supposed to land
when the weather's bad.
But you'd be surprised how often that is.
They're quite a local
feature of the local scene.
Aye, It came as a surprise to some of yon
dyed-in-the-wool islanders
to find the Russians
were actually human.
I gather you're not from
Herta yourself, Mr. McKinnon.
No, but the wife is.
For a stranger you seem to be held
in great respect by the locals.
Oh, I wouldn't care to say that.
But they're kindly folk once they
get to know you.
But that can take a bit of time.
Away with you, Angus McKinnon.
You know fine the folk here about
bless the boat that brought you.
Well, perhaps I have been able to
help with one or two things.
Mind you, Mr. Preston,
I'm no stranger now.
I settled here, oh I don't care to think
how long ago.
Well, long before the
bright boys dreamed up
yon plant across the water.
I see, we're not very popular.
Oh, just local conservatism.
One or two of our folks from
here have taken
jobs over there.
Aye and they're keen enough when it comes
to Friday afternoon and the
pay packet, Mr. Preston.
Well, I say good luck to anything
that brings work to the Western Highlands.
I ken, things have not been easy here.
And there's plenty of other islands
have given up the struggle.
This drift to the South.
Ah, if they're fools enough to settle
for a production line job, a lifetime
in some damn factory--
For the Lord's sake, Mr. Preston,
don't get Angus started on that
or you'll be up all night.
Aye, it's time we were turning in.
Oh well, you're welcome to take
a look at one of the
looms tomorrow morning,
such as it is.
You'll maybe get a shot
or two for your album.
Thanks very much.
Good night.
-Good night, now.
Goodnight.
Sir, this ancient pile has withstood
assault by the Vikings,
bombardment by the English,
and neglect from the Ministry of Works.
If your intention is to demolish it,
then no doubt you will have to improve
on your bare hands.
I was just knocking to--
To see if you can be
shown around the Abbey?
Highly laudable and very educational
but only on Wednesdays
between two and four.
Actually I met your
daughter on the mainland.
She told me you had a darkroom.
My name's Preston.
Hello, Mr. Preston.
Hello.
Oh, father.
A handsome man comes to see me
and you do your best to chase him away.
Oh, you're that Preston.
The photographer lad.
Well, seeing that you promised,
but keep an eye on his ongoing's.
I don't want hypo in my developing dishes.
I did warn you.
He's just had the page
proofs for his new book.
I'm glad I'm not his printer.
Well how about showing me around?
Very well.
What's this?
Oh, for looking at novae.
Oh, stargazing, huh?
My father's a mainstay at the British
Astronomical Society.
Spends half his nights up here.
That's one way of passing
the time, I suppose.
Yes, I suppose so.
I often wish there were others here.
Well young McKinnon should be able
to help you out in that direction.
Donald?
Oh, we get on well enough.
But he doesn't have much imagination
and, well he takes a lot for granted.
There aren't many young men on the island
and most of them have
to go to the mainland
to find work.
That doesn't make for competition
or variety, does it?
What's that down there?
It's the old pigeon house.
It's not used anymore.
That looks interesting.
You don't want to see that.
Well.
l expect my father's
ready for his morning nip.
And mind you, nothing about the plant.
Oh no.
Unless you want to get
escorted from the premises.
Aye, it's a beautiful whisky.
Pure malt, you know.
You can taste the peat
barley flowing through it.
Not like that blended muck they sell
in the cities.
Liquid poetry, Preston, liquid poetry.
Here, give your taste buds a wee treat.
Anyway, as I was saying,
it's the wrong sort
of development.
We fought it tooth and nail, but with
a supine so-called Scottish
Office, absentee landlords
and absentee government does not offer
much to choose between them.
The plant does bring money to the area.
Aye, dirty money, like the effluent
they discharge into Loch Broom.
Anyway, money isn't the
only criterion, no,
the future of the Western
Highlands lies with home rule
and the development of local industries.
You've doubtless been
following my correspondence
in the Sunday papers.
Yes, it's very impressive.
I agree.
Tell me, what did you think of the point
I made regarding forestry?
I thought that it was so--
It's getting on for lunch, father.
Mr. Preston has his
photographs to develop.
Aye, maybe so.
Then we'll discuss it later.
Yes, all right.
Here we are.
This is great.
It gets a bit hot, that's all.
Take your jacket off if you like.
No thanks.
What can I do?
It's all right, I can manage.
Where's the, where's the developing tank?
Oh, here.
I'm quite the expert, you know?
Thank you.
And father told me to keep an eye on you.
Safe light doesn't work.
Oh, stupid of me, I forgot.
I forgot about the generator.
We make our own electricity.
It's me, Sheila.
Sorry, too late now, got the film out.
Fingerprints show Jock Lawson somewhere
on island.
Hey, good morning, Mr. McCleod.
Good morning, Donald.
Will you have seen Fergus, I wonder,
our friend here has a
letter that needs delivering.
Oh man, oh man, you've just missed him.
He's not been gone but two minutes.
I must catch him before he takes
the ferry out, this letter is urgent.
Oh, well now, there's no need for alarm.
He's only going to the
other side of the island.
And besides, I'm sending back some bottles
to the mainland, he's
got to call back here
to collect them, you see.
How long will he be?
Oh, well now, that's a question is it not?
He's got a very poor
notion of time, has Fergus.
Could be 10 minutes, could be an hour.
There's no need for you to wait.
If you're off somewhere, I'll see
that Fergus gets your letter.
Uhh.
Well, if you'd like, that is.
It could be, the man's wondering
if you'll steal the stamp
off his envelope.
I accept your offer, thank you.
Make sure he gets it.
I will that.
See you later.
Well now, there goes a
man in a fair hurry, eh?
Have you ever seen
mainland folk who weren't?
Anyway, it's no affair of ours.
Aye, maybe so, maybe no.
But you're Mr. Preston's a
great man for the questions.
He's a man with a fine
curiosity about him,
him and that wee camera he's always using.
You'll lock up then?
Aye.
Right, we'll see you on Thursday.
What the devil do you
think you're doing here?
What do you mean?
The key.
Oh, I uh, I got permission.
Oh, no you have not.
Give it to me.
Oh, but I'm a friend of Mr. Sutherland's.
Oh, it's you.
I was just studying poetry.
Liquid, of course.
A snooper from the excise, eh?
Man, if this thing were
loaded, I'd use it.
Good morning, Mr. McCleod.
I'll have a whisky, please.
Oh, will you now?
I was thinking you had enough
of the stuff last night.
I didn't touch a drop.
Will you listen to the man lie?
You were caught red handed.
I told you what he was the minute
I clapped eyes on him.
He's a gauger all right.
Man Ewan, my very thoughts exactly.
He has the sleekit look
of a customs official.
Sniffing around
the island for duty free brew.
Midnight raids on Mr. Sutherland's whisky.
What kind of occupation
is that for an honest man?
I was trying to find out
how you made the stuff.
Now, see here, Mr. Preston or whatever
your given name might be.
I'm not doubting that you're thinking
up some fine and fancy
explanations, but we don't
want to hear them.
Get on with what you came
for, if you must.
Never another drop will
you drink under this roof.
Mr. McKinnon, somebody's been in my room.
That's Donald's room, Mr. Preston.
No doubt he was in there.
Yes, but some of my
things have been smashed.
Oh, that boy was always clumsy.
This was deliberate, Mr. McKinnon.
My bag was forced open.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Where is he?
Oh, don't worry, we'll see that the lad
makes good the damage.
But be fair to him though.
He might have felt there
was a certain provocation.
How do you mean?
We're a small community, Mr. Preston,
and what affects
one of us affects the others.
We accepted you here in good faith.
Now, I'm not one to judge a man
by the local tattle, but there are
some gey strange stories
about last night's goings on.
Well, thanks for at least giving me
the benefit of the doubt.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of it,
and whatever it is
you're after, I'm afraid
you'll not get any further on Herta.
Donald's a wee bit headstrong,
but that's no excuse.
I can only offer you
my personal apologies.
If you want him, he'll be
down on the quay.
Donald.
McKinnon, I want to talk to you.
Were you in my room this morning?
We're gonna have a little chat.
Well, what if I did
attend to your fingerprint
equipment, is that any worse than sneaking
into Mr. Sutherland's still?
An illegal still.
There are laws that
govern that sort of thing.
Aye, and there are laws about hospitality.
Not written down, but laws just the same.
Though, it's in my mind,
you've never heard of them.
You took food and shelter
underneath our roof and--
What do the Russians
got to do with all this?
Russians, what have
they got to do with it?
I see, a bargain is it?
Man, but you're well suited to your trade.
Do they buy Mr. Sutherland's whisky?
I hear there's a healthy
demand for it in Russia.
And what if there is?
Is it such a shame that just for once,
the London government
doesn't get its share?
But you're just the man to
put that right, aren't you?
Though I've got a notion in my mind
that you'll not get the chance.
People will be thinking
you shouldn't be allowed
to leave the island, not alive anyway.
I mean that, I'll ferry you across
to the mainland and leave
you where you belong.
And that's a kinder
favor than you deserve.
Leave without my baggage?
Or without your life.
Don't say you haven't been warned.
You've got a special reason for protecting
Sutherland, haven't you?
I'm here to work, not to blather.
It's your work I want to talk about,
your work with the Russians.
Come on now, don't pretend you don't know
anything about it, I think you're up
to your neck in it, so cut out
the simple honest fisherman act.
All right, so you're a
simple honest fisherman.
Now, who would be flashing mirror signals
to a simple honest fisherman, moonshiners?
Possibly.
Russian agents?
Could be.
Ah, I've got it, I know
who it was, but I'll
tell you something, they're nothing
to the signals she flashed at me.
You leave Sheila out of this.
It was an accident, I tell ya.
Ah, but could you not have gone after him?
He was one of God's creatures after all.
Laddie, laddie, what have you done?
The boat dragged me, by
the time I was back here,
I couldn't find him.
You all know what the tide
rips like in that place.
So, you say you quarreled?
I admit, I lost my temper,
but can you blame me?
I didnae do it deliberately,
if that's what you're thinking.
It was little use any of
you had for him anyway.
Aye, but we didn't drown him.
Well, they'll send the Fiscal
from Inverness, no doubt.
But, well, who's to tell?
Oh, no, you, no, he was one of their folk,
a customs man, and on
an investigation at that.
It'll look gey suspicious.
Aye, that's the truth of it.
And if they find Mr. Sutherland's still.
Nobody will talk, but Sutherland
will have to dismantle it.
Indeed, that's what he'll
have to do in any case.
But supposing he wasn't to do
with the excise?
Where's the telephone?
Now, look.
I've heard your side of the story.
Attempted murder is still
a matter for the police.
It was not deliberate.
Donald.
Mr. Preston, I think we
owe you an explanation.
Donald has a temper.
And he's behaved like a young idiot.
But one thing he's not, and that's a liar.
I'm not trying to excuse him.
You have grounds enough to take action.
Oh, what's the use?
I'm the man you want.
I realized it as soon as Donald
took it on himself to
go through your things.
I should have told you this morning.
Would have saved a whole pack of trouble.
My name's Lawson, Jock Lawson.
I'll spare you the details.
I'm sure you're familiar with them.
Yes, I, I had wondered where you'd got to.
I left Glasgow and changed my name.
I married a girl from Herta,
so I settled here 20 years ago.
Ye ken, I was young then,
full of socialistic ideals,
the war was on.
I worked for the Russians
right enough, but not now.
My one idea was to get
out and away from it all.
I thought I'd succeeded.
And what about the
Russian fishing flotilla,
the sailors?
I just nod to them in
the tavern, that's all.
What the Russians are after
now is their own business.
And after all, they
fished you out of the sea,
didn't they?
Do you not believe me?
Look, I told you,
I settled down here years
before yon atomic plant started up.
Who said it was anything to do
with the atomic plant?
Well, what else can it be?
How long was it since you were over there?
Oh, it must have been months.
Not recently?
I just told you, months past.
I know that you were there
during the past two weeks.
Well, ask the lad on the ferry then.
There are other ways to get across
apart from the ferry.
Oh, aye, someone's been putting
in the poison, eh?
And you believed them.
There's only one thing for it.
You'll have to come back
with me to the mainland
and prepare yourself for a long stay.
So you'd best settle up your affairs
as soon as you can.
Hey, uh, I don't like to leave
without a wee word to
my old friend, McCleod.
I'll only be a minute.
All right.
Mr. Preston, we want to know
what it's all about.
Mr. McKinnon has business on the mainland,
private business.
It's been said--
Never mind what's been said,
it's none of your affair anyways.
What happens to McKinnon
is everyone's affair here.
You realize what will happen
to this island without him.
You've seen the way the
other isles have gone.
I hope you're not going to cause trouble,
Mr. Sutherland.
Without him, the island is finished,
there's no one to take his place.
Come on.
I've got a job to do.
Then you'll run when your masters whistle.
We'll fight this, we still have
some say in our island's affairs.
Angus, this man has nothing against you.
An no legal authority,
as far as I can see.
Indeed, he has not.
No, that's not the way.
He's just doing his job.
I'll be back, never fear.
And quicker than you think.
Now, let's get on with it.
You two acquainted?
Oh, he's a great character.
He's also Jock Lawson.
But he can't be.
Preston's told you about me then?
Yes, it's a great shock to me.
Well, I wish I knew
what this was all about.
Your friend hasn't been very forthcoming.
You'll be told, Angus.
When were you last on the island?
About 10 days ago, why?
Did you happen to take
your briefcase with you?
No, I wouldn't take a briefcase.
You sure?
Oh no.
Tell them to hold off.
Huh?
Just tell them to hold
off about 10 minutes.
Just a minute.
I'm sorry, Angus.
These are the papers,
supposed to have been stolen,
and they've been in
your desk all the time?
Yes, I remember, I did take
that briefcase on my last trip to Herta.
I took those papers out to make room
for my weekend stuff.
You mean, that's what it's all about?
You brought me across for this.
Your fingerprints were on his case.
Well, of course they were, I carried
your case from the boat for you.
Remember?
Yes.
Come on, let's go.
It's not as easy as that.
No, I had just the slightest
suspicion it wouldn't be.
The police nearly
arrested you 20 years ago
for passing on information,
they won't let you go now.
I don't really expect you to believe this,
but I'm sorry.
Oh, well that's two of us sorry.
I believe you.
See, it's not just
myself I'm worried about.
It's the island.
Well, let's have a drink anyway.
I'd rather not, Mr. Braithwaite.
I think you've done enough for me.
Without them the whole project is held up.
Well surely you can get another copy sent
out from London.
The whole thing's most inconvenient.
I know you're wrapped
up in your scientific
problems, Dr. Hutchins,
but I shouldn't have to
remind Commander Braithwaite
of the seriousness
of the situation.
You see yourselves, these
papers are top secret.
And they've been stolen.
I'm sure there's a simple explanation.
I never let the briefcase out of my sight.
Anyway, there's no evidence of anyone
breaking in.
Aye, that's what worries me.
It could be one of the staff here.
The staff?
Impossible.
They've all been screened.
Their records are all on file.
Good, we'll need those.
Well, I take it you won't need me anymore.
No sir.
We can safely leave things
to you then, Cameron.
Aye, for the time being,
Commander Braithwaite.
But we'll need to check those prints there
with those of your staff.
It's just a question of
knowing what to look for.
You can rule out most of them on sight.
A simple matter of the
gross characteristics.
Arches, loops and whorls.
The trouble starts when
you get down to matching
the fine details.
You see, I have to establish 16 breaks
in the individual ridges.
And in order, too.
After that the mathematical probab--
Hey, you're in luck.
-Huh?
We've got our 16 points.
X-P-3-9-4-6-stroke-5.
X-P-9-4-6-stroke-5.
It can't be him.
He's been dead for 20 years.
Now that'll be him now.
Come in.
Thank you.
Mr. Preston, my name's Braithwaite.
Comfortable journey?
-Yes.
I flew into Inverness and the car met me
at the railhead.
It's a devil of a place to get to.
Which makes this fingerprint business
all the more surprising.
I mean, that'll be all, Miss Montgomery.
You can carry on with your typing.
Didn't they brief you?
I'm a ministry auditor
in case you've forgotten.
Now the whole typing pool will know
that something's going on.
No, naturally I make an exception
of my own secretary.
There are no exceptions, Commander.
Now the fingerprints on your briefcase,
would it surprise you to learn
that they belong to one, Jock Lawson.
Lawson?
-Yes.
In 1945 he was working as an electrician
in the Glasgow Shipyards.
They were on the point of arresting him
for passing on information about advanced
Naval radar systems when he skipped.
Hasn't been heard of for 20 years,
written off as dead.
Well, I suppose there's a description.
That's it.
But on my briefcase, last sort of fellow
that I'd have anything to do with.
Oh, I'm sorry, didn't
know you had a visitor.
Just wondered if you'd care
for a game this evening?
I'm afraid not, Jim.
Dr. Todd, this is Mr. Preston.
How do you do, Mr. Preston?
How do you do?
Preston's up from from
London, central auditing.
Oh, you are?
They're not planning any more cuts I hope.
No, I'm here merely to observe and report.
Then you can report that if they cut back
any further on our
appropriation, I won't be
the only one to walk out.
We don't live in this depopulated peat bog
for our health you know?
You tell 'em, Dr. Todd.
I have.
First rate chap, Todd,
absolutely brilliant.
Of course we don't talk the same lingo.
But I can still give
him a run for his money
on the golf course.
All first rate chaps,
but it doesn't alter facts.
I was under the impression
that this fingerprinting
had cleared our scientific staff.
But not their possible contacts.
But I know most of them personally.
Yes, but any man with an eight handicap
or under couldn't possibly
be a communist agent,
could he?
I don't pretend to be a spy catcher.
We have security regulations and I do
my best to see that they're enforced.
Come to that, a round
of golf isn't a bad test
of character.
Yeah, all good men, all drive clean off
the tee and straight down the fairway.
I'm sorry Commander but this isn't a game
where the rules apply.
Now is there anyone who could've had
access to this office,
painters, plumbers, anyone?
There are no outside people.
There are maintenance staff, of course.
Have they been fingerprinted?
All in good time.
Now is a good time, Commander!
We must eliminate all possible suspects
including those who play golf.
Now get them in here,
have them fingerprinted
and in the mean time
I'll take a look around.
That's all, thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I'll come back later.
That's all right, we're just finishing up
a routine security check.
Now this is Mr. Preston
who has just arrived
from Central Auditing in London.
This is your first visit here, Preston,
isn't it?
-Yes.
I'll not keep you a minute, sir.
That's all right, I'm just checking
on this new office equipment.
Well when you finish
we'll be pushing along.
You're staying at my house if that's
all right by you.
I'm afraid we don't run to a hotel.
Yes, fine.
I use a twin lens reflex myself.
And a 35 millimeter Jap job for my color.
Oh really?
Braithwaite here?
Is photography your
hobby, too, Mr. Preston?
I dabble.
I see, thanks.
Who was it, dear?
Oh, just the police.
No luck with the fingerprints.
None of them match.
Oh, perhaps I better
leave you two to talk.
I assure you, Preston, my wife
is thoroughly reliable.
Wives always are.
Well, that clears the plant.
It eliminates everyone.
Everyone except Jock Lawson.
There's no Lawson around here.
It's 10 at night.
Your Mr. Lawson is
probably a McGregor by now.
It's beyond me how his fingerprints
ever got onto my case.
The point is that they did so he
must be about here somewhere.
But where?
There's just this community,
then nothing for miles, certainly
nowhere a stranger could hide himself.
But I've been to London
and I can't get across
to the island til morning.
Hello, Sheila.
Sheila, this is Mr. Preston
who's staying with us.
Ms. Sheila Sutherland.
How do you do, Mr. Preston.
Hello.
Oh dear, I suppose you've taken my bed.
It's all right, Sheila.
We can still put you up all right.
Sheila's from Herta, Mr. Preston.
It's not always easy to get across there.
Do you want some coffee?
Mm I'd love it.
Yes, there it is, Herta.
Many people live there?
Only 50 or 60 of us now.
Only fisherman and crofters.
Oh, you don't exactly look like
a crofter if I may say so.
No?
I live there with my father.
Her father's a famous author.
Oh yes?
-Magnus Sutherland.
Really?
Now, you've never heard of him, have you?
No, I haven't.
You haven't read
The Highlander's Testament?
I'm afraid not.
Never mind, Mr. Preston.
It's quite unreadable.
Do you come across here often?
Mm, we have a boat three times a week.
Any of your people come from there?
A few, but they're living here now.
Are you here to work, Mr. Preston?
Yes, just a quick trip.
What do you do?
I'm an auditor.
You don't exactly look like an auditor,
if I may say so.
How long does it take to get across?
About an hour.
You know, I think I'll go over there.
I can take some photographs.
Oh, not another photographer.
Her father's a great enthusiast.
Takes all the illustrations for his books.
He has his own darkroom over there.
Oh really?
But I don't think you'll find
anything over there
that will interest you.
Oh, it's a lovely place.
There's the Culdee Church and the Abbey.
That's where Sheila lives, Mr. Preston.
Well that sounds interesting enough.
I think I'll make the trip.
You'll be wasting your time.
If you do go over, you'll
have to stay overnight.
Oh, we'll find him somewhere.
He'd not be able to stay at the Abbey,
my father's, well, a wee bit eccentric.
He doesn't care very much about strangers.
A couple of days off will do me good.
I hope you're use to getting up early.
The boat leaves at seven on the dot.
Donald!
Something for you.
It's the pipe you wanted.
Oh, I'm gratefully obliged to you, Sheila.
And how much will that be I'm owing you?
Oh, nothing at all.
Ach no, I wouldn't be saying that, no, no.
Take it as a Christmas present.
I'll not get a chance to
get you anything else.
Oh, Mr. Preston.
Yes?
Donald, Mr. Preston's
here to take our pictures.
Oh, do you say that now?
He'll be from the newspapers I'm thinkin'.
Oh no, I'm just here to enjoy myself.
Will Mr Preston be staying
up at the Abbey then?
Can you see Magnus Sutherland
laying himself out?
No, but then I'm wondering where else.
The ferryboat does not
go back until tomorrow.
That's true.
You see, there's nothing
but the crofts here.
Well, it's a good thing
I brought my sleeping bag
then, isn't it?
Oh, we'll not have you
sleeping in the heather.
Could you not put him up yourself?
Aye, well I suppose I could be asking.
No, no, I don't want you to
put yourself out, so I'm...
That's a Russian boat, isn't it?
Aye, they're fisherman
just like ourselves.
The Russian fishing
fleet's anchored out there.
They're here every summer.
And they're free to come and go,
no formalities?
Aye but when the weather's rough
you cannot deny them shelter.
Not too bad today, is it?
I mean, there's--
All right, if you'll just be coming along
with me now, Mr. Preston.
Yes, of course.
Um, see ya.
Mother!
This is Mr. Preston.
He's just this minute
stepped off the ferry
and looking for somewhere to stay.
Well now, there's no
easy thing for a stranger
to find on Herta.
Well, actually, Mrs.--
Mrs. McKinnon.
McKinnon, it was suggested that I might
be able to find a room here.
Well, we've nothing very grand.
Would it be for long?
Just a day or two,
until the boat goes back.
I'm thinking I should
speak to Mr. McKinnon
but he's away down the croft
about a shipment of tweed.
Well, that was Ms. Sutherland herself
that asked.
They'd've put him up at the Abbey but--
Och aye, Magnus Sutherland, you'd think
he owned the place.
But I'm sure Mr. McKinnon would never
begrudge a stranger hospitality.
So you're not to be worried, Mr. Preston.
We'll make a place for
you to lay your head
where you'll find it in the morning.
And since it was herself ask the favor,
Donald won't mind giving up his room.
Good afternoon.
Can I get a drink?
You'd better be asking
Mr. McLeod that question.
What with him being the landlord.
Oh, I see, first I have to guess
which one it is.
Uh, I hope I'm not gate crashing
but Donald McKinnon did tell me
that this place was open to the public.
Oh so you knowin' the
McKinnon's are ya, eh?
Why didn't you say?
I'm staying with them.
Oh, you're the fortunate one.
There's not a finer man on the island
than Angus McKinnon.
Looking forward to meeting him.
He was out when I
arrived but Mrs. McKinnon
made me most welcome.
Well now, what will you be having?
Can I offer you beer or whisky?
What's this?
Oh, that's something a wee bit out of
the ordinary.
It's er vodka.
Oh, genuine Russian.
That your source of supply?
Aye, well, they have been known
to part with the odd
bottle or two, you know?
There's some that like it.
But of course it's tobacco and tweed
for the women folk that they're after.
It doesn't amount to anything.
After all, what could
we do with roubles, eh?
I think I might risk a drop.
Oh boy, it's the real thing all right.
Oh, there's no doubt about that.
How about yourself, Mr. McCleod?
Oh now, that's very civil of you,
but if you don't mind.
I prefer the breath of the highlands
to the blast of the Steppes.
Mm, I see what you mean.
It packs quite a kick.
Do you think that they might let me
have a bottle?
I just wouldn't care to say.
You could always ask them yourself.
All right.
Good afternoon.
Any of you speak English?
A little.
Away with you, Nikita.
You speak it better than Mackay here.
Aye but he's a wee bit choosy
about who he speaks it to.
I've just been sampling your vodka.
Mr. McCleod here suggested that perhaps
you'd trade me a bottle.
We sell vodka?
Yes.
Quite a linguist, aren't you?
There's no trick in picking up
the odd word if you keep your ears open.
Now then, Ewan, he's all right.
He's staying with Angus McKinnon.
Ah, ah.
No, no, no, no, no.
One's enough, one's enough.
Dinna spoil the market.
All right.
Quite a windfall, isn't it?
Thank you.
Where did you learn to speak English?
I was on convoys in the war.
Uh, drink?
English camera?
No, German.
Oh watch out now, he'll have it
off ya in two shakes.
We make better in Russia.
Thank you.
This is quite an occasion, isn't it?
Last thing I expected to find
on Herta.
Do you mind if I take
a souvenir photograph?
Now I'm thinking that maybe you'll just
put your wee camera back in its box
and not be annoying our visitors.
Oh.
Well, you see, their visit's not
exactly official.
Oh, I see.
Well, we certainly bring a whiff
of the outside world to the island.
Mind you, they're only supposed to land
when the weather's bad.
But you'd be surprised how often that is.
They're quite a local
feature of the local scene.
Aye, It came as a surprise to some of yon
dyed-in-the-wool islanders
to find the Russians
were actually human.
I gather you're not from
Herta yourself, Mr. McKinnon.
No, but the wife is.
For a stranger you seem to be held
in great respect by the locals.
Oh, I wouldn't care to say that.
But they're kindly folk once they
get to know you.
But that can take a bit of time.
Away with you, Angus McKinnon.
You know fine the folk here about
bless the boat that brought you.
Well, perhaps I have been able to
help with one or two things.
Mind you, Mr. Preston,
I'm no stranger now.
I settled here, oh I don't care to think
how long ago.
Well, long before the
bright boys dreamed up
yon plant across the water.
I see, we're not very popular.
Oh, just local conservatism.
One or two of our folks from
here have taken
jobs over there.
Aye and they're keen enough when it comes
to Friday afternoon and the
pay packet, Mr. Preston.
Well, I say good luck to anything
that brings work to the Western Highlands.
I ken, things have not been easy here.
And there's plenty of other islands
have given up the struggle.
This drift to the South.
Ah, if they're fools enough to settle
for a production line job, a lifetime
in some damn factory--
For the Lord's sake, Mr. Preston,
don't get Angus started on that
or you'll be up all night.
Aye, it's time we were turning in.
Oh well, you're welcome to take
a look at one of the
looms tomorrow morning,
such as it is.
You'll maybe get a shot
or two for your album.
Thanks very much.
Good night.
-Good night, now.
Goodnight.
Sir, this ancient pile has withstood
assault by the Vikings,
bombardment by the English,
and neglect from the Ministry of Works.
If your intention is to demolish it,
then no doubt you will have to improve
on your bare hands.
I was just knocking to--
To see if you can be
shown around the Abbey?
Highly laudable and very educational
but only on Wednesdays
between two and four.
Actually I met your
daughter on the mainland.
She told me you had a darkroom.
My name's Preston.
Hello, Mr. Preston.
Hello.
Oh, father.
A handsome man comes to see me
and you do your best to chase him away.
Oh, you're that Preston.
The photographer lad.
Well, seeing that you promised,
but keep an eye on his ongoing's.
I don't want hypo in my developing dishes.
I did warn you.
He's just had the page
proofs for his new book.
I'm glad I'm not his printer.
Well how about showing me around?
Very well.
What's this?
Oh, for looking at novae.
Oh, stargazing, huh?
My father's a mainstay at the British
Astronomical Society.
Spends half his nights up here.
That's one way of passing
the time, I suppose.
Yes, I suppose so.
I often wish there were others here.
Well young McKinnon should be able
to help you out in that direction.
Donald?
Oh, we get on well enough.
But he doesn't have much imagination
and, well he takes a lot for granted.
There aren't many young men on the island
and most of them have
to go to the mainland
to find work.
That doesn't make for competition
or variety, does it?
What's that down there?
It's the old pigeon house.
It's not used anymore.
That looks interesting.
You don't want to see that.
Well.
l expect my father's
ready for his morning nip.
And mind you, nothing about the plant.
Oh no.
Unless you want to get
escorted from the premises.
Aye, it's a beautiful whisky.
Pure malt, you know.
You can taste the peat
barley flowing through it.
Not like that blended muck they sell
in the cities.
Liquid poetry, Preston, liquid poetry.
Here, give your taste buds a wee treat.
Anyway, as I was saying,
it's the wrong sort
of development.
We fought it tooth and nail, but with
a supine so-called Scottish
Office, absentee landlords
and absentee government does not offer
much to choose between them.
The plant does bring money to the area.
Aye, dirty money, like the effluent
they discharge into Loch Broom.
Anyway, money isn't the
only criterion, no,
the future of the Western
Highlands lies with home rule
and the development of local industries.
You've doubtless been
following my correspondence
in the Sunday papers.
Yes, it's very impressive.
I agree.
Tell me, what did you think of the point
I made regarding forestry?
I thought that it was so--
It's getting on for lunch, father.
Mr. Preston has his
photographs to develop.
Aye, maybe so.
Then we'll discuss it later.
Yes, all right.
Here we are.
This is great.
It gets a bit hot, that's all.
Take your jacket off if you like.
No thanks.
What can I do?
It's all right, I can manage.
Where's the, where's the developing tank?
Oh, here.
I'm quite the expert, you know?
Thank you.
And father told me to keep an eye on you.
Safe light doesn't work.
Oh, stupid of me, I forgot.
I forgot about the generator.
We make our own electricity.
It's me, Sheila.
Sorry, too late now, got the film out.
Fingerprints show Jock Lawson somewhere
on island.
Hey, good morning, Mr. McCleod.
Good morning, Donald.
Will you have seen Fergus, I wonder,
our friend here has a
letter that needs delivering.
Oh man, oh man, you've just missed him.
He's not been gone but two minutes.
I must catch him before he takes
the ferry out, this letter is urgent.
Oh, well now, there's no need for alarm.
He's only going to the
other side of the island.
And besides, I'm sending back some bottles
to the mainland, he's
got to call back here
to collect them, you see.
How long will he be?
Oh, well now, that's a question is it not?
He's got a very poor
notion of time, has Fergus.
Could be 10 minutes, could be an hour.
There's no need for you to wait.
If you're off somewhere, I'll see
that Fergus gets your letter.
Uhh.
Well, if you'd like, that is.
It could be, the man's wondering
if you'll steal the stamp
off his envelope.
I accept your offer, thank you.
Make sure he gets it.
I will that.
See you later.
Well now, there goes a
man in a fair hurry, eh?
Have you ever seen
mainland folk who weren't?
Anyway, it's no affair of ours.
Aye, maybe so, maybe no.
But you're Mr. Preston's a
great man for the questions.
He's a man with a fine
curiosity about him,
him and that wee camera he's always using.
You'll lock up then?
Aye.
Right, we'll see you on Thursday.
What the devil do you
think you're doing here?
What do you mean?
The key.
Oh, I uh, I got permission.
Oh, no you have not.
Give it to me.
Oh, but I'm a friend of Mr. Sutherland's.
Oh, it's you.
I was just studying poetry.
Liquid, of course.
A snooper from the excise, eh?
Man, if this thing were
loaded, I'd use it.
Good morning, Mr. McCleod.
I'll have a whisky, please.
Oh, will you now?
I was thinking you had enough
of the stuff last night.
I didn't touch a drop.
Will you listen to the man lie?
You were caught red handed.
I told you what he was the minute
I clapped eyes on him.
He's a gauger all right.
Man Ewan, my very thoughts exactly.
He has the sleekit look
of a customs official.
Sniffing around
the island for duty free brew.
Midnight raids on Mr. Sutherland's whisky.
What kind of occupation
is that for an honest man?
I was trying to find out
how you made the stuff.
Now, see here, Mr. Preston or whatever
your given name might be.
I'm not doubting that you're thinking
up some fine and fancy
explanations, but we don't
want to hear them.
Get on with what you came
for, if you must.
Never another drop will
you drink under this roof.
Mr. McKinnon, somebody's been in my room.
That's Donald's room, Mr. Preston.
No doubt he was in there.
Yes, but some of my
things have been smashed.
Oh, that boy was always clumsy.
This was deliberate, Mr. McKinnon.
My bag was forced open.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Where is he?
Oh, don't worry, we'll see that the lad
makes good the damage.
But be fair to him though.
He might have felt there
was a certain provocation.
How do you mean?
We're a small community, Mr. Preston,
and what affects
one of us affects the others.
We accepted you here in good faith.
Now, I'm not one to judge a man
by the local tattle, but there are
some gey strange stories
about last night's goings on.
Well, thanks for at least giving me
the benefit of the doubt.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of it,
and whatever it is
you're after, I'm afraid
you'll not get any further on Herta.
Donald's a wee bit headstrong,
but that's no excuse.
I can only offer you
my personal apologies.
If you want him, he'll be
down on the quay.
Donald.
McKinnon, I want to talk to you.
Were you in my room this morning?
We're gonna have a little chat.
Well, what if I did
attend to your fingerprint
equipment, is that any worse than sneaking
into Mr. Sutherland's still?
An illegal still.
There are laws that
govern that sort of thing.
Aye, and there are laws about hospitality.
Not written down, but laws just the same.
Though, it's in my mind,
you've never heard of them.
You took food and shelter
underneath our roof and--
What do the Russians
got to do with all this?
Russians, what have
they got to do with it?
I see, a bargain is it?
Man, but you're well suited to your trade.
Do they buy Mr. Sutherland's whisky?
I hear there's a healthy
demand for it in Russia.
And what if there is?
Is it such a shame that just for once,
the London government
doesn't get its share?
But you're just the man to
put that right, aren't you?
Though I've got a notion in my mind
that you'll not get the chance.
People will be thinking
you shouldn't be allowed
to leave the island, not alive anyway.
I mean that, I'll ferry you across
to the mainland and leave
you where you belong.
And that's a kinder
favor than you deserve.
Leave without my baggage?
Or without your life.
Don't say you haven't been warned.
You've got a special reason for protecting
Sutherland, haven't you?
I'm here to work, not to blather.
It's your work I want to talk about,
your work with the Russians.
Come on now, don't pretend you don't know
anything about it, I think you're up
to your neck in it, so cut out
the simple honest fisherman act.
All right, so you're a
simple honest fisherman.
Now, who would be flashing mirror signals
to a simple honest fisherman, moonshiners?
Possibly.
Russian agents?
Could be.
Ah, I've got it, I know
who it was, but I'll
tell you something, they're nothing
to the signals she flashed at me.
You leave Sheila out of this.
It was an accident, I tell ya.
Ah, but could you not have gone after him?
He was one of God's creatures after all.
Laddie, laddie, what have you done?
The boat dragged me, by
the time I was back here,
I couldn't find him.
You all know what the tide
rips like in that place.
So, you say you quarreled?
I admit, I lost my temper,
but can you blame me?
I didnae do it deliberately,
if that's what you're thinking.
It was little use any of
you had for him anyway.
Aye, but we didn't drown him.
Well, they'll send the Fiscal
from Inverness, no doubt.
But, well, who's to tell?
Oh, no, you, no, he was one of their folk,
a customs man, and on
an investigation at that.
It'll look gey suspicious.
Aye, that's the truth of it.
And if they find Mr. Sutherland's still.
Nobody will talk, but Sutherland
will have to dismantle it.
Indeed, that's what he'll
have to do in any case.
But supposing he wasn't to do
with the excise?
Where's the telephone?
Now, look.
I've heard your side of the story.
Attempted murder is still
a matter for the police.
It was not deliberate.
Donald.
Mr. Preston, I think we
owe you an explanation.
Donald has a temper.
And he's behaved like a young idiot.
But one thing he's not, and that's a liar.
I'm not trying to excuse him.
You have grounds enough to take action.
Oh, what's the use?
I'm the man you want.
I realized it as soon as Donald
took it on himself to
go through your things.
I should have told you this morning.
Would have saved a whole pack of trouble.
My name's Lawson, Jock Lawson.
I'll spare you the details.
I'm sure you're familiar with them.
Yes, I, I had wondered where you'd got to.
I left Glasgow and changed my name.
I married a girl from Herta,
so I settled here 20 years ago.
Ye ken, I was young then,
full of socialistic ideals,
the war was on.
I worked for the Russians
right enough, but not now.
My one idea was to get
out and away from it all.
I thought I'd succeeded.
And what about the
Russian fishing flotilla,
the sailors?
I just nod to them in
the tavern, that's all.
What the Russians are after
now is their own business.
And after all, they
fished you out of the sea,
didn't they?
Do you not believe me?
Look, I told you,
I settled down here years
before yon atomic plant started up.
Who said it was anything to do
with the atomic plant?
Well, what else can it be?
How long was it since you were over there?
Oh, it must have been months.
Not recently?
I just told you, months past.
I know that you were there
during the past two weeks.
Well, ask the lad on the ferry then.
There are other ways to get across
apart from the ferry.
Oh, aye, someone's been putting
in the poison, eh?
And you believed them.
There's only one thing for it.
You'll have to come back
with me to the mainland
and prepare yourself for a long stay.
So you'd best settle up your affairs
as soon as you can.
Hey, uh, I don't like to leave
without a wee word to
my old friend, McCleod.
I'll only be a minute.
All right.
Mr. Preston, we want to know
what it's all about.
Mr. McKinnon has business on the mainland,
private business.
It's been said--
Never mind what's been said,
it's none of your affair anyways.
What happens to McKinnon
is everyone's affair here.
You realize what will happen
to this island without him.
You've seen the way the
other isles have gone.
I hope you're not going to cause trouble,
Mr. Sutherland.
Without him, the island is finished,
there's no one to take his place.
Come on.
I've got a job to do.
Then you'll run when your masters whistle.
We'll fight this, we still have
some say in our island's affairs.
Angus, this man has nothing against you.
An no legal authority,
as far as I can see.
Indeed, he has not.
No, that's not the way.
He's just doing his job.
I'll be back, never fear.
And quicker than you think.
Now, let's get on with it.
You two acquainted?
Oh, he's a great character.
He's also Jock Lawson.
But he can't be.
Preston's told you about me then?
Yes, it's a great shock to me.
Well, I wish I knew
what this was all about.
Your friend hasn't been very forthcoming.
You'll be told, Angus.
When were you last on the island?
About 10 days ago, why?
Did you happen to take
your briefcase with you?
No, I wouldn't take a briefcase.
You sure?
Oh no.
Tell them to hold off.
Huh?
Just tell them to hold
off about 10 minutes.
Just a minute.
I'm sorry, Angus.
These are the papers,
supposed to have been stolen,
and they've been in
your desk all the time?
Yes, I remember, I did take
that briefcase on my last trip to Herta.
I took those papers out to make room
for my weekend stuff.
You mean, that's what it's all about?
You brought me across for this.
Your fingerprints were on his case.
Well, of course they were, I carried
your case from the boat for you.
Remember?
Yes.
Come on, let's go.
It's not as easy as that.
No, I had just the slightest
suspicion it wouldn't be.
The police nearly
arrested you 20 years ago
for passing on information,
they won't let you go now.
I don't really expect you to believe this,
but I'm sorry.
Oh, well that's two of us sorry.
I believe you.
See, it's not just
myself I'm worried about.
It's the island.
Well, let's have a drink anyway.
I'd rather not, Mr. Braithwaite.
I think you've done enough for me.