Secret Agent (1964–1967): Season 1, Episode 16 - A Room in the Basement - full transcript

To save a friend with sensitive information who is being held in the Romanian embassy in Geneva, Drake must break into the embassy, in defiance of the British ambassador, retrieve his friend, and avoid an international incident.

It's nice to be among
friendly faces again.

Keith, now we're here,

can't you tell me
what's happening?

If only I knew.

But you do know and you're not telling me.

Well how can I?

It was all a stupid mistake.

First we're shadowed day and night,

then suddenly we run away from the

apartment to that crummy little hotel.

Then we run away from there
on the first plane out



without even getting our things.

We'll get them sent on somehow.

You are the most
maddeningly secretive man.

Look, I told you the police
got their wires crossed.

It was probably a case
of mistaken identity.

I thought it was safer to get out.

I don't believe you.

Right, then you tell me what happened.

Oh darling, this has happened
before, can't you trust me?

Susan, I do trust you.

Come on, let's have a drink.

Let's celebrate.

I never did like Bucharest anyway.

Would a Mr. Turnbull
please come to the desk.



Mr. Turnbull, in transit to London.

Thank you.

Who can that be?

It's a call from London, I expect.

I'll be right back.

Excuse me.

Hey!

Hey!

It may well be that they
have abducted your husband,

but the Romanian embassy say
they know nothing about it.

Then they're lying.

You know there could have been a mix-up

with that van you were
following, Mrs. Turnbull.

There wasn't.

I followed it all the way.

It went straight back to the embassy.

Well they deny it.

If only someone could
tell me what was going on.

What has he done?

Why do they want him?

Yes, yes, of course.

Why do they want him?

How would we know?

Well what are you doing about it?

What can we do?

How can we insist on their
releasing your husband

when they say they know nothing about him?

It's most embarrassing for us, you know.

He is in there.

I'm sure he is.

You don't believe me.

Of course we do, but we
are having some difficulty

in persuading the Swiss
police to believe your story.

Aren't they doing anything about it then?

Oh yes, indeed they are they are.

They've put a strong guard on the embassy

. to make sure there will be no attempt

to smuggle him out of the country

and to take him back to the East.

Oh, no, you don't think
they'd do that?

Well, they might try,

but I don't think they'd.
get away with it,

not while the Swiss are watching them.

Are the Swiss doing anything else?

Well there's not much else they can do.

They can't enter the
embassy and search it,

that's sacred soil.

If you hadn't stolen that car

they had been more ready
to accept your story.

If I hadn't stolen that car,

we wouldn't know where he was.

Oh, thank you.

I'll speak to him in a few moments.

Well you have my deepest
sympathy, Mrs. Turnbull.

My husband needs
a little more than sympathy.

Ah, yes, yes of course.

I shall let you know the
moment we have any news,

but I'm afraid I have
someone waiting to speak

to me on most important business.

And not that yours isn't
most important too.

Have you a phone I could use?

I wish to call a friend.

By all means In the anteroom.

The young lady there will get it for you.

Goodbye.

Yes, Sir?

Yes, I've just had her in here.

What can we do?

No, no, of course not.

No, I'm sure she had no idea
her husband was working for M9.

She certainly is an
embarrassment to us, Sir.

I'd like her shipped back home.
The sooner the better.

Very well, Sir.

I just went to the embassy here,

but they won't do anything.

They won't even listen to me.

John, please, you must help me.

Susan, you know I'd
do anything for Keith,

but I'm just about to leave
on a most important trip

and it's not something I can get out of.

Well if you can't do anything,

please could you contact World Travel?

They must help.

No, the the firm can't do

as much as our embassy in Geneva can.

John, please, I'm desperate.

Hold on just a minute, let me think.

Look, Susan, I'll call the firm

and see if I can get the
trip put back until Monday.

Oh, thank you!

I can't promise anything.

In any case, I've got to be
back in London inside 48 hours.

John, please, please come.

I'll do my best.

Keep your chin up.

Bye.

Oh, John, I'm so pleased to see you!

Susan.

I've been feeling so helpless.

You are going to do something?

I'll do my best,
you go back to your hotel,

and I'll call you in an hour or two

and let you know what's happening.

What are you going to do?

Go around to our embassy and see

if I can make any
impression on Mr. Forbes.

Well he wouldn't help me at all.

Maybe he'll listen to you.

I certainly hope so anyway.

Of course there's
nothing we can do about it.

I hope you haven't been building
up that poor girl's hopes.

You should know better than that.

You know they will hand him over in time.

Public opinion will force them to.

Don't you believe it.

They have categorically denied having him.

They'll bury him in their
cellars rather than lose face.

Why should they be so vindictive?

Because he knows too much.

Supposing we broke into the embassy.

What?

Are you mad?

What can they do about it?

They certainly can't call in the police.

They know the one thing the Swiss want

is a chance to get into
the embassy and find Keith.

If we get him away there's
nothing they can do.

They can't even protest.

They've denied having him!

Drake, we'll have none of
your strongarm methods here.

What other way is there?

I must remind you this has
nothing to do with you, Drake.

Keith is a friend of mine.

It's a matter of personal loyalty.

You know as well as
I do there's no such thing

as personal loyalty in our business.

You keep right out of it!

And just wait for things
to sort themselves out?

Yes!

All right.

I take it you're going back to London now?

Oh, yes, but first I thought

I'd call in on a couple of friends of mine

I haven't seen for some time.

Well, what do you think of it?

Mmm, where'd you get it?

We have a little vineyard.

A vineyard and Annette.
Some people have all the luck.

Yes, but he doesn't know it.

It does him good to tell him.

Annette cheri, John is hungry.

Oh, poor John, I'll get him some lunch.

Nothing fancy, just some
smoked ham, sausage, cheese.

He's in a hurry.

I will not be a minute.

Uh oh.

What do you think?

If you really want to know, John,

I think this idea of yours is crazy.

Well, that's a pity.

I telephoned Luke in Paris,
he thinks it's crazy too.

He'll be here by three.

All right send Susan to
pick him up at the airport.

It'll take her mind off her troubles.

Oh, what about something to eat?

Right, and then we'll pay
a visit to a little pension

I know where there's a splendid view.

I like that cellar of yours.

We might be able to use it.

The room suits you, Monsieur?

Oh, yes, it's very comfortable, thank you.

We have better rooms
at the back, Monsieur.

There you do not have
the sound of the traffic.

Mr. Brown likes the sound of the traffic.

He also likes a view.

The embassy of the
Romanian People's Republic.

I wonder where they've got Keith?

Upstairs, downstairs,
in the lady's chamber.

A guard on the door and two on the gate.

Yeah, and the Swiss police

have got four men outside.

And a radio car to the left there.

It is not going to be so simple.

No, we haven't much time.

We'll have to lean rather heavily

on the element of surprise.

Or we could all move in at
more or less the same time.

I could make a trade inquiry,

Luke a request for a visa,

yourself a newspaper
reporter looking for a story.

But let's not start planning until we know

that Keith is there and whereabouts.

Then we all dash down to
get him out of the cellar,

and surprise, he's up in the attic.

We'll need a layout of the whole building

and details of the security arrangements.

That can only come from someone inside.

We'll have to start
looking for weak links.

Someone corrupted, someone corruptible.

Mmm, better get started.

Well I'll go over there and
pay them a formal visit.

Come.

Susan.

Hello there, John, this
is just like old times.

I have to see you later.

I've got some visiting to do.

Oh.

What are you doing here?

I've joined the team, Susan.

Must help old Keith, he would
have done as much for me.

Thank you.

Where has John gone?

He's going to take
a look inside the embassy.

What are you going to do?

There is only one thing we can do.

Go right in there and get Keith out.

No, seriously?

Seriously.

But you can't, you'd be arrested,

you'd be put into prison.

Oh, don't say things like that.

There goes John.

No, please, Bernhard, be serious.

I am serious, and what is
more, you are going to help us.

Hi.

Morning, comrade.

Comrade?

I want to make an application
to visit your country.

You wish to visit this
country on business?

No, pleasure.

Uh, what address do you want here?

Your address in Geneva.

Yes, my hotel.

Thank you.

Enter.

Why do you wish to visit our country?

I don't really.
-I beg your pardon?

I don't wish to be offensive,

I mean I don't at the moment.

I'm supposed to be on holiday in Geneva.

I have to be back in
London in a day or two.

Then what is your purpose
in requesting this visa?

Everything we say will be confidential,

it will be between the two of us?

Of course.

Why have you come to Geneva?

I thought it would be safer to come here

rather than go to your embassy in London.

Safer, why?

I work in a classified job in London.

I've got some information I think,
I'm sure,

would be of interest to you.

You mean you have some
information you wish to sell us?

Yes, that's right, documents.

And you thought we'd would be interested?

I am sure you would be.

That's why I'm here.

I feel I should tell you that we are

representatives of a friendly power

and are not interested
in that sort of trade.

Quite sure of that?

I should be
failing in my duty if I did not

report you to the local authorities.

But you won't.

Mr. Brown, that is your name?

No.

And the Mirabel of
course is not your hotel?

As matter of fact, yes, it is.

That is all, Mr. Brown.

I am sorry I cannot help you.

I've come a long way.

That is none of my business.

That'll be all, Mr. Brown.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Here he comes.

Any luck?

Ah, yes.

They've fallen for it.

With their goon
treading hard on his heels.

Mr. Brown?

Yes.

You have just returned?

Have I?

Who is that?

I believe you have something to sell.

If you're not on the level
I advise you to pull out now.

To try and fool us would
be very dangerous for you.

I'm sure it would.

Who is that?

That is not important.

I hope you're serious, Mr. Brown.

Of course.

That is good.

Then I want you to take your car

and drive to the Rue D'Stats Unis.

Wait by the last building
opposite the gardens.

Do not park your car where
it could be jammed in.

I will be there in 10 minutes.

If you are not, I will take
it as a sign of bad faith,

and I will not wait for you.

Hold on, 10 minutes
doesn't give me much time.

I'm low on gasoline.

I'll have to fill up.

How long then?

Well I can make it in 20 minutes.

Very well.

Yes, Sir?

Give me a line.

Yes?

Doctor Bernhard.

Speaking.

It's Brown here, John Brown.

Do you remember that extraction job

you did for me in March '63?

Not too well.

The one with the big cavity?

Ah, yes, now I remember.

Yes, a nasty job.

I'm having the same
trouble with the other side.

I think it's going to
be a repeat operation.

It's very painful.

Is your surgery still in that block

on the top corner of Rue Gastoigne?

Yes.

I have an appointment in 20 minutes.

I'll be along as soon as I can afterwards.

Sorry it's a rushed job.

Oh, don't worry.

All will be in readiness.

I hope so.

All right, we need a furniture van.

Mr. Brown?

Yes.

Well, where are the documents?

I haven't got them.

Why not?

I wanted to meet you first.

Why?

Ah, didn't want to hand
them over till I've been paid.

If I am to buy them,
I must see them first.

I brought a sample.

Drive on, slowly.

At the first crossroads turn to the left.

How's it going?

They're all coming in.

Can we get a move on?

Can't have that great van
standing outside much longer.

I'll give you a hand with this.

All right.

Ah, cells built while you wait.

Set.

Quick, girls, do your stuff!

Hello?

Yes, can I help you?

Take him through that door.

This is the British Embassy

I'll put you through to the press attache
-Oh, I'll pass a message to his secretary.

Sit.

Excuse me, gentlemen, but if there's going

to be a lot of noise I'd
better close the door.

We don't want them to
hear anything upstairs.

I'll take care of that.

There shouldn't be any noise.

I hope the colonel is
going to be sensible.

And tell Commander Bracewell

that the operation was successful.

Oh, and it's thirsty work, this
removal business, isn't it?

Don't you think we might have a..

A glass of our embassy wine?

Splendid.

It's a rare vintage.

You see, Colonel, when
it comes to the business

of abduction we do just
as good a job as anybody.

Please sit down, Colonel.

Please?

Well, your people should be
missing you just about now.

There's nothing they can do about it,

they have no idea where you are.

So I suggest that you send
a note to your ambassador

saying that you will
never be released ever,

except in exchange for Keith Turnbull.

It would be quite useless, my doing that.

I'm sorry you take that attitude.

But we don't wish you any unpleasantness.

No, please.

Don't think I'm unwilling
to write the note.

I'm most anxious to regain my freedom.

But the point is, as far
as my country is concerned,

Mr. Turnbull has vital secrets.

They cannot allow him to go.

As for me, I am just
a faithful servant of the state.

I can be replaced in the time it takes

to fly a new man out from home.

You see, Mr. Brown, I am not a very

valuable bargaining counter.

No.

I accept that argument as
long as you accept the fact

that you will not be set free
until we have Turnbull back.

And as no doubt you
organized his abduction,

there's a rather nice shade
of irony there, isn't there?

Now the British and Swiss
governments are behind us,

unofficially of course,

so that unless Turnbull is
released within a day or two

we will have you shipped to England

where we will issue a statement of yours

saying that you've
defected to the other side,

gone over to the West
with enthusiasm and elan.

No!

It would not be nice for your wife

and children at home, would it?

Turnbull's got a wife,

and it's not very nice for her either.

What do you want?

This is a plan of the
outer shell of your embassy.

Each of these sheets represents

a floor from basement upwards.

I want you to fill out the inside details,

offices, corridors, stairways, lifts,

and of course where
you're holding Turnbull.

If I agree, you will never let anyone know

that you get this from me.

It's a promise.

That was a very good try.

Now perhaps you'll
get to work on the plan!

Make no mistake, your
freedom depends on it.

Now first, where are you holding Turnbull?

The basement stairs.

Around down here, through the
door from the entrance hall.

That's true, I've seen it.

There is a passage to the left.

Go straight down the passage.

At the end there is a door, facing you.

Susan.

Yes?

have you got the street plan?
-Yes.

The three of us can get
into the embassy alright,

but we'd never get away again

with that guard in the front.

As long as we get Keith out
quickly, no one is hurt,

no one is caught, sympathy
will be on our side.

All will be forgiven and forgotten.

But what if anything goes wrong?

Political dynamite.

What if you're caught?

Nice long stretch in prison.

Yes, but--

Do you want Keith out or not?

Yes.

Alright,

so then we can't get in from the front,

it will have to be from the back.

Bernhard, what's this building
here behind the embassy?

Well that is a school I think.

No, no, no, it's a hospital,
a private hospital.

Hospital, eh?
-Yeah.

It's the only way in from that side,

so we'd better have
a look at it, hadn't we?

Hospital.

He's in the dispensary.

He's just coming.

Oh, good.

I have a train to catch.

I would not like to miss my surgery.

There he is.

Ah.

Doctor Bardy?

Doctor, I must apologize for

not ringing for an appointment.

I have a distinguished
English colleague with me.

Oh yeah?

Doctor Huber, Doctor Bailey-Carpenter.

How do you do?

Well, gentlemen, how can I help you?

It's a rather a delicate matter.

This will be completely
confidential of course.

Oh, my dear fellow Doctor Huber

has an unparalleled reputation,

a man of absolute discretion.

Oh, thank you, Doctor Bardy.

We have not met before?

No, no, no, my practice is in Zurich.

But to return to the
problem of our colleague.

As I was saying, it's a delicate matter.

Please sit down.

Thank you.

I've just flown out from London.

A patient of mine, a young Englishwoman,

one of our best families you understand,

has been mixed up in a most
unfortunate love affair.

The gentleman has left her.

She's in a state of
complete nervous collapse.

Unfortunately, her family
are away at the moment.

I cabled them to return
immediately, but in the meantime,

I don't think she ought to be left alone.

You think she might?

Yes, exactly.

But I'm afraid this is not

a psychiatric institute, Doctor Carpenter.

Bailey-Carpenter, there's a hyphen.

Her family are extremely wealthy.

This is a most trying time for them.

I don't think they'd altogether --

I think it would be better if

she stayed in a normal hospital.

Now I am sure the family would show

their appreciation in
a most practical way.

This is an opportunity not to be missed,

I can promise you that.

And the young lady, she's not violent?

Good Heavens no.

She's excitable, but
certainly not violent.

We do have a room free.

It's at the back.

It's a room at the back.

Perhaps we could see it, Doctor Huber.

Well yes, certainly.

Please.

Thank you.

All right, Susan, now you do your stuff.

My dear.

Now don't be nervous.

We're all friends here.

Doctor Bailey-Carpenter,
everything's ready.

Dr. Huber, this is Miss Lyle.

Delight, Miss Lyle.

What is this place?

Ah, don't worry, my dear.

Take me away from here!

My dear young lady, we hope
to make you very happy here.

This is Sister Rousseau.

She will be taking care of you.

Come on, my dear, you must be brave.

No!

Now, come on now.

Don't worry, we'll stay with you.

There's nothing to worry about.

Sister Rousseau will not
leave her, not for one minute.

Good, but we'll just
see her settled in first.

Come along, my dear.

Voila. La chambre.

All right, get her to bed, Sister,

and we will return and
give her a sedative.

Oui, Doctor.

No, can't have that!

Now, now, we must have
your night things my dear.

They're in there.

Susan's room is too far away.

If we could get through there

it should bring us near enough.

The ground floor windows are all barred.

They work late.

They'll be gone soon.

But they live on the premises.

From the wall we can use the drain pipe,

along the ledge to the corner,

up to the roof, somehow,

and in through the attic there.

Simple.

Well, how is that?

Comfortable?

Now we will get the doctor to give

you something to help you to sleep.

...Dr. Bardy

and Dr. Bailey-Carpenter.

Non?

I want Dr. Carpenter!

Is he gone?

No, I will find him.

I want Dr. Carpenter!

Dr. Carpenter!

That's Susan.

Please, I want Dr. Carpenter!

No, wait, leave me alone!

I want Dr. Carpenter!

So, there you are.

Just looking round, Sister.

Dr. Carpenter, don't leave me!

Calm down.

Calm down, I am not going away.

Do you hear?

I am not going away.

It is for you, Dr. Carpenter.

Everything's all right now.

That was a message from the airport.

Your sister-in-law has arrived
and is on her way here.

There, is that not good, my little one?

That is better.

Calm now, aren't you?

Much, much better.

You were great.

Now I think she's
beginning to enjoy herself.

Now I think she's
beginning to enjoy herself.

My sister-in-law is here, Miss Lyle.

I want to see her immediately.

Yes, I will let them know right away.

She's lucky you could get here so quickly.

Good evening, madam.

Why, Charles.

Shall I take madam upstairs?

I know the room.

Yes, that would be quite all right.

This way please.

Ah, there now.

She is looking better already.

It is time we left her.

You need not be afraid
to leave her with me.

This is the quiet time in a hospital.

For an hour or two there will be peace,

and I will be very happy to
sit with this dear young lady.

Come, come along now.

Thank you, Sister.

Don't leave me!

Don't leave me here!

There there, my dear.

I will be with you.

Who are you?

I don't want you.

Go away!

Annette!

Don't leave me with that woman!

Send her away!

Go away!

Annette!

It's only Sister Rousseau, dear.

Sister, may I speak to you outside please?

Oh, oul.

I'm sorry she's spoke
to you like that, Sister.

Clearly she is not
responsible for her actions.

Go away!
-Poor child.

I think it might be better
if we stayed with her.

Don't let her come near me,

I can't stand the sight of her!

I'm so sorry.

I think perhaps you are right, Doctor.

Now don't concern
yourself about her, Sister.

We will stay with her
all night if necessary.

I'll let you know if we need you.

Of course, Doctor, anything.

Thank you, Sister.

30 meter, okay.

What will the police do
when they hear the bang?

They won't let the police
in while Keith is still there.

Check the sets.

Ready?

Susan?

Susan calling, Susan calling.

Receiving you.

Bernhard?

Bernhard calling, Bernhard calling.

Receiving you.

Come in, Luke.

Luke here, Luke here.

Receiving you.

What's going on out there?

I drove around the front of the embassy.

The Swiss have got
a dozen men out there now.

Anything this side?

There are two men on the hospital door.

Thanks.

Over, out.

All right.

Clear?

Let's go.

Good luck.

Yeah.

Susan, Susan.

Come in, Susan.

Susan here, over.

You see the window
opposite right of center,

the one with the light on?

There's a man working there.

We have to go along the
ledge right past him.

I want you to make a distraction.

His name is Iliesku.

Iliesku.

Write his name.

Telephone number three, five, six, four,

eight, seven.

Three, five, six, four, eight, seven.

Right.

Chat him up about the
missing military attache.

That should interest him, over.

Right, John, understood.

Out.

We have to phone him.

Mr. lliesku?

Who is that?

Well, you don't know me.

I believe a friend of yours is missing.

No, I know no such thing.

Oh, yes you do.

Right, boys, all clear now.

He went absent two days ago.

As a matter of fact, we were
thinking about an exchange.

You have a friend of ours.

No, we have no friend of yours here.

Well if that's the attitude you take,

you can say goodbye to your man.

All right, Annette.

Just a minute.

No, Mr. Iliesku, don't bother.

We'll call you.

We are in no hurry.

Chuck?

Chuck?

Chuck?

Hey!

Keith.

John!

I'm gonna blow this door off.

Get in the corner.

Protect yourself with the bedding.

Here!

Luke, come in, Luke.

A sergeant and four policemen

have just entered the hospital.

Over.

Okay, thanks.

Over and out.

Susan!
-Keith!

Are you all right?

Yes, I am.

Take the bag.

Yeah, sure.

Come on, Keith.

She's cured.

She'll be released tomorrow morning.

Into bed.

Bye, darling.

Bye.

Goodnight, Sister.

Dr. Carpenter, how is the poor child?

Sleeping now, thank goodness.

We've left her sister with
her to be on the safe side.

We'll be back first thing in the morning

to take her off your hands.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Don't think you'll get away with it!

I'm reporting the whole affair to London!

A venture of more total irresponsibility

would be hard to imagine!

If anything had gone wrong.

It didn't.

Can you imagine what would have
happened if you'd been caught.

We weren't.

The embarrassment to our government,

to our relationship with the Swiss!

What are we to do with this wretched

Romanian colonel we've got?

Forbes, I must congratulate you!

A daring and imaginative
plan, perfectly executed!

Oh, thank you, Sir.

I was afraid the Foreign Office.

Nonsense, what grabbing him right out

from under their noses?

The Nelson touch.

Oh well, Sir, in that case,

some of the credit must go to Drake here.

I mean the men in the field.

Rubbish, the glamour boys
always get all the credit.

I hope you don't mind
my saying this, Drake.

On the contrary Mr. Ambassador,

it is the man behind the desk
who does all the planning,

all the real thinking.

We just carry out orders.

I'd rather you didn't mention me

in your report to London, Sir.

Now if you'll excuse me
I have a plane to catch.

Mr. Ambassador, Sir.

Well, I think this calls
for a drink, don't you Forbes?

Well, I think this calls
for a drink, don't you Forbes?

Give my regards to the Colonel.