The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre (1959–1965): Season 4, Episode 2 - The £20,000 Kiss - full transcript

Sir Harold.

What is it?
- There's someone in my flat.

Your husband? Where is he?
- Leo is away.

I'm frightened.
I heard someone move about.

Stay here.

Sir Harold?

Everything is alright.

No-one?
- No-one.

I am so sorry.
- Not at all.

Are you all alone here?
- Yes.

Leo is away in Stockholm on business.
- Doesn't your maid sleep here?



Paula? No, she has a place of her own.

Well, I've looked in all the
cupboards and under the beds.

You're quite safe.

Goodnight.

Steady. You'd better sit down.

I feel most peculiar.

What you need is a brandy.

Delayed reaction.

I was just about to go to bed.

I came into the room to get a book.

I thought I heard somebody.
I am afraid I panicked.

I'm not used to being here alone.

Drink it up. Good for the nerves.

You must think me very stupid.



Not at all.

Admit it, Sir Harold. Women can
be terribly foolish can't they.

Paula.

I didn't mean to disturb you, madam.

I have come back for my purse.

Will she say anything?
- I don't know.

If she tells Leo.

Another bull. Good shooting.

Would you like to try again?
- I think I should practice in private.

Any time you want to borrow it.
- No thank you, Leo.

I hate to waste your
precious ammunition.

Don't worry. I have quite a good stock.

They're difficult to
handle, aren't they.

Yes. I'm afraid that since I had
the new silencers fitted they ..

The whole balance has changed.
- But now the neighbours don't complain.

You're right, you know.
You really should practice.

I was only joking.

But it's a skill that you might need.

If you become involved
in an affair of honour.

I'd rather rely on my
skill as a barrister.

But if it concerns the
reputation of a woman ..

Oh Leo.

Hello darling.

I was just telling Sir Harold that he
should become an expert duellist.

Whatever for?

It might be useful if he ever becomes
involved in an affair of honour.

For your sake I would
gladly shoot anyone.

And I'm sure Sir Harold would to
the same for his charming fianc?e.

Miss Ursula Clandon, sir.

Hello, darling. Is it lunchtime already?

My kind of lunchtime.
- Where are we going?

The Savoy. And shopping.

Then we must discuss the
wedding arrangements.

But I .. I can't.

I have a committee at the house.
- Must you go?

It is rather important.
- More important than our wedding?

Sweetheart, I love you very much but ..

Excuse me.

Diggins, I don't want any more calls.

It's Mrs Hagen, Sir.
- Oh.

Alright then.

Sorry. An important client.

Harold, you must make
it this afternoon or ..

Yes. Harold Trevitt speaking.

Harold. She says she'll tell Leo.

Unless I pay her ?5,000.

I see.

What about tomorrow?
- What?

Oh yes.

Well.

You'd better let me have all the facts.

When can we meet?

How about six-thirty?

Alright. Where?

The Caf? Moran, Barclay Place?

Right. I will meet you there.

Goodbye.

Sorry about that.
It's a case I may have to defend.

What sort of case?

Blackmail.

I have decided you must pay me ?5,000.

Or.

I'll tell your husband about Sir Harold.

And what did you say?

I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

I couldn't believe it.

I just stared at her and
then she said it again.

I waited until she'd gone
to do the shopping.

Then I phoned you.
- And this afternoon?

Leo came home.

Paula was there but we didn't say
anything about it. We couldn't.

But you think she meant it?
- Yes.

Shall I call the police?

No. Let's consider the possibilities.

Your husband is coming in.

But he hates this place.

Hello darling. Good evening, Sir Harold.

Hello, hello, hello.
Have we caught you two out?

Leo, I was just telling Harold
you hated this place.

I told Charles that you were
at a party at the Harrabin.

All very strange.

I was on my way there.
- Don't make explanations.

You know how I hate them.
Especially in front of Charles.

Quite right. You never know how I
may use them in my column tomorrow.

Will you excuse us please?
I've something to talk to Charles about.

Be good.

I thought we were safe here.

Never mind that now.

Your husband has seen us together
and so has that gossip Pinder.

But Harold, what am I going to do?

I need hardly tell you that
the kiss was entirely ..

Accidental?

I was going to say entirely innocent.

No doubt. But the result is the
lady is in a very bad jam.

Exactly.

And you want to get her out of it.
- Naturally.

Do you mind if I ask you
a couple of questions?

Go ahead.

The first question, Sir Harold.

As it's entirely innocent, why not go to
her husband and explain the whole thing?

Her husband is a very jealous man.

And he wouldn't believe you?
- I don't think he would.

Alright. Next question.

The lady suggested you
went to the police.

Why not?

For her sake I want to settle the
affair as quietly as possible.

No, Sir Harold. Not for her sake.
For your own.

Mr Durran. I've heard of you as
a first-class private detective.

So I've been told.
- I ask you to help me.

Now let's start with the truth.

The reasons for your
actions are as follows.

You're a very rich man.

A Queen's Counsel and an MP.

You have hopes of political advancement.

Attorney General.
Lord Chancellor. The lot.

You're about to marry the
daughter of Lord Clandon.

Who's the most influential
man in your party.

So the one man in England who can't
afford the breath of scandal is you.

Correct?

Quite correct.

The lady may be in a jam
but you are in a worse one.

Mr Durran.

I will pay you a very high fee.

You will pay my normal charges.

How do you propose to start?

Blackmail is a profession.
This woman has probably done it before.

I want information about her.

As much as I can get.

And Suzy.
Start a new file called 'Paula Blair'.

Paula .. what did you say?

B-l-a-i-r. Blair.

Scotland Yard?

Chief Inspector Waveney please.

What do I put?

In the file?
- Nothing.

Yet.

Hello Waveney?

It's John Durran here.

Yes. Look, in return for past
favours and under the old pal's act.

Can you give me anything on a
woman called Blair? Paula Blair.

More champagne. Marvellous. Ursula?

A journalist never refuses.
Thank you, Paula.

As I was saying.
You can expect the worst from us.

I've been brushing up on
my stock of clich?s already.

The bride looked radiant.

As of course you will.
- Wedding of the year?

Well, won't it be?

No thanks. I'm on a diet.
Marvellous party, Leo.

I celebrate my neighbour's good fortune.

Where is the lucky neighbour?

Oh yes.

Talking politics to daddy as usual.

Thank you.

No. Rafe hasn't got your staying power.

Don't worry about him, Harold.
He's not in the running.

I'm glad you think so.
- I promise you this though.

So long as .. what's the expression?

I like to keep my slang up to date. Yes.

So long as you keep your nose clean.

Can I speak to you?
- Yes.

Sorry, Lord Clandon.
May I take him for a moment?

Yes. Of course.

Did you see the detective?

Yes. He starts on the
case straight away.

It's urgent now.
She wants the money by tomorrow night.

Delay her as long as you can.

Harold, let's go to Scotland Yard.
- No.

She will tell Leo. I tell you she is ..

Champagne, madame?

Sir Harold?
- No thank you.

Why are you spying on me?
- I'm offering you your own champagne.

Now get out. You are sacked.

A small paragraph for tomorrow
morning, don't you think?

Knightsbridge 5391.

Harold?

It's Maxine.

I am sorry to bother you.

Yes. I have read it.

I know I behaved like
a fool last night but ..

It's Paula. She's just phoned again.

She says she wants the money
by tonight or she'll tell Leo.

So. You've decided to pay up?

Unless you've discovered something.

I haven't. There hasn't been time.

Then I've no choice in the matter.

I am a luxury, Sir Harold.

For people who can afford me
but can't go to the police.

If you send me your account I'll ..
- What for? I haven't done anything.

Can you tell me, who is actually
going to pay the ?5,000?

Mrs Hagen is a wealthy woman but she
can hardly find that sum of money.

Without her husband getting to know
and asking awkward questions.

In other words, you are going to pay.

When are you going to hand it over?
- Why?

I think I'll stay on the
case a little longer.

What do you think you can do?
- I don't know.

Can I be the one to give the money
to .. whatsername .. Mrs Hagen?

Pick it up in a moment or two
and put it in your handbag.

I don't want to give it to her.

Trevitt says you've got to.

I want her to be caught.
I want her to go to jail.

I sympathise. But do as I
say and put it in your bag.

Now, shall we seem to be having
a more gay social conversation?

Where do you go on from here?

I thought I would drop
by and see dear Paula.

I'll be going along there
a moment or two after you.

Oh? Is she expecting you?

No. That's half the fun.
Don't you think?

Well, I must fly.
- Must you?

I'll see you again. Very soon.

Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

And don't forget what I told you.

If that's how you see it,
perhaps you'd better go.

Goodnight then, madame.

And thank you for calling.

You won't mind if I don't
see you downstairs?

Shut the door, Miss Blair.
I am your next visitor.

Who are you?
- John Durran.

I am a private detective.

Well?
- Mrs Hagen just left you.

Yes.

Where's the money she gave you?

Would you like to leave quietly?

Or shall I call the police?

Call the police.
They can help me find the money.

What makes you think that
woman would give me money?

She came here to
apologise for sacking me.

And asked me if I'd like to come back.

I told her to go to hell.

I can get better jobs than that any day.

I don't think you quite understand
the situation, Miss Blair.

Don't I?

I've been finding out facts about you.

Three months with the Hagens.

Before that New York, Paris, Rome.

I like to move around.

I think you have to.

I specialise in blackmail cases but I've
a friend who's a greater specialist.

Inspector Waveney of Scotland Yard.
- So?

I asked him to check on you.
- And?

And also to check on what happened
to the families you worked with before.

They gave me good references.

Really?

I've had enough.

Miss Blair.

Give that money back.

Leave the country tomorrow.

Who are you working for?

That woman?

I have a surprise for you, Paula.

I am working for her husband.

Hagen is a clever man.
He's had me tailing his wife.

It is something I've seen
a hundred times before.

But curiously, Leo Hagen loves her.

If she's been a little indiscreet
he doesn't want to know.

He just wants me to
get you off her back.

Goodnight, Mr Durran.

It's your last chance, Paula.

No thank you.

Clever Mr Durran.

Darling.

Leo.

There's no way he can find out?

I shouldn't think so.

I don't mind betting that
our clever Mr Durran ..

Has never had a case before of
a man blackmailing own wife.

But what if he does check?

Then you, my love, might be
in for a great deal of trouble.

Alright. Don't go on about it.
I get the general situation.

You got yourself in a jam and
you come running to me for help.

Under the old pals act.

Sergeant Holt. How many times
to date has he used that phrase?

It's in three figures by now, sir.

You're young.
You've not known him as long as me.

Now look. Jimmy.

Christian names now.
Find him a chair, Sergeant.

Excuse the mess.

I'm camping out in here while
my office is redecorated.

I was bluffing this woman
and I was winning.

Then suddenly something went wrong.

Suddenly she'd won and I had lost.

And I don't know what went wrong.

Well?

I don't like losing.

So what are you going to do?

I am going to get Paula Blair and
I hope you are going to help me.

Under that well-known act, eh?

Sergeant, Show him the file.

Not much in it I'm afraid.

It might give you an idea.

Yes.

Yes. It does.

Thank you very much.
I'll do the same for you sometime.

Where are you going?

You will never believe this.
I am going to see my MP.

How did you find this out?
- I have friends.

The police?

Sir Harold told me not
to go to the police.

If I had known ..
- You'd not have engaged Paula.

How in fact did you engage her?

I advertised in The Times.

Tell me something, Durran.

If she's known as a blackmailer, why ..
- Suspected to be.

But never caught.

For one simple reason. None of her
victims will ever go to the police.

She has an accomplice?

I gather she always operates with one.
He's the brains of the organisation.

I imagine he's the one who
chose you, Mrs Hagen.

But why me?
- You're a likely victim.

You're rich, fashionable, gay.
Your husband goes away on business.

Just a minute, Durran.
Are you suggesting ..

Sorry, but that's the way they see it.

Now Paula Blair is very
confident of herself at present.

If I can just find out
who the accomplice is.

Then maybe we can beat her.

No-one has any idea who it may be?

She's never mentioned a boyfriend,
a husband or a brother?

Pity.

I don't understand. She's been paid.
She got what she asked for.

That's just the first instalment.

You never finish paying a blackmailer.

When are you getting married?

Three weeks tomorrow, isn't it?

Yes.

My guess is we can expect the
next demand any day now.

Thank you, Ursula.

Charles Pinder isn't the nicest man in
the world but his column is widely read.

That's the important thing.

No thank you. I'm not sure
I want all this publicity.

You're a politician. You can't avoid it.

What's wrong? You always adored him.

Pinder is doing a big piece
about you two anyway.

All we want is for
him to link it with ..

What do they call it?
- A leak.

Well, a rumour. You know.

Headleigh is resigning and
you're hotly tipped for the job.

That's probably him now.

Excuse me.

Good afternoon, Mr Pinder.
- Afternoon, Harris.

Hello Charles. How nice of you to come.

Not at all. I'm sure I'll go home with
something for Pinder's paragraphs.

Come in.

I think you know everyone.
- Indeed.

Tea, Mr Pinder?

Let me get you a drink.

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

Yes. He is. Who's speaking?

Harold. It's for you.

Thank you, darling. Who is it?
- She wouldn't say.

Thank you.

I think I can guess who it is.

Harold Trevitt here.

Maxine.

Paula just rang me.

She said she wants another
?5,000 by tomorrow.

So.

She wants another ?5,000.

It's working out just
as I said it would.

In a week's time she'll want another.

On the night before your
wedding she'll want another.

The only limit is how much
money you have got.

I think they've checked
on that pretty carefully.

You've joined a good
company, Sir Harold.

The wealthy men of this country who
are being milked morning and night.

Because they haven't the guts
to face a public scandal.

There's another thing
we can be certain of.

This whole thing isn't
aimed at Mrs Hagen.

It's aimed at you.

How long have you been
in your present flat?

Ten years.
- The Hagens only a few months?

They had another maid
first and then Paula came.

Shortly after the announcement of your
engagement to the honourable Ursula.

Yes.

She took the job to be across
the landing from you.

A good position to spy on you.
- She can't possibly have known.

Every man does something
silly at some time or other.

Blackmailers are patient people.

This woman Paula says she wants
the money tomorrow night.

Tell her I'll come to her
place at .. ten o'clock.

I can't get there any sooner. I have
to speak at a meeting at Caxton hall.

I want you to be there too.

Alright. I'll meet you in the
alley opposite her house.

Very well.

Are you going to pay her the money?

No.

Good morning.
- Morning, Leo.

Come in. Join me for coffee.

I am afraid that lazy girl
Maxine hasn't got up yet.

No thanks. I am in rather a hurry.

I'm off to the country tomorrow
and thought I may not catch you.

What can I do for you?
- You've mentioned it before.

I wondered if I could
borrow one of your pistols.

With the greatest pleasure. Here.

For a little private practice?
- Yes.

Not that one. That's my personal one.

You take this one. It's just as good.

I wonder if it will fit in.

Yes.

And here are ..

The cleaning materials.

And some ammunition.

Good hunting.

Thank you.

Durran.

Well?

I got here a few minutes early.
I decided not to wait.

When I came up the door was half open.
- You found her like that?

That's more than ten minutes ago.
What have you been doing since?

I thought I heard people on the stairs.

I was afraid to go out.
I thought I might be seen.

She's been dead for some time I reckon.
You had better leave now. Quick.

I have done something damned stupid.
- What?

I had better tell you now.

I borrowed a pistol this morning.
I was to use it to try and scare her.

You're a bigger fool than I thought.
Where is the pistol?

Here.

Alright. I believe you.
It has not been fired.

Who did you borrow
this work of art from?

Leo Hagen.

Who are you phoning?

Leo Hagen.

You may need an alibi.

Where have you been?

I went to the meeting at eight.
Left about 9:30 and came straight here.

Car?
- Parked round the corner.

Driver?
- I drove myself.

Where do you usually go
at this time of night?

Home or the club.

Go to your club.
Act as if nothing has happened.

Have you got everything?
- Yes.

You have worn those gloves all the time?

Yes.

Off you go.

Mrs Waveney?

It's John Durran here.
Can I speak to your husband please?

I don't care if it is
his favourite program.

Alright. Let's hear the rest of it.
- I told you.

You paid a call on Miss Blair.

An attractive girl.
- You found her dead.

So you called me.

You know I did.
- What happened to the old pals act?

I could have called any policeman.
I did you a favour.

Thanks.

Who was Miss Blair blackmailing?
- Actually she was between jobs.

If you withhold information
from the police ..

All you have to do is prove it.

Have you finished with me now?

9:30 tomorrow morning in my office.

See you.

My name is Durran. I am a
private detective. Can I talk to you?

It's rather late unless
it's something urgent.

Paula Blair is dead.
Would you find that urgent?

How did she die? A road accident?

She has been murdered.
- Leo.

Who was at the ..

Darling, this is Mr Durran.

Mr Durran, this is my wife.
- Good evening, Mrs Hagen.

How do you do.

Mr Durran has called to tell us
that Paula has been murdered.

What?

I do think that it could have been
left until the morning papers.

She wasn't a great success as a maid.

That's hardly surprising.
Her real profession was blackmail.

Blackmail?

Her technique was to take
a job with a wealthy family.

Find out something about
the husband or wife.

Then her accomplice moved
in and put the screws on.

An accomplice? Are you sure?
- Yes. She had a partner.

They've tried this trick
in several countries.

You astonish me, Mr Durran.

Mrs Hagen.
- Yes?

You haven't been married very long.

Five months last Tuesday.

Before that I believe you lived aboard.

Would you tell me in which countries?

Excuse me. It seems to the
night for unexpected guests.

What are you trying to do?

Mr Hagen?
- Yes.

We're from Scotland Yard.

We'd like to come in
and talk to you please.

I can see I don't have to
explain why I am here.

Yes. Mr Durran was kind enough
to come and tell us about it.

Yes. He would be, wouldn't he.

Mr Hagen, what have you
been doing all evening?

I met a friend called Charles Pinder.

Ah yes, Charles Pinder.
- For a drink at the Catamaran Club.

We left at about 8 o'clock.

8 o'clock.
- Then I came home for dinner.

Why?

Mrs Hagen, what about you?

I have been in all evening.
- Alone?

Until Leo came home.

What time was that?

I'm afraid I didn't look at the clock.

Mr Hagen, have you any firearms here?

An old duelling pistol.

May I see it please?

Please sit down.

With modern improvements I see.

For the sake of the neighbours.

Do you mind if I take it with me?
- As long as I have it back.

Of course. I'll take care of it.
- My favourite pistol.

Since I bought it nobody
but me has ever used it.

I understand your concern.

Mr Hagen, isn't it ..
- I know what you will say.

That usually pistols of
this sort come in pairs.

That is quite right.

I had the twin of this
one until quite recently.

What happened to it?

It disappeared.

Just about the time
that Paula was sacked.

Somebody stole it.

I think probably she did.

Ballistics have checked it.

It's smooth bore.

All they can tell us is that Paula
Blair was killed with this pistol ..

Or its twin brother.

There are others like this.

Do you know of any others
fitted with silencers?

Look, Jimmy.
- Wait a minute.

Let me talk.

How exactly does
Leo Hagen fit into this?

I imagine he was Paula's partner
in the blackmail racket.

I imagine that too. Go on, surprise me.
Tell me something I don't know.

I imagine he killed her.
- Yes. But why?

Was she blackmailing him for a change?

Or was she afraid of being found out?

I just don't know.

You mean to say I have to stick to the
humdrum routine of a police officer?

Instead of the brilliant
intuitions of a private eye?

A couple of things bother me.

Things bother me too
and you're one of them.

Alright. Routine.

What time was Paula killed?

Between eight and half past. Roughly.

Then Hagen could have done it.
- Or his missus.

She might have got wind of something.

Jealousy. Revenge.

Had this pistol been fired?
- Who knows?

Too much time has passed.
All they can say is it's been cleaned.

Sergeant, take back to
Mr Hagen with my thanks.

Let's speculate on the
other pistol, shall we.

The one that Hagen said was stolen.

Do you think Paula Blair had it?

No.
- Then who did?

I have a client.

Oh yes? There's one born
every minute. Go on.

Thanks very much.

But I do assure you he has nothing
whatever to do with this murder.

Will you accept that?

I don't know. I might.

Tell me more.

My client possessed the other pistol on
the night Paula Blair was murdered.

But he did not use it.

Excuse me, Sir Harold.
- Yes?

Mr Hagen is here, sir.

Oh.

Show him in.

Mr Hagen.

Harold. Good morning.
- Morning. I got your message.

What a charming place to work.

I envy you very much.

I still don't understand why
you've come to see me.

Before we discuss that, Harold.
I must tell you that ..

The police have been
asking me about the pistol.

And what did you say?

It was difficult.
I didn't want to bring you into it.

I said that the other pistol
had simply disappeared.

Probably somebody had stolen it.

You still have it?
- Yes.

Don't show it to anyone.

That wouldn't be wise.

You don't want to get
involved in a murder case.

Even though you're entirely innocent.

But now to business. Harold.

I need a loan.

You are a lawyer. You are rich.

You have influence.
You can arrange these things.

How much do you have in mind?

Ten thousand pounds.

For the term of three hundred years.

At nought percent interest.

So, now we have it laid on the line.

Have a drink. You look like you need it.
- Thank you.

Now, Hagen and Paula are partners.

He has an ingenious scheme to blackmail
his own wife while you foot the bill.

Alright. So you've paid
them five thousand pounds.

Suzy.

It's alright. She's the one
discrete girl in London.

Now, you borrow Hagen's pistol.

Obviously, you don't intend to
pay the second five thousand.

What do you want?
- More Scotch.

Now, Paula tells him that you are
coming to her flat at ten o'clock.

He sees in this an ideal opportunity
to make some real money.

And keeping it all for himself.

So he gets there first. Kills her.

And leaves her for me to find.

Charming.

There's a couple of
things that bother me.

Such as?

Never mind about my worries.
Let's worry about you.

Have you still got that pistol?
- Here.

Right. I'd better take that
and dump it in a river.

Or ..

Wouldn't it be better if ..

If you were to put it
back in Hagen's flat?

For the police to find.

What do you say?

I would say that's just
about all I need.

Mr Hagen, you have been very helpful.
You've answered all our questions.

And it's not getting us anywhere, is it.

I am sorry, Inspector.

Let's ask some of them again, shall we.

Where is the other pistol?

I have no idea.

Did Paula Blair have it?

I imagine so.

Don't you?

Mr Hagen, why should a woman
steal from her partner?

Inspector, you have no
justification for that remark.

This is a list of the places you've
stayed over the past few years.

It happens to coincide with the
places that Paula has lived too.

They are all big cities.
Coincidence is possible.

It is also possible that you are
her partner in a blackmail racket.

I can only deny it.

And you can't prove it.

Can't I?

My impression of such an organisation ..

Is that the big brains always stay
very much in the background.

And no-one ever manages to find out.

Thank you, Mr Hagen.
You denied it. We heard you.

What other questions
would you like to ask me?

Don't be impatient, Mr Hagen.

We're all going to be here
for a good few hours yet.

Mrs Hagen.

It's John Durran here.

Are you alone?

Could I come and discuss
something with you privately?

Would it be alright
if I came to the flat?

Right. Thank you. I will be right over.

I'm sorry to be a nuisance but I
did call you several times earlier.

I was out shopping and then had
a long lunch with a girlfriend.

And your husband?

At Scotland Yard.
Heaven knows when he'll be home.

I imagine they're questioning
him about that other pistol.

I imagine.

Is it too late to offer you tea
or too early for a drink?

Mrs Hagen, have you no idea
what happened to that pistol?

None whatsoever.
- It just disappeared?

That's what Leo told me.
- And he meant it?

I suppose so.

You're sure he didn't lend
it or give it to someone?

Not to my knowledge.

Is that what you came here to ask me?

Mrs Hagen ..
- Maxine.

Maxine.

I am not a policeman.

My only concern in this case is to keep
you and Harold Trevitt out of trouble.

Trouble which you've
done nothing to deserve.

Nothing?

Maxine, you are a very beautiful woman.

And since your husband
isn't coming home yet.

I think I would like that cup of tea.

China? India?

Strong? Weak?

Strong please.

With milk?

Yes please.

And sugar.

Lots of sugar.

Waveney here.

Hello John.

What news?

That other pistol.

I have a wild hunch it may
still be in Hagen's flat.

Have you thought of searching it?

This is the famous intuition
of the private eye?

Let me tell you something.

This morning, when Mr Hagen was in this
office and his wife was out shopping.

I had my men go through their flat
with their finest of fine tooth combs.

That pistol just isn't there.

Goodbye.

So now what?

Good morning, sir.
- Morning. The usual please.

A large Scotch?
- A large Scotch.

On your account?
- On my account.

Good morning.

My name is John Durran.
- How do you do.

Scotch?

Make that two Scotches, would you.

I'm delighted to meet you.

I always say the more I tell
people the more they tell me.

Except of course the police.
- I told them everything I knew.

I was here with ..
- Two large Scotches.

Thank you. Shall we sit down?

I was here with Leo
until about 8 o'clock.

Then we left.

I imagine that Leo killed her.
Don't you?

Yes.
- Yes. Of course.

But there's some things that bother me.

Oh?

Like what?

Leo is a professional blackmailer.

Yes. I always had an idea he was.

That kind of man sticks
to the trade he knows.

He doesn't branch out into murder.

Not even if it's a good idea?

Cheers.
- Cheers.

And that kind of man
sticks to one system.

Leo found a new system from somewhere.

I wonder where he found it.

My dear chap. If you're looking at me ..
- Yes. I am.

I stick to my own trade.
Not blackmail. Not murder.

A little character assassination
sometimes, perhaps.

Alright. I'll tell you another
thing that bothers me.

Paula Blair was killed
between eight and half past.

In order to get the result Leo wanted he
should have killed her an hour later.

Just before ten o'clock.

Why didn't he?

An interesting thought.
I'll give you one in return.

When Leo and I left here
we went to Caxton Hall.

I'm interested in Harold Trevitt.
I wanted to hear his speech.

We got there about 8:15.
Just in time for his big entrance.

Storms of applause.
- Well?

The moment Trevitt said
'ladies and gentlemen' ..

Leo left the hall like
a streak of lightning.

Good afternoon. Mrs Williams?

I wonder if you can help me.
You had a tenant here called Paula ..

I'm not answering more questions.

I've had a bellyful the past few days
what with the police and the newspapers.

Thank you very much.

It makes no difference.
I'll not answer anything I don't know.

Do you know anything about a man who
called to see Miss Blair that evening?

Some man came, that's for sure.

What was the time?
Towards half past eight?

I never looked at my clock.

You have no idea?

Well, it was round about then.

I don't know any clearer than that.

I didn't know she
would be killed, did I.

Did you see the man?

I heard someone on the stairs.
I looked out.

Did you see who it was?
- No. They had gone already.

No. I can't say I did. Sorry.

Hello. Leo Hagen.

Yes. Yes, of course.

Shall we say in about an hour's time?

Yes. I will be by myself.

I'll see you later then.

Yes. Maxine is going out.

Goodbye.

You are going out, aren't you?

Hmm. Why?

I have somebody coming.

On business.

Oh.

I will call you back.

Come in. Sit down.

I've asked you come here because
I am a very worried man.

Maxine.

Your husband is a blackmailer.

And as far as I can see
he is a murderer too.

What I don't understand is why he
shot Paula at least an hour too soon.

So he wanted to frame Trevitt.
But Leo is a clever man.

A clever man would have shot
Paula just before Trevitt got there.

Why didn't he?

Did he have to get back to you?
Were you waiting and watching the clock?

I don't remember.

Let me get you a drink.

Please listen.

Are you alright?
- I am sorry.

John.
- Maxine.

I must ask you.

Were you expecting him back?

Yes.

And what time did he get back?

I don't know exactly.

Maxine, you do realise I'm trying
to pin this murder on your husband?

Yes.

And what makes it worse is, you do
realise I'm falling in love with you?

Yes.

[ Doorbell ]

Harold. Come in.
- Thank you.

You said it was business.
It's rather late, isn't it?

Not too late to discuss business.

Business between friends, that is.

You asked me for a loan of ten thousand.

That's not too much surely?
- I can afford it, yes.

Let's settle the matter then.
- Leo.

Harold, you're not going
to be difficult, are you?

I need the money rather urgently.

What are you going to do if I don't pay?

Maxine. Tell me something.

The other day when I came to your flat.

I planted that second pistol back.

Did I do right?

I don't know.

John. I am frightened.

I must go now.

I must get home.
- When will I see you again?

Soon. I promise.

He was trying to blackmail me.

Ten thousand pounds.
He said he was desperate.

When I said I wouldn't pay ..

He took out the pistol and pretended
he was going to shoot himself.

It was only pretence. I'm sure it was.
It must have gone off by accident.

But Harold.

You weren't even here.

What?

I came home.

I found Leo dead. An accident.

You weren't here.

You haven't been here at all.

Thank you, Maxine.

You can't possibly have been here.
Because of your career.

Your marriage.

Only, the price goes up every time.

It will cost you 15 thousand pounds.

With the five thousand
you've paid already.

That makes it the most
expensive kiss of all time.

Good morning, scum.
Pinder is here. Make way.

It's you again.

Never mind. You will get there someday.

Friend of the groom.
- Morning, Mr Pinder.

Sorry, Miss. You can't go in.

For your buttonhole, sir.

Thank you.
Ronnie, have you got the ring?

Yes.

Yes, of course I have. Time to go?
- Time to go.

I told the porter not to let anyone in.

Harris. Whoever it is, we don't want to
see him. We must leave for the church.

Friend of the groom.

Hello Ronnie.
- Hello Harold.

Could my readers have your
last thoughts as a bachelor?

Say I'm very happy to
stop being a bachelor.

That'll do.

When the gods give with both hands?
- What do you mean?

No longer a mere leak
but a positive torrent.

Tomorrow you're to be named as a
member of Her Majesty's government.

Well.
- 'Well'?

We all know what 'well' means
in Fleet Street. Don't we?

I am sorry, sir. You can't.

Hold on a minute please. Sir Harold.

I can't speak to anyone.
We leave now.

Mr Durran, sir.

Oh.

Hello?

Hello. Sir Harold?

Sorry to bother you at a moment like
this but I'm in Mrs Hagen's flat.

Scotland Yard are here too.

We think you can be a help to us.

Dear chap, I'm just off to my wedding.

Yes. I quite realise that but I do
assure you it won't take long.

No, you won't be late.

Right. Thank you very much.

He's coming.
- Good. Good.

Now, Mrs Hagen. We'll see what
Sir Harold has to say, shall we.

I told you. He knows nothing against me.

Shall we wait and see?

[ Doorbell ]

Sorry, Sir Harold.
We won't keep you long.

Yes. We're all in rather a hurry.

Good morning, Maxine.
- Harold.

They're telling me I killed Paula.

And Leo.

Really?

Mr Durran, would you like
to start the ball rolling?

John knows I was being blackmailed.
Tell them about it.

Leo Hagen and Paula Blair
were a team of blackmailers.

They are working the same
trick over and over again.

Suddenly they found a new trick.

Blackmailing Leo's own wife.

That's right. Tell them.

Someone had to teach
them that trick. Who?

Blackmailers are specialists.
They don't kill people.

It takes someone new to do that.

Alright.

Who is new?

Maxine Hagen.

Who has no alibi for the night
Paula Blair was killed? Maxine.

But.

And who rushed out of my office to get
back here just as her husband died?

Maxine Hagen.
The same answer every time.

That's not true.
You cannot prove anything.

Can't we, Mrs Hagen?

Let's try, shall we? Excuse me.

The bullet that killed Paula Blair
came from one of two pistols.

Mr Hagen's own favourite pistol
that was available to you here.

Or the one that was missing at the time.

Now, if we can trace
that missing pistol ..

Sir Harold.
I think you can help us here.

Mr Hagen had two pistols, didn't he?

His own favourite pistol that he never
allowed anyone else to handle.

And the one that he leant to you.
- That's quite correct.

Where was the one he leant to you?
- In my possession. Durran can tell you.

Where was it exactly?

In my briefcase the entire
evening that Paula was killed.

Thank you.

That makes it certain, doesn't it?

But I have never ..
- Sir Harold Trevitt.

I am arresting you for the murders
of Paula Blair and Leo Hagen.

I warn you that anything you say will be
taken down and may be given in evidence.

But you are accusing ..
- You used her as bait, Sir Harold.

You killed Paula Blair.

Only you did it before you went
to your meeting at Caxton Hall.

That was where you thought
you were being clever.

Why was Paula killed around 8 o'clock?

Because you had to get to your meeting.

You're early.

Come in.

I have brought the money.

I thought you were coming at 10 o'clock.

I said I thought you were coming at ten.

Well?

You stopped your car.
Cleaned your pistol.

So that an hour or two later
when John Durran met you.

You could appear quite innocent.

The pistol was cold and clean.

And Durran could see that
it had not been used.

But now to business.

Harold. I need a loan.

You are a lawyer.

You are rich.

You have influence.
You can arrange these things.

How much do you have in mind?

But you found you were
still being blackmailed.

So you decided to get rid of Leo too.

You asked me for a loan of ?10,000.

That is not too much surely?
- I can afford it. Just.

Let's settle the matter then.
- Leo.

Harold, you're not going
to be difficult. Are you?

I need the money rather urgently.

What are you going to do if I don't pay?

Tell the police who really killed Paula.

You see, I went to her place
about half past eight.

While you were making
that speech of yours.

I saw what you had done.

I can prove that you did it.

I'd better pay you then, hadn't I.

Yes. You had better.

This has a better balance than
the one you leant me, Leo.

That is my best gun and it's loaded.
Put it down.

Stand quite still, Leo.

Give it to me.
- Stand still.

Then you wiped your
fingerprints off the pistol.

And placed it beside the dead man.

Am I right, Sir Harold?
- No.

I must be.

Come here for a minute.

You had this pistol at the time of
Paula's death. You admitted that.

Yes.

This is the other pistol.

The one you agree Mr Hagen
allowed no-one else to touch.

Yes.

Do you know why he allowed
no-one else to touch it?

It's a better pistol.
- That may be.

What you don't know is that
this pistol doesn't fire.

It hasn't been fired for years.
The action is out order.

This is ridiculous.
- Yes?

You see, on the night
Paula Blair was killed.

The only pistol that fired.

Was in your possession.
- Maybe in my possession.

Furthermore you were the only
person apart from Mr Durran ..

Who knew the whereabouts of this pistol
on the night that Leo was killed.

Am I right?

Take him away, Sergeant Holt.

Come on, sir.
- And Mrs Hagen, Constable.

I expect they would both
like to make statements.

About each other.

For a policeman you are a terrible liar.
- Yes. I know.

But if he had accused me of lying he'd
have admitted using the other pistol.

But he didn't kill Leo Hagen
with the pistol I left in the flat.

John. I will explain it to you.

It's quite simple.
You aren't very bright, are you.

There are two pistols, right?
Now this is the one ..

No. Wait a minute.

This is the one that I accused
him of killing Paula Blair with.

In fact I was lying. This is the one
that he killed Paula Blair with.

Having done that, when he used this one.

To kill Leo Hagen with.

If he'd found out I was telling a lie.

I'd have been in dead shtuck.

..f-s..