The Saint (1962–1969): Season 3, Episode 16 - The Rhine Maiden - full transcript

In Germany the Saint saves a young girl, Julia, from what appears to be an accident but is an attempt on her life by Charles Voyson, a man who swindled her father out of £250,000 and is planning to change his identity. Voyson feigns illness and is taken to a clinic run by an accomplice, Dr. Schreiber, who informs Julia and the Saint that Voyson has just died. In fact he is very much alive and about to jump onto a train. The Saint and Julia follow him but she is captured by Voyson and held hostage in his compartment. The Saint climbs along the carriages to save her.

A vulture hovering for his prey

is a veritable dove of peace

compared to a German waiter expecting a tip.

Tips, T-I-P-S.

To Insure Prompt Service.

Originated by Samuel Johnson in the 18th century.

I wonder if he knew what he was doing.

Excuse mein herr for mentioning this,

it is unpardonable, I know.

What is unpardonable?

It is not for someone in my position to ask,



but you see, I have a wife, children,

kleine grandchildren.

Yes, I quite understand.

Oh no, no, no, it is my pleasure to serve.

But your kleine grandchildren.

And they will never forgive me

if I did not get for them the autograph

of the famous, the wunderbar, Simon Templar.

Is that a nefera brandy there?

Very fine cognac, sir.

Yes, well, you talked me into it.

Good afternoon, sir.

Uh, schnapps, please.

Of course, sir.



In the lobby we have a checkroom.

Leave it.

Sir?

I uh, I know there's a checkroom in the hotel,

just bring me my schnapps.

Yes, sir.

Tell me, who's the man with the briefcase?

Oh, his name is Voyson, sir, from England.

He's very ill.

Oh?

How do you know?

Well, the maid who does his room, she told me.

Really?

Well, he looks healthy enough to me.

Herr Voyson, telephone!

Herr Voyson, telephone!

Telephone, sir, the Schreiber Clinic.

Oh, um...

Tell the switchboard I'll take it in my room, number 12.

Yes, sir.

Hello.

Herr Voyson?

Yes, speaking.

Your call, Dr. Schreiber.

Hello, Dr. Schreiber.

Good afternoon, Mr. Voyson.

I'm sorry you had to wait so long,

but the specimen arrived only two hours ago.

Is it satisfactory?

Yes, it's perfect in every respect.

We can proceed at once.

You, uh, have the money?

Would I come here without it?

It is in cash?

A quarter of a million pounds, yes.

Is it in sterling?

No, no in Deutschmarks.

You are sure you want to go through with this?

You know I do.

Well, what I mean is,

once you commit yourself, there is no turning back.

Ever.

You understand?

Yes, of course.

You have the pills.

Yes.

You remember what to do?

Two with a glass of water.

Yes, they will act quite quickly.

All right, Dr. Schreiber,

I'll be at the clinic first thing in the morning.

Fine, we'll be ready for you.

Thank you.

Auf wiedersehen.

Goodbye.

How is he?

As well as can be expected.

He is afraid.

Yes, he is afraid.

But he is coming?

Tomorrow morning, as planned.

You, too, Doctor, are afraid.

A doctor's life is full of risks, Hans.

But when one is desperate, one must take chances.

There's nothing else I can do.

And stop eating those apples in here!

Can I help you, fraulein?

I asked at the reception desk for Mr. Charles Voyson.

They said he was in the bar.

He is sitting here.

The schnapps he just ordered.

He was called to the telephone.

Oh, well, I'll wait for him.

Thank you, just some coffee, please.

At once, fraulein.

Come with me.

Hello?

Uh, this is Mr. Voyson, room 12.

Look, get me the Schreiber Clinic again, will you?

It's urgent.

Yes, Mr. Voyson. Thank you.

Hello?

Yes?

Dr. Schreiber!

Yes, Voyson, what is it?

Look, there's a terrible complication.

A girl called Julia Harrison,

she's the daughter of my business partner,

has just walked into this hotel.

But how did she find you?

I have no idea.

Have you told her that you're very ill?

No, of course not.

Then I think I should.

Prepare her, so to speak.

It's too dangerous.

Would it help matters if you came into the clinic now?

Yes, I think so.

I can be there in half an hour.

I'll be waiting for you.

All right, Hans and I will leave at once.

You're sure the pills are safe?

Quite safe if you follow my instructions.

Yes, I see.

Oh, and um...

The money will be in my briefcase

under the bed.

Good.

Well, don't worry.

Yes.

Goodbye, Mr. Voyson.

Uh, goodbye, Doctor.

But this girl, if she sees him, what is the difference?

At the price Mr. Voyson is paying us,

he deserves our complete cooperation.

It was supposed to be tomorrow.

I am running this clinic, not you.

Yes, Doctor.

Feeling better?

Oh, I've never been so frightened in all my life.

Well, accidents will happen.

I'm terribly grateful to you, Mr. Templar.

Are you staying at the hotel?

No, I've just got in from London.

I'm looking for a friend.

Mr. Voyson?

How did you know?

I overheard you talking to the waiter.

Why don't we both go and look for Mr. Voyson?

Who is it?

Mr. Voyson, would you open the door, please?

Who are you?

What do you want?

I'm sorry to bother you.

Were you by any chance on the balcony a few moments ago?

What are you talking about?

Not quite sure.

But I do think it's time you and Miss Harrison

got together.

Julia?

Hello, Charles.

Well, you two obviously have a great deal to talk about.

I'll be outside the door if you need me.

Will you, uh, sit down?

How did you find me?

I looked for you.

Why?

Oh, Charles.

I've been so worried and confused the last four days, I...

I haven't been able to think straight.

What's the matter?

You drew a quarter of a million pounds

to pay Ritter in Hamburg.

Well, it has to be cash when we deal with Ritter.

I telephoned Hamburg

and Ritter hadn't heard from you.

You weren't at the hotel and...

I began to wonder.

Wonder what?

If I were stealing the money?

Oh, really.

Oh, Charles, please.

Please don't put it on a trust basis.

But it is a trust basis.

Your father wasn't only my business partner,

he was my best friend until the day he died.

So you said quite often.

What does that mean?

Even if I'm not an active partner,

Daddy's share of the business belongs to me.

I have a right to know what's going on.

Well, ask me what you do want to know

and I'll tell you.

Why aren't you in Hamburg?

What are you doing in Baden-Baden?

I came here to see a certain Dr. Schreiber,

he's been treating me lately.

Why?

Are you ill?

I'm dying.

Dr. Schreiber is one of the best cardiac specialists

in Europe.

I had no idea.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, it's all right.

What are your other questions?

Oh, I'm so ashamed, really I am, I--

No, no go on.

Half the business is yours.

What do you want to know?

Where is the money?

It's absolutely safe.

All of it.

As a matter of fact...

Simon.

Simon!

He just collapsed!

I think it's his heart.

Call a doctor.

I'm Mr. Voyson's physician.

He is in a critical condition.

Are you friends of his?

I'm not, but this young lady is, Doctor.

Are you Dr. Schreiber?

Yes.

Mr. Voyson telephoned me.

He complained of acute cardiac pain.

Could we come with you, please, Doctor?

No, I think better not.

But you may telephone me tonight.

Here's my card.

And you are?

Miss Harrison, Julia Harrison.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Get his clothes packed.

You know, Miss Harrison, Mr. Voyson has been very ill

for some time.

Ready, Hans?

Uh, yes.

Excuse me, I have to look after my patient.

Are you seriously suggesting he was carrying

a quarter of a million pounds in cash?

I'm almost positive.

Yes, well, I'm almost positive there's

no quarter of a million pounds here.

I suppose Schreiber's blonde beauty

could have put it in the suitcase.

Julia, how long have you known Voyson?

Since I was a child.

Has he ever mentioned a heart condition before?

Never, why?

I've a feeling that heart attack's a fake.

You're not serious.

Yes, I am.

It's all far too pat.

Schreiber turning up right on cue.

But why?

I mean, what's the point?

Voyson's planning to die,

settle down in Switzerland with

a quarter of a million pounds and a new name.

Oh, no, I can't swallow that.

It's ridiculous.

All right, I'll tell you what we'll do.

Instead of phoning Schreiber tonight at the clinic,

I'll drive you there.

You can see Voyson and ask him face to face.

If this clinic is closing down,

why suddenly do we take this patient, Voyson?

He's a friend of Dr. Schreiber's.

The only one, then.

You talk too much, Helga, you ask too many questions!

Oh, Hans, I--

You are paid to keep quiet, huh?

Now, see that you do, yeah?

Good evening.

Good evening, may I help you?

Yes, we'd like to see Mr. Charles Voyson.

And your name, sir?

Mine's Templar, this is Miss Harrison.

One moment.

Doctor Schreiber?

Ja?

A Mr. Templar and a Miss Harrison

to see Mr. Charles Voyson.

Send them in, please.

Would you like to go to Dr. Schreiber's office, please?

Thank you.

Good evening, Miss Harrison.

I was about to call you.

Good evening, Mr. Templar.

Doctor. How is Mr. Voyson, Doctor?

I've been so worried.

I regret, Miss Harrison, I have bad news for you.

Mr. Voyson died in the ambulance on the way here

of acute cardiac enlargement and cerebral accident.

Cerebral accident?

A hemorrhage of the brain.

I can't believe it.

I'm most terribly sorry, Miss Harrison.

There was nothing I could do.

May we see him, please?

See him?

Yes, Doctor.

But, you mean you wish to view the body?

That's exactly what I mean.

Simon, why?

I want to make sure Charles Voyson is dead.

Mr. Templar!

I want to see the body.

Now, Doctor.

For identification purposes.

Very well.

Follow me.

This way, please.

Julia.

Well?

Miss Harrison, I'm really very sorry, indeed.

Thank you.

Dr. Schreiber,

Miss Harrison and Charles Voyson were old friends.

They were also business partners.

Partners?

My father was his partner.

I inherited 50 percent of the business.

I see.

And?

She would like to examine his personal effects.

You mean his clothes?

No.

Just his briefcase.

Well, I see no harm in that.

Of course, you can't take anything away.

That would require the permission of the executors.

There's some correspondence that's quite important.

I see.

Well, I'll get it then, if you'll excuse me.

Well, your theory about Charles faking death

is quite wrong.

He is dead.

The only proof I'll have if this affair is genuine

is if Schreiber comes back with the money.

And he won't.

What do you mean?

You think Schreiber killed him?

For a quarter of a million pounds anything is possible.

Herr Doctor, what we are doing is very dangerous.

You must take it seriously!

Miss Harrison is a pleasant little fool.

When she sees the briefcase, she will go away.

Now go and get it!

Simon, should we go to the police?

Unfortunately, in Baden-Baden,

the police and I aren't on exactly friendly terms.

Why not?

I once played a little trick on Herr Inspector Glessen.

He has never forgiven me.

I wouldn't bother to open it, there's nothing in it.

Thank you, Herr Doctor, you've been very helpful.

If there's anything else I can do.

Oh, you've done quite enough already.

Julia?

Why have we stopped?

Because I don't buy Schreiber's story,

not a word of it.

Did you notice the safe in his office?

You think the money's in it?

There or somewhere else in the clinic.

I'm going back to have a look.

What time do you make it?

9:15.

All right, if I'm not back by 10,

drive to the main police station in Baden-Baden,

ask for Inspector Glessen.

Don't tell him I'm in trouble or you think I need help.

Why?

Because he'd be delighted.

Well, what will I say?

Tell him I'm robbing the Schreiber Clinic.

That'll bring him.

Hans.

Ja?

Come to my office, please.

Ja, Herr Doctor?

I think we may have a visitor tonight.

Tonight?

That man, Templar, who just left with Miss Harrison.

Yeah?

I don't think he was entirely convinced.

See that the grounds are patrolled all night.

Are you giving a party?

It's a bit rude to point with that thing.

Helga.

Helga!

Herr Doctor!

Have you checked on the train?

Ja, Herr Doctor.

The Rhine Maiden express departs Baden-Baden at 23:10.

Thank you.

You may go home now.

I shan't need you anymore tonight.

Thank you, Herr Doctor.

Helga.

Ja, Herr Doctor?

Tell Hans to come to room number seven now.

Uh, can I do anything?

No, just do what I tell you and then go home.

Hans?

Ja?

Doctor Schreiber wants you at once, room number seven.

What's he want?

He didn't say.

I'm never told anything around here.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Let me guess, you want me to up a fourth for bridge.

Hans.

Go on, Hans.

Obviously, Mr. Voyson, the reports of your death

are a little exaggerated.

Shoot him.

Before Ben Casey here knocks me off,

would you satisfy my curiosity and

tell me who our friend in the drawer is?

A laborer who died in a Baden-Baden hospital.

And how did he end up here?

I persuaded the widow, for a small sum,

to donate her husband's body to medical research.

That's nice.

And he gets buried as Charles Voyson.

Cremated.

It saves all that post-mortem nonsense.

And the heart attack at the hotel?

Window dressing.

You're a very good actor.

Oh, no, the attack was genuine,

brought on by a new German drug,

counteracted later by an injection.

Very clever.

Mm, I think so.

To be quite blunt, I find your story very hard to believe.

Why on earth should Simon Templar break into

the Schreiber Clinic?

Inspector, I'm sorry I lied to you.

Ah.

I was afraid if I told you the truth you wouldn't come.

What is the truth?

A man named Charles Voyson has been murdered.

Indeed.

By whom?

I think Doctor Schreiber.

Uh-huh.

With what motive?

A quarter of a million pounds.

Miss Harrison, your story is ridiculous

and you're losing me a night's sleep.

Ja?

Inspector Glessen, Baden-Baden Police.

Very good, Inspector.

So, you're going to skip the country

with a quarter of a million pounds?

Very conveniently die here in Baden-Baden.

And then you assume a new, rich identity.

That in a nutshell is the idea.

Now, is your curiosity completely satisfied, Mr. Templar?

Not quite.

Listen!

You expecting somebody?

No.

Who is it?

I don't know!

I do.

It's my car.

With Inspector Glessen of the Baden-Baden police.

Police?

Nice chap, Glessen.

Only has one fault, he reacts rather alarmingly

to the sound of gunshots.

He gets extremely curious.

Get rid of him.

But how?

Well, you know him, you can handle him.

Get rid of him.

But if he wants to search the place--

He won't.

Now, go on don't just stand there.

I'll take care of Mr. Templar. Hans.

I don't think Goldilocks is gonna like that.

I know you by reputation, Mr. Templar.

Now, get behind that table and put your hands flat on it.

I warn you.

Glessen or no Glessen, one move and I shall shoot.

Good evening, Herr Inspector.

What can I do for you?

Dr. Schreiber, I wonder if we could

have a few words in your office.

Ah, but of course.

You find the situation amusing, Mr. Templar?

Frankly, yes.

Why?

Well, if one has to be killed,

I can't think of a more suitable place.

I see your point.

Inspector, this is absolute nonsense.

Mr. Voyson had nothing but a few clothes

and a briefcase containing some business papers.

And Miss Harrison saw those herself.

Did you? Yes.

And Mr. Voyson's death certificate?

Right here.

Hmm.

What about Templar?

What about him?

He came here together with Miss Harrison

and then they left together.

Inspector, can't you search the building?

I'm positive Simon's here.

If you think for one moment

that I'll allow 10 patients to be disturbed

at this hour of the night

just because an hysterical girl

is making these ridiculous accusations--

They're not ridiculous!

Charles had the money and you've got Simon in this house!

Inspector, may I have a word with you in private, please?

Would you excuse us, Miss Harrison?

He's going to try and twist everything I say--

Please!

Wait outside, I'll join you in a moment.

Inspector,

Miss Harrisson is not well.

In fact, she was once a patient here.

Regrettably, I was unable to help her.

You mean she's a little bit...

Paramnesia and megalomania.

Remembering things that never happened,

acute anxiety state and emotional distortion

brought on by tiredness and anemia.

Very sad.

Well, thank you, Doctor, for your understanding.

Not at all, Inspector.

I know you have a job to do.

Hmm.

Come, Miss Harrison.

You're not going to do anything?

Oh, we'll come back tomorrow

after we've had a good night's rest.

Good night, Inspector.

Good night, Doctor.

Well, they've gone.

Come, Hans.

'Course I shall miss my home,

but the best England can offer me now

is a long prison term for embezzlement.

Have they gone?

Yes.

Was it Glessen?

Yes, and he's now firmly convinced

that poor Miss Harrison is on the verge

of a complete mental breakdown.

All right, Templar!

Hold it.

Voyson, don't shoot.

If I may suggest...

A very good idea, Schreiber.

Hans.

With pleasure.

Be my guest, Mr. Templar.

Sweet dreams, Templar.

Please take my advice, Miss Harrison.

Go to bed and have a good night's sleep.

I can't, I must find Simon.

I have known Mr. Templar for many years,

he's a good friend, but a troublesome one.

I'm quite sure he can take care of himself.

Why didn't you search the clinic?

Because one, Doctor Schreiber is a respected citizen,

two, I have found absolutely nothing

to substantiate your story.

Now, please.

Go to bed.

You know, Schreiber, for two pins,

I'd have my corpse sent back to England for burial.

Just to see how many of my so-called friends would turn up.

You are not in Switzerland yet.

I'm only about three hours away.

Ah.

Hans is getting impatient.

Hans is terrified.

So are you.

Does that surprise you?

I'm giving up everything I've built up here

since the war ended.

I'm respected.

I'm liked.

I have friends.

Nobody has any friends in this world,

one has acquaintances who want things.

I have friends, many of them.

And yet you want to get away.

I have to.

Now look, Schreiber.

Like me, you're up to your neck in this.

So you'd better do something about it.

You mean kill Templar?

Yes, I do.

It wouldn't be the first time for you.

All those medical experiments during the war.

I was forced to do those things.

The War Crimes Commission doesn't think so.

How close are they to finding you?

Two weeks, a month perhaps.

Then get on with it.

I shall give Hans 50,000 pounds in deutschmarks

the moment I cross the Swiss border.

Thank you.

And goodbye, Voyson.

Take my advice.

Kill Templar.

He could take my place in the crematorium.

I'll have to see.

You're a fool.

I'll uh, phone for a doctor.

This way.

Ah, we leave in two minutes.

See that we're not disturbed.

Of course, sir.

Thanks.

Oh, Simon, I've been frantic!

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm okay now.

We haven't much time.

What have you found out?

Voyson isn't dead.

What?

But we saw him!

It was a mask on somebody else.

But where is he now?

On a train.

Baden-Baden Station leaving for Switzerland in one minute.

But we can't possibly catch him.

Well, we might if we get to Offenberg.

The train stops there at half past twelve.

How far is that?

About 80 kilometers.

Well, Hans, we've made it.

Yes, Mr. Voyson.

No, Erickson, Hans.

Arthur Erickson.

New name for a new life.

I'm now an English farmer of modest means

settling down to a quiet retirement in Switzerland.

Simon, you've been right about Charles all along.

I only hope you're right about getting to Offenberg on time.

Well, if we don't, you can say goodbye

to a quarter of a million pounds.

But why would Schreiber risk his reputation

getting involved in something like this?

The comission pays better than tonsillitis.

Simon, there's the train!

It's slowing down for Offenberg.

Offenberg.

Right on time.

All right?

Yes.

Suppose I take the front of the train and you take the back?

Yes, but if you find Voyson, don't do anything.

Just meet me here in 10 minutes, okay?

Pardon. Thanks.

What compartment are you in, sir?

Oh, I'm afraid I don't have one.

You have a reservation?

Nope.

Can I see your ticket, please?

Well, I uh...

Oh, I don't have that either.

I got on the train in rather a hurry.

I am sorry, I have to report all irregularities.

Will you come with me?

I'm quite happy to buy my ticket.

But the first class section's full.

Well, actually, I'm looking for a couple of friends,

men friends.

One of them's tall and blonde, the other one has

a dark mustache.

Have you seen them?

Well there's so many people.

I can't really remember.

Well, I'm sure I'll be able to find them

and they won't mind me sharing their compartment.

Now I shall pay for the ticket

and uh, that for the irregularities.

Thank you very much, sir.

Good luck.

Good luck to you.

oh, I'm sorry to disturb you.

Ya?

Nixed.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Hans.

Hans!

Huh?

Go get me some more cigarettes.

The steward will have some.

Voyson!

Voyson!

You're very persistent, Julia.

Was she alone, Hans?

Ja.

But how could she possibly know that I...

Templar.

Is he with you?

Answer me, is Templar on this train?

No!

Then how are you on it?

It has to be Templar.

But Dr. Schreiber said--

Dr. Schreiber's a fool,

he couldn't go through with it.

Hans, go and get Templar.

Otherwise you won't get a penny of the money.

Go on.

I was looking for a couple of men.

I'm sorry.

Where's Voyson?

Where's Voyson?

Where is he?

Right now there's a tunnel coming up!

Which compartment's he in?

Which compartment's he in?

Come on, make up your mind!

Is he one of your friends?

Yes, he's uh, not feeling so well, I'm afraid.

Could you open the door, monsieur?

Well, I do believe he's fainted.

If you hadn't interfered, Julia,

the news of my death would have reached England

and I should have been forgotten in a matter of weeks.

As it is, I shall have to dispose of you.

We should be reaching the Riseberg Bridge

in about two minutes.

That's where you're getting off.

Voyson!

I know you're in there.

Look out, Simon, he's got a gun!

How extraordinary.

Must be a foreigner, dear.

Quite.

Didn't shut the window.

Oh, let me go!

Get out!

Simon!

Miss Harrison, the official attitude is unchanged.

As far as I'm concerned,

this briefcase contains business papers and correspondence.

Thank you, Inspector.

What about Schreiber?

He and Hans have both been arrested.

That just about winds the case up.

Not quite.

What's this, a summons?

Yes, for leaving your car overnight

at the Offenberg railway station.

The fine is 20 marks.

I think I can afford to pay that now, Simon.