Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 7 - Word of Honour - full transcript

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[Grinding]

EDWARD:
[ Sighs ]

How long, Mrs. Bridges?

Till it's done and not before.

EDWARD:
Well, when's that, then?

When your arm drops off.

Look, I'm supposed to be a
footman, not an ice-cream maker.

This is kitchen maid's work,
this is.

Ruby couldn't turn
the handle of a musical box,

let alone a thing like that.



I said pick them over, Ruby,
not eat them.

Blinkin' organ grinder,
that's me.

All I need is a monkey on this.
[imitating monkey]

Watch it!

Shall I wash them?

Wash strawberries!
The very idea.

Take away any good flavour
they have got.

You know, when I was a girl,
strawberries did have flavour.

Now, it's so much
cotton-wool wadding.

Oh, I'm sick and tired
of not cooking.

"Something cold, Mrs. Bridges,"
she says.

How I long to get my hands
on a nice leg of mutton.

Oh, you don't want gas going in
this weather, Mrs. Bridges.

We'd all suffocate.



Don't want that thing going
anyway.

What are we having tonight,
Mrs. Bridges?

Salmon.
Same as them.

Oh, no, not again.

I don't like it.

Then you'll go hungry.

If I leave this in the larder
another day,

it'll walk off
on its own two feet.

How are we off for ice,
Mrs. Bridges?

It's in the sink, Mr. Hudson,
what's left of it.

Thank you.

Oh, Edward, go and remove
one place in the dining room.

There'll only be two for dinner
tonight.

Oh, drat!

The master will be dining out,
Mrs. Bridges, at his club.

Jack Challen?

Yes.

- I'm sorry, but...
- It's Dick...

Yes, Bellamy.
Oh, it is you.

I can hardly believe it.

Well, I didn't even know
you were a member here.

Only just.
I live in the country now.

Hardly ever come in here.

Well, that's an ill wind.
It's been donkeys years.

Well, since Paris, when you were
grand second secretary

and I was humble fourth.

Yes, united in our loathing
of the first secretary.

Not to mention the ambassador.

Oh, Bunting,
I'll have some more.

- Will you have some whiskey?
- Oh, yes, please.

I can't stay long.
I've got to catch a train.

Well, sit down for five minutes.

Are you still with
the Foreign Office?

No, I married into commerce.

I loved the girl
and needed the money.

I prefer it now.

I was sorry to read
about your wife.

RICHARD:
Thank you.

I say, this place,
it's like a morgue.

Yes. well, London's always
tedious this time of the year.

The House in recess,
everyone away.

Well, you should get away
yourself.

Nowhere to go.

Oh.
No country seat?

No, no.
Heavens, no.

Only our London house now
and that belongs to my son.

I just board there.

Thank you.

Just a little, please.

RICHARD:
Thank you, Bunting.

Do you ever get down
to Southwold these days?

RICHARD: Never.
Marjorie's cousin is not...

Ooh!

I've got a cloth.
It's a new siphon.

No, it's all right.
No, there's no harm done.

- Very sorry, sir.
- It won't stain.

No, no.
It'll probably spoil the crease.

Nothing more.

Look, just give me a little soda
in the glass, please,

and carefully, now.

That's right.
That's enough.

- It doesn't show.
- No,no,no,no.

Ah, where were we?

Oh, yes, about your situation.

Yes.

Well, it's really
none of my business.

Well, I'm now one of
those impoverished widowers

with a small income
and precious little capital.

Oh, I say.
It's rotten for you.

Tell me, Dick, do you...

do you ever gamble on the stock
exchange -- shares, parcels?

Oh, never.
All a mystery to me.

Yes, well.

I must be getting
to the station.

RICHARD: Well, can't you dine
and go later?

- I'm on my own now.
- Alas, no.

My chairman is coming
for the weekend

and as he also happens to be
my father-in-law,

I must be getting back.

RICHARD: Well, it's been good
to see you again.

We'll meet the next time
I'm in London.

- We must.
- Yes.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Dick, it's just a thought.

RICHARD:
Yes, what's that?

I'd like to give you a tip,
if I may.

Well, thank you, Jack,
but I never back horses.

No, it isn't a horse.

Any spare cash that you do have,
anything you can raise,

buy Cartwrights Engineering.

They're a motor-car firm.

Might just ease your situation.

Well, that's very kind of you,

but surely all motor-car firms
are as dead as the dodo.

Even I know that.

Too much competition
for too small a market.

Isn't that what they say?

Sorry, Jack.

You will be sorry if you don't.

Do you mean that?

I promise you.

But there is one thing
that you must promise me.

For reasons
which I can't disclose,

you must not mention to anyone
that I told you to buy them.

It must be
absolutely confidential.

Word of honour.

I must be going.

Look, Jack,
let me have your address.

Cartwright Engineering.

Aye, that's right, Jock.

Apple Cider for the 2:30

and a bob to win white Magic
for the same ledger.

[barely audible phone conversation] Oh, and, Jock,
I think I'll have a wee saver

[barely audible phone conversation] in the big race, a Seremond.

[barely audible phone conversation] S-E-R-E-M-O-N-D.

[barely audible phone conversation]
- JOCK: Seremond.
- HUDSON: Aye, sixpence each way.

[barely audible phone conversation]
JOCK: Sixpence each way,
Seremond in the big race.

[barely audible phone conversation]
HUDSON:
Right you are, Jock.

[barely audible phone conversation]
Cheerie-bye for now.

[barely audible phone conversation]
JOCK:
Bye, Angus.

[Telephone rings]

Hello?

RICHARD:
Ah, there you are, Hudson.

The telephone was busy.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.

I was just making some
arrangements with a tradesman.

Yes.

Yes, well,
that's quite all right.

I want you to get me
a telephone number.

Chancery 2214.

Very good, sir.

Hello.

WOMAN:
Number, please.

Would you connect me, please,
with Chancery 2214?

[Telephone rings]

- Hello?
- WOMAN: Chancery...

- Good morning, Richard.
- Oh, come on in.

Is that Beringer, Sidlaw,
and Maine?

Can I speak to Mr. Maine,
please?

WOMAN: Can you hold the line,
please?

Yes, I will.
Hello, my dear.

I am sorry.
James wanted some cigarettes.

We thought you might have some.

Eh, yes.

There we are.

Thank you.

Did you have a pleasant evening
at your club?

Oh, tolerable.

Met a chap I hadn't seen
for years.

As a matter of fact...
Oh, hello.

Is that Mr. Maine?

MAINE:
Speaking.

This is Richard Bellamy here.

I believe you looked after
my late wife's investments.

MAINE:
Oh, yes, Lady Marjorie.

- Yes.
- MAINE: How nice...

Thank you. I wonder if
you'd do something for me.

MAINE:
Glad to help if we can.

I'd like you to purchase
from my accounts

some Cartwright Engineering
shares, the motor-car firm.

MAINE: Cartwrights? They're
a bit slack at the moment.

Yes, yes, Mr. Maine,
I know they are,

but all the same I would like...

MAINE:
Are you certain about this?

Oh, yes, yes,
I am quite certain.

£5,000 worth.

Ordinary shares?

Well, yes, I suppose so.

What do I have to do?

MAINE: Oh, nothing further.
We'll send you an account.

All right.
Thank you very much.

MAINE:
You've no doubts about this?

No, no, I have no doubts,
Mr. Maine.

Thank you.
Goodbye.

MAINE:
Goodbye, Mr. Bellamy.

Oh, perhaps they'll make me
rich, perhaps they won't.

It's an awful lot of money
to risk.

Yes.
It's calculated.

Well, thank you
for the cigarettes, Richard.

Thank you.

Yes, Hudson, you do it
just as well as Locks.

Thank you, sir, though
might I suggest a new one?

Oh, certainly not.

One only buys a new hat
for a general election

or for the first day
of a new session.

Will you be requiring
your coat today, sir?

It is cooler this morning,
Richard.

No, no, no. Plenty of time
for coats and collars.

Thank you, Hudson.

Now, my dear, can you spare me a
couple of minutes in the study?

Yes.

Just some bills
for you and James.

Now, that's the coal merchants,

and there's bills from Wilson's,
the garage.

That's for James' motor cars
sent to me by mistake.

I'll see to them.

♫ Three little maids are we ♫

You're very cheerful
this morning, Richard.

Oh, it's getting back
to the House of Commons

after that
interminable summer recess.

Give Mr. Asquith a bite for me,
would you?

I'll do that.

And I'm going to my tailor
to order a new suit.

HAZEL:
Splendid.

Oh, Father.
Didn't you say you bought

some of those
Cartwright Engineering...

Your motor.

Hmm?
Oh.

Didn't you say you bought some
of those Cartwright Engineering,

the shares?

Yes.
In a moment of aberration.

I should have listened
to that stockbroker. why?

Well, there's something about
them in the paper this morning.

Oh, well, they went up
a ha'penny a month ago.

I suppose they've lost it again.

Well, not exactly.
What did you buy them at?

Three and sixpence.
It's engraved on my heart.

Today they're 14 shillings.

RICHARD: What?
Richard!

That's incredible.

HAZEL:
Let me see.

Here.
Here, look.

RICHARD:
Well, how much am I worth?

Come on,
you're the mathematician.

£5,000.

Your £5,000
is now worth £20,000.

- Oh, my God.
- Jolly good, Father.

Well, why have they gone up?
There must be a reason for it.

There is.

They've just pulled off
a whopping great deal

with the war Office,

to make trucks for the army.

What made you buy them, eh?

Someone put you onto them.

Yes, yes.
An old friend, yes.

Congratulations.

Oh, darling, you should be off.

So must I.

Well, that's incredible.

£15,000 profit
in a matter of weeks,

merely by picking up
the telephone.

Well, don't go and spend it,
Father.

Remember, it's only on paper.

Unless, of course,
you sell the shares again.

No, I won't do that.
Come on.

I'm due at the tailors at...

Goodbye, Richard.

RICHARD:
Goodbye, Hazel.

Be good.

Bye, James.

Goodbye, darling.

Hudson.

Goodbye, sir.

♫ Buckles on his knee ♫

Thank you, Ruby.

♫ Come back and marry me,
Bonny Bobby Shafto ♫

♫ Bobby Shafto's gone to sea ♫

MRS. BRIDGES:
The master gone, then?

Both of them, Mrs. Bridges,
the old and the new.

And both in a fairly cheerful
mood for a change.

Oh, well, that's just as well

with the tradesmen's books
higher than ever.

I know what it'll be.

"We must out back, Mrs. Bridges,
must economize."

Oh, I don't think we're as hard
up as all that, Mrs. Bridges.

Gentry's always hard up
when it comes to paying bills.

Especially them
as wasn't born to it.

Mentioning no names, but you see
where my thoughts lie.

Even the master's
not exactly hard up.

Not today, Mrs. Bridges.

MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, what's he been up to, then?

Pawning the crown jewels?

[ Laughs ]

What are you
so full of cream for?

He's had good news,
Mrs. Bridges.

Though, naturally,
I can't say what.

Yes, you can,
and, yes, you will.

The girl.

She can't hear.

Even if she could, she wouldn't
be able to understand.

What news?

It's some shares he's got.

They've gone right up
in the stock exchange.

Ooh, I don't know with shares.

Penny bank, yes.
What shares?

It seems he's made
a wise investment

that could make him
financially independent at last.

And about time, too,
Mrs. Bridges.

Ooh.

- Morning.
- Good morning.

Ah, Bellamy!

- Pritchett.
- Good morning.

Just the fellow.
Good summer?

Tolerable.
Thank you.

Have you got your extra sheet?

No.
Something interesting?

Do you know Arthur Naws?

RICHARD:
No, I don't think so.

PRITCHETT: A lobby correspondent
with The Evening Gazette .

Not quite my politics
and even less yours,

but, still, Arthur Naws,
Richard Bellamy.

How do you do, Mr. Naws?

It's an honour to make
your acquaintance, sir.

Naws was asking me
about this Cartwright business.

Oh, you have heard.

Yes, they've got a contract
to re-equip the army

with motor trucks.

Why ask Pritchett?

He's not war Office, just
a backbencher, like myself.

Government benchers, of course.

Ah, you need Mayfield
or Deeping.

I'll see if they're around.

Oh, don't go to any trouble.

Mr. Pritchett has been
most helpful.

I thought perhaps he should have
a word with you.

I believe you know something
about it.

I?

Ah, Bertie.

Forgive me, gentlemen.

It's these motor trucks
that I'm curious about.

Oh, yes.

The one the army favours so much

that they're spending a fortune
on it.

Cartwright Engineering have been
working on the machine

for years,

with encouragement, I believe.

I don't think I can help you.

It's an interesting question

that Mr. Pritohet's put down
for tomorrow, don't you agree?

I get the impression
you're trying to say something.

Oh, no, no, not me.

It's your friend,
Mr. Pritchet's question.

He's not my friend.
And what's his question anyway?

"Mr. Henry Pritchett,
the member for Stutworth North,

to ask the prime minister

if he would set up an inquiry
to investigate

the circumstances in which
allegations have been made

that certain honourable members

have made use of information
improperly acquired

when dealing in the shares
of Cartwright Engineering Ltd."

Somewhat sensational.

Don't you agree, Mr. Bellamy?

No tea laid, Mrs. Bridges?

I haven't had time.
That Ruby's out.

There's a pot on the range
if you're dying of thirst.

Where have you been, girl?

To shop in Elizabeth Street.

I fetched Mr. Hudson's
evening papers.

Shop!

I think you've been to
the printers and printed it.

Oh, thank you, Ruby.

Thank you.

You been talking to soldiers?

Oh, no, Mrs. Brides,
I wouldn't dare.

I shouldn't think
they'd want to neither.

Well, go on,
get the tea laid up.

She's listless, that Ruby.

Dose of brimstone and treacle
for her tonight.

HUDSON: A first-class team for
Saturday, my own choice exactly.

Oh?

What's that, then, Mr. Hudson?

Chelsea.

For the game
against woolwich Arsenal.

God bless my soul.

That's Mr. Bellamy's picture.
Look.

"Among the names figuring in
the share register

of Cartwright Engineering

is that of
Mr. Richard Bellamy, MP.

It will be remembered

that Mr. Bellamy's wife,
the Lady Marjorie,

was among the victims
of the tragic..."

Why can't they let it alone?

She's dead, and that's that.

Question in the House tomorrow
about the masses of shares, eh?

I don't like the sound of this,
Mrs. Bridges.

[Knock on door]

RICHARD:
Hazel?

Back to my old job
as your secretary.

I didn't expect you so early.

How was the House?

Oh, it was fun
to be back in harness.

- Oh, do you want some tea?
- No, thank you.

I must telephone
this stockbroker

before he leaves his office.

- Your valuable shares?
- Yes.

Well, I might as well get rid
of them while they're high.

Will I be a bull or a bear?
I never know.

A bull, I think.

Suppose they go even higher.

I rather hope they don't.

Spoken like a Socialist.

- Why?
- Oh, Richard.

Oh.

Some idiot's put down a damn
fool question about them.

Oh?

Had me worried for a moment,
but it's nonsense.

Still, might as well get rid
of them and be done with it.

Excuse me, sir.

I thought perhaps you ought
to see the evening newspaper.

Evening newspaper?
It's a bit early, isn't it?

It's my own copy, sir.

RICHARD: Oh, well,
that's very kind of you, Hudson.

Thank you, Hudson.

RICHARD: Oh, Hudson, will you
get me a telephone number?

Chancery 2214.

Very good, sir.

Extraordinary man.

He must think I'm very
out of date with the news.

- Oh, Richard.
RICHARD: What?

God Almighty.

[Telephone rings]

HUDSON:
Your number, sir.

Cancel it please, Hudson.

HUDSON:
Very good, sir.

Our friend Pritchett
seems to be out for my blood.

In God's name, why?

[Doorbell ringing,
pounding on door]

HUDSON:
Sir Geoffrey.

Where is your master?

I'll see if he's at home, sir.

Which means that he is.

He's in the study, sir.

RICHARD:
Ah, Geoffrey.

Sir Geoffrey Dillon, sir.

What is this, Richard?

- Oh, you've seen it.
- I have.

Are you trying to drag
the Southwold name in the mud?

I imagined you would come here
through concern for me

and not for the Talbot-Careys.

Excuse me, Richard.
Sir Geoffrey.

Have you thought
of the Dowager Countess?

She's bound to hear of it.

Some friend will telephone,
you may be sure.

How could you do this, Richard?

I would have thought a solicitor
above all

would assume
his client's innocence

until the reverse is proved.

I only bought the damn paper

to read about
that disgraceful divorce suit

Evie Smith's conducting.

For us as a matter of fact.
Well?

I'll sue the rag for libel,
and you'll make a lot of money.

You can't sue them.
It's not libellous.

"Have M.P.s been trafficking
in Cartwright shares?"

It's a question.

"Richard Bellamy MP. is found
to have bought shares

from the company recently."

It's a plain statement of fact.

I assume
it is a statement of fact.

Well, of course, it is.

- How many?
-£5,000 worth.

What, the £5,000?

The money you got from James
for the house?

I have no other.

- Then you're a fool.
RICHARD: A fool?

Even though they're now worth
£20,000?

I can manage simple arithmetic.

When did you buy them?

Oh, middle of last month.

I was about to dispose of them.

- Don't you dare!
- Why not?

It would look suspicious.

Suspicious!
For God's sake!

To sell out the moment
you're in trouble,

as good as admitting your guilt.

I am not in trouble,
and I am not guilty.

What exactly
is this question tomorrow?

How is it phrased?

Henry Pritchett?

Asking the prime minister?

I know.

Why didn't they put it down
for the war secretary?

Wouldn't have made as big
a splash in the papers.

Is Asquith in on this?

Surely not.

They're both Liberals.

I wouldn't put anything
past them.

Mr. Johnson Munby to see you,
sir.

Johnson Munby?

Oh, send him in, Hudson.

Very good, sir.

I thought you should have
your chief whip round here

before you could say
the word "scandal."

Damn it, the question
doesn't mention me by name.

The newspaper does, Richard.

I'm afraid the fat's
in the fire.

Mr. Johnson Munby, sir.

Bellamy.

Ah, Sir Geoffrey.

Good afternoon.

I expect you can guess
why I'm here.

Yes, yes, I can.
Please sit down.

Thank you.

Now, Munby,
before we go any further,

I'd like to make it
quite clear to you.

My dear Bellamy, you have
purchased shares in a firm

possibly knowing,
I will allow you "possibly,"

that the firm in question

would benefit
from a government contract.

That was a very dangerous thing
to do.

Did you know, Richard?

I did not.

MUNBY:
Then why did you buy the stock?

Because someone advised me to.

Someone outside the House?

Was it, Richard?
It might make a difference.

The man who advised me to
is nothing to do with politics.

Your broker?

Certainly not.

I cannot reveal his name

because I promised not to
on my word of honour.

The honour of the Conservative
party is at stake, Bellamy,

and of the House of Commons.

The honour of the House!
Have they gone mad?

If that's your attitude...

RICHARD: That is my attitude
and my firm belief.

Let Pritchett ask this question
and be damned.

You're skating on very thin ice,
Richard.

Don't you realize that?

Good morning.

I would like you to arrange
a meeting for both of us

with the leader, if you would.

I wouldn't advise it.

The morning's newspapers
make unpleasant reading.

Yes, they say much to offend

while offering nothing
in the way of fact.

Any further developments?

Yes, one.

Through his chief whip,

the prime minister
has done us the courtesy

of showing us his reply
to Pritchet's question.

Which is?

He knows nothing of dealings
by honourable members

in the shares
of Cartwright Engineering Ltd

or whether any misuse
of privileged information

may be involved,

but he wishes to inform

the honourable member
for Stutworth North

that he proposes to appoint
a select committee

to look into the matter.

Select committee?

He set one up in '93
in similar circumstances,

when he was home secretary.

The Featherstone Affair.

It worked very well.

It will be my duty

to instruct you to appear
before the committee

to answer their questions.

Why not a full-scale trial
at the Old Bailey?

A three-man select committee
will be simpler and quicker.

And it can take evidence
under oath.

Under oath?

I'm not a liar, you know.

Nobody said you were.

Now, I advise you to go home,
Bellamy.

I wouldn't show your face
in the chamber, not today.

Unless you relish the prospect
of a pack of wolves

baying for your blood.

But she said she was going out
to luncheon.

But she said she was going out
to luncheon.

And now she's not, Mrs. Bridges.

That's right.
She was gonna visit her ma.

I heard her say so.

Edward, what on earth are you
doing with those flowers?

Well, she likes the way
I do them. She said so.

Make a nice little wife
for somebody, you would.

More than you would.

Oh, chop and change,
chop and change.

The pavement outside
is thick with people.

Gawkers.

Yes, gawkers and newspapermen,
Mrs. Bridges.

Mrs. Bellamy's quite right
not to run their gauntlet.

Well, it'll just have to be
the raised pie I made.

There's no choice.

Unless she wants
a share of our stew.

[Crowd murmuring]

They're only there
because his name's in the paper.

You know, she should have let me
call the police.

Well, I should have thought
they would have come before.

Him a Member of Parliament
and that rabble outside.

They won't throw a bomb,
will they?

Get on with your work, Ruby.

Oh!
Good God, will they, Mr. Hudson?

I think it extremely unlikely,
Mrs. Bridges.

Only villains get into papers.

The master is hardly a villain,
Mrs. Bridges.

The king gets in papers.

That's as maybe.

You get on with your work,
my girl.

That potato's got eyes in it.

I can see them from here,
staring at me.

Just like that crowd outside
staring in here.

We're notorious.
That's what we are.

Now, keep calm, Mrs. Bridges.

How can anybody keep calm?

Oh! Oh!

Oh, drat.

It's like one of
them there sieges.

With the enemy all round.

We'll starve to death.

Oh, be quiet, girl.
I won't tell you again.

Don't you pick on my Ruby!

[ Door opens ]

Oh, it's all right, Hudson.
I came in through the mews.

Yes.
Yes, of course, sir, but...

RICHARD: Rather a crowd
by the front door.

Yes, gentlemen of the press,
sir.

So I gather.

Things must be bad
for him to come in

by his own back door.

So, it's tomorrow.

What is?

Your grilling
by the select committee.

Yes.

Well, I suppose
I must wish you luck.

But I don't understand you.

Don't you?

No, I don't.

Sir Geoffrey Dillon, sir.

Good evening, Sir Geoffrey.

James.
- Do you want me to go?

No, we have no secrets
from each other.

Have a whiskey and soda.

GEOFFREY:
Ah, thank you, I haven't time.

Well, do sit down.

I have a city dinner tonight,

the worshipful company
of Master Cutlers.

Oh, yes, they are the fellows
that make the sharp knives

for politicians to stab
each other in the back.

If you're thinking
of our friend Pritchett,

I'm not altogether satisfied.

- How do you mean?
- His motive, Richard.

Damn it, the indiscretion
of one Tory member

can't bring down
a Liberal government

and you can't bring down
an opposition,

so what's his game?

JAMES: Pure mischief-making
by the sound of it.

I wonder
Where his interests lie.

Must keep an eye
on friend Pritchett.

You've seen this, I take it.

The names of my judges, yes.

Not your judges, Richard.
Your examiners.

- This isn't a trial, you know.
-Isn't it?

With the attorney general
leading the team?

- Who is Reuben Chantry?
- Liberal.

And this man, Devenish,
the Tory?

Oh, he's a big brewer
from the north.

Bone idle, harmless and stupid.

One of each and a criminal
lawyer in the middle.

Now, look here, Richard,
for the last time,

because there is no more time,

who was this man you claim
advised you to buy those shares?

Are you going
to disclose his name?

For the last time, Geoffrey,
I am not.

The advice was given to me
in the utmost confidence.

And it remains a fact
that it never occurred to you

to ask this man the source
of his information?

That is correct.

And that's what you're going to
tell the committee tomorrow?

Yes.

JAMES: Oh, Father, why do you
have to be so pigheaded?

Because I happen to believe,
James,

that a gentleman
should keep his word.

And I trust you agree with that.

The real reason
why I called in this evening

is to tell you
that I have taken the liberty

of seeing the speaker
on your behalf.

What good is that
going to do me?

Isn't that rather my business
than yours?

Not altogether.

Things are going to be said
tomorrow and questions asked

which may reflect
upon your honour and integrity.

I feel it my duty,
as legal adviser to the family,

to hold a watching brief
over the proceedings.

To this end, I have obtained
the speaker's permission,

and that of the attorney
general, to be present myself.

Fortunately,
Sir William Trevanion and I

read law together
at New College, Oxford.

Is that in my favour?

Quite the contrary.
We detest each other.

Then why come?

I am concerned, Richard,

for the reputation
of the Southwold name.

As far as yours is concerned,

if you wish to withhold
the one piece of evidence

that might save your skin,

by all means, do so.

Wreck your political career,
if that's what you want,

and disgrace your family
by implication.

[ Door closes]

The evidence I shall give
this committee will be

the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,

so help me God.

You understand, Mr. Bellamy,

that the oath you have
just taken binds you

throughout this inquiry.

Well, of course I understand.

I would advise you not to be
pettish with the court, sir.

Court, Sir William?
Committee, surely.

Thank you, Sir Geoffrey.

Thank you.

Now, in permitting
the accused...

Accused, Sir William?

I do beg your pardon,
Sir Geoffrey.

I remember you are always
a hairsplitter.

What would you have?

Now, gentlemen, please,
it was my understanding

that we're here to inquire
and make a report for the House.

For that, we need facts,

and I am not sure
that too much procedure matters.

Procedure always matters,
Mr. Chantry.

Without it, we have anarchy.

And no justice
is borne of anarchy.

Let's get on with it, eh?

Well, surely,
that is our intention.

Now, you've read the affidavit
from Robert Maine

of Beringer, Sidlaw, and Maine

relating to the purchase
of the shares.

Are there any questions arising
from that?

When you saw the sharp rise
of the shares,

due to press reports
of the contract,

you didn't think it prudent
to sell the shares?

In the circumstances,
I saw no reason to.

Are you in the habit

of speculating on the stock
exchange, Mr. Bellamy?

Up until I bought
the Cartwright shares,

I had never bought or sold
a share in my life.

When these shares you purchased
went up in price,

perhaps you'll allow me to use
the word "sensationally,"

because it was announced

that the company had signed
a contract to supply the army

with a new motor vehicle
known as the Bulldog,

were you surprised?

I was.

The negotiations leading up
to this contract were,

I understand,

conducted over a number of years
in the strictest secrecy.

One of the reasons, I believe,
was commercial rivalry.

Another company,
known as Ranking Mechanicals,

having also submitted designs
to the war Office.

Now, Mr. Bellamy,
if, despite that secrecy,

you had learned
of this new vehicle

and the high hopes pinned upon
its successful developments,

then surely you must have known
that you'd be guilty

-by investing in the company.
-[ Clears throat]

Mr. Chantry, Mr. Chantry,
you exercise Sir Geoffrey.

Mr. Bellamy is not on trial.

Nevertheless, it is possible

that criminal proceedings could
ensue from this committee's work

and in certain circumstances,

the report might have to be sent

to the director
of public prosecutions.

I have no objection to anything
Mr. Chantry has said.

If I had known of this contract
before I bought the shares,

I would indeed be guilty
of using privileged information

for personal gain.

There's no question of that.

Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

So we may take it
you did not know.

I did not.

I am a backbencher
in opposition,

not party to war Office secrets.

Mr. Chantry, would it not be
order if I was to...

Yes, indeed.
Now, I think, is the time.

Yes.

Mr. Bellamy, we have,

through the courtesy
of the central registrar,

access to certain documents

which are not normally
available.

We've had no sight of any such
documents, Sir William.

No, Sir Geoffrey,
but you will hear of them.

Now, I have in my hand here
a minute of the proceedings

of the Imperial
Defence Committee

for Friday, June 27, 1905.

A well-attended meeting
of that important body.

And among the names
of members present

is listed that of
a Mr. Richard Bellamy M.P.,

who was at that time

undersecretary of state
at the Admiralty

in Mr. Balfour's government.

I admit I was on the Imperial
Defence Committee at that time.

That was up until the change
of government in 1905 when...

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now, on that day, June 27, 1905,

there were two matters
on the agenda --

reports on the maneuvers
of the German grand fleet...

A matter of great concern to me,
of course.

And...

And a report on the development

of a promising new truck
for the army

in its first stages of design

by Cartwright
Engineering Company Ltd,

to be known as the Bulldog.

Now, from these minutes,
it is perfectly clear

that the further development
of that vehicle

was encouraged by, among others,
Mr. Richard Bellamy.

Would you care to comment
on that?

It was eight years ago.

How can I possibly remember
details of the wretched truck

or the name of the manufacturers
after all that time?

Can you prove you couldn't?

James, I can't.

Surely, Richard,
all you need to do

is to tell them the name
of the man at the club.

I will not betray a confidence,
Hazel.

Not for a whole army of lawyers
and politicians.

If they choose to put
a scurrilous

and insulting interpretation on
what I did in perfect innocence,

then be damned to them.

Yes.

And allow the press and public,

to mention nothing
of your friends and family,

to go on believing

that you behaved
in a dishonourable manner.

RICHARD:
I did nothing of the sort.

Then prove it for them.

It's not up to me
to prove anything.

The burden of proof is on them.

Father, you are guilty
by implication.

James, I am not guilty.

Will you please stop making
these accusations?

You're as bad as they are.

HAZEL:
James, please.

Richard has been
through a lot today.

- And more to come tomorrow.
- Yes.

And whose fault is that?

Will they put him in prison,
do you think?

I don't think.

I daren't think.

Where is that girl?

Ruby?

She's in the scullery.

Fetch her, Edward.

What do you want her for?

Oh, she's going up in the world.

She has correspondence.

Ruby?

Mrs. Bridges, please!

A letter is private,
even to a kitchen maid.

I have the right.

If it's from some man, I'll give
her one she won't forget.

You wanted me, Mr. Hudson?

You've had a letter, Ruby.

Oh, no, not me?

Yes.
Here is the envelope.

Miss Ruby Finch,
c/o 165 Eaton Place.

The idea.

Ruby Finch.

That's me name.

A man, Mrs. Bridges?

Oh, no, I never.
I swear it's a lie.

Worse.

It's from Bradford,
from your mother.

There you go.

You read it for me,
Mrs. Bridges, would you?

Well, it would take me all day,
and I've got pots to scour.

Is she all right?

It's not her leg, is it?

It's not me sister Ethel?

"Dear Ruby,
you're to come home at once.

Your dad and me don't want you
serving in no house

what gets in the papers.

Second, we do not want you
working for someone

who like as not
will soon be in prison,

your dad's sure of it."

"Third, I've got you a place
as kitchen maid

with Dr. Reardon
round the corner.

It's live-in and all found,
so you won't be under my feet.

Enclosed, money for train.

PS. Spot died,
run over by the brewer's dray.

Your dad and Ethel
send their love.

Mother."

[ crying ]

GEOFFREY:
Can you tell the committee

how you first came
by the knowledge

that Richard Bellamy's name

was on the register of
shareholders at Cartwrights?

I went to the company's office

and looked up
the share register.

Did you find the names of
any other Members of Parliament

on the register?

Anyone at all
whose holding of shares

might have discomforted you?

I did not.

So there was no great Tory plot.

I doubt
Whether even you would consider

Mr. Richard Bellamy's
holding shares on his own

a Tory plot.

So, one begins to wonder
why you made the expedition

to the company's offices
in the first place.

I am interested in the good name
of this House

and rectitude in public life.

Address the committee,
if you please.

I am vigilant against corruption
on behalf of my constituents.

Ah, yes, your constituents
in Stutworth North, I believe.

Yeah.
That is my constituency.

Now, up till 1904,
Mr. Pritchett,

you were, I believe,

a shareholder in a company
called Ranking Mechanicals.

I did have a few shares.

Well, what of it?

Were not Ranking Mechanicals
the only possible competition

for that war Office contract?

Ranking Mechanicals, whose
factory is in Stutworth North,

your constituency.

Look, I don't know
what you're implying...

GEOFFREY:
The committee, if you please.

I told her, madam, she can't go.

I told her, madam, she can't go.

I mean, I can't find
another kitchen maid

at two minutes' notice.

And anyway,
it's downright disloyal.

All right, Mrs. Bridges.

Ruby, we cannot go
against your mother's wishes.

I don't want to go.

I like it here, madam.

Oh, there, there, Ruby.

HAZEL: Perhaps you could take
her downstairs, Mrs. Bridges.

Yes, yes.
Yes, madam.

I will write to your mother,
Ruby,

and see if I can persuade her
to change her mind.

That is all I can do.

Thank you, madam.

Come on, Ruby.
Blow your nose.

Come along with me.
I'm sorry, madam.

Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

It seems as if Ruby's family
have been poisoned

by what they read
in the newspapers.

Yes, madam.

As working-class people,

they can hardly be expected
not to know any better.

It would be a pity if she left.

Well, we'll just have to see.

Thank you, Hudson.

Hudson?

Madam.

HAZEL:
I want to ask you a kindness.

Anything I can do, madam.

Please keep this to yourself,
Hudson.

The night before Mr. Bellamy
telephoned his stockbroker

about these wretched shares...

I do recall, madam.

Do you?

Do you remember the date?

Because, you see, Mr. Bellamy
dined at his club that night,

and someone he met there,
one of the members,

advised him to buy those shares.

Yes, madam.

Well, I won't go into
all of the details, Hudson.

For various reasons,

Mr. Bellamy cannot himself
reveal the man's name

to the committee
of the inquiry,

and I'm --

That is, I and Captain James --

We must find out, you see,

so that Mr. Bellamy will be
cleared of all this suspicion.

You will be hoping to persuade
the gentleman to come forward?

Exactly.

I cannot myself go into a man's
club and ask the hall porter

the name of any of the members

who might have spoken
to Mr. Bellamy

on the night of,
well, whatever it was.

It was the night
of September the 9th, madam.

HAZEL:
Really?

I have reason to remember

because the following day
was the 10th,

St. Leger Day at Doncaster.

HAZEL:
Are you sure?

Positive.

If I might take
the afternoon off, madam.

Certainly, Hudson.

I put it to the honourable member
for Stutworth North

that Rankings found out

that Richard Bellamy was
a shareholder in Cartwrights,

their successful rivals,

that Rankings pressured him --

How, I don't know,

and heaven portend
that I should find out --

to start this calumny
not to destroy Richard Bellamy,

a mere victim
standing in the way,

but to negate
Cartwrights contract

by painting
a picture of corruption

so that the war Office
and the treasury

would be forced to cancel
the contract.

I agree.
The contract should be cancelled.

The whole thing
should be re-examined.

And go to Rankings next time.

Well, that, if I may say so,
would be disastrous --

to give the contract
to another firm

when Cartwrights have already
developed a vehicle,

a truck which can serve
as a troop carrier,

supply vehicle, ambulance,
even light artillery.

It seems you do remember
the details, Mr. Bellamy.

And with enviable clarity.

Mr. Challen?

Country member.
Doesn't come in much.

Would that have been
the night before the St. Leger,

September the 9th?

Yes, I reckon it was.

Can you be sure?

Quite sure.

You see, this siphon of soda
squirted all over Mr. Challen,

and when I took the siphon
back to Jack in the dispense

and told him as Mr. Challen
had wet his trousers,

ho, ho, ho, he laughed

and he said it must be
a good omen

'cause he was backing
a horse called April Showers

at Doncaster the next day.

Could you tell me
this Mr. Challen's address?

Oh, no, I can't do that.

Against the rules to give
members' addresses to strangers.

Sorry, it's more
than me job's worth.

But you must have
a members' address book.

In the old porter's cubbyhole.

Wait here.

That I knew something of the
War Office hopes for Bulldog,

I have no wish to deny.

And I was not deceiving the
committee in saying otherwise.

It had simply gone
out of my mind.

I admit that in July
of this year,

I was the possessor
of the capital sum of £5,000

without, to be frank,
hopes of any more.

While pondering over this,

I came across an old friend
I had not seen for many years

whose name,

because his advice was given to
me in the strictest confidence,

I am unable to disclose.

Well, were we to believe
in this man's existence,

which we must question,

another question
would have to be answered.

How much did this individual
know, and how did he know it?

Then I can only be right
to protect his name.

Yes, I think you are.

Though at what a cost.

There seems nothing more to be
said on either side,

so we will adjourn and consider
our report tomorrow.

Sir Geoffrey.

I've found out the name
of the man at the club.

- Have you, by George?
- HAZEL: Yes.

Are you sure?

HAZEL:
I hope so.

Where's Richard?

Oh, he's in bed.

He's very tired.

Well, who was it, then?

A man called Challen.

Jack Challen.

- Where's the "Who's who"?
- Over there.

I wanted to talk to you first
before I telephoned him.

No, no, no, don't telephone.

If he were going to
come forward,

he would have done so by now.

His address is Hillgreen Hall,
near Taunton.

This should interest
the committee.

Now, you told us the other day
that it never occurred to you

to ask this man his reasons for
advising you to buy the shares.

RICHARD:
That is right.

You knew, and, indeed,
you made it clear

to the chief whip and to myself

that this was not a man involved
in politics.

Yes.

Did you know he was involved
in business?

I knew that he was
a businessman.

Now, I'm going to suggest to you

that this man is a senior
director of Cartwrights

and he is married

to the daughter
of the company's chairman,

Mr. William Cartwright,

and that his reason
for demanding your discretion

was that he knew of the contract
with the war Office

about to be signed by his firm

and that he could be in breach
of city ethics

by tipping his company's shares
at that time to anyone.

What am I supposed to say
to that?

You are under oath

to answer questions put to you
here truthfully.

And I shall ask you
one more question,

which you must answer
truthfully.

What is your question?

Is the name of the man who
advised you to buy those shares

John Stuart Challen?

Yes.

And may God and Challen
forgive me.

[ Door closes]

Sir.

Well, Richard?

There is to be no report.

At least not one that will cause
any scandal.

I am declared innocent,
if foolish,

and my lack of forethought
is deplored.

Deplored?

How dare they?

How dare they?

They could have dared
a great deal worse.

- How dare you?
- What?

- Going to my club.
- I didn't go to your club.

Sending my servant, involving
my servant in my affairs.

Someone had to.

Clubs exist so that women
and servants can't meddle.

As a result, I've been forced
to break my word.

You make me a man
whose word is worthless.

I'd rather prison than that.

Then you are a fool.

Do you think I give a damn
about your word-of-honour,

hand-on-your-heart,
public-school code?

Such things matter to a man.

They don't matter to a woman.

Any woman.

We fight for things that do
matter, like our families.

And you are my family,
like it or not.

Women should keep out
of men's affairs.

Keep out!

Newspapers, servants leaving,

and those that are here
in turmoil.

I don't care!

It was wrong of you
and Geoffrey Dillon

to force Challen's name out into
the open against his will

and possibly get him to serious
trouble with his company.

HAZEL: He should have come
forward, but he didn't dare.

The man's a coward.

Oh, Richard.

Please.

Don't be angry
just because you needed help.

I'm angry because you behaved
so willfully and improperly.

Clearly, your ways
are not yet our ways.

I'm sorry about that.

I frequently think
that you and James are insane.

Because we have standards?

I have standards,
and I obey them.

You won't convince me
I've done anything wrong.

Our ways will have to become
your ways.

About that
there can be no argument.

And I suggest you start working
on it this very minute.

Now please leave my study.

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