Time Is My Enemy (1954)

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music playing]

[g*nshots]

[alarm ringing]

[chatter]

Police!

Police!

[chatter]

[dramatic music playing]

You'll be all right, old man.

All right, get him away quick.

And get these people

out of the way!

All right, thanks, Doug.

I'll be along to the

hospital as soon as I can.

List of the witnesses.

Not much good.

What about the car?

Light blue saloon,

number unknown.

Obviously stolen.

They'll abandon it and go to

earth until the press boys tell

them it's safe to emerge again.

[phone ringing]

Brompton 1-4-2-4.

No, sir, Mrs. Everton

is not home yet.

I thought you told me

she would be back by 4:30.

Oh.

Sorry, Betty.

I couldn't get my key.

Is Mrs. Wescott here?

Yes, she's in

the drawing room.

Thank you.

Ah.

Aunt Laura.

I was so pleased

to get your wire.

What brings you to London

after all these years?

Your uncle's going to be hung.

What?

It's that watercolor

of Rosedale Abbey,

and I must say it's good.

You mean he's going to be

hung in the Royal Academy?

That's right, dear.

After trying for 20 years,

he's as pleased as punch.

I'm sure he is.

And so am I. I like to come

to London to see the shops.

Not that we haven't

got shops in Hensley,

but you know it makes a change.

Oh, I hope you

don't mind my making

myself at home like this.

I should have been very

annoyed if you hadn't.

Where are you staying?

The Imperial.

It's quiet and comfortable,

like your uncle and myself.

How's John?

Oh, flourishing.

You'll see him quite soon.

He'll be home early today.

And Paul?

Oh, he's fine.

I had a letter from

him this morning.

He still seems to be

quite happy at school.

When Martin was k*lled, you

said you'd never marry again.

Remember?

I remember.

And I meant it.

But I'm awfully glad John

talked me into changing my mind.

Well?

He wouldn't touch it.

What?

Says it's too hot.

Says he'll have nothing

to do with m*rder.

The chap isn't dead, is he?

The paper said--

His condition's critical.

And that's enough

to scare Sheldon.

See what you done with

your damn fool sh**ting?

I had to sh**t.

He was reaching for the alarm.

And he got it too.

Now we're stuck with a load

of diamonds nobody wants.

Well, Sheldon's not

the only fence in London.

What about Ernie Gordon?

Try him yourself.

I tell you I didn't like

the way Sheldon acted.

You'd have thought I had

leprosy or something the way

he shut me out of the shop.

And I wasn't even in on the job.

Oh, damn Sheldon and

that fool of a jeweler.

There must be someone

who'll buy the stuff.

You find him.

I'm not.

Well, what about Bob and Alf?

Where are they?

The two boys

you took with you?

- Um-hm.

- They vanished.

You're on your own now.

You know, if that

jeweler should die,

things could get

pretty interesting.

Oh, there's John now.

Hello, darling.

Hello.

Darling, look who's here.

Well, the Yorkshire rose.

This is wonderful.

What brings you

to the deep south?

Henry is going to be hung.

He's round at

Burlington House now.

I say, I am glad.

We must go to the private view.

BARBARA EVERTON: Yes, we must.

Will you have some tea, John?

No, thank you.

I say, what a beauty!

Well, I must try this

out on the round pond.

I did buy it for Paul, dear.

Mm?

Oh, you don't mind me

looking at it, do you?

No.

That's why I brought it

home, so that you could

see it before I send it off.

Send it off?

You're not sending

this to school?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

This must keep for the holidays.

- Yes, I suppose so.

Otherwise, he might

break it before you

had a chance to play with it.

I shall go and change.

If there's one thing I hate,

it's putting on evening dress

at tea time.

Where are you

going to tonight?

Well, one of the penalties

of being a publisher

is you have to keep your

successful authors happy.

In this case it

involves driving 50

miles into the heart of nowhere

and getting there dead on 7:00.

Don't run away.

We'll have a drink before I go.

Oh, Barbara, if

Charles Wayne arrives,

hang onto him till I come down.

- Are you expecting him?

He said he'd bring back that

book he's been vetting for me.

If it's business,

I better be going.

Nonsense!

You must stay and meet Charles.

He's a real, live detective

inspector, you know.

From Scotland Yard.

You seem to be pretty

sure it's them, sir.

It had their

handwriting all over it.

Although I admit they've never

actually shot anyone before.

And as usual, they've

all got beautiful alibis.

Which this time we're

going to break down.

I'll see that g*ng

behind bars if it's--

DOCTOR: All right,

careful with it.

--the last thing--

Inspector Wayne.

That's me.

Is this what you want?

Oh, thanks.

.45, nickel plated.

Well, how's the patient?

Not so good.

Any prospect of his being able

to make a statement, Doctor?

Not the slightest.

Not at present, anyway.

Take that down

to the Yard, Peter.

Williams, you'll

stay here in case

he recovers enough to talk.

I'll be down at

the Yard shortly,

but I've got a call

to make on the way.

If you need me, I'll

be at the Evertons.

Right.

Ah, that'll be Charles.

Here you are, Aunt Laura,

the Everton special.

One for you.

- Thank you.

Just in time for

a drink, Charles.

- Evening, Barbara.

- Hello.

Hello, John.

Aunt Laura, this

is Charles Wayne.

Mrs. Wescott.

- How do you do?

How do you do?

JOHN EVERTON: Scotch?

- Thanks.

Small one.

I'm still working.

Well, how's Paul, Barbara?

Oh, he's fine, thanks.

I'll show you his

latest epistle.

JOHN EVERTON: [chuckling] His

spelling really is shocking.

Look at the PS.

Oh, I think it's jolly good.

Look.

CHARLES WAYNE: "If you can't"--

oh, I get it.

"--a guided m*ssile,

I would like a--

a yacht."

[laughter]

I love the guided m*ssile bit.

Did you get one?

No.

He'll have to make do

with a-- a "yatch."

[laughter]

Did you find

time to read this?

Yes.

No technical errors.

But I hope you don't

publish it, John.

Whyever not?

The man's a bestseller.

I know.

It's one of the most ingenious

plots he's ever given us.

It may be ingenious,

but it's also poisonous.

What on earth do you mean?

The sympathy's

the wrong way round.

It makes the

m*rder*r into a hero.

Yes, but the man he's

m*rder*d is a scoundrel

who's evaded the law.

The hero becomes the

instrument of true justice.

The hero is a cold-blooded

m*rder*r who gets away with it.

The censor would never

pass a film like that,

and quite rightly so.

So why put it in a book

that thousands of people

are going to read?

Young people included.

Well, it's been done before.

Oh, that's no excuse, John.

Nowadays if you glorify

m*rder, every thug in London

sees himself as a hero.

Do you mean you'd cheerfully

arrest any m*rder*r, however

justified he may have been?

Well, not cheerfully, perhaps.

But I would.

Even if he were a relative?

Oh, yes, of course.

It makes no difference.

Supposing it was someone

that you really loved.

Well, in that

case, I'd probably

resign and drink myself silly.

But no circumstances

ever justify m*rder.

Look, I've just come from

the hospital, where they're

fighting to save the

life of a man who

was shot this afternoon.

He's got a wife and kids.

Do you think they'd enjoy

a book where the k*ller is

treated as a hero?

But is this the case

you're talking about?

Yes, that's it.

And you've no idea who did it?

Well, I've got

a very good idea.

But unfortunately I

haven't got any proof yet.

There's a bunch run by

a chap named Harry Bond.

But of course, they've all

got nice little alibis.

Well, what makes

you think they did it?

Well, most criminals,

Mrs. Wescott,

stick to their own pattern

in every crime they commit,

which is very helpful to us.

The time of the crime, the

[audio out] car they use.

Various ways they go about it.

You sure you

won't have another?

No, thanks, I must

get back on the job.

Now I must be going too,

dear, or your uncle will think

something's happened to me.

Where are you

staying, Mrs. Wescott?

- At the Imperial.

- Well, let me give you a lift.

It's on my way.

Oh, that's very good of you.

Oh, my bag, dear.

Oh, dear.

Thank you.

Would you like me

to phone Uncle Henry

and tell him you've been

taken away by the police?

No, dear, just tell

him I've gone off

in a car with a handsome man.

Goodbye, Barbara.

BARBARA EVERTON: Goodbye.

- Bye-bye, you two.

- So good to see you.

JOHN EVERTON: Bye, Charles.

Oh, blast this dinner

with old Digby.

I'd much rather stay and

have dinner with you.

I don't like books

that run into five

editions in seven months, dear.

You'd better not.

Imagine being married

to a woman novelist.

Oh, some of them are

quite nice, surely.

They're all so

dreadfully competent.

Oh, I see.

So you married me

because I'm incompetent.

Nonsense.

I married you for your money.

Ow!

Serves you right.

You shouldn't be rude to me.

Darling, you will try and be

home early tonight, won't you?

I'll be back by

10:00 if I have

to knock the old boy on the

head with one of his books.

Good.

I'll be waiting for you.

Now darling, I must be off.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[bird chirping]

[jazz music playing]

MR. ARDEN: Is Mrs. Everton in?

Mr. Arden to see her.

BETTY: Mrs. Everton,

a Mr. Arden here.

Mister who?

Arden.

Are you sure he

doesn't mean Mr. Everton?

BETTY: Quite sure.

But I-- I don't know

anybody called Arden.

You best show him in, Betty.

Good evening, Barbara.

Martin!

But--

I suppose it is a

bit of a shock, but--

You-- you're--

I'm not dead, if that's

what you were going to say.

But they said the b*mb

k*lled everyone in the house.

Mm.

That it did.

Only I wasn't there at the time.

Then-- then why--

Well, I thought it an

excellent opportunity

to demobilize myself from the

Army, take on a new identity,

and get free from

a Puritan wife.

Why have you come here?

Can't a man call

on his own wife?

BARBARA EVERTON:

I'm not your wife!

I'm afraid you are, my dear.

Though the way this

fellow is keeping

you is much better than I could.

John and I are married!

You mean, John and

you are bigamists?

Would you like a drink?

No?

Would you mind if I do?

How did you find me?

Sheer chance.

I live close by.

Sharing a flat with

another fellow.

I moved in a couple of months

ago, and the very next day

I saw you in Knightsbridge.

So, of course, I followed you.

Here we are.

Cheers.

Mm.

Everton certainly

knows a good whisky.

And I like his

taste in women too.

There was a time when--

There was a time when

a stupid girl of 17

married a man she thought

she was in love with.

It took her exactly one week

to find out what he was like.

But it took her 12 months

before she was free of him.

I was thankful when I heard

about that b*mb, Martin.

A trifle premature, darling.

And you're not free of me.

What do you mean?

I mean, my love,

that you and I

are one, till death do us part.

A sobering thought, but--

If you think for

one moment that I

would ever come back to you--

No, I can't say

I thought that.

Nor, indeed, do I want you to.

Then what do you want?

Money.

I've decided to leave

England, Barbara.

And Incidentally, to

leave you in peace

for the rest of your life.

Then I wish you had

done so without telling

me that you were alive.

No doubt, but I'm afraid

that was impossible.

I'm broke, my dear.

And air passages

are strictly cash.

I need 500 pounds.

I haven't a penny.

[exasperated sighing] You

disguise the fact admirably.

Oh.

John has money, but--

Then I must go to John.

Please don't do that, Martin.

Oh, he wouldn't think

it worth 500 pounds

to carry on unsuspected

in his little love nest?

John must never know.

I have some jewelry

that I can give you.

No, I'd much rather have cash.

I haven't any cash.

But I have a pendant.

I haven't worn it for years.

John wouldn't miss it.

It's worth 600 pounds.

Who says so?

The insurance company.

Well, where is it?

Upstairs.

[suspenseful music playing]

Thank you.

Yes, this looks as though it

could be worth 600 pounds.

This chap evidently seems to

be pretty well off, Barbara.

I wonder if I were

to approach him?

You promised you wouldn't!

You said if I gave

you the pendant

that I'd never see you again.

Did I?

Well.

Besides, I find it

rather hard to rid myself

of this delightful atmosphere.

Martin, will you go?

If John came back

and found you--

Yes?

--he'd hand you over to

the police for blackmail.

I doubt it.

Borrowing money from one's

wife isn't blackmail,

whereas living with

someone else's wife

is apt to be frowned on in

more respectable circles.

Not that I blame him.

You're a very delightful

woman, Barbara.

Indeed, speaking

as your husband--

Will you get out?

And John's coming

back in a minute.

My dear, John has recently

departed in a dinner

jacket and a

high-priced car and will

obviously be away for hours.

Barbara, do you remember

the day we got married

and I was all spruced

up in my battle dress,

straight from the Glasshouse?

Barbara, is this the

little girl who promised

to love, honor, and obey me?

No.

It's Mrs. John Everton.

Now will you get out?

No, I won't.

Not until you've kissed me.

[exasperated gasp] That was

a foolish thing to do, my dear.

Still, I suppose

all married couples

have their little tiffs.

Au revoir.

[buzzer]

You rang?

Oh, Betty, when

you cleared away,

did you move Master

Paul's letter?

No, I left it just here.

Why, Mrs. Everton!

Betty said you had a visitor

just before you collapsed,

an Uncle Arden.

Did he upset you?

No.

No.

Who was he, darling?

Oh, a man I used to know.

It was his wife I knew, really.

He had nothing to

do with your fainting?

Nothing at all.

Don't worry, John.

I'll-- I'll be all

right in the morning.

Look here.

Either we're going to

Paris or we're not.

MARTIN RADLEY: We're

going to Paris.

Then why don't you

go and pop this pendant

and raise the fare?

- Well, I'm going to.

It's only just that--

You think they'll

think it's stolen.

Of course it's not stolen.

I was given it legally.

Then what are

you worried about?

You said we were going to

take the night plane to Paris,

yet here you are with a pendant

worth 200 in your pocket.

You did say it was worth 200?

Yes, that's what

it was insured for.

200.

My wife says so.

Very well, then, go!

But of course,

I'd never get 200.

You don't pawning things.

All right, so

you only get 100.

We still get to Paris, don't we?

Yes, we'll go.

Where will you be

when I get back?

Right here, honey.

You can't shift little Diana far

from the prospect of 100 quid.

What'll you give me for it?

50.

Oh, don't be absurd.

You're right.

I'll check first.

Check what?

Stolen property list.

The police send

us a list of all--

I know all about

what the police do.

That wasn't stolen.

It was given to me.

At the end of a g*n?

No.

At the end of a perfect day.

Now what's it worth?

Well, it's certainly

not on the list.

I know it's not on the list.

I want 400 for it.

Then you better take it

back to the shop that sold it.

Me, I couldn't sell

that with a light.

I'll tell you what.

I'll make a sacrifice.

Seeing as how you come by them

honestly for a change, 55.

But the thing's worth 600.

Not to me, pal.

I'll tell you what I'll do.

When a piece like

this gets stolen--

But it isn't stolen.

All right, all right.

When a piece like

this gets stolen,

the assessors offer a reward of

10% of its insured value, which

in this case would be 60 quid.

So that's what I'll

give to you, 60 quid.

And it don't leave me a

penny profit if I have

to hand it back to the owner.

Since when did

you start handing

things back to the owners?

Ah, don't get personal, boy.

60 or nothing.

[knocking]

Why, it's Sherlock

Holmes himself.

What do you want?

A few minutes of your most

valuable time, Miss Gower.

All right.

If you make it snappy.

Seen Harry lately?

Harry who?

Harry Bond.

Why, yes, as a

matter of fact, I have.

He came to lunch

yesterday about 1:30.

Stayed for a couple of hours.

Anyone else see him?

How should I know?

Sure it was yesterday?

Quite sure.

Yesterday, 1:30,

for a couple of hours.

How convenient.

Diana!

DIANA: Just a minute.

I thought I'd have a

bath while I was waiting.

That old geezer at my

place has conked out again.

Well, what's wrong with

undressing in the bedroom?

It's occupied.

Occu-- what?

Your pal got home just after

you left, high as a steeple.

Never seen anybody so drunk

that could still stand.

He reeled into the bedroom

and passed out cold, see?

Yes, he's drinking too much.

Maybe he's worried.

Why should he be worried?

Seen the midday papers,

apart from the racing?

No.

Ed Strother died this morning.

Who?

That old jeweler who

got shot yesterday.

And what's that got

to do with anything?

Nothing at all.

Did you get the money?

Yes, I got 30 quid.

30 quid!

Well, that's no use, is it?

No, of course it isn't.

Then you have to

see your wife again

and tell her you need more.

Well, I don't want to

unless I can help it.

I'll try one or two other

lines first, then fall back

on Barbara as a last resort.

She's far too friendly to the

police to my way of thinking.

All right.

Who are you going to try?

[racing announcer on radio]

[phone ringing]

Hello.

McDouglas here.

MARTIN RADLEY (ON PHONE):

It's Martin Radley.

Who?

MARTIN RADLEY (ON

PHONE): Martin Radley.

What do you want?

MARTIN RADLEY (ON

PHONE): Can you

cash me a check for 50 pounds?

- Sorry, laddie.

I'm broke myself.

And we have no

money in the office.

No go?

No.

Liar.

Whoever's heard of a

bookie who's broke?

Couldn't you cash

a check or something?

Where could I cash

a check for 200 quid?

Well, couldn't you cash

a lot of little ones?

London being packed

with people who trust me.

You used to cash checks at

that little club of yours.

You know, the one

you never take me to.

Oh, yes, that place.

But that doesn't

open till 3 o'clock.

No, I'll have to

prowl around and see

if I can raise anything.

You better get

dressed and run along.

I'll phone you up if

there's anything to report.

[sighing]

CHARLES WAYNE: Hello, Ernie.

Do you mind if we come in?

All right.

No.

Of course not, Mr. Wayne.

I'm investigating

the Ed Strother m*rder,

and I wondered if any

of the stolen jewelry

had come your way.

If I was to drop

down dead this minute--

Half the crooks in

London wouldn't know where

to get rid of their stuff.

Look, Ernie.

I'm not just after an

ordinary crook this time.

I'm after a m*rder*r.

Right, Mr. Wayne.

Thanks.

Is Maria in the back shop?

Yeah.

Right.

You two can start in there.

Over here somewhere, isn't it?

Isn't what?

Your private safe, where

you keep the hot stuff.

Well, who said I

had a private safe?

Oh, a little bird told me.

A jailbird.

You know, if you paid

better prices, Ernie,

you'd get more loyalty

from your clients.

Oh, I see.

I don't have to open

that if I don't want to.

Indeed you don't.

I can post a man in

front of it and go

and get a search warrant.

Thanks.

Let's have a look at

this lot, shall we?

Where did this come from?

Don't tell him

it's hot after all.

It's not on the list.

Who brought it in?

Fella called Smith.

Yes, of course, I might have

known that without asking.

Of course, you've never seen him

before in your life, have you?

That's right.

Is it stolen, Mr. Wayne?

Honest, I bought

it in good faith.

If it's the one I think

it is, it must be.

Because the lady who owns it

doesn't need to pawn things.

Keep it locked up, Ernie,

I'll ask her tonight.

Look, when I

asked you for money,

I didn't mean you personally.

No, I meant the till.

I want to cash a check.

I'd try to get to the

banks, but they would

shut before I'd get there.

How much for?

50 quid.

There may be 50 in the safe.

But I haven't got the key.

If you come back

last thing tonight,

the boss might be here.

Oh, well, thank you, Gladys.

I'll see how it goes.

Cheerio.

Bye-bye, dear.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

It's no good, Diana.

We haven't a chance of

getting away tonight.

But you said we would.

You said tomorrow we'd

have breakfast in Paris.

We're not going tonight.

All right.

If we're not going,

we're not going.

But you better see your wife and

raise some money by tomorrow.

Look, darling, if you

insist on coming to the dance,

would you at least cut

out the c*ck party

at the Fergusons?

- No, I won't.

I'm going to stop being

dreary and I'm going

to have a lovely night out.

[phone ringing]

Brompton 1-4-2-4.

Can I speak to

Mrs. Everton, please?

Speaking-- it's

all right, John.

It's for me.

I've got to see you tonight.

But you said last time--

Never mind what

I said last time.

I've got to see you tonight.

You can't.

Then I'll have to

speak to Everton.

No.

No, you mustn't do that.

I'll have to.

No.

Look, I can't talk to you now.

Give me your number.

I'll ring you back.

All right.

Bronson 6-2-4-3.

Yes, I've got that.

You better be sure.

Yes.

Yes, all right.

Who was that?

It was the man

about my driving test.

I couldn't be bothered

to make an appointment,

so I'll ring him in the morning.

Oh, I see.

John, I--

I think after all I--

I won't go to the

c*ck party.

You feeling worse?

No.

But thinking it over, it

does seem rather silly.

If I rest for an hour, I'll

feel much more like a dance.

Very well.

You will lie down,

though, won't you?

Yes, of course.

I'll be getting

along, and I'll call

back for you at half past 7:00.

I'll be ready.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

BARBARA EVERTON (ON PHONE):

Is that you, Martin?

Barbara?

I've got to see you at

once and that's definite.

Otherwise, I'm going straight

round to tell Everton.

Very well.

I'll be alone till 7:30.

I'll be around shortly.

You know that jeweler's dead.

MARTIN RADLEY: Yes, I know.

That makes you a m*rder*r.

And you're an accessory.

Oh, no, I'm not.

I wasn't even there.

And don't try to get

away with that one

or you'll find out there's such

a thing as queen's evidence.

No one would let

you turn queen's

evidence with your record.

We'll see.

BETTY: Good evening, Mr. Wayne.

CHARLES WAYNE: Hello, Betty.

Good evening, Charles.

You've just missed John.

Oh, as a matter of fact,

it's you I want to see.

Oh.

Not officially, I hope.

In a way, yes.

Goodness, what have I done?

Come into the drawing room.

I'll tell you all about it.

Barbara, have you still got

that pendant you used to wear,

you know, like a maple leaf?

Why?

Why do you ask?

Well, because I saw it, or its

twin brother, this afternoon.

Where?

In a pawnshop.

It was yours, wasn't it?

Yes.

There's nothing

wrong, I promise.

But I gave the pendant to

someone in payment of a debt.

You won't tell John, will you?

No, I won't tell him.

It's nothing against

him, I promise.

But I-- I just don't want

him to know, that's all.

Well, I understand.

You don't, you know.

But there are times

in married life

when things occur

and, well, you want

to spare someone's feelings.

No, Charles, you

don't understand.

You're not married.

CHARLES WAYNE: Well,

that's very true.

I've often wondered

why you're not.

Have you?

Don't you know?

How is the case going?

Ha, ha, it's not.

I thought I'd find a lot of the

stolen property this afternoon,

but I drew a blank.

These fellas are clever.

And they've got a lot of

women backing up their alibis.

We just can't get the

truth out of them.

As a matter of fact,

my side is working

on that angle this minute.

[music playing]

What a mob!

All right, you've got

exactly four minutes.

You told us that

at 1:30 on that day,

Harry Bond was in your flat.

Yes, that's right.

He arrived about 1

o'clock for lunch,

and he relaxed until 3:00.

Well, you might be interested

to know that nobody saw him

leaving or entering,

although the block

was quite busy at the time.

Well, now, of course not.

A girl has a

reputation to think of.

And Harry's always very

careful when he visits me.

Which can't be very

often these days.

What do you mean?

Don't you know

that he's running

around with another girl?

That's an old one, and

I'm not falling for it.

You can't trick me into--

- Miss Gower, please.

- Yes, Mr. Hubert?

The maestro has decided to

show "Jardin des Tuileries"

before [french].

So make haste, please.

Yes, all right.

Am I staying too long?

Oh, of course not.

I only wondered how long

I'd have to titillate

before John came back.

Well, I should have said you

look delightful as you are.

But don't worry,

I can take a hint.

Oh, Charles, you

know I wasn't hinting.

Of course I do,

but I really must go.

I can't sit talking

to beautiful women

and leave all the work to Peter.

Do please have

another drink, Charles.

No, honestly, I

must get back to work.

Barbara, about this pendant.

Are you in any sort of jam?

Of course not.

Well, I hope that's true.

But if it's not, you know

I'd do anything in the world

to help you, don't you?

I do know.

Night-night.

Good night.

[door buzzer]

Come in, please, sir.

Thank you.

This is intolerable!

You swore that you'd

leave me alone!

In return for 500 pounds.

That pendant only fetched 60.

What?

You're lying, Martin.

You always were a liar.

I wish I were

lying, but I'm not.

What was Wayne

doing here tonight?

Do you know him?

I know of him.

Why was he here?

He's a very close

friend of ours.

Did you tell him about me?

Of course not.

Yes, I believe you.

You're not such a fool.

Barbara, you've got to give

me the rest of that 500,

and in cash, not in jewelry.

That's quite impossible.

You better find a way

of making it possible,

or I'll go to Everton about it.

How much did you really

get for that pendant?

60 quid.

I'm not one of those

respectable people

who can walk into a

high-class jewelers

and name his own price.

You mean you're a crook.

I mean that I live by my

talents that were given to me.

And as I intend to go on doing.

So I'm leaving England

as soon as you give

me 440 pounds in hard cash.

I've told you I can't.

And even if I could, you'd

only come back for more.

No, I promise you that.

I'm clearing out.

If you didn't

mean to come back,

why have you taken

away Paul's letter?

Oh, did I take it?

That was absentminded of me.

I thought it was a

charming little letter.

I hadn't realized till then

that this union of yours

had been blessed with a son.

Keep him out of it.

Oh, I'm afraid

that's impossible.

If the truth does

come out, his position

would be rather unconventional.

So if you're sure, if

you think hard enough,

you'll find a way of

raising the money.

I have some shares.

I don't think they're

worth more than 400.

But perhaps the bank might help.

All right.

Arrange it tomorrow and

I'll overlook the 40-odd.

But I must have 400,

and in small notes.

Very well.

What time will you call for it?

I won't, my dear.

I don't want our

family friend to pop in

from the terrace with

a pair of handcuffs

just as I take delivery.

No.

You'll bring them

round to the flat.

Where the transactions

won't be observed.

BARBARA EVERTON: I thought you

shared your flat with somebody.

I'll see that he's out.

Come at 4 o'clock.

It's number 14 Kensington Mews.

Very well.

Don't be late.

We have a charwoman who

comes in from 5:00 to 7:00.

And I'd hate you

to be compromised.

All right for

me to go now, sir?

It's gone 7:00.

Hm?

Oh, yes, I--

You know, you didn't ought to

sit there drinking like this.

Solitary drinking never

did no one any good.

Quite right, Mrs. Bunn.

Only drunkards drink alone.

Sit down and join me.

Didn't ought to, really.

Wouldn't say no

to a little drop.

Thank you, sir.

Happy days.

[bird chirping]

Feeling better?

Much better.

You been having

visitors while I was out?

Oh, Charles dropped

in for a few minutes.

Well, he must

have been thirsty.

He's k*lled the whisky.

- I had some too.

- You did?

But you hate this stuff.

Oh, I thought it

might do my head good.

And it did.

I'm feeling so much better.

Let's go as soon as you've

had a drink, shall we?

I'll go and get my coat.

Is he back?

Oh.

Sorry, dear.

Not a sign of him yet.

Oh, but your friend was in here.

You just missed him.

I'll have scotch, please.

OK, dear.

Splash?

Yes, thank you.

Ooh!

I nearly forgot.

He left you a note.

Hello, Inspector.

Have you still got

that pendant, Ernie?

Oh, spook.

Won't let a bloke make an

honest living these days.

Here you are.

60 ruddy quid going

down the drain.

And it still ain't on the list.

Maybe not.

But I happen to know

the lady it belongs to,

and I've been authorized

to buy it back for her.

She wants to buy it?

Here, Inspector, look.

I won't kid to you.

This is honest.

That pendant, when it came into

the shop, was priced at 600.

It's worth a thousand.

I'm not kidding.

I'll let you have it

for, what, 250 quid.

What, when you said 60?

Did I say that?

I must have been mad.

Wow, a bloke's got to

have a bit of a profit,

isn't he, Inspector?

I ask you.

16.

Don't give me no

cuts, Inspector.

I'm superstitious about cuts.

Now look here, Ernie, I've

helped you out once or twice.

You wouldn't want our beautiful

friendship to break up,

would you?

Ah, it's extortion,

that's what it is.

A diabolical liberty.

There.

- No, no.

I won't take it.

You send it by registered

post to this address.

And don't forget.

Yeah, sit down and

I'll dance to you.

Yeah, righto, Inspector.

[knocking]

Have you got it?

Yes.

Come in, my dear.

No doubt you'll

insist on counting it.

But I can assure you,

there's exactly 400.

Well, naturally I'll

take your word for it.

Thank you.

It's been nice meeting

you again, Barbara.

Goodbye, Martin.

Well, now, stay

on for a while.

Have a drink.

No, thank you.

Will you get away

from the door, please?

Well, if you insist.

But Barbara--

Yes?

I've got to tell

you the truth.

I'm going to Everton after all.

- What?

- Well, I'm sorry.

I've got to.

I'm being blackmailed.

And if I don't raise

500 pounds by tonight,

he'll hand me over to

the police and I'll

be arrested at the airport.

You've done all you can.

My only hope now is Everton.

But you can't do that!

But I'm desperate.

If I buy him out, I can get

clear away to South Africa.

But if I don't--

You'll go to prison?

Mm.

For a very long time.

Martin, you can't go to John.

You promised!

Yes, but I didn't know

this was going to happen.

You're lying again.

You're not being blackmailed.

And you never had any intention

of leaving the country.

Here's my air ticket.

This is only to Paris.

I change to Air France there.

Martin.

It's made out to Harry Bond.

Well, why not?

I've been using

that name for years.

I thought you

called yourself Arden.

Oh, that was just a little

bit of whimsy for your benefit.

Do you remember in our garden

the poem husband who made

himself so obligingly scarce?

Everton will be in his

office now, I suppose.

Piccadilly 4000, isn't it?

Martin, I beg of you!

You'll ruin John's life, a

man you've never even met.

Can you get me 500

pounds by tonight?

No?

Very well.

Stand away from that phone!

Don't be a fool.

And keep back!

I told you John will only

hand you over to the police.

Not when he knows that

you've been here today.

And if he does turn me

in, I'll swear that we've

both been meeting regularly.

You've always known

I've been alive.

I never knew that

anyone could be so low.

You should have learned

that during our delirious year

together, my dear.

The day before yesterday you

m*rder*d someone, didn't you?

You're Harry Bond.

And the police--

The police can prove nothing.

Put that g*n down.

Martin, I'm not going to

let you ruin John's life,

or Paul's.

If you try to make that

phone call, I'll sh**t!

You always were the

dramatic type, Barbara.

But you can't scare me.

You're not worried

about John or Paul.

You're only worried

about yourself.

What the neighbors will

say when they discover

that the nice Mrs. Everton

isn't Mrs. Everton at all,

but she's John

Everton's mistress,

and that that darling

little Paul is only--

[g*nsh*t]

[door closing]

Darling?

Barbara.

Darling, what's the matter?

Why?

Listen, my dear,

this can't go on.

You've got to tell me

what's worrying you.

Ever since that man

Arden came on the scene,

you look as though

you've seen a ghost.

A ghost.

Yes, that's what it was.

What do you mean?

His name wasn't really Arden.

It was Martin Radley.

What?

He wasn't k*lled in the Blitz.

He came back to get money.

Oh, my darling.

Why didn't you tell me?

Do you think I'm happy seeing

my wife driven half crazy?

Thank heavens you've

told me at last.

I'll deal with this from now on.

It's too late.

I've shot him.

You--

With his own g*n.

In his flat.

I went to give him money.

He taunted me.

I--

When did this happen?

Just now.

Oh, John, what can

we do about Paul?

Barbara, listen.

You're quite sure he was dead.

Yes.

Did you examine him?

No.

You say you went

to give him money.

Did you bring it back?

It was in his pockets.

They may trace it

through the bank.

What happened to the g*n?

I dropped it.

Oh, John!

Barbara, listen.

Where is this flat?

What's the address?

14 Kensington Mews.

- 14 Kensington Mews, right.

- What are you going to do?

Going round there.

You say there's no

one else in the place?

The man he shares

a flat with was out.

But there's a

charwoman who comes in.

What time?

5 o'clock, I think.

5 o'clock?

Barbara, you stay here.

Don't move from the house.

Sorry, Charles.

Oh, hello, John.

I just thought I'd pop in

and see how Barbara is.

She seemed a bit under

the weather last night.

Yes, she's a bit run down.

Excuse me, I-- I've got to

go and see a bookseller,

and he closes at 5:00.

- Oh, sure, sure.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

Well, how are you today?

Oh, not too badly, thanks.

Would you like some tea or--

or would you rather

have a drink?

Well, strictly

speaking, I suppose

it's a bit early for a

drink, but, yes, please.

I've had a very trying day.

Are you still on

the Harry Bond case?

Yes.

Trying to break

down these alibis.

Still, not to worry.

We'll get him in the end.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Mouse Club.

Good afternoon.

Gladys, is Harry there?

No.

No, isn't he with you?

No, I've been expecting

him since 1 o'clock.

He hasn't turned up yet.

Well, did you phone him?

Yes, I rang the flat

and there was no reply.

Well, why don't you

go round and see him?

Yes, I think I will.

Bye-bye.

[suspenseful music playing]

[footsteps]

Harry!

JOHN EVERTON: For heaven's

sake, don't scream.

You-- you k*lled him!

No, I found him like that.

Who are you?

JOHN EVERTON: A

business acquaintance.

I just came in to see him.

Who let you in?

The door was ajar.

I've only been here a minute.

Have you phoned the police?

Not yet.

I was just going to when

I heard you at the door.

They'll say I did it.

Why?

Had you a motive?

As much motive as any woman

who's been double crossed.

That's why I came here.

Thought I'd find one

of his fancy bits.

Oh.

Were you in love with him?

I was crazy about him.

You swear you didn't k*ll him?

I didn't k*ll him.

And you are going

to ring the police?

It's customary, isn't it?

Look.

I don't want to get

mixed up in all this.

Let me go and don't ring

the police for five minutes

and forget you ever

saw me, will you?

I promise not to telephone

for five minutes after you go.

Not to mention

you to the police.

Thanks.

Actually, the simplest cases

are often the hardest to solve.

I don't understand.

Well, you've got

so little to go on.

What do you mean?

Well, I remember

a case about--

I say, I must be getting along.

What time is it?

Well, it's just on 5 o'clock.

5 o'clock.

[suspenseful music playing]

[footsteps]

[screaming] Police!

Are you sure you

won't wait for John?

No, I must go.

But the Yard know

you're here, don't they?

Oh, yes, I always

let them know but--

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Brompton 1-4-2-4.

Yes, he's here.

It's for you, Charles.

Wayne here.

Oh, hello, Peter.

What?

Well, look, I'll be round

in a couple of minutes.

What's happened?

Someone's k*lled Harry Bond.

JOHN EVERTON: k*lled who?

Harry Bond, the leader of

the mob who shot the jeweler.

I must go.

I'll see you later.

Come into the drawing room.

I'll tell you all about it.

Were Harry Bond and Martin

Radley one and the same person?

Yes.

You're sure he put

the money in his pocket?

Yes.

It's not there now.

But that's impossible.

Apart from the money, I think

I've taken care of everything.

PETER THOMPSON:

Found anything, sir?

Not yet, Peter.

Except the obvious

fact that Bond

was preparing to clear out.

He cleared out, all right.

I just watched him go.

Did you find anything

among the neighbors?

Yes.

They said they saw a girl

come in here about 10 to 5:00.

The description is the

same girl I interviewed,

the [inaudible] leaving Yard.

10 to 5:00, eh?

I called in to the doctor.

He was k*lled about 4:00.

So she must have found the body.

I'll go and ask her.

I didn't report it.

Do that, Peter.

I've found something here

I'll have to follow up.

Did you know Harry Bond?

Yes.

I did know Harry Bond.

He was my first husband.

But I thought--

He was dead?

So did I. Until this week, when

he started blackmailing me.

He called himself Arden.

How did you find

out he was Harry Bond?

He showed me an air

ticket to prove that he

was really leaving the country.

His name was on it.

Barbara, I've got

to ask you this.

Where were you this afternoon,

say, from half past 3:00

to half past 4:00?

This is ridiculous, Charles.

Why are you asking

Barbara these questions?

I'm sorry, John.

But Barbara was being

blackmailed by a man who

was shot between these times.

If I don't question

her, someone else will.

I was in his flat.

I k*lled him.

Barbara, you don't

know what you're saying.

If you only knew what

relief it is to say it.

I can't believe it.

You realize what this means.

It wasn't m*rder, Charles.

It was a mad impulse.

I wish I could believe that.

People who have

mad impulses don't

wipe fingerprints off g*ns.

But that wasn't--

John-- well, Charles.

There's only one

thing I can do.

Chuck out my job.

[knocking]

Come in.

What do you want?

Going somewhere?

I was just going

to spend a few days

in the country with my sister.

Your sister is doing six

months, as you very well know.

What were you doing in

Harry's flat this afternoon?

So he gave me away after all.

Who's this we're

talking about?

How did you know I

was in Harry's flat?

Why did you sh**t him, Evelyn?

Well, I didn't.

He was dead when I got there.

The m*rder*r was still there.

What?

Who was the m*rder*r?

I don't know.

I'd never seen him before.

He was tall, fair

hair, going gray.

He was wearing a brown suit.

About 40, I think.

Yes.

Funny no one else saw him.

He was there!

He swore he didn't k*ll Harry

and I pretended to believe him.

I thought he might k*ll me too.

He said he was going

to ring the police.

Did he?

No, the charwoman

phoned the police.

All right, don't leave town.

Otherwise you might

find yourself spending

a few days with your sister.

ANNOUNCER (ON

LOUDSPEAKER): European

Airways Flight 4-2-1 to Zurich.

Will passengers holding

coach card number 5-2--

I suppose there is a

flight to Paris tonight.

That's right, madam.

Flight 2-4-7.

The bus leaves in 20 minutes.

Thank you.

How's it coming, Smitty?

Well, I've got the b*llet

they dug out of Harry Bond.

Just hold on a moment.

Yes, here it is.

The b*llet that

k*lled Harry Bond.

Thanks.

Fired from the same g*n as

the one that k*lled the jeweler.

That's impossible.

My dear chap, if

you think I don't

know when two b*ll*ts have

been fired from the same g*n--

Sorry, Smitty.

Hm.

Wait till the old

man hears about this.

Pint, please, ma'am.

Oh, there you are, sir.

I've been looking all

over the place for you.

Just come from ballistics.

The b*llet they dug

out of Harry Bond.

Well, you can give

it to Mr. Carstairs.

I'm turning over all

available evidence to him.

I'm resigning.

Resigning?

What on earth for?

.45 nickel plated.

But the g*n we found was a .38.

Precisely.

Did you get anything

out of Harry's girlfriend?

Yes.

There was a stranger in the

flat when she got there.

A man, tall, very broad, fair

hair going gray, about 45--

you think he did it?

I know he didn't.

But he was the fellow who

wiped off all the fingerprints

and gave me a completely wrong

slant on the whole business.

Peter, I've got it.

There were no air tickets in

that flat when we searched it,

were there?

- No, there weren't, sir.

It's funny.

Only the other day I was

telling somebody how criminals

always repeat their tricks.

Come on.

There's just a chance.

[fast-paced music playing]

ANNOUNCER (ON LOUDSPEAKER): Will

passengers for Flight Number

1-2-6 to Vienna please take

their seats on the coach

waiting at exit number 4.

[chatter]

Will passengers for Flight

Number 1-2-3 to Madrid

please take their seats on the

bus waiting at exit number 3.

Will you phone

up Scotland Yard

and ask them to send a

squad car along immediately?

You'll be two passengers

short on this trip.

It's Inspector Wayne.

If I were you, I'd

get along home.

We'll want to

speak to you later.

Not the first time you pretended

to be dead, eh, Radley?

But last time you pinned it

on Hitler, not on your wife.

On his wife, sir?

A development you

don't know about, Peter.

Radley got her to

visit his flat and left

Harry Bond's g*n where she could

find it loaded with blanks.

Then he goaded her

on until she became

hysterical and fired it at him.

But as soon as she'd gone, he

came to life again and brought

in the body of Harry

Bond, whom he'd

shot a few minutes earlier.

But you forgot to

switch the g*ns, Radley.

Otherwise you might

have got away with it.

You hadn't time, I

suppose, was that it?

I had every intention

of switching the g*ns.

I don't suppose you

thought it would matter.

You didn't think we'd

know the difference

between a 4-5 and a 3-8.

Well, even police officers

have that intelligence.

No.

It was pure sentiment.

I didn't want to involve

Barbara in m*rder.

Give her my love, Wayne.

ANNOUNCER (ON LOUDSPEAKER):

Attention, please.

Oh, here's a car.

Come on.

ANNOUNCER (ON LOUDSPEAKER):

British European

Airways Flight 4-2-7 to Paris.

Will passengers holding

coach card number 5-4

please go through gates A and B.

CHARLES WAYNE: Even then he

was only beaten by 10 minutes.

I can't believe it.

You'll have to,

I'm glad to say.

Martin Radley was never

known as Harry Bond.

He k*lled Harry because

Harry was blackmailing him.

The g*n you fired was

loaded with blanks.

Get it?

No.

And here's another thing

that might interest you both.

This is Radley's marriage

certificate dated 1938.

And his wife is still alive.

Then Barbara was never

legally married to him.

That's right.

You've only had one

husband in your life.

And I think I'll

leave you to him.

Good night.

I think we might

give this to Paul.

Oh, I think he'd much

rather have a yacht.

Come and have a drink

with your husband.

[music playing]