Hanging Woman, The (1973)

[bunniefuu]

Did you hear a scream?

You don't believe in ghosts,
do you?

No no, of course not.

There's an owl in these parts
that has a wingspan of over a meter.

Is there? In any case,
go with god, Dr. Leon.

Hey, listen.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

Could I find a carriage
to take me into town?

- At this hour?
- At this hour?

- It's barely 7.
- But it's almost night.

I don't think people will be
sleeping at this hour however.

Look sir, very strange things
happen here after nightfall.

If you want I can let you stay at
my house until tomorrow.

But don't try to get anyone
to go outside

when the light's gone.

- Is town far?
- Following that road

it's about a kilometer straight ahead,
you can't miss it.

But I advise you
to spend the night here.

You'll have to pass by the cemetery and-

The dead don't scare me, and
neither do the living.

As you can see

I can defend myself quite well.

- Could you send me that suitcase tomorrow?
- Where will you be staying?

- At the home of Count Mihaly.
- The Count? But the Count's dead.

- I know, I'm... I was his nephew.
- Requiescat in pace.

May god protect you.

If you aren't a spirit

you don't know how close you are
to becoming one.

Open up, I've found a dead woman!

A woman hanged herself,
can no one hear me?

Open up! Listen to me,
a woman is dead!

- Hey, listen!
- Don't answer.

Open up please, I need help!

Why don't you answer, you wretches?

Are you all dead? Open up!
There's a dead woman here!

Is no one home?

- What do you want?
- I've found-

I found a dead woman next
to the cemetery.

Go to town hall and inform a guard.

I don't know where it is,
why don't you come with me?

- Look somewhere else!
- What's wrong, have you gone crazy?

Didn't you hear that
a person has died?

- I told you to leave!
- Ivan.

Open the door, let him in.

I beg you to forgive me,

but I'm a stranger and when
coming into town

I found a woman's body.

She committed suicide by
hanging herself from a tree.

Accompany the gentleman
to the mayor's home.

He wouldn't find anyone in
the town hall at this hour.

What's the matter, is the town deserted?

- No, why?
- No one except you has answered my calls.

You must excuse them, people
are very superstitious here

and ghost stories spread quickly.
They were surely afraid.

Who?
Who is the woman in the painting?

My step daughter. Do you know her?

It's her, it's the woman I found
hanging next to the cemetery!

Inspector Durban...

has come from the city
to take charge of the investigation.

It seems they don't have much
faith in our competence there.

Mr. Mayor, you can't be serious.

When did you decide to
come to Kopheg, Mr. Chekov?

I had just received the telegram
from the notary.

I left immediately.

I sent it as soon as we opened the will

and discovered he was also an heir
to the Count.

- Did you know the terms of the will?
- No, not at all.

- I didn't speak with my uncle much.
- Yes, I understand.

And from a legal perspective,
is the will valid?

- What are you trying to say?
- There's a widow.

- I suppose you were truly married?
- You are offending me.

Forgive me madam,
that wasn't my intent.

The legacy is correct.

The majority of the inheritance
goes to Ms. Mary,

the Count's daughter.

The lady Countess receives what
belongs to her according to law.

How amusing, according to law!
Four properties without farmers.

You mean without renters! That
pig imagined I'd work them myself!

- Where are you going?
- With her, the lady might need-

The services of a chambermaid?
Then Ms. Doris can attend her better.

Please...

You have no right to detain me!

You think so? Did you forget
we're investigating a m*rder?

m*rder?
But Ms. Mary committed suicide.

Yes?
Could you tell me how?

- Well, I don't know.
- Maybe she tied the rope around her neck,

tied the other end to a branch,

then climbed up the tree
and threw herself off it,

don't you think?

We must recognize that though
uncomfortable

that could have been the procedure.

Of course, that is if it weren't for
signs on the ground that indicate

the body had been dragged.

And if a recently fired revolver
bearing the victim's fingerprints

hadn't appeared without a
single trace of blood near it.

You will understand that once
she decided to commit suicide

it would have been infinitely more
comfortable putting the g*n to her temple

and blowing her head off
with a single shot.

You're saying that they k*lled
her first and then they hanged her.

- Exactly.
- But that's absurd! Why?

If they had strangled her the rope
would have erased the fingerprints

and caused people to assume
it was suicide.

Does that seem like a motive?

I've given her a sedative,
she'll rest now.

Mr. Nicolai, according to the will
of the deceased Count,

what did Mr. Chekov inherit?

An annual stipend and
the guardianship of Ms...

of the late Ms. Mary.

And how does Mr. Chekov
benefit from her death?

I protest Inspector!
I'm being accused of-

No one's accusing you yet.
Answer, Mr. Notary.

He becomes sole inheritor.

Igor, come, I need you.

Igor, come.

Igor! Igor!

Forgive me, I won't do it again.

Lust is a sin.

I love you,

only you, I won't do it again.

- Your report, Doctor?
- Natural death.

- What did you say?
- The girl died from a heart attack.

When they hanged her she was
already dead.

Then we have to discard
the m*rder theory.

Technically yes, but...

Is there some doubt?

You can m*rder directly and indirectly.

This is the case and here I leave
science and voice my personal opinion

- because Ms. Mary died of fright.
- I agree with my colleague.

Her face bore a rictus of terror,

her limbs were completely contorted.

If we add all that

to the climate of mystery
in which the death was caused...

They say the dead carry out
their orgies in that cemetery.

I reiterate my condolences.

I don't trust that gravedigger.

He's a strange sort who might
be dangerous.

Do you really want to search
his house?

Yes, we might find a clue.

Look, it's here.

You go that way, I'll go
this way, but be careful.

- What was there?
- Nothing.

Stand aside.

A photographic machine.

Look in that cupboard.

- Magnesium.
- So I see.

Women's undergarments,
he must be a pig.

Inspector, look at this.

Pour us a glass of cognac, daughter,
these pictures have upset my stomach.

So he's the k*ller.

Igor is a necrophile, a fiend
we must remove from society.

I don't think he's k*lled anyone,
but he hanged Ms. Mary.

We must find him at any cost.

I'll find him, have no fear.
The whole town has offered to help

and there won't be a single meter
that won't be carefully searched.

Just in case, you should be armed
and take care not to go out at night.

I'm going back to the city,
the case is solved and-

- What's wrong, daughter?
- What was in the window?

It was Igor!

Are you sure? Follow me,
we have to catch him.

Go that way.

You go under, we have to
surround him or else he'll escape.

- The tomb of Mihaly?
- Yes, that's it.

He couldn't have vanished
into thin air.

I'm sure there's a secret passage.

Tomorrow we'll search
the cemetery carefully.

You can leave without
worries, Inspector.

Thank you for everything,
Dr. Leone.

I'm always at your disposal.

So long, Inspector, may
you have a good journey.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

With your permission, I'll be
going to bed.

Try to rest.
Would you like a sedative?

Yes, thank you. Today has been
trying and my nerves are on edge.

Let's trust tomorrow will be
more peaceful.

Forgive me Mr. Chekov,

but I'd like to ask what
my position here will be.

Let's leave it until tomorrow.

I don't know if the
pill you gave me is miraculous

or it's just exhaustion but
the truth is I'm falling asleep.

- I'll accompany you to your room.
- Thank you. Goodnight, Doctor.

Did you catch him, Mr. Chekov?

No, we followed him to the
cemetery but he disappeared.

I'm terrified, that terrible man...

Thank you dear, you can go.

I've prepared the bed sir, and
I've left a bottle of brandy.

Thank you

If you need anything the
bell rings directly in my room.

Very well, you can go.

Shall I accompany you to
your room, lady Countess?

You've been told you can go,
the Countess and I are talking.

Madam, today has been
a very hard day for you.

It'd be best if you rested alone.

Listen Ivan.

Don't force me to make you go away.

- You sir?
- Yes, by my own hand.

Now take your things
and leave this house.

Ivan, what are you doing?
Enough Ivan, I order you!

Get out of here.

You're an imbecile, Mr. Chekov.

You'll learn that one day,
if they don't m*rder you first.

Out I said, out!

Leave!

I know what's going on here.

And soon you'll be at my feet
begging me to tell you!

- Yes, but in the meantime, leave.
- I'm the master!

Get out of here, cretin. Don't
force me to put a b*llet in your leg.

I'll rip your and Mr. Chekov's
skin off! You'll pay, you'll pay!

What happened?

I'm sorry Professor, but it seems
we'll have to make our own breakfasts.

I've just fired the butler.
Goodnight

Mr. Chekov.

I'd like to thank you.

I've always disliked
ill-mannered people.

One day I'll tell you everything.
You don't know what my life here is like.

You're a man of the world
and will understand me,

not like this bunch of rabble.

But now come, we'll have a
drink, I think we need one.

Let's leave it for another time.

I'm very tired and I fear I wouldn't
be an entertaining enough guest.

As you wish.

Ms. Mary, you know?

Ms. Mary, m*rder*d.
The Count too.

They'll k*ll everyone I tell you.

- It's them, the dead!
- Why don't you tell the police?

No, no police, bad men,

only want to send Igor to jail!

No Igor in jail! Never!

Serge, Serge, what's wrong?
Let me in!

- I'm sorry Serge, did I hurt you?
- Watch out for him.

For who?
Who are you talking about?

The gravedigger.

He was here, he hit me with a-

There's no one here, you must
have fainted and imagined that-

- Well the blood is real.
- Let me see.

It's nothing serious.
The candelabra must have done it.

Come to my room, I'll cure you.

Did you invite me in for a drink
before or did I dream that as well?

Does my room surprise you?
I practice black magic.

Here.
Drink it all, it'll help you relax.

Lie face down near that light.

I hope the occult
sciences don't frighten you.

I've known witches in Harlem,

sorcerers in Africa
and holy men in Tibet.

And to be honest, I don't
believe much in their craft.

- I'll convince you.
- That's possible.

None of them
was as charming as you.

What sort of magic
philtre did you put there?

Just simple vodka mixed with
a coagulant.

My husband used it when he
cut himself shaving.

- I think I'm getting drunk.
- Why?

- You seem prettier and prettier.
- And you think I'm not?

- And I'm imagining you naked.
- I am naked.

I feel tired and want to rest.

- Nadia.
- I'm not Nadia.

Doris?
I can explain,

- last night-
- There's no need.

It's easily understood.

I came to wake you up. It's 9:30.

I had just woken up, and then-

Don't worry. Doris won't
be shocked.

We all have a skeleton in
our closet, right?

I've prepared breakfast,
it's ready downstairs.

Thank you.

- What's wrong, daughter?
- Nothing.

If looks could k*ll

you would have left a trail of bodies
through the hall and stairs.

- Let's leave here, Father.
- What happened Doris? Tell me.

I'm not willing to serve as a
maid to that wh*re any longer!

What are you saying? That's
not language fit for a lady.

- They might hear you.
- I'm sick of it.

I didn't mind taking care
of the house for the Count

out of gratitude for how
he treated you.

But now that he's dead, I
don't plan to continue this way.

Don't worry, if Chekov fired the
butler he'll soon hire another.

It's obvious he's used to living well.

You'll see how things will
turn out alright.

Mr. Chekov will close the house
and we'll all have to leave.

Why do you say that?

- They spent the night together.
- What?

He'll convince her to get
rid of everything for money.

It's what no one managed to do when
they thought she was the sole heir.

It's a shame, but I fear
you're right.

And you're not going
to do anything?

What will happen to your
laboratory and your work?

I'll start again someplace else.
The inheritance is his

and to tell you the truth,
I understand them.

No one is old enough
to bury themselves here.

Thank you Professor, you've
always been a gentleman.

Doris dear, would you get me
a cup of tea?

- I'm very sorry, Countess, forgive me.
- Useless wretch!

"Forgive me", you want to fix
everything with that!

It's a good thing you'll soon
be out of my sight forever.

Come here.

This is my laboratory.

Forgive me for delaying
your breakfast but,

I prefer to speak with you here.

The tension in the dining
room was greater than here.

Nadia and my daughter don't
get along particularly well.

Have you considered what
you'll do with the house,

- with the laboratory?
- What was your position here?

The Count Mihaly and I were
associates, you could say.

He'd pay for my studies, my
experiments, my machines.

And in exchange he'd take
equal credit for my books.

- You're joking.
- Not at all.

Then his reputation, his
prestige as a scientist ...

I gave it to him.

Your late uncle was
tremendously vain as a person.

But as a scientist he was
truly mediocre.

That's why I'm interested
in knowing your plans.

What you decide will have a
considerable influence on my future.

I suppose my uncle would have liked
to have finished all your projects.

- How long might it take?
- I can't give you a date.

It's a matter of a series of
studies without a precise goal.

I'm investigating the electric cloud
that escapes a body when it dies.

Some scientists have maintained
that that cloud

is the soul abandoning the body.

Look.

The frog is dead.

Nonetheless, come.

But it's still alive!

It moves because I administer
a greater electrical current

than that which it lost.

What would happen if we managed
to make that charge remain

in the body after death?

In the end, as you can see
these aren't experiments

that could draw the attention
of a patron.

Yes, I believe so.
In any case, don't worry.

No matter what you decide,
you'll have full use of the laboratory.

Thank you, you can count
on my eternal gratitude.

It's not worth that, we'll
speak about this later.

Where are you coming from?

Professor Leon was showing me
the laboratory.

I think we should give it to him.

Are you crazy? Those gadgets
have cost a lot of money!

My husband was a megalomaniac
willing to pay a fortune

to put his name on a book

while he denied me jewels,
perfumes

and the most necessary things
for a lady.

I'm not willing-!

Alright, that is, I mean...

Well...

- I trust you're not the same.
- You can be sure I'm not.

- Was he orderly?
- Who?

You're... my uncle.

Enough to make you nauseous.

Then he'll have kept receipts
for all those machines.

I suppose they'll be in the desk
in his room on the second floor.

You see, it had been some time
since we had slept together.

Very well, I'm going
to look for those papers.

I'd like to know what he left me.

I wouldn't like to inherit
a mountain of debts.

Forgive me, I noticed I was being
followed and I was afraid it was Igor.

- But what were you trying to do?
- I wanted to talk to you alone.

That woman has a habit
of listening at doors.

Nadia...

Nadia's convinced you
to sell all this, right?

Yes, in a sense.

I'd like to ask you to
keep things as they are.

Why?

For my father.

His work is his reason
for living and if he left it now ...

What I meant is what would
I gain by this.

I can offer you
the same thing she does

- and I'm younger.
- Could you we try?

There are no trials, just yes or no.

I don't like to make blind purchases

without making sure of the
quality of the merchandise first.

Come.

Yes or no?

You're not bad, even
if you do lack expertise.

That gives the merchandise
a greater value, doesn't it?

Of course it does.

Go on, undress.

What are you saying?

You offered me
the same thing she did,

- isn't that so?
- But not like that.

Alright, if you don't want to all you
have to do is undo the lock,

open the door and leave.

Enough, you're the stupidest
brat I've ever met in my life.

In any case I've just told
your father

he could count on the
laboratory no matter what.

Thank you.

Go on, get dressed,
I might change my mind.

There's something very strange
about Count Mihaly's death

and that of his daughter.

Why did they hang Mary
after she died? Who did it?

- And my uncle, what did he die of?
- Of a brain hemorrhage.

He had a tumor for some time.

Yes, it all seems normal, but...

Serge, if the Inspector has
solved the case

why do you want to stir
things up again?

- Mary worries me.
- But Mary is dead.

Yes, but why did she go
to the cemetery that night?

- Perhaps she wrote it in her diary.
- What?

- My cousin kept a diary?
- Yes.

- We have to find it.
- Come, it must be in her room.

This was Mary's room.

I'm out of matches.
Where is there a window?

There, at the end.

I don't think anyone has
been in here since her death.

This damned table, it's a
miracle it didn't smash my head.

- Did you hurt yourself?
- No, not much.

By the way, do you know
how to make magic philtres?

- Me, magic potions? Why?
- Never mind.

That's it!

- The diary?
- Yes.

- It's written in a foreign language.
- Yes, in Russian.

- Can you translate it?
- I'll try.

Look for the day of her death.

- But-
- What's wrong?

This paper has been added in,
and the writing is Count Mihaly's.

That's important, read it.

- Dear daughter ...
- It's a letter?

I write here because this way
I'll be sure

only you will read these lines.

I fear I'm going to die.

I don't tell you the motive because
it's something so frightening

that knowing it
would put your life in danger.

If I die don't be surprised
by my will.

I want my nephew Serge to come.

He's intelligent and a gentleman.

- Thank you, uncle.
- And if anyone's life is in danger

I prefer it to be his.

He's used to running risks
and will be able to help you.

If I die tell him that to save you

I've taken my secret to the grave.

He'll understand me. The date
is the day before his death.

"I'll take my secret to the grave".

Now I understand clearly.

That's why Mary went
to the cemetery.

My uncle must have been
buried with a paper.

Some document that
explains his fears,

and it might still be there.

You're jumping at shadows,
Mr. Chekov.

You can't glean anything else
from this translation

except that Count Mihaly
wanted the secret to die with him,

but that he'd take a declaration or an
accusation to the grave.

- Macabre, isn't it?
- There was a secret,

a reason that he was k*lled!

I think there's enough
reason to exhume the body!

Did he agree?

He's just a pretentious a*s.
Here.

- Where are we going?
- To the cemetery.

I'm afraid.

I need your help. We
must find that document.

- I'm very afraid.
- Fine, then I'll go by myself.

Do you have any tools
in the carriage?

I don't know if it will be of use,
there's an iron bar there.

Magnificent.
We'll see each other later.

Serge, I'm going with you!
Get on.

Oh, it's you, I thought you'd
never arrive.

- You're afraid of staying here, huh?
- And you like it?

Not a bit, but I find courage
at the bottom of a bottle.

Well then have fun, oh brave one.

Try to keep the guards distracted,
I'll need at least 10 minutes.

Yes, alright.

- Good evening, Ms. Doris.
- Good evening.

- Do you need something?
- No thank you,

I've come to pray for the
Lord Count and Mary.

She was my best friend.

Come back before nightfall.

That crazy gravedigger is about
and he might give you a fright.

- Please heed me, Miss.
- Thank you, I will.

In any case, if you need help,
my companion will be there.

Thank you.

Guard!

Oh, it's you.

What are you doing around
here at this hour, Ms. Doris?

I'd like to put some
flowers in the Count's grave.

May he reside in the Lord's glory.

- Would you help me pick them?
- Yes, of course.

Thank you, very kind of you.

They're very pretty
there at the bottom. Come.

- Here.
- Thank you.

At your service, Miss.

- Guard, listen!
- Did you call me?

Could you take a look at my horse?

I haven't secured my carriage
and he might escape.

I'll go right away, Miss.

- Serge.
- I'm here.

Did you find anything?

Nothing,

not even the cadaver.

Have you taken a decision with respect
to what you'll do with the house?

Yes, Professor Leon, I'll sell
it for what they might give me.

Though I don't like the idea, it's the
most sensible course of action for you.

- When do you plan to leave?
- As soon as possible.

But first I want them
to exhume my uncle's body.

I think this way we'll learn
why they hanged Mary after she died.

- Why don't we ask her directly?
- What was that?

We'll hold a seance.

I can materialize her spirit and
then you can ask it anything you wish.

- Spiritualism?
- You can do that?

- It wouldn't be the first time.
- I won't join in on this superstition.

- Neither will I.
- Please Doris.

I'm sorry, there must be
at least three.

I'm begging you, this
is very important to me.

Fine, let's go to my room.

The atmosphere is better there.

Put your hands on the
table without squeezing them.

Rest your palms softly on it,
keep your fingers separate.

Every hand should touch
the one beside it.

Don't move them, the spirits
are favorable.

They're here with us.

Be sure to empty your minds.

Forget earthly concerns
and think of Mary.

Desire for the day of true freedom
to arrive

and our companions will visit us.

Think of Mary, think of Mary.

Manifest.

She's here.

Calm yourself, calm yourself, spirit.

We're all adepts.

Forget everything. Think only of her.

The spirit resists. Think of Mary.

Manifest spirit! Come.

Spirit, I need you, can you answer?

Something is intervening.
Spirit, there's danger.

Mihaly, is that you?
I'm happy you're here.

Speak to me.

- What's going on?
- She's been m*rder*d.

- Dear god.
- It was Count Mihaly.

- What's that?
- I'm going to catch him.

This time I know where to find him.

Damned m*rder*r.

- Ghosts, heh.
- Drunk.

I'm not afraid of ghosts, no sir.

No, no, let me out!

I didn't see anything! In the
name of god, let me out! Let me go!

Inspector, it was my uncle.
Doris saw him too.

- He k*lled her, believe me!
- Yes, she's already told me.

But she was still under the
effects of a strong bout of hysteria

and your version isn't very
convincing either.

The dead don't often stroll about.

Don't be stubborn, Inspector.

Mihaly is still alive,
his grave is empty.

- Why don't you see for yourself?
- We're doing so.

And you can be sure you'll
pay for the violation-

Mr. Mayor, it's open.

No, it's not possible!

Doctor, would you make sure
Count Mihaly is truly dead?

But... that's evident.

I beg you, I want to give
your report to the coroner.

But couldn't it be a case
of catalepsy

or of a hypnotic dream
or something of the sort

of which he could come
out of at any moment?

Don't you have a sense of smell?
The signs of decomposition are advanced.

Don't leave town without
my permission.

You have to answer
a few questions.

Are you injured?

- Me? No, I don't think so.
- And that blood?

My god!

Quickly, let's move that tombstone!

Hurry, help me get him out!

Doctor, see if you can do
something for him.

Look!

Number 37, what could
that mean?

Maybe it's points to
whoever buried him alive.

There's nothing to be done.

He's been dead for more
than three hours.

We'll take the cadaver to
your laboratory, Dr. Leon.

Tomorrow I'll have the coroner
come by to perform an autopsy.

Make way.

Nadia was strangled to death.
There's no doubt.

Then why an autopsy, inspector?

It's hard to see a friends body
treated that way

- even if it's lifeless.
- Yes, it's true.

The law is rigid but it's the law.

Leave him there.

I assure you that it's not wordplay

when I say it's as
cold as death in here.

I have a system of refrigeration
for when I work with dead animals.

I've lowered the temperature to
make the coroner's work simpler.

Heat accelerates a body's
decomposition tremendously.

Inspector, you sent for me?

Yes, I want to interrogate you
formally. Come with me, Chekov.

Guard, begin cleaning the body.

I'm sorry but-

Mr. Chekov, destiny is playing
a cruel trick on you

by mounting evidence against you.

Instead of playing Sherlock Holmes

why don't you look for
the butler?

He confessed that he knew many
things that happened in this town.

We'll do so. In the meantime, don't
leave the house for any reason.

What does that mean?
are you arresting me?

Let's just say I want
to keep you under control.

Thank you.

Professor, I beg you to forgive
the discomfort I'm causing.

Tomorrow I'll have a carriage
sent with the coroner

to get those bodies out of here.

It's no discomfort.

Given the circumstances,
I'm in no mood to work.

- No one will enter the laboratory.
- Very good.

This is my lawyer's contact
information.

I want you to call him, Inspector.

I know my rights and I won't make
another declaration

unless he's present.

Don't worry, I'll call him tomorrow.

Good night.

Serge, I want you to know

that I don't believe any
of that man's accusations.

Why not?

Serge, it's all so horrible.

Relax, it'll all soon pass, you'll see.

Doris ...

Go to bed.

- Until tomorrow.
- Good night.

Friend Chekov, Doris is a
good daughter and a good girl.

- Please don't play with her feelings.
- I'm not. When this is all over

- I'll ask her to marry me.
- Thank you.

You don't believe in ghosts, do you?

Look sir, very strange things
happen here after nightfall.

People are very superstitious here

and ghost stories spread quickly.

They say the dead carry out
their orgies in that cemetery.

They'll k*ll everyone I tell you.

It's them, the dead!

- Doris, where are you going?
- Serge! What's wrong?

- Where are you coming from?
- From the kitchen.

I was preparing dinner when you
called me. What did you want?

Is there someone in
the house apart from us?

- Not that I know of, why?
- I saw someone go up the stairs.

- Maybe it was my father.
- No, that's not possible.

It was a woman, and she was
wearing your cloak.

My cloak? But I've just
put it away here.

No more than-

It's not here anymore.

- Nadia? She's been here.
- I'm sure of it.

What are you trying to say?

It's a magic trick, that witch.

But she was really dead.

It's clear now, she produced
a state of catalepsy

with which she fooled us all.

And could he be alive as well?

If he was,

he isn't anymore.

Go to your room and lock the door

- I'm scared!
- Listen to me.

Don't leave me alone.

I'm going to look for her, only she
can clear everything up.

And don't tell her I'm being
accused of m*rder.

Take me with you, I'm so scared!

Very well, but calm down.

Come.

There's a secret passage here.

- Look!
- Nadia!

Wait, there's an exit here.

Let's go.

Come.

Come on, relax. There's nothing to
fear any more. Do you feel better?

She's there!

Wait for me!

Nadia!

Are you crazy? What are you
doing here? Take him away!

- Doris, look for Doris.
- She was with you?

Of course she was,
she must have hidden.

Look for Ms. Doris.

You're under arrest now, Mr. Chekov.

You search that side,
I'll look around here.

Totally solid, Inspector. Not the
slightest sign of a false wall.

You have to find the hollow.
Knock down the wall if you have to.

I assure you we went in
through there.

We have the fire under control but
the two cadavers were burnt to ashes.

- And my daughter?
- Not the slightest trace.

Don't worry. That we haven't found
her is the best news we could have.

She must have gotten lost in the
woods as she fled from the fire.

Please order your men to keep
looking for her.

As you say.

- You shouldn't have taken her with you.
- I swear that she was the one who-

Things have gotten very bad
for you, Mr. Chekov.

Your statement about the living dead
has us nervous.

It's a shame
the cadavers were charred.

- Nothing can be proved through autopsies.
- I'm sorry.

Tomorrow, I'll take you
to the capital.

Don't attempt to escape.
The house is under surveillance

and they have orders to sh**t.

Leon.

Leon, then...

- You finally understand.
- It was you?

Yes,

but knowing it will no
longer be of any use to you.

Guard! Guard!

He can't hear you. That'll be
another death they'll blame on you.

No one will believe you, I'm in chains.

I can bring the guard up
here or take him down to you.

The Inspector doesn't know those
bars aren't welded on, but screwed in.

Then..? You'll let me go?

Only after you've committed
suicide out of desperation.

No, you wouldn't dare.

If you come near, I'll tear
your skin off with my bare hands!

Me k*ll you? No, that's
what my servants are for.

Incredible, isn't it?

But how did you do it?

I've placed a small capsule in
their brains that, shall we say,

keeps certain senses alive.

They can move their limbs and hear.

I still haven't managed
to make them see

or speak, but with time I shall do so.

Why do they obey you?

That capsule in their brain
receives the vibrations from mine.

- Hypnotism on the dead.
- Why not?

If you can make a living being
who has their own will obey,

why not a corpse that doesn't?

What will you to do with
those monsters?

Nothing, my ends are
purely scientific.

That's why I had to k*ll Mihaly.

He was a megalomaniac and
wanted us to form an army.

Can you imagine what a force
like that would be?

Insensible to pain,
without material needs,

without emotions, blindly obedient!

Then why did you k*ll the others?

I assure you I strongly regret it

but things became too complicated.

Mihaly knew he was going to die

and he took a declaration with
him in which he denounced me.

Mary found it and I had her k*lled,
but Mirabondo knew she was already dead.

Nadia died because she was
convincing you to sell the house,

which would ruin all of my plans.

Since it wasn't just the laboratory
that interested me

but also the underground passages
that connected it to the cemetery

where I acquired the prime
materials for my experiments.

I k*lled Ivan because his stupid
jealousies grew out of control

and he threatened to talk.

And the gravedigger because
he was afraid of being accused

and tried to tell you everything.

That's why I had to give my
servants the order to k*ll.

Stop fiddling with that bar Serge,
you won't have time.

The knife has your fingerprints,

no one will doubt it was suicide.

It'll be useless, Professor.

Even if you k*ll me, you won't
escape justice!

I swear that you'll never
see Doris again, Professor!

- Where is my daughter?
- In mortal danger.

- What do you mean?
- Stop your monster.

Think about it, Professor,
her life in exchange for mine.

Halt, stop! Obey!

Where's Doris? I'll give
you anything you want.

Don't be an imbecile and open
that tunnel.

If they didn't find her it's because
she went back into the corridors.

Don't you realize, she might
be in your K*llers' hands.

Yes, it's true, and they no
longer obey me. My daughter!

May god grant we get there
in time.

Help!

Get me out of here! Help me!

What is this? Dear god

Did you hear screaming?

Yes, they're the souls of the
condemned rising from their graves.

Holy Virgin help me!

If that's a soul I'm the ghost of
Tutankhamen.

Let the Inspector know.

- It's her.
- Be quiet!

That way, hurry!

Mihaly's crypt!

Help! Can't anyone hear?
Help us!

Stop, I beg you!

- Halt!
- Help! Guards!

Serge, the fire, Serge!

- Father!
- Only fire will destroy them!

That way Inspector!

Let's go, hurry, open the door!

- It's useless, they're already dead.
- Everyone out.

Serge! Serge!

Inspector, Doris has insisted

on taking her Father's corpse
to the capital.

Yes, it's natural that after
what happened

she wouldn't want to bury
him here.

- Miss.
- Thank you for everything, Inspector.

- I'm scared to go alone.
- There's no reason to fear.

I only have to sign a declaration.

I'll be with you in a few minutes.

Translation: Turdis
April 2010