TICKING DISTANT HOWLING WIND DISTANT FOOTSTEPS DISTANT VOICES CLOCK CHIMES TUNEFUL CHIMES - Oh!

- Oh, sorry!

I-I-I say, Tredwell, am I the, er... am I the last down?

No, sir.

Mr Wade has not come down yet, sir.

- Lazy blighter.

- Fresh... coffee, sir.

Ah.

Well done, Tredwell.

I'm afraid I'm a bit late, Lady Coote, what?

Sir Oswald says there's nothing for a young man getting on in the world but punctual 'abits.

Well, he should know, shouldn't he?

I mean, steel king of Europe, knighted in the New Year's Honours List.

He must have been, er, very punctual in his habits.

Oh, he still is.

But for all that, we haven't got a home of our own.

Just rented accommodation.

Oh, the home of the Marquis of Caterham is hardly rented accommodation, Lady Coote.

Chimneys is one of the most beautiful houses in Sussex.

Simply oozing with history.

I don't know so much about the history, but there's a lot of damp about.

Oh, I know I'm a very lucky woman.

It's nice to have somewhere to invite young people to.

My god-daughter and her friends.

SHE SIGHS Gets lonely being a lady.

My husband and I never had any children of our own, you see.

Well, if you can manage without me, I'll just go and pick some roses for his desk.

It's the only thing the gardener 'ere will let me do.

I'm glad you're here, Mr, er... Er... T-T-Thesiger.

Must make a nice change from the Foreign Office.

Oh, well, actually, I'm not at the Foreign Office.

The others are... Gerry, Ronny, and Bill, but not me.

Oh.

What do you do, then?

Nothing, actually.

I-I-I'm a sort of man about town, I suppose.

SHE CHUCKLES Oh, that will be why you don't have to get up in the morning.

Come on, we'll be first!

Champagne, here we come!

"One can follows another to ring the bell."

"One..." Oh, good morning, Pongo, old chap.

Turn that incredible mind of yours to ten across...

I do wish you wouldn't use that ridiculous name down here.

I'm not a guest.

I'm Sir Oswald's private secretary, and in that capacity, my name is Rupert Bateman.

Sorry.

The fact that we had the misfortune to be at school together is not one that should subject me to ridicule.

My apologies, old chap.

Persuade your friend Mr Wade to appear for breakfast before noon It would considerably enhance the domestic harmony of the household.

And one other thing, would you kindly leave Sir Oswald's copy of The Times alone.

I think I'll go and make myself agreeable to those blasted girls.

Do you know where they are?

Judging from the noise coming from the lake, I would say they were attempting, without much success, to punt.

- Jimmy!

Where's Gerry?

GIRLS: Jimmy!

You don't mean to say he's not up yet?

If he's not careful, he'll miss breakfast altogether one day!

Have his lunch or tea instead when he rolls down!

It's very, very naughty of him.

It worries Godmama terribly!

We'll get him out of bed for you.

We'll pull him out.

Come on, Jimmy!

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER No, I've got a much better idea.

CORK POPS, CHEERING We'll do something tomorrow morning, you know.

Get him at seven, crack of dawn.

Oh, that's when dawn cracks.

I've often wondered.

How do you suggest we achieve this miracle?

Oh, cold water, judiciously applied.

Oh, you know Gerry.

If Niagara Falls landed flat on his face, he'd only turn over and go back to sleep again.

Oh, we must think of something subtler than cold water.

BILL: Who's got any brains?

Er... Oh, lord!

Pongo.

Pongo!

Pongo was always the one for brains.

It's been his misfortune from his youth.

Look at him.

Just like the white rabbit.

But he hasn't got any whiskers.

I say, Pongo, old chap!

ALL: Pongo!

I really... er...

I really am in the greatest possible hurry.

I have to take some papers up to town for Sir Oswald.

But it's Saturday.

We can't all work at the Foreign Office!

Oh, we'll only keep you a moment.

Now, you have brains.

WOMEN GIGGLING We need... What exactly is the problem?

My friend, Gerry Wade.

CLOCK CHIMES Any sign of him yet?

- No, my lady.

- Well, it's very late.

Yes, my lady.

I suppose he will come down some time, Tredwell?

Oh, undoubtedly, my lady.

It was eleven thirty yesterday morning when Mr Wade came down.

Now it's quarter-to-twelve.

Yes, my lady.

Well, it's very 'ard luck on you, Tredwell.

TRAY CLATTERS I am accustomed to the ways of young gentlemen, my lady.

But it's not right, Tredwell, having to clear away and then get lunch on the table by one o'clock.

I don't know how they do it, these young people.

Hardly give themselves enough time to work up an appetite.

I don't know what the answer is, I'm sure.

An alarm clock.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

An alarm clock?

It would take about a dozen to disturb Gerry Wade.

Well, why not?

We'll all go into Market Basin and buy one alarm clock each.

ALL LAUGH Who said we hadn't got any brains?

CAR HORN HONKS Come on, get them!

CLOCK CHIMES Morning, Mrs... er... Lady Coote.

Where are the others?

- Punting.

- Mm?

- On the lake, I believe.

It's rather early in the morning for punting, isn't it?

Not so very early in the morning.

Ah.

I'm afraid I was a bit late in coming down.

It is extraordinary.

Wherever I happen to be staying, I'm always the last one down.

- Very extraordinary.

- I don't know why it is.

I can't think I'm sure.

- Why don't you just get up?

Vera, you hide these in your room.

I got an extra one for Lady Coote.

Should have got one for Pongo.

After all, it was his idea.

- How many's that all together?

- Eight.

ALARM CLOCK RINGS Shh!

RINGING CONTINUES RINGING STOPS Well, that ought to wake him.

Come on.

Tintinnabulation!

- Eh?

JIMMY: Ten across.

"One can follows another to ring the bell."

Not now, Jimmy.

There's a good chap.

LADY COOTE: Four tricks and the rubber.

I was very lucky to get four tricks there.

Well played, partner, jolly well played.

No, really, it's just that I'm lucky at the game.

You'd have to be lucky, playing the way you do.

Got no card sense at all.

LADY COOTE: I know, dear.

You owe me and Mr Wade eight pounds and ten shillings.

Do I?

Seventeen hundred.

That's eighteen pounds ten.

That's correct, isn't it, Mr Wade?

Perfectly correct, Lady Coote.

Well, I don't know about you lot, but after that, I need a drink.

Thesiger?

Oh, er, whisky and splash.

Thirsty work, dancing.

- Wade?

- Er, that goes for me, too.

Have you ever played solo whist, Mr Wade?

Now that's a real game.

And Godmama is ruthless when she plays it, Mr Wade.

She once made misere with three aces in her hand.

She's very subtle.

- Don't be cheeky, Vera.

Good news from Swansea, sir.

The tests are conclusive.

It works.

I always thought it would.

Bennett will bring the formula back to you personally on Monday.

Say he goes to bed about 12.

How long do you think we ought to give him, about an hour?

BILL: Should be all right.

GIRLS: No, no, no!

Shall we set them as one glorious whatnot or to go off at intervals?

Ooh, five-minute intervals, starting at half-past-six.

I...

I suppose it is a good idea?

Oh, you mustn't weaken.

Come on, let's not look suspicious.

- Cheers!

BOTH: Cheers!

GIRLS: Cheers!

WADE: Cheers.

I thought he'd never put his light out.

But I got my head round the door, he's sound off.

How about it?

JIMMY: Where's Bill?

RONNY: Getting the girls.

JIMMY: Clocks?

- 'Ere, master.

- Are they all set?

All those little knobs.

It took me hours.

Who's going to do the deed?

Pongo, of course, walks like a cat if you've noticed.

Get him, will you, Bill?

Bill!

RONNY: Shh!

JIMMY: Pongo's best because if Gerry should happen to wake up, Pongo will think of some rotten silly thing to allay his suspicions.

- Something subtle.

- Exactly.

PONGO: I don't think you realise I have to be up at five thirty!

ALL: Ssh!

Sir Oswald believes that two hours work daily before breakfast, including Sundays, is worth 2% on the annual turnover.

What a depressing thought.

Now, then.

The sooner you get it over with, the sooner you get back to bed.

Ronny, open the door.

- One... two... - Button my shoe.

GIRLS GIGGLE In you go.

CLOCKS TICKING - Three... four... - Knock at the door.

ALL GIGGLING Shh!

WHISPERS: You'll spoil everything.

GERRY COUGHING HE COUGHS - Hurry up!

- Five... six.

VERA: Pick up sticks.

ALL GIGGLING WHISPERS: I say, all those clocks ticking away make a devil of a row.

Hope he doesn't wake up.

Even old Gerry, ass as he is, couldn't fail to miss it, surely.

I've sometimes thought that... Gerry can't be quite the ass he makes himself out to be.

Oh, don't let's be all subtle.

- Right.

- Seven... ooh!

Eight.

CLOCKS TICKING Well done, Pongo.

Can I go back to bed now?

I think we'd all better get back to bed.

VERA: And remember, up early, everyone.

Don't want to miss the fun.

Oh, sorry.

CLOCK CHIMES VERA YAWNS I say, this is a bit beyond anything.

I don't understand it.

The first one woke me.

Well, a joke's a joke but this is carrying it a bit too far.

It's not like old Gerry, is it?

- Excuse me, sir.

JIMMY: What's up, Tredwell?

CLOCK CHIMING Mr Wade... not having come down, sir...

GIRLS GIGGLE ..I took the liberty of sending John up to his room.

Yes?

I'm afraid, sir, the poor young gentleman... ..must have died in his sleep.

No, that is impossible.

That fool John has made a mistake.

He's asleep, that's all, just asleep.

No, sir, John made no mistake.

Dr Cartwright is here.

He would like to see you in the drawing room, if you'd be so good, sir.

What?

Gerry?

SHE SOBS Bill.

Bill, look after the girls.

I understand that you were a great friend of Mr Wade?

His greatest friend.

Do you know if he's in the habit of taking stuff to make him sleep?

No.

He always slept like a top.

You never heard him complain of sleeplessness?

- Never.

Mm-hm.

There'll have to be an inquest, I'm afraid.

Well, how did he die?

I should say an overdose of Chloral.

The stuff was by the bed.

And a bottle and a glass.

Any question of foul play?

Any cause to suspect it?

None whatsoever.

- And suicide?

- Certainly not.

No troubles that you know of?

Money troubles?

A woman?

Hmm.

Now, about relations... Well, he only has a sister.

A half-sister, rather.

'She lives at Dean Manor, about 25 miles from here.'

I suppose you're about the best pal I have, now.

Look, there's something I want to tell you.

Something I think you should know.

Oh.

About Gerry?

Yes.

The thing is, I don't know whether I ought to.

Well, perhaps you'd better not.

Well, I'm bound by a kind of promise, you see.

Why don't you just get it off your chest?

It's no good, Jimmy, I can't.

Just as you like.

- What's she like?

- Hmm?

This girl, Gerry's sister?

DOG BARKS Mr Thesiger, what a lovely surprise.

DOG GROWLS You mustn't mind Lady.

She's just had some puppies and she's very suspicious.

This is Ronny Devereux, Miss Wade.

You're Ronny!

Gerry talks about you a lot.

You're all over at Chimneys, aren't you?

Why hasn't he come with you?

I'm afraid we have some bad news for you.

Gerry?

He's dead.

How?

When?

Last night.

It seems he, er...

It must have been an accident.

He seems to have taken an overdose of Chloral.

- A sleeping draught?

Gerry?

- I can't believe it either.

Look here... would you like to come with us now?

If you'd rather not... - Of course, I must come.

Only I need to be alone... a little first.

I have my own car.

I'll follow in half-an-hour.

It was very kind of you to come.

It can't have been easy.

I've been in to see him.

Are you going in?

Oh, I don't think so.

I think all his friends should.

Why?

It's a sign of respect.

Very well.

CLOCKS TICKING - Did you notice the clocks?

RONNY: Yes, I did.

Well, who... who do you think arranged them like that?

All in a row.

One of the servants tidying up, I suppose.

Funny thing is, though, there are seven of them, not eight.

One of them's missing.

Inconsiderate, that's what I call it.

Distinctly inconsiderate.

People have to die somewhere.

Well, they don't need to die in my house.

Lots of people have.

Masses of stuffy old great-grandfathers and grandmothers.

That's quite different.

Of course I expect family to die here.

But I do object to strangers.

You know, I appreciate getting back to Tredwell more than I can say.

That man studies my comfort in the most marvellous manner.

I met Gerry Wade once.

He was a friend of Bill's.

You'd have liked him, father.

No, I shouldn't.

I don't like anyone who dies in my house on purpose to annoy me.

HE CHORTLES What happened at the inquest, do you know?

Death by misadventure.

They had to show consideration for the sister's feelings, I suppose.

- Was there a sister?

- Yes, half-sister, I believe.

She was much younger.

Old Wade ran away with her mother.

He was always doing this sort of thing.

No woman ever appealed to him unless she belonged to some other man.

Well, that's one bad habit you haven't got.

Oh, by the way... ..not nervous, are you?

That fellow died in your bed, you know.

SHE GULPS My bed?

Yours.

Why did he have to die in my bed?

Just what I said.

Damned inconsiderate.

Everyone.

Damned inconsiderate nowadays.

Well, not that I mind.

Why should I?

I should.

I should mind very much.

I should dream of things, you know.

Yes.

Spectral hands and... clanking chains.

Well, Great Aunt Louisa died in your bed.

You don't see her spook hovering over you.

I do sometimes.

Especially after lobster.

Well, thank heavens I'm not superstitious.

DOOR CREAKS WIND HOWLS OUTSIDE CLOCK TICKS DOOR CREAKS DOOR CREAKS "September the 21st."

Why, surely that was... "Dear Lorraine.

I will be down on Wednesday..." GERRY: 'I'm feeling awfully fit 'and rather pleased with myself all round.

'It'll be heavenly to see you.

'Look here, do forget what I said 'about the Seven Dials business.

'I thought it was going to be more or less of a joke, 'but it isn't.

Anything but.

'I'm sorry I ever said anything about it.

'It's not the kind of business 'kids like you ought to be mixed up in.

'There's something else I wanted to tell you 'but I'm so sleepy, I can't keep my eyes open...' All I'm saying is, please be careful.

Me?

Why?

Look, there was something worrying Gerry.

Not the kind of thing that would make him want to...

It was to do with the department, so I can't really... - Talk about it?

- Yes.

No, I understand.

Sometimes Gerry'd come back here from the Foreign Office, quiet, tired... Not at all the kind of person he went around pretending to be.

He couldn't talk either.

We'd walk the dogs... ..in the evenings we'd read, play music...

He'd go back to London feeling better.

You were very close, weren't you?

We both of us had rotten childhoods.

It brought us together, I suppose.

Lorraine, I know this is not the time, not after what you've been through in the past few days, but I'm not going to rest until I find the devils that killed Gerry.

Killed him?

And when I've done that... ..may I come back?

Yes, of course.

Good night, Ronny.

Father, I'm going up to town in the Delage.

I can't stand the monotony down here any longer.

- We only came home yesterday.

- I know.

Seems more like 100 years.

I'd forgotten how dull the country could be.

I don't agree with you.

It's peaceful, that's what it is.

Peaceful.

And extremely comfortable.

I don't want comfort.

I want excitement.

In my experience, people who go round looking for trouble usually find it.

SHE WHISTLES TUNE TYRES SCREECH SHE GASPS Seven Dials.

Tell them.

Who?

Tell who?

Tell... ..Jimmy Thesiger.

- Shot?

- Shot.

How could he have been?

I don't know how he could've been, but he was.

Well, you really shouldn't go about shooting people.

They don't like it.

I dare say some of them richly deserve it, but it only leads to trouble in the end.

Father, you haven't been listening to a word I said.

I did not shoot him.

- Well, if you didn't, who did?

- Nobody knows.

That's nonsense.

A man can't be run over and shot without anyone doing it.

- He wasn't run over.

- I thought you said he was.

- I said I thought I had.

Well, who was he, this man?

Anyone we know?

Police found papers in his wallet.

His name was Ronny Devereux, and he worked in the Foreign Office.

Ah, well, that explains it.

What was it you said he said?

Just before he died?

"Seven Dials.

"Tell Jimmy Thesiger."

Yes, funny things, last words.

Your grandfather said, "Pass the mustard", and off he went, just like that.

You don't know Jimmy Thesiger, do you?

Thesiger?

Thesiger?

One of the Yorkshire Thesigers?

That's what I'm asking you.

Do pay attention, Father.

This is very important.

Ah!

Your Great Aunt Selina married a Thesiger.

What use is that to me?

It wasn't much use to her, if I remember rightly.

Oh, you're impossible.

I shall have to ask Bill.

He knows everybody.

Wish I could remember exactly what Gerry Wade said in that letter.

Something about a joke.

The Seven Dials business wasn't a joke.

Good God!

I heard someone mention Seven Dials recently.

Me, Father, 30 seconds ago.

Oh, I knew I'd heard it before.

I sent the letter on to her.

It was a puzzling letter.

Not the kind a brother usually writes to a sister.

Not sister.

Half-sister.

No blood relation at all.

- Ah.

- Very pretty girl, so they tell me.

That would explain it.

That's... funny.

- In The Times.

- Hmm.

There's no mention of Ronny Devereux.

There's not a word about a shooting.

Or an accident or anything.

You'd think there'd be something.

CLOCK CHIMES - Got it!

- Got what?

Seven Dials.

Knew it sounded familiar.

George Lomax.

- George Lomax?

- Called in here yesterday when you were out running that chap over.

Seemed very worried.

Seems he's got some sort of political shindig at his place next week, and he got a warning letter.

What sort of warning letter?

Oh, beware, trouble ahead, that sort of nonsense.

Written from Seven Dials.

Said he was off to London to consult Scotland Yard about it.

- He would!

- You're not off again?

Things to do, Father, things to do.

Father, what'd you say the name of that tame policeman friend of yours?

Battle.

Why?

Tell you later.

A young lady, sir, has called to see you.

Don't be a fool, Stevens, it's the middle of the night.

No, sir, it is eleven thirty o'clock in the morning, and a young lady has called to see you.

- Do you know why, Stevens?

- I couldn't say, sir.

No, I suppose you couldn't.

Ugh!

Do you think I ought to get up and see this lady?

Ah, yes, I suppose I'd better.

She, er... She didn't give her name?

No, sir.

Well, what's she like, Stevens?

The young lady, sir, is most undoubtedly strictly comme il faut, if I may use the expression.

You may use it, Stevens.

Your French pronunciation, if I may so say, is extremely good.

Ugh.

Ugh!

Much better than mine.

I'm gratified to hear it, sir.

I have lately been taking a... correspondence course in French.

Have you really, Stevens?

You're a remarkable chap.

Oh, er, run my bath, would you, and see the young lady has a pot of tea and the, er... ..morning paper.

If you will wait in here, Miss.

JIMMY: Another one?

She declined to give her name, sir, but says her business is important.

This is odd, Stevens.

I mean, two girls turning up.

Damned odd.

Uh, what was I up to last night?

STEVENS CLEARS THROAT JIMMY CLEARS THROAT I mean, what time did I come home?

Just gone five o'clock, sir.

Nothing more.

Ah.

Well, I suppose I'd better go and face the fair young lambs.

If I suggest, sir... not in our stockinged feet.

Oh, really, Stevens.

I say, I've only just thought.

Are you by any chance Lorraine Wade?

How clever of you to know.

I only just realised you were in mourning.

I'm terribly sorry.

I'm Bundle Brent.

You sent me Gerry's letter.

That's what I've come to see Jimmy about.

I tried to get hold of Ronny Devereux, he was Gerry's best friend, you know, but they say he isn't there.

- He's dead.

I'm terribly sorry.

JIMMY: Dead?

BUNDLE: He was shot, I'm afraid.

Yesterday.

That's why I've come to see you.

Old Ronny?

Shot?

Just before he died, he tried to say something.

It was a message to you.

He said, "Seven Dials.

Tell Jimmy Thesiger."

Seven Dials?

It was in that letter.

Bundle found it in her desk.

She kindly sent it on to me.

Bundle?

Lady Eileen Brent, Jimmy Thesiger.

It's what my friends call me.

Sorry.

Bill Eversleigh gave me your address.

Oh, yes, of course.

It's that bit there.

"Do forget what I said about the Seven Dials business."

What was it he wanted you to forget?

I'd opened a letter of his by mistake.

It had some address at the Seven Dials at the head of it.

I realised it wasn't for me, so I put it back in the envelope without reading it.

Gerry didn't seem to mind much.

He laughed.

He asked me if I'd ever heard of the mafia.

And then said, "Wouldn't it be queer "if a society like that started here in England."

I'm beginning to see.

The Seven Dials must be the headquarters of some sort of secret society.

Gerry knew that if that society suspected you had any knowledge of its activity, you'd be in danger.

That's why he told you to forget what he told you.

And he was quite right.

Now look here, you've done your bit.

You've delivered Ronny's message.

It's different for me.

I was Ronny's pal.

For God's sake, you keep out of it.

You and Bundle.

You think for one minute I'd keep out of it?

Someone killed my brother.

- Killed?

You think it was murder?

- Ronny did.

He was sure of it.

When did he tell you this?

The night before last.

He took me out to dinner.

And yesterday somebody shot him.

Now will you please understand?

Why should anyone want to kill Gerry Wade?

Well, I could make a shrewd guess.

Gerry spoke excellent German, didn't he?

Perfect.

I think, in reality, Gerry was pretty high up in the Secret Service.

After all, he was at the Foreign Office.

And I remember saying at Chimeys he couldn't be quite the ass he made himself out to be.

- He wasn't.

And if you're right?

Then the thing's bigger than we thought.

This Seven Dials business isn't merely criminal.

It's international.

- Codders!

- What?

I knew there was something I'd forgotten.

Codders!

Er, George Lomax.

His Majesty's Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

- Ronny's boss.

- And Bill Eversleigh's.

Well... Codders is having some sort of political shindig next week.

And he's had a warning letter from Seven Dials too.

Now what do you think that points to?

Something's going to happen there.

That's what I think, so... - Someone's got to go.

- Agreed.

Do you think I could work it through Bill?

He's bound to be there as Codders' right hand man.

Rich young man interested in politics, anxious to stand for Parliament, you mean that sort of thing?

Might work.

Hmm.

Too bad you can't be there.

Don't be too sure.

What about me?

JIMMY: Oh, you're not in on this act.

- I'm just to go and wait?

- I knew you'd understand.

Three of us forcing our way in might look rather suspicious.

You see that, don't you?

I suppose so.

Then it's settled.

You do nothing.

BELL CHIMES BUNDLE: Superintendent Battle... - Mm-hm.

..could you give me a list of secret societies that have their headquarters in Seven Dials?

Strictly speaking, Lady Eileen, there's no such place as Seven Dials nowadays.

Most of it was pulled down and rebuilt.

All the same, I should very much like to know what put that neighbourhood into your head.

A man was shot yesterday.

I thought I'd run over him.

- Sir Ronald Devereux.

Ah, you know about it.

And why was there nothing about it in the papers?

It'll be in the papers tomorrow.

Playing for time, are you?

It'll be in the papers tomorrow.

When he was dying he mentioned the Seven Dials.

Thank you.

I'll make a note of it.

Leave it all to you?

- We are the professionals.

- And I'm only an amateur?

Well, I mayn't have your professional skill and knowledge, but I have one advantage over you.

I can work in the dark.

Of course, if you won't give me a list of your secret societies... Oh, come now, Lady Eileen.

I never said that.

You shall have a list of the whole lot.

Er... here.

Mm-hm.

The Brothers of Saint Sebastian, the Wolf Hounds, the Comrades of Peace, the Friends of Oppression, Children of Moscow, The Herrings...

Comrades of the Fallen.

Half a dozen more.

You're giving me this because you know it's not of the slightest use to me.

You want me to leave the whole thing alone.

I should prefer it.

I said just now that an amateur could do things a professional couldn't.

You didn't contradict me.

That's because you're an honest man, Superintendent Battle.

You knew I was right.

Please.

If there's a chance for an amateur, let me have it.

What you propose is dangerous.

When I say dangerous I mean dangerous.

I've grasped that.

I'm not a fool.

- No!

I'll give you one little clue.

I think Mr Bill Eversleigh will be able to tell you all you want to know about Seven Dials.

Bill?

I tell you, Bundle, nobody goes there any more.

It was boring, really.

My God, you can get tired of fried fish.

Fried fish?

What are you talking about?

Seven Dials Club, of course.

What are you talking about?

- Club?

It used to be a slummy sort of district.

It's all cleaned up now, but Seven Dials Club keeps the old atmosphere.

Fried fish and chips.

General squalor.

Awfully handy to get at after a show.

Good.

We're going there tonight.

What I want to know is why you're so unwilling.

- Unwilling?

- Painfully so.

What's the guilty secret?

- There's no guilty secret.

It's just such an awfully mixed bunch.

Artists, you know, and all sorts of... odd women.

I tell you, Bundle, it's played out.

Odd women?

DRUNKEN REVELLERS WHOOPING BILL: Nobody comes here now.

- Is that it?

- Told you so.

FAST JAZZ PLAYS INSIDE CLUB - Hi, Madelaine, you all right?

- Oops!

See what I mean?

You can have haddock and chips, I'd much rather go to the Ritz.

Come on.

I'd much rather go upstairs.

You said there was a baccarat room.

It might be raided.

Father will bail me out.

BILL: Bundle!

Ah, good evening.

It's Alfred, isn't it?

Used to be footman at Chimneys?

- Yes, ma'am.

How are you, Alfred?

Nicely, thank you, your ladyship.

When did you leave, Alfred?

About a month ago, my lady.

Chance of bettering meself.

Seemed a pity not to take it.

Quite right, Alfred.

Quite right.

Bundle, come on.

Thank you.

Hope you're not going to regret this, Bundle.

I told you you wouldn't like it!

It's not quite what I expected, that's all.

Has Jimmy Thesiger been in touch with you about going to Wyvern Abbey next weekend?

He has.

Long rigmarole he wants me to stuff Codders with about wanting to see the political light, or some such rubbish.

SHE CHUCKLES Have you got him an invitation?

I told Codders he was richer than Rothschild, and if there's one thing Codders is dedicated to it's party funds.

This meeting at Codders' place.

Anything special?

Oh, the usual sort of muck.

People who have to be impressed, that sort of thing.

The Air Minister and his secretary, O'Rourke, Sir Oswald and Lady Coote, and the mysterious countess, young, beautiful, and Hungarian.

What is old Codders up to we ask ourselves?

Nothing very interesting if he's running true to form.

I'm going to thank you for an interesting evening.

And throw you out.

- W...

It isn't late.

- I know.

But I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

What are you going to do?

That depends.

But I can tell you this, Bill, I'm not going to let the grass grow under my feet.

It never does.

Some of those clocks have always given me the shivers.

I dream of them sometimes.

Silly, isn't it?

Seven clocks in a row.

Not seven clocks.

Seven dials.

Don't you see?

There's a pattern to it.

I think your friend Ronny was onto it.

He was trying to tell you.

"Seven dials.

"Tell Jimmy Thesiger."

Bundle, are you sure that's all he said?

- Quite sure.

Death concentrates the mind most wonderfully.

It's the inquest tomorrow.

I'm a witness.

- May I come with you?

- Mm.

Last respects and all that.

I'd be glad of the company.

Gerry Wade, Ronny... Makes you wonder who's going to be next.

I suppose you know what you're doing here is dead against the law?

- We've only be raided twice.

I'm not talking about gambling.

There's more than that.

Probably a great deal more than you know.

I'm going to ask you a discreet question, Alfred, and I should like the truth, please.

How much were you paid for leaving Chimneys?

It was like this, m'lady...

The Russian gentleman, Mr Mosgorovsky, who owns this club, he'd come down to Chimneys on one of our open days and it seems he liked the way I showed people around the house.

He offered me £100 to leave that moment and come here and look after this club.

BUNDLE WHISTLES IN AWE And three times the wages I earned as a footman, m'lady.

Well, I do see, Alfred.

Difficult to refuse.

But did he say who was to take your place at Chimneys?

Mr Mosgorovsky knew of a young chap, been in good service and ready to come any minute.

So I mentioned his name to Mr Tredwell, and everything was settled pleasant like.

You don't want to be sent to penal servitude, do you, Alfred?

- Oh, Lord, my lady you don't... - I want to help you, Alfred, and if things go wrong, I'll put in a good word for you...

Anything I can do, my lady.

I should be only too pleased.

I mean, I would anyway.

I want to go over this place from top to bottom.

Hey!

What's through there?

What's in here?

That's used as a getaway, your ladyship.

There's a room through there with a door under some stairs what comes out in the next street.

It's the way the gentry goes when there's a raid.

Do the police know about it?

It's a cunning door, you see, my lady.

Just looks like a cupboard, that's all.

- Take me in there.

- I can't.

Mr Mosgorovsky... Mr Mosgorovsky, he has the key.

There are other keys, Alfred.

Shouldn't have to tell a footman that.

KEYS JINGLE That's the escape route, my lady.

It's locked.

There's only one key unlocks that door.

Truly.

Highly ingenious, that is.

Looks all right when it's open.

Shelves, ledges and that.

Nobody'd ever suspect.

But you touch the right spot and the whole thing swings open.

- Soundproofed?

- I wouldn't know, my lady.

You won't find no dirt.

Not to speak of.

Mr Mosgorovsky, he ordered the place to be swept out this morning.

And I did it while he waited.

- This morning, eh?

That means it's going to be used tonight.

Alfred, you've got to find me a place in here to hide.

Impossible, my lady.

You'll get me into trouble, and I'll lose my job.

You'll lose your job anyway if you go to prison.

But, my lady, there ain't no place to hide.

- What's in there?

- Surplus.

Stuff we don't use.

Look, you can see for yourself.

There's no place in there as a cat could hide.

Alfred, get a large tray and carry all this lot downstairs.

Quickly, there's no time to lose.

But, my lady, you can't.

It's getting late.

The cooks'll be here any minute.

Then don't waste time talking.

You need a large tray and a brace and bit.

And two dry martinis!

- What for?

- Me.

PLAYS ROMANTIC TUNE Shouldn't you be doing your homework?

No.

A chap can only concentrate for so long.

Besides, I bet Bundle's boning up politics enough for two.

Confusion to our enemies.

It's a bit of a tight fit.

Alfred, shut the door.

Let me see what I can see.

I suppose that'll have to do.

Now you take that and give me that.

Now shut the door.

But my lady, they'll find you if they open the door.

They won't open the door.

Because you're going to lock it and take away the key.

And if Mr Mosgorovsky should ask for the key?

Tell him it's lost.

But, my lady, you'll be taken bad.

You'll faint.

I never faint!

Now lock me in.

NUMBER FIVE: I've had much difficulty getting away tonight.

I am not like Number Four here, my own master.

AMERICAN: One o'clock's been a great success.

I congratulate you on taking the risk.

NUMBER FIVE: Unless one takes risks... WOMAN: Where is the mysterious Number Seven, then?

Aren't we going to meet him tonight either?

AMERICAN: I'm beginning to believe there's no such person.

MOSGOROVSKY: I should not advise you to think that.

NUMBER FIVE: I agree with Number One.

Where is our president?

He who called us into being, why do we never see him?

Number Seven has his own ways of working.

- So you always say.

- And I will say more.

I pity the man or woman who comes up against him.

Now shall we get on with our business?

The Seven Dials.

MOSGOROVSKY: First to our absent comrade, Number Two.

I wish he could have been with us tonight.

- There is danger.

- Great danger.

Number Three, you have the plans of Wyvern Abbey?

Here, sir.

MOSGOROVSKY: The list of guests?

Sir Stanley Digby, Mr Terence O'Rourke, Sir Oswald and Lady Coote, Mr Bateman, Countess Radzsky, Mr Eversleigh, Mr James Thesiger... Who is Mr James Thesiger?

The usual complete young ass.

MOSGOROVSKY: I see.

I suppose there is no doubt whatever of the value of Eberhardt's invention?

NUMBER THREE: None whatever.

Commercially it should be worth millions.

Internationally, well... One knows only too well the greed of nations.

A veritable gold mine.

Well worth a few lives.

You've all seen the plans.

You all agree with the original scheme?

Good.

By the way, I hear something about a letter of Gerald Wade's that has been found.

A letter that mentions this organisation.

Who found it?

NUMBER THREE: Lord Caterham's daughter.

Lady Eileen Brent.

MOSGOROVSKY: Bauer should have been onto that.

It was very careless of him.

Who was the letter written to?

NUMBER THREE: His sister, I believe.

MOSGOROVSKY: Unfortunate.

But it cannot be helped now.

There is just one last thing to be said.

A message from Number Seven.

"Wyvern Abbey may be our last chance.

"If we do not achieve our object there, "the opportunity may not repeat itself."

So, comrades, I must ask you to pledge yourselves, your skills, and if necessary your lives to that which Number Seven has asked of us.

It took poor Alfred nearly an hour to bring me round.

Cramp was the worst.

Bundle, this just isn't the sort of business for a girl to get mixed up in.

But look what I found out.

It wouldn't have done you much good, would it, if they'd found you out.

The absent Number Two is obviously Bauer.

Our footman.

He'll probably be unfrocked or... unclocked or whatever it is you call it for not spotting that letter.

Very careless of him.

I shouldn't be at all surprised if he wasn't the one that murdered poor old Gerry Wade.

I wonder if they'll ever find out.

The German inventor's name was... Eberhardt?

Eberhardt, yes.

Why?

It's just coming back to me.

Eberhardt had a patent processes applied to steel.

Something that toughens a wire so much that it becomes strong as a steel bar.

His idea was that the weight of an aeroplane would be so enormously reduced, the cost of flying would be revolutionised.

SHE WHISTLES He offered his invention to the German government, but they didn't believe it'd work, so they turned him down.

So now he's offering it to our government.

They're taking Sir Oswald Coote's expert opinion on it.

That's what this meeting is all about.

Nothing to do with politics at all.

That's just a cover.

They're going to discuss Eberhardt's plans or process...

Formula.

I think formula's a good word... And Eberhardt's formula will be at Wyvern Abbey and the Seven Dials are out to steal it!

The Russian said it would be worth millions.

I suppose it would be.

Well worth a few lives.

Hmm?

That's what the other man said.

And you say they knew about my being there?

Yes.

The America said not to worry.

You're only the usual kind of ass.

Ah.

I'm glad you told me that.

Gives me what you might call a personal interest in the case.

I say, Stevens, would you go out and buy me a pistol?

Pistol, sir?

What kind of pistol would you be requiring, sir?

The kind where you put your finger on the trigger, and it goes bang and goes on going bang until you take it off.

An automatic, sir.

If you say so, Stevens.

An automatic.

Oh!

And I should like it to be a blue-nosed one.

In American fiction the hero always takes his blue-nosed automatic from his hip pocket.

If you say so, sir.

GEORGE: My dear, I can't tell you how pleased I am to welcome you to Wyvern Abbey.

I was surprised and delighted when your aunt told me about your interest in politics.

- I wanted to come very much.

- Do you know Thesiger?

Quite a young fellow, but a remarkable grasp of foreign policy.

I know Mr Thesiger.

The Under Secretary of the Air Minister has just turned into the drive.

- Oh, excuse me for one moment.

Bill!

Look here, you mustn't be angry, but I've just told Bill about our little stunt.

Bill?

Bill was one of lads, you know.

Gerry was a pal of his and so Ronny.

- I knew that.

- Oh, but you think it's a pity?

Sorry.

- No, it's not that.

He's all right, but Bill was a born blunderer.

Not mentally very agile.

Mm.

But you forget one thing.

Bill's got a very hefty fist which might come in handy.

Oh, well, perhaps you're right.

How did he take it?

Oh, he clutched his head a lot.

The facts took some driving home.

But by repeating it in words of one syllable I eventually got through.

Now he's with us till the death... as you might say.

Lady Eileen, may I present the Air Minister, Sir Stanley Digby?

Sir Stanley, Lady Eileen Brent.

Delighted... Oh.

Delighted to meet you, Lady Eileen.

And that is Mr Terence O'Rourke, Sir Stanley's personal assistant.

How do you do, Mr O'Rourke?

And Mr James Thesiger.

BOTH: How do you do?

CLOCK CHIMES SEVEN TIMES Superintendent Battle!

- That's right, Lady Eileen.

- What are you doing here?

Keeping an eye on things.

That warning letter, you know, fairly put the wind up Mr Lomax.

Nothing would do for him than that I should come down myself.

Don't you think you might be... - Think I might be recognised?

- Well, I did think so.

Yeah.

Put them on their guard, eh?

Well, Lady Eileen, why not?

- Why not?

- We don't want any unpleasantness, do we?

Don't want to be too clever.

Just show any light-fingered gentry that might be about the place that somebody's on the spot, so to speak.

It's a great mistake to be too clever.

The great thing is not to have any unpleasantness this weekend.

Hello, Bundle.

I'd have seen you before, but I've been kept with my nose to the grindstone the whole blessed afternoon.

Cares of state heavy tonight?

Oh, I don't know what your fellow's like.

Looks a good-natured little chap.

But Codders is absolutely impossible.

Drive, drive, drive from morning to night.

Everything you do is wrong and everything you haven't done you ought to.

Quite like a quotation from the Prayer Book.

Nobody knows what I have to put up with.

Entertaining the Countess, eh?

Poor Bill, that must be a sad strain to a misogynist like yourself.

- What's this?

What's this?

After tea, the Countess asked Bill to show her around the interesting old place.

Ah, yes, the Countess.

Where is she?

If I'm any judge of a woman, she's waiting for the very last moment before she makes her entrance.

I thought Irishmen were better judges of horses.

Depends what you've studied, Lady Eileen.

Who exactly is she, anyway?

Hungarian Youth Party.

A widow and very, very rich.

Perhaps that's why Codders is cultivating her.

Bonsoir.

Countess.

Countess, I think you'll be interested, I've found a map of the A-Abbey in the 14th Century.

How very clever of you, Mr Bateman.

Countess.

Monsieur Lomax.

I have fallen in love with your beautiful house.

GEORGE CHUCKLES - Enchante, Monsieur.

- Madame.

Bonsoir.

How d'you do?

See what I mean?

In my country my party had money but no organisation.

That is why I have come to your country.

To study the way in which things are done.

Well, my husband says nothing can be done without regular hours.

He declares he would never have got anywhere without them.

Doesn't he, Mr Bateman?

If you ladies would be kind enough to excuse us, we have something important to discuss in my study.

- O'Rourke, I shall need you.

- Bateman!

I've got to talk to you!

I just can't believe what Jimmy's just told me.

You in that Seven Dials...

I know you're the most frightful sport, but really!

I think... - Eversleigh!

BILL SIGHS I'll tell you later.

Sir Oswald, I think if you would be kind enough to take the chair.

- Sorry, sir.

- Sit down, sit down.

There we are, gentlemen.

That's what it's all about.

The Eberhardt formula.

- It works?

- It most definitely works.

That piece of paper's worth a fortune... to somebody.

- So who has the formula now?

- O'Rourke, for safekeeping.

He and the Minister are taking it back to London in the morning.

One thing's quite clear, any funny business there's going to be, will be tonight.

We've got to be alert.

We'll divide the night into two watches.

Right you are.

Who'll take first duty?

- Shall we spin for it?

- Might as well.

All right.

Here goes.

Erm... heads you first, I second.

Tails vice versa.

Tails.

- Oh, damn.

You get first watch and probably all the fun that's going.

Oh, you never know.

Criminals are very uncertain.

Where are their rooms, do we know?

West wing.

Al...

Almost self-contained.

Right.

What time shall I wake you?

Er, three thirty?

- That's about fair, I think.

- What about me?

- Nothing doing.

You go to bed and sleep.

Thank you very much.

Good night.

Good old Bundle.

Thought we might have trouble with her.

You know how keen she is to be IN everything.

I thought she took it wonderfully.

Yes, so did I.

It staggered me.

WHISPERING: Don't forget, three thirty.

If you're still alive, that is!

I may be an ass, but I'm not nearly as much of an ass as I look.

That's what you said about Gerry Wade, do you remember?

And that very night... - Oh, shut up, you fool!

Haven't you got any tact?

- Of course I've got tact.

I'm a budding diplomat.

All diplomats have tact.

You must be still at the larval stage.

Look here, you will be all right, won't you?

It's all very well ragging, but when I think of poor old Gerry then poor old Ronny...

HE GASPS I can see I shall have to show you Leopold.

A real genuine, blue-nosed automatic.

VOICE SHAKING: No, is it really?

Yes.

Stevens, my man, got him for me.

You just press the button and Leopold does the rest.

Oh... Do be careful, won't you?

Don't go shooting it off at the wrong person.

O-Old Digby walking in his sleep or anything.

That would be most unfortunate.

Ah.

CLOCK CHIMES SHE YELPS Lady Eileen.

Can I give you a hand?

Superintendent Battle!

What are you doing here?

I can ask you the same thing.

Well, I asked you first.

Just seeing that nobody's about who shouldn't be.

Oh.

Like you, for instance, Lady Eileen.

Oh... Well... You're not going to send me back, are you?

I'm rather sick about that because I wanted to go round to the west wing.

Perhaps you're not the only one who'll be wanting to do that.

Now if you'd excuse me, Lady Eileen, I think it's about time you were getting back to bed.

Same way?

Same way.

CLOCK CHIMES MELODICALLY IN LOW VOICE: Jimmy?

Jimmy!

CHURCH BELL CHIMES TWICE MELODIC CLOCK BELLS Bill?

Bill!

What's going on?

CRASHES LOUDLY BILL!

SHE SCREAMS, PLATES SHATTERING Bill, where are you?

SHE SCREAMS Quick!

Quick!

They're killing each other!

Oh, do be quick!

GUNSHOT GUNSHOT Jimmy?

Jimmy!

He's dead.

SCREAM - What on earth?

- I was fast asleep!

Damn row woke me up!

GUNSHOT - Good God!

BILL: Excuse me, sir!

BUNDLE: Bill, where have you been?

GUNSHOT, BUNDLE SCREAMS I'm not sure, but I think I'm frightened!

- Bill!

- Sir?

Er... see what's happening!

Damn thing's locked!

Will somebody kindly tell me what's going on?

It's after two in the morning!

Quite right, Lady Coote.

Er, Lady Coote, we will soon have the situation under control.

- Oh!

Let us in!

Do you hear?

Er... Bill, er... Bang on the door!

It's all right.

He's been shot in the right arm.

And it isn't the loss of blood that knocked him out.

He must have cracked his head as he fell.

GEORGE: Who is in there?

Open the door at once!

I suppose we shall have to.

Pity!

Ah-ha.

BANGING ON DOOR CONTINUES All right.

Open the door.

- Superintendent!

- Oh!

What's going on?

- What is all this?

- God, old Jimmy!

Oh!

Poor, poor boy.

Do you think you could help me now?

Battle, what has happened?

Ugh... Oh... - Did you get him?

BATTLE: Who?

T-The man who climbed down the ivy.

I...

I was standing by the door there, grabbed him and we had a set to.

Oh, probably some nasty murderous cat burglar!

Oh... Oh, I'm...

I'm afraid we've made rather a mess of things.

Where's Leopold, the pride of the blue-nose automatics?

- This?

- Ah, that's him.

How many shots have been fired?

- One shot.

I'm disappointed in Leopold.

I couldn't press the button, otherwise it would have gone on firing.

- Who shot first?

- Well, I did, I'm afraid.

You see, he twisted himself out of my grasp and was heading for the window.

I closed my finger down on Leopold and let him have it!

That's when he turned and fired at me.

After that, I suppose I...

I must have taken the count.

My God, Lomax, you don't think they've got away with it?

I'm afraid they have, sir.

When the disturbances began, I ran to O'Rourke's room.

- It was locked.

- Yours wasn't, sir.

There's a communicating door.

He's heavily drugged, and the formula's gone.

Battle, I left all the arrangements to you.

If those papers fall into the wrong hands...

In point of fact, they fell into this young lady's hands.

If you'll excuse me.

Sir Stanley, I think you will find all you want there.

My dear young lady, we are infinitely obliged to you.

Yes, indeed.

I'm afraid I don't know who you are.

Oh, this is Miss Wade, Mr Lomax.

Gerald Wade's sister.

Superintendent, wouldn't it be wise we send for a doctor?

That's very thoughtful of you, Pongo.

Mr O'Rourke is unconscious.

Er, phone for the Dr Hotson.

Bill, let's go and see if we can do anything for him until the doctor gets here.

- Perhaps I could do something!

Er, that's a very motherly woman.

Very motherly woman.

Now, I wonder... Don't stop there, Superintendent.

Wondering where Sir Oswald Coote might be.

Picking up rubbish from the lawn.

Now what's been happening?

BATTLE: Attempted robbery, sir.

- You mean the formula's safe?

BATTLE: Mm-hm.

Well, then this must have been thrown down by one of the thieves as he took to his heels.

I've handled it very carefully.

I thought you might want to examine it for fingerprints.

You think of everything, Sir Oswald.

What I can't understand is why nobody pursued this thief.

It wasn't until we heard Mr Thesiger's story that we knew there was anyone to pursue.

He must have leapt for it as soon as he fired the shot.

Then why wasn't a search organised?

My men were told to hold anyone attempting to leave the grounds.

- And yet, they haven't done so.

- And yet, they haven't done so.

Are you telling me all that you know, Superintendent?

All that I know, yes, Sir Oswald.

What I think is another matter.

And what do you think, Superintendent?

For one thing, sir, I think there's far too much ivy about this place.

Excuse me, sir, you've got a bit in your coat here.

Far too much ivy.

It complicates things.

Excuse me, Superintendent, but... Oh!

There you are, Sir Oswald.

Lady Coote's just discovered that you're missing.

She's terribly upset.

She thinks you've been murdered by the thieves.

My wife is an incredibly stupid woman.

Well, that's an extremely competent young man.

What's his name?

Bateman?

Rupert Bateman, commonly known as Pongo.

I was at school with him.

Bowled left arm, deadly serious.

No sense of humour.

That's a pity.

Gentlemen who have no sense of humour get to taking themselves too seriously, and that leads to mischief.

- Superintendent Battle.

- Yes, Lady Eileen?

Don't you think it odd that Sir Oswald was wandering about in the middle of the night in the garden without explaining himself?

Sir Oswald is a great man.

A great man always knows better than to explain unless an explanation is demanded.

But, er... What I should like to know is how Miss Wade happened to arrive on the scene so pat.

Very convenient.

Hmm.

She ought to be ashamed of herself, hoodwinking us all as she did.

Why should I be kept out of it.

I never meant to be.

I mean, when you rang up and said there might be danger, I was more determined than ever.

So I just came over here to see what was going on.

And I was looking around me when plop, something suddenly fell right at my feet!

A packet, Miss Wade, I think was deliberately thrown down to you.

Or so I believe.

- To me?

Well, to the person the thief thought you were.

- This is getting very involved.

- Superintendent... One moment, please, Lady Eileen.

When you came into the room, did you turn the light on, sir?

- Yes.

- Superintendent... - If you please, Lady Eileen.

Was anyone in the room?

- No-one at all.

Well, there is now!

I say...

Cold water!

One moment, Lady Eileen, let me handle this.

What on earth's happened?

That is what I'm trying to find out.

The Countess!

It's all right.

It's really all right.

- Oh... - No.

don't try to talk.

It's bad for you.

Just lie still.

Don't say anything till you feel quite all right again.

Just lie still and close your eyes.

You'll feel quite all right again in a minute.

Oh... Erm... Have... Have some... Have some brandy, that's the stuff.

Don't you think some brandy will be a good idea?

For goodness sake, Bill, leave her alone!

She'll be all right.

- Ah!

I am here.

Now, take your time.

Don't say anything.

Till you're quite all right again.

It's coming back to me.

Yes.

It is coming back.

- Have some water.

- A little brandy perhaps.

Oh... Tell me, please, what has happened?

I was hoping you might be able to tell us.

I...

I could not sleep.

So I think to myself, "Perhaps I come downstairs to find a magazine."

The house is very still.

I come down the stairs quietly... ..and I come in here.

Having, of course, switched on the light.

No.

No, no, no.

I did not switch on the light.

I had, you see, my little electric torch with me.

BATTLE: Ah... BILL: Ah...

Suddenly, I hear something.

A footstep...

So, I switch out my torch and I hide behind the screen.

And the door opens, the light is switched on, and the man, the burglar, he is in the room with me.

- I say, but... - I nearly died of fright!

I try not to breathe!

The man stands for a moment, listening, then he crosses the room to the window.

And I hear him come back again.

And he switches out the light and locks the door.

Oh, dear, I think I am locked in the room with a monster.

Then again I hear him go to the window and I think I hope perhaps he has gone out that way... when prestissimo, it all begins.

- What does?

Oh, never, I shall never forget it!

It was horrible!

Two men trying to murder each other!

Furniture crashing, falling about the room.

It was horrible!

The criminal...

He had an evil voice.

The other one was cultured, English, a gentleman, I think.

He was swearing a lot... - Clearly a gentleman.

And then a flash and a shot, and the bullet must have hit the bookcase beside me.

And I suppose I must have fainted.

You poor dear.

How rotten for you.

Silly idiot.

JIMMY: I'm so glad I've got a cultured English voice.

Your arm?

It is all tied up.

Was it you, then?

- Mm.

Oh, but I can assure you I would never have dreamed of using the language I did if I'd had any suspicion there was a lady present.

It wasn't a bullet, Countess.

It's the shell of a cartridge.

But we shall find a bullet somewhere tomorrow.

Oh...

It's absurd I know, but I still feel extremely faint.

Let me help you to your room.

Bundle, will come with you.

Thank you very much, Lady Eileen, but I should prefer to be alone.

I'm really quite all right.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to help me up the stairs.

Sure you don't want any help?

I'm sure Mr Eversleigh will be able to give me whatever help I may require.

Oh... Oh... Countess, are you all right?

I'm looking after her.

Dr Hotson says there's nothing seriously wrong with O'Rourke, Superintendent.

He says he'll see you now.

Ah... Come and hold my hand, witness the strong man's agony, you know the stuff... BATTLE: Lady Eileen, whatever is the matter?

You look as if you've seen a ghost.

Not a ghost, Superintendent, a mole.

A what?

A mole.

A mole isn't much to go on, Lady Eileen.

Two women might easily have an identical mole.

And the countess is very well known in her own country.

Maybe this isn't the real countess.

Look at tonight!

Look at the way we found her.

I didn't believe she fainted at all.

I tell you, Superintendent, it's the same woman that I saw at the meeting of the Seven Dials Club.

Well, she was wearing a wig then, or she's wearing one now.

It's the same woman.

I'm sure of it.

Lady Eileen, I'm going to trust you.

The Countess's conduct is suspicious, very suspicious, I know that as well as you do, but we've got to be sure.

And if you were sure?

You've heard the expression, "a sprat to catch a mackerel"?

Meaning?

Don't bother about what I mean, Lady Eileen, but remember this, I know all about the Countess.

And I want her left alone.

Mm?

I want the man at the top.

CHURCH BELLS TOLL MOTOR ENGINE IDLING BATTLE: Here we have the two bullets.

The larger fired from Mr Thesiger's Colt automatic, embedded itself in the sofa here.

Now, this little fellow, fired from a Mauser 7.65, after passing through Mr Thesiger's arm grazed the door there and I found it embedded in the trunk of a cedar tree.

Now, as for the pistol itself... - Any fingerprints?

BATTLE: The man who handled it wore gloves, sir.

Pity.

A man who knew his business would wear gloves, sir.

Am I right in thinking, Sir Oswald, that you found this pistol just about ten yards from the top of the steps leading up to the terrace?

Almost exactly, I'd say.

It would have been wiser, sir, if you'd left it exactly where it was.

I'm sorry.

What is your theory of the pistol being there?

I presumed it had been dropped by the thief as he ran.

Not dropped, Sir Oswald.

There was only one set of footprints crossing the lawn there.

Your own.

Well, can you be sure of that, Battle?

- Quite sure, sir.

This pistol was thrown with some force.

Made a dent in the ground.

Everything points to this pistol having been thrown from the terrace.

Does it matter, Superintendent?

I like to get things right, you know.

Now, I wonder if one of you gentlemen would be so kind as to take this pistol and throw it?

Sir Oswald?

That's very kind.

Would you care to come out here, sir?

Now, if you would be good enough, sir, to throw the gun as far as you can out onto the lawn there.

Thank you, Sir Oswald.

What's he up to now, I wonder?

I must say it was a stroke of luck your being there.

At the right moment.

- Right moment?

JIMMY: To find the gun.

And in the dark too.

I stumbled on it.

I, er, didn't sleep very well last night.

That's it, just the same sort of mark.

Although, by the way, you threw it a good ten yards further.

But then you're a very powerfully built man, aren't you, Sir Oswald?

I remember, I had insomnia once.

Terrible experience.

No, I don't suffer from insomnia.

As a rule, I'm an excellent sleeper.

Just last night I felt unusually restless.

I thought the night air might do me good.

Well, it all seems clear enough to me, Battle.

The man fires a shot, disabling Mr Thesiger, flings away the weapon then runs along the terrace and down the gravel path.

Where he ought to have been caught by my men.

Your men, if I may say so, Battle, seem to have been singularly remiss.

If they failed to see Miss Wade coming in, if they can miss seeing her coming in, they could just as easily miss the thief going out.

You can't have it both ways, Battle.

I mean, either he ran across the lawn, which you say he didn't, or he went down the path.

Damn it all, man, where else could he have gone?

Up the ivy again, sir.

Oh, nonsense!

If the man was trying to escape, he wouldn't bolt back into the house.

- Safest place for him, sir.

JIMMY: I say, what's this?

BATTLE: Oh, exhibit Z.

The last of our little lot.

It is, or rather it once was, a glove.

- Where did you find that?

- In the grate.

Nearly burnt but not quite.

It looks as if it's been chewed by a dog.

Er...

I wonder if, er, would you be so kind, sir, as to... That's very kind.

Telephone call for you, Superintendent.

Well, do you attach any importance to this discovery, Superintendent?

You never know, Sir Oswald, what's going to be important and what isn't.

Well, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen.

JIMMY: Well, even if you're right about Countess Bundle, she couldn't have nearly stolen the formula all by herself, she was behind the screen all the time.

She says she was behind the screen all the time.

Who was the man who climbed down the ivy and took a shot?

- Number Seven.

All right.

Who is Number Seven?

I thought of coming to see you, you know?

After all, we had a lot in common.

You've lost Gerry.

He was my friend and... Ronny who was getting rather fond of you, you know?

I thought perhaps, together, we might have found some reason why... - What happened, happened.

- Exactly.

What do you think happened to them, Bill?

They discovered something.

Connected with the Foreign Office?

More complicated than that.

But surely if they had, they would've shared it with you.

They trusted you.

Ronny got nearest to it.

If only he hadn't...

There's someone really evil behind this, Lorraine.

I know it.

But you don't know who.

A pity my man Stevens isn't Number Seven.

He's got the brain for it.

- Don't be silly, Jimmy.

- Sorry.

To tell you the truth, there's only one person I'm sure it isn't... Codders.

- Eileen!

Oh, now look what you've done.

I think I'll go and have a few words with Lady Coote.

With my wound and charming conversation, I've made a complete conquest, no?

- What are you up to?

- E-E-Eileen?

What do we know about Number Seven?

He's determined, he's used to being obeyed.

He has some sort of position which places him above suspicion.

And he's ruthless.

There's only one person who answer that description.

Sir Oswald!

I'm going to find out more about him.

Ah, oh, my dear.

Oh.

Oh.

My dear Eileen, you don't have to leave us, do you?

Well, I-I-I seem to be the centre of some very curious goings-on lately.

My father's very worried about me.

I think I'd better go and hold his hand.

This little hand will indeed be comforting.

Oh, my dear Eileen.

In these days of changed and unsettled conditions when family life is at a premium, when the old standards are falling, it becomes our class to set an example by showing that dignity, modesty, and filial respect do still mean something.

Now, I will confess, my child, my dear... dear child, I have in the past been somewhat disappointed by your levity.

I now perceive the earnest beauty of your mind, the butterfly emerging from the chrysalis.

It would be a great delight to me, if I may, to help form that budding mind.

I have a very interesting new work on political economy.

I'll look it out now and you can take it back to Chimneys with you.

- Excuse me.

- When you've finished it, we can discuss it.

Together.

Look here.

What the hell was Codders holding your hand for?

It wasn't my hand, it was my budding mind.

Don't be an ass, Bundle.

We're going to discuss political economy together!

Are you sure that's all?

That's very definitely all.

Lady Coote.

You know, that was an awfully jolly weekend we had with you at Chimneys.

Well, it would have been awfully jolly if it hadn't been for poor old Gerry kicking the bucket like that.

Erm... Jolly nice girls.

I find girls very perplexing nowadays.

We're not at all romantic, you know?

Why, I embroidered handkerchiefs for Sir Oswald with my own hair when we were engaged.

Did you?

How marvellous.

But I suppose girls don't have long enough hair to do that nowadays.

Excuse me.

Sir Oswald has sent me to tell you, Lady Coote, there's been a change of plan.

Mr Lomax has very kindly offered to let us stay on at the Abbey until the palace is ready.

He's going to his club.

Thank you, Mr Bateman.

It'll be nice to settle in for a few weeks at least.

JIMMY: And the Abbey is a topping place.

Don't you think so, Pongo?

Topping.

LADY COOTE: Abbeys, palaces.

Sometimes I wonder when it's all going to end.

You should have seen the little house we had in Yorkshire, Mr Thesiger, when Sir Oswald was plain Mr Coote.

Oh, such a nice large hall.

And a pretty little drawing room with an inglenook.

But now, nothing would suit him but the very best.

He's got on and he's got on till he... till he can't stop getting on.

He's one of the richest men in England now, but does that satisfy him?

No.

Still wants more.

He wants to be... Well, I don't know what he wants to be.

I can tell you, it frightens me, a little, sometimes.

Well, now we're here, we'd better make the most of it.

I thought you were getting on rather well with that god-daughter of mine.

Oh, Vera.

Oh, she's a panic.

Are you doing anything this weekend?

Nothing I can't cancel.

Oh, well, I'll invite her down.

And you can come to.

A skeleton key, sir?

All I want to know is, Stevens, where one buys them.

I regret to say, sir, for once, your enquiry is beyond my cognisance.

Very good, Stevens.

If one might venture a comment, sir?

Venture away.

When I came into your service, sir, it was as a gentleman's gentleman, not as a gentleman burglar's gentleman.

There has been no confusion of intent, has there, sir?

None at all.

Dammit, Stevens, if I were a gentleman burglar, I wouldn't be asking you where I might buy a skeleton key, would I?

I'd have one.

- I take your point, sir.

There is a gentleman of my fraternity who drops into the Mulberry Bush of an evening.

Yes?

In the household of Lord Mount Vernon, sir.

Answers occasionally to the appellation Soft-Pawed Pete.

He might be able to help you.

I would be most grateful, Stevens, if on my behalf, you would approach Soft-Pawed Pete as a matter of some urgency.

Very good, sir.

I need it this weekend.

- Well played, partner.

- Oh, I'm so sorry.

It's the most confounded nuisance having to do everything with the left hand.

Every child should be brought up ambidextrous.

- Like seals, you mean?

- I think that's amphibious.

Ambidextrous means using either hand equally well.

It came up in the Times last week as a matter off act.

Eight across.

Double-dealing, that was the clue.

Rather clever I thought.

VERA: Are you, God-pa?

- Am I what?

What Jimmy said.

Double-dealing.

- Ambidextrous.

VERA: That's it.

Certainly, I can write with either hand.

- But not with both at once?

- It would hardly be practical.

No, I suppose that would be a bit too subtle.

You'll never make a bridge player.

I know, dear.

You're always saying.

That's another pound you owe Me Thesiger.

I checked those figures we need for Monday, sir.

I'm afraid you're right.

There's an error at the pre-assessment stage.

OSWALD: Which means we'll have to go through the whole damn report.

Where is it?

All the papers are in the study, sir.

Ah.

Erm, in that case, I'd better say good night.

This could take till well after midnight.

That's all right, dear, the young ones will keep me company.

Oswald.

Thank you, sir.

Now, what about a lovely game of German whist?

- Good night, all.

- Good night, sir.

Mr Thesiger, would you kindly close the door?

Very draughty, these old Abbeys.

My pleasure, Lady Coote.

Damn.

My goodness, Pongo, you did give me a start.

Slinking about like that in the dark.

I heard a noise.

Thought burglars had got in.

Came down to see.

You think of everything, Pongo.

Even a lethal weapon.

It's as well to be armed.

You never know who you're going to meet.

I'm glad you didn't shoot.

I'm rather tired of being shot at.

I might easily have done so.

What did you come down for?

I was hungry.

I rather fancied a dry biscuit.

There are some biscuits in a tin by your bed.

Ah, now, that's where the staff work has wrong wrong, old boy.

You see, there is a tin with biscuits for starving visitors on it but when the starving visitor opened it, nothing inside.

So I just toddled down here to find something.

And now I think I'll just toddle back to bed.

Good night, Pongo.

HE SIGHS Damn.

DOOR OPENS PONGO: I've been thinking.

Extraordinary thing about those biscuits.

Do you mind if I just... Help yourself, old boy.

Very remiss.

Good night.

- So, nothing?

- Nothing at all.

Apart from the most frightful attack of indigestion brought on by too many biscuits.

I must say, you do seem to have been awfully clever where Pongo was concerned.

There's only one word for him.

Last week's crossword, ten letters meaning everywhere at once.

Ubiquitous?

But we're no nearer Number Seven, are we?

JIMMY: Not yet, no.

Mr Eversleigh is here, my lady.

BUNDLE: Oh!

- Hope you don't mind, I had to collect Codders' letters from the Abbey.

You couldn't have chosen a better moment, we're having a council of war.

- War?

Jimmy spent a thoroughly unprofitable weekend with the Cootes.

If Sir Oswald is Number Seven, there's not a shred of proof.

BILL: You think he is?

Have you got a better suggestion?

Ooh, I know.

Something I meant to ask you, I nearly forgot, do you remember the glove Superintendent Battle found, the half burnt one?

- Glove?

- It'd been thrown on the fire.

You remember he asked you to try it on your hand?

What was left of it.

Why?

Sir George and Sir Oswald were there too, weren't they?

- Yes.

- He could've asked either of them to try it on, but he didn't, he chose you.

Don't you see what that means?

Your right hand was in a sling.

By Jove, it was rather odd, now I come to think of it.

It being a left-handed glove, Battle never said anything.

He didn't want to draw attention to it.

But don't you see what it means?

The man who shot at you, held the pistol in his left hand.

And Sir Oswald is ambidextrous.

We were talking about it last night while playing bridge.

Now will you understand that Sir Oswald is Number Seven?

Oh, but why stage all that comedy at the Abbey when he had the formula before then at his own works?

It's simple.

Suspicion had to be diverted from him and placed in another quarter.

And he's good at diverting suspicion.

He doesn't have to bother.

He walked in through that window two in the morning wearing his dinner jacket saying he'd been for a walk!

What's more, Battle believed him.

I wonder.

Don't despair, my dear child.

It took me years to perfect my game.

- I did try.

- Yes, yes.

I know you did, my dear.

It was a very laudable effort.

Mind you, I've always thought if God made women to play golf, he'd have made them differently.

Croquet, now, that's a woman's game.

A very pretty sight, a young woman playing croquet.

That beguiling tilt of the head, the graceful curve of the spine.

Ruined the game when those short skirts came into fashion.

What one misses is the provocative hint of the ankle.

TREDWELL CLEARS THROAT Mr Lomax is here, my lord.

Well, tell him I'm not.

I'm afraid he saw your lordship practising as he came up the drive.

Oh, really, Tredwell.

Well, where have you put him?

In the drawing room, my lord.

Ah, my dear fellow.

My dear, dear fellow.

I am delighted to see you Absolutely delighted.

I won't beat about... a-about the bush.

I wanted to see you particularly, very particularly.

- Ah.

- About Eileen.

- Eileen?

- Yeah, Eileen.

I think, if I may say so, Caterham, you hardly appreciate the fact that she is no longer a child.

- Oh, you mean Bundle.

- Yes.

She is a woman and what's more a very charming and talented one.

I dare say but she's very restless, you know?

Never content to be in the same place for two minutes together.

You mean she's not content to stagnate.

She interests herself in the questions of the day and brings her fresh and lively young intellect to bear upon them.

Now, perhaps, my dear Caterham, you begin to get some inkling of my purpose in visiting you this morning?

My dear fellow, you can't want to marry Bundle.

Oh, I really shouldn't do it if I were you.

Just go home and think about it, there's a good fellow.

Count to 20, that sort of thing.

Always a pity to go out reposing and making a fool of yourself.

I dare say you mean your advice kindly, Caterham, but I must confess, you do put it somewhat strangely.

However, I have decided to put my fortunes to the test.

Have I your permission to speak to Eileen?

It's nothing to do with me, my dear chap.

Eileen manages her own affairs.

If she were to come to me tomorrow and tell me she was going to marry the chauffeur, I shouldn't make the least objection.

Where shall I find her?

Well, I don't think I really know.

She might be anywhere.

As I told you, she's never in the same place for two minutes together.

No repose, no repose at all.

Not much good for a politician's wife, you know?

A politician ought to know where his wife is.

Beside him.

Wearing the right hat, smiling.

Leading the applause.

Not tearing round the country in motor cars, knocking people down and shooting them.

Might lose you an awful lot of votes.

I beg you, my dear fellow George, in view of your parliamentary career, to reconsider.

I never reconsider.

Eileen's brain and acute political sense cannot help but further my career to our mutual advantage.

Well, who knows, with her at my side, I might even get to Downing Street.

Mr Lomax would like a word with you in the house, my lady.

Thanks, Tredwell.

- Mr Eversleigh, my lord.

- Oh, Bill, my dear chap.

Looking for poor old George Lomax, I suppose.

Well, if you really want to do him a good turn, just pop into the dining room, and tell him the cabinet's called an immediate meeting.

It's really not fair to let the poor chap make such an ass of himself.

I've not come for Codders, sir, it's Bundle I want to see.

Well, you can't see her either, not just now, at any rate.

George is in there with her.

Spluttering horribly at this very moment.

What's he saying?

Oh, some damn nonsense, I suppose.

Never speak too much, that's my motto.

Just grab the girl's hand and let events take their course.

BILL LAUGHS What course?

Shh.

He's proposing.

Proposing?

Proposing what?

Marriage to Bundle.

I can't think why.

No, it seems to me that he's reached his second childhood.

Second time round too.

Can't explain it any other way.

Proposing to Bundle, the dirty swine.

At his age?

He says he's in the prime of life.

Well, h-h-he's decrepit, he's senile.

Oh.

Well, he's five years younger than I am.

Hello, Bill.

I say, what's the matter?

You don't look your usual bright little self.

I'm worried.

I was worried anyway, but something turned up that gave me a jolt.

Had anything very extraordinary happened, William?

Something damned odd.

I can't make head or tail of it.

Seven Dials business?

Seven Dials business.

I, erm...

I got a letter this morning.

JIMMY: What sort of a letter?

A letter from Ronny Devereux's executors.

It seems he left instructions...

If he was to die suddenly, a certain sealed envelope was to be sent to me exactly a fortnight after his death.

- And they've sent it to you?

- Yes.

And you've opened it?

Yes.

JIMMY LAUGHS Well, what did it say?

Oh, come on, old chap, pull yourself together.

It seems to have knocked the wind out of you, whatever it is.

Have a drink.

It's... what's IN the letter.

I simply can't believe it, that's all.

Nonsense.

You must get into the habit of believing six impossible things before breakfast.

Like the White Queen in Alice.

I do it regularly.

Er, wait a minute.

♪ Sur le pont d'Avignon On y danse ♪ - I say, Stevens?

- Yes, sir?

Pop out and get me some cigarettes, would you?

A hundred, sir?

JIMMY COUGHS Thank you, Stevens.

I've sent Stevens out so we can talk undisturbed.

Now, then, Bill, let's hear all about it.

BILL: It's...

It's incredible.

Thank goodness I've caught you.

I haven't got time to explain everything, but Bill's been to see me with the most amazing story you've ever heard.

WOMAN: 'Bill?'

Yes.

Now, listen, this is what you have to do.

Come up to town at once, go straight to the Seven Dials Club and get rid of that footman fellow.

Alfred?

You leave that to me.

Then watch out for me and Bill.

Don't show yourself at the windows.

As soon as we drive up, let us in at once.

I wish I knew what it was all about.

I'll explain when we meet.

But I'll tell you this much, we're going to get ready the hell of a surprise for Number Seven.

Alfred, I've come to warn you, the police are looking for you.

There's a warrant out for Mr Mosgorovsky.

You'd better clear out as quick as you can.

Here's £10 to help you get away.

I should say you've got three minutes.

Oh, my lady.

However do I thank you, my lady?

One good turn deserves another.

Well, I've arranged that all right.

But was it necessary to be, well, quite so drastic.

It's safer.

I don't know what Bill and Jimmy are up to, but we don't want Alfred coming back and wrecking everything.

Oh, they've wasted no time.

They're here.

- I'll open the door for them.

Stop there a moment, Bill.

Blow the horn if you think anyone's watching the place.

There you are, you two.

Well, then, where's the key of the room you got into last time?

- I think it's through here.

Ooh, this looks like the one.

Right.

There's no time to lose.

Right.

Oh, sorry.

It's through here.

This is the getaway door.

So, this must be the cupboard you hid in, Bundle.

BUNDLE: That's the one.

We shall have to shift all this stuff.

Run down and get Bill, will you, Lorraine?

There's no need for him to keep watch any longer.

What are you going to do?

Wait till Bill comes, and you shall hear the whole story.

This is his staff work and a jolly creditable bit of work it is too.

I say, it must have been a bit of a squeeze in here, wasn't it?

It certainly wasn't an experience I'd care to repeat.

- Bundle!

It's Bill!

It's Bill!

- What about Bill?

Lorraine, what's happened?

He's in the car still.

But he doesn't move or speak!

I think he's dead!

- In God's name!

Bill!

I don't understand it.

BILL GROANS But he's not dead.

Look here, we've got to get him inside.

Pray to goodness no policeman comes along.

He was all right when I left him.

I suppose we should have realised we couldn't turn up on that doorstep without something happening.

Look, I'm going to get a doctor.

You stay here and look after him.

BUNDLE: Right.

But don't be scared, either of you.

But I'd better leave you Leopold.

Just in case.

I'll be back as soon as I possibly can.

I wish we could do something, this is awful.

I wonder why Jimmy left us the revolver.

There can't really be danger.

If they could get Bill...

I know but we're in the house.

Nobody can get in without our hearing them.

I wish I knew what to do.

Hot coffee.

You give them that sometimes.

I've got some smelling salts in my bag, and some brandy.

Where is it?

I must have left it in the room upstairs.

You stay here.

I'll get it.

Try patting his face.

Gently.

SHE GASPS Darling Bundle.

Oh, she's dead.

I know she's dead.

Oh, my darling Bundle.

I do love you so.

Bundle.

On, my darling one.

Oh, my own dearest, sweetest, little Bundle.

What shall I do?

Oh, God, what shall I do?

I've killed her, I've killed her.

No, you haven't, you silly idiot.

Oh!

- Bundle, you're alive.

Of course I'm alive.

Well, how long have you been?

I mean, when did you come to?

About five minutes ago.

Why didn't you open your eyes?

Or say something?

I didn't want to.

I was enjoying myself.

Enjoying yourself.

Mm.

Listening to all those nice things you were saying.

You'll never say them so nicely again.

You'll be too beastly self-conscious.

Bundle, you really didn't mind?

You know, I do love you so.

I have done for ages only I never dared tell you so.

You silly juggins, why?

I thought you'd only laugh at me.

No, Bundle, seriously.

C-Could you ever... Could you ever bring yourself to... Could I ever bring myself to what?

Well, change your mind and marry me instead of that fatuous ass Codders.

You think I'd marry a fool like that?

You mean you haven't?

You don't?

I haven't and I don't.

Well, then please marry me, my own darling Bundle.

I know I'm awfully thick-headed, but I do love you so.

Oh, Bill.

Ooh!

- Ooh!

BOTH LAUGH Well, do let's be sensible.

I've got a rocking head and I've been nearly squeezed to death by you.

I want to get the hang of things.

Now where are we and what's happened?

We are locked in the upper room at the Seven Dials.

And you are not going to believe what's happened.

If you do believe it, you are certainly not going to like it.

Why?

What has happened?

Well, I'd... better just tell you.

I've sent Stevens out so we can talk undisturbed.

Now, then, Bill.

Let's hear all about it.

BILL: It's...

It's incredible.

Well, then it's sure to be true.

In this letter, Ronny said that he was almost certain... ..that he'd discovered the identity of the person who'd been selling this country's secrets to the highest bidder.

He said that if anything happened to him and his lawyers forwarded the letter to me, I would know for sure that his suspicions were correct.

His... death would prove it.

When we all went down to Chimneys that weekend... ..Gerry Wade told Ronny that he was almost sure he knew who it was but he... ..he didn't name the person.

And Gerry was murdered.

Ronny was sure he'd been murdered by a member of the house party.

That's why he fixed up that trick with the seven clocks on the mantelpiece.

He got us all in there, one by one.

Ronny was murdered.

Ronny also said that... ..he was on the point of confiding in you, but something held him back.

In the letter... ..he names the person he suspected.

Does he, by Jove?

That's why I've come to you.

I want you to tell me it isn't true.

I have said, Bill, you must learn to believe six impossible things before breakfast.

I... Why, Ronny's last words were... .."Seven Dials.

Tell... Jimmy Thesiger."

Exactly like that?

Getting sleepy?

It won't be long now before you're all together again.

Ronny, and Gerry.

And good old Bill.

You should be dead.

Why aren't you dead?

I only LOOK an ass.

I poured the drink away while he was out of the room.

He's out there now.

Doing what?

Planning what?

He thinks you're dead and I'm nearly dying.

He won't stop there.

He'll get what he wants.

Not if I can help it, darling.

SHE GASPS APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS KEYS JINGLING WOMAN: Are you sure it's all right?

Oh, yes.

I hit her pretty hard.

- Are they... - Well on the way.

But hauling Bill upstairs has done my wounded arm no good at all.

He's such a dead weight, as you might say.

Come on, help me.

- What are you going to do?

JIMMY: Well, open the cupboard door.

LORRAINE: Why?

- Ten down.

Seven letters.

"Walled in for good."

Answer?

- I don't know.

Immured.

Hold him steady.

It was clever of you to cotton on.

I knew you'd left the gun in case I needed it.

And when you slammed the front door, I knew you hadn't left the house.

How?

Don't I always know when you're near?

There.

That should make a charming surprise for the Seven Dials.

Pity.

I liked Bundle.

Oh, I liked her too, until she started sleuthing.

Too much initiative.

Not good for a girl.

I like Bill too.

More than me?

No-one more than you.

Ever.

Well, now all we have to do is watch this house and wait.

I don't care how long it takes.

But someday the Seven Dials will meet again, and I shall find out at last the real identity of Number Seven.

BOOMING MALE VOICE: I should hate to keep you waiting, Mr Thesiger.

One move, any of you.

This is trained on your precious Number Seven.

And I will use it.

Oh, he will use it, but not until his curiosity has been satisfied.

If you have been waiting for me, Mr Thesiger, I, for my part, have been waiting for you.

A man who kills as lightly and ruthlessly as you do and for what reason?

Profit.

Isn't that your motive too?

NUMBER SEVEN: Not your kind of profit, Mr Thesiger.

Oh!

HE LAUGHS Oh, you don't think I did it just for money, do you?

Although I must admit, it made life a lot more pleasant.

No.

No.

I did it for pleasure.

Something to make the blood tingle.

Everyone thinking, "What a jolly nice young man.

"What an ass!"

What I really enjoyed, what I loved... ..was manipulating everybody.

Making events fall into patterns.

My patterns.

And always getting my own way.

And now I'm going to get my own way once again.

I'm going to rip that mask off your face, Number Seven.

And then I'm going to kill you.

NUMBER SEVEN: You can't kill us all.

SHE GASPS Only you.

The rest of them can wait.

Come here, Number Seven.

Come here!

Who are you?

Who do you work for?

What do you want?

BILL: That's something you'll never know!

JIMMY SCREAMS Oh, I always said you were a fool!

But not, as you hoped, a drugged fool.

You really should have thought of something a little different this time.

But it took a long time for you to work it out, didn't it?

Oh, and you.

You never even began to suspect, did you?

No.

All right.

So they've got me.

But one thing still gives me enormous pleasure.

The Seven Dials have got you too.

NUMBER SEVEN: Take him away.

What are you going to do to him?

An eye for an eye.

RUSSIAN: Lady Eileen Brent, you have been summoned to an emergency meeting of the Seven Dials.

Approach the table.

I should do as they say, if I were you.

RUSSIAN: Lady Eileen, you have been present, unasked, at the secret councils of this society.

It is therefore necessary that you identify yourself with our aims and ambitions.

The place two o'clock, you may notice, is vacant.

It is that place that is offered you now.

I'd rather die.

I think you should not answer precipitately.

You do not know as yet what you are refusing.

I can make a pretty good guess.

NUMBER SEVEN: I doubt it.

You'll have to get rid of one or two preconceived ideas of yours, I'm afraid.

About this society, for instance.

You're just as evil as James Thesiger.

You merely have different methods of achieving the same goal.

No, Lady Eileen.

You are wrong.

I shall now introduce you to a very creditable band of amateurs who have done work that nobody else could have done.

They have been willing to face real danger.

Danger of the very worst kind.

And they have done it for one reason, an honest wish to serve their country.

First of all, there is Mr Mosgorovsky, who, as you know, runs this club.

He is the most valuable anti-Bolshevist agent in England.

Number Five is Count Andras of the Hungarian Embassy and a dear friend of the late Gerald Wade.

Number Four, Mr Howard Phelps.

An American journalist, whose nose for scenting news is remarkable.

Number Three, I think you already know.

You?

Number Two can only show an empty place.

It is the place belonging to Mr Ronny Devereux, a very gallant young man, who died for his country.

Number One, well, Number One was Mr Gerald Wade, who made the same sacrifice.

His place has been taken by a lady who has proved her fitness to have it.

I don't think Lady Eileen recognises me.

Bundle, may I introduce Miss Barbara St Moore, Ronny's cousin and one of our most talented young actresses.

I was right about that mole.

Oh!

I shall have to remember that next time.

You can change your skin, your voice, and your hair, but a mole, never.

It's no good.

I'm completely bewildered.

I...

I suppose they all know who you are.

No.

Mr Mosgorovsky is my lieutenant.

He's known all along.

The others have taken their orders from him.

Do I want to know who you are?

I hope you do, Lady Eileen.

SHE GASPS Superintendent Battle!

It was Gerry Wade who first suggested to me the idea of a band of amateurs.

Remember what you said yourself, Lady Eileen?

People who could go where the professionals couldn't.

I warned him it would be dangerous, but he didn't care, nor did any of his friends.

And that's how it began.

But the fact that the Seven Dials finally caught up with the one man they wanted most in the world is entirely due to the courage of Mr Eversleigh.

He went to see Mr Thesiger this afternoon, knowing full well that he might never return from that interview alive.

What made you suspect him?

Little things, I suppose, that built up gradually.

His angling for an invitation at the Abbey started it.

It was actually Lorraine that made me certain I was on the right track.

Whenever I talked to her, she listened so carefully to what I had to say but never... never actually said anything herself.

That made me think of Gerry and Ronny.

They'd confided in her too.

Then when I saw the three of you that day at Chimneys, I...

I saw Jimmy wandering round with his arm in a sling.

I suddenly thought of that left-handed glove.

Suppose he'd been the person wearing it all along.

Well, it all started with Ronny Devereux's last words.

Seven Dials.

Tell them... Who?

Tell who?

Tell... Jimmy Thesiger.

Naturally, you took that to mean that Mr Devereux was trying to send word to Mr Thesiger that the Seven Dials had killed him.

But of course, I knew that that couldn't be so.

No.

It was the Seven Dials that Mr Devereux wanted told.

And what he wanted them told was something about Mr Thesiger.

That Jimmy Thesiger killed Gerry Wade.

BATTLE: 'He slipped the poison into a whisky and soda 'which Mr Wade had downstairs before retiring to bed.'

- Cheers.

ALL: Cheers.

BATTLE: 'That's why he was already feeling sleepy 'when he wrote that letter.

'Later, when everyone was asleep 'and the alarm clocks were in position, 'James Thesiger pressed 'the unconscious Gerry Wade's fingers 'round a glass and an empty chloral bottle.

'And left them by his bed.

'The result...' Death by misadventure.

BATTLE: 'Then Ronny Devereux made the fatal mistake.

'He confided in the one person 'who had already given Gerry Wade away.

'Lorraine, devoted body and soul to James Thesiger.

'She was prepared to sacrifice her half-brother.

'And later, Ronny Devereux.'

So when are you going to arrest Sir Oswald?

Sir Oswald?

Well, Jimmy Thesiger couldn't have tried to steal the formula.

Number Seven didn't try to steal the formula.

That leaves only one person who could have tried to steal the formula.

I knew it was him when he came in from the garden that night.

- Who?

- Sir Oswald, of course.

BATTLE: No, Lady Eileen.

It was not Sir Oswald.

Who was it, then?

Tell me what you saw.

What you heard.

Well, I went to look for Jimmy when I saw the door knob turn.

'So I ran to look for Bill, and then the fight broke out.'

BATTLE: Eversleigh?

Miss St Moore and I decided to keep watch between us.

She was stationed in the drawing room, and like Bundle, I heard the fighting and came running.

Miss St Moore?

I was hiding behind the screen when James Thesiger came in.

I thought he'd gone when the fight started.

I was in the garden, under some trees when Miss Wade ran straight into my arms.

We heard the fight.

We heard two shots.

We all heard that.

Of course, that's what we were meant to hear.

- I don't understand.

- You will.

Miss St Moore, how many people were fighting?

- Two.

- How do you know that?

- I heard them.

- Did you see them?

- No.

- No.

Now, listen and I'll tell you how in the end I reconstructed the whole story.

To begin with, Miss Wade and Mr Thesiger are in this together.

They have a rendezvous for a precise time.

2am.

So, let's go back ten minutes before then.

'Miss Wade arrives in her car, 'parks in the lane 'and makes her way across the garden 'towards the west wing.

'She was seen by one of my men 'but he had orders not to stop anyone coming in, 'only going out.

'And so Miss Wade 'makes her way towards the house.'

And now we come to Mr Thesiger.

'After the lights were turned out, 'Miss St Moore said 'that when James Thesiger went over to the window, 'he was so still, she thought he must have left the room.

'Suppose, then, that Mr Thesiger HAD gone outside.

'Where next?

'Up the ivy.

'Into Mr O'Rourke's room.

'O'Rourke having been drugged before he went to bed.

'Miss Wade near the house.

'Lady Eileen in the west wing.

'And me, in the garden.'

CLOCK CHIMES TWICE BATTLE: 'Mr Thesiger has the formula.

'He throws it down to Miss Wade.

'She picks it up 'and starts running back to her car.

'While upstairs, Lady Eileen sees the door handle turn.'

Mr Thesiger is turning it, trying to find the easy way out.

But the key is under O'Rourke's pillow.

'James Thesiger comes back down the ivy.

'Lady Eileen is desperate to find Bill Eversleigh.

'Miss Wade is running away from the house.

'But who does she meet?

Me.'

SHE GASPS And at the moment, the game changes.

It is no longer attack but defence.

Miss Wade tells her story.

She is very clever.

Her story is perfectly true, perfectly sensible.

And it gives Mr Thesiger time to get back into the house.

HE PANTS HE YELPS BATTLE: 'Where he proceeds to fight himself.'

Argh!

Ooh!

BATTLE: 'You see, that's to establish an enemy.'

JIMMY: And this!

You asked for it, scunner.

BATTLE: 'His own automatic, bought the day before, 'is fired at an imaginary assailant.

'The countess knows to what effect.

'You all heard it.

'Then Thesiger played his master stroke.

'With his gloved left hand, 'he takes the Mauser 'and shoots himself in the right arm.

'I heard the shots.

Miss Wade heard them.

'We ran to the house.

'James Thesiger now only has a few seconds.

'He flings the pistol from the terrace.

'Tears off the glove with his teeth.

'And throws it in the fire.

'When we arrive, he is lying on the floor in a faint.'

So that's how he did it.

And I thought it was poor old Sir Oswald.

I never really suspected him.

But I must say, I did have my suspicions about that young chap, his secretary.

Particularly when I heard he was left-handed too.

That gun had to be thrown left-handed to land where it did.

Not a silly ass like old Pongo.

Not a solemn card like him.

Old Pongo, as you call him, is a very efficient young man and one that could put anything through if he'd a mind to it.

In fact, I think we should bear him in mind.

In case there's ever another vacancy.

Unless of course... ..there is one now.

Count me in.

I'm ready for anything.

I say, should you be drinking and all that?

I mean, after what happened to your head?

Very good for the head, champagne.

Perhaps I should pour it slowly all over myself.

You shouldn't go round letting people hit you over the head.

You know, Bundle, you really shouldn't.

It's very bad for the brain.

It was Bill who hit me the second time.

Why did you hit her?

Usually, all you have to do is speak to her.

She's perfectly amenable.

Yes.

Why did you hit me?

There was no time to explain.

I couldn't run the risk of your not being able to keep quiet.

It might have been the end of both of us.

It, erm...

It hasn't made you change your mind, has it?

Sir...

..I know this is going to come as a bit of a shock to you and I'm a simply rotten golfer but... ..may I marry your daughter?

My dear chap, I welcome you with open arms.

Anything to keep her out of the clutches of that damn fool George Lomax.

LAUGHTER This calls for a toast.

Er... What's your name, again?

Bill, sir.

You're not the one she ran over?

Father.

Bundle.

Bill.

To your future.

Sir, there's only one thing.

It's something that's always puzzled me.

Why is she called Bundle?

You'll find out, my dear boy.

You'll find out.

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