In late Victorian London lived many detectives who were the rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

HEWITT: Peach!

-Yes, sir?

-Tea.

-Oh, yes, sir.

-And crumpets.

Crumpets, sir?

What is this, Martin, a celebration?

It is, indeed.

Come in, and I'll tell you.

Oh, crumpets for two, sir?

Or for three?

Uh, for three, Peach.

Thanks very much, sir.

-Hot!

-Yes, sir!

And saturated with best farmhouse butter!

Yes, sir!

What are we celebrating?

New case or a new contract?

Oh, a new contract.

The cases will follow.

Well, we'll hope so.

We're retained as detective advisors to the City Guarantee Society.

Very impressive.

In all cases of fraud, forgery, embezzlement, theft.

Theft from the Society?

No, from its clients.

The City Guarantee, like all insurance corporations, makes its living by taking risks.

Don't we all?

Including risks on the integrity of bank clerks, cashiers.

You mean if one of them elopes with the cashbox... -Exactly.

-...we catch them.

-We do?

-For a fee.

It's an important moral game to the City Guarantee.

Discourages other potential elopers.

Ah.

And the fee should be important, morally.

No fee.

No -- But a commission on what we recover of the plunder.

Ah.

Well, without wishing harm on anyone... -No, of course not.

-...let us trust... As law-abiding citizens.

...that the moral fiber of the British will continue as shaky as ever.

As shaky as ever.

Six £5 notes make £1,330.

2 shillings and fourpence makes £1,330, 2 and 4, all correct as per bill.

May see you Sunday, then, Charles, on the Heath?

Yes.

Till then, Henry.

Look after yourself.

Ah, good morning, Mr. Harding.

What can I do for you?

[ Indistinct shouting ] Mind your head, sir.

That's it.

Nearly had your hat off.

-Yes.

-Sorry about all this, sir.

Be finished by the end of the week.

Well, I hope so.

If they get on with it like they ought to.

Workmen these days.

Morning.

Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Bills for encashment.

I'll be glad when you've got the new doorway finished.

£1,850?

That's right.

Morning.

Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Securities for encashment.

£3,000 exactly.

That's right.

1:15.

Time for my lunch.

Shan't have mine yet.

Things to do.

Excuse me.

Do you sell touring tickets to France?

Yes.

The kind you can break your journey wherever you like and change from one route to another?

Yes.

I'd like one, please.

One tourist to France.

The name's C.W.

Laker.

Do you want my address?

Just the money.

Goes from Charing Cross, does it?

Yes.

Return?

No.

Single.

[ Toilet flushes ] [ Toilet flushes ] [ Train chugging ] Excuse me.

Lost something, sir?

No.

-Oh, this is the -- -Lost Property Office.

Sorry.

Where can I find the times of the trains to the Continent?

Board over there, sir, tells you everything your heart could desire.

If you don't trust it, Passenger Inquiry Office just beyond, on the right.

Thank you.

You know, he's the sort of chap who will go to the Passenger Inquiry Office when he loses something.

Vanished into thin air.

Yes.

An eloper invariably starts by doing that.

No, no, no, thank you.

Of course, they called the police in, but those fools at the bank didn't think of telling me till half an hour ago.

Mm.

Well, I suppose they just think of you as the City Guarantee, the one who pays up if they fail to recover the plunder.

That's just it.

Of course, they don't realize you've employed the best brains in Great Britain.

Where the devil is Hewitt?

Oh, please don't worry, sir.

Young Peach will find him.

6:00.

This man has got 5 hours' start.

Don't worry.

Old Hewitt will find him.

He'd better.

May I inquire the amount of the plunder?

Over £15,000.

£15,000?

Well, Mr. Hewitt and I will do our very utmost.

[ Door closes ] -Is that Mr. Hewitt now?

-Yes, I believe so.

-Good evening, Mr. Lister.

-Evening, Hewitt.

I'm sorry I was out.

It was a case.

-Peach, put the kettle on.

-Yes, sir.

Well, what's the trouble?

A walk clerk absconded at lunchtime today from Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Lunchtime?

The fools didn't tell me till now.

I see.

What precisely does a walk clerk do?

A walk clerk's one of these chaps -- A walk clerk is a bank employee who every day goes on a round of other banks and finance houses with a wallet full of bills and suchlike due for payment.

So, at the end of his round, he has a wallet full of cash.

A temptation, Mr. Hewitt.

Oh, a terrible temptation, Mr. Pryde.

And this walk clerk was employed by Liddle, Neal, and Liddle?

Yes, a fellow called Laker absconded with the whole proceeds of his walk.

-Much?

-Over £15,000.

Uh, and the City Guarantee?

The full sum.

Well, we'd better go and see Mr. Liddle.

Or Mr. Neal.

Or Mr. Liddle.

[ Chuckles ] Mr. Neal is expecting you, gentlemen.

This way, if you please.

This way, Mr. Hewitt, sir.

Thank you.

-May I take your coat?

-Oh, thank you very much.

[ Knock on door ] NEAL: Come in.

[ Door opens ] Mr. Lister, sir.

And Mr. Hewitt.

Neal, may I introduce Mr. Hewitt, whom we have retained as our advisor?

Mr. Neal.

-How do you do?

-Mr. Neal, how do you do?

Lister tells me you have a reputation.

-What can you do to help?

-Who's the girl outside?

Laker's fiancée.

-Laker absconded?

-Yes, why?

I wondered why she was waiting.

I wondered myself why it was necessary.

I've explained the facts of the situation to her and advised her to start forgetting him.

Well, that's not always easy.

No, perhaps not.

As for helping anyone, my job is, of course, to help Mr. Lister.

I'm as anxious as Lister to get this man behind bars.

And the money back.

But of course.

One bank clerk absconds and gets away with it, the rest will start doing it, too.

It's an encouragement.

It could spread.

Although, heaven knows, Laker -- Not the absconding type?

Well, he made a wrong return once, I believe, but that turned out to be a mere clerical error.

One mistake in how long?

Seven years in all, the last four months as a walk clerk.

Did you know anything about his life outside the office?

No.

Why should I?

Except that now this girl here -- Yes, how did she come here?

It can't be in the newspapers yet.

I think Inspector Plummer asked her to be present.

-Of Scotland Yard?

-Yes.

Oh, I'm delighted to hear it.

We're very old friends.

Is he here now?

Yes, he's going through Laker's desk and so forth.

He thinks that Laker may have had accomplices.

Does he?

Well, that's interesting.

He's already found out a good deal.

He has his men scouring everywhere.

Oh, yes, Plummer's a great man for having his men scouring everywhere.

Right.

You wait here.

I shan't be a moment.

And don't let her go.

I want to talk to her again after I've spoken to Mr. Neal.

-[ Knock on door ] -NEAL: Come in.

Well, Mr. Neal, We've found what we thought -- Hello, Mr. Hewitt.

You in on this, are you?

Acting on behalf of the City Guarantee Society, Inspector.

I see.

And mister, uh... Lister, City Guarantee.

Ah.

Papers in his desk.

An accomplice?

A motive.

Laker's been betting.

Ah.

Letters from a bookmaker about settling.

Wonder he trusted a clerk.

Telegrams from tipsters, notes from a friend.

They're signed with initials, damn it, asking him to put a sovereign on a horse.

Well, we often find it's gambling, don't we, Mr. Hewitt?

-May I see?

-Oh, see all you like.

They're no use to me, apart from showing why he did it.

It's the old story, Mr. Neal.

They get deeper and deeper, can't pay up, desperate, turn to crime.

Meanwhile, no news from France yet.

-That's where he's gone?

-Yes.

You've been in touch with the French police?

Wired to Calais, wired to Paris, sent off a couple of smart men.

-HEWITT: Why Calais?

-What?

I beg your pardon.

Why Calais?

Charles Laker was a bit of a mug.

Oh?

Went on his usual rounds, cashed all his bills in the ordinary way, ended up at the Eastern Consolidated Bank at a quarter past 1:00.

Then we found he'd been to Palmer's Tourist Office.

Laker had been there?

After he left Eastern Consolidated.

-Straight after.

-And bought a ticket?

Charing Cross-Dover- Calais route.

Once he's over there, he's just an ordinary tourist.

He can jump and change, double back on his tracks.

[ Chuckles ] Quite a smart move in a way.

But he did one damn silly thing.

New hands always do, eh, Mr. Hewitt?

Old hands do pretty often.

[ Laughing ] Right.

But Laker was a real muggins.

Gave his name.

C.W.

Laker.

[ Bell tolling ] A genuine copper-bottomed muggins.

Now, you gentlemen know as well as I do -- better, you go to the Continent, I can't afford to -- you don't have to give your own name or anything.

But there he was, own name.

Fool!

Well, he'll live to regret it.

What's your next step, Inspector?

Well, I've got my men scouring everywhere, acting on my instructions, of course.

As to what I myself am going to do, may I just say I shall see?

I have a thing or two in my mind.

And you, Mr. Hewitt?

May I borrow one of your clerks tomorrow morning to take me around the banks?

But the inspector has already done this.

Nevertheless.

No objection to duplication of effort.

I like to begin at the beginning.

Well, just as you please.

Good.

Well, I shall be here first thing tomorrow morning.

So, now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen.

Mr. Lister, Mr. Neal, Inspector.

Yes.

Oh, and good luck with your men in France.

[ Door closes ] -Mr. Hewitt?

-Yes?

I heard your name.

And I know why you're here.

I'm employed to catch the criminal and to recover the money.

Charles didn't do it.

You're the only person in England who believes that.

I'm sure he didn't.

Charles isn't a thief.

Is he a fool?

-What?

-An idiot, a muggins?

Charles is very intelligent.

Why?

It's something I need to know.

But I don't understand.

No, nor do I yet.

But if he's intelligent, then perhaps... Well, perhaps anything.

Mr. Hewitt.

Please help me.

If you will call on me at 9:00 tomorrow morning and help me.

Help you?

To be a detective.

Met Charles boating on the river.

With friends of his, who are friends of mine.

Last summer.

You're both fond of boating?

Yes.

What are you trying to make me say, that Charles had expensive tastes?

Boating isn't very expensive.

I don't try to make people say anything.

Oh, I'm sorry.

But Inspector Plummer -- He and I don't use the same methods.

He told me about the betting.

You hadn't known?

Charles never said a word to me.

Did it come as a shock?

A surprise, not really a shock.

[ Sighs ] Yes, Charles has expensive tastes.

So do I.

We can't afford to indulge them on his salary, nor on mine.

I make a pound a week teaching drawing to silly young ladies who will never learn to draw, never learn anything except how to spend their dress allowance.

Well, Charles and I couldn't even afford to get married.

Others get married on less.

Have you seen how they live?

Yes.

Well, we don't want to live like that.

We had all sorts of plans for making our fortune first.

Charles was quite brilliant at mathematics, working out possibilities, the laws of chance.

I understand his gambling.

I don't understand why he didn't tell me.

I wouldn't have disapproved.

You'd have disapproved of his losing.

Oh, yes, I suppose so.

I can't think of his losing.

Most gamblers mostly lose.

Oh, Mr. Pryde, come and meet Miss Shaw.

Get those in the post right away, will you, Peach?

Sir.

Miss Shaw, Mr. Pryde.

Mr. Pryde is my partner.

-How do you do?

-An expert on men's vices.

The betting papers?

Oh, yes, yes, I'm working on them.

-Results by lunchtime.

-Good.

Shouldn't be difficult.

We know the bookies of old.

-I'll pay a call on them.

-Splendid.

Well, uh, good morning, Miss Shaw.

Good morning.

Now, you're an exceptionally honest young woman.

I see no harm in the truth.

Some would.

You mean if Charles could gamble without telling me, he could abscond without telling me.

Is it possible?

Gambling isn't a crime, or half the aristocracy would be in prison, including the Prince of Wales.

[ Laughs ] Yes, agreed, but £15,000, which is nothing to them, to a poor, young bank clerk -- Charles loves me.

We're engaged.

We're going to be married.

Peach.

Tea, sir?

Oh, good morning, miss.

Uh, Peach, Miss Shaw.

Peach, in the street you'll find a man looking unmistakably like a plainclothes detective.

Yes, sir.

I've seen him already, sir.

Oh, good.

Good.

You'll go far.

Will you tell him that I'm looking after Miss Shaw, that I'll be back with her soon after midday.

So he can take the morning off.

Wouldn't it be more fun to let him trail you, sir?

The message will reach Inspector Plummer, who will burn to find out what I've been finding out.

Oh, yes, sir.

Right, sir.

Good.

A detective?

Following me?

Since Laker loves you, then perhaps he's made or will make a secret rendezvous with you in France.

No.

Are you free this morning?

No drawing lessons?

[ Sighs ] I've given up my job.

Until Charles is found and proved innocent.

I see one chance of that.

Which is?

The same one you see.

Mr. Hewitt, I am at a loss to -- When Inspector Plummer suspects this girl -- I want the girl to be with us.

Mr. Neal, did you know Laker well?

He seemed to me to be a well-behaved junior clerk.

The girl knew him.

His friends knew him, some of them also junior clerks at other banks, but the girl knew him best.

So she would know best.

Would know what, Mr. Hewitt?

She believes it's possible that the man was not Laker.

But the clerks in the other banks -- -All say he was, swear he was.

-Yes.

Mr. Parsloe, were you ever a walk clerk in your time?

For five years, some time ago, some years ago.

In the banks you walked to, did the counter clerks know you and recognize you as being you yourself, as being Parsloe?

He may have a point here, Mr. Neal.

In my experience, the counter clerks don't really know you, nor you them.

They know you're from Liddle, Neal, and Liddle, of course.

You say, "From Liddle, Neal, and Liddle."

That's what you say.

Of course.

Well?

And they may have some idea of what you look like.

You don't use your own name, just "Liddle, Neal, and Liddle."

The normal practice.

Yes, sir, absolutely.

Normal.

Thank you, Mr. Parsloe.

Will you show Miss Shaw that list?

Miss Shaw, Mr. Parsloe.

Anyone you know?

United Amalgamated, the first bank on the list.

Stevens.

If that's Henry Stevens, he's a friend of ours.

We've met him several times.

Anyone else?

No.

Well, they may have known Charles.

They may or they may not.

-But if it's Henry Stevens -- -Well, don't hope too much.

I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed.

Oh, yes, it was Charles, all right.

Why, I mean, how could it not have been?

We had a notion, Mr. Stevens, not a good one.

I'm awfully sorry, Emily.

I mean, I couldn't have believed it.

No.

When they told me.

But it was Charles.

I talked to him.

-Rotten for you.

-Yes.

How did he seem, his manner?

Quite as usual.

Not nervous or preoccupied or excited?

Perhaps a bit excited.

No, not excited.

Cheerful, he seemed, in a very good mood.

Can you remember what you said to each other?

It might help us, even the smallest thing.

Well, he came in, and I took his bills and started dealing with him in the usual way.

And while I was doing it -- Um, we'd met up on Hampstead Heath last Sunday with... -With me.

-Miss Shaw and a friend of mine.

Uh, we passed a remark about how much we enjoyed our walk together.

And then -- Yes, then I noticed his umbrella.

Oh?

Why his umbrella?

Well, it was a new one.

I said something about the handle, how nice it was.

What was it like?

A gorse-root handle, rather odd-shaped, with two silver bands on it, one with his monogram, C.W.L.

He said he was very proud of it because it was a present from Miss Shaw.

Anything else about it?

I mean, how did he carry it?

Rolled?

No, it wasn't rolled, just flapping.

There had been a bit of rain, and I said that.

And he said he was ready for anything.

And then?

I counted out the money.

He put it in his wallet, and I said, "May see you on the Heath on Sunday again?"

He said, "Yes."

Of course, I had no idea he was going to... HEWITT: 10 more banks, Miss Shaw.

And what's the good of going to them?

Have you changed your opinion?

It was Charles.

Yes.

I want to go home and lie down and cry.

No, you don't, even if you do.

10 more banks first.

Morning, George.

Good morning, Mr. Parsloe.

Mind your head as you go in, sir.

Thank you.

It was the usual man from Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

-Laker?

-Yes.

You knew him by name?

No, the police mentioned his name.

But you knew him by sight?

Of course.

He came every week at least.

What did he look like?

Like the usual man from Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Yes, I mean, but can you describe him?

'Cause I've never seen him myself.

Uh, tallish and youngish, about 25, I should say, brownish hair and a brown mustache.

Yes.

Yes, that's Charles.

Oh, and he hung his umbrella on the counter.

I noticed it.

It had rather a curious handle.

Yes, I did notice the umbrella.

Gorse-root handle, wasn't it?

-Yes.

-Very smart.

Wouldn't mind one like that myself.

Did you notice anything else?

Yes, the time.

Why, particularly?

Well, I'd been dealing with walk clerks all morning.

It isn't much fun, unless they happen to be chums of yours, which isn't very likely.

Us chaps at the counter are a considerable cut above a common or garden walk clerk.

-And the time was?

-That's what I'm saying.

1:15.

And another chap should have been here to take over from me, and I'd promised to meet a lady friend for lunch.

Well, anyway, I was feeling desperately peckish.

-I said something about it.

-And he said?

Well, I had rather gathered that, uh -- what was his name?

-- Laker had finished his round but wasn't gonna have lunch yet for some reason or other.

I don't think he said the reason.

Thank you, Mr. Wilkins.

Pleasure, I'm sure.

Hope you catch him.

We will.

Have you finished with me now, Mr. Hewitt?

Uh, yes, thank you.

I do hope it was useful.

You tell Mr. Neal I said it was well worthwhile.

Goodbye, Mr. Parsloe.

Miss Shaw.

Mr. Hewitt.

And I do hope you'll surprise us all with your detection.

Oh, yes, so do I.

Was it worthwhile?

You are in a bad state of mind because you are now convinced that you were wrong about Charles Laker and that he's a criminal fleeing from justice.

Obviously.

Yes.

Have you finished with me?

We still have to follow Charles on his travels.

Yeah, tallish chap with a brown mustache.

I told the police when they came.

And a wallet under one arm like bank clerks carry.

And an umbrella?

Yeah, I suppose so.

Do you remember if he carried an umbrella?

Most people do, don't they, what with our climate?

It's not like sunny France.

But do you actually remember -- Oh, what does the umbrella matter?

I don't know, not yet.

Excuse me.

Could I borrow a piece of paper, please, and a pencil?

If you want to.

Will you draw me a gorse-root handle?

Why?

If not for Laker's sake, for my sake.

-This do?

-Yes, admirably.

Thank you.

Now, Miss Shaw.

And this man gave you his name?

Yeah.

I remembered him 'cause of him giving his name.

He didn't have to, you see?

I thought everyone knew that.

But he gave me his name before I could tell him.

-I suppose he was in a hurry.

-I'm sure he was.

-What name did he give?

-Laker, with the initials.

I don't remember the initials.

-But you remember Laker.

-Yeah.

Now, a detective came in here yesterday afternoon and told you that he was looking for a man called Laker.

No, he didn't tell me.

I told him.

You sure?

Cross me heart.

I remembered it.

Yes, I believe you.

Good.

Will that do?

Oh, it's excellent.

Now, you're not quite sure if he had an umbrella.

Uh, would that help you?

Yeah, he did have one like that.

He did.

Good.

Thank you.

And his train went from Charing Cross.

He said did it go from Charing Cross, and I said, yes, it did.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful to you.

Yes, you'll go far in your profession.

Thanks very much.

Now we must go.

Where to now?

At a guess, and I think a good one, to find the umbrella.

[ Knock on door ] Here we go again.

-HEWITT: Good morning.

-Morning, sir.

Have you lost something, sir?

Yes, I fancy an umbrella was lost at this station yesterday.

It was a new umbrella, with a gorse-root handle.

-Oh, yeah?

-Looking rather like that.

Oh, yes.

Well, if I remember, we had a haul of some five or six umbrellas during the course of the day.

Our usual batting average for the time of year.

But that particular one?

Oh, well, we'll have to see, won't we?

-Bert!

-Hello.

Come here.

Have we got an umbrella like this from yesterday?

Yeah, number 263.

Hold on a minute for the formalities.

Are you claiming it, sir?

Yes, a friend of mine lost it here just about 2:00 in the afternoon, and he asked me to collect it.

Have you any further means of identifying it, such as might thoroughly convince me?

Uh, there were two silver bands on the handle, one with his monogram, C.W.L.

-Correct, Bert?

-Correct.

He's an absent-minded fellow.

He doesn't remember exactly where he left it.

They never do.

Do you know where it was left?

-Uh, where was it left, Bert?

-Up against the counter.

-What, this counter?

-This counter.

God, it makes you despair of mankind.

Do you know we haven't advanced from the apes?

Oh, that's odd.

When you found it, was it rolled?

-Was it rolled, Bert?

-No.

'Cause my friend carried it loose, flapping.

Ah.

Well, there you strike upon Bert's little fad.

-Yeah.

-It's a fad of Bert's, you know, rolling up umbrellas close and neat.

I've seen him looking at the passengers sometimes as though he could snatch their umbrellas from them when they're a bit clumsy done.

It's a rum fad, eh?

[ Chuckles ] We all have our little peculiarities.

-Right, sir.

-Right.

You disappointed in me, then?

In you?

In Charles.

And myself.

The net result of this morning's work is that we found Charles Laker's umbrella.

So, he went from Charing Cross, which you knew already.

No.

No?

No, not the net result.

I found something else.

Ah.

Good morning again, Miss Shaw.

The report on the betting.

I think you'll find it's what you wanted.

Jonathan, which newspaper is this from?

May I see?

It's an agony column.

It's cut out, then torn in half.

It says, "Yob, H.R.

Shop Roast, night..." "02, second, straight mon."

Yes.

Well, from the type, it could be the News Telegraph, Standard, or Chronicle.

They're all pretty much the same.

It's a pity it's torn.

We could have told by the width of the column.

From the quality of the paper, I'd say it was the Chronicle.

Have we yesterday's Chronicle?

Yes.

Well, if young Peach hasn't used it to the light fire.

It's a code, of course.

Yes.

Yes, of course.

That will take a moment longer.

Now, you're a truthful girl.

I believe everything you say.

And you do assure me that Laker was a very clever man.

Only too clever.

Because the first thing that a criminal thinks of, any criminal, even the newest and greenest, is changing his name.

But Laker went into that tourist office and blurted out his name, his real name, when he didn't have to give any name at all.

-Criminals make mistakes.

-Oh, yes, all the time.

But this one is the least likely mistake that I can think of.

Well, under the stress of his first crime.

Now, the second thing a criminal thinks of is changing whatever is most recognizable about his appearance.

But Laker had his bank wallet in one hand and your very distinctive umbrella in his other.

Well, he had them.

The man saw him.

But you say he's clever.

Well, he stopped being clever.

Oh, I don't understand why he did it.

I don't understand anything about what he did.

At the tourist office, he made it clear that he was going to Charing Cross.

At Charing Cross, he leant his umbrella up against the Lost Property Counter like that, a place where it was most likely to be found.

Now, was that clever?

Well, he was laying a trail for the police and you to follow.

Yes, you're right, because if a clever man did these things, they were not mistakes.

They were done deliberately to mislead us.

So he's not gone to France.

He's gone... [ Sighs ] Anywhere else.

Certainly we were meant to find the umbrella.

Yes, I see that.

But we were probably not meant to find that piece of paper.

Oh, Inspector Plummer.

As always, arriving just after the nick of time.

-Do you mind?

-No.

-[ Knock on door ] -Come in.

It's Inspector Plummer, sir.

-Morning, Hewitt.

-Morning, Inspector.

Ah, there you are, Miss Shaw.

Here I am.

You've been out with Mr. Hewitt.

Yes.

We found Charles' umbrella at Charing Cross.

Well, that proves what I said, doesn't it?

Fled the country to France.

Yes.

Don't think you're going to join him there.

'Cause my men will catch up with him in a few days' time, if they've not done so already.

Ah, morning, Inspector.

May I?

HEWITT: You've done it.

The newspaper message, with a free translation, and I thought you might like a post-office street directory.

What are you up to, Hewitt?

Inspector, where will you be this afternoon?

In my office at Scotland Yard.

I may find myself sending you a telegram.

Telegram?

Mr. Pryde, send Peach to get me a cab, will you?

To Stoke Newington?

Naturally.

Oh, and call off your men in France.

Laker certainly isn't there.

He's in London.

What?

How do you know?

We found his umbrella.

[ Hooves clopping ] [ Children laughing, shouting indistinctly ] -Mr. Merston?

-Yes.

Ah, right.

I'm from the gas.

Could I have a look at your meter?

I'll have to ask.

Oh, it won't take a mo.

Not that I wouldn't like to spend longer.

-I'll ask master.

-Yes, you do that.

Oh, excuse me, Mr. Merston.

There's a man here from the gas.

Good afternoon, Mr. Merston.

-The gas?

-That's right, sir.

We had our meterman here, what?

Oh, last month, sir.

Oh, Lord bless you, Mr. Merston.

I don't want to read it.

I want to inspect it.

It's from headquarters.

There's been a deal of gas running away somewhere.

I'm here looking to see if the meters are right.

-Oh, yes.

-I don't want to take it away.

I just want to check it and give it a tap or two and so on.

Very well.

If your girl could show me the way.

Yes, yes, carry on.

Oh, it's downstairs.

This way.

Thank you, my dear.

Down here.

It's in there.

Oh, I'll be frightened to go in there by myself.

I'll get you a candle.

I'd rather you go in there with me.

Oh!

[ Chuckles ] Well, hurry up with that candle!

Oh, thank you, my dear.

What's your name?

-Nellie.

-Thank you, Nellie.

Now, then.

Oh, it's down there.

Oh, yes, so it is.

Hoo-hoo.

What a place to put a meter.

Are we losing gas?

No, no, no, no, I just want to check the setting.

Nellie, will you do something for me?

What?

-Business before pleasure.

-Oh.

I want you to go into the kitchen and light the gas.

Now, keep your hand near it, and when I call out, shut it off at once, right?

That's all?

You come back in here, and you'll see if that's all.

[ Dogs barking in distance ] Well, well, well.

Nellie!

Right!

Shut off!

I thought you was gonna wait for me.

I like to see what I'm doing.

Everything all right, then?

-I'm really glad I came.

-Are you?

Something wrong somewhere along your pipes.

So you can tell your master his gas bill will be a good deal less next quarter.

And you can do one more thing for me.

What?

I've got to send a telegram off to one of my colleagues.

Where's the nearest post office?

Mind your head, sir, as you go in.

Oh, thank you.

I don't want to go in.

-No, sir?

-I just want to look at you.

-Beg your pardon, sir?

-To look at you.

To make sure.

Yes, thank you very much.

Yes, the buildings have been empty for some time.

They're destined to come down very shortly.

Completely empty?

Well, we did let an office and a cellar in one of them.

-When?

-Uh, a week or so ago.

Who to?

Ah, yes, a Mr. Westley.

Westley?

Was he a youngish chap, about 25, well-dressed, well-spoken?

Yes.

Do you know him?

I have a good idea I know him.

-Not a criminal?

-A very clever criminal.

I'm afraid we didn't ask for references since he paid us a fortnight's rent in advance.

And no doubt had a good story.

Yes, he was opening a London branch for a large firm of cider merchants.

He just wanted a temporary office and a cool cellar for storing samples until his new premises were ready.

Well, there's no office there now, and I doubt the samples.

However, there's something in the cellar I want.

Do you have another key?

Well, here he is at last.

Good afternoon, Miss Shaw.

-Good afternoon, Inspector.

-Got your telegram.

-Yes, so I see.

-What's all this, then?

First, have you put a watch on number 197 Hackforth Road, Stoke Newington?

Front and back.

Nobody can get out without my men following.

Good, good, and I gather Scotland Yard is already watching the Hoxton Road shop for some other reason?

-How do you know that?

-I read the newspapers.

I fancy an old friend of yours is in this.

Mr. Sam Gunter.

Sam Gunter, the Hoxton yob?

I think it's possible that he was Mr. Westley for a bit.

However, let me introduce the managing clerk of Winsor and Weekes, who has the key to this whole mystery in his hand.

Miss Shaw, I know you're a clever girl.

I also think you're brave.

-Why?

-You may have to be.

Mr. Hewitt?

Inspector Plummer.

If you turn that 'round, I think you'll find it says something like "Buller, Clayton, Ladds & Co. temporary entrance."

How did you know that?

It was hanging on a hook outside.

-You saw it?

-No, but somebody saw it.

We don't want the office.

There's no one there.

We want the cellar.

Down the stairs, sir.

Yes, I imagine.

Your men got their bull's-eyes, Inspector?

You didn't say anything about bringing lights.

Well, that was foolish of me.

Is that a Winsor and Weekes padlock?

Not ours, sir.

New.

-Skeleton keys, Inspector?

-No.

No, nor I.

We're ill-prepared.

Did you hear something?

No.

I think since Winsor and Weekes are going to have this place demolished, we might try a little demolition free of charge.

Russell, Peabody, break it down.

[ Man moans ] Good God, what's that?

SHAW: Oh.

Charles.

HEWITT: Laker, absconded.

Fetch water and brandy.

And a doctor.

[ Knocking on door ] Don't open it!

[ Knocking on door ] Open the door.

Mr. Merston's residence?

-Who is it?

-Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard?

Mr. Merston?

Yes?

Going on a journey?

A holiday, yes.

-Why?

-Open them up.

Break them open.

No!

HEWITT: But Laker was intelligent.

He would never have left that very obvious trail accidentally.

Thank you.

So, that gave two possibilities.

Either it was Laker leaving a deliberate, false trail, or it was someone else personating Laker.

But the counter clerks knew him.

No, only the first one.

See, old Mr. Parsloe gave me the clue.

The others hardly looked at the usual man from Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Youngish, brown mustache.

Why should they?

He was just another walk clerk.

I confess I still don't -- Very clever gangs of thieves in this city.

Now, take this one.

Backed by an apparently respectable person, Mr. Joseph Merston of Hackforth Road, Stoke Newington, who puts up the finance and takes the major share of the proceeds, they have the bright idea of robbing a walk clerk.

They choose a particular victim, perhaps because a member of the gang resembles him.

They study him.

They study his round.

And then one day, when it's all prepared... £1,330.2.4, all correct as per bill.

May see you Sunday, then, Charles, on the Heath?

Yes.

Till then, Henry.

Sir?

This way this morning.

Front door's closed for the alterations.

Oh, thank you.

Straight down the corridor, sir.

It leads through.

Right.

Get that body.

Morning.

Liddle, Neal, and Liddle.

Bills for encashment.

NEAL: Come in.

Inspector Plummer, sir.

Evening, gentlemen.

Got Merston, Sam Gunter, and one other so far.

So, it was young Sam.

The Hoxton yob, yes, personating Laker.

-Picked him up near Hoxton Road.

-And the money?

Pretty nearly all of it.

Sherry, Inspector?

Thanks.

What put you onto Merston?

Well, as I told you, Inspector, I read the newspapers.

"Yob, H.R.

Shop Roast, you first, then tonight, 02, second top, third L, number 197, red bl., straight mon."

I translate.

"Yob," back slang for "boy."

"H.R.

shop roast."

"H.R.," Hoxton Road, "shop," usual place, "roast," being watched.

The rest is directions how to get to a new place using the post-office street directory.

Number 197 Hackforth Road, Stoke Newington, red blinds, straight moniker, which means ask for him by his real name, Merston.

So, it's lucky that Scotland Yard was already watching the Hoxton Road shop.

[ Laughing ] Yes.

Triumph for the Yard.

-Congratulations, Inspector.

-Congratulations, Mr. Hewitt.

And now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll bid you good night.

We had hoped you would dine with us.

I myself was about to suggest a small celebration.

No, I'm sorry.

I have someone waiting.

-Another client?

-Almost a client.

[ Door opens ] -How is he?

-Much better.

He'll be all right quite soon.

I think I've convinced Mr. Neal that your Charles deserves a week in bed, a month's holiday, and a promotion.

Thank you.

And a good wife.

I'll try to be one.

You've been as good as one already.

You convinced me that Laker was clever, and that convinced me that he was innocent.

-Oh, you still here, Mr. Pryde?

-Oh, yes.

Yes, still here, Mr. Hewitt, waiting to hear how we succeeded financially.

Uh, what about that betting thing?

Laker, yes, well, he did badly at first this year, and then well, then these past few weeks very well, indeed.

At the moment he's in profit, to the tune of some £500.

As we are in profit, I hope.

No.

Our percentage of the money recovered.

The City Guarantee Society insures against theft by bank clerks, but unfortunately for us, Laker was innocent.

The Society does not insure against thefts by thieves.

We get nothing.

Nothing.

Except a friend.

Two friends.

Except the prospect of dining quite soon with a rising young counter clerk and his wife.

Merry Christmas.

[ Bell tolling ]