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

[ Birds chirping ] [ Whirring ] [ Whirring stops ] "To Captain James Harris, Admiralty -- the case of the Dixon Torpedo.

Further to your kind instruction of the 10th instant.

-I have to inform --" -[ Doorbell rings ] WILLIAM: There's a gent here for Mr. Hewitt.

Queen's Proctor stuff, if you ask me.

Hmm?

Well, I doubt that.

Show him in.

[ Russian accent ] Mr. Hewitt, I presume?

No.

Mr. Hewitt is in the country.

I'm his partner.

I have come here on a highly confidential matter.

Yes, well, I am used to respecting the confidences of our clients.

You have seen my card?

"The Imperial Russian Embassy."

I am first secretary.

Ah.

Prince Oblonsky.

Naturally.

I myself do not, as a rule, call on businesspeople.

They come to me.

But with this case -- Mr. Hewitt and I do reserve the right not to accept an assignment.

Sir, in Russia, for such insolence, I would get my coachman to horsewhip you.

Oh, well, at least we understand each other.

However, since I have been instructed to deal with your firm, I shall do so.

Some months ago -- Do I take it that you wish to engage our professional services?

Some months ago, it came to the notice of the imperial government that forged ruble notes had been reaching Odessa and St. Petersburg on ships outward-bound from the pool of London.

We have reason to believe they have been printed here.

And so?

And so, His Excellency, our ambassador, is anxious that you should confirm the source of these forgeries.

Well, I should have thought the Okhrana would have dealt -- I have no idea what you mean.

I should have thought that your imperial secret police would have had enough agents in this country to -- We do not desire to provoke a diplomatic incident.

Ah.

But you have your suspicions, and you wish me to confirm them.

Precisely.

Now I begin to see why you have been recommended to us.

That is one of the forgeries.

Ah.

Oh, yes, that's -- that's beautiful.

Yes, a real artist.

I trust we shall bring his artistry to a quick end.

PRYDE: Yes, well, you've forgotten one thing.

Even the best inquiry agent needs something to go on.

You might start by looking here.

Jaeger?

You know who's responsible, then.

Not for certain.

Well, to whom shall I report?

You will address any report or communication to me personally at the embassy.

PRYDE: No other action?

We shall deal with the matter in our own way.

PRYDE: William?

Oh, yes, that's highly amusing.

[ Sighs ] Stag Lane, Pimlico.

Have you heard of it?

Yeah, there are a couple of pawnbrokers, ponces, sneak thieves, dressmakers.

Oh, a forger named Jaeger, perhaps?

[ Children speaking indistinctly ] [ Keys jangling ] You know, it's an extraordinary coincidence.

The Admiralty asked me to keep an eye on a marine engineer called Dixon, and Dixon is being watched by a mysterious, bearded stranger.

The Russian Embassy engaged me to track down a forger, gave me an address where I find the same bearded stranger.

You're sure it was the same man?

Positive.

Saw him clearly as if I had my telescope on him.

So, he's both your spy and your forger.

Hmm.

Perhaps.

Though Prince Oblonsky said the forger's name was Jaeger.

And?

Well, our bearded friend turns out to be called Hunter.

[ Chuckles ] But, my darling, "Jaeger" is German for "Hunter."

Of course.

I'm an idiot.

Where would I be without my intelligent wife?

Where, indeed?

You know, I think you've got yourself involved in more than you bargained for.

What made you take on the Admiralty business.

Oh, that was virtually an order.

A Captain Harris called with a fellow from the Foreign Office, said they'd been given my name as a private investigator with a naval background, insisted I was qualified to do the job for them.

Which reminds me, I never finished the report.

But why do they want Mr. Dixon watched?

What's he done?

Oh, nothing.

No, it's more a question of what somebody might do to him.

I don't understand.

Well, Dixon's working on something very secret.

He's a very clever inventor, apparently, but a rather stupid man.

And the Admiralty are interested in this project of his, the Dixon Torpedo.

They're anxious that it doesn't fall into other people's hands, like Hunter.

Who is working for the Russians.

Eh, well, that's what I don't understand.

He appears to be forging their currency with one hand and spying for them with the other.

Oh, I don't know.

It's all too complicated for me.

Shall we retire?

[ Birds chirping ] Can't you read, young man?

PRYDE: Beg your pardon?

This is private property!

Don't you realize you could be in serious trouble for trespassing?

I don't think I shall be prosecuted somehow.

Did you build that yourself?

DIXON: Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

PRYDE: Not bad, not bad at all.

Mercury class.

Yeah.

Yeah, I take it torpedoes will be their main armament.

You seem to know an awful lot about it.

Oh, I grew up in Pompey.

Naval background, I suppose.

Yes, of a sort.

Do you mind if I ask you a question, Mr. Dixon?

How did you know my name?

Well, never mind.

Do you realize you're being watched?

What the devil are you talking about?

He's over there, in that willow tree.

Don't look.

Black beard, had his glasses on you for some time now.

He's probably bird-watching.

I think he's interested in rather more than birds.

-You never noticed him before?

-No, I haven't.

So you have no idea who he might be.

-Well, of course not!

-Yeah.

Well, in that case, I'll give you one of my cards.

You never know.

Oh, really, this is preposterous!

Can't do any harm.

Thank you, and good day.

You really think the torpedo is the naval weapon of tomorrow?

Of today, my dear chap!

I am told the Russians have 100 torpedo boats.

Not that they often put to sea.

-The French have got 50.

-Ha!

The French.

The Germans are building a few.

Anyone who thinks there's likely to be a war with Germany is, frankly, deluded.

You read that piece in the Times the other day, suggesting that in a future war, this country will be at the mercy of submarine fleets armed with torpedoes like Dixon's.

No, quite unlike mine!

Primitive versions -- half the speed, half the firepower.

Yes, well, just you get on with it, Mr. Dixon.

What was that?

The First Sea Lord is most interested.

Well, I'm glad to hear it.

And don't let any foreign gentry steal it.

Ha!

He almost sounds like that madman I met this afternoon.

Oh, what madman?

Oh, some chap came up to me and said that I was being watched by a chap with a black beard in a willow tree.

Ha!

He even gave me his card.

A lot of nonsense.

Have you got the card?

Somewhere.

May I see it?

Oh, yeah.

Mm.

HARRIS: Jonathan Pryde.

Oh, do you know him?

If I were you, my dear fellow, I'd take him seriously.

DIXON: Oh.

Very seriously.

[ Hooves clopping ] He's late.

Heavy night, I expect.

Business, confidential business.

[ Chuckles ] Like as not.

How's your sister?

-You shut up about my sister.

-Oh, he's dropped her, has he?

Listen, you shut up, I say.

You talk to me like that, my lad, and I'll have a word with his nibs.

-You do that.

-About the petty cash.

Cab to the Admiralty with plans -- one shilling.

[ Chuckles ] You know damn well you ran there all the way and back.

Language, language.

And supposing I did.

Morning, Winfield.

Good morning, Mr. Dixon.

Morning, Roberts.

-Have you lost your tongue?

-No, sir.

Then reply to my greeting and don't smoke in the office.

Well, sir, I'm... You needn't bother with a fire, Roberts.

We don't need one.

Come in here, both of you.

Now, then, we have a great deal of work to do today.

The Admiralty want two copies of these by this afternoon.

[ Doorbell rings ] See who that is, say I'm busy, seeing no one today, and look slippy about it.

You had better do the drawings.

Roberts can do the tracing.

Yes, sir.

What is keeping that boy?

Roberts!

ROBERTS: Coming, sir!

DIXON: Well?

It was Mr. Hunter again, sir, wanted to show you one of his new steam packings.

Hunter?

Hunter?

Never heard of him.

The patents traveler, sir.

He called the other day.

You didn't want to see him then, either.

Hucksters wasting my time.

All they think about is the commission.

[ Light laughter ] Now, then, what I want from you two today is accuracy.

Good, clean work.

Neatness -- that is what counts.

Neatness and accuracy and, above all, secrecy.

This is work of national importance.

The consequences of the slightest indiscretion would be instant dismissal and report to the police.

-You understand?

-Yes, sir.

DIXON: Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

Dismissal on the spot, and that would be the least of it.

Yes, sir.

DIXON: All right, get on with it.

[ Hooves clopping ] [ Cane clatters ] [ Russian accent ] You will please sit down and listen to me.

Who the devil are you?

Ivanov, Imperial Russian Embassy.

Well, I don't understand.

You have been spying on a certain gentleman who lives at number 15, Stag Lane, Pimlico.

At the request of Prince Oblonsky of your embassy, we have been keeping him under surveillance, yes.

I do not care what you call it.

You will not spy on him anymore.

You understand?

And what about the prince?

His Highness, the prince, was misinformed.

I have come to settle the matter.

Now, remember, no more spying.

Could be unpleasant for you.

It was very irresponsible of you, Pryde.

Well, you must let me work in my own way.

The Admiralty only wanted you to keep an eye on Dixon.

I specifically told you not to introduce yourself to him.

I thought he ought to know that he was being watched by this fellow.

That may well be, but you should have reported it to us first.

Seems to me there's more involved in this than I was led to believe in the first place.

There may well be more involved than any of us realized.

I mean, why should the Russian Embassy engage me to track down a forger and then pay me to forget about it when I find out that he's spying on Dixon?

You think the two events are related.

PRYDE: Don't you?

It's possible.

One section of their embassy may not know what the other is doing.

Prince Oblonsky is a diplomat.

He's interested only in forged rubles.

Mr. Ivanov could be something else?

He could well be after our naval secrets.

And I'm supposed to prevent him from getting them.

Exactly.

Curious work for an investigator.

Well, who else is there to do it, my dear fellow?

Gentlemen don't spy on each other.

Thank you.

I knew you'd understand, my dear fellow.

The Admiralty is really most grateful to you.

Yes, I'm sure.

♪ Daisy, Daisy ♪ ♪ Give me your answer, do ♪ [ Door opens ] [ Hums ] I've told you to knock.

I might be washing myself.

Huh.

Where are you off to, then?

Out.

Promenading at the Empire, Leicester Square, I suppose?

Never you mind.

Or up in Mr. Dixon's private sitting room.

Well, you got the job, didn't you?

So you keep telling me.

Anyway, where would we be if I didn't pick up a few bob on the side?

Few bob?

Sewing here all day.

Girl needs a bit of a good time.

You just watch you don't get in the family way, that's all.

Oh, I can look after myself.

And I haven't noticed you turning up your nose when I give you some pocket money.

I pay my share.

I should hope so, too.

You leave that alone!

Oh!

I do beg your pardon.

What are you up to with this manhunt?

ROBERTS: Never you mind.

Oh, you can tell me.

I'm not someone you picked up in the street.

I'm your sister, Maggie.

Ask no questions, you'll be told no lies.

Shut your mouth, you won't catch flies.

All right, I'll shut it.

But don't expect me to help you, that's all.

I don't need your help.

MAGGIE: You never know in this world.

Anyway, I'm chucking it.

You're what?

Going abroad, emigrating.

Where will you get the money?

Hunter?

I'll get the money.

Don't you worry.

Well, don't you start fiddling, now.

[ Chuckles ] In old Dixon's petty cash?

Not much chance of that.

It wouldn't get me as far as Southend.

-Where are you off to?

-Same as you -- out.

[ Up-tempo piano music playing ] [ Indistinct conversations ] [ Hooves clopping ] I thought you said that your employer was always punctual.

Well, he always is, sir.

2:00, and he's not back from lunch yet?

-[ Door closes ] -Nearly 2:00, sir.

2:00, young man!

Ah, Mr. Dixon, I was expecting you.

Ah, Mr. Pryde.

Do sit down.

William, brew us a mug of your special.

WILLIAM: Okay.

[ Door closes ] I have to discuss a highly important and extremely confidential matter.

Professionally.

Well, certainly, certainly!

Well, I simply wanted to be clear, that's all.

Well, I mean, if it's a question of money -- No, I just wanted to know.

Well...

I'm afraid I must ask you not to take notes.

May I ask why?

This is a matter known only to a handful of people.

Such as?

Various members of the Admiralty, including the First Lord himself.

Do I make myself clear?

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

Perfectly.

You're speaking about the Dixon Torpedo -- gyroscopic steering, compressed-air motor with fuel injection, range about one mile, speed 20 knots, a powerful warhead?

How did you know?

I'm afraid I can't reveal my source, an official one.

Suffice it to say that our recent meeting was not entirely by chance.

Shall we go on?

Well, the drawings, the plans -- they are kept in a cabinet in my office.

This morning, they were gone.

Stolen!

How very unfortunate.

Stolen?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

Pryde telephoned me as soon as Dixon reported it to him.

Good God, how?

Well, Pryde has a theory, it seems.

And what's that?

Well, he wasn't very forthcoming.

He wanted proof before he could say anything else -- something to do with this man Hunter.

Hunter?

Oh, yes, the fellow who's been watching Dixon.

Mm-hmm.

Good God, Gillow, this is serious.

We shall have to act.

But why not wait till we hear from Pryde?

Do you think he's reliable?

Well, it was your idea to enlist his service.

Oh!

Fat lot of good he's been so far.

Now, calm down, my dear fellow.

Give him a chance.

He sounded pretty confident.

The First Lord wants those plans, you know.

Somebody's head will roll if the Ruskies get hold of them.

Sounds as though the Ruskies already have.

Let's hope Pryde can get them back before too much damage is done.

This is the only entrance.

What is this door?

Oh, that is the door to my inner office.

-Ah, where the plans were.

-Yes.

Who else has keys?

Oh, no one.

No, I had patent locks put on all the doors.

I keep the only keys.

So, if your assistants arrive early -- Which I expect them to do.

They wait out here until I arrive.

Yes.

Is this part of the office?

Uh, that... [ Clears throat ] ...is a private sitting room.

A private sitting room?

Yes.

I use it for meetings of a very personal nature.

Confidential business.

You understand?

-Yes, I think so.

-[ Clears throat ] So, you always lock up yourself.

Yes, only apart from the odd occasion.

-Did you lock up last night?

-Yes.

-Quite sure?

-Oh, quite.

Would you care to go through the exact sequence of events?

Well, I put the plans and tracings away in the cabinet, locked up, put on my hat and coat.

Winfield and Roberts had already left.

I went down the stairs.

I -- [ Scoffs ] Must I go on?

A little further.

Well, I went out to Chancery Lane.

Yes.

I was hailing a ca-- Well?

Do you know it had slipped my mind?

Well, it often happens like that.

I was hailing a cab when Roberts came running up the lane.

He said he'd left his cane behind and could he get it.

Well, I didn't want the fag of coming all the way back here.

So I took my keys off the chain and told him to hurry up and not keep me waiting.

Did he?

Oh, no, no, he was quite quick.

-Do you think that -- -I don't know.

Oh, Winfield, this is Mr. Pryde.

I've called him in to investigate.

And Mr. Winfield has been most helpful.

Indeed, he's offered to have his room searched, should it be necessary.

Ah.

Oh, how do you do?

Oh.

How do you do, sir?

If I can be of any assistance to you in your...

Yes, of course, of course.

In the meantime, would you take Mr. Pryde's hat and coat and hang them up?

Thank you.

Ah, well, now, what a very handsome cane.

It belongs to Roberts, sir.

Very proud of it, he is.

DIXON: Well, Roberts, what have you been doing?

Tidying up, Mr. Dixon, sir.

Oh, that's a pity.

Oh?

Why?

Clues, evidence.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, Roberts, make sure you leave everything exactly as it was.

But Winfield told me to tidy up, sir.

No, it's quite all right.

The damage is done now anyway.

My name is Pryde.

I'm an inquiry agent.

-A detective?

-[ Chuckles ] The Yard wouldn't like to hear you say that.

Mr. Pryde and I have several very private matters to discuss.

Now, you two have got plenty to occupy you.

Oh, by the way, Roberts also offered to have his room searched, should it be necessary.

I doubt it will be.

Now, look, I must have those plans back, Pryde!

Do you understand?

I must have them back!

Yes, that's why I'm here.

Now, they were on this scale, I take it?

Yes, yes, they were.

Tell me, Winfield -- your draftsman -- is a reliable chap, is he?

DIXON: He's been with me for 10 years.

Very steady chap, quite beyond suspicion.

Mm.

None of us are beyond suspicion.

And Roberts?

Well, I've had him two years.

You don't sound very enthusiastic.

Bit of a lout, that's all.

Oh, and yet you took him on.

Why?

One...does these things.

Why?

As a favor.

Favor?

His sister -- very deserving case.

Mother was dead.

Father was a wastrel.

Any visitors yesterday?

No, no, no one.

What about Mr. Hunter?

Hunter?

According to reliable information, a man called Hunter called here yesterday morning.

Oh, yes, yes, of course, quite right.

Yes, I'd nearly forgotten.

Well, what of it?

Nothing.

Just that he was the man I warned you was watching you.

What, up the willow tree?

I'd like you to go through these plans again with Winfield and Roberts.

Oh, look, we've been through them a dozen times already!

Yes, but perhaps they got caught up together somehow.

Now, look, you don't really believe it.

No, not really.

I'd like, if I may, to have the use of your private sitting room.

-I really don't think -- -Well, I can't help you.

Now, look here, Pryde -- Mr. Dixon, if these plans by any chance fall into the hands of a foreign power -- Oh, come on.

If they fall into the hands of a foreign power, it could be very serious for you.

I think you'd be wiser to make things a little easier for both of us.

Oh.

Oh...very well.

I'd like you to keep your two assistants occupied in here.

DIXON: Pryde!

What do you hope to prove by all this?

I hope to prove that your plans are still on the premises.

Oh.

Winfield, Roberts, come in here, will you?

Roberts.

Maggie Roberts.

Very deserving case.

234 of the 12/97.

235 of the 12/97.

236 of the 12/97.

237 of the 12/97.

Mr. Dixon, with all due respect, sir, this is the third -- Well, think yourself lucky it's not the 33rd.

Come along, then, Roberts.

We want to get it over and done with.

Mr. Dixon, too, I expect.

238.

[ Lock engages ] 234 of the 12/97.

235 of the 12/97.

236 of the 12/97.

237 of the 12/97.

[ Indistinct speaking ] 247... That seems to be the last one for that year, Mr. Dixon.

Would you wish us to continue?

Certainly, certainly.

PRYDE: No luck, I see.

[ Door closes ] Well, I think we've done very well.

In fact, if you agree, these two gentlemen can be released now.

Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

It is now 4:30.

Yes, but under the somewhat exceptional circumstances, I thought you might wish to relax that rule for today.

Oh, yes, well, very well.

Be in at 9:00 sharp in the morning, both of you.

And I do hope you have some reasonable explanation for all this, Pryde.

-Mr. Roberts.

-I've got to go home, sir.

-It will take but a minute.

-Do as you're told, sir.

May I see your cane, please?

Hey!

Hey, that belonged to my father!

Perhaps you will oblige us, Mr. Roberts.

Eh?

Unscrew the top.

Go on.

Show Mr. Dixon what's inside.

What the devil are you playing at, Pryde?!

That's my sister!

How did that get in there?!

I put it there, just as you put the plans of the Dixon Torpedo there in order to smuggle them out of this office.

You scoundrel!

Perhaps you're not entirely blameless, Mr. Dixon.

I insist that you send for the police at once!

As you wish.

You call the police, and I'll tell them what goes on inside your private sitting room.

I'm not going to listen to a lout like you -- He picks him up, he does, sir.

Girls that need a few bob to keep them going, two at a time.

-I won't stand here -- -Shall I continue or not?

Oh, very well.

I'll deal with you later.

Well, Roberts?

I needed the money.

Yes, I'm sure you did.

What for?

Gambling.

I know his sort.

-Mr. Dixon.

-Shiftless, no backbone.

To emigrate -- Canada, Australia, anywhere, just to get away from him... and Winfield.

He makes me sick, he does.

"Yes, Mr. Dixon.

No, Mr.

Dixon."

And from my sister.

Oh, I know.

She got me the job.

And I know how she got it.

Fixed up over there, it was, in Mr. Dixon's private sitting room.

She keeps telling me about it often enough.

You see, sir, I had to get away.

Didn't you know why Hunter wanted the plans?

You gave them to Hunter?!

Do you know what you've done?!

I lent them to him.

He only wanted to borrow them.

Oh, yes, that's all!

Just long enough to copy them or photograph them.

I don't know what he did with them, sir.

How long has this been going on?

Oh, I don't know, three or four times, perhaps.

But old Dixon never even knew they were out of the office.

-What was the price?

-50.

-Pounds?

-Guineas.

Well, that's what Mr. Hunter would have paid me if my work had been satisfactory.

You'll be glad enough to sweep the streets -- And Hunter never said what he wanted them for?

No, and I never asked.

Do you know where he lives?

Pimlico someplace.

-Stag Lane, by any chance?

-I don't know.

And is that where my plans are now?!

I don't know where your plans are.

-Oh, come on, Roberts!

-Just a minute!

I am going to offer you a bargain.

You're in trouble.

The thing is, you don't know exactly how much trouble.

DIXON: Sacked, no references!

I think we may still be able to keep the police out of this.

I want you to sit down and write a letter to Mr. Hunter.

Now, how do you usually begin?

"Dear Mr.

Hunter."

Very well, then, "Dear Mr.

Hunter."

"Dear...Mr.

Hunter."

"You seem to have left your cane in the office."

"You seem to have left your cane in the office."

"Would you kindly call round for it tomorrow morning..." "Would you kindly call round for it tomorrow morning..." "...between 9:00 and 10:00..." "...between 9:00 and 10:00..." "...without fail?"

"...without fail?"

Eh, "Yours sincerely" -- "Faithfully."

"Truly."

"Truly."

"Yours truly, Bruce Roberts."

"P.S."

"P.S."

"I have another invoice for you to collect."

"...another...to collect."

Good.

I don't think we need keep you any longer.

You mean I can go, sir?

Yes, one piece of advice, though.

Don't try and get in touch with Hunter.

Keep away from him.

-But -- -It's all right.

I'll see that he gets the letter.

Thank you, governor.

Thank you.

You're sacked!

You hear?!

Sacked!

I must say you are a cool customer.

It's a professional qualification.

-Letting him go scot-free?!

-Maybe.

"Maybe?"

You've let him go!

You haven't got the plans back!

-Oh, yes, I have.

-Yeah, but where?!

They're in your sitting room, in your private sitting room, on the table, beside the photograph album.

Well, they're all here, thank God.

PRYDE: Good.

Who gave you permission to -- Well, when Hunter calls tomorrow morning... You seem very certain that he will.

Well, let's say I'm hopeful.

And if he does, he's got to find something in that cane.

I thought I'd use the Dixon Torpedo Mark one.

That should do.

That's all very well, Pryde.

All right, so you've got Dixon's plans back, but you haven't got the men behind it.

I know who it is.

Oh, this fellow Hunter, you say?

Well, now you've got to catch him.

I've set a little trap.

Well, I hope it works.

Of course, he's only the tip of the iceberg.

We still have to deal with Ivanov.

I'm not sure if we can do that.

After all, we don't want a diplomatic incident.

Oh, dear.

Now, where have I heard those words before?

GILLOW: Where have you?

I rather think it was Prince Oblonsky.

From whom you've heard no further word?

Nothing.

I wonder.

What?

I rather think Mr. Gillow is suggesting that Prince Oblonsky's silence could be connected with Ivanov's activities.

Precisely.

It's a dangerous game, politics, Mr. Pryde.

It doesn't do to get involved.

Nobody wants to be involved.

All the same, Ivanov's a dangerous customer.

Keep your eyes skinned, Pryde.

We've reason to believe he's a trained assassin.

[ Children shouting indistinctly ] [ Pounding on door ] [ Metal slides ] [ Pounding on door ] All right, all right, just a minute.

I'm coming.

Who is it?

IVANOV: Ivanov.

Open.

What's this?

Still counterfeiting Imperial Russian currency.

I warned you your petty criminal activities could lead to serious trouble for you.

Why do you come here?

Final plans of Dixon Torpedo.

You promised delivery today.

There has been a delay.

A delay?

Why?

How should I know why?

I arranged to meet Roberts in the usual way.

He didn't appear.

You have no idea why not?

Presumably because Mr. Dixon had not completed the plans.

In any case, it's not serious.

I had a note from Roberts arranging the pickup for today.

Tell me, does the name Pryde mean anything to you -- Jonathan Pryde?

Who is he?

Have you noticed anyone following you?

Have you been watched at all?

What's wrong?

Is somebody after me?

Possibly.

I'm just being careful.

I want you to tell me if anything unusual happens, that's all.

Nothing unusual has happened.

Except that your man has failed to appear.

It has happened before.

But he has not written mysterious notes to you before.

No -- Where does he suggest you make the collection?

At Dixon's office.

Doesn't that strike you as unusual?

Again, it has happened before.

It's very risky.

Show me this note.

Hmm.

"You seem to have left your cane in the office.

Could you kindly call around for it?"

You are certain Roberts wrote this?

Well... You know what would happen if you betrayed us, don't you?

You know how we deal with traitors.

Please.

I don't understand.

If you had any thought of doing anything like that... Mr. Ivanov, have I not proved my loyalty?

You have proved your cunning, Herr Jaeger.

I am not sure I completely trust your loyalty.

[ Gasps ] [ Bell tolling ] 10:00.

Still no sign of him.

Yes, all right, I'm well aware of that.

Who's he working for, anyway?

Don't you know?

Foreigners?

Let's say a foreign power.

But Hunter, it's an English name.

Fellow's a traitor.

His real name is Jaeger.

German?!

He could have other names.

-The scoun-- -[ Footsteps approaching ] -Yes?

-Postman.

[ Sighs ] I begin to think our friend Hunter's not coming.

-Damn it, then we've lost him.

-No, I don't think so.

If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.

Oh, yes.

Hey!

What's Muhammad got to do with it?

Damn place is crawling with foreigners.

[ Telephone rings ] Hewitt and Partners, private investigators.

That's right.

No, sir, I'm afraid Mr. Pryde's out of the office at the moment.

Oh, it's you, sir.

Well, he's at Dixon's Marine Engineering.

You know the place?

No manners.

I want Dixon's Marine Engineering, miss.

Chancery 674.

No, my dear Gillow.

I haven't got the least idea where he is.

Well, he rushed out of here muttering something about Muhammad.

I assumed that he knew where to find Hunter.

I must say I strenuously object to the way that I'm being kept in the dark over all this.

Oh, very well.

Whitehall.

Well?

He's gone after Hunter.

[ Knock on door ] PRYDE: Hunter?

[ Knock on door ] Hunter, open up.

Hunter?

IVANOV: He won't be keeping the appointment you so kindly arranged for him, Mr. Pryde.

Very considerate of you to come yourself.

Why have you killed him?

He'd become a risk, thanks to you.

I don't like risks.

I think you better give me that, old m-- Ah.

The English sangfroid.

You behave as if you had the gun.

To business.

The Dixon Torpedo -- where are the plans?

I should think by now at the Admiralty.

-I don't believe you.

-Why don't you ask them?

It's a pity.

You should have listened when I told you to forget about Hunter.

I don't recall you ever mentioning him to me.

IVANOV: I warned you to stop spying.

I ordered you to drop this ruble business.

Don't you think your embassy should get itself better organized?

I mean, don't you think that you and Prince Oblonsky should agree what you want?

[ Gunshot ] I suggest you keep away from that stick.

You know, we hang people for murder.

Not people with diplomatic immunity.

Anyway, who's talking about murder?

There will be a fire here shortly.

The charred bodies of two men will be found in the ruins.

They will probably never be identified.

You swine.

Don't lose your nerve now, Mr. Pryde, please.

It would disappoint me.

[ Footsteps approaching ] Stand over there.

GILLOW: Pryde?

-[ Knock on door ] -Are you there?

Put away that pistol.

Are you all right, man?

Where's Hunter?

Good God.

You will consider yourself under my arrest.

PRYDE: Your Highness is a trifle late.

I think the police have first claim.

Unfortunately, this is not a matter for the police, Mr. Pryde.

This is a domestic problem for these gentlemen to resolve.

Mr. Ivanov has a diplomatic passport.

He's committed murder on English soil!

We shall deal with this fool.

-Your Highness, I protest!

-You protest to me?

You, a secret policeman, protest to a prince?

The Okhrana is my authority.

-Your authority is finished.

-Oh, really, sir, I feel -- I'm afraid this matter is out of your hands, Pryde.

And how will you explain him away?

Oh, suicide... maybe an unsolved murder.

You should be very pleased, Mr. Pryde.

You have solved your case, while Jaeger will forge no more rubles.

And incidentally, you have rendered me the inestimable service of bringing this man to a more realistic conception of his duties.

We can't just leave it at that!

He was a spy and so is Ivanov.

I thought I had made it quite clear, Mr. Pryde.

-We do not want -- -Yes, I know.

I know.

You don't want a diplomatic incident.

Mr. Gillow, your man will yet make a diplomat.

You, out!

I have a carriage waiting.

[ Birds chirping ] Jonathan, have you seen this?

Seen what?

"Mr. Leonid Ivanov, a second secretary for the Imperial Russian Embassy in London, has left England.

It is understood that he was recalled to St. Petersburg at short notice."

I wonder if it was Siberia for him or a promotion.

I think it's dreadful, the way he got off.

Well, you see, my dear, we mustn't get involved.

[ Knock on door ] Who on earth can that be?

Jonathan, there are two gentlemen to see you.

Mr. Gillow, Captain Harris.

I must apologize for this unwarranted intrusion, ma'am.

We would like to have a brief word with your husband.

Very well.

Do be seated.

Thank you.

My dear fellow, I don't know how to congratulate you.

Coffee?

No, thank you.

You've handled the whole business most efficiently.

Prince Oblonsky, no less, has asked me to commend you personally.

Indeed.

Your tone does him an injustice.

After all, it was he who warned us in time to avert an incident neither Her Majesty's government nor His Imperial Majesty wanted.

You know, in future, I think I shall stick to jewel robbery, blackmail, and embezzlement.

The Admiralty was most impressed with the way you handled the case.

You know, I've often thought there ought to be some sort of a law to protect our official secrets.

Parliament would never pass it.

[ Chuckles ] Probably not.

Anyway, my dear fellow, I hope we may persuade you to act for us again in the future.

No, I don't think so.

I prefer crime.

It's more honest.