[bright music] [footsteps clicking] [voices murmuring] Right, sir.

New York to Southampton via Liverpool.

We have the name of the passenger.

Now, what are the cabin requirements?

[Man] A single cabin.

Single cabins port and starboard here, sir, from midships to stern.

[Man] That cabin, A15.

A15, ah, can I give you a little advice, sir?

I'd recommend further forward.

That's a bit toward the stern.

You get a bit of roll there, sir.

[Man] I want A15.

Well, I really recommend that you have- [Man] Did you hear me, sir?

I said, I want cabin A15.

Oh yes, sir, you have what you want.

I was only trying to advise.

-[Man] $150, correct?

-That's right.

[seagulls squawking] [foghorn blowing] [contemplative music] [pictures clicking] [Narrator] In Edwardian times there lived many detectives, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

[cymbal ringing] [cheerful music] [footsteps thudding] Are you arguing with me?

No, ma'am.

This ship vibrates.

I can't sleep at night.

Probably the reciprocating engine, ma'am.

Quite normal.

Normal?

Rubbish.

I've complained to Lord Altington, and perhaps he'll do me the courtesy of reciprocating with a more plausible explanation.

I say, Horrocks.

I hate to mention this, old boy, but last night I had a bit of a run in with my steward.

Wanted a drink, not late, midnight or so.

He seemed reluctant to oblige.

He's looking even surlier today.

Name of Garnett.

Garnett?

Hmm, I shall change your steward to Masterson, Sir Edward.

I think you will always find him most obliging.

Good chap.

Spot on.

[Horrocks] Good grief, Taylor.

Mrs. Vanrenen's.

Are my eyes deceiving me, or have you been trundling that stuff between the baggage room and her cabin ever since we left New York?

Eighth load, this trip.

There's no room to swing a cat in there.

Oh.

[phone ringing] Purser's office, Horrocks speaking.

Yes, sir.

Immediately, sir.

Hold the fort, will you, Robbins?

Yes, sir.

Horrocks?

Captain wants to see you on the bridge.

I have to see Lord Altington.

Captain's orders have precedence.

Lord Altington pays my wages and yours.

Do me a favor, Clayton.

Say I can't be found.

Do I owe you any favors, Horrocks?

None.

Then I shall tell the captain that you are more frightened of Lord Altington's tongue than his.

Damn you, Clayton.

Purser, I don't know if it's yourself or your clothes, but your appearance needs smartening up.

Now, do that.

Smarten yourself up.

Oh, damn it, man, stop fussing.

That's enough.

Now, Mr. Horrocks, in case it's escaped your notice, we are breaking two records on this voyage.

One, we're carrying the largest consignment of bullion ever to cross the North Atlantic, a quarter of a million in gold.

Two, we're making the fastest ever transatlantic crossing, New York, Liverpool, Southampton.

So I've heard, my lord.

Eight nights, We've been at sea four days.

Indications are the things in the bag.

Yes, my lord.

I've received a complaint from a Mrs. Pallin, vibration disturbing her, apparently.

-I know about that, my lord.

-Oh, do you indeed?

And may I remind her it's your responsibility -to deal with such complaints?

-[Horrocks] Yes, sir.

You explained, of course, that we were on a record-breaking run?

No, sir.

I understood you didn't wish the passengers to know, sir.

I didn't wish them to be disappointed if for any reason we failed to bring it off.

But we're past the halfway mark, 12 hours in hand.

I have every confidence, no need to give it under hatches any longer.

Very good, my lord.

There are two men on board, a Mr. Fox and Mr. Gaylord.

They come from the scrapings and leavings of our society, the ill-named gentlemen of the press.

I've seen them, my lord.

They're here to give our crossing publicity.

Yes, my lord.

You will treat them in such generous consideration that they will not do the dastardly on us in the unlikely event -that we fail to reach Southampton in eight nights.

-Yes, my lord.

Get them drunk and keep them drunk from here to Southampton docks.

Certainly, my lord.

Lastly, the safety of the bullion is your entire responsibility.

I understand that, my lord.

You will double your checks on the specie room.

Yes, my lord.

[Horrocks sighs] Taylor.

Mrs Vanrenen again?

-Second lot tonight.

-Oh, dear.

I'll go and have a talk with her.

[knocking on door] Come in.

Mrs. Vanrenen?

Yes.

Oh, allow me to introduce myself, ma'am.

Horrocks, ships purser.

Yes.

Mr. Horrocks Madam, this cabin is a little overfull of luggage.

If there was to be a storm, it might fall and do you serious injury.

Allow me to explain, Mr. Horrocks, for there is an explanation.

You see, my husband died 10 days ago.

Hmm, I offer my humble condolences, ma'am.

He was American.

When he died, I wanted to return to the comfort of my family in England, hence the luggage.

Yes, ma'am.

All our personal effects.

At the cost of some inconvenience to the steward, whom I will reward, I am now sorting through everything for the first time.

Discarding this, keeping that.

I quite understand, ma'am.

[sighs] Well, the task will soon be completed, the cabin tidy once more.

I understand you have the electric telegraph onboard.

Yes, ma'am.

I have to go to London.

Is it possible to telegraph for hotel accommodation?

I shall be happy to do that for you, ma'am.

[people laughing] [lively chamber music] Mr. Gaylord, Mr. Fox, may I introduce myself?

Horrocks, ship's purser.

Oh, you're the chap who brought the case of champers?

Yes, sir.

-Top-hole.

-Terrific.

And as soon as the cogs need further lubrication, I'll be happy to send up another case.

-Oh, delightful.

-Real sport.

And if there's any other service I can do for you... Well, as a matter of fact, there is.

Mr. Fox and I have just concluded that our brains are in an accelerating state of decomposition.

You couldn't possibly write 800 words of copy about this record-breaking attempt?

I'm afraid I'm not very good at the writing lark, sir.

Nor me.

Trouble is, this kind of record isn't of any interest to anybody, except the owners of this ship.

Contrary to our editor's quaint, old-fashioned notions.

Prompted by a handsome drop -from Lord Atlington.

-Quite so.

Boredom is not news, so Horrocks, come up with something.

How do you mean, sir?

Well, you're carrying a fortune in gold in your specie room, chuck it all over board.

Then we can write that it's been lost at sea.

A scoop, a veritable scoop.

Toot, toot.

[laughs] Or better still, get somebody to steal it.

I'm afraid it's impossible to steal it, sir.

Oh, why?

Well, the specie room is impregnable.

And anyway, how will you get the stuff ashore?

Excuse me, sir, could I have a word with you, please?

Yes.

Oh, good night, gentlemen.

-Enjoy yourselves.

-Oh, good night, old boy.

-Toot, toot.

-Sorry to bother you, sir, but I thought I'd better inform you.

I've just walked through B Deck pantry.

I think you should see what's going on down there.

Steward.

[Taylor] Last card, Mr. Clayton Yes, I know.

Ooh!

The curse of Scotland, nine of diamonds.

Any use to you?

Oh ho ho.

Um, 10 guineas.

All right, your 10 guineas and up 20 guineas.

You're bluffing.

Call me.

Another drink?

What's going on here?

Mr. Clayton and I were just having a little thrust of the cards, sir.

Against captain's orders?

But you wouldn't report us now, would you, Mr. Horrocks?

How much have you lost, Clayton?

None of your business.

I'll see your 20 guineas.

Have you got it, sir?

I'll add it to my note.

Oh, no, no, I'm afraid not.

I already have your notes for 200 pounds.

That's quite enough.

Have you the coin to raise me 20 guineas.

God help you, Clayton.

Lend me 20 guineas, will you, Horrocks?

I'll pay you back shortly.

I'm sorry, it's out of the question.

Thank you, Mr. Clayton.

I'll have the 200 pounds when we dock at Southampton.

After that, I'll play you again.

Anytime.

[door clicking] Does he cheat?

No.

No, he's just skillful.

You can't give him 200 pounds.

800.

What?

I have other gambling debts ashore.

Oh, you must be mad.

Yes.

God almighty.

If only I could get my hands on 300 pounds, I could pay everyone a little and that would suffice.

Where are you going to get a fortune like 300 pounds?

-Well, you could help me.

-Me?

Oh, come off it, Horrocks, it was in the Liverpool paper 12 months ago, your uncle died, they printed his will.

He left you 2,000 pounds.

-It's spent.

-I don't believe you.

-True.

-On what?

I can't tell you, but it is spent.

Look, I'm asking for 800 pounds.

All I want is a couple of hundred.

I can pay Mr. Taylor 100 and 100 to my shore debtors.

I haven't got it, I really haven't.

I don't believe you.

It's impossible for a man to spend 2,000 pounds in a year.

Unless you've got some secret vices 10 times more expensive than mine.

The only money I've got are my earnings.

And even if I had money, I wouldn't pay your debts.

-Go to the captain.

-That's impossible.

You know gambling's not allowed on board.

Tell him everything.

What, and ruin my prospects for promotion?

At least he might cancel your debt with Taylor.

So you refuse to help a brother officer in need.

I told you, go and see the captain.

I've a good mind to kill you, Horrocks.

Take your keys and rob the specie room.

Don't be daft.

Mind my advice, Mr. Clayton.

Good night.

[door clicks] 23:00 hours.

Specie room checked, bullion intact.

[bell ringing] Well, Mr. Clayton.

I wondered...

Yes.

Do you think we'll make it, sir?

Our owners instruct me we'll make it.

It's all right in theory, I suppose.

Lord Altington is not a theorist.

Our passage will take eight days or many of us will be looking for a new job.

Do you follow?

Yes, sir.

Then I showed him mine.

Now, the interesting thing was, the disparity of the two lists was around the region- Morning, my lord.

[Mr. Atlington] Can you get out of my way, Purser?

Good morning, Mr. Horrocks.

Oh, good morning, ma'am.

I've only been on deck three minutes and I feel quite refreshed already.

Yeah.

It is a bracing day.

Not too cold.

Was that Lord Altington?

Yes, ma'am.

I'm most impressed.

I've been looking at the passenger list.

Two knights and one peer of the realm on board.

[scoffs] The Town Line must attract the nobility.

-That can be an advantage and a disadvantage.

-Why's that?

You will often find that men who've received knighthoods for exceptional services to their country are also exceptional in other directions.

Exceptionally loud.

Exceptionally rude.

And exceptionally mean.

[chuckling] Oh, come, Mr. Horrocks.

You're far to amiable a man to hold such strong opinions.

I've been ticked off for it before, ma'am.

A purser isn't supposed to hold opinions of his own.

Why are you different?

Well, I've been a comparatively short time at sea.

10 years.

Before that I was a shipping clerk in Liverpool.

I'm not so steeped in the tradition of the mercantile marine that I haven't still a few opinions of my own left.

10 years is a long time.

Oh, I don't know.

Not if you love the sea and the service.

My husband loved the sea.

He was a great sailor.

We'd go sailing on the few afternoons he took away from his business affairs.

There weren't many.

I fear he overworked.

He was only 42, Mr. Horrocks.

A terrible tragedy, ma'am.

Forgive me, ma'am, but you're a young woman, I'm sure your husband would have wished you to have the courage and fortitude to go forward and make a new life for yourself.

You're very kind, Mr. Horrocks.

Thank you, ma'am.

My steward tells me we're carrying a fortune in gold on board ship.

True, it's a big responsibility for me.

Why is that?

Seeing to the safety of all valuables aboard is part of my job.

Oh, how'd you feel about taking responsibility for such a fortune?

To tell you the truth, I'm a little bit worried.

-[wind whooshing] -[sea water lapping] [door clicking] Good evening, Sir Edward.

[stammering] Good evening, Horrocks.

He's a bit of a card, isn't he, Robbins?

Well, Liverpool tomorrow and all the usual dockside chaos.

I'm turning in.

You should do the same.

Right, sir.

See you in the morning, lad.

-Good night, sir.

-Good night.

[knocking on door] [seagulls squawking] We have many fine restaurants in Liverpool.

I hope you will find this one satisfactory, the Tara Hotel.

Your bill will of course be taken care of.

Jolly good show.

[clears throat] Oh, you'll find a cab the other side of the customs house.

-Thanks, old boy.

-Liverpool lasses, here we come.

[Horrocks] Enjoy yourselves, gentlemen.

[foghorn blowing] Uh, Mr. Horrocks, this is Mr. Jacobs of the Royal Northern Bank.

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Jacobs?

Mr. Horrocks.

Might I ask how you intend to transport the gold?

I've a motor vehicle and three porters on the quay.

I'll take a direct to Lime Street terminus, from thence it'll go by rail to London.

Splendid.

Robbins, get the porters aboard.

Yes, sir.

Meanwhile, we will check the consignment.

-[door thuds] -This way, if you please, Mr. Jacobs, if you'll follow me.

[foghorn blowing] Empty!

Six full and six empty.

I regret to say, Mr. Purser, we've been robbed of 125,000 pounds in gold.

And the responsibility, sir, is yours.

My God.

Impossible!

Ridiculous!

Outrageous!

How could it happen?

I don't know, my Lord.

And you, Inspector, are stating there was no forcible entry of the specie room.

I've examined it thoroughly, sir.

However, I shall go over it again, inch by inch.

But there's no doubt in my mind that entry must've been through the door with a key.

Your key, Mr. Horrocks.

No, my lord.

Is it possible that anyone could have used your key to make a wax impression?

It's out of the question.

This key is kept on a chain 'round my neck 24 hours a day.

Which leaves us with the inevitable conclusion, Horrocks, that you must be the thief.

-No, my Lord.

-If not the actual thief, then the thief by default.

The responsibility of the bullion was yours.

My lord, Inspector Trent, why isn't this ship being sealed off and the passengers stopped from going ashore?

-Yes, quite right.

-Have you taken leave of your senses?

If we imprison the passengers, news of the robbery will get to the press in no time.

We shall be known as the line whose vessels anyone can rob, the Northern Bank, the bank who can't be trusted to guard the bullion of its customers.

Correct, Mr. Jacobs?

Indeed, my lord.

We sail in three hours, Inspector.

I consider it your duty to accompany us to Southampton to continue your investigations.

I'm afraid that won't be possible, sir.

This ship cannot leave Liverpool until I've completed my preliminary investigations.

We're on a record-breaking run.

Know what that means?

I'm sorry about that, sir.

And I'm sorry about you, sir.

Your chief constable's a very good friend of mine.

-Know what that means?

-Yes, my Lord.

So you will make the passage to Southampton with us.

-Understood?

-Yes, my lord.

-And you, Horrocks.

-Yes, my lord.

You will remain purser on board this ship until we dock in Southampton.

Unless the gold and the thief are discovered by then, you will be dismissed.

Yes, my lord.

Out!

Out!

[Mrs. Vanrenen] Oh, Mr. Horrocks.

-Oh, ma'am.

-What is going on?

Nothing to worry about, ma'am, nothing to cause alarm.

Mr. Gaylord says there's been a robbery.

Gaylord?

But he went ashore two hours ago.

No, I saw him talking to a steward outside your office about 20 minutes ago.

Sorry, ma'am, you must excuse me.

Robbins, have you seen Mr. Gaylord?

Yes, sir, he's just going ashore.

Damn!

-[gentle music] -[people chattering] Good evening, gentlemen.

-Ah!

-Horrocks.

You cunning deceiver.

Have a drink.

What are you saying, Mr. Fox?

I went back to the ship.

Forgot me pipe.

Steward told me, some lucky fellow got off with 125,000 pounds in gold.

Now, that's a real story.

To hell with transatlantic records.

Just a rumor, there's no truth in it.

It's also a rumor that you could have pinched it.

You look as though you need a drink.

I think I do.

What's your tipple, Mr. Horrocks?

An extremely large malt.

You, uh, you wanted me, sir?

I wanted Mr. Horrocks, lad.

Yes, sir.

Well, I've been looking for him.

Well?

Well, it seems he's disappeared, sir.

Disappeared?

Well, I think he's gone ashore, sir.

Our editors were absolutely delighted.

Got telegraphs back from them straight away, saying the whole story has gone straight to press.

Make all tomorrow's first editions.

Wouldn't surprise me if we didn't get promotion out of this.

Mm, deeply indebted to you, old boy.

Not true.

Not a word of truth in it.

No, of course not.

Cue for another drink.

Isn't that our first officer?

So it is.

And a comely looker with him.

His wife.

Is it okay to drink with them?

Well, with the Town Steamship Company paying, why not?

[woman laughing] I shall promote your offer, gentlemen.

If you will excuse me.

[lively music] Clayton.

Horrocks, I... Um, I don't think my wife, Esther.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Well, I would ask you to join us, only my wife and myself are having a private celebration.

Oh, champagne.

Yes, the finest.

Might I ask what you're celebrating?

Why?

Curiosity.

Well, we're celebrating my promotion to captain.

-Captain?

-Well, it hasn't happened yet, but I told Esther I'd probably make captain either this trip or the next and she slightly anticipated events, didn't you, darling?

-Yes, I think I might- -However, I shall be captain soon enough.

Do start.

Do you know the specie room's been robbed?

Yes, and you're in a great deal of hot water.

How very unfortunate for you.

This celebration must be costing you a great deal of money.

Well, what are you getting at?

[Horrocks sniffs] You're not suggesting that this was paid for by robbing the specie room?

I have never wittingly slandered anybody, sir.

But I must say what I think if it will further the truth.

Oh, don't give me a wind, Horrocks.

Get to the point.

It concerns Mr. Clayton, sir.

I know he- [knock on door] Oh, come in.

Come in.

Ah, Mr. Horrocks.

I heard you were here.

Where the devil have you been?

-I went ashore, Inspector.

-Yes.

And he's apparently come back with some gossip you might care to listen to.

Oh, what?

Mr. Clayton, our first officer, has gambling debts of some 800 pounds.

Hmm, has he, by Jove?

He tried to borrow money from me.

I refused him.

So?

He threatened to rob the specie room.

[scoffs] Clayton rob the specie room, utter nonsense.

I thought so myself at the time, sir.

But at the moment he is at the Tara Hotel spending a large sum of money on a celebration with his wife.

A large sum of money.

Well, what of it?

I can't help wondering how he came by it, sir.

What do you damn mean by that, sir?

Be careful what you're saying.

There are laws of slander.

Which are second in precedence to our need to solve this crime.

Go on, Mr. Horrocks.

That's all, Inspector.

And not very much.

While we're about it, take a look at this man, Inspector.

Clayton tells me that in 12 months, you've managed to spend the entire 2,000 pounds your uncle left you.

Do you wish to comment on that?

I would rather say nothing, Captain.

So I wonder what expensive vices you have, Purser.

And I'd advise you to go carefully, because the fact of the matter is that you are still suspect number one.

It seems that I am suspect number one.

Impossible, sir.

My orphanage, you're the only one on the ship -who knows about it.

-Yes, sir.

Setting it up used every penny of my uncle's legacy and I need every penny of my wage to keep it going.

But Lord Altington expects his pursers to give their whole existence to the job.

He'd be furious if he knew I had another interest outside his wretched company.

True, sir.

As far as the outside world is concerned, I'm just a man who squandered 2,000 pounds in 12 months on some mysterious vice.

And therefore, I've every motive for the robbery.

You are in a predicament, sir.

Yes, but I fear I will not find the solution in this.

[knock on door] Enter.

We've searched two decks, nothing so far.

Wait outside, will you, lad?

Yes, sir.

Had any thoughts about any other suspect crew or passengers?

I can't think of anybody, Inspector.

Odd.

How'd you mean odd?

I've talked to the barman.

Sir Edward Markham has run up large bills, which he hasn't paid.

You, as purser, would know this, of course Sir Edward is an honorable man.

And a well-known London rake and a bankrupt, and therefore a first-class suspect.

I must say he has been behaving mysteriously.

Has he?

Bring your keys, we'll search his cabin.

[Horrocks sighs] This ship will be sailing for Southampton in 15 minutes.

The only remaining gangway is on C Deck, aft.

Will all visitors please leave immediately.

Horrocks.

Oh, good evening, Sir Edward.

[Third Officer] Please leave immediately.

What on earth is going on here?

-Um... -Good evening, sir.

Inspector Trent, Liverpool Police.

You presumably know there's been a bullion robbery on this ship.

I had heard, yes.

We are therefore searching certain cabins.

Why my cabin, Inspector?

You were being observed on occasion creeping about the ship- Creeping?

in a suspicious manner and late at night.

Can you explain?

What?

Oh, that.

Well, the explanation's quite simple.

We're both men of the world, Inspector.

Why don't you ask my maid?

Your maid?

I think you'll find her most forthcoming.

Oh, sir, Mr. Clayton's wife gave me this letter just before we sailed.

She said I was to hand it to you personally.

Thank you, Robbins.

"Dear, Horrocks.

It is true that I have large debts.

It is true that I made playful threat to rob the specie room.

It is true that tonight my wife laid on an expensive meal at the Tara Hotel, but this was paid for by money borrowed from a moneylender."

Listen to this, Robbins.

"On your gossiping tongue, these facts could prove most damaging and I have therefore decided to stay ashore until the real villain of the piece is discovered.

I would earnestly suggest you make every effort to find him, for if I end up in jail, it will be your doing.

And on my solemn word of honor, I'll kill you when I get out.

Yours truly, Godfrey Clayton, First Officer, RMS Oceanic."

Well, he certainly won't achieve anything by running away, sir.

"Postscriptum, when I walked the boat that last night, I heard banging noises coming from below in an area where the specie room lies.

I thought nothing of it until these recent events.

Find the villain, Horrocks.

Your life is at stake."

What are you going to do, sir?

[Horrocks sighs] The key never left my person.

They couldn't have brought the gold through the alleyway, the thief would have been seen.

No.

The answer must be in here.

And Clayton said a banging noise.

A banging noise?

A banging noise.

[axe clanking] [axe thudding] That sounds like wood.

[axe thudding] It is wood.

[Taylor] Mr. Horrocks?

Mr. Horrocks?

Taylor, just the man.

Come in here.

Give me a hand.

What are you doing, sir?

Knock the, knock those rivets off, will you?

That's impossible, sir.

Why?

-That's solid steel, sir.

-No, no.

They're wood painted to look like steel.

Go on, knock them off.

Very good, sir.

[axe thudding] -[Horrocks] Yeah.

-Well, I'm damned!

Yeah, go on, knock them all off.

The bulkhead is steel.

The rivets are wood.

A false bulkhead.

Behind it, the real bulkhead with a hole cut in it.

Diabolical.

Inboard of the specie room are the ship's water tanks.

No, no, no, it must be from above or below.

You stay here, Robbins, I'll be on the boat deck.

Yes sir.

[foghorn blowing] [water gushing] [foghorn blowing] The ship's water tank about 10 feet from here.

But where is it filled up?

[foghorn blowing] Water tank immediately below here.

The equipment lowered down here.

No, no, it's too exposed.

[foghorn blowing] No, it's impossible.

Take too long, bound to be seen.

[foghorn blowing] There has to be another way.

My God.

[pole slashing] [body thudding] Mr. Horrocks?

Inspector Trent wants you!

What's going on?

[footsteps thudding] Mr. Horrocks?

Oh, my God, what's happened?

May I remind you, Inspector, that we dock in Southampton in four hours.

What progress have you made?

Beyond the fact that I am now reasonably certain that the bullion was somehow got ashore at Liverpool and that our principal suspect, First Officer Clayton, has vanished, there's not much more we can do until Mr. Horrocks returns to consciousness.

Luckily our Mr. Horrocks was endowed at birth with a singularly thick skull.

I've no doubt he'll recover.

I fancy that any statement he makes will be vital to my investigation.

I fancy it will, Inspector.

-[knock on door] -Come in.

Oh, Mr. Horrocks' compliments, sir.

He requests you come to his cabin.

-He what?

-Well, he thinks he knows how the species room was robbed, sir.

[Horrocks sighs] Good grief, Purser, you look appalling.

My lord, Inspector Trent, please be seated.

Mr. Horrocks, I trust you are fit enough to make a statement?

First things first.

I want a telegraph sent to Mrs. Clayton.

Tell her to come to Southampton, I've definite proof her husband is not guilty.

Proof?

What proof?

Before anything else, let me tell you, the specie room, how it was robbed.

Never mind how it was robbed, -who robbed it?

-The thieves, two of them, approached their task thus.

Imagine this box to be the specie room.

They found a way of gaining access from the side.

It's impossible!

They cut a hole in the starboard bulkhead here.

What with?

A pair of scissors, I suppose.

No, my lord.

With that newfangled oxyhydrogen steel cutting equipment.

Oxyhy... Purser, are you hallucinating?

I don't understand a word you're saying.

No, my lord.

[sighs] Having moved, having removed a section of the starboard bulkhead, they took out the gold.

Then came their diabolical plan.

They brought in, through the hole like this, a new false section of bulkhead made of steel but with wooden, wooden rivets.

I can't hear you.

False section.

Wooden what?

[Horrocks groans] When he's recovered his senses, call me again.

Yes, sir.

[Horrocks] Oh... Did you understand any of that?

Something about a new bulkhead section brought into the specie room, disguised with wooden rivets.

Wooden rivets?

Yes.

Come on, we better take a look.

Plan...

The plan, Robbins.

The plan, lad.

[Horrocks groans] Inboard of the specie room here are the ship's water tank.

[Inspector Trent] Yes.

Between the tank and the deck, a gap of five feet, a catwalk.

Crawl across to the, to the specie room.

But that's impossible, Mr. Horrocks.

[Horrocks groaning] Mr. Horrocks?

Come on, lad.

We'll take another look at the specie room.

I can't get a proper statement out of him when he's in this condition.

It's, it's, it's the only way of access.

It must have been.

The thieves entered from, from cabin A15.

They must've done.

No time left.

Southampton.

Cabin A15.

[knocking on door] [Inspector Trent] Extraordinary.

But how could anybody get behind this, sir?

It's impossible.

[tool thumping] [tool thuds] [Horrocks grunting] [water bubbling] Look.

[Robbins] What's that , sir?

Scorch marks on the metal.

It looks as though this edge has being cut recently.

Oxyhydrogen cutting equipment.

Mr. Horrocks was right.

Go fetch the plan.

Yes, sir.

[water dripping] [water gushing] Diabolical.

[Horrocks grunting] Mr. Horrocks has gone, sir.

What?

Vanished.

Well, don't stand there, go and find him!

Hello, there!

The specie room.

Anybody in the specie room?

Mr. Horrocks.

It can't be.

[Horrocks] Stand back.

It is.

Mr. Horrocks?

Stand back!

[bulkhead clanging] [Horrocks grunting] Mr. Horrocks.

That's how it was done, Inspector.

So I see.

But, who did it?

Who did it?

Taylor, for one.

Taylor?

He was the one responsible for this.

He also happens to be the steward responsible for cabin number 15.

And what's that got to do with it?

You will see.

Robbins, go to the Royal Bar, there's a whist drive on there.

More than likely the occupant of cabin 15 will be there.

-Yes, sir, but I- -Use any excuse you like, but get the said occupant back to the cabin.

I'll be waiting.

Yes, sir.

If it's not asking too much, who is the said occupant?

One thing at a time, Inspector.

I can't have you arresting anybody on such a serious charge unless you're absolutely certain of their guilt.

I will try to extract a confession.

Meanwhile, you will be listening outside the door.

[people chattering] [Fox and Gaylord laughing] Shh!

[door clicking] Mr. Horrocks?

What are you doing here?

Good evening, ma'am.

What has happened to you?

A misfortune, ma'am.

Happily nothing too serious.

You look terribly ill.

Please, sit down.

Thank you, ma'am.

When did this happen?

Have you seen the ship's doctor?

Yes, ma'am.

Surely you should be in bed.

I'm afraid that's impossible, I have unfinished business.

Then I will rest.

What can I do for you?

A small matter.

Just in case you should ever happen to travel with us again, we like to know as much as we can about our passengers.

Yes?

For instance, you say you are a widow.

Yes.

But I believe you are not a widow, Mrs. Vanrenen.

I think you are an actress.

I don't follow.

Being a widow was a clever excuse to explain away the extraordinary amount of luggage you found it necessary to keep in your cabin.

I don't understand!

It's quite simple, ma'am.

In collusion with the steward, Taylor, you booked a specific cabin on this ship.

This one, cabin A15.

Nonsense!

Those trunks were supposed to contain your personal effects.

In fact, they contain, amongst other things, oxyhydrogen steel cutting equipment.

Cutting equipment?

When this ship docked at Liverpool, the oxyhydrogen cylinders, a damaged piece of bulkhead, and the gold went ashore in those trunks as the household effects of an apparently harmless widow.

Leave this cabin at once, sir!

Which way, ma'am?

Through the door?

Or this way, through the exit so ingeniously made by Mr. Taylor?

[Mrs. Vanrenen gasps] Oh, yes, we realized you couldn't have brought this off single-handed.

The sheer weight of the equipment involved, say nothing of the technical skill, required someone of unusual strengths and exceptional craftsmanship.

Taylor suited your requirements exactly.

Well, ma'am?

So Mr. Horrocks, you've had your say, now I'll have mine.

The existence of that panel is a complete surprise to me.

You have not one shred of evidence against me.

And I deny absolutely any knowledge of what you've just told me.

I assumed you'd say that, ma'am.

Unhappily for you, however, Mr. Taylor has already confessed.

What?

He told me everything.

Oh, no, he'd never turn... Against you?

I fear he has.

Oh, my God.

[sobbing] Might I suggest you turn King's evidence, ma'am.

Admit your guilt and give evidence against Taylor.

You do admit it, don't you?

How can I do deny it?

[door clicks] Did you hear everything, Inspector?

Everything.

Get some rest.

Mr. Horrocks, you've earned it.

Mrs. Vanrenen, I must ask you to make a statement.

[Mrs. Vanrenen crying] Come along, sir.

Good day, ma'am.

[Mrs. Vanrenen sobs] Unforgivable.

Quite unforgivable.

What's that sir?

I tricked her, lad.

A terrible thing to do.

What, Taylor's confession you mean?

Thought that was damn clever of you, sir.

It was the only way.

How could she do it, Robbins?

How could she do it?

Don't know, sir.

Gosh, sir.

Lord Altington will be pleased to hear about this.

Let me list your crimes, Purser.

One, nevermind the fact that the gold will be recovered, it should never have been stolen in the first place.

Your responsibility.

Two, you pointed an accusing finger at the first officer who I've now had to promote in order to avoid being sued for slander.

Three, I employ you to give your total energies to your work with my firm, and it turns out to divide your time between the Town Line and some backwoods orphanage.

How did you know that, my lord?

Oh, yes.

I know all about that.

Amongst other things, I'm on the board of the Charity Commissioners.

-Did you know that?

-No, my lord.

Well, you should make it your business to know such things.

Yes, my lord.

All of which argues a degree of ignorance and incompetence on your part, for which any rational employer would be fully justified in dismissing you immediately.

Agreed?

Yes, my Lord.

Well, now, it seems that despite all the odds, we shall have broken the transatlantic record after all, so you catch me in generous mood.

I'll merely demote you to one of my smaller ships, the RMS Bombay.

I trust you'll wake up your ideas and in future carry out your duties in a more correct and efficient manner.

You may go.

Wait.

Give this to your wretched orphans.

Oh, thank you, my lord.

Ah, Clayton.

Oh, Horrocks.

Kindly address me as captain.

Oh, may I congratulate you, sir.

Have you a ship?.

A new command, a new ship, yes.

And where do you think we're off to now?

I've no idea, sir.

We're going to join Lord Altington for dinner.

Oh, you should enjoy that.

Ma'am.

Bon appetit.

Let me tell you something, Horrocks.

I shall never, never tolerate a person like you aboard any ship that I command.

Might I ask the name of your ship, Captain?

Yes, it's not the largest in the Town Line, but it's a fine vessel, the RMS Bombay.

Bombay?

Yes.

Well, I'm sure the Town Line will find you the best purser available, Captain.

Oh, yes, I'm sure they will.

Good night to you, Captain.

Good bye to you, Mr. Horrocks.

[bright music]