METAL CLANKING MAN: 'My dear Horace, 'we were all disappointed not to see you at our conference 'in Berlin.

'England is in danger of becoming isolated, you know?

'Many interesting developments were discussed, in particular, 'Sir Reuben Astwell's new Astoprene compound.

'It's rumoured that Farbens over here 'will manufacture it under licence, 'but then, you know what gossips scientists can be.'

METAL CLANKING METAL CLANKING You!

GLASS SHATTERING Help me!

ALARM BLARING Oh, you're not trying, Mr Poirot.

Miss Lemon, I am aware you are fully qualified in the practice of the hypnotics, and I do not dismiss that, but... ..with a person whose character is so forceful and whose intellect is so powerful... But think how useful it would be to you in your investigations.

Very well.

If it will please you, proceed.

HE SIGHS Relax.

Relax.

Your eyes are feeling heavy.

You are going to sleep.

DOOR OPENS What on earth's going on?

WHISPERS: Please, Captain Hastings!

SOFTLY: Oh, sorry.

I just wanted to know what time you wanted to leave in the morning for the Captain's Plate at Abbot's Cross.

Mr Poirot didn't tell me about that.

I did tell you, Miss Lemon.

You simply forgot to enter it.

Mr Poirot, I am trying to be helpful.

Miss Lemon, I am very grateful to you, but, really, I have no need of the hypnotics.

I prefer to use my little grey cells.

Hastings, thank you for coming.

I thought we might make an early start in the morning.

What's this Captain's Plate?

A golf trophy, of course.

Two-day event.

A friend of mine, Charles Leverson, has invited me to partner him.

Surely you're far too busy to attend golf matches, Mr Poirot?

Yes, I am, Miss Lemon, but there is another invitation I could not resist.

The uncle of Monsieur Leverson is Sir Reuben Astwell, and we have been invited to dine with him.

He has the finest collection of Belgian miniature bronzes in Europe, and Belgian miniature bronzes, they are the finest in the world.

Why's that?

Because they are the largest.

Truly, Sir Reuben Astwell must be a man of exquisite taste and sensitivity.

I want that letter off to IG Farben today.

I've been thinking, Reuben.

I'm not sure we're doing the right thing.

I'll do any thinking that's necessary.

But as your partner, I'm entitled to my opinion!

As my junior partner, you're entitled to do what I say.

Victor, don't think you can take liberties just because you're my brother.

Well, this is a right mess... isn't it?

I'm afraid so.

Don't tell me it was an accident.

More like damn carelessness!

No, sir.

It wasn't an accident.

Are you sure it was him?

There's no question, Sir Reuben.

I saw his face clearly.

Then we know what he was after.

Yes, I put it in your brother's office.

TYPEWRITERS CLICKING I think this will be safer with me.

GOLD CLUB SWISHES APPLAUSE Monsieur Poirot, you're in Room 12.

Mr Hastings, Room 13.

Thank you.

Merci beaucoup.

Thank you, sir.

APPLAUSE Well, it looks as though we've got stiff competition, Charles.

Don't worry.

I've been putting in hours of practice, and I know these greens like the back of my hand.

- Such dedication.

- Do you play, Mr Poirot?

Rarely, Monsieur Leverson.

I must confess, I owe my presence here more to art than to sport.

Charles, here I am.

Good luck.

Thanks, Lily.

Miss Lily Margrave, my aunt's companion.

Let me introduce my partner, Captain Hastings.

- How do you do, Miss Margrave?

- How do you do?

And this is Mr Hercule Poirot.

Enchante, mademoiselle.

How do you do, Mr Poirot?

When Charles told me you were coming to dinner, I was so excited.

Ah!

HE SIGHS Did the fire cause much damage, then?

Nothing that can't be repaired.

I've got Trefusis coming down this weekend to discuss what needs to be done.

He's staying for dinner.

We've already got dinner guests.

Well, that's damned inconvenient.

SHE SCOFFS I did tell you.

They're friends of Charles.

Charles takes too much for granted.

KLAXON HOOTS LAUGHTER Excuse me, sir.

Sir Reuben would like a word with you.

- Oh... - He's in the billiard room.

Thank you, Parsons.

HE WHISTLES, SHE LAUGHS You wanted to see me, Uncle?

Yes, and you know what about.

You've had all week to think it over.

Well, I did think it over... but, well, I mean, working for the firm, it's not really my cup of tea, is it?

Oh, oh.

And what exactly is your cup of tea?

Well, actually, I had some idea of becoming a golf professional.

SIR REUBEN: Playing golf?

That's your idea of a job?

CHARLES: Well, I am really rather good at it.

I mean, earlier today... SIR REUBEN: Last year, you wanted to become a photographer!

If you'd loaned me the money in the first place... You have had all the money you're going to get from me!

Lady Astwell thought she left her reading glasses on your desk.

Did she?

Well, she must've made a mistake.

She's not the only one who's mistaken, Miss Margrave.

And this isn't the first time I've caught you in here, messing around with my papers.

I don't know what you're talking about.

- No?

- Please let go of my arm.

I want you out of this house first thing on Monday morning.

Your services are no longer required.

LILY CRYING Lily!

Over here.

SHE PANTS I've found it.

Where?

It's in his study.

War, Poirot, that's what I said.

And war is what I mean.

And it's coming soon.

You mark my words.

With anyone in particular, Sir Reuben?

Germany, of course.

They're rearming.

They've remilitarised the Rhineland.

They'll be all over Europe before you know it.

Probably start with your place, erm, Belgium.

Huh!

Shouldn't take 'em long.

You will forgive me, Sir Reuben, if I do not view the prospect with such sang-froid.

I myself have experienced at first hand the horror and destruction of war with Germany.

Well, I'm not saying that war is a nice business.

But business it is.

War and chemicals go hand in glove.

There are more important things than business.

Business will not be the only beneficiary.

Think of the great strides that science will make.

New fuels.

New alloys.

And it'll do wonders for the economy.

Do you know how many unemployed we have today?

More than a million.

More than a million scrounging on the dole.

War seems a pretty drastic solution.

I think I agree with Victor.

Well, you would, Nancy.

Never could face facts.

Always the great actress.

Could we talk about something more pleasant?

Exquisite.

Parfait.

Oh, mon Dieu!

Hastings, this is undoubtedly the work of Auguste Clouet.

And Auguste Clouet, he is one of the finest craftsmen in Liege.

- Fascinating.

- Ah, magnifique!

C'est incroyable!

A Tindemann.

A genuine Jules Tindemann.

The whole collection, it is magnificent.

Oh, is it?

I got it at a knock-down price.

I'm hoping to sell it... for a profit.

How can you bear the sacrifice?

Sacrifice?

No, as far as I'm concerned, whoever buys 'em can melt 'em down for scrap.

POIROT: Never, Hastings.

Never have I met a man so obnoxious!

And I swear, that wine he gave to us, he manufactured in his chemical factory.

HASTINGS LAUGHS Not the most pleasant evening, I agree.

Sorry about the bronzes.

That's such a philistine should have them in his custody.

It is an offence against art and justice!

CHARLES: I say!

I thought I'd walk you back to your hotel.

I could do with a spot of fresh air.

Oh, right.

Yes, I think I should retire now.

Thank you for a most enjoyable evening, Lady Astwell.

Good night, Mr Trefusis.

That'll be all, Parsons.

Very good, Your Ladyship.

POIROT: Tell me, Monsieur Leverson.

In order to deserve a knighthood, your uncle must have rendered some service most special, n'est-ce pas?

CHARLES: Bought and paid for, like everything else.

The man's a monster.

A bully, and a liar.

A liar, Mr Poirot.

I'm surprised at Lady Astwell putting up with it.

Well, I'm not going to work in his blasted factory.

I'll show him.

SIR REUBEN: I don't want to hear any more of this sentimental, patriotic claptrap!

We're in business to make money, and the Germans are willing to pay it!

VICTOR: What we are selling them will be used for military purposes.

SIR REUBEN: Victor?

He's insufferable!

NANCY: About Lily... - I told you, Nancy.

She's going, and that's all there is to it.

- Don't I have any say?

- Hired help are ten a penny.

You can get another one!

HE GROANS HE INHALES SHARPLY DRUNKENLY: I've just about had as much as I'm going to take.

BODY THUDS My God!

CHARLES: No harm done.

CHARLES: Good night.

HE WHISTLES BIRDS CHIRPING Nothing at all.

Clear the grounds.

Mind yourselves.

Clear the grounds.

A quick blow to the head saw him off, I'd say.

There's the murder weapon.

If I might ask, sir... In what condition was Mr Leverson when he left you last night?

In a state of the most regrettable inebriations.

Why do you ask?

Well, it sounds as though he was the last one to see his uncle alive.

Parsons the butler heard Mr Leverson having an argument with his uncle.

Couldn't hear exactly what they were saying.

You have questioned Monsieur Leverson?

I did, sir.

He admitted that they'd had a quarrel.

But he says they patched it up.

Well, I suppose I can say goodbye to the golf tournament.

It would be indecent to do otherwise.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

I'll do your room... If you please, Monsieur Astwell, at what time did you leave the study of Sir Reuben last night?

About 11.15.

We'd been discussing some business matters.

KNOCKING AT DOOR Excuse me, Your Ladyship.

Mr Leverson's bedroom door appears to be locked.

He's run for it.

He can't have got far.

Right, in the cars!

DISTANT SHOUTING POLICE BELL RINGING MAN: Come on, then.

This way!

This way.

- Right, grab him!

- Got him, Sergeant.

Come on.

Be sensible.

Chin up, Nancy.

If he did it in a sudden temper, it would be treated as manslaughter.

But he didn't do it, Victor.

Oh, excuse me.

You don't believe it, either, do you, Mr Poirot?

Believe what, Lady Astwell?

That Charles murdered my husband.

I know, I know all the facts are against him, but I tell you, Mr Poirot... I tell you, he's innocent.

And the reason for your certainty, Lady Astwell?

- Intuition.

- Ah, yes, the female intuitions, huh?

Lady Astwell, if you'd be so kind... The will of your husband and his estate, to whom was it left?

Er... half to me, h-half to Victor.

And Monsieur Leverson?

Well, his mother, Reuben's sister, knew that he was a bit scatterbrained, so she left her estate in Reuben's hands, on condition that he made Charles a reasonable allowance.

It was almost a deathbed promise.

Which he kept?

Until yesterday.

My husband threatened to cut Charles off without a penny, unless he took a job with the firm.

I see.

Tell me, Lady Astwell.

Last night, you came to the study to see your husband.

About what?

Oh... oh, that was just some domestic matter.

You had a quarrel?

SHE SIGHS He was making the most absurd allegations against Lily... accusing her of interfering with his private papers, spying.

Lily's a dear girl.

I regard her as I would a favourite niece.

Charles is very fond of her.

You know, she came with excellent references.

Might I see these references?

Is that really necessary?

POIROT: Just to satisfy my curiosity.

APPLAUSE I've come to see Mr Naylor.

Mr Naylor appears to be out at the moment, miss.

I don't know when he'll be back.

Can I take a message?

Oh, well... Please give him this when he returns.

He's expecting it.

Certainly, miss.

I don't know what things are coming to, Gladys.

Policemen and detectives all over the place.

I expect it will be the press next.

Oh, do you think I'll get my picture in the paper, Mr Parsons?

Monsieur Parsons, a word with you, if I may.

Certainly, sir.

Excuse me.

Monsieur Parsons, I understand that, last night, you heard Monsieur Leverson having the arguments with Sir Reuben.

Yes, sir, I heard him cry out.

Then there was a heavy thud, and Mr Leverson shouted, "My God!"

Did you try to ascertain the reason for this disturbance?

I did, sir.

I went out of my room and... SOFTLY: ..listened at the foot of the back stairs.

I heard Mr Leverson call out, "No harm done," and then he went off, whistling, as cheery as you like, sir.

- Ow!

- What have you done now, girl?

Cut myself.

There's a bit of metal sticking out of the table.

Allow me, mademoiselle.

Voila.

Monsieur Parsons, have you noticed if any of your cutlery, it is damaged?

PARSONS: As it happens, one of the knives is missing its point, sir.

Hm.

I think you'll find it here, embedded in the table.

Thank you, sir.

I'll see to it.

And you get a bandage around that, Gladys.

Yes, Mr Parsons.

I'll wash your handkerchief for you, sir.

No, no, no, Mademoiselle Gladys.

Thank you.

There is no need.

You are most kind.

POIROT: Your business discussion last night with your brother, it was friendly?

VICTOR: Why shouldn't have been otherwise?

Because I detected at the dinner table a certain tension.

Yes, well, we did have a disagreement.

A quarrel?

I wouldn't call it that.

A heated argument.

It was over this.

We have developed a synthetic rubber, Astoprene.

Remarkable stuff.

Made from oil.

Amazing properties.

Strong as mild steel.

High abrasion factor.

Ideal for motor tyres.

Reuben intended to license its manufacture to IG Farben.

You've heard of them?

- Yes, of course.

They are the largest chemical manufacturers in Germany.

Do you have the objections?

It's all academic now.

I'm cancelling the transaction.

I will be with you in just a moment, Monsieur Poirot.

Please, Monsieur Trefusis, do not hurry yourself.

We both know how important it is to weigh things most carefully, huh?

I am at your disposal.

Merci.

I am trying to establish where everyone was at the time of the murder of Sir Reuben.

I was sound asleep in bed.

I retired shortly after you left.

And you departed early in the morning?

Yes.

Before breakfast.

Last night, you talked at dinner about the scientific developments in Germany.

Did I?

HE CHUCKLES You are fluent in the language?

Well, I should be.

I worked and studied in Germany for a number of years.

You have there a number of friends?

Oh, I keep in touch with colleagues.

Well, if you have no further questions, Monsieur Poirot... Thank you, Monsieur Trefusis.

I am very sorry to have disturbed you.

A vintage year, you would say?

This is the parcel you've been waiting for, sir.

Thank you.

I've enjoyed my stay.

My car is just outside.

ENGINE STARTS Exhibition Road, London.

So, you say this Monsieur Naylor took the parcel with him when he left the hotel?

- Yes.

- Thank you, Hastings.

Is that blood, Poirot?

Yes, Hastings, but it is not mine.

Gladys the maid, she cut her finger when she found the tip of a knife embedded in the table where Victor Astwell, he was seated.

You don't suspect him, do you?

It is by no means certain that your friend Charles is the murderer, Hastings.

Indeed, Lady Astwell is deeply convinced that he is not.

I've never known you place much faith in intuition.

Intuition, Hastings, often describes some fact that is so deeply buried in the subconscious, that the subject is not aware of its existence.

HASTINGS: What fact?

Eh bien, Hastings.

If I knew that, the case, it would be solved.

Lily Margrave's references.

Lady Astwell sent them by special delivery.

Thank you, Miss Lemon.

It is, indeed, most fulsome in its praises.

Et certainement, that is the crest of the noble Duchess of Perthshire.

How interesting.

Tell the truth, Charles.

What have you got to lose?

Oh... HE SIGHS When I arrived back from the golf club... ..I went up to his study.

'I was in a bit of a temper... '..and I wanted to have it out with the old devil.

'I went into his study, and he was sitting at his desk.

'Well, at least, that's how it looked.'

..about as much as I'm going to take from you... ..you swine!

"Do you hear?

"Oh... "you don't like it "when someone stands up to you, do you?"

..when someone stands up to you, do you?

Nothing to say?

CHARLES GASPS Oh, my God!

POIROT: So, when you found him, Monsieur Astwell was in fact already dead?

But why on earth did you make a run for it?

Well, when the maid saw the blood, I... I just panicked.

You see, I knew you wouldn't believe me!

I mean, who would?

Poirot might.

You do realise I can't guarantee any results, Mr Poirot?

I have the most complete faith in you, Miss Lemon.

MISS LEMON: You are sleepy... very sleepy... Your eyelids are heavy.

They are closing, closing... This really is quite absurd.

MISS LEMON: Relax.

You are going to sleep.

Lady Astwell, you are now asleep.

You can hear me, and you can answer my questions.

I can hear you.

I can answer your questions.

It is the night of the murder.

You are seated at the dining table.

Describe to me what you saw and what you felt.

I... I'm in great distress... ..worried about Lily.

Victor's looking at Reuben in an angry way.

Tell me about Victor.

Such a dear man.

We love each other very much.

It is later in the evening.

SIR REUBEN SHOUTING POIROT: 'You go to the study.

'Is Victor there?'

No, he's just coming out.

'He... He looks pale and angry.'

He's insufferable!

POIROT: 'You enter the study.

'You have a terrible scene with your husband, and...' - She's going, and that's all!

- Don't I have any say?

Paid companions are ten a penny!

You can get another one.

Very soon, he will be murdered.

Do you know who murdered your husband, Lady Astwell?

- It wasn't Charles.

- How do you know?

Because of the curtain.

Don't I have any say in the matter?

Paid companions are ten a penny!

The curtain?

What about the curtain?

It was a... I... a shape... A shape?

Is there someone behind the curtain?

Who is behind the curtain, Lady Astwell?

Mr Poirot, this has gone on long enough!

- S'il vous plait.

- She's in distress!

Can't you see that?

Lady Astwell, the curtain.

Is there someone behind the curtain?

- Oh!

- Oh, it's too late.

She's coming out of it.

NANCY: Have I been having a nap?

That's it.

Just a little nap.

Did... did I... Did I say anything?

Not as much as I could have wished.

On the evening of the tragedy, I understand you had retired to bed before Lady Astwell went to the study.

Is that not so?

- Yes.

Did you, by any chance, leave your room again?

No.

Did you go into the study at any time during the evening?

No.

Not at any time.

How curious.

In what way, Mr Poirot?

As I recall, that evening... ..you wore a dress of green chiffon.

Such a pity it has been torn.

SHE SHUDDERS Where did you find that?

Did you go into the study again after dinner?

No.

Yes.

I may have.

Yes, I remember now.

I was in the study the previous evening, and... I was wearing the same dress.

Ah!

The same dress.

Ah... How sad that you appear to have spilt onto it some of Sir Reuben's most excellent wine.

Or is it blood?

HASTINGS: She's making a run for it.

POIROT: It must have something to do with that parcel.

HASTINGS: I think I know where she's going.

Exhibition Road.

She'll catch the 1.15.

- You're sure of the time table?

- Absolutely positive.

Bon.

Then we have just the time.

But you must drive like the winds!

HASTINGS: I'm depending on you to navigate.

When's the next train to London?

TRAIN WHISTLE TRILLS Exhibition Road, please.

Where is this Exhibition Road, Hastings?

It should be up here on the right.

It's full of museums and colleges.

But to us, only one that matters.

Vite, Hastings!

Vite!

A hurried departure, Mademoiselle Margrave?

If that is indeed your name.

My real name is Lily Naylor.

Humphrey is my brother.

And you, Monsieur Naylor, are a research fellow here at the Imperial College?

Yes, in polymer chemistry.

The molecular forms of repeating units... We are talking about synthetic rubber?

In this instance, yes.

CHAIN RATTLES HUMPHREY: 'I'd made a breakthrough 'with one compound.

'It wasn't perfect, but it was nearly there.

'The trouble was that it needed commercial investment 'to develop its potential.'

ASTOPRENE STRAP SNAPS 'So, I approached Astwell Chemicals.

'At first, they showed some interest in my work.

'Then, after a while, Sir Reuben told me 'that they had lost interest entirely.'

Sorry, Naylor.

We're not prepared to go that far.

'I believed them at first.

'Then, my suspicions became aroused 'by odd little reports in scientific journals.

'They wouldn't have meant much to anyone 'who wasn't an expert in the subject.'

Hello, George.

Yes, have you seen the... I made certain enquiries, and became convinced that Astwells were using my basic research.

He was swindling me, but... ..I had no proof.

And you, Mademoiselle... Naylor?

And your references, they are genuine?

Oh, yes.

Completely so.

I was employed by the Duchess of Perthshire.

'The Astwells would've recognised the name Naylor, 'and so... 'I changed my name on the references.'

And by this subterfuge, you were able to obtain the Astoprene file?

Monsieur Astwell, would you be so kind as to tell us about Monsieur Naylor?

I understand you and your brother stole his research.

I tried to argue with Reuben, but he said that Naylor's work was unproven.

Our labs took over the whole thing.

Well, I agree there were some problems still to be solved... - Let us, if you please, go back to the night of the murder of Sir Reuben.

Lady Astwell, when you were in the trance of the hypnotics, you said that you saw something behind the curtain.

Not... not the window curtains.

It was that curtain.

SHE GASPS Oh, my God!

Calm yourself, madame.

Captain Hastings!

Thank you.

Perhaps you can tell us who was hiding behind the curtain, Monsieur Naylor?

It wasn't me!

'I told you, after I'd met Lily in the garden, 'I went back to my hotel.'

But there was, indeed, an intruder.

And, on first entering the study, this intruder had no thought of murder.

'It was solely for the purpose of making the search.

'But suddenly...' - All I'm saying... - '..there was the sound 'of approaching voices and footsteps.

'And there was to be found only one place to hide.

'The small bedroom attached to the study, 'that Monsieur Astwell uses when he works late at night.'

SIR REUBEN: I don't want to hear any more... 'Monsieur Victor Astwell and Sir Reuben enter the study.

'They do not see anybody hiding behind the curtain, 'and the two men quarrel violently.'

What we are selling them will be used for military purposes!

Victor!

Monsieur Victor Astwell leaves in anger.

But for our intruder, there is no way to escape.

What a dilemma.

If Sir Reuben decides to spend the night in the little bedroom, discovery must surely follow.

'Lady Astwell enters the study 'to protest at the dismissal of Mademoiselle Naylor.'

Don't I have any say?

Paid companions are ten a penny!

You can get another one.

'When Lady Astwell leaves, Sir Reuben, he is alone.

'Now is the only moment for our intruder 'to escape without detection.

'But Sir Reuben hears a noise.'

FLOOR CREAKS What the... 'Eh, voila.'

SIR REUBEN SCREAMS, GROANS 'An act of impulse, followed by blind panic.

'Now, our intruder must escape, but it is not to be.'

Is there no way out of this accursed room?

Monsieur Charles Leverson enters the study.

..stands up to you, do you?

Nothing to say?

'And on seeing that Sir Reuben is dead, he leaves.'

Then, Mademoiselle Naylor enters the study... ..and, finding the body of Sir Reuben, seizes her opportunity to take a file that is so important to her brother.

Lily's told you what happened.

He was trying to cheat me, but she didn't murder him!

Mesdames et messieurs... I am a student of the psychology, and throughout this case, I have been looking not for a man or woman who has the bad temper, because the bad temper is, in itself, a safety valve.

Non.

I have been looking for a person who has the patience... ..who has for too long played the part of the underdog, who crept into the study of Sir Reuben, who hid behind the curtain, who became trapped... ..and finally committed the act of violence that had been harboured for so long.

It was you who was hiding behind the curtain.

'It was you who murdered Sir Reuben Astwell... 'Monsieur Trefusis.

'You waited until the house was silent and empty.'

You then crept back to your bedroom, leaving a dead man on the floor.

This is absolute nonsense.

Why should I want to kill him?

In the Astoprene file... ..I noticed a contract that bears your signature.

It would appear that you were instrumental in the development of the invention by Monsieur Naylor.

You were to become a very rich man... if it was produced by the Astwell company.

'But if the process was to be licensed elsewhere, 'as it was told to you by your German colleagues, 'of what value then would be your contract?'

Of no value at all.

He was a bully... ..a liar... ..and a swindler.

I think there would be few people who would disagree with your analysis of the character of Sir Reuben.

So, tell me, Mademoiselle Naylor, your brother, he is happy with the terms offered by Monsieur Victor Astwell?

Well, they really are quite generous... Shh.

Captain Hastings!

A hole in one, Captain Hastings.

A hole in one.

Miss Lemon, Captain Hastings possesses far too much of the intellectual strength... Quite right, Poirot.

I say!

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