01x08 - The Case of the Dixon Torpedo

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes". Aired: September 1971 to present.*
Watch/Buy Amazon  Merchandise

Adaptations of British mystery stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's contemporary rivals in the genre.
Post Reply

01x08 - The Case of the Dixon Torpedo

Post by bunniefuu »

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 th 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]

[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 w*apon of tomorrow?

Of today, my dear chap!

I am told the Russians have
torpedo boats.

Not that they often put to sea.

- The French have got .
-Ha! The French.

The Germans are building a few.

Anyone who thinks there's likely
to be a w*r with Germany

is, frankly, deluded.

You read that piece in the Times
the other day,

suggesting that in a future w*r,

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.

Hows 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 ,
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. lvanov
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.

D Daisy, Daisy D

D Give me your answer' do D

[ 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.

L Pa)' 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.

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

-[ Door closes]
-Nearly : , sir.

: , 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 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 f*g
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.

On? 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 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.

of the / .

of the / .

of the / .

of the / .

Mr. Dixon, with all due respect,
sir, this is the third --

Well, think yourself lucky
it's not the rd.

Come along, then, Roberts.

We want to get it over
and done with.

Mr. Dixon, too, I expect.

.

[Lock engages]

of the / .

of the / .

of the / .

of the / .

[indistinct speaking]

...

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 : a.m.
until : p.m.

It is now : .

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 : 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?
- .

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 : and : ..."

"...between : and : ..."

"...without fail?"

"...without fail?"

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

"Truly."

"Truly."

"Yours truly, Bruce Roberts."

"PS."

"PS."

"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 lvanov.

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 lvanov'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, lvanov'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:
lvanov. 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?
ls 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. lvanov,
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]

: .
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.

Fellows 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 .

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 k*lled 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 g*n.

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?

[g*nsh*t]

I suggest you keep away
from that stick.

You know,
we hang people for m*rder.

Not people
with diplomatic immunity.

Anyway,
who's talking about m*rder'?

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 p*stol.

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. lvanov
has a diplomatic passport.

He's committed m*rder
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, su1c1de...
maybe an unsolved m*rder.

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 lvanov.

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 lvanov,

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.
Post Reply