The Avengers (1961) s02e04 Episode Script
Bullseye
1 (theme music playing) Just arrived, Jean? Good morning, Miss Ellis.
The tube train was late.
Tube trains aren't late, Jean.
It's merely a question of which one you catch.
Yes, Miss Ellis.
Well, hadn't you better get on with Mr.
Anderson's notes? There's a board meeting this afternoon.
Oh, right.
What time will he be in? Oh, probably not till 10:00.
I believe he was working here late last night.
So you'll probably find he's dictated them for you.
I should, uh, check the tape through first.
Right.
Man's voice: Extraordinary shareholders' meeting, Monday the 5th.
Agenda item one.
Offer by Henry Cade Holdings.
Gentlemen, as chairman of your company, I would like to register at the outset my unreserved opposition to the proposed merger offer of the Cade company.
It is quite clear that this is a blatant example of a particularly (Jean grunts) a man renowned for his unscrupulous methods.
And in light of these developments, I, as your chairman Jean: Miss Ellis! Miss Ellis! Mr.
Anderson.
(gunshots) Two inners, one clipped and one in the bull.
Good little Custer, that, sir.
Good little gun, this, George.
Nothing to beat that mark for, is there, sir? Nothing at all.
(gunshots) (sighs) You know, the other day, I was up in the war office seeing the officer in charge of supplies, and he said to me, "Do you know, Williamson, we've never yet had a report of a faulty gun from Anderson's.
" - Brigadier? - Williamson: Oh, Miss Ellis? You hadn't forgotten about the board meeting, had you? Oh, blast the thing.
Yes, I had.
- Uh, what time does it begin? - In about five minutes.
Most of the shareholders are in the board room already.
Mr.
Reynolds is keeping them quiet.
Ah, they smell trouble.
Anyone there we don't know? There's one or two I haven't seen before.
Eh, probably stooges from Cade.
Oh, well, if they're itching for trouble, they'll get it.
(clicks) (gunshots) (sighs) That's a good little gun, George.
Keep it aside for me, will you? - I may need it again.
- Right.
(chatter) Uh, Mr.
Vice Chairman, I don't wish to cause distress by harping on a delicate matter, but I think you owe it to your shareholders to tell us under what circumstances the company chairman took his own life.
I've already read you the coroner's verdict, sir.
And are you trying to tell us, Mr.
Reynolds, that this was nothing to do with the Cade takeover bid? Mr.
Anderson, together with the remainder of your directors, was firmly resolved to resist the Cade offer.
You haven't answered my question.
(loud chatter) Reynolds: Order, please, ladies and gentlemen.
(loud chatter) I'm so sorry, Roy.
Ahem.
I apologize, Mr.
Chairman.
Mr.
Vice Chairman, may I draw your attention to page two of the profit and loss account? Also to the corresponding page in last year's statement? I say, who's that? That's our Mrs.
Gale.
Oh, you mean the new shareholder with 20% voting stock? Yes.
All bought on the market in the last few days.
That puts her in a very strong position.
Well, madam, we have them at hand.
Could you now explain to us how the labor and material costs have risen by over £100,000 in the last year according to the figures? I suppose I better answer this.
Madam, as works manager of this company, I can assure you that this figure is an accurate reflection of the almost daily increases in the costs of both labor and materials.
- Rubbish.
- Man: Poppycock! If that's all you've got to tell us, it's about time Cade did take over - and shook some of you up - Shame, sir! Shame! (chatter) Reynolds: Now, if you'll please come to order, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm afraid I cannot allow any further discussion on this matter unless it's in the shape of a resolution.
All right, I'll give you a resolution.
I propose that this lady here, who seems to be the only one who knows what she's talking about.
.
Shareholders: Hear, hear.
Be elected to fill the vacant seat on the board caused by the mysterious demise of the chairman.
- Man: Good idea! - Man #2: Great resolution.
(indistinct) Unless we pacify them, they'll sell every share they've got to Cade.
I'm afraid Young's right.
Do you accept the resolution or not, Mr.
Reynolds? I shall put it to the meeting.
The resolution is that, uh, Miss? Mrs.
Catherine Gale.
That Mrs.
Catherine Gale be co-op to the board of directors.
Will those in favor please show? Mm.
Against? So, the resolution's carried.
As it's now 2:30, I propose to adjourn this meeting until this day week.
This will also give Mrs.
Gale an opportunity to acquaint herself with the workings of this company before we next meet.
Meeting is closed.
(chatter) Oh! I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Good luck.
Welcome to the board, Mrs.
Gale.
Thank you.
We'd better go into lunch, Young, huh? And, uh, you better come, too, Mrs.
, um? - Gale.
- Oh, yes, yes.
Of course.
Now that you're one of us, we'd better get to know each other better, hadn't we? I say, I am frightfully sorry if I seemed rather rude to you just now, but we've been very severely shaken this week.
Yes, I do realize that.
A suicide must have been a great shock to you.
Suicide? Come on, Young.
- The brigadier has a theory that Anderson was murdered.
- Oh? Williamson: Are you coming, Mrs.
Gale? Yes.
Yes, I'm coming.
1773.
Hmm.
Eight miles a day.
Poor fella.
Oh.
Fascinating place.
Mm.
Oh, they're so greedy.
Congratulations.
I hear you're now on Anderson's board.
Thanks to a vociferous shareholder who I take it is a friend of yours? Of long standing.
And thanks, of course, to your money.
That block of shares you bought me must have cost at least 50,000.
Slightly less.
I bought when the market was lower.
It's still an expensive speculation.
It's paying.
Since Cade's takeover bid, that stock's been rising all morning.
We're £5,000 or £6,000 better off.
That calls for a celebration.
- Have a gull's egg.
- Part of the profits? (sighs) Aren't those beautiful? Hold on.
What do you think? - British Army standard issue.
- Uh-huh.
Do they usually come in this packaging? They come in all sorts of things.
Gift boxed with refugee supplies.
Since I talked to you, though, there's been a steady supply of rifles and Bren Guns.
They're all British manufactured.
But how is it getting through? We just don't know.
Various routes across Africa.
The main one is through Tangiers.
What we don't know is where it comes from and how it gets to Tangiers.
I said they I said they were all British manufactured and all in mint condition.
And you picked on Anderson's 'cause it's one of the firms that supplies arms to the War Department? Well, we gotta start somewhere.
Look, if we don't stop that stuff going through, there's gonna be a full-scale tribal war in a matter of weeks.
Now, you know Africa.
You know what that involves.
Yes, but Anderson's.
It's such an old, established and reputable firm.
Yes, that's why I thought it was surprising that its reputable old established chairman was found shot with a bullet in his head.
Oh.
(Chuckles) Casino boys.
Now, I want to know why Cade is interested in Anderson's.
Financial speculation, surely.
That's what I want you to find out.
The way Cade operates, that's not going to be easy.
I know.
Better keep those till they hatch out.
Your return in stock market are (stock ticker machine clacking) Yes.
Ahem.
Yes.
Yes.
Uh-huh.
36 and 9, yes.
Yes, it's coming through right now, yes.
Uh-huh.
Well, keep buying until it reaches 41 and 6.
41 and 6, that's right.
Then call me back.
All right? Yes? Woman: There's a Miss Catherine Gray to see you, sir.
- Who? - Miss Gray from Woman About London.
Oh, yes, send her up and get me a line to my office, will you? - Yes, Mr.
Cade.
- (rings) Hello.
Cade here.
Look, I want you to make one further offer to the Anderson stockholders.
Two Cade Holdings "A" shares for one Anderson.
- (knock on door) - Come in! Plus a cash offer of a shilling a share.
Make it quite clear this is the final offer, will you? (groans) - Mr.
Cade? - Yes.
My name is Catherine Gray from the Woman About London magazine.
- I can give you six minutes.
- Thank you.
We do a regular personality-of-the-month series, a sort of little profile of famous men.
For example, last month Actually, rather less than six minutes.
Oh.
I see you're a man to whom time is important.
- Yes.
- A self-made man? Yes.
- 40, uh, 2? - 44.
Now, this apartment, was it decorated to your instructions? - It was.
- Oh.
How would you, uh, describe your taste in decor? Vulgar.
I see you're a frank, straight-forward man.
No, I'm cunning and devious.
Is it too warm for you in here? Oh, no.
No, no.
Yes, I keep this room at a steady temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the idea being to simulate my hotel suite in the Bahamas.
The sunshine coming through these blinds is artificial and is provided by a 2-kilowatt carbon lamp.
There are several other phony items around the room, but since you have less than four minutes in which to record them, I suggest that you invent the rest.
Now, was there anything else you wanted? Yes.
What is your interest in the Anderson Small Arms Company? I intend to buy it up, reorganize its capital, and sell it at a profit, that's all.
Then I take it you're not interested in it because it's manufacturing arms? I am not remotely interested in what it manufactures.
Could be making babies' feeding bottles for all I care.
Now, what was this magazine you say you're working for? Woman About London.
You know it? Yes.
I bought it out last month.
If you did work for me, you'd know that I never see reporters.
Yes, I did know that, Mr.
Cade.
That's why I chose a magazine I knew you owned.
I thought you'd be curious enough to see me when you knew I wasn't genuine.
I let you up here because I'm told that you own 20% of Anderson stock.
Now, Mrs.
Gale, what did you really come to see me about? Let's say I'm just a shrewd speculator taking an interest in my investment.
If you are shrewd, you'll sell that investment at the right time to the right buyer.
That's a matter of personal judgment, isn't it? I think I ought to warn you that this is a tough business that at a certain point can get ugly.
That's the point where the sensible people pull out.
I feel you're about to make either a threat or an offer.
I have never yet failed to get control of a company I've wanted.
If you want to sell, you better not wait too long.
I think I've decided to hang on to my stock for the time being, Mr.
Cade.
That's entirely up to you, but don't blame me if you get your fingers burnt.
Thank you for seeing me.
My pleasure.
Get me Anderson's, will you? Yes, I want to place a call to Mr.
Reynolds.
Mr.
Reynolds.
Jean, have you any idea where Mr.
Reynolds is? Well, he was here about half an hour ago to take a call in his office.
After that, I think he went down to the works.
- What about Miss Ellis? - She's still at lunch.
Oh.
Then, uh, we're all alone, aren't we? Mr.
Young, does your wife know you carry on like this? Of course she does.
I tell her all about it every night.
Mm, I bet you don't.
Knowing her, she'd sling you out.
Mr.
Young, you know Miss Gale's still around, don't you? Oh, then I shall have to be especially careful, shan't I? Yes, you will.
You know, she doesn't miss much.
She's been through all the books, invoices and everything.
The brigadier said he thinks she's a spy from Cade's.
- Did he say that to you? - Well, no, not actually to me.
But I heard him say it to Mr.
Reynolds.
He said Mr.
Reynolds ought to be very careful.
Do you think Mrs.
Gale's a spy, Mr.
Young? Don't talk rubbish, Jean.
Was there something you wanted, Mr.
Young? As a matter of fact, I was looking for Mrs.
Gale.
Well, as far as I know, she's down in the butts.
Butts? What on Earth is she doing down there? I believe she's acquainting herself with the technical side of the business.
(gunshots) Oh.
Oh, it's you, miss.
I wondered who it was.
I was just trying out the new rifle.
Oh.
Well, telescopic sight with that one.
- Do you want to try it? - No, thanks.
I don't use 'em.
That's what the old brigadier always says.
"Always use open sights," he says.
"What's the use of waiting till you see the whites of their eyes "if they're still half a mile away?" he says.
- Is he a good shot? - First class.
Mark you, he ought to be, amount of practice he puts in down here.
- (fires) - Here.
You're quite a dab hand yourself, miss, aren't you? You think you can get the fourth one in? I'll try.
Man: That was practically in the same place, I should think.
These are rather old-fashioned butts, aren't they? Oh, yes.
They're not much use.
You see, all the proper testing's done on the open range with precision cameras and the lot.
But the directors, you know, they like to keep this place on so they can have a potshot now and again if they want to.
Here.
What'd I tell you? Two in one.
Very good.
I'll put another card up for you, shall I? Yes, would you? Oh.
Mr.
Reynolds.
And when did you last see Mr.
Reynolds alive? About a quarter of an hour before I came over here.
He come round the works.
He done it practically every day.
Then he came over here to the butts.
And who apart from yourself would know that he was coming over to the butts? He-he often does.
I suppose anybody could have guessed it.
- Did you know, Mrs.
Gale? - No.
No, I didn't.
- Mrs.
Gale is new here.
- I see.
Well, I think that's all I need from you for the time being.
Thank you.
Oh, well, there's just one thing.
Were you here all the time this lady was firing at the target? Uh, uh, no.
No, Mrs.
Gale was already firing when I came in.
- That's right, isn't it? - That's right, yes.
I see.
Thanks.
Well, that puts you in rather a difficult position, - doesn't it, Mrs.
Gale? - I don't see why.
It's quite obvious that Reynolds was already dead when I fired at that target.
Oh, I wouldn't say that was obvious.
On the contrary, I'd say that was rather difficult to prove.
But surely your pathologist report will confirm it? Oh, it does.
The report also says that it was only a matter of minutes between the shot that killed him and the shots you admit you fired.
Then whoever did it must have left immediately before I arrived.
You know, Mrs.
Gale, all the bullets found in Reynolds' body were fired from the same rifle.
Then the killer must have used the rifle before me.
Oh, I'm not saying it's conclusive, but the fact remains there's only one set of fingerprints on that rifle, and they're yours.
Well, I shall have to get in touch with you again, but we'll, uh, leave it there for the time being.
- Williamson: Say when.
- Young: That's it.
Thank you.
Right.
How about you, Doreen? - No, thank you.
- Right.
Well here's to the rest of us.
What few there are left of us.
By the way, where's Mrs.
Gale? Assisting the police with their inquiries.
You don't mean she's under suspicion? - You could put it that way.
- Oh, that's ridiculous.
What on Earth are the police playing at? Really, it's quite obvious she wouldn't kill a man and then hang around waiting for them - to turn up and catch her.
- I quite agree.
But so far nobody's come up with any better explanation.
I'll give you an explanation.
Cade.
He killed Reynolds just as surely as he killed Anderson.
You're not suggesting that he killed them both personally? Of course not.
A man with his money doesn't have to do it himself.
- Get somebody else to do it for him.
- Doreen: Exactly.
I don't think it's Mrs.
Gale, though.
Well, what would she have to gain? Brigadier, has it occurred to you that the 20% interest Mrs.
Gale holds in this company may have been bought with Cade's money? Well, of course it occurred to me.
I thought so myself, first go off.
Now I'm not so sure.
Just because she's an attractive woman? Oh, women don't pull the wool over my eyes anymore.
However, that's neither here nor there.
Whatever he does, Cade's not going to get this company.
Doreen: To be quite realistic, I don't see how we can stop him anymore.
The only hope we ever had of holding out was that the bulk of this company's shares were held by you, Brigadier, Mr.
Reynolds and Mr.
Anderson.
Well, now those two have gone, we can be easily outvoted by the outside shareholders.
I'm happy to tell you you're quite wrong.
I don't understand.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.
Anderson's will was declared.
He left all his shares in this company to his widow.
Well, I bought them this morning before the market opened.
Well, that's wonderful.
What about Reynolds' shares? I've got first option on those.
Then we're back where we started.
We haven't lost a single director's share, so if Cade wants to take us over, he's got to get rid of me.
That does put you in a rather vulnerable position, doesn't it? Oh, I can take care of myself.
(chatter) Cathy: I'd say all these were in Anderson's manufacturing range.
Steed: But you can't identify them more definitely? There are no special manufacturer's marks.
- Where'd you get the photos? - The supply commission.
They estimate nearly a quarter of a million pounds of this stuff at black market prices has gone through already.
But still no lead as to who's shipping it out there.
Have you been through Anderson's books? With a fine-toothed comb.
Every weapon they make goes to the War Department, and they're all accounted for, on paper, at least.
On the other hand, they made a trading loss last year, so it is possible that shipments are disappearing somewhere along the line.
But I still can't make out where Cade fits into all this.
Nor do I yet.
Of course, he stands to gain through Anderson and Reynolds' murder.
I understand you're first on the list for Reynolds' murder.
You got me into this.
Now get me out.
Well, you'll just have to be a bit careful, won't you? Oh, have you ever seen this character? Yes, he was at the shareholders' meeting, I think.
Well, I think that wherever you go, he goes.
Shareholders' meeting, stock exchange.
I'm surprised he isn't here now.
And he was snooping round your flat this morning.
The window cleaner saw him off the premises.
I don't understand.
My window cleaner doesn't call today.
It was a different window cleaner.
Me.
I took that photo.
Look, I was only there in case the police arrived, and they did.
I said you'd gone to the Isle of Wight.
That gives you more freedom of movement.
Did you conduct any more of my - Shh.
- private business while I was out? Yeah.
A fellow called Young, he called you up and said he'd missed you at the office but would you come and have drinks with him tonight, 8:00? I think he lives in a houseboat.
Yes, on the Thames, about a quarter of a mile from Anderson's Works.
I wonder what he does there.
(grunts) I'll let you know.
Thank you, my dear.
Do you ever go to sea in this, Mr.
Young? Yes, but only when I'm carrying white slave cargo.
Tsk.
Gosh, look at the time.
I must get these letters off, or I'll never get home.
Oh, you can leave those until tomorrow morning.
No, I should have stayed at the office to do them, really.
Well, it's much cozier here, isn't it? Yes, it is, but I must be going soon.
Why? Oh, is that boyfriend of yours taking you out tonight? Yes, as a matter of fact, he is.
He's off duty tonight.
Duty? What on Earth does he do? - He's a policeman.
- Oh, Jean.
You can do better than that.
Now stop it, Mr.
Young.
Supposing your wife comes in.
But I don't expect anybody here for at least another hour.
I told you to leave me alone! Oh, Jean, don't give me that.
You enjoy it.
You know you do.
Look, if you don't leave me alone, I'm gonna scream the place down.
- Aw, you wouldn't dare.
- Wouldn't I? (Screams) - (yells) - Get out of my way.
I'm getting out of here.
You've still got those letters to type.
Yeah.
Then I'll do them back at the office.
All right, I'll see you back along the towpath.
I don't care what you do, but don't try anything, because I'll scream louder.
Don't worry.
I won't.
- Now what? - You go out there.
I'm not walking there in front of you.
(grunting) Well, we are having fun, aren't we? (knock on door) Come in! Working late, Brigadier? Who is that? Cade.
You've got a blasted nerve, coming here.
Why? I'm a shareholder.
That doesn't give you a right to trespass on private property.
All right, Brigadier.
You can drop the bluster.
- It doesn't cut any ice with me.
- What have you come for? Well, occasionally I like to have a look at a firm I'm interested in.
You've been a long time getting around to it.
Ordinarily I wouldn't have been bothered, except that this firm seems to be becoming quite a problem.
I'm very glad to hear it.
I thought that you and I might get together, try to solve that problem out.
I don't discuss things with murderers.
What did they sling you out the army for, paranoia? - Look here, you - Now shut up, Brigadier! Stop behaving like a Boy Scout.
You're old enough now to listen to reason.
All right.
You, uh You must be on the point of retiring.
I'm not ready to retire yet.
Does that mean you haven't got the money to retire on? I've got money enough to keep you out of the business.
You mean that stock you bought off Anderson's widow? You're trying to tell me that was your money? Ha.
No, you paid for that with a company check.
If you'd had the money, you'd have bought Anderson's a week ago and made a profit.
Let's not waste any more of each other's time, shall we? Now, I'm willing to buy out all your stock at 43 shillings, and the moment I get control of this company, I'm willing to put you on a retirement pension of £25,000 tax free.
Golden handshake, huh? That's right.
(pouring) Didn't give me a chance to tell you she was coming.
Cathy, I do hope my wife's been looking after you.
- Oh, yes.
- Oh, yes.
We've all been having a marvelous time.
We're all great friends.
I didn't expect to see you quite so early.
I think, actually, you were a little late.
I'm sure he was working late at the office.
He often is, aren't you, darling? Anyway, Karl, if we're going to eat at the boathouse, we better get going or there'll be nothing left.
Have you any idea what time you might be back, darling? I shouldn't wait up.
Well, once again, Miss Gale, I'm terribly sorry that Karl burst in on you in such an alarming way, but he-he really did think the place was being burgled.
It's really very silly of him and I'm sure he regrets it.
Well, bye-bye, darling.
Don't work too hard.
- Good night, Mrs.
Gale.
- Good night.
Well, what did you think of Dorothy? I liked her coat.
It was very expensive.
Trust a woman to notice the clothes.
That was a present from Karl.
- Sordid, isn't it? - Does he have money? He's always pretty well-heeled.
What does he do? I don't know.
Some sort of antique dealer, I think.
He travels a lot.
But I mustn't bore you with private problems.
Oh, on the contrary.
I'm fascinated.
Really? That's very sweet of you, Cathy.
- You know, I do admire you.
- Why? You're so competent at everything.
And, well, you're the first really attractive woman with whom I feel I have something in common.
You feel that, do you? Oh, yes, Cathy.
I felt that right from the very first time we met.
- What, for example? - Well, you know.
Shares in Anderson? If you're going to be prosaic.
Well, it allows us to get to the point more quickly, doesn't it? And I imagine that's what you invited me here to discuss.
I did think we might have a little chat about it.
Then let's do that, shall we? To be brief, Cathy, you're in rather a tight spot.
- Am I? - It's an open secret the police think you're involved with the Reynolds death, and you must suspect as we all do that Cade is responsible for putting you in that spot.
Oh, you think he's heading toward me now, do you? Yes, I think it's his way of warning you to sell your shares and get out.
Isn't that precisely what you're doing at this moment? I'm trying to forestall trouble for you.
Oh, I see.
You think I'm going to give under the strain, so you want to buy me out yourself.
Well, if you sell out now, there won't be any strain, will there? I feel I'm about to be made another proposition.
You do like to get to the point quickly, don't you? All right, 45 shillings a share.
The brigadier offered me 45 and 6 and a much better seduction scene.
I think I can get the brigadier to agree to 46 shillings.
It'll cost you a lot of money.
We can raise it out of company funds.
Oh, I hardly think Miss Ellis would approve of that.
Oh, Miss Ellis doesn't carry any weight.
She's company secretary, isn't she? Because she's efficient.
She's only been with us about a year.
Yes, so I gather.
What was she doing before that? The same job with some firm in Switzerland.
But to get back to my offer, Cathy, how do you feel? I feel that if I can hold on a little longer - (telephone ringing) - someone's going to go up to £3.
If you hold on too long, someone's going to put a bullet through your head.
Will you excuse me? The telephone.
You're well-equipped.
It's only an extension line from the Works.
- Hello.
Young here.
- Mr.
Young, this is Jean here.
Yes, Jean, what is it? Mr.
Young, I can't stand this place a minute longer.
I really can't.
Now, look, Jean, calm down and tell me what has happened.
Well, I just came in here to give the brigadier those letters to sign, and I saw him sitting there, and at first I thought he was asleep and then I saw all this blood.
Oh, Mr.
Young, please come quickly.
Young: I'll get the police.
Police, please.
So now we are three.
And where do you say you were when you heard the shot, miss? - I was in the ladies'.
- And how long did it take you to get from there to the board room here? Oh, about two minutes.
And when you got here, apart from the deceased, - there was no one here.
- No.
I see.
Well, uh, I think that will be all for the moment.
Thank you, miss.
I'm glad you're back from the Isle of Wight, Mrs.
Gale.
Would you be kind enough to let us know if you're going away in future? How long am I under that restriction? Until our inquiries are complete.
Oh, thank you, miss.
How do you feel this morning, Jean? Terrible.
I couldn't sleep all night.
Does Miss Ellis know? Yes.
Mr.
Young's with her now.
Poor old man.
I can't believe anyone would want to kill him.
Oh, Jean, if you're finished with the police, you can go home if you like.
You can't feel much like work today.
Thank you, Miss Ellis, but don't you want me to prepare the stuff for the shareholders' meeting this morning? No, that's all right.
I'll get a temporary in.
- I'll see you tomorrow, then.
- All right.
I'd forgot there even is a shareholders' meeting this afternoon.
We adjourned it from last time, if you remember.
Well, Doreen, can't we postpone it? I mean, nobody can expect us to hold meetings under these circumstances.
If we do postpone it, we risk losing their support.
Well, what on Earth are we going to tell them? Exactly what's happened so far and the lengths to which we believe Cade has gone to get hold of this firm.
Well, I think we owe that to the shareholders, - don't you, Mrs.
Gale? - Yes, I think you're right.
But do we have enough outside shares now that we don't have the brigadier? But we've still got the brigadier's vote, so we're back where we started.
Mrs.
Gale's shares are still the vital 20% that can win or lose us this firm.
Yes, I'm sure Cathy realizes that.
- Yes, of course.
- (telephone ringing) - I'm sure Cade realizes as well.
- Hello? Yes, it is.
Yes, I could do that, Mr.
Cade.
When? All right.
Goodbye.
He wants me to go and see him.
Well, you're not going, surely? Well, why not? Well, you know he'll try and do a deal with you.
I imagine that's what's in his mind.
I'll go and see.
You got my broker on the line yet? Woman: Not yet, sir.
We're trying him at the stock exchange.
Oh, just a moment.
That might be him now.
- Yes.
We're putting him on to you now, sir.
- (rings) Hello.
What the devil happened to the Anderson ordinary? Well, it's down 3 shillings since last night's closing.
What?! Oh, but that's ridiculous.
Yes! Yes, yes, I understand.
Well, at least it may panic someone into selling if it does nothing else.
If they do, be ready to snap it up.
Well, of course we're still buying.
Everything we can get.
Mrs.
Gale for you, Mr.
Cade.
- Oh, yes.
Send her up.
- I have already.
Oh, come in.
I don't want to be disturbed for at least 10 minutes.
Sit down.
Read this.
Well, what do you make of it? It looks as though Anderson stock has taken a nasty fall.
Yes, it does, doesn't it? You're a director of the company.
Have you any idea why? - I'd only be guessing.
- Guess.
The city thinks your takeover bid is going to fail, so the shares are returning to normal.
And why should they think that my bid is going to fail? You know the city better than I do.
You tell me.
Three Anderson directors have died since I started bidding for the company.
Well, the-the city thinks I'm going to get cold feet and pull out rather than face any more bad publicity.
- And will you? - No.
The city is wrong.
I intend stepping up my bid for Anderson's.
Now that the exchange has depressed the value of the shares, I'll be able to buy cheaper.
So you're not worried about your bad publicity? Not in the least.
Even if the rest of you wind up dead, this won't make the slightest bit of difference to me.
You're really trying to impress me with your lack of morality, aren't you? Mrs.
Gale, you make me laugh.
You talk of morality.
Suddenly I'm supposed to feel sorry because three men have their brains blown out? Three men who devoted a lifetime to making armaments and lived comfortably on the dividends? If you want my opinion on your three co-directors, I think they met with a fitting end.
I'm surprised to find you with ideals.
I can afford ideals.
I'm also a realist.
I hope you are, too.
Anderson ordinary down to 35 and 6.
You see, whilst we've been talking, you have lost over £2,500 on your investment.
Now, you told me last time that you're a speculator.
A shrewd speculator would sell before those shares drop any further.
Is that all you asked me here for? I'm prepared to offer you last night's closing price.
I give you points for trying.
First Anderson, then Williamson, then Reynolds.
Now me.
What do you mean? You've offered to buy out each director in turn, and so far each one has refused.
- Who said they refused me? - I took it for granted.
Don't take anything for granted in this business.
I offered them all 25,000 or the share price to sell out to me privately.
Each one of them found the bribe too big to refuse.
Then how was it you weren't able to take over that firm days ago? Because within half an hour of accepting my offer, each one of them was dead.
They didn't even have a chance to ring their brokers.
In the case of the brigadier, I gather he was killed within 10 minutes of my leaving the building.
Whoever shot him must have been very close to him in more ways than one.
Tell me, Mr.
Cade, what's the first thing you do when you take over a firm? Pay off all the directors.
Get rid of them.
- Then? - Fire all the executive staffs.
Get my accountants in to go through the books.
So, if there were any irregularity in the firm, you'd find it out.
I'd know if there was a ha'penny short on the stamp book.
How much were you offering me for my stock? 43 shillings.
If I sold you my 20% plus the 40% you already hold, that would give you a majority vote.
It would give me Anderson's.
Then I think it's worth more than 43 shillings.
- 43 and 3? - Settle for 43 and 6.
It's a deal.
Oh, just one thing.
Don't you get yourself killed before you've rung your broker, will you? - Give me the phone.
- Be my guest.
I'm gonna take a shower.
(exhales) 43 and 6? Well, we bought at 32 and 6.
That's-that's 11 shillings' profit per share.
(exhales) 29,000 shares.
29 by 11 goes 319.
Hey, that's £6,000.
Oh, it's nice to have money coming in.
Now, listen, according to a contact of mine in Tangiers, an order for a fairly large consignment of arms was placed with a smuggling gang a few days ago.
Then things may move quickly this end, particularly when they learn that Cade's taking over.
Oh, listen, did you find out anything about our friend Karl? He's high on the wanted list for the same racket in France.
He's also a killer, so try and keep out of his way.
I'll try.
Young: 15 dozen rifles, a dozen light mortars? - This is impossible.
- Karl: Why? Well, to take quantities like that in one go would be risky at the best of times.
At this point, they're bound to be missed.
They've never been missed before.
We've never had anybody checking up before.
What he means is he's never had Mrs.
Gale sneaking - into cupboards before.
- That's your problem, Young.
We want this stuff and we want it quickly.
And it's worth £5,000 to you, and that's payable as usual on delivery.
I won't do it while all this takeover nonsense is going on.
Now, look, we've got to keep Cade's hands off this firm.
Otherwise the whole thing will be blown sky high.
We've done our best to help you with that, haven't we? - Yes, in your own crude way.
- Then what's the problem? - Mrs.
Gale? - No.
At least, I don't think she'll sell out on us.
Wishful thinking was always Dougie's strong point.
I thought you were going into town today.
- I am.
- Then why aren't you getting ready? Will you drive me in, Karl? No, I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on things.
In that case, I don't think I'll bother.
Go and get ready.
You know, if you were firmer with your wife, Young, you'd find her a lot more cooperative.
That's none of your business, but she is still my wife, and I'll thank you to remember that, especially when there are other people around.
I'm not interested in your wife, Young.
I just find our attachment a way of keeping you in order.
But if you show willing and get me those arms I need, I shan't have to do that, shall I? There is an order being created for an army depot this morning.
Good.
How are you going to handle it? I'll have the whole lot taken down to the butts on the grounds that we have to do some spot-checking.
They can all be collected from there, but I shall need some extra transport.
All right, I'll see to that.
Of course, the original consignment note will have to be altered to cover the loss until we can make it up from stock.
That'll be taken care of, too.
Anything else you need? Yes.
Shareholders' meeting.
I've got to be there this afternoon, otherwise it'll look suspicious.
That means that I cannot be aboard here to see it loaded.
I'll see to that.
Now, just you get that load for me.
I'll see to everything else.
Including Mrs.
Gale, if you like.
(chatter) - Mr.
Young not here yet? - Not yet.
He's been out supervising a delivery today, but he should be here any moment.
I see.
Well, how did you get on with Cade? It was interesting.
Don't you think we ought to start? It's nearly 3:00.
If you think so.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
As you may have heard, a great deal has happened since our last meeting was adjourned.
Later on in this meeting, I hope to tell you something of the nature of these events and what we believe to lie behind them.
Do you want to make your report first? - Cathy: Yes, I do.
- Doreen: In that case (continues, indistinct) Things all ready for loading.
(chatter) If you recall, it was at your instruction that our new director, Mrs.
Gale, be called on to make a report back to you of her assessment of how this company is being managed.
I will now ask Mrs.
Gale to make that report.
I'm afraid my report will be very brief.
As a result of what I've seen, I feel the interests of you all would be best served by a change of management at the head of this firm.
- What? - What do you mean by that? Man: She means she's sold out.
- Is that what you mean, Cathy? - Yes, that's right.
One hour ago, I acquired the ordinary stock previously held by Mrs.
Gale.
I've now acquired 61% ordinary and 23% preference stock.
In other words, I have a controlling majority in this company.
Well, then I protest! This information has been deliberately withheld from the remaining directors.
Certainly, but what are you going to do about it? Well, I-I wish to register my protest by offering my resignation.
- I accept.
Off you go.
- Man: Good Lord.
Man #2: Totally improper.
The meeting is now closed.
You'll be notified by first post tomorrow morning the value of your new Cade stock.
Good afternoon.
- Oh, uh, Miss Thing.
Uh - Ellis.
Yes.
Before you start resigning as well, I want a stock list of everything you have in this company right down to the last paper clip, all right? And she'll give you a hand.
I want that by 9:00 tomorrow morning.
I have another meeting.
Good afternoon.
(stockholders muttering) Well, I suppose we better get started, hadn't we? - What? - Oh, it's you.
Meeting finished already? The whole damn thing's finished.
You were right.
Cathy sold us out.
You've made a mess of it all, haven't you, Young? Look, if you must hold an inquest, hold it later, will you? First thing we've got to do is to get this stuff back to Cade before he finds out.
This is the consignment I ordered.
It's going to Tangier.
Cade will have the police in here within 24 hours.
Within 24 hours, I'll be off the coast of Brittany.
Ah, you'd be silly to do that.
We'd have to leave tonight! - Within the next two hours.
- What do you mean? It'll soon be dark enough to drift out into midstream without navigation lights, then full speed ahead from those lovely old naval engines of yours.
I'll be in the Thames estuary before the moon rises.
- And what about fuel? - I've loaded up with extra cans and I've also stocked up with provisions.
But Dorothy's still in town.
Well, Dorothy ought to be back from town by now.
You'll find her in The Three Greyhounds about now.
I don't like it.
And while you're out, collect our other passenger.
Stock-taking at this time of night? That's what Mr.
Cade wants.
It'll be very rough, I'll tell you that much.
He said he wants it to be exact.
Oh, does he? Well, apart from the stuff in the showcase, there's nothing here, and that's a change.
There always would have been stuff about in here.
Oh, we have two.
One rifle, Mark VI B.
Four rounds of ammunition in it.
Hmm.
Suppose I better put this back.
Oh, no.
Leave it where it is.
We'll lock up here later.
I don't know what I'm gonna tell the missus when I get home.
"I been doing stock-taking, darling, at this time of the night.
" I might as well tell her a lie.
Do you suppose he wants us to count the targets? - Mrs.
Gale? - Yes? I suppose you know you've let us down rather badly, don't you? I should have come and told you I was selling out to Cade? Well, it would have been courteous.
Would also have been suicidal, wouldn't it? I don't know what you mean.
Do you recognize this, Miss Ellis? No.
Why should I? What is it? It's the brigadier's handkerchief.
- Well, what about it? - It's got lipstick on it.
- So? - It's your lipstick, isn't it? And you were the only one who could have got close enough to him to reach his gun and kill him, just as you were the only one who could have got close enough to Anderson without his suspecting.
I'm still not quite sure how you got Reynolds.
I take it he was walking down here to the target end when you came in.
You followed him in here quietly.
You are, of course, an excellent markswoman.
Karl probably had taught you when you were living with him in Switzerland.
I think we've said enough, don't you? But Karl isn't around to applaud this killing.
Karl and Mrs.
Young cast off the boat half an hour ago.
They're now heading downriver and on their way to North Africa.
They even managed to get rid of Young on a false errand.
I don't believe you.
Karl wouldn't leave me like that.
Why not? He's got what he wanted and you obligingly did his killing for him.
Now he's moving on and you and Young are left to cover up for him.
(firing) You won't get much joy out of that rifle, Miss Ellis.
It's only got blanks in it.
Mrs.
Gale asked me to load it for her.
(scoffs) What about that firm in Oldham? Yeah, as well as making pencil sharpeners, I'd like to merge them with those biscuit tin people.
What? Yes, well, see what you can do.
Get back to me, will you? Well, what do you think of that? That sounds like an excellent proposition.
- You interested? - No.
Ah, come in.
Hello.
Oh, I didn't expect to see you here.
We've been talking finances.
He's a shrewd man, your broker.
Yes, I'm sure he is.
Well, here it is.
What's this? I've been up all night doing it.
Doing what? It's the stock list from Anderson's that you asked for.
Oh, you needn't have bothered.
I sold Anderson's last night to a Japanese syndicate.
- Ha-ha.
That'll teach them.
- Well, what was all that about checking the stock down to the last paper clip? Well, I always say that.
It frightens them, you see.
Were any of those guns missing, by the way? All recovered by the river police.
Well, it sounds fascinating.
Mrs.
Gale, why don't you have lunch with me today, - and you can tell me all about it, eh? - Yes, I'd love to.
I'm afraid that Mrs.
Gale is going to have lunch with me.
We have to discuss finance, you know? We don't have a lunch appointment.
I think it's far better not to get mixed up with types like him.
You never know where you might end up.
- Dinner.
- Dinner.
(intercom buzzes) Woman: Your call to Tokyo, sir.
Ah.
Hello, Arnold.
(speaking Japanese) (theme music playing)
The tube train was late.
Tube trains aren't late, Jean.
It's merely a question of which one you catch.
Yes, Miss Ellis.
Well, hadn't you better get on with Mr.
Anderson's notes? There's a board meeting this afternoon.
Oh, right.
What time will he be in? Oh, probably not till 10:00.
I believe he was working here late last night.
So you'll probably find he's dictated them for you.
I should, uh, check the tape through first.
Right.
Man's voice: Extraordinary shareholders' meeting, Monday the 5th.
Agenda item one.
Offer by Henry Cade Holdings.
Gentlemen, as chairman of your company, I would like to register at the outset my unreserved opposition to the proposed merger offer of the Cade company.
It is quite clear that this is a blatant example of a particularly (Jean grunts) a man renowned for his unscrupulous methods.
And in light of these developments, I, as your chairman Jean: Miss Ellis! Miss Ellis! Mr.
Anderson.
(gunshots) Two inners, one clipped and one in the bull.
Good little Custer, that, sir.
Good little gun, this, George.
Nothing to beat that mark for, is there, sir? Nothing at all.
(gunshots) (sighs) You know, the other day, I was up in the war office seeing the officer in charge of supplies, and he said to me, "Do you know, Williamson, we've never yet had a report of a faulty gun from Anderson's.
" - Brigadier? - Williamson: Oh, Miss Ellis? You hadn't forgotten about the board meeting, had you? Oh, blast the thing.
Yes, I had.
- Uh, what time does it begin? - In about five minutes.
Most of the shareholders are in the board room already.
Mr.
Reynolds is keeping them quiet.
Ah, they smell trouble.
Anyone there we don't know? There's one or two I haven't seen before.
Eh, probably stooges from Cade.
Oh, well, if they're itching for trouble, they'll get it.
(clicks) (gunshots) (sighs) That's a good little gun, George.
Keep it aside for me, will you? - I may need it again.
- Right.
(chatter) Uh, Mr.
Vice Chairman, I don't wish to cause distress by harping on a delicate matter, but I think you owe it to your shareholders to tell us under what circumstances the company chairman took his own life.
I've already read you the coroner's verdict, sir.
And are you trying to tell us, Mr.
Reynolds, that this was nothing to do with the Cade takeover bid? Mr.
Anderson, together with the remainder of your directors, was firmly resolved to resist the Cade offer.
You haven't answered my question.
(loud chatter) Reynolds: Order, please, ladies and gentlemen.
(loud chatter) I'm so sorry, Roy.
Ahem.
I apologize, Mr.
Chairman.
Mr.
Vice Chairman, may I draw your attention to page two of the profit and loss account? Also to the corresponding page in last year's statement? I say, who's that? That's our Mrs.
Gale.
Oh, you mean the new shareholder with 20% voting stock? Yes.
All bought on the market in the last few days.
That puts her in a very strong position.
Well, madam, we have them at hand.
Could you now explain to us how the labor and material costs have risen by over £100,000 in the last year according to the figures? I suppose I better answer this.
Madam, as works manager of this company, I can assure you that this figure is an accurate reflection of the almost daily increases in the costs of both labor and materials.
- Rubbish.
- Man: Poppycock! If that's all you've got to tell us, it's about time Cade did take over - and shook some of you up - Shame, sir! Shame! (chatter) Reynolds: Now, if you'll please come to order, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm afraid I cannot allow any further discussion on this matter unless it's in the shape of a resolution.
All right, I'll give you a resolution.
I propose that this lady here, who seems to be the only one who knows what she's talking about.
.
Shareholders: Hear, hear.
Be elected to fill the vacant seat on the board caused by the mysterious demise of the chairman.
- Man: Good idea! - Man #2: Great resolution.
(indistinct) Unless we pacify them, they'll sell every share they've got to Cade.
I'm afraid Young's right.
Do you accept the resolution or not, Mr.
Reynolds? I shall put it to the meeting.
The resolution is that, uh, Miss? Mrs.
Catherine Gale.
That Mrs.
Catherine Gale be co-op to the board of directors.
Will those in favor please show? Mm.
Against? So, the resolution's carried.
As it's now 2:30, I propose to adjourn this meeting until this day week.
This will also give Mrs.
Gale an opportunity to acquaint herself with the workings of this company before we next meet.
Meeting is closed.
(chatter) Oh! I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Good luck.
Welcome to the board, Mrs.
Gale.
Thank you.
We'd better go into lunch, Young, huh? And, uh, you better come, too, Mrs.
, um? - Gale.
- Oh, yes, yes.
Of course.
Now that you're one of us, we'd better get to know each other better, hadn't we? I say, I am frightfully sorry if I seemed rather rude to you just now, but we've been very severely shaken this week.
Yes, I do realize that.
A suicide must have been a great shock to you.
Suicide? Come on, Young.
- The brigadier has a theory that Anderson was murdered.
- Oh? Williamson: Are you coming, Mrs.
Gale? Yes.
Yes, I'm coming.
1773.
Hmm.
Eight miles a day.
Poor fella.
Oh.
Fascinating place.
Mm.
Oh, they're so greedy.
Congratulations.
I hear you're now on Anderson's board.
Thanks to a vociferous shareholder who I take it is a friend of yours? Of long standing.
And thanks, of course, to your money.
That block of shares you bought me must have cost at least 50,000.
Slightly less.
I bought when the market was lower.
It's still an expensive speculation.
It's paying.
Since Cade's takeover bid, that stock's been rising all morning.
We're £5,000 or £6,000 better off.
That calls for a celebration.
- Have a gull's egg.
- Part of the profits? (sighs) Aren't those beautiful? Hold on.
What do you think? - British Army standard issue.
- Uh-huh.
Do they usually come in this packaging? They come in all sorts of things.
Gift boxed with refugee supplies.
Since I talked to you, though, there's been a steady supply of rifles and Bren Guns.
They're all British manufactured.
But how is it getting through? We just don't know.
Various routes across Africa.
The main one is through Tangiers.
What we don't know is where it comes from and how it gets to Tangiers.
I said they I said they were all British manufactured and all in mint condition.
And you picked on Anderson's 'cause it's one of the firms that supplies arms to the War Department? Well, we gotta start somewhere.
Look, if we don't stop that stuff going through, there's gonna be a full-scale tribal war in a matter of weeks.
Now, you know Africa.
You know what that involves.
Yes, but Anderson's.
It's such an old, established and reputable firm.
Yes, that's why I thought it was surprising that its reputable old established chairman was found shot with a bullet in his head.
Oh.
(Chuckles) Casino boys.
Now, I want to know why Cade is interested in Anderson's.
Financial speculation, surely.
That's what I want you to find out.
The way Cade operates, that's not going to be easy.
I know.
Better keep those till they hatch out.
Your return in stock market are (stock ticker machine clacking) Yes.
Ahem.
Yes.
Yes.
Uh-huh.
36 and 9, yes.
Yes, it's coming through right now, yes.
Uh-huh.
Well, keep buying until it reaches 41 and 6.
41 and 6, that's right.
Then call me back.
All right? Yes? Woman: There's a Miss Catherine Gray to see you, sir.
- Who? - Miss Gray from Woman About London.
Oh, yes, send her up and get me a line to my office, will you? - Yes, Mr.
Cade.
- (rings) Hello.
Cade here.
Look, I want you to make one further offer to the Anderson stockholders.
Two Cade Holdings "A" shares for one Anderson.
- (knock on door) - Come in! Plus a cash offer of a shilling a share.
Make it quite clear this is the final offer, will you? (groans) - Mr.
Cade? - Yes.
My name is Catherine Gray from the Woman About London magazine.
- I can give you six minutes.
- Thank you.
We do a regular personality-of-the-month series, a sort of little profile of famous men.
For example, last month Actually, rather less than six minutes.
Oh.
I see you're a man to whom time is important.
- Yes.
- A self-made man? Yes.
- 40, uh, 2? - 44.
Now, this apartment, was it decorated to your instructions? - It was.
- Oh.
How would you, uh, describe your taste in decor? Vulgar.
I see you're a frank, straight-forward man.
No, I'm cunning and devious.
Is it too warm for you in here? Oh, no.
No, no.
Yes, I keep this room at a steady temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the idea being to simulate my hotel suite in the Bahamas.
The sunshine coming through these blinds is artificial and is provided by a 2-kilowatt carbon lamp.
There are several other phony items around the room, but since you have less than four minutes in which to record them, I suggest that you invent the rest.
Now, was there anything else you wanted? Yes.
What is your interest in the Anderson Small Arms Company? I intend to buy it up, reorganize its capital, and sell it at a profit, that's all.
Then I take it you're not interested in it because it's manufacturing arms? I am not remotely interested in what it manufactures.
Could be making babies' feeding bottles for all I care.
Now, what was this magazine you say you're working for? Woman About London.
You know it? Yes.
I bought it out last month.
If you did work for me, you'd know that I never see reporters.
Yes, I did know that, Mr.
Cade.
That's why I chose a magazine I knew you owned.
I thought you'd be curious enough to see me when you knew I wasn't genuine.
I let you up here because I'm told that you own 20% of Anderson stock.
Now, Mrs.
Gale, what did you really come to see me about? Let's say I'm just a shrewd speculator taking an interest in my investment.
If you are shrewd, you'll sell that investment at the right time to the right buyer.
That's a matter of personal judgment, isn't it? I think I ought to warn you that this is a tough business that at a certain point can get ugly.
That's the point where the sensible people pull out.
I feel you're about to make either a threat or an offer.
I have never yet failed to get control of a company I've wanted.
If you want to sell, you better not wait too long.
I think I've decided to hang on to my stock for the time being, Mr.
Cade.
That's entirely up to you, but don't blame me if you get your fingers burnt.
Thank you for seeing me.
My pleasure.
Get me Anderson's, will you? Yes, I want to place a call to Mr.
Reynolds.
Mr.
Reynolds.
Jean, have you any idea where Mr.
Reynolds is? Well, he was here about half an hour ago to take a call in his office.
After that, I think he went down to the works.
- What about Miss Ellis? - She's still at lunch.
Oh.
Then, uh, we're all alone, aren't we? Mr.
Young, does your wife know you carry on like this? Of course she does.
I tell her all about it every night.
Mm, I bet you don't.
Knowing her, she'd sling you out.
Mr.
Young, you know Miss Gale's still around, don't you? Oh, then I shall have to be especially careful, shan't I? Yes, you will.
You know, she doesn't miss much.
She's been through all the books, invoices and everything.
The brigadier said he thinks she's a spy from Cade's.
- Did he say that to you? - Well, no, not actually to me.
But I heard him say it to Mr.
Reynolds.
He said Mr.
Reynolds ought to be very careful.
Do you think Mrs.
Gale's a spy, Mr.
Young? Don't talk rubbish, Jean.
Was there something you wanted, Mr.
Young? As a matter of fact, I was looking for Mrs.
Gale.
Well, as far as I know, she's down in the butts.
Butts? What on Earth is she doing down there? I believe she's acquainting herself with the technical side of the business.
(gunshots) Oh.
Oh, it's you, miss.
I wondered who it was.
I was just trying out the new rifle.
Oh.
Well, telescopic sight with that one.
- Do you want to try it? - No, thanks.
I don't use 'em.
That's what the old brigadier always says.
"Always use open sights," he says.
"What's the use of waiting till you see the whites of their eyes "if they're still half a mile away?" he says.
- Is he a good shot? - First class.
Mark you, he ought to be, amount of practice he puts in down here.
- (fires) - Here.
You're quite a dab hand yourself, miss, aren't you? You think you can get the fourth one in? I'll try.
Man: That was practically in the same place, I should think.
These are rather old-fashioned butts, aren't they? Oh, yes.
They're not much use.
You see, all the proper testing's done on the open range with precision cameras and the lot.
But the directors, you know, they like to keep this place on so they can have a potshot now and again if they want to.
Here.
What'd I tell you? Two in one.
Very good.
I'll put another card up for you, shall I? Yes, would you? Oh.
Mr.
Reynolds.
And when did you last see Mr.
Reynolds alive? About a quarter of an hour before I came over here.
He come round the works.
He done it practically every day.
Then he came over here to the butts.
And who apart from yourself would know that he was coming over to the butts? He-he often does.
I suppose anybody could have guessed it.
- Did you know, Mrs.
Gale? - No.
No, I didn't.
- Mrs.
Gale is new here.
- I see.
Well, I think that's all I need from you for the time being.
Thank you.
Oh, well, there's just one thing.
Were you here all the time this lady was firing at the target? Uh, uh, no.
No, Mrs.
Gale was already firing when I came in.
- That's right, isn't it? - That's right, yes.
I see.
Thanks.
Well, that puts you in rather a difficult position, - doesn't it, Mrs.
Gale? - I don't see why.
It's quite obvious that Reynolds was already dead when I fired at that target.
Oh, I wouldn't say that was obvious.
On the contrary, I'd say that was rather difficult to prove.
But surely your pathologist report will confirm it? Oh, it does.
The report also says that it was only a matter of minutes between the shot that killed him and the shots you admit you fired.
Then whoever did it must have left immediately before I arrived.
You know, Mrs.
Gale, all the bullets found in Reynolds' body were fired from the same rifle.
Then the killer must have used the rifle before me.
Oh, I'm not saying it's conclusive, but the fact remains there's only one set of fingerprints on that rifle, and they're yours.
Well, I shall have to get in touch with you again, but we'll, uh, leave it there for the time being.
- Williamson: Say when.
- Young: That's it.
Thank you.
Right.
How about you, Doreen? - No, thank you.
- Right.
Well here's to the rest of us.
What few there are left of us.
By the way, where's Mrs.
Gale? Assisting the police with their inquiries.
You don't mean she's under suspicion? - You could put it that way.
- Oh, that's ridiculous.
What on Earth are the police playing at? Really, it's quite obvious she wouldn't kill a man and then hang around waiting for them - to turn up and catch her.
- I quite agree.
But so far nobody's come up with any better explanation.
I'll give you an explanation.
Cade.
He killed Reynolds just as surely as he killed Anderson.
You're not suggesting that he killed them both personally? Of course not.
A man with his money doesn't have to do it himself.
- Get somebody else to do it for him.
- Doreen: Exactly.
I don't think it's Mrs.
Gale, though.
Well, what would she have to gain? Brigadier, has it occurred to you that the 20% interest Mrs.
Gale holds in this company may have been bought with Cade's money? Well, of course it occurred to me.
I thought so myself, first go off.
Now I'm not so sure.
Just because she's an attractive woman? Oh, women don't pull the wool over my eyes anymore.
However, that's neither here nor there.
Whatever he does, Cade's not going to get this company.
Doreen: To be quite realistic, I don't see how we can stop him anymore.
The only hope we ever had of holding out was that the bulk of this company's shares were held by you, Brigadier, Mr.
Reynolds and Mr.
Anderson.
Well, now those two have gone, we can be easily outvoted by the outside shareholders.
I'm happy to tell you you're quite wrong.
I don't understand.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.
Anderson's will was declared.
He left all his shares in this company to his widow.
Well, I bought them this morning before the market opened.
Well, that's wonderful.
What about Reynolds' shares? I've got first option on those.
Then we're back where we started.
We haven't lost a single director's share, so if Cade wants to take us over, he's got to get rid of me.
That does put you in a rather vulnerable position, doesn't it? Oh, I can take care of myself.
(chatter) Cathy: I'd say all these were in Anderson's manufacturing range.
Steed: But you can't identify them more definitely? There are no special manufacturer's marks.
- Where'd you get the photos? - The supply commission.
They estimate nearly a quarter of a million pounds of this stuff at black market prices has gone through already.
But still no lead as to who's shipping it out there.
Have you been through Anderson's books? With a fine-toothed comb.
Every weapon they make goes to the War Department, and they're all accounted for, on paper, at least.
On the other hand, they made a trading loss last year, so it is possible that shipments are disappearing somewhere along the line.
But I still can't make out where Cade fits into all this.
Nor do I yet.
Of course, he stands to gain through Anderson and Reynolds' murder.
I understand you're first on the list for Reynolds' murder.
You got me into this.
Now get me out.
Well, you'll just have to be a bit careful, won't you? Oh, have you ever seen this character? Yes, he was at the shareholders' meeting, I think.
Well, I think that wherever you go, he goes.
Shareholders' meeting, stock exchange.
I'm surprised he isn't here now.
And he was snooping round your flat this morning.
The window cleaner saw him off the premises.
I don't understand.
My window cleaner doesn't call today.
It was a different window cleaner.
Me.
I took that photo.
Look, I was only there in case the police arrived, and they did.
I said you'd gone to the Isle of Wight.
That gives you more freedom of movement.
Did you conduct any more of my - Shh.
- private business while I was out? Yeah.
A fellow called Young, he called you up and said he'd missed you at the office but would you come and have drinks with him tonight, 8:00? I think he lives in a houseboat.
Yes, on the Thames, about a quarter of a mile from Anderson's Works.
I wonder what he does there.
(grunts) I'll let you know.
Thank you, my dear.
Do you ever go to sea in this, Mr.
Young? Yes, but only when I'm carrying white slave cargo.
Tsk.
Gosh, look at the time.
I must get these letters off, or I'll never get home.
Oh, you can leave those until tomorrow morning.
No, I should have stayed at the office to do them, really.
Well, it's much cozier here, isn't it? Yes, it is, but I must be going soon.
Why? Oh, is that boyfriend of yours taking you out tonight? Yes, as a matter of fact, he is.
He's off duty tonight.
Duty? What on Earth does he do? - He's a policeman.
- Oh, Jean.
You can do better than that.
Now stop it, Mr.
Young.
Supposing your wife comes in.
But I don't expect anybody here for at least another hour.
I told you to leave me alone! Oh, Jean, don't give me that.
You enjoy it.
You know you do.
Look, if you don't leave me alone, I'm gonna scream the place down.
- Aw, you wouldn't dare.
- Wouldn't I? (Screams) - (yells) - Get out of my way.
I'm getting out of here.
You've still got those letters to type.
Yeah.
Then I'll do them back at the office.
All right, I'll see you back along the towpath.
I don't care what you do, but don't try anything, because I'll scream louder.
Don't worry.
I won't.
- Now what? - You go out there.
I'm not walking there in front of you.
(grunting) Well, we are having fun, aren't we? (knock on door) Come in! Working late, Brigadier? Who is that? Cade.
You've got a blasted nerve, coming here.
Why? I'm a shareholder.
That doesn't give you a right to trespass on private property.
All right, Brigadier.
You can drop the bluster.
- It doesn't cut any ice with me.
- What have you come for? Well, occasionally I like to have a look at a firm I'm interested in.
You've been a long time getting around to it.
Ordinarily I wouldn't have been bothered, except that this firm seems to be becoming quite a problem.
I'm very glad to hear it.
I thought that you and I might get together, try to solve that problem out.
I don't discuss things with murderers.
What did they sling you out the army for, paranoia? - Look here, you - Now shut up, Brigadier! Stop behaving like a Boy Scout.
You're old enough now to listen to reason.
All right.
You, uh You must be on the point of retiring.
I'm not ready to retire yet.
Does that mean you haven't got the money to retire on? I've got money enough to keep you out of the business.
You mean that stock you bought off Anderson's widow? You're trying to tell me that was your money? Ha.
No, you paid for that with a company check.
If you'd had the money, you'd have bought Anderson's a week ago and made a profit.
Let's not waste any more of each other's time, shall we? Now, I'm willing to buy out all your stock at 43 shillings, and the moment I get control of this company, I'm willing to put you on a retirement pension of £25,000 tax free.
Golden handshake, huh? That's right.
(pouring) Didn't give me a chance to tell you she was coming.
Cathy, I do hope my wife's been looking after you.
- Oh, yes.
- Oh, yes.
We've all been having a marvelous time.
We're all great friends.
I didn't expect to see you quite so early.
I think, actually, you were a little late.
I'm sure he was working late at the office.
He often is, aren't you, darling? Anyway, Karl, if we're going to eat at the boathouse, we better get going or there'll be nothing left.
Have you any idea what time you might be back, darling? I shouldn't wait up.
Well, once again, Miss Gale, I'm terribly sorry that Karl burst in on you in such an alarming way, but he-he really did think the place was being burgled.
It's really very silly of him and I'm sure he regrets it.
Well, bye-bye, darling.
Don't work too hard.
- Good night, Mrs.
Gale.
- Good night.
Well, what did you think of Dorothy? I liked her coat.
It was very expensive.
Trust a woman to notice the clothes.
That was a present from Karl.
- Sordid, isn't it? - Does he have money? He's always pretty well-heeled.
What does he do? I don't know.
Some sort of antique dealer, I think.
He travels a lot.
But I mustn't bore you with private problems.
Oh, on the contrary.
I'm fascinated.
Really? That's very sweet of you, Cathy.
- You know, I do admire you.
- Why? You're so competent at everything.
And, well, you're the first really attractive woman with whom I feel I have something in common.
You feel that, do you? Oh, yes, Cathy.
I felt that right from the very first time we met.
- What, for example? - Well, you know.
Shares in Anderson? If you're going to be prosaic.
Well, it allows us to get to the point more quickly, doesn't it? And I imagine that's what you invited me here to discuss.
I did think we might have a little chat about it.
Then let's do that, shall we? To be brief, Cathy, you're in rather a tight spot.
- Am I? - It's an open secret the police think you're involved with the Reynolds death, and you must suspect as we all do that Cade is responsible for putting you in that spot.
Oh, you think he's heading toward me now, do you? Yes, I think it's his way of warning you to sell your shares and get out.
Isn't that precisely what you're doing at this moment? I'm trying to forestall trouble for you.
Oh, I see.
You think I'm going to give under the strain, so you want to buy me out yourself.
Well, if you sell out now, there won't be any strain, will there? I feel I'm about to be made another proposition.
You do like to get to the point quickly, don't you? All right, 45 shillings a share.
The brigadier offered me 45 and 6 and a much better seduction scene.
I think I can get the brigadier to agree to 46 shillings.
It'll cost you a lot of money.
We can raise it out of company funds.
Oh, I hardly think Miss Ellis would approve of that.
Oh, Miss Ellis doesn't carry any weight.
She's company secretary, isn't she? Because she's efficient.
She's only been with us about a year.
Yes, so I gather.
What was she doing before that? The same job with some firm in Switzerland.
But to get back to my offer, Cathy, how do you feel? I feel that if I can hold on a little longer - (telephone ringing) - someone's going to go up to £3.
If you hold on too long, someone's going to put a bullet through your head.
Will you excuse me? The telephone.
You're well-equipped.
It's only an extension line from the Works.
- Hello.
Young here.
- Mr.
Young, this is Jean here.
Yes, Jean, what is it? Mr.
Young, I can't stand this place a minute longer.
I really can't.
Now, look, Jean, calm down and tell me what has happened.
Well, I just came in here to give the brigadier those letters to sign, and I saw him sitting there, and at first I thought he was asleep and then I saw all this blood.
Oh, Mr.
Young, please come quickly.
Young: I'll get the police.
Police, please.
So now we are three.
And where do you say you were when you heard the shot, miss? - I was in the ladies'.
- And how long did it take you to get from there to the board room here? Oh, about two minutes.
And when you got here, apart from the deceased, - there was no one here.
- No.
I see.
Well, uh, I think that will be all for the moment.
Thank you, miss.
I'm glad you're back from the Isle of Wight, Mrs.
Gale.
Would you be kind enough to let us know if you're going away in future? How long am I under that restriction? Until our inquiries are complete.
Oh, thank you, miss.
How do you feel this morning, Jean? Terrible.
I couldn't sleep all night.
Does Miss Ellis know? Yes.
Mr.
Young's with her now.
Poor old man.
I can't believe anyone would want to kill him.
Oh, Jean, if you're finished with the police, you can go home if you like.
You can't feel much like work today.
Thank you, Miss Ellis, but don't you want me to prepare the stuff for the shareholders' meeting this morning? No, that's all right.
I'll get a temporary in.
- I'll see you tomorrow, then.
- All right.
I'd forgot there even is a shareholders' meeting this afternoon.
We adjourned it from last time, if you remember.
Well, Doreen, can't we postpone it? I mean, nobody can expect us to hold meetings under these circumstances.
If we do postpone it, we risk losing their support.
Well, what on Earth are we going to tell them? Exactly what's happened so far and the lengths to which we believe Cade has gone to get hold of this firm.
Well, I think we owe that to the shareholders, - don't you, Mrs.
Gale? - Yes, I think you're right.
But do we have enough outside shares now that we don't have the brigadier? But we've still got the brigadier's vote, so we're back where we started.
Mrs.
Gale's shares are still the vital 20% that can win or lose us this firm.
Yes, I'm sure Cathy realizes that.
- Yes, of course.
- (telephone ringing) - I'm sure Cade realizes as well.
- Hello? Yes, it is.
Yes, I could do that, Mr.
Cade.
When? All right.
Goodbye.
He wants me to go and see him.
Well, you're not going, surely? Well, why not? Well, you know he'll try and do a deal with you.
I imagine that's what's in his mind.
I'll go and see.
You got my broker on the line yet? Woman: Not yet, sir.
We're trying him at the stock exchange.
Oh, just a moment.
That might be him now.
- Yes.
We're putting him on to you now, sir.
- (rings) Hello.
What the devil happened to the Anderson ordinary? Well, it's down 3 shillings since last night's closing.
What?! Oh, but that's ridiculous.
Yes! Yes, yes, I understand.
Well, at least it may panic someone into selling if it does nothing else.
If they do, be ready to snap it up.
Well, of course we're still buying.
Everything we can get.
Mrs.
Gale for you, Mr.
Cade.
- Oh, yes.
Send her up.
- I have already.
Oh, come in.
I don't want to be disturbed for at least 10 minutes.
Sit down.
Read this.
Well, what do you make of it? It looks as though Anderson stock has taken a nasty fall.
Yes, it does, doesn't it? You're a director of the company.
Have you any idea why? - I'd only be guessing.
- Guess.
The city thinks your takeover bid is going to fail, so the shares are returning to normal.
And why should they think that my bid is going to fail? You know the city better than I do.
You tell me.
Three Anderson directors have died since I started bidding for the company.
Well, the-the city thinks I'm going to get cold feet and pull out rather than face any more bad publicity.
- And will you? - No.
The city is wrong.
I intend stepping up my bid for Anderson's.
Now that the exchange has depressed the value of the shares, I'll be able to buy cheaper.
So you're not worried about your bad publicity? Not in the least.
Even if the rest of you wind up dead, this won't make the slightest bit of difference to me.
You're really trying to impress me with your lack of morality, aren't you? Mrs.
Gale, you make me laugh.
You talk of morality.
Suddenly I'm supposed to feel sorry because three men have their brains blown out? Three men who devoted a lifetime to making armaments and lived comfortably on the dividends? If you want my opinion on your three co-directors, I think they met with a fitting end.
I'm surprised to find you with ideals.
I can afford ideals.
I'm also a realist.
I hope you are, too.
Anderson ordinary down to 35 and 6.
You see, whilst we've been talking, you have lost over £2,500 on your investment.
Now, you told me last time that you're a speculator.
A shrewd speculator would sell before those shares drop any further.
Is that all you asked me here for? I'm prepared to offer you last night's closing price.
I give you points for trying.
First Anderson, then Williamson, then Reynolds.
Now me.
What do you mean? You've offered to buy out each director in turn, and so far each one has refused.
- Who said they refused me? - I took it for granted.
Don't take anything for granted in this business.
I offered them all 25,000 or the share price to sell out to me privately.
Each one of them found the bribe too big to refuse.
Then how was it you weren't able to take over that firm days ago? Because within half an hour of accepting my offer, each one of them was dead.
They didn't even have a chance to ring their brokers.
In the case of the brigadier, I gather he was killed within 10 minutes of my leaving the building.
Whoever shot him must have been very close to him in more ways than one.
Tell me, Mr.
Cade, what's the first thing you do when you take over a firm? Pay off all the directors.
Get rid of them.
- Then? - Fire all the executive staffs.
Get my accountants in to go through the books.
So, if there were any irregularity in the firm, you'd find it out.
I'd know if there was a ha'penny short on the stamp book.
How much were you offering me for my stock? 43 shillings.
If I sold you my 20% plus the 40% you already hold, that would give you a majority vote.
It would give me Anderson's.
Then I think it's worth more than 43 shillings.
- 43 and 3? - Settle for 43 and 6.
It's a deal.
Oh, just one thing.
Don't you get yourself killed before you've rung your broker, will you? - Give me the phone.
- Be my guest.
I'm gonna take a shower.
(exhales) 43 and 6? Well, we bought at 32 and 6.
That's-that's 11 shillings' profit per share.
(exhales) 29,000 shares.
29 by 11 goes 319.
Hey, that's £6,000.
Oh, it's nice to have money coming in.
Now, listen, according to a contact of mine in Tangiers, an order for a fairly large consignment of arms was placed with a smuggling gang a few days ago.
Then things may move quickly this end, particularly when they learn that Cade's taking over.
Oh, listen, did you find out anything about our friend Karl? He's high on the wanted list for the same racket in France.
He's also a killer, so try and keep out of his way.
I'll try.
Young: 15 dozen rifles, a dozen light mortars? - This is impossible.
- Karl: Why? Well, to take quantities like that in one go would be risky at the best of times.
At this point, they're bound to be missed.
They've never been missed before.
We've never had anybody checking up before.
What he means is he's never had Mrs.
Gale sneaking - into cupboards before.
- That's your problem, Young.
We want this stuff and we want it quickly.
And it's worth £5,000 to you, and that's payable as usual on delivery.
I won't do it while all this takeover nonsense is going on.
Now, look, we've got to keep Cade's hands off this firm.
Otherwise the whole thing will be blown sky high.
We've done our best to help you with that, haven't we? - Yes, in your own crude way.
- Then what's the problem? - Mrs.
Gale? - No.
At least, I don't think she'll sell out on us.
Wishful thinking was always Dougie's strong point.
I thought you were going into town today.
- I am.
- Then why aren't you getting ready? Will you drive me in, Karl? No, I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on things.
In that case, I don't think I'll bother.
Go and get ready.
You know, if you were firmer with your wife, Young, you'd find her a lot more cooperative.
That's none of your business, but she is still my wife, and I'll thank you to remember that, especially when there are other people around.
I'm not interested in your wife, Young.
I just find our attachment a way of keeping you in order.
But if you show willing and get me those arms I need, I shan't have to do that, shall I? There is an order being created for an army depot this morning.
Good.
How are you going to handle it? I'll have the whole lot taken down to the butts on the grounds that we have to do some spot-checking.
They can all be collected from there, but I shall need some extra transport.
All right, I'll see to that.
Of course, the original consignment note will have to be altered to cover the loss until we can make it up from stock.
That'll be taken care of, too.
Anything else you need? Yes.
Shareholders' meeting.
I've got to be there this afternoon, otherwise it'll look suspicious.
That means that I cannot be aboard here to see it loaded.
I'll see to that.
Now, just you get that load for me.
I'll see to everything else.
Including Mrs.
Gale, if you like.
(chatter) - Mr.
Young not here yet? - Not yet.
He's been out supervising a delivery today, but he should be here any moment.
I see.
Well, how did you get on with Cade? It was interesting.
Don't you think we ought to start? It's nearly 3:00.
If you think so.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
As you may have heard, a great deal has happened since our last meeting was adjourned.
Later on in this meeting, I hope to tell you something of the nature of these events and what we believe to lie behind them.
Do you want to make your report first? - Cathy: Yes, I do.
- Doreen: In that case (continues, indistinct) Things all ready for loading.
(chatter) If you recall, it was at your instruction that our new director, Mrs.
Gale, be called on to make a report back to you of her assessment of how this company is being managed.
I will now ask Mrs.
Gale to make that report.
I'm afraid my report will be very brief.
As a result of what I've seen, I feel the interests of you all would be best served by a change of management at the head of this firm.
- What? - What do you mean by that? Man: She means she's sold out.
- Is that what you mean, Cathy? - Yes, that's right.
One hour ago, I acquired the ordinary stock previously held by Mrs.
Gale.
I've now acquired 61% ordinary and 23% preference stock.
In other words, I have a controlling majority in this company.
Well, then I protest! This information has been deliberately withheld from the remaining directors.
Certainly, but what are you going to do about it? Well, I-I wish to register my protest by offering my resignation.
- I accept.
Off you go.
- Man: Good Lord.
Man #2: Totally improper.
The meeting is now closed.
You'll be notified by first post tomorrow morning the value of your new Cade stock.
Good afternoon.
- Oh, uh, Miss Thing.
Uh - Ellis.
Yes.
Before you start resigning as well, I want a stock list of everything you have in this company right down to the last paper clip, all right? And she'll give you a hand.
I want that by 9:00 tomorrow morning.
I have another meeting.
Good afternoon.
(stockholders muttering) Well, I suppose we better get started, hadn't we? - What? - Oh, it's you.
Meeting finished already? The whole damn thing's finished.
You were right.
Cathy sold us out.
You've made a mess of it all, haven't you, Young? Look, if you must hold an inquest, hold it later, will you? First thing we've got to do is to get this stuff back to Cade before he finds out.
This is the consignment I ordered.
It's going to Tangier.
Cade will have the police in here within 24 hours.
Within 24 hours, I'll be off the coast of Brittany.
Ah, you'd be silly to do that.
We'd have to leave tonight! - Within the next two hours.
- What do you mean? It'll soon be dark enough to drift out into midstream without navigation lights, then full speed ahead from those lovely old naval engines of yours.
I'll be in the Thames estuary before the moon rises.
- And what about fuel? - I've loaded up with extra cans and I've also stocked up with provisions.
But Dorothy's still in town.
Well, Dorothy ought to be back from town by now.
You'll find her in The Three Greyhounds about now.
I don't like it.
And while you're out, collect our other passenger.
Stock-taking at this time of night? That's what Mr.
Cade wants.
It'll be very rough, I'll tell you that much.
He said he wants it to be exact.
Oh, does he? Well, apart from the stuff in the showcase, there's nothing here, and that's a change.
There always would have been stuff about in here.
Oh, we have two.
One rifle, Mark VI B.
Four rounds of ammunition in it.
Hmm.
Suppose I better put this back.
Oh, no.
Leave it where it is.
We'll lock up here later.
I don't know what I'm gonna tell the missus when I get home.
"I been doing stock-taking, darling, at this time of the night.
" I might as well tell her a lie.
Do you suppose he wants us to count the targets? - Mrs.
Gale? - Yes? I suppose you know you've let us down rather badly, don't you? I should have come and told you I was selling out to Cade? Well, it would have been courteous.
Would also have been suicidal, wouldn't it? I don't know what you mean.
Do you recognize this, Miss Ellis? No.
Why should I? What is it? It's the brigadier's handkerchief.
- Well, what about it? - It's got lipstick on it.
- So? - It's your lipstick, isn't it? And you were the only one who could have got close enough to him to reach his gun and kill him, just as you were the only one who could have got close enough to Anderson without his suspecting.
I'm still not quite sure how you got Reynolds.
I take it he was walking down here to the target end when you came in.
You followed him in here quietly.
You are, of course, an excellent markswoman.
Karl probably had taught you when you were living with him in Switzerland.
I think we've said enough, don't you? But Karl isn't around to applaud this killing.
Karl and Mrs.
Young cast off the boat half an hour ago.
They're now heading downriver and on their way to North Africa.
They even managed to get rid of Young on a false errand.
I don't believe you.
Karl wouldn't leave me like that.
Why not? He's got what he wanted and you obligingly did his killing for him.
Now he's moving on and you and Young are left to cover up for him.
(firing) You won't get much joy out of that rifle, Miss Ellis.
It's only got blanks in it.
Mrs.
Gale asked me to load it for her.
(scoffs) What about that firm in Oldham? Yeah, as well as making pencil sharpeners, I'd like to merge them with those biscuit tin people.
What? Yes, well, see what you can do.
Get back to me, will you? Well, what do you think of that? That sounds like an excellent proposition.
- You interested? - No.
Ah, come in.
Hello.
Oh, I didn't expect to see you here.
We've been talking finances.
He's a shrewd man, your broker.
Yes, I'm sure he is.
Well, here it is.
What's this? I've been up all night doing it.
Doing what? It's the stock list from Anderson's that you asked for.
Oh, you needn't have bothered.
I sold Anderson's last night to a Japanese syndicate.
- Ha-ha.
That'll teach them.
- Well, what was all that about checking the stock down to the last paper clip? Well, I always say that.
It frightens them, you see.
Were any of those guns missing, by the way? All recovered by the river police.
Well, it sounds fascinating.
Mrs.
Gale, why don't you have lunch with me today, - and you can tell me all about it, eh? - Yes, I'd love to.
I'm afraid that Mrs.
Gale is going to have lunch with me.
We have to discuss finance, you know? We don't have a lunch appointment.
I think it's far better not to get mixed up with types like him.
You never know where you might end up.
- Dinner.
- Dinner.
(intercom buzzes) Woman: Your call to Tokyo, sir.
Ah.
Hello, Arnold.
(speaking Japanese) (theme music playing)