The Avengers (1961) s04e05 Episode Script

Castle De'ath

You're going to have tourists? - Maybe.
- Where's your dignity? - You've a position to maintain.
- And a castle to keep up.
No small expense.
Rather be poor than let strangers peep and pry! Do you think I want it, man? Where will I find Mr.
De'Ath? - Right here.
- I'm Emma Peel.
Beautiful place you have here.
Very beautiful.
I shall enjoy my stay.
Your stay? A day or two, as I said in my letter.
- What letter? - In reply to yours.
- My letter? - You are Angus De'Ath? No, I am Ian De'Ath.
The 35th laird.
Angus is my cousin.
What is going on? I'm sorry, it's my mistake.
Your cousin hired my company.
What company? - A.
B.
O.
R.
C.
A.
S.
H.
A.
A.
T.
A.
- Aborca Advisory Bureau On Refurbishing Castles And Stately Homes As A Tourist Attraction.
My card.
Your cousin said the castle is going public.
Really? I'm to advise him on attracting visitors.
He's got a nerve! As laird of the clan De'Ath, the decision is mine.
As for Angus Bull's eye! You could have killed somebody! But I didn't.
Will you split an apple on his head? You must be Mrs.
Peel.
Welcome.
Thank you.
I've already tripped over the mat.
You might let me know what you're up to.
Historians, publicity consultants Terribly sorry.
Must have slipped my mind.
Perhaps I'd better No, Angus invited you.
No one can accuse the De'Aths of being inhospitable.
But remember this, when the time comes, I'm the one to decide what we will do.
Good day, Mistress Peel.
Come on, McNab.
Swellsh! I didn't know there were two of you! Don't worry.
He's obsessed with the honour of the clan.
He mentioned a historian.
The chap's writing a book on the 13th laird.
- Ian's not to keen about it.
- What of the honour? The 13th laird had none! He's the blot on the family's escutcheon! The traitor.
A hereditary trait, Mr.
De'Ath? Ian will get over his tantrum.
Come on.
Let's meet the historian.
The banqueting hall.
The table where the clan used to gather.
- And now? - Just Ian and me.
Passing the salt must be tricky! Here is our historian! May I introduce Mr.
McSteed.
How do you do? Call me Jock.
How do you do? You don't have a Scot's accent.
I was carried south by Saxons when I was a babe, but this is my spiritual home! I hear you're planning a book? Yes, on Black Jamie, 13th laird of De'Ath.
- I don't see him here.
- We're not very proud of him.
Black Jamie's portrait is hung in the dungeons.
- In the dungeons? - The dungeons.
Dungeons ! No castle should be without them! Ours are in poor repair.
Ian doesn't let anyone go down there.
What a pity.
Mrs.
Peel is our consultant on opening the castle.
Dungeons are a great draw! They were full of jolly ideas! Excuse me, I must continue my research.
"A Walk Across the Glenn" to get the feel of things.
Do I have permission for fishing in the Loch? - What kind of fishing? - Bent pin and string variety.
Just so you're not one of those aqua-lung people.
Water is the fish's habitat, not mine.
It's a pity others don't think as you.
Why? A frogman drowned in the Loch last week.
His body was found on the banks.
What happened? His breathing mechanism jammed.
In any case I've forbidden diving in the Loch.
You've no objection to rod and line? - I wish you luck.
- At fishing, I usually need it.
This tome is a comprehensive history of Castle De'Ath.
Did you know Mary Queen of Scots refused to sleep here? And that the frogman was 4" taller dead than alive? He'd been on the rack! Which room for Mistress Peel? The floral McDonald room.
May I show it to you? Thank you.
That's McSteed.
Where's he going? - A walk, by the look of it.
- Keep an eye on him.
Chief's orders.
He's sailing a wee paper boat! He's what? - Enjoy your walk? - It was fascinating! - How deep is your moat? - Deep enough.
- Mistress Peel! - Are you all right? What were you doing? You've no right.
- It's dangerous! - I agree.
What happened? - You slipped and hit your head? - Yes.
Yes, just as I thought.
Those steps are slippery.
Look after Mistress Peel.
I'll lock this door.
I don't want any repetitions! Lean on me as much as you like! - What really happened? - I was jumped! By two very large men, who then disappeared.
Very inconsiderate! Was there a rack? - In good racking order? - No time to look.
Shouldn't be at all surprised.
Who was he, the dead frogman? Nothing to do with us.
A fellow who liked skin diving.
Someone else thought otherwise and tortured him.
No more puff! Pity! I was just getting steamed up.
The price of fish.
The dead frogman.
Very strange goings on.
You know about the fishing crisis? The industry is a main stay of our economic life! There's hardly a fish to be seen.
They've all disappeared.
Or been driven away.
Trawler's are having to fish in deeper water.
- Unprotected water.
- With other fishing fleets.
And that bites hard! - Is castle De'Ath involved? - Why else are we here? See you at dinner.
This belonged to Ewan De'Ath, the 5th Laird.
- He was with Wallace.
- Wallace? William Wallace, a Scottish patriot.
Ewan and Wallace were executed by the Englishmen, 1304.
The 6th laird, Charles used this.
He was with Robert The Bruce.
The 7th laird, like all the others, was also a fighter.
There was a De'Ath at Pinky, Flooding Field and Glaoughan.
- A proud tradition! - And exploitable? - That's a harsh word.
- An honest one.
People are interested in the past! The castle is an historical treasure trove.
- Which could pay.
- Handsomely! What's your opinion, Jock? Don't forget I have a vested interest in the clan.
I expect that Black Jamie will sell! That book of yours! Angus tells me Black Jamie betrayed the clan.
He made a pact with the other clans and led his own people into a trap.
The massacre of Glenn De'Ath.
It was a bitter day You'd think it was yesterday, not 500 years ago! He keeps the memory alive.
- Black Jamie? - Aye.
He was discovered and walled up in the East Tower.
And he's still in there? Since the last stone was set, not a living soul has entered the Tower.
But his ghost walks playing a lament on the bagpipes.
- His ghost! You've seen it? - Aye.
- And you, Ian? - Aye.
- Isn't it time we paid a visit? - No! He must be very lonely.
He'll stay there 'til doomsday! - Would you like to see the wall? - Very much.
Come on then.
- Ian? - I've seen it, Mistress Peel.
You'll excuse our curiosity.
More, man, more! What a magnificent armoury! Every bit of it bloodied! The gallery continues around here.
If you look carefully, you can see where he was bricked in.
The centre stones were put in place last.
Black Jamie was last seen playing his bagpipes.
Good for Black Jamie! Game to the last! Since then, at dead of night, his ghostly piping is still to be heard.
He can't do much harm walled up.
The first thing a ghost learns is to walk through walls.
It's a fundamental part of any spirit's basic training.
You're scoffing.
But seriously, there is a ghost! I've heard it! And seen it on occasion.
He'll need a lot of wind in his bag to disturb me! Combination of the good Scot's air, excellent brandy Will you excuse me, Mrs.
Peel - Angus.
- Good night, Mr.
McSteed.
"The flowers of the forest are all weed away.
" Are what? Must be Robby Buttons.
- Good night, Jock.
- Good night.
You've noticed that too? You're right, there's not enough salt.
That's better.
Help yourself, take plenty of it.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Good morning.
- Salt? - Thanks.
- Nice morning? - How would you know? 8:27 am.
It's nearly lunch time! By the way, insurance This Mistress Peel does her company cover her against accident? I will not be held responsible for any accident she has here! Ian, you do work hard at this canny Scot business.
Mrs.
Peel is perfectly capable Where is she anyway? In her room, I imagine.
You know these lie-a-bed types.
Sleep half their life away.
- Did you pass a good night? - Thank you, yes.
- No disturbances? - None I noticed.
He means our ghost.
He was abroad last night.
- I heard him.
- I'm a heavy sleeper.
But you didn't notice anything? The bed gave me a touch of claustrophobia.
I spent the night in a chair.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Perhaps we'll be more successful with another room.
Coffee, Mr.
McSteed? Thank you.
Early morning coffee gives me that glad-to-be-alive feeling.
Visit the dungeons last night? Indeed I did.
You expressed an interest in Black Jamie's portrait? I brought him up.
Over here.
The light isn't very good here.
How long has the castle been on the mains? It isn't.
We have a wee diesel generator in the stables.
That's better.
Fierce looking, isn't he? But you didn't hear him? Does he give regular concerts? Up to 3 times a week, then nothing for a month.
Unusual.
Ghosts usually operate on a regular schedule.
Full moon, anniversaries, 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Not Black Jamie.
He's certainly got an independent air.
I've got work to do.
Come on, Angus.
Thought you might like a walk, but you weren't in your room.
So I figured you were out picking daffodils.
Sorry to disturb you.
The door was closed.
I was locked in.
All night.
And this wasn't designed for sleeping on.
Spent a restless night.
Luckily so did l.
Luckily? They've got a spot on service here.
Tried to press my best shift while I was still wearing it.
How much longer are they staying? Ask Angus.
They're his guests, Mr.
McNab.
Finish your research? I have it in my satchel.
I'll refer to it between bites.
Hello.
You researching too? Improving my general knowledge on clan De'Ath.
What have you learned? That Bonnie Prince Charlie asked the 25th Earl to help him.
Wild Willie, arising of the clans was planned in the main hall here.
Willie persuaded mortal enemies to sit side by side at that table.
United to serve the pretender.
Now if that moment were recreated - With dummies? - In traditional costume.
It would be a money maker? It would be a moment in history that everyone could share.
Do you realize the amount of work needed to open this castle? - I think it would be worthwhile.
- I've got a - foundry in Edimburg.
- I didn't know.
I spend a great deal of time there.
- And Angus is in Glasgow.
- That's right.
So who manages the castle? McNab and the other gillies, but McNab is in charge.
He's fishing in the moat? Down yonder.
I cannot see him.
He's behind a bush, but you can see his rod.
I've got him.
Keep a close watch.
The chief will soon deal with him.
McNab! - McNab - What is it? - There's something in the moat.
- What do you mean? Jule sent a man up to ask me.
There's a blip on the radar.
- Have you told the chief? - Not yet.
- McSteed? - He hasn't moved.
- Probably dozed off.
- Get back to control.
I'll see the chief and check McSteed.
- Mistress Peel! - Yes, Ian.
I have come to a decision about the castle.
Under no circumstances will I permit tourists.
There's no point in any further discussion.
I see.
I think it would be better if you left.
- Now? - As soon as it's convenient.
- I'll pack my things.
- However I do apologize for my apparent rudeness.
That's all right, I quite understand.
Do you? - Where is Mrs.
Peel? - She's left.
- What do you mean? - I asked her to go.
You did what? I made it plain to her this castle would not become a fun fair and that she was wasting her time.
Who do you think you are? The laird.
It's about time you remembered.
- Now just a minute - That's enough! Discussion closed.
I'll never understand that thing.
Just don't touch anything.
Especially those.
Why are they so special? They flood the Payne.
What do we do about McSteed? The chief hasn't said.
He's a diver.
He could have an accident.
Another so soon? No, but there will be some sort of mishap.
He'll go with the others tonight.
I need some fresh air.
When do we dine? - 15 minutes.
- I'll be back.
May I ask where your friend McSteed is? I have no idea.
- I thought you might.
- I don't.
I'll take over.
Good evening.
Is there anything else you wish? - No, off you go to your bed.
- Thank you.
Good night.
- You're determined? - Aye.
- You're a fool.
- Because I'd turn down money? It's there for the asking.
I have a tradition to uphold.
Tradition, you say? I'll not let you market it.
- Pompous! - Greedy! Aye, I've a taste for money, but you, Ian, are scared it will taint you or is it another skeleton in the cupboard? - What do you mean? - Exactly what I say.
Why are you so frightened by people coming in here? Shut up! When I get back I will expect you to have left.
You can push women around, but not me.
I mean what I say.
Get out of here.
0 minus 30.
One of you go and alert the crews.
And bring McSteed down here.
I bet he's having a smoke.
Hey, Bonzo, can I have a wee drop? I can't get any reply.
- Who is on duty? - Rodnick.
I'll go see what's happened.
McNab, it isn't often you visit us.
Or me either.
Most extremely interesting.
Do it yourself submarines.
So you found out.
May I ask how? Vibrations.
The bagpipes cover the sound, but not the vibrations.
My swim in the moat helped.
That great big plug hole in the bottom.
The submarines come in under water.
They go into the moat by an underground channel and into the flooded pens.
Then the water is pumped back into the moat.
Is it ultrasonic waves that drive the fish into deep water? Your guess is as good as mine.
I should think very slightly better.
Pick up.
Probably the boss.
Control room.
What? Are you certain? Yes, he's here.
I'll tell him.
That was Roberton at the power plant.
The engineer's been attacked.
Not by him, by a woman.
- A woman? - Bless her.
I'd enjoy putting a bullet in you.
But the wee hole would show on my corpse.
You're an astute man.
Now, if you'll forgive me, I've got an appointment with Black Jamie.
0 minus 5.
Get the crews into the pen.
What about him? He stays till we get the woman.
It's 0 minus 2.
Does he go in now? McNab said to get the woman first.
We can't wait forever.
Alright, take him down.
I always keep the safety catch on.
The pen's flooding! Going rather well.
Personal appearance tonight? Angus, grab him! Your boats have sprung a leak.
Steed! The iron maiden is a door.
- You thought it was Ian? - Yes.
- You also said it was a door.
- The back opens.
Not this time.
It's jammed.
Sorry you didn't get to fish.
We're going to now.
In those clothes? Why not, Mrs.
Peel?
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