36 Hours (1953) Movie Script

Passing the coast soon.
Twenty minutes will see us there.
Add ten for a shave and a shower.
Then look out London. Here I come.
Pop, is it true what they say
about the English girls?
I'm a happily married man.
Bill, you were here before?
Are the natives friendly?
Who?
- English girls.
Sure. Some of them.
Say, didn't you marry a ..?
There it is.
My home for the next 36 hours.
You get back on time.
That goes for you too, Bill.
See you're are back on the airfield in
time or I'll have to leave without you.
And you'll be in trouble. Real trouble.
- I know.
Not only you. Me.
Your pass doesn't go on forever.
If it got out I smuggled you over ..
- I know it.
I'll be there.
Give you a ride, sir?
- Thanks.
Going to London, sir?
Yeah.
I can take you as far as Hammersmith.
You can pick up a cab there.
Thanks.
I got a date in Hammersmith.
What a gal.
Out of this world.
She's got a sister too.
Real cute.
No. Thanks all the same.
Got a date of your own, huh?
Yeah. I got a date.
[ Buzzer ]
Bill.
Come in.
How was the school, Bill?
What was it, jet engines?
Ned spoke about it. Sit down, Bill.
Ned is away.
Far-East run all the way to Singapore.
Ned is always away.
- Where is Katie?
I don't know where she is.
- Don't waste my time, Pam.
Honest. All I know is she's gone.
You're lying to me.
- Ned wouldn't like you saying that.
I am your friend.
Ned and I were your friends, Bill.
Let me get you a drink.
You're all wound up.
I know how much she means to you.
Everybody loved her.
She was wonderful for you.
Where is she?
If I were you, Bill, I wouldn't
blame her too much for leaving.
You don't know what being
a flyer's wife is like.
All the empty nights.
All you have is four walls and waiting.
Sometimes a woman gets tired of waiting.
You were gone for nearly a year.
You said it would only be 3 months.
- Where is she?
Many wives leave their husbands, Bill.
Just like Katie.
She didn't up and leave with no reason.
- She might have.
Without writing to me and explaining?
I want to know where she is, Pam.
You've got to tell me.
Alright.
I promised Katie I'd never
tell anyone where she was.
I'm no good even at keeping promises.
She's got an apartment in the West End.
Mrs Rogers. Sign here please.
Alright.
[ Telephone conversation ]
Think of another one.
- There is no other one.
Either you listen to me or
I'll work things out my way.
You've got to give me a chance.
You've had your chance.
Katie Rogers. Which apartment?
Number 8. But she's not there.
Give me the key. I'll wait inside.
We do not allow that.
- I'm her husband.
She ain't got a husband.
See the name: 'Rogers'?
There's plenty of people called Rogers.
Listen, chum.
You give me the key. Or do I report that
you listen in on private conversations?
Come on.
You might as well take these.
Remember us, Katie?
I remember.
Everything.
Two cups of char please, love.
The first time I ever saw you.
At the railroad station.
The war on. Everybody in a hurry.
I couldn't see from where I sat that you
too were a stranger in a foreign land.
Do you happen to know the time?
Ten to eight.
I hope you won't think I'm fresh but ..
It's hard for an American to
get acquainted in England.
I bet I know what you're thinking.
That's an old line.
All the yanks pull it. But ..
Honestly.
I don't usually speak out
like this in public.
And to a stranger.
It's just that ..
You are so very lovely.
Do you think so?
You're not so bad looking
yourself for a Yank.
I finish at nine if you're interested.
All I could think of was that I'd
probably never see her again.
But I was wrong. We did meet again.
When I was starting my
first furlough in England.
And looking forward to a peaceful
weekend in the country.
Look. It's a man.
Where? Let me see.
Yes. Nice. An American too.
Kids, we've found a man.
- Shut up, Eileen.
Don't let us drive you away.
You were here first.
That's okay.
I get off at the next station.
Have my seat.
- Thanks ever so much.
Got any nylons, Yank?
- Not with me I'm afraid.
Got any gum?
- Sorry. I don't chew gum.
Then, do you happen to know the time?
You.
And you remember.
That day at the railroad station.
Did you enjoy your
date with the waitress?
The waitress?
Sure. We were married three days later.
Oh? How nice.
You must come round and meet the family.
I'm sorry I seemed so starchy that day.
I'm not the sort of girl who falls into
a man's arms at the first meeting.
The second time is different, huh?
That was the beginning.
And we spent the rest of the
war being crazy in love.
Hold it.
That's an Academy award for sure.
How can anybody kiss that good?
They can't. It takes two.
I think it ought to go on forever.
- But just between us.
Of course.
Then.
Don't you think we should fix it so
no-one else can lawfully interfere?
Is there a way of doing that?
A quaint old European custom.
You don't mean marriage?
- How did you ever guess?
Marriage?
It makes everything very legal.
It makes the girl very happy.
A silly nuisance for a man I suppose.
I've got permission to stay in
England another three months.
Would it be putting off our
marriage too far if it took place ..
Tomorrow?
Well.
If you simply won't make it today
I guess tomorrow will have to do.
I love you, Katie.
I love you, Bill.
As I had no ties in the States.
And you had lost your home in Norway.
We decided to settle
down where we'd first met.
In London.
Bill.
Dinner couldn't possibly
be ready, could it?
It was two hours ago.
I know how late I am, honey.
But I couldn't get to a phone.
Do you like cold food?
- Love it.
It's all fixed.
The okay came through today.
- What's fixed?
If I'd like to accept an
instructor's assignment ..
I can keep my commission
and stay on over here.
That is wonderful, darling.
But Bill.
- But Bill what?
Isn't that what you wanted?
To stay here in this flat?
Our first home.
- Yes.
But an instructor's job.
Does that mean you won't be flying?
So?
You always used to say
that flying is your life.
You are my life, Katie.
I'll fix your dinner for you.
Those were wonderful times.
I don't think anybody was
ever as happy as we were.
Ever.
Katie.
We had a lot of good friends.
Like Ned and Pam who
lived right next door.
We were always going places
with them and our other friends.
I liked them all, Katie.
I liked everything about it.
But that day I had some news.
And I didn't know how you'd take it.
Pam and Ned. Come on in. Both of you.
How are you?
Just the people I want to see.
I've got some news for you.
What kind of news, Bill?
A chance to take a 6-month course
on jet development in the States.
You'd be a fool if you don't grab it.
- Did you say in the States?
What's the matter with the States?
It's far away.
Hello.
Hello baby.
Must you be so beastly happy to see him?
Tell her the good news, Bill.
News?
Well, yes Katie.
I've got a chance to go to the States.
On a course.
The States? Fine. When do we leave?
You didn't think it was good news when I
told you that you can't come with me.
I guess that was our
first real argument.
We certainly made up for lost time.
Pam and Ned could not
have been more shocked.
You should have known it
would happen sometime.
Being married to a flyer.
At least I had a choice then.
Not like when I got to the States and
was ordered to stay on 3 more months.
And then another month.
And then another.
Our first quarrel, Katie.
And the first time I ever lied to you.
But it's only for three months.
And what am I supposed to do on
my own here for three months?
This is a military assignment.
The rules have to be rigid.
Once you start on the course, you're
not supposed to have a family life.
Have you been ordered to go?
Yes.
Then resign your commission.
That's the darned fool
thing a woman would say.
'Resign your commission'.
Just like that.
Just like that.
All I ask if you to live on your
own for three short months.
Is that so very much?
And what will you be doing
while I'm on my own here?
Parties with the boys every night.
And the girls. Don't forget the girls.
I won't be sober from
the moment I get there.
Get out. Get out of here!
Don't worry. I'm going.
Baby, baby, baby.
Darling, what have we said?
We pretended that
everything was alright again.
But it wasn't.
Something had been lost between us.
I don't know what.
Three days later I left for the States.
And that was the last
time I ever saw you.
Bill.
Quite a place.
You've moved up in the world.
Don't judge me, Bill.
- I'm not here to judge you.
I just want you to explain
what happened.
Bill.
Bill.
Who's he?
- My husband.
Why did you do it?
What right have you to do it?
Where were you hiding?
- So this is your hero.
Out cold, eh?
What's this for?
I don't know.
He must have some crazy idea.
What are you doing here?
Where are they?
They are not here.
- Don't lie to me. Where are they?
Not here.
You won't find them.
- I'll find them.
Goodbye, Katie.
You shouldn't have tried to cross me.
- Orville.
Police please.
I am speaking from West End Manor.
There's been some trouble in Flat 8.
Better come round right away.
Explain that away.
Katie.
Katie.
[ Door knocks ]
The police, Miss. Sorry to disturb you.
What is wrong, officer?
- A woman has been killed.
We traced the man as far as here.
Did you hear anything?
A lot of noise. That's what woke me up.
But if you'd like to search the place.
- No.
We'll be outside for quite a while now.
Goodnight, Miss.
- Thank you.
Be quiet long enough to listen to me.
I won't hurt you.
Drink your water. It will help.
Here.
There's a picture of me on it.
So you won't think I stole it.
You feel calm enough to drink the water?
I'm an American. A pilot.
And I'm in real trouble.
But I'm not a killer.
You will believe that.
I am not a murderer.
Why don't you ..
They think I am. It was my wife.
Whoever killed her used my gun.
It was a beautiful frame.
But I didn't do it.
I've got to stay free long
enough to clear myself.
Will you help me?
You need a bandage.
Come in here.
Take off your coat.
You think I am a killer, don't you?
Roll up your sleeve.
How did you manage this?
Your back wall does not exactly
have 'welcome' written on it.
You are ..
A nurse?
Nope.
I work in a mission.
My father started it twenty years ago.
The Charity Kitchen. Dean Street.
This may hurt a bit.
A mission?
There is nothing particularly
funny about it.
You can go ahead and laugh anyway.
- I wasn't going to.
Human misery is always something
to joke and laugh about.
I suppose you'd think
it was funny anyway.
Believe me, I don't.
I just realised that maybe I
came to the right place tonight.
What is your name?
Miller.
No first name?
Jenny.
Thanks, Jenny.
For everything you've done.
[ Buzzer ]
Who's that?
Come with me.
Just a minute.
- You can hide in here.
But what if they ..
- Come along. Quickly.
Evening, Miss. I'm a police officer.
Mind if I look around?
We've already been disturbed.
It won't take long.
Who is this?
My husband.
He's very sick.
Will you please not wake him up?
- No.
I am sorry.
Sorry I disturbed you.
There's been some trouble.
One of your windows was open.
We're always warning people about that.
You must keep your doors
and windows locked at night.
Especially living on the
ground floor like this.
Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Why did I lie for you?
I do not know.
I hope it's because you believe me.
I was telling the truth.
I know.
You're not leaving now?
- I've got to.
You can't. The police are out there.
- They'll be gone pretty quick.
It's not worth the risk.
You'd better stay here for a while.
Do you know what will happen
to you if you're caught?
I'll make you a cup of tea.
No coffee in the house?
I wasn't expecting any
visiting Americans.
Okay.
Tea.
Do you .. have a plan of any
kind to get yourself out of this?
Not yet.
You can't just keep running.
- I know.
They're bound to catch you.
It will be worse because
you tried to get away.
I've got 36 hours.
Less now.
Why?
My plane leaves then.
If I don't catch it I'll be
absent without leave.
They'll report me missing.
It won't take them long to
discover I was smuggled over here.
The police will be notified and
they'll soon find out the truth.
That I came in tonight
looking for my wife.
And that I had a gun.
Starting right then, every policeman
in London will be on the prowl for me.
You mean .. as it stands they
don't know who you are?
They don't even know I'm in England.
So when they do?
Then I'm trapped. Washed up.
Locked up.
That's why I've got less than
36 short hours to clear myself.
To find out who did kill Katie.
And a lot of other things.
Right.
This would happen on my night off.
- It always does.
From the wall, thirty-two.
- Thirty-two.
I am to understand you let
no-one into this flat tonight?
That's right, sir.
You saw no-one? Is that right?
And heard nothing?
- Not a thing, sir.
You don't know how this key got here?
I don't, sir. That's the truth.
- No-one is doubting it.
You're not really much help, are you?
I can't help it if I don't see nothing.
- Indeed you can't.
Well, Mr Cross. Thank you for your help.
Such as it was.
You may go now.
Will you want to see me again, sir?
It's more than likely.
What have you got for me?
I found this under the window, sir.
'Mrs Katie Rogers'.
From some unknown admirer, eh?
It's obviously not Mr Rogers.
By the way, where is Mr Rogers?
Is this him?
Goodbye Jenny.
I know you've had some trouble there.
I'm a newspaperman.
I've got to find him and get his story.
That's it.
The one who was on duty last night.
Don't worry, chum. You'll be alright.
My paper pays well
for this sort of thing.
Thanks, chum.
Don't look so happy to see me, Harry.
How did you find me here?
- I just phoned the West End Manor.
What do you want?
- Lets start off with a clean shirt.
I see it's highly improbable for you
to have a clean shirt. But I need one.
You can't talk to me like that.
You'd better get out of here.
There's a shirt. There.
That's more like it.
What did you tell the police, Harry?
Nothing. I didn't tell them nothing.
Did you give them a
good description of me?
I told them I didn't see no-one.
Then you lied to them.
Well.
I didn't want any trouble.
Better not lie to me, Harry.
Is that clear?
Why did you tell the police
you didn't see anybody?
Well.
I was afraid I'd get the sack, sir.
If the manager thought you were so dumb
to give a tenant's key to a murderer.
I got to keep working.
She is dead. It don't matter to her.
You're wrong about one thing, Harry.
I'm not the murderer.
I'm not the person who killed her.
But I'm here to find out who did.
- From me?
Why me? I don't know nothing.
- Who were her friends?
What sort of life did she lead?
How would I know?
What were you doing when
I saw you last night, Harry?
Listening in on a line, weren't you?
I don't tell no-one what I hear.
I don't tell a soul.
But you'll tell me.
About my wife. Everything.
She had a lot of friends.
- She always did.
Men friends.
Rich men with big cars.
She always brought home different men.
What are you saying?
- And women.
Ladies. With plenty of money.
Alright. She had a lot of rich friends.
Anyone in particular?
Anyone come round more than the others?
Sure.
That customs officer.
He was around more than anybody.
Customs officer?
- Name of 'Hart'.
Orville Hart.
Tell me more about him.
He used to tip me for
doing little things.
Running to the corner for cigarettes.
Like that.
Once he gave me a pound
just for getting the papers.
What was the set-up between
this Orville Hart and my wife?
He never told me.
On the phone, did he ever ..?
- He was too smart to open up.
Just joking mostly. Nothing serious.
He was the one who helped
her to move in there.
Harry, are you going to tell
the police about my being here?
No.
You're sure about that?
I won't tell a soul.
- I don't think you will.
Not you.
For the shirt.
Blake.
- Coming, sir.
It's all wrong, Blake.
I know it looks like
a cut-and-dried case.
Armed burglar surprised by occupier.
Panics. Shoots.
Finds he's killed her. Runs.
There are too many loose ends.
Why did he wait until the police
were at the door before he ran?
That's not the sort of burglar I know.
And who phoned, Blake?
Who phoned?
We check around the building, sir.
- I know.
How's that tea coming on?
Be up in a moment, sir.
Sergeant Blake here. Yes?
Yes.
Yes.
Right. Thanks.
Mr Rogers is 'Major' Rogers, sir.
American Air Force.
He's stationed in the USA.
It can't be anything to do with him.
How do you know he's there?
- That was American records, sir.
How do they know?
- They sent him there.
That doesn't mean he is there.
Get them to check that he's there.
Then find out what happened to that tea.
- Right, sir.
Darling. Someone here to see you.
An American gentleman.
What name?
- I don't know. I didn't ask.
Bill Rogers.
- How do you do?
You are Mr Orville Hart?
Your address is the only one in the
phone directory. Possibly a mistake.
The Mr Hart I'm looking
for is a customs officer.
And?
Well, the few customs men I met
in the States live pretty quietly.
You have quite a place here.
The house belongs to me. You see ..
I think you can run along now, dear.
- Sorry, dear.
My wife.
Now.
About my wife, Mr Hart. Katie Rogers.
Katie?
Oh yes. A charming girl.
Really enchanting.
You're a lucky man.
- I was.
Katie is dead.
She was murdered last night.
No?
How well did you know Katie, Mr Hart?
I knew her socially.
This is .. terrible news.
Tragic.
You really have my whole sympathy.
When you say socially, what do you mean?
I saw Katie occasionally in London.
We did some business together.
Like setting her up in an apartment?
What are you insinuating?
- You do have an apartment in town.
Yes. As a matter of fact I have.
Are these the keys?
Let me see.
They are not.
There are 2 new ones there.
One is for the apartment and the
other is for a safe deposit box.
The killer ransacked her
apartment searching for something.
It could have been those keys.
He didn't find them because they
were in such a simple place.
Left in the keyhole.
What do the police think about this?
They didn't tell me.
Are you conducting a private
investigation by any chance?
Yes. And as you were such a good
friend of Katie's, maybe you can help.
Of course.
I'll be glad to do anything I can.
But as a public servant.
I think we should have someone
of official status with us.
I think I should call the police now.
Let's not call the police.
As you please.
In that case, I cannot answer
any more of your questions.
I'll have to ask you to leave.
Don't worry. I am going.
Just one more thing.
My keys.
Thanks.
Good.
Fine.
No. Those will never do.
Don't you think we should go
to the washroom and wash ..
Our rather soiled hands?
Then when we're all spankingly clean we
come back and have a nice cup of tea.
Who have we here?
A newcomer to the fold.
Too bad you missed morning hymns.
I'm looking for ..
- I know.
Food. Of course you are, my good man.
But we must follow the rules and
regulations. No food until we have ..
But you look .. you are clean.
Madam, if you please.
You must never refer to me to or
any of us of us here as 'madam'.
I am looking for Sister Jenny Miller.
That makes the whole thing quite clear.
Someone recommended you to
good, sweet Sister Jenny.
You shall see her. She's out at
the moment but she'll be back.
While we're waiting, do we think we
could use a teensy-weensy shave?
Not me, dear boy. You.
Right in there.
I'll tell Sister Jenny as soon as
she returns that she has a visitor.
I guess I could use a shave.
Here she is.
Jenny, I'm sorry about this.
You two know each other?
And I thought you were one
of those poor unfortunates.
Oh dear. I am so sorry.
What has happened?
I haven't stopped worrying about you.
I came to ask a favour of you, Jenny.
I know I have no right but
you're the only one I can turn to.
Is it safe for you to walk around
like this? Shouldn't you be hiding?
No use hiding. If I'm to find out
anything I got to keep moving.
Have you found anything?
- Well.
I've got a line on a
customs man named Hart.
Orville Hart.
He knew Katie well.
In fact, a lot better than he
was prepared to let on.
He was very interested in these.
Whose are they?
The keyring is Katie's.
I gave it to her.
There are 2 new keys on it.
One is to a safe deposit box.
The Century Safe Deposit.
I've heard of it.
There's a chance there's something
in that box that will explain a lot.
Well .. you have the key.
I can't open it, Jenny.
But you can.
By posing as her.
And signing her name.
You know that's against the law.
Would a rope around my neck for
a crime I didn't commit be lawful?
Maybe the police can
help you open the box?
Yeah. Sure.
Then if there's nothing
inside, where am I?
I'm just gambling on this, Jenny.
It's the only chance I have.
That sounds like nothing I guess.
'The only chance I have'.
But that's the way it is.
I need your help.
I am asking you to become a forger.
Well.
We'd better get started.
Here.
You write her name the way she used to.
I will try and copy it.
I got a club membership card.
It has both our signatures on it.
You can copy from the original.
She wrote beautifully.
She did everything beautifully.
That is perfect.
You're sure the clerk won't
recognise that I'm not your wife?
I can't be sure but he sees
hundreds of people every day.
It's just routine with him.
Let's go.
Thanks, Jenny. Thanks a lot.
You're not coming into
the vault with me?
No. I'll be waiting outside.
Here's the key to my flat.
7 Craven Court.
7 Craven Court.
Just in case anything happens.
What can happen?
- I don't know.
It's a murder case. The police are
investigating. There's a lot of risks.
If we do get separated.
Meet me there for sure.
Alright.
You are a good kid.
I'm not a kid at all.
May I get to my safety
deposit box please?
Katherine Rogers.
Sign here please.
Have you your key, Mrs Rogers?
- Of course.
Come with me please.
You were right, sir.
She arrived about the
time you said she would.
Are you a friend of his, my dear?
Who are you?
Officer of Customs Intelligence.
You are Orville Hart.
- So he told you about me.
Let's see who you are, eh?
'Jenny Miller'.
'Charity Kitchen'.
That is incongruous, isn't it?
I demand to know what right you have ..
- I hold you on the charge of smuggling.
You are lying.
The deposit box you were to open.
I shall need the contents for evidence.
No.
Sir, as the lady is not the owner of the
deposit box, I can't let it be opened.
I'm ordering you to.
No, sir. It cannot be done.
It's against the law.
I am the law.
Let me get the manager.
I'm sure he can straighten it out.
I can't take the responsibility
of opening the box myself.
You come with me.
You're under suspicion of
aiding a notorious smuggler.
But you just told me ..
- Come on.
I don't understand.
Why have you brought me here?
- A nice place you have here, Jenny.
Very convenient.
I thought we were going
to a police station.
Why? Have you done something wrong?
No.
In that case ..
- Sit down, Jenny.
I want to talk to you. A proposition.
About your boyfriend.
He is not my boyfriend.
- Alright. Not your boyfriend.
But you've been helping
him, haven't you?
That is a key to his place, isn't it?
It came out of your bag.
But it was not on your keyring.
Wasn't that clever of you?
Got it on the nose first time.
But then, you see.
I know how people's little minds work.
How long have you been
teamed up with him?
I am not teamed up with him.
But you committed forgery for him.
That was because .. he was in trouble.
He's in plenty of trouble.
- His wife was murdered.
I know.
He killed her.
They were in the smuggling
racket together.
He brought the stuff in.
She disposed of it.
She must have double-crossed him.
They quarrelled.
That isn't true.
I got wind of it. That's my job.
Why do you think I'm on the case?
If you are .. on a case.
Why are we not at your
headquarters instead of here?
You will find that out.
You.
You said something about a proposition.
You are a pretty girl, you know Jenny.
And you catch on quick.
I don't mind making a deal
with a smart, pretty girl.
Like.
The deal you made with his ..
With Katherine Rogers?
So he's poisoned your mind
against me with lies?
And you believe him.
Like the naive little girl you are.
But I like naive little girls, Jenny.
Especially when they're charity workers.
Why don't you cry?
It's easier to talk terms to a
woman when she's crying.
I wouldn't have believed
anybody could be so .. low.
Can I help you, sir?
- I am ..
I'm looking for my wife, Mrs Rogers.
She came in here to open a deposit box.
I wonder if you can tell me if ..
If she's still in the vault?
- Mrs Rogers?
Very well, sir.
If you wait here, I'll make enquiries.
Bill. The police have been here asking
questions. I didn't know what to say.
Bill, why did you do it?
Why did you have to do it?
Pam, control yourself.
- But, Bill. Why, why?
She wasn't that bad.
- Pam, listen.
She only liked a good time.
- Shut up. Shut up.
What did you tell the police?
That I was here? That you'd seen me?
I don't know what I said.
- Think. Try to remember.
No. I don't think so.
No. I'm sure I didn't.
Alright. Calm down and listen.
They'll be back asking more questions.
Someone is in your flat.
That was your door.
It's Jenny.
Bill, be careful.
Jenny.
That's better.
I'm not through.
I'll still get you.
I hate violence of any kind
but you deserve killing.
For a boy who cannot stand
violence, you are full of it.
Who are you anyway?
You killed her.
You killed Katie.
Crushed out her life. Destroyed her.
So, you're another of Katie's 'friends'?
I loved her.
I love her even now.
You swine. You filthy rotten ..
- Shut up!
Who told you I killed her?
Was it Orville Hart?
He told me everything about you.
He sent you to do his dirty work.
That's pretty clever.
He knew how you felt about
and knew what you'd try to do.
If I were dead, he'd see to it that the
guilt for Katie's murder went with me.
So it should if there
is any justice left.
If I killed her, don't you think I'd
be a hundred miles from here by now?
Are you trying to say
you didn't kill her?
That's what I'm saying.
Wise up, sonny.
Can't you see that Orville
is just using you?
What is Orville to you anyway?
He was blackmailing my uncle.
Just a minute. Let's get this straight.
Who are you?
Henry Slauson.
And your uncle? What has he done so
bad that Orville can shake him down?
He is a terrible man.
My life had been corrupted
and dirtied by him.
He deals in every shady business
in the gutter of mankind.
Cut out the dramatics.
He is a diamond smuggler.
And Orville is a customs man?
That adds up.
If you didn't kill Katie,
then who was it?
I'm getting a pretty good idea.
Orville.
Why? Why should he?
I don't know yet.
They had been quarrelling lately.
I heard them once.
Katie wanted to break with him.
Last night.
She was going to tell him last night.
Finish with him for good. She told me.
She was frightened about what he'd do.
He has tricked me.
He tried to get me to kill you.
He tried to get me to kill you
when it's he himself who's guilty.
I was blind with rage.
I didn't stop to think.
I just took his word and
believed everything he said.
It seemed to make sense.
The jealous husband.
This is yours.
Katie gave it to me to
mail and I never sent it.
I've had it with me for
almost two months.
I opened it and read
it and never sent it.
''My darling Bill'.
'You know I'm no
good at writing letters'.
'But I would like to
explain a few things'.
'Maybe you'll forgive me.
Maybe you won't'.
'To start at the beginning'.
'I was so depressed after you left
for the States to go to that school'.
'That Pam and I went
to a lot of parties'.
'I met a man at one of
them named Orville Hart'.
He seemed somehow .. interesting.
He said he'd been attracted
to me the moment he saw me.
He asked me to have lunch
with him the next day.
But I showed him my wedding ring.
And that seemed to answer it.
But a few nights later I saw him again.
At the theatre.
After that, I seemed to run
into him all over London.
Wherever I went.
I suppose right then I should
have suspected something.
But I didn't.
I think I'd better introduce
myself this time.
My name is Orville Hart.
I am Katherine Rogers.
This is a friend of mine, Pam Palmer.
Then one night, he came over to see me.
I told him it wasn't right.
Now, for the first time.
He revealed he was in
Customs Intelligence.
That he'd been watching me.
Keeping a check on me.
Which plausibly explained our previous
accidental meetings around town.
Please sit down.
Can I fix you a drink?
- Thank you.
You may have wondered why we
meet so often lately by accident.
It wasn't an accident.
I had better explain.
I am a customs intelligence officer.
We have a secret service for customs.
And I need an assistant.
He told me it wouldn't be pleasant work.
It might even be dangerous.
My job would be to get
acquainted with men.
Who he knew were involved in smuggling.
To become friendly with them.
And find out all I could.
He would give me their names.
He told me I would be well paid.
The government would see that I had
a luxury apartment in the West End.
The apartment was to be equipped
with a secret corridor.
Everything would be secret.
He said it would have to be that way.
That I could not even
write to you about it.
He was a very persuasive talker.
And I finally agreed to it.
That was the beginning.
But I didn't know the kind of
thing I was getting in to.
Why do you want to meet my uncle?
He is horrible. Vicious. Wicked.
How is he wicked, Henry?
He is a crook.
A dirty smuggler.
I hate him, Katie.
He frightens me.
I am terrified of him.
What kind of a smuggler is he, Henry?
Anything. Everything.
Diamonds mostly.
I didn't know for a long time that
he used recordings for blackmail.
But once I did, it was too late.
He threatened to take me to jail
with him if I exposed the set up.
He could have done.
Unwittingly, I was a guilty
party to the whole thing.
How can I ever get out of that, Bill?
What am I going to do?
'If I don't hear from you I
won't blame you, my darling'.
'Because I know how wrong I was to get
myself involved in anything like this'.
'I know what it would
do to your career'.
'I love you. Katie'.
Why didn't you mail this?
I loved her.
I didn't want you to come back.
And take her away.
I'd never see her again.
Why, you ..
How did you get into this place?
Orville gave me the key.
This is the key I gave ..
He's got Jenny.
Where is he?
Where can I get my hands on him?
Unless he's at home ..
- He's not at home.
He's picked up a girl. A friend of mine.
That's where he got the key.
He murdered Katie and now he's
got his hands on somebody else.
I was going to wait for evidence.
Turn him over to the police.
But now I'm not waiting for anything.
Just tell me where I can find him.
- I swear I don't know.
Henry, we'll start looking for him.
You're going to lead me to him.
You know the places he goes.
Where he might be found.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Jenny.
I .. must see you at the mission, Bill.
Where is Orville Hart?
He's gone.
I must see you at the mission.
I have to see you.
- I'll be right over.
You did fine, Jenny.
Just fine.
There you are, dear boy. I hope you
forgive me for my faux pas this morning.
He was very angry with me.
I took him for one of our charity cases.
You're Henry Slauson, aren't you?
- Yes.
I know your uncle.
Is that what made you turn to salvation?
Police. You are under arrest.
Bill, I am ..
Yeah. You sure did.
A real double-cross, eh honey?
Sorry I upset your plan.
Let me try to explain.
- I shouldn't bother.
You should have let them take you.
- Sure.
Orville is going to kill you.
- If I don't kill him.
Let the police prove him guilty.
I'm not bothering with proof anymore.
- You'd be safe with the police.
They are bound to find out the truth.
If you go on like you are you'll either
be killed or become a real murderer.
Spoken like a true welfare worker.
I don't want anything to happen to you.
I want you to come out
of this clean and safe.
Thanks for all the charity.
It was real nice.
My uncle will not like me
bringing you to his place.
Alright. So he's not going to like it.
What sort of a place is it anyway?
It's a shop. He's an antique dealer.
But it's only a front.
Where are you going?
Downstairs to my uncle's private room.
- Without me?
No-one is allowed down there.
It's a very strict rule.
We're changing the rules.
- Sorry. I can't let you go down there.
But he may be there.
Alright.
He thinks you're dead by now.
- You don't catch on.
Why do you think he had
Jenny telephone us?
He was checking up.
To see whether you'd killed
me or if I was still alive.
When he figured you'd missed, he got
the police to ambush me at the mission.
Then he believes you're under arrest.
- He'll check the mission too.
He's a smart boy.
Put this away and keep it there.
My uncle has forbidden me ever
to take anybody downstairs.
Let's go.
Is that you, Henry?
Uncle.
This is Katie's husband.
Don't explode in my face, Mr Slauson.
The boy had no choice in the matter.
I made him bring me down here.
My dear sir.
I should have been happy
to come upstairs to see you.
Quit worrying.
It's a man named Hart I want.
I'm not interested in you.
Or your racket.
I am unfamiliar with the American idiom.
You mean by that statement to infer that
I'm involved in some illegal enterprise?
Exactly.
What have you told this man?
Everything.
He knows everything.
I should have done something
about you long ago.
Henry is a weakling.
You probably made him that way.
He needed someone to
listen to his troubles.
Orville steered him to Katie.
He told her all about
himself and about you.
And it all got recorded. Right?
The girl. Your charming wife, sir.
She had a change of heart.
She told me she had
destroyed the recordings.
I believed her.
She told you she'd
destroyed the recordings?
But today I learned it was a lie.
They are all in a safe deposit box.
How do you know she lied?
- Orville told me. I am convinced.
He knew she'd turn against him.
Only she hadn't gone so far as to
destroy this fool's inane blabberings.
Now I suppose you will join
the throng of bloodsuckers.
As Katie's husband you'll
have access to the deed box.
How much do you want for its contents?
- Nothing.
You mean by that, no monetary gain?
You want to make a trade of some sort?
- I want Orville.
He killed Katie.
Murdered her.
Tell me where I can find him and you
can have the contents of the box.
That's not a very good
bargain, Mr Slauson.
See if he's got a gun.
I want you to explain how ..
These men are not police.
- Not police?
Johnny Michaels.
He did three years for armed robbery?
- That's right, sir.
His face is familiar too.
Not the police? But he told me ..
He said that ..
- Who?
Mr Orville Hart.
He is involved in the
murder of Katherine Rogers.
Where do we find him?
- I don't know.
Will young Henry Slauson
be able to help us?
You know where he lives?
His uncle keeps a shop.
Henry works for him.
Check on that.
You'd better go with him, Miss.
We'll get these two away.
Now, Mr Rogers.
What was it you wanted to trade?
Mr Slauson does not like
visitors in his private room.
Why don't we go away and
leave him alone with his nephew?
Come along.
- Can't you see what's happening?
If you let him go,
he'll still be able to bleed you.
There is a back way out of here.
I'll show you.
If he kills me and the
police open the box.
Where does that put you?
Forgive me, old man. But the sight of
firearms makes my nephew nervous.
So I'll take your gun
too if you don't mind.
Now.
I believe this thing needs
very careful thought.
You killed her.
You killed Katie.
Katie's murder is not of our concern.
It is my concern. I'm going to ..
- Stay away from him.
He is my prize.
- Correction, Mr Rogers.
He is my prize.
What do you want of me?
Quite simply. The recordings.
I haven't got them.
Which is as I thought.
Earlier today you were
positive you'd have them.
Listen, you two. Get this straight.
I'm the only one who can
get at the recordings.
And you're wanted by
the police for murder.
He didn't do it.
You know he didn't do it.
He'll have a hard job proving it.
I don't think so.
You see, I went out to
see Katie last night.
I heard the shots and saw you leave.
Alright.
So I killed her.
But if you go into the witness
box and testify against me.
I will shout my head off.
About you and your whole shady set-up.
They'd lock you up for
the rest of your life.
I have no intention of
testifying against you.
Nor in fact did I see you.
I just wanted to hear from your
own lips that you had done it.
Mr Rogers.
I'm afraid I cannot permit
any violence here.
You'll appreciate my
position with the police.
I'd like to help you.
Not for noble reasons, you understand.
I want to make a good, clean deal
which would benefit us both.
Let me have it.
I'll see you get those recordings.
I'll get them in the end. You know that.
Let me have them and I
swear I'll give them to you.
That sounds fair.
You can't do that. He may kill me.
You can't do it.
Don't be absurd. Of course I can.
You fool. He'll double-cross you.
He'll bleed you drier than I ever did.
What proof have you that
they're in the vault?
No proof.
How can you talk like this when it's
Katie we should be thinking about?
She was so kind. So lovely.
To kill her was a crime
against life itself.
Cut that out.
If you loved her, why
don't you do something?
Shut up.
Don't move for that other gun.
You're too fat and slow
and clumsy to ever make it.
He's fumbled the deal you two had.
Well.
Now I'm making the deals.
I suppose you'll kill me the
same way you killed Katie.
A bullet in the stomach.
A slow death.
You want me to suffer like she did.
Go ahead.
Make me die the way you made her die.
In the exact same way.
Why not?
Murderous swine!
Stay right where you are.
Of course, officer. Of course I will.
Bill.
Please don't be cross with me again.
I know you didn't want the police but ..
- Jenny.
You are wonderful.
Well, now we'll see what
all the fuss is about.
By the way, Rogers.
It might interest you to know
that your friend Orville Hart.
Had nothing whatsoever to do
with customs intelligence.
That doesn't surprise me, Inspector.
Just a confidence man.
It's not his first visit to jail.
Though it's probably his last.
May I open it?
I don't see why not. She was your wife.
What is it, Bill?
Where are the recordings?
They're not here.
She must have destroyed them.
Then she told Mr Slauson the truth.
She always told the truth.
Goodbye, Jenny.
Can I call you when I come back again?
Yes. Of course.
Well, what a time I've had.
I didn't get a wink of
sleep the whole 36 hours.
Did you have a good time?
..w-g..
Q8AKIRA