Double Confession (1950) Movie Script
I want to find my way to Barfield Cove.
Barfield Cove? No hotels there.
There is a house called
the White Cottage?
The White Cottage?
I didn't know anyone lived there.
Can I get a taxi?
Taxi? Not this time of night.
You can walk. Take you twenty minutes.
Turn left when you leave the
station, go through the gateway ..
And take the path over
the top of the cliff.
Alright. Thanks very much. Goodnight.
Want to kill yourself, mister?
What?
Coming down this path like that.
Look here.
At the pace you was going.
You'd have been right over there.
Yeah .. it's a long way down.
I comes down here every night of
my life but then I takes it slow.
Are you in a hurry?
Yes. I'm looking for the White Cottage.
- Ah ..
This is the path, isn't it?
Yes. This is the path right enough.
I works down there beyond
them rocks. Lobsters.
I'm just going down to lift my pots.
Here, you'd better let me
show you the way down.
Alright. Thanks.
No walk for a stranger, this.
No, not at night time.
You're a stranger, aren't you?
Yes, I'm a stranger.
You're sure there is
someone at the cottage?
Yes.
There isn't always, you know.
I see a woman round
about there sometimes.
Mostly, weekends.
Still, if you're expected,
that's alright.
There you are.
It used to be a smuggler's place.
It's alright if you don't
want to be disturbed.
Why, there's a light on.
There's a welcome waiting for you.
I thought you was in a hurry?
Thanks. Goodnight.
Goodnight, sir.
Or good morning.
[ Loud screams! ]
Come along, ladies.
Along the promenade.
Ladies of the choir,
please let's keep together.
Mr Durham not in yet?
No, sir. We haven't seen
him this morning, sir.
By the way, where's the
local newspaper office?
The Examiner, sir? Just round
the corner. Second on the left.
Who runs it now?
- Old man Boscombe, you know sir.
Thank you.
By the way, this is my
father's appointment pad.
You didn't have an appointment
with him, did you?
No.
Now we've cleared that
up, where do we go?
I suppose I've got a nerve
coming to you at all.
That's quite alright.
I wasn't doing anything.
I came on the spur of the
moment. I thought perhaps ..
Looking for a job?
Well I've just got back to England.
I haven't fixed anything.
I've always wanted to be a journalist.
Uhuh.
Oh sorry. Cigarette?
- Thank you.
Any experience?
I've tried my hand at freelance work.
Well I tried my hand at boiling an egg,
but I'd never apply for a job as a chef.
I'm afraid you've come
to the wrong office.
That long-legged man draped
over the counter in the office ..
Is our star reporter.
You saw how busy he was.
It doesn't matter.
Sorry I troubled you.
No, no. I'd like to help you.
Listen.
There's a chap who is beginning
to put Seagate on the map.
Opening a chain of smart restaurants.
Rebuilding the amusement park.
You're talking of Charlie Durham.
You don't know him, do you?
I knew him before the war.
- Why didn't you go to him right away?
He's not the kind of man I'd be
inclined to go to right away.
Some like him and some don't.
- I'm one who doesn't.
He gets loyalty from the
people who work for him.
Do you know his man, Paynter?
- No.
A drunk he fished out
of the river years ago.
Follows him like a dog.
- I may have seen him.
Chalk it up in Durham's favour.
He saved the man's life.
He's a good family man too.
- Is he?
Got two boys.
He's always showing their photographs
around that fancy pub of his.
The Primrose Bar.
Do you know it?
- I'm going to have lunch there.
Oh.
Nice of you to patronise a place owned
by someone you dislike so much.
I'm sorry about the journalism.
- That's alright.
I probably shouldn't have been much good
at reporting local flower shows anyway.
We do get other things.
Such as?
Occasionally someone dies.
This morning for instance.
Two deaths on the cliffs.
Two deaths?
How many did you expect?
Were they well-known inhabitants?
Not particularly.
Notorious in a small way.
One was a fellow named Carston.
He fell off a cliff. No surprise.
No?
He was usually tight.
Should have kept on level ground.
Who was the other one?
- A woman found dead in an old cottage.
A natural death?
I wish I knew.
Do they have a name?
A Miss Watson.
Can't find anything out about her.
She only uses the place,
the White Cottage, for weekends.
And nobody knows anything about her?
Not so far.
Did ..
Did she own the White Cottage?
No.
Maybe there's the makings of
a journalist in you after all.
You ask plenty of questions.
Well.
Thank you for giving
me so much of your time.
Not at all. Did you get what you wanted?
Yes, I got what I wanted.
No. You don't hold it that way.
Look, let me show you.
Hold it that way, and then stand ready.
That's the idea. No.
No, the other way round.
Left hand on top.
- I see.
Got it?
She's ready George.
- Look out, Kate.
Here it comes.
Oh.
I'm sorry. I wasn't looking
what I was doing.
Did I hurt you?
- Well, I ..
You'd better sit down for
a moment, hadn't you.
Do you always get to
know people like this?
Cigarette?
- Thank you.
Your last?
No, I've got another one
here somewhere. Oh yes.
The beach is pretty crowded today.
You shouldn't come to Seagate
if you want to be alone.
I don't want to be alone.
Have you just come down?
No. I came last night.
I only came down today.
A day by the sea.
What is it?
I've seen you before somewhere.
I've never been here before.
- No. I mean this morning.
I saw you getting off the coach.
Yeah, I remember thinking.
Tell me, was something wrong?
- Wrong?
Yes. I thought you looked a bit upset.
Oh yes, I was upset.
Anything I can do to help?
Oh no .. no. Thank you very much.
I thought perhaps you expected
someone and he hadn't turned up.
I didn't expect anyone.
I am by myself.
That's how I wanted it today.
Well, how is the leg?
That's fine.
Don't go, please.
I'd .. like to help you.
We're strangers.
Yes, of course.
Then I'd better introduce
myself: Jim Medway.
Ann Corday.
- Go on ..
That's all.
Married or single?
No, I'm not married. You?
I was married. My wife is .. dead.
I am sorry.
I have to make a telephone call.
I shan't be long.
I'll bring back some cigarettes.
Good morning, Mr Durham.
Oh no. Uhuh. Uhuh.
Come on, Queenie. Come on.
Give it to me, give it to me.
Turn me on.
Queenie, you're gorgeous.
What's the matter?
What's the matter, Charlie?
That's Queenie.
Oh.
Here.
You look awful, Charlie.
You know, you could stand
a little shave yourself.
Ah, pretty.
That's the real old stuff, huh.
Of course, I didn't have a
drink myself in 3 months.
Aren't you proud of me?
Alright, I had one, but I
didn't even get into a fight.
Here, he wrote you again.
But Charlie ..
There won't be any more of those.
[ Telephone ]
Yes?
- Hello?
Yes.
This is Charlie Durham .. who?
I just want you to know ..
I saw you come out of the White Cottage
at four o'clock this morning, Charlie.
Trouble?
If you can call blackmail trouble.
I do.
Somebody saw me with Lorna last night.
He told me what time I left the cottage.
How in the blazes could they know that?
That's simple. Him.
He has nothing to do with it.
Look, Charlie.
Don't mind it, but ..
Why don't you finish
with that woman, huh?
I finished with her last night.
- You did?
Did she make any fuss?
She threatened to.
- Ha.
Stupid dames, they're always the same.
Always. I wish ..
I wish I'd know what they want from ..
But she wasn't a ..?
- No.
I've got more than that on my plate.
Look, Charlie.
You know I'm no cheap stooge, but ..
Why ..
Look at your name out there
in those beautiful 8-foot letters.
What does it mean? It means you.
You're more than a king in this town.
Everybody loves you.
If not, they respect you.
But everybody knows you.
I bet you there aren't
any ten people that ..
That don't know what the name
'Charlie Durham' spells.
Not any ten in the whole town.
Or ninety miles either way.
That's what I mean, Charlie.
You're right.
Oh Queenie, please. Please forgive me.
I .. I didn't mean to be rude, but ..
You know.
Charlie comes first. What is the matter?
Ah no ..
Yeah, just like the
rest of those creeps.
You should pack it tighter than that.
Can you show me how, please?
That's a very good one.
It's perfect.
Excuse me but I must go now. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Did you make your call?
Yes .. yes, I made it.
And I remembered the cigarettes.
- No thanks.
Now you were going to tell me what was
worrying you when you got off the bus.
Was I?
- Hmm.
It's nothing to be mysterious about.
I'd just discovered I'd lost my handbag.
Oh well. It's a simple
problem after all.
I suppose all your money
was in your handbag?
There's nowhere else I could keep it.
I'll lend you some money.
You can't go around all day without any.
Alright.
Well, thank heaven for a
woman with a bit of sense.
It was obvious wasn't it. As soon as
I told you, you'd want to lend me some.
And I decided I wouldn't
mind borrowing from you.
You can give me your
address and I'll send it back.
Of course. How much did you lose?
All I need is .. a pound.
You'd better take five.
- Oh no.
No what?
I'll borrow three.
You're sure that's enough?
- Yes, really.
You see .. I didn't come
down here to spend.
Amusements and all that. I came ..
Just to sit by the sea and think.
About anything in particular?
Yes .. about something in particular.
Sorry.
I'm afraid I'm being inquisitive.
Shall we move along a bit?
- Yes.
You'd think we'd got nothing
better to do than listen to them.
Give me the police station please.
- Yes, sir.
Police station?
- Yes, sir.
Hilary Boscombe speaking.
Seagate Examiner.
Is Inspector Tenby there?
- No, he's at Barfield sir.
What? He's gone to Barfield?
Oh. No message. Thanks. Goodbye.
The boat is just coming in, sir.
- Oh good.
He was hurrying down this path
as if the devil was after him.
When we got to the cottage he
just stood and looked at it.
There was a light in the window.
'I'm expected' he says,
looking at the light. 'I'm expected'.
Four o'clock in the morning, that was.
- Can you be sure of that?
I heard the clock striking in
the cottage just after I left him.
One .. two ..
three .. four .. like that.
Hmm.
Miller. Get me the time
on Carston's watch.
What's the time on the watch?
You didn't actually see this
man go into the cottage?
He wouldn't come down that time
of night just to look at it, would he.
Carston's watch had stopped
at six minutes past four, sir.
Thanks.
So you heard this scream a few
minutes after leaving the man?
And it was the most horrible
scream ever screamed anywhere.
4 o'clock in the morning is a terrible
time to hear a scream like that.
Of course.
I'll go down to the cottage.
Miller, you stay here.
I'll send somebody to relieve you.
Goodbye, Mr Church.
Now I'll tell you how I found him.
As soon as I hears this scream ..
I run like the wind and there he's lying
with his head crushed like an eggshell.
Alright. Thank you very much, Mr Church.
Very much indeed.
- Like an eggshell.
Yes. You'll be wanted at the inquest.
I'll let you know when, later.
- Yes.
Careful now.
That's right.
Now then Hilary, be a good
chap and see me at the station.
Have you any news about
either of the two deaths?
No.
There is one crumb of
information you can give me.
The lady who lived here. Miss Watson.
Did she die in her sleep
or was she bumped off?
You can tell me that without getting
reduced to the ranks, can't you?
I can, but I don't think
I will at the moment.
Yes. On the seafront, they
call you trap-mouth Tenby.
Go away.
I come out here to give you information
and now you're too busy to listen.
Alright. Better come in.
Alright, Hilary.
You're not on a sightseeing tour.
You've seen the cigarette butts?
- No. Tell me about them.
Some with lipstick and some without.
That means there was a
man with her, doesn't it.
If your father ever throws you off The
Examiner, you'll get a job in the force.
You could make the
tea for the office staff.
You think you can solve things
without help. That's your trouble.
Now listen, Hilary. I put up with
you because I like your father.
What have you to tell me?
A chap saw me at the office.
What do you want me to
do, congratulate you?
He had no appointment.
Just came in on impulse, he said.
He was looking for a job.
You thought he was pretending?
Just a hunch. He didn't know
a thing about newspaper work.
Why do you think he
came to see you then?
Simply to find out what he
could about these two deaths.
We've just found this
identity card, sir.
You gave him the information he wanted?
There wasn't much to give.
- Was he interested in both deaths?
No. He was surprised when
I said there were two.
Which in particular did
he want information about?
The woman's.
Get his name?
Yes. Medway.
Jim Medway.
Was he only looking for information
or did he give you any?
He seemed to have some
grudge against Durham.
He wanted to establish the fact
that Durham owned the cottage.
He knew that much, did he?
- He suspected it.
He knew Durham then?
- Hadn't seen him in years.
He is lunching at the Primrose Bar.
He told you everything, didn't he.
Can you identify him?
- Of course, I've just seen him.
Well we may want you to.
And thanks for coming to see me.
Thank you. Maybe you'll tell
me something one day.
Maybe .. in fact I can
tell you something now.
This woman .. Miss Watson.
We've got her identity card.
Her name is no more 'Watson' than mine.
- Who was she?
A Mrs 'Lorna Medway'.
- What?
Will you have lunch with me?
- It's much too early to have lunch.
You'll be doing me a great favour.
I'll meet you here in half an hour.
Couldn't we eat somewhere
a little quieter than this?
Alright.
I want to buy something to put these in.
Then I'll come back and find you inside.
I don't know exactly
where I'll be, but ..
I'll be there somewhere.
You won't fail me, will you?
I won't fail you.
They're nice kids you've got here.
Hello, Charlie.
Jim.
Jim Medway.
Of all people.
I'd never have recognised you.
- No?
Thanks, Charlie.
Thank you, Jeff. Excuse me.
All that sunburn. You look good.
You look terrific.
Do I, Charlie?
What are you going to have?
I'm going to have beer.
A beer? Alright, one out of the sink.
You down for the day?
I might stay longer. It all depends.
Your hand is shaking a bit, Charlie.
Yes, I work too hard.
You don't look as if you got much sleep.
To tell you the truth Jim, I don't.
Too much on your conscience?
I have a lot of responsibilities.
So they tell me.
Restaurants, amusement parks.
Small properties about the place.
I have other responsibilities too.
I've had a couple of boys
since you last met me.
Perhaps you'd like to see a photograph?
Are they very proud of you, Charlie?
I am proud of them.
Yes, I can understand how you feel.
About your boys, I mean.
I've got a little daughter.
I didn't see her until the other day.
She's a sweet kid, but ..
We are strangers.
I suppose Lorna and I would
have been strangers too.
A large whiskey, please.
Give him one out of that.
How are the kids, Charlie?
- Fine, Len. Thanks.
See you later.
You're a popular man, Charlie.
Your whiskey, sir.
It's nice and lonely over here.
Yes, people can always be pushed
around to suit you, can't they, Charlie.
Everyone except me.
What?
I said .. except me.
I don't understand
what you're getting at.
I think you do, Charlie.
You see .. I know.
You know? You know what?
I know you've been having an affair
with my wife while I've been away.
That's a lie.
I assure you Jim, it's a lie.
Just a lot of gossip.
No-one can prove anything against me.
I can, Charlie.
Who told you all this?
I've a right to know who accuses me.
I am.
I'll not sit here and listen
to all that rubbish.
Don't go away, Charlie.
I'm waiting for a girl.
We're having lunch here.
Are you trying to blackmail me?
No, Charlie.
I just want you to admit it.
You see, I know about the White Cottage.
I know Lorna came there as Miss Watson.
I know you visited her last night.
And I know that you left
at 4 o'clock this morning.
I was there, Charlie. Waiting outside.
When you left, I could
have .. touched you.
I wouldn't have liked that.
Suppose I do admit it.
Suppose I do admit that
Lorna and I were friendly?
Very friendly.
- Yes. Nothing more. She promised ..
Don't you take any notice
of promises, Charlie.
She made a promise to me
too, you know. A long time ago.
Listen, Jim. There's no reason for
you and I to quarrel over Lorna.
She's not worth it.
- Don't talk like that, Charlie.
Not about the dead.
The dead? Who is dead?
Lorna is.
Are you trying to put the wind up me?
- Shush.
Charlie, Charlie.
Somebody will hear you.
Is this a joke?
I would hardly call it a joke.
When did she die?
- Last night.
How do you know all this?
Because I killed her.
I don't believe it.
Take your time.
Is this some sort of game?
I'd hardly call it a game, Charlie.
If it's true, then why ..?
- Why am I telling you?
I tell you because when
I talk to the police ..
I'm going to say you murdered her.
You won't get away with it.
Of course I won't. They'll find
out who is the culprit in the end.
But think what it'll do to you, Charlie.
Think of all the fuss and the publicity.
The beautiful publicity.
Think how your family will love it.
Think how your boys will enjoy reading
about it in the morning papers.
Oh yes, it will all come out.
You see, I can tell them about
your relationship with my wife.
I can tell them you were with
her until 4 o'clock this morning.
There was a fisherman with me,
showing me the way.
I can tell them she was
dead when I found her.
And I can show them this letter.
Recognise it, Charlie?
It's a letter from you to Lorna.
I found it at the White Cottage.
There is nothing in that.
- Wait a minute. I'll read what it says.
It says that if she attempts
to tell your wife ..
You won't be answerable
for the consequences.
And she always expressed
herself charmingly.
Silly of you to write like that though.
But of course you weren't to know
that she was going to be killed.
You know Charlie, I think the police
will have quite a case against you.
Have you been to the police?
No. I thought I'd wait
until they came to me.
I've made quite sure they
know I'm in Seagate.
Besides, it's a lovely day.
Why waste it in police stations?
I'm having lunch with a girl.
Ann.
Ann, I want you to meet the
important Mr Charlie Durham.
Miss Anne Corday.
How do you do.
How do you do.
I can't have lunch with you.
- Oh.
I thought I would just have it
alone on the beach. I'm sorry.
That's alright. I understand.
- I've got to work out something.
And I can't help?
- I don't think anyone can.
Thanks for lending me money. If you
give me your address, I'll send it on.
Of course.
Send it to me care of the Primrose Bar.
Alright.
Forgive me?
I forgive you.
Goodbye, Mr Durham.
It's a pity I didn't meet
her before I met Lorna.
Well Charlie, it looks as though I
shall be lunching alone after all.
You will let me have your
best table, won't you.
With pleasure.
Mario.
Monsieur?
A special table for my friend.
Mary .. we haven't come down
here for you to look at people.
Look at the sea.
Sorry, sir.
- I'm back early, Sawnton.
Sorry to disturb your lunch.
- Just finished, sir.
Anything come up about Carston?
Dr Allen phoned. There's no marks on the
body that can't be caused by a fall.
That's all, sir.
If you go over a cliff so high you
do get some marks on the body.
Yes you do, sir.
There's no reason to think
that this wasn't an accident.
I just wish she'd chosen
another time, that's all.
Two deaths in one night?
We haven't had a doubtful one in a year.
I suppose he was drunk.
What did Allen say?
No, sir. There was no
alcohol in the stomach.
Hmm.
He must have gone over because
he felt dizzy without it.
Oh well. He's no loss to the town.
Anything from the White Cottage?
Analyst's report on
the cigarette ends, sir.
They were smoked last night.
Doesn't tell us much, does it.
What about that clock in the hall?
Could he hear it strike from
where the fisherman said he did?
You could hear it if the door was open.
Someone must have opened
the door at 4 o'clock.
To go in I suppose, sir.
Or to come out.
I suppose they didn't find the other bit
of this note we found under the desk?
No word, sir.
'All day I've been thinking
what to do about us'.
'Perhaps if I go, it will
only make you glad'.
'I don't know'.
'But I do know it will simplify things'.
'For you .. and for me too'.
'We've had a good time'.
'And I would remember some
of it with so much pleasure if ..'
There must be another page somewhere.
Unless someone interrupted her
and she was never able to finish it.
She was going to leave someone.
I wonder who it was.
Any news of the husband, sir?
- Yes, I think so.
If my information is good, he'll
be lunching at the Primrose Bar.
I'd like you to go there.
- Do you want me to bring him in?
No, just keep an eye on him so
we can get him when we want him.
Very good, sir.
That's him.
Alright, Mario.
Disgusting.
I don't know how .. how a man
can sit down there and eat.
And only last night he killed his wife.
No.
That's not nice.
Perhaps he doesn't think he's
anything to worry about.
He hasn't anything to worry about but ..
Can't we give him
something to worry about?
Listen. There's more evidence
against me than there is against him.
He's no fool.
He has all this worked out.
He wants to smash my life.
But Charlie .. smash your life?
I .. I won't let him.
There's nothing you can do about it.
- Why?
I can do a lot of things.
I can say that ..
That I was here with you
last night and then ..
We had a lot of business
to talk over, didn't we.
To get Mario to swear to it ..
Doesn't cost much .. does it?
No good.
- No?
Well.
Couldn't we offer him some money?
- That's not what he wants.
Well, what does he want?
I'm sorry.
He wants to ruin me.
It's as simple as that.
Yes.
What a creep.
I still bet you Charlie there
isn't a jury in the country that ..
That would put you away
on what he's got on you.
The damage will be done.
It will come out. Everything.
And what happens to my boys?
Please, Charlie. Nothing is
going to happen to David.
And nothing is going to happen
to little Johnny. We'll see to that.
Tell me ..
How long do you think it will
be until he goes to the police?
I don't know .. all day maybe.
Well.
Unless they questioned him before.
I have an idea.
What about if we go to the police first?
Are you crazy?
- Why?
Do you think I want the police here?
- No .. no, that's no good.
Well ..
Then there's only one thing left.
We still have all day.
An accident has to happen.
What are you talking about?
- I'm talking about an accident.
A lot of things can happen to him
before he goes to the police.
A lot of things.
[ Buzzer ]
Want is it?
Yes.
Yes?
- Mr Durham?
Yes?
- Mr Boscombe, sir.
Who?
- Hilary Boscombe.
Alright. Show him up.
Young Boscombe from The Examiner.
Huh?
Want me to talk to him?
Do you want me to leave or what?
If you want to .. but no accidents.
Huh .. accidents?
No, no, Charlie.
You don't understand anything
about accidents. You see ..
A man can be very careful. Very careful.
And still a lot of things can happen.
You don't know about that.
Remember, if you get into any trouble ..
- I don't get into trouble.
I can't help you.
- I don't want you to help me.
You see, this time ..
I'm going to help you.
You see?
[ Door knocks ]
Come on, Charlie.
Stop falling apart, will you.
Come in.
Hello, Paynter.
Good afternoon, sir.
Hello, Charlie.
Well, what can I do for the press?
You can tell it what you
know about Jim Medway.
Medway? Why should I know him at all?
He knows all about you.
What does he know about me?
Something to make him
dislike you quite a lot.
A successful man always
has a lot enemies ..
Among the unsuccessful.
I knew Jim Medway years ago.
And you haven't seen him lately, then?
No.
Well, he's eating in your
restaurant downstairs.
A lot of people eat in
my restaurant downstairs.
But I don't get a list of their names.
He said he was coming here to see you.
You spoke to him?
- He was in the office this morning.
Did he say anything about me?
He seemed to think you
owned the White Cottage.
I do, but it's in Paynter's name.
I see.
Then, perhaps you haven't heard the ..?
A woman died there last night.
- I know.
A Miss Watson.
No, as a matter of fact,
a Mrs Lorna Medway.
You mean Medway's wife?
- That's right. Did you know her?
Yes.
She was a typist in my office.
Before she married Medway.
Not for publication.
- Very well. I'll respect it.
That's clever isn't it.
I don't want to get mixed up
in .. any of that sort of thing.
I wish I could give you a
story, but I'm sorry, I can't.
Have a drink.
Thanks.
Cigarette?
No, I only smoke a pipe.
Medway didn't send you here, did he?
No, no. I was just following my nose.
Well, follow your nose into that.
Well, thanks.
And if the police try to see you ..
I wouldn't offer them American
cigarettes if I were you.
You see, somebody was smoking
them at the cottage last night.
And the police are apt
to jump to conclusions.
Have you had a great sorrow recently?
I suppose so.
I suppose everyone has.
This is your heart line.
You're excessively warm-hearted.
This has brought you unhappiness,
but it will bring you happiness too.
Someone will enter your life.
But because you've been hurt
before, you will try to run away.
Sorry to keep you, dearie.
That's alright.
- Won't take long.
Well, I ..
- Now come along.
You will have two children.
The first will be a girl.
You will be asked to make
a great sacrifice for her.
There is ..
There is violence in your hand.
Your heart will make you possessive
because you love deeply ..
And you give love up .. reluctantly.
You must learn not to be possessive.
You must learn to give things up when ..
- I don't want to hear any more.
Please.
You're impetuous.
Miss .. come back, Miss.
Sorry, excuse me.
Impetuous.
Sometimes I'm nearer
the mark than I think.
Sorry.
Hello.
You usually kick people
on the shins first.
Why did you run away
from the fortune-teller?
It was nothing.
Stupid of me to go in at all.
Was it something she said?
Most of the time she was
talking nonsense, but then ..
I don't want to talk about it.
Alright.
How did you know I was there?
I was next door.
I didn't think I would see you again.
Well I thought, maybe, sometime ..
I'm going for a swim.
- Is it alright if I come with you?
Yes, it's alright.
We'll have to get some costumes though.
Oh, Mr Hammet.
Bring your boat over here.
This is far enough for us,
thank you, Miss drake.
Oh dear.
Look what you've been and done.
We've outdistanced everything.
Except the gulls.
- And the speedboat.
That chap can certainly handle it.
Hey!
I thought he hit you.
He went right over you.
What do you think he's playing at?
Let's swim back to the shore.
It's alright. He won't come back.
Look, he's coming back again.
Go on, swim for it. Quickly, swim.
No. I daren't.
- Go on. Swim quickly. Swim!
Will you take us in?
I'd say that speedboat
got in a bit too close.
He oughtn't be allowed
to practice there.
Funny, he couldn't see you in the water.
Haven't I seen you before somewhere?
Maybe.
Was it on the pier?
- I was there.
Are you down for the day?
- No, Miss. I live here.
It's usually the visitors who
take the boats out, isn't it?
I like to go rowing in
a boat occasionally.
I'm glad you do.
What a nice yacht.
I wish I had a boat like this.
I'll send it back.
[ Telephone ]
Yes? Who?
It's Inspector Tenby here.
- Inspector Tenby?
Charlie, I want a word with you.
- What can I do for you, Inspector?
The Seagull is your boat, isn't it?
Yes. The Seagull is one of my boats.
When did you hire it out?
I didn't know we had it out.
- Speed trials along the beach.
Absolutely insane.
- Quite dangerous.
Yes, of course. Very dangerous.
Yes, I'll tell him right away.
Oh yes, I'll make it
perfectly clear to him.
If anyone can handle him,
you know I can.
Yes, Yes, Inspector.
I'm extremely sorry.
It's pretty out there today.
A little breezy .. but very beautiful.
Do you know who that was?
- How should I know?
A 'he' or a 'she'?
- Tenby.
Tenby?
Charlie, you should have more important
things to do than talk to the police.
Are you completely insane?
How many time have I
told you, you stupid clot?
This is the one time I don't want
the police cluttering up the place.
Are you touched?
What's the matter with you?
With me? Nothing is the matter with me.
What's the matter with you?
What's your problem? You've always
been able to deal with the police.
But not about murder.
But it won't be murder.
It will be an accident.
But I told you I don't want
any more accidents.
Who's that?
Yes?
The same man, sir.
- Who?
Mr Jim Medway.
- Alright.
Medway?
On his way up.
But that's beautiful.
Charlie, don't you want to
go to a bar for a while?
I would so much like
to be alone with him.
Just for a few minutes.
I promise you it won't be long.
Please, won't you even
do me a little favour?
I know you don't need me,
but it hurts me.
A man like you, you
shouldn't even talk to him.
Alright, if you want to be mean.
Weak eyes, Mr Paynter?
No. Good ones.
I have perfect eyes.
You see this one, sees
everything I'm supposed to see.
And this one doesn't see at
all what I don't want to see.
Hmm .. Zeiss. Good.
I suppose you could see quite a of
that window with these, Charlie.
I have more to do than to look
through the windows all day long.
Hmm.
Even when your Mister Paynter
is trying to murder me?
Look sir, in this part of the world we
don't go around murdering people.
Sometimes I wish I could.
Yes, I suppose it would be
very convenient for you ..
If something happened to me
before the police get me, right?
Listen, if you've anything to say,
get it off your chest and get out.
Alright, Charlie.
You've left it too late, Charlie.
What do you mean?
- The police have caught up with me.
Don't give me that. If you'd been
to the police, you wouldn't be here.
Go and look.
It's Sawnton.
And he's a policeman, isn't he?
What else could he be?
Then now you see why
you left it too late.
If anything happens to me,
he'll know who caused it.
I expect they've already got a
report about the speedboat incident.
No, you're in it up to the neck.
They have you taped now, Charlie.
They know you tried to get rid of me.
And why.
Because I know you killed Lorna.
Ellen .. someone is
throwing pennies at us.
You saucy thing.
Want to go to Paris tonight, girls?
We were thinking of going.
Okay, get your duds on and we'll
have a bit of the old promenade first.
Shall we sit down?
What time does your bus go?
There are plenty of buses.
I have nothing to hurry back for.
Good.
I can let you have two
of these pounds back.
I haven't needed them.
I've been with you all day.
You're independent, aren't you.
- Please take them.
Alright.
Don't blame me if they chuck you off the
bus because you can't pay your fare.
I've allowed for that.
Is that a photograph of your wife?
Yes.
May I see it?
- Yes, of course.
You loved her once.
What a strange thing for you to say.
Is it? I didn't mean anything.
Yes, I loved her.
It was a long time ago.
I must have loved her.
You see, we were only
together a short time, and ..
Then I was away for three years.
I kept this picture with me.
As the months went by, it sort of ..
Got like something I'd cut out
of a magazine, you know.
I stayed faithful to her
because I thought ..
When I got back ..
Everything would be alright.
I should fall in love again.
When I get did back, I ..
She ..
She had died.
I didn't know her very well.
I suppose if you're away from someone
for a long time you become strangers.
Look Jim, I'm so afraid.
Afraid?
Afraid it will happen in my life.
What is your life, Ann?
Oh .. I've been so good about
not telling you my troubles.
Tell me now.
It's quite simple.
I've got a little girl.
She's two years old.
And the father?
He went away.
And he promised to marry you?
I just took it for granted
we'd get married.
Are you in love with him?
Yes.
Poor Ann.
My father is a lawyer.
We're very respectable.
That made it worse.
But you said you .. you had
nothing to hurry back for.
Where is your baby?
With my cousin, Marian.
Did you give her up?
It's a decision I have to make.
That's why I'm here. To be away from
them. To think about it by myself.
What do they want you to do?
Marian and her husband
want to adopt her.
They're going to live in New Zealand.
If I let her go, I shall
never see Jill again.
And what do your parents think?
They say I must think of Jill's future.
As if I ever did anything else.
I can see their point of view.
So can I. I can see mine too.
It would break your heart to
give her up, wouldn't it?
She's my baby. I love her.
What are you thinking?
I just realised why you ran
away from the Fortune Teller.
Why?
Because she was giving you
advice you didn't want to hear.
Yes.
Yes, I suppose so.
Good evening.
Wonderful weather.
- Wonderful.
Are you down for the day?
- Yes.
Having a nice time?
Yes, thank you.
I like to think of young
people enjoying themselves.
Have a good time while
you're young, what.
Oh.
How sad to read of people
dying on a day like this.
You know, I was on the cliff at
that very spot only the other day.
And that White Cottage.
No place for a woman alone.
Jim, he's right.
We should be having a good time.
Let's enjoy ourselves before
everything closes down on us.
Restless.
Hello, Mr Paynter.
Give me a double.
- Double?
Hello, Charlie.
You don't have to call them in, do you?
- Not yet.
Nothing like some deaths to
attract the customers away.
They're all up on the cliffs.
What do you want?
- That one.
This is my lucky day.
Who wants the rest of these prizes?
The more you win, the
less I have to rack up.
You wicked girl.
Now you go back and
put it where you found it.
I must go on this. Coming?
Enjoy yourself, dear.
Have a good time.
What are you looking for?
- We lost him. We're by ourselves now.
Is this what you call
being by ourselves?
Anyway, we've lost that man
who followed us all day.
Has he been worrying you?
He was following us, wasn't he?
- He isn't now.
Come on, let's make the
most of our freedom.
A nasty place to fall.
I've been here all day.
Don't go too near.
He must have hit those rocks.
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Isn't it lucky we came today.
No. Like this, ducks.
You don't have to hug me.
I know I don't have to.
I do it for pleasure.
What you doing?
You have to win 'em, not smash 'em.
The most valuable gift
on the stall, that was.
I'm going to miss you this time.
How is that?
- That's better. Thank you.
Now look, I'll show you. Go easy on the
trigger. Just a nice, gentle squeeze.
Practising what you preach, aren't you.
Look, if you ..
- Give it here.
Here, what are you playing at?
Get back, Ann.
Someone tried to kill you.
It wasn't an accident.
No, it wouldn't be an accident.
Come on, let's get out of here.
Hello, Selby.
The necktie found on Carston's body.
Have we got it here?
Yes, sir.
Fetch it, will you.
- Yes, sir.
Hmm.
Get me the White Cottage, will you.
Sergeant Larkin?
Have you made a search of the garden?
No trace of the second page
of that note we found?
No, I didn't expect you to find it.
This is the tie Carston
was wearing, sir.
Practically brand-new, isn't it.
It's badly creased, sir.
- I can see that.
Selby, you were there.
What does he mean by: 'I had great
difficulty in removing the necktie'?
It was very tightly knotted, sir.
- You mean it was choking him?
No, sir. It was quite
loose about the neck.
It was just in a very tight knot, sir.
A strange way to treat a new tie.
- Yes, sir.
What were the rest of his
clothes like? Were they new too?
As far as I could judge, sir.
Carston seems to have come
into money before he died.
That should tell me something.
Alright, Selby. Leave it here.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Oh, Sergeant Sawnton.
So you let yourself be fooled
by that old trick, did you.
Where did they go before you lost them?
Fairground?
Anything happen?
Shooting gallery?
Who fired the shot?
Paynter, eh?
That is interesting.
Where do you suggest
looking for Medway now?
Alright, I'll meet you there.
Yes, yes. The Primrose Bar.
I've an idea that's where
all the threads tie up.
To think we let a little thing like
that keep us apart all this time.
But I still want to sail it, you know.
- Sail it?
In the bath.
That's the first time I've seen
Charlie Durham drinking alone.
How are you, Charlie?
Expecting someone, sir?
It's been quite a day, hasn't it.
- Yes.
This is the right way to
finish a day by the sea.
At a Pierrot show?
- Hmm.
The day isn't over yet.
You sound afraid again.
I am afraid.
About us?
- Yes.
We'll meet next week, won't we?
No, Jim.
Why do we go on pretending?
Pretending?
Pretending there is a future.
You know there isn't for us.
You know we won't meet again next week.
You know we'll never meet again.
No .. I don't know.
Let's be honest before we part.
Let's.
Jim, I know.
I know about you.
What do you know about me?
I know you killed your wife.
Pierrots, please?
Hmm.
Who told you that?
I overheard.
In that place.
The Primrose Bar. This morning.
It's the truth, isn't it?
I'm sorry, Jim.
I am sorry.
You're amazing.
Amazing?
- Hmm.
You stayed with me all day.
I liked you.
You were a man who'd been kind to me.
But after you overheard what I
said to Durham .. you ran away.
When I heard you say that,
I couldn't. I had to go away.
I couldn't just sit down
and have lunch with you.
No.
When we met again, I wanted to stay
with you no matter what you'd done.
I knew.
At least I thought I knew what you
must be feeling and thinking today.
I knew how terrible it would be if
you were left alone without friends.
I wanted to help.
If it had to be your
last day of freedom.
I wanted to make it a day
you could remember ..
Without too much bitterness.
Like the last day of the holidays?
- Yes.
You're a wonderful girl, Ann.
They don't turn out your
sort in bundles of dozens.
Don't cry, Ann.
I didn't know.
If you hadn't met me today you wouldn't
have anything to cry about, would you.
We could have been happy.
No.
Not with that sign boring into my mind.
You're very bitter about him.
I have reason to be.
You're going to say he killed your wife?
- Morally, he did kill her.
Jim, you mustn't ..
- I'm going to make him suffer too.
You can't let someone else be
blamed for something you've done.
Don't worry.
I can break the case against
him when the time comes.
When the time comes?
Yes.
When I think he's had enough.
Oh, Jim.
Don't take revenge like this.
Please don't.
You're destroying yourself.
That doesn't matter anymore.
Doesn't it, Jim?
With the sunshine in their shoes.
Come on, it's time we went back.
- Where?
To the Primrose Bar.
Why must you go back there again?
Because I want to see what the
day has done to Charlie Durham.
Is that how we must finish it?
Yes, Ann.
I don't want to come.
We can say goodbye here.
Very well.
Come with me, Ann.
If there has been anything
between us today ..
Come with me.
Evening, Charlie.
Hello, Inspector. Sit down.
Have one on the house.
- Thanks.
Presently.
Not on the warpath, I hope.
Never off it.
You don't want to see me, do you?
I'm hoping to see quite a
number of people here tonight.
You're one of them.
Can we have a talk?
Why not? Come up to
the office, it's quieter.
Right, Just as well.
If you can spare the time.
Don't worry. This place runs itself.
Send up a bottle of special.
- Okay, sir.
See.
That awful moonshine.
I know because the clock was striking.
I've got to go.
Good evening, Mr Paynter.
Charlie needs me.
Don't you dare to say a word.
After tonight.
Charlie and I ..
Will be square.
I've been praying for this day.
Praying.
Give them another round.
Everybody.
Take a seat, Inspector.
- Paynter, out?
He's been out all evening.
- So I hear.
I'm having some special Scotch
sent up. I'd like you to try it.
In the meantime, have a cigarette.
Thanks.
Who are the people you expect
to see here tonight, Inspector?
Paynter.
What's he been doing?
- Trying to shoot someone.
Nonsense.
- Might have been an accident.
Has he been drinking?
- I believe so.
Well .. that explains
everything, doesn't it.
You know all about him, of course?
Yes, I know about him.
I hope your boys run him in
before he does any damage.
[ Door knocks ]
Come in.
Alright, sir?
- Thanks.
Tell me what you think of that.
Like milk.
Who else are you expecting
to see tonight, Inspector?
A chap called Jim Medway.
You know him?
Yes I do. As a matter of fact ..
He was here this morning.
Do you know his wife?
I knew her before they were married.
Let me see .. what was her name?
Lorna?
- That's right.
Why did you ask?
She died last night.
Here in Seagate?
In the White Cottage, to be exact.
According to the papers, that
was a woman named Watson.
It was Lorna Medway.
You own the White Cottage, don't you?
Well, Paynter does.
Have you anything in writing about it?
Receipts or anything?
Right here, under my hand.
She didn't make any of the
payments herself, did she?
No.
Was there anything wrong with that?
I just wanted a specimen
of her handwriting.
I see.
Does .. Medway know
about his wife's death?
I think he does.
How did he strike you
when you saw him today?
He seemed .. a little on edge, but ..
Of course, I haven't
seen him for some time.
Did he ask after his wife?
No.
No, I .. don't think he did.
Did he mention her at all?
No. As I was being rather selfish.
I spent most of the time showing
him the photographs of my two boys.
Strange, isn't it, that he
didn't mention his wife?
Yes, I suppose it is.
We kept a tag on him
during most of the day.
He did one or two strange things.
Was he alone when you saw him?
He was meeting a girl.
He said something about her.
Oh yes. He said:
'I wish I'd met her
before I'd met Lorna'.
Then he did mention his wife?
Yes .. I had forgotten that.
Come to think of it, it's an odd thing
for him to say if he knew of her death.
You think the shock
affected him in some way?
[ Buzzer ]
Yes?
Mr Medway and a lady, sir.
- Alright. Show them both up.
Right, sir.
Medway and the girl have just arrived.
- Good.
Have another drink, Inspector.
- Thanks. Excellent whiskey.
Yes.
It makes you appear as
though you .. weren't on duty.
I always drink when I'm on duty.
I suppose you'd like to
talk to Medway alone?
If you don't mind my
talking to him here?
No. The place is yours, Inspector.
Hello, Charlie.
Hello.
This is Inspector Tenby.
Inspector .. Mr Medway.
Good evening.
This is Miss Corday.
- Good evening.
I'd like a few words with
you in private, Mr Medway.
Certainly, Inspector.
But I should like Miss Corday
to hear your few words.
I should like Charlie to hear them too.
I suggest they stay.
As you wish.
Take a seat, Jim.
Thanks.
Perhaps Miss Corday can sit over there.
A drink anybody?
- No thank you.
Do you mind answering one
or two questions, Mr Medway?
Suppose I give you the answers
to that question by question.
Very well.
When did you come down here?
- Last night.
By what train?
- The mail.
Why?
The railway company made no objection.
The mail gets in about 3:30.
- Hmm.
Why did you come to Seagate?
- I came to see my wife.
Where was your wife?
I had reason to believe she stayed
at a place called the White Cottage.
For what reason?
I had found a letter.
If you left the train at 3:30 ..
You'd get to the White
Cottage about 4 o'clock.
Correct.
After you reached the
cottage, what did you do?
I walked. Back to Seagate.
Without going into the cottage?
- Yes.
Why?
Because I saw a man leaving the cottage.
Did you recognise him?
No.
Thanks.
I'm sorry to have to ask
you this, Mr Medway.
But seeing a man coming away from wife's
house at that time of the morning ..
You naturally put a certain
construction on the situation.
Naturally.
Then you went back the way you'd come?
Yes.
- Why?
Why?
I suppose I wanted to think.
I didn't imagine there would be
much of a welcome waiting for me.
I think you're lying, Mr Medway.
I can't help what you think.
In fact I'm prepared to
put it more strongly.
I know you are lying.
I'm looking for ..
For Inspector Tenby.
No.
What are you doing to me now?
Forgive me, Charlie. Did I ..
Did I cause you so much trouble?
I've come here Inspector, because ..
Because I want to make a statement.
Well, what is it?
Inspector ..
I confess I killed Lorna Medway.
Back to your old tricks.
You've been drinking.
I know I'm drunk, Charlie.
But I have never been so sober.
Your life wasn't worth saving.
Easy, Mr Durham. I know him.
Now then, Paynter.
What's this story of yours
about Mrs Lorna Medway?
Well.
I went over to see her last
night, to the White Cottage.
What time did you leave?
I left at exactly.
Four o'clock.
I remember because the clock was
striking when I opened the door.
Alright, Mr Durham.
Tell me, Paynter.
What did you do with the knife?
What knife?
Oh .. I threw it into the sea.
You threw it into the sea?
- Yes.
You know why?
Because I didn't want to make
it too easy for you coppers.
I don't like coppers.
I see.
Now look here, Paynter.
I don't know what you hope to gain
by this absurd confession of yours.
What I told you is true.
You understand?
I did go to the White
Cottage last night.
Yes, you might have been at
the White Cottage last night.
But you did not stab Lorna Medway.
She wasn't stabbed.
She committed suicide.
Isn't that the case, Mr Medway?
Suicide?
Why are you asking me?
Because you were lying when you
said you didn't go into the cottage.
You did.
Sometime during the night and
you found your wife dead.
She'd taken a very large
overdose of sleeping tablets.
We found half of a suicide note
that had blown under the desk.
Can I have the other half?
Yes, this makes it clear enough.
You know you should have brought
this to us at once, don't you.
Yes.
You were making trouble for yourself.
Lorna Medway's death has
been no mystery to us.
We shadowed you today
Mr Medway, for another reason.
But now it seems my question
should be to Paynter.
When you left the White Cottage,
which way did you come back?
I asked you, Paynter.
Which way did you come back?
See, I came back ..
By the cliff path.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Did you meet anybody?
No.
You must have met someone, Paynter.
If you left the Cottage at 4 o'clock,
you'd get to the cliff top at five past.
Carston was killed at six minutes past.
Carston wasn't killed.
He fell over the cliff.
He was thrown over.
Pushed, if you like. And the
murderer held on to his tie.
The papers said ..
Never mind what the papers said.
Paynter admits to having been there. I'm
going to take you into custody, Paynter.
Huh?
On suspicion of having
murdered Arthur Carston.
By throwing him over the cliff.
What does he want, Charles?
Carston was getting
money from somewhere.
And as you were the man, Paynter,
who was visiting Lorna Medway ..
I suggest he was blackmailing you.
Possibly sending you letters.
I didn't get any letters.
Why don't you leave him alone?
Can't you see the state he's in.
Look Inspector, may I ..
May I ask you a question?
You can ask your questions later.
- No. Now.
Now. Right now!
I want to ask my questions now.
And I want to have my answers now.
You hear?
What are you trying to pin on me, huh?
What are you trying to do?
All I know is that I come here
and I tell you that I killed her.
I told you because I had a reason.
Charlie knows.
I don't mean it that way.
I mean .. I mean Charlie can explain.
Explain it, Charlie.
I warn you, Inspector. If anybody ..
If anybody tries to crowd in on me, I ..
I'm not too easy to deal with.
Not too easy.
Not too easy at all.
Do you mind phoning
the station, Charlie?
Go on.
Hello.
Police?
Paynter. Paynter, are you mad? Paynter.
No, Jim.
Yes, you were right, Ann.
Durham's got it coming
to him without my help.
Paynter. What are you doing?
You don't understand.
Listen to me.
I saved your life once, didn't I?
Didn't I? Trust me.
You ..
No.
No.
Please, Paynter. You don't understand.
Listen to me.
Please forgive me. Forgive me.
No .. no ..
And the murderer held on to his tie.
A pity you didn't go
over as well, Charlie.
You've been terribly sweet.
Ann, I've been thinking
about you and Jill.
Don't give her up. You'll be sorry
for the rest of your life if you do.
Jim, I just wanted someone to say that.
Come on. Hop in.
Ann, I must see you again.
- Yes, yes. I want to.
But where do you live?
I don't know your address.
You'll forget. I'll send it.
- Why didn't I ask you before?
Goodbye.
What am I waiting here for?
Why don't I come with you?
Yes. Why don't you?
..s-d..
Barfield Cove? No hotels there.
There is a house called
the White Cottage?
The White Cottage?
I didn't know anyone lived there.
Can I get a taxi?
Taxi? Not this time of night.
You can walk. Take you twenty minutes.
Turn left when you leave the
station, go through the gateway ..
And take the path over
the top of the cliff.
Alright. Thanks very much. Goodnight.
Want to kill yourself, mister?
What?
Coming down this path like that.
Look here.
At the pace you was going.
You'd have been right over there.
Yeah .. it's a long way down.
I comes down here every night of
my life but then I takes it slow.
Are you in a hurry?
Yes. I'm looking for the White Cottage.
- Ah ..
This is the path, isn't it?
Yes. This is the path right enough.
I works down there beyond
them rocks. Lobsters.
I'm just going down to lift my pots.
Here, you'd better let me
show you the way down.
Alright. Thanks.
No walk for a stranger, this.
No, not at night time.
You're a stranger, aren't you?
Yes, I'm a stranger.
You're sure there is
someone at the cottage?
Yes.
There isn't always, you know.
I see a woman round
about there sometimes.
Mostly, weekends.
Still, if you're expected,
that's alright.
There you are.
It used to be a smuggler's place.
It's alright if you don't
want to be disturbed.
Why, there's a light on.
There's a welcome waiting for you.
I thought you was in a hurry?
Thanks. Goodnight.
Goodnight, sir.
Or good morning.
[ Loud screams! ]
Come along, ladies.
Along the promenade.
Ladies of the choir,
please let's keep together.
Mr Durham not in yet?
No, sir. We haven't seen
him this morning, sir.
By the way, where's the
local newspaper office?
The Examiner, sir? Just round
the corner. Second on the left.
Who runs it now?
- Old man Boscombe, you know sir.
Thank you.
By the way, this is my
father's appointment pad.
You didn't have an appointment
with him, did you?
No.
Now we've cleared that
up, where do we go?
I suppose I've got a nerve
coming to you at all.
That's quite alright.
I wasn't doing anything.
I came on the spur of the
moment. I thought perhaps ..
Looking for a job?
Well I've just got back to England.
I haven't fixed anything.
I've always wanted to be a journalist.
Uhuh.
Oh sorry. Cigarette?
- Thank you.
Any experience?
I've tried my hand at freelance work.
Well I tried my hand at boiling an egg,
but I'd never apply for a job as a chef.
I'm afraid you've come
to the wrong office.
That long-legged man draped
over the counter in the office ..
Is our star reporter.
You saw how busy he was.
It doesn't matter.
Sorry I troubled you.
No, no. I'd like to help you.
Listen.
There's a chap who is beginning
to put Seagate on the map.
Opening a chain of smart restaurants.
Rebuilding the amusement park.
You're talking of Charlie Durham.
You don't know him, do you?
I knew him before the war.
- Why didn't you go to him right away?
He's not the kind of man I'd be
inclined to go to right away.
Some like him and some don't.
- I'm one who doesn't.
He gets loyalty from the
people who work for him.
Do you know his man, Paynter?
- No.
A drunk he fished out
of the river years ago.
Follows him like a dog.
- I may have seen him.
Chalk it up in Durham's favour.
He saved the man's life.
He's a good family man too.
- Is he?
Got two boys.
He's always showing their photographs
around that fancy pub of his.
The Primrose Bar.
Do you know it?
- I'm going to have lunch there.
Oh.
Nice of you to patronise a place owned
by someone you dislike so much.
I'm sorry about the journalism.
- That's alright.
I probably shouldn't have been much good
at reporting local flower shows anyway.
We do get other things.
Such as?
Occasionally someone dies.
This morning for instance.
Two deaths on the cliffs.
Two deaths?
How many did you expect?
Were they well-known inhabitants?
Not particularly.
Notorious in a small way.
One was a fellow named Carston.
He fell off a cliff. No surprise.
No?
He was usually tight.
Should have kept on level ground.
Who was the other one?
- A woman found dead in an old cottage.
A natural death?
I wish I knew.
Do they have a name?
A Miss Watson.
Can't find anything out about her.
She only uses the place,
the White Cottage, for weekends.
And nobody knows anything about her?
Not so far.
Did ..
Did she own the White Cottage?
No.
Maybe there's the makings of
a journalist in you after all.
You ask plenty of questions.
Well.
Thank you for giving
me so much of your time.
Not at all. Did you get what you wanted?
Yes, I got what I wanted.
No. You don't hold it that way.
Look, let me show you.
Hold it that way, and then stand ready.
That's the idea. No.
No, the other way round.
Left hand on top.
- I see.
Got it?
She's ready George.
- Look out, Kate.
Here it comes.
Oh.
I'm sorry. I wasn't looking
what I was doing.
Did I hurt you?
- Well, I ..
You'd better sit down for
a moment, hadn't you.
Do you always get to
know people like this?
Cigarette?
- Thank you.
Your last?
No, I've got another one
here somewhere. Oh yes.
The beach is pretty crowded today.
You shouldn't come to Seagate
if you want to be alone.
I don't want to be alone.
Have you just come down?
No. I came last night.
I only came down today.
A day by the sea.
What is it?
I've seen you before somewhere.
I've never been here before.
- No. I mean this morning.
I saw you getting off the coach.
Yeah, I remember thinking.
Tell me, was something wrong?
- Wrong?
Yes. I thought you looked a bit upset.
Oh yes, I was upset.
Anything I can do to help?
Oh no .. no. Thank you very much.
I thought perhaps you expected
someone and he hadn't turned up.
I didn't expect anyone.
I am by myself.
That's how I wanted it today.
Well, how is the leg?
That's fine.
Don't go, please.
I'd .. like to help you.
We're strangers.
Yes, of course.
Then I'd better introduce
myself: Jim Medway.
Ann Corday.
- Go on ..
That's all.
Married or single?
No, I'm not married. You?
I was married. My wife is .. dead.
I am sorry.
I have to make a telephone call.
I shan't be long.
I'll bring back some cigarettes.
Good morning, Mr Durham.
Oh no. Uhuh. Uhuh.
Come on, Queenie. Come on.
Give it to me, give it to me.
Turn me on.
Queenie, you're gorgeous.
What's the matter?
What's the matter, Charlie?
That's Queenie.
Oh.
Here.
You look awful, Charlie.
You know, you could stand
a little shave yourself.
Ah, pretty.
That's the real old stuff, huh.
Of course, I didn't have a
drink myself in 3 months.
Aren't you proud of me?
Alright, I had one, but I
didn't even get into a fight.
Here, he wrote you again.
But Charlie ..
There won't be any more of those.
[ Telephone ]
Yes?
- Hello?
Yes.
This is Charlie Durham .. who?
I just want you to know ..
I saw you come out of the White Cottage
at four o'clock this morning, Charlie.
Trouble?
If you can call blackmail trouble.
I do.
Somebody saw me with Lorna last night.
He told me what time I left the cottage.
How in the blazes could they know that?
That's simple. Him.
He has nothing to do with it.
Look, Charlie.
Don't mind it, but ..
Why don't you finish
with that woman, huh?
I finished with her last night.
- You did?
Did she make any fuss?
She threatened to.
- Ha.
Stupid dames, they're always the same.
Always. I wish ..
I wish I'd know what they want from ..
But she wasn't a ..?
- No.
I've got more than that on my plate.
Look, Charlie.
You know I'm no cheap stooge, but ..
Why ..
Look at your name out there
in those beautiful 8-foot letters.
What does it mean? It means you.
You're more than a king in this town.
Everybody loves you.
If not, they respect you.
But everybody knows you.
I bet you there aren't
any ten people that ..
That don't know what the name
'Charlie Durham' spells.
Not any ten in the whole town.
Or ninety miles either way.
That's what I mean, Charlie.
You're right.
Oh Queenie, please. Please forgive me.
I .. I didn't mean to be rude, but ..
You know.
Charlie comes first. What is the matter?
Ah no ..
Yeah, just like the
rest of those creeps.
You should pack it tighter than that.
Can you show me how, please?
That's a very good one.
It's perfect.
Excuse me but I must go now. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Did you make your call?
Yes .. yes, I made it.
And I remembered the cigarettes.
- No thanks.
Now you were going to tell me what was
worrying you when you got off the bus.
Was I?
- Hmm.
It's nothing to be mysterious about.
I'd just discovered I'd lost my handbag.
Oh well. It's a simple
problem after all.
I suppose all your money
was in your handbag?
There's nowhere else I could keep it.
I'll lend you some money.
You can't go around all day without any.
Alright.
Well, thank heaven for a
woman with a bit of sense.
It was obvious wasn't it. As soon as
I told you, you'd want to lend me some.
And I decided I wouldn't
mind borrowing from you.
You can give me your
address and I'll send it back.
Of course. How much did you lose?
All I need is .. a pound.
You'd better take five.
- Oh no.
No what?
I'll borrow three.
You're sure that's enough?
- Yes, really.
You see .. I didn't come
down here to spend.
Amusements and all that. I came ..
Just to sit by the sea and think.
About anything in particular?
Yes .. about something in particular.
Sorry.
I'm afraid I'm being inquisitive.
Shall we move along a bit?
- Yes.
You'd think we'd got nothing
better to do than listen to them.
Give me the police station please.
- Yes, sir.
Police station?
- Yes, sir.
Hilary Boscombe speaking.
Seagate Examiner.
Is Inspector Tenby there?
- No, he's at Barfield sir.
What? He's gone to Barfield?
Oh. No message. Thanks. Goodbye.
The boat is just coming in, sir.
- Oh good.
He was hurrying down this path
as if the devil was after him.
When we got to the cottage he
just stood and looked at it.
There was a light in the window.
'I'm expected' he says,
looking at the light. 'I'm expected'.
Four o'clock in the morning, that was.
- Can you be sure of that?
I heard the clock striking in
the cottage just after I left him.
One .. two ..
three .. four .. like that.
Hmm.
Miller. Get me the time
on Carston's watch.
What's the time on the watch?
You didn't actually see this
man go into the cottage?
He wouldn't come down that time
of night just to look at it, would he.
Carston's watch had stopped
at six minutes past four, sir.
Thanks.
So you heard this scream a few
minutes after leaving the man?
And it was the most horrible
scream ever screamed anywhere.
4 o'clock in the morning is a terrible
time to hear a scream like that.
Of course.
I'll go down to the cottage.
Miller, you stay here.
I'll send somebody to relieve you.
Goodbye, Mr Church.
Now I'll tell you how I found him.
As soon as I hears this scream ..
I run like the wind and there he's lying
with his head crushed like an eggshell.
Alright. Thank you very much, Mr Church.
Very much indeed.
- Like an eggshell.
Yes. You'll be wanted at the inquest.
I'll let you know when, later.
- Yes.
Careful now.
That's right.
Now then Hilary, be a good
chap and see me at the station.
Have you any news about
either of the two deaths?
No.
There is one crumb of
information you can give me.
The lady who lived here. Miss Watson.
Did she die in her sleep
or was she bumped off?
You can tell me that without getting
reduced to the ranks, can't you?
I can, but I don't think
I will at the moment.
Yes. On the seafront, they
call you trap-mouth Tenby.
Go away.
I come out here to give you information
and now you're too busy to listen.
Alright. Better come in.
Alright, Hilary.
You're not on a sightseeing tour.
You've seen the cigarette butts?
- No. Tell me about them.
Some with lipstick and some without.
That means there was a
man with her, doesn't it.
If your father ever throws you off The
Examiner, you'll get a job in the force.
You could make the
tea for the office staff.
You think you can solve things
without help. That's your trouble.
Now listen, Hilary. I put up with
you because I like your father.
What have you to tell me?
A chap saw me at the office.
What do you want me to
do, congratulate you?
He had no appointment.
Just came in on impulse, he said.
He was looking for a job.
You thought he was pretending?
Just a hunch. He didn't know
a thing about newspaper work.
Why do you think he
came to see you then?
Simply to find out what he
could about these two deaths.
We've just found this
identity card, sir.
You gave him the information he wanted?
There wasn't much to give.
- Was he interested in both deaths?
No. He was surprised when
I said there were two.
Which in particular did
he want information about?
The woman's.
Get his name?
Yes. Medway.
Jim Medway.
Was he only looking for information
or did he give you any?
He seemed to have some
grudge against Durham.
He wanted to establish the fact
that Durham owned the cottage.
He knew that much, did he?
- He suspected it.
He knew Durham then?
- Hadn't seen him in years.
He is lunching at the Primrose Bar.
He told you everything, didn't he.
Can you identify him?
- Of course, I've just seen him.
Well we may want you to.
And thanks for coming to see me.
Thank you. Maybe you'll tell
me something one day.
Maybe .. in fact I can
tell you something now.
This woman .. Miss Watson.
We've got her identity card.
Her name is no more 'Watson' than mine.
- Who was she?
A Mrs 'Lorna Medway'.
- What?
Will you have lunch with me?
- It's much too early to have lunch.
You'll be doing me a great favour.
I'll meet you here in half an hour.
Couldn't we eat somewhere
a little quieter than this?
Alright.
I want to buy something to put these in.
Then I'll come back and find you inside.
I don't know exactly
where I'll be, but ..
I'll be there somewhere.
You won't fail me, will you?
I won't fail you.
They're nice kids you've got here.
Hello, Charlie.
Jim.
Jim Medway.
Of all people.
I'd never have recognised you.
- No?
Thanks, Charlie.
Thank you, Jeff. Excuse me.
All that sunburn. You look good.
You look terrific.
Do I, Charlie?
What are you going to have?
I'm going to have beer.
A beer? Alright, one out of the sink.
You down for the day?
I might stay longer. It all depends.
Your hand is shaking a bit, Charlie.
Yes, I work too hard.
You don't look as if you got much sleep.
To tell you the truth Jim, I don't.
Too much on your conscience?
I have a lot of responsibilities.
So they tell me.
Restaurants, amusement parks.
Small properties about the place.
I have other responsibilities too.
I've had a couple of boys
since you last met me.
Perhaps you'd like to see a photograph?
Are they very proud of you, Charlie?
I am proud of them.
Yes, I can understand how you feel.
About your boys, I mean.
I've got a little daughter.
I didn't see her until the other day.
She's a sweet kid, but ..
We are strangers.
I suppose Lorna and I would
have been strangers too.
A large whiskey, please.
Give him one out of that.
How are the kids, Charlie?
- Fine, Len. Thanks.
See you later.
You're a popular man, Charlie.
Your whiskey, sir.
It's nice and lonely over here.
Yes, people can always be pushed
around to suit you, can't they, Charlie.
Everyone except me.
What?
I said .. except me.
I don't understand
what you're getting at.
I think you do, Charlie.
You see .. I know.
You know? You know what?
I know you've been having an affair
with my wife while I've been away.
That's a lie.
I assure you Jim, it's a lie.
Just a lot of gossip.
No-one can prove anything against me.
I can, Charlie.
Who told you all this?
I've a right to know who accuses me.
I am.
I'll not sit here and listen
to all that rubbish.
Don't go away, Charlie.
I'm waiting for a girl.
We're having lunch here.
Are you trying to blackmail me?
No, Charlie.
I just want you to admit it.
You see, I know about the White Cottage.
I know Lorna came there as Miss Watson.
I know you visited her last night.
And I know that you left
at 4 o'clock this morning.
I was there, Charlie. Waiting outside.
When you left, I could
have .. touched you.
I wouldn't have liked that.
Suppose I do admit it.
Suppose I do admit that
Lorna and I were friendly?
Very friendly.
- Yes. Nothing more. She promised ..
Don't you take any notice
of promises, Charlie.
She made a promise to me
too, you know. A long time ago.
Listen, Jim. There's no reason for
you and I to quarrel over Lorna.
She's not worth it.
- Don't talk like that, Charlie.
Not about the dead.
The dead? Who is dead?
Lorna is.
Are you trying to put the wind up me?
- Shush.
Charlie, Charlie.
Somebody will hear you.
Is this a joke?
I would hardly call it a joke.
When did she die?
- Last night.
How do you know all this?
Because I killed her.
I don't believe it.
Take your time.
Is this some sort of game?
I'd hardly call it a game, Charlie.
If it's true, then why ..?
- Why am I telling you?
I tell you because when
I talk to the police ..
I'm going to say you murdered her.
You won't get away with it.
Of course I won't. They'll find
out who is the culprit in the end.
But think what it'll do to you, Charlie.
Think of all the fuss and the publicity.
The beautiful publicity.
Think how your family will love it.
Think how your boys will enjoy reading
about it in the morning papers.
Oh yes, it will all come out.
You see, I can tell them about
your relationship with my wife.
I can tell them you were with
her until 4 o'clock this morning.
There was a fisherman with me,
showing me the way.
I can tell them she was
dead when I found her.
And I can show them this letter.
Recognise it, Charlie?
It's a letter from you to Lorna.
I found it at the White Cottage.
There is nothing in that.
- Wait a minute. I'll read what it says.
It says that if she attempts
to tell your wife ..
You won't be answerable
for the consequences.
And she always expressed
herself charmingly.
Silly of you to write like that though.
But of course you weren't to know
that she was going to be killed.
You know Charlie, I think the police
will have quite a case against you.
Have you been to the police?
No. I thought I'd wait
until they came to me.
I've made quite sure they
know I'm in Seagate.
Besides, it's a lovely day.
Why waste it in police stations?
I'm having lunch with a girl.
Ann.
Ann, I want you to meet the
important Mr Charlie Durham.
Miss Anne Corday.
How do you do.
How do you do.
I can't have lunch with you.
- Oh.
I thought I would just have it
alone on the beach. I'm sorry.
That's alright. I understand.
- I've got to work out something.
And I can't help?
- I don't think anyone can.
Thanks for lending me money. If you
give me your address, I'll send it on.
Of course.
Send it to me care of the Primrose Bar.
Alright.
Forgive me?
I forgive you.
Goodbye, Mr Durham.
It's a pity I didn't meet
her before I met Lorna.
Well Charlie, it looks as though I
shall be lunching alone after all.
You will let me have your
best table, won't you.
With pleasure.
Mario.
Monsieur?
A special table for my friend.
Mary .. we haven't come down
here for you to look at people.
Look at the sea.
Sorry, sir.
- I'm back early, Sawnton.
Sorry to disturb your lunch.
- Just finished, sir.
Anything come up about Carston?
Dr Allen phoned. There's no marks on the
body that can't be caused by a fall.
That's all, sir.
If you go over a cliff so high you
do get some marks on the body.
Yes you do, sir.
There's no reason to think
that this wasn't an accident.
I just wish she'd chosen
another time, that's all.
Two deaths in one night?
We haven't had a doubtful one in a year.
I suppose he was drunk.
What did Allen say?
No, sir. There was no
alcohol in the stomach.
Hmm.
He must have gone over because
he felt dizzy without it.
Oh well. He's no loss to the town.
Anything from the White Cottage?
Analyst's report on
the cigarette ends, sir.
They were smoked last night.
Doesn't tell us much, does it.
What about that clock in the hall?
Could he hear it strike from
where the fisherman said he did?
You could hear it if the door was open.
Someone must have opened
the door at 4 o'clock.
To go in I suppose, sir.
Or to come out.
I suppose they didn't find the other bit
of this note we found under the desk?
No word, sir.
'All day I've been thinking
what to do about us'.
'Perhaps if I go, it will
only make you glad'.
'I don't know'.
'But I do know it will simplify things'.
'For you .. and for me too'.
'We've had a good time'.
'And I would remember some
of it with so much pleasure if ..'
There must be another page somewhere.
Unless someone interrupted her
and she was never able to finish it.
She was going to leave someone.
I wonder who it was.
Any news of the husband, sir?
- Yes, I think so.
If my information is good, he'll
be lunching at the Primrose Bar.
I'd like you to go there.
- Do you want me to bring him in?
No, just keep an eye on him so
we can get him when we want him.
Very good, sir.
That's him.
Alright, Mario.
Disgusting.
I don't know how .. how a man
can sit down there and eat.
And only last night he killed his wife.
No.
That's not nice.
Perhaps he doesn't think he's
anything to worry about.
He hasn't anything to worry about but ..
Can't we give him
something to worry about?
Listen. There's more evidence
against me than there is against him.
He's no fool.
He has all this worked out.
He wants to smash my life.
But Charlie .. smash your life?
I .. I won't let him.
There's nothing you can do about it.
- Why?
I can do a lot of things.
I can say that ..
That I was here with you
last night and then ..
We had a lot of business
to talk over, didn't we.
To get Mario to swear to it ..
Doesn't cost much .. does it?
No good.
- No?
Well.
Couldn't we offer him some money?
- That's not what he wants.
Well, what does he want?
I'm sorry.
He wants to ruin me.
It's as simple as that.
Yes.
What a creep.
I still bet you Charlie there
isn't a jury in the country that ..
That would put you away
on what he's got on you.
The damage will be done.
It will come out. Everything.
And what happens to my boys?
Please, Charlie. Nothing is
going to happen to David.
And nothing is going to happen
to little Johnny. We'll see to that.
Tell me ..
How long do you think it will
be until he goes to the police?
I don't know .. all day maybe.
Well.
Unless they questioned him before.
I have an idea.
What about if we go to the police first?
Are you crazy?
- Why?
Do you think I want the police here?
- No .. no, that's no good.
Well ..
Then there's only one thing left.
We still have all day.
An accident has to happen.
What are you talking about?
- I'm talking about an accident.
A lot of things can happen to him
before he goes to the police.
A lot of things.
[ Buzzer ]
Want is it?
Yes.
Yes?
- Mr Durham?
Yes?
- Mr Boscombe, sir.
Who?
- Hilary Boscombe.
Alright. Show him up.
Young Boscombe from The Examiner.
Huh?
Want me to talk to him?
Do you want me to leave or what?
If you want to .. but no accidents.
Huh .. accidents?
No, no, Charlie.
You don't understand anything
about accidents. You see ..
A man can be very careful. Very careful.
And still a lot of things can happen.
You don't know about that.
Remember, if you get into any trouble ..
- I don't get into trouble.
I can't help you.
- I don't want you to help me.
You see, this time ..
I'm going to help you.
You see?
[ Door knocks ]
Come on, Charlie.
Stop falling apart, will you.
Come in.
Hello, Paynter.
Good afternoon, sir.
Hello, Charlie.
Well, what can I do for the press?
You can tell it what you
know about Jim Medway.
Medway? Why should I know him at all?
He knows all about you.
What does he know about me?
Something to make him
dislike you quite a lot.
A successful man always
has a lot enemies ..
Among the unsuccessful.
I knew Jim Medway years ago.
And you haven't seen him lately, then?
No.
Well, he's eating in your
restaurant downstairs.
A lot of people eat in
my restaurant downstairs.
But I don't get a list of their names.
He said he was coming here to see you.
You spoke to him?
- He was in the office this morning.
Did he say anything about me?
He seemed to think you
owned the White Cottage.
I do, but it's in Paynter's name.
I see.
Then, perhaps you haven't heard the ..?
A woman died there last night.
- I know.
A Miss Watson.
No, as a matter of fact,
a Mrs Lorna Medway.
You mean Medway's wife?
- That's right. Did you know her?
Yes.
She was a typist in my office.
Before she married Medway.
Not for publication.
- Very well. I'll respect it.
That's clever isn't it.
I don't want to get mixed up
in .. any of that sort of thing.
I wish I could give you a
story, but I'm sorry, I can't.
Have a drink.
Thanks.
Cigarette?
No, I only smoke a pipe.
Medway didn't send you here, did he?
No, no. I was just following my nose.
Well, follow your nose into that.
Well, thanks.
And if the police try to see you ..
I wouldn't offer them American
cigarettes if I were you.
You see, somebody was smoking
them at the cottage last night.
And the police are apt
to jump to conclusions.
Have you had a great sorrow recently?
I suppose so.
I suppose everyone has.
This is your heart line.
You're excessively warm-hearted.
This has brought you unhappiness,
but it will bring you happiness too.
Someone will enter your life.
But because you've been hurt
before, you will try to run away.
Sorry to keep you, dearie.
That's alright.
- Won't take long.
Well, I ..
- Now come along.
You will have two children.
The first will be a girl.
You will be asked to make
a great sacrifice for her.
There is ..
There is violence in your hand.
Your heart will make you possessive
because you love deeply ..
And you give love up .. reluctantly.
You must learn not to be possessive.
You must learn to give things up when ..
- I don't want to hear any more.
Please.
You're impetuous.
Miss .. come back, Miss.
Sorry, excuse me.
Impetuous.
Sometimes I'm nearer
the mark than I think.
Sorry.
Hello.
You usually kick people
on the shins first.
Why did you run away
from the fortune-teller?
It was nothing.
Stupid of me to go in at all.
Was it something she said?
Most of the time she was
talking nonsense, but then ..
I don't want to talk about it.
Alright.
How did you know I was there?
I was next door.
I didn't think I would see you again.
Well I thought, maybe, sometime ..
I'm going for a swim.
- Is it alright if I come with you?
Yes, it's alright.
We'll have to get some costumes though.
Oh, Mr Hammet.
Bring your boat over here.
This is far enough for us,
thank you, Miss drake.
Oh dear.
Look what you've been and done.
We've outdistanced everything.
Except the gulls.
- And the speedboat.
That chap can certainly handle it.
Hey!
I thought he hit you.
He went right over you.
What do you think he's playing at?
Let's swim back to the shore.
It's alright. He won't come back.
Look, he's coming back again.
Go on, swim for it. Quickly, swim.
No. I daren't.
- Go on. Swim quickly. Swim!
Will you take us in?
I'd say that speedboat
got in a bit too close.
He oughtn't be allowed
to practice there.
Funny, he couldn't see you in the water.
Haven't I seen you before somewhere?
Maybe.
Was it on the pier?
- I was there.
Are you down for the day?
- No, Miss. I live here.
It's usually the visitors who
take the boats out, isn't it?
I like to go rowing in
a boat occasionally.
I'm glad you do.
What a nice yacht.
I wish I had a boat like this.
I'll send it back.
[ Telephone ]
Yes? Who?
It's Inspector Tenby here.
- Inspector Tenby?
Charlie, I want a word with you.
- What can I do for you, Inspector?
The Seagull is your boat, isn't it?
Yes. The Seagull is one of my boats.
When did you hire it out?
I didn't know we had it out.
- Speed trials along the beach.
Absolutely insane.
- Quite dangerous.
Yes, of course. Very dangerous.
Yes, I'll tell him right away.
Oh yes, I'll make it
perfectly clear to him.
If anyone can handle him,
you know I can.
Yes, Yes, Inspector.
I'm extremely sorry.
It's pretty out there today.
A little breezy .. but very beautiful.
Do you know who that was?
- How should I know?
A 'he' or a 'she'?
- Tenby.
Tenby?
Charlie, you should have more important
things to do than talk to the police.
Are you completely insane?
How many time have I
told you, you stupid clot?
This is the one time I don't want
the police cluttering up the place.
Are you touched?
What's the matter with you?
With me? Nothing is the matter with me.
What's the matter with you?
What's your problem? You've always
been able to deal with the police.
But not about murder.
But it won't be murder.
It will be an accident.
But I told you I don't want
any more accidents.
Who's that?
Yes?
The same man, sir.
- Who?
Mr Jim Medway.
- Alright.
Medway?
On his way up.
But that's beautiful.
Charlie, don't you want to
go to a bar for a while?
I would so much like
to be alone with him.
Just for a few minutes.
I promise you it won't be long.
Please, won't you even
do me a little favour?
I know you don't need me,
but it hurts me.
A man like you, you
shouldn't even talk to him.
Alright, if you want to be mean.
Weak eyes, Mr Paynter?
No. Good ones.
I have perfect eyes.
You see this one, sees
everything I'm supposed to see.
And this one doesn't see at
all what I don't want to see.
Hmm .. Zeiss. Good.
I suppose you could see quite a of
that window with these, Charlie.
I have more to do than to look
through the windows all day long.
Hmm.
Even when your Mister Paynter
is trying to murder me?
Look sir, in this part of the world we
don't go around murdering people.
Sometimes I wish I could.
Yes, I suppose it would be
very convenient for you ..
If something happened to me
before the police get me, right?
Listen, if you've anything to say,
get it off your chest and get out.
Alright, Charlie.
You've left it too late, Charlie.
What do you mean?
- The police have caught up with me.
Don't give me that. If you'd been
to the police, you wouldn't be here.
Go and look.
It's Sawnton.
And he's a policeman, isn't he?
What else could he be?
Then now you see why
you left it too late.
If anything happens to me,
he'll know who caused it.
I expect they've already got a
report about the speedboat incident.
No, you're in it up to the neck.
They have you taped now, Charlie.
They know you tried to get rid of me.
And why.
Because I know you killed Lorna.
Ellen .. someone is
throwing pennies at us.
You saucy thing.
Want to go to Paris tonight, girls?
We were thinking of going.
Okay, get your duds on and we'll
have a bit of the old promenade first.
Shall we sit down?
What time does your bus go?
There are plenty of buses.
I have nothing to hurry back for.
Good.
I can let you have two
of these pounds back.
I haven't needed them.
I've been with you all day.
You're independent, aren't you.
- Please take them.
Alright.
Don't blame me if they chuck you off the
bus because you can't pay your fare.
I've allowed for that.
Is that a photograph of your wife?
Yes.
May I see it?
- Yes, of course.
You loved her once.
What a strange thing for you to say.
Is it? I didn't mean anything.
Yes, I loved her.
It was a long time ago.
I must have loved her.
You see, we were only
together a short time, and ..
Then I was away for three years.
I kept this picture with me.
As the months went by, it sort of ..
Got like something I'd cut out
of a magazine, you know.
I stayed faithful to her
because I thought ..
When I got back ..
Everything would be alright.
I should fall in love again.
When I get did back, I ..
She ..
She had died.
I didn't know her very well.
I suppose if you're away from someone
for a long time you become strangers.
Look Jim, I'm so afraid.
Afraid?
Afraid it will happen in my life.
What is your life, Ann?
Oh .. I've been so good about
not telling you my troubles.
Tell me now.
It's quite simple.
I've got a little girl.
She's two years old.
And the father?
He went away.
And he promised to marry you?
I just took it for granted
we'd get married.
Are you in love with him?
Yes.
Poor Ann.
My father is a lawyer.
We're very respectable.
That made it worse.
But you said you .. you had
nothing to hurry back for.
Where is your baby?
With my cousin, Marian.
Did you give her up?
It's a decision I have to make.
That's why I'm here. To be away from
them. To think about it by myself.
What do they want you to do?
Marian and her husband
want to adopt her.
They're going to live in New Zealand.
If I let her go, I shall
never see Jill again.
And what do your parents think?
They say I must think of Jill's future.
As if I ever did anything else.
I can see their point of view.
So can I. I can see mine too.
It would break your heart to
give her up, wouldn't it?
She's my baby. I love her.
What are you thinking?
I just realised why you ran
away from the Fortune Teller.
Why?
Because she was giving you
advice you didn't want to hear.
Yes.
Yes, I suppose so.
Good evening.
Wonderful weather.
- Wonderful.
Are you down for the day?
- Yes.
Having a nice time?
Yes, thank you.
I like to think of young
people enjoying themselves.
Have a good time while
you're young, what.
Oh.
How sad to read of people
dying on a day like this.
You know, I was on the cliff at
that very spot only the other day.
And that White Cottage.
No place for a woman alone.
Jim, he's right.
We should be having a good time.
Let's enjoy ourselves before
everything closes down on us.
Restless.
Hello, Mr Paynter.
Give me a double.
- Double?
Hello, Charlie.
You don't have to call them in, do you?
- Not yet.
Nothing like some deaths to
attract the customers away.
They're all up on the cliffs.
What do you want?
- That one.
This is my lucky day.
Who wants the rest of these prizes?
The more you win, the
less I have to rack up.
You wicked girl.
Now you go back and
put it where you found it.
I must go on this. Coming?
Enjoy yourself, dear.
Have a good time.
What are you looking for?
- We lost him. We're by ourselves now.
Is this what you call
being by ourselves?
Anyway, we've lost that man
who followed us all day.
Has he been worrying you?
He was following us, wasn't he?
- He isn't now.
Come on, let's make the
most of our freedom.
A nasty place to fall.
I've been here all day.
Don't go too near.
He must have hit those rocks.
I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Isn't it lucky we came today.
No. Like this, ducks.
You don't have to hug me.
I know I don't have to.
I do it for pleasure.
What you doing?
You have to win 'em, not smash 'em.
The most valuable gift
on the stall, that was.
I'm going to miss you this time.
How is that?
- That's better. Thank you.
Now look, I'll show you. Go easy on the
trigger. Just a nice, gentle squeeze.
Practising what you preach, aren't you.
Look, if you ..
- Give it here.
Here, what are you playing at?
Get back, Ann.
Someone tried to kill you.
It wasn't an accident.
No, it wouldn't be an accident.
Come on, let's get out of here.
Hello, Selby.
The necktie found on Carston's body.
Have we got it here?
Yes, sir.
Fetch it, will you.
- Yes, sir.
Hmm.
Get me the White Cottage, will you.
Sergeant Larkin?
Have you made a search of the garden?
No trace of the second page
of that note we found?
No, I didn't expect you to find it.
This is the tie Carston
was wearing, sir.
Practically brand-new, isn't it.
It's badly creased, sir.
- I can see that.
Selby, you were there.
What does he mean by: 'I had great
difficulty in removing the necktie'?
It was very tightly knotted, sir.
- You mean it was choking him?
No, sir. It was quite
loose about the neck.
It was just in a very tight knot, sir.
A strange way to treat a new tie.
- Yes, sir.
What were the rest of his
clothes like? Were they new too?
As far as I could judge, sir.
Carston seems to have come
into money before he died.
That should tell me something.
Alright, Selby. Leave it here.
[ Telephone ]
Hello?
Oh, Sergeant Sawnton.
So you let yourself be fooled
by that old trick, did you.
Where did they go before you lost them?
Fairground?
Anything happen?
Shooting gallery?
Who fired the shot?
Paynter, eh?
That is interesting.
Where do you suggest
looking for Medway now?
Alright, I'll meet you there.
Yes, yes. The Primrose Bar.
I've an idea that's where
all the threads tie up.
To think we let a little thing like
that keep us apart all this time.
But I still want to sail it, you know.
- Sail it?
In the bath.
That's the first time I've seen
Charlie Durham drinking alone.
How are you, Charlie?
Expecting someone, sir?
It's been quite a day, hasn't it.
- Yes.
This is the right way to
finish a day by the sea.
At a Pierrot show?
- Hmm.
The day isn't over yet.
You sound afraid again.
I am afraid.
About us?
- Yes.
We'll meet next week, won't we?
No, Jim.
Why do we go on pretending?
Pretending?
Pretending there is a future.
You know there isn't for us.
You know we won't meet again next week.
You know we'll never meet again.
No .. I don't know.
Let's be honest before we part.
Let's.
Jim, I know.
I know about you.
What do you know about me?
I know you killed your wife.
Pierrots, please?
Hmm.
Who told you that?
I overheard.
In that place.
The Primrose Bar. This morning.
It's the truth, isn't it?
I'm sorry, Jim.
I am sorry.
You're amazing.
Amazing?
- Hmm.
You stayed with me all day.
I liked you.
You were a man who'd been kind to me.
But after you overheard what I
said to Durham .. you ran away.
When I heard you say that,
I couldn't. I had to go away.
I couldn't just sit down
and have lunch with you.
No.
When we met again, I wanted to stay
with you no matter what you'd done.
I knew.
At least I thought I knew what you
must be feeling and thinking today.
I knew how terrible it would be if
you were left alone without friends.
I wanted to help.
If it had to be your
last day of freedom.
I wanted to make it a day
you could remember ..
Without too much bitterness.
Like the last day of the holidays?
- Yes.
You're a wonderful girl, Ann.
They don't turn out your
sort in bundles of dozens.
Don't cry, Ann.
I didn't know.
If you hadn't met me today you wouldn't
have anything to cry about, would you.
We could have been happy.
No.
Not with that sign boring into my mind.
You're very bitter about him.
I have reason to be.
You're going to say he killed your wife?
- Morally, he did kill her.
Jim, you mustn't ..
- I'm going to make him suffer too.
You can't let someone else be
blamed for something you've done.
Don't worry.
I can break the case against
him when the time comes.
When the time comes?
Yes.
When I think he's had enough.
Oh, Jim.
Don't take revenge like this.
Please don't.
You're destroying yourself.
That doesn't matter anymore.
Doesn't it, Jim?
With the sunshine in their shoes.
Come on, it's time we went back.
- Where?
To the Primrose Bar.
Why must you go back there again?
Because I want to see what the
day has done to Charlie Durham.
Is that how we must finish it?
Yes, Ann.
I don't want to come.
We can say goodbye here.
Very well.
Come with me, Ann.
If there has been anything
between us today ..
Come with me.
Evening, Charlie.
Hello, Inspector. Sit down.
Have one on the house.
- Thanks.
Presently.
Not on the warpath, I hope.
Never off it.
You don't want to see me, do you?
I'm hoping to see quite a
number of people here tonight.
You're one of them.
Can we have a talk?
Why not? Come up to
the office, it's quieter.
Right, Just as well.
If you can spare the time.
Don't worry. This place runs itself.
Send up a bottle of special.
- Okay, sir.
See.
That awful moonshine.
I know because the clock was striking.
I've got to go.
Good evening, Mr Paynter.
Charlie needs me.
Don't you dare to say a word.
After tonight.
Charlie and I ..
Will be square.
I've been praying for this day.
Praying.
Give them another round.
Everybody.
Take a seat, Inspector.
- Paynter, out?
He's been out all evening.
- So I hear.
I'm having some special Scotch
sent up. I'd like you to try it.
In the meantime, have a cigarette.
Thanks.
Who are the people you expect
to see here tonight, Inspector?
Paynter.
What's he been doing?
- Trying to shoot someone.
Nonsense.
- Might have been an accident.
Has he been drinking?
- I believe so.
Well .. that explains
everything, doesn't it.
You know all about him, of course?
Yes, I know about him.
I hope your boys run him in
before he does any damage.
[ Door knocks ]
Come in.
Alright, sir?
- Thanks.
Tell me what you think of that.
Like milk.
Who else are you expecting
to see tonight, Inspector?
A chap called Jim Medway.
You know him?
Yes I do. As a matter of fact ..
He was here this morning.
Do you know his wife?
I knew her before they were married.
Let me see .. what was her name?
Lorna?
- That's right.
Why did you ask?
She died last night.
Here in Seagate?
In the White Cottage, to be exact.
According to the papers, that
was a woman named Watson.
It was Lorna Medway.
You own the White Cottage, don't you?
Well, Paynter does.
Have you anything in writing about it?
Receipts or anything?
Right here, under my hand.
She didn't make any of the
payments herself, did she?
No.
Was there anything wrong with that?
I just wanted a specimen
of her handwriting.
I see.
Does .. Medway know
about his wife's death?
I think he does.
How did he strike you
when you saw him today?
He seemed .. a little on edge, but ..
Of course, I haven't
seen him for some time.
Did he ask after his wife?
No.
No, I .. don't think he did.
Did he mention her at all?
No. As I was being rather selfish.
I spent most of the time showing
him the photographs of my two boys.
Strange, isn't it, that he
didn't mention his wife?
Yes, I suppose it is.
We kept a tag on him
during most of the day.
He did one or two strange things.
Was he alone when you saw him?
He was meeting a girl.
He said something about her.
Oh yes. He said:
'I wish I'd met her
before I'd met Lorna'.
Then he did mention his wife?
Yes .. I had forgotten that.
Come to think of it, it's an odd thing
for him to say if he knew of her death.
You think the shock
affected him in some way?
[ Buzzer ]
Yes?
Mr Medway and a lady, sir.
- Alright. Show them both up.
Right, sir.
Medway and the girl have just arrived.
- Good.
Have another drink, Inspector.
- Thanks. Excellent whiskey.
Yes.
It makes you appear as
though you .. weren't on duty.
I always drink when I'm on duty.
I suppose you'd like to
talk to Medway alone?
If you don't mind my
talking to him here?
No. The place is yours, Inspector.
Hello, Charlie.
Hello.
This is Inspector Tenby.
Inspector .. Mr Medway.
Good evening.
This is Miss Corday.
- Good evening.
I'd like a few words with
you in private, Mr Medway.
Certainly, Inspector.
But I should like Miss Corday
to hear your few words.
I should like Charlie to hear them too.
I suggest they stay.
As you wish.
Take a seat, Jim.
Thanks.
Perhaps Miss Corday can sit over there.
A drink anybody?
- No thank you.
Do you mind answering one
or two questions, Mr Medway?
Suppose I give you the answers
to that question by question.
Very well.
When did you come down here?
- Last night.
By what train?
- The mail.
Why?
The railway company made no objection.
The mail gets in about 3:30.
- Hmm.
Why did you come to Seagate?
- I came to see my wife.
Where was your wife?
I had reason to believe she stayed
at a place called the White Cottage.
For what reason?
I had found a letter.
If you left the train at 3:30 ..
You'd get to the White
Cottage about 4 o'clock.
Correct.
After you reached the
cottage, what did you do?
I walked. Back to Seagate.
Without going into the cottage?
- Yes.
Why?
Because I saw a man leaving the cottage.
Did you recognise him?
No.
Thanks.
I'm sorry to have to ask
you this, Mr Medway.
But seeing a man coming away from wife's
house at that time of the morning ..
You naturally put a certain
construction on the situation.
Naturally.
Then you went back the way you'd come?
Yes.
- Why?
Why?
I suppose I wanted to think.
I didn't imagine there would be
much of a welcome waiting for me.
I think you're lying, Mr Medway.
I can't help what you think.
In fact I'm prepared to
put it more strongly.
I know you are lying.
I'm looking for ..
For Inspector Tenby.
No.
What are you doing to me now?
Forgive me, Charlie. Did I ..
Did I cause you so much trouble?
I've come here Inspector, because ..
Because I want to make a statement.
Well, what is it?
Inspector ..
I confess I killed Lorna Medway.
Back to your old tricks.
You've been drinking.
I know I'm drunk, Charlie.
But I have never been so sober.
Your life wasn't worth saving.
Easy, Mr Durham. I know him.
Now then, Paynter.
What's this story of yours
about Mrs Lorna Medway?
Well.
I went over to see her last
night, to the White Cottage.
What time did you leave?
I left at exactly.
Four o'clock.
I remember because the clock was
striking when I opened the door.
Alright, Mr Durham.
Tell me, Paynter.
What did you do with the knife?
What knife?
Oh .. I threw it into the sea.
You threw it into the sea?
- Yes.
You know why?
Because I didn't want to make
it too easy for you coppers.
I don't like coppers.
I see.
Now look here, Paynter.
I don't know what you hope to gain
by this absurd confession of yours.
What I told you is true.
You understand?
I did go to the White
Cottage last night.
Yes, you might have been at
the White Cottage last night.
But you did not stab Lorna Medway.
She wasn't stabbed.
She committed suicide.
Isn't that the case, Mr Medway?
Suicide?
Why are you asking me?
Because you were lying when you
said you didn't go into the cottage.
You did.
Sometime during the night and
you found your wife dead.
She'd taken a very large
overdose of sleeping tablets.
We found half of a suicide note
that had blown under the desk.
Can I have the other half?
Yes, this makes it clear enough.
You know you should have brought
this to us at once, don't you.
Yes.
You were making trouble for yourself.
Lorna Medway's death has
been no mystery to us.
We shadowed you today
Mr Medway, for another reason.
But now it seems my question
should be to Paynter.
When you left the White Cottage,
which way did you come back?
I asked you, Paynter.
Which way did you come back?
See, I came back ..
By the cliff path.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Did you meet anybody?
No.
You must have met someone, Paynter.
If you left the Cottage at 4 o'clock,
you'd get to the cliff top at five past.
Carston was killed at six minutes past.
Carston wasn't killed.
He fell over the cliff.
He was thrown over.
Pushed, if you like. And the
murderer held on to his tie.
The papers said ..
Never mind what the papers said.
Paynter admits to having been there. I'm
going to take you into custody, Paynter.
Huh?
On suspicion of having
murdered Arthur Carston.
By throwing him over the cliff.
What does he want, Charles?
Carston was getting
money from somewhere.
And as you were the man, Paynter,
who was visiting Lorna Medway ..
I suggest he was blackmailing you.
Possibly sending you letters.
I didn't get any letters.
Why don't you leave him alone?
Can't you see the state he's in.
Look Inspector, may I ..
May I ask you a question?
You can ask your questions later.
- No. Now.
Now. Right now!
I want to ask my questions now.
And I want to have my answers now.
You hear?
What are you trying to pin on me, huh?
What are you trying to do?
All I know is that I come here
and I tell you that I killed her.
I told you because I had a reason.
Charlie knows.
I don't mean it that way.
I mean .. I mean Charlie can explain.
Explain it, Charlie.
I warn you, Inspector. If anybody ..
If anybody tries to crowd in on me, I ..
I'm not too easy to deal with.
Not too easy.
Not too easy at all.
Do you mind phoning
the station, Charlie?
Go on.
Hello.
Police?
Paynter. Paynter, are you mad? Paynter.
No, Jim.
Yes, you were right, Ann.
Durham's got it coming
to him without my help.
Paynter. What are you doing?
You don't understand.
Listen to me.
I saved your life once, didn't I?
Didn't I? Trust me.
You ..
No.
No.
Please, Paynter. You don't understand.
Listen to me.
Please forgive me. Forgive me.
No .. no ..
And the murderer held on to his tie.
A pity you didn't go
over as well, Charlie.
You've been terribly sweet.
Ann, I've been thinking
about you and Jill.
Don't give her up. You'll be sorry
for the rest of your life if you do.
Jim, I just wanted someone to say that.
Come on. Hop in.
Ann, I must see you again.
- Yes, yes. I want to.
But where do you live?
I don't know your address.
You'll forget. I'll send it.
- Why didn't I ask you before?
Goodbye.
What am I waiting here for?
Why don't I come with you?
Yes. Why don't you?
..s-d..